Infinity Ward Need A New Engine For COD

Gamers Outlook "When Modern Warfare 2 was being released Infinity Award, were quick to point out the new features of their IW 4 engine. When Modern Warfare 2 was realeased however we saw very little imporvement between graphics and AI of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Black Ops was only marginally better in gameplay changes and eniviroment textures and its clear the engine is showing its age. Above is a leaked screenshot of Modern Warfare 3."

[disturbing_flame]

The optimization of COD engine is effective but is still very lazy in terms of pure sensations to the player.
With COD 4 Infinity Ward have done all the work, the engine was runing solid, the mechanics have maybe been the more significant advancement for COD since 2007 in its gameplay but technically there's no significant advancement in terms of graphics or physics.
The game have reached a popularity worldwide that shows that people are waiting more and more for next episodes.
On this generation consoles it seems that the game will stay the same.
The new engine will be build for next gen i think or maybe new gen of PC, when you see Battlefield runing on a new PC you can understand that the new compettor have worked on its new baby.
It's now to activison to react, when we know that their player base for COD is on consoles, i don't see them making a move to change the engine on this generation.

[Best]

Why would they need a new engine? The cod4 engine is amazing. I'll dropshot all yo a55es

[blitz0623]

Do they ever!

[iPad]

I'll dropshot all yo a55es

now you know why

[jjohan35]

I can't even get passed their first three sentences... typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes.

[ofx360]

I don't think they need a new engine.

First of all, i don't think people realize that Cod is running twice the game than most other games out there. That includes KZ3 and Gears of War3. Those games run at 30fps while Cod runs at 60fps. That's an achievement right there.

Second, does MW2 really look THAT bad? Really? I thought it looked just fine. Black Ops looked a little worse, but that's because they were using an older version of the MW2 engine for some reason. But if they can slightly improve the visuals from MW2 to MW3, i'll be happy. Especially since extra visual effects aren't necessarily the most important thing in a game.

Third and lastly, just because they don't have a new engine doesn't mean they can't add new features like destruction, better AI, and such into their game. IW can code their engine however they want. I'd rather them work on incremental features and improve the gameplay and work on better maps and modes, than to waste time trying to make cool visuals.

People seem to think that if we get cool visuals that we'll get a better or "fresher" game...that's not the case. You need gameplay changes to make a game new and exciting; and a new engine doesn't always equal better gameplay.

Gameplay > Visuals.

[BeastlyRig]

"The optimization of COD engine is effective"

black ops has so many bugs...

[DOMination]

It's not the cod engine it's actually Id tech4 that powered Doom 3 in like, 1983

[tunytung]

There is Infinity Ward
But There is no Infinity Ward anymore

There will be CoD
But There will not be CoD anymore

They are finished.
All hopes gone, with the wind. oh i mean West.

[Oldman100]

Adopting id tech 5 would be ideal.

[Sevir04]

They need to scrap the franchise and move the hell on! -_-

[JLeVRT]

They need a new engine...

[HeavenlySnipes]

PSN is coming back!!!

Oh, I mean, sure but they probably just do a minor update to get the graphics a bit better than MW2. Nothing drastic, they live off the fact that COD is 60fps

[Jezuz]

PSN isn't a video game.

[BeAGamer]

PSN is <3

[Jezuz]

Why do i get disagrees ? It's not as if I like COD but comparing COD to PSN ? Seriously ?

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

They really need a new Engine, to have feel of a fresh game and not rehashed like every year.

[upturned2]

What in the world is COD?

[HeavenlySnipes]

Its a fish silly....

[upturned2]

hahahaha

[jdrman2007]

holy crap I actually spit out a bit of my purple drank while reading that LOL! bubs+

[HappyGaming]

...

[Evolve]

they already been working on new one

[jriquelme_paraguay]

No sh*t!

[Rybakov]

they needed a new one 4 year ago

[-Alpha]

How many other devs have made new engines into a generation?

COD's engine is fine. People act like it's horrible, but I'd like to know what is so horrible about it.

For the record, I'm assuming a majority of people want bigger maps with destruction. In which case I really think that it should be the case. COD isn't styled that way, nor do I, as a fan, want BF-like destruction and bigger maps with vehicles.

I don't see why they would need a totally new engine. Modern Warfare has always looked pretty good, though Black Ops was an ugly step back. IW has generally handled the engine better than Treyarch.

What's most important to me is dedicated servers. At this point there is no excuse for that.

[BrianG]

Well quite a few developers have made steps up in there engines, releasing new versions and in some cases crafting completely new engines.

At least the relevant "game changing" type developers are. Ones who like to push the envelope and strive to make their next title more technically advanced.

