Call of Duty XP Keynote Recap: Multiplayer and More!

By current estimates it can be relayed that the Call of Duty series has sold about eight bajillion copies galaxy-wide.  Yes, you read that right: I'm almost certain Modern Warfare 3 is going to launch on the ISS on November 8th.  That's the power of Activision.

if you weren't able to attend the Call of Duty XP event (like myself) or couldn't even watch the live stream here's a recap of what was talked about.  Before I begin though, check out the official multiplayer trailer.  Another one was shown at the end of the presentation and when it goes live on the web I will amend this post.

Now, on to the details.

Modern Warfare 3 Mutliplayer

• Killstreaks have been reorganized into what are called Strike Packages.  There are three different packages: Assault, Support and Specialist.  Each package caters to a certain playstyle.  Assault utilizes all the standard killstreaks COD fans know and love.  Support is designed to help your team win.  Specialist is different from the other two in that, instead of activating fire support or special abilities for your teammates it instead activates additional perks for the player and only the player.  Amendment: they are no longer called killstreaks and are now known as pointstreaks.  Instead of being entirely based on kills the new system instead also rewards the player for such items as completing objectives, headshots, etc.  The new system, from description as we don't have a man on the ground at COD XP, looks to be very similar to what was utilized in last year's Medal of Honor.

• Assault killstreaks available: UAV, care package, IMS, Predator missile, sentry gun, precision airstrike, strafing run, Little Bird (AH-6) guard, Reaper, assault drone, AC-130 spectre, Pave Low, Juggernaut (!) and Osprey gunner.

• Support killstreaks available: UAV, Counter-UAV, ballistic vests, airdrop trap, sam turret, recon drone, Advanced UAV, remote turret, stealth bomber, EMP, Recon Juggernaut and escort airdrop.

• Specialist allows for six perks to be activated at one time.  HOWEVER: upon earning your eighth kill in a row ALL of them are activated.

• New area to specialize in: Proficiencies.  These increase your ease of use of a weapon over time as you use it.

• Users can create their own custom gametypes for both regular and private matches.

• 16 maps on disc at launch.

New Standard Gameplay Modes

• Kill Confirmed: a cross between Capture the Flag and Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed has you picking up dog tags off enemy bodies much like in Crysis 2.  First team to collect the most dog tags wins.

• Team Defender: nothing known at this time but it is playable on the Call of Duty XP floor.  Will update when I have more but I suspect it's a "defend the leader" kind of game mode.

New Private Gameplay Modes

• Drop Zone: hold off the drop zone for team points and care pacakges in a similar manner to Domination.

• Juggernaut: similar to the classic Halo mode.  Kill the palyer who is the Juggernaut and you become it.

• Team Juggernaut: like the above but as a team variant, possibly a take on Team Defender.

• Infection: zombie mode.

• Gun Game: the returning mode from Black Ops.  First actual Treyarch innovation to be added to an Infinity Ward title if I'm not mistaken.

• One in the Chamber: also returning from Black Ops.

Weapons

• Assault rifles: M4A1, M16A4, SCAR-L, FAD, Type 95, CM901, G366, ACR, MK14 and of course the  AK-47

• SMGs: UMP .45, P90, MP5, MP7, PP90M1, PM-9

• LMGs: MG36, PKP, M60-E4 variant, MK46, L86 LSW

• Sniper Rifles: Barrett .50 Cal, Dragunov, MSR, RSASS, L1118A, AS50

• Shotguns: SPAS-12, Striker, AA-12, Model 1887 (boo!), KS612, USA512

• Riot shield is returning as well.

Secondary Weapons

• Handguns: USP .45, P99, .44 Magnum, FN Five Seven, Desert Eagle, MP412

• Machine Pistols: FM69, Skorpion, Glock 18, MP9

• Rocket/Missile Launchers: Javelin, Stinger, XM25, RPG-7 (awesome!), M320 COLM and SMAW

Attachments and Grenades

• Sights: red dot, ACOG, hybrid, thermal, holographic, Hamr, variable zoom scope

• Weapon enhancements: silencer, grip, hearbeat monitor, dual wield, extended magazines

• Secondary weapons: Grenade Launcher, Shotgun

• Lethal grenades: frag, Semtex, throwing knife, C4, claymore, Bouncing Betty proximity mine

• Non-lethal grenades: flash bang, EMP, smoke, scrambler, concussion, Trophy anti-rocket system, tactical insert, portable radar (sorta like a motion detector)

Perks

• Tier 1: Slight of Hand, Recon (explosive damage range shown on mini-map), Extreme Conditioning, Scavenger, Blind Eye (invisible to turrets and air support)

• Tier 2: Quickdraw (faster ADS), Hardline, Overkill, Assassin (undetectable to UAV, thermal, portable radar and heartbeat monitors), Blast Shield

• Tier 3: Stalker (faster ADS movement), Sitrep, Steady Aim, Dead Silence, Marksmen (ID targets at long range)

• Deathstreaks: Revenge (ID position of last enemy that killed you), Martyrdom (boo!), Hollow Points (stronger bullets), Final Stand (boo!), Juiced (faster movement after respawn), Dead Man's Hand

 Proficiencies

• Kick (reduces recoil), Impact, 2 Attachments, Stability, Speed, , Focus (reduce recoil flinching from enemy fire), Breath (longer holding of breath)

Call of Duty Elite Premium Service Details

• $49.99 USD per year.

• Those who purchase the Hardened edition of Modern Warfare 3 get a year of premium Elite service.

• Elite TV service: an "episodic entertainment" service themed entirely around the Call of Duty franchise.  "Noob Tube" is a series being produced by Jason Bateman  and Will Arnett in which user-generated videos from Call of Duty games are featured and "smack talked" about.  "Friday Night Fights" on the other hand is being produced by Tony and Ridley Scott and will pit IRL rivals (Navy/Marines, political parties, police/firefighters, etc) against one another in Call of Duty matches.  These will not be available until post-Modern Warfare 3 launch.

• Eight times more video sharing capacity as opposed to free users.

• High quality expert strategy analysis videos with tips on weapons, maps, and perks that will be updated regularly.

• Access to daily and weekly competitions with both virtual and real prizes.

• Finally, access to ALL of the DLC for that nine month season.  Over 20 pieces of DLC that is released monthly which includes new maps, modes, and more all of which is early access.  A total savings of $10 USD total.

Finally, it should be noted that there was an additional, post-keynote announcement: a Modern Warfare 3 themed limited edition Xbox 360.  Priced at $399.99 USD, this system ships with two controllers that are also decked-out uniquely as well as a 320gb hard drive and custom power on/off sounds.  The controllers will also be available separately as well as a custom wireless headset.

More details as they come.

Here's the five minute segment of fan film Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish which was shown at the keynote: