PS3 Modern Warfare 2 battling server issues

[UPDATE] Infinity Ward shooter runs into multiplayer problems; trophy patch arrives, patch by week's end; developer gets servers back up and running.

The first shots of multiplayer Modern Warfare 2 were fired upon the game's release yesterday, but for PlayStation 3 players, the guns have already fallen silent. The game's multiplayer modes are largely inaccessible today in a postlaunch snafu reminiscent of another recently released shooter, Borderlands.

Connection issues are freezing out PS3 players from Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer.

According to a post on the Twitter feed of Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling, the game is a victim of its own popularity.

"The amount of players on [Modern Warfare 2] PSN overwhelmed the PSN presence server which updates 'what you're doing' and is essential to parties," Bowling said.

In other posts, Bowling said more servers were being added to meet the demand for Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer mode. He also added that a patch addressing issues with unlocking the game's trophy awards in the single-player and Spec Ops modes had been successfully rolled out, with another patch fixing multiplayer party invites rolled out by Friday.

[UPDATE] This afternoon, Bowling offered the following update: "MP Servers gradually coming back online. Some users may still experience issues. Also, EU Players get Trophy patch tonight."

Hamstrung PS3 multiplayer aside, Modern Warfare 2's launch appears to be a success. Earlier today, UK industry body ELSPA and sales tracker GfK ChartTrack declared it the best-selling game debut of all time in the country. The different versions of Modern Warfare 2 combined to sell 1.23 million copies in the country, nearly doubling the previous best, a 631,000-unit 24-hour total posted by Grand Theft Auto IV last year.

For more information on Modern Warfare 2, visit GameSpot's launch center.

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341 Comments

  • MOBS

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 8:55 am PT

    ^^^And Gestapospot censors all anti Microsoft sentiments, so expect the above comment to be deleted in t-minus 5 minutes.

  • MOBS

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 8:46 am PT

    Yet another PS3 hatchet-job done by XBL biased Gestapospot. They used to do graphical comparisons between Xb360 and Ps3, and not let the hook up the PS3 with the HDMI cable. This was before 360 had a HDMI port. How biased is that??? If HDMI loks better use it. Dont put your thumb on the scales. They are biased because they get money and free computers from Microsoft. Gestapospot only report PS3 problems, even though Ive been playing MW2 online since a week before launch and had no problems.
    Microsoft runs the servers on Tmobile Motorola sidekicks, and the server melted down recently. Where was the story on that?? Where was the story on all the graphical glithes in Halo3? Or the story telling the public Halo 3: ODST is only 640p upscaled to 720P? Or where was thestory on all the glitches and Bugs in Gears of war 2 multiplayer???

    And I have a 360 folks so dont throw the fanboy stone. For the record you can fix a RROd yourself with a modified version of the towel trick, and you can prevent the RRod altogether by adding another Heatsink to the GPU.

  • sirvampalot

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 9:39 am PT

    Too late for me i took it back and got the 360 copy.

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:33 am PT

    awesome news for xbots, live is not experiencing the same issues. thanks for almost half of owned rrod360s out for repair. i bet haters posting here right now are just sour graping because their rrod360s are in sabatical. LOL! check this out, it's so funny. my friend is sitting at home with his night vision goggles because his 360 rroded on mw2s release date. i just had to post, it's 3:45 AM PST right now and my eyes are blood red for playing online all night on psn. yep, no problem bots.

  • 238GameAddict

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 7:42 pm PT

    I was worried that this would happen on my 360. but it never did. not once. smooth as a gravy sandwich. I waited online at midnight for the launch with ps3 buyers alike. that would've sucked to wait on line with great anticipation only to not be able to play this game. and make no mistake, this game is all about the multiplayer component. thank god i own a 360.

  • JACOBDRAGON666

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 7:10 pm PT

    hahahaha another blow to ps3 better luck next time guys

  • AlfaxD_Centauro

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 5:39 pm PT

    Since yesterday is running fine. Was just a couple of hours to get more Servers.

