Black Ops preload

If you've pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops from Steam, you can download the game files right now (8,038.3 MB). Do it soon, because the servers are going to get slammed over the next six days.

The game unlocks at 11:00 AM on November 9.

EA: yeah, MoH kinda sucks

From Eurogamer:

EA's admitted Danger Close and DICE's recently released Medal of Honor reboot "didn't meet our quality expectations".

However, the gargantuan game maker denied the Afghanistan shooter was a failure, and promised gamers next time it'll make "something they appreciate more".

"I'm not going to comment on the sales because EA has an earnings report going out and we will unveil sales in that meeting," Patrick Soderlund, the executive in charge of EA's driving and shooting games, told Eurogamer.

"What I can say is the game didn't meet our quality expectations. In order to be successful in that space, we're going to have to have a game that is really, really strong.

And yet, they have the balls to charge for the DLC.

CoD:BO gameplay

In before the copyright take-down:

Retail copy of CoD:BO stolen

From Hooked Gamers:

Today in Alabama a thief took off from a local printing press with a copy of the upcoming game Call of Duty: Black Ops. The game, which is due to be released on november 9th, is currently set to be the biggest entertainment launch in history, outgrossing even Modern Warfare 2.

The alleged thief sold several of the copies of the game to associates... one of which who was a member of an underground hacking forum. The purchaser, who goes by the name of 'Ungodly Leaker' posted a thread on this forum showing the disc in his hands and making a few comments about the game. Ungodly Leaker had previously leaked Halo: Reach far ahead of its release and it is assumed intending to do the same with Black Ops.

COD: Black Ops Edition Jeep

Coming to a Jeep dealer near you:

http://www.destructoid.com/-2011-jeep-wrangler-call-of-duty-black-ops-edition

Black Ops now available for preorder

Details here.  The link also has the minimum system requirements.

Happy Rob Bowling Day

It happened a year ago today.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here.

Medal of Honor MP impressions (redux)

My general impressions, briefly:

1. I see the game's simplicity as its greatest strength. 15 ranks per class with an unlock at each level allows for advancement without any sense of grind. 

2. The weapons and attachments are "balanced" in the sense that no one has an equipment advantage at close to medium range. Long range is a different story for obvious reasons.

3. "Skill" in this game is all about putting yourself in a position to see your opponent before he sees you, full stop. Everything else is luck (90%) and reflexes (10%).

3.A. On larger maps, a moderately skilled sniper can hold down a choke point indefinitely. 

4. Map quality (layout; not aesthetics) is all over the place. Clipping and collision are seriously problematic, especially in smaller maps. Long sight-lines on some maps (see 3.A.) favor the defenders heavily.

5. The game becomes more fun as you learn the maps, but longevity is doubtful. Without several more maps, CoD:BLOPS will kill MoH before the New Year.

MoH multiplayer review

DEFERRED.

The server browser isn't working, and when I used the "matchmake" option, it dropped me into an empty server.  

Way to go, EA.

UPDATE:  I've discovered that if you edit your browser filters, you'll get listings.  You just can't leave all the fields at their default settings.

Monday Music XIV

Elbow - One Day Like This

Hollerado - Americanarama ("Human 8-bit Video")

I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys