Stretch Your Entertainment Dollar with Special Offer from Xbox 360

$50 Rebate Offered with the Purchase of Xbox 360 Elite through Oct. 5

Beginning today through Oct. 5, when you purchase an Xbox 360 Elite for $299, Xbox 360 will put $50 back into your pocket with a limited-time rebate. Coupled with the recent price drop of the Xbox 360 Elite console, this offer makes your premium games and entertainment experience more affordable than ever.

Xbox 360 Elite puts all your entertainment in one place so you can play games, watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, and, coming this fall, keep up with your Twitter and Facebook social circles, all from your living room. Additionally, with a Netflix unlimited membership and an Xbox LIVE Gold Membership you can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix, recommend your favorite shows and share in a movie party night with up to 7 friends — all on Xbox LIVE.

And, as announced earlier this year, the Xbox 360 you buy today will work with “Project Natal” and controller-free gaming in the future.

You may be eligible for the $50 Mail-in rebate when you purchase an Xbox 360 Elite in the U.S. between Sept. 22 and Oct. 5. Visit www.xbox.com/eliterebate/ for more details and rebate requirements.

Forza Motorsport 3 Goes Gold and Announces Xbox LIVE Demo on Sept. 24

The white flag waves as “Forza Motorsport 3” has Gone Gold, entering its final lap before launching on Oct. 22 in Asia, Oct. 23 in Europe and Oct. 27 in North America exclusively on Xbox 360. To mark the occasion, Microsoft and Turn 10 today confirmed that a demo of the highly anticipated title will arrive on Xbox LIVE Marketplace starting Sept. 24.

The new demo lets you get behind the wheel of five of the world’s most amazing cars on the full circuit of the game’s Camino Viejo track. The demo includes five playable cars:

· 2007 Porsche #80 Flying Lizard 911 GT3-RSR

· 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro

· 2009 Ferrari California

· 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR

· 2009 Mini John Cooper Works

You will be able to drive all of the cars in the demo in full cock-pit view as well as experience damage, rollover and try out the game’s new rewind feature as you take turns on a beautiful Spanish mountain course inspired by the Montserrat region just outside of Barcelona, Spain. When logged into Xbox LIVE, the demo will also support official leaderboards for lap times, giving you a further taste of what players will experience in “Forza Motorsport 3.”

With today’s Gone Gold announcement and the recent announcements around the fan-designed R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro and the exclusive Limited Collector’s Edition available only at GameStop (which includes 10 exclusive bonus cars, VIP community status, and more), there has never been a better time to pre-order “Forza Motorsport 3.”

See you at the finish line.

Also check out the new Forza avatar clothes.

Halo-themed Avatar clothes spotted

According to Joystiq, Select individuals have been seen sporting Halo-themed Avatar clothing and more recently, with fine young gentleman Randy No Arms being the latest spotted. It makes sense, considering the guy works for Microsoft, but are these new duds a part of the Avatar rewards beta, or is this the Avatar marketplace at work? Regardless, we're totally jealous he's sporting a slew of Halo-branded clothes, including a hat emblazoned with the UNSC symbol, a shirt with a pair of crossed energy swords, and a nice pair of khaki shorts with the Spartan helmet on the left leg.

No word yet on when these will be made available to the public, but the days of every piece of clothing being free might end soon.

What do you think about the new up coming Avatar marketplace and rewards?

Project Natal

The news of Natal has been out for some time now... I know, But now that the news has had some time to sink in, what do you think about the project?

I personally think it has potential.

Incase you have been under a rock Project Natal, is Microsoft's motion-detecting camera with built-in microphone, debuted at E3 2009 at the Microsoft Press Conference.

NEW Gears Of War 2 DLC!

All Fronts Collection Unleashes New Campaign and Multiplayer

Gears of War® 2, the entertainment blockbuster of 2008, has surpassed five million copies sold worldwide and the overall Gears of War franchise sales have eclipsed the eleven million unit mark. The momentum doesn't stop there—to commemorate these milestones, Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games will unleash the Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection, a value-packed compilation that combines all previous Gears of War 2 game add-ons with brand new multiplayer and campaign content for $19.99. Available only at retail, the new collection invades store shelves worldwide on July 28 in LIVE-enabled regions.

