Led Zeppelin Turn Down Guitar Hero Concept

The members of Led Zeppelin turned down the chance to become video game legends after the brains behind the Guitar Hero concept offered them a share of their empire.

Activision Blizzard Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick has said he tried to persuade the rockers to sign over their rights for a Guitar Hero – but they declined.

Kotick reveals that fans of the game made it clear to him that they wanted a Zeppelin-themed game, but he couldn’t convince former bandmates Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to sign off on a deal.

“We did the research and it was very clear people didn’t want more ’80s heavy metal music. But what they wanted was very difficult for us to get from the music companies. The number one thing that our audiences wanted in Guitar Hero was Led Zeppelin, but we couldn’t get Led Zeppelin to consent to give us the rights.”

Previous bands to have benfited from the Guitar Hero franchise are Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen.

Activision halted production and development on their once-popular Guitar Hero franchise in February 2011

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Call of Duty Elite Metaphorically Speaking Trailer

Its pretty Elite.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 To Include Colour-Blind Assist

In the heat of the moment in modern first-person shooters, being able to distinguish red from green can mean the difference between a game-winning kill and an unfortunate team frag. This usually simple distinction can be a frustrating muddle for about 9% to 12% of the population — the percentage born with colour vision deficiency or, more commonly, colour blindness.

While colour-blind gamers have always used personal workarounds to recognize the colour differences in their video games, it makes for a serious roadblock against the enjoyment of more fast-paced and unforgiving play styles. Apparently, the co-developers of the upcoming sure-to-be blockbuster Modern Warfare 3 have recognized this and are taking steps to rectify a situation perhaps more widespread than previously acknowledged the most recent  Question of the Week on the Sledgehammer Games website, COO Michael Condrey states that Modern Warfare 3 will feature options that will allow players to tailor colour sets according to their visual needs. Answering the question of a colour-blind gamer, Condrey writes:

" I am happy to report that we are working on a colour blind assist option for Modern Warfare 3"

While Condrey does not share any details of what these Assist options will entail, his enthusiasm for the subject (even in a short blog post) is palpable. One gets the idea that it will be a more refined version of Call Of Duty: Black Ops basic colour change options, geared directly toward players with vision deficiency. Says Condrey (almost gleefully, one imagines)

"You won't be able to blame your red-green deficiency for all that friendly-fire come November 8th"

The announcement comes as an interesting side-chapter in Modern Warfare 3′s twisty development. Sledgehammer Games is one of three co-developers of the game, along with Infinity Ward (sporting an almost completely different staff roster than previous Call Of Duty iterations) and Raven Software.

Sledgehammer is said to be focusing largely on the multiplayer wing of the game (in addition to addressing Modern Warfare 3's competition), so it’s unknown whether the Colour Blind Assist option will be available for the single-player campaign. Then again, it’s not like people will really be signing on for the single-player Modern Warfare experience at this point, eh?

Do you have colour vision deficiency? If so, does this announcement affect your decision to purchase Modern Warfare 3? Share your thoughts on the matter — as well as any workarounds you’ve used in the past — in the comments!

Modern Warfare 3 will release for PC, PlayStation3, and Xbox 360 on November 9, 2011.

Are EA Going to Run Themselves Into The Ground?

Its hard to see anyone toppling Call Of Duty and World of Warcraft at the moment. With such an incredibly large fan base with loyal users, this just doesn't seem possible. Which is why I am shocked of all the talk coming out of Electronic Arts at the moment. Its been a funny couple of years for EA. Yearly franchises generate a yearly income which they can rely on but they also tested the waters with several new IP's, Some very good ones at that. 

Games such as Dead Space were fantastic to play and were very critically acclaimed but not when it came to sales figures. Maybe this has driven EA in a different direction. I fear that they have taken a wrong turn this time. With EA so publicly gunning for Activision within the gaming market and off it, They are sailing a risky ship. 

