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    July 24

    Bongos Summer Break

    I'm off! It's time for me to abandon the Xbox for a fortnight. It's hard, but absence makes the heart grow fonder. Doesn't do much for the Gamerscore though...

    I'll be away for the next two weeks so it'll be quiet around these parts. Back on Monday August 11!

    Have a great two weeks and I'll see you soon!

    Marketplace Update - 24/7

    Some cracking stuff up today - if you only have time to download one thing make it the SFIV Trailer - it's amazing! Really looking forward to that game, and I'm not even a fighting game fan. Just looks like it'll bring back happy memories of those days I used to spend playing my mates at SFII on my SNES.
     
    The Guitar Hero pack is mental too - one for true Expert players...
     
    • Street Fighter 4 2008 Summer Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Street Fighter 4 E3 SP Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Dead Space Dev Diary #1: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Dead Space Dev Diary #2: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Dead Space Dev Diary #3: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Guitar Hero 3 Guitar Virtuoso Track Pack: Three fret-burning tracks - "For the Love of God" by Steve Vai, "soothsayer" by Buckethead, "Surfing With the Alien" by Joe Satriali. 500 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Guitar Hero 3 Guitar Virtuoso Track Pack Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • The Jace Hall Show Episode 8 - Video Game Violence AND HOT CHICKS!!!: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.

    July 23

    UPDATED: Marketplace Update - 23/7

    Bit of a bumper XBLA day today - first up you've got today's new games:
     
    • 1942: Joint Strike: Capcom's updated version of the vertically-scrolling shooter classic. Features huge enemies, co-op multiplayer with devastating team weapons, and millions of things to blow up. w00t! 800 MS Points or you can try it for free. 
    • Go! Go! Break Steady: If you've been waiting for a ryhthm action breakdancing game to come to XBLA, you're in luck! 800 MS Points or you can try it for free. 

    Then there's these expansion packs for XBLA games you'll already have nestled into your hard drive:

    • Marathon: Durandal - Total Carnage Net Map Pack: 400 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Marathon: Durandal - Jjaro Net Map Pack: 400 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • N+ Level Pack #1: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.

    And there's more:

    • Go! Go! Break Steady - Picture Pack: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Ace Combat 6 (EU) ACE OF ACES MISSION 04: 350 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Ace Combat 6 ACE OF ACES MISSION 09: 350 MS Points and available everywhere.

    UPDATE: And there's EVEN MORE!

    • Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords - Revenge of the Plague Lord: 700 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Ace Combat 6 (EU) CFA-44 -ACES MARK EMBLEM-: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Ace Combat 6 Rafale M -ESPADA-: Free and available everywhere.
    • Ace Combat 6 A-10A -THE IDOLMASTER KOTORI & TAKAGI-: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Ace Combat 6 Typhoon -THE IDOLMASTER MAKOTO-: 400 MS Points and available everywhere.

     

    July 22

    Marketplace Update - 22/7

    More Rock Band content for you today if your setlist is looking a little worn-out. Speaking of Nine Inch Nails, I saw them when they were just starting out. They were appearing in DIY stores all over Europe.
     
    Sorry about that.
     
    • Disruptive Art: Futura Resistance Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • FaceBreaker Ice Character Video: Free and available everywhere.
    • FaceBreaker Romeo Character Video: Free and available everywhere. 
    • FaceBreaker Voodoo Character: Free and available everywhere.
    • Rock Band - Nine Inch Nails “Burn" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - Nine Inch Nails “Capital G" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - Nine Inch Nails “Last" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - Nine Inch Nails Pack 02 [Track Pack]: 440 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - Shinedown “Devour" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - Shinedown “Junkies for Fame" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.

    Don't forget that Inside Xbox launches in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Ireland today at 11am CET!

    July 21

    Inside Xbox Launches Tomorrow in Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Ireland!

    Germany! France! Spain! Italy! Ireland! Your time has finally come! Inside Xbox, the daily news and features channel delivered direct to your Xbox LIVE Dashboard, will launch in your countries tomorrow morning (Tuesday July 22) at 11am CET!

    You'll know that it's already available in the US, UK, Japan and Canada so thanks for your patience while we brought it to your country. 

    When you look at your LIVE blade after 11am CET tomorrow you'll see the Inside Xbox button winking at you from just under your GamerCard. Please note that the name has been changed depending on your country:

    • Germany: Jetzt bei Xbox
    • France: Dans Les Coulisses 
    • Spain: Dentro de Xbox
    • Italy: Inside Xbox (that one hasn't changed...)

