Infinity Ward
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Call of Duty: Ghosts $45 today at Newegg's eBay store [Update: PC version $48]
Want to save a few bucks on Infinity Ward's unique blend of dog-wrangling and outer space cover-shooting? Newegg's eBay storefront currently has the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U versions of Call of Duty: Ghosts on sale for $45 -- a significant savings over the game's MSRP of $59.99 on its first day of release. Better hop on this deal while it lasts, though. While the eBay listing will run through Friday, stock is limited to quantities on-hand. Do it for Riley! Update: Green Man Gaming is currently offering the Steam-redeemable PC version of Call of Duty: Ghosts for $48 with the promotional code GMG20-P6Y1F-KC19F.
Joystiq Streams Call of Duty: Ghosts on Xbox 360 [Watch the replay!]
Update: The live stream is over, but watch the replay above you party animal, you! It's Call of Duty: Ghosts day around the world, with Activision's shooter franchise launching for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4 today. Our review is already online, but it focuses on the next-gen PlayStation 4 version. For this special Joystiq Streams event, Ghosts reviewer Xav de Matos and Battlefield 4 reviewer Dave Hinkle discuss Infinity Ward's latest game, compare it to DICE's most recent release, and try like heck to pet that adorable pup Riley while playing the Xbox 360 version of the game. Have a question about the Joystiq review for Call of Duty: Ghosts? Now's your time to ask about the game, the review process, and anything else we can tell you! The stream will go live right here at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. If you want to participate in the live discussion, head over to Joystiq's Twitch channel.
Call of Duty: Ghosts PS4 review: Haunted by the past
Call of Duty: Ghosts represents a new set of challenges for Activision's flagship series. Ghosts marks the first game to transition to a new generation of platforms since the franchise gained its fame with Modern Warfare, and it raises the question "Does the Call of Duty formula still work?" With a highly-touted new engine in tow, Ghosts is Infinity Ward's first major shift in the series since it moved out of the Second World War. But Infinity Ward – along with a handful of other developers, including Neversoft and Raven – has delivered a largely by-the-numbers installment in Call of Duty: Ghosts. It layers a fresh coat of paint over a tired design document; a document that brings players down a rote campaign path before landing them in a multiplayer mode that abandons many of the creative advancements seen in Black Ops 2. While even a routine Call of Duty still brings with it a blockbuster ride through exciting engagements, and its multiplayer experience can compete with the industry's best, Call of Duty: Ghosts is a step in the wrong direction for the series and a stumble into the next generation.
First Call of Duty's project name was 'MOH Killer'
Call of Duty may be one of gaming's biggest and most popular franchises now, but it wasn't always that way. In a story by MCV, several ex-Activision and ex-Infinity Ward employees shed light on the early days of the iconic shooter, including it's original project name: "MOH Killer." It turns out, the Call of Duty series' biggest task in the beginning was stepping out of the shadow of EA's Medal of Honor games. Scott Dodkins, ex-Activision VP, explained that the original Call of Duty was developed as a response to Medal of Honor. "EA had games like FIFA, which we couldn't compete with," Dodkins told MCV. "But Medal of Honor was a genre we thought we could enter. So we were looking for a product that could emulate and beat it, and we came up with Call of Duty." It was Justin Thomas, an ex-Infinity Ward artist, who revealed Call of Duty's project name to MCV. "The project was actually named 'MOH killer' until an official name could be found," Thomas said. "We were focused more on fun than success, with the idea that if it was fun, it would be successful." Four years ago, then-CEO of EA John Riccitiello said that he wanted the leadership position in the FPS market back. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Call of Duty: Ghosts shoots for 60fps everywhere, native resolution higher on PS4
Call of Duty: Ghosts runs at a native resolution of 1080p (1920x1080) on PlayStation and 1080p upscaled from 720p (1280x720) on Xbox One, Infinity Ward Executive Producer Mark Rubin said via TwitLonger. This may be a factor for those deciding on which version of the game to purchase come this November, weighed against the Xbox One's timed exclusive DLC deal. "We optimized each console to hit 60 FPS and the game looks great on both," Rubin said. "Still on the road, but glad to see the great reception to Extinction. Can't wait for next week's launch." Extinction is an alien-infested, co-op wave mode announced for Ghosts earlier this week. In related ghosts news, it's Halloween tomorrow! Oh, and those who order the game for PS3 through PSN can begin pre-loading it at 3PM PT on November 3. On Xbox 360, the game requires less than 3GB free to install the single-player campaign, but the multiplayer component doesn't require any install. For PC players, here are your minimum requirements.
Alien hordes join the fight in CoD: Ghosts' new Extinction mode
Gunning down zombies has grown a bit cliché, so to shake things up in Call of Duty: Ghosts the developers at Infinity Ward have decided to pit the near-future's most bankable soldiers against slathering extraterrestrial villains. Not unlike the Horde mode seen in Gears of War, the Extinction game type in Ghosts pits a team of one to four players against waves of fast, strong alien invaders. Activision's official description describes the mode as a "unique blend of fast-paced survival action, FPS base defense, scavenging and class leveling." Whether this new mode replaces the zombie battles fans have come to love in prior Call of Duty entries remains to be seen. Extinction is currently slated to launch alongside Call of Duty: Ghosts when that game debuts on November 5.
