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Last night Activision hosted a reveal event for its upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops shooter. Loads of new information was revealed, and I’ve provided most of the high points. Read on!

Combat Training

Combat Training is a new mode that lets you train for multiplayer against a “lobby” of bots. This offline “multiplayer” gives new players the chance to familiarize themselves with the maps and pace of pvp; it even comes with its own progression system. This mode can be played alone or cooperatively with friends.

CoD Points

Black Ops is doing away with the standard progression reward system, one that unlocks gadgets and guns that might not even be used. Throughout gameplay you’ll get CoD Points that you will spend to unlock the gear that you actually want. Contracts can be bought and completed within the time limit for more CoD Points. If you’re feeling lucky you can play in Wager Matches in hopes of finishing in the top three, or “In the Money”.

Wager Matches
Wager Matches call for players to buy into four free-for-all game types that award CoD Points to the top three players. These unique modes, which are separate from standard progression, are called One in the Chamber, Sticks and Stones, Gun Game, and Sharp Shooter.

One in the Chamber puts a pistol (only) in each player’s hand, but the guns are loaded with just one bullet. If you kill someone you loot their bullet. If you miss, you’ll have to knife them in order to steal the ammo. Three strikes and you’re out.

Sticks and Stones changes out the pistol for crossbows, tomahawks, and ballistic knives. Knives and crossbows aren’t anything special here. The tomahawk, however, will bankrupt the player that it kills.

Gun Game is the result of a community request. In this mode players will work through a series of progressive weapons, with each kill bumping the player up a tier from pistol to shotgun, etc. Knifing a player drops them down a tier.

Sharp Shooter is the final type of Wager Match. All players begin with the same randomized weapon, and they’re stuck with it until the weapons change again at a set interval. Each kill earns a perk and eventually a multiplier.

Perks

• Lightweight – Move Faster
• Scavenger – Pick up ammo from fallen enemies. Replenish lethal grenades.
• Ghost – Undetectable by the Spy Plane and the Blackbird.
• Flak Jacket – Reduces explosive damage.
• Hardline – Killstreaks require 1 less kill.
• Hardened – Bullets penetrate better.
• Scout – Hold breath longer.
• Steady Aim – Increased hip-fire accuracy.
• Sleight of Hand – Faster reloads.
• Warlord – Equip two attachments to your primary weapon.
• Marathon – Longer sprint.
• Ninja – Silent movement.
• Second Chance – Pull out your pistol before dying.
• Hacker – Ability to detect enemy equipment and explosives.
• Tactical Mask – Reduces the effect of flash and concussion grenades.

Killstreaks

• 3 Kills – Spy Plane
• 3 Kills – RC-XD (RC bomb)
• 4 Kills – Counter Spy Plane
• 4 Kills – SAM Turret
• 5 Kills – Care Package
• 5 Kills – Napalm Strike
• 6 Kills – Sentry Gun
• 6 Kills – Mortar Team
• 7 Kills – Attack Helicopter
• 7 Kills – Valkyrie Rockets
• 8 Kills – Blackbird
• 8 Kills – “Rolling Thunder”
• 9 Kills – Chopper Gunner
• 11 Kills – Attack Dogs
• 11 Kills – Gunship

There are also rare Killstreaks such as Death Machine (a minigun) and Grim Reaper (a rocket launcher).

Customization

In Call of Duty: Black Ops you’ll be able to create a unique emblem, complete with various layers, images, and backgrounds. This brand can adorn your gun as well. New camo patterns and customizable red-dot sights make your weapon truly yours.

Theater

As is the case with Halo, you’ll be able to record matches, maneuver a camera to view the whole map, and share your files. Supposedly all LIVE games can be searched, tagged, and viewed at your discretion. It’s currently unclear if we will see some service the likes of Halo Waypoint, but all this new intel is sure to stoke the fires for Call of Duty: Black Ops, due out November 9th.

• 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman – “California Love Remix”
• 50 Cent – “In Da Club”
• Adamski – “Killer”
• Afrika Bambaataa and The Soul Sonic Force – “Planet Rock”
• Armand Van Helden – “I Want Your Soul”
• A-Trak – “Say Whoa”
• B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ On You”
• Basement Jaxx – “Where’s Your Head At”
• BlakRoc feat. Pharoahe Monch & RZA – “Dollaz & Sense”
• Busta Rhymes – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”
• Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone”
• Chamillionaire – “Ridin’“
• Chic – “Good Times”
• Chic – “Le Freak”
• Clinton Sparks, DJ Class, & Jermaine Dupri – “Favorite DJ”
• Daft Punk – “Human After All”
• Damian Marley – “Welcome To Jamrock”
• David Guetta & Chris Willis – “Love Is Gone”
• David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi – “Memories”
• David Guetta vs. The Egg – “Love Don’t Let Me Go (Walking Away)”
• Deadmau5 – “Ghosts N Stuff”
• Deadmau5 & Kaskade – “I Remember”
• Deee-Lite – “Groove Is In The Heart”
• Dillinja and Skibadee – “Twist ‘Em Out”
• Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden – “Bonkers”
• DJ Qbert – “Super Battle Breaks”
• DJ Shadow – “Midnight In A Perfect World”
• DJ Shadow feat. Q-Tip and Lateef The Truth Speaker – “Enuff (DJ Fresh Remix)”
• Donna Summer – “Bad Girls”
• Edwin Starr – “War”
• Eminem – “Not Afraid”
• Estelle feat. Kanye West – “American Boy”
• Flo Rida – “Low”
• Flo Rida feat. Will.I.Am – “In The Ayer”
• Gorillaz feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack – “Stylo”
• Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat. Melle Mel & Duke Bootee – “The Message”
• Harold Faltermeyer – “Axel F”
• House Of Pain – “Jump Around”
• Iyaz – “Replay”
• Janet Jackson – “Nasty”
• Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.”
• Justice – “Waters Of Nazareth”
• Kanye West – “Heartless”
• Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
• Kaskade & Deadmau5 – “Move For Me”
• Kelis – “Acapella (David Guetta Extended Mix)”
• Kool & The Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
• Lady Gaga – “Lovegame”
• Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
• Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis – “Just Dance”
• Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins – “Get Low”
• Lil’ Wayne – “Go DJ”
• Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major – “Lollipop”
• LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
• M.I.A. – “Galang”
• M|A|R|R|S – “Pump Up The Volume”
• Major Lazer feat. VYBZ Kartel – “Pon De Floor”
• Malcolm McLaren – “Buffalo Gals”
• Metallica – “The Day That Never Comes”
• Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On”
• MSTRKRFT feat. N.O.R.E. – “Bounce”
• Nas feat. Keri Hilson – “Hero”
• Naughty By Nature – “O.P.P.”
• Nelly – “Hot In Herre”
• New Boyz – “You’re A Jerk”
• New Order – “Blue Monday”
• Newcleus – “Jam On It”
• Nightcrawlers – “Push The Feeling On (MK Mix 95)”
• Orbital – “The Box”
• Pirate Soundsystem – “Bashy Bashy”
• Pitbull – “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”
• Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes – “Don’t Cha”
• Rihanna – “Pon De Replay”
• Rihanna – “Rude Boy”
• Robin S – “Show Me Love (Stonebridge Radio Edit)”
• Salt N Pepa – “Push It”
• Sam Cooke – “Chain Gang”
• Sam Sparro – “B&G” a/k/a “Black & Gold”
• Sean Paul – “Infiltrate”
• Sean Paul – “Get Busy”
• Snoop Dogg – “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”
• Snow – “Informer”
• Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
• Sparfunk & D-Code – “Apocalypse”
• Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”
• Talib Kweli – “Get By”
• The Chemical Brothers – “Leave Home”
• The Chemical Brothers feat. Q-Tip – “Galvanize”
• The Crystal Method – “Busy Child (Still Busy After All These Years Remix)”
• The Jackson 5 – “ABC”
• The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Mase & Diddy – “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems”
• The Prodigy – “Omen”
• The Prodigy – “Firestarter”
• Tiësto – “Speed Rail”
• Tiësto & Sneaky Sound System – “I Will Be Here”
• Tiësto vs Diplo – “Come On”
• Tiga – “You Gonna Want Me”
• Timbaland feat. Drake – “Say Something”
• Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – “The Way I Are”
• Tweet feat. Missy Elliott – “Oops (Oh My)”
• Walter Murphy – “A Fifth Of Beethoven”
• Warren G feat. Nate Dogg – “Regulate”
• Wayne Smith – “Under Mi Sleng Teng”
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix )”
• Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”

