PAWNK1NG, Footfall, and MGBdude would like to wish you all a very merry christmas, lets hope next year brings us some great games and the next "big day out" is the best one to date.
" HAPPY HOLIDAYS"
Monday 22 December 2008
Tis the Season to Be Jolly: 2008 a Stellar Year for Xbox LIVE Arcade
Oh the weather outside is frightful – so grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy this year’s biggest hits on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers and critics agree that 2008 was a stellar year for Xbox LIVE Arcade, which saw record numbers and the most impressive line-up of titles ever.
Santa’s making a list and checking it twice – he knows that Xbox LIVE Arcade is home to the best pick-up-and-play downloadable games available and some of the year’s best titles. In fact, the games have been so good that people have earned more than 1.25 billion (yes, that’s billion with a “b”) Gamerscore and unlocked nearly 100 million Achievements in Xbox LIVE Arcade titles to date.
The Xbox LIVE team launched some of the highest rated titles this year, with more than 60 games scoring an industry-leading metacritic rating of over 75
Braid,” beat out big-budget blockbuster retail titles and was named the #2 video game of the year by TIME, “Best Independent Game” of the year by G4TV, and #5 game of the year by Associated Press. Developed by Number None, Inc. and published by Microsoft Game Studios, “Braid” is the No. 1 highest-rated game of all time on Xbox LIVE Arcade, and continues to be one of the top Xbox 360 games available. It even had the highest metacritic rating of any downloadable game this year with an astounding 93 (which was on-par with retail titles like critically acclaimed “Gears of War 2” and “Fallout 3”).
Gamers’ wish lists may also include this year’s favorites, “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” (90), “Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix” (89), and “Portal: Still Alive” (89). Last month, Bizarre Creations announced that there are now more than one million combined leader board entries for Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 1 & 2 – that’s a lot of people! Crowd pleaser “Castle Crashers” is also an indisputable favorite and was chosen as Wired GameLife’s #3 Xbox 360 game of 2008 alongside blockbuster titles “Gears of War 2” and “Fable II.”
We know gamers have been enticed by this impressive line-up – 110 million trial games have been downloaded on Xbox LIVE Arcade to date.
“Momentum for Xbox LIVE Arcade has been incredible this year,” director of digitally distributed games for Microsoft Scott Austin, said. “Xbox LIVE Arcade has really become the top destination for premium downloadable games. And we’ve got a long list of games coming out in 2009 that we think will be just as incredible as what we already have on the service.”
While these new records ring in a winter wonderland, they come hot on the heels of the scorching Summer of Arcade – the most successful season Xbox LIVE Arcade had ever seen. The summer’s best titles which were released over the course of five weeks including “Bionic Commando: Rearmed,” and “Galaga Legions” led to a 58 percent increase in unique members purchasing titles. August broke the monthly revenue high at the time by 67 percent.
After all the eggnog and holiday pudding is gone, Xbox LIVE Arcade has another blockbuster-packed lineup of games coming out in 2009 – so look out for titles including “Lode Runner,” “The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai,” “South Park,” “Puzzle Quest: Galactrix,” and “R-Type Dimensions” to ring in the new year.
Santa’s making a list and checking it twice – he knows that Xbox LIVE Arcade is home to the best pick-up-and-play downloadable games available and some of the year’s best titles. In fact, the games have been so good that people have earned more than 1.25 billion (yes, that’s billion with a “b”) Gamerscore and unlocked nearly 100 million Achievements in Xbox LIVE Arcade titles to date.
The Xbox LIVE team launched some of the highest rated titles this year, with more than 60 games scoring an industry-leading metacritic rating of over 75
Braid,” beat out big-budget blockbuster retail titles and was named the #2 video game of the year by TIME, “Best Independent Game” of the year by G4TV, and #5 game of the year by Associated Press. Developed by Number None, Inc. and published by Microsoft Game Studios, “Braid” is the No. 1 highest-rated game of all time on Xbox LIVE Arcade, and continues to be one of the top Xbox 360 games available. It even had the highest metacritic rating of any downloadable game this year with an astounding 93 (which was on-par with retail titles like critically acclaimed “Gears of War 2” and “Fallout 3”).
Gamers’ wish lists may also include this year’s favorites, “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” (90), “Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix” (89), and “Portal: Still Alive” (89). Last month, Bizarre Creations announced that there are now more than one million combined leader board entries for Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 1 & 2 – that’s a lot of people! Crowd pleaser “Castle Crashers” is also an indisputable favorite and was chosen as Wired GameLife’s #3 Xbox 360 game of 2008 alongside blockbuster titles “Gears of War 2” and “Fable II.”
