This week we feature a special guest as Inadub prepares to try and Test the waters:

• Sam “Doc” Castanon III from Season One of the Tester tells how it is
• Prize Packs prepare to ship
• Sit Rep
• and so much more…

Part 2 is loaded with info about the South Hall at E3 including:

• An exclusive interview with Craig Owens of EA
• An exclusive interview with “Doc” of the Tester Season1
• A round table with Owners Shane, AC and John along with special guest Bill F’kn Murray
• How I owned the Devs of Medal of Honor
• And a Prize Pack beyond any ever done with the new command at Urgent Fury

So as many have been waiting for, we spent E3 gathering intel for all of you guys and well instead of spoiling it for you, I just will let you start with Part 1 of our 2 part series for the E3 Debrief…

Audrey Cleo with Commander Fury and Shane Bell of Urgent Fury

Commander Fury and Kevin discover the pleasure of the Move

The Urgent Fury Crew with Travis Steiner

Urgent Fury Black is upon us!!!

I will say it looks like Socom 4 is a true progression for Zipper… As you watch this video you will see the begining of what Socom 4 is going to look like.

From what it sound like the Move will be on both online and offline, but this could dramatically change the feel of Socom for those that are willing to jump on the Move wagon.

The more I watch, this looks like it may actually make Socom even more intense. I know that I am not the only one excited to play with this at E3. And for those of you in the New York area, keep you ears open cause there is word of a Live tour.

Video is below.

LONDON – 3 March 2010 – Can’t wait to jump into the “Halo: Reach” multiplayer beta on May 3? You’re in luck, because a thrilling first look video of “Halo: Reach” multiplayer action is now available. The “March Multiplayer Madness” video was captured from the game’s alpha build and offers a glimpse of…well, we don’t want to give away all the surprises do we?

Rest assured that more info is coming down the line as the launch of the public multiplayer beta nears. As a reminder, players will be able to access the beta, which launches in just two months, through “Halo 3: ODST.” Developed by acclaimed studio Bungie, “Halo: Reach” is being published by Microsoft and launches in autumn 2010 exclusively on Xbox 360.

The “March Multiplayer Madness” video is available now on Halo.Xbox.com, Bungie.net and Xbox LIVE.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 demo features Port Valdez, a new vehicle focused map where up to 24 players can compete against each other in the game’s Rush multiplayer mode. Players have access to five land and three air vehicles including Main Battle Tanks as well as the fast-moving Quad Bikes and Mobile Armored AA. The fight is also packed with plenty of infantry combat fought alongside the waterline towards a great oil industrial landscape in the Alaskan mountains.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be in stores on March 2, 2010 in North America and March 4, 2010 in Europe for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 and the PC. The Limited Edition can be pre-ordered now on all platforms at no extra cost, with participating retailers worldwide (while supplies last).

For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se. For more information on the Battlefield franchise please visit: www.battlefield.com. Or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialBFBC2.

• Internet connection required. Demo will end on February 25, 2010.

###

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Battlefield: Bad Company is a trademark of EA Digital Illusions CE AB. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

In this episode the Year begins:

• UF: 141 Details finally revealed
• Review of Mass Effect 2
• Review of Army of Two The 40th Day
• Hello Europe are you out there
• Final Prep for BradyGames
• and more!!!

Converts Keyboard and Mouse into Turbo Controller for First-Person Shooter Video Games

Fremont, Calif., (December, 2009) – Ask most video game fanatics and they’ll tell you that first-person shooters just play better using a keyboard and mouse. That’s why Penguin United has created the Eagle-Eye Converter in order to meet this specific need. The Eagle-Eye is an adapter that converts any standard USB HID keyboard and mouse into a turbo charged controller for the Sony PS3 video game console. The Eagle-Eye Converter will be on display at CES January 7-10, at Booth #5413, North Hall.

The Eagle-Eye Converter provides a customized key mapping feature for all PS3 controller buttons that seamlessly transfers the command data to your keyboard and mouse. Now first-person shooter games like Call of Duty; Modern Warfare, Killzone 2, and BioShock can be played with greater dexterity, speed and accuracy than with a standard controller.