    Click it and you'll be welcomed by MrPointyHead, Xbox's European Inside Xbox Editor (you can read his blog here). You'll also be able to watch a the first of a two-part video me and MrPointyHead shot at Rare's dev studio - check out our dubbed voices! Funny! I especially like my French voice. Will try to post one of these vids on the blog for a laugh.

    If you're in Germany you'll also get the pleasure of seeing Xbox Marketing team member and legendary DreiSechZig.net blogger Boris Schnieder-Johne in his new regular slot, Kugelblitz Kanal.

    If you're in Ireland you'll be plugged into the UK feed so you'll be able to catch up on all the latest E3 videos.

    And no matter where you are you'll be getting daily updates including local news and video aswell as stuff created by MrPointyHead, Major Nelson and TriXie! I might even pop up sometimes (but don't let that put you off).

    We hope you're excited about this news and we'd love to hear your views in the comments below!

    Marketplace Update - 21/7

    Good weekend? I spent a bit of time catching up on some flicks I needed to watch - Cloverfield (not as good as I hoped, but still really good) and No Country For Old Men (amazing, although the final thrid is a little bit of a strange change of pace). I'm also off on holiday this weekend so I'm in a bit of a good mood! Just need to complete the Rock Band solo guitar career on Hard before I go... 
     
    Check out Jade Empire on Xbox Originals today, and keep your eye on the Summer of Music content - there'll be lots of good stuff coming up over the next couple of months including content from European festivals. 
     
    • FaceBreaker Sparrow Socks Spin and Montage Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Xbox Originals - Jade Empire: 1200 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Tomb Raider Underworld Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music The Presidents of the United States of America at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music The Hives at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Ozomatli at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music David Bazan at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Cancer Rising at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Siberian at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music The Whigs at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music What Made Milwaukee Famous at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Sasquatch! Music Festival Overview: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Rock Band @ Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Dyme Def at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    • Summer of Music Blue Scholars at Sasquatch!: Free and available everywhere.
    July 18

    Marketplace Update - E308 Day Five

    It's over for another year - hope you had a good week!
     
    • Kung Fu Panda Adventuring Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Prince of Persia The E3 gameplay trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Left 4 Dead E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • TNA iMPACT Wrestling E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Galaga Legions E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Blitz The League 2 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • NBA LIVE 09 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    July 17

    Marketplace Update - E308 Day Four

    It just keeps coming! The Press Conference excerpts are particularly good, nice HD quality, and you should check out the Avatar video if you didn't see it during the conference:
     
    • MS Briefing - Gears of War 2 Announcement: Free and available everywhere except Germany.  
    • E3 MS Briefing - Resident Evil 5 Announcement: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • E3 2008 MS Briefing - LIPS Announcement: Free and available everywhere.
    • E3 2008 MS Briefing - Fallout 3 Video: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • E3 2008 MS Briefing - Fable 2 Announcement: Free and available everywhere.
    • E3 2008 MS Briefing - New Movie Game Announcements: Free and available everywhere.
    • E3 2008 MS Briefing – Arcade & Community Game Announcements: Free and available everywhere.
    • New Xbox Experience Avatar Video: Free and available everywhere.
    • Kung Fu Panda E3 Combat Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Brothers In Arms Hell's Highway Tank Gameplay Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Project Origin E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Guitar Hero World Tour Drum E3 Vignette: Free and available everywhere.
    • Facebreaker E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Crash: Mind over Mutant E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Pure E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Sonic Unleashed E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Tom Clancys End War E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • The X Files: I Want to Believe Gamer pics: Free and available in UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
    • The X Files: I Want to Believe Theme: Free and available in UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
    • The X Files: I Want to Believe Trailer: Free and available in UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
    • The Jace Hall Show: Episode 7 Video Game "Journalism" - IS IT LEGIT?: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.

    I've also got to say how good a job MrPointyHead is doing over there with the Inside Xbox stuff - if you have to watch one Inside Xbox video make sure it's the 'History of E3' one, quality Zero Punctuation-inspired chuckles...

    What Your Dash Themes COULD Look Like on NXE

    If you're anything like me (ie Scottish and/or a bit tight) then one of the first things you would have thought when you saw the new NXE interface (after ZOMG) would have been, "What about all my Dashboard Themes?" Personally I've spent around 167,000 MS Points (estimate) on Dash Themes over the last two years so I don't want to lose 'em.
     
