Just walked off stage. Crowd was amazing, went insane chanting "pick it up!" when I stumbled over Dual-wield Deagles. lol - Akimbo confirmed

This taken off of fourzerotwo's twitter page.
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I appreciate the feedback guys. We're all part of the same community, but won't always share the same opinion. That's a GOOD THING, because it means we can constantly be getting multiple point of views to help shape the final game.

In all honesty, the initial reaction to "dual wielding" is shocking. It's not something you expect and is completely new to the game. However, the designers have done an amazing job in how they implemented it.

I can also completely appreciate the realism argument. Sometimes we make that decision of realism for balancing (i.e. AT4 locking on to airborne killstreaks) and sometimes to add a variety of fun gameplay mechanics, which is the case with Akimbo.

I promise you though, we're not going sci-fi or completely changing what Modern Warfare is all about. It's still about the fast paced, infantry focused combat that we all love. We don't have jetpacks and shields. Once you play the game with all the new perks, attachments, weapons, killstreaks, features, gear, and other surprises it all comes together perfectly.

I plan to back that up with plenty of MP videos and details as we get closer to launch, the latest one coming out this week so you're up to speed on what to expect on November 10th.
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Fourzerotwo wrote Akimbo is NOT the perk in the new MP trailer this week.

I was presenting a singleplayer mission at the GameCrazy show this morning on stage and happened to walk over a body that had Akimbo (dual wield side arm), therefore the icon for the weapon popped up on screen and the room went crazy with chants demanding I pick it up and use it.

So I did.

Happened to be dual Deagles. Now to calm some initial fears of "OMG! Overpowered!". Akimbo is limited and balanced, just like EVERYTHING in the game. It's limited to sidearms, harder to aim than standard and you can't go ADS (aim down sights) since you have a weapon in each hand; Among other balancing techniques, so don't freak out before you see it in action.

It's cool.

Fourzerotwo wrote I appreciate the feedback guys. We're all part of the same community, but won't always share the same opinion. That's a GOOD THING, because it means we can constantly be getting multiple point of views to help shape the final game.

In all honesty, the initial reaction to "dual wielding" is shocking. It's not something you expect and is completely new to the game. However, the designers have done an amazing job in how they implemented it.

I can also completely appreciate the realism argument. Sometimes we make that decision of realism for balancing (i.e. AT4 locking on to airborne killstreaks) and sometimes to add a variety of fun gameplay mechanics, which is the case with Akimbo.

I promise you though, we're not going sci-fi or completely changing what Modern Warfare is all about. It's still about the fast paced, infantry focused combat that we all love. We don't have jetpacks and shields. Once you play the game with all the new perks, attachments, weapons, killstreaks, features, gear, and other surprises it all comes together perfectly.

I plan to back that up with plenty of MP videos and details as we get closer to launch, the latest one coming out this week so you're up to speed on what to expect on November 10th.

Fourzerotwo wrote

THX 1386 wrote

What's the point of it though? I

Options. Variety in playstyle. Customizing your load out to how YOU like to play.

I personally, never use Akimbo. Just not my style. I like to focus my class on being fast and silent.

The fun of multiplayer is that you're constantly experiencing something new, and every has their own playstyle. It's only limited (as in you won't see it often) because of the amount of options we have in the game. Everyone will have their own preferences therefore you shouldn't see a lot of anything ALL THE TIME.

With so many new killstreaks, weapons, perks, attachments, and other ways to customize your class, you have a lot of new depth you can go into when catering to your playstyle.

According to 402 :

Fourzerotwo wrote Modded Controllers will not be usable in Modern Warfare 2.

We can squash that concern for good.

Let us hope that he lives up to this one. I would love it.

Fourzerotwo wrote

Don't assume Akimbo is all about being solely "dual-deagle". It's useable with all Sidearms, some much more useful with Akimbo than deagles. We've greatly expanded every category of weapons, so your "side arm" category is much more than what you're use to in COD4.

Trust me, Akimbo is a useful addition with certain weapons. Some side arms are just fun to use Akimbo with. "Why put it in if only a small niche will use it?" is a bad way to go about game design. Yes, you have to make priority, but if we only put in stuff we thought EVERYONE would use daily, then a lot of cool features would never make it in. Like Dead Silence Perk in COD4. Some say useless, some live by it in Hardcore S&D.

riot shield confirmed?

Fourzerotwo wrote

Maybe that is the point of putting it in, just to have something fun and cool?

The majority of the reason a lot of people play games is to do something fun and cool.

That said, Akimbo is useful for certain play styles.

Perfect example. Riot Shield + Akimbo Sidearms is awesome for a defensive playstyle. (i.e. covering someone planting a bomb in S&D).

Since you can't use a weapon with a shield, and it's quicker to switch to a sidearm than reloading or switching to another weapon. You can provide mobile cover for the planter, then when the attacker reloads, switch to Akimbo sidearms and put some quick rounds down range. Your accuracy won't be great, but there is something to be gained from suppressive fire and fast response.

Well I stay by what I said earlier. There are now more than pistols for sidearms!

Fourzerotwo wrote

Did you forget the part where sidearms encompasses more than pistols?
Sidearm=pistol. Sorry to break it to you. It does not mean x2 SMGs.

Side arm does not equal Pistol.

We've expanded every category quite a bit. That doesn't mean SMGs are now Sidearms, but it does mean we have more than just pistols as side arms. What else is included in the Sidearm category will have to remain a mystery for now.

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This is a pic of "akimbo"