Infinity Ward Confirms Third-Person View in Modern Warfare 2

Infinity Ward has confirmed that Modern Warfare 2 will offer a third-person view but says limitations will be imposed on its use to ensure a level playing field for everyone.

Rumors of a new, third-person view in Modern Warfare 2 began to surface in the wake of a leaked gameplay video which showed the variable position camera in action. Infinity Ward turned those rumors into fact fairly quickly, but added that it had taken steps to ensure that the new view didn't give anyone an unfair advantage.

"Third Person is a new playlist mode in multiplayer," Infinity Ward Community Manager Robert Bowling explained. "So you can play your favorite playlists [or] game types, like Team Deathmatch just standard, or in Hardcore mode ([with] limited HUD and increased bullet damage) or in the new Third Person mode, which means you and everyone in the game is in third-person."

It's an all-or-nothing deal, apparently; everyone in third-person games will be playing in that mode and toggling back to first-person won't be allowed. "When you're in a Third Person playlist you can't toggle in and out, you're always in third-person," Bowling continued. "You can't toggle third-person view on or off in a standard game type either, people in third-person can't play with people in first-person, they're entirely different game modes. This is just another way to play the game."

Maybe I've spent too many years spent in the first-person perspective but, generally speaking, I'm not a fan of third-person views. Character control is awkward and I find my sense of immersion constantly disrupted as I struggle with the feeling that I'm watching someone else play the game. But like so many things these days, mine is a minority opinion, and news that Modern Warfare 2 will offer an external camera seems to be generating an awful lot of excitement. I don't see what the big deal is, but what about you? (Yeah, you.) Is this something you're really looking forward to?

Source: CVG

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Further proof that IW are assholes. The only answer we got after the whole dedicated servers thing was a useless marketing blurb full of bullshit, lies and plain insults after more then a week of asking and now some news comes out that somebody finally found the camera distance variable and they give a full explanation within 24 hours.

Deathstreaks, now this?
Oh dear. Things are beginning to look grim.
The camera angles are reminiscent of Lost Planet...

It's a nice addition for those who want it, but then there will still be those to complain.
As for the PC front...my friend and I looked into it (he's a PC gamer more than I) and we decided it is a mostly foolproof way to stop pirating, it's also a lazy approach haha...kinda like how co-op could have been added to single player if they had only made it unlockable after one playthrough, or ranked/social playlists online to allow quests.
But hey, I'm not complaining. I just wanna game.

Unless there's a cover system and you can do front flips to get around instead of running I don't think there will be any appeal.

I'm not a big Gears of War fan, but you have to give them credit for making the best of the third person perspective. Tacking it on and calling it a 'feature' seems like a waste of resources they could be using to do something else.

Wait, so it's no longer an FPS game or what?

Wow what a waste, so no dedicated servers or mods but you can play the game from a crappy perspective atleast.

IW, we dont care if you try new things. AS long as you leave the tried and true way in as well. I wont play 3rd person much, but I can't complaint since 1st is still there. I wish I could say the same about MatchMaking and dedicated servers...

it doesn't really matter to me, if I decide I want to play in third person, I will, I'll give it a shot, if I don't like it, I'll avoid it, simple.

I don't know what everyone else here is complaining about, its not game breaking or anything, get over it...

Abedeus:
Wait, so it's no longer an FPS game or what?

No, it is still a fps but there is an extra feature where you can play certain multiplayer matches in third person, but it is still a fps I am assuming campaign and spec ops is still going to be fps only.
I think adding 3rd person could be interesting I am still sticking to first person but it will be fun to play around on.

I like not having someone being able to toggle back and forth in online cause that would be annoying but not letting them play together, starwars was able to do that.

Cool, a third person mode.

Some people don't like 3rd person but you don't have to play it that way, so no use complaining.

mrjinx:
Unless there's a cover system and you can do front flips to get around instead of running I don't think there will be any appeal.

I'm not a big Gears of War fan, but you have to give them credit for making the best of the third person perspective. Tacking it on and calling it a 'feature' seems like a waste of resources they could be using to do something else.

Seconded. Seems like a waste of resources, seeing as the only good third person shooters without cover mechanics are the GTA games and, well, maybe it's just me but they can't hold a candle to MW.

bue519:
Wow what a waste, so no dedicated servers or mods but you can play the game from a crappy perspective atleast.

