iknowyouknowiknowV3.5.2

I'm a slave. I've ordered it.

Please help me.

Posted by Kristian at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm actually marginally exited about this...

Posted by Kristian at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm getting rather excited about the Burning Crusade. This is rather silly of me, for I've not really got into WoW that much. 1.5 years on, and I'm still level 33 or something. But hey! I like to get into web hysteria about things as much as the next person!

Also big guys with horns and wings kick ass. It's a pity you can't play as him.

Posted by Kristian at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I miss the brotherhood that comes from having a hobby that you can share with other people. All my pursuits are rather solo.

I don't even like playing videogames with that many other people. I wish WoW could be a solo pursuit, and that's pretty much how I play it (which may explain why I'm not much good at it).

But then I remember that I hate most people, and I retreat into my shell, and return to being happy with what I have got, which is a lot of stuff, and not a lot of annoying people.

Posted by Kristian at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't remember where I found this, but hell yeah. For the Horde!

Posted by Kristian at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yes! YES! YES!

XBLA Wednesdays unveiled, SFII drops Aug. 2 [update 1]:

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Online

The event that Microsoft is holding in San Francisco tonight -- the one we won't be attending since the 'stiq doesn't have any presence there (yet) -- promises to pump the pliable gaming press full of booze and hors d'oeuvres before plopping them in front of screens, sticking controllers into their greased meat mittens, and watching them play arcade games that demand the connection between their eyes and hands be a bit more reliable than their (by this point, failed) plan to maintain sobriety by eating the hors d'oeuvres before downing the booze.

I so wish we were there.

At least we (may) get the satisfaction of knowing what's behind the red curtain beforehand: Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. What are Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, you ask? Simple, it's what every 360 owning, Xbox Live-having gamer is going to be rushing home from work to every Wednesday. Skip the happy hour crowd, forget about little Billy's softball game, just race home to play the latest XBLA hotness.

According to a forum post (we know, we know) at Xbox.com, a press release (pasted after the break) we'll be enjoying a new XBLA title every Wednesday this summer, beginning tomorrow with Frogger and followed weekly by Cloning Clyde, Galaga, Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting, and finally Pac-Man. I know, that only gets us up to August 9th, still a few weeks (and games) short of the whole summer ... and we're not even being pedantic and getting into solstices and crap. Really, we just want Lumines.

[Thanks, Top Rope Suplex]

[update 1: confirmed with actual email from Microsoft PR (that was dated Jul. 12th, whoops). Read it after the break.]


Xbox 360 Heats up the Summer with Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays: First Up, Frogger and the Arrival of the Best Old School Games of All Time

'Frogger', 'Galaga', 'Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting', and Pac-Man make their next-gen debut on Wednesday's this summer - bringing exciting new retro content to Xbox 360 gamers worldwide

Today, Xbox Live unveils Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, a new program that will provide a regular launch schedule of new Xbox Live Arcade games for gamers worldwide. Starting today, Xbox Live Arcade games will now go live worldwide on Wednesdays at 0800 GMT (Midnight Pacific) - hitting gamers around the world all on the same day.

Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays kicks off with a blockbuster summer schedule of eagerly anticipated retro titles. Gamers looking for a blast from the past can download 'Frogger' - the beloved Konami classic arcade title - today on Xbox Live Arcade. Other Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays titles debuting in the coming weeks include 'Cloning Clyde', 'Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting,' 'Galaga' and 'Pac-Man.' To date, Xbox 360 gamers have downloaded more than 5 million Xbox Live Arcade games and the release schedule sizzles all summer long, with the following titles arriving on Xbox Live Arcade:

Ø July 12 - Frogger

Ø July 19 - Cloning Clyde

Ø July 26 - Galaga

Ø August 2 - Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting

Ø August 9 - Pac-Man

Kicking off with 'Frogger', fans of the Konami classic can download the game that first hit arcades in 1981 and once again be able to dodge traffic and eats flies with their frog, this time racking up Achievements along the way. There's no better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Frogger and the launch of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays than downloading this latest title from the Xbox Live Arcade game portfolio.

