The celebration continues today as we party on the fifth year of Xbox Live! What better way than to smack around the developers of today’s hottest games? Battle with the folks at Bungie in some Halo 3 or flip it against the creators of EA’s skate.
It’s your choice. Take a look at the times and developers available for crushing today.
Halo Wars Dev Team
Look for the creators of this upcoming strategy game playing Halo 3 from 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
HaloWarsSWDes Rob - Software Design Engineer
HaloWarsProd Bill - Producer
HaloWarsArt1 Matthew - Artist
HaloWarsArt2 Dion - Artist
HaloWarsGameDes Aaron - Game Designer
Ready to hunt some T-Rex? Don’t forget about Turok! I know there are loads of shooters that are available for the Xbox 360 but this one has just a little more to it than simply shooting. You all should know I’ve been scouting this game after listing it in my Best of PAX feature. Here’s a new Turok video from Touchtone featuring commentary from Josh Bridge, Lead Level Designer on the game.
There’s information about the gameplay, dinosaurs, AI and more. I can’t wait to do that cool “jump on the dinosaur and slice him” move again.
Video: Turok Gameplay, Dinosaurs and AI click here
Turok is slated to release in February 2008.
Once upon a time people said that ‘nobody wants to talk while they play games…they like typing’. They said ‘your bet on broadband is crazy…look at the current penetration rates’. They also said ‘who wants a friends list in their game?’ Five years and 3.1 billion game sessions later we’re preparing to celebrate Xbox Live and its 5-year anniversary.
For me, celebrating Xbox Live turning five just got a tad bit more exciting! Take a look at the special edition LIVE is 5IVE Xbox 360 wireless controller. I’ve received a lot of cool things here at U360 and this one ranks right up there with the best of my Bag & Swag. I didn’t think I’d fancy an orange controller but this one looks great.
I want to send a big thanks to Microsoft and the Xbox Live team for five amazing years of gaming across the world with friends. I was an original beta tester so this little doozie will be extra special to me. It will now be my primary controller. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get these in any store. Check out more pics of the LIVE is 5IVE controller here.
The LIVE is 5IVE celebration has begun and you can now keep track of the free things available on the anniversary. Grab some free themes to celebrate Xbox LIVE’s fifth annivesary. The list of themes include LIVE is 5IVE, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Gears of War, Halo 2, Mech Assault and Ghost Recon 2.
You can see what each theme looks like here before you download them. Head out and download them now if you’re a theme lovin’ kinda person.
You all remember the Xbox Rewards story a while ago about being rewarded for Achievements that soon came true and had everyone in a frenzy don’t you? I even had a sit down in Episode #31 with Mo Lam, former Product Manager for Xbox Rewards, about the program and the plans for Xbox Rewards going forward. That was only a few months ago and I find myself asking, where art thou Xbox Rewards?
Is anyone interested in seeing this program renewed and revisited? I’m not sure if there aren’t current plans for it but as of right now, there is no news on its future. It appears to have been an overwhelming success so why the sudden loss in momentum?
How did everyone here at U360 feel about the program and did you complete the challenge? I just thought I’d bring this up as we near a celebration tomorrow. It would’ve been a great time to introduce a new challenge.
Those of you who are no strangers to the interweb have no doubt heard about the interesting news circulating about the next Fall Dashboard System Update to the Xbox 360 console. There’s a new service being implemented that will allow you to download and own certain Xbox games.
On December 4th, the free system update will launch including the service, Xbox Originals, which, for the first time, will enable consumers to download and own full Xbox games such as Halo, Psychonauts, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Fable, among others, directly to their Xbox 360.
With no disc necessary, and at 1,200 Microsoft Points per game, you can own some of the classic gams from the Xbox.
“In just five short years, Xbox LIVE has revolutionized the way friends and family have fun in the living room,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services at Microsoft. “On its fifth birthday, Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand.”
Is anyone having visions of needing the 120 gig hard drive yet? I don’t know if I’ll download many games because I still have my original Xbox but for those who don’t, this could be more feasible than waiting on backward compatibility updates. And it looks like Microsoft is getting the jump on some issues you’re likely to face downloading these Xbox Originals. Make sure you read up on the known issues.