    Well, good old Major Nelson has rode to the rescue once again. He's pulled a finger out of one of his many pies and wiped the sweet filling all over our eyeballs, and the filling tastes like what your Dash Themes COULD look like on NXE. I say 'could' because this is not final or confirmed, but rather meant to illustrate that you won't have wasted all those MS Points. That's why I put it in caps, bold and italic - it's the internationally recognised way to emphasise something.
     
    Check it out here - I think they look pretty slick. Howsaboutyou?
    July 16

    A Guided Tour of the New Xbox Experience

    Steve Willett, Xbox LIVE Chief of Staff, gives a good guided tour of NXE that goes into much more depth. Remember the Netflix deal is US only, sorry:
     
     
    Was going to embed it but Spaces doesn't support Shockwave players - harumpf.
     
    WANT.
     
     

    Marketplace Update - E308 Day Three

    Did you watch the Nintendo and Sony conferences? What did you think? I think Nintendo's was pretty disappointing from a gamer point of view (although I am intrigued by GTA: Chinatown Wars on DS!) but from a business point of view for them it's perfect - the new Wii Sports and Wii Music will sell shedloads, whether gamers care about them or not. And Sony's? Their video store looks really cool, that MAG game looks interesting, and I'm sure God of War 3 will be immense, but it did feel a bit weird to have them basically admit that their console is still waiting for good games. Definitely three very different conferences this year...
     
     
    Your XBLA games today are Double D Dodgeball and Coffee Time Crosswords, both 800 MS Points.
     
    • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa E3 Theme: Free and available everywhere.
    • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa E3 Gamer Pics: Free and available everywhere.
    • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Kung Fu Panda Multiplayer E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Guitar Hero IV Reveal E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Battlestations: Pacific E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Rise of the Argonauts  E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Warhammer Battle March E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Tiger Woods 09  E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Last Remnant E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.

    Have you been keeping up with MrPointyHead's coverage direct from LA on Inside Xbox? He's definitely giving Major Nelson a run for his money...

    July 15

    MGM Movies Come to Video Store in UK, Ireland, France and Germany!

    Andrew beat me to this already, but one of the announcements you might have missed last night was that MGM is joining the Video Store family in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany. There'll be loads of MGM movies in the pipeline, but you can already rent all of these bad boys (and apparently they're all in HD and 5.1 audio - thanks Andrew!):
     
    UK/Ireland:
     
    • Killer Klowns from Outer Space
    • Platoon
    • Poltergeist II: The Other Side
    • Poltergeist III
    • Red Dawn
    • Road House
    • Robocop
    • Ronin
    • Species
    • Species II
    • Species III
    • Species IV: The Awakening
    • The Amityville Horror (2005)
    • The Terminator
    • The Thomas Crown Affair

    France/Germany:

    • Platoon
    • Poltergeist II: The Other Side
    • Poltergeist III
    • Robocop
    • Rocky
    • Ronin
    • Species
    • Species II
    • Species III
    • Stargate: The Ark of Truth
    • The Amityville Horror (2005)
    • The Silence of the Lambs
    • The Terminator
    • The Thomas Crown Affair
    I recon a Species marathon is in order... Crying

    Marketplace Update - E308 Day Two

    Hope you got a good night's sleep after all the excitement! Keep your feedback coming, and look out for the Nintendo and Sony conferences later today!
     
    • Far Cry 2 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Young Man Blues" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Who Are You" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Summertime Blues" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Sea And Sand" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Real Good Looking Boy" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “My Generation" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Leaving Here" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Going Mobile" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Eminence Front" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Behind Blue Eyes" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Baba O'Riley" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who “Amazing Journey" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Rock Band - The Who Rock Band Pack 01 [Track Pack]: 1600 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
    • Kung Fu Panda Furious 5 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Disruptive Art Spiderwebs Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Dead Space E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Scene It? Box Office Smash E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Madden NFL 2009 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Bionic Commando E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Tales of Vesperia E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Lips E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    July 14

    Open New Xbox Experience Letter From Marc Whitten

    GamerScore Blog just posted a really interesting open letter from Marc Whitten, the Xbox LIVE head honcho, which goes into a lot more detail on the new interface just shown at E3 and covers some new ground like the ability to play games from your hard drive!
     

