Playing Online Games: December 2007

Friday, December 28, 2007

Playing Online Games.blhq

Blue Dragon Tops Lifetime Xbox 360 Software Sales In Japan (Gamasutra)

According to recently reported tracking from Famitsu Xbox 360 and Enterbrain, Mistwalker's platform exclusive RPG Blue Dragon commanded a strong lead in a top 50 list of lifetime to date software sales in Japan, followed by Dead or Alive 4, Ace Combat 6, and Halo 3. According to Enterbrain's figures, translated by members of gaming forum NeoGAF, Blue Dragon has thus far reached sales of ...

Halo Wars = "Magic in Disc" [Ta Da!] (Addict 3D)

We don't generally turn to developers for our game reviews, but if we trust Ensemble Studios' Graeme Devine, lead designer on Halo Wars, then the game is gonna be pretty good.

Xbox 360 Games Don't Sell In Japan [Dead Horse, Beaten] (Addict 3D)

New numbers have come from Famitsu, who has broken down Japanese sales figures on the top 50 Xbox 360 games since launch. None of the results are good.

'Halo 3' cost £15 million to develop (Digital Spy)

Movie-like budgets have seen the cost to develop the latest next-gen games spiral.

Xbox 360's "Assassin's Creed" tops the Rogers Video game rental list (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

TORONTO - The most popular game rentals (all platforms) according to Rogers Video for the period ending Dec. 23.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Playing Online Games.yxib

Blue Dragon Tops Lifetime Xbox 360 Software Sales In Japan (Gamasutra)

According to recently reported tracking from Famitsu Xbox 360 and Enterbrain, Mistwalker's platform exclusive RPG Blue Dragon commanded a strong lead in a top 50 list of lifetime to date software sales in Japan, followed by Dead or Alive 4, Ace Combat 6, and Halo 3. According to Enterbrain's figures, translated by members of gaming forum NeoGAF, Blue Dragon has thus far reached sales of ...

Xbox 360's "Assassin's Creed" tops the Rogers Video game rental list (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

TORONTO - The most popular game rentals (all platforms) according to Rogers Video for the period ending Dec. 23.

Cost headache for game developers (BBC News)

Video games for next-gen consoles may look amazing, but for many smaller developers it is extremely expensive and threatening their survival, reports BBC's Yo Takatsuki.

Secret Websites, Coded Messages: The New World of Immersive Games (Wired News)

The future of advertising isn't writing better slogans or using cool photography or video. It's creating interactive stories people can explore over their phones, on the web, maybe even through a flash drive hidden in a bathroom. It's a new art form. Just ask Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor.

A Stellar Year for Game Industry Produces 10 Must-Have Titles (Local Tech Wire)

Editor’s note: John Gaudiosi is a national journalist who has been covering the video game business for more than a decade.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Playing Online Games.edgd

Ugly Halo 3 Kicks to Kick Things With [Shoes] (Addict 3D)

So, apparently these things have been out since October but this is the first I've actually seen them documented. That's right, custom Halo 3 branded Nike Dunks!

Year in review: Games as big business (CNET)

The dollars were flying in 2007, whether it was from gamers grabbing for Halo and Guitar Hero, or Vivendi shelling out for Activision.

Halo 3 Purchased by 52% of all Xbox 360 Owners (PC World)

As of November, 4.1 million Americans have bought Halo 3 -- more than half of the current 7.9 million Xbox 360 owners in the United States.

Review: Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack for Xbox 360 (Geek.com)

If you’ve been playing Halo 3 since it came out back in September, then you’ve probably mastered all the maps; you’ve learned the chokeholds, weapon locations, and strategies to get it all done in record time. But there are now about 5 million people with Halo 3, and while they’re getting used to everything you [...]

New Halo 3 DLC Coming Along Nicely (Voodoo Extreme)

The latest Bungie weekly update reveals that the next Halo 3 DLC pack is coming along nicely:...

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Playing Online Games.rrav

Halo 3 Purchased by 52% of all Xbox 360 Owners (PC World)

As of November, 4.1 million Americans have bought Halo 3 -- more than half of the current 7.9 million Xbox 360 owners in the United States.

Review: Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack for Xbox 360 (Geek.com)

If you’ve been playing Halo 3 since it came out back in September, then you’ve probably mastered all the maps; you’ve learned the chokeholds, weapon locations, and strategies to get it all done in record time. But there are now about 5 million people with Halo 3, and while they’re getting used to everything you [...]

