From the North Pole comes word that two waves of maps for Call of Duty 3 are heading towards Xbox Live, one of which will be free.

The free map, dubbed “Champs“, will take players to Port Royal de Champs, France for infantry-based combat; it is said to be great for small to medium-sized online games. The Valor Map Pack, which will be purchasable for 800 points, will contain five multiplayer maps that take players through a maze of French locales, offering “intense close-quarters action, whether via online, split-screen or System Link play.”

Both map packs will be accessible after the holidays.

This Holiday season has seen the introduction of three new Xbox 360 bundles across UK, thanks to Microsoft and its battle for winning the console war. Already available, the new bundles include a copy of Gears of War, Call of Duty 3 or WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007, a premium Xbox 360 console and a 30 day trial of Xbox Live Gold.

All bundles will retail for £300.

Call of Duty 3

Tony Hawk’s Project 8

Halo 2 for Windows Vista

Activision CEO Robert Kotick revealed the launch titles for both the PS3 and Wii. This coming November will see both next-gen consoles launch with three games from the publisher, with both consoles receiving Call of Duty 3 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. The last title will be Tony Hawk’s Project 8 on PS3 and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam for Wii.

In related news, he noted that most PS3 titles will be priced at $60, keeping in line with pricing of Xbox 360 games.

Activision proudly announced that Call of Duty 2, a Xbox 360 launch title, has sold more than one million units in the US for the aforementioned console. According to NPD Funworld, the game is the best selling Xbox 360 title to date and is among the highest rated games for the platform.

The sequel, Call of Duty 3, is scheduled for release this November for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.

Quite a few new screenshots from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Call of Duty 3 have been released. Click on the appropriate thumbnail for viewing the galleries.

Activision sends word that they have signed Joel Goldsmith, the son of legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith, to score the soundtrack for Call of Duty 3, the next in the highly popular (and successful) World War II FPS series.

“Goldsmith is one of the most versatile and talented music composers in the business and we’re excited to have him on board for Call of Duty 3,” said Tim Riley, Activision’s Worldwide Executive of Music. “Fans know to expect a ‘cinematically intense’ experience from the Call of Duty franchise - Goldsmith is the man for the job.”

Joel Goldsmith’s past credits include work on Witchblade, Kull the Conqueror and Stargate: Atlantis. He is also a resident composer for Stargate: SG-1 and has been nominated three times for the Emmy award for work on various projects.

Call of Duty 3 is set to ship this Fall for the Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 and Wii. No PC version has been announced.

Activision has answered the call of duty and revealed full details of Call of Duty 3, its upcoming WW2 action title in the venerable franchise. Set for release this Fall, and confirmed to be a PS3 launch title, the game will take players to fight in the Normandy Breakout, assuming the roles of four Allied soldiers - American, British, Canadian and Polish.

More details and screenshots below:

The Power of Next-Gen - Built from the ground-up for next-gen consoles, Call of Duty 3 brings the battle to life with advanced graphics, a new physics engine, a procedural environment and detailed ensemble animations that deliver the most cinematic war experience ever.

(Screenshots from the Wii version)

Battle Actions - An all-new close-quarters battle mechanic allows players to fight hand-to-hand, improvise explosive devices, disarm traps and execute a host of other battlefield situations that require cunning and rapid reflexes to survive.

Branching Mission Paths - Next-generation level design provides multiple attack routes that let players decide how to confront the enemy - flank an opponent, or hit him head-on. Each unique mission path requires special tactics, from sniping and demolition to all-out head-on clashes.

(Screenshots from the PS3 version)

Nowhere to Hide - Environmental physics allow players to destroy enemy soft cover hideouts, forcing foes out in the open. But be wary, opponents can eliminate your protective cover as well.

Team-based Multiplayer with Vehicles - Combined arms and team-based combat provides unprecedented depth and variety by allowing up to 24-players to battle it out online with the option of single or split-screen Internet play. Gamers have the choice to play as infantry or commandeer multiple-occupancy vehicles, including tanks, jeeps, and motorcycles with side-cars, leading to unique mobile combat roles for all-out, multiplayer mayhem. Call of Duty 3 also offers soldier classes, each with class specific abilities, and a ranking system for truly diversified squad combat.

(Screenshots from the Xbox 360 version)

The very first screenshot from Call of Duty 3 has been leaked. Enjoy (courtesy of Xboxyde):

And yes, Nintendo did offer its Wii E3 lineup:

• Wii Sports
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
  
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
  
• Super Mario Galaxy
  
• Excite Truck
  
• WarioWare: Smooth Moves
  
• Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Call of Duty 3 from Activision
  
• Sonic and Super Monkey Ball games from SEGA
  
• DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors and CODENAME: FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Crystal Bearers from SQUARE ENIX
  
• Madden NFL from Electronic Arts
  
• Rayman Raving Rabbids and Red Steel from Ubisoft
  
• SpongeBob SquarePants title from THQ