IW scales down 'MW2' PC multiplayer

Infinity Ward has confirmed that the PC version of Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will only support 18 players compared to the 32 of its predecessors.

Speaking in a Best Buy Live Chat, IW representative Mackey McCandlish said that nine-versus-nine battles will work best for the game, reports Kotaku.

McCandlish explained that the cap was also down to "the number of players we focused on when we were balancing map size, perks, classes, challenges, etc".

However, one fan immediately responded: "Please explain how a 9v9 match is a multiplayer experience? I'd have more fun serving lunch at a local nursing home."

The player reduction is unlikely to be well received by the wider PC community, which is still reeling from the decision not to offer dedicated multiplayer servers for the game.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will hit retail outlets on November 10.