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A leaked inFamous 2 video has hit the net, and it’s nothing but gameplay and electricity. GameTrailers went ahead and put the video up. inFamous 2 is scheduled for 2011. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

BioWare finally released the behind closed doors E3 demo for Star Wars: The Old Republic today. In the video, it shows a group of four players using their abilities to complement one another in the battle; a Jedi Consular, Jedi Knight, Smuggler, and Trooper. It should give you a basic idea of how combat will work in the game, once it finally gets a release next year. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Odds are you were already planning to play some Uncharted 2 this weekend — it’s a great game and with the extra time off due to the holiday, why not? Well, Naughty Dog informs us that this weekend will yield players double the cash, upping the per-match ceiling for earnings to $150,000. Whoever said money can’t buy you happiness clearly never played Uncharted 2. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

See the latest trailer of Call of Duty Black OPS, which was shown at E3 2010. With a scheduled release date of November 2010 the game is still in full development but undisclosed sources over at Activision have stated that “Call of Duty 7 will be set in recent history, between WWII and present day”. Besides this information the sources have also confirmed that some missions will take us to Cuba and South America, hinting again in the direction of a Cold War / Vietnam based game. Also revealed was that in certain missions the players are able to play as a member of SAS (the Special Air Service), the principle special forces unit of the British Army. One of these SAS missions pitches you in close combat during a mission in the Iranian embassy in London during the 1980′s. It has also been confirmed that Call of Duty 7: Black Ops will feature the popular zombie mode, in which players get to shoot down hordes of zombies, a feature that could not be seen in the Infinity Ward produced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. And last but not least, dedicated servers will also be part of the new Call of Duty game, much to the delight of PC gamers across the world. After Activision fired Vince Zampella and Jason West from Infinity Ward, it seems like they are taking yet another step back from the direction they had taken with Modern Warfare 2 by re-adding dedicated servers. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Vanquish’s latest gameplay trailer is here, showing more fast-paced action and plenty of violence. As you’d expect. As you can see, the game, developed by Bayonetta studio Platinum, is as Japanese as you like; producer Atsushi Inaba told us in a recent interview, the studio is hoping this is one shooter that will make its mark in the country. Vanquish releases for PS3 and 360 later this year. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Ignition’s announced that Blacklight: Tango Down will be releasing on Xbox Live Arcade on July 7, or “tomorrow” for the slower of you. The FPS ships with single-player, co-op and multiplayer features, and will cost 1,200 MSP. It also allows you to try “trillions of weapon combinations” in a world that, according to the press release, is “part Blade Runner and part Call of Duty.” Big talk, chief. As for PC and PSN versions, Ignition’s promised they’ll be released “in the coming weeks.” Some PR below. IGNITION ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THIS SUMMER’ S MOST ANTICIPATED FIRST- PERSON SHOOTER IS AVAILABLE TOMORROW (JULY 7) FOR DOWNLOAD ON XBOX LIVE Bringing a AAA multi-player experience to Xbox Live, this futuristic shooter delivers 12 maps, new game types, co-op missions and trillions of weapon combinations – all for 1200 Microsoft Points. Glendale, CA – July 6, 2010 – After months of anticipation and an overwhelmingly positive reception at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Ignition Entertainment announced that BlackLight: Tango Down will be available for download on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft tomorrow (July 7). The futuristic shooter brings non-stop fun and an exhilarating experience to the DLC venue as it offers 12 multiplayer maps, seven game types, four co-op missions and literally trillions of weapon combinations – all for 1200 Microsoft Points. Following its release on XBLA tomorrow, the game will be arriving on PlayStation Network and Games for Windows Live in the coming weeks. In BlackLight: Tango Down, players are equipped with high-tech, futuristic gear that makes combat fascinating and surreal. Its weapon customization system allows for trillions of different configurations that deliver unlimited adaptability and variety of gameplay. Each player is also equipped with a Hyper Reality Visor (HRV), an advanced imaging system in the player’s Heads up Display that detects nearby enemy and friendly forces and relays the information back to players, giving them immediate battlefield