◦A Perfect Circle – “The Outsider”
◦Aerosmith – “Cryin’”
◦AFI – “Dancing Through Sunday”
◦Alice Cooper – “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
◦Alter Bridge – “Ties That Bind”
◦Anberlin – “The Feel Good Drag”
◦Anthrax – “Indians”
◦Arch Enemy – “Nemesis”
◦Atreyu – “Ravenous”
◦Avenged Sevenfold – “Bat Country”
◦Bad Brains – “Re-Ignition (Live)”
◦Band Of Skulls – “I Know What I Am”
◦Black Sabbath – “Children Of The Grave”
◦Blind Melon – “Tones Of Home”
◦Blue Öyster Cult – “Burnin’ For You”
◦Bush – “Machinehead”
◦Buzzcocks – “What Do I Get?”
◦Children Of Bodom – “If You Want Peace… Prepare For War”
◦Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Fortunate Son”
◦The Cure – “Fascination Street”
◦Deep Purple – “Burn”
◦Def Leppard – “Pour Some Sugar On Me (Live)”
◦Dethklok – “Bloodlines”
◦The Dillinger Escape Plan – “Setting Fire To Sleeping Giants”
◦Dire Straits – “Money For Nothing”
◦DragonForce – “Fury of the Storm”
◦Drowning Pool – “Bodies”
◦Edgar Winter– “Free Ride”
◦Fall Out Boy – “Dance, Dance”
◦Five Finger Death Punch – “Hard To See”
◦Flyleaf – “Again”
◦Foo Fighters – “No Way Back”
◦Foreigner – “Feels Like The First Time”
◦George Thorogood and The Destroyers – “Move It On Over (Live)”
◦The Hives – “Tick Tick Boom”
◦Interpol – “Slow Hands”
◦Jane’s Addiction – “Been Caught Stealing”
◦Jethro Tull – “Aqualung”
◦John 5 – “Black Widow Of La Porte”
◦KISS – “Love Gun”
◦Linkin Park – “Bleed It Out”
◦Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Call Me The Breeze (Live)”
◦Megadeth – “Sudden Death”
◦Megadeth – “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due”
◦Megadeth – “This Day We Fight!”
◦Metallica & Ozzy Osbourne – “Paranoid (Live)”
◦Muse – “Uprising”
◦My Chemical Romance – “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”
◦Neil Young – “Rockin’ In The Free World”
◦Nickelback – “How You Remind Me”
◦Night Ranger – “(You Can Still) Rock In America”
◦Nine Inch Nails – “Wish”
◦The Offspring – “Self Esteem”
◦Orianthi – “Suffocated”
◦Pantera – “I’m Broken”
◦Phoenix – “Lasso”
◦Poison – “Unskinny Bop”
◦Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
◦Queensrÿche – “Jet City Woman”
◦Rammstein – “Waidmanns Heil”
◦The Ramones – “Theme From Spiderman”
◦Red Rider – “Lunatic Fringe”
◦R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion”
◦Rise Against – “Savior”
◦The Rolling Stones – “Stray Cat Blues”
◦The Runaways – “Cherry Bomb”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 1 – Overture”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 2 – The Temples Of Syrinx”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 3 – Discovery”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 4 – Presentation”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 5 – Oracle: The Dream”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 6 – Soliloquy”
◦Rush – “2112 Pt. 7 – Grand Finale”
◦RX Bandits – “It’s Only Another Parsec…”
◦Silversun Pickups – “There’s No Secrets This Year”
◦Slash featuring Ian Astbury – “Ghost”
◦Slayer – “Chemical Warfare”
◦Slipknot – “Psychosocial”
◦Snot – “Deadfall”
◦Soundgarden – “Black Rain”
◦Steve Vai – “Speeding” (Vault Version)
◦Stone Temple Pilots – “Interstate Love Song”
◦Strung Out – “Calling”
◦Styx – “Renegade”
◦Sum 41 – “Motivation”
◦Tesla – “Modern Day Cowboy”
◦Them Crooked Vultures – “Scumbag Blues”
◦Third Eye Blind – “Graduate”
◦Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Listen To Her Heart”
◦Twisted Sister – “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
◦The Vines – “Get Free”
◦The White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army”
◦ZZ Top – “Sharp Dressed Man (Live)”

MadCatz won’t let you live with your own controllers, ohhhhh no. Yet again, MC joins with CoD to bring you a new option for sniping at your buddies. Aside from the fresh new look, the Black Ops hardware will feature a button on the back of the peripheral that will lower the analog sticks’ sensitivity, supposedly enhancing accuracy. If nothing else, this novel feature will grant you a new excuse for why your controller got you shot.

