Return

It's been a month since my last posting. Holidays have been crazy and haven't been able to find enough time to keep up. Well, it looks like Xbox live has been having some issues, still, it seems. Not only that but also on Christmas day. Poor kids, waking up on Christmas to new video games that they cannot bring online? Well, thankfully the holidays are nearing an end, New Years is almost upon us. 2008 is looking to be a good year for gaming, however, January is a dry month. With just two games listed so far...

Kingdom Under Fire: Circle Of Doom

Circle of Doom sets itself apart from the previous Kingdom Under Fire series, as strategic elements are replaced with a very unique gaming experience that combines revolutionary online features, explosive action, and streamlined RPG elements, all presented in HD visual of massive scale and ultra-real details. Another distinguishing factor is that the developer is determined to create a stress-free and fun game for everybody. Whereas the predecessors could have been somewhat challenging for casual gamers, Circle of Doom will be very approachable and enjoyable on the surface, with much depth and freedom to be explored and experimented underneath the guise.

There is already a Demo on the Marketplace so you can check out the new features. I like the new RPG elements that allow you to use different weapons, items and armor that you pick up all via the inventory menu on the fly.

Burnout: Paradise

he fifth installment in the Burnout series gives players license to wreak havoc in Paradise City, the ultimate racing battleground, with a massive infrastructure of traffic-heavy roads to abuse. Gone is the need to jump in and out of menus and aimlessly search for fun like many open world games; in Burnout 5, every inch of the world is built to deliver heart-stopping Burnout-style gameplay. Every intersection is a potential crash junction and every alleyway is an opportunity to rack up moving violations.

Of course, rules are made to be broken, and when gamers enter Paradise City, they’re assigned a Drivers License that quickly begins to amass a record of player’s most aggressive, reckless and destructive exploits behind the wheel. But it’s not the law that’s eyeing player’s progress … when gamers push things too hard they’ll be squaring off against the city’s most infamous burners, and these legends aren’t interested in who crosses the finish line first...

Will these games be enough to Satiate the Gamer this month? With one at the beginning of the month and the other at the end only time will tell. Can we make it to February? Where the dry spell ends with all of these?!

Bully: Scholarship Edition	Action	February 5, 2008
Club, The	Action	February 5, 2008
Culdcept Saga	Strategy	February 5, 2008
Dark Messiah of Might & Magic: Elements	Action RPG	February 5, 2008
Devil May Cry 4	Action	February 5, 2008
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition	Action	February 5, 2008
Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Encore (Microphone Included)	Music	February 5, 2008
Spiderwick Chronicles, The	Adventure	February 5, 2008
Turok	Shooter	February 5, 2008
World in Conflict	Strategy	February 5, 2008
Conflict: Denied Ops	Shooter	February 12, 2008
Frontlines: Fuel of War	Shooter	February 12, 2008
Lost Odyssey	RPG	February 12, 2008
FIFA Street 3	Sports	February 18, 2008
Supreme Commander	Strategy	February 18, 2008
Dynasty Warriors 6	Action	February 19, 2008
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway	Shooter	February 26, 2008
Condemned 2: Bloodshot	Action	February 26, 2008
Dark Sector	Shooter	February 26, 2008
Lost: The Videogame	Adventure	February 26, 2008
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty	Shooter	February 26, 2008

All Dates Are Subject to Change

Coming Soon

History Channel: Battle for the Pacific:
Ships 11/29/07

The History Channel takes you to the Battle for the Pacific where you will experience history brought to life in one of the defining campaigns of World War II. Relive epic land battles fought on some of the most brutal and unforgiving battlefields in recorded history. Retake strategically important locations throughout the Pacific Theatre that are vital to the allies on the Road to Tokyo. Play through the eyes of an American GI as you experience intense, no holds barred action against an opponent for which surrender isn't an option! Fire authentic allied and axis weaponry including sub-machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-aircraft guns, pistols, and grenades Relive History - each level begins with a documentary video featuring actual battle footage, key facts and statistics, and the importance that the battle ultimately played in the allied victory.



Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2 Bundle
Ships 12/4/07

The dancing universe expands further on the Xbox 360 with Dance Dance Revolution UNIVERSE2. Exclusively designed for the Xbox 360, Dance Dance Revolution UNIVERSE2 has true universal appeal with multiple options and settings for players of all skill levels, cool smash-hit songs and exclusives and robust online and offline support.

• Truly universal appeal with music from 70s, 80s, 90s and today!
• Very accessible for all skill levels
• Freestyle Mode debuts on Xbox 360 – dance how you want to dance without arrows (perfect for kids or anyone with two left feet)
• Brand new Quest Mode lets you build your own character
• Play online, download new music and more via Xbox Live
• Enhanced graphical design in high definition

The Golden Compass
Ships 12/4/07

Discover a world of mystery and danger in The Golden Compass, the upcoming action adventure video game based on the best-selling novel by Philip Pullman and the major motion picture from New Line Cinema. Going beyond the film you can experience the unforgettable journey through the eyes of protagonist Lyra Belacqua on a quest to rescue her imprisoned uncle and kidnapped best friend. Joining Lyra on her mission is her spirit daemon, Pan, as well as a giant and powerful armored bear, Iorek, and the mysterious Golden Compass – a truth-telling device that will help lead the way. The Golden Compass promises to bring the beloved story to life through adventure and harrowing action sequences. As Lyra, players will evade dangers and traverse a magical landscape while uncovering the secret behind the disappearance of her friend and uncle. And as Iorek, the fearsome armored bear, players will smash through obstacles and enemies in order to protect Lyra along her way. Their travels will take them through a collection of unique locations, such as the port town Trollesund and a dark and foreboding research station in Bolvangar as well as areas not seen in the film. Together Lyra, Pan and Iorek embark on an epic journey of action, exploration, collaboration and discovery.

