modern warfare 2
Latest
What's in a Name: Infinity Ward
Have you heard about this game Modern Warfare 2? It's supposed to be pretty good. And we heard that it's expected to sell at least hundreds of copies this holiday season. How did these young upstarts at Infinity Ward get the name?We've got the story. Where did Infinity Ward come from? This is a great story. Nowhere. It means f***ing nothing. [Laughs.] Wow, that is truly a great story. So how did you come up with it? We were pitching a bunch of names. Everybody just kind of threw out random ones like, "How 'bout this? How 'bout that?" And it was like, "Ooh, that is terrible. That is terrible. Wait, hmm, I like that one." Infinity Ward floated to the top and stuck. What didn't make the cut? Do you remember anything that was below the bar? Oh, geez. I'm going to say "no" to that one. Because the suggestions were terrible? Right. Exactly. -Vince Zampella, studio head of Infinity Ward Liked this story? Be sure to check out the What's In A Name archives.
Hands-on: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer
Still playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare? Clear your calendars on November 10. In fact, just throw them away, say goodbye to your friends and family, and stock up on ready-to-eat foods and adult diapers. If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 manages to usurp the multiplayer throne from its predecessor – which it's expected to do – you're going to need 'em. It's an "evolution" of everything you loved about the first game, running at the same gorgeous 60 frames per second. The evening was sponsored by Microsoft (no surprise given the Modern Warfare 2 console reveal), and it was strictly multiplayer only. We played games of Domination, Assault, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag on the three maps featured in this demo, for a total of four hours of fragging. Read on for what's new, some images from the event, some brand-new screenshots, and some multiplayer video at the end of the post. %Gallery-73088%
No plans for 250GB Xbox drive outside Modern Warfare 2 bundle, MS says
Shortly after the announcement of the Limited Edition Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 bundle, we had a chance to grill Microsoft's Albert Penello, director of platform marketing for Xbox, about the bundle. While Pinello confirmed the bundle's absence of any additional accessories – no high-definition cables, no WiFi adapter – he also commented on the 250GB hard drive. When asked if Microsoft had any plans to sell the significantly embiggened hard drive separately, Pinello said, "I wouldn't say plans. Maybe. I hear this story every two years. It was the 20s, and then the 60s, and then the 120s." Not that you could afford it anyway. So, Microsoft doesn't have "plans" per se, but Pinello pointed out that, historically, these things become available separately. Until then, if you want a massive 250GB of Xbox storage, your only avenue is purchasing the $399 Modern Warfare 2 bundle. %Gallery-73023%
Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 bundle has a 250GB HDD, $400 price tag
While the Forza 3 set is still an unconfirmed listing, there's no denying the Xbox 360 has just upped its storage capacity options with a 250GB HDD bundle clad in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 emblems. Asking price is $399.99 and that includes the game and two black wireless controllers. Our friends at Joystiq have conjured up some images of the packaging as well as some shakycam footage of the debut from a LA press event, seen after the break. Update: It's now available for pre-order care of Amazon. Oddly enough it lists only Composite A/V cables for input -- what gives Microsoft, no love for Component? %Gallery-73026% Read - Official press photos Read - Images from LA launch event
$399 Modern Warfare 2-themed Xbox 360: 250GB HDD, wireless controllers, game
click for gallery digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/399-modern-warfare-2-themed-xbox-360-250gb-hdd-wireless-contr/'; Microsoft and Infinity Ward just announced the availability of a Modern Warfare 2-themed Xbox 360 console at a press event in Los Angeles. Included in this "limited edition" $399 package is: a 250GB Xbox 360 console, with the requisite Modern Warfare 2 markings (the so-called "Super Elite"); two wireless controllers, presumably also apparently not Modern Warfare 2-themed (though, notably, not Mad Catz's officially licensed wired controllers); and, lastly, a "standard edition" copy of Modern Warfare 2. No matter how you do the math, that's a good deal. As most of us know, the only thing that moves more consoles than "a good deal" is "a good deal" that includes the words "modern," "warfare," and "two" somewhere in the title. Major Nelson says it's the "standard edition" of the game and Amazon, in addition to not listing a WiFi adapter (we won't quit complaining, Microsoft!), specifies that the bundle only includes a "Composite A/V cable." The only other detail we've gathered is that you'll be able to preorder like you've got a pair beginning "today" – Amazon has the listing right here. If you're hungry for any more details you can watch our shakicam videos of the big reveal and what's in the box. %Gallery-73023%
Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 peripherals break cover, reveal pricing
You should already have a pretty good idea of what extra sauce Mad Catz will be bringing to Modern Warfare 2's November 10 release, but here are some up close and personal snaps of the hardware anyway. Monochromatic camo patterns -- all the rage in that war-torn near-future world -- are evident throughout and will cost you a cent under $50 for either of the Xbox 360 or PS3 Combat Controllers, the Combat Keyboard or Sniper Mouse, or a cool hundred for the Elite Keyboard with a blood-red backlight. And if you want to spruce up your current hardware, gamepad faceplates and Xbox 360 Skinz will be available for $15 and $30, respectively. Feeling like a badass comes as a free extra.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's Mad Catz peripherals, accessories detailed
Peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz is going all out for sure-fire holiday hit Call of Duty 6: Modern Warfare 2: Call of Duty 4 Some More. The product range, which includes specially designed controllers for each of the destination platforms, should be available just as you go out to inevitably purchase Infinity Ward's FPS on November 10th. We've placed images below, with pricing and details after the break.%Gallery-72452%
PS3 sales up 300% for first week following price cut in US
Sony Computer Entertainment America has some good news and some bad news to share. The good: Sales of PS3 hardware at its "top retailers" jumped 300% for the first week of September versus the week before the system's price was cut to $299 for the 120GB "slim" unit. The bad: Um, well ... okay, we lied. Everything's pretty good for a change at SCEA HQ, considering people are actually buying its console. (Although 300% pales in comparison to Europe's totally legit 999% increase ... or Japan's 7,350% increase). The hardware maker also noted that, as of August, five of consumers' top 10 most-wanted games (as surveyed by OTX's GamePlan Insights) -- Gran Turismo 5, Final Fantasy XIII, God of War III, Assassin's Creed 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 -- are on PS3, in case you somehow didn't know this. We would like to note (mainly for Sony's information) that Modern Warfare 2 is also on Xbox 360, and that version was No. 2 in OTX's survey results, whereas the PS3 version placed 10th. (Assassin's Creed 2 for 360 is No. 3 and No. 8 for PS3.) In fact, if you calculate the "purchase intent index" for the top three (all Xbox 360 games) and the lower five (all PS3 games) they're nearly identical. But still, we'll give it to them. Maybe it's more worthwhile, though, to point out that Uncharted 2 didn't even make the top 25. What's up with that? Source -- GamePlan Insights Survey Data [PDF file]
New Modern Warfare 2 footage captures the life of a flag runner
And at nearly two minutes, the above footage captures a blessedly long life indeed. Though Modern Warfare 2's parlance gives the "flag runner" an air of nobility and excitement, a more accurate label would stem from the following observation: what you're carrying is not a flag so much as a "shoot me everyone" banner. Come November 10th, we might opt to play a different role during this mad multiplayer dash through (what appears to be) the set of Michael Bay's latest piece of explodima vérité. Then again, if you have someone classy protecting you, it might be worth the thrill. Provided you don't shoot them in the back (0:44). Oops![Thanks, Big_Lozbowski]
Modern Warfare 2 footage leaked from retailer convention
Video previews for Modern Warfare 2 have been few and far, far between -- thus, we could be satisfied with moving pictures of the lowest quality, provided they depict the highly anticipated shooter in action. Footage of just this caliber recently came to us from a Game Crazy employee convention, where a cadre of overjoyed retailers got an early look at one of the game's single-player missions. Someone captured it on camera, and now it waits for your trembling eyes after the jump.A word of caution: The video shows off a really cool moment from the game that you may want to save till you're the one holding the controller. We won't ruin it for you here, but we'd be remiss if we didn't offer some insightful commentary on said moment: Holy crap! Sweep the leg Johnny!
