Playing Online Games: March 2008

Monday, March 31, 2008

Playing Online Games.tdio

Hollywood producer set to make shows for Xbox (ZDNet)

Veteran producer Peter Safran says he plans first to focus on genres, like comedy and horror, that appeal to owners of the Microsoft console. (From The New York Times) Microsoft, seeking to expand offerings on its Xbox 360 console, has reached an agreement with a company headed...

Xbox 360 adding programs (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Microsoft, seeking to expand offerings on its Xbox 360 console, has reached an agreement with a company headed by Peter Safran, the veteran Hollywood producer and talent manager, to produce original shows for distribution on the system.

Microsoft: 'Unreal Tournament Isn't Halo (Addict 3D)

Microsoft lawyer Don McGowan is aware of the faux Master Chief that was created with Unreal mod software, but rather than feel threatened, he considers it a tacit endorsement of both Halo and the Xbox 360."[M]uch though I love my friends at Epic, Unreal Tournament isn't Halo.

Call of Duty 4: Variety Map Pack Interview by Eurogamer staff (EuroGamer)

Of course you're still playing. Everyone is. Since its release last November, Call of Duty 4 has soared into a position of dominance in the online FPS space, even outperforming Bungie's Halo 3 on Xbox Live.

Hollywood Producer Set to Make Shows for Xbox (NYTimes.com via Yahoo! Finance)

Microsoft announced a deal with a company headed by Peter Safran, the veteran Hollywood producer and talent manager, to produce original shows for distribution on the system.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Playing Online Games.qiim

3/27/08 Daily Gaming Refresh – Free Halo 3 Maps Edition (AnandTech)

Halo 3, Unreal Tournament III maps available for free download...

"Blackout" Completes The Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack [Xbox 360] (Addict 3D)

The third and final map to be included in the upcoming Legendary map pack for Halo 3 should be familiar to fans.

Current Games vs. Halo 3 (ExtremeTech)

Joel goes through his current collection of games and compares them to what a host of fanboys consider to be the Gold Standard: Halo 3

Halo 3 (Games Radar)

Halo 3's Heroic map pack, which launched in December, will be available to download for free from Xbox Live today, according to Bungie. The developer's dated it for "March 25th at 2 a.m." Pacific time, although a quick check of Live at time of press still lists the map pack as 800 Microsoft Points.

Halo 3 Heroic Pack now free (Ferrago.co.uk)

The Halo 3 Heroic map pack, first launched back in December, is now available for free via Xbox Live, developer Bungie have today confirmed.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Playing Online Games.dghr

"Blackout" Completes The Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack [Xbox 360] (Addict 3D)

The third and final map to be included in the upcoming Legendary map pack for Halo 3 should be familiar to fans.

Current Games vs. Halo 3 (ExtremeTech)

Joel goes through his current collection of games and compares them to what a host of fanboys consider to be the Gold Standard: Halo 3

Halo 3 (Games Radar)

Halo 3's Heroic map pack, which launched in December, will be available to download for free from Xbox Live today, according to Bungie. The developer's dated it for "March 25th at 2 a.m." Pacific time, although a quick check of Live at time of press still lists the map pack as 800 Microsoft Points.

Halo 3 Heroic Pack now free (Ferrago.co.uk)

The Halo 3 Heroic map pack, first launched back in December, is now available for free via Xbox Live, developer Bungie have today confirmed.

Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack Now A Free Download (TechWeb via Yahoo! News)

The add-on maps let online players add new battle zones to the Xbox 360 title.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Playing Online Games.ikki

"Blackout" Completes The Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack [Xbox 360] (Addict 3D)

The third and final map to be included in the upcoming Legendary map pack for Halo 3 should be familiar to fans.

Halo 3 (Games Radar)

Halo 3's Heroic map pack, which launched in December, will be available to download for free from Xbox Live today, according to Bungie. The developer's dated it for "March 25th at 2 a.m." Pacific time, although a quick check of Live at time of press still lists the map pack as 800 Microsoft Points.

Halo 3 Heroic Pack now free (Ferrago.co.uk)

The Halo 3 Heroic map pack, first launched back in December, is now available for free via Xbox Live, developer Bungie have today confirmed.

Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack Now A Free Download (TechWeb via Yahoo! News)

The add-on maps let online players add new battle zones to the Xbox 360 title.

Xbox nears 50,000 mark in NZ (Stuff)

Gerard Campbell catches up with Microsoft New Zealand's Tom Hunt to chat about the Xbox 360.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Playing Online Games.arlk

Halo 3 Heroic Pack now free (Ferrago.co.uk)

The Halo 3 Heroic map pack, first launched back in December, is now available for free via Xbox Live, developer Bungie have today confirmed.

Microsoft Double Fixes Erased Xbox 360 Memories [Halo] (Addict 3D)

Turns out that poor sap who had his Xbox 360 viciously cleaned during a routine repair might now perceive that horrible incident as the best thing that's ever happened to him.

Halo 3 Heroic Maps Set Free On Tuesday [Reminder] (Addict 3D)

Today's Bungie Weekly Update features a handy reminder for the frugal. Next Tuesday, March 25 at 2 AM PDT, the Heroic Map Pack for Halo 3 will become a free download on Xbox Live.

In this game, two heads are better than one (MSNBC)

I’ve had enough dying in “Halo 3” to fill a cemetery with my virtual selves. Enough, I say! “Army of Two,” either solo or online, gave me the mix of teamwork and gunplay I’ve been missing.

Review: Rainbow Six Vegas 2 for Xbox 360 (Geek.com)

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is–as the name implies–the high-powered follow-up to Rainbow Six Vegas. As with most Tom Clancy-licensed titles, Ubisoft stacked the deck, crafting a thoroughly realistic and punishingly difficult tactical shooter. Read on to find out whether RSV2 once again hit a straight flush or should have folded after its first hand. Graphically, it’s [...]

Monday, March 24, 2008

Playing Online Games.wxvn

Microsoft Double Fixes Erased Xbox 360 Memories [Halo] (Addict 3D)

Turns out that poor sap who had his Xbox 360 viciously cleaned during a routine repair might now perceive that horrible incident as the best thing that's ever happened to him.

Halo 3 Heroic Maps Set Free On Tuesday [Reminder] (Addict 3D)

Today's Bungie Weekly Update features a handy reminder for the frugal. Next Tuesday, March 25 at 2 AM PDT, the Heroic Map Pack for Halo 3 will become a free download on Xbox Live.

Fragtastic Halo 3 map pack on the way (+photos) (The New Zealand Herald)

Three new maps for the Xbox 360's flagship title Halo 3 are due for release next month. The modestly-titled Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack will be available for download from the Xbox Live marketplace on April 15.

XBox fans put Stift Heiligenkreuz monks up with Eminem and Amy Winehouse (Times Online)

A group of singing monks from an ancient monastery in the middle of the Vienna Woods have been signed to record a CD for the company that releases the work of Amy Winehouse, Eminem and 50 Cent.

New multiplayer games feature offline fun, too (Akron Beacon Journal)

Online multiplayer gaming has really gained attention with the current generation of video-game consoles, with millions of people logging in every day to play Call of Duty 4 or Halo 3.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Playing Online Games.sytf

Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack Arrives in April (GameInfoWire)

The award-winning “Halo 3” multiplayer experience continues to evolve with three new maps available only on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

PRESS RELEASE: The Fight Continues - Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack Arrives in April (gamesindustry.biz)

LONDON - Wednesday 19th March - More than 7.3 million copies of "Halo 3" have flown off store shelves, upwards of 500 million hours of online gameplay have been logged on Xbox LIVE and the Heroic Map Pack has been downloaded by 1 million plus gamers and counting.

Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack for April (Ferrago)

Developer Bungie, now independent from Microsoft, have confirmed that the Legendary Map Pack for Halo 3 will be release on April 15th, via Xbox Live.

Exclusive Halo 3 Action Figure yellow ODST (I4U)

Entertainment Earth and McFarlane Toys have joined to offer an exclusive action figure from Xbox console's Halo 3 video game. The 6-inch scale yellow ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) is fully articulated and features authentic accessories....

