Alan Wake 2 May Be In The Works... For Next Xbox

This should be fairly obvious, considering the ending of Alan Wake, but there appears to be a sequel in the making... just not for this generation. According to Joystiq, Xbox World magazine has reportedly stated that Remedy is indeed working on the much sought after sequel for the next gen console. Though no official word has been announced at this time (with respect to the next gen console not even existing yet) we can only hope that this is true.

As for the timing, I believe that the game will be a launch title, and hopefully a very successful one. The first game was great, and deserved better sales. I'm just glad that it's getting justice, and conclusion.

March 6th, 2012 - Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Release Date

The game with the quite possibly longest name in history, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is set to be released on March 6th, 2012, according to many outlets such as Gamefly, Walmart, Best buy and Futureshop. Even more recently, Ubisoft has OFFICIALLY announced the release date of the retailers to be correct. Way to ruin the surprise, retailers! I can't wait to use the weapon editor "Gunsmith" with the Kinect. 

The story will take place in a near future in Norway, the Middle East, and Asia where Russia went into war. The Ghosts will be fighting an ultra-nationalist force that took control of Russia and are invading neighboring countries on the deadliest missions behind enemy lines. The player will take control of a 4-man Ghost team consisting of a commando (Kozak), a sniper expert (Pepper), a reconnaissance expert (30k), and an engineer (Bones). The Wii and PSP versions have different storylines. 

The game is a third-person shooter for most of the game, except when aiming using sights, or when firing from cover, when the game switches to a first-person camera in order to facilitate more precise aiming. Cover can be partially destroyed, forcing the players to constantly seek other hiding spots. A new feature in the series is the "optical camouflage", a form of active camouflage which allows the Ghosts to become instantly invisible. According to the game designer Rafael Morado, the optical camo technology, however, is still a prototype and there are as many disadvantages as there are advantages and its use will initially be extremely limited. According to writer Gabrielle Shrager, it is also possible to control drones. During E3 2011 Ubisoft debuted the games weapon customizer. The system works with the Xbox Kinect and allows an unprecedented level of customization, down to the gas management parts of every gun. While customizing weapons, the player is also allowed to test their creations in a simulated environment. Voice control is also used in weapon creation, in addition to hand movements. Using Kinect, drawing a weapon is done by reaching a hand over your back, and pulling it back down, as if grabbing a gun from your back. Shooting is accomplished by opening the hand and closing it again.

Source: Ubisoft, Wikipedia

New Xbox 360 Dashboard Video

It appears that someone managed to take a video of the new, elusive Xbox Dashboard Interface, simply called the "New Dashboard". The new Metro UI looks pretty impressive, and a hell of a lot better than the current mess. It even shows full Kinect support. See you in hell, Kinect Hub! Look below for the video, courtesy of Engadget via Joystiq. The video is in French, but is muted. 

Source: Joystiq

Xbox Live Extravaganza

It would seem that Microsoft has decided to hold a huge sale called "Extreme Shopping". Better grab these games while the getting is good!

• Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter –
- 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Outland
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Yar's Revenge
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Islands of Wafku
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Trouble Witches Neo
– 400/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Bionic Commando: Rearmed
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Trials HD
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Shank
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Monday Night Combat
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Moon Diver
- 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Section 8 Prejudice
– 800 MS Points/$10 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Might & Magic Clash of Heroes
– 800 MS Points/$10 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale
– 800 MS Points/$10 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Blade Kitten
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• The Maw
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Star Raiders
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

Source: Xbox Live Marketplace / 

Microsoft Apologizes To Wrongfully Banned, Compensates

Rolling bans were felt all across the network for Xbox Live users between August 29th, and Stepember 9th. This affected only a small fraction of people, but is still inconvenient, nonetheless. Microsoft has issued an apology, and will be compensating the people who were affected with a modest gift. The people who were affected will receive 3 months of Xbox Live for free, as well as 1600MP to spend as they choose. 

Chances are, I can see some hard core nerd rage went on over a few weeks of COD Black Ops gaming being lost, and I don't think the gift will appease the angst of a 15 year old. It is generous of Microsoft though, since the total value of the gift is around $45-50 for just a few days of lost online gaming. 

Source: Joystiq

Xbox Live Deals Of The Week - September 13th

What great timing! I just started playing this game yesterday. This appears to be the only thing on this Xbox Live Marketplace Deals of the Week. 

1. 

   L.A. Noire

   L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass

   181

   • RELEASE DATE: 5/31/2011
   • GAME RATING: M (Mature)
   • GENRE: Action & Adventure
   • 640
   • 960

   
   

   
   

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Trailer

Possibly one of my favorite game series is getting a new release October 11th. Here is the trailer for Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. Warning, it's 10 minutes long.

