If you're playing Modern Warfare 2 on the Xbox 360, you might want to lay low for a few days. Yet another problem has been discovered in Infinity Ward's game, and this one's a real bastard, with the ability to "infect" your profile and turn you into the game equivalent of an HIV carrier.
According to reports, players get "infected" by unwittingly joining a private match hosted by a carrier. They then get hit by the same issue -- unlimited ammo and no reloads -- and can pass it on if the end up hosting any games themselves. Allegedly, it's "spreading like an STD."
This unique issue started out as a mod on the PC version of the game, which we spoke about yesterday. It has been transported to the Xbox 360 and put to more sinister work. Infinity Ward is apparently "working" on the issue, and it appears that Microsoft is wielding its banhammer for anybody caught employing it.
A lot of people like to blame Infinity Ward for these issues, but who on Earth could predict that AIDS would come to Modern Warfare 2? I think it has more to do with the determination of cheaters to break the game than IW's development skills. If you make the biggest game of the year, it's bound to get hit by the largest population of exploiters and hackers who will instantly set about trying to ruin the game for everyone, especially if they feel they're proving some sort of "point" about Infinity Ward's online decisions.
What do you think? Is Infinity Ward at fault here, or do we blame the sheer willpower of the cheaters?
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:00 AM on 12.16.2009
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yC7HwPh6Es
So, if you unwittingly join a private match with someone who has been infected, then you get banned? I am confused.
Wouldn't the "cure", just be "not join private games?" Seems simple enough.
Also, isn't AIDS the developed disease while HIV is the virus? :P
/nitpick
Nothing is ever hackproof or virusproof. I can't believe you'd suggest this is even partially MS' fault. If it was so easy to hack and plague with viruses this would be commonplace.
I am so thankful I did not get and XBox 360.
This is total BS.
Sony PS3 has it's problems but banning people for what this kind of stuff. Screw it this is why I don't play online games in the first place.
M$ and Infinity Ward, real kissing cousins!
1. No software is hack/virus proof. Suggesting that a developer has somehow failed because a system CAN be exploited is insane.
2. Being upset about banhammering infected individuals is understandable if it's a permanent ban. It's most likely a temporary ban, so that they can quarantine the problem.
3. Blame the assholes who are running the experience for the rest of us. What a lot of you folks are doing is lionizing the douchebags responsible for this mess, and shitting on those trying to keep order.
That just blows then.
"Confirmed: Mircrosoft invented AIDS"
made me laugh.. whatever i tried writing could not compare to that comment :)
It must be weird blogging some bias bullshit, then having to post further news which contradicts your opinion? eh?
I suppose MS are "doing the right thing" by banning anyone that get's "unwittingly infected" with this, because that's fair, it really is worth paying for your online gaming, I mean getting banned for something that was forced upon you without your knowledge is well worth a monthly premium!
Each day that goes by, with each amusing story about how fucked up the LIVE version of MW2 is, makes the subscription free, Javelin glitch free, AIDS free, yet some fucked up leaderboard sporting PSN the best place to play Modern Warfare 2.
Online Network, Glitch/cheat responsibility arguments are OVER.
...Hammer time!
I think I'll hold off a little more before getting MW2.
Jim maybe you should have compared it to Herpes since I bet a ton of kids can understand THAT better.
Plus I don't think M$ would instantly ban you if you were simply infected, unless they want a complete shitstorm on their hands.
That's a statement, not an opinion.
I guess you could go into the realm of Viruses/trojans on a PC versus a Mac computer. They both have their fair share, but the one who has the most userbase will be the bigger target, and the hardest hit. Who the hell wants to spread something to prove a point on a platform not as many people care to play on?
Or clearly it is Jim's infinite Bias towards Microsoft and he's just earning his bi monthly check *rolls eyes*
seriously lots of people have tried creating virusses for the other OS's, but none have been able to propagate themselves ( which is a requirement for virusses ) due to sound design choices and built in security... There is more in this world then MS-OS's alone, but the ones from MS are the only ones that have virusses...
*PLEASE NOTE* I'm not saying they are hackproof, because except for Z/Os I've never seen a hackproof OS and Z/Os took 40 years to become hackproof ( last confirmed hack was more then 6 years ago )
Thanks for the quick responce. If this problem where to spread,they may have to take MW2 offline and rebuild the network. Why didnt the powers that be see this coming?
Funny sidenote: There a title in MW2 called STD which works the same way a viral achievement does. Coincidence?
Agree.
It's more like having sex and gaining superpowers.
Actually, all of those systems have well known viruses. You have to realize that the people who create the really nasty stuff are going for the most computers possible.
When all other operating systems combined have traditional accounted for less than 20% of the global computing infrastructure, then you can see why they appear to be "virus proof". Of course, this is all changing as Windows is losing its marketshare.
Nice reference, it fits perfectly.
You accidentally join a game and get unknowingly infected.
You go on another server, probably unaware that you're infected... and YOU get banned for this?
This stinks of bullshit, just like when they were banning for using a glitch. Thank god I didn't buy this game, and I'm pondering not renewing Gold. I'll stick to my PC where I can do what I want and it's the DEVELOPER'S responsiblity to employ anti-cheat measures.
I was reffering to how, just earlier today, Jim called the PSN a "haven for cheaters/hackers" (despite the javelin fix coming quicker to the PSN than LIVE)
Then has to report a major hack/problem on LIVE, which is apparently not affecting the PSN. It's because PSN is such a "haven for hackers and cheats" that this problem is prevalent on LIVE, right?