H2M mod, a highly anticipated addition to Modern Warfare Remastered, has been suddenly halted. Activision, the publisher behind Call of Duty, issued a Cease and Desist order to the mod’s creators. This move forced the team to shut down all work on the H2M mod immediately and permanently.
The H2M mod aimed to bring classic Modern Warfare 2 (2009) maps into Modern Warfare Remastered. It promised players a chance to relive nostalgic moments with enhanced graphics and gameplay. Set for release on August 16, 2024, the mod’s cancellation shocked many fans.
— H2 Multiplayer Mod (@H2Multiplayer) August 15, 2024
Legal action puts H2M mod on permanent pause
When news of the H2M mod first spread, excitement swept through the Call of Duty community. Modern Warfare Remastered quickly climbed the charts, becoming Steam’s top-selling game in three days. Players eagerly awaited to experience beloved maps and features in a fresh setting.
The mod planned to include:
- Original Modern Warfare 2 maps
- Classic Prestige system
- Exclusive weapon skins to unlock
- Killstreaks
- Weapon inspections
However, Activision’s legal action put an abrupt end to these plans. The timing of the order, arriving just one day before the mod’s scheduled release, left many players frustrated and disappointed.
Not the first time: A pattern emerges
This isn’t the first instance of Activision taking action against Call of Duty mods. Previously, another project called SM2 faced a similar fate. That mod, which took over a year to develop using the Modern Warfare (2019) engine, was also shut down following a Cease and Desist letter from Activision.
The H2M mod team announced the news on their official X (Twitter) social media account. They stated their compliance with Activision’s order and the immediate halt of all work on the project. This announcement sparked heated discussions within the Call of Duty fanbase.
Today, our team members received a Cease & Desist order on behalf of Activision Publishing in relation to the H2M-Mod project. We are complying with this order and shutting down all operations immediately and permanently.
— H2 Multiplayer Mod (@H2Multiplayer) August 15, 2024
The sudden cancellation of the H2M mod led to strong reactions from players. Some expressed anger at Activision’s decision, especially given how close the mod was to release. Others called for mass refunds of Modern Warfare Remastered on Steam, showing their disappointment through financial means.
One user, Caizeh, commented on the developers’ post: “Time for all of us to refund MWR on Steam.” This sentiment echoed throughout parts of the community, highlighting the depth of frustration felt by many players.
Time for all of us to refund MWR on steam
— Calzeh (@Calzeh_) August 15, 2024
Moving forward: Questions and concerns
The shutdown of H2M mod raises questions about the future of fan-made content in the Call of Duty universe. Players and modders alike may feel uncertain about investing time and effort into similar projects, fearing similar legal actions.
As the dust settles on this latest development, the Call of Duty community continues to discuss Activision’s approach to fan-made content. The balance between protecting intellectual property and allowing creative fan projects remains a hot topic among gamers.
While the H2M mod won’t see the light of day, its brief existence sparked renewed interest in classic Call of Duty experiences. Whether this will influence future official releases or modding policies remains to be seen.
Featured image credit: Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® Remastered / Steam