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X3F TV -- Points > Life: Halo 3 Mythic Map Skulls
In a very special edition of Points > Life, we outline the location of each of the three new skulls hidden on the upcoming Mythic Maps for Halo 3: Assembly; Orbital and Sandbox. If you plan on skull hunting when you pick up the maps (via Halo Wars CE or XBLM this Spring) you should remember, the skulls -- and subsequent achievements -- can only be obtained in Halo 3's Forge Mode.Assembly and Orbital have easy to obtain skulls but Sandbox can be quite a pain in the (Mark VI-plated) butt. The Sandbox Skull is hidden beyond the boundaries of the map so expect the large (Guardian protected) light towers surrounding the area to decimate any player who attempts to leave the area. Fortunately, with the help of a trusty teleporter, we were able to snag yet another Halo 3 Skull. A detailed description of how to grab the Sandbox skull can be found after the break.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
Joystiq hands-on: Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack
Click to view the Mythic Map Pack gallery walkthrough Halo 3 is about to be refreshed with a trio of new battlefields known as the Mythic Maps: Orbital, Assembly and Sandbox. While the maps aren't scheduled to release on the XBLM until spring -- sooner if you pick up Halo Wars CE -- we've played them, and we brought our camera. Check out what we thought after the break.But first, don't miss your chance to win a Mythic Map Pack redemption code!%Gallery-45430%
Joyswag: 3 on 3 NHL Arcade (XBLA)
[Update: Entries for this Joyswag are now over! Thanks for entering!] Looking to lace up those skates for some big-headed hockey? 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a pick-up-and-play sports title that combines the toughness of a crosscheck with the goofiness of giant noggins, and we're giving away five download codes for the XBLA release! Want to score a code? Here's how: Leave us a comment telling us your ultimate three-man ice squad You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) You may enter once per calendar day This entry period ends at 5:00 pm ET on Friday, February 20. We'll randomly select five (5) winners at that time to receive 3 on 3: NHL Arcade (ARV: $10). Please check your e-mail! For a list of complete rules, click here Best of luck to all -- and thanks to Jade and Jake at the Xbox Canada Community Blog for supplying the codes!
NYCC 09: Gears has 'ten-year plan', prequel possible
This weekend, during a NYCC held panel on Gears of War, Gears 2 lead writer Joshua Ortega let slip information on plans to extend the Gears franchise ten years, which may result in an Emergence Day prequel."You will not be disappointed in the next ten years," revealed Ortega when answering a panel question that asked about a future Gears project being a prequel. "It's a ten-year plan. Gears is long-term. The lancer is the new lightsaber." You know, just replace the glow of the saber with a chainsaw and a few bullets, and you have one accurate analogy.While Ortega didn't flat out confirm a Marcus Fenix prequel, his talk of a ten year life cycle makes it all too possible that Gears' storyline would (eventually) have to go into prequel territory. And is it just us, or lately, has talking up ten year life cycles been all the rage?[Via GamePro]
Take on the Covenant with your own replica Brute Spiker
Up for auction on eBay at a starting price of just $275, is a custom made, expertly detailed and almost deadly replica of a Halo 3 Brute Spiker. It's being made available just in case someone has to exterminate Covenant forces on the home turf.The quality of the Spiker looks to be on par with the props WETA creates, seeing that it's cast in urethane plastic, uses real leather, boasts shiny LED lights, features a worn paint job and has shaped aluminum blades that are "pointy but not sharp." Even though we prefer sharp objects and think Halo's "can opener" (aka the Brute Mauler) would be more fun to wield, the Spiker can dish out pain and is almost worth the requested cha-ching.[Via halo.bungie.org]
Epic looks to overhaul Gears 2 ranking system with third title update
With the third Gears of War 2 title update in development, Epic's Rod Fergusson just informed us that they're looking to overhaul the game's online ranking system. Instead of showing ranks based on the broken complex TrueSkill system, they want to implement a ranking structure based on cumulative experience. One that rewards players points for every game played."What if, instead of skill rank, we instead showed your experience level," proposes Fergusson. "You would gain experience through your individual performance" adding, that the "higher your score at the end, the more experience you acquire." A system that sounds similar to Call of Duty 4 or even Halo 3. Mr. Fergusson mentions that the max level cap would hover around 99 and achievements could be added to reward ranking progression.Be sure to know that this third title update has no firm release date, nor are the changes Fergusson mentions guaranteed to be included. But if Epic knows what's good for them - and we're sure they do - a new ranking system will be implemented. We support change![Via NeoGAF]
Deadly details on Halo 3 Sandbox map's Killballs
The latest Bungie Weekly Update informs us about Mythic Map Sandbox and the inclusion of the fiery red, somewhat tantalizing and extremely dangerous Forge Killballs.Basically, the Killballs are ball shaped spheres (duh?) that insta-kill anything on contact. If you drive a Warthog inside, it'll explode. If an Elite rubs up against its orange exterior, it'll die a quick death. If a Scorpion enters Killball territory, you'll witness its destruction and the resulting turret ejection. You get the point. Killballs kill.Nestled between the Flood-like skin folds of the Bungie Weekly Update are details about the recent Mythic Map previews, upcoming playlist changes, how the Sandbox Forge budget will function and Bungie squashes nearly every rumor regarding Sandbox's icy blue grid lines. Knowledge is power. More power can be obtained here.
