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Nega-review: Call of Duty 4
While Modern Warfare finally brings the Call of Duty series into the present day, "the story itself ... isn't exactly cutting edge." (2) "The story unfolds from an unapologetic 'us versus them, and they are wrong' perspective, with little time spent on the larger philosophy of war." (4) "The story fails to provide many twists. There's not much of a guessing game taking place here." (3) "The story flies by so fast," (1) but at the same time, "there are a few too many shell-shocked slow-mo moments that seem to drag." (2) There are "no massive renovations in the AI department. ... they're pretty much the clever-clogs Nazis we've shot before." (9) "The enemies aren't the smartest lot, as they are formidable thanks more to their numbers than their IQ." (3) "There are going to be moments when enemies get stuck in dumb routines or stand in the open waiting to be mowed down." (2) "However, some of them have definitely missed their calling as an NFL quarterback -- tossing grenades 100 yards, dropping them right at your feet time and again." (3)Your squad mates are no better. "It is a little annoying when you figure out that your highly trained and specialized team is totally dependant on you in every situation." (8) "There were several moments when it would've helped for my friends to be a little more proactive. Once, when we were flanked by enemies from both sides, Captain Price just sat there, kneeling, waiting for me to make a miracle happen. If he would have popped a few shots at one of the guys so that I could go after the other, that would have helped a lot--not to mention make the game more realistic." (1)
Revolutionary: Answering the Call
Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities. Metroid Prime 3 has proven indeed that a Wii Remote and Nunchuk is the next best thing to a keyboard and mouse for first person shooting and action. Although we have few FPS titles being developed and released on the Wii (relative to party games and family-friendly content, or the main attraction of a certain other platform), the genre is among the most popular in the scripting community. This is naturally so with FPS being a favored genre among hardcore PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts. With the recent release of the demo version of Call of Duty 4 and its imminent final release, I felt it was time to pick up arms and serve you a script for this spectacular shooter.
Video tours of Modern Combat
GameSpot uploaded a pair of new videos for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and we must say our salivation for the title gets more abundant and disgusting by the minute. In fact, we can't wear a shirt for more than a few minutes before drenching it in our own nasty mouth juices. Actually, we should probably stop talking about spit.So, head past the break and check out another video.
Joystiq hands-on: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (DS)
The PC-and-console version of Call of Duty 4 rocks as much as expected. But at a recent hands-on session, the DS take also impressed. The 3D graphics look surprisingly good; after a few minutes of settling in, I stopped scrutinizing textures and focused on the gameplay. And that gameplay carries the title.COD4 switches between FPS sequences, helicopter-gunner modes, bomb-disarming moments, and AC-130 gunship sections. The DS version feels full of care and craft, from thought put into controls, to the segmented sessions that play well on a handheld.%Gallery-8364%
Joystiq hands-on: Call of Duty 4 single-player (360, PC, PS3)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, literally rocks with action. In an early stage, a freight ship that you siege pitches and rolls, like a giant movie set-piece. While playing a close-to-shipping version of the title, I felt like the action game used these special-effect focal points to drive its frenzied pace and huge scope.Because of the "modern" setting, I had assumed I'd be plodding slowly with a squad of soldiers, tactically (and tactfully) knocking on doors to root out bad guys. And while there are sometimes AI-teammate elements, I never felt like I had to slow down and proceed with caution. Instead, I often had to speed up and dive for cover; depending on the situation, snipers, RPGs, and essentially armies of enemies are firing at you at the same time.%Gallery-3922%
Headline = Call of Duty 4 + Collector's Edition - PS3
In what has become a fairly formulaic move for high-profile titles, Activision has announced that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will deploy on November 5th in both standard and suspiciously shiny collector's editions -- at least it will on the Xbox 360 and PC. Curiously, the PlayStation 3 has been snubbed from the proceedings, left in the cold with just one of this year's most anticipated games. Is Activision trying to say Sony's system doesn't have enough... collectors? Should you own one of the more fortunate platforms, parting with an extra ten dollars will net you a hardcover art book, which we're told features never-before-seen concept, development and final in-game artwork. In addition, the PC version ($60) will provide access to a digital strategy guide while the Xbox 360 package ($70) will house a bonus DVD filled with interviews and other making-of mutterings. Expect those to mention the word "visceral" a lot.%Gallery-7382%
COD4 dev becomes most popular gamertag
Move over Major Nelson, thy reign has come to an end. According to Xbox.com, the most popular gamertag honor has been transferred to fourzerotwo, a lowly developer working on a little-known-game entitled Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. How did this underdog best the Voice of Microsoft's console? We expect a full-on popularity assault by The Major (real name Larry Hyrb). This fight isn't over, you can bet your gamerscore on it.
Call of Duty 4 beta enlists clan support
Moving past account shenanigans, developer Infinity Ward today raised the Rank level cap in the Call of Duty 4 beta to 16. Additionally, at level 12 the option for clan tags becomes available, so that your comrades know just who you are really fighting for.The e-mail sent out to beta players by Infinity Ward also said that this is the "first of several level increases" in the Rank level. We suspect the next level cap increase will give us the option to wear matching frilly costumes onto the battlefield.%Gallery-3922%
Rumor: Xbox Live users barred for using CoD4 exploit [update]
Citing an "internal Microsoft source," Xbox-Scene reports that 23,000 eager Xbox Live users have been banned from the service for 24 hours following the use of a Call of Duty 4 beta exploit. It seems some of the 100,000 valid participants in the online warfare trial were able to sign in with their accounts on a different system (likely belonging to a friend, colleague or mistress) and download the beta again. The second console would then be able to partake in the beta, even when using an alternate gamertag.The source claims that Microsoft has since resolved the issue and temporarily booted those who answered the Call of Duty, even when it didn't ask for them specifically. Though the goal of a beta is to test networking and gameplay amongst a large number of players, allowing thousands of uninvited guests would likely have a deleterious effect on a controlled environment. The remarkably worthless advice we have to offer those who just can't wait to join the World War Now fray is to, well, wait. But just until November 5th.Update: Major Nelson says Microsoft didn't ban any users, but notes that partaking in beta account shenanigans "could very well" violate Xbox Live's terms of service and result in a ban.
Infinity Ward on Call of Duty 4 and shaky relations with Sony
Next Generation got ahold of Infinity Ward president Grant Collier to talk about their upcoming release, Call of Duty 4. Some topics of discussion include an emphasis on fully fleshing out the multiplayer experience, the change of scenery from WWII to modern times, and the reworking of the flow of the game. But loyal CoD fans need not worry that the changes to the franchise have left the hardcore behind. Collier reassures that "for us it's all about opening doors and we're not taking anything away, we're just adding".However, the Infinity Ward president does admit that opening doors to the Sony's inner workings has been a bit tougher. While Collier can claim a close relationship with the people at Microsoft, he cannot say the same about Sony. "I would really like to have that level of relationship with Sony. We're really pushing for that and it's a personal goal of mine to get there but I think there's very few companies that have that level of relationship with Sony. After we come out with CoD4 I hope that we'll be one of them"Finally, when asked whether he was worried about competition from other first-person shooters, Collier welcomes the challenge. He also notes that because of the November 5th release date, "on PS3 we're number one"
CoD4 vid gives us high hopes
Upon hearing of its impending arrival on the DS, we were worried that Call of Duty 4 wouldn't provide a fun play on the handheld. The latest screens and video for the game have helped us grab our foot and firmly place it into our mouth, however. Seriously, it looks like one great time.While we'd like to embed the video for you, we can't. So you'll have to hit up Vooks for the footage.
COD4 beta: no more first come, first serve
The Community manager for Infinity Ward, known by the masses as fourzerotwo, has posted an update on his blog concerning the complete hysteria surrounding the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta. It seems that Infinity Ward was promised by the company that maintains their web servers that the site would not crash again as it has so often has during the beta sign up process. Obviously, the repeated crashes deprived many gamers of their chance to get in on the beta, so Infinity Ward is doing something about it.So, here's the upshot of all this: Infinity Ward is doing away with first come, first serve registration. As soon as the beta site goes live again, they will be implementing open registration for 24 hours. The exact method in which this will be done hasn't been specified yet, but fourzerotwo assures us that everyone will have an equal chance to register for the beta when all is said and done. Keep an eye on fourzerotwo's blog for updates.[Thanks, Josh]
Call of Duty 4 ready for action on November 5th
According to Joystiq, Activision has announced a simultaneous worldwide release for Call of Duty 4 on all platforms (PS3, 360, PC). The highly anticipated shooter from Infinity Ward will be released into the wild on November 5th, just before the start of the insane holiday release rush.The developers of CoD4 recently confirmed that the PlayStation 3 version runs just as nicely as the other versions, at 60FPS with full anti-aliasing -- something sure to appease fans who have been burnt by certain half-assed ports. Unfortunately, we don't get to participate in the multiplayer beta, but at least we know we're getting a solid version of the game. Now if they would just teach EA a thing or two about programming on the PS3 ...
