|
Happy Holidays from Xbox LIVE - Deal of the Week & Friendship is Free Announced |
|
Dec 04, 2008 - 11:26 AM - by James 'JAYoung' Young
|
Not only is it the season to be jolly, it's also the season for giving, and Microsoft seem to be very much in the giving mood. And this giving isn't just for Gold members, either...
Deal of the Week
Each week one piece of content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace will get a limited-time only discount in the Deal of the Week. Every Monday this month check out Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the featured piece of content. It could be a movie rental, a map pack or even an Xbox LIVE Arcade game. The Deal of the Week is only available for Xbox LIVE Gold members, however...
Friendship is Free
Microsoft has also just announced Friendship is Free, which is essentially a free multiplayer trial for Xbox LIVE Silver members. The plan is to open the multiplayer component of several Xbox LIVE Arcade games to all - titles include A Kingdom for Keflings, Aegis Wing, Bomberman Live, Hardwood Hearts, Hardwood Spades, UNO, Small Arms and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
All in all a pretty decent event from Microsoft and Xbox LIVE, don't you think?
|
0 Replies | 13 Views
|
|
My Little Avatar - Winter Dress-Up Edition |
|
Dec 04, 2008 - 9:53 AM - by James 'JAYoung' Young
|
The next time you log on to Xbox LIVE you should notice a whole new set of clothing items for your newly-created Avatar. Yep, Microsoft is (so far) sticking to its earlier promise of releasing regular free clothing options for your spanking new Avatar.
So what's included? Given the season (winter, as evidenced by the four inches of snow that fell last night in my area), you'll be unsurprised to learn that cold weather gear is first up, including a snowboarding coat, gloves, boots and also a rather spangly hat.
BTW - all new clothing items are marked by a star in your Avatar editor options. No need to take notes.
|
|
11 Replies | 87 Views
|
|
Games for Windows Live Stand Alone Client Available |
|
Dec 04, 2008 - 9:16 AM - by Andrew 'TrackZero' Hodder
|
Microsoft has now released the long awaited independent Games for Windows Live client. Though it certainly seems to be lacking in features. Without a friends list, messages or an achievement browser, it really just acts as a web client (with the DRM) for the Marketplace. You'll still need to fire up your GFW Live enabled games to access those other features. Still, it is a step in the right direction, albeit a small one.
But wait, that's not all! To run the new client, most users are reporting a need to download the following Windows hotfix, which may come with it own problem (namely causing your OS to re-register, and possibly ending with you calling MS to reactivate).
*facepalm*
|
|
10 Replies | 75 Views
|
|
Back to the Old Republic |
|
Dec 04, 2008 - 8:04 AM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
Edge Online got some time with LucasArts & Bioware's Star Wars: The Old Republic recently. While they couldn't answer some of the big questions gamers gave about the MMO - platforms other than the PC, how space travel will be handled, etc - they were able to wrangle some information out of the developers.
First off the game's visual style takes some cues from the recent Clone Wars series, but not obnoxiously so.
Quote:
|
characters have simplified body structures, bright flat colours and the odd exaggerated feature. Each asset is hand-painted rather than using photo-sourced textures, giving everything a slightly unreal and highly distinctive sheen.
|
Next up were the characters
Quote:
Each of the eight classes also has its own distinct narrative. “If you start our game as a Jedi knight, play from the start to the finish, then you play as a Sith from the start to the finish, you will not see one repeated bit of content. Not one quest, not one line, nothing,” says Erickson. Nothing at all? “OK, well, you might see different sides of the same conflict, but this is Star Wars – ‘Wars’, you know?”
A major part of this is another of BioWare’s specialities, companion characters. You can have several of these allies, though only one will adventure with you at any one time, and their role is to continually comment on, and presumably try to influence, your behaviour. Zeschuk describes them as “the lens through which you see the world,” and they won’t hesitate to make their feelings known, good or bad, and will even abandon you if you’re constantly doing things they object to.
|
They also touch on the story (no details, but trust BioWare to do right by the narraitive). It's just a preview, but it does get the mind moving about the possibilities.
Source - Edge Online.
|
|
17 Replies | 119 Views
|
|
Activision's Upcoming Games: Sequels! |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 10:18 PM - by Nathaniel 'Doctor Setebos' Payne
|
Are you ready for the exploiting to begin? Activision and in-game advertising company, Massive, held a joint event today in New York. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Activision announced at the event Guitar Hero 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and another Tony Hawk game (that won't require a controller?). There is also apparently a racing-focused James Bond game in the works, as well as an original (gasp!) racing game that is described as "Mario Kart meets Forza" being handled by the former Project Gotham Racing team. No real details on any particular game were offered, though many opportunities for displaying in-game advertising were thoroughly examined, since that was essentially the core focus of the event.
