Modern Warfare 2 MW2: what’s new in update 1.04?

The launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022) was preceded by several updates aimed at refining the experience based on player feedback from the beta. Update 1.04 was a significant pre-release patch, addressing various aspects of the game. Here's a breakdown of the key changes and fixes it brought:

Availability and Download Size:

Update 1.04 was released prior to the game's official launch. Download sizes varied depending on the platform and whether previous updates were already installed. Reports indicated sizes ranging from roughly 2GB for those who had already downloaded 1.03, up to 20GB on PS5 and some reports even suggesting up to 60GB on Xbox. This discrepancy was likely due to how each platform handles patching and file replacement.

Key Changes and Fixes:

This update focused on addressing player feedback from the beta, targeting areas like visibility, audio, gameplay mechanics, and user interface.

  • Enemy Visibility:

    • A new icon was added above enemy heads to improve identification.
    • Light and contrast settings on player models were adjusted to make enemies stand out more against various backgrounds.
  • Audio:

    • The effective range of footstep audio was reduced.
    • A greater distinction was implemented between teammate and enemy footsteps, aiding in situational awareness.
    • The activation sound of "Dead Silence" was significantly reduced, making it harder to detect when an enemy used the perk.
  • Third-Person Perspective:

    • Modern Warfare 2, MW2, What’s New, Update 1.04, Patch Note
      Changes were made to how aiming down sights (ADS) worked in third-person. Only large and special visors would transition fully to a first-person visor view when zooming. Standard visors would maintain the third-person perspective while aiming.
  • Weapon Balancing:

    • The developers confirmed weapon balancing adjustments were included in the update. However, specific details about these changes were not explicitly outlined in the patch notes at the time. This often meant players had to discover the changes through gameplay.
  • User Interface (UI):

    • Various UI elements were refined across different areas of the game, including the main menu, Gunsmith (weapon customization), and general in-game HUD elements.
  • Movement:

    • Core movement mechanics like sliding, mantling (hanging), and diving were reworked. Beta movement exploits, which allowed players to perform unintended or overpowered maneuvers, were addressed and removed.
  • Matchmaking:

    • While the goal was to keep lobbies together between matches for smoother gameplay, the developers acknowledged that the system wasn't fully optimized in this update and was still under development. This indicated that further improvements to matchmaking and lobby persistence were expected in future updates.

Important Note: This information reflects the changes introduced in Update 1.04 prior to the official launch of Modern Warfare 2 (2022). Subsequent updates and patches have likely introduced further changes and refinements to the game. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's always best to refer to official patch notes released by the developers.

Check out the complete patch note here:  

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