It’s been over a month since Robert Bowling teased about a Spec Ops trailer they were working on. A lot of people, including members of the games media has been asking, and asking Robert Bowling when the trailer would be released, after many tries – There was no trailer in sight. Players from all around the world has been awaiting the trailer after much hype by Mr. Bowling. Until today.

Without warning, without an ETA to work with, Robert Bowling surprised the world with a new trailer of Modern Warfare 3. But it’s not about the multiplayer portion of MW3, instead, it’s the world premiere of the Survival Mode! Spec Ops has been tweaked, flipped upside down, built from the ground up to bring an exciting twist to Survival Modes.

I’ll start with the first thing you see, this is what you read when the trailer boots up:

Survival

In Survival, you will fight off waves of increasingly difficult enemies as you earn XP and unlock several types of armories to expand your arsenal and load-out customization along the way.

Unlock new upgrades and missions as you gain XP and increase in level throughout the Survival Experience. Survival challenges along with leaderboards allow you to compete against your friends and prove once and for all, who is the best soldier.

The introduction fades away and goes into the trailer.

Call of Duty: MW3 features an expanded and an evolved survival mode within Spec Ops. What started out as a lime version of survival mode evolved into it’s own ‘life’ as Robert calls it.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the HUD seems different in the Spec Ops Survival Mode. One of the most notable is that your Spec Ops cash has a meter of its own. There seems to be two and I’m not sure what they are. I see different types of cash indicators throughout the entire trailer: KillStreak, Rampage, Flash Kill, and HeadShots just to name a few. I can only assume that if you rack up enough action, you get more cash. More money. The number below the indicators is obviously the total cash you’ve gathered from your actions.

The other thing you’ll notice is that there are new indicators – they tell you where the nearest weapon or item which includes grenades. These are usually inside armories, these indicators tell you which type of armory is close by. Now, don’t get confused because when a grenade drops, or someone throws a grenade at you, you’re probably still going to find that white grenade indicator that has been there since COD4. These indicators are not limited to just weapons, or items – it will tell you where your killstreak reward is.

The HUD has been seeing some changes in the way you know what you got, and how you got it. For example, every kill will show XP as always, but it’s green now. Not the typical yellow. You’ll also notice a armor indicator, too. Every time you get a KillStreak, you will know how much cash you got. I’m guessing the higher the KillStreak, the more cash you earn, just like you do with KillStreak rewards. Speaking of KillStreaks, is it just me, or are KillStreaks in Spec Ops Survival are more dangerous, more explosive, and crazier than any killstreak we’ve seen so far? At one point of the trailer, the gunship throws like a hundred bombs into the ground with all this craziness in the area. Such intensity!

When you get to an armory, you’ll have a bunch of choices for which weapon or item you’d like to buy. It shows how much you have, and how much you can afford once you buy an item. By now, you’ll notice a Purple Smoke, this is the Air Support Marker. It is much like MW2′s Red Smoke which is a marker that drops a care package at the location of your choice.

You’ll come to a bunch of gameplay footage from Spec Ops then you’ll see a camera angle that is actually a Missile Drone. Predator Missile exists in MW3, but the camera that was used looks entirely different from the camera that was used for MW2′s Predator Missile. Oh, and Riot Shield returns! Whee!

By the end of the trailer, we’re treated to the world’s first look at MW3 Multiplayer! As you can see, the HUD looks changed, so this is actually a teaser for MW3′s multiplayer. The map UAV looks more detailed this time around. Three things revealed so far: The weapon that’s being held is an FNG9. Secondly, KillStreaks looks like they’re being overhauled. Instead of gunning for kills to earn this killstreak, you’re earning it via XP. Finally, Juggernaut has been confirmed as a KillStreak. It’s no longer a perk, it’s now a KillStreak.

