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Wii to be Bondless until 2008
It's been known for quite some time that Activision snatched up the Bond gaming rights after EA, but nobody knew exactly when the company's first game based on the smooth-talking British agent would release. Well, now we know, and in 2008 we'll get our first taste of the new era of Bond games, which will be a title based on the second film to star the new Bond Daniel Craig. We aren't a movie blog by any stretch of the imagination, but we were fairly happy to hear that he would be taking over following some very good past films. Of course, we already knew which development studio would actually be responsible for this new Bond game. Treyarch, as we all know, is currently knee-deep in preparing Call of Duty 3, yet will take up the reigns for the 2008 game.No announcement has been made in regards to what systems the game will be available for, but we're 95% sure it'll end up on the Wii.
Call of Duty 3 bonus action
Gamestop recently put up a listing for Treyarch's Call of Duty 3 on the Wii, complete with $59.99 US price tag and bonus DVD inclusion for pre-ordering. The bonus DVD is to be a sneak peek into the game, although in what kind of capacity the digital video disc allows you to sneakily-peek behind the game's scenes is a mystery.Any Wii Fanboys going to pre-order this and check the disc out? Anyone been out to see if the disc is available at your local Gamestop?
Treyarch developing Bond game
Those already picturing the mesmerizing possibilities of an action/adventure set in the world of financial loans will have to face disappointment yet again, as Ultimate Spider-Man developer Treyarch has been tapped by Activision to create a game starring the other and recently less valuable Bond. James Bond. Likely based on the upcoming film franchise reboot, Casino Royale, the game is targeting next-generation platforms and the general consensus that Bond games aren't worth a (Money) penny.Having rescued the Bond license from the metallic hands that programmed Goldeneye: Rogue Agent, Activision will no doubt attempt to do right by Fleming fans if they wish to reap the rewards from their investment. Giving Treyarch the job seems like a good decision, certainly superior to that of placing a permanently disgruntled, blond man into the suave spy's shoes. Indeed, it seems preferable to place the gamer in those rocket-propelled shoes instead. Who wouldn't want to be a man of mystery (like, which STD does he have?) traipsing across the world, bedding foreign beauties and then killing said foreign beauties when they inevitably betray you? Also -- casino minigames!
Confirmed: Call of Duty 3 a launch title
Hot on the heels of the recent videos and screenshots for Call of Duty 3 comes news that the game will be available on launch day for the PS3. I'll give that a second to sink in...OK, done? Good. So, in being available on November 17, 2006, Call of Duty 3 might be able to push sales in much the same way that Call of Duty 2 did for Satan's Microsoft's Xbox 360 console. Regardless, Call of Duty has been just about the only WWII shooter worth playing for quite some time, so hopefully this turns out to be a big plus for Sony and their PS3 console come release this November.
COD3 gets a date and new screens
Now that we know when the 360 version of Call of Duty will be released --and that it will be identical to the PS3 version, snicker, snicker -- why not celebrate with some new screens? If screens don't do it for you, how about a movie (or two, or three)? War may be hell, but it sure sells a lot of video games. [Thanks, Matt T.]
Call of Duty 3 trailers and screens
IGN has posted a few different trailers showing the new Close Quarters Combat feature as well as some extra gameplay footage for Call of Duty 3. With the new Close Combat feature, you can do more than just bash a Nazi or two, allowing you to disarm traps such as mines, even going so far as to plant your own. Also, the game is to incorporate more destructible environments, causing the days of wood being able to block grenades without so much as denting to become a thing of the past.Considering that Treyarch, who was responsible for Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, which were a bit less enjoyable than the original Call of Duty and its expansion pack in United Offensive, along with the sequel on the PC, should we expect Call of Duty 3 to have the same problems as their past efforts on consoles? We sure hope not as the Call of Duty franchise has been the only enjoyable WWII shooter for quite some time.
