<P> Development for the game began in 2008, when it was still known as Call of Duty 6 . It uses the IW 4.0 engine, an improved version of Call of Duty 4's IW 3.0 . Infinity Ward was inspired by real - life conflicts when developing the campaign mode . They initially tested the multiplayer mode by playing an in - house beta version of the game . Modern Warfare 2 was officially announced on February 11, 2009 . Teasing of the game began in March, with short trailers being released for the game and, eventually, a full reveal trailer . The multiplayer mode was revealed shortly after . Two downloadable content packs were released for it post-release, each containing four new maps . </P> <P> Modern Warfare 2 has been critically acclaimed by various gaming websites as one of the greatest first person shooters of all time . Within 24 hours of release, the game sold approximately 4.7 million copies in North America and the United Kingdom . As of early 2018, the game has sold over 25 million copies and still has an active multiplayer base with third party servers being hosted in Melbourne, Australia . In addition to its release, a comic book series based on one of the game's characters was also produced, entitled Modern Warfare 2: Ghost . Despite the game's success, it was subject to some controversies, with one surrounding a playable level that had the player carry out a terror attack on an airport . A sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, was released in 2011 and finishes the Modern Warfare storyline . According to a number of sources, a remastered version of Modern Warfare 2 developed by Beenox was set to be released on April 30, 2018, and which would only feature the single player mode . As of May 2018, the remaster has yet to be released . </P> <P> The gameplay of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 revolves around fast - paced gunfights against enemy combatants . The player controls a soldier, and can perform several actions, including jump, sprint, crouch, lay prone, and aim down their gun's iron sights . When the player is shot by an enemy, blood will splatter their heads - up display (HUD), denoting that they have taken damage; if the player avoids gunfire by taking cover, their health will recover . The HUD also displays other information, such as a compass, a mini-map, and the player's current ammunition count . The game features traditional guns, including assault rifles, shotguns, handguns, and sniper rifles . The player will be given specific guns at the beginning of each level, but may switch them out with another gun they find . Some guns have attachments, such as suppressors, and heartbeat sensors . The player can also use grenades and flashbangs when faced with a large group of enemies, as well as a knife for close quarters combat . In some levels, the player will be given special equipment, such as night vision goggles, or a laser designator . </P> <P> Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has three different game modes: Campaign, Spec Ops, and Multiplayer . Campaign is a single - player mode where the player completes eighteen levels connected by an overarching plot . Each level features a series of objectives to fulfill, and the player will often switch characters between levels . If the player dies during a level, they will respawn at the most recent checkpoint . Levels can be played on one of four difficulties, and each level can be replayed after it has been completed . Spec Ops mode features twenty - three additional levels that can be played individually or cooperatively with a partner . These levels provide specific challenges, such as defusing three bombs within a short period of time . If one player is shot down while playing cooperatively, they will begin crawling, and can shoot enemies with a handgun . If they are not revived by the other player, then they will die and fail the level . There are five tiers of Spec Ops levels, with each tier harder than the previous . Only the first tier is available from the beginning, as later tiers can be unlocked with enough stars . The player earns stars by completing the levels on one of three difficulties, with the number of stars earned corresponding to the difficulty chosen . </P>

Who do you play as in modern warfare 2