intelligence. While the weapon customization system and Hyper-Reality Visor may seem like science fiction, the technology featured in the game isn’t too far from creation in real life. The weapon customization system is based on the core weapons that our soldiers have been using since the 1960’s. The HRV uses cell phone towers and satellites to detect nearby enemy and friendly forces and identifies nearby objectives including health and ammo stations. At this year’s E3, BlackLight: Tango Down stood up against the AAA retail behemoths and received numerous accolades including a Best Shooter Nomination from IGN.com, Best Online Multiplayer Nomination from Machinima.com and BitMob’s Jasmine Rae included the game in her Top Ten Games of E3. The video game is also an introduction to the BlackLight franchise, poised to be one of the next major entertainment properties. As opposed to the traditional way of launching a franchise, through one genre and then expanding to the others after it achieves a certain level of success, BlackLight already has a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox, a comic book and novel that are in development. ABOUT BLACKLIGHT: TANGO DOWN BlackLight: Tango Down is a fast-paced, action-oriented first-person shooter that marks the first release of what will be a multi-platform entertainment franchise. Beyond the video game, a BlackLight feature film from Twentieth Century Fox and comic book series are currently in development. Designed to bring a fun, absorbing, and high quality AAA multiplayer experience to DLG venues, the game exists in a future between contemporary and sci-fi shooters – part Blade Runner and part Call of Duty. Developed by Zombie Studios, BlackLight: Tango Down takes place 25 years into the future. The player takes control of an elite covert ops team that is sent after missing American Colonel Klein and his personal BlackLight team. The game will feature four single player/co-op levels that support up to four players at once, 12 multiplayer maps, seven game types and literally millions of weapons customization combinations. As the team advances through regions that consist of old world architecture over laden with ubiquitous modern holographic advertising, the trigger based dynamic AI offers an intense and varied experience every time the game is played. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

There are new versions of the PlayStation 3 coming, with new hard drive sizes and new colours. And as is custom, they’re hitting Japan first. First things first: in Japan, the PS3 will cease to be made available in 120GB and 250GB sizes, and instead come in 160GB and 320GB versions. These new models will be released in Japan on July 29, and for the first time will see the PS3 Slim available in two colors: the existing black and “Classic White”. The 160GB model will cost Â¥29,980 (USD$340), while the 320GB version will retail for Â¥34,980 (USD$400). As of now, details on this expansion to the PS3 range have been confined to the Japanese market; we’ll update should we hear anything of Sony’s plans for the PAL regions or North America. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Sony announced earlier at E3 a special surround sound system made specifically for the PlayStation 3. Now, a release date for it has just been announced. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ) announced today that the Surround Sound System for PS3 will be released in Japan on September 30, 2010. Details of its release in other territories have not been released yet but we’ll do our best to keep you informed. The Surround Sound System for PS3 will be retailing at 19,800 yen, which is around $199. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Just in case you had forgotten, it has been a month after all, the Resurgence Pack for Modern Warfare 2 hits PC and PS3 today in the US. Now that the 30-day exclusivity to Xbox 360 has passed, those who play on PC and PS3 are privy to five multiplayer maps: Strike and Vacant from CoD4, and Carnival, Fuel, and Trailer Park which are new. The pack will run you $15.00/£10.99 on both systems. PC users in the UK also get it today, while PS3 users will have to wait until tomorrow. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Given the wealth of characters and background in the Transformers universe, we knew it was only a matter of time before downloadable content for Transformers: War for Cybertron was announced despite High Moon keeping mum.* That inevitable announcement has been spoiled a little though by an accidental listing on Xbox LIVE Marketplace that reveals the upcoming DLC characters and maps. The listing has since been taken down from LIVE Marketplace but, as expected, the exclusive pre-order characters of Shockwave, Demolisher, and Jazz are all included in the DLC.* This will likely make some of the people that purchased these characters on eBay for up to a $100 feel a bit foolish.* These three characters will also be joined by the Autobot flyer Scattershot and the Decepticon tank Onslaught.