Modern Warfare 2 waging Nov. 10, not Call of Duty-branded

GDC 2009: Infinity Ward uses Game Developers Choice Awards to tease sequel [UPDATE] Dropping of prefix points to spin-off of series.

SAN FRANCISCO--At the beginning of today's Game Developers Choice Awards, Meggan Scavio issued a less-than-cryptic teaser. Before the first statuette was handed out, the 2009 Game Developers Conference director declared that "our friends at Infinity Ward" had given event organizers something to show after the Game of the Year was named.

Sure enough, right after surprise winner Fallout 3 walked off with the coveted honors, the lights went down, the Infinity Ward logo came up, and the following trailer played:

Though stylishly obscured, the visual and audio cues appear to depict a group of men walking into an elevator in a crowded public area, perhaps an airport or a mall. While in the elevator, they unzip bags, and the sound of automatic weapons being cocked is heard. After a comment in a foreign language, the words "Remember, no Russian" are uttered. The doors open on the second floor, the sound of a laughter-limned crowd is heard--followed by gunfire and screams--apparently the beginning of a Mumbai-style terrorist attack.

Given that Russian separatists are one of the main enemy factions in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the trailer's clear implication is that they're back for revenge in the sequel. Judging by the montage of international locales, military hardware, and massive destruction that follows--again, obscured by a green filter--the aforementioned attack appears to have set off another round of global conflict. The world will find out on November 10, the date flashed across the screen at the video clip's end.

As the trailer unspooled at the GDCAs, Infinity Ward also launched a reported Modern Warfare 2 teaser site. First hinted at in August 2008, the game was confirmed by an event leak and a studio staffer's Twitter feed. Activision made the game's existence official when it reported a $72 million loss on record quarterly earnings last month.

[UDPATE] An official press release sent out the subsequent morning confirms that Modern Warfare 2 will not bear the "Call of Duty" prefix. Activision had not answered questions about whether or not the game was the unique new IP that Infinity Ward mentioned when it revealed that its top talent had signed long-term contracts with Activision last July.

237 Comments

  • KCKING23

    Posted May 25, 2009 8:38 am PT

    thing is killing the brand off what will tyrech call the next call of duty will the call it 6 or some other name

  • D4rksh0gun

    Posted May 21, 2009 8:13 pm PT

    The only reason its "Modern warfare" is because its kinda retarded to have "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2" or "Call of Duty 6: Modern Warfare 2"

  • ulatec66

    Posted May 19, 2009 6:14 am PT

    I hope they improve their anti - hacking measures for the PC version , COD 5 has so many no recoil cheating players it's ridiculous ,OTOH the proffered hack on COD 4 seems to be aimbot . It's no good having a kickass game comes out only to be swamped by cheats only a few months after the release date

  • lance435

    Posted May 13, 2009 5:15 am PT

    But then the question will be: Will Activision still be present? Will this still be a Call of Duty without the name? Finally, what will this big move do to Infinity Ward and the MW franchise (which btw is still quite popular even today)?

  • shazam_lp

    Posted May 11, 2009 3:23 pm PT

    Everybody knows that everybody who's hardcore about CoD will call it CoD6. Don't worry, just cuz they're not branding it, doesn't mean we can't call it that.

  • icepop4who

    Posted May 10, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    Dropping Call of Duty? Geez...brand killing isn't exactly a winning move here, especially if it's a popular brand. I know it's confusing to associate world war II games and modern games with the same name, but COD is just too famous. I'm not too against the move to drop the name, I just want the game to live up to its expectations as the next thing in Modern Warfare.

    And please don't make a Wii version. Every shooter for the wii is butchered like a manwich, please don't butcher this one. Sorry Wii...you're just not hardcore enough for COD (or Modern Warfare 2...whatever)

  • clue942

    Posted May 8, 2009 7:39 am PT

    How can it be called modern warfare '2' without the Call Of Duty prefix, it won't really be recognized as Call of Duty without the prefix...besides you know some gamers pick up Call Of Duty simply because they see the name "Call Of Duty" so thats good enough marketing strategy in itself...*side-note* still hoping it comes out for the Wii again mainly because we need it over here although not opposed to getting it for the 360

  • MAX_RAMBONE

    Posted May 7, 2009 8:00 am PT

    I don't have anything to say about the Call of Duty series, past or future. I just wanted to type in this box.

  • PNShadow

    Posted May 6, 2009 7:58 am PT

    I think they should stick with the 'Call of Duty' prefix. I think it would help define the game as opposed to it appearing as something completely different to its predecessor.

  • StevenPunisher

    Posted May 1, 2009 12:14 am PT

    They should have a weapon suggestion thread on gmaespot or a gun website so they have more guns in this one

  • CROSSFIRE5000

    Posted Apr 30, 2009 12:23 pm PT

    i cant wait for the new call of duty i wonder what it will be called.

