While Modern Warfare 3 is sure to sell millions of copies this November, new complimentary products revealed at Call of Duty XP and PAX Prime will enhance the shooter experience. Here's four add-ons to keep an eye out for:
4- Call of Duty Elite premium
While many have been testing the exhaustive stat-tracking present in the Call of Duty Elite beta via the PC, Activision detailed plans for the service to come to additional platforms - namely, mobile devices and consoles. Elite was on display at Call of Duty XP, where I was able to better navigate the heat maps and scroll through weapon loadouts more naturally. Activision also revealed the details for the premium arm of Elite, which offers a pretty good deal for hardcore COD fans. For $50 a year, Elite premium subscribers will get all of the DLC due out for Modern Warfare 3 before the rest of the online community, daily contests exclusive to the Elite community, the ability to create and level up clans, and exclusive video content (which ranges from pro gamer tips, to a Ridley Scott-produced show that pits real-life rivals in COD matches, to a show featuring Will Arnett and Jason Bateman making quips over user-created COD matches). Given the fact that the DLC alone costs over $60, the additional content should make Elite a great value. In fact, the only greater value than getting Elite alone is the next entry on this list.
3- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition
As Activision is wont to do each year with Call of Duty games, Modern Warfare 3 will have a limited edition release that packs more content in the box besides the game disc. The only one revealed so far - the $100 Hardened Edition - will include plenty of bang for the buck. The game will come with a 100-page book featuring art and intel, an exclusive outfit for your Avatar, but the biggest draw is the free one-year membership to Call of Duty Elite. Given the fact that the standalone game is $60, the Hardened Edition provides even greater value for Call of Duty's online service.
2- Modern Warfare 3 Headsets from Turtle Beach and Microsoft
Revealed last week at PAX, Turtle Beach will be providing premium headsets for those who crave the best audio experience from Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer. There will be four different headsets in the Ear Force Modern Warfare 3 line, ranging from the $100 Ear Force Foxtrot (which includes 40mm speakers, as well as chat and bass boosts) to the $300 Ear Force Delta (which offers 7.1 surround sound, presets created by the Modern Warfare 3 development team, and dynamic filters that will allow you to perform audio feats like drowning out music to hear enemy footsteps). All of the headsets will include a rough-textured military finish, Modern Warfare 3 branding, and a suite of downloadable bonuses, including a Bradygames strategy guide. For those who want a lighter product (in terms of both weight and price), Microsoft will be releasing a wireless Bluetooth headet for $60.
1- Xbox 360 Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Console
We felt a bit of a sting when the gorgeous-looking Kinect Star Wars console was delayed into 2012 along with the game. Thankfully, there's another limited edition system headed our way this year. For $400, dedicated Call of Duty fans will get a the game, a Modern Warfare 3-branded system (including power-on and disc-eject sound effects), two branded controllers, and a branded wireless Bluetooth headset. Between this system and the September-due Gears of War 3 console, shooter fans have plenty of potential new console targets.
4- Call of Duty Elite premium
While many have been testing the exhaustive stat-tracking present in the Call of Duty Elite beta via the PC, Activision detailed plans for the service to come to additional platforms - namely, mobile devices and consoles. Elite was on display at Call of Duty XP, where I was able to better navigate the heat maps and scroll through weapon loadouts more naturally. Activision also revealed the details for the premium arm of Elite, which offers a pretty good deal for hardcore COD fans. For $50 a year, Elite premium subscribers will get all of the DLC due out for Modern Warfare 3 before the rest of the online community, daily contests exclusive to the Elite community, the ability to create and level up clans, and exclusive video content (which ranges from pro gamer tips, to a Ridley Scott-produced show that pits real-life rivals in COD matches, to a show featuring Will Arnett and Jason Bateman making quips over user-created COD matches). Given the fact that the DLC alone costs over $60, the additional content should make Elite a great value. In fact, the only greater value than getting Elite alone is the next entry on this list.
3- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition
As Activision is wont to do each year with Call of Duty games, Modern Warfare 3 will have a limited edition release that packs more content in the box besides the game disc. The only one revealed so far - the $100 Hardened Edition - will include plenty of bang for the buck. The game will come with a 100-page book featuring art and intel, an exclusive outfit for your Avatar, but the biggest draw is the free one-year membership to Call of Duty Elite. Given the fact that the standalone game is $60, the Hardened Edition provides even greater value for Call of Duty's online service.
2- Modern Warfare 3 Headsets from Turtle Beach and Microsoft
Revealed last week at PAX, Turtle Beach will be providing premium headsets for those who crave the best audio experience from Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer. There will be four different headsets in the Ear Force Modern Warfare 3 line, ranging from the $100 Ear Force Foxtrot (which includes 40mm speakers, as well as chat and bass boosts) to the $300 Ear Force Delta (which offers 7.1 surround sound, presets created by the Modern Warfare 3 development team, and dynamic filters that will allow you to perform audio feats like drowning out music to hear enemy footsteps). All of the headsets will include a rough-textured military finish, Modern Warfare 3 branding, and a suite of downloadable bonuses, including a Bradygames strategy guide. For those who want a lighter product (in terms of both weight and price), Microsoft will be releasing a wireless Bluetooth headet for $60.
1- Xbox 360 Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Console
We felt a bit of a sting when the gorgeous-looking Kinect Star Wars console was delayed into 2012 along with the game. Thankfully, there's another limited edition system headed our way this year. For $400, dedicated Call of Duty fans will get a the game, a Modern Warfare 3-branded system (including power-on and disc-eject sound effects), two branded controllers, and a branded wireless Bluetooth headset. Between this system and the September-due Gears of War 3 console, shooter fans have plenty of potential new console targets.
