The Call of Duty Multiplayer servers are back online for several entries in the series on the Xbox 360, and I’m among those who have been drawn in by the nostalgia. In the wake of Black Ops 4, multiplayer games are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, and I’m among those who felt compelled to relive the glory days of the blockbuster shooter that defined my childhood.
But there have been some capacity issues, and I’m not the only one experiencing problems.
Despite occasional issues like hackers and spontaneous match implosions, I’ve been enjoying my time back in the sandbox of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Some friends from school have already popped up, and we’re having a great time reliving our youth and reconnecting through the game.
It’s not without its problems, of course. The Xbox 360 servers have been plagued by disconnection errors and other bugs, making it hard to get a game going. Even when you manage to get into a lobby, there’s a good chance the match will implode anyway. But despite these hurdles, I’ve yet to meet a player who says the experience isn’t worth it for the sake of nostalgia.
It’s also sparked a lot of discussions about the changing landscape of gaming, and how a series like Call of Duty has evolved over time. I’ve written plenty about my own relationship with Call of Duty over the years, from my days in the early 2000s playing Call of Duty 2 on the Xbox 360, through my time exploring the Warzone mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and my recent experiences with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered.
I’ve found myself increasingly looking away from Call of Duty as a player. I’ll still play entries every year if I have time, but I’m more interested in other games like Fortnite or Apex Legends. I’m not alone, either; the dominance of Call of Duty in my school years created some lasting memories, but it was also a game that set a high bar for others to measure up to.
I spent a lot of time playing other games, but Call of Duty often dominated conversations and late-night gaming sessions, both in split-screen and online lobbies. It was a game that brought friends together and provided a fun experience. While I’m not entirely sure what to make of it all today, the return of Xbox 360 servers for Call of Duty has become a trending topic.
If you’re wondering what the fuss is about, here’s some footage from the servers’ launch:
Now I want to know – do you remember playing Call of Duty multiplayer? How has the game evolved for you, and how do you feel about its return to Xbox 360? Let me know in the comments.
