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More Nazis to kill in Call of Duty
World War II shooters are like cockroaches. You see one, but there's another one (or two) lurking somewhere not too far behind it. Call of Duty: Roads to Victory is sure to satiate WWII afficiandos, once they're done with Medal of Honor Heroes. IGN has some new images from the game. Is it me, or does this game look worse than Medal of Honors graphically?Roads to Victory will also feature multiplayer of some sort, but will it be able to compete against EA's terrific offering? We'll find out more later; the game's not due until spring 2007 anyways.
Be Called to Duty on Nov. 10th
Call of Duty fans mark your calendars, Call of Duty 3 has been dated. CVG lists the 360 version for November 10th, well before any other version (the PS3 version is set for March 07). Curiously absent from Activision's announcement is the date for the Xbox version. CVG speculates that this could mean the Xbox version has been canceled. It seems doubtful, but COD2 is the 360's first million seller. Maybe Activision and Mircrosoft are hoping COD3 will drive sales of the 360. Regardless, 360 owners will be the first to play. We can't help but note that it's going to be impossible to sample all the 360 goodness this holiday. Gears of War, Phantasy Star, Splinter Cell, Viva Piñata, R6 Vegas, the list just keeps going. Who's planning on squeezing Call of Duty 3 in there?[Via Evil Avatar]
Call of Duty 2, other Activision games on Steam
Just after our keyboards cooled from typing the Psychonauts-on-Steam story, we learned that four Activision titles -- Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty: United Offensive, and Gun -- are on the way to Valve's game download service. Oh, we'll play your game, Activision/Valve PR, and give you another post now. But you're on thin ice.Despite the PR play, we're interested in a big publisher putting somewhat-recent, top-tier games on Steam. We're not convinced that all games will shift to download-only sales -- brick-and-mortar is still magical to us -- but we expect most games to be offered as a physical/virtual choice. (And we don't think downloading in a physical store is the answer.)However, we expect to save money downloading a game, and these releases will cost about the same as the ones with glossy boxes and printed manuals. Where's the value? We never have to leave home? Call of Duty 2 will be $39.95, and all of the others will cost $19.95. All four will be 10%-off for their initial two weeks, but Valve couldn't tell us the exact launch schedule other than that it will happen this month. Maybe the company is saving the date for another press release.See also:Psychonauts and Valve make steamy, Steam-y loveRoboBlitz hitting SteamEB-Gamestop launches download service, "largely garbage" declares 1UP
New Call of Duty 3 screens
The Call of Duty series has been praised for intense cinematics, great multiplayer modes and more. Call of Duty 3, unlike other installments, allows players to fight for four different sides (America, Britain, Canada and Poland) through the Normandy Breakout. If you slept through history class like we did, educate yourself here. Call of Duty 3 is promising a lot to players with interviews from actual soldiers to no loading bar when switching sides. Unfortunately there won't be an online mode for Wii players but we don't care do we? While those suckers are using analog sticks to turn, aim and throw grenades, we get to use our arms like big girls and boys. Check out a few new screens after the break!
Wii CoD3 compared and contrasted
According to our patrons at Joystiq, who never let us in on any of their fun, the Wii's Call of Duty 3 may not boast the power of its rivals on the PS3 and 360, but it brings something far more important to the table: fun. Yes, an actual fun video game! Try not to wet yourself with glee. Joystiq's Kevin Kelly got to spend some time with all three, and has written up a great comparison of what each version can offer.Unlike the last minute twists and turns on the PS3 controller, the "Battle Actions" performed with the Wiimote and nunchuk feel natural, Kelly reports. It pulls you into the game. Does that mean we're all going to look like the guys in the various Red Steel trailers? Probably. Draw the shades and drop the blinds before you pick up the Wiimote. But while the Wii is kicking eight sorts of ass in the controls department, it's not all sunshine and roses. The Call of Duty franchise really benefits from online multiplayer, which is a feature we will not have. And the graphics are not quite up to the quality of the other consoles, though from the screenshot above, we're not seeing much to complain about.