Source - MTV Multiplayer
So, sequels are good if they are continuations of worlds and experiences you enjoy, right?
|
|
17 Replies | 175 Views
|
|
Playing the Game of Love |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 9:23 PM - by Nathaniel 'Doctor Setebos' Payne
|
Our good friends and cohorts over at IGN's Green Pixels are running a series of weekly articles featuring heart-warming stories of geeks in love. Gamers who can play the game of love just as well as an extended session of Left 4 Dead co-op. Their first story comes from someone who took an unusual approach to his proposal.
Quote:
|
One day in September while we were playing Viva Pinata online, he sent me a diamond, one of the rarest, hardest-to-get items in the game. The message with the diamond said, 'Will you marry me?' I was playing in another room at the time, and I thought he was kidding. I laughed because it was so cute and silly and then realized he was standing in front of me on bended knee with a ring in his hand -- he was serious!
|
This story was brought to us using the CoG tips email! Did you know you can send us a tip, as well? Just email us at tips@colonyofgamers.com! If we like it, we just might post it!
|
|
3 Replies | 50 Views
|
|
PIRI: Dipswitch: A Skull Is More Interesting Than A Naked Woman |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 2:13 PM - by Andrew 'Siraris' Soep
|
Hearken back to the days of yore, when Nintendo was known for titles that scintillated the mind, body and soul. Hold that image in your mind. Caress it, coddle it, love it. Now, take the heaviest object you can find, and crush it with all the strength you can muster, and watch it shatter into a billion twinkling pieces.
Welcome to reality! As this weeks Dipswitch dutifully reminds us, we stand at the precipice of a holiday season that does not contain a single compelling title for the Nintendo Wii; unless you like gardening, and watching fireworks. I can not think of a console released to this point that does not elicit a feeling of want from deep inside my belly, other than the Wii. Nintendo has successfully brought in many new console users (although I do not know a soul who actually use their Wii anymore) and at the same time, alienated millions of people who stood by them for all these years.
I wonder if, in the long run, will it be worth it?
|
|
17 Replies | 209 Views
|
|
[Guitar Hero World Tour] December Track Packs Announced |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 12:38 PM - by James 'JAYoung' Young
|
The Smashing Pumpkins, one of rock's defining and most acclaimed bands who have sold over 30 million albums, return to Guitar Hero World Tour, tomorrow December 4th, with a three-song track pack featuring the recently released single “G.L.O.W.,” “1979” and “Everlasting Gaze.”
Featuring the stylistic melodies of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, the pioneers of alternative rock, Nirvana, make their Guitar Hero® downloadable content debut with the Nirvana Track Pack. Featuring the final single released by the band, “You Know You’re Right,” along with “Negative Creep,” off the band’s debut album Bleach, and the smash hit “Sliver,” the Nirvana Track Pack will be available for Guitar Hero World Tour on December 11th.
After delivering the timeless rock ballad “Hotel California” to the on-disc set list of Guitar Hero World Tour, The Eagles will thrill the Guitar Hero audience once again on December 18th with three chart topping hits. From the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees’ seventh studio album and first in 28 years, Long Road Out of Eden, “Frail Grasp on the Big Picture” is joined by two classic tracks that climbed to the top of the Billboard’s Hot 100, “One of These Nights” and “Life in the Fast Lane.”
Rounding out the downloadable set list for Guitar Hero World Tour in December are three free Reggae grooves. The Reggae Rock Track Pack is comprised of “Jimi” from Slightly Stoopid, “Your Face” from Pepper and Expendables’ “Sacrifice.” The free tracks will be available for download on December 23rd.
The Eagles, Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins Track Packs will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system for $5.49. The songs in each Track Pack will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for $1.99 and Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection for Wii™ for 200 Wii Points. The Free Reggae Rock Track Pack will be available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 and as singles for Wii.
|
|
13 Replies | 104 Views
|
|
Valve's Gabe Newell: Not a Fan of DRM |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 11:09 AM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
Post courtesy of Dukefrukem
A gamer named Paul Reisinger sent an email to Valve's Gabe Newell asking about DRM and Valve's relationship with EA games. He obviously was a little confused between EA developed games and EA published games, but Newell was willing to put in his 2 cents about DRM.
