AceyBongos' Xbox Life: Blog

Celebrate Bungie Day With RIDICULOUS Amounts of Cool Stuff

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:40:10 GMT

Monday is July 7, or the seventh day of the seventh month, and that means BUNGIE DAY! There's a new Halo 3 ViDoc up now on Xbox LIVE called "And on the Seventh Day..." that goes into more detail on all this and gives an in-depth tour of the new Cold Storage map (available for free on Monday), but here's all the details. As always, check Bungie.net for all the goods straight from the horse's mouth.

“7/7” has long been heralded as “Bungie Day” by the Bungie fan community. This tradition was born in part due to the significance the number 7 has played in all of Bungie’s games over the years (including the Halo series – which happened to involve 7 Halo rings, “343” Guilty Spark, Master Chief is Spartan 117, etc..). For more information, check out the Halo wiki on the web, the number of references to seven in the Halo Universe is quite staggering. (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/seven) In many ways, seven is the ‘official’ number of Bungie, if such a thing existed.

This year, 7/7 will bring a few special treats to fans of Bungie and Halo but some are only available for a limited time so you’ll need to act quickly…

Commemorative Gamer Pics – on 7/7, fans can download 7 exclusive gamerpics, for free, from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. These are only available for one day and then they’re gone forever.
In addition to the pics, you can also obtain a special Bungie Day dashboard theme to adorn your Xbox 360. This too is only going to be available for download on 7/7.
Cold Storage, an update of Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer classic, Chill Out, will be available to download for free. The emptied Forerunner research facility serves as a grim reminder of how even the best laid plans can fail. Warmly crafted, dutifully beautified update of Halo: CE classic multiplayer map, Chill Out. Once, the Cold Storage facility was a vibrant, active research center on Installation 05. An accidental contamination resulted in an unforeseen outbreak, which compromised the Forerunner center. Now, emptied and silent, watched only by a local caretaker, the abandoned structure serves as a reminder of how something as powerful as science is ultimately beholden to nature.
Starting on 7/7, the Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack will be available to purchase a new low price of 600 points. If you’ve yet to experience this epic collection of multiplayer battlegrounds, the time has never been better.
4th of July Weekend kicks off a special “Fourth of July” playlist where players can earn double-XP competing in a variety of Halo 3 gametypes (3/7 – 7/7).
On 7/7, the “Icy Treats” playlist is released which consists of all Cold Storage games (the new Halo 3 map) and offers double-XP. (7/7 – 9/7) Members of the Bungie team will be playing throughout the week so you may encounter one of the Halo 3 developers on the battlefield.
On 10/7, a special “Fiesta Double-XP” weekend kicks off, with Fiesta gametypes (random weapons) offering some unpredictable antics. (10/7 – 14/7).

HAPPY BUNGIE DAY!

Marketplace Update - 4/7

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:24:42 GMT

It's Friday, so that means lots of precious gaming time is around the corner. What will you be playing? I'm on for more Rock Band (working through the medium drum career, hard guitar career, and band World Tour with TraceyBongos), a bit of GRID, and for some reason I've got a weird compulsion to finally try out Ace Combat 6...

LEGO Indiana Jones Gamer Picture Pack: 130 MS Points and available everywhere.
LEGO Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Theme Pack: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
LEGO Indiana Jones Temple of Doom Theme Pack: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
LEGO Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Theme Pack: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Campione Sport Church of Maradona: 310 MS Points and available everywhere except France.
Campione Sport Crazy Columbians: 310 MS Points and available everywhere except France.

There's also a new Halo 3 ViDoc, but more about that in a second...

EDIT: Wanted to add that this pair of little monkeys are out in the shops today:

Unreal Tournament III (Including exclusive Gears 2 documentary!)
Wall-E

Marketplace Update - 3/7

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:17:15 GMT

Only a few new things up today, but if you have to download one thing get the Guitar Hero III July 4 Holiday Track - even though we don't celebrate that particular holiday over here! It's free and it's the Top Gun Theme - you know, the guitar one at the start of the film. DUN DUN DUN DEE-DEE-DEE-DEE DUN DUN, DEE DEE DEE, DEE DEE DUN, DEE DEE DUN DUN etc.

Not sure what it has to do with the declaration of independance, but quality nonetheless. Also available:

The Jace Hall Show Episode 5: Big Pimpin' with Wilmer Valderama plus Mike Wilson's Gamecockery!!: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Gift Pack: Three new multiplayer maps that are reworkings of old favourites: CQB Training - Dark, Murdertown - Dark and Calypso Casino. Free and available everywhere.

And as for what's happening at E3... Well, it's only a week and a half away, I'm sure you can wait...

