Xbox News And Rumors

Microsoft Points To Be Scrapped This Year?

2012-01-24T06:56:00.000-05:00

According to a report by Inside Mobile Apps, the Microsoft Point system will be scrapped by the end of the year and replaced with real currency.

This is similar to the PlayStation Network cards, as they offer real currency values instead of a point system. The currency is rumored to work across all XBLM, Games for Windows, Zune Marketplace, and Windows Phone 7. Basically everything on Xbox will be switching to real currency, accordingly.

Microsoft does not respond to rumors and speculation, so we'll just have to wait and see if this is real.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Coming To E3 2012

2012-01-18T16:28:00.001-05:00

The newest Metal Gear will finally come out of its one year hibernation and shed some light on E3 2012. Not only will the game be showcased and more-detailed, but it will also be playable among the floor.

The game was "re-announced" after Kojima couldn't get the visa he wanted with Metal Gear Solid: Rising. Now with the collaboration with Platinum Games, the game seems to finally be moving at a speedy pace, however some Metal Gear fans aren't pleased.

The game has yet to receive a solid release date, however the 2012 release window hasn't changed.

Mass Effect 3 Demo Releasing This Valentine's Day

2012-01-18T16:22:00.001-05:00

The long awaited demo for Mass Effect 3 will hit the Xbox Live Marketplace this Valentine's Day, February 14th to be exact.

You already know what to expect since the demo was leaked early last December, although the game will be much more polished when it releases in less than a month.

Mass Effect 3 launches March 6th in the US, and March 9th in Europe.

Gears of War 3 Fenix Rising DLC Achievements

2012-01-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

Besides five new maps, new weapon skins, and new characters, Fenix Rising will also give players 7 brand new achievements, which seem more difficult than typical Gears of War achievements. However they still stick to complete Horde and Beast waves, and various tasks on online versus.

The new achievements are worth 250 Gamescore. Here they are:

Now They Begin to Understand – Complete 12 waves of Beast on all Fenix Rising Maps. (20G)
Defending the Past – Complete all 50 waves of Horde on any of the Fenix Rising Maps. (25G)
Come to Poppa – Win a Versus multiplayer match as a team of five Recruit Claytons (any mode). (15G)
Locust, Forever – Win a Versus multiplayer match as a team of five Savage Marauders (any mode). (15G)
Time to Re-up – Achieve level 100 and choose to re-up for another tour of duty. (50G)
Again! – Achieve level 100 a second time and choose to re-up for another tour of duty. (50G)
I’ve Done it All! – Earn at least one of each of the original 132 combat ribbons. (75G)

Fenix Fising releases January 17th for 800 Microsoft Points, of for free if you are a Season Pass holder.

XNAR Countdown: Top 10 Announcements of 2011

2011-12-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

2011 was not only filled with an abundance of blockbuster games and glorious sequels, but also paved the road to gaming in 2012 and 2013. Multiple studios announced the next sequel, or the next IP, either way 2011 was filled with as much excitement as it was games. E3 2011 didn't disappoint at all this year, and now it's time to countdown the best announcements.

#10 - Far Cry 3

Making a surprise appearance at E3 2011, Far Cry 3 takes us back to the tropical environment to sneak around a pic off enemies as they come, while trying not to get captured. While not much about the game has been said yet, it's no doubt it will be similar to its predecessors in both online and single player. I'm sure the game will make another appearance at E3 in 2012.

#9 - Modern Warfare 3

A new Call of Duty has become a yearly thing, however the majority of the fans seem to adore Modern Warfare with a passion, and some even despise Treyarch at their attempt to create a "modern" Call of Duty. While the online is something that needs no description, the campaign seems to bring the game to new heights, and many new locations such as New York and more locations in Europe. Modern Warfare 3 did amazing in sales, but the game itself is debatable.

#8 - Prey 2

The original Prey was one of the first games to hit shelves when the Xbox 360 came out, and now it has returned with some help from Bethesda to take alien hunting to a new level. With many upgrades from the original game, its a waiting game to see how Prey 2 will play out, considering not much about the game has been released yet, this seems to be another game that will make another appearance at E3 in 2012, and we can't wait to see what's going to be.

#7 - Rainbow 6 Patriots

The team is back int he sixth installment in the Rainbow Six series of the Tom Clancy shooters. Armed with incredible graphics, and a whole new way to play shooters, Rainbow 6 Patriots in a shattering achievement for the shooter genre. The tactical portions of the game will be upgraded along with the everything all around. We're sure the online will be impressive as well. Let's just hope the game doesn't flop in any way.

#6 - Assassin's Creed: Revelations

Assassin's Creed has become a yearly thing itself, however Revelations has proved to be greater than Brotherhood, and right up there with Assassin's Creed II. Ezio's final appearance may be the reason must gamers will buy Revelations, however the game seems to be quite impressive all around. Takes the streets of the Ottoman Empire and pick off Templars as you go while you look at spectacular cut scene graphics (powered by Adobe Flash Player). Ubisoft has proven Assassin's Creed isn't going anywhere just yet.

#5 - Metal Gear Solid HD

Take not one, not two, but three of the most successful Metal Gear Solid games, remaster the visuals, and also make them available for Xbox 360, and you have one of the most successful modern games to come out of Japan on your Xbox. Kojima Productions stunned everyone when the collection would be on the Xbox 360, and many PS3 fans were angered for some reason at it. Although the games still feel more natural on the PlayStation, the collection its self is a masterpiece. Looks like Rising isn't the only one on the 360.

#4 - Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

The game was a rumor for quite sometime before it was made official at E3 2011. With added terminals, and online multiplayer, remaster audio, and a completely rebuild with the graphics, you get quite more than an HD remake. The Combat Evolved Anniversary is just as amazing as the original back in 2001, and is a must buy for any Halo fan or anybody who hasn't played the first Halo. 343 Industries has proved it can still keep Halo fans excited without Bungie behind the reins.

#3 - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Once Metal Gear Solid: Rising, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was made official at the 2011 VGA, and had a number of mixed impressions. However he initial game was brought out of the darkness, and with a new developer it was reborn. Taking control of the cyborg ninja Raiden in the future, you'll be cutting enemy NPCs in half for hours while still having that Metal Gear Solid atmosphere, even though the game is a spin-off. Love it or hate it, Raiden is rising.

#2 - Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar's greatest IP is returning once again with Grand Theft Auto V. The announcement was made out of no where, and many gamers became instantly excited for the game's release and trailer which was due out the week after the announcement. Taking place in a fictional rendition of Los Angeles, Grand Theft Auto V will feature a new protagonist while keeping the core fundamentals of the Grand Theft Auto universe. We can't wait to hijack cars and shoot down other gangsters in Grand Theft Auto V.

#1 - Halo 4

Master Chief and Cortana are back in a new world, new enemies and allies, and a whole new story. The face of Xbox is back with a continuation of one of the most successful stories on Xbox. 343 Industries will prove itself once and for all if it's the right choice for Halo. Halo 4 will bring us new weapons and new vehicles, as well as the old weapons and vehicles will love and adore. Plus that classic online multiplayer that gave people the opportunity to have 24 hour LAN parties. Halo 4 made E3 2011, and will most likely be the Xbox 360's last blockbuster game.

XNAR Review: Batman: Arkham City

2011-12-28T10:41:00.000-05:00

Rocksteady released another Batman game after the success of Batman: Arkham Asylum. Many fans and critics were wondering if the studio could make lightning strike twice with their Batman franchise, and where the story would go after the Asylum. Batman: Arkham City is filled with mystery, crime fighting, and cats?

First Impressions

The loading screens don't interest everybody, but the theme for this game seems to be not as dark and filled with rain. In the main menu more characters will be shown as your progress through the game, so that no spoilers are given out. All the modes are similar line in Asylum, except now there's a new option to play Catwoman's missions once they are unlocked, as well as Ranked bonus levels.

The Arkham City menu features no lag, and oaring times aren't slow at all without an install. You won't find your console freezing up at all while playing Arkham City.

Story Mode/Gameplay

The story is a sequel to Arkham Asylum, and someone has placed Bruce Wayne in the City. Of course he'll break out and cause more havoc throughout the inmate-filled city, but there's more to that. Finding out why the City and who is behind all of it is what the story is mostly about.

The game is filled with tons of bosses and famous Batman villains, although we'll only name those who have been announced. From The Penguin to The Joker, you'll be surprised who you encounter and who's who.

The gameplay is very similar to Arkham Asylum, in fact it hasn't seemed to change at all. You'll still be mashing buttons when fighting enemies and trying to counter as many strikes as you can without being it. Most of the time though, you'll have to take on enemies without being seem, which was also present in Arkham Asylum. Sometimes you'll do this in buildings, and sometimes you may have to do this in the city itself. As the story progresses, this will become harder.

Gadgets play a crucial role in Arkham City. A new one will unlock as the story progresses, and make tasks seem easier than before. This will also allow you to go back and retrieve collectibles you missed early on. Gadgets will also make fighting waves of enemies easier as well, using certain button shortcuts to quick fire a certain gadget.

Boss battles will require more than just head on fighting, you'll have to use your environments to find their weakness. If you turn on hints in the main menu or settings it will make this tasks easier than it seems. Some boss battles such as The Penguin's will require you to do a little more than just use your surroundings.

Difficulty

Like most games, the difficulty in Batman: Arkham City has three presets, Easy, Normal, and Hard. The way the game players is pretty self-explanatory, however in on Easy difficulty you may find yourself stuck in a few places. It all depends on how familiar you are with the game and game's similar to Arkham City.

Once you beat the game on any difficulty, New Game Plus will unlock, similar to Arkham Asylum, where the game takes away some of the hints such as counter notifier and you will keep all of your gadgets from the start.

Summary

Final Score: 90%

Rocksteady has done it again with Batman: Arkham City. Surrounding the story with mystery and depth that will make you want to fight all the way till the very end, plus add more than a dozen famous Batman characters and you got yourself one of the best Batman or comic book hero games out there. Although the ending makes it look like their won't be a third Batman for Rocksteady, this gives them a chance to take on a new DC super hero. Which is fine with me.

Batman: Arkham City is a most play for any Batman fan or any gamer looking for a fun free-roam game. You'll spend hours competing the game, finding on the collectibles, side missions, ranked maps, its quite a handful. Now we wait for more DLC?

First Modern Warfare 3 DLC Screenshot Released

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Robert Bowling released a teaser for the upcoming map pack for Modern Warfare 3 by releasing a screenshot of a new map called "Park". The setting for "Park" is pretty noticeable as Central Park in New York City, which is one of the setting sin the game's storyline.

Surrounded by trees, stairs, and more urban environments, "Park" looks like a recreation map for all types of gameplay. Hopefully we'll see more screenshots pop up as the days go on.

First Modern Warfare 3 DLC Dated For January

2011-12-21T15:58:00.001-05:00

Infinity Ward has announced the first DLC for Modern Warfare 3 will be dropping this January, and as mentioned before Call of Duty: Elite members will receive the DLC before anyone else. Infinity Ward is stating the DLC is different than anything they have done before, since they are working along side Raven Software and Sledgehammer Games.

The DLC is already planned to feature not only new multiplayer maps, but upcoming and future DLC will also feature more Spec Ops missions and possibly other content as well.

"The way we're doing downloadable content this year is unlike we've ever done before," said Bowling. "Not only in how you can get it - in content drops or choose for the collection - but also the type of content you're getting. We're doing more than just maps. We're going to do Spec Ops missions and a variety of things that players have never seen before.

