Spec Ops 2.0/Survival Mode
Co-Optimus: In Modern Warfare 2 the Spec Ops section felt like moments cherry picked from the single player campaign and made into co-op, is the plan to do the same thing in Modern Warfare 3?
Glen: In most cases yes, but the gameplay is usually much different. In other words we've changed the way you play through the original maps, your location in the map and how you view the level. In some cases you're flying in a level which you didn't do in Campaign. The fun factor and different experiences you get with Spec Ops in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is unbelievable.
Co-Optimus: Could you talk a bit about Survival Mode (another co-op gameplay type) and what it entails?
Glen: It’s a great new addition to the Mission Mode in Spec Ops. You can play by yourself, split screen or online with another person. It’s a really fun and addictive mode where you fight waves of increasingly difficult enemies. One wave could deliver dogs looking to attack you with explosives attached to them while the next wave may include those same dogs surrounded by enemies with upgraded armor. During the process, you're also upgrading and buying new weapons or even more troops to help you out. It has a ranking system, currency and upgrades. It really is awesome. Currently our studio ‘individual’ record is Wave 24 set by our Community Manager Guy Beahm. He simply describes the waves at the latter stages as: “Super Intense. They don’t mess around” .
Co-Optimus: Are the Spec Ops 2.0 and Survivor Mode limited to two players or has that increased over the last Spec Ops?
Glen: It’s for one to two players. Our reasoning here is that with such a major upgrade to Spec Ops it’s no longer a little mode we've dropped into the game. It feels like the other games were split in half with Campaign and Multiplayer. Now with all we've added the game feels like its three games in one and something for everyone. We have Campaign for single player experience, Spec Ops for two people playing co-operatively and all of MP that caters to all kinds of players ranging from casual to hardcore competitive. Its about the gameplay and at the end of the day two people working together, to us, in our game was more fun.
Co-Optimus: How do you feel Spec Ops 2.0 and especially Survivor Mode will stand out in a field populated by Horde/Firefight/Survival variants?
Glen: Spec Ops was wildly popular on MW2. I think it even took the team by surprise. With the upgrades and the addition of a new mode it will be even more popular. These modes like the rest of the game will be running at 60FPS so the smooth controls already help it stand out. Many of the Survival Mode maps will be Multiplayer maps as well which some people will use to train and get used to in Spec Ops and then be able to jump into MP feeling like that have a better chance knowing the level. I believe with all the upgrades, the leaderboards, two major modes, smooth controls and beautiful graphics our fans will really enjoy it.