Just like Microsoft had promised, sign-ups are now available for the new Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Preview! This new update includes the integration of social network services such as Twitter, Last.FM, and Facebook. Now you will be able to connect with your friends on Facebook, directly from your console. Like to Tweet? The new update will also allow you to read, reply, and post Tweets to Twitter through Xbox LIVE.
Of course, only a selected few will be chosen to beta test the new Xbox 360 Update Preview, but don't be too disappointed. According to Major Nelson, Microsoft will be looking for thousands of people to test the update! Any owner of an Xbox 360 is valid to join, but you must be a Gold Member to have access to all of the new features.
If you are interested in signing up, head on over to the Official Xbox Website where you can find more details and information about this opportunity. Hurry up and apply, there is a limited amount of applications that will be accepted.
The trailer made for Halo 3: ODST was one of the most epic live-action trailers we'd seen in awhile for a game. It was awesome without a doubt, but how did they manage to make it as awesome as it is?
This video should answer that and probably more, as it gives us a behind the scenes look at the making of the short. Who knew the Brute was actually a guy in costume with a full tiny-motor driven mouth? We thought it was computer generated; this goes to show how much effort was put into making the live-action trailer. Also, as a bonus, there's an extra scene that wasn't used in the original short, not even in the extended cut.
Check out this new trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV's second piece of DLC, The Ballad of Gay Tony. Which introduces mister Yusuf Amir, a bizarre billionaire real estate developer. He's seen singing "Arab Money" and doing what he does best in the trailer, dancing in his tightie-whities?
Yusuf Amir isn't your typical man though, he's "the affable, cutthroat real estate and construction kingpin of Liberty City. Yusuf’s vast wealth fuels his over-the-top lifestyle and desire for women and expensive toys, two of the Arab-born’s unquenchable vices." Interesting description to say the least, but what else is he? Well, he's the rival of none other than Gay Tony.
While the Elite model of the Xbox 360 just got a hundred dollar price cut this month, Microsoft is making the deal even sweeter. By giving anyone who purchases an Xbox 360 Elite console from now until October 5, a $50 rebate. The Netflix sponsored deal is great for anyone who is considering picking up a new 360 in the next two weeks.
All you need to do to take advantage of the deal is to purchase an Xbox 360 Elite for $299, then head over to their rebate site, and then make sure you meet their requirements, and finally mail-in your submission (before Nov. 20). Last, but not least, wait for your 50 dollar rebate check to hit your mailbox.
Sounds a bit complicated, but hey, that's like a year of free Xbox Live Gold membership you could use with that money.
The latest ViDoc (video documentary) -- titled "Terra Incognita" -- for Halo 3: ODST, features the team that is Bungie talking about how Halo 3: ODST started off as a piece of downloadable content, like a "2-3 hour mini-campaign", and then transformed into something bigger, a full retail game.
Describing the game, CJ Cowan breaks it down, "Here's an engine, here's a story. You got a year. Go." Though don't let that description make you think this is merely an overpriced expansion. Bungie shares in the video how much work was put into the game to make it feel like a new experience. From the game's new weapons, new art style, and some of the new tech used to enhance the game play; all of this things led to making the game evolve into a full game.
Last night at a press event in Los Angeles Microsoft, alongside Infinity Ward, revealed their new Xbox 360 bundle made for the upcoming, highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2.
The bundle features a special Xbox 360 Elite that comes painted in Modern Warfare 2 branding and also includes a 250GB hard drive. Also included in the bundle is a copy of the game of course, two controllers, and a headset. This bundle will run you for $399 and will be available come November 10; although pre-orders for the console are already available as of now.
The 250GB HDD will not be sold separately according to Microsoft's Larry Hryb. Check out the video below as he gives us more details on the new system bundle. Also, check out large shots of the new console after the jump.
Just a few days ago, we saw an awesome live-action trailer for Bungie's latest title, Halo 3: ODST and now we're getting an extended cut of that said trailer.
Adding another full minute to the already amazing trailer, fans of Halo or not, check out the new lengthened version below; especially if you missed it on the first time around.
Halo 3: ODST is set hit store shelves this year (and month) on September 22. Now, about that Halo movie?
Our hats go off to Bungie and Microsoft for their work on the latest trailer for Halo 3: ODST. The one and a half minute trailer features some really awesome live-action... action! Although the trailer isn't exactly representative of the actual game's gameplay, it does tell us that they really know how to make a really great promo for their game.