We know gamers have been enticed by this impressive line-up – 110 million trial games have been downloaded on Xbox LIVE Arcade to date.
“Momentum for Xbox LIVE Arcade has been incredible this year,” director of digitally distributed games for Microsoft Scott Austin, said. “Xbox LIVE Arcade has really become the top destination for premium downloadable games. And we’ve got a long list of games coming out in 2009 that we think will be just as incredible as what we already have on the service.”
While these new records ring in a winter wonderland, they come hot on the heels of the scorching Summer of Arcade – the most successful season Xbox LIVE Arcade had ever seen. The summer’s best titles which were released over the course of five weeks including “Bionic Commando: Rearmed,” and “Galaga Legions” led to a 58 percent increase in unique members purchasing titles. August broke the monthly revenue high at the time by 67 percent.
After all the eggnog and holiday pudding is gone, Xbox LIVE Arcade has another blockbuster-packed lineup of games coming out in 2009 – so look out for titles including “Lode Runner,” “The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai,” “South Park,” “Puzzle Quest: Galactrix,” and “R-Type Dimensions” to ring in the new year.
Friday 19 December 2008
Another one bites the dust!!!.....now got a new one
This is what my xbox looks like when I turn it on. The graphics card appears to have killed itself! Thankfully it's less than a year old and a straight exchange is possible. That's 4 Xbox's since launch. Might have to seriously consider a PS3 if I end up on a fifth. Why is such a good product made with such shit unreliable components...... oh yeah, it's made by Microsoft.
Thursday 18 December 2008
Activision: ‘Call of Duty: World At War’ DLC Will Be Unusual, Announced In 2009
Get ready for a twist, “Call of Duty” fans
.
Even though the new “Call of Duty: World At War” is succeeding with consumers and critics by sticking to the successful adrenaline-fueled formula of its franchise predecessor, new downloadable content coming to the game in 2009 will represent a break from 2007’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.”
How much of a break from the “Modern Warfare” DLC will it be?
In a phone interview with MTV Multiplayer just before Thanksgiving, “World at War” executive producer Daniel Suarez confirmed that the game’s development team is working on downloadable content that will exceed the single multi-player map-pack offered for “Modern Warfare” earlier this year. “We want to do at least — the hope is — potentially two, maybe three packs out before we’re all said and done.”
Suarez said announcements of the downloadable content would be coming at the beginning of the New Year. While he declined to provide a release schedule, he offered this surprise: “It’s not going to be what we’ve done traditionally. I’ll leave it a little bit mysterious.”
What was “traditional” for “Call of Duty” would have to be what was done for “Modern Warfare.” That consisted of four multiplayer maps released five months after the base game launched. What could the new approach be? Downloadable content for the single-player campaign instead of just multiplayer map packs? New armament? New music? A map editor? “Call of Duty” fans should start guessing.
But here’s one option fans shouldn’t consider: the content won’t involve a cross-over with “Modern Warfare.” I asked if the development team on “World at War” was exploring an option to bring the weapons and maps of these two most recent “Call of Duty” games into one meshed, generation-spanning experience. Suarez said nothing like that is in the works.
.
Even though the new “Call of Duty: World At War” is succeeding with consumers and critics by sticking to the successful adrenaline-fueled formula of its franchise predecessor, new downloadable content coming to the game in 2009 will represent a break from 2007’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.”
How much of a break from the “Modern Warfare” DLC will it be?
In a phone interview with MTV Multiplayer just before Thanksgiving, “World at War” executive producer Daniel Suarez confirmed that the game’s development team is working on downloadable content that will exceed the single multi-player map-pack offered for “Modern Warfare” earlier this year. “We want to do at least — the hope is — potentially two, maybe three packs out before we’re all said and done.”
Suarez said announcements of the downloadable content would be coming at the beginning of the New Year. While he declined to provide a release schedule, he offered this surprise: “It’s not going to be what we’ve done traditionally. I’ll leave it a little bit mysterious.”
What was “traditional” for “Call of Duty” would have to be what was done for “Modern Warfare.” That consisted of four multiplayer maps released five months after the base game launched. What could the new approach be? Downloadable content for the single-player campaign instead of just multiplayer map packs? New armament? New music? A map editor? “Call of Duty” fans should start guessing.
But here’s one option fans shouldn’t consider: the content won’t involve a cross-over with “Modern Warfare.” I asked if the development team on “World at War” was exploring an option to bring the weapons and maps of these two most recent “Call of Duty” games into one meshed, generation-spanning experience. Suarez said nothing like that is in the works.
