I don’t know anyone that can’t pass up a good beta, Call of Duty: World at War is no exception to the rule, especially for those gamers that pre-ordered the title already. It’s a great opportunity when you’re able to buy a game ahead of time because you’re a fan and get into the beta early.

Santa Monica, CA – October 13, 2008 – The dogs of war are being unleashed today, as Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and developer Treyarch announced the launch of the multiplayer beta for Call of Duty: World at War on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Console players can guarantee themselves a token by pre-ordering the game at North American GameStop retail locations,* or online at http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=71812. Call of Duty fans that register to become members at www.callofduty.com are also eligible to receive a token, but these tokens are limited in supply, so register today. Windows PC fans can expect a multiplayer beta soon. For more information about either beta and the opportunity to secure a beta token or key, fans can also visit www.callofduty.com/beta.
The Call of Duty: World at War multiplayer betas will provide players with an opportunity to play as U.S. Marines, German Wehrmacht, Japanese Imperial Army and Russian Red Army factions in a variety of game types (Team Death Match, Free-For-All, Capture the Flag and War), across three different maps:
- Castle: The Imperial Japanese Army faces off against the Marine Raiders in a daytime battle, located on the grounds of an ancient, Japanese castle.
- Makin: The U.S. Marine Raiders square off against the Imperial Japanese Army in a nighttime fight, set in an outpost on the Makin Atoll in the Pacific.
- Roundhouse: The Wehrmact will fight the Red Army to the bitter end in a daytime struggle that features tank and infantry combat, set in a desolate, war-torn European train depot.
The betas will last for a few weeks; however, the full battle will commence on November 11, 2008 when Call of Duty: World at War is released to retailers nationwide.
Call of Duty: World at War is in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo® Wii™ and Nintendo DS. The title has been rated M for Mature for blood and violence by the ESRB. The Nintendo DS version has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
For more information and exclusive updates about Call of Duty: World at War, visit www.callofduty.com
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision Publishing and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.
@Diablo III‘s Wilson on former Diablo dev’s mixed feelings on game: “F- that loser”
The criticism sounds fair. I’m with Jonah on this subject, Diablo 3 didn’t do as good as expected, so it could be that the current team ended up venting some of their frustrations.
I’ll stick with how I feel about Blizzard after opting for all time Internet connection DRM: f*ck Blizzard.
I like what Brevik said:
“so I am happy that it has come to light that how talented that group was and how unique and special that group was. I am hoping that, as this happens very often in the industry, you see it with Call of Duty and things like that , when the people leave the game changes and it shows how critical people are in this industry.”
@C&C: Generals 2 will be multiplayer-only at launch
🙁 … why … I liked the story mode in Generals …
If however they release also modding tools for it, I can see fan made stories.
Thing is, if the game is MP only, I can see it forcing you to play with a constant online internet connection, no modding tools available.
Hmm ….
Jordan does have a point, to me the story sold the game. I did play MP and lots of skirmish, but it was the story that hooked me.
I will give it a play though, who knows …
@QOTW: I guess 2-3 months before announcing the next generation.
What happened to the “There’s a zombie on your lawn” song?
Hmm, “I can see” too much 😛 …
It’s good to hear that Paul is all right. We really need that “Paul touch” he adds to the podcast. I already miss his emotionally spurred illogical arguments. Reminds me of my ex-girlfriend.
@Diablo 3 bitching
It’s easy to see why Blizzard gets so emotional about that comment. It takes a lot of time and effort to develop a game. When someone criticises your work, you are bound to lash out. But if you do it on twitter and it makes into the news then you are daft and should probably go back to school. Next time just break into the guys house and discreetly take a shit on his carpet.
In reality, Diablo II was better and more successful then it’s sequel. That is a fact for many. But that was a long time ago. Blizzard attempted to modernise III to contemporary standard. This may have been a mistake. Poor fan service. Still, the game is out and nothing will change that.
@Guildwars
Wanted to play the original but never had an opportunity. For me there was always a barrier to playing MMOs. As I am a student, I am forced to own a laptop rather than a desktop. That means I can play an hour of an MMO at most before the thing goes into a critical meltdown. Recently I got a PS3 and downloaded DC Universe. I played the game before on my laptop but had to quit because of heating and lag problems. With the PS3 that problem is gone and I am actually enjoying myself. Wish they would release more MMOs on consoles. I am actually looking forward to FFXIV.
@Command and Conquer
The series is just not the same after Westwood fell apart. I enjoyed Red Alert 1 and 2. Played C&C 3 and wanted to kill something. That game was cancer. I still prefer to stick to Red Alert 2. Believe it or not, but there are still a 100 or so people hanging out on the on-line servers there.
@Prey’s great escape
Prey was a launch title for Xbox360 as far as I remember. Wouldn’t surprise me if they made Prey 2 for the next gen launch. A bit too risky to release games at the moment, unless they start with Halo, Assasins or Call.
@QOTW
Depends on the popularity of the console and the economic situation. In standard cases, you should cut the price a year or so after the release. By then most of those interested in shelling out full price for the console probably bough it. Others need an incentive and the price cut will do the trick. In special cases like PSVita, you should cut the price preferably before the sales figures go into negative numbers. With cases like PSP GO you shouldn’t make the console in the first place.
PS: I was enraged when BBC NEWS spent most of it’s report on Brevik’s conviction talking about how he played WOW and COD. Cause obviously all mass killers are influenced by video games. Should make a decent QOTW: does playing games make you want to pick up a gun and massacre people?
Greetings from Portugal!
Can’t wait to get a chance to play Guild Wars 2. I’ve already got enough games for now. If it receives enough praise by the end of this year, I’ll probably buy it. I’m also mildly excited for Plants vs Zombies 2, the original was great.
@QOTW: I think that any time hardware is not coming close to target sales, that should be the time that the company considers a price cut.