Okay, this is the last thing I'll post on Black Ops for a while – mostly because some of the comments have been pretty scary. I just think this final piece is worth sharing if you're venturing online with the game this weekend. If you're not a fan of Black Ops, or Call of Duty, or shooting games, or games, I'd give this one a wide berth if I were you. Just accept it isn't for you and move on.
Okay... If you are enjoying the Black Ops multiplayer (and some people aren't, I accept that – may I refer you to the opening paragraph?), you may have already made it through that fun stage where you're being repeatedly gunned down by unseen assailants. But where next? As you move up through the ranks unlocking more and more hardware, should you immediately opt for a custom class and start loading up on exotic weaponry? Design director David Vonderhaar says, no. Actually, when I talked to him about this last week, his response was more like, 'Noooooooo!'
His advice? For at least the first ten levels, stick with the basic kit. "We go out of our way to give you some of the best feeling weapons right away," he explains. "That was a deliberate design decision. "If you're a new player, don't worry about buying every gun that you unlock, it's not that important."
So here are his four basic tips on arming yourself for multiplayer success.
Opt for the MP5K sub-machine gun…
"This is the base SMG in the game. It's the one all the other SMGs are modelled around. This gun has some pretty decent kick, but it's also really powerful."
…And an M16 assault rifle
"The M16 and the Colt Commando are great, easily understandable weapons platforms. The M16 is burst fire, it fires three at a time, so the truly new player may feel they're better off with a full auto. But the burst fire makes it controllable and that's what's important. Later, you can go onto an Enfield, which is the first full-auto assault rifle that you unlock."
Upgrade rather than replace
When you start levelling up, Vonderhaar reckons it's a better idea to improve the tools you're comfortable with rather than simply buying ostensibly better guns. "As soon as you have the money, I would add a red dot or a reflex sight. I like the red dot on SMGs and the reflex on assault rifles, but it's a personal preference. Don't worry about suppressors, don't go crazy with perks, don't be buying killstreaks if you're a new player – just get familiar with the basics of SMG and assault rifle gameplay, and you'll be able to progress through all 50 levels. Then you can start messing around with other equipment."
Learn the maps – and arm accordingly
Each of the multiplayer maps in Call of Duty is designed to support a range of different playing styles – you need to work out how to use each environment to match your approach, whether that's charging about with a machine gun, or camping with a sniper rifle. You also need to know how other players are likely to use the space. "Havana is a good example," says Vonderhaar. "It has a zig-zag shape and at both ends of the main street there are elevated platforms, so you can snipe down the entire length of the road. There are alternative flanking routes, but this map has clearly been built to have a main path, with sniper overwatch. If you keep getting sniped, you'll just have to take the long way." He also suggests that you stick with the SMG when you're on small maps and the assault rifle on medium and large maps. Now get out there and have some fun. If you enjoy this sort of fun. Which some people don't.
