Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Multiplayer reveal recap!

Today, Sledgehammer Games and Activision hosted an event to reveal the multiplayer mode of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.  First showing the above trailer, Sledgehammer set out to shake-up the traditional Call of Duty game with the introduction of Exo Movement.  This new feature incorporates the Exo Skeleton’s from the game’s single player mode, allowing players more freedom of movement then ever before.  Players will be able to jump incredibly high, dodge from side to side, and slam down onto your opponents.  On top of that, standard movements like sprinting and sliding have returned.

image credit: Gameinformer

Next to be revealed was a brand new feature for Call of Duty: Supply Drops.  The best way to describe the Supply Drops is they are a loot system for COD.  These drops will be earned by completing challenges, or playing for a certain period of time.  The drops will give players different “flavors” of weapons, like a variation on an assault rifle that does more damage, but has far less accuracy, and it can give players killstreaks that will be available to use immediatelty as their next game starts (think of the killstreaks drops like the Burn Cards from Titanfall).  These drops are quite similar to the Supply Packs from Mass Effect 3, but there was no indication that you will be able to purchase these with real money.

Creating a Class is a staple of the Call of Duty franchise, and Sledgehammer is bringing back the Pick 10 create-a-class system but expanding it further to a Pick 13 system.  Now, players will be able to choose how they want their class to play, all the way to their killstreaks.  If the player wants no killstreaks, they can use those extra three points on attachments and perks.  Scorestreaks are returning, and Sledgehammer is introducing a new Co-op Scorestreak option to Call of Duty.  These Scorestreaks will allow two players to use a scorestreak; one example shown was to players controlling different guns on a UAV.

The Create A Class system is being expanded even further with the introduction of the Virtual Firing range.  Have you ever purchased a gun in Call of Duty and immediately hated it?  The virtual firing range will change that forever.  With the simple press of a button, players can try a new gun on a virtual firing range before purchasing it.  Appearance customization is coming to Advanced Warfare, with gamers being able to change next to anything about their Operator’s appearance, all the way to their gender.  Players will be able to show off their Operator’s look in the new “Virtual Lobby”, which is Advanced Warfare’s pre-match multiplayer interface.

Next, Sledgehammer spoke about Advanced Warfare’s maps and gamemodes.  The team showcased four maps today: Biolab, Riot, Ascend, and Defender, as well as revealed the game will ship with 12 game modes.  Sledgehammer only confirmed eight today though, and those were Team Deathmatch, Domination (Which will be round-based), Kill Confirmed, Capture the Flag, Search and Destroy, Hardpoint, Momentum (a twist on War from Call of Duty: World at War) and Uplink , which looks like a variation of Richochet from Halo 4.  Sledgehammer went on to confirm many features that ESports clans have been clamoring for, including Ranked Playlists, LAN Lobbies, and a Broadcaster Mode.

Activision closed the show by announcing the Day Zero Edition of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.  For no additional charge beyond a standard pre-order, players who pre-order will be able to access the game one day early on November 3rd.  On top of that, Day Zero includes the AK-12G assault rifle, the Crossbow B2, and a bullet brass Exo decoration.  In addition Collector’s Edition copies will be available for early pickup and will come with the early access bonuses.

by, Bobby Marquardt

source: Beyond Entertainment

 

Infinity Ward and Neversoft are merging into one “super studio”

Giant Bomb has obtained word that Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward is merging with fellow developer Neversoft, who has previously worked on Tony Hawk, Guitar Hero, and Call of Duty titles.  The new studio will take the name Infinity Ward, with the Neversoft name and logo being retired as a result.  Eric Hirshberg, Activision’s CEO of publishing, announced the new in an internal memo.

“As you know, Neversoft and Infinity Ward teamed up for the development of Call of Duty: Ghosts,” wrote Hirshberg. “And through that process, it became clear that the two studios have very complementary skill sets. Between these two excellent studios, it seemed like a single ‘super-studio’ could emerge.

“As already mentioned, we are merging these two very talented teams and obviously had to choose a name for the combined studio. Since the Infinity Ward brand is indelibly tied to the Call of Duty franchise, it is the sensible choice. While it will be strange to not see the Neversoft logo on future games, the important things–which are the Neversoft team’s talent, creativity, professionalism and commitment to creative excellence–all remain unchanged as part of this new chapter.”

