Beta testers wanted
Take a deep breath and get ready to take all of this in. Activision has released a comprehensive Q&A to explain all you need to know about Call Of Duty Elite, the new online service that plans to enriche gamers' Call of Duty multiplayer experience
The Q&A also lands with news that Activision is looking for beta testers for the closed beta phase, which is set to kick off on July 14, 2011. Without further ado, this is all you need to know about Call Of Duty Elite.
Is Elite a new website?
· We’re on the web of course, but we’re designing Call of Duty Elite to be widely accessible and customized for a number of platforms - via web browsers, through the game, and through mobile applications as well – including iPhone and iPad, as well as Android tablets and smartphones.
Will you be charging for multiplayer?
· No, we are offering players more choice and are not taking anything away from our fans. If you like playing the way you always have, with a great campaign, co-op and multiplayer experience out of the box, then you can. Additionally, many of Elite’s key features that we’ve listed will be free to all Call of Duty players.
What about stats? Do I get free access to my stats with Elite?
· Absolutely. Elite’s Career section gives players an in-depth look at statistical details of their own performance and gameplay as well as that of the entire Call of Duty community, including heat maps, load-outs, stat trends, custom leaderboards, and integration of your Facebook friends. The Career section is free to all registered users.
How will Elite compare to free offerings that currently exist?
· We believe that the free elements of Elite alone will be better than any free service currently on the market today. Elite ups the ante of any free service by offering a range of innovations on well-established multiplayer features, such as leaderboards, heat maps, and rich player data. Additionally, other Elite features are completely new to the industry. For example, with Elite’s new Groups featured integrated with Modern Warfare 3, you will be able to join custom groups based on your likes, interests, or affiliations, and then have those groups follow you directly into the game. Soon you’ll be playing in a social group, making new friends (and rivals!) who play Call of Duty and share your interests, home town, or play style.
Is there a beta? When can I try Elite for myself?
· Elite will officially launch this fall with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, but you can try key features earlier with our free public beta test. In order to deliver the best possible launch this fall, we need to test the service at scale and get your feedback on key features. The Beachhead team is working with Treyarch to hold a public beta this summer for Elite with the multiplayer community of Call of Duty: Black Ops. The earlier you sign up, the earlier you can play. All you need to do to sign up is register your email address and gamer tag. Sign up now at www.callofduty.com/elite.
Will the beta include everything that comes at launch in November?
· Because Elite was designed to be deeply integrated into Modern Warfare 3, not all of the features will be able to be part of the free beta with Call of Duty: Black Ops. You will get to try a number of key features, but the beta will still be just a slice of the full service that launches with Modern Warfare 3 in November. We plan to test some specific features, such as the Program Guide and Groups. However, a number of new features and services will be coming online specifically with Modern Warfare 3. Additionally, a number of our dedicated applications will be launching this November as well.
Can you tell me more about what “Connect, Compete, Improve” means?
· Connect: Elite will give our players unprecedented control over their Call of Duty multiplayer experience, transforming it into a true social experience. Players can compete against friends, players of similar skill levels, players with similar interests. Connect will include:
o Find and join Groups of people with similar interests
o Create Clans, which are player groups that can compete with other Clans in organized competition
o Track your performance, progress and activity within your Groups and Clans through mobile and web interfaces
o Upload and share your videos with your Groups and Clans
o Access high-quality original video programming, tailored to people who love Call of Duty
Elite will help players to connect with the Call of Duty community 24/7.
· Compete: Call of Duty players want to compete, but are looking for a way to do it that fits their skill and style.
o The Program Guide, gives players a choice of dozens of daily and weekly competitive Events, individual and clan Operations, official Leagues, and Tournaments all tailored to different skill levels
o These competitions will offer both digital and real prizes - everything from digital trophies and badges to a new Jeep
· Improve: Everyone wants to improve their game, and Elite will be like having a personal online coach.
o It provides players with a dynamic strategy guide that tracks their statistics and performances - down to minute details - showing gamers how they stack up against their friends or others in the community
o Improve will offer continually evolving professional tips and advice. Tools and information are provided so players can learn and up their game, regardless if you’re a newer player or level 15 Prestige
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