  • RobExelby

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 4:42 am PT

    I spotted an oil rig at 1:26:39.

    Is this a fight about oil? wouldnt suprise me in these times of economic financial unstability...

  • HaRdNiPs

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 7:05 pm PT

    if you go on to modernwarfare2.com you can analyze the trailer witch can help out alot there's some hidden messages about the location and guns. for example there is a G3 well that's all i pretty much saw anyway and alot of night vision, some russian or other language spoken and writen, probably first mission going to be inside an airport or some public building, perks are up right hand corner, probably some snow missions, helicopters, jets just like MW, probably a new solider with a cool watch but that don't matter. that's all i saw.

  • Dramacide

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 9:54 am PT

    If its not under the 'Call of Duty' prefix that box set idea goes out the window

  • sikh101

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 3:12 pm PT

    I think after this one a box set should come out seems like a relly good idea.

  • sirbalynn

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 2:37 pm PT

    haha ya but i we will all probably get bored of it... but i wonder wat there gonna do when everyone gets bored of modern warfare.... WW2 has already been sucked dead

  • Vendre

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 10:42 am PT

    Shet, imagine in 20 years: "Call of Duty 21: World at Peace"

    Good enough, I am waiting for this game with delight.

  • insanepyro6

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 9:37 am PT

    I love how most of the people that are bashing WAW have been saying "LETS HAVE CO-OP AND ZOMBIES!!! OH, SPLIT SCREEN TOO!"

    WAW wasn't a direct copy of COD4, it only used the same engine. I enjoy both games. WAW fixed some things that were a HUGE problem in Modern Warfare. The short story mode was the big one for me, even if WAW could have stretched it out a bit more. WAW fixed the spawning issues in Multiplayer... and that was my other main concern.

  • Keitha313

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 1:08 pm PT

    PS. Im not saying Treyarch is bad only a moron would do that everyone makes their bad games including infinity ward COD4 was abit repetitive after awhile and with CODWaW trying to do their best to copy infinity wards MW game they just made a WW2 Shooter look stupid they ruined it soley by trying to copy someone elses work next time maby they will do things soley based on their own work... I still to this day prefer COD3 to 4 or WaW took more skill to be good at it with everyone relying on someone getting 3 kills to deploy a radar searcher and silly perks.

  • Keitha313

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 12:58 pm PT

    Why they get rid of the Call of duty is abit stupid considering the very first Modern Warfare was COD4MW, I just hope people arent stupid enough to get confused about it... It's most likely still going to look like a COD game anyway so big deal... Let Treyarch stick to WW2 they seem to be destroying the WW2 feel anyway especially with CODWAW.

  • georgeorjose

    Posted Apr 11, 2009 9:51 pm PT

    yeah!!! this game is going to be so awesome

  • darkpiggy17

    Posted Apr 11, 2009 6:34 pm PT

    It's infinity ward again, so yay. But i swear to god if there are tanks in this one too, i'ma bussa cap.

  • megamanfc18

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 6:42 am PT

    I thought Airport security was top notch, this shows that payback's a bltch

  • sambucca666

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 3:34 am PT

    @godlike500. Every airport I have ever been in has elevators in. Idiot. Will definately be buying this

  • redrobin

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 10:12 am PT

    To all who condemn World at war ..can i say..smoke pole much?
    i do not see what was any different from cod 4 in cod 5 and most of the people bad mouthing are all saying "Modern warfare 2 lets have split screen , lets have co op, lets have MORE zombies"
    ........8=====D 0= ......are these not all things WaW brought to the series... :/ fulkn retards.

  • CY4N1D3_625

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:38 am PT

    Infinity Ward = Absolute Victory

    I'm pre-ordering this game

    side note: If they had different kinds of ammo (explosive, hollow points etc.) for the pistols I'd be even happier

  • emkplayboy6

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:23 am PT

    Very good point rekm222 i'm with you on that one! Yes this is a pre order for me as well on PC "xbox? Foka xbox"

  • rekm222

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 10:35 am PT

    Treyarch isn't an FPS developer to begin with, I believe they got their start with Penny Racer style racing games and to be honest should have stuck with that genre. World at War and CoD3 are abominations from where I sit. No other developer besides IW should be running with the creation of thise title. Point and case, look at the sales figures and make your deductions. Can't wait for MW2, it's going to rock our effing socks off!

  • Count_Hesley

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 4:38 pm PT

    Pre-order. No doubt.

  • ltjackryan

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 1:09 pm PT

    i agee very much with joker. idk why activision used Treyarch. notice how the 2 worst CoDs are 3 and W@W. anyways, i'm glad there is a new "CoD" coming out i need something new.

