Yee.  I haven't posted in a while, one because I have been pretty busy and two, since the Halo 3 Beta came out, I have been "occupied". 

 

As for my first impressions of Halo 3 MP, I would have to say it is pretty nice.  I know there are a bunch of complainers out there at this time, however they must realize this is a BETA.  I imagine once the final product rolls out the door in September we will have a smoother interface and more "polished graphics".  I plan on logging a few ours of Halo3, and yes some GoW tonight....I wont leave the Friday Night Beers N Gears group hangin'.

 

Asta,

 

--Skillit

TOMORROW !!!! Or you can wait until September 3, 2007 and get them for free...I will have them tomorrow. 

 

Bullet Marsh
"In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll."

 

Planet Sera.  The Battle of Aspho Fields.  The Last Battle of The Penndulum Wars.

 

Go READ THIS : Warning Possible Spoilers : http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1890%3Cbr%20/%3E

Two of Atari’s best loved coin-op classics, "Centipede" and "Millipede," will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

The classic version of "Centipede" challenges gamers to defend their villages against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will also have access to an "Evolved" version which features pre-rendered, high definition graphics, special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions that make this classic as enjoyable today as it was in the arcade decades ago.

In "Millipede," the primary challenge is to obliterate chains of arthropods that creep down from the top of the screen. Scattered mushrooms are the gamers’ main tool to shoot, destroy and redirect the menacing millipedes. "Millipede" also offers up Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers an "Evolved" version of this coin-op classic.

"Centipede" and "Millipede" will be available worldwide as a joint download for 400 Microsoft Points and are rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

• Two games in one! Enjoy both classic and evolved versions of both "Centipede" and "Millipede"
• Dolby Digital surround sound

Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

 

Link : http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/centipedexboxlivearcade/default.htm

Today is the 17th of April and should be the day you go get you new Halo 2 maps Desolation and Tombstone.

 

Don't forget that you have to use a Credit Card as MS Points (aka Carnie Points) dont count towards orgianl XBox titles.

 

Soooo...................go spend your hard earned cash, or your parent's cash on the two new maps...

 

See you online ya filthy animals!

Benjamin Heckendorn, aka Ben Heck, aka Mr Mod, aka, I can make anything into anything has once again cooked up another curious mod.

 

The PS360 Controller

 

Take a SixAxis PS3 controller's guts and stuff it into a XBox 360 controller.....

 

 

Go read about it over at : http://benheck.com/04-14-2007/ps360-controller/

Some information on the new Halo 2 Maps:

 

Tombstone :

 

"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."

 

 

 

Desolation :

 

"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."

 

 

 

source : http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13234/Halo-2-Tombstone-and-Desolation-Screenshots/

source : http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12358

So the Spring Dashboard Update will include:

 

We all know about the MSN Messenger addtion (see below), but here is the stuff that "matters":

 

A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.

 

Enhanced family settings features for XBox Livecommunications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.

 

A new Xbox Live Marketplace blade lets Xbox Live members access the content they seek--whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States)--from one place on Xbox Live.

Link to Article : http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/more-details-on-the-xbox-360-spring-dashboard-update-251908.php 

 

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MSN Messenger and your XBOX 360...maybe we wont have to get aggrivated while sending messages...it may have just gotten easier...

 

"Microsoft has revealed its plans to launch a QWERTY style handheld keyboard add-on for its Xbox 360 game controller. In a company press release Microsoft said that the keyboard will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging even though they released a photo of what appears to be a keyboard/game controller that’s one unit. Maybe there will be both the keyboard add-on and a keyboard controller? It seems that we’ll know in a month or two."

 

 

 

Link to Article : http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/04/xbox-360-keyboard-controller/

Fun?...We hope so.  I imagine the 22-23 days of the Halo 3 Beta/Delta will be a lot of fun, and aggrivation once it ends.

 

If you have been living in a box, somewhere in Utah, for the past few days you are just now finding out that the Halo 3 Beta/Delta will be available May 16 at 5am PDT and will run until June 6 at 11:59p.m. PDT.

