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Bing offers Microsoft Points in search rewards program
Microsoft recently launched a tempting partner program for its Bing search engine. By installing the Bing toolbar (which appears to only be compatible with Windows rigs running Internet Explorer) and using it to search or taking part in daily promotions, you can earn Reward points. Notably, this form of fake currency can be easily exchanged for another: Microsoft Points. The program allows you to trade in Reward points for Microsoft Points in 100-point denominations -- though it's unclear how quickly one can accumulate these points. We do know that installing the Bing toolbar earns you 250 points from the get-go, of which 200 can immediately be exchanged for $2.50 worth of Xbox bucks. So what's the catch? There doesn't appear to be one.
XBLM in September: Borderlands' ClapTrap DLC on Sept. 28; Toy Soldiers deal and DLC
Borderlands' last DLC offering, "ClapTrap's New Robot Revolution," is easily the biggest highlight of Major Nelson's list of Xbox Live content coming throughout the rest of September. Aside from that, there's the Toy Soldiers "Invasion " DLC to look forward to on the following day, September 29. If you've yet to download the toy box's cool blend of action and tower defense, you'll find it discounted to 800 MS Points on Xbox Live Arcade next week. %Gallery-101838%
Xbox Live subscribers can vote for upcoming Deal of the Week
Microsoft has put an interesting turn on its weekly rotation of discounted items on Xbox Live -- the Spotlight tab on the console's dashboard currently includes a poll which will let users choose which of a handful of items they'd like to have marked down for an undisclosed week in October. These discounts include 33 percent off DeathSpank, half off Perfect Dark, or similar markdowns on DLC for Dragon Age: Origins, Trials HD and Battlefield: Bad Company 2. It would be unethical for us to use our considerable internet power to get you to pick the thing that we'd like to pick up at a discounted price, so we'll refrain from doing so. Instead, we'll just have to rely on the same remote mind-control tactics we've been using to puppeteer your every action for the past four years now. That's right, Brandon, we're inside your mind.
BioShock Infinite gameplay video now on XBLM
The Xbox 360 Dashboard might not want you to know it just yet, but hidden among the 'Game Videos' section of the game marketplace is a just-released 10-minute gameplay demo for BioShock Infinite. The guided demo will go live everywhere else tomorrow, but if you've got an Xbox 360, we'd suggest queuing up the clip for download right now. It'll probably be the best ten minutes (involving telekinesis) you'll experience today!%Gallery-102914%
Snoopy Flying Ace's Suppertime of Destruction DLC out today
All the psychology books we've had briefly summarized to us insist that the only way to accept a difficult truth is in stages. If you've made peace with the fact that one of the best flight combat games of the year is called Snoopy Flying Ace, then you might be ready to hear that (1) today's new DLC is called Suppertime of Destruction and (2) you'll probably want it. For $5, you'll get two new planes (one controlled by your Avatar), five new multiplayer modes, three weapons, plus new costumes, achievements and more stuff that you can find right after the break. That's right: The DLC for the Snoopy game sounds really appealing. You can lie down on the rug if you need some time to process, but don't be afraid! This is how the healing starts.
Monday Night Combat grabs XBLM charts by the Moneyball
Following the trend of Summer of Arcade titles landing in the top spot on the XBLA sales charts during their release weeks, Monday Night Combat was top dog on last week's chart, which was released by Major Nelson. The online shooter also placed a respectable 11th on the Xbox Live Activity chart, leaps and bounds ahead of all other XBLA titles. Additionally, Limbo held its own with a second-place finish on the sales charts, one spot ahead of the more recent Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. Meanwhile, Baby Maker Extreme slipped to fourth on the Indie Games chart. Now we're going to be worried about it all week. Click past the jump to see how the rest of the console's offerings fared.
Halo Reach listed at $1250 on Xbox Live Marketplace (and why you can't buy it)
No, this isn't a glitch. Halo: Reach is technically available on Xbox Live Marketplace right now, a full month before its official retail release. But before you load up on Microsoft Points to get early access to the game, be warned. Even with $1250 worth of MS magic money, you won't be able to download the game. Unfortunately, you'll need a special code that unlocks it. According to an official Microsoft Support document, "customers can see the item in the Web Marketplace but cannot purchase it unless they have the special pre-paid token ... The content is available only to users who have a special 25-character pre-paid token that enables them to download the item." It's likely that the full version of Halo Reach is being offered to reviewers via digital distribution; however, don't expect Halo: Reach to be available via the Games on Demand service. Microsoft had previously enabled early digital distribution of Crackdown 2 for reviewers -- and Crackdown 2 is still unavailable to the public via Xbox Live. Update: A Microsoft spokesperson has offered this statement on the matter: "We plan to provide a limited number of copies of Halo: Reach using the Games on Demand technology for media review purposes only. While we are thrilled to be able to take advantage of the technology to provide media with a more accessible and convenient review experience, there are no plans to launch Halo: Reach to the public through Games on Demand." [Thanks, don!]
