Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts built with 'cinema quality' art assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/#comments
We had the opportunity to chat with Call of Duty: Ghosts Executive Producer Mark Rubin during E3, but instead of asking how many guns the latest installment has, we decided to focus on tech and art.

Rubin explains how the next-gen console architectures being so close to PCs will likely help all developers, from the mega studios, like Infinity Ward, to basement developers like Sally Perkins (you'll hear about her in five years). He also goes on to explain how Infinity Ward has reworked its art flow to benefit all platforms.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Ghosts (E3 2013)

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts built with 'cinema quality' art assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-duty-ghostsInfinity-Wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts exorcises several gameplay videos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/call-of-duty-ghosts-exorcises-several-gameplay-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/call-of-duty-ghosts-exorcises-several-gameplay-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/call-of-duty-ghosts-exorcises-several-gameplay-videos/#comments

Get the behind-closed-doors E3 experience with these gameplay videos for Call of Duty: Ghosts. We say that, because if you go to check out the game at the show, these videos are what you're going to see. And you get to do it without the cacophony of show floor noise and with the luxury of doing it in your pajamas to boot. Lucky!

Above is the underwater gameplay of "Into the Deep." If you've got any drowning issues, it's probably best to skip that one. After the break we've got next-gen dog attack technology in "No Man's Land," along with the 28-minute Call of Duty: Ghosts presentation from Sunday night.

The only video exclusive to E3 at this time is "Federation Day," which finds a squad of soldiers infiltrating a building by rappelling down it and then attempting to escape as the skyscraper collapses, but that should be available sometime after the mega convention concludes.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Ghosts (E3 2013)

Continue reading Call of Duty: Ghosts exorcises several gameplay videos

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts exorcises several gameplay videos originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-duty-ghostse3-2013Infinity-Wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 12 Jun 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts trailers come in by land, sea]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/call-of-duty-ghosts-trailers-come-in-by-land-sea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/call-of-duty-ghosts-trailers-come-in-by-land-sea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/call-of-duty-ghosts-trailers-come-in-by-land-sea/#comments
Activision has deployed a pair of Call of Duty: Ghosts trailers, each highlighting a different mission from Infinity Ward's latest - one a romp through a sullen forest, the other an underwater jaunt. Who knew guns worked underwater?

Continue reading Call of Duty: Ghosts trailers come in by land, sea

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts trailers come in by land, sea originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsghost-cod-way-of-the-dutyghost-dog-way-of-the-samuraiinfinity-wardmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-4ps3ps4xboxxbox-oneTue, 11 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts' new engine still iterative, not built from scratch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/28/call-of-duty-ghosts-new-engine-still-iterative-not-built-from/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/28/call-of-duty-ghosts-new-engine-still-iterative-not-built-from/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/28/call-of-duty-ghosts-new-engine-still-iterative-not-built-from/#comments When Infinity Ward talks about Call of Duty: Ghosts' new engine, the term "new" carries an implied asterisk, at least according to animation lead Zach Volker. "When we're talking about a new engine, we're talking about upgrading significant systems within in that engine - we're not talking about throwing it all away and saying we're starting from the ground up," Volker told Official PlayStation Magazine UK.

Creating a brand-new, from-scratch engine on Infinity Ward's production timeline would require "an army of 200 engineers" according to Volker, so the distinction of "new" is made by how significantly upgraded the latest version of the engine is, as compared to the last.

"We say okay, what are the things that are significant," Volker said, "that are encompassing of the engine or its visual quality? Are those being upgraded in a significant way? Alright then, I think that warrants that we've got a new engine on our hands."

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts' new engine still iterative, not built from scratch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 May 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsengineinfinity-wardmicrosoftnew-enginepcplaystationps3xboxZach-VolkerTue, 28 May 2013 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts has Kinect voice commands on Xbox One]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/call-of-duty-ghosts-has-kinect-voice-commands-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/call-of-duty-ghosts-has-kinect-voice-commands-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/call-of-duty-ghosts-has-kinect-voice-commands-on-xbox-one/#comments Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg has confirmed that the Xbox One version of Call of Duty: Ghosts will have some form of Kinect voice commands. Speaking to VentureBeat, Hirshberg said, "I made a passing comment that you're going to see voice integration, voice commands via Kinect, which is something that we haven't done in the past with Call of Duty." He added that the improvements made to Kinect for Xbox One "really excite" the publisher.

Hirshberg also reassured fans that Kinect support won't be careless. "We've always made sure that we don't just use new technology for novelty's sake, he said. "We always make sure that it makes the gameplay better. In this case, we think it will."

He didn't elaborate on what the voice commands might be, but we imagine they will be something along the lines of, "Come here! Who's a good boy? Are you a good boy? Yes, you are. Yes, you are!"

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts has Kinect voice commands on Xbox One originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsinfinity-wardkinectmicrosoftxboxFri, 24 May 2013 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts confirmed for PS4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/call-of-duty-ghosts-confirmed-for-ps4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/call-of-duty-ghosts-confirmed-for-ps4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/call-of-duty-ghosts-confirmed-for-ps4/#comments In formality news, developer Infinity Ward took to Twitter to confirm Call of Duty: Ghosts for the PS4, in addition to the PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC. In related news, the death of announcements featuring the phrase "next-generation platforms" is blissfully upon us.

At the Xbox One event, Activision revealed it's continuing its exclusivity agreement with Microsoft on Call of Duty DLC. So, the one missing link regards Ghosts remains the Wii U, which Activision is staying quiet about.

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts confirmed for PS4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsinfinity-wardplaystationps4Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Comparing next-gen Call of Duty dogs in Ghosts to MW3 dogs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/comparing-next-gen-call-of-duty-dogs-in-ghosts-to-mw3-dogs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/comparing-next-gen-call-of-duty-dogs-in-ghosts-to-mw3-dogs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/comparing-next-gen-call-of-duty-dogs-in-ghosts-to-mw3-dogs/#comments
With the next generation of the Call of Duty engine, Activision studios will be able to produce curved objects with realism never before seen in the series. In layman's terms, that means the dogs will look really good - just look at Ghost Dog compared to MW3 Dog. Woof!

