Call of Duty 4 Beta Hands On - IGN

[Gerbs]

IGN has posted their experiences with the 360 COD4 beta, which they claim to be not far off. Check it out here. (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/811/811393p1.html) The article explains some aspects of the class system, including the custom class mode.
At level one, you'll be forced to pick from a small group of premade classes. The classes determine your starting main weapon, pistol, special grenades, and perks. Once you hit level 4 (a task that shouldn't take you too long), you'll open up the ability to create your own classes -- that's when COD4 truly blossoms into a special multiplayer experience.
Creating a class is quick and easy. But as a Private at level 4, you will have very limited choices. As you play, you'll open up new perks, weapons, and attachments forcing you to modify your class regularly as you search for the perfect selections to make you an effective killer.
There are also rewards for sticking to a particular weapon.
As you progress to higher ranks, you open up weapon challenges. These reward players for staying loyal to a particular firearm. The earliest of the challenges are straightforward. Get 25 kills with an M16, etc. Clear one challenge and a tougher one appears. And for each challenge completed, you earn XP and a gun-specific reward.
Finally, there are various "powers" that can be used by decent players.
Get three kills without dying and you unlock UAV support. This is an unmanned surveillance vehicle that, when armed, gives you and your team full radar for 30 seconds. Get five kills and you can call in an air strike. Planes fly in quickly and drop bombs. Get inside or your ass is toast. It's quite a rush hearing the approach of a jet and scrambling for cover. Get seven kills in a row and you can call in a support chopper. This assault copter patrols the map, shooting any enemy it sees. It can be destroyed with enough gunfire.
I've always liked class systems in games, and COD 4 features a nice list of perks to chose from as you level. I look forward to being killed by air strikes, repeatedly.

[Grimmjow]

You guys will like it believe me ;)
See ya in Beta

[krackmonkey]

oh hell yes- I was ecstatic over this game already, this news elevates my anticipation to almost rapturous levels.

[Crittias]

This is the first multiplayer game I've been interested in in a long time.

[CptTripps]

Hell yes!!! I Loved COD2 gameplay as standard as it was. This sounds great, like a BF2 system but better.

[TheSolidHair]

Is the beta is 360 only?

[Gerbs]

Is the beta is 360 only?

Yes, according to the article.

[Grimmjow]

Is the beta is 360 only?


Yes, only 360

[CptTripps]

Just reading up on the site, looks like they have a party system also. This is going to bend Halo3 over it's lap and spank the shit out of it.

COD gameplay + BF2 style advancement + Halo 3 party system = FUCKING BADASS

[51|RandoM]

I wish they'd base stuff like this on experience points instead of doing specific acts.

When they make it specific acts people stop playing as a team and just use every match as a personal boost session.

I think the BF2 games did it the right way, class advancement by experience while playing the class, with additional medals/ribbons for some accumulative stats.

[KingGorilla]

COD gameplay + BF2 style advancement + Halo 3 party system = FUCKING BADASS
-Master Chief
-MGS branding
=Xbots am not looking.

[CptTripps]

-Master Chief
-MGS branding
=Xbots am not looking.

I don't get it? - master chief makes sense, but what does -MGS branding mean and the =xbots am not looking?

[CptTripps]

I wish they'd base stuff like this on experience points instead of doing specific acts.

When they make it specific acts people stop playing as a team and just use every match as a personal boost session.

I think the BF2 games did it the right way, class advancement by experience while playing the class, with additional medals/ribbons for some accumulative stats.

It is based of XP points. Although I am sure they provide good XP there are other ways of obtaining it as far as I understand. Actually, didn't you get XP for following orders from the commander in BF2? That would be similar to the acts maybe?

1. What are those yellow numbers? How do Experience Points work?

In game you are going to see pretty yellow numbers pop up when you complete objectives, get kills, etc. These are your Experience Points. Experience Points add to your overall ranking during the match. Depending on the matchtype, you will get a different number of points for different actions.

And no, you will not be able to carry your rank over into the final game.


http://www.charlieoscardelta.com/beta.php

[kid cabelgo]

I love the part about the bonuses you get for what are essentially killing sprees. It reminds me of the adrenaline system in the UT series, but instead offer team-based boosts rather than individual ones.

[51|RandoM]

It is based of XP points. Although I am sure they provide good XP there are other ways of obtaining it as far as I understand. Actually, didn't you get XP for following orders from the commander in BF2? That would be similar to the acts maybe?


Yeah, but you get EXP points from those challenges, the balance there will be the issue.

In BF2, following the commander's orders is by definition a team-friendly/team-oriented way of playing---assuming your commander isn't an idiot. :)

Just imagine if a few people end up trying to get a 15 kill grenade challenge in the same round, it'll be like a typical game of R6:Vegas. I don't know if there are grenade challenges, though.

These guys have a good track record, I'm not really worried about it.

[DeadlyDonkey]

Awesome, a treadmill for an FPS!

I hated it when BF2 added XP and unlocks.

The reason Counter Strike is still probably the most popular online FPS is simplicity.

Who the hell needs rewards for playing an FPS for x amount of hours? It's not an RPG! An FPS is supposed to be about instant gratification!

