Thank you, PC Gamer
How’s that Modern Warfare 2 boycott going? Well, judging by this screenshot, it seems that many of y’all were either bluffing, or simply couldn’t resist the temptation to, as Rock Paper Scissor put it the other day, Put The Cursor Over the Man’s Face. Boycotts only work when, you know, you follow through with your threats…
Activision’s Modern Warfare 2 racked up $310 million in sales across the U.S. and UK during the first 24 hours of availability. That makes it the biggest video game launch ever. Hooray for war simulators!
Hope you peeped that youtube video when we told you about it earlier, because Activition has fired off a cease and desist order on the video of the aimbot and wallhack being used. They claim it’s a copyright infringement, but there’s a whole lot more video out there that they are just ignoring. Sounds like someone is trying to hide their dirty laundry.
You know what day it is! Herein lies my usual review round-up (see yesterday’s preview), starring Modern Warfare 2. Right now I’ll highlight the good in the game, and later today I’ll highlight the bad. Very exciting, yes.
Here’s comes another DJ Hero story. Activision called the game’s launch “successful” at a conference call yesterday, saying that the game represents a “first step toward diversifying beyond rock” and into other genres, like hip hop and electronic music. In other words, the game’s soft sales aren’t necessarily a cause for alarm (if you were ever concerned in the first place).
Famous rock band No Doubt has sued Activision over the use of its avatars in the game Guitar Hero 5. No Doubt says that the deal it signed with Activision only permitted the avatars to be used when playing No Doubt songs. The problem is that Activision has it set up that you can play any song in the game with the No Doubt avatars. That I’m even writing about this is rather depressing.
While there’s no hard numbers, an analyst over at Capital Markets has called the sales of DJ Hero “modest.” Usually you want phrases like “brisk pace” and “exceeding expectations” when you release big ticket games like DJ Hero, but it doesn’t seem to be happening here.
As I cleverly remarked in the official CrunchGear chat room, that a video game leaks a few days before its release is par for the course. When the biggest video game of the year leaks a full week before its release date, it’s worth noting. So that’s what I’m doing right now: Activision’s Modern Warfare 2 has leaked. It’s available where you usually find such things.
Look at the AP, trying to stir up controversy where none exists. I’m sure by now you’ve seen the leaked Modern Warfare 2 footage (the video is down right now) that shows a terrorist situation inside an airport. The AP (and HuffPo) is making a big deal out of the fact that you can shoot civilians inside the airport. And? Are they trying to go with that weak argument, “Oh, violent video games make people violent”? How can people still believe that?
Interesting note regarding DJ Hero, where “interesting” means “potentially bad news.” One of those fancy analyst types, someone at Cowen and Company, has slashed sales expectations by a little more than 50 percent. That’s nothing to brush aside if you’re Activision.
Oh, look, video of Modern Warfare 2 has leaked. (I’m still not sure if it’s called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 or simply Modern Warfare 2. Go figure.) It was taken at a retailer convention in Las Vegas.
Autobots, roll out!
The first batch of DLC for Activision and Luxoflux’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is slated for an August 27 launch for the Xbox 360 (800 MS points) and PS3 ($9.99). The entire DLC list is detailed below but the quick and dirty version is as follows: eight new playable characters, three new character skins, three new multiplayer maps and a “Expert” level for single-player campaign.
Waiting for Activision to drop launch details on Tony Hawk: Ride? I hope you live in the US, UK or Germany because if you don’t then you’re going to have to wait until 2010 to get your feet-on this game. Sucks to be outside those three countries if you’re waiting on Ride. Still no word on a firm launch date.
via Kotaku
Dang. I now know to put aside $200 for the Renegade Edition. Pre-order DJ Hero for all three major consoles and get it in time for Halloween.
Xbox edition [Gamestop]
PS3 edition [Gamestop]
Wii edition [Gamestop]
Ooh la la. I guess I know what I’m saving up for later this year. While we’ve known about a special edition Eminem and Jay-Z DJ Hero for some time, it wasn’t until this morning that we finally got to see what it would actually look.
In fact, during a private a demo of the game a few weeks back I actually saw (and played) one of the custom made white turntables that RedOctane made for Puff Daddy’s annual White party in the Hamptons. But that doesn’t hold a candle to the Renegade Edition. Just look at it! It even includes a hardshell case that doubles as a DJ stand. Em and Hov have compiled a two-CD pack with unreleased tracks as well.
Due out in October for an undisclosed amount, but we’d guess that it will be around $200 (hopefully less) based on the standard edition’s $120 price point.
Photo Gallery by Picturesurf
via StreetLevel
Activision and Luxoflux would announce new DLC for T:ROTF on the day my review goes live. D’oh!
Over TEN new multiplayer characters including ultimate fan favorites such as G1 Starscream and movie favorites like Sideswipe.
Three all-new multiplayer maps.
Play new characters in both the Autobot and Decepticon single player campaigns.
New Expert difficulty mode with a fresh set of leaderboards to challenge more experienced gamers in the single-player campaigns.
New Achievements and Trophies to earn.
I’ve heard good things about Activision’s Prototype, but was never sent a review copy even though I’ve received other titles from the publisher for review in the past. Currently reviewing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (preview here) for the Xbox 360. Not a bad game, but I have some gripes with it.
Anyway, Prototype is the featured Video Games Deal of the Day over at Amazon. You can grab it for $20 off the regular price and it’s available across all major platforms. Anyone in the audience played it? Thoughts?
[Update] Matt here. This game is great. I’ve been playing the heck out of it the last few days on the PC. The save system is a bit wonky, but the action is great. The game does a great job of allowing the player to advance the story or just play around in NYC. Recommended.
How much would you be willing to pay for DJ Hero? The latest news or rumors or whatever you want to call it is that UK retailer ShopTo was apparently told by Activision that the MSRP of the game will be £107.99, or just shy of $180. That includes the turntable, of course.
