Around the Hawk: NCAA Football 09 Demo-The Bad Points

Well, after playing the NCAA 09 demo more, I have opened my eyes to discover the bad points to the game. Hey, everything I said in my previous post was true, it's quite the upgrade over last year, but every game has it's downfalls, so here's what I've noticed:

Kicking: The kickers can make 50+ yard field goals with ease. In real college football, this would be an amazing task. Either these kickers are really good in the demo, or the kicking is a little bit too easy. Also, after you do make a field goal, the drive summary will show that you had a much longer drive than you actually had, because for some reason it must add up the distance of the field goal made plus the yards you drove down the field, which is very stupid. Hopefully it was just a glitch in the demo.

The Flags: After a TD is made, and the home team's male cheerleaders are waving the flag, it looks like a tornado is flying by, even though there's less than 2 MPH winds. The flag also looks pretty sketchy. But I'm nitpicking with this point

No Progressive Lighting: By this I mean that the time of day doesn't progress as you play through the game like NCAA 08 did, where it gets darker as the game goes. I really hope that this is just in the demo, but I've heard from many sources saying that the real game won't have the progressive lighting either, which is quite ridiculous. I mean, how in the world can you take that feature out of the game? There are still no referees on the field, no field goal nets, fans are still doing copycat animations next to each other, no training staff after a player is injured, and you're going to take a key feature of realism out of the game? Come on EA. This really frosts my flakes. If anybody out there knows if there truly is or isn't going to be progressive lighting, please let me know. Send me a message via XBox Live. Thanks

Deus Legend had an interesting idea about a halftime show with a marching band. This could be a good idea, however most people would probably just skip it. But any kind of halftime show would be great. My favorite halftime show would have to be from All Pro Football 2K8 where it showed you some of the highlights with the announcers talking about them. Something like this would be great, because it's kind of lame how it just goes straight to the pause screen to start the second half.

If anybody else has any suggestions to make this game better, or would like to continue my list of good and bad points to this game, please comment this post, or feel free to send me a message via XBox Live.
Thanks for tuning in.

Read More

Gears of War 2 Exclusive Video From Unreal Tournament 3

Embedded above is the exclusive Gears of War 2 video thats packaged with Unreal Tournament 3.

Read More

Rumor: Xbox 360 Price Drop

It is currently being speculated that the 360 will recieve a price drop prior to E3. The price is rumored to drop from $349.99 to $299.99. It is also rumored that this is a gesture for MS to clear out the old 20GB HDD Premium models to introduce a new 60GB version. I think a price drop would do great for sales. Also, it could move the Arcade version down to the price of the Wii. Things could get interesting if this rumor is true.

Read More

JRC's Live Top Ten: 6/16 - 6/22

Here is last weeks list. Enjoy.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles

1. Call of Duty 4
2. Halo 3
3. GTA IV
4. Battlefield: Bad Company Demo
5. Guitar Hero III
6. Gears of War
7. Rock Band
8. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
9. Ninja Gaiden 2
10. FIFA 08

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)

1. Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
2. Elements Of Destruction
3. Sealife Safari
4. Uno
5. Doom
6. N+
7. Worms
8. Marble Blast Ultra
9. Sonic The Hedgehog 2
10. Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting

Read More

NBA Live 09 Cover Announcement

NBA LIVE 09 is back with new features like Pick and Roll Control, Defensive Lockdown Control, Signature Playcalling and Quickstrike Ankle-Breakers that will make the NBA LIVE experience fun from beginning to end. For those in need of some extra coaching, NBA LIVE 09 takes you to training camp with the NBA Academy that gives you a chance to hone your skills.

Now featuring 24 authentic FIBA teams with realistic team play styles and rosters, NBA LIVE 09 features a FIBA World Championship Mode using FIBA tournament structure, rules and court dimensions. Take your game online with 5 vs.5 team play, where 10 people can play together on 10 different consoles around the world.

Different athletes will be on the cover in different regions.

