Today Microsoft revealed two new Xbox 360 bundles for the holiday season.
The first bundle, dubbed The Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle, comes with with two games, the cute brawler LEGO Batman and high-flying offroad racer Pure, as well as the physical console. The bundle will retail for $300.
The other bundle actually doesn’t come with an Xbox 360. Instead, it offers an wireless Xbox 360 controller, and five Xbox Live Arcade titles: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Lumines LIVE!, Bomberman LIVE! and Ms Pac-Man. All this will cost you $60. Not a bad deal considering the wireless controller normally retails for $50.
Late last night Nintendo announced that stating this Sunday, the Wii will be $50 cheaper in North America. That means come Sept. 27 you can snag the motion-controlled console for $199.
This news really shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise. Over the last few weeks numerous leaked documents helped fueled rumors of a price drop.
Just last month, both Microsoft and Sony announced price cuts for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Many are questioning whether Nintendo had planned this price cut long ago, or is the company just trying to follow suit. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Today Valve announced that the “Crash Course” DLC for Left 4 Dead will arrive on Tuesday, Sept. 29 on both the Xbox 360 and PC.
PC gamers can snag the Versus mode focused add-on for free, where as Xbox 360 gamers will have to shell out 560 Microsoft Points ($7) for the content.
Valve described the DLC saying, “The primary goal of Crash Course is to deliver a complete Versus mode experience in just 30 minutes, resulting in a streamlined version of the game’s existing Versus campaigns.”
Last month Microsoft cut the price of the Xbox 360 Elite down to $299. Today the company announced that if you buy an Xbox 360 Elite between today, Sept. 22, and Oct. 5, you will receive a $50 rebate, bringing the price down to $249. It is important to note that this rebate is only applies to purchases made in the United States.
For those of you who don’t know, the Xbox 360 Elite comes features a special black paint job, a 120 GB hard drive, a black wireless Xbox 360 control, a black Xbox 360 headset and a HDMI port.
For the official press release, hit the jump. Read more »
Today Microsoft announced that the up coming racing title Forza Motorsport 3 will have a demo that will arrive Sept. 24.
The single-player demo will allow gamers to get behind the wheel of five different cars on the Camino Viejo track. The demo will also feature an online leaderboard so you can compare your best times with the rest of the world.
Microsoft also mentioned that Forza 3, which features “more than 400 cars on over 100 tracks,” has gone gold and will be arriving on the scheduled release date of Oct. 23.
For the list of cars in the demo, hit the jump. Read more »
The marketing gods at Microsoft / Bungie have released the full-length version of the Halo 3: ODST live action trailer. Follow Tarkov in his metamorphosis from green recruit to grizzled veteran below.
This Saturday Electronic Arts will be hosting a panel, organized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, discussing the topic of homophobia in videogame culture.
Microsoft, EA, Linden Labs, GayGamer.net and the Entertainment Software Association all are sending representatives. Some of the topics to be discussed include: “how to provide safe spaces for LGBT people online, how to ensure the best policies are in place to prevent virtual attacks against LGBT people and how to educate the users of online communities about the effects of homophobia.”
This event is being held at EA’s Redwood City, California headquarters.It is open to the public and will be running from 11am-1pm.
Today Microsoft announced that another batch of Halo Wars DLC will hit July 21. Dubbed the “Historic Battles” pack, this bit of DLC recreates “key turning points in the UNSC/Covenant war” via four new multiplayer maps.
According to Major Nelson’s blog, the “Historic Battles” pack is priced at 800 Microsoft Points and will add two 1v1 maps, one 2v2 map, and one 3v3 map. Nelson offers a brief overview of each map, saying:
“Barrens (1v1 Map): Difficult terrain channels units into killing zones. The side that controls the Forerunner artifacts will have the advantage.”
“Blood River (1v1 Map): Secure base locations on nearby cliffs overlook this naturally red-tinged river. The soldiers that fought over its two narrow crossings gave the river its name, which has since taken on a greater meaning.”
“Glacial Ravine (3v3 Map): A snow-topped mountain range forms a natural barrier that cuts this region in half. Control of the two energy walls at the narrow central pass often determines the outcome of the battle, though clever use of the Sentinel Factories may play a role as well.”
“Memorial Basin (2v2 Map): The high ground in the middle offers good cover for infantry, while the generally open terrain transforms organized battle plans into bloodbaths.”
Today Microsoft announced that the wireless microphone, originally designed for and packaged with the karaoke game Lips, will be sold individually this fall.
With games like Guitar Hero: Metallica and Rock Band 2 recently adding support for Microsoft’s wireless mic, marketing the standalone mic is an obvious cash crop. Also, the fact that the mic will be hitting stores around the same time as Lips: Number One Hits and The Beatles: Rock Band, both offering support for the mic, doesn’t hurt.
The only downside is the price. Microsoft stated that the mic will cost $50, the same price as the current Lips bundle.
Personally, I love these wireless mics. Whenever I have a Rock Band party, I ask my friend to bring over his mic. It’s just so much easier than having to deal with the chords knocking over drinks on my coffee table.
Today Microsoft announced that Peter Molyneux (Black & White, Fable II) has been appointed to the position of European creative director for Microsoft Game Studios.
The new title’s responsibilities include creative guidance, aid and over sight of Microsoft’s European game studios, which includes Rare and Lionhead.
Molyneux stated, “What you’re not going to see is ten Peter Molyneux games. The value of this role is for someone like myself going in and making those little tiny lights of an idea shine as brightly as possible.”
Molyneux will still act as studio head of Lionhead despite his new title.
Today at its E3 keynote, Microsoft revealed a new motion sensitive camera for the Xbox 360.
Code-named Project Natal, the camera allows gamers to control the console via simple movements and voice commands. The camera has the ability to track multiple people, opening up the possibility of multiplayer.
As of now, only Natal specific mini-games will utilize the camera, however Microsoft has stated that they have sent out development kits today.
Late last night Nintendo announced that stating this Sunday, the Wii will be $50 cheaper in North America. That means come Sept. 27 you can snag the motion-controlled console for $199.
Today Valve announced that the “Crash Course” DLC for Left 4 Dead will arrive on Tuesday, Sept. 29 on both the Xbox 360 and PC.
Last month Microsoft cut the price of the Xbox 360 Elite down to $299. Today the company announced that if you buy an Xbox 360 Elite between today, Sept. 22, and Oct. 5, you will receive a $50 rebate, bringing the price down to $249. It is important to note that this rebate is only applies to purchases made in the United States.
Today Microsoft announced that the up coming racing title Forza Motorsport 3 will have a demo that will arrive Sept. 24.
This Saturday Electronic Arts will be hosting a panel, organized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, discussing the topic of homophobia in videogame culture.
Today Microsoft announced that another batch of Halo Wars DLC will hit July 21. Dubbed the “Historic Battles” pack, this bit of DLC recreates “key turning points in the UNSC/Covenant war” via four new multiplayer maps.
Today Microsoft announced that the wireless microphone, originally designed for and packaged with the karaoke game Lips, will be sold individually this fall.
Today Microsoft announced that Peter Molyneux (Black & White, Fable II) has been appointed to the position of European creative director for Microsoft Game Studios.