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Grand Theft Auto Online update arrives, brings multiplayer to Los Santos
If you're already looking for a more worthy Grand Theft Auto 5 adversary than a computer can generate, here's the dirt: you can now play it online. Whether your battleground of choice is PlayStation Network or Xbox Live, only a "small title update" should be required to get online. Of course, that is assuming the game's servers can handle the load. With over 16.5 million copies already in circulation Day 1 connectivity could land somewhere near the Sim City end of the scale, and Rockstar's Social Club backend has already experienced some strain loading up pictures and stats from the single player edition. Assuming everything goes to plan however, players should be creating their avatars, forming online crime syndicates and visiting each other's houses. The Content Creator tool that will let players design their own heists is one of the features scheduled to launch later this fall, for more details on what is available right away, check out this blog post. Access appears to be open on both PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, although we're already seeing reports of connection issues and "Rockstar cloud servers are not available right now" on both sides. Update: Rockstar says it's aware of day one connection issues that its "trying to stabilize ASAP." Joystiq points out some have reported save file issues with their single player game after trying to hop online, so you may want to make a backup save, or just wait for the issues to subside before diving in. Check out the official list of known multiplayer issues here.
Rayman Legends demo brightens up Xbox Live, PSN August 20
Ubisoft has announced a demo for Rayman Legends will be available on Xbox 360 and PS3 starting August 20. The demo will consist of three levels and a sample of Invasion mode - tougher, remixed versions of established maps. The three playable levels include Teensies in Trouble and Toad Story, along with its Invasion mode variant, plus musical level Castle Rock. The demo also grants access to the Gallery of Heroes where you can mess about with character costumes. Rayman Legends, which takes place 100 years after the events of Rayman Origins, launches on September 3 for the Wii U, PS Vita, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. In our video preview last month, we highlighted the new stealth levels reminiscent of the Sly Cooper series and Mark of the Ninja.
MMO Burnout: State of Decay
With an all-star dev team steering the ship, Undead Labs' State of Decay is topping sales charts and impressing fans, but it's certainly not done yet. The single-player zombie survival game for the Xbox 360 was created by several ArenaNet alumni (including ANet co-founder Jeff Strain) and aims to one day release an MMO version titled Class4. But in the meantime, it's breaking XBL sales records and showing us all how a decaying game premise like zombie survival can gain new life. I grabbed the game at launch to give me an idea of what to eventually expect from Class4, but I was quite surprised at what I found. A console game with a living world? A single-player action RPG with purpose and incentive? That's just what you get when you interrupt traditional console game development with a few designers from this crazy new genre known as MMORPG.
SoulCalibur 5 hits up PSN, Games on Demand on April 23
SoulCalibur 5 takes on PSN and Xbox Live Games on Demand on April 23, for $20 on each system, direct from Namco Bandai.SoulCalibur 5 launched in January of 2012, and we found it to be "simultaneously one of the best Soul Calibur games ever made, as well as the worst Soul Calibur game ever made." It makes sense in the context of the review, we promise – that's what all the text above those stars is for.%Gallery-185968%
Skyrim 1.9 update now on Xbox, later today on PS3
Update 1.9 for Skyrim is now live on Xbox 360, with the PS3 patch expected to drop later today. Apart from numerous bug fixes, the update's hallmark features are the new Legendary difficulty setting and Legendary Skill system. In the new system, once a skill reaches level 100, it can be rolled back to level 15. As Bethesda points out in the patch notes, this technically removes the level cap from Skyrim.The patch went live on PC last month.
Aliens: Colonial Marines gets new mode with Bug Hunt DLC today
The Bug Hunt DLC for Aliens: Colonial Marines is available today on Steam, Xbox Live, or the PlayStation Network.Bug Hunt is a new mode in the game that pits up to four players against waves of incoming xenos and enemy soldiers across three new maps: Broadside, Mercenary, and Tribute. You can earn money on the map by killing enemies, and then spend that money to open up extra areas, or buy more guns, ammo, or health.If you invested in the Season Pass for the game, you'll get this DLC for free. Everybody else has to pony up the equivalent of around $15, though Steam has the game itself on sale for 33 percent off.Careful, as fighting giant monsters with acid blood in cramped quarters might be exactly as fun as it sounds.