Player	Territory	Team
Tony Parker	Worldwide	San Antonio Spurs
Andrea Bargnani	Italy	Toronto Raptors
Pau Gasol	Spain	LA Lakers
Luol Deng	UK	Chicago Bulls

Below is a video featuring the new NBA Live coverboy:

Read More

Order a Pizza Get a Dark Knight 360

Beginning July 7th, Domino's pizza and The Dark Knight have teamed up to offer a special Gotham City Pizza where, once ordered, you'll gain access into The Dark Knight Vault which is full of exclusive clips, downloads and the chance to win all kinds of prizes. Prizes like $10,000, autographed goods and most importantly, a Dark Knight Xbox 360 Elite. Only 110 consoles exists, so prepare to order LOTS of pizza come July.

More info here.

Read More

Gears of War 2 Beta Footage

This beta footage includes executions and the "death crawl" and it showcases new environments and weaponry.

And here's some footage most of you have probably seen already today. Just posting this one for those who haven't.

Read More

XBLN Specials: Gears of War 2 Multiplayer

Read More

The Beatles Coming to a Game Near You?

The rumor have been circulating for a while now that the copyright holders of the Beatles' music are going to finally give the go-ahead for their tunes to be used in a game.

According to the Financial Times, representatives of the Beatles have been in talks with both Activision and MTV Games about licensing the band's back catalogue. Activision currently publishes the Guitar Hero series, including a multi-instrument version called Guitar Hero World Tour due out this autumn, whereas MTV Games is responsible for rival Rock Band.

A final deal could be "reached in a matter of weeks," as reported by the FT, which cited a source familiar with the talks. The deal, worth several million dollars, would have to be approved by both EMI (the record label that owns the master recordings) and Apple Corps (which looks after the band's business interests).

[Thanks Gamespot]

Read More

Complete Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Track List

Well here it is. The game will be released next Sunday June 29, 2008 supposedly.

Tier 1: "Getting the Band Together" (Nipmuc High School)

• "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople (cover)
• "Draw the Line" by Aerosmith
• "Dream Police" by Cheap Trick
• "Make It" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• "Uncle Salty" by Aerosmith

Tier 2: "First Taste of Success" (Max's Kansas City)

• "All Day and All of the Night" by The Kinks (cover)
• "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett
• "Movin' Out" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• "No Surprize" by Aerosmith
• "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith

Tier 3: "The Triumphant Return" (The Orpheum)

• "Complete Control" by The Clash
• "Livin' on the Edge" by Aerosmith
• "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith
• "Personality Crisis" by New York Dolls (cover)
• "Rag Doll" by Aerosmith

Tier 4: "International Superstars" (Moscow)

• "Bright Light Fright" by Aerosmith
• "King of Rock" by Run-D.M.C.
• "Nobody's Fault" by Aerosmith
• "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult
• "Walk This Way" by Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith

Tier 5: "The Great American Band" (Half Time Show)

• "Always on the Run" by Lenny Kravitz
• "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith
• "Beyond Beautiful" by Aerosmith
• "Dream On" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• "Hard to Handle" by The Black Crowes (cover)

Tier 6: "Rock N Roll Legends" (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

• "Cat Scratch Fever" by Ted Nugent
• "Mama Kin" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• "Sex Type Thing" by Stone Temple Pilots
• "Toys In The Attic" by Aerosmith
• "Train Kept A Rollin" by Aerosmith
• "Guitar Battle vs Joe Perry" by Joe Perry

Bonus Songs (The Vault)

• "Combination" by Aerosmith
• "Kings and Queens" by Aerosmith
• "Let The Music Do The Talking" by Aerosmith
• "Mercy" by Joe Perry
• "Pandora's Box" by Aerosmith
• "Pink" by Aerosmith
• "Rats In The Cellar" by Aerosmith
• "Shakin' My Cage" by Joe Perry
• "Talk Talkin" by Joe Perry
• "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith

Read More

XBLN Humor Corner

I found some videos from Battlefield: Bad Company making parodies of Metal Gear Solid(The first video), and Gears of War(Second), and Rainbow Six(Third). Enjoy.

Read More

NFL Head Coach Full Game

These are videos of a Full NFL Head Coach game. The video is between Dolphins Vs Patriots. Enjoy!

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4

Read More

Call of Duty: World at War Teaser Video

This video is of COD: World at War. Also available in HD on XBL Marketplace.

Here's the link to another video for the game from Gametrailers. Its takes up too much space to embed.

Read More

Sims 3 Information

My sources reveal that there is a new Sims game in the works for the Xbox 360. The next edition of The Sims will feature expanded options for the world's most interactive little computer people. Houses and neighborhoods for your virtual families will all exist in the same space, sims will age and have more complex emotional responses, and the new game will offer even more in-depth character customization. More info coming at E3.

Read More

IGN Review: Battlefield Bad Company

Game received an 8.6 rating, not bad. Here is the link and a snippet from the review.

IGN Review

"The rules of first-person shooters are changing. Videogames that engage the player in acts of war have always promised one thing; cover. During times of extreme duress the player has always had the option of retreating behind a wall or group of immovable sandbags in order to escape their assailants. Battlefield: Bad Company, the latest from the Sweden-based Digital Illusions CE (DICE), changes all that."

Read More

JRC's Live Top Ten: 6/9 - 6/15

Here are this last weeks results. Enjoy.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles

1. Call of Duty 4
2. Halo 3
3. GTA IV
4. Battlefield: Bad Company Demo
5. Guitar Hero III
6. Gears of War
7. Rock Band
8. Ninja Gaiden 2
9. Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo
10. ET: QUAKE Wars Demo

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)

1. Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
2. Uno
3. Aces of the Galaxy
4. Doom
5. N+
6. Worms
7. Penny Arcade Episode 1
8. Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting
9. Marble Blast Ultra
10. Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Read More

Brothers in Arms August 29

This game was hype for the longest but then because of Creed it was pushed back.

Ubisoft announced today that Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway is indeed going to make its previously projected August window and come out August 26 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC (via GameSpot). Gearbox's Nazi neck-stabbing World War II shooter tells the story of two soldiers trying to secure a piece of German-controlled road that may or may not be owned by a certain Prince of Darkness.

Read More

Around the Hawk: NCAA Football 09 Demo Impressions

Well, I played the NCAA Football 09 demo today, as many of you probably already have. But for those of you who haven't played it yet, here's my review.

In the main menu, you have the option of a quick play now game, a mascot game, a list of the online features, online dynasty features, Campus Legend, The Shrine, and a few others.

Once you go to the Play Now, you have the option of Ohio State University or Louisiana State University. For my game, I chose OSU. Once the game starts, you are overwhelmed by the realistic feeling of the realistic massive size of the stadium, along with brilliant lighting effects in the stadium, especially noticeable in the stands. Here are my good and bad points I noticed while in the game itself. Don't worry, there are plenty more good than bad in this game!

Good points:

The Sidelines: Excellent work and including many more photographers, camera men, sound people, cheerleaders and realistic players on the sidelines along with coaches. Very noticeable as it really adds more realism to the game.

The Animations: Many many more animations this year. Just from my two games with the two minute quarters, I saw several different tackling, catching, and post play animations during the game. I even saw an animation where the CPU player tried to tip the ball up to himself and juggle it in a way, and then my player ran over and tackled him before he got control of the ball. The players automatically begin to jog back to their huddle, and on special teams they jog back to the sidelines. Even after the play is over, different animations were seen while the players were sitting on the ground. I don't think I saw the same tackle twice in the same game, which is very impressive. Many more sideline catches were seen, which was great. The most talked about feature this year though would have to be changing from a juke to a spin or whatever without waiting for the animation to complete itself while your running. Running felt more realistic than ever before. While I never got to return a field goal that landed short of the goalposts, the fact that it was in the game is great. Post-touchdown celebrations were also very fun. Now after you score a Touchdown, you can still control your player. Just run around in circles if the mood so strikes you, or run to the mascot. There are several different options to choose from post-TD. Next time I score, I'm going to run over to the cheerleaders and see what happens.

The Blocking: The blocking this year seems a lot better than last years. The main part of the blocking that I absolutely love is the ability to change the blocking scheme pre-snap. Before you hike the ball, simply press the Left Trigger and use the left stick in different directions to guide your blockers. Just set it, and forget it!