Wednesday 17 December 2008
I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Watching the guy move into cover about half way throught this movie, reminds me alot of Gears, a terminator game built around the gears engine would rock!
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Friday 12 December 2008
Christmas Themes
Make your NXE more festive with our take on the Christmas Theme! Perfectly formatted for a 1080p HDTV They're sure to make your 360 feel festive. Click the images to view the large size, download to your Mac or PC, pop them on a disc or a memory stick and you're away!
Shake it Baby!
The following has been snatched from MAJOR NELSON'S SITE
Earlier this week, we delivered the free Holiday Theme for Xbox LIVE members, If you missed go ahead and grab it but keep an eye out for the Xbox LIVE Holiday Snow Globe, which has just released in many regions. When you launch the snow globe, it will automatically populate with your friends avatars. You can shake the globe with A or press X to stir in another random set of friends. You don’t have to download it, it will just appear in the Spotlight channel* when you are connected to Xbox LIVE. With Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa just around the corner, this will give you a chance to enjoy a little Holiday spirit with your Xbox LIVE friends in very NXE way.
*When it will appear in each region is up to your local Xbox LIVE programming team.
Earlier this week, we delivered the free Holiday Theme for Xbox LIVE members, If you missed go ahead and grab it but keep an eye out for the Xbox LIVE Holiday Snow Globe, which has just released in many regions. When you launch the snow globe, it will automatically populate with your friends avatars. You can shake the globe with A or press X to stir in another random set of friends. You don’t have to download it, it will just appear in the Spotlight channel* when you are connected to Xbox LIVE. With Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa just around the corner, this will give you a chance to enjoy a little Holiday spirit with your Xbox LIVE friends in very NXE way.
*When it will appear in each region is up to your local Xbox LIVE programming team.
Wii wins out again in the US
The Nintendo Wii has won America again, with double the number of consoles sold compared to Xbox 360 and more than five times the figure for PS3.
According to NPD data the Wii sold 2.04 million units - twice as many as during the same period last year.
Price cuts helped Xbox 360 reach 836,000 sales for the month, which was head-and-shoulders above PS3, shifting 378,000.
Sony's best performer was the PSP, with 421,000 units flogged.
That, however, paled in comparison to the DS with 1.57 million sales.
The PS2 was bottom of the bunch with 206,000.
Total hardware sales amassed USD 1.21 billion, with overall revenues up 10 per cent - proving that videogames continue to survive the global economic slump.
Total sales of software, hardware and accessories topped USD 2.91 billion, just in case you care.
This month
Platform
Sales
1
Wii
2.04 million
2
DS
1.57 million
3
Xbox 360
836,000
4
PlayStation Portable
421,000
5
PlayStation 3
378,000
6
PlayStation 2
206,000
According to NPD data the Wii sold 2.04 million units - twice as many as during the same period last year.
Price cuts helped Xbox 360 reach 836,000 sales for the month, which was head-and-shoulders above PS3, shifting 378,000.
Sony's best performer was the PSP, with 421,000 units flogged.
That, however, paled in comparison to the DS with 1.57 million sales.
The PS2 was bottom of the bunch with 206,000.
Total hardware sales amassed USD 1.21 billion, with overall revenues up 10 per cent - proving that videogames continue to survive the global economic slump.
Total sales of software, hardware and accessories topped USD 2.91 billion, just in case you care.
This month
Platform
Sales
1
Wii
2.04 million
2
DS
1.57 million
3
Xbox 360
836,000
4
PlayStation Portable
421,000
5
PlayStation 3
378,000
6
PlayStation 2
206,000
Thursday 11 December 2008
Playstation 3 "Home"
According to the one PS3 Owner in the office, HOME is available today. To be honest, it looks amazing and probably what alot of xbox owners were hoping for with the new avatar system, HOME does look more 'grown up'. Whether or not walking through a giant mall to get to the arcade to have a game of something will become a long winded pain in the arse remains to be seen, but assuming there is a "quick Launch" feature like Xbox, everything should be fine.
Xbox has their premium themes but HOME has entire environments to walk around in! Imagine meeting your friends for a chat actually in Liberty City or in a Level from Gears? Amazing!
If the PS3 was a sensible price and didn't have controllers with the analogue sticks in an un-natural place that cripple your hands, this could swing it for me.
On the downside it might all be too good! The xbox system is simpler and kinda makes you play games because there is not really much to do, PS3 HOME might be too absorbing, finding yourself walking around for ages chatting to people is impressive but stinks of a 'Second Life' scenario where you'll find yourself hanging out with strangers on a virtual world instead of going out down the pub or you'll end up not actually playing games and marvelling at someone's 'digital' sofa in their 'virtual apartment' which, to be frank is fucking sad.... I don't know, but it's food for thought eh?