Halo 3 maps turn Legendary April 15 (GameSpot)

Bungie's second multiplayer layouts landing on Xbox Live during the ides of next month; second map revealed.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Playing Online Games.ksnj

Prepare for battle in the Halo 3 Tournament (Scoop.co.nz)

AUCKLAND 18 March 2008 – Microsoft today announced the Official Halo® 3 Tournament Sponsored by Samsung TV as a chance for Xbox 360® gamers from five APAC markets - Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand to show their Halo 3 skills and be rewarded with some amazing prizes.

Halo's sexy Cortana is new I4U Gadget Model of the Month (Addict 3D)

This month we have a treat for Halo fans. The I4U Gadget Model of March is Cortana the hot CG babe from the Halo franchise. If you play Halo on your Xbox 360 you know Cortana is a fictional artificially intelligent (AI) character.

Halo's sexy Cortana is new I4U Gadget Model of the Month (I4U)

This month we have a treat for Halo fans. The I4U Gadget Model of March is Cortana the hot CG babe from the Halo franchise. If you play Halo on your Xbox 360 you know Cortana is a fictional artificially intelligent (AI) character. We made her real wit...

Halo 3 for XBox Takes the World by Storm (PRWeb)

Whether Halo 3 for XBox enthusiasts are looking for ways to beat the level they'reon, discover how they can obtain new weapons and armor, or pick up newitems throughout the game, Halo 3 Elites covers it all. (PRWeb Mar 14, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/halo3/for-xbox/prweb769624.htm

Halo 3 for XBox Takes the World by Storm (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

Whether Halo 3 for XBox enthusiasts are looking for ways to beat the level they're on, discover how they can obtain new weapons and armor, or pick up new items throughout the game, Halo 3 Elites covers it all.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Playing Online Games.cwxb

Halo 3 for XBox Takes the World by Storm (PRWeb)

Whether Halo 3 for XBox enthusiasts are looking for ways to beat the level they'reon, discover how they can obtain new weapons and armor, or pick up newitems throughout the game, Halo 3 Elites covers it all. (PRWeb Mar 14, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/halo3/for-xbox/prweb769624.htm

Halo 3 for XBox Takes the World by Storm (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

Whether Halo 3 for XBox enthusiasts are looking for ways to beat the level they're on, discover how they can obtain new weapons and armor, or pick up new items throughout the game, Halo 3 Elites covers it all.

The "Halo 3" Hype Machine (CBS News)

Is' Bungie's "Halo 3" that good? Gamecore's Jeremiah Wallace explores the myth behind the hype and examines the guts of "Halo 3" to answer that very question.

Capcom unveils new strategy game News by Ellie Gibson (EuroGamer)

Capcom has unveiled a new real-time strategy game for PC, Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Titled Plunder, it's being developed by Certain Affinity - the people who did the Blastacular map pack for Halo 2.

RTS Plunder coming from Capcom (Ferrago)

A brand-spanking new real-time strategy title will be crafted by Capcom for release on the PC, Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, we learn today. The game will be called Plunder.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Playing Online Games.jvqf

Xbox 360 gets European price cut (Geek.com)

As reported last week, there have been rumors Microsoft was planning an Xbox 360 price cut in time for the busy Easter holidays. That rumor has now turned out to be true, with all versions of the 360 getting a significant price reduction on March 14 across Europe. The Arcade edition is getting the equivalent of [...]

Plunder Announced (Voodoo Extreme)

Certain Affinity (Left 4 Dead's Xbox 360 developer) is making pirate RTS Plunder for Capcom:...

Nintendo Wii Review: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Blogcritics.org)

Games have defined consoles in the past - Halo the Xbox, Sonic the Sega Genesis, now the Wii has Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Back in the 80s the term "fanboy" had not been coined yet, but you could hear in the playground the argument between who was cooler, Mario or Sonic. Now this can finally be settled in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.Games have defined consoles in the past - Halo, the Xbox, Sonic, ...

Microsoft Reaches Out to Casual Gamers With Xbox 360 Price Cuts (E-Commerce Times)

Microsoft's Xbox price-cutting campaign is going global, though it's not clear whether U.S. consumers will be in line for any additional discounts. Bidding to break ahead of the pack vying for next-generation gaming console dominance, Microsoft confirmed Monday it cut the price of its Xbox 360 device in European markets.

