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[Sledgehammer Games 'heads down' on next thing, not working on Ghosts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/sledgehammer-games-heads-down-on-next-thing-not-working-on-gh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/sledgehammer-games-heads-down-on-next-thing-not-working-on-gh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/sledgehammer-games-heads-down-on-next-thing-not-working-on-gh/#comments
Sledgehammer Games is already working on its next game, the studio has revealed in a tweet congratulating Infinity Ward on its Call of Duty: Ghosts announcement. You'll remember the two worked together on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

"Our team is heads down on our next project, but best wishes to the hardworking team at IW!" the tweet read. Nothing specific was shared about this next project, but we've inquired with Sledgehammer Games to see if the outfit is willing to disclose any additional information.

Sledgehammer Games formed in 2009, when Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey left EA's Visceral Games and founded the studio under Activision. The original plan was to produce a third-person action game, but that would eventually get scrapped in the prototype phase.

JoystiqSledgehammer Games 'heads down' on next thing, not working on Ghosts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 May 2013 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxThu, 02 May 2013 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hit List Q&A: Glen Schofield, co-founder of Sledgehammer Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/hit-list-qanda-glen-schofield-co-founder-of-sledgehammer-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/hit-list-qanda-glen-schofield-co-founder-of-sledgehammer-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/hit-list-qanda-glen-schofield-co-founder-of-sledgehammer-games/#comments In the "Hit List" from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the video game industry's top talents describe their current gaming addictions, their most anticipated releases and more. This week: Sledgehammer Games co-founder Glen Schofield.

Hit List Q&A Glen Schofield, cofounder of Sledgehammer Games
Glen Schofield is co-founder and studio head of Sledgehammer Games, co-developer of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. A visionary in the video game business for more than 20 years, Glen started his career as an artist and art director for Absolute Entertainment. He also served as the general manager of EA's Visceral Games Studio and was the creator and executive producer of the award winning Dead Space. Glen is credited in over 50 games that together have grossed more than $3 billion in revenues.

Art has been an important part of Glen's life from a young age. He started taking art lessons early on, eventually earning a BFA (he also holds an MBA) and began his professional career as a freelance illustrator before entering the world of video games. In his forthcoming 2013 D.I.C.E. Summit session, Glen will discuss "The Art of Inspiration." He will speak about how he draws inspiration from anything and anywhere and how that has influenced his work as a game developer on a day-to-day basis.

Continue reading Hit List Q&A: Glen Schofield, co-founder of Sledgehammer Games

JoystiqHit List Q&A: Glen Schofield, co-founder of Sledgehammer Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiascall-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3glen-schofieldhit-listsledgehammer-gamesTue, 22 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 DLC's final assault on Xbox 360 next week (plus: PS3 gets stuff too)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/modern-warfare-3-dlcs-final-assault-on-xbox-360-next-week-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/modern-warfare-3-dlcs-final-assault-on-xbox-360-next-week-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/modern-warfare-3-dlcs-final-assault-on-xbox-360-next-week-plus/#comments
On September 5, Call of Duty Elite premium subscribers on Xbox 360 will get their final three maps for Modern Warfare 3: Gulch, Boardwalk and Paris. If you're not a premium member of Activision's DLC delivery service, you can get these three new maps and two previously released stomping grounds - Parish and Decommission - in Content Collection #4 for 1200 Microsoft Points ($14.99). This is the final map pack for Modern Warfare 3.

Elite premium members on PS3 also get some new content next week on September 6, namely a pair of Special Ops maps - Light 'Em Up and Special Delivery - and the new Special Ops Chaos Mode, a wave-based variant on Modern Warfare 3's vanilla Survival mode.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 DLC's final assault on Xbox 360 next week (plus: PS3 gets stuff too) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3microsoftmodern-warfare-3playstationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxThu, 30 Aug 2012 20:00:00 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[Details on Modern Warfare 3's new Spec Ops missions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/details-on-modern-warfare-3s-new-spec-ops-missions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/details-on-modern-warfare-3s-new-spec-ops-missions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/details-on-modern-warfare-3s-new-spec-ops-missions/#comments Modern Warfare 3 gets two new Spec Ops missions in AugustOn August 9, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will have the Chaos Pack available, featuring several new Spec Ops missions. Videogamer got the scoop from Sledgehammer Games on two of the new missions, Light 'Em Up and Special Delivery.

