Xbox Fan Boy

I know its only Tuesday. But I thought it’d be cool to post a big news update on up and coming games, some new Screenshots, etc etc. So, whats new?

Xbox Dashboard Update

Well, in a way that only Microsoft can, they’ve completely revamped the dashboard. It looks interesting, and I would rather wait till i’ve had a play with it before I decide that I like it, it looks simple enough, but i’ve loved MK1 dashboard since I laid eyes on it.

The plans that MS have lined up for this new dashboard is quite intense. Obviously as mentioned yesterday the new Avatar system. But they have lined up an interactive quiz channel for people to play in, a library browser, so you can browse all your games in full 3D asif you were looking at them on a shelf. They’ll still have the demo advertisements implemented as they do now. I think the friends Avatars standing around waving at you is a cool touch. But ofcourse with all these new updates comes a backlash from other fan boys of other industry “leaders”, saying that MS is just jumping in on the bandwagon and not creating anything unique. I can see their point, BUT, they have added a few unique touches, and with the movie system from Netflix, and the dashboard not being similar to the Wii or PS3, I don’t really see much resembelence, but the update is expected to roll out in North America, and Europe towards the end of the year, no release for japan as of yet!

Bungie headshot porn spammers

So, with the ever growing file sharing over Halo 3, Bungie have stepped in and are banning people who are sharing pornographic files over their file sharing system.

“Users who have modified content on their File Share - regardless of who created said content - will be subjected to the full power of the Banhammer’s thrust,” said Bungie on its official website.

“This includes some never-before-unleashed technology that will effectively terminate your Halo multiplayer experience online in every imaginable facet. In fact, the ban is so thorough that simply calling it the Banhammer is a complete understatement.”

Downloading the content won’t get you in trouble, but re-uploading to share will.

Microsoft may sell avatar clothing

Microsoft’s Live, software and service boss John Schappert has confirmed to VentureBeat that the company is considering selling accessories and clothing for Xbox 360 Avatars through microtransactions.

“That may be in the future,” he said. “In the near term, we want to launch these with great customization and a great library of accessories this fall.

“I think there is a lot more we can do with them. You will see us continue to add experiences that make use of the Avatar.”

It’s easy to imagine exclusive Avatar embellishments being sold for Microsoft Points, in much the same way that Themes and Gamer Pictures are currently sold. We certainly wouldn’t be surprised.

Source: Eurogamer

Godfather 2?

EA have hinted at a 2009 release date for the second installment in the Godfather series.

Well, this comes as another blow to Microsoft. I don’t know if this is the actual full official Avatar client for the Xbox. But it looks alot like the demos of the characters we’ve seen! By the looks of it you can customise your avatars looks, and the way they act. And also add items like jewellery! Looks quite interesting!

Thats right EAs sensational Flick-it based Skate game is back, with the aptley titled Skate 2. The game sees the original city San Vanelona being destroyed, and a big Mega Corporation comes and takes over and calls it New San Vanelona (clever huh?).. The game has got huge moveable cities, and looks set to be another Tony Hawks beater.

Doom 4

Doom 4 was announced to be in the making, ID Software announced it at this years comicon, and are also looking for new talent to help produce the game! Watch this space!

Konami, have recently stated that they will be releasing a guitar and drum based game across the platforms. To me, this game looks really dated, a bit boring, over lapping songs, and just a bit buggy. Now, imagine, Konami did bring out some of the original music based arcade games, with Guitar Freak and Drum Mania. But even still.. This game just looks outdated, and not to mention over done. They’re about a year to late to be honest. They claim that the game will be revolutionary, and that the drums were its main focus. Xbox users are lucky, we get peripherals. Wii users, you get to air guitar and air drum, lucky you. This game sucks, the guy they got to do the video below is so UN-enthusiastic, that I don’t understand why they let him PR the game. Have a watch anyway, and discuss:

GH4 Leaked Song List:

I hope its real *fingers crossed*

Eagle Rock High School Tour:

• “Dope Nose” by Weezer
• “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World
• Encore: “Today” by Smashing Pumpkins

Big City Kids Tour:

• “Roland” by Interpol
• “Santeria” By Sublime
• Encore: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers

Feelin’ Nostalgic Tour:

• “Take It on the Run” by REO Speedwagon
• “Hold the Line” by Toto
• Encore: “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol

Vixens Tour:

• “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar
• “All Around Me” by Flyleaf
• Encore:”Misery Business” by Paramore

Undertow Tour:

• “Stinkfist” by Tool
• “Lateralus” by Tool
• “Schism” by Tool

Synchronicity Tour:

• “Guitar Battle Vs. Sting” (Guitar Career Only)
• Encore: “Every Breath You Take” by The Police

Fight the System Tour:

• “The Kids Aren’t Alright” by The Offspring
• The Good Left Undone” by Rise Against
• Encore: “Bleed it Out” by Linkin Park

QQ Tour:

• “Face Down” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
• “The Kill” by 30 Seconds to Mars
• Encore: “Thank You for the Venom” by My Chemical Romance

Rockin the Carnival Tour:

• “Dammit” by Blink 182
• “When You Heat Stops Beating” by +44

Neva’ Forget Tour:

• “Jumpin Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones
• “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult
• Encore: “Light My Fire” by The Doors

We Want the Funk Tour:

• “Take it Away” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• “Renegades of Funk” by Rage Agaisnt the Machine
• Encore: “No Sleep till Brooklyn” by The Beastie Boys Feat. Kerry King

Rockin’ the Joint Tour:

• “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz
• “I Don’t wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith

On Top of the World Tour:

• “Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains
• “Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe
• Encore: “Spin the Black Circle” by Pearl Jam

Stinger Tour:

• “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
• “Car Chase City” by Tenacious D
• Encore: “Everlong” by Foo Fighters

Lands End Tour:

• “Animal” by Def Leppard
• “Runaway” by Bon Jovi
• Encore: “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses

Doin’ it Different Tour:

• “Song for the Dead” by Queens of the Stone Age
• “Vasoline” by Stone Temple Pilots
• Encore: “Assassin” by Muse

Hootin’ and Hollerin’ Tour:

• “The Boys Are Back in Town” By Thin Lizzy
• “Life in the Fastlane” by The Eagles
• Encore:”Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

All Pissed Off Tour:

• “Here to Stay” by KoRn
• “Dragula” by Rob Zombie
• Encore: “Bat Country” by Avenged Sevenfold

Here Me Roar Tour:

• “10,000 Fists” by Disturbed
• “Duality” by Slipknot
• Encore: “Toxicity” by System of a Down

S.D.M.F. Tour:

• “Guitar Battle Vs. Zakk Wylde” (Guitar Career Only)
• *Encore: “Demise of Sanity” by Black Label Society

Making Progress Tour:

• “The Spirit of Radio” by Rush
• “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd
• Encore: “Pull Me Under” by Dream Theatre

Eruption Tour:

• “Beat it” by Micheal Jackson Feat. Eddie Van Halen
• “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen

Tooth Fang & Claw Tour:

• “Guitar Battle Vs. Ted Nugent” (Guitar Career Only)
• Encore: “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent

Decades of Metal Tour

• “Warriors of Time” by Black Tide
• “Leather Rebel” by Judas Priest
• Encore: “Hallowed be Thy Name” by Iron Maiden

Livin’ in a Nightmare Tour:

• “Angel of Death” by Slayer
• “Tornado of Souls” by Megadeth
• Encore: “Master of Puppets” by Metallica

Legends of Rock Tour:

• “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry
• “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix
• Encore: “Purple Haze (Live)” by Jimi Hendrix

Bonus Tour:

• “45″ by Shinedown
• “96 Quite Bitter Beings” by CKY
• “Bombshell” by Powerman 5000
• “Clavado en un Bar” by Maná
• “Enjoy the Silence” by Lacuna Coil
• “Feuer Frei” by Rammstein
• “Fury of the Storm” by Dragonforce
• “Never Too Late” by The Answer
• “Nottingham Lace” by Buckethead
• “One Armed Scissor” by At The Drive-In
• “Satch Boogie” by Joe Satriani
• “Schrei” by Tokio Hotel
• “Soul Doubt” by NOFX
• “We’re An American Band” by Grand Funk Railroad
• “Guitar Battle Vs. Sting” by Sting
• “Guitar Battle Vs. Ted Nugent” By Ted Nugent
• “Guitar Battle Vs. Zakk Wylde” by Zakk Wylde