A brand new campaign chapter is included.

Included in the Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection is the Gears of War 2: Dark Corners game add-on, which features seven new multiplayer maps, plus a deleted campaign chapter called Road to Ruin. In this exclusive episode, Marcus and Dom return to Locust Hollow in a scene that can be played two ways, guns blazing or in all-new stealth mode.

Put the cool premium theme on your dashboard.

Map Details
Seven brand-new multiplayer maps are included in the Dark Corners add-on.

* Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.
* Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Put your flank formation and evasive skills to the test as you fight to control the Boomshot.
* Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.
* War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, you will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher, and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.
* Highway: Take the fight deep into Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it'll be a one-way trip.
* Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and "processing" are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it's better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.
* Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travellers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

As if that wasn't enough, the All Fronts Collection also contains every Gears of War 2 game add-on released to date on Marketplace, including the classic Flashback Map Pack, volatile Combustible Map Pack and the winter-themed Snowblind Map Pack.

Start blasting on the explosive new maps.

Also included is an introduction to Road to Ruin from Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, along with a custom Xbox LIVE® theme, collectible Gears of War 2 poster, plus a strategy guide. Containing over 3,600 Microsoft Points worth of great stuff, the Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection is an incredible value at $19.99.

Are you already enjoying the previously released collection of map packs? Available simultaneously with launch of the All Fronts Collection, the Dark Corners game add-on will be available separately for 1,600 MS Points via download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

See the Future with New Fable II Add-on

The future of Albion awaits discovery! In the latest game add-on for Fable® II , the award-winning role-playing game that has sold more than 2.6 million copies worldwide, get ready to encounter challenges unlike anything your hero has faced before.

The new quest provides a vision of Albion's future.

Available in May exclusively on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace, Microsoft and Lionhead Studios keep the Fable II adventures going in See the Future, an action-packed journey that requires you to lift the curses placed on three mysterious items that have come into the possession of Murgo the Trader.

In See the Future, heed the call for a hero to restore color and balance to the world, or let Albion fall to the wayside. Those who emerge victorious will receive the ultimate reward—a quest that provides a vision of Albion's future and what lies ahead for those born into the heroic bloodline. The fantastical new quests in See the Future will bring you face to face with new characters, creatures, events and legendary artifacts.

Get ready to meet new characters and creatures.

Murgo

Remember him from the childhood sequence of Fable II? Murgo returns to Bowerstone Market to bring an amazing array of new wares, including potions that can transform canine companions into new breeds.

The Ghosts of the Snowglobe Quest

Holding a disturbing secret, the small model village inside it was once a real town in Albion. The people who once inhabited it are now ghosts condemned to endless torment until the shadowy threat that cursed them is defeated.

The Cursed Knight Quest

Forever banished to a land beyond the dead, the Cursed Knight awaits a hero who has the strength and will to dress up in convincing costumes, even imitating a hobbe or balverine, to save him from his fate.

Colosseum

The Colosseum puts even the Crucible to shame. Only the greatest heroes have triumphed here. Your abilities will be put to the test to prove yourself in combat once and for all, to win the ultimate in prizes.

Return to Albion for a new adventure in May.

In addition, See the Future offers free unique items* to all, including Welley's soldier helmet and other clothing, a braided ponytail and other hairstyles, psycho Jester make-up, a new hero expression, the back flip trick for canine companions, and a collectible Murgo the Trader gold statue.

The Fable II: See the Future game add-on will be available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace in May for 560 Microsoft Points .

* The free content update must be manually downloaded from Xbox LIVE and will enable those who haven't purchased the See the Future premium content to continue the co-op action with their friends.

Resident Evil 5 Game Play

Do you feel that Resident Evil 5 game play is old and out dated?

They purposely make the controls slow and the view slightly askew to make you feel more pressure from the zombies.

It come off as frustrating more than anything else to me.

If they did make the controls more like say Gears of War, Halo, or Rainbow 6 Vagus, I don't think we would be having this conversation right now.

Don't get me wrong, I love Resident Evil games and own them all. Just not sure if I feel like handing my cash over for this game with controls that just seem off par.

Do you feel the same way? Do you like the controls the way they are? Talk about it here.

