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Halo Graphic Novel Digital Preview

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters, Xbox, Xbox 360,

Master Chief The Halo Graphic Novel will hit the streets on July 26, 2006, but those gamers looking for a preview of the stories that will populate the book can find such on Marvel.com; user registration is required for the interactive preview, but there are glimpses into the stories that will be told, as well as some previews of the one-shot art pages. Included in the preview are some of the pages from famed artists Simon Bisley and Jean “Moebius” Giraud. The graphic novel hopes to expand the Halo universe, and back fill some of the open questions left by the game.

Halo 2 Matchmaking: Monthly Game Breakdown

Posted by Josh Smith Categories: First Person Shooters, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

If you are a regular reader of Major Nelson’s blog you cannot help but notice that Halo 2 is still topping the “Original Xbox Top Live Games” list. Halo 2 has been seated in the top ten for as long as I can remember and recently has kept the number one position many weeks running. Several factors can contribute to the long lasting success of Halo 2. The lack of any other killer app for the original Xbox has lead many to use the Xbox as simply Halo 2 console. The ease of matchmaking and fun gameplay has also contributed to the long championship rein of Halo 2. Whatever the reason Halo 2 is a lasting force in the Xbox and Xbox 360 world.

Last week Bungie announced that over half a billion games of Halo 2 have been played on Xbox Live. They followed up last weeks announcement with the news that Halo 2 matchmaking is still plowing through roughly 20 million games a month. To put that into context 20 million, is the same number of games being played when Halo 2 was released. Whether you believe Halo 2 is still in the top spot because it is an amazing game or because the Xbox competition was lacking retaining this many players a year and a half later is an amazing accomplishment.

How To Talk Trash on Xbox Live

Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters, Internet, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

Do you often find your trash talk lacking? Do you feel like you can’t get a word in edgewise on Xbox Live? Are you sick of being berated by masters of smack? Your hook-up has finally arrived. Check out Fireborn’s “How to talk Smack on Xbox Live”. Enjoy the educational video and remember, on Xbox Live its not how you play, but what you say!

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New Perfect Dark Zero Multiplayer Maps Released

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, First Person Shooters, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace,

Perfect Dark Zero Maps Microsoft Game Studios and Rare today announced that they will be expanding the already extensive and exciting multiplayer experience of “Perfect Dark Zero” by adding four new battleground maps available now for download on Xbox Live Marketplace.

The four new maps, Plaza, Rooftops, Trench, and GasPlant will provide gamers with the ability to further their mission of becoming the Perfect Agent. All maps will be fully functional with all existing scenarios. Gamers can purchase these exciting new maps for 500 Microsoft Points from Xbox Live Marketplace beginning today.

Halo 3 E3 Trailer Documentary Now Available

Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Corporate News, E3, First Person Shooters, Trailers, Xbox 360,

Halo 3 Trailer Documentary Last week Bungie confirmed that a documentary about the making of the Halo 3 E3 trailer was forthcoming. Today they released the video which is available on Bungie.net in QuickTime and Windows Media formats including HD versions. Surprisingly the documentary is not currently available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Included in the documentary are new angles and scenes, a feature on making the music for the trailer, along with “hints of things to come”. The video also features Bungie employee reactions to the end of Halo 2 and humorous comments about the development process.

The most notable quote comes from Martin O’Donnell, aka Marty, “We want this to be the return of the king. We want this to be the final chapter in an epic trilogy.”

Playfeed Review: Half-Life 2: Episode One Impressions

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: First Person Shooters, PC, Reviews,

Half-Life 2: Episode One takes place directly after the events of the original Half-Life 2. The original game shipped in November, 2004, and was a huge success. Now, in 2006, the episodic sequels have started shipping. Overall, Episode One is a great introduction to the new trilogy of content, and maintains the original Half-Life 2 feel, while introducing just enough new to the world to help keep things fresh. The drawback is the length: there are roughly four to six hours of gameplay in the new “episode” and the hours are so entertaining that they seem to go by even quicker than that. We put the game through the paces, and you can check out our full review - after the jump.