 

So if you didnt get and invite or purchase Crackdown with the special Halo 3 invite, then your are going to hav to wait until Fall/Winter for some hands on gameplay.  Bungie has released a VidDoc on its website (www.bungie.net) with some shots of the MP action if you are interested.

 

If you did NOT get an invite or purchase the special edition Crackdown then stay tuned to YouTube for the public's montages, 'cause you know they will make them no matter what MS says....

 

See you on Live ya' filthy animals.

 

--The Captain

As most Gear Heads know by now the update with the Annex gametype is now available.  I played the gametpye for around 2 hours this evening on an array of maps but must say it takes a bit getting used to.  Overall the gametype is a nice change of pace, however chainsaw whores abound each and every round.  Kills dont count for much in the game due to the fact it is about time aquired. (King of the Hill)

 

A few things I noticed:

 

-- Get ready to get sticky:  It is almost as if you are running around with Gorilla Glue stuck to your arse and back.  Getting stuck on walls is easier, or more annoying depending on who you are.

 

-- Break : You killed the opposing team member(s) who occupied the hill.

 

-- Caps : You get a Cap if you "get" the hill.

 

-- One thing I noticed, and believe was mentioned before, was that you can Cap a hill then move out of it to defend it.  You dont have to have your team camp "inside".  Cap the hill, get your ass out and defend it from cover.

 

-- The hills moves around the map to different weapons locations identified by your HUD on the upper left.

 

-- Repawn : 15 second increments, meaning if a player is already in respawn in the 15 second countdown and you die with 5 seconds left, you respond with that teammate. Hence you only waited 5 seconds. 

 

Anyway, if you really want to know how it plays, take Halo 2 out of your 360 for and hour and give it a shot.  If you are not a GoW, then you can go back to Halo 2 and cry about GoW sucking and you wish the Halo 3 Delta would come out so you could say it OWNS !  As for us GoW fans, we enjoy the change of pace.

 

ps : Dont think Im crazy...I'll be playing the H3 Delta as well ;)...........

So the whore mongers of at MS have annouced the details of the next 360 Dashboard update and wow it will be free...isnt that nice of them.  Anyway here is the short list of the stuff you care about, maybe:

 

You will be able to join any XBL Arcade Game your friends are playing.

You wil be able to chat with fellow MSN Messenger users thourgh your dashboard.

Watch videos while downloading other stuff

New download option to queue up downloads and power off afterwards.

When unlocking and achievement your will now see what achievement is unlocked with the popup.

 

You can find out more at : http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/31531/98/

 

So maybe Annex won't show up today, but GameVideos has released a trailer of Annex. HD trailer : http://www.gamevideos.com/

Even though Microsoft says that the date has NOT been published below is an article from TalkXBox:

 

Epic has announced that the Gears of War update will go live on April 9th. Below is a detailed explanation of the new game type, Annex. Also, Assassination has been updated to allow all players to pick up weapons on the map.

Annex Objective:

Capture and hold key locations to collect enough points to win the round.

Description:

In Annex, you win by keeping control over key map locations, or objectives, long enough to collect a winning number of points. Every map has two to five identified objectives available for capture, with one objective active at a time. Objectives are based on map weapon-spawn locations and have a potential value of 60 points toward either team's score. Teams collect those points by maintaining ownership of an objective until all its 60 points have been distributed. Every second that a team controls an objective, the team gets one point. When an objective falls to zero points, the next objective is selected at random.

On the HUD, the current objective appears below the team scores at top left. This indicator contains several pieces of relevant information. The weapon icon inside the circle indicates which weapon-spawn location is being used as the objective. The compass along the outer edge of the circle shows the relative direction to the objective. The number inside the circle indicates how many points remain at that objective and the background icon color indicates which team currently controls it. No color means the objective awaits capture, a red icon means the Locust Horde hold the objective and a blue icon means the COG hold it. When the icon in the indicator circle fills, the corresponding team's score also changes color, the team begins collecting points from the objective, and the point value of the objective drops.