Light 'Em Up takes place after the conclusion of the Modern Warfare 3 campaign, putting one player into the cockpit of a Little Bird helicopter as he attempts to cover another player who's on foot, running around a hydroelectric dam in search of intel on hostage positions. Special Delivery has no shortage of expensive war toys, charging players with reaching a downed pilot in unfriendly territory - one player mans an Osprey Gunner, providing cover fire from the air and deploying care packages to his partner on the ground.

JoystiqDetails on Modern Warfare 3's new Spec Ops missions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionaugustcall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dlcmichael-condreymicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxThu, 02 Aug 2012 10:30:00 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[Black Ops 2 soundtrack bolstered by Trent Reznor, Mass Effect composer Jack Wall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/black-ops-2-soundtrack-bolstered-by-trent-reznor-mass-effect-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/black-ops-2-soundtrack-bolstered-by-trent-reznor-mass-effect-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/black-ops-2-soundtrack-bolstered-by-trent-reznor-mass-effect-co/#comments Black Ops 2 soundtrack bolstered by Trent Reznor, Mass Effect composer Jack WallCall of Duty's next big entry is getting some extra long nails to assist in its theme song - Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor composed Black Ops 2's theme song, USA Today revealed this morning. He's not crafting the whole soundtrack, though, as Mass Effect 1 and 2 soundtrack composer Jack Wall is taking that responsibility.

Reznor said he was led to the project after having composed soundtracks for both The Social Network and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. "I started dipping my toe into film scoring. That led me to film scoring agents and whatnot and a variety of projects start to get thrown at you to check your level of interest. And quite a while ago I had heard, 'Would you be interested in a big franchise video game?' Being an avid gamer my whole life, I said, 'Yeah, I would be interested in that.'" Reznor previously composed the soundtrack to Quake.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 launches on November 13 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

JoystiqBlack Ops 2 soundtrack bolstered by Trent Reznor, Mass Effect composer Jack Wall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-ops-2jack-wallmicrosoftmusicpcplaystationps3raven-softwaresledgehammer-gamessoundtracktrent-reznortreyarchxboxTue, 10 Jul 2012 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Nuketown returns in Black Ops 2 'limited release']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/28/rumor-nuketown-returns-in-black-ops-2-limited-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/28/rumor-nuketown-returns-in-black-ops-2-limited-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/28/rumor-nuketown-returns-in-black-ops-2-limited-release/#comments Rumor Nuketown returns in Black Ops 2 'limited release'The employees at your local brick-and-mortar apparently jumped the gun and revealed an exclusive map for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. IGN posted an image of a poster supposedly from GameStop; another image from GAME shows the same pre-order bonus. Nuketown 2025 is apparently a remodeled version of the popular Black Ops map, Nuketown.

Each image suggests there will be a "limited edition pack" of Black Ops 2, which we assume is akin to the first pressing limited edition runs we've seen for games like Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Twisted Metal. We've inquired with Activision and will update accordingly.

JoystiqRumor: Nuketown returns in Black Ops 2 'limited release' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-ops-2gamegamestoplimited-editionmicrosoftnuketownnuketown-2025pcplaystationps3raven-softwaresledgehammer-gamestreyarchxboxThu, 28 Jun 2012 14:00:00 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[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[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[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[PSA: Black Ice, Black Box and Negotiator out for Call of Duty Elite subscribers on Xbox 360 today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/psa-black-ice-black-box-and-negotiator-out-for-call-of-duty-el/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/psa-black-ice-black-box-and-negotiator-out-for-call-of-duty-el/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/psa-black-ice-black-box-and-negotiator-out-for-call-of-duty-el/#comments Today you should find three new stomping grounds in Modern Warfare 3 on Xbox 360, provided you're a premium member of the Call of Duty Elite service. Black Ice and Negotiator, a pair of Spec Ops maps we were able to try out last week, and multiplayer locale Black Box, have been deployed in Modern Warfare 3.

If you're not on board with Elite, you can pick up these maps -- along with Liberation, Piazza and Overwatch -- as part of the Content Collection #1 DLC pack on Xbox 360 from March 20.