'Halo 3,' 'Pac-Man' And More Have Our 10 Great Gaming Moments Of 2007, In GameFile (MTV Music Television)

"Halo 3," "Pac-Man Championship Edition," "BioShock" and more include our 10 great gaming moments of 2007, in GameFile.

Microsoft Xbox 360 expected to dominate video game sales over holiday season (CPILive.net)

With a great line-up of games like ‘Halo 3’, ‘Mass Effect’, ‘Pro Evolution Soccer 08’, ‘BioShock’, ‘Viva Piñata’, and ‘Project Gotham Racing 4’, Microsoft Xbox 360 is expected to dominate the video game sales with generous offers for all gaming enthusiasts to benefit from the holiday season.

Adam had a relatively easy job compiling a collection of the best games on the PlayStation Network (Games Asylum)

- the service has only been around for a year and new releases have been sporadic at best. Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade though has been around for nearly twice as long with new releases appearing every Wednesday like clockwork.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Playing Online Games.iyme

Halo 3 Purchased by 52% of all Xbox 360 Owners (PC World)

As of November, 4.1 million Americans have bought Halo 3 -- more than half of the current 7.9 million Xbox 360 owners in the United States.

'Halo 3,' 'Pac-Man' And More Have Our 10 Great Gaming Moments Of 2007, In GameFile (MTV Music Television)

"Halo 3," "Pac-Man Championship Edition," "BioShock" and more include our 10 great gaming moments of 2007, in GameFile.

Microsoft Xbox 360 expected to dominate video game sales over holiday season (CPILive.net)

With a great line-up of games like ‘Halo 3’, ‘Mass Effect’, ‘Pro Evolution Soccer 08’, ‘BioShock’, ‘Viva Piñata’, and ‘Project Gotham Racing 4’, Microsoft Xbox 360 is expected to dominate the video game sales with generous offers for all gaming enthusiasts to benefit from the holiday season.

Xbox 360's "Assassin's Creed" tops the Rogers Video game rental list (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

TORONTO - The most popular game rentals (all platforms) according to Rogers Video for the period ending Dec. 16.

Review: 'Call of Duty,' 'Unreal' a blast (AP via Yahoo! News)

This has been a banner year for the first-person shooter on consoles. We've seen some brilliant shooters ("BioShock," "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption"), some terrible ones ("Hour of Victory") and plenty more that fell somewhere in between (yes, "Halo 3").

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Playing Online Games.sjsd

'Halo 3,' 'Pac-Man' And More Have Our 10 Great Gaming Moments Of 2007, In GameFile (MTV Music Television)

"Halo 3," "Pac-Man Championship Edition," "BioShock" and more include our 10 great gaming moments of 2007, in GameFile.

Microsoft Xbox 360 expected to dominate video game sales over holiday season (CPILive.net)

With a great line-up of games like ‘Halo 3’, ‘Mass Effect’, ‘Pro Evolution Soccer 08’, ‘BioShock’, ‘Viva Piñata’, and ‘Project Gotham Racing 4’, Microsoft Xbox 360 is expected to dominate the video game sales with generous offers for all gaming enthusiasts to benefit from the holiday season.

Xbox 360's "Assassin's Creed" tops the Rogers Video game rental list (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

TORONTO - The most popular game rentals (all platforms) according to Rogers Video for the period ending Dec. 16.

Xbox Favourite To Win Console War (DVD-Recordable)

Retailers think the Xbox 360 is most likely to win the next generation console war, but they're still annoyed by the ongoing Wii shortage, according to a survey.

Over Half Of US 360 Owners Own Halo 3 [Halo 3] (Addict 3D)

Using some simple math (ie looking at that figure compared to global 360 sales), we figured the game had a healthy attach rate.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Playing Online Games.syqh

Microsoft Xbox 360 expected to dominate video game sales over holiday season (CPILive.net)

With a great line-up of games like ‘Halo 3’, ‘Mass Effect’, ‘Pro Evolution Soccer 08’, ‘BioShock’, ‘Viva Piñata’, and ‘Project Gotham Racing 4’, Microsoft Xbox 360 is expected to dominate the video game sales with generous offers for all gaming enthusiasts to benefit from the holiday season.

Xbox Favourite To Win Console War (DVD-Recordable)

Retailers think the Xbox 360 is most likely to win the next generation console war, but they're still annoyed by the ongoing Wii shortage, according to a survey.