Halo Wars Review

Game Spot: 6.5 OVERALL

Halo Wars is a fun strategy outing for fans of the universe, but it feels simplistic and short alongside other games in the genre.

The Good

* Superb selection of UNSC and Covenant forces
* Easy to play once you grasp the controls
* Engaging storyline and cutscenes
* Good mission variety through campaign mode.

The Bad

* Covenant not playable in campaign mode, Flood not playable at all
* Small unit counts and map limit the scale of battles
* Very few multiplayer options.

Although Halo Wars can be rewarding and fun to play for a time, the short length of the single-player campaign and the lack of variety in the multiplayer ultimately leaves the game feeling unfinished and threadbare. It looks and sounds great, and it captures the essence of the series well, but there's not much else to keep you coming back once you've finished the short campaign and grown tired of playing multiplayer skirmishes between the two sides. It's good while it lasts, but it will appeal more to fans of Halo and casual RTS players than anyone looking for a deeply engrossing strategy game.

IGN: 8.4 Impressive OVERALL(out of 10 / not an average)

Closing Comments
Halo Wars deftly dodges between the hardcore micromanagement of real-time strategy and the instant gratification expected by Halo fans. Ensemble has nailed console RTS controls, but at the expense of some depth. The campaign missions often seem overly scripted and the experience doesn’t have the wide-open feel of some other RTSs. But the Halo feel is most definitely present, and serves as one of the game’s biggest strengths. The cinematic cutscenes are gorgeous, if the narrative is somewhat thin in places. Overall, Halo Wars is a fresh and expertly polished approach to the console strategy genre, and it’s a fitting goodbye from a beloved studio.

9.0 Presentation
Ensemble nailed the Halo vibe. Everything is slick and smooth, despite some pathfinding issues with larger vehicles.

8.5 Graphics
There’s some slowdown at times, especially when a lot of units are present, but the cutscenes are amazing and the environments shine.

9.0 Sound
The sound effects add serious weight to the experience, and Stephen Rippy’s soundtrack hits just the right note.

8.0 Gameplay
This isn’t your typical RTS, which may or may not be music to your ears. The missions are very straightforward, which subtracts depth. But there’s a nice tradeoff: The controls are great.

8.5 Lasting Appeal
The multiple difficulties, hidden skulls and secrets encourage multiple playthroughs. And the solid multiplayer, both online and off, is a ton of fun. Try Legendary if you fancy a challenge.


My Impression

Seems like mixed reviews for this game. Is this a case of you like it or hate it? I personally think that it is a casual RTS game, but has the best controls for an RTS game and is a lot of fun especially for Halo fans. I did feel a little shorted by the number of troops you can control in a match. I would have like to see more. Other than that I think this is an awesome RTS game.

I have played RTS games like the 3 Command and Conquer games for 360 and they were ok. They didn't have that fun factor to me. The controls took a lot of the fun out. The last two C&C games had nice graphics and some cool troops to control, but I could not get into them.

I guess if Halo Wars was not based from one of the best selling console games it would not be as good. I'm trying to picture Halo Wars with out the Halo factor. If Halo Wars came out before Halo would I still like it? I think I would, but it would have been a stroke of luck trying to get me to play it without having played the Halo series. RTS games don't have good raps on consoles. I think having Halo out before Halo Wars worked best for me.

Please feel free to comment and let me know what you think. Is IGN pumping up hype, is Game Spot being to cruel, or is this game what they say it is?

Street Fighter IV 2.17.09!

Mixing classic game mechanics that defined the genre with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter® IV brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over. With Capcom's latest advancements in new-generation technology, Street Fighter® IV delivers an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

Click here to go to Capcom's site for more info.

The Lost and Damned 2.17.09

The Lost and Damned will be available for download on February 17, 2009 exclusively from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. You can check out the screenshots from the new expansion by clicking image above.

Leeked Info on Halo Wars

I have images from the players manual of Halo Wars that shows the four other leaders and their special abilities and troops. Click Images to view larger.

Have you played the Halo Wars Demo?

If not what are you waiting for?

It's hands down the best RTS (real time strategy) game on a home console.

If your a Halo fan and you like RTS games you will love Halo Wars. If you don't like Halo and like RTS games you will still love this game.

