Welcome to another Monday Morning Scripted. I don’t have a case of the Mondays today but I do have a case of the Heroes! Tonight begins the event of the year on network televsion…the beginning of the Heroes season finale next week. Tonight’s episode is going to set the stage for the 2-hour season finale on May 21. I’m excited and I know my Heroes fans are too.
Anyone notice that the Halo 3 Beta began for a select few this past weekend? Bungie started their Friends and Family program for select media and friends this weekend and Halo 3 mania swept through like wildfire. Were you selected? Check your friend’s Halo 3 stats on Bungie.net to see how they’re stacking up.
I hope all the mothers out there had a wonderful day yesterday. I had plans on a Mother’s Day show but my mother controlled the entire day so I wasn’t able to release it. I’ll be releasing #35 tonight or tomorrow with bits of the Mother’s Day special though.
I had my first hands on time with the Xbox 360 Elite yesterday. My mother bought my little brother one. Yes, I was jealous and yes I wanted to pull the switcharoo. It looks good and to end the drama about the variations in color, I’ll agree that the controller and console are different shades. Does it matter? No. I was able to connect it with the HDMI and I must admit the picture was indeed a bit sharper. (must get an HDTV with HDMI soon for myself)
The hard drive had 103 gigs on it without deleting the packaged media on it. Overall, I was impressed with the design of it. It had the old dashboard as well so to those wondering if it came packaged with the latest update, it didn’t. The black controllers look really good even with that dull gray strip. I wish it had been black or the launch color strips on the original controller design.
I wanted to give a quick shout to ZaaM and Squidpunch over at 360 FriendSpot for the first 3FS Awards! They developed their own brand of spotlight for the community and have just released the categories for everyone to vote on. It just so happens that they have a category for best community podcast and someone decided to nominate Unscripted 360. Voting for the awards start today so cast a vote for your favorites. Click here to place your vote.
Fridays are usually a day to celebrate the coming of the weekend and some relaxation from a long work week for me. But I’m happy to say that instead I’ll be digging into some frantic action with a new demo entering the Xbox Live Marketplace today…BlackSite: Area 51!
Screenshots: BlackSite: Area 51
You play as Aeran Pierce, a former Special Forces assassin, and you can lead your squad with one-button squad commands and control surrounding vehicles to dish out as much alien punishment as you can. You can do this online via Xbox Live as well. Co-op play FTW! The game is set to infest store shevles this Septemer.
There’s a gang (no punt intended) of downloadable content available for Crackdown today. Free stuff, stuff you pay for, added Achievements, picture packs and a theme!
-a title update
-Free-for-all Pack (free)
-Getting Busy Bonus Pack (800 Microsoft Points)
-Crackdown Picture Packs
-Crackdown Theme
There’s an incredible amount of content included in all these things. So much so that I’m just going to let Major Nelson handle the details. He posted a complete list including videos of all the content details.
The cool thing about the premium content is that you can get a taste of it without paying for it if one of your friends has purchased it. You can hop into a game and check things out alongside the friend who has already purchased it. And I’m sure some will enjoy the added Achievements.
Bizarre Creations returns for a 4th outing in Project Gotham Racing 4. You’d never guess that there were proud of their baby would ya? Check out the weather effects trailer below.
Set to drift onto store shelves this fall, there are several new features to get your engines revved up about. One of the most appealing new gameplay elements is the dynamic weather system. Now racing through a track can mean facing an unexpected rain storm or snow flurries in the middle of a race. This results in changing physics when powering around a corner on the wet or icy surface in Shanghai and St. Petersburg or any of the game’s 10 other locations.
Screenshots: PGR4
Are you gangstas out there ready for more Saints Row? Well get your purple t-shirts ready for more as THQ prepares to deliver a new title based on the game. Is this a sequel or a completely new title simply patterned after the original?
The next title in the award-winning Saints Row franchise is currently in development at internal studio Volition, Inc. and is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system in 2008. The game will utilize Volition’s proprietary open-world engine and deliver an all-new, cross platform gaming experience.
“The original Saints Row earned critical acclaim for its stunning graphics, unparalleled customization options and the genre’s first-ever online multiplayer,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. “The game’s worldwide success shows the growing fanaticism for open-world gaming and our talented team at Volition is now using their proprietary technology to revolutionize the genre yet again.”
Get ready for more thuggin’.
The time has come to put an end to the console and PC boundary. Whether or not you all are prepared for that matters not because the first cross-platform title for the Xbox 360 and PC is now golden! I’m not sure what to say personally given the severe case of Multiplayphobia in this game but hey, it’s coming.
Gaming communities on Xbox 360 and Windows Vista will come together for the first time over Xbox LIVE and Games For Windows – LIVE, when “Shadowrun” teleports to retailers May 29. From renowned developer FASA Studio, ”Shadowrun” incorporates ancient magic and advanced technology into strategic and clever teambased gameplay for an unparalled combat experience.
Screenshots: Shadowrun
“Shadowrun” is optimized for a multiplayer online experience – which requires an Xbox LIVE Gold account on Xbox 360 or Silver account on Games for Windows – LIVE. The game will ship with nine unique maps and an additional three map variations, showcasing dynamic environments set in a futuristic Santos, Brazil, and its neighboring, ancient Ziggurat. Humans, elves, dwarves and trolls, can pick up “Shadowrun” for the estimated retail price of $59.99 for Xbox 360 and $49.99 for Windows Vista.
Turn 10 Community Manager, Che Chou, just released some eagerly anticipated news about the Forza 2 demo that quite a few of you have been waiting for.
“Demo is definitely hitting tonight — but it’ll be pretty painful for east coasters. Trying to pin down an exact time.” - Che Chou
Excited now? I’m sure you all are. So get ready to taste some Forza 2 racing tonight!
Some of you have emailed me asking how to get that cool little chat window feature you’ve seen on images detailing the Spring Dashboard Update. Not sure what I mean? Here’s an image of the chat window.
Until the text input device is released, you’ll have to have a USB keyboard attached to your Xbox 360.
How to get the chat window
-Start an IM conversation then press the Windows Key + M to get the chat window up
-To cycle through multiple conversations press the Ctrl key + Right Arrow Key
-Hit Esc to exit the chat window
Tough cookie to those with only an Xbox 360 controller. You won’t be able to enjoy the fancy little chat window until you get the text input device or a USB keyboard.
The next time you sign on to Xbox Live you’ll be prompted to download the latest console update. Many of you have been waiting for the new Windows Live Messenger integration as well as the other cool features.
- Chat via instant messenger with up to 20 contacts in a single conversation, and have up to six different conversations at the same time with people on PCs, mobile phones and other Xbox 360 consoles.
- Instant message while playing games, listening to music or watching movies or TV shows downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
- View at a glance if friends on Windows Live Messenger have gamertags and add them to a unified friends list.
- Utilize the virtual keyboard on the Xbox 360 to text chat or connect a USB keyboard to the console. Launching later this summer, the Xbox 360 text-input device accessory will connect directly to the controller to support instant messaging.
Here’s an image of the new tray details that not only identify the game you’re playing, but gives you a summary of the Achievements you’ve gained in the game.
The wait is over! Get more details about the Spring Dashboard Update here.
After releasing a pretty intense trailer for the game yesterday, Sierra is back with the official box art for the game. It’s rather simple but simple packaging usually leads to a kick ass game right?
Screenshots: TimeShift Box Art
