Halo 2.5/Xbox 2 details

The folks over at TeamXbox.com have posted a story with info from one of their "most trusted sources", saying Halo 2.5 will be published as a true HDTV Xbox 2 launch title and will include "All the stuff that people expected from Halo 2 but didn’t make the cut".

The kicker? "Now, here is the twist. Halo 2.5 will come preloaded with the optional HDD. It’ll be one of the two reasons to get the Xbox 2 that comes with a hard drive. The other reason... well, you’ll just have to wait."

So, this lends credence to the rumors of multiple Xbox versions, and adds an "other reason" for us to chase for the next 11 months.

Now, many folks are probably giddy over this news. Frankly, personally, I'm a wee bit pissed. In my mind, this is not "Halo 2.5" -- this is the Halo 2 we were supposed to get -- no later than November 9.

Have folks already forgotten the E3 trailer (in May) for the November-shipping game? Has anyone else noticed that scene happens sometime after Halo 2 ends? Hello?

C'Mon, Bungie and Microsoft -- you didn't come in on time, on budget, and feature complete. But you're going to make us pay twice -- and wait an extra year -- to get our whole game.

Beautiful.

Year in Review/Preview teaser, Free Xbox Live, and a Holiday Shopping List ...

1. Year in Review/Preview is coming
   
2. Free Xbox Live
   
3. Holiday shopping list for the Xbox faithful
   
4. New backing for Blu-Ray
   
5. Star Wars Battlefront to Support 32 Simultaneous Players
   
6. Gaming magazines on the fold?
   
7. Electronic Arts gets exclusive NFL agreement
   
8. For a bigger Climax
   
9. Phantom Dust is coming to North America
   
10. SpikeTV Video Game Awards
    
11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Xbox-bound
    
12. Take-Two Buys Microsoft XSN?
    
13. Comic book franchise updates
    
14. PS3 updates
    
15. New Releases
    

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Year in Review/Preview is coming
   
   
   
   • My annual Year in Review/Preview will be coming in the next few weeks (in theory). We'll revisit some predictions from last year, and see if we see any trends moving forward. Stay tuned ...
   
   
   
   


2. Free Xbox Live
   
   
   
   • Sign up for Cox High-Speed Internet by December 31, and get a free 12-month subscription to Xbox live, and a copy of Burnout 3: Takedown. Check out www.cox.com/xbox/ for details.
   
   
   
   


3. Holiday shopping list for the Xbox faithful
   
   
   
   • The game mags have got their Xbox wish lists. TeamXbox.com has one in general, and once for kids.
   
   
   • Here's mine:
     
     
     
     • First-Person Shooter: Halo 2 (duh); own it.
     
     
     • RPG: X-Men: Legends (own it), Fable or Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (I or II)
     
     
     • Sports: ESPN NHL 2K5 (own it)
     
     
     • Action: Beyond Good & Evil
     
     
     • Fighting: Dead or Alive Ultimate
     
     
     • Fitness: Yourself!Fitness
     
     
     • Audio: Spherex Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System
     • Xbox Live Headset: Logitech Xbox Cordless Headset
     
     
     • Wireless controller: Logitech Precision Cordless
     
     
     • VGA Adapter: VDigi Electronics Enhanced VD-Z3
     
     
     • Video: Boxlight Raven DLP projector
     
     
     • Wireless networking: D-Link GamerLounge wireless router or one of the dual 108 mbps b/a offerings (D-Link and Netgear)
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   


4. New backing for Blu-Ray
   
   
   
   • Sony Corporation's Blu-Ray standard received new backing from Disney, who said The Walt Disney Company (the 2nd-largest US media company), and Buena Vista Home Entertainment (its home video division) will use the format. This just a week after Warner, Universal, New Line and Paramount announced their support for the HD DVD format. However, like those studios, Disney's support of Blue-Ray is non-exclusive.
   
   
   • Thomson, "the Authorized Xbox Replicator and manufacturer of the original DVD drive used in the Xbox console, plans to support the Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD formats by manufacturing players and discs for both technologies." OK, but Thomson arguably has the most fault in-tolerant of the three drives shipping in Xboxes ...
   
   
   
   


5. Star Wars Battlefront to Support 32 Simultaneous Players
   
   
   
   • An upcoming auto-update for Star Wars Battlefront will up the supported number of players from 16 to 32, and add a Jabba's Palace playable map. Hosting 32 players will require a guaranteed up- and downstream of 1.5 megabits.
   
   
   
   


6. Gaming magazines on the fold?
   
   
   
   • IDG's GameStar and Ziff Davis' XBN and GMR on the verge of closing, ostensibly due to competitive pressures making their continuing untenable. Might explain why I haven't gotten the last 5 issues of my GMR. Hey, Electronics Boutique, GameStop is still shipping me my GameInformer Magazine!
   
   
   
   


7. Electronic Arts gets exclusive NFL agreement
   
   
   
   • EA scored a 5-year contract with the NFL, leaving companies like Midway Games and ESPN Videogames out in the cold. Midway's turned it into a win, though, promising their next game (Blitz: Playmakers) will feature parts of the professional football scene that the NFL license would restrict them from including.
   
   
   
   


8. For a bigger Climax
   
   
   
   • Climax is moving offices for its Santa Monica, CA studio, and beefing up staff, with a second growth spike of 80 employees shortly thereafter.
   
   
   
   


9. Phantom Dust is coming to North America
   
   
   
   • I was seriously bummed last year when the Xbox Live-enabled Phantom Dust was announced as a Japan-only offering. However, Majesco just announced they'll bring it stateside early in 2005. Majesco is out of control (in a good way).
   
   
   
   


10. SpikeTV Video Game Awards
    
    
    
    • Right, so I screwed up and forgot to prep y'all for the SpikeTV's 2004 video game awards on Dec. 14. It was a long commercial, but some justice was done. Halo 2 took "Best First Person Action game", and Jason Jones and Bungie Studios (the guys who did Halo 2), got "Designer of the Year". Halo 2 was an tap for "Best Graphics", "Best Soundtrack", and "Game of the Year", but lost out. Fable (Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios)took "Best Role-Playing Game".
    
    
    
    


11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Xbox-bound
    
    
    
    • Rockstar Games' controversial Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is coming to the Xbox next summer. Meh.
    
    
    
    


12. Take-Two Buys Microsoft XSN?
    
    
    
    • Sort of. Take-Two Interactive, the gutsy parent company of Rockstar Games (owners of a little franchise called Grand Theft Auto) bought Indie Games, developers of the top-rated XSN Sports titles Links and Amped.
    
    
    
    


13. Comic book franchise updates
    
    
    
    • This is the 2nd year running where a number of comic-book properties were announced at the tail-end of the year. Most recent are The Incredible Hulk from Vivendi Universal which looks to bring a Peter David-esque brutality and playability to the franchise ("everything is destructable, everything can be used as a weapon."). It's being developed by Radical Games, the stars behind Simpsons: Hit & Run.
    
    
    • Secondly, it looks like Starbreeze Studio secret next generation game is going to be based on multi-million seller The Darkness (Top Cow).
    
    
    • I've been remiss in talking about Constantine, because I'm conflicted on the Neil Gaiman spin-off; even more so with the upcoming Keanu Reeves film version. Anyway, THQ is bringing it to North America mid-2005.
    
    
    
    


14. PS3 updates
    
    
    
    • nVIDIA is going to provide GPU for PlayStation 3.
    
    
    
    


15. New Releases
    
    
    
    • Week of 12/12/2004
      
      
      
      • GunGriffon: Allied Strike
      
      
      • Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics
      
      
      • Chicago Enforcer
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 12/19/2004
      
      
      
      • NFL Street 2
      
      
      • MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    

Halo 2 Redux, EA in the news (and the courts), industry shake ups ...

1. Sorry for the delay, Adam sucks, move on ...
   
2. Halo 2 Redux
   
3. Electronic Arts in the news
   
4. Xbox Next news
   
5. Zombie gets his groove on
   
6. Majesco's financials lookin' good
   
7. Shake ups in the game industry
   
8. Tekken 5 Coming to Xbox
   
9. Pulp Fiction writer sues fitness developer
   
10. And the secret Mortal Kombat Karacter is ...
    
11. Hollywood studios endorse HD DVD
    
12. Spherex Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System finally ships
    
13. PlayStation 3 updates
    
14. D-Link sets the bar for gaming networking
    
15. Game updates
    
16. New Releases
    

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Sorry for the delay, Adam sucks, move on ...
   
   
   
   • Folks, sorry for the almost 1-month delay in my weekly blog. Halo 2 consumed my life, and the toy job robbed what little time was left. But the job lets me buy things like Halo 2 ... I'm so conflicted ...
   
   
   • Anyway, sorry for the delay -- enjoy this sorta Über Monthly Edition. And if you're still grumpy about the delay, bite me.
     
