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Call of Duty 4 overtakes Halo 3 again, tops Xbox Live Activity
Master Chief is yet again on the bottom position of the proverbial seesaw as Call of Duty 4 reclaims the top spot on the Xbox Live Activity list. The game initially overtook Halo 3 two weeks ago, before the Bungie shooter saw a resurgence in Gravity Hammer usage last week.Usual contenders Gears of War, Rock Band and Guitar Hero III rounded out the top five. Two demos -- Devil May Cry 4 and Turok -- claimed the sixth and eighth spots, respectively. Will Halo 3 yet again heed the call and try to overthrow its duty-bound nemesis? We're expecting an enormous rise in Bomberman Live to settle this feud once and for all.
With M-16 in hand, CoD4 regains Xbox Live crown
The gloves have officially come off as we declare the start of round number three ... FIGHT!According to Major Nelson's list of most played Xbox Live games, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has again (for the second time) taken the Live crown and bumped a very stubborn Halo 3 to the second slot. Juicy good! Not two weeks ago, CoD4 was crowned the most played Xbox Live game of the week, but then last week Halo 3 shifted from second to first. Now, this week, we see another hard fought switcheroo. Again, we welcome you to voice your ever important opinion on this Halo 3 versus CoD4 Xbox Live war in the comments section below. Be civil and be 100% fanboy.
Zero Punctuation hears the Call of Duty
The Call of Duty 4 fans demanded it and this week Zero Punctuation finally reviews one of the best games of 2007. Yahtzee isn't keen on Americans or patriotic "gun wank" games, so it probably speaks to CoD4's amazing design that he actually seemed to care during that scene (watch the review if you want the spoiler). Take heart CoD4 fanboys, Yahtzee seemed to enjoy his time in nameless-sandy-country. The experience didn't bring him Portal levels of elation, but he did enjoy it enough that he forgot to eat dinner.After the break is where you'll find this week's NSFW review of CoD4.
Yahtzee showers praise on Call of Duty 4
As a general rule of thumb, it's usually a bad thing when Zero Punctuation reviews a game you like. The reason for this is quite simple: chances are that Yahtzee (ZP's fast talking, wisecracking host) is going to tear your favorite game a new one. If you happen to be a fan of Call of Duty 4, your wait is over. Call of Duty fans should have no fear, however, because Yahtzee has nary a bad thing to say about it all. As a matter of fact, he apparently loves it. We're currently fortifying the walls of Fanboy Towers for the oncoming flame war. You see, Yahtzee wasn't quite so kind to Halo 3. You may watch the extremely not safe for work review of Call of Duty 4 after the break.
Infinity Ward talks CoD4 multiplayer balancing
Our good friend Tyler over at Gearheads of War got a chance to corner (literally corner) Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling to discuss everything Call of Duty 4 (yes, Gearheads can like CoD4 too). Among the topics brought up in the interview were Infinity Ward's development concerns with weapon balancing, perk implementation, how to best balance the upgrade system and they talk about CoD4's upcoming Spring DLC as well. Lead Gearhead Tyler even "goes there" with Mr. Bowling, asking tough questions including why the three grenade perk can only be earned so late in the ranking cycle, why the M-16 seems so damn overpowered and if (looking back) Infinity Ward is satisfied with keeping all the achievements focused on the single player campaign. And, for the record, they are still happy with that decision. Make your way over to Gearheads of War to read the complete interview, get CoD4 learned and see if Infinity Ward backs down from a Gearheads issued CoD4 Friday FragFest challenge. Jump already!
Yahtzee really quite likes Call of Duty 4
It's been months since Yahtzee riffed on a PS3 game but today he's given his special attention to PS3 Fanboy's GOTY 2007, Call of Duty 4. Fittingly he seems to quite like it, though he doesn't quite place it among the high echelons of the likes of Portal - and rightly so. As usual his review is dead on.If you're new to the world of Zero Punctuation and enjoy the above video, then make sure you check out all of his other reviews. We've been watching since he first criticised the Heavenly Sword(s) demo way back in the mists of 2007. Please Yahtzee, if you're reading this, review more PS3 games!
New Call of Duty 4 maps 'on the way'
At last, after more than three years of clumsy existence and thousands upon thousands of tiresome, incompetent instances of waffling, we've managed to condense an entire news story into a remarkably efficient headline. It's quite miraculous, really, and it likely signals our arrival at the pinnacle of our blogging prowess. No longer will hasty readers have to suffer through pompous opening paragraphs and interminable tangents before laying eyes on the actual news!So anyway, Activision has announced that new downloadable multiplayer maps for its smash-success shooter, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, are "on the way" to the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network. Questions regarding release date, price and quantity went unanswered by the publisher, thus leaving the headline as the only useful sentence in this entire post.
