Gears of War map pack 1 coming Jan 10th.

Thanks to the Discovery Channel, the first map pack for Gears of War will be offered up on Wednesday, Jan, 10. for FREE.

The Gears of War Map Pack #1 will contain two new maps for the versus multiplayer mode. The maps are 'Raven Down' and 'Old Bones.'

Raven Down


Old Bones

Gears of War patch announced

Epic Games announced today it will roll out an update for Gears of War tomorrow, Tuesday January 9, 2007, ahead of the release of the Map Pack 1.

Here is a list of what was addressed in this update:

• Fixed aspect ratio distortion when using VGA cable with 4:3 displays at resolutions higher than 640x480
• Fixed voice issue with new players joining Player Match games in progress
• Players can now get the Achievement for "Dish Best Served Cold" when using Troika turret to kill RAAM
• Fixed rare situation where host could loop countdown and never start match
• Fixed rare situation where players could get stuck after chainsawing in multiplayer
• Reduced Grenade Tag melee distance
• Enabled “Strict” NAT check on host to prevent possible connection issues
• Optimized server browser queries to return results more quickly and prevent scroll bars from hiding quality of service icons
• Reduced number of possible revives in Execution to match Warzone
• Removed host name from Ranked match server browser
• Disabled security cameras in Ranked matches
• Ranked matches now require balanced teams (3v3 or 4v4)
• Increased penalty for quitting a Ranked match to -50 points
• Added additional cheat detection code
• Additional housekeeping updates

Microsoft announces IPTV for the Xbox 360

I'm not going to go into the whole kit and caboodle here for you but basically what happening is that your Xbox 360 will become a DVR or Tivo, if you will. If you want to know more; here is the press release at TeamXbox, or you can watch this informative video from on10.net. The video does a good job showing what this service will offer. Check it out. The service will start rolling out this holiday season, depending on whether your local content provider supports it.

The second Xbox 360 revealed: codename Zephyr

An insider of Microsoft revealed to engadget that a second version of the Xbox 360, codenamed zephyr, will be released "soon". The new version will supposedly come equipped with an HDMI output, as well as a 120 Gigabyte hard drive. The official release is rumored to be announced at the winter CES next week. Stay tuned for more info, bitches.

[via engadget]

Microsoft Announces Two Additional Paths of Entry to Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta

Gamers are invited to join the fight when the beta goes live this spring with Xbox Live and “Crackdown” providing the final two paths.

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios are ringing in the year with a proverbial bang, as they announced today two new ways for gamers to receive an invitation to participate in the “Halo^® 3” multiplayer beta program coming this spring through Xbox Live^® Marketplace.

Specifically, gamers will be able to receive an invitation by doing one of the following:

• Qualifying over Xbox Live and then being one of the first 13,333 “Halo 2” gamers to register for the “Rule of Three” program at http://www.halo3.com in early February

• Purchasing the upcoming game “Crackdown™,” which hits store shelves in the U.S. on Feb. 20. (This option is a guaranteed invite to the beta.)

The “Halo 3” multiplayer beta, which is a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of “Halo 3,” is scheduled for availability in spring 2007 exclusively on Xbox 360™. The beta also represents an opportunity for gamers to participate in the testing and refinement of the multiplayer gameplay of “Halo 3,” the most anticipated game of 2007. Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further hone the end result of “Halo 3.”

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at 12:01 a.m. EST, all gamers need to do is participate in at least three hours of “Halo 2” multiplayer sessions, via Xbox Live, before Feb. 3, 2007, at 11:59 p.m. EST and then be among the first 13,333 to register at http://www.halo3.com. The “Rule of Three” program is currently planned for gamers in the 50 United States (includes District of Columbia) age 17 years and older who have access to an Xbox 360 Pro console or an Xbox 360 Core console with hard drive, a valid Xbox Live Gold subscription and the “Halo 2” game. Gamers around the world are encouraged to visit http://www.halo3.com in the coming weeks for more information on the “Rule of Three” program in their region.

As well, when “Crackdown” hits store shelves, gamers eager to take home a copy of the highly anticipated exclusive action title for Xbox 360 will find marked boxes of “Crackdown” that include an invite to participate in the coveted “Halo 3” multiplayer beta program when it becomes available. When the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta surfaces in spring 2007, owners of “Crackdown” with access to an Xbox 360 Pro console or an Xbox 360 Core console with hard drive and a valid Xbox Live Gold subscription simply need to load their copy of “Crackdown” into Xbox 360 and use the disc as a key to download the beta from Xbox Live Marketplace and join the battle in “Halo 3” multiplayer. “Crackdown” will be available in the U.S. on Feb. 20, Asian territories on Feb. 22 and European markets on Feb. 23.

In December, Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios completed the first of three ways for North American gamers to participate in the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta, by registering at http://www.halo3.com. Gamers who were selected from this initial opportunity will be contacted in January.

From Realtime Worlds, “Crackdown” pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with a rich and immersive 3-D playground. Gamers level up their Agent’s strength, agility, firearms, explosives and driving skills while scaling the fully vertical world of “Crackdown.” This M-rated game incorporates revolutionary co-op gameplay throughout the entire free-form campaign. Creating a volatile cocktail of judicial oppression, players will clean up the streets of a truly interactive world when “Crackdown” hits store shelves at an estimated retail price of $59.99.

U.S. Soldiers Get to Play Halo 3 Beta, Footage Leaked

TeamXbox has the lowdown on an event held in Iraq for the troops. Visitors were treated to an early look at the Halo 3 public beta. Pictures and a 2 movies are included. So go check it out. No. Seriously go. What the fuck are you reading this for? GO!

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12501/US-Soldiers-Get-to-Play-Halo-3-Beta-Footage-Leaked/

Japanese IQ Test

This is supposed to be an IQ test given to job applicants in Japan. Though I'm not from Japan, so I don't really know.

"Everybody has to cross the river"

To play, click the link below, then click the blue circle to start.

The following rules apply:

• Only 2 persons on the raft at a time
• The father can not stay with any of the daughters, without their mother's presence
• The mother can not stay with any of the sons, without their father's presence
• The thief (striped shirt) can not stay with any family member,if the Policeman is not there
• Only the Father, the Mother and the Policeman know how to operate the raft

To move the people click on them. To move the raft click on the pole.

** CLICK HERE TO BEGIN **

It is possible. Good luck!

Happy New Year!

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say Happy New Year to you all. Sorry for the lack of content. It's slow in the gaming world as of late, but it should pick up for CES and such. Until then read "What's Next?", to see.... What's next. And be sure to vote in the poll box. Later.