Xbox 360 Fanboy

Bleszinski gets questioned on all things Gears 2

Posted May 22nd 2008 4:00PM by Xav de Matos
Filed under: News, Interviews

Epic's Cliff Bleszinski recently sat down with GameDaily for a feature called 10 Questions, where an esteemed member of the gaming industry is asked ten fan submitted questions. Cliff was thrown Q's from everything related to breaking into the industry, why he ditched a Dodge Viper and how to make it in today's gaming world.

Of course Gears of War 2 was a hot topic and fans asked how it will stand-up to it's Game of the Year winning predecessor. "With the sequel, we're able to significantly streamline the online experience with a far more robust package that enables players to kick more ass online with their friends," Cliff answered.

Without giving away too much information on the single-player experience, Cliff said the game must throw more interesting scenarios at players in between combat situations to stay fresh, "In Gears 2, we've got dozens of surprises in every level that will keep people talking for months to come."

With changes to Epic's premier gaming engine fans wondered how updates to Unreal Engine 3 will change the Gears experience. While Cliff was tight-lipped, he assured gamers the environments would add to the experience with a wider capacity for damage. "Players will really feel like they're in a sci-fi multiplayer version of Black Hawk Down."

Gears of War 2 hits Xbox 360 this Novemeber.

Watch Fable 2 right now ... sort of [update]

Posted May 22nd 2008 3:29PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News

Update: Show's over, folks.

Major Nelson sends word that the folks at Lionhead are showing off their latest playtest of Fable 2 right now and in real time. Okay, so it's not really real time. In fact, it's just a webcam that refreshes every ten seconds or so. Still, it's Fable 2 and it's playing right now. We realize it's kind of lame but, if you have nothing better to do (and we imagine many of you do), it's a good way to kill some time. There's no telling just how long the "show" will last, so head over to the Lionhead site (select the Sam-Cam) and soak up as much as you can. Who knows, maybe we'll even see some magic spells (finally).

[Via Major Nelson]

First Guitar Hero: World Tour shots rock faces off

Posted May 22nd 2008 3:00PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News

Our sinister taskmasters over at Joystiq managed to nab the very first screens of Guitar Hero: World Tour, and now, dear fanboys and fangirls, we bring them to you. Glancing through the images, we get the first look at the game's create-a-track mode (which honestly looks a little intimidating) as well as the character creation mode and some in-game performance shots. As Joystiq notes, it appears that World Tour will abandon the over-the-top cartoon style of previous iterations (as well as the upcoming Aerosmith version) in favor of a more realistic, though still stylized look. Check out all the shots in the gallery below.

Will Guitar Hero: World Tour find a home in your collection, or are you waiting to see what Harmonix cooks up for the next Rock Band?

Gallery: Guitar Hero: World Tour

Video: Roogoo has shapes, puzzles and monkeys

Posted May 22nd 2008 2:30PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News, Xbox Live Arcade, Videos

The crew over at Xbox360Achievements posted an exclusive trailer for upcoming XBLA puzzle game Roogoo. And after giving it a good watch, we came to the conclusion that the land of Roogoo is full of lots and lots shapes. Shapes that, when aligned correctly, help save countless lives and worlds. Thanks to the video, we also learn some Roogoo specifics including mention that the game will feature 45 different levels of puzzle fun and co-op play as well. On second watch, we think we spotted a crowned monkey patiently sitting in a UFO. How fun.

[Thanks, Chris]

Rumor: Multiple playable characters in Gears 2 campaign

Posted May 22nd 2008 2:00PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: Rumors

Oh ~~CliffyB~~ Cliff Bleszinski, it seems you're always almost confirming features in Gears of War 2. First there was the "four co-op players" vs "for co-op players" mix-up, and now this. In a recent interview with Gamerscore Blog, Cliff more or less stated that players would not be strictly confined to playing as Marcus in Gears of War 2. "You're basically being Marcus and you're being other squad members throughout the campaign," said Bleszinski. The statement came in response to a question regarding squad commands (at about 2:00 in the video), which were utilized rarely in Gears of War and have been removed entirely from Gears of War 2. While it certainly seems more clear-cut than the four player co-op mix-up, there is still the possibility that Bleszinski was referring to co-op squad members, similar to how Dom was controlled by the second player during co-op sessions in the original game.

