XBOX LIVE activity for the week of 4/30/07!

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (UU’s)
1 Gears of War
2 Tom Clancy's Rainbow SixVegas
3 Pinball FX
4 Guitar Hero II
5 Command and Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars Demo
6 Call Of Duty 3
7 GRAW 2
8 Crackdown
9 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures
10 Oblivion

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Pinball FX
2 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures
3 Catan
4 TMNT 1989 Arcade
5 Worms
6 Castlevania: SOTN
7 UNO
8 Eets: Chowdown
9 Boom Boom Rocket
10 Centipede & Millipede

Original Xbox Top Live Games
1 Halo 2
2 Battlefield 2: MC
3 Forza Motorsport
4 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
5 Counter-Strike
6 Madden NFL 07
7 Call of Duty 3
8 Ghost Recon 2
9 Splinter Cell Chaos
10 MechAssault 2

This list comes via Majornelson.com!

Dev's claim that Splinter Cell 5 isn't possible on the PS3!

MyGen is reporting that the developers of Splinter Cell 5 claim that the game simply couldn't be made on the PS3, even if it was a PS3 exclusive game. 

Melee fights are much more than "press this button to hit" this time around. There's different context sensitive attack buttons and as mentioned before lots of environmental interaction.
Some pretty negative comments about the PS3 made by the devs. They state the fact that they are exclusive to the 360 allows them to do much more than if they were multiplatform, but they also state they doubt they would be able to achieve what they're doing with the game on the 360 on the ps3 even if it was ps3 exclusive.

Wow, those remarks are sure to fan the flames of all the PS3 fanboy's out there.  Also, make sure you check out the entire MyGen article, they have posted some great screenshots of the game.

Another day 5/4/07!

Today the news has been few and far between, so I have decided to wrap it up early today.  Not only am I wrapping it up early because the news is slow, I have to go shopping for my daughters birthday tomorrow, she will be 3. 

So what will you be playing this weekend? I will probably be playing a lot of Luxor 2, Pinball FX and F.E.A.R. with a little bit of Boom Boom Rocket thrown in for good measure.

Today's top stories:

1. Another funny Pac Man video! 
2. Forza 2 achievement list revealed! 
3. Games for the week of 5/7/07! 
4. Halo 2 Blastacular map-pack: fixed! 
5. Canadians aren't Americans!

If there is any late breaking news, I will be sure to post it!

Another funny Pac Man video!

Forza 2 achievement list revealed!

While we sit and anxiously wait for the release of Forza Motorsports 2, Achieve360points.com has posted a list of all the achievements that can be found in the game which is a large list, 44 total to be exact.

Click here to view the list for yourself!

Games for the week of 5/7/07!

Command & Conguer 3: Tiberium Wars

Ships 5/8/2007

"The critically-acclaimed Command & Conquer™ series returns with Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™. This highly-anticipated next chapter takes the popular series back to its roots in the Tiberium Universe and features the fast, fluid gameplay that Command & Conquer is known for and an epic story that will redefine storytelling and set the standard for the single player experience for Real-time Strategy (RTS) games."

Halo 2 Blastacular map-pack: fixed!

Bungie has posted some good news for you folks having trouble downloading the Blastacular map-pack.

Hooray! Map download problems are fixed! If you were one of the (significant) number of people unable for a variety of reasons, to download the recent “Blastacular” map pack, a fix implemented last night should have worked for you. Firstly, our apologies. We realize this has been inconvenient and annoying.

As we’ve explained previously, the problem was caused by either trying to get the maps for free (don’t worry, you’re not in trouble), accidentally trying to download on a Silver and then Gold account, or by various incompatible age rating problems between 360 dashboard and the original Xbox. Almost everyone should now be able to download the maps now, and the bonus is that we can now accelerate the maps’ introduction into matchmaking

Canadians aren't Americans!

The boys over at Gamerscoreblog.com snuck this through overnight.  Basically, if you live in a country that doesn't have access to the video marketplace, all you had to do was register your account as though you are from the United States, that would allow you access to TV shows and Movies. Well guess what folks, that doesn't work anymore.  You have to actually live in the United States to have access to the content.

Some Xbox LIVE members may experience some changes when downloading Marketplace content, as we strengthen the territory controls on the service with the Spring Update coming next week.

So what does this mean to you? Well, if you have an account that matches the country where you are located, then you will probably notice little to no difference. However, if you have set up an account that does not match the country where you are located, you will find that these new security measures will only allow you to purchase and download content that is licensed in the country where you are located.

For example, if you are not located in the US, but have created a US Xbox LIVE account, you will not be able to download TV shows and movies that are currently available for use only in the US.
Again, for most people this will not be an issue, but we have heard that there are a few folks out there who have tried to access restricted content this way. We understand that this may be frustrating for some users, and hope they understand our responsibility, and the necessary security requirements that need to be in place in order to comply with applicable laws and honor our agreements with content providers.

Another day 5/3/07!

You don't think by chance there is some kind of Pinball FX anonymous meeting do you? doubt it. 

Hello, my name is Tavdogg and I am a pinball FX addict!

Today's top stories:

1. Microsoft's game division will turn profit next year! 
2. Ladies and Gent's, we have another Halo 3 beta video that has been leaked! 
3. Major Nelson im's with Pac Man! (HILARIOUS) 
4. PS3 2.0 next year? maybe! 
5. The Elite appears to be elusive! 
6. Spider Man 3 on PS2 & PSP=SHIT! 
7. Your Alien Hominid skillz could get you a trophy! 
8. Gears map pack is now available! 
9. Tron and Disk of Tron confirmed for XBLA! 
10. Another leaked Halo 3 beta video!

Microsoft's game division will turn profit next year!

Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division was recently interviewed by eweek.com: 

When do you think Xbox will be able to contribute a billion dollars to Microsoft's bottom line, and how?

Robbie replied:

Right now we're doing a pretty good job. We're humming pretty well in the business. Our costs are a little higher than we'd like, [but] we're pushing those down; there are good initiatives underway to drive that. Game attach rate [is at the] highest level in history for a game console at this stage in the life cycle. The same with our peripheral attach rate. Xbox Live has over 6 million members.

The pieces are in place to drive the proverbial billion dollars. Specific date—oh, that's going to depend on what happens in pricing, which partly we control, partly we don't. You know what happens in component costs—mostly we have pretty good influence over that, but there are places where we don't. Pricing on memory goes up and down seemingly like a yo-yo, so [we have to manage] through that.

So, it's a business that will be profitable next year—we'll make money next year and that will be the first time, which is pretty exciting. And then the next two or three years are the place where you need to make tracks, and the next two or three years are where you have to make money.

Click here to read the whole interview!

Ladies and Gent's, we have another Halo 3 beta video that has been leaked!

I think I am going to officially name today, Halo 3 beta video that has been leaked day.  I swear, every time I check my email, I find a link to a new video from the Halo 3 beta that someone has sent me. 

The latest video confirms 2 items that were yet to be confirmed and that is a gravity gun and a portable turret.  It appears that when the turret is picked up, your viewpoint goes into a 3rd person view, I can only imagine the possibilities of a mobile turret in Halo multiplayer.

Major Nelson im's with Pac Man! (HILARIOUS)

PS3 2.0 next year? maybe!

According a post on Games Radar, there could be a modified PS3 coming to a store near you next year.

Days after Sony's Ken Kutaragi hinted his plans for PlayStation 4, an unnamed "Sony insider" has reportedly claimed that a new PlayStation could be available next year.

The report on Smarthouse.com suggests that the insider has tipped the new PlayStation to include the same chipset as the current PS3, but will boast other hardware modifications in the "drive bay" and "attachment areas."
The report refers to the mystery machine as the PS4, but if it does exist, it sounds more like a reworked PS3 to us - like the slim-line PS2.