JoystiqComparing next-gen Call of Duty dogs in Ghosts to MW3 dogs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsinfinity-wardmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-4ps3ps4xboxxbox-oneWed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabit one soldier (and his dog) in Call of Duty: Ghosts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/inhabit-one-soldier-and-his-dog-in-call-of-duty-ghosts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/inhabit-one-soldier-and-his-dog-in-call-of-duty-ghosts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/inhabit-one-soldier-and-his-dog-in-call-of-duty-ghosts/#comments The next-generation engine debuted in Call of Duty: Ghosts will not only power the franchise's signature 60 frames-per-second gameplay, but a more coherent experience overall. According to Infinity Ward executive producer Mark Rubin, Ghosts will stick with the same protagonist and squad of soldiers throughout the game.

"If you look at Call of Duty in general, you're on the high-tech, super-powered forces. You're America, you're strong, you're Britain, Germany," Rubin told Joystiq at a recent press event in Los Angeles. "It just felt like, what if we could reverse those roles a bit, what if we had America as the underdog and not the superpower? What if we had some other countries as the big superpower and we're fighting against this more technologically superior force. And so that is really where we got: now we've got this technologically superior super force, they devastate the western world, the US, with a weapon of mass destruction of some kind - I'm not going to go into that, it will come later, and what we did is we had that event start the game, but the story picks up ten to fifteen years later and you as a soldier grew up in this new changed world."

That soldier will be a focal point for the game, Rubin said, and won't contribute to the fractured, multi-perspective narratives for which the series has drawn ire in the past. "It's not like before where you have these multiple sides and trot around. You're pretty much the same person throughout."

You'll also be accompanied by a Navy SEAL dog (not to be confused with a Moreau-style seal-dog), which can sniff out dangers and aid the team in several ways as a companion AI of sorts. As you might expect from a production of Ghosts' caliber, Infinity Ward did full motion capture on a retired SEAL dog.

Continue reading Inhabit one soldier (and his dog) in Call of Duty: Ghosts

JoystiqInhabit one soldier (and his dog) in Call of Duty: Ghosts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsinfinity-wardmark-rubinmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 21 May 2013 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts written by 'Syriana' and 'Traffic' scribe Stephen Gaghan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-written-by-syriana-and-traffic-scribe-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-written-by-syriana-and-traffic-scribe-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-written-by-syriana-and-traffic-scribe-s/#commentsCall of Duty Ghosts written by 'Syriana' and 'Traffic' scribe Stephen Gaghan

The latest Call of Duty, dubbed Ghosts, has drafted Syriana and Traffic writer Stephen Gaghan to provide its fiction.

Games don't get more Hollywood than Call of Duty, and Activision has shown little hesitance in acquiring composers and writers from the silver screen to aid in its ever bigger and brasher efforts. Gaghan's work on Traffic, a dour crime drama, and political thriller Syriana made him a standout candidate for Ghosts. The game follows the remainder of the US military in a world scarred by a weapon of mass destruction.

According to developer Infinity Ward, Gaghan didn't swoop in and drop off a script - he requested an office, and worked from one amidst the game's single-player team all throughout the game's production. That's a sterling gesture, but I asked Call of Duty: Ghosts executive producer Mark Rubin to explain why Gaghan was deemed suitable to write for players, not viewers.

"Basically, we looked at his work - he's a great writer, no doubt about it and that's fine, there are probably lots of great writers out there," Rubin said. "So what we did is we actually got the chance to talk to him a long time before we decided to go forward with it. And we realized he was getting it. We've had writers before, and they know how to write, but they don't understand the game aspect of it.

"And I feel like with Gaghan, he really understood what we were trying to do. He asked more questions than try to sell himself, and that was, I think, a really big selling point. He was asking how things work and how we do things, and was really interested in how we craft the story, not from a writing standpoint but from the visuals and gameplay. He was really asking more questions. Although he was a gamer - he knew it from that side - he didn't know it from the dev side. He really was asking a lot of questions about the dev side, he really wanted to know more. I think that interest in what we were doing is really what drove us to him."

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts written by 'Syriana' and 'Traffic' scribe Stephen Gaghan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutycall-of-duty-ghostse3-2013infinity-wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3stephen-gaghanxboxTue, 21 May 2013 13:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts announced; next-gen powered by new engine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/call-of-duty-ghosts-announced-next-gen-powered-by-new-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/call-of-duty-ghosts-announced-next-gen-powered-by-new-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/call-of-duty-ghosts-announced-next-gen-powered-by-new-engine/#comments
Confirming rumors, Activision has revealed the next game in its billion-dollar shooter franchise, titled Call of Duty: Ghosts. The military-based FPS will arrive on the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 5, and on "next-generation platforms" on an unspecified date. No Wii U version was announced.

A press release reveals the next-gen version of Ghosts will sport an all-new engine "from the developer that started it all, Infinity Ward." The series has been using the same engine, with numerous annual modifications, since 2005.

Saying it would have been "safe" for Infinity Ward to develop a fourth entry in the Modern Warfare series, Mark Rubin, executive producer of developer Infinity Ward, noted his team saw the next generation of consoles as the "perfect opportunity" to start a new chapter for the franchise. "So we're building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players," he added.

Activision will debut the next-gen version of Call of Duty: Ghosts - and revealing its new engine to the world - during Microsoft's upcoming Xbox 'Next Generation' event on May 21.

Ghosts features an "all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters," the press release further detailed.

An onslaught of additional info and explosion-filled marketing is expected closer to E3 2013.

Update: The website theghostsarereal.com - designed to look like an official Activision site - lists Wii U as a platform for the next Call of Duty title. Activision tells Joystiq the website is not owned or operated by the publisher. No Wii U version has been announced.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Ghosts (Key Art)

Continue reading Call of Duty: Ghosts announced; next-gen powered by new engine

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts announced; next-gen powered by new engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionCall-of-Dutycall-of-duty-ghostsInfinity-Wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 01 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Spanish retailer lists Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U and PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/report-spanish-retailer-lists-call-of-duty-ghosts-for-wii-u-an/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/report-spanish-retailer-lists-call-of-duty-ghosts-for-wii-u-an/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/report-spanish-retailer-lists-call-of-duty-ghosts-for-wii-u-an/#comments Spanish retailer lists Call of Duty Ghosts on Wii U and PCWhile both UK retailer Tesco and Target pegged an as-yet-unheard-of entry in the Call of Duty series for November 5 on Xbox 360 and PS3, a listing for the same game recently popped up on Spanish retailer Xtralife. In this case, Xtralife's listing includes PC and Wii U versions of Call of Duty: Ghosts, along with a November 11 release date.

