There is a divide happening in the game industry right now.
Those who see the value in empowering your community to take your game, mod it, augment it, rebuild it, create something new out of it.
And those who Cease and Desist.
Follow
Click to Follow fourzerotwo
Robert Bowling
@fourzerotwo
Robert Bowling’s Tweets
After shipping the original #MWII I set up a public voicemail to hear from fans.
I forgot about it for 13 years and just discovered 2,340 unheard voicemails in it.
Should I finally listen to these LIVE on stream?
I would not be a game developer if I didn’t start by modding my favorite games.
Counter-Strike wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for modding.
PUBG would never exist if it wasn’t for modding.
You never know what can happen when you allow your most dedicated fans to be creative.
The old ways of making AAA games is dead. Stop hiding your development behind a wall for 2 - 5 years so people don’t know what they’re buying until it’s too late.
Stop relying on bullshit trailers and just release solid gameplay and playable builds. No NDAs or rules.
0:24
Listen Call of Duty community…
You can’t talk shit on the game for months and then get pissy when they take the appropriate time to address your concerns.
Celebrate this delay because it means they’re trying to listen to you and act.
Quote Tweet
Replying to @charlieINTEL
Here's Activision's full statement on the delay.
Infinity Ward also says there are "exciting changes to Warzone 2.0 including the gulag, looting and loadouts."
Oh come on.
is legit.
It’s not a knock off what what COD is, it’s a refinement of what Call of Duty WAS.
COD made a choice to move away from it’s roots and origins, it’s expanded to be an “everything shooter”.
XDefiant knows what it is and does it well.
Quote Tweet
XDefiant is to CoD what Splitgate was to Halo.
A shitty generic knockoff that will die in a few weeks/months
Goodnight 
“Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
I share the pain with my brothers and sisters who will pack their bags, board a plane, and a put on their uniform.
Deployment is a sacrifice, regardless of actions taken after the fact. Thank you for your service.
It’s time to build from the studs up.
We need more than iteration, we need revitalization.
A focus back on core gameplay and not content gateways.
We used to treat our players like community and not consumers. We brought them in to the fold for map feedback not market feedback
I'm sorry it took me 13 years to hear this masterpiece. #MW2voicemails
0:14
Quote Tweet
For reference, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare had a $50m dev budget (+ $50m marketing budget).
Imagine what could be done with 5x your budget. 🤯
Quote Tweet
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’s budget is now purported to range between $250-300 million USD
Indie company creates successful game.
Large Publisher acquires indie company.
Large Publisher lays off developers.
Laid off developers form indie company.
Indie company creates successful game.
Large Publisher acquires indie company.
Imagine banning all players who don't have cell phone plans and then releasing a game trailer that doesn't contain any game footage and only features multi-millionaires.
Classic tone-deafness.
Doing everything they can to overshadow a great game from the devs.
One week.
Los Angeles.
Playable build.
In-person event.
Variant Guide reveal.
Developer Roundtable.
#MidnightSocietyFounder
This community has been nothing but inspiring. I can’t wait for this reveal! Let’s go 🔥!
Prox Chat exists to allow you to negotiate, taunt, tease, trash talk, team up, or joke with friends while playing the game your way.
If you think it’s there to spread racist, sexist, or other shit that ruins the experience, you will soon be moderated.
Fuck around and find out.
Twelve months ago I opened UE5 and started building this game, then the team said “please stop” and took away my perforce access.
To be here, seeing Z doing top tier plays like this in JUST a year later gets me emotional man! 😭
Quote Tweet
Under the spotlight, on the main stage, 1v1 situation...
Leave it up to @DrDisrespect & the AAA team over at @12am to make a sniper feel so buttery smooth @DEADROP
1:28
Henry Cavill won’t stop until he plays every great male video game lead …
and I have no problem with that.
Quote Tweet
Amazon is nearing a deal to develop a 'Mass Effect' series
Henry Cavill previously teased he was connected to the project
(via @Deadline)
Secured VARIANT #402
Create an account at midnightsociety.com
Only 8 days left to claim the #DayZero patch.
10k people who complete the optional application will be selected for Founder's Access - Early access to the game, invite to in-person community events, and more.
This Tweet is unavailable.
Tell me this TTK ain’t perfect.
Don’t like it? Don’t get shot.
0:06
Last night we unveiled to the world and we did it alongside our Variants.
It’s impossible to describe the feeling in that room last night. A sense of connectivity, passion, and common purpose.
We’re not doing it like its been done in the past, we’re doing it our way. twitter.com/12am/status/15
This Tweet is unavailable.