PSA: Modern Warfare 3 'Chaos Pack' collection live on XBL
The third collection of content for Modern Warfare 3 is available on Xbox Live today: The Chaos Pack includes the new Special Ops 'Chaos Mode,' three new Face Off maps and four new Special Ops missions, shown off in the above video.The Chaos Pack runs $15, or 1200 Microsoft Points, and it will hit PS3 and PC "at a later date."
XBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel
Microsoft's language filter on Xbox Live is strangling the linguistic skills of Quarrel players, banning such words as "help," "train," "balls" and "shaft" from being played. While we can understand the potential risque-ness of some of these words -- especially "help," which we're sure was added at the request of the XBL customer-service team -- without context we don't see the harm in them.These words are fair game in singleplayer (with the Family Setting turned off), but Microsoft adds an extra filter to Live play, developer Denki's Gary Penn told Edge: "Quarrel uses the Collins official Scrabble dictionary comprising over 110,000 words up to eight letters in length, including a huge collection of words deemed 'offensive' by Collins, such as 'arse', 'shit', 'wank' and 'fuck.'"Other banned words include "start," "skid," "poop," "hung," "dice" and "god." We're stumped on how to use "dice" in an offensive manner, but we've seen "fag" flung around Xbox Live chat with alarming, unfiltered regularity, so we're not going to try to figure out Microsoft's regulation process here.
Battlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' expansion arrives on PS3 Dec. 6, 360 and PC on Dec. 13
As promised, EA and DICE are delivering Battlefield 3's first expansion, "Back to Karkand," in December, though today we learned from the Battlefield blog that there's a specific date: December 6. Given that all of Battlefield 3's expansions will arrive one week early on PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and PC versions of said DLC won't arrive until December 13. If you've missed the variety of videos showcasing Back to Karkand, the pack is composed of four maps from previous Battlefield games, all remade in Battlefield 3's "Frostbite 2.0" game engine. Put more simply: there will be a few more places to murder folks online, as well as a variety of new vehicles with which to do so. The pack will be free for folks who picked up the "Limited Edition" version of BF3 at launch, and will cost $15 for the have-nots.
Xbox.com update is live, features Beacons and local Auto Renewal options
As expected, the new update to Xbox.com, featuring the new Beacons functionality to mark certain games you'd like to play with friends, has gone live and is now available to anyone with an Xbox Live account. The update looks clean and purty, and features not only those Beacons, but revamped friends and messaging functionality, and a nice quick interface for browsing through games and achievements. And there's something else new on the page: The option, as seen above, to cancel your autorenewal subscription right there on the site. Previously, doing so was more of a pain, and you had to leave the site to go to Microsoft.com and do it, but now you can click through to your account and change any subscription settings right through Xbox.com. A note of warning, however: Microsoft will put a few special deals in front of you as you click through, including a discount on the subscription designed to keep you around. But that's understandable -- someone's got to pay for the design money that went into this update. And speaking of update, where's that console dashboard update we were promised? Soon.
