While highly popular for keeping the game alive, it is controversial among some purists because it is closed-source and modifies core game files to bypass original limitations. Summary of Differences Steam 1.8 Update (Community 1.8) Developer Activision / Steam CoD4x Team (Fans) Main Goal Security / RCE fixes Modernization & server stability PunkBuster Removed / Disabled Replaced with own system Compatibility Breaks most old servers Required for many new modded servers How to Get Automatic via Steam Join a CoD4x-enabled server
The reason is simple: For years, COD4 used GameSpy technology for its server browser. When GameSpy announced it was shutting down in 2014 (which would have killed all online multiplayer), Activision and Infinity Ward rushed out Patch 1.8 as a stopgap. cod4 18 patch