    And is better now on PS3 =).

  • AlfaxD_Centauro

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    @Phazevariance

    Nope, is not Sony fault xD.

  • akuya32

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    Its not that big of deal in my book. At least this happened during the middle of the week and not on a Friday or Saturday. This is similar to when CODMF came out. There were so many online issues but they fixed it within a week. This is a short-term problem.

  • wizo59mt

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:48 pm PT

    xbots....please chill and enjoy your fully functional multiplayer, why sit here on the threads and quit tryin and badger ACTIVISIONS not Sony's server issue. True the Playstation MP is buggy right now, but lets face it the game just runs better and quiter ion a PS3.

  • retospectre

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:18 pm PT

    i'd rather wait an extra day and get to play it for free. with alot less lag on my ps3 thanks

  • tauvy

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:17 pm PT

    @HazyNimbus Well that number was how many at a time were being let in last night - who knows how frequent. They could have been letting 20,000 in every minute - either way, most are up now. I don't know of anyone that can't connect. Looking back at my message, I see I said it wrong. They were letting 20,000 ADDITIONAL people on at a time, each time adding to the total number of users online. It was the massive hit all at once upon release that busted the system, so they cut everything and let everyone back 20k at a time.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:09 pm PT

    @AlfaxD_Centauro @wjcj100 @IDeadlyReconI @juanseguin07
    Actually, it is Sony's fault. It's their fault for not having standardized servers run by Sony to centralize all of the game requests. MS uses the LIVE servers to not only optimize game connections, but also to make sure they are up and working propperly for each game, where as Sony ignores this and leaves it up to the developers. Even though the problem is with the servers of the developer, it's Sony's fault for not being proactive and having a universal solution. PSN continues to have problems because of incompatibilities and glitches. No matter how youlook at it, PSn has grown, but it still lacks the testicular fortitude to beat out what MS has accomplished, and it never will.

  • DFen

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 11:52 am PT

    well its fixed now GAME ON PPLLL!!!!

  • djpetitte

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 11:23 am PT

    It's a fairly basic problem to fix, just add more servers.

  • apapi77

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 9:51 am PT

    @hazynimbus@thearcade You 2 def. need to do some research. There is a company called DEAMONWARE(google it) that's owned by ACTIVISION. That is where the COD MW2 servers handle all the PS3/PC users via MP. It failed because of an overload at one time. If hate should be thrown around go to Activision. IW called on SONY to help build an infrastructure with DEAMONWARE and bailed them out.

  • TheArcade

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:53 am PT

    HazyNimbus:

    Personally, when there were this many pre-orders, this much hype, AND Sony just had problems with Borderlands, you'd think they be ready for SOMETHING to go wrong. Isn't that what parents teach? Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. This is really inexcusable this far into the PS3's lifetime. You don't have to like one system or the other better to know this has to stop for Sony.

    Couldn't have put it better myself. I didn't know the PS3 version of Borderlands was having problems as well. o_O

  • HazyNimbus

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:42 am PT

    Personally, when there were this many pre-orders, this much hype, AND Sony just had problems with Borderlands, you'd think they be ready for SOMETHING to go wrong. Isn't that what parents teach? Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. This is really inexcusable this far into the PS3's lifetime. You don't have to like one system or the other better to know this has to stop for Sony.

  • HazyNimbus

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:33 am PT

    @ tauvy I'm glad and all that they are getting it fixed, but 20,000 people at a time out of, what, a possible 2 mllion (totally guessing based on initial sales data)? I think that might cause some problems still, IF those are the numbers - not entirely sure of course.

  • EmperorSupreme

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:30 am PT

    Too many people trying to play, getting more servers. Guess that's a good problem for them to have.