Next Call of Duty answered, previewed
If the mention of World War II still compels you to go about shooting things (typically Nazis) from a first-person perspective, you'd best check out 1Up's weeklong feature that promises to detail every pixel, polygon and private that constitutes the upcoming Call of Duty 3. Taking over from Infinity Ward, developer Treyarch is keen on capitalizing on next-gen technology and the creative freedoms it provides -- with any luck, that means we'll actually be able to open doors in this one. Oh well, we suppose loads of on-screen enemies and trampled blades of grass are just as useful.The screenshots and video provided are enough to convince us of the game's technical gravitas, but we're quite interested in the Wii version and how it looks to take advantage of the unique control system. A small blurb in the first part of the preview suggests how, while at the same time suggesting that the other two versions of the game are the main focus here. "The Wii version, in development outside Treyarch, shows some potential to bring the player into the game during the Battle Actions in a way the PS3 and 360 won't be able to. Actually wrestling with a German for his gun or actually disarming that explosive are things only the Wii will let you do this gen."Battle actions are Call of Duty's answer to Shenmue's Quick Timer Events. At certain points during the game, you're required to press certain buttons in order to escape a cinematic struggle or situation. Failure is likely to result in far more unpleasantness than getting smacked in the head by some Japanese kid's soccerball. These sound particularly intriguing if done correctly for the Wii and should make up for some of its inevitable graphical shortcomings. Even then, we have to wonder how long it'll take before we grow tired of crawling through trenches and taking out tanks. Is World War II the new Hoth?[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
Wii Call of Duty 3 readies for frontline
Digitalbattle.com has posted a magazine scan of two images of Call of Duty 3 for Wii. 'Impressive' is the early (fanboy) consensus, as these still shots convey the look of a highly polished Xbox -- not Xbox 360 -- game. Of course, as the magazine notes, Wii COD3 "won't look as snazzy as it does on ... Xbox 360 and PS3."To make up for the Wii version's shortcomings, Treyarch is working hard to implement the Wiimote's accelerometer and position-pointing technology. A fair trade? You decide: when it comes to a WWII epic, would you prefer pointin'-n-clickin' through dated scenery or storming those 'drop-dead' gorgeous beaches with the ol' gamepad?[Thanks, Tom]
First Call of Duty 3 screens
The first screens for Call of Duty 3 on the Wii have surfaced. The screens aren't the best quality, so it's a safe bet that the game looks a lot better than this right now and will look even better as it progresses. The game will also do away with the reticle and the team plans on concentrating on perfecting the use of the Wiimote in the coming months.[Via Codename Revolution]
Call of Duty 3 announced; leak confirmed [update 1]
Call of Duty 3's just been confirmed, and it looks like we were right on the money with our early leak of the WWII-related game.Back in early March, we printed the following information (and a whole lot more) on the focus of an upcoming sequel: "'CoD 3' ... is being produced by Big Red One dev Treyarch. ... The next Call of Duty World War II-based title will return gamers to the battlefields of Normandy as the Allies take on Nazi Germany to drive them out of France once and for all. This time around, American and British forces are joined by Canadian troops, Polish tanks, and French freedom fighters in a reenactment of the bloody Normandy Breakout campaign spearheaded during the summer of 1944. In the push to Paris, you'll get to choose how you approach each mission, free of menu screens and jarring non-interactive cut-scenes."Here's what IGN quoted from Activision for the announcement yesterday: "Through the eyes of four Allied soldiers, Call of Duty 3 brings players closer to the fury of combat as they fight through the Normandy Breakout, the harrowing offensive that liberated Paris and changed the fate of the world. Developed by Treyarch, Call of Duty 3 is the follow up to the #1 next-generation game and is scheduled for a 2006 release." Fingering the developer and the setting? Not too shabby -- while Joystiq pats itself on the back.Check out the IGN trailer below for a first-person look somewhat reminiscent of the FPS sequence in the Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer from TGS. At the end of the "official E3 teaser" trailer, a number of platforms are listed, with the major manufacturers (including a small "Nintendo Revolution" in text) and publisher/developer combo listed. We suspect that versions for the PC and possibly the current-gen consoles will be covered with ports as well. Now all we have to do is wait for the word on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. (Infinity Ward, we're looking at you!) More info obviously hitting at E3.[Thanks, icemorebutts, jason, & Hiro Protagonist][Update 1: Had to fix a verb. Thanks, Hiro Protagonist, John Q, & Jiiiiihad!]See also: Official E3 teaser trailer for Call of Duty 3 Next Call of Duty leaked: Modern Warfare tackles terrorists Rumor: Call of Duty joining the Revolution Kojima interacts in real-time with MGS4 trailer at TGS
Next Call of Duty leaked: Modern Warfare tackles terrorists
We've heard from a reliable source what the next two Call of Duty titles will be about: one will focus on the Normandy Breakout campaign in WWII, while the other moves into the modern age, taking the fight to Middle Eastern terrorists. Yikes!The big release news is that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and the other WWII-themed game will be released for PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox, and Xbox 360--and they will be released only 3 months apart from one another. This would follow the pattern of releases for Call of Duty 2 on the PC and 360 and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One on current-gen consoles, only this time both would be released on both generations of hardware (minus the GameCube and Revolution).What follows below are brief descriptions of each title, though Infinity Ward was explicitly fingered as the developer of Modern Warfare, while the as-yet untitled WWII game had no such designation. This would lead us to believe that "CoD 3" (or whatever that WWII game ends up being called) is being produced by Big Red One dev Treyarch. Whatever the case may be, just remember, folks: you heard about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare here first!
