Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare Hype Machine...

[Teal]

Gotta share a 'oh...my...GOD that was awesome!' moment with you. In COD4, you have access to different things depending on your skill. Killing three in a row without dying gives you access to a UAV for 30 seconds, five kills garners a frickin' amazing bombing run by three F16's, and seven kills gets you air support from an Apache heli.

So we're playing on a level that's essentially a warehouse. I hear over my radio that an enemy chopper is inbound. Being outside, I want to get inside. Fast. So I do. The room I'm in is a long room with clutter everywhere, and has windows all along the outer wall. I think I'm safe.

All of a sudden, the chopper drops down eye level with the windows, and begins firing at me. I take off running across the room, and the chopper STRAFES the windows, following me the length of the room, firing away through the windows. I can't make it out, so I dive behind cover just as the guns catch up with me, and I'm saved.

Keep in mind this is in the MP, not SP. This is not scripted. I got killed soon after by a sniper because I just stood there, yelling 'holy crap! Did you guys SEE that?!'

The beta that just keeps on giving...

[Nozzleman_216]

Damn I am loving the beta. I can not wait for it to come out. Teal and Mix, sorry I didn't rejoin last night. I was in a room with some guys from my SOCOM clan and they joined to play some with me (a pain to try and move parties) I had fun playing the objective modes though. No respawns is a blast. Definitely slows play down and adds strategy.

On a side not....rank cap is going up!! WAHOOOO!! Here is the email I just got.

Hey Everyone –

Straight to the Point: The Level Cap Is Rising!

Friday morning at 10 am PDT (1 pm EST) we’re going to be increasing the Rank level cap to Level 16. This is going to allow you to rank up and unlock more weapons, more perks, and more features; including Clan Tags (lv. 12). This is the first of several level increases we’re going to do throughout the beta, so keep playing, and we’ll keep you informed of incoming updates. Thanks to everyone currently playing for the tremendous amount of feedback we’ve been receiving; Keep sending it, and we’ll see you online!

- Infinity Ward

[Teal]

Damn I am loving the beta. I can not wait for it to come out. Teal and Mix, sorry I didn't rejoin last night. I was in a room with some guys from my SOCOM clan and they joined to play some with me (a pain to try and move parties) I had fun playing the objective modes though. No respawns is a blast. Definitely slows play down and adds strategy.

On a side not....rank cap is going up!! WAHOOOO!! Here is the email I just got.

Hey Everyone –

Straight to the Point: The Level Cap Is Rising!

Friday morning at 10 am PDT (1 pm EST) we’re going to be increasing the Rank level cap to Level 16. This is going to allow you to rank up and unlock more weapons, more perks, and more features; including Clan Tags (lv. 12). This is the first of several level increases we’re going to do throughout the beta, so keep playing, and we’ll keep you informed of incoming updates. Thanks to everyone currently playing for the tremendous amount of feedback we’ve been receiving; Keep sending it, and we’ll see you online!

- Infinity Ward

Great news!

[ScoopBrady]

I must admit that this whole level system is not appealing to me at all and could affect my decision to get this game. It sounds like I'd be at a serious disadvantage online if I only play the game online 1 night a week. It also sounds like it is going to reward players who already have the benefit of extra practice by giving them better weapons. Am I missing something here?

[Teal]

I must admit that this whole level system is not appealing to me at all and could affect my decision to get this game. It sounds like I'd be at a serious disadvantage online if I only play the game online 1 night a week. It also sounds like it is going to reward players who already have the benefit of extra practice by giving them better weapons. Am I missing something here?

Let me ask you this: If you play ANY game one night a week, for an hour or two, and someone else plays nightly, aren't they going to be better than you? I've been knifed by a skilled player, while I'm using my fiber optic sight and all my perks, several, several times.

Better weapons? No, just different weapons. At least so far. The balance in this game is better, so far, than in any other game that has level systems in it. It's frustrating to try to explain this-kinda like an astronaut explaining the texture of the moon's surface to people back on earth. It won't translate until you play it.

This game has been pure bliss. Complaints I could have about the core gameplay would be incredibly nitpicky and stretching, just to have something negative to say.

A skilled player SHOULD be better than a weekend warrior, and should be rewarded for their skill. I'm not skilled, believe me, but the leveling system is not NEARLY as cumbersome and time consuming as, say, Rainbow: Vegas. Trust me...