Since we still can't prove that this game is anything more than an apparition, we've contacted Activision for comment.

JoystiqReport: Spanish retailer lists Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U and PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-duty-ghostsInfinity-Wardmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3wii-uxboxxtralifeSun, 28 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts listed at multiple retailers for PS3, Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/call-of-duty-ghosts-listed-at-multiple-retailers-for-ps3-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/call-of-duty-ghosts-listed-at-multiple-retailers-for-ps3-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/call-of-duty-ghosts-listed-at-multiple-retailers-for-ps3-xbox/#comments Call of Duty Ghosts appears at multiple retailers, release date November 5Call 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."

We've reached out to Activision for comment.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Ghosts listed at multiple retailers for PS3, Xbox 360

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts listed at multiple retailers for PS3, Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-ghostsinfinity-wardmicrosoftplaystationps3release-datetargettescoxboxWed, 24 Apr 2013 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Jason West leaves Respawn Entertainment [Update: Zampella confirms]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/03/report-jason-west-leaves-respawn-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/03/report-jason-west-leaves-respawn-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/03/report-jason-west-leaves-respawn-entertainment/#comments Jason West, co-founder of Respawn Entertainment (and co-founder of Infinity Ward, which he and Vince Zampella left amid a series of suits, countersuits, balloon payments, settlements, and just general craziness) has left Respawn, according to Kotaku's sources, citing "family issues."

A source tells the site that West has not been involved with Respawn's first game, published by EA, which will likely make an appearance at E3 this summer. The source asserts that West has actually been gone since the settlement of the Activision/Infinity Ward lawsuit last year.

Update: On the official Respawn site, fellow co-founder and Infinity Ward-alum Vince Zampella has confirmed the news of West's departure.

Jason has left Respawn to take care of some family issues. We have worked together on some amazing accomplishments over the years, starting with an early Segasoft project that never shipped. It is sad to see things come to an end, but there are times when change is best for growth, both personally and professionally. I wish Jason the best and send my best wishes to his family. Respawn continues to amaze me, the team here is resilient and talented. E3 will be therapeutic for us, as we finally get to start showing our work again. I know the team was excited about the response we got from just admitting we were going to attend.

JoystiqJason West leaves Respawn Entertainment [Update: Zampella confirms] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Mar 2013 22:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infinity-wardjason-westRespawn-EntertainmentSun, 03 Mar 2013 22:16:00 EST<![CDATA[New Call of Duty slated for 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/new-call-of-duty-slated-for-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/new-call-of-duty-slated-for-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/new-call-of-duty-slated-for-2013/#comments As we've come to expect, Activision has announced that a new entry in the Call of Duty franchise will be released this year. The news comes via Activision's latest earnings call, during which CFO Dennis Durkin said, "The Call of Duty franchise continues to set the bar for innovation, and we expect the new Call of Duty game in development for 2013 to raise that bar even higher."

Durkin didn't offer further details, such as available platforms or expected release dates. Presumably, it will land on Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U. It's also widely expected that both Sony and Microsoft will launch new consoles this year, so it's possible we might see the first next-gen iteration of Activision's gargantuan franchise. As for the release date, we're going to go out on a limb and guess November.

The most recent entry in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (pictured), helped push Activision's profits last year, making 2012 the most successful year in the company's history.

JoystiqNew Call of Duty slated for 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-dutyinfinity-wardTreyarchThu, 07 Feb 2013 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinity Ward animator talks first-person flourishes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/infinity-ward-animator-talks-first-person-flourishes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/infinity-ward-animator-talks-first-person-flourishes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/infinity-ward-animator-talks-first-person-flourishes/#comments Infinity Ward animator on FPS design in a Reddit AMA pretty interestingChance Glasgo, a first-person animator at Infinity Ward, did a Reddit Ask Me Anything thread last weekend, taking on questions about the complicated weapon animations seen in games like Call of Duty and Battlefield. You should read through the whole thread if you're interested, but PC Gamer has kindly grabbed some of the most fascinating insights.

Glasgo says that "most serial numbers on guns in CoD have significance" of some kind, whether it's just a reference to his workout gym of choice, or a hint to something in the game's larger mythology.

He also explains that while gun aficionados will often tell him he's made some sort of technical mistake in rendering realistic weapons, the choice to do things differently is simply creative. For example, you're never supposed to point a real gun anywhere but forward even while reloading it, but following that rule would make some of these just so ... boring.

JoystiqInfinity Ward animator talks first-person flourishes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationsanimatorsbattlefield-3call-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3chance-glasgochoicescreativegunsinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3realismxboxThu, 08 Nov 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 2 map taken down after controversy over Islamic imagery]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/08/modern-warfare-2-map-taken-down-after-controversy-over-islamic-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/08/modern-warfare-2-map-taken-down-after-controversy-over-islamic-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/08/modern-warfare-2-map-taken-down-after-controversy-over-islamic-i/#comments
The "Favela" map has been temporarily removed from Modern Warfare 2 following the discovery of, and complaints about, items found in the map that are potentially offensive to Muslim gamers.

The protest video above details the offensive item: a frame containing a quote from the Prophet Mohammed, hanging above a toilet - "a disrespectful place" as YouTube user "KhaleDQ84EveR" puts it. In response to the discovery of this image, Activision is planning to remove the image from both Modern Warfare 2 and 3 via separate title updates, the publisher told Kotaku.

In the meantime, the map is down.

