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Modern Warfare 2 bringing $60 price tag to PC games
Well, PC gamers, you had to know it couldn't last forever. Even though you've traditionally enjoyed paying $10 less than your console brethren for big new releases, your luck, it seems, has run out, with Gamestop, Amazon and Best Buy showing a $60 price tag for the standard edition of Modern Warfare 2. On the bright side, the price is still hovering around $50 at Walmart. We're sure Activision's crunched the numbers, but doesn't PC gaming have enough working against it without pricing hikes? Oh well, we're sure it's just a one-time occurrence. ... Right? ... Guys?
CVG: No multiplayer beta for Modern Warfare 2 [update]
Update: Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling has given the final word on a Modern Warfare 2 beta, saying it's not out of the realm of possibility, but also not very likely. "While no Public Beta is currently announced we do plan on running an extensive Closed Beta among Infinity Ward, Activision, and possibly first party partners worldwide ... once the internal beta is completed, if for any reason we feel we didn't receive the feedback, address the issues, or have the result we expect, we would consider pushing forward with a public one. However at this point only an internal Closed Beta is planned." And that's that! ... or is it?! (We're pretty sure it is.)We know you had a great time testing Call of Duty 4's multiplayer component before the final game launched, so we're sad to note CVG's report that Modern Warfare 2 will not go the same route as its predecessor. An Activision spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that there will be no multiplayer beta for the game. We also know that sucks, so in an effort to get Activision and developer Infinity Ward to change their minds, we've started this online petition. It's bound to get their attention, right? Hello? Are you going to get a pen? It's on the internet, you don't need one![Thanks, Cr4sh Dummy]
Wildstorm publishing Modern Warfare 2 comic mini-series (update)
DC Comics subsidiary Wildstorm is about to add another notch to its "video game-to-comic book adaptation" belt, if such a thing weren't too preposterous to exist. The etching can be attributed to its upcoming illustrated stab at Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 in a six-part comic mini-arc, which will be aptly titled Modern Warfare 2: Ghost. David Lapham, writer and illustrator of the fantastic Stray Bullets series, will reprise these roles for the Ghost-ly comics. Robert Bowling revealed the first piece of Lapham's art on his Twitter yesterday (posted above), but has yet to announce a street date for the comic. Our prediction? Around the same time as the game. Our other prediction? All other comics that were supposed to come out in November will be delayed until Q1 2010.Update: Bowling just sent over a friendly message expounding upon a few Modern Warfare 2: Ghost details. The cover art was actually done by Federico Dallocchio, who worked on WildStorm's Gears of War and StarCraft comic adaptations. The rest of the art is being handled by former Guardians of the Galaxy artist Kevin West. Lapham has been tasked with writing the actual story of the mini-series. Thanks for the details, Robert!
Mad Catz releasing Modern Warfare 2 branded accessories
Artist's rendering If there's one thing that can make your Modern Warfare 2 experience more complete than playing the game while wearing night vision goggles, it's playing the game with the line of Modern Warfare 2-branded accessories that Mad Catz just announced. We don't know what the line will include besides controllers, though we think a headset is a pretty safe bet. (We're assuming this is the same project Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling tweeted about a while back.) We're equally excited for Mad Catz's other new line announced today, featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr., mainly to see what kind of controller they come up with. Do you need more than one thumbstick if you're just going to turn left for four hours? Source – Mad Catz to Create Modern Warfare 2 Game Accessories Source – Mad Catz Licenses Rights to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Likeness and Trademarks
50 Cent to make cameo appearance in Modern Warfare 2
There are many places one can find Mr. 50 Cent: In any number of clubs, as referenced by his chart-topping song; in his numerous self-titled video games, one of which has become a cult classic among the Joystiq staff; and according to entertainment news site ThisIs50, he can be found at Infinity Ward's studios, doing voice work for the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.Robert Bowling confirmed to Kotaku that Fiddy will be supplying "one of many squad voices" featured in the game's multiplayer and Spec Ops modes. Bowling mentioned 50 Cent's lines will be standard shooter fare -- "Reloading," "Tango Down," and the like. We pray he'll also sneak in a reference to his precious jewel-encrusted cranium.
Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Editions to actually be limited
The gaming community really throws the word "limited" around with little thought of its meaning. Walk down the Xbox 360 aisle of any GameStop -- there's more Halo 3 Limited Collector's Editions than there are stars in the sky. However, it sounds like Infinity Ward's upcoming blockbuster Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will have a limited edition worthy of the adjective -- no additional copies of the Prestige Edition of the game will be made following the title's release.In an interview with IGN, Infinity's Robert Bowling discusses the creative forces behind the opulent, night-vision goggles-equipped collector's edition, and explained its eventual scarcity. According to him, only one set of individually numbered Prestige Editions will be produced -- though retail chains have requested the developer create even more prestigious units. Seems like parties interested in acquiring the bundle will need to act quickly -- lest they be forced to resort to desperate, crafty measures.
Modern Warfare 2, Halo 3: ODST are both not-quite HD games
It's been nearly two years since Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare were released and disappointed the "HD era" by not quite making it up to 720 lines of resolution. Two years later, it appears their sequels due this fall, Halo 3: ODST and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, won't be able to do any better. In separate articles, developers confirmed both will match the resolution of the original games (1024x600 for Call of Duty, 1152x640 for Halo.) Honestly, we have the same perspective we did then, there's a lot more to image quality than just resolution and a peek at a trailer for either game will reveal plenty of visual tricks to keep the eyes entertained (if you think a measly 120p's will pull Editor Emeritus Ryan Block away from CoD, think again) but, c'mon guys, the so-called HD era is four years deep, if Bizarre could figure out how to squeeze 720p res and better graphics while moving from Project Gotham Racing 3 to PGR4, why can't you? [Via Evil Avatar & again]Read - Halo 3: ODST not 720p admits BungieRead - Modern Warfare 2 will render at 600p
Call of Duty: Classic coming to Xbox Live and PSN 'eventually'
It's common knowledge that those who pick up Modern Warfare 2's Hardened Edition or Prestige Edition will receive Call of Duty: Classic, the game that started it all. Then there's the option of making your own, but what if you're one of the 14 people who just want Call of Duty: Classic? Well, according to Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling (via IGN), you may have to wait a while."Prestige and Hardened Edition buyers will be getting access to Call of Duty: Classic first. It'll eventually be coming out for both Xbox Live Arcade and PSN as a stand-alone arcade game," he said. Bowling also confirmed that this is the full edition of the original game, including multiplayer. Activision has made no mention of what the classic will be priced at, though considering the $80 price of admission for the Hardened Edition, we're assuming the game will run you around $20. Will it be more as a standalone?
Deering: Blockbuster games need to cost £70 to support industry
Modern Warfare 2 and the UK have been strange bedfellows in the media lately, with news that Activision will raise the price of the game to £54.99 (nearly $90). According to game industry mogul (and former Sony Europe boss) Chris Deering, the price hike isn't high enough. Deering tells MCV that blockbuster games simply aren't being produced efficiently enough, saying that the price of such games would actually have to cruise up to £70 ($115!) in order to support the industry as they once did.That said, Deering realizes that there is "a psychological glass ceiling" for the amount consumers are willing to spend, and notes, "Consumers won't spend more, but to write the game, publishers are having to spend more than ever before. That's the key problem."Of course, the flipside of this is that game prices could be lower if they were produced more efficiently -- or if the games market grew large enough to support the industry by buying more copies. But $115 games? Ouch.