On the map, a projected ring marks the physical location and boundaries of the objective in the world. The ring's color indicates the current captor: White means neutral, blue COG, and red Locust. To capture an objective, players must stand inside the glowing ring uncontested for a short period of time. How long depends on how many teammates stand in the ring at once. One player can capture an objective in eight seconds, two players in four seconds, three players in two seconds, and four players in one second. Once a team takes an objective, they are not required to remain inside the ring to maintain ownership. The captured objective's points drain until an opposing team member enters the ring, or until its points fall to zero.

Round scores can be set as low as 120 points or as high as 480 points. The first team to reach the target score wins the round.

Link to article : http://www.talkxbox.com/article2066.html

Get Down!

Yeah so I know I have played more than 300 games of GoW, but it was a nice title to this boring blog post.  A friend of mine and I last night caught the 300 movie at the local Alamo Draft House.  I must say, although a campy, funny at times movie with kick ass battle scenes, the movie itself was kind of, "not good".  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie but it just wasnt that good...Of course I would go see it again, just for the kick ass battle scenes....Now as for people making it into a political battle between the Western World and Iran....BUCK OFF...It is based on a comic book from the 1990s, which is based on "history" from 480 BC, or so....done.

 

All in all..if you havent seen it, go see it...then go home and play some Gears of War or God of War II...

 

Get DOWN !

Da-yum...Yeah I know it's been a while...I have been pretty busy, you know,...fishing.....fishing some more...then fishing again.  I have managed to get a few games of GoW in last week and plan to rustle up some game time this evening around 4-9pm.  That will you guys plenty of time to get hooked up on Live and get a Skillit Whoopin'.

 

It has been almost 4 months since I started my Gamefly subscription and must say, it is nice.  Right now I have Lost Planet and will try and log a few more hours of gameplay this weekend.

 

I rocked out with some Crackdown a while back and must admit it is a pretty fun game.  Now however, I am just waiting for the Halo 3 Beta to roll out.

 

Rock on you silly kids !

 

Get Down !

Somy current GameFly subscription is goin well....so far....They are getting games out to me ASAP and once I drop one off at the Post Office they ship me another out the next day...pretty good deal...

 

Started my own Viva Pinata garden a week or so ago and who knew that a garden sim could be so addicting...

 

As for the Gears of War patch and map release I must say it is nice to be able to hear and chat with your team mates...The maps Raven Down and Old Bones are pretty nice, however I will say that Old Bones is my favorite of the two due to it's sheer size.  Raven down is just so quick and all about the shotty....

 

Still addicted to Gears of War but and playing Splinter Cell DA along with Viva Pinata as well....Should have a 2 cent review of Lost Planet in a few days..

 

asta

What is "supposed to be fixed int he update:

 

Link to New map screenshots : http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12529/Gears-of-War-Map-Pack-1-Coming-Soon-Content-Revealed/

Halo hungry Xbox 360 owners will get access to the Halo 3 beta in two interesting ways – one a guaranteed way, by buying new Xbox 360 game ‘Crackdown’, the other by playing Halo 2 on Xbox Live for three hours from the 1st to the 3rd of Febraury, and being one of the first 13,333 people to do so.

Article : http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/8368/52/

Since all of the Game Rental companies, GameFly, Blockbuster, Hollywood video, etc are running specials, 'cause everyone received a new console from Santa,  I decided to test drive a few of the main ones starting with GameFly (www.gamefly.com).

 

Pretty good deal so far, and it appears they are shipping out Viva Pinata and Tony Hawk Project 8 out to me today for some game time.  In signing up for the "2 out" Program, 2 Games at a time out, they "game" me a 1 year subscription to OXM Magazine which is pretty cool.

 

I have always wanted to get into a rental program of sorts, due to the price of games and now only worry about my shady postman ganking my games.....this should be interesting....

 

Want to sign up for GameFly ?  : http://friends.gamefly.com/r/87f9c920e8fa1029919d

 

Asta--