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Modern Warfare 2 DLC Ad Takes Some Liberties
There’s something fishy about this commercial for the upcoming Modern Warfare 2 map pack. Namely, that these sure as hell aren’t the kind of people I run into playing the game. Compared to the community’s juvenile, angry, foul-mouthed status quo, these “mapathy sufferers” – who are capable of more emotions than just sarcasm and fury…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 24, 2010 -
A Bizarre Expansion To The Blur Beta
Activision and Bizarre Creations continue to refine the online experience of upcoming combat racer Blur, increasing the rank cap and allowing testers to unlock new cars, challenges, and mods. I don’t know about you, but I’m used to a multiplayer beta test for a console game that starts, stops, and is finished. That’s not the…
By Mike Fahey Published March 24, 2010 -
Wipeout: The Game Set To Disappoint Fans Of Futuristic Racing This Summer
There’s a new Wipeout game coming to the Nintendo Wii and DS this summer, but don’t get too excited – it’s not what you think. For nearly 15 years, Sony fans have thrilled to the balls-out futuristic racing action of the Wipeout series, with each installment bringing new challenges and more speed to the beloved…
By Mike Fahey Published March 18, 2010 -
Bad Company 2 Video Spoofs Modern Warfare 2’s “F.A.G.S.” PSA
When Battlefield: Bad Company 2 riffed on rival Modern Warfare 2‘s “Mapathy” promo last week, it could be seen as a playful poke. This, however – a comprehensive parody of October’s infamous “F.A.G.S.” video – is a straight-up nutshot. For those not familiar with C.C. Sabathia or why he would be in this video, his…
By Owen Good Published March 16, 2010 -
Spider-Man’s Spectacular Game Series Soldiers On With Shattered Dimensions
The Spider-Man license won’t go to waste at Activision just because Spider-Man 4 isn’t coming to movie theaters next year. There will be more Spider-Man games, including one known as Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. The latest issue of GamePro magazine makes mention of the still-unannounced Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, divulging no other details on the latest Marvel…
By Michael McWhertor Published March 16, 2010 -
DJ Hero: Me Versus JAY-Z Versus Eminem
DJ Hero’s track lineup expands by three this Thursday with the JAY-Z vs. Eminem Pack. Bear witness as I mutter through an exciting mashup of “Can I Get A…” by JAY-Z mixed With “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. DJ Hero is a game that’s a little tricky to pick back up after spending five or so…
By Mike Fahey Published March 16, 2010 -
Building The Ultimate Transformers Origin Story
In this video documentary for Transformers: War for Cybertron, the development team at High Moon Studios talk about bringing the Autobots and Decepticons back to Cybertron to tell a story never fully told. With the team working closely with Hasbro, War for Cybertron is definitely Transformers canon, which is both good and bad news to…
By Mike Fahey Published March 15, 2010 -
Hey Activision, GDC Is For Developers, Not Strippers
Activision, the company that publishes Guitar Hero and Call of Duty, did not get the memo. The recent Game Developers Conference is not the venue for half-naked pole dancers. Thing is, GDC is for game developers. Not silly PR stunts. To promote triad crime game True Crime, Activision turned part of the San Francisco W…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 15, 2010 -
Modern Warfare 2 Map Pack Also Features Ridiculous Price
Capping off a fairly terrible fortnight of news surrounding Call of Duty developers Infinity Ward comes word this morning that Modern Warfare 2’s map pack is one of the most over-priced pieces of downloadable content we’ve ever seen. Popping onto Xbox Live spokesman Larry Hryb’s podcast to promote Modern Warfare 2’s upcoming “Stimulus Package” map…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 15, 2010 -
Duo Behind Modern Warfare 2 Sign With Hollywood Talent Agency
