Assassin's Creed Fan Video

Assassin's Creed is a great game franchise and it definitely has it's fans among gamers. Microsoft Kinect also has it's fans, so why not make a Kinect version of Assassin's Creed? or at least a fan video parody?

"also available for Wii... definitely not available for Wii!" 

I love it. Well done. 

Microsoft Bans Modded Consoles From Xbox Live

Microsoft has banned as many as 1 million users consoles from the Xbox Live service for having modified consoles which allow them to play games they have copied. The users themselves have not been banned, only the modified consoles, users can play on the service if they purchase a new unmoded console. "We can assure you that if an Xbox Live member follows the Xbox Live terms of use, purchased a retail copy of Modern Warfare 2 and played the game on an unmodified Xbox 360, no action will be taken," the firm said. I wonder why it's taken them this long to take such actions?

Source: BBC

New Strategy For Xbox Revealed By Microsoft

On the eve of E3, North America's largest gaming conference, Microsoft has announced it's plans for the Xbox 360 platform, Xbox Live. Deals have been struck with social network sites Facebook which will allow access to users profiles and the ability to share photos on their television through the Xbox Live network and Twitter to allow users to post and read messages via Xbox Live subscriptions. In Britian, Xbox live users will be able to watch live television, including professional soccer, over an Internet version of the Sky service. Microsoft also gave it's first look at the upcoming project Natal which "Using a sophisticated camera, infrared sensors and voice recognition software, Natal allows users to control a game or other programs, like a virtual painting studio, merely by waving their arms, speaking to the system and moving around."

Source: New York Times

Modern Warfare 2 - Gameplay Trailer

Infinity Ward has released a game play trailer for it's newest title, Modern Warfare 2, and if it lives up to the promise of the trailer it will be a big one! Snowmobiles, aircraft, hand to hand, it's got it all. The game is due to be released on November 10th on PC and Xbox 360 and is available for pre-order on the Modern Warfare 2 website. Check it out...

Video Game - E3 2009 - Video Game Trailers

Xbox Live Gamers Targeted

Using a traditional denial of service style attack, hackers are seeking revenge on players who pown them during game play on the Xbox Live network according to Chris Boyd the director of malware research at Facetime Communications. "They get your IP address, put it in the booter tool and they attempt to flood the port that uses Xbox traffic," said Mr Boyd. "Flooding that port prevents any traffic getting out." The tool doesn't attack the Xbox live network but idividual gamer's Xbox's because many of the games played on the network are actually hosted by the players themselves. In order to carry out the attack the hacker might interconnect their PC and Xbox and then deploy packet sniffing software to sift through the traffic flowing in and out of their consoles for IP addresses. Microsoft promises to ban the offenders.

Source: BBC

Tom Clancy's HAWX CG Teaser

Here comes another Tom Clancy title from Ubisoft! According to this teaser video Tom Clancy's HAWX CG is due to be released in March and if the video is any indication it's going to be very pretty!

Here are some features of the game as described by Ubisoft:

• ENHANCED REALITY SYSTEM (E.R.S.): E.R.S. is in-game technology that helps turn novice aviators into elite pilots of the future. The Enhanced Reality System is the core of the HAWX flight experience: aircraft interception trajectories, incoming missile detection, anti-crash system, damage assessment, tactical map, and weapons trajectory control. E.R.S. also allows players to issue orders to their squadron and other units, making this system as iconic to HAWX as the Cross-Com system is to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter®!
  
  
• ASSISTANCE MODE : Players can ease into their flight missions and gain a level of comfort with the use of the assistance mode. Once employed, players can take full advantage of their technological support through the E.R.S and gain maximum piloting security. If the situation calls for the player to unleash the full potential of the aircraft, the assistance mode can be switched off and all safety features will be deactivated. This comes with increased risks, but allows the player advanced dogfighting maneuvers and stunning third-person views.
  
