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Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)‘Kick-Ass’ Star Chloe Moretz Is One Of 10 To Watch In 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Skate 3 Downtown Dev. Diary #1
SKATE 3 features an all-new co-op mode where teammates can complete challenges together while advancing each other’s careers. From rewarding epic bails and fails with a beefed up Hall of Meat mode to honing your craft with the all-new skate.School, players of all skill levels have multiple ways to “kill it” in the game. The franchise also continues to raise the bar for user created content with the "skate.Create" feature suite, an innovative toolset that empowers gamers to truly express their skate style by creating their own graphics, videos, and skate parks.
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Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)‘Kick-Ass’ Star Chloe Moretz Is One Of 10 To Watch In 2010
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Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)‘Kick-Ass’ Star Chloe Moretz Is One Of 10 To Watch In 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
New Lead and Gold Screens
Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West features intense gunfights in beautifully rendered Western settings. Incorporating the unique Synergy system, which encourages cooperation and team tactics to achieve a maximum gameplay experience and rewards, Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West calls upon players to team up to relive the excitement, danger, and mystery of the Wild West.
‘A-Team’ Director Joe Carnahan Is One Of 10 To Watch In 2010Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)
‘A-Team’ Director Joe Carnahan Is One Of 10 To Watch In 2010Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)
NinjaBee Announces Keflings Followup
IGN reports that Kingdom for Keflings developers Ninjabee have confirmed that they're in development on the follow up, A World for Keflings. The original game gained attention as one of the first titles to feature Xbox Avatars in a prominent way. Via IGN:
"A World of Keflings is much more than a sequel," said Steve Taylor, President of NinjaBee. "It's a new game with a ton of new features, including some innovative ideas that stand out from both Live Arcade and full retail games. A World of Keflings also has a new story focus, with new exotic lands, characters, quests, buildings, customization options, and a lot more."
A World of Keflings will release on the Xbox Live Marketplace this year.
Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)‘Tron Legacy’ Director Joseph Kosinski Raves About 3-D And Daft Punk
"A World of Keflings is much more than a sequel," said Steve Taylor, President of NinjaBee. "It's a new game with a ton of new features, including some innovative ideas that stand out from both Live Arcade and full retail games. A World of Keflings also has a new story focus, with new exotic lands, characters, quests, buildings, customization options, and a lot more."
A World of Keflings will release on the Xbox Live Marketplace this year.
Xbox Live This Week Death and Vandals (1/19/10)‘Tron Legacy’ Director Joseph Kosinski Raves About 3-D And Daft Punk
Xbox Live This Week Caterina and Zombies (1/27/10)
This week on Xbox Live, we've only got one full-fledged Live Arcade release, the so-unknown-Major-frigging-Nelson-had-nothing-on-it word puzzle game KrissX, for 800 MS Points ($10.00 USD). We should have a review up for it later this week. I think.
Otherwise, it's all existing content and Games on Demand on Xbox Live this week. This week's Deal is Portal: Still Alive for 800 MS Points ($10.00 USD). This is the slightly barebones XBLA release of the world's finest first person puzzle game. From our Portal review:
"I can’t imagine the emptiness your life has been up to this point without having experienced the joys of the Companion Cube or the awesome song over the end credits. Portal: Still Alive is your chance to set your life right."
What do you mean you haven't played Portal?
Meanwhile, the seminal (and incredibly difficult) zombie shopping mall simulator Dead Rising debuts on the Games on Demand marketplace this week for $19.99 USD. From our Dead Rising review:
" Dead Rising is a game that takes the tried and true survival horror genre and turns it on its head. It melds brand-new gameplay ideas – and there really are a ton of new ideas to enjoy – with a B-movie style storyline that does an admirable job of keeping players engulfed in the strange goings-on in the Williamette Parkview Mall. It’s part Grand Theft Auto, part Resident Evil, and part Dawn of the Dead. The best news? Despite taking so many ambitious chances in the game’s design, it’s still great fun to play from beginning to end. And isn’t that what gaming is all about? "
Yes those are short shorts, and yes that's a bench he's swinging.
Also on Games on Demand this week is Ensemble Studios' console RTS swan song Halo Wars for $29.99 USD. From our Halo Wars review:
"Since that’s what RTS’s have always felt like to me, Halo Wars feels like the ultimate backyard battle with my friends, provided we had action figure versions of every last vehicle and character in the Halo universe. Since that’s somewhat impossible, we have a video game to realize our adolescent dreams. One heck of a video game, I might add."
It's like playing army mens with Halo toys.