“One of the drawbacks with playing first-person shooters is the lack of speed and accuracy offered by traditional controllers,” stated Richard Huang, President of Penguin United. “We found a simple solution by bypassing the controller and transferring the button features directly to the computer keyboard. The Eagle-Eye offers an amazing alternative for fans of shooting games.”

Product Highlights:

• Customized Key Mapping Feature Transfers Command Data to Keyboard and Mouse
• Same Data Transfer Rate as Original PS3 Controller for Greater Dexterity
• Optional Turbo Mode for R1, R2, L1, L2 and the 4 Primary Action Buttons
• Supports 2 USB Ports for Standard HID Keyboard and Mouse
• Provides Turbo Function for Standard PS3 Controller when Not Using Keyboard/Mouse
• SRP: $49.99
• On Display at CES Booth #5413, North Hall

About Penguin United
Penguin United (http://www.PenguinUnited.com ) was established by gamers for gamers and is dedicated to enhancing the experience of electronic entertainment. Penguin’s mission is to provide gamers with a cost-effective line of video game accessories that are equal in quality, performance and reliability to other similar products on the market.

In this special podcast:

• Special interview with LPK’s Meauxpack and MikeJaxon from Uprising
• Holiday Greetings from all
• UF: 141 breaks ground
• Socom DLC
• Modern Warfare 2
• and more…

With the DLC finally released, Urgent Fury is looking for your reviews… Give it your star rating and feel free to add a review at the bottom.

Loaded with new features and content, this pack brings a brand new snowy Eastern European area of operations into play with two all new maps and three classic SOCOM maps for 16 to 32 players.  The classic maps are drawn from some of the most popular SOCOM maps of all time, each built from the ground up for the PS3!

Kit yourself out in snow gear and fight your way through blizzard conditions, joining a team of mercenaries or a squad from one of the world’s top Special Forces regiments  including the Russian Spetsnaz.

Try your hand at Arms Run, a new game mode that features dynamicaly placed missile launchers that must be activated or destroyed, depending on which side you’re fighting for.

Employ the new thermal vision scope weapon attachment to track your enemies’ heat signatures – vital in the dark and useful in daylight for picking out white camouflaged adversaries. In addition, we have new primary weapons to make use of and new attachments.

All told, this pack will have:

• New Russian / Eastern European Area of Operation
• Snow setting complete with snow effects, new snow gear and camo for both the Special Forces and Mercenaries, and thermal vision
• New ARMS RUN gameplay mode
• 5 New Maps
  o Uprising
  o Entrapment
  o Blizzard
  o Night Stalker
  o Vigilance
• All new mercenaries characters with new looks and new VO.
• New Special Forces squad, the Russian Spetsnaz
• Gun turret emplacements
• New music
• All new character specialization/progression system
  o Allows players to pick a primary and secondary specialization and unlock new equipment exclusive to those specializations
• New weapons, including:
  o 3 new weapons
  o 6 enhanced versions of weapons available as part of the new weapons specialization system
  o 2 new weapon attachments (including the thermal scope)
  o 5 enhanced versions of weapon attachments also available as part of the new weapons specialization system.
  o 2 new grenade launcher ammo types (flash and smoke)
• New Trophies

Urgent Fury is proud to welcome BradyGames as a prize sponsor of the 2010 UF Tournament Season.

December 7, 2009 Simpsonville, SC: Urgent Fury announce today that BradyGames has joined the sponsor line up for 2010. BradyGames has developed strategy guides for titles such as Socom and Call of Duty which are included in the coming year’s lineup. Members of winning teams will enjoy the benefit of receiving various prizes from BradyGames throughout the season.

“My first strategy guide from BradyGames was for Metal Gear Solid 3, and I have been hooked ever since” explains UF Staff member Andy Rasmussen aka SgtJoeFriday.. He further explains “I especially like to use the guides to go through and see what I missed after I have completed the game. You will be surprised how many different secrets are in a game.” The coming year’s tournament season will include two qualifying tournaments followed by a thirteen week invitational TacMap tournament for Socom: Confrontation on Playstation 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Along with the signature TacMap Tournament Series, Urgent Fury will host league style tournaments throughout the year.

About BradyGames: Headquartered in Indianapolis, BradyGames develops high quality video game strategy guides. The company also produces high-end exclusive Signature Series and Limited Edition guides for leading PC and video game titles. The ultimate online source for video game strategy, BradyGames.com, features BradyGames news, strategy guide updates, video strategy, Strategy E-Guides, walkthroughs and more. BradyGames is an imprint of Dorling Kindersley (DK) within the Penguin division of Pearson plc (NYSE: PSO).

About Urgent Fury: Urgent Fury was founded in 2002 on the motto of “Win with Honor, Lose with Dignity.” With new teams being evaluated on gamesmanship, integrity, and fair game-play during Urgent Fury’s three week evaluation process known as Boot Camp, the community is able to maintain a highly successful tournament arena for like-minded console gamers. Urgent Fury can be found at http://www.urgentfury.com

Exclusive Console Gaming Community Announces 2010 Schedule for Scenario-Based Tournaments

December 2, 2010 Simpsonville, SC: Urgent Fury has released their 2010 season schedule. The coming year’s events will include two qualifying tournaments followed by a thirteen week invitational TacMap tournament. New to the 2010 line-up is Infinity Ward’s latest release, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
To win a coveted spot in Urgent Fury’s signature TacMap Invitational, teams will have to compete in one of two qualifying tournaments throughout the year. Titles featured will be Modern Warfare 2 for both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and Socom Confrontation for Playstation 3. The first qualifying event for Modern Warfare 2 is scheduled for February followed by Socom in April.

Urgent Fury is an online console-gaming community who has built its impeccable reputation by providing unique, intuitive, and exciting scenario-based TacMap style tournaments. Community members all echo the same sentiment, “Competing in Urgent Fury is not only a battle, its an intense, overwhelming experience.” UF co-owner Shane Bell credits Urgent Fury’s success to the “amazing members” that make up the community. “Our members are committed to playing in a cheat-free and respectful environment and do not tolerate any other way.”

Urgent Fury was founded in 2002 on the motto of “Win with Honor, Lose with Dignity.” With new teams being evaluated on gamesmanship, integrity, and fair game-play during Urgent Fury’s three week evaluation process known as Boot Camp, the community is able to maintain a highly successful tournament arena for like-minded console gamers. Urgent Fury can be found at www.urgentfury.com.

Click the image

Vouchers available while supplies last.

Urgent Fury is proud to announce Boot Camp. 

Unlike Hell Week, this is your clan’s opportunity to experience the ins and outs of an actual Urgent Fury tournament.  Boot Camp is also a chance for Urgent Fury Staff and Admins to evaluate your clan’s ability to follow the basic procedures required of a clan to compete in any of Urgent Fury’s intense tournaments.
Each month, orders will be issued to up to 16 new clans each for: 

1. XBOX 360 – Modern Warfare 2
2. Playstation 3 – Modern Warfare 2
3. Playstation 3 – Socom: Confrontation 

Matches will be: 

1. Tuesday and Thursday or
2. Monday and Wednesday

 All clans will be assigned to a Regiment.  Your clan’s regiment will be based on your clan’s assignment orders.

Clans will battle each other and veteran clans for three weeks.  Each week, Staff and Admins will conduct a review and communicate anything that needs to be addressed.  At the end of the three weeks, a final assessment will be made to determine if all basic requirements have been met and that your clan was able to “Win with Honor or Lose with Dignity.”

Get signed up now! 

If you are new to Urgent Fury, go to http://www.urgentfury.com/uf_forum/index.php#24  to pick your console and your game and enlist in the hottest Tournament Community on the WWW.

First Boot Camps are slated to begin December 2009.

Sorry for the late notice but Commander Fury decided to sneak in and put up Episode 53 without me even knowing it…

This week includes:

• UF Sitrep
• Operation Flashpoint
• Email Survey
• And More

Listen now… http://www.urgentfury.com/podcast

If you have not heard, you can listen to the podcasts on the Official Urgent Fury Toolbar as well… http://urgentfurycommand.ourtoolbar.com/

MONDAY 10/5

U attacks TX at Majon-Dong/Flank from Chinhung-Ni/Forward Mon 9:00 PM
101 attacks DK at Fongnyur River/Reservoir from Toktong Pass/Flank Mon 9:30 PM

Tuesday 10/6

U attacks 101 at Changjin Reservoir/Forward from Chinhung-Ni/Forward Tues 9:00 PM
TNU attacks LPK at Changjin River/ Flank from Oro-Ri/Forward Tues 9:00 PM

Wednesday 10/7

cBF attacks U at Yudam-Ni/Forward from Yudam-Ni/Reservoir Wed 9:00 PM
TX attacks TNU at Hudong-Ni/Forward from Majon-Dong/Forward Wed 9:00 PM
S+S attacks DK at Treanway Bridge/Forward from Treanway Bridge/Reservoir Wed 9:30 PM
101 attacks LPK at Changjin River/Forward from Changjin Reservoir/Forward Wed 9:30 PM

Thursday 10/8

T.P attacks TNU at Kot’o-Ri/Flank from Hudong-Ni/Flank Thu 9:00 PM
–> attacks U at Kot’o-Ri/Forward from Kot’o-Ri/Reservoir Thu 9:00 PM
LPK attacks 101 at Toktong Pass/Forward from Fongnyur River/Forward Thu 9:30 PM
DK attacks S+S at Treanway Bridge/Flank from Treanway Bridge/Forward Thu 9:30 PM
SCK attacks T.P at Hugnam/Forward from Hugnam/Reservoir Thu 10:00 PM

Friday 10/9

T.P attacks TX at Hellfire Valley/Forward from Hellfire Valley/Flank Fri 9:00 PM
TNU attacks –> at Kot’o-Ri/Reservoir from Kot’o-Ri/Flank Fri 9:00 PM
DK attacks S+S at Treanway Bridge/Reservoir from Treanway Bridge/Forward Fri 9:00 PM
LPK attacks SCK at Hugnam/Reservoir from Hugnam/Flank Fri 10:00 PM
TNU attacks –> at Kot’o-Ri/Reservoir from Kot’o-Ri/Flank Fri 10:00 PM
TX attacks T.P at Sudong/Flank from Sudong/Forward Fri 10:30 PM

Another week complete and another clan out… Red fell and SCK is not that far behind. But U and TNU are still holding strong with eight territores and TX chasing their tails. Week 4 looks to be a pretty strong week as the attack options are quickly becoming far and few between for many of the clans.

Stay tuned as we post the Week 4 Schedule. Visit www.urgentfury.com/chosin for more info.

Your entry fee will be free when you purchase this Shirt for only $19.95

As many have requested, Urgent Fury has teamed up with Zazzle to offer various apparel and accessories for our community to purchase. So to go one step further, we are now going to reward those that purchase the Horsemen Special Edition Shirt from Urgent Fury with a free entry fee to each individual that picks one up. This is one per person so if only three of the team members purchase the shirts, the fourth will have to pay the regular entry fee. Click on the image above to order now. These shirts are customizable, so you can add your Name, Team Name and more to the shirt.

Well the powerhouse of three is now only one, Defending Champs Uprising has pulled ahead of the pack with eight territories. while Threat Neutralizing Unit suffered their first defeat.

We have four clans that are in critical condition with less than three territories, but we are still sitting at twelve clans battling for the title of “The Chosin Few”.

