World's Highest Gamerscore Reaches Half A Million

Stallion83 holds the Guinness World Record for the highest gamerscore in the world, and he's just reached 500,000 gamerscore points. Think you can catch up?

After a day filled with Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade games, Stallion83 finally hit the 500,000 gamerscore point mark by scoring a 20 point achievement in episode 4 of Telltale's Wallace & Gromit series of downloadable adventure games. Achievement unlocked: halfway to his 1,000,000 point goal.

Over at the 1 Million Gamerscore Blog you can read a full account of Stallion83's day, from "7:00AM — Miss Mittens woke me up by meowing her face off. She better make the coffee today," to "3:38PM — Video posted."

Will he rest on his laurels, or continue the good fight? As I write this, he's online playing Karaoke Revolution. What a trooper.

500,000 Gamerscore [1 Million Gamerscore - Thanks Seto!]

Xbox 360 getting IPTV November 7 - Report

At the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft announced with great fanfare that the Xbox 360 would get IPTV, in a partnership with AT&T. Now, nearly four years later, it appears the console will finally be getting the functionality, according to a report on Engadget.

Citing several leaked slides and screenshots, the tech blog is reporting that starting November 7 Xbox 360 owners will be able to use their consoles as set-top boxes for AT&T's U-Verse IPTV service.

There is a catch, however--two catches, to be exact. Engadget's sources say that to use the service, there must be at least one DVR already in the home and activated to the service, which can provide up to four streams of HD video. Also, only Xbox 360s with hard drives will support U-Verse.

The addition of IPTV will come on the heels of the fall Xbox Live update, which will go live sometime before November 4. Features included in the update are Netflix search, ESPN 3 TV, and more lifelike avatars. The new avatars will be redesigned to better mesh with the Kinect motion-sensing system, which also goes on sale on November 4 for $150.

Microsoft Is Ready To Ban Halo: Reach Pirates

As leaked copies of Halo: Reach hit the torrent sites, Microsoft tells Kotaku that they are aggressively investigating the leak and are fully prepared to hand out bans to anyone caught playing the game pre-release.

It happens every time a big game comes out, but when it's a game as big as Bungie's final Halo title, Microsoft sits up and takes notice. Released on the internet far in advance of its September 14 street date, a Microsoft representative tells Kotaku that the source of the leak is under investigation.

"We are aware that an unauthorized copy of "Halo: Reach" has leaked. We are aggressively investigating the matter. We have no further details to share at this time."

So where does that leave folks who can't resist the lure of early Halo: Reach? Even if you have every intention of picking up a retail copy, we'd suggest you wait, lest Microsoft come after you.

"We are aggressively pursuing the violators. Microsoft's commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the 25 million members of the Xbox LIVE community remains a top priority. All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox LIVE terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox LIVE."

Send an email to Michael Fahey, the author of this post, at fahey@kotaku.com.

Bizarre Modern Warfare 2 Glitch Makes Some Xbox Live Arcade Games Free

The Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has had a curious side effect on a handful of Live Arcade games. Infinity Ward's modern military shooter is unlocking the full versions of five SNK games for free.

According to a report on Worthplaying, Modern Warfare 2—the full version of the game and its recently released downloadable demo—unlocked full, freely playable versions of Garou: Mark of the Wolves, The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug XX and Samurai Shodown II. Other SNK games (Fatal Fury Special, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum ) don't appear to be affected by the glitch.

All players need to do is access the demo versions of those SNK games from the guide button while playing Modern Warfare 2 and "quick launch" them.

Worthplaying explains further how the unusual unlock works, a bug we expect Microsoft, SNK and Activision might be scrambling to fix.

'Modern Warfare 2' (ALL) Bug Grants Free SNK Games [Worthplaying - thanks, Drtyfrnk!]

ESPN to Deliver Programming Over Xbox Live

courtesy of kotaku

Microsoft and ESPN have struck a deal delivering exclusive sports programming to Xbox Live. The partnership will deliver more than 3,500 sports events, most of which will be in high definition.

ESPN anchors Trey Wingo and Josh Elliot took the stage to demonstrate the service, which will be free to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Highlights from last year's USC-Ohio State college football game and game two of this year's NBA Finals were shown, indicating that the service should offer top sporting events also being broadcast on the main network. The service will also offer polls, trivia and other content inline with the broadcasts.

