Activision has been enjoying high sales numbers for just about every Call of Duty to hit the streets. The most recent rendition of the franchise, Call of Duty: Black Ops is no different even going on to become on of the best selling games of all time. Well, just because Activision has already secured a ton of money from the initial sales of Black Ops, that doesn’t mean they are looking to slow up anytime soon.
Already Treyarch and Activision have released the First Strike DLC pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops which gave players access to some brand new multiplayer and Zombie levels. Now, leaks have notified us that the companies are already preparing to release the second map pack for Black Ops dubbed Escalation.
As you can see from the above leaked promotion Escalation is set to be made available (in Australia, anyways) on May 5th and include several new maps including one new zombies level. While we can’t actually confirm the names of these levels just yet from the leak it seems that the multiplayer maps will be called Zoo, Hotel, Convoy and Stockpile with no name hinted for the zombies level.
We’ll keep you posted as we hear more information regarding the Black Ops Escalation DLC map pack.
Activision’s Call of Duty franchise has continuously topped the charts when it comes to the first person shooter genre. The latest installment to the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops is no different currently being available for the Xbox 360, PC and PS3. However, now that Black Ops is actually out on the streets Activision is looking towards the future releasing several different map packs.
The first of such map packs is none other than First Strike which, as you’re sure to know, is already available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. However, if you’ve been paying attention you’ll know that not too long ago we got wind of First Strike making its way to the PC on March 25th. Well, low and behold today is the 25th and right on cue the Black Ops First Strike map pack is now available for download on the PC.
Priced at $14.99 the First Strike DLC pack will add the multiplayer levels Berlin Wall, Discovery, Kowloon, Stadium and even includes the brand new Zombie map Ascension.
One of the Xbox 360′s most popular exclusives is none other than Bungie’s Halo franchise. While the franchise is set tpo live on, Bungie has jumped ship following the release of Halo: Reach. Luckily, for diehard Bungie loyalists, the company has gotten around to releasing a few map packs for the game but it seems that the Defiant map pack (set to drop on March 15th) will be the last Halo: Reach DLC released by the company.
This, of course, doesn’t mean that there will be no DLC left at all as in their announcement, Bungie mentioned the hand off of the Halo franchise to Microsoft and 343 Industries – the studio set to work on future Halo titles. Then again, there is no way to confirm that 343 Industries will still be releasing map packs for Halo: Reach once they’re in full control but it’s nice to dream, isn’t it?
While the Xbox 360 has the Halo franchise as their FPS exclusive, the PlayStation 3 has Killzone. Currently on the third iteration, the Killzone franchise has been known to have some stunning visuals in addition to incorporating the latest technologies such as PlayStation Move and 3D display technology.
Well, Guerilla Games has just come forth to announce the Steel Rain map pack for the game. Included in this map pack are two brand new maps including the 16-play Junkyard and 24-player Stahl Arms. Unfortunately there was no mention of a release date or price point for Steel Rain but we’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Despite being around since 2003 Call of Duty has remained one of the most popular FPS titles of all time. The franchises most recent release Call of Duty: Black Ops is no different selling more than 7 million copies after being on the market for just 24 hours. Well, seeing how the game has been available since November 9th of last year it’s no surprise that Activision and Treyarch have already gotten around to releasing the very first Black Ops DLC map pack dubbed First Strike which includes 4 all new multiplayer maps and a zombies map.
Available on the Xbox 360 since February 1st of this year, PS3 and PC are still waiting to get down on the fun. Just yesterday we told you that the PS3 version of Black Ops would be getting First Strike come March 3rd – but what about the PC version?
Well, Activision has come forth today to say that the PC version will be getting First Strike “later in the quarter”. In other words, First Strike will be out for the PC before April rolls around – stay tuned.
The entire Call of Duty franchise has been a major success with each release selling quite a few copies and latest release, Call of Duty: Black Ops, is no different. So, what is Activision to do when there is already a ton of hype surrounding a game? Release downloadable content, of course!
The first DLC pack for Black Ops dubbed First Strike is already out on the Xbox 360 and includes 4 brand new multiplayer maps alongside a new map made especially for the game’s zombie mode. Unfortunately for PS3 users the Xbox 360 got a window of exclusivity but Activision has come forth today to announce that the First Strike DLC pack will be coming to the PlayStation Network on March 3rd for $15.
A bit pricey but then again it is Activision so what do you expect?
Love it or hate it there is no denying the fact that Activision’s latest Call of Duty installment, Black Ops, has been immensely popular. If you’re one who is partial to the game you may remember us telling you how the game’s first map pack, dubbed First Strike, would be dropping on February 1st. Well, here we are on the 1st of the month and the First Strike map pack is in fact available for download in the Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 Microsoft Points. Of course, PS3 and PC gamers hoping to get down on the fun will be discouraged to hear that the pack will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for about a month. Bummer.
Anyways, the First Strike map pack includes 4 new multiplayer maps dubbed Discovery, Berlin Wall, Kowloon and Stadium. Also included in the pack, however, is a map made especially for the game’s Zombie mode dubbed Ascension (no, not the Halo map).
Check out the official trailer for the map pack above and let us know what you think in the comments.
Despite the $15 price tag, Modern Warfare 2‘s Stimulus Package managed to sell a riduclous (and we mean very ridiculous) amount of virtual copies. Pretty much everyone agrees that for 5 maps (2 of which are old) $15 is way too high. Well, to one analyst by the name of Jesse Divinch, that price is too low.
Yes, Divinch has actually said that Activision could have charged $20 for the pack and people still would have bought it. He explains below:
“It is evident that 2.5 million Xbox Live players felt that $15 was either just right or a good bargain and given the enormous quantity sold (2.5 million), I’d argue that Activision could have charged more and still obtain the same results.”
I refuse to buy the maps at $15. I can afford them, I just don’t like how Activision priced them (Blizzard, don’t worry, I still love you). But $20? Hellllll no.
While companies like Activision find it necessary to charge $15 for Modern Warfare 2 maps, DICE is taking a bit of a different approach with Bad Company 2. With the recent release of the VIP Map Pack for BC2 free of cost many have wondered if they will ever charge for a pack.
Well, if it’s up to DICE, and not EA, no they will never be charging a pack as they feel it is “crucial” to the game. However, EA assures us that there will be some premium content for the game sometime soon.
In an industry that is so money hungry, I really admire DICE’s decision to keep maps for Bad Company 2 free and to continue giving the community what they want.
Treyarch Studios has given word that the new Call of Duty: World at War patch is now live and can be downloaded from several mirrors on the official website. If you used Steam to purchase the game, the download and installation will be automatic.
Along with the main patch, Mod Tools 1.3 is now out, in addition to the 1.5 Linux dedicated server bins. The new Mod Tools allows gamers to get started on their own Nazi Zombie maps, so expect a load of fun new environments to shoot some undead heads off soon.
The developers also gave the GGL and Clanbase a plug, encouraging competitive players to sign up for the new PC tournaments. The tournaments’ prizes offer up to $2,500 prizes and Call of Duty apparel.