At first I thought controls would have a big learning curve or just wouldn't fit for a home console, but I was proven wrong when I got my hands on the demo. They are perfect for this type of game.

I recommend playing threw the two tutorials first and then play a skirmish on easy to get a good understanding of things before jumping feet first into the normal difficulty setting.

Pleas tell me your experience with the demo. Did you like it? Would you buy the game? What didn't you like about it?

HALO 3 MYTHIC MAP PACK DETAILS REVEALED

Microsoft today revealed details around the final “Halo 3” map, Sandbox, which will be included in the “Halo 3” Mythic Map Pack. The Mythic map pack is a collection of three new “Halo 3” maps which will be available first with the Limited Collector’s Edition of “Halo Wars”, which releases Feb. 26 in Asia, Feb. 27 in Europe and March 3 in the Americas. With Ensemble Studios’ genre-defining strategy game “Halo Wars” releasing soon and amazing new maps arriving from Bungie for “Halo 3”, “Halo” fans have a lot to look forward to.

The three maps included in the pack are Sandbox, Assembly and Orbital.

Sandbox combines large-scale vehicular combat with a limitless amount of Forge customization. Boasting a tiered, open-world layout, “Halo 3” players will be able to build their own unique game experiences using the Forge map editor. Sandbox is a map unlike any Bungie has ever created.

Assembly is set in the heart of a Covenant Scarab manufacturing facility. With two identical bases on either side of this medium-sized map, it’s a perfect environment for both Slayer and objective games like Capture the Flag and Assault.

Orbital, a small asymmetrical map, is set in the docking station of the Quito Space Tether. One-sided games like One Flag, and One Bomb are sure to become quick fan-favorites, but the Slayer faithful will also find plenty of action on this battleground.

Be sure to check out www.xbox.com and www.bungie.net for all the latest information and screenshots of the new maps. You can also visit our press FTP site for more screenshots: Link

*Players will need a copy of “Halo 3” to play the Mythic Map Pack.

Info. from Gamerscore News

Don't Forget “Resident Evil 5” Demo!

“Resident Evil 5” Demo Available Exclusively on Xbox LIVE Today January 26th.

Xbox 360 is inviting members of Xbox LIVE to be among the first to get hands on with an exclusive, playable demo of the upcoming “Resident Evil 5,” available one week before anywhere else, starting today for Xbox LIVE Gold members.* The launch means that millions of Xbox LIVE members around the globe will get access to this special sneak peek before any other platform.
In preparation for the eagerly awaited arrival on Xbox 360, March 13th 2009, Resident Evil fans will be challenged to be the first to find the secret at www.Xbox.com/RE5, then head to www.residentevil.com/Kijuju to crack the code starting at the end of January.

As part of the demo launched today, fans will be able to get hands-on with new “Resident Evil 5” features including three new levels of single- and two player co-op play (limited to Gold members), characters, weapons and environments.  In this latest installment of the renowned survivor-horror franchise, returning “Resident Evil” hero Chris Redfield is joined by new partner Sheva Alomar to take on the frightening effects of the latest bioterrorist attack in the depths of Africa.

For more details, please visit: http://www.xbox.com/residentevil5 or http://www.residentevil.com.

* Available to Xbox LIVE Silver members from 01/29

XBOX LIVE PRESENTS $25,000 “13 DAYS OF GEARS” SWEEPSTAKES

Fans can register to win prizes every day for 13 days straight beginning Feb. 1 by playing “Gears of War 2” on Xbox LIVE

Microsoft Game Studios today announced “13 Days of Gears,” a special promotion that kicks off Feb. 1 in the U.S. where players can win fantastic prize packages every day for 13 straight days. Dozens of winners will be selected at random over the 13 day period to win “Gears of War” themed prize packages collectively worth over $25,000.

Registration for “13 Days of Gears” is now open and runs through Jan. 31 at www.xbox.com/wbgow and on Xbox LIVE. Players can register for the promotion through either method as well as access a variety of “Gears of War 2” content. Then from Feb. 1-13, all players need to do to be eligible for the day’s prizes is to play a match of the predetermined “Gears of War 2” multiplayer mode for that day. Thirteen Grand Prize packages will be awarded (one each day), consisting of:

• A Samsung 40” 1080p LCD HDTV
• An Xbox 360 Limited Edition Red Wireless Controller
• A Marcus Fenix bronze statue from Mindzeye Studios
• A life-size Locust drone maquette from TriForce Sales
• The “Gears of War 2” video game soundtrack from Sumthing Else
• The Gears of War Aspho Fields novel from Random House imprint, Del Rey
• Codes to download the golden Hammerburst and Lancer
• A “Gears of War 2” poster signed by members of the development team
In addition, five daily First Prizes will be awarded, which will include the soundtrack, novel, in-game golden weapons and a signed poster.

