News of Black Ops have been flying left and right the past few days of what Black Ops will have to offer, and I must say it is all pretty overwhelming. Originally I was semi impressed of what Treyarch was offering us in their rendition of the Modern Warfare franchise, but as more information is getting released to us the more and more appealing the game is turning out. So here’s a list of what we know so far for the Multiplayer part of the game, keep in mind nothing is set in stone and things may change.

COD Points: In game currency used to purchase upgrades, outfits, killstreaks, emblems, customization for weapons, customization for looks, and is also used in “betting” for competitive Wager game mode. More on Wager mode later.

Killstreaks: This is one of the more important aspects of the game play. From what we hear kills from killstreaks do not count towards the next killstreak. Meaning to get up to the 11th kill streak kills must be made manually with loadout weapons. Current killstreaks are lined up as shown:

* 3 kill streaks: Spy Plane, RC-XD

* 4 kill streaks: Counter-Spy Plane, SAM Turret

* 5 kill streaks: Care Package, Napalm Strike

* 6 kill streaks: Sentry Gun, Mortar Team

* 7 kill streaks: Attack Helicopter, Valkyrie Rockets

* 8 kill streaks: Blackbird, Rolling Thunder

* 9 kill streaks: Chopper Gunner

* 11 kill streaks: Attack Dogs, Gunship

Combat Training: This is something new and innovative to the COD franchise. Training will be either single or co-op and give players the ability to practice games off-line to get accustomed to the levels. Bots are available within training to get a semi-realistic game play. Treyarch hopes that this mode will get gamers who don’t play online a chance to practice before jumping into a real online game so they aren’t as humiliated.

Replay System: You read it right, Treyarch has given braggers an easier way to upload and record their game winning kills in a “Halo Forge” styled system. Players can review each game through the point of any player and through any angle.

Contracts: Contracts is another way of making COD Points. Pay for a contract, complete the task assigned to the contract such as getting 10 kills within a game within an allotted amount of time and gain more points in return. Fail and well… there’s no returns on failed tasks.

Wager Matches: A way to put your COD Points where your mouth is. Think you have what it takes to make money and rack up kills at the same time? Wager matches gives players a way to put COD Points on yourself in a game. Top three players get paid, and everyone else… Well they don’t quite really matter since only the top three get paid. Within Wager matches are different game modes.

“One in the Chamber” pits players against each other armed with just one pistol and one bullet. Killing someone else earns you an extra bullet, but missing leaves you with just a knife.

“Sticks and Stones” gives everyone a tomahawk, a ballistic knife and a crossbow, and hitting an opponent with a tomahawk automatically bankrupts them.

“Gun Game” has players progressing through the various gun tiers, a kill moves you up to a stronger weapon, but dying drops you back down.

“Sharp Shooter” gives everyone a series of random weapons, with everyone switching to the next randomly selected one after a certain amount of time that has passed.

Care Package Weapons: Care package only weapons in the game so far include Death Machine: a gatling/mini gun, and Grim Reaper: a four incendiary round rocket launcher.

Regular Weapons:

Assault Rifles: AK-47, AUG, Commando, G11, M16, FAMAS, Galil, M14, Enfield, FN FAL

Submachine: Guns MAC-10, MP5K, AK-74u, Skorpion, Spectre M4

Light Machine Guns: RPK, HK21, M60

Sniper Rifles: L96A1, Dragunov, WA2000

Shotguns: SPAS, KS-23, Stakeout/ Ithica, Olympia

Pistols: M1911, Python, Makarov, ASP, CZ75

Launchers: China Lake, RPG-7, M72 LAW

Grenades: Frag, Smoke, Concussive, Gas

Miscellaneous Weapons and Equipment: Ballistic Knife, Camera Spike, Crossbow, C4, Flamethrower, Knife, Tomahawk, Tactical Insertion Extended Mag, Dual Mag, Masterkey Shotgun, Flamethrower, M203, Suppressor, Snub Nose, Speed Reloader, Flashlight, Grip, Swarovski Scope, Red Dot Sight, Infrared Scope, ACOG Sight, Reflex