Major shakeups are happening at each studio as a result.  Neversoft Studio director Scott Pease and Studio Head Joel Jewett “have made the difficult decision to retire” from games.  These two have been with the Neversoft through it’s entire lifespan, with Jewett being one of the studios three founders.  Dave Stohl, Activision’s current executive VP of worldwide studios, has been assigned to lead the new super studio.  According to Giantbomb, Stohl helped lead Infinity Ward through it’s previous dramatic changes as well.

This is not the first time a studio has been merged with another by Activision.  In 2005, after shipping the Call of Duty expansion United Fronts, Grey Matter Interactive was merged with Treyarch.  That merger, arguably, worked out for the best, as the quality of Treyarch’s titles continued to rise afterward.  No game was mentioned, but with the new three year Call of Duty development cycle, it’s assumed they will be making 2016’s Call of Duty title.

This reporter’s opinion:  This is surprising and a little sad.  Infinity Ward has been in trouble ever since the mass exodus in 2010, with studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella being forced out.  Since then, Infinity Ward has had to rely on studios like Neversoft, Raven Software, and Sledgehammer Games to complete their previous two titles (Ghosts and Modern Warfare 3).  This move will hopefully allow for the quality of the games to rise, as Ghosts was arguably the worst game in the franchises’ history.  I will certainly miss seeing Neversoft’s sweet logo animations though, and wish those effected by the merger all best with the transition.

by, Bobby Marquardt

 

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare trailer leaks; showcases hover bikes, mech suits and more!

If there is one constant in the gaming industry, it’s that a game will always leak before it’s expected reveal.  2014’s Call of Duty is no exception to that rule.  Late last night, Destructoid leaked the announcement trailer for Sledgehammer’s Call of Duty game, called Advanced Warfare.  The game appears to take place in the future, probably about 20-30 years, and sees your character working for a Private Military Corporation.

The trailer is narrated by the owner of the PMC, played by legendary actor Kevin Spacey.  Spacey channels the best combination of Frank Underwood, Lex Luthor, and John Doe that I’ve ever seen, and sets the mood for the very well done trailer.  The trailer shows off Advanced Warfare’s setting with a smattering of all of the cool future tech you’ll be using in the game.  Items like mech suits, hover bikes, camouflage suits, and rail guns.

This is honestly the most excited I’ve been for a Call of Duty game since Modern Warfare 2, and all it took was one trailer.  I’m sure we’ll be learning more on Sunday, but we also learned the game’s release date will be November 4th, 2014.  It is coming to PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC.

by, Bobby Marquardt

“New Era” of Call of Duty to be revealed this Sunday

 

Activision and Sledgehammer are revealing the “new era” for Call of Duty this Sunday with the reveal of 2014’s Call of Duty.  As was previously announced, it will be developed by Sledgehammer Games and mark the studio’s first solo game.  They co-developed Modern Warfare 3 with Infinity Ward but have been working on their own Call of Duty game ever since 2011.

We have quite a few hints as to what this new game will be about as well.  Gameinformer has revealed the first full screenshot of the game (seen above), and has promised to have even more information in May’s issue of Gameinformer (which goes live for digital subscribers this Sunday at noon central time).  In an email sent today about the announcement, Activision wrote “In the last 20 years, global combat has seen a steady shift towards the use of private military corporations, or PMCs. What happens when the highest bidder becomes the world’s next superpower?”  

To go along with this new theme, Call of Duty teamed up with VICE to do a video on private military corporation’s ever expanding hold on the way nations wage war.  It’s actually a very interesting video, so give it a look if you have the chance.  It’s not unlike the trailers for Black Ops 2 that warned of the increased use of Drones and unmaned vehicles.

We’ll have all the news of the newest game in the Call of Duty franchise this Sunday, so check back then.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Complexity wins the 2014 Call of Duty World Championship!

 

Complexity is your 2014 Call of Duty world champions.  With the roster of Crimsix, Aches, TeePee, and Karma, Complexity defeated Team EnVyUS in a 3-0 clean sweep in the finals.  Seeing Complexity win was not surprising, as they have been one of the most consistent teams in Call of Duty history.  The biggest shock of the tournament came with Australia’s TRIDENT T1 Dotters climbing into the fifth spot out of nowhere.

