Rumor Xbox 3 Launch In 2012 & Dev Kits Before Xmas

The Xbox 3 rumors continue to come out despite Microsoft’s silence. This latest set of rumors comes from Edge.

According to their sources Electronic Arts & Ubisoft Montreal are in possession of “target boxes” for the Xbox 3. What is a target box? Basically it is a personal computer with similar specs to the final product. Think of it kind of like a “pre-development kit”, it may lack all of the fine-tuned elements that those kits bring. The first versions of the development kit are expected to hit developer's doorsteps by Christmas.

The second part of the rumor is where things get murky. If Edges’ sources are correct then everything is on track for a 2012 launch for the Xbox 3. The release date of the next Xbox is a point of contention. Some fans & industry analysts believe that the third Xbox should arrive sometime in 2012 while others believe 2013.

Regardless of the authenticity of this rumor it, the first part falls in line with previous speculation that came out of E3 that big publishers like EA & Ubisoft had development hardware already.

Source: Edge Via Kotaku

Happy Birthday Xbox!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, XBOX! You still look great ;)

Be sure to drop by our Remembering The Xbox article!rates their 10th birthday today.

Need For Speed The Run Available Now

The best-selling racing franchise of all time is back -- and the stakes have never been higher. Get ready to race for your life in a heart-pounding cross-country race from the Golden Gate to the Empire State as Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Need for Speed™ The Run is now available at retail stores in North America. Need for Speed The Run has already earned a perfect 5/5 from Stuff Magazine, while Men’s Health heralds the game for its “killer racing action ." Univision highlights Need for Speed The Run for its “spectacular cars and intense racing" and GameTrailers declares the game “a blast to drive.”

Featuring an all-star cast including Mad Men star Christina Hendricks, Never Back Down’s Sean Faris, 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Model Irina Shayk and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Chrissy Teigen, Need for Speed The Run takes players on a thrilling cross-country race known simply as “The Run.” With $25 million on the line, players take the wheel as Jack Rourke navigating thousands of miles of treacherous terrain from San Francisco to New York squaring off against 200 other racers all while evading the cops and the mob, who are hot on his trail.

“This is the biggest, fastest and most dangerous Need for Speed game yet,” said Jason DeLong, Executive Producer, Need for Speed The Run. “Need for Speed The Run delivers the series’ trademark thrilling racing and ups the ante with incredible action sequences and stunning performances from our all-star cast.”

And the action doesn’t stop when players cross the finish line in New York. Need for Speed The Run delivers an addictive challenge series and highly-competitive multiplayer. The acclaimed Autolog feature also returns , delivering moment-by-moment performance feedback to ensure players are always in head-to-head competition with friends, enemies and online competitors.

The expansive vistas and impressive tactile environment in The Run are made possible by the Frostbite™ 2 engine. The raw power of the DICE game engine, that enhanced real time warfare in Battlefield 3, enabled the massive scale and scope of Need for Speed The Run from visually stunning courses like the slippery slopes of Independence Pass, CO to the hottest vehicles, including the all-new 2012 Porsche Carrera S and 2012 Lamborghini Aventador

DmC Devs Reportedly Offering Top Players Early Access to Game

Ninja Theory may be seeking feedback from top Devil May Cry players on the series' reboot, DmC: Devil May Cry, according to reports from Joystiq via NeoGAF. According to one forum post, a well-known DMC player received the following from someone claiming to be a developer representative -- I’m part of the team currently developing the new Devil May Cry title at Ninja Theory and I wanted to get in touch to see if you’d like to come in and play the game. Essentially I’m inviting in a very select few really top end DMC players to come and play through a section of the game and talk to some of our team about your experience.

We’ll pay for travel to and from the studio and will also provide lunch. Let me know if this sounds of interest and I can give you some more details. For the moment though, this remains unconfirmed, though we wouldn't be surprised to see Ninja Theory paying closer attention to DMC's die-hard fanbase as they work on a re-imagined version of the game. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything more. If you want to dig deeper, check out the NeoGAF thread.

EA President Confirms Battlefield 4

In news that shouldn't really surprise anyone, IGN is reporting that EA President Frank Gibeau revealed the existence of Battlefield 4 today.

During a keynote at the Unversity of Southern California, Gibeau apparently let slip that "there is going to be a Battlefield 4", the first such mention of a fourth Battlefield title by anyone at the publisher.

Still, considering Battlefield 3's strong sales, today's news should come as no real surprise.

TeamXbox Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Review

Love it or hate it, there is no doubt that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is going to be the biggest selling game of the year, and that creates a lot of expectations. We take a look at the game in our review and find that while Modern Warfare 3 may not innovate the genre or veer too far from the (scripted) path that Infinity Ward set up 4 years ago, it does provide a hell of an experience.

Read The Full Modern Warfare Review .

Halo Anniversary Maps Coming To Reach As DLC

Looking forward to Halo: CE Anniversary’s campaign, firefight and multiplayer modes but don’t want to shell out a full $40? The six multiplayer maps, as well as the Firefight map Installation 04, that are included in the Halo CE Anniversary package will be released as downloadable content for Reach starting Tuesday November 15th.

So if the Halo CE campaign with new graphics doesn’t quite grab you, and we don’t blame you with the likes of Assassin’s Creed, Modern Warfare 3 and Saint’s Row being released within the same week then this $15 DLC bundle might be for you.

Xbox Live Deal Of The Week Deadliest Warrior, Scott Plilgrim

This week's new Xbox Live Deal Of The Week has gone live, offering more discounts for Xbox Live Gold subscribers.

This week, Microsoft is offering 50% off on Deadliest Warrior and two related avatar items. Also included for 50% off is the excellent Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game, and Sega's classic Shinobi. As always, these deals last for one week.

Saints Row 4 Will Be Even Wilder

G4 posted a preview clip for their upcoming interview with Danny Bilson, Vice President at THQ. In the clip Danny reveals that he already knows the plot of Saints Row 4! He promises that the fourth entry will be ‘even wilder’ than what they have revealed for three. It would seem that THQ and Volition would have a hard time toping themselves considering that Saints Row The Third includes Cyberpunk Gangs, Pimps and other kinds of insanity.

Check out the short clip below. We obviously don’t know much else regarding Saints Row 4 just yet. Saints Row The Third ships to retail next Tuesday, November 15th.

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2012 - Saints Row: The Third

New DmC Devil May Cry Concept Art

Capcom released some new concept art for the upcoming DmC: Devil May Cry reboot. They focus on enemy design and look like something you'd expect to see in Silent Hill -- creepy!

What do you think? Are you a fan of the new art style that Capcom is going for in DmC? Let us know in the comments.

Rainbow Six Patriots Gameplay Target Trailer

Ubisoft has taken the surprising move of releasing their "gameplay target" trailer for the upcoming Rainbow Six Patriots. The reason that this is so unusual is because this trailer is not final gameplay or even beta footage but a pre-rendered vision of what the game may play like. Usually these are used by development teams to visualize the look and feel of the final product before it enters full production.

Ubisoft chose to release the target render after various leaks surrounding the game popped up earlier this summer and fall. These leaks included the registration of the domain name "RainbowSixpatriots.com", screen grabs from the target render video and the game's current logo.

We shouldn't really judge the visual quality of the target render, as it was created with a computer and is obviously not running on Xbox 360 hardware. We can critique and discuss some of the coolest moments from the trailer.

Patriots centers around a volatile America where homegrown terrorist organizations have begun causing havoc. The trailer opens with these terrorists breaking in to the home of a presumably middle-aged man on his birthday. They take his wife and child hostage and outfit with a backpack bomb and the goal to deposit the bomb at times square.

As his transport across the Brooklyn bridge crashes he is instructed to continue on foot. From there the gameplay prospective switches to Team Rainbow, the international anti terrorism task force. The first person /third person (when in cover) gameplay we are familiar with returns. For patriots they've incorporated "see through" mechanics similar to detective vision from Arkham City. Members of Rainbow are able to see hostile targets through cars and other in game obstacles.

The rest of the trailer shouldn't be spoiled. Watch it for yourself at the bottom of this news articles. It ends on of the most intense moments we've seen in videogame promotion in a while. If the full game can live up to the vision of this trailer then Patriots might be one of the "must play" games of 2013.

More Tom Clancys Rainbow 6: Patriots Videos

Daytona USA Review

Like any developer with a vast back catalog of much-loved titles, SEGA has always been keen to bust out re-releases of classic games from its glory days. These have included the a smattering of Sonic titles, along with more obscure titles like Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram, but one popular SEGA classic has been missing until now. Daytona USA is a game with its origins in the publisher’s heyday back in the early 90s, and in the years following its release, you couldn’t go anywhere near an arcade without being drawn to its cheesy soundtrack and impressive (for the time) visuals.

Read our full review

Steven Spielberg Said No To Assassin's Creed Movie

After rumors swirled last month that Sony Pictures was close to a deal to produce the Assassin's Creed movie, Vulture is citing unnamed sources that say Ubisoft demanded so much control over the fate of the film that it caused many different studios to pass on the offer.

"They want to be able to pull the plug on the whole movie's development if they decide to. It's ridiculous," said the head of one of the unnamed studios that also passed on the film.

"They're not moviemakers, and the only way to make sure it's a bad movie is to undervalue what movie studios do — and this is a deal that totally undervalues what movie studios do." said another.

A Hollywood agent said that "The whole Ubisoft/Sony deal is a waste of ink, paper and time. The level of control Sony gave up means, effectively, that Assassin's Creed will never — and I mean never — get made."

We can't blame Ubisoft for wanting so much control in the fate of the film -- we've seen so many movies based on video games turn out so bad that we wondered how they were green lighted in the first place.

Sony supposedly said yes to the offer because of how little of an investment they'd have to make in producing the film, effectively taking a gamble -- one we'll have to wait and see if it pays off.

