For those obsessed with such things, the Achievement details can be found after the break. Oh, and according the post at 360sync, the devs will be Live and playing on the night of release.
Posts with tag marathon
Marathon DLC (Jjaro Map Pack) hitting tomorrow
For those obsessed with such things, the Achievement details can be found after the break. Oh, and according the post at 360sync, the devs will be Live and playing on the night of release.
Continue reading Marathon DLC (Jjaro Map Pack) hitting tomorrow
Marathon: Durandal DLC video blowout
- Duality
- Thick and Chunky
- Melatonin
- Mime Target
- Fortress Lh'owon
- Arena
- Mars Needs Women
- Vulcan
- Beyond Thunderdome
[Thanks, StLouisRibs]
New Marathon maps and achievements on the way
We're not sure how many more maps could wind up in the upcoming DLC. Keep your eyes on X3F for the latest on what to expect and details on when the DLC will be available.
Continue reading New Marathon maps and achievements on the way
Marathon motion sickness gets cured
Freeverse sends word that a title update for Marathon: Durandal is now available. Among other things, the update gives players the option to choose a wider field of view. This option is supposed to help players that have experienced motion sickness whilst playing the game. We haven't personally experienced the alleged motion sickness, so we can't tell you whether or not a wider field of view fixes the problem. If you've fallen victim to the illness yourself, you may want to fire up Marathon and give the new setting a try. Once you're done, come back here and share the results with the rest of the class (unless the result is vomit; you don't need to share that).
Marathon causes loss of lunch?
While we have yet to enjoy such things ourselves (thanks to an unwelcome visitor), reports are coming in that the Xbox Live Arcade version of Marathon: Durandal is making people a little queasy. As many gamers know, first person shooter games can often induce motion sickness, and it seems that this effect is magnified by Marathon. Joystiq spoke to Freeverse, developers of the XBLA port, about this issue to see if they could get some answers. Freeverse noted that Marathon's popularity and the spreading internet rumor that it can make people sick is probably responsible for most of the outcry. Frankly, we find the idea of a gamer-centric, psychosomatic illness spread via the internet to be highly entertaining.
Freeverse isn't laughing the matter away however, and is investigating the issue. In the meantime, they suggest that players play the game with the "camera bob" option turned on. This should keep the game from appearing smoother than it should be. Furthermore, make sure you're not sitting to close to the TV (duh).
Out of curiosity, have any readers out there experienced motion sickness while playing Marathon: Durandal?
Marathon and Board Games hit XBLA
It's Wednesday and that means it's time for some brand new Arcade goodness. This week, you have two games from which to choose (which often seems to be the case these days). You can bring home a little slice of Bungie history with Marathon: Durandal, or you can enjoy some Vision Cam enabled chicanery with Spyglass Board Games. Both games feature multiplayer fun with Marathon offering splitscreen, system-link, and Live play (both co-op and versus), while Spyglass Board Games offers the aforementioned Vision Cam 1-on-1 play. Marathon will cost you 800 Microsoft bucks and Spyglass Board Games will set you back 400. Which will it be for you? Or, dare we ask, are you crazy enough to buy both?
This week on XBLA: Marathon and Spyglass Board Games
The days when Xbox Live Arcade releases were few and far between seem to be a distant memory now. Here we are again this week with yet another double scoop of downloadable pleasure. This week we have two surprisingly different games. In one corner, we have Marathon: Durandal, an old school FPS (and Halo precursor) that we had the good fortune to sample at E3 a couple weeks ago. In the other corner we have Spyglass Board Games, which offers classic board games with integrated video chat. The four games included are chess, checkers, Reversi, and our favorite, mancala. Marathon: Durandal and Spyglass Board Games will be available this Wednesday for 800 and 400 points respectively.
Gallery: Marathon: Durandal (XBLA)
Gallery: Spyglass Board Games (XBLA)
Marathon: Durandal video takes us back
If you're really inclined to delve into Halo's history, you can grab the entire Marathon trilogy for free.
