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.
Semi-old news, but I’m sure some of you have not seen this preview of the Modern Warfare 2 gear that MadCatz will be shipping out right after the MW2 release in november.
In a Twitter post last month, Robert ‘fourzerotwo’ Bowling asked whether concave or convex analog stick grips were preferred by the fans. Later we learned that the controller was being developed by a third-party manufacturer and not by Activision and yesterday it has emerged that Mad Catz has been awarded the license for a line of Modern Warfare 2 accessories, including a specialized controller.
Mad Catz announced that they have partnered with Activision and Infinity Ward to develop a range of controllers and accessories. The release also says that the company will develop accessories for all platforms currently announced for the title, which include Xbox 360, PC, and PS3 systems.
Darren Richardson (Mad Catz CEO) – “We are excited to partner with Activision and Infinity Ward to create branded controllers and accessories based on what is one of the videogame industry’s prominent franchises. We look forward to offering unique and exciting accessories to fans of the newest release in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series, as we continue to grow and diversify what we believe to be the industry’s leading portfolio of branded videogame accessories.â€
Vince Zampella (CEO of Infinity Ward) – “Mad Catz’s innovation and fresh approach from Day 1 has been great, Their team has really poured their hearts into the new line of accessories for Modern Warfare 2 and we can’t wait for our fans to have a chance to play for themselves this November.â€
The controller is rumoured to be available by the time of the game release in november, but pricing and screenshots are yet to be seen.
The Examiner has gone through the new Xbox 360 Dashboard, pointing out the good and the bad in a rather compressed way.
I miss some more details, but atleast they had a comment about the prices for the Games on Demand – which clearly shows that the overpricing on games is not just a phenomenon for the local markets as they have previously tried to point out.
Second, how useful are the new features? Games on Demand, while it sounds like a good idea, usually features games that are well over their retail price point. For example, Bioshock and Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga both sell for $29.99 on Games on Demand. These two games sell at (most) retailers for $19.99. Users won’t receive a physical disc and must use 4-8 gigabytes of their 360 hard drive’s space to download the game. If this makes it sound like an almost entirely useless feature, I apologize – it’s actually entirely useless.
