It's a safe bet that the most hardcore fans of Call of Duty are waiting in line for tomorrow's launch of Modern Warfare 3. While our sleeping bags were just about to be pulled from our dusty attics, Activision dropped the 'Hardened Edition' of the game off at our Los Angeles office.

At $99--and very "limited" availability--the 'Hardened Edition' is the only special version of the upcoming title (previous games also received a $150 'Elite' version). Is it worth the price of admission?

Read more: Elite 'Founder' bonuses, ID card, and more »

Modern Warfare 3 is mere hours away now. PC users are getting dedicated server support, but just in case you're new to the whole "dedicated servers" thing, Sledgehammer Games has written up a fairly detailed tutorial. It covers the basics on how to make your server and set your rules.

Read more: Server walkthrough »

"There's a soldier in all of us." Activision is reviving its marketing slogan from Call of Duty: Black Ops with Modern Warfare 3. Emphasizing that anyone can learn to have a good time in the franchise's online multiplayer offerings, the newest commercial--titled "The Vet & the n00b"--stars Sam Worthington, Jonah Hill, and Dwight Howard, in an explosive CG-filled live-action spectacle of a trailer.

Watch: Rocket launchers, grenades, and exploding planes »

Next week, the battle for your free time gets a new contender. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launches on November 8, and according to Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling, there are over 800 reasons for you to keep playing the game.

Speaking with IGN, Bowling noted there will be a ten opportunities to Prestige in Modern Warfare 3, each with an 80 level loop--equalling 880 total levels. By comparison, Call of Duty: Black Ops featured 800 levels; fifteen Prestige opportunities with 50 levels per loop. We suspect all 880 levels will be earned within the first week by at least one 'hardcore' gamer.

Watch: 'Modes and Match Customization' trailer »

Activision and the multiple development teams behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3--Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software--are a few weeks away from shipping the latest game in the franchise.

To detail some changes made to the game's multiplayer mode, a new video has been released. In the video, members of the development platoon detail how the game's new weapon leveling and proficiency systems work. Now gamers have a new layer of weapon customization available to them, allowing them to do things like reduce weapon kick and even do things like melee faster with certain weapons.

Watch: Modern Warfare 3 weapon proficiency and leveling »

Activision has teamed up with the fine folks at Mountain Dew and Doritos to provide double XP in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. But, how does the promotion work exactly?

Specially marked packages will contain codes you can use to unlock double XP time in Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer, when it comes out. For example, a 20 ounce Mountain Dew bottle will give you 15 minutes of time, while a family size 17 ounce Doritos bag will give you 90 minutes of bonus XP time.

Read more: How much time you can get »

Let's say you love playing Call of Duty, but you hate your 0.1 K/D ratio, getting sniped and stabbed seconds of spawning. If only there were some way money could make you a better player. Activision is proposing just that, with the Call of Duty Elite service.

One of the pillars of Activision's new subscription service is "Improve," which is supposed to step your game up. "It's the ultimate strategy guide for Call of Duty," Beachhead's Jennifer Puno explains.

Read more: What's included with a subscription »

For the first time in franchise history, two games under the Call of Duty banner--Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2--will be simultaneously allowing players to earn double the normal experience points this weekend. It's being billed as a celebration of the upcoming Modern Warfare 3's Prestige Shop, but it's safe to say that publisher Activision wouldn't be too upset if the move steals some thunder from a certain other rival war-based FPS that launched today.

Read more: about becoming prestigious »

It feels like it was only yesterday that we were playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at Activision's Call of Duty XP event. Well, believe it or not the shooter is launching in just over two weeks.

A launch trailer for the upcoming Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software-developed title has been released today, featuring shots of all four of the game's primary locations: America, England, France, and Germany.

Watch: Modern Warfare 3 launch trailer »

We're inching closer to what is likely to be one of this year's top-sellers, Modern Warfare 3. In preparation for the event, community manager [corrected title for Bowling - ed.] creative strategist Robert Bowling has answered some lingering questions about the PC version of the game, including how dedicated servers will work, visual options, and rooting out cheaters.

Read more: Lobbies, textures, and cheaters »

Mark Rubin, executive producer at Infinity Ward, admits that the multiplayer mode of Call of Duty appeals to a very exclusive kind of gamer. "We realized we had made the game for one type of player: the player with the high kill count... that was the only type of player that would get rewarded," Rubin explains in a new developer video diary. "What we wanted to do was offer the same kind of reward system for every type of player."

To help players of all types, Modern Warfare 3 introduces new "Strike Packages" and point streaks. Point streaks replace kill streaks from previous games, and ensure that players that score points by supporting the team will also get rewarded.

Watch: See the Strike Packages in action »

Though Call of Duty Elite's closed beta test shut down at noon today, the stats are coming back early as a treat for the number-hungry.

Elite will relaunch on November 8 alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Read more: Career section for Cod Blops »

"In the world's darkest hour, are you willing to do what is necessary?" That's how Activision is pitching the newest trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Today's video highlights the single player campaign, and shows off the tumultuous events of World War 3. Apparently, WW3 will be a pretty action-packed spectacle, with lots of explosions near iconic landmarks around the world.

Pay close attention, and you might even pay witness to a very Uncharted-esque plane crash.

Watch: Modern Warfare seeks 'Redemption' »

With its November 8 release date drawing ever closer, Modern Warfare 3 info continues to appear all over the Net. Pretty much every little detailed element of the game has gotten out including lists of the weapons, perks, weapon proficiencies, strike chains, and deathstreaks. For those planning to play on Xbox 360, there’s also the full list of achievements needed to bank the full 1000 gamer points. Putting all that info together provides plenty of temptation but read on at the risk of potential spoilers.

Read more: start planning to get the full 1000 gamerscore »

According to Activision, the recent Call of Duty XP event, held this past Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles, was a smashing success on all fronts. In particular, the publisher claims that enough people watched the proceedings online to make it the second most watched event via Livestream in history. At the event, Activision unveiled a premium version of the Call of Duty Elite social service (running $49.99 per year), and attendees got to get their hands on some Modern Warfare 3.

Read more: Call of Duty XP event gets massive exposure »