Wikipedia

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

(Redirected from Ghost Riley)
This article is about the sixth installment in the Call of Duty series. For the Nintendo DS version of the game, see Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized. For the 2022 reboot sequel, see Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game).

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a 2009 first-person shooter game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. It is the sixth installment in the Call of Duty series and the direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. It was released worldwide on November 10, 2009, for Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. A separate version for the Nintendo DS, titled Modern Warfare: Mobilized, was also released on the same day. A version for OS X was developed by Aspyr and released in May 2014, and the Xbox 360 version was made backward compatible for the Xbox One in 2018.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Developer(s)Infinity Ward
Beenox (Campaign Remastered)
Publisher(s)Activision
Director(s)Jason West
Producer(s)Mark Rubin
Designer(s)
  • Todd Alderman[1]
  • Steve Fukuda
  • Mackey McCandlish
  • Zied Rieke
Artist(s)Richard Kriegler
Writer(s)Jesse Stern
Composer(s)Lorne Balfe[a]
SeriesCall of Duty
EngineIW 4.0
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
November 10, 2009
OS X
May 20, 2014
Campaign Remastered
PlayStation 4
March 30, 2020
Windows, Xbox One
April 30, 2020
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The game's campaign follows Task Force 141, a multinational special forces unit commanded by Captain Soap MacTavish as they hunt Vladimir Makarov, leader of the Russian Ultranationalist party, and United States Army Rangers from the 1st Ranger Battalion who are defending the Washington, D.C. area from a Russian invasion. The game's main playable characters are Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, of the 141, and Private James Ramirez, of the Army Rangers, with Captain MacTavish becoming playable later in the campaign. The multiplayer mode was expanded upon from the previous game, with several new features and modes.

Development for the game began in 2008, when it was still known as Call of Duty 6. It uses the IW 4.0 engine, an improved version of Call of Duty 4's IW 3.0. Infinity Ward was inspired by real-life conflicts when developing the campaign mode. They initially tested the multiplayer mode by playing an in-house beta version of the game. Modern Warfare 2 was officially announced in February 2009. Teasing of the game began in March, with short trailers being released for the game and, eventually, a full reveal trailer. The multiplayer mode was revealed shortly after. Two downloadable content packs were released for it post-release, each containing five new multiplayer maps, with some being remastered maps from Call of Duty 4.

Modern Warfare 2 received universal acclaim, with praise for its campaign, multiplayer, and amount of content, although it received some criticism for its short length and a lack of innovation. The game was also subject to a controversy surrounding a playable level that had the player carry out a terrorist attack on an airport. Within 24 hours of release, the game sold approximately 4.7 million copies in North America and the United Kingdom ending as the best-selling video game in 2009 in the USA. As of 2013, the game had sold 22.7 million copies becoming one of the best-selling PlayStation 3 video games and best-selling Xbox 360 video games. In addition to its release, a comic book series based on character Simon "Ghost" Riley was also produced, titled Modern Warfare 2: Ghost. A sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, was released in 2011 and finishes the original Modern Warfare storyline. A remaster of the game's campaign, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, was released on the PlayStation 4 in March 2020 and April 2020 for Windows and Xbox One.

Gameplay

 
Players engaging in a gunfight in a multiplayer match. A mini-map is visible in the top left, and match progress in the bottom left.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first person shooter, and its gameplay revolves around fast-paced gunfights against enemy combatants.[2] The player controls a soldier who can perform several actions, including jump, sprint, crouch, lay prone, and aim down their gun's iron sights.[3] When the player is shot by an enemy, blood will splatter their heads-up display (HUD), denoting that they have taken damage; if the player avoids gunfire by taking cover, their health will recover.[4] The HUD also displays other information, such as a compass, a mini-map, and the player's current ammunition count.[5] The game features traditional guns, including assault rifles, shotguns, handguns, and sniper rifles. The player will be given specific guns at the beginning of each level, but may switch them out with another gun they find.[6] Some guns have attachments, such as suppressors, and heartbeat sensors.[7] The player can use grenades and flashbangs when faced with a large group of enemies, as well as a knife for close quarters combat.[8] In some levels, the player will be given special equipment, such as night vision goggles, or a laser designator.[9]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has three different game modes: Campaign, Spec Ops, and Multiplayer.[10] Campaign is a single-player mode where the player completes eighteen levels connected by an overarching plot.[11] Each level features a series of objectives to fulfill, and the player will often switch characters between levels.[10][12] If the player dies during a level, they will respawn at the most recent checkpoint.[13] Levels can be played on one of four difficulties, and each level can be replayed after it has been completed.[13][14] Spec Ops mode features twenty-three additional levels that can be played individually or cooperatively with a partner. These levels provide specific challenges, such as defusing three bombs within a short period of time.[15] If one player is shot down while playing cooperatively, they will begin crawling, and can shoot enemies with a handgun. If they are not revived by the other player, then they will die and fail the level.[15] There are five tiers of Spec Ops levels, with each tier harder than the previous. Only the first tier is available from the beginning, as later tiers can be unlocked with enough stars. The player earns stars by completing the levels on one of three difficulties, with the number of stars earned corresponding to the difficulty chosen.[15]

Multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in team-based and deathmatch-based game types on various maps. Each game type has an objective that requires unique strategies to complete.[16] If the player kills three or more players in a row without dying, they achieve a "killstreak", which gives the player a tactical advantage during a match. These include a Predator missile,[17] a sentry gun,[18] and a tactical nuke.[19] Alternatively, if the player dies several times without a kill, they will be rewarded with a "deathstreak" bonus, which evens the match for the player.[19] A match ends when either a team or player has reached a predefined number of points, or the allotted time expires in which case the team or player with the most points wins.[20] The player's performance in multiplayer is tracked with experience points, which can be earned by killing opposing players, completing objectives, or by completing a match.[21] As the player gains experience, they advance in level, unlocking new weapons. The player will also unlock perks, which modify gameplay elements such as unlimited sprint and increased bullet damage.[22]

Plot

Characters and setting

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 takes place five years after the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. During the single-player campaign, the player controls five different characters from a first-person perspective. The player primarily controls Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, a British member of an international special forces unit named Task Force 141. In addition to Roach, the player will also assume control of Private First Class Joseph Allen and James Ramirez of the 1st Ranger Battalion. The now Captain John "Soap" MacTavish serves as a senior member of Task Force 141, acting as Roach's superior officer, and becomes the playable character in the final three missions of the game. Lastly, the player briefly assumes the role of an astronaut stationed on the International Space Station during the height of the war between the United States and Russia.

The game's non-playable characters (NPCs) feature prominently in the story. For Task Force 141, Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley, a British operator who conceals his face with a skull print balaclava, serves as Soap's second-in-command. For the US Army Rangers, Sergeant Foley, along with his subordinate, Corporal Dunn, is initially Joseph Allen's squad leader, and becomes James Ramirez's squad leader later in the story. Lieutenant General Shepherd is the commander of the Army Rangers and Task Force 141. Other supporting characters returning from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare include Captain John Price, MacTavish's former commanding officer in the British Special Air Service, and Russian informant turned mercenary pilot "Nikolai." Locations featured in the game include Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Brazil, the United States, Georgia, and outer space.

Story

Five years after preventing a nuclear war by the SAS and the Force Recon,[c] the Ultranationalists have ultimately seized control of Russia and Imran Zakhaev becomes a martyr. Diplomatic relations with the United States plummet, while Vladimir Makarov, an Ultranationalist extremist and Zakhaev's protégé, commits to a campaign of vengeance against the West with acts of terrorism. In 2016, Private First Class Joseph Allen impresses U.S. Army Lieutenant General Shepherd with his acts with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan, and is subsequently inducted into Task Force 141. He is then embedded with the CIA and adopts a secret identity to infiltrate Makarov's terrorist cell, leading to him participating in a mass shooting at an airport in Moscow, killing hundreds of Russian civilians. However, Makarov, aware of Allen's true identity, kills him, and leaves his body behind to implicate the United States in the attack.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson and Captain John "Soap" MacTavish secure an Attack Characterization System (ACS) module from a downed American satellite that had been retrieved by Russian forces at an airbase in the Tian Shan range. In the aftermath of the airport massacre, Soap, Roach, Ghost, and several other members of Task Force 141 are sent to Rio de Janeiro to capture Alejandro Rojas, Makarov's arms dealer, and succeed after an intense pursuit through a favela.

In retaliation for the airport massacre, Russia launches a surprise invasion of the United States via the Eastern Seaboard, facilitated by their earlier capture of the ACS module, which allowed them to disable American satellites over North America, leaving NORAD blind. 75th Ranger Regiment platoon Hunter Two-One, including Sergeant Foley and Private First-Class James Ramirez, defend the Washington metropolitan area while helping evacuate civilians and high-profile targets before holding out against Russian forces in Washington, D.C..

Under interrogation, Rojas reveals that the only person Makarov hates more than Americans is an individual known as "Prisoner 627", imprisoned in a gulag in Kamchatka Krai. Intending to use 627 as bait for the terrorist, Task Force 141 breaks into the prison and rescues the prisoner, who is revealed to be Captain John Price.[d] Price rejoins Task Force 141, and in an effort to give American forces a much-needed advantage in repulsing the invasion, leads a raid on a Russian nuclear submarine and launches an SLBM which detonates above D.C. in the upper atmosphere, destroying the International Space Station in the process. The blast creates a massive electromagnetic pulse, disabling all electronic equipment, but gives the Americans an advantage. They launch a counterattack to save the White House from a U.S. Air Force bombing run to deny the city to the Russians. Other high-value locations are recaptured by the Americans, successfully regaining control over the city.

Task Force 141 splits up and sent to two separate locations in search of Makarov—Roach and Ghost lead half of the team to a safehouse on the Georgia–Russia border, while Soap and Price lead the other half to an aircraft boneyard in Afghanistan. Although Makarov is not at the safehouse, the team finds a wealth of intelligence, which they download onto a hard drive before reaching the extraction point. After they are rescued by General Shepherd, he suddenly executes Roach and Ghost while members of his private military company Shadow Company wipe out the rest of the unit. Meanwhile, Soap and Price manage to escape with Nikolai's help.

In the face of a mutual enemy, 141 and Makarov forge a temporary truce and Makarov reveals Shepherd's location. Price and Soap launch a suicide mission to exact revenge on Shepherd, infiltrating his base in Afghanistan. After a lengthy pursuit, the duo corner the general who stabs Soap in the chest. As Shepherd prepares to execute Soap, he reveals that he was the commanding officer of the thirty thousand men who died to Al-Asad's nuke in 2011, and that he revealed Allen's true identity to Makarov to start a war with Russia and become a war hero, betraying Task Force 141 to cover this up. Price then intervenes and engages in a fistfight with Shepherd, giving Soap enough time to pull the knife from his chest and throw it at Shepherd, killing him. Nikolai arrives by helicopter and evacuates Price and Soap, leading them to safety.[e]

Development

Modern Warfare 2 was originally announced as Call of Duty 6.[23] The game was first announced under the title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Activision on December 3, 2008.[24] Activision subsequently retracted its announcement, stating that any information about an upcoming Call of Duty game was "speculative."[25] Infinity Ward then asserted that it had not officially confirmed its latest project at that time.[26] On February 11, 2009, Activision officially announced Modern Warfare 2 and set a tentative release date for "Holiday 2009."[27] The game was tested in an internal beta by the development team. While both Call of Duty 4 and Call of Duty: World at War had been preceded by public multiplayer betas, no such beta was released for Modern Warfare 2 because it was determined that, according to Community Manager Robert Bowling, no public beta was needed unless the internal beta did not provide adequate feedback.[28] While Treyarch was able to port Modern Warfare to the Wii and release it on the same day Modern Warfare 2 was released, Infinity Ward declined to make a Wii version of the sequel. According to Bowling, Infinity Ward determined that the Wii's technical limitations made it impossible to deliver the same cinematic experience that the sequel aspired to present.[29]

Infinity Ward announced in October 2009 that the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 would not support the use of user-run dedicated servers or in-game console commands. This announcement was received poorly by some members of the PC community,[30] eventually instigating a response from Infinity Ward in an attempt to put the community at ease.[31][32] During brainstorming sessions, an idea came forth on what if the ending of Modern Warfare was a loss, leading to the sequel.[33] In an interview with Jesse Stern, he talked to producers of Infinity Ward with ideas such as "outbreaks, viruses, chemical warfare, and even outlandish things such as aliens and the living dead."[34] Stern mentioned having the game based on real-life conflicts before they halted further planning at first due to events in the 2008 South Ossetia war and in the Mumbai terrorist attacks.[34]

Game engine

The game utilizes the in-house IW 4.0 game engine, which is claimed to be a generation beyond the capabilities of the engine used in Call of Duty 4.[35] Although proprietary, the game is based on an unspecified id Tech engine, and can accommodate larger worlds, enhanced graphic detail, and more efficient rendering.[36] Infinity Ward has addressed the issue of enemies that continually respawn at different points of a level.[37] The developer demonstrated that the game engine uses a "dynamic AI", which has replaced the infinite respawn system and allows enemies to act more independently. These "smarter" enemies are designed to actively seek out and drive the player forward through a level, and can break away from set behaviors such as following a designated route in order to attack. The player cannot depend on enemies to be found in the same locations as a previous play-through because enemies will behave differently each time a level is played.[38]

Audio

On August 20, 2009, Robert Bowling revealed through Twitter that Kevin McKidd, Craig Fairbrass, Barry Pepper, Keith David, and Glenn Morshower were confirmed voice actors for the game.[39] It was later confirmed that McKidd would voice the protagonist, "Soap" MacTavish.[40] Fairbrass, who voiced Gaz in Call of Duty 4, provided voice work for "Ghost". Billy Murray reprised his role as Captain Price from Call of Duty 4.[41] Rapper 50 Cent provided voice work for the Special Ops and multiplayer modes, portraying "one of the squad [member] voices."[42][43] The main theme of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was provided by Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer,[44] while the rest of the score was composed by Lorne Balfe.[45] The soundtrack was released on June 1, 2010.[46] The iTunes page for the soundtrack incorrectly lists Zimmer as the soundtrack's only composer.[46]

Marketing and release

On March 25, 2009, a teaser trailer for the game was revealed at the Game Developer Choice Awards ceremony in San Francisco. The teaser was posted on Infinity Ward's website,[47] and released on the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Network a short time later.[48] A second teaser was released on May 10, 2009, and showed gameplay features such as snowmobile driving and underwater actions. The teaser announced that the game would be "revealed" on TNT during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 24, 2009.[49] The "reveal" was the first full-length trailer, which debuted extended sequences of actual in-game scenes and combat; the trailer was subsequently made available on the Modern Warfare 2 official website, which was kept updated for the occasion.[50] A fourth trailer was released on July 27, 2009, and showed the first footage of the game's multiplayer mode.[51] On October 4, 2009, a second full-length cinematic trailer was released and revealed that part of the game would take place in a war-torn Washington, D.C.[52]

On July 21, 2009, Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling revealed through Twitter that a Modern Warfare 2 controller was in the works.[53] Peripherals manufacturer Mad Catz was contracted by Activision to create a line of Modern Warfare 2 controllers and accessories for all platforms that the game would be available on.[54] Activision stated, in its quarterly earnings report, that pre-orders for the game had broken a company record; more copies of Modern Warfare 2 had been pre-ordered than any other game that the company had published before.[55] In September 2009, Monster Energy teamed up with Activision to bring special redeemable codes on the Monster Energy website,[56] where people may submit codes included in Monster Energy packs to redeem items such as Xbox 360 Premium Themes and a Modern Warfare 2 Map Pack code.[57]

In October 2009, Infinity Ward posted a video titled "Fight Against Grenade Spam" on YouTube. In the video, professional baseball player Cole Hamels delivers a public service announcement that advocates against the use of grenade spam. Hamels uses profanity in the video, calling grenade spam "for pussies", and says "what the fuck" when he is blown up with grenades.[58][59] Multiple game journalists, including Phillip Kollar of Game Informer, criticized the title's acronym, F.A.G.S. (a pejorative term for gay people) as condoning the use of homophobic slurs.[60][61] Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling claimed the video was intended as a social commentary joke about the "gamer" stereotype, but ultimately decided to remove the video from YouTube after being convinced the joke went too far.[62]

Title

The original teaser trailer confirmed that the game's title of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was officially shortened to just Modern Warfare 2.[63] After photographs of the official retail boxes were posted by Robert Bowling,[64] Activision confirmed that the standard-edition Modern Warfare 2 packaging would feature the Call of Duty brand logo in order to reflect the game's association with the Call of Duty franchise.[38] It is speculated that the decision was influenced by findings that brand awareness for the game was significantly lower without the Call of Duty logo.[65] However, the developers still prefer to simply call the game Modern Warfare 2 as they consider it a new IP.[66] The menus in the game also refer to the title as simply Modern Warfare 2.

Retail versions

Modern Warfare 2 was released in four different retail versions across the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms: Standard, Hardened, Veteran, and Prestige. The standard version consists of the game and an instructional manual, and is the only version available for the Windows platform.[67] The Hardened Edition consists of the game and manual (which are packaged in a steel book case), an art book, and a token that allows one to download Call of Duty Classic, a hi-definition version of the original Call of Duty game, from Xbox Live Arcade or the PlayStation Store (Classic was released individually on December 2, 2009). The Prestige Edition contains all the elements of the Hardened Edition as well as a set of fully functioning night vision goggles imprinted with the Modern Warfare 2 logo and a stand modeled after the head of the character "Soap" MacTavish.[68] The goggles are powered by five AA batteries[69] and can see up to 50 feet in absolute darkness.[70]