"That's the great thing about having three developers that are contributing to the season of content. You have Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer and Raven all pitching in," Bowling added. "The full season of content for Modern Warfare 3 kicks off for Elite subscribers on January 24 on Xbox Live."

No word on when the DLC will be available for every Modern Warfare 3 player, but Elite subscribers can expect something new on January 24th.

Gears of War 3 "Fenix Rising" DLC Coming This January

2011-12-21T15:52:00.001-05:00

Epic Games has announced another Gears of War 3 DLC will be coming this January, equipped with 5 new and returning maps, new characters, and a new ranking system that allows players to "re-up".

The five maps are:

Academy - Academy is a new map in the Gears of War series. Academy was the military school MArcus Fenix would have attended in his younger age.

Anvil - Anvil takes us to the fortress of Anvegad, which has been destroyed by Locust.

Depths - Depths is the location where Adam Fenix was held captive all this time during the Gears of War series.

Escalation - Escalation returns to Gears of War since it was a hit in the original Gears of War. Fight on the steps of the Fenix Estate in this flashback map.

The Slab - The Slab isn't a new map, but it's not a flashback map either. The Slab is the prison Marcus Fenix was held in before Dom broke him out to join battle.

All of these maps are available to play on Multiplayer Versus, Horde, and Beast mode.

The "Fenix Rising" DLC will also feature some new and familiar playable characters. Unlock Recruit Clayton, Thrashball Cole, Savage Marauder and Savage Kantus when you purchase the DLC.

One of the newest addition to the Gears of War franchise is the ability to prestige or "re-up" as Epic is calling. Once you reach level 100 you will have the option to reset everything and return to level 1 with a new colored rank. There's three levels to go through until you can't prestige anymore. Your rank will go from red, to green, and finally gold. Prestiging will also give you exclusive weapon skins, Re-Up Plasma, Re-Up Omen, and Re-Up Electric.

The Fenix Rising DLC releases January 17th for 800 Microsoft Points, or for free if you purchased the Season Pass.

Give Everyone a Beard In Gears of War 3

2011-12-20T18:01:00.001-05:00

A fun new easer egg has been found in Gears of War 3 in which everybody, including the ladies, have beards like their fellow Gear. Start the game on Insane and stand next to Dom the entire dream sequence fight, and the easter egg should unlock.

If you need help or just want to see the easter egg online, IGN has posted a video for everyone to see:

New Game Modes Coming To Modern Warfare 3

2011-12-16T07:07:00.001-05:00

Infinity Ward will release three new game modes into the multiplayer playlists, two of them today and another over the weekend. Hardcore Ricochet, Hardcore HQ Ricochet, and Drop Zone. Besides those three new game modes, Infinity Ward will also be adding some unique private game modes.

Bowling stated: "This is where we will add popular or unique private match modes to the public playlists, so you can start ranking up on them!" Bowling also stated an update is coming to fix lag issues and host disadvantage.

Here's the game mode description:

Drop Zone:
Get to the drop zone to earn points, the first team to 7500 points wins the round, but that's not all. As long as the Drop Zone is occupied, a care package will drop every 15 seconds, which ever team has the most members in the drop zone at that point "owns" the care package, but anyone can steal it. This is the only way to earn air support in this mode, all other pointstreaks are disabled. You'll earn 20 points per team member, for every second they're in the drop zone plus 20 XP individually for your time spent in the zone. Kills are worth 50 XP in this mode.

Custom Settings: Pointstreaks (besides those obtained through in-game care packages) are disabled.

Hardcore HQ Ricochet:
We'll be adding Hardcore Headquarters to the Hardcore Team Tactical playlist.

Hardcore Ricochet:

We'll be converting all Hardcore modes to Ricochet variant as a response to team killing. This means, any friendly fire, is applied to the attacker, rather than the victim. So choose your shots wisely and any attempt to team kill will simply kill yourself.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising Was Cancelled, Became Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

2011-12-13T07:14:00.000-05:00

Metal Gear Solid: Rising was announced at E3 2009 to be the first Metal Gear game on the Xbox 360, and to feature around cyborg Raiden. However, the game announced just a few days ago, is not the same game.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising was cancelled before it was taken over by Platinum Games, which is was then renamed Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Why? The reason Metal Gear Solid: Rising was cancelled, was due to an action made by Hideo Kojima himself. The "cut at will" concept faded away, and so did studio interest. Platinum games later came to Kojima and discussed interest about the project, in which it was then brought back to life.

This explains why the game was a no-show at E3 2011 and TGS 2011, but hopefully we'll see more about it in the coming months. The reason why the name was changed, is because this is not a Metal Gear Solid game, in fact it's not even part of the Metal Gear Solid series. A entirely new Metal Gear, so you can expect more from this sub-series in the future.

VGA 2011: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Trailer Debut

2011-12-10T22:26:00.001-05:00

Kojima Productions and new developer Platinum Games have revealed that Metal Gear Solid: Rising is no more, but instead it has been renamed Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. This makes sense considering Metal Gear Solid belongs to snake, however the new name can confuse you.

Kojima revealed a much longer trailer than previous ones, and gave us an inside look on what Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is all about. Swords gameplay seems to be where it is at, and for once we didn't see any watermelons get sliced. However, many NPC soldiers were brutality sliced, which is always fun.

Check out the intense trailer below:

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - VGA 2011: Exclusive Revengeance Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

VGA 2011: Bioware Reveals Command & Conquer: Generals 2

2011-12-10T22:21:00.001-05:00

Bioware has revealed yet another game at the Spike VGAs, except this time its a whole new direction for the studio. Command & Conquer: Generals 2 is Bioware's next IP, and although it may not seem fresh and new, it is for the studio.

The trailer was nothing but a mere few seconds, and offered nothing but tanks destroying each other and a few helicopters. Nothing special, but it's just an announcement trailer.

Command & Conquer: Generals 2 launches in 2013.

VGA 2011: Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD Announced

2011-12-10T22:18:00.001-05:00

Imagine combining Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2, add some modern day graphics and console controllers, and you get Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD. That's right, forget about the plastic skateboard and pick up your controller, Tony Hawk is going back to his roots in Pro Skater HD.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD - VGA 2011: Exclusive Debut Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

VGA 2011: Rainbow 6 Patriots Trailer Debut

2011-12-10T22:16:00.001-05:00

Ubisoft has debuting the first ever gameplay trailer for Rainbow 6 Patriots, and gives us an insight on the storyline of the game. Revolving around politics, rioting, fighting, war on terrorisms, it's everything we expect in a Tom Clancy game, and it's all and more in Rainbow 6 Patriots.

Check out the trailer:

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Rainbow Six: Patriots - VGA 2011: Exclusive Debut Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

VGA 2011: New Mass Effect 3 Trailer

2011-12-10T22:14:00.001-05:00

Mass Effect 3 has made its way to the 2011 VGAs, although this time instead of being announced, Bioware gave us a brand new trailer revolving around the Reapers. Featuring fast-pased combat, fan-favorite characters, and Reapers wreaking havoc, it's everything we want in Mass Effect 3.

Check out the trailer:

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Mass Effect 3 - VGA 2011: Exclusive Gameplay Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

VGA 2011: Bioshock Infinite VGA Trailer

2011-12-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

Bioshock Infinite has made its way to the 2011 VGAs, and gave us a brand new trailer showing off the environment of Columbia, as well as some of the destruction that is taking place in the region. Bioshock Infinite takes us to a whole new location, which brings us a whole new story.

Check out the trailer:

Get More: GameTrailers.com, BioShock Infinite - VGA 2011: Exclusive Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

VGA 2011: Epic Games' New IP "Fortnite" Revealed

2011-12-10T22:07:00.001-05:00

Epic Game's Cliff Bleszinksi has revealed Epic's new IP, Fortnite, which brings something entirely new to the Epic Games franchise. Featuring zombies, destruction, and cartoon-like graphics, Fortnite is everything but another Gears of War.

See the announcement trailer:

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Fortnite - VGA 2011: Exclusive Debut Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Shepard's Combat Improvements Shown Off In New Mass Effect 3 Video

2011-12-09T07:09:00.001-05:00

Bioware has posted another Bioware Pulse video, which allows fans to get a inside look at upcoming games and catch up on Bioware news. This week the video gives us an inside look on the combat aspects of Mass Effect 3, and how it has improved since Mass Effect 2.

Among the combat improvements, Sheaprd can now perform special melee attacks, which has been noted before. Sheaprd can "sync" with the targets around him, so when you perform a melee attack you will always hit the target. The cover system has already improved, Sheaprd can now move more fluidly and more "realistic" around corners and barriers.

Mass Effect 3 launches March 6th, 2012, here's the video:

Official Xbox Live iOS App Now Available

2011-12-07T16:32:00.001-05:00

Coinciding with the release of the new Xbox Live update, Microsoft has released an official Xbox Live iOS app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. The app functions very similar to your new dashboard, especially on the iPad, although it is much easier to use.

You can send messages, check your friend list, compare your games, pretty much everything you could do on My Xbox and dashboard, expect now it can fit into your pocket.

The app is free and can be downloaded HERE

Gears of War 3 RAAM's Shadow DLC Footage

2011-12-07T14:56:00.001-05:00

Epic Games and G4TV have released footage for the upcoming RAAM's Shadow DLC, which is scheduled to release next week. The DLC is the first Campaign DLC for Gears of War 3, and for the first time we will see the events before Gears 1 through both COG and Locust perspective.

The DLC features returning and new characters in both multiplayer and campaign, such as Tai, Kim, as well as RAAM himself. All of these characters are playable in campaign. Playing as RAAM and friends will also bring new weapons to the Gears of War franchise. RAAM has a gun of some sort which launches a Kryll attack on an enemy. A sawed-off shotgun with a bayonet will also appear in the campaign.

See more new features and weapons in the footage below, as well as some gameplay footage in general. RAAM's Shadow releases December 13th on Xbox Live for 1200 Microsoft Points, or for free if you have the Season Pass, which is still available for 2400 Microsoft Points.

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2012 - Gears of War 3

Master Chief Redesigned For Halo 4

2011-12-05T18:10:00.001-05:00

Master Chief undergo a new design next time we see him in time for Halo 4. The last time we saw Master Chief was in the E3 2011 announcement, and he was already sporting a new jetpack. Frank O'Connor told Xbox World magazine that the changes are "connected to the story" and "fairly radical changes".

Master Chief isn't the only familiar character changing up a bit. Cortana will also appear different in Halo 4, however her change is different:

"Seven years is the lifespan for a smart AI before it enters a state called rampancy," he said. "Cortana was getting close to the end of her natural lifespan at the end of Halo 3 but she has been exposed to far more information than any other AI in existence. She's going to develop some muscle from that process but it also contributes to her rampancy – that much information makes things worse."

Halo 4 is the first game in the new trilogy 343 Industries is creating, and Halo 4 is set to drop late 2012.

Epic Games To Reveal New Game At The VGAs

2011-12-05T14:54:00.001-05:00

You might remember Epic Games planning on announcing a new game at the 2010 VGAs, however Microsoft pulled the plug on the whole thing. Now this year Epic Games is mostly likely announcing the same game, or possibly a brand new "fresh and new experience."

The announcement was made with a teaser video featuring Designer and Director, Cliff Bleszinski. The announcement will also mark the studio's 20th Anniversary. Bleszinkski has confirmed via Twitter that the project is a fresh new IP.

