[Via Pinata Island, Thanks jimmcq]
Viva Piñata toys busting out of BK
[Via Pinata Island, Thanks jimmcq]
Fresh off the stove, melted Xbox 360
As the story goes, Ty held a crazy fun Halo 3 LAN match with a few buddies and they ran out of physical gaming space. So, the only option was to setup shop in the kitchen and place his 360 on the stove for what he thought would be safe gaming. But during the Halo 3 mayhem someone "accidentally" turned the stove knob resulting in his 360 getting all melted. Supposedly funny and friendly prank gone bad? We think so and we also think Ty should track down the knob turning arson that he calls a friend, stick his face on the stove and "accidentally" melt his flesh to the burner. You hurt a 360, you get punished. It's an eye for an eye in fanboy world.
[Thanks, Trevor Leon]
Shipping this week: fall colors edition
And the flood of new releases keeps on, um, flooding. This week's headlining title is easily The Orange Box from Valve and EA. Boasting what is probably the most bang for you gaming buck this year, The Orange Box contains Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2 Episodes One and Two, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. That's five bits of gaming goodness for one delicious price. Well, it's not a delicious price, but just remember that you'd be expected to pay the same price for just one of the other games being released this week. Speaking of other titles, let's have a look at all the games being released this week.Now, go forth and purchase. The consumer machine demands it.
[Via Joystiq]
Puzzle Quest and Yaris are XBLA bound
We're sure Puzzle Quest fans are already frothing at the mouth in anticipation for this Wednesday and already purchased their Microsoft points cards, but where the heck did this Toyota Yaris game come from? Total left field here, but a free corporate sponsored game and some free Gamerscore is something we won't question.
Speedball II heading to the Arcade next week
According to a very official looking press release sent out by Empire Interactive, Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe will be hitting the Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, October 17th. And Speedball II fans will be pumped to know that there will be additional features in this 800 Microsoft point XBLA edition of the game including more teams, improved graphics, a 3D option, online versus and an improved upgrade system too. We don't think anyone can deny that futuristic Speedball has ever played so good. So, looking at our unofficial Microsoft XBLA calendar, we've got some unofficial Puzzle Quest fun going down this Wednesday and some unofficial Speedball II coming next week. Microsoft better get their act together with announcing these XBLA games before we have publishers releasing press materials for games that come out in December.
Halo: Uprising goes hardcover next year
[Via HBO]
Video: First 17 minutes of Project Origin
[Via Game Stooge]
Holiday Xbox 360 bundles are official
It's not like we didn't see this offer headed down the pipeline, but now it's 100% official. This morning Microsoft sent out a press release announcing the release of the planned Xbox 360 holiday bundles. Starting sometime near the end of October, consumers will start seeing all new Xbox 360s and Xbox 360 Elites come bundled with both Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. This bundling of games will of course help with Microsoft's plans at world domination this holiday season and hopefully win over the hearts of Wii crazy mothers.Next up, the confirmation of the Xbox 360 Arcade which we say will be announced sometime next week. Place your bets.
XBLM gets Simpsons and Conan demos
Ah, who doesn't love a good demo? It's not quite like getting a free game, but it's close. Every day we turn on our beloved 360, hoping to see some shiny new demos winking at us coquettishly. Suckers that we are, we download them all, regardless of whether or not we're likely to enjoy the game. Today is extra special though, because not only do we have two new demos on Xbox Live Marketplace, but we have demos for games we've been eager to try. The first is Conan, which gives us license to chop, hack, and bludgeon hapless foes (and who doesn't enjoy that?). The second demo is for The Simpsons Game, which has been looking more appealing all the time. We're hoping that the demo gives us a nice long look at the self-referential humor that has been present in the recent trailers. But hey, whatever happens, they're free, right? Go give 'em a try.Assassin's comic reveals some more secrets
[Via Digg]
Frankie talks Bungie's independence
The very interesting and somewhat confusing news of Bungie leaving the comforts of Microsoft and going independent has shocked and awed the gaming world, but what exactly does it mean for everyone involved? Well, according to Frankie in an interview with Game Informer not too much will change and he says it will actually benefit both parties in the long run.In his sit down with Game Informer Frankie talks about the future of the studio, where they're headed, how their operations will work and goes on to give praise to Microsoft saying that they've been extremely supportive of their decision to go independent. Mr. O'Connor also confirms the fact that they'll still be publishing under Microsoft Game Studios and that their future projects will revolve mostly around Microsoft platforms. Yes, it's still a somewhat odd and head cocking arrangement that has been set up that leaves a lot vagueness in the air, but if you're curious to know what we think this is how we see it: In general, Bungie (post Halo 3) wants to create other IPs and the only way for them to feel free to do so is to not be held back by Microsoft's Halo shackles. So, both companies agreed, they gave each other a big hug and continue to be best friends forever while Bungie technically becomes an independent studio. Sounds good to us, how about you?
[Thanks, bigbeck89]
Zanzibar looking good all LEGO'ed
In continuation of our love and admiration of anything that blends our obsession of video games with the simplicity that is LEGOs, we proudly present to you Zanzibar LEGO'fied. As you'll see in the video embedded above, a college student meticulously crafts Halo 2's Zanzibar in LEGOs along the way spending thousands of dollars and over two years of his college life. We give this Halo inspired LEGO creation an A for effort, an A- for accuracy and an A+ for shear amount of Halo geekiness that's involved. LEGO Zanzibar ... who would have thunk it.
[Thanks, Josh]
Get $5 off with an Orange Box pre-order
If you already have decided on purchasing the Orange Box this coming Tuesday you can save $5 on your purchase if you're willing to pre-order the game at Gamestop. From now through October 9th (the game's release date) Gamestop is willing to chop $5 off the game's price if you plop down a few bucks on an Orange Box pre-order. True, $5 isn't all that much of a savings, but if you're already purchasing the game then why not save a few bucks and treat yourself to a McFlurry or a few lottery tickets with your cash savings. There's no need to thank us, we're always looking out for ways to keep your wallet from becoming empty. That's just the kind of bloggers we are.[Thanks, BostonKingB]
Puzzle Quest just might make a release this Wed
Halo movie is pretty much dead for now
In an interview with Creativity Online, Halo director and overall good guy Neill Blomkamp commented on the status of and his involvement in the Halo movie and pretty much confirmed our worst fears, that the movie is indeed dead in its tracks. Blomkamp told Creativity Online that, in its current configuration, the Halo movie has been killed off since late last year when Universal, Fox and Microsoft couldn't agree on the movie's specifics. "It's a fragile industry" Blomkamp said, and if the movie ever gets made it "will be a totally different configuration". Sorry Halo fanboys, it has been nothing but icky news as of late.[Thanks, Dobbs]
