New Call of Duty: Black Ops Multiplayer Modes, Details
Treyarch online director Dan Bunting and multiplayer design director David Vonderhaar took the stage during a special event in Los Angeles tonight to announce new multiplayer modes for Call of Duty: Black Ops.
For the first time ever, Call of Duty is getting its own offline multiplayer Bot mode called Combat Training. This mode uses a completely independent rank progression, which you can play alone or with friends. Consider this a new opportunity to train before you test your skills online.
Tier 1 perks also now impact how your character looks in the game. Flak Jacket, for example, makes you look like the dude from Hurt Locker.
Two new Killstreak special weapon care packages were shown; a chain gun called the Death Machine and a missile launcher called the Grim Reaper. Other kill streaks include napalm strike, rc-xd (remote controlled car), gunship, mortars, and a SAM turret to shoot down gunships.
A new form of in-game currency is now being added called "CP" or CoD Points. Players will earn money as they play that they can then use to unlock weapons instead of leveling up. CoD Points can not be purchased with real money.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Xbox 360 Trailer - Wager Match Trailer
Players can also take time limited challenges called Contracts to earn some dough. The three contract categories are Mercenary, Operations, and Specialist. Mercenary rewards players for kills and kill streaks, Operations are for team players, and Specialists are for unique play styles.
Gambling has arrived in the form of a new mode called Wager Match where players can bet CoD points. The top three players split the winnings. This mode includes four new game types:
One in the Chamber -- Players will start with pistols only, one bullet, and three lives. If you kill someone you get a bullet.
Sticks and Stones -- Players start with a crossbow and a ballistic knife, and a tomahawk. If a player is killed with a tomahawk they go bankrupted.
Gun Game -- All players start with pistol, and every kill gives you a better weapon. First one to progress through the weapons wins. If you get knifed you get reset a level.
Sharp Shooter -- All players start with the same randomly selected weapon. Weapons cycle, but everyone has the same weapon.
Treyarch also went in-depth with an all-new weapon customization system.
Players will now be able to attach custom made emblems and decals onto their weapons, and attach custom targeting reticules (such as a red smiley face dot). Players will be able to edit, rotate, and scale images to place on all of the weapons they've unlocked.
Lastly, Theater Mode was shown, allowing players to record clips and create screenshots to tag and share with friends online. The camera can be switched between first and third person perspectives as well as free roam.
[source: IGN]
There is even more info courtesy of CVG in the new Black Ops section of the forum
For the first time ever, Call of Duty is getting its own offline multiplayer Bot mode called Combat Training. This mode uses a completely independent rank progression, which you can play alone or with friends. Consider this a new opportunity to train before you test your skills online.
Tier 1 perks also now impact how your character looks in the game. Flak Jacket, for example, makes you look like the dude from Hurt Locker.
Two new Killstreak special weapon care packages were shown; a chain gun called the Death Machine and a missile launcher called the Grim Reaper. Other kill streaks include napalm strike, rc-xd (remote controlled car), gunship, mortars, and a SAM turret to shoot down gunships.
A new form of in-game currency is now being added called "CP" or CoD Points. Players will earn money as they play that they can then use to unlock weapons instead of leveling up. CoD Points can not be purchased with real money.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Xbox 360 Trailer - Wager Match Trailer
Players can also take time limited challenges called Contracts to earn some dough. The three contract categories are Mercenary, Operations, and Specialist. Mercenary rewards players for kills and kill streaks, Operations are for team players, and Specialists are for unique play styles.
Gambling has arrived in the form of a new mode called Wager Match where players can bet CoD points. The top three players split the winnings. This mode includes four new game types:
One in the Chamber -- Players will start with pistols only, one bullet, and three lives. If you kill someone you get a bullet.
Sticks and Stones -- Players start with a crossbow and a ballistic knife, and a tomahawk. If a player is killed with a tomahawk they go bankrupted.
Gun Game -- All players start with pistol, and every kill gives you a better weapon. First one to progress through the weapons wins. If you get knifed you get reset a level.
Sharp Shooter -- All players start with the same randomly selected weapon. Weapons cycle, but everyone has the same weapon.
Treyarch also went in-depth with an all-new weapon customization system.
Players will now be able to attach custom made emblems and decals onto their weapons, and attach custom targeting reticules (such as a red smiley face dot). Players will be able to edit, rotate, and scale images to place on all of the weapons they've unlocked.
Lastly, Theater Mode was shown, allowing players to record clips and create screenshots to tag and share with friends online. The camera can be switched between first and third person perspectives as well as free roam.
