Activision and Treyarch just sent out press materials announcing that they have a Call of Duty: World at War beta scheduled for release on the Xbox 360 and PC this October, following in the footsteps of its older Call of Duty 4 sibling. Registration for the beta can be completed via www.callofduty.com or through any game pre-order at Gamestop stores nationwide. Also, in the same press release, we receive confirmation that World at War will release to retailers in North America on November 11th. So, mark your iPhone calendars for that.
It should also be noted that this World at War "beta" is more of a glorified demo, because the beta's release is extremely close to the retail release of the game. So, no matter what kind of feedback they receive from the beta, Treyarch probably won't have time to change the final code. Then again, they don't promise to use any beta feedback at all, mentioning in the press release that the beta is just an "early chance for players to practice the tactics needed for survival." As you can see, it's more of a multiplayer demo than anything else ... not that it's a big deal or anything. Full press release after the break.
Posted Aug 22nd 2008 3:45PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
Embedded after the break is freshly squeezed, off screen gameplay footage of Call of Duty: World at War straight from the Games Convention. What's our first impressions of the video? Well, it doesn't look too bad. Really, it doesn't look all that bad. The initial jungle crash landing sequence is intense, the visuals (from what we can tell) look satisfying enough and even the "bunker clearing" seems enjoyable. Give the gameplay a looksy and judge for yourself.
Utilizing the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine, James Bond returns to gaming in James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace from developer Treyarch. Shown off at Activision's non-E3 press conference, Quantum of Solace takes place within the story of both Casino Royale and the upcoming Bond film of the same name. Starring new Bond, Daniel Craig, the game is presented in a first-person perspective but uses a cover system that snaps to a third-person view -- a la Tom Clancy's Rainbox Six Vegas style. Surprisingly (because it is based on a license) the game looks fantastic and we can't wait to see more. James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace hits shelves this November.
When it comes to public perception, Call of Duty: World at War developer, Treyarch isn't naive. Speaking with Develop Magazine, Treyarch senior producer Noah Heller discussed the developer's decision to bring the Call of Duty franchise back into the World War II setting that made it popular even though the series has found new success in a modern setting with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare -- developed by Infinity Ward.
"Call of Duty 4 comes along and it is a fantastic game, so how can we live up to that? How do we do World War II after that? We want to show people what we're capable of," Heller told Develop.
Call of Duty fans remember Treyarch best for Call of Duty 3 which, the team is quick to remind fans, saw a very short development cycle due to Activision's decision to make the series an annual franchise. "[Look at] BioShock, GTA IV, Modern Warfare of course ... what all these games have is a lot of love and polish." Polish -- which some point at Call of Duty 3 for lacking despite garnering generally favorable reviews.
Polish and love added to Call of Duty: World at War or not, fans and critics have labeled the latest installment of the franchise a step backwards but Heller says the team is aiming for the best WWII based title in the market, arguing, "there are stories in WWII we haven't told yet."
Posted Jun 24th 2008 8:45AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
After all the excitement of this weekend's big Call of Duty: World at Wardebut trailer reveal, we somehow looked over Activision's announcement of one of the game's biggest features. Four player online co-op. Yes sir, World at War will sport four player online co-op as well as two player local split screen as part of the game's main campaign storyline and features the added benefit of allowing you to rack up the experience points for use in multiplayer. Press release after the break.
Oh, and there will be a flamethrower as well. For reals. Promise.
With COD4 still so popular, Activision and Treyarch needed to take the series in another direction if they wanted to see another installment sell well this fall. Since the announcement of Call of Duty: World at War there really hasn't been much seen of the game. Sadly while the teaser trailer does give us a short glimpse of the game, it is only that, a teaser. So for those of you who haven't gotten the trailer from the Marketplace, GameTrailers TV has a teaser trailer up too (which is embedded after the break due to GTTV's flash player being a bit finicky these days.)
So far, we know next to nothing about Treyarch's upcoming James Bond: Quantum of Solace. Now we have this single screenshot thanks to GamesRadar. And still, know next to nothing about it. It's pretty. It's obvious that Daniel Craig's mug has been licensed for the game. There is a pool. That's about all really. GamesRadar promises that there will be plenty more where this came from though, as the next issue of Official Xbox Magazine is set to contain a "powerful amount" of details and screens," whatever that means.
Call of Duty fanboys be prepared to get your Xbox Live downloading fingers ready this weekend, because Activision is set to premiere a brand new Call of Duty: World at War trailer via Xbox Live this weekend.
A new World at War game trailer will be available for download exclusively from the Xbox Live Marketplace beginning Saturday, June 21st and will be available until Sunday, June 22nd. So, we advise hopping on the XBLM sometime during your ritualistic Saturday morning cartoon viewing and Lucky Charms eating to download the latest glimpse at what Acti has planned for the CoD franchise. Here's to hoping World at War knocks our socks, shoes and pants off.
