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The charity that wants video game karts in every hospital
In many ways, Jonathan Watson is like other 11-year-olds. He does his homework, dreams of becoming a doctor and plays video games when he can. Depending on the day, his favorite is either Minecraft or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Unlike most kids his age, though, Jonathan is at the hospital every three weeks for blood transfusions -- a procedure that can take up to six hours at a time. When I visited him at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he wasn't slaying dragons or building a pixelated fortress; he was replaying the opening levels of Rayman Legends on a kart that had just been wheeled in. The kart was donated by a local Eagle Scout who raised funds through the Gamers Outreach Foundation (GO), a nationwide charity that puts medical-grade gaming equipment in hospitals around the country. The "GO Kart" Jonathan was using included everything needed to play video games: a modest Samsung television, an Xbox 360 (though any console will fit) and a pair of gamepads. The kit itself is hardly revolutionary, but anyone who's schlepped their gear to a LAN party can appreciate the simplicity of this rolling, self-contained setup. At Mott and 19 other hospitals around the country, they're the most popular "toy" available. And when you're a kid with a medical condition like Watson's, it's easy to see why.
I played through 'Halo 5: Guardians' solo and hated it
This article contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. Halo 5: Guardians is not the Halo you remember. It's a different kind of game altogether, something that more closely resembles a modern first-person shooter that focuses on multiplayer rather than a strong solo experience. This isn't the first time that's happened, but it is the first time in 11 years that a new Halo campaign feels like a massive step backward compared to its predecessor. Microsoft-owned studio 343 Industries is capable of better than this and proved as much with its killer freshman effort, Halo 4. But instead of addressing what it got wrong with that installment (e.g., an unexplained main villain) and doubling down on what it did right (e.g., an emotional storyline and constantly varying gameplay), the team fundamentally altered how a Halo campaign works to horrendous results.
Microsoft apologizes for broken 'Halo' multiplayer with more 'Halo'
You know Halo: The Master Chief Collection's multiplayer has been, well, problematic since launch despite numerous patches. We know it and Microsoft does, too. That's why it's making it up to everyone who's played it with freebies. Those include a remastered Halo 3: ODST campaign, an overhauled "Relic" multiplayer map from Halo 2 and a free month of Xbox Live Gold. The former two won't be available for some time yet, but 343 Industries head Bonnie Ross notes on Xbox Wire that they'll be available gratis for anyone who's played between MCC's November launch and today. What's more, you'll also get an exclusive in-game nameplate and avatar for your troubles. And before you ask about ODST's killer wave-based multiplayer mode, "Firefight" making a return, the official FAQ is out to crush more than a few dreams (ours included) -- the outfit says it doesn't have any plans to include it for now.
'Halo 2: Anniversary' edition shows some games get better with age
Halo: The Master Chief Collection promises to be the ultimate compilation for fans of John-117's adventures and online competitors alike, featuring remastered versions of all four numbered Halo titles (and access to the Halo 5: Guardians beta when it's live). Undoubtedly the most exciting part of the package is Halo 2: Anniversary, a fully remastered version of the 2004 title that set the bar for online multiplayer gaming on consoles. With attentive level design, balanced gameplay and a strong online ranking and matchmaking system, the game spawned a pro scene that's persisted from sequel to sequel, console to console. Halo: Combat Evolved may have introduced us to Master Chief's world, but it was Halo 2 that assured the franchise's legendary status, and it's coming back for more.
'Halo: The Master Chief Collection' has what you expect and a whole lot more
We told you that Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC) existed before anyone else, but thanks to the package being officially official, we now have a veritable truckload of details about it. When the game releases November 11th, just over 10 years after Halo 2's launch, it'll pack remastered audio and visuals, four whole games on one disc, a staggering number of multiplayer maps and even a few surprises.
Engadget Daily: Sony's Alpha A7s, WP8 gets home automation app, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Reminder: Original Xbox games lose Live support tonight at midnight PT
Just a heads up for those who long for Halo 2's embrace: as of midnight PT tonight, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Live support for original titles. As of this publication, you have a little less than seven hours (as of this writing) to get in a few more rounds of Capture the Flag and Oddball with your friends of old, before having to go out and pick up an used copy of Halo 3 -- at least there's 400 MS points in it as a consolation prize.
Xbox Live termination ends in a consolation goodie bag for Halo 2 owners
As Microsoft prepares to pull the plug on online gaming for the original Xbox, it's decided to act benevolently toward the undoubtedly grief-stricken Halo 2 loyalists and has rewarded them all with some consolation prizes. A free three-month Xbox Live membership awaits, accompanied by 400 MS points and a place on the Halo: Reach beta, should you wish to accept it. For a console that's nearly a decade old, it's understandable that online gaming support would've had to end at some point, so you might as well just transfer all your energies into being a good guinea pig / tester for Microsoft's latest cash cow. Steve would just love it if you did.
