Modern Warfare 2 comes out next week, which means there will be a lot less people playing the original game on Xbox Live once it drops. Until then, why not bone up on your Modern Warfare tactics with the Variety Map Pack? The "Killhouse", "Creek", "Chinatown", and "Broadcast" maps probably wouldn't be worth their original 800 Microsoft point price at this point, with only a week before they become obsolete, but what about for half of that? Are four new maps you probably won't ever play again in seven days worth $5 to you?

Probably not, but now you know. Be gentle, PC gamers.

UPDATE: The PlayStation 3 version is also on sale for $4.99, while the PC version is still free.

Deal of the week: COD4 Variety Map Pack for 50% off [Major Nelson]

Infinity Ward appears to already be on top of quelling that nonsense, as the team's director of communications and community manager Robert Bowling writes on his Twitter, "A patch is in the works for PS3 and Xbox 360 to address the recent COD4 exploits. I'll keep you posted on the progress."

Thank official Call of Duty 4 forum moderators for bubbling up the issue, something that Infinity Ward is looking to quickly address. Ah well, it was the complete opposite of fun while it lasted!

PS3 hackers threaten to ruin Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare multiplayer [Hexus.gaming via GameStooge]

Judging from the clues and the games already on sale, Amazon seems to be trying to move games that everyone who owns a PlayStation 3 have already picked up by now, but if you are a new PS3 owner, then you might want to take a look. As per usual, they have one Deal of the Day, and that is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, available all day long for $29.98, or 42% off of their normal price.

Then they have the timed deals, which right now features a $40 copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, good for another couple of hours. It looks like that will be replaced by a game I am not able to decipher the clue for, with Guitar Hero: Metallica, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction possibly, and finally a chance to "Step into the ring with the Eighth Wonder of the World", whatever that may mean.

Amazingly helpful, aren't I? You smart folks will probably have the clues figured out before I even post this. Feel free to lord your superior riddle-solving skills over me in the comments section.

Amazon PS3 Deals [Amazon.com - Thanks Jerry!]

ABC News has an informative two-page article up about the teen’s disappearance, talking to the family about the moments leading up to the disappearance. After being told that he was losing his Xbox 360 permanently Crisp told his parents he was leaving home.

Calling his son's bluff, Crisp said he advised him to take warm clothes when he saw Brandon loading things into a backpack. He then watched as his only son rode away on his bicycle. The family, which includes Brandon's twin sister and older sister, figured he'd blow off some steam with friends and be back that evening.

Crisp was last seen on a heavily traveled trail about 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 10. Microsoft Canada has been cooperating with the investigation trying to ping people who have been in contact with the teen in his favorite game: Call of Duty 4. But with no luck. In fact local police think the 360 is a dead alley.

Microsoft has also matched existing rewards for information leading to Brandon’s return, bumping it up to $41,776.

Family hope that their son broke into a nearby holiday cottage and is holed up there, but they also fear he may have been abducted or fled to the U.S. His home in Barrie is about 2 ½ hours from Buffalo, New York.

If you’ve had any contact with Crisp or know his whereabouts please contact authorities. I can’t even imagine what the parents are going through right now.

Microsoft Offering Reward for Return of Gaming Addicted Teen

[Update]: His body may have been found.

This weekend will also see members of Infinity Ward entering the fray between noon and 4pm on Saturday to play with their fans, so be sure to hit the jump, write down their gamertags, and start coming up with countless annoying questions to bombard them with as they struggle with the frustration of having to work on a Saturday.

CALL OF DUTY® 4: MODERN WARFARE™ GAME OF THE YEAR VARIETY MAP PACK AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND FOR HALF PRICE

Xbox LIVE to Host Exclusive Double XP Weekend from Sept. 12-14

Santa Monica, CA – September 11, 2008 – Gamers find your Kevlar, because this weekend the bullets will fly as Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ Variety Map Pack hits half-price on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network for a limited time. Starting Sept. 12 (12:01 am/PDT) and running through midnight on Sept. 14, Activision Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) blockbuster DLC by Infinity Ward will be available for 400 Microsoft Points. As part of the limited time offer, Xbox LIVE will also will host a Double XP Weekend, allowing players to earn twice as many Experience Points. Additionally, during the release, the limited edition Prestige gamer pics will also be made available, for free download on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace.

Members of Infinity Ward will also be online between noon – 4:00 pm/PDT on Saturday, September 13 to play with fans. While online, players should be sure to add the following Infinity Ward gamertags to their friends list:

Fourzerotwo

COD4artistWill

COD4qaEd

COD4qaJustin

COD4designerJon

COD4designer1

COD4designer2

COD4studioVince

COD4studioJason

The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack includes an adrenaline-pumping four Modern Warfare maps.

* “Broadcast” features tight corridors and wide open parking lots where large groups utilize strategic maneuvers through close-quarter fighting
* “Chinatown” delivers the action by the full moon against a backdrop of brightly colored lamps, antique shops and neon signs of the local district
* “Killhouse” is a desolate warehouse under enemy attack where squads must move from building to building to full take control of the combat
* “Creek” is a large open village nestled in a heavily wooded area, where games will fight between high ridgelines and deep in underground caves

More details on the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack, Double XP weekend and information regarding terms, conditions, and official rules are available on the official event page: www.infinityward.com.