Xbox Live schedule: Red Dead DLC Aug. 10, cheap Dragon Age DLC and more
Major Nelson has posted the Xbox Live Marketplace schedule for the first part of August, detailing the upcoming Deal of the Week, DLC and Xbox Live Arcade releases. The highlights include the Summer of Arcade -- continuing this week with Castlevania: Harmony of Despair -- as well as next week's Deal of the Week, which discounts Dragon Age: Origins DLC. Most notably, the Dragon Age expansion Awakening will be reduced from 3200 MS Points ($40) to 2400 MS Points ($30). Furthermore, the Red Dead Redemption DLC "Legends and Killers" has been dated for August 10. [Update: Rockstar reports that the DLC will be available for both Xbox 360 and PS3 on the same Tuesday.] As a quick reminder, there are several new items out today, including the Metro 2033 "Ranger Pack," new BioShock 2 DLC and a new weapon pack for Mass Effect 2. Check out the full schedule, including today's new content, after the break.
Halo: Reach, Dragon Age Avatar gear now available
As promised, new Halo: Reach and Dragon Age: Origins goodies are now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The Reach items include a handful of T-shirts, a hat and Noble Team armor. The Dragon Age offering is somewhat more robust, including hats, shirts, various character outfits and armor, helmets and even a couple of props (including a nice goblet for your digital krunk needs). Strangely absent from the Dragon Age set: A Brood Mother Avatar pet.
Video walkthrough: Destination Arcade
Wondering what Destination Arcade looks like -- the Summer of Arcade browser for Xbox Live Arcade titles -- yet lack the energy it takes to turn on your Xbox 360 and download it? It's cool, we know how it is -- life's tough, so we're here to help. Just beyond the break, you'll find our HD video walkthrough of the new content delivery platform, as narrated by myself and my smart, talented and downright physically attractive boss, Chris Grant. ... what? Nothing more to see here -- that's your cue to go watch the video! %Gallery-96999%
Xbox Live Avatars update: PoP, Deadliest Warrior, Monkey Island 2, Super Street Fighter IV
Wanna beef up your virtual wardrobe? Xbox Live now has new goods from The Forgotten Sands, Monkey Island 2: Special Edition and Deadliest Warrior. Or, come July 15 for 320 MS Points ($4), you can play virtual dress-up as one of the Super Street Fighter IV fighters above. Virtual cosplay is still cosplay, right?
Bloomberg: Xbox Live sales 'probably' topped $1 billion
Bloomberg guesstimates that Microsoft's Xbox Live service "probably" surpassed $1 billion this past fiscal year. The financial outlet came to that conclusion using fancy mathematicals after Microsoft claimed that half of Xbox Live's 25 million users paid the annual fee, and Xbox COO Dennis Durkin stated "in an email" that product sales on the service surpassed subscription revenue. Now, we all know there are ways around the $50 annual Xbox Live fee, but let's surmise Bloomberg is right with its estimate of $600 million in revenue. That would mean the service generated $1.2 billion in sales last year. Contacted for comment, Microsoft's official statement read: "We do not have any more details to share. Microsoft does not break out Xbox LIVE earnings." At the end of the company's third quarter, it did say that Xbox Live was a major contributor to revenue for the division that houses the Xbox. The company will officially announce the results of its fiscal year, which ended June 30, on July 22.
Massive Xbox Live Arcade sale during E3 2010 week
Next week, many high-profile Xbox Live Arcade games are having their prices slash, slash, slashed! Starting Monday, June 14, some XBLA favorites are half off, including: Shadow Complex, Trials HD, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Splosion Man. There will also be an "inventory blowout" in celebration of E3 from June 16-22, which includes a slew of titles at 30-50 percent off. Find the full list of titles and their discounted pricing after the break. Also, don't try to wrap your brain around an "inventory blowout" on virtual goods -- a former Joystiq writer tried to solve that mystery. We now send flowers to his room at the asylum every week.
Earthworms, FPS deals and LEGO Harry Potter on XBLM next week
Major Nelson has spilled all of the proverbial beans on next week's XBL content and deals, and it looks like the perfect time to catch up on some games you might have missed. Leading the pack is Earthworm Jim HD, the long-awaited re-release of the only game in memory that lets you launch cows for fun and profit. It'll be out on Wednesday, June 9, for 800 ($10). Red Faction Guerrilla and Need for Speed Undercover will be released for Games on Demand, and a demo for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 will be out on Monday, June 7. The deals are excellent as well -- Worms 2: Armageddon, Duke Nukem 3D and Peggle (yes!) will all be on sale next week for 400 ($5), and you'll be able to get FPSes Serious Sam HD, Call of Duty Classic and Battlefield 1943 for just 800 ($10).