The story is written by New York Times bestselling author Jim DeFelice, and takes place in the year 2015. Lieutenant Colonel William Bishop, Leader of the Warwolf Squadron, is part of the NATO-led 108th Task Force, who are on a mission to stop an anti-government insurgency that is sweeping throughout the African continent. The 108th Task Force is part of a large multinational military force in Africa that includes U.N. troops as well as Russian support forces. 

The team soon discover that the insurgents have a new type of super weapon called "Trinity", and that they are being aided by an infamous Russian ace pilot and mercenary, Colonel Andrei "Akula" Markov. The race to secure the super weapon begins and the conflict soon engulfs the rest of the world.

Source: Joystiq, Wikipedia

Xbox Live To Come To Windows 8

According to Major Nelsons blog, Xbox Live is coming to Windows 8. What exactly the cross-over is, and what this all means has yet to be announced. Speculation is that Microsoft is ridding themselves of the angst-ridden Games For Windows Live platform, and pushing the integration of all their services (Windows Mobile 7-8, Windows 8, and Xbox Live). Hopefully this means more cross-platform games for PC and Xbox 360. 

Here is a screenshot that shows Xbox LIVE on Windows 8

We are confirming that we will be bringing Xbox LIVE to the PC with Xbox LIVE on Windows. We are very excited about Xbox LIVE coming to Windows 8.  Xbox LIVE brings your games, music, movies, and TV shows to your favorite Microsoft and Windows devices.  Bringing Xbox LIVE to Windows 8 is part of our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy.  At BUILD we are showing that it is easy for developers to create games for Windows 8 that take advantage of the power of Xbox LIVE.  We have much more detail to share about the capabilities of Xbox LIVE on Windows and look forward to the opportunity to do so in the near future.

Source: Major Nelsons Blog

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Will Have Online Multiplayer

Konami's PSP remake of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition will feature online multiplayer through PSN and Xbox Live. This will act the same as any other Xbox Live or PSN game, in that you do not need to do any crazy PS3-PSP black magic to get it to work. the games will also run in 60 FPS, even with 4 players.

Source: Joystiq

Modern Warfare 3 Themed Xbox 360 Exposed

MjolnirX - Major Nelson has announced a new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3-themed Xbox 360. It will, of course, be the super-sized 320GB model, and will come with two themed wireless controllers. The Xbox also has custom sounds for powering on and opening the disc tray, like the now-delayed Star Wars-themed Xbox 360. If having a gun-metal gray console is going to clash with your carefully-selected TV stand in your Feng Shui-arranged house, fear not. The controllers will be available separately for $60, and will include download codes for in-game content not yet announced. 

Microsoft also announced an Xbox 360-themed Bluetooth headset which will be $70, and will also come with an exclusive download code for DLC. This may be to compete with Turtle Beach's themed headsets. The bundle also includes, of course, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and a month of free Xbox Live Gold. 

This monster bundle will cost $399, which isn't too bad of a deal, but it seems like a long way to go for a new, probably unnecessary console. It is due out on November 8th, 2011.  

Source: Major Nelson

Kinect Bundle Includes Child Of Eden For Limited Time

MjolnirX - Child of Eden, Capcom and Q-Entertainment's Kinect-based "On-Rails Shooter/Music Game" appears to be bundled with the stand-alone Kinect for a limited time. More official news from Major Nelson below:

Today we have announced we’re updating the Kinect Sensor bundle to include both Kinect Adventures and a download code for a free copy of Child of Eden. This new bundle will be priced the same as the current sensor bundle and will start appearing in stores next week in all Xbox LIVE regions (except Japan since Child of Eden has not been released there.) This bundle will be available in limited quantities and while supplies last so be sure to look for the special packaging above to make sure you’re getting Child of Eden!

permalink: http://majornelson.com/2011/08/30/kinect-sensor-bundle-announced/

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 Coming To PS3, 360

Castrum - The expansion for the sequel to one of the best Fighting Games in recent memory, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 (Electric Boogaloo?), is coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well as its original announced system, the PS Vita.

This new game will feature a new character, Relius, new online modes, and all the DLC from the previous console game (presumably, the DLC from Continuum Shift).

Source: Andriasang

Persona 4 Coming To PS Vita, Persona Fighting Game For Consoles On The Way

Castrum - According to the latest Famitsu (Japan's big gaming magazine), Persona 4 is coming to the PS Vita. This new version of the PS2 game will feature a new character named Mary, more voice-overs, and wireless functionality.

A new Fighting Game was also announced for Xbox 360 and PS3, called Persona 4: The Ultimate In Mayonaka Arena, being developed by the creators of BlazBlue.

Source: Andriasang

Xbox Live - Deals Of The Week: 08/30/11 - 09/06/11

MjolnirX - The Xbox Live Deals Of The Week for August 30th - September 6th. Enjoy!

1. 

