Are you ready for COD|WAW Action Figures?
Posted on July 4, 2008
Filed Under COD5, Call of Duty, News, World at War, activision | 28 Comments
Yea, you read that correctly, Call of Duty World at War is about to have itself complemented by action figures. How do you know your video games are big time? Besides the millions upon millions of satisfied fans of course? When a company wants to make plastic toys based around your video game. Usually the video game is based off the toy or movie, not very often do you find that going the other way around.
The deal was announced yesterday:
TEMPE, Ariz. – July 3, 2008 ~ McFarlane Toys announces a partnership with Activision to produce action figures for the upcoming video game Call of Duty®: World at War. The line is expected to hit store shelves in fall, 2008 and retail for around $10-15.
Developed by Treyarch and built using the Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ engine, Call of Duty: World at War thrusts players into the ruthless and gritty chaos of WWII combat, challenging them to band together to survive the climactic battles of the South Pacific and European theaters that led to the demise of the Axis powers. Re-defining WWII by offering an uncensored experience with unique enemies and combat tactics, Call of Duty: World at War offers cooperative gameplay, a franchise first to enable players to fight together like never before.
McFarlane Toys’ first series of highly detailed, game-accurate Call of Duty: World at War action figures will consist of four soldiers:
* Marine Infantry, Battle of Peleliu - Includes M1 Garand rifle and M1 bayonet
* Marine Corps with Flamethrower, Battle of Peleliu - Includes M2-2 flamethrower with removable flame, and M1911A1 pistol & holster
* Marine Corps with Machine Gun, Battle of Okinawa - Includes M-1928A1 machine gun w/20 round magazine and M1911A1 pistol & holster
* British Special Ops, Battle for the Roer Triangle - Includes Mark II Sten gunVisit www.SPAWN.com for updates and all the latest up-to-the-minute news.
Call of Duty World at War (COD5)
Posted on July 3, 2008
Filed Under COD5, Call of Duty, World at War | 4 Comments
http://www.thegamereviews.com/articlenav-629-page-2.html
Call of Duty 6 Goes Sci-fi
We have all seen what Call of Duty: World at War, created by Call of Duty 3 developers Treyarch, looks like: back to WW2 and, more specifically, fighting in the Pacific against the Japanese. Many people seem annoyed that Call of Duty 4 developers Infinity Ward aren’t making the game, and even more annoyed that it’s going back to WW2. But with all this talk, where does that leave Infinity Ward? We can only assume that they are hard at work on Call of Duty 6, but recently, reports started flying round about the game’s setting.
According to these reports, it’s not back WW2 and it’s not modern day, but the future.
What do other websites think on this rumor? Joystiq mentioned something rather interesting, insisting that rather than “introduce elements of unrealism into such a history-steeped series, they could be working on an entirely new, space marine-flavored franchise.” That does make sense: it would be a rather big risk to launch Call of Duty into the future with such references then being made to games like Halo 3. The problem is that, although creating a whole new IP in the future would be something original and fresh, Activision would rather stick to an IP they know will sell by the bucket loads and I don’t think they will let their best FPS studio go off and do something that could be a gamble.
My personal opinion is that I don’t think we will be hearing anything on this in until Call of Duty 5 ships, as any talk of an Infinity Ward-developed Call of Duty will only dampen sales of Call of Duty 5. That doesn’t mean that the rumor is not true, but for the time being, Call of Duty has always been about historic moments in history and for it to go into the future could have a major kick back if not done right.
TGR Verdict: Alive and Kicking
Rare Developing Killer Instinct 3
Once considered one of the best fighting games around, the Killer Instinct franchise has yet to make a transition from the days of the SNES and N64. The Rare-developed game hosts some of the craziest combos and unforgettable characters. So it comes to no surprise that gamers around the world are begging Rare to develop and rekindle the once great fighting franchise.
Rare, being their cheeky selves, have been teasing gamers with little Killer Instinct 3 hints for a while, most noticeably on Christmas cards sent to gaming websites which had a picture of Banjo sitting on chair next to the fireplace, decorated with a stocking with Killer Instinct 3 written across the front. There’s also this photo taken from inside Rare studios in the UK.
This time, the Killer Instinct 3 rumor is from EGM’s Quartermann. Quartermann is claiming that Rare is already underway on Killer Instinct 3 for the Xbox 360, called “Killer Instinct 3-D: Death, Destruction, and Doom.” It’s about time we got a new Killer Instinct and where better to have it but on the Xbox 360 with Live; this isn’t the first time this rumor has appeared, and I can’t see it being the last.