Marketplace Update - 2/7

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:53:47 GMT

Some cool Ninja Gaiden 2 content up today - each of the costume packs contains 5 colour variations of the costume.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Costume Pack Shadow Walker: 200 MS Points and available everywhere except Germany.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Costume Pack Biometal: 200 MS Points and available everywhere except Germany.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Costume Pack Fiend Hayabusa: 200 MS Points and available everywhere except Germany.
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Behind The Scenes Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Treadstone Safehouse: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Survive the Professor: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Disarm Renard: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.

Also worth noting that Monday is July 7, or 7/7, traditionally a big day in Halo/Bungie history. Check out Bungie.net for a sneak peek of what's coming up...

Marketplace Update - 1/7

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:11:08 GMT

First of the month! The sun's shining outside but there's plenty to keep you busy on Xbox LIVE...

LEGO Indiana Jones 360 Demo: Free and available everywhere.
Soulcalibur IV PICTURE Pack 01: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Soulcalibur IV THEME 01: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Alone in the Dark Eden Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution BtS Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Dangerous Beginning: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Assassinate Wombosi: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Shipyard Infiltration: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Silence Rurik: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Escape the Embassy: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Bourne Identity - Hidden Passport Locations: Eliminate Divandelin: 50 MS Points and available everywhere.

Bunch of new Rock band tracks up for UK, France and Germany too:

Rock Band: Vesuvius “Promised Land" [Track]: Free and available in UK, FR, DE.
Rock Band: Trapt “Who's Going Home with You Tonight" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available in UK, FR, DE.
Rock Band: Papa Roach “Time is Running Out" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available in UK, FR, DE.
Rock Band: Motley Crue “Down at the Whisky" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available in UK, FR, DE.
Rock Band: Crue Fest Pack 01 [Track Pack]: 240 MS Points and available in UK, FR, DE.

And some new Aerosmith music videos for Uk and Ireland to celebrate the launch of Guitar Hero Aerosmith last week:

Aerosmith, Crazy Music Video: 200 MS Points and available in the UK and Ireland.
Aerosmith, Dude (Looks Like a Lady) Music Video: 200 MS Points and available in the UK and Ireland.
Aerosmith, I don't want to miss a thing Music Video: 200 MS Points and available in the UK and Ireland.
Aerosmith, Love in an Elevator Music Video: 200 MS Points and available in the UK and Ireland.
Run DMC featuring Aerosmith, Walk this Way Music Video: 200 MS Points and available in the UK and Ireland.

In other news, this week's XBLA game will be the original Soul Calibur, available for 800 MS Points. Check it out for a taster of Soul Calibur IV, which is out August 1. There'll also be new DLC (280 new questions for 320 MS Points) for Wits & Wagers which will only be available in the UK.

Just try and get out for some fresh air, yeah?

Digital Rights Management (DRM) Tool Up and Running...

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:25:52 GMT

...Which means you can now transfer all your downloaded content from an old console to a new one without any blood, sweat or salty, salty tears. Please note that you'll have to use the DRM tool from the US Xbox.com for the moment while we localise the page for Europe: www.Xbox.com/en-us/drm (use this full url - if you just use xbox.com/drm it won't work).

Here's the details of how it all works:

"The DRM tool allows you to transfer licenses from one console to another. For instance, if you bought a console a year ago and downloaded a bunch of content but then bought a new console this year and downloaded more content, you couldn't play all of the content on both 360s without being signed into LIVE. With this tool, you can consolidate all of the downloaded content licenses to your preferred console. This way, you don't have to be signed into LIVE to play.

The process takes less than a minute. There is no content being transferred, only licenses.

This process will work on any console so if you had to trade an Xbox 360 at a local retailer, you can still use the tool to migrate your information. However, you can only do this once every year (365 Days). If you send the console to Microsoft to be repaired, they will automatically update all of your licenses. For more information on console repair, visit: http://www.xbox.com/support.

If you bought a larger hard drive and are re-downloading your licensed content for the same console, then you should not need the DRM tool. However, if you used the Migration cable to transfer your content from an older console to a newer one, you will need to use the tool to update the licenses. Again, you can only do this once a year.

You will still be able to play all of the games you own on all of your consoles as long as you're signed-in to LIVE. The console you transferred your licenses to will be the one that you can use without having to be signed-in.

The tool will work with all content except movies. Movies are not "download-to-own" so the licenses are not transferrable."

I'm off to everything from my old Pro console to the Elite I got at Christmas. Wheeeee!

Marketplace Update - 26/6

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:01:57 GMT

Things are busy round here at the moment - E3 round the corner, lots of cool stuff coming up... Exciting times!

