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Call of Duty 4 GOTY edition, map pack DLC coming April 3
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Call_of_Duty_4_variety_map_pack_coming_April_3_to_Xbox_Liv'; A new site just sprung up on Xbox.com announcing the Call of Duty 4 variety map pack will arrive Thursday, April 3 for 800 MS points (US$10). The pack includes four new maps: Creek, Broadcast, Chinatown and Killhouse. The page also confirmed that Call of Duty 4 Game of the Year Edition is also coming April 3. No word yet on the equivalent PS3 release, for either GOTY or the map pack. We'll update when we find out.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]%Gallery-19521%%Gallery-7382%%Gallery-3922% Call of Duty 4 landed in the top ten in our 2007 Game of the Year Awards, but who filled the other nine spots? We've got Halo 3, Portal, Rock Band, Peggle (yeah Peggle), and more. Take a look.
Call of Duty 4 gets 'Game of the Year' edition next month
It's a scientific fact that there's no reason you shouldn't have bought Call of Duty 4 yet. What, you don't like shooters? Too bad. Get motion sick while playing FPSs? Take a Dramamine. Don't have a next-gen console or PC? Get a second job. Not only do we think it's one of the year's best, you're possibly the only person who hasn't purchased a copy yet.Keeping all that in mind, if you haven't bought the game, you may have good reason to hold off, if only for a bit longer. MCV brings word that Activision will release a Game of the Year edition of the game next month. Aside from new packaging, expect a token to allow you to download the forthcoming map pack for the game. Not exactly earth-shattering, but (depending on the price) this sounds like the only version of CoD 4 you latecomers should be looking for.At the moment, MCV's only reporting on a 360 version of the GOTY edition. Activision tells us that more details should be coming this week, we'll let you know when we hear if PS3 owners will be getting some love.
CoD4 overtakes Gears of War, Infinity Ward planning update
We like us some Call of Duty 4, and based on Major Nelson's top ten Xbox Live titles for this past week, so do a lot of other gamers. The game placed second in the rankings, right below Halo 3, and right above a certain quartet of steroid infused, uber-masculine gunhavers.Infinity Ward isn't resting on their digital laurels, it would seem. Though the game has only been out eleven days in the states, they're already talking updates. The biggest change in their first planned update is a fix for the game's often fickle matchmaking and host selection, one of the few black marks against the title. Also, games will no longer end abruptly if the host drops out, and server performance on games with large numbers of players will supposedly improve. You can read the full list of gameplay changes after the jump.
Infinity Ward reaches out to EA Chicago devs
After publishing giant EA shut down its EA Chicago studio amidst profitability concerns, many employees found themselves burdened with the unenviable task of seeking employment elsewhere. 1UP points out that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward may just suffice as a potential "elsewhere." Over the weekend, a helping hand was extended through the World War Now shooter's "Message of the Day" screen: "EA Chicago: Infinity Ward is hiring. jobs@infinityward.com."
Infinity Ward addressing Call of Duty 4 PS3 matchmaking issues
Spare a thought for Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4 server team, which has been tweaking PlayStation 3 server performance all weekend -- and we're fairly sure that's just as exciting as it sounds. The developer's world-famous community relations manager, Mr. "fourzerotwo" has posted an update on the Infinity Ward forums regarding some stability issues encountered by the incoming glut of players. "The server team has been working on this all weekend, and will be working through the night," it reads. "They're upgrading all server hardware as well as dedicated an individual database to each functionality to improve performance and handle the traffic hitting the servers. (i.e. Database for Matchmaking, Database for Leaderboards, etc.)."The end result should be better speed and stability -- at least when it comes to matchmaking. They can't help you if you're still dropping grenades on your toes.
Last chance: win Call of Duty 4
Okay kids, as of this posting, you have exactly two hours to submit your final (and hopefully third) entry in our Fanswag Weekly giveaway. Should you win, you will receive a brand spanking new copy of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. We know you all like shooting things and occasionally blowing them up as well, so we suggest you make your entry posthaste. To do so, simply head over to the official giveaway post and follow the super easy instructions. It's so easy a highly trained monkey could do it.
Reminder: win Call of Duty 4 from X3F
Just a quick reminder that we're giving away a copy of Call of Duty 4 to one lucky winner for this week's Fanswag Weekly. We've changed things up a bit this time, allowing readers to submit one entry per calendar day (Eastern Time). So, if you haven't entered yet, you're already behind! Hurry up and enter today! If you have already entered though, now is your chance to enter again and maximize your chances of winning. Head over to the official giveaway post to submit your entry.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare deploys on Steam Nov. 12
If you're not keen to engage in the sort of modern warfare that comes from navigating shopping aisles during the holiday months, you now have the option of downloading Infinity Ward's latest thrill-a-minute first-person shooter, Call of Duty 4, from Steam. It amounts to roughly 360 thrills, excluding any thrills experienced during hectic multiplayer shootouts!Modern Warfare is already available for pre-purchase at $49.95 before its digitally distributed November 12 launch.
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%
Reminder: win more COD4 beta invites from Joystiq
Just a quick reminder folks, Joystiq is still giving away Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta invites every other day (in conjunction with GameDaily, who is giving them away every other other day). If you haven't made into the beta yet, you'd better hurry, as it's only open until the end of the month. And, with a new level cap that lets players unlock even more goodies, the beta is better than ever. Hell, you just might enjoy it more than waiting in line for Halo 3. If you'd like your shot at the beta, head over to the Joystiq giveaway post and enter.What are you waiting for? Go!