   
   


2. Halo 2 Redux
   
   
   
   • Halo 2, by the numbers
     
     
     
     • Projected Day-one revenues (Microsoft): $100 million
     
     
     • Projected Day-one revenues (Industry): $75 million
     
     
     • Actual Day-one revenues: $125 million (more than any entire opening weekend of a holiday film)
     
     
     • Copies sold day 1: 2.38 million
     
     
     • Copies sold to date (< one month): 5 million
     
     
     • Copies sold of original Halo to date (3 years): 6 million
     
     
     • # o' nominees for the Dec. 14 Spike TV Video Game Awards: 5 (Game Of The Year, Best First-Person Actiodrn, Best Soundtrack, Designer Of The Year (Jason Jones And Bungie Studios), Best Graphics)
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Halo 2 auto-updates available
     
     
     
     • The first two Halo 2 auto-updates are available via Live. The first update shortens matchmaking wait times, fixes problems with 480p support, and unlocks a multiplayer map previously only available by playing through the entire single-player mission and performing a "training exercise" (I wish they hadn't made the map available for free -- it was a cool unlockable). The 2nd update implements 2 new matchmaking lists ("TEAM SLAYER" and "RUMBLE TRAINING"), after Bungie's analysis of Halo 2 online stats and habits to date.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • What's next for Halo?
     
     
     
     • Uhh ... Maybe the rest of the game? In order to meet the November 9 deadline, Bungie dropped online co-op, and (more noticeably) the last third of the game, which is why we get to an experience an unintentional Empire Strikes Back-like cliffhanger. Attentive folks will have noticed the lack of characters from early renders (like orbital shock troops and such, interestingly removed from Bungie.net). No word yet on when we'll get the last third of the game we bought, or whether we'll get rooked on a "Director's" cut additional purchase, or (worse), if the last third becomes the beginning of Halo 3
     
     
     • Halo 3 -- C'mon, you think they're gonna let a franchise like this stop at a partial sequel? Rumor has it the Bungie team has ditched all current-gen Xbox development rigs and are exclusively developing on next-gen debug boxes. Great news for Xbox Next, bad news for getting the rest of Halo 2 anytime soon.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Miscellaneous stuff
     
     
     
     • The US Army sold out of its 25,000 ordered copies of Halo 2, and 16,000 more were expected over the last couple of weeks. The men and women of our Armed Forces giving us another example of why they totally rock. God bless each and every one of you ...
     
     
     • The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide sold 270,000+ on Nov. 9th, and it's projected sales-based first printing (1.1 million copies) makes it the Random House, Inc. title with the biggest first day sale since Bill Clinton's MY LIFE. And Master Chief keeps it zipped in his adventures ...
     
     
     • Halo 2 has joined a watchdog group's list of "most violent video games to avoid". The five-member New York City coalition "representing a number of parent, church, and women's organizations, plus a New York City council member" put's the game in odd company alongside games like GTA: San Andreas. The rest of the list is odd, as it includes Doom 3, Half-Life 2, Mortal Kombat: Deception (which they miss-spelled), Gunslinger Girls 2 (a non-US import of Gunslinger Girl Vol. 3), Hitman: Blood Money (won't be released until spring of 2005), and Shadow Hearts, which was released in 2001. At least one member of the coalition admitted that she had not played or seen any of the titles.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   


3. Electronic Arts in the news
   
   
   
   • Electronic Arts is looking to acquire Digital Illusions CE (DICE), developers of Rallisport Challenge and the EA-published Battlefield franchise.
   
   
   • EA and Cherry Lane Music Publishing announced the forming a new joint venture, to be called Next Level Music. The unique venture will "sign established as well as emerging new artists, acquire publishing catalogs, produce original music, and further develop EA's rich catalog of music." Cherry Lane is considered one of the largest independent music publishers in North America, and owns almost 100,000 copyrights.
   
   
   • An Internet post from "ea_spouse", about her fiance's eighth consecutive 72-hour week, shed the white-hot light of public scrutiny on Electronic Arts, after a bevy of articles ran in publications like the Los Angeles Times, New York Times (requires registration), and the Washington Post (requires registration), among others. EA is laudibly taking steps to change things. sVP of HR Rust Rueff said in an internal memo, "As much as I don’t like what’s been said about our company and our industry. I recognize that at the heart of the matter is a core truth: the work is getting harder, the tasks are more complex and the hours needed to accomplish them have become a burden. We haven’t yet cracked the code on how to fully minimize the crunches in the development and production process. Net, there are things we just need to fix." Heaven forbid focus should be turned on the rest of the tech industry, since the gaming vertical certainly isn't special on this front ...
   
   
   
   


4. Xbox Next news
   
   
   
   • Digital Illusions CE (DICE) announced that Battlefield: Modern Combat will be coming to Xbox Next.
   
   
   • Actor Vin Diesel is shaking it up again. Diesel revealed in an interview with Commingsoon.net that a sequel to the XBox sleeper hit, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is in the works. Little else was revealed, and it's not known if Starbreeze Studios will also develop the sequel or if it's part of the recent Starbreeze/Majesco Games cryptic press release about next gen partnerships. Diesel's game development studio, Tigun Studios, also recently announced a deal with X-Men/Usual Suspects director Bryan Singer to develop Ususal Suspects, "a character-driven, tactical action adventure based on the life of a Secret Service agent who has been assigned to the president's detail."
   
   
   • Take some time to surf over to www.wardevil.com/. The good folks at Digi-Guys Studios are putting together a "Next-Gen game" for "late 2005 release" that would only make sense as an Xbox 2 release. This may not actually confirm that we'll see the next version of the Xbox at the end of next year; it may just confirm that more and more developers are taking this as a given. The renders look stunningly gorgeous though, and may give the Xbox next version of Morrowind a run for its money.
   
   
   • Three versions of the next Xbox?
     
     
     
     • Online game periodical The Inquirer sez there'll be an Xbox 2 with no hard drive, an "Xbox Next HD" that has a hard drive (duh) and additional specific functionality to take advantage (including rumored High-Definition TV recording), and an "Xbox Next PC", a Sony PSX-like hybrid Xbox/PC Media Center PC workhorse.
     
     
     • Interestingly, the article also says the first two versions will ship at the end of 2005, but the "Xbox Next PC" won't ship until 2006, coinciding with the purported launch of the PlayStation 3. Brilliant branching channel marketing, but will this bite Microsoft since it flies in the face of the last three years' public evangelism?
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Robbie Bach, Chief Xbox Officer (and now a member of Microsoft’s "Consumer Leadership Team"), recently had an interview with Newsweek where he spelled out more ambitious "integrated innovation" scenarios, including sharing "digital memories" (whether photo or video), broadcast video, music (pointing to Apple's model, and messaging (which he expanded on to include chat, messaging, blogging, telephony. One additional interesting part of the interview was Bach's comment that Microsoft "may be an infrastructure player, rather than a direct consumer player," leading me to think there may be some very big things on the horizon for Xbox Live, while everyone's been focusing on the Xbox Next red herring.
   
   
   • Microsoft has applied for long-running pen-n-paper RPG trademark Shadowrun. Given the late filing (November of this year), it seems likely the title could be for the next version of XBox.
   
   
   
   


5. Zombie gets his groove on
   
   
   
   • Marathon/Halo/Oni creator and Wideload Studio founder Alex Seropian's upcoming Stubbs the Zombie is going to have a full-featured soundtrack, leveraged by Austin publisher Aspyr Media, Inc.:
     
     
     
     • Ben Kweller – "Lollipop"
     
     
     • The Raveonettes – "My Boyfriend's Back"
     
     
     • Death Cab for Cutie – "Earth Angel"
     
     
     • Rogue Wave – Everyday
     
     
     • Cake – Strangers in the Night
     
     
     • The Walkmen – "There Goes My Baby"
     
     
     • The Dandy Warhols – "All I Have to Do Is Dream"
     
     
     • Oranger – "Mr. Sandman"
     
     
     • The Flaming Lips – "If I Only Had a Brain"
     
     
     • Clem Snide – "Tears on My Pillow"
     
     
     • Rose Hill Drive – "Shakin' All Over"
     
     
     • Milton Mapes – "Lonesome Town"
     
     
     • Phantom Planet – "The Living Dead"
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   


6. Majesco's financials lookin' good
   
   
   
   • Just a month after shipping the high-profile BloodRayne 2, publisher Majesco, has sought to float an additional 100K shares of common stock and move from an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board to a NASDAQ listing.
   
   
   • Far from a one-trick pony, Majesco has been ripping up the publishing world with titles from BloodRayne to Bust-a-Move, and partnering in big deals like a next-gen project with Starbreeze Studios, and licensing IP from Las Vegas hotel and casino Golden Nugget. One of their hottest upcoming titles (and original IPs) is Advent Rising, penned and voice-directed by sci-fi author Orson Scott Card.
   