    Marketplace Update - E308 Day One

    Let the E3 Marketplace goodness commence:
     
    • Fallout 3 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Too Human Gamer Pics Set 1: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Too Human Battlecry Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Too Human Skill Tree: Human skills Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Fable 2 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Halo Wars E3 Trailer - 5 Long Years: Free and available everywhere.
    • Gears of War 2 Cogs of War Gamer Pics: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Gears of War 2 Theme - Hope Runs Deep: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Gears of War 2 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Star Ocean: The Last Hope Cornelia E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • Resident Evil 5 E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
    • LEGO Batman E3 Trailer: Free and available everywhere.

    MrPointyHead will be posting some Inside Xbox stuff soon too, keep an eye out. Phew. Tired.

    E3 08 Games Press Release

    And here' all the dirt on all the game announcements. Get a coffee, it's a big 'un...
     
    Xbox 360 Unveils Gameplay for Every Passion
    Microsoft showcases groundbreaking approach to game shows
     
    LOS ANGELES — July 14, 2008 — Music, movies and megahits. No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, today at the E3 Media and Business Summit (E3) in Los Angeles the world of Xbox 360 just got bigger, broader and more exciting than ever.
     
    Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a games portfolio for all ages and interests. Included were new titles for music lovers such as “Lips” and the exclusive launch of “Rock Band 2”; family-friendly games from the B-movie maker “You’re in the Movies” to next-generation game shows such as “1 vs. 100”; and even surprise announcements to make the hardest-core gamer weak in the knees.
     
    “Xbox 360 delivers entertainment choices so broad that it now rivals what people can find on television and at movie theaters,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development with Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. “Whether it’s sports, music, movies, game shows or great games you crave, Xbox 360 is home to the biggest and best out there. From those new to games and eager to jump in, to the hardcore gamer looking for the most intense games experiences, this is truly the year to own an Xbox 360 system.”
     
    The New Game Show Experience, Live From Your Living Room
     
    Xbox LIVE Primetime is a groundbreaking channel on the new Xbox experience, a new generation of games and entertainment experiences that will be available this autumn for Xbox 360. The world’s biggest virtual game show stage, Xbox LIVE Primetime is a place where content is always fresh; play is global, live and massively multiplayer; and prizes are plentiful. A first-of-its-kind phenomenon, this new generation of interactive game shows lets Xbox LIVE members challenge friends and choose to compete against people from across the globe in real time. Xbox LIVE Primetime launches in the autumn in North America, France, Germany, and the U.K. and Ireland with the following interactive game:
     
    “1 vs. 100” (Endemol). From the makers of “Deal or No Deal,” Endemol, the world’s largest independent production company, brings the popular television game show “1 vs. 100” to Xbox LIVE Primetime. The exclusive game pits one Xbox LIVE member against 100 others from around the world with a live host and great prizes. The goal of “the One” is to eliminate all the opposition by correctly answering questions, hoping that the opponents will answer incorrectly and be eliminated from the game. And stay tuned for “1 vs. LIVE,” where one lucky winner will have a chance to compete against the entire Xbox LIVE community.
     
    Bringing Music Games to Life
     
    Whether you’re an aspiring groupie, songbird or big-haired rocker, Xbox 360 transforms your living room into a thrilling soundstage for you and your friends. No other system connects you with all the music you love:
     
    “Lips” (iNiS/Microsoft Game Studios). “Lips,” an all-new music franchise exclusively from Xbox 360, is the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing from your own music collection.* Start channeling your favorite pop star, because it’s you, your friends and, most important, your music that makes “Lips” the world’s ultimate party experience this holiday.
     
    “Guitar Hero® World Tour” (RedOctane/Activision). When the house lights go down this autumn, a new generation of axe shredders, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with “Guitar Hero World Tour.” The latest instalment from the No. 1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, “Guitar Hero World Tour” will transform music gaming by marrying the exhilarating guitar gameplay of “Guitar Hero” with a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes. The game will feature a slick newly redesigned guitar, a genuine electronic drum kit and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock-and-roll anthems, along with online Band Career and eight-player “Battle of the Bands.” “Guitar Hero World Tour” is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment and will be available for Xbox 360 this autumn.
     