Win more COD4 beta keys from Joystiq
Just a quick reminder folks. Joystiq has ten more Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta invites to give out today. Joystiq and GameDaily will be alternating the giveaway every day, so check GameDaily tomorrow for another shot if you don't win today. So, if you haven't made it into the beta yet (and you really should try, because, as I've just discovered, it's a total blast), head over to the official Joystiq giveaway post for your chance at modern warfare glory.
Win COD4 beta invites from Joystiq [update]
[Update: Oops. It seems we misread Joystiq's post. Turns out they're giving away 10 beta invites every day. So that's pretty good, huh?]If you haven't made it into the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta yet, today is your lucky day. Actually, the next several days are also your lucky day, because Joystiq and GameDaily are giving out 10 beta invites a day. Joystiq and GameDaily will be alternating their giveaways everyday (beginning with Joystiq today, GameDaily tomorrow, Joystiq the next day, etc.) until they have no more Call of Duty love to give. Entering is so easy a caveman could do it, so head on over to the official Joystiq giveaway post for your shot at multiplayer glory (at least until September 30th).
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.
Gamespot giving away CoD 4 beta tokens
If you still aren't in the Call of Duty 4 beta and want to then we must ask why? It's not like you didn't have a chance a week ago when they let everyone who signed up in on the fun, you silly bum! But enough finger waiving and preaching, because you still have a chance to get in with the help of Gamespot. All this week Gamespot will be giving away CoD 4 beta tokens to registered members of their site. The tokens will be given away on a first come first serve basis (boy, that sounds familiar) with today's tokens being available at 12:00 noon eastern, so we doubt they have any left for today. Sorry about that. But tomorrow is another day and another chance for CoD 4 beta tokens. Don't be lazy, get over there and claim your token! [Thanks, Danny]
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%
CoD 4 beta exploit not causing mass banning
Earlier yesterday we mentioned that some users got into the Call of Duty 4 beta via a Gamertag recovery exploit and that those who did it were getting banned from Xbox Live for 24 hours. But, we guess that's not exactly the case. Major Nelson talked with the Xbox Live banhammer folks and confirmed with them that they are NOT banning tens of thousands of Gamertags specifically related to the beta exploit, but could and presumably are banning those who violate the Xbox Live terms of service agreement. See, according to Major this exploit technically violates said TOS agreement, so the banhammer team could ban your account if they are in the banning mood. Confused a little? Don't worry, we are too.Breaking everything down we get that they are not banning 20,000+ Gamertags who did the CoD 4 beta exploit, but will ban those who they feel broke the TOS, which could be anyone who participated in the beta exploit. Ahh heck, stay safe in your Xbox Live adventures and learn from this little fiasco that those who don't play fair will have their conscience eat away at their soul forever ... or something like that.
CoD 4 beta level cap raising, UK gets in on fun
Just arriving in our inbox a few minutes ago was a Call of Duty 4 beta update straight from Infinity Ward. In their update email (posted after the break) they confirmed that they are raising the rank level from 11 to 16 tomorrow morning around 10:00AM pacific (yippy!). The raise in the rank level cap will allow beta players to experience new perks and new features including clan tags which occur at level 12. The current rank level cap has been the only thing holding back current CoD 4 beta players' fun, so we're sure the increased leveling will add a new layer of excitement to the beta. Big w00t to rank level increase!In other CoD 4 beta news, those around the world who've been waiting for their chance to get in on the beta will be allowed to do so soon. Infinity Ward announced that UK Live members will be able to join the beta this Friday simply by getting a clearance code from one of the various gaming websites listed and enter it online at the UK CoD 4 website. Also, both Australian and New Zealand Live members will get their chance at joining the beta tomorrow as well.We're sure other countries already have received access (here's looking at you Italy) or will be joining soon, but honestly there's a lot of European countries to keep track of. So, we advise heading to your country's specific Call of Duty 4 website to get your specific details when it comes to beta facts. Phew ... we'll see you online.
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.
CoD 4 beta exploiters are being punished
A few days back an exploit was discovered allowing anyone to download the Call of Duty 4 beta as long as they could get someone who was already in the beta to recover their Gamertag on a different console. Well, that exploit has since been fixed and is ineffective for getting beta access, but those who used it aren't walking away free and clear.Xbox-Scene is reporting that their internal Microsoft source has confirmed with them that over 23,000 consoles have downloaded the the CoD 4 beta via the exploit and that Microsoft is punishing those users. Supposedly, anyone who used this exploit will be banned from Xbox Live for a 24 hour period due to violating the terms of service agreement. In effect, the Live ban is more of a slap on the metaphorical wrist than a full scale Xbox Live ban.We have yet to hear from or confirm these 24 hour Xbox Live lockouts, because we don't know of anyone who got in the CoD 4 beta via the Gamertag recovery exploit. But if these mini-bans turn out to be true, then we're sure the complaints will roll in soon enough.
Call of Duty 4 beta entries 'exclusive' to GAME in UK
North American gamers may remember the Call of Duty 4 beta invite fiasco last week, a clusterbleep that had a happy ending, with everyone who registered getting into the multiplayer sample. Gamers in the UK will apparently have to jump through a few more hoops though, with retailer GAME doling out entries to those who pre-order the title. We don't know if there are other ways to get beta entry in the UK, the retailer just refers to themselves as the "exclusive retail partner in the UK and Ireland." We've emailed Activision for clarification, we'll let you know what we hear back. If you're worried about getting in though, you may want to act fast: According to the GAME email, the UK enters the fray on Sept. 7.[Thanks CVD]
