Bungie's latest Weekly Update confirms the arrival of some new Halo 3 Achievements but these aren’t the only achievements they will be adding.
Inevitably, this will be blown out of context, misread and misunderstood, but let’s do it anyway.
For a number of reasons ranging from obvious to sublime, Title Update 2 (which is the new, hip, Xbox 360-version way of saying “Auto Update” or “Patch”), introduces new Achievements to Halo 3. Last weekend at Penny-Arcade Expo we played Assembly on the TU2, which meant that folks would see and buzz about the new achievements. These will be made live when TU2 turns on later this month - the previously announced date may slip a bit closer to the Halo 3 one-year anniversary.
Here’s a look at these achievements which can be earned via the Legendary Maps and Halo 3 Campaign:
Vidmaster Challenge: Lightswitch (0 points) – Get to the rank of Lieutenant in any playlist in the new EXP progression system.
Vidmaster Challenge: 7 on 7 (0 points) – Enter into any ranked or social playlist with 7 EXP on the 7th of the month.
Vidmaster Challenge: Annual (0 points) – After 9/25/08, complete Halo on 4-player Legendary LIVE co-op, with Iron, and everyone in Ghosts.
Double Double (25 points) – On a Legendary map, get two Double Kills during any ranked or social match.
Poor Yorick (25 points) – On a Legendary map, get 3 Oddball melee kills during any ranked or social match.
Came…From…Behind (50 points) – On a Legendary map, get 3 assassinations during any ranked or social match.
Defend This (50 points) – On a Legendary map, get a flag melee kill during any ranked or social match.
Flag Dropped (25 points) – On a Legendary map, get 2 flag carrier kills during any ranked or social match.
Road Rage (25 points) – On a Legendary map, get 5 Warthog chaingun kills during any ranked or social match.
Look Both Ways (50 points) – On a Legendary map, get a Splatter Spree during any ranked or social match.
As folks have seen, these aren’t the only achievements we’re adding. But without proper context, there’s not a whole lot else we’re going to say. Stay tuned.
The guys from xbox360fanboy.com have received word from a source close to Microsoft's marketing department that a new $199 360 SKU with motion controller bundle is about to be announced shortly.
The rumoured motion controller will work with all 360 consoles and will even be sold separately, bundled with an even more expansive list of mini motion controlled games
According to the source, Microsoft will be positioning the Arcade bundle to be in direct competition with the Wii, meaning that the marketing push behind it will focus on family friendly entertainment. With family oriented games on the packaging, the Arcade console will come packaged with the traditional Arcade goodies (512MB memory card, etc.), the new Fall update pre-loaded as well as a motion controller and a few motion controlled mini games developed by Rare. That's right, a motion controller! This new $199 Xbox 360 Arcade bundle is said to release Holiday 2008.
File this all under rumors'ville for now, but don't totally discredit the information. $199 Arcade's are sounding very likely and, with Microsoft's push to undercut the Wii, matching the Wii's motion controls sounds like a total possibility. We'll just have to wait and see.
A new Google Tech Talks presentation is now online which involves "The Xbox 360 Security System and its Weaknesses". The tech talk also covers the Xbox 1 Console and many other facets of hardware and software security.
After the disaster of the original Xbox, Microsoft put a lot of effort in designing what is probably the most sophisticated consumer hardware security system to date. We present its design, its implementation, its weaknesses, how it was hacked, and how to do it better next time.
Speaker: Michael Steil
Michael Steil has been involved with various embedded systems hacking projects, like the Xbox, the Xbox 360 and the GameCube. In 2006, he has spoken at Google about the flaws in the security system of the original Xbox.
Speaker: Felix Domke
Felix Domke is the principal author of the Xbox 360 hack and the Linux port. He has also significantly contributed to hacking the dbox2, the GameCube and the Wii, and porting Linux to the respective platforms.
With Ubisoft Confirming an October 24th Release Date for Far Cry 2 i was thinking we should have a peek at what all the guys will be getting if they decide to spend the extra cash for the collectors edition of this game, i must admit that this is not a bad looking set considering some games are just including the DLC and calling it the collectors edition.
The following information is the press release from Ubisoft: Ubisoft announced that Far Cry® 2 will be released on October 24th throughout all EMEA territories on the 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows® PC.
“Far Cry® 2 is an amazing journey that will take you to the darkest places of Africa where each player will choose how they play. This will provide gamers with an unprecedented experience in the FPS genre”. John Parkes, EMEA Marketing Director.
To celebrate the release of Far Cry® 2, Ubisoft is happy to unveil the Far Cry® 2 Collectors’ Edition that will include:
Exclusive wooden box
Original Far Cry® 2 Game
Limited edition Far Cry® 2 t-shirt
“The Art of Far Cry® 2” Art book
Collector 50km˛ map
Making-of DVD
Far Cry 2 Collectors’ Edition is now available for pre-order at GameStop and game.co.uk
For a limited time only (well, until the end of October) the Marketplace is running an ‘Extended Play Download Days’ promotion which is offering some pretty good savings on some of the more popular DLC.
Here is a list of all the content, the new pricing and the savings:
With the new price drop on the 360 hitting more folks can now get there hands on this killer console now, with the Xbox 360 price falling again in the US and the price drop that hit japan not so long ago the question is will they get a drop in Europeans and why does it always seem that With the new price drop on the 360 hitting more folks can now get there hands on this killer console now, with the Xbox 360 price falling again in the US and the price drop that hit japan not so long ago the question is will they get a drop in European and why does it always seem that Europe is always the last to get anything from Microsoft?
Xbox 360 Arcade $199 / Xbox 360 $299 / Xbox 360 Elite $399
The Press release reads as follows: Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies from Netflix, live out their musical fantasies through Rock Band 2 and Lips, star in their own Hollywood classics with You're in the Movies, or have the power to never miss the latest episode of Heroes—all from one device, starting at $199.*
Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone.
That device is Xbox 360®, and today Microsoft announced lower retail prices for the gaming and entertainment console in the United States, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE® service. Beginning September 5, Xbox 360 Arcade retails for the estimated price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99, and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.
Industry Milestone
"We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry."
No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone.
History shows that more than 75 percent of all console sales happen after the price falls below the $200 mark. For millions of consumers who have been waiting for the perfect time to buy an Xbox 360 console, their moment has finally arrived. At $199, Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone with the most dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences available.
Digital Entertainment Powerhouse
Xbox 360 Arcade plus a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix subscription costs $100 less than 12 months of digital cable. Xbox 360 invites everyone into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows can be enjoyed live side-by-side with your personal pictures and music library.
No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone. Music lovers can play new games such as Lips, the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing along to your own music collection.**
If you're ready to rock and roll, Guitar Hero® World Tour and Rock Band 2 let you virtually step into the shoes of your favorite bands. Enjoy family-friendly games such as the big-screen movie-maker You're in the Movies and blockbusters such as Gears of War® 2, the biggest entertainment event of this holiday season. With Xbox LIVE Arcade, downloadable games are available that the entire family can enjoy—titles such as Braid, Castle Crashers, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, and UNO®.***
Hi-Def Movies and TV Shows
Whether you want access to streaming movies and TV shows or a library of high-definition content, it's on Xbox 360. Starting this fall, Xbox 360 is the only game console to offer instant streaming of more than 12,000 feature films and television shows from Netflix.****
In addition, the Xbox LIVE Video store has more than twice as many hours of high-definition (HD) movies and TV shows than the nearest competitor.***** Download your favorite TV shows such as 30 Rock, The Office, and House, or even get a little old school with episodes of The A-Team. If it's movies you want, check out the latest blockbusters and the best in family films, cult classics, horror and much more, all available through Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360.
Robert Bowling is the Director of Communications / Community Manager for the award winning video game development studio Infinity Ward; the team behind the 2007 Game of the Year Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has posted a blog on fourzerotwo.com about an upcoming double XP weekend and we got the low down on all this for you right here.
Robert Bowlings post reads as follows: "Back from PAX means back to work, and while it’s a short week thanks to Labor Day it’s the one time I wish it wasn’t because I have a lot of stuff to get done. I’m currently working on getting everything organized and together for an upcoming Xbox Live / PSN promotion we have coming up the weekend of Sept. 12th - 14th. Which isn’t this weekend, but next weekend. I will have exact details on what it is in the near future but I have a gut feeling it’ll have Double XP attached to it for all those hungry for some power-leveling on Call of Duty 4.
Currently working on designing some Xbox Live banners to promote it on the marketplace and attempting to get everything together for it on our end. This promotion is technically unrelated to the new Playlists, but I won’t lie that my hope is to finish them up in time so that we can make it all one big promotion. How epic would that be? Our awesome QA team and producers are helping me push hard to make it happen by the weekend of the big promotion, no promises, but as always I’ll keep you updated on the progress."
So there you have it guys and girls, oil up your guns and lace your boots tight for some major damage.
In a teamxbox report that hit today you will find one hell of a long list of DLC that will be making its way to Live, in all we are looking at around 18 packs in all for you to download so with that said lets get down to this massive list of content and all it will offer you in your gaming experience.
Below is the description and price for each downloadable content:
Content: Free Gel Set
Price: Free
Description: An introductory free download. A set of Gels that will come in handy during early stages of the game. *This can only be purchased once.
Content: Trial Skill Pack: Estelle
Price: Free
Description: Skills for Estelle. Will learn: Defend, Resist, Recover, Item Thrower, Backstep and EXP Share.
Content: Trial Skill Pack: Yuri
Price: Free
Description: Skills for Yuri. Will learn: Strength, Vitality, Recover, Item Thrower, Backstep and EXP Share.
Content: Trial Synthesis Kit
Price: Free
Description: A pack with synthesis material. This is a trial package. (Medical Herb, Soul Grass, Gel Base, Magic Resin) x 10 *This can only be purchased once.
Content: Recipe Set: Parameter Boost
Price: 100 Microsoft Points
Description: If you need to boost your parameters, why don't you try these dishes? They come with the ingredients too. (Salisbury Steak, Pork Stew, Kebab Sandwich, Sukiyaki, Fish with Miso Sauce, Sashimi, Seafood Bowl, Sushi, Fried Chicken and Fries, Scottish Egg, Croquette, Okonomiyaki, Tempura, Minestrone Soup, Miso Soup, Clam Chowder, Vichyssoise, Pork Miso Soup, Salad, Japanese Stew, Vegetable Stir Fry, Soup Noodles) *Can also be obtained in the game.
Content: Camping Kit
Price: 100 Microsoft Points
Description: A pack of camping items. It doesn't only recover your health but...?! *Can also be obtained in the game. *This can only be purchased once.
Select read more to see the full list of DLC for this game.
At first look i took this as the next cut of Ninja Gaiden only to find it was a new game all together,While we have very little details for this new game what i can offer to you is this very clean looking teaser trailer that was being shown at the Japanese Xbox 360 conference thats going on now.
The best i can do is to tell you to keep an eye out for it in 09.
You know the drill boys and girls, Battlefield: Bad Company needs your vote so you dont end up with the COD4 situation ware everyone pays ten bucks for some maps and then complains about them, as for me i love all the new maps for COD4 but with Battlefield: Bad Company you can get what you want as long as you vote.
Just head over to badcompany.ea.com (link at the bottom) and cast your vote now, site details are as follows here: "Cast your vote on one out of the six single player levels that you liked the most, and you might be able to play it online in Conquest mode in the near future. The top two maps chosen by our community will be included in the upcoming map pack, along with two additional maps that DICE chose. So vote for your favorite map now, and cross your fingers that everyone else will be voting for your favorite map as well. Press the button below to open up the poll. Last day to make your voice heard is Tuesday September 2nd."
Guests: 621 | 
Members: 14
Digg It!
GameGrep It!
According to the source, Microsoft will be positioning the Arcade bundle to be in direct competition with the Wii, meaning that the marketing push behind it will focus on family friendly entertainment. With family oriented games on the packaging, the Arcade console will come packaged with the traditional Arcade goodies (512MB memory card, etc.), the new Fall update pre-loaded as well as a motion controller and a few motion controlled mini games developed by Rare. That's right, a motion controller! This new $199 Xbox 360 Arcade bundle is said to release Holiday 2008.