    “Rock Band 2” (Harmonix/MTV Games). Debuting exclusively on Xbox 360 this September in the U.S., “Rock Band” is developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Games. “Rock Band 2” is the next evolution of the franchise that allows players to virtually step into the shoes of their favourite bands as singer, guitarist, bassist or drummer. This next iteration of the best-selling franchise will allow gamers to access all the great songs they purchased on Xbox LIVE for the original game and will feature new online capabilities and instrument options.
     
    Xbox 360 Is the Life of the Party
     
    Xbox 360 truly gets the party started with a wide-ranging portfolio of exclusive games for the whole family, including the following:
    “You’re in the Movies” (Codemasters/Microsoft). Get ready for your close-up. “You’re in the Movies” brings the cool factor to kitsch as you live out your dreams of becoming a scream queen, zombie or kung fu fighter. Premiering exclusively on Xbox 360 this holiday season, “You’re in the Movies” is the first and only game of its kind to literally transport players into a magical world of cinema mixed with the hilarious world of improvisation. Using the Xbox LIVE Vision camera, players’ actions are captured and placed into short, riotous films. Performances never end up on the cutting-room floor, and are never the same.
     
    “Scene It? Box Office Smash” (Krome Studios and Screenlife/Microsoft Game Studios). “Scene It? Box Office Smash,” the revolutionary movie trivia game on Xbox 360, will ignite your game night this holiday season with totally new questions, movie puzzles and more high-definition (HD) content from real movies including some of Hollywood’s latest blockbusters. Trivia night goes global as players challenge each other online over Xbox LIVE, customize their own characters, and access extra questions and localized content from films around the world.**
     
    "Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” (Rare Ltd./Microsoft Game Studios). Available exclusively on Xbox 360 in November, from the creative masterminds at Rare, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” is an action-adventure game that breathes new life into a franchise that has entertained people of all ages for a decade. In a platform genre first, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, sea and air in a variety of Challenges where their choice of vehicle and tactics determines the course of the adventure. Players can test their customized vehicles against other players’ creations online or simply compare and share their inventions with friends. The original “Banjo-Kazooie” also debuts with “Stop ’N’ Swop” on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year.
     
    “DanceDanceRevolution® UNIVERSE3” (Konami). Celebrating its 10th anniversary, “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3” dances its way to you with fun new modes — including DJ Mode and Quest Mode — and settings for players of all skill levels. In addition to one of the biggest soundtracks — more than 70 songs spanning from the ’70s to some of today’s hottest tracks — “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3” brings friends together from around the world via Xbox LIVE.** Character customization features more than 400 options of clothing, faces, skin tones and hairstyles, allowing players to create the ultimate dancer.
     
    “UNO RUSH™” (Microsoft). “UNO RUSH” is a challenging and exciting party card game for up to four players. Developed by the same team that brought the original, best-selling “UNO®” to Xbox LIVE Arcade, “UNO RUSH” boasts a wide range of gameplay and social features — multiple variants, house-rule options, local and Xbox LIVE multiplay, camera support, avatar support and more — plus fast-paced gameplay to keep the party going. “UNO RUSH” is coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.
     
    “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” (Rare Ltd./Microsoft Game Studios). In this sequel to the colourful sleeper hit “Viva Piñata” debuting in September, players can venture outside the boundaries of the immersive and ever-changing garden to retrieve exotic piñata species from two new lands, the Dessert Desert and the Piñarctic. Developed by Rare, “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” allows up to four players to work together to create the ultimate online garden via Xbox LIVE.** Players can race their favourite piñata or enter them into the P-Factor, Piñata Islands very own talent show and beauty pageant, online against friends or against other gardeners from the island. They can now use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to drop a new piñata right into their gardens, change the weather or share their custom piñatas with others.
     
    The Biggest Blockbusters of 2008 and Beyond
     
    With the most blockbuster, million-selling games and the most anticipated titles of 2008 and beyond, Xbox 360 is the pre-eminent place to play all the big titles that gamers thirst for, including the following:
     
    “Galaga Legions” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). The arcade shooter “Galaga” has captivated players all over the world, and now the legend lives on with “Galaga Legions.” Featuring table-turning game dynamics, updated graphics and vast waves of ferocious enemies, “Galaga Legions” was created by the same team that developed the best-selling “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” for Xbox LIVE Arcade. “Galaga Legions” will debut exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.
     