Call of Duty 4 to get downloadable maps
What do you do when you make a Game of the Year-winning title? You make more of it. Call of Duty 4 is getting DLC later this Spring, adding brand new maps for the popular online shooter.According to the press release, "We've demonstrated our commitment to delivering the best multiplayer experience in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and that continues with our plans for new downloadable content," explains Infinity Ward's Community Manager, Robert Bowling. "We're excited about the new maps, and the added gameplay variety, and we can't wait to wrap things up and get online with everyone."Considering CoD4 is the best selling game of last year, we're pretty sure the fine folks at Activision are going to have to build another pool of money to swim in once the DLC gets released.
New Call of Duty 4 DLC to release this Spring
Just arriving in our press release inbox is news from Activision that they're planning on releasing their first ever Call of Duty 4 downloadable content this Spring. The new DLC will usher in a few new multiplayer maps to the CoD4 gaming community via download off the XBLM, but other than that, mum is the word. Neither Activision or Infinity Ward have detailed how many new multiplayer maps will be released, what the DLC pricing will be or an exact date for the new content's release. But we're sure CoD4 fanboys will be happy with whatever Infinity Ward makes available in the months to come and hell, we have faith in them too. Long live affordable and relevant DLC! W00t!
COD4 email pimps no. 1 Live spot a week late
The Call of Duty 4 versus Halo 3 drama took an interesting turn this week via an email sent out to CharlieOscarDelta.com subscribers yesterday (we got ours this morning). The email proudly proclaims "COD4:MW SOARS TO THE NUMBER ONE SPOT!!!" Obviously, the email is referring to Major Nelson's listing of the top Live games for the week of January 14, in which Call of Duty 4 managed to knock Halo 3 off the number one spot. What's funny is that the same list for the week of January 21, released two days ago, revealed that Halo 3 has once again claimed the top spot. We'd suggest that Activision put a little grease on the PR machine's gears the next time one of their games snags the number one Live spot.[Thanks to everyone that sent this in]
CoD4 loses Xbox Live crown back to Halo 3
And it gets better by the day!Last week came news of Call of Duty 4 thrusting a boot into Master Chief's bum, kicking Halo 3 from the the number one most played game on Xbox Live while at the same time giving Mr. Chief two soar cheeks. Victory was claimed by the CoD4 community and even Activision mentioned CoD4's accomplishment in one of their crazy press releases. But that pissed Chief off.According to numbers just released by Major Nelson, Halo 3 just booted CoD4 from its recently earned number one seat, again becoming the most played Xbox Live game of this past week. Confetti cannons fire! And since last week's commenting wars between the passionate Halo 3 and CoD4 communities was oh so entertaining, feel free to "discuss" Halo 3's Xbox Live victory below. Just be civil or as civil as you can.[Thanks, GhostlyKiller17]
Activision: Call of Duty 4 was best-selling game of 2007
Much like the dim-witted kid you constantly taunted in kindergarten, Activision is having extraordinary difficulty making it past the number "1." Constantly cited in press releases, it appears uno is the only number the publisher cares to count on: #1 US publisher in 2007; a $1 billion dollar franchise in Guitar Hero; and #1 game in last week's Xbox Live Activity. Perhaps you too would be laughing all the way to the bank if you weren't such a mean-spirited brat in your early years.Activision's latest claim to #1 fame is based on sales figures obtained from The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group, which label Infinity Ward's critically acclaimed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as the best-selling game for 2007. The frantic first-person shooter is said to have sold in excess of 7 million units worldwide, a particularly impressive victory considering the game's relatively recent November release. Of course, those keen on the shooting of the aliens will recall that Microsoft claimed an 8.1 million sales 'splosion for Halo 3 earlier this month, bringing the title of "Best-selling Game of 2007 OMG" title into minor dispute. We've contacted both boasters to clarify the figures ... just so we can be sure to stick the air pump into the right ego. Regardless, you'd best take this as a sign to start counting down the months until the inevitable Call of Duty 5 arrives. Let's just hope it's not a #2.
CoD4 claims 2007's worldwide game sales crown [update]
Update: Upon further analysis, we aren't sure what the heck Activision is smoking. Not only did they already claim GHIII to be "the best-selling video game of all time in a single calendar year", but there's also a little game called Halo 3 that sold over 8.1 million copies. Hmm, something stinks over at camp Acti.Earlier this morning, Activision stood high atop their gold pedestal and gloated to the media masses (via the use of a handy press release) that its money making, cash cow Call of Duty 4 was the most purchased video game in 2007. According to Acti and all the sales numbers, CoD4 has sold in excess of seven million copies across all platforms worldwide since its November release. And we believe it. Infinity Ward definitely hit a home run with CoD4 and should be living the good life with all the positive CoD4 news making the media rounds. If we were them, we'd hold out our hands and demand a raise or, at the very least, an in-studio roller coaster.
