Why is MW2 Remastered Not on Steam and Is It Worth $70?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered thrilled fans when it launched in 2020 with gorgeously revamped visuals and gameplay for the iconic 2009 FPS campaign. However, PC gamers were caught off guard when Activision made the unusual decision to release MW2 Remastered exclusively on their own Battle.net platform rather than the vastly more popular Steam. This begs the obvious question – why did Activision snub Steam for Remastered?

Just as important – now that MW2 Remastered has finally arrived on Steam for $70, does it provide enough extra value to justify the premium price tag? As an avid gamer and industry analyst, let me walk you through the key factors behind the Steam snub and whether MW2 truly earns its high cost.

The 30% Cut – How Steam Economics Kept MW2 Remastered Away

The key reason Activision skipped Steam for Remastered stems down to simple economics – Steam‘s significant 30% revenue cut on all game sales through its platform. This means nearly a third of any Call of Duty purchase on Steam goes straight to Valve rather than Activision‘s coffers.

By distributing MW2 Remastered exclusively through their own Battle.net service instead, Activision could retain 100% of the profits. Even for a gaming giant like Call of Duty, that extra 30% margin from ditching Steam equates to millions in added revenue.

To put the scale of these platform fees in perspective, here is a breakdown of how much Activision typically keeps per sale after each storefront‘s revenue share:

You can see how the 30% cuts from dominant storefronts like Steam quickly eat into Activision‘s potential earnings per sale. While skipping Steam cost Activision exposure to a wider PC audience, the lure of keeping an extra $21 per purchase clearly outweighed the benefits of Valve‘s platform.

Examining What‘s Improved in MW2 Remastered

Beyond abandoning Steam, the other big question surrounding MW2 Remastered is whether its visual overhaul and gameplay tweaks warrant the steep $70 asking price. Let‘s analyze the improvements in detail:

Fully Remastered Visuals

MW2 Remastered significantly enhances visuals across the board with:

• Native 4K support at 60 FPS
• Improved textures and models for environments, weapons, characters
• Upgraded animations, shadows, lighting, particles
• State-of-the-art physical rendering of elements like fire, smoke, water
• Support for widescreen formats and uncapped framerate

Enhanced Audio

Remastered also revamps MW2‘s audio with:

• Remixed sound effects for crisper weapon fire, explosions, etc.
• Remastered dialogue recordings
• Support for Dolby Atmos 3D spatial sound on capable systems

Optimized Gameplay

On the gameplay side, MW2 Remastered smooths out the 2009 experience with:

• Precision aim assist for tighter gunplay
• Refined AI behavior for smarter enemies
• Improved weapon ballistics and handling
• Customization options added like weapon inspect
• Bonus Special Ops missions from PS3/Xbox 360 editions

Beyond the graphics, MW2 Remastered essentially takes the blueprint of Infinity Ward‘s original masterpiece and updates it to match Modern Warfare‘s 2019 technology and quality of life improvements. For devoted fans, this makes Remastered the definitive edition.

Is MW2‘s Premium Price Justified?

For players less invested in the franchise, a $70 price tag may seem steep to revisit a 2009 game – even with a coat of graphical paint and gameplay polish. Let‘s break down whether MW2 Remastered earns its premium status for different gamers:

For Nostalgic Campaign Fans

• Experience MW2‘s genre-defining story in enhanced 4K quality
• Appreciate subtle details like facial expressions and environment damage
• $20 for the campaign alone is reasonable for nostalgic value
• $70 targets players invested in the full multiplayer and co-op package

For Multiplayer Devotees

• MW2 defined online FPS gameplay in 2009-2010 with innovations like customizable killstreaks
• Remastered multiplayer accurately recaptures the balance and feel of this iconic era
• Added graphical fidelity and quality of life improvements enhance the competitive experience
• For those planning to play hours of multiplayer, $70 is justified to revive this community

For Co-Op Fans

• Special Ops co-op was a landmark new mode when MW2 launched
• Remastered combines all 28 PS3/Xbox 360 co-op missions for the first time on PC
• Playing co-op with friends, especially at higher difficultly, can provide endless replay value worth $70

For Casual Buyers

• Those less invested in competitive MP or co-op may not find $70 of value in a campaign remaster
• Budget-conscious fans are often best served waiting for discounts or playing the original
• However, major COD fans eager for a remastered campaign playthrough may find $70 acceptable

Based on the in-depth quality of the visual overhaul plus the strength of MW2‘s core gameplay pillars – campaign, multiplayer, and co-op – the $70 pricing seems justified for devoted COD fans who will revisit the game often. More casual players may be better off buying at a discount or playing the original MW2.

Does the Steam Launch Change MW2 Remastered‘s Value?

Now that Activision has finally brought MW2 Remastered to Steam after a year of Battle.net exclusivity, does this change the value proposition for PC gamers?

In terms of upfront cost, MW2 Remastered maintains its $70 price tag on both Steam and Battle.net. However, Steam offers certain advantages thanks to its features, community, and convenience as the dominant PC marketplace:

Robust Community Features

• Find friends, groups, and parties easier within Steam‘s social ecosystem
• Unlock achievements unique to the Steam version
• Cloud saves keep campaign and multiplayer progress synced across machines

Convenience and Support

• Automatic game updates handled by Steam client
• Refund policy allows risk-free purchase evaluation
• Keep entire gaming library unified under one platform

For PC gamers already invested in Valve‘s ecosystem, buying MW2 Remastered through Steam enhances the overall experience with social tools, convenience, and support. But Steam doesn‘t inherently elevate the core gameplay value. So cost remains the determining factor in value, not distribution platform.

The Verdict – MW2 Remastered Worth $70 for Devoted Fans

Given the stellar graphical and audiovisual overhaul combined with refined gameplay and additional content, MW2 Remastered succeeds as the definitive edition of this genre-defining FPS for longtime fans. The ability to relive MW2‘s campaign, competitive multiplayer, and co-op modes in their ultimate enhanced form makes the $70 pricing justifiable for devoted COD players who will revisit the game frequently.

More casual fans may balk at the steep cost for a remaster. But considering the timeless quality of MW2‘s core content and the obvious care taken in revitalizing this triple-A blockbuster, the $70 investment proves money well spent for fans eager to experience an elevated take on one of Call of Duty‘s crowning achievements.