Updates to Call of Duty: Black Ops have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Improved stability for Zombies, Multiplayer, and Dedicated Servers.
Fixed server hitching when client is kicked for inactivity.
Added server browser Filter for DLC.
Quickmatch will prioritize servers running only the maps you own.
Addressed various MP and Zombies exploits.
Addition of the “Dolly Cam” editing mode in Theater.
Improved reliability of Recent Game films saving properly.
Connectivity improvements for Zombies.
Added ability to remove Counter Spy-Plane effects with the Jammer.
Players that put an enemy into Second Chance are now credited with a kill when the downed player is killed or takes the 'coward's way out'.
Players will no longer receive any “hitmarkers” for shooting friendly equipment.
Addressed an issue with switching classes while using a Chopper Gunner / Gunship.
Disable player movement sounds when Ninja perk is equipped.
Players can no longer “spawn tube” with the China Lake at the beginning of a match.
Additional fine-tuning of audio levels for bomb plants/defuses.
Headshot “ping” is now only audible if enemy dies.
Limit the ability to re-roll supply drops using Hardline Pro to Care Packages only, no other killstreak drops.
Addressed an issue where the incorrect perks would appear when spectating another player under certain circumstances.
RC-XD adjustments.
Addressed an issue with calling in Chopper Gunner / Gunship immediately after being shot down from a previous one.
Various improvements to Multiplayer and Zombies leaderboards.


Rcon 1.0.4.0

First Strike DLC support added

PC Black Ops players can finally purchase the First Strike map pack today, adding "Berlin Wall," "Stadium," "Discovery," "Kowloon", and Zombie level "Ascension" to their arsenal for $14.99.

Activision have revealed that the First Strike map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops will be out on PC by the end of March. Activision have also set up a new company devoted to creating new DLC for Call of Duty. Read on for details and the First Strike trailer.

Activision made the reveal when announcing its quarterly financial results last night. They mentioned that the pack would be out on PC this financial quarter, which ends in March. Activision also announced the formation of a new company devoted exclusively to creating digital downloads for Call of Duty. The team will be called Beachhead, and have been tasked with creating "best in class digital experience for Call of Duty." It looks as though we can look forward to more Call of Duty: Black Ops map packs and expansions in future.

First Strike contains four new multiplayer maps and a new "zombie experience."

Stadium - competitive map set in an Ice Hockey rink.
Kowloon - multiplayer map that takes place on the rooftops of Kowloon
Berlin Wall - A multiplayer fight for checkpoint Charlie.
Discovery - A competitive map set in an Antarctic research facility, based on the Reznov mission from the singleplayer campaign.
Ascension - New zombie map with new weapons and creatures to fight.

This weekend, Treyarch is hosting its first "Double XP" multiplayer event in its commercial smash-hit Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Though the event was surely scheduled to coincide with the release of the game's first downloadable content pack, players on all platforms are invited to the additional experience. The DLC pack, "First Strike," is currently only available on the Xbox 360.

Running today (it has already begun) through February 7 at 8am (PT), Black Ops soldiers on the PC, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 can earn the bonus experience.

Play some Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer this weekend you'll level up twice as fast. The first Call of Duty: Black Ops bonanza weekend starts this Friday, which means you take home twice as much experience for every kill.

A note on Twitter from Treyarch Community Manager Josh Olin confirmed that this weekend will be a big one for Call of Duty: Black Ops players, saying "The first ever #CODBlackOps Double-XP Weekend will be Feb. 4th - 6th on all platforms."

The weekend celebrates the release of the First Strike map pack. There's still no news as to whether or not the DLC will be coming to PC, but we can still reap the benefits of the free weekend.

In other Black Ops news, Treyarch recently promised an incoming fix for the theatre mode problems that many players have experienced after the latest patch. A UK consumer group have reported Activision to the Office of Fair Trading for releasing Call of Duty: Black Ops in a buggy state.