   
   
   


7. Shake ups in the game industry
   
   
   
   • Midway Games announced Former EA Arts and Microsoft vet Scot Bayless will head Midway's Chicago studio, joined by Stephan Martiniere, award-winning artist and visual designer now in the role of the visual design director. Bigger news for me was the announcement that former Eidos and Electronic Arts mainstay Denise Fulton will head the new Midway Studios-Austin.
   
   
   • I am stoked that Midway Austin has picked up Harvey Smith as Creative Director for the new studio. I don't know Harvey personally, but I'm a huge outside fan of his, and some of you may remember my making a big deal about the open letter he wrote the industry when he walked away from Ion Storm in April (arguably at the peak of his career) to reshift life priorities. Midway's done good with getting Harvey on board ...
   
   
   • Also, Midway has purchased Paradox Development, the studio behind the next generation of the Mortal Kombat franchise, MK: Shaolin Monks. This year, Midway acquired The Suffering developer Surreal Software, and Area 51 Austin-based Inevitable Entertainment.
   
   
   • James Caparro as is stepping in as CEO for Atari Inc., with Infogrames cofounder Bruno Bonnell stepping down from the role to focus on the company's game library, its creative talent, and technology as Atari's chairman and chief creative officer.
   
   
   
   


8. Tekken 5 Coming to Xbox
   
   
   
   • Actually, it's coming to all current-gen consoles, but this marks the franchise debut on XBox and Gamecube. No date yet, so check back later.
   
   
   
   


9. Pulp Fiction writer sues fitness developer
   
   
   
   • Roger Avary, the scribe behind Pulp Fiction, is suing developer responDESIGN for allegedly stealing his idea for a "yoga video game. CEO Ted Spooner has vehemently denied that his team took any of Avary's ideas (purportedly shared with Microsoft folks a couple of years ago). I bought this interactive fitness program, and I must say it's really good, yoga is only a fractional part of it, The entire Chicago Fire Department is now using it, and Mr. Avary should perhaps look for less controversial means of increasing revenue ...
   
   
   
   


10. And the secret Mortal Kombat Karacter is ...
    
    
    
    • Since Midway Games bought the Unreal franchise and owns the Mortal Kombat franchise, the announcement that Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict will include an MK character was a shockingly pleasant surprise. Midway's now announced that that character will be none other than Raiden, the MK Thunder God.
    
    
    
    


11. Hollywood studios endorse HD DVD
    
    
    
    • The competing standard for Sony's Blu-Ray technology got a boost from Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros. Studios. The endorsements are a huge nod, though execs have said the endorsement may not end up being exclusive.
    
    
    
    


12. Spherex Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System finally ships
    
    
    
    • The Xbox-branded, Omnipolar auditory offering is finally a reality, and at $499.99 it may have folks sputtering, but check the TeamXbox review to get a sense what an incredible deal this setup is (really). The Omnipolar technology allows for more flexible placement of the components (without sacrificing surround sound quality), and are ideal for anything from a media room setup to placement on a large desk (where the 2 rear speakers can be placed on the outermost corners of the desk, reflecting sound off of walls or ceiling to the user). The system is endorsed by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), which is no small deal. The only concern/caveat I have is that there is not a discreet physical amplifier for each of the 6 channels. However, at 300 watts (50 to each front stage pod, 25 to each rear pod and the remaining 100 to the 8" sub, amplified by Wave’s MaxxBass technology to compensate for the lack of air movement), along with 3 digital inputs, this system is more than powered for most small to intermediate media expereinces.
    
    
    
    


13. PlayStation 3 updates
    
    
    
    • Sony and nVIDIA are jointly developing a custom graphics processing unit (GPU) for the PlayStation 3. The joint development will create GPUs for a broad range of computer/entertainment/broadband products, but the press release specifically mentions the applicability to the PlayStation 3, when tied to the next-gen system's Cell processors.
    
    
    • IBM, Sony and Toshiba finally spilled some concrete details on the Cell microprocessor for the PlayStation 3.
      
      
      
      • Multi-thread, multicore architecture.
      
      
      • 64-bit Power processor core.
      
      
      • Multiple synergistic processor cores capable of massive floating point processing.
      
      
      • Supports multiple operating systems at the same time.
      
      
      • Substantial bus bandwidth to/from main memory, as well as companion chips.
      
      
      • Flexible on-chip I/O (input/output) interface.
      
      
      • Real-time resource management system for real-time applications.
      
      
      • On-chip hardware in support of security system for intellectual property protection.
      
      
      • Implemented in 90 nanometer (nm) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology.
      
      
      
      Further details will be revealed in technical papers scheduled for the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), Feb. 6th to 10th, 2005, in San Francisco.
      
    
    
    
    


14. D-Link sets the bar for gaming networking
    
    
    
    • D-Link has just announced the D-Link GamerLounge wireless router (also available in wired-only version) that sports 108 mbps wireless, four 1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports, and -- most importantly -- GameFuel priority technologies, allowing the D-Link GamerLounge to give precedence to gaming traffic over other network interactions (Email, FTP, etc.). The router was explicitly designed for XBox, PS2, and PC gaming, and its launch was accompanied by D-Link's GamerLounge website launch. The router will MSRP for $179.99, with the wired only at $149.99. Attentive folks will notice a drop in D-Link's other gaming bridges and adapters.
    
    
    
    


15. Game updates
    
    
    
    • In Stores now: Blinx 2, Call of Duty, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events , Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge,Backyard Wrestling 2, The Urbz: Sims in the City, Karaoke Revolution, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, ESPN College Hoops 2K5, Ghost Recon 2, Atari Anthology, Godzilla: Save the Earth, Tom Clancy Triple Pack for Xbox, Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix, Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, Pinball Hall of Fame, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Pinball Hall of Fame.
    
    
    
    


16. New Releases
    
    
    
    • Week of 11/28/2004
      
      
      
      • Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
      
      
      • World Championship Poker
      
      
      • American Chopper
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 12/05/2004
      
      
      
      • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
      
      
      • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 12/12/2004
      
      
      
      • GunGriffon: Allied Strike
      
      
      • Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics
      
      
      • Chicago Enforcer
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 12/19/2004
      
      
      
      • NFL Street 2
      
      
      • MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    

Must continue to ... play ... Halo 2 ...

... Because, for the most part, it rocks. There are a few things I'm surprised they didn't learn from the first game (repetitive levels), but the game is a blast. I'm tooling through the single player, and haven't jumped online yet, but I want to get through the campaign before someone ruins the surprises for me.

I wish the local EBgames (store #2603) had been a little more organized (would it kill you to have a separate line for those who already paid in full?), but I got my game by 12:30, and am thoroughly enjoying it.

G'wan, make Microsoft a little richer today -- buy Halo 2 today ...

I have Halo 2! I have Halo 2!

In line again ...

OK, so I'm back in line, with my #36 slot. They'll be doing a raffle to
pick slots #1 and #2, so here's hoping ...

I'm standing in line ...

I'm standing in line at the EBgames near my house, waiting to get my number that will determine when I get my game at midnight.

I'm standing between a nice family from Utah and a really, really cool high school student (seriously; just ask him) ...

Halo 2 available tonight, new Battlefront content, Dragon Ball Z is coming ...

1. Halo 2 available at midnight


2. More Halo 2 music available


3. Halo 2 on TV


4. New content for Star Wars Battlefront


5. More star power in games


6. Dragon Ball Z coming to Xbox


7. New Black Arrow maps available


8. Game Updates


9. Tiger Telematics buys Warthog


10. New Releases

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Halo 2 available at midnight
   
   
   
   • Halo 2 will release at midnight Monday night, technically the beginning of the Tuesday, Nov. 9 release date. Thousands of stores across the country (EBgames, GameStop, Hastings, Best Buy, Circuit City, Toys "R" Us, etc.) will be open at midnight. Check with the individual stores, because some are having special Halo- or sci-fi-related events, and some are opening only for those folks who have shelled out their pre-order ducats. EBgames is already saying they're out of the Special Edition versions, "and supplies of the regular edition are limited".
   
   
   
   


2. More Halo 2 music available
   
   
   
   • The Halo 2 soundtrack is available tonight as well, but you can get two more tracks -- "The Last Spartan" and "Follow (1st Movement of the Odyssey)" -- from the kind folks over at Team Xbox.
   
   
   
   


3. Halo 2 on TV
   
   
   
   • Besides the MTV "Making of the Game" episode, SpikeTV debuted a behind-the-scenes expose on Halo 2, which is re-airing throughout the month. Oh, and Halo made a cameo appearance on The Daily Show's "Prelude to a Recount" election night coverage.
   
   
   
   


4. New content for Star Wars Battlefront
   
   
   
   • LucasArts and Pandemic Studios are bringing new content to the PC and XBox versions of Star Wars Battlefront at the end of this month. The new content adds Jabba the Hut's palace for the existing planet of Tatooine. It also adds Gamorrean Guards, the Rancor monster, and an appearance by the slug himself.
   