Call of Duty 4 tops Halo 3 in Xbox Live activity
Well, this is a surprise. Though it seemed like an unstoppable juggernaut of multiplayer dominance, it appears that Halo 3 has been ousted from the top of the Xbox Live activity chart by Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4. The rest of the top 5 for last week was rounded out by Guitar Hero III, Gears of War and Rock Band.We have to admit it: We're pretty impressed. Though, now that we think about it, it kind of makes sense. We have been hearing a lot more chatter about friends crawling up the CoD 4 ranks than getting together Halo games as of late. It's not like you can make too much of it after one week, but it's definitely something we're keeping an eye on. What about you? Which one's still getting your gaming minutes?
CoD4 boots Halo 3 from its Xbox Live throne
There's no need to pinch yourself (we already did), you are not dreaming and this is no joke. Halo 3 has, for the first time since its launch, been dethroned from its communist rule over the most played Xbox Live games. Dethroned by another FPS that goes by the name of Call of Duty 4. Gasp!Major Nelson's weekly list of the most played games on Xbox Live shows that last week, CoD4 took the number one spot away from Halo 3, kicking Master Chief down to the number two slot. Though, Halo 3's older brother Halo 2 still reigns supreme on the original Xbox list if that's any consolation for the Halo camp. And before hell breaks loose in the comments, know that we have faith in both the Halo 3 and CoD4 communities to act civil, respectful and understanding of each other's feelings. We know your fanboy unity will protect you from the temptations of flaming. Ah, who are we kidding? Let the flame wars begin! [Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Activision was #1 US publisher in 2007
Activision became king of the hill in 2007 as the number one US publisher. According to NPD data the company's current market share is 17.7%, a 7.2% increase over last year. Of course, Activision utilized the powers it has as a third-party publisher to sell Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,the number one and three titles in sales respectively, across multiple platforms. This is the first time in the company's history that it reached the top spot.Activision was certainly on a financial and critical acclaim rampage in 2007. COD4 got a spot on our Top 10 list and GHIII was the number one game for our significant others. As successful as last year was, it's now looking like Rock Band is poised to make GHIII yesterday's news, which could be troubling for Activision considering how financially successful the Guitar Hero series has been. Then again, this year we'll start seeing the armed and fully-operational Blizzavision (yeah ... still working on that name).
Call of Duty 4 engages Mac OS X this May
Continuing its Mac OS X relationship with Activision, Aspyr has announced they'll be publishing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for Mac OS, available this May for the regular asking price of $49.95. The press release doesn't mention whether the Mac OS release will be a native port of the PC release or wrapped in Transgaming's Cider technology (similar to EA's just announced Spore release). We'll check in with Aspyr at Macworld and get some more details for y'all.
FIFA, Brain Training best selling UK games in 2007
EA Sports football (or "soccer" for the US audience) title FIFA 08 was the best-selling video game in the United Kingdom last year according to Chart-Track (via GamesIndustry.biz). The game reportedly sold 25% percent more than its closest rival, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training. Perhaps surprisingly, Microsoft's flagship Halo 3 came in sixth place with only half of FIFA 08's sales. Both FIFA 08 and Halo 3 were released in late September within days of each other. It should be noted that FIFA 08 was a multiplatform title available on six different consoles and the PC. Top ten list after the break.
The most played Xbox Live games of 2007
Mr. Xbox himself, Larry Hryb posted the Top Xbox Live games of 2007 over on MajorNelson.com and we don't think anyone will be surprised that Halo lead the pack. Among the post played retail games Halo 3 tops the list at number one with Gears of War at two, Call of Duty 4 at the third spot, Rainbow Six Vegas at four and rounding out the top five is Call of Duty 3. But onto news that may actually surprise you. Larry also posted the top ten most purchased XBLA games of 2007 and color us purple, TMNT came in at number one. TMNT! Who would have thunk that? Worms ranked at the number two spot, Castlevania: SOTN at three and everyone's favorite Vision camera enabled game UNO comes in at number four.Check out the rest of the top ten lists and see which original Xbox games saw the most Xbox Live play time (hint: a different Halo game tops that list) after the jump. Gaming in 2007 ... oh the memories we have.
Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
The frustrating thing about trying to write about Call of Duty 4 is that all of the phrases that best describe it have already been applied to and, in turn, drained of their impact by far less deserving games. It's a "non-stop thrill ride," its graphics are "almost photorealistic" and it is, in fact, "so real that you'd almost think you were there." What Call of Duty 4 so authoritatively manages to do is reclaim those action game clichés and, in doing so, infuse them with a new, fresh power. What Call of Duty 4's single player campaign could best be described as though, is a master's class on making good game design choices. From beginning to end, moments last just as long as they need to, difficulty is perfectly balanced and the action ebbs and flows between full-on chaos and chilling silence. From a pulse-pounding start to the final, desperate ending, it's a meticulously crafted experience. We haven't even made mention of the game's multiplayer yet, which mixes the game's explosive presentation with some RPG fundamentals to predictably addictive results. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the game is how few actual revolutionary concepts are contained within. It selects existing game design tools, hones them to practical perfection and creates what is, in our opinion, the military shooter against which all others must be judged.%Gallery-3922% Welcome, new-a entry! ->