Are you looking forward to the possibility of an Assassin's Creed movie? Let us know in the comments.

PAX East 2012 Registrations Open

The ever-popular Penny Arcade East registrations are now open for those looking to head over to Boston to enjoy one of the largest and most successful game conventions around. Tickets are on sale for $35 per day or for $65 for a 3 day pass, and are sure to sell out well before the April 6th to April 8th date of the con itself.

If you're looking at those dates and thinking "Wait, why does that weekend sound familiar", it probably because April 7th is the Armenian Day of Maternity and Beauty. Also, that week happens to be Easter weekend. The PAX East organizers say they apologize for any trouble this may cause would-be participants, and are working with the city of Boston to (hopefully) ensure that it does not happen again.

Skyrim Avatar Launch Collection Now Available on XBL

Upset at the lack of dragonborne armor for your XBox Live Avatar? Wish there was a sweet mage robe in which to ensconce your digital doppelganger? Well wait no more! The Skyrim Avatar Collection has been released on Xbox Live. Here's a listing of their offerings:

Dragonborn Armor – 400 MSFT points | $4.99 Dragon Bone Armor – 400 MSFT points | $4.99 Mage Robe – 320 MSFT points | $3.99 Dark Brotherhood Armor – 400 MSFT points | $4.99 Dragon Bone Helm – 240 MSFT points | $2.99 Dragon Prop – 240 MSFT points | $2.99 Elder Scroll Prop – 240 MSFT points | $2.99 Magelight Prop – 240 MSFT points | $2.99 Stormcloak Helm – 240 MSFT points | $2.99 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Premium Theme – 240 MSFT points | $2.99

The scroll... It looks so... scrolley!
Which ones will you be getting, if any?

How to Fly Jets in Battlefield 3

If you're struggling with the age-old Battlefield problem of how to effectively pilot jets without immediately nosediving into the sea, then you should check out IGN 360's guide to Battlefield 3 aerial combat.

In it, you'll learn how best to assault ground targets, along with enemy planes, while avoiding unplanned encounters with either the ground, sea or enemy missiles. Check it out below!

Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City Demo Arrives Early 2012

If you're looking forward to killing zombies (or members of STARS and the Raccoon City Police department) in Capcom's upcoming multiplayer focused squad based shooter, you're in. Acccording to Joystiq , Capcom plans to release a demo for the game some time in early 2012.

When exactly next year? Well, the game itself launches on March 20th, 2012, so the beta will obviously happen within the first three months of the year.

News of a demo wasn't the only Raccoon City news to come out of Capcom's Gamer's Day event, as they also published a brand new trailer for the game:

Where Is Warhammer 40K Space Marine's CoOp?

Where you looking forward to being able to play co-op Warhammer 40: Space Marine missions with your friends? The Xbox 360 version of the "Exterminatus" add-on has been delayed. Players on Steam and Playstation Network have had the free co-op mode for a while, so what is up with the delay?

THQ and Relic Entertainment have been having issues with connectivity and had to delay the title update and free DLC for the time being. No timeframe for the launch of the Exterminatus DLC was give but you can read their statement from the Warhammer 40K Space Marine community manager below:

"Prior to the release of the Xbox 360 version of the Exterminatus DLC it came to our attention that there was a connectivity issue that needed to be fixed. We have taken the difficult decision to delay the title update and DLC release to repair this issue and ensure that the mode is functioning as intended when we release it. We will share a projected live date for this content on the Space Marine community site as soon as possible."

Source

New Final Fantasy XIII2 Screenshots

Square Enix has released three new screenshots for Final Fantasy XIII-2. These new screenshots show off an arcade as well as a slot machine mini game. Hopefully XIII-2 will have more sidequests and mini games to enjoy.

I remember spending hours at the Golden Saucer in Final Fantasy 7!

Battlefield 3 Ships 10 Million

Just how big is Battlefield 3? Think to the tune of "10 million" big, as EA has announced during a recent financial statement that they've shipped that many copies, with 3 million of those being pre-ordered.

The statement also mentions that retailers have already re-ordered further copies of the game due to its popularity. By comparison, Bad Company 2 sold about 2.3 million copies during its first month of release, meaning Battlefield 3 has already outsold it during the same time frame based on pre-orders alone.

PS3 Outselling Xbox 360 and Others in Europe in 2011

Sony's PlayStation 3 outsold both Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii during the past year, according to numbers dug out from Nintendo's latest financial results by IGN UK.

Hiding behind layers of charts and numbers is the news that Sony shifted 3 million PlayStation 3 units in Europe in the past year, whereas the Xbox 360 and Wii both managed just two million a piece -- Looking at the cumulative sales transition from the beginning of the year, the sales of PS3 are exceeding those of last year, but Wii’s sales showed a year-on-year loss. Xbox 360 is selling well in the U.S., but the transition is nearly the same as last year in Europe. However, 2011 isn't over yet, and as IGN points out, the holiday period traditionally sees strong sales for all gaming hardware, including Xbox 360, which as a particularly strong line-up this time around.

Head on over to IGN UK for more multiplatform analysis.

Report GTA 5 to Feature Multiple Protagonists

Kotaku reports that previous rumors surrounding Grad Theft Auto V being set in a fictional version of Los Angeles are true. They cite 'multiple sources' claiming that the game will also feature multiple playable protagonists. Considering the three protagonists (Johnny, Nico and Luis) that walked the streets in the Episodes of Grand Theft Auto 4 this makes sense.

Fans of the GTA series should instantly recall that we've already visited the Los Angeles area in 2004's Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. Rockstar also has a vast amount of experience modeling bringing the L.A Area to life in last spring's L.A Noir.

Perhaps the innovation will come from the multi-character narrative and gameplay mechanics. GTA 4 introduced a new social phone interface, a cover system and usable Taxis.

IGN.com posted an exhaustive speculative piece regarding the possible improvements we may see in the fifth entry. Could San Andreas' RPG elements return? It is also possible we will be transported to the 1960s or 70s, two eras that the GTA series has yet to explore.

What would you like to see in Grand Theft Auto 5? In the age of smartphones, social networks and recession there are a number of things for Rockstar to poke fun at. We will have more on Grand Theft Auto 5 next week when the teaser trailer is revealed.

Steel Batalion Heavy Armor Gets New Trailer

Capcom is poised to release a sequel to 2003s mech simulator, Steel Battalion, with next year’s Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor.

The game uses both the Kinect and traditional controller in combination. You use the Kinect controls to operate the buttons and levels inside your World War 1 era mech and the controller commands your vehicles movements!

Will using both control options be as fluid as Capcom hopes? We don’t yet but we find out when the game releases in 2012.

More Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Videos

Next Xbox Rumored to Carry "Loop" Name, Due 2013

Tech blog X-bit is reporting a selection of rumors said to be sourced from an unofficial Microsoft product roadmap, which places the successor to the Xbox 360 on track for a late 2013 release, with the name (or codename) "Loop" attached to it.

We can't imagine the "Loop" name being the final branding for the machine -- after all, its release is still around two years out, and these things take time to finalize. Remember that before its launch, the Xbox 360 went by the equally quirky name of "Xenon".

Other factoids uncovered from this leaked roadmap include supposed plans for a second-generation, high-precision Kinect sensor around a year after the "Loop" release, in November 2014.

All possible, and even likely, we'd say. However take all this with a pinch of salt until it's confirmed. We'll have some way to go before this is anywhere near official.

New Xbox Launching in 2013

The website Develop learns from multiple reports that the next generation of the Xbox will be in 2013. Here is a snip about it...

Multiple sources across the industry, from processor chip manufacturers to middleware firms, have told Develop they expect the console to be fully unveiled at E3 2013, months before its release. The collection of data points to a 2013 launch for the system across all main regions, though early 2014 remains a possibility.

Few in the games business expect Xbox Next to be in stores before the holiday side of 2013 – this Christmas and the next will likely see Microsoft marketing software for Xbox 360, Windows Phone and its Kinect motion controller.

Warner Bros. to Publish The Witcher 2 for 360 in North America

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced that it will publish and distribute the Xbox 360 version of CD Projekt's The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings.

Warner Bros. will contridubte "sales and marketing resources" to the 360 version of The Witcher 2, which is an adaptation of the PC original, rather than a straight port. The developer's promising "significant enhancements" for 360 gamers -- "We have added significant enhancements to the Xbox 360 version of 'The Witcher 2,' going far beyond simply editing the code to run on a new platform. Thanks to one of the world's newest game engines, the RED Engine, it will be one of the best-looking games ever released on Xbox 360," said Adam Kiciński, President, CD Projekt RED. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is due to land on Xbox 360 sometime in the first quarter of 2012. Check out today's full press release below -- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment To Distribute Xbox 360 Version Of "The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings" In North America

Warsaw, October 21, 2011 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and CD Projekt RED, developers of the blockbuster Witcher franchise of video games, announced a distribution agreement for the upcoming Xbox 360 release of "The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings" in North America.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will distribute "The Witcher 2" on Xbox 360, contributing sales and marketing resources.

The console version of "The Witcher 2" is an adaptation of the hit RPG fantasy game on PC. "We have added significant enhancements to the Xbox 360 version of 'The Witcher 2,' going far beyond simply editing the code to run on a new platform. Thanks to one of the world's newest game engines, the RED Engine, it will be one of the best-looking games ever released on Xbox 360," said Adam Kiciński, President, CD Projekt RED.

The story is dedicated to mature players and offers over 40 hours of non-linear gameplay. Starting from four possible beginnings, "The Witcher 2" leads players through different gameplay paths to 16 different endings making it one of the most non-linear and complex storylines ever brought to the console market.

Additionally, the game features a dynamic combat system, which fuses battles with RPG mechanics, giving access to a vast array of different fighting tactics.