In DLC news this week, the Pinball FX Excalibur Table releases today for 240 MS Points ($3.00 USD), and tomorrow sees the release of the first Assassin’s Creed II DLC, the "Battle of Forli," for 320 MS Points ($4.00 USD). While the story elements of the DLC are welcome (Caterina Sforza is expanded upon in very entertaining ways), things aren't all red wine and celebrations. From our AC2 DLC impressions:
"From a gameplay perspective, the Battle of Forli is sloppy. The missions in the DLC are all combat with little variation, save for a spectacularly broken chase sequence (or two), and the combat encounters in question don't feel very well planned out. There were repeated occasions where allies died well out of my sight in a confined area with little warning, and the sorts of combat arenas encounters took place in felt clunky and unnecessarily difficult to navigate."
And that's it for this week. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to play some Dante's Inferno.
Halo 3 Mythic Maps Releasing on XBLA Next Month‘Creation’: Natural Man, By Kurt Loder
Otherwise, it's all existing content and Games on Demand on Xbox Live this week. This week's Deal is Portal: Still Alive for 800 MS Points ($10.00 USD). This is the slightly barebones XBLA release of the world's finest first person puzzle game. From our Portal review:
"I can’t imagine the emptiness your life has been up to this point without having experienced the joys of the Companion Cube or the awesome song over the end credits. Portal: Still Alive is your chance to set your life right."
What do you mean you haven't played Portal?
Meanwhile, the seminal (and incredibly difficult) zombie shopping mall simulator Dead Rising debuts on the Games on Demand marketplace this week for $19.99 USD. From our Dead Rising review:
" Dead Rising is a game that takes the tried and true survival horror genre and turns it on its head. It melds brand-new gameplay ideas – and there really are a ton of new ideas to enjoy – with a B-movie style storyline that does an admirable job of keeping players engulfed in the strange goings-on in the Williamette Parkview Mall. It’s part Grand Theft Auto, part Resident Evil, and part Dawn of the Dead. The best news? Despite taking so many ambitious chances in the game’s design, it’s still great fun to play from beginning to end. And isn’t that what gaming is all about? "
Yes those are short shorts, and yes that's a bench he's swinging.
Also on Games on Demand this week is Ensemble Studios' console RTS swan song Halo Wars for $29.99 USD. From our Halo Wars review:
"Since that’s what RTS’s have always felt like to me, Halo Wars feels like the ultimate backyard battle with my friends, provided we had action figure versions of every last vehicle and character in the Halo universe. Since that’s somewhat impossible, we have a video game to realize our adolescent dreams. One heck of a video game, I might add."
It's like playing army mens with Halo toys.
In DLC news this week, the Pinball FX Excalibur Table releases today for 240 MS Points ($3.00 USD), and tomorrow sees the release of the first Assassin’s Creed II DLC, the "Battle of Forli," for 320 MS Points ($4.00 USD). While the story elements of the DLC are welcome (Caterina Sforza is expanded upon in very entertaining ways), things aren't all red wine and celebrations. From our AC2 DLC impressions:
"From a gameplay perspective, the Battle of Forli is sloppy. The missions in the DLC are all combat with little variation, save for a spectacularly broken chase sequence (or two), and the combat encounters in question don't feel very well planned out. There were repeated occasions where allies died well out of my sight in a confined area with little warning, and the sorts of combat arenas encounters took place in felt clunky and unnecessarily difficult to navigate."
And that's it for this week. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to play some Dante's Inferno.
Halo 3 Mythic Maps Releasing on XBLA Next Month‘Creation’: Natural Man, By Kurt Loder
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
MX vs ATV Soundtrack Announced
THQ Inc. today announced the official soundtrack for MX vs. ATVTM ReflexTM, the latest edition to the multimillion unit-selling franchise, is now available for purchase and download at online retailers worldwide. The soundtrack, helmed by renowned music industry veteran Raymond Herrera (Fear Factory, Arkaea) through his company, 3volution Productions, unites a powerful blend of original, hard hitting creations with the game's cutting edge features, including intuitive, dual-stick control and real-time terrain deformation. In addition, the soundtrack is compatible with most MP3 players (including with iPod®), iTunes® and Windows Media Player.