    “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” (Bizarre Creations Ltd./Activision). The latest version of the frenetic retro shooter, “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” debuts exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008. Newcomers and pros alike will be blown away by the screen-melting intensity and insane new features, including six action-packed gameplay modes, new enemies, scoring strategies and a diverse list of exciting Achievements. “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” also supports multiplayer mayhem for up to four players, with versus or co-op modes, and features razor-sharp 1080p graphics and new, pulse-pounding music.
     
    “Portal™: Still Alive” (Valve/Microsoft). “Portal: Still Alive” features the full award-winning “Portal” single-player game from Valve plus a new challenge mode. Designed to change the way players approach, manipulate and surmise the possibilities in any given environment, “Portal” has earned more than 70 industry honours for its innovative gameplay, with more than 30 Game of the Year Awards. Solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to manoeuvring objects, and yourself, through space. The game is debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.
     
    “South Park” (South Park Digital Studios/Doublesix/Microsoft). Based on the Emmy and Peabody-award winning show, a “South Park” game (title TBA) is coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2009.
     
    “Fable II” (Lionhead Studios/Microsoft Game Studios). This Xbox 360 exclusive action role-playing game offers players an epic storyline and an unprecedented level of freedom and choice. Every decision defines who the player becomes and influences the evolving world around them. “Fable II” is the next great step for the genre, with an innovative dynamic cooperative mode, where players can choose to invite a friend on the same couch or over Xbox LIVE to experience the world together.** The journey begins in August with a first-of-its-kind exclusive Xbox LIVE Arcade title, which allows players to get a head start on earning gold that will transfer to the rich world of “Fable II” when it arrives at stores in October.
     
    “Gears of War 2” (Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios). Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski gave a stunning new look at the “Gears of War 2” campaign, and confirmed the ability to ride the fearsome Brumak. Also detailed was the all-new five-player cooperative mode “Horde,” where players unite to battle a seemingly endless onslaught of Locust Horde forces.** “Gears of War 2” is the most anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive title this holiday season and will be released worldwide Nov. 7.
     
    “Grand Theft Auto IV” (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games). Continuing its blistering pace on the Xbox 360 platform, the first of the Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable episodes for this record-breaking game will be available this autumn — the only console with new “Grand Theft Auto IV” content available this holiday season.
     
    “Halo Wars” (Ensemble Studios/Microsoft Game Studios). Microsoft is further expanding the “Halo” universe with “Halo Wars,” the blockbuster strategy game designed exclusively for the Xbox 360. A piece of the “Halo Wars” story is revealed through “Five Long Years,” a trailer from Ensemble Studios and Microsoft, which showcases the brutal struggle for control of Harvest early in the Human-Covenant wars. “Halo Wars” will put gamers in command of the entire battlefield, leading both UNSC and Covenant forces.
     
    “Infinite Undiscovery™” (Square Enix). “Infinite Undiscovery” is the newest fantasy role-playing console game from Square Enix, drawing gamers into a real-time world woven of countless threads where player choices spin untold discoveries — only on Xbox 360. Players will be confronted with a variety of dramatic situational battles, such as executing a daring escape while a gigantic ogre follows in hot pursuit, or waging battle amid towering tidal waves. Dynamic environments change and respond in real time, creating an entirely new experience never before seen in the genre. The title is scheduled to release exclusively on Xbox 360 in North America on Sept. 2, 2008.
     
    “The Last Remnant™” (Square Enix). “The Last Remnant” is a new role-playing game crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artefacts — Remnants — that possess magic powers. Groundbreaking graphics possible only on Xbox 360 bring the intensity to a whole new level. “The Last Remnant” is launching worldwide on November 20 and will be available only on Xbox 360 this holiday.
     
    “Resident Evil 5” (Capcom). Destined to bring new fans to the series, “Resident Evil 5” is the sequel to one of the highest-rated video games in history (according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com). Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, “Resident Evil 5” unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and the “Resident Evil” world, will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.
     
    “STAR OCEAN®: The Last Hope™” (Square Enix). “STAR OCEAN: The Last Hope” is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy role-playing game series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in spring 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines science fiction and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects possible only on Xbox 360.
     
    “Too Human” (Silicon Knights/Microsoft Game Studios). “Too Human” is an epic action game with integrated role-playing game elements, and will be available in North America on Aug. 19 and in Europe on Aug. 29. The game features a rich storyline with deep character development, both hallmarks of Silicon Knights’ legendary tradition of video game development.