[source: IGN]
There is even more info courtesy of CVG in the new Black Ops section of the forum
Update: Black ops Beta
Treyarch has shot down increasingly hot rumours that a Call of Duty: Black Ops public beta is set to arrive on Xbox Live and PSN.
Speaking to CVG at the Black Ops multiplayer reveal event in LA this morning, Treyarch community man Josh Olin confirmed that Activision's not planning a public beta at the moment and said that current console trials are "internal only".
"We're already doing an internal beta with all sorts of Activision studios - thousands of people are participating in our beta," he said.
"That's the only formal beta that we're planning at the moment. There were a lot of misconceptions, confusion and Google ads. There was some speculation that we'd be launching a public beta tonight - that's not happening. The beta is internal only right now."
He added: "Keeping it internal is very helpful for us. It allows us to move a lot faster on our builds, so if we want to change something we can easily push out a new build within the company to anyone who has one of these dev kits.
"Call of Duty is so much this big mainstream thing that everybody at Activision is playing this game."
[source: CVG]
Speaking to CVG at the Black Ops multiplayer reveal event in LA this morning, Treyarch community man Josh Olin confirmed that Activision's not planning a public beta at the moment and said that current console trials are "internal only".
"We're already doing an internal beta with all sorts of Activision studios - thousands of people are participating in our beta," he said.
"That's the only formal beta that we're planning at the moment. There were a lot of misconceptions, confusion and Google ads. There was some speculation that we'd be launching a public beta tonight - that's not happening. The beta is internal only right now."
He added: "Keeping it internal is very helpful for us. It allows us to move a lot faster on our builds, so if we want to change something we can easily push out a new build within the company to anyone who has one of these dev kits.
"Call of Duty is so much this big mainstream thing that everybody at Activision is playing this game."
[source: CVG]
Black Ops beta going Xbox only?
RUMOUR WATCH: Snapped Google ad suggests that upcoming multiplayer beta could skip PS3A leaked snapshot of a supposed Google ad has lead to speculation that the multiplayer beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops could be an Xbox 360 exclusive.
Little-known site Leakerz.net claims to have screens of the beta signup page, which also reckons early access will go live tonight – which, coincidentally, is when Activision’s is holding an LA-based press briefing on the game.
In reply to the chatter, Treyarch’s community manager Josh Olin has pointed out over Twitter that nothing is official until the studio says so. He didn’t take the opportunity to deny the claims, though.
On the surface there’s little substance to back this up at the moment. However, MCV has been lead to believe that some sort of partnership has been struck between Activision and Microsoft over the game.
All eyes turn to the publisher’s press event in LA tonight.
Game UK launches Downloader App
High street retailer Game has launched a downloader application to help keep your PC games up to dateAccording to Game the app will scan your PC to identify what games you have, then alert you to the availability of new downloadable content.
It'll also enable users to remotely activate downloads, including demos and videos.
It's all part of Game's online strategy which includes demo and full game distribution online. Find out more at Game downloader.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Ultimate Edition confirmed
The rumoured Ultimate Edition of Battlefield Bad Company 2 is official, and it's out this Friday (or today if you're in US, you lucky reader) on PS3 and 360.
The inclusion of the four-player co-op Onslaught mode tops the list of new features. You also get the entire Battlefield 1943 game which was previously released on XBLA/PSN, plus all of the vehicle and weapon upgrades that were previously exclusive to the Limited Edition version of the game, such as vehicle alternate fire, the M1A1 Submachine Gun, the M1911 Pistol and a bunch more.
Here's the trailer:
The inclusion of the four-player co-op Onslaught mode tops the list of new features. You also get the entire Battlefield 1943 game which was previously released on XBLA/PSN, plus all of the vehicle and weapon upgrades that were previously exclusive to the Limited Edition version of the game, such as vehicle alternate fire, the M1A1 Submachine Gun, the M1911 Pistol and a bunch more.
Here's the trailer:
Xbox Live: No rise in UK 12-month subs
Microsoft has confirmed to CVG that UK gamers will see no difference in the cost of three, six and 12-month Xbox Live subscriptions following last night's price rise announcement.
The news had sparked concerns amongst Gold Live subscribers that they'd have to pay a premium for long-term subscriptions.
However, a Microsoft spokesperson told CVG today:
"The price rise only relates to single-month subscriptions in the UK."
As we reported last night, UK gamers who subscribe for one month to Live will now have to pay £5.99 - up £1 from the previous price.
The US will see price rises across its Gold options, however.