Apache: Air Assault features more than 16 multi-stage missions involving air and ground strike operations off the coast of Africa, the mountains of the Middle East and the jungles of Central America, each meticulously created using high resolution map data from real-world satellite photography. Apache helicopters are some of the most sophisticated combat aircraft on the planet. Players get a chance to fly multiple variations of them, each with their own extreme firepower and highly-detailed damage modeling. The game can be played based on the player’s tastes – Arcade Mode allows players to easily pick up the controls and jump right into the combat. The Realistic mode showcases the real depth of the title, where the dedication to realism and precision shines through. The local Co-op Campaign Mode lets two players team up in the same Apache with one as the pilot and the other as the co-pilot in a joint effort for a truly authentic combat flight experience. For those that want to go even further, Apache: Air Assault includes competitive online multiplayer matches such as Team Deathmatch, Ground Attack, Capture the LZ, and Ground Strike.

Apparently during a panel discussion at Develop in Brighton, the head of Double Fine Productions and creator of one of the most rock hard games Brutal Legend, Tim Schaffer, commented about the possibility of a follow up game. Unfortunately talks of the game have fallen through and there will be no sequel to Jack Black’s journey throughout the world of metal, but that doesn’t mean that nothing is being developed. Instead of working on one large project with tons of money riding on it, Double Fine Production has decided to work on smaller projects where there is a little more freedom in developing games.

[Source: Joystiq]

The new creation tools, now seem to give players unlimited power with the Direct Control Seat and Sackbots. When used in conjunction, these two tools allow players to create the genre-bending, outside-the-box stages which you saw in the game’s debut trailer. The other big new tool are Sackbots — humanoid AI creations whose behavior can be completely determined by the creator.

Sackbots can also be fitted with Direct Control Seats as well. One simple application for this technique: A player encounters a gigantic block they can’t get past. If they hop into the equally gigantic Sackbot lying dormant nearby, they can use its superior strength to pull the block to a less bothersome location.

The Direct Control Seat lets the creator map simple functions to the PS3 controller. Placing the device on an object creates a collapsible “circuit board” in the shape of a DualShock. Mapping buttons is as easy as choosing a button on the controller, and then clicking the object you want it to manipulate.

LittleBigPlanet 2 looks to make a huge leap in game creation on the PS3, so far no release date has been announced.

Like a battering ram through the basement doors of gamers everywhere, Sony hits us with an impact leaving us with just enough breath to say one word… “Wow!”

• Live demonstrations of the new Sony “Move”, show us that even though it still requires a hands-on controller, motion control takes a whole new leap. From Eye Pet to Socom, from Sports Champions to Little Big Planet, the Move has all our jaws on the floor in both shock and awe.

• Along with news of the Move, Sony shows us a list of its upcoming titles that already have everyone working on their Christmas wish lists such as Final Fantasy 14, DC Universe Online, Medal of Honor, Twisted Metal, Gran Turismo 5, Little Big Planet 2, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, MotorStorm: Apocalypse, Killzone 3, Bulletstorm, and so much more.

• Not only can Ps3 and Ps2 users expect tons of great games, but PsP fans as well. With God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Parasite Eve 3: The 3rd Birthday and other glorious hand held titles…Sony wants to let everyone know that the PsP is back again and is going strong.

• The million of gamers who are also users of the Playstation Network (PSN) can expect a new service coming before the end of the month, PlayStation Plus. It’s a premium service much like the Xbox’s “Live” network… but with a few key differences. The PS-Plus will come with exclusive downloadable content (DLC) for pending and already released titles, free “Qore” subscription (Sony’s online magazine), three free months of said services, as well as goodies and treats not yet released to the public. Subscriptions start at $49.99 a year or $17.99 for three months. And fear not Playstation fans, those of you who do not wish to join the new Playstation experience can still enjoy your free PSN accounts with no change in services or support.

All in all, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony had very interesting press conferences and although the “console wars” are still in full effect…there will always be a winner, no matter the outcome…us… the gamers!

Other than the trailer shown at the Nintendo Press Conference not much is known about Kirby’s Epic Yarn now but the game will be released this fall.

At the Nintendo conference today the Nintendo 3DS was on display. Satoru Iwata, CEO of Nintendo went into some specifics of what the 3DS has in store for us.

