Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Will Require Phone Number Verification Like Overwatch 2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will require mobile number verification. A newly updated article on the Battle.net website claims that players are required to register with a phone number to play the game. The verification system, which Blizzard Entertainment likes to call SMS Protect, is aimed at cutting down on toxic behaviour from players and multiple free accounts. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II launches on October 28 across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

A similar practice caused issues for Overwatch 2 players, last week, where players reported being locked out of their Battle.net accounts. More specifically, those on prepaid mobile plans. A separate support page on the Battle.net website notes details regarding phone number verification, which states: “Mobile phones with prepaid plans may not work with the phone notification service.” As reports started piling up, Blizzard eventually eased the restrictions for players who had been signed up to Battle.net for more than a year. New players, however, will be required to add their numbers.

“We remain committed to combating disruptive behaviour in Overwatch 2 — accounts that were not connected to Battle.net, as well as new accounts, will still have to meet SMS Protect requirements,” So now, the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 joins this verification practice, alongside any “newly created” Modern Warfare accounts. The page further states that notifications will only be text-message/ SMS based. Meaning, you can’t set it up for other two-factor authentication (2FA) apps like Authy, Google Authenticator, and their ilk. Furthermore, you can’t receive two-factor codes on VoIP services, be it iMessage or WhatsApp.

A PC Gamer report from last week noted that some Modern Warfare 2 beta players were getting locked out of their accounts, for having a prepaid mobile number. “This seems very wrong to require videogame players to enter into a contract with a telecom company before being allowed to play the game they paid for,” its source said. “Especially when prepaid phone plans like mine are becoming more and more common.”

Phone number authentication for games isn’t a new practice, as games like Rainbow Six Siege and Dota 2 have managed to implement it flawlessly. Even Counter-Strike: Global Offensive made this a common practice, requiring players to create a Prime account, in order to combat hackers and smurfs. For the uninitiated, smurfs are generally high-ranking players, who create multiple accounts, and disrupt low-tier matches for amusement. Think of it like a burner phone. Requesting a mobile number, however, restricts the account to one. Unless you’re carrying around multiple SIM cards — a common practice in India.

Neither of these multiplayer games has asked for a postpaid mobile number, which paints Blizzard’s requirements in a bad light. It’ll be interesting to see how this fares in a market like India, where 9 out of 10 people on average have a prepaid number. Furthermore, it is unclear if the practice applies to everyone on PC, given that Modern Warfare 2 is available on both Steam and Battle.net.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches October 28, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X. Digital pre-orders grant early access to the campaign segment, starting October 20.


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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Open Beta Dates Revealed, Starts September 18

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 beta is coming in September. Activision confirmed in a blog post that the beta launch will be divided into two weekends, with PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 users getting first access. The first open beta phase begins on September 18, exclusively on the PS4 and PS5, and will conclude on September 20. Meanwhile, other major platforms, PC and Xbox, alongside PlayStation, get their share on September 24, as means to assess cross-play functionality. Each playtest is scheduled to begin at 10:30pm (IST)/ 1:00pm (ET)

An exclusive event titled Call of Duty: Next kicks off the release campaign on September 15, showcasing live gameplay and new features on their official YouTube channel. The news comes following the Call of Duty League Championship, held on August 7, which granted several viewers free beta codes to prepare for launch. As with previous betas, the dates for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II beta are separated by platforms and pre-order status.

Similar to most AAA titles, players who pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 get early access. For PS4 and PS5 users, this would run from September 16–17, which will be followed by the previously stated open beta phase, the very next day, from September 18–20.

Pre-orders on PC (Battle.net) and Xbox grant early access from September 22–23. PlayStation users can get in the action as well, since this functions as a cross-play test. The open beta period, which is free to everyone, starts on September 24, giving complete access to CoD’s state-of-the-art multiplayer segment, and ends on September 26. So, if you pre-order the game on either platform, you get to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for five continuous days.

At the Call of Duty League tournament held over the weekend, developer Infinity Ward also teased a new multiplayer map called Grand Prix. As the name suggests, the map is set on a race track, teeming with fast cars, a Ferris wheel, and engulfing flames resulting from fuel leakage. The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II map is set at night time and will be playable in the upcoming beta period.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches on October 28 across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, and Windows PC via Battle.net. Further details on the same will be revealed on the Call of Duty: Next digital event, set for September 15.




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