Recorded at Temple Studios in Chatsworth, Calif., which Herrera co-owns and operates with B-Real (Cypress Hill), the soundtrack came to fruition through collaboration between Herrera, his industry colleagues and the team at THQ's Rainbow Studios. The end result impressively reflects a variety of heavier music styles, with influences such as Killswitch Engage, Soilwork, Corrosion of Conformity and Fear Factory. Collaborators on the MX vs. ATV Reflex soundtrack included Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory, Arkaea), Jon Howard (Threat Signal/Arkaea), heavy music industry professionals Jeff Kendrick and Mike Spreitzer, as well as emerging hip-hop artist Young De.
"The MX vs. ATV Reflex soundtrack is a perfect example of great synergy between the right music and a compelling gameplay experience," said THQ Vice President of Global Brand Management Brian Coleman. "The overall product is certain to have appeal with a widespread audience of game enthusiasts, off-road fans and mainstream consumers."
"We wanted the soundtrack for MX vs. ATV Reflex to sound like a full-fledged album, and as a long-time fan of Motocross, it was great to help add the realism to this already amazing game and franchise," said Herrera. "All in all, it was a fun project to work on, and the end result sounds great - especially every time I play the game!"
The MX vs. ATV Reflex official soundtrack list is as follows:
"Pressure Plate" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Nac Nac" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Aftermarket" (Robert Cote)
"Holeshot" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"50 Ft. Drop" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Pilot Jet" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Terrain" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Devil's Swingarm" (Dave Lowmiller)
"Wheels In Motion" (Robert Cote)
"Scraping the Can" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Machined From Billet" (Dave Lowmiller)
"Silencer" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Accelerate" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
‘Tron Legacy’ Director Joseph Kosinski Raves About 3-D And Daft PunkLeft 4 Dead 2 Moves 2 Million Units
Recorded at Temple Studios in Chatsworth, Calif., which Herrera co-owns and operates with B-Real (Cypress Hill), the soundtrack came to fruition through collaboration between Herrera, his industry colleagues and the team at THQ's Rainbow Studios. The end result impressively reflects a variety of heavier music styles, with influences such as Killswitch Engage, Soilwork, Corrosion of Conformity and Fear Factory. Collaborators on the MX vs. ATV Reflex soundtrack included Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory, Arkaea), Jon Howard (Threat Signal/Arkaea), heavy music industry professionals Jeff Kendrick and Mike Spreitzer, as well as emerging hip-hop artist Young De.
"The MX vs. ATV Reflex soundtrack is a perfect example of great synergy between the right music and a compelling gameplay experience," said THQ Vice President of Global Brand Management Brian Coleman. "The overall product is certain to have appeal with a widespread audience of game enthusiasts, off-road fans and mainstream consumers."
"We wanted the soundtrack for MX vs. ATV Reflex to sound like a full-fledged album, and as a long-time fan of Motocross, it was great to help add the realism to this already amazing game and franchise," said Herrera. "All in all, it was a fun project to work on, and the end result sounds great - especially every time I play the game!"
The MX vs. ATV Reflex official soundtrack list is as follows:
"Pressure Plate" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Nac Nac" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Aftermarket" (Robert Cote)
"Holeshot" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"50 Ft. Drop" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Pilot Jet" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Terrain" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Devil's Swingarm" (Dave Lowmiller)
"Wheels In Motion" (Robert Cote)
"Scraping the Can" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Machined From Billet" (Dave Lowmiller)
"Silencer" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
"Accelerate" (3volution featuring Raymond Herrera)
‘Tron Legacy’ Director Joseph Kosinski Raves About 3-D And Daft PunkLeft 4 Dead 2 Moves 2 Million Units
Monday, January 25, 2010
Doritos and Microsoft Announce "Unlock Xbox" Finalists
The Doritos brand today announced that "Avatar Crash Course" and "Harm's Way," unique game concepts created by Jill Robertson of Raleigh, NC and Justin Carpenter of Ogden, Utah, respectively, are the two remaining finalists of the Doritos "Unlock Xbox" challenge. The games now will be developed into full Xbox LIVE® Arcade games, expected to be released in fall 2010 where they will compete head-to-head for the contest's grand prize -a $50,000 cash reward and an opportunity to consult with Doritos on gaming.
This marks the second time PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has brokered a partnership between the Doritos brand and Microsoft to provide video game enthusiasts the creative challenge of a lifetime and the opportunity to play a lead role in developing a video game based on their own ideas and inspiration.
Robertson and Carpenter now will collaborate with Xbox 360 and a renowned development team to turn their visions into reality. Once both games are completed, they will become available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the premier destination for downloadable games, where one grand prize winner will be crowned based on the number of votes they receive. The entire process will be turned into an online documentary video series that fans will be able to watch by visiting www.UnlockXbox.com.