Call of Duty 4 drops November 5
Activision has announced that Call of Duty 4, the highly anticipated FPS from Infinity Ward, will be hitting retails shelves this November. To be specific, the game will be landing on the 5th of November. Forsaking the franchise's World War II past, COD4 brings the series into modern times, hence the subtitle, Modern Warfare. If, by chance, you can't stand the thought of waiting until November to get in on the modernized fragfest, you might consider signing up for the multiplayer beta lottery that's going on right now.In the meantime, um, just be sure that you "remember, remember the 5th of November."(Sorry.)[Via Joystiq]
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare deploys worldwide Nov. 5
Activision has officially announced that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be launching a worldwide attack aimed at wallets and societal productivity on November 5th. Waving goodbye to the digital dregs of World War II, developer Infinity Ward has moved its first-person shooting into more topical climes. Yes, topical. You'll be wanting that guy in the special suit if you fancy tropical environments.No, not that guy in the special suit. The other guy, you know? Actually, that's a woman. The other other guy then. No! There's no crowbars or time traveling. It's not him either! For god's sake, we meant Crysis! How many first-person shooters featuring characters in cybersuits could there possibly be this holiday?(Note: Call of Duty 4 does not feature cybersuits of any kind. Probably.)%Gallery-3922%
Call of Duty 4 beta registration starts today
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is about to start its public beta test on Xbox Live, an engagement that has Xbox 360 owners volunteering their gamertags and repeatedly running into a hail of online bullets for the sake of research. According to an Infinity Ward posting on the official forum (registration required), information on the sign-up process will be posted on the Charlie Oscar Delta site today at 5PM PST. The message notes that the program will roll out in several waves -- the first to be drafted could be playing the World War Now shooter as early as tonight. Read our impressions of the game's multiplayer aspects if you're not convinced this CoD is worth reeling in.[Via X3F]%Gallery-3922%
Register for the COD4 beta today, play tonight
We said Call of Duty 4 beta details would be coming soon, but we didn't realize it would be this soon. In a late night forum post by Jason West, Studio Head of Infinity Ward, it was announced that early sign up for the beta will begin today at 5PM PT. For those of you keeping score, that's about six hours from now. Furthermore, the post announces that those who make it into the early sign up could be playing as early as tonight. You know, tonight, as in this evening. Finally, the post announces that the beta will be rolled out in waves, with more people being added over time. So, if you don't make it in today, hold tight, as more players will be added every day.Keep your eye on CharlieOscarDelta.com for details.[Thanks to mark.j.smith and SadistiK Roth for pointing this out]
COD4 beta listing clarified, coming "soon"
A listing on the Xbox Live Marketplace ticker for the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta set the internetz on fire earlier today. The listing, you see, has the date "8/17" tattooed onto it very clearly. The folks at 2old2play caught up with a representative from Activision to get the whole mess cleared up. The rep stated that while there is no official release date at this time, the beta will be happening "soon" and that we should expect "more information shortly."We'd like to point out that the content on the ticker generally seems to correspond with the day it actually hits Marketplace, so we're wondering just how "soon" the beta really is. After all, we know it's being played right now. All we're really waiting for at this point is for Activision and Infinity Ward to start handing out beta codes to participants. For those of you eagerly waiting for more, you'd best keep your browser pointed at CharlieOscarDelta.com.[Thanks, Derrick Schommer]
Xbox.com lists COD4 beta for today, already being played
[Update: Activision has now given an official response about the COD4 beta release date. Click here for more details.]If you've been hankering for you shot at the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta, your wait may be at an end. First of all, the beta has been spotted on the official Xbox Live Maretplace ticker. What's more, the listing declares that the beta is due to come out today. If you prefer a little more proof than an Xbox.com listing (and we wouldn't blame you if you do), Robert Bowling (GT: fourzerotwo), a community manager for Infinity Ward, was playing the beta at the time of this posting. We haven't received any sort of notification from CharlieOscarDelta.com, so we're assuming the beta hasn't started just yet. Still, if Infinity Ward is on Live testing the beta, it can't be too long, can it? Check out a screen cap of Bowling's gamercard after the break.
Call of Duty 4 on the PS3 runs at 60FPS with full AA
On the official Call of Duty 4 message boards, one of the developers behind the sexy looking FPS has recently shot-down the rumor that COD4 on the PS3 would run at a sad Madden-like 30FPS with little to no anti-aliasing, versus the 360 version which has already been confirmed to run at 60FPS with AA.According to the dev, "Same level of AA between 360/PS3, both @ 60fps. Hate on the PS3 all you want guys, but we've done did it up right for the Sony lovers. Nothing has been 360 footage yet touted as PS3, you crack-heads! I'm not sure whats up with what you guys might have seen at E3, but we do have AA on the PS3."It's awesome to see Infinity Ward pulling out all the stops and not picking the lazy way out like EA did with their sports games. Plus, they mention that the PS3 will be getting some special COD4 flavored love and that we'll hear about it soon. Hopefully it's something more than lame Sixaxis support, but at this point PS3 fans would be happy just to get a freaking demo or something ...[Via N4G]