Quote:
As far as DRM goes, most DRM strategies are just dumb. The goal should be to create greater value for customers through service value (make it easy for me to play my games whenever and wherever I want to), not by decreasing the value of a product (maybe I'll be able to play my game and maybe I won't).
We really really discourage other developers and publishes from using the broken DRM offerings, and in general there is a groundswell to abandon those approaches.
|
Now this is coming from someones LiveJournal, but the response is not that far off from what we believe Valve's response would be.
|
|
36 Replies | 331 Views
|
|
Ghostbusters Trailer Released |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 9:20 AM - by Scott 'Psykoboy2' Benton
|
From Atari comes the first trailer for "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" set to be released this Summer.
The trailer really invokes a feeling of nostalgia and totally sets the tone we're all familiar with from the previous films helped, no doubt, by all the main actors voicing their respective characters. Hell, even Slimer is accurately represented.
|
|
41 Replies | 340 Views
|
|
Holy Crap, They're Making a King of Fighters Movie? |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 8:12 AM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
Are video game movies the new comic book movies? They have to be, since that is the only reason someone would be making a King of Fighters movie.
If you're not immersed in the deep end of the fighting genre, let me explain King of Fighters. Created by SNK, it featured stars from many of the company's different titles, including Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting. For a long time it was sort of the indie rock version of Street Fighter; the same basic idea, but with more innovation, a little less polish and much less hype. They've updated the game almost continuously since 1994, but never really made what you'd call a current gen version since it's debut (unless you count the 2 superb Capcom vs. SNK games). It was always about the combat more than the presentation. But I digress. Like most fighting games the story was...well it vacillated between non-existent and innane. And now they're making a movie out of it.
Quote:
|
The movie stars Maggie Q (Live Free and Die Hard), Sean Faris (Never Back Down), Will Yun Lee (Elektra), Francoise Yip (Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem), Monique Ganderton (Supernatural) and the coolest Sith Lord ever, Ray Park (a.k.a. Darth Maul from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace). It also looks like the King of Fighters movie will introduce a new science fiction spin into the setting established in the games’ universe by following the surviving members of three legendary fighting clans who are continually whisked away to other dimensions by an evil power. As the fighters enter each new world they battle that universe’s native defenders, while the force that brought them seeks to find a way to invade and infect our world. Pardon me while I show how much of a nerd I am but it kind of sounds like a little bit of Highlander and Marvel’s Exiles comic book series. Not that I’m complaining, I’m just sayin’.
|
The flick is currently filming in Vancouver for a 2010 release. And judging by the cast and crew I mean 'release' in the theatrical sense (a la Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat) and not the 'direct to bootleg DVD' sense (like the Dead or Alive movie).
Sources - MovieSet; Maxconsole.
|
|
17 Replies | 160 Views
|
|
[Rumor] Next In Line For the Lego Treatment: Harry Potter |
|
Dec 03, 2008 - 7:58 AM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
Traveller's Tales' series of Lego games, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Batman, have been both commercial and critical successes. So we all know that the series will continue in some way, shape or form. But there's still the big question of which franchise gets Lego-fied next. According to CVG's sources, that property will be Harry Potter.
While at this point it's all still speculation, there is a bit of hard evidence to back it up. Traveler's Tales boss Jon Burton said earlier this year that the company would begin making Lego games based on the properties of it's new owner, Warner Bros. While WB has a lot of properties in it's vault, Harry Potter is one of, if not the, most valuable at the moment, so it's a bit of a no brainer.
Expect an announcement of this game after the new year, with a late 2009 release on all of the usual suspects.
Sources - Variety; CVG.
|
|
18 Replies | 163 Views
|
|
Johnny Gigawatt Episode ø "We Are Imaginary" |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 9:22 PM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
No, that's not a typo. For some reason the holiday last Thursday means a one day delay on this week's books. Boo! Hiss! Unfortunately, that's not the only delay, as forces beyond our control have prevented the Tiger Men from recording one of our rip-roaring podcasts. I know, I know you're all horribly disappointed. But you can still join the discussion by clicking here, and while you have the extra day, head over to Diamond and see what you'll find in your local comic shop this week.