"We continue to be amazed by the creativity of Doritos fans and feel like we are once again on the brink of creating blockbuster gaming experiences that we hope Xbox fans will enjoy," said Rudy Wilson, vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay. "It was incredible to see the consumer voting community rally around a wide range of innovative game ideas, and we are thrilled to offer our fans a chance to live their dream and create their own Xbox LIVE Arcade game."
Both games, along with runner-up game "Thrown," a concept by Jason Santa Maria of San Diego, CA, were narrowed down from 1,500 unique game ideas submitted in the fall of 2009. Eight quarter-finalists were selected and fans voted online for their favorites based on video pitches made to Microsoft. In early January, the field was narrowed to the top-three contenders, who then traveled to Seattle for one final pitch to executives from Microsoft and Doritos, where the selection of the final two was made.
Robertson's "Avatar Crash Course" is high-energy fun for everyone. Full of comical mishaps, players maneuver their avatars through ruthless obstacles and crazy levels as they battle to be number one. Great as a casual party game, "Avatar Crash Course" also can be enjoyed in multiplayer mode with up to four friends. Or, go for the challenge of playing solo and try to level up and beat your best times through the campaign, fighting to achieve the best time and get the gold. Either way, you'll have a chance to get great power-ups, such as shoes to run faster and a belt that improves balance.
Carpenter's "Harms Way" is a fast-paced, action-packed race that pairs up drivers and snipers, offering various game modes to choose from. As a sniper, players will help their driver win by any means necessary doing anything from blocking an opponent's path to creating shortcuts that earn nitrous. When you're the driver, players will want to be aggressive and ram the other cars off the road. Enjoy four-player split screens, online play and plenty of explosions. Unlock Xbox is one of many ways the Doritos brand continues to turn control over to consumers. The brand's commitment to fan-empowerment began with the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" program, which started in 2007 and has turned the brand's Super Bowl advertising over to its fans every year. In addition, the brand has put consumers in control through a variety of other exciting opportunities, including the Doritos "X-13D Flavor Experiment," where consumers had a chance to name a new mysterious flavor of chips; "THE QUEST," which engaged fans in a multi-faceted online and real-world adventure of challenges; and "Doritos Late Night," which provided Doritos fans ground-breaking virtual musical performances by blink-182 and Big Boi through the power of augmented reality technology where fans could enjoy and control the performances in the palm of their hand.
Xbox Live This Week Keflings and Hazards and NutsNew ‘Iron Man 2′ Trailer Features Whiplash, Black Widow, War Machine
This marks the second time PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has brokered a partnership between the Doritos brand and Microsoft to provide video game enthusiasts the creative challenge of a lifetime and the opportunity to play a lead role in developing a video game based on their own ideas and inspiration.
Robertson and Carpenter now will collaborate with Xbox 360 and a renowned development team to turn their visions into reality. Once both games are completed, they will become available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the premier destination for downloadable games, where one grand prize winner will be crowned based on the number of votes they receive. The entire process will be turned into an online documentary video series that fans will be able to watch by visiting www.UnlockXbox.com.
"We continue to be amazed by the creativity of Doritos fans and feel like we are once again on the brink of creating blockbuster gaming experiences that we hope Xbox fans will enjoy," said Rudy Wilson, vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay. "It was incredible to see the consumer voting community rally around a wide range of innovative game ideas, and we are thrilled to offer our fans a chance to live their dream and create their own Xbox LIVE Arcade game."
Both games, along with runner-up game "Thrown," a concept by Jason Santa Maria of San Diego, CA, were narrowed down from 1,500 unique game ideas submitted in the fall of 2009. Eight quarter-finalists were selected and fans voted online for their favorites based on video pitches made to Microsoft. In early January, the field was narrowed to the top-three contenders, who then traveled to Seattle for one final pitch to executives from Microsoft and Doritos, where the selection of the final two was made.
Robertson's "Avatar Crash Course" is high-energy fun for everyone. Full of comical mishaps, players maneuver their avatars through ruthless obstacles and crazy levels as they battle to be number one. Great as a casual party game, "Avatar Crash Course" also can be enjoyed in multiplayer mode with up to four friends. Or, go for the challenge of playing solo and try to level up and beat your best times through the campaign, fighting to achieve the best time and get the gold. Either way, you'll have a chance to get great power-ups, such as shoes to run faster and a belt that improves balance.