Granted, COD can get by without a new engine, and will do just fine. Maybe that is why they haven't upgraded the engine, looking for maximum profit. But that isn't necessarily looking out for the gamer.

EDIT: Now don't get me wrong, the same engine can be used to make a sequel or new IP while still achieving a new level of performance/visual quality/gameplay mechanics/etc.... But I feel that of all the series out there, COD is due for an upgrade. As you mentioned, Blacks Ops was a step back, what if MW3 is the same due to engine limitations?

[-Alpha]

Yes, but Like who?

I'm just saying that it's not as necessary as some people make it out to be, and I'm wondering what people want out of a new engine.

Any game can use a new, more improved engine, but I don't see how MW's engine is lagging so far behind that it's unplayable or drastically important. I think if anything people are just tired of the engine because they are tired of the game.

While games like Uncharted and Killzone are graphically a tier or two higher, I don't see what the big deal is with Modern Warfare's engine.

I think after seeing Battlefield people are just trashing COD's engine for being inferior, and compared to BF it most certainly is. I'm not against a new engine, I'd love it, but I don't see why people are hammering on about it.

[BrianG]

@Alpha

Again, I agree as long as MW3 holds its 60 fps that the series is known for while still delivering the COD experience people expect.

But as you said Black Ops was a step back in performance and visuals. What if MW3 is worse?

I don't think a brand new engine is required, but an upgraded version of the current engine would not hurt. It will help them keep up with what is expected, 60fps, while delivering a greater experience visually and environmentally, which I'm sure the developer wants to do.

As far as listing developers who have used new engines, I have a feeling you know the big names already. Such as Epic, Naughty Dog, Crytek, Guerrilla, etc...

EDIT: agreed, definitely don't NEED one, but a new one wouldn't hurt. And I know some people are looking at BF3 and trying to compare to COD, but in all honesty they are different games. It is clear DICE wants to deliver a more cutting edge game by upgrading their engine, while Activision's COD development teams seem to be aiming for something different.

2nd EDIT: Below. I agree, Treyarch has yet to earn my money this generation because of their spotty work. MW did look fine, I had no problem with it, I'm just playing "devils advocate" and looking at it from another perspective. I'm up for more discussion through PM if you'd like, this post is getting long lol. Also I feel some of those devs did upgrade their engine through the generation, like Guerrilla, rebuilt their engine from KZ2, Naughty Dog redid their engine for UC3 (I think).

[-Alpha]

Black Ops was a step back because of Treyarch. On the PS3 the framerate was spotty and the textures were pretty bad in some areas. Modern Warfare 2 looked a lot better, and IW has always had a very good looking game, running at 60 FPS (which is something I don't think most games do with their engines)

MW looked just fine is my point. I understand where you're coming from though: Activision is sitting on a money mountain and they ought to be leading in every way possible. I just think the MW engine upgrade isn't dire.

As for those devs, they didn't upgrade their engine through a generation. Which is my point: I don't see why it's fair to expect Activision to make a totally new engine halfway in. It doesn't look as great as the competition, but at the same time, it doesn't look horribly bad either. I'm just saying that it isn't as bad as some people make it out to be, but a new engine would definitely be a service

Edit 2: don't think there is a need to carry the conversation, I understand where people are coming from, just don't think it's entirely necessary. The game looks good enough to me, I just want them to focus on giving us dedicated servers and adding much more content.

I am pretty sure GG and ND didn't rebuild their engines, but they did modify it-- which is how graphics improve using the same engine. I'm pretty sure MW3 will do the same: they will use the same engine but improve things slightly. It's not the best engine, but it's not the worst either, and I don't think, for that reason, that they will spend the money to build a totally new one. It seems unreasonable to expect this generation IMO.

[tmoss726]

Frostbite 2 - DICE
id Tech 5 - id Software

Off the top of my head

[Elven6]

Those aren't new engines, they are based off the previous engine frameworks.

[clintos59]

Theres nuttin wrong with COD, I think what most people dont like about the franchise is that why does there have to be a New COD game every year when you can still enjoy the hell out of the recent COD released? Its obvious that Activision knows that they dont have to release one every year but if people are going to keep buying it, why not take advantage of that. Plus it sucks for other devs who try an bring a new game to the scene because Activision is too money hungry & dont care about other devs aslong as COD sells.

[theonlylolking]

Well MW2 looks no worse than RAGE so as long as MW3 looks like that @60fps then I am fine. They could not do to much more @60fps so there really is no need for a new engine but people need to find something to attack COD.

Here is a RAGE pic http://i1095.photobucket.co...

If id could not get any better graphics than that on the consoles then there is no need for a new engine until next gen. I hope for a next gen console COD will look 2x better than crysis 1 and run @ 60fps with a resolution of 720p or 1080p

[BrianG]

As I said above, COD will be fine by me and the majority of it's followers as long as it retains that 60fps.

But it is unfair to compare it to RAGE when it is not complete yet. Issues like the ones shown in your photo could easily be polished out before release. Just suggesting you don't call out a game before we know how it will perform/look at launch.

[Kee]

The graphics are okay. I've seen and enjoyed much worse graphics.

[BeAGamer]

yea true - like Homefront

[Thecraft1989]

There saying this now they have had two years to make a new engine

[Der_Kommandant]

DICE spent a lot of resources in making frostbite 2.0

Call of Duty lazy motherfuckers don't deserve my money

[liveActionLeveler]

The graphics are fine, as long as the game stays fast paced 60fps with awesome gameplay online.

[blink3020]

Needs* Somebody needs to go back to school

[artdafoo]

How many other devs have made new engines into a generation?

Lets' see all of these games of gotten graphically better each time.

Uncharted
Killzone
Gears Of War
Battlefield Bad Company
Resistance

Yet COD has gotten very little or no graphical update and COD BO is actually worse looking than MW2 ! I doubt COD will get a engine update this gen, why the hell for ? they only got about 2 more COD games till the new consoles hit. Fuck it, they just gonna milk this cow till she's dry.

[HarryB]

The blackops engine is older than the ps3, and this looks about just the same. A shiny good looking piece of garbage.

[Red-Blitz]

give me 3 more years to master programing and ill develop it :p

[dkgshiz]

How about a new game?

[NateCole]

Its not going to happen until next gen. Its currently getting millions upon millions as is.

[Tzuno]

Infinity Ward is lame Treyarch is the Godfather

[PhantomT1412]

First of all, I'd like to precise my expectation is very low for MW3 and for now I'm only planning to buy Battlefield 3.

However, I think changing the engine now for the Call of Duty series is useless. At least during this generation of console and in the actual yearly/developer-relaying release cycle. As 402 said it, making an engine from scratch is time consuming, and doing it now, they'll only achieve something very similar to what we've already seen since the current consoles are being pushed to their limit. If it wasn't the case, why would they make their game at sub-HD native resolution? Well one of the answer to this is that Call of Duty hang on very tightly to a philosophy that makes the series stand out among the crowd: the smoothness of the 60 frames/s.
In my opinion, they could make the SP and MP differently in terms of tech, like Medal of Honor did but with the same engine: for the SP, it could run at a native res of 720p with more graphical improvements even if it means they'll have to sacrifice their 60 FPS to 30. That would at least give an impression of a huge graphical leap. And I played Black Ops' campaign all maxed out on PC which gives me an average 30 FPS and it's not less enjoyable than a playthrough in 60 FPS. It even gives more drama as 25/30 FPS is the frame rate of most of the movies. Some films filmed with a digital camera that gives extra-smoothness (e.g. new Michael Mann's films like Miami Vice and Collateral) render like an amateur film on YouTube or a documentary... That would have been good for a game like Battlefield (3) which seems to feel more "live", like a documentary, but for a game like Call of Duty which is all hollywood, 30 FPS in this ultra scripted campaign could give some more dramatic effect.
As for the Mp, they could stick to the same formula used until now, which is optimizing the engine to be played at 60 FPS because smoothness is important in a competitive game.

[JMyers]

Actually the Article should have been... Activision needs another game than COD. Another one is announced every eight months. Forget different Dev teams as the games all play and feel the same. The last good COD game was COD4: MW. Since then we've been given a copy paste, with added glitches and online issues. Give us something new, or let's see some innovations in the franchise.

[caperjim]

Battlefield 3's new engine sparked this debate so much lately. With or without a new engine COD will sell as well if not more then the other CODs.

People love that there isnt much learning curve to the game. Most prefer the superhuman floating characteristics of movement. Many need the over the top aim assist which makes your gun stick to people as they move.

Thinking these people will move to another game which they must take more time to learn is a waste of time.

Personally i will buy Modern Warfare 3 but feel i will enjoy Battlefield 3 longer.

[spacetoilet]

For this gen of consoles at least they don't need a new engine.

COD games use 60fps, and a quick more 'arcade' like type gameplay than say Battlefield games.
But the trade off is small maps, and more simple graphics and textures.

I personally prefer BFBC2, for the insane graphics, physics, sound, and sheer scope of the maps.
But having said that, the public vote with their dollar and COD franchise sells by the bucket load.
So they need not do any massive overhaul of their graphics, plus being a console game primarily, they can't do much more, not at a pure 60fps. Today's consoles are just far too weak for that.