I found this on a site, and it seems to make sense. I found the post here

 

I have learnt that to use the much-heralded "Uber Config file" for COD4 PC, that it must be run from an fs_game folder, and that using it means your server will be classed as unranked.

 

If you use the Uber config file, even for one simple change to perk options, etc, you cannot run as a ranked server.

 

You will find unranked servers in the game's server browser in the same way that you find modded servers in previous titles - it will be a filter option. Enable mods in the filter, and you find all the unranked servers running.

 

Ranked PC servers will link to Activision's stat tracker. This will be free to use, so no trusted partners will be involved, and therefore no extra expenses just to run a ranked server.

 

Ranks will be global. Join any ranked server, and your rank will be recognised on that server.

 

To uniquely identify players, and hence "apply" their rank to them and them alone, a user's PunkBuster GUID will be utilized.

 

Ranks are server-side data, linked to the AVTI stat tracker, so no chance of client hacks as has been feared.

 

There will be a basic server config file for ranked servers, which will be run from the game's 'main' folder. This will allow basic configuration of a ranked server, such as player numbers, kill cam on or off, etc, etc, but it will not allow altering those settings which form the essence of a ranked server (so, for example, no turning certain weapons on or off. This sort of thing is configured and controlled via the perk system, XPoints, class/create a class system)

 

The above info is not definitive, and so probably contains detail errors, as it is just what I have gathered from the info on it given to me (i.e. my probably lame understanding of it all).

So, it seems you will be able to change your name at will, perhaps, and the hash number will identify you, as you. What do you all make of this?

Makes sense, if you chose to run an unranked server they do give you a lot of options to choose from. I'm glad they are not following EA with their super secret ranked server files nonsense. From what I make if it, you will always have access to all of the files, if you make changes to the big list then you automatically become unranked. If not, you just stream all of the data to activision. This is good news if we ever decide to stop running BF2142 ranked, we will be able to have full control of our server. I like the bit about the names too, it would be much better if you were tracked by PBGUID rather than your name. I like how valve does things, being able to change your name is a plus.

thats pretty cool indeed will help out alot.

Ranked PC servers will link to Activision's stat tracker. This will be free to use, so no trusted partners will be involved, and therefore no extra expenses just to run a ranked server.

that... is awsome.