• Authenticity to the movie: The official videogame of The Golden Compass movie from New Line Cinema brings to life characters, locations and scenes sure to captivate movie fans around the world as well as delivering film footage to guide you through the journey.
• Vivid characters are brought to interactive life: Featuring the likenesses of the movie's impressive cast, which includes Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter, Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua.
• Heroic action sequences: Travel into the frozen north as the rebellious and headstrong heroine Lyra who uses her cunning to evade enemies. Or charge forward as her powerful friend and protector Iorek – a giant armored bear able to overcome any challenge with his brute strength.
• Discover a powerful bond greater than friendship. Experience the collaborative bond between Lyra and her unique animal-companion Pan who has the ability to morph into four different creatures to help Lyra navigate her way around obstacles throughout her perilous journey.
• Explore a parallel universe: Immerse yourself in the world of The Golden Compass movie and discover 11 otherworldly vistas, including locations not seen in the theatrical release.
• Use quick wit to discover and evade. Participate in a variety of embedded mini-games to help Lyra gain further information about her expedition and avoid enemy confrontation. The Golden Compass will lead the way. Use the truth-telling Golden Compass to solve in-game puzzles and unlock bonus content allowing players to explore the worlds as seen in the movie.

Alan Wake (HOT!)
Ships 12/31/07

Official pricing and release dates have not been announced by the publisher. Price and release date listed are estimates only and subject to change

From Remedy, the makers of Max Payne, comes this psychological action thriller for next-gen consoles and future-spec PC systems. The game is currently without a publisher, and it's strange Rockstar hasn't picked it up. Maybe they passed on it. Either way, the game features the massive open city of Pride Falls, offering the free flowing simulation of town life, excellent draw distances, lighting, physics, and special effects.

Resident Evil 5
Ships 1/1/2008Official pricing and release dates have not been announced by the publisher. Price and release date listed are estimates only and subject to change. Worry Free Guarantee - if the price decreases between the time you place your preorder and the release date, you’ll receive the lower of the two.

Changes Ahead?

Could there be changes down the road for Microsoft's game console?

Reuters has the sccop on Activision CEO Bobby Kotick saying that prices on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles must fall to $199, which according to Kotick is the key price point for mass adoption.

"The Wii at its price point is now setting a standard and an expectation, and people say, well, the Wii is less complex technically. I don't think that really matters as much to the consumer," Kotick told the Reuters Media Summit. "In the next 24 months they all will need to be at that $199 price point, and you can imagine Nintendo will be down to the $129 price point over the next few years."

Also Halo 3 seems to be causing some problems.

Information Week is reporting about a lawsuit against Microsoft filed by a San Diego resident, who claims that Halo 3 is a faulty product that frequently crashes when played on the Xbox 360.

In court papers filed this week, Randy Nunez charges that Halo 3 "consistently causes the Xbox 360 to crash, freeze, or lock up while the game is being played."

Along with Microsoft, Nunez also is suing Bungie, which developed Halo 3 along with Microsoft and recently spun off from the software maker. The action was filed in U.S. District Court in Southern California.

Nunez is asking the court to give the suit class action status and is seeking unspecified damages.

Many games had received the faulty disc error and this could be related. No word from Microsoft about the issue and the potential amount of copies that could be affected. Nunez could certainly be one of players that got faulty disks.

Xbox 360 Fall Update

Microsoft announced today that the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update will include a new feature called Friends Lists, which will allow Xbox Live members to check out the friends lists of other members right from the dashboard.

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Expand Your Xbox LIVE Network of Pals by browsing the Friends lists of other Xbox LIVE members

New Experience to be made available on December 4th with the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update

Microsoft is making it even easier to expand your Friends network on Xbox LIVE, starting with the Fall Dashboard Update on December 4th. Members will now be able to check out the friends lists of fellow Xbox LIVE members right from the Dashboard. With this new feature, members can find old friends or connect with new ones within the community of more than 8 million people on Xbox LIVE around the globe and send messages and game invites, as well as compare games and Achievements.

With the prevalence of social media websites such as MySpace and FaceBook, this type of capability has largely come to be expected from consumers as a means to relate in an online community. Xbox LIVE continually seeks new ways to better serve the expectations of its members, which often result in enhancements made available for free through the bi-annual Dashboard updates.

When the Fall Dashboard update is distributed on December 4th, the new default setting on Xbox LIVE will be active enabling members to see the Friends lists of other Xbox LIVE members. Members who would like to keep their friends list private can take the following steps to change their settings beginning today:

Log in to www.xbox.com/fof and select one of the three options available for your Gamertag:

* Everyone (only available to members 18 and older) * Friends only (available to members 13 and older) * Blocked (available to all members, and automatic for anyone under the age of 13)

Stay tuned for more information about the Xbox 360 Dashboard Update later this month.

Microsoft Japan recently held a small press briefing detailing some of the new features bundled into the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update. With the help of Engadget Japanese's Ittousai we've been able to pinpoint a few relevant changes that are in store for next Tuesday's update. The most significant addition is the reorganization of the "games" blade (pictured above), which now features the "Game Library" (in place of "Xbox Live Arcade"), in addition to the old "Achievements" and "Played Games" sections.

When opened, the Game Library is nearly identical to the current XBLA menu, with a vertically-scrolling games list and an info box appearing for the highlighted game [Famitsu image]. New, however, is a horizontal sorting menu, broken down by filters like "All Games," "Arcade," "Demos," and "Recent Downloads." (This new horizontal and vertical organization is not unlike Sony's XMB design -- Microsoft calls it "twist" navigation, the same UI used for Zune.)

Additional Fall Update features:

• Top level of "marketplace" has been reorganized and reduced to four categories: "Featured Content," "What's New," "Game Store," and "Video Store" (below top level, categories will be navigated by twist, just like the Game Library)
  
• "Personal Profile" added to Gamer Profile; text field allowing approx. 500-1000 characters, providing space to publish name, nationality, region, and self introduction. (Further social networking tools to accompany 'Friends of Friends' functionality)
• XBLA demos deleted from "Played Games" and Gamercard lists
  

Note: This feature set is by no means complete, and we should expect to see variations in and additions to the North American update, which will be made available on Dec. 4th.

Mass Effect

Mass Effect™ is a sci-fi action RPG created by BioWare, the commercially and critically acclaimed developer of Jade Empire™ and Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™. Mass Effect delivers an immersive, story-driven experience coupled with awe-inspiring visuals, delivered exclusively to the Xbox 360™.

