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Is Treyarch Working on Call of Duty: Black Ops 2?

Justin Carter — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:06:35 +0000

The Call of Duty franchise has been split between two developers: Infinity Ward, best known for the Modern Warfare subseries; and Treyarch, best known for everything else. With the release of Modern Warfare 3 this past November, it’s time for Treyarch to once again step up to the plate.

Back in 2010, they put out the widely praised Call of Duty: Black Ops. Seems now that instead of doing another CoD game set between WWII and modern times, Treyarch is working on a sequel to Black Ops. Fusible reports that Activision has bought the rights for www.blackops2.com, along with domains purchased up to Black Ops 6. The domain is owned by MarkMonitor, an internet brand protection company. One of their clients is, you guessed it, Activision. The last update was this past Friday, January 6. No word from Activision yet, but we’ll keep you in the know if anything changes.

via IGN

Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies Coming to iOS

Brandon Fenty — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:50:14 +0000

One of my personal favorite games on the iPhone is COD:Zombies. Others have come and gone, but that game has stayed on my phone since it launched. So you can guess how exciting it is to hear that a Black Ops version is going to be released tomorrow.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies is an iOS game app based on the Zombies mode from Treyarch’s best-selling console hit, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and adapted by Ideaworks Game Studio, who built it specifically for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies delivers a Zombies experience never before seen on mobile platforms, including the original Call of Duty: Black Ops map Kino der Toten, and 50 levels of Dead-Ops Arcade, with even more features, upgrades and maps to come. Gamers can play solo, or battle it out in a true multiplayer experience with up to four people using the new Voice Chat feature.

Get ready to check it out on the app store tomorrow!

RipTen Review: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

Ripten Staff — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:30:09 +0000

By Aaron Alexander and Chris Carlson

There comes a time in a gamer’s life when he or she must sit down and tell themselves that enough is enough. We finally reached that point today after spending an extensive amount of time with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Truth is, we wanted to enjoy this game. We wanted to have that feeling that those millions gamers have while playing the Call of Duty franchise, the same feeling we “used” to have, but enough is enough. With each recent iteration of the series, each team that works on the franchise does a pretty decent job at implementing new features, weapons, killstreaks, etc, but their ability to execute them in a reasonable way, has simply diminished. For every one good thing they accomplish, they ruin other aspects. Modern Warfare 3 is no different. In fact, it’s one of the worst FPS multiplayer games we’ve played in a long time. Yes we’re going to say it. Are you ready? Homefront had better multiplayer than this.

The most interesting thing about Modern Warfare 3 would have to be it’s development story. Whilst playing through MW3 we could only imagine what it could have been if the original Infinity Ward stayed intact. Instead we’re given a product developed by the remnants of said studio and Sledgehammer Games, who were working on a third person CoD game. In a way, that in itself is severely disappointing, as mixing up the franchise with 3rd person dynamics could have been potentially interesting – instead we’re given another cookie cutter Call of Duty. Now, what that means to you depends on your stance toward the game – If you’re already huge into multiplayer, you probably aren’t even reading this review. However, if you’re looking for something fresh and exciting that stands tall against other games in its respective genre, then Modern Warfare 3 just isn’t for you. What we’re given in this $60 package can best be described as par for the course, or disappointing, or just a downright fucking travesty.

America, Fuck Maybe!!

Picking up immediately after the end of Modern Warfare 2, our old buddy Soap is in bad shape and the now disavowed TF141 is on the run – from everyone, or so the game leads you to believe (it doesn’t stop Price from calling in favors from the US army though). Makarov is being the typical bad bastard and has started another worldwide conflict. You’ll travel across the globe and play as a variety of characters trying to hunt down the illusive Russian, like the new-found Yuri who works with TF141, Sgt Frost who serves under Delta force and a few others a long the way (no spoilers!). It’s the same structure that we’ve become used to, and that’s fine, but when the various crescendos and dramatic sequences feel almost exactly like the last game’s, it really does break the illusion that this is something new. Yes, Makarov will open a door and shoot you. Yes, you’ll spend half a level riding in a vehicle playing an extremely boring turret sequence. Yes, a potentially emotional event just transpired… except it failed to hit the mark. It’s hard to describe the specifics without giving the plot away, but be prepared to basically re-enact the key plot points of Modern Warfare 2, and in some cases relive them entirely. We were pretty excited for the campaign in Modern Warfare 3, seeing as it’s always been a strong point in the series, but this time it just feels… empty.

In fact, it comes off feeling lazy. The story is ultimately a wild goose chase looking for information on Makarov and it just reminds us that we’ve done this all before. Perhaps that’s an analogy for the entire game. The engine is still the same, and though it can look fine in spots, stand still for too long and be prepared to feel like it’s 2007 again. Especially when the game’s put side by side with it’s contemporaries, it’s clear that this technology is aging, and not like a fine wine either. Pull the left trigger to aim, right to shoot and keep walking forward while your AI teammates stare at the enemies and eventually catch up to you (while yelling at you to follow them the whole time). After defeating countless waves of soldiers, you can advance to the next section where it’ll take place all over again. Then there’s an explosion, then a small controllable quick time event, and it all just lacks the punch of the previous games – it’s diminishing returns all over.

This Could Have Been A Powerful Stage...

Price and Soap lack the character of the previous installment, and are more concentrated on hiding behind cover and occasionally taking shots. The music has also been toned down, and it’s no longer epic or inspiring. Hans Zimmer’s MW2 soundtrack will always be stuck in my head, especially the ranger’s multiplayer theme, but there’s really no jingles or theme songs that can stand up to the calibre of Hans’ past work. Sure, the game definitely wraps up the trilogy, but not in a particularly interesting way, or one that does the series justice. It can best be described as a 4-5 hour boring trudge through familiar territory.

Multiplayer is also more of the same, with a few minor adjustments that don’t particularly stand-out. There’s the Kill confirmed mode, where after killing someone you must claim their dogtag in order for the kill to be counted, and Team Defender where whichever team holds the flag gets double points. There’s also the new point streak system, which replaces the typical killstreak format. You’ll chose either Assault, Support or Specialist. This will change the way your streaks are rewarded and earned. For example the typical player who want’s to kill and earn an assault helicopter or gunner seat will pick assault – You’ll stack kills and earn these killstreaks the same as before.

Shoot That Guy.

The support player specializes in utility streaks, like advanced UAV’s and EMP’s. He earns these by getting points for killing, capturing objectives and the like. His points will not be reset on death, so it’s a good opportunity for lesser skilled players to still call in something every so often. Finally, the specialist who instead of earning killstreaks, earns new perks with every second kill. Though these are quite different from each other, the game still boils down to whoever gets the most offensive killstreaks wins. It’s nice that lesser players can still help the team now, but the Osprey Gunner is still going to completely dominate the ground forces and that one guy you know who always gets 25 kills is going to set off a M.O.A.B.

The maps this time around are also completely weak compared to previous installments, with the exception of Dome. They’re confusing in layout, not visually appealing and they aren’t even as memorable as MW2′s Favela or Terminal. They’re confusing to navigate, and some offer little to no strategic cover from the constant airstrikes. The spawn issues are also frustrating, and being killed from someone who has literally spawned behind you is never fun – especially when you’re trying to build a streak. As guys who put some 300 hours in MW2′s multiplayer, the compulsion to sit here and constantly level just doesn’t click. It’s an ultimately frustrating experience – even when you’re dominating. Not to discredit everyone’s playstyle, but people running around with snipers using them like shotguns, or other players humping a wall with a heartbeat sensor just takes away the neutral ground. It’s a constant explosionfest that feels often skilless, especially in Team Deathmatch.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection – Zombie Authority Trailer

Chris Carlson — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:00:33 +0000

Activision has released an all new trailer for their upcoming downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops, Rezurrection. Check out the details below.

Lift off into the latest Zombies epic with “Rezurrection,” the new downloadable content pack for “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” and the first to launch players into space for a new dimension of undead action! Old school Zombie strategies get blown out of the airlock in “Moon,” where armed with new perks and a space-age arsenal of weapons, our heroes must overcome undead astronauts and fluctuating gravity as they unearth conspiracies that began in 1943.

Rounding out Rezurrection are the 4 maps that spawned the Zombie phenomenon: “Nacht der Üntoten,” “Verrückt,” “Shi No Numa” and “Der Riese.”

The Rezurrection Content Pack will be available first on Xbox Live on August 23, 2011.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection Behind-the-Scenes Preview Video

Chris Carlson — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:58:30 +0000

Activision has released a brand new behind the scenes video with Treyarch for their upcoming downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops, Rezurrection.

Rezurrection hurls players into orbit with Moon, the climax of the Call of Duty Zombies saga and the first in the series to drop zombie-slaying into low-G lunar battlegrounds. With new outrageous weapons, high-tech gear, and a bloodthirsty undead menace, Moon is the most challenging and thrilling Zombies adventure yet.

Treyarch Will Help Bring Modern Warfare 3 to the Wii

Jorge Bocanegra — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:50:11 +0000

The Call of Duty franchise has grown to become one of the industry’s most profitable. So, having said that, you know damn well the series has also become an annual affair for Activision. But who in their right mind is to complain when each iteration’s multiplayer keeps one hooked for hours on end. Enter, Modern Warfare 3.

The sequel to one of the biggest commercial successes in entertainment history will be launching on November 8th for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. But wait! Now we can add the Wii to that multi-platform list. And, once again, Treyarch will be stepping in to handle the waggle-friendly port– like they’ve done in the past with Modern Warfare 2 (Reflex), World at War and Black Ops. We can all agree on one thing, though: It’s very, very likely that each and every version of MW3 will sell like crazy come this Holiday season.

Source: Joystiq

Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection Zombie Map Pack Announced

Stephanie Gutowski — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:51:48 +0000

It’s always about the zombies, isn’t it? Get your shotguns ready, all you Call of Duty: Black Ops die-hards, because Rezurrection is coming to you on August 23 and it’s bringing five zombie maps with it. Owners of the Prestige and Hardened editions already have the four re-mastered maps, but Rezurrection will introduce the all-new Moon level, because slaying the undead in low-gravity is something you need to experience. Plus, in space, no one can hear them scream for “brraaaaains.” That’s not all!

The Rezurrection content pack includes:

The all new Moon level
Four re-mastered levels of Zombie lore: Nacht der Untoten, Verruckt, Shi No Numa and Der Riese, the Zombie factory that started it all
An enhanced Zombies Soundtrack including three tracks never before available for purchase
A new Zombies Moon theme

Even if you’ve already played the other zombie maps, you might as well grab the Moon level, plus Moon theme. Treyarch will also host a Double XP weekend to commemorate the launch of the new pack. I know what you’ll be doing this Labor Day weekend.

Rezurrection will be available on Xbox Live for 1200 Microsoft points.

Have a gallery!

Treyarch Explains How They Build and Balance Multiplayer Maps

Dave Oshry — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:00:01 +0000

Building and balancing multiplayer maps is hard. It’s even harder when you have to do it for the biggest video game franchise in the world and are expected to pump out high quality map packs after release.

So, just how does Treyarch manage to get it done with a game as big as Call of Duty: Black Ops?

We sat down with design director David “Von” Vonderhaar to find out:

So, there you have it. Start with an idea, build around that idea, balance around those ideas and then… pass the controller.

Von told me that it takes months to get maps from start to finish, and that tons of maps have been left on the cutting room floor.

It’s a never ending struggle to please every CoD gamer out there, but it’s a challenge that Von and his team are up to.

Call of Duty: Black Ops “Title Update 11″ Drops – What it Fixed

Garrett Hartman — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:50:43 +0000

A few hours ago the Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Black Ops received it’s latest tweak in the form of Title Update 11.

Title Update 11 this provides Call of Duty: Black Ops players two main enhancements:

A number of new security updates have been implemented
Audio tweaks for Search and Destroy during planting and defusing.

Not a game changer of an update, but a necessary one nonetheless.

Welcome to The Jungle in New Black Ops Annihilation Zombie Trailer

Chris Carlson — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:06:13 +0000

Do you love Zombies? Of course you do, who doesn’t love those flesh eating monsters. Today, Activision released a new trailer for upcoming Call of Duty Black Ops DLC Annihilation. The trailer shows off the new Zombie map Shangri-La set in the jungle…the mighty jungle. You know, where the lions sleep and stuff.

The Annihilation Content Pack will be available first on Xbox Live starting on June 28th.

Survival Mode and Spec-Ops Outlined For Modern Warfare 3

Matthew Sims — Sat, 28 May 2011 21:32:30 +0000

You would hardly think of USA Today as a place to get any sort of gaming news, but it appears they got the proverbial scoop on this one. The new Modern Warfare appears to already be shaping up blow the other installments out of the water. The first changes will be a revamped and beefed up Spec-Ops and a brand new Survival Mode.