Kutaragi has already hinted: "As a matter of course, I have the vision of PlayStation 4, 5 and 6, which will merge into the network."
Best start saving now, then.

Ok Sony fanboys, you ripped Microsoft by saying that they had screwed their fans who just purchased a 360 when the Elite was announced.  What will you say to yourself if this story is true? probably nothing like usual.  You will probably defend Sony by saying that it's different and a good idea because Sony can do no wrong.

The Elite appears to be elusive!

According to some research that Xbox360rally has done, the Elite is selling better than many had predicted.

When the first shipment of Xbox 360 Elites hit Costco store shelves, they were quick to disappear. So naturally, Costco restocked their shelves… and they disappeared again.

Costco has been selling the Elite as part of a $530 package that included an additional controller and a plug and play charger kit. Now, it’s since been taken off the Costco website, because they’re sold out. Again.

But this is nothing new for online retailers. Best Buy has been sold out of the Elite for as long as I can remember, and as of now (Thursday, May 3rd), Amazon.com is still without. But, if you go to Circuit City’s website, you can still get your hands on these surprisingly elusive Elites.

So, for all of you guys who said that the 360 Elite was destined to fail… owned.

Spider Man 3 on PS2 & PSP=SHIT!

If you plan on getting Spider Man 3, make sure you get the XBOX 360 or PS3 version because it sounds like the PS2, XBOX and PSP versions of this gem is really going to blow.

According to Valleywag, Activision handed the development duties to a bunch of "numbskulls that didn't understand the RAM constraints of the various consoles."

The initial intention of Activision was to have the Spider-Man 3 movie tie-in game out a month ahead of the movie's release, evidently. But when it turned out that, one month before ship date, the game was still gobbling up RAM as though every console was an Xbox 360, the company panicked. According to the Conference Fonz's inside source, Activision had to halt all other publisher-side Q/A work in order to get this turd ready for market before the movie arrives tomorrow.

Is this really that surprising? this sounds like every other movie to game adaptation that has ever been made.  When you hear that a game is going to be released the same day as the movie, especially a blockbuster type of movie, you can almost guarantee that it will be shit. 

Your Alien Hominid skillz could get you a trophy!

If you are really good at Alien Hominid HD, you just might get yourself a shiny trophy from the developers, The Behemoth. 

Now if you kick a lot of ass and can manage to stay at number 1 on the leaderboards for 3 consecutive weeks, you will get an even bigger trophy not to mention you will be in The Behemoth hall of fame.

The trophies, built with love and elbow grease at the developer's studio, are being mailed out to players who have scaled the heights of the Alien Hominid HD leaderboards.

"We wanted to find a way to recognize the top players of Alien Hominid HD," said Alien Hominid HD producer John Baez. "Making some spiffy trophies here in the office from genuinely simulated gold seemed like just the ticket."

The trophies are customized individually for each player, with their Gamertag, high score and date etched into the trophy's base. The select few who manage to maintain the top position for a combined total of three weeks will be catapulted into the Behemoth Hall of Fame, where they will bask in the light of gamer stardom forever; or, at least, for as long as The Behemoth keeps the Hall of Fame posted on its website.

Gears map pack is now available!

Just a reminder for all of you Gears fans out there that the new map pack was made available this morning for 800 points.

Dash Details: Get ready to enhance your Gears of War multiplayer experience. Download the four new maps today, including: || Bullet Marsh: In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving players in the dark to fend for themselves against the hungry Kryll. || Garden: This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious health hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air. || Process: Teams must fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum Wars. || Subway: Timgad’s Central Subway Station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.

Tron and Disk of Tron confirmed for XBLA!