  • IAMTHEJOKER88

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 11:57 am PT

    I am glad Modern Warfare no longer bears the name CoD... simply because Treyarch has now stained it with CoD 3 and WaW.
    Hopefully they'll add Co-op, a survival mode, where you and a squad are pitted against hundreds of heavily armed enemies... and maybe a modernized zombie mode, but instead of zombies, have suicide bombers or kamikaze-stabbers so to speak. More customizable options, more weapons, NO G3, more pistols and better close combat, i.e the ability to punch someone in the face, or kick him in the nuts, or just slash his throat.

    The possibilities are endless. So PLEASE FOR GODS SAKE I.WARD, DON'T SCREW THIS UP!

  • GodLike500 posted Mar 31, 2009 9:43 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    GodLike500

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 9:43 am PT (hide)

    How many airports have elevators in them? I can't even think of any malls that have elevators that aren't glass. Not really a good place to arm up without being seen. Has the author ever been in a public place?

  • magix2k

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 5:12 am PT

    I'm gonna pre-order this game too. IMO, Infinity Ward should stick with the Modern Warfare series and TreyArch with World War series.

  • johnnyave6

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 10:04 pm PT

    It might be just me but i am sick of the CoD WWII set themes. CoD 4 rocked most of our socks off, so i am sure thats why they are attempting to make it a stand alone title. So the whole title thing doesnt mean anything. I will pre-order it. as far as waiting for the score, never a bad idea, but i am sure they will not screw this up. after CoD 4 its hard to not want to keep that gravy train rolling.

  • banana5

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 7:00 pm PT

    do u think dis is a game to preorder, or should i wait to see wat score it gets?

  • AndrewFLEA

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    if the campain is anythign like cod4 and they add alot of levels to multiplayer ( 75 from 55) i would buy this the day it came out. like everyone else is saying the CoD part dosent mater its infiniaty ward.

  • Count_Hesley

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 12:21 pm PT

    Ditto on split screen multiplayer. Ditto on more zombies (terrorist zombies). As to why they dropped CoD from the name; well, it could be because Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is just too long. Maybe they're into the whole brevity thing.

  • Lancing

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 7:00 am PT

    i hope it will finally be possible to have a guest join you for some online split-screen. i mean really, how long ago did halo 2 make that possible?

  • meateater79

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 10:40 pm PT

    On CoD4's release date, I drove 20 miles in about 10 minutes to reach a retailer who wasn't sold out or didn't only had enough in stock for preorders. Probably will have to do the same for MW2.

    Seems like Activision will be reserving the CoD franchise for FPSs with a WWII backdrop. The Modern Warfare title will be for games set in modern times. Pretty smart move, IMO.

  • Heershreck

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 10:01 pm PT

    I am fine with the drop of CoD. To me, CoD has been a cover up name for Infinity Ward. (IMO, Treyarch CoD's don't quite qualify. Maybe one day they will.) The name you should be looking for is Infinity Ward.

  • Sonic7777777

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 3:02 pm PT

    Modern Warfare 2 should have online co-op, customizable guns for reg multiplayer, and perks for pistols.

  • Nitrogenix

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 8:52 am PT

    @gdude5678

    I don't understand how the name would make it special, and without it, it would be boring. I do not buy my games because they sound cool, if you do that, then you end up wasting hundreds of dollars on crappy games. If this game is truly great, it does not need a good name. It could be called "S**tstains" and I'd still buy it if it was a 10/10 on gamespot.

  • gdude5678

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 8:32 pm PT

    If the words "Call of Duty" are not in front, then what makes the words "Modern Warfare" so special? There are a lot of modern day war games out there. In my opinion the "Call of Duty" name should be on the box. The big thing about COD4 was "OMG! It's a Call of Duty game in present time!" To keep it special they should leave COD in front.

  • expulsamos13

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 8:15 pm PT

    oh yeaa,,,by the time this game is released, I'm gonna own a Ps3

  • taino1128

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 2:32 pm PT

    If this is nothing like previous CoDs, I'll bee so pissed!

  • thezackinator89

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 12:42 pm PT

    It should have online co-op and a zombies game.

  • hawaiisniper808

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 11:58 am PT

    This game should be almost as good is the first mw1 and we hope that this will be the second best games of the Year for infinityward to distribute to the public.This game will make billions of Dollars and I'm supporting the company no matter what happens..Treyarch didn't do to well on call of duty world at war..But i admit i do like the campaign mode..Goodluck to you all gamers see you all on xboxlive cod4 or mw2 peaceout!!!

  • rybread13

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 10:29 am PT

    Infinity Ward u keep dooing wat yur dooing cuz all that is...is Awsome and im loving it...im 100%with watever u dooing.

  • purple_pride99

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 10:15 am PT

    Good idea, by leaving out the Call of Duty name it could potentially give them more freedom to branch out away from what the games set in WW2 does.

    Besides Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a bit to long. Modern Warfare 2 sounds much better.

  • lindseyiluvyou

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 9:56 am PT

    Now after Modern they should move into the future

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