It appears that the rumors were half-true. Late Friday evening OXM UK posted the first details for the next installment of the Call of Duty franchise and new scans confirm the magazine's exclusive cover story. Call of Duty: World at War will bring the series back to World War II and include new weapons in the series' first foray into single player co-op territory; two-player split-screen and four player online is planned. In development at Treyarch (Call of Duty 3) the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine based title will focus on a Pacific campaign as US forces battle Japanese adversaries while the Soviet Army invades Germany.
Having been in development for two years--with the lead platform being the Xbox 360-- Call of Duty: World at War features enhanced environments that bend, break and burn during the historic battle (an example of the new flamethrower weapon burning flesh as well as the world was given in the 4-page story). Multiplayer fans have something to look forward to as the series makes it's return to World War II. Treyarch, having taken cues from Infinity Ward (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare) will include a perks accomplishment system which was made famous by the current Xbox Live leader. Strap into the De Lorean gamers, looks like we're hitting 88MpH back to World War II.
After a recent earnings call, Activision outlined plans to release a new entry into the Call of Duty series by the end of its 2009 fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2009. "We'll launch on all four platforms we've participated on in fiscal [year] 2008," Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith said, refering to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's debut on the Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Nintendo DS; a PS2 and Wii version are also in the works.
Griffith also revealed that Call of Duty 5 will see the franchise move into a new "military theater." Long-standing suspicion has been that Call of Duty 3 developer Treyarch would return the franchise to its World War II roots but Griffith's comments seem to debunk that setting rumor. Griffith did not mention whether Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward or rumored Treyarch would take the reins as the Call of Duty 5 developer.
On the subject of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Griffith revealed the James Bond licensed title that is currently in development by Treyarch will be powered by the CoD4 engine and release around the time of the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, this fall.
The only question to answer now is which war could Call of Duty 5 be based on. The answer? Civil. Muskets = Win.
A few days ago a rumor was swirling about a claim an ex-Activison employee made to Next Gen about developer Infinity Ward. According to the insider, Infinity Ward had renegotiated their contract with Activision to be the sole developer of all things Call of Duty.
As it stand now, Infinity Ward has only developed Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare while developer Treyarch was behind Call of Duty: Big Red One, Call of Duty 3 and are rumored to be developing Call of Duty 5.
For a moment the world was at peace. Birds were chirping, sun was shining and food tasted better; then Activision shot it down. Describing the rumor as "erroneous information regarding the CoD franchise," Activision has essentially promised for CoD in quantity and not quality. Next stop, Call of Duty: Aerosmith!
Update: During editing the names of the titles were moved and I somehow placed COD4:MW with Treyarch. We all know IW made it. Mistake fixed. [via Joystiq]
With the earlier reveal by Gamestop, it was assumed that we wouldn't be seeing much of Spidey for awhile, at least until the game was officially confirmed. Well that is what happened, just a little sooner than we thought. Revolving around the free roaming exploration of New York City, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is supposed to give the player more freedom over the game's "direction and outcome." Coming to us courtesy of Shaba Games and Treyarch, the idea seems to be to give the player control over the character as never before, with customizable powers and the ability to ally with various members of the Marvel Universe.
For those of you who have yet to tire of fighting it out in the trenches, new content has arrived for Call of Duty 3. Specifically, the Bravo Map Pack can now be downloaded for 800 points. The pack contains 5 maps, including 2 maps from the original Call of Duty and Call of Duty: United Offensive. The old maps, for old-school COD fans that are dying to know, are Gare Centrale and Marseilles. Gare Centrale features a train depot, which seems like the hot thing in multiplayer maps these days, while Marseilles utilizes open space and lots of vehicles.
Anyone plan on grabbing the new maps, or are you comfortable waiting for Call of Duty 4?
The media hounds over at GameTrailers have uncovered a new trailer for Spider-Man 3 (available in HD here). The video shows off a massive city and some very detailed characters. The trailer gives us glimpses of all the villains in the movie, including the Sandman and the new Goblin. Venom, one of the best villains evar, is in there too, but you'll have to keep your eyes open to spot him. All in all the game is looking pretty sharp, and as long as it plays as well as Spider-Man 2, we'll be first in line to check it out. Having watched the new trailer, who's ready for some new gen webslinging?
Gamertag Radio has posted some new screens of Spider-Man 3. Releasing this summer alongside the movie, Spider-Man 3 promises to return to the incredible gameplay and swing dynamics of Spider-Man 2. While the video we've seen so far is a little too pastel for our taste, there is no denying that webslinging, when done well, is some of the most fun you can have playing a video game. Here's hoping the game (and the movie) deliver. Hit the "read" link to check out the shots.
When it comes to public perception, 