GameStop to offer in-store DLC purchases and new loyalty program this year
GameStop knows how sick you are of those silly, antiquated, digital ways of purchasing your downloadable content, and company COO J. Paul Raines has a solution: buy the content in stores! During today's quarterly earnings call for investors, Raines detailed the new system, as well as the previously discussed customer loyalty program. "We've been working on the technology for DLC for well over a year," Raines said, "and I think what's important to understand is that we've had to create proprietary point of sale technology in partnership with Microsoft to be able to show that DLC catalog at retail. We're also working on merchandising and marketing the DLC content in our stores. So this is something that we feel like the industry is moving our way, and our investments are starting to really be timely and publishers see us as the destination for sale of DLC in stores." Raines also noted that the in-store DLC program will be launching in 35 locations this spring with a "limited catalog," and then adding "select titles and SKUs over the course of the summer." A nationwide roll out is planned for the fall. Also launching nationwide this fall will be GameStop's new customer loyalty program, which will be tested in four regional US markets beginning in May. Raines declined to name the test markets, saying only that we'll "have to wait till May 28 to find out".
Army of Two, A World of Keflings Avatar gear now available
Cosplay enthusiasts will tell you: making costumes based on your favorite fictional characters can be expensive. Depending on how accurate a recreation you're going for, you can drop some serious duckets on materials. Not to mention the trouble of explaining to your parents who Marcus Phoenix is and why you would want to dress up like him. That's why we'd like to inform you of the latest Avatar Marketplace update, a cheaper alternative for your fixation with dress-up. Two new game styles are available: A World of Keflings and Army of Two. You can find a plethora of branded hats and shirts from each title, as well as some full body costumes -- you can see the Ninja Bee outfit above. Source - Army of Two Avatar items Source - A World of Keflings Avatar collection
Users report Magic: The Gathering 'Expansion Pack 2' DLC breaks the game [update]
Update: We managed to get in touch with both Wizards and Microsoft PR, who acknowledged that the launch of the DLC did give users a few problems. However, the "DLC is now running smoothly," so happy downloading! You can find the original post below. Original post: It would seem the recent injection of fresh cards into Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalker has had an unintended effect for some players, with the new DLC apparently crashing the game and displaying only a black screen. Users on both the GameFAQs and Wizards of the Coast forums have reported the same issues. Downloading the Title Update gave us some hiccups -- specifically, we were booted back to the dashboard after downloading it and then were forced to download the entire Magic: The Gathering - Duel of the Planeswalkers game again. But the actual DLC pack itself didn't give us any problems. We even played a game online and tried restarting the title multiple times to repeat the effect to no avail. Eric Sorensen from Wizards of the Coast's community team is aware of the issue, and WOTC is working with Microsoft to resolve it. We'll let you know when we're all in the clear. Source - Wizards of the Coast forums Source - GameFAQs forums
BioShock 2 'Metro Pack' DLC re-dated May 11
2K has announced that the erroneously dated BioShock 2 Metro Pack DLC now has an actual release date: Tuesday, May 11. The Metro Pack adds six maps to the multiplayer mode and will be available on PSN and Xbox Live for $10. 2K is also releasing some additional DLC alongside the Metro Pack. First up is a $2 character pack, which adds two new characters to multiplayer. In addition, players can also grab the free download for "Kill'Em'Kindly," a new multiplayer mode that has players "fight to the death with golf clubs." That disturbing, guttural sound you just heard was the collective "ugh" of everyone who has ever played the original BioShock.
Make your Avatar look Diesel (save lots of money)
Diesel now has an "apparel collection" available for Avatars through the Xbox Live Marketplace. The designs are based on the company's spring/summer 2010 collection, with t-shirts costing 80 ($1) and a pair of jeans for 160 ($2). Diesel plans to update the collection every season so that, in the company's words, "now, more than ever, you have the ability to dress your Avatars according to your personal style and taste." Now, let's play a game: The Avatar in the back, second from the left is wearing "Viker 8A7" jeans. If you think paying $2 for some pre-cut jeans on your Avatar is silly, take a guess how much those jeans cost in real life? (See the answer after the break.) Xbox.com: Add Diesel Avatar gear to your Xbox 360 download queue
Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more
You know that dusty piggy bank you've had sitting on the shelf forever? Look, forget the kid's college fund -- she's not going to college for, like, years -- and bust that thing open! There's going to be some solid content on Xbox Live Marketplace this month. In the mood for XBLA games? How does Rocket Knight or Zeno Clash tickle your fancy? Oh, so you want some DLC -- Dragon Age: Origins will have more to offer the tireless adventurer later this month. Want to learn the Secret of Monkey Island? During the week of May 17, the secret will be half-off. See what we mean? Head past the break for more XBLM release highlights for the month provided by Microsoft.