But for today, here's your lot:

FaceBreaker Picture Pack 1: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
FaceBreaker Picture Pack 2: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Top Spin 3 Demo: Free and available everywhere.

Marketplace Update - 25/6

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:19:11 GMT

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday - two XBLA games today, Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm (800 MS Points), the first console adaptation of the internet cartoon, and Ticket to Ride (800 MS Points), an adaptation of a board game that's a bit like Monopoly for trains. Check them both out with the free trials.

And don't forget that Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix (honestly, it's so hard to remember the full title for that game!) beta kicks off today. Or rather, 'Hurricane Kicks' off today. Har har har.

Also available:

Prince Of Persia Theme Pack Arabesque: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
Prince Of Persia Theme Pack New Prince: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
Prince Of Persia GamerPix: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 ACE OF ACES MISSION 03: 350 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 DISTANT THUNDER: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 TYPE ACE3: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 THE IDOLMASTER AZUSA: 400 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 GAULT: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 WARDOG EMBLEM: Free and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 THE IDOLMASTER RITSUKO: 400 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ace Combat 6 DARK, SHINING SET: 300 MS Points and available everywhere.

Marketplace Update - 24/6

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:32:39 GMT

TONNES of good stuff today - and don't forget that tomorrow's XBLA game is Happy Tree Friends, the first console adaptation of the internet cartoon that layers on the cute as much as the claret...

AND - that the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta kicks off tomorrow too - you can access it through the menu in the full version of Wolf of the Battlefield: Commandos 3. Well looking forward to that - we've been playing it in the office and it's SWEET.

Picks for today - try the Prize Fighter demo, get the Call of Duty: WaW free theme, watch the Fable 2 video diary, and check out the new Rock Band tracks.

Frontlines Multiplayer Map - Boneyard: Free and available everywhere
Call of Duty: World at War Theme: Free and available everywhere.
FaceBreaker Molotov, Voodoo, Romeo & Ice - Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Top Spin 3 Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Don King Presents Prizefighter Demo: Free and available everywhere.
Fable 2 - Dev Diary: Episode 6: Free and available everywhere.
Vidzone - Redfox 5: Spies Like Us: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Vidzone - The BPA: Toe Jam: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Rock Band - The Pixies Doolittle (Album) [Track Pack]: 1520 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Crackity Jones"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Dead"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Debaser"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Gouge Away"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Here Comes Your Man"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Hey"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “I Bleed"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Mr. Grieves"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “La La Love You"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Monkey Gone to Heaven"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “No. 13 Baby"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Silver"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “Tame][Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Pixies “There Goes My Gun"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Weezer Pack 01 [Track Pack]: 440 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Weezer “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Weezer “Troublemaker" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.
Rock Band - Weezer “Dreamin'" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in the UK, France and Germany.

Call of Duty: World At War Reveal Trailer Available Now

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:19:15 GMT

You can now download the reveal trailer for the next Call of Duty game, World at War. It's back to WW2, but this time you're fighting in the Pacific theatre of war against the Japanese. Treyarch -developers of CoD3 - are at the helm.

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think.

Sign Up For Console Monster's Call of Duty 4 2v2 Tourney

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:38:24 GMT

Console Monster's a cracking Xbox and multiplatform UK community site and they're running a Call of Duty 4 2v2 tournament with some EA games up for grabs. All the details are here - check it out and get signed up before next Tuesday if you reckon you and your mate are the ultimate 2-man CoD4 team...

Marketplace Update - 20/6

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:13:44 GMT

I'm back! Just finished my last diploma exam, so I can get back to a normal life now! WOOHOO! Quick update for today:

Games out today:

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Top Spin 3
Alone in the Dark
SBK 08: Superbike World Championship

Marketplace Stuff up today:

Alone in the Dark Making Of Video 3: Free and available everywhere.
Bravado Rock Vault - DRAGON FORCE Theme 2: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado Rock Vault - Iron Maiden Theme 2: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado Rock Vault - Slipknot Theme 4: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado Rock Vault - The Clash Theme: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado Rock Vault - Trivium Theme 3: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Top Spin 3 Picture Pack #1: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.

London Rock Band Live Videos Up on Xbox.com

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:16:10 GMT

As EvilGeoff has helpfully pointed out (thanks mate, and sorry you didn't make .com!) the videos from the London leg of the Rock Band Live tour are now up. Check them out to spot the next big thing in music over at Xbox.com, and don't forget to check out the upcoming events to see if you can get your shot at stardom and a week at the Ibiza Rocks hotel living like rock royalty!

Fisher Price FTW!