Here’s the eclectic arrangement for the upcoming DJ Hero sequel:

* 2Pac
* 50 Cent
* Adamski
* Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
* Armand Van Helden
* A-Trak
* B.o.B.
* Basement Jaxx
* BlakRoc
* Bobby Womack
* Bruno Mars
* Busta Rhymes
* Calvin Harris
* Chamillionaire
* Chic
* Chris Willis
* Clinton Sparks
* Colby O’Donis
* Daft Punk
* Damian Marley
* David Guetta
* Deadmau5
* Deee-Lite
* Dillinja
* Diplo
* Dizzee Rascal
* DJ Shadow
* Donna Summer
* Dr. Dre
* Drake
* Edwin Starr
* Eminem
* Estelle
* Flo Rida
* Gorillaz
* Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
* Harold Faltermeyer
* House Of Pain
* Iyaz
* Jackson 5
* Janet Jackson
* Justice
* Kanye West
* Kaskade
* Kelis
* Keri Hilson
* Kid Cudi
* Kool & The Gang
* Lady Gaga
* Lil Jon
* Lil Wayne
* LL Cool J
* M.I.A.
* M|A|R|R|S
* Major Lazer
* Malcolm McLaren
* Mase
* Melle Mel & Duke Bootee
* Metallica
* Missy Elliott
* Mos Def
* MSTRKRFT
* N.O.R.E.
* Nas
* Nate Dogg
* Naughty By Nature
* Nelly
* New Boyz
* New Order
* Newcleus
* Nightcrawlers
* Orbital
* Pharoahe Monch
* Pirate Soundsystem
* Pitbull
* Puff Daddy
* Pussycat Dolls
* Rihanna
* Robin S.
* RZA
* Salt N Pepa
* Sam Cooke
* Sam Sparro
* Sean Paul
* Skibadee
* Sneaky Sound System
* Snoop Dogg
* Snow
* Soulja Boy Tell Em
* Sparfunk & D-Code
* Static Major
* Stevie Wonder
* Talib Kweli
* The Chemical Brothers
* The Crystal Method
* The Egg
* The Notorious B.I.G.
* The Prodigy
* Tiësto
* Tiga
* Timbaland
* Tweet
* Walter Murphy
* Warren G
* Wayne Smith
* Will.I.Am
* Yeah Yeah Yeahs
* Young Jeezy

So we’ve heard/seen/read the GameStop promos for Call of Duty: Black Ops. Pre-order the game and get the exclusive, 300k-limited, two-sided poster; study it carefully and stand by for orders. Have you actually followed those instructions? Chances are you haven’t…some elite soldier YOU are.

If you DID closely examine the poster, you might’ve noticed a code at the top. This code reveals 208.75.218.28, which can be thrown into your address bar to yield a GameStop CoD:BO site, which is currently under construction. If you enter your contact information, you’ll be “contacted when [the site] is up and running.” Hmmmm.

But wait! There’s more! On the bottom corner of the poster you might notice the phone number 877-386-4270. If you throw caution to the wind and pick up the horn to investigate, you’ll hear a looped track of what sounds like it could be a mystery box. Perhaps this means that Treyarch’s fan favorite zombie mode will return in Call of Duty: Black Ops?

Let’s get that rumor mill churning. User Mikhail posted at length on one particular Call of Duty blog, spouting his crazy notions to any who would lend an ear. “This is what i think… zombies will be incorporated into the game or at least MAJORLY extended. The creators mentioned on how they would take BIG risks and let the game “speak for itself”. Also i think i uncovered the numbers next to the ip address just to the right and it gave me some weird gravity thing. Also in the first preview of black ops it mentioned to double the voltage and give him some more of the stuff which was mentioned in one of the radios in nazi zombies. Also the blue light could be the material 115 that powers the wonderwaffle and raygun. Sally refers to the daughter of the scientist who helped create the zombies and how she is all around der reise zombies map. The phone number does give you a chime but i did it by placing a 1 before the number in order to get connected (just in case you have problems calling). Just think about it, SOG was a secret military group that provided cover and Intel for the US and went in on secret missions. Zombies just might be one of the topics in black ops. Who knows…”

Food…or brains…for thought.

“True Crime®: Hong Kong thrusts players into the role of undercover detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates one of Hong Kong’s largest and most dangerous Triad organizations. With orders to “do whatever it takes to become one of them,” players will engage in fast-paced martial arts combat, explosive gunfights, high-octane action driving, and acrobatic free-running chases as they navigate True Crime’s treacherous Hong Kong criminal underworld.

Inspired by classic Hollywood and Asian cinema style action thrillers, True Crime’s story unfolds as Wei’s reputation and influence grows within the Triad organization, and he becomes deeply torn between the lines of right and wrong. In order to keep his cover and continue ascending the gang’s ranks, Wei must balance his moral duty as a cop against the plethora of illegal activity he commits, including theft, extortion, drug running, smuggling guns, shaking down informants, kidnapping, human trafficking and more.

To stay alive, Wei must think like them, fight like them, and kill like them…”

Read more

Activision blew our minds tonight, but they started with making us want to jump out of the window of our rather modest hotel. Adhering to the ban on filming and photography that was printed on the invite, we left our cameras in the room. When we arrived at 7:30 for check-in, however, we noticed plenty of folks who ignored the rule…and no one told them anything. So we apologize in advance for the few and crummy photos and/or videos we did manage to take, because they were taken with our phones.

So once we got to the Star Plaza Entrance at 7:30, all of the attendees had to sort themselves by first name into various lines. Unfortunately my line was the longest, and Jolly got through his in fairly short order. We got our press credentials and headed inside, after about an hour. The next hour was spent waiting outside of a VIP door, going upstairs, and being told to go to three different locations to wait for the sound check to finish. I was informed that an earthquake occurred around 9 pm and could be felt in Los Angeles, but as we were running around through the din of the busy Staples Center, we couldn’t tell seismic activity from bass beats. At 9:30 pm, a half hour late, we finally got let in to see DJ Z-Trip kick off the show.

The “Breakfast Club” deejay was on the ones and twos for awhile, splicing and scratching with a lengthy set as the lead-in to DJ Hero 2. The video that played on the huge screen pointed at an October 2010 release, then rattled off artists like 50 Cent, Flo Rida, Justice, Lil’ Wayne, Rihanna, Jackson 5, Prodigy, and Timbaland. One of the featured deejays during the promo was Deadmau5, who slowly ascended from a trap door in the stage. While DJ Z-Trip took a break, Deadmau5 worked his own scratch magic on his own healthy set. Disco Deadmau5 nodded in approval on the huge screen, while smaller neon Deadmau5 heads bobbed along to the music. When his arsenal was spent, he descended, only to have David Guetta rise up and assault the crowd with his own audio array. Guetta was all smiles as he bombarded the packed Staples Center with mashups, pausing only to let us know that he came from France to hang out with us this evening. When the final deejay rounded out his set list, the lights faded.

Usher took the stage, gyrating and thrusting his crotch at the many stage dancers who would shake bottoms, do upside-down splits, and employ many other maneuvers that reminded me that the show did not allow anyone under the age of 17. Ursher deployed a collection of his more well-known singles, informing the masses that he still had the desire to engage in intimacy while at the dance floor. I scowled at Jolly, displeased that I not only had to wait so long to get into the Staples Center, but I also got tricked into attending an Usher concert. After a couple false departures and a brief reprieve by will.i.am, Mr. R-a-y-m-o-n-d finally left for good, and I breathed an audible sigh of relief.

DJ Z-Trip took the stage once more, and the second featured game flashed on the screen. The turntable artist spliced jams with the voice of Tony Hawk as the fall skating title Shred cast gameplay upon the big screen. Z-Trip pointed to the middle of the floor, and there stood Tony Hawk himself, along with a cast of skateboard savants. Each member of this shredding squad launched off of a small ramp onto the main stage, catching air as the deejay announced them individually. Hawk took the microphone and claimed that the original plan was for the group to grind out on a large ramp, but technical difficulties prevented the more impressive showing at the last second. After an awkward shrug, Hawk and company left the stage quietly.