   
   
   


5. More star power in games
   
   
   
   • Monica Bellucci (The Passion of the Christ, The Matrix Revolutions, Bram Stoker's Dracula, etc.) is adding her voice to the upcoming The Matrix Online MMORPG and Prince of Persia: Warrior Within video games. Bellucci is gorgeous and talented -- can you believe she's 40? No freakin' way!
   
   
   
   


6. Dragon Ball Z coming to Xbox
   
   
   
   • Finally! Atari announced the multiplatform Dragon Ball Z: Sagas for 2005. The title will be the first in the franchise to see the XBox, and is an action/adventure game that also sport co-op story mode. Atari, please make co-op available via Live!
   
   
   
   


7. New Black Arrow maps available
   
   
   
   • Considering it's irritating trend of "premium content", Ubisoft (via Microsoft) is offering 4 new maps (English Killhouse, Canadian Winterlodge, Saudi Arabian Petroleum, and Canadian Office 2) for $5; you can also download a separate, single map (Italian Village) for free.
   
   
   
   


8. Game Updates
   
   
   
   • Halo 2 is available tonight. Duh.
   
   
   • Ultra Bust-a-Move for Xbox (Majesco Games) shipped last week, and takes the puzzling classic online via Xbox Live.
   
   
   • Xbox Live Arcade is available now. I've got mixed feelings on this, because though it seems like a great way to rope in the casual gamer, the non-demo pricing tier is ridiculous ($9.99 and $19.99 a title). You can get the set-up disc free from Xbox.com, for only $4.99 shipping, plus tax on your shipping (???). Order the disc now, and you'll get a full version of the original Ms. Pac Man.
   
   
   • Tron 2.0: Killer App, the Xbox version of last-year's PC game, has shipped to retail outlets, starting at a $39.99 MSRP. Though the single-player experience is virtually identical to the PC, only Xbox owners get added weapons, online light cycle races, oveRIDE mode (combining both on-foot FPS and light-cycle combat), and tons of extra multiplayer maps and modes.
   
   
   • Spyro: A Hero's Tail, the Vivendi Universal fan-favorite franchise (previously just on PlayStation) has shipped.
   
   
   • Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 (Ubisoft)is shipping 2 weeks early, and will be available November 16th. Not enough Tom Clancy goodness? Ubisoft just announced the upcoming release of a three-game set including the original Ghost Recon, first Splinter Cell, and Rainbow Six 3 -- all for $39.99!
   
   
   • Sonic Mega Collection Plus has shipped from Sega, and includes 13 playable classic Sonic games, and unlockable games and content -- all at a $19.99 price point.
   
   
   • Electronic Arts Need for Speed Underground 2 has gone gold, and is scheduled for a Nov. 15 release.
   
   
   • Microsoft Game Studios' Blinx 2: Masters of Time & Space has gone gold, and is scheduled to ship November 16. The Xbox-exclusive adds (oddly) offline multiplayer to the mix.
   
   
   • NCAA March Madness 2005 (EA Sports) has gone gold and is scheduled for a November 15 release. Bowing to the Sega/ESPN pressure, the game will debut at a $39.99 price point.
   
   
   
   


9. Tiger Telematics buys Warthog
   
   
   
   • Tiger Telematics, the parent company behind the Windows CE-based Gizmondo game/movie/music/messaging/GPS/camera handheld, has aquired UK-based Warthog for $1.1 million. I'm assuming this means they also get Austin-based wholly owned subsidiary Warthog, Texas, but the details haven't been announced. Tiger would do well to leverage Warthog's proprietary game-engine-porting software ("Tusk", heh) for their handheld. Tiger specializes in telematics, GPS, and GSM-related technologies.
   
   
   
   


10. New Releases
    
    
    
    • Week of 11/07/2004
      
      
      
      • Halo 2 (Action/FPS)
      
      
      • High Rollers Casino (Puzzle)
      
      
      • Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge (Driving)
      
      
      • IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (Driving)
      
      
      • Karaoke Revolution (Puzzle)
      
      
      • Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Action)
      
      
      • Pinball Hall of Fame (Puzzle)
      
      
      • The Urbz: Sims in the City (Strategy)
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 11/14/2004
      
      
      
      • Atari Anthology (Classic)
      
      
      • Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood (Action)
      
      
      • Blinx 2: Masters of Time & Space (Action)
      
      
      • Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Adventures (Sports)
      
      
      • Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Action/FPS)
      
      
      • Crash 'N' Burn (Driving)
      
      
      • Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 (Puzzle)
      
      
      • Fight Club (Fighting)
      
      
      • Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone (Action RPG
      
      
      • GoldenEye: Rogue Agent (Action/FPS)
      
      
      • Greg Hasting's Tournament Paintball (Action/FPS)
      
      
      • King Arthur (Action)
      
      
      • NCAA March Madness 2005 (Sports)
      
      
      • Need for Speed Underground 2 (Driving)
      
      
      • Tom Clancy's Classic Trilogy (Action/Tactical/FPS)
      
      
      • Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 (Action/Tactical/FPS)
      
      
      • World Championship Poker (Puzzle)
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 11/21/2004
      
      
      
      • ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (Sports)
      
      
      • Godzilla: Save the Earth (Action)
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Week of 11/28/2004
      
      
      
      • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Adventure)
      
      
      • Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics (Strategy)
      
      
      • GunGriffon: Allied Strike (Action)
      
      
      • Heroes of the Pacific (Flight Simulation)
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    

< 1 day until Halo 2 ...

2 days until Halo 2

3 days until Halo 2

 

4 days until Halo 2

 

5 days until Halo 2

6 days until Halo 2

7 days until Halo 2

XBox Next Mumblings, No Live Halo 2 co-op, and Seropian drops Wideload details ...

1. Get out and vote
   
2. Batman Begins -- the game
   
3. A plethora o' Halo 2 Updates
   
4. XBox games: Q4 '04 versus Q1 '05
   
5. Seropian and Wideload announce Stubbs the Zombie
   
6. Microsoft to release a real limited edition for MechAssault 2
   
7. Game updates
   
8. Updates on XBox 2/XBox Next/Xenon
   
9. Free PlayStation 2 at EB Games
   
10. New Releases
    

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Get out and vote
   
   
   
   • Give your thumbs a rest today and get out and vote. Then go back to abusing your thumbs.
   
   
   
   
2. Batman Begins -- the game
   
   
   
   • Warner Bros, DC Comics and Electronic Arts have announced the development of the video game adaption of next year's Batman Begins, the next iteration of the franchise that hopes to resurrect it from the ashes of Batman & Robin. The cross-platform game and film are set to release on the same day, and both tell the darker, grittier, and more violent story of the Batman's origin, as portrayed in the comic books.
     
     Directing is Memento director Christopher Nolan, and starring is Christian Bale, of American Psycho/The Machinist fame. The movie was written by comic book movie scribeDavid S. Goyer, and also stars Hollywood A-List talent like Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Ken Watanabe, and Rutger Hauer.
   
   
   
   


3. A plethora o' Halo 2 Updates
   
   
   
   • First review
     
     
     
     • I just got the Official XBox Magazine in the mail (early), and it had a world-exclusive review of Halo 2 inside. No, it didn't get a 10.0 from the team, but the magazine hasn't ever given a 10.0. So, grading on the curve, the game's a 10.0. Anyway, the staff graciously put spoiler stuff in a sealed section of the magazine (and no, I didn't open it -- do you people even read my blogs?).
     
     
     
     
   • Watch the making of Halo 2
     
     
     
     • "Making the Video Game: Halo 2" will premiere on MTV on Friday, November 5th at 11:00pm (EST/PST), and replay on MTV2 on Saturday, November 6th at 9:00pm EST. It will feature interviews with designers, developers, celebrity fans, and the bands that are on the Halo 2 soundtrack. Yes, I'm going to record it. No, I'm not going to watch it until I play the game.
     
     
     
     
   • Halo 2 co-op mode offline only
     
     
     
     • Dashing hopes and hype, Microsoft confirmed Thursday Halo 2 will not support XBox Live or LAN co-op play. Early released photos made it look like at least system-link play was going to be supported. Since Microsoft knew of the rumors and expectations around the expected co-op play, disappointing folks only 12 days from formal release about a desired feature they obviously knew isn't included seems pretty poor.
     
     
     • Are there other chinks in the Mjolnir armor? On the upside, Bungie did implement vertical split screen co-op for widescreen TVs. Which is good for those people, I suppose.
     
     
     
     
   • New Halo 2 music online
     
     
     
     • Check out the "Earth City Theme from the Halo 2 soundtrack, hosted by TeamXbox.com.
     
     
     
     
   • Did Master Chief and Halo win the Walk of Game?
     
     
     
     • Official results aren't in, but voting for the Sony Metreon's Walk of Game closed Sunday. Both Halo and Master Chief took the top one and two spots for Game/Character (beating out Link and Mario), but the tally only indicates online voting results, not written submissions. Final results will be release later this month, and I'm hoping Microsoft's green-armored mascot gets a star in Sony's marquee game property. I'm waiting for the lawyers to context it, though.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   
4. XBox games: Q4 '04 versus Q1 '05
   
   
   
   • OK, the last quarter of 2004 is going to rock ...
     