Rock Band In Ibiza Part One Live Now On Inside Xbox

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:02:49 GMT

Yup - you can now see what we were up to in Ibiza the other week. Check out the first video, featuring MTV TRL legends Hellenor Brozevelt, Zane Lowe, and MrPointyHead's amazing espadrilles on Inside Xbox UK now, and keep your eyes peeled for part 2 and a tour of our ridiculous Ibizan Xbox crib.

And remember to head over to MrPointyHead's brilliant Xbox Space to leave him feedback or to poke fun at his footwear .

Start Your Facebook Supergroup With My Rock Band From Xbox!

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:51:19 GMT

Like Rock Band? Like Facebook? Been waiting for an opportunity to bring these two loves together in a beautiful holy union? You're in luck! We've just launced the My Rock Band Facebook application which lets you start a band with your friends, set your rock score in our Band Audition minigame, then bask in the glory of your fans! But watch out - any of your friends can challenge you for your position in the band and if they show they've got better skills than you, they're in!

It's properly sweet - check it out here:

English language: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=14413364293

French language: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=19228046190

See if you can create a better band than my group, The Niff Stipples...

And don't forget that you should join up with the Xbox UK (www.Facebook.com/XboxUK) and Xbox France (www.Facebook.com/XboxFR) Official Xbox Facebook groups to meet cool new friends, get the latest update, and generally show you're ace.

EDITED: Marketplace Update - 13/6

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:02:07 GMT

Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky, but Civilization: Revolution is out today so that puts paid to that! I'm off to go and trade in some games so I can pick it up and it has the serious potential to decimate my weekend, even though I'm supposed to be studying for my final diploma exams next week...

Also out in stores today are Don King's Prizefighter, where you train and fight a boxer inside and outside of the ring, and The Incredible Hulk, where you get a bit agitated, turn massive and green, and bash the crap out of stuff.

And on Marketplace:

Brothers in Arms - Hell's Highway Ubidays Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Vidzone - TheShamen: Ebeneezer Goode: Free and available everywhere.
Vidzone - Underworld: Born Slippy: Free and available everywhere.
Vidzone - Aphex Twin: Windowlicker: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Vidzone - Armin Van Buuren: Going Wrong: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Vidzone - Scooter: Ramp: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.

I'm hopeful that MrPointyHead will have our Ibiza Rock Band vids up on Inside Xbox today too, so keep your eyes peeled for them!

EDIT: Added in some additional Vidzone music videos.

Unreal Tournament III Comes to Xbox 360 On July 4 And Includes Exclusive Gears of War 2 Video!

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:21:35 GMT

Just wanted to give you the heads up that Epic's Unreal Tournament III will hit Xbox 360 on July 4 in Europe (the press release below says July 7, but I've been reliably informed that we're getting it on July 4!). What's really cool is that alongside all the top-quality FPS action you'll also get an exclusive Gears of War 2 video documentary that'll give you the best look yet at the most exciting sequel of 2008!

Details:

MIDWAY AND EPIC GAMES ANNOUNCE UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 TO SHIP JULY 7, 2008

Xbox 360 Version of Highly Anticipated and Award-Winning Franchise has New Features, Exclusive Content and Gears of War 2 Multiplayer Video.

CHICAGO – June 11, 2008 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, and world renowned developer Epic Games, today announced Unreal Tournament 3, for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, is scheduled to ship globally on July 7, 2008, with several new features including split screen, five exclusive maps and two all-new characters, as well as all previously released downloadable content. Unreal Tournament 3, the award-winning first-person-shooter, is currently available for the PC and PLAYSTATION®3 system.

In addition, the game will feature an exclusive video preview of Gears of War 2, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the 4.7-million-unit selling blockbuster third-person action game. The exclusive video content will include never-before-seen footage of the game’s multiplayer modes featuring new maps, new modes, new weapons and new gameplay elements. The video is narrated by design director, Cliff Bleszinski, and producer, Rod Fergusson.

“Unreal Tournament 3 for the Xbox 360 delivers fans the award-winning gameplay of UT3, complete with exciting exclusive content that will make it a must-have title for the Xbox 360” said Mona Hamilton, vice president of marketing, Midway.

”We’re very excited to be shipping Unreal Tournament 3 for Xbox 360,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games, Inc. “This is a great title and, with two-player split screen support and some very cool new content, Xbox 360 players should be thrilled with this fantastic version of the game.”

Ninja Gaiden II Documentary Available Now On Marketplace

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:12:38 GMT

You want more ninja? Check out Marketplace today for the epic two-part NGII documentary, The Way of the Warrior, which gives you a never-before-seen insight into the series and the development of the game.

It's available now on Marketplace everywhere except Germany, and it's free.