On September 15, 2009, Activision and Microsoft jointly announced a special, limited Modern Warfare 2 version of the Xbox 360 with a 250 GB hard disk. The unit is highlighted by special game product branding and includes two black wireless controllers, a black wired headset, an ethernet cable, a standard definition composite A/V cable, and the standard edition version of the game. This is the first Xbox 360 to come with a 250 GB hard drive.[71] On September 18, UK and rep of Ireland retailer GAME announced a Veteran Edition of Modern Warfare 2 would be exclusive to rep of Ireland and UK. It will come with a 12-inch (30 cm) statue of "Soap" MacTavish with interchangeable arms and weapons and has the same contents as the Hardened Edition.[72] In September 2009, a Veteran Statue Bundle of Modern Warfare 2 was posted on the EB Games website and is available for all platforms.[73]

Modern Warfare 2 was ported to the Nintendo DS with the title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized and a different storyline, released on November 10, 2009.[74] It was also ported to OS X by Aspyr years after the game's original release. This version was released on May 20, 2014, alongside the OS X port for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.[75] The Xbox 360 version of Modern Warfare 2 was made backward compatible with the Xbox One on August 28, 2018.[76]

Downloadable content

Activision announced that two downloadable map packs would be released for Modern Warfare 2.[77] At E3 2009, Microsoft stated that these map packs would first be made available for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live before they would be released for other platforms.[78] Robert Bowling stated that the community response to the game and the first ten downloadable map packs would be used in designing other potential map packs.[79]

The first map pack, titled the "Stimulus Package" was released first for Xbox Live on March 30, 2010[80] and for PlayStation Network and PC on May 4, 2010, in North America.[81][82] The pack contains five maps: reincarnations of the Crash and Overgrown maps from Call of Duty 4, and three new maps: Bailout, a multi-level apartment complex; Storm, an industrial park littered with heavy machinery; and Salvage, an abandoned car junkyard in the middle of the snow.[83] Within 24 hours of its release, it was downloaded over one million times. Within the first week it had been downloaded 2.5 million times, breaking Xbox Live DLC records.[84] In addition to integrating the maps into all existing game types, the Stimulus Package adds two new game modes, randomizing the built-in game types in either normal or hardcore mode.

Activision released the second downloadable map pack, titled the "Resurgence Package", exclusively for Xbox Live on June 3, 2010, in North America. This release was followed by the PlayStation Network and PC versions on July 6 in North America and on July 7 worldwide.[85] The package includes five new multiplayer maps: reincarnations of the Strike and Vacant maps from Call of Duty 4, and three new maps: Carnival, a desolated amusement park; Trailer Park, a mobile home park; and Fuel, an oil refinery.[86] Both of the map packs were made available for purchase on OS X on May 20, 2014, when the OS X port of the game was released.[75]

Comic

A six-part comic book mini-series related to the game has also been produced. Announced by Robert Bowling on August 17, 2009, Modern Warfare 2: Ghost is focused on the backstory of the character Ghost, who appears in the video game as a member of Task Force 141. The series is published by WildStorm. The first issue of the series debuted on November 11, 2009.[87][88]

Short film

Main article: Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish

A fan-made prequel to Modern Warfare 2, entitled Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish, premiered at Call of Duty: XP 2011. The video was produced by We Can Pretend, visual effects by The Junction, and was endorsed by Activision. The first film, Find Makarov, was a non-canon fan made film. Activision contacted We Can Pretend about the video and helped produce a second canon short film, Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish.[89] The prequel tells the story of how Task Force 141 first tried to capture Vladimir Makarov, who was known then as Kingfish. It also tells how Soap got his facial scars, and how Price was captured and incarcerated in a gulag.

Reception

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 received "universal acclaim" for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, and "generally positive" reviews for the PC version, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[90][91][92] Reviewers praised the in-depth story mode, mini missions, and multiplayer.[123]

1UP.com stated "Mixing real-world locations with bombastic set-pieces MW2 continues the guided, thrill-ride experiences of its predecessor, and adds even more depth to its multiplayer offerings. It might not have fixed all the problems from the first game, but there's just so much quality content packed into this game that it will almost certainly be one of the most-played games in your library for a long time to come".[93] Game Informer noted praised the game for its polish and iteration on the series, as well as its strong presentation and wealth of playable content.[124] IGN called it a "no-brainer purchase", thanks to its online multiplayer, its co-op mode, and its campaign.[104] GameTrailers stated "The air of unpredictability and the care that was paid to each separate element puts it in lofty company. The multiplayer hasn't received an overhaul, but considering most shooters are still playing catch-up with Call of Duty 4, the tweaks and twists make it the best multiplayer shooting experience in the industry. Few games manage to meet such high expectations".[103] Computer and Video Games called the game "Loud, epic and incredibly polished, [and] this year's biggest must-have shooter".[94]

Criticism of the game focused on the short length of the single player campaign. IGN's Mark Bozon remarks that the single-player of "Modern Warfare 2 is surprisingly short, and doesn't live up to the standard set by previous Call of Duty games."[104] In addition, many reviewers have complained about the lack of innovation to the formula of the series.[125][126][127]

The game's Windows version was also criticized for lacking dedicated servers and being powered by IWNet.[128] Infinity Ward went on to state that it would lack console commands, not support larger than 18 player multiplayer matches, or allow players to ban cheaters.[129] Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica commented that, "at launch, this will be one of the most locked-down, inflexible, and gamer-unfriendly games ever created",[129] and an online petition for dedicated servers surpassed 150,000 signatures in ten days.[130] Nevertheless, in response, Mike Griffiths, CEO of Activision, claimed that the omission of dedicated servers would offer an "easier multiplayer experience".[131] While only 3% of the game's sales came from the Windows version in the UK, it still outsold the Windows version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in its first week.[132]

Some game journalists accused the developers of cultural insensitivity, citing the use of Arabic rather than Urdu on signs and banners in the Karachi multiplayer map, based on the real-life city of Karachi in Pakistan.[133][134] An Easter egg in the game's tutorial level in which one soldier asks another soldier about his sexuality, and then remarks "don't ask, don't tell", led to further criticism, though some journalists considered the reaction to the line overblown.[135][136]