Some of the things featured and simply worth noting as awesome, was the cool drop scene, the Covenant Brute's appearance, and the attention to detail on the helmets' with their flicker. Kudos to them.
It also raises the question of when we'll finally see a Halo movie; why can't they get a Halo movie off the ground? 'Cause this definitely shows that if made similar to the trailer, Halo fan or not, we'd all be pretty stoked to see it.
Anyway, why are you still reading this? Oh, wait you're not; you're probably already watching the trailer. If not, then go ahead already and afterwords be sure to let us know what you thought of the trailer, enjoy!
Today, Rockstar Games released the first ever trailer for their second expansion add-on for Grand Theft Auto IV, The Ballad of Gay Tony, exclusively coming to the Xbox 360 next month.
The trailer for the second episode, which is fabulously named "You'll Always Be The King Of This Town", features the DLC's main character, Luis Lopez and among others, partaking in some new activities; such as club-dancing, cage-fighting, driving golf carts, and parachuting? Yes, it seems will be able to parachute once again, something that was featured in GTA: San Andreas, but not included with GTA IV's release.
Check out the trailer below to catch Luis in action, clinging on to a subway car being lifted up by a helicopter.
The Ballad of Gay Tony will be available for 1600 Microsoft Points on October 29th. The piece of DLC will require you to own Grand Theft Auto IV in order to play it. But in case you don't own a copy of GTA IV, that same day Rockstar is also releasing a disc version in stores of the add-on that also includes the first expansion, The Lost and Dammed and does not require the original game disc.
Mass Effect fans will now be able get their hands on this new piece of downloadable content, named Pinnacle Station. Although it was never really officially announced at all, it was hinted at and also somewhat leaked.
Well now it's finally here and should offer gamers with about 2-3 extra hours worth of gameplay. The new DLC takes place on a mysterious space station with 13 combat-specific challenges. Pinnacle Station is available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 Microsoft Points.
It has certainly been awhile since the last release of Mass Effect's first DLC, but I guess we should be happy we're at least getting something extra before the sequel rolls out.
What are your thoughts? Will you be picking up Pinnacle Station?
Although Microsoft has yet to announce anything officially, we think it's safe to say that the Elite model of the Xbox 360 is going to see a price drop very soon.
Back in late June Ars Technica reported that, via their inside source mole, we'd be seeing the Pro model of the Xbox 360 phase out and then be replaced by the Elite version as the standard.
It appears the mole was right.
Click images to enlarge.
In the advertisement (left image above) from Wal-Mart, that's set to come August 30th, you can see the Elite 360 will now only cost $299, that being a $100 dollar price cut.
Also not too long ago an ad (right image above) in a Meijer catalog, due the same date - Aug. 30th, was discovered with the same $299 price tag for the Elite 360. No official word from Microsoft yet, but this is more than enough proof that this will indeed happen.
Additionally, it's very interesting to note that the two consoles in the race for second place are a bit more even now, in terms of pricing and features. The PS3 is now $299; the Elite 360 is also $299. They're both black, both come with 120gb hard drives, and they also both come with HDMI capabilities. What do you think? Do these recent price drops put the two at a more even match or are there other things that say otherwise? Let us know!
It's official, Square Enix have revealed that Final Fantasy XIII will be arriving in Europe and North America simultaneously on both, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
At GamesCom, producer Yoshinori Kitase told VG247 that we could expect the game to hit western territories by Spring 2010, and that it will be ready for release in Japan come this winter.
From there he added on, "For Europe and North America, the PS3 and 360 versions are going to be released simultaneously.”
Kitase also mentioned that they have improved on closing up the gap between the North American and European release dates. He said that in previous game launches the process would take "about a year to localize each version and bring it over to Europe," though we should be seeing the European version of FFXIII, "as close to the North American release as possible."
Producer Yoshinori Kitase also announced today at GamesCom that the Xbox 360 version of the game would be coming in multiple DVD's and that they're aiming for about three discs.
He also assured everyone that the two different console versions would basically be equal in all aspects, but he did admit that, "there might be some subtle differences when comparing the two" and the team is doing their best to make both as identical as possible.
So there you have it, Final Fantasy XIII should be arriving in our hands by Spring 2010. Share your thoughts on this by leaving us a comment below.
