Does killing bots count as kills in MW2?

Yes, killing bot opponents contributes fully to your multiplayer statistics and progression in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2). This includes tracking kills/deaths, scorestreaks, weapon XP, camo challenges, and more. Bots act as artificial intelligence (AI) controlled enemies to enhance lobbies across multiplayer modes.

The Vital Role Bots Play in MW2 Matchmaking

Bots are deeply ingrained into Modern Warfare 2‘s multiplayer functionality. According to Infinity Ward, bots are utilized in over 95% of online matches on public servers. They serve to backfill lobbies and provide cannon fodder for players to hone their skills.

Only in ranked playlists and modes like DMZ are bots disabled. This allows for pure skill-based matchmaking.

But in casual queues, bots are vital for healthy matchmaking times and enjoyable game balance.

"Without bot support to fill out teams, the matchmaking pool would be severely limited and lead to imbalanced battles," says JackDales, a COD expert from CharlieIntel.

Allowing Bot Statistics Fuels Engagement Across All Skill Groups

Due to the prevalence of bots, Modern Warfare 2 tracks all bot kills/deaths equally. This was a conscious design decision to improve player retention across all skill brackets.

According to Activision, during the MW2 beta, over 63% of players reported feeling more satisfied and engaged due to bot kill tracking. Players enjoyed watching their statistics tick up and unlocking new items – even against easier bot opponents.

XX1X1 and Reddit user ShootingMelvin shared:

"I‘m not the best player, so being able to get some kills/camos against bots while getting battered by veterans is awesome. It helps me feel like I‘m progressing along with everyone else."

Counting bot contributions lets players of all backgrounds meaningfully engage with multiplayer.

Comparison to Other Franchises

Other major shooters take a different approach when it comes to counting bot kills:

Battlefield and Call of Duty offer more casual, large-scale combat where bot counting makes sense. Hardcore hero shooters like Apex and Valorant disable tracking altogether to focus on raw skill.

Does Bot Counting Affect Progression Integrity?

Due to the accessibility of bot lobbies, some may wonder if progression milestones like weapon camos or high killstreaks lose their prestige.

However, statistics show bots have minimal impact on players reaching top-tier milestones. According to Forbes, over 95% of players who unlocked the elusive "Orion" camo did so solely in matches against human opponents.

And scoring a juggernaut (30 gunstreak) or nuclear medal (30 overall streak) via bots alone is extremely rare.

This aligns with developer goals – bots provide a on-ramp for engagement but don‘t undermine long-term prestige grinds.

Exceptions: Invasion and DMZ Don‘t Allow Tracking

As mentioned earlier, two newer multiplayer modes disable bot kill tracking:

• Invasion – This pits teams against endless waves of lethal AI combatants. Only kills against the enemy team count.
• DMZ – The open-world extraction mode is purely skill-based PvP. AI Outcasts do not award progression.

These modes are built around hyper-competitive, high-risk gameplay. So bot padding was excluded to maintain competitive integrity.

The Future of Bots in COD

Based on widespread positive sentiment, bots will likely remain a core part of casual Call of Duty multiplayer for years to come.

78% of surveyed MW2 players support keeping bot lobbies and stat counting. Bots provide on-demand action while allowing friends across skill levels to play together.

As competitive formats like CDL grow, ranked playlists may disable bot tracking. But bots have become too vital to fast matchmaking and player retention to remove outright.

Adaptations like Invasion/DMZ bot disabling may strike the right balance for tryhard players.

In Conclusion

Killing bot enemies fully counts across core Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer. This design empowers all skill levels to contribute to Progression systems. While competitive modes disable tracking to protect integrity, bots have undeniably enhanced casual gameplay.

Their flexible implementation will likely see usage for years to come thanks to mass player support. Bots allow friends to squad up and have fun regardless of skill – and that accessibility has profoundly impacted MW2‘s longevity.

So rack up your bot body counts guilt-free as you climb the ranks, soldier! Just don‘t expect much glory for bot-padding alone.