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Metallica to serenade Call of Duty: Black Ops at launch event
Metallica will perform at Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops launch event on Thursday, where the band will help raise $1 million for The Call of Duty Endowment. The fund's mission is to assist soldiers transition back into civilian life and help them establish jobs and careers. According to Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, the unemployment rate for veterans is 21% higher than the rate for all Americans, with over a half-million veterans unemployed. If you're looking to sneak into the concert, the event will be held November 4 at Santa Monica Airport's Hangar 8 ... though sneaking into an airport hangar post 9/11 is about as sure a way we know of to get yourself locked up. Also, that's very close to the location of that horrific Min-E3 of 2007 -- a memory that will haunt our dreams more than Nazi Zombies ever could.
Spoiler alert: Beat Black Ops and unlock something pretty special
According to leaked footage, it would appear that a certain Call of Duty: Black Ops post-completion unlockable is one for the history books. In this image, the identities of the four-man zombie hit squad are strictly classified -- head past the break to spoil them. (Consider that fair warning!)
Call of Duty: Black Ops launch trailer is just a shot away, it's just a shot away
Premiering during tonight's Sunday Night football game is this Rolling Stones-infused Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer which proclaims – for once in advertising, not hyperbolically – that it's the "biggest game of 2010." What makes it so big? We could point out the base jumping, the SR-71 Blackbird, or any of the other cinematic touchstones that Treyarch is trotting out for its fourth take on the blockbuster series. Instead, we're going to suggest that any marketing budget that licenses The Rolling Stones for a Sunday Night Football spot is enough to convince us it's a "big" video game. Either that or it's Windows 95.
Report: Black Ops censored in Germany, Steam to block international versions
Here's the latest installment in a tale as old as time -- according to German games site PCGames.de, the region will receive a censored version of Call of Duty: Black Ops. This time around, though, there's a new twist for people who were hoping to download and play a different country's version of the game on PC -- both downloaded and retail versions of the game have to be run through Steam for authorization before playing, and in Germany, Steam will only verify local versions of the title. Seems like Germany's video game censorship policy is only getting more and more strict -- though that's good news for our pay-per-minute phone hotline, where German gamers can call in and listen to us describe our fully violent games. Those calls ... they get pretty weird. Update: An Activision representative contacted us, explaining that German players will be able to activate the Austrian version of the game, but not the US/UK versions. The representative confirmed that the Austrian version is "unique," but could not comment as to whether or not it shares the German version's content cuts.
Call of Duty: Black Ops pre-orders get $5 off on Amazon
Some would say a soldier's most important quality isn't accuracy, tenacity, bravery or valor -- but rather, thrift. If you're planning on jumping in on the Call of Duty: Black Ops action day one, you can show your militaristic penny-wisdom by pre-ordering the game on Amazon, and saving a whole $5.
Activision playing 'good cop' with Call of Duty: Black Ops pirates
When you have one of the year's most anticipated games, you'll also have people who want to get their hands on it as soon as possible -- at any price or, in some cases, any risk. Such was the case with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 last year, and it's happening this year with Call of Duty: Black Ops, which is already making the rounds in bootlegged form. Contrary to its approach to Modern Warfare 2's piracy, which was to seek arrests for anyone found selling illegal copies of the game, Activision is simply asking Black Ops pirates to cut it out, and quite politely it seems. VentureBeat has posted the story of one bootleg buyer who has uploaded a series of videos detailing being tracked down by the publisher's private investigators, IP Cybercrime, on YouTube. According to the article, rather than report individuals such as him to the police, IP the firm is requesting that they "stop selling and to tell them where they got their wares," adding that "Most of the pirates were scared, surrendered their game copies and cooperated." That's not to say the investigators aren't willing to employ more serious methods in dealing with people who don't give in to the "good cop" approach. "One young pirate was being a 'wise ass' and adamantly refused to cooperate," VentureBeat reported. "So the investigators called his mother."
Call of Duty: Black Ops' Steamworks support, specs announced
Though it was sort of announced by Treyarch in a post on the Call of Duty forums, Valve has now officially confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops will use Valve's Steamworks for auto-updating and achievements. It'll also use the Steam Cloud for storage of profile and configuration settings. The game is available for pre-order now on Steam. If you're wondering whether your computer will even allow you to play it, Treyarch also announced the minimum specs. You've got 12GB free, right?
