All Entries Tagged With: "marketplace"

The Xbox Live Community Decides the Fate of Gears of War 3 Character Carmine

In the upcoming sci-fi third person shooter/action title Gears of War 3 gamers of the Xbox Live variety will actually be able to decide the fate of the rookie character known as Carmine. Clayton Carmine is the full name, don’t wear it out. This rookie or otherwise known as “noob” character will be making his appearance in the third installment of the series on Xbox 360 and have the chance to actually survive through it unlike his previous rookie peers Anthony and Ben. In order to cast your vote for death or life in the fate of this man gamers will have the chance to buy Xbox Live avatar clothing such as a black shirt reading “Save Carmine” or a red shirt that says “Carmine Must Die”. As the winner of over 30 “Game of the Year” awards, this title is one that many shooter fans are clamoring for and is probably on everybody’s holiday wish list (even if you aren’t the biggest Epic Games fan). These digital shirts will be on sale in the Xbox Live Marketplace starting July 29th.

In addition to this special offering of fan input and avatar gear Epic Games is also letting the attendees of Comic Con be ‘among the first’ to check out Beast Mode for Gears of War 3 hands-on at the Xbox booth where Cliff Bleszinski, Rod Fergusson, and Karen Traviss will be on deck to sign their name to your heart’s content. At the NECA booth there will also be real life versions of the shirts sold. Sounds like an interesting day for Gears fans.

Will Call of Duty MMO Trigger Cross-Platform Activision Network?

[Feel free to chime in with your own opinions in the comments section once you've read through mine and give us your raw reaction to this revolutionary way of thinking for the Call of Duty franchise. Keep in mind, this is not just about being able to play with each other across other systems, although that is the main idea, but also the huge evolution that Call of Duty could experience as a result and how it could re-ignite the passion that a few of us gamers have lost with playing the series.]

With the realization of one monumental cross-platform feature after another in the video games industry it only makes sense that the big dog should share in the innovation that is taking place on services like Steam, which now allows Mac gamers to pair up with Windows PC gamers for a good time, and of course Sony Online Entertainment’s upcoming DC Universe Online allowing PC/PS3 gamers to unite. Who can forget past miracles like Final Fantasy XI allowing PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360 gamers to play together.

Recently Activision echoed the sentiments that a good portion of Xbox Live users primarily play Call of Duty games as their main title on the online service, or as their only title in some cases. Beyond this there have also been talks for some time now about making Call of Duty a subscription-based game in future iterations, this would likely include an expansive re-think of the franchise which could very well add a lot to the game experience being offered.

Taking all of this into account, one thing that has always annoyed me as a gamer is the fact that I have to go out and buy another system if I want to play video games with a friend who only owns one or the other. In the case of Call of Duty we have PC gamers, PS3 gamers, and Xbox 360 gamers and if you want to play with these crowds you must own each machine respectively.

Not only is this a hindrance for gamers and their convenience/ability to play with friends online enjoying the game series, it is also a huge missed opportunity for Activision, and I believe they have realized this as well. The company states that over 75% of their profit is made without the help of gaming consoles, this is a scary statistic to anyone who prefers gaming on these consoles but we need to stop and think about how much better this game could be on the console before becoming worried that it’s all about PC/consumer devices for future COD games.

Worms 2 Armageddon Gets Battle Pack DLC on XBLA (Trailer w/Game-play)

Team 17 is best known for their cult classic franchise Worms which they have brought back to the joy of fans worldwide with Worms on Xbox 360 bringing the game back to its 2D roots on Microsoft’s XBLA (and later iPhone, PS3, and others). Team 17 then decided to keep this momentum going releasing Worms 2 Armageddon a new title influenced by fan-favorite Worms Armageddon from back in the hay day of PC gaming. Now that experience expands with the Battle Pack DLC pack which adds a lot to your experience for only 400 MS Points. Hit the break for the trailer (featuring snippets of game-play) and details of this expansion available now in the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Early UFC Undisputed 2010 Demo for Community Members is Now Available

If you have been a part of the UFC Undisputed 2010 community web-site (or join today) early access to the demo is now yours. A redeem code for either PSN or Xbox Live will be given to members who will get to experience Exhibition Mode, and challenge friends offline in Tournament Mode. Hit the link here and sign up now if you haven’t already for your early demo.

Blur Beta Walkthrough Trailer

Have you downloaded the Blur multiplayer beta? Well, if you couldn’t, now you can. For a limited time, the Blur multiplayer beta is available to download on the Xbox Live marketplace. It is exclusively for Xbox Live gold members only. Check out the trailer to see just what exactly is getting people so excited about Blur.

Forza Motorsport 3 ‘Road & Track Car Pack’ Available Now

Today, Turn 10 Studios has released the ‘Road & Track Car Pack’ for Forza Motorsport 3. The DLC pack is priced at 400 Microsoft Points ($5) and can be found on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Fans of Forza should go and download this now!

Resident Evil 5: Lost in Nightmares DLC Released

The new add-on for Resident Evil 5 has released!  You can download it today on Xbox Live and tomorrow on PlayStation Store.  In this pack you will play through new storyline content alluded to in Single Player cut-scenes during Resident Evil 5.

2010 Announced Xbox 360 Blockbusters

Microsoft has announced a 2010 lineup that will make even the most laid back gamer drool with excitement. With all the excitement that 2009 brought, it looks as though 2010 will be even bigger and better. Leave it to Microsoft to lay out the gauntlet early and make Sony sweat a little. Here is the list and it looks to be a heaveyweight one at that. Prerpare yourself gamers, 2010 is taking no prisoners.