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock had an impressive showing. The September 2010 release touted artists including Dire Straits, Megadeth, My Chemical Romance, Stone Temple Pilots, and Nine Inch Nails. Then, something magical happened. Johnny Napalm took the helm as a quartet of classic Guitar Hero characters and an actual choir and orchestra paid homage to Queen with “Bohemian Rhapsody”. They weren’t the only ones, however, as Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel did the real work while Napalm et al put on a very believable show on the big screen.

Jane’s Addiction was next, playing a few selections before another incredible surprise. A large dark sphere appeared onscreen, lit by a narrow halo of light. As I cracked jokes about dying in seven days to Jolly (no one remembers The Ring?), my breath caught in my throat. The long-hair and plain white shirt of the next artist that appeared was vague enough to preserve the surprise of the next performance. The first few chords of “Black Hole Sun” resounded throughout the Staples Center, and a collective sigh went up as I whispered the lone man’s identity. Chris Cornell.

The former head of Soundgarden created a mournful rendition of his old band’s legendary song, his tones taking the song to a deeper, more solemn and soulful level. The melancholic lighting drenched the arena with somber hues as Cornell hauntingly crooned his song. Every so often, at just the right moments in the chorus, the lighting would flash delicate white rays upon the vocalist, mimicking the corona that appeared around the eclipse still wavering on the screen above. Cornell’s trademark rasp reappeared as he repeated the song’s title, and each return to the three simple words was at the same time both a reacquaintance with an old friend and a heartbreaking view of a man defeated.

In yet another WTF move, Activision introduced us to an extremely talented pole dancer. The lithe woman ascended the metal pole that now pierced the middle of the arena, her limbs bending and twisting in ways that were simply baffling. She clearly was a ninja, as she was so deceptively strong as to hold herself in place dozens of feet above the ground…by her armpit. I kid you not. The rest of her body contorted, her iron pit bit into the metal bar as she held the logic-defying pose for what seemed like an eternity. This somehow served as a prelude to the next game of the evening, but at this point all bets were off.

True Crime: Hong Kong was tagged with a fall 2010 release date, and the trailer featured lots of the same ass-kickery that we’ve seen before, showing little more than that. After said violence, N.E.R.D. took the stage. Pharrell hyped the crowd before N.E.R.D. performed a few songs, including the old favorite “Lapdance”. This act was followed by a motorcycle-straddling, guitar-wielding, short-denim wearing, hip-shaking RHEA, who sang but one song.

The final demonstration tonight came in the form of Call of Duty: Black Ops. The crowd of retailer representatives, VIPs, media, and guests were all treated to the trailer that we’ve all seen, but most everyone cheered when a new gameplay screen picked up at the trailer’s end. Designating a mission in 1968 Laos, our protagonist and his bearded accomplice assaulted a Hind crew in a jungle clearing. After lighting up the resistance, the two characters hop into the Hind and fly off. The flight controls are passed onto the player, and the duo set off in the Hind to turn the tide of war.

The flying deathdealer takes off, firing upon a bridge suspended near a waterfall. Following a river, the chopper then turns its attention to an embankment of foes, setting the Hind’s weaponry upon the ground forces. From the waters below, boats begin firing upon the protagonist, calling for some quick maneuvering. Rival helicopters soon appear to harry the player, seeming to emphasize the importance of a quick trigger. This trial is overcome, however, but the day is not yet won. The mission objective “Neutralize SAM site” appears on the HuD, just before missiles come dangerously close to taking down the Hind. Adept missile dodging and counterfire takes out the SAM batteries, then it’s off to more bridge destruction. A few vehicles can be seen to the right, but they’re quickly dispatched. The protagonist flies towards a hostile village, and it’s here that the cockpit’s glass shatters. Bullet holes riddle the remaining glass, and flames at the bottom of the screen indicate that the vessel may not have much more left to give.

Suddenly, pyro erupts in the arena, wreathing the interior of the Staples Center in flame. “A lie is a lie” sounds out as the flames die down. We are reintroduced to another familiar trailer, but Activision yanks the carpet out from beneath our feet once more. The previously released video transitions to gunshots, which are amplified in the arena with pyrotechnics. Weaponry is fired on the screen and emulated with red flares that flash bright enough to leave an afterimage lingering long after the new volley of pyrotechnics. Powerful firecrackers and immense flames assault the senses as missiles are launched on the screen. Call of Duty: Black Ops shows mercy and reminds us of its November 9th release date.

Just when the show seems over, the orchestra begins to play anew, this time joined by a band. Blink 182’s Travis Barker gets a little camera time before the headliner takes the stage. Eminem makes his grand entrance. Shady and his hype man spat out a handful of tracks, from “Won’t Back Down” to “Forever”. The rapper joined up with a choir and Rihanna to sing “Not Afraid,” which was to wrap up the night’s songs. Which, of course, would have happened, if Eminem didn’t come back out to the fans he had thanked for sticking by his side during his hard times. The volatile lyricist chose “Lose Yourself” as the coup de grace for the unbelievable evening, a wise choice, considering it was the only performance that really got the crowd on its feet. Though seemingly odd for an accompaniment to an Eminem song, loads of glitter were blown over the crowd from the sides of the Staples Center, an oddly fitting end for the star-studded night.

While Activision’s conference didn’t put very much emphasis on its video games, it definitely created the most memorable event thus far at this year’s E3. In fact, while in line for the event, Jolly received word that the local Craigslist featured Activision event invites that were selling for upwards of $300 apiece, thanks to the performers rumored to attend. Take THAT, free Xbox 360!

Perhaps Activision had it right, all things considered. While murmurs abound that the rhythm-based genre of games is losing steam, what better way to renew interest in franchises like Guitar Hero and DJ Hero than to seamlessly incorporate them with the same artists that provide the groundwork for the games themselves? This event will be the talk of the expo, and perhaps it will remain so for years to come.

E3 2010 is almost here, which means anxiety levels are high over at 360 Rant Rave. Do we have everything we need? What are we wearing? Can we get to each appointment on time? Should we stop in and check out Leonard Nimoy? These and many more questions run through our heads, but perhaps chief amongst all these queries, is how we will pay for it all.

Don’t you fret, for we’ll figure it all out somehow. We’ve got a gameplan set up on the new forum (which should go live once the diligent Jolly gets the style and chat in place), so we’ll not be spending our first E3 looking like chocobos with no heads. The funding, however…well, we won’t turn down donations

Here’s a list of who is bringing what to the video game potluck going down in just a few days:

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While visions of E3 dance in our heads, our noggins couldn’t help but turn at the XBLA discounts available until Sunday for XBL Gold members. Worms 2: Armageddon, Peggle, and Duke Nukem 3D are all 50% off, reduced from 800 MS Points to 400 MS Points. If you’ve not yet experienced the addictive Peggle or the invertebrate infantry of Worms 2, now is the time to change that. Serious Sam HD, Battlefield 1943, and Call of Duty Classic are all down from 1200 MS Points to 800 MS Points each.

Speaking of worms, Earthworm Jim HD wiggles its way onto the Xbox LIVE Arcade today. This remasterig of the old classic sees Jim with a fancy new HD coat, which blends well with its new four-player co-op. At 800 MS Points, this is one throwback that should definitely be revisited.

Activision has announced DJ Hero 2, which will slide our way this fall. The set list looks very promising, with tracks from 80+ artists, including Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, and Lady Gaga. DJ Hero 2 will introduce the microphone to the series, as well as new multiplayer modes in the form of DJ Battle, Party (a la Guitar Hero), and Empire (career mode). For mixmasters new to the series, the DJ Hero 2 deluxe kit will channel Beck, as it includes two turntables and a microphone. To hype the sequel, original DJ Hero owners will be able to download a mashup of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance”/Deadmau5′s “Ghost’s ‘n’ Stuff” for free from June 8-14 on XBL.

Bad Company 2 will sound the battle cry today with the release of VIP Map Pack 3. With this free (for VIP members) update, the Nelson Bay map receives the Squad Deathmatch mode, while Laguna Alta is granted the Squad Rush mode. Are you Very Important?

While E3 is sure to substantiate any truth to the rumors, we’re hearing more and more speculation about Hulu on Xbox 360. Reuters has recently that the free video website will find a home on the 360. If/when it does, Hulu will provide modern videos for free, but older content will come at the price of a monthly fee.

Stay tuned as we hype E3, pointing out what each brand is bringing to the table at this year’s game show. Also, keep a look out for the new forums, which we aim to launch before we fly out to Los Angeles for E3 2010! Thanks for stopping by!