(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Infinity Ward insists new riot shields won't unbalance game.

Infinity Ward has remained cagey on how whether the much-maligned Martyrdom perk from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be returning for the hotly anticipated Modern Warfare 2, but has teased that it will be "treated differently".


The developer has also moved to reassure fans concerned over the introduction of the Riot Shield, claiming it won't unbalance multiplayer.

The Martyrdom perk, as fans of CoD 4 will know, gives players a chance to kill opposing players in a "from the grave" style. With the perk enabled, players will automatically drop a live grenade when they are killed. Many consider the perk "cheap", as it can often lead to automatic death following close quarters fighting.


Speaking to VideoGamer.com, Joel Emslie, lead character artist on Modern Warfare 2, refused to be drawn on Infinity Ward's plans for the perk, but did offer a titbit of information.

"It's not in the beta... I can't talk about it!," he said.
"We are very, very aware of the community and what they like and don't like, and Martyrdom has caught our attention. I'm happy with how the game is.

"It's [Martyrdom] treated differently. And I will say this - it fits in perfectly.

"Modern Warfare 2 also introduces the new riot shield, a portable cover that takes up a primary weapon slot.

Some fans have expressed concern that the Riot Shield, which makes players almost invulnerable when used, will unbalance Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer.

Emslie, however, denied this.

"There's always a counter-measure to everything in the game," he told us.

"Every element that's been added and is brand new to multiplayer has been painstakingly tested by us, our own worst critics. We've had shouting matches about changes, very passionate heated debates about what works and what doesn't work.

Uuuuuuu it better not be the same as cod4...

Nice find and info dan! I hope it's COMPLETELY different from COD4.

My super secret sources say it is one of the last two death streaks, making it only so crappy noobs can use it anyway which is what 402 said it was originally intended for anyway, not to be abused.

Quit being pussies guys. All I hear is crying about martyrdom, last stand and juggernaut. If you were really good, you wouldn't get caught by it.

well i have one thing to say about riot gear go play rainbowsix2 and hope its nothing like that becasue you dont die its like almost impossible...and martydom is cheap i only used it in 4 while playing shipment but thast because everyone used it if your in the open or big maps like 5 and how it looks in MW2 i barely got killed by it

i hope they fix martyrdom in the game

MartyDom this Martydom that. Come on guys no need to wine about it. It's easy to avoid. I don't use it and never have, but i come up against alot and rarely get that cheap death as you call it.

I've only found martydom to be a problem on 1 map in COD 4 and I think you all know which one that is. So I don't see a problem with it.

I wonder how it will be changed.

I'm hoping it will be like last stand. In stead of pulling out your handgun you will have to pull the pin on your gernade BEFORE the enemy finishes you off, then drop it where you lay. A head shot will void the opportunity to perform the task.

The thing that bothered me most about martyrdom in COD4 was the fact that it required you to do nothing. If I got a head shot on a player using martyrdom when did they have time to pull a pin on a gernade?