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Engadget Daily: GoPro Hero4, the gospel of virtual reality and more!
Hey, want to spice up your Monday evening? Check out our news highlights from the last 24 hours, including the GoPro Hero4, everything you need to know about the Bash shell flaw, and more. You know you want to.
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]
Play Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare at the GameStop Expo
If you've got an itchy trigger finger and that over-the-counter cream just isn't satisfying it, you might want to check out the GameStop Expo going on September 9 and September 10 at the Anaheim Convention Center. According to a news release from GameStop, it'll feature the first public, playable build of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare in North America. So if you want to get a headstart on those killstreaks, this might be a way to go about it. Of course, if you're not particularly interested in Call of Duty: Kevin Spacey Edition Advanced Warfare, there will be plenty of other games at the show as well, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Alien: Isolation and of course, Video Game, Colon, Subtitle. Tickets for the expo can be purchased through GameStop's website. Until August 15, general admission tickets will cost $40, while a VIP pass will run $110. After August 15, the cost of general admission rises to $50, while the VIP jumps to $125. [Image: GameStop]
Final Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC now live on Xbox 360, Xbox One
"Nemesis," the fourth and final DLC pack for Call of Duty: Ghosts, has come to Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles, bringing with it four new maps, four unique Field Orders and the final installment of Ghosts' episodic Extinction storyline, Episode 4: Exodus. If we were Jim Carrey trying to do a horror movie, we might think the number four was haunting us. The maps included for Ghosts players ready to send their enemies into the afterlife are: "Goldrush," an abandoned gold mine in the southwest United States; "Subzero," a military base nestled in the frozen wilderness of Canda that harbors a "mysterious terror," according to a press release; "Dynasty," a Chinese lakeshore village surrounded by mountains, gardens and awe-inspiring architecture; and "Showtime," a reimagined version of a map from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare called "Shipment." Meanwhile, those who'd prefer to shoot alien faces instead of humans will find a new enemy in Extinction mode's conclusion. The Ancestors, as they're called, are the most powerful extraterrestrial foes yet seen in Ghosts, with mind control powers and psionic attacks. Nemesis is now available for Xbox systems for $14.99 a la carte. Alternatively, you can purchase the $49.99 Season Pass to grab it and the three other DLC packs released thus far, saving you $10 from the amount it would cost to download each individually. Nemesis will be available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 next month. [Image: Activision]
Watch Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's multiplayer reveal on Xbox Live
Developer Sledgehammer Games will introduce Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's multiplayer during Gamescom 2014. What's that, you say? Checking out of reality for a week to go play games in Germany is a bit infeasible? Well as long as you can get on Xbox Live, there's a consolation prize: Sledgehammer's trailer reveal will be broadcasted live on Xbox Live at 1 p.m. Eastern on August 11, with interviews also planned during the presentation. That Xbox locked in a multiplayer reveal on its own channels shouldn't be much of a surprise, considering that Advanced Warfare's DLC will arrive on Xbox One before any other platform. Hopefully Sledgehammer has some neat game modes in store for us – we can only entertain ourselves by fighting Kevin Spacey's army for so long. [Image: Activision]
Analyst predicts that Destiny will sell between 15M and 20M units
I think we all know that Destiny is going to be a very big launch when it happens this September, but one analyst has put a number to that feeling: 15 to 20 million copies sold. Cowen & Company Analyst Doug Creutz has been tracking the progress of Destiny, saying that it has topped the company's rating chart: "We continue to believe that Destiny is a lock to sell at least 15 million copies. And we now view 20 million copies as increasingly likely." Creutz said that Destiny will help to sell PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles and predicted that the game will be purchased alongside with many of them. He also noted that Destiny may cannibalize sales from the Call of Duty franchise.