Marketplace Update - 11/6

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:21:49 GMT

Happy Wednesday! Your wonderful XBLA games today are Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 (800 MS Points and also comes with an invitation for the amazing Super Street Fighter II Turbo Remix HD beta, which opens on June 25) and Frogger 2 (800 MS Points).

The best thing about Commando 3 is that it has a couple of 7-point Achievements, so if I get them both I can get rid of that annoying '1' at the end of my GamerScore! HOORAY.

And as well as that you can also peruse this lovely little lot:

SBK2008 Superbike Racing Championship Ducati teams gamer pictures (6 pictures): 120 MS Points and available everywhere.
SBK2008 Superbike Racing Championship Honda teams gamer pictures (4 pictures): 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
SBK2008 Superbike Racing Championship Kawasaki teams (4 pictures): 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
SBK2008 Superbike Racing Championship Suzuki team gamer pictures (3 pictures): 60 MS Points and available everywhere.
SBK2008 Superbike Racing Championship Yamaha teams gamer pictures (5 pictures): 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
SBK2008 Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Wolf Of The Battlefield: Commando 3 Theme: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
Wolf Of The Battlefield: Commando 3 Picture Pack: 40 MS Points and available everywhere.
Dark Sector Interactive Demo: Free and available everywhere.
Too Human Co-op Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Ticket to Ride Trailer: Free and available everywhere.

Marketplace Update - 10/6

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:00:45 GMT

Finally passed the 20k mark on my GamerScore last night thanks to GRID! Pretty chuffed with that, feels like a real milestone. Tell you what though, that rogue '1' on the end of my score is really starting to annoy me - I need to find an easy 4 point Achievement somewhere...

Here's today's content, including the Maximo Park Rock Band track we announced the other week in Ibiza:

Cocktail Cuties Anime Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Wanted Theme: Free and only available in the UK.
Wanted GamerPics: Free and only available in the UK.
Kung-Fu Panda Launch Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Last Remnant Trailer 2: Free and available everywhere.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope: Cornelia Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Prince Of Persia Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Rock Band - MTV2 Pack 01 Track Pack: 240 MS Points and available everywhere.
Rock Band - Maximo Park “Girls Who Play Guitars" Track: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
Rock Band - Them Terribles “Bullets & Guns" Track: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Rock Band - The Myriad “A Clean Shot" Track: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Rock Band - The Material “Moving to Seattle" Track: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.

Make Friends, Be Popular: Join the UK Xbox Facebook Page

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:53:33 GMT

Are you on Facebook? Of course you are - you're modern, trendy, connected and you have your finger on the pulse of social media! BUT! Do you sense that emptiness? That gnawing sensation of something... missing?

DON'T WORRY! The Official Xbox UK Facebook Page is now open for business, single-handedly eradicating those feelings of doubt and desperation that the internet age has threatened us all with. Not only will it keep you up to date with all the latest Xbox UK happenings and show all your Facebook friends that you're a true fan of Xbox, it will also make you appear up to thirteen times more attractive to the opposite (or same, whatever floats your dinghy) sex and will increase your number of friends on Facebook by a factor of 672*.

Just head to www.Facebook.com/xboxuk and become a fan to be part of the insane goodness.

*These facts were made up by me and may not be accurate. You will meet some nice new friends though, I betcha.

Middlesbrough Rocks Rock Band Live!

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:38:32 GMT

The UK Rock Band Live tour kicked off in style last weekend at Middlesbrough Music Live and the first videos are up on Xbox.com. They're well funny! You can check them out at Xbox.com UK's more rock-than-Stonehenge Rock Band Live hub. My personal faves are Electric Banana and the Trendy Wendys...

The London and Birmingham shows have just wrapped up so keep an eye on Xbox.com for more videos over the coming days.

And it's not too late to achieve fame and (possibly) fortune with your band (aswell as the chance to win a week in Ibiza living the life of a rock and roll superstar!) - the Rock Band Live tour is motoring to a town near you over the coming weeks. You can get the full schedule on Xbox.com, and since you're probably too rock and roll to click a link I've pasted them below.

Please note, all rockers in Scotland: Edinburgh is the next stop on the tour. Let's show these soft rock southerners what highland thrash is all about!

11/06/2008 HMV Edinburgh, Edinburgh
12/06/2008 HMV Newcastle, Newcastle
19/06/2008 HMV Leeds, Leeds
11/07/2008 Beach Break Live, Cornwall
18/07/2008 Xbox Weekender, Ibiza
05/09/2008 Bestival, Isle of Wight
12/09/2008 Xbox Weekender (promotion winners), Ibiza

And if you're in France or Germany you can find your local Rock Band Live tour dates on your local Xbox.com.

