Xbox Division Leads Charge For Microsoft

G4's the Feed points out that while Microsoft's overall profits declined by 11% the Xbox video game unit surpassed expectations with its third straight quarterly profit and revenue gains of 68 percent to $1.58 billion. Microsoft had pegged the gains at between 25 and 35%. Canaccord Adams Inc. analyst Peter Misek in Toronto says "It's just amazing that a company this size is being driven by video games.'' Exclusive titles like "Halo 3'' and "Mass Effect'' lead the way.

New Halo 3 Maps available through XBox Live

As of yesterday there is plenty more to love about Halo 3! According to this Wired Blog post, "For $10, Xbox Live members can download three brand-new areas called Standoff, Rat's Nest and Foundry." If $10 is too much to spend on a couple of extra maps, and you have the patience of a saint, then you might consider waiting for the next map pack to be released as Microsoft says this map pack will become free when the next one is released sometime in the spring. If you'd like to see what your $10 will buy you... Red vs. Blue has put together an interesting tour of the maps, highlighting the new features and offering a few chuckles along the way.

Bungie employees get flaming Halo 3 helmet

If you're on XBox Live, playing Halo 3, and you encounter a Spartan with a flaming helmet you might have your hands full! In fact you are actually playing one of the developers from Bungie. G4's The Feed is reporting that a flaming helmet signifies a Bungie employee and try as you might, you can never obtain one, unless you're resume is up to HR's standards...

Halo 3 reviewed

If you are on the fence about Xbox 360 or Halo 3 check this out! If this doesn't make you want to run out and get an Xbox 360 there's no hope for you... I think I know what I'll be doing until the wee hours this evening. Here is G4's The Feed with their review, enjoy!

Halo 3 Collectors Edition ships scratched!

G4's The Feed is reporting that some of the Halo 3 Collectors Discs are coming from Microsoft pre-scratched! Apparently it's only the Collectors edition that is affected as the regular edition is packaged in standard Xbox 360 packaging. The Feed recommends that you check your discs in-store in case there are any issues. According to the report, the scratches are not deep enough to affect the playing of the discs and are the result of a packaging problem.

Warthog... road kill

A group of programmers at Bungie had the good fortune of getting a test drive in a very realistic looking Warthog, complete with gun turret, created for the Halo 3 trailers. The good fortune ends when they drive into a building... not much damage to the building and none seen on the warthog, but all caught on tape. Only a week until the release!

Halo fans rejoice!

If you are a Halo fan, and who isn't, you are probably doing thumb presses and finger stretches in preparation of some marathon gaming when Halo 3 releases in a few days time! Heck, even Buzz Out Loud's Molly Wood says this is the game that makes her want to by an Xbox 360. Well if you're dying for a Halo fix check out the virtual fly through. Move around in the 3D space, click hot spots and take awesome screen shots of your favorite scene. It will keep the edge off until the game releases!

Halo 3 reaches 1 million preorder milestone

Microsoft has announced that North American preorders of the highly anticipated Halo 3 title, exclusive to the Xbox 360, have surpassed the 1 million mark. According to the press release "demand has been so strong for the Legendary Edition of the game that it is expected to be sold out by the time the game launches on Sept. 25." The landmark is, at least partially, contributed to the support of major brands like Mountain Dew and 7 - Eleven. "For the first time in video game history and on par with the scope of major movie releases, some of the world’s biggest consumer brands have aligned to support the launch. Many plan to offer a variety of promotions that give consumers the opportunity to obtain unique “Halo 3”-branded products and prizes and participate in one-of-a-kind “Halo 3”-themed events." We've been contemplating getting our preorder for some time now, I guess we'd better stop procrastinating... it's not like we're not going to get it! It's Halo 3!