Last month, Tron and the Disk of Tron appeared on the ESRB web site which was a good indication that these games were coming to XBLA but no official announcement has been made.  Today Disney made the official announcement via the following press release:

The World Of Tron Prepares To Take On Challengers Once Again

Disney Interactive Studios Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Landmark Film "Tron" with the Re-Release of Tron and Discs of Tron - for Xbox LIVE Arcade

BURBANK, Calif. - May 3, 2007 - Since the early era of video games, "Tron" has been synonymous as both a landmark CGI film and the engaging arcade games inspired by that film. In honor of the 25th anniversary of "Tron," Disney Interactive Studios today announced the classic arcade games Tron and Discs of Tron will be re-released this summer through Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system. Xbox LIVE Arcade is the premier destination for digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games. "The 'Tron' film has captured the imaginations of video game players and film fans for generations with its ground-breaking visuals and action-filled story," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "The classic arcade games Tron and Discs of Tron are returning this summer through Xbox LIVE Arcade with new features and options for the film's 25th anniversary."

Teamxbox has screen shots posted!

Another leaked Halo 3 beta video!

YouTube has been the go to place when it comes to leaked Halo 3 beta clips as of late and today there are a few more.  The latest beta video is not of the best quality because it was recorded off screen but it does deliver the goods. For starters, we get a look at the new M6G pistol, a new map called "Epitaph" and if you look closely, you will notice Major Nelson is in the game.

Another day 5/2/07!

I was planning on doing my final post of the day about 3 hours ago but I ran into a problem of sorts.  My problem is Pinball FX, I played that damn game for 3 hours because it is one of the most addicting games I have played in a while. 

Oh well, even though it's 12:45 AM, I will now finish my wrap up post for today, or should I say, yesterday.

Today's top stories:

1. Monster Madness: demo patched! 
2. Lack of a guaranteed HDD is a hurdle to Rockstar games! 
3. Virtua Fighter 5 on the XBOX 360 better than the PS3? say it ain't so!

Monster Madness: demo patched!

If you have downloaded the demo to Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia, you will notice an auto update that fixes a bug found in the matchmaking system. Also, one of the developers will be on tomorrow from (7-10) PM ET and Friday from (4-7) PM ET as "morgythemole".

Lack of a guaranteed HDD is a hurdle to Rockstar games!

In the latest issue of official Playstation magazine UK, Rockstar Creative VP Dan Houser says that the lack of a guaranteed HDD for the XBOX 360 is creating a challenge for the development team.

"On PS3 you've got a guarantee that every machine is going to have a hard-drive and, with Blu-ray, you've got plenty of storage, whereas on Xbox 360 there's no guarantee of a hard-drive and you're working with the DVD format. Does that create limitations?" To which he replied, "Yep."

"To be honest with you we haven't solved all those riddles yet,

both have enormous challenges" and that "both have their own particular pleasures and pains".

Dan also said that the screenshots and videos that have been shown so far are running on the XBOX 360 hardware.

This story comes via C&VG!

Virtua Fighter 5 on the XBOX 360 better than the PS3? say it ain't so!

Virtua Fighter 5 has been out in the arcade and on the PS3 for a while now with the 360 version scheduled for a summer 07 release.  So how is the 360 version going to stack up against the PS3 version you ask? according to Gamesradar.com, just as good if not better.

Gamesradar.com was invited to Sega's AM2 studios in Tokyo to get an exclusive look at the 360 build of the game and they came away very impressed.

Guess what? The first glimpses we've had of the 360 version, thanks to a trip to developer AM2's headquarters in Tokyo, suggest that the game is going to be just as good - if not better - on the Xbox 360.

But what  exactly is the AM2 team going to improve on an already gorgeous looking and well rounded fighting game? a few things apparently.

The one complaint we had with the PS3 version - that the computer players weren't very realistic or fun to fight against - is being overhauled for the Xbox 360 release with much improved artificial intelligence based on newer arcade data.

The training mode is being improved for the 360 version, allowing you to tweak the CPU's foot position and counter attacks, as well as what direction an opponent recovers from being knocked down - and what direction the foe tries to grab you with a throw, so you can learn how to escape from all angles. These are essential building blocks of high-level play, so the 360 version should be definitive version for gamers who want to become masters of the art of Virtua Fighter 5.