\m/

Marketplace Update - 7/6

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:16:29 GMT

Finally got around to playing Race Driver: GRID last night - it's amazing, isn't it? It's the most intense and adrenlaine-soaked racing game I've played for ages. Reminds me a lot of Dirt's quick, sharp thrills - I love what Codies are doing with the genre, they totally understand that it's more important to offer the most exciting and exhilirating experience rather than the most realistic.

Played on LIVE for a bit too and accidentally got into a 48-minute version of the Le Mans 24 Hour, which I did manage to win (mostly because all the other participants got bored and dropped out!) but I was busting for a wee before I started so it was one of the finest accomplishments of my gaming career to make it to the end! Is there an Achievement for bladder control?

Now I just need to get around to giving Ninja Gaiden II a go. Why is it when there's not many games out I don't take the opportunity to catch up?

Few new things up today:

Top Spin 3 Debut Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
Roogoo - Dark Picture Pack: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Roogoo - Costume Picture Pack: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Roogoo - Light Picture Pack: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Jace Hall Show - Jace Hall Show Anthem: Free and available everywhere.

And I'm now only 40 Gamer Points off 20k...

Liberty City's Spiralling Crime Rates Exposed In The Onion

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:01:20 GMT

When a videogaming phenomenon and a satirical masterpiece collide:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/80649

Marketplace Update and Out Today - 6/6

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:42:02 GMT

Today's new Xbox 360 games:

Ninja Gaiden II
LEGO Indiana Jones
DragonBall Z: Burst Limit
Lost PLanet: Extreme Condition Colonies (Special edition of the original game with added content)

And it's another big day on Marketplace, especially if you're a metalhead looking for Themes... By the way, the Jace Hall Show is an American show about celebrities and how gaming and other electronic media fit into their lives.

Note that the Army of Two Map Pack is free too!

Kung-Fu Panda Game Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado - BFMF Theme 4: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado - HIM Theme 3: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado - Motorhead Theme 4: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado - Ramones Theme 2: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado - Slipknot Theme 3: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Bravado - Trivium Theme 2: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Iron Man Theme Pack 1: 150 MS Points and available everywhere
Fracture Video Diary - Story: Free and available everywhere.
Army of Two Campaign Map Pack: Free and available everywhere.
Iron Man - Gamer Pics Pack 3: 70 MS Points and available everywhere.
The Jace Hall Show - Episode 1 - All Your DUKE Are Belong To Us: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.

Have you tried the Civilization: Revolution demo yet? As an old-school Civ fan it's everything I hoped it would be, and probably a bit more too! Roll on next Friday when it comes out...

Marketplace Update - 5/6 - Civilization and Battlefield Demos Available Now!

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:51:23 GMT

After a quiet couple of days Marketplace looks chock-a-block with quality gear today, most notably demos for Civilization: Revolution AND Battlefield: Bad Company (and I haven't made a mistake this time, honest...).

Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution Demo: Free and available everywhere.
Battlefield: bad company Demo: Free and available everywhere.
Themepack - Aces of the Galaxy: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Aces of the Galaxy Trailer #2: Free and available everywhere.
Picture Pack - Aces of the Galaxy: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ministry Of Sound Benny Benassi 'Satisfaction': 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ministry Of Sound Eric Prydz 'Call On Me': 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ministry Of Sound Fedde Le Grand 'Put Your Hands Up For Detroit': 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Ministry Of Sound Mason Vs Princess Superstar 'Perfect (Exceeder)': 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Xbox May Days video: Free and only available in the UK.

Looks like I'll be spending my night irrigating fields and fighting over gold bullion...

Marketplace Update - 4/6

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:34:01 GMT

Another quiet day on Marketplace, but don't forget that it's Xbox LIVE Arcade Wednesday! Aces of the Galaxy and RooGoo are today's games, both priced at 800 MS Points. You can get screenshots and details over at GamerScoreBlog.

Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution Leaders Quotes Trailer HD: Free and available everywhere.

I'm well excited about Civ: Rev - will be ace to have some proper pure strategy on Xbox 360!

Marketplace Update - 3/6

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:28:14 GMT

As well as the Ninja Gaiden II demo (which apparently isn't available in the US yet, so we're first!) you can also get the following today:

Ninja Gaiden II Launch Gamer Pics: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.

And that's it. But hey! Ninja Gaiden II demo!

Ninja Gaiden II Demo Live Now

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:06:07 GMT

NIIIIIIINJA! This week brings the return of Ryu Hayabusa as Ninja Gaiden II hits Xbox 360, and you can download the demo to check it out now. Details:

The wait is over… as Ryu Hayabusa experience the frenetic combat of Ninja Gaiden II. The demo takes place in Chapter 1: Sky City Tokyo, where you’ll have access to an expanded set of weapons (4 primary and 2 projectile weapons + 2 Ninpo powers) and plenty of Black Spider Ninja Clan to dismember. Play through roughly 3/4 of the chapter using the new and better balanced Path of the Acolyte difficulty.