Xbox v1 games, systems no longer Live; Microsoft's pulling the plug April 15
It's been no secret that original Xbox games and systems have been the vestigial limb holding back much wanted XBL features including raising the limit on our friends list to over 100 or mobile tie-ins, and on April 15 Live access for all of them comes to an end. Even those Xbox Originals downloaded to the 360 or played via backwards compatibility will be cut off from online play, so we'd suggest getting those last few rounds of Halo 2 in now or at least look into an alternative solution like XBConnect. Affected users should keep an eye on their inbox, Xbox Live GM Marc Whitten has promised "details and opportunities" to come for you as partners in this process -- we're figuring a coupon or two or an extended XBL subscription as the lights are turned out is the least they can do. For the rest of us already living in the future? The timing of this announcement mere days before the X10 event in San Francisco February 11 can't be coincidental, we should find out what comes next by then.
Want a bigger friends list? Stop playing Halo 2 online!
Speaking to G4 late last week, a "high-level Microsoft source" said that the real reason Microsoft hasn't upped the friends list limit on 360 thus far has more to do with people still playing Halo 2 on Xbox than limitations of its current console. Reportedly, the source says that Microsoft is still undecided on when to finally pull the plug and add a feature gamers have been requesting for a long time now.The company has made it clear in the past that it would like to implement the feature, even going so far as to explain to us at CES 2009 that "original Xbox games were coded to be limited to 100 friends and that limit was brought into the current generation." According to G4's source, the shuttering of Halo 2's online could come after Halo 3: ODST drops this September, giving Microsoft two Halo titles to offer on the Xbox 360. The source also contends that the real decision to keep Halo 2 online is in the hands of gamers. What say you, gamers?!%Poll-33098%[Via Shacknews]
Halo 2 finally joins Xbox 'Platinum Hits' collection
As one of the strongest titles in the Xbox library, Bungie's Halo 2 has been notably absent from Microsoft's "Platinum Hits" series, which features high-selling games at reduced prices a few years after their release. Now, it seems that Halo 2 has finally gone "platinum," with the required ugly box art remix, and an expected price drop down to $19.99 USD. Said ugly box art remix was recently added to Microsoft's press site.Currently priced at $29.99, Halo 2's inception into the Platinum Hits would certainly be a good thing in terms of price. The bad side? The slick cover art of Master Chief has been cropped to make way for all the Platinum Hits gobbledeegook, and includes a big ugly inset reminding everyone that it's the "Best Selling Xbox Game Ever." The new box also reminds players that Halo 2 is playable on 360 (provided you have a hard drive). If you have yet to pick up this modern classic, the price drop certainly makes it a good time to reconsider a purchase. When this beauty hits brick-and-mortar shelves, though, we recommend hunting down the old-box versions and requesting the new lower price. Nothing says "uncool" like owning the "greatest hits" version.[Update: Microsoft has confirmed the news. An official announcement is forthcoming.]
Brand new RvB mini-series headed to XBLM
Well, well, it looks like our Rooster Teeth friends haven't completely thrown in the Halo 2 machinama towel yet as they just announced plans to release a new mini-series onto the Xbox Live Marketplace.In their latest blogging update, Burnie mentions that in the weeks to come, a new RvB mini-series entitled "Red vs Blue: Recovery One" will be releasing to the internets and onto the XBLM. "Recovery One" will mirror that of their "Out of Mind" project, but with new characters and it is going to officially be their final Halo 2 project (fighting ... back ... sadness and tears.) Burnie promises more information on "Recovery One" in a few days, but until then you should make the jump and check out their latest video that they made for the 2007 European Machinima Festival. We can only describe it as ... worldly.[Thanks, Skandil]
Microsoft releases new statistics, expects 10m Live users by June 2008
Amidst the hub-bub of the Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft has released some new statistics and numbers regarding the Xbox 360, which will have its second birthday this November. Worth noting are the stats on Xbox Live, which Microsoft reports has over 7 million subscribers so far, with 10 million anticipated by June of 2008.According to the stats, the original Xbox's Halo 2 is still the most-played title on Xbox Live, followed by Epic's Gears of War. On Xbox Live Arcade, Aegis Wing is the most widely downloaded title, with family card classic Uno coming in second. It's clear that Microsoft considers Live to be the 360's killer app, boasting that 70% of connected console users download and play XBLA games. In terms of social networking, Microsoft is proud to have 2.6 million text and voice messages sent over their service every day, and claims that the average Live Gold user has 23 friends listed. It's no MySpace, but maybe that's a good thing...