Famitsu named Modern Warfare 2 as the number one game on the top 10 video games sold in 2009, beating games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV.[137] It also gave the game a score of 39/40, being one of the few Western games released in Japan to have the same score as Grand Theft Auto IV.[138] In 2011, readers of Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition voted Simon "Ghost" Riley as the 40th-top video game character of all time.[139]

Sales and revenue

According to preliminary sales figures from Activision, Modern Warfare 2 sold approximately 4.7 million units in the United States and the UK combined in the first 24 hours of its release.[140] The total revenue from first day sales in the U.S. and the UK was $310 million, making Modern Warfare 2 the biggest entertainment launch in history at the time, surpassing in revenue its previous record holder, Grand Theft Auto IV,[141][142] as well as items from other media types.[143][144] After five days of sales, the game had earned revenue figures of $550 million worldwide.[145] As of 13 January 2010, it has taken over $1 billion in sales.[146] Activision also claims that Modern Warfare 2 had 8 million players online within the first five days, constituting the largest 'army' of players in the world.[147] On March 8, 2010, Robert Bowling announced that the game had amassed 25 million unique players.[148] In June 2010, Activision's CFO Thomas Tippl revealed that the game had sold 20 million copies.[149] In August 2011, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg revealed that the game had sold 22 million copies.[150] A month later in September 2011, Modern Warfare 3 producer Mark Rubin, said that the game's number (not confirmed as players or sales) was between 28 and 29 million.[151] In November 2013, IGN put the game's sales at 22.7 million.[152]

According to the NPD Group, Modern Warfare 2 sold approximately 4.2 million units for the Xbox 360 and 1.87 million units for the PlayStation 3 in the U.S. during the month of November 2009.[153] In Japan, Modern Warfare 2 sold 64,000 copies for the PlayStation 3 and 42,000 copies for the Xbox 360 in its first week of sales.[154] The game later sold 117,000 copies on the PlayStation 3 and 61,000 on the Xbox 360.[155] Anita Frazier of the NPD Group reported in March 2010 that the game had sold slightly under 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.[156][157] The game had also become the second best-selling game of all time in both the UK and the U.S.[156][158][159]

After it became backward compatible with the Xbox One, the NPD Group reported that Modern Warfare 2 was the eighth-best selling video game in the United States during August 2018. It had sold more copies in that month than the then-most recent entry in the series, Call of Duty: WWII, which came out in November 2017. During the previous month, before becoming backward compatible, Modern Warfare 2 was at only number 321 on the best sellers list.[160]

Awards

Modern Warfare 2 received awards from various gaming sites and publications, it gained high praise from some video game magazines. At the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, Modern Warfare 2 received the Best Shooter and Best Multiplayer awards.[161] Both GameSpy and GameTrailers gave the game the Best Overall Game of 2009 award[162] and received from GameTrailers six awards overall.[163] GameSpot and Metacritic, both gave it the Best Xbox 360 Game award,[164][165] and from GameTrailers received the game the Best Multiplayer award[166] including the Best First-Person Shooter award.[167] At the 6th British Academy Games Awards, it won the GAME Award which was selected via a public vote.[116] During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Modern Warfare 2 with "Action Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay", along with receiving nominations for "Game of the Year" and outstanding achievement in "Animation", "Art Direction", "Game Design", "Original Music Composition", "Sound Design", and "Visual Engineering".[168]

"No Russian" controversy

Main article: No Russian
 
Gameplay screenshot of "No Russian", depicting the player character aiming at a crowd of civilians

In the campaign's "No Russian" level, the player controls an undercover CIA agent who participates in a mass shooting at a Moscow airport to gain the trust of a Russian terrorist group.[169][170] It begins with the player walking out of an elevator with four other gunmen, who proceed to open fire on a large group of civilians at a security checkpoint.[169] The player then accompanies the gunmen as they walk through the airport, killing any remaining civilians. The only legitimate targets are a group of security personnel encountered in waves throughout the airport interior, and a more heavily armed gang of riot squad and FSB members deployed on the tarmac. The level is very graphic, as screams can be heard throughout, and the injured crawl away leaving blood trails or perch themselves on tables and stands as they bleed out.[171] However, the player is never forced to partake in the massacre, and may instead let their comrades kill the civilians. If the player does not feel comfortable during the level, they are allowed to skip to the next level with no penalties whatsoever.[172]

Prior to the game's release, footage taken from "No Russian" was leaked on the Internet.[173] Some journalists decided to wait until they could actually play the level to judge its merits.[171][174][175] After the game's release, the level was largely criticized for allowing players to partake in a terrorist attack. Vince Horiuchi of The Salt Lake Tribune felt that the level was in poor taste following the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, and questioned why its content couldn't have been shown in a non-interactive cutscene.[176] Marc Cieslak of BBC News was saddened by "No Russian", as he felt it disproved his theory that the video game industry had "grown up".[177] Several prominent British religious leaders condemned the level in an episode of The Big Questions: Alexander Goldberg of the London Jewish Forum was worried that children would play it; Fazan Mohammed of the British Muslim Forum described it as an intimate experience of enacting terrorism; and Stephen Lowe, the retired Bishop of Hulme, felt that it was "sickening".[178] In the same episode, Network N executive James Binns instead argued that the game had been appropriately classified as 'mature' (18+) and that it was therefore at the discretion of guardians to safeguard their children: "This is an adult piece of entertainment. We can make all entertainment for children, or we can take proper steps to try and protect children from adult entertainment." Due to the level's graphic content, the game was censored in international versions, and the level was removed entirely from the Russian version.[179][180]

Remastered version

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, a visually-updated version of the original, was released for PlayStation 4 on March 31, 2020,[181][182] and for Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on April 30, 2020.[182] It only includes the campaign mode with no multiplayer and Spec Ops components; when purchased players unlock various cosmetic items in 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and 2020's Call of Duty: Warzone.[182] The remaster features improved models and art along with remade cutscenes with new motion capture, as well as a revamped post-process pipeline and HDR support.[183] It was developed on a more advanced version of Sledgehammer Games' engine from Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare with modifications from Beenox.[184] On Metacritic, the PlayStation 4 and PC versions of the remaster hold a weighted average score of 71 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[185][186]

