Modern Warfare 2 devs tease about CDL pros returning pre-launch-tested classic map – Dexerto

Brad Norton

❘ published: 2023-05-17 T06: 09:02

❘ updated: 2023-05-17 T06:09:13

In our recent interview, the developers of Modern Warfare 2 teased that a fan-favorite Call of Duty map is on its way to the spotlight and one that pro players have already been experiencing for months.

With the launch of Modern Warfare 2 last October, CoD fans got to explore 10 new, never-before-seen maps in the popular FPS game series. Sure, some have gone down better than others, but through all the comments, the developers just kept coming up with more and more new locations.

The first season saw the return of the Shipment alongside the Shoot House in Modern Warfare 2019. The second season saw the reintroduction of the Valderas Museum after some legal issues, along with the return of the Dome and a new venue in the Himmelmatt Gallery. Most recently, Season 3 brought with it Alboran Hatchery, Black Gold, and Pelayo’s Lighthouse, all as standard 6v6 multiplayer maps.

So, with a mix of classics back in rotation, revamped layouts in focus for a new generation of players, and completely original layouts to top it off, we spoke with two of the senior developers at Infinity Ward to find out how to strike a balance while keeping every aspect of the community satisfied. In their response, they shared a subtle teaser about what fans can expect from a particular addition in the near future.

“We’re bringing an older one back that some of the CDL guys loved, they really loved when they were in our office. I’ve been nailing it and that’s coming very soon,” said Jeff Smith, director of multiplayer design.

Now exactly what this map might be, we just couldn’t get them to spill the beans. But given the commentary, it’s safe to assume fans won’t have to wait long to find out. Since Season 4 is just around the corner, and it’s set to start on June 14, this could mark the re-debut of said classic map.

Despite the delay since pro players experienced it pre-launch last year, until today, it begs the question why Infinity Ward delayed its launch for so long. It turns out that it comes down to strategy and perception more than anything else.

“There’s a power in the nostalgia for these people back,” Smith continued. “Honestly, there’s good, fun gameplay in there. It’s silly not to use those and rely on the strengths of those maps. It’s kind of a broken record but also a balance of something completely new and something familiar.

Even when we do new maps, people will say ‘Oh I didn’t like that, this other map was so much better. It feels like it takes a while to get used to something new. Then suddenly a couple of years later they’re like, ‘Man, Hackney Yard was a great map,’ but launching it, I was like, ‘It was a piece of shit.’ You’re building those memories with your friends, And in the end, you have these rose-tinted glasses of these maps.”

As part of their mission with the revamped Modern Warfare series, the developers didn’t want to simply rely on old staples from top to bottom. Multiplayer co-design director Joseph Cecot explained that while there is certainly a place for it in today’s games, the team sought to create a “new stable” of maps above all else.

“Make sure we lean back and try new things [at launch]. And then post-launch is when we look at bringing back the old maps. We have recreated the Shoothouse and Shipping. But really, it’s important that we bring something new, evolve, make new content, it’s a new game, not just a bunch of redesigned maps.”

For now, we’ll simply have to wait and see what classics remain on the roadmaps ahead for the remainder of Modern Warfare 2. Rest assured, we’ll keep you posted on any further details as they emerge.