Awareness: The players this year seem just at the perfect sensitivity of awareness while on the field. The linebackers don't jump all over the place trying to get the ball, they play like real players. After a ball has been tipped, you see players diving and trying to catch the ball this year, instead of just letting it harmlessly drop to the turf in front of them, which became so frustrating last year.

Post-Interception: This feature I found as a pleasant surprise. After you threw and interception, a menu would pop up on the screen asking you "What play did the defense run?" An option of three defensive plays were given to you, along with six pictures from a camera above the field running in progressive order like a slide show. If you chose the correct defensive play, your composure was regained after the interception. Unfortunately, I'm just so smart I never called the wrong defense play out of the three interceptions that I threw in the two games that I played. Terrible, three interceptions...

There were many other good points to the game, but these were the key points in my opinion that really made me say "wow" as I was playing the game. The mascot game I found to be quite entertaining and "cute" with the lovable little hairy critters running around. How fun...

Here are a few of the bad points:

There are no bad points so far, sorry. I found the demo very fun. I'll edit this if I find something I don't like.

Thanks for tuning in!

Read More

Hardest Guitar Hero Song Ever

One of our readers sent me this video and this song is crazy. Keep in mind that this is the PC Version of Guitar Hero 3 but it is on the 360 also although this song is not. This song is so crazy, it crashed the computer twice(Vista of course).

[Thanks Light Destroyer]

Read More

Need for Speed Undercover Announced

EA's CEO John Riccitello has revealed the name of the next game in the Need for Speed series: Need For Speed Undercover will feature a "a very strong mission structure" with "a huge and embedded storyline behind it."

Riccitello explained that EA has decided to change the development cycle for the Need for Speed series and as a result, Need for Speed Undercover will see a 24-month development cycle-- twice the time it took to create the preview NFS games.

This is good news. After NFS Prostreet, EA needed to go back to the drawing board. I wonder how many of these NFS games they can make.

Read More

Madden NFL 09 to Feature Fantasy Football Tools

Electronic Arts announced today that EA SPORTS will launch a Fantasy Football website for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 later this summer. The web-based service of EA SPORTS Fantasy Football is free, while Xbox Live and PlayStation Network users will have the opportunity to download the fantasy football applications for a fee. You will also be able to get stats from your league and even upload your fantasy team to Madden 09.

EA Sports Fantasy Site

Read More

60 GB Xbox 360 Rumor

Trusted Reviews has taken it upon itself to speculate on exactly what the supposed new SKU will be which was already rumored. Trusted Reviews believes it will be a new 360 model that includes a 60GB hard drive. The supposed 60GB 360 would likely replace the current 20GB 360 Pro. Supposedly, the announcement is set for E3 with an actual release in early August, before August 10 according to Trusted Reviews.

The question that remains is whether the Xbox 360 Arcade would then be bundled with the 20GB hard drive or if it will remain without a hard drive. Also still up in the air is how the 60GB model would affect the possibility of a price cut.

Read More

Unreal Tournament 3 Preview

This game looks fun. It reminds me of my old Unreal Championship days on the original Xbox and the start of Xbox Live. The vehicles seem like they bring a whole new dimension to the game. After seeing this video, I might get this for sure sometime. This game is set to be released on July 7th.

Read More

Around the Hawk: Midnight Club Los Angeles

Sweet game. Looks like Test Drive meets Need for Speed or something. Just imagine playing this game... coming out September 9th, 2008. Unless it gets pushed back...

Read More

Around the Hawk: Facebreaker

Well, this may be a game for little kids to enjoy. I'll have to play a demo for this game to find out for myself what I think, but that's just me. It really looks like Ready to Rumble 3, with the same type of cartoonish character styles and wacky animations. Could be fun, could be torture. We'll have to wait to find out. The release date is set for December 15, 2008. Long ways away. Could be one to buy for the kids!

Read More

Rumor: Guitar Hero: World Tour Prices, Instruments, and Artists

It is rumored that the full version of Guitar Hero: World Tour (including instruments) running for $179.99. The guitar is rumored to be wireless and have a touch sensitive neck slide, the drums are also wireless and have raised cymbals, plus the mic is also rumored to be wireless.