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ Hans Zimmer composed the main theme.
  2. ^ a b As part of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered which does not include multiplayer
  3. ^ As depicted in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
  4. ^ As depicted in Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish
  5. ^ As depicted in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

References

  1. ^ "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – MobyGames". MobyGames. November 16, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  2. ^ Meer, Alec (November 17, 2009). "Wot I Think: Modern Warfare 2". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  3. ^ Infinity Ward 2009, p. 2.
  4. ^ Infinity Ward 2009, p. 5.
  5. ^ Infinity Ward 2009, p. 3-4.
  6. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 6—7.
  7. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (November 10, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Review". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  8. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 8.
  9. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 9.
  10. ^ a b Kelly, Kevin (November 10, 2009). "Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Joystiq. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  11. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 5.
  12. ^ Williams, G. Christopher (November 18, 2009). "Uniforms Are Relics". PopMatters. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Infinity Ward 2009, p. 3—4.
  14. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 15.
  15. ^ a b c Bozon, Mark (November 6, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Spec Ops Hands-On". IGN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  16. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 148.
  17. ^ Bozon, Mark (September 16, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Hands-On". IGN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  18. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 194.
  19. ^ a b McWhertor, Michael (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review: This Means War". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  20. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 156.
  21. ^ Molina, Brett (November 10, 2009). "Review: Believe the hype on 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  22. ^ Marcus & Sea Snipers 2009, p. 193.
  23. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (September 16, 2008). "Infinity Ward enlisted for Call of Duty 6". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  24. ^ Leahy, Brian (December 3, 2008). "Activision Announces New 'Call of Duty', 'Guitar Hero', and 'Tony Hawk' Games". G4. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  25. ^ McCann, Adam (December 4, 2008). "Activision: CoD Modern Warfare 2 reports 'speculative'". Videogamer. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  26. ^ Bowling, Robert (January 11, 2009). "Beware of fake "COD5" Beta Invites". Infinity Ward. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  27. ^ Ocampo, Jason (February 11, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 This Holiday". IGN. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  28. ^ Brudvig, Erik (August 19, 2009). "No Public Beta for Modern Warfare 2". IGN. Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  29. ^ "Wii can't 'deliver the cinematic experience' needed for Modern Warfare 2". TechCrunch. November 4, 2009. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  30. ^ Kuchera, Ben (November 5, 2009). "PC Modern Warfare 2: it's much worse than you thought". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on November 8, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  31. ^ FourZeroTwo (October 20, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 For PC". Archived from the original on October 23, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  32. ^ Salty, Sir (October 20, 2009). "Infinity Ward Responds To PC Fanboys' Dedicated Server Woes – News". GameInformer.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  33. ^ Mike Snider (November 3, 2009). "'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' benefits from 'NCIS' writer". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 6, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  34. ^ a b Gaudiosi, John (November 19, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 writer: "the airport level was a risk we had to take"". GamePro. Archived from the original on November 22, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
  35. ^ Stead, Chris (July 15, 2009). "The 10 Best Game Engines of This Generation". IGN. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  36. ^ Bowling, Robert (August 20, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2: Texture Streaming". Archived from the original on September 22, 2009.
  37. ^ Thorsen, Tor (May 13, 2009). "First Modern Warfare 2 details emerge". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  38. ^ a b Totilo, Stephen (July 16, 2009). "Infinity Ward Talks Modern Warfare 2, 43 Stories Up". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2009. 'We still call the game Modern Warfare 2,' Bowling told the room. 'For our community we're making it clear that it's the sequel to Modern Warfare.'
  39. ^ Tor Thorsen (August 20, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 casts Keith David, Kevin McKidd". Gamespot. Archived from the original on August 24, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  40. ^ Fourzertwo aka Robert Bowling (August 21, 2009). "Re: Modern Warfare 2 Voices Announced (And Database)". Infinity Ward. Archived from the original on September 7, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  41. ^ "news". 07766575100.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  42. ^ Stirling, Jim (August 8, 2009). "50 Cent to be appearing in Modern Warfare 2". Destructoid. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
  43. ^ 50 Cent (July 7, 2009). "50 Cent Visits Infinity Ward". This Is 50. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ Szalai, Georg (August 27, 2009). "Composer Hans Zimmer game for Call of Duty | Entertainment | Music". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  45. ^ "Game Credits for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Moby Games. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
  46. ^ a b "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Original Game Score)". iTunes U.S. June 2010. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  47. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 Teaser Trailer". Infinity Ward. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  48. ^ "PlayStation Store Update". PlayStation.Blog. April 2, 2009. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  49. ^ Goldstein, Hillary (May 10, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Gameplay Glimpsed". IGN. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  50. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Trailer- Reveal 2". Infinity Ward. May 24, 2009. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  51. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer". IGN. July 27, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  52. ^ "IGN Video: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Trailer". IGN. October 4, 2009. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  53. ^ Nelson, Randy (July 20, 2009). "Infinity Ward helping design Modern Warfare 2 controller". Joystiq. Archived from the original on July 23, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  54. ^ Lowe, Scott (August 11, 2009). "Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 Range Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  55. ^ Plunkett, Luke (August 5, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance Breaking Pre-Order Records". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 9, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  56. ^ "Monster Energy Drink – Unleash The Beast – modern-warfare-2 – home". Monsterenergy.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  57. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 downloadable maps revealed". Inquisitr.com. October 1, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  58. ^ Sarkar, Samit (October 30, 2009). "Cole Hamels: 'Pussies' use random MW2 grenades (Update)". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  59. ^ Good, Owen (October 30, 2009). "Cole Hamels Reminds You That Grenades are "for Pussies"". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  60. ^ Good, Owen (November 1, 2009). "Infinity Ward Removes Modern Warfare 2 "F.A.G.S." Video". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  61. ^ Sarkar, Samit (October 31, 2016). "Infinity Ward pulls MW2 Hamels video after Internet furor". Destructoid. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  62. ^ Graft, Kris (November 2, 2009). "Infinity Ward Pulls Modern Warfare 2 Video Amid Criticism". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  63. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 Coming November 10, 2009". Activision Publishing, Inc. March 26, 2009. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  64. ^ Bowling, Robert (July 9, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 boxes are ready". Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  65. ^ Alexander, Leigh (July 9, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Box Retains Call of Duty Brand". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  66. ^ "Infinity Ward: Modern Warfare 3 not in development". VideoGamer.com. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  67. ^ Reilly, Jim (July 29, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 PC Not Getting Special Editions". IGN. Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  68. ^ "Modern Warfare 2's 'Prestige Edition' Is Insane". IGN. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
