Hanamiji's Blog

30 minutes until Call of Duty 4 beta opens [update 1]

That's right, you've known about it for a while and now you have a thirty minute wait until Infinity Ward opens up the flood gates on registration into the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer beta to United States Xbox Live members. Today, at 12:00PM pacific (3:00PM eastern) simply head on over to the official CoD 4 website, answer three trivia questions correctly, sign up for the multiplayer beta and get your redemption code. But be warned, Infinity Ward has made it clear that the codes will be given out on a first come first serve basis, so you can almost expect their hosting servers to start on fire and people to get really, really angry. But not you, because you're in the know and already have the beta page open and are ready to sign up in a split second. Remember, today's beta sign up is for US residents only with other countries making it into the beta later on ... but not today. Good luck everyone, make us proud and get those CoD 4 multiplayer beta codes!

Update 1: Sorry everyone ... all those CoD 4 beta tokens are already gone. Stupid servers crashed and we never got to register, but we just received image confirmation that the fun is over. We call shenanigans!

Drafted: Call of Duty 4 Public Beta

Who doesn't love a man in uniform. In an act of kindness Activision announced a multi-player public beta of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Xbox LIVE users can go to Charlie Oscar Delta to sign up for a chance to get a beta token to give the game a go before it hits shelves November 5th.

The beta will feature a small sub-set of the total maps available on the retail version, character and class customization, party systems as well as ranking and a "pirk system". Priority appears to be set for US players, but there is mention of a beta run in several other countries listed in the full release post-jump. It appears to be a first come first serve setup so you you're a fan of the series rush over there and get in line.

The sign-up page appears to be getting quit a bit of traffic so be patient with it.

Beta Signup Page

Full press release after the jump.

CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE MULTIPLAYER BETA FAST-ROPES TO XBOX LIVE

Santa Monica, CA - August 24, 2007 - Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Infinity Ward's Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ multiplayer beta will launch via Xbox LIVE™ on Monday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Users can visit Charlie Oscar Delta (www.CharlieOscarDelta.com) at noon for their chance to receive a Token and experience some of the maps and modes available in multiplayer before the game hits store shelves the week of November 5th.

The beta will enable players to experience the most advanced and powerful arsenal of modern day firepower in customizable multiplayer battles from the world's most treacherous hotspots. Players will be able to customize their experiences by utilizing new features including create-a-class, player-ranking and the new perk system. Gamers will also be able to ease seamlessly into multiplayer matchmaking with the party system or even join games in-progress. New recruits will enlist for battle across a series of action-packed maps and dynamic game modes to test their mettle in the ultimate multiplayer gameplay arena.

"From day one we've set out to make Call of Duty 4 the best multiplayer experience ever," said Grant Collier, Studio Head, Infinity Ward. "We're excited to bring to our fans around the world this early look at Call of Duty 4 multiplayer. The gameplay possibilities are limitless from leveling-up and utilizing perks, to creating-your-own class and matchmaking. We're only days away, so get ready!"

Aspiring soldiers can go to www.charlieoscardelta.com for the latest information about the worldwide beta including how to become a part of it, specifics on perks as well as the eventual end date of the beta. Entry to the beta and availability will vary by territory. U.S. residents will able to log on for a chance to receive a token on a first come basis. Updates for International soldiers will become available on Charlie Oscar Delta, where details will be shared about the International rollout of the multiplayer beta. International players will be able to take part in various promotions in the following countries:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Modern Warfare Multiplayer Beta

Visit Charlie Oscar Delta (http://www.charlieoscardelta.com/) at noon for your chance to receive a token and experience some of the maps and modes available in multiplayer before the game hits store shelves the week of November 5.

Customize Your Experience
The beta lets you experience the most advanced and powerful arsenal of modern-day firepower in customizable multiplayer battles from the world's most treacherous hotspots. Customize your experiences by utilizing new features, including create-a-class, player ranking, and the new perk system.