A platform, Karkand, and Battlefield 3
I hope you like Battlefield 3, because based on my trip to EA's Redwood Shores offices yesterday, you're going to be getting a lot more of it. In a brief presentation prior to some extended time with next month's Back to Karkand DLC, the word "service" was used more than once. EA sees Battlefield 3 as a platform to deliver more content and Back to Karkand is the first salvo in that strategy.%Gallery-137898%
Xbox Live Beacons and other new social features incoming to Xbox.com
Microsoft has posted that the Xbox.com website is getting an update "in the coming days" that will remove the "My Xbox" frontpage currently there now, and replace it with a "Social" section to make use of the "Beacons" feature eventually making its way to the console. Beacons are a way to mark which games you're currently playing or want to play, and are supposed to encourage you and your friends to set up times to play together on Xbox Live. Players will be able to set up three Beacons at a time, and add an additional comment as well, like "between 7-9pm PST" or "Horde mode only." The website update will also make use of the "Metro" setup coming to the console's dashboard, and of course allow for access to the usual Xbox.com actions like redeeming codes, messaging friends and checking out their profiles, or browsing for and purchasing Xbox Live titles. Officially, the console's Dashboard Update is still scheduled for a "Holiday 2011" release, though previous reports have placed it sometime right around Thanksgiving. With this update coming to the website as soon as next week, however, it's a good bet the console update is also close at hand. [Thanks, Liam!] %Gallery-138931%
Trials Evolution to launch 'when it's done,' still being published by Microsoft
Trials franchise creator RedLynx may be warming up to its new publisher marriage with Ubisoft, as this morning's acquisition announcement revealed, but it doesn't mean that the Finland-based studio is moving in immediately. "We will still be working directly with Microsoft to bring Trials Evolution to Xbox Live Arcade once it's ready," RedLynx Director of Marketing and PR Jason Bates told me this morning. It doesn't look like that'll be this year, however, as Bates explained that the company is taking a "when it's done" attitude to development and the game's launch date. "What we've been holding to is the 'when it's done' approach," Bates said. "We are going to take the time to polish and test the game to the best of our ability before we release it, to ensure it matches the quality people have come to expect from a Trials game." Trials Evolution will be the last game that RedLynx puts out as an indie studio, as the game is still being published by Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade, rather than Ubisoft. "We are looking forward to working with Ubisoft to ensure that Trials Evolution does get the attention it deserves when the game arrives," Bates said, though he also admitted that, "Ubisoft will respect the current commitments ... Microsoft is still the publisher of the title." The last Trials entry, Trials HD, has racked up over 2 million sales to date on Xbox Live Arcade -- a franchise Ubisoft is no doubt eyeing for potential future projects at the Finnish studio. Might we suggest TrialsMania? Just a thought!%Gallery-125596%
Xbox Live Marketplace sales bonanza, starting today [update]
Microsoft is taking a set of sharp blades and ravenously cutting prices across the board on Xbox Live Marketplace content, starting right now. Already inexpensive (and wonderful) title Outland will cost you a cool 400 MS Points ($5), while deep multiplayer fare like Monday Night Combat and Section 8: Prejudice are going for 600 MS Points ($7.50) and 800 MS Points ($10), respectively. Also, hey, if you're not one of the over 2 million people who own and adore Trials HD, here's another chance to grab it on the cheap (600 MS Points/$7.50). It's unclear when the "Extreme Shopping" sale will end, so we've asked Microsoft for more info. For now, enjoy the sweet, sweet savings while you can. Update: This post originally had ilomilo listed as on sale for $5, which is false. Sorry about that! [Image credit: Ronald Wong]
Turtle Beach unveils limited edition Modern Warfare 3 headsets, Simon Riley would've approved
Listen up, soldier. Engadget HQ was dismayed when lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley -- along with his skull balaclava and mondo communications headset -- saw an arguably unjust demise in Modern Warfare 2. That being said, if he could play the upcoming installment we'd bet it'd be with one of the four limited edition offerings from Turtle Beach and Activision. The headsets all sport the same night vision-esque design, but offer varying specialties. On the front line is the $300 Ear Force Delta; based on the XP500 programmable virtual 7.1 headset, it adds a custom travel-case and MW3 specific sound presets. Next up is the $150 Ear Force Bravo, a variant of the PX3, which offers the same presets as the former in wireless stereo. Following close in formation is the $130 Ear Force Charlie, a take on the PC oriented Z6A; it delivers discrete 5.1 with a grand total of eight drivers. Rounding out the reserves is the $100 Ear Force Foxtrot; a PX21 universal stereo headset that's also just received a fresh coat of battle paint. All of the gear will be available in October along with "bonus content," which gives you time to set aside extra funds for the game's November 8th release. You'll find photo-based intel below and more details in the PR past the break. At ease, soldier. %Gallery-128526%
Turtle Beach Xbox Chat Adapter gets the hands-on treatment, admirably untethers talkative gamers
Back at E3, Turtle Beach unveiled its wire-ridding Xbox 360 Bluetooth Chat Adapter bundled with its XP500 headset (a re-badged PX5), but there were no accounts of how the dongle performed. That's now changed thanks to Joystiq, who've gotten their lucky mitts on one of ten prototypes. Spoiler: they're really enjoying the little guy. Voice quality was reported as being "excellent" and the device easily paired with headsets. There's no annoying charging cable required either as the XBA juices off the controller, but only time will tell how that impacts battery life. The big quirk critics found was that its single button, which operates as a muting / pairing and on / off switch, was oft-engaged accidentally -- obviously not ideal for newb trash-talking. Sure, it's not totally seamless like Tritton's official digs, but Xbox aficionados should certainly be stoked about soon having options to ditch those chat cables for good.