"We are very pleased to partner with CD Projekt RED to bring 'The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings' to consoles in the United States, Canada and Mexico," said Kevin Kebodeaux, Senior Vice President, Sales Americas, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "Witcher is a AAA franchise that fits well with our strategic distribution of high quality games, making it a great addition to our 2012 line-up in North America."

"We are sure that this partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, with its strong position in the entertainment sector and particularly in the video and games distribution market in North America, will help us to achieve even bigger success in the most important market for Xbox 360 games. This is also a big distinction for us, that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment recognizes 'The Witcher 2' as a rare example of a game with world-class production values, which merges a very ambitious and complex approach with big commercial potential," said Adam Kiciński.

Release of "The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings" on Xbox 360 is expected in Q1 2012. More information about the project can be found here: www.thewitcher.com.

Battlefield 3 Coverage Coming Soon, EA To Release Day One Patch

More than a few readers have asked on the forums, and in news article comments, what the status of our Battlefield 3 review is. We know that Battlefield 3 is one of the most anticipated games of the year and we can’t wait to cover it.

Electronic Arts issued a statement to us yesterday afternoon regarding a Day One patch that will hit Xbox Live as early as Monday morning. This patch implements fixes and feedback from the recent multiplayer beta.

“DICE are perfectionists -- they will not stop polishing the game until it is in your hands. The Day 1 update incorporates real-time feedback from the beta, ensuring that the consumer experience on launch day is outstanding. It is the actual consumer experience that we wish to be reviewed. The game with the Day 1 update will be available for review on Oct. 25.” - Statement as released by E.A

We’ll receive our review copy sometime Monday, and obviously reviewing it just 24 hours after receiving it wouldn’t be doing the game justice. We plane to post a video comparison between the HD and “SD” texture packs for noon on launch day. As well we will have our initial impressions of the campaign for all to read come Tuesday afternoon.

Our final verdict and multiplayer breakdown will come later on in the week. Rest assured we know how important Battlefield 3 is to the community. We’re just as excited to get our hands on the game as you are!

World of Keflings "It Came from Outer Space" DLC Due Oct 26

Ninjabee has announced that the latest DLC pack for its Xbox Live-based city-builder A World of Keflings will arrive next Wednesday, October 26.

The pack, entitled "It Came From Outer Space", sees aliens crash-landing onto the Keflings homeworld, and tasks players with getting them back home, using the power of building!

The alien-based pack is yours for 320 Microsoft Points, and adds an additional four hours of gameplay, reportedly giving gamers an additional 30% more content, including the ability to build their own alien cities.

Here's a little more, from an earlier press release -- They're coming. Unexpected visitors will soon set down in A World of Keflings when indie video games developer NinjaBee releases "It Came From Outer Space" in the coming weeks. The first DLC announced for the hit Xbox LIVE Arcade city-building game, "It Came From Outer Space" will add a new, alien-themed kingdom to the Kefling world, adding hours of additional gameplay and content.

"It Came From Outer Space" includes a full cast of Kefling-sized alien characters and an entirely new kingdom where, playing as their Xbox Avatar, players can build an entire alien city for their extra-planetary friends.

"Aliens have crash-landed in the Kefling world and you and the Keflings need to use your mad building skills to get them home," said Mike Nielsen, lead designer on the DLC. "You'll be building giant robots, crazy alien structures, and even robotic Keflings all in the name of repairing their mother ship. There's plenty of new stuff to explore - a new kingdom, new characters, new resources, new buildings... It's pretty substantial."

Epic Talks About Next Gen Console Ideas

Gears of War house Epic Games knows a little something about working with hardware -- not only have they created one of the best selling franchises on the Xbox 360, but their Unreal engine is used by a large amount of games. Which makes them qualified to give their opinions on what they'd like to see in the next generation of consoles.

While the obvious answer is "better graphics", they also want an increased online portion for advanced networking within games and the console itself, and an integrated Kinect sensor into the next generation of Xbox.

Those with good memories may remember that Epic had a hand in convincing Microsoft to boost the Xbox 360's RAM, which makes this particularly interesting.

Rocksmith Now At Retailers

 Today, Ubisoft announces that Rocksmith is now available at retail throughout North America. The standard edition of the game, available for $79.99, will include the Rocksmith Real Tone CableT, a unique 1/4" to USB cable that is the first of its kind, developed exclusively for Rocksmith. This revolutionary cable turns the guitar's signal from analog to digital, allowing it to be recognized and played through video game consoles for the first time. The guitar bundle will provide a quality entry-level option for people that have always wanted to play but don't own a guitar. The bundle, available for $199.99, includes an Epiphone Les Paul Jr guitar, along with the Rocksmith Real Tone Cable. Rocksmith is rated "T" for Teen.

Rocksmith is the first and only video game where players can plug any real guitar with a standard 1/4" input jack into an Xbox 360, and play through an in-depth library of music including everything from the latest hits to classic rock songs. Rocksmith features gameplay that automatically adjusts to the player's skill level, and will engage experienced musicians as well as those who are picking up a guitar for the first time. Players will be able to choose from actual lead, rhythm, and combo guitar compositions, inspiring players to perform songs after the game is turned off.

The final track lists of songs included in Rocksmith are:

. Best Coast - When I'm With You
. Blur - Song 2
. Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
. Dan Auerbach - I Want Some More
. David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
. Eric Clapton - Run Back To Your Side
. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
. Incubus - I Miss You
. Interpol - Slow Hands
. Jarvis Cocker - Angela
. Jenny O. - Well OK Honey
. Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
. Little Barrie - Surf Hell
. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
. Muse - Unnatural Selection
. Muse - Plug In Baby
. Nirvana - Breed
. Nirvana - In Bloom
. Pixies - Where Is My Mind?
. Queens Of The Stone Age - Go With The Flow
. Radiohead - High And Dry
. Rapscallions - California Brain
. Red Fang - Number Thirteen
. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch
. Soundgarden - Outshined
. Spoon - Me And The Bean
. Stone Temple Pilots - Vasoline
. Stone Temple Pilots - Between The Lines
. Taddy Porter - Mean Bitch
. The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun
. The Black Keys - Next Girl
. The Black Keys - I Got Mine
. The Boxer Rebellion - Step Out Of The Car
. The Cribs - We Share The Same Skies
. The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
. The Dead Weather - I Can't Hear You
. The Horrors - Do You Remember
. The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
. The Rolling Stones - Play With Fire
. The Rolling Stones - The Spider and The Fly
. The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
. The XX - Islands
. Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union
. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Good Enough
. Velvet Revolver - Slither
. White Denim - Burnished
. Yellow Moon Band - Chimney
 

Assassin's Creed's Ezio Rumored for Soul Calibur 5 Appearance

Eveyrone's favorite medieval throat-slasher could be the latest addition to the Soul Calibur roster, if a new apparently-leaked screenshot is to be believed. The image, which has cropped up over on Joystiq, appears to show Assassin's Creed's Ezio Auditore on the character select screen, suggesting that he'll be a playable character in the upcoming fighter.

As Joystiq notes, there's no way of confirming the validity of this image, but we'd certainly welcome the change to bring a little ancient Venetian violence to the Soul Calibur universe. We'll keep you posted on any developments, as we await SC5's early 2012 release.

Deus Ex Human Revolution DLC gets price, date

Edios Montreal has announced a release date and price for the upcoming DLC for their recently released Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

Hitting on October 18th for 1200 MS Points, The Missing Link is a 5-8 hour chunk of DLC which sees Adam de-augmented and fighting for his life against Bellweather, and promises to answer some of the questions that remain from the main game.

If you're curious what the DLC is about, we've got some details and video right here .

Xbox 360 Outsold Wii TwotoOne in September, Says Pachter

With the Xbox 360's price having remained almost stationary for the past 2-3 years, some have been wondering if the console could use a price cut in order to boost sales, and see off competition in the all-important fourth quarter of 2011.

Someone who's not too concerned with the need for a price drop is industry analyst Michael Pachter, who estimates that the Xbox 360 is still outselling the two other consoles -- in the case of the Wii, by a ratio of almost 2:1.

CNET reports that Pachter's figures put the 360 at a fitting 360,000 units sold last month, versus 260,000 PS3s and just 190,000 Wiis. On the portable side, Pachter said he believes Nintendo sold 225,000 3DS units and 185,000 DS units in September.

If Pachter is right and Microsoft did sell the most hardware units in September, it would mark yet another successful month for the console maker. Last month, Microsoft reported that with its sales victory in August, it had sold more console units in the U.S. than any other company for 14 of the past 15 months. With the highly-competitive pre-holiday stretch beginning, Microsoft, and the 360, seem to be in a stronger position than ever.

Forza 4 Unlockables and Achievement Tips

Forza Motorsport 4 arrived in North America yesterday, and the European release is just a couple of days away. The IGN 360 team is wasting no time in starting to build a complete list of unlockables and achievables for Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios' latest racer.

If you're curious about how to unlock the much-hyped M12 Warthog from Halo in Autovista mode, or unlock the "Speed Demon" achievement, then be sure to head over to IGN's Forza Cheats + Codes page. More 'cheevos and unlocks are sure to be added in the coming days, as gamers get to grips with Forza 4's wealth of content.

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Preview Video

Check out BioWare Pulse Episode 46 that highlights the newly announced multiplayer for Mass Effect 3 coming in March.

 

In Mass Effect 3, an ancient alien race known only as Reapers, has launched an all-out invasion of the galaxy, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure is extinction.

 

New Xbox Dashboard Gets Open Preview

Want to give the upcoming Xbox Dashboard a whirl before it is officially released? Microsoft's Major Nelson has posted details about a preview program that the public can participate in.