Along with some improvements to the graphics, the XBOX 360 version looks to be the one to get. 

I can't wait to read the final reviews when the game ships because you know as well as I do, that there will be side by side comparison videos on You Tube and Game Trailers with millions of fanboys pointing fingers at each other.

You can read the entire Games Radar article here!

Another day 5/1/07!

Today's top stories:

1. Get over it David! 
2. Bioshock tech demo features water effects! 
3. Time Crisis 4 accidentally confirmed for the 360? 
4. Screen-shots surface of new GOW maps! 
5. D3 publishers plan 3 XBLA titles! 
6. New Gears of War maps coming this Thursday!

Get over it David!

I have been trying for a few days to not say anything but I just can't hold it in.  As you may have heard, David Jaffe is sounding off on the reviews that his latest game Calling all Cars is receiving.  Instead of reading a review and taking it as constructive criticism and moving on, he has flipped the fuck out and is on some retarded ass tirade on his personal blog. 

Most developers, you know, the good ones, not the ones that think they deserve some kind of godly respect because he has made 2 good games in 14 years like Mr-(Twisted Metal, God of War)-David Jaffe. These legends of the industry like Miyamoto, Suzuki, Molyneux, Carmack, Yuji Naka, Sakaguchi and countless others take it as constructive criticism and move on, maybe, just maybe apply that criticism to their next project and not go on some tirade cursing everyone out like a real asshole.

Just incase you didn't notice, I don't care much for this guy, there are so many people that think David Jaffe is some sort of gaming genius, a god of sorts.  I don't get it really, his resume isn't that great when compared to others but I guess people really like David because he says fuck in every interview so that must make him a cool game designer.

So David, listen up.  Shut the fuck up and move on and accept the fact that your game just might blow ok, so get over it dick head!

If you want to read David's blog you can do so by clicking here!

Bioshock tech demo features water effects!

Time Crisis 4 accidentally confirmed for the 360?

Oh boy, has another PS3 exclusive gone multiplatform? it's possible, according to a recent IGN mailbag post.

Time Crisis 4

Have you guys heard of any rumors or anything that would involve seeing any information regarding time crisis for the wii?

Sorry, but it doesn't look likely. Time Crisis 4 will be coming exclusively to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 complete with a pretty sweet wireless gun, so say little, dirty birds. However, no Wii version is currently planned.

-- Matt

Now this has yet to be confirmed by Namco Bandai. Also, is this news exclusive to IGN.com but was accidentally released prematurely? if so than I would expect IGN to confirm this pretty soon since the cat is out of the bag.  One more thing that came to my attention is the wireless Guncon controller.  Is Microsoft now allowing 3rd parties to use Microsoft's proprietary wireless technology? if so where is the wireless guitar?

Screen-shots surface of new GOW maps!

Earlier today Epic Games announced that the latest map-pack to Gears of War will drop this Thursday.  Not long after the announcement was made, a few screen-shots have surfaced for our viewing pleasure.

D3 publishers plan 3 XBLA titles!

D3 publishers plan on bringing Mad Tracks, Rocket bowl and Puzzle quest to XBLA later this year.  No release date or price has been announced.

New Gears of War maps coming this Thursday!

This Thursday Epic Games is releasing 4 new maps for Gears of War. The following information comes via Majornelson.com:

It’s the ‘Hidden Fronts’ map pack and it’s dropping this Thursday, May 3, at 9 a.m. GMT

The map pack is 800 points in which you’ll get four new multiplayer maps: 

Bullet Marsh: In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.

Garden: This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.

Process: Teams must fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.

Subway: Timgad's Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.

You can grab the pack this Thursday for 800 points or wait until Sept. 3, 2007 when all four maps will be available for free.

Another day 4/30/07!

Today I played allot of F.E.A.R. and I noticed something while playing online today.  During the day, there is allot of people from the U.K and France that plays, must be that whole time zone thing.