  69. ^ Night Vision Goggles Manual (Booklet). p. 2. Required 5 AA(LR6) alkaline batteries.
  70. ^ Night Vision Goggles Manual (Booklet). p. 2. In this mode, the goggle operate at full power and emit a barely visible ring of red light. See up to 50 feet in absolute darkness.
  71. ^ "Limited Edition Console for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Microsoft. September 15, 2009. Archived from the original on March 6, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  72. ^ "Veteran Edition Announced". Eurogamer.net. September 18, 2009. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  73. ^ "Search – GameStop". Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  74. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized in Development for Nintendo DS". IGN. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 8, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  75. ^ a b Williams, Katie (May 20, 2014). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and 3 Now Available on Mac". IGN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  76. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (August 28, 2018). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 finally backward compatible on Xbox One". IGN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  77. ^ Reilly, Jim (August 6, 2009). "Map Packs Important for Modern Warfare 2". IGN. Archived from the original on August 9, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  78. ^ Kietzmann, Ludwig (June 1, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 map packs hitting Xbox Live first". Joystiq. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  79. ^ Reilly, Jim (August 11, 2009). "Community Will Shape Modern Warfare 2 Maps". IGN. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  80. ^ Reilly, Jim (March 15, 2010). "Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package Details, Pricing". IGN. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  81. ^ Bowling, Robert (May 3, 2010). "Incoming: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package DLC Hits PSN Tomorrow". blog.playstation.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  82. ^ Warmoth, Brian (January 20, 2010). "'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' DLC Gets 30-Day Head Start". MTV. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  83. ^ "Stimulus Package". marketplace.xbox.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  84. ^ Reilly, Jim (April 7, 2010). "Stimulus Package Sets New Xbox Live Sales Record". IGN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  85. ^ Bowling, Robert (June 12, 2010). "Resurgence Package for PS3 and PC release date announced". Twitter, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  86. ^ Nelson, Major (May 14, 2010). "An Interview with Robert Bowling on the MW 2 Resurgence Package". xbox.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  87. ^ McElroy, Griffin (August 17, 2009). "Wildstorm publishing Modern Warfare 2 comic mini-series (update)". Engadget. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  88. ^ Modern Warfare 2 (October 23, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Ghost Comic Issue 1 Preview". Mw2blog.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  89. ^ Schramm, Mike (September 3, 2011). "Filmmakers share the story behind Find Makarov and Operation Kingfish". Joystiq. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  90. ^ a b "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  91. ^ a b "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  92. ^ a b "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  93. ^ a b Ellis, David (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review (PS3, XBOX360)". 1up.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  94. ^ a b Jackson, Michael 'Mike' (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  95. ^ a b Sterling, James Stephanie (November 12, 2009). "Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Archived from the original on July 30, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  96. ^ McWhertor, Michael (December 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Came *This* Close to a Perfect Famitsu Score". Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  97. ^ Keil, Matt (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review – PS3". G4TV. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  98. ^ Biessener, Adam (November 9, 2009). "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  99. ^ Kim, Tae K. (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review". GamerPro. p. 2. Archived from the original on November 11, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  100. ^ Watters, Chris (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review for Xbox 360". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
  101. ^ Tuttle, Will (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review". GameSpy. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  102. ^ Walter, George. "Modern Warfare 2". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  103. ^ a b "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Video Game, Review HD". GameTrailers. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  104. ^ a b c Bozon, Mark (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  105. ^ Kelly, Kevin (November 10, 2009). "Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Joystiq. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  106. ^ Curthoys, Paul. "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Official Xbox Magazine. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  107. ^ King, Ryan (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review". Official Xbox Magazine. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  108. ^ a b Francis, Tom (February 2010). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 PC Review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  109. ^ Eddy, Andy (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  110. ^ Keil, Matt (November 10, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  111. ^ Pitts, Russ (November 17, 2009). "Reviews: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review Supplement". The Escapist. Archived from the original on April 7, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  112. ^ Cowen, Nick (November 9, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 video game review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  113. ^ Anderiesz, Mike (November 9, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – review" (Game review). The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  114. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360". IGN. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  115. ^ "Modern Warfare 2". IGN. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  116. ^ a b "Video Game Award Winners Announced". BAFTA. March 19, 2010. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  117. ^ "GT GotY Awards 2009". GameTrailers. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  118. ^ "Best Xbox 360 Game 2009". PakGamers. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  119. ^ "Genre Awards Best Shooter". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  120. ^ "Best of E3 2009 Awards Video Game, Best First-Person Shooter". GameTrailers. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  121. ^ "Action Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original on August 26, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  122. ^ "Golden Joystick Awards 2010: the full list of winners". GamesRadar+. October 29, 2010. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  123. ^ Cowen, Nick (November 9, 2009). "Telegraph Review". London: Telegraph.co.UK. Archived from the original on November 11, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  124. ^ Biessener, Adam (November 9, 2009). "Multiplayer Reigns Supreme in Game of the Year Candidate – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Xbox 360". GameInformer.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  125. ^ "Eurogamer Review". Eurogamer.net. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  126. ^ "Edge Online Review". Edge Online. Future US. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  127. ^ "IGN UK Review". IGN UK. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  128. ^ Robinson, Martin (October 19, 2009). "No Dedicated Servers For PC MW2". IGN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  129. ^ a b Kuchera, Ben (November 5, 2009). "PC Modern Warfare 2: it's much worse than you thought". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