  • HazyNimbus

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:30 am PT

    @kamizuka I think you're hitting on something...I don't think there's a speed difference between the two systems either. I don't play on Live because I think it's faster (I don't), I play on Live because I simply had/have a better experience with it. Personally, I like the cheapo mics cause because regardless of quality, controllers and mics are easliy breakable for me. Maybe (now I'm speculating on my own opinions) I like Live better because I quickly found people similar to me talking, joking, and having fun where I never found that "community" on PSN. Not saying it doesn't exist, but I did not experience it. PSN constantly has me wanting more and Live doesn't do that, so when I pick up a co-op or mulitplayer game, I automatically think Xbox. Opinionated enough for you? lol. I can't back any of that up.

  • tauvy

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 7:36 am PT

    Oh and if anyone is still having problems, just a word - I got online last night for the first time since launch day. Apparently, they are bringing more servers online as they go, allowing 20,000 people to log in at a time. Check www.twitter.com/fourzerotwo for the latest updates.

  • tauvy

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 7:33 am PT

    @DaAssassin55 There is a way around it if you want to invite people to your party. Here is how you do it, person A being the host and person B being the invitee:

    A: Invite B
    B: See message notification, but DON'T open it.
    B. Go to the multiplayer menu (the menu that you get to by selecting multiplayer from the main menu).
    B. Press PS button, go to playstation network menu, highlight "Account Management" and press triangle.
    B. Select "Sign Out"
    B. Select "Sign in" and hit ok
    B. Once signed in, go to the invite message and join.

    TAADAAAA!!!

  • Nemesis69-

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 7:23 am PT

    Is that why I havent been able to update my trophy list?

  • LozzyRoxx

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:53 am PT

    @atopp399

    Actually it's already been fixed

  • TripSe7en

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:49 am PT

    Another reason I bought this game for the 360. You get what you pay for and that is why I don't mind paying for LIVE, as I would not mind paying for PSN if they made it as accessible as LIVE.

  • atopp399

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:25 am PT

    They will probably fix it in a DLC for $7. Don't worry.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:22 am PT

    It's not really news for this kind of thing...more of a standard when it comes to the PS3 version either shipping later or requires patching on day-1.

    I guess when companies lay off people the first ones to go are the Q.A. department.

  • p2250

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:19 am PT

    I'd rather wait a couple of days for a patch then have to pay to play online for good.

  • spawnx28

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:13 am PT

    Why are people still talking about what system is better?Who cares if you like what you got play it and shut up.I got both i do play one more than the other,the ps3 is good watch alot of movies on it,but i have a hard time finding people to play online.on the 360 there are lots of people playing no matter what time it is.just my opinion.

  • DaAssassin55

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:10 am PT

    If someone plays online today (Thursday 11/12), let us know if they fixed it - if you can join a party with your friends. I wont get to play it till later on today, but I am really curious (and cant wait) when are they gonna fix these servers.

  • Kermyt

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 4:32 am PT

    only had 1 laggy game so far out of 3 hours on line play. Cant complain really. PS3 the way to go.

  • DRkinZ

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 3:51 am PT

    xbox live is three dollars a month? well psn is free dollars a month.

  • playstation_dad

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 1:18 am PT

    At the end of the day its annoying yes but lets all face it......... its free online gaming, we cant complain to much. Id rather it happen now at the start than happen at christmas because theres gonna be alot more people playing then than now! Im just glad they have been honest and are fixing it really

  • kamizuka

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:43 am PT

    @HazyNimbus thanks but that didnt really answer why question. all i read from fanboys on gamespot is that the psn sucks because killzone gets DC alot and psn is very slow. i rarely get DC(only when my family are abusing the net) are they just haters and hate it for being free or it is really faster because i cant say that ive seen any difference

  • Koushin

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:49 pm PT

    Thats pretty good GS. You've created a double standard in your reviews. The PS3 version lost a .5 for this kind of issue but it's already been fixed. Where as you gave the MW2 a 9.0 yet you don't remove a .5 from that score for the PS3. So what's it gonna be?

