WPXI in Pittsburgh today reports that Western Pennsylvanian police are still looking for a man who robbed a Meadville, Pa. GameStop of 100 copies of Modern Warefare 2  and “a few other items” last Tuesday evening. According to the report, the man told the store clerks that his friend outside would shoot them if they called the police.

via Joystiq.

On the eve of Modern Warfare 2’s official release, the game’s publisher has announced intentions to donate $1 million to veteran-related charities through a newly created foundation. The “Call of Duty Endowment” or simply “CODE” is said to “support other groups that assist veterans with their careers,” reports the Washington Post.Though he’s mostly known for facepalm-inducing hard business quotes, Activision head Bobby Kotick thoughtfully commented, “How do you expect people to actually join the military if when they leave the military they can’t integrate back into the free market they’re supposed to be protecting? The joblessness rate that [veterans] should have should be far less than the national average, not more.” The foundation’s first donation will be for $125,000 to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and will go towards the opening of a vocational rehabilitation center.

via Joystiq.

I know this guy.... lucky bastard.

Poor, poor GameStop. As the gaming public’s anticipation for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 approached critical mass, they faltered in their loyalty, and took their business to small “mom and pop” game retailers who had broken the game’s street date. Fortunately for the retail juggernaut, Activision showed compassion for its plight, and agreed to let certain GameStops in a few Northeast states start selling the game before Tuesday in order to help combat these vicious local businesses.

We’ve been receiving tips all morning from folks living in New York and Pennsylvania (and Kotaku reports Ohio as well) stating that they were able to find the game on sale at their local GameStop. If you live in one of those Northeastern states, you might want to go ahead and call your local ‘Stop to see if it’s one of the stores which was granted special permission. If it is, then you can go straight to hell, you lucky jerk.

Update: Activision shot us an email to point out that “Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the Nov. 10 street date. The company fully supports the Nov.10 street date.” It seems that a whole mess of folks are breaking street date and selling the game early. If you snagged a copy already, enjoy!

via Joystiq.