Joystiq interview: Downloading Criterion's thoughts on DLC
Over the course of the 2008, Criterion did its best to win over our hearts, though as fond as we are of Burnout Paradise it was the UK developer's knack for releasing quality DLC that kept us coming back. In a market where most games are shelved weeks -- if not days -- after first spinning up, Criterion managed to keep its open-world racer relevant all year long with a steady stream of downloads, adding night driving, motorcycles and a host of new online challenges. This tradition looks to continue well into 2009, with famous cars, inflated toys, hot rods and now the fuzz all slotted to pull out onto Paradise City streets in the coming months. Now, with a newly released Party Pack under the hood, and PC gamers racing against the flow of traffic with a keyboard and mouse, we spoke with Burnout Paradise senior producer Pete Lake to get his thoughts on why we just can't seem to let go of the steering wheel.
Halo Wars demo now accepting recruits via the XBLM
For the past hour, we've been pacing back and forth, waiting for the content to become available. We're sure you've been doing that same anxious pacing. But the wait is over and, from high atop our blogger soapbox (which makes us feel Elite-sized in height), we're pleased to announce that a Halo Wars demo is now available for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace. Cue thunderous applause and Grunt birthday party-like cheers!The free 1.4GB Halo Wars demo download will give curious (Gold subscriber) gamers a chance to test Ensemble Studios' innovative console RTS controls through a portion of the game -- including a smattering of lovely cutscenes. Enough talk, get to downloading already.%Gallery-23398%
The case of the mysterious dash update has been solved
Putting our Sherlock Holmes-like skills to work, we're proud to say that the mystery surrounding the mysterious dashboard update has been solved. Well, more or less solved.Weeks ago, a select few Xbox Live subscribers were prompted to download an Xbox 360 dashboard update while the majority of folks didn't. The update upgraded the dashboard version from 2.0.7357.0 to a newer 2.07363.0. This week, everyone was prompted to download the HDMI audio fixing dash update and, lo and behold, the new dash version is the same as the mysterious update from weeks ago. So, either Microsoft felt the need to do a trial release of the HDMI audio update a few weeks back or just accidentally released it to a select few. No matter the case, all Xbox Live subscribers should now have a 2.0.7363.0 dash version. Mystery solved.
R-Type Dimensions laser-blasts Xbox Live Arcade
Newly available for purchase (or trial) from the Xbox Live Marketplace is Tozai's highly anticipated, coin-op-tastic R-Type Dimensions. The 1200 download takes up roughly 149MB of hard drive space, but in return, gives you hours and hours of R-type (and R-Type II) shooter fun. Now go! Go strike that evil Bydo Empire with nothing but your finely honed shmup skills.%Gallery-34074%
Linking to XBLM content on the web just got easier
Everybody loves the semi-recently launched Xbox.com Marketplace. It's such an easy (and convenient) way to browse the latest and greatest Marketplace content from the comfort of your internet browser. But being bloggers, we've always had an issue with the inability to find a specific URL to link to certain content. Well, friends, those URL-less days are over, because the web Marketplace has just been updated with a new "Send a Link" feature. Below every piece of Marketplace content, you'll find a convenient URL to share with others and post to your favorite social networking site..Thanks to this new feature, sharing content with your friends is just a click away, our blogging job has become more efficient and spending your Microsoft points has become even easier. It's a win-win-win!
MS could bring Halo to other genres if it wouldn't 'gut the franchise'
Talking with VideoGamer.com at a recent London press event, Microsoft Halo Studios lead producer Jason Pace admitted that there is potential for the Halo franchise to expand into other genres ... as long as it makes sense within the Halo universe."I can tell you that if you could think of a game that would work with a party atmosphere that would not gut the [Halo] franchise, or milk it, we would think about it, seriously," Pace said. The only stipulation for expanding into other genres would be the "need to take an element of the universe that made sense." But if you think you'll be seeing Chief in some sort of upcoming DDR-style game, you're mistaken, because Pace was sure to point out that "you're never going to see a dancing Master Chief game." A dancing grunt game, we're told, is a possibility.
