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Dead Rising 2 single player hands-on: two chainsaws, one paddle, no mercy
"I came, I chainsaw, I conquered" -- killer weapons in Dead Rising 2 Friends, I have seen the future and it is not so bleak after all. It is a world that Max Brooks and Sam Raimi have prepared me for, but neither could anticipate the sheer awesome power of the paddle saw: two chainsaws tied to both ends of a paddle. The goal of our Dead Rising 2 demo at X10 was simple: 20,000 pp in 10 minutes. My friends, I've failed you, but it was not for lack of trying and it certainly was not without its grandiose moments. %Gallery-85278%
X10: Fable 3 impressions (spoiler: we're not pissed off)
Receiving a live demo of Fable 3 from Lionhead, er ... head and Microsoft Games Studio boss Peter Molyneux during today's X10 event, we learned that it, in his words, "is all about power and uniqueness." Well, that and Charles Dickens. (More on that in a sec.) Yes, the game is up, running and actually looking pretty far along at this point. But Molyneux was much more keen to talk about some of its new gameplay mechanics than anything involving graphics, sound or other trimmings. First up, he revisited the premise of the game. It's set in Albion, which -- as we noticed right away -- has become heavily industrialized. You play as the son or daughter of the hero from Fable 2, with Molyneux confirming that you can import your saved game from that title, but that it "will make minor, not major, changes to the story." The game's structure will have you starting out as a "nobody," getting people to believe in you and eventually starting a revolution. About half-way through, you'll be the king or queen of Albion. The Albion in the demo could certainly stand a change in ownership. It's smoggy, grimy and the streets are full of the homeless, poor and starving. The factories are full of everyone else, including children as young as five-years-old. Molyneux says that all of this is inspired by the works of Charles Dickens; in particular, Oliver Twist. As bad as it is, he promises you'll eventually have the power to change it all, should you choose.
Molyneux: A cute 'outside of Fable 3 experience' coming
Can gamers expect a tie-in product similar to Fable II: Pub Games for Lionhead's upcoming Fable III? Microsoft's Peter Molyneux told attendees at X10 that something was in the works. Molyneux wouldn't detail the tie-in, only teasing that the product is "a really cute, very very cute 'outside of Fable III' experience that I'm not talking about." Molyneux, who felt a need to reiterate how adorable the "experience" will be, proclaimed: "It's really, really cute. It's not Pub Games." Sadly, whether the "really cute" experience would be a Xbox Live Arcade release wasn't confirmed. What is confirmed, however, is that this thing should be pretty ugly. No. Wait, forgive us. We're pretty sure he said cute.
X10: Left 4 Dead 2 'The Passing' DLC in March, L4D1 tie-in DLC to follow
So what's the appropriate greeting for when you pass another survivor in the zombie apocalypse? We'll find out next month, when Valve plans to release the first Left 4 Dead 2 DLC campaign, "The Passing," on Xbox 360 and PC. The Passing will feature non-playable appearances by the original Left 4 Dead cast (those shadowy figures in the background there), who will aid L4D2's four survivors during the third act of the new campaign, which is set in rural Georgia. Not one to leave holes in a good story, Valve will explain the original survivors' frantic journey to Georgia by way of -- yes, it's really happening -- a new DLC add-on for Left 4 Dead 1 (not compatible with L4D2). No additional details were provided about the upcoming L4D1 DLC by Valve at X10 today, but it will follow the release of The Passing campaign and a digital comic (illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming) that will tie together the two DLC stories. Additionally, Valve confirmed that The Passing will also include new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes, and a new co-op challenge mode. Players will also encounter a new "uncommon common" infected, dubbed the Fallen Survivor, which can drop random items when killed. The Passing is currently on track for a "late March" release. %Gallery-85283%
X10: Halo: Reach demonstrated, will be 'the definitive Halo'
Click to enlarge Bungie's "community guy " Brian Jarrard and Halo: Reach creative director Marcus Lehto were on-hand at X10 to provide a much deeper look into the workings of Reach, what they are calling "the best Halo yet" and "the most ambitious title Bungie has ever produced." The duo talked us through many of the changes being made to the established Halo formula, and new elements they believe make this "the definitive Halo experience." Lehto talked about the team's desire to "throw new things at the player," building on the hallmark underpinnings of previous Halos and even changing some things to suit the new game's more serious tone, but said Bungie wouldn't "be pushing it." Another key goal with Reach, according to Lehto, is to "reintroduce the Covenant," by both making them look different -- more alien, more savage -- and giving established enemies new behaviors. It was also mentioned that, to keep with the more realistic tone of Reach, players won't be able to understand what the Covenant are saying. %Gallery-64713%
Joystiq @ the Microsoft X10 media event