Picks of the Week
Batman #682 - Logically since this is both a Final Crisis tie-in and an epilogue to the massively hyped Batman RIP, bet on this one to sell about a bajillion copies. The first part of a (temporary) coda to Morrison's run on the title, it will show the immediate aftermath of last week's issue, while also showing how the story links up with Final Crisis. From what I've been hearing these two issues (including next weeks 'Tec 851) will be the last we see anyone in the Batsuit for quite a while, at least in anything other than flashbacks. So get your fix while you can.
Secret Invasion #8 - And so it ends. After an estimated $378.78 in tie-ins, crossovers and specials the Juggernaut that is/was Secret Invasion comes to an end. Coincidentially just in time for Dark Reign and War of Kings to begin! Aren't event comics grand? But snark aside, I thought Secret Invasion itself was pretty good, and made for some interesting stories. The "shocking reveals" were kept to a minimum (think about how few know quantities were acutally replaced by Skrulls. The number is closer to 5 than 10) and the war actually felt like it had some weight behind it. We'll see where the world goes from there.
I Hate Gallant Girl #2 - The kind of indie book I love to see. Snappy and witty with some heart behind it, with art more concerned with storytelling and style than realism. The books is an odd mashup of superheroics and pageant politics. And best of all, you really want Renee, the heroine of the tale, to succeed. That's a hallmark of good storytelling.
Question of the Week - We're only a few weeks away from the debut of Frank Miller's The Spirit (it should be Will Eisener's The Spirit, but what are you going to do?) and only days away from the rebooted Punisher: War Zone. 2009 will actually see a bit of a lull in comic book movies, but there will still be a steady stream of comic-themed or superhero flicks this coming year. And it's not just the Big Two who are getting in on the act. So, which small publisher books would make the most entertaining movies?
|
|
0 Replies | 30 Views
|
|
Nintendo Floats, Microsoft Dog Paddles, Sony Sinks |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 9:20 PM - by Nathaniel 'Doctor Setebos' Payne
|
As far as game industry analogies go, that one is probably pretty lame. However, it somewhat accurately represents how each company is currently performing when considering the business model of their respective console systems. According to a Forbes article released late last week, Nintendo is making a modest six dollars of profit (and this is EBITA income, not gross sales) for every Wii unit sold. Microsoft is breaking even on the Xbox 360. And, as many have speculated, Sony is in the red when it comes to the Playstation 3.
Unfortunately for Nintendo, around 60 percent of their software sales are all first party, meaning they aren't making nearly as much money on third-party licensing as Microsoft and Sony. But don't cry for the company, since they are expected to sell nearly 220 million software units by the end of the year, and they make 65% gross margin on every one of their games that are sold for the system.
Source - Games Industry
Insert <ItPrintsMoney.gif> here.
|
|
27 Replies | 369 Views
|
|
Red Bull Goes Home |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 3:50 PM - by Nick 'DangerousDaze' Milner
|
Red Bull UK have announced on BrandRepublic that they will be opening up an entire island on Sony's HOME "thing"* and it will be available to testers before the end of the year.
Quote:
|
Red Bull has built a tropical island, featuring an aeroplane racing game based on Red Bull's real world Red Bull Air Race series.
|
Sounds like it could be quite interesting, especially if it's a full-on stunt flying sim with leader boards. Well, it could be! Naturally other brands are to be announced in the near future.
Source: MAXCONSOLE
* Damned if I know.
|
|
14 Replies | 132 Views
|
|
Can You Hear Me Now? Microsoft Admits to NXE Audio Glitch, Promises Fix |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 2:29 PM - by James 'JAYoung' Young
|
For the most part, Microsoft's New Xbox Experience roll out went according to plan. However, as is almost to be expected with an endeavor so large, it didn't go so smoothly for everyone.
One of the most egregious problems caused by the update was the total loss of sound through HDMI for a small percentage of 360 owners. If you're one of the unlucky ones, Microsoft wants you to know that they are aware of the problem and are actively working on a fix.
Microsoft has released the following statement:
"While the vast majority of our users worldwide are enjoying the New Xbox Experience with no problems, we are aware that a handful of Xbox LIVE users are experiencing audio issues, and are diligently monitoring this issue and working towards a solution. We appreciate our members' enthusiasm and patience, and apologize for any inconveniences."
So there you have it. The audio issues are significant enough to be officially recognized by Microsoft, who are working towards a solution.
