Invasion mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 features combat with 20 human players on each side, all able to take vehicles across the larger battleground. Joining those human players will be AI combatants to fill the space, offering a very different feeling from Call of Duty’s trademark smaller maps with a lot of close combat. This idea has a lot of room to grow based on the groundwork set by Titanfall.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is Learning From Titanfall
When Titanfall first released in 2014, it was defined by the giant mechs that would drop into matches for human players to use, but the addition of AI-controlled combatants also helped create Titanfall’s unique multiplayer through modes like Attrition. With there usually being a distinct curve in ability, and lesser-skilled players wanting to earn a Titan drop themselves, AI opponents provided an opportunity to succeed and contribute to their squad, all while feeling like the match was busy despite lower human player counts.
When Call of Duty employs bigger maps and modes that utilize more players, the challenge is preserving the fast-paced, chaotic nature that has come to define the franchise’s multiplayer. People generally don’t play Call of Duty for a slow, tactical experience - rather, it is fast and intense compared to the slower Battlefield Conquest modes. Borrowing from Titanfall enables Modern Warfare 2 to have modes with larger maps, vehicles, and more players, all while making those players feel like they are still constantly engaged in action.
Invasion mode isn’t perfect, and Infinity Ward will likely continue to invest in the mode by borrowing from other games that have done well in the past. In its current form, Invasion players are returned to spawn points after suffering a death, creating long travel across the map each time an enemy gets the better of them. Battlefield has learned from this in the past, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 would be smart to listen and add the ability to spawn on a squad member to Invasion mode, similar to what can be found in matches of Battlefield online.
Even the best multiplayer shooter fan likely has a friend that might want to play, but is just not good at the game, leading to a decision between being competitive and spending time with friends. The benefit of a mode like Invasion is that it allows for both kinds of players to thrive, as the better players can still focus on racking up kills and padding stats while their friends feel like they are helping the team effort by killing AI opponents. If done right, Invasion mode could present a “best of both worlds” situation in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 that keeps players engaged and having fun, regardless of their skill level.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches on October 28 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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