Sign up and you'll be able to test out the new design that focuses around Kinect, the "Beacon" system, deeper Facebook integration and, perhaps best of all, the cloud storage system for game saves and Live profiles, meaning the days of being forced to recover your Gamertag should be over. Features like the Party Chat and online multiplayer will continue to work with those who don't join the preview program, so you shouldn't have to worry about reduced functionality.

TXB Interview Alex Amancio Creative Director of Assassin's Creed

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has evolved and grown since the 2006 original. During our visit to Ubisoft in San Francisco we had a chance to sit down with Alex Amancio, Creative Director at Ubisoft Montreal, and talk about everything Assassins Creed.

Join us as we chat about the gameplay changes introduced in Revelations, the return of Altair and where the series may be going in the futures. Get ready for a wild ride!

Read The Whole Interview

TeamXbox Forums Now Online

Update - The forums are now back online as of Monday, October 10th. Original story below.

The TeamXbox forums have been down since Friday evening. We apologize to all of our users, we know that you guys really want to get back on the forums and start discussing things like Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare and all of the huge games coming this fall.

The downtime does not appear to have affected comments on our news items or logins. Please feel free to login and comment on our news items to continue to discuss your favorite games and topics. We will update this news item as soon as the forums are back online.

TeamXbox Staff

Coming Soon UFC For Xbox Live

It seems like almost every big piece of news coming out of Microsoft in regards to the Xbox in the past week has been focused on their ever expanding catalogue of video and TV services. Today they announced a partnership with UFC to provide Pay Per View fights and extra content that can be streamed right from your Xbox.

The new service will launch in the United States on December 1st giving fans access to previews, fight statistics, upcoming matches and most importantly the ability to stream the fight live - just like you would over a traditional cable box.

You won’t need to worry about converting the cost of the fight in to Microsoft points or fumbling with prepaid cards. The stream can be charged right to a credit card rather than using Microsoft’s proprietary currency. Pricing should be similar to cable providers. The average rate for a UFC fight on cable is around $45.00 USD.

Exclusive to the Xbox version of the streaming event is the Interactive Fight Card. This mode puts the stream of the fight in a smaller window on the left side of the screen. On the right side you are able to view statistics of the fighters such as their nationality, weight, reach and record. UFC also plans to stream real-time predictions for the outcome of the current match.

Are you a fan of UFC? IGN has even more details about UFC on Xbox 360. The service will be available starting December 1st in the United States. No word yet on the rest of world.

TXB Reviews FIFA 12

It's rare when a game that you see released every single year finds a way to continuously impress. EA, however, seems to have found find a winning formula to accomplish just that with it's FIFA series of sports games. Touted as the “#1 selling sports franchise on the planet,” FIFA 12 does a fantastic job of continuing to spread the dominance of the world's game – football.

Read Our Review

Life Still Left in Battlefield Bad Company Franchise

Battlefield 3 may be all the rage, but that doesn't mean developer DICE has given up on the Battlefield: Bad Company franchise. In an interview with The Guardian, DICE's Patrick Liu says responds to a question about the fate of the popular spin-off franchise -- Well, we haven't killed Bad Company! But we can only make so many games. Be patient – there might be something else coming up… However, nothing's been announced, and with DICE wanting to avoid making Battlefield an annual series, it'll be 2013 before any future Bad Company title could release. He adds that DICE "always has a couple of projects going", but that not all come to fruition.

We'll be watching with interest to see whether a Bad Company 3 could be on the cards once Battlefield 3 is on store shelves.

Gears Of War 3 Gets "Horde Command Pack" DLC

Gears of War 3 gets its first piece of major downloadable content on November 1st with the Horde Command Pack. As one might guess, the pack focuses on the multiplayer Horde mode, adding in three new maps, several fortification upgrades, three new characters, and two different weapon skins. And an addition 250 GamerScore points, if you're into that sort of thing.

The DLC will retail for 800 MS Points, and will be free for those who have already purchased the Gears of War 3 Season Pass for upcoming DLC.The Battle Rages on with the "Gears of War 3" Horde Command Pack Available Nov. 1
First game add-on for the biggest blockbuster of 2011 introduces spectacular new maps and playable characters, along with an arsenal of Horde fortification upgrades

Brace for impact! With more than three million copies sold in its first week, "Gears of War 3" is the biggest game of the year, and today Microsoft and Epic Games announced the acclaimed title is about to get even bigger with the Horde Command Pack game add-on, launching Nov. 1.

Taking you deeper into the fight with three explosive new maps, three new playable characters, two new weapon skins, and additional achievements worth 250 Gamerscore, the Horde Command Pack also includes new fortification upgrades to help you mow down the Lambent and Locust threats in the fan-favorite Horde mode.

Available for 800 Microsoft Points or for download automatically to consumers who have purchased the "Gears of War 3" Season Pass, which entitles you to the game's first four game add-ons at a 33 percent discount, the Horde Command Pack includes:

· Three spectacular new maps:
Blood Drive – The Jacinto Medical Plaza was overwhelmed by evacuated citizens after the government-sanctioned Hammer Strikes, and the ensuing riots quickly turned this safe haven into a dangerous inferno. An abundance of high ground and funneled choke points make this map a returning favorite to Horde.
Rustlung – Once the pride of the Royal Tyran Navy, the foredecks of this decommissioned battleship are now riddled with bullet holes. Any team with the fortitude to hold the exposed central torpedo bay will find that the ship's Loader has been replaced with a battle-ready Silverback mech suit.
Azura – This island resort was once the exclusive domain of Sera's educated elite, but the tranquil water gardens and lush foliage have become a hotly contested combat zone. Dual snipers overlook a powerful explosive weapon, while the defensive central platform may be your last resort of retreat.
· New fortification upgrades:
Command Center – A brand new type of fortification that allows you to call in fire support from sniper teams, mortar strikes and even multiple Hammers of Dawn.
Decoy Upgrade – A new fortification level that turns your decoy into an Onyx Guard bot that will fight in your defense.
Sentry Upgrade – This upgrade adds a fire bolt sentry that deals much more damage and is very effective against Berserkers.
Silverback Upgrade – This advancement allows you to upgrade your Silverback exo-suit with devastating rockets and extra levels of repair cost reduction.
· New characters:
Onyx Guard
Big Rig Dizzy
Bernie
· New weapon skins:
Team Plasma
Jungle Camo

Also playable in Beast mode and privately hosted Versus matches, the Horde Command Pack promises to extend your "Gears of War 3" experience with countless hours of multiplayer mayhem on Xbox LIVE. Stay tuned for future game add-on announcements including new campaign and multiplayer content, bringing you more of the year's biggest blockbuster later this winter. To download the first four game add-ons as soon as they are available at a discounted price, be sure to pick up the "Gears of War 3" Season Pass today for 2400 Microsoft points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.


Developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by Epic Games, "Gears of War 3" is available worldwide in three distinct editions – Standard ($59.99 USD), Limited ($79.99) and Epic ($149.99). For a limited time only, the custom-designed Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Gears of War 3" Console is also available worldwide for a suggested retail price of $399.99 USD, and features a copy of the game, two specially-designed Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers, limited edition downloadable content, built-in Wi-Fi and a massive 320 GB hard drive. The Limited Edition Wireless Controller is also available separately for a suggested retail price of $59.99 USD. For additional details on the game, custom console and controller, please visit: gearsofwar.xbox.com.

Football Stars for Battlefield 3 Operation Gridiron

From the football field to the battlefield, the Battlefield 3 experience comes alive this fall! Electronic Arts today announced that it has teamed up with some of football’s biggest stars for an exclusive reality show titled GTTV Presents Battlefield 3: Operation Gridiron. Airing on Spike TV this fall, the show takes quarterback Drew Brees, linebacker Clay Matthews, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and defensive end Jared Allen into real-life combat scenarios inspired by the award–winning videogame, Battlefield 3. Filmed at a top secret location, these all-star athletes are provided the ultimate in combat training by some of the world’s most elite Special Operations Warriors. Following their advanced training, they must work together as a team to accomplish a live simulated operation, pulled straight from the gritty war scenarios players will face in the game. Starting today, weekly Tuesday webisodes will be posted at 9:00am PDT on the Battlefield Facebook page. The finale will air on Spike TV on October 24 at 12:00am EST/PDT and at 11:00pm CST. Gamers can “LIKE” Battlefield 3 on www.facebook.com/battlefield to view the Battlefield 3: Operation Gridiron webseries.

“Every day men and women face challenges similar to what we tackled in this show but with potential dire consequences. Filming this show once again reinforced my respect for the soldiers who fight every day for our freedom.”

“Taking to the battlefield in these real life war settings was really exciting and eye-opening,” said All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees. “Every day men and women face challenges similar to what we tackled in this show but with potential dire consequences. Filming this show once again reinforced my respect for the soldiers who fight every day for our freedom.”

Battlefield 3, developed by DICE in Stockholm Sweden, is one of the most anticipated games of 2011, having already earned more than 50 awards including ‘Best Action Game’ and ‘Best Online Multiplayer Game.’ Critics praise the game for its intense gameplay experience, powered by the Frostbite 2 state-of-the-art game engine that delivers superior performance in character animation, visual rendering, audio and physical destruction. To accompany the game, Orion Publishing will release a novel called Battlefield 3: The Russian written by the highly decorated ex-SAS operator and best-selling author of Bravo Two Zero, Andy McNab, with co-author Peter Grimsdale. McNab is working with the creative team at DICE to ensure the authenticity and grittiness of today’s warfare is experienced in the single player, co-op and multiplayer campaigns.

TXB Review XMen Destiny

The X-Men franchise have seen about just as many videogame adaptation as there are issues of the comic book. Every generation has had its own take on Charles Xavier, Magneto and the rest of the mutants. They've been the subject of everything from 8-bit side-scrollers to RPGS like the excellent Marvel Ultimate Alliance series. The latest studio to develop a mutated X-Gene is Silicon Knights. Can the studio that helped pioneer psychological horror do the blue & gold heroes justice with the release of X-Men Destiny?

