Posts by Xav De Matos at Xbox 360 Fanboy

Xav de Matos
Toronto, Canada - http://www.thelevelgrind.com

It’s Xav de Matos. That’s like Have with a Z. Public Relations major by day, gaming journalist by night. Xav has been in the industry for over five years with stints in retail management all the way to blogging for Xbox360Fanboy.com; part of AOL’s Joystiq Network. Xav's GamerTag is: Snypz. Why is Xav writing in third-person? Xav doesn't know.

EA deadline for Take-Two offer ends tonight

Posted May 16th 2008 2:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Remember kids, EA's $25.74 per share deadline offer for Take-Two ends tonight at 11:59PM EDT. Originally offering $26 per share and a purchase price of $2 billion, EA had lowered its offer when Take-Two declined to sell in April. Currently trading closer to $27 a share, Take-Two Interactive has been in EA's sights for quite some time--so does anyone think this deadline will stop them from trying again?

EA says they want Take-Two, so are they really going to give up? What else could they do? Well, EA could always lower their offer to Take-Two again, just to scare them. It's like those old sitcoms where two people haggle over money and one gets progressively lower just to scare the other guy into submission. What we're saying is that EA is basically the gaming equivalent of Balki Bartokomous.

Some analysts think this whole thing will be hammered out over the weekend, but we'll have to wait and see.

Lost Planet: Colonies goes gold

Posted May 15th 2008 4:15PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

There are two things we know for sure about Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - COLONIES Edition. First, someone at Capcom needs to fire the guy who makes these names up, for serious. Second, the Xbox 360 and PC exclusive is almost here.

Yesterday Capcom announced the platinum release of Lost Planet, which includes new missions, multiplayer maps and modes (including the ability to play as the evil Akrid), has gone gold. So throw on your parka and make a warm cup-o-coffee, it's about to get chilly up-in-this 'ma.

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - COLONIES Edition *sigh* hits retail on May 27.

Rumor: Take-Two buyout news coming Monday

Posted May 15th 2008 10:00AM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: Rumors

Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian issued a note on EA's financial statement last night claiming new information regarding the buyout of Take-Two Interactive would be forthcoming Monday. Sebastian, a known analyst with his ear to the "gaming industry grindstone," has been at the forefront of comments regarding a possible EA buyout since the first offer was made in April.

"Expect [an] update on TTWO bid by Monday morning," Sebastian noted. "We continue to believe that the current offer of $25.74 per share would be accretive to earnings for Electronic Arts, as well as fill several meaningful product gaps."

Last month EA extended its tender offer deadline from April 30 to May 16. The offer, if approved, would see Electronic Arts purchase Take-Two Interactive, publishers of the critical and commercial blockbuster Grand Theft Auto IV, for $2 billion. Expect the internet to burst into flames Monday if Sebastian's claim comes to fruition.

[via Videogaming247]

Dyack may step down as Silicon Knights lead

Posted May 14th 2008 8:15PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

In an interview with GameDaily, Silicon Knights top-dog Dennis Dyack hints that at the possibility of stepping down from his role as head of the studio. Citing a passion to focus on creating original IPs as the possible reason, Dyack admits it would be "weird," but prefers someone else to take over the business side of the company.

Since the notorious E3 2006 showing of Too Human, Dyack has been thrust into the spotlight with comments regarding the state of gaming journalism (specifically the validity of game previews) as Silicon Knights announced numerous delays for the first title in its Too Human trilogy. Could a new business director help shorten production times? Well, it's the old sports manager idea. Fire the coach all you want but it's the players who are losing the games.

[via Joystiq]

Microsoft: No Alan Wake release day yet

Posted May 14th 2008 5:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Since its reveal at E3 2005 action-thriller fans have been clamoring for more information on Alan Wake. Developed by Remedy, the team behind Max Payne, the PR camp has been quiet on new details for the title and today is no different. Speaking with Venture Beat, Microsoft's Shane Kim dissapointingly continued Alan's media blackout. "We haven't announced a firm date for Alan Wake." Kim added that Microsoft, who announced it would exclusively publish the title for Xbox 360 and PC at E3 2006, would set a release date for the title when it was ready.

With next to no new information released since 2006, is Alan Wake still on your radar?

[via Big Download]

Would You Rather ... Demo Edition

Posted May 14th 2008 4:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: Fan stuff, Polls

In our continuing effort to bring you fresh and interesting content, X3F presents Would You Rather ... a weekly feature that asks you the hard questions. The point? If you had to choose one or the other, which would you go for?

This week in WUR we're taking a different approach. With so many demos playable at Mircosoft's press event for upcoming Xbox 360 titles, we wanted to know which one you craved the most.

If Microsoft was to release only one demo today for you to play, which one would it be? Remember, this list only includes items that were playable at Microsoft's San Fransisco event so Gears of War 2 and Fable 2 aren't options. While Ninja Gaiden 2 might be the favorite, we wonder who out there is anticipating more hot Piñata action.

Feel free to share the reasons for your vote in the comments. We'll share the results of the poll during the next edition of Would You Rather ... which hits X3F every Wednesday.

Last weeks WUR results can be find after the jump ... take a look!

Continue reading Would You Rather ... Demo Edition

Rumor: Spring update adds game installs, DRM fixes, "motion sensor" features

Posted May 14th 2008 10:15AM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: Rumors

If history remains true the Xbox 360 Spring update should be on its way soon, but unlike previous updates we've heard nothing about new features. According to a tip sent to Joystiq regarding the spring update there are nearly 80 new features and tweaks possibly incoming for the Xbox 360.

The completely unconfirmed list can be found after the jump but we can tell you it includes some features we've dreamed for. Voice chat conferences for up to four people, an Inside Xbox Portal which includes news, entertainment, weather and various community features, downloading audio from feeds (such as the Xbox 360 Fancast, or other podcasts we guess), a DRM check for downloaded content which lists items that will not be accessible when disconnected from Xbox Live and a new (hopefully working) way to correct the DRM issue are some of the features on the list.

Other notable features include being able to delete games from your played games list if they list a gamerscore of zero (and zero obtained achievements) and the ability to save game data onto the hard drive for faster loading (presumably the way PS3 handles the feature).

The most interesting addition is the ability to calibrate motion sensor based peripherals again pushing the Wii-like controller rumor into the limelight.

Keep in mind that this all squarely falls under the category of "rumor" for the moment. We'll let you know as soon as we hear otherwise. Find the full list of (rumored) features after the break.

Continue reading Rumor: Spring update adds game installs, DRM fixes, "motion sensor" features

GRID vs Gran Turismo 5: Prologue

Posted May 13th 2008 7:45PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: Fan stuff, Videos

We're not in the habit of taking shots at the PS3 here, regardless of our name, but this user-made YouTube video was too funny for us not to share.

Posted back on April 25, JudgeRice compiled a comparison video of the upcoming TOCA Race Driver game GRID versus PlayStation's premier racer Gran Turismo 5: Prologue. Before the hate floods in, we know GRID is leaned toward a more arcade-style racing experience whereas Gran Turismo is a simulation. Still, we LAWLED.

[via THEBBPS]

Velvet Assassin sneaks onto Xbox 360 this fall

Posted May 13th 2008 6:45PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Coming this fall from Replay Studios and the wacky folks at Gamecock is Velvet Assassin. Taking place behind enemy lines in World War II, Velvet Assassin tells the story of Violette Summer who is tasked with facing off against the vicious German war machine.

Inspired by real life British secret agent Violette Szabo, the stealth-action game promises a unique combat experience when it hits the Xbox 360 and PC.

Clearly stealth games require a unique combat experience. Right?

[via Press Release]

Gallery: Velvet Assassin

X3F TV -- Points>Life: The Beginning and the End

Posted May 13th 2008 6:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: Fan stuff

Each week, X3F tips gamers to the tricks of the trade of Achievement hording in Points>Life. Every week a new achievement is unlocked to help you continue your unhealthy obsession with the Xbox 360 meta-game.

This week in Points>Life we're taking a stroll through memory lane and Team Rainbow's first vacation to Vegas. In Rainbow Six: Vegas there are two easy tips we can give you, the first is a simple reminder that some people may not realize and the second is a glitch in the end of the game that could save you a headache while trying to end the mission.

Both tips are classic, meaning they're old ones ... but somewhere someone is picking up this game for the first time and we're here to help!

[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.

Enemy Territory achievements rescued

Posted May 13th 2008 3:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Achievement fans rest easy. Thanks to the crack team of soldiers (pictured above) we've found the full list of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars achievements. The elusive achievement list was hiding out at Xbox360Achievements.org and have since been rescued from danger. Promising to soon line your Gamerscore pockets, these points cover everything from completing the multiple campaign modes (North America, Europe, Africa and Pacific) to online ranking achievements that most of us will never get.

As for these guys? If you have a problem. If no one else can help, and if you can find them ... maybe you can hire, the Quake-Team.

Gears of War 2: 4 screens from Assault

Posted May 13th 2008 12:45PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Microsoft released four screen grabs from the first gameplay footage of Gears of War 2. Hitting this November, Gears 2 is the sequel to the critically and commercially successful Gears of War which released exclusively on the Xbox 360.

In Gears 2 humans are bringing the fight to the Locust, utilizing new moves, weapons and various ways to cut dudes in half.

Gallery: Gears of War 2

Graphics Comparison of War

Posted May 12th 2008 7:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

We're aware of the recent GameTrailers comparison video debacle, which we assume was an honest error rather than a deliberate one, but here's another one to look at. Comparing footage from Gears of War to the recent gameplay footage of Gears of War 2, we can see slight improvements in the Unreal Engine 3 graphics. Character models look less "rubbery" and smooth. The game also features something that was rare in Gears, sunlight--and it looks nice.

While Gears of War had to prove the power of the Xbox 360, Gears of War 2 has more to prove in terms of storytelling after releases like BioShock, Portal and Grand Theft Auto IV have taken the stage. The storyline in Gears of War was underwhelming to say the least but we have high hopes for Gears 2 and everything it will teach us about Microsoft's newest universe. But so help you Epic if we have to play as a Locust.

What They Play tours parents through Liberty City

Posted May 12th 2008 1:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Two weeks later and it seems Grand Theft Auto IV has yet to lose its luster.

What They Play has become a well known source of information for parents that strive to involve themselves in their children's favorite hobby. While the site has been an important voice against gaming detractors for some time, its cause has become even more relevant since the release of Rockstar's epic journey and subsequent tar & feathering.

In a continuing series of written facts and video examples, What They Play has compiled everything parents will need to examine before they allow their children near GTA IV. Videos outlining the extent of gunplay, language and sexual content found in the game are a handful of examples that can be found on the parent focused website.

While the feature and site has proven to be an important source of information, we hope the future of What They Play includes expanding into other languages to keep the parental knowledge base on an even "playing field" across the globe.

Activision boasts 15 million Guitar Hero song downloads

Posted May 12th 2008 10:30AM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News

Not to be outdone by its more innovative brother Rock Band, Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith revealed the Guitar Hero franchise has recently surpassed 15 million individual song downloads. The announcement was made during a recent earnings call where Activision also revealed future plans of the Tony Hawk, Call of Duty and James Bond licenses.

Viacom, owner of Harmonix, recently announced Rock Band has reached the 10 million song download mark.

It's notable that the Guitar Hero announcement seems to relate to both Guitar Hero II (Xbox 360) and Guitar Hero III (Xbox 360 and PS3) downloads while the Rock Band announcement appears to be a combination of Xbox 360 and PS3 online sales. While Harmonix and Activision continue their urinating contest over numbers, we'll just assume both are doing well in the content sales department for future reference.

[via Joystiq]

Next Page >

Sony charging Hong Kong PS3 owners to download themes Fill your tanks with these new Resistance shots SCEA announces US releases for PS3/PSP games	[1.Local]: The week from a reader's point of view WoW Moviewatch: Chronicle of the Annoying Quest, Episode 24 Well Fed Buff: Essence Mango
Grifball returns for H3 Double EXP Weekend Video Marketplace Weekly: Sweeney edition New Fallout 3 conceptual concept art	The Haruhi dance game in more detail WRUP: Not one, not two, but ten whole sports edition NPD: April sees Wii on top (yet again)
Infinite Line site open with new screens Blue Dragon, Away: Shuffle Dungeon confirmed for U.S. WRUP: Tactical insects edition	SCEA announces US releases for PS3/PSP games Fading Shadows coming to US, courtesy of Agetec SCE Worldwide Studios gets new president

Xbox 360 Fanboy