Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection 2 set to be released on May 22

Earlier this week, Infinity Ward announced that the second "Content Collection" pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be released this Tuesday, May 22, 2012 (Xbox LIVE customers only). The collection pack will include the content that has been released to Call of Duty Elite members since the last collection pack and will cost $15.

Content Collection 2 will include the following:

• Getaway (map)
• Lockout (map)
• Foundation (map)
• Sanctuary (map)
• Oasis (map)
• Iron Clad (spec ops mission)
• Kill Switch (spec ops mission)
• New achievements

Two new Modern Warfare 3 maps launch to Xbox LIVE customers for free

Today, Infinity Ward launched two new maps for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to Xbox LIVE customers. The maps, dubbed "Erosion" and "Aground," are free to download now from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Erosion: Make your way through Mediterranean ruins and ancient aqueducts, using leftover Roman masonry for thousand-year-old cover in this new “Face Off” map. Aground: Head to Scotland’s Orkney Islands for the latest “Face Off” map, where treacherous cliff faces, networks of caves and the rusted and ruined remains of a grounded transport ship provide for constant combat.

Angry Birds downloaded one billion times

Rovio announced today that its incredibly popular mobile game Angry Birds has been downloaded one billion times in total. This milestone comes less than three years after the original Angry Birds was released to the public, making the series the fastest growing game in history.

Angry Birds games have now been downloaded more than a billion times – THANK YOU to all of our incredible fans! This is only the beginning of our story, keep your eyes peeled for what’s coming up next from Rovio!

The newest game in the series, Angry Birds Space, was downloaded fifty (50) million times in its first five (5) weeks of availability.

Microsoft unveils $99 4 GB Xbox 360 + Kinect promotion

Today, Microsoft launched a promotion that offers customers a 4 GB Xbox 360 with Kinect for $99. Customers, however, must sign up for two (2) years of Xbox LIVE at $14.99/month and if the customer breaks the contract, he/she will be subject to early termination fees. The deal is very similar to what has been used in the mobile phone industry for years now - a cheaper product by signing a contract.

The promotion is currently being offered only at Microsoft Stores, but may expand to other venues in the future.

Report: ‘Draw Something’ beginning to lose users

According to a report from The Atlantic Wire, popular mobile game "Draw Something" has been losing daily users over the past couple of weeks. People who play the game on a daily basis has apparently dropped from 15 million to around 10 million, but monthly active users continue to remain stable for Draw Something.

OMGPOP launched Draw Something back in February of this year, and the game quickly launched itself to the top free and paid apps on both the iOS App Store and Google Play. The game has nearly 35 million users, and servers around one billion ads every day. Back in March, Zynga announced that it would be acquiring OMGPOP for $180 million.

[UPDATE] Official Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 reveal trailer released

As expected, Activision this evening released the first trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, which will be the next title in the Call of Duty video game series. The trailer will be airing officially within the next few hours during the NBA Playoffs on TNT. We've included the video below for early viewing.

From the trailer, gamers can see that combat will take place across the globe, including locations in the United States. The reveal focuses around showing how technology has advanced since the last Call of Duty game. New weapons and guns were also briefly shown in the trailer.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is expected to hit store shelves on November 13, 2012.

UPDATE: Treyarch, the developers behind Black Ops 2, have confirmed that the trailer coming during tonight's NBA Playoffs game will have exclusives not included in the video below.

Angry Birds Space surpasses 50 million downloads in 5 weeks

Rovio announced today that the newest addition to the incredibly popular game series Angry Birds, dubbed "Angry Birds Space," has surpassed the fifty million downloads milestone in just five (5) weeks. The significant milestone makes Angry Birds Space the fastest growing game in history, breaking all previous records held by Rovio.

Angry Birds Space was released first on iOS, Android, Windows, and OS X on March 22. In 72 hours, the game surpassed three (3) million downloads, and will soon be released on the Windows Phone 7 platform.

Microsoft looking for developers to help create Skype software on Xbox

A new job listing on Microsoft's website has revealed that the company may be looking for a team of developers that can help assist in building Skype software for the Xbox, something that many gamers have been waiting for since Microsoft's acquisition of the company last year.

Skype is seeking a motivated Software Engineer with an unrelenting drive for working on and solving customer-based issues. As a member of the Skype Xbox Engineering Team in London, you will have a strong technical background developing client and/or embedded software. Success in this role will likely be driven by your technical understanding, passion for shipping product, a user focus and an Agile approach to software development. The ideal candidate loves software and has a passion for writing code that addresses real customer issues and needs.

Microsoft announces “Halo 4″ – to be released on November 6

Yesterday, Microsoft announced the next title in the popular "Halo" series of video games, "Halo 4." Set to be released to the general public on November 6, 2012, Halo 4 will take place four (4) years after the events of Halo 3, where Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe.

“We are beginning a new saga with ‘Halo 4′ and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of ‘Halo’ games and experiences,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. “Millions of fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and, with ‘Halo 4′ leading the charge, we’re confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history.”

‘Draw Something’ updated with new features

Earlier today, OMGPOP released an update to its incredibly popular iOS and Android game "Draw Something" that adds highly requested features, and increases the "turn" limit per game from 99 to 999. When Zynga bought OMGPOP last month, the two companies promised a major update to Draw Something that would add requested features by users.

Other new features that were added:

• Save drawings locally
• Share drawings on Facebook and/or Twitter
• "Pull down to refresh"
• Add comments to drawings for other players

The update is available for both iOS and Android devices via the App Store or Google Play, respectively. It is a free download.

