Greetings,

To briefly hit on the multi-player connection issues....I also have better luck on user hosted matches than the dedicated servers. Even playing "red" ping games with only two bars is OK most of the time. So if you can't get into the dedicated try a user hosted or start your own as someone suggested. I play COD4 also. NO, this game is not COD4. Doesn't strive to be either. I enjoy it just for the change of PACE, environments and game options. Playing "advanced" capture the flag has not worn thin on me yet.

OK, now the suggestion...For the single player, you may find your enjoyment increased if you turn OFF, through HUD selections, the: Objective points, Enemy indicator, Mini Map and Ammo indicator. Also play it on Hardcore. There is no achievement for beating it on Hardcore as opposed to Normal. Hard core is NOT that hard core. But I think the game is far too easy with the above "indicators" left on.

I get the feeling the single player is used merely as a training ground to get you familiar with the game play. Which is fine. It does prepare a new player or the main point of the game; Multi-Player. But if you spent time playing the heck out of the multi-player demo, try the above when you play through single player.