Posts Tagged ‘activision’
EA posts losses, cutting 1,500 jobs
While Activision is gearing up to have the largest entertainment launch of all time, EA isn’t exactly basking in the same success. In fact, they have announced today that they will be eliminated 1,500 employees in an attempt to cut costs and turn a profit.
EA says that eliminating these employees and shutting down several facilitates will give them an opportunity to “focus on titles with higher margin opportunities”.
Exactly what these titles are remains unknown.
via kotaku
Modern Warfare pre-ordered 4.5 million+ times
Wondering just how successful Modern Warfare 2’s launch will be? Well, VGChartz has today reported that the title has been pre-ordered over 4.5 million times.
Additionally, it is predicted that the game will sell well over 6 million units in the first week netting Activision somewhere around $500 million making it the biggest entertainment launch in history. This means that its launch will produce more money in the first week than any movie, book, or music launches.
Now all we have to do and wait until it hits store shelves tomorrow to see how the game actually performs.
GameStop: Modern Warfare 2 most pre-ordered game of all time
It’s no secret that Modern Warfare 2 has had just about as much hype around it as Halo 3 but considering the Activison’s title is multiconsole while Bungie’s is exclusive to the Xbox 360, it’s no surprise that MW2 would cause much more on an impact.
That impact was so big, in fact, that GameStop VP was quoted to have told Game Hunters:
“As of today, the number of pre-order reservations we’ve taken for the game is the highest for any title we’ve ever sold in our 6,200 store network.”
Now imagine how many people are going to be online on November 10th when the game hits store shelves.
Activision comments on leaked Modern Warfare 2 footage
If you’ve been following Modern Warfare 2 as close as possible you will know that a video of the first level leaked onto the internet yesterday. If you’re not a fan of spoilers, DO NOT READ ON.
The video showcased a group of terrorists proceeding through a airport gunning down a ridiculous amount of civilians in the process while one of the terrorists is controlled by the player. At the end of the video, the player controlled terrorist is shown getting betrayed by the rest of the group and is left on the ground to die.
Well, Activision has today commented on the video saying that the player has an option to skip this scene and is warned that it is potentially disturbing. They also have said that the level is in the game to show the player how urgently they need to stop this terrorist organization and that the game is intended for those 18 or older so they aren’t really in the wrong putting it in there.
Of course, this level is going to have a whole slew of negative media attention.
via thatvideogameblog
Xbox Live cuts prices of World at War DLC until November 1st
If you’ve yet to pick up one or more of the Call of Duty: World at War map packs and just so happen to own an Xbox 360, now is the perfect time to do so.
Major Nelson has just let us know that all 3 of the game’s map packs will be getting a 50% price cut which means Map Pack 1, 2 and 3 will be going for 400 Microsoft Points until November 1st.
Got it?
Infinity Ward responds to MW2 petition
Earlier today we let you know that a petition for dedicated Modern Warfare 2 servers has garnered over 100,000 signatures. Now, Infinity Ward’s Jason West and Vince Zampella has come forth to comment on the petition and frankly, they aren’t having.
Apparently, instead of catering to the “modders and tuners” they are focusing on the player experience and trying to make it legit as possible. In fact, the two have said that they have received a large amount of complaints regarding cheating in Call of Duty 4 and the inability to find a server without a cheater.
So petitioners, blame it on the cheaters for no dedicated servers.
Read (Game Informer)
Best Buy announces list of Modern Warfare 2 midnight launch locations
If you are dying to get Modern Warfare 2 before everyone else, Best Buy is giving you that chance. Just like most major retailers do with titles of such caliber, Best Buy is holding various midnight launches across the nation.
For those who have been living under a rock, Infinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2 will be hitting store shelves for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on November 10th.
Hit the jump to see the lengthy list of midnight launch locations courtesy of Kotaku.
DJ Hero to be made playable at GameStop this Sunday
If you’re dying to get get your hands on DJ Hero and happen to live by a GameStop, you’re in luck — Activision has recently announced that they are teaming up with GameStop to give the general public a chance to play DJ Hero this Sunday, October 11th from 10:00am – 6:00pm.
The best part about this promotion is that it is going on at every GameStop across the nation and even gives you the opportunity to win prizes scuh as a chance to meet Eminem and attend one of his concerts in New Orleans, among other things like Xbox 360s, the game and more.