NGII Demo Features…

Standard Weapons: Dragon Sword, Scythe, Claws, Staff
Projectile Weapons: Shuriken, Bow and Arrow
Ninpo: Wind and Fire
Weapon level: 3 (this is max weapon level…)
Difficulty level: Acolyte only

The Ninja Gaiden II demo is available everywhere except Germany.

Back From Ibiza, Rock Band Live Announced

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:21:33 GMT

I just spent an amazing (but tiring!) weekend in Ibiza attending the press event for our Rock Band Live events this summer and also checking out the launch party for the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio, which is sponsored by Xbox 360. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!

I won't describe the whole thing to you because the Inside Xbox videos Dan (MrPointyHead) will do a much better job once they're all edited up, but essentially I had the pleasure of hanging about with Zane Lowe off Radio 1, Maximo Park, and a bunch of lads from the US who are RIDICULOUSLY good at Rock Band and go by the name of Hellanor Brozevelt. Zane did a wee interview with me on stage at the press conference and I did some interviews with journos afterwards, which was intense but lots of fun!

As for Rock Band Live, it's the chance for you and your friends to get up on stage at an event near you this summer and show your Rock Band skills. It's not just about high scores though - you'll be judged on the energy, personality and balls-out rock and roll-ness of your perfomance, not the length of your combo. The best performers will have a video of their show posted on Xbox.com, and the best band from Europe (as judged by Maximo Park) will win a week of living like a rock star in the Ibiza Rocks Hotel! You can get all the details and the full lowdown on when and where your locla Rock Band Live event is head to www.Xbox.com/rockband. Please note this competition is UK, France and Germany only.

Get over to Xbox.com, get the band together, and start working on your moves. In the meantime here's some photos from my weekend to give you a taste of what you could win...

Marketplace Update - 28/5

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:39:51 GMT

Posting a little early today because I'm going to be in meetings for the next two days, so if you're reading this before 10am BST you'll need to wait a few minutes before the content becomes available. The meetings are going to be cool - getting to see all our plans for the next year...

Remember that Buku Sudoku (800 MS Points) and Warlords (400 MS Points) are today's XBLA games.

Buku Suduku - Theme Pack 1: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
Buku Suduku - Puzzle Pack 1: Free and available everywhere.
Buku Suduku - Picture Pack 1: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
NBA Ballers Chosen One Act A Fool Video World: Free and available in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Iron Man Pack 2 Gamer Pics: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
FAR CRY 2 Gamerpic Pack 1: 60 MS Points and available everywhere.
FAR CRY 2 Gamerpic Pack 2: 60 MS Points and available everywhere.
FAR CRY 2 Action Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
FAR CRY 2 Landscape Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.

Buku Sudoku and Warlords Hit XBLA Tomorrow

Tue, 27 May 2008 20:47:51 GMT

Your number's up, because tomorrow sees the arrival of the first Sudoku game ever on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Buku Sudoku is the ultimate version of the granny-bothering numbers game and it'll set you back 800 MS Points:

"Experience the excitement of the world’s hottest number game sensation on Xbox LIVE Arcade with “Buku Sudoku.” The title upgrades the traditional paper-and-pencil game with beautiful HD graphics, informative tutorials, multiple grid sizes and new ways to enjoy the game via multiplayer modes. With multiple themes that allow players to choose the audio and visual environment, over 1,200 puzzles total and three levels of difficulty, “Buku Sudoku” has something for everyone.

“Buku Sudoku” multiplayer modes feature support for up to four players offline and up to eight players via Xbox LIVE. More casual players can experience the game with friends and family through the cooperative mode, and competitive players will enjoy an entirely new concept – an active duel where the player’s performance directly impacts his opponent’s puzzle."

ALSO! The four-player Atari classic Warlords will also be available tomorrow for 400 MS Points:

"“Warlords” offers single and multiplayer action as up to four players battle to protect their fortress from attack, while battering down their opponents’ at a frenetic pace! Defend yourself from incoming fire with your mighty shield and smash down your enemies’ defenses by firing flaming balls at them, or blast a hole through and bring their Warlord tumbling down along with his castle walls!

“Warlords” returns in both a pixel-perfect copy of the original arcade cabinet game, plus a brand new “Evolved” version featuring cool new 3D graphics and the opportunity to be your own Warlord using the live video feed! Single player is supported, along with 2, 3, and 4 player local and Xbox LIVE multiplayer choices."

