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
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
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!
I remember spending hours at the Golden Saucer in Final Fantasy 7!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, October 28, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, October 24, 2011
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.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, October 21, 2011
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."
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."
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, October 17, 2011
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 .
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 .
Sunday, October 16, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, October 14, 2011
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.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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
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
Monday, October 10, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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
Read Our Review
Saturday, October 8, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, October 7, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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
Read Our Review
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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.
Monday, October 3, 2011
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
-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
Sunday, October 2, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
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.
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