DICE seem to be over doing it somewhat with the frequent amount of double XP events, but we’re sure premium members won’t really care. Double points started up again from July 2 and will continue all week through till July 8th – if you’re a non premium member, you’ll still be able to join double XP, but until July 4th only.

So what else is coming this month to make that $50 splash out justified? Premium members will be getting some brand new weapon camos on July 9, as well as some fresh outfits for your solidiers as well. Right now there is only a small selection, so it’s nice to see DICE adding some new variety and we hope camos for all of the new weapons are included as well.

Aside from the new camos, DICE will also be giving premium members another behind the scenes video and a premium only Close Quarters strategy guide on July 3rd from Prima Games. The video gives you some tips from Alan Kertz on how to use all of the new weapons, while the strategy guide will obviously provide you with the best tips on how to become a great conquest domination and gun master player.

That’s your lot for July – are you satisfied with the new content or not? Modern Warfare 3 Elite users obviously get a lot of new multiplayer and Face Off maps as their monthly content, but do you think it’s good that DICE is mixing it up with strategy guides and expert videos as well? We still have a long time to wait until the first proper content arrives in Armored Kill this September.

For those that happen to have both Elite and Premium, let us know which subscription package you feel offers the most value for your money.

Infinity Ward’s community manager tweeted roughly 22 hours ago that a new title update would be rolled out over the PlayStation Network at 2.00am, no time zone was stated, but no-matter where you are in the world this time has been and gone, which means you should have it by now. You can see @Fourzerotwo’s tweet below:

The latest #MW3 title update for @Playstation goes live at 2AM. Includes improved voice chat quality, theater fixes, weapon rebalances.

We searched the Modern Warfare 3 forums for more details, but nothing else has been said about the changes, sadly this means that we can’t tell you more about the weapon rebalancing or theater fixes, all we can confirm is that voice chat quality should be noticeably improved.

Another tweet from Robert Bowling have confirmed that there are still spawn issues with the game for all platforms, it’s nice to see that Infinity Ward’s developers are aware of issues and looking into solutions, but surely such issues should be resolved by now? Spawning next to enemies seems to be one of, if not the biggest issue which needs resolving.

Before we leave you we must just tell you that PlayStation 3 gamers with Elite Premium subscriptions will finally get their hands on the Liberation and Piazza maps on February 28th (this tweet confirms this), you can see videos of these maps here. Xbox 360 gamers have had their hands on this content for a while now and the date just announced reveals that Microsoft’s console gets over 1 month of exclusivity, as you would expect PS3 Elite subscribers aren’t going to be happy with this! This tweet from @hofftwit sums up what many are thinking:

@fourzerotwo WOW- that MONTHLY DLC I paid extra for is coming already?! After nearly 4 months of no benefit whatsoever? You’re too kind.

Are you a PS3 Elite subscriber? If so, do you think that Elite subscribers on Xbox 360 are getting more for their money?

A mobile version of Call of Duty Elite was always in the pipeline, but perhaps many users did not expect the app to arrive on iPhone so soon. Starting from Tuesday January 10, iPhone owners will be able to download the app free of charge, and take the stats-based service for Modern Warfare 3, and any other Call of Duty supported game on the go, wherever you are.

Call of Duty Elite for mobile devices will allow users to access their main profile page, and customize weapon and accessory load-outs on the move in preparation for when they return to play at home. You’ll also be able to view challenges and access detailed stats for all your weapons, how well you have done in the game, what your kill / death ratio is and so on.

As for an Android app, users will have to wait until sometime next week to download, as it won’t be available the same time as the iOS app. For those that are interested, it’s worth noting that developers Beachhead have also confirmed that a Call of Duty Elite app for the iPad will also be available soon, but development is still ongoing at the moment.

The news is great for Modern Warfare 3 Elite subscribers of course, but what about Battlefield 3 players? A Battlelog mobile application has also been promised but we have yet to see any official details on it, or an idea on what progress has been made with the app either. Battlelog is a similar service to Elite, but remains free at the moment to all Battlefield 3 players.

Are you surprised that an Elite app will be available for the iPhone this week? How do Battlefield 3 players feel knowing that Battlelog is no where near finished at the moment?