  
• REVOLUTIONARY MULTIPLAYER: For the first time ever in the air-combat genre, players will be able to experience the entire solo campaign with seamless JUMP IN/JUMP OUT functionality. In PVP mode, players can challenge each other in intense dog-fighting sessions and find out who's the top gun. Winning players are rewarded with experience points and money to unlock more weapons.
  
  
• REALISM AND TECHNOLOGY : Players have the opportunity to take the throttle of over 50 famous aircrafts, and take them over real world locations & cities in photo-realistic environments created with the best commercial satellite data on the civilian market.

Microsoft Ups Reward For Information About Missing Teen

15-year-old Brandon Crisp of Barrie, Ontario has been missing since a fight with his parents on October 13th over his obsessive Xbox use. The run away has been the subject of a large ground search by authorities and civilians for two weeks but few clues to his whereabouts have been turned up. As a result Microsoft has doubled the reward money for information leading to his location to $50,000. According to the Globe and Mail "Sergeant Dave Goodbrand says people from Miami to British Columbia have offered assistance, including search and rescue expert Terry Grant, host of Canadian reality show Mantracker, who flew in to help." Let's hope the child is located and this family can put their fears to rest!

The Ultimate Big Screen TV For XBox Players

Think your 50 inch Plasma TV is great for gaming... how about a game of Gears on a 50 foot movie theatre screen? Starting Friday Cineplex Entertainment is going to rent it's theatres to gamers, during down times when movies are not being shown. For $179 plus taxes up to 12 gamers can share a theatre for 2 hours and play either their own XBox 360 games or choose from a select library of games at the theatre. Of course XBox 360 can only accomodate 4 players at a time so you'll have to take turns. "It takes it to a whole new level when you see the game on a screen that's more than 50 feet wide," said Pat Marshall, Cineplex's vice-president of communications. "If they wanted to book a four-hour window, we could certainly go later in the evening," Marshall said. "If the theatre manager has the staffing, they could go till two in the morning." Now if the theatres only sold Red Bull and offered XBox Live connectivity... CBC coverage here.

Fancy Yourself A Game Developer? Microsoft Is Looking For You

Microsoft is looking for XBox 360 game developers and has stepped up it's game in an attempt to attract more homegrown projects. Microsoft has launched "Xbox Live Community Games" a platform for would be game developers to sell their creations. Here's how it works, use the XNA Game Studio toolset to develop your game, submit your work to Microsoft who will "rigorously peer-review" your creation. If your game makes the cut it will be added to the Xbox Live Marketplace catalog and offered at a chosen price point of between $2.50 and $10. As a games developer you will net yourself up to 70% of the revenue generated through sales via the Xbox Live Marketplace. "The Community Games channel will launch this fall in the United States, Canada and select European locations, with others to follow in 2009." according to PC World.

Sneak Peak At Gears of War 2

Here's a sneak peak at the highly anticipated sequel, Xbox 360 only title - Gears of War II. Enjoy!

Microsoft Strikes Deal For Digital Content Through XBox

The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft has struck a deal with Hollywood veteran Peter Safran's company to produce original shows for distribution on the XBox 360 platform. The intent is to appeal to the XBox demographic which is largely male and between the ages of 14 and 34. Safran's company, appropriately named "Safran Company", will produce short 10 minute scripted shows initially in the comedy and horror genres. The first of which are expected to be available this fall. “The Xbox is unique. It operates at a level outside of what we generally consider Web entertainment,” Mr. Safran said, adding that the new shows would be available only via XBox 360 but might eventually show up elsewhere.

US Video Game Sales Doing Well In '08

US sales of video game hardware and software are up 34 per cent over the same period last year hitting $1.33-billion in February. “With several marquee titles still to come in the front half of the year, the industry is poised to achieve another year of record-breaking sales despite difficult economic conditions,” NPD analyst Anita Frazier said in a statement. The Wii out paced both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, with February marking the second straight month that Sony beat Microsoft in console sales. Microsoft exec's are saying their stronger than expected holiday season has caused inventory shortages and that's affecting current numbers. “Our manufacturing team guesses five months out. They made their forecast and didn't have as high a forecast as they should have,” said Microsoft spokesman David Dennis. Globe and Mail story here.