Gallery: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #1

JoystiqPSA: Black Ice, Black Box and Negotiator out for Call of Duty Elite subscribers on Xbox 360 today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dlcinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3sledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Negotiation with extreme prejudice in Modern Warfare 3 Spec Ops DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/negotiation-with-extreme-prejudice-in-modern-warfare-3-spec-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/negotiation-with-extreme-prejudice-in-modern-warfare-3-spec-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/negotiation-with-extreme-prejudice-in-modern-warfare-3-spec-ops/#comments
Striking that balance of emotional impact and tension in video games is no easy task. For one, video games aren't real, so I generally don't concern myself much when I run over a virtual pedestrian or cut off an AI driver in the final lap. I don't care if I'm a jerk in a video game.

But there's something about watching some thug shoot an innocent virtual person in the face, directly in front of me, that really ticks me off. As Sledgehammer Games community manager Guy Beahm and I ran through the Spec Ops DLC coming to Modern Warfare 3 Elite subscribers tomorrow, and as part of Content Collection #1, I genuinely felt lousy when I was seconds from saving a hostage. I really wanted to save these people.

Gallery: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #1

Continue reading Negotiation with extreme prejudice in Modern Warfare 3 Spec Ops DLC

JoystiqNegotiation with extreme prejudice in Modern Warfare 3 Spec Ops DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblack-icecall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dlcInfinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3negotiatorpcplaystationps3Raven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamesspec-opsxboxMon, 12 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Modern Warfare 3 'Overwatch' out today [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/psa-ac-revelations-lost-archive-dlc-modern-warfare-3-overw/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/psa-ac-revelations-lost-archive-dlc-modern-warfare-3-overw/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/psa-ac-revelations-lost-archive-dlc-modern-warfare-3-overw/#comments
Activision is dropping the next Call of Duty Elite content pack for Modern Warfare 3 in Overwatch, a rooftop map for the game's multiplayer component. If you'd like to take a peek at that map, we've dropped the latest trailer just above.

The Overwatch DLC map for MW3 is exclusive to 360 for a limited time.

Gallery: Modern Warfare 3 (Call of Duty Elite: Overwatch)

JoystiqPSA: Modern Warfare 3 'Overwatch' out today [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dlceliteinfinity-wardmicrosoftoverwatchpcraven-softwaresledgehammer-gamesxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 21 Feb 2012 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer free on Steam this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-free-on-steam-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-free-on-steam-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-free-on-steam-this-weekend/#comments Did you know the weekend technically starts now? According to Steam it does, anyway. Don't even bother showing up to work tomorrow.

Steam users will have access to Modern Warfare 3's full multiplayer suite of modes starting right now. All you have to do is install the game and you can play as much multiplayer as you want until Monday -- unless you want to buy the game, of course.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 multiplayer free on Steam this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmodern-warfare-3pcRaven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamessteamvalveThu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3's 'Overwatch' map DLC kills you before you fall 70 stories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/modern-warfare-3s-overwatch-map-dlc-kills-you-before-you-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/modern-warfare-3s-overwatch-map-dlc-kills-you-before-you-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/modern-warfare-3s-overwatch-map-dlc-kills-you-before-you-fall/#comments
We're just gonna tell you up front: you're gonna wanna skip to about 50 seconds into this trailer before you see any gameplay featuring Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's "Overwatch" map in action. And you're gonna want to do that, as the first part is just Rob Riggle talking total nonsense. But the map part? Aces.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3's 'Overwatch' map DLC kills you before you fall 70 stories originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3cod-elitedlcdownloadable-contenteliteinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3overwatchpcplaystationps3raven-softwaresledgehammer-gamesxboxWed, 15 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty Elite pulls in 7 million users, 1.5 million paid memberships]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/call-of-duty-elite-pulls-in-7-million-users-1-5-million-paid-me/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/call-of-duty-elite-pulls-in-7-million-users-1-5-million-paid-me/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/call-of-duty-elite-pulls-in-7-million-users-1-5-million-paid-me/#comments Call of Duty Elite, the community portal for Activision's perennial shooter is apparently doing gangbusters, according to the publisher's 2011 earnings report. The report states that Elite has pulled in over 7 million members as of January 31.

Even more impressive: over 1.5 million of those are premium subscriptions, available as part of the $100 Hardened Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or as a separate $50 purchase. Paid membership grants a few benefits, most notably a free pass and early access to Modern Warfare 3 DLC.

We'd say the service probably qualifies as a success at this point, at least from Activision's perspective.