Are you ready for Call of Duty XP, when they finally show off MW3′s multiplayer!? I bet you are!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is on the verge of release when it releases this November. We haven’t had a lot of news as of late, that is until now. Robert Bowling have been taking interviews with various gaming websites. A lot of the information released pertains to Spec Ops and Multiplayer. Some of them were about Call of Duty Elite, which is going into beta any day now, and some were about the differences between COD4 and MW3. At one point a discussion took place about the difference between Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of MW3.

In an event that took place in New York City, both GamerRanx and Kotaku has gotten tidbits and information about MW3. Robert Bowling, the creative strategist at infinity ward said to Kotaku that they want to simplify gameplay by giving players less to think about by going back to COD4′s roots with infantry-style gameplay, rather than MW2′s major emphasis in air-support.

“What happens when you have more is that the professional guys are using that spot that is either difficult to get to… There’s fewer places to hide, which discourages the more camper mentality that seemed to emerge in the map design of Modern Warfare 2.”

Robert Bowling seems to love COD4, that he prefers the gameplay of Modern Warfare over Modern Warfare 2′s emphasis on air-support, and vertical combat.

“Modern Warfare style is, for me, all about the high-speed, fast-paced—and I’m talking in terms of smooth controls and 60-frames-per-second framerate—infantry-focused combat.”

Modern Warfare 3′s multiplayer will the most popular mode in the gamne, and Activision hasn’t revealed the multiplayer portion of the game, instead, they’re holding off until Call of Duty XP in September. Robert Bowling was in NYC to show off MW3′s sub-mode, the survival mode – a two player co-op mode. Not to be confused with Spec Ops, which is rumored to allow for more players per match.

“It’s merging all three worlds, really, of a single-player experience, because you can play it all solo, a multiplayer experience and the co-op experience. It’s giving you a completely new experience that blurs the line between all three modes. I think that’s what was missing and I think that’s where, you know, the future lies in blurring those lines instead of them being hard definitions of experiences.”

Rob moved onto the philosophy about map design, about what the devs want players to be doing:

“What that is is really analyzing very aspect of how we want you to play out the map; how a team should play out a map; and how a lone wolf should play out the map. We’re looking at things like: how many hot spots do you have when you’re coming around the corner? How many angles and locations do you have to check that you need to worry about engaging an enemy from? It’s allowing you to easily envision a map in your head as you’re playing through it. So you’re looking at, ‘Ok, this map is going to be played in X amount of ways.’ and so on.”

He went into further detail about how the dev team tries to tackle the multiplayer maps:

“I’m coming around the corner. I don’t want to have to worry about being shot from 50 different angles. I want to be able to know, ‘OK, I cleared the top floor, I cleared the second floor, I cleared the base, I’m good in this area. OK, now I’m coming through this doorway, I have to watch this doorway, this alleyway and this spot.’ And then, when you’re playing objective [matches], you need to be able to know the routes and break them down in your head as you play the areas. Like Search and Destroy… I know I’ve cleared this area. There’s no way this guy can get there. And then going in an adding the fun secret stuff that people find three months into playing, like ‘Did you know if you run up the tail of the plane in Afghan you can leap to the top of the mountain instead of circling around to the route that everyone is covering?’”

Rob made sure that Kotaku understands that the dev team wants to simplify, and Rob really wants to go back to COD4′s fast-paced gameplay.

“Call of Duty 4 was much more simplistic in its map design: You have the sight points, you have the routes players will take. It was very flat in terms of where you could go. Modern Warfare 2 had a major focus on vertical combat, increasing the multi-floor levels, increasing the number of buildings you go into. There were a lot more places you could go than just the main routes and buildings where you were meant to go. That encourages and discourages a lot of types of gameplay. With Modern Warfare 3, it’s much, much more on allowing you to focus on what’s necessary; it’s making vertical combat when it makes sense but it’s not a blanket rule across every map. You will have some maps that focus on verticality and that are focused on multiple things. And then you have other maps that are very limited on the hotspots. The hotspots are a key thing on Modern Warfare 3. We went into each map wanting you to be able to turn a corner and know very easily that these are the three—no more than five—places I need to check.”

