A large proportion of Destructoid readers and writers are predominantly console oriented. This isn't a problem, but it has caused some pretty harsh things to be said about the PC community's outrage regarding the dedicated server issue. I'm not trying to be condescending towards console gamers when I say that many of you may not understand what the benefits are of the dedicated server model. Many of these have been posted already in comments; I just want to consolidate some points here to make it clear to everyone.
Advantages to dedicated servers:
Community
While Activision is right in saying that we can still "party up" to play with clans or friends, this is not equivalent to a dedicated server model. With a dedicated server, friends can have a "hang-out" - an always-on gameplay destination where like-minded friends play together, no inviting required.
In a server where the people have gotten to know eachother, voice chat is used for team-building and co-operation.
Lag
This point is pretty obvious - lag is worse with peer-to-peer connections, and the host has a definitive advantage.
Matchmaking
One common thing with the "voting" matchmaking model is that certain maps and gameplay types take the foreground. This is, democratically speaking, a great model, but with servers admins can ensure that a proper rotation is in effect and, every once in a while, the lone person who's interested in ctf_2fort gets to play what he wants.
It's also much easier to find a server with the maps and gameplay types you want when you can scroll through a list.
Mods
Mods are a huge part of the PC gaming community. Mods create dozens of great game modes that otherwise would not have existed. Maps are also a big part of this - TF2 is a great example of a game where community made maps are not only available, but excellent, eventually being integrated into the "official" rotation.
Dedicated servers obviously have some disadvantages as well. They don't allow for "balance" matchmaking, admins have a lot of power, and sometimes its hard to know where to start. But for many PC gamers the advantages listed above are a huge part of why they choose the platform, and taking that away is a serious change that is not as trivial as a 10$ Activision tax or a yearly release schedule. Please keep in mind that the people who are up in arms over the MW2 debacle are not just crazed nerds, they have legitimate complaints.
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Community is a BIG reason why ded servers are so great.
Like I said in another thread, I have around 20 favorite World at War servers: on about 10, ALL of them know me by name. I just can't meet people on matchmaking with that same kind of sense of community.
Cheers and fapped!
I wholeheartedly agree. I wasn't planning on getting the PC version anyway since my computer is starting to show its age, but the point is still very solid. I'm ashamed for Infinity Ward. Maybe someone will make a mod that will allow server-play, though. It certainly wont be impossible.
I agree completely as well. For console oriented gamers, its hard to imagine the pc gamer situation. See, pc games have created their own standards that we expect to be lived up to. So, taking this away would be a step backwards for pc gaming.
Yeah pretty much, fapped. I personally am not interested in MW2, but the whole ordeal is quite a dick move on Activisions/IW's part.
You understand exactly what IW does not. I would like to add that matchmaking is slow, and theres nothing you can do about that; it has to take the parameters you set, and search through any number of possible games to find the 'best' one. With dedicated servers, you can choose the best on the fly; you may start with lowest ping, but move onto certain map types, or even just whatever has a space open. In any case, you choose how long it takes you to get into a server. Even when set to be as fast as possible, matchmaking will never come close to the human brain.
I think matchmaking is a handy additional function when you dont care what server you play in, but it could (/should) never replace dedicated servers for multiplayer gaming, if possible. Its understandable that MS and Sony keep a tight hold on their networks, but when games such as the 360 version of Section 8 allow dedicated servers, its ridiculous that a PC game does not.
No PC multiplayer is worth something without dedicated server support.
I totally agree. I wasn't planning on getting MW2 on the PC simply because my rig is starting to slow down a bit but it's able to run TF2 on mostly high/max settings...sometimes. Playing TF2 via matchmaking would suck horribly and I've grown fond of the few pub servers I go to play on.
I know I decided against CoD:MW2 due to dedicated servers being gone - now I'll just play it at a net cafe with friends occasionally.
Fapped.
Just a question. Might be a bit stupid, but please, humour me.
Will the lack of dedicated servers mean an inability to host LAN matches at a cybercafe? Because that's where I play most of my CoD, and if it's taken away...
Well that's quite a kick in the balls.