JoystiqCall of Duty Elite pulls in 7 million users, 1.5 million paid memberships originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3playstationps3Raven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamesxboxThu, 09 Feb 2012 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 CoD Elite premium members to get new old maps in February]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ps3-call-of-duty-elite-dlc-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ps3-call-of-duty-elite-dlc-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ps3-call-of-duty-elite-dlc-release-date/#comments Players with a paid Call of Duty Elite membership on Playstation 3 will be able to snag two new Modern Warfare 3 maps, Liberation and Piazza, on February 28. Both maps launched for Xbox 360 Elite premium members on January 24, and we presume they will come to non-Elite and PC players eventually -- possibly another month after the PS3 version goes live.

Or possibly another two months, just to really rub it in, like the below screens for Liberation and Piazza will do.

Gallery: Modern Warfare 3 - Call of Duty Elite Season Content (Liberation and Piazza)

JoystiqPS3 CoD Elite premium members to get new old maps in February originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisioncall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3eliteInfinity-Wardliberationmapsmodern-warfare-3piazzaplaystationpremiumps3sledgehammer-gamesTreyarchThu, 02 Feb 2012 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Premium Call of Duty Elite DLC now available for MW3 on Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/psa-premium-call-of-duty-elite-dlc-now-available-for-mw3-on-xbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/psa-premium-call-of-duty-elite-dlc-now-available-for-mw3-on-xbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/psa-premium-call-of-duty-elite-dlc-now-available-for-mw3-on-xbo/#comments
That Call of Duty Elite membership will finally start paying for itself today, as a pair of new Modern Warfare 3 maps are now available to premium members (non-paying members will have to wait). Specifically, Xbox users with a paid subscription to Elite can snag "Liberation" and "Piazza." In order to do so, simply select the "Download Elite Content" from within the in-game store (found in the multiplayer menu). The Elite website notes that both maps must be downloaded or players will encounter an error during matchmaking.

PS3 Elite premium members will receive the DLC at a later date. The PC version, which does not currently feature Call of Duty Elite, will presumably receive the DLC later as well.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (First DLC pack)

JoystiqPSA: Premium Call of Duty Elite DLC now available for MW3 on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3Raven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 holiday numbers indicate franchise sales decline in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/modern-warfare-3-holiday-numbers-indicate-franchise-sales-declin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/modern-warfare-3-holiday-numbers-indicate-franchise-sales-declin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/modern-warfare-3-holiday-numbers-indicate-franchise-sales-declin/#comments While the Call of Duty franchise has enjoyed year-over-year growth in terms of worldwide sales, numbers released this week for the UK tell a different story for that particular region. According to the UK's Entertainment Retailers Association, Modern Warfare 3 moved 2,814,298 units between launch on November 8 and December 31, 2011, while Call of Duty's 2010 entry, Black Ops, sold 3,266,298 across the same holiday sales period in the previous year.

That's a decline of 452,000 units from Treyarch-developed Black Ops in 2010 to Infinity Ward/Sledgehammer Games-developed Modern Warfare 3 in 2011, though the latter was the fastest entertainment property in history to reach $1 billion in sales. As MCV points out, FIFA sales were also in decline in the UK, with nearly 200K fewer copies sold during 2011 than in 2010. All that said, let's not lose any sleep over the declines -- both CoD and FIFA's 2011 entries sold in the many millions in just the UK, let alone worldwide.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 holiday numbers indicate franchise sales decline in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-opscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3fifafifa-11fifa-12infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3salessledgehammer-gamestreyarchukunited-kingdomxboxThu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling 'happy' with MW3 holiday sales, sees the game as closure to Soap story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/infinity-wards-robert-bowling-happy-with-mw3-holiday-sales-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/infinity-wards-robert-bowling-happy-with-mw3-holiday-sales-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/infinity-wards-robert-bowling-happy-with-mw3-holiday-sales-s/#comments Robert Bowling, Infinity Ward's creative strategist and face of the Call of Duty series, is excellent at his job, in that he knows how not to answer questions directly. It's a skill set shared by all variety of politicians, and not one prized among journalists. Why bother explaining this? Because when I asked Bowling about holiday sales of his studio's latest game, Modern Warfare 3, I wasn't surprised when he gave the company line ("I don't have any numbers I can share with you"), though he did allow, "I'm happy." Presumably we'll find out just how happy Bowling is when last month's NPDs arrive in a couple weeks.