Today's chiefiest sequel: Master Chief Sucks at Halo 2
Warning, video language is not remotely safe for work, small children, or people operating heavy machinery. Ladies and gentlemen, Master Chief is back. This time he's in for a double whammy, learning that The Arbiter taped over his movies with episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, and finding out that the Halo 3 beta has expired. Poor Master Chief.He tries to soothe the pain with some Halo 2 action, and also serves up today's video in the process. It's not quite as good as the original (not enough Master Chief laughing lolololololololololz), but it'll kill some time between now and the release of the retail version, which looms ever closer.
Playing Xbox 360 with your Wii remote
An adventurous and skillful modder has managed to turn a Wii remote into an Xbox 360 controller with middleware help from the PS2 control scheme -- it's as if all the console makers are working in harmony for this one hack. Try humming this to the tune of "Dem Bones" (actually, don't, because we're not even going to try to fit the rhyme scheme): The Xbox 360 is connected to the XFPS PS2 to 360 adapter ... which is connected to a big black box Microcontroller "with custom firmware emulating a PS2 controller" ... which is connected to a Samsung Q1 PC with custom Wii remote firmware ... which is connected via Bluetooth to the Wii remote itself. Full details of the process can be found here. A video demonstration is embedded after the break that not only shows the control scheme work with Halo 2 but also the thought put into making it a comfortable and viable control scheme (such as anti-acceleration and smoothing algorithms).[Via Engadget; thanks, Chris]
Got a small fortune? Play Halo 2 with a Wiimote
Modders, to put it lightly, are crazy. Case in point, a little project by someone known only as OBsIV. What project, you ask? Why, nothing more than to get a Wii remote to control Halo 2 on an Xbox 360. More impressive than the feat itself it the sheer amount of stuff required to do it. Behold: Wiimote and Nunchuk Xbox 360 PC XFPS 360 Custom drivers "Black box" (hard coded microcontroller with spliced PS2 cable) As amazing as the mod is, we're almost more impressed that OBsIV found a good use for the XFPS 360. Check out a video of the mod in action after the break.
Wii60 in action: Wiimote Halo 2
Wii60 aficionado OBsIV had a dream, a dream of consoles living and working together under one flag, sharing games and controls without any problems or hitches. Today, friends (actually, yesterday), that dream is a reality. After months of hard work, OBsIV was able to cruise around Lockout in Halo 2, battle rifle in tow ... and it was all powered by his trusty Wii remote and nunchuk combo. For the record, we approve of his taste in both weapons and control schemes. You can see it all for yourself in the video we've helpfully embedded after the break, but if you want to do this yourself, you'll need to head over and read the very detailed explanation. We hope you also happen to have a few chunks of spare time lying around, as welI as a lot of random equipment. This was a project, but after watching the video, we're sure you'll agree that it was well worth it.
Halo 2 tournament at library causes ire
A Halo 2 tournament occuring at a Chicago area library has sparked some criticism, according to Daily Herald. Dr. David Walsh of the National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) has taken issue with the permission slip that does "not spell out" that the shooter is rated M by the ESRB."I think it borders on irresponsibility for a public library to sponsor an activity for kids as young as 12 that the industry itself has said is for adults," he said. The library's director Marilyn Genther stands by its tournament, which was recommend by the library's teen council, saying it's the responsibility of their parents to know what their kids are doing. Said teen director Rose Allen, "I've talked to a number of parents who thanked me for having the tournament. They said their son now wants to come to the library."Maybe it should be mentioned on the permission slip that Halo 2 is rated M, but compared to other M-rated games, it could be a lot worse. The tournament is scheduled for Sunday at the Mount Prospect Public Library.[Via GamePolitics]
Halo 2 wireless battlefield communication
The clever and very observative fanboy SRU Phil spotted a little mistake over on Xbox.com's accessory page pertaining to the Halo 2 Halo 3 wireless headset. It's not called a Halo 2 headset guys and mistakes like that could so get a guy's hand chopped off or tongue ripped out. Unless of course the ad isn't a mistake and is really a leaked announcement. Maybe something along the idea that the Halo 3 wireless headset will come with a free copy of Halo 2 Vista. That's it! It's confirmed, buy the Halo 3 wireless headset and get Halo 2 Vista for free. Man, we're too good.[Thanks, SRU Phil]
The end is here: Red Vs. Blue #100
Well folks, today is the day: the end of The Blood Gulch Chronicles. Rooster Teeth promises that there will be a few one-off Red Vs. Blue episodes, but for now, the series as we know it is no more. Episode 100 is available now in all its 15 minute glory. The episode hasn't been released in embeddable format, so you might as well head over to Rooster Teeth, watch the episode, and join the already lengthy discussion. Yes, it is the end of an era. We wish the crew at Rooster Teeth the best of luck in their new endeavors.[Thanks, NitroFrost]