Specific details on what the DLC will include remain a secret at the moment, but it has been confirmed that it will be the first piece of free DLC for Elite members, as part of their 20 free DLC content for signing up for the service.

Robert Bowling, community manager for Infinity Ward has given Modern Warfare 3 players a surprise on Twitter, by revealing the very first image of the DLC. Usually the company would wait until closer to release, so perhaps this is his way of giving fans an early Xmas treat. The image in question reveals that one of the new maps in the content will be called ‘Park’, and you can see an image of it below.

As usual though, this DLC will be available on Xbox 360 first but since this is releasing for Elite members first, this has caused a fair amount of confusion on whether other Elite members will be getting the DLC at the same time. Unfortunately, this won’t be the case. If you signed up for Elite on the PS3 and PC thinking that you would get DLC the moment it releases, it is perhaps a foolish move on your part.

Only Elite members with the Xbox 360 version of Modern Warfare 3 will get this DLC on January 24th, so make sure you are aware of that if you planning to sign up to Elite, but don’t have an Xbox 360. If Infinity Ward are sticking to their traditional format, we are guessing that this content will become available one month later on the PS3 and PC platforms.

We’re interested to know, who actually signed up for Elite with a PS3 or PC version of Modern Warfare 3? Are you bothered that you won’t get to play this ‘exclusive’ Elite DLC the same time as Xbox 360 owners?

Activision launched the new service alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 a few hours ago, but as CVG are reporting the service has already encountered some problems. The Call of Duty Elite service has been launched for the more hardcore COD players out there, but it seems it has been overwhelmed with demand.

These problems seem to be caused by the sheer number of gamers trying to log into the service. Problems have been noted though and the Call of Duty Twitter feed posted “We are aware of the issue”, and added that the “Surge of new Elite registrations is creating reg & login issues. Teams are working now to increase capacity”

The actual Elite homepage also notes the problems and asks users to be patient, and states that users don’t need to change their password as the issue is being caused by a load issue. It does look like the actual service is working fine; it’s just getting signed in that is causing a problem. Users are also being advised that all their COD Elite data is being safely recorded and will be available once issues have been ironed out.

Early problems may have gone away already and with such a huge amount of gamers trying to log on at once may overwhelmed the games servers temporarily. Is the service working ok for you now?

The Elite service lets gamers experience a more social aspect of playing as we explained in a previous article. Very similar to EA’s Battlelog for Battlefield 3. To access this content, the annual Elite premium membership will need to be subscribed to. It costs $49.99 or £34.99; this will get access to all the content including Modern Warfare 3 DLC. There is also a free section of the service which will still allow gamers access to iOS, Android and console apps, HD video sharing, community features, class customization and stats.

The video we have embedded below explains the CoD: Elite Compete platform. According to one of the gamers being interviewed in the video the most exciting feature about the platform is there are real world prizes up for grabs, which we agree is certainly a thrilling feature. Other than that, Compete is pretty self-explanatory, gamers go up against one another to establish who is the best or the Elite. Check out the footage below for more details.

The Improve platform gives us a detailed breakdown of all that is Modern Warfare 3, from the different gameplay modes to maps and weapons. The details are viewed in both video and text, making it the ‘ultimate strategy guide’ ideal for those that are new to the franchise. Elite developer Beachhead believes ‘even the most hardened CoD players will find something new to improve their game.’

For full details on the Improve and Connect platforms head on over to CVG where they have videos explaining them in detail. What do you think of the Elite service? Will you be subscribing to it?

First things first, let’s get the price out of the way, as according to the official website, Elite will cost gamers in the US $49.99 or gamers in the UK £34.99 for one year’s subscription to the service.

Before you say that the price is too expensive, take a look at the full features list as there is actually a generous portion of content available for those willing to take the plunge and pay the extra fee which is equilavent to the cost of a full priced PS3 or Xbox 360 game.

The main features include some 20 ‘pieces’ of new MW3 DLC according to Activision, although as you may have guessed, specific details on what exact DLC this is are unknown yet. You’ll also get access to official leagues, events and operations with prizes, tons of clan options, professional tactics, Elite TV and plenty of in-game extras too which standard members won’t get.