“2010 is shaping up to be the biggest year ever for Xbox 360,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Across the portfolio, we have an unparalleled lineup of blockbuster games and exclusive experiences, the likes of which have never been seen before.” Beginning in January, Xbox 360 will deliver month after month with the most celebrated game franchises and exclusive experiences of the year, including:

2010 Announced Xbox 360 Blockbusters and Exclusives (in alphabetical order):

• Alan Wake – Nightmares come to life in this gripping psychological action thriller from Remedy Entertainment, exclusively on Xbox 360. Join writer Alan Wake as he combats dark forces to solve the mystery behind his wife’s disappearance, with light as his only ally.
• BioShock 2 – Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original “BioShock,” you are the very first Big Daddy as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city of Rapture, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers to preserve your own survival.
• Crackdown 2 – Featuring over-the-top action, a massive living world, unprecedented online and multiplayer capabilities, and stylish graphics, “Crackdown 2” offers complete freedom to explore, destroy, and restore justice to Pacific City – by any means necessary… only on Xbox 360.
• Fable III – Return to Albion five decades after your last heroic adventure and experience an action-packed journey that will take you from revolutionary to ruler. As you ascend to the throne as king or queen, you will be called upon to make choices and sacrifices that will test your morality but can have significant impacts on your entire kingdom. Experience the next chapter in the famed “Fable” series exclusively on Xbox 360.
• Final Fantasy XIII – The latest installment in the world-renowned “Final Fantasy” series, which has shipped over 85 million units worldwide, will make its first-ever release on Xbox 360 in the U.S. and Europe.
• Game Room on Xbox LIVE – Relive the glory days of classic arcade and console games in their original forms. Your avatar will take part in the original sights, sounds and gameplay that will make these retro games come alive on your Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC in one fast, fun experience.
• Halo: Reach – Step into the boots of an elite Spartan soldier in the most prolific “Halo” game yet, exclusively on Xbox 360. Experience the blockbuster prequel to the award winning “Halo” trilogy, as mankind takes a heroic stand to defend the planet Reach, its people and secrets against the ruthless alien Covenant.
• Lips: Party Classics – Featuring 40 songs that everyone loves to sing from artists like the Spice Girls, KISS, Village People, Gloria Gaynor, The B-52’s and more, “Lips: Party Classics” will offer USB microphone compatibility for even more singing flexibility. This party can only be found on Xbox 360.
• Lost Planet 2 – The all-new sequel to the two million-plus selling action shooter will offer deeper insight into the world of E.D.N. III and the uncertain future of mankind. The extensive multiplayer campaign mode comes with the ability to form teams of up to 4 players on Xbox LIVE to clear mission objectives with friends.
• Mass Effect 2 – In this second act of BioWare’s epic space saga, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal.
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction – Unleash the skills of your inner renegade spy in this highly anticipated sequel to the multimillion-selling “Splinter Cell” series, one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox exclusive franchises of all time.
• Toy Soldiers – Poised to be a smash hit on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Toy Soldiers” is an action-packed strategy-based game in which players are cast into a fantastic, miniature world where antique toy soldiers fight for survival in vintage WWI dioramas.
• Scrap Metal – Drift around corners with guns blazing and take out competitors in the fast-paced, top-down racer “Scrap Metal.” Fight your way through explosive, action-packed missions, defeat cunning bosses, or jump on Xbox LIVE to race against your friends, exclusively on Xbox 360.
• 2010 Announced Blockbuster Xbox 360 Game Add-ons:
• Forza Motorsport 3 Game Add-ons – 2009’s best racing game is getting even better! “Forza Motorsport 3” is still growing with monthly Game Add-on car packs, offering players fresh experiences and more cars to tune, paint, share and drive.
• Left 4 Dead 2 The Passing Game Add-on – The first game add-on for the co-operative zombie thriller, “Left 4 Dead 2” (“L4D2”), brings the original “Left 4 Dead” survivors down south for a meeting with the “L4D2” cast, while delivering new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay exclusively for Xbox 360 and the PC.
• Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Map Pack* – The first content packs for this award-winning title and biggest entertainment launch ever will be available exclusively first on Xbox 360. *Timed exclusive

With all the great gaming and add ons coming our way in 2010, we may be in for one of the busiest years yet. And hopefully for the developers, alot of profit to keep the great games coming.

Buy a Pet for Your 360 Avatar

Xbox LIVE Marketplace opens up a pet shop tomorrow with pets priced at 240 Microsoft points ($3) each. You want the pet you were never able to have? Or maybe you want your real life pets to share in your 360 experience? Well, now you can do it. You will be able to choose from a large dog, pug dog, dog in bag, cat, siamese cat, long haired cat, goldfish, guinea pig, monkey, bird, snake and even a pony for those who pwn. Personally, I’m going to wait for the liger download… it’s only my favorite animal.

Yes, you can haz Pony [Major Nelson]

Fable 3 to Feature In-Game Store

During his BAFTA lecture yesterday, Lionhead Studios boss Peter Molyneux announced plans to add an in-game store to the sequel of one of their most known series, Fable III. The store, he said, would be used for purchasing items like weapons, armor, FAQs, and anything else that might just require some Fable related downloading.

As a fan of the series, I am more than curious to see how this system will turn out. Personally, I find it a bit awkward being that the Xbox Live Marketplace already does this, and has done this since its inception. Why Molyneux needs another “system” embedded in the game to perform the same functions that their current console of choice supports is more perplexing than anything I can fathom. However, I’m not going to belittle the man’s vision – I welcome the new “in-game store” with open arms. I’m just a bit curious to see how this thing will pan out.