Epic Games Tease
Get More: Epic Games Tease

XNAR Presents: XNAR Awards 2011

2011-12-03T19:11:00.001-05:00

2011 was a year filled with great games, made by amazing studios, who also produced some fantastic DLC add-ons. The list was hard to make this time around, but with careful observations it was clear who the winners would be. I would give XNAR Game of the Year to multiple titles, but only one can have it, so keep reading to find out who won what.

Round 1

Best Shooter

Battlefield 3 defeated all other shooter nominations for our list, however it was a tough category to choose for. Although we didn't receive the game ourselves, it still like an impressive game. The game mainly wins due to the fact it brought some more fresh and realistic gameplay to the FPS franchise, instead of just another rehash front he previous year's title.

The Frost Bite 2 engine also plays a huge part in the game's success, making it one of that most beautiful FPS shooter game to date. We hope DICE's "Back to Karkland" DLC will be a nice addition to the game.

Best RPG

Bethesda's Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was a clear winner for our RPG of the Year. The vast and mountainous region of Skyrim is a stunning achievement itself. One of the most impressive elements of the game would be it's original score. It's no doubt Skyrim would win that category as well, if we had it.

An Elder Scrolls game is always a masterpiece of some sort to the public when it releases, and it's clear Skyrim once again kept the trend going. From dragons to dungeons, and NPCs to your own unique character. Skyrim is a game like no other this year, hopefully the DLC will be the same.

Best Racing

Forza Motorsports 4 holds the winner for our Racing game of the year. Mainly because it kept the "Forza core" in the game, as well as some impressive graphics. Forza Motorsports has always been an impressive racing game on the Xbox 360, and has become a majority favorite as well. Forza has once again taken the lead against other racing games.

Best Sports

NBA 2K12 has become a favorite for all basketball fans on the Xbox 360, making outstanding sales for a sports game. The game focuses on elements of customization, which has proven to be a popular feature among sports fans and gamers.

The game is also the greatest for having fun with friend, trying to make the best shots, or simply trying to beat your friend is always a good time.

Round 2

Best Studio

Bethesda has proven once again that they don't mess around when it comes to games, especially with their AAA title Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which has won XNAR Best RPG. With games like Brink, Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas, and their upcoming IP Dishonored, Bethesda has a lot to be proud of.

For a studio of its size, Bethesda proves with time and dedication a great IP can be made, and continued with great sequels that we never get tired of. That's why Bethesda has won best studio this year.

Best DLC

Mass Effect 2: Arrival may not be a favorite for all players, however its the reason we will know about the beginning events of Mass Effect 3, and it also adds some more choice and consequences. Nothing wrong with that.

While there was plenty of great DLC add-ons this year (not counting the endless songs for Rock Band, not that they're a bad thing) however Arrival wins this time around. See you in March Commander Shepard.

Best New IP

2011 was more of a year of sequels, however in the bunch of new IPs that were released, Bulletstorm sticks out as the most innovated and entertaining. From kicking mutants into man-eating plants, or getting yourself drunk and shooting up a crowded area with a four-barrel shotgun, Bulletstorm overs plenty of fun.

One of the reasons Bulletstorm wins Best IP, is the fact its the most unique FPS to date and brought something entirely new to table, however this can be debatable. While the campaign was iffy, the combat in general is a reason to get the game. I wouldn't mind seeing a Bulletstorm 2 in the future, just add more of a multiplayer next time?

Best Sequel

Out of the sea of sequels, Batman: Arkham City reins supreme. Rocksteady has proven that a great superhero game can be made, and not be repetitive in any way. What makes this sequel so great, is that Rocksteady has focused on making the game more of a free roam and more of an off-the-rails type of game.

Plus, with a mass amount of rememberable Batman villains, what's not to love about this sequel? But in the outcome, its the freshness and originality that makes this game unique. Sure there was an abundance of great sequels out there, but Arkham City deserves it this year.

Round 3

Best Announcement

This one was one of the most toughest categories to choose a winner, however Halo 4 won the spot. Halo has been in a sense the face of Xbox since it's first release on the console back in 2001. With the return of Master Chief, a whole new story, setting, weapons, vehicles, and vast amount of new features while keeping it "real" and "Halo-ish" how can this not be a great announcement?

Ever since 2007 we've been wondering the fate of Master Chief. Did he die? Is he alive? Now we know, and he's coming back Holiday 2012 (hopefully). Hopefully 343 industries will keep the series going, after all Halo 5 and Halo 6 will be coming.

Biggest Disappointment

For a game that won so many awards during E3 2010, it's a shame the game didn't deliver what we all expected it. Although some will say the game is great, reviews and word of mouth will say otherwise. iD Software won't let this bother them though, and hopefully release maybe a Rage 2?

Also... I think this category deserves a tie... Duke Nukem Forever... no need for explanation.

Game Of The Year

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim holds the number 1 spot on Xbox News and Rumors for review scores, and is considered a masterpiece by numerous game reviewers, and there's no doubt it is a masterpiece. From the music, to story, to graphics, to pretty much anything Skyrim is a game like no other. Sure the game may have its hiccups here and there, but which game doesn't?

Elder Scrolls III, IV, and now V have all officially won a Game of The Year, but that's not the reason why we did, its imply because it deserves it. Although there were many great games out this year, and RPGs, Skyrim and Elder Scrolls in general still holds supreme among RPGs. Keep it going Bethesda.

Army of Two Sequel In Development; To Be Called "Army of Four"

2011-12-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Reports that made their way onto the internet today suggest that EA is already developing the next Army of Two game. However the game is rumored to include four-player co-op for the first time, which is why it's given the name Army of Four.

Technically, the game isn't announced yet, but EA did let it out that it is in development at EA's Montreal Studio, however it's "not going well" and some believe DICE might have to move in and give some help. The game is already been reported to utilize the Frost Bite 2 engine, which is DICE's new "flagship" engine.

It's not a rumor or official, so take this however you like. But maybe we can expect something at E3 2012?

How Much Did The Xbox 360 and Kinect Sell During Black Friday?

2011-11-30T17:42:00.001-05:00

Last week, Microsoft experienced their "biggest sales week in the history of Xbox", selling almost one million Xbox 360 units during the whole weekend.

On Black Friday alone, 800,000 Xbox 360 units were sold, creating a total of 960,000 units sold by the end of the weekend. For Kinect, both bundled and standalone units sold 750,000 units. That's a lot of Microsoft products sold.

"We have seen tremendous excitement from customers for our hot holiday gaming offers," said Chris Homeister, SVP and GM of Home Entertainment at Best Buy. "Xbox 360 was among the best-sellers at Best Buy this Black Friday, and is a testament to the continued popularity of the gaming category this holiday."

Skyrim Patch 1.2 Features More Bugs

2011-11-30T17:34:00.001-05:00

Bethesda's Skyrim 1.2 patch rolled out today worldwide, and fixed many of the issues that were addressed when the game launched on November 11th. The patch managed to fix the issues with graphics and other bugs, however it brought more bugs to the game, which can be more extreme to certain players.

Resistance to fire, first, diseases, anything of that nature is no longer in effect. This means Flame Atronachs are as vulnerable to fire as they are to frost, meaning using a fire spell will hurt them more than they should. This isn't jut for NPCs in the game, it also is directed towards your player. Armor enchantment that has frost resistance is no longer in effect.

That's not the only bug reported in the game, backwards flying dragons have been spotted, and someone was kind enough to post a video on YouTube. If you haven't experienced it for yourself (yet), check out the video below:

Mass Effect 3 Features "Cut Content" From Mass Effect 2

2011-11-30T17:29:00.001-05:00

One of the biggest locations missing in Mass Effect 2 was The Citadel, which is strange because it is the financial, political, and culture center of the Mass Effect universe. It also is where the Protheans were created, which also hold an important part in the Mass Effect series.

Marc Walters, the game's lead writer spoke to OXM:

"There was a Mass Effect 2 plot that was a kind of callback to the first Mass Effect that was going to be on the Citadel, and we cut it," said Walters.

"But now it's made a resurrection in Mass Effect 3, so I'm happy, but I can't say what it is."

So there you have it, expect The Citadel and other familiar places to make an appearance in Mass Effect 3.

Bethesda Details Skyrim 1.2 Patch

2011-11-29T08:03:00.000-05:00

Bethesda has released full details on the Skyrim 1.2 patch, which is coming very soon, tomorrow to be exact. The major fix will be the fix the texture issues most players have, where the installed game doesn't not improve the graphics.

Bethesda will be keeping up with the community for future updates, as they noted on their official blog, "After releasing the 1.2 update, we will continue to monitor forums, blogs, etc. for issues you are reporting, and we will keep you updated on further updates to improve your gameplay experience."

Fixed issue where textures would not properly upgrade when installed to drive

Fixed issue where projectiles did not properly fade away

Fixed occasional issue where a guest would arrive to the player's wedding dead

Dragon corpses now clean up properly

Fixed rare issue where dragons would not attack

Fixed rare NPC sleeping animation bug

Fixed rare issue with dead corpses being cleared up prematurely

Skeleton Key will now work properly if player has no lockpicks in their inventory

Fixed rare issue with renaming enchanted weapons and armor

Fixed rare issue with dragons not properly giving souls after death

Ubisoft Teases Future Assassin's Creed Locations

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

For all those who wanted to vote on where the next Assassin's Creed location would be, you might be in luck, Ubisoft has posted a market research survey asking, "Among the following propositions, in which of the following historical periods and locations would you like one of the next Assassin's Creed games to take place?”

A screenshot was taken by EmpireStateGamer, and the list is below:

The violent conflicts of the Imperial Dynasties in Medieval China
The advent of the mighty British Empire during Victorian England
The culmination of the Pharaoh Reign in Ancient Egypt
The invasion of the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors
The confrontation between British colonists and native Americans during The American Revolution
The overthrow of the Tsar Empire by the Communists during the Russian Revolution
The Warlord Battles in Feudal Japan
The rise of Cesar's Empire in Ancient Rome

So will this be for next year's Assassin's Creed game not featuring Ezio? Or is this for the long awaited Assassin's Creed III?

Kinect 2 Rumors Leaked Onto The Web

2011-11-29T07:03:00.001-05:00

Rumors about the next-generation Kinect are purring onto the web, and are stated that the deice will be bundled in the next-generation Xbox as well. The main target of the Kinect 2is to greatly improve its motion capture capabilities.

Eurogamer has a story stated multiple "sources" have claimed the Kinect 2 will be bundled will next-generation Xbox's. The Kinect 2 will also be capable of lip-reading, detection of the direction your body is in, and even mood readings. This is supposedly made possible through facial expressions and voice pitch. Pretty clever, if it's true.

Some of theses features were suppose to be a part of the first-generation Kinect, however could not due to USB restrictions. USB could carry the data fast enough for the features to work. However, if Kinect 2 is bundled with the next Xbox, this won't be a problem.

So if the Kinect 2 is bundled in the next-generation Xbox, will that effect the cost and size that was reportedly decreased?

Almost 2000 Players Banned From Modern Warfare 3

2011-11-25T09:46:00.001-05:00

Infinity Ward has been letting the ban hammer fly with Modern Warfare 3, already banning 1600+ gamers which was address in Robert Bowling's tweet earlier this week.