Square Enix teases Modern Warfare 2 release in Japan
The latest Square Enix teaser site is quite the puzzle. It's got a big "2" in it like the one in the Modern Warfare 2 logo, it features a rotating display of famous quotations about war, and it has Activision and Call of Duty trademark information at the bottom of the page. We're stumped -- we're just going to have to wait for that "2" to count down to zero!Or we could "guess" it's Modern Warfare 2 right now. If you're wondering why Activision wouldn't publish the speculative "best selling game of all time" in every possible territory itself, it's simple: the publisher no longer operates in Japan.[Via VG247]
Talent agency lists Hans Zimmer scoring Modern Warfare 2 [update]
Update: Robert Bowling has confirmed Zimmer is contributing music to Modern Warfare 2.Hans Zimmer is a pretty prominent composer on the Hollywood circuit, winning awards for his music for such films as Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and As Good As It Gets. He's even worked on a game before, contributing original material to The Simpsons Movie: The Game. If the composer's listing (PDF link) at GSA Music is to be believed, he's also composing the score to surefire multi-billion seller, Modern Warfare 2. We've reached out to Infinity Ward for comment and will get back to you as soon as we can.[Via Kotaku]Source - Hans Zimmer's profile at GSA Music (PDF link)
Splash Damage has big plans for Brink franchise
We've spoken to Splash Damage's Richard 'Rahdo' Ham in the past, so we know he's no stranger to a certain amount of exuberance about the game he's working on, Brink. In his latest interview with Eurogamer, his excitement reaches a fever pitch and he confirms plans for a "second and third" in the Brink series. "We already have big plans for that," Ham said. He hopes that Brink's integration of online play -- a combination of Burnout Paradise's freeburn mode and an FPS -- will best reigning multiplayer kingpins Halo and Call of Duty. Of course, upcoming new entries in each of those franchises are certain to put up a fight before succumbing to Mr. Ham's ambitions.%Gallery-64854%
Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 peripherals caught on video
Instead of sharing images of its Modern Warfare 2 peripheral lineup with us yesterday, when they announced everything, Mad Catz has given IGN a "worldwide exclusive" video tour which (and maybe it's just us) isn't quite as effective at triggering our consumer gland as some good, ol' fashioned photos. Nevertheless, the highlight of the video lineup is, undoubtedly, the "Combat Controller" for both Xbox 360 and PS3. They each go for $50 (yeah, that's the approximate manufacturer's suggested price for the first-party controllers!) but that $50 doesn't quite get you a first-party experience. As shown in the video, the Combat Controllers feature special finger buttons on the bottom of the gamepad and both mirror the general design of their first-party counterpart; however, the Xbox 360 version isn't wireless and the PS3 version lacks rumble. No, really. They also show some other accessories: the $30 "military inspired" Throat Communicator is perfect for snacking while gaming they tell us; the $25 Combat Gamepad for PCs is curiously not on par with the console counterparts; and the lineup of keyboards and mice seem like overkill to us. But don't take our word for it, you'll find the video just after the break.
Video: Mad Catz doles out Modern Warfare 2 controllers for young (and old) whippersnipers
If Infinity Ward's own Prestige Edition of Modern Warfare 2 isn't enough to satisfy your lust for custom hardware, Mad Catz is ready to pick up the slack with no less than ten MW2-branded peripherals. The crown jewel to the set will be the Combat Controller, which will have a couple of extra buttons, but more importantly, is likely the gamepad Robert Bowling was tweeting about last month. Come this November, you'll also be able to talk smack via a Throat Communicator on the 360 or a more mundane Bluetooth Headset on the PS3, add Skinz to your controllers and Microsoft console, and even your neglected PC can be enriched with an Elite Keyboard and Sniper Mouse combo. Update: IGN has been first to preview the full plethora of goods, and we've got the video for you after the break (Thanks, quasar). [Via Joystiq]
Mad Catz detailz mice, controllers, 'Throat Communicator' for Modern Warfare 2
our best guess Knowing us, we're going to need some extra Modern Warfare 2 accessories when the game releases this November -- and no, the $150 collector's edition certainly isn't enough! Mad Catz is thankfully answering the call from those of us yearning for more ways to spend money on non-essential MW2 items (non-essentials being everything other than the game disc, of course), detailing today its previously announced accessories.The damage ranges from $15 to $100 for 10 different items, such as custom controllers, mice, faceplates, and even something dubbed "skinz." We've been promised images of said items later in the week, so we'll just have to wonder what a "Throat Communicator" could possibly look like until then.