As for the music itself, artists include Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, System of a Down, Ozzy Osbourne, Interpol, Muse and more. Additionally, the game is rumored to have tons of customizable stuff, with custom tracks, album art, characters and logos.

Read More

Avatars Microsofts Counter to Nintendos Miis?

Looks like we're getting some real evidence that Microsoft has some sort of response to Nintendo's Miis. It's been rumored for some time now and the above pictures puts this to a rest. These "Xbox Avatars" look to do everything that Miis do and more.

Read More

Rumor: Forza Motorsport 3

I have received word that Forza 3 will ship on two discs, have some sort of "assist system", will be loaded to the brim with content (400 cars, 100 tracks, etc) and will have car deformation. Stay tuned for more on this news as we receive it.

Read More

Around the Hawk: UFC 2009 Video Game

Woah, this pre-rendered video sure looks fun. If the game were to be like this, it would be a fun buy. It sort of looks like Fight Night Round 3, just better and with more action. Online for this game could be fun too, and with a created character... don't want to get too far ahead of myself here. Enjoy the trailer.

Read More

Around the Hawk Update: Even more Saints Row 2!

Look at this nice bleached haired Asian American explain to us the beautiful new customization aspects to Saints Row 2. He seems like a nice guy.

Read More

Around the Hawk Update: More Saints Row 2!

I don't know about you guys, but I just can't get enough of these Saints Row 2 trailers. This game really looks incredible and I hope that the delay from August until October really pays off, because I can't wait for this puppy to be released! This trailer has an obvious psychotic man laughing constantly, but that's ok. He's just getting overly excited for this game like I am!

Read More

Hints at a Xbox 720

During a conversation with Shane Kim, the new Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Microsoft offered very general commentary on the next Xbox console.

When asked if his new role includes looking at how Microsoft is going to transition into the next console, Kim said:

"How [do] you think about next generation? What is that next generation going to encompass? How are you even going to define that? All of that is part of the equation. What kind of geographic expansion do we need to see? Is the world more of an online world than a hardware-oriented world? I think there are some really fascinating opportunities in front of us."

While the statement offers no details, it does suggest that Microsoft is at least exploring the idea of launching a digital system rather than a traditional expensive piece of hardware.

We're likely several years from the next Xbox, so enjoy this brief statement. It may be the last we get for a while.


xbox 720

Read More

Unreal Tournament 3 Gets a Release Date

Unreal Tournament 3 for the Xbox 360 Console has a release date of July 7th. Our Euro Friends across the pond will get the game a few days early on July 4th.

Anyone going to pick this game up? I am on the fence on getting it. Its so close to the NCAA Football release. I might not get this right at release but sometime in the future.

Read More

Update: NCAA Football 09 Demo Coming Soon

Original Post from 6/10/09: My sources are telling me that an demo for NCAA Football 09 is expected to be out on Thursday June 19th for both the PS3 and 360.

Update: You play 2 minute quarters on a exhibition game (LSU and OSU this year) and you aren't allowed to even look at the depth chart let alone make and substitutions or anything.

Read More

Yet Another Madden 09 Video and Interview

Saints VS Vikings


Phil Frazier Interview

Read More

The Truth About 360's Three Red Lights

EETimes quotes Bryan Lewis, research vice president and chief analyst at Gartner:

The Xbox 360 recall a year ago happened because "Microsoft wanted to avoid an ASIC vendor," said Lewis. Microsoft designed the graphic chip on its own, cut a traditional ASIC vendor out of the process and went straight to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., he explained.

Read More

Xbox Live Top 10: 6/2 - 6/8

Here is last weeks stats. All retail games are based on people online, all arcade titles are based on amount purchased.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles

1. Call of Duty 4
2. Halo 3
3. GTA IV
4. Battlefield: Bad Company Demo
5. Guitar Hero III
6. Gears of War
7. Rock Band
8. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
9. Ninja Gaiden 2
10. FIFA 08

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)

1. Aces of the Galaxy
2. Penny Arcade Episode 1
3. Uno
4. Doom
5. Buku Sudoku
6. Warlords
7. N+
8. Worms
9. Marble Blast Ultra
10. Bomberman Live

Read More

Don King Prizefighter: Major Flop

Don King Presents: Prizefighter had serious potential. With the Don King name, a nice stable of fighters and venues and entry music to match the excitement of the sport you’d think that things were in line for a great challenger to Fight Night’s crown. Not so. The poorly constructed gameplay handcuffs the game from the word “go” and it never recovers. It’s neither strategic or arcadey in nature and the animations are just plain ugly to watch. Boxing fans will just have to wait for the fourth addition to the Fight Night series in 2009 for another worthy addition to their boxing library.