The “13 Days of Gears” sweepstakes schedule is below:

Date Multiplayer Game Mode
Sunday, Feb. 1 Annex
Monday, Feb. 2 Submission
Tuesday, Feb. 3 Execution
Wednesday, Feb 4. Horde
Thursday, Feb. 5 King of the Hill
Friday, Feb. 6 Guardian
Saturday, Feb. 7 Warzone
Sunday, Feb. 8 Wingman
Monday, Feb. 9 King of the Hill
Tuesday, Feb. 10 Wingman
Wednesday, Feb. 11 Wingman
Thursday, Feb. 12 Horde
Friday, Feb. 13 Horde

One of the top-selling games of holiday 2008,“Gears of War 2” is exclusively available on Xbox 360 and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.

For a full list of sweepstakes rules and to register, visit www.xbox.com/wbgow. For the latest updates on “Gears of War 2” visit www.GearsOfWar.com.

“HALO WARS” GOES GOLD

New video documentary series and Xbox LIVE demo details revealed

Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble Studios announced today that “Halo Wars,” the highly anticipated action strategy game based on the legendary “Halo” universe, is finished and sent to manufacturing! Created from the ground up for the Xbox 360 console and controller, “Halo Wars” combines a peerless control scheme and gameplay with an incredibly rich, epic story set 20 years prior to the story told in “Halo: Combat Evolved”. The result is a commanding experience that is a must-have for “Halo” fans and a title that is sure to become a classic amongst fans of strategy games.

As fans eagerly await launch day, a video documentary series announced today will explore defining themes of “Halo Wars” and give viewers a behind the scenes look at the game’s development and some of the people involved in its creation. The premier episode captures key elements that frame “Halo Wars” gameplay: the controls, perspective and strategy. The “Halo Wars” video documentary is available for download on Xbox LIVE and can be viewed at Xbox.com/Halo.

In addition, the recently announced Xbox LIVE public demo for “Halo Wars” will be available beginning on Feb. 5 at 2 a.m. PST in Xbox LIVE enabled regions worldwide. In the demo, players will be able master Ensemble’s groundbreaking control scheme in optional beginner and advanced tutorials or jump right into the action to experience the beginning of the “Halo Wars” story with the first two campaign missions. The demo will also include “Chasms,” one of “Halo Wars’” 14 multiplayer maps, wherein players can battle it out in Skirmish mode vs. A.I., playing either as the UNSC with Captain Cutter’s leader powers, or as the Covenant with the Prophet of Regret’s own unique abilities. Don’t forget to set your Xbox to download this demo!

“Halo Wars” is rated T for Teen exclusively on Xbox 360 with an M.S.R.P. of $59.99 for the Standard Edition and $79.99 for the Limited Collector’s Edition, which includes early access to the “Halo 3” Mythic Map Pack. For more information, visit Xbox.com/Halo or HaloWars.com.

By: Gamerscore News

Section 8 Updated Impressions

Some different twists on the first-person shooter.

by Nate Ahearn

January 21, 2009 - There's no question that first-person shooters governed by territorial acquisition have been done before -- just look to the Battlefield franchise for an example. Timegate is taking an inventive stab at the sub-genre with its first original intellectual property titled Section 8. It combines a potentially deep mythology -- a story of two warring factions in a distant future and one soldier's tale of remembrance and perseverance -- with reinvigorated, yet familiar gameplay mechanics.

For more info go to IGN.com

GTA IV: The Lost and Damned

The release of GTA IV: The Lost and Damned on February 17 is going to change the way people think about DLC. The standard for a DLC expansion pack is some new locations and a few new missions either shoved into a story already told or tacked on to its ending. But Rockstar has a unique vision for Liberty City. What if Liberty City--as fully detailed and realized a city as you'll find in a videogame--were a platform itself? What if the LC were a template where new games could be inserted? While The Lost & Damned features the same gameplay mechanics and storytelling style of GTA IV, it is as close to a full new game as I've seen for "add-on content."

