If you’ve played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and have a question for the devs regarding multiplayer, you’re in for quite a read, as the devs went to Reddit to host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session. Now before anyone asks, nope, SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) wasn’t discussed, but the devs confirm a nerf for the troublesome Gaia operator skin and more

Read on for the things discussed, which touches on gun balancing, looping streaks (incoming in the Experimental Playlist) and loads more.

Modern Warfare 3 AMA Info (Nov. 20):

• Adjustments to the Gaia and Gaia Blackcell Operator Skins are in the pipeline. In a future game update, Sledgehammer will disable the item until said changes is released
• Fixes for both Final Killcams and HUD are in progress. In a future game update, we’ll have balance adjustments to the Scatter Mine and RGL-80 that are specific to Hardcore playlists. These items are currently overperforming due to the decreased health.
• SGH goal is to have a “meta shift” from season to season to keep things fresh and interesting, though they are aiming for as many weapons as possible to be viable to suit the different playstyles in the community. Expect Season 1 to have a higher-level tweaks with S1.5 to have some deeper changes.
• Frag Grenades maximum damage is being reduced. These changes will decrease the damage taken by players both at the center and outer edges of the explosion.
• In a future game update, SGH will test non-disbanding lobbies with a “cohort of players” to determine the performance of such a change. If these tests go well, the devs will explore a rollout to all players.
• No current plans for a 1v1 mode, but if there is enough interest, they might look into it.
• Streak looping is something the dev team definitely wants to try out. Expect to see this in a future Experimental Playlist.
• Multiple classic weapons from the Modern Warfare series is planned to be added in future seasonal updates, and these include shotguns and sniper rifles.
• No plans for custom reticles at this time.
• On packet burst issue – SGH states, “We’re always pursuing improvement and optimization for an issue like packet burst. It can manifest itself differently depending on the map or mode you are playing. For example, vehicles on Groundwar/Invasion maps require a different level of optimization than 6v6. We will continue to prioritize improvements in this area and are proud of the work we have done to launch with remarkably low crash rates.”
• SGH teasing that maybe they can fit even more than 20 players in a 6v6 map (in response to someone asking if Blitz mode can be added in).
• Mouse input issues is being looked into by SGH.
• No plans to add a third-person playlist.
• Cyberattack not currently in the seasonal plans, but if there is strong interest, the devs are willing to explore fan-fave modes.
• On desync and hit registration – Our team, in collaboration with Demonware, is always working to improve server and game performance. We got a lot of good reports and data during the Beta and Launch window. Many improvements have already been made, and further are underway.
• Ghost camo – SGH looking into reports that detection from moving to standing still is too aggressive.
• No planned changes to Covert Sneakers. States that players aren’t “totally silent” with this perk equipped, as there are other sounds that will give them away.
• Gun Game coming back “very soon.”
• No ping limit filter planned.
• Sledgehammer Games’ data shows the first SMG a player unlocks is underperforming. Wants to make sure SMGs are dominant in areas: close-range, TTK, ADS speed, Sprint to Fire and general mobility. Their data shows most used SMGs are underperforming and “isn’t great,” though they are happy with the Rival9 in the meta, and other SMGs are the ones the dev team is looking into.
• Shotgun management is being looked into. SGH admits the TTK in MW3 makes balancing shotguns “extra challenging,” though they mention how it is important for the devs to carve out a space for the weapons.
• No plans to bring Headquarters back.
• No plans to bring back Combat Pacing from COD: Vanguard, but SGH is planning to experiment with intensity.
• No plans to bring back Theater Mode due to the significant time and resources it needs.
• SGH looking into possibility of a finisher/execution move preview.
• Expect more events in the game.
• No MW2 2009 DLC maps are planned to be added.
• Demolition is planned for a later season.
• No plans for a “MW2 remade” map filter as this could fragment the player base.
• There will be six 2v2 maps in rotation in Season 1, including four carry-forward maps from MW2, and a brand-new map called Training facility, which will be available in Season 1.
• Shipment confirmed to be returning.
• More War maps are planned as part of the seasonal updates.

That’s about it. Sadly, nothing about SBMM was discussed nor has any questions for it answered, which didn’t go well with the community.

Once we know more about some of the planned changes, we’ll let our readers know. We’re still expecting a patch to be released soon to address some of the game’s lingering issues before Season 1 kicks off.