Rather than push the unspeakable, I turned my attention to more open topics, such as Modern Warfare 3's finale wrapping up the story of series leads John "Soap" MacTavish and Captain John Price. "Our goal with Modern Warfare 3 was definitely to get some closure on the story that we started with Call of Duty 4, and I think we've achieved that," Bowling said. While he wouldn't put a definitive end to their inclusion in the series, he did admit that MW3's campaign was intended as closure on the duo's story.

That said, Bowling doesn't want to say "never" to the concept of either character reappearing in future CoD entries. "I never like to speak in definites when it comes to story design, because you never wanna not have an opening or an out," he told me. And hey, if Danny Trejo can appear as a DLC character, anything could happen, right?

JoystiqInfinity Ward's Robert Bowling 'happy' with MW3 holiday sales, sees the game as closure to Soap story originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3robert-bowlingsledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Tour the killing fields of Modern Warfare 3's first DLC with latest media]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/tour-the-killing-fields-of-modern-warfare-3s-first-dlc-with-lat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/tour-the-killing-fields-of-modern-warfare-3s-first-dlc-with-lat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/tour-the-killing-fields-of-modern-warfare-3s-first-dlc-with-lat/#comments
You've been shooting dudes for nearly three months since Modern Warfare 3's early November launch, but that Elite pass has yet to offer more than a chance to watch your buddy Tim's lame gameplay clips. That's all about to change! The first DLC is nearly upon us, and here is your first tour.

Continue reading Tour the killing fields of Modern Warfare 3's first DLC with latest media

JoystiqTour the killing fields of Modern Warfare 3's first DLC with latest media originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dlcdownloadable-contentinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3raven-softwaresledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Modern Warfare 3 DLC drops planned for next three months, 20 total over next nine months]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/five-modern-warfare-3-dlc-drops-planned-for-next-three-months-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/five-modern-warfare-3-dlc-drops-planned-for-next-three-months-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/five-modern-warfare-3-dlc-drops-planned-for-next-three-months-2/#comments On January 24, this year's Call of Duty DLC season kicks off on Xbox Live with other platforms to follow. Elite subscribers on Xbox 360 will have first access the new content as part of their paid membership.

Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling confirmed with Joystiq the content schedule for Modern Warfare 3 and it's unsurprisingly extensive. Following the first multiplayer maps later this month ("Liberation" and "Piazza"), the plan is to offer five total DLC packages over the course of the next three months. Within the next nine months, up to September, there should be a total of 20 pieces of downloadable content available to players. A "Content Collection" in March will bundle the previously released DLC on Xbox Live for non-Elite users.

"The first pack is traditional multiplayer maps, but we want to do Spec Ops missions, missions, Spec-Ops Survival, new game types, new game modes, and really look at adding things that we've never done before," Bowling said. He said that the focus across all three studios involved -- Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software -- has been to experiment with the formula this time around, to offer players content other than map pack dumps.

"We said just do what you think is gonna be good. Do what's fun and, as long is fits in the Modern Warfare universe, try it! Experiment with it, and we'll take the best of the best and start polishing it up and releasing it. So that's really where our focus has been," Bowling concluded.

JoystiqFive Modern Warfare 3 DLC drops planned for next three months, 20 total over next nine months originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3raven-softwarerobert-bowlingsledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Arthur's picks of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/best-of-the-rest-arthurs-picks-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/best-of-the-rest-arthurs-picks-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/best-of-the-rest-arthurs-picks-of-2011/#comments Battlefield 3
I love Battlefield 3. I love it almost as much as it seems to hate its players.

At least, that's the way it feels sometimes, trying to get into a game, trying to get correctly squaded up, trying to find a server with room, having to use a server browser on consoles in 2011, downloading 2 GIGABYTE patches ... y u no luv me, BF3?

But when it does love me, it loves me so well ... and there I go, into that cycle of abuse again.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Arthur's picks of 2011

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Arthur's picks of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisionassassins-creed-revelationsbattlefield-3BF3bulletstormcall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3DICEEAforza-4forza-motorsport-4infinity-wardMGSmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmodern-warfare-3pcpeople-can-flyplaystationps3rayman-originsRelic-Entertainmentsledgehammer-gamesTHQtoy-soldiers-cold-warTreyarchubisoftUbisoft-MontpellierUbisoft-Montrealwarhammer-40k-space-marinexboxTue, 03 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition and Munitio headphones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/12-days-of-joyswag-modern-warfare-3-hardened-edition-and-muniti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/12-days-of-joyswag-modern-warfare-3-hardened-edition-and-muniti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/12-days-of-joyswag-modern-warfare-3-hardened-edition-and-muniti/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It's the biggest game of the year but something tells us that at least one of you still hasn't picked it up. And for that person, we've got the Hardened Edition on Xbox 360 along with a pair of MW3-themed Munitio headphones which, while they won't work with your console at all, will illustrate your brand allegiance to everyone outside your home.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition and Munitio headphones

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition and Munitio headphones originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3sledgehammer-gamesxboxMon, 19 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 update addresses lag, certain glitches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/modern-warfare-3-update-addresses-lag-certain-glitches/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/modern-warfare-3-update-addresses-lag-certain-glitches/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/modern-warfare-3-update-addresses-lag-certain-glitches/#comments Good news, soldiers: The multiplayer component of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has received its sixth title update since the game's launch; a patch which addresses lag and a number of glitches players have been exploiting for their own nefarious, personal gain. Gone are the days of melee-jumping, as well as clan tags which use the controller's symbols to spell dirty words. (Bal[LS] indeed, sir.)

A number of guns have also been tweaked (see: nerfed) as hotfixes introduced to the title. You can check out a full list of these readjusted armaments after the jump, and pray that your precious, precious firearm evaded the developers' all-seeing eye.

Continue reading Modern Warfare 3 update addresses lag, certain glitches

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 update addresses lag, certain glitches originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3patchpcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesupdatexboxMon, 12 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 and the rest of the CoD family on sale today at Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/modern-warfare-3-and-the-rest-of-the-cod-family-on-sale-today-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/modern-warfare-3-and-the-rest-of-the-cod-family-on-sale-today-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/modern-warfare-3-and-the-rest-of-the-cod-family-on-sale-today-at/#comments Many, many people have already picked up copies of this year's Call of Duty entry, Modern Warfare 3. This we know. But what about those of you hoping against logic that the game -- one of the fastest selling media properties of all time -- would drop its price relatively close to launch? Bizarrely, your time has come, with Amazon offering Modern Warfare 3 for $50 (10 percent off) across Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, today only.

In fact, the entire stable of Call of Duty titles are on sale (not to mention various DS and Wii iterations) going all the way back to Modern Warfare 1. Amazon promises a day of Assassin's Creed savings tomorrow, so perhaps holding off on a purchase of Revelations this afternoon would be a smart move.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 and the rest of the CoD family on sale today at Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionamazoncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dsinfinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3nintendopcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamestreyarchwiixboxMon, 12 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision trumpets $1 billion for Modern Warfare 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/activision-trumpets-1-billion-for-modern-warfare-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/activision-trumpets-1-billion-for-modern-warfare-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/activision-trumpets-1-billion-for-modern-warfare-3/#comments As Bobby Kotick nestles himself between a cloud masquerading as a mattress and a gold-trimmed white goose down duvet (the goose has the gold trim, not the duvet), his mind can gently waft into unconsciousness, accompanied by the pleasing crackle of bloggers typing "one billion dollars." Activision announced the enormous sales figure for Modern Warfare 3 this morning, claiming the milestone flew by within 16 days of the game's launch. We hope George Michael was adequately rewarded for providing his flattest cover yet.

The information is derived from retailer sell-through data and the UK's Chart-Track service, and is positioned in comparison to entertainment nemesis Hollywood, where 2009's Avatar took longer to reach the same sales (19 in total if you ask Wikipedia). James Cameron's 3D spectacle rested on an awful lot of noses and eventually reached $2 billion worldwide.

Alas, that's an indication of Modern Warfare 3's diminishing returns in the news sphere. Next year, we want to see two billion bucks before we commit a sentence.

JoystiqActivision trumpets $1 billion for Modern Warfare 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3nintendopcplaystationps3salessledgehammer-gameswiixboxMon, 12 Dec 2011 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[A Thanksgiving weekend close-up for Call of Duty Elite's second take]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-thanksgiving-weekend-close-up-for-call-of-duty-elites-second/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-thanksgiving-weekend-close-up-for-call-of-duty-elites-second/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-thanksgiving-weekend-close-up-for-call-of-duty-elites-second/#comments When we last spoke with Call of Duty VP of Production Daniel Suarez two weeks ago, just after the record-breaking launch of Modern Warfare 3, things weren't going so well. Sure, MW3 sold 6.5 million units in a single day, but Activision's high-profile Call of Duty Elite service fell squarely on its face. Now, two weeks later, Elite is operational and Suarez says Activision is confident the service can withstand not only the Thanksgiving holiday but a potential post-Black Friday surge.

"It was a lot of hard work from where we were two weeks ago, which was an embarassing place," Suarez confessed. "And now we're at a place where we're confidant people will be able to enjoy the service." And while Elite is operational or, as Suarez put it, "up on its feet," the team continues to push out new builds almost daily. "We still have some bugs and some kinks to work out," he said. "We've been pushing out fixes everyday to address people on Twitter" and elsewhere.

Continue reading A Thanksgiving weekend close-up for Call of Duty Elite's second take

JoystiqA Thanksgiving weekend close-up for Call of Duty Elite's second take originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbeachhead-studioscall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Infinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3playstationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxWed, 23 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop moves 600K Call of Duty Elite subscriptions, a 'top 10 launch' this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/gamestop-moves-600k-call-of-duty-elite-subscriptions-a-top-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/gamestop-moves-600k-call-of-duty-elite-subscriptions-a-top-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/gamestop-moves-600k-call-of-duty-elite-subscriptions-a-top-10/#comments Wondering how Call of Duty Elite is doing? Well, stability-wise it's still a touch-and-go mess. But sales wise, you could call it a "hit." During an earnings call today, GameStop prez Tony Bartel said, "In the case of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, we worked closely with Activision, Sony and Microsoft to pre-order and deliver nearly 600,000 instances of the Modern Warfare Elite DLC to date."

So a single retailer delivered 600,000 paying subscribers to Call of Duty Elite, on the back of 6.5 million day one purchases across all retailers. That sounds significant, right? Bartel says, "This places the launch of Elite as one of our top 10 launches of the year so far." We followed up with GameStop for some additional color, and were told Call of Duty Elite "is the most successful DLC launch of all time," for the retailer. Still think Elite was a bad idea?

[Image credit: bfads.net]

JoystiqGameStop moves 600K Call of Duty Elite subscriptions, a 'top 10 launch' this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbeachhead-studioscall-of-duty-elitecall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3gamestopInfinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxThu, 17 Nov 2011 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision: Modern Warfare 3 sales reach $775 million in five days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/activision-modern-warfare-3-sales-reach-775-million-in-five-da/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/activision-modern-warfare-3-sales-reach-775-million-in-five-da/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/activision-modern-warfare-3-sales-reach-775-million-in-five-da/#comments Right on schedule, Activision announced today that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has broken five-day sales records for any movie, book or video game that has come before. MW3 grossed over $775 million worldwide, beating last year's $650 million record set by Call of Duty: Black Ops and the $550 million by Modern Warfare 2 a couple years back.

The game also broke Xbox Live records, with 3.3 million concurrent users on November 8, up from the 2.6 million by Black Ops. Last week, the company announced day-one sales of MW3 reached 6.5 million units in the US and UK, for a cool $400 million in 24 hours.

Think they'll make another one?

JoystiqActivision: Modern Warfare 3 sales reach $775 million in five days originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Infinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3salessledgehammer-gamesxboxThu, 17 Nov 2011 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 sells 6.5M in biggest day-one ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/modern-warfare-3-sells-6-5m-in-biggest-day-one-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/modern-warfare-3-sells-6-5m-in-biggest-day-one-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/modern-warfare-3-sells-6-5m-in-biggest-day-one-ever/#comments We all need some extra cash in the holiday season, and if you're looking for someone to hit up for a loan, we'd recommend your rich Uncle Activision. The company just announced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sold 6.5 million units in the US and UK on its first day, good for $400 million. To put it in perspective, that's the biggest day-one for any entertainment product ever in history. This tops previous records set by Modern Warfare 2: a paltry $310 million and Black Ops, estimated to have made $360 million in its first day.

Of course, analysts had pre-orders pegged at roughly 9 million, so you know what that means to Battlefield 3 fans. Yes, Modern Warfare 3 is a huge disappointment falling well short of expectations. See, internet? Everybody wins!

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 sells 6.5M in biggest day-one ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3salessledgehammer-gamesxboxFri, 11 Nov 2011 09:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/metareview-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/metareview-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/metareview-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/#comments We said that "Modern Warfare 3 is a great Call of Duty game, just as every other entry in the franchise is a great Call of Duty game." It's not perfect, but it's the best at what it does... and what it does best is make a whole ton of money. Here's what others had to say:
  • OXM (95/100): "Sure, we can come up with a list of things we'd love to see from the series - whether it's a revamped campaign approach or a revitalized game engine and aesthetic - but when everything here is this well-executed and offers so many enduring thrills, it's hard to knock it too much. MW3 absolutely delivers."
  • Game Trailers (93/100): "As attention spans dissipate, games like this strike the sweet spot of time spent versus reward gained. Yet there's also an extremely deep multiplayer experience where the changes seem minimal but pack a big punch. If you're expecting a huge departure from what's come before you'll be disappointed, but fans will get exactly what they're looking for. World War III shouldn't be this fun."
  • Gamespot (85/100): "Whatever diversions or innovations may lie in Modern Warfare 3's future, the competitive multiplayer still offers the same sweet satisfaction you've come to expect from the series. This is some of the best online shooter action around, and with the daunting challenges of Spec Ops and the exciting, globe-trotting campaign, Modern Warfare 3 stands tall as another great descendant of the game that changed a generation. "
  • Eurogamer (80/100): "Whatever next year's entry brings, some measure of reinvention will be essential. For now, its exuberant blend of testicular bravado and blockbuster gloss ensures that Call of Duty retains its crown as the shooter genre's biggest, boldest rollercoaster ride for at least one more year."

    Gallery: Modern Warfare 3 (11/8/2011)

JoystiqMetareview: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Infinity-WardMetareviewmetareviewsmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review: Firing down the sights]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-review-firing-down-the-sights/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-review-firing-down-the-sights/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-review-firing-down-the-sights/#comments The narrative around Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is competing at this point for attention with the game's content itself. This is the title that Infinity Ward was working on when the famous split between Activision and studio heads Vince Zampella and Jason West went down. The game was subsequently developed by not one but three different studios from then on (and according to the game's credits, Neversoft and Treyarch helped out as well, which makes this practically an all-hands-on-deck effort for Activision).

And then there's Call of Duty Elite, and all of the questions about which of its online features would be placed behind the paywall. There are the comparisons to Battlefield 3, EA's similarly lauded shooter-blockbuster. This will undoubtedly be the biggest game release of 2011, following up two of the best-selling games of all-time, produced by some of the biggest traditional console developers around. All of that attention is distracting -- there's a lot going on with this game that has nothing to do with the game itself.

When you take away all of the sturm und drang of the franchise and its developers, what you've got left is just a video game. Just an experience, with a six-hour (or so) campaign, a deep and compelling multiplayer match system, and a set of co-op missions paired with a survival mode. The bombast which surrounds Modern Warfare 3 distracts from what's important about the game: It is, put simply, one of the best shooters around.

Gallery: Modern Warfare 3 (11/8/2011)

Continue reading Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review: Firing down the sights

JoystiqCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review: Firing down the sights originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3Infinity-Wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3sledgehammer-gamesxboxTue, 08 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: You [probably] won't be banned for playing MW3 early - we think]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/psa-you-probably-wont-be-banned-for-playing-mw3-early-we-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/psa-you-probably-wont-be-banned-for-playing-mw3-early-we-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/psa-you-probably-wont-be-banned-for-playing-mw3-early-we-t/#comments At this point, you'd be forgiven for not knowing up from down with regards to early copies of next week's Modern Warfare 3. Is it safe to play online? Will you be banned? Where could you even find a copy of Modern Warfare 3 early?

We can't blame you. Even we haven't even been sure - after some vaguely foreboding comments from Xbox Live's Stephen Toulouse earlier today, we felt compelled to warn you all that maybe, just maybe you should put that $1700, three-day early copy of Modern Warfare 3 on the shelf until Tuesday. But, in the event your neck isn't sore from all the back and forth over the last 36 hours, we've got the final definitive word from Activision itself... we hope:
"We value and appreciate the community's support. We have no interest in banning legitimate copies in these last few days. We just ask for everyone to wait for Tuesday when everybody can play the game together."
So, we guess you can play Modern Warfare 3 - assuming you've committed the dark retail magic necessary to acquire it early that it. Us? We'll be over here in the corner, where we don't have to look right or left for a while.

JoystiqPSA: You [probably] won't be banned for playing MW3 early - we think originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbanningbanscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3psapublic-service-announcementsledgehammer-gamesxboxxbox-liveFri, 04 Nov 2011 21:21:00 EST