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Sleeping Dogs 'Year of the Snake' DLC confirmed for Q1
The DLC train for Sleeping Dogs chugs on with Year of the Snake, a story expansion due sometime in February or March. Publisher Square Enix outlined the DLC, which had a trailer leaked earlier this week, and as suggested it sees Wei Shen hook up with the Hong Kong police to take down the Cult of the Snake. The DLC features new abilities, outfits, and weapons, including tear-gas guns and electroshock pistols.Square Enix also confirmed two more upcoming DLC packs for its Far Eastern felony-fest, also due in Q1. The Law Enforcer pack features crime-fighting outfits, weaponry, and vehicles, while the Wheels of Fury pack features the "weaponized supercar" DZS-90. Meanwhile, this week saw the releases of the Monkey King and Movie Masters packs. If you can only say one thing for Sleeping Dogs, it's that Square Enix has absolutely kept to its promise of six months of DLC. %Gallery-177820%
Runner 2 bounds onto all platforms late February
Gaijin Games's Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien began cantering towards a late February launch this week, with the Bit.Trip Runner sequel "just" submitted for PSN, XBLA, and Wii U eShop approval. Gaijin says its retro-styled platformer jogs onto all of PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Mac, and Linux towards the end of the month, while the game's Steam page lists a February 26 release date.On the game's dev blog, Gaijin founder Alex Neuse detailed the strenuous-sounding final stages of the submission process, which included discovering a bug and making a last-minute fix on Wii U, having to repackage the game for XBLA, and cutting out a very minor leaderboards feature from the PSN version. The toil isn't over for the Californian indie studio, with Linux, Mac, and PC submissions still to come.
Netflix unlocked for all Xbox Live members this weekend
If you want to access Netflix on your Xbox 360, you need both a Netflix subscription and Xbox Live Gold membership. Not so this weekend, during which the app will be be made available to all Live users. Of course, you'll still need that ol' Netflix subscription, but the online streamer is nonetheless keen to get as many people watching its new original series House of Cards starring Kevin Spacey, which premieres today.If adverts are more your bag (you crazy cat you) then, as Microsoft tells us, Hulu's Adzone can now be accessed on Xbox without a Hulu Plus subscription. You still need an Xbox Live Gold membership, though you can look forward to watching the commercials from Super Bowl XLVII, which the Baltimore Ravens will win 27 to 24.
PSA: Crysis 3 multiplayer open beta suits up today
Make way, because the Crysis 3 open beta super-speeds onto Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC today. The beta went live earlier this morning on Origin and Xbox Live Marketplace (for Gold subscribers only), and should arrive on PSN later today (tomorrow in Europe).Crysis 3 producer Mike Read gets into the nitty-gritty of the beta's two multiplayer modes in this video. Hunter features cloaked assassins taking out CELL soldiers with bows, while Crash Site has teams vying to capture and hold pod locations dropped across the map.The beta runs until February 12, and the game proper hits a week later on February 19.
PSA: Black Ops 2 Revolution DLC out now on Xbox Live
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 players are waking up to a 'Revolution' on Xbox 360, as the DLC is now live on XBLM. The 1.86GB pack sets you back 1200 MSP, unless you're a Season Pass holder in which case it's yours via the in-game store for nada and niente.Revolution includes four multiplayer maps, the Zombies co-op map Die Rise, and the Peackeeper SMG. It also includes the new Turned mode, which lets players become zombies trying to chomp on the solitary human player to take his or her place.There's no ETA for the PS3 and PC releases, although retailer leaks suggested February 28. Treyarch game design director David Vonderhaar backed this up with a tweet noting the traditional time difference between Xbox 360 and PS3 releases is 30 days. %Gallery-177515%
Microsoft Store Xbox 360 game pre-orders net free 1600 MSP
Microsoft Store has a very decent offer going on some of 2013's biggest names. If you pre-order one of the selected Xbox 360 games, you get 1600 Microsoft Points for free. That's $20 of Xbox Live content with a $60 pre-order, and by our maths that's worth a gander.The 10 games included in the deal are Grand Theft Auto 5, BioShock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Lost Planet 3, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Crysis 3, Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, Dead Space 3, and South Park: The Stick of Truth.The offer is valid until April 6, or when a game is released - as it's no longer a pre-order then, silly. In case you're about to break open the piggy bank, you should know there's a three-per-customer limit,
PSA: Borderlands 2's 'Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt' DLC begins today
Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt is tallying-ho to Borderlands 2 today for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. It's already reached XBLM, and will make its way to PlayStation Network and Steam later today. The third of the four announced DLC campaigns is free for Season Pass holders, but otherwise sets you back 800 MSP on XBLM, or $9.99 on PSN and Steam. If you're getting Big Game Hunt on PSN in Europe or Oceania, you'll have to wait one more day as it's scheduled there for tomorrow, Jan. 16.As for when the fourth DLC campaign is due, Gearbox is still sticking to the 'by June 2013' line. That's despite the first three arriving within three months of the game's release, and there being a further five months until June. Ergo, the key word there is by.