     
     
     1. Halo 2 (November 9; really, the only game you need to own. Yes. Need. 1.5 million buyers aren't wrong.)
     
     
     2. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (December 6; Sequel to the #1 game of last year, kicking it up a notch?)
     
     
     3. Dead or Alive Ultimate (Now; Online fighing. Jiggle counting. 'Nuff said.)
     
     
     4. Mortal Kombat: Deception (Now; With multiple game modes, a deal even at its premium price.)
     
     
     5. Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (November 2; Another treatment of the franchise done right.)
     
     
     6. Ghost Recon 2 (November 30; The Ghosts are back, and they're tougher than ever.)
     
     
     7. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within (November 30; Sleeper hit, part deux.)
     
     
     8. MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf (December 28; Unique modes will redefine persistent online gaming.)
     
     
   
   
   • ... But the first quarter of calendar 2005 is going to come in like a lion:
     
     
     
     1. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (March 2005; Like Pandora Tomorrow wasn't enough? It'll look tame compared to this.)
     
     
     2. DOOM 3 (Maybe; XBox-exclusive online and offline co-op mode.)
     
     
     3. NFL Street 2 (January 2005; Fan-fav redux.)
     
     
     4. Conker: Live and Reloaded (March 2005; He's cute and cuddly, he farts, drinks and vomits, and comes with multiplayer.)
     
     
     5. Star Wars: Republic Commando (February 2005; Take the Clone Wars license, and do something dark and violent with it. And the end of the game is the beginning of movie 3. Don't hold that against it.)
     
     
     6. Jade Empire (March 2005; Looking to the definitive RPG.)
     
     
     7. Forza Motorsport (January 2005; Car licensing to a premium level.)
     
     
     8. Far Cry Instincts (February 2005; Must-play FPS Game of the Year gets revamped for XBox.)
     
     
     9. TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (January 2005; I really like this franchise.)
     
     
     10. Unreal Championship: The Liandri Conflict (February 2005; currently considered the best-looking game on XBox, including upping Halo 2.)
     
     
     11. Brothers in Arms (February 2005; They're not late to the WWII FPS party -- they're right on time with a game that may take the wind out of the sales of Medal of Honor and Call of Duty.)
     
     
     
     
   
   
5. Seropian and Wideload announce Stubbs the Zombie
   
   
   
   • Ending months of hand-wringing, Austin publisher Aspyr Media and Alexander Seropian, Bungie founder, Halo creator, and founder of Chicago's Wideload Games, announced details on the joint partnership's first title: Stubbs the Zombie in "Rebel without a Pulse". Players will become "Stubbs, a wisecracking Zombie who takes on an ultra-modern city of the future using nothing but his own carcass and the weapons of his possessed enemies."
   
   
   • Ooh, talk about timing. Built on the Halo engine and leveraging those game mechanics and AI, Stubbs (expected to do well in Austin), will see retail in summer of 2005, beating out American McGee and George Romero's own zombie offering, and so-called "goriest game ever made", City of the Dead, still being shopped to publishers.
   
   
   • I'm looking for the marketing throw down between these two, where McGee/Romero promise gratuitous blood-and-guts, and Seropian one-ups with gratuitous blood-and-guts, and zippy one-liners ...
   
   
   
   
6. Microsoft to release a real limited edition for MechAssault 2
   
   
   
   • Wow, I didn't think the Big M would be the first to an XBox limited edition right, but they are with MechAssault 2. The LE includes two exclusive maps and a "making of " video feature, will carry the same $49.99 MSRP, and is being produced in an extremely limited run.
   
   
   
   
7. Game updates
   
   
   
   • The Bard's Tale has shipped to retail. Fans of "coin and cleavage", action RPGs, Monty Pythonish humor, but maybe not the original game should be laughing for somewhere between moments to years, depending on which all-over-the-map review to which you subscribe.
     
   • Dead or Alive Ultimate has shipped. Fans of incredible fighting, lag-free online gaming, and fanciful mammary physics flock to stores. The game is ranging in scores from 8.8 - 9.5.
   
   
   • Outrun 2, a revamp of the Sega classic arcade racer, has shipped to retail.
   
   
   • The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, the video game of the movie (still 3 weeks from release) has shipped. Before you dismiss, realize the first SpongeBob SquarePants: Attack from Bikini Bottom game was one of the surprise best sleeper platformers of this year.
   
   
   • EALA's The Lord of the Rings, the single player RPG of the movie license (where you control a non-Fellowship party of 4), has shipped.
   
   
   • THQ's The Incredibles has shipped, just a few days before the film opens on November 5. A playable demo is included in December's OXM.
     
   • Chessmaster, Ubisoft's XBox Live-enabled chess program for all skill levels, has shipped and is available in retail.
   
   
   • Prince of Persia: Warrior Within has been delayed two weeks. Ubisoft is playing it smart and avoiding the mid-November carnage to be wrought by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo 2, among others.
   
   
   
   
8. Updates on XBox 2/XBox Next/Xenon
   
   
   
   • Not the new of news, but I forgot to mention at the end of Sept. Dean Lester (GM of Windows Graphics and Gaming) said "Xbox 2 peripherals will all work on PC." Hmmm -- USB 2.0? Firewire? Something completely different?
   
   
   • CoR engine for the next XBox? Swedish development rockstars Starbreeze Studios (Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay) are supposedly porting their engine to XBox 2, and possibly PS3, thought too little is known at this time to help developers. Starbreeze announced the game will be developed for publisher Majesco Games.
   
   
   • Halo launched the XBox as a real contender, so what's the XBox 2 going to get as the launch title? Looks like it won't be Halo 3. Bungie Studio Manager Peter Parson said, "After Halo 2 we are planning to do something different ... We will do something else and we have a few ideas." This could mean a totally new franchise of Halo-esque caliber. Possibly the Bungie-shelved Phoenix? Rumor also has it that Halo 3 will still be in developed, and will be scheduled to launch the same day as the PlayStation 3. Heh.
   
   
   • The XBox 2 will be significantly smaller than the current piece of furniture we all know and love.IGN is saying NEC and Toshiba are getting HD-DVD standard (the blue-laser-based competitor to Blu-Ray/BD-ROM, which will be in the PlayStation 3) into Microsoft's next console. On paper, HD-DVD looks weaker than BD-ROM (15G versus 50G, etc.), but dual-sided/dual layering may shore up these differences. Even if they don't, if Microsoft launches with HD-DVD, it could be like the VHS trumping the technologically superior Beta Max. I love that Microsoft's codecs are required in both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, which on some fronts makes them the winner regardless.
   
   
   
   
9. Free PlayStation 2 at EB Games
   
   
   
   • Trade in your "big dog" PlayStation 2 and 5 (non-sport) PS2 games, and you can get a free, newly designed PS2.
   
   
   
   
10. New Releases
    
    
    
    • Week of 10/31/2004
      
      
      
      • Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Adventures (Sports)
        
      • Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Director's Cut (Survival horror)
        
      • High Rollers Casino (Puzzle)
        
      • IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (Driving)
        
      • The Incredibles (Action)
        
      • The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age (RPG)
        
      • Pinball Hall of Fame (Puzzle)
        
      • Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Platformer)
        
      • Spyro: A Hero's Tail (Platformer)
        
      • Tron 2.0: Killer App (FPS)
        
      • Ultra Bust-A-Move (Puzzle)
        
      • XBox Live Arcade (Multiple)
        
      
      
    
    

Bill will speak, Aspyr on the move, breaking down to buy a Playstation 2?

1. Halo 2 pre-sales at 1.5+ million
   
2. Gates to speak at CES
   
3. EA announces another Medal of Honor
   
4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas pirated and downloadable
   
5. Hey, there's games in my advertising!
   
6. Aspyr on the move
   
7. Impressions: X-Men: Legends & Star Wars: Battlefront
   
8. Fable squashing sales records
   
9. Windows Media Center Extender for Xbox
   
10. Game updates
    
11. Reasons to own a PlayStation 2
    
12. New Releases
    

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Halo 2 pre-sales at 1.5+ million
   
   
   
   • As of last week (still three away from release), Halo 2 pre-orders exceeded 1.5 million units. This XBox-exclusive baby is going to obliterate records across all platforms ...
     
   
   
2. Gates to speak at CES
   
   
   
   • Bill Gates will be doing the pre-show keynote for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. The announcement and opportunity lends credence to the rumors that Microsoft will use the show to formally announce the successor to the current XBox.
     
   
   
3. EA announces another Medal of Honor
   
   
   
   • Electronic Arts (EA Games) announced a new title, Medal of Honor: Dogs of War, will see the big 3 consoles this coming spring. EA promises a "new way of playing, while still delivering an unflinching picture of warfare". the MoH series arguably pioneered the modern WWII FPS ("LOL!" yell the Wolfenstein fans).
     
