Steam has announced a free multiplayer weekend for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It starts today, April 26th at 10am Pacific Time.

While the bombastic and controversial single-player story usually grabs the headlines, it's for the multiplayer that people really buy Modern Warfare. Millions of players flock to new Call of Duty games every year, so if you have a reasonably powerful PC, you've got no reason to see what all the fuss is about this weekend!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is one of the most popular online multiplayer games around. When the game launched, Activision started an online service that aggregates multiplayer data from matches played. Called Call of Duty ELITE, it is now available on iOS with an Android version set to be released in the near future.

As you can see in the screenshot, the iOS version of Call of Duty ELITE features the same information you can get on your browser or console, but rearranged to fit the touchscreen better. Read our Call of Duty ELITE review and download the app here.

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With BulletStorm, Brink and Homefront, FPS fans have had lots to chew on lately, but by November you'll be bored, right? Autumn will yet again see Activision's Modern Warfare up against EA's Battlefield. Now you can see the first footage from MW3 in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Reveal Trailer.

Having seen footage from Battlefield 3, it's pretty obvious Modern Warfare 3 will be a totally different type of game - the two series have been heading in different directions since the beginning, and that trend looks set to continue.

Battlefield 3 looks like a frighteningly realistic recreation of what urban warfare is really like in the 21st Century, while Modern Warfare 3 is clearly going the Jerry Bruckheimer route of bigger and badder explosions, and total Hollywood action. I'm sure both will be impressive in their own ways!

Download the trailer here!

Call of Duty: Black Ops is out on PC and consoles today, you can check out the official  launch trailer for the game below.

Last year's Modern Warfare 2 was the biggest launch ever, but can this release beat it? Many people think the last game's story was too convoluted, although it certainly delivered on cinematic thrills.

Black Ops takes us back into the Cold War, for some over-the-top historical action. Word has it the gore animation is now 'too good', so expect some pretty gruesome scenes amongst all the Jerry Bruckheimer-esque action. We'll be taking a look at it later today.

Premiering a Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer tonight looks like someone trying to steal Medal Of Honor's release thunder tomorrow, but all's fair in love and war. Here's a teaser trailer for the trailer! You can watch the full trailer during the Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets football game tonight on ESPN. If 16 brief seconds of action leaves you wanting more, head over to the Call of Duty: Black Ops homepage, where you can watch a ton of preview videos.

My first impression is that it's pretty much carrying on in the Modern Warfare tradition; bombastic, over the top hollywood action. That means there's a clear line in the sand between this and Medal of Honor, which looks like it's taking a much grittier approach.

Call of Duty has established itself as one of the greatest game series ever. With consistently improving graphics and AI, one of the only real criticisms it has faced of late was the repetitive nature of its setting. World War II is a fascinating, multi-theatre world for games to approach in many ways: but how about something different? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the answer to that request. This game plunges you head-first into a present-day battlefield, even more fast-paced than its predecessors.

This demo offers you one mission from the full version of the game, where you play Sergeant Paul Jackson, of the US Marines. You're dispatched to save a tank which has become waylaid during its mission against a rebel leader in Saudi Arabia. Like any good demo, the mission features a range of combat situations, including the use of anti-tank weapons, the destruction of an anti-aircraft battery and at least one seriously fast-paced, confusing fire fight.

The graphics in COD4 are top notch, and we didn't notice any lag even at higher-end settings. COD4 is built on a new proprietary engine which offers much better support for up-to-the-minute lighting effects, clearly visible in this test mission. Another aspect of the new engine makes for a really interesting change to gameplay. Some forms of cover (a light wooden fence, for example), won't offer you much protection like they did in years gone by. While buildings are not destructible, many elements of the environment (like cars and, yes, light wooden fences) are easily destroyed with gunfire. Heavier weapons can cut through heavier cover too, "Shoot them through the wall!" you're ordered at one point.

All this added realism makes the general quality of gameplay really high. We noticed great improvements in AI, even on easier levels of difficulty where previous games may have left you feeling somewhat silly. In fact, COD4 was surprisingly good, especially when there had been some negative reaction to the XBOX 360 beta.

Fast paced, intense and varied: awesome graphics and involving gameplay make Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare a must-have for any self-respecting gamer.

When the first iPhone released, the lack of support for Adobe Flash was a big deal. Desktop versions of website wouldn't be able to display all the content available and the experience would be "incomplete."

Android announced the operating system would support Flash, it was originally seen as an attack against Apple's closed operating system and how Android was a "step-up" against iOS.

Now with iOS at version 5.1 and Android 4.0 in the wild, does having Adobe Flash even matter?

Just installed Steam, the excellent gaming platform from Valve software? Here are my top ten games you can install and play for free.

Steam has everything from puzzle games, to RPGs, shooters and driving games: read on to find out more!

War Inc. Battlezone, developed by Online Warmongers, takes the shooter genre and presents a console/PC quality multiplayer experience. My demo of the game at Game Developers Conference was a great introduction to what feels like the next generation of free to play games.

