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Interview: Modern Warfare 2's Vince Zampella
Inifinity Ward studio head Vince Zampella was exhausted, but in a good mood, by the time we caught up with him at a Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer event last night. Zampella's been working on one of the most anticipated sequels ever, after all. (GameStop has its fingers crossed for a slice of what could be the "bestselling title of all time.") After the break, Zampella shares his feelings about straddling two brands, Call of Duty and Modern Warfare; the Wii port of the original Modern Warfare; and World at War's Zombie Mode. And, of course, he's got a few words to share about Modern Warfare 2 itself. Read on.
Hands-on: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer
Still playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare? Clear your calendars on November 10. In fact, just throw them away, say goodbye to your friends and family, and stock up on ready-to-eat foods and adult diapers. If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 manages to usurp the multiplayer throne from its predecessor – which it's expected to do – you're going to need 'em. It's an "evolution" of everything you loved about the first game, running at the same gorgeous 60 frames per second. The evening was sponsored by Microsoft (no surprise given the Modern Warfare 2 console reveal), and it was strictly multiplayer only. We played games of Domination, Assault, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag on the three maps featured in this demo, for a total of four hours of fragging. Read on for what's new, some images from the event, some brand-new screenshots, and some multiplayer video at the end of the post. %Gallery-73088%
No plans for 250GB Xbox drive outside Modern Warfare 2 bundle, MS says
Shortly after the announcement of the Limited Edition Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 bundle, we had a chance to grill Microsoft's Albert Penello, director of platform marketing for Xbox, about the bundle. While Pinello confirmed the bundle's absence of any additional accessories – no high-definition cables, no WiFi adapter – he also commented on the 250GB hard drive. When asked if Microsoft had any plans to sell the significantly embiggened hard drive separately, Pinello said, "I wouldn't say plans. Maybe. I hear this story every two years. It was the 20s, and then the 60s, and then the 120s." Not that you could afford it anyway. So, Microsoft doesn't have "plans" per se, but Pinello pointed out that, historically, these things become available separately. Until then, if you want a massive 250GB of Xbox storage, your only avenue is purchasing the $399 Modern Warfare 2 bundle. %Gallery-73023%
$399 Modern Warfare 2-themed Xbox 360: 250GB HDD, wireless controllers, game
click for gallery digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/399-modern-warfare-2-themed-xbox-360-250gb-hdd-wireless-contr/'; Microsoft and Infinity Ward just announced the availability of a Modern Warfare 2-themed Xbox 360 console at a press event in Los Angeles. Included in this "limited edition" $399 package is: a 250GB Xbox 360 console, with the requisite Modern Warfare 2 markings (the so-called "Super Elite"); two wireless controllers, presumably also apparently not Modern Warfare 2-themed (though, notably, not Mad Catz's officially licensed wired controllers); and, lastly, a "standard edition" copy of Modern Warfare 2. No matter how you do the math, that's a good deal. As most of us know, the only thing that moves more consoles than "a good deal" is "a good deal" that includes the words "modern," "warfare," and "two" somewhere in the title. Major Nelson says it's the "standard edition" of the game and Amazon, in addition to not listing a WiFi adapter (we won't quit complaining, Microsoft!), specifies that the bundle only includes a "Composite A/V cable." The only other detail we've gathered is that you'll be able to preorder like you've got a pair beginning "today" – Amazon has the listing right here. If you're hungry for any more details you can watch our shakicam videos of the big reveal and what's in the box. %Gallery-73023%
Mad Catz releasing Modern Warfare 2 branded accessories
Artist's rendering If there's one thing that can make your Modern Warfare 2 experience more complete than playing the game while wearing night vision goggles, it's playing the game with the line of Modern Warfare 2-branded accessories that Mad Catz just announced. We don't know what the line will include besides controllers, though we think a headset is a pretty safe bet. (We're assuming this is the same project Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling tweeted about a while back.) We're equally excited for Mad Catz's other new line announced today, featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr., mainly to see what kind of controller they come up with. Do you need more than one thumbstick if you're just going to turn left for four hours? Source – Mad Catz to Create Modern Warfare 2 Game Accessories Source – Mad Catz Licenses Rights to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Likeness and Trademarks
Pachter deems UK's Modern Warfare 2 price hike a 'test'
How much are you willing to pay for Infinity Ward's latest tunnel-of-fun shooter? Is it £54.99 (close to $90)? If so, you've passed what Michael Pachter calls "a one-time test for Activision." Or maybe Activision is passing the test. The point is ... nobody likes taking tests! No, that's not it. The Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst has told Eurogamer that Modern Warfare 2's higher retail price -- allegedly spurred on by the Euro's strength against the British Pound -- stems from a calculated business decision. "Activision knows it has a 'hot' game, knows that the market will pay an additional 10 per cent, and has decided to increase price accordingly," Pachter said, adding that the Pound was worth less last year when Call of Duty: World at War launched. Pachter speculates that should the gamble pay off, consumers can expect other games to similarly prod established price boundaries. But you guys aren't going to let that happen! And you're certainly not going to spend a fortune on some goggles and a useless plastic head, right? Hello? Anyone?
Van Der Led's WM2 cellphone is Slayer approved
Can it be? Why... why yes, a watch with integrated cellphone we might (might!) actually wear. The Van Der Led WM2 is a quad-band GSM watch with itty bitty 1.3-inch, 260k color touchscreen display, stereo Bluetooth, up to 240-hours of standby or 300-minutes talk, and 1GB of storage for a few of your MP3 or MP4 files. Better yet, from a distance, those uber geeky keys on the numeric pad look just like the glittering wrist studs capable of mesmerizing Death Metal, she-groupies backstage. Yours for €300 (about $471 US Rubbles) starting Monday. Actual product pressed to flesh in the Engadget gallery.[Thanks, Gydo W.]