* All five characters will be available in multiplayer and Escalation. Speaking of Escalation, it will also get two much needed maps as well.* As we noted in our review of War for Cybertron, the game came with only two Escalation maps which was a disappointment.* The new maps features “Forsaken” for fighting off Decepticons and “District” for defending against Autobots. But wait, there’s more.* The multiplayer modes will also get two new maps, “Havoc” and “Fortress”.* No details on what these maps will entail. So four new maps, three pre-order characters unlocked for all, and two new characters overall.* No word on release date or price but map packs typically run up to $10.* What do you think of this DLC offering for Transformers: War for Cybertron?* Let us know in the comments below. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Hulu has responded with a lovely mail regarding use of the service on PlayStation Plus. Turns out, you will not be required to be a PS+ member to subscribe to the service, just during the evaluation period. Here’s the mail in full: With the launch of Hulu Plus there have been many rumors started and we are trying our best to remedy the situation. Specifically to your question, the Playstation Plus service is only a requirement during the preview period. Once the preview period ends you should be able to download the Hulu Plus app but that will still require the Hulu Plus subscription. Right now we are limiting the number of users but Hulu Plus will be launching to the public very soon so stay tuned! Good news, then. Announced last week for XBL and PSN,* rumor had it the $9.99 per month service would only be included with PS+, leading folks to conclude it a double fee per month, like Xbox Live. Glad that’s cleared up then. Still no date, but Sony told us last week it would be announced soon. Xbox 360 users get the service in “early 2011 More...

2K has released the official cover art for NBA 2K11 featuring Michael Jordan. Triple tongue action there, to be sure. The art style, featuring a three-panel “iconic image of Jordan”, is a departure from previous NBA 2K titles in order to reflect the significance of having Jordan grace the cover. “We knew as soon as we signed Jordan that we needed to do something special for the cover,” said Jason Argent, marketing VP for 2K Sports. “This could possibly be the most highly anticipated cover art in the history of sports games and we think the image we came up with delivers on every front. “I think fans will be pleasantly surprised at how Jordan is actually used in game, as NBA 2K11 will pay homage to ‘His Airness’ in many ways, but the cover art represented our first chance to stop and honor him along the way.” Jordan was announced as the cover athlete for the game in June. NBA 2K11’s slated for release on October 5 in the US and October 8 in the UK for PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360. Full cover pic below. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Two “new” maps have been added to Battlefield: Bad Company 2, free to Xbox 360 and PS3 players who bought the game new and registered their VIP codes. PC players will unlock the new maps through an in-game patch. Atacama Desert has been added to Rush Mode, while Conquest mode has seen Port Valdez added to the rotation. And when will new (no quotation marks) maps drop into the popular first-person shooter? It’s looking more and more likely that the recently announced Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam expansion (coming “winter 2010″) will be the first add-on to include new terrain. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Posted by Sid Shuman // Senior Social Media Specialist Sand. It gets everywhere. In your undies, in your flip-flops, in your tactical military shooters. In 2K Games’ upcoming PS3 third-person action game Spec Ops: The Line, catastrophic sandstorms have assaulted Dubai and left the City of Gold’s famous gravity-defying skyscrapers entombed under mountains of choking, swirling sand. I sat in on a demonstration of Spec Ops: The Line at the 2010 E3 Expo, and learned more about the game’s improvisational combat and tense atmosphere, as well as the difficult decisions you’ll face as a Delta Force squad leader. The story finds inspiration in the film Apocalypse Now. As Delta Force Captain Martin Walker, your team ventures into the Dubai wastes to track down a distress signal from Colonel John Konrad, who went AWOL following the sandstorms. The fate of Col. Konrad and his men will be revealed as you play, but if you’ve seen Apocalypse Now, you might have some clues about the dark territory this tale will explore. Post-apocalyptic imagery aside, sand plays a key role in The Line’s action mechanics. During the third-person shootouts, you can target barricades and barriers to unleash sand avalanches on top of nearby enemies. Enemies can also exploit the sand traps, so it will pay to keep a close eye on the treacherous, ever-shifting terrain. At times, the action will migrate into the tomb-like skyscrapers that lay beneath Dubai’s suffocating sand dunes. These scenarios are tense and atmospheric, veering closer to survival-horror territory as Cpt. Walker and his men try to piece together the bigger picture while fending off surprise attacks from squatters and survivalists who have reclaimed the ruined city. In firefights, Cpt. Walker can issue commands (flank, advance) to his Delta Force squad mates — though the developers promise that the computer-controlled allies can easily take care of themselves if you’d rather focus on the dirty work. Combat is up close and visceral, with a large arsenal of high-powered military shotguns, rifles, and carbines at your disposal. Other surprises abound, such as a white phosphorus attack on Cpt. Walker’s team that sets an entire city block ablaze and sends fireballs drifting lazily through the air. Your decision-making prowess will also be put to the test during the game. In one scene I saw, Cpt. Walker had to choose between interrupting the execution of an ally or holding fire in order to conceal his presence and succeed in a larger objective. Choosing between what’s “moral” and what’s “necessary” will be a reoccurring theme in Spec Ops: The Line, meaning that your gameplay decisions will have a direct outcome on the characters, relationships, and outcomes of the game. And yes, there will be multiple endings. Spec Ops: The Line hits the PS3 in 2011 and will support multiplayer features, though specifics aren’t public yet. Score: +1 (1 vote cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

It was August 27, 2002. The day that changed my life as a gamer. The day that my mysterious lady was born. She was so mysterious in fact, that her name was an abbreviation. Special Operations COMmand or SOCOM, as I like to call her, was magnificent. And, she had everything. Thanks to the PS2′s nifty Network Adapter, I could play online with 15 of my closest friends (that I’d never met). Her COMs featured a fancy-schmancy voice command system, that was so unique, she came with her very own USB headset. Her COMs also allowed me to voice chat with my team mates during the game, and in the lobby (the first game on the PS2, to do so). I’m talking complete clan support. I could create, and name my clan. And could actually manage my clan (and my Socom friends) online, all with the press of a few buttons. I could even create, customize, and name private rooms. All that, and her crazy third person POV, which allowed me to see how cool I looked as a Navy SeAL, was a match made in Heaven. Every night, for hours at a time. Sometimes until daybreak. I would become a US Navy SeAL. One of the most elite war fighters in military history. And I would hang out with people from all over the world, and play a game that would eventually, become a part of my life. Then, as the years passed, she changed. My mysterious lady had become something else. And, the more she changed, the further I felt from her. Eventually, she became impossible to enjoy.* And our relationship became a string of broken promises. It was over (or so it seemed), and I was heart broken. Don’t get me wrong, I tried to forget her. To just move on. Like others, I was tempted by Modern Warfare. I mean, let’s face it…she was beautiful, with a control scheme & Singleplayer story to die for. But, no matter how great she was….she was no SOCOM. Then, in June, I went to Los Angeles to see her (SOCOM 4 @ E3). I had heard that she was back in good hands (Zipper Interactive), and that she was looking much better. But, I had to see for myself. As soon as I grabbed the DualShock, it was obvious that this was not the SOCOM that I’d grown to hate over the last 2 years.* This was familiar to me. Very close to the game that I fell in love with. The controls just felt like SOCOM. Gone was that #!@%* circle menu. I wasn’t tripping over propane tanks. And there weren’t 9000 birds flying around in a circle (BTW…I never did get that Slant 6…you went through alot of trouble to make those birds, and to make them destructible…but why?). There were stealth kills, air strikes, and “iron sights“. Yes, I said* “iron sights” (finally) in SOCOM 4. In the Singleplayer campaign, you play as Commander Cullen Gray, a NATO Spec Ops officer in command of a 4 person fireteam. The team is comprised of 2 American operators named Schweitzer and Wells. And 2 South Korean operators named Chung and Forty Five. Veteran SOCOM players will recall that Forty Five is one of the original female combatants from the original SOCOM. And, Zipper was sure to point out, that the character is “vital to the story“. The plot of the Singleplayer story plays out over a 6 day period, somewhere in southeastern Asia. With a revamped reticle/crosshair, and a more natural gameplay mechanic, I felt like I had more control over my commando. And, with all-new squad commands (via a very simple D-pad configuration), I felt like I was actually in control of my team, as well. I mentioned the addition of* “iron sights” (classic FPS view, where you actually look down the sights of your weapon while aiming) to SOCOM 4. With this very basic addition, my aim was almost flawless. The cover system took me a second to figure out, but once I did, it was quite helpful overall. While in cover, you can peek and fire, which really helps when you encounter more than one enemy. There was also a noticeable improvement in the accuracy & hit detection departments. For instance, if I shot a tango in the foot, he fell to the ground, holding his foot. If I shot him in the arm, he lost use of that arm. If I scored a headshot, he didn’t do anything else, ever. A new “single button” grenade mechanic (again…finally), with an improved “arc” & blast radius, make frag grenades user friendly again. And of course, Sprint & Melee’ are still part of the control scheme, with the buttons mapped out a la’ COD/MW (L3/R3 respectively) . Visually, the game looks wonderful. While COD/Modern Warfare still wears the GFX crown, SOCOM 4 gives the franchise a noticeable (and much needed) face-lift. The lighting seemed much more natural. Textures & backgrounds looked much deeper, and the cutscenes came off like “reality television“, complete with the live feel of a “shaky” cam. Sonically speaking, the audio in the demo was spectacular. Authentic “battle chatter“, and combat SFX only add to the robust gunplay. Apart from the single-player mode, the game will also feature an online mode which supports up to 32 players, and has been described as an “an all new experience” by Zipper. But, we’ll just have to wait, as no further details about the Multiplayer mode were made available by Zipper @ E3. All in all, I know that there will be SOCOM purists, who will still try to find eveything wrong with SOCOM 4. But, the one thing I took from this brief encounter with my old flame, is that she seems to be back, and maybe…just maybe…a little better. And, while any intel regarding Multiplayer is still tightly under wraps, if the Singleplayer mode is any indication….there just might be a future for me & my beloved SOCOM after all. ~V~ Score: +1 (1 vote cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

American? Want exclusive stuff when you pre-order Halo: Reach? Do it at GameStop. Living the Spartan dream. When you buy the Bungie shooter from the retailer, you get two exclusive pieces of armour: a Spartan Recon helmet with the Visor/Blast Shield and Multi-Threat Mjolnir Mark V( Armor. Hear that? The sound of Halo nerds gushing with delight. But there’s more. Bungie announced yesterday it was bringing back old-school multiplayer map Blood Gluch. The map was on the disc for Halo 1 and Halo 2, but not Halo 3’s multiplayer. Watch the reveal for it below via a new episode of popular machinima Red vs Blue. Halo: Reach releases worldwide on September 14 for 360. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Rockstar’s announced four new Red Dead Redemption DLC packs for release on PSN and Xbox Live Marketplace beginning next month. The first pack, Legends and Killers, includes nine new multiplayer maps, eight new multiplayer characters, and a new weapon called the Tomahawk for single-player and multiplay. Liars and Cheaters is the next pack, which includes Attack and Defend competitive multiplayer mode and challenges, new horse races in MP with “mounted combat,” as well as the chance to “play as the heroes and villains of Red Dead Redemption,” plus an additional eight multiplayer characters. The pack also includes multiplay versions of poker and Liars Dice, as well as a new weapon: the Explosive Rifle. Third up is the Free Roam pack, which includes “additional Free Roam challenges,” new defensive placements and action areas, posse scoring, leaderboards and anti-griefing features. The last bit of content, Undead Nightmare, includes a “Brand new single-player adventure, challenges and quests,” as well as eight zombie multiplayer skins, “additional animals unleashed in the world,” and more. Except for Legends and Killers, which is due at the beginning of next month, the other packs are without dates, although Rockstar said DLC releases will continue into autumn. All new content also comes with new Achievements or Trophies, and will run you 800 MSP/$9.99 each. “We want to continue to provide Red Dead Redemption’s fans with a steady supply of innovative new content,” said Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser. “Our goal is to continue to pack as much entertaining gameplay and as many surprises as we can into the massive world of Red Dead Redemption over the coming months.” The game’s first DLC pack, Outlaws to the End, added co-op when it released last month on PSN and XBL. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Guerrilla has released E3 gameplay videos for Killzone 3 showing off melee and jetpack goodness. Watch the lot below. The first one shows a squad making a assault on a Helghast prison, and it looks to be a harrowing air raid indeed. A second video demonstrates the Brutal Melee System in action, by showing the player beating a Helghast in the face with the butt of his rifle before sticking a knife in its throat. Awesome. Last, and certainly not least, you get to see some leaping action as a player goes airborne with a Helghast jetpack. It’s all very cool, no doubt. Killzone 3 is slated for PS3 sometime in February 2011. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

505 Games and Russian developer Biart Studio have unveiled a new third-person shooter with a unique cover system: specifically, everything is covered with water. Most of the action in Deep Black takes place underwater, with players navigating the depths with “specialized underwater jet packs with integrated harpoons, mini submersibles and other high tech equipment.” But it’s not all swimmin’ and shootin’ — 505 promises a storyline with “complex science-fiction mystery, espionage, and bio-terror.” Deep Black is expected to surface in Q1 2011, joining Naughty Bear and Backbreaker as part of 505 Games’s growing PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 lineup. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Sony has revealed that PS3 owners will be getting two new 3D Firmware upgrades this year – with the first, Blu-ray related fix in September. “In September this year, we’re launching another Firmware upgrade – and this one is going to upgrade the PS3 to support Blu-ray movies in 3D,” said Hocking. “Again, you won’t have to do anything – just connect your PS3. For the film market that’s a very significant event. “Then later in the year – we’re not going to date it yet – the PS3 is going to support 3D photos. Of course the popularity of 3D isn’t just going to come from movies and games. There’s 3D cameras on the market, there’s 3D camcorders coming on the market in the next 12 months as well, and 3D broadcasts. “Crucially for us, PlayStation 3 will be able to store all types of 3D content. And we can do this through properly upgrading the Firmware on the platform.” Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Ubisoft’s put up the first trailer for Tom Clancy’s HAWX 2. Give it a watch after the break. The trailer shows the HAWX in a mission in the Persian Gulf after one of their own gets shot down over enemy lines. It also shows off what appears to be some real-time footage as well as pre-rendered cut-scenes. Give it a watch below[/url]. HAWX 2 releases this fall for PS3, 360, Wii and PC. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Legal proceedings between Activision and Infinity Ward moved forward yesterday, with lawyers for the Infinity Ward Employee Group filing an amendment to the lawsuit. New Allegations According to court documents dug up by Kotaku, the amendment adds new claims and also reduces the amount being sought by the Infinity Ward Employee Group, which is made up of former and current employees of the developer. The new claims outlined in the amendment paint Activision as a “Police State”, with the firm placing guards at doors and exits, breaking promises, and conducting “secret interrogations” of employees. It also claims higher-ups not only threatened, but tried to coax employees into creating the next Modern Warfare game by holding the over $54 million dollars in bonuses for ransom. Former employees stated in the addendum what happened to the appropriated bonuses, and lowered the original suit price of half a billion dollars down to $216 million for punitive damages and unpaid bonuses. Breach of contract The Infinity Ward Employee Group, made up of approximately 40 former and current employees of the developer, banded together in April 2010 to file a lawsuit against Activision for half a billion dollars, alleging breach of contract and unpaid royalties. According to the suit filed with Activision, had the publisher not fired Jason West and Vince Zampella, withheld the promised bonuses, and not created a hostile work environment with a “Police State” atmosphere, the employees would not be suing and those who left the firm would have instead stayed on. In March, Activision paid 40 percent of the bonuses owed to the Modern Warfare 2 team, but according to the Infinity Ward Group, it withheld the rest until Modern Warfare 3 was completed and shipped by November 2011. The employees also state that after a meeting with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, they were assured by him all bonus money owed would be paid at the end of the month. The suit claims this did not happen, and when some brought this to the attention of Thomas Tippl in April, they were told by the CFO to “Get over it”. “We had no choice”* but to fire West and Zampella Back in May, during a financial call to investors, CEO Bobby Kotick told analysts and share holders Activision “had no choice” but to terminate Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vincent Zampella’s employment. “We felt we had no choice but to terminate the Infinity Ward executives. There was no gray area, as talented as they might have been”, said Kotick. “There was nothing that would have allowed us to retain them, we did this to protect the company’s assets and the interest of our shareholders.. “The decision to terminate the two executives was not done lightly, and was not done to deprive them of their bonuses. Nor was it done without a