NEWS: Kinect Pricing Information

Microsoft have finally announced an official price on both the stand alone Kinect and a console  bundle pack.

The Kinect will retail for €149.99 and will come bundled with a free game, Kinect Adventures. Further first party Kinect games will have a suggested retail price of €49.99 and it is believed that this will be standard for most third-party publishers.

Those making the move to the 360 will be able to pick up a console/Kinect bundle which will retail for €299.99 and will include the console, Kinect and Kinect Adventures.

Microsoft also announced today details of the new 360 which is expected to hit stores on August 20th. The console will an inbuilt 4GB flash memory, built-in wi-fi adaptor aswell as a sleeker, more stylish outer case and will run near silent.

New Xbox 360, Kinect Sensor and “Kinect Adventures” — Get All Your Controller-Free Entertainment in One Complete Package

Microsoft announces pricing for Kinect and a new Xbox 360 4GB console.

Dublin. — July 20, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. today announced an all-in-one opportunity to jump into the controller-free fun of Kinect coming this Christmas: the all-new Xbox 360 4GB console, the revolutionary Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures” will be packaged together and priced at €299.99 Estimated Retail Price (ERP).  With “Kinect Adventures,” players will make their way through 20 adventures, navigating roaring rapids and ducking and dodging through mountaintop obstacle courses and other exotic locations — no controller, wand or balance board required. In addition, existing Xbox 360 console owners can purchase the Kinect sensor with “Kinect Adventures” for €149.99 (ERP).  The sensor, which will work with each of the 13 million[1] Xbox 360 consoles sold across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), is uniquely able to track your full body movements, respond to your voice and deliver a multiplayer experience right out of the box.

In addition, the new Xbox 360 4GB console, which begins shipping from August 20 in EMEA, will be available for €199.99 (ERP). With a sleek new design, the Xbox 360 4GB console looks great and includes built-in Wi-Fi N, 4GB of internal flash memory, touch-sensitive buttons and a black matte finish.

“Kinect for Xbox 360 offers tremendous entertainment value, transforming our living rooms into fitness classes, dance clubs and sports stadiums through full body, voice and multiplayer games,” said Chris Lewis, vice president, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Europe. “Whether you’re new to Xbox 360 or an existing console owner, we’re committed to offering Kinect experiences that offer controller-free fun and entertainment right out of the box and these unique products and retail offers provide the most complete and affordable way for all the family to enjoy Kinect this Christmas.”

More than 15 games are set to be available at launch. In addition to games, Kinect changes the way you experience entertainment by putting your favorite movies, TV programs and music all in one place and controlling it with just the wave of a hand. Kinect also creates new ways for friends and family to have fun together. With Video Kinect, share a smile with friends and family, as you open a window into living rooms around the world.

Starting today, select retailers are taking pre-orders for the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle at €299.99 (ERP) and the Kinect for Xbox at €149.99 (ERP). In addition, Kinect games, including “Kinectimals,” “Kinect Sports” and “Kinect Joy Ride,” will retail for €49.99  (ERP).

About Kinect

Kinect for Xbox 360 brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways — no controller required. Simple to use and fun to play, Kinect for Xbox 360 allows owners to jump into Kinect-enabled games for any type of play, and the Kinect Hub puts your favorite movies and TV programs, music, live sports, and social networks all in one place. The Kinect sensor recognizes you, responds to your gestures, listens to your voice and works with every Xbox 360 console (175 MB of memory required). More information about Kinect for Xbox 360 can be found at http://www.xbox.com/kinect.

NEWS: 4 More Red Dead Redemption Download Packs

Rockstar Games have announced 4 further download packs for the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption, the packs will be released during the coming months.

Teh first pack will be released this August and will add new multiplayer weapons and characters. It is in teh later part of the year when the releases will come into their own with the release of the Undead Nightmare Pack which will include new single player content aswell as multiplayer zombie characters.

Release dates for the remaining two packs are unknown.
Full breakdown of the contents of each pack:

Legends and Killers Pack

New active map locations, characters and more:

• Release date: beginning of August 2010;
• 9 new multiplayer map locations — more than doubling the amount of territories in the multiplayer competitive modes;
• 8 new multiplayer characters — play as characters from Red Dead Revolver;
• Introducing a new projectile weapon: the Tomahawk, with corresponding challenges for single-player and multiplayer gameplay;
• New achievements and trophies;
• Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Liars and Cheats Pack

New competitive modes, multiplayer mini-games in Free Roam, and more:

• Release date: TBC;
• Attack and Defend multiplayer competitive mode and challenges;
• New multiplayer horse races, complete with mounted combat;
• Play as the heroes and villains of Red Dead Redemption, as well as 8 additional multiplayer characters;
• Multiplayer versions of Liars Dice and Poker from the single-player game;
• Introducing a new weapon: the Explosive Rifle, with associated challenges available in single-player and multiplayer gameplay;
• New achievements and trophies;
• Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Free Roam Pack

Delve deeper into the world of Red Dead Redemption with new modes, challenges and gang hideouts to discover:

• Release date: TBC;
• Additional Free Roam challenges;
• New action areas and defensive placements;
• Posse scoring and leaderboards;
• New anti-griefing measures in Free Roam;
• Pricing: TBC.

Undead Nightmare Pack

Ghost towns and cemeteries come alive in a West gone horribly wrong:

• Release date: TBC;
• Brand new single-player adventure, challenges and quests;
• 8 new multiplayer zombie characters;
• Additional animals unleashed in the world;
• New dynamic events and more;
• Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

NEWS: Dead Space 2 Downloadable Prequel

EA has announced that they will be releasing a download only prequel Dead Space Ignition for the upcoming Dead Space 2. The game will be available on Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation Network this Autumn.