Sample Songs:

• “Untitled Drum Sample” created by Chad Smith
• “Untitled Drum Sample” created by Dave Grohl
• “Untitled Drum Sample” created by Travis Barker
• “Cliffs of Dover” created by Neversoft
• “Misirlou” created by Neversoft
• “Walk This Way” created by Neversoft
• “YYZ” created by Neversoft

So, I was checking out some news, as I do. And I came accross this:

A new need for speed. Its called, Need For Speed Undercover, and I imagine it’ll be a bit like a fast and the furious kind of scenario, but with the name at the end, “Which Road Will You Take?” it makes it seem like we have a choice between good and evil. Do we get to help the cops and be an undercover agent, or take the street racing life? After NFS destroyed the franchise with Pro Street, its nice to see them going back to basics, but if you check out the site: here. It has loads of little clues, you watch the video, then it becomes interactive, then you see them eating together. Its all very confusing. But with rumours floating around, some say this isn’t NFS at all, but it could infact be a different game, a Driver based game.. Who knows, with a counter that is saying 80 days looks like we have a while to wait!

Bungie released an interesting blog post today, claiming that they have 3 projects in the works. Some familiar, some not, some coming soon, some not. They’re being very hush hush about it, and by the looks of things don’t plan on revealing any information just yet. Source

This video made me almost lose control of my body. It made me so excited, I could barely breathe. Screw your GoW2 and your Metal Gear Solids, this is my game of the year. It looks so intense, with actual playing footage shown, not alot is too new with the characters, but its gone back to basics. The back drops, are the same albeit in full interactive 3D. The characters aside from a few new ones are the originals! The game just looks so incredible that I can’t wait to play it!

Resident Evil 5

So, with RE5 being a hot title in the Capcom camp, its came clear now, since I actually decided to read all of the things I could about it, that RE5, is going to be based around the configuration of RE4. With pursuits and puzzles, like the original triology, but with more dynamics. A few changes which have been implemented, were aiming the gun with the right controller, unlike the left controller in the original RE4. Also, comes the most exciting one for me, being able to control the AI with the B button, which means they can no longer block paths, and get in your way especially during awkward camera angles. Also, the AI seems very similar to RE4. But in this edition, they’ve tried to out do themselfs. They will dodge bullets, plan and try to take you out, group up on you and more! All I can say, is that when RE5 finally hits the shelf, I may goto heaven and die.

Left 4 Dead

Thats right, more zombie antics. The scary co-op based zombie survivor game. 4 players battle it out, to finish the game in their own sections. Often crossing over to help out with artillery and often lending a hand. The game looks set to be incredibly exciting and tense. As far as I am aware, it has no single player and it is entirely co-op based. So an Xbox Live Account will be required! The game is ran on the Source engine, which means that it’ll have intense physics, and ultra real surroundings. Which I hope you’ll be able to use to your advantage. Disadvantage being that a zombie can probably break through a wooden door fairly easily.

[Show as slideshow]

Soul Calibur IV

So, the character list is as follows:

“Algol (Soulcalibur)
Angol Fear (Soulcalibur)
Astaroth (Soulcalibur)
Cassandra (Soulcalibur)
Cervantes de Leon
Heishiro Mitsurugi
Hildegard von Krone
Hong Yun-Seong (Soulcalibur)
Ivy (Soulcalibur)
Kamikirimusi
Kilik (Soulcalibur)

Tira (Soulcalibur)
Voldo (Soulcalibur)
Xianghua (Soulcalibur)
Yoda
Yoshimitsu (Tekken)
Zasalamel
Ashlotte (Soulcalibur)
Setsuka (Soulcalibur)
Shura
Starkiller”

If you click on the links it will take you to the IGN page for the profiles of the individual characters. Also the original Soul Calibur is available on Xbox Live Arcade, but i’d recommend buying Soul Calibur 2/3 for the original Xbox as it’ll probably work out cheaper!

Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Unleashed, the best way to describe it. Imagine Sonic 2, mixed with full 3d effects of the Xbox 360 calibre, but with a 2D mesh. So, its set in a 3D world, but it plays like a 2D game. I can’t wait, finally a Sonic game that might not actually suck.

Microsoft Dashboard Update Not Compulsary!

Thats right, the new dashboard update won’t have to be compulsary, neither will the new “Mii” characters you’ve seen. With the update not being released till the end of the year you’ve got a while to think about it!

There was some down time, and I apologise. It was pretty much for the whole weekend, but we’re back! There has been some interesting development in the Xbox camp, in North America. You can get gears of war, UT3 for $299! Pretty good deal, and I think when i’m in america I may buy myself a cheap Xbox and get it modded, I dont know yet. They’ve brought down the price and started shifting shelf space for a 60gb model, and trying to bring xbox game installation to make load times alot quicker. Sounds interesting, but we’ll see.

Bungie, no show at E3?

Well, if you visit the Bungie.net website, you’re confronted by a popup message, which reads:

“For the last several months, we’ve been building toward a reveal of something exciting that Bungie is working on. We were looking forward to sharing that with our fan community during the week of E3. However, those plans were just changed by our publisher.

We realize that many of our fans are disappointed by this turn of events; members of the Bungie team share that disappointment.

When the right time comes, we look forward to sharing this exciting announcement with you. Until then, we appreciate your continued support and patience.

Harold Ryan
President
Bungie LLC”

Which basically adds a bit of drama to the situation, rumors around the internet say that they’re undergoing a new Halo game, one of which could be a prequel, or one set inside the Halo world, but not actually part of the Halo triology franchise. Microsoft recently said in an interview with MTV Multiplayer, and let slip that a new Halo was in the works, watch this space, as any news comes, I will let you know.

Guitar Hero World Tour - More Details!

So, they have announced a few new things. Things which have been announced are:

• Previous Guitars will be compatible, although the functionality of some of the new guitars won’t be included. Like the tone changing buttons at the end of the guitar.
• The drum kit is touch sensitive, hit it hard, it sounds louder, hit it quiet, it sounds quiet. It also meant to be fully wireless and to be really robust.
• The microphone is wired, to reduce latency, and it is meant to be very robust as well, seems like the GH crew have designed their equpiment to last.
• The drums have inputs galore: two standard input ports on the back (so you can plug in two kick drums if you want), plus a MIDI input, so you can run your Groovebox or similar piece of kit through the game’s music studio software. Future-proof? Check.
• Travis Barker, the drummer from +44 (and former Blink 182 drummer) was an advisor in the design and feel of the drum kit. He will be a playable character in the game, as will Hayley Williams, the singer from Paramour.

Source: IGN

Marvel Alliance 2 Characters Announced:

Activision have announced that 24 characters have been confirmed, Venom, Green Goblin, Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America and Wolverine (in an old classic costume) are confirmed. Aswell as Iron Man and the Invinsible Woman

Call of Duty: World at war:

Jack Bauer has lended his voice to the new CoD game. New additions to the gameplay included bazookas, flame tanks and flamethrowers, which offer massive destructive potential at the risk of equally massive danger to your character – it’s like walking around with a bomb strapped to your back.

The game will also feature a co-op mode, supporting four players online or two players locally via split screen. The co-op mode will keep track of each player’s individual statistics and scores, adding an element of competitiveness to the action.

CoD: World At War is due to hit the shores in November.

Well, we’ve been given a release date according to the E3 news! March, 2009. Not that far away, but yet feels like an eternity, the game looks set to be really good. Havin’ done R4, and enjoyed it, although slightly disappointed by it at the same time, i am hoping R5 lives up to more. I liked the weird hillbilly-almost zombie like people in the last resident evil 4, but to me the game felt more like Devil May Cry, than a Resident Evil. But then I guess they can’t remain in the Resident Evil 2 days forever, where would they get? (Street fighter anybody? :P) with so much interweb hype around this it makes me nervous that it won’t stand up to the test of all the anticipation. I wish people would leave games alone, instead of hyping them up so much just to end up being a disappointment. But only time can tell, and I am hoping it lives upto the demand, as i’m sure Capcom will.