Turtle Beach's XP500 headset brings totally wireless 7.1 to the Xbox 360, PX5 is mildly jealous
Turtle Beach's PS3-oriented PX5 performed great in our recent review, and just after we've arrived at E3 the company has announced another new release for the show: the XP500 for the Xbox 360. It's essentially a PX5, featuring the same design and programmable Dolby virtual 7.1 goodness, but with a Microsoft loving green trim and a rechargeable Xbox 360 Bluetooth Chat Adapter -- the latter plugs into your controller for some wireless chatting action. This makes it the only other completely wireless Xbox headset besides the Tritton / Microsoft cans we got a glimpse of last week. The XP500 will cost $260 -- $10 more than the PX5 -- when Turtle Beach releases it this fall, but current PX5 owners can just purchase the $30 Chat Adapter to join the fun. In addition, TB is also announcing the $30 XL1 as a replacement for your Xbox's standard headset -- you can view its full-on stereo glory alongside the XP500 in our gallery below. We'll hopefully grab some ears-on time with all of the new gear while we're here at E3. %Gallery-125261%
Armed Forces now have billing address option on Xbox Live
Members of the Armed Forces living in U.S. military bases or stationed overseas used to be faced with an unforeseen hassle when accessing Xbox Live -- due to their roving home, entering billing information could be a genuine pain. Thankfully, the problem has been alleviated, as Major Nelson has announced the arrival of three new options for credit card addresses, which allow the armed forces to register cards using their respective Military States. These users can update their information now through their console or the billing section of Xbox.com, changing their billing address to AA (Armed Forces of the Americas), AE (Armed Forces Europe) or AP (Armed Forces Pacific). We're big fans of anything Xbox can do to make our military personnel's leisure time as convenient (and, well, leisurely) as possible.
Nexon's Dungeon Fighter Online coming to Xbox Live Arcade
The MMO console line-up just got a bit bigger thanks to the folks at Nexon and Softmax. The latter is porting the former's Dungeon Fighter Online beat-'em-up to the Xbox Live Arcade delivery platform, where the title will boast a freemium business model (meaning you download the client for free and pay for items and upgrades). Nexon and Microsoft are splitting localization duties as the game will be released in eight languages worldwide. The console title -- Nexon's first -- will be exclusive to the 360. DFO features six character classes (with subclasses available at level 18) and further advancement possible at level 48 via an awakening quest. [Thanks to Prime Synergy for the tip!]
Target discounting one-year Xbox Live cards with CoD: Black Ops purchase
Starting this Sunday (Nov. 7) and running through the following Saturday (Nov. 13), Call of Duty: Black Ops buyers at Target are being offered a little something extra with their game purchase: an Xbox Live one-year subscription card for half price. As sent over by some Target-employed tipsters, the forthcoming week's advertisement flyer reveals the Black Ops-branded Xbox Live cards to be just $30 when purchased alongside next week's big release. Just think of all the things you can do with that extra $30! You could get, like, a whole bunch of really delicious frozen yogurt! Or you could use it towards Microsoft Points -- sure to be useful when DLC for Black Ops inevitably arrives with a $15 price point per map pack. The choice is yours! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
