Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has one of the most in-depth Gunsmith systems that the series has ever seen, but it comes with one major downside that can kill all the fun of customizing weapons. Instead of only utilizing the usual system where weapons are unlocked by leveling up a character in multiplayer, Modern Warfare 2 has a system where weapons of the same Platform (such as M4, Lachmann, and Kastovia) must be unlocked by ranking up other weapons in said Platform. This change isn't sitting well with all players, and could hamper the fun of gun leveling in Modern Warfare 2.
By locking some weapons behind others of a different category, Modern Warfare 2 could kill the fun of progression for players who normally don't play those weapons. As an example, Modern Warfare 2's Lachmann Sub is a highly sought after SMG based on the real-world MP5 submachine gun. In order to unlock it, players must first reach Rank 18 in multiplayer to unlock the Lachmann-762, a battle rifle. Then, players must get the 762 to level 13 to unlock the Lachmann-556 assault rifle, which must then be leveled to rank 12 to gain access to the Lachmann Sub. For players who just want to play with the Lachmann Sub, this is a huge headache.
MW2's Gunsmith Progression Trees Be A Hassle, But May Yield New Experiences
Often, players have an idea of what they want to do with a loadout. They devise a way to rank up fast in Modern Warfare 2 to get the loadout to where they want it, and proceed to clean shop once it's there. Having the multitude of extra steps involved for unlocking the gun they want can kill player interest in unlocking it, as it could be similar to grinding for a desired item in an MMO, something many shooter fans don't want. Not to mention the fact that the prerequisites to unlock a weapon are often not even in the same class as the weapon itself (see the above example of the Lachmann Sub line). Players who specialize in submachine guns being forced to use battle rifles and assault rifles in order to unlock their preferred SMG will likely find the experience tedious and not fun.
Conversely, this system could be genius in that it forces players out of their comfort zones and encourages experimentation with Modern Warfare 2's wonderfully complicated Gunsmith. Players may discover a new favorite weapon or class of weapon while trying to unlock their original favorite. This system also lends itself to a variety of build options, and helps prevent matches from devolving into players only using a handful of "the best" weapons. By forcing players to make use of every weapon category, it encourages variety in loadouts and can lead to more diverse matches.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's Gunsmith system is unlike anything seen in the series before, and brings with it some division in player base opinion. On the one hand, having to unlock and rank up two to four different weapons before being able to play with the one players want can be as huge a headache as people who need to stop complaining about SBMM and killing any fun they could be having were they able to unlock their favorite right away. On the other, players will be exposed to the breadth of the game's weapons and forced to experiment, which may yield a new favorite or a new effective gun that many may not have considered before. This Gunsmith certainly provides a depth not seen in Call of Duty games before, and that depth can lead to new opportunities for those willing to experiment.