2K sales week kicks off on XBLM
A sizable selection of games and add-ons from publisher 2K Games are now on sale on Xbox Live Marketplace. The deals, which include half-off on the Mechromancer Pack from Borderlands 2 (400 MSP), the same discount for BioShock 2 on Games on Demand ($9.99), and a beefy 75 percent off XBLA games Axel & Pixel and The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom (200 MSP each), all come to an end on January 14.The full list of on-sale games and add-ons awaits you after the break.
Skyrim, Oblivion wield deal-blades in Elder Scrolls sale on Xbox Live [update]
Looking for a last-minute getaway destination before 2013 grinds into gear? Why not try the lush, wildlife-infused terrains of Tamriel, on sale today on Xbox Live Airlines? Just don't forget to bring your dragon repellent. Yes, the last Countdown to 2013 deal of the year brings discounts for Oblivion and Skyrim on Games on Demand, as well as their DLC.Today's deal slashes Skyrim's price in half to $29.99, as well as taking 50 percent out of the Hearthfire and Dawnguard add-ons. However, at the time of writing Hearthfire is still at the regular 400 MSP, although Xbox spokestype Major Nelson indicates the price should lower later today, Dawnguard is rightfully half-off of 800 MSP.Meanwhile Oblivion gets a 33-percent-sized chunk ripped out of it, that taking the previous Elder Scrolls game down to $9.99. There are discounts for its DLC too, with the Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine add-ons half-price at 600 and 200 MSP respectively.Update: The Hearthfire DLC is now at the indicated on-sale price of 200 MSP.
PSA: Xbox Live issues reported, Cloud files inaccessible
The Xbox Live service is far from optimal right now, as Microsoft reports hiccups in the Xbox Live service and Xbox.com website. Users will notice inconsistencies and certain outages, affecting various apps across the Xbox 360 – our own tests show the Netflix, HBO Go and Hulu Plus apps functioning as normal right now. In addition to the reported outages, Cloud files are also affected. If you're trying to access your Cloud saves, you'll receive an error reading "0x807b0198." Microsoft is working to resolve the issues and will update accordingly.
The Walking Dead sale: complete season for 800 MSP on XBLM today
Episodes 2-5 of The Walking Dead are half-price in today's Xbox Live Countdown to 2013 deal. With that quartet now shambling for just 200 MSP each, and the first episode still creeping about at no cost, that means you can chomp on the entire season today for just 800 MSP ($10).Telltale's zombified adventure has been a big hit at Joystiq HQ, with the series scoring an average of four and a half stars across all five of our reviews. On a sourer note, many users have taken to the developer's forums to report the recently released retail version is at present near-unplayable on Xbox 360.
Borderlands series sale bombards Xbox Live today
"Game of the Year" contender Borderlands 2 is blasting off 33 percent of its Games on Demand price today, the game going for $39.99 as part of Xbox Live's Countdown to 2013 sale. Today's deal also has the Season Pass for Gearbox's shooter sequel down by 25 percent at 1800 MSP, while the original Borderlands takes a half-price tumble to $9.99.Last week Gearbox revealed the third Borderlands 2 DLC campaign, Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt, is due on January 15. If you've been thinking about getting the Season Pass then now's a good time to get on board, because today's discount means you'd get the four DLC campaigns it grants access to, including Big Game Hunt, for almost half the price of buying them separately on Xbox Live.
Counter-Strike GO is half-price on Xbox Live today
After a stash of on-sale games in yesterday's deal, today's Xbox Live Countdown to 2013 sale is suffering with the old post-Xmas-Day hangover. It's managed to drag itself on to the couch, but it's only brought a half-price Counter-Strike Global Offensive with it before dozing into a drooling slumber on the arm rest.Nonetheless, the XBLA version of Counter-Strike GO can be yours for 600 MSP today. Back in August, Xav gave the PC version 4 out of 5 stars in his review, praising it for extending the Counter-Strike legacy of "simpler multiplayer action."