Xbox Live Vs. PlayStation Plus!

courtesy of kotaku


There isn't just one paid online console gaming service, anymore. There are two. Xbox Live and the newly revealed PlayStation Plus are going head-to-head. But, how are the two services different?

This is what we know so far:

Price

An annual "Gold" membership for Xbox Live is $49.99. The "Silver" membership is totally free, however. The upcoming PSN Plus is also priced at $49.99 for a year and $17.99 for three months. The regular PSN service is free of charge. Sony is planning on offering an initial three month trial membership for PlayStation Plus for those who sign up for a year's worth of service for a total of 15 months, priced at $49.99.

Downloadable Content

Both Xbox Live Gold and Silver members have access to downloadable content like demos and game trailers; however, some Xbox Live Gold content becomes available to Silver members a week later. According to Sony, the PlayStation Plus "Exclusives" include "full game trial" as well as "select early demos". PlayStation Plus offers a "Full Game Trial". According to Sony, that means players can play a game for up to one hour and purchase the title to unlock trophies and continue said title.

For current PSN users, demos and game trailers, and we do not see this changing, because it is such a powerful marketing tool for games. The "select early demos" bit sounds similar to how Microsoft rolls out content early on Xbox Live for Gold members.

Discounts

Microsoft has had "weekly deals" on Xbox Live to Gold members with 50 percent on select Xbox Live Arcade games, Xbox originals and downloadable content. Sony's Playstation Plus is planning to offer its paid users PSN Store discounts, free games and downloadable content. You would also get access to one new PSN game per month (possibly only for as long as you're a paying subscriber, though we're not sure of that).

Chat

Both Xbox Live Gold and Silver members have voice chat capabilities, but video chat and party chat are reserved for the fee-based Gold members. Sony currently offers free voice chat and voice free of charge to its PSN users. No word yet on what new robust chat services will be offered via the PlayStation Plus.

Social Networking Sites

Paid Xbox Live Gold users get Twitter and Facebook integration, while Xbox Live Silver members do not. Sony's free PSN service already offers Facebook integration.

Netflix

Netflix subscribers can take advantage of both the PSN and Xbox Live. The difference is that PS3 users can stream Netflix on the console for no additional charge, and for the Xbox 360, only Xbox Live Gold membership members may access their paid Netflix account.

Multiplayer

The traditional divide between Microsoft's paid Gold service and its free Silver service is multiplayer. On the Xbox 360, players that want to experience multiplayer online gaming must play the Gold membership fees. Conversely, since the PS3 launched, it has offered free multiplayer gaming. PlayStation Plus does not currently appear as though it will change this.

Firmware...Wait, Firmware?

According to Sony, the company has made it easier for PlayStation Plus users to get their firmware updates. This PlayStation Plus updating service covers patches and updates. More details on this as they become available. Microsoft does not offer such a service to Xbox Live members.

This is, as previously mentioned, what we currently know and obviously subject to change once Sony launches PlayStation Plus later this summer. There will be kinks for the company to iron out, so stay tuned to see how Sony continues to differentiate its paid online service from Microsoft's. So far, Sony is positioning PlayStation Plus to be entirely optional, but the battle of the paid subscriptions is just getting started.

There will be no Medal Of Honor Beta this Week Xbox 360 Owners

courtesy of kotaku

Tomorrow, select PS3 and PC owners will begin beta testing the new Medal of Honor. Xbox 360 owners, you're going to have to wait until next week. Sorry!

There's been some kind of hiccup with the 360 version of the beta, and all EA can say is that "it is expected to be available next week". Next week, incidentally (June 21) is when the open beta kicks off, so those VIP customers who were hoping for bragging rights on the 360 are straight outta luck.

To compensate, EA say the beta period will be extended.

Hulu headed to a Xbox 360 dashboard near you?

courtesy of engadget

From its humble origins as a chunky black box of PC parts, the Xbox has grown into a strapping young adult -- attracting a social circle including Netflix, Facebook and Twitter. Now, rumor has it that the Xbox 360's preening for a date with Hulu, too. Though plans aren't set in stone, Gear Live tells us Hulu has been spotted in internal Xbox 360 dashboard builds, and that Microsoft will introduce the streaming video service as part of their Xbox LIVE experience at E3 2010. The publication is mighty certain here, but at this point we can't corroborate for ourselves. If this does end up happening, the question is how much it might cost, as we hear there's going to be some sort of fee -- perhaps Hulu will be part of that "Xbox LIVE Platinum Tier" rumor that gets dragged out most every year.

