Tag: Xbox 360

BioWare Reveals Dragon Age II Details

BioWare has revealed the initial details on the hotly anticipated Dragon Age II, which is due out in Q1 2011. The sequel to one of my favorite games this generation, the game appears to be going in a different direction than the original Here’s a clip from the official site:

Experience the epic sequel to the 2009 Game of the Year from the critically acclaimed makers of Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. You are one of the few who escaped the destruction of your home. Now, forced to fight for survival in an ever-changing world, you must gather the deadliest of allies, amass fame and fortune, and seal your place in history. This is the story of how the world changed forever. The legend of your Rise to Power begins now.

BioWare claims that it will be using a different combat system and art style for DAII. While I thoroughly enjoyed the combat of the first game, some felt that it was limited and old fashioned. The graphics in the original weren’t bad, but were hardly cutting edge. The visuals in the sequel should be more modern. Here are the bullet points from the official site:

  • Embark upon an all-new adventure that takes place across an entire decade and shapes itself around every decision you make.
  • Determine your rise to power from a destitute refugee to the revered champion of the land.
  • Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.
  • Go deeper into the world of Dragon Age with an entirely new cinematic experience that grabs hold of you from the beginning and never lets go.
  • Discover a whole realm rendered in stunning detail with updated graphics and a new visual style.

The game’s story isn’t as transparent as the original’s. Instead of playing a point-of-view character with the name and origin of your choice, DAII uses a set protagonist. The game’s press release gave more details:

Dragon Age 2 thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age. Known to be a survivor of the Blight and the Champion of Kirkwall, the legend around Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor. Featuring an all-new story spanning 10 years, players will help tell that tale by making tough moral choices, gathering the deadliest of allies, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history. The way you play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.

I’m super psyched for the game (duh), but a little disappointed that it isn’t a direct sequel. I put a lot of time into my DA characters and their relationships. I was under the impression that I would learn the fate of my character’s decision with Morrigan. While I’m sure the repercussions will be addressed, it would have been more meaningful to experience the direct consequences.

Having said that, I can’t wait to learn more about Dragon Age II! The first trailer hits on August 17, 2010. Now where’s my countdown clock???

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Dragon Age: Origins Leliana’s Song DLC Available Now

BioWare has released the “Leliana’s Song” DLC for the outstanding Dragon Age: Origins. This DLC prequel examines Leliana’s past as an Orlesian spy, detailing her relationship with Marjolaine and the circumstances that led her to seek refuge with the chantry. The DLC costs 560 BioWare Points on PC, 560 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live, and $7 on PlayStation Network. Here are some details from the official site:

  • Explore Leliana’s dangerous past and why she joined the Chantry
  • A fully voiced cinematic experience brings the characters to life
  • Unlock a unique reward that transfers into your Awakening and Origins campaign
  • All-new musical compositions instensify the action and intrigue

As many of you know, DA is one of my favorite games this console generation. I’ve already downloaded the DLC and will be playing it later today. Expect a not-a-review in the near future…whether you want it or not, muahahahaha!!!

Anyone planning to download “Leliana’s Song”?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There’s only one interesting game coming out this week — Crackdown 2. So…anyone planning to pick this title up? I enjoyed the first one and like what I saw when I previewed the sequel in April. The game is actually on my Xbox 360 now and I need to fire it up later today. You guys want a not-a-review for this?

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of May 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for May 2010. There were a lot of great releases in May, which is traditionally a slow month for the business. Some of your favorites made the list and there were a few surprises as well. Let’s check out the digits!

  1. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 945,900
  2. Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 567,100
  3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 563,000
  4. UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360): 221,100
  5. UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3): 192,300
  6. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
  7. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
  8. Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
  9. Pokemon SoulSilver (Nintendo DS)
  10. Skate 3 (Xbox 360)

Perhaps it’s just me, but I’m used to seeing more Nintendo games in the top 10. Ha! Obviously Red Dead Redemption was May’s killer title. UFC 2010 did well, which shouldn’t be a surprise. I was happy to see games like Alan Wake and Skate 3 on the list; they didn’t get as much hype and commercial time as some of May’s other titles, but they did well. Naturally, Nintendo continued to do well with Mario and Pokemon.

Anything on May’s list surprise you?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for May 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for May 2010. The gaming industry is still in a year-over-year decline, but will May’s console hardware sales help the business bust out of the slump? Let’s check out the numbers:

  • Nintendo DS: 383,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 334,800
  • Xbox 360: 194,600
  • PlayStation 3: 154,500
  • PlayStation Portable: 59,400

The Wii and Xbox 360 are up from April, but the rest of the systems are down. For the Nintendo DS, the difference isn’t that big of a deal since it’s trouncing the competition and continues to sell extremely well. Sony was slightly down and put up decent numbers, but not enough to compete with the Xbox 360. With a lot of gamers excited about the 360 hardware refresh, I’d be surprised if the gap didn’t widen in May.

Any thoughts on these lovely numbers? Uh…fore?!? Ha!

Mega64’s TruthPhones Help You Understand E3 2010 Keynotes

Here’s another hilarious video from the peeps at Mega64. This time around they reveal TruthPhones — a peripheral that helps you understand what’s really going on at the E3 press conferences held by Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony. Check it out! It’s awesome!!!

“Xbox Arcade” Games Easy Ports for Windows Phone 7

As many of you know, I’ve been anxious for details on how Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 7 will interact with Xbox 360. Although Apple’s iOS is extremely popular and Google’s Android is growing at a crazy pace, Windows Phone 7 has a chance to stand out by positioning itself as the gamer’s mobile operating system. TechRadar was able to extract some details on WP7 from Microsoft’s Oded Ran:

There are four million Xboxes in the UK compared to 2.5 million iPhones; we’re now working with developers who know how to make games, and they’re able to port Xbox Arcade games to mobile phones easily.

Before you get too excited, it should be noted that not every Xbox Live Arcade game is an instant port to Windows Phone 7. From my understanding, XBLA games created with XNA will be easy ports. The majority of XBLA games are not made with XNA. That said, WP7 should bolster the use of XNA and give WP7’s games market a huge kick start.

*sigh* I’m still annoyed that this wasn’t shown at E3 2010.

Source via MobileCrunch

Milo and Kate for Xbox 360 Kinect is Coming: Do You Care?

Recently there was some controversy on whether Milo — the virtual indentured servant for Xbox Kinect that wowed some people and terrified others — was a real game or a tech demo. Microsoft’s American PR said one thing, but Microsoft Game Studios Peter Molyneux said something else. At the end of the day, it looks like Milo and Kate is an actual product. Sir Peter told GI Biz:

This is a full product that we’re working on. Poor Aaron Greenberg — he’s on the PR team, he hasn’t seen it since last year, so he came up with this stock answer that Milo is alive and well and living in Guildford but it’s still a tech demo. If I had spent time with him and showed him the game recently, he’d know what was going on…. All that technology that we showed at E3 last year actually does work.

While the internal Microsoft bickering is highly amusing, what I really want to know is if you care about this game. Whether it’s deserved or not, Molyneux has a reputation for not delivering on his grand promises. Milo received a ton of hype at E3 2009, but like so many Kinect projects, I don’t see how it’s fun. (Letting me beat Milo with a virtual stick would increase the entertainment value of this game by a factor of 14.) Do you care about Milo and Kate for Kinect?

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Coffee Talk #168: Your Console and Electronics Updating Patterns

Yesterday I updated the software for my HTC Evo 4G and PlayStation 3. Both had updates that were released yesterday. I was actually surprised that I updated so soon. Usually I wait a few days to see if there are any bugs or annoying quirks caused by the new software. For various reasons (okay, it was cloudy…and updating firmware makes me happy), I jumped the gun and didn’t following my usual updating pattern.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Roger Federer’s upset at Wimbledon, red pandas, or Stumptown’s Costa Rica Brumas Del Zurqui, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Yesterday I updated the software for my HTC Evo 4G and PlayStation 3. Both had updates that were released yesterday. I was actually surprised that I updated so soon. Usually I wait a few days to see if there are any bugs or annoying quirks caused by the new software. For various reasons (okay, it was cloudy…and updating firmware makes me happy), I jumped the gun and didn’t following my usual updating pattern.

How do you handle updates for your consoles, mobile phones, etc.? Do you update straight away, like I did yesterday? Do you wait a few days to make sure everything is kosher? Perhaps you only update when it’s absolutely necessary, like when a certain game require a newer firmware version. Kindly share your console and consumer electronics updating patterns in the comments section.

Hulu Plus for 360 Will Be Highly Customized, Gold Members Only

According to Larry Hryb — who is Microsoft’s Major Nelson and not the guy that performed “Pants on the Ground” on American Idol — Hulu Plus for Xbox 360 will be different from its counterparts. It will also be for Xbox Live Gold subscribers only. Here’s the deal:

We’re working hard on creating customized experience for Xbox Live members, which means that Hulu Plus will be coming to Xbox 360 in early 2011. We are taking the time to ensure that the Hulu Plus experience for Xbox 360 is the best on TV and like our other entertainment experiences it will not be a port, but rather a custom experience that leverages the Xbox Live community features.

Hulu Plus will be available for US Xbox Live Gold Members only.

Some of you are probably disappointed that Hulu Plus will be Gold only, but you shouldn’t be surprised. Microsoft needs to increase the value of Xbox Live Gold in light of Sony’s PlayStation Plus service.

How do you feel about this tidbit from the fake Major? Bummed? Indifferent?

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