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Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection video takes you to the labs
We've accepted that killing zombies is a natural part of the human experience, typically falling somewhere between adulthood and our sunset years. If we don't kill the zombies, they overrun the breathers and humanity goes kaputski. We may not like it, but we get it. That said, is it really necessarily for Call of Duty: Black Ops to, frankly, glorify zombicide? Just watch this new trailer for the upcoming Rezurrection DLC for a disturbing look at a developer that wants not only to kill zombies, but to have fun doing it. First you make us misspell "resurrection" and now this? You guys really are sociopaths.
COD Black Ops Rezurrection video goes straight to the Moon
Activision sent out new footage of the Call of Duty: Black Ops "Rezurrection" DLC, including your first look at the "Moon" level, which features space-suited soldiers blasting zombies in low gravity. A warning: it's only a few seconds until you see a zombie depressurize, puff up and explode. Grody.
Treyarch behind Wii version of Modern Warfare 3
Not only will the Wii host its own version of Modern Warfare 3, as it did with Black Ops and Modern Warfare Reflex, that waggly version will be made by a company familiar with Call of Duty games: Treyarch. Treyarch is, in fact, more than qualified to make a Wii COD game, as it is the company behind both of those previous releases, as well as World at War. "The Wii has grown so much as a platform," Infinity Ward spokesman Robert Bowling said on the One of Swords podcast. "The great thing is Treyarch proved that you can have an awesome experience on the Wii with Call of Duty. They'll actually be handling that for Modern Warfare 3." Call of Duty games must sell pretty well on the platform to continue supporting it -- not that we should be surprised about Call of Duty games selling, we suppose.
Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold 25M, Modern Warfare 2 at 22M
While gaming still looks for its Citizen Kane, it has already found its McDonalds: Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg said on an earnings call today that the last two entries in the Call of Duty series, Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops, have sold 22 and 25 million units respectively. The numbers may look impressive on the outside, but they don't answer the big question. Namely: What's the K/D spread?
Infinity Ward on the 'natural progression' of Call of Duty franchise development
"I can only speak on behalf of Infinity Ward, but I think it's a natural progression of how things have been going in general," Infinity Ward Creative Strategist Robert Bowling explained. We spoke last week during a Modern Warfare 3 preview event in Manhattan, in a hotel about 60 blocks north of the Wall Street setting in the game's campaign. I'd asked Bowling about the upcoming Call of Duty XP extravaganza, the variety of devs working on Modern Warfare 3, and if those things are an indication of a more unified franchise development structure -- a structure perhaps forged out of necessity, given the staff losses IW has seen over the past year. "We're at a state now in the Call of Duty franchise, where you have several teams working on CoD that have their own very distinct styles on what type of gameplay they deliver," he continued, in reference to Sledgehammer, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Beachhead all working on various Call of Duty projects. "And I think that's a great thing for Call of Duty in general, especially if you're having games come out every year. To have very distinct flavors and to have very distinct styles, it allows us to innovate in different ways and not feel forced to innovate in the same ways and build on the same interactions in the other games." Infinity Ward was showing off the newly added Spec-Ops Survival mode at the event as well, where I was handily carried on Bowling's back through eight waves of enemies before a juggernaut murdered us both. Much like Gears of War's Horde and Halo's Firefight modes, Spec-Ops Survival is, by Bowling's own description, an "infinite wave-based mode." A lot like the Treyarch-developed Call of Duty "Zombies" mode that has thus far missed inclusion in any Modern Warfare release. While Bowling won't deny the allure of adding a Zombies mode to the Modern Warfare titles ("It's a stellar game mode!"), he believes that his branch of the franchise wouldn't be the right fit for it. "I think it comes down to design philosophies. Each game has its own personality and voice. Ours typically stick to the authentic/fun aspects, where there's goes in a different directions that's still fun, but unique to Treyarch's voice and their design sensibilities," he explained. He wouldn't outright say whether or not Spec-Ops is exclusive to IW/Sledgehammer, or if Zombies mode is exclusive to Treyarch, but it seems to be heavily encouraged that it stays as such. But then, he's only able to speak on behalf of Infinity Ward.
