Games

Halo Wars Gone Gold

Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble Studios announced today that “Halo Wars,” the highly anticipated action strategy game based on the legendary “Halo” universe, is finished and sent to manufacturing! Created from the ground up for the Xbox 360 console and controller, “Halo Wars” combines a peerless control scheme and gameplay with an incredibly rich, epic story set 20 years prior to the story told in “Halo: Combat Evolved”. The result is a commanding experience that is a must-have for “Halo” fans and a title that is sure to become a classic amongst fans of strategy games.

As fans eagerly await launch day, a video documentary series announced today will explore defining themes of “Halo Wars” and give viewers a behind the scenes look at the game’s development and some of the people involved in its creation. The premier episode captures key elements that frame “Halo Wars” gameplay: the controls, perspective and strategy. The “Halo Wars” video documentary is available for download on Xbox LIVE and can be viewed at Xbox.com/Halo.

In addition, the recently announced Xbox LIVE public demo for “Halo Wars” will be available beginning on Feb. 5 at 2 a.m. PST in Xbox LIVE enabled regions worldwide. In the demo, players will be able master Ensemble’s groundbreaking control scheme in optional beginner and advanced tutorials or jump right into the action to experience the beginning of the “Halo Wars” story with the first two campaign missions. The demo will also include “Chasms,” one of “Halo Wars’” 14 multiplayer maps, wherein players can battle it out in Skirmish mode vs. A.I., playing either as the UNSC with Captain Cutter’s leader powers, or as the Covenant with the Prophet of Regret’s own unique abilities. Don’t forget to set your Xbox to download this demo!

Source- Halo Wars

Gears of War 2 Combustible Map Pack available for Download

With the Combustible Map Pack download for Gears of War® 2, explosive action takes center stage in these three new multiplayer maps: Flood, Gold Rush, and Fuel Station. Flood features a rising flow of Imulsion that drives the fight into close quarters. Infiltrate an Imulsion factory in Gold Rush, where multiple levels and volatile materials guarantee memorable encounters. Fuel Station delivers a dangerous battle around an abandoned refueling facility.

Flood is a close-quarter battle.

To celebrate the launch of this new multiplayer map pack, we’ve got a big Download & Win Sweepstakes with some big prizes up for grabs. You could win some great Gears of War 2 merchandise, including a custom Gears of War 2 Xbox 360 console. To enter, just register your gamertag and then download the Combustible Map Pack from Marketplace between December 15 – December 19, 2008.

Source- XBOX Press Release

Games for Windows - LIVE 2.0 Setup

Setup package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. The package installs for the Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable that enables the in-game Games for Windows - LIVE experience as well as the Games for Windows - LIVE Client that enables the out-of-game experience, including Games for Windows - LIVE Marketplace.

Download Here

World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King- Launches TODAY!

Blood Elves, Paladins, Gnomes and Sorcerors all gathered last night for the long awaited release of World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. The game hits store shelves today but the party was at GameStop last night in San Francisco. All the WOW’ers came out for face painting, dance contests, giveaways and some good old fashioned comraderie. I joined in the fun and sported my best chain mail attire- take a look!

Source- Channel 10 Blog

Call of Duty: World at War- Launches TODAY!

Happy Veterans Day! A fitting gift for this holiday is the release of the latest addition to the Call of Duty franchise. Call of Duty: World at War has just arrived on store shelves TODAY so I stopped by their launch event in San Francisco last night to check it out for you and it was a madhouse. Marines, giveaways, celebrities, music- and of course- the game. Here’s a taste of how TreyArch and Gamestop throw a party.

Source- Channel 10 Blog

Call of Duty: World at War Xbox 360 Multiplayer Beta

Activision has announced the launch of a multiplayer beta on the Xbox 360 for their upcoming title in the Call of Duty franchise, World at War. The beta will give gamers a chance to experience the only aspect of the game before it hits shelves while also helping test both the client and server software.
If you wish to participate in the beta, you can head over to Gamestop and pre-order Call of Duty: World at War. If you’re a little hesitant about pre-ordering the Call of Duty that’s not developed by Infinity Ward, you can also register at the official Call of Duty website, though there are only a limited number of beta tokens available via that avenue.
Activision claims the beta program will last for "a few weeks", though, since the game launches on November 11th, you can expect it to be a very short few weeks of free play. PC users can also expect to see a beta soon, though no date has been given, yet.
Source: Callofduty.com

Microsoft announces release of Halo 3 sequel: Halo 3 Recon

Microsoft announced the release of the Xbox360 exclusive Halo 3 Recon today at the Tokyo Game Show. Halo 3 Recon is the sequel to Halo 3 and brings a new storyline to the serie. The game is slated for a late 2009 release.

Developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie, “Halo 3: Recon” is a stand-alone expansion that extends the award-winning “Halo 3” experience with hours of new campaign and multiplayer gameplay.* The release adds a new dimension to an all-encompassing universe that gamers around the world have known and loved for more than six years.

The new campaign chapter predates the events that unfold in “Halo 3” and gives players a new perspective through the eyes of a new hero in the “Halo” universe. New multiplayer maps ensure that the award-winning Xbox LIVE experience of “Halo 3” continues to thrive.

Top features include the following:

•  All-new campaign content. The “Halo 3: Recon” campaign is an intriguing side story that takes place during the terrifying events leading up to the Master Chief’s return to New Mombasa in “Halo 3.” Experience the fate of Earth from the brand-new perspective of a special forces ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), adding a unique outlook and new gameplay elements to the events that unfold in the trilogy’s finale. While the feel of this new chapter will greatly resemble that of previous “Halo” experiences, “Halo 3: Recon” will require players to employ more elements of stealth and cunning than ever before.
• A new hero: Prepare to drop. Known for their courage, valor and, at times, insanity, ODSTs are among the fiercest UNSC soldiers, priding themselves on being the first unit deployed into hostile situations. While not as large or supernaturally gifted as their Spartan comrades, these “Hell Jumpers” more than compensate with their ferocious attitudes and unwavering nerve.
• Expanded multiplayer collection. No “Halo” experience would be complete without groundbreaking multiplayer content,* and “Halo 3: Recon” gives fans more of what they love. With exclusive new maps and full Forge options, players will find more multiplayer content than ever before with “Halo 3: Recon.”
• Ever-growing community options. Players will continue to enjoy all the great “Halo 3” technological innovations, including Saved Films, screenshots, Campaign Scoring and four-player co-op. All of the new multiplayer maps fully support the Forge editor, offering endless gameplay customization possibilities for fans.

Source: Microsoft.com

Halo Wars – still planning to ship

In case you haven’t heard, Ensemble Studios is shutting down after they ship Halo Wars.  This is a sad development for gamers everywhere but I guess it underscores the dominance of the special purpose gaming consoles over the desktop computer and gaming machine of the home.  Is this the beginning of the end for powerful home computers?  Who knows.  But when was the last time you considered a desktop over a laptop?

Source- Technet Blogs