‘Draw Something’ surpasses 50 million downloads in 50 days

Zynga announced in a statement today that popular Pictionary game "Draw Something" has surpassed 50 million downloads in exactly 50 days of being available. The game, which was developed by OMGPOP, allows users to draw pictures based on specific words and send them to other players for guessing. Over 6 billion drawings have been sent since the game launched.

OMGPOP was acquired by Zynga last month for $180 million.

Microsoft announces special edition Xbox 360 Chrome Series controllers

Announced via the Major Nelson blog today, Microsoft has launched a special edition series of Xbox 360 Chrome wireless controllers. The wireless controllers will be available in blue, red, and silver finishes, and sport a transforming D-pad. They will be available beginning sometime in May for $54.99.

You've got to admit, they look pretty sweet!

Infinity Ward Creative Strategist Robert Bowling resigns

Infinity Ward's "Creative Strategist," Robert Bowling, announced via his Twitter account earlier this afternoon that he will be resigning from his positions at both Infinity Ward and Activision, the developer and publisher of the popular Call of Duty video game series, respectively. While it's unknown why Bowling is leaving, it certainly came as a shock to the general gaming community, especially considering that he was the source for updates on the latest title in the series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

"Today, I resign from my position as Creative Strategist of Call of Duty, as a lead of Infinity Ward, and as an employee of Activision," Bowling said in the tweet. Infinity Ward has since confirmed the resignation via its official Twitter account as well.

Angry Birds Space surpasses 3 million downloads in 72 hours

Rovio announced via the official Angry Birds Twitter account that the latest addition to the series, dubbed "Angry Birds Space," has already surpassed three (3) million downloads in the less than 72 hours it has been available. The game was launched on iOS, Android, Mac OS X, and Windows last Thursday. It is set in space, and gives users new levels, power ups, and tricks to keep the series rolling.

One day after the launch, Rovio CEO Mikael Hed confirmed that the company is already working on bringing the newest Angry Birds to Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform, but an exact release date hasn't been given yet.

‘Angry Birds Space’ coming soon to Windows Phone 7

According to Reuters, Rovio chief executive officer (CEO) Mikael Hed has stated that the development company behind the popular Angry Birds series of games is working on brining its latest addition to the series, Angry Birds Space, to Windows Phone 7. Rovio initially stated that it had no plans to port the new game to Microsoft's mobile platform, but the decision seems to have been reversed since.

Angry Birds Space was released for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows yesterday. The game is set in space, and gives users new levels, power ups, and tricks to keep the series rolling.

The original Angry Birds game is currently the best-selling game in the Windows Phone Marketplace, but it doesn't have as many downloads as the iOS and Android version.

‘Angry Birds Space’ released for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows

Right on schedule, Rovio has released its latest version of the Angry Birds series of games, this one being entitled "Angry Birds Space." The game is set in space, and gives users new levels, power ups, and tricks to keep the series rolling. It's available on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows beginning today.

Angry Birds Space features 60 interstellar levels on planets and in zero gravity, resulting in spectacular gameplay ranging from slow-motion puzzles to lightspeed destruction. With regular free updates, new in-app purchases, brand new birds, brand new superpowers, and a whole galaxy to explore, the sky is no longer the limit!

Microsoft reiterates no new Xbox hardware announcements at E3 2012

According to a report from Kotaku, Microsoft has once again stated to the press that consumers should not expect to see any hardware announcements related to a new Xbox console at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this June. Microsoft issued the following statement:

While we appreciate all the interest in our long-range plans for the future, we can confirm that there will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon. For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360-and it's the best year ever for Xbox 360. The console is coming off its biggest year ever-a year in which Xbox outsold all other consoles worldwide. Xbox 360 didn't just outsell other consoles, it also outsold all other TV-connected devices like DVD players, as well as digital media receivers and home theatre systems. And in our seventh year, we sold more consoles than in any other year-defying convention.

While not much is known about the next-generation Xbox, it has been rumored for quite sometime now. The console is expected to have improved internal specifications, and also ditch the traditional disc drive in favor of Marketplace downloads. The Xbox 360 is approaching its seventh (7) year on the market.

Microsoft celebrates Xbox’s 10th birthday in Europe with history timeline

Ten years ago March 14, the original Xbox launched in Europe. To celebrate the milestone, Microsoft has put together a timeline of the history of the Xbox game console, featuring the console's concept introduction in 2000, game releases, and console upgrades. The timeline has animations, images, and text descriptions. The timeline also gives interesting tidbits about random facts, such as the first Xbox LIVE gamertag being registered (it was "e").

Trailer for first Modern Warfare 3 “Content Collection” released

Yesterday, Activision released the first (and likely lone) trailer for the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 "Content Collection" pack, which will offer non-Call of Duty Elite subscribers the ability to purchase new maps and spec ops missions. The pack will feature the following:

• New Maps: Piazza, Liberation, Overwatch, Black Box
• New Spec Ops: Negotiator, Black Ice

The content collection pack will be available to Xbox LIVE gamers on March 20, 2012, and at a later date for PlayStation 3 and PC users. Pricing information hasn't officially been released, but it's likely going to cost 1200 Microsoft Points, which is equivalent to $15.

Next-generation Xbox to axe traditional disc drive?

According to a report from MVC, Microsoft's next-generation Xbox game console will not include a traditional disc drive for games and DVDs, but instead put a focus on online downloads and streaming. The current Xbox 360 already supports downloading certain content from the Internet, but the service isn't implemented fully and many users don't even know it's possible. The console is also said to include some sort of swappable solid state card port for storage purposes.

Microsoft could be unveiling its next-gen console as soon as the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June of this year, with a release sometime in the second half of 2013.