These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Community Games, full versions purchased during the week.
Holy crap! What an exciting evening this has been so far, trying to catch up with all the MW2 news from the Los Angeles MW2 event yesterday that has been spreading across Twitter all day!
Let’s start with the videos;
Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Xbox 360 announce with Major nelson:
For those of you not bothered to view the video: Microsoft has announced the release of a special Modern Warfare 2 branded Xbox 360. It comes with a 250GB harddrive, two wireless controllers and a copy of Modern Warfare 2.
The package is currently only available for pre-order in the US, but the rest of us that lives in the part of the world that Microsoft forgot about will likely be able to place orders by end of this week.
The 250GB HDD is not going to be sold seperately for quite some time.
During the very same event, a screen shot of the Multiplayer Beta used at the event revealed that it had been possibly rated by the ESRB.
The Beta screen states the “Game Experience May Change during Online playâ€, this is a requirement by the ESRB for items of public play and would not be needed in the private closed Beta (the current known state) – so with this notice inclusion comes again the possibility of a public Beta, but since Microsoft would not want the release of Halo3 ODST within the next few days spoilt we could have an announcement shortly afterwards. Although, please do not forget that fourzerotwo already has stated no need for a public beta unless they have issues they can’t pinpoint any other way.
Random screenhots;
Also, I stumbled across a video showing a full game of MW2 domination (thanks duejegern!) – seems awesome, even though I’m more intrested in Search & Destroy, a game mode I really hope they have not changed too much!
Modern Warfare 2 is the shit, to put it briefly. Yes, I know, I only played a beta version for a few hours, and this is just a preview. And sure, I was probably influenced by the massive theater screen, surround sound, and free Mountain Dew (don’t worry, I’m not reviewing it), but even so, I’m confident in saying that Modern Warfare 2 is the absolute fu**ing shit.
Infinity Ward could have hitched a ride on the success of Call of Duty 4 and released a moderately updated game with new maps and some new weapons, but they didn’t – they updated everything without losing any of the violent charm of the original.
Everything is more intense. The sounds of ricochets and bullets zipping by your face, the bloody deaths, the room-shaking explosions, the ringing in your ears – all of it feels twice as powerful. Visually, the game is very similar to CoD4, but the textures are crisper and effects like the bloody drips over your vision look more amazinger.
And yes, I’m very much excited about this release, although not to happy not having recieved a confirmation yet from Webhallen about my preorder of the Prestige Edition.
I’m really starting to get really fond of the Xbox Live Arcade section.
It all started with, let’s be honest now, small crappy games, often ported from simpler platforms and/or revamps of old cult games such as PacMan, and has since the launch slowly transformed into a section where one can buy hours and hours of quality entertainment for a very reasonable cost.
I don’t know exactly when this transformation started, but the past couple of months I’ve seen tons of nice games being released.
Trials HD is a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing game with over 50 mind-boggling tracks in two unique game modes. Race Mode emphasizes balance, skill, and control as you tackle indoor obstacle tracks. Skill Mode features extreme stunt tracks in which explosions, crashes, and injuries cannot be avoided. A level editor enables players to create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks. The game features stunning full HD graphics, rider customization, unlockable bikes, global rankings, all new in-game friend scores, and many other fun features.
Tons of tracks: Over 50 versatile tracks will test your racing and stunt riding skills.
Level sharing: The level editor allows you to create your own levels and share them with other racers.
Customization: Unlock new bikes as you ride, and make your rider your own.
Leaderboards:Trials HD features a new type of in-game friend scores and global rankings
I’m getting so frustrated with this game I can only play it at tops 30 minutes at a time, but I keep returning to it several times a week to hopefully get past the frustration bit that I couldn’t last time!
The next Arcade addiction that I stumbled across is Shadow Complex. Downloaded “just because†as I heard lolip0p, Major Nelson and e talk about it on Nelsons podcast a while ago. Seems I might not regret it – I probably should pay more attention to the game titles these guys’n’girl enjoy.
In Shadow Complex, gameplay is centered on exploration and fast-paced combat as you gather game-altering power-ups and an arsenal of futuristic weapons to overcome obstacles, thwart legions of enemies, and delve into a mysterious open game world. The original single-player adventure is set in a compelling universe based upon the best-selling novel, Empire, by Orson Scott Card.
Original game: This completely original game features full 3-D side-scrolling action. The incredible next-gen graphics and robust physics combine with an open, evolving world design mixed with an awesome, compelling action-thriller story.
Power-ups: Seek out 17 unique game altering power-ups, with more than 100 additional items and modifiers to discover and use.
Bad guys: Fight against a large variety of enemies and experience massive, jaw-dropping boss battles.
Pick up and play: The super-tight controls are simple and intuitive but also allow advanced players additional depth and precision.
Noted scriptwriter: Shadow Complex features a script written by Peter David, one of the most popular comic book writers of all time. It’s the first game to be set in Chair’s Empire universe and based upon the best-selling novel by Orson Scott Card.