   • The title is being developed by EA's "EA Los Angeles" (EALA), the new big gun West Coast EA incarnation responsible for upcoming heavy hitters like The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age and GoldenEye: Rogue Agent.
     
   
   
4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas pirated and downloadable
   
   
   
   • The cirle is complete. First Half-Life 2, then Doom 3, then Half-Life 2 again, then Halo 2, now GTA: San Andreas, and soon (probably), Half-Life 2 again. With Rockstar Games acknowleging their latest game -- manual, cover, and all -- has been pirated and is downloadable, all of the fall/holiday big guns have officially been pirated.
     
   • Just so we're clear on where I stand on this: Pirating is stealing. It robs talented, hard-working professionals, it drives the cost of our games up, and it ruins my Christmas morning surprise. And software pirates are a$$holes (Gimme a break, this blog gets picked up and shows on some corporate servers) ...
     
   
   
5. Hey, there's games in my advertising!
   
   
   
   • Activision announced in April-ish they'd be working with Nielson Entertainment to put ads in games, and track gamers' responses. The next step in the relationship is to use Activision's upcoming Tony Hawk's Underground 2 to see how often players interact with the multitude of in-game placements. Chrysler Corporation will participate in a test with Activision and Nielsen and the PC version of the game, to measure players' reaction to the various Jeep placements on a daily basis. Uh, if any of those future THUG2 players are reading these articles, ya think maybe results could be skewed?
     
   • Activision and Nielsen are arguably just slightly ahead of the curve. Ads for video games raked in about $79 million in 2003, and is projected to be at $260 million by 2008 (excluding advertising on websites). The "13-and-over" video demographic spends about $7.4 billion on games, so it's a much sought-after market segment. Conservative (in my mind) numbers indicate the spending will be up to $8.3 billion by 2008. However, 2003's in-game advertising spend of $10 million is expected to grow to $92 million by 2008, according to the Yankee Group. The trend has got in-game advertising firms like Massive announcing services that let marketers ad realtime ads, and sends back results (like each time an ad is seen).
     
   • Yeah, I'd like advertising out of my games, but intelligent placement (a la the box office) was bound to strike our games sooner or later. I'm just hoping we can avoid a video game boffo equivalent like Mac and Me, arguably the worst rip-off (of E.T.) and infommercial ever to sear my eyeballs.
     
   
   
6. Aspyr on the move
   
   
   
   • Austin-based Aspyr Media announced they'll be publishing The Sims 2 for the Mac. Aspyr's own internal development team will develop the title, under license from Electronic Arts. No release date has been set.
     
   • Aspyr is also the publisher that signed on to publish Halo-creator Alexander Seropian's games developed by his recently formed Wideload Games.
     
   • Heya, Aspyr, methinks you need a professional voice actor for all of your cool projects ...
     
   
   
7. Impressions: X-Men: Legends & Star Wars: Battlefront
   
   
   
   • Head over to my Acting/Personal blog to see my impressions of these two great games (it's at the bottom of "Great-stuff-by-which-to-be-inspired").
     
   
   
8. Fable squashing sales records
   
   
   
   • XBox-exclusive Fable was the #1 seller across all platforms for the month of September, selling 375,000 copies in its first week, and according to NPD Group, more than 600,000 in the total month -- and it didn't launch until September 9!
     
   
   
9. Windows Media Center Extender for Xbox
   
   
   
   • The Windows Media Center Extender for Xbox has finally made an appearance on Microsoft's official XBox.com hardware list. No price is currently available, though a release date of "November 2004" is part of the description. The media extenders require Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, shipped earlier this month. Wireless requirements have not been released, but the only technology to currently be Media Center approved is D-Links dual band turbo 802.11a/g, which both run at a theoretical 108 mbps.
     
   
   
10. Game updates
    
    
    
    • The Urbz: Sims in the City -- Maxis Studios/EA Games next console iteration of the franchise has gone gold will ship November 9. Not pirated as of this writing.
      
    • Scaler -- Platformer Scaler puts Global Star Software's (Take-Two Interactive's) titular hero in the hands of all-audiences everywhere. This could be a sleeper hit, but we'll wait and see. Made it to stores without being pirated.
      
    • Doom 3 -- More Doom 3 is on the way from id Software and Activision, by way of an expansion pack. Hopefully, this extra content will also make it to Vicarious Visions XBox port of the game, though I worry if it's offered the XBox Live route, id will charge for "premium content".
      
    • B.C. -- Fable creator Lionhead Studios, announced cancelation of development of this Black-and-White-esqe prehistoric action/sim game. Staff will be deployed on other Lionhead projects; possibly the unnanounced Fable 2? Cancellation may have been a ploy to keep the title from being pirated.
      
    • The Bard's Tale has not been pirated, but check out a lampooning press release from inXile Entertainment, as they consider "some form of leak" to further the impression the game is in the "same category as a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Half-Life 2 and Halo 2".
      
    
    
    
11. Reasons to own a PlayStation 2
    
    
    
    • Yeppers, I preferentially lean toward our giant black 'Box, but occasionally other contenders give me pause. Such is the case with the recently re-released PlayStation 2, in a smaller form factor (1/4 the size), integrated connectivity (broadband and dial-up), and a top-loading drive (which won't break as often as the ^%*&#! XBox Thompson DVD tray drives). Other reasons to think about owning a new PlayStation 2:
      
      
      
      1. Killzone -- This Guerrilla Games-developed, SCEA-published slighlty futuristic squad-based first-person shooter will support full online play, looks amazing, and has been Sony's "Halo Killer" -- not because it has anything in common other than the FPS perspective), but it looks to be a "reason to own a PS2" franchise.
         
      2. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex -- Seriously, if you don't know about the Ghost in the Shell anime, it's recent Innocence sequel and two Stand Alone Complex TV series (the second just now finishing up in Japan), I'm not sure I want to know you. Really. GitS is a powerful Bladerunner-ish inspired cyberpunk manga and movie that has already spawned one decent game on the original Playstation, and this upcoming third-person iteration puts gamers in the shoes of Major Mokoto Kusanagi and her partner Batou, with solid controls, a great story, and solid gameplay. GitS is being developed by Cavia Inc. and published by Bandai. Check out a great feature spread in November's Play Magazine.
         
      3. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge -- Developed and published by Capcom, this title puts pop culture icon (and personal favorite hero) Jack Skellington under your control in a sequel to the original Tim Burton 1993 film. Disney, Capcom, don't screw this one up!
         
      4. Have you seen this thing? Rarely do I look at a piece of hardware and say, "DAY-UMN!" (that corporate thing again). Any, the new PS2 is tiny, it's sexy ("Size Matters" works backwards with guys and gadgets), it's quieter, and its the same price as its now-clunky forbearer. Which makes the XBox just look friggin' huge ...
         
      
      
    
    
12. New Releases
    
    
    
    • Week of 10/24/2004
      
      
      
      • The Bard's Tale (RPG)
        
      • Bicycle Casino (Puzzle)
        
      • Chessmaster (Action)
        
      • Dead or Alive Ultimate (Fighting)
        
      • Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Director's Cut (Survival/Horror)
        
      • The Incredibles (Action)
        
      • Monster Garage (Driving)
        
      • OutRun2 (Driving)
        
      • Scaler (Platformer) (shipped last week, early)
        
      • SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie (Platformer)
        
      • Ultra Bust-A-Move (Puzzle)
        
      
      
    • Week of 10/31/2004
      
      
      
      • Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Adventures (Sports)
        
      • Godzilla: Save the Earth (Action)
        
      • High Rollers Casino (Puzzle)
        
      • IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (Driving)
        
      • The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age (RPG)
        
      • Pinball Hall of Fame (Puzzle)
        
      • Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Platformer)
        
      • Spikeout Battle Street (Brawler)
        
      • Spyro: A Hero's Tail (Platformer)
        
      • XBox Live Arcade (Multiple)
        
      
      
    
    
    

Holiday XBox bundle, the Mjolnir Mix, More WWII FPSing

1. New Halo 2 musical theme available
   
2. The Covenant hacking Halo 2 website?
   
3. Holiday XBox bundle
   
4. A classic returns for more WWII FPS gaming
   
5. Game updates
   
6. Blackley to co-Keynote Digital Entertainment Conference
   
7. Riddick Developers' Cut coming to PC
   
8. Commentary: How to increase XBox Live adoption
   
9. New Releases
   

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. New Halo 2 musical theme available
   
   
   
   • Obviously, the Halo theme has been revamped for the upcoming Halo 2 sequel. Over at TeamXbox.com, you can hear the "Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix" -- the original theme revamped by original composers Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, with guitars by none other than Steve Vai.
     
   
   
   
2. The Covenant hacking Halo 2 website?
   
   
   
   • Similar to the "ilovebees" viral marketing of a few months ago, the Halo 2 official website has had strange, ostensibly Covenant symbols gracing the website. A motivated halo.bungie.org forum user has deciphered the alphabet, so current and future messages can be deciphered.
     