As one of the first human beings to step onto the galactic stage, you face a grave threat that may destroy all of civilization. Your job is complicated by the fact that no one believes that there is any threat at all. Travel across an expansive universe, exploring the uncharted corners of the galaxy, searching for pieces of the truth in order to discover how to defeat the coming destruction.

Explore uncharted worlds: Uncover a mystery that defies imagination as you travel to the far corners of the universe. Visit unexplored planets, finding side quests that unfold parallel to the main story. Discover alien life, new resources, ruined civilizations, and powerful technologies. Fight in real-time: Mass Effect features a real-time, squad-based, tactical combat system. Enjoy intense and exciting third-person action as you face off against your enemies. Engage your foes with ranged weapons, biotic powers, science-based magic, and tech powers, all accompanied by astonishing visuals. Customize your character: Build a stunning, photo-realistic character, expanding your skills and statistics as you progress. Utilize a deep reward system as you travel further afield and discover more about the coming invasion. Change the appearance of your characters with the additions of newly discovered weapons, equipment, and armor to make each one truly unique. Experience the next generation: Mass Effect takes full advantage of Xbox 360 hardware, providing players with photo-realistic high definition graphics, amazingly realistic characters, branching dialogue with A.I. responses, and a massive universe to explore. As the future of gaming continues to expand online, look for premium downloads on Xbox LIVE®.

• Experience Mass Effect
• Official Game Site
• Prima Guide Sample Pages
• Strategy: Intergalactic Guide to Spectre Success
• Preview: The Mass Effect Experience
• News: Collector's Edition Unveiled
• News: Meet Nihlus Kryik
• Feature: Game Mechanics
• News: Urdnot Wrex
• News: Krogan Race Revealed
• Mass Effect Community Forum

Assassins Creed

Assassin's Creed™ is the next-generation game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that redefines the action genre. Assassin's Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

The setting is 1191 A.D. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.

The Assassin: Master the skills, tactics, and weapons of history’s deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors. Plan your attacks, strike without mercy, and fight your way to escape. Realistic, responsive environments: Experience a living, breathing world in which all your actions have consequences. Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests. Total freedom: Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever, and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments. Scale buildings, mount horses, blend in with crowds. Do whatever it takes to achieve your objectives. Epic times of the Crusades: Assassin’s Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the twelfth century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience, and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world. Intense action: Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels. Next-gen gameplay: The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for Xbox 360 allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment, and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.

• Tips & Tricks: A Guide for the Successful Assassin
• Useful Prima Tips for the Assassin
• Prima Guide Sample Pages
• Assassin's Creed Community Forum

Call Of Duty 4

The new action thriller from the award-winning team at Infinity Ward Inc., Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare delivers the most intense and cinematic action experience ever. The epic title also features the added depth of multiplayer action for an all-new community of persistent, addictive, and customizable gameplay.

• Authentic advanced weaponry: Featuring an available arsenal of more than 70 and authentic weapons and gear including assault rifles with laser sites, claymore mines, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and machine guns, as well as accessories like night-vision goggles and ghillie suits for maximum concealment, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has you locked and loaded to accomplish your mission.
• Coordinated assault and support: Delivering the most visceral action thriller ever, cover modern battle from the soldier to the satellite, where the need for air support is critical to success. The rapid deployment gives you an adrenaline rush as you fast-rope from tactical helicopters, ride in an armada of attack choppers, utilize jets to remove enemy strongholds, and even engage hostiles from thousands of feet above the ground inside a state-of-the-art aerial gunship.
• Cinematic graphics and sound: Featuring stunning next-generation graphics, experience the cinematic intensity of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Amazing special effects, including realistic depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, texture streaming, as well as physics-enabled effects enlists you into the most photo-realistic gaming experience ever. Combine the lifelike graphics and the realistic battle chatter with the Call of Duty award-winning sound design and get ready to face battle as you have never before.
• Unparalleled depth of multiplayer: Multiplayer builds from the success of Call of Duty 2, delivering a persistent online experience for greater community interaction. The create-a-class options let you customize gear that is best suited for play, to experience points enabling unlockables and perks, all the way to matchmaking and leaderboards for the latest in tracking, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's multiplayer is set to deliver easily accessible and addictive online play for all.

• LIVE Fire Weekend Competition
• Preview: Modern Warfare Revealed
• Feature: COD4: Modern Warfare Game of Year Contender
• Tips & Tricks: Multiplayer Tactics in Modern Warfare
• Call of Duty 4 Community Forum

Delayed

It's been awhile since I posted. Sorry about that. It was a very busy month! With the beginning of the month opening up with the massive Call Of Duty 4 with it's incredible story and visuals to the insanely addicting multiplayer. I was hooked continuously playing, the next thing I know Assassins Creed was released and I had to play it. It definitely did not disappoint. Incredibly lifelike people, engrossing story with amazing visuals in a huge world set in the middle of the crusades? I'm Sold. Altair, the main character in the game is not who you think he is, and the beginning of the game was disorienting, I had to double check to make sure I had the right game! But the story unfolded in a very amazing way, the ending left me wanting the sequel right this minute, but alas I have to wait. Sitting on my hands and trying to guess what could happen next. The story was pretty long for only having Nine main targets which concerned me at first but it worked out well. No sooner had I beaten Assassins Creed did Mass Effect Hit store shelves. I had to buy this game. I have played almost every Bioware game. It is one publisher I knew would deliver. I was engrossed to the point I missed Thanksgiving. Hahaha. Anyway, the only qualms I had was that the uncharted planets didn't offer much in the way of side quests alaKotor. The main story was good, maybe a little short but the voice acting amazing, the characters were so lifelike. This is the first of a planned trilogy. If they decide to toss some planets out in favor of a few more civilized places with more sidequests it will be almost perfect. Although I know that there might be some constraints since I don't know how the lip syncing works and time it might take to accomplish that so I can only hope that the time put into the planets could equal the amount needed for just three or four worlds with maybe five to ten quests each. That would be the end all game for me...At least for now. Hahaha. So, anyway sorry for the delay, I will post the release info for these games above. Enjoy.

Ace Combat 6: Fires Of Liberation

Ace Combat® 6: Fires of Liberation™ has shipped to North American retailers for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Ace Combat 6 re-ignites the flight-action genre with a hangar full of photorealistic licensed aircraft, all-new gameplay mechanics that deliver an adrenaline-soaked combat experience and four captivating online multiplayer modes.

• Live the war zones: Witness the high-definition graphics rendering the world around you into super realistic war zones, made possible only by the superior power of the next generation console system.
• Command the allied assault: The superior processing power of the next-gen console system gives you the ability to lead not only aerial combat units but also naval and ground combat units. Issue commands with split-second precision and witness the massive combined assault destroying numerous enemy forces at once!
• Engage in fierce combat: Massive conflicts unfold on a "living battlefield" integrated by the "Dynamic Operation System" where up to six independent aerial, ground, and naval battles can break out at once at multiple locations as allies and enemies clash in real-time.
• Prove your supremacy: For the first time in the Ace Combat franchise, several modes of online play with various rules become available, including death match style missions, an all-out battle for control of the sky, team death matches, and co-op games, where you cooperate with friends to take on computer-controlled adversaries.
• Pilot the aircraft of your dreams: Get in the cockpits of your favorite authentically detailed aircrafts from air forces around the globe such as the F-15 E Strike Eagle, F-22 Raptor, and Tornado for the most realistic flight combat action.
• Enjoy an action-packed experience: Seamless pacing and intuitive controls provide an immersive and stress-free gaming experience.
• Experience the battlefield: Become entangled in an authentic war drama told from the perspectives of seven main characters. Real-time allied and enemy radio communications change according to ever-changing events in battle.

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $59.99. The limited edition Ace Combat® 6 Flightstick Bundle includes HORI’s exclusive ACE-EDGE™ flightstick and a custom Ace Combat 6 Xbox 360 faceplate for a suggested retail price of $149.99.

Conan Hits Retail Stores

Conan® is an all-new action combat game featuring a story of adventure, true evil, and brutal, visceral combat. The game follows the journey of Conan the Cimmerian as he fights an epic battle against a variety of enemies and an elusive evil power that threatens to consume the world.

Using anything and everything at his disposal, including hand-to-hand weapons, objects in the environment, and powerful elemental magic, Conan takes the fight to his enemies across the massive continent of Hyborea.

• Intense combat action: Playing as Conan, use an incredibly deep and gratifying combat system that provides a variety of fighting styles to battle enemies. Utilizing multiple movement trees, string together combos and fight foes using grappling moves, hand-to-hand combat, swordplay, and dual-wielded attacks. Over 20 swords, axes, halberds, shields, and spears can be picked up off enemy corpses.
• Interactive environments: Highly interactive combat locales and a real-time physics engine allows you to pick up any weapon, shield or torch, in sight. Use the environment to your advantage in combat, crushing foes with falling pillars or throwing them onto spikes.
• Cinematic gameplay experience: Thanks to the power of next-generation hardware, the game takes advantage of next generation cinematic graphics, special effects, lighting and shaders. Dozens of independently acting A.I. enemies participate onscreen at once.

Players will take on the role of Conan as he journeys through Hyboria, decimating his foes with a variety of deadly weapons, fighting styles, hand-to-hand combat and his surrounding environment. The Conan video game is rated “M” for Mature and is now available at retailers throughout North America for the suggested retail price of $59.99.

Microsoft speaks on Mass Effect

As soon as EA announced it had acquired BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios, the Xbox community wondered what would happen to the Mass Effect trilogy, which BioWare intended to begin and end on the Xbox 360 platform.

First, Microsoft Game Studios has confirmed that EA’s acquisition of the developer of “Jade Empire” and “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” won’t at all affect next month’s release of Mass Effect. However, future games in this franchise are facing a dark horizon:

Microsoft has not yet announced specifics regarding sequels to “Mass Effect” but we’ll be talking to EA and BioWare in the weeks to come. “Mass Effect” is the most anticipated role-playing game of the season, on any platform, and we are committed to the franchise’s long term success.

When we asked about the ownership of the intellectual property, Microsoft confirmed that--unlike the Halo and Project Gotham Racing IPs, which are owned by Microsoft and not the respective developers--BioWare Corp. owns the Mass Effect IP.

Published by Microsoft Game Studios, Mass Effect will ship to retailers throughout North America on November 20, 2007. The recipient of more than 50 awards, including the 2007 Game Critics Awards for “Best Console Game” and “Best RPG” at the Electronic Entertainment Expo last month in Los Angeles, “Mass Effect” is poised to become the must-play RPG of 2007.

Ea Buys Bioware, Pandemic

Electronic Arts Inc. Today announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp. -- the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios. This acquisition gives EA a strong competitive position in key genres in interactive entertainment: action, adventure and role-playing games. The two studios have been recognized for creating some of the highest-quality games in the industry.

BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios have ten franchises under development, including six wholly owned games. BioWare Corp. is currently developing the highly anticipated Mass Effect, which will be published by Microsoft in November, and is in the early development stages of a massively multiplayer online game. Pandemic Studios is redefining open-world games with its upcoming Mercenaries 2: World in Flames™ and Saboteur™, in addition to several unannounced projects.

Pandemic Studios and BioWare Corp. employ roughly 800 people across four studios located in Edmonton, Canada; Los Angeles; Austin; and Brisbane, Australia.

"These are two of the most respected studios in the industry and I'm glad to be working with them again. They'll make a strong contribution to our strategic growth initiatives on quality, online gaming and developing new intellectual properties," said John Riccitiello, EA's Chief Executive Officer. "We also expect this will drive long-term value for our shareholders."

Pandemic Studios is led by Andrew Goldman, Josh Resnick and Greg Borrud. BioWare Corp. is jointly led by Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka. These teams will join the EA™ Games Label run by Frank Gibeau, President of EA Games.

"Pandemic Studios remains focused on attracting the best talent and creating blockbuster action games," said Josh Resnick, President and Co-founder of Pandemic Studios. "As a worldwide publishing leader, EA represents the ideal partner to bring our titles to market as global entertainment events."

"We are truly excited by John Riccitiello's new vision for EA," said Ray Muzyka, Co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp. "This vision is consistent with BioWare's focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world. It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin."

EA will pay up to $620 million in cash to the stockholders of VG Holding Corp. and will issue up to an additional $155 million in equity to certain employees of VG Holding Corp., which will be subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria. EA will also assume outstanding VG Holding Corp. stock options. In addition, EA has agreed to lend VG Holding Corp. up to $35 million through the closing of the acquisition.

Demos On XBL Market Place

Conan

Conan is a third-person action game that puts the “hack” back into hack ‘n slash. The game features some of the most insane combat we’ve seen in quite a while, reminiscent of titles like Ninja Gaiden and God of War. It’s one hell of a gory game, too, featuring plenty of severed limbs, brutal attacks, and arterial sprays galore. Your heavy and light attacks will be mapped to the face buttons, as will your grab moves and jumping. The shoulder buttons will allow you to block and parry your enemies’ attacks, and you can use the right analog stick to quickly dodge left or right.



The Simpsons

The Simpsons Game features a hilarious, sprawling and mind-busting storyline crafted by the TV show’s Emmy Award-winning writers. The action-comedy will also feature the full cast of voice actors from the TV show who will reprise their roles for the game. In The Simpsons Game, Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa use exciting, all-new powers to save the world from rising chaos. To help the Simpsons, gamers at home must journey through all of Springfield (as well as vast worlds beyond!), vanquish an amazing array of villains and fight their way through parodies of popular games.


BladeStorm: The Hundred Year's War

In the 14th century a quarrel over English succession to the French throne escalated into what history would call the Hundred Years' War. This ongoing war had exhausted the standing armies of both sides and there was a growing dependence on mercenary soldiers.

As arrows rain from above, knights will charge on horseback, cannoniers will fire volleys at heavy infantry, and armies will collide in unprecedented scale. Immerse yourself in ferocious battles where an innovative action style enables you to defeat countless numbers of soldiers with one cleverly chosen attack command. Establish a reputation as a formidable warrior and leader of men, build your war chest and lure hardened warriors to your employ. Outwit your opponents and overwhelm them with dominating force to be the last one standing when the dust settles on one of history's greatest conflicts.


Clive Barkers Jericho

Clive Barker’s Jericho is being designed as an action horror title that will up the stakes in visuals and phantasmagorical special effects. Mingling the darkest elements of Barker’s horror fiction and films with an ambitious, age-spanning story, the title will be aimed at mature gamers, fans of Clive Barker and horror fiction enthusiasts. If you haven't downloaded this demo yet you are missing out on a really impressive taste of one of the best horror shooters coming out.

Halo 3 Records More Then $300 Million in First Week

Redmond—Interactive entertainment will never be the same, with the launch of one title that has changed the way the world thinks about video games. Halo® 3 has captured the attention of consumers worldwide and has made history as one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time.

Fans get their hands on the first copies of Halo 3 at Best Buy in New York City. .

Microsoft today announced Halo 3 has officially become a global phenomenon, garnering more than $300 million in sales in the first week alone. The critically-acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive, which was released worldwide on Tuesday, September 25, is the fastest selling video game ever and one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.

Sales of the Xbox 360 console saw a sharp increase, more than doubling compared to the weekly average before the launch of Halo 3. With games like Halo 3, Madden NFL 08, Mass Effect™ and Rock Band, Xbox 360 has the greatest lineup in the history of video games and the only console where consumers can play all of the year's biggest blockbusters.

"Halo is truly a cultural phenomenon and the launch of Halo 3 is an important milestone for Xbox 360 and for video games as a narrative art form," said Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. "Halo 3 embodies our vision for the future of entertainment, where the world's greatest creators deliver a new generation of interactive storytelling."

Online Phenomena
Halo 3 is quickly staking its place as the most popular Xbox LIVE® game in history with members gathering in record numbers to play on the world's largest online gaming and entertainment network on TV. More than 2.7 million gamers have played Halo 3 on Xbox LIVE in the first week, representing nearly one-third of the seven million Xbox LIVE members worldwide. Within the first day of its launch, Halo 3 players racked up more than 3.6 million hours of online game play, which increased more than eleven-fold to more than 40 million hours by the end of the first week—representing more than 4,500 years of continuous game play.

The excitement builds in Seattle as the launch approaches.

Since Halo 3 launched, gamers have unlocked more than 30 million achievements. In its first week alone, Halo 3 drove a record number of Xbox LIVE Gold Memberships as hundreds of thousands of new members gathered online to collectively compete and complete the game.

Biggest Entertainment Launch in History
To date, over 20 million copies of the games in the Halo trilogy have been sold worldwide. The record week one sales comes on the heels of the previously announced $170 million in sales in the U.S. within the first 24 hours of the game's release, which marked not just the biggest videogame launch, but the biggest entertainment launch in history. The Xbox 360 title beat previous U.S. sales records set by blockbuster openings for entertainment events like the release of Spider-Man 3 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Additionally, more than 1.7 million copies of Halo 3 were preordered in the United States, making it the fasting pre-selling game in history, surpassing the previous record-setting pre-sales of Halo 2.

-Xbox.com
©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved

The Ultimate Halo Package

To benefit the Boys & Girls Club, Microsoft is offering the ultimate Halo® 3 package to one lucky winning bidder on eBay. Check out what's included:

Bid on this massive Halo 3 package.

• The ONLY Xbox 360™ Limited Edition Halo 3 console that has been personally signed by Bill Gates.
• The ONLY Limited Edition Halo 3 Zune 30 GB media player personally signed by J Allard.
• The entire Halo Trilogy: Two copies of Halo 3 (Legendary Edition and Standard Edition), plus the Halo Triple Pack for Xbox® (Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack)
• Xbox 360 HD DVD player.
• Rare special aluminum storage case with over $400 worth of accessories (two Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controllers with an exclusive Todd McFarlane Collectable Figurine, Messenger Kit, HDMI AV cable, extra 120 GB hard drive, and a Halo 3 T-shirt).

(For tax purposes, the total retail value of this package is about $2,000.)

You can own this one-of-a-kind console.

Don't miss this opportunity to own this unique collection! All auction proceeds from this Ultimate Halo 3 Package benefit the Boys & Girls Club. To bid for the package, click here.

Halo 3 Launch

New Yorkers were the first consumers in the U.S. to get their hands on Halo® 3 after hundreds of eager fans lined up ahead of the midnight extravaganza at Best Buy near Times Square.

The first two in line at Best Buy in New York City finally get Halo 3.

In addition to day-long activities, some fans in line had the chance to play Halo 3 against on-site celebrities, with a new personality arriving every hour. A number of Bungie team members, local professional athletes, and celebrities were on hand for launch activities and there was a surprise spectacle at the stroke of midnight.

Seattle fans couldn't wait to get their hands on the action-packed Halo® 3, and hundreds of eager hometown Halo fans turned out for the midnight extravaganza at Best Buy in Bellevue, Washington.

A lucky Halo 3 fan rewarded for his commitment.

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was on hand to give out the first copy of Halo 3 at the store, where the crowds mingled with some senior Microsoft executives, the Bungie Studios team and local professional athletes.

Adding to the excitement were contests and prize giveaways in the run-up to the 12:01 A.M. launch.

With the biggest entertainment launch in history, more than 10,000 retailers hosted midnight madness events, giving fans the opportunity to be a part of history in the making.

In New York City, customers at Best Buy near Times Square were among the first in the U.S. to get a copy of Halo 3.

Halo 3 Videos

Halo Wars And Halo 3


Two Soilders Reminisce Spot



Official "Hunted" Spot

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground

In Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, you create your own story. This authentic skating experience gives you the freedom to truly define your character, story, and style based on the choices you make, the path you select, and the styles of skating you choose. Every skater has their own story. Step onto the Proving Ground, and create yours.

• Unique skills: Build your own unique skill set from various skating styles.
• New tricks: Master new skills like Bowl Carving, Nail the Grab and Manual, Skate Checking, and more.
• Multiplayer action: Transition seamlessly from single player to online multiplayer.
• Epic videos: Create your own epic skate videos with a full-featured video editor.
• Interactive environments: Modify the world into your own personal skatepark.

Demo On Xbox Live Now!

Mass Effect

Game Updates

A Visit with Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka
Bioware's co-founder discusses characters, story, and good gaming.

Saren Arterius in Mass Effect
Saren Arterius is the longest-serving Turian member of the Spectres, but he has become increasingly outspoken lately on the subject of human expansion.

Urnot Wrex in Mass Effect
The Mass Effect site has been updated with a profile of one of the most notorious Krogan, Urdnot Wrex. Wrex holds the honor of being one of the last Krogan Battle Masters.

Features

Mass Effect™ is a sci-fi action RPG created by BioWare, the commercially and critically acclaimed developer of Jade Empire™ and Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™. Mass Effect delivers an immersive, story-driven experience coupled with awe-inspiring visuals, delivered exclusively to the Xbox 360™.

As one of the first human beings to step onto the galactic stage, you face a grave threat that may destroy all of civilization. Your job is complicated by the fact that no one believes that there is any threat at all. Travel across an expansive universe, exploring the uncharted corners of the galaxy, searching for pieces of the truth in order to discover how to defeat the coming destruction.

-Xbox.com

Skate

Out Now!


Developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, British Columbia, SKATE will deliver the feel of skating through innovative controls, authentic cameras and a fully reactive skateboarding city. The gamewill deliver all the style, fun, creativity and culture of skateboarding without the countless hours of practice, broken bones and hospital visits.

Here is some gameplay video

Halo 3 Game Manual

Virtual Manual
Bungie has posted the Interactive Manual for Halo 3. It shows all the controls, gameplay modes and weapons before you play in the Halo 3 Interactive Game Manual. Be sure to Check it out! The link is above. Enjoy!!!
Halo Is Released This Monday at Midnight!

Viva Pinata: Party Animals Demo on XBLM

As part of its Tokyo Game Show Bringing It Home celebration, a 971 MB demo of the Xbox 360 mini-game competition Viva Pinata: Party Animals is now available for download from Xbox Live Marketplace.

Developed by Krome Studios and based on the pinata-tastic property created by Rare, Party Animals arrives in North America later this year.

GameTrailers Best of E3 2007: Most Disappointing

Brand New Simpsons Trailer

It's looking really good for all you Simpson fans out there.

Halo 3 Console

In anticipation of this year's largest blockbuster game launch, Microsoft will offer the Xbox 360™ Halo® 3 Special Edition Console in September 2007. The console features an exclusive "Spartan green and gold" finish and comes bundled with a matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, 20GB Hard Drive, Headset, Play & Charge Kit, and exclusive Halo 3 Gamer Pics and Theme (available via Xbox LIVE® download).

Join the Halo Nation with the Special Edition Console.

Look for this new console in September. This new Special Edition contains these components:

• Halo 3 Special Edition Console
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
• Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
• Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
• Component HD AV Cable
• Ethernet Cable
• HDMI Port
• Play & Charge Kit
• Xbox LIVE Silver Membership
• One-month Lbox LIVE Gold Membership
• Halo 3 game not included—sold separately

Halo 3: Three Choices, Time is short.

These are the versions available to pre-order. Clicking Pre-order takes you to there official site.

Standard Edition: $59.99 This is the complete third installment of the legendary epic.

Limited Edition: $69.99 The Limited Edition ships in a sleek metal collector's case. In addition to the game, the Limited Edition includes the "Bestarium," a hardcover guide to the game's species, civilizations, and cultures. The bonus disc includes Bungie's high-definition home theater calibration tool; "Art Attack" with concept, production art, an exclusive Dashboard theme, and gamer pics; a Halo-themed minigame; and a variety of short films on a wide range of subjects.

Legendary Edition: $129.99 Individually numbered and available while supplies last, the Legendary Edition includes a copy of Halo 3 in a collectible Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI helmet case, as well as an exclusive collection of storyboard art and the same bonus disc included with the Limited Edition. You'll also get the Legendary Edition disc, including remastered, high-res versions of the Halo and Halo 2 cinematics; an expanded digital "Bestiarum" guide to the creatures and cultures of Halo 3; The Cortana Chronicles; and exclusive machinima episodes.

