Spotlight
VideoWatch: Ian's getting All Ghillied Up with Modern Warfare at 3:30pm
It's this week's Eurogamer Wednesdays stream.
VideoStar Wars Call of Duty 4 mod video
May the fours be with you?
FeatureModern Warfare 2's Jesse Stern
On how he came to Call of Duty and what makes it tick.
VideoThe EGTV Show: Modern Warfare 2 UK launch
Camo carpet capers.
Key events
5th March 2013
19th May 2011
12th November 2009
9th November 2009
10th April 2008
29th February 2008
5th February 2008
17th December 2007
7th December 2007
3rd December 2007
29th November 2007
3rd December 2007
19th November 2007
8th November 2007
9th November 2007
20th September 2007
7th September 2007
5th September 2007
21st August 2007
11th July 2007
29th May 2007
26th April 2007
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is now backward-compatible on Xbox One
Remastered version currently on sale.
Microsoft has revealed that the latest addition to its ever-expanding list of backward-compatible games on Xbox One is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
Watch how Modern Warfare Remastered's campaign stacks up to the original
Soap cleans up good.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is out today for those who have digitally pre-ordered the Legacy, Legacy Pro and Digital Deluxe editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.
To see how this remaster stacks up to Infinity Ward's seminal 2007 shooter, our Ian Higton made the following comparison video looking at how this restoration improves the game for more contemporary sensibilities.
The comparison video is using the Xbox 360 version of the original Modern Warfare and the PS4 version of its remaster.
VideoWatch: Ian's getting All Ghillied Up with Modern Warfare at 3:30pm
It's this week's Eurogamer Wednesdays stream.
A couple of weeks ago I had a nostalgic look back at Call of Duty 2 for our regular Eurogamer Wednesdays live stream series.
FeatureThe seven year shadow left by Modern Warfare
Nuclear code.
It's difficult to look Modern Warfare in the eye without glancing at the long shadow that trails behind it. The small library of gradually worsening sequels and annual follow-ups, the abysmal Medal of Honor games and all the other middling to poor efforts at competition that defined the next half-decade of first-person shooters ( Terrorist Takedown anyone?).
100 million people played Call of Duty since COD4
Is that more than Homefront?
Activision wants you to know that 100 million people have played Call of Duty since the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in 2007 - the game that fired the series into the stratosphere.
Jason West Respawn exit confirmed
Vince Zampella looks to E3 showing.
Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella has confirmed that Jason West has left Respawn Entertainment, the developer the pair founded after their acrimonious exit from Activision-owned Infinity Ward.
In a succinct post on the Respawn website, Zampella waved goodbye to his long-time co-developer, saying he left for family reasons. Reports over the weekend claimed he left the studio in May last year, and may have retired from the industry.
"Jason has left Respawn to take care of some family issues," Zampella said. "We have worked together on some amazing accomplishments over the years, starting with an early Segasoft project that never shipped.
Jason West hasn't worked at Respawn since May last year - report
Left for family reasons after Activision lawsuit was settled.
Jason West, he of the West & Zampella Infinity Ward saga, has reportedly left Respawn Entertainment - the studio he co-founded after leaving Activision and Call of Duty behind.
20-year-old jailed for Call of Duty hack that was really a virus
Kent man made $1-5 a pop selling credit card details.
A 20-year-old man has been jailed for 18 months after making thousands of pounds by distributing a Call of Duty hack that was really a virus.
Ex-Call of Duty dev Robert Bowling founds new game studio
Stresses need for "complete control" over work.
Robert Bowling, ex-creative strategist at Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward, has founded a new game studio, Robotoki.
UK Top 40: Rayman Origins, LOTR: War in the North disappoint
While Modern Warfare 3 wins third week top.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has won a third week atop of the UK all format charts, while several other major launches suffered.
Pre-order MW3 PC, get COD4: MW PC free
Watch out for the nuke.
If you pre-order the PC version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 you get the PC version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare free.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 collection
MW trilogy in one tin.
MW trilogy in one tin.
The story of the man behind Call of Duty's N0M4D controls.
"Is this a joke?"
