But we'd prefer if no one bought them at all. Because the first time some kid shoots another kid in the eye, this co-marketing will give legislatures a direct tie between video games and violence idiots.

Gearing plan "Gun Collection" of Tokyo Marui and the spike work releases [via playgadgets]

We've been talking up the new Call of Duty 3 map pack for quite awhile now, and today it is finally available for purchase via Live Marketplace. So what do you get with your $10 worth of MS points?

5 non-functional new maps.

Gamers everywhere have downloaded the Valor map pack only to find that the maps are not available for selection at all. 850MB of data that seems to do absolutely nothing at all. Needless to say the Xbox.com CoD 3 forums are chock full of pissed off people, calling for boycotts, lawsuits, and public burnings of those responsible. Many of them mention how they hated the game in the first place, and spending $10 on the broken pack for the game they hate makes them hate it more. Makes perfect sense to me.

An official response has been posted on the forums promising that Treyarch and Microsoft are working hard to fix the problem, and that the new maps should be fixed in a day or two. A day or two too late for many fed-up fans. Michael Fahey

Xbox 360 Call of Duty 3 Forums
New Call Of Duty 3 Maps Do Not Work [2old2play - Thanks Jay!]

Think of the new Champs map as a forward scout for a much larger force. The Valor map pack should hopefully follow soon after, featuring five more French maps perfect for close-quarters fighting, all for 800 Microsoft points. Michael Fahey

CoD 3 Map 'Champs' Now Free on XBL [1UP]

For those of you who can't get enough of re-fighting World War II over and over via Xbox Live, Activision announces new multiplayer maps for Call of Duty 3 to be released sometime 'after the holidays', a period that spans January 2nd, 2007 to the end of the universe as we know it. They have release specifics on the maps themselves, giving you something to wait for until an unspecified amount of time passes. They are releasing one free map, labeled Champs, which takes place in Port Royal de Champs, created for small to medium games. Then for 800 MS points you'll be able to download the Valor Map Pack, containing five new maps set in France.

No word of map updates for the PS3 version yet, and I am assuming they just won't happen for the Wii since it lacks online multiplayer in the first place. even with the maps supporting split-screen play.

Read the full press release after the jump to sample Activision's amazing "forward-looking statements" statement, which is the ultimate in covering-your-assery. Michael Fahey

Activision Reveals Plans for Downloadable Call of Duty 3 Maps on Xbox Live

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec 20, 2006 - Pack up and get ready to move out! Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) announced plans today to release two waves of Call of Duty 3 multiplayer maps after the holidays: the Bonus Map (free) and the Valor Map Pack (800 Microsoft points). The Bonus Map, named "Champs," will take players to Port Royal de Champs, France for classic Call of Duty infantry-based combat that's great for small to medium-sized online games. The Valor Map Pack will contain five new multiplayer maps that will take players through a maze of French locales that serve up settings primed for intense close-quarters action, whether via online, split-screen or System Link play.

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 $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands 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.

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, litigation and an informal SEC inquiry, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities. These important factors and other factors that potentially could affect the Company's financial results are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

They even have a new mode called "War", where the "teams on the battlefield are fighting for control of strategic areas on the map until one team dominates." Man, we don't know where EA Treyarch gets all these wacky ideas for game modes! Jason Chen

1Up has a look at the upcoming cross platform title Call of Duty 3. Best bit? Mannequins wearing rented costume give the WW2 game its historical accuracy. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Game Videos]

This is what next-gen World War II first-person-shooter Call of Duty 3 will look like. We hope, because this is what has been "leaked." Other details about the upcoming Activison FPS:

• Up close, hand to hand combat and traps to disarm, all requiring fast reflexes in the battlefield.
• More destructible environments gives your enemies (and you) nowhere to hide.
• Split level design means your tactics from sniping to guns a blazing will open different routes for you.
• Execute parachute drops, armoured assaults or SAS commando raids. Riddle battlefields with tank shells and explosives. Drive tanks to topple barricades and invade enemy emplacements.
• Brand new multiplayer engine featuring multiple occupancy vehicles for team based combat.
• Brian Ashcraft

More Here [British Gaming]