Skylanders: Giants Announced, Parents to Prepare for Their Kids to Begin Nagging

I'm pretty sure we're all aware of this new series that came out not too long ago. In fact, you all probably already know in retailers where almost all of the game's most wanted figurines are pretty much sold out. In addition to that, parents will come into stores with their kids expecting to be able to buy packs or standalone figurines for their game, but end up leaving in disappointment. Retail stores that actually do have them in stock are like hidden treasures and are sold out within minutes or hours! It's gotten crazy! I like to think of it as new-age Pokemon

Well, it's not stopping the publisher Activision at all with a surprise hit, especially with a sequel coming in. Yup, that's right, a sequel is coming! With the announcement so far from the publisher and Toys for Bob, it's just the calm before the storm and parents preparing to hear about the release date. As far as it goes, we only know that it will release this Fall. To accomadate with the announcement, a trailer has been released, in addition to details of the upcoming sequel.

As far as the game goes, 8 brand new characters will be released as well, specifially for the game. If you already have Skylanders figures, don't fret since you won't have to start collecting them all over again because the original figures are compatible.

Skylanders surprisingly are going moble as well and will have apps released sometime, but no date has been set.

Summing everything up, Toys R Us will also have exclusive characters, named "Legendary Trigger Happy" and "Iridescent Blue Bash" sold at their retail stores. In addition to these exclusive characters, they will also have a 30-Day exclusive "Dragon's Peak" adventure pack.

As far as getting hands-on with these, the Internation Toy Fair will be happening in New York, so expect to see more details soon.

To some of us, this is really out there and have no idea what these kids are into anymore, but if it's popular, parents, be prepared to get nagged to go out and buy these for them. I'm sorry!

Call of Duty Convention Announced, Call of Duty XP 2011

File this one under the "how did it take them this long category," Activision announced today that they would hold the first official convention celebrating the powerhouse shooter franchise Call of Duty. Call of Duty XP 2011 will take place over Labor Day weekend, September 2 and 3, the event will take place at "a secure 12-acre compound in the urban confines of Los Angeles" and will cost you $150 to get in.

The convention will host a smattering of events; a premiere of Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer mode, hands on with the multiplayer and Spec Ops survival modes, paintball matches on a recreation of Modern Warfare 2's "Scrapyard" map, a real life version of the Spec Ops time trial "The Pit," an armory showing off all of the weapons in the series, and a full reveal of Call of Duty Elite's functionality.

In addition there will also be more traditional entertainment such as developer discussion panels with Q&A sessions, contests, and tournaments that will be topped off by a 4-player tournament with a one million dollar prize.

In an interesting move, all of the proceeds from $150 two-day passes will go towards the Call of Duty Endowment, Activision's non-profit which helps to ease veterans back into civilian life.

For those not willing to head out to Los Angeles for the convention, Activision promises there will be a "constant stream of high-production value videos." No word yet on if these streams will be free to watch or if a fee will be required.

"From the high production values of our live, immersive events--all the way to the smallest details in every design and activity--we're pulling out all the stops to make Call of Duty XP the ultimate gathering for the global community of Call of Duty fans," said Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg in the press release. "The celebration will immerse attendees in a Call of Duty experience unlike anything they've ever seen before."

Can a single franchise really sustain an entire convention, if any franchise can it's Call of Duty. Tickets will go on sale for Call of Duty XP 2011 on July 19.

Respawn Entertainment Launches Website, Complete With Mysterious Image

Respawn Entertainment has finally given us some concrete evidence that they're coming together as a new studio, this comes in the form of them launching their new website.

Respawn Entertainment was formed by Infinity Ward's former leaders Jason West and Vince Zampella, who as of now are still involved in a lawsuit with Activision (who still own Infinity Ward).

Perhaps the juiciest tidbit from this new site launch is a blurry image which serves as the company's first look at their still unannounced game.

So let speculation run wild as to what this image is, the best I can take away is that it looks gloomy and there are multiple tall silo like structures hanging around, give the internet time though and they'll figure out what this is.

The only other info we have about Respawn's new game is from EA Games President Frank Gibeau, who told CVG at E3 that Respawn was working on a "sci-fi oriented" game.

Two Million Users Have Signed Up for Beta of Call of Duty Elite

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Call of Duty is a powerhouse with over 30 million players world-wide. So when Activision introduced plans to release a paid subscription service-Call of Duty Elite-it was no surprise that the internet went crazy. Apparently though, this service has still managed to interest a large chunk of players. As there are already two million people signed up for the beta, according to Dan Amrich, Social Media Manager over at Activision.

There has been a cloud of mystery surrounding the service as we still don't know which features of the service will be paid and which will be free, and we don't know how much the paid features will cost. We do know that users participation in the service will help shape the services future.

"When the studio head at Beachhead said this would be a live beta," says Amrich, "he was not kidding — your participation really can make a difference in how Elite evolves."

He went on to reassure that if players want they can still get into the beta.

"Don’t be discouraged by the big number, thinking you shouldn’t bother because they already have enough people — two million volunteers among 30 million Call of Duty players is a small amount. More would be even better."

Call of Duty Elite will be premiering with Call of Duty: Black Ops and will continue onwards into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and presumably future Call of Duty games. Again, the service doesn't make the multiplayer pay-to-play, it simply introduces in depth analytics and statistics.

Call of Duty Elite to Have Closed Beta, Registrations Being Taken

Having been put to the public just yesterday, Call of Duty Elite is supposed to mark the beginning of what could be the biggest thing for the Call of Duty franchise. Well, I'm a bit skeptical about this, but hey, if you're interested, then good for you!

Robert Bowling of Infinity Ward just tweeted this (literally was just a few minutes ago).

"http://www.callofduty.com/elite - Apply to beta test the Call of Duty ELITE service. I highly recommend it for anyone with questions!"

The link takes us to what is pictured above. Obviously, from what Robert Bowling tweeted, Call of Duty Elite will have its own closed beta. Registration is taking place at this moment, so act fast. Even though I'm curious about what this means and what this could also bring to the table for Call of Duty in general, I applied. If you're a lot like me right now, I'd say to give it a shot!