Call of Duty XP adds Kanye West performance

When Activision Blizzard has a game to promote, it doesn't shy away from booking top-dollar musical talent. Blizzard has booked acts like Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Tenacious D, and Ozzy Osbourne to headline its BlizzCon festival in recent years. Meanwhile corporate counterpart Activision has brought the likes of Eminem and Jay-Z to its recent E3 showings and today confirmed that Kanye West will close out the first Call of Duty XP festival next month.

The event is being advertised as West's first public appearance since the release of his collaboration with fellow rapper Jay-Z, Watch the Throne. Attendance at the performance is guaranteed for all of the expected 6,000 Call of Duty XP attendees.

Set to take place on a 12-acre compound in Los Angeles September 2-3, Call of Duty XP 2011 will serve as a coming-out party for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer mode. Attendees will be able to get their hands on the game's cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, as well as check out the fully functioning Elite service for the first time.

Beyond the reveals, the convention will also play host to a $1 million Call of Duty tournament, with players able to qualify on-site or by competing in regional Black Ops contests leading up to XP 2011. There will also be paintball competitions on a life-sized multiplayer map and panels with Call of Duty developers. While attendance is going to be capped at a little over 6,000, Activision has promised that a "constant stream" of videos, photos, and status updates will be released through TV and online outlets for those unable to make it. It's unclear if West's performance will be part of that content.

Tickets to Call of Duty XP 2011 will cost $150 each, with all proceeds going to the Call of Duty Endowment, which was created to assist veterans in their transition back to civilian life after service. In addition to attendance at the event and Kanye West performance, all ticket holders will receive a free copy of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition when the game goes on sale November 8, as well as an attendee-exclusive goodie bag.

For more on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.