VideoStar Wars Call of Duty 4 mod video
May the fours be with you?
May the fours be with you?
West/Zampella lawsuit to go to trial
Judge rules Acti must answer fraud charges.
Modern Warfare creators Jason West and Vincent Zampella's case against Activision will now likely go to trial, following a ruling in the pair's favour this week.
Activision: COD Elite will kill cheaters
Dedicated staff ensure nothing "exposed".
Amid the ongoing Sony hack furore, Activision has pledged to ensure that Call of Duty: Elite, the new multiplayer-focused service set to launch alongside Modern Warfare 3 this November, will help rid the game of cheaters.
Modern Warfare 3 patches a "major focus"
Infinity Ward heard your feedback.
Modern Warfare 3 will not suffer from its predecessor's lack of post-launch support, Infinity Ward has insisted.
Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling tweeted that constant patches would be a top priority for the developer.
"That is a major focus of mine and the entire team since the feedback from Modern Warfare 2," Bowling wrote.
Zampella/West claim Modern Warfare
Former IW heads accuse Acti of fraud.
Sacked Infinity Ward bosses Jason West and Vince Zampella could be entitled to hold onto the Modern Warfare brand should their lawsuit against Activision be successful.
Activision vs. EA lawsuit gathers pace
Trial set for May.
The high-profile lawsuit between video game behemoths Activision and EA can move forward, a Californian Superior Court judge has ruled.
Infinity Ward blames MW2 hacks on PS3
Future games won't rely on console security.
Frustrated by Modern Warfare 2 hacks? Infinity Ward feels your pain. But don't blame the developer. Blame Sony and the PlayStation 3's compromised security.
Acti: "Still a lot of talent" at Infinity Ward
Zampella and Ward not missed.
Modern Warfare studio Infinity Ward is still bursting with talent, owner Activision has claimed, despite the spate of high profile departures earlier this year.
COD creators "betrayed" me - Kotick
"We didn't have any choice!"
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has defended his decision to fire Call of Duty creators Vince Zampella and Jason West, insisting: "We didn't have any choice!"
Acti: IW "will rise from the ashes"
Publisher promises to leave developer alone.
Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward will "rise from the ashes" after the high-profile exodus that followed the sacking of Vince Zampella and Jason West, publisher Activision has predicted.
"You'll never have to pay to play COD"
Promises Activision.
The combined forces of publisher Activision and developers Infinity Ward and Treyarch have told gamers that they will never have to pay extra to play Call of Duty online.
Infinity Ward working on Call of Duty
Activision confirms project in conference call.
Activision has confirmed that Infinity Ward is working on a Call of Duty game.
Three COD games coming in two years
Acti talks IW bonuses, creative freedom.
Activision is planning to bring three new Call of Duty titles to market between now and April 2012.
The Infinity Ward spat is a symptom of a wider power struggle between top studios and publishers.
GamesIndustry.biz, the trade arm of the Eurogamer Network, recently completed the next step in its evolution toward greater support for the videogames business with the implementation of a full registration system.
Infinity Ward not doing Mod War 3?
Studio working on new project, says source.
The next instalment in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series will not be developed by old hands Infinity Ward.
Mod War games too samey, says EA
Boss reckons MOH can topple 'em.
Electronic Arts boss John Riccitiello has said the Modern Warfare games are all starting to look the same to him.
FeatureModern Warfare 2's Jesse Stern
On how he came to Call of Duty and what makes it tick.
Modern Warfare 2 writer Jesse Stern made headlines earlier this month when he spoke about the background to the infamous "No Russian" level in Infinity Ward's latest blockbusting first-person shooter. But who is Jesse Stern, and how did he get involved in Call of Duty in the first place? Friend-of-Eurogamer John Gaudiosi tracked him down.
Activision to "monetise" COD online
"There is demand from gamers to pay."
Activision exec Tom Tippl has said there are plans to charge Call of Duty fans for online features in future.
VideoThe EGTV Show: Modern Warfare 2 UK launch
Camo carpet capers.
Vernon Kaye hosts Mod War 2 launch
Dexter Fletcher and Black Eyed Pea attend.
The launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 kicked off with a special event in Leicester Square tonight.
Self-confessed COD addict Vernon Kay compered the proceedings at the Vue cinema. He told the audience that this will be "the biggest entertainment launch of any game ever".
"It's about time videogames got this kind of accolade," said Kay. "Who would have thought a videogame would get a launch in a cinema in Leicester Square?"
Gears 2 cheaters' Gamerscores wiped
Infinity Ward tackling COD fraudsters too.
Microsoft has wiped the Gamerscores of people cheating at Gears of War 2.
COD4 has 11m Live, 4m PSN players
Two-thirds of XBL users played it.
Call of Duty 4 has racked up 11 million unique players since launch on Xbox Live, and over 4 million on PlayStation Network, according to Infinity Ward's Rob Bowling.
Call of Duty 4 takes three BAFTAs
Mario Galaxy crowned Best Game.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare won three BAFTAs last night, including the publicly-voted GAME Award of 2008, while Super Mario Galaxy was crowned Best Game by the panel of judges.
BAFTA game nominations revealed
COD4, Fable II, GTAIV, LBP top the bill.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is heading up the nominations for the British Academy Video Game Awards this year, which take place in London on 10th March.
Infinity Ward talks Modern Warfare 2
Bowling spills first details of sequel.
Infinity Ward community chief Robert Bowling has let slip that a Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare sequel is in development.
COD4 man gets cross with Activision exec
Fed up of "bulls***" from "super douche".
Call of Duty 4 community manager Robert Bowling has raged at Activision "senior super douche" Noah Heller for "pulling s*** out of his ass".
COD4 Variety maps going half-price
Plus double experience all weekend.
Infinity Ward will be reducing the cost of the Variety Map Pack by half and dishing out double experience to anyone playing Call of Duty 4 online this weekend.
Halo has "a lot to learn" from COD4
So says Bungie's AI boss.
Bungie's lead AI programmer, Damian Isla, has said he's keen to take a few tips from Infinity Ward and Call of Duty 4.
No PS3 Trophies for Resistance or COD4
Ratchet & Clank also a no-no.
Insomniac has rather decided not to add Trophy support to PS3 games Resistance: Fall of Man and Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction.
Thanks for waiting two months.
The Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4 is finally available on PC.
Call of Duty 4 breaks 10 million
Xbox 360 version outsold others apparently.
Infinity Ward has boasted that its acclaimed shooter Call of Duty 4 has surged past 10 million sales around the world.
FeatureGenetically Modified Gaming
It looks like an MMO, but it isn't an MMO. Yet.
Published as part of our sister-site GamesIndustry.biz' widely-read weekly newsletter, the GamesIndustry.biz Editorial offers analysis of one of the issues weighing on the minds of the people at the top of the games business. It appears on Eurogamer after it goes out to GamesIndustry.biz newsletter subscribers.
PSN: Bishi Bashi, C&C, flOw, COD4 pack
All available for Europe.
No sign of the Americans' echochrome demo on the PAL PlayStation Store this week, but instead there's Bishi Bashi Special and Command & Conquer PSone downloads, full releases for flOw PSP and the Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack, and even a couple of demos.
Activision rubbishes COD negotation talk
Infinity Ward not the sole developer.
Activision has rubbished rumours that Infinity Ward has moved to take control of the entire Call of Duty series.
COD4 PS3 Variety maps this Thursday
Week earlier than expected.
Infinity Ward has revealed that the Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4 on PS3 will be available worldwide this Thursday
COD4 maps break Xbox Live record
Been downloaded a million times.
The Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack has become the most downloaded paid-for content on Xbox Live.
COD4 PS3 maps coming on May Day
Double XP bank holiday weekend.
Infinity Ward has said the Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4 on PS3 will be released on 1st May.
Call of Duty 4, Overlord, GRAW 2, Guitar Hero III, Turok and more.