Read Our Review

NBA 2K12 Now Available

2K Sports today announced that NBA 2K12 is now available for the Xbox 360.

“Hoops fans have long argued about the hypothetical outcomes among basketball’s most legendary players and storied teams,” said Greg Thomas, president of product development for 2K Sports. “We took that passion to heart in creating NBA 2K12, giving gamers the opportunity to end the debate once and for all with 15 electrifying basketball icons inNBA’s Greatest mode.”

Fans can now take control of 15 hoops icons, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Julius Erving in NBA 2K12’s all new NBA’s Greatest mode. Each of these 15 basketball legends were meticulously recreated with an uncanny level of detail, including period-specific depictions of their arenas, team uniforms, signature moves, and even historically accurate broadcast presentation styles. NBA 2K12 also features a revamped shooting mechanic with Total Shot Stick Control and an all-new post-play system, which allow fans to experience an unprecedented basketball simulation.

“It’s amazing to see the attention to detail that 2K Sports captured in creating me and these great NBA players,” said six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan. “I’m honored to be part of a game that gives millions of fans a look into our careers, especially with the level of authenticity and detail that NBA 2K12 has.”

Bonus Gift with Purchase – Customers who purchase their copy of NBA 2K12 for the Xbox 360or PlayStation 3 system early will receive two bonus, historic NBA teams featuring their own NBA greats – the 1990-91 Golden State Warriors and the 2001-02 Sacramento Kings. Bonus content will be available on launch orders only, while supplies last.

Dark Delve Available

Sharpen your swords and study your Spellbooks, great adventure awaits! Dark Delve is a first person dungeon crawler where the player explores a sinister dungeon and engages deadly monsters in exciting turn based combat. Create a custom group of characters to dissolve a centuries old curse in the 8+ hour campaign or test your skill in one of several unique challenges available. The dungeons abound with secrets to uncover and enemies to defeat.

-Involving Combat System with special Chain Break attacks
-Performance in combat is rated with increased rewards for the highest grades
-Discover numerous secret doors and overcome puzzles and traps
-Complex boss battles test player tactics
-Multiple difficulty settings and variable party size available to customize your challenge level
-Disarm Trapped treasure chests and obtain more than 100 unique items
-Each of the 3 character classes offer 3 distinct paths of advancement
-Deeds of Valor awarded for performing special tasks outside what is required (can you reach the Rat King’s lair while avoiding all combat encounters?)
-Minimal random encounters, most encounters are placed in rooms and once defeated, stay defeated


Available Now on the Xbox Live Indie Marketplace for only 80 MSP

Forza 4 Peripherals Now Available for PreOrder

If you're into sacrificing large amounts of cash in search of the perfect racing experience, then Fanatec has you covered, with a range of official, Forza Motorsport 4-branded peripherals now available for pre-order.

The complete Forza 4 control setup include CSR Wheel ($250), CSR Elite Pedals ($150) and the CSR Shifter ($60). Yeah, we weren't kidding when we said they were expensive.

All are wireless and partly constructed of aluminum, and the wheel even has an LED read-out. In the official promo shots at least, all three look to be well-built. But still, $460 for a racing controller setup does seem just a tad on the insane side to us. If you're tempted, dig yourself out of your pile of disposable income and let us know in the comments.

Cable TV Coming to Xbox 360

A new report from Bloomberg suggests Microsoft will be partnering with cable providers Comcast and Verizon to offer a subscription-based television service on the Xbox 360.

Bloomberg has said Microsoft has been talking to about two dozen networks and other media providers about the plan. We could see officially announcement as early as next week. Stay tunes.

Battlefield 3 Beta Videos

Now that the Battlefield 3 beta is live on the Xbox 360 you probably want to see what you're getting yourself in to. While you wait for the massive 1.3GB beta to download why not check out some of the videos IGN.com has posted.

These videos are direct feed from the Xbox 360 and PC versions of the beta. One is a comparison video detailing some of the differences between versions. While the Xbox 360 version might not have the excellent DX11 lighting of the PC version it still holds up very well. Other videos include a shotgun spree on Operation Metro and even more gameplay goodness.

Look for more Battlefield 3 coverage very soon.

More Battlefield 3 Videos

More Battlefield 3 Videos

More Battlefield 3 Videos

More Battlefield 3 Videos

Syndicate Coming in 2012

From satellite tracking to GPS to geocaching, the world is hooked on technology. It’s not impossible to imagine a time when we slip one step further and move from external devices to internal…literally implanting chips inside people. Prosthetic limbs already prove that the relationship between organic and manufactured can yield incredibly positive results. So, why not CHIP technology? Maybe it really could happen. And if it did, would it be used for the greater social good or for corporate profit? These are the types of ethical and moral questions asked by EA’s cult classic game, Syndicate back in 1993. Now, on February 21, 2012, gamers will again contemplate these same questions as they play through an action packed, epic sci-fi shooter adventure in EA and Starbreeze’s remake of the game.

Set in 2069, Syndicate takes players into a dark, Machiavellian world where corporations are vying for market dominance with no government oversight. The people become the causality of this war as these corporations have the technology and power to influence the public via bio-chips installed in their heads. Syndicate blends fast paced action and futuristic settings with innovative chip breach gameplay to provide a unique and brutal sci-fi first person shooter experience.

In the game, players take on the role of Miles Kilo, Eurocorp’s latest prototype agent. Through DART 6 bio-chip technology implanted in their heads, gamers can dilate down time, see through walls, breach the digital world and enemies around them using a variety of upgradable hacking mechanics. Gamers that reserve Syndicate will receive The Executive Package at no extra charge, which includes unique perks for the game’s deep 4-player co-op campaign. Like every good executive, players with The Executive Package will be able to stand out amongst their friends as they flaunt their solid gold versions of all loadout guns, utilize golden dart vision, and showcase the executive gold Syndicate logos during co-op missions.

Major League Gaming Teams Up With Call of Duty

The MLG and Activision have teamed together to offer COD players a chance to recieve a free year of MLG Gold if they pre-order the game through the MLG Store. Those who pre-order the game will also recieve a chance to partcipate in an exclusive tournament.

Check out the full details below: The countdown to the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is on. To celebrate the launch, Major League Gaming (MLG) and PlayMonks have announced an exclusive pre-order/membership bundle. Beginning today, fans who pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (release date: November 8) through the MLG Store will receive free standard shipping to anywhere in the continental United States, a free full year of MLG Gold Membership, and automatic entry into an exclusive, members-only Gamebattles tournament with over $3,000 in prizes, all for $59.99.

MLG CEO, Sundance DiGiovanni, is also providing those who pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 through the MLG Store the opportunity to showcase their skills LIVE from MLG Headquarters in New York City at the “Sundance Invitational.” The 4v4 match will be played on Xbox 360 and streamed live on MLG.tv on November 8th in conjunction with the game’s official launch.

Couriers Stash & Gun Runners' Arsenal Now Available

Bethesda is very pleased to announce that Courier’s Stash and Gun Runners' Arsenal are now available for download on Xbox LIVE. So go grab them! Here are the highlights...

Courier’s Stash (Xbox LIVE for 160 Microsoft points) gives players immediate access to four content bundles previously available only through pre-ordering Fallout: New Vegas. The Caravan Pack, Classic Pack, Mercenary Pack and Tribal Pack each offer unique weapons, apparel and aid advantages that will help you throughout your journey.

Gun Runners' Arsenal (Xbox LIVE for 320 Microsoft points) increases the range of unique weapons, weapon mods, ammo types and recipes waiting to be uncovered in the vast Mojave Wasteland.

TXB Feature A Deeper Look at NHL 12's Be a Legend and Online

While digging through NHL 12, there are many new features to be found. We decided to take a closer look into one of the new features, while also seeing how the game handled online – secretly hoping that this editor didn't get (completely) embarrassed on the ice while trying to enjoy a game of hockey.

Read Our Features

Max Payne 3 "Pop Up" Trailer

Last week we got our first real look at Max Payne 3 after a long hiatus. Now Rockstar Games has released a revised version of the trailer showcasing some tidbits the casual observer may have missed. Did you spot everything the first time around?

Check out the trailer in the embedded player below. Max Payne 3 is due out in March of 2012. Stay tuned for more!

Arsenal Mode for CounterStrike Global Offensive

Valve today announced the new game modes for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO).

Targeted for release via Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Steam (for PC and Mac) in early 2012, CS: GO will expand upon the team-based action gameplay that it pioneered when it was launched 12 years ago.

Arsenal Mode is based on the popular Counter-Strike: Source mod Gun Game. "Arsenal: Arms Race" and "Arsenal: Demolition" add eight new maps and expand on the classic Counter-Strike gameplay.

Valve is working directly with creators of Gun Game to create Arsenal Mode. "We are excited that Valve reached out and is working with us to ensure Arsenal Mode is the best version of Gun Game.", Michael Barr project lead of Gun Game.

For more information, please visit http://store.steampowered.com/app/1800/

NHL 12 Sets Sales Record

EA Sports latest hockey simulator, NHL 12, hit store shelves just over a week ago and already the title has posted impressive numbers. The latest entry set a record for the franchise with 27 million $ in sales (all figures in USD). In terms of units moved EA reports that over 450,000 games were sold across North America and Europe.

"NHL 12 is our most exciting hockey game ever, with more than 300 gameplay improvements and the ability to play with some of the NHL's greatest legends." Andrew Wilson, VP for EA Sports.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with NHL 12 while reviewing it last week. In fact I am still playing through it in Be a Pro Mode. Here is a quick excerpt from last week’s review:

NHL 12 offers a surprising amount of depth. Across the multiple modes – Be a Pro, GM Mode and Online especially – you could easily loose 100s of hours. Some of these modes do throw a lot of information at you, and if you're not well versed in Hockey statistics it may seem confusing, but overall each mode presents a unique and enjoyable experience.