1Â Â Â Call of Duty: WaW
2Â Â Â Halo 3
3Â Â Â Call of Duty 4
4Â Â Â Gears of War 2
5Â Â Â Madden NFL 10
6Â Â Â GTA IV
7Â Â Â FIFA 09
8Â Â Â WET Demo
9Â Â Â DiRT 2 Demo
10Â Batman: Arkham Asylum
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased. Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1Â Â Â Halo 2
2Â Â Â Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3Â Â Â Counter-Strike
4Â Â Â Fable
5Â Â Â Splinter Cell Chaos
6Â Â Â Conker: Live Reloaded
7Â Â Â Star Wars: Battlefront
8Â Â Â Doom 3
9Â Â Â SW: KOTOR
10Â Â Â SW: Republic Commando
These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Community Games, full versions purchased during the week.
The GamesCom event will take place next week on August 17th – August 19th. Information has been handed to Xboxic which leads us to believe that Robert Bowling (aka FourZeroTwo) the community spokesman for Infinity Ward will announce details via a press release of a Beta signup through modernwarfare2.com, with those who have pre-ordered ‘Prestige Edition’ of the game having immediate access. It is assumed that the retailers with exclusive pre-order sales will soon start emailing web site tokens to customers when the Beta is live. The web site token will then need to be registered at modernwarfare2.com with your email address to later receive your chosen Xbox360 or PS3 Beta console redeem code.
The Beta is rumoured to go live by September 10th and close towards the end of October. Until Infinity Ward release an official statement this can only remain a rumour. The Gamescom convention with Robert Bowling confirmed as in attendance will take place next week – so only time will tell if the information they received is correct.
As the internets reported last week, the much anticipated Twitter and Facebook functionality for the Xbox 360 is not included in the upcoming dashboard update. But now we have information on when to expect such features to arrive.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Microsoft’s James Halton revealed that the company plans to release the Twitter and Facebook applications as standalone downloads instead of including them with this dashboard update. The Microsoft executive said that the company is targeting a Fall date for the integration of Twitter and Facebook to the Xbox 360.
1Â Â Â Halo 3
2Â Â Â Call of Duty 4
3Â Â Â Call of Duty: WaW
4Â Â Â Gears of War 2
5Â Â Â Battlefield 1943
6Â Â Â GTA IV
7Â Â Â 1 vs 100
8Â Â Â FIFA 09
9Â Â Â Left 4 Dead
10Â Â UFC 2009 Undisputed
1Â Â Â Battlefield 1943
2Â Â Â Splosion Man
3Â Â Â The Secret of Monkey Islandâ„¢: Special Edition
4Â Â Â Castle Crashers
5Â Â Â Worms 2: Armageddon
6Â Â Â Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers
7Â Â Â UNO
8Â Â Â Hasbro Family Game Night **
9Â Â Â Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade
10Â Sonic The Hedgehog 3
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
**Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles
1Â Â Â Halo 2
2Â Â Â Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3Â Â Â Counter-Strike
4Â Â Â Fable
5Â Â Â Splinter Cell Chaos
6Â Â Â Conker: Live Reloaded
7Â Â Â Doom 3
8Â Â Â Star Wars: Battlefront
9Â Â Â SW: Republic Commando
10Â Â SW: KOTOR
1Â Â RC-AirSim
2Â Â Fireworks HD
3Â Â myFishtank
4Â Â Kodu Game Lab
5Â Â Gamerbots:Third-Robot Shooting
6Â Â A Perfect Massage
7Â Â Physics Sandbox
8Â Â 3D Magic Images
9Â Â Cyborg Mice Arena
10Â A Morons Challenge
These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Community Games, full versions purchased during the week.
The Avatar Marketplace, unsurprisingly, will allow 360 owners to download new apparel for their Avatars. Players will be able to browse game specific storefronts. Yes, storefronts, so don’t expect all the apparel to be free.
In addition, Microsoft has announced Avatar Awardables. Awardables, as their name implies, are articles of clothing that can be awarded by Xbox 360 games for completing certain tasks.
Josh Olin has revealed the intentions to release an earlier than planned update to Call of Duty: World at War because of cheaters ruining the online experience for many players – you don’t really expect see a soldier jump 60ft in a WWII game with unlimited ammo!
Quote from Call of Duty Intel Announcements:
Over the last week, we’ve received a number of reports from the community regarding issues that range from matchmaking difficulties to strange Nazi Zombie co-op behavior. These incidents have been caused by some users who are hacking their consoles and ultimately damaging the online experience of their fellow gamers. This is not isolated to Call of Duty – incidents of similar hacks have been reported across several titles.
We and our 1st party partners have been working diligently on countermeasures to these security breaches, and these will be going live in a Title Update early next week.
Important note: As a result of accelerating the release of this Title Update, users will see menu changes that were not intended to go live until the release of Map Pack 3. In short, you will see the Map Pack 3 levels in Private Match, Split Screen, & System Link. When you select these maps, you will be brought to the Marketplace blade to download them; however, they will not be available until they are released in August. This is only temporary, and you will be able to download the maps as soon as they are released.
Thank you all for your understanding and continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on the new maps next month.
No release date for Map pack 3 yet, price is expected to land at 800 MSP, just as the other map pack DLCs.