You only need to check out the Game Add-Ons tab in the Xbox Live Game Store to see that the world of downloadable content, once so feared and mistrusted, is here to stay. There's been a bunch of notable new material released just recently - and even more since we started on this instalment in our Xbox Live DLC Roundup series - and most of it has helped to prove the naysayers wrong. There's been fresh content for recent blockbusters, and older cult favourites. There have been updates for full price releases as well as Live Arcade games. And, best of all, the paid-for content has generally been reasonably priced and balanced out with a surprising amount of freebies. Here are some recent examples that you might want to check out.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Variety Map Pack
Overlord - Raising Hell expansion and Challenge Pack
PS3 now main focus, then PC.
Infinity Ward has said there should be no more problems downloading the Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack from Xbox Live.
COD 4 maps definitely this week
Take Friday off work, says Infinity Ward.
Infinity Ward has said the Xbox 360 Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack will arrive probably late tonight or early tomorrow morning, and suggests preparing your sick day excuses in advance.
COD4 Map Pack still "early April"
Activision declines to cement date.
Activision has told Eurogamer that the Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack is still on course for release in "early April".
Nearly 1.3m play COD4 "every day"
Halo-beating numbers online.
Infinity Ward has revealed that its Xbox Live-topping shooter Call of Duty 4 is attracting "between 1.2 and 1.3 million users every day" just on Microsoft's service - with PS3 numbers "monstrously huge".
FeatureCall of Duty 4: Variety Map Pack
Infinity Ward talks maps and beating Halo.
Of course you're still playing. Everyone is. Since its release last November, Call of Duty 4 has soared into a position of dominance in the online FPS space, even outperforming Bungie's Halo 3 on Xbox Live.
First bonus UT3 maps on US PSN
Plus info on upcoming COD4 maps.
Epic has released the first official map pack for Unreal Tournament 3 on PS3.
Call of Duty 4 gets GOTY Edition
Comes complete with fancy box and DLC.
Activision has decided that it's about time a Game of the Year Edition of Call of Duty 4 was available for Xbox 360.
Call of Duty 4 patched for 360
PS3 version being tested at IW.
Call of Duty 4 on 360 has been patched (makes sense - it was rubbish! Eh? Who's with me?) to include new kill cams, host migration, and lots of other neat tweaks.
Apparently it's in final internal testing for PS3 too (as opposed to being in certificaiton, as we previously reported - sorry about that).
So what else is new? The Infinity Ward forums has the list, with host migration probably the most interesting - it allows everyone in a game group to stay together when the host tumbles off the Internet.
Bungie hopes to knock COD4 off top spot
"We're not walking away from Halo 3."
Halo 3 hasn't been top of the pops on Major Nelson's Xbox Live activity charts for a little while now, but Bungie plans to fight back.
As BioShock takes the most awards.
Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was selected as 2007's Game of the Year at the 11th annual Interactive Achievement Awards, GamesIndustry.biz reports.
Fresh COD4 maps, "gameplay variety"
Inbound on PS3 and 360 this spring.
Activision has radioed that more Call of Duty 4 maps will be available for PS3 and 360 this spring.
Plus there will be added "gameplay variety", although the publisher was MIA when we tried to find out what that means. Speculation among the COD4 population points to Capture The Flag.
"We've demonstrated our commitment to delivering the best multiplayer experience in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and that continues with our plans for new downloadable content," said Robert Bowling, community manager at Infinity Ward.
DS and Wii outstrip US competition
But Microsoft claims income victory.
Nintendo has continued its winning streak in the US, finishing comfortably ahead of opposition for hardware sales in 2007.
Macs to get Spore, Call of Duty 4
This could be the year, Lifestylers.
Handsome Apple computer Mac will be given some big games to play this year. Good grief.
UK Charts: COD stocks depleted
Now with entire Top 40 list inside.
Call of Duty, or COD (stay with it), is back in the all formats chart, or menu, at number one. You know, like fish. Tom said he would fire me if I said that.
Playlist changes, fixes.
Infinity Ward has detailed changes expected in the upcoming patch for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on Xbox 360.
The update on community relations director Robert Bowling's blog adds that the playlist changes detailed will apply to the PS3 version as well, although that version will have "different patch changes".
Those playlist changes, then, will see Showdown added to the Team Deathmatch, Free-For-All, Sabotage, Search and Destroy, Hardcore TDM, Hardcore S&D and Old School rotations, while Mercenary TDM will be opened up to people who don't want to be match-made with clans or parties.