Dark Souls Gone Gold

Namco Bandai today announced that Dark Souls has been approved for production for the Xbox 360, releasing in North America on October 4 2011, and Europe on October 7.

Spiritual successor to 2009’s critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 system exclusive Demon’s Souls – winner of GameSpot’s “Overall Game of the Year” and “Best PS3 Game”, and IGN’s “Best RPG for PS3” awards – Dark Souls is a new action-role playing game (RPG) developed by FromSoftware. Stricken by the curse of undead, gamers are abolished to the northern realms and must battle hideous demons and unimaginable monsters to collect souls and find the Eternal Flame of Life, which is losing its light, to survive and cure the curse of undead.

With tense dungeon crawling and fearsome enemy encounters, the seamlessly intertwined world of Dark Souls is full of extreme battles, rewarding challenges, nuanced weaponry and magic, and the flexibility to customize each character to suit any desired play style. The innovative online component allows gamers to draw from the collective experience of the Dark Souls community as they either help or sabotage each other on the journey through the Northern Realms to save the land from darkness. With a massive, seamless open world design, Dark Souls encourages deep exploration and an adaptable gameplay experience.

Worms 2 Armageddon Retro Pack Now On Live

Following last week’s free medley of mischief, the Worms 2: Armageddon “Mayhem Pack” on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Team 17 are kicking it old-school with the Worms 2: Armageddon “Retro Pack”, now available on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

The Worms 2: Armageddon “Retro Pack” features 20 single-player missions that have been hand-picked from the classic Worms: Armageddon game and re-worked exclusively for this downloadable content pack. The “Retro Pack” also includes 3 new hats, 3 new gravestones, a new “Retro” landscape theme and 5 new Achievements.

The Worms 2: Armageddon “Retro Pack” is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 320 Microsoft Points.

NBA 2K12 Demo Now Available

2K Sports today announced that a free demo of NBA 2K12 is now available on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The demo allows players to relive this past season’s exciting NBA Finals and play one quarter as the Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks. The demo showcases many of this year’s improvements, including an all-new post play system for full 360-degree player movement to dominate the paint, total shot stick control for more intuitive offensive moves, and updated visuals complete with dynamic broadcast-style pre-game highlight reels.

This year’s edition of NBA 2K, the top-selling and top-rated NBA video game simulation franchise, will allow players to take control of some of the most iconic names and teams in NBA history, such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving, and put them head-to-head against other classic and modern-day teams to create NBA dream matchups and end the debate over the “NBA’s Greatest” once and for all.

Red Dead Redemption Myths and Mavericks DLC Available Now

The free Red Dead Redemption Myths and Mavericks Bonus Pack DLC is now available for download worldwide on Xbox LIVE.

This completely free Bonus Pack, a token of our appreciation for all the amazing Red Dead fans out there that have been playing the game since its release last year, injects a host of new fan-favorite characters from the single-player story into multiplayer, including legendary gunslinger Landon Ricketts, Deputies Eli and Jonah, Mexican Army Captain Vincente de Santa, outlaw Javier Escuella, rancher Drew MacFarlane, Native American informant Nastas and John Marston's weathered old ranchhand Uncle.

The Myths and Mavericks Bonus Pack also features a bevy of new multiplayer locations, including Cochinay, Nekoti Rock and Beecher's Hope and more, along with new Stronghold games in Armadillo, Tumbleweed, and Chuparosa (a full list of locations is listed below). To check out some screens from the new pack, click here.

Maps/Modes (bolded locations are brand new to multiplayer)
Cochinay – Gold Rush, Shootout, Gang Shootout, Stronghold
Nekoti Rock – Gold Rush, Shootout, Gang Shootout
El Presidio – Gold Rush, Shootout, Gang Shootout
Plainview – Gold Rush, Shootout, Gang Shootout
Gaptooth Mine – Shootout, Gang Shootout
Pike’s Basin – Shootout, Gang Shootout
Perdido – Hold Your Own, Grab the Bag
Benedict Point – Hold Your Own, Grab the Bag
Beecher’s Hope - Stronghold
Torquemada - Stronghold
Armadillo - Stronghold
Chuparosa - Stronghold
Rio Bravo - Shootout, Gang Shootout
Tumbleweed - Stronghold

Fruit Ninja Kinect and Toy Soldiers Top XBLA Titles For August

Exact sales data for the Xbox Live Arcade has never been released by Microsoft but that hasn't stopped those in the industry from speculating. Sales data may mean very little to your average gamer. Outside of a heated debate about a console install base when will these figures ever come up? Regardless Gamasutra believes that the top selling XBLA games for August where Toy Soldiers and Fruit Ninja.

Gamasutra analysed data collected from the leaderboards for all of August's new releases. According to their work Toy Soldiers Cold War was on top with 160, 734 copies. Fruit Ninja followed with an impressive 115,445 copies moved.

Did you pick up any of August's Summer of Arcade titles? It was truly a great month for downloadable games with the likes of Bastion and From Dust being released as well.

Orcs Must Die Gameplay Trailer

Robot Entertainment has released a unique interactive gameplay video featuring their upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Orcs Must Die! This demo video is the next best thing to playing the game! The video allows viewers to choose traps between successive waves of enemies with each choice changing the final outcome. The 30 possible avenues for completing the demo highlight the enormous variety of methods to kill orcs and defend your towers.

 

Fallout New Vegas Lonesome Road Trailer

Check out the hurricane-swept canyons of the Divide, a landscape torn apart by earthquakes and violent storms.

Watch the newly released (and awesome) trailer for Lonesome Road — the fourth game add-on pack for Fallout: New Vegas, coming out on September 20th. Props to our very own Salinee Goldenberg for her great work on all the New Vegas DLC trailers!

In Lonesome Road you are contacted by the original Courier Six, a man by the name of Ulysses who refused to deliver the Platinum Chip at the start of Fallout: New Vegas. Ulysses promises the answer as to why he didn’t take the job, but only if you make one last journey into the hurricane-swept canyons of the Divide, a landscape torn apart by earthquakes and violent storms. It’s up to you whether you take the job or not.

Lonesome Road will be available next week for download on Xbox LIVE.

 

Gears of War Universe Timeline Revealed

The Gears of War universe has a rich backstory, but most gamers don't know the precise details of the story leading up to the events of the first Gears title, set some 14 years after the emergence of the Locust horde.

Now Epic Games has given fans the chance to delve further into the series' backstory, as Gears of War 3's launch date fast approaches. You can track the history of Sera, and the main characters in the Gears series, right from the Pendulum wars almost a century before the first game, right through to Emergence Day and the sinking of Jacinto.

Click here to begin exploring the Gears timeline. Gears of War 3 launched worldwide next Tuesday, September 20. We'll have a full review for you soon.

Final Fantasy XIII2 Development "90% Complete"

Development on the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII-2 is nearing its conclusion, according to reports from Adriasang. FFXIII-2 director Motomu Toriyama, the game is 90% done and on track for the for release in the previously-announced "December" timeframe.

The developer also dropped a pretty big hint that the specific release date would be announced at the Tokyo Game Show between September 15 and 18.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is the second direct sequel in the series' 24-year history. Recently rumors emerged suggesting that a third instalment to FF-XIII's story may be in the works, based on recent domain name registrations by Square Enix.

Dead Island Tops UK Xbox 360 Charts

TechLand's zombie-infested Dead Island hit the top of the UK games charts last week, according to the latest set of figures from British charts monitoring firm Chart-Track.

Relic's Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine made its debut at #2, knocking last week's first second place games, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Driver: San Francisco to fourth and third place respectively.

Over on the multiplatform charts, Dead Island and Space Marine fared similarly well, also taking the first and second place spots.

Here's your Xbox 360 top five for the week ending September 10. Hit up Chart Track for the full top 40. Dead Island Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Driver: San Francisco Deus Ex: Human Revolution Rugby World Cup 2011

Rock of Ages Review

As simple pleasures go, you can’t get much simpler than smashing things with a rock. It’s a past-time that humans have enjoyed for millenea, and now Chilean developer Ace Team has brought it into the 21st century in its delightfully silly and highly stylized strategy game, Rock of Ages.

Click here to read our Rock of Ages review

Deus Ex Human Revolution DLC Hits In October

Square-Enix has announced that The Missing Link, the upcoming DLC pack for Deus Ex: Human Revolution that promises to fill in a story gap, will be hitting digital download services in October.

The contents of the DLC, which sees Adam tortured by Belltower, was previously leaked and promises new environments, characters, and the power to respec Adam's augmentations.

You can also find our Deus Ex: Human Revolution review right here.

Original Crysis Announced For Consoles

Crytek today confirmed recent rumors, announcing that the original PC hit Crysis is being ported to the Xbox 360 and PS3, promising new features such as better lighting, new visual effects and more. It will be a downloadable title available via Xbox Live and Playstation Network.

Crytek also released a trailer for the game, containing footage taken from the Xbox 360. The game's gameplay and graphics look fantastic, but what's even more impressive? The release date -- October 11th, 2011.

It's unclear if multiplayer will be apart of the game or not -- but with a launch date so close, be sure to stay tuned to TeamXbox as more information about Crysis is revealed.

Xbox Live Deal Of The Week Bad Company 2 DLC

If you're looking to warm up your Battlefield skills before BF 3 hits, this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week is for you.

For a week, Gold subscribers get discounts on a range of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 DLC. Included is the VIP online pass, the Onslaught DLC, unlock kits, themes, and even the Vietnam DLC, which is on sale for a tempting 600 Microsoft Points.