  130. ^ Thompson, Michael (October 29, 2016). "Modern Warfare 2: the case for the dedicated server". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  131. ^ Martin, Matt (November 5, 2009). "Activision "not overly concerned" by MW2 PC complaints". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  132. ^ Plunkett, Luke (November 11, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Selling Just Fine On PC". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  133. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (December 28, 2009). "Something Modern Warfare 2 Got Wrong About Pakistan". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  134. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 rocks the racial ignorance with Pakistan". Destructoid. December 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  135. ^ Sterling, Jim (December 2, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 has a homophobic Easter egg!?". Destructoid. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  136. ^ Sherwood, James (December 9, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 hit by anti-gay claim". The Register. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  137. ^ "Magicbox Gaming News, December 30, 2009". Archived from the original on January 18, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  138. ^ Michael McWhertor (December 1, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Came *This* Close to a Perfect Famitsu Score". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  139. ^ Marchiafava, Jeff (February 16, 2011). "Guinness Names Top 50 Video Game Characters Of All Time". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  140. ^ Johnson, Robert (November 13, 2009). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 destroys records in first day sales rampage, pulls in $310M". New York: Nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  141. ^ Cork, Jeff (November 12, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Sells Close To 5 Million in First Day". GameInformer. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  142. ^ Orry, James (November 12, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 sells 4.7 million day one in U.S. and UK". Videogamer. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  143. ^ "Was Modern Warfare 2 Really The "Biggest Launch in History"? – Modern warfare 2". Kotaku. November 13, 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  144. ^ Frum, Larry (November 24, 2009). "Hot video games for holiday shopping". CNN. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  145. ^ Parfitt, Ben (November 18, 2009). "MW2 sales pass $550m worldwide". MCV. Archived from the original on November 21, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  146. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 takes $1bn in sales". BBC News. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  147. ^ "Modern Warfare 2's online army is the world's biggest". VentureBeat. December 4, 2009. Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  148. ^ "Modern Warfare 2 enlists 25 million unique players, Bowling says". March 9, 2010. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  149. ^ Sacco, Dominic (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: MW2 sells 20 million copies". MCV. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  150. ^ "Activision reveals sales figures for Black Op – Shacknews.com – Video Game News, Trailers, Game Videos, and Files". Shacknews.com. August 3, 2011. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  151. ^ Stuart, Keith (September 12, 2011). "Modern Warfare 3 interview: 'The hardest part is the stress'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  152. ^ "Call of Duty: A Short History". IGN. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  153. ^ Kohler, Chris (December 10, 2009). "November NPD: Modern Warfare Shifts 6 Million Copies". Wired. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
  154. ^ "Magicbox Gaming News, December 11, 2009". January 10, 2010. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  155. ^ Spencer (December 16, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Gets Off To Strong Start in Japan". Siliconera. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  156. ^ a b Orry, James. "Modern Warfare 2 the 2nd best-selling game in the US". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  157. ^ Alexander, Leigh (March 11, 2010). "NPD: February Down 15 Percent On Lagging Unit Sales, Constrained Wii". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  158. ^ Hargreaves, Roger (June 29, 2011). "Call of Duty: Black Ops becomes best-selling UK game ever". Metro. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  159. ^ Crowther, Joe (March 16, 2010). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is UK's second bestselling game ever". Archived from the original on January 24, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  160. ^ Minotti, Mike (September 18, 2018). "NPD August 2018: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from 2009 was a top-seller". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  161. ^ Chester, Nick (December 12, 2009). "Spike Video Game Awards winner, reveal wrap-up". Destructoid. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  162. ^ "Overall Game of the Year 2009 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". GameSpy. IGN. Archived from the original on February 24, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  163. ^ "GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2009 Video Game, Game of the Year | Game Trailers & Videos". GameTrailers. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  164. ^ "Platform Awards Best Xbox 360 Game". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  165. ^ Dietz, Jason (December 9, 2009). "The Best Games of 2009". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  166. ^ "GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2009 Video Game, Best Multiplayer". GameTrailers. Viacom. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  167. ^ "GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2009 Video Game, Best First-Person Shooter". Viacom. GameTrailers. Archived from the original on September 6, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  168. ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  169. ^ a b Payne, Matthew (April 2016). "The First-Personal Shooter". Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11. New York University Press. p. 80. ISBN 9781479805228. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  170. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 15, 2011). "Call of Duty No Russian actors "tearful"". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  171. ^ a b Peckham, Matt (November 2, 2009). "Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Gameplay Artful?". PC World. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  172. ^ Klepek, Patrick (October 23, 2015). "That Time Call of Duty Let You Shoot Up An Airport". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  173. ^ Thorsen, Tor (October 29, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 massacre 'not representative of overall experience' - Activision". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  174. ^ Hoggins, Tom (October 29, 2009). "Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 leaked footage analysis". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  175. ^ Wildgoose, David (November 2, 2009). "Monday Musings: War Games". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  176. ^ Horiuchi, Vince (November 16, 2009). "Oh My Tech: 'Call of Duty' has troubling scene". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
  177. ^ Orry, James (November 10, 2009). "BBC reporter 'saddened' but not 'shocked' by MW2". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  178. ^ Ingham, Tim (November 16, 2009). "Religious leaders slam Modern Warfare 2". MCV. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  179. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (December 9, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Censored In Japan". Kotaku. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  180. ^ Welsh, Oli (November 17, 2009). "Activision chose to censor Russian MW2". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  181. ^ Croft, Liam (March 31, 2020). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Isn't Official Yet, But Fans Have Already Completed It". Push Square. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  182. ^ a b c Purslow, Matt (March 31, 2020). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Official and Out Now". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  183. ^ Morgan, Thomas (April 3, 2020). "Modern Warfare 2 Remastered: a campaign classic transitions beautifully to PS4". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  184. ^ Morgan, Thomas (May 4, 2020). "Modern Warfare 2 Remastered on Xbox is smooth, slick and polished". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  185. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  186. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 30, 2020.

Bibliography

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Call_of_Duty:_Modern_Warfare_2&oldid=1262224438"