    E308 Xbox Press Release

    Here's the overall Xbox press release from E3 - games release coming in a minute...
     
    New Xbox Experiences Reinvent Home Entertainment, and Everyone is Invited
    Xbox 360 promises best and broadest entertainment lineup ever; more fun, social and simple-to-use experience.
     
    LOS ANGELES — July 14, 2008 — As Xbox 360 readies for the next wave of audience expansion, Microsoft Corp. today announced a new Xbox experience that will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, changing the way we play games, watch movies and TV shows, and even become contestants in game shows. It all begins this autumn with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use.
     
    The announcement was made during the E3 Media and Business Summit in Los Angeles. It came amid the unveiling of an exclusive partnership with Netflix Inc. that will give Xbox 360 users in the United States instant access to more than 10,000 feature films and television shows with a click of a button.
     
    Also on the docket: The best and broadest entertainment line-up the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has ever seen. In its strongest broadening play yet, Xbox announced Xbox LIVE Primetime, the next evolution in game shows slated for Xbox LIVE this Autumn; TV shows and movies from world leaders in entertainment including NBC Universal, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, SCI FI Channel and USA Network in the United States and Constantin and MGM internationally; and blockbuster games “Lips,” “Rock Band 2,” “Scene It? Box Office Smash” and “You’re in the Movies.”
     
    “We’re entering a new age in entertainment, and Xbox 360 is uniquely positioned to become the heart of the living room,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “The new Xbox experience offers more content than you can find from any device that connects to the television. That convergence of entertainment and gaming will bring new people and more families to the category, driving a record year for the games industry.”
     
    “This year more than any other, Xbox 360 has something for everyone — whether you love playing games with friends or are simply looking for the best in entertainment,” Mattrick said.
     
    Netflix Jumps In With Entertainment for Everyone
     
    The exclusive partnership offers Netflix subscribers in the United States the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the
    television via the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers at no additional cost.
     
    From the Netflix Web site, subscribers simply add movies and TV episodes to their instant Queue, which will appear automatically on the TV screen via Xbox 360. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. In addition to instantly streaming Netflix movies to the TV, Xbox LIVE Gold members can browse and rate movies, fast-forward, pause and rewind, all using either their Xbox 360 Controller or remote.
     
    Netflix on Xbox 360 will launch this Autumn in the United States with the release of the new Xbox experience, a new generation of games and entertainment experiences that will be available for Xbox 360 this Autumn.
     
    The New Xbox Experience
     
    The new Xbox experience represents the first time in history that a mass market consumer electronics device has been reinvented through free software, giving people more fun and intuitive ways to interact, play and enjoy entertainment.

    “Xbox LIVE is the world’s fastest-growing online social network on TV,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Services Business at Microsoft. “We doubled our global membership the past two years, growing from 3 million to 6 million, and then from 6 million to 12 million. And today, we are adding a new member every five seconds. With the best and broadest social entertainment experiences launching this autumn, the future is limitless.”
     
    Some of the features that make the new Xbox experience groundbreaking are the following:
     
    • Entertainment without limits. With LIVE Party, bring your favorite games, TV shows, movies and pictures to life by sharing those experiences with friends, wherever they are around the world.
    • Express yourself. With the new Xbox 360 experience, gamers can personalize their entertainment like never before. They can create their own avatar, designed exclusively by Rare Ltd., and jump into a party with friends from around the world.
    • “Must See TV” and much, much more. The biggest names in entertainment worldwide, such as Netflix, NBC Universal, Universal Studios Home
    • Entertainment, SCI FI Channel, USA Network, Constantin and MGM are bringing their content to Xbox 360.
    360 Degrees of Entertainment
     
    The 2008 Xbox 360 entertainment lineup of games, movies and TV shows is its best and broadest ever. Whether for fans of action, role-playing, racing, sports, strategy, party or action-adventure games, Xbox 360 has the biggest blockbusters and the most exclusive content in 2008 and beyond:
     
