Inside Xbox, the free magazine-style program for Gold Subscribers has gone behind the scenes at Treyarch for an in depth look at some of the features, enhancements and balancing measures that Treyarch have brought to the table for Call Of Duty Black Ops.
As you can see in the video below, Treyarch have been really keen to implement community feedback from earlier releases, stand-out tweaks include removing the ability to drop-shot, where players used to hit the prone button to instantly lie down to avoid being shot whilst firing off a salvo themselves. As happened to quite a few gameplay mechanics in Modern warfare 2 there was a significant number of people who felt it was being abused by other players.
This time instead of players going prone, there is now a diving animation and it takes a second for the player to gather and aim their weapon, thus causing a slight penalty if players try to use it as an offensive measure.
This is just one example of a how a seemingly minor tweak can have big ramifications on the multiplayer action, we have mentioned some other tweaks before like the fact that Kill Streak kills no longer count towards the next Kill Streak, Online director Dan Bunting said there were complaints about “how the rich get richer and it becomes a griefing mechanic and it encourages people to camp”.
Kill streaks will also be ‘interactive’ and not fire & forget, so if you call in an attack chopper you have to actively position it on the map, thus leaving your character open to attack whilst using the kill streak.
These are just a couple of examples of the balancing which Treyarch have carried out in order to make Black Ops’ multiplayer the fairest it can be, you can see more tweaks in the video below.
Source: Inside Xbox, Via: Eurogamer.
BIGAL-1992
Very good. Now can they remove the swearing homophobic 13-year olds while they’re at it?
ico
And lose half their revenue. Sadly I feel we’ll be disappointed in this respect. Once again I’m going to be bringing my mute button well and truly out of retirement.
Nauraph
How about a “Mute everyone not in party”? That would solve it..
Bilbo_bobbins
I said earlier this year I wouldn’t be buying this, but I have changed my mind. Treyarch really seem to have worked hard at this, to make sure it’s fair and nothing is exploited. Lets hope it has worked. From what I have seen, I’m really impressed.
iAvernus
I said the same, and they really changed my mind on the matter…but I have a feeling that I’ll be disappointed somehow. I know for a fact the ballistic knife is going to be abused, like light weight commando was. It’s a one shot kill, and it’s really easy to aim with.
The RC car is going to be all over the map for the first month or two, being spammed by the masses.
I hope they support the game better and longer than IW did MW2. People have been going into “the rock” as it’s now known as, in “Fuel” since the map was released, and no patch or anything to stop it.
I’m expecting better from Treyarch, but will I be disappointed? We shall see.
stueeeee
I am very tempted to get it, but as u say there will be many bells and whistles that will be easily exploited. I am enjoying MoH because it’s a bit more back to basics, and u have an overall score instead of just levelling up over and over. Could do with a KillCam though….
djdustb
I’m with you on that. This has gone to the top of my must have list. It didn’t even register before. The multiplayer just looks great.
Bilbo_bobbins
I do have this nagging feeling I will end up binning it like MW2 too. They always hype it up and make it look great with the ideas, then let it fall flat on its face because of no support. I hope they do though.
BrendanCalls
Drop shotting is an annoying but legitimate tactic. Ive never actaully used it, I never saw the point. I happen to think Im pretty good without it anyway.
I like the fact Treyarch are trying to make it much fairer though. Don’t think this will go down to well with the CoD hardcore, most CoD players don’t read forums much so lot’s will have no clue about these new implementations until the game is realeased and then they’ll be a huge backlash
BIGAL-1992
Meh, I couldn’t care less if they love it or hate it. If it gives an unfair advantage, Treyarch will just find a way to stop it, just like we’ve seen here.
cc_star
Good point about there being some resentment or even a backlash
I could just imagine “fuck this, the games broke drop-shotting doesn’t even work, what a steaming pile of crap *back to MW1/2*”
ico
Here’s hoping! And the rest of us who enjoy a level playing field can get shot and knifed in the back in peace.
C_S15
I am a bit of a drop shot fan but I can survive without it.
I know I may have to stop running and gunning so much if I’m more likely to die because I can’t gain any major advantage by meeting somebody camping and waiting for someone to round a corner, for example =\
tonycawley
Wow. Most cod players don’t read forums much? I love comments like this. Where do people get this information from? Every cod player i know uses forums a lot. Madness.
Ryan1991
All of my friends who play CoD don’t use forums so I can understand why some people believe a large amount of CoD players don’t use forums.
monty2k
The only friend I know who regularly play CoD doesn’t read forums. In fact he didn’t know the 2nd map pack had come out until I asked if he’d downloaded it :P
C_S15
Lol, bit of a fail there.
3/4’s or so of the people I play CoD with on a regular basis don’t browse forums or news related games sites except maybe the odd peak at one or two sites.
stueeeee
Yes I have 3 people I work with who regulary play COD, but they don’t really keep up to date with gaming news etc. I think they think I’m a geek because I read game websites/forums….most days…
Juelz345
I was thinking the same thing. Seems like a very bold generalization to me. Most of my friends that play COD are on forums and web sites. And if COD players don’t go onto gaming sites and forums, from who are Treyarch receiving all this “feedback” that they are using/implementing? And who are all the people commenting on this very article and every other COD article on the internet?