"Any attempt to cheat, hack, or glitch in #MW3 will not be tolerated. 1600+ bans issued. Updates in works," Bowling explained in his tweet. "There's a button in game after a match," stated Bowling to help encourage players to report cheaters. "Click on them in the lobby and it gives option to View Gamercard + Report Player."

Infinity Ward has confirmed that video evidence is not needed to confirmed cheating in-game stated Bowling: "Stats are always recorded, we can verify and detect cheating without video proof."

Of course not everybody will be getting the same treatment, the level or length of your ban will be determined on how you were cheating: "Every ban is unique to the level of douchiness of the offense," Bowling explained. "The greater the douche the greater the length. PermaDouche possible."

Moral of the story, don't cheat. Games were meant to be played, not broken.

People Can Fly To Create Gears of War Prequel Trilogy?

2011-11-25T09:38:00.001-05:00

Rumors about another Gears of War game has been around for a while, started with the Kinect Gears of War, however that was shot down back in June. In the latest issue of Official Xbox Magazine, a comment made in the rumors section could possibly become a reality.

“Gears of War will live on, of course, but in what form? A prequel trilogy developed by Epic-owned People Can Fly (Bulletstorm) as a likely scenario”, reads the comment. People Can Fly are owned by Epic Games, having developed Bulletstorm which helped port the Gears 3 beta, but they also had a hand in developing Gears of War for the PC back in 2007.

So could this become a reality? It would give Epic Games the opportunity to focus on new IPs, DLC, and more. Plus it would give the Gears franchise a new twist, but would it be like Bulletstorm?

Black Friday Deals On Xbox Live

2011-11-25T09:32:00.001-05:00

Microsoft has various items in the Xbox Live Arcade on sale for Black Friday. Get up to 73% off on an arcade title today. Also to coincide with this event, the Xbox Live Fan Appreciation sale is still going on as well. Get discounted prices on more than a dozen items.

Black Friday Deals:

Fallout 3 - GoD Was: $29.99 Now: varies by region (25% off)
Full House Poker - Arcade Was: 800 MSP Now: 400 MSP (50% off)
Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team - Arcade - Was: 800 MSP Now: 400 MSP (50% off)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 - Arcade - Was: 1200 MSP Now: 320 MSP (73% off)

Cyber Monday will also have exclusive sales.

The Xbox LIVE Fan Appreciation Sale is still going on as well:

Xbox LIVE Fan Appreciation Sale - Nov 22–28

Battlefield: Bad Company GoD - $19.99
Civilization Revolution! GoD - $29.99
Pinball FX – Marvel Pack - 400 MSP
Pinball FX – Classic Pack - 400 MSP
Pinball FX – Core Pack - 400 MSP
Homefront The Rock Map Pack - 200 MSP
Weapon of Choice - 200 MSP
Flotilla - 200 MSP
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat GoD - $19.99
Homefront Fire Sale Map Pack Add-on 240 120 50%
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Mobile - $4.99
Full House Poker Mobile - $1.99
Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles Mobile - $2.99
Bulletstorm PC - $14.99
Street Fighter IV PC - $9.99
Section 8: Prejudice PC - $7.49
Ninja’s Smoke Bomb Avatar Item - 190 MSP
Ninja’s Grapling Hook Avatar Item - 140 MSP
Ancient Times Icarus Wings Avatar Item - 140 MSP
Robots Hoverbot Avatar Item - 140 MSP
Fierce Moves: Break Dancing Avatar Item - 190 MSP
Winter Wear: Penguin Pet Avatar Item - 140 MSP
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood - Harlequin Jack-in-the-Box Prop - 160 MSP
Homefront RC Goliath Drone Avatar Item - 160 MSP
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: Premium Theme - 160 MSP
Tron Evolution Premium Theme - 160 MSP
Fallout 3 Premium Theme - 160 MSP
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Vietnam Theme - 160 MSP
Official Duke Nukem Forever Theme - 160 MSP

Upcoming Bioware Game Teaser Trailer Released

2011-11-23T08:30:00.001-05:00

Bioware is set to announce another secret game at this year's Spike VGAs, with last year being the announcement of Mass Effect 3. However this time, Bioware will announce a new title, from a new studio, and a new direction.

By the looks of it, the new upcoming IP looks like a military game, so this isn't another Bioware RPG. The game instead will be a military FPS or a new action/adventure game. Either way, the game has something to do with tanks, guns, explosions, and all that fun stuff.

The 2011 VGAs premiere December 10th at 8pm EST on Spike, MTV2, and Spike.com. Here's the teaser trailer:

The Next Game From BioWare
Get More: The Next Game From BioWare

Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Coming Next Month

2011-11-23T08:24:00.001-05:00

Microsoft has officially announced the release date for the next Xbox 360 dashboard updates, which includes cloud storage, new family settings, and more. Some lucky players have had this through the Preview Program for some time.

Here's what's new:

New personal and social features including Cloud Storage for Game Saves and LIVE Profile
Beacons and Facebook Sharing
Enhanced Family Settings
Integrated voice and gesture controls across the dashboard and in apps
Bing voice search (Available this year in the US, UK and CA)

More features are expected to come during the holiday months, such as apps for TV, film, music, and internet.

The dashboard update is available December 6th.

Will Skyrim DLC Take Us To Morrowind and Cyrodiil?

2011-11-22T10:54:00.001-05:00

If you are dedicated to exploring the world of Skyrim, you will notice if you travel to Stendarr's Beacon and look at the south-eastern most part of the map, you will find a mysterious path that seems out of place.

What's more impressive, is that there is a whole different world behind there, although it is inaccessible due to game restrictions. However, a fellow Skyrim player has managed to get past the wall through camera angles, and has uncovered the world of Morrowind, with continuing trees and land. If you look north east, you can see Vvardenfell, which you guessed it is also a part of Morrowind.

That's not the only piece of land that's been discovered, the Imperial Tower in Cyrodiil can also be seen, as well as some familiar land mass. The Imperials have made their way into Skyrim already, could this also be a spot to travel in future DLC?

Either Bethesda just thought this was a good idea, or they are planning on releasing DLC that will take us back to the Imperial homeland, or explore the land of Morrowind again, or maybe even both. Bethesda has already confirmed they will take time with Skyrim DLC, so a large land mass such as Morrowind or Cyrodiil is possible.

Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition Trailer

2011-11-18T18:10:00.001-05:00

Bioware has released a full 2 minute trailer revolved around the N7 Collector's Edition for Mass Effect 3. Get a glimpse at all the content included, including some in-game footage of the content in use. Also, see if you can spot out some of the characters that didn't get a proper announcement.

Here's the trailer:

Mass Effect 3 launches March 6th, 2012.

First Metal Gear Solid 5 Details To Emerge Next Month

2011-11-18T17:47:00.001-05:00

Director, creator, and producer of Metal Gear Solid Hideo Kojima, will release the first information about Metal Gear Solid 5 to OPM. Metal Gear Solid 5 has been a rumor for a while, however Kojima has expressed interest in the project, and it looks like it will be reality.

No details on whether the game is actually already in some sort of development at the moment, or if Kojima will just be discussing plans for the project to start in the future. However Kojima has had the desire for Solid Snake to be killed off. In his own words, "Snake was suppose to die".

Next month Metal Gear Solid: Rising will come out of hiding, and finally the public will get more answers about the long awaited game. With Metal Gear Solid: Rising coming to Xbox 360, as well as the Metal Gear Solid: HD collection, is Metal Gear Solid 5 coming to the Playstation 4 and Xbox 720 (pending title)?

Rockstar: Bully 2 Could Be Next After Max Payne 3

2011-11-18T17:25:00.001-05:00

Rockstar's VP Dan Houser has let out in an interview with Gamasutra that Bully 2 could be in development, after Max Payne 3. Houser said Rockstar likes to leave gaps in between the games, rather than rush out a sequel the next year.

Bully was released in 2006, and got a Xbox 360 re-release in 2008 with Bully: Scholarship Edition. The game became a bigger hit than the public thought, although some would agree or disagree.

"Contrary to a lot of people, we like to take a little bit of time at the end of a game before starting a sequel, so we can wait for the excitement or disappointment and everything else of the experience to shake down and really see what we should do in the next game," Houser explained. "So we knew that we didn't want to start doing the Bully sequel instantly at that second with those guys - even though it is a property that, like Max, we adore and might come back to in the future. There was just no impetus to do that then."

"So we said, 'You can do Max, and then we will see what we can do with Bully'," Houser added. "So it was really waiting for the slot to open up and the group to open up to at least start work on it."

Now it's all up to the waiting game. We're not sure if the game is actually in any sort of development right now, so a release is mostly likely late 2012 or sometime in 2013. Either way, we know it's coming.

New Producer For Metal Gear Solid: Rising

2011-11-17T19:20:00.001-05:00

News broke today via Kojima Production's producer Kenichiro Imaizumi that Shigenobu Matsuyama is no longer the producer for Metal Gear Solid: Rising. Instead, Yuji Korekado will take the job as the game's "main producer."

Matsuyama was known for discussing the game's motion controls, and how Rising would be a little different than previous Metal Gear games. With a new producer working on the title, its a wonder if the game will be any different than what Matsuyama wanted.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising was a no-show at E3 2011 and TGS 2011, however it will make an appearance at the Spike VGAs this year, and hopefully we'll finally get some answers.

Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition Officially Detailed

2011-11-17T19:13:00.001-05:00

Back at E3, Bioware let the word out about a Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition, as of today the full details for the bundle have been released on Gamestop.com, where you can also pre-order the Collector's Edition.

The Collector's Editino features exclusive in-game content including characters, weapons, and armor, the typical Mass Effect stuff. Also included is a digital game soundtrack, a N7 patch, and a "classified" bonus character and mission.

Here's all the details:

-Tin Case

-70-Page Hardcover Art Book

-Exclusive "Bonus Squad Appearances" (Ashley Williams, Liara T'Soni, James Vega and Kaidan Alenko)

-Exclusive N7 Weaponry (Crusader, Eagle, Hurricane and Valiant)

-4"x6" Lithographic Print of Normandy

-Fabric N7 Patch

-Digital Mass Effect 3 Soundtrack

-Exclusive Mass Effect Invasion Comic

-Bonus Xbox Live Avatars

-"Classified" Bonus Character and Mission

Mass Effect 3 releases March 6th, 2012.

Rumor: Ubisoft Testing Next-Gen Dev Kits

2011-11-17T17:01:00.001-05:00

More rumors are surfacing about the next generation Xbox, this one comes from Edge which claims Ubisoft is testing next generation dev kits, which means a release could be just about a year away.

The next generation dev kits are apparently being called "target boxes," which emulate the next generation Xbox's specifications. Rumors point out that full dev kits will be giving to developers before the end of this year.

Rumors seem to be flying about the upcoming Xbox, it's no doubt that it's coming, but is it really as close as we think?

Gears of War 3 Will Reach 2000 Gamerscore

2011-11-17T07:01:00.001-05:00

Last night in a Gears of War 3 live stream, Rod Fergusson confirmed that Gears of War 3 will reach 2000 gamerscore, and will be the first retail game to set the new guideline. The last time the rule was changed, it was back in 2009 when the new cap was set to 1750 for Halo 3.

There are however two other games that have reached over 1750 gamerscore, however they both have some sort of "loop hole." Family Game Night has received more than 1750 gamerscore, however it is considered a platform and has 10 games mashed in one. The other being Dawn of War II which is a Games for Windows live exclusive, so it's practically two list in one.

Fergusson also confirmed four DLC's will be releasing compatible with the Season Pass, all including 250 gamerscore. With two out of the four already confirmed (Horde Command Pack, RAAM's Shadow), its no doubt we'll be seeing more DLC early next year.

Cast Your Vote For the VGA 2011

2011-11-16T19:56:00.001-05:00

Voting is now available for the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards, which will premiere live December 10th at 8pm EST. Who will win Game of the Year? Skyrim? Uncharted 3? Who knows, cast your vote and see if your favorite wins.

VOTE

Gears of War 3 'RAAM's Shadow' DLC Achievements Revealed

2011-11-16T19:52:00.001-05:00

Epic Games has revealed the achievements for RAAM's Shadow, which adds an additional 250 gamerscore to Gears of War 3. RAAM's Shadow puts you in the shoes of the Locust general in a prequel for Gears 1, and also includes new multiplayer content.

The achievements:

Welcome to Zeta – Complete “RAAM’s Shadow” in Standard Campaign on any difficulty. (25 points)
Some Friendly Competition – Completed “RAAM’s Shadow” in Arcade on any difficulty. (25 points)
Help from my Friends – Completed “RAAM’s Shadow” in 4 player co-op in Arcade or Standard Mode. (25 points)
Finger of Doom – As RAAM, kill 50 gears using your Kryll. (15 points)
I’m Rubber, You’re Glue – As Mauler, kill 10 Gears by reflecting their bullets using your shield. (15 points)
Death from Above – Using the Hammer of Dawn Command Center, kill 50 Locust. (15 points)
Unarmed and Dangerous – Using the Loader, kill 10 Locust. (15 points)
Ghosts from the Past – Play 10 matches of Versus as a member of Zeta (Barrick, Tai, Minh, or Valera) (Standard or Casual). (15 points)
Foreshadowing – As RAAM, execute Minh 10 times in Versus MP (Standard or Casual). (25 points)
Zeta Team, Go! – Complete waves 1 – 10 of Horde with 5 players as Zeta (Barrick, Tai, Minh, Valera, and Jace). (75 points)

RAAM's Shadow releases December 13th on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 Microsoft, or its free if you have the Season Pass, which is still available.

Gears of War 3 Title Update 2 Detailed

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Epic Games sent another title update through the dedicated servers last night, so as of today all these new changes and fixes are in affect. The second title update includes improvements in how medals are achieved, and how certain game types work.

Epic Games has also fixed certain exploits such as changing around the environment on DryDock, and how a player reacts to a Smoke Grenade (sound familiar?). Of course the title update includes general fixes, such as fixing the problem where you would go back a few waves in Horde during host migration.

The full list of improvements, exploit fixes, and general fixes can be viewed below. Remember all of these are currently live at the moment.

Improvements

A spectator mode option has been added to private versus matches for broadcasting by gaming leagues.
One player on each team will be able to choose spectator mode during match set up.
The matches will be 4v4 with two spectators
The Leader and Vengeful medals are now easier to acquire.
The mutators Roadie Comet and Regen Enemies are now easier to acquire.
Added an option to disable the HUD during multiplayer games for machinima and video creators
Added a visual indicator of the next ring’s location during the last 10 ring points in KOTH.

Exploit Fixes

The Onyx Field Engineer medal can no longer be prestiged.
In Capture the Leader, the overhead Beams on DryDock are no longer accessible.
While affected by the Smoke Grenade stun, players will no longer be able to take hostages, pick up weapons or revive teammates.

General Fixes

If there is a host migration during Horde, the match will resume at the same wave.
Also during Horde, the Combat Engineer ribbon can now be achieved once per wave instead of once per game.
The Ranked Disconnect stat will no longer increase when quitting a standard Horde or Beast game.
The cringe from the Mortar will no longer cause players to drop their primary weapon.
The Hail Mary ribbon is now correctly awarded for long distance Boomshot headshots.
Maps will no longer be immediately repeated when choosing random map selection.
If the host pauses during a private versus match the game will continue for other players.
The game will still pause in the Campaign, Beast and Horde.
Potential fix for the rare lost progress issue.
Potential fix for the rare profile freezing issue.
Beast leaderboard screen no longer refreshes while sending challenges

So How Much Did Skyrim Sell In The First Two Days?

2011-11-15T16:56:00.001-05:00

Bethesda's Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sold more than 3.4 million copies in the first two days for retail, so this doesn't include digital Steam downloads. Compared to Oblivion's first few days after release, Skyrim sold 600% more than Oblivion did.

More detailed stats show 59% units were Xbox 360 versions, 27% were sold on the PS3, and 14% for the PC. Its clear what the Elder Scrolls is most popular with this time around. 2.5 million were sold in the Americans alone, while the other 950,000 were sold in EMEAA.

Skyrim managed to sell more in two days than Gears of War 3 and FIFA 12 sold in first week sales, and is up there with Battlefield 3. The only thing standing in Skyrim's way is Modern Warfare 3, however it is very rare a RPG does this successful.

Skyrim Patch Incoming, Fixing "As Much as We Can" Says Bethesda

2011-11-15T16:44:00.001-05:00

Bethesda has addressed players that they are working on a patch for Skyrim, that will fix most of the exploits and bugs in the game, one in particular is the graphic issue when installing the game to your HDD, which was recommended before the game came out.

Bethesda PR and Marketing boss Pete Hines tweet, "Patches/updates take a little time. We can't turn it around quite that fast. It's been three days. Calm down, we're working on it," he also added, "We are continuing to work on an update for all platforms to address issues any bugs and perf issues we can."

We've mentioned some graphic issues in our review for Skyrim, however we also mentioned a fix is on the way. Either way check it out.

Xbox Turns 10 Years Old Day

2011-11-15T14:49:00.001-05:00

10 years ago today, Microsoft released the Original Xbox along with the release of Halo: Combat Evolved. Microsoft would later bring new ideas to the console gaming franchise, and spawn numerous blockbuster franchises.

In celebration of the anniversary, Microsoft has a free Avatar prop available today, which can be located here, and Xbox Live's Major Nelson has posted a sound clip from the Original Xbox dashboard. Click here to witness the nostalgia.

DICE Gives Cheaters A Warning; New Battlefield 3 Update Incoming

2011-11-15T08:03:00.000-05:00

Cheaters are almost in every modern FPS, and the only way to stop them is to find them and ban them. This is exactly what DICE has been doing,and they're not ashamed to tweet about it and warn other players about the risks.

"This week we’ve banned hundreds of offending accounts and have stats-wiped accounts for exploiting (such as boosting)..." reads a tweet from the Battlefield Twitter feed. "Cheating is not tolerated," says another. You have been warned!

DICE has given the players a ban and a full stat wipe. In somewhat related news, DICE will also be releasing an update for Battlefield 3 to fix some of the exploits and bugs. The patch will reduce the blind care from the tactical flashlight which is "just around the corner," and and there's also talk about introducing the Recon EMP Drones in order to help prevent mortar strike spam.

Batman: Arkham City Game Save Bug Detected

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

A bug in the game Batman: Arkham City has been showing up in a few players, causing their saved game to disappear for no reason. So far how their isn't plans for a fix, because not even Rocksteady can find out the problem.

A post on the Rocksteady forum reads, "been unable to reproduce the issue", as they look to investigate what's causing the saved games to vanish into thin air. Rocksteady has posted a few questions, to try and help crack down on what the problem actually is.

What version of the Xbox 360 hardware are you are experiencing the “disappearing save files” issue on?

What storage method are you using to save your Batman: Arkham City game files to (i.e. Xbox 360 hard drive, Xbox 360 memory unit, USB drive)?

What version of the Xbox 360 system software do you have on your machine?

Are you running a Beta version of the forthcoming Xbox 360 “Holiday 2011” system update?

Have you experienced the “disappearing save files” issue before and/or after installing any Batman: Arkham City DLC content (If yes, please be specific as to the DLC content you have downloaded)?

Have you experienced the “disappearing save files” issue before and/or after installing either of Batman: Arkham City's two title updates?

If this has happened to you, it would be helpful for Rocksteady if you give them the information to these questions.

XNAR Review: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

2011-11-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

A game years in the making, Bethesda planned on delivery a RPG like never before, but did they succeed? With a large world of endless quests and hundreds of locations to discover, it is no doubt Skyrim isn't a one day play. With already 10+ hours in the game, I've just barely scratched the surface of the game's full potential, but enough to declare where the game stands.

First Impressions

Right off the bat you're greeted with the Skyrim theme we've grown to love, and you still get hairs on the back of your neck when you here it. The game's main menu is full of simplicity, but in a good way. There's no need for random nonsense on the screen, and with simplicity comes speed.

The main menu is very responsive, and it won't take long before you're in the game saving for the land from dragons and civil war. Loading times may drag you down, but what did you expect.

Gameplay

The core gameplay is very similar to Oblivion, however there are some changes. The way you access your items, map, and quests has changed. Holding down B takes you to your map, skills, items, and magic. The way you select items compared to Oblivion has been made much smoother and simple, which is good for the novice player. Traveling through Skyrim will be more tedious than Oblivion, you'll have to walk or get a carriage ride to every Town before you can fast travel, so be prepared.

Your HUD is far less crowded compared to Oblivion, your health, magicka, and stamina only appear when necessary, however your location on top on the screen always stays, for obvious reasons. Things gives you a better chance of exploring the world.

Dialogue is much more realistic compared to Oblivion as well, no longer will your screen be drastically zooming in on the NPC's face. Now you can get a chance to see other NPC's reactions to your choice of words, and see their facial features and expressions change before you.

Combat has become more realistic, but not as realistic as it can be for a modern RPG. Movements are more varied compared to Oblivion, but the get reused to the point where everything begins to look the same. However, the added executions make up for that, but that also comes with a downside. Many times you'll find your weapon doesn't actually penetrate the opponent, but literally just goes through them. This is even seen in one of the trailers for Skyrim.

Dragons are a big part of Skyrim, and the way they react with the player and NPC's is impressive. You're not the only target on the Dragon's mind, he'll destroy and attack anything or anyone in his path. Not only is that impressive, but you can use a Dragon Shout, which you'll unlock later on in the game, to call another Dragon to aid you, making it a full-on Dragon war. Dragons are a key part of excellence in the game.

Difficulty

Unlike Oblivion, Skyrim has fixed difficulties you can select, compared to a difficulty bar. Difficulties such as Adept, Novice, Master, etc. are available in the game, and can be changed throughout the game. So if a Dragon has been pesky for far too long, change the difficulty and be on your mary way.

The use of the new map marker will make finding certain doors more easier and locations to stand. The map marker will also increase in size when you approach the location, and will even appear in front of you when you approach.

For the most part, every quest, dragon, dungeon, etc. will vary in difficulty, no matter what the overall difficulty is. Be prepared with the right weapons, quest items, food/health potions, and you should be all set. This makes the Elder Scrolls more than just your average quest game.

Achievements

The achievements in Skyrim are much more versatile than they were in Oblivion. Main quest line achievements are still in Skyrim, however individual achievements for guilds have changed. Instead of receiving the achievements after every rank, you'll have to complete certain missions, or even join a certain side, don't worry the achievement includes both so one play through is all it takes.

Achievement such as escaping jail, buying a house, and yes even getting married are in Skyrim. This makes the exploration of the world more necessary for the player who is looking to receive 1000 gamerscore.

