Warzone 2 expert IceManIsaac hits out at “smug” devs allegedly mocking movement players
Brad Norton
❘ Published: 2023-03-09T05:57:47
❘ Updated: 2023-03-09T05:57:55
Warzone 2 content creator IceManIsaac has taken issue with a “lead developer” in CoD Battle Royale after they allegedly mocked movement-based players.
With the original Warzone, we saw countless new personalities rise to established stars, largely due to their impressive gameplay skills. Whether it was the ability to slide cancel with ease, or simply manipulate map geometry in unique ways, many gained an audience through their innovative approach to movement.
In Warzone 2, however, with many of these systems no longer in place, the same cannot be said. Rather, viewership has been dwindling since the sequel’s arrival, hitting a new all-time low of 37,518 Twitch-best viewers on March 3, according to data on SullyGnome.
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In light of these changes and a more limited ceiling for innovation, IceManIsaac has objected to a “core producer” as they allegedly mocked players who preferred the original and its movement systems.
“There’s a developer on Twitter who was liking posts making fun of scrollers,” he said during a March 8 broadcast. At this time, Isaac declined to directly notify the designated employee, in order to keep them anonymous. However, after some digging, it appears that the developer in question is Infinity Ward game director Jack O’Hara.
Long story short, one particular post that O’Hara allegedly liked on Twitter, a post that has since been unliked, argued against Warzone’s movement-based player skills.
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“Basically, it said ‘what am I going to do without swiping and scrolling?’ and the answer was basically ‘if you were only good at movement, you probably wouldn’t be good at all'”.
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A developer who favors this mentality is apparently going against the vast majority of the game’s biggest figures, most popular content creators, and thus, a good portion of the remaining player base.
“It’s this contraband…” he continued. “They’re just thinking, ‘These beat up kids, they’re going to play my game, it’s a man’s game. I’m like, no mom, you’re not creating something new and interesting and engaging, your game sucks. You’re no longer talented enough to be good in Warzone 2 because you can’t keep up in Warzone 1. You’re lowering the common denominator.”
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Having recently been invited to a group chat with select developers, Isaac and Repullze both drew attention to specific comments from those involved. Namely, the developers reinforced their stance for the better, stating that there are no plans to “change the movement anytime soon” in Warzone 2. “They think it’s balanced,” Repullze said.
“What needs to change… there needs to be a drastic change at the top. If they’re seeing that and they’re okay with that, something’s wrong.”