When you’ve built a zillion-dollar video game brand, you’re not going to be hurting for future opportunities no matter how hard your former employer fires you. That said, Call of Duty‘s creators have signed with Hollywood’s biggest talent agency. Vince Zampella, the former Infinity Ward CEO, and Jason West, the studio’s former president, have agreed…
By Owen Good Published March 12, 2010 -
Gene Simmons Claims ‘I’m the Voice of Guitar Hero 6‘
KISS frontman Gene Simmons confirming Guitar Hero 6 is about as newsworthy as Simmons confirming tomorrow will be called “Saturday.” But he has, technically, and also vows to a British TV program (sigh … programme) that he’s the game’s voice. And that’s really all there is to it, emphasized by the fact they replay his…
By Owen Good Published March 12, 2010 -
Rumor: Why Call of Duty Developers Are Sticking Around
With studio heads at Infinity Ward, the developer of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and its sequel, no longer employed, you’d think all those remaining at the company would be leaving in mass exodus. They’re not, apparently, and here’s why. Sources tell Kotaku that Modern Warfare publisher Activision is delaying paying Infinity Ward employees their…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 12, 2010 -
Bad Company 2 Borrows Modern Warfare 2’s Marketing
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 joins Infinity Ward’s fight against “mapathy” on March 30, unlocking its second set of VIP maps on the same day that Modern Warfare 2’s first map pack drops – only Battlefield’s maps are free. That’s the point being driven home in a post on the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 website titled…
By Mike Fahey Published March 11, 2010 -
True Crime Impressions: Finally, Dumpster Kills
Activision’s True Crime series goes back to the drawing board with a Hong Kong action-adventure reboot, a game that puts the player in the role of an undercover cop, one who knows how to use a freezer door in a fight. In True Crime, players infiltrate a low level Triad crime syndicate as Wei Shen,…
By Michael McWhertor Published March 11, 2010 -
There Are Many Ways To Be Fired For Insubordination
As seen on Joystick Division
By Mike Fahey Published March 10, 2010 -
Even EA Thinks Infinity Ward Vs. Activision Is “Disappointing”
The shitcanning of Infinity Ward leads Jason West and Vince Zampella and the ensuing litigation that followed isn’t just disappointing to Activision and Call of Duty fans, it’s also a total bum out for high level Electronic Arts execs. EA chief operating officer John Schappert weighed in on the Infinity Ward vs. Activision debacle at…
By Michael McWhertor Published March 10, 2010 -
JAY-Z And Eminem Freshen Up DJ Hero
DJ Hero, a game that’s not seen downloadable content since November, gets a much-needed shot of new content next week, with a trio of mash-ups featuring Eminem and JAY-Z. The JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack is only the third dose of downloadable content that’s come to DJ Hero since its release in October of 2009,…
By Mike Fahey Published March 10, 2010 -
Modern Warfare 2 Promises Breakthrough Cure for ‘Mapathy’
Acknowledging that as many as 20 million (of its 25 million players) “no longer [derive] pleasure from blowing up people hiding in the cockpit or on top of the crane,” Modern Warfare 2’s creators say new map help is OTW. “Mapathy” is the name of this affliction, for which Modern Warfare 2 creative strategist Robert…
By Owen Good Published March 9, 2010 -
Real Soldiers Recreate Modern Warfare 2 Box Art
When a pair of U.S. soldiers and Modern Warfare 2 fans get bored while stationed in Afghanistan, there can be only one outcome – spontaneous cover art cosplay. Doesn’t cosplay fall under don’t ask, don’t tell? I suppose it’s okay, as long as Kotaku reader Travis and his friend, seen here portraying both versions of…
By Mike Fahey Published March 9, 2010 -
Modern Warfare 2, 25 Million Served
Robert Bowling, community manager for Modern Warfare developers Infinity Ward, has returned to his Tweeting ways after a week’s well-deserved silence And it’s straight back to Call of Duty PR work, too, with the revelation that since its release late last year over 25 million people have played Modern Warfare 2 across the Xbox 360,…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 9, 2010