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Pro Gamer Questions Missing N0M4D Layout In MW2

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by Meagan Marie on December 02, 2009 at 09:38 AM
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Randy Fitzgerald, known as N0M4D in the Major League Gaming circuit, is questioning the absence of his namesake control scheme in the recently released Modern Warfare 2.

Fitzgerald, who is working to earn a degree in game development and owns a LAN center in Rochester, Minn., was born with a rare muscle and joint disorder called Arthrogryposis. The condition left him with no use of his arms or legs, but Fitzgerald has adapted through modified controllers to play only with only the use of his lips and chin. 

A fan of shooters, Fitzgerald participated in the Modern Warfare beta back in 2007. Providing feedback on the official forums, Fitzgerald mentioned that he struggled playing without the ability to toggle aim (which was previously an option in CoD 3) since he is unable hold down the precision fire button while performing other actions. The thread garnered massive attention – over 25,000 responses – and in his honor Infinity Ward released a patch to implement a new control layout, naming it after his gamertag. Instead of holding down the left trigger to sight the gun, he could now  tap to sight then tap again to lower, eliminating the need to hold the trigger, run, aim and shoot all at once.

Fellow Call of Duty developer Treyarch continued the tradition, adding the layout to Call of Duty: World at War in 2008, which was used by individuals with and without physical disabilities. In an official video blog highlighting combat training in Modern Warfare 2, IW community manager Robert Bowling was happy to say that they had once again implemented the scheme and that it would be available at launch. (Skip to 4:35 to see that portion.) When Fitzgerald brought his retail copy home, however, he found that the control scheme was missing and attempted to get in touch with IW about its absence.

“I have been trying to contact them for months and have not received a response back,” Fitzgerald explained to us. “In the Combat Training Experience video Robert said, ‘I just talked to N0M4D the other day and he said he was going to make a video on how he plays.’ The truth is he never contacted me. In fact, I didn't even know he got that email until he mentioned it live on the air.”

Fitzgerald doesn’t appear demanding, rather, just confused as to where his namesake control setting has gone as he is supposed to be prepping for several large tournaments. He later stated that he would understand if the feature couldn’t be included at launch.

“I would understand if they couldn't implement the feature this time around for whatever reason, but I think the respectful thing is to let me know so I can look for alternate methods to enjoy the game and let other people know what’s going on,” Fitzgerald continued. “I am getting tons of email asking ‘Where is the N0M4D setting?’ Telling people ‘I don't know’ is somewhat damaging to my reputation because they respond with ‘Aren't you the guy they named it after?' ”

We contacted Infinity Ward representatives at Activision yesterday to try to sort through the confusion, but have not yet received an official statement. An explanation may be tough considering much of the IW crew is off on well-deserved vacations, but we’ll update as soon as we hear back.

It's worth mentioning, however, that in the aforementioned video blog Bowling also addresses an unrelated question about the use of modified controllers and how measures have been taken to prevent rapid-fire cheats. While Fitzgerald's controller doesn't fall into this category, perhaps the new security measures caused a conflict that still needs to be addressed.

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  • by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:27 AM

    seriously what are the chances of people with this disorder playing video games are? slim to known. dont get me wrong hes a good man, and can pwn a n00b or 2 but come on dude get over yourself.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:37 AM

    Before the negative comments start I urge everyone to read the article fully and take the time to process it.

    Randy is very appreciative that Infinity Ward included the patch in the first place, allowing him to play and excel in his favorite games. He explicitly stated that he would understand if they couldn't include the setting this time around. His beef isn't with that, it's with the fact that it was stated the setting would be included, that he was used to promote it, and that he purchased a retail copy and planed to participate in MW2 tournaments only to find that the feature was missing. All he wants is an answer and I am sure Infinity Ward has a good reason for why it wasn't shipped. The crew over there has been very supportive in the past.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    those b@st@rds at IW. even if only ONE person uses it it should still be in the game regardless! if i was deaf and the game i got didn't include subtitles, i would be pissed beyond belief! GIVE THE MAN WHAT HE NEEDS IW!

  • by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:46 AM

    I think it is a really interesting blog, and he should ask where the heck his control scheme is. If they worked so hard on it to get it in the game and then the game doesn't have it, then what did IW do with it? I would be just as confused as him if something that they worked on is not there anymore. An answer wouldn't be so suffice, would it? This is not like suing IW for something stupid so he can make a quick buck, but just questioning on what happened in between translation of where his control scheme is, so IW should at least be polite enough to give him an answer.

    Thanks for the blog.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:49 AM

    "I just talked to N0M4D the other day and he said he was going to make a video on how he plays.’ The truth is he never contacted me."