   • The first message? "ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US AND WE LOVE BEES".
     
   
   
   
3. Holiday XBox bundle
   
   
   
   • Starting October 31, for the same $149.99 MSRP, folks well be able to get Electronic Arts' NCAA Football 2005 and Top Spin tennis game, and two months of XBox Live service, along with a giant black game box.
     
   
   
   
4. A classic returns for more WWII FPS gaming
   
   
   
   • Publisher Eidos and developer Pyro Studios announced the return of the Commandos RTS franchise in an all-new form -- First-Person (semi) tactical shooter, available "spring of 2005".
     
   
   
   
5. Game updates
   
   
   
   • Dead or Alive Ultimate (Tecmo) -- After being delayed at least 4 times, Tecmo's online rendition of the DOA franchise has gone gold, and is scheduled to ship later this month (no official date, but EB Games lists October 26).
     
   
   
   
6. Blackley to co-Keynote Digital Entertainment Conference
   
   
   
   • Billboard's first Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards on Nov. 4-5 will be co-keynoted by XBox creator Seamus Blackley. Blackley has since gone on to form production and financing house Capital Entertainment Group (CEG) and is now an agent with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), an agency geared toward representing video game developers. Billboard's addition of digital entertainment to its music and movies portfolio is big news in itself, but the real draw is any keynoter with the first name Seamus. Really. People named Seamus simply rock.
     
   
   
   
7. Riddick Developers' Cut coming to PC
   
   
   
   • XBox sleeper hit The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is on its way to the PC. The XBox-exclusive was one of the best-selling titles across all platforms for June, according the NPD Group, and the PC version will add a playable mech, a survival-style arena and game mode for players to test their skills, more enemies/action/locations, upgrade graphics, and a hint of additional unlockable content -- all at a bargain $29.99 price point, and available in December.
     
   
   
   
8. Commentary: How to increase XBox Live adoption
   
   
   
   • Honestly, I think one of the real sticking points for XBox Live adoption is the price point. Sure, the $70 starter kit gets you the first year of subscription ($50), a headset ($30), and Crimson Skies ($20), saving you 30 bucks, but it's still a balk-inducing price tag, and the $50 for a year of live isn't that swallowable for folks already shelling out $30 - $55 a month for broadband service.
     
     What should they do? Here are my thoughts:
     
     
     
     • Knock the price down to $39.99 or $29.99 for a year subscription. This is simply a more digestible price point.
       
     • If they can't eat the cost by doing a straight-up service price reduction, they should provide more flexibility in the trial subscription model. Rather than "just" offering free 2-3 month trials, they should give people the latitude to apply that $10-$15 service credit toward a full-year, which brings the cost down to at or below the $39.99 price point.
       
     • speaking of flexibility, believe it or not, I think Microsoft should offer even more options for Live Subscriptions. I think they need to offer a one-year subscription (with a free game), without the headset, for the price of just the one-year subscription. Why? Because there's now a host of first- and third-party headsets available, from the Microsoft standard ($29.99), to the cheap ($14.99), to the premium ($49.99 for the Plantronics Halo 2-branded headset, to $79.99 for the Logitech Bluetooth wireless headset). There are also combo wired and wireless controller/headset offerings from Mad Catz, Hip Interactive, and Wideye. Offering a headset-less Live package gives people choice in their headsets, and saves Microsoft from subsidizing the headsets.
       
     • Following that thinking, they should get someone else to subsidize the headsets. Sony has been incredibly successful with SOCOM (I & II) because they bundle a headset with the game. Granted, in this case, it's Sony subsidizing Sony, but the model is sound. Think of a Plantronics/Microsoft co-branding where they bundle the Halo 2 headset with a copy of the game, or Wideye partnering with Time-Warner Roadrunner and Microsoft to practically give away headsets and controllers with combination cable/DSL and XBox Live subscriptions. Wideye did this in Hong with the Live launch, and arguably are owed some credit for the AP's 15% Live rate among XBox users (as opposed to a worldwide 12% rate).
       
     
     
   
   
   
9. New Releases
   
   
   
   • Week of 10/17/2004
     
     
     
     • Men of Valor (FPS)
       
     • Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors (Action)
       
     • Outlaw Golf 2 (Sports)
       
     • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus (Action)
       
     
     
   • Week of 10/24/2004
     
     
     
     • Bicycle Casino (Puzzle)
       
     • Chessmaster (Action)
       
     • Dead or Alive Ultimate (Fighting)
       
     • The Incredibles (Action)
       
     • Monster Garage (Driving)
       
     • OutRun2 (Driving)
       
     • Scaler (Platformer)
       
     • SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie (Platformer)
       
     
     
   • Week of 10/31/2004
     
     
     
     • The Bard's Tale (RPG)
       
     • Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Adventures (Sports)
       
     • Godzilla: Save the Earth (Action)
       
     • High Rollers Casino (Puzzle)
       
     • IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (Driving)
       
     • The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age (RPG)
       
     • Pinball Hall of Fame (Puzzle)
       
     • Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Platformer)
       
     • Spikeout Battle Street (Brawler)
       
     • Spyro: A Hero's Tail (Platformer)
       
     • XBox Live Arcade (Multiple)
       
     
     
   
   
   

Adam was right, Halo 2 is golden (and pirated), and guilds invade gaming

Note: My apologies for the previous incomplete posting of this blog. Blame Blogger's poor usability. Or maybe blame user error. Let's just call it "premature posting" and never speak of it again.

Somewhere, an HR Generalist's ears are burning ...

1. Midway Acquires Austin Inevitable Entertainment
   
2. Halo 2 goes gold, allegedly pirated and available now.
   
3. The Microsoft hype machine trying to ruin Halo 2 for Adam
   
4. Halo 2 soundtrack details
   
5. Mortal Kombat: Deception ships million+ units
   
6. Game updates
   
7. Games Adam isn't likely to own, part 1
   
8. A sad day for Adam
   
9. First PC designed around an XBox
   
10. Logitech offers cordless XBox Live headset
    
11. Bad Mojo is back!
    
12. Game company lead named CEO of the Year
    
13. Sony ships million-plus Playstations
    
14. Dreamcast-on-a-chip
    
15. WGA forms New Media Group
    
16. New Releases
    

--------------------------------------------------
NEWS:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Midway Acquires Austin Inevitable Entertainment
   
   
   
   • The circle is complete. As closure to my blathering from back in April, Midway Games finally made it's purchase of Austin-based Inevitable Entertainment official. Inevitable is currently working on Area 51 for the publisher -- check out the dated (but solid) demo in the November issue of The Official XBox Magazine.
     
   • For an all-stock transaction of 218,421 Midway common shares (plus 152,824 restricted shares for "key Inevitable employees"), Inevitable will be renamed Midway Studios – Austin.
     
   
   
2. Halo 2 goes gold, allegedly pirated and available now.
   
   
   
   • Microsoft announced Monday that the arguably most anticipated sequel ever has gone gold, and will be beginning it's million+ initial production run shortly.
     
   • Wednesday night, 27 days before its release date, the complete PAL/French version of the game (though lacking XBox Live support) is allegedly available on the Internet, and making the Peer-to-Peer network rounds. Microsoft acknowledged the piracy, and I hope they and Interpol find and sock the pirates and any downloaders with the up to $100K-per-copyright-infringement fine. Those bastards.
     
   
   
3. The Microsoft hype machine trying to ruin Halo 2 for Adam
   
   
   
   • I've said it before -- I don't want to know about the story for Halo 2 until I'm actually playing through it. I'm one of those guys that doesn't like my games, movies, or comic books ruined by spoilers. If my news coverage to suffers, well, bite me. Unfortunately, the Hype Machine is trying to bypass by defenses.
     
   • The November issue of XBox Nation magazine is wrapped in black foil, emblazoned with an image of the Master Chief. The packaging touts "Details of the single-player story inside!" No, I'm not going to buy the issue, and no, I don't want you to tell me about it if you do.
     
   • Meanwhile, over at TeamXBox.com, they're running a story about a new upcoming (and spoiler-filled) Halo 2 cinematic. Nope, not gonna read that one either. Nope, not gonna watch the trailer.
     
   • Then, while walking through a local GameStop last night, I run into a full-on display of the Halo 2 action figures -- not what I wanted to see (though I gotta say, the Brute looks farkin' awesome, and is the first figure that looks like a deal at the $14.99 MSRP).
     
