Call of Duty: Ghosts emerges from the darkness thanks to Target and UK retailer Tesco, with the former advertising a release date of November 5. Meanwhile, a Tesco listing notes a release date of December 30 – early November is the traditional Call of Duty ETA. The box art posted on Tesco (see below the break for a snippet) features Infinity Ward’s logo.
We know (as if we didn’t before) that Activision has another edition of its shooter series slated for this year. “The Call of Duty franchise continues to set the bar for innovation,” company CFO Dennis Durkin said during Activision’s February earnings call, “And we expect the new Call of Duty game in development for 2013 to raise that bar even higher.”
Microsoft is sending out invitations to certain outlets for an event on May 21st that will reveal the newest Xbox console.
It’s been a long time coming for the newest Xbox gaming and media console, ever since Sony revealed the PlayStation 4 just a few weeks ago. The next Xbox, code-named Durango, has be rumored to focus pretty heavily on entertainment and television content as well as video games.
A newer and more sensitive Kinect sensor bar is also being rumored for the event. Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb also posted about the event stating that it will:
“…mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV and entertainment.”
The press event will be held on the Xbox campus, and there will be a livestream available on Xbox.com, Xbox LIVE, and a broadcast on SpikeTV. Hryb added:
“On that day, we’ll share our vision for Xbox, and give you a real taste of the future. Then, 19-days later at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, we’ll continue the conversation and showcase our full lineup of blockbuster games. We are thrilled to pull back the curtain and reveal what we’ve been working on.”
We’re looking forward to taking a look at what Microsoft has in store as well.
Treyarch has elected to extend the Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 double XP event until Tuesday, one extra day. The Double XP promotion will now end at 10:00 am PST on Tuesday, April 16th. By the time the event ends, Black Ops 2 players should have their hands on the Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Uprising DLC, which is slated to arrive on Tuesday as well.
The Black Ops 2 Uprising DLC is the second map pack for the shooter, and features four new multiplayer maps and one new zombies map titled “Mob of the Dead”. The Mob of the Dead content introduces four new survivors to Zombies players, with Treyarch tapping on Hollywood talent to lend their personas to an Alcatraz themed mode. Call of Duty faithful will also see the return of the Firing Range map from the original Black Ops. Although, it will be completely reskinned to resemble a Hollywood set.
Look for the DLC to arrive on Xbox Live this Tuesday, and get double XP until then.
The Black Ops 2 Uprising DLC trailer has just been released!
If the DLC trailer for the microtransactions were not enough, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 now has a trailer for their new Uprising DLC, with some comedic scenes of people being replaced by clones as the real person is home playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. But don’t worry, there is gameplay footage as well.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Uprising DLC includes all new maps such as Vertigo, Magma, and an Alcatraz zombie scenario.
The Black Ops 2: Uprising DLC trailer begins with a back alley full of red lamps shaped like pumpkins, and the words “The Replacers” are shown over it in all-caps white. The camera pans down and we see a 70s style race car careening down the alley, kicking up litter. It stops, and as the door opens we hear some rock music as a half-bald guy with long hair and a business suit gets out in a hurry.
The man walks toward the camera, showing a full beard as he says, “So it appears your hunger for Call of Duty’s more voracious than ever.” He smiles, “Ease your mind, my friend. I’m back.”
Another guy comes out of the other car door, “Man, you need to get this door fixed! Sittin’ there takin’ a nap, and you don’t say anything when you get out of the car. It gets hot in that car, man!”
The bearded man’s smile fades, “You see, Black Ops 2: Uprising is upon us.” The other man steps up beside him and fixes his suit.
The bearded man continues, “It’s huge, so I’ve been forced to take on a little … assistance.”
The other man adds, “That’s right! Tough guy here needed a little help.”
We then see the Magma map in a screenshot, a volcanic mountain in the distance with a run-down oriental shopping mall.
Black Ops 2‘s newest DLC is apparently coming on April 16. That is if you believe a recent leak of promotional materials that had that date on them.
One shopper at a video game retail store snapped a picture of the promotional cardboard cutout. On the top of that cutout was April 16th in big bold letters.
The card also sheds some light on rumors that had the next DLC being called Uprising. If that photo can be considered legitimate, and it certainly appears to be 100 percent real, then that rumor at least has been confirmed.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has long been one of the most popular video games on the market and people have been chomping at the bit to get the next peace of downloadable content.
Along with the name and the release date for this DLC was the description of everything that would be in the downloadable content. There are apparently four different maps included in the set.
The maps that will be coming with the new content are named Vertigo, Magma, Studio and Encore.
While new playable areas would be enough to get excited about, the other piece of content that is coming, called Mob of the Dead is what has people really fired up.
In an earlier leak, it was made clear that this particular mission would feature the “most terrifying Zombie experience to date.”
In addition, insiders believe that Vertigo is actually a remake of a map that was actually shelved once upon a time. The map, which had the same name back then was actually issued for Modern Warfare 2.
Taking this information along with the news that the trailer for the microtransactions that will be offered in the game have just hit, it appears the maker for this title is making a big push for more gamers.
A Black Ops 2 trailer has hit that showcases microtransactions.
Some of said microtransactions are quite absurd, but as long as they don’t mess with the balance of the game, Chris Carter of Destructoid doesn’t mind. Some of the personalization packs include graffiti riot shields, bacon guns, and benjamin bling pistols. The microtransactions are said to be available on April 12 for PC and PlayStation 3.
The trailer begins with background music from The Crystal Method’s “Name of The Game” as words zoom in on the screen in silver, “What’s your style?”
We then see a green-decked soldier making his way slowly down a neighborhood street with bullet trails going by him. The camera zooms in on the soldier and we get a view of him from the first person perspective as he pulls out a bright purple assault rifle with a view scope featuring a purple star instead of crosshairs. The guns switch from one ridiculous design to another, showing off different personalization packs for Black Ops 2.
One gun appears to be covered in bacon, and then we see a pair of pistols on display with hundred dollar bills painted on them. Some third-person gameplay is seen before switching back to first person shooting through a rough brick doorway. Then the locale seems to switch to the inside of a hotel.
More gameplay footage is seen before we see the “Party Rock” rifle with parts covered in purple icons. We then see the player shooting through a window of a futuristic looking building, and then the outside of a hotel. Various crosshairs are shown off, such as headphones, a purple star, and a CD.
Then we see a gun called “Graffiti,” which is obviously painted likewise. Then the player is seen walking around behind a graffiti-covered riot shield. More gameplay is shown of the gun being fired.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is going to be bringing microtransactions to the PS3 and the PC versions on April 12. The Xbox 360 version of the game got these microtransactions earlier this month.
The microtransactions that will be introduced to the Windows and Playstation 3 versions will apparently be identical to the ones that came to the Xbox.
This means that Black Ops 2 gamers will be able to get special weapons and uniform packs when the additions are released on April 12.
The developers and publishers of this game have long claimed that the microtransactions will not directly affect the gameplay. That appears to be a pretty big concern as these sorts of things come to the console.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is just the latest game that has introduced something that used to be recognized as almost exclusive to mobile gaming.
Gears of War: Judgement and Dead Space 3 have both introduced microtransactions this year and EA has said that quite a few of their coming games will have this function as well.
Along with the release of these microtransactions will come the Nuketown 2025 map that was released earlier for the Xbox 360. The companies have said that eventually this map pack will be in the regular rotation for the game.
Activision’s social manager, Dan Amrich also talked about whether or not these microtransactions and expansion DLCs would be coming to the Wii U anytime soon.
The answer won’t make Wii U gamers feel any more comfortable about their choice than they have over the last few weeks.
Armrich said that he is still not able to get a definitive answer on when or if the DLCs that have landed for every other format earlier this year will ever hit the Wii U.
Amrich added that “means it’s not a lost cause but it’s not a done deal.”
Battlefield 4 has been officially unveiled with a ton of screenshots, details, and even a 17 minute “trailer” that consists of action that is inside the game.
DICE has been teasing different aspects of the game leading up to a midnight unveiling last night. We knew there was going to be tanks and helicopters and boats and of course soldiers involved in the game, but we weren’t sure how they would all be incorporated.
Thanks to a leaked poster from EB Games, we already knew that this game was due out this fall, but one of the details that EA and DICE divulged last night is that it would indeed make an appearance in time for the holiday shopping season.
Battlefield 4 is aimed at being unique by giving more of a story to the characters in the game. This isn’t a war story where you don’t care whether your “comrades” die or are wounded.
In this particular title, you get to know the guys you are fighting with, and that is geared towards making you want to save them.
The facial features of each character are even unique enough that, once you learn their names, you will know them as friends as opposed to just some dudes you are running alongside.
The voice actors that were hired for the game are clearly top notch as well. The dialogue makes you feel not only as if you really are on a battlefield, but, when your squad is ambushed by a helicopter, you feel anxious and surprised.
The game is being released on PC, PS3, and the Xbox 360. It will also eventually be coming to the PS4 despite earlier reports that it wouldn’t.
While it’s not listed as coming to the PS4, an official from EA confirmed that the game will hit the next generation console as well.
If you happen to own a Wii U, you are going to be disappointed to learn that the game will be skipping that console in a move that is being seen far too often these days.
Tomorrow, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 will be updated on Xbox 360 with a single-purchase ‘Extra Slots Pack’ available for 160 MSP ($2), offering players 10 additional Create-A-Class slots and extra space for media storage, letting Theater Mode users archive 20 more emblems, 32 more films and 40 more screenshots.
The Nuketown Zombies map, previously only available with the Black Ops 2 Season Pass or with the Hardened and Care Package editions of the game, will also be released for 400 MSP ($4), while the Nuketown 2025 multiplayer map, previously a pre-order exclusive, will be released to all for free.
“At the end of the day, all of these items are completely optional, and were created for players who’ve asked for more customization options,” says Amrich.
“If that’s not you, that’s fine; everybody gets Nuketown 2025 for free, so definitely take advantage of that.”
Finally, “Flags of the World Calling Card Packs” are available for 80 points ($1) per regional pack. “Personalization Packs” let you customize your weapon, Calling Card, and reticle for 160 points ($2), with One of Swords showing the “Bacon personalization pack” above as a very weird example. It’s like a free-to-play model, except you also pay a bunch for the game! At least this stuff is optional, and isn’t consumable.
“And yes,” One of Swords writer Dan Amrich notes, “these will be coming to other platforms as well; when I know a date, I’ll post about it.”
The content will be released on “other platforms” at a later date.
Respawn Entertainment co-founder Jason West has left the company, sources close to the studio have informed me. Co-founder Vince Zampella is now the acting head of the studio.
The duo are best known for having created the Call of Duty series under Activision.
I’m told West has not been involved in active development for Respawn’s game for a number of months now, but it has not impacted development.
The company did not respond to my request for comment.
West founded Respawn after leaving Infinity Ward, a studio he also co-founded, in a contentious and public exodus during 2010 that resulted in a lengthy lawsuit with publisher Activision. Dozens of employees left at the same time, and many of them went with West to Respawn.
Respawn has been developing a first-person-shooter for Electronic Arts. The game has not yet been unveiled, but it is reported to have a sci-fi slant, and is expected to be unveiled at E3 this year.