TGR Verdict: Alive and Kicking
God of War 3 to be shown at E3
There are a few games known by the world to be Playstation games but God of War sticks out from the crowd. The franchise so far has spawned 2 PS2 games and a PSP game, and everyone assumes there is going to be a God of War 3.
Sony itself was quoted at the Paris Game Developer Conference as saying God of War 3 will be shown at this years E3, though Sony has denied this as a mistranslation. PS3 Fanboy and Joystiq are both in agreement that a God of War 3 announcement would be amazing, but both doubt that Sony would announce it at this years E3 and if they did, would only be a teaser and nothing more.
E3 is still the biggest gaming shown on earth and all eyes will be on Sony to outdo Microsoft; what better than to announce God of War 3? One thing we do know is that it won’t be released yet for a very long time, with some retailers having it down as Christmas next year, so maybe this E3 is too soon, and instead could be revealed later on in the year. With Sony formally denying and a release touted for next Christmas, there is only one verdict.
TGR Verdict: Rumor Killed
Microsoft to drop price of 360
When Microsoft dropped the price of the Xbox 360 in Europe, it boosted sales and ever since that price drop, the 360 been selling well there. Microsoft hasn’t until now needed to drop the price in North America as the 360 been outselling the PS3 on a regular basis. With the PS3 picking up some needed steam from Metal Gear Solid 4, it’s now up to Microsoft blow away some of that steam and a price drop would certainly help.
CVG contacted Microsoft but got that “we don’t comment on rumor and speculation.” To add more fuel to the fire, a sales leaflet from retailer K-Mart shows the Premium Xbox 360 at $299.99, which is $50 off the original price. Games analyst Michael Pachter believes that a Xbox 360 price cut makes sense; speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Pachter says:
“Microsoft has historically been a price taker - meaning that they typically wait for Sony to cut first, however, they haven’t been in the position of having a cost advantage before, as they do now. Putting Microsoft’s cost advantage together with Sony’s reticence to lose more money, it’s easy to conclude that you will see Microsoft reverse course and be a price leader. I believe that every 360 sold is one less potential PS3 sold - and vice versa - and expect Sony to behave rationally.”
The price at that value would see the 360 enter what Microsoft says is “mass market” price. I agree with Pachter that an Xbox 360 price drop is indeed incoming and, with Sony stating they don’t want to loose anymore money on the PS3, could see the 360 run away with the majority of sales in the United States.
TGR Verdict: Alive and Kicking
Activision takes, then retracts a shot at Brothers In Arms
Posted on July 1, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, World at War, activision | 3 Comments
We can’t keep up with developer fisticuffs these days. First, in an interview with Eurogamer, Activision senior producer for Call of Duty: World At War Noah Heller hit out at the competition. Specifically, Gearbox Software’s Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway. Here’s what he had to say:
“We don’t even think about them. They’re not a game we even think about when we’re playing, we think about the best shooters, we play [Call of Duty 4] Modern Warfare, we play… Gears of War, we play Halo, you know, that’s the competition. We want to look at the games that do great storytelling. I watched the trailer and I’m was like ‘these guys aren’t even in the same league.’”
http://palgn.com.auBrothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway is the third iteration in the World War Two shooter series, making it, along with Call of Duty, one of the only currently active Second World War series in a once-overpopulated genre. Still, Heller remained unimpressed: “We don’t want to look at someone who’s just making a crappy war game.”
However, Treyarch, developers of Call of Duty: World at War were quick to make peace with Gearbox, with a Community Manager posting an apology on the official Xbox forums:
“We want to let everyone know that we found those remarks offensive, and they do not in any way represent the feelings of any developer at this studio or at Activision … We have nothing but respect for the guys and gals at Gearbox.”
War averted, then. Peace in our time.
Via Kotaku.
Am I the only one who isn’t excited about another WW2 game?
Posted on June 28, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, Rant, World at War | 1 Comment
Maybe I’m a little biased, but it seems like every site I go to you will find people up in arms over the fact Call of Duty World at War is going to go back to a WW2 setting. I know, I know, it’s going to be a “Pacific WW2″ setting this time. That’s totally besides the point. The point is that your customers have REPEATEDLY told you they do not want a WW2 setting yet you push forward. Don’t tell me they haven’t seen the protests from game sites, forums, and other media outlets. Yea, we’re pissed off, we want modern warfare and we want it now.
Somebody should have started a petition about this like they did with the BFBC/EA buying weapons ordeal, it’s too late now because obviously the game is probably 50% complete. Oh well, I know I won’t be wasting money on another WW2 themed game unless it’s absolutely AMAZING. I guess only time will tell.