Lag and text fixes, too.
Infinity Ward has rolled out a new patch for the PC version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
The biggest change that community members seem to be a little miffed about is improved accuracy when using sniper rifles. Apparently those with automatic machine guns and pistols are unevenly matched against them at range, now. Oh.
It also adds anti-lag features when you load a map, and catches files missing the client like the desert missed the rain, maybe.
ActiBlizz deal leaks word.
Activision Blizzard has let slip word that it is working on Call of Duty 5 and Guitar Hero IV, GamesIndustry.biz reports.
A fact sheet on the freshly launched website unveiled the projects, which appear in the Activision "pipeline" summary.
It also talks of new Tony Hawk and James Bond games, as well as titles based on the Marvel and DreamWorks licences. Its new Bizarre Creations racing game was listed, too.
Digital FoundryX360 vs. PS3 Face-Off: Round Six
Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed and many more. Ding!
Eurogamer is back for its latest tour of duty at the frontline of the console war with this new instalment in our rolling series of PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360 cross-platform face-offs.
You know the form by now. We take an impartial look at a range of games that appear on both consoles, providing additional comment to the reviews already published on the site. Technical differences are highlighted, with any impact on the basic gameplay being of primary concern.
As usual, backing up the analysis is a range of comparison screenshots of each game, losslessly extracted with full 24-bit RGB precision from the HDMI ports of the Xbox 360 Elite and PlayStation 3 courtesy of a Digital Foundry HD capture unit. 720p shots are provided as standard for all games, but where the PS3 version supports 1080p (either scaled or native), we supply additional 'True HD' screengrabs to compare the games' respective performance for those privileged enough to have access to top-end displays.
Simpsons, Lego Star Wars, COD4, Tony Hawk and ProStreet.
Once upon a time, reviewing handheld versions of popular video and PC games was a bit like inviting your old friends round only to discover they all secretly hate you and are recent burns victims. These days, though, the DS is big business to games publishers, so surely they're trying a bit harder. We tracked down five recent examples of "and on DS" to find out.
The Simpsons Game
Games that make fun of games can't really afford to be bad themselves. That was the problem The Simpsons Game had on telly consoles, and the same's true on the DS. Except this time the game bits are worse. (So, off to a bad start.)
Firmware problems fixed.
Infinity Ward says that a problem preventing people getting online with Call of Duty 4 on PS3 has now been fixed.
SmackDown doing well, too.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has dominated European charts this week, taking the top three spots in Germany and third, fourth and seventh in Spain.
Infinity Ward details tweaks.
Infinity Ward is planning to patch Call of Duty 4 for Xbox 360 in the relatively near future to take care of various online issues.
Speaking on the game's official forum, IW's community relations manager explained that the update will optimise things like match-making and host-selection, among other tweaks.
These include the addition of host-migration, so if the host leaves a game it automatically chooses the next best host, as well as a new control scheme, improved network performance in 18-player games and other tweaks detailed on the thread.
FeaturePC: 12 Games of Christmas
Oh look, mistletoe!
Stop clowning around; it really is bastardly cold out there. Still, it's good for one thing: keeping my PC from overheating. All I have to do is wrap up warm and open my window, then pop in one of these festively fantastic frolics and laugh away merrily - probably with a vat of mulled wine close-by to ensure I am well and truly smashed. I'm only giving it serious consideration because there are some games worth seriously considering.
Charts: Mission accomplished.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare blasted its way to the top of the charts this week thanks in particular to a strong performance on Xbox 360, which accounted for 63 percent of the multi-platform game's weekend sales according to Chart-Track's latest data.
Direct-feed Xbox 360 footage.
Call of Duty 4 erupts onto PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 screens later this week, so we've been rolling around in the mud and grass getting beads on contacts and foxtrotting tangos so you can watch some videos!
First up on Eurogamer TV here in the UK is an exciting montage featuring an escape from a sinking ship, riding around on a helicopter and then crawling around on a farm realistically. Reminds us of the good old days up at Hereford swimming through caves watching out for the Grenade Danger Indicator.
