Yet another DLC 'outrage'

It seems like every other day now that there's some example of an outcry concerning overpriced or 'unfair' DLC. Capcom bleed you for Street Fighter costumes and now Activision want more money for Modern Warfare 2 maps. I've made my peace with Capcom - I'm going to buy those silly costumes if they make me, because that's the sort of schmuck I am. I'm not going to cry about it any more. Understandably, then, I can't see why anyone is moaning about the pricing for Modern Warfare 2's first downloadable map pack. Like that guy from Taken says 'the price is the price'.

The 'Stimulus Package' which is set to release first on the 360, will set players back an impressive £10 or $15 for five maps. On it's own that's fairly steep but the real kicker is that two of the maps are recycled from the first Modern Warfare.

As Kotaku points out, this really couldn't have come at a worse time. Even though it's hardly major news, it plays a part in solidifying just how crazy Activision are acting right now. Goose-stepping the Infinity Ward heads out of their offices [more] and denying their workers royalty payments. [more]

Is Battlefield: Bad Company 2 strong enough competition to add to this burgeoning cluster-fuck? You guys play it, so tell me and Uncle Bobby too, if you think he's listening.

Call of Duty 4: The New Male Shorthand

I'm no sporting enthusiast - this is not a secret and because of this, I have gone my entire life without the benefit of what I like to call 'Male Shorthand'. This unique brand of small talk will get through just about any overly-masculine social situation, be it with you potential father-in-law or that one drunk who will just talk to anybody and it's best you just agree with everything he says because he could flip any moment and start threatening to kill you - you know the type. Missing this skill makes me somewhat of a social leper at times. Please stop me if I'm sounding a little too much like Morrissey.

(click to listen to just how brilliant he is)

Thankfully, Call of Duty 4 exists and Modern Warfare 2 is on the horizon. Call of Duty is fast becoming a new form of male shorthand, sitting comfortably up there with the likes of football and veiled cock-comparing. So many males play it now that it's become almost 'normal' to invest large amounts of time into an online game. For many it's a regular social activity and forms a large part of their life.


Enter: Me - the gaming nerd, once confined to the shadows, now out in the open, ready to make all you 'normies' my bitches. Bear witness to my supreme gaming prowess and gawp in amazement as I describe host migration to you. Although I am such a nerd, I am in no way bitter and I resist the temptation to act superior. Instead, I marvel at the ease with which I can now talk with 'regular guys'.
Usually, I want to talk about how tits looked different in the 70's, or how living your life with Devo's mentality is a really positive thing to do. Regretfully, neither of these make suitable topics for small talk. What Call of Duty has given nerds like me is common ground. Society is now my oyster and nerds are becoming increasingly mainstream, the line growing ever-blurry day-by-day.

We live in a period where gaming is becoming more integrated into the mainstream; even cunts like Vernon Kaye admit to their 'COD addiction'. Us gamers are becoming more acceptable and can no longer be easily classified as mouth-breathing bedroom dwellers ; except for when we lose to someone with a higher rank and then we can be all like: "Oh, fuck you. Look at your rank! What, do you live on this game? Fuck you man, go out and get laid, I get laid which is why I don't have such a great rank. Fuck you, nerd. Fuck you."


Whilst the likes of Fifa and Championship manager have been able to boast this 'everyman appeal' for decades, Call of Duty, being a shooter and not having a link to traditional male pursuits is something of a first. Whilst I'm sure there are plenty of men out there who do rank 'shooting things' on their list of interests, it's hardly football. the likes of Fifa are a logical extension of existing interests, but Call of Duty, coming from a more traditional video game mould is a perfect representation of the shifting demographic of gamers. A shooter now has a wider market and could potentially open the door for other, more interesting titles. Call of Duty 4 is in no way a watered-down gaming experience yet it has garnered massive mainstream attention. I'm not saying that your local will now be awash with newly-formed fanboys soiling themselves over The last Guardian, but I do think that if developers like Infinity Ward maintain their character for innovation and development, then we could see the definition of a gamer becoming even more of a grey area.

Make like opinionated fishermen...

...and cast your votes!

Right, now I'm trying something new here, so please humour me. I'm very sensitive and not playing along could cause me to feel very unwanted, cast aside like yesterday's jam. The announcement of the COD:MW2 Prestige Edition has caused a little bit of a debate, no doubt between several groups of friends, over just who would be willing to pony up the £120 needed to own this lavish set.

This is where you have to play along......

Cast your vote using the hi-tech opinion poll thingy below and watch as your opinion pulses through the internets, sending shockwaves of information that could shake Activision to it's very core.

Basically, I just want to know what you all think. Now get voting. I know you're reading this. It's not like you have to sign up or anything. You see, if you're reading this and not participating, then that makes you a lurker, and do you know what happens to lurkers in prison? That's right. They get bummed. Vigorously and often.



Now, why not go the extra mile and explain your decision in the comments? I love you.

The Faux Bot