Modern Warfare 2 Cheats

 An indie game developer known as CalbiTheZebra has created a wonderful 2D interpretation of Modern Warfare 2, last year’s $1.5 billion behemoth from Activision and Infinity Ward. Though short, the game features loads of variety (snowmobiles! helicopters!) and includes memorable locations and blockbuster moments from the original game. And the best part of all? You can download and play it yourself, for free, RIGHT NOW.

A couple of weeks ago, gamers/film-makers Corridor Digital posted a Modern Warfare 2 fan film on YouTube that basically blew the entire internet's mind. "Frozen Crossing" has racked up over a million views by capturing the essence of Modern Warfare 2 (and video games in general) in a way that bigger budget Hollywood movies rarely do. So we talked to a couple of the creators of the short, director Niko Pueringer and sound designer Freddy Wong, and got the story on how it was created and what drives fan film-makers. G4: We were totally blown away by your movie. How much time did it take to shoot? Niko: It took about 4 months from beginning to end. G4: So why take all the time to make a fan film? Niko: In 2008 we shot a feature film in Canada, and for most of 2009 we did post-production on that film. After sitting in front of our computers for nine or ten months, we wanted to get back into the swing of things and shoot a short action film. So we were throwing around ideas, talking about what we wanted to do, and at that time, Modern Warfare 2 had come out and we were playing that a bunch, and our style is very similar and very influenced by the game, so we said, “Let’s make a fan film.” With the idea that the movie would be two or three times more popular than a basic action movie that we would do, and we could also incorporate a lot of the styles and influences that we have by referencing the game, so that’s how the idea of making a fan film came about. G4: Wow! You guys shot a feature, huh? Niko: Yeah, it’s called Dark Island, and it’s not out in the US yet. Parts are on YouTube, though. Read more...

Curious what Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has to say about the recent departures from Infinity Ward? In what might be his least controversial prediction of all time, gaming's top prognosticator expects even more employees to vacate the Modern Warfare 2 developer.

"We think that recent Activision share weakness has been compounded by additional departures at Infinity Ward which accelerated this week, and we expect another 10-20 employees to depart over the next few months," the analyst explained in a written statement (via VG247).

So how will Infinity Ward bounce back from losses like these? "In our view, the company will likely replace the departed employees with skilled developers," Pachter said, continuing, "and while increased competition may impact sales of future versions of Modern Warfare, we expect the company to put out a competitive product."

The below YouTube video from PCGamerUK uses the Modern Warfare 2 credits to graphically illustrate the number of employees who have jumped ship from Infinity Ward in recent weeks. Check it out:

 

That's probably not all, though.

According to industry analyst Michael Pachter, the body count could grow soon. “We think that recent Activision share weakness has been compounded by additional departures at Infinity Ward which accelerated this week, and we expect another 10 – 20 employees to depart over the next few months,” he said.

“In our view, the company will likely replace the departed employees with skilled developers, and while increased competition may impact sales of future versions of Modern Warfare, we expect the company to put out a competitive product.”

When that many of your top staff leave at once, I wonder how competitive your future product can realistically be expected to be.

Source: VG247

Infinity Ward - Activision - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Employment - YouTube

Activision has found higher-than-expected demand for some of its titles, and has raised its fiscal first quarter outlook to reflect the higher sales. The Associated Press (via Canadian Business) reports that the company expects to hit above its previous prediction of $1.1 billion in net revenue for the first quarter, which ended on March 31. The company has also adjusted its outlook on adjusted revenue, from $525 million to an expected $553 million, and earnings from two cents per share to three. The first-quarter results are due on May 6.

The company attributes its outlook based on two games: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and World of Warcraft, both of which are experiencing "strong global demand." The controversy surrounding Infinity Ward doesn't seem to be affecting the bottom line, but Activision Blizzard has seen a small dip in stocks since we've heard of recent depatures.

While most sensible human beings regard the Modern Warfare 2 "Stimulus Package" DLC as being a gouging, greedy, overpriced slap in the face, at least one analyst believes that it should have cost more. EEDAR's Jesse Divinch, running the risk of giving Activision an evil idea, seems almost disappointed by that the map pack didn't cost $20.

"The accepted commercial success benchmark for DLC for a console game is 20% of the install base," explains Divinch. "The stimulus map pack was able to reach that benchmark in just a week, and should reach 30-35% (of Modern Warfare 2 owners purchasing the add-on) through its lifetime.

"Unfortunately, now Modern Warfare 2 consumers are anchored with the calculation that 5 maps equal $15, so deviating from that will be difficult for future Modern Warfare 2 DLC content. However, Activision could employ some psychological tricks, maybe 5 new maps (no remakes) for $20? Or 5 maps and 2 skins for $20?"

Unfortunately? Seriously, it's unfortunate that Activision didn't charge more? I disagree. What's unfortunate is the fact that there are so many mewling, dribbling, braindead morons who actually thought $15 for five maps was acceptable and sent the message that publishers can continue to abuse the inherently good idea of DLC and ruin it for everybody. So well done to everybody who told Activision this was okay.