Meanwhile, over on Eurogamer Germany there's all sorts of things happening in a smoky street assault, which even looks a bit like Killzone 2. Then things get brighter in the side alleys, before we sweep off to Eurogamer France to fire rocket launchers at tanks using satellites, before pressing up on the d-pad just like our grandparents did to use night vision goggles.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare review
And about time too.
A change is as good as a rest, so they say. In Infinity Ward's case, a change must have been absolutely essential for its own collective sanity, having worked solidly on World War II shooters for longer than can be strictly healthy.
The fruit of this welcome shift in direction brings us bang up to date with by far its most engrossing, varied and ambitious offering yet. Modern Warfare is the product of a confident developer; one which knows what it's good at, but evidently giddy with the chance to try out different things.
In common with its previous efforts, it's a game that understands the power of maximum cinematic intensity, but also knows when to turn the dial down and bring in the kind of cloying on-the-edge tension more readily associated with Ghost Recon or even that lost classic Hidden & Dangerous. As a consequence, it's by far the most well rounded Call of Duty game, with an exciting yet coherent blend of gameplay styles.
FeaturePS3: 12 Games of Christmas
Tumbling down the chimney.
Another good thing about Christmas is that you can kiss people by holding a twig with leaves above their heads, made all the more likely by the enormous vat of incredibly pungent mulled wine stewing in the kitchen. Similarly smile-worthy is that yes there are games on PS3 to buy this year, despite what James with his rival console says in the comments section while picking his nose and flicking it at his equally spotty friend.
FeatureXbox 360: 12 Games of Christmas
Play these with mince wine.
It is now dark when we walk home and birds are either dropping out of trees in frozen lumps or going somewhere much nicer for their holidays. And, as always happens, the shops are hoisting their Christmas decorations up and getting us all worried about buying presents because we never know what they want is it socks or aftershave. So, we thought we would join in.
Vultures circling carcass, over.
Activision has popped a new demo for Call of Duty 4 on the magical Internet.
Thursday, specifically.
Infinity Ward will be releasing a PC demo for Call of Duty 4 on Thursday at around 5pm UK time.
With actual real SAS film.
Activision has told us that persistent Call of Duty 4 fans from the UK have forced the publisher to release a special edition box here - just like we forced it to do a Beta Test here.
One week left. Last chance.
Horses are rubbish. We would much rather have an Abram tank. Biplanes are pony, too - one of those whirly-choppers with a mounted gun is much more agreeable. And why use a bow and arrow when an automatic rifle with digital bits and bobs is available?
We think these are the real reasons Infinity Ward decided to move Call of Duty out of World War II and into the modern day. And yes, horses - our history is quite accurate.
And because the departure from the olden days into the futuristic present [stop it - Ed] is promising to be one of the most competent War offerings around, particularly in multiplayer, we've decided to give you even more keys to get into the Call of Duty 4 beta. In fact, we've got an extra 13,000.
Giveaway is up and running.
Earlier this week we told you Eurogamer had partnered with Activision to give away Call of Duty 4 beta keys. Well, today we're delivering the payload.
All you have to do is sign in to our community site Eurogamers and pop over to the COD4 key giveaway page to claim your spot. But you will need to provide your Live Gamertag as it is an Xbox 360 beta test, and you should note only Gold members of the service are allowed to take part.
If you're not already a member of Eurogamers, then registering will only take a few minutes. We're not going to ask you for money or anything like that, and you'll be rewarded with lots of lovely features over in community land - like our new Xbox Live integration, for instance.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
We report on the XBL multiplayer beta.
You can't help but experience universally positive feelings of pure gaming joy the first time you boot up the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta, currently playing out across Xbox Live. Within those first precious moments of gameplay, all doubts you may have had about the game's innovations - not least its shift in time away from World War II - quickly dissipate. The Call of Duty DNA is self-evident, and certainly in my opinion, it's clear that the game offers a substantial leap over anything we've seen before on a console first person shooter.
Get them right here.
Sergeant Big Boots has just told us that those of you looking for a way into the European Xbox 360 beta test for Call of Duty 4 need look no further.
That's because we've partnered up with Activision to give away kit-bags full of keys this Friday. We'll even paint your face for you.
It will be the first chance us Euro-dwellers have had to join the test after the US got first dibs back in August.
November in long grass.
Activision has announced that Call of Duty 4 will ship to shops around the world on 5th November, which means we'll see it later that week on Friday, 9th November.
COD4 beta registration tonight
At zero-hundred hours, soldier.
Early registrations for the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta on Xbox 360 will begin tonight at midnight.
The news was hidden in the official website forums, and said lucky sign-ups could be playing as soon a handful of hours later.
"We've been playing the beta internally, and it's so much fun [that] we are dying to play with you," read the post. "So, let's blow off waiting for the site and just consider this the countdown; there will be a way for people to register for the beta starting 5pm PDT tomorrow."
Modern Warfare-ly soon.
Activision is planning to release Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on 9th November in Europe for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
FeaturePlayStation 3: 2007's Most Wanted
The PS3 comes of age?
Of all PlayStation 3's forthcoming releases, the most interesting and significant is neither a game nor for sale. Home, Sony's more structured, sanitised and solid attempt at a Second Life world might seem innocuous enough but with the screenshots of its cinema space and the implied possibility of fully downloadable movies, there's the chance it might eventually outgrow even its host platform in significance.
Feature360: 2007's Most Wanted
What will you be getting for Christmas?
A Most Wanted list you say? Cripes, whatever next: a Tips and Cheats pamphlet to go with Eurogamer's promotional Pacman Beach Ball cover mount? Still, it's the summer, there are precious few games around and, with an awful lot of new titles coming up towards the end of the year you might quite reasonably want to know which ones to keep an eye on.
Multiplayer test only on Live.
The multiplayer beta test for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be exclusive to Xbox 360.
Bigwigs at developer Infinity Ward - Grant Collier and Jason West - announced the news earlier this morning, after giving an in-depth demonstration of the game at Microsoft's E3 conference.
And what a demonstration it was; using a limited palette and liquid animation to produce a coherent effect that looked "properly amazing", according to our man on the ground, Tom Bramwell.
FeatureCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
World War II is so over.
"When you see a guy running around in his urban camo with a camo weapon, you're gonna know that guy is a real badass." These are the words of Grant Collier, Infinity Ward president and the man in charge of ditching the successful WWII setting of the Call of Duty series and leading the fourth game into a terrifying near-future setting, already occupied by Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon. There are no antique firearms here, just high-tech assault rifles, thermal goggles and enough pocket-size explosives to kill a planet. The custom camo that Grant talks about is an unlockable extra, which along with the custom gamertags, will let you know that you're dealing with a professional killer and one who's likely to snipe you from 200ft without breaking a sweat.
The official trailer was presumably just speculation.
Activision has finally stamped official confirmation on the development of Call of Duty 4 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
Modern Warfare will be created by the developer of the first two Games, Infinity Ward, and takes place in current times. This new setting has given the team a fresh sense of freedom, shedding the restraints of archaic weaponry in favour of eye-popping technology and quickly organisable strikes from air and ground.
It's based around a fictional conflict in an unnamed Middle Eastern nation that's masterminded by Warlord Zakhaev to distract Western powers from his consolidation of power in Russia. You'll join elite units as one of the first to respond to the call for help, and embark on what Infinity Ward is promising to be one of the most engrossing stories to date.
First trailer air-lifted in.
Activision has unveiled the first trailer for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
"Modern Warfare" details soon.
Activision has confirmed long-running rumours that Infinity Ward is working on a Call of Duty game in a contemporary setting.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be unveiled on Saturday in the US courtesy of a trailer to play during the NFL Draft on ESPN. That's when they pick the teams, genius.
Early rumours about Modern Warfare - which even got the name right - pointed to a game that takes you all over the world, with the player working for the US Army, US Marines and SAS in a battle against terrorists underpinning a Middle Eastern conflict.
Two new titles on the way?
The Internet's at it again - this time with rumours that two new Call of Duty titles are currently in development for PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox and Xbox 360.
