Category: Xbox 360

Tomb Raider Delayed to 2013

The highly anticipated Tomb Raider has been delayed to 2013. Being developed by Crystal Dynamics and set to be published by Square Enix, the game was a fantastic surprise at E3 2011 and on my most-wanted list for 2012. Sadly for everyone amped for the game, the wait will be a wee bit longer. In a statement to the series’ fans, Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher wrote:

Our priority now is to make sure we fully deliver the very highest quality game. In order to do this, we have decided to move the game’s release date by a few months, from Fall 2012 to the first quarter of 2013.

The good news is that the delay is only a few months. Hopefully the developers will make a game that was worth the wait. With the customary onslaught of games in Q4, I don’t mind waiting a bit longer. How about you? How do you feel about Tomb Raider being delayed until 2013?

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

After several relatively slow weeks, the ides of May takes the gaming world by storm. Blizzard’s Diablo III leads the way; millions of gamers have been waiting for this one for years and it’s almost here! Also high on many a gamers wish list is Rockstar’s Max Payne 3. With the show’s second season kicking all sorts of ass, Atlus should enjoy brisk sales of Game of Thrones. While I still have problems accepting that the movie actually exists, the companion videogame Battleship has me thinking about the impossibility of Rihanna and Turtle from Entourage joining the Navy. One of the oldest driving-game series makes a return in Test Drive: Ferrari Legends. Lastly, Mario Tennis Open has caused many of my friend to figure out where the hell they put their Nintendo 3DS systems.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

Internet Explorer 9 Coming to Xbox 360?

Rumor has it that Microsoft is testing a version of Internet Explorer 9 customized for the Xbox 360. According to the slicksters at The Verge, this version of IE9 will use Kinect for motion controls and voice commands. Is this something you guys and dolls are interested in? Are you looking for a robust web-browsing experience on your home console?

I’ve never been impressed with web browsing on consoles. Part of it is that rendering can often be wonky and part of it is the gamepad interface. A Kinect-driven IE9 has the potential to solve both issues. Despite its many problems, Google TV’s version of Chrome showed that it’s possible to pull off a quality browsing experience on a television. I could see IE9 on Xbox 360 matching or exceeding that experience.

What are your thoughts on possibly having IE9 for Xbox 360?

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Play as Stan Lee in The Amazing Spider-Man

Activision has revealed some sweet pre-order bonuses for The Amazing Spider-Man. If you pre-order the game from GameStop then you get a mode called “The Rhino Challenge”. Here’s the description from the press release: “Take control of the massive, genetically engineered villain Rhino and rampage around Manhattan in an exclusive gameplay challenge of pure destruction! As Rhino, players will be able to unleash his formidable powers to destroy anything and everything that gets in his way in a timed event full of speed, combo streaks, and of course, a ton of things to break!”

The super-cool bonus comes from buying the game through Amazon. You get to play as legendary creator Stan Lee! Here’s the official description: “Players will take on the role of Stan ‘The Man’ Lee in his own special mission across Manhattan, borrowing abilities from his old pal Spider-Man as they help Stan collect pages of his latest script in a spectacular race around Manhattan. Stan’s mission is punctuated with his witty banter that fans have come to know and love, and a special surprise waits for them at the end of the mission — after all, it is Spider-Man’s 50th anniversary this year!”

Both pre-order bonuses are for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game only.

As a proper comic-book nerd, of course I’m psyched about the Amazon bonus. The Rhino Challenge sounds like fun and all, but playing as the beloved and legendary Stan Lee sounds completely awesome. In fact, I think every game should let you play as Stan Lee. I guarantee that the reviews would better.

Any of you psyched for either of the pre-order bonuses for The Amazing Spider-Man?

TeleHuman: Six Kinect Sensors Used to Make Life-Size Hologram

TeleHuman is a fascinating project from the minds of Queen’s University’s Dr. Roel Vertegaal and his research team. The project uses “an array of microsoft kinect sensors, a 3d projector, a 1.8 metre-tall translucent acrylic cylinder and a convex mirror” to make life-size holograms. As you can see from the video above, it’s some seriously cool tech. There are some practical uses for it such as video-conferencing and medical applications, but nerds would use it to live out their Star Trek fantasies. I could easily spend hours a day taking 3D scans of objects, people, pets, etc. in order to beam them up. If only I could find my translucent acrylic cylinder….

What do you think of TeleHuman?

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Subscription Xbox 360 is Here…With Early Termination Fees

The rumors were true! Microsoft is now offering the 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect for $99 with a two-year contract. Monthly service for Xbox Live Gold costs $14.99 per month under the agreement. Similar to mobile-phone contracts, the subsidized Xbox 360 comes with an early termination fee should you cancel service. The fees range from $250 to $12 depending on when you cancel. Check out the handy chart below for reference.

Like I said before, I’m super curious to see how popular this model will be. In North America, subsidized phones are the norm. For various reasons, some gamers seem to have a problem with a subsidized console. That said, I suspect that vocal minority is comprised of enthusiast gamers and that mainstream consumers will be attracted to this deal.

What do you think? Will Microsoft have success selling the Xbox 360 with a subscription?

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Update: RPadholic smartguy noted that in many regions, the console will be taxed at the full $299 retail cost. This is similar to taxes paid on subsidized phones.

Conan O’Brien and 343 Talk Halo 4

Here’s an awesome Halo 4 sketch from Conan starring 343 Industries executive producer Kiki Wolfkill and franchise director (and outstandingly handsome man) Frank O’Connor. In the sketch, Conan talks about his character in Halo 4, getting to understand his background and motivation. Naturally, Conan brings in Andy Richter to join him in the game and a sweet voiceover session ensues.

It’s brilliant to see videogames getting mainstream coverage on great shows like Conan. It’s also totally cool thank Frankie was on television. Dude is a total stud. Anyway, check out the sketch below and let me know what you think (please!).

“Free” Movies, TV Shows, and Music on Xbox Live This Weekend

Microsoft is running a promotion called “Entertainment Unlocked” that offers numerous movie, television, and music services for free. Normally, these services require an Xbox Live Gold membership. From 9:00 AM Pacific Time on April 19, 2012, to 9:00 AM Pacific Time on April 23, 2012, they will be available to all Xbox Live members. Here’s a list of what you’ll be able to enjoy this weekend:

• CinemaNow
• Crackle
• Dailymotion
• EPIX
• ESPN
• HBO Go
• Hulu Plus2
• iHeartRadio
• Last.fm
• MSN
• Netflix
• Syfy
• TMZ
• TODAY
• UFC
• Verizon FiOS
• VEVO
• Vudu
• Xfinity TV on Demand
• YouTube

It’s nice to see Microsoft using the tried-and-true crack-cocaine model of giving a taste away for free. I kid, I kid.

Seriously though, are there any services you’d like to try out this weekend? If so, please leave your picks in the comments section.

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s another light week for solid game releases. Thankfully, meaty games like The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Xbox 360 should keep gamers occupied for weeks to come. I’m curious to hear what you guys and dolls think of this one. As many of you know, the PC version was one of RPadholic smartguy’s favorite games of 2011. While there will obviously be a hit in the graphics department, the other elements of this stellar game should remain intact. The PlayStation Vita gets a great tactical RPG in Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention. Like the other games in the series, it features ridiculous depth, addictive gameplay, and a unique sense of humor.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

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