Anticipation for the new Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation map pack just keeps building. Last week we let you know the map pack was coming, some clues to what its all about and when it would arrive. Now, thanks to our pals at Activision, we’ve got the screenshots and video to prove it — not that you doubted us.

In this new trailer we go behind-the-scenes with Treyarch as they talk about the Escalation multiplayer maps – Zoo, Convoy, Hotel and Stockpile. Yes, you get a chance to see all the work that goes into these map pack.

But no, you probably won’t get any hints on how to beat the maps. That would be cheating. And nobody likes a cheater.

Anyway, click through and check out the video and screens after the break. Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation hits XBox Live on May 3rd.

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You read that headline right folks. The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here. The Call of Duty: Black Ops new map pack, known as “First Strike”, has arrived and lo it is good.

As our own John Carle told you about before, the map pack contains some new goodness including four traditional multiplayer maps as well as one additional Zombie mode map. While no information was given on the Zombie map other than its name, Ascension, now that the map pack is available we will know a whole lot more very shortly.

Kowloon takes place in a revamped layout of the Kowloon single player level. Discovery takes place in an arctic research lab and shows what may be Call of Duty’s first steps towards destructible environments. Berlin Wall features a great design choice with the inclusion of a no man’s land. In this area, players can quickly get across the map but this time there isn’t much fear of other players.

Finally, Stadium seems to be the most traditional of the maps. In it, players will be more focused on pure classic strategy using a level’s design and tight corners as a way to ambush opponents.

The “First Strike” map pack is available now. To the XBox 360!

Because it’s nice outside and I’m feeling sorta lazy, I’m just going to tell you we’ve got a new trailer for the Call of Duty: Black Ops “First Strike” Map Pack  for you today. Previously, we had a preview for the new maps and even had some video. Now, we’ve got a cool trailer that features some great music.

As you probably know from our own John Carle’s exhaustive discussion of the new map pack, the “First Strike” Map Pack will include four traditional multiplayer maps as well as one additional Zombie mode map. Who doesn’t love those zombies? Am I right?

Check out the trailer after the jump. Look for the “First Strike” Map Pack to arrive February 1st for XBox 360 and then later for PS3.

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While Call of Duty: Black Ops didn’t reign two years in a row as game of the year, that doesn’t mean we love it any less. After all, you don’t become one of the highest selling games of all time along with being the highest first day entertainment franchise in history if you aren’t a damn good game.  As previously announced, the first map pack titled “First Strike” will be coming first to the XBox 360 on February 1st before later being ported over to the PlayStation 3.

The “First Strike” Map Pack will include four traditional multiplayer maps as well as one additional Zombie mode map. While no information was given on the Zombie map other than its name Ascension, the trailer below gives a quick peek at the development behind and the layouts of the other four maps in this pack.

Kowloon takes place in a revamped layout of the Kowloon single player level. Having a very similar feel to the streets of Brazil from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Kowloon offers players their first and only opportunity to use a zip line to traverse through a level. This zip line looks like a quite risky venture as it will leave a player completely exposed and weaponless. The reward however is the ability to cross great distances of the map at tremendous speed.

Another unique map is Discovery. Taking place in an arctic research lab, Discovery shows what may be Call of Duty’s first steps towards destructible environments. In Discovery there is a choke point over the chasm that divides the level in half where players must cross a bridge to reach their opponents. This bridge can be destroyed with proper explosives. Imagine what this could do for the game with Red Faction style level physics on top of the already intense Call of Duty multiplayer.

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As if breaking a couple records wasn’t enough, Activision announced Tuesday a third record-breaking milestone achieved by its hit, Call of Duty: Black Ops. The latest addition to Activision’s Call of Duty franchise first set a new launch-day sales record when it racked up $360 million in first-day sales.

Then, the game beat previous five-day sales records when it did $650 Million in sales during its first five days of availability. Now, Activision has announced that its extremely popular first-person shooter has pulled in over $1 Billion in less than a month. Yes, that’s quite a lot.

“In all of entertainment, only Call of Duty and “Avatar” have ever achieved the billion dollar revenue milestone this quickly,” said Activision CEO Bobby Kotick in a statement. “This is a tribute to the global appeal of the Call of Duty franchise, the exceptional talent at Treyarch and the hundreds of extraordinary people across our many Call of Duty studios including Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer that work tirelessly on the franchise.”

As fans of the game, we can understand why it’s so popular. Let’s hope this means we can look forward to more games like this for years to come. Click through for the full press release from Activision.

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I’m playing it. You’re playing it. Millions and millions of other people are playing it. More to the point, millions and millions of people are buying it . . . and in record numbers. As we told you before, Call of Duty: Black Ops sold very well, to put it mildly, in its first day of release.

Now, the game has broken another record and made over $650 Million in just five days. I’ll let that number sink in for a minute. This amount of sales breaks the previous record of $550 Million in five days set last year by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Also a great game but now, just second best.

“Call of Duty has become the first entertainment property in history to set five-day launch records for two consecutive years across all forms of entertainment,” said Activision Blizzard CEO, Robert Kotick in the release. ”The title’s success illustrates the mass appeal of interactive entertainment as millions of consumers are choosing to play Call of Duty: Black Ops at unprecedented levels rather than engage in other forms of media.”