I’m currently working on getting everything organized and together for an upcoming Xbox Live / PSN promotion we have coming up the weekend of Sept. 13th - 14th. Which isn’t this weekend, but next weekend. I will have exact details on what it is in the near future but I have a gut feeling it’ll have Double XP attached to it for all those hungry for some power-leveling on Call of Duty 4.

Bowling further explained that he is hoping to get the new playlists finished in time to make it one big promotion. Woot!

Double XP Is Imminent [IAMfourzerotwo]

The publisher said that more than 30 million sessions of the game, totalling 32 million hours of gameplay, were logged from April 4 to April 12. Sheesh, you guys really do live your COD.

"Infinity Ward is extremely grateful for support from our loyal Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare community around the world," said Robert Bowling, community relations manager, Infinity Ward. "From the beginning, we were committed to do our best and that continues now with the Variety Map Pack. We can't wait to get back online with everyone."

Hit the jump for the full release.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack Sets Xbox LIVE Marketplace Record
Surpasses One Million Paid Downloads in First Nine Days

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Apr 21, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) announced today that the Call of Duty 4(R): Modern Warfare(TM) Variety Map Pack, developed by Infinity Ward, has set a new record for the number of paid downloads on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, surpassing one million downloads in the first nine days since its release. Additionally, from April 4 to April 12, Xbox LIVE members played more than 30 million sessions and logged more than 32 million hours of gameplay. Available exclusively for download via Xbox LIVE online entertainment network now through April 24, the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack expands the experience of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the worldwide best-selling game in units of 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group. Since its release, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has sold in excess of nine million units worldwide.

The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack includes four new multiplayer maps featuring a variety of locations, while supporting split-screen and system link play for 800 Microsoft Points. The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack will be available for download via the PlayStation Network beginning April 24 for $9.99.

"Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare delivers one of the best online multiplayer experiences ever," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. "We are excited to be able to expand that experience and deliver to fans a new variety of locations and environments which have all of the intensity they have come to expect with Call of Duty."

"Infinity Ward is extremely grateful for support from our loyal Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare community around the world," said Robert Bowling, community relations manager, Infinity Ward. "From the beginning, we were committed to do our best and that continues now with the Variety Map Pack. We can't wait to get back online with everyone."

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

"That's just 360. There's even more on the other platforms [PS3 and PC], but we just don't have the same numbering system. Overall, even without the other consoles, we are beating the competition. PS3 numbers are monstrously huge. No other game has come close, either online current, or total unique users in a day."

Nearly 1.3m play COD4 "every day" [Eurogamer]

GameStop's Call of Duty 4 Event Page [GameStop via The Mercury News]

Winners are determined by GameFly members, who according to the GameFly press release are the "... most discerning community of online video game renters." Unfortunately I'm not terribly discerning as I can be easily distracted by bright colors and flashing lights.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare took the Q awards triumvirate, winning "Game of the Year," "Xbox 360 Game of the Year," and "PlayStation 3 Game of the Year."

Hit the jump to read about the other winners.

The recipients of the GameFly Fifth Annual Q Awards are as follows:

GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
(2nd) BioShock
(3rd) Halo 3

PS3 GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
(2nd) Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
(3rd) Assassin's Creed

PS2 GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) God of War II
(2nd) Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
(3rd) Madden NFL '08

PSP GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters
(2nd) Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
(3rd) Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicle

XBOX 360 GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
(2nd) Halo 3
(3rd) BioShock

Wii GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) Super Mario Galaxy
(2nd) Resident Evil 4
(3rd) Mario Party 8

NINTENDO DS GAME OF THE YEAR
(1st) The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
(2nd) Pokemon Diamond
(3rd) Mario Party DS

Zero Punctuation [The Escapist]

And that's plenty for us.

New CoD4: Modern Warfare Maps (X360) [Gamespy]

MTV's Stephen Totilo decided to eschew the annual Game of the Year chestnut for a much more fun to pronounce and acronymize Game of the Game of the Year or GOTGOTY. Actually he didn't really eschew anything, seeing that he did his own GOTYs not too long ago, but this is still a fun idea. Totilo created a sort of MetaGOTY if you can imagine that (Personally, mine is a billy goat in a Robocop suit) by rounding up all of the GOTYs and tallying them to see which game was selected the most.

Included in the list are such gems as ours, Destructoid's, Joystiq's, The LA Times, The Rocky's and even Yahoo's. The final result? BioShock, it seems was selected the most as GOTY (nine times), while Super Mario Galaxy was selected six times and Call of Duty 4 an appropriate four times.

Forget 'Game Of The Year' — Introducing The 2007 'GOTGOTY' [MTV]

"We're very excited about this achievement especially given so many competitive titles this year," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. "Consumer and critics agree that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the best games ever created and further establishes Call of Duty as one of the premier brands in the industry."

Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ Ranks #1 Title in Units Worldwide for Calendar 2007

Game Sells in Excess of Seven Million Units According to The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group

SANTA MONICA, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Call of Duty 4®: Modern Warfare™ was the #1 title in units worldwide for calendar 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group. Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty 4®: Modern Warfare™ has sold in excess of seven million units worldwide since its launch in November.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has garnered critical acclaim, securing more than 18 perfect score reviews and over 40 combined Editors' Choice and Game of the Year awards in the U.S. alone. The game has been nominated for 10 prestigious Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences awards, including Game of the Year. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare also currently is the #1 Xbox 360™ title on Xbox Live, based on unique users, according to www.majornelson.com.

"We're very excited about this achievement especially given so many competitive titles this year," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. "Consumer and critics agree that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the best games ever created and further establishes Call of Duty as one of the premier brands in the industry. This ground-breaking game and franchise continue to establish new standards by which all other action games will be judged."

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

First a thing about the name: I didn't pick it. I think it's hilarious, but I'd never name an award after myself, it's obnoxious... and quite funny. Which is what I think the Rocky was going for. There are quite a few closet smart-asses over there. :)

So my annual pick for best video game ran in the Rocky Mountain News today and I picked Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as the overall winner. The game beat out The Orange Box, Bioshock, Super Mario Galaxy and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.

Here's why I decided to pick a war-time first-person shooter sequel over the splendor of a dystopian society, amazing character interaction of Uncharted and innovative design of Galaxy and Orange Box:

This solid first-person shooter for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 may not be as innovative as The Orange Box and Super Mario Galaxy. It may not deliver an awe-inspiring glimpse at an eschewed philosophy like BioShock or create the sort of sizzling character interaction found in Uncharted, but, hands down, it is the most thoroughly entertaining video game of the past year.

The single-player story is captivating, set in a present-day Middle East and parts of Russia and comes at the player in a mix of sweeping cinematic set pieces and smart pacing that can easily glue the audience to the game for the entire six- to eight-hour experience.

It's a game that has the sorts of moments usually found only in film, hiding these startling revelations in gamers' blind spots. People you come to care about die. You die, and not in the sort of plastic, ephemeral death found in video games. These deaths are permanent and, at times, evocative.

A deep, seemingly limitless online multiplayer experience also adds quite a bit of life to the title. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare may seem like more of the same, but this title is the realization of a rewarding franchise meeting its complete potential.

Hit the link to check out my winners for the rest of the categories, including a selection of "hot flashes" I managed to sneak into the awards. Feel free to bash me here for not choosing (your selection here) for best (your category here).

Ps. I didn't write the awards' intro, that's one of those smart-asses I was talking about.
Game Gold

LIVE Activity for week of 1/14 [Xbox Live's Major Nelson - Thanks WhiskeyJak!]

Activision, perhaps a bit more cautious than their first-party counterpart, shot out an email this morning to point out that they are still the number one U.S. console and handheld publisher for 2007. In fact their market share went up an astounding 7.2 percent to a record 17.7 percent. That astounding jump can be attributed to, mostly, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock which was the number one title across all platforms in December, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which was number three.

Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc., commented, "For the first time in our history, we were the #1 U.S. publisher for the calendar year. We are well on our way to delivering sixteen years of record revenue growth and by far our most profitable year ever."

I wonder who they're going to buy next?

If I hadn't just played through Call of Duty 4 on the Xbox 360 last night in one sitting, I'd probably be more impressed with this video. Sure it's got dinosaurs and heaps of neat weapons, but where's the story, the personality... the, dare I say it, tear-jerker ending. I've got to go, I can't talk about this anymore.

CALL OF DUTY® 4: MODERN WARFARE™ COMING TO MAC

AUSTIN, TX - January 15, 2008 - Aspyr Media, Inc. announced today they will publish Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ for Mac, a gripping modern-day action-thriller that deploys players into heart-stopping battles across the world's most treacherous hotspots. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare delivers unprecedented high-definition graphics, piercing 5.1 surround sound and a dynamic community-oriented multiplayer experience. Developed by Infinity Ward and licensed by Activision, the game is expected to be available for Mac in May 2008.

Featuring a tense storyline, filled with plot twists, the title thrusts players into battle like never before. With amazing special effects, including rim-lighting, depth of field, texture streaming and character self-shadowing, players are enlisted into one of the most photo-realistic gaming experiences imaginable.

The community-oriented Call of Duty 4 multiplayer gameplay features a robust leveling system, variety of unlockable perks, hot-join and matchmaking, as well as create a class and party capabilities to ensure that players of all skill levels can join in the fun. Additionally over 100 challenges and a host of new game environments and modes deliver unlimited possibilities. Infinity Ward has also included Kill-Cam, a fan favorite feature that they created in Call of Duty 2 which allows for spectator instant replays.

Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ will soon be available for preorder through Aspyr's website for only $49.99. For more information, fans can also visit the official Website, http://www.callofduty.com/.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is rated "M" (Mature) by the ESRB for Intense Violence, Strong Language and Blood and Gore.