Complexity took the first match, but went down during the second game of Search and Destroy on Freight.  Complexity dug their heels in and returned to take the game lead 5-4, and went on to win the round with an impressive overtime win, to make the series 2-0.  The final match of Blitz on WarHawk saw EnVyUS down early and never recover.  Complexity seemed to have the game in hand with over three minutes left and defended their own portal until the end to secure their championship.  Full results are below, as we see Optic taking 3rd, Rise at 7th and Team Kaliber finishing out of the money.

1) compLexity ($400,000)
2) Team EnVyUs ($200,000)
3) OpTic Gaming ($120,000)
4) Strictly Business ($100,000)
5) TRIDENT T1 Dotters ($70,000)
6) FaZe ($50,000)
7) Rise ($35,000)
8) VexX Revenge ($25,000)

Congratulations to Complexity on their dominating victory, and enjoy the well deserved pay day.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Thanks to Beyond Entertainment for the placings.

New Call of Duty DLC trailer lets players be “CODnapped” to play Onslaught

Ever have a game’s DLC come out and just want to be able to play it?  Avoiding jobs, family and significant others to have some quality gaming time?  With the release of COD Ghost’s newest DLC, Onslaught, many gamers may be facing that exact same quandary.  Call of Duty’s latest live action trailer has the answer you are looking for with CODnapped.  Take a look at the enjoyable trailer below.

I thought this ad was rather fun.  While I’m not a huge player of COD’s DLC, I always hated making excuses as to why I wanted off work for new games or DLC’s for the likes of Halo or Fallout.  It’s a fun commercial, and I think accurately describes how many of gamers just want to game without being asked why or how.  Look for Onslaught on Xbox One and Xbox 360 January 28th.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Call of Duty Ghost’s season pass trailer is a sampling of the games four DLC packs

To the surprise of no one, Call of Duty Ghosts was the top selling game of November, and will likely be in the top three of the year.  It’s Season Pass has been outlined even further in a new trailer.  The Season Pass will feature 4 packs, and these will likely come with four multiplayer maps each, as well as four episodic Extinction missions.  On top of that, players will recieve an exclusive multiplayer player head, weapon camo, reticle, player card and background.  Take a look at the sizzle reel below.

Call of Duty Ghosts is available now, and the season pass runs for $49.99, and will release over the course of the 2014.  If you purchase the season pass for Xbox 360, it will transfer with you if you make the jump to Xbox One.  Same goes for PS3 to PS4.  It should also be noted that each DLC pack will release a month earlier on Xbox then PlayStation, due to a timed exclusivity contract with Microsoft.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Call of Duty Ghosts is getting a broadcaster mode!

Infinity Ward has announced today that Call of Duty Ghosts will be receieving a broadcaster mode!  The announcement came in the form of a vine with the title “Yes, it’s happening #CODeSports”  This tweet was followed by confirmation from Infinity Ward’s Community Coordinator Candice Capen saying that Broadcaster mode will be added with a title update, and not cost players anything.  This is great news for the Esports community, and hopefully means more developer support from Infinity Ward.

Call of Duty Black Ops II’s has had great support from developer Treyarch, and featured a great focus on Esports.  The competitive side of Call of Duty has flourished during this past year, with additions like League Play and Shoutcasting, and many have been worried about how Infinity Ward would treat the competitive community.  In previous years, Infinity Ward was notorious for a lack of support for competitive gametypes, lack of broadcaseter support and being quite slow on weapon fixes.  It seems things may be turning around for the developer now, and if they keep this up, the Esports scene will continue to flourish during Call of Duty Ghosts.

by, Bobby Marquardt

MLG Columbus will feature the first Call of Duty: Ghosts tournament

Just before E3, we learned that Call of Duty would be the exclusive first person shooter on the MLG Pro circuit for 2014, though it would seem that gamers won’t have to wait until 2014 to play Ghosts at MLG.  Today, MLG announced that Call of Duty Ghosts will see its first ever tournament on November 22nd-24th at MLG Columbus.

Columbus will feature 108 teams, with 96 of them being from an open bracket.  The tournament’s prize pool will be $50,000 with $20,000 going to the winning team.  Spectator passes are on sale right now at the MLG store, and team passes will go on sale on September 30th.  Call of Duty: Ghosts launches on November 5th.

by, Bobby Marquardt