Martyrdom perk 'treated differently' in MW2

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.

"We would add a new element, go play it, and then people would come storming into [lead multiplayer designer] Todd Alderman's office to say, "Why did you change this?! What were you even thinking?! I played CoD 4 and this is the way I loved it! Why are you changing it?". I can guarantee you that the stuff we pushed off to the side and didn't put in the game would blow you away."

For more, check out our hands-on preview of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer fresh from Infinity Ward's LA event.