Carpenter's "Harms Way" is a fast-paced, action-packed race that pairs up drivers and snipers, offering various game modes to choose from. As a sniper, players will help their driver win by any means necessary doing anything from blocking an opponent's path to creating shortcuts that earn nitrous. When you're the driver, players will want to be aggressive and ram the other cars off the road. Enjoy four-player split screens, online play and plenty of explosions. Unlock Xbox is one of many ways the Doritos brand continues to turn control over to consumers. The brand's commitment to fan-empowerment began with the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" program, which started in 2007 and has turned the brand's Super Bowl advertising over to its fans every year. In addition, the brand has put consumers in control through a variety of other exciting opportunities, including the Doritos "X-13D Flavor Experiment," where consumers had a chance to name a new mysterious flavor of chips; "THE QUEST," which engaged fans in a multi-faceted online and real-world adventure of challenges; and "Doritos Late Night," which provided Doritos fans ground-breaking virtual musical performances by blink-182 and Big Boi through the power of augmented reality technology where fans could enjoy and control the performances in the palm of their hand.
Xbox Live This Week Keflings and Hazards and NutsNew ‘Iron Man 2′ Trailer Features Whiplash, Black Widow, War Machine
Friday, January 22, 2010
Ben 10 Coming to XBLA
Konami Digital Entertainment and Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) announced today that Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex, the latest next-generation installment for the popular Cartoon Network original series, will be available in Q1 2010 on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and on Nintendo WiiwareTM. Utilizing the all-powerful Omnitrix, Ben sets forth to battle a new threat to Earth with 10 alien transformations in the franchise's first ever-downloadable game for home consoles.
"The console downloadable gaming space is such an amazing frontier to bring content to gamers of all ages," said Careen Yapp, VP Acquisitions and Franchise Development for Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "We are fully supporting the online community with a Ben 10 Alien Force game that features the high-energy action and adventure from the series. With new characters and the extensive content, we believe Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex will be one of the most coveted downloadable titles this year."
"We are excited to partner with Konami to introduce Ben 10 to the downloadable games market and are confident that Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex will deliver on the same exciting experience fans have come to expect from Ben," said Christina Miller, senior vice president, CNE. "This will be a great addition to an already successful interactive program that includes multiple console titles and on-line games available on CN.com."
Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex is an action-puzzle platformer where gamers play as Ben Tennyson with the ability to transform into 10 different aliens. Utilizing the powers of the Omnitrix players will set out to battle a new threat to Earth. Players transform into Swampfire, Brainstorm, Big Chill, Humongousaur, Echo Echo, Chromastone, Jetray, Spider Monkey, Goop and Lodestar to defeat Hex and his minions, with many surprises along the way. Players will have to utilize each alien during pivotal points in the game to take advantage of their special abilities and unique attributes. Players battle through 15 levels of fast-paced action and alien-specific puzzles to reach the final fight to save the Earth from destruction.
Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex will be released for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Nintendo WiiWareTM in the first quarter of 2010.
Modern Warfare 2 “Javelin” Fix Comes FridayZoe Saldana Reveals The Secrets Behind Her ‘Avatar’ Alien
"The console downloadable gaming space is such an amazing frontier to bring content to gamers of all ages," said Careen Yapp, VP Acquisitions and Franchise Development for Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "We are fully supporting the online community with a Ben 10 Alien Force game that features the high-energy action and adventure from the series. With new characters and the extensive content, we believe Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex will be one of the most coveted downloadable titles this year."
"We are excited to partner with Konami to introduce Ben 10 to the downloadable games market and are confident that Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex will deliver on the same exciting experience fans have come to expect from Ben," said Christina Miller, senior vice president, CNE. "This will be a great addition to an already successful interactive program that includes multiple console titles and on-line games available on CN.com."
Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex is an action-puzzle platformer where gamers play as Ben Tennyson with the ability to transform into 10 different aliens. Utilizing the powers of the Omnitrix players will set out to battle a new threat to Earth. Players transform into Swampfire, Brainstorm, Big Chill, Humongousaur, Echo Echo, Chromastone, Jetray, Spider Monkey, Goop and Lodestar to defeat Hex and his minions, with many surprises along the way. Players will have to utilize each alien during pivotal points in the game to take advantage of their special abilities and unique attributes. Players battle through 15 levels of fast-paced action and alien-specific puzzles to reach the final fight to save the Earth from destruction.
Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex will be released for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Nintendo WiiWareTM in the first quarter of 2010.
Modern Warfare 2 “Javelin” Fix Comes FridayZoe Saldana Reveals The Secrets Behind Her ‘Avatar’ Alien
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