There's no denying that Battlefield 3 looks gorgeous and the new Frostbite 2 engine gives it that depth and fluidity that Call Of Duty just doesn't have. Battlefield 3 will sell nicely but with the incredible amount of money they have spent developing this new engine to achieve the game they want to challenge and the vast amount of money spent on marketing to force COD fans to pick there game instead, If this venture fails then where does it leave them? Not only are they going after the biggest game in history but also the game with the most loyal fanbase, World of Warcraft. 

Star Wars The Old Republic is Bioware and EA's big challenger to the MMORPG crown. Its not official but if reports are thought to be true then EA have spent a staggering amount of money on developing this game. Announced some time ago, That figure is only getting larger by the day. SWTOR and Battlefield 3 won't lose EA any money. Lets not be stupid now, These are huge games that will sell, but EA's reputation could take a real beating in all this. 


What do you guys think? Will Battlefield and SWTOR sell better than Activisions Giants?

EA and Activision Multi-Million Dollar Legal Scrap Set To Begin

I could attempt to explain this (and believe me I did) but Tom Ingham of CVG put it in better words than I ever could.


by Tom Ingham of CVG


"A Los Angeles Superior Court judge this week ruled that there were enough facts to support allegations from former Infinity Ward chiefs Jason West and Vincent Zampella that Activision Blizzard defrauded the duo to the tune of $125 million - meaning the path is now set for a full hearing later this year.

The pair are suing the US publisher, headed up by Bobby Kotick, for being fired before receiving what they claim were deserved royalty payments.

The duo claim that Activision promised them control of the Modern Warfare series - as well as increased royalties for Infinity ward on income over $50 million on future games. However, they say that they were removed in 2010 (forcibly, if you remember) before the due payment of over $125 million in royalties was to be made.

West and Zampella's attorneys will be able to question Activision Blizzard CEO Kotick directly as part of the case.

The news follows a ruling from back in March, when another L.A superior court judge ruled that Activision also had sufficient claims against Electronic Arts, for interfering with West and Zampella's contract.

Judge Berle sided with Activision to pursue its countersuit litigation against EA, West and Zampella.

Activision is seeking $400 million in damages for "tortious interference, unfair competition, and breaches of fiduciary duty".

It claims that EA executives made secret attempts to lure the Call of Duty creators as early as July 2009 - pointing the finger at EA CEO John Riccitiello in particular.

West and Zampella set up new studio Respawn Entertainment in April 2010. The US company is being funded by EA as part of the publisher's Partners programme.

No product has yet been revealed by Respawn. It is thought to have been creating a game since May 2010, whilst staff wearing the company's logo on their T-shirts were out en masse at E3.

Following West and Zampellla's removal from Infinity Ward, 46 staff left the Modern Warfare creator - 38 of whom have now declared that they have signed with Respawn.

In amongst a host of catty comments that have emerged on both sides of of the case, Activision has labelled the pair "self-serving schemers".

Activision in the dock: West and Zampella's claim for $125m unpaid royalties:
First filed: March, 2010

- Activision defrauded the founders of Infinity Ward by not releasing "substantial royalty payments"

- Activision is also liable for for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, wrong termination in violation of public policy, and declaratory relief

- West and Zampella's right to "control Modern Warfare-branded games" has been violated - and the duo want partial future control of the MW Brand

EA, West and Zampella in the dock. Activision's claim for $400m in damages:
(First filed: April 2010. EA added to suit, December 2010)

- EA execs began a conspiracy with West and Zampella whilst the duo were still Activision employees

- Electronic Arts "intentionally interfered with contracts, engaged in unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty by West and Zampella"

- West and Zampella refused to sign standard exit documents that testified they had returned all Activision property, including game development code

- West and Zampella were "motivated by envy and personal greed" and intentionally released game trailers for Modern Warfare 2 on the same day that Treyarch posted promotion videos for Call of Duty: World at War DLC"


So yeah.... There you go.


Who do you think is in the right?

My Girlfriend Playing Call Of Duty For The First Time

This is a video of my Girlfriend playing one of my games, Call Of Duty to be precise. It was a spur of the moment thing and gave us both a lot of laughs as you can tell in the video, Enjoy.

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