Arabic product placement in COD2
Is there anything more symbolic of our age than gunning down foreign peoples under the banner of the homeland's favorite carbonated beverage? Not in Call of Duty 2. Reader Rick sent in this in-game shot from COD2 and an inset picture of an Arabic Coca-Cola can. Points for authenticity and multi-lingual product placement. Enjoy.
Sierra and Spark Unlimited team up
Spark Unlimited acquired an agreement from Sierra Entertainment to cooperate on a next-gen action title to be released in 2007. Spark Unlimited, who is known mostly for their first person shooters (Call of Duty: Finest Hour), will continue this trend on next-gen consoles. They seemed fine on their own -- why take Sierra (a piece of Vivendi Games) and do a partnership for a game? Maybe the setting isn't World War 2 and that boggles some of the developer's minds over at Spark Unlimited. Maybe they wanted something like F.E.A.R. but were afraid of getting a copyright suit? Seems to be a hot ticket these days. Other than the fact they've buddied up and are making an action game in a modern setting, not much news about the game. Until more details pop up, let's hope the two can make a fun experience.
Activision hires Goldsmith for CoD3
Activision has hired Emmy nominated composer Joel Goldsmith, son of the late great Jerry Goldsmith, to score the upcoming Call of Duty 3. Anbody who listened to Major Nelson's interview with Xbox audio expert Scott Selfron got a fresh reminder about the importance of music in games. Hopefully, picking up some name talent for CoD3 will add to that "cinematic experience" developers are always talking about.
CoD3 gameplay footage rolls
My Mom is always asking me why all video games have to be about war. She should be asking why all war games have to be about World War II. Here's two minutes of gameplay with the Greatest Generation courtesy of Call of Duty 3.
Next Call of Duty answered, previewed
If the mention of World War II still compels you to go about shooting things (typically Nazis) from a first-person perspective, you'd best check out 1Up's weeklong feature that promises to detail every pixel, polygon and private that constitutes the upcoming Call of Duty 3. Taking over from Infinity Ward, developer Treyarch is keen on capitalizing on next-gen technology and the creative freedoms it provides -- with any luck, that means we'll actually be able to open doors in this one. Oh well, we suppose loads of on-screen enemies and trampled blades of grass are just as useful.The screenshots and video provided are enough to convince us of the game's technical gravitas, but we're quite interested in the Wii version and how it looks to take advantage of the unique control system. A small blurb in the first part of the preview suggests how, while at the same time suggesting that the other two versions of the game are the main focus here. "The Wii version, in development outside Treyarch, shows some potential to bring the player into the game during the Battle Actions in a way the PS3 and 360 won't be able to. Actually wrestling with a German for his gun or actually disarming that explosive are things only the Wii will let you do this gen."Battle actions are Call of Duty's answer to Shenmue's Quick Timer Events. At certain points during the game, you're required to press certain buttons in order to escape a cinematic struggle or situation. Failure is likely to result in far more unpleasantness than getting smacked in the head by some Japanese kid's soccerball. These sound particularly intriguing if done correctly for the Wii and should make up for some of its inevitable graphical shortcomings. Even then, we have to wonder how long it'll take before we grow tired of crawling through trenches and taking out tanks. Is World War II the new Hoth?[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
New CoD2 Map Pack fails to answer Prey-ers
It's interesting that the new 800 MS Point Call of Duty 2 Map Pack isn't generating the same angry response as the GRAW expansion, despite the fact it could have easily been combined with the map pack from a couple weeks ago. Maybe it's because the complainers are too busy placing irrational blame on Major Nelson for the missing Prey demo. As the conspiracy theory goes, the machiavellian Major nixed Prey because he wanted to keep the focus on paid content over the Holiday Weekend. It's just nutty enough to make perfect sense, but you'd think they could work a Halliburton angle in there.