• 3D gaming without glasses with a 3.5 inch 3D screen
• Depth perception adjustment bar
• Two cameras to take 3D pictures
• Analogue joystick or “Slide Pad”
• Gyro motion sensor
• Constant communication between 3DS and DSi’s, and WiFi

So far no release date nor price announced, but we do know that there is a large list of games being developed for the 3DS such as the ones listed below.

Activision
DJ Hero 3D

AQ Interactive
cubic ninja
Atlus Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

Capcom
Resident Evil Revelations
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (name not final)

EA
EA FIFA Soccer
Madden NFL
The Sims 3

Gameloft
Asphalt DS

Harmonix
Music Game

Hudson Soft
Bomberman franchise
Deca Sports franchise
Kororinpa franchise

Konami
Baseball franchise
Contra franchise
Frogger franchise
Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D “The Naked Sample”
Pro Evolution Soccer franchise / Winning Eleven franchise

Level-5
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (name not final)

Majesco Entertainment
BloodRayne: The Shroud
A Boy and His Blob
Face Racers: Photo Finish
Lion’s Pride: Adventures on the Serengeti
Martha Stewart
WonderWorld Amusement Park

Marvelous
Bokujyoumonogatari 3D (name not final)

Namco
Dragon Ball franchise (name not final)
Gundam franchise (name not final) PAC-MANTM & GALAGATM (name not final)
Ridge Racer (name not final) Super Robot franchise (name not final)

Nintendo
Animal Crossing Kid Icarus: Uprising
Mario Kart
nintendogs + cats
Paper Mario
PilotWings Resort
Star Fox 64 3D
Steel Diver

Rocket
Crash-City GP
VS-robo

Sega
Sonic (name not final)
Super Monkey Ball (name not final)

Square Enix
CODENAME: Chocobo Racing
3D Dragon Quest franchise
Final Fantasy franchise
Kingdom Hearts franchise

Take-Two Interactive
Carnival Games franchise

Tecmo Koei
Dead or Alive 3D (name not final)
Dynasty Warriors (name not final)
Ninja Gaiden (name not final)
Samurai Warriors 3D (name not final)

TOMY
Lovely Lisa 3D
Naruto Shippuden Action

THQ
de Blob 2
Kung Fu Panda
Kaboom of Doom
Marvel Super Hero Squad
Infinity Gauntlet
The Penguins of Madagascar
Puss N Boots
Saints Row: Drive-By

Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed
Lost Legacy
Battle of Giants: Dinosaur Strike
Driver Renegade Hollywood 61 (name not final)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Warner Bros
Batman franchise
LEGO franchise

With the Nintendo E3 confrence just coming to a close here are the main games and topics that shook up the show.

(Some have release dates)

1. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – 2011
2. Mario Sports Mix – 2011
3. Wii Party
4. Dance Party 2 (8 players)
5. Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (DS) – this holiday season
6. Golden Eye – this holiday season
7. Kirby’s Epic Yarn (2 players) – this fall
8. Dragon Quest 9 (DS) – Mid July 2010
9. Metroid: Other M – 8/31/10
10. Donkey Kong Country (2 players) – this holiday season
11. Nintendo 3DS- with new features: 3D Effect Slider, widescreen, touch screen on bottom panel, motion sensor, gyro sensor, analog control, 2 camera lenses for 3D pictures.
12.  Kid Icuras: Uprising and Nintendogs & Cats are in production for the 3DS along many other third party games like from the Metal Gear, Kingdom Hearts and Resident Evil series.

 Annouced at Microsoft’s E3 Press Conference, the leader in sports and one of the best consoles are coming together. With thousands of sporting events and the social network of Xbox LIVE, ESPN on Xbox 360 brings this combination of excitement into our living room. Access to live global events from ESPN3.com, including out-of-market programming plus fresh video clips from ESPN.com. We can now enjoy features like HD programming and on-demand viewing, participate in polls, predictions and trivia. The interactive polls shows what the Xbox LIVE community is watching and also shows what team the are cheering for. With the new Kinect you can control the action with just your voice or the wave of your hand. This new feature is going to bring videogame fans and sports fans rallying together.