The Spec-Ops mode gains a progressive ranking system, similar to the online multiplayer of the previous titles, online matchmaking, and leaderboards. However, the much more interesting aspect of the package is the survival mode. It involves surviving wave after wave of enemies similar to Zombie mode from Call of Duty: Black Ops. It seems that maybe Infinity Ward may have taken a page out of Treyarch’s book this time instead of the other way around.

The survival mode will take place on the muliplayer maps and will allow players to fight exploding soldiers, rabid, exploding dogs, and I’m experience more exploding phenomena. Here’s what Robert Bowling and Mark Rubin of Infinity Ward had to say about the new mode.

“All that stuff really fleshes out Spec Ops and adds in a lot that we know our fans are going to love, some of the most addictive aspects of Multiplayer,” says Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling.

“You definitely have to change up your strategy as the enemy changes up,” Bowling said afterward. “Obviously how you fight the kamakazi dudes is different from how you fight the normal dudes and how you fight a dog is different from a dude and how you fight juggernauts, they are not only big and armored, so they will just brute force come at you. But they each have their own way of being taken out effectively.”

Yes, there are juggernauts returning from the previous games; there will be several different types of them, too. But back in the game, I took heed from Rubin on how to counterattack choppers raining fire from overhead. The game has an unlimited number of waves. “We got up to wave 8 which is really a good wave for a first time player,” Rubin pronounces afterwards.

Survival Mode sounds like a welcome edition to the already solid host of modes offered in the Modern Warfare titles. I’ll be gathering a crew together and getting ready to test my survival instincts as soon as this game hits the shelves.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Teased By Official Playstation Mag?

Sam Naylor — Sun, 08 May 2011 10:35:32 +0000

A teaser in the back of the July issue of the Official Playstation Magazine has hinted at A new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare game.

“The biggest game in the world returns,” the teaser teases teasingly. From the font of the “3″ and basic common sense it’s clear this is a reference to Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare franchise.

Look forward to more info, perhaps an announcement from Activision, in the near future.

Source

Call of Duty: Black Ops “Escalation” Map Pack Now Available on Xbox Live

Dave Oshry — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:31:44 +0000

This is your friendly reminder that the Escalation map pack for Black Ops is now available on XBL. This has been a public service announcement.

Check out everything we know about Escalation HERE including details, gameplay videos, developer diaries and screens.

Also be sure to tell us if you think this pack was worth the wait and the $$.

Get Some!!

New ‘Taste of Escalation’ Black Ops Gameplay Trailer Gives Us Shelter

Bryce Wilson — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:04:42 +0000

Treyarch has just released a fresh new gameplay trailer for their upcoming second map pack titled ‘Escalation’.

Aiming to deliver a blockbuster experience for the Call of Duty series, Treyarch recently announced that an all-star cast was recruited for what could possibly be the final map pack for Black Ops.

Featuring gameplay from all the maps (including Call of the Dead), the new trailer also shows off a new weapon that appears to transform Zombies into Federal Agents.

Not to mention everyone’s favorite waiter and Stones song is back!

Check it out below:

Let us know what you think of the trailer in the comments below, or hit me up on Twitter – @DrjftGaming.

Black Ops “Call of the Dead” Stars Buffy, Freddy and Danny Trejo!? Hell Yes.

Bryce Wilson — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:45:45 +0000

For you horror fans out there, the Zombie mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops is no doubt something right up your alley, and with that being said, Activision and Treyarch today announced something that is bound to make every horror fan out there jump for joy.

The upcoming Escalation map pack will see the introduction of a stellar cast of actors including Robert Englund (Freddy), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy), Michael Rooker and Danny Trejo (That Sexy Mexy). The storyline and theme of the next Zombies map is also written by George A. Romero, the king of Zombie films. Romero even makes an undead appearance in the game!

Dave Anthony, the Call of Duty: Black Ops Director over at Treyarch commented on the introduction of Romero and the others, sounding both humbled and excited for the fans;

“This is Treyarch’s tribute to the legendary George Romero, who truly defined the zombie genre and whose incredible work has been such an inspiration to our team. It was an absolute honor to work with such an amazing and talented cast whose passion and energy brought their characters instantly to life. Fans are going to love this.”

If you haven’t seen it already, check out the Xbox 360 video preview (and some sweet screenshots) by clicking here.