Rob then turned to hardcore players who stuck on Call of Duty over the years, he made sure that Kotaku understands that he wants to make sure that hardcore players knows that they’re building the game up for hardcore players:

“But for the hardcore guys who have been with us since the beginning, that speaks volumes: the map design, the return to focus on gun-on-gun, all that stuff.”

According to an interview with MTV MultiPlayer, Robert Bowling let it slip that Party Chat feature has been altered in many ways that allows players the options for Party Chat, and that some modes will allow it, some won’t:

“The only place where Party Chat should be blocked is Search & Destroy.” In that mode, players are given just a single life per round, so those attempting to cheat with Party Chat would definitely give players an advantage. It wouldn’t, however, be blocked “for modes like Dom[ination].”

He went in further detail:

“A major focus of ‘Modern Warfare 3′ multiplayer is allowing you to have a lot more control over [how you play], looking at those restrictions and doing away with stuff like [Party Chat blocking] that’s super hardcore. It’s about giving options. We will have places where competitive guys go where you might have restrictive voice chat. And then you have an option to maybe play that same mode without the same restrictions if that’s the type of player you are.”

DualShockers did an interview with Mr. Bowling about Modern Warfare 3, the differences between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of MW3, and more:

What do you think so far about the simplification of Modern Warfare 3? Do you like that it’s going back to the COD4 roots? I DO!

It’s been quite a while since Call of Duty XP was revealed. The event takes place in Los Angeles, and will feature a 1 million dollar tournament, and Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer. You can play paintball with other players in a real-life version of Scrapyard, Burger Town, and The Pit.

There will be food and beverage but you’ll have to pay for it. It’s not free, just like your air travel; you’ll have to pay for travel to get to CODXP, and return home from CODXP. You will also have the opporunity to check out real-life weapons as seen in the game in the event’s Armory.

Call of Duty XP tickets will go on sale July 19th, 2011 at 10am Pacific Daylight Time via a link on this site. Tickets are $150 and are valid for both days. Your ticket includes admission to all events and activities with the exception of food and beverage. You must provide your own travel to and from the location.

Individuals may purchase up to two tickets. Full name and info is required for each attendee and tickets are non-transferable. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit organization that helps returning veterans find employment, establish careers and transition back to civilian life.

Attendees must be 18 years of age or older and bring a valid photo ID. Call of Duty XP will be filmed, and all attendees grant permission to include their likenesses, images and voices in such filming. Attendees voluntarily enter Call of Duty XP and assume all risk of injury associated therewith. Attendees also understand that they may be required to sign a release to participate in certain events at Call of Duty XP.

Call of Duty XP’s $1 Million Operation will feature a roster of top Call of Duty warriors in a colossal 32-team, single-elimination tournament for a record $1 million in cash and prizes. On September 3rd, one victorious four-man crew will win $400,000 and international acclaim as the world’s premiere Call of Duty players.

Here’s the link to the Call of Duty XP website with all the info – Call of Duty XP Website.

Source: Call of Duty XP website

Are you ready to win some serious cash, and have some bragging rights? Stay tuned for July 19th when you can buy the tickets!

Not to be confused with the on-going Double XP weekend, Activision launches their own convention. One that’s called Call of Duty XP. Activision isn’t the first company to do a single game convention. There’s one for the Quake series, there’s one for the Warcraft series, and that includes World of Warcraft, both are properties of Blizzard, one half of the current Activision empire. A few days ago, Activison revealed Call of Duty XP to the world:

Activision’s Call of Duty XP 2011 – The Ultimate Fan Experience – Lights up Los Angeles September 2 and 3, 2011

June 30, 2011 – Call of Duty gamers, prepare to engage: Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) takes the franchise’s landmark intensity to new heights with Call of Duty XP 2011, the first-ever celebration for the Call of Duty community.

