Activision sent us a massive mystery box yesterday, which at first (after some shaking around trying to guess what was in it) we thought contained the severed heads of some staff from Infinity Wards.

Fortunately this was not the case (as getting blood out of the carpet seems to freak out the cleaning staff for some reason) and instead it was the limited-numbers Prestige Edition of Modern Warfare 2, complete with:

• a token to download Call of Duty® Classic
• a limited edition SteelBook™ case
• the “Behind the Lines” collector’s artbook
• a pair of fully functioning night vision goggles
• an individually numbered “Soap MacTavish” night vision goggles collectors’ stand.

I've throw up a couple of photos of the box, and will be figuring out a fun way to give it away soon. STAY TUNED!

The Steam website has announced that Modern Warfare 2 will be free to play on Steam this weekend. If you haven't had the chance to check out this game (you know, because there's no demo version) or you haven't bought it already (which seems statistically unlikely) then this is your chance!

You can start pre-loading it now, so fire up Steam to start the bits flowing.

Activision have announced that the Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package is now available on Xbox Live:

“Thanks to our community and fans around the world for their continuous feedback and dedication to Modern Warfare 2,” said Robert Bowling, Creative Strategist, Infinity Ward. “The Stimulus Package introduces several all-new locations to the multiplayer, as well as a few of our favourite classics from Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare® that can now be experienced in a completely unique new way thanks to the additional perks and gametypes Modern Warfare 2 has to offer. As a whole, this DLC package has something for everyone, so we’re excited to see all the new gameplay tactics this brings on Xbox LIVE!”

For those that like paying for their DLC, it is 1,200 Microsoft points!

In preparation for it's Xbox 360 debut, Activision have released a new trailer for the upcoming Stimulus Package downloadable content map pack.

The first expanded content offering since the game's hugely successful release last November Stimulus Package includes five maps - two remakes of Call of Duty 4 maps [Crash and Overgrown] and three all new arenas [Bailout, Salvage and Storm], all of which you can catch a glimpse of in today's trailer.

Additionally, the crew from Inside Xbox have taken a closer look at the three newies which you can see for yourself in this extended gameplay trailer.

The Stimulus Package map pack is due on Xbox Live worldwide on March 30th 2010 for 1200 MS Points (approx AUD$20). PC and PlayStation 3 offerings will follow at a later yet-to-be-specified date.

AusGamers also caught up with IW's Robert Bowling this morning for a quick Q&A on the map pack, however we can't share our findings until tomorrow, so be sure to check back bright and early for all the details.

We were given some extensive access to Modern Warfare 2 at this year's E3 in the way of a behind-closed-doors demo that showed off much more of the game's single-player campaign in the snow.

On top of being able to see a lot of the game's advancements in both a technical and gameplay sense, we also asked a few sneaky questions about items such as multiplayer and just why they dropped "Call of Duty" from the game's title.

If you're keen for a more in-depth look at what will arguably be the most successful game this year, check out our full preview.