PSA: Call of Duty Elite beta invites rolling out
Listen up, recruits! If you signed up for Operation Call of Duty Elite Beta, keep an eye out for a dispatch from Activision HQ. The top brass has informed us that beta invites are beginning to be sent now. "The beta will be activated in phases for feature testing, with limited invitations rolling out in the coming weeks," the classified document reads. These Call of Duty Elite beta invites only extend to Xbox 360 users playing Call of Duty: Black Ops right now, but will support all future franchise titles, starting with the launch of Modern Warfare 3 on November 8. The PS3 release of this beta was held back by the PSN outage, according to the FAQ. According to Activision, over 2.8 million have signed up for the beta, so if you have yet to receive your beta invite, exercise patience. For more information on Call of Duty Elite, be sure to check out our preview of the service and interview with Activision's VP of Digital, Jamie Berger.
Call of Duty XP 2011, a two-day event for CoD fans, with proceeds going to charity
A smaller portfolio isn't the only thing Activision Publishing is cribbing from its sister company, Blizzard. A major component of supporting massive brands like Call of Duty (and World of Warcraft and StarCraft) is fan service and Activision is ready to take its support of the heretofore nebulous Call of Duty community to the next level with Call of Duty XP 2011, a two-day gathering promising "total Call of Duty immersion" at a "secure 12-acre compound in the urban confines of Los Angeles." Earlier this week, we had a chance to speak with Eric Hirshberg, Activision Publishing CEO, about the announcement. "Call of Duty XP is going to be the ultimate fan experience for Call of Duty fans. A two day, immersive live event for fans of Call of Duty," Hirshberg told Joystiq. "We think it's going to set a new bar for experiential live fan-based events." That experience includes a first look at the multiplayer component of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the "full feature functionality" of the still opaque Call of Duty Elite online service, a $1 million CoD tournament sponsored by Activision and "lead sponsor" Xbox 360, and a handful of other big ticket opportunities. "We are constructing a full-scale replica of one of our multiplayer maps as a paintball stadium for fans," Hirshberg said. "We're reconstructing the legendary level from Modern Warfare 2, The Pit, which fans can actually run." More interested in what you're going to be able to eat at an all-Call of Duty event? "You'll be able to eat at Burger Town from Modern Warfare 2," Hirshberg added, quite seriously.
Call of Duty: Black Ops sets UK sales record with 3.72 million copies sold
According to UK sales snoops Chart-Track, Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold more copies than any other game in the region. That's, like, in all of history. As of June 25, Black Ops managed to move 3,722,411 copies, besting the previous top place holder, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which set a record with 3,702,410 copies sold. And if we were a betting blog, we'd say that 3.72 million figure will only increase. With today's release of Annihilation, the latest map pack for the game, we're going way out on a limb here and suggest there's still some blood left to be squeezed from that stone.
Black Ops 'Annihilation' trailer tours the latest zombie stomping grounds
No, Activision -- stop it! We're all for the new zombies map coming in the next Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack, Annihilation, but we never, ever want to associate the joytime feelings we get from "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with the feelings of desperation and panic in Black Ops' co-op survival mode. It's just two things that we never want to mix together, kinda like baby sea otters and Hellraiser. %Gallery-127231%
Call of Duty: Black Ops 'Annihilation' trailer hits those familiar notes
That one hamburger-stand guy? "Gimme Shelter?" Fifteen dollars floating out of your wallet in anticipation? Yes, it's that time again: Activision posted a new Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC trailer, this one for the "Annihilation" map pack.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 'Limited Edition with DLC' listed on GameStop [update: it's official!]