great deal of deliberation about the consequences. I personally considered [West and Zampella] friends. Their conduct was a compromise of our friendship, which was equally disappointing”. In March, Jason West and Vince Zampella filed a lawsuit against Activision, separate from the one filed by the Infinity Ward Employee Group, seeking $36 million in unpaid royalties and* full control of the Modern Warfare brand. Activision in turn filed a countersuit against West and Zampella. After being terminated from Activision, West and Zampella went on to form Respawn Entertainment which signed a deal with Activision rival Electronic Arts, subsequently gaining former Infinity Ward employees in the process. The contract with the firm provides Respawn with full control over intellectual properties it creates under EA Partners, and provides publishing and distribution rights to its games for the foreseeable future. A hearing is set While both lawsuits against Activision are separate from one another, on August 5, a judge will determine whether both will be consolidated into one trial. An initial trial date was set for May 23, 2011 – two weeks before E3 2011 – but it may be changed once the judge has a chance to mull over the pending suits. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Pacific Crest analyst Evan Wilson has said Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops is accumulating pre-orders faster than Modern Warfare 2. According to the analyst, the game could move 12 million units during the holiday season, giving it a 20 percent increase over his previous holiday estimate of 10 million units for the title. Wilson changed his projection after speaking with Pacific Crest retail contacts, which cited more preorders for Black Ops than MW2 this time last year. However, Wilson said with each Call of Duty title setting sales records with each release along with excellent long-tail sales, the trend ended with Modern Warfare 2. Wilson said Black Ops is unlikely to have as long of a tail as MW2 due to “competition, weaker marketing, and the Infinity Ward situation”. Guess we’ll see what happens when November rolls around. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

PlayStation Plus subscribers get the chance to receive each episode of Qore with their subscription and this isn’t making some people happy. Since they aren’t Qore subscribers, they will miss out on special deals if Qore offers any for subscription based users only – like early beta access. Some Qore subscribers are now wanting a credit or refund if they upgrade their PSN account to Plus. Sony has released an official statement on this issue. When asked about the idea of a credit or refund for existing Qore subscribers who upgrade to Plus, Sony’s Sid Shuman responded: “The official statement is: there’s no plan at this time to offer a credit or refund.” As of now, PlayStation Plus offers a lot of additional content and discounts on a variety of PSN items, with it likely to grow much grander over time. Qore subscribers who upgrade to Plus may feel like they are losing out on by receiving Qore through the Plus subscription, but by having a subscription through Qore, you can gain access to betas and other forms of early access that won’t be available to Plus-only subscribers. Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...

Sony Online’s Terms of Service was recently updated to warn users of the new dangers that PlayStation 3 poses to them and their loved ones: the harmful effects associated with prolonged viewing of a 3D display. The terms specify “discomfort (such as eye strain, eye fatigue or nausea)” as one of the unpleasant side effects. (Click past the jump to see the full cautionary addendum.) Additionally, the update warns parents of children under the age of six to consult a doctor before allowing them to play 3D games. Why? Because their tiny brains can’t handle all the non-stop, in-your-face action that the extra dimension provides. (Also, because it’s bad for their eyes, apparently.) Terms of Service update: “Some people may experience discomfort (such as eye strain, eye fatigue or nausea) while watching 3D video images or playing stereoscopic 3D games on 3D televisions. If you experience such discomfort, you should immediately discontinue use of your television until the discomfort subsides.</p>“SCEA recommends that all viewers take regular breaks while watching 3D video or playing stereoscopic 3D games. The length and frequency of necessary breaks may vary from person to person. Please take breaks that are long enough to allow any feelings of discomfort to subside. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor. “The vision of young children (especially those under six years old) is still under development. SCEA recommends that you consult your doctor (such as a pediatrician or eye doctor) before allowing young children to watch 3D video images or play stereoscopic 3D games. Adults should supervise young children to ensure they follow the recommendations listed above.” Score: 0 (0 votes cast) Urgent Fury Command: More...