Pachter: Modern Warfare 2, StarCraft II will each sell 4 million in no time flat
You know what this image means -- prolific pontificator and games industry analyst Michael Pachter is once again going all Nostradamus on us, this time with regard to Modern Warfare 2 and StarCraft 2 sales predictions. Quoted in a Gamasutra article, Wedbush Morgan's games guy says he feels, "[Modern Warfare 2] has the potential to sell an extra four million copies this year due to the big advertising push." Wait -- this year? The game comes out in November. Yikes.As for Blizzard's hotly anticipated sci-fi RTS, Pachter believes StarCraft 2 will break the four million sold mark within the first quarter (three months!) it's on sale. The one thing he can't predict: exactly when that on-sale date will be. C'mon, Michael, maybe if you combine the crystal ball, some bones and tea leaves? (Or is that how you access the hidden room in level 1-1 ... ?)[Via BigDownload]
PC players spared Modern Warfare 2 bundles, difficult decision
You folks planning to pick up Modern Warfare 2 for PC are lucky because you won't have to struggle with the tough choice between practical and pointless. Console owners will have to decide whether their love for Infinity Ward's FPS franchise translates to acceptance -- desire, even -- of a giant box of junk including, but not limited to, a plastic head. Making decisions like that could lead to learning things about yourself ... that you didn't want to know.It's a relief, then, for PC gamers that neither the Hardened Edition nor the all-out Prestige Edition will be available for PC. You're forced to buy just the game, like a normal person. If you're really into Prestige, though, you can always roll your own version of it.[Via Big Download]
DIY: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Prestige Edition for $110.40
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/DIY_Call_of_Duty_Modern_Warfare_2_Prestige_for_110_40'; You're probably just dying for the Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition that everyone's drooling over, and we can't blame you. But your friends at Joystiq are here to tell you that there's no need to wait! You can make your very own set right now with all the same components and save $40 in the process. (Though the video says the kit costs $100.40, the goggles are apparently $60. Go figure.)Just check out the video above, then flip through the gallery for all the instructions. Happy crafting! %Gallery-68902%
First look at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer
With Ubisoft pushing more titles into 2010, what is still coming out in 2009? The biggest name on that list might be Modern Warfare 2. Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling Tweeted the first look at the anticipated title's multiplayer, introducing the AC130 Killstreak, which is a reward for people who are so awesome they are given a free plane.Put on your awesomeness-vision goggles, and turn any nearby plastic heads toward the computer so they can also get an eyeful of new Modern Warfare 2 footage, which is after the break.
Pachter deems UK's Modern Warfare 2 price hike a 'test'
How much are you willing to pay for Infinity Ward's latest tunnel-of-fun shooter? Is it £54.99 (close to $90)? If so, you've passed what Michael Pachter calls "a one-time test for Activision." Or maybe Activision is passing the test. The point is ... nobody likes taking tests! No, that's not it. The Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst has told Eurogamer that Modern Warfare 2's higher retail price -- allegedly spurred on by the Euro's strength against the British Pound -- stems from a calculated business decision. "Activision knows it has a 'hot' game, knows that the market will pay an additional 10 per cent, and has decided to increase price accordingly," Pachter said, adding that the Pound was worth less last year when Call of Duty: World at War launched. Pachter speculates that should the gamble pay off, consumers can expect other games to similarly prod established price boundaries. But you guys aren't going to let that happen! And you're certainly not going to spend a fortune on some goggles and a useless plastic head, right? Hello? Anyone?
Interest in Modern Warfare 2 spikes with Call of Duty branding
Don't freak out, guys. We know how worried you were when we told you that interest in Modern Warfare 2 was waning without the warm embrace of that familiar Call of Duty brand name. According to Nielsen's Video Game Tracking service, interest in the shooter has substantially improved following the association of Infinity Ward's work with Activision's recognizable franchise.Three different consumer interest fields Nielsen tracked -- "Aided Awareness," "Definite Interest in Purchasing," and "Total Positive Interest in Purchasing" -- increased drastically from the week of July 6 (before the title was modified) to the week of July 13 (post-name change). It's just like Bill Shakespeare said: "A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but a rose that's clearly endorsed by Activision will sell way better." We're pretty sure that's how that goes.