Headed to the store to buy Call of Duty: Black Ops right this second? Hang on. A listing spotted on GameStop.com suggests that, next week, you'll be able to buy a version bundled with DLC. The listing is light on specifics, but the name is "Call of Duty: Black Ops Limited Edition with DLC." According to GameStop, it's set to come out June 28 on Xbox 360 and PS3, for the same $59.99 price that the normal edition commands. We're checking with Activision to determine exactly which DLC is included and if this package will be sold at other retailers. (Oh, and whether or not it's real.) [Thanks, BrownWing!] Update: Activision confirmed to Joystiq that the "Limited Edition" version of Black Ops will be available at "all retailers" in North America on June 28. For $59.99, it will include the game and a token for the "First Strike" DLC.
Call of Duty: Black Ops' 'Annihilation' maps revealed
We didn't spot any celebrities in the Call of Duty: Black Ops "Annihilation" DLC footage included in this dev diary. However, we did see lots of shots of all the new maps, including the Area 51-inspired "Hangar 18," the "Hazard" map based on World at War's "Cliffside" (and then made into a golf course), and the ancient ruins/zombie stronghold "Shangri-la." You can either watch the video after the break and get excited about your upcoming $15 purchase, or just buy it on June 28 when it comes to Xbox Live. But let's be honest: either way, you're going to end up buying this Call of Duty map pack. Everyone will.%Gallery-126560%
Call of Duty: Black Ops 'Annihilation' DLC coming to 360 June 28
Activision has officially announced the third Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack, to the surprise of everyone who wasn't online yesterday. The "Annihilation" pack, out June 28 on Xbox 360, and a contractually appropriate time later on PC and PS3, adds four new multiplayer maps: Hangar 18, Drive-In, Silo, and Hazard, along with the requisite Zombies map, "Shangri-La." Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia called "Shangri-La" an exotic and mysterious map filled with deadly traps, dark secrets and innovative gameplay that will challenge even the most daring Zombie hunters." It goes without saying that it's also filled with zombies. To celebrate the release of this map, Treyarch will offer a double XP weekend starting July 1. Now all you have to do is free yourself from all personal and professional responsibilities.
Rumor: Third Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC leaked via flyer
Just about one week before Call of Duty: Black Ops' Escalation DLC was announced, the add-on was leaked by a promo flier from European retailer GAME. If the image recently posted to Xbox360Achievements is legit, the game's third map pack has suffered a similar fate. A purported Gamestop flyer shows off five of the next bundle's maps, a list which includes Hangar 18, Silo, Hazard, Drive-In and an unnamed Zombie mode map. The only familiar name in the lineup is Silo, which was mentioned in a bit of code discovered in the latest Black Ops patch, released last month. If the flyer is real, and in the hands of Gamestop clerks across the country, we're sure to hear more about the pack soon. Until then, won't you join us in getting pumped by listening to "Hangar 18" on repeat? Update: We've received a number of tips from Gamestop employees and shoppers with more purported details on the map pack. This YouTube video shows off what appears to be a number of in-store ads for the expansion, operating under the title "Annihilation." The flyers also show off a release date of June 28, 2011 -- meaning if they're real, we should know about it very soon. If you work at Gamestop and have seen these promo materials, please send in a tip!
COD: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC bringing Hollywood's zombies to PS3 on June 10
Afte arriving exclusively on the Xbox 360 back in May (per previous agreements) and on PC yesterday, Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC "Escalation" is now getting the PS3 treatment on June 10. Beyond the four regular mutliplayer maps it adds, the much loved "Call of the Dead" level -- starring a quartet of movie stars -- is also included. Like the PC launch before it, when the DLC arrives on PlayStation 3 next week, it'll spark a double XP outbreak all weekend on PlayStation Network. No official pricing was given in the release date announcement, but we don't imagine it'll be magically less expensive than the $15 asking price on Xbox 360 and Steam. Update: An Activision rep confirmed to us that the PS3 release will be "consistent with previous Escalation pack pricing."