/END RANT
Gamepro sets the record straight with some World at War facts
Posted on June 26, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, News, World at War, details | 1 Comment
There’s been much rumor and speculation lately about the next Call of Duty game, so let’s set the record straight.The game is not called Call of Duty 5, it’s Call of Duty: World at War. It is being developed by Treyarch (Call of Duty 3, Spider-Man series), not original series and Call of Duty 4 developer Infinity Ward. And unlike the latter, World at War brings the franchise back into World War II, which is a proving to be a hot topic of discussion for gamers, mostly because everyone really, really liked the modern-era CoD4.
But hey, I think we need to give Treyarch the benefit of the doubt here. The studio knows they are under tons of pressure to deliver a game that lives up to the high expectations set by CoD4, and it’s setting out to do something different with World War II. And seeing as how World at War is built on Infinity Ward’s CoD4 engine, it can’t be all bad, right?
The short demo I saw yesterday was the very beginning of the game’s Pacific campaign. The player gets a first-person view of an ally soldier tortured and killed, and right when he (the player) is about to bite the dust, another ally comes in to save the day. It’s awfully graphic and brutal, which I was told is historically accurate to the occasion.
From there it was off to the races, and armed with familiar WWII weaponry including the M1 Garand, the demo ran the player through an on-foot battle with the Japanese. We saw plenty of close- and long-range kills as he ran through some gorgeous water areas and jungle environments. There was plenty of action going on in the short trip through the jungles and beaches, as huts exploded and grenades popped off regularly. Stationary gunners were pesky, so taking them out first was essential…typical FPS strategy stuff.
One of the more noticeable features is the inclusion of cinematic action “moments,” for lack of a better term. For example, at one point just ahead of the player, a Japanese soldier burst out of a door, in flames, and began fighting with an ally soldier. These moments create a sense of greater action, making it seem like the war is not just confined to one soldier against an entire army.
Also evident is Treyarch’s attempt to make the experience non-linear, offering what seemed like multiple paths to objectives. Aside from some narrow jungle spaces, most of the areas in this World at War demo were wide open, giving the player plenty of choices to get around. Obviously, this isn’t a new concept, but with the ability to torch jungle terrain, it’s necessary to be able to forge your own path.
Though this first look was short, I was impressed by the look of the game. It didn’t blow me away like Call of Duty 4 did so consistently, but so far World at War is holding its own. We’re extremely curious to see if multiplayer can hold a candle to Call of Duty 4, so stay tuned for more on that front.
Call of Duty World at War Forums are now up…
Posted on June 26, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, Forum, World at War | 5 Comments
I opened the World at War Forums, it’s a bit dead at the moment so signup and post, lets get some action going in there 
Call of Duty on Wii…some details…
Posted on June 26, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, Wii, World at War | Leave a Comment
Here’s the quote from a recent interview with the makers of the upcoming World at War game:
In an interview with CVG, Treyarch, the developers of the upcoming Call of Duty: World at War, revealed a number of new details about the Wii version of the game. According to Treyarch, a special internal team of Wii experts have been assigned to the title and “live, eat and breathe Wii.” Even at this point in development, Treyarch believes that Call of Duty: World at War “looks better than any Wii game on the market so far.”
The specialized Treyarch team is also “doing a lot of control work and developing a lot of special technology” to create a well designed set of Wii specific controls, which will include support for the Wii Zapper. And just as with the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions of the game, the Wii version will feature an extensive online multiplayer mode.
Even though the Wii doesn’t feature the same computing power as its competitors, Treyarch is pushing the system to its limits to match the other versions of the title. In some instances where the Wii version experience requires a different approach, Treyarch assures that they are looking for solutions without sacrificing the experience for players on the Wii.
Nick DiMola, Staff News Writer for nintendoworldreport.com
Call of Duty World at War on your cell phone?
Posted on June 25, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, News, World at War, glu | Leave a Comment
Several reports have surfaced saying that Glu and Activision have announced a global partnership to bring World at War to cellphones.
UPDATE: It’s true and here’s the offical press release:
SAN MATEO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq:GLUU), a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced an agreement with Activision, Inc. that will extend the companies‘ exclusive, worldwide partnership to include Call of Duty®: World at War for mobile phones.