Click to continue reading Playfeed Review: Half-Life 2: Episode One Impressions

Muslim Video Game Company : Afkar Media

Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters, PC, Strategy,

Description The Christian Science Monitor reports on a Muslim company called Afkar Media which is producing games with an emphasis on positive roles of Muslims in gaming. The company focuses on providing an alternate view of Arabs to westerners through the use of video games. Afkar’s latest game is based on the first 100 years of Islam History and is titled Al-Quraysh. Other than bolstering a positive view of Muslims in the western world Afkar media hopes to provide positive role models for Arab and Muslim youth. Al-Quraysh appears to be a RTS game along the lines of World of Warcraft and the Command and Conquer series.

Afkar Media previously published Under Siege (not the Steven Seagal Movie!), a first person shooter which dealt with tension between Palestine and Israel. Under Siege was released in 2005 and had a lukewarm reception due to lackluster graphics, however the title sold over 100,000 copies sold in the Arab world alone.

Halo 3 Documentary Coming Soon to Bungie.net

Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Action, First Person Shooters, Internet, Trailers, Xbox 360,

Coming soon, you’ll be able to see a documentary of the making of the Halo 3 trailer on Bungie.net. From the company’s weblog:

“Some of our sharp-eyed fans may have noticed Marty hinted at an upcoming documentary on Bungie.net. It was supposed to be a surprise, but since the man himself gave it away, we can in fact reveal that we have a documentary short that shows the process and people involved in making the E3 trailer, complete with some never before seen scenes (think angles, really) from the trailer. This was the goodie I had hinted at in a previous update.”

No specifics were given yet as to when we can expect to see this documentary appear, but it should be interesting to see the blood, sweat and tears that went into getting the trailer ready for E3.

AOL Partners With World Series of Video Games

Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Corporate News, Culture, First Person Shooters, PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360,

AOL has announced a partnership with the World Series of Video Games (WSVG). This partnership brings the global presence and reach of AOL together with the video game tournaments and presence of the WSVG. AOL will be dedicating a page to the the group which will feature AOL profiles, videos from the circuits, along with tips and tricks from the pros. The partnership also includes deals with Future US publishing which will cross promote the events in their many publications. Editors from Future US’s magazines will be at tournaments to host panels on how to “Break into the Video Games Biz”. Down the road AOL will host PC gaming events for the WSVG which is owned by Games Media Properties.

The article states that the World Series of Video Games is the first international video game circuit on multiple platforms. This may come as news to Major League Gaming who have hosted tournaments on both the Xbox and the Gamecube in 28 countries. The World Series of Games appears to offer much more variety to the gaming circuit. They offer competitions for many games including, World of Warcraft, Halo 2, Ghost Recon Advanced Warrior, Quake 4, and Project Gotham Racing 3. The tournaments will also feature pick up games of Dance Dance Revolution and other games.

Nova Scotia Troops Trained By Video Games

Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters, PC, Simulation,

Reservists in Nova Scotia may soon be training in Canada’s largest virtual battle lab known as Gagetown Labs. The training features games such as Steel Beasts, First to Fight and SWAT 4. In the article Major Tim Workman points out the flaws in training troops with video games which were made for retail shelves. The problems include unlimited ammo, no fatigue, and the ability to be shot and continue fighting. These all add together to reinforce the Rambo mentality which is deadly in the real battlefield.

The LAN Party headquarters of Canada is currently trying to tweak Virtual Battlespace to allow for more realistic situations. In other attempts to impart realism into video games Gagetown has started requiring half of the 8 man squad complete a mission alive in order to pass and by removing a soldier from play after one hit. While the training is not yet in widespread use Gagetown envisions SWAT 4 which requires players to warn hostiles and use non lethal force first to be helpful in urban combat situations present in Iraq.

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