Escalation drops on Black Ops PC today; double XP and free Steam multiplayer weekend
While some of us will be frantically packing and chewing our finger nails down to the bone in preparation for E3, many out there may just be looking to kick it. If that's the case and you're looking for something to do on that PC of yours, Steam's got a whole lot of Black Ops stuff going on. First of all, the latest DLC pack, Escalation, is now available for download on Steam at $14.99 -- four multiplayer maps and the celebrity-filled Call of the Dead are included. On top of that, Steam is offering a free multiplayer weekend, meaning anybody can download the game and sample its multiplayer side absolutely free, from right now until June 5 at 1pm PT. This weekend, all XP earned in multiplayer will also be doubled. Finally, if you've found Black Ops to be to your liking, you can decide to pick it up at a reduced price this weekend: $40.19, 33% off its normal asking price.
Call of Duty Elite is the paid 'digital platform' from Beachhead Studios, built for MW3 [Update: Now with video!]
[Note: Our preview of the Call of Duty Elite service is live here!] Hours ahead of the agreed-upon embargo for the news, the Wall Street Journal is the first to report on Call of Duty Elite, the long-reported "digital platform" in development at Activision's new Beachhead studio. Designed to complement this fall's Modern Warfare 3, Elite will be a paid service though "portions of the service will be free" including a Facebook-inspired Groups feature. Other features of the service include the Bungie.net-like ability to display stats to analyze player performance, "gauging factors such as which weapons have been most successful for them in killing enemies." If you're worried that you'll suddenly have to pay for online multiplayer in Call of Duty titles, don't be. The Journal reports that "players will still be able to compete against each other online without subscribing to the service." Activision hasn't yet pinned down a price point, though it does expect the cost to be less than comparable "online-entertainment services" like the $8/month Netflix. Part of that fee will go towards a "customer-service operation that will be needed to support it." It will also include the year's map packs, which cost $15 each, taking some of the sting out of any annual charge. [Update: The trailer detailing the entire service has been leaked on YouTube – hat tip @CheapyD – ahead of tomorrow morning's 9am embargo; if the WSJ article left you with some questions, try the video after the break. Still have questions? We'll do our best to answer everything tomorrow morning! Update 2: Looks like Activision pulled the original YouTube trailer but, now that the embargo's up, we added our own version after the break. Click away!]
Call of Duty: Black Ops PC patch released, Treyarch targeting end of month for mod tools
Though the rest of the planet has been entirely consumed by the fires of Modern Warfare 3 fever, the Call of Duty: Black Ops PC community is being rewarded for its dedication. Treyarch just launched a hefty patch on Steam for the shooter, fixing a number of issues that have long plagued its multiplayer component. Check out the full list of changes after the jump! One change included therein is the preparation for player-created mods -- a feature which, according to a recent Tweet from Treyarch community manager Josh Olin, is "still targeting an end-of-month release." We're quickly running out of month, but we'll make sure to let you know if it delivers on this promise!
Call of Duty: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC hitting PC on June 2
"Escalation," the latest downloadable add-on for Call of Duty: Black Ops, will be released for PC early next month. Activision sent out a note announcing a June 2 release date, and signaled the impending end of Xbox Live's exclusive grip on five additional multiplayer maps. The $15 "Escalation" pack houses four urban Black Ops battlegrounds -- Hotel, Zoo, Convoy and Stockpile -- and an unusually elaborate map for Zombies mode, dubbed "Call of the Dead." Assuming you don't find it distasteful when those who were presumed dead are unexpectedly resurrected, you'll get a real kick out of seeing Robert Englund, George Romero and Sarah Michelle Gellar again. An announcement regarding the PlayStation 3 version of this DLC will be made "soon," Activision says.%Gallery-121609%
Call of the Dead actors sound off on being in Black Ops
For each celebrity participating in Call of the Dead, there's a different motivation -- well, on top of the core motivation of sweet cash money, of course. Check out some videos past the break where each tells us what Call of Duty means to them.