GamerMetrics: Halo 'Cannibalized' Stranglehold, Xbox 360 Software Sales (Gamasutra)

IGN GamerMetrics analyst Nick Williams recently took a look back at the predictions GamerMetrics made for Xbox 360 titles based on analysis of four primary factors -- awareness, engagement, purchase intent and game quality -- ahead of each title's launch with the aim of predicting the success of upcoming games. The chart below highlights GamerMetrics' performance record for these past ...

Halo 3 Map Packs Now Available For Download (InformationWeek)

The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack is available through the Xbox Live marketplace and will cost users 800 "Microsoft points" or about $10.00.

First Halo 3 Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (XBOX365)

The international award-winning “Halo 3” gets even better as the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack launches today on Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Playing Online Games.gswv

GamerMetrics: Halo 'Cannibalized' Stranglehold, Xbox 360 Software Sales (Gamasutra)

IGN GamerMetrics analyst Nick Williams recently took a look back at the predictions GamerMetrics made for Xbox 360 titles based on analysis of four primary factors -- awareness, engagement, purchase intent and game quality -- ahead of each title's launch with the aim of predicting the success of upcoming games. The chart below highlights GamerMetrics' performance record for these past ...

Halo 3 Map Packs Now Available For Download (InformationWeek)

The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack is available through the Xbox Live marketplace and will cost users 800 "Microsoft points" or about $10.00.

First Halo 3 Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (XBOX365)

The international award-winning “Halo 3” gets even better as the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack launches today on Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Blog: Mass Effect, Xbox Xmas (The New Zealand Herald)

Xbox 360 owners are drowning in a sea of choices this Christmas. By now gamers are likely to have played Bungie's Halo 3 out a number of times and been spooked by the immersive Bioshock from development house Bioware.

First "Halo 3" Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (GameInfoWire)

Award-winning multiplayer experience evolves with three new maps now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Playing Online Games.thpp

First Halo 3 Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (XBOX365)

The international award-winning “Halo 3” gets even better as the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack launches today on Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Halo 3 Map Packs Now Available For Download (TechWeb via Yahoo! News)

The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack is available through the Xbox Live marketplace and will cost users 800 "Microsoft points" or about $10.00.

Blog: Mass Effect, Xbox Xmas (The New Zealand Herald)

Xbox 360 owners are drowning in a sea of choices this Christmas. By now gamers are likely to have played Bungie's Halo 3 out a number of times and been spooked by the immersive Bioshock from development house Bioware.

First "Halo 3" Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (GameInfoWire)

Award-winning multiplayer experience evolves with three new maps now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Mass Effect Sells A Million, Halo 3 Sells Five (Slashdot)

Sales news is starting to trickle out for some of the big Fall games, with the Xbox 360 so far looking very strong. BioWare's Mass Effect has sold a million copies, while Bungie's blockbuster Halo 3 has already sold over five million copies since its September 25th release date. That last figure comes from a GameDaily interview with Xbox Marketing VP Jeff Bell. Aside from noting this week's ...

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Playing Online Games.wdrt

First Halo 3 Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (XBOX365)

The international award-winning “Halo 3” gets even better as the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack launches today on Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Mass Effect Sells A Million, Halo 3 Sells Five (Slashdot)

Sales news is starting to trickle out for some of the big Fall games, with the Xbox 360 so far looking very strong. BioWare's Mass Effect has sold a million copies, while Bungie's blockbuster Halo 3 has already sold over five million copies since its September 25th release date. That last figure comes from a GameDaily interview with Xbox VP Jeff Bell. Aside from noting this week's release of ...

First "Halo 3" Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360 (GameInfoWire)

Award-winning multiplayer experience evolves with three new maps now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

New Halo 3 maps available NOW! (Games Radar)

The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack has been released on Xbox Live Marketplace, adding three new multiplayer maps which Microsoft says each present a "totally different play style."

Halo 3 map pack released ( News ) (EuroGamer)

The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack has gone up on Xbox Live Marketplace, offering three brand new battlegrounds for 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30).

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Playing Online Games.dlcc

Halo 3 Heroic pack arrives (Ferrago.co.uk)

As promised by Bungie yesterday, the Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The pack delivers three new maps which can be yours for 800 Microsoft Points.

Halo 3 map pack released ( News ) (EuroGamer)

The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack has gone up on Xbox Live Marketplace, offering three brand new battlegrounds for 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30).

Halo 3 playlist tweaks detailed ( News ) (EuroGamer)

Our friends at Bungie have been getting excited about some upcoming playlists, which should roll out tomorrow and next Tuesday. Tomorrow's is planned to coincide with the launch of the Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack on Xbox Live Marketplace, introducing a playlist specifically for the new maps, and incorporating them into general playlists.

