The Beta is ready to roll whenever Infinity Ward and Activision decide to let it loose to Beta testers via Xbox Live. As we (the US for the moment) wait for Beta invites, Infinity Ward and Activision held a special CoD 4 Beta event in Hollywood. One lucky [s]bastard[/s] guy blogged about the whole thing, and we wade through the crap to bring you the important details on what some of you may be playing at the end of the month.
First thing of note is that like the Halo 3 Beta, nothing you do in the CoD 4 Beta will be carried over to the full release. And there are no Achievements for the multiplayer side of things", so there should be less of "lets glitch for Achievements", and more of "lets work as a unit and own those guys". Which is a good thing.
Youfll be needing to pick a class for your multiplayer time, with presets as well as the chance to customise one. Naturally, at the start there will be rather average weapons to choose from, mostly being the usual modern warfare weapons like the AK 47, MP5, the M16 and so on. As you up your rank, new weapons are unlocked (similar to Rainbow Six: Vegas presumably). Perks are choosable too, which are special moves per player. Such perks apparently include juggernaut to increase your health, or a perk to improve your aim, or a perk to do extra damage to your enemies.
There was apparently no problem with the framerate which is always reassuring in a multiplayer game, and three maps were playable. There are nice previews of all three over on the site.
As for the gameplay, well, its reassuring to learn that unlike CoD 2, the sniper rifle is balanced. Shots from the sniper are no longer one hit kills unless they hit in the chest or head (unlike in CoD 2 where a shot pretty much anywhere killed the opponent). You can also run fast in the new CoD 4, something again that you couldnt do in CoD 2. As for the killing; sneaking up behind someone and clicking the right thumb stick will result in a knife to the back for your unknowing foe. Head on, your foe will receive the butt of a gun to his head.
Youll be needing to pick a class for your multiplayer time, with presets as well as the chance to customise one. Naturally, at the start there will be rather average weapons to choose from, mostly being the usual modern warfare weapons like the AK 47, MP5, the M16 and so on. As you up your rank, new weapons are unlocked (similar to Rainbow Six: Vegas presumably). Perks are choosable too, which are special moves per player. Such perks apparently include juggernaut to increase your health, or a perk to improve your aim, or a perk to do extra damage to your enemies.
There was apparently no problem with the framerate which is always reassuring in a multiplayer game, and three maps were playable. There are nice previews of all three over on the site.
As for the gameplay, well, its reassuring to learn that unlike CoD 2, the sniper rifle is balanced. Shots from the sniper are no longer one hit kills unless they hit in the chest or head (unlike in CoD 2 where a shot pretty much anywhere killed the opponent). You can also run fast in the new CoD 4, something again that you couldnt do in CoD 2. As for the killing; sneaking up behind someone and clicking the right thumb stick will result in a knife to the back for your unknowing foe. Head on, your foe will receive the butt of a gun to his head.
Getting kills in an unbroken row is the key to the game, as it will allow for airstrikes and UAV Helipcopter support, which will both attempt to wipe out any enemies in the area of your choice, brought up on handy map at the touch of the D-Pad. The radar too has apparently been greatly improved, which is no bad thing after COD2s map wasnt the easiest to get used to.
Some of you may wonder why this Beta isnt being compared to CoD 3. Well thats mainly because CoD 3 wasnt done by the true makers of the CoD series, that of Infinity Ward. Some dont regard it as a true sequel, whereas CoD 4 really will be. Will this game be more enjoyable online than Halo 3 will be? If any game could be, then it is definitely Call of Duty 4. Roll on Winter.
More information was also revealed in an interview with Robert 402 Bowling, Community Relations Manager for Infinity Ward. Some of the more interesting stuff can be read below:
SGD: How many players online?
402: On consoles 16, some game modes will have 18. On the PC its going to be 32+.
SGD: So what are the multiplayer modes going to be in CoD4?
402: Headquarters, FFA, DM, sabotage. Modes will also be brought back from CoD2 along with some modes that arent announced yet. One of the unannounced modes are also my favorite.
SGD: When does the beta start?
402: We havent announced a date.
GD: What about players who want to play syslink or split screen?
402: System link is supported along with 4 player split screen.
SGD: Any vehicles going to be included in the MP portion of the game?
402: None that you can use. But you can call in helicopter support and air strikes. You can tell it where to go but its AI controlled.
360 News: CoD 4 Beta: News and Screens
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