People need to understand that Call of Duty launch days are basically religious holidays to me.
If you call me for the next 48 hours, I’m not listening. I’m on the line, but I hear nothing.
Today marks the first anniversary of us announcing Midnight Society ()
…and after a few glasses of Black Steel bourbon and celebrating this milestone with the team, I have a few sentiments I wanted to share.
I will continue to release ugly playable builds focused on refining gameplay from player feedback that gradually get better looking overtime.
It’s much better than hiding the game for years while I prefect the look of it and then releasing it broken. Gameplay over hype all day.
We've got an incredible team in the wings, several key hires still not announced (as they wrap up their current roles) and we're just getting started.
Let's do this together!
#MidnightSociety twitter.com/12am/status/14
This Tweet is unavailable.
Let’s get started! twitter.com/12am/status/14
This Tweet is unavailable.
Over 100k followers to on just the second day is insane.
The positive response and support is incredibly overwhelming and I am very thankful for all the personal messages, texts, emails, and DMs.
Midnight Society is something we do together, from Day Zero, and onwards!
Quote Tweet
100k @12am
This will be one hell of a journey.
This will be one hell of a journey.
Or.... and hear me out.
Wear whatever the fuck you want, no one gives a shit, be comfortable.
DAY 2 of private demos at GDC
I’m playing on my actual account in public lobbies so if you see me DON’T KILL ME 👀
When we said we’re developing this game publicly, we fuckin’ meant it.
A year ago, Critics asked “is this even possible?”
FIVE snapshot launches, 400k+ player sign-ups, and back to back sold out stadium events later:
We answered the challenge.
We can’t go into the new Modern Warfare 2 comparing it to the original MW2. That will only lead to disappointment.
The OG MW2 was lightning in a bottle. It can only happen once. Great game with great friends.
The new MW2 will be great for all new reasons. Let’s embrace it. t.co/JEEJaB1Bff
This Tweet is unavailable.
This team doesn’t stop.
I begged them to chill out, just one Snapshot where we don’t go all out - they refused.
I said “Guys! Please! Let’s just phone it in this time, the community will understand…”
They told me to GTFO.
Can’t stop em’ if I wanted to now.
Quote Tweet
We did it! We found the one idea that would have completely turned the original MW2 around.
If only I heard message 2,353 on the answering machine 13 years ago.
0:55
Call of Duty becoming a Microsoft property is good news.
The next game being a MW2 reboot is good news.
Warzone getting a ground-up rework to its engine, design, and modes is good news.
The franchise staying multi-platform is good news.
The COD future is bright my friends.
The following media includes potentially sensitive content. Change settings
Quote Tweet
It’s time for a #CallofDuty Special Briefing 
We’ve got all the intel you need heading into Season 2 (and beyond): bit.ly/CODSpecialBrie pic.twitter.com/SnVeB4rGmt
We’ve got all the intel you need heading into Season 2 (and beyond): bit.ly/CODSpecialBrie pic.twitter.com/SnVeB4rGmtView
🤔
Ps. I don’t know what we’re doing. Is this a way for us all to promote our hoodies?
Do you know what it’d take to actually do this?
- an established audience of diverse opinions (at least 100k people day 1)
- self funding so decisions are player motivated
- veteran devs willing to listen
- leadership buy-in from the tippity top
Oh…. shit
My son asked to sleep on the couch so he can watch me play Halo. While he laid there I explained my tactics and strategies.
Today at lunch, I asked him, “Did you learn anything from my lessons last night?”
“Yeah, that you say bad stuff when you die.”
“and you die a lot.”
😐
Never forget. Never forgive.
Quote Tweet
At the 2011 Spike TV Video Game Awards, if your speech went over the time limit this guy would run on stage to teabag you 
0:20
For context, a music composer may be paid between $1000 to $2000 per MINUTE of music used.
She was offered $4k for an entire game worth of dialogue in which she is the title character.
She will get flak for this, but she’s right. This wasn’t an offer, it was an insult.
Quote Tweet
Friends, Worldlings, Bayonutters. Hear ye!
#PlatinumGames #Nintendo #Bayonetta #Bayonetta3 #Bayonutters #Boycott #NintendoEurope #NintendoAmerica #NintendoJapan
1:52
This bravado!
Activision is forcing some of the best developers in the industry to work on some of the oldest tech in AAA gaming.
If they can make #MWII look THIS good on their duct-taped tech, imagine what devs could do on UE5 or new tech.