One month subs go up from $7.99 to $9.99, whilst three-month plans rise from $19.99 to $24.99. Meanwhile, one year subs will jump from $49.99 to $59.99. Ouch.
The news had sparked concerns amongst Gold Live subscribers that they'd have to pay a premium for long-term subscriptions.
However, a Microsoft spokesperson told CVG today:
"The price rise only relates to single-month subscriptions in the UK."
As we reported last night, UK gamers who subscribe for one month to Live will now have to pay £5.99 - up £1 from the previous price.
The US will see price rises across its Gold options, however.
One month subs go up from $7.99 to $9.99, whilst three-month plans rise from $19.99 to $24.99. Meanwhile, one year subs will jump from $49.99 to $59.99. Ouch.
The MOH Experience Part 1- Fallen Angel
Participate In The 9/1 Black Ops Multiplayer Reveal Event!
From treyarch.com:"Do you want to be a part of the Black Ops Multiplayer Reveal Event? We'll be sharing a TON of great info with the press & community about Black Ops MP on September 1st, but we'd like to hear some of your burning MP-related questions. Simply ask your questions in the comments below, on our Facebook Page, or via @JD_2020 on Twitter. For the most commonly asked questions, we'll be fielding them at the Multiplayer Event, and will promptly provide answers here on CallOfDuty.com/BlackOps - So ask away! "
Xbox Live Gets a Price Hike
Microsoft has announced that as of November 1, 2010, the price for Xbox Live Gold will go up in Canada, the US, United Kingdom and Mexico. The annual fee will go up by $10 in the United States, with one and three month subscriptions also going up in price.
Starting November 1, a one month subscription in the US will cost $9.99 and a three month subscription will carry a price tag of $24.99. These are increases of $2 and $5 respectively. In the UK, a one month subscription will go up by 1 GBP to 5.99. Canadian and Mexican one month subscriptions will go up by $1 CAD and 100 Pesos each to $9.99 and 599 Pesos. All other subscription packages will have the same prices.
In a posting, Microsoft spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb explained the hike:
"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same. We're confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry.
However, we do want to thank our loyal members and give you the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount, so now would be a good time to renew your subscription."
Analyst Jesse Divinich of EEDAR believes this price increase will not have a major effect of Microsoft's momentum or subscription base, saying that, "EEDAR believes the fee increase will do little to impact the positive momentum of the Xbox 360," and that given the service improvements through the year, "it comes as no surprise that Microsoft would eventually increase the price of a Gold subscription by a moderate amount."
Starting November 1, a one month subscription in the US will cost $9.99 and a three month subscription will carry a price tag of $24.99. These are increases of $2 and $5 respectively. In the UK, a one month subscription will go up by 1 GBP to 5.99. Canadian and Mexican one month subscriptions will go up by $1 CAD and 100 Pesos each to $9.99 and 599 Pesos. All other subscription packages will have the same prices.
In a posting, Microsoft spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb explained the hike:
"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same. We're confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry.
However, we do want to thank our loyal members and give you the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount, so now would be a good time to renew your subscription."
Analyst Jesse Divinich of EEDAR believes this price increase will not have a major effect of Microsoft's momentum or subscription base, saying that, "EEDAR believes the fee increase will do little to impact the positive momentum of the Xbox 360," and that given the service improvements through the year, "it comes as no surprise that Microsoft would eventually increase the price of a Gold subscription by a moderate amount."
Blacklight Tangodown gets patched
Ignition Entertainment has released an XBLA and PC update for Blacklight: Tango Down.
The new patch adds several new features and addresses spawn issues, round times, matchmaking and several other issues as detailed in the attached list.
In addition, the update also resets the time limit for the trial version of the game, allowing everyone to experience the new features, including players who previously downloaded the trial version. The update goes live today for XBLA and PC users, and will be included in the PlayStation Network release set to launch within the next few weeks. The PC update also includes the addition of Steam updates for players with Steam accounts.
“The entire team took fan feedback and critique to heart and constructed the update to specifically address their concerns,” said Jared Gerritzen, Lead Designer at Zombie Studios. “As one of the summer’s top XBLA downloads, we’re really happy with the way fans have been enjoying the game, and we’ll continue to make sure players are having the best online experience possible.”
“What we have always tried to do from the outset with Tango Down is rewrite the rules for DLG’s” added Marcus Beer, PR Director for UTV Ignition Entertainment. “By listening to player feedback and releasing this second free update, we are showing our commitment to gamers that we will continue to support and improve the game, which is not something that often happens with downloadable games.”
Blacklight Tangodown has been available on Xbox 360 and PC since July, the PS3 version will be released next month.
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