The Xbox Live service turns five years old (or young) this Thursday. November 15th marks the 5-year anniversary of the online service and Microsoft is planning to celebrate in grand fashion with free points and a free game!
Those of you who signed up for the service when it began back in 2002 and are still active members, will notice an increase in your Microsoft Points balance. If you signed up for Xbox Live in 2002, you’ll be receiving 500 Microsoft Points as a show of thanks from the Microsoft gang. Free points for beta testers ftw! Make sure your account information is current or there’ll be no points for you.
Along with that, all Xbox Live users will have an opportunity to download Carcassonne for free beginning at 12:01 AM PST on November 15 and ending at 11:59 PM PST on November 16. That’ll save you some points…800 to be exact!
I haven’t even mentioned the Xbox LIVE is 5IVE list of events going down as well. There are Play & Win opportunities as well as chances to play against some of today’s top game developers. Head out to the link above and find out more about the Xbox LIVE is 5IVE events.
I’m glad I signed up to beta test Xbox Live when it first began! Those 500 points will come in handy. Go Xbox Live, it’s your birthday…we gone party like it’s your birthday!
Sierra is giving fans a big time treat with the release of a TimeShift multiplayer demo on Xbox Live tomorrow, November 14th.
Armed with the experimental time-manipulating Beta Suit and a huge arsenal of weaponry and vehicles, players have the ability to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time, allowing them to control several aspects of each battle sequence. Intuitive time controls give the player the ultimate advantage in avoiding attacks, correcting mistakes and outsmarting the enemy.
Are you ready to put your own grasp on time bending against other players on Xbox Live? I got the details from Sierra on the modes, maps and other features the multiplayer demo will allow you to do once you download it.
Players:
16 players Max (same max as full retail)
Maps:
2 Maps
Trench Warfare (MP6)
Corrupt Data (MP2)
Modes:
Death Match
King of Time
Capture the Flag
Presets:
Death Match Classic
King of Time Classic
Capture the Flag Classic
Low Gravity
Rockets Arena
The Xbox Live Arcade double doozie continues with Shrek-N-Roll and Screwjumper. I never thought we’d see the green Ogre in the Arcade but I’m glad he’s here.
Shrek-N-Roll info
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique environments in Far Far Away’s newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, or work together with friends and family in 2-player local Co-op mode. (not available in Korea and Japan)
When: Wednesday, November 14 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST)
How much: 800 Microsoft Points
Screwjumper info
Published by THQ and developed by Frozen Codebase, players take the plunge and free-fall into the depths of a chaotic underworld, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. The free-falling action takes place on four different planets and features a total of 20 mines. (not available in Korea and Japan)
When: Wednesday, November 14 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST)
How much: 800 Microsoft Points
The new family of Zune media players and services are scheduled to debut tomorrow including a first for the big ‘Z’ in device customization. Consumers will have the option to customize their Zune player with laser-engraved designs and personal text through a new Web store called Zune Originals.
You can personalize and purchase your Zune directly from Microsoft at the Zune Originals store. This goes live tomorrow and you’ll be able to choose from a collection of laser-engraved artwork designed exclusively for Zune by 18 internationally recognized artists.
“We’re bringing the entire category to the next level by empowering consumers to play a role in redefining the digital music experience,” said J Allard, corporate vice president for Zune. “Zune brings music discovery and acquisition into one simple, end-to-end solution, and the addition of unique customization options puts the originality back into portable entertainment.”
Zune fanatics will also get the first taste of Zune Social, an online music community. They’re really trying to make it a Zune world. If you want to know more about the goodies, head to www.zune.net.
Don’t forget that with the new devices and free software updates come new podcast support. You can subscribe to U360 on your Zune with this link! Once you update your software…simply launch the new Zune software, click on Collection, click on Add A Podcast, and enter the link. It’s easy.
I hope to be a part of the Zune social soon if I can manage to score a win in the various Zune contests I’ve entered. Wish me luck!