Obviously the main focus that potential buyers will study is the 20 free pieces of DLC that you’ll get with your subscription. It’s highly unlikely that these are 20 free map packs that Activision are just dishing out – as that isn’t their style as gamers have come to learn. Instead, it’s probably going to be things like free themes, pictures, avatars, maybe some early access to weapons and perhaps one free map pack as well.

Activision has been very clever in not giving any clues as to what the DLC is, as some unsuspecting gamers may just pay the fee anyway believing that they will be getting map packs for free, especially if they are demanding the $49 or £35 from their parents. Is this slightly misleading by Activision or not in your opinion?

Overall, it’s a very attractive proposition though, and there’s a great deal of content which on paper looks like it is worth the money alone. Check out the full list of features at the official website here, and let us what you think about them. Elite features or a waste of money?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition will cost $99.99 making it $40 more expensive than the standard edition, for this price you get the game, 1 year’s access to Call of Duty: Elite, a steelbook case, founder status and the limited edition field journal. There is just one difference between the PS3 and Xbox 360 hardened editions, PS3 gamers will get an animated timeline theme, whilst Xbox 360 gamers will get the special ops Juggernaut Xbox Live outfit.

Given the fact that Modern Warfare 3 plus a year’s access to Call of Duty: Elite would set you back $109.99 the pricing seems fair, but not everyone wants Elite access, which then makes it seem like quite a waste of money.

We really think that Call of Duty: Elite will be pushed heavily, therefore we wouldn’t be too surprised if Beachhead Studios and Activision throw in more bonuses to elite members after MW3′s release – for this reason alone the hardened edition may well turn out to be a worthwhile purchase. So far we have been told that Elite subscribers will get over 20 pieces of DLC a year which will consist of Spec Ops missions, new game features and maps – we are sure that this will attract a lot of attention.

You can pre-order yourself of the hardened edition of MW3 for PS3 here and Xbox 360 here, but for now we would like to here your opinion on the pricing, especially given the fact that Black Ops’ hardened edition cost just $79.99.

Does Call of Duty: Elite interest you? Do you think Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition is over-priced? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

It has been a long time coming it seems, but it has been confirmed that July 14, i.e today, is the date when Activision officially offer Elite to gamers for the first time. It won’t be available to everyone though, as testing will be available via invites, to those who signed up on the official website a while ago.

While you all frantically rush to check your inbox, you should be aware that today is not the only chance you’ll have to enter the beta for Call of Duty Elite, so don’t panic if you find out that you don’t have an invite sitting in your inbox. Word from Kotaku suggests that invites will be rolled out in waves, and the first wave rolling out today will only reach a select number of users.

Waves will continue to roll out thoughout the month so there will be plenty of opportunities to come. However, it looks like Activision will be giving priority to current Black Ops players, and the beta will let you try out some of the features of Elite which are directly tied into Black Ops. The real features of Elite though will come when Modern Warfare 3 is released this November, so this is a perfect opportunity to get the very first look at Elite before anyone else.

It’s likely that Elite will go head-to-head with EA’s Battlelog service in the bragging rights, but don’t forget that Actvision will be asking for a subscription fee to the service, while EA appears to be keeping Battlelog free for all users. If you have been lucky enough to already receive your invite into Elite, let us know your first impressions of it.

Is Call of Duty Elite something you don’t mind paying for as you look for the premium Modern Warfare 3 service, or do you think it’s an unnecessary service which Activision definitely shouldn’t be charging for? We’re eager to get our hands on Elite as well, so we’ll be writing up our own impressions of the service as soon as we can, so look out for that.

Did you receive an invite into Call of Duty Elite?

The company revealed this week that the ‘public’ beta for Elite will be launching on July 14th, however it can’t really be classified as public. During E3, Activision stated that the beta will be invite only, and that only players from Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer will be selected.

We’ve taken a look at the official beta sign-up website, and the good news is that you’re still able to input your details and platform of choice for the beta. Since this has been available for a few weeks now though, we have a feeling that it won’t stay up forever.

Despite the beta being ‘invite only’, there will probably be various ways of getting into the beta via giveaways. We’ll be informing you of any we see so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Did you sign up on the beta website? Let us know if you have received an email back from Activision, or if you’re still waiting.