Xbox Jedi

If you missed ACE Team's first-person melee title, and indie darling, Zeno Clash on PC earlier this year you'll have a second chance next March when the title comes to Xbox Live Arcade, courtesy of publisher Atlus. This won't be a straight port, however: "New modes -including all-new cooperative mode for the Tower Challenges -new features, and added content combine with a series of tweaks and improvements based on fan feedback to deliver the definitive version of the critically-acclaimed game." No word on if these "definitive" changes will make their way back to the original PC release.

Of course the Chile-based ACE Team is also hard at work developing the game's sequel so perhaps some of the tweaks in Ultimate Edition may reveal what's in store for the next iteration of the game. And with that, we add another title to the always growing list of Q1 2010 releases we have to play.

Atlus bringing Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition to XBLA in March '10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Content: Crash Course
Price: 560 Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE Regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD AND GORE,INTENSE VIOLENCE,LANGUAGE] Left 4 Dead's Crash Course starts with our Survivors right after their rescue helicopter from the No Mercy campaign crash lands on the outskirts of town. This two chapter campaign includes Co-op, Survival and Versus action, and ten new achievements. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

There's one major thing Battlefield: Bad Company 2 possesses that its insanely hyped competitors lack: A liberal dose of good old fashioned profanity. Of course, we haven't played said competitors, but we can't imagine another game's characters drop bombs of the "S" and "F" varieties as freely as those seen in the trailer above. Well, except for the two agents in House of the Dead: Overkill, but that's a special, special exception.

Fortunately, it looks like there's some solid action in there to accompany all the dirty words. Check out the trailer for an uncut, uncensored and unsuitable for work gameplay chunk from a multiplayer match in BBC2. The game, that is -- not the brainy British television channel.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 'Moments' trailer is obscenely awesome originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Against the advice of her best friend, Ellie, Jules tries to keep up with the hard partying twentysomethings and makes a complete fool of herself in the process.

Bestselling author Jon Krakauer previews his new book about the life and legacy of Pat Tillman.

Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating.

Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled.

[Via GamesIndustry]

Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A hands-on preview of Crackdown 2 at TGS last week came with a catch: deathmatch only. No matter how much potential for greatness a game might possess, it's hard to gauge its true character when limited to a boring multiplayer mode. That's not to say that my time with Crackdown 2 was entirely boring -- it wasn't -- but simply playing the most generic mode of all didn't raise my enthusiasm beyond a mild passing interest.

While I wasn't able to play the game's single-player campaign, I was shown a rough portion of it in action. Ruffian lead designer Steve Iannetta and producer James Cope showcased the game's new weapons and enemies (the mutated citizens of Pacific City that were simply referred to as "The Freaks"). Unlike the deathmatch portion of the preview session, this part was interesting.

Continue reading Preview: Crackdown 2

Preview: Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Like us, you've probably been wondering what sort of work (apart from directing people in costumes and laying on the special effects) went into Microsoft's now-legendary Halo 3: ODST live-action short, "The Life." Its creators must have anticipated our curiosity because they've put together a short-but-sweet behind the scenes video, which includes a rough cut of a scene that didn't make it into the final production.

The micro-documentary also reveals some surprising trivia about the shoot, including the fact that the opening funeral scene was shot inside the cooling tower of an operating nuclear power plant. Oh, and the battle sequence? They filmed it at the bottom of a coal strip-mine. Really? We could have swarn it was New Mombasa.

Watch the making of Halo 3: ODST live-action short originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are three new titles available to anxious Xbox Live Arcaders this week, and even though your usual host is off gallivanting around some spooky hotel, we wouldn't dare dream of not highlighting them in a new XBLA in Brief video. So strap yourself in and prepare for quite the eclectic mix of titles -- Military Madness, Football Genius and Bust-A-Move Live -- in this week's XBLA in Brief!

Shortcuts:

• Download the trial version of Military Madness
• Download the trial version of Football Genius
• Download the trial version of Bust-A-Move Live

[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly.
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Military Madness, Football Genius, Bust-A-Move Live! originally appeared on Joystiq Xbox on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Sega still refusing to respond to inquiries about Alpha Protocol's release date, it seems retailers are doing the talking for 'em: GameFly has changed its release date of "the espionage RPG" from October 27th to TBD. The video game rental site has a long-standing history to "simply post information as it is supplied to [GameFly] by the publishers."

Further requests for clarification from Sega continue to be met by the Sega Wall of Silence[TM]. We have been told by the company's development director that we should expect "an update shortly via PR." And for the record, the official release date for Alpha Protocol is still next Tuesday. Sega?

GameFly changes Alpha Protocol release to 'TBD' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(Japanese with English Subtitles)Gluttony’s twisted powers overwhelm the Elrics – and the creature’s appetite is satisfied by battle’s end. Meanwhile, Mustang acts on his suspicions of Bradley and finds himself in the belly of the beast.

We haven't heard anything about Dark Energy Digital's water physics-based horror/puzzle game Hydrophobia in nearly a year, which makes today's news that the game is heading to XBLA rather than getting a full retail release all the more jarring. According to a preview of the game by Xbox World 360 UK (as reprinted on CVG), not only is Hyrdrophobia getting the digital distribution treatment, it'll be heading to Microsoft's console in the form of "three episodes of around five hours each, to be released within a twelve month window."

The preview contains undoubtedly the largest glut of info on the game we've seen since we first heard about it way back in 2007 -- when it was still planned for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Apparently the episodes could continue if they prove successful enough, though no word is given on if they'll ever head to PS3 and PC. The game has already missed its planned March 2009 release window and dropped a few consoles for its eventual release, so we've reached out to Dark Energy Digital for more details.

[Update: Dark Energy Digital got back to us with some fresh shots from the game (seen above).]

Hydrophobia floats to XBLA, goes episodic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=3/3, Mature Content=2/3. Tarot Card Reader. Select From 3 different types of readings: 1 Card, 3 Card, or Celtic Cross. You can also browse the cards and their meanings.

Leung, a man of unrivaled loyalty, has given his life to protecting Wong, a powerful leader of an elite Chinese underground society. When asked to travel overseas and guard a young woman whose identity is secret, he learns that if her secret were to be exposed it would result in the demise of an entire regime. Protecting her proves to be the easy part of this assignment when he discovers that Wong’s son has been lying to his father in an effort to overthrow his reign. Now, the fate of Wong’s dynasty is riding on the betrayal of his son and the destiny of a nation has landed in the hands of Leung.

With new allies and old enemies, Robin Hood returns for a third series full of thrilling adventures, as Robin and his gang continue to outwit the dastardly sheriff and his forces. As the series begins, the outlaws are in disarray. Marian is dead and a grief-stricken Robin has split up the gang to launch a solo mission to avenge her and kill Gisborne. Will Robin Hood be able to overcome his loss and rally once more against the tyrannical reign of the Sheriff, Gisborne and Prince John?

LinkedIn continues to provide our only link to the status of a true sequel to Dead Space. A recent job posting on the professional networking site, created by EA senior recruiter Jeff Ballard, reports, "The previous installment in the Dead Space franchise received numerous awards ... and the same core team is in place to create an even better follow up." The posting adds, "The game is in the later stages of pre-production, ready for production in the next few months, with many of the navigational and combat mechanics in place."

With the point-n-shoot spin-off, Dead Space Extraction, releasing this week for Wii, confirmation that the core-series sequel (expected for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC) will soon roll into production phase comes as welcome news to fans looking for the franchise to stay the traditional course. Hopefully, EA and developer Visceral Games' transmissions will continue to pick up from here on out.

[Via superannuation]

Dead Space 2 entering production in 'next few months' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We thought we had a grasp on this month's Avatar Marketplace content, but some late arrivals have just popped up, namely the two Mass Effect items listed in the title of this very post! If you're playing catch-up on what's in the Avatar Marketplace, check out our extensive look at its launch on Xbox Live.

• Mass Effect Alliance Dress Uniform - 160 ($2)
• Mass Effect Mako RC - 240 ($3)

[Thanks, James!]

Avatar Marketplace update: Mass Effect dress shirt, Mako RC originally appeared on Joystiq Xbox on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Jun Takeuchi surprised Tokyo Game Show attendees with a motion-controlled version of Resident Evil 5 (subtitled "Alternative Edition"), he also revealed some new included content, reportedly a flashback scene set in the Spencer Mansion featuring Jill Valentine.

According to an IGN translation of a Dengeki Online article, the new scene (and whatever else Alternative Edition includes) may not be constrained to Sony's platform. Dengeki says that the new content may come to 360, but in a "different format," possibly implying a DLC release on Xbox Live Marketplace.

It's great news, but keep in mind: there will only be motion control-support on one platform.

New Resident Evil 5 content may also come to Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Wain Open, Freaks, Kill Tim, The Andersons, Festis: The Birthday Hobo, The Animal Song, ‘Booger, Booger & Fartybutt,’ The Funeral, Asides, and MTV Christmas Party Video.

