Activision is learning the lesson that no one likes change, reviving features it killed for Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 at players' behest; and Hardcore mode is the latest on the list.
Modern Warfare's classic Hardcore mode was replaced with Tier 1 playlists when Modern Warfare 2 launched at the end of last year. The feature was delayed but made its debut in Season 1, and as seems to be the pattern with both Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2's revamped features, no one liked it. So now the original Hardcore mode is being dragged out of retirement to placate Call of Duty players.
Infinity Ward shared the news on Twitter, announcing that the Modern Warfare 2 Hardcode mode we've all been pining for will be introduced in the Season 2 update. "No HUD? No problem. Hardcore is back!" the studio said, referencing the multiplayer's Tier 1 playlist that ditched the HUD entirely, in keeping with the Realism mode from the game's 2 single-player campaign.
The Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 Season 2 update is slated to roll out next week, on Wednesday, February 1.
Modern Warfare 2 Hardcore mode and Tier 1 differences explained
While you might expect something called Hardcore mode to toss away crutches like the HUD, hitmarkers, and anything else that's remotely useful, it doesn't. Instead, Tier 1 stepped in to replace Hardcore mode in Modern Warfare 2 and really upped the ante.
Tier 1 is more in keeping with Modern Warfare's 2 Realism mode, so you're dealing with decreased HP (in line with the original Hardcore mode), friendly fire on, low time-to-kill, no HUD, no kill feed, no mini map, no ammo counter, no hitmarkers – when you're emptying your clip into opponents, you'll only know who's landing hits when one of the two of you topples onto the floor. Headshots are also an instakill, so not all bad news if your aim is good enough to pop one of those off with some frequency.
By comparison, the original Hardcode mode –while also giving players decreased health to make things more difficult, and enabling friendly fire – offered a limited HUD.
Unsurprisingly, playing switcheroo with a long-established and popular game mode, and presenting players with something so drastically different, didn't go down well. Infinity Ward announcing a return to what we know (and love) after trying something par for the course with Modern Warfare 2, and Warzone 2 now.
Just last week, Infinity Ward teased changes to the gulag coming in Season 2 that could see 1v1 returning. The new season is also set to bring changes to the loot system and loadouts.