Rockstar expects The Lost and Damned to take anywhere from 12-20 hours to complete. And that's just the single-player story. For $20 (1,600 MSP), L&D offers a full-fledged campaign, new locations, new mini-games (arm wrestling!), refined gameplay mechanics, new vehicles, new weapons, a hefty new soundtrack, new DJs, new TV shows, new Internet sites, and new multiplayer.

To access The Lost & Damned, boot up a copy of GTA IV and start a new game. You can now choose between GTA IV and L&D. Though both take place in Liberty City, the two are separate stories and separate game worlds, meaning you don't gain access to the new interiors in L&D if you're playing GTA IV. You can't take Niko into The Lost clubhouse to kill a bunch of bikers, sorry. Aside from the initial download, you won't need an Xbox Live connection to play L&D. Unlike some downloadable content, there's no online verification required. So if the 'net goes down, you can still take L&D for a spin.

For more info go to IGN.com

Halo Wars Trailer

Click play above to see the new Halo Wars Trailer

Copyright 2005-2008, Microsoft Corporation & Ensemble Studios

RESIDENT EVIL 5 DEMO PREMIERS EXCLUSIVELY ON XBOX 360 STARTING JANUARY 26

Gamerscore News

Xbox 360 gamers worldwide won’t have to wait until March 13, 2009 to get their hands on the highly-anticipated “Resident Evil 5.” The next installment of the landmark survival horror franchise from Capcom will take action to a new level with a two-level, playable demo available exclusively on Xbox 360 for one week beginning Monday, January 26.  In the demo, players will have a first glimpse of the fear they will never forget, as “Resident Evil 5” makes daylight just as terrifying as darkness. Additionally, a new exclusive high-definition trailer of the game, shown only at the past Tokyo Game Show in October of 2008, will be made available for download on the Xbox LIVE service on Friday, Jan. 16.

Fans will have the opportunity to experience “Resident Evil 5’s” revolutionary new features early, including two-player co-op with voice chat along with new characters, weapons and environments. The demo is set within two stages from the beginning of the game – Assembly Place and Shanty Town -- featuring plenty of co-operative action, shooting, hordes of bloodthirsty infected Majini enemies and a few puzzles to round out the action. The demo has three levels of co-op play: single-player with AI support, two-player split-screen on a single Xbox 360 and two-player across Xbox LIVE.

Xbox 360 gamers will also be first to take on the new enemies in battle, including an army of weapon-wielding infected Majini, the gigantic hooded Majini Executioner and even the dreaded Chainsaw Majini. Players can also choose between the classic “Resident Evil”-style controls or switch to the newer “Action” controls inspired by games like “Gears of War 2” and “Halo 3.”

In this hotly anticipated new title coming on March 13, Chris Redfield returns as the “Resident Evil” hero and heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures.  Joining forces with a new partner, Sheva Alomar, the two must work together to discover the truth behind this evil plot. Utilizing the new co-op mode, players will be able to assume control of either Chris or Sheva and experience “Resident Evil” in new ways.
  
For more details, please visit: http://www.xbox.com/residentevil5 or http://www.residentevil.com.

The Gamerscore News team is made up of Microsoft Xbox and Games for Windows Marketing employees.
 
Copyright 2005-2008, Microsoft Corporation

HALO WARS DEMO ANNOUNCED AT CES

Gamerscore News

Microsoft and Ensemble gave Halo and strategy game fans a reason to celebrate yesterday as Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, confirmed during his CES keynote presentation that the “Halo Wars” demo will launch Feb. 5 via Xbox LIVE. Additional details about the “Halo Wars” demo will be provided shortly.

Halo Wars will be available at retail as follows:

• Japan and Asia Pacific: Feb. 26
• Europe: Feb. 27
• US, Canada, Mexico and South America: March 3

The Gamerscore News team is made up of Microsoft Xbox and Games for Windows
Marketing employees.

Copyright 2005-2008, Microsoft Corporation

Castle Crashers DLC Tomorrow!!!

