I have played the game for a couple of weeks. In that short time, there has been at least one update for the online networking features (this is a game that has been out for a couple of years) and the game has crashed a number of times. I'm an adult gamer, new to COD and of moderate skill.



For a game that is technically impressive, online gameplay is terrible. Activision clearly does not care to add new players/customers. If you are new to COD games you will likely be terribly frustrated as not only will you not have the more advanced weapons, etc. (fair enough), the online matching system will put you in matches against players who have played a long time (you won't have a chance). Activision's own stats are very informative in this regard - only 46.9% of players have reached level 10 (this is a very low level and will only take several hours) in online multiplayer play (this is considered a "rare" achievement). Only 23.9% of players have reached level 55 in online multiplayer play. To put this in context, some online players that beginners will have to play against have reached (and presumably maxed out at) level 1000 (this is actually more like level 1550, because you have to cycle through levels 1-55 ten times before you can advance to level 56). Wow. 3/4 of players won't play the online game long enough to get to level 55 (which is still a fairly beginner level)!



The spawning system is ridiculous - the game will spawn opposition players behind you (you will die). It will also spawn you in front of opponents (you will die). It will spawn you in the middle of a firefight (you will die). It is surprising that Activision cares so little about adding new players (and new customers), that it has skewed gameplay much to the advantage of more advanced players. New players should be matched with/against new and moderate level players - advanced players should play only against advanced players (or those willing to do so). What should have been an interesting strategy game (with lots of action) has been turned into a frenetic arcade game.



If you are new to COD, save yourself the frustration and don't give Activision your money.