Regarding Infinity Ward's lack of dedicated servers in Modern Warfare 2 (which doesn't really bother me, because I've thought all the CoD games were shit, never played past the demos, and had no intentions of bucking that trend):
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2009/10/26/
So watcha think, you hardcores you? Time for a lot of agreeing with each other?
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2009/10/26/
As to why they want to create their own matchmaking network in the first place, the ability to make money selling maps is floated as a reason, and it makes a lot of sense - presumably they would rather make a million dollars than zero. A centralized defense against piracy is also suggested, and things tend to go downhill quick after this. It is not a mischaracterization to say that conversations with the hardcore PC community about software theft follow these tenets:
- There is no piracy.
- To the extent that piracy exists, which it doesn't, it's your fault.
- If you try to protect your game, we'll steal it as a matter of principle.
It's like, who wouldn't want to bend over backward in their service? You need to know it, because nobody else is going to tell you: you guys sound like Goddamned subway vagrants. Of course when you speak exclusively to each other, it all sounds so reasonable. It'll be reasonable when you all board the bus, and the songs you sing en route to excoriate your enemies will be forceful, but within reason; and when you douse yourself with gasoline and immolate yourself in front of the offices of Infinity Ward, one assumes this will be reasonable also.
So watcha think, you hardcores you? Time for a lot of agreeing with each other?