JoystiqModern Warfare 2 map taken down after controversy over Islamic imagery originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>favelainfinity-wardislammicrosoftModern-Warfare-2pcplaystationps3xboxMon, 08 Oct 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3's last content collection arriving on PS3 and PC October 10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/modern-warfare-3s-last-content-collection-arriving-on-ps3-and-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/modern-warfare-3s-last-content-collection-arriving-on-ps3-and-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/modern-warfare-3s-last-content-collection-arriving-on-ps3-and-p/#comments Modern Warfare 3's last content collection arriving on PS3 and PC October 10The last content bundle for Modern Warfare 3 is finally headed out to PlayStation and the PC on October 10, according to Infinity Ward's Twitter account. The content collection (which arrived on Xbox 360 back in the beginning of September) includes five different maps, called Decommission, Off Shore, Gulch, Boardwalk, and Parish. Call of Duty Elite subscribers will be able to grab the last three levels a day early, on October 9.

This is, of course, the last scheduled content pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, seeing as Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is due out just about a month later. At that point, presumably, those Elite subscriptions will renew, and the cycle of of constant DLC for the biggest shooter series in the world will start up all over again.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3's last content collection arriving on PS3 and PC October 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dlcdownloadable-contentinfinity-wardmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3sledgehammerTue, 18 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3's final two DLC packs fully reconnoitered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/modern-warfare-3s-final-two-dlc-packs-fully-reconnoitered/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/modern-warfare-3s-final-two-dlc-packs-fully-reconnoitered/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/modern-warfare-3s-final-two-dlc-packs-fully-reconnoitered/#comments The year of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 post-launch content is coming to a close, but it's going out with a bang (gun pun fully intended). The Chaos Pack - previously half-detailed - brings three Face Off maps and four Spec-Ops missions, as well as a new mode, dubbed "Special Ops Chaos Mode." It's a wave-based survival mode, albeit with a Spec-Ops twist. The whole shebang launches for Xbox 360 on August 9, with PS3 and PC versions launching later on.

In September, MW3 players on 360 get the "Final Assault" pack, which adds five multiplayer maps ("Gulch," "Offshore," "Boardwalk," "Decommission," and "Parish"), two of which are already available on 360. Again, this content arrives on PS3 and PC at a later (unknown) date. As Activision community blog One of Swords points out, Call of Duty's Elite season ends with more content than it originally promised, which seems pretty boss if you ask us. But don't go getting your precedents miscalibrated, as this may not be the case in future years.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3's final two DLC packs fully reconnoitered originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionboardwalkcall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3chaos-packdecommissiondlcdownloadable-contentelitefinal-assaultgulchinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3offshoreparishraven-softwaresledgehammer-gamesspec-opsspecial-ops-chaos-modexboxTue, 07 Aug 2012 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Activision may have paid 'tens of millions' to West, Zampella]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/report-activision-may-have-paid-tens-of-millions-to-west-zam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/report-activision-may-have-paid-tens-of-millions-to-west-zam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/report-activision-may-have-paid-tens-of-millions-to-west-zam/#comments Report Activision may have paid 'tens of millions' to West, ZampellaWhen ex-Infinity Ward employees Jason West and Vince Zampella settled their lawsuit with Activision, it was sudden, shocking, and most of all, secret. Activision paid out an undisclosed sum to West and Zampella just before a full trial was set to begin, and while it is expected the exact amount may never be made public, experts can still make an educated guess.

Financial analyst Doug Creutz of Cowen and Company posits that the settlement was worth "tens of millions," Gamespot reports. Considering Activision paid out $42 million to the Infinity Ward Employee Group as part of a separate lawsuit, and West and Zampella were seeking $1 billion when the case reached its bitter peak, this ballpark figure checks out.

Activision will report earnings on Thursday, August 2, and Creutz says he expects investors will ignore the impact of the settlement on Activision's bottom line.

JoystiqReport: Activision may have paid 'tens of millions' to West, Zampella originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncowen-and-companyEAInfinity-WardJason-WestlawsuitsettlementVince-ZampellaMon, 30 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 ad too violent for UK soccer time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/modern-warfare-3-ad-too-violent-for-uk-soccer-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/modern-warfare-3-ad-too-violent-for-uk-soccer-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/modern-warfare-3-ad-too-violent-for-uk-soccer-time/#comments The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has placed restrictions on an ad for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, reports MCV. The ASA took exception to the copious gunfire, explosions and the depiction of "New York under military assault" - you know, Call of Duty stuff. The ad originally aired in November during an afternoon soccer match and, although Activision followed the advertising guidelines it had been given at the time, the ASA has decided that the commercial "could cause distress to some children who might see the ad." As such, the ad can no longer be show prior to 7:30pm.

It's a shame, really. Activision needs all the help it can get spreading the word about Call of Duty.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 ad too violent for UK soccer time originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionadvertising-standards-authoritycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3ravenraven-softwaresledgehammer-gamesunited-kingdomxboxWed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 hits 'Terminal' condition July 17, for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/modern-warfare-3-hits-terminal-condition-july-17-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/modern-warfare-3-hits-terminal-condition-july-17-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/modern-warfare-3-hits-terminal-condition-july-17-for-free/#comments The popular Modern Warfare 2 airport map, Terminal, will come to Modern Warfare 3 on Xbox 360 on July 17 for Elite members and July 18 for non-Elites, but free for everyone, regardless of digitized classist regulations.

Earlier this week Infinity Ward's Mark Rubin outed Terminal for Modern Warfare 3, but couldn't provide a solid release date. Terminal exists outside of the Elite content drop schedule, and its PS3 and PC release dates are still to-be-decided, Rubin tweets.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 hits 'Terminal' condition July 17, for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3DLCeliteInfinity-Wardmapmicrosoftmodern-warfare-2modern-warfare-3terminalxboxThu, 05 Jul 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Modern Warfare 3's 'Content Collection 2' deployed to PS3 and PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/psa-modern-warfare-3s-content-collection-2-deployed-to-ps3-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/psa-modern-warfare-3s-content-collection-2-deployed-to-ps3-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/psa-modern-warfare-3s-content-collection-2-deployed-to-ps3-a/#comments Modern Warfare 3's 'Content Collection 2' now on PS3 and PCThe second content dump for Modern Warfare 3 has escaped its timed exclusivity cage on Xbox Live. Content Collection #2, a smattering of two Face Off maps, one multiplayer map, plus two Spec-Ops missions, is now available for download on PS3 and PC.

Call of Duty Elite premium members on PS3 will find they already have this content unlocked on their respective platforms; everyone else will have to fork over $14.99.