[Nozzleman_216]

I must admit that this whole level system is not appealing to me at all and could affect my decision to get this game. It sounds like I'd be at a serious disadvantage online if I only play the game online 1 night a week. It also sounds like it is going to reward players who already have the benefit of extra practice by giving them better weapons. Am I missing something here?

Depends on how you look at it. To get to level 11, where it is capped for now, did NOT take long at all. I mean when Teal started playing a few nights ago he was facing lots if not all level 11's and it did not take him long at all to get his rank. I would say its a PLUS to be higher but it does not make you some uber killing machine. Its incentive to play well and yes for a decent amount of time, but I like it. So if you are good you are rewarded and if you play A LOT and are not so good you will eventually be rewarded.

To me, if you are only going to play once a week, then yea, you might say you will be at a disadvantage. That goes without saying for any game IMO. It will just affect you a little more in this game. Just think of any shooter though, if you don't play it much you will always be behind the 8ball for awhile, especially when it comes to the little things like knowing the maps inside out etc..........

Who knows though, they COULD do something like SOCOM did and allow you to get some weapons from single player achievements. Again, not fair to the guy that plays a lot of multiplayer instead of the single. I could go on and on, but I don't think its reason enough NOT to buy it. You will have enough tools at your disposal to have a blast and you will eventually have some nice toys to play with.

edit: LOL, Teal you posted while I was typing

[ScoopBrady]

A skilled player SHOULD be better than a weekend warrior, and should be rewarded for their skill.

Wasn't one of your main complaints about Shadowrun the fact that you feel that the rich get richer?

If it's just different weapons I'm cool with that but if those different weapons are a significant upgrade I'll be staying far, far away from this game. I wish I would have known about the beta earlier though as I'm way late to that party and it doesn't look like they'll open it up again to send me an invitation.

[Teal]

A skilled player SHOULD be better than a weekend warrior, and should be rewarded for their skill.

Wasn't one of your main complaints about Shadowrun the fact that you feel that the rich get richer?

If it's just different weapons I'm cool with that but if those different weapons are a significant upgrade I'll be staying far, far away from this game. I wish I would have known about the beta earlier though as I'm way late to that party and it doesn't look like they'll open it up again to send me an invitation.

They just opened it up overseas, so there's always a chance! Keep checking the website (charlieoscardelta.com) and who knows?

You've gotta get Shadowrun, Halo, or Gears out of your thought process, I think. This is modern day military stuff we're talking about here, so the weapons will do what you'd expect them to. You don't get the ability to see through walls, go superhuman, get perfect aim, any of that. (You certainly don't grow wings and fly or transport through walls!)

As far as Shadowrun, the problem was that so long as I was losing, I wasn't really leveling up at all, AND...the leveling didn't lead to anything lasting. It was all temporary. Does it level the playing field? Not really, as I wasn't playing Shadowrun as much as you guys were, so I could even be on a team that was winning, therefore giving me access to more 'stuff'...and I was still getting my ass kicked. Better players, not better 'perks', was the key in SR and is the key in every single video game out there, IMO.

In COD4, the perks and the ranks are yours and yours alone, and you can get your ass handed to you in a match, get one kill, and still move toward a ranking rather quickly. I'm not saying there aren't advantages to the rankings and stuff you get, because there are (otherwise, why bother with it, right?). I'm just saying that they don't unbalance the game. Seminole is right...I came into a room that first night as the only private in a room full of seargents (the highest rank at the time), and by the end of the second night, I was a seargent. I had some cool weapons, some very cool perks, and was still getting my ass handed to me from some people who had simply played longer...had nothing to do with the perks, really.

[Wilk5280]

I got in the beta, but have only had the chance to play for about 15 minutes.

I'm a HUGE SOCOM 1&2 fan, and they're probably my favorite online games of all time (3 and CA just tried to do too much IMO by adding vehicles and making the maps too big and what-not).

Anyway, my very initial impression was "Holy Mother" this game is drop dead gorgous....and it's silky smooth too. Just incredible to look at.

As far as the core gameplay goes, I really can't tell by having played so little. It does seem to move at a bit of a faster pace then I'd like, but once I get my senses about me it may slow down some.