Also, Jesse, DON'T GIVE ACTIVISION IDEAS LIKE THAT, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?

Analyst: Activision Priced Stimulus Package Too Low [IGN]

Last night's episode of "Family Guy" featured a brief snippet of Peter's gaming abilities, at least when it comes to "Modern Warfare 2." Spoiler alert: He's not very good. Check out the clip after the break.

Did you happen to notice that Infinity Ward's own Robert Bowling (aka FourZeroTwo) was one of the players that got the best of Peter? Hooray insider gaming easter eggs!

Respawn Entertainment is the new studio headed by former Infinity Ward leadership Vince Zampella and Jason West, who were fired by Activision in March. Respawn has a website but no logo, no office, and no game. Respawn does have a publishing deal with Electronic Arts when the company does begin developing games over the next few years. The deal is with EA Partners, not EA proper, which means Zampella and West get something Activision couldn't provide: control over their creative destiny. EA doesn't own Respawn's future gaming franchise, Respawn does. The duo are still caught in a legal battle with their former publisher, but it hasn't stopped them from moving forward. Respawn is open for business as of today, actively accepting job applications, and they spoke over the phone with me this morning, joined by EA Partners head David De Martini, to discuss what life is like after Infinity Ward, their future and what it feels like to be fired from Activision. G4: Why today? You're just starting. It's just the two of you and the EA partnership. What made it so important to get the announcement out so quickly, given that you also have the legal stuff happening in the background? Vince Zampella: I think you nailed it on the head with the [idea that] it's just Jason and I. We need to get the hiring going. [laughs] We need to get the word out there that the studio exists and we want people to send their resumes in. G4: Was it important to you that even though you have the legal situation that you're working out, to publicly say that "we are doing this, we're doing it now, and we aren't fading into the background"? Zampella: For us, it's about getting back to what we love to do. We're gamers, it's in our blood, we want to get back to it. We don't don't want to sit around idle. It's important for that reason. Read more...

When Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello said late last year that he wanted to take back the first-person shooter crown from Activision's "Call of Duty" games, few onlookers could have predicted that we would find ourselves looking at former Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella sitting atop their new Respawn Entertainment studio today holding an exclusive agreement with EA. Now, the context and words have become significantly more heated in the public dialog, as Activision expressed no surprise upon hearing the Respawn news and EA called the "Call of Duty 7" developers at Treyarch a "B-team."

"This agreement comes as no surprise to Activision given the myriad of improper activities detailed in the cross-complaint filed on Friday against Jason West and Vince Zampella," an official statement today from Activision read, according to MCV. "We look forward to continuing to work with Infinity Ward’s deep bench of proven talent on exciting new projects."

Activision's pending lawsuit against West and Zampella, of course, accused the pair of plotting to set up shop elsewhere before they were dismissed at Infinity Ward.

Activision chose to praise the remaining talent at Infinity Ward today, keeping its focus in-house. However, EA's critical assessment of creative bench at Treyarch, where the next non-"Modern Warfare" title will be completed, showed a few more teeth.

"The media has identified the non-Infinity Ward years as the B-team years, and just kind of picking that up from the media and looking at the review scores, they tend to drop down anywhere from 7-10 points in a non-Infinity Ward year," EA Partners head David DeMartini told VG247.

DeMartini's remarks reportedly came last week before the Respawn news was official, but we may hear worse before things settle down in court. It's also going to be interesting to see if any other current or former Infinity Ward employees get head-hunted by their ex-bosses as the studio assembles its creative roster.

Do you think DeMartini stepped over the line with his remarks about Treyarch? How do you think "Call of Duty 7" will turn out? Share your opinions in the comment section below.

When the former heads of Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward said last week that they would address their creative futures “very soon,” they weren’t kidding. Today, Jason West and Vincent Zampella officially announced the formation of their new company, Respawn Entertainment.

“For the past decade we led a great development team and poured our hearts into creating an epic game franchise,” Zampella said in a statement. “We’re very proud of what we built – and proud that so many millions of fans enjoyed those games. Today we hope to do it all over again — open a new studio, hire a great team, and create brand new games with a new partner, EA.”

Catch that last bit? It seems Activision’s suspicions about Zampella and West secretly meeting with EA while under Activision’s employ were entirely accurate. EA Games label president Frank Gibeau said of the deal, “This is the start of a great publishing partnership – one that I expect will develop blockbuster game franchises. Jason and Vince are two of the top creative leaders in the entertainment industry. At EA, we’re honored to be their partners and to give them the support they need to hire a team and return to making incredible games.”

We were already expecting the Activision/Infinity Ward battle to rage mightily in court, and this latest news will surely tack on a few hundred degrees more of intensity. Adding to the fire too is the fact that Respawn proudly trumpeted that it will have complete control over its intellectual properties.

“We’re excited. Now that the team is in control of the games and brands, we can ensure that the fans are treated as well as they deserve,” said Respawn Entertainment president West.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the first title from Respawn should be out in two to three years. Expect to hear plenty more about this story as it continues to develop.

Infinity Ward - Electronic Arts - Activision - Jason West - Frank Gibeau