EA have compared the title to a choose your own adventure title with 4 different endings on offer depending on the choices you make in the game. Each  ending will unlock a in game item for Dead Space 2 which is due to hit shelves January next.

NEWS: Xbox 360 Slim in July

The long rumored Xbox 360 slim has finally been confirmed by Microsoft at it’s E3 press conference.

The slim 360 will come with a 250 GB hard drive, built-in 802.11N wi-fi, ethernet, five USB ports, HDMI, digital optical audio out, Kinect connection port and a new power supply. It will also power the Kinect without the need for an additional power pack. Speaking of power packs the next console’s power supply will be about half the size.

Gamers will be able to transfer their existing data to the new console through a cable which will be sold separately. It has also been confirmed that the hard drive can be replaced but that the existing 360 ahrd drive are not compatible.

The Xbox 360 Slim has been priced at 250 euro and will be in stores from July 16th.

Xbox 360 is fully loaded with new features and still comes with everything you know and love. Here’s a feature list to make sure you don’t miss any of the newest Xbox 360 250GB parts.

Form Factor: Sleek, lean and gloss black finish with chrome accents. Place vertically or horizontally in any living room entertainment center.

Touch Sensitive Buttons: Turn the Xbox 360 video game system on/off and eject a disc with the swipe of a finger.

Whisper Quiet: Whether you’re playing a DVD disc or from the hard drive, or navigating the dashboard, with the all-new and much quieter Xbox 360, the only noise you’ll hear is your own laughing, cheering and playing.

Wi-Fi: Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi for fast, easy connection to your friends and entertainment on Xbox LIVE.

Hard Drive: 250GB internal, swappable hard drive for even more storage. To access, remove the bottom panel by pushing the small tab toward the front of the console.

Kinect-Ready: Custom Kinect port on the back of the console that directly hooks up to the Kinect sensor for controller-free fun.

USB Slots: Five USB ports; three in the back of the console and two in the front for easy plug and play.

AV Connections:

AV Cable included for standard definition TV connection.
HDMI port for high definition TV connection.
Optical Audio out port integrated on back of console for AV system connection.

Power Supply: Smaller and more efficient. Xbox 360 250GB and Xbox 360 Original power supplies are not interchangeable.

Wireless Controller: The award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller matches the console in all black with color-matched thumsticks and directional pad with a touch of gloss and chrome to complete the look.

Backwards Compatible. Your favorite accessories and games will work with Xbox 360 250GB. (Xbox 360 External Hard Drives and Memory Units are not compatible.)

Accessories. Customize your Xbox 360 250GB with matching black accessories, including favorites such as Controllers, Wireless Headset, Chatpad, Quick Charge and Play & Charge Kits and more. Get a look at a few of these today.

Key Internal Components Changes:

Fan: Moved from two small fans to one larger fan for improved acoustics.
Chipset: 45 nanometer and integrated CPU and GPU.
Wi-Fi: Integrated wireless capability.

VIDEO: Fallout: New Vegas Trailer

Not only do we have the trailer for one of the years most anticipated titles but today we also learnt that Fallout: New Vegas would be released on October 22 in Europe

VIDEO: Red Dead Redemption The Man From BlackWater

From John Hillcoat the director of the Proposition, the Road and Ghosts of the Civil Dead comes his latest a short machinima film created made entirely within the game Red Dead Redemption.

The short is basically an interpretation of the first part of the game and details Marston’s attempt to capture Bill Williamson. It is not a prequel as many have claimed and while it’s somewhat unnecessary given that most have experienced the story before it is rather interesting.

TRAILER: Crysis 2 Master Pinger

Another day, another tease for an upcoming title which is destined to cause gamers around the world to sit up and take notice. The latest teaser for Crysis 2 shows little but hints at so, so much more. The Master Pinger seems set to be one of the games more formidable enemies. Expect more news and tantalising images of the game once E3 gets into full swing.

News: New Mortal Kombat Title for 2011

Warner Bros. has officially announced that we will see the “triumphant return” of the Mortal Kombat series next year with todays announcement promising a slew of new fighters and what fans will most appreciate, unprecedented levels of violence.

The game will is simply title Mortal Kombat and is due for release on both PS3 and Xbox 360 some time next year. Another entry in the series has been on the cards for a while and with Warner Bros. acquiring Midway the sequel once more spearheaded by series creator Ed Boon is shaping up to be one of next years most anticipate titles.

The game will bring back the visceral violence which 2008s Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe diluted in order to receive a lesser rating aswell as “the deepest story mode of any fighting game”. Hopefully this return to tried and tested gameplay coupled with an involving story will be as successful as Capcom’s recent rebirth of it’s most famous title.

TRAILER: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Full E3 Trailer

It’s not often that we see a trailer for an upcoming title that literally leaves our jaws on the floor but if any title was likely to do just that it was the upcoming Deus Ex sequel. The game due for release early next year is shaping up to be one of the most visually stunning titles available.

The game is the third title in the hughly popular franchise and like previous titles is a first person shooter/role-playing title. The game will be a prequel to the original and is being developd by Eidos Montreal and Square Enix who are creating the CG sequences and will publsih the title.

NEWS: Confirmed 3D Titles for PS3

Sony have announced several PlayStation 3 titles that will be support 3D when its 3D initiative is launched this summer. Among the titles named are Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet and Gran Turismo 5 which is rumoured to be launched either later summer or early fall.

To experience 3D gamers will need a 3D ready TV which supports HDMI 1.4 standard, a pair of active shutter 3D glasses and the firmware update which will enable 3D playback.

The list of confirmed games making the move to 3D are:

Gran Turismo 5
Killzone 2
Super Stardust HD
LittleBigPlanet
Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han
Wipeout Fury

Sony have promised additional announcements about other titles going 3D in the coming months.

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