Is this some kind of weird trolling? This post is about an entirely different part of the game. There's no reason for anyone to bring up this stupid argument again.

It's real easy. If you don't want the game that Infinity Ward made, don't buy it. Don't sit there and complain about the game they "might've made" or "should've made". Honestly, why won't people shut up and realize that just because there is such a thing as an Entertainment Company, they don't exist to entertain your every whim.

On the third-person thing, it's another option, which normally I'm in favour of. My worry is that this will split the base even more though. Some people will probably stick with Call of Duty 4, some might stick with WAW, and now the players that do upgrade will be cut between FPS and 3PS? That's a lot of ways to split the player base. I'm probably worrying for nothing, anyway you cut it, I probably won't have trouble filling a game.

You'll never see me on the third-person games.

I can't say I've ever been a fan of third-person perspective when it comes to games, with the exception of Splinter Cell and Drake's Fortune. Even in those games it always seemed unnatural to me and like Malygris said, it takes away from the immersion that First Person Shooters generally offer.

I don't mind the idea of being able to switch between the two in a game, but as the article alluded to that can be used as a total advantage (And was the bane of many a Quake player when that cheat was discovered), but only if you're a total dick and full-time lamer.

As long as you aren't stuck in Third Person, I have no qualms about it being an option. I wish I could say the same for only 2 player co-op 'Special Ops' mode...

GruntOwner:

mrjinx:
Unless there's a cover system and you can do front flips to get around instead of running I don't think there will be any appeal.

I'm not a big Gears of War fan, but you have to give them credit for making the best of the third person perspective. Tacking it on and calling it a 'feature' seems like a waste of resources they could be using to do something else.

Seconded. Seems like a waste of resources, seeing as the only good third person shooters without cover mechanics are the GTA games and, well, maybe it's just me but they can't hold a candle to MW.

GTA IV had cover mechanics.

Well, I can see all the complainers lining up, the same ones who said using tanks in hardcore mode for WaW was cheap [and who gave me death threats while I was bouncing with glee at their anger], so let me say this first:

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PLAY THIRD PERSON IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO.

honestly Im not quite sure about having a thrid person perspective in a first person shooter, its been tried before and it just feels clunky. Though I can imagine that third person perspectives will increase the number of run-an'-gun matches involving nothing but shotguns and/or P90's.

Crunchy English:

bue519:
Wow what a waste, so no dedicated servers or mods but you can play the game from a crappy perspective atleast.

Is this some kind of weird trolling? This post is about an entirely different part of the game. There's no reason for anyone to bring up this stupid argument again.

It's real easy. If you don't want the game that Infinity Ward made, don't buy it. Don't sit there and complain about the game they "might've made" or "should've made". Honestly, why won't people shut up and realize that just because there is such a thing as an Entertainment Company, they don't exist to entertain your every whim.

On the third-person thing, it's another option, which normally I'm in favour of. My worry is that this will split the base even more though. Some people will probably stick with Call of Duty 4, some might stick with WAW, and now the players that do upgrade will be cut between FPS and 3PS? That's a lot of ways to split the player base. I'm probably worrying for nothing, anyway you cut it, I probably won't have trouble filling a game.

Wow way to accuse and then state nearly the same view. I'm not asking for Infinity Ward to cater a game to me. It just seems that this Call of Duty managed to take an even larger dump on PC gamers than most console ports. I'm not really sure how thats trolling, I mean sorry if I'd rather have more maps (cause I can't make any) rather than a crappy perspective that hardly anyone will use. Besides I'm not really sure how a third person option will "split the player base" (I mean wouldn't people just not use that playlist?), I just see it as a tacked on addition that will for the most part probably go unused. So thanks for calling me a troll then complaining about the game.

Meh...

Seeing I won't be purchasing the game after the dedicated server thing my view is pointless. Besides it is a optional feature, making any gripe pointless given that you could choose not to utilize it with, I assume, ease. Now if you can't filter out third person servers, those non-dedicated servers at that, then it is a problem that needs addressing but till then it is a meh point.

I dislike TPS, I dislike it a lot. I was never one to enjoy having a large fellow blocking my screen. I completely hated Gears of War because of it. As long as I am not forced to play "matchmaking" games in Third-person shooter form I won't care though.

bue519:

Crunchy English:

bue519:
Wow what a waste, so no dedicated servers or mods but you can play the game from a crappy perspective atleast.