Check out the TacMap for a look at the clans, www.urgentfury.com/chosin

MONDAY 9/28

U attacks DK at Fongnyur River/Flank from Chinhung-Ni/Forward Mon 9:00 PM
101 attacks TNU at Hudong-Ni/Forward from Hudong-Ni/Reservoir Mon 9:00 PM
cBF attacks TX at Majon-Dong/Forward from Hellfire Valley/Forward Mon 9:00 PM
cBF attacks TX at Funchillin Pass/Flank from Hellfire Valley/Forward Mon 10:30 PM

Tuesday 9/29

TNU attacks 101 at Hudong-Ni/Reservoir from Hudong-Ni/Forward Tues 9:30 PM
LPK attacks S+S at Changjin River/Reservoir from Changjin River/ Flank Tues 9:30 PM

Wednesday 9/30

TX attacks U at Kot’o-Ri/Forward from Majon-Dong/Flank Wed 9:00 PM
S+S attacks DK at Treanway Bridge/Forward from Treanway Bridge/Reservoir Wed 9:00 PM
101 attacks LPK at Toktong Pass/Flank from Toktong Pass/Forward Wed 9:30 PM
cBF attacks T.P at Hellfire Valley/Flank from Hellfire Valley/Forward Wed 10:00 PM
SCK attacks –> at Hugnam/Flank from Hugnam/Reservoir Wed 10:30 PM

Thursday 10/1

RED attacks TNU at Hagaru-Ri/Forward from Hagaru-Ri/Reservoir Thu 9:00 PM
DK attacks LPK at Fongnyur River/Forward from Fongnyur River/Flank Thu 9:00 PM
TX attacks cBF at Hellfire Valley/Forward from Funchillin Pass/Flank Thu 9:30 PM
U attacks 101 at Changjin Reservoir/Forward from Chinhung-Ni/Forward Thu 9:30 PM
TNU attacks RED at Hagaru-Ri/Reservoir from Hagaru-Ri/Flank Thu 10:00 PM
T.P attacks SCK at Hugnam/Forward from Sudong/Flank Thu 10:30 PM

Friday 10/2

S+S attacks U at Yudam-Ni/Flank from Changjin River/Reservoir Fri 9:30 PM
LPK attacks –> at Hugnam/Flank from Changjin River/ Flank Fri 9:30 PM
SCK attacks T.P at Sudong/Flank from Hugnam/Forward Fri 10:30 PM

SATURDAY 10/3

T.P attacks cBF at Hellfire Valley/Reservoir from Hellfire Valley/Flank Sat 9:00 PM
DK attacks S+S at Treanway Bridge/Flank from Treanway Bridge/Forward Sat 9:00 PM

We are 4 clans down and the extra attacks were delt out. Only one clan had the option to take advantage of the extra attack. So we have 3clans that are critical with less than three territories.

TX had their first loss and fell behind U and TNU who now hold seven territories each and hold the lead, but Wednesday TX will attack U for the first time. Will TX have what it takes to break the U winning streak? We will see.

Stay tuned to the forums for the War Reports to see what happens.

[*N*] Natural Selection was formed in Sept 2008. After two years as co-leader of a different clan I, Shadowboxin-, decided that it was time for a fresh start. Myself and a handful of members seized the opportunity when the Confrontation Beta released. We found it to be the perfect opportunity to create something special. With very few players at the start we began building the dream. We have since gone on to recruit some great players/people as well as bring in some old faces. We are currently sitting at 50+ members spread across all five factions. Our great members is what makes our clan so special…

We take great pride in being a mature and honorable clan. We strongly believe in a culture of integrity and discipline. Win or lose, we do so with honor and respect. At the same time we do have a lot of fun and mostly at one anothers expense. We are a sarcastic bunch who enjoy ripping on each other as much as we enjoy playing the game itself. Its always great to come on and to play with this group of guys.

We are a Competitive Gaming Clan and we take part in multiple leagues and tournaments. Our primary home is Urgent Fury but we have been linked to other leagues and tournaments as well. We were the first team to ever complete UF Hell Week and we are a mainstay in all their leagues and tournaments. We have funded participants in both Ronins and our Horsemen team finished in the top four of the inaugural tournament. Our Black record is currently 28-25-1 and we will be taking part in the December 2009 Finals!! We have also been playoff bound in other leagues around the community. We have had success as a clan but unfortunately have not pulled down any Championships. YET!!!

We are always on the lookout for new mature recruits as well. We are currently looking for Socom, MAG and/or Call of Duty players. We do not hold any requirements for K/D and such, but we do hold all players accountable for their actions. We are only looking for mature honorable competitors. We have a miniscule voluntary turnover rate in our clan which means you will definitely find a good home with us.

Special recognition goes to MoRabbit, Ba-Zerk, JLove, Ho99style, and Sal0713 as they have been the architects in helping our clan grow to where it is today!!

Please visit us as a friend or interested recruit at our forums and home page www.naselection.tk. We look forward to seeing you there!!!

We are half way through week 2 and there is Chaos on the battlefields…

We have 2 clans out and one that has only one more chance to stay afloat this week.

But the real story is the Power House 3 way tie between Defending Champions Uprising, Threat Neutralizing Unit and Texas Clan Killaz. All three of these clans are now holding 6 territories and are not holding back.

We have several clans that are in critical condition with less than 3 territories. So stay tuned as next weeks matches will have a twist as some clans have earned an extra attack.

Check out the TacMap to see how your favorite team is doing… www.urgentfury.com/chosin

Also do not forget we have a special edition t shirt available for UF Chosin.

You can personalize this shirt with your name and even clan logo on the front of the shirt. You may also choose from several styles of Shirts and more (additional charges may apply).

Toys ‘R’ Us is sexing it up for Halo 3: ODST – buying it from the retailer between now and Sept. 26 gives you a $20 in-store gift card and an action figure, both free.

This deal is in-store only, unfortunately, so those with no TRU are SOL on ODST. The retailer ran a similar promotion with Batman: Arkham Asylum last month, so who knows, maybe it’s getting much more aggressive as the fall sales season bleeds into winter.

Source: Kotaku.com

Even though it’s shaky and at an angle, it shows clear images of Special Ops at Paris Expo 2009.

Still playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare? Clear your calendars on November 10. In fact, just throw them away, say goodbye to your friends and family, and stock up on ready-to-eat foods and adult diapers. If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 manages to usurp the multiplayer throne from its predecessor – which it’s expected to do – you’re going to need ‘em. It’s an “evolution” of everything you loved about the first game, running at the same gorgeous 60 frames per second.

The evening was sponsored by Microsoft (no surprise given the Modern Warfare 2 console reveal), and it was strictly multiplayer only. We played games of Domination, Assault, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag on the three maps featured in this demo, for a total of four hours of fragging.

Infinity Ward turns “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” on its ear, instead following the lesser-known maxim: “If it works like gangbusters, figure out why and expand on that.” And expand it has. This game is a lot more customizable than the last iteration. For example, instead of just a call sign, which is now expanded to four characters instead of three, you can chose your own emblem and title. Your emblem starts as a pair of dog tags and moves up to rank patches, and as for your title, our favorite was “Accident Prone” which had a pair of crossed crutches on it. These are unlocked as rewards, and there are seven pages of emblems and twenty-two pages of titles. Where will you see this stuff? For example, if someone shoots down an AC-130, their card will appear onscreen – emblems, titles, and all – so you’ll know who to thank.

The multiplayer-enhancing perks are back, but they’ve brought friends. New perks include “Bling” (two primary weapon attachments at the same time, like a red-dot sight and a silencer), “Scavenger” (get a full ammo replenishment from a dead enemy), and “Hardline” (each Killstreak bonus costs 1 kill less). Plus, perks can now be leveled up, making them even perkier. There’s a “Pro” level for each perk, which will extend or improve the chosen skill when you complete a challenge.

Killstreaks get a huge boost as well. In the build we played, if you can make it to 11 kills in a row, you’ll be given command of an AC-130 gunship which you’ll use to rain down pain on your enemies. New Killstreaks include Counter-UAV (jam the enemy radar), Airdrop (drop a crate nearby with a random Killsteak item in it), Sentry Gun (automated turret awesomeness), Predator Missile (a missile that you guide in via a computer screen), and Pave Low, which is an armored assault chopper that’s a lot hardier than the normal chopper.