New Maps For Graw 2

The free Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™ 2 Throwback Pack 2, now available in Marketplace, consists of seven classic maps from Ghost Recon's illustrious history. In addition to the seven maps, there is a new game mode called "Co-op Exfiltration." All of these maps have upgraded visuals and support all of GRAW 2's thousands of customizable game modes.

Ghost Town
From a map in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 2 Summit Strike, a rural North Korean village surrounds a temple courtyard. Narrow streets and back alleys make for intense close-quarters battles.

Aral Sea
Also from Summit Strike, this map is a forgotten harbor village on the coast of a vast, empty sea. Grounded ships provide sparse cover on the dried seabed dividing the map. The shelter of the docks above makes this map a favorite with marksmen.

District
This map from Summit Strike is a government district of a large Kazakh city. Open city streets make for long-range firefights, while winding alleys create flanking opportunities.

Bunkers
Another map from Summit Strike, these training grounds feature several simulated bunker complexes divided by open ground with intermittent cover. Move quickly from cover to cover to avoid marksmen in the firing positions above.

Rocky Cove

From the original Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™, this is a coastal area, featuring tidal pools and an imposing central promontory. Beaches are littered with large rocks, and long sight lines invite marksmen to test their skill.

Boneyard
Also from Advanced Warfighter, this is a vehicle graveyard, with rusting aircraft parts and scrap metal piled all around. Tight quarters ensure no one is ever far from the action.

River Depot
This map from Advanced Warfighter is an old, abandoned storage facility, overrun by the surrounding jungle and repurposed for military use. Deteriorating railways run the length of the map, connecting two gates on higher ground to a warehouse near the river.

New Game Mode
In the new Co-op Exfiltration mode, work together to protect A.I. officers as you escort them to a helicopter extraction zone through a map populated with enemies.

-Xbox.com

Halo 3 Videos

A hero is more than a person, a hero is a belief. A belief that, against impossible odds, the world can be saved—and that the world is still worth saving. Heroes inspire that belief in us. They renew our faith and give us that most precious of all gifts—hope. The world needs heroes. That's why, when a true hero arrives, the world will honor him.

	Museum Master Chief's legend lives on in first-hand stories told by the men who served with him in the Battle for New Mombasa. High | Low
	Diorama The John-117 Monument, created in the year 2607, on exhibit in the Museum of Humanity, was crafted by historians to pay tribute to the greatest of heroes, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117. 90 second version: High | Low 60 second version: High | Low 30 second version: High | Low 15 second version: High | Low
	Making Of Go behind the scenes and see how the John-117 Monument was created. Built as a tribute to the fight for our very survival as a species, the monument is a three-dimensional snapshot of the battle that defined us, and the hero who pulled us from the brink. High | Low

BELIEVE—The Interactive Exhibit
Visit the John-117 Monument and get a hands-on look at the amazing detail that went into crafting this stunning tribute. The exhibit is filled with first-person accounts from the soldiers who were there, fighting for our very survival. From billows of smoke erupting from a cannon to the sweat dripping from a Marine's brow, you can explore this painstaking recreation of our greatest fight, and Earth's greatest Hero.

-Xbox.com excerpt

Tokyo Game Show

Tokyo, Japan—Flanked by a who's who of Japanese gaming luminaries and video game development legends, Takashi Sensui , general manager of the Home and Entertainment Division at Microsoft Co. Ltd., took the stage at the Yebisu Garden Hall during Xbox 360 Briefing 2007 to announce support from some of Japan's most renowned game developers and unveil an unparalleled lineup of holiday blockbuster hits and exclusives for Xbox 360™.

Take to the skies in Ace Combat 6.

Two of Japan's most celebrated game developers, Tomonobu Itagaki from Team NINJA/ Tecmo Ltd.and Hironobu Sakaguchi from Mistwalker, joined Sensui onstage to announce their support for the Xbox 360 platform. Itagaki highlighted the announcement that Team NINJA will develop NINJA GAIDEN® 2, the true sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed Xbox® original, exclusively for Xbox 360.

Sakaguchi revealed pricing and availability for Mistwalker's upcoming role-playing game (RPG) Lost Odyssey™, available December 6, 2007, in Japan, and around the world in early 2008. In addition, representatives from SQUARE ENIX took the stage to discuss two new games for Xbox 360: INFINITE UNDISCOVERY™ and THE LAST REMNANT™ .

Japanese Developers Embrace Xbox 360
NINJA GAIDEN 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the platinum-selling Xbox original, where you once again assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as you guide the ninja hero on a quest to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race. Team NINJA's announcement that NINJA GAIDEN 2will be exclusive to Xbox 360 and available worldwide in 2008 provides plenty of reason for excitement, and serves as yet another example of the blockbuster games being created by Japanese developers exclusively for the platform.

Lost Odyssey lands in Japan in December.

Xbox 360 owners in Japan will be the first to experience the magical world of Lost Odyssey, created by Mistwalker/feelplus Inc., and featuring a beautifully told story by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the Final Fantasy video game franchise. Available December 6, 2007, in Japan, January 2008 in Asia, and February 2008 in North America and Europe, Lost Odyssey headlines a lineup of games by Japanese developers for Xbox 360 owners around the world this holiday, including:

• Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (NAMCO BANDAI Games): Zoom up to the sky and into the heat of realistic air combat with next-generation audio and visual effects and online multiplayer action. Available this holiday, only on Xbox 360.
• Beautiful Katamari (NAMCO BANDAI Games): Marking the debut of Namco's beloved ball-rolling puzzle game on a next-generation platform, the fourth installment of the Katamari series features levels of quirkiness, cosmic animations and musical stylings never seen before. Available in October.
• Lost Odyssey (Microsoft Game Studios/Mistwalker/feelplus Inc.): Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi leads a staff of gaming masters to bring a truly next-generation role-playing experience to Xbox 360 in Lost Odyssey. Experience a dramatic story of massive scale that features breathtaking visuals and an epic adventure made possible only by the power of Xbox 360. Available December 6, 2007, in Japan, and worldwide in 2008, only on Xbox 360.

Infinite Undiscovery is an epic RPG.