Is this some kind of weird trolling? This post is about an entirely different part of the game. There's no reason for anyone to bring up this stupid argument again.

It's real easy. If you don't want the game that Infinity Ward made, don't buy it. Don't sit there and complain about the game they "might've made" or "should've made". Honestly, why won't people shut up and realize that just because there is such a thing as an Entertainment Company, they don't exist to entertain your every whim.

On the third-person thing, it's another option, which normally I'm in favour of. My worry is that this will split the base even more though. Some people will probably stick with Call of Duty 4, some might stick with WAW, and now the players that do upgrade will be cut between FPS and 3PS? That's a lot of ways to split the player base. I'm probably worrying for nothing, anyway you cut it, I probably won't have trouble filling a game.

Wow way to accuse and then state nearly the same view. I'm not asking for Infinity Ward to cater a game to me. It just seems that this Call of Duty managed to take an even larger dump on PC gamers than most console ports. I'm not really sure how thats trolling, I mean sorry if I'd rather have more maps (cause I can't make any) rather than a crappy perspective that hardly anyone will use. Besides I'm not really sure how a third person option will "split the player base" (I mean wouldn't people just not use that playlist?), I just see it as a tacked on addition that will for the most part probably go unused. So thanks for calling me a troll then complaining about the game.

My only question would be how many copies of the game are sold on PC compared to 360 & PS3. Had a quick google but couldn't see anything. Based on the Game of the Year editions ranking on Amazon, the PC version is by a significant margin the least popular in terms of sales, so whether or not its pleasant, its at least unsurprising IW are concentrating on the console offer.

3rd person might provide an interesting swing on the single player campaign, and it might give the bigger multiplayer maps some novelty. Not like it gets in the way tho.

bue519:

Crunchy English:

bue519:
Wow what a waste, so no dedicated servers or mods but you can play the game from a crappy perspective atleast.

Is this some kind of weird trolling? This post is about an entirely different part of the game. There's no reason for anyone to bring up this stupid argument again.

It's real easy. If you don't want the game that Infinity Ward made, don't buy it. Don't sit there and complain about the game they "might've made" or "should've made". Honestly, why won't people shut up and realize that just because there is such a thing as an Entertainment Company, they don't exist to entertain your every whim.

On the third-person thing, it's another option, which normally I'm in favour of. My worry is that this will split the base even more though. Some people will probably stick with Call of Duty 4, some might stick with WAW, and now the players that do upgrade will be cut between FPS and 3PS? That's a lot of ways to split the player base. I'm probably worrying for nothing, anyway you cut it, I probably won't have trouble filling a game.

Wow way to accuse and then state nearly the same view. I'm not asking for Infinity Ward to cater a game to me. It just seems that this Call of Duty managed to take an even larger dump on PC gamers than most console ports. I'm not really sure how thats trolling, I mean sorry if I'd rather have more maps (cause I can't make any) rather than a crappy perspective that hardly anyone will use. Besides I'm not really sure how a third person option will "split the player base" (I mean wouldn't people just not use that playlist?), I just see it as a tacked on addition that will for the most part probably go unused. So thanks for calling me a troll then complaining about the game.

I was just curious about the ramifications of third person view... y'know, the topic of the thread? No need to lodge other arguments in here. Dedicated Servers has a few threads, ahem, "dedicated" to it already right? No offense meant if you were being serious, just try to stay on topic.

Crunchy English:

bue519:

Crunchy English:

bue519:
Wow what a waste, so no dedicated servers or mods but you can play the game from a crappy perspective atleast.

Is this some kind of weird trolling? This post is about an entirely different part of the game. There's no reason for anyone to bring up this stupid argument again.

It's real easy. If you don't want the game that Infinity Ward made, don't buy it. Don't sit there and complain about the game they "might've made" or "should've made". Honestly, why won't people shut up and realize that just because there is such a thing as an Entertainment Company, they don't exist to entertain your every whim.

On the third-person thing, it's another option, which normally I'm in favour of. My worry is that this will split the base even more though. Some people will probably stick with Call of Duty 4, some might stick with WAW, and now the players that do upgrade will be cut between FPS and 3PS? That's a lot of ways to split the player base. I'm probably worrying for nothing, anyway you cut it, I probably won't have trouble filling a game.