Full list of prizes below courtesy of Joystiq:
Grand Prize (1 Winner)
- VIP trip for you and a friend to EMINEM’s concert at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans on October 30, 2009
- Exclusive invitation to EMINEM’s sound check
- VIP meet and greet with EMINEM
- 2 Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Editions signed by EMINEM
- 2 Xbox 360 consoles
- 2 Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Packs
- 2 DJ Hero exclusive prize packs
1st Runner Up (10 Winners)
- Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Edition signed by EMINEM
- Xbox 360 console
- Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Pack
2nd Runner Up (1,000 Winners)
DJ Hero exclusive prize pack including: DJ Hero hat, keychain, pen and sticker
DJ Hero pre-order bonuses announced
DJ Hero’s October 27th release date is quickly approaching so it would only make sense that Activision would let us in on the various pre-order bonuses you will recieve while purchasing the game at various retailers.
Below is the full list of pre-order bonuses you will recieve courtesy of Destructoid:
- Amazon.com – Pre-order DJ Hero and DJ Hero Renegade Edition from Amazon.com and get a $5 credit towards the music tracks that inspired the music for the game
- Best Buy – Pre-order DJ Hero from Best Buy and receive a free code that unlocks a Daft Punk level
- GameStop – Pre-order DJ Hero and DJ Hero Renegade Edition and receive two free playable song downloads
- Guitar Hero Store – Pre-order DJ Hero and DJ Hero Renegade Edition and receive free two-day shipping
- Hollywood/GameCrazy – Pre-order DJ Hero and receive an exclusive turntable slipmat
- Walmart.com – Pre-order DJ Hero at Wal-Mart.com and receive a $10 electronic gift card
Honestly? I think I’d go with the Guitar Hero Store and get free 2 day shipping because everything else seems, well, not exciting whatsoever. I mean honestly, a turntable slipmat from GameCrazy? What were they thinking?
Activision cutting half of 7 Studios staff?
We just got word that Activision is preparing to cut half of 7 Studios staff which comes out to about 30 employees. The remaining employees will reportedly be tasked with future music titles.
For those who don’t know 7 Studios its most likely because most of the game’s were based on movies such as Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Carribean.
Everyone here at DigitalBattle wishes the laid off employees the best of luck and hope for some great new titles out of 7 Studios.
via kotaku
World of Warcraft movie gets its name changed
Out of all of the video game movies that have been rumored to come out, one of the one that seems the most likely to actually make it to the big screen is the one based on World of Warcraft.
When the movie was first conceived it was listed as just Warcraft however, a recent update to the title’s IMDB listing let us know that it will officially be called Warcraft: The Rise of the Lich King. This leads us to believe that either they scrapped the original idea and went for a more Lich King approach or just had this story from the beginning.
Either or, you’re sure to be hearing more about this movie as its release date grows closer, whenever that may be.
via thatvideogameblog
Activision files for trademark on Call of Duty film
It was recently made known that Activision has recently filed a trademark on the Call of Duty name when used with “pre-recorded movies featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, music, theatrical performances and/or animations”.
Now it’s no secret that Activision has made more than enough money off of the Call of Duty franchise and is looking to make even more money off of Modern Warfare 2. However, if they come out with Modern Warfare The Broadway Show, I won’t be buying Modern Warfare 3.
via thatvideogameblog
Brand new Modern Warfare 2 trailer to air during Sunday Night Football
USA Today has recently reported that Activision and Infinity Ward are gearing up to air a brand new Modern Warfare 2 during Sunday Night Football this weekend.
According to the report it will air during the game that will pit the San Diego Chargers against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8PM ET. Of course, if you can’t tune in you can always just check YouTube or anywhere else as it’s sure to be plastered across the internet.
Modern Warfare 2 Monster Energy drink on its way
With the June release of World of Warcraft branded Game Fuel, one would be led to believe that Activision Blizzard would again strike a deal with Mountain Dew for a similar Modern Warfare 2 drink. However, those who thought this would be wrong as Activision is aiming for a drink with a bit more caffeine, namely Monster Energy.
That’s right, what you see above is the Modern Warfare 2 branded Monster Energy Drink, entitled Assault, that will hit store shelves sometime next month to hype the public up for the game’s presumably massive release.
What’s even better is those who purchase said energy drink will be given the chance to win a whole slew of prizes like Modern Warfare 2 itself, codes for a map pack due for a spring 2010 release, MW 2 Xbox 360 and PS3 themes and free Monster Energy drinks.
Read (Kotaku)
No demo for Modern Warfare 2 in the works
Considering it’s massive scale (in terms of hype and such) you would think that Infinity Ward would want as much beta testing as possible for Modern Warfare 2 but it’s seems like they have got said testing covered in house.
A tweet posted up on Infinity Ward’s twitter today notified us of the unfortunate news:
@FTGDS No plan for a Demo before launch. The entire team is focused on polish all the way up to ship of the full game. (via @fourzerotwo)
Now if there are bugs in the game we can blame Infinity Ward instead of a careless beta tester. Woo!