First Impressions on NXE: Netflix

By Beeslo

(watching every season of every show…because he can)

Well as I’m sure many of you are aware, Microsoft finally released the long awaited update to Xbox Live or as they like to call it, “New Xbox Live Experience.” Well they got two things right: It’s very new and it’s definitely an experience. I hope to cover many of the new features of this update, but I thought I’d start with my favorite and the one I’ve been waiting for since it was announced: Netflix on NXE.

When this was first announced back at E3 this past summer, I nearly fell off my couch. Instantly I understood what this meant…unlimited rentals instantly sent to your TV! Now in reality, this is actually nothing new or really that special anymore. Netflix had already offered this to its customers a couple years back for their computers and only a year ago provided the service for customers that bought their $100 box to receive the movies for their TV. But in my reality, neither of these accommodated me. I hate watching movies on my computer and I wasn’t really liking the idea of dishing out $100 for an ugly ass box taking up space in my entertainment cabinet. But as soon as Microsoft announced this, it hit me instantly: I have both a Netflix membership…and an XBOX360! Which means, I get this service…free of charge.

Heck, I already had the right kind of membership for it too! To really get your fill of this service, you just need to get the 3 disc at a time (unlimited) membership plan and you are set. Unfortunately not every movie is ready for instant viewing (ie, brand new movies like Iron Man) but you can instantly catch up on those movies you’ve been wanting to see (Gone Baby Gone) and TV shows you’ve been missing (30 Rock). Heck, in some rare cases, you can even catch up on episodes of a TV show’s current season (Showtime’s Crash). But literally, you can fill your instant queue up to its maximum and just watch away without any problem (I got 19 in mine already).

Misc Gaming: Ikaruga: A lifestyle, a religion

By Alpha
(Thursday is my day.)

In a day and age where the majority of video games have based their purpose solely on having us breeze through an experience, Ikaruga was there to throw us back again; back to a different time and period. A time when practice, consistency, discipline, and dedication all needed to be applied to complete a game. A time when video games were merely all great tests of skill.

So, what exactly is the allure of Ikaruga? Why do so many spend countless hours day in and day out practicing and honing their skills at this game? Bragging rights? A sense of completion? Or is it just the simple dream of achieving the impossible, or in this case the almost impossible? I understand that many shmups are just as difficult, and possibly even more difficult than this game. Ikaruga though, in it’s popularity, somehow took the position down the line as the poster child for impossible shumps. With that said, out of all the reason I believe people play Ikaruga, overcoming the impossible seems to be the biggest draw for myself personally, and for the many that do play it.

Rocky, The Mighty Ducks, Rudy, The Replacements, When We Were Kings, all movies, but why, why am I listing these movies? Well, looking closer, these movies have a tendency to push back and move beyond their medium’s curtain. They move beyond the state of motion pictures, they become and stay as small glimpses into our society’s infatuation of taking on and following the role of an underdog. Overcoming enormous obstacles has become quite the common staple and cliche in the entertainment world. Not only does the story of Ikaruga adopt this, but the interaction with the game and player outside the interactive realm does as well. Pursuing Ikaruga‘s completion takes commitment. Except this time, there are no training montages.

What’s in The Orange Box? – Team Fortress 2 Updates & News

by Link
(OD should be writing this but he’s too busy with
first hand ‘research’ on Team Fortress 2.)

With our silly Dune reference behind us, let’s move forward. This is an article series that will go into great depth over The Orange Box itself, and retroactively discuss various updates, achievement listings,
and class updates being made to Team Fortress 2. There may be some Portal or Half-Life 2 here and there, but this is going to mostly be about TF2! Also, I’m hoping to hand this idea/article off to OD or work with him on it. I hope you all enjoy it!

Starting off we’re going to be talking about the Heavy Update which just recently happened. But, before we even cover that… THIS WEEKEND IS A FREE TEAM FORTRESS 2 WEEKEND! Which means all you folks need to do is Install Steam, make an account, and download TF2 for Free and give it a whirl over the weekend! Aug 22 – 24! Enjoy!

