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Manuel Noriega's Call of Duty lawsuit dismissed by LA court
Manuel Noriega's attempt to sue Activision has been dismissed by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who ruled that the former Panamanian dictator's unauthorized cameo in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is protected by America's free speech laws. In the game, Noriega helps players track down a Nicaraguan activist, before switching allegiances and forcing the player to hunt and capture the virtual Noriega in what is a loose metaphor for the real Noriega's involvement with the CIA in the 1980s. The former dictator's lawsuit claimed this appearance portrays him as a "kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state," and that his cameo enhanced sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, for which Noriega believed he deserves compensation. "This ruling is an important victory and we thank the court for protecting free speech," said former New York City mayor and Activision co-counsel Rudy Giuliani. "This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we're gratified that in the end, a notorious criminal didn't win. This is not just a win for the makers of Call of Duty, but is a victory for works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries throughout the world." Noriega remains incarcerated in Panama for crimes committed against the country during his rule. [Image: Activision]
CoD Black Ops writer Anthony: National security a matter of marketing
Call of Duty: Black Ops series writer and director Dave Anthony addressed U.S. military defense as part of a recent presentation for political think tank The Atlantic Council, claiming that public opinion regarding national security can be manipulated using methods similar to video game marketing. "When we have a new product that has elements that we're not sure how people will respond to, what do we do as a corporation?" he asked, in reference to Activision's pre-release strategy for Black Ops and Black Ops 2. "We market it, and we market it as much as we can - so that whether people like it or not, we do all the things we can to essentially brainwash people into liking it before it actually comes out. When you have decided to make these changes, you have a marketing campaign to introduce them before it is forced upon you. "I'd like to see the government doing this too, because the government is becoming more and more unpopular and I have a lot of sympathy for it. It is an enormously tough job they have. I would like to see more effort into how we communicate with the people and educate the people into what we are doing and why."
Think tank taps Black Ops 2 director for future war insight
To prepare for the wars of the future, political think tank The Atlantic Council has asked Dave Anthony, writer and director of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, to lend his creative abilities. According to Anthony, he'll be contributing to the "Art of Future Warfare" project, a mass brainstorming session where talented creative types come up with new, never-before-seen ways that America's enemies might attack. As a game developer, Anthony's been doing exactly that for years on the Call of Duty franchise, so it just makes sense that the government would seek his talents in imagining even vaguely plausible attacks. "Writers, directors and producers and other artists bring to bear observations derived from wholly different experiences in the creative world," the Atlantic Council said in a statement to the Associated Press. "They can ask different kinds of questions that will challenge assumptions and status quo ways of tackling some of today's toughest national security problems." [Image: Activision]
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani named co-counsel in Call of Duty Noriega lawsuit
Activision is filing a motion today to dismiss the lawsuit by former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega over his depiction in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. The company has hired as co-counsel to defend it former New York City Mayor and U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani, now a named partner of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP. "Quite simply, it's absurd," said Giuliani. "I'm not interested in giving handouts to a convicted murderer and drug smuggler like Manuel Noriega who is demanding money from Activision and its popular Call of Duty franchise for simply exercising its right to free speech."
Nearly two years later, Black Ops 2 map arrives on Wii U
Great news for dedicated Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 players on the Wii U: you're getting new DLC! Bad news: It might taste a little stale, as it's DLC that's almost two years old. "Nuketown 2025," a free downloadable map from Black Ops 2, has reached Nintendo's console a mere year and (not quite) nine months since the game's release. IGN reports that the map is included in the latest title update, as is an icon for the Zombies mode map, "Die Rise." It is noted, however, that although Die Rise appears on the game's menu, it is not playable. As for Nuketown, well ... better late than never, Wii guess. [Image: Activision]
Former dictator suing Activision over depiction in Call of Duty
Former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega is suing Activision Blizzard over his depiction in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, reports the LA TImes. The 80-year-old Noriega's lawsuit claims he is portrayed as a "kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state" which helped elevate sales of the game and he's seeking damages. Noriega was imprisoned for two decades on drug-trafficking following the invasion of Panama in 1989. If he's getting a payout, so should student athletes from the NCAA & EA. Listen, let's just remember that Lindsay Lohan sued Grand Theft Auto 5 publisher Rockstar over less. [Image: AP]
Xbox 360 deals: Black Ops 2, Garden Warfare, Oblivion