Beep beep, who got the keys to the Black Ops Jeep? Vroom!
The $33,500 four-door Jeep Wrangler "Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition" comes standard with "aggressive" 32-inch tires, "unique" military style and Call of Duty "graphics." Now, just imagine what happens when you add a "heart-pounding" soundtrack to that.
G4 fires off a pair of Call of Duty: Black Ops clips
G4 has a couple of Call of Duty: Black Ops videos showing off the single-player Kowloon level and the welcoming multiplayer "Jungle" setting -- which we believe, according to intel from one Axl Rose, is where one would find "fun and games." If you got the money, honey.
PDP introduces headset for Wii's Call of Duty: Black Ops
Yes, you'll be able to play the Wii version of Call of Duty: Black Ops online -- and even use voice chat, if you happen to have the proper equipment. To that end, PDP has announced the $25 "Headbanger Headset." Conveniently, PDP is releasing the headset on November 9, timed with the release of the game. It'll be available in white, or in a "limited edition" Call of Duty: Black Ops version -- meaning: in black with the game's logo printed on it. That way, when someone asks you what you're playing, you can simply point at the side of your head, without the need for more conversation; which is good, because nobody would want to talk to you after that.
New Call of Duty: Black Ops single-player trailer declassified
Activision debuted the latest, single-player campaign focused trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops during Monday Night Football this evening. It's okay if you didn't catch the game -- you can watch the entire thing (the trailer, not the football broadcast) just past the break.
N-Space 'down, but definitely not out,' announces layoffs
Developer N-Space, perhaps best known for the GameCube title Geist, is working on DS versions of both Call of Duty: Black Ops and GoldenEye 007. A company working on high-profile names like those doesn't seem like a likely candidate for financial troubles. That's exactly what CEO Dan O'Leary announced on the developer's blog this weekend, though he declined to offer a significant number. The reason for the layoffs (which left N-space "down, but definitely not out"): a deal with an (unspecified) licensor fell through, and no other publishers were found to help support the company's ongoing projects, which include "7 titles this year (plus an iOS game we'll be announcing next week), 5 of which were approved in September." O'Leary lamented the changing state of the games industry in his message. "Huge budget titles have to sell massive numbers to return a profit and the App Store has disrupted our industry in the same way iTunes changed consumer expectations for music. People that use to buy many games every year now buy a few AAA titles, supplementing their need with games that are free or cost less than a pack of gum. Anything in the 'middle' is struggling." That "middle" includes the Wii and DS, where N-Space releases the majority of its products. The 3DS, he said, is "a brave new world the publishers are excited about but also very cautious to enter."
Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign trailer to debut during Vikings vs Jets games
Monday Night Football fans will be the first to see Activision's brand new trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops, featuring footage of the game's single player campaign. To tease the trailer airing on ESPN next week, Activision has created a teaser trailer of the trailer, teasing you to watch a longer version of the trailer you just watched.
GameStop announces Call of Duty: Black Ops contest, reveals higher pre-order total than MW2
In an announcement about GameStop's new Call of Duty: Black Ops "Surprize Attack" contest, which will give items like "Fighter Pilot Experiences," ghillie suits, and Jeeps to lucky customers who don't mind the novelty spelling of "surprise," GameStop merchandising SVP Bob McKenzie revealed a surprising statistic about the prospects for Treyarch's upcoming game. "GameStop is tracking to all-time, record reservations on Call of Duty: Black Ops," McKenzie said. "We are ahead of where we were with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 last year, which previously set the industry standard." The fact that more people have pre-ordered Black Ops at GameStop suggests more pre-orders for the game in general than its predecessor -- and let's not forget, that one came with night vision goggles! As for the contest, find out more about how to enter, and get the smartphone app connected to the promotion here; find the list of prizes after the break.