Plus:

• Battlefield: Bad Company (Electronic Arts)
• Battlestations: Midway ( Eidos)
• BLADESTORM : The Hundred Years' War (KOEI Co. Ltd.)
• CASTLE SHIKIGAMI III (ArcSystemWorks Co. Ltd.)
• Dynasty Warriors 6 (KOEI Co. Ltd.)
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
• Final Fantasy XI Play Online All in One Pack 2007 (SQUARE ENIX)
• Final Fantasy XI Wings of the Goddess (SQUARE ENIX)
• Just Cause (Electronic Arts)
• Mobile Ops: The One Year War (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
• Operation Darkness (S UCCESS Corp.)
• Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami)
• ZOIDS ALTERNATIVE (TOMY Co. Ltd.)

Last Remnant was another big show announcement.

This incredible lineup joins many other amazing games from developers around the globe that will be available this holiday in Japan and around the world, including the following:

• Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft Entertainment): Assassin's Creed™ is the next-generation game developed by Ubisoft that merges technology, game design, theme and emotions into a world where you assume the role of the main character, Altair, and have the power to throw your immediate environment into chaos and experience the art of a master assassin. Available this November.
• Halo 3 (Microsoft Game Studios/Bungie Studios): In Halo® 3, the third installment of the landmark Halo trilogy and hugely anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Halo 2, take on the role of Master Chief and experience Master Chief's greatest battle as he launches an epic mission to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat, and ultimately save mankind. In this third chapter of the Halo trilogy, Master Chief returns to face his greatest challenge as he readies himself for the final battle and seals his place in history. A hero must rise. Believe. Available worldwide, with availability in the United States on September 25 and Japan on September 27, only on Xbox 360.
• Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (Microsoft/Blueside Inc.). Six heroes from the Kingdom Under Fire universe fight their way through the Dark Dimension against hordes of demented monsters in a twisted action-RPG exclusive to Xbox 360. Coming this winter, KUF:COD features seamless four-player co-op via Xbox LIVE®, randomly generated maps, and nearly infinite weapons combos with unique abilities, enhancements, and magical powers to learn and master.
• Project Gotham Racing 4 (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations Ltd.): Project Gotham Racing® 4redefines the acclaimed PGR franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience complete with dynamic weather and iconic cars and motorcycles. Available this October, only on Xbox 360.
• Viva Piñata: Party Animals (Microsoft Game Studios/Krome Studios Pty. Ltd.): An exciting new party game based on the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive and hit animated TV series, Viva Piñata™: Party Animals brings back the familiar piñata characters and invites you to compete in more than 40 mini-games against friends at home or over Xbox LIVE. Available this holiday season, only on Xbox 360.

"Gamers around the world can look forward to the gr eatest holiday lineup in video game history," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan's best and most innovative developers, and we're looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond."

Rez is a legendary action shooter.

Xbox LIVE Arcade
Japanese developers have long embraced and championed Xbox LIVE Arcade, with hits including PAC-MAN Championship Edition (NAMCO BANDAI Games), Bomberman Live (Hudson Entertainment), Frogger (Konami) and Fatal Fury Special (SNK PLAYMORE Corp.). Several new titles from these and other Japanese developers will be added to the diverse portfolio of digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games currently available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, including the following:

• Every Extend Extra Extreme(Q Entertainment): The latest creation from Q Entertainment, Every Extend Extra Extreme, or E4, is a unique action-packed shooter where the goal is to perfectly time your self-destruction to create chain reactions that explode surrounding enemies. With outrageous visuals and the ability to play your own favorite music, E4 puts a new twist on puzzle shooter games.
• EXIT (Taito): An addictive, frenzied puzzle game, EXIT use your decision-making skills and wits to escape numerous obstacles, while rescuing people from more than 100 different emergencies. Save as many lives as possible while finding the fastest way out when EXIT arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade by the end of the year.
• Ikaruga (Treasure Co. Ltd.): Ikarugais a quick-paced shooter with strong strategy elements featuring a slow-motion training mode and co-op play for two. Available soon for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade, Ikaruga is the perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and refined, ultra-challenging arcade heroics.
• OMEGA FIVE (Hudson Entertainment): OMEGA FIVE is a next-generation, high-definition shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. Players fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller and try to avoid the enemies that come at them from all sides, even from behind.
• Rez (Q Entertainment): Rez , the legendary action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. A fast-moving, wire-frame adventure backed by industrial beats, the story of Rez takes you deep into the world's computer network, where you must hack the system, altering the visual output and even taking over the music, creating your own rhythms and eye candy as you dig deeper into the dreamlike cyberworld.
• Triggerheart Exelica (Warashi):A shoot 'em-up game where you battle against hordes of enemy ships, Triggerheart Exelica dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match your skill level. Triggerheart Exelica launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.

Other exciting Xbox LIVE Arcade games available in the coming months include these:

• Braid (Number None Inc.): Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Braid is a platformer/puzzle game. Journey across seven worlds to rescue a princess—in each world, time behaves in its own peculiar way. Cleverly manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. Braid aims to provide a mind-expanding, filler-free experience.
• Castlecrashers (The Behemoth): Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Castlecrashers is the second title currently in development by award-winning independent developer the Behemoth. The four-player RPG adventure lets you hack, slash, and smash your way to victory. Castlecrashers delivers unique high-resolution illustrated visuals, including memorably hand-drawn characters that are cute and menacing at the same time. Play with up to three friends locally or over Xbox LIVE and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery in the amazing world of Castlecrashers.
• Schizoid (Torpex Games LLC):Schizoid, from independent studio Torpex Games, is the first Xbox LIVE Arcade game to be created with XNA™ Game Studio. Debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year, Schizoid is an action-packed game focused on co-op gameplay where you smash barrages of glowing enemies while cooperating closely to protect each other.

Bringing It Home on Marketplace
Once again, Microsoft will bring the Tokyo Game Show experience into living rooms worldwide as it offers its "TGS Bring It Home" programming, delivering hours of coverage from the press briefing, all the best highlights from the show floor, interviews with developers, gameplay videos, exclusive cinematic trailers, and a variety of Xbox 360 content to download over Xbox LIVE Marketplace, beginning September 13, 2007.

-Xbox.com