Dedicated Servers Scrapped For Modern Warfare 2 News

In a move that's led 53,000 PC gamers (and counting) to sign an online petition, Infinity Ward has revealed that it will replace the dedicated servers from the original Modern Warfare with a matchmaking service called IWNet for Modern Warfare 2 on PC.

Infinity Ward's community man, Robert Bowling revealed the info in a BASHandSlash webcast (via Kotaku), where he commented that, "It's definitely going to be a change. It's going to be a very different setup than what we're previously used to in the Call of Duty franchise for the PC."

"You're completely reliant on IWNet and there is no dedicated server or server list," Bowling added. "You rely on IW Net for matchmaking and your games, but you still have your private matches."

This lack of dedicated servers is the bone of contention for PC gamers, who have petitioned in their droves against IWNet's implementation at petitiononline.com. Nonetheless, Bowling was quick to stress the advantages that IWNet offers PC gamers.

"This is the first time we've ever done something like this, obviously," he said, "and I know the team has huge plans for what IWNet develops into, and this is just the beginning. It's hard for me to speak personally toward IWNet, because that is a code heavy project."

According to Bowling, IWNet gives Infinity Ward, "a lot more control and structure for the PC version. From a development standpoint, it's very good on how we can access and update the PC community." However, Bowling couldn't confirm whether or not PC gamers will be able to continue modding and using custom maps with IWNet.

Meanwhile, DICE's Executive Producer for the Battlefield series of games, KM Troedsson has tweeted, "Dedicated servers FTW. What ever secures a better online experience is a given for us," on his personal account.

There is one bit of good Modern Warfare 2 news for PC gamers though. Bowling confirmed over the weekend that there is no delay for the PC version of the game, despite rumours to the contrary earlier this month.