The third day of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale features discounts on five games through Xbox Live. Activision's 2012 first-person shooter Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 is half-off today ($29.99 / £24.99 / €34.99), as is today's lone XBLA deal, Assassin's Creed Liberation ($9.99 £7.99 / €9.99). Three other digital Games on Demand titles are on sale through the end of the day, starting with Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare at 33 percent off ($20.09 / £16.74 / €20.09). Bethesda's 2006 RPG The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is 75 percent off today ($3.74 / £2.99 / €3.74) as well, and wrapping the day's deals is Red Faction: Armageddon at 77 percent off ($6.89 / £4.59 / €14.94). Microsoft is also sporting a number of deals that extend further into the month, such as Titanfall at $20 off and 40 percent off the Call of Duty: Ghosts season pass, both for Xbox One and discounted through July 14. [Image: EA Games]
PSN Spring Fever franchise deals include Call of Duty, GTA
If the seven games debuting on PSN this month at discounted rates don't spice up Sony's Spring Fever sale enough for your liking, the sale will also include sales on four different franchises. Games and DLC in the Call of Duty, Need for Speed, BioShock and Grand Theft Auto series are on sale at varying points in March for all PSN users. The sale spans five games in the Need for Speed series, each down to $9.99 ($5 for PS Plus subscribers) tomorrow through March 10. Those games include Need for Speed: Most Wanted on both PS3 and Vita, Hot Pursuit on PS3, The Run on PS3 and Carbon on PSP and Vita. The Call of Duty series continues on March 11 through March 17 and features a variety of game and DLC bundles for Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, Black Ops and Black Ops 2. Both Black Ops games can be purchased together for $69.99 ($62.99 on PS Plus) as well as all three Modern Warfare games for $64.99 ($58.49 for PS Plus members). Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series rolls in next on March 18 with sales lasting through March 24. The sale knocks GTA 5 down to $39.99, GTA 4 to $5.99 ($4.79 on PS Plus) as well as a handful of other PS3 and PSP games in the series ranging from $5.99 each ($4.79 for PS Plus) to $2.99 each ($2.39 on PS Plus). Lastly, the first two games in the BioShock series will also be $9.99 ($5 for PS Plus members) March 25 through March 31. Those games are joined by BioShock Infinite's Burial at Sea Episode 1 DLC for $10.40 ($7.34 on PS Plus) as well as Columbia's Finest Pack and Clash in the Clouds for $3.49 each ($2.44 on PS Plus). [Image: Rockstar Games]
Call of Duty: Elite tangoes down this Friday
Activision is closing its premium Call of Duty: Elite service, nearly two years after it racked up more than 10 million registered users and 2 million paid subscribers. The service that provides in-depth stats, social networking, and clan-based features for Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 2 officially ceases to be on Friday, February 28 at 10AM PT/1PM ET. Despite that healthy subscription base - a year's membership cost $50 when Elite launched in 2011 - Activision made its services free alongside the launch of Black Ops 2 in 2012. The publisher then brought many of Elite's features forward to the companion app released for Call of Duty: Ghosts, and it's now encouraging users to download that app, perchance for future Duties such as the one in development at Sledgehammer Games. Activision has a FAQ detailing what this all means in greater detail. As a means of thanks to those who used the service, the publisher is doling out two hours of Double XP in Ghosts to members who've logged into Elite since January 1, 2014. It's an altogether subdued end to a service that was trumpeted as "Activision getting in front of our players and leading them into the future of connected entertainment." [Image: Activision-Blizzard]
Black Ops 2 personalization packs 25% off, proceeds to help veterans
Activision, Treyarch and Microsoft have partnered to help veterans find jobs via the Call of Duty Endowment non-profit organization and a sale on Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 personalization packs. From October 8-14, players can download personalization packs, which offer a calling card, weapon skin and three targeting reticles, from the Xbox Marketplace for 25 percent off. All profits generated during this sale will go toward the Call of Duty Endowment. "With this drive, we continue to pledge our support to the Call of Duty Endowment in support of veterans, and really appreciate everyone in our community who contributes to this great cause and gives back," Mark Lamia, Studio Head of Treyarch, said in a press release regarding the event.
PSA: Black Ops 2 Apocalypse DLC out on PS3, PC today
Apocalypse, the final downloadable content pack for Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, hits the PlayStation 3 and PC platforms today, ending its month-long exclusive engagement on the Xbox 360. The Apocalypse pack reunites the team from Call of Duty: World at War's inaugural Zombies map for its new Origins mode, which pits players against the undead masses in World War I-era France. The DLC also adds four new multiplayer maps: Pod, Frost, Takeoff, and Dig, the latter of which is a remake of the classic Courtyard map from Call of Duty: World at War. Apocalypse is available as part of Black Ops 2's Season Pass, and is priced separately at $14.99.
Black Ops 2 Uprising maps are free for Xbox, double XP for all this weekend
Ahead of the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2's next DLC pack on PC and PS3 this coming week, Treyarch is offering double XP in online matches this weekend on all consoles. What's more, Xbox 360 players will have access to a free trial of the game's Uprising DLC for the weekend. Uprising offers players four maps: Magma, Encore, Vertigo and Studio, as well as the Mob of the Dead zombies map set in Alcatraz. The DLC first launched in April for Xbox 360, later arriving in May for PS3 and PC, and is normally priced at $14.99.
