XBox Gaming Blog

Viva Piñata Extended Video

In what’s becoming a trend in odd Xbox 360 Game commercials, here’s a hilarious Viva Piñata commercial.

I would like “the skulls of the vanquished” please!

(Shout-out to Video Games Blogger where this was found!)

Lunchtime Conversation - Episode -10 - The Recorder Memory Card Filled Up

For this episode we tried to take community feedback about the Elite SKU announcement, and discuss some of the comments - more will come based on emails/messages from the community.

During the recording of this show, the CF Flash card was filled to capacity, so we ended very abrubtly. 

Next week we’re going to talk a bit about leaks, why they can be bad, and why they can be good.

MP3 File: 7.9 MB, 22 minutes

Remember that these podcasts are available via the RSS feed, or the iTunes feed as well.

This week John, Tony, Wolf, and Chris talk about:
- Intro/Outro Music:  And Still I Call This Home - Sarcoma (Sarcoma is my garage band)
- Puzzle Quest PC Demo
- Jewel Quest 2
- Galactic Civilizations 2
- Xbox 360 Eleak Elite SKU
- Elite - Details and Specifications
- Stand-Alone 120gb Hard Drive
- Other Accessories in Black
- Why no Wi-Fi or HD-DVD Inclusion
- Email us at GSBlog@Microsoft.com with questions/comments/audio

Halo 2 Fans Prepare for Battle as Exclusive New Maps Expand the Most Popular Title on Xbox LIVE

The Hang ‘Em High and Desolation maps from Halo: Combat Evolved are coming to Halo 2!  These re-creations, developed by Bungie and Certain Affinity, have been recreated for Halo 2 as a thanks to you all for helping us surpass 800 million hours of Halo 2 gaming on Xbox LIVE. 

The maps will be available as premium downloadable content for Xbox and Xbox 360 on April 17, for a price of $4 for the pair.  Both of the maps will be available through the “Halo 2” in-game content downloader for both Xbox and Xbox 360.

From the press release (where you can find more detail):

The king of “Halo” maps has returned at last. Hang ’Em High, arguably the most popular multiplayer map for the original title, has been reimagined for “Halo 2” as Tombstone, with all-new graphics, features and a few hidden surprises. Now fans will enjoy the dangerous catwalks and trenches that made this the most requested “Halo” multiplayer map ever, with a modernized “Halo 2” flavor.

The second map, Desolation, is a symmetrical, Deathmatch-oriented map and a beautiful remake of the original Derelict. With new graphics and effects and a massive gameplay overhaul, the old favorite is now faster-paced and more balanced than ever — perfect for intense “Halo 2” combat.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot!?!

I’m not even sure what to say after seeing this.  Watch the video all the way through - the last 3-4 seconds confused me quite a bit.

This is quite possibly the most odd video I’ve seen since watching Don Hertzfeldt’s Rejected.

>

More can be found on this video profile page.  I recommend video #13 as well.

PS - My spoon is too big!

More on the Xbox 360 Elite

Tina Wood from On10.net stopped by this morning to have a chat with Albert Penello, who heads up marketing for the Xbox platform.  Here’s the video they just posted.

 

5:30

Major Nelson spoke with Albert earlier this week, and got more of the story for a special “mid-week” podcast.  Check out his podcast if you’re not already subscribed. 

More Partners Coming to Xbox Live Marketplace

We also just announced new partners bringing more premium content to the Xbox 360 in the U.S.  A&E Network, ADV Films, National Geographic and TotalVid.com signed on, and Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment are going to offer new high-definition content.

Available titles will include “Braveheart,” “Team America: World Police,” and “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.”

Also, for the first time, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing its direct-to-video movies exclusively in high definition on Xbox LIVE simultaneous with their availability on DVD, starting with “Sublime” and later “Babylon 5: The Lost Tales.”

Some of the television shows and feature films that will be coming to Xbox LIVE include:

• A&E Network. “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” “King of Cars,” “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” “Driving Force” and “Criss Angel Mindfreak”


• ADV Films. Top offerings from the No. 1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (“anime”) outside Japan


• National Geographic. The television series “Is It Real?” and “Taboo” as well as programs such as “21 Days to Baghdad” and “Air Force One”


• TotalVid.com. A broad action-sports offering including extreme skiing and snowboarding, skateboarding, motocross, surfing and mountain biking

For details, check out the press release.

Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Moments ago, we released information on the new Xbox 360 Elite.  Here are some details pulled from the press release we just sent. 

The Xbox 360 Elite and its accessories are expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29, with an estimated retail price of $479.99 (U.S.)/479.99 euros/349.99 pounds.

Xbox 360 Elite contains:

• 120GB hard drive (black)


• HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port


• Wireless controller (black)


• Xbox LIVE headset (black)


• HDMI cable


• Component/SD cable


• One month subscription to Xbox Live Gold

The following accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite console will be sold separately:

• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black). Sold separately for $49.99 (U.S.)/44.99 euros/32.99 pounds.


• Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit. Sold separately for $19.99 (U.S.)/19.99 euros/14.99 pounds.


• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery (black). Sold separately for $11.99 (U.S.)/11.99 euros/9.99 pounds.

The 120GB Hard Drive will also be available for purchase separately:

• Xbox 360 120GB hard drive. The hard drive is sold separately (standard gray) for $179.99 (U.S.)/179.99 euros/119.99 pounds.

Another Free Episode, and Other New Content on XBLVM

Coming this week to Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace in the US are some new TV shows, including another free episode, this time from The Andy Milonakis show.  You can also purchase episodes of Star Trek Enterprise: Season 3, and Ben10.  There are some cool new clips available, from The Office, 30 Rock, and the Late Night With Conan O’Brien.

You can also watch some new movies, including World Trade Center in HD, and Tony’s all-time favorite The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning. 

As usual, check out Xbox.com for details. 

Mass Effect Fan Site Kit now available

BioWare and MGS just released the Mass Effect Fan Site Kit, at http://masseffect.bioware.com/community. The fan site kit may be downloaded from the official “Mass Effect” Web site at http://masseffect.bioware.com.  

The kit has avatars, wallpapers, logos, graphics, everything you need to pimp your site.   More info in the media alert we sent out. 

Who Says Gaming Makes You Fat?

There seems to be this little trend in the US where everyone from doctors to late-night talk show hosts are claiming gamers are inactive chubbos. We all know this isn’t necessarily true as long as you don’t sit in front of your TV 8 hours a day with bottles of beer and bags of cheetos at your side.

However, if you do happen to need a little toning up, you could always invest in one of these nifty machines called the “GameRunner”. It’s my worst nightmare hooked up to my worst addiction. A treadmill + shooters in one. Oh the humanity! Should I ever jump on the PC gaming bandwagon, I just might try this out. I also may take my pet flying pig, Beryl, out for a “fly” to the park.

Apparently, the controls are built right into the handles and of course your walking action is translated to your movement on screen. The faster you walk, the faster you run… That should make for some awesome headshots…errrm yeah.

You can buy one of these things for a mere $500 (projected) so go on - get your walk on!