Infinity Ward lending a hand on Modern Warfare 2 controller?
Time Crisis fans fully understand the awesomeness of a good gun when playing a gun-based title, so those very gamers will likely grasp the significance of Robert Bowling's Modern Warfare 2-related tweet. Just yesterday, the Infinity Ward employee made clear that he was "in a design meeting for a Modern Warfare 2 controller," and he sought the input of the Twitterverse regarding "concave or convex grips for the analog sticks." If you'll recall, this title can already be secured with an actual pair of night vision goggles, so tossing in some sort of rifle or semiautomatic weapon would just sweeten the pot even further -- chances are, though, this is just gonna be modeled after the plain jane Xbox 360 pad. When contacted by our pals over at Joystiq, Bowling wouldn't elaborate much, only noting that the controller "isn't being manufactured by [Infinity Ward] or [Activision]." So, that means it is being manufactured though, right?[Via Joystiq]
Infinity Ward helping design Modern Warfare 2 controller
Infinity Ward community guru Robert Bowling issued an interesting tweet this afternoon -- one that suggests the developer is consulting (with who we don't yet know) on a Modern Warfare 2 controller. Before you start envisioning a fully functioning M4 carbine to go with your night vision goggles, know that the pad surely sounds of the nothing-too-fancy variety. Specifically, we know it'll have analog thumbsticks, as Bowling asks followers of his Twitter feed whether they prefer concave (innie) or convex (outie) stick-tops.We asked Bowling about the controller, and while he couldn't offer any solid details, he did confirm it "isn't being manufactured by [Infinity Ward] or [Activision]," and that the call for votes was meant to "get the opinions of the people who will actually be using it to help settle a debate." You can cast your vote by sending a tweet to @fourzerotwo. (We went with "concave.")
Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition exclusive to HMV in UK, GameStop in Ireland
UK retailer HMV has secured an exclusive on the Prestige Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. (Y'know, the one with the night vision goggles.) The chain's online store confirms availability of the title on November 10 at a price of £149 ($243). It's noted that the edition will be in limited availability, although the limit of three to a customer is quite generous for a collector's item.We've also received word from a retail source that GameStop will carry the set exclusively in Ireland, where it will sell for €149 ($211). Did we mention it includes night vision goggles?
Report: Modern Warfare 2 triggering UK games price hike, EA not budging
We feel for our UK-based gaming brothers-and-sisters-in-arms. We've seen the gaming industry putting them through the financial wringer many times in the past, but a recent report from MCV describes the cruelest economic hardships they've ever had to face -- Activision has kicked the UK price of Modern Warfare 2 up to £54.99 (close to $90), and according to the report, other publishers may plan to follow suit, raising the prices on their titles as we move into the holiday season.The price hike is attributed to rising game development costs and the faltering strength of the pound -- still, compared to last holiday season, when titles like Prince of Persia and Far Cry 2 hit store shelves for around £40, it's a pretty sizable leap to make in just one year. However, not everyone is following Activision's example -- Electronic Arts responded to MCV's report, confirming that it would not increase the RRP of its holiday releases. We'll see which strategy pays off once the smoke from the holiday shopping season clears.
Modern Warfare 2 'Hardened Edition' will run you $80
Though we have no idea the kind of hurt that a game that comes with night vision goggles will put on our wallets (and we will allow that hurt, make no mistake), we have a price for the Hardened Edition, the name of which is easy to remember, as the box in which it is contained is hard, like metal.Besides the steel game case, you'll get an art book and Call of Duty Classic on XBLA or PSN all for $80, according to Infinity Ward spokesman Robert Bowling's Twitter feed. Also, anyone notice anything missing from the Hardened box? Any ... words specifically?