N12K
I love the way that COD has almost become a religion now. “Yeh I know a guy who believes in COD” “They’re a bit strange that COD lot”
BrendanCalls
Most of the Cod player I know don’t read forums, its not really a information more and observation.
Anyway, is it really something that has annoyed you that much
Juelz345
I watched the video yesterday and went from wanting the game to counting down the days for the game. Treyarch really seem to be set to deliver an awesome game. Hopefully it doesn’t suffer from the same bugs and glitches that MW2 faced (which despite it’s sudden scorn from the internet, I still enjoy).
While it’s sad how things have gone down at Infinity Ward, it’s obvious that Treyarch are more than capable of handling the franchise on their own. Switch from an annual cycle to every two years while a team provides constant support via dlc (maps, modes weapons etc) and I’m a happy camper (no pun intended…well, maybe a little intended).
tonycawley
I never encountered a single bug or glitch in my many many hours of Mw2 gameplay. What bugs and glitches are you talking about exactly?
BIGAL-1992
Javelin glitch would be one I’m thinking. And also one where you could dual-wield two shotguns.
iAvernus
Sarcasm tony?…lol! If you haven’t then you’re one of the lucky ones my friend.
iAvernus
@BIGAL…dual wielding shotguns is not a glitch. Infinite care package, super sprint while holding a care package, object detection problems, like hiding in rocks or other objects.
My biggest problem was not those things, but something that anyone could do. OMA noobtubing class, with danger close. Pisses me off to this day when I play.
tonycawley
Dual wielding shotguns was most definitely not a glitch, it was an option built into the game, as for infinite care package and super sprint i’ve never heard of or encountered either. Honestly, i’m not just trying to be annoying here, i just didn’t notice any glitches other than javelin. I do remember w@w though where you could get underground and shoot people from down there, but people couldn’t shoot you. Now that was a massive glitch in a treyarch game. Mw2 is one of the best mp experiences i’ve ever known and i really don’t get why people all of a sudden started slating it.
Juelz345
Hopefully your being sarcastic, if not google is your friend.
To not know about the many many issues with MW2 would be a clear indication that you live under a rock or have no internet.
The two biggest were the javelin glitch and the care package glitch.
Juelz345
Keep in mind that MW2 has been patched of most (if not all) of the big issues. But there are certainly balancing issues with the perks and weapons. For the record, i thoroughly enjoy MW2. I’d stopped playing it for a while when BC2 came out, but I’m right back in it and loving it. But the care package glitch made the game damn near unplayable for me. If you don’t know what it is, basically people could get an unlimited about of care packages. There was a period where i couldn’t get into a single game without someone doing it, and it completely ruins the game when you have chopper gunners and ac130s and stealth bombers and helicopters constantly coming out one right after the other or together for the entire game. That’s no longer issue since it was patched.
I too don’t understand why the internet suddenly hates the game and why so many people desperately want some other franchise to “dethrone” it. I’ve been a big fan of COD since MW1 and don’t see that changing, especially with the direction that Treyarch are going with black ops.
tonycawley
I live in a house, i have broadband, and quite clearly i use the internet, hence my comments that you’re replying to.
Juelz345
That part of the comment was made in general, not to be directed directly at you. After reading it back, i see that the wasn’t clear so my apologies. Didn’t mean to come off as a dick. How bout we kiss and make up?
tonycawley
You male or female?
Juelz345
Depends, what are you into?
tonycawley
Let’s put it this way. I have never looked at a man and found them to be sexually attractive. Women only for me i’m afraid.
Juelz345
Great, N have surgery next Tuesday. After that, we kiss and make up.
Juelz345
That N should be I, sorry, just a little nervous.
stueeeee
Yeah I think now IW are out of the picture Treyarch seem to realise its on their shoulders. But if it keeps up an annual release then I think they gonna go the same way as NFS franchise. Up until this year that is. 2 year cycle gives us enough time to enjoy it and for them to release plenty of dlc for us to buy, as long as it isent at £10 a pop!
waddo_89
Impressed. Treyarch supported WaW well and it looks as though they’re going to do the same with Black Ops but also getting the game spot on right from the word go, great stuff!
tonycawley
Ah, the javelin glitch. Fair enough, i remember that one, but what else? Honestly i genuinely can’t think of any at all.
Grey_Ghost13
Getting off the map, but still able to shoot back onto it, is one of the biggest glitches in the game
Blayney
Shit. This is gonna put all the people who drop shot/quick scope etc. off playing Blackops as their advantage is removed. Which means instead of sticking on MW2 like I did with MW. I’m still gonna be over run with these morons!
I was looking forward to Blackops coming out so I could enjoy Modern Warfare 2 again!
Juelz345
But at least the morons playing Back Ops will have one less tool in there quest to annoy us. I just hope that some of the perks are removed (commando/commando plus and danger close for example) and the remaining perks are better balanced (i.e not allowing you to be able to use Marathon with Light Weight).
Grey_Ghost13
I like what Treyarch are doing, my opinion of them have changed quite a lot recently. I thought they did the single player stuff better than the online multiplayer stuff. But it looks like they have been listening to gamers and implementing some good tweaks and changes!
PriceKitty
Finally! They’re actually making the game more difficult!
Peco
This was my first thought too, removing the drop-shot should make the game marginally more realistic and difficult. The SP campaign in MW2 was far too easy, and I enjoy a challenge.