Wii Call of Duty 3 readies for frontline
Digitalbattle.com has posted a magazine scan of two images of Call of Duty 3 for Wii. 'Impressive' is the early (fanboy) consensus, as these still shots convey the look of a highly polished Xbox -- not Xbox 360 -- game. Of course, as the magazine notes, Wii COD3 "won't look as snazzy as it does on ... Xbox 360 and PS3."To make up for the Wii version's shortcomings, Treyarch is working hard to implement the Wiimote's accelerometer and position-pointing technology. A fair trade? You decide: when it comes to a WWII epic, would you prefer pointin'-n-clickin' through dated scenery or storming those 'drop-dead' gorgeous beaches with the ol' gamepad?[Thanks, Tom]
Call of Duty 3 announced; leak confirmed [update 1]
Call of Duty 3's just been confirmed, and it looks like we were right on the money with our early leak of the WWII-related game.Back in early March, we printed the following information (and a whole lot more) on the focus of an upcoming sequel: "'CoD 3' ... is being produced by Big Red One dev Treyarch. ... The next Call of Duty World War II-based title will return gamers to the battlefields of Normandy as the Allies take on Nazi Germany to drive them out of France once and for all. This time around, American and British forces are joined by Canadian troops, Polish tanks, and French freedom fighters in a reenactment of the bloody Normandy Breakout campaign spearheaded during the summer of 1944. In the push to Paris, you'll get to choose how you approach each mission, free of menu screens and jarring non-interactive cut-scenes."Here's what IGN quoted from Activision for the announcement yesterday: "Through the eyes of four Allied soldiers, Call of Duty 3 brings players closer to the fury of combat as they fight through the Normandy Breakout, the harrowing offensive that liberated Paris and changed the fate of the world. Developed by Treyarch, Call of Duty 3 is the follow up to the #1 next-generation game and is scheduled for a 2006 release." Fingering the developer and the setting? Not too shabby -- while Joystiq pats itself on the back.Check out the IGN trailer below for a first-person look somewhat reminiscent of the FPS sequence in the Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer from TGS. At the end of the "official E3 teaser" trailer, a number of platforms are listed, with the major manufacturers (including a small "Nintendo Revolution" in text) and publisher/developer combo listed. We suspect that versions for the PC and possibly the current-gen consoles will be covered with ports as well. Now all we have to do is wait for the word on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. (Infinity Ward, we're looking at you!) More info obviously hitting at E3.[Thanks, icemorebutts, jason, & Hiro Protagonist][Update 1: Had to fix a verb. Thanks, Hiro Protagonist, John Q, & Jiiiiihad!]See also: Official E3 teaser trailer for Call of Duty 3 Next Call of Duty leaked: Modern Warfare tackles terrorists Rumor: Call of Duty joining the Revolution Kojima interacts in real-time with MGS4 trailer at TGS
Gamers: Call of Duty 2 available for pre-order
Attention, Mac gamers. Aspyr has made Call of Duty 2 available for pre-order. Featuring all new scenarios, enemies, improved AI and what Aspyr is calling the "...cinematic intensity and chaos of battle" (now doesn't that sound like fun?), Call of Duty 2 should be a worthy sequel to the game many called "Game of the Year." While final system requirements are yet to be announced, you can pre-order your copy via Amazon here. I'm not one for first person shooters, but that's just me.
Rumor: Call of Duty joining the Revolution
A GotNext "spy pirate" has learned that Call of Duty will be making a stop on the Nintendo Revolution.If it's true that the unnamed next-gen iteration of the series will be "a launch or 'launch window' title," then CoD should be the first third-party FPS to use the Revmote.Exakt Entertainment will reportedly handle the Revolution edition for Nintendo, which would make sense as they ported Call of Duty: Finest Hour for the GameCube. Rumors of launch titles should be fallin' aplenty in the weeks leading up to E3, so keep your eyes and ears open, people. Also beware of premature April Fools' Day pranks. ("Spy pirate"?)[Thanks, Freddy Q; via 1UP]See also: Next Call of Duty leaked: Modern Warfare tackles terrorists Leaked: Call of Duty 2 for the Mac Call of Duty 2 multiplayer finally patched Joystiq hands-on: Call of Duty 2 (Xbox 360)
