Seen And Heard v3: IW Developers On Modern Warfare 2

It's been a bit since we've done this, but we've finally found enough nuggets of info to warrant a full post.  Seen and Heard is where we track down forum posts by the Infinity Ward developers to keep you in the loop.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you might even learn something.  Enjoy!

This was in reply to a thread addressing the EMP (ElectoMagentic Pulse - 15 kill streak) that Joel Emslie let slip on yesterday's live Combat Training Experience...

"LOL! Hope I dont get fired tomorrow ;)" -IW_Peasant

Here we have Peasant replying to a user in search of Dead Silence, now known as Ninja Pro...

"Perhaps youre not seeing it because it has a different name now?" -IW_Peasant

Peasant in reply to a user questioning the inclusion of a U.S. based multiplayer map out of the box...

"No. There is a US map in the game as is." -IW_Peasant

Joel Emlsie again explaining the 15 killstreak reward that is known as the EMP a bit more...

"Emp = For the opposing team.

All electronic optics don't work.
Killstreaks cant be called in.
UAV is down." -IW_Peasant

In reply to a thread asking if it was possible to snag a Tactical Nuke (25 killstreak reward) from a Care Package (4 killstreak reward - random killstreak drop)...

"No. Care packages are limited to specific killstreaks. The nuke can only be acquired by getting 25 kills. Also care package kills dont count towards new killstreaks." -IW_Peasant

Here'a a reply from Scriptacus addressing a user's idea to "lock" the game for play before release date...

"In some respects it's better that it works. We're going to have a lot of players hitting Live, PSN, and IWNet on launch day. If we get a decent number playing a few days before hand it gives us (and Sony and Microsoft) a chance to catch any load issues that might be forthcoming." -IW_Scriptacus

You gotta love it when devs openly talk about information that hasn't "officially" been announced.  We appreciate this tidbit regarding the Stealth Bomber (9 killstreak reward)...

"Comes in completely unannounced. You can hear its engines though. Doesn't appear on radar for baddies so you have to look for it." -IW_Peasant

Here's Peasant again replying to a user asking about players with early copies being banned (obviously illegal/pirated copies)...

"I honestly don't have any idea how many. All I know is that they are going through them and banning." -IW_Peasant

This in reply to a user asking about the Javelin and it's targeting abilities...

"Can only lock onto mechanized objects and terrain." -IW_Peasant

Here we have a reply to a user asking if the frag grenade will be less used since it's now in the Equipment class with some other top-notch options (Semtex, Throwing Knives, Claymores, Blast Shield, etc)...

"I still fancy the frag grenade in some loadouts." -IW_Peasant

In reply to a thread asking about the 4 killstreak reward, Counter UAV...

"Even if the other team doesnt have a uav up their normal mini map is scrambled." - IW_Peasant

Here's a bit of information on the Sentry Gun which is a 5 killstreak reward...

"It has full 360 on its turret and can pitch up and down. You can move them around if its yours but it wont fire until its placed. They are most effective when placed in high spots." -IW_Peasant

A reply to a user who claims there is no major differences between the Assault Rifles...

"You really need to play the game. All the ARs feel and fire differently. I like to use a scar in larger maps and switch to an M4 for med and small maps. It all depends. The recoils are all appropriately balanced and to say there is no recoil at all simply isn't true." -IW_Peasant

Hey, where's my Juggernaut (now a deathstreak known as Painkiller that gives temporary health boost upon spawning)?...

"The removal of Juggernaut opened up Perk 2 and made a attachments like the Silencer more viable.

In COD4, when you play without Stopping Power it was generally fine (if you're a pretty good player), but going up against a player who was using Juggernaut when you didn't have SP was painful. On top of that, if you were using a Silencer or a low damage gun it was even worse.

Without Juggernaut in the mix you're not worrying about running up against someone who is going to take 5-6 bullets to drop if you're not using SP, which in turn encourages more usage of other perks in that slot. (I personally only use SP on one of my classes right now)." -IW_Scriptacus

That does it for this edition of Seen and Heard.  We'll see you on the battlefield on 11.10.09!