callofdutyghosts
Latest
Pro gamers to compete for X Games medals in Call of Duty: Ghosts
For the first time in the history ESPN's X Games, pro gamers will compete for medals playing Call of Duty: Ghosts in Austin this June. Major League Gaming (MLG) has partnered with the sports broadcaster for the MLG X Games Invitational where the same hardware will be up for grabs as those athletes competing in skateboard, BMX, Moto X and other extreme sporting events. The top five teams based on MLG Pro Points rankings will get an invite, and three more teams from the recent COD Championship will round out the field. Upon arriving in Austin, groups will compete in a three-day tournament on Xbox One to determine the winner. What's more, the gaming event is said to be part of X Games TV coverage that's set for ESPN and ABC. [Image credit: Washington Post/Getty Images]
Gaming deals of the week: 4.4.14
The weekend is here, so why not celebrate with a gaming purchase? If you hadn't heard already, NVIDIA's Shield is currently sporting a $50 price cut, and there's a handful of other gadgets on the other side of the break that are ready to outfit your exploits. Some of the offers will only be around for a few days, so you'll want to decide quickly whether or not to commit your funds. If there are other gaming purchases that you're after that we haven't included here -- join us and add them to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!
Gaming deals of the week: 2.5.14
For those folks out to nab up a bit of fun this week, we've compiled a few gaming deals that will certainly lend a hand. From the latest Call of Duty installment to a 17-inch gaming laptop, we've got a variety of picks to suit a range of gamer sensibilities. Browse the options we've selected just past the break. Just window shopping? No worries. Join us and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your Want list; every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!
Must See HDTV (November 5th - 10th)
This week's highlight release is Call of Duty: Ghosts, bringing the fast-paced shooter back for another go-round just before it's released on next-gen consoles (check out Joystiq's impressions across the Xbox 360, PS3 and PS4 here). Thanks to the upgrade programs however, even early adopters can try it out on the Xbox 360 and PS3, then swap for a PS4 / Xbox One copy once those are available for an additional $10. Another option is tonight's retrospective on the UFC aired by Fox Sports 1, while a number of complete series boxed sets (Dexter, Doctor Who, Twilight) arrive on Blu-ray. Look after the break for our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and gaming.
Call of Duty: Ghosts head Mark Rubin on creating six different versions of the same game (video)
Call of Duty: Ghosts executive producer Mark Rubin has a lot on his plate. In just two months, he's heading up the launch of one of the (if not the) biggest titles on two next-gen game consoles, not to mention the four other platforms it's landing on. He's got his team at Infinity Ward to manage, as well as the teams at several other studios that are assisting in the development process. And on top of all that, the two big next-gen versions of Call of Duty: Ghosts are headed to hardware that "literally just started showing up" at his company's offices. Rubin explained as much to Engadget in an interview this past week at Gamescom 2013. "Trying to design for something that you theoretically know about but don't physically have is an amazing challenge," he said. Beyond the stress and manpower required to produce so many versions of a single game, it's expensive. "It's required us to bring in a lot more resources than we had planned on in the beginning," Rubin added. And that's money that Infinity Ward's parent company, Activision, won't make up until the next year's Call of Duty game, when the "transition" period between console generations crests and enough gamers move to new game systems. Head past the break for the full extent of what that means for Ghosts and the Call of Duty franchise moving forward, and why Rubin's "hopeful" for the rarely spoken about Wii U version.
Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg on how Destiny was 'born modern' and why social connectivity will define the next-gen
Successive generations of console gaming have been, historically, defined by improvements in graphics. But Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg envisions a different future for the coming next-gen of gaming and it's all about connectivity. As he told our own Ben Gilbert at Gamescom 2013 this week, "The same way that Xbox Live and PlayStation Network led to the big trend in this generation being multiplayer games, I think that some sort of connectivity and social amplification of games is probably something you'll see a lot of creative activity around [in the next-gen]." Hirshberg offered up Destiny, Bungie's upcoming hybrid FPS / persistent world game as a prime example of this trend, and referred to the title as being "born modern" -- a video game and social network rolled into one. Hirshberg's aware that not all gamers are ready to jump ship from the current console generation. Which is why his company decided to invest in a new engine for Call of Duty: Ghosts to maximize the beauty of its visuals and audio, but still make it a multiplatform, cross-generational title. Activision's even partnering up with retailers to offer gamers incentives (in the form of a minimal upgrade fee) to make the next-gen leap should they initially purchase the PS3 or Xbox 360 version. As for where forward-facing virtual reality hardware like the Oculus Rift fits in, Hirshberg wasn't as optimistic. He's used the VR headset before, but primarily views it as a non-additive layer for gaming that's better enjoyed in "small doses" due to its intensity. For our full interview with Hirshberg and all his thoughts on the next-gen of gaming, click on past the break.
Call of Duty: Ghosts PS4 upgrades will run $10, says Activision
During its Gamescon 2013 event, Sony said that upgrades for Playstation 4 games would come at a "significantly discounted price," though it didn't offer any details or actual numbers. Now, Activision has said that Call of Duty: Ghosts will cost $10 to upgrade from the PS3 to the PS4, mirroring a similar deal from retailer GameStop for the Xbox One. Based on Sony's statement, such discounts might be coming for other lynchpin titles for the new console for a limited time period, as well. Meanwhile, if you can't wait the ten days between the game's November 5th PS3 launch and the Playstation 4's November 15th US release, hit the PR after the break.