Back to the customization: You can customize your Killstreaks, picking what gets triggered after a specified number of kills. Want a Counter UAV after four kills? Slot it in. That’s great for anyone good enough to get four kills in a row; however, if you’re better at dying four times in a row than you are at killing, “Deathstreaks” are for you. Deathstreaks give players who keep getting hammered a fighting chance. The ones we saw were Copycat, which lets you “steal” the class and loadout of the player who keeps killing you, and Painkiller which gives you a big health boost the next time you spawn.

Almost all of the weapons in the Campaign mode will be available in the Multiplayer modes, and all of your favorites are back (yes, that includes your beloved M4 Carbine). There’s a new Launchers category, which includes rocket launchers and the “Thumper” grenade launcher (others were locked), and tons of new weapons like Machine Pistols. With the Akimbo perk, you can dual-wield these and a few other smaller weapons. We asked how many guns were in this game, and we were answered with a very definitive “lots,” which we think translates to “more than Modern Warfare 1, thanks for asking.”

There’s a lot more customization with attachments and paints as well. All of the camo skins are back, with some additions, and attachments, including an under-slung shotgun and a heartbeat sensor for the assault rifle, so you can reenact those creepy moments from Aliens. You can also select a Riot Shield as your main weapon, which protects you from most primary fire. It’s wise to crouch while using it though, so you don’t get your feet blown off. You can melee attack with the shield (two hits for a kill), although you’ll have to switch to a secondary to shoot.

There’s also an equipment slot now, which can house a lot more than your normal grenades. You’ll now be able to choose things like Semtex, a throwing knife, tactical insertion (a flare that lets you choose where to spawn), or even a Blast Shield, which protects you from explosives and should cut down on the x3 Perk-enabled ‘nade fests. The Throwing Knife is a nice addition, giving you a ranged one-hit kill if thrown properly. The good news is that if you miss, you can run over and snag it off the ground and use it again.

The three maps we played were:

• High-Rise: Centered around a helipad and air-conditioning station between two towers on a skyscraper. You spawn on opposite sides in offices. We had fun recreating the “Schiess Dem Fenster” scene in Die Hard. This is a smaller map, but contains tunnels, rooftop perches, and lots of nooks and crannies. We noticed nice details like pipes that blow steam if you pop a round into them.
• Favela: A medium-sized map inside a multiple-level ghetto. You can scurry across rooftops, climb from building to building, or use the sidewalks and stairs to get around. Great for Capture the Flag matches; especially with the multiple levels giving you plenty of opportunity to escape, or nail the flag carrier. Sentry Gun perks work great on this map in CTF mode, in effect giving you an extra defender on the flag.
• Afghan: This is a huge map with an enormous crashed airplane in the middle of a valley in the center. The terrain is rocky with a central cave system that has three points of entry, and multiple low-slung buildings with wide windows that make excellent sniper spots. Domination was the best gametype on this map, since all three target points have multiple access points. Also a great spot to launch Predator Missiles onto the heads of unsuspecting enemies as they flee for the cave.

The coup de grace is the new Game Winning Kill Cam, which gives everyone a slow-motion shot of the kill that won the match. Perfect for gloating, or reminding you how badly you screwed up by not checking your six. You’ll also see Accolades at the end of each match, which are mini-rewards based on your performance in the game. For example: Lock’n'Load (most reloads); Lockdown (most time spent in one place); and Defuser (most bombs defused). These appear in the game summary underneath your XP bar.

Testifying to the sensitivity with which Infinity Ward approached the sequel is how, despite all these changes, the game feels both new and familiar at the same time. For example, despite running on the same engine, the graphical advances in Modern Warfare 2 are so varied it looks like a new game: blood spatters appear on your HUD when you’re injured, environmental effects are everywhere, and the character animations are far more varied.

It’s no secret that we enjoyed the first Modern Warfare along with the rest of the entire gaming world, so we expected this game to look and feel good … we just didn’t think it could possibly live up to the hype. From our first four-hour stint (a drop in the ocean, we know) it certainly seems that way. We’ll know for sure when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 hits PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 on November 10.

Source: Joystiq.com