The Replacer!

The first DLC map pack for Black Ops @ is Revolution dropping now. What's not unexpected is the new maps, but what's different is for the first time now you can play a zombie, and there is a new weapon for multi-player too. That's never been done before in any release. Things look awesome, and Treyarch has done some great marketing as usual. This time they introduce "The Replacer", who has a logo lapel pin and drives an awesome classic challenger with signature orange rims. And it's funny, so check out the Replacer's video trailer. Also, the commercial for the original Black Ops is still a great watch if you like to reminisce on such things.

Sales and Play!

Gaming seems to be ignored by the media. When was the last time you saw a game review on CNN instead of a movie review? But what many don’t seem to know and that the mainstream media constantly ignores is that video games are the new media. Take Avatar, the biggest most famous blockuster movie in recent years. It took 17 days to reach 1 billion dollars in sales, (which is only tied by the Avengers and the last Harry Potter) worldwide. But what is ignored is that the last s releases of Call of Duty have each beaten hose records. 2011′s Modern Warfare 3 reached 1 billion in 16 days and last years Black Ops 2 in 15 days only! Quoting Activision’s Bobby Kotick:

“The release of Call of Duty has been one of the most significant entertainment events of each of the last six years,” said Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. “Since Call of Dutywas launched, cumulative franchise revenues from players around the world are greater than current worldwide box office receipts to date for the top-10 grossing films of 2012 combined. Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded worldwide theatrical box office receipts for Harry Potter and Star Wars, the two most successful movie franchises of all time.”

Neglected!

Today let's discuss the EMP grenade. Visually the same in Black Ops 2 as in MW3, the performance has greatly improved. Most players must not realize the potential of this little bomb because in my many hours of play I don't often get them thrown at me. Fortunately (and to no surprise) there's plenty of YouTube videos showing tips and tricks. This video is short and neat with plenty of EMP info! What do you think? Is it just right, too weak, or will it get nerfed in a patch?

Diamond Camo!

Weapon personalization with Camo and other effects has long been part of the Call of Duty series, with Gold Camo being the highest unlocked Camo that can be earned to show off your status. But now in Black Ops 2 Diamond Camo has been introduced, but appears nowhere in any part of the customization screen. How do you get it? Well I'm sure the first gamer to discover it unlocked it quite by accident as it is hidden. And for some weapon classes it's very hard to get indeed. (I'm working on it for LMG and I'm not halfway there.) But watch this exciting quick video and you'll see how to pimp your ride, if you can pull it off!

Camping IS a legitimate strategy!

Yes it is! Let's kick of this blog with some commentary on camping, for which this blog partly takes it's name. According to Wikipedia, camping is "a tactic where a player obtains a static strategic position of advantage, often providing a clear field of view over a choke point or position of tactical interest whilst retaining cover", and, "there has been much debate on what is defending and what is camping". And this is true- after all, who in real life would see the only acceptable battle strategy as charging into enemy fire "spraying and praying" with reckless abandon? Of course trying to control area and taking any advantage is normal to warfare, but in games that simulate first person shooting, all too many cry foul. I concede that if everyone camped there would be no game, I think players shouldn't spew hate just because die of sudden lead poisoning immediately after running around a corner they shouldn't have run around without looking. Adapt! Try throwing a flash or concussion grenade around the corner first, or maybe use your com to report enemy positions. (You have a headset, right?) But please don't whine!