Wow way to accuse and then state nearly the same view. I'm not asking for Infinity Ward to cater a game to me. It just seems that this Call of Duty managed to take an even larger dump on PC gamers than most console ports. I'm not really sure how thats trolling, I mean sorry if I'd rather have more maps (cause I can't make any) rather than a crappy perspective that hardly anyone will use. Besides I'm not really sure how a third person option will "split the player base" (I mean wouldn't people just not use that playlist?), I just see it as a tacked on addition that will for the most part probably go unused. So thanks for calling me a troll then complaining about the game.

I was just curious about the ramifications of third person view... y'know, the topic of the thread? No need to lodge other arguments in here. Dedicated Servers has a few threads, ahem, "dedicated" to it already right? No offense meant if you were being serious, just try to stay on topic.

I understand your point. I was merely trying to point out the absurdity of putting in a mode that I don't really see many people using, and cutting out things that people would push their mothers down stairs for. Granted I'm probably going to buy it for a console because of these changes. But being a fairly avid PC gamer, I can see that some people will probably feel like IW doesn't care about the market that they started on.

This thread has almost immediately turned from the topic at hand into the same old bullshit that was flying around not even a week ago. All regard for relevance is gone.

This is a nice thing: I hope that this extra viewpoint idea is incorporated more so that players like my brother (who enjoys 3rd person shooters) get to play the same games online as everyone else.

Thats cool. It'll be fun to play in both 3rd and 1st person. :D

Not bothered, I just won't use the 3rd person

It needs some way to switch the side of the body that the gun is carried on, so that aiming makes the character occupy the right-hand side of the screen in order to give you a choice of cover to fire from - as in Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.

Also they need to do a ton of work on the lower body animations/climbing etc. It just looks laughable at the moment.

Better to remove jump altogether and have a clamber-over action like in ARMA II:

See: 5:26 - 6:35 min (if you don't want to watch the whole thing this part covers leaning and climbing - there is no Jump.)

As others have pointed out, IW seem to be pandering to the low IQ Jock 360 shooter crowd who are going to be sorely dissapointed at the lack of "Teh Power Armor!!!" in 3rd person view.

I never really liked the third-person. It's good in some games (Resident Evil), but as you pointed out it's less immersive. I might give it a try, but I don't expect it to be my standard mode.

It's good they have it, but I simply don't like 3rd person view in shooting games. Platforms, hack & slash, puzzle ect sure, but I like that claustrophobic feeling I get for FPS, makes it feel so much more real.

Now, I like some TPS games like Rainbow Six Vegas and Gears of War but both of those games have cover systems and that's really the only place that TPS works. In those games you need to look over the cover to be able to kill whatever is behind it and if you were locked into a FPS view you would find yourself getting out from cover only to be shot by the group of enemies waiting for you. Because CoD6 doesn't have a cover system, the TPS view is pointless.

One of the biggest problems is that when looking down the scope half of your screen is covered. While you probably see the same amount, as it's zoomed out, your left flank is completely unprotected. This pretty much stops people from staying still, which might be a good thing in some situations, but in S&D and other objective games it's going to suck. It seems like the third person gametype is going to cater for the running and bunnyhopping minority, the gamers that I feel made CoD4 stupid towards the end of it's multiplayer life. Seeing people jumping around and dodging bullets just looks... stupid. This is also going to pretty much stop long range fighting. As a sniper fan I don't really like the idea of having a model block most of my screen, and I don't like having to look down the scope constantly just so I can get a kill.

So it seems to me like this TPS view is designed to separate the people who want a more 'Halo like' experience from the people who want a more strategic experience. The thing is that Hardcore pretty much did that already did that. While you still have people taking a CQC class and running around, they tend to use a strategy, thought and didn't do stupid things like running in the open and give the other team easy kills. Actually in a good S&D team you need a couple of people to move quickly and take a few enemies by surprise or plant/stop the bomb. This TPV seems that it will either be a failure or take away a key player part from the rest of the games. I want people to be running around in my games, I don't want for everyone to be staying in a corner behind some claymores. I also don't want for IW to make a game mode that no one will play. Maybe some run 'n' gunners will stay away from the TPG while some will play it, but I doubt it.

I'm still getting this game, but this TPS game mode just seems really stupid. Both in how it look and ho it'll effect the gameplay.

Interesting playlist, but i really don't see myself playing it, like, ever.

Urgh...

I'm starting to get doubts. There are indications that this game is taking some wrong turns...