The built-in desktop themes in Windows 7 are quite attractive, but they are very generic and lack originality. If you really want your Windows 7 computer to stand out from the rest then you can download new Windows 7 themes to add personality to your desktop. Downloadable themes normally include wallpapers, icons, sounds, and personalized cursors.

Here are ten popular Windows 7 themes on Softonic that will transform your desktop into a thing of beauty.

Angry Birds

Angry Birds is one of the most successful video games of the last few years. In it, you need to catapult birds at the constructions in order to kill their arch enemies, the noisy pigs.

This Angry Birds theme pays homage to the popular mobile game, and is the perfect option for those millions who are hooked on the game. The theme includes 21 wallpapers, five icons, and three personalized sound files.

Back in October I came across Ace of Spades, a neat little online FPS that mixed Minecraft mining with fast competitive action. The game was recently updated to version 0.7, with a raft of new features that make it much easier to get into. Watch the video below to watch me getting shot over and over again!

The game now asks for your name, so you don't have to open the configuration file and manually change it, and in game you are notified about headshots. The other big improvements are that enemy locations have now been removed from the radar, while bullet tracers are now shown. This makes it easier to find the action, while making it possible to hide from the opposition.

Ace of Spades is tons of fun. Despite still being in beta it's really playable, and the mining aspect makes for an unusual FPS game. You can host your own server, or play on one of the many public ones. The environments are really varied - there are some tight maps for intense fighting and other strange ones, like the huge monolith riddled with tunnels mined by players. You'll never see that in Call of Duty!

Ace of Spades is a free beta game that Call of Duty-style multiplayer shooting with Minecraft visuals and features. Currently in beta at version 0.60, despite missing a proper game interface, Ace of Spades is a surprisingly playable PC game.

To play quickly, simply download and install the game, then go to the Ace of Spades/play page, choose a server and the game should launch. You can only change your user name by opening the game's folder (click Windows Start button, then All Programs, then Ace of Spades), opening the Configuration file, then replacing the word 'DEUCE' with your chosen word and saving. There are a ton of other hints, tips and importantly controls at the Ace of Spades Wiki.

Environments vary, from randomly spawned worlds, to ones designed by players. All can be mined and built on during battle, which makes for some interesting ideas. The map I played above was two bases separated by an enormous plateau, that had tunnels and chasms carved through it, with fighting taking place all over the place. It's really compelling and I highly recommend it. You'll be hard pushed to find something this good for free!

The other big annual face off has started with EA's Battlefield 3 landing the first punch against Activision's Modern Warfare 3. Today PC gamers can download and play the open beta for Battlefield 3, which features the map 'Operation Métro' and game mode 'Rush'. It's 16 versus 16 online multiplayer, and you will certainly need a powerful machine to get the most out of the game. You have to use EA's downloader Origin, and it's a hefty 3.9 gigabytes.

We'll post our full reflections soon, but my first impressions are excellent. The graphics are simply stunning, movement is more realistic than ever before and the sound is excellent and dynamic. As is always the case with Battlefield, it seems well balanced, but takes some time to get into.

Newbies will be bewildered, and probably get shot a lot. You have to invest time in learning the map, which is pretty big, and until you do, other players will punish you for popping your head out in the wrong place! Take a look at our preview here. Do you think Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be able to match this?

Are you hooked on war games like Call of Duty or Counter Strike? Want to get your fix of combat action while you’re out and about with your phone? There are several awesome combat games for Android that allow you to play while you’re 'out in the field'.

Here’s a rundown of our five favorite Android war games:

Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus

The closest thing you’ll get to playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on a mobile device, Modern Combat 2 is a lavish first-person shooter that takes you to the heart of war in a variety of locations around the world.

The graphics and sound effects are highly polished and the controls are customizable, meaning you can set up a system that’s comfortable for you. The single-mode mode packs enough missions to keep you going for a while, but if you’re still hungry for battle after that, there’s a comprehensive online mode where you can take part in combat with others around the globe.

AirAttack HD Part 1

If you prefer wars that are fought in the skies, then you should download AirAttack HD right now. It’s a 3D vertical scrolling flying game where you must gun down planes as well as take out military vehicles and bases on the ground.

Next Friday, 18th March, first person shooter Homefront is released. While there is no demo, previews have been largely positive and it looks like delivering a unique single player campaign with some novel online multiplayer too.

The basic idea of Homefront - the US has been occupied by Korea in 2025 - is pretty unbelievable. However this premise allows the FPS to have a pretty unique US suburban setting, and one that will no doubt be quite haunting for many people. Unlike Call of Duty and so on, Homefront is going for maximum emotional impact as well as explosive Hollywood action.

The multiplayer looks excellent, with something called 'Battle Commander' which works a little like Left 4 Dead's Director. It responds to things like kill streaks by marking players out as dangers so opposing players know where to hunt down the biggest threat. This should create well balanced multiplayer games that are exciting and close right up to the end. A particular favorite tool of mine is the addition of drone copters. Players can hide out, and launch mini helicopter gunships that look great fun to play around with.

We'll be bringing you a full review of Homefront next week.