Okay, so, we're here and we're blogging the youknowwhat outta X10 and you probably already figured that out just by reading the posts streaming down the front page -- but! We just had to share this candid shot of Major Nelson with you. Isn't he precious? Follow all X10 updates here or explore the gallery below for an inside look at the event. Pics courtesy of our superfriend Ross Miller at Engadget. %Gallery-85281%
Final Fantasy XIII Special Edition Xbox 360 Bundle includes 250GB hard drive, will cost $399
Click to embiggen. Launching simultaneously with Final Fantasy XIII in the US is a limited edition 250GB Xbox 360 console. Included in the box is a copy of the game, two wireless controllers, a headset, a FF-branded hard drive, and "exclusive downloadable avatar items" -- perhaps something to go with your pet Chocobo. All of this will be packaged together for $399, according to Major Nelson. Microsoft is trying to make sure Final Fantasy fans from the PS2 generation will choose Xbox 360 as their console of choice. The carefully worded press release notes that this is "the only console outside of Japan to be bundled with the game." In other words, don't expect the limited edition PS3 to make its way Stateside. Ever. In addition, Microsoft also plans to release a Final Fantasy XIII faceplate designed by Tetsuya Nomura and not included with the special edition bundle. The press release doesn't explain exactly how to get one, only stating that a "very limited number" will be available "promotionally in fixed quantities across select retailers in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand." %Gallery-85272%
X10: 'Dead Rising 2: Case Zero' prologue launching exclusively on Xbox Live
Though most may require little more than a premise involving zombies, a besieged casino and a chainsaw-wielding motorcycle to get hooked on Dead Rising 2's ultra-violent charms, perhaps you demand greater narrative fortitude from your gaming pleasures. Perhaps you're a thespian, desperately seeking an answer for untold undead anarchy. What is my motivation? you wonder as you route another rigor-mortis special. Well, you'll have to turn to Dead Rising 2: Case Zero, a "game add-on" launching exclusively on Xbox Live shortly before the full game's release on August 31. Case Zero will serve as a prologue to Dead Rising 2, introducing new protagonist Chuck Greene (who has not covered wars as far as we know) and elaborating on the events that followed the first game. Pricing and exact release details have yet to be announced. It's also currently unclear how the add-on will work prior to the launch of the full game -- it may be packaged as a separate downloadable game (a la Halo Waypoint) that can interact with Dead Rising 2 ... and explain whence all those zombies came.
X10: Perfect Dark, Game Room, Scrap Metal, Toy Soldiers part of XBLA Block Party this March
Thanks to the Summer of Arcade, we've been conditioned to compulsively check Xbox Live Arcade during the hottest months of the year. But it would seem that March is the new summer, since that month now plays host to the XBLA Block Party announced during Microsoft's X10 event today. So, what do you have to look forward to? Well, Toy Soldiers kicks things off on March 3. If that doesn't grab you, don't worry, it'll be followed throughout the month by Scrap Metal, Perfect Dark and classics hub Game Room. Also, if it's anything like every block party we've ever been to, cocktail weenies will also be served. So that's something.
Alan Wake flashlight-tagging U.S. store shelves May 18
One of the more substantial pieces of news from Microsoft's X10 megaton clusterbomb: A release date for Remedy's psychological thriller Alan Wake has been announced. The game's seemingly endless development cycle will finally terminate on May 18, when the game lands in US retail outlets. Our friends overseas won't have to wait much longer than that to get their Wake on -- it's being released in Europe on May 21. In addition, X10 brought word of the game's attractive pre-order bonuses, which include "exclusive content such as avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, and a 'making of' video." We're not sure we want to deck out our Xbox 360's background with shadowy monsters. We're big fans of our current, non-terrifying theme. Microsoft also released product shots of the Limited Collector's Edition (pictured above), as previously detailed on retailer sites. No additional information was provided, but we assume the limited edition release will also hit retail on May 18.
X10: Modern Warfare 2 first exclusive DLC pack officially coming this Spring
Those of you not into getting your hot gaming scoops from specially branded Modern Warfare 2 energy drinks will be happy to hear that Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 will be officially receiving its first infusion of post-launch DLC this Spring. As Microsoft is keen to point out in its press release announcing the release window, the content will only be available (at least initially) on the Xbox 360. Unfortunately, no other information is given on the first DLC pack (though the energy drink case you see above seems to indicate that it'll be maps), but the announcement does note that this is but the first in a series of "content packs" that will be exclusive to Microsoft's console.
X10: Dead Rising 2 in US Aug. 31; shambles to Japan and Europe later that week
As part of Microsoft's X10 press event, it's been announced that Blue Castle's primetime sequel, Dead Rising 2, will be available this summer. Arriving on US shores August 31, Japan and Europe will be spared the zombie apocalypse for a couple days, arriving there September 2nd and 3rd, respectively. That's crucial time to gather supplies like duct tape, pitch forks and shotguns, no doubt. Oh, and comically large cellphones, of course.
Halo: Reach beta dated May 3, only for ODST owners
Click to Spartan-size With the X10 event underway in San Francisco, Microsoft has finally announced the first details surrounding the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. The beta test will officially begin on May 3, 2010. As promised, owners of Halo 3: ODST will be able to access the beta through the ODST game disc. We'll have more details about the beta shorty. For now, sit tight and direct your attention on that new box art! %Gallery-64713%
Alan Wake gets new trailer for X10
Can you feel it? After all the delays and waiting, can you feel how close Alan Wake is? If the reality of the situation hasn't fully sunken in yet, we've got a new trailer after the break, slated to be shown during today's X10 festivities. As for the trailer itself, it looks pretty good, right? Not a ton of gameplay, but it certainly rams home the creepiness and the importance of light in combat. Here's hoping we get some more details when the trailer is shown for real later today.
Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 exhaustively previewed, screenshotted to death
While we patiently wait for the X10 to make its way into retail channels (or, you know, give up and buy something else instead), mobile-review's Eldar Murtazin has come through once again with one of his world-famous eleventy billion page previews rife with thousands of screenshots, which should take you long enough to skim through so that the phone's available by the time you're done. Thing is, you may not want it anymore: Eldar's concerned by the phone's cheap plastic shell, which is particularly alarming in light of the direction competitors are going, and the screen could apparently be better. Add in the fact that it'll be launching with Android 1.6 and there's no question Sony Ericsson's first Android effort is going to face an uphill battle -- let's just hope they learn from the complaints and get an updated Android build rolled out on the double. [Thanks, Alex]
Molyneux: Fable 3 news at X10 will make you 'super pissed off'
Speaking to Gamereactor, Lionhead maestro Peter Molyneux revealed that there will be some big Fable 3 news at the X10 event this week. "There's some very, very big things happening in Fable," said Molyneux, "Bigger than you think, and it's going to really upset people." Molyneux added that he is "really scared" about telling people the news, saying, "They're going to get super pissed off, they really are." Still, he concluded that it's "the right thing to do," and confirmed that he will be demonstrating the mystery announcement at X10 in San Francisco. Joystiq's theory: The entire story of Fable 2 was a dream sequence. Whatever it is, we'll be delivering the news directly from X10, so Joystiq's staff and readers can all get pissed off together. In the meantime, be sure to watch the whole interview, which also contains some really interesting talk about Project Natal. [Via VG247]
Sony Ericsson answers your nagging X10 questions, 'newer version' of Android will come
While we all continue to twiddle our thumbs in anticipation of the X10's general availability, Dutch site Tweakers took some time out with Sony Ericsson's Jacob Sten Harold de Kort to get a few pressing questions from the community answered. It's quite a test -- de Kort fielded over 80 questions in all -- and there were a few big takeaways that should be of interest to anyone who's got even glancing interest in putting this thing in their pocket in the next few months. First off, it's still scheduled to launch with Android 1.6 Donut, but his words along with a post over on SE's official Product Blog give us hope that we'll be seeing 2.0, 2.1, or something even fresher down the road (to quote the post's headline, the phone "will be upgradeable"). 1.6 doesn't support multitouch in the framework, and indeed, de Kort confirms that the X10 will be a unitouch device, though it's not clear whether that could change with a newer firmware or if there's a hardware issue involved. As for pricing, we can expect this to launch for €599 (about $817) -- in Holland, anyhow, where it's on track to hit shelves before the end of the quarter. The subsidized pricing should hopefully be a tad less heart-stopping. [Thanks, Len B. and Moody] Update: The questions were actually fielded by Harold de Kort, marketing manager for Sony Ericsson in the Netherlands, not Jacob Sten. Thanks, domipost!
Perfect Dark XBLA playable at X10, new screen
click to Perfect-size Rare has announced that its upcoming XBLA remake of Perfect Dark will be playable at the upcoming X10 event next week in San Francisco. In celebration of the announcement, Rare also released a single new screen from the game, featuring one Mr. Daniel Carrington. Click the image above for a nice, high resolution version. With appearances expected from Fable III, Alan Wake, Halo: Reach, Final Fantasy XII, Splinter Cell Conviction, Crackdown 2 and the Microsoft Game Room, X10 is certainly shaping up to be quite an event. Rest assured, we'll be covering it from the get-go next week.
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.
Xperia X10 lands on Vodafone UK in April
We don't have pricing, we don't have specific dates, we just thought we'd let you know that Sony Ericsson's already outdated Android phone is arriving in the UK in April. This agrees with the release schedules for Japan and Germany, making the fourth month of the year seem like a certainty for the global launch of what is still a hotly anticipated device. Just why the X10 engenders such fervor, we're not really sure, but it still marks Sony Ericsson's most aggressive plunge into the smartphone shark pool yet. We'll just have to wait another couple of months to find out how well that Donut-based OS swims. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
