Left 4 Dead DLC announcement soon!

All the controveresy surrounding the rather quick release announcement of Left 4 Dead 2 at E3 has left a lot of L4D fans reeling in frustration and anger. Why?  They believe it is far too soon to be releasing a sequel to Left 4 Dead (PC/X360 only) in just under a year between releases. However, Valve, the developers of the series have stated that they will be supporting the 1st Left 4 Dead as planned with more DLC coming soon in an announcement today. The Valve plan is for both games to run concurrently alongside each other which rarely happens in the Video game industry as people/consumers usally move onto the sequel. According to Valve:

 At a recent press event that took place in London earlier today, Lombardi told us, “We plan to keep supporting Left 4 Dead 1. There will be some announcements coming before summer’s out about what’s coming there, and then we haven’t shown everything that’s in Left 4 Dead 2 yet.” Lombardi added, “I think 8, 9 months from now once everything’s been out for a while and everyone’s had time to see the complete product of Left 4 Dead 2 and see continued support for Left 4 Dead 1, they may sort of see what we were up to and what the method of our madness was there.”

The upcoming DLC will be for both PC and Xbox 360, he confirmed. As for Left 4 Dead 2, you’ll be able to try before you buy with a pre-release demo. “With Left 4 Dead in particular we’ve found that word of mouth really is the strongest thing,” Lombardi told OXM. “With Left 4 Dead 2 we plan do a demo before the game comes out that’ll have multiplayer in it and hopefully we can continue the free weekends with the full game post-launch.”

So, there you have it from the horse’s mouth ( or dead horse!). more L4D1 DLC is coming and it’s free before the sequel, L4D2 very soon, both games will run concurrently with each other. This may in fact work, it may be a dead loss……..(sic)

Okay get off your couch and grab your copy of Gears 2, mine needs a good dusting off. It’s Double XP weekend!

Details from Epic:

“Gears of War 2 celebrates the Fourth of July holiday with an explosive Double XP Weekend! Starting Friday, July 3, and running through the weekend, Gearheads can expect double XP in all game types, as well as bonus XP for those teams emerging victorious from battle. And if you’re in the mood for fireworks, be sure to check out the special all-Ticker rounds in every tenth wave of Horde!”

Anyone wanting to team up I’m available.

Feel like you’re ready to make some of your own Xbox 360 games? Kodu Game Lab is now available for 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Features of Kodu, from Microsoft:

“Kodu” lets anyone from age 7 to 70 harness the power and fun of Xbox 360 to bring their own unique game creations to life. With a simple image-based creator menu and potentially millions of creation options, game development has never been as intuitive for kids and adults of all ages. Players’ imagination is the only limit they’ll face with “Kodu.”

Create a one-of-a-kind game with only an Xbox 360 controller from the comfort of the couch, including the following:

- A bridge and path builder.
- A terrain editor.
- Co-op gameplay and create modes.
- 20 “Kodu” characters with different abilities.
- Breakthrough visual user menu that requires no experience.
- Almost 200 behavioral building blocks with potentially millions of ways to create and combine new actions for characters

You can queue up the demo here on your 360

It’s coming up to the 7th of the 7th and that can only mean one thing in the world of Halo 3 - Bungie Day is on the way!

Bungie Day 2009 will take place on the 7th of July and will include community map playlists, 4 vs 4 playlists, the chance to beat the Bungie developers at literally their own game and to top it all off players have the chance to win Halo 3 recon armor to top off what promises to be a great event for Halo 3 fans.

There’s gonna be tons of community maps on display (your maps!), dozens of Bungie employees rocking flames and stomping mud-holes in your soon to be thoroughly stomped and mud-holed faces, and of course, ridonkulous amounts of Recon armor on offer. We’re (as the kids are wont to say) gonna make it rain.



Square Enix Sued for $5 million.