Crimson Alliance Price Structure Explained

Crimson Alliance, the newest hack and slash dungeon crawler for the Xbox Live Arcade, has gained a lot of free press thanks to it being the "free game" given to those who purchased all five Summer of Arcade titles. If you log in the Xbox.com Marketplace or the Dashboard you'll notice that Crimson Alliance is free. What's the deal? Allow us to explain.

Certain Affinity's latest game is the first "freemium" or "free to play" game on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The free "full version" that anyone can download will indeed give you access to all three classes from the start but you will only be able to progress so far. After that you will be prompted to purchase one of the following "packs" to continue playing.

1200 MSP ($15) - All Classes Pack, gives you access to each playable class and their full progression tree.
800 MSP ($8) - Each class has its own Class Unlock that can be purchased. This is viewed as a cheaper option for those who only want to play one role.

Presumably the version that will go out to all Summer of Arcade purchasers will be the premium 1200 edition. It would be kind of silly and frustrating to find out that you were only given one class for free after purchasing all of those games. Not to mention if that were the case, then the cost of to unlock all three classes would skyrocket to nearly $20!

What are your feelings on Free to Play or "Freemium" games on the Xbox Live Arcade? Does Certain Affinity have the right idea when it comes to the pricing structure? Let us know in the comments.

TXB Preview Crimson Alliance

During last weekend's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, we had a chance to sit down with Crimson Alliance, the newest title by Austin, Texas-based Certain Affinity, which is being developed exclusively for Xbox Live Arcade. Certain Affinity are the folks that have contributed to many big titles such as various games in the Call of Duty and Halo franchises, as well as Age of Booty, which was released in 2008.

Read Our Preview

Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Trailer

Have a peek at the latest trailer released by EA for Battlefield 3. It shows off some flechette ammo and flash suppressors used in the game.

In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer actions ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Europe, Middle-East and North America.

Hands On With Batman Arkham City

Batman has always been one of my favorite super heroes of all time. Growing up as a kid in the early 1990s I watched the Tim Burton Batman films and of course I tuned in every weekday to watch the Batman Animated Series. 2 years ago when I found out that the voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, and Mark Hamil, the voice of the Joker, had both signed on for Arkham Asylum I was excited. Now the entire asylum has been set loose in an entire section of the city with Batman Arkham City.

Read our Preview

5 New BloodRayne Beytral Screenshots

WayForard Technologies, the California based developer behind the upcoming 2D reimagining of the BloodRayne franchise, has released 5 new screnshots to promote the game.

These new screenshots showcase two different environments – one purple and one green. BloodRayne Betrayl uses a very dark palette of colors namely blacks, greys and reds accented by very bright lighting and particle effects. Some of the best examples of this contrast come from screenshots featuring gunfire or magical spells.

BloodRayne Betrayal has a very Castlevania Symphony of the Night look to it - With its focus on gothic architecture and side-scrolling action. What are your thoughts on BloodRayne Betrayal? One this is for sure, it will be better than the Uwe Bowl movies from a few years back.

Deus Ex Human Revolution Reviewed

We've published our review of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the post-human game of choice from Eidos Montreal. Does it soar like the original (and innovative) Deus Ex, or does it encounter some bumps, like the sequel, Deus Ex: Invisible War? Check out our review to find out!

Jurassic Park The Game Action Montage Video

The power is dead, the gates down and the Dinosaur action is out of the paddock as Telltale unleashes this colossal video from the anticipated Jurassic Park: The Game

Think there's no action in a point and click adventure game? Think again. These dinosaurs are hungry and want to eat your face.
 

 

Baseball Announced For Kinect Sports Season 2

Microsoft has unveiled the inclusion of Baseball in Kinect Sports Season 2 ahead of PAX Prime. The minigame is set to offer both single and multiplayer fun on the virtual diamond. Two players can take on each other – one taking on the role of the Batter and the other taking on the role of the pitcher. Attendees at PAX prime are able to hit the field at Microsoft’s booth.

For those of us who can’t attend PAX Microsoft has provided a breakdown of what we can expect from Kinect Sports Season 2’s baseball mode. While batting players can choose to bunt, swing for the homerun or step forward and add some extra force to their swing using their Star Batter. Once the ball is in the air players must run the bases, presumably using a similar running mechanic to the original Kinect Sport’s track and field mode. The Kinect Sensor monitors the pitchers throwing velocity and angle to calculate the speed of the pitch as well as its type (Fastball, Curveball ect).

Alongside these details Microsoft also released a few screenshots of the Baseball minigame in action. Microsoft expects Kinect Sports Season 2 to ship on October 28th in North America.

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim DLC Available First on Xbox 360

On November 11th the next installment in The Elder Scrolls franchise with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Xbox LIVE will be the first to bring players the experience of Skyrim’s add-on content in this revolutionized open-world fantasy epic where players can explore any way they choose.

The first two add-on content drops for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will be releasing exclusively on Xbox 360, 30 days before it’s available anywhere else. If you’d like to be the first to break new ground in Skyrim, Xbox LIVE is the only destination that won’t keep you waiting.

We will get more information as it comes available.

Brink Combo Packs Now Available on Xbox Live

If you missed out on any of the bonus "combo packs" that were given to Brink pre-orderers then fear not, they're now available on Xbox Live in exchange for 160 of your Microsoft points.

Publisher Bethesda has updated its official blog with details including pricing, and the items included in each pack, which are themed around other Bethesda properties.

If you decide to blow some of your spare MSP on a combo pack, you'll be able to choose between the Fallout/SpecOps pack, and the Doom/Psycho, both of which cost 160 MSP. Fallout/SpecOps Pack

• Unique Fallout Vault 101 body tattoo
• Exclusive Vault 101 (Security) and Fallout New Vegas Vault Boy (Resistance) customized skins for the CARB-9 SMG
• Exclusive Fallout Vault 101 (Security) and Fallout New Vegas Vault Boy (Resistance) t-shirts
• Exclusive Vault-Tec beanie cap (Security) and Fallout bandana (Resistance)
• Exclusive weapon: the “Hockler” Machine-Pistol
• Exclusive “GreenEye” Combat Optical Scope
• Exclusive Security “Sloani” Combat Mask
• Unique Dogtag body tattoo

DOOM/Psycho Pack

• Unique “Hellspawn” body tattoo
• Exclusive UAC (Security) and Cacodemon (Resistance) customized skins for the Bulpdaun SMG
• Exclusive UAC Marine Body Armor (Security) and Lost Soul Screaming Skull (Resistance) t-shirts
• Exclusive UAC beanie cap (Security) and DOOM bandana (Resistance)
• Exclusive weapon: the “Caesar” Revolver
• New attachments: The Resistance’s improved Soda Can Silencer and Security’s ArkTactical Silencer
• Exclusive Resistance “The Grin” Combat Mask
• Unique “Tortured Soul” body tattoo Will you be picking any of this stuff up? Let us know in the comments.

Counter Strike Global Offensive Details & Video

Valve unveiled Counter Strike Global Offensive earlier this month at GamesCom. Now that PAX has begun the press and gamers alike are getting their hands on the game. IGN Xbox 360 got a chance to sit down with the title and they have uncovered a whole pile of information about the game. We’ve got details on the gameplay, guns and maps of Counter Strike Global Offensive.

Global Offensive has been liked by some as an ‘incremental upgrade’ to the franchise rather than an entirely new game. The core concepts have changed very little, the game still pits a team of Counter Terrorism Agents against Terrorists forces on a variety of maps. Objective game plan such as defusing /placing bombs and rescuing hostages are still at the heart of Counter Strike.

Valve has changed how you will be arming yourself as well. Unlike Counter Strike and Counter Strike Source you no longer have unlimited money. Instead money is earned by the winning team and the amount of cash earned has been ramped down. Don’t expect to be wielding a high powered assault rifle within the first few rounds. Valve has confirmed that that game will ship with at least eight maps including Aztec, Dust 1 &2 and the classic office. Look for Counter Strike Global Offensive to ship sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

Underpass Gameplay

More Counter%2DStrike: Global Offensive Videos

Assassin's Creed Revelations Ultimate Bundle Revealed

Assassin's Creed fans who were hoping for something a little more flashy than the standard edition of Assassin's Creed: Revelations are in luck, GameStop has put up a listing for the Assassin's Creed Revelations Ultimate Collector's Edition

Ringing in at $99.99, the package includes a da Vinci Flying Machine which requires some assembly and a 7-inch Ezio figure, as well as the Signature Edition of the game, which includes a bonus mission, exclusive multiplayer characters, an animated film, 3 weapon upgrades, and the soundtrack. Of course, the all pre-orders are automatically upgraded to the Signature Edition, so you're effectively paying an extra $40 for an action figure and a toy glider.

Microsoft To Release Monster Hunter Bundle In Japan

Retailers may be ramping down promotion and orders for the Xbox 360 but Microsoft is fighting back. On September 28th a bundle will launch that combines the Xbox 360 250GB Slim with Capcom's latest lootfest Monster Hunter Frontier Online.

The redeemable code for Frontier Online allows players to play the game for free for a limited time and gives them some starting gear. Unlike other Monster Hunter games Frontier Online is not a single player experience. It is a multiplayer only endeavor complete with subscription fee.

Do you think that the Japanese Audiences will bite at Microsoft's latest offerings? The bundle will be priced at 29,800 YEN, which is the equivalent of $390 USD. To put things in to prospective some Japanese retailers have reported that the Halo Reach Slim Console, that was release just 12 months ago, can be found for as little as $120 USD.