Total Call of Duty immersion is coming to a secure 12-acre compound in the urban confines of Los Angeles on Labor Day weekend, where more than 6,000 fans will be the first to witness the world premiere of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer. Attendees will be among the first to have the opportunity to get hands-on time with multiplayer and the new Spec Ops survival co-op mode. Also on display for the first time will be the full feature functionality of Call of Duty Elite, the innovative new online service, built from the ground-up to support Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Supporting this epic reveal is a series of real-world Call of Duty action-experiences and gaming competitions as well as an unprecedented $1 million Call of Duty tournament by Activision and the event’s lead sponsor, Xbox 360. Through Activision’s network of global partners, fans will have the opportunity to qualify for the tournament prior to the event by showcasing their skills in Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer through regional promotions and competitions. For those unable to qualify in advance, there will be select, on-site/at-large qualifications, further expanding the opportunity to compete for cash prizes among some of the best Call of Duty players in the world. For anyone that can’t be on hand, but still wants to keep an eye on the action, fans from around the world can link up for a connected experience by watching a constant stream of high-production value videos that will be available through television and the web, as well as a constant stream of photos and status updates from the event via social media outlets, including Facebook and Twitter.

“From the high production values of our live, immersive events — all the way to the smallest details in every design and activity — we’re pulling out all the stops to make Call of Duty XP the ultimate gathering for the global community of Call of Duty fans,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “The celebration will immerse attendees in a Call of Duty experience unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. Over the course of two days, gamers can trade Call of Duty war stories, experience the official unveiling of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer and the full feature functionality of Call of Duty Elite, as well as enjoy world-class entertainment and compete head-to-head for some serious cash prizes.”

Tickets for Call of Duty XP will be available for $150. Activision will donate 100% of the ticket sales to The Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit, public benefit corporation that seeks to help veterans transition to civilian life, find work and establish careers, and assist other organizations that provide career training and job placement for veterans.

Tickets will go on sale July 19, giving attendees a two-day pass and the chance to be completely immersed in the action and excitement of Call of Duty. Players will be able to challenge each other in a paintball firefight on a life-sized Call of Duty multiplayer map, as well as attempt to speed-run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2′s legendary “The Pit” – for real. Other Call of Duty XP activities include:

– Tournaments and prizes for the hardcore and casual fan alike
– Discussion panels and Q&A with Call of Duty developers
– Onsite Call of Duty armory and museum
– AAA live entertainment
– More attractions to be announced

“The Call of Duty series continues to set the pace on Xbox 360 with both the best selling game ever on the platform in Call of Duty: Black Ops, and the No. 1 and No. 2 titles on Xbox LIVE with Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2,” said George Peckham, General Manager, Global Publishing Group at Microsoft. “As a further reflection of our valued relationship with the world’s most popular gaming franchise, Xbox 360 is proud to partner with Activision to bring the first ever Call of Duty XP to life and even more, to challenge the community of fans to compete for up to one million dollars.”

Call of Duty XP precedes the year’s most anticipated entertainment launch on November 8th when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 strikes worldwide, as well as the launch of the innovative new online service, Call of Duty Elite, uniting Call of Duty’s 30 million fans to create a connected entertainment community via dedicated social networking, original entertainment programming, events, competitions and more.

For more information about Call of Duty XP 2011, ticket sales or tournament qualifications, please visit www.callofduty.com/xp.

Source: Activision Press Release

Furthermore, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be at the event, this particular section will be all about the multiplayer reveal of MW3. The event will allow video cameras and camcorders, however, the FAQ says that some parts will be restricted of filming. Most likely the MW3 multiplayer reveal. Honestly, from a marketing stand-point, I think restricting video cameras during the MW3 multiplayer reveal is a bad idea. There are 2 and a half months between this particular event, and the release of Modern Warfare 3. Not a whole lot of room for “free-advertising” and little room for discussions.

Lets put this into perspective: Full 2 months before Modern Warfare 2 went to retail, there was a lot of videos leaked online thanks to a multiplayer reveal event. Lots of excitement, lots of discussions about MW2. Now, in contrast Black Ops did not really have a similar event, instead it was only limited to a multiplayer reveal trailer – and on top of that, we didn’t have too much information between September and November. There was a lot of speculation than discussions about what we saw.