The achievement difficulty for Skyrim will vary depending on your skill and the amount of time you are willing to put in the game. Not every one will be able to get their player to level 100, or maybe even 50, but it's not impossible.

Summary

Final Score: 98%

Skyrim is the most impressive game that has come out this year, and maybe the most impressive RPG since Oblivion, although that is debatable. Skyrim takes you on an adventure like no other, the world is massive and beautiful, and the musical score that goes along with it is a masterpiece itself.

However, Skyrim does have its flaws, which prevents this game from being a 100%. Graphics could be better in some places, sometimes they still seem very "Oblivion" like, however this could be part of the install issue, so don't take this to severely. The other one aspect that brings Skyrim down is the combat realism, it still seems cliche to me, and I wish it was better.

Overall, Skyrim is a must buy, some gamers might not like its advanced RPG aspects, others will love it. Skyrim is still a game like no other, Bethesda has kept the Elder Scrolls what its always been, and hopefully will continue on doing so.

XNAR Presents: What I Want In The New Xbox

2011-11-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

Rumors about the new Xbox have been around for years, however we're still far from its actual release. Of course the console is coming, we just don't know when. When it does come though, there are some thing I want to be there, and hopefully my wishes will come true.

Internet Browser

The Wii has one, The PS3 has had one, why doesn't the Xbox have one? Sure some will say an internet browser on a gaming console is unnecessary, but it does have it's advantages. For one it adds to the social aspect of Xbox Live, and second it offers Microsoft to increase Bing, YouTube, and other features with a greater purpose.

If the rumors are true and the console will feature a Windows 9 operating system, then it's more than likely that Internet Explorer 9 will be featured too. Hopefully the operating system will be optimized for console, although I'm sure Microsoft understands that.

Keep Gamerscore

Achievements will more than likely make their way into the third generation Xbox, but when I import my gamertag and profile, I hope my gamerscore doesn't reset in any way. Sure they might update how achievements work, but I've put more than 4 years into my gamerscore, and in a way it has become an addiction and a separate hobby.

Xbox Live Parties via Skype

Microsoft recently acquired Skype, and will eventual start using it for consoles. So wouldn't make more sense to start using the Xbox Live Party system through Skype? It may decrease lag and random "kicking" that occurs, but who knows. This might be something Microsoft is planning to do in a Spring or Summer update.

Blu-Ray

Maybe by the time the new Xbox comes out Blu-Ray will be considered obsolete, but if it isn't, it would be useful if it was the main format for discs. Sure you will be able to watch Blu-Ray movies, but Blu-Ray discs also have other advantages. Blu-RAy discs can fit more content into one discs, defeating the purpose of needed more than one discs for a game (Mass Effect 2, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow).

And what's the number 1 thing I absolutely want Microsoft to do...

Don't Kill The Xbox 360 Too Soon

I'll defiantly purchase the next Xbox, but I still don't want Microsoft to completely kill of the Xbox 360 when it releases. Still making games and supporting/updating the Xbox 360 live is necessary, considering not every gamer can afford a brand new Xbox.

Still playing with players on Xbox 360 and communicating is something I still want there, and of course backwards compatibility, but I'm not so sure about all the way back to the Original Xbox, considering the Original Xbox Live is shut down.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Collector's Edition Announced

2011-11-10T18:43:00.001-05:00

Square Enix has announced a Collector's Edition, filled with exclusive content that will only be available for a limited time. Included in the Collector's Edition is a four-disc soundtrack, and a art book containing concept artwork with illustrations, environments, and more from Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Collector's Edition will be priced at $79.99, and will be available at GameStop, Amazon, and Best Buy at limited quantities. Final Fantasy XIII-2 releases January 31st, 2012 in the US, and December 15th, 2011 in Japan.

New Halo: Reach Achievements Leaked

2011-11-10T18:37:00.001-05:00

If you log into Halo: Waypoint on the dashboard or anywhere, you will see three new listed achievements for Halo: Reach. These achievements are add-ons for the current Defiant Map Pack, adding an additional 50 gamerscore bringing the total gamerscore to 1450.

Don't Touch That! 25G - Defiant: Prevent the attacking team from touching the flag in a matchmaking 1-Flag CTF game
Paper Beats Rock 15G - Defiant: Assassinate a player that just exited Armor Lock in a matchmade game
All Alone 10G - Defiant: Be the last surviving uninfected player in a matchmade infection game

The achievements aren't active in the game yet, so they're more than likely a bonus for the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary which releases this November 15th. Remember that the Halo: Combat Evolved maps are only available through Halo: Reach.

Battlefield 4 and A New Call of Duty Confirmed

2011-11-10T17:29:00.001-05:00

EA and DICE have confirmed a Battlefield 4 will be in the works soon, and Activision has revealed that Call of Duty will continue its yearly trend, and a new game is coming in 2012.

"There is going to be a Battlefield 4", EA's Frank Gibeau confirmed during a keynote address at the University of California. The game will be using the Frostbite 2 once again to bring the realistic shooter to life.

"This feels like day one now," said Executive Producer, Patrick Bach. "It's exciting. The whole Frostbite 2 thing has opened up a big landscape ahead of us so we can do whatever we want."

Activision has also coincidently confirmed that another Call of Duty game will becoming next November.

“As we focus on 2012, we have a strong product pipeline which features a minimum of two highly-anticipated new titles from Blizzard Entertainment, including Diablo III, and a new Call of Duty game from Activision Publishing.”

If the trend follows, Treyarch will be creating the next installment in the franchise, and could possibly continue the Black Ops inner franchise, considered Black Ops is the best selling Call of Duty to date. Hopefully DICE won't turn in Battlefield into a "cash cow" franchise in order to try and beat out Call of Duty. I was hoping for a Bad Company 3 next year instead of Battlefield 4.

Why You Should Install Skyrim To Your HDD

2011-11-09T18:51:00.001-05:00

If you are picking up a copy of Skyrim on Friday or any day for that matter, you may want to take up the opportunity to install the game on your HDD, if you have room that is. Just like Battlefield 3, the game will feature more enhanced and texturized graphics with an install.

Below is a picture of the game with and without an install.

Depending on how much space is available on your HDD, you may not be able to install the game, however you will still enjoy yourself. Skyrim releases this Friday worldwide.

Lazy Gamer

Rumor: Next Xbox To Be "Smaller" and "Cheaper" Compared to Xbox 360

2011-11-09T15:10:00.002-05:00

Rumors have been flying for years on the Xbox 360's successor, always the console has been rumored to be called the Xbox 720, however this will always be a rumor until its announced. More rumors have been revealed from the site MS Nerd, supposedly leaking information about the physical features of the next Xbox.

The next is said to be smaller compared to the Xbox 360, not only that but the console will also be cheaper than the Xbox 360 when it was first announced. If this is true, the console won't be more than $400 when it first releases.

Here's something you might expected, the sources are saying the rumored console could also feature the yet to be announced Windows 9 operating system.

"It will use a Zune HD-like hardware platform — a 'main' processor with multiple dedicated assistive cores for graphics, AI, physics, sound, networking, encryption and sensors," MS Nerd reports. "It will be custom designed by Microsoft and two partners based on the ARM architecture."

Sources are also saying the console will be announced at E3 2012, and be released sometime in 2013. If that's the case, the Xbox 360 is approaching its final days.

New Skyrim Trailer Explores The World

2011-11-08T14:55:00.001-05:00

Bethesda has released a new trailer for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, just days away from its release, and hype is increasing more than ever. The trailer features more "humble" music, and gives insight on the game's main storyline.

The trailer takes us all over the world of Skyrim, and features character interactions, something we haven't seen in a Skyrim trailer yet. The trailer also takes us to new areas of the game we haven't seen yet, such as inside certain dungeons and buildings.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim releases this Friday worldwide.

Bioware Teases New Unannounced IP

2011-11-08T14:49:00.000-05:00

Bioware has posted a teaser image for their upcoming IP, which is set to be announced at this year's Spike VGAs. Bioware made a similar surpass announcement at last year's VGAs, with the announcement of Mass Effect 3.

The teaser shows what is to believe to be the game's protagonist being thrown from a collision somewhere in the desert. Will our friend live the fall? More than likely, but we'll have to find out when the game is revealed in December.

The Spike VGAs will premiere December 10th at 8pm EST on Spike, MTV2, and Spike.com.

Ubisoft Releases Rainbow 6 Patriots Gameplay Trailer

2011-11-06T10:37:00.000-05:00

Ubisoft has released a gameplay trailer for the just-announced Rainbow 6 Patriots. The gameplay trailer doesn't feature actual gameplay footage, so we're just seeing cinematics of the game, however they are still impressive. The graphics have gone a long way since Rainbow Six Vegas 2.

More Tom Clancys Rainbow 6: Patriots Videos

Rainbow 6 Patriots releases in 2013.

Rockstar Reveals Grand Theft Auto V Location

2011-11-03T16:51:00.001-04:00

Rockstar has officially revealed the setting of Grand Theft Auto V, after the debut trailer was released yesterday, and for those of you hoping it would San Andreas again, sorry that is not the case.

Grand Theft Auto V will take place in, and in the surrounding areas of Los Santos, such as the city, beaches, and country side. Los Santos will be Rockstar's take on a fictional Los Angeles, similar to their version of New York City in Grand Theft Auto IV.

So there will also be no San Fierro (San Andreas' version of San Francisco) or Las Venturas (San Andreas' version of Las Vegas). Grand Theft Auto V will also feature online multiplayer as did Grand Theft Auto IV.

Rainbow 6 Patriots Officially Announced

2011-11-03T16:46:00.001-04:00

Ubsifot has officially announced that a new Rainbow Six game is in development, officially titled Tom Clancy's Rainbow 6 Patriots. Featuring a "dynamic single-player storyline", new online multiplayer modes, and the narration Patriots will capture modern day terrorism.

“Terrorism has evolved, and so has Rainbow 6. In Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, all the team play, tactics, and realism that fans of the series love have been coupled with an exciting new narrative direction,” said David Sears, Creative Director at Ubisoft. “This adds an unprecedented level of humanity that will make Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots an extremely tense and immersive experience.”

A new threat called the 'True Patriots,' Team Rainbow will have to bring down the new well-organized terrorist organization trying to capture modern American government. PLayers will have to make quick decisions in climatic and drastic scenarios.

Rainbow 6 Patriots is dropping in sometime during 2013, and will be featured in OXM's Christmas edition releasing November 30th.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising, Alan Wake Sequel, And New Bioware Title Coming To VGA 2011

2011-11-03T16:40:00.001-04:00

Last year announcements such as Mass Effect 3 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim were made at the 2010 VGAs. This year, SPIKE TV's Geoff Keighley has been tweeting about this year's VGAs, with "the truth behind Metal Gear Solid: Rising," an Alan Wake sequel, and a new Bioware title from a new studio.

"The truth about Metal Gear Solid: Rising will finally be revealed at 2011 VGAs by @hideo_kojima_en. 12.10.11, #SEEITFIRST" tweeted Keighley, following up with this tweet shortly afterwards: "Also at the VGAs: Alan Wake returns and @Bioware unveils a new game from a new studio. Teaser images in December Game Informer mag."

So it looks like Metal Gear Solid: Rising is finally coming out of hiding, Alan Wake sequel is on its way, and Bioware gives us another mystery to solve.

The SPIKE VGAs will be held on December 10th.