What is necessary to get a Xbox Live Perma-band?

'Breach' Coming Exclusively to Xbox Live Marketplace

'Breach' is a FPS that will be a download only title exclusive for Xbox Live coming out this summer. Not sure how much it's going to cost but it looks a whole lot like Battlefield 1943.

Game Reviews - E3 2010

Modern Warfare 2 Javelin Glitch

Guess I'm late to the party with this one (considering this youtube video was posted Nov 29), but there is a glitch on Modern Warfare 2 that allows you to be a walking bomb. Basically, any time you die, you will blow up and kill several people around you. Shot and killed? BLOW UP! Knifed and killed? BLOW UP! Fall from a Far height and die? BLOW UP! It is a glitch with that uses the Javelin and semtex. Since it is a glitch it is frowned upon, and supposedly if you use it on Xbox Live and are caught - you will be banned for 24 hours. It's supposed to be fixed in the next update.

The explanation on how to perform the glitch starts at the :40 mark. *Video Below*

'Modern Warfare 2' Tops Entertainment Industry, Not Just Games

courtesy of Cnet


If you think Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has had a major impact on just the video game industry, you may need to adjust your expectations.
According to Activision Blizzard, the game's publisher, Modern Warfare 2 has set records across the entire entertainment industry.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the "biggest entertainment launch in history," Activision said in a statement. In its first five days of availability, the game set a worldwide record with about $550 million in sales, according to internal Activision figures. It's impressive. But more impressive is the list of launches that it beat out.
In the first five days of availability, Modern Warfare 2 has eclipsed the largest worldwide box-office opening, held by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," which tallied $394 million over its first five days. It also beat "The Dark Knight," which holds the U.S. box-office record with $203.8 million in first five-day sales.
The game also narrowly trumped Grand Theft Auto IV, which captured $500 million in sales in its first five days of availability.
In other words, Modern Warfare 2 has had a major release.
The game's success also translated to major numbers on Xbox Live. Activision reported that "more than 5.2 million multiplayer hours were logged playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day alone." On November 10, 2.2 million unique gamers played on Xbox Live, setting a new one-day record for the online-gaming platform.
Of course, it should be noted that all these figures come from Activision's internal estimates, which might differ from the NPD Group's official totals when it announces November video-game sales.
But until then, Activision can (rightfully so) celebrate Modern Warfare 2's success. And maybe the video-game industry, which has always received second billing to film in the entertainment space, can finally stake its claim to the top spot. Video games are, based on Modern Warfare 2's success, just as viable an entertainment platform as movies.

'Modern Warfare 2' Spotted on Public Xbox Live Account

Hitler's Xbox Live BAN!

This is hilarious. I believe that it's old, because they speak of Crackdown and the Halo 3 beta like they are new, but it's funny nonetheless. They also make fun of the PS3. *video below*

'Shadow Complex' X-Play Review

I know this announcement's late fella's, but my Xbox 360 still has the RRoD so I missed this game when it came out on Tuesday, August 19. 2009. (Working on getting 360 fixed right now) Anyways, 'Shadow Complex' is a Xbox Live Arcade game that I have been anticipating since it was announced at E3 2009. It has all the gameplay that made classics such as Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night so great, while at the same time it has all the updated graphics that the current generation of consoles can provide. I have a feeling this will be one of the most enjoyable games of 2009. X-Play even gave it a 5/5 which is an extremely rare score from them! *video below*

Video Games - E3 2009 - X-Play

StarCraft II Delayed till 1st Qtr 2010

Activision Blizzard has delayed the release of StarCraft II until the first half of 2010 to coincide with the launch of its new Battle.net game service, which it says will be “similar to Xbox Live.” (courtesy of edge-online)

First it was Splinter Cell: Conviction then Bioshock 2 and now StarCraft II. These title's release dates have been pushed back from Christmas 2009 until sometime in 2010. The rumors have all been confirmed and the reason that companies are pushing back titles (can you believe this?) is due to the recession. I can only assume that Blizzard is delaying StarCraft II for the same reason although Blizzard does have the good habit of pushing back titles till they are perfect. Either way, I'm sure it'll be a great game when it comes out. Below is a site that lists all of the great games that (as of now) are still coming out for Christmas 2009.