Wii the next Cabbage Patch Kid or Tickle Me Elmo?

Forbes.com has a story predicting the Wii to be the hot toy this Christmas with a limited supply even though Nintendo is churning out as many as it can. GN GamerMetrics analyst Nick Williams says "There's a limited supply, a continuously high demand." The XBox 360 out sold the Wii in September when Microsoft launched Halo 3, but the analysts are expecting Nintendo to come out on top for Christmas. There are no shortage of stories circulating about the Wii being a big hit with the traditional non-gamers and perhaps it's simplicity, the physical nature of the game play, not to mention the $250 price tag, will keep the Wii hot for the foreseeable future.

Parental Timer coming to the Xbox?

According to G4's The Feed, Microsoft is teaming up with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and football superstar Jerry Rice to encourage families to limit Xbox time by enabling parents to physically control the consoles usage via a "Family Timer". “As a leader in interactive entertainment, it’s Microsoft’s responsibility to provide parents with tools they can use to manage their children’s video gaming and online experiences, and we have made that a priority from the very start,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft.

Okay, for enough cash I'll kill this story and deny any knowledge... time to pool your allowances together kiddies!

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!

Guitar Hero times four = Rock Band

Wired magazine has a thorough look at the new Rock Band game soon to be released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. The game allows you to take on the role of lead guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer or vocalist. The review includes the video trailer and I'm not sure if it makes me want to play the game more or less, it looks like a little busy... at $200 its a bit pricey too, but it includes all of the peripherals!

Xbox Messenger sightings

The folks at G4's The Feed have gotten their hands on the new Xbox 360 peripheral, Messenger. It's a tiny keyboard that snaps onto your existing controller and allows for a more familiar typing experience. It looks a little clunky but apparently works great! A recent e-mail that I received from Microsoft had it's price pegged at $34.99 CA which seems reasonable since it comes with a wired headset. Check it out here.

Sony to drop PS3 price by $100 US, new model coming

Just in time for the industry's big trade show, E3, Sony has announced a reduction in the price of the Playstation 3 by $100 US and a new beefier model to be rolled out in Asia initially. Sony's PS3 has lagged behind the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 and the move is an attempt to draw more customers to the gaming platform that has been badly beaten at the cash register. A new PS3 with an 80GB hard drive has also been announced, it will sell for $600 US and come bundled with the breakout title "Motorstorm" which has sold a million copies to date. The new price makes it just slightly more expensive than the most expensive Xbox 360, although Microsoft is rumored to be contemplating a price shift of it's own. Good news for the gaming crowd! CNN has the story.

Ring of Fire to cost Microsoft $1 billion, Xbox Elite for Japan and Jobs coming to Canada

Microsoft was busy on the announcement front yesterday. Firstly, the have admitted that the so called ring of fire problem with the Xbox 360 will cost them $1 billion to cover the cost of extended warranties that it is offering system owners who have experienced the problem, which is indicated by three red flashing lights on the console. Despite the problem Microsoft says the Xbox division will still make a profit for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007. In other 360 news, Microsoft has announced an October launch date for the new Xbox 360 Elite. The console will go on sale first in Japan where it's predecessor's sales lag behind Sony and Nintendo. Finally, Microsoft is planning to open a software development center, likely in Vancouver, the move is to allow the company to hire talent from abroad who are having difficulties obtaining work visas to enter the US. BBC News story here.

This is a hold up... give me all your game systems

Armed robbers in Orange County Florida ordered the manager of a GameStop store to empty the safe, and then asked him to pack up several game systems before taking the surveillance tape and fleeing the scene. Police investigators believe the games systems were the real target of the theft, I think they were after the money but wanted something to do to pass the time while they lay low. Florida's WFTV.com has the story.