Black Ops 2 Apocalypse DLC coming to PC and PS3 Sept. 26
Activision announced that the final round of downloadable Season Pass content for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 will launch for the PlayStation 3 and PC platforms later this month. The Apocalypse DLC pack premiered for the Xbox 360 version of Black Ops 2 last month, adding the Pod, Frost, Dig, and Takeoff multiplayer maps. The pack also introduces Origins, a World War I-era mode that stars the heroes from Call of Duty: World at War's first Zombies map. Black Ops 2's Apocalypse DLC will hit the PlayStation 3 and PC on September 26. The pack will be released as a free download for Season Pass buyers, and is priced separately at $14.99.
Dig into Black Ops 2 'Apocalypse' DLC in this gameplay video
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets one last DLC pack, dubbed "Apocalypse," tomorrow. Within it players find four new multiplayer maps and one new excursion into Zombies mode with "Origins."
Gamescom trailers and screenshots giga-post
Psst, hey kid. You want some ... trailers? How about some Gamescom trailers? C'mere for a second. Yeah that's right, we got all kinds of trailers. Murasaki Baby, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Resogun, Infamous: Second Son, Watch Dogs, pretty much any kind of trailer you wanna put in your eyeballs, we can hook it up. Hey, and you know what? Since you seem like a nice kid, we're gonna throw in some screenshots too. Oh no, put your wallet away – the first one's free.
Black Ops 2 gives us a glimpse of the Apocalypse
Activision put together a little video tour of the fourth and final DLC pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, dubbed "Apocalypse." It's well worth watching if only to see a zombie inside of a mechanized battle suit, but we suppose it's also relevant context on the history of these additional multiplayer maps and background on the new Zombie variant, Origins. Apocalypse will be available first on Xbox 360 come August 27. After a bout of timed exclusivity, the DLC will then become available on PS3 and PC.
Black Ops 2 Apocalypse DLC on Xbox Aug. 27, includes zombie Origins
Apocalypse is the fourth and final DLC installment for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, landing on August 27 as a timed exclusive on Xbox 360. Apocalypse includes four multiplayer maps and a new Zombies mode, Origins, which Treyarch teased in a video yesterday. Origins stars the four original heroes from the first-ever Zombies map – Tank, Nikolai, Takeo, and Rictofen – as they gallivant in a dieselpunk, World War I-era France that's been overrun with the undead. As the title suggests, Origins will explore the beginning of the Zombies storyline and features "a period-specific arsenal," including Wonder Weapons that harness supernatural powers. Just like the ones Pershing used. The mech we spotted in yesterday's Origins video is a 1,000 foot robot that players must evade, along with all the zombie hordes. The multiplayer maps in Apocalypse are Pod, a failed utopian community from the 70s, Frost, a wintry European city, Takeoff, a small launch site in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and Dig, and adaptation of the Courtyard map from Call of Duty: World at War.
Black Ops 2 'Origins' video begins with 4 men, ends with a mech
Every story has a beginning and an end – and giant, violent robots, according to Activision. A teaser for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Origins popped up on the Treyarch YouTube channel today, offering no more information beyond its title and the video. The video shows a series of close-ups on four men with grizzled faces from varying worldwide regions and wearing hardcore adventuring gear, along with what appears to be an ancient temple and a series of bunkers. Then the four men look up and surprise, it's a huge mech. We reached out to Activision but it wouldn't provide any more information about what Origins is.
PSA: Black Ops 2 'Vengeance' DLC on PS3 and PC today
The Vengeance DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is now available on PS3 and PC via Steam. Vengeance adds four multiplayer maps in Cove, Detour, Rush and Uplink. It also includes a new zombie map known as Buried, which has players traverse through a "long-forgotten subterranean Old West mining town infested with swarms of flesh-eating undead." Vengeance will set players back $14.99, though the DLC is free for Season Pass holders. %Gallery-193520%
Black Ops 2 gets Vengeance on PC and PS3 August 1
Black Ops 2 players on PC and PS3 will receive the latest DLC pack, Vengeance, on August 1. Vengeance adds four maps in multiplayer along with a new Zombies variant called "Buried," and it has been available on Xbox Live since July 2. Vengeance is the third DLC pack for Black Ops 2, following Revolution and Uprising. Revolution added the requisite multiplayer maps and the ability to play as a zombie in "Turned" mode, while Uprising introduced Mob of the Dead – a Zombies map set within Alcatraz prison during the Prohibition era, starring Michael Madsen, Joe Pantoliano, Ray Liotta and Chazz Palminteri.%Gallery-193520%