Our super vain Tools learn an important lesson in modesty and face their biggest insecurities by starting with the man in the mirror.

Tanner’s Guide to Jane, Prom Photos, Sea Monkeys, Hits from the 70’s I, Hits from the 70’s II, Kabuki Doug, Toothbrush, Lincoln Logs, Staring Contest, and The Popes–a Visit.

Get a behind the scenes look at the brand new season of 30 Rock. Coming off its 3rd consecutive Emmy win for Best Comedy, Liz and the rest of the TGS crew are back for another season filled with laughs and special guests.

With Activision already asking consumers to plunk down over $100 for the DJ Hero peripheral later this month, it's only fair that more games use it -- but only if those titles belong to the publisher. With that, GI.biz reports that "at least one independent UK games developer" is working with Activision's Freestyle Games on DJ Hero 2. Go on ... pretend you're in any way surprised.

Considering what Activision has done with the Guitar Hero franchise, it wouldn't exactly be a shock if DJ Hero 2, DJ Hero 3 and DJ Hero: Scratch the '80s all hit within a year of each other.

Feign surprise: DJ Hero 2 allegedly in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A few new Mass Effect Avatar items have been posted. I've uploaded a couple of high res screens shots to give you a better idea of what a many of them look like.

 

Zeke and Luther decide to start a skate camp for neighborhood kids who all have a great time except for Ozzie, who's a disaster.

The 200+ Game Crazy stores expected to close by the end of October will begin a liquidation sale, starting this weekend. Locations expected to shutter have received boxes and a list of items that are to be sent back for redistribution, which allegedly includes "all systems, major first party accessories (controllers, memory, etc)." The "majority" of games released within the last year will be also be sent out, "both new and used." Several employees have commented that closing stores will likely be "pretty bare" by the time the sale starts.

The timetable for the liquidation, corroborated by several sources:

• 10/3-10/11: 30% off everything in the store
• 10/12-10/18: 50% off everything in the store
• 10/19-Closing: 80% off everything in the store

There doesn't seem to be a consistent date for when the stores will close, but we haven't heard of any location staying open beyond October 27.

We continue to work on getting a master list of which stores are closing, as well as a list of items sent back for redistribution. Request for official comment from Game Crazy corporate on several issues, including what customers with pre-orders at closing stores should do, have gone unanswered. If you're a Game Crazy employee with more details, please feel free to contact us*.

*Tips will remain confidential, please leave a valid email address in case we have further questions. Thank you!

Update 2: If you know of specific locations closing, click here.

Update: Adjusted liquidation dates slightly following new information.

[Thank you to everyone who contributed to this story!]

Closing Game Crazy stores begin clearance sales this weekend [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Content: Military Madness: Nectaris
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Korea
Dash Text: The Military is back for a new generation of recruits! The classic turn-based strategy series Military Madness, aka Nectaris, returns with an all-new graphical barrage and a host of new features. In addition to the single-player campaign, you and your allies can wage war offline or online in 4-person multiplayer, either in teams or every man for himself. As you bask in the glow of victory or suffer crushing defeats, check the online leaderboards to compare your skills against those of other generals. There’s even an all-new multiplayer-only unit, the Commander, which has 20 unique abilities to turn the tide of battle. This is the maddest game in the series yet! This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage.

Add Military Madness: Nectaris to your Xbox 360 download queue

 

Content: Football Genius - The Ultimate Quiz
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in India
Dash Text: Are you a Football Genius? Test your football knowledge in the ultimate quiz! Features 6 questions packs covering International, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish football with over 3500 questions about your favourite teams, players and tournaments!

 

 

 

Add Football Genius - The Ultimate Quiz to your Xbox 360 download queue



Content: BUST-A-MOVE Live!
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Australia, India, Korea and New Zealand
Dash Text: Bust-A-Move returns, with its original gameplay still intact: Fire bubbles at the bubble clusters on each stage to destroy them!

Add BUST-A-MOVE Live! to your Xbox 360 download queue

 

Beardan High, Boy in a Barn, ‘The Jew, The Italian and The Red Head Gay,’ Blueberry Johnson, Let’s Move Out, For Chelsea, Just the 160,000 of Us, In The Bathroom, and Monkeys Do It.

When Zeke and Luther use an old bungee cord to get air, Zeke ends up smashing Jumpsuit Johnson's lawn ornaments. Zeke and Luther go on the lam when Jumpsuit and a rookie cop investigate the crime.

Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn present their short spoof on Twilight for the Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX.