“We’ve a fantastic game and a fantastic marketing campaign so our ambition is to set another record like we did with Modern Warfare 2,” Call of Duty general manager (EU) Michaël Sportouch told MCV.

“The resources invested behind Black Ops in terms of development of the game and the marketing are the highest ever for Activision. Our ambition is not only to be the biggest game but also the biggest entertainment launch of the year,” he continued.

“We’ve a 60-second ad during the England vs. Bulgaria match, which is our first mainstream communication around Black Ops in the UK. From there it’s going to be non-stop.”

Wow, Black Ops… big stuff, eh? Oh, here’s the newly released multiplayer trailer for Black Ops. It’s awesome. Also, check out our CoD: Black Ops preview here.

The next game in this revered series, Call of Duty: Black Ops, is being developed by Treyarch, the creators of Call of Duty 3 and Call of Duty: World at War. Though their experiences with the franchise have been nothing out of the ordinary, they seem adamant to deliver perfectly this time around. The multiplayer, as if compensating for the lacklustre multiplayer of Modern Warfare 2, looks brilliant this time around. And for those who’re thinking Black Ops will be just another ordinary CoD game, check this out. Black Ops will be typical Call of Duty, based on a script written by Infinity Ward back in 2003. And not only that, Activision have announced that they have spent more money on Call of Duty: Black Ops than on any other game they’ve ever made, even more than Modern Warfare 2, which was previously their biggest game ever.

Not only are they improving upon what faults Modern Warfare 2 and the previous CoD games had, they’re also retaining some fun things from their previous Call of Duty title, World at War. The popular Zombie mode is making a return. And the special editions look great too.

But the question still remains: just how good will Black Ops be? Will it deliver as well as the developers are saying it will? Will it truly be the best CoD game ever, better even than Modern Warfare? Or will it simply fail to live up to all expectations? Will Black Ops be Call of Duty’s return to form, after the panned (by players, not critics) Modern Warfare 2? Let’s take a look.

Our Expectations From The Single Player

Plot

The stories have always been good in Call of Duty games. Though most of the times they have been typical shooter stories, just ways to pit the players into intense action sequences and dramatic cinematic firefights, they have never been forgettable or lacklustre. The story of Modern Warfare comes to mind when one thinks of good CoD storylines. The story provided for excellently presented, fast paced, relentless action sequences, and several moments in the game sent a chill down our spines.

Modern Warfare had an excellent, compelling narrative with mind-blowing action-packed sequences

Seeing as Black Ops is based on a story written by Infinity Ward back in 2003, there can be no question that players will be treated to the same kind of action-packed narrative and intense, breathtaking levels driven forward by a truly compelling story. Set in the Cold War the game takes place in several locations, like the Ural Mountains, Laos, Cuba, and Vietnam. Some main characters from Call of Duty: World at War, like Reznov, will make a return in Black Ops, thus making it a direct sequel to Treyarch’s previous CoD title.

Prepare to get blown away with the game’s breathtaking story and the exhilarating, fast-paced sequences as we take the role of black ops operatives and get involved in missions behind enemy lines.

The Game Looks Spectacular So Far

Just look at that video and tell me you’re not excited about Call of Duty: Black Ops. With cave exploration, melee fights, tense gunfights, spectacular gunplay, cool explosions, blowing up of entire sections of a forest, enemy choppers and encampments, and aerial combat, Call of Duty: Black Ops looks to be one of the most impressive shooters in the market till date. I mean, what more does one want in a shooter? It has everything! Not only that, the visuals are astoundingly detailed, and the sound effects provide for an involving background.

Even the water looks great. Like there’s this level in which we are trapped in a chopper underwater. We have to break out of our vehicle, swim through the murky water, with dead bodies floating all around you, and sneak into the enemy encampments to blow up their hideouts. All the while, the framerate never really stuttered, in spite of the fact that the screen had to handle a lot of firefights, explosions, and tiny little details like blood and debris.

Link's Crossbow Training! No, not really.

Black Ops will be featuring several things that are new to the Call of Duty series, like the Dragon Breath gun, Ballistic Knives and a Crossbow, with alternative explosive ammunation (thanks, Wikipedia). This time around, the player will also be able to pilot different kinds of air-bound vehicles, ranging from the likes of an SR-71 Blackbird to a hind helicopter.

Black Ops sure looks spectacular, but what good would a Call of Duty game be without the multiplayer?