Everyone in the Gulag negotiated a truce via Proximity Chat
I had to beat the Jailer to death with my bare hands
1:12
Yeah, it's wrong.
PlayStation Plus is awesome.
Xbox GamePass is awesome.
Nintendo Online is awesome.
What a time to be alive!
I used to drive 25 miles to rent a game for 3-days and I could only choose from what that tiny country store had and if it hadn’t been checked out.
The future is rad.
While we will always aim for a build delivery every 6 weeks, we are NOT a big publisher and are not afraid to delay Snapshot drops if it means maintaining a healthy work culture AND delivering a high-quality build to our community. twitter.com/12am/status/15
This Tweet is unavailable.
This dude with a 3v1 clutch rescue in Prisoner Rescue
I love this new Helmet side mounted spectator cam!
#MWII
0:44
GDC is a wrap!
My back-to-back weeks of showcasing Snapshot V pre-alpha comes to an end.
I’ll see you all on-stream or in-game!
Build is locked.
Flights are booked.
Everything we do from this point on, we do together. Let’s go! 🔥 twitter.com/12am/status/15
This Tweet is unavailable.
This is the Call of Duty community. You could drop the hottest shit on the market and people will shit on it.
That won't stop them from putting 1000+ hour into it. Just need to filter out all the emotion, listen to the root of the complaint, iterate, and keep moving forward.
This is very good news for
Who wants an invite?
Looking for one more for SSVI...
Quote Tweet
0:19
Ready up...
#DEADROP #SnapshotVI
Thank you to for everything you do for Veteran gamers, raising awareness for the mental health of Veterans, and welcoming me as an honorary member of the unit.
Just 24 hrs until the next playable Snapshot for hits your Midnight Society profile.
Load in tomorrow morning, download the new build and Variant guide, and get ready to go hands-on with the first taste of what Vertical Extraction Shooter really means!
Stream-ready 🔥
Elden Ring deserves the praise.
It’s a game that gives you nothing easily and makes you earn even the most modest progress.
A hard pill to swallow the first five hours but once you’ve clawed your way out of bloody rags and find a decent blade and armor, you feel like a god.
Lead by example
The community has been one of the most welcoming and tight knit communities I’ve ever been a part of.
Our player base doubled in size overnight since announcing the Tower Key and its still expanding.
Existing Variants, teach them the ways via prox chat
0:13
Day one of the #MWII Beta and there is a lot to praise.
- TTK is incredible
- Pacing feels good
- Prisoner Rescue is fantastic
- Access to Gunsmith mid match 👍🏻
Win or loss I was having fun and never felt like my losses were the games fault.
Looking forward to Day 2.
🔴LIVE
I discovered an answering machine from 13 years ago with over 2k messages from Modern Warfare 2 fans leaving me feedback.
Let's hang out and hear what they had to say... I'm sure nothing could go wrong.
twitch.tv/fourzerotwo
Watching our community double over night and then triple and now breaking at the seams has been incredible.
What. A. Week!
Dropping into full lobbies has felt amazing!
Building this game publicly over the last year has been so fulfilling.
Seeing so many familiar faces and getting to meet so many of you in person the last week has been the best part of this journey.
1:14
From
Midnight Society
The first time I ever experimented with game development was on THIS machine with THAT tv tray stand holding my keyboard and mouse.
My “gaming chair” was a kitchen table chair that I had to give back when it was time for dinner.
Zero ambitions, just selfish desire to have fun.
Please be wary of fake recruiters. Midnight Society () will never require you to download an app called Wickr or any 3rd party app in order to interview.
All of interviews are on video with a member of the team listed on MidnightSociety.com
If in doubt, reach out.
The Variant database is LIVE!
Acceptance emails have been going out all day. Those accepted can log into their MidnightSociety.com accounts between July 5th - 7th to claim their Access Pass, view their traits, and soon download game builds.
Accessing midnightsociety.com/founders_pass_
0:48
It is rare that you are given the opportunity and have the ability to create something brand new from scratch, it’s even more rare that you get to do it with such an incredible team and community of people!
I am thankful to everyone who has joined me on this journey this year!
Maps. Modes. Weapons. Skins. Games.
The goal is to give you the freedom and ability to build on, off of, and beyond our games.
Have a voice and be one of the first to create your own experiences.
Quote Tweet
Does making stuff get you hyped? Good news: UGC Creator Tool is coming soon to #DEADROP!
