We're going on three days now since the event that some computer gaming enthusiasts are referring to as "Black Saturday," in which it was revealed that the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 wouldn't allow online multiplayer on dedicated servers. These same enthusiasts penned an online petition that has since garnered over 100,000 signatures -- but unfortunately for this rapidly expanding group, comments recently made by Infinity Ward's Jason West and Vince Zampella in a Game Informer interview make it sound like the developer's position won't be reversing any time soon.

"We're just prioritizing the player experience above the modders and the tuners," West explained. The duo had received countless complaints from PC Modern Warfare players who were unable to find a match online that wasn't riddled with cheaters, "insular" clans and enormous skill disparities -- problems they hope IWNet will eliminate. When asked why both matchmaking and dedicated servers couldn't both exist, West explained that this practice would "bifurcate the community."

The implementation of IWNet will likely make the game more accessible to casual PC gamers -- however, we worry that Infinity Ward might be ignoring the timeless adage of "make new friends, keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." What do you think, dear readers? Is this a smart move or a brilliant mistake on Infinity Ward's part?

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/in...d-server-peti/