Ease seamlessly into multiplayer matchmaking with the party system or even join games in progress. New recruits will enlist for battle across a series of action-packed maps and dynamic game modes to test their mettle in the ultimate multiplayer gameplay arena.

"From day one, we've set out to make Call of Duty 4 the best multiplayer experience ever," said Grant Collier, Studio Head, Infinity Ward. "We're excited to bring to our fans around the world this early look at Call of Duty 4 multiplayer. The gameplay possibilities are limitless—from leveling up and utilizing perks, to creating your own class and matchmaking. We're only days away, so get ready!"

First-Come Basis
First, download this PDF file containing more information about the multiplayer beta and how to get started

Next, go to www.charlieoscardelta.com for the latest information about the worldwide beta, including how to become a part of it, specifics on perks, and the eventual end date of the beta. Entry to the beta and availability will vary by territory. U.S. residents will able to log on for a chance to receive a token on a first-come first-served basis.

Updates for international soldiers will become available on Charlie Oscar Delta, where details will be shared about the international rollout of the multiplayer beta.

Stump the King - Anchorwoman

A few months ago I wrote an article about how sad it is that FOX no longer gives its new shows a decent chance to find an audience. Shows like Vanished and Drive barely get started before the network decides to pull the plug. I still feel that FOX is too quick on the trigger, however in the case of their latest fatality, Anchorwoman, they did the right thing.

Anchorwoman was another in a series of "unscripted sitcoms" that truly appeal to the lowest common denominator, specifically people who are too stupid to realize that nothing on the show is real.

Ever since the first season of The Simple Life, lazy producers have found that the easiest way to make a TV show is to put a well-known person into an unfamiliar situation and then propagate as much nonsense as possible. Whether it's Anchorwoman, The Two Coreys or Minding the Store these unreality shows are a blight on the landscape of television.

Now that my rant is over, here is this week's question...

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below stating which FNL character is your favorite.
• The comment must be left before August 31, 2007 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
  
• You can only enter once.
  
• The winning entries will be chosen completely at random.
  

TV Squad's Friday Night Lights DVD Giveaway
Official Rules
No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

1. Eligibility: The TV Squad's Friday Night Lights DVD Giveaway (the "Giveaway") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and are 18 years of age or older. Employees of Weblogs, Inc., AOL LLC, its advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaway, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with Giveaway (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

2. Sponsor: The Giveaway is sponsored by Weblogs, Inc., 331 N. Maple Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 ("Sponsor").

3. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

4. Entry Period: The Giveaway begins at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on August 27, 2007 and ends at 5:00 p.m. ET on August 31, 2007 (the "Entry Period").

5. Giveaway Entry/Submission: Go to http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/08/27/giveaway-monday-friday-night-lights-season-one/ and leave a confirmed comment on the blog stating which Friday Night Lights character is your favorite. Submission will result in one (1) entry. Limit one (1) entry per person/email address. Subsequent entries from the same person/email address will be voided. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

6. Winner Selection: On or about September 1, 2007, Sponsor will select the names of three (3) potential winners in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The odds of being selected depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their first and last names, age and mailing address. If a potential winner does not respond within five (5) days after the first attempt to contact him/her, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period.

7. Requirements of the Potential Winners: Except where prohibited, the potential winners may be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the "Affidavit/Release") within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release within the required time period, an alternate entrant may be selected in his/her place.

8. Prizes: Three (3) Winners will each receive Friday Night Lights – Season 1 on DVD. Approximate Retail Value: $30.00

No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winner is responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

9. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prize at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

10. Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Giveaway or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

11. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

12. Publicity: Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes Winner's consent to Sponsor's use of Winner's name, likeness, picture, portrait, voice, opinions, biographical information and state of residence for promotional, publicity or advertising purposes worldwide in any media and on the World Wide Web, in perpetuity, without further payment, consideration, review or consent (where allowable).

13. Giveaway Results: To request the name of the winner, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to TV Squad's Friday Night Lights DVD Giveaway Winner's List, 22070 Broderick Drive – 12E:D01, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received by September 30, 2007.