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Call Of Duty MW2 Resurgence Pack to be released to Xbox LIVE June 3rd

Savan Thongvanh — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:02:54 +0000

Activision announced today that on June 3rd they’ll be releasing to Xbox LIVE a Multiplayer Map Pack they’re calling the “Call of Duty(R): Modern Warfare(R) 2 Resurgence Pack”. They’re going to need some resurgence with this map pack because the last one came out to mediocre reviews.

The map pack to be released at the end of this month will be the first multiplayer map pack releasedy by Activision/Blizzard with FIVE NEW MAPS. ADDITIONALLY, May 28th and June 4th Infinity Ward will be hosting DOUBLE XP weekends.

This is the second map pack this year, three months after the Stimulus Package. Does that mean we can expect two more this year? Only time will tell but for now I’m looking forward to five new maps and a shortcut to prestiging on the double points weekends!

Activision Prices Modern Warfare 2 Map Pack

David Thongvanh — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:01:53 +0000

Activision has released the price of their upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 map pack, pegging it at 1200 Microsoft points, or $15 USD.

Dubbed the Stimulus Pack, it’s definitely stimulating Activision’s profits. Adding only 5 maps, 2 of which are re-releases, many fans are disappointed at having to pay what is in essence $5 per new map. Some speculate that this is a test price to see how high people will go for downloadable content. Many still remember when Ubisoft first introduced the now-standard $10 price tag for DLC, and there was a similar outcry at that time.

As with before MW2 itself came out, some are beginning to shout for boycotts of the map pack–we all saw how that worked out, and the result will likely be the same. Could this be the start of a new standard in DLC pricing? Let’s hope not.

Call Of Duty MW2 Stimulus Package to be released to Xbox LIVE

Savan Thongvanh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:06:13 +0000

Activision announced today that on March 30th they’ll be releasing to Xbox LIVE a Multiplayer Map Pack their calling the “Call of Duty(R): Modern Warfare(R) 2 Stimulus Package”. What’s the stimulus?

The map pack to be released at the end of this month will be the first multiplayer map pack releasedy by Activision/Blizzard. ADDITIONALLY, the map pack will be available on a trial basis from March 12 to March 15th to Silver (free) Xbox LIVE members.

Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 became a cultural phenomenon when it launched to the world in November. The epic title set new entertainment records for the greatest one-day and five-day openings in history* on the way to topping $1 billion in sales and becoming the best selling title ever on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Additionally, Xbox LIVE celebrates having the largest Call of Duty community than any other entertainment system.

See more from the Activision release http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=450953

Former Infinity Ward Heads Taking Activision to Court

David Thongvanh — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:32:13 +0000

Jake West and Vince Zampella, former President and CEO of Infinity Ward respectively, have begun legal proceedings over their firings at Activision.

As reported earlier in the week, Activision fired West and Zampella under unusual circumstances. A press release by the company cited breach of contract and “insubordination”, though the exact details around these reasons have not been released. In response, the two have fired back with a $36M lawsuit. They accuse Activision of manufacturing a reason to fire the pair so as to avoid paying them royalties for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Activision has said they are “disappointed” in the lawsuit but believe they are justified in the firings. More on the situation as it develops.

You can check out the legal documents at Kotaku

Activision has big news for Call Of Duty for 2010 and 2011

Savan Thongvanh — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:43:56 +0000

Yesterday Activision announced that it’s record setting franchise Call of Duty will get more map packs, obviously, another release in 2011, less obvious, and a spin off game.

The most intersting news from Activision’s Call of Duty announcement is probably about Sledgehammer. Sledgehammer games, that is. Sledgehammer will be the company producing the spin-off action-advendure version of Call Of Duty.

The company is also for the first time announcing that a new game in the Call of Duty series is expected to be released in 2011 and that Sledgehammer Games, a newly formed, wholly owned studio, is in development on a Call of Duty game that will extend the franchise into the action-adventure genre. Sledgehammer is helmed by industry veterans Glen A. Schofield and Michael Condrey. Prior to joining Activision Publishing, Schofield was the Executive Producer of the award-winning game, Dead Space and Michael Condrey was the Sr. Development Director on the game. The Dead Space franchise has won more than 80 industry awards worldwide including the prestigious A.I.A.S. Action Game of the Year and two B.A.F.T.A.S.

Along with a new game in 2011, Activision will also be pushing two new map pack for Modern Warefare 2 this year and a new Call of Duty game THIS FALL. They’re already in development by developers at Infinity Ward.

“2010 will be another important year for the Call of Duty franchise,” stated Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing. “In addition to continued catalog sales, new downloadable content from Infinity Ward and a new Call of Duty release, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the franchise to new geographies, genres and players.” The company expects to release a new Call of Duty game from Treyarch this fall. In addition, Infinity Ward is in development on the first two downloadable map packs for Modern Warfare(R) 2 for release in 2010.

Exciting new for MW2 players!

See the entire press release

Activision Turns Infinity Ward Upside-Down

David Thongvanh — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:06:57 +0000

Breaking news: Activision has fired both the CEO and President of Infinity Ward, makers of the Call of Duty franchise.

In a completely-unexpected turn of events, Activision has cut the two men most responsible for hit first-person-shooter Call of Duty from their derivative developer Infinity ward. Reports from G4 indicate that both Vince Zampella, CEO and Studio Head of Infinity ward, as well as Jason West, President and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 director, were escorted off premises by security earlier today.

Kotaku also covered a statement from Activision today stating that they planned to take the Call of Duty series in a new direction under developer Treyarch, who created Call of Duty 3 and Call of Duty: World at War. Activision declined to comment on the dismissal of Zampella and West, saying that they did not comment on HR matters related to its studios.

Considering how integral Zampella and West have been to the franchise, fans can expect some drastic changes in the next Call of Duty installment. Activision has also said that the series will be taking a turn towards action/adventure rather the previous FPS style. No one can tell for sure what impact will have, but considering that Call of Duty is one of Activision’s central profit pillars, this is almost certain to have a significant impact on Activision as a company.

Zombies Verruckt Map Now Available on iTunes

Savan Thongvanh — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:59:13 +0000

While the iPad is in the headlines awesome things are still happening on the iPhone. For example one of my favorite parts of one of my favorite games, Call of Duty: World at War has release one of it’s hit bonus maps for iPhone!

Today Activision announced that it is posting the Zombies Verruckt map on the iTunes store. The price will be $4.99. It’s definitely not the $1 quickie that millions of other apps are at but I have a feeling that this won’t stop millions from getting their iPhones and iTouches and soon iPads zombified!

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb 12, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ — Zombies continue their onslaught as Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and developer Treyarch have launched an adaptation of the popular “Verruckt” (Zombie Asylum) map for Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES for iPhone and iPod touch. Originally released as downloadable content for Call of Duty: World at War, “Verruckt” gives players the opportunity to experience a new location, new weapons, electro-shock defenses, Perks-A-Cola Machines and the endless attacking legions of Undead. The new map is now available for download from the main menu of Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES for $4.99.

Download at the itunes store http://www.itunes.com/appstore/