Still, switching between characters would be in keeping with assertions that Gears of War 2 will have a deeper storyline. We can already imagine situations where playing as another character would add significant depth to the story (such as Dom's search for his wife). The only question now is whether or not the second level will have gamers playing as a Locust.

[Via OXM UK]

Continue reading Rumor: Multiple playable characters in Gears 2 campaign

Molyneux talks Fable 2, hints at online co-op

Posted May 22nd 2008 1:30PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News

GameSpot has posted a video interview with Fable 2 maestro Peter Molyneux in which he discusses (what else) Fable 2. While most of the interview is just Peter going over things we've heard before (XBLA games, one button combat, etc.) there are a few notable bits here and there. First, most of the interview is spliced with footage of the game being played in co-op. Second, at the end of the video, Molyneux gives the tiniest hint at the next big feature reveal. Specifically, he hints that it's related to "playing together," which he enumerates as the third of Fable II's three features (the other two being drama and accessibility). Online co-op confirmed? Oh, we hope so. Finally, Molyneux hints "when the evenings draw in and it's a little bit chilly but not very chilly at night, I think we'll all be playing Fable." So, October then?

[Via GameStooge]

Analyst: PS3 to outsell 360 by more than 2:1 by 2012

Posted May 22nd 2008 1:00PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News, Console wars

It is always so much fun to post the thoughts of industry analysts. No matter what the topic, there are guaranteed to be comments regarding A) what an easy job analysts have and B) how nothing analysts say comes true. Honestly, analyst posts are fun for all ages. The latest analytical blatherskite holds that the Playstation 3 will have won the console war by 2012. Specifically, according to CNET, IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon claims that by 2012 the PS3 will have moved a whopping 107 million units. The Xbox 360? By 2012, Pidgeon predicts Microsoft will have sold just over 40 million units. In other words, the PS3 will grow exponentially year over year, whereas the 360 will grow at a much more tepid pace.

The reason: market perception. Analyst extraordinaire Michael Pachter gave his two cents, noting that Microsoft has "an image issue." Essentially, the 360, according to Pachter, is perceived as a console for hardcore gamers only, whereas the PS3 (and more specifically Sony) is perceived as family friendly. Aaron Greenberg, 360 product manager, naturally disagrees, noting that the Xbox 360 has more million-selling titles than either the Wii or PS3 and that the 360 has "the largest game lineup, and the most exclusive titles."

Continue reading Analyst: PS3 to outsell 360 by more than 2:1 by 2012

BioShock will splash onto the PS3 [update 2]

Posted May 22nd 2008 12:30PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News

Update 2: Okay, we admit it ... it's true. BioShock is headed to the PS3.

Update: This rumor is beginning to be more factual then not, with news that next month's EGM will also be revealing the PS3 version of BioShock. And it's reportedly scheduled to release around Christmas '08. Interesting ...

A warning to 360 fanboys who pride themselves on being selfish and protective over their 360 exclusive titles. We have rumor news that will not sit well with you.

CVG is reporting that next month's issue of UK PSM3 promises an in-depth look at (deep breath kids) BioShock for the PS3. ZOMG! Shocker! According to early magazine reports, the PS3 version of BioShock is said to be superior to the currently Xbox 360 exclusive version, packed with all previously released DLC and improved visuals. While you wipe your selfish fanboys tears, take comfort that this news is still firmly planted in the rumor garden and know that even if it does turn out to be true, you being the 360 fanboy that you already experienced the world of Rapture last year. Now, buck up.

[Via PS3 Fanboy, Thanks xenocidic]

Crimson Skies may, one day, fly again

Posted May 22nd 2008 12:00PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News

1UP posted a pretty interesting recap of one of the original Xbox's golden childen, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, what it was, what it ended up being and (most importantly) if we'll be seeing a sequel anytime soon. And before you get too excited, know that if a sequel were developed, it'd be a long, long while before we see it.

Long story short, after High Road to Revenge was shipped, the team started to develop yet another Crimson Skies sequel before Microsoft decided to scrap the entire project and focus on other things. Later, through an interesting turn of circumstances, the Crimson Skies franchise was purchased by the ex-Microsoft employee founded company Smith & Tinker where it currently resides. A company who admittiedly loves the Crimson Skies franchise, but is currently busy with the Capcom published Dark Void.