What price mass-market? Part 1 (gamesindustry.biz)

If you'd told Microsoft five years ago that the second Xbox console would be in its current market position, they would have been high-fiving over the cubicles in Redmond.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Playing Online Games.nryq

Xbox 360 gets European price cut (Geek.com)

As reported last week, there have been rumors Microsoft was planning an Xbox 360 price cut in time for the busy Easter holidays. That rumor has now turned out to be true, with all versions of the 360 getting a significant price reduction on March 14 across Europe. The Arcade edition is getting the equivalent of [...]

Nintendo Wii Review: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Blogcritics.org)

Games have defined consoles in the past - Halo the Xbox, Sonic the Sega Genesis, now the Wii has Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Back in the 80s the term "fanboy" had not been coined yet, but you could hear in the playground the argument between who was cooler, Mario or Sonic. Now this can finally be settled in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.Games have defined consoles in the past - Halo, the Xbox, Sonic, ...

Microsoft Reaches Out to Casual Gamers With Xbox 360 Price Cuts (E-Commerce Times)

Microsoft's Xbox price-cutting campaign is going global, though it's not clear whether U.S. consumers will be in line for any additional discounts. Bidding to break ahead of the pack vying for next-generation gaming console dominance, Microsoft confirmed Monday it cut the price of its Xbox 360 device in European markets.

PRESS RELEASE: Everyone's Invited To Experience Xbox 360 As Microsoft Lowers Estimated Retail Price in Europe (gamesindustry.biz)

LONDON - Monday 10th March, 2008 - Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) for its Xbox 360™ family of consoles in Europe.

Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 price drop (Digital Spy)

The US games giant announces it will cut the price of all three versions of its console this Friday.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Playing Online Games.oakj

Microsoft Reaches Out to Casual Gamers With Xbox 360 Price Cuts (E-Commerce Times)

Microsoft's Xbox price-cutting campaign is going global, though it's not clear whether U.S. consumers will be in line for any additional discounts. Bidding to break ahead of the pack vying for next-generation gaming console dominance, Microsoft confirmed Monday it cut the price of its Xbox 360 device in European markets.

PRESS RELEASE: Everyone's Invited To Experience Xbox 360 As Microsoft Lowers Estimated Retail Price in Europe (gamesindustry.biz)

LONDON - Monday 10th March, 2008 - Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) for its Xbox 360™ family of consoles in Europe.

Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 price drop (Digital Spy)

The US games giant announces it will cut the price of all three versions of its console this Friday.

Exclusive: Inside The Making Of Call Of Duty 4 (Gamasutra)

The new March 2008 issue of Game Developer magazine has an exclusive creator-written article on the making of Infinity Ward's Call Of Duty 4, and Gamasutra has extracts from the piece, discussing a second 'new IP' team once working at the developer and the relative successes of CoD4's PC and Xbox 360 demos. The postmortem, written by Infinity Ward's Zeid Rieke and Michael Boon, is described by ...

Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 price cut (MCV)

Platform holder gives thumbs up to MCV's prediction as SRP of all three console SKUs drop across Europe

Friday, March 7, 2008

Playing Online Games.ofqw

Videogame Ad Spend To Hit $1 Billion By 2012: eMarketer (CBS News)

No slowdown for videogame advertising, as companies spent $502 million on all videogame-related ad efforts, according to eMarketer, which expects the category to rise to $1 billion within five years. The researcher projects that U.S. in-game ad spend will increase from $295 million in 2007 - a year that saw the success of games like Microsoft's (NSDQ: MSFT) Xbox 360 game Halo 3 and Viacom's ...

Xbox 360 (Games Radar)

Microsoft made "no real capitalization" of its one-year head start over PS3, and failed to "reach beyond the core first person shooter player", SCEA's Scott Steinberg has said.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (Games Radar)

If you still put Gears and Halo down for the odd blast on Ubisoft's tactical shooter, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, then you'll be pleased to know that it has been expanded once again with another huge co-op DLC pack on Xbox Live.

Sony attack Microsoft's lack of "capitalisation" (Ferrago)

According to word from Sony Computer Entertainment America's Scott Steinberg, Microsoft has failed to capitalise on the one year head start the Xbox 360 enjoyed over the PS3.

3/3/08 Daily Gaming Refresh – Lego Halo Hoax Edition (AnandTech)

Lego "Halo" game an April Fool's hoax...

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Playing Online Games.yudc

Videogame Ad Spend To Hit $1 Billion By 2012: eMarketer (CBS News)

No slowdown for videogame advertising, as companies spent $502 million on all videogame-related ad efforts, according to eMarketer, which expects the category to rise to $1 billion within five years. The researcher projects that U.S. in-game ad spend will increase from $295 million in 2007 - a year that saw the success of games like Microsoft's (NSDQ: MSFT) Xbox 360 game Halo 3 and Viacom's ...

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (Games Radar)

If you still put Gears and Halo down for the odd blast on Ubisoft's tactical shooter, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, then you'll be pleased to know that it has been expanded once again with another huge co-op DLC pack on Xbox Live.

Sony attack Microsoft's lack of "capitalisation" (Ferrago)

According to word from Sony Computer Entertainment America's Scott Steinberg, Microsoft has failed to capitalise on the one year head start the Xbox 360 enjoyed over the PS3.

3/3/08 Daily Gaming Refresh – Lego Halo Hoax Edition (AnandTech)

Lego "Halo" game an April Fool's hoax...

Review: Frontlines: Fuel of War for Xbox 360 (Geek.com)

Frontlines: Fuel of War proves that publishers can sometimes sabotage their own effort by choosing the wrong level to demo. The game’s fast-paced action and its gripping, chillingly real storyline work so much better in the final product than they did in the Xbox Live demo. The odd thing about that is that the demo [...]

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Playing Online Games.lcdb

3/3/08 Daily Gaming Refresh – Lego Halo Hoax Edition (AnandTech)

Lego "Halo" game an April Fool's hoax...

Review: Frontlines: Fuel of War for Xbox 360 (Geek.com)

Frontlines: Fuel of War proves that publishers can sometimes sabotage their own effort by choosing the wrong level to demo. The game’s fast-paced action and its gripping, chillingly real storyline work so much better in the final product than they did in the Xbox Live demo. The odd thing about that is that the demo [...]

PRESS RELEASE: The Countdown Begins as "Rocketmen: Axis of Evil" Lands on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday! (gamesindustry.biz)

LONDON - 3rd March, 2008 - Help save the solar system this week when "Rocketmen: Axis of Evil" touches down on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ on Wednesday 5th March at 09.00.

College holding Halo tourney (The Oneida Daily Dispatch)

NORWICH - Master Chief and the forces of the United Nations Space Command will be out in force, but not in battle against the Covenant.

Bungie Helping Restore Kid's Erased Memories [Bungie] (Addict 3D)

By Bungie. Because the kid was such a Halo nut, the series creators will be trying to make up for his loss with something of their own doing: Our team and the community as a whole is rallying to help fix this unfortunate situation.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Playing Online Games.saaw

3/3/08 Daily Gaming Refresh – Lego Halo Hoax Edition (AnandTech)

Lego "Halo" game an April Fool's hoax...

Startup Games2U brings the fun with mobile gaming station (BizJournals)

A new upstart with big franchise dreams has turned a customized 32-foot trailer into a temperature-controlled haven for Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii lovers both young and old.

PRESS RELEASE: Konsole Kingz Partners with 2K Sports for the NBA® 2K8 High Risers Tournament (gamesindustry.biz)

Konsole Kingz, a leading destination of multimedia content revolving around celebrity gamers and the urban gamer lifestyle, in partnership with 2K Sports, announced today it will be hosting the NBA® 2K8 High Risers Tournament on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace.

HaloRadar: Gears of War vs. Halo (Games Radar)

Which shooter reigns supreme? We settle the rivalry NOW! Two heroes. Two evil alien races. Two sweeping sci-fi universes. Two battles for humanity's survival.

Korn On Xbox Live (IGN Music)

Challenge Jonathan Davis to a rousing game of Halo 3. February 26, 2008 - Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 27th, Korn frontman Jonathan Davis will be lurking on Xbox Live, awaiting any and all challengers.

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