IGN Score 5.0!!!

Read More

XBLN Humor Corner: DVD-9 Meets Blu Ray

Cold dry humor from the PS3 fanboys, Kojima. I say the Wii and 360 gang up on the PS3 and do a sales comparison and show them no one cares about Blu Ray.

Read More

New Madden 09 Videos Once Again

Colts VS Bills

Read More

Command & Conquer: Kane's Wrath Coming Soon

EA recently announced that Command & Conquer: Kane's Wrath, will be hitting retailers as a stand alone retail release on June 23rd for $39.99.

Read More

New Site Syle

I want to hear your comments on the new site layout. Tell me what you like and hate about it. Also, vote in the poll to the right of the page. Thanks

-Deus Legend
Xbox Live Network Chairman

Read More

Halo Wars Online Functionality

The latest issue of GamePro features a 10-page world exclusive preview of Halo Wars. Among other things, the article has revealed that the game will support up to six players on Xbox Live for versus multiplayer and there is also an online campaign cooperative mode that enables two players to to team up against the Covenant.

Read More

Practice on the Madden 09 Virtual Field

The Virtual Training Center is a new interactive tutorial mode, set in a holographic environment that aims at teaching gamers fundamental concepts about football strategy and how to use the controls in quick, fun and stylized drills. After players complete these drills, a Madden IQ score is given, and their "My Skills" difficulty settings are automatically set based on their strengths and weaknesses. Throughout their Madden NFL career, the all-new Adaptive Difficulty Engine will continually tailor the difficulty settings as the gamers' Madden IQ score evolves.

Read More

Call of Duty: World at War Announced

OXM UK posted the first details for the next installment of the Call of Duty franchise and new scans confirm the magazine's exclusive cover story. Call of Duty: World at War will bring the series back to World War II and will include new weapons in the series' first foray into single player co-op territory; two-player split-screen and four player online is planned. In development at Treyarch the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine based title will focus on a Pacific campaign as US forces battle Japanese adversaries while the Soviet Army invades Germany.

Having been in development for two yearswith the lead platform being the Xbox 360, Call of Duty: World at War features enhanced environments that bend, break and burn during the historic battle. Multiplayer fans have something to look forward to as the series makes it's return to World War II. Treyarch, having taken cues from Infinity Ward will include a perks accomplishment system.

Read More

Around the Hawk: More Halo Funny Videos and Then Some

President Bush and Darth Vadar



President Bush and Dr. Phil



Napoleon Dynamite Halo scene



Howard Dean



I thought these videos were funny.

Read More

BioShock 3 Announced

I learned 2 things by reading this. They are making BioShock 3 of course which completes a trilogy, and they are making a movie based on the game. Can't wait for both of them.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/879/879727p1.html

"June 5, 2008 - Speaking to investors in a quarterly financial conference call today, Take-Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick confirmed that plans exist for a third BioShock game, which will likely coincide with the release of the Gore Verbinski-directed film version of the game franchise.

At the tail end of the call, when asked when Take-Two expects the Verbinski film to hit theatres, Zelnick responded, "Its unlikely the picture would be released coincident with BioShock 2. It's more likely it would be released coincident with BioShock 3."

It's been less than three months since Take-Two execs officially confirmed its plans for BioShock 2, which will be handled by the company's new 2K Marin studio. BioShock 2 is set for release in Q4 of Take-Two's fiscal year 2009.

No platforms for BioShock 3 were announced on today's conference call, and there was no mention of which studio will be involved with the project."