    That's despicable.  

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM

    I'm impressed by both sides and their ability to appreciate one another's position: Fitzgerald understands the difficulty involved with creating new gaming schemes in a game and IW sought to make the game available to a fan - and others like him - so they too could participate with the rest of the gaming community. I can't help but feel respect for both sides (if this report is accurate that is).

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    Agree with Meagan... THINK RESPECTFULLY BEFORE YOU TYPE!!!!! we're talking about a man with a muscle disorder here who would just like to play his game....

  • by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    @Sean Lowery, wait, you think Roberts just blowing a bunch of smoke up the community's a$$ to cover his own?

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    @sean: I think that was a misunderstanding for the most part. Randy said he contacted him but Bowling didn't respond. It's not super accurate, but sometimes we say things like I am "talking" to someone when conversation is has been initiated by the opposite party or is intended. I don't think he was intentionally lying.

    wynd.and.fury: It's as accurate as we can get with only Randy contributing at the moment. I would love for IW to get back to us to clarify the whole issue. Like I said, I am sure there is a good explanation for everything. I don't believe they would do such an awesome thing for accessibility then just turn around and dump it.

  • by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    And the controversy continues again!!!  I almost wonder if IW is trying to surpass Rockstar :-P

    I suppose when looking at this article, it's like what would happen if Halo took away another control scheme such as legacy; while the majority would pass over it, the others would be a bit annoyed.  Hopefully, like Fitzgerald said, they'll include it in a patch later on.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    I always in favor of developers putting in some options so more people can enjoy their games. Contrary to popular belief and alternate control method does not take much effort. In fact if they let the controls be fully customizable this wouldn't even be an issue. Hopefully IW fixes this issue seeing as how they said that it would be in the game.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    What if Infinity Ward replies with "we do not comment on rumors and speculation".... or an ackward farting moment?

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    @Meagan VanBurkleo:

    I agree, even from a business point of view it makes no sense to remove options from the player. I hope to see more info in the future, thanks.

    @Vincent:

    If customization is as simple as you say, then I wonder why they haven't allowed the option yet. It certainly would be a nice feature.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:32 AM

    Alot of things were said about this game that weren't true.

    In an interview with a PC gaming magazine Robert Bowling said that the multiplayer experience would be the same as it was in CoD4. As we all know that wasn't true.

    It honestly seems that IW and/or Activision knew they would have a hit no matter what and they seem to have dropped the ball. I know it got alot of high reviews, but when I talk to people about it I hear the same thing. "Except for <insert flaw> its great." Any great game would not have an insert flaw part meaning there are mutliple things wrong with it.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    your comment=relvent....NOT!!!

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    @wynd.and.fury

    You see that's what annoys me about fully customizable controls most devs do have it on the PC version of their games. Plug in an X-box 360 controller into the PC version of COD and you'll see that you can fully customize it. I don't know why they don't include this on the console version too.

  • by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    @megan Thank you so much for putting this article up.  You guys are great.  To the rest of the community, I really want to make clear that I absolutely love Infinity Ward, that I have been a fan of their work back before they were a company, when they were just a modding team.  I would also like to say that I am not the only person that used the layout.  There is another MLG player that goes by the name "One Handed Terror" and he used it as well.  If you google search "N0M4D setting" you will see a ton of people asking where it's at.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:41 AM

    @NOM4D

    Whoa!, is that really you? just wanna post a comment saying its awesome that you're enjoying these games, keep it up!!!. But I could totally waste you.....by camping or some cheap strategy like that.....:/

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:43 AM

    @Forsberg:

    While I'm sure IW was riding on the success of their previous installment, I highly doubt that was the central cause for the "mistakes" they made. Some things made the cut, others didn't. Everyone had expectations for this next installment as well, so the flaws are more visible. Just a thought.

    @Vincent:

    It truly is an aggravation considering the community cries out for customization.

  •
    by Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 11:45 AM

    Mixed crowd I see we have here.  Write an article about a guy who is visually disabled and wants to be able to play games and you get a whole bunch of, "why should games be changed just for him" comments, but you write an article about a guy who has a muscle and joint disorder and for some reason everyone feels passionate towards the situation?  Granted the other guy is trying to sue but in the end they want the same thing.

    The only reason this looks different is because Fitzgerald comes across as nice.  If I had IW bending over backwards for me I would be nice as well.  Don't get me wrong, I work with children with special needs here at the YMCA and I wish they could do what everyone else does but it goes as such, you make it accessible for all, not just for one.  I applaud IW for their adaptability.

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