Xbox 360: Dashboard-Update trifft Half-Life: Paranoia (Giga.de)

(Holger/Tim) Microsoft hat in den letzten Tagen für viele "Xbox 360" und Multimedia-Fans einige Neuigkeiten parat gehabt. Zunächst kam vor genau einer Woche das aktuelle System-Update heraus und seit heute ist der Online-Videostore für die Xbox 360 auch in Deutschland verfügbar. Wer nicht im Besitz einer aktuellen Konsole ist darf sich freuen, in der zweiten Stunde wartet ...

Xbox Vet Fries Launches Custom Toy Company FigurePrints (Gamasutra)

Former Microsoft Game Studios vice president Ed Fries and World of Warcraft developer Blizzard have partnered to announce the official launch of FigurePrints, a premium service that allows WoW players to create 3D statues of their in-game characters. Fries left Microsoft in 2004 after helping to launch the original Xbox and was instrumental in overseeing a number of Microsoft Game Studios hits ...

Monday, December 10, 2007

Playing Online Games.gdtp

Halo 3 playlist tweaks detailed ( News ) (EuroGamer)

Our friends at Bungie have been getting excited about some upcoming playlists, which should roll out tomorrow and next Tuesday. Tomorrow's is planned to coincide with the launch of the Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack on Xbox Live Marketplace, introducing a playlist specifically for the new maps, and incorporating them into general playlists.

UK Xbox users get movie downloads (Computer Business Review)

Over 100 music videos are currently available for download from Microsoft partners Ministry of Sound, Sony BMG, PIAS, and Vid Zone. In addition, Xbox customers will be able to download movies including The Matrix Revolutions, Ocean's Eleven, The Perfect Storm, Swordfish, Superman 3, and The Fugitive.

Bungie remain committed to Xbox 360 (Ferrago)

Bungie Studios, the newly independent developer of the Halo series, have assured fans that they remain committed to the Xbox 360 platform. Speaking to UK site Eurogamer.net , two high profile figures from the firm assured that the future of Bungie was not multi-platform.

Using Halo 3's Forge As A Canvas [Xbox 360] (Addict 3D)

Asking your girlfriend to join you in wedded bliss via the Halo 3 Forge tool is sweet and all, but it's cloyingly so to one who has zero faith in the institution of marriage.

Investing: Microsoft embraces a future in games (International Herald Tribune)

The software giant's diminishing reliance on its Windows operating system, and its fresh emphasis on Xbox and other lines of business, looks like good news for investors.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Playing Online Games.aggc

Using Halo 3's Forge As A Canvas [Xbox 360] (Addict 3D)

Asking your girlfriend to join you in wedded bliss via the Halo 3 Forge tool is sweet and all, but it's cloyingly so to one who has zero faith in the institution of marriage.

Halo 3 Heroic DLC Hands-On [Xbox 360] (GameSpot)

We've got a sneak preview of the three brand-new maps arriving on Xbox Live Marketplace next week.

Bungie focusing on Xbox 360 ( News ) (EuroGamer)

Bungie Studios currently has "no plans" to work on any platforms besides Xbox 360, two of the developer's top men told Eurogamer readers in a LiveText interview this afternoon.

Bungie focusing on Xbox 360 ( News ) (EuroGamer)

"No plans" for other formats, developer tells EG readers. If you would like to comment on this article, then you must be logged in! They never did reveal anything about their next project outside of Halo. Shame.

Game releases provoke fall hype (The Red and Black)

The most hyped game of the year, "Halo 3," was finally released for Xbox 360. While it had new weapons and was balanced differently, what mattered most was the fact that the epic story was finally complete. While the PlayStation 3 got some exclusive games, almost all of PS3's exclusives were available for the Xbox 360, leaving gamers wondering why they should invest in a system with games ...

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Playing Online Games.cdli

Halo 3 Heroic DLC Hands-On [Xbox 360] (GameSpot)

We've got a sneak preview of the three brand-new maps arriving on Xbox Live Marketplace next week.

Review: Arcade-In-A-Box’s Xbox 360 controller (Geek.com)

Ever play a fighter or Xbox Live Arcade title and find it overly challenging to mash buttons quite as quickly as you need? I’ve sure had that issue many times before. Now, the solution: Arcade-In-A-Box’s Xbox 360 controller. I ran the controller through a few games it is clearly intended for, as well as [...]

