I heard it discussed on one of the casts and not sure if it's been discussed elsewhere.

But theoretically, would it not be possible for server providers to still provide servers dedicated to MW2. MW2 itself will not support it within the software.

But would it not be possible to install MW2 on a server, and have it run 24/7 allowing people to connect to it so the servers "hosts" the match as a host would on a P2P system.

I'm not familiar with server technology. But the only thing to get around would be remote access for people having servers with MW2 on there without having to be at the box/server itself. And also each server itself would need its own copy of MW2.

If you could get around those few obstacles, which I wouldn't have the slightest idea how. But I am sure some might, would it not still be possible for the PC community to themselves, make MW2 playable on dedicated servers allowing for clans to get reliable hosts for scrims and reliable hosts for pub servers. Also making the host server just a host, and not a player, making it so no player has a ping advantage.

Anyway as I said, i'm not familiar with server technologies and how/if IW.net would also not allow this.

The server would need a graphics card good enough to run the game, and a lot of servers either don't have them, or have a very low end one.

What you mean is, have someone set up a private match on a dedicated machine, with the FULL game installed. Too expensive and impractical unfortunately

I am sure some boffin will make the dedi server files though, there must be someone out there with the know-how. It is cod4 under all that new stuff after all.

Or just Mod COD4 with the new weapons/maps? MW2 is basically cod4 + peoples code4 mods anyway.

The graphics card doesn't have to run the game well, it just needs to launch the game doesn't it?, bad graphics on the hosts side wont affect the others playing afaik, my old 8400GS cost under $50 and runs CoD4 on low graphics with a not too bad fps.

If it can be done, people will do it.

I'm sure there will be a market, a small one though. Has the maximum slots been confirmed yet?

I think it was 9v9 (18)

Your average home connection will probably be able to support 4v4 max though, so most matches you join will be 10 players or less..................................Intense