Don't forget that you can download free trial versions of both games too!

Marketplace Update - 27/5

Tue, 27 May 2008 20:40:45 GMT

Hey! How was your holiday weekend? I was up in Scotland watching Queen of the South put in a brave performance against Rangers and then basically playing Rock Band all night at a birthday party. It was ace! There was one lad there who has been playing it on PS3 for a few months already and is Expert on guitar and drums - unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it...

Any good Rock Band stories from your weekend? We've got some cool news coming up this weekend that will require you to get some practice in, so get busy...

Rock Band The Cars "The Cars" Album [Full Album Track Pack]: 1200 MS Points and available in the France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “You're All I've Got Tonight" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “My Best Friend's Girl" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “Moving In Stereo" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “Just What I Needed" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “I'm In Touch With Your World" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “Good Times Roll" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “Don't Cha Stop" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “Bye Bye Love" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Rock Band The Cars “All Mixed Up" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available in France, Germany and the UK.
Franz Ferdinand - Wine in the Afternoon: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Walkaway: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - This Fire: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - The Fallen: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Michael: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Matinee: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Eleanor: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
Franz Ferdinand - Darts of Pleasure: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.

IMPORTANT: Xbox Newsletter Correction - Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:01:15 GMT

If you subscribe to the Xbox Email Newsletter and you're sharper than a katana you may have noticed that in the latest edition it mentions the Street Fighter beta that comes free with Wolf of the Battlefield: Commandos 3, which is coming soon to Xbox LIVE Arcade. The Newsletter erroneously states that the beta will allow you access to a pre-release version of Street Fighter IV. THIS IS WRONG!

The beta you WILL be able to access is actually the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta (this is the souped-up and re-balanced version of Street Fighter II Turbo, not the totally new Street Fighter IV).

Apologies for any confusion, and as we speak the Xbox Newsletter team is being soundly battered with a barrage of Dragon Punches and Hundred-Hand Slaps.

Marc Whitten On Spring Update, DRM, Retiring XBLA Games and the Future of LIVE...

Fri, 23 May 2008 10:34:14 GMT

A lot of you have been asking why we haven't announced anything about the spring LIVE update yet. That's because, er, there isn't going to be a spring LIVE update - at least not in the way you are used to. But that doesn't mean nothing's happening behind the LIVE scenes, OH NO. In fact, there's so much beavering going on that real beavers are up in arms about how its making them look bad.

To shed more light on the subject Marc Whitten, Xbox LIVE's General Manager, gave an in-depth and exclusive interview to Next-Gen.biz. You can read the full interview here, but in the interests of media-snacking or whatever name they have for it these days here's the main points that YOU need to KNOW NOW:

There won't be a 'full' spring update, but a new Digital Rights Management tool will be launched soon that will make it easier to consolidate all your purchased content on a new console. more news on this soon.
In the meantime the LIVE team is working to provide "the proper infrastructure and scale" for the service.
underperforming XBLA titles will begin to be retired from the service - those that have been available for more than six months, scored less than 65 on Metacritic and have a demo to full game conversin rate of less than 6% will be up for the chop. This is to keep the choice of games on XBLA focussed and high quality.
Microsoft Games Studios is opening a first-party XBLA studio.

Thanks to I Daz I from Xbox Live Addicts for the heads-up on this!

Where's the Blog Header Gone?

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:04:22 GMT

This is an excellent question, and one that lv54spacemonkey deserves a prize for asking. Unfortunately I don't know the answer - it seems to have disappeared into the ether somewhere. However, I was planning on getting a new header done anyway so I'm taking this as a sign that the time is right.

Any suggestions? I'm thinking a bit slicker and less twee this time...

Marketplace Update - 22/5

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:01:21 GMT

Quality Star Wars: Force Unleashed videos available today - check them out to prepare you for the Inside Xbox video we've got in the locker for July!

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed WebDoc 1: Free and available everywhere.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Teaser Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
NBA Ballers Chosen One Super Moves Video World: Free and available in France, germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Tom Clancy s Hawx Announcement Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
TimeShift Urban ReDuel Multiplayer Map Pack: Free and available everywhere.
Chessmaster Live Breaking the Lins Mini-Game: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
Konsole Kingz Camo Crowns Limited Edition Picture Pack: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.

Exclusive Sneak Peek: Rock Band UK TV Ad

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:18:41 GMT

Check this out - it's the 90 second version of the UK Rock Band TV ad, and I love it. You can catch the 30 second version tonight during the Man U v Chelsea Champion's League Final. It'll also be running in France and Germany over the coming days and weeks.

And of course the game is out this week in France, Germany and the UK. For those about to rock, etc...