  • angry_cowtipper

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:32 pm PT

    Actually, Nimbus, it happened with Fat Princess and LBP that I know of, and others I'm sure as well (PSN having too many users for their servers).

  • ACx7

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:30 pm PT

    @HazyNimbus Oh, I misunderstood. Sony calls it the XMB, I think. And I like that better than the current 360 dashboard. I liked the original better.

  • HazyNimbus

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:26 pm PT

    @ACx7
    As to menus, I meant the ones the systems have in them at start up. Xbox calls it the dashboard and I don't know what Sony calls theirs (home?), but I just don't happen to care for Sony's. I hear you about the game menus being handled by the developers.

  • ACx7

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:20 pm PT

    @HazyNimbus. The 20$ wired headsets for the 360 are horrid. They dont pick up sound well, and break to easily. Your wireless headset is the same as ours price wise, and we do have cheap wired ones as well. The Menus have to do with the game. Not the online service. Playing CoD, the menus are identical on PS3 and 360. I actually prefer the Playstation store to the LIVE marketplace. It has a better look to it, and is more organized. This server problem would not have happened if Sony ran the servers. That is the best thing about LIVE. Microsoft runs their servers, keeping them up to date and running smoothly. LIVE is the overall better online service...Anyone should be able to see that. But both play games online. So they are both worth while in my book.

  • HazyNimbus

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:13 pm PT

    @kamizuka
    You ask what we like about Live? Cheap headsets, easy menus, different controller, and what's $3 a month (39.99 subscription + a bonus month from an online retailer comes to $3 a month) when it virtually guarantees solid, working service every time I turn on the system. I like PSN just fine, but I find the menus kiddy and jumbled, the controller awkward, and not as many people seem to be playing the games I like to play co-op, let alone have some. That's not a complaint, more of a style for instance Killzone 2, Resistance and Uncharted are all single player experiences with multiplayer added - I like playing co-op and the best PS3 games do not have it. Make sense? I'm not a Sony hater, I just look for the experience Live provides that Sony doesn't for me.

  • HazyNimbus

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:01 pm PT

    @Bad_Azz_Kratos
    No...it's because the PSN hasn't had a game on it that ever had enough people to crash the servers, not because there are more people on PSN than Live. I believe overwhelming in this case simply means more than the PSN could handle. Big surprise there.

  • Bad_Azz_Kratos

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:46 pm PT

    @weaponx789
    If you took some time of your busy 360-fanboy schedule and actually read the article instead of seeing the headline and automatically writing an anti-PS3 comment, you would find that there aren't enough servers to support all the players on psn (although there's the same amount on the 360 & pc version) because of the "overwhelming" amount of players of the PS3 (meaning more players than the 360 version.) quite simply, MW2 is too popular for it's own good.

  • SillySkeleton

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:31 pm PT

    Looks like I should fire up the campaign again to earn some of those trophies I wasn't given the first time through. At least they patched the problem quickly.

  • aaronobst

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:29 pm PT

    Meanwhile 360 users are still trying to get their consoles to work so they can play it at all

  • weaponx789 posted Nov 11, 2009 10:17 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    weaponx789

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:17 pm PT (hide)

    just another sign that the basic ps3 infrastructure is flawed.

  • MxAa

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:50 pm PT

    AaronAMM... if anything this is one of the smoothest online shooters for the ps3 if u ask me. It was overwhelmed because 100,000 more people logged on all at once... it's fine now...

  • GovtCheese

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    Servers are back up. All is well.

  • AaronAMM

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:39 pm PT

    Again, call of duty is among the only games that can't get the online systems right on ps3, both cod 4 and mw2 and treyarchs WaW all failed to get it right. Sort it out IW, then I might get this game. I saw this cr@p coming a mile away...

  • moe725

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:17 pm PT

    who every is having this problem try mulitiplayer or spec ops again i hade the problem and now mine works

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