Hit the "I'm Interested" button, and we'll be in touch: midnightsociety.com/creative
0:43
If you're looking to shape the future of First Person Shooters and want to push the limits of what UE5 can do within the competitive PVP space - THIS IS THE TIME TO ACT
If you're sick of your work going unnoticed because it's hidden within the 15th sequel of a franchise, LFG! 🔥 twitter.com/12am/status/14
This Tweet is unavailable.
We are investing early and consistently in building in a way that it is not only expected but empowering the community to mod it, expand it, take it and run with it far beyond our dev team's involvement with it post launch.
Original creators do not need a death grip.
There is always a time when the lawyers come knocking and suggest you crush some community initiative that is getting too close to "copyright infringement" and it's easy to pull that trigger.
You can pay lawyers to crush or invest in the community to empower them legally.
Bringing you into at the most basic of stages.
It's about being here for the journey, not just the destination.
Playing together, at scale, through every iteration is how you stop OMA, Model 1887, Commando Lunge, and Javelin. This is my patch. #iykyk twitter.com/12am/status/15
This Tweet is unavailable.
There is a wave of fake accounts popping up pretending to be Midnight Society.
It is easy to get caught up in the excitement, especially around new drops. Let's be diligently checking the source of tweets before clicking links!
We are verified and only
Year One is just the beginning.
Year Two begins now.
Let’s fucking go!!!!! 🔥
Tuesday.
Tomorrow.
The Eleventh.
Three PM Pacific.
The hatches unlock.
The Cleaners are deployed.
And the DUST begins to flow.
#SnapshotVI
Quote Tweet
Six hours until our community floods into the arena and Esports Stadium.
The energy is at an all-time high right now! Let’s go! 🔥
Quote Tweet
Three days. My palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. twitter.com/12am/status/15
This Tweet is unavailable.
This has nothing to do with Cyberpunk. One of our web engineers pushed an optimization that was meant to change to fallback image for the video on the website and accidentally uploaded the incorrect image (this frame from the Cyberpunk trailer).
We’re figuring out a good merch acquisition method for Variants who aren’t at events now.
We saved a bunch for this purpose and are currently setting up the solution for it.
I’m 20+ hours into Elden Ring and still rocking the 0% completion.
Having the time of my life doing everything but
Over two hours of voicemails processed with real names, phone numbers, and ban able terms bleeped.
Whose down for a Friday stream?
For a limited time, ANYONE can gain access to the pre-alpha of
We're early in development, but there's already lots of gameplay to experience, plus exclusive perks for those involved early.
Get it now and watch it evolve!
Download at: midnightsociety.com/towerkey
0:35
My mother didn’t graduate high school until her 40s.
She taught me that life can sometimes deal you a hand you have to fold, don’t let that that stop you from playing.
What I miss most from mom is her inability to quit until all the cards were dealt.
Happy Mother’s Day
Quote Tweet
I was up till 3am doing Warzone runs. When I woke up at noon today my son said "Can we duo after lunch?"
I AM LIVING THE DREAM!
0:55
This week has been spent recovering from Los Angeles, planning for the next Snapshot, and parsing through all the Variant feedback.
I’ve been dropping into streams, reading submissions, and actively listening to feedback.
community is locked in!
This ain't year one anymore...
FOUNDATION >>> EXPANSION
Quote Tweet
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, I can't believe some of the people on the voice mails were IN THE CHAT!
Please let me know if you want more of these and I'll do it again.
Quote Tweet
LIVE
I discovered an answering machine from 13 years ago with over 2k messages from Modern Warfare 2 fans leaving me feedback.
Let's hang out and hear what they had to say... I'm sure nothing could go wrong.
twitch.tv/fourzerotwoDoc is an absolute mad man. A straight up lunatic.
Never in my career have we pushed so hard, taken such long shots, constantly chose the harder more extreme choices.
The ambition of this team is staggering. Always pushing themselves and challenging expectations. I love it.
Quote Tweet
To give you a sense of scale for @DEADROP
What you see here is about 1/3 of the gameplay space for one sector of the 'tower'.
We’re planning on having at least SEVEN sectors.
More studios need to offer ballpark Field seats as an employee perk.
Thanks for the killer family night !
Every time this episode airs, my Xbox Live inbox explodes. 😂
Quote Tweet
Watching @FamilyGuyonFOX , annnd peter is playing MW2 ... and i spot @fourzerotwo how cool. Haha.
I’ve never talked to my TV more than I do with Elden Ring.
“What is that?! Can I kill it? Nope.”
“Oh nice a… NO! no. nO!”
“Is that something? What is that? Is it sleeping. I bet I can kill… nope. I’m sorry! GO BACK TO SLEEP!”
“….. why.”