Xbox users get video download service (Computer Business Review)

The facility, which will go live on December 11, will enable users to download low-definition films from the internet for 250 Microsoft points (around £2) and high-definition versions for 380 Microsoft points (about £3.20). Microsoft Points are the currency of the Xbox Live Marketplace and Zune online stores.

Pretty Pictures Of The Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack [Bungie] (Addict 3D)

Luke Smith of Bungie gives Halo 3 fans a taste of the upcoming downloadable additions to the biggest entertainment launch product of the year in today's official update.

'Super Mario Galaxy,' 'Halo 3' And More Impressive Video Games, In Our Year-End Top 10s (MTV Music Television)

"Super Mario Galaxy," "Halo 3," "Crackdown" and more make our list of the best video games of the year — but you'll never guess our #1.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Playing Online Games.gylv

'Super Mario Galaxy,' 'Halo 3' And More Impressive Video Games, In Our Year-End Top 10s (MTV Music Television)

"Super Mario Galaxy," "Halo 3," "Crackdown" and more make our list of the best video games of the year — but you'll never guess our #1.

A Neglected Girlfriend's Take On Halo 3 Cheats [Humor] (Addict 3D)

Even wonder what thoughts are churning through your significant other's head as you spend hour umpteen in Halo 3 's multiplayer?

Microsoft: 'Xbox 360 best value this Xmas' (Digital Spy)

Microsoft's senior vice president of games believes the Xbox 360 will rule the market in December.

Xbox Originals Arrive, Bring Free Themes [Xbox 360] (Addict 3D)

Hey, those Xbox Originals (aka old Xbox games) have arrived on Xbox Live Marketplace as of today, bringing a handful of extras with them.

Xbox chief praises pricing (Ferrago.co.uk)

Don Mattrick, Microsoft's new Peter Moore, believes the Xbox 360 console represents the best value console this festive season. The new senior vice president of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment praised the completeness of the 360 proposition compared to its competitors.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Playing Online Games.tkdo

First look: the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update (Ars Technica)

Microsoft has released the 2007 Fall Dashboard Update for the Xbox 360, and while the Xvid and DivX support isn't perfect, every other aspect of the dashboard has been improved. Read More...

Mattrick: Xbox 360 is best value for the price (gamesindustry.biz)

Don Mattrick, senior vp of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment, thinks the Xbox 360 is the best value for the money this holiday season.

Xbox 360's "Assassin's Creed" tops the Rogers Video game rental list (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

TORONTO - The most popular game rentals (all platforms) according to Rogers Video for the period ending Dec. 2.

Xbox boss confident of holiday win (MSNBC)

As Microsoft heads into the holiday season, games boss Don Mattrick says he thinks the company has rebounded just fine from the summer’s bit of bad press – and is poised to trump the competition this holiday season.

PRESS RELEASE: Xbox 360 Introduces New Features and Console Enhancements with the 2007 Fall Dashboard Update (gamesindustry.biz)

LONDON - 30 November 2007 - As promised, Microsoft is bringing some early gifts to your Xbox 360 just prior to the holiday season.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Playing Online Games.pmfb

PRESS RELEASE: Xbox 360 Introduces New Features and Console Enhancements with the 2007 Fall Dashboard Update (gamesindustry.biz)

LONDON - 30 November 2007 - As promised, Microsoft is bringing some early gifts to your Xbox 360 just prior to the holiday season.

Microsoft hit with $5 million lawsuit over Halo 3, Xbox 360 problems (Ars Technica)

A new class-action lawsuit alleges that the combination of the Xbox 360 and Halo 3 produces nearly insurmountable glitches. Read More...

Xbox 360 introduces new features and enhancements (Scoop.co.nz)

Xbox 360 introduces new features and console enhancements with the 2007 “Fall” Dashboard Update System update hits connected consoles worldwide on 4 December; Xbox Originals, Family Timer and more available through download AUCKLAND 3 December 2007 – From tomorrow night, Xbox 360TM consoles owners will be able to enjoy a host of new features and enhancements to the leading next-generation gaming ...

Microsoft's Xbox 360 update set for release (iTNews)

Microsoft is due to offer a slew of new system updates for its Xbox 360 console and its Xbox Live online gaming service, the company said Friday..

Microsoft's Xbox 360 Fall Update Set For Release (TechWeb via Yahoo! News)

The changes include new parental controls that let parents set limits on the amount of time their children can spend playing Xbox games during a given period.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)