Avatars Hit Xbox 360

An exciting feature in the 'New Xbox Experience' is the addition of Avatars, which can be closely compared to Nintendo Wii's 'Mii' characters.

Microsoft will slowly integrate the Avatars into all games, but on November 19th, the release of NXE, just a few top Xbox Live Arcade games will be compatible with the new feature.

Big hitters like UNO!, Bomberman Live, Hardwood Hearts, and Hardwood Spades will be among the first titles to have integrated Avatar support.

Avatars will be integrated in different ways across the games. For example, the characters replace the gamerpics and animate according to the action in UNO!, while they become chat lobby figures and in-game icons in Bomberman Live.

The Avatar support is just one of the new features of NXE and although the Avatars can be ignored it is a crystal clear attempt by Microsoft to change the image of the Xbox 360.

The Avatars may be amusing and exciting for our younger gamers out there but for the majority of hardcore gamers, the feature will be as worthwhile as playing Viva Piñata whilst listening to your favourite nursery rhyme beats.

Thursday, November 6th Marketplace Update

Today, I think we all found there was a HUGE marketplace update. We have some new trailers for games such as Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty: World at War, and Gears of War 2. We also got some brand new Guitar Hero: World Tour songs. Check out the full list of new marketplace downloads below:

Left 4 Dead Intro Video
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Germany

Call of Duty World at War - Fire and Destruction Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Germany

Call of Duty World at War - Zombie Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Germany

Gears of War 2 - Welcome to Gears of War 2
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Germany

V8 Premium Theme Pack
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

V8 Vigilante Theme Pack
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Guitar Hero World Tour Oasis - Track Pack
Price: 440 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Guitar Hero World Tour Oasis - Shock of the Lightning Single Track
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Guitar Hero World Tour Oasis - Bag It Up Single Track
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Guitar Hero World Tour Oasis - Waiting for the Rapture
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Guitar Hero World Tour Bond Single
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Everyone make sure to check out some of these new trailers if you have some time.

2008 United States Presidential Election Carnage Report

*Click For Full Size*

Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead, a Valve Software 4 player multi co-op title is a game that is sure to have first person shooter fans drooling and waiting expectantly for it’s release on 18th November.
Left 4 Dead moves away from the traditional first person shooter mode that we have been accustomed to see in such critically acclaimed titles as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Halo 3. Whilst Left 4 Dead is sure to satisfy even the most die hard of FPS fan, it is the way the game has been created and blended into a multiplayer co-op title that will make it different from the above titles.
Set in an environment of distress and depression with countless token hate filled Zombies forming your enemy, Left 4 Dead offers brilliance in single play co-op that we have not really had the pleasure of experiencing.



Moulding well with their surroundings, the four characters interact with one another when in close proximity, and backed up by the dense, depressing setting this offers further realism to an already expectant title. With hands on exclusive gameplay being offered to only a select few, we are left to read (or drool?) over their findings. When the grim reaper is nearby it is then that we see just how much intricate detail has gone into Left 4 Dead. Upon staring death in the face your character will limp, which then deteriorates into a front crawl upon ‘almost’ arriving at the pearly gates. It’s the subtle hints like this, along with excellent character interaction that could be the deciding factor of whether people buy it, or rent it.
It was a bold move, and a statement of intent on Valve Software’s part to release this game in the same period as two heavyweights, but it’s a move that I think will pay off for Valve Software in the long run.
With a desirable storyline and the re-playability factor thrown in, Left 4 Dead will offer an experience we are not yet fully appreciative of, and it’s an experience I want to be a part of.

BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams

In news that is sure to excite gamers across all platforms worldwide, Take Two have confirmed that there will be a sequel to BioShock which hit shelves in August 2007 and sold over 2 million copies. Aptly named, or perhaps not so, BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams has been confirmed to hit shelves in August 2009. It is then, that gamers will be able to get their hands on this colossal sequel.

BioShock, the underwater psychopathic thriller that set the tone for modern day Xbox 360 heart attacks is due to receive a monolithic facelift in a bold, yet welcomed move that is sure to send out a statement of intent from Take Two. Teaser trailers, websites and forums are oozing and waiting expectantly for what could well be an early contender for Game of the Year for 2009.



With the teaser trailer already having people guessing what is in store, a cloud of secrecy has emerged from Take Two with them giving little information away, and rightly so at this early stage. The only thing they have placed on record is that Ken Levine (who I hear you ask?) is to be involved in some capacity. What capacity this is, remains to be seen.
All we know at this present moment, from watching the trailer is that the graphics and visuals are phenomenal and contextually the surroundings are sublime.
BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams is a game that, come August 2009, will have the record books quaking in fear.

Take Two will then show us just how big Rapture has become.

Microsoft To Enter Portable Battle

Please note this picture is not a confirmed design by Microsoft. It is a mock-up.

Microsoft have confirmed they are in the process of making a portable gaming device to compete with Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS as well as Apple's Ipod.

Dean Takahashi has confirmed the device, which is still far from release. The report states that J Allard will be leading a team that includes Greg Gibson (system designer for Xbox 360) and Bryan Lee (finance chief for Xbox business).

The device won't just be a convenient and portable gaming centre. It will also include other entertainment features such as video's and music.

Despite it being early doors in the manufacturing studios experts are already considering it an 'Ipod killer' even though the new Microsoft cash cow has more resemblances with Sony's PSP than any of Apple's unique, diverse and illustrious products.

Let's just hope that this device doesn't have any sort of ring on it. The notorious Red Ring of Death will not be welcome to stage any sort of comeback.

New XBox Experience Early Access

A few lucky gamers have received access to the "New XBox Experience" on or before November 1st. Microsoft sent out 1,000 E-Mails inviting people to join the NXE early. Here is a copy of the E-Mail they sent out...

"Congratulations on your acceptance into the Xbox 360 Fall Flash Preview Program. As a member of this program you will be receiving the New Xbox Experience (NXE) System Update.

The update will be made available to you on or before November 1st. In order to receive the update, log in to Xbox LIVE with the Preview Program registered console.

In participation with this program, you should not move your storage device (hard drive, or memory unit if you do not have a hard drive) to any other console as it will also update that console. If an unregistered console is updated with the NXE update, that console will not be able to connect to Xbox LIVE until the NXE has been officially released on November 19th.

Please remember that your participation in the Public Preview Program is subject to the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use.

We thank you for your participation and hope that you enjoy the New Xbox Experience.

See you online,

The Xbox 360 team"

If you were not invited to the NXE, make sure to not borrow or use a hard drive from someone who was invited. It will automatically download the new update and you will be banned from playing Microsoft Live until November 19th when the update is publicly released.

Afro Samurai Livens Up January Gloom

Those with a passion for video games and the hit TV show Afro Samurai will be counting down the days to January 27th of next year rather than the customary countdown to Christmas.

January 27th 2009 is when we will be able to get our hands on the new manga/anime game and it will be a post-Christmas hit on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Although this game may not be to all our liking it's niche market will be craving this game ahead of pre-Christmas releases such as Gears of War 2, Call of Duty: World at War, Far Cry 2 and Fable 2.

The main character is voiced by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson and has been previously described as a hack and slash game with a sprinkling of strategic elements.

Japanese based developers Namco Bandai Games, who have produced games such as Soul Calibur 3 and 4 as well as popular games like Ace Combat Zero, have recently announced a more detailed description to their current project.

"He who possesses the #1 Headband, will rule the world! Afro Samurai is the cutting edge game that delivers a new kind of cinematic game experience, a living episode that offers addictive, immersive and compelling gameplay that’s literally dripping in style. Join Afro in his epic hunt for revenge to avenge the murder of his father by the current owner of the #1 Headband. Afro Samurai blends traditional Japanese culture, funky technology and hip hop to create a brutally fresh interactive experience. The hit, animated TV series now comes to life!"