Read More

MS to Announce Blu-Ray 360 Tommorrow

Coming from the folks over at CrunchGear and their tipster who supposedly has a "close friend" within Microsoft's E&D division, we get word that Microsoft is set to announce a new Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 console Monday morning at 9:00AM pacific, an hour before Apple's WWDC. A Blu-ray Xbox 360 announcement that is said to confirm the new console's release this holiday at a price point lower than what the Elite currently sells for and an announcement whose aim is take the tech limelight away from Apple and their iPhone. Right ...

We have a few problems with this Blu-ray rumor, the first being that it's yet another Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumor. Seeing that EVERY time there has been speculation of Microsoft announcing this mysterious console, it never comes to fruition followed by MS's adamant denials. Our second issue with this rumor is the fact that the tipster links this MS announcement with Apple's conference where they claim MS will try to upstage the WWDC big reveals. Hmm, since when were MS and Apple duking it out in the video game market and since when have Apple loyalists ever been impressed by MS news? Seriously? We're beginning to think we should create a "Blu-ray Rumor" category to house all this "news".

[Via Gizmodo]

Read More

XBLN Halo Humor Corner

This video is a parody on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air featuring the Halo Spartans. Anyone that have seen the show will see how funny this video is.



This second video is a parody on the Powerpuff Girls Intro.



If Nintendo made Halo



Thriller Infection Style



Spartan Rangers



And the grand finale, Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Read More

XBLN Exclusive First Look: NHL 09

NHL 09 will have new features and improvements including Be A Pro mode, control enhancements, furthering of create-a-play, expansion of Online Team Play, and a “mystery” feature which is supposed to be “massive”. From Gamespot:

One of the most intriguing aspects of Be a Pro mode in NHL 09 is the different types of roles you’ll be able to serve when creating your player. Not only will you be able to play as a goalie, but you’ll also be able to choose different types of roles as a regular skater, from a grinding, checking defenseman to a speedy, shot-taking sniper. As a result, when you’re on the ice with your team, your coach will have different expectations of you depending on your role. It’s these individual expectations that will form the basis for how your performance is judged in the game and how your player progresses as a result.

Read More

Guitar Hero III: Fire and Flames Expert 100%

Seeing is believing. This is the first person ever to do this. And today was the day.

Read More

Rock Band Tuesday Tracks June 10th

The Rock Band tracks for next week will be the MTV2 Pack. Tracks are:

MTV2 Pack
The Material "Moving to Seattle"
The Myriad "A Clean Shot"
Them Terribles "Bullets & Guns"
Maxïmo Park "Girls Who Play Guitars"*
*Track not included in MTV2 three-pak
(All tracks utilize original master recordings)

Price:
$.99 (80 Microsoft Points) per track
$2.99 (240 Microsoft Points) for three pack

Read More

NBA 2K9 Cover Announcement

As revealed prior to the start of game one of the NBA Finals, Kevin Garnett is the cover athlete for NBA 2K9. He follows a year in which Chris Paul had the cover and turned out an MVP caliber season. Garnett has helped lead the Celtics to the best record in the NBA and the appearance in the Finals.

Read More

Around the Hawk Update: Saints Row 2

This game is really starting to get me pumped up. It's taking obvious shots at GTA IV, but will it compare? We'll have to wait and find out, and let's hope that the push back of the release date will make the game even better.

Read More

Xbox Live Top 10: 5/26 - 6/1

Here is last weeks stats. GTA IV finally dropped off the #1 spot after 4 weeks.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles

1. Call of Duty 4
2. Halo 3
3. GTA IV
4. Guitar Hero III
5. Gears of War
6. Rock Band
7. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
8. FIFA 08
9. Forza Motorsport 2
10. Grid Demo

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)

1. Penny Arcade Episode 1
2. Buku Sudoku
3. Warlords
4. Uno
5. Doom
6. Assault Heroes 2
7. N+
8. Brain Challenge
9. Worms

Read More

XBLN Exclusive Find: Guitar Hero: Metallica

According to the filing (via Gamespot), the company plans to launch Guitar Hero: Metallica in Fiscal 2009, which, for Activision, is anytime between now and March 31, 2009.

Guitar Hero: Metallica coming before Q1 2009

Read More