Grand Theft Auto V Debut Trailer

2011-11-02T19:18:00.001-04:00

Rockstar Games has finally released the debut trailer for Grand Theft Auto V, and finally sheds some light on what the game will all be about.

So where are we heading for this Grand Theft Auto installment? Watch the trailer and find out.

Free Gears of War 3 DLC Coming This Month

2011-11-02T19:10:00.001-04:00

With the Horde Command Pack releasing yesterday, with a slight delay, Epic Games has announced a free DLC to coincide with the Horde Command Pack. The 'Versus Booster Pack', features two new maps, and the three maps on the Horde Command Pack unlocked for multiplayer versus.

The two new maps in the Versus Booster Pack are remade Gears 1 maps 'Clocktower' and 'Bullet Marsh'. The three maps unlocked for versus are 'Blood Drive', 'Azura', and 'Rustlung'.

Epic Games has also announced the Alpha Playlist, which gives players a different feel of the Gears of War 3 multiplayer. The Alpha Playlist features a whole new gameplay experience.

Team Size: 4

Gametypes: Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Execution

Loadout: Lancer/Gnasher

Weapon Pick-ups: Default with the some custom swaps

Weapon Respawn: Set to “After Pick-up” with quicker respawn times

And finally, there's also double XP available for all multiplayer versus modes, which goes until November 14th. The Versus Booster Pack releases November 24th for free.

Grand Theft Auto V Rumors Spill Out

2011-10-26T17:08:00.001-04:00

Rumors have been spilling out since Grand Theft Auto V, and with anonymous sources now claiming they are true, it seems that the rumors will be becoming a reality when the trailer is released next week.

Kotaku has received information from multiple sources that the game will feature multiple playable characters. This is a lot different than previous Grand Theft Auto games, where there was only one protagonist, with the exception of Grand Theft Auto IV DLC.

Another rumor, which has been noted earlier this year, is Grand Theft Auto V will take place in a fictional Los Angeles setting. Whether or not we will be returning to San Andreas though is completely a rumor, however it would be nice to return to familiar territory.

Rockstar plans on releasing the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto V on November 2nd, until then keep on speculating.

Battlefield 3 Optional Texture Pack Video Comparison

2011-10-25T16:14:00.003-04:00

Battlefield 3 has the option to install an Optional Texture Pack to your Xbox 360 HDD. The install gives you enhanced HD graphics, which greatly improve the game's graphics.

WikiGameGuides has posted a video comparing the game with and without the install, and it greatly shows the improvement in the game's graphics. An example in the video is without the Texture Pack, you can barely see the tread on the tires, with the installment the treads are clearly visible.

The Optional Text Pack is a 1.5GB install, so 360 owners without an HDD are out of luck, but if you do have 1.5GB to spare you will want to install this.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Footage Released

2011-10-25T16:09:00.001-04:00

Four minutes of footage has released for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD, which is included in the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection releasing next month. Unlike the others in the HD Collection, this game was remade from a PSP-only to a console game.

The footage features Big Boss sneaking around in the jungle, as well as taking out enemies without ever alerting another, most of the time. The game and footage features everything we love in a Metal Gear Solid game.

EA: Battlefield 3 Pre-Orders Reached 3 Million

2011-10-25T15:04:00.001-04:00

EA has revealed about three million copies of Battlefield 3 were pre-ordered before its launch which is today. MarketWatch posted the stats, however it doesn't say if the pre-orders are worldwide or just the US.

Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 have been in a debate over who is the better game, and its all going to come down to sales. Both were do very well in the market, but who will do better?

Battlefield 3 is now available in the US.

Grand Theft Auto V Officially Announced

2011-10-25T15:00:00.001-04:00

Rockstar Games has officially announced that Grand Theft Auto V is in development, which has been a rumor for months now. Although there are no details as of yet, Rockstar has announced the first trailer is coming November 2nd, that's next Wednesday.

Rockstar Games did however unveil a logo for GTA V, which resembles a five dollar bill.

Live Action Skyrim Trailer Released

2011-10-24T18:55:00.001-04:00

Bethesda has released a live action trailer for Skyrim, which could pass off as a decent movie trailer for the Elder Scrolls. Foreshadowing for the future? Maybe, but who knows. The live action trailer takes us all over Skyrim and familiar territory. Caves, caverns, dungeons, and the wilderness are all shown in live action. So what are you waiting for?

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim releases November 11th, 2011.

Battlefield 3 Launch Trailer Released

2011-10-21T15:27:00.001-04:00

DICE has released a launch trailer for their upcoming shooter Battlefield 3, which is just days away from releasing. The trailer is an explosive montage of the game's singleplayer portion, which shows all of what you can do, and where you can go in the game.

The game is set in numerous locations, such as New York City and Paris, and such things as jumping out of cargo planes and blowing up walls are just very few of the things you can do in Battlefield 3.

Battlefield 3 launches October 25th in the US, and October 28th in Europe.

Sony Pictures Acquires Rights To Assassin's Creed Movie

2011-10-21T15:22:00.001-04:00

According to a report on Variety, Sony Pictures has acquired the rights to produce and distribute movies under Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed IP. Ubisoft Motion Pictures however will handling the movie, with a Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon movie already rumored to be in the works.

There are no other details on the Assassin's Creed movie, and nothing is confirmed as of yet. Whether or not we will see our friend Ezio in the movie, maybe Altair or another Assassin.

Mass Effect 3 Demo Confirmed For January

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Bioware has confirmed via the Mass Effect Facebook page that the Mass Effect 3 demo be released sometime this upcoming January. The demo will feature both singleplayer and multiplayer aspects from the game.

"It’s going to be a happy new year! Mass Effect 3 will have a pre-release demo in January 2012. The demo will have both single player and multiplayer sections, giving fans a taste of what’s to come on 3/6/12."

Mass Effect 3 launches March 6th, 2012 in the US, and MArch 9th, 2012 in Europe.

First Gears of War 3 Campaign DLC Announced

2011-10-20T14:46:00.001-04:00

Epic Games has announced the first Campaign DLC for Gears of War 3, which will release this coming December. The 'RAAM's Shadow' DLC will include three hours of additional gameplay for Campaign, and will be a prequel to the events in the first Gears of War. The DLC will also include 250 additional achievement points.

“When we announced the ‘Gears 3’ Season Pass, we immediately started getting hundreds of questions from fans about what the game add-ons would be,” said Epic Games Design Director, Cliff Bleszinski. “We’re really excited to be lifting the curtain on the first two releases, first with the ‘Horde Command Pack’ and now with ‘RAAM’s Shadow,’ which gives fans a new perspective on the ‘Gears’ universe and is also the biggest DLC release we’ve ever made.”

The Campaign will include new and familiar faces in the Gears of War universe, including General RAAM and Lt. Minh Young Kim from Gears 1, Tai Kaliso from Gears 2, Michael Barrick a hero from the comic book series, and a new female COG Alicia Valera. This characters will be available in multiplayer.

“RAAM’s imposing size and strength, along with his Kryll shield, make him one of the most powerful and daunting foes in the ‘Gears’ universe,” said Bleszinski. “We think fans are going to have a blast unleashing hell upon the poor humans for the first time in a campaign setting.”

So step into the boots of General RAAM in the 'RAAM's Shadow' DLC which is available for 1200 Microsoft Points December 13th. Players who have purchased the Season Pass will get this content at discount price.

Two New Xbox 360 Holiday Bundles Announced

2011-10-18T17:26:00.001-04:00

Microsoft has announced two new Xbox 360 Holiday Bundles, which will be available this Holiday season.

The first bundle includes Kinect, with games Kinect Adventures and Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do. The bundle also includes 3 month Xbox Live Gold Subscription, and 250GB HDD. The bundle is priced at $399.

This bundle does not come with Kinect, however includes a 250GB HDD, Fable III, and download card for Halo: Reach, and a 3 Month Xbox Live Gold Subscription. This bundle is priced at $299.

These bundles will be available at major retailers in the coming weeks.

Devil May Cry HD Collection Officially Anounced

2011-10-17T18:50:00.001-04:00

Capcom has officially announced an HD remake for the first three Devil May Cry games, and that it will release on the Xbox 360. The HD Collection was first only a rumor, now it is a reality. This is the second HD Collection to be remade for the Xbox 360, next to Metal Gear Solid.

The Devil May Cry HD Collection will feature Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening. The HD Collection will also support achievements.

The HD Collection releases early 2012, and will be priced at $39.99.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Kinect Details Revealed

2011-10-17T18:24:00.001-04:00

When 343 Industries announced that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary edition would feature Kinect, many fans feared the gameplay would be different. However, 343 Industries stated that Kinect will not majorly change gameplay, and they were correct.

Analyze Mode, The Library, and Voice Commands are the three features that support Kinect in the game, and they are completely new features entirely. Analyze Mode allows players to scan objects throughout campaign, and our stored in The Library, The Library is a database of all the items you find throughout campaign, and Voice Commands are pretty self explanatory.

Analyze Mode – Analyze Mode is a Kinect-exclusive feature that allows players to “scan” items of interest within the “Halo: Anniversary” campaign to populate the Library, an interactive encyclopedia of “Halo” lore. Once in Analyze mode, new articles of interest can be added to the Library by focusing the reticule on them and saying “Scan.”

The Library – The Library is an expansive index that provides detailed information on items of interest players have scanned through “Analyze Mode,” such as vehicles, characters, enemies and weapons. Through the use of gesture controls, players can explore the entire Library at any time and then return to the campaign to continue unlocking more secrets within the “Halo” universe.

Voice Commands – Harness the technology of Kinect for Xbox 360 to reload your weapon, throw grenades, switch seamlessly between Classic and Re-mastered graphics and more, using only your voice.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary achievements have also been announced. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary releases November 15th, 2011 in the US.

All Battlefield 3 Multiplayer Maps Announced

2011-10-17T18:18:00.001-04:00

DICE has released the full list of multiplayer maps for Battlefield 3, who's launch is almost a week away. The full game will feature 9 multiplayer maps compatible with all multiplayer modes and "edited" for Team Deathmatch.

All the maps will take you to different types of terrain and locations from the singleplayer portion of the game, and feature urban, jungle, and plenty more.

Here's the final list of Battlefield 3's multiplayer maps:

Caspian Border
Damavand Peak
Grand Bazaar
Kharg Island
Noshahr Canals
Operation Firestorm
Operation Métro
Seine Crossing
Tehran Highway

Battlefield 3 launches October 25th, 2011 in the US. Here's some screenshots of some of the maps:

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Achievements

2011-10-15T18:57:00.001-04:00

343 Industries has finally released the list of achievements for the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary edition, one of the new and most anticipated new features about the game. X360A has posted the list in full on their site.

The achievements resemble previous Halo games, with beating campaign levels on certain difficulties. Of course, this time there's the addition of the terminals in the game, which have made their way onto the achievements list.

View full list here.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary releases November 15th, 2011.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations Achievements

2011-10-15T18:52:00.001-04:00

X360A has gotten their hands on the Assassin's Creed: Revelations achievements, with descriptions, point value, and all. The achievements reflect previous Assassin's Creed achievements, except with the newly added Desmond sequence achievements.

View full list here.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations releases November 15th, 2011.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Game Manual Leaked

2011-10-12T15:07:00.003-04:00

The world map for Skyrim was leaked just a few days ago, now the entire game manual has been leaked onto a photo sharing site, giving hints at some things that weren't announced by Bethesda, and some other information about the game.

