Monday, June 14, 2010

Black Ops Kicks Off Microsoft's E3 Briefing


Pulling the curtain back just a little more, Activision and Treyarch have been at E3 today showing off their next title in the Call of Duty franchise, Call of Duty: Black Ops.  From an epic demo showing us possibilities that have never been explored in the series, to information detailing plans for future downloadable content, we'll take a look at what has shown up on the internet today.

Kicking the day off was a brand new Black Ops trailer remix featuring a track from Eminem's new album Recovery, titled "Won't Back Down" and featuring Pink.



Microsoft's Xbox briefing today at E3 was said to touch on the highlights including exclusive titles ala Gears of War 3, promising partnerships like the one announced with ESPN, and of course, Kinect (See: Natal).  The opener for the showing was none other than Treyarch's studio head Mark Lamia with a demo run through some of Black Ops' campaign.  And yes, that's Reznov that you see in the tunnels. 




As you can see from the gameplay shown, twists and turns of the game will be something that you can expect from Black Ops.  From creeping through the rat-infested tunnels, to actually being able to control and fly a helicopter in Call of Duty (for the first time ever!), you never quite know what's coming up next.

After Microsoft's press showing, Geoff Keighley had the chance to talk with Mark Lamia a bit more, and also snagged an exclusive look at WMD, a single player level that takes place in the Ural Mountains of Russia (1968).  This was one of the levels shown to us at the Community First Look Event, and rest assured, the proportions of epicness in WMD are heavy and what you would expect from our favorite blockbuster shooter.



    

Also mentioned during Microsoft's briefing was the announcement that all DLC for the Call of Duty franchise, starting with Black Ops and running through 2012 (theoretically for Sledgehammer's release and IW's MW3), would receive the timed exclusivity treatment for Xbox 360 owners.  As many of you know, this formula has been and is currently being used by Activision with Modern Warfare 2 DLC, where PS3 and PC users receive content one month after it has been released on the 360.  We'll leave it at that, because we all know how console wars end up.

Feel free to comment here, tweet us @WePlayCoD, or hit us up on Facebook with your thoughts on today's news.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Shi No Numa For The iPhone/iPod Touch


 The hounds of Hell have made their way to the iTunes app store and are chomping at the bits to rip you apart.  The second DLC map for Call of Duty: World at War Zombies on the iPhone/iPod Touch, Shi No Numa, has released and can be downloaded now.


Those that already own the Zombies app can update and purchase the new content for $4.99 from the app itself (see: New Maps in Main Menu).  If you don't happen to own the app, you can simply download Shi No Numa from the iTunes app store for $9.99

We've had a bit of playtime through the new map already, and it's just as fun as you remember.  Firing the Wunderwaffe DG-2, fighting Hell Hounds, and slaying freakbags with the Flogger trap, you're sure to enjoy this one.  Join others online for a 4-man co-op experience that you just can't get anywhere else.



 Shi No Numa on iTunes

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Resurgence Of Modern Warfare 2

Not that Modern Warfare 2 needed a resurgence, given the fact that it continues to dominate the most played games lists.  In any case, a resurgence has come today in the form of the....Resurgence Map Pack.

This, the second map pack for Modern Warfare 2, looks to be quite different compared to the first content to release, the Stimulus Package.  From sprawling sniper havens to the mouth of a clown, the variety is deep.  After a bit of playtime, we're here to take a closer look at what these new maps are bringing us.

Thanks to our friend on Twitter @DannyTrose for providing the walkthrough video.




Starting off with Carnival, you're boots have hit the ground running in this deserted amusement park.  This map definitely has personality.  A bit larger than expected, the feel of the map is restricted by certain sections and locations.

A few of the landmarks that you'll be screaming over your headsets are the Funhaus, the merry-go-round, the rocket ship, the draw bridge, and the roller coaster.  As previously mentioned, although this map is of decent size, the separate locations really provide some great chokepoints that keep the intensity level high.  Keep an eye out for snipers in the rocket ship and campers perched on the second floor of the Funhaus.


Next up we have Fuel.  This vast map is situated in a sunny desert in the Middle East.  The first thing noticed in this map is that those of you that run-and-gun will want to alter your play a bit.  With an expansive layout and several multi-story buildings, the long range shooter will have the better chance on Fuel.  This layout also seems to slow the pace of a game down a bit as well, as much of your time will be spent on either finding a safe path or searching for a decent vantage point.


Last, but not least, Trailer Park.  This map plays exactly how you would imagine it to, as a chaotic rush among the maze-like layout of dilapidated trailers and downed airplanes.  This is where the run-and-gunners will shine.  While many firefights will be held around the above-ground pool in the center of the map, a great strategy will be to cover the perimeter while looking towards the interior for enemies.  With several trailers that surround many of the objective sites, a bomb planter will have to coordinate their approach wisely.


As you also know, CoD4 fan favorites Stike and Vacant have made a triumphant return as well.  No rundown required for those two though.  You know them, you love them.  They're as great in MW2 as they were in CoD4, and that's really at that needs to be said.

Feel free to leave your comments here on Twitter @WePlayCoD, or on Facebook with your thoughts on the new maps.  Have fun out there on the battlefields!