‘We‘re excited to extend our partnership with Activision and bring Call of Duty: World at War to mobile gamers worldwide,‘ said Jill Braff, senior vice president of global publishing, Glu. ‘The Call of Duty franchise has been a great addition to Glu‘s portfolio of award-winning games, and we look forward to the continued success it will bring to the action category.‘
The critically-acclaimed, blockbuster Call of Duty series is known for its cinematic intensity and epic battlefield moments. The Glu mobile version of Call of Duty: World at War, which Glu will develop and publish, will be scheduled for deployment to consumers on major wireless carriers around the world.
‘Glu has solid studio capabilities and carrier relationships around the world, and is well-positioned to continue to bring the Call of Duty experience to mobile consumers,‘ said Dave Anderson, senior director, business development, Activision Publishing, Inc.
For more information, visit www.glu.com.
About Glu Mobile
Glu (NASDAQ:GLUU) is a leading global publisher of mobile games. Its portfolio of top-rated games includes original titles Super K.O. Boxing!, Stranded and Brain Genius, and titles based on major brands from partners including Atari, Activision, Konami, Harrah’s, Hasbro, Warner Bros., Microsoft, PlayFirst, PopCap Games, SEGA and Sony. Founded in 2001, Glu is based in San Mateo, Calif. and has offices in London, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Chile, Canada and San Clemente, Calif. Consumers can find high-quality, fresh entertainment created exclusively for their mobile phones wherever they see the ‘g’ character logo or at www.glu.com.
Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to the anticipated release date of the mobile game. These forward-looking statements are subject to material risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Investors should consider important risk factors, which include: the risk that Glu may fail to successfully execute on the partnership with Activision; the risk that the mobile game may not be accepted by consumers as anticipated; and other risks detailed under the caption ‘Risk Factors‘ in Glu‘s most recent report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2008. Glu is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
GLU MOBILE, GLU, SUPER K.O. BOXING!, STRANDED, BRAIN GENIUS and the ‘g’ character logo are trademarks of Glu Mobile.
Activision and Call of Duty are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.
Are you ready to play some Call of Duty World at War on your cellphone???
Call of Duty - World at War gameplay is coming today!
Posted on June 25, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, News, Previews, Video, World at War | 2 Comments
Supposedly some of the press are going to get to see some actual gameplay from the upcoming Call of Duty World at War game. All of this is going to go down at the Games for Windows Presents: The Big Picture showcase event, this will be hosted by Microsoft.
If any more news on this surfaces I’ll be sure to post here, keep your fingers crossed.
World at War Gets 4 Player Co-op
Posted on June 24, 2008
Filed Under Call of Duty, News | Leave a Comment
Call of Duty: World at War completely changes the rules of engagement by redefining WWII gaming and thrusting players into the final tension-filled, unforgiving battles against a new ferocious enemy in the most dangerous and suspenseful action ever seen. Treyarch will be taking Call of Duty players deep into the South Pacific and European theaters, a gritty fight that will pit players against enemies that know no surrender and show no mercy.
Powered by Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare technology, Call of Duty: World at War brings an uncensored edge to combat, as soldiers face the most harrowing and climactic European and Pacific battles in which an enemy, who knows no surrender and no retreat, will fight to the last breath, unleashing an arsenal of lethal surprising tactics. Peril and danger lurk throughout the battlefield as players combat the unknown risk of the new chaos of battle.
“With Call of Duty: World at War, we’re re-defining what it means to play a WWII game,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head for Treyarch. “We’re excited to give players a host of new enemies that employ entirely new tactics, as well as new, groundbreaking tools – like co-op and the flamethrower – to succeed in the epic fight.”
Call of Duty: World at War introduces co-operative play, bringing fresh meaning to the “No One Fights Alone” mantra with up to four-players online for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, or two-player local split-screen on consoles. Nintendo Wii will also support a unique co-op mode for two players. For the first time ever players will experience harrowing single-player missions together for greater camaraderie and tactical execution. The co-op campaign allows players to rank up and unlock perks in competitive multiplayer by completing challenges and earning experience points, adding continuous re-playability and team-based gameplay. Whether playing competitively or cooperatively – if players are online with Call of Duty: World at War – they will always gain experience points. Based on a player’s experience rank and rank of the player’s friends, Call of Duty: World at War will scale dynamically to provide a deeper level of challenge.
From the remains of Russia and the ruins of Berlin, to the beach and jungles of the deadly Pacific Theater, the volatile action takes on added depth as players employ new features that previously were only available in multiplayer, including perks, rankings and online stats in up to four-player cooperative gameplay, and take advantage of the new infantry and vehicle-based weapons, like the potent flamethrower, that will set the battlefield ablaze.
Call of Duty: World at War, not yet rated, is in development for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, and scheduled for release this fall.
keep looking »