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Ask X3F: Gotta have Faith edition
Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [att] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.
Roy Orbison Rock Band DLC now available
Delayed only a few hours from its traditional early AM release, we're pleased to inform you that new Roy Orbison music for Rock Band is ready for purchase. All six DLC tracks can be found on the Xbox Live Marketplace, each costing 160 Microsoft points or bundled for 800. Look towards the fold for a listing of all of today's new Rock Band music and ponder how musically talented Orbison really is.
PETA gives Fable 2 its seal of approval, chicken kicking included
Looks like PETA has jumped into the yearly award gifting by announcing that the video game they feel most deserving of the title "Most Animal-Friendly Game of 2008" is Fable 2. Chosen by the PETA folks because Fable 2 carries a "strong pro-vegetarian theme" that "teaches gamers the real-life benefits of a vegetarian diet" through the game's purity points. How nice!
We'd agree with the PETA folks on the Fable 2 nod if it wasn't for a few not so animal friendly themes in the Albion world. You know, things like rewarding players with Gamerscore for kicking chickens, killing fluffy rabbits, eating crunchy chickadees and abusing your dog. True, if you do any of these activities, you'll build up your evil-ometer, but the fact that they're in the game PETA calls 2008's most "Animal-Friendly Game", well ... that's just odd. We guess vegetable purity points clouded their chicken kicking judgment.
Starting 2009 with a few popular Community Games
For those of you have yet to jump into the ever growing library of gaming fun found in the Community Games, we urge that you do. Really, there's a lot of goodness to be found and even though each game is paid content, there are trial versions for each and ever title.
To get you started on your 2009 Community Games test drive, we took the liberty of compiling a list of the top seven most popular games available. All of which are, for the most part, good times (except Fireplace, it's that controversial title that got a Major plug). Go ahead, jump in!
- Fireplace - "Enjoy the awesome ambiance of a crackling fireplace in your living room."
- Air Legends - "Take to the skies in frenetic WWII dogfighting."
- Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp - "Play as Johnny Platform himself in this retro-styled platformer!"
- sin(Surfing) - "Ever wished you could surf inside an oscilloscope?"
- Weapon of Choice - "Insane action and humongous aliens tied together by a twisted story."
- RPaints - "Do you like to mess with colors, or just doodle? RPaints allows you to do just that!"
- Dr. Popper - "Dr. Popper is a bubble breaker game."
Scrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon
The Hasbro Family Game Night channel is set to debut this spring, though no specific dates have been given for any of the individual game releases. Oh, one more thing: No Monopoly mentioned, folks. Sorry.
[Via Joystiq]
MS predicts a Playstation 3 price cut 'soon'
With a 28 million Xbox 360 base and keeping a sales lead over the Playstation 3, Microsoft knows that the worldwide console price cuts they enacted in 2008 have been a key component to their strategy. Something that Sony has yet to do with PS3, which Microsoft exec Aaron Greenberg finds surprising.
"We absolutely expect the PS3 price drop to happen in the next couple of months," Greenberg told Edge. "We're frankly surprised it's taken this long... I would expect they'd have to move on price, sooner than later, for sure." Color us surprised as well.
Continuing into 2009, Microsoft is well aware that Sony will become more aggressive in their PS3 pricing which, truth be told, is still an expensive piece of hardware for the casual market. Greenberg is right though, it's truly odd to see Sony staying firm on their pricing structure, especially with how things are playing out in the industry.
[Via Eurogamer]
Free skintight Lara Croft wetsuits now on the XBLM
There's new Tomb Raider: Underworld downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace today, free content that'll add two new costumes to Lara's wardrobe. But these aren't just any boring old costumes, these two free outfits are skin tight, spandex-like and curve enhancing wetsuits. Mmmhmm. We aren't exactly sure what they look look (probably something like the pic above), but the DLC is free so there isn't much of a decision to be made. Download away!
Columbia movies back on Netflix instant view
Video: The good guys of The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
Resident Evil 5 and Star Ocean 4 bundles headed to Japan
Source - techPowerUp! Forums -- Xbox 360 gets Star Ocean 4 and Resident Evil 5 bundles
Source - gamesindustry.biz -- Japan to receive Resident Evil 5 Xbox bundle
Come February, Gamestop will shun Xbox trades
If you've been thinking about unloading your old Xbox games or even your big black box at Gamestop in hopes of getting some coinage, you best be getting to it soon. We just learned that effective February 9th, Gamestop will no longer be accepting original Xbox hardware, accessories or games for trade-in cash. Then again, is the $1.45 they pay for each Xbox game really worth it?
Gears 2 patch detailed, adds new achievements, set for Jan. release
There's no denying it, Gears of War 2's online multiplayer is less then perfect. Ever since Gears 2's launch, the community has been demanding a patch to fix the various (and numerous) game bugs. Finally, Epic Games is speaking out about the patch, what it'll fix and has even informed us that they expect the patch to release sometime this month.
Over on the official Epic forums, Epic's Mark Rein detailed exactly what the Gears 2 patch will fix and the enhancements that'll be made once the patch is released. You can view a comprehensive listing of all the fixes that'll be included in the patch after the break. And from what we can tell, the patch should resolve most (if not all) the Gears 2 exploits we've heard about including that dreadful melee through the wall exploit. Oh, we should also mention that the patch will bring some new Gears 2 achievements based on the DLC. How 'bout them apples?
Continue reading Gears 2 patch detailed, adds new achievements, set for Jan. release
Xbox 360 install base surges to 28 million
Late last night, Microsoft sent word that they've reached an Xbox 360 install base milestone, announcing that by 2008's end they have been able to sell 28 million consoles worldwide. That's an increase of around 10 million consoles since last January, don'tcha know.
On top of the 28 million install base news, Microsoft proudly informed us that 2008 saw an 84% increase in year-over-year online consumer spending, that the Xbox Live community has ballooned to 17 million members and that over $1 billion has been spent on Xbox Live since its launch in 2005. High fives all around!
Look out Japan! Red Xbox 360 controllers coming soon
Xbox 360 Fancast 098 -- New Year's Fanmail
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Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Dustin Burg (SuperDunners), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander)
Produced by Richard Mitchell
Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta, "She Won't Look at Me" by The Simple Carnival.
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