Addressing rumors that Call of Duty creator Infinity Ward will soon be the sole developer of the hit franchise, publisher and studio owner Activision has labeled the claims as "erroneous."

The reports first emerged from Next-Gen, which cited an ex-employee from Activision's soon-to-be-closed Foster City studio.

According to the source, Infinity Ward had somehow renegotiated its contract with owner Activision to become the sole developer of the Call of Duty property following Call of Duty 5, which is reportedly in the works at Call of Duty 3 developer Treyarch.

This act then supposedly contributed to the upcoming closure of... Read more

Contradicting word of a delay, developer Infinity Ward claimed that the new Variety Map Pack for the Xbox 360 edition of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is still on track for release later today or early tomorrow.

"As of right now we're pushing certification for an on-time release for April 3rd or 4th," community manager Robert Bowling wrote on his fourzerotwo blog. "It looks like [the maps] should be available late Thursday night / early Friday morning."

Earlier this week, a representative for publisher and studio owner Activision told Shacknews and other outlets that the map pack had been delayed until April 10.

Priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), the downloadable content packs four multiplayer maps: Creek, Broadcast, Killhouse, and Chinatown (a remake of the classic CoD map Carentan). For a more intimate look, scope out the recent batch of gameplay videos.

The PlayStation 3 release of the map pack will carry the same $10 price point when it arrives in roughly three weeks, with the PC edition possibly following after that.

The upcoming Variety Map Pack for the Xbox 360 version of Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be downloadable from the Xbox Live Marketplace beginning Thursday, April 10, publisher Activision has revealed.

The map pack was previously expected to arrive in the first week of April. An Activision representative confirmed the new date with Shacknews, noting that there had been a slight delay for unspecified reasons.

Priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), the Variety Map Pack contains four maps: Creek, Broadcast, Killhouse, and Chinatown (a remake of the classic CoD map Carentan). For a closer look, scope out the recent batch of gameplay videos featuring the new environments.

The PlayStation 3 release of the map pack will carry the same $10 price point when it arrives roughly three weeks later, with the PC edition possibly following after that.

Following up on the teeny-tiny screens released earlier, publisher Activision has issued nine nicely-sized screenshots of multiplayer maps contained within the upcoming Variety Map Pack for Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Containing four maps--Creek, Broadcast, Killhouse, and Chinatown (a remake of the classic CoD map Carentan)--and priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), the Variety Map Pack will be downloadable from Xbox Live Marketplace on April 3 or 4.

The PlayStation 3 release of the map pack will carry the same $10 price point when it arrives roughly three weeks later, with the PC edition possibly following after that.

Developer Infinity Ward has clarified the release schedule of the first downloadable map pack for its war-centric shooter Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC, PS3, X360).

Expanding on earlier vague statements from publisher Activision, Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling revealed that the upcoming Variety Map Map will be available for the Xbox 360 version on April 3 or 4, followed by a PlayStation 3 release roughly three weeks later and a possible PC edition after that.

"Right now plans for the PC version are unannounced but we are working to bring PC users the same content in the future," Bowling wrote on his blog. "Logistics are being worked out on how to make that happen."

Containing four new multiplayer maps--Creek, Broadcast, Killhouse, and Chinatown (a remake of the classic CoD map Carentan)--the Variety Map Pack will sell for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) in the Xbox 360's online Xbox Live Marketplace. The PlayStation 3 release of the map pack will carry the same $10 price point when it arrives later in the month.

Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology Conference, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed the possibility of an eventual massively multiplayer game based on Infinity Ward's popular shooter series Call of Duty.

"When you think about other properties that we own and control like Call of Duty, and what would be the natural evolution of a property like Call of Duty into a massively multiplayer environment...how do you monetize that," Kotick pondered, reports GameSpot.

In a conference call last year, Kotick made similar comments regarding a possible Guitar Hero MMO. "When we look at all the prioritization of opportunity we need to do, clearly, those are things that fall into the realm of opportunity for us for the future," he said.

Activision sends along three screenshots from Call of Duty 2, showing vehicles and units in Libya as well as Tunisia. You might have seen the shots before, as the game has already been previewed in several magazines, but if not, enjoy.

Activision sends along a new release of the Call of Duty: United Offensive Linux server binaries, now at v1.51b. This new release fixes several bugs and exploits.

Activision also sends along this Call of Duty: United Offensive map pack, which adds eight new multiplayer maps. Six are converted Call of Duty maps which now work with the Capture The Flag and Domination game modes, while mp_peaks and mp_streets are brand new.

Activision sends along Linux server binaries for Call of Duty and the United Offensive expansion pack, allowing server admins to run dedicated servers for both.

Activision sends along patches for Call of Duty and Call of Duty: United Offensive, updating the original game to v1.5 and the expansion pack to v1.51. The updates offer new multiplayer and mod features, as well as some singleplayer fixes (United Offensive). You can find the full readme for the COD 1.5 patch here and the readme for the expansion pack here. Here's a bit on the Tigertown MP map that's included

Tigertown is a small farm town located in Normandy, France which has been partially destroyed by a heavy artillery attack. The environment is designed for "Search and Destroy" as the American Airborne forces push their way up the town's hillside to knock out the flak88 and Tiger tank heavily guarded by the German Waffen SS. The Allied forces need to attack strategically and gain ground quickly so as to distract the Axis from properly defending their positions. Precision flanking from both sides is a key factor when taking over and controlling the town.

Activision has released the Call of Duty: United Offensive mapping tools, allowing people to create custom content for the recently released expansion pack. Meanwhile the Infinity Ward Nation forums have word of a patch being worked on.

Activision sends along the Call of Duty: United Offensive linux server binaries, allowing those with a copy of the original game and recently released expansion pack to run a dedicated server for United Offensive. You'll also need the original Call of Duty 1.4 Linux server.

Activision sends along a Call of Duty: United Offensive demo, allowing you to play one singleplayer level from the Gray Matter developed expansion pack. The demo is stand-alone, so you don't need a copy of the original Call of Duty.

Activision sends this along about people who don't have the bandwidth running 32 player Call of Duty: United Offensive players: "We'd like to ask server admins to please start with a smaller client number and work their way up to the max that their server supports rather than starting with a high client number and working their way down. This will make sure that your server runs at the best possible speed, and will also make sure that players get a good experience on your server and with the game overall. "

Activision sends along two new United Offensive movies, showing combat and vehicle gameplay footage from the Call of Duty Expansion pack. Grab movie 1, movie 2.

New on HomeLAN Fed today is this brief United Offensive Q&A, asking Robb Alvey of Gray Matter about his company's Call of Duty expansion pack.

There's a Call of Duty: United Offensive preview on Eurogamer, also taking a preview build of the Gray Matter developed expansion pack for a spin. They end up saying "we'd highly recommend giving this more than worthy expansion pack a look when it arrives later this month".

The official Call of Duty website has been updated, offering a few more screenshots from the expansion pack United Offensive. Thanks Blues News.

Voodoo Extreme has a new Call of Duty: United Offensive preview, taking a hands-on look at four missions from the Gray Matter developed expansion pack. United Offensive ships to stores next week.