JoystiqPSA: Modern Warfare 3's 'Content Collection 2' deployed to PS3 and PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Content-Collection-2infinity-wardmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3Raven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamesThu, 21 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 Elite Premium getting Spec Ops mission, three Faceoff maps tomorrow on 360 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/modern-warfare-3-elite-premium-getting-spec-ops-mission-three-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/modern-warfare-3-elite-premium-getting-spec-ops-mission-three-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/modern-warfare-3-elite-premium-getting-spec-ops-mission-three-f/#comments Modern Warfare 3 Elite Premium getting Spec Ops mission, three Faceoff maps tomorrow on 360Modern Warfare 3 "Elite" premium subscribers on 360 are getting a brand new Spec Ops mission and three new Faceoff missions tomorrow. That's according to the Twitter account of Infinity Ward Executive Producer Mark Rubin, who named the three maps "Vortex," U-Turn," and "Intersection," and the mission "Arctic Recon."

Activision's official content calendar isn't updated to reflect Rubin's tweet just yet, but we expect it'll show up not too far from now. Despite the calendar showing three pieces of content - dubbed "map," "mission," and "classified" - don't panic. Rubin said "those guys need to update the categories to be more accurate," which translates to "I swear this is really the truth, regardless of what that silly old calendar says."

As always, the content will show up a bit later for MW3 players on PlayStation 3 and PC, per Microsoft's long-standing exclusivity agreement with Acti. We reached out to the publisher for more information, screens and video, and will update this post when we know more.

Update: The Infinity Ward Twitter account just dropped the image above of Spec Ops mission "Arctic Recon," and said that only two of the three Faceoff maps Rubin spoke of - "U-Turn" and "Vortext" - will go live tomorrow. The same account posted earlier that three Faceoff maps are included. We're trying to clarify the situation with Activision.

Update 2: The tweet was deleted and updated to reflect all three maps. Okay then, to be clear: three Faceoff maps ("Vortex," "U-Turn," and "Intersection") and one Spec Ops map ("Arctic Recon").

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 Elite Premium getting Spec Ops mission, three Faceoff maps tomorrow on 360 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3cod-elitecod-elite-premiumelitefaceoffinfinity-wardmark-rubinmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3premium-membershipraven-softwaresledgehammer-gamesspec-opsxboxMon, 18 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Face-Off mode coming to Modern Warfare 3 on PS3 June 15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/face-off-mode-coming-to-modern-warfare-3-on-ps3-june-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/face-off-mode-coming-to-modern-warfare-3-on-ps3-june-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/face-off-mode-coming-to-modern-warfare-3-on-ps3-june-15/#comments PS3 players eager to get intimate with Modern Warfare 3's latest mode, Face-Off, will get their chance come June 15, the Infinity Ward Twitter account has revealed. Face-Off will be free for all Modern Warfare 3 players on PSN.

Face-Off is a team-based match type designed for small numbers of players. Along with the free mode, PS3 players also get two free maps designed specifically for the new game type: Erosion and Aground.

Gallery: Modern Warfare 3 (Face-off Content Collection)

JoystiqFace-Off mode coming to Modern Warfare 3 on PS3 June 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionagroundcall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3erosionface-offinfinity-wardmodern-warfare-3playstationps3Raven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamesThu, 31 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[West, Zampella settle with Activision in Infinity Ward lawsuit [Update: Acti, Respawn, EA comment]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/west-zampella-settle-with-activision-in-infinity-ward-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/west-zampella-settle-with-activision-in-infinity-ward-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/west-zampella-settle-with-activision-in-infinity-ward-lawsuit/#comments Image
Ex-Infinity Ward employees Jason West and Vince Zampella have settled their lawsuit with Activision. "All parties have reached a settlement in the dispute, the terms of which are strictly confidential," the LA Times' Ben Fritz reports.

West and Zampella sued Activision in 2010, after Activision fired them and before they could collect all the promised royalties from the launch of Modern Warfare 2, they claimed. Activision paid $42 million to the Infinity Ward Employee Group -- which includes 38 current and former IW employees -- in May, as part of a separate lawsuit. The payment wasn't a settlement, but was part of Activision's own investigation for its counter-suit against West and Zampella, filed with their new publisher, EA, as a defendant.

EA and Activision settled their suit in May, while West and Zampella's claim rose to $1 billion. Claims in all three lawsuits are now dismissed.

There is no word yet on the terms of the settlement, and they may not ever be revealed, Fritz says, although this observation from the court room may provide a bit of insight into the final outcome: "Jason West is in court and smiling."

Update: Respawn Entertainment issued the following statement: "All parties to the litigation have reached a settlement of the dispute, the terms of which are strictly confidential."

Update 2: Activision issued a statement as well: "Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI) today announced that all parties to the litigation have reached a settlement of the dispute, the terms of which are strictly confidential.

"The company does not believe that the incremental one-time charges related to the settlement will result in a material impact on its GAAP or non-GAAP earnings per share outlook for the current quarter or the calendar year, due to stronger-than-expected operating performance in the current quarter."

Update 3: Not to be forgotten, EA has chimed in, too: "Activision's refusal to pay their talent and attempt to blame EA were absurd. This settlement is a vindication of Vince and Jason, and the right of creative artists to collect the rewards due for their hard work."

JoystiqWest, Zampella settle with Activision in Infinity Ward lawsuit [Update: Acti, Respawn, EA comment] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionInfinity-WardJason-Westlawsuitmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Vince-ZampellaxboxThu, 31 May 2012 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision paid Infinity Ward over $493 million in bonuses since 2003]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/activision-paid-infinity-ward-over-493-million-in-bonuses-since/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/activision-paid-infinity-ward-over-493-million-in-bonuses-since/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/activision-paid-infinity-ward-over-493-million-in-bonuses-since/#comments Hard numbers are starting to come out of the Activision v. Infinity Ward case as things continue to ramp up towards the actual trial, which is currently slated to take place next month. Specifically, Activision revealed during a hearing last Friday that it has paid out in excess of $493 million in bonuses to Infinity Ward, a figure that includes the $42 million payout that occurred earlier this month, according to Polygon.