Call of Duty: Ghosts dedicated servers not restricted to Xbox One
Call of Duty: Ghosts' dedicated servers aren't only on Xbox One, but are coming to "next gen," "current gen," and PC versions too. The news comes via Infinity Ward's Mark Rubin, the exec producer careful to not mention specific platforms in his Twitter announcement. "We've already mentioned dedicated servers as part of the overall plan to improve connectivity," Rubin wrote. "Dedicated servers will be used on current gen, next gen and PC with Ghosts. And, in order to make sure that people have the best possible experience regardless of platform, location or connection, Ghosts will be using a hybrid system of dedicated servers and listen servers. So no matter where you are the game will always be trying to give you the best online performance possible. "There is also some great new tech in the matchmaking system that will place players in matches that have the best combined overall connectivity performance. Again these are just some of the things that are going into Call of Duty: Ghosts to give players a great online experience." Rubin's tweet comes after he announced Ghosts would use the Xbox One's cloud for dedicated servers. It's unclear if Rubin's avoiding mentioning other platforms because of (ridiculous seeming) red tape, or because certain version(s) don't feature dedicated servers. When one Twitter user asked him if PS3 and PS4 were included, Rubin replied, "I can't call out other platforms by name but one might assume that from what I wrote." We'll know soon enough since the Ghosts train is fast approaching. First stop is PC, Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U on November 5, followed by PS4 and Xbox One at launch.
Call of Duty: Ghosts gets the squad together in new multiplayer modes
Call of Duty: Ghosts will introduce a new type of hybrid AI-and-human multiplayer experience called Squads. First, a player forms their own Squad, a group of soldiers with varying perks and load-outs designed to support a certain play style. This squad then levels up and progresses as the player unlocks XP throughout the various Squad-centric multiplayer modes. All of the XP earned in each of these Squad modes can then carry over to the multiplayer experience proper. Call of Duty: Ghosts launches on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and PC on November 5. PS4 and Xbox One installments will be available during those respective console launches.
Modern Warfare 3 free with other used game at Best Buy
Ten-hut! Right now, you can get a pre-owned copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for free when you buy a pre-owned game priced $19.99 or more at Best Buy. Best Buy also has several other deals this week: Xbox 360 models are $50 off, and picking one up will net you a complimentary $50 in-store gift card. Splinter Cell: Blacklist is also $15 off, while Disney Infinity starter packs and Saints Row 4 are each $10 off.
Digital Call of Duty: Ghosts also gets $10 upgrade to Xbox One
Microsoft and Activision have teamed up to offer a disc-less license for Call of Duty: Ghosts that works across Xbox consoles. If you plunk down $70 you'll get both Xbox 360 and Xbox One digital versions of the game, tied to your Gamertag. Alternatively,you'll be able to download the game through Xbox 360 for $60 and pay $10 to upgrade to the Xbox One version later, if you choose to do so before March 31, 2014. The Season Pass for Call of Duty: Ghosts will also carry over from Xbox 360 to Xbox One, as previously announced, provided you make the move before May 31, 2014. The Call of Duty: Ghosts Season Pass includes four DLC packs and immediately grants access to one unique multiplayer head, weapon camouflage, weapon reticle, player patch, player card and player background.
Call of Duty: Ghosts trailer delivers Moonraker, commando dogs
See, there's this dog. And, like, you think the dog is just gonna go gnaw some dude's meat claw to disarm him. But, no! The dog goes after a helicopter pilot. And, there it is: a ballet of puppy and helicopter spinning around in a beautiful paw de deux.
Fall in love with the Call of Duty: Ghosts 'Free Fall' pre-order map
Call of Duty: Ghosts is (literally!) shaking up multiplayer thanks to the Free Fall map, which will be available to customers who pre-order the game. This new "dynamic map" adds "that sort of cinematic single-player experience to multiplayer," Infinity Ward Executive Producer Mark Rubin said in the video above. Based on a "cinematic moment" from a single-player story mission called Federation Day, the Free Fall map places players into a building which has collapsed and, in the process, become wedged. The "floor" is actually the glass side of the building, and as players fight for supremacy, that glass will give way, and the building will shudder and plummet further toward the ground. Ghosts isn't often thought of as a horror game, but we'd hate to be anyone with a fear of heights who plays on Free Fall. Yikes.
Call of Duty has dedicated servers on Xbox One cloud
Infinity Ward executive producer Mark Rubin announced at Microsoft's Gamescom showcase that Call of Duty: Ghosts will use the Xbox One cloud to host dedicated servers for multiplayer. He also revealed that the game's new Blitz muliplayer mode will be playable here at Gamescom, and we should be going hands on soon.
Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer gender options about 'appreciating' female fans
Infinity Ward executive producer Mark Rubin tells Joystiq that adding playable female soldiers in Call of Duty: Ghosts was to recognize the franchise's complete audience. Women have been added as part of the multiplayer customization in Ghosts, set to arrive on November 5. "Honestly, adding female soldiers to character customization wasn't about trying to lure more people into the game. It was actually just about acknowledging the people who already play our game," Rubin says. Enngine limitations were another contributing factor in the franchise's lack of playable female soldiers. "It wasn't until we rewrote the way character memory is handled - that we could do 'Create-a-Soldier,' that we could do customized characters - that the possibility of having female soldiers really came to fruition," Rubin explains. "Bringing female characters into Call of Duty: Ghosts wasn't something that was limited generation, it was limited by the engine itself."
Call of Duty: Ghosts Video Preview
Call of Duty: Ghosts brings Activision's behemoth to next-generation consoles later this year, launching for both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. While the game features a new engine, destructibility and new customization options, one of the biggest (and more surprising) barriers was commanding the slightly smaller Xbox One controller. Ghosts also represents refinements made throughout the lifespan of the franchise, including a new value-based perk system and slick traversal options (next-gen stuff, like sliding and leaning!). Watch Joystiq control and bumble its way through combat, with exclusive footage, in our latest video preview. Call of Duty: Ghosts is set to arrive on next-gen systems this year from developers Infinity Ward, Raven Software and Neversoft. The shooter launches on November 5 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, with a Wii U version in the works from developer Treyarch.%Gallery-196008%
Activision Publishing CEO on Call of Duty: Ghosts investment, pre-order pacing and death threats
After dropping the mic and cutting to the first multiplayer reveal for Call of Duty: Ghosts yesterday, Activision Publishing CEO, Eric Hirshberg, spoke with Joystiq about the franchise's first console cycle refresh as a cultural icon. Earlier this month, Hirshberg noted that the transition to a new generation of consoles had negatively impacted pre-order sales. Yesterday he expanded on that thought, explaining that much of the hesitation is because players have not yet decided on their next platform or even if they will join the next-generation at launch. Hirshberg also took a moment to respond to overly aggressive (and downright scary) players, such as those that threatened physical harm upon Treyarch's studio design director David Vonderhaar after announcing slight tweaks to weapons and skills in Black Ops 2, calling their actions "unacceptable." Call of Duty: Ghosts will be available "across all the platforms" on November 5, Hirshberg says.
Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer trailer and screens materialize
Activision gave us our first look at Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer earlier today in a livestream presentation. If you missed it, you can at least catch up with the reveal trailer above, and check out some fresh screens in our gallery.
Watch the Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer livestream event here
Activision is pulling back the curtain on multiplayer in Call of Duty: Ghosts today. The event is streaming live through Twitch starting at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET/6:30pm UK time, and you can follow it right here. Joystiq will be in attendance at the Los Angeles venue, so keep an eye out for our impressions later. Infinity Ward is leading development on all platforms for Call of Duty: Ghosts, save for the Wii U, which is being handled by Black Ops 2 developer Treyarch. Ghosts launches on November 5 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U. Xbox One and PS4 launch dates have not been specified yet.
Activision: Call of Duty pre-orders negatively impacted by console transition
The upcoming transition into a new generation of consoles is futzing with pre-order numbers for Call of Duty: Ghosts, according to CEO of Activision Publishing, Eric Hirshberg. During his company's earnings call yesterday, Hirshberg noted that pre-orders for Ghosts are "well below the record-setting pace set by Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 last year," and that the impending arrival of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are to blame. "Our quantitative consumer research indicates that hesitation amongst past COD pre-orderers is primarily due to not knowing which platform they will be playing on, which is natural at this time in the console transition," he said. Despite the lower pre-order numbers, Hirshberg noted that "other key engagement metrics," such as the number of people playing per month and per day, the amount of DLC sales and community engagement, are all higher than previous years. He also added that pre-orders are more than double that of the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, which was last time Activision introduced a new Call of Duty sub-brand. Activision isn't the first publisher to cite next-gen consoles for lower pre-order numbers. EA Sports brand president Peter Moore recently made similar statements, reporting "softness" in pre-orders for current-gen sports titles as we get closer to the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One.
Call of Duty: Ghosts haunts Wii U too
Nintendo of America announced Call of Duty: Ghosts will indeed be drifting onto Wii Us. The Wii U version, previously listed on retailers but unconfirmed until now, launches alongside Xbox 360, PS3, and PC siblings on November 5. The ghostly CoD is also coming to PS4 and Xbox One, but those versions remain undated. Unlike previous series iterations, Infinity Ward's Ghosts mainly focuses on the path of one soldier throughout its campaign - well, one man and his Navy SEAL dog. Their journey will be captured in a significantly upgraded engine, which you can have a gander at here.
