That Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 will utilise the same engine as Black Ops – albeit heavily modified – is a non-issue, according to Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia.

Likening the upgrading of an engine to the remodelling of a house, Lamia stated that he didn’t see the point in discarding that which was working.

“Just because you’re remodelling the house and it will look new or it will have a new kitchen, you don’t tear out the foundation, or break out some of the framing,” he said, admitting that his analogy was a gross simplification.

 

According to industry analysts, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 won’t be setting sales records the way its predecessor did.

Wedbush Securities' Michael Pachter called the franchise a phenomenon, but said further sales growth was unrealistic.

"I don't think Modern Warfare 3 is going to sell more than the last Black Ops, so I doubt that this one will break a record."

 

Call of Duty publisher Activision has registered blackops2.com, fuelling rumours that this year’s probable instalment in the series will be a sequel to 2010’s Call of Duty: Black Ops.

According to website Fusible, the domain was registered by MarkMonitor, an Internet brand protection company that “caters to over half the Fortune 100, of which Activision is a client.”

Activision had previously registered blackops3.com through blackops6.com, meaning it’s possible the publisher is simply protecting its copyright.

 

Outside the event.

Los Angeles has its fair share of amusement parks, but until this weekend, none of them were game-themed.

Activision's attempt to provide a central point for fans to worship Call of Duty spoke more to the machinations of a certain Mr Disney than the creative team behind the multi-billion dollar franchise. But then, it doesn't cost USD $150 to get into Disneyland, nor are you likely to be physically hauled from a Jeep by Navy Seals, or accused of cowardice in the face of battle by failing to scream "yes sir" at an annoyingly loud volume.

The location, a valley once owned by legendary aviator and all-round mentalist Howard Hughes, houses a series of hangers once used to build the Spruce Goose. The massive aircraft has long since been relocated to Oregon, however Hughes' touches remain: a toilet block with a foot-activated water fountain and spring-loaded detergent dispensers created by the notoriously germophobic recluse himself. Naturally, this was befouled by the 8000-or-so Call of Duty fans, many likely unaware of the historical connection. Hughes would have had an aneurysm.

 

Activision has said that there will be no Call of Duty Elite beta for PC until spring NZST at the earliest.

On this blog, Activision’s social media manager Dan Amrich said, “PC players will have to wait until the fall to try it out.”

The Call of Duty Elite beta is now underway for Xbox 360 and is tied to Call of Duty: Black Ops. It is expected to launch on PlayStation 3 shortly.

 

Activision has today announced Call of Duty XP 2011, an event for the series’ fanbase to come together and celebrate the blockbuster shooter.

Taking place over the 2nd and 3rd of September in a “12-acre secure compound” somewhere in the greater Los Angeles area, Call of Duty XP will bring together an anticipated 6,000 fans and mark the unveiling of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer.

Attendees will get hands on time with both the multiplayer and the Spec Ops surivival co-op mode. Call of Duty: Elite, the series’ new premium online service, will also be fully unveiled.