SSX Gameplay Trailer Shows Off RiderNet Functions

The GamesCom media blitz continues with a trailer for EA's upcoming snowboarding game, SSX. The trailer, embedded below, shows off gameplay footage and dedicates some time to the RiderNet feature , which allows for the player to race against the "ghost" characters of friends, compete in global events, and track and share data between players:

Full Roster for NBAs Greatest in NBA 2K12

2K Sports announced today the complete lineup of 15 NBA legends that will be available in “NBA’s Greatest” mode, an all-new playable game feature for the next installment of the top-rated and best-selling NBA video game simulation franchise, NBA 2K12. For the first time, gamers will be able to take control of some of the most iconic players in NBA history, such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Julius Irving, and pit them against other classic and modern-day teams to create NBA dream matchups.

Each of these 15 basketball legends has been meticulously recreated with an uncanny level of detail, including period-specific depictions of their arenas, team uniforms, signature moves, and even historically accurate broadcast presentation styles in NBA 2K12. Gamers will now tap into the legacy of these legendary athletes by utilizing their signature moves, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s unstoppable skyhook, to rule the virtual hardwood.

“Fans across the country were ecstatic to see Jordan, Bird, and Magic on the cover of NBA 2K12, and have speculated for weeks about who would fill out the rest of the ‘NBA’s Greatest’ roster,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “These 15 legendary athletes will allow sports fanatics to create the NBA’s most storied matchups – and lock in bragging rights for their favorite teams in NBA 2K12.”

“NBA’s Greatest” legends in NBA 2K12 include:

* Kareem Abdul-Jabbar;
* Larry Bird;
* Wilt Chamberlain;
* Julius Erving;
* Patrick Ewing;
* Magic Johnson;
* Michael Jordan;
* Karl Malone;
* Hakeem Olajuwon;
* Scottie Pippen;
* Oscar Robertson;
* Bill Russell;
* John Stockton;
* Isiah Thomas;
* Jerry West.

Bonus Gift with Purchase – Customers who purchase their copy of NBA 2K12 for the Xbox 360 will receive two bonus, historic NBA teams featuring their own NBA greats – the 1990-91 Golden State Warriors and the 2001-02 Sacramento Kings. Bonus content will be available on launch orders only, while supplies last.

Duel Of The Planewalkers 2012 Gets DLC

Fans of Wizard of The Coasts' downloadable Magic The Gather - Duel of the Planewalkers 2012 will be pleased to know that a new batch of downloadable content was announced for the game today.

Titled "Ascend into Darkness", the downloadable content includes a variety of new features, such as 17 new campaign levels for the single player portion of the game, three new playable card decks, additional cards for the decks found in the base game, and an Archenemy mode for both local and online multiplayer where three players face off against another player whose power has been boosted.

The game is set for an early fall release and while no price was announced for this bit of downloadable content, it is probably going to be cheaper than buying the non-digital decks would be.

Dishonored Screenshots Released!

A PR contact of mine just sent along these shots of their recently-announced game Dishonored. It's a stealth action game and from these first couple of shots I am intrigued. The filename for the dudes on stilts (I originally thought they were flying) is "tallboys." Hmm, interesting stuff. Anyways, here are the shots!

Killbane & the Luchadores Star in Latest Saints Row The Third Trailer

Saints Row: The Third is already shaping up to be one of the crazier titles of the year as illustrated by the latest trailer from THQ's upcoming open-worlder. The "Killbane & the Luchadores" trailer introduces players to one of the Saints' deadliest rivals, which just happens to be a bunch of pro wrestlers with access to heavy weaponry. Naturally.

Check out the trailer below, and let us know in the comments if you're planning on picking up Saints Row: The Third when it lands on November 15.

Sonic Generations Screens & Trailer

Sega has released a brand new trailer for Sonic Generations. This latest trailer repeats most of the information we already knew about the game. Generations will feature two different styles of play including sidescrolling levels as Classic Sonic and Sonic Adventure style levels as Modern Sonic.

Along with the trail Sega also released several new screenshots. We already knew that the game would open with a level inspired by the dolphin filled beachfront from the original Sonic Adventure. The latest trailer shows off the previously revealed City Escape level as well as the return of a Sonic 2 classic, the Chemical Plant Zone.

Check out the trailer and screenshots below. Are you looking forward to Sonic Generations?

FanPowered Madden NFL 12 Club 100 Campaign

EA SPORTS, ESPN.com and SportsNation are once again giving fans an opportunity to make their voices heard in Madden NFL 12 leading up to the game’s release on August 30. At the stroke of midnight on Monday, August 22, fans will be able to log onto ESPN.com to vote for the five athletes that will be bestowed the coveted 100 rating in five distinct Madden NFL 12 categories in a campaign entitled Club 100.

Each day from August 22-26, SportsNation.com will unveil a new skill category to vote amongst five candidates, each of which is highly debatable among NFL fans and Madden players. The categories include: Throw Accuracy, Elusiveness, Hit Power, Spectacular Catch and Speed. The winning athlete in each category will be announced on SportsNation on Friday, August 26 and their 100 rating will be added to Madden NFL 12 via downloadable roster update* during the opening week of the NFL regular season.

Much like the Madden NFL 12 Cover Vote, Club 100 will involve a variety of promotions across ESPN platforms. Leading up to and throughout the week of voting, exclusive Club 100 content will be featured on SportsNation, SportsNation.com and through their social media pages including Facebook, Twitter (with the hashtag #Club100) and YouTube. Content featured on ESPN.com will include a live comments section, video and other exclusive web content. Fans on the go will also be able to vote via ESPN Mobile.

Driver San Francisco Multiplayer Demo Now Available

Ubisoft announced today that a multi-player demo of Driver San Francisco for the Xbox 360 is now available in North America.

The multi-player demo features 2 competitive online modes:

• Tag - Up to six players compete to be the first to score 100 points. Points are awarded by holding the ‘tag.’ The match starts with the ‘tag’ being held by an AI vehicle. The ‘tag’ is passed between players by colliding with the ‘tag’ vehicle. The game mode has a time limit of 6 minutes. The player who reaches the 100 point score limit first, or has the highest score after 6 minutes have elapsed, wins the match.

• Trailblazer - Up to six players compete to be the first to score 100 points. Points are earned by staying in the yellow trails of the AI controlled trailblazer car (highlighted in yellow) as it drives a pre-determined route through the city. Staying in the trails will turn them blue to indicate that the player is scoring. The game mode also has a time limit of 6 minutes. The player who reaches the 100 point score limit first, or has the highest score after 6 minutes have elapsed, wins the match.

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 single and multi-player demos of Driver San Francisco are now available on Xbox LIVE® and PlayStation® Network for download in North America.

Driver San Francisco will ship in North America on September 6, 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii™. For more information go to http://www.driver-game.com.

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine Dev Diary #3

If Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is on your "to buy" list for the next month, then you'll want to check out Relic Entertainment's latest developer diary video. Direct your attention down a few pixels to find out more about the cinematic approach that Relic has taken when dealing with Space Marine's plot and action sequences. And of course, in among all the talking heads you'll find fresh gameplay and cut-scene footage from the game itself.

Check it out below. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is due to land September 6, marking the start of the gaming silly season that'll continue through until the end of November.

This Week's Top Halo Reach Kills from IGN

It's the end of the week, and that means another Halo: Reach kill compilation video from IGN showing off a smattering of funny, ridiculous and generally awesome takedowns from the past week of gameplay. Take a peek below...

UK Retailer GAME Gives Fans Early Access To Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 will be making its playable debut to the public in just a few short weeks in the United States. For those who live abroad this might feel like a bit of snub but have no fears United Kingdom residents retailer GAME has got your back.

Activision will be on hand with a demo version of the popular first person shooter between September 16th and 18th. GAMEfest is GAME's yearly consumer orientated showcase. Some of the biggest titles of this fall will be there including Gears of War 3, Battlefield 3, Need For Speed On The Run and Dark Souls. For those in the Birmingham area the event is held at Halls 9 and 9 of the National Exhibition Center.

Modern Warfare 3 Is Scheduled To Be Released On November 8th.

Black Ops Gets Rezurrection Behind The Scenes Trailer

In the latest trailer for the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection DLC, Treyarch talks about how and why they created a DLC focused on the Zombies mode. Of course, if just learning isn't your thing, the trailer also contains our first look at the Moon level, which takes place on, well, the moon. Which means, yes, you get to see a zombie explode from depressurization:

Batman Arkham City Gets T for Teen Rating from ESRB

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has gotten around to rating Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham City, giving the upcoming bat-'em-up a T for Teen rating, according to reports from IGN 360.

Here's a summary of the ESRB's ratings reports for Arkham City. On the whole, nothing significantly more risqué than the original... Content Descriptors:
Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence

Rating Summary:
This is an action-adventure game featuring characters from the Batman franchise. Players assume the role of Batman as he investigates Arkham City, a neighborhood overrun by psychopathic criminals and former prison inmates. As players explore the city and infiltrate hideouts, they punch and kick criminals in melee-style combat, using various gadgets (e.g., explosive gel, smoke pellets, a grappling gun) to defend themselves against gun-wielding thugs and villains. The frenetic combat is highlighted by cries of pain, punching sounds, realistic gunfire, and slow-motion effects. In some sequences, players must solve puzzles or use stealth to incapacitate enemies and free hostages; when players fail a challenge, the hostage will lose his life. Some environments contain bloodstains on the floor or furniture; other cutscenes depict spots of blood on injured characters. During the course of the game, some female characters are dressed in form-fitting outfits that expose large amounts of cleavage; one background sign depicts the silhouette of a woman and the words "Live Nude." The dialogue also contains some suggestive references (e.g., "The anger, the frustration, the hints of repressed sexual tension" and "Sure could go for some porn right now."). One sequence depicts a character smoking a cigar, and there are various references to alcohol (e.g., "She got a little drunk and killed her classmates," "I'd give anything for a nice cold beer right now."). The words "b*tch," "a*s," and "bastard" can be heard in dialogue.