IAMfourzerotwo

from www.youtube.com posted with vodpod

I have another community created video for you, this one comes as the debut episode to a new Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Machinima Series entitled ‘Retaliation’ brought to you by Sgt. Padrino. This episode, entitled ‘Calm’, follows a squad of US Marines behind enemy lines in the aftermath of an attack on a British S.A.S. training facility. Follow the squad in the attempt to secure a target linked to the bombing, only problem is, the Pentagon wants him alive.

Be sure to keep tabs on the series as it progresses and watch the original and higher quality videos of it at it’s Machinima homepage here:
http://www.machinima.com/film/view&id=25388

The Variety Map Pack DLC and patch required to add the maps to the game have went to Certification at Sony last night. We’re shooting for a worldwide simultaneous release, so all users can expect to have it at the same general time frame when it finishes certification. We’re working to see if we can secure a firm release date to pass along to you guys now, and I’ll post that as soon as I have it.

In addition the map pack should be hitting the PSN store around the same time the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year Edition for PS3 hits store shelves. I will have exact details on the GOTY edition, release dates, and more hopefully this week as they’re being finalized.

Heads Up: In light of the map pack taking down Marketplace for a good chunk of time during Friday’s launch of the DLC and hence putting a hold on a lot of gaming time for Friday we’ve decided to extend Double XP until Tuesday morning, allowing you another whole 24 hours to rank up.

Come Tuesday morning Double XP will be gone for good and the new maps will be added to ALL playlists, so get your last bit of XP whoring in and try to reach that level 55 of the prestige you promised you wouldn’t do again before you realized it was double XP!

Just a heads up that it looks like Marketplace is back on it’s feet and running as normal. You should have no problem buying or redeeming the new Variety Map Pack. If you tried yesterday when it was down and received an Invalid Code error, be sure to retry today with the same code. If you received the Error Message that your code was already used while it was down yesterday, just attempt to re-download it via the “Download Maps” option in-game or on the marketplace.

Meanwhile, we’ve been preparing for the launch of the new maps on the PS3 as well via PSN. So we should have details on that in the near future (hopefully next week). I’m in the process of setting up some Play with the Devs games as well as looking into other similar things we can just like the launch of the map packs on Xbox 360. Please don’t feel ignored if every platform isn’t mentioned in each post, a lot goes into every release (especially something as big as a map pack release), so typically when I post I’m focused at the subject at hand specifically.

Luckily though it’s getting to that time for the PS3 to be the focus for a while with the launch of the Game of the Year Edition on PS3, the Variety Map Pack hitting PSN, and setting up some launch weekend events for you guys when the maps hit.

As I said we are getting close to having official details on exact release dates and info on the GOTY Edition for PS3 hitting stores worldwide, as well as when you can expect the Map Pack to be up on PSN for download. That’s my main focus for next week.

On the PC side of things the Patch is in queue to finish internal QA for release. The Community Mapping Content has come to an end and we’ll be putting out an open call for all the maps you guys have created to be submitted as well as releasing details on the prizing and how the winning maps may be showing up. We have some awesome prizing I’m anxious to finalize and announce to you guys. I’ve been keeping tabs on the Beta / Released maps in the Mapping forums on Infinityward.com and there are some great ones.

In addition to that details are being finalized as to getting the map pack to the PC users as well. I can’t speak specifics just yet as everything is being cemented now, but it sounds like good news.

Let me know if you guys have any questions or concerns in the meantime, but it sounds like next week is going to be the most informative when it comes to what’s shaping up on the PS3 and PC side of things.

Error messages getting you down? Don’t worry, we’re aware and we’ve made Microsoft aware as well. It seems that the rush of people attempting to download the new Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4 that went live today at 6:30 AM has caused some users currently attempting to download the maps to receive the message:

“Can’t retrieve information from XBOX LIVE, please try again later. Status Code: 8015000a”

As I said, no need to worry, yo shit ain’t broke. There’s just a large number of people hitting Xbox Live to download the new maps. You’ll probably be able to wait it out as more people get the maps today, but just in case we’ve made sure to let our friends at Microsoft know and as always they’re already addressing.

*UPDATE*

For those of you attempting to redeem tokens while Xbox Live Marketplace is down, it will say that your code is ‘INVALID’ even though it may not be. Don’t worry though, this doesn’t mean your screwed, it just means Xbox Live Marketplace is down. If it lets you start the download, and then says your code is already used, then you will still be able to re-download the Map Packs for free when Xbox Live Marketplace is back up.

If I get word that Marketplace is back up and running I’ll be sure to pass it on so you guys can re-download or redeem your token as needed

*Update 2*

I’ve been attempting to download the maps via Token on another Xbox just so I can keep tabs on how it’s going. I kept getting Invalid Code w/ the option to Try Again. Just kept hitting Try Again until it eventually went through. Now downloading at 15% finished. So keep trying if you get invalid code, it’ll go through eventually.

Hey Everyone –

As you know, the Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare went up on Xbox Live at 6:30 AM this morning. I wanted to give you the details on how it all works for now and how it’s all going to work in a couple of days.

Once you’ve downloaded the maps you’ll notice two new playlists:

Variety Team Deathmatch

Variety Team Objective

These two playlists will only contain the new map packs on the Team Deathmatch and Objective gametypes, and is currently the only place you can play the new maps. Players on these two new playlists may be able to grab some extra XP this first weekend, so keep your eye on it closely.

DON’T WORRY THOUGH, I already know what you’re thinking…”but I want to play all the gametypes on the new maps!”… and you will; because over the upcoming days the new maps will also be added to all other playlists and gametypes. This will allow people to get some gametype on the new maps right out the gate and get familiar with them on the more popular gametypes without dividing the community in half. Over the next few days as more and more people download the maps and join in, the maps will start showing up in the map rotation for all playlists.

So in short:

New Maps are in the Variety playlists.

In the upcoming days the new maps are going to be added to the rotation of all the playlists.

Let me know if you guys have any questions or problems, meanwhile ENJOY THE MAPS and I’ll see you online!

from www.gametrailers.com posted with vodpod

Looks like the official release time for the new Variety Map Pack DLC for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is going to be 6:30 AM PST Friday morning. It’s currently 11:47 PM Thursday night at the time of this posting, so only 6 more hours to go before we can jump on the new maps. To go along with the news of the exact release time, Gametrailers has posted up two new videos that we shot yesterday at the Infinity Ward studios about the map pack. There should be one more in the pipeline for Chinatown, meanwhile enjoy the new Broadcast and Creek videos where I lay out some of my favorite strategies for the new maps as well as a general overview of what you can expect after 6:30 AM when the maps are available for download via Xbox Live!

from www.gametrailers.com posted with vodpod

In addition to the map packs hitting, I hear there may be a little extra XP up for grabs this weekend when playing on the new maps. So I’ll definitely be online this weekend to play the new maps.

from www.gametrailers.com

Despite what the internet might tell you (including some “official” sources), the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare variety map pack has NOT been delayed until the 10th. As of right now we’re pushing certification for an on-time release for April 3rd or 4th. As of right now though, I’m being told that it’s a good chance it will be released worldwide (except for Japan) tomorrow night / early-Friday morning.

With that said, we also have a new video up on Gametrailers that show off the new maps in action, so check it out above.

For those of you asking when you should take off work, I’d take off Friday, as it looks like they should be available late Thursday night / early Friday morning, which means Friday you should be able to play all day. Also, those of you who have tokens already (either from Game of the Year edition or won them at the Gamestop event we held) you’ll be able to use them as soon as the Map packs are available on Xbox Live.

Update for those of you who bought the Game of the Year Editions:

I see a lot of questions for those of you who have the Game of the Year Editions and visited http://gameoftheyear.callofduty.com/ where all the April 10th delay date rumors spawned from. However, I wanted to let you know that I am currently working to get that changed so that it reflects the correct release date of the maps (April 4th) as well as allows users who buy the GOTY edition to redeem their code for a token as soon as the maps are available (on April 4th) instead of April 10th. I hope that clears up any confusion and I will keep you updated if anything changes, but I wanted to let you know I’m working to make sure you’re taken care of.

We’ve touched down in New York and are held up in Hotel Chandler getting ready to head over to the Gamestop on Broadway to check out the set up for the Variety Map Pack hands-on event tomorrow. Before that though I made sure we took advantage of being on the East Coast and hunted down the first White Castles we could find to score a Crave Case of cheeseburgers.

Once we finished up destroying the Crave Case we stopped by the Gamestop location to check out the early set-up process. The first few hundred attendees will snag a token to download the new Map Pack for Free next week on Xbox 360. Along with that we’ll be hosting a tournament on the new maps tomorrow a the Gamestop here in New York where players can win a $1000 in Giftcards to Gamestop as well as some other prizing and swag including Call of Duty 4 Dog Tags to those in line, and a more swag.

If you’re in the area check out the details below, I’ll be there the entire time tomorrow hanging out and playing the new maps. Don’t forget we also have the same event going down in San Jose, CA for our West Coast players:

Be sure to sign-up and get all the details on Gamestop’s page:

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/cod4ftp/default.asp

Locations:

New York
3/28/08, 9:00PM - 12:00AM
Store# 1363 33rd/Broadway
1282 Broadway
New York, NY 10001
(212) 967-9070

San Jose
3/28/08, 8:30PM - 11:30PM
Store #812 San Jose
3580 Stevens Creek Blvd
San Jose, CA 95117
(40 261-9011

We’re heading back over to the Gamestop now to load up the new Maps and test them out to ensure all is good to go tomorrow evening. We’ll try to snag some more photos and will be sure to report back tomorrow to let you know how it all went down. Looking forward to meeting those of you who emailed me or let me know you’ll be there tomorrow night!!

Some more photos…

The epic opening of the long awaited crave case we walked miles to get and another shot of the Gamestop being set-up. If we snap some more photos tonight when testing out the new maps and set-up I’ll post them up here.

Since details on the maps have been pretty scattered throughout the internet, I thought I’d give you guys a comprehensive breakdown of each map in the upcoming Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare along with some suggestions on gametypes, classes, and a few more screenshots to look over; all in one location. For those of you who don’t know, these maps will be hitting in April and will be 800 MS Points (same pricing for PSN). Along with the map pack will be a few minor changes to the game, including a tweak to Clan Tags to re-allow special characters.

Individual DLC Map Descriptions:

Broadcast
Its size and alternating routes make “Broadcast” great for large team games. A large, multi-story television station with plenty of window vantage points creates the perfect setting for floor-to-floor combat. The station is surrounded by extensive outdoor areas consisting of a long parking lot, surrounding buildings with sniping hiding spots and side-rooftop access to the top and bottom floors of the television station.

Creek
A large wide open village in the woods, “Creek” consists of heavy foliage, great for sniper cover: a deep ravine offers an excellent vantage point for ambushes; an underground cave offers an alternate evasion route; and various multi-floor houses populate a patchwork of connected farmland. This extensive open map is great for snipers with plenty of natural coverage consisting of rocks and trees. There are various routes for advancement from both high and low vantage points over and underneath the hillsides. Another great map for large team games.

Chinatown
A modern revision of the classic Call of Duty “Carentan” map, “Chinatown” takes players to the foggy downtown district of a Chinatown. A night time setting, the cityscape is well lit by the full moon and the glow of brightly colored lanterns and neon lights from local businesses. This district offers a variety of open-street and interior settings, perfect for fire fights throughout the connected roads, courtyards, antique shops and markets within it. Great for all game types and players.

Killhouse
“Killhouse” is an enclosed warehouse made of plywood structures, mock-ups and speed-run courses used for training, creating the right mix of obstacles for small team games or free-for-alls with a variety of soft and hard cover points spread throughout the entire ground level

I’ll be in New York this week for an event Gamestop is hosting which will allow you to get some early hands-on time playing the new DLC maps coming out for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as well as celebrating the launch of the new Game of the Year Edition of the game! If you’re in either New York, NY or San Jose, CA you can be one of the first players ever to play on the new maps as well as win gift cards, swag, and other goods for winning the on-site tournament.

If you get there early we’re giving out tokens to the first attendees so that they can download the new map packs for free as well as handing out swag all night, hanging out, and playing the new maps. I’m pretty sure the prizing at each location varies but I heard talk of some high dollar gift cards to Gamestop specifically. Check out the details on the two locations below.

As I said I’ll be at the 2-story Gamestop in New York at Time Square hanging out, talking with people and playing the maps, so if you’re in New York be sure to say hey. Our Lead Multiplayer Designer Todd Alderman will be heading to San Jose for the California event as well as sending a crew to London for a special press / promotional event over there as well.

Be sure to sign-up and get all the details on Gamestop’s page:

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/cod4ftp/default.asp

Locations:

New York
3/28/08, 9:00PM - 12:00AM
Store# 1363 33rd/Broadway
1282 Broadway
New York, NY 10001
(212) 967-9070

San Jose
3/28/08, 8:30PM - 11:30PM
Store #812 San Jose
3580 Stevens Creek Blvd
San Jose, CA 95117
(40 261-9011

The new Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which is scheduled to be released on Xbox Live in the first week of April (3rd or 4th), was sent off to certification at Microsoft today. The map pack is going to be bringing four new maps to the game with the addition of Creek (seen above), Broadcast, Killhouse, and Chinatown (seen below) which is a modern-revision of the classic Carentan from past Call of Duty games.

Along with the new maps next week, we took this opportunity to slip in a change to the Clan Tags in the game along with a few other minor fixes. We heard your cries and will be tweaking the Clan Tags with this DLC patch (which adds support for the new maps). The new Clan Tag update will re-allow you to use special characters in your clan tags, but still prevents the exploit which allowed images (like Left Thumbstick and button images). Thanks to everyone who sent us feedback related to Clan Tags since the feature patch!

While the maps will be hitting Xbox Live the first week of April, PS3 users will STILL be getting the map packs, however it’ll be a little later (21 days later approximately) before they’ll be available on PSN for the same price. Right now plans for the PC version are unannounced but we are working to bring PC users the same content in the future, however logistics are being worked out on how to make that happen.

We also have a cool DLC Hands-on event going on in California, New York, and London I’ll be posting more about today.  Sorry for the slow blog posting week, I’ve been slammed preparing for the release of the DLC, press, and upcoming events for it so I apologize if it’s taken longer than normal to post, or get back to your comments / emails!

Hey Everyone –

The PS3 Feature Patch for European / Oceania players has hit today. Thank you to SCEE for all their work getting that out as fast as they can. I saw a lot of unjustified flaming on the boards of this last night since the US patch hit. I want to make it clear that SCEE did everything by the book and was able to get the patch out to the EU players as quickly as was feasibly possible so let’s cut them some slack. Regretfully we’re all on different timezones, so when the patch came up for release the US was still in the working hours and was able to get it out immediately while in UK time it was much later in day and not feasible for them to release immediately in line with the US timezone. Hopefully everyone understands that as I hate to see someone take slack for something that was out of their control, credit is due for them working so hard to get this out to you guys as quickly, I think an overnight turnaround from the US patch is comendable with the time zones.

That said, the patch is out for US / EU / Oceania users so you can enjoy the new kill cams, recently met players, mute options and more.

That’s right… just received word from Sony that they are on the final stages of certifying the PS3 Feature patch and will be definitely be seeing it go live to users this week and I may be getting an update as soon as tonight as to the exact time to expect it. I’m thinking you’ll be able to enjoy all the new features as soon as the next few days, but I’ll update you with I have a firm answer on that.

But the official word is, it’s coming this week for sure, possibly very soon.

I love getting sent user made videos and this is by far my favorite of the week. This video from Serpento99 on YouTube features a music video consisting completely of music created by gun fire in the game. Nice work man, really nice work.

from www.youtube.com posted with vodpod