All said, Crimson Skies is in loving hands with Smith & Tinker, but a sequel isn't high priority right now. Though, they do leave the door open to developing more airplane funnery, admitting that they have "a lot of Crimson Skies fans around here, and if the stars aligned, it'd be something we'd definitely be willing to explore again." Our fingers are crossed.

[Via Joystiq]

Reminder: Win Lost Odyssey

Posted May 22nd 2008 11:30AM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: Contests and Giveaways

Hey fanboys, just a quick reminder that a copy of Lost Odyssey is still up for grabs. Entering the contest is as simple as leaving a comment on the official giveaway post (no, not this post, silly!), so get crackin'. Don't forget that you can enter once per calendar day (Eastern Time), so it's okay to enter today if you also entered yesterday. In fact, entering every day, including tomorrow, is the best way to maximize your odds of winning. Now, head over to the official giveaway post and enter already!

New Silent Hill: Homecoming screens damage psyche

Posted May 22nd 2008 11:00AM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News

It's a strange kind of excitement when a new batch of Silent Hill: Homecoming screenshots is released. There is happiness at the prospect of any news regarding Silent Hill and there is also the lurking fear that accompanies it. The latest screens keep most of the fear in check, thankfully, as creepiness is kept to a minimum. Sure, we do get some new shots of the nurses (as well as a new monster apparently obsessed with yoga), but we've learned to deal with them. Psychologically, at least, we can (mostly) handle the nurses. Check out the new screens and hope that Homecoming lives up to its predecessors.

Gallery: Silent Hill: Homecoming (5/21/08)

Video: Japanese Ninja Gaiden II marketing

Posted May 22nd 2008 10:30AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: Fan stuff, Videos

Being the rather "meh" Thursday that it is, we couldn't help but share with you a Japanese Ninja Gaiden II commercial that we just came across. A commercial that will make you raise an eyebrow in confusion due to the fact that it does not transcend the cultural void. Just watch the embedded video above and just try to tell yourself that you don't want to play a game that'll make you moan like a moose in heat, distort your face in pain or make you squeal like a sugar high eight year old. Oh yes, Japanese commercials sure are "interesting".

The mystery of Square Enix's secret 360 lineup

Posted May 22nd 2008 9:45AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News

Square Enix fanboys can break out the bean dip, party streamers and begin their rejoicing rituals, because it's all but confirmed that Square has a few other projects headed to our beloved Xbox 360. How can we be sure? Well, it has just been brought to our attention that the press release announcing the release date for Infinite Undiscovery also (ever so subtly) mentions that it will be "the first in a completely new lineup of Square Enix titles for Xbox 360". A new Square "lineup" that could be as few as two titles or as many as ten, but a lineup we're sure includes Last Remnant. Though, we advise following Joystiq's advice and not getting our fanboy hopes up for the next Final Fantasy installment, because only a bunch of disappointment and sadness will result. And yes, we would love to be proved wrong.

[Via Joystiq]

Would You Rather ... Ahh! Real Downloads! Edition

Posted May 21st 2008 8:00PM 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 tackling today's hot button issue. With downloadable games evolving we're wondering which titles you think should be the future of the service. While shorter (in terms of features and development time), smaller titles have been the lifeblood of Xbox Live Arcade since the origin of the service, larger more substantial games are gaining steam. But, as larger games ask a steeper price should developers shy away from a service with, seemingly, set price-points or hope they make an entertaining enough experience that the price won't be as big a factor?

Or, from a different perspective on the question, are developers wasting time creating larger games if the title demands a higher price and should they only focus on smaller titles, which is what some believe the service was bred for? Vote. Discuss. Or, you know, ignore.

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 ... Ahh! Real Downloads! Edition

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Penny Arcade Adventures

Posted May 21st 2008 7:15PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: X3F TV

For this week's XBLA in Brief, we welcome the arrival of (ahem) Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One. The first in a series of four episodes, Penny Arcade Adventures presents the very first episodic game to grace Microsoft's download service. The question that remains is whether or not it's any good. After our experience with the trial version, we'd say that it is (so long as you like Penny Arcade, role-playing games, adventure games or, even better, all three). Check out the video to find out if On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is for you.

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