The Multiplayer

That is the first, and the last (till now) multiplayer footage released for Call of Duty: Black Ops- and it looks nothing short of mind blowing. It’s quite hard to put my finger on what exactly I think is so good about Black Ops’ MP. It must be the fast-paced gunplay, or the strategising of weapons selection to kill of your enemies. Or is it just the sheer excitement and thrill that one gets while playing the MP mode in any CoD title? Either way, I’m excited. Not only does the multiplayer mode improve heavily upon Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, it also adds several new features and tweaks that will definitely make this the most replayable Call of Duty title out there.

Vehicular sections for the MP mode will make a return, and thankfully, the handling will have improved upon that in World at War’s multiplayer. PC gamers will enjoy the return of features like lean, and dedicated servers, something that Modern Warfare 2 did not feature. An all new version of Create-a-Class, “Create-a-Class 2.0″ will allow for much more customizable perks and as well as appearance items. Primary weapons can now be customized extensively, and not only can players add custom writings and decals to any parts of their weapons (along with the usual attachments), they can even change the aiming point for their weapons.

Black Ops will also introduce all new killstreaks, adding to the depth and addictiveness of the gameplay. The likes of napalm strike, a guided missile and an RC explosive car will be included. Four Nazi Zombie maps will also be available to those who get the Limited Editions of the game. Players will also be able to record their multiplayer matches, and share them online with their friends.

A four player co-op mode will also be available.

To say the least, the multiplayer looks amazing. Not only does it completely make up for the glitchy and buggy multiplayer mode we were given in Modern Warfare 2, it also completely trounces any other MP mode, and blows all competition out of the water. The same thrilling online matches, without any bugs and glitches, and all these new additions will be paradise for all Call of Duty lovers.

So… Just How Good Will It Be?

This much is clear: living up to the name of Call of Duty is no joke. The series is one of the most prestigious franchises out there, and boasts of titles as influential as Call of Duty and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Not only that- Call of Duty games are known to have the best online modes in the market. And with so much to live up to, each new CoD game is threatened to be overrun my overhype and anticipation. But each time, the franchise delivers, and excellently at that. Even Modern Warfare 2, which is known to have a short single player campaign and a glitchy MP mode, is a good game on all grounds. Definitely, then, Black Ops will be no different. And with all the new things Treyarch have been claiming, and the new features that have been announced, Black Ops looks all set to dethroan Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as the best Call of Duty title ever created.

“The Resurgence Package DLC for Modern Warfare 2 will hit @playstation (US) and PC (worldwide) July 6th! For @playstation (EU+) its July 7th.” said Robert Bowling on his Twitter.

Thanks QuickJump!

This new map pack features 5 maps (probably Call of Duty 4 maps). And on Friday, May 28  players will be able to earn double XP, and the same thing for Friday, June 4.

Source

Click the image to see it in full screen

Commenting on the release E-xpress sales Directors Mr. Amit Khemani said:

“Gaming is growing very rapidly in India, Xbox 360 has emerged as a strong platform and there is continuous demand for more and more games. It is important that products are available at the right price and is affordable to the Indian consumer. Our concepts like e-play where we sell PC games at Rs. 299 has helped in growing the industry and pushed the sales for legal software. This is another Endeavour of ours towards growing the gaming market and reaching more to the consumer.”

Look forward for more deals from E-xpress in the near future.

Speaking with CVG, acclaimed writer Richard Morgan gave his thoughts on the market leader in FPS games.

His reply was somewhat surprsing as he said: “I thought Modern Warfare 2 was an immense disappointment,” 
“It was a massive stepdown from CoD4. What I thought when I played it was, ‘Jesus guys, what have you been doing? You’ve not ramped anything up. The story is worse and the game doesn’t really hang together, it’s just a bunch of mission levels.’”

When Morgan was asked about which story parts he didn’t like, he replied: “It made no sense. It was totally implausible. It doesn’t resolve. Basically, all the things that bad storytelling does. I just think they were way too impressed with themselves and that’s always a danger. It’s just unfortunate.”

It is also mentioned that that MW2 players (on the Xbox 360) invested more than 1.75 billion hours of gameplay on MW2 since November, but just imagine if you add the PS3 and the PC.

If you haven’t downloaded the Stimulus Package yet, it costs 1,200 Microsoft Points.

The Stimulus Package will be available on the PS3 and PC next month.

Source

Activision’s marketing director for UK and Ireland David Tyler said: “We are excited about the content of the Stimulus Package and our gamers are going to be blown away by the new maps.

The stimulus package is priced at a heavy 1200 Microsoft Points (£10.20 / €14.40 / $15) and consists of five multi player maps namely:

• Bailout
• Storm
• Salvage
• Crash
• Overgrown

Stay Tuned with GB for more news and updates.

7. Audiosurf

• Price: $10 (Steam)
  
• Developer: Dylan Fitterer
• Platform: PC
  

This music game didn’t define the rhythm game genre- but it made it a lot of fun to play. Instead of pressing keys to match on-screen prompts to hit the right notes of a selection of tunes a la Guitar Hero, Audiosurf is quite literally what it sounds like- surfing your music. It reads whatever music files you have on your computer- iTunes music, mp3′s, whatever, and allows you to jump between coloured blocks for points while racing down a tunnel at varying speeds. The great thing about this is that it allows both hardcore thrill-seeking, leaderboard-chasing gamers and more relaxed casual players to enjoy the game how they like it.

6. World of Goo

• Price: $15 (Steam)
  
• Developers: 2D Boy
• Platforms: Wii, PC
  

This indie game is a perfect demonstration of how a simple concept can be so much damn fun. The premise is simple; take control of Goo balls, and use them to build various wobbling constructions; bridges, high rises, walls and so on. You then lead other Goo balls from one end of your makeshift assault course from A to B. And that is World of Goo in a nutshell. What makes this game a standout though, is its incredibly unique level design, fun gameplay and an often hilarious touch of class.

5. Darwinia

• Price: $3 (Amazon, other retailer)
  
• Developers: Introversion Software
• Platform: PC
  

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the world suddenly simplified into an 2D universe, where only tiny flat people existed? Well, no, actually you probably haven’t. Nevertheless, Darwinia is all about 2D people in a universe. 2D people who are in fact at war with each other. You effectively become the God of a group of Darwinians, who have unwittingly let hundreds of viruses into their world, and your job is to guide them in a mission to eradicate their enemies.

4. Braid

• Price: $10 (Steam)
  
• Developers: Number None, Hothead Games
• Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
  

Originally a game made for the XBLA, the success of this fun little platformer eventually pushed the developers to porting it to both the PC and PS3. Arguably the best independent game of 2008, Braid plays out like a slightly slower-paced, more puzzle orientated version of Super Mario Bros. However the main draw of this platformer is the ability to manipulate time; you can slow it down, reverse it or even make yourself be in two places at once. Using a retro yet timeless art style and fun yet challenging gameplay, this melancholy platformer again shows simplicity is best.

3. Torchlight

• Price: $5 (Steam, limited offer!)
  
• Developers: Runic Games
• Platform: PC
  

Desperate for Diablo III, but can’t stand the wait? Well here’s Torchlight, and it’s a worthy substitute. Torchlight plays out like a slightly quirky take on the dungeon crawler genre; you play from an isometric perspective, battling your way past creatures using copious clicks of the mouse. It’s full of gore and loot as you battle your way through the depths, making it a satisfying game to play. The graphics are nice, and the generally old-school approach to things makes Torchlight a refreshing break from the recent influx of first person shooters.

2. DefCON

• Price: $4 (Amazon, other retailer)
  
• Developers: Introversion Software
• Platform: PC
  

If you ever seen the movie WarGames, this should all be familiar with you. You control any one of several (real) continents, and proceed to wage global thermonuclear war with them. There is no campaign as such, but where this game shines is the multiplayer. It can be incredibly tense as you enter DefCON 1- the moment you can launch your missiles- as you never know when an ally might stab you in the back. Another nice feature is the Office Mode, which allows you to instantly pause and minimize the game to the taskbar should the boss come around!

1. Flower

• Price: $10 (Amazon)
  
• Developers: ThatGameCompany
• Platform: PS3
  

Having won many accolades and awards, this indie game is certainly an oddity amongst the rest of the games on this list. That’s because it was not made for the PC- it’s a PS3 game. Consoles lack indie games for the simple reason that it is not cheap to have content published on a console, whereas anyone can create a PC game (with the right knowledge). Nevertheless in this calming and soothing game, you simply control the wind as you blow a petal over vibrant, lush fields and meadows. Granted, it is a short game, but the luscious visuals and unique gameplay make it all worthwhile.

So what is the total cost of all those games? $57.

Total cost of Modern Warfare 2? $60.

Now, argue all you like about the merits of Call of Duty, but as you may have guessed- wthis article isn’t about that. It’s about the developers who put an incredible amount of blood, sweat and tears into making these games what they are. Maybe it’s time that developers went back to their roots though, like these guys. Because, wouldn’t everyone benefit if games were better made, more thoroughly tested, and developed more?

Want to check out more guys who revolutionised PC gaming, bringing you tons of extra content in the process? Check out 15 modders who changed PC gaming!

Honorable Mentions

• Trine
• Uplink
• Mount and Blade
• Mr Robot
• Zeno Clash
• flOw
• Cogs
• AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!: A Reckless Disregard For Gravity
• Machinarium

Got feedback? Send it in to will@gamingbolt.com.