What I loved about SOCOM was its pace. Not too slow, but not so fast that proper planning, teamwork and communication weren't vital. When playing with a group of guys that you've been with for awhile you could really get in depth with what you wanted to do on each map.

This appears to be the closest thing since. I don't need my shooters to be ultra realistic, because quite frankly that's just too boring for me. However, I do want some sort of resemblance to the real thing and I think it's quite possible that this will have what I'm looking for.

RS:V was close, but I couldn't get down for the long haul with CQB.

[AcemanPR]

Been playing the beta for a week.

There is alot of good in CoD4 but there is also alot of things that need addressed as well. I agree with Boom in that CoD4 is way too fast paced. SOCOM moves at a good speed, so IW needs to tone down the player movement. Also, snipers are way too overpowering in this game. To balance it out, IW should take away radar from anyone who has a sniper rifle.

The perk system, while a good idea, needs tweaked. Last Stand is ridiculous. Being shot down and having a pistol as effective as it is is no fun. I do like the kill streak rewards though. I think it does help keep anyone in the game.

The RPG aspect of the game is pretty cool. To get different scopes, ect, you have to learn to use a weapon first. Will add for some variety.

The party system isn't bad, but it is a scaled down version of what Halo 2 did. Still doesn't hold a candle to the Halo 3 matchmaking system. But the fact that IW has a party system is much appreciated and it alot better than nothing and I'm sure will get better.

The ranking system is flawed though. You only move up in rank, never down. This will cause thousands of people to simply power rank the first few days the game is released. I can see people quitting, cheating, ect. to get to that magical cap of 60 I believe. If you poorly perform, your rank should reflect that.

All in all, CoD4 is a fun game, but there are quite a few issues that need addressed.

[Nozzleman_216]

there are a few modes with NO RESPAWNS! This really slows things down and made it feel as close to SOCOM as ever. I too was one that played 1 and 2 religiously. I am talking 8 hours at a time sometimes. It was CRAZY!!!

[Teal]

Planning on getting a team together tonight (Saturday)...any takers? I'll say around 11 eastern to be safe...

[mixdj1]

You know I'm there.

[Nozzleman_216]

IN

[Wilk5280]

Would love to play because I've only got about 29 minutes which has equated to 5 kills and 19 deaths.

Only problem. CU / ASU game at 8:30 MTN so if I can join you guys it will be LATE.

[Nozzleman_216]

for those still interested in the beta, here is another shot at getting in.

http://www.gamespot.com/event/codes/call-of-duty-4/

[Teal]

Sorry about the confusion last night, Seminole. My internet connection was acting really goofy. I tried several things, but it wasn't something fixable on my end. We even got into the COD lobby a couple of times, but I could never play the game.

Really wanted to play...oh, well. I'll check it tonight when I get home, if anyone's still interested.

[Nozzleman_216]

I will not be able to play until Tuesday. I am getting ready to start a 38. Go in at 5 today and will be home Tuesday morning.

[ScoopBrady]

I just got in! I'm just waiting for my e-mail to get the beta but I'm definitely in.

There's still 7,000 keys left at Eurogamer.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=82896

[Teal]

I just got in! I'm just waiting for my e-mail to get the beta but I'm definitely in.

There's still 7,000 keys left at Eurogamer.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=82896

Looking forward to having you in the mix...

[Naples39]

I just got in! I'm just waiting for my e-mail to get the beta but I'm definitely in.

There's still 7,000 keys left at Eurogamer.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=82896

Just did this, but does it matter that this is a euro site and it's sending you an english COD4 site?

[ScoopBrady]

I just got in! I'm just waiting for my e-mail to get the beta but I'm definitely in.

There's still 7,000 keys left at Eurogamer.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=82896

Just did this, but does it matter that this is a euro site and it's sending you an english COD4 site?

I'm not sure. I saw the link at IGN and gave it a shot. You'd think they wouldn't let you get through that far if they know you're in America. If the code doesn't work for me I'll let any of our English/Irish posters have it.

[Spooky]

I gave it a shot too (Thanks Scoop!) but we'll see...

[TheTruth]

I tried it as well. *crosses fingers*

[ScoopBrady]

This time I'm definitely in. I just did the Gamespot one and received my beta number instantly.

If that other one pans out I'll let someone else have it.