Source
|
|
12 Replies | 177 Views
|
|
Activision Announces Monsters vs Aliens - The Game |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 12:34 PM - by James 'JAYoung' Young
|
The Monsters vs. Aliens video game puts the fate of the planet in players’ hands as they lead a dynamic team of five misfit monsters on a mission to save the world…as only they can. The game allows fans to experience the movie’s action and humor while playing as The Missing Link, the macho half-ape, half-fish; the gelatinous, indestructible and always hungry B.O.B.; and Ginormica, the 49-foot-11-inch tall woman and Insectosaurus, the 350-foot tall grub. Players utilize each character’s distinct strengths, sizes and abilities to battle giant alien robots that are wreaking havoc on earth. Friends or family members can join in the excitement at anytime as the world’s most brilliant scientist, Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D., in the unique co-op multiplayer mode.
 -- 
The game will be available in March 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS and PC. No Xbox version has been announced.
|
|
10 Replies | 116 Views
|
|
Castle Crashers Fix Lost in Certification Hell, Plus a Give Away |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 12:25 PM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
When a movie seems to have stalled in it's efforts to see the big screen, it's said to be in Development Hell. Therefore, the trials and tribulations of Castle Crashers could be called Certification Hell. The game's developers told X3F that a patch to resolve the myriad of problems was in Microsoft's hands for certification, but hasn't yet been approved. But our partners over at Co-Optimus (who really are disappointed in the what was supposed to be the great Arcade title of the summer) did some digging, and they smell something fishy.
Quote:
Looking back at the development blog, there was a post about the update being done and "in certification" on October 27th. We had posts regarding the update being work on on September 24th and October 12th. Both assured us the fixes were "nearing completion." So if the patch was in certification on October 27th, why hasn't it come out yet?
From all accounts certification is an 8-10 day process for content and updates, including demos and such. Many developers have voiced their displeasure with the process, but it does serve a purpose. So what could possibly be the hold up on Castle Crashers? My guess is the stuff simply isn't fixed. It's probably being bounced back and forth between certification and development and Microsoft just wants it done right so they don't have to deal with this again.
|
But that aside, Billy and the Boys really want the game to live up to it's potential, and in that hope, they're giving out a few codes to download a full version of the game. Just hit the link and comment on the story. Remember, you can even use your CoG account to log in over at Co-Optimus.
Sources - X3F; Co-Optimus.
|
|
39 Replies | 402 Views
|
|
Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf Coming to Consoles |
|
Dec 02, 2008 - 12:17 PM - by Michael 'DoctorFinger' Chauvet
|
The Witcher was one of those games which made PC gamers sit up a little straighter in their chairs and reaffirm their devotion to their chosen platform. Now console gamers will get their hot little hands on CD Projekt's action RPG.
But it's not just a port of the PC version, as rumored. Instead The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf will come to the Xbox 360 and PS3 with the same story, but with an all new console-friendly engine built around it.
For those who don't know, The Witcher is based in the universe created by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski, and puts you in the shoes of the monster hunter Geralt. The game plays as an action RPG, with plenty of the hacking and the slashing to go with the leveling and the magic-ing.
The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf is set for release in 2009 on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
|
|
33 Replies | 330 Views
|
|
|
» Online Users: 94 |
| 62 members and 32 guests |
| Abyssion, agentgray, Bad Buddha, bapenguin, biosc1, BlackScarab, bryan, Clark, Commissar Rob, crazyD, Crittias, DaedalusFolly, DangerousDaze, DaXIthR, DiBiddilyBop, Dorkandproudofit, Dukefrukem, Food Nipple, frederec, Generation ABXY, Ghostbear, Gilius Thunderhead, Gormanimal, GrenMag, H.Bogard, Haywud, Hellbug, Heretic Machine, hideouslywrinkled, Ink Asylum, JAYoung, Juxtin1, LiquidRain, MachEnergy, Mastergeo7, Mr. Murphy, MrBeowulfe, NoName, Norse, opsin, OrangePulp, Psykoboy2, RdrckSmith, rifter, Rock Bandit, Serapth, shunoshi, Sl1pstream, Slack3r78, SPBTooL, Squidbot, Tayaya, TheFlyingOrc, TheKeck, TurboKinny, Voodoo, Wackman3000, Wolvie, Worldcrafter, Wraith, Young Al Capone, zarathstra |
| Most users ever online was 220, 12-02-2008 at 11:47 AM. |
|
» Stats |
Members: 1,141
Threads: 2,925
Posts: 92,209
Top Poster: Xerxes (1,781)
|
| Welcome to our newest member, beverlys |
|
» Support CoG |
|
|
|
CoG Network Feed
Send us a Tip
