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