Former Infinity Ward devs create VR-friendly Reload Studios
Former Infinity Ward developers announced the formation of a new Los Angeles-based studio today, Reload Studios. Co-founded by James Chung and Taehoon Oh, Reload Studios currently houses 12 individuals that will focus on game development for virtual reality, mobile and home console platforms. While the developer is being officially introduced now, Chung's LinkedIn profile indicates that the studio first formed in May. Chung and Oh are joined by former Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series producer Pete Blumel, Infinity Ward developer Hougant Chen and Disney animator Nik Ranieri. Reload Studios also has ties to independent licensed game developer Heavy Iron as well as EA. The developer is currently working on a VR-enabled first-person shooter for mobile and next-gen systems and plans to launch its first game in 2015. [Image: Reload Studios]
Neversoft nevermore, team now fully merged with Infinity Ward
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series creator Neversoft is no more, as remaining team members have now merged with fellow Activision studio Infinity Ward to work on current and upcoming projects. Neversoft's Matt Canale posted the above image via Twitter, bringing the studio's 20-year run to a fiery end. After being acquired by Activision in 1999, Neversoft went on to create standout games like 2000's Spider-Man, Xbox 360 launch title Gun, and several entries in the Guitar Hero franchise following the departure of series creator Harmonix. Neversoft worked closely with Infinity Ward in developing its final project, the "Extinction" gameplay mode in 2013's Call of Duty: Ghosts. Infinity Ward is one of three studios devoted to the Call of Duty series, and is slated to produce a new entry in 2016 following this year's release of Sledgehammer Games' Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and a 2015 follow-up project from Treyarch. [Image: Matt Canale]
Third Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC invades the Xbox on June 3
The penultimate Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC pack, officially dubbed "Invasion," will first appear on June 3. Though initially exclusive to the Xbox One and Xbox 360, other platforms will receive the DLC shortly after. Included in the Invasion DLC pack are four new multiplayer maps, ranging from an abandoned archaeological dig in Egypt to a Dia de los Muertos celebration in a sleepy Mexican town. Additionally, Invasion also includes the third episode of the ongoing Extinction storyline, which pits the near future's most marketable soldiers against waves of ravenous extraterrestrials. In this latest episode, your team of hardened alien killers will descend into the subterranean fortress of those controlling the alien hordes, both to blast them to pieces and to set up the final showdown inevitably included in the fourth Extinction entry. As with prior DLC packs, the Invasion DLC features a $15 price tag. Those who have purchased the Call of Duty: Ghosts Season Pass will receive the additional content at no extra charge. [Image: Activision]
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & 3 finally launch assault on Mac
Mac-loving fans of the Call of Duty series don't get attention very often, but when they do, it's from publisher Aspyr Games. Aspyr specializes in Mac versions of popular Windows PC titles, and today they delivered a gift to shooter fans on OS X. Actually, they delivered two gifts: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, complete with all the tasty DLC bits included. The games are now available for download via Steam, or directly from Aspyr's website. If you're not sure whether your Mac machine will run the games at a reasonable quality, you can use Aspyr's GameAgent website to run the handy "Mac Match" tool and check compatibility. If you're interested in picking up these shooter classics from yesteryear, Modern Warfare 2 -- which I believe to be the superior of the two -- will set you back US$14.99, while Modern Warfare 3 is priced at $29.99. Both prices appear to be limited time discounts, so snag them while they're cheap!
Boca Raton's most expensive home has Star Trek and Call of Duty-themed rooms
As much as we love Star Trek, we've never thought about modeling our home after the USS Enterprise. But then, we've never had $35 million in our back pocket, so what do we know? A mansion in Boca Raton has gone on sale for that eye-watering figure, boasting a bar and cinema based on the NCC 1701-D bridge, complete with security desk and pastel brown seats. The property is being sold by businessman Marc Bell, who decked the property out with a Star Wars-themed lounge and a Call of Duty-inspired games room. When you're done geeking out, of course, you can relax in the well-appointed gym, full-sized basketball court, or just relax with the home's 1,500-bottle strong wine cellar. Don't worry, we'll bring the corkscrew. [Image credit: Andy Frame]
Report: Neversoft losing name, merging with Infinity Ward
Infinity Ward and Neversoft are merging, according to Giant Bomb. Citing an internal memo written by Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg, Giant Bomb reports that the Neversoft name will be retired, as the Infinity Ward name is so closely tied to Activision's annual Call of Duty franchise. This makes Infinity Ward, according to the supposed memo, the "sensible choice." Dave Stohl, executive VP of worldwide studios for Activision, will lead the new studio, while current head Steve Ackrich will take a new leadership role. Neversoft leaders Joel Jewett and Scott Pease, studio head and studio director respectively, have, according to Giant Bomb's report, made the decision to retire from the games industry. Neversoft previously collaborated with Infinity Ward for Call of Duty: Ghosts. [Image: Neversoft]
Tour the year 2054 in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Following a recent leak of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Activision has sent out new screenshots (found in the gallery below) and a claim that it is approaching this latest entry in the fan-favorite franchise "differently" than it has with prior releases. Not only does the game ignore traditional military forces in favor of Private Military Contractors (justified in their existence by the gravitas of Kevin Spacey playing antagonist, Jonathan Irons), it's also the first time developer Sledgehammer Games has lead a Call of Duty production. Activision has allotted the new developer a comparatively lengthy three-year development cycle to craft the shooter. Activision's announcement is light on plot specifics, but notes that players will assume the role of a technologically advanced soldier fighting as part of a PMC in 2054. Apparently humanity never quite figured out world peace, so expect typically over the top Call of Duty gunplay, augmented by new gadgets, like the exoskeleton seen in the trailer above. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is slated to debut on November 4 on Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4. [Image: Activision]
Engadget Daily: Google's modular smartphone, Kevin Spacey stars in COD, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare confirmed, out in November
Update: Activision's posted the official trailer, confirming Destructoid's leak. The new Spacey-based shooter is Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and it's out on November 4, 2014. Earlier today, Destructoid said it learned through a "trusted source" the game centers on a mercenary group led by Kevin Spacey's character, and this renegade faction has the US government in its sights. That tallied with what Activision's teased, and the publisher's now released an official video ahead of the expected reveal on Sunday, May 4. The trailer showcases futuristic elements like soldiers clad in beefy-looking exoskeletons, and a whole bunch of hover-things including hover-bikes(!). We'll keep you updated on further details as they trickle out. [Image: Destructoid]
House of CoDs: Kevin Spacey to star in next Call of Duty
Update: Activision unveiled Spacey's star turn as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, complete with a new trailer starring the man himself. Original Story: A big Hollywood star will lend his voice to the next installment of Call of Duty. A post on the official Call of Duty Instagram account has revealed that Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey will lend his voice, and perhaps his likeness, to Sledgehammer's Call of Duty game, scheduled to arrive later this year. Watch the Instagram video after the break.
Next Call of Duty focuses on private military corporations
Activision, developer Sledgehammer Games and news organization VICE have teamed up to detail the narrative direction of the next Call of Duty, which, judging by this video, will apparently focus on private military corporations. A banner on the official Call of Duty YouTube channel points to a full reveal of the franchise's next installment, helmed by developer Sledgehammer Games, on May 4. The Call of Duty series now spans three dedicated development teams on a new three-year cycle. Previously, efforts were split between Infinity Ward and Treyarch. Founded in Montreal in 1994, VICE is an international magazine and online news organization that focuses on arts, culture and world events. Perhaps best known for its documentaries, VICE also develops a series on HBO, currently in its second season. Update: Game Informer has announced its next cover will feature Sledgehammer's upcoming Call of Duty game, teasing an in-game shot of heavily armored soldiers. [Image: Activision]
Major League Gaming adds Call of Duty to ESPN's X Games lineup
Alongside the skateboarders, BMX bikers and other extreme athletes at the upcoming X Games Austin, a comparatively sedate group of gamers will be furiously gunning one another down in a Call of Duty tournament that Major League Gaming hopes will become tradition. According to ESPN, the tournament will feature MLG's top five Call of Duty: Ghosts teams, as well as the top three teams from the recent Call of Duty championships. These eight teams will battle it out, first in double-elimination, then single-elimination matches. At first glance this seems like an odd combination - ESPN describes itself as the worldwide leader in sports, while Call of Duty matches are defined by players sitting largely motionless for lengthy stretches of time - if you dig into the history of things it starts to make sense. Major League Gaming CEO Sundance DiGiovanni once served as the resident gaming expert on ESPN's morning talk show Cold Pizza, and DiGiovanni's long-standing relationship with the network served as the impetus for this partnership. "The [Call of Duty] subject matter is mature and it's not something that is going to be right for everybody, but there's a huge section of the audience that plays these games," DiGiovanni said. "You'll see when these games are released -- one of the main places they are advertised is on the ESPN networks." DiGiovanni makes a valid point, but it remains to be seen if ESPN's traditional X Games audience will come for the wicked-sweet kickflips and stay for the rampant killstreaks. [Image: Activision]
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]
Space cats render Call of Duty: Ghosts a bit more cuddly-wuddly
The above trailer highlights the numerous new customization options found in Call of Duty: Ghosts, though if you're any sort of legitimate hard-nosed, elite, military killing machine, you'll obviously want to equip yourself in head to toe images of chubby orange cats floating in space. [Image: Activision]
