I watched with great interest the build up and now release of the "Stimulus Package" map pack for Modern Warfare 2. Since its release last November Modern Warfare 2 pretty much remained in my Xbox 360- only taking a break for 39 hours of Mass Effect 2. And then, it went right back in. My skill in the game is questionable, my accuracy near the bottom of the list of my friends. But it was big goofy fun and there's always a game waiting on you. But I could feel it starting to wear thin to me.
One reason is a typical one- another game came out that I may even love better. I am not going to get into the semantics of a Battlefield Bad Company 2 vs Modern Warfare 2 discussion here- but let's just say that to me it scratches a "1942 circa 2002" itch that I had forgotten I had. It is by no means perfect. But it is a fresher game to me. Being an ancient 35 years old, the slower pace suits me.
Enough said. I'm not writing to praise BC2, I am here to bury MW2.
Despite my newfound suitor, I still had planned on purchasing the new map pack for MW2. And then I got some sticker shock. $15 for 5 maps. 2 of them from the first Modern Warfare. Now $3 per map is not really that terrible. I believe the first Modern Warfare's map pack was 4/$10. So yes, I am paying more- but if I play these maps as much as I did during those halcyon months post launch of the game, it would probably be worth it. But we both know what's going to happen- the same thing that happened with the first Modern Warfare with me- more games come out that provide new experiences. There's only so many times I can delight in unlocking a new title whilst playing against kids who have prestiged 8 times. I will move on.
The question I posed to myself was this- I have $15 in my pocket and I want to be entertained. What is the best way to spend it? Two years ago, this map pack would have probably made more sense to me. Now, I can buy a game like Angry Birds for the iPhone for $.99. I can participate in whatever insanely cheap sale Steam is having right now (I don't actually know if they are, but it is more likely than not). I can buy a full game on XBL Arcade, like 'Splosion Man (which I not only missed, but missed the sale they had on it). I can go down the street to Gamestop and for 3 more dollars pick up Dead Space which is another title I shamefully haven't played yet.
The long-winded point is this- I don't think 5 new maps is $15 worth of fun. Do you? Really?
And what happens when it sells like gangbusters? The next one will be 4 new maps for $15. I am calling it right now.
Since this is my first post, I'm going to try not to end this bombastically.
MW2 died over a month ago in a morning of security guards and Patrick Klepek posts. This overpriced map pack is the corpse, found and displayed at a carnival for a fee.
P.S. Then this happened.