Anyways… now for the updates!

CP_Steel

a new community map available for the public!

A complex Attack/Defense control point map, with some unique gameplay. Unlike most TF2 maps, capturing a control point modifies the layout of the map, opening and closing routes for each team. As a result, the offensive team has a wide variety of tactical choices around how they’d like to assault the final point. Should they use Scouts and Soldiers to rush the final point with only the routes they start with? Should they go for the side control points and open up more routes to the final? Should they capture extra points to shut down the defender’s routes? The many choices keep the map interesting for a long time, providing a wide variety of experiences in a game.

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is a Payload map focusing on more open spaces and less chokepoints than Gold Rush.

(A) Right out of the gate is a multi-level area where the Blu team needs to control the high ground while moving the cart through a tunnel below. This open area has few natural choke points, allowing Scouts, Soldiers, and Demomen to move creatively through the space, forcing the Red team to rapidly respond to choices made by Blu.

(B) As the track winds its way into tighter spaces, vertical control becomes more important. Each successive checkpoint requires the Blu team to take control of defensive positions above the track, usually occupied by Red Engineers.

(C) Eventually the track winds down into a large basin which the Blu team must assault from all sides in a final push to destroy the Red base.

Unlike Gold Rush, where the track is split into three separate stages, Badwater Basin uses a single large stage with several checkpoints. As a result, the Blu team is highly encouraged to push the cart hard after beating their way through the Red defensive line.

Misc Gaming: Aspiring hope for Grand Theft Auto

By Alpha

(beeg imerican teeeeties)

A few months ago, I finished Grand Theft Auto IV. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. It probably is the game I have played the most on my 360. I never followed the hype or promotion of this game, and initially, I really wasn’t planning on buying it. I ended up purchasing it though, just to rekindle the old memories I had of raising hell in Grand Theft Auto III . I never finished GTA III, so I thought I’d do the same with IV. Do a couple missions here and there, throw in some codes, and for the rest of the time I’d just go insane, sandbox style.

My original intent eventually subsided. With Grand Theft Auto IV, I really became more interested in actually finishing and playing out the story, then just raising cane like I did in the previous Grand Theft Auto games. Rockstar definitely put out some effort into improving this franchise. Not only did they shift focus to the story and the missions, but they also polished up, added, and removed different game mechanics and elements to make the game much more enjoyable. Although Grand Theft Auto IV was definitely a step up both technologically and in depth from the other games in the series, it is still not without it’s faults.

Grand Theft Auto IV gave me great hope for the interactive future of stealing cars, killing people, and picking up sluts. I’d love to see this franchise improve and possibly even fairly earn that 10 spot from mass game reviews. I doubt that anyone at Rockstar will ever read this, but as for Grand Theft Auto V and the future of this series, here is what I’m hoping for.

Outpatient Article – Under The Knife: Penny Arcade – On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One

by Samurai
(This is not for you Kaiserhawk)

So, I’m not dead. But, I tell what I really am. And that is…alive. Although, I am an outpatient, I am still the loveable and forgetable person that I was back then. Now with more hair in places! The game I am going to be reviewing now is Penny Arcade: On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness.

Misc. Media – Sightseeing in Liberty City

by Beeslo

(Will eat for work)

A lot of us have already taken in the majority of Liberty City’s tourist spots, gazing at the enormous metropolis that Rockstar created for its gamers. Did you find the “heart” in the “Statue of Liberty?” Weird, isn’t it? But I dunno how many people have actually noticed the insane amount of detail Rockstar has put into their virtual city. Have you noticed them all? Well if you aren’t familar with NYC, then chances are you probably missed them. But not to worry, one man took the time to showcase many of New York City’s tourist locations and compared them to their virtual counterparts. Below is just one of the many amazing comparisons and at times, it gets hard to tell which is real and which is virtual. Check out the rest HERE!