Escalation launches May 3rd as an Xbox 360 timed exclusive. Whilst no price has been announced, you could put a firm bet on 1200 Microsoft Points.

Call of Duty: Black Ops “Escalation” Map Pack Video Preview and Screens

Dave Oshry — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:49:19 +0000

Treyarch is getting set to launch it’s latest BlOps map pack entitled, “Escalation” in May. It will contain four new mp maps and a new zombie map as well. Check out a recent preview video they put together as well as all the available screens. Sadly, there are still no zombie screens. I am disappoint.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Patch Live on Steam – Addresses Exploits, Sniper Tweaks, Stability

Dave Oshry — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:32:52 +0000

The latest patch for CoDBlOps has been deployed on steam. Here are the patch notes in case you are too fking lazy to find them yourself.

These will be applied automatically when you restart your Steam client.

Radar now always activates when two players remain in a OIC wager match.
Pack-a-Punch ammo information now visible at wall weapon purchase points in all Zombie maps.
Addressed an issue where Challenges were not appearing in After Action Report.
Zombie Thief no longer freezes when target disconnects from Zombie Pentagon.
Addressed various exploits.
Fixed possible wrong gametype shown in server info screen.
Server browser Hide DLC Content filter saves to player config like other filter settings.
Call vote menu updated with all maps.
Addressed issue causing reserved slot kicks on servers with no reserved slots.
Sniper tweaks for dedicated servers.
Weapon unlocks no longer appear with wrong icon.
Friendly names now draw correctly in 3D stereo.
Fixed some possible crashes during gameplay or film playback.
Additional stability improvements

Once again, PC leads the way… in shit getting patched repeatedly because nobody got it right the first time. ^__^

Call of Duty: Black Ops ‘Escalation’ Map Pack Revealed and Dated

Bryce Wilson — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:20:09 +0000

Thanks to an e-flyer being leaked by a major Australian videogames retailer, gamers the world over are in store for a second dose of Black Ops map pack action, this time with the Escalation pack bursting onto the scene.

An e-flyer leaked by GAME Aus confirmed the second Black Ops map pack which is set to include five maps; Zoo, Hotel, Convoy, Stockpile and finally a new Zombie map; Call of the Dead.

Escalation is due for an Xbox 360 timed exclusive launch on May 3rd and will launch on the PC and PSN at later dates.

I’m yet to pick up First Strike, but I’ll definitely be getting this one. Will you?

Let me know in the comments below or via Twitter – @DrjftGaming.

Black Ops First Strike DLC – PS3 and PC Release Dates Revealed

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:20:00 +0000

In Activision’s latest financial report they gave details on when PS3 and PC owners will finally get access the the “timed exclusive” DLC First Strike.

As ridiculous as it sounds, it will be available for the PS3 on March 3rd. Yep, Micro$oft paid for little more than a month! When discussing the PC date, Activision simply stated it will be available “later this quarter” – which means before March 31st.

Treyarch Says PS3 Gamers Are Happy With Black Ops

Dave Oshry — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:41:14 +0000

On today’s episode of, “What the fuck – are you kidding me!?” Treyarch seems to think that PS3 gamers are happy with their version of Black Ops and that it’s impossible to ship a bug free game . . .

Embattled Treyarch community manager Josh Olin recently said in an interview to VideoGamer:

“It is unfortunate that those [bugs] have to exist at all. In an ideal world we would love to ship a completely bug-proof game. I can’t think of a single developer in the world, though, that could achieve that,” he added. There’s hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of players on the PS3 who have absolutely perfect, pristine experiences,” he said. “I talk to them everyday – I see @replies to me on Twitter all the time from people going ‘I don’t know what people are complaining about. The game is perfect for me!’ So they do exist. I know that doesn’t make the people who are experiencing problems feel any better, but it should put it into perspective.”

“So we’ve had, like, six or seven patches, depending on which platform you play on, since the game came out – so we’re talking six or seven patches over the span of two to three months. That’s a lot of post-release support, and that’s something that we’re going to continue – that’s not going to stop.”"Even if the bug is only hurting a hundred fans, if we can find the cause we’ll patch it,” he added.

So there you have it. The official statement from Treyarch boils down to – Nobody can release a bug free game. People seem to like our game anyway. We’ll keep patching it (like six or seven more times) until it works for everyone even though the game has been out for months.

Here are some previous articles we’ve written about how happy PS3 gamers are with their version of Black Ops: