Anyone who plays Call of Duty is well aware the most popular match type by far is Team Deathmatch. But Michael Condrey, co-founder of Sledgehammer Games, thinks the all-new Kill Confirmed match will offer some stiff competition.
"I think it will give Team Deathmatch a run for its money," Condrey says in an interview with Game Hunters. "I think it will be industry-defining in a way."
Kill Confirmed is one of several key changes for the highly popular multiplayer component in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, co-developed by Sledgehammer and Infinity Ward.
Here's how it works: Two teams compete in a deathmatch environment, with players dropping a dog tag after each kill. While the individual gets credit for the kill, the team doesn't earn a point until the kill is confirmed by collecting the dog tag. If the opposing team snags its slain squadmate's tag, the team kill is "denied."
For example, a player can earn five kills, but the team doesn't score points unless he or she has collected all five dog tags.
"It marries the great competitiveness of the individual player with a team-based experience in a whole new way," Condrey says.
Condrey adds the mode paves the way for intriguing tactics, such as setting a trap of sorts with several dog tags to lure opponents. Another potential tactic could involve having one player pick off enemies while a teammate grabs the tags.
Another game mode making its debut in Modern Warfare 3 is Team Defender. Based on Capture the Flag, instead of taking a flag to your home base, players must defend the flag carrier for as long as possible.
Here's a look at some of the other changes players can expect:
Pointstreaks. Killstreaks have now been broken out into separate packages: Assault, Support and Specialist. Assault streaks deal direct damage (Predator, helicopters), Support is team-friendly (UAV, SAM-Turret), and Specialist allows players to carry additional perks instead of Killstreaks. If a Specialist notches six kills in a row, he can activate six perks at once.
"It's less about maintaining your own chain kill and more about doing things for your team," Condrey says.
Also, kills aren't the only thing that keeps streaks going. Completing game objectives adds to a player's total, too. Unlocking Support rewards are tied to overall kills, not consecutive kills. Here's a breakdown of rewards by group:
Assault5 kills: I.M.S.
9 kills: Strafe Run
9 kills: AH-6 Overwatch
10 kills: Assault Drone
15 kills: Juggernaut
Support5 kills: Ballistic Vest
5 kills: Airdrop Trap
10 kills: Recon Drone
14 kills: Stealth Bomber
18 kills: Juggernaut Recon
Specialist: One extra perk every two kills. Works up to six kills.
Death streaks are back, as well, but have been tweaked. Here they are:
4 deaths: Juiced (run faster)
5 deaths: Revenge (last person to kill you is visible on radar)
5 deaths: Hollow Points (increased bullet damage for 1 kill)
6 deaths: Dead Man's Hand (player falls into last stand with C4)
Ranking system. Along with overall player rankings, weapons can be ranked up, too. As a weapon moves up, players unlock items such as attachment, camos and more. There are Proficiencies, as well, to improve the quality of the weapon, some of which are unique to specific firearms. They include Kick (less recoil), Attachments (update on Warlord perk) and Stability (reduced sway when aiming).
Perks. There are some new ones, a couple of which borrow from abilities used in previous Call of Duty games. The breakdown:
♦ Recon: Explosive damage paints the target on the mini map
♦ Blind Eye: Undetectable by air support/sentries
♦ Assassin: Undetectable by UAV, portable radar, thermal, heartbeat
♦ Quickdraw: Faster aim down sight
♦ Stalker: Move faster while aiming
♦ Marksman: Identify targets at longer range
Match sizes. Some match types can host up to 18 players at once, Condrey says. And the game will feature 16 different maps on disc.
Dedicated servers. For PC fans, this was a frustrating omission from Modern Warfare 2. But dedicated servers will return, with the ability to browse and select favorites, as well as the ability to set up and administer servers.
Modern Warfare 3 launches Nov. 8 for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Scroll down for more images of the game in action.
BF3 - EA Available 10.25.2011