Satoru Iwata Comments On Rumored 360 ‘Wii’ Controller

By Alpha

(The stick became the honeycomb! You’re not sure how it happened, but take it!)

In a recent interview for audience investment purposes Mr. Iwata commented on the rumored ‘Wii ish’ x-box 360 controller. It looks as if the man cannot be moved, as if he has never even heard about Microsoft.

“What matters to us is whether or not we can continue to constantly create and offer new surprises one after another. If we can, then (other company’s attempt to launch Wii Remote-like controller) should not be a big threat.

The efforts in this field to try to appeal to a wide variety of customers are something in which we saw potential early on and that we have been working on the longest, so there appears to be no reason whatsoever why we need to be concerned.”

So there we have it. According to Iwata, Nintendo has nothing to worry about. As long as they keep on trucking.

Source

Misc. Gaming – Man Attempts to Break GTA World Record! 25 Hours!!!

by Beeslo

(Number of World Records defeated = zero)

I’ll make this real quick. Starting at 5PM (Pacific), L.A. based webshow host “Jim” (of bushleague.tv) is attempting to set a new world’s record by playing the new Grand Theft Auto IV for 25 consecutive hours. At 6PM today, we will know whether or not he survived driving around Liberty City for over a day in real life (wonder how many days will have passed in game?).

Apparently live web feeds and updates are being provided at the website.

Also it should be noted that a real paramedic has been requested to stand by in case 25 hours of hooker killin’ makes him…well…dead.

Source

 Live video can be seen HERE!

 

 

Sonic Unleashed Is Now Official

By Alpha 87655320875

(“Hopefully this one doesn’t suck”)

Today Sega finally announced Sonic Unleashed for the ps2, wii, ps3, and 360 for release in late 08. The game was leaked awhile back and really the only thing Sega has new for us is well…. barely anything, unless of course you count the small plot ideas they reveled. Hopefully this one doesn’t suck.

Under development for three years, the Hedgehog Engine produces a visually rich next generation look and feel with elements of classic Sonic gameplay mechanics. The Hedgehog engine will help re-define the gameplay experience for Sonic fans and newcomers to the franchise alike.

Source

Click “more” for press release

Microsoft Finally Breaks It Off With HD DVD

By Alpha 87655320875

(Fred Savage Is My Hero)

What a sad sad day, Microsoft finally breaks it off with hd dvd. Sure we all knew she wasn’t as attractive or as functional as blu ray, and we all knew that days earlier Toshiba threw her out as well, but goddamn it I thought Microsoft still had a soft spot for the little bitch. This story surely breaks my heart. Where will hd dvd go? She clearly has no friends to comfort her.

“As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.”

-Microsoft’s Gamerscore blog

Source

*and yes I drew that picture

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Alone in the Dark 5 Is @_@

By Alpha 87655320875

(Alpha: so much content!!!!1111!!!111!!)

Mcgyver would be proud.

Copy Pasta News Round Up

By Alpha 87655320875
(Incredibly Talented Journalist.)

PS3/360 News

Crysis engine to run on consoles at GDC

It looks like Crytek is willing to at least prove the theory, as CVG reports that the company will show off the CryEngine 2 running on both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 at next month’s Game Developers Conference. Though this is far from confirmation that console versions are inbound, it does at least show the potential. Could the company have an announcement up their sleeve as well? We’ll let you know how the engine looks from the show floor.

CryEngine 2 Source

Wii News

Nintendo And Tecmo Sandwich Together For Fatal Frame

The new Fatal Frame game is a major collaborative effort for Tecmo. Nintendo will publish the game and is also lending its support on the development end. Key staff members include Keisuke Kikuchi as producer and Makoto Shibata as director, both veterans of the series. But joining Shibata in the director’s cubicle is Grasshopper Manufacturer’s Goichi Suda (aka Suda 51), who recently completed work on No More Heroes.

Fatal Frame Source