Xbox One bundles in Europe include 'Call of Duty: Ghosts', free copy of 'FIFA 14'
If you're in one of the European Xbox One launch countries, Microsoft has just announced a couple of enticing bundles at GDC 2013. First off, Xbox and Activition/Infinity Ward are tag-teaming for a Call of Duty:Ghosts bundle for the new console that'll include exclusive "special bonus content" (no pricing is available yet). Another bundle includes FIFA 14, which will be given to pre-order customers for free, including those who've pre-paid "until now and from today." Redmond added that it'll keep the latter offer "while stocks last," but also mentioned that it would be a digital version. So, we hope they don't run out of... electrons, or something.
Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige Edition will include a 1080p action camera
Activision and Infinity Ward have bundled expensive gadgets with the last few Call of Duty special editions, and they're keeping up this recent tradition with Call of Duty: Ghosts. Buy the Prestige Edition of the game on November 5th and you'll get a 1080p, water-resistant "tactical camera" with a 4GB memory card. While it's not clear which company makes the wearable cam, Activision claimed during its Ghosts multiplayer unveiling that the device should hold up against counterparts sold in stores. The Prestige Edition is appropriately expensive at $199, although you're getting a lot for your money -- besides the camera and game, the box also includes a carrying case, a Season Pass for downloads and a paracord strap. If you've ever wished you could record your adventures beyond your game console, this is certainly the bundle for you.
Turtle Beach outs Xbox One headsets, Call of Duty: Ghosts- and Marvel-branded cans
In May, Turtle Beach shouted from the hilltops that it snagged Microsoft's blessing to craft Xbox One headsets, and now it's ready to show off the actual hardware. Based on the outfit's Seven Series, the pair of XO Ear Force cans will be available at the console's launch and feature 3.5mm jacks, detachable boom mics and deliver surround sound through wired connections to controller adapters. At $149, the XO Seven boasts a "premium finish," on-ear cups with noise-isolating memory foam cushions, interchangeable speaker plates and a breakaway cable with an in-line mic for use with mobile devices. Liberating $99 from your wallet, however, will net you the more budget-friendly XO Four, which can also be used with devices outfitted with 3.5mm ports. Bringing other platforms into the mix, Turtle Beach unveiled a trio of Call of Duty: Ghosts-branded headsets, but remained mum on pricing. The wireless Ear Force Phantom boasts dual-band WiFi, rechargeable batteries and compatibility with the Xbox 360, PS3 and mobile devices. The wired Spectre and Shadow are presumably less pricey, and play nice with PC and Mac as well. Sure, E3 may be a video game bonanza, but comic fans are getting some love with an Ear Force Seven headset embellished with Marvel branding, a red accent and swappable speaker covers with different characters.
Call of Duty: Ghosts pre-E3 preview shows off more next-gen FPS action (video)
Call of Duty: Ghosts debuts this fall as the latest entry in a popular series, but our most in-depth look at it so far comes today. On the eve of E3 2013 press conferences Activision and Infinity Ward are giving a preview of what it will be like on the Playstation 4 and Xbox One, and even on the 122-ft wide screen they'll have in their booth. This is our best look at the game since a brief teaser trailer and word that its DLC will arrive first on the Xbox One. Other than a look at more next-gen gameplay, it also highlighted new elements like a dog named Riley that will accompany you in single player and can take commands via headset and broadcast video back to the player's character. Video of the preview event and the new gameplay footage are ready to view after the break. Check out a few new screenshots below before you click through. %Gallery-190766%
Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC will launch first on Xbox One
Despite its multiplatform status, Call of Duty is almost synonymous with Xbox. It's no surprise then, that Microsoft's new platform, the Xbox One, will be the first next-gen system to digest Call of Duty: Ghosts' DLC. This isn't unprecedented, of course -- the Xbox 360 also boasted a first-out-the-door policy with the series' DLC. Still, a big score for Microsoft, one significant enough to serve as the closing announcement of its Xbox One launch event. Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg went on to reveal the game's first official trailer, assuring fans that Ghosts would fun at a steady 60fps. "It will be the best Call of Duty game we've ever made," he promised, showing slides comparing the new game's Xbox One visuals against previous games in the series. Hungry for more? Patience, friend. E3 is still a few weeks away. %Gallery-188994%
Call of Duty: Ghosts is this year's CoD entry, headed to 360, PS3, PC and 'next-gen consoles' on November 5 (video)
Like Punxsutawney Phil's shadowgazing, we can rightfully expect a new Call of Duty game to be announced annually and available at the holidays. Also like our groundhog friend, the only annual questions we must ask are in the details -- what is this year's Call of Duty about, and who's making it? It turns out that this year's Duty development, unsurprisingly, falls on Infinity Ward's shoulders -- the folks who created the much lauded Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare -- and it's named "Call of Duty: Ghosts." The first-person shooter is arriving on a whole mess of platforms this November 5th, including Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, but also PlayStation 4 and the next Xbox -- given that we don't know release dates for the PlayStation 4 and the next Xbox, it stands to reason that Ghosts will arrive on a different date for those platforms. It's also likely we'll see a handheld version on Nintendo's 3DS made by someone other than Infinity Ward, but we've got no direct word on that just yet. More ambiguous, Nintendo's Wii U isn't listed, but it stands to reason it'll head that way as well (the last series entry, Black Ops 2, got a Wii U version). The "Ghosts" in the title references ... well, we're not entirely sure. Previous CoD games featured a character named "Ghost" fairly prominently, though the plurality indicates a game about more than one individual. Infinity Ward head Mark Rubin calls Ghosts "a new sub-brand" in the CoD franchise, and it's getting a new (unnamed) game engine to boot -- another indicator that previous characters aren't involved. We're holding out hope that the often overserious, dramatic tone of previous CoD games is being completely thrown out in favor of a goofy game about hunting ghosts. The bullets pass right through their ethereal form! Run for your life! We'll hear more about Call of Duty: Ghosts at Microsoft's big next-gen console unveiling on May 21st, so hold tight. The first teaser video is just below the jump.