Top 10: Games to Save 2009

'Batman: Arkham Asylum' Demo Available this Friday on Xbox 360 and PS3

Battlefield 1943 Hits 600,000 Mark in 2 weeks

courtesy of gamasutra.com

Electronic Arts' DICE-developed Battlefield 1943 has sold over 600,000 copies digitally via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network since its July 8th launch, the company announced today.

According to EA, this makes the game the fastest selling day one and week one download-only game worldwide on Xbox Live Marketplace, and also the fastest selling day one and week one download-only game on the PlayStation Network in North America.

Set in World War II, multiplayer first-person shooter Battlefield 1943 allows for up to 24 players o compete across four different battlefield maps: Wake Island, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and the recently-unlocked Coral Sea, all inspired by predecessor Battlefield 1942 and redesigned with DICE's Frostbite engine.

The Xbox Live community unlocked Coral Sea by reaching the goal of 43 million kills in 5 days, while the PlayStation Network community achieved it in 8 days.

"We are honored by the reception that the game has received so far," says producer Gordon Van Dyke. "Watching and participating in this non-stop multiplayer action has been a real treat for us and we can’t believe how fast our fans reached 43 million kills."

The game is priced at $15 on both services - which amounts to 1600 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live. Demand was so strong for the title that there were notable online server problems in its first few days on sale.

MTG: Duels of the Planeswalkers Preview Video

I know that the game comes out in mere hours, but I thought that this video (which shows how the game plays) would be nice to watch just to get a preview of what to expect from the game. It sucks that they are severely limiting what you are able to do and from what I gather deck construction will be severely limited as well to the point where it will not be a major part of the game. :( Sucks. You can read more details here in a GameSpot forum thread. Anywayz, here is the video. *video below*

Magic The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers on Xbox Live June 17!!!

courtesy of pixelatedgeek

Wizard of the Coast released a Press Release yesterday for the XBLA exclusive game, Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers. Here’s what they had to say after the break.

New and Existing Magic Players Will Rule on Xbox LIVE® Arcade

Wizards of the Coast Launches Duels of the Planeswalkers for Xbox LIVE Arcade

June 3, 2009, Renton, Wash. — Wizards of the Coast today announced that Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers, an extension of the worldwide Magic: The Gathering franchise for Xbox LIVE Arcade, will be available June 17, 2009.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Magic game experience to the Xbox LIVE community,” said Greg Leeds, President of Wizards of the Coast. “Duels of the Planeswalkers will allow both new and experienced players to develop and test their skills in the ultimate battle of wits.”



In June, fans can challenge game developers and famous Magic: The Gathering trading card game players in a Duels of the Planeswalkers tournament through Microsoft’s online Game with Fame and Game with Developer events. Game with Fame will take place June 20 and Game with Developer will follow on June 27.

Developed by Stainless Games, Ltd., Duels of the Planeswalkers, rated T-Teen, lets players simulate the Magic: The Gathering trading card game through lush interactive 3-D environments. The arcade-style game takes players on a journey through a vast Multiverse of unique worlds where they are deemed Planeswalkers, powerful mages who battle others for glory, knowledge and conquest.



Players can choose to battle against the computer or compete online against real-life opponents using Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Arcade. With numerous game play scenarios, including multiplayer game mode, Duels of the Planeswalkers offers an unrivaled depth in which each game is different from the last. Wizards of the Coast is supporting this release with an exclusive promotional card, which includes brand new artwork, making Duels of the Planeswalkers a game that both new and existing Magic players will enjoy.

Introduced in 1993, Magic: The Gathering is the first and most widely played trading card game. With more than 10,000 different cards available, Magic offers an unrivaled depth of game play with several choices and customizations available for its players.




For additional information on Duels of the Planeswalkers, please visit: www.duelsoftheplaneswalkers.com

About Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is the leader in entertaining the lifestyle gamer. The company holds an exclusive patent on trading card games (TCGs) and their method of play and produces the premier trading card game, Magic: The Gathering®, among many other trading card games and family card and board games. Wizards is also a leading publisher of roleplaying games, such as Dungeons & Dragons®, and publisher of fantasy series fiction with numerous New York Times best-sellers. For more information, visit the Wizards of the Coast Web site at www.wizards.com.