Forza Horizon is bringing in the new year with January Recaro Car Pack
The new year is on the Forza Horizon (ho ho ho) given that January 1, 2013 sees a bunch of new downloadable cars come to Turn 10 Studios' racer. OK, that's definitely the last time we'll use that joke this year. 2013 is an entirely different matter.The January Recaro pack features six cars, including the 2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 1983 GMC Vandura G-1500, 2012 Lotus Exige S, 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition, 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR, and the 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R. It's priced at 400 MSP, but Season Pass holders get it for free, along with the 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster as a bonus treat.
Fruit Ninja Kinect gets the chop in today's Xbox Live Countdown to 2013 deal
Tapping in to that long-held Yuletide tradition of throwing fruit around and trying to slice it mid-air, Fruit Ninja Kinect and its add-ons are splattered all over Xbox Live's Countdown to 2013 Xmas Day sale. Halfbrick's produce-pruner has its price chopped in half today to 400 MSP, while its four DLC packs - namely 8-bit Cartridge, Art Box, Space Capsule, and Storm Season - are down by 50 percent to 80 MSP each.Four other games also got price cuts in their stockings today. Carrying on the Kinect-ified ninja theme, Mini Ninjas Adventures is 50 percent off at 400 MSP. Also discounted on this merriest of days are Rock of Ages (75 percent off at 200 MSP), Hydro Thunder (67 percent off at 400 MSP), and another Kinect game in Leedmees (75 percent off at 200 MSP).
Trials HD & Evolution star in today's Xbox Live Countdown to 2013 deal
Today's Xbox Live's Countdown to 2013 deal is full of Trials and tribulations, minus the tribulations. The Xmas Eve offering knocks 400 MSP off both Trials HD and Trials Evolution, seeing bikers viciously flung off price crashes of 400 MSP and 800 MSP respectively.The games' add-ons are also discounted in today's deal, making each of the Big Thrills and Big Pack DLC for Trials HD as well as Origins of Pain for Evolution available for 200 MSP.
Games on Demand sale: Max Payne 3, Red Dead Redemption, LA Noire, Midnight Club: LA
We're huge fans of the convenience of digital distribution – why trek out to the store like some caveman to buy a plastic disc when we could simply download a game through the innernette? Rockstar is trying to make a case for downloading by discounting four of its top games through Xbox Live's Games on Demand service.For today only, you can download LA Noire, Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne 3 and Midnight Club: LA for 33% off each – that comes out to $20 for LA Noire and Red Dead Redemption, $40 for Max Payne 3 and $10 for Midnight Club: LA. All of the games save for Max Payne 3 are going for more than their Games on Demand sale price on Amazon right now.Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention three of these games are included in Rockstar Games Collection 1. The only game not included is Max Payne 3, but that's fine because Max just loves being the black sheep of the family.
Xbox Live adding SkyDrive, CNET, Maxim, Karaoke apps in US today
A throng of new apps are coming to Xbox 360s worldwide, so if you've been feeling like your dash needs more squares with logos in them then today won't disappoint. Today sees the US launch of Maxim and CNET apps, with the latter also coming to Canada, while Karaoke and SkyDrive apps roll out worldwide (excluding Japan and United Arab Emirates for Karaoke).As shown above, SkyDrive lets you view pictures and videos stored on your Microsoft cloud, allowing Jenny to guffaw at memories of her sister's apparently hilarious wedding dress by watching the recording on her TV. Aww.Other Xbox 360 apps cropping up across the globe today include VEVO expanding to Spain, Italy, and France, and CinemaNow hopping over to Canada. Xbox spokesoldier Major Nelson also detailed a list of over 40 apps coming to various regions before spring 2013, including MTV, PBS, Flixster, and Vimeo apps for the US.
Minecraft Halloween Skin Pack hell-raised $770K for charity
The Minecraft Halloween Skin Pack racked up a total of $770,448 for charities, developer 4J Studios revealed today. All proceeds from the spooky add-on, sold on Xbox Live for a month at 160 MSP ($2), are being split between the Block by Block, SANDS Lothians, Child's Play, and Macmillan Cancer Support charities. Based on the price, the figure suggests roughly 385,000 players bought the pack, making it a veritable graveyard smash.4J Studios is hard at work on further Minecraft updates. The next in line, Title Update 7, includes among other things experience points and animal breeding, while Title Update 8 features The End and its Ender Dragon boss.
Fable 2 returns to Games on Demand
Microsoft has overcome whatever dark sorcery removed Fable 2 from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Lionhead's saucy 2008 action-RPG is now available for download again."There was an isolated issue affecting the availability of Fable II on Games on Demand recently," a Microsoft representative told us. "We have resolved the issue and the game is once again available. We apologize for any inconvenience this caused." Take that, ambiguous "issue!"
