GameSpy has now published their review of Call of Duty 3. Here's a snippet:

If you've been paying attention this whole time, you've probably come to the conclusion that Call of Duty 3 is a solid game, and you'd be right. It promises intense WWII single and multiplayer action and delivers on both counts. The multiplayer experience is definitely the highlight here, but the single-player campaign is worth a play through. Yes, there is a collection of minor issues that keeps this game from being four or more stars, but it doesn't skimp on fun, and that's what counts the most.

Make sure you read the full review.

Amped has posted some news concerning Call of Duty 4, which they have claimed to receive from a source close to Infinity Ward.

A reliable source close to the Call of Duty development teams has revealed not only the existence of Call of Duty 4, but vital details surrounding the game as well, including the fact that it will be based on modern combat.

According to our source, Call of Duty 4 will be developed by Infinity Ward, the developer behind the first and second installments. The three-way deal established between Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Activision states that Infinity Ward will develop all even numbered titles while Treyarch develops the odd numbered games, such as Call of Duty 3. Treyarch did develop Call of Duty 2: Big Red One as well, however.

As aforementioned, Call of Duty 4 is said to step away from the war torn locales of World War II, instead focusing on the battlefields of present day. It is unknown if it will take the same path as Electronic Arts� Battlefield franchise, placing the spotlight on the Middle East.

The source compared Call of Duty 4�s technical achievements to other games saying that while most shooters have two or three critical points on the head, Call of Duty 4 has 16, saying that you can shoot the side of an opponent�s helmet to make it spin on their head, or knock the helmet clean off. Supposedly you will even be able to shoot an enemy�s ear off.

Although Call of Duty�s single player has always been a mainstay of the franchise, the multiplayer is certainly something to write home about. Our source has said that there have been multiplayer bouts with 54 players. PC gamers will be happy to know that they will be able to join the action once again, as Infinity Ward is supposed to be bringing Call of Duty 4 to the PC as well as consoles. Call of Duty 3 is only available on consoles and eventually the PSP.

Activision press representatives were unavailable to confirm or deny these reports; however, Amped IGO will continue attempts to gain verification.

Like we said, these are only rumors right now. As we get more information, we'll let you know.

More Call of Duty 3 reviews are coming in and we have a recap of all of them for today right here. The first one is from 1UP where it received a 6.5 out of 10:

Strengthened with vehicles and support for up to 24 players, the online multiplayer comes in strong enough to save face for the series, but that pales as compensation for the disappointing single-player game.

The next review courtsey of TeamXbox where it scored an 8.7 out of 10:

While the action in Call of Duty 3 feels a bit stale (but really, can anyone make a totally original WWII shooter?), this is another great entry in an excellent series. The graphics and audio work are both top-notch, and the multiplayer should stay fresh and exciting for months to come.

The third review is from GameSpot and it received an 8.8 out of 10:

From start to finish, Call of Duty 3 is an intense experience and a great game. The visuals are fantastic and the sound is some of the best in any game to date. Though there's no question that Call of Duty 3 is every bit as good as its predecessor, and without question the multiplayer is vastly improved, none of the changes or additions to the single-player campaign significantly alter the way the game plays.

The final review for today comes from Game Informer:

Call of Duty 3 is a legitimately good game that beats the pants off of plenty of products on the market this holiday season. There�s little to complain about outside of the lack of innovation. However, it pains me deeply to see this franchise, which has done so much to push the first-person shooter genre forward, moving down the dark path of mediocrity that Medal of Honor has been walking for the last several years.

It scored an 8.5 out of 10.

Quite possibly the worst-titled show on television, Game Head, will be airing the Call of Duty 3 challange on Friday, November 10th.

Tune in to SPIKE this Friday, November 10 (12:35 - 1:00 AM, ET/PT) for the GAME HEAD: Call of Duty 3 Challenge and get ready to see video games played a whole new way, when game becomes reality. This special premiere episode of GAME HEAD helps to kick-off SPIKE's new Late Night Strip programming block.

GAME HEAD and leading video game publisher Activision have joined forces to bring gamers a truly interactive gaming experience. SPIKE and Activision searched the country to find 16 hardcore fans of the popular "Call of Duty" game franchise, flew them to a top-secret military installation and initiated them into a real boot camp.

Under the charge of real-life Senior Drill Instructor JB Spisso, these "candidates" behave like soldiers. They must run, eat, sleep, and game on Spisso's command. A series of Gaming Missions and Physical Challenges will determine who has what it takes, and who should have stayed at home on the couch. In the end, only one candidate will withstand to become the GAME HEAD: Call of Duty 3 Challenge Champion and win a bevy of prizes including a Home Entertainment Center, compliments of Best Buy; a VIP trip to the SPIKE 2006 Video Game Awards and a trip for 2 to Normandy, France.

Log on to gamehead.spiketv.com for a preview of this episode, check out the 16 contestants and preview the latest Call of Duty 3 information and assets.

GAME HEAD is SPIKE's weekly half-hour news magazine series that is dedicated to everything that is happening in the world of video games. From the latest reviews, cheat codes and rumor reports to the hottest game of the week and more, GAME HEAD offers viewers a legitimate and uncompromised look at the hardcore culture of video games.

Thanks to FPSAdmin for the news.

Update: There are three semi-funny outtake clips available for download.

Microsoft announced today that Windows Vista has gone gold and will hit store shelves on January 30, 2007.

Microsoft announced today that Windows Vista has been released to manufacturing. Vista will mark the first big shift in Microsoft consumer operating systems in over 5 years.

With Vista, Microsoft promises increased security with an improved firewall and Windows Defender and User Account Control. Other fresh additions include integrated desktop search, Internet Explorer 7.0, Windows Sidebar, Windows Sideshow, built-in system diagnostics, improved gaming support, fully integrated Speech Recognition as well as support for Windows SuperFetch, Windows ReadyBoost and Windows ReadyDrive.

Four versions of the operating system will be available ranging from $99 - $399.

The first batch of Call of Duty 3 reviews are starting to pop up around the Web. The first review comes from IGN:

Clearly Treyarch put the most focus in overhauling multiplayer, and the effort has paid off. With a decent, more focused single-player campaign and an excellent online mode, COD3 is a great WWII shooter. Still, this series is in need of something new, be it a whole new campaign outside of Europe or even WWII.

It received an 8.8 out of 10. The next review comes courtesy of Boomtown:

What we have in Call of Duty 3 is a very good game that just falls short of being truly great. This WWII shooter feels more like an expansion of CoD2 than a fully-fledged sequel. However the core gameplay is just what you'd expect from the franchise and I'm sure I won't be the only one itching to repeat the single-player campaign once finished - next time on Veteran difficulty. As I explained earlier I feel that CoD3 does lack some epic qualities and the storytelling is a little too broad and obvious compared to the previous Infinity Ward game.

They awarded it an 8 out of 10. Be sure to read both reviews.

Call of Duty 3 is ready to be picked up at your local retailer:

CALL OF DUTY 3 CHARGES ONTO RETAIL SHELVES

The Follow-Up to the No. 1 Next-Gen Title Now Available
Santa Monica � Nov. 7, 2006 � Get closer than ever to the fury of combat with Call of Duty� 3, as you fight through the Normandy Breakout, the Allied campaign that paved the way for the liberation of Paris and the fall of Nazi-occupied Europe. Players will feel the rush of unrelenting action as they challenge German forces from four allied sides through single and multiplayer missions that unfold like a gripping and epic war movie experience. Call of Duty 3 from Activision, Inc.�s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Treyarch is on sale now for the Xbox 360� video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $59.99, as well as both the Xbox� video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation�2 computer entertainment system each for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

�Call of Duty 3 brings players closer than ever to the intensity of combat,� said Will Kassoy, senior vice president of global brand management, Activision, Inc. �Gamers will be instantly transported into a seamless narrative, set on a gritty battlefield that features the most highly detailed environments, amazing effects, realistic weapons and soldiers and more for an epic experience.�

Built from the ground-up, Call of Duty 3 takes full advantage of next-generation technology and a new physics engine to deliver a living battlefield where cover is ripped apart by gunfire and explosions; blades of grass are trampled beneath tank treads and soldiers� feet and uniforms wrinkle and fold like real fabric. Battle Actions require players to engage in life-or-death, hand-to-hand combat with enemies, plant explosives and fire mortars, further immersing them into the most authentic WWII experience to date.

In the ultimate character-driven experience through a continuous and compelling story of bravery, loyalty and teamwork, players step into the shoes of four ordinary soldiers � American, British, Canadian and Polish � to fight through The Normandy Breakout, the historic campaign that led to the liberation of Paris and brought the Allies onto the doorsteps of victory.

Call of Duty 3 serves up intense infantry and vehicle simultaneous multiplayer action, allowing Xbox Live� players to go online for Axis vs. Allies team-based gameplay for up to 24 players. In addition to Headquarters, Capture the Flag, Battle and Team Battle modes, Treyarch has added War and Single Flag � Capture the Flag. War centralizes the action on common points of interest, promising fast and furious combat on the battlefield, while Single Flag � Capture the Flag forces each team into fierce conflicts over a common objective. In Call of Duty 3, multiplayer fans have more tools in their arsenal: commandeer multiple-occupancy vehicles, mantle tanks, plant anti-personnel mines in strategic areas and rank-up to maximize the strength of your special class ability.

Just as multiplayer values great teamwork, Activision has also joined a team of partners that include Spike TV, to produce the Game Head Call of Duty� 3: Challenge, video game-reality-TV special, airing on Friday, Nov. 10 (12:40 am ET/PT) and Brady Games, whose Call of Duty 3 Official Strategy Guide is available at electronics, book, and software retailers nationwide, and online at bradygames.com.

Call of Duty 3 is rated �T� for Teen (blood, language and violence) by the ESRB.

Visit our Call of Duty 3 section for more details!