For more on this announcement, click through for the full press release.

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This news doesn’t really come as a surprise to us. We’ve been following Call of Duty: Black Ops for months, and had a chance to play it early, so we know it rocks. Obviously, players in the US and UK agree as the game has sold a monster amount of copies and racked up over $360 Million in sales in the first 24 hours of release.

This total beat the previous winner, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which had $310 Million in first day sales. That’s an extra $50 Million for Black Ops. Not bad, not bad at all. I like to think we had something to do with it. Well, maybe just a little.

For the complete scoop on this impressive debut, check out the press release from our pals at Activision. Also, be sure to relive the fun by taking a look at the game’s launch trailer as well. Or, if you haven’t done it yet, just go out and get the game. It kicks ass.

CALL OF DUTY®: BLACK OPS SETS NEW OPENING DAY SALES RECORD WITH APPROXIMATELY $360 MILLION IN NORTH AMERICA AND UNITED KINGDOM ALONE

Most Anticipated Game of the Year Becomes Biggest Entertainment Launch in History

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Since we know many of our Flickcast listeners (And some Flickcast writers) aren’t the most athletically inclined, it’s likely not many of you were watching Sunday night football to see the debut of the Call of Duty: Black Ops launch trailer. While Treyarch has come under some criticism for their Call of Duty titles not being as strong as those from Infinity Ward, this has not hurt the anticipation one bit for Black Ops.

From what we’ve seen so far, the game looks to be one of the highest selling Call of Duty releases ever. After this trailer, it wouldn’t be surprising to see those numbers increase even more.

One of the more surprising moments comes about half way through when a former President makes a brief cameo. Be sure to check it out after the jump.

Stay tuned to The Flickcast for a review on Call of Duty: Black Ops as soon as we get our hands on it!

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As we mentioned yesterday, there was a reveal trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops single player campaign during the Monday Night Football game between the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. Due to the late start on the game, it was late in the night when the trailer aired during the game’s third quarter.

And while Brett Favre and the Vikings may have disappointed a lot of people, the trailer sure didn’t. Make sure to take a peek below at the full trailer and give us your thoughts on everything Call of Duty: Black Ops as it gets closer to release.

We have already confirmed with Activision we will be reviewing a copy of the game for the site so keep your eyes peeled for that as well! Check out the full trailer after the break.

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The full single player trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops, Activision and Treyarch’s latest bit of awesomeness, will debut tonight during ESPN’s Monday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets. In the meantime, we’ve got a teaser for that trailer to share with you this morning that will surely serve to whet your appetite for the full trailer and, of curse, the game itself.

As I mentioned before, Call of Duty: Black Ops takes gaming to the next level and features a host of new features, enhancements and all around gameplay advances. Plus, it will also allow players to experience the game in 3D, which could be very cool indeed.

With this teaser we get a glimpse of how amazing this game is going to be and get to experience some of the action for ourselves. Of course, actually getting a chance to play the game will be even better but for now, we can at least get psyched for when that time does soon come.

Take a look at the teaser after the jump. Call of Duty: Black Ops hits stores on November 9.

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As if all the awesome first person and co-op gameplay wasn’t enough, one of the most anticipated first person shooters hitting stores this year is also going to feature some of the greatest bad guys to ever grace a video game: zombies. That’s right folks, Treyarch and Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops will, in addition to all the other great features we’ve already told you about, also feature the fan-favorite “zombies” feature.

“Zombies have been such a hit with our community that we were committed to bringing brand new zombie experiences to Call of Duty: Black Ops,” says Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. “We’ve taken extra special care to retain the essential ingredients of our Zombie game, and have also crafted a nice surprise for the fans.”

This news follows the announcement of four updated co-op maps from Call of Duty: World at War will be part of the Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige and Hardened Editions, along with the premium edition Steelbooktm Case, custom Black Ops limited edition medal and an exclusive Black Ops Avatar outfit.

Call of Duty: Black Ops hits stores on November 9th. You can also pre-order the game right now.

Last night at a special event held by Activision and Treyarch at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, we got a chance to play some Call of Duty: Black Ops. Specifically, we were there to check out the multiplayer aspects of the game and generally get an in-depth preview of the whole experience.

After being plied with some excellent cocktails we were whisked into the IMAX theater at the center. Once inside and seated, we were shown some terrific demo videos and given the scoop by Treyarch designers David Vonderhaar and Dan Bunting which showcased what players can expect from the game.

Some of the items they touched on were the game’s new multiplayer features using pillars that the company focused on during development: Compete, Customize and Create. We got to see quite a bit of the game and even got some playing time.

Here’s the highlights:

Multiplayer Training

One thing I was particularly interested in was the all-new multiplayer mode called “Combat Training.” This new feature , which is unique to Black Ops, allows you to experience multiplayer gameplay but replaces the threat of real online players (and severe pwnage) with AI-controlled bots.

This allows you to hone your skills while not suffering any real damage or lowering of your standing in the online world. Players can also invite friend into the match, allowing for some co-op play.

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