Unlike other games that have released recently, Skyrim's game manual is what manuals used to be all about. There are about 30 photos taken from the game manual, which means there is a lot of content, and a lot of pages.

Head over and check out the game manual for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Trailer Released

2011-10-12T15:00:00.001-04:00

Bioware has released a trailer for the multiplayer co-op part of Mass Effect 3, which was announced just a few days ago, and ahead of schedule. Bioware has also announced the types of races you will be able to play as also.

The races include Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian, and the classes include Soldier, Infiltrator, Engineer, and Sentinel. Locations you will visit in multiplayer will be similar to locations in singleplayer. More information about Mass Effect 3 will be in the December issue of OXM.

Mass Effect 3 launches March 6th, 2012 in the US.

Gears of War 3 Sawed-Off Range Reduced

2011-10-12T07:09:00.001-04:00

If you're one of those players that absolutely hates the Sawed-Off Shotgun, your prayers have been answered. Epic Games has reduced the gib range for the gun (gib meaning one shot, one kill, or completely destroying your oponent), meaning you're going to have to get really up close and personal if you use the Sawed-Off.

Other online news for Gears 3, multiplayer stats have been revealed and are viewable in the video below. SHowing us the percentage of kills by primary weapon. Take a guess about who's in the lead.

Microsoft Announces 320GB HHD

2011-10-11T15:48:00.001-04:00

Microsoft has announced a 320GB HDD available for Xbox 360S consoles, which was at first only available through special edition consoles. It looks like as of now, the HDD is not available for non-slim model Xbox 360s.

The 320GB HDD is now available for pre-order. (Currently only ships within the US)

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Details Emerge

2011-10-11T14:50:00.001-04:00

Mass Effect 3's multiplayer was finally made a reality yesterday, after Casey Hudson confirmed the rumors were true via Twitter. One of the things players will be able to due in multiplayer, is form a 4 player co-op squad, with a variety of races classes to choose from, and fight to control territories. Another mode is Galaxy at War, where a 4 player squad defends against the Reapers. Gathering different weapons, resources, people, and armies and fleets. Player progression and weapon upgrades will be available for both modes.

One of the unique features about the multiplayer, is that the decisions you make in multiplayer, will also effect the singleplayer portion of the game, including the final moments of the game. However, you do not have to play multiplayer to achieve the "optimal, complete ending."

"We have always maintained that we would only add multiplayer into the Mass Effect series if it made sense and did not compromise the power of the single player campaign. Fighting together against a common threat was the multiplayer experience that made the most sense for Mass Effect 3. The way we have designed co-op as a way to take control of key conflict zones in the galaxy is a natural extension of the premise of Mass Effect 3," reads the FAQ post. "Our priority and focus with Mass Effect 3 has and always will be to deliver a complete and satisfying single player experience."

Bioware has also explained why multiplayer won't affect the singleplayer story:

"BioWare is dedicated and focused on delivering an engaging, fun, and action-packed experience for Mass Effect 3, one that lives up the BioWare standard. To reach that level of quality, last year BioWare opened a studio in Montreal that is home to designers, programmers, engineers, and other developers. Both studios work together as partners, lead by the core Mass Effect team, unified in a single vision. Under the direction of Casey Hudson and other team veterans, both studios make contributions to both the single player and multiplayer modes in Mass Effect 3. Rest assured that no compromises were made to either of these modes in the development of Mass Effect 3."

There's all the multiplayer details so far. Mass Effect 3 launches March 6th, 2012.

Detailed Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Map Released

2011-10-10T16:42:00.001-04:00

A detailed version of the map of Skyrim has been released, showing the mountain regions, streams, and the location of cities in the game. Skyrim features much more mountainous regions than Oblivion did, and yes they will all be climbable and explorable.

Skyrim releases November 11th, 2011.

Battlefield 3 Achievements Revealed

2011-10-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Head over and see the achievements for Battlefield 3, posted by X360A. The achievements are similar to previous Battlefield games, however there a few secret achievements this time, which won't be viewable until someone unlocks them in the full game.

Battlefield 3 releases October 25th in the US, and October 28th in Europe.

UPDATE: Australian Magazine Confirms Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer

2011-10-10T09:33:00.001-04:00

Australian magazine PC PowerPlay has finally put the rumors aside and confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will have Online Multiplayer. The tagline is 'fight alongside your friends', so the rumored co-op missions could be a reality.

"That's right - Mass Effect 3 is getting multiplayer!" exclaims the magazine. "We travel to BioWare's office in Edmonton for hands-on time with the series' first foray into online gameplay, and chat with Mass Effect Series Producer and Mass Effect 3 Project Director Casey Hudson about the decision to go multiplayer in the epic battle for the galaxy."

This would make sense about the rumored Online Pass to be bundle in the N7 Collector's Edition, however there is no actually confirmation by Bioware. So will there be co-op missions,
or actual versus multiplayer?

Mass Effect 3 releases March 6th, 2012 in the US.

Update:

Bioware's Casey Hudson has confirmed via Twitter than co-op missions for Mass Effect 3 are real and 'spectacular'.

Halo Movie Set For 2012?

2011-10-10T09:30:00.000-04:00

It's the movie rumor that refuses to go away. About a year ago, a rumor started stating that DreamWorks could have plans to create a Halo movie. This seems to be the case again, however this time it is reported that Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks will be working together on a Halo movie.

"A film adaptation is set for 2012. It will be conducted jointly by two heavyweights of American cinema: Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks."

This was posted over at Halo.fr, for a press release for the novel Halo: Cryptum. The movie is rumored to be based on this novel, which is the first novel in the Forerunner series. Halo 4 will also be the first game to feature the Forerunners reportedly.

So is the Halo movie finally coming, and will Spielberg and DreamWorks be behind? I guess we'll wait for New York City ComicCon to find out.

Want To See The Best Easter Egg In Gears Of War 3?

2011-10-08T19:46:00.001-04:00

The easter egg hunters over at IGN have found another easter egg in Gears of War 3, this one however seems the best out of all them. The Sawed-Off Chicken Arcade game is found in Act IV, Chapter I, as well as the secret achievement and the Cluckshot.

The easter egg isn't long, but it's something you wouldn't expect in a Gears of War game, or maybe you would.

DICE: Bad Company Series Isn't Dead Yet

2011-10-08T19:39:00.002-04:00

In an interview with The Guardian, Battlefield 3's producer Patrick Liu has talked interest in creating another Bad Company game in the Battlefield 3 series. Obviously the game would feature the new Frostbite 2 engine.

"We haven't killed Bad Company," Liu said, "but we can only make so many games. Be patient. There might be something else coming up."

If you were expecting this to come in 2012, think no more. DICE has stated they don't want Battlefield 3 to be an annual series.

"We don't have any plans to make Battlefield an annual title," he said. "We want to make it ourselves. We don't want anyone else doing it, and no studio can make an annual franchise by themselves. Well, the sports titles can, but they're a very different breed."

DICE has spoke interest in creating another downloadable title for Xbox Live, similar to Battlefield 1943.

"That kind of downloadable game is something we're very keen on," he said. "Battelefield 1943 was kind of a disruptive game when it came out; there weren't really any other shooters. XBLA games were very different then. Nowadays there are a lot of big triple A games on Arcade. I'd like to believe we started that trend. I like the whole idea of transforming something as complex as Battlefield into something much more accessible with only very small tweaks to the gameplay mechanics."

At the moment, DICE is still at work on Battlefield 3, making the sure the launch is smooth and mostly bug-free. Battlefield 3 launches October 25th in the US, and October 28th in Europe.

Modern Warfare 3 Singleplayer Trailer Released

2011-10-08T19:32:00.000-04:00

Activision has released a new trailer for Modern Warfare 3, focusing on the singleplayer portion of the game. Call of Duty is mostly known for its multiplayer, however Modern Warfare 3 is trying to promote more of a cinematic singleplayer, with events going back all the way to the first Modern Warfare.

The trailer shows the locations that will be visited in the game, such as New York and Paris, and takes place during a fictional World War III. Characters from previous Modern Warfare games will feature, such as Captain Price.

Modern Warfare 3 launches November 8th, 2011.

More Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Videos

Install Battlefield 3 To Your HDD For Enhanced Graphics

2011-10-08T10:21:00.001-04:00

Battlefield 3 has been confirmed to have a new feature, which has also been used by Rage. Players will be able to install the game to their HDD for an enhanced HD experience, pushing the graphics to their limit.

"There's a voluntary install on the 360," Liu said to GamerZines. "I think Rage did it as well, where you can install content to stream higher res textures. We're pushing that technology to the limit, and compared to our competitors, I would argue that we're the best looking game."

Battlefield 3 also be shipping on two disc for the Xbox 360. Disc 1 will feature the Multiplayer aspects of the game, including co-op modes. Disc 2 will feature the stunning Single Player portion of the game.

Battlefield 3 releases October 25th, 2011.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Features New Easter Eggs

2011-10-07T17:19:00.001-04:00

Talking about the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor mentioned that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary will feature easter eggs within terminals, which will be on every level, and some of them will feature new story details about the Halo universe.

"There's a bunch of Easter Eggs hidden in this game and loads of extra things we've hidden. We decided we wanted to add some story for people who've played the game over and over again, who are going to want a new experience," O'Connor explained. "We've used terminals, which we first started in Halo 3, to hide bits of story, but we've decided to make it a bit more approachable, less dry and much more integrated into the Halo 1 story."

"So the terminals, apart from adding story, are integral to the gameplay and you can use the classic switch mode (switching between classic Halo 1 and Anniversary) to try and find them," said O'Connor. "And there's one hidden on each level."

343 Industries has done more than just add high quality graphics to the game though.

"We re-did all of the cinematics and all of the motion-capture has been re-done for the cinematics, there's new camera angles and we're using slightly more sophisticated storytelling to redo the originals."

343 Industries went all out on the Anniversary edition. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary releases November 15th, 2011.

Halo: Reach Multiplayer Changes Revealed

2011-10-07T17:10:00.001-04:00

In an interview with 343 Industries, Frank O'Connor revealed the changes coming to the Halo: Reach multiplayer, which will coincide with the launch of the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake. The changes will bring a more 'classic' Halo experience, since the Halo 1 remake maps will be only available through Halo: Reach.

"We're actually adding the M60 pistol to the multiplayer suite with a title update for Halo: Reach. Most of the functionality won't be available in Reach until Halo: CE Anniversary launches in November," said O'Connor. "We're making some subtle and some significant changes to the Halo: Reach gameplay, and we just want to make sure that there's a good balance of that when the game launches."

"The original plan was to make it so we could have a more classic experience in Anniversary and to do that, we had to make pretty significant changes to the gameplay in Reach," O'Connor stated. "You'll still be able to play the exact same identical Reach gameplay alongside it via matchmaking, but we'll make a classic matchmaking playlist to go with it."

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary releases November 15th, 2011.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations Story Trailer

2011-10-05T15:01:00.001-04:00

Ubisfot has released a trailer for Assassin's Creed: Revelations that features Ezio talking about his whole life as a assassin. Ezio tells the story of his life from his family's unfortunate fate in Assassin's Creed II, to his current quest to find Altair's eight keys to his library.

The trailer also features Ezio doing what he does best, killing templars. This Assassin's Creed game seems to feature more gore and violence than the other ones, but that could just be the trailer.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations releases November 15th, 2011 in the US, and November 18th, 2011 in Europe.