   Gatling Gears

   4,692

   • RELEASE DATE: 6/20/2011
   • GAME RATING: E10 (Everyone 10+)
   • GENRE: Action & Adventure, Strategy & Simulation
     400
   • 800
2. 

   Full Game - Metal Arms™: Glitch in the System

   5,886

   • ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: 11/1/2003
   • GAME RATING: T (Teen)
   • GENRE: Action & Adventure
   • 800
   • 1200
3. 

   BioShock 2

   Minerva's Den

   1,170

   • RELEASE DATE: 8/31/2010
   • GAME RATING: M (Mature)
   • GENRE: Action & Adventure, Shooter
   • 400
   • 800

   
   
4. 

   Borderlands

   New Revolution

   1,922

   • RELEASE DATE: 9/28/2010
   • GAME RATING: M (Mature)
   • GENRE: Shooter
   • 400
   • 800

   
   

   
   

Gears Of War 3 Getting $30 Season Pass, First DLC In November

Castrum - Gears of War 3 will be getting an L.A. Noire-like Season Pass, available for $30 on Xbox Live, which grants access to the first four of GoW3's DLC from launch onwards. According to Microsoft, this will equate to a 33% discount compared to buying all four individually (which means each will cost 800 Points/$10 on their own, meaning you will save the cost of one entire DLC).

This pass goes up on Live on September 20th, and comes with a "Liquid Metal" weapon set. The first DLC in this pack will be released sometime in November.

Source: Joystiq

Wal-Mart Rollback For 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle An "Error"

MjolnirX - It seems Wal-Mart erroneously posted that the 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle had been "rolled back" to $249 (down from the standard $299). It is not a roll-back, but in fact just an error.

Wal-Mart has since released a notice stating:

We made a mistake in our advertising circular for Sunday, August 29 - Monday, September 5, 2011. On page 19, we advertised an Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect for $249. The price was mistakenly labeled as a rollback.

We will honor the $249 retail from Sunday, August 28 - Monday, September 5, 2011, while supplies last. We will not be able to offer rainchecks for this item.

We apologize for the error. We hate to cause you any confusion or inconvenience. We always appreciate your shopping with us and we look forward to saving you even more.  

Source: Joystiq

Skyrim Will (Probably) Have Less Bugs

Castrum - According to Stephen Totilo over at Kotaku, who spoke to Skyrim Creative Director Todd Howard recently, Bethesda is working on stamping out the more annoying, game-ending bugs typically associated with their games. They're also implementing a Sports Game-like streaming content system in Skyrim, whereby changes to the game's data can be made within a few hours: 

Before launch, Howard said, Bethesda is testing Skyrim rigorously and more heavily using a system that runs automated versions of the game overnight, searching for bugs and helping the team squash them. "We're getting better at it," Howard said.

They are also adopting this new EA Sports-style "live update" system that will let Bethesda tweak the data in their game almost immediately. If a quest isn't triggering because players are doing some unforeseen combination of actions, that might be addressable by tweaking the data tables that dictate the flow of events in the game. If the game is proving to be unbalanced in an unexpected way, that can be fixed on the fly too. And these fixes—Howard prefers to call them "improvements"— will take effect fast. "We can change stats on a sword and it will be available to everyone in a few hours," he said.

As anyone who has read my posts on this blog for the past couple of weeks knows, Skyrim will undoubtedly be my Game Of The Year, bugs or no bugs, so this news simply reassures me of my stance on this game. The sands of time cannot bring November 11th quickly enough.

Source: Kotaku

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive To Have Cross-Platform Play (Except For 360)

Castrum - CS: GO will feature cross-platform online play (as in, PC gamers can play against PS3 gamers) at launch. To counteract the advantage PC gamers would have over console gamers, PS3 players can use a Keyboard/Mouse setup instead of the DualShock 3 controller.

However, the 360 is being left out of this equation, partly because of Microsoft's asinine restrictions on Xbox Live, and partly because Gabe Newell is a Sony sell-out.

Source: Joystiq

Wal-Mart Drops 4 GB Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle To $249

Castrum - Wal-Mart is dropping the price of their 4 GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle to $249 for a limited amount of time. If you were waiting for a good deal to get a 360 for the kids/wife/yourself, this is the best you can hope for for the time being.

Source: Joystiq

Kinect Star Wars Delayed Indefinitely

MjolnirX - It appears that Kinect Star Wars has been suspended indefinitely. The troubled game has been put on hiatus due to the developer's dissatisfaction with the product thus far. Because the game has been put on the back burner, so too has the limited edition Star Wars themed Xbox 360.

Microsoft to Kotaku:
Microsoft and LucasArts have elected to move the launch of Kinect Star Wars beyond holiday 2011 to ensure the full potential of this title is realized. This move applies to both the Kinect Star Wars stand-alone game and the Kinect Star Wars Limited Edition Console. We will communicate additional timing information at a later date.

Nooooooooooooooo

Source: Kotaku