[Stormwatcher]

Am I the only one who mourns the loss of a great single player FPS?

Do we really need another BF clone?

[51|RandoM]

Am I the only one who mourns the loss of a great single player FPS?

Do we really need another BF clone?

Uh, there is a singleplayer FPS campaign in this game, what are you smoking?

[Stormwatcher]

Uh, there is a singleplayer FPS campaign in this game, what are you smoking?

Oh, great then. ^_^

[51|RandoM]

Oh, great then. ^_^

You should watch this video if you haven't already.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21586.html

It is the CoD4 walkthrough during the MS press conference at E3, showing a great deal of singleplayer action.

[CptTripps]

You should watch this video if you haven't already.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21586.html

It is the CoD4 walkthrough during the MS press conference at E3, showing a great deal of singleplayer action.

Damn, that looks really really good.

[bryan]

I am so fracking stoked for this game I can barely contain myself.

*explodes*

[digitalErich]

Wow, those power-ups are such a cool and elegantly designed mechanic it makes you wonder why more games haven't come up with this before (queue someone replying with the snarky "Simpsons did it" past example).

[bryan]

Wow, those power-ups are such a cool and elegantly designed mechanic it makes you wonder why more games haven't come up with this before (queue someone replying with the snarky "Simpsons did it" past example).

The best ideas are the ones that should have been thought of before. :D

[Crowe]

I have not been this excited about a Multiplayer game in a long long time. Bring on COD 4, on a PC with a good ol' mouse and keyboard and my life is going on standby...

[Johan]

Any truth to the rumor I read (can't remember if it was a print mag. or online rag) that the reason Halo 3 is releasing in Sept. and not Nov. (like the past two) is because of concern that CoD 4 will kick its ass?

Sounds like their could be reason for such a concern.

[digitalErich]

Any truth to the rumor I read (can't remember if it was a print mag. or online rag) that the reason Halo 3 is releasing in Sept. and not Nov. (like the past two) is because of concern that CoD 4 will kick its ass?

Sounds like their could be reason for such a concern.
For Halo 2, they were working right up until the gun, so I think the Nov release was more due to that. I would think you would want to have a game out well before Nov if possible so that there is already a buzz when the shopping season hits.

Also, whether you like the game or not, I think Halo is one of those handful of franchises where they don't really worry about what games it's going up against.

I think the CoD4 buzz that is building is building among the hardcore and as stated many times over, that is a relatively small demograhic.

[Johan]

Also, whether you like the game or not, I think Halo is one of those handful of franchises where they don't really worry about what games it's going up against.

It will be very interesting to see how long Halo 3 dominates the top of the online gaming leaderboard for Live matches. Halo 2 was number on Live for around eighteen months, I believe. It's going to be very interesting on that front.

I own both the previous Halo titles and enjoyed both myself.

[digitalErich]

If you count co-op matches, I think it could do better than Halo 2. I know co-op will keep me playing longer and what with this new craziness of more gear and giant moving bases, maybe Halo 3's MP will keep me interest beyond a couple of months.

[tombofsoldier]

I'm still worried about all the "stealth" stuff. COD for me is supposed to be about loud, in your face non-stop action.

[51|RandoM]

Any truth to the rumor I read (can't remember if it was a print mag. or online rag) that the reason Halo 3 is releasing in Sept. and not Nov. (like the past two) is because of concern that CoD 4 will kick its ass?

Sounds like their could be reason for such a concern.

Nope. if anything, the delay was due to problems finalizing the co-op implementation.

Halo3 doesn't have anything to worry about from COD4.

It begins! http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118662363769092549-rzvX5I5krFTML7QqeGfA5gI1BJ8_20070907.html?mod=tff_ main_tff_top

[bryan]

The only way MW is gonna make a dent in the Halo 3 juggernaut is after it's released and it gets some critical mass going. Which I'm sure it will, the multiplayer experience sounds absolutely kick ass.

[Apex]

Anyone have any idea of the PC spec that is going to be required to play this? I loved COD 1&2.

But I still dont have my 360 hooked up to the net, but I think this is a game im going to want to play on PC anyway. Havent been this excited about FPSs for a long long time. Now along comes BioShock and COD4.

I may even purchase a new graphics card. Since its been 2 years since ive upgraded. Any suggestions on current choices? As im a bit out of touch on the lay of the land for gfx cards at the mo.

[eppythacher]

Anyone have any idea of the PC spec that is going to be required to play this? I loved COD 1&2.

But I still dont have my 360 hooked up to the net, but I think this is a game im going to want to play on PC anyway. Havent been this excited about FPSs for a long long time. Now along comes BioShock and COD4.

I may even purchase a new graphics card. Since its been 2 years since ive upgraded. Any suggestions on current choices? As im a bit out of touch on the lay of the land for gfx cards at the mo.

Ya when is the PC verison coming out?

[Apex]

Ya when is the PC verison coming out?

Apparently all platforms will be released at the same time.

[Johan]

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118662363769092549-rzvX5I5krFTML7QqeGfA5gI1BJ8_20070907.html?mod=tff_ main_tff_top

Murdoch has already destroyed them, hasn't he?