Xbox has their premium themes but HOME has entire environments to walk around in! Imagine meeting your friends for a chat actually in Liberty City or in a Level from Gears? Amazing!
If the PS3 was a sensible price and didn't have controllers with the analogue sticks in an un-natural place that cripple your hands, this could swing it for me.
On the downside it might all be too good! The xbox system is simpler and kinda makes you play games because there is not really much to do, PS3 HOME might be too absorbing, finding yourself walking around for ages chatting to people is impressive but stinks of a 'Second Life' scenario where you'll find yourself hanging out with strangers on a virtual world instead of going out down the pub or you'll end up not actually playing games and marvelling at someone's 'digital' sofa in their 'virtual apartment' which, to be frank is fucking sad.... I don't know, but it's food for thought eh?
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Sonic Boooooom!
The Demo for the new Sonic game is now on Marketplace, and..... it's actually rather nice, well I had a bit of a laugh with it....very nice graphics, great speed, actually felt like old skool Sonic but new...
Friday 5 December 2008
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Revealed
Activision Blizzard confirms and dates the sequel to the critically-acclaimed shooter.
US, December 3, 2008 - Activision Blizzard has revealed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, sequel to Infinity Ward's award-winning first-person shooter.
According to MTV Multiplayer, the publisher revealed the game at a Massive Inc. upfront held in Manhattan, NY. These upfront events typically allow publishers to display their games to advertisers.
While little is known of the game, MTV reports that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is coming out sometime this fall.
Good News, seeing as World at War is slightly rubbish, and chock full of bugs and glitches.
US, December 3, 2008 - Activision Blizzard has revealed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, sequel to Infinity Ward's award-winning first-person shooter.
According to MTV Multiplayer, the publisher revealed the game at a Massive Inc. upfront held in Manhattan, NY. These upfront events typically allow publishers to display their games to advertisers.
While little is known of the game, MTV reports that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is coming out sometime this fall.
Good News, seeing as World at War is slightly rubbish, and chock full of bugs and glitches.
Thursday 4 December 2008
7 Kills? Unleash the dogs!
Meet our new house guests - Max & Addie!
Not quite as scary as the dogs in CODWAW!
Not quite as scary as the dogs in CODWAW!
Wednesday 3 December 2008
I'm a Celebrity...
Bored of your shite attempts at creating a funny and interesting Avatar? Try these on for size!
Gears 2 Online
Gears of War 2 online is all fixed and working now, had my first lash at it last night, very fast, difficult and very good! Clearly alot of people have had loads of practice on the original game! It's great though and worth a lash if you have a copy. Looks very pretty and ganging up on bad guys is a top laugh. Co-op campaign is top fun too, especially as each player can set their own difficulty.
Not quite as instantly accessable as online COD, the Gears' learning curve is somewhat steeper. Once you get the hang of it, (I have not yet!) I think it's more rewarding with a greater focus on team play - if you wander off from your mates, the chances of getting killed in an instant are very high!
Not quite as instantly accessable as online COD, the Gears' learning curve is somewhat steeper. Once you get the hang of it, (I have not yet!) I think it's more rewarding with a greater focus on team play - if you wander off from your mates, the chances of getting killed in an instant are very high!
War is a pain in the arse
"Error - Save game data is incompatible with the current version of the game. You may continue from the beginning of your most recent mission or exit to the menus."
Got that message last night on COD WAW, it wouldn't let me start from the beginning of the same mission at all. I had to start the whole game again. Then it did it again. Thanks for that.
I wasn't overly excited about the new COD in the first place, now it has pissed me off twice in as many days. Hope no-one else gets this problem, part of me can't be bothered to do it all again.....Gears of War 2 shines as the better game - again.
Got that message last night on COD WAW, it wouldn't let me start from the beginning of the same mission at all. I had to start the whole game again. Then it did it again. Thanks for that.
I wasn't overly excited about the new COD in the first place, now it has pissed me off twice in as many days. Hope no-one else gets this problem, part of me can't be bothered to do it all again.....Gears of War 2 shines as the better game - again.
Monday 1 December 2008
GH World Tour - Works With Rock Band
The Guitar Hero World Tour Demo doesn't appear to be available on Marketplace at the moment but it is available on this months OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE demo disc. What is rather cool is the GH game automatically changes the drum section from a 5 lane GH system to a 4 lane system so the RockBand Drums work fine with it! Winner!
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