Today's top stories:

1. Halo 3 site is now live! 
2. Hironobu Sakaguchi doesn't like Ken Kutaragi!  
3. Hour of Victory website is now live! 
4. 3 games for this weeks XBLA Wednesday! 
5. How to be an online A-hole! 
6. XBOX 360's GPU going 65nm!

Halo 3 site is now live!

Today Bungie launched the official Halo 3 website with hi-res screenshots and wallpapers.  There is also a detailed description of each weapon and vehicle that can be found in the game.  Click here to check it out!

Hironobu Sakaguchi doesn't like Ken Kutaragi!

In the latest issue of EGM, Final Fantasy creator and founder of Mistwalker, Hironobu Sakaguchi bitch slaps Ken Kutaragi.  EGM asked him if he has any projects in development for the PS3:

"The machine's architecture is tricky, and I don't like Ken Kutaragi."

I wonder what Ken Kutaragi has done or said for a statement like that to come from a man who created a series of games that probably sold more playstations then any other game? we may never know.

EGM didn't stop with the PS3, Hironobu Sakaguchi was asked about the Wii:

"The system is intriguing, but right now, I have no plans on making a game for the Wii."

Even though Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker studios is working closely with Microsoft Game studios with Blue Dragon, he still has a few problems with the way Microsoft is handling the Japanese market:

"Microsoft has to change its marketing strategy in Japan. There are a lot of excellent games on the 360, far better games than what's on the Wii or PS3. But not a lot of people in Japan have a clear idea what games like Gears of War are all about. Just look at the Windows Vista commercial -- it's terrible."

To read the whole interview, pick up a copy of the latest EGM!

Hour of Victory website is now live!

Midway's XBOX 360 exclusive Hour of Victory is scheduled for a Summer 07 release, but in the meantime, check out the official site that has gone live as of today.  HourofVictory.com has trailers, a synopsis of the story along with some hi-res wallpapers for your PC.

3 games for this weeks XBLA Wednesday!

Wow, for 2 weeks in a row Microsoft has released 2 games and this week they are even more generous.  Microsoft is releasing 3 games this week and they are Catan, Centipede and Millipede.

You can click here for all of the details!

How to be an online A-hole!

We have played with a complete asshole online and if you have always wanted to be an ass hole but were never that good at it, then look no further.  Gamealmighty has put together the A-Hole strategy guide for all who wish to be a complete prick.  They have pointers like,

Tip #4: Blame Lag:

This one comes naturally to most people, but you need to kick it up a notch. Every time you die...and I mean every time, blame lag. Follow that up with criticism of other people's connection. Tell them to get off a 28.8 modem. A genuine a-hole will never admit to being killed without the assistance of lag. Say things like, “There's no f'n way you'd ever kill me if it weren't for your crap connection.”

You can read the full list of A-Hole antics here!

XBOX 360's GPU going 65nm!

We have known for a while now that the 360's triple core CPU was going to a 65nm design starting in May.  DigiTimes is reporting that the XBOX 360's GPU is going to a 65nm design as well, so this fall the new cooler running 360's will go on sale. 

A 65nm chip will bring manufacturing cost's down which will eventually bring the price of the system down as well which is a good thing for Microsoft and the consumers, not to mention your power bill.

And the Elite is born!

Today is the day ladies and gents that Microsoft goes into labor and gives birth to the latest SKU in the XBOX 360 family.  Apparently the parents have already picked out a name for their new child and they have decided to name him, "Elite" awwww.  Between you and me, I wonder what the dad is going to say to when he realizes that his new son is of a different race? mom has allot of explaining to do, LOL.

All joking aside, are you going to get one? I might but I am leaning more towards the 120GB HDD myself.

Make your very own 3" tall XBOX 360!

After watching this video I got excited in a geeky kind of way.  I found myself some card stock and now I am ready to make my own right after I post this.

Click here to make your own!