Call of Duty: Black Ops adds 3D to its list of features on PC / PS3 / Xbox 360
3D gaming has been around on the PC for a while, and has become more prevalent on recent and upcoming releases for the PlayStation 3 since it's system update and Sony's overall 3D push, but now Call of Duty:Black Ops is adding to those lists and the significantly shorter list of 3D games for the Xbox 360. Our friends at Joystiq were among the outlets that got a chance to go hands on with the Xbox 360 version, which joins other 3D titles like last year's Avatar game and the upcoming Crysis from EA on the system, so check them out for first hand impressions. As far as the technical specs, 3D is only for HDMI-equipped Xbox 360s, and Activision's 3D FAQ points out that using the dashboard in 3D won't work properly since it hasn't been updated for that yet. Curiously, the Xbox 360 version uses side-by-side compressed frames for its 3D while the PS3 version is top-bottom like ESPN 3D. So far developer Treyarch hasn't shown off any other 3D editions so we'll have to wait until release to see if there's any noticeable difference but the only thing that's certain when it comes to Call of Duty is seeing Editor Emeritus Ryan Block stalking the Team Hardcore rooms round the clock.
Call of Duty: Black Ops will block party chat in some (but fewer) modes
Xbox Live socialistas were upset by Modern Warfare 2's policy of prohibiting players from taking part in certain online multiplayer modes while in a Live Party. In a recent interview with Videogamer.com, Treyarch's online director Dan Hunting explained that this policy returns in Call of Duty: Black Ops, reminding players that "we have that same restriction in certain playlists where they can use party chat to exploit the game mode." The hardcore Search and Destroy gametype is used as an example of where this would be appropriate. However, the restriction won't be applied to as many playlists as it was in last year's Duty, including Team Deathmatch and "any game mode where it doesn't make sense to have it." So, yes, certain game modes will still require you to converse with the hoi polloi, but isn't that part of the magic of online shooters?
Call of Duty: Black Ops preview (now in 3D!)
Call of Duty: Black Ops has joined the ever-growing list of 3D-enabled games, even though the required hardware remains prohibitively expensive to most. Unlike Sony's crop of flagship 3D titles, this isn't exclusive to any system. Activision recently demonstrated its high-profile first-person shooter running on Xbox 360 (it'll also be available on PS3 and PC), reminding us that 3D is a feature most HDMI-equipped systems can handle. (Previous 3D games for Xbox 360 include Invincible Tiger and Avatar.) The experience was not unlike any other 3D game I've seen or played before. Because 3D demands individual images for your left and right eye, the scene must be rendered twice, requiring developers to come up with ways of shrinking what would otherwise be a doubled footprint on the system. As with Killzone 3 and Motorstorm Apocalypse, there's a noticeable drop in the fidelity of the image. With 3D enabled, Black Ops appears fuzzier than normal, producing an image akin to what you'd experience in a split-screen game. While the image may not be as detailed or sharp, Black Ops' selling points still remain in 3D: its fluid animation and focused art direction aren't lost in the translation. As with movies that take advantage of the feature well, the 3D effect isn't overstated here. More subtle examples of the technique -- a thin cloud of smoke that permeates the air, and the way your sniper barrel comes out of the foreground -- helped "sell" the experience. I was mesmerized by the HUD and subtitles (which also appear in 3D). But the highlight of the demo had to be a level that places you in the cockpit of a low-orbit plane. From that perspective, the dashboard, buttons and switches looked especially realistic.%Gallery-104225%
Shopping in the Call of Duty: Black Ops market
Where will your "currency" go in Call of Duty: Black Ops? In this new video, Treyarch staff walk us through the customization options available within multiplayer, including elements like kill streaks and more ... cosmetic choices. We're blowing all of our cash on new reticles! ... No idea why.
Call of Duty: Black Ops reveals entire list of Achievements / Trophies
Hot off yesterday's big Zombie reveal, today Treyarch has given 1UP the entire list of Achievements / Trophies for Call of Duty: Black Ops. Spoilers, minor though they may be, abound in the list we've dropped after the break -- you've been warned.
Call of Duty: Black Ops getting 'brand new zombie experiences'
Treyarch has finally decided to unveil "one of the most anticipated features and worst kept secrets" in Call of Duty: Black Ops -- Zombies. "Zombies have been such a hit with our community that we were committed to bringing brand new zombie experiences to Call of Duty: Black Ops," studio head Mark Lamia said. The mode will once again pit four co-op partners against wave after wave of encroaching undead, joining the new "Combat Training" mode which features up to six person co-op against enemy AI. Four of the zombie-based maps from Call of Duty: World at War are being remade for Black Ops and will be packed in with the Prestige and Hardened editions of the game. The release doesn't detail how many maps the mode will be getting in total, or how much the aforementioned remakes will cost folks who don't purchase the Prestige or Hardened editions, but we've reached out to Activision for clarification.