This Wednesday, January 14 Castle Crashers will see its first batch of downloadable content (theme and picture packs don't count) released in the form of the King Pack. It includes two new characters: Open Faced Grey Knight and The King who is the leader of the fearless knights. There's also a new spell called The King's Heal which heals everyone in your party (including your character). The Gold Sword is among three new weapons in the pack and, last but not least, there's a new animal orb named Pelter.

The King Pack releases on Wednesday, January 14 at 2 AM PST and will cost gamers 120 Microsoft Points (US $1.50).

Riddick is back!

Escape from Butcher Bay was a genuine sleeper hit, the quality and technical excellence of Starbreeze's Xbox adventure as unexpected as one of its titular hero's stealthy attacks. Some five years on and it looks like the Swedish developer has another shock up its sleeves; its follow-up, Assault on Dark Athena, has all the makings of being one of the surprise gems of 2009.

It’s aiming for a March 24 release date.

For full article go to IGN.com

Fable 2 Knothole Island Jan. 13th!

In the studio's eighth video documentary, Lionhead offers a glimpse into creating the highly-anticipated Knothole Island, which arrives to Xbox LIVE Jan. 13 worldwide

In addition to Knothole Island Jan. 13, fans everywhere will be able to enhance their "Fable II" experience with a free content update* exclusively available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The free update will grant players a handful of gifts from the fine people of Knothole Island and will enable those who haven't purchased Knothole Island downloadable content to continue the co-op action with their friends. Some of the fun items include: Knight's Boots, Assassins Gloves, a special Weight Loss Potion, a collectible silver book and more. The update will also enable players to check their standing in over 50 new Leaderboards on Lionhead.com.

As an additional post-holiday treat for "Fable II" fans, Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios have created an all-new Knothole Island Premium Theme for the New Xbox Experience, available for 250 Microsoft points. Voyage over to Xbox LIVE Marketplace to download the theme and check out Video Diary Episode 8.


Photos From Lionhead Studios

Sony badmouthing Xbox again

Sony Brands Xbox 360 as Too Expensive

Microsoft is accused of 'peddling add-ons' and being a financial 'burden.'
by Ryan Geddes

January 8, 2009 - Is the $399 price tag of the 80 GB PlayStation 3 getting you down? Not to worry – the system offers you more bang for your buck than a similar Xbox 360 or Wii setup would, according to Sony.

In a recent press release, the Sony marketing team brands the PS3 as the best deal in gaming, and blasts the Xbox 360 for being a "burden on the wallet."

"The Xbox 360 requires additional money, multiple upgrades and additional external devices," the release reads.

Comparing an 80GB PS3 at $399 and an Xbox 360 Arcade unit at USD $199, Sony makes the case that to upgrade the latter to include all the features of the former would cost USD $449 - $499. Comparing the two consoles' features, Sony says adding a wi-fi adapter ($100), hard drive ($100-$150) and an Xbox Live Gold membership ($50 a year) to the cost of an Xbox 360 Arcade would push its cost over $400.

The release did not compare Sony consoles with other Microsoft SKUs, including the Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a 120 GB hard drive for $399 and the Xbox 360 Pro unit, which features a 60 GB hard drive for $299.

But it's not just money that you'll lose if you pick an Xbox 360 over a PS3, in Sony's estimation. In addition to your hard-earned cash, you'll also be saying goodbye to valuable living room space. Sony accuses the Xbox 360 of requiring so many add-ons that it will "add clutter to the entertainment center."

The only unique Xbox 360 add-ons that we're aware of are the now-obsolete HD-DVD peripheral and the optional wi-fi adapter, which is about the size of a pack of gum and snaps snugly onto the back of the console. All other peripherals (controllers, cables, camera, chatpad, etc.) are similar for both Sony and Microsoft consoles.

The Xbox 360 bore the brunt of Sony's derision, but the Nintendo Wii didn't escape a beating. According to Sony marketing folks, "the Wii's lack of enhanced features comes at the expense of a comprehensive entertainment solution." Ouch.

What do you think about the comparative value of the three major game consoles? Is the Xbox 360 too expensive? Is the PlayStation 3 the best deal in town? Is the Wii a comprehensive entertainment solution? Let us know in the comments section.

This article found at IGN.com