Some news that does put an extremely good games publisher in a good light. Square Enix are currently being sued by an ‘Esther Leong’, a San Farncisco Resident, according to Kotaku, claims that ’lied about or concealed its monthly fees, penalties for late payments, interest, restrictions and other things that should have been fully disclosed at points of purchase” — basically, Square Enix has been “deceptive”.

The court filing reads:

The deceptive advertising, unfair and undisclosed business practices, and concealment concern, among others:

i. Licensing of the online games software disguised as a sale;
ii. Monthly fees (”fees”) to play the online games;
iii. Penalties for late payment of the fees;
iv. Interest charges for late payment of the fees;
v. Charges while the online game account is suspended;
vi. Termination of the right to use the online games for late payment of the fees;
vii. User restrictions and conditions related to the online games;
viii. Termination of game data for payment of the fees.

honestly, I dont know whether this is true or not, having not played FFXI online or that Square Enix were being deceptive but it does appear odd that these regulations were not specified. We only tell from the outcome expecially if its someone aftedr cool million bucks!

Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures Episode 1: Fright of the Bumblebees
Available for Xbox 360, PC
Publisher: Xbox LIVE Arcade
Developer: Telltale Games
Release date: 5/27/09
Rated E for Everyone

Summary from Telltale Games:

“Join Wallace & Gromit in Fright of the Bumblebees, the first of four grand adventures! The inventor and his loyal pooch are faced with a big problem. They need 50 gallons of honey by tonight – far more than their bees can handle! When Wallace’s plans to step up production go horribly awry, it falls to Gromit to fight off the angry swarm. Featuring a brand new story with the same slapstick humour, cinematic visuals, and charm fans of the Wallace & Gromit films have come to love, Fright of the Bumblebees kicks off this four-episode series in cracking style!”

Supposedly a great first introduction to the series but there are reported glitches, I guess there will be updates though.

Oh yes there are screen shots and the game looks beautiful. I want it and I want it now. I haven’t played a Final Fantasy games since, well I can’t remember to be honest.

I hope you enjoy the shots as much as I do.

A special edition of Halo 3: ODST will be available on September 22nd. GameStop has the Halo 3: ODST Exclusive Collector’s Edition. It’s $99.99 and includes the Halo 3: ODST game and a special edition Halo 3 ODST branded Xbox 360 wireless controller.

Remember that if you purchase Halo 3: ODST, you’ll get access to the Halo: Reach Xbox LIVE multiplayer beta

Looking for that realistic guitar experience in Rock Band? MadCatz announced today that the new Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster Guitar Replica. Here are the details

- Premium-quality Strum Bar
- Dongle-free wireless connectivity: Uses same wireless technology as Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless controller
- 3 AA Alkaline batteries included
- Includes official Fender Guitar Strap
- Supports external Electro-Harmonix Overdrive Pedal (sold separately)
- Full size Stratocaster guitar replica made in Fender factory
- Uses real Fender metal bridge, tuning keys, and Tremolo
- Official Fender finish

This factory-made Wooden Rock Band Stratocaster Replica will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360 for $299.99 and will be available in the near future.

From MadCatz

Crysis 2 is the second game of the planned Crysis trilogy, and EA has just confirmed it’s destined for the PC, Sony PS3 and Xbox 360.

That’s a big step for developer Crytek, as Crysis 2 will be the first game it’s made for consoles, as well as the first being built using its CryENGINE 3 game engine.

There is no release date for the game as of yet but I am sure more details will come during E3.

I can’t wait to play this as I didn’t get to play the first one, it seemed only NASA computers could get the game running.

If you were like me you joined the millions of people watching the conference online. Yes, even with the constant buffering at one point but we finally got connected and saw the amazing announcements that Microsoft had for the 360. I am going to give an extremely simple breakdown of what when down.

For Xbox LIVE, Microsoft is pushing social networking with Twitter and facebook intergration.

For Microsoft’s E3 2009 Press Conference, gameplay dominated gametrailers. There were a few gametrailers in the mix, but gamers would have just been happy to hear that “Crackdown 2″ or “Left 4 Dead 2″ was coming.