    • The new game show. The new Xbox LIVE channel Xbox LIVE Primetime represents an all-new way to play. A collection of virtual game shows such as “1 vs. 100,” Xbox LIVE Primetime allows thousands of gamers to become contestants from their living rooms, playing together simultaneously, live with content that is always fresh and relevant. The global phenomenon “1 vs. 100” is created by Endemol, the world’s largest independent production company and the producer of the hit show “Deal or No Deal.” Xbox LIVE Primetime is available in North America, France, Germany and the U.K. and Ireland.
    • Blockbusters. Xbox 360 is the only place gamers can play the year’s biggest games, such as “Gears of War 2,” “Resident Evil 5,” “Fable II” and exclusive “Grand Theft Auto IV” episodes.
    • Music. Xbox 360 is the preferred stage for all the best music games, including “Lips,” “Rock Band 2,” “Guitar Hero World Tour” and “DanceDanceRevolution® UNIVERSE3.”
    • Family. Xbox 360 gets the whole family playing with titles such as “Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” “Scene It? Box Office Smash” and “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.”
    • Sports. Xbox 360 remains the best place to play sports titles, including leading franchises like “Madden NFL,” “Tiger Woods PGA Tour,” “NBA Live,” “NHL 2K” and more.
    • TV and movie entertainment. Xbox is home to the best TV and movie entertainment, including exclusive games such as “You’re in the Movies” and “1 vs. 100,” exclusive films and TV from Netflix, and the world’s largest online library of on-demand high-definition TV shows and movies.

    E3 Xbox Press Conference - What Do You Think? Tell Me And Win Games...

    What do you think then? Here's my highlights - I would love to hear your views (whatever side of the fence they fall on) about everything we discussed and announced during the show, especially around the new interface and Avatars. Best and most insightful comment wins a stack of games - tell your friends and bring on the opinions!
     
    Here are my highlights:
     
    • "Substantial" Exclusive Fallout 3 PDLC - Absolutely love Fallout, can't wait for this...
    • Online co-op in Resi 5 and released March 13 2009 - Nuff said really...
    • Fable 2 out in October - I never played the first one, so owe it to myself to get on this.
    • Gears of War 2 - New trailer, new gameplay demo, flamethrowers (!), Horde - 5 player co-op base defence sounds AMAZING. Out November 7.
    • MGM and Constantin movies in Europe, starting now.
    • New Xbox Experience - Slick new look, much easier to navigate, Avatars add a lot of extra personality.
    • Community Channel - party up with your mates, photosharing, see your friends' Avatars, not just a list. Sweet.
    • UNO Rush uses Avatars - looks well nice.
    • Primetime - Interactive game shows like 1 VS 100, real prizes!
    • Geometry Wars 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've played it and it's AMAZING.
    • Galaga Legions next month - also looks proper.
    • Portal: Still Alive - new levels and Achievements, this Fall. Love it.
    • South Park XBLA game coming, first title from MGS Arcade studio.
    • Banjo - Original coming to XBLA with Nuts and Bolts.
    • You're In the Movies - I've played this and it's a right laugh, should be quality fun with the family.
    • Guitar Hero: World Tour - Bring it on, can't wait. Full Metallica album on day of release, pretty sweet.
    • Lips - nice one. I quite like a wee sing! Should be amazing and those mics are well nice. And singing from your own music collection? COME ON DIRE STRAITS! Duffy's looking good too...
    • Rock Band 2 - Full set list available now, pretty nice. Guns and Roses, Bob Dylan (!), AC/DC!!!!!
    • Final Fantasy XIII - Coming to Xbox 360, great news for RPG nuts. I might even give it a go myself...

    Looks like it's going to be an interesting year...

    Marketplace Update - 14/7

    Here comes E3! Only 7 hours until the Xbox press conference kicks off over in LA, and I'll do my best to bring you all the big news here. Also make sure you're ready to get on Xbox LIVE Marketplace tonight from 8.30pm UK Time (9.30pm CET) to download all the new stuff!
     
    • Too Human Demo: Free and available everywhere.
    • Dead Space Animated Comic #2: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    • Dead Space Animated Comic #3: Free and available everywhere except Germany.
    Let me know what you think of the Too Human demo - really interesting to hear what people think of the game considering its history.
    July 10

    Marketplace Update - 10/7

    Have you seen the TNA iMPACT! video that MrPointyHead posted on Inside Xbox UK yesterday? It's brilliant! Well funny, and I was pretty impressed by how the wrestlers actually knew a fair bit about gaming (let alone be able to string a sentence together...).
     
    • FaceBreaker Theme 2: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
    • Unreal Tournament III Exclusive Launch Video: Free and available everywhere.
    • The Jace Hall Show - Red Sox's Curt Shilling, "Copernicus," and WiiMBLEDON!: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.