Assassin's Creed 2 ain't afraid of no Call of Duty
Though scores of once-Holiday releases have scattered in fear of the oncoming force of nature known as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, one title has held the line: Assassin's Creed 2. A juggernaut in its own right, this Da Vinci-inspired sequel has defiantly remained in its original November 17 release date -- just one week after the launch of Infinity Ward's megablockbuster. Assassin's Creed 2 creative director Patrice Desilets recently stated in an interview with VG247 that Ubisoft isn't afraid of the latest Call of Duty title's proximity to its own holiday offering. He explained, "the first [Assassin's Creed] game we released two weeks after Modern Warfare, and we still sold 9m copies." That maybe true, but the first Modern Warfare didn't feature 50 Cent. You guys are totally screwed this time around.
GameStop: Modern Warfare 2 'could be the best selling title of all time'
Tony Bartel, GameStop's executive vice president of merchandising and marketing, has some high expectations for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. In fact, he told shareholders and media listening in on the company's recent Q2 earnings call that the latest Infinity Ward FPS "could be the best selling title of all time," IndustryGamers reports. Of all time. That would be quite an impressive feat, given the titles it'd need to trample in order to become king of the hill. In its 21 months on sale, the original Modern Warfare has sold 7.7 million copies across all platforms in the US, according to NPD. For comparison, Wii Play, which has sold more than 11 million copies in the states according to NPD, leads the all-time best sellers list for games that were never bundled with a console or handheld. If you consider pack-ins, it'd have to beat Wii Sports' nearly 24 million units in the States. To do that, every PS3 and Xbox 360 owner in the US would need to buy a copy. So, yes: It could be the best selling game of all time. Emphasis on "could."
Modern Warfare 2's 'Special Ops' missions detailed
We really enjoyed the "Mile High Club" mission unlocked upon the completion of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare -- despite the fact it was completely out-of-continuity, it was one of the most thrilling segments in the entire game. Fortunately, it seems Infinity Ward has taken a cue from this airplane-combat scenario -- the developer recently explained that it's using it as inspiration for Modern Warfare 2's "Special Ops" missions, which were briefly demoed at GamesCom 2009.Billed as the game's co-op mode, Special Ops allows players to perform standalone missions either on their lonesome or with a friend via online or split-screen co-op. Different difficulty tiers are offered for each Special Ops mission -- those bold enough to tackle the harder echelons will receive greater in-game unlockables.We got a chance to see someone play through "The Gulag" at GamesCom -- a seeming recreation of the shower room from The Rock. The player armed himself at a Left 4 Dead-esque ammo dump, then run-and-gunned his way through a series of enemy-infested rooms. While lacking in the airborne panache that made "Mile High Club" so memorable, it was a neat little slice of gameplay -- we can't wait to see what other precarious scenarios Infinity Ward drops us into when Modern Warfare 2 hits store shelves this November.
Infinity Ward spells out Modern Warfare 2 voice cast
Another voice work announcement from Twitter now, as Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling (aka FourZeroTwo) has confirmed that the cast of veteran voice actors has completed recording its grunts and grumbles for what seems to be the only game coming out this holiday, Modern Warfare 2. Roll credits: Barry Pepper (Alex Mercer in Prototype and an amazing sniper back in WWII) Kevin McKidd (Dr. Hunt on Grey's Anatomy and not something on the McDonald's menu) Craig Fairbass (Gaz in COD4 -- recently thrown off a mountain in Cliffhanger) Keith David (Voice of Goliath in Gargoyles and host of sex parties in Requiem for a Dream) Glenn Morshower (Played an agent in 24 and moonlights as a Jim Gaffigan lookalike) Fairbass is almost definitely going to return as the voice of Gaz, but the others actors have yet to be matched to the game's characters. Best guesses?