“Project Natal” was introduced for the first time. It’s a full motion control camera that promises to replace the controller and bring gaming to the masses. Your Xbox 360 avatar will be be controlled by your full body. It also supports facial recognition and voice recognition. It’s like bringing Minority Report style GUI browsing using your hands.

Various Game Exclusives

Shadow Complex (Xbox Live Arcade from Epic)
Joy Ride (Xbox live Arcade from Big Park)
Left 4 Dead 2 (out November 17th)
Crackdown 2
Splinter Cell: Conviction (out in the autumn)
Forza Motorsport 3
Alan Wake (out in Spring 2010)

Radio Stations coming to Xbox LIVE from last.fm. Available in late 2009 at no extra charge.

Netflix will soon work on Xbox 360 system without a PC. Control and playback movies on Xbox 360.

Xbox LIVE Video Library will go to 1080p. “No discs, downloads or delays.”

Okay so if I missed things please forgive me but I am excited to be a Xbox 360 owner.

Who’s up for some 16 bit retro gaming? If you are then June 10th is your lucky day. You’ll be able to find the following games on the Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Arcade on June 10th:

Gunstar Heroes
Altered Beast
Shinobi (arcade version)
Comix Zone
Phantasy Star 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3

The PlayStation Network is getting one classic game from the list, Gunstar Heroes, on June 11th.

The Square Enix E3 2009 Lineup includes:

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system
Genre: Action-RPG
ESRB: T (Teen)
Street Date: August 25, 2009*

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY does what no other FINAL FANTASY title has done before, bringing together an all-star cast to give players a chance to see their favorite FINAL FANTASY characters engage in high-intensity battles. Experience this renowned franchise, which has shipped over 85 million units worldwide, in a brand new light with this dramatic 3-D action game. Soar through expansive environments and participate in gripping combat, all while enjoying RPG-based character development that adds a rich layer of depth to the story behind the clashing forces. The battle between good and evil begins – What will you fight for?

*Limited-edition DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY PSP system Entertainment Pack to launch at Gamestop day and date with stand-alone game.

FINAL FANTASY XIII
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system/
Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft
Genre: RPG
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: 2010

Square Enix proudly presents FINAL FANTASY XIII, the latest installment in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series. To celebrate the 13th numbered release in the series, Square Enix has undertaken a colossal project involving the development of various content for multiple platforms. FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS®, defined in Latin as “the new tale of the crystal,” is made up of several different titles based on variations of the FINAL FANTASY XIII universe. While each title in the project features different characters, different worlds and different stories, all are ultimately based on and expand upon a common mythos.

In FINAL FANTASY XIII, players will embark on a journey through the cityworld of Cocoon and the outerworld of Pulse, encountering and fighting alongside a diverse group of allies. Execute powerful attacks with weapons and magic, and summon the enigmatic Eidolons with an evolved Active Time Battle™ system. Experience seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and in-game cinematics. Do you have the courage to face your destiny?

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS®
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Wii™
Genre: Action-Adventure
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: TBA

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS provides a fresh take on the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series as it combines the storytelling depth, expansive world and graphical quality of FINAL FANTASY with motion-driven, real-time action gameplay. In this world, realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction are brought together for a truly unique experience for Wii users around the globe.

FRONT MISSION EVOLVED™
Developer: Double Helix Games™
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platforms: PLAYSTATION 3/Xbox 360/Windows PC
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: TBA

From the creative minds of Square Enix and Double Helix Games, FRONT MISSION EVOLVED brings the classic FRONT MISSION® franchise into an action-packed third-person shooter that gives players full control of a massive humanoid war machine—the wanzer. Players will battle through intense combat situations as they explore an immersive world in both the single player campaign and online multiplayer.

KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd./h.a.n.d.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Nintendo DS™
Genre: Action-RPG
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Ship Date: Fall 2009

Uncover the events that took place during the year Sora was asleep regaining his lost memories. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days revolves around Roxas, the “other” hero from KINGDOM HEARTS II, and his days as a member of Organization XIII. Follow Roxas and the rest of Organization XIII across the various Disney Worlds, and discover the connection between him, Sora and the mysterious 14th member, and the reasons behind his eventual departure from the organization. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days also features a multiplayer mode for the first time, allowing players to control their favorite Organization XIII members!

NIER™
Developer: cavia, Inc.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platforms: PLAYSTATION 3/ Xbox 360
Genre: Action-Adventure
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: 2010

Nothing is as it seems in Square Enix’s latest action adventure game, set in a crumbling world plagued by disease and dark, unrecognizable creatures. Players assume the role of the unyielding protagonist, NIER, resolute in his quest to discover a cure for his daughter, who is infected with the Black Scrawl virus. With powerful allies and a mysterious book, NIER encounters things that will confound even the mightiest of warriors.

ORDER OF WAR
Developer: Wargaming.net™
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Windows PC
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: Fall 2009

Square Enix teams up with strategy game specialist Wargaming.net to present ORDER OF WAR, a brand-new IP set for a simultaneous release across multiple territories. Developed exclusively for Windows PC, the game features massive-scale battles brought to life with a cinematic intensity never seen before in a WWII strategy game. Players will take command of an entire army including ground troops, artillery, tank divisions and aircraft in all-out strategic assaults. The single-player mode can be played out in two campaigns – American versus German forces on the western front and German versus Russian on the eastern front. Missions will be based on key historic events and operations from 1944.

SUPREME COMMANDER 2
Developer: Gas Powered Games®
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platforms: Xbox 360/Windows PC
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship date: 2010

Experience brutal battles on a massive scale! In SUPREME COMMANDER 2, players will wage war by creating enormous customizable armies and experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Take the role of one of the three enigmatic commanders, each representing a unique faction with a rich story that brings a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre, or fight the battle online. Where do your loyalties lie?

Downloadable games:

FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS™
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Wii
Genre: RPG
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Launch Date: June 1, 2009

A true sequel to the classic Super NES™ title, FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS is an episodic game coming exclusively to Nintendo’s WiiWare™ service June 1, 2009. With both single and multiplayer modes, Wii users will now be able to explore the world of FINAL FANTASY IV with up to three of their friends and coordinate commands into a single attack. Unravel a mystery told through the intertwining stories of a familiar cast of characters, and complete the FINAL FANTASY IV experience with this latest installment in the franchise.

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord™
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Wii
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Launch Date: 2009

The latest installment in the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES franchise for Nintendo’s WiiWare service, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord turns the tables on players by challenging them to take on the role of the villain. As the newly appointed Darklord with a mission to take over the world, players must strategically place monsters and traps inside their tower to ward off invading adventurers. With this follow-up to the kingdom-building simulation FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King®, Wii users can now enjoy the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES world from an entirely new point of view!

Square Enix is at booth 1546 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

From Square Enix

Capcom and game developer Foundation 9 are getting ready to release Marvel VS Capcom 2. The classic 2D fighting game is scheduled for a Summer 2009 release on the PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points). Here’s the latest on Marvel VS Capcom 2, from Capcom:

“Marvel VS Capcom 2 features the biggest roster of challengers to ever square off in a Capcom fighting game, a total of 56 combined brawlers from both the Capcom and Marvel universes. From the world of Capcom comes characters such as Ryu from the Street Fighter® series, Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil® games and unofficial company mascot Mega Man®. Marvel is represented by some of its biggest names, including the Invincible Iron Man, Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty, and War Machine, Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. Players can mix and match from both worlds in order to create their own ideal three man/woman/robot/monster team-up.

Marvel VS Capcom 2 is designed to be a gateway for new players to experience the fun of fighting games while providing a deep system for hardcore fighting fans to dig into. Action is based around colorful, exaggerated attacks that include gigantic projectile attacks (such as Ryu’s fireball or Dr. Doom’s Plasma Beam) and high-flying aerial moves (like Spider-Man’s Maximum Spider or Cammy’s Killer Bee Attack). The controls are somewhat simplified from the classic six-button system at the heart of Capcom games like Street Fighter® IV, utilizing a four-button control scheme for the action, with two “assist” buttons that pull in your team members for additional support.

Due to the amazing combination of Marvel and Capcom characters and the game’s celebrated fighting system and graphics, MvC2 has been a hotly sought-after title on the game collector’s circuit. Previously owned copies for older game consoles have been demanding more than $100 in auctions and at specialty video game outlets. Now players who have been desperately searching out used copies of the game will be able to go hands-on and play online with the same great online experience from Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Additionally, Capcom has added an optional advanced visual filter that improves the overall appearance of the game and added online modes, including Ranked Matches and the popular Player “Quarter” Match, that allows up to four people to watch and chat while two others are battling it out.”

Features of Marvel VS Capcom 2 include:
- Over 50 characters from the Marvel and Capcom Universes!
- 3 on 3 tag-team matches
- New online matching mode, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix’s “Quarter Match” mode ; enjoy the arcade experience from your console
- New optional visual filter smoothes out the game’s graphics
- Four button controls introduce new players to fighting games; compatible with the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV joysticks and Fight Pad
- Available for the first time via digital distribution on Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PlayStation Network

From Capcom

Capcom has announced it’s E3 2009 lineup of games. Check out the fighters, sequels and new game experiences that await you! Here’s what’s been announced, so far, by Capcom:

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Bionic Commando® (PC)
Dark Void™
Dead Rising 2
Fate
Lost Planet® 2
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Mega Man® Star Force 3
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Resident Evil: Archives
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Spyborgs
Street Fighter IV (PC)
Tatsunoko vs Capcom

From Capcom

Id Software and Activision have announced that the original Wolfenstein 3D will be making its way to consoles. Look for this release for the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network June 4th and 5th respectively. If you perform well in the game you will get weapon upgrades for the upcoming, all-new Wolfenstein game set to be released on August 4th.

I will be purchasing this and buying the new Wolfenstein. I can’t wait.

Attnetion Bionic Commando fans! Capcom announced this and I wanted to let you know that starting today you can download Bionic Commando: Rearmed for half price on XBLA. It’s now 400MS points and the deal runs until June 3rd, so you’d better hurry.

I have been around the web and it seems as though you are all sick of Tony Hawk and his video games, will look no further ladies and gents poppa has a brand new bag for you!

As you can see from the picture a new accessory has been released for us to buy and use with with next Tony Hawk game coming out.

Quote from the man himself:

“Throw the controller out and just stand on the board,” said Tony Hawk in an interview with GameTrailers.com, “It responds to you grabbing it, to you kicking it up, to you turning it one way or the other, flipping it. It’s like you’re really skating, but just on a blank deck.”

This could prove to be the revival of the series or getting some people off their couch. The game is Tony Hawk RIDE, and it’s headed to the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii with a skateboard peripheral.

This is good news for us Bioshock fans as they could have used this for the first game in my opinion. You don’t get to play as a Bid Daddy or Big Sister from what I have read, instead you play as a plasmid test subject.

The good thing is the more you play the more points you earn which you can spend on plasmid upgrades.

Zumobi has created an application that is available for free from Apple’s App Store called Inside Xbox 360. Now you can check up on the latest Xbox 360 Marketplace content and news updates. But wait there’s more! You can also check up on what Major Nelson has to say.

Some of the features include

- News category with Xbox Highlights (news)
- Games category shows a listing of the latest games and content available on the Xbox Marketplace. Select content and queue it up to your Xbox 360 via browser link.
- Videos category shows the latest movies, TV shows and Music Videos added to the Xbox Marketplace.
- Community section takes you to Xbox LIVE Community Team Blog and Major Nelson’s Blog

I have just added it to my iPod touch and it is indeed a decent app.