Marathon: Durandal confirmed for XBLA
The torrent of Xbox 360 news from the E3 press conference continues as, Microsoft confirmed in an Xbox Live Arcade reel that Marathon: Durandal is indeed heading to Xbox Live Arcade. Given that the game was rated by the USK and subsequently pulled from the USK's database, this should come as no surprise to X3F readers. The brief clip showed off at the press conference revealed improved graphics over its aging PC/Mac counterpart. For those unaware, the Marathon series is something of a spiritual precursor to the Halo series, featuring many similar plot and design elements. In essence, Marathon is the primordial ooze out of which Halo born. No price or release date have been announced.
Oh, and, for the record, we totally called it (last year even).
USK removes Marathon 2 rating for 360
Either we spoke too soon, or Microsoft's ninjas are pretty damned quick. X3F readers will recall that the USK (essentially Germany's version of the ESRB) rated Marathon: Durandal for the Xbox 360 last week. This led us to assume that our wild speculation from last November was true, and that Marathon was making its way to Xbox Live Arcade. Now, it looks like something is amiss. We checked the USK listing during our weekly Fancast recording session on Sunday, and lo and behold, the listing was gone (gasp!). No, really, check for yourself.
So, here's the question: was the USK hallucinating, or has Microsoft demanded that the USK lower the veil of secrecy on what should have been a top-secret project?
USK rates Bungie's Marathon for 360
Last November, just prior to Halo's birthday, we (wildly) speculated that Marathon might be heading to Xbox Live Arcade. Obviously, we were incorrect ... then. It seems our precognitive powers were even more potent than we realized, as Marathon, Bungie classic and spiritual predecessor to Halo, has been rated by the USK (Germany's ratings board) for the Xbox 360. To be precise, the entry is for Marathon: Durandal, which is actually Marathon 2. This leaves us to wonder whether the original will make the jump as well. Already our minds are reeling with yet more speculation. Will Marathon: Durandal receive a graphical upgrade? Will we see each game in the series hit Xbox Live Arcade, leading up to the inevitable release of Halo 3? We have no idea, but we hope we'll be hearing more soon.
[Via XBLArcade. Thanks, Ankalagon]
What are you playing: Old School edition
This is an interesting week. We are fast approaching the hectic holiday season, the PS3 finally launched today, and the Halo 3 hype train is at full steam. I was a little disappointed that my wild speculation about Bungie's Marathon coming to Arcade was wrong, so I decided to download it for PC. It is free, after all. It takes a tiny extra step to make it run on PC (it was originally a Mac title) but it's worth it for a piece of Halo history (does that hand in the screenshot look familiar?). If you're having trouble installing, go here.
Back on 360, of course there is Gears, I'm still collecting gold bricks in Lego Star Wars II, and chasing after the "Bulletproof" Achievement in Contra. Frankly, winning with one credit is hard, but I won't be satisfied until I can do it in one life. How 'bout the rest of you? What are you playing this weekend? Hit me up if you want to play some Gears or the Vegas demo. (Any 360 fanboys brave enough to admit they're hoping to play Resistance?)
Leaderboards (time for Mk. III?):
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard Mk. II
What were you playing (WRUP archive)
Halo b-day gift: H3 demo, Marathon arcade?
The internet and wild speculation are like peanut butter and chocolate; they just go together. Today's wild speculation began when I ran across this entry on Phuze (which actually looks like a cool ezine). The speculations goes a little something ... a-like-a this: Bungie reported in their most recent update that there was a special "BIG" Halo announcement coming this week, in celebration of Halo's fifth anniversary on Wednesday, November 15th. 1UP's Halo 3 page lists a "Special Halo Announcement" as part of tomorrow's coverage. Phuze speculates that this announcement is probably something along the lines of an official release date -- and we agree -- but proffers the tantalizing possibility of something more. What if, wonder of wonders, it's an actual playable Halo 3 demo? Is it possible? Very slightly, yes. After all, as Phuze notes, all these game journos were playing a multiplayer build as early as last month, so it's possible (not to mention it's a great way to make 360 owners forget about the PS3).
Allow us to add even more fuel to the fire. Tomorrow, as most of you are no doubt aware, is Wednesday. Wednesday typically marks the release of a new Xbox Live Arcade title. Could Bungie have an Xbox Live Arcade title lined up for the anniversary of Halo? If they do, what better way to celebrate Halo's birthday than by releasing its spiritual prequel, Marathon? So there you have it. If Bungie releases Marathon on XBLA tomorrow, you heard it here first. If they don't ... well then why the hell were you listening to us in the first place?