   
   
4. Halo 2 soundtrack details
   
   
   
   • Here's the official song list for the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume One, scheduled to release the same day as the game:
     
     
     
     1. Halo Theme Mjolner Mix
        
     
     
     2. Blow Me Away-Performed By Breaking Benjamin
        
     
     
     3. Peril
        
     
     
     4. Ghosts Of Reach
        
     
     
     5. Follow (1st Movement of the Odyssey)-Performed By Incubus
        
     
     
     6. Heretic, Hero
        
     
     
     7. Flawed Legacy
        
     
     
     8. Impend
        
     
     
     9. Never Surrender
        
     
     
     10. Ancient Machine
         
     
     
     11. 2nd Movement of the Odyssey-Performed By Incubus
         
     
     
     12. In Amber Clad
         
     
     
     13. The Last Spartan
         
     
     
     14. Orbit of Glass
         
     
     
     15. 3rd Movement of the Odyssey-Performed By Incubus
         
     
     
     16. Heavy Price Paid
         
     
     
     17. Earth City
         
     
     
     18. High Charity
         
     
     
     19. 4th Movement of the Odyssey-Performed By Incubus
         
     
     
     20. Remembrance
         
     
     
     21. Connected-Performed By Hoobastank
         
     
     
     
     
   
   
5. Mortal Kombat: Deception ships million+ units
   
   
   
   • The latest offering from Midway Games fighting gore-fest has become the company's fastest-selling game.
     
   
   
6. Game updates
   
   
   
   • Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (THQ) -- The sequel to the middlingly reviewed, but million-unit-plus selling platformer is now available in stores.
     
   • BloodRayne 2 (Terminal Velocity/Majesco Games) -- The sexy, double-X chromosome video game equivalent to Wesley Snipes has made it to stores in time for Halloween.
     
   • Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue (Krome Studios/Electronic Arts Games) -- The sequel to the Aussie-heroed platformer has shipped to retailers, and should see store shelves this weekend.
     
   • Syberia II (Microids/XS Games) -- The sequel to the well-received (and absolutely gorgeous) adventure game has been on the PC since March, and is now available on XBox for the new-game bargain price of $19.99 (a virtual necessity to encourage the genre on console platforms).
     
   • Midway ships Arcade Treasures 2 (Midway Games) -- The second volume in the re-release of Midway's classic libraries is now available for $19.99, but lacks the original Mortal Kombat initially announced as part of the collection. That game has been bundled with the special edition of the new Mortal Kombat: Deception.
     
   • The Bard's Tale (InXile Entertainment) -- The creator-owned (Brian Fargo) remake of the cult classic, rated T for Teen (for morally ambiguous, witty, non-linear game play), has gone gold, and is set to ship the week of October 25.
     
   • Forza Motorsport (Microsoft Game Studios) -- Following the recent industry spate of holiday delays, Microsoft has announced a delay of the release of its super realistic racer until February of next year.
     
   
   
7. Games Adam isn't likely to own, part 1
   
   
   
   • No, I'm not talking The Guy Game (the Austin-based Top-Heavy Studios' recent interact "Girls Gone Wild" offering isn't exactly on my wish list). The November issue of The Official XBox Magazine includes one of their better discs in a while. On it (among other things) are a video for Dead or Alive Ultimate and a playable demo of BloodRayne 2.
     
   • DOAU looks absolutely gorgeous and butter smooth, but methinks the thong- and bikini-clad fighters are likely to keep the game out of my house. Sigh. The only saving grace is that pretty much the entire fighting crew of fighters have full-body jeans and tees equivalents, and DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball costumes are probably unlockable anyway. And I suck at fighting games, so I'm not likely to unlock them. Ever. I swear ...
     
   • The BloodRayne 2 demo is surprisingly playable and entertaining, but the mix of buckets o' blood, 30-plus creative finishing moves (decapitations, etc.), and a well-animated leather lead make this less than fam-friendly fare. If you play the demo, walk Rayne up to a wall (this brings the camera in close), then whip her around to face the camera. Watch her ... uh ... eyes. Ah, those conscientious physics programmers ...
     
   
   
8. A sad day for Adam
   
   
   
   • Despite being one of the faithful who pre-ordered their copy of Halo 2, was planning to pick it up at the EB Games midnight release party, and was taking November 9 off from work (seriously), I may be prevented from playing my game-o-dreams until the weekend. The toy job has rearranged business travel, and I'll now be speaking to the Big Boss in Latte Land Nov. 9-10, rather handing the Covenant their asses.
     
   • Be looking for the news story about the senior credit card employee who carried his XBox to CA, and was arrested for splicing into the hotel A/V system (those TVs don't inputs).
     
   
   
9. First PC designed around an XBox
   
   
   
   • VoodooPC announced the launch of Voodoo VIBE, "a Central Home Theater and Entertainment PC", built around the XBox (you can use or own or purchase a VoodooPC-branded one for $120. Running the just-released Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005, two TV tuner VIBE and arguably the first XBox Media Center Xtender, VoodooPC has launched the ultimate media center PC/XBox pairing currently on the market -- at ~$3,300 for the base unit.
     
   • http://www.voodoopc.com/systems/vibe.aspx
     
   
   
10. Logitech offers cordless XBox Live headset
    
    
    
    • Scheduled for this fall, with an MSRP of $79.99, the 2.4 GHz is officially licensed (and branded) by Microsoft, and though pricey, is a good alternative for folk not wanting to new wireless controllers shipping this month and next that finally support the standard XBox Live communicator.
      
    • foneGEAR also recently announced the foneGEAR Cord Free is available for XBox and XBox Live. Though cheaper (MSRP: $39.99), and using slick "near field" magnetic communication, foneGEAR is neglecting to mention the range for the device is only 4-6 feet.
      
    
    
11. Bad Mojo is back!
    
    
    
    • Though not likely for XBox, I couldn't pass this news tidbit by. Originally released in 1996, Bad Mojo was an awesome game with photorealistic graphics, slick video sequences, and an interesting premise (the protagonist was force to solve puzzles and stay alive after being transformed into a cockroach).
      
    • Got Game Entertainment announced they'll be updating the game to run on current PC/Mac hardware/software, and adding new features.
      
    
    
12. Game company lead named CEO of the Year
    
    
    
    • Smart CEO Magazine has named Jeffery L. Briggs, founder/president/CEO of Firaxis Games, the magazine’s award for "CEO of the Year" last week. Firaxis has developed 9 titles (within 8 years).
      
    • "Firaxis is a company that sits squarely within the center of influence in the fastest growing sector of the US entertainment industry ... Much of the credit goes to Jeff Briggs, who has built the company around a way of life, instead of simply building their lives around the company."
      
    • Briggs has already earned Ernst and Young’s "Software Entrepreneur of the Year for 2003". Firaxis is currently producing Sid Meier’s Pirates!, which is set for release in November.
      
    
    
13. Sony ships million-plus Playstations
    
    
    
    • Sony announced that as of Tuesday it has sold 100 million units of its first console worldwide -- and this only from numbers from the top 3 of it's 120 distribution countries. This is in the addition to the 70 million Playstation 2 units sold in under 4 years.
      
    
    
14. Dreamcast-on-a-chip
    
    
    
    • Renesas Technology (a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer) plan to put Sega’s Dreamcast console onto a single core microchip. With a 64-bit interface to memory, the chip will actually turn out faster than the Dreamcast. Since Sega's not involved in th project, this is likely a technology demo to interest current console manufacturers. A very impressive technology demo.
      
    
    
15. WGA forms New Media Group
    
    
    
    • With Writers Guild of America writers contributing to marquee video games titles like James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, Enter the Matrix, and The Chronicles of Riddick, it was only a matter of time before the guild got active in gaming.
      
    • The WGA, West has announced the formation of a New Media Writers Caucus. The caucus can use the WGA's special contracts for new media work, Caucus members can earn health/pension benefits, and (potentially) full membership.
      
    
    
16. New Releases
    
    
    
    • Week of 10/10/2004
      
      
      
      • BloodRayne 2 (Action)
        
      • FIFA Soccer 2005 (Sports)
        
      • Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders (Strategy)
        
      • Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (Classic)
        
      • Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (Platformer)
        
      • Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue (Platformer)
        
      
      
    • Week of 10/17/2004
      
      
      
      • Men of Valor (FPS)
        
      • Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors (Action)
        
      • Outlaw Golf 2 (Sports)
        
      • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus (Action)
        
      
      
    • Week of 10/24/2004
      
      
      
      • Bicycle Casino (Puzzle)
        
      • Chessmaster (Action)
        
      • Dead or Alive Ultimate (Fighting)
        
      • The Incredibles (Action)
        
      • Monster Garage (Driving)
        
      • OutRun2 (Driving)
        
      • Scaler (Platformer)
        
      • SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie (Platformer)
        
      
      
    • Week of 10/31/2004
      
      
      
      • The Bard's Tale (RPG)
        
      • Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Adventures (Sports)
        
      • Godzilla: Save the Earth (Action)
        
      • High Rollers Casino (Puzzle)
        
      • IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (Driving)
        
      • The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age (RPG)
        
      • Pinball Hall of Fame (Puzzle)
        
      • Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Platformer)
        
      • Spikeout Battle Street (Brawler)
        
      • Spyro: A Hero's Tail (Platformer)
        
      • Xbox Live Arcade (Multiple)