Xbox 360 dash update to bring HDMI audio fix
Those not experiencing audio from their Xbox 360 HDMI connections may soon find their complaints silenced.Major Nelson just informed us that a mandatory 360 dashboard update will be released this Tuesday morning at 2:00AM pacific, and will fix the HDMI audio problems some have been experiencing. As always, dashboard updates will only begin rolling out at 2:00AM pacific, so it may take a while before actually being prompted to download.
This Wednesday: R-Type Dimensions blasts XBLA
Microsoft just sent official word that the Xbox Live Arcade will receive Tazai's R-Type Dimensions this Wednesday, February 4th. Dimensions is a remake of classics R-Type and R-Type II, both mashed together in 2D and 3D flavors that can be switched between at will. With 14 stages, cooperative play, a new camera mode, plenty of game stats and the inclusion of checkpoint saves (woohoo!), R-Type Dimensions looks to be a winner. But before you commit to an XBLA purchase, know that Dimensions will cost you 1200. We're sure that will deter a few.
'Best of Halo' Xbox 360 console: Now with more box art
We can't think of a better way to start the work week than with a few high-res photos of the European exclusive Best of Halo Xbox 360 bundle. Believe us, we tried. Galleried below are the three console box shots, which include full frontal, corner angled and the textual backside. Just try not to drool on your keyboard.%Gallery-43653%
Netflix survey hints at paid HBO instant view content
There's a survey floating around the web asking current Netflix subscribers their opinion on paying an additional fee to get access to "premium" HBO content through the instant view service. Hacking Netflix posted a screen grab of said survey, which asks subscribers if paying an additional $9.99 per month would be worth receiving HBO original series, including Entourage, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, as well as HBO original movies on top of the 12,000+ pieces of instant view content already available. We'll admit, our Xbox 360's Netflix instant queue is getting stale, but paying $10 on top of the cost of our Netflix subscription to watch HBO content is bit too rich for our liking. Especially during these lovely economic times.[Via Ars Technica]
Sunday Deals: Xbox Live 12+1 cards $30 at Best Buy [update]
In the aftermath of uncharacteristically low Xbox Live subscription deals that we witnessed pop up at online retailers these past weeks, Best Buy has jumped into the discounting fray by offering 12+1 Xbox Live subscriptions for the nice price of $29.99. That's twenty bills off the retail price and money you can put towards that Hawaiian vacation you've been saving for.As far as other deals, Best Buy is selling Bad Company for $20, Mercenaries 2 for $30, and Silent Hill: Homecoming for $40. Note that all deals are good through Saturday, February 7th, so get shopping!Update: If you're in need of a Vision camera, Target has the You're In The Movies bundle for $30. Thanks Nymo.
Halo 3 Mythic map 'Sandbox' dug up, dusted off [update]
(click to embiggen) Behold, the first screenshot of the yet to be officially revealed Halo 3 multiplayer map Sandbox. You know, the map that's one third of the upcoming Mythic Map Pack. The image comes way of the official Austrian Xbox Blog, which sort of jumped the gun plasma rifle by releasing information about Sandbox and the other Mythic maps, Assembly and Orbital. Bungie must have caught word of the photographic leak and decided to host a super high-res shot of their own. What we gather from the Sandbox screenshot is that the map looks a lot like Halo 3 arena Sandtrap, but darker and with fewer hills. If you look really close, each chunk of the map seems movable, meaning that Sandbox will be a true Forge experience. And if you investigate even further, the Austrian Xbox Blog mentions the Mythic maps will cost 800 with an XBLM a Halo Wars bundle release on March 3rd. Go ahead, grab a shovel, start digging and see what you can find.Update: Microsoft just informed us that the Mythic Map Pack will be available bundled with Halo Wars CE on March 3rd and will release as a stand alone XBLM download later this Spring. [Via 1UP, Thanks MDK x2002x]
XBLA in Brief: FunTown Mahjong
It's not often that we get to take a trip to FunTown, so we were thrilled at the prospect when FunTown Mahjong released on Xbox Live Arcade this week. To put it bluntly, our excitement was not warranted. Dull presentation and hilariously bad translation make this game entertaining enough, but for all the wrong reasons. Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief for our impressions of the trial version.