That $439 million encompasses all bonuses paid out to Infinity Ward since the original Call of Duty launched in 2003. To date, IW has been granted bonuses for games it was directly involved with as a studio, as well as games that used its tech and the Call of Duty IP, like the Treyarch-developed Call of Duty: World at War.

Attorneys for former IW heads Vince Zampella and Jason West argued that the ex-Infinity Ward employee group is also owed its share of "launch quarter" bonuses from the release of Black Ops and Modern Warfare 3, a point that Activision obviously disagrees with.

JoystiqActivision paid Infinity Ward over $493 million in bonuses since 2003 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionCall-of-Dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Infinity-WardJason-Westlawsuitlegalmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3TreyarchVince-ZampellaxboxSun, 27 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[West and Zampella on Activision lawsuit and 'Project Icebreaker']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/west-and-zampella-on-activision-lawsuit-and-project-icebreaker/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/west-and-zampella-on-activision-lawsuit-and-project-icebreaker/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/west-and-zampella-on-activision-lawsuit-and-project-icebreaker/#comments Jason West and Vince Zampella have lived with their impending lawsuits from (and against) Activision to be bemused about the whole thing. "[Activision] said, 'He orchestrated his own ­firing' - I will never forget that," said West in a Game Informer interview, prompting Zampella to add "We're geniuses, apparently."

According to the pair's attorney Robert Schwartz, Activision's claim against them stems around an "expert's" determination that Modern Warfare 3 would have been a bigger moneymaker had they and the rest of the now-absent Infinity Ward team been present to work on it; instead of having been fired by Activision (a state that the two allegedly 'orchestrated'.)

Schwartz corroborated reports of a "Project Icebreaker" at Activision designed to secretly scour their computers for evidence that would support a firing. "Do you know who George Rose is? He was the head lawyer ­for ­[Activision]," Schwartz said.

"So George Rose goes into the office of this guy named Thomas Fenady. He's some kind of IT whiz at Activision." According to Schwartz, Rose asked Fenady, under the auspices of CEO Bobby Kotick, to "break into [West and Zampella's] computers and dig up dirt to be used to justify firing them." Schwartz added that Fenady "testified to this."

We'll have to wait to see how this insanity plays out in court; the trial was delayed to around June 1.

JoystiqWest and Zampella on Activision lawsuit and 'Project Icebreaker' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dsinfinity-wardjason-westlawsuitmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3nintendopcplaystationps3respawn-entertainmentvince-zampellaxboxFri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3's 'Content Collection 2' now on Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/modern-warfare-3s-content-collection-2-now-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/modern-warfare-3s-content-collection-2-now-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/modern-warfare-3s-content-collection-2-now-on-xbox-live/#comments ImageAnother pair of maps drops into Modern Warfare 3's new Face Off mode today, namely "Lookout" and "Getaway." Content Collection #2 also adds three new general purpose multiplayer maps and two new Spec Ops missions, all for 1200 MS Points ($15).

This content is available to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers. A Call of Duty Elite subscription is not necessary to use this content in Modern Warfare 3.

Continue reading Modern Warfare 3's 'Content Collection 2' now on Xbox Live

JoystiqModern Warfare 3's 'Content Collection 2' now on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3content-collection-2face-offface-off-modeinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3sledgehammer-gamesxboxWed, 23 May 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawsuit outs West and Zampella's salaries, bonuses at Infinity Ward: Projected $13M bonus in 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/lawsuit-outs-west-and-zampellas-salaries-bonuses-at-infinity-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/lawsuit-outs-west-and-zampellas-salaries-bonuses-at-infinity-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/lawsuit-outs-west-and-zampellas-salaries-bonuses-at-infinity-w/#comments ImageFormer Infinity Ward studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella had projected salaries of $420,000 in 2009, with projected bonuses of more than $3 million each, emails between Activision bosses in 2009 show.

The spreadsheet lists the expected salaries of the top 20 Infinity Ward employees in 2009 and 2010. The 18 remaining employees -- the bulk including software engineers and game designers -- had projected salaries between $71,500 and $173,000. The seven employees under West and Zampella each expected a bonus of $603,000, while staffers seeing the lowest percentage of the bonus pool (1.5 percent) had a projected $278,000.

In 2010, the year Activision fired West and Zampella, they were each expected to earn $437,000, with projected bonuses of $13 million each. The rest of the top 20's projected salaries and bonuses rose accordingly, with salaries between $74,000 and $180,000, and bonuses ranging from $1.4 million to $2.5 million.

"If you recently worked on a hit FPS, read this and see how incredibly underpaid you are," ngmoco general manager Benjamin Cousins tweeted about the documents.

The emails were released into public record in the lawsuit between the Infinity Ward Employee Group and Activision; West and Zampella sued Activision in 2010 claiming they were owed $36 million in royalties associated with Modern Warfare 2, after Activision fired them earlier that year. West and Zampella now claim $1 billion in damages and the case is set for trial May 29.

JoystiqLawsuit outs West and Zampella's salaries, bonuses at Infinity Ward: Projected $13M bonus in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionbonusInfinity-Wardinfinity-ward-employee-grouplawsuitmicrosoftModern-Warfare-2pcplaystationps3salariessalaryxboxTue, 22 May 2012 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[EA and Activision settle in Call of Duty lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ea-and-activision-settle-in-call-of-duty-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ea-and-activision-settle-in-call-of-duty-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ea-and-activision-settle-in-call-of-duty-lawsuit/#comments ImageEA and Activision have reached a settlement in a lawsuit that began two years ago, pertaining to the departure of Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella. EA had been accused of secretly recruiting the pair while they were still at Activision.

No details about the settlement are currently available, but both companies said today that they will file a settlement agreement in Los Angeles' California state court.

Former Infinity Ward developers Jason West and Vince Zampella sued Activision in 2010 after being fired, claiming damages of $36 million from unpaid royalties associated with Modern Warfare 2, which launched in 2009. After leaving Activision, the pair began their own studio, Respawn Entertainment, and inked a publishing deal with EA. Since then, West and Zampella's claim rose to $1 billion and Activision countersued with EA as a defendant.

Activision recently paid out $42 million to the Infinity Ward Employee Group, though not as a settlement; IWEG said it would pursue litigation and is still scheduled for trial May 29.

The settlement news comes the same day as a report on Activision's "dirt"-digging tactics has surfaced, stating that Activision launched an information-gathering IT spree on West and Zampella just before the launch of Modern Warfare 2, intended to see them both fired. Activision called it "Project Icebreaker."

No joke.

In Project Icebreaker, Activision's George Rose asked the IT department to access West and Zampella's email, voicemail and computer without anyone's knowledge, a court filing given to Giantbomb by West and Zampella's attorneys shows. The orders reportedly came from Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. Activision attempted to use third-party security specialists and threw around the idea of staging a fake fumagation to get into West and Zampella's offices, the report says.

But now the case is settled -- any verdict on the level of sanity of gaming companies is, however, still out.

JoystiqEA and Activision settle in Call of Duty lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionEAElectronic-ArtsInfinity-WardlawsuitmicrosoftModern-Warfare-2pcplaystationps3xboxWed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision pays $42 million to Infinity Ward Employee Group]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/activision-pays-42-million-to-infinity-ward-employee-group/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/activision-pays-42-million-to-infinity-ward-employee-group/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/activision-pays-42-million-to-infinity-ward-employee-group/#comments Activision has paid out $42 million to the "Infinity Ward Employee Group," which sued Activision in 2010 seeking profits from Modern Warfare 2. A source speaking to Polygon said that the payment was not a settlement; rather, Activision's discovery phase (for its own lawsuit against former Infinity Ward leads Jason West and Vince Zampella) found no evidence that the Employee Group members were complicit in the breach-of-contract issues for which Activision is suing, and so Bobby Kotick and Activision agreed to pay them.

That group sought $75 million to $125 million, plus punitive damages. IWEG attorney Bruce Isaacs told Polygon that "although it is a meaningful payment it is only a small portion of what we are seeking in litigation." And it is still going forward with said litigation. Isaacs said the payment was a "cynical attempt to look good before the jury trial."

JoystiqActivision pays $42 million to Infinity Ward Employee Group originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsinfinity-wardinfinity-ward-employee-grouplawsuitmicrosoftModern-Warfare-2nintendopcplaystationps3wiixboxTue, 15 May 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the scenes of Modern Warfare 3's 'Face Off' DLC and Content Collection 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/behind-the-scenes-of-modern-warfare-3s-face-off-dlc-and-conte/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/behind-the-scenes-of-modern-warfare-3s-face-off-dlc-and-conte/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/behind-the-scenes-of-modern-warfare-3s-face-off-dlc-and-conte/#comments Image
Modern Warfare 3's upcoming Face Off mode isn't set hit to Xbox 360-enabled living rooms until next Wednesday, May 16, but it's never too soon to start using promotional materials (like the behind the scenes video above and screenshots below) to start memorizing map layouts. This is war, dammit, and you need every possible advantage you can get to survive. Don't come crawling back to us when you've been blasted to the bottom of the leaderboards, riddled with shame bullets from the hand cannons of someone who actually took the time to prepare.

... Watching the video because you enjoy development diaries and/or have a casual interest in Modern Warfare games is also acceptable.

Gallery: Modern Warfare 3 (Face-off Content Collection)

JoystiqBehind the scenes of Modern Warfare 3's 'Face Off' DLC and Content Collection 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 May 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Content-Collection-2Face-OffInfinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3MW3pcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesTreyarchxboxSat, 12 May 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-IGNer Tina Palacios replacing Bowling as Infinity Ward community manager]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ex-igner-tina-palacios-replacing-bowling-as-infinity-ward-commun/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ex-igner-tina-palacios-replacing-bowling-as-infinity-ward-commun/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ex-igner-tina-palacios-replacing-bowling-as-infinity-ward-commun/#comments ImageWhen Call of Duty's main public face, Robert Bowling, left his longtime spot as creative strategist at Infinity Ward earlier this year, he left a tank-sized hole in the studio. Though she's small in stature, ex-IGN/1UP community manager Tina Palacios aims to fill that spot in the coming days, IGN reports.

Palacios is taking up the job of "senior community manager" at Infinity Ward - the studio that created the Modern Warfare series, but is most recently known for a nasty legal battle involving its former creative leads.

"I can't say what my official duties are yet," Palacios told us. "But I definitely want to bridge the gap between devs and fans - making sure their voices are heard." There'll be some adjustment of course, she admitted. "The amount of comments I'll receive will probably be much larger than I've experienced at IGN or 1UP, but I'll still do my best." We imagine it won't be too long before we hear more from her. Say, oh, seven to eight months from now? Just a guess.

JoystiqEx-IGNer Tina Palacios replacing Bowling as Infinity Ward community manager originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmodern-warfare-3robert-bowlingtina-palaciostina-sanchezFri, 11 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 getting free 'Face Off' mode, non-free Content Collection 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/modern-warfare-3-getting-free-face-off-mode-non-free-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/modern-warfare-3-getting-free-face-off-mode-non-free-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/modern-warfare-3-getting-free-face-off-mode-non-free-content/#comments Image
A new way of murdering your friends and/or strangers is coming to the Xbox 360 version of Modern Warfare 3 on May 15, in the form of "Face Off" mode. Face Off has been designed for 1v1 or 2v2 firefights, with its four maps built specifically for small, close-quarters battle between a small number of soldiers. The two free maps launching with the new mode, Aground and Erosion, take place on a beached ship on the coast of Scotland and on the Italian coast during a volcanic eruption, respectively. PlayStation 3 and PC dates for Face Off have yet to be determined.

A new Content Collection is also on its way, available to Call of Duty Elite subscribers on May 15 and everyone else (with an Xbox) on May 21. Content Collection 2 includes three new multiplayer maps (Sanctuary, Foundation and Oasis), as well as two new Spec Ops missions (Iron Clad, Kill Switch) and the other two Face Off maps, Getaway and Lookout. As per usual, PS3 and PC dates are indeterminate, but everyone is welcome to take a peek at the new jams courtesy of IGN's trailer above.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 getting free 'Face Off' mode, non-free Content Collection 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Content-Collection-2DLCFace-OffInfinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3MW3pcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesTreyarchxboxThu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty Elite reaches 10 million users, 2 million paid subscriptions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/call-of-duty-elite-reaches-10-million-users-2-million-paid-subs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/call-of-duty-elite-reaches-10-million-users-2-million-paid-subs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/call-of-duty-elite-reaches-10-million-users-2-million-paid-subs/#comments

Activision's Call of Duty Elite service puts another feather in its very busy cap today with a reported total of 10 million users, two million of which are paid subscribers. This is an increase of three million and 500,000, respectively, since last Activision dished out some numbers in February.

The latest earnings report says it's "an increase of approximately 33% from January 31, 2012." As of March 31, Activision has 40 million monthly active users across all Call of Duty products and platforms.

JoystiqCall of Duty Elite reaches 10 million users, 2 million paid subscriptions originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3Raven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamestreyarchxboxWed, 09 May 2012 16:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 'Content Collection' coming to PC in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/modern-warfare-3-content-collection-coming-to-pc-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/modern-warfare-3-content-collection-coming-to-pc-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/modern-warfare-3-content-collection-coming-to-pc-in-may/#comments A bundle of Modern Warfare 3 DLC will finally make it to PC hard drives on May 8, delivering sustenance to starving hearts and under-used high-DPI mice the world over. The "Content Collection" pack includes four maps (Black Box, Piazza, Liberation, Overwatch) and two Spec Ops missions (Negotiator, Black Ice).

If any of that sounds familiar, it's because all of this DLC was already released on the PS3 earlier this month, and on the 360 back in March. Activision has yet to announce pricing for the pack, but if its console counterparts are any indication, it'll probably run somewhere around $15 bucks.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 'Content Collection' coming to PC in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Content-Collection-1DLCInfinity-Wardmodern-warfare-3pcsledgehammer-gamesTreyarchSat, 28 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision v. Infinity Ward court date delayed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/activision-v-infinity-ward-court-date-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/activision-v-infinity-ward-court-date-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/activision-v-infinity-ward-court-date-delayed/#comments ImageFormer Activision employees and Infinity Ward founders Jason West and Vincent Zampella are taking Activision to court on May 29, after a few years of legal back-and-forth negotiations and counter-suits from Activision. The date was initially set for May 7, but was pushed back at Activision's request.

West and Zampella claim Activision owes them $125 million in unpaid royalties, and they seek the rights to the Modern Warfare brand.

Activision's counter-suit is free to move forward as well, where Activision is asking for $400 million from EA, claiming EA stole its employees and that West and Zampella were consorting secretly with the competitor while still Activision employees.

Zampella and West were fired from Activision in 2010 on the grounds of these supposed secret meetings. They soon after founded Respawn Entertainment and now have 40 former Infinity Ward employees in their ranks.

JoystiqActivision v. Infinity Ward court date delayed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionCall-of-Duty-4-Modern-WarfareCoD4Infinity-WardJason-WestlegalmicrosoftModern-Warfarenintendopcplaystationps3Respawn-EntertainmentsueVince-ZampellawiixboxMon, 09 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty creative strategist Robert 'FourZeroTwo' Bowling departs Infinity Ward [update: Activision responds]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/call-of-duty-creative-strategist-robert-fourzerotwo-bowling-de/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/call-of-duty-creative-strategist-robert-fourzerotwo-bowling-de/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/call-of-duty-creative-strategist-robert-fourzerotwo-bowling-de/#comments Longtime hype man for the Call of Duty franchise, Robert Bowling, has resigned from Infinity Ward and Activision today. Robert "FourZeroTwo" Bowling, who served as creative strategist for Call of Duty and lead at Infinity Ward, just announced his resignation via Twitter. He has yet to announce where he is going next.

Bowling stayed on at Infinity Ward following the mass exodus of staff who would go on to form Respawn Entertainment in 2010.

Update: Here's Activision's official comment on the news: "We sincerely thank Robert for his many years of service. He's been a trusted and valued member of the Infinity Ward team. We wish him all the best on his decision to pursue future opportunities."

JoystiqCall of Duty creative strategist Robert 'FourZeroTwo' Bowling departs Infinity Ward [update: Activision responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3fourzerotwoinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3robert-bowlingrobert-fourzerotwo-bowlingxboxMon, 26 Mar 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection 1 on Xbox Live today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/psa-modern-warfare-3-content-collection-1-on-xbox-live-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/psa-modern-warfare-3-content-collection-1-on-xbox-live-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/psa-modern-warfare-3-content-collection-1-on-xbox-live-today/#comments Content Collection 1 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is available for widespread consumption now on Xbox Live, after launching on March 13 for Elite members. Content Collection 1 includes four new multiplayer maps: Liberation, Piazza, Overwatch and Black Box, plus two Spec Ops missions, Black Ice and Negotiator.

Not "Black-ice negotiator," because it would be hilariously difficult to discuss anything of real import atop a slick of black ice, and MW3 is nothing but serious business.

JoystiqPSA: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection 1 on Xbox Live today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Content-Collection-1eliteInfinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3xboxTue, 20 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty Elite subs getting four more pieces of unnamed MW3 content this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/call-of-duty-elite-subs-getting-four-more-pieces-of-unnamed-mw3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/call-of-duty-elite-subs-getting-four-more-pieces-of-unnamed-mw3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/call-of-duty-elite-subs-getting-four-more-pieces-of-unnamed-mw3/#comments If those 20 pieces of planned DLC for Modern Warfare 3 weren't enough for you, perhaps four additional bits will do the trick. Activision is sharing the four-piece bonus with Elite subscribers throughout the coming months, but isn't saying exactly what the content will be. All we know is that it'll be interspersed throughout the planned Elite content "season."

Elite's platform ubiquity is increasing as well, with the service's planned launch on tablets coming in the near future. Nearly 2 million folks have already snagged the app across both iOS and Android -- that's quite a few, considering approximately 7 million folks are Elite users. Activision promises a variety of (specified) updates to Elite's functionality over the next few months.

Gallery: Call of Duty Elite (GDC 2012)

JoystiqCall of Duty Elite subs getting four more pieces of unnamed MW3 content this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbeachheadbeachhead-studioscall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3cod-elitedlcdownloadable-contenteliteinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3ravenraven-softwarexboxThu, 15 Mar 2012 13:40:00 EST