Xbox Live Arcade's 'Frogger' has been enhanced and reinvigorated for the Xbox 360 and features new, enhanced artwork that matches and compliments the original style. In addition the game's audio, including sound effects and music ditties, has been modernized to sound crisp and clear on today's high performance sound systems. New features include:

- Enhanced artwork and backdrops; players can now choose to play the original arcade classic graphics or the new enhanced graphics

- Fresh soundtrack and upgraded sounds effects

- New Xbox Live Arcade split screen multiplayer modes

- Addictive new Co-op vs Speed, and Head-to-Head Modes

The release of 'Frogger' will be followed up by a host of highly anticipated titles:

- 'Cloning Clyde,' the action adventure/puzzle game created by Wahoo Studios, developer of the popular 'Outpost Kaloki X' for Xbox Live Arcade, will bring its wacky,, classic animation style world to Xbox 360 on July 19

- 'Galaga,' the popular space shooter from Namco, which was first released back in 1981, comes packed with a new online multiplayer function, enhanced graphics and all new game modes on August 2

- 'Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting' takes the best from retro gaming and combines it with the signature features of Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, creating the best 'Street Fighter' experience to date, on July 26

Of course, a line-up of retro classics wouldn't be complete without perhaps the most classic title of them all, 'Pac-Man,' the fruit-eating maze game that changed the face of gaming upon its release in 1980. The Xbox Live Arcade version, which comes out on August 9, takes the famous franchise to the next-generation. With multiplayer over Xbox Live and tons of cool Achievements, 'Pac-Man' stays true to the original while powering-up to next-gen standards.

To help kick-off the summer of Xbox Live Arcade and the launch of these classic game titles, Xbox Live celebrated the 80s with the second Xbox Live Gold Experience event last night in San Francisco for its community members and is now helping other Xbox gamers do the same. Xbox 360 gamers that are interested in throwing their own 80s game night can visit www.xbox.com to secure a retro party-in-a-box complete with Microsoft Points Cards good for free arcade title downloads, pizza coupons courtesy of Papa John's, and a gift card for 80s music.

"There's no better way to revisit the 80s than to throw a retro-themed Gold Experience party - complete with the right classic arcade games, music, and pizza," said Ami Blaire, Global Marketing Director for Xbox Live. "So this summer, live it up on your Xbox 360 and enjoy our new twists on the old classic faves."

All Xbox Live Arcade games can be demoed for free on Xbox Live Marketplace. Check out Xbox Live and Xbox.com for continuing updates on exciting new content available to Xbox 360 gamers.

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Technorati Tags: microsoft-xbox-360, online

Posted by Kristian at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I made mine. Couldn't get them to print properly, but it was still fun! You should try it-

Found here: Make your own Quake Papercraft:

Filed under: Culture, Retro, First Person Shooters

If the Wii controller and Katamari Prince papercraft projects didn't suit your gaming preferences, then try making your own Quake-themed papercraft models of the Shambler and/or Marine. Captain Nod's site has links to models and instructions to build your own DIY nerd sculptures.

[Via Cathode Tan]

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Technorati Tags: culture, firstpersonshooters, firstpersonshooters, retro, retro

Posted by Kristian at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This was good fun the one time I played it. I'm looking forward to the 360ness of F.E.A.R.

Found here: E3: Xbox 360 Gets F.E.A.R. Itself:



Vivendi premiered a playable level of the Xbox 360 version of F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault and Recon) and Extraction Point, the first F.E.A.R. expansion, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles last week.

Posted by Kristian at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sweet-

Found here: First gesture-based XBLA title still in the dark:

Filed under: Arcade, Microsoft Xbox 360, E3, Peripherals

I was pretty eager to get my hands, or rather my flapping arms, on Totem Balls, the first  Xbox Live Arcade title to make use of the 360 camera for gesture-based gameplay. Totem Balls has a tropical island theme. You control a little a totem pole-looking character by moving your arms up and down at your sides (a motion that resembles the funky chicken) as he collect balls that balance on his head. Unfortunately, it turns out the still-unpriced Xbox 360 camera has the same studio-like light requirements as the Sony EyeToy, making the game basically unplayable in the dim, romantic glow of the Xbox Live Arcade booth -- much to the chagrin of the Microsoft staff on hand. Despite keeping the gaming press in the dark until the emergency floodlights arrive, they claim it's a superior product.

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Technorati Tags: arcade, arcade, e3, microsoft-xbox-360, microsoft-xbox-360, peripherals, peripherals

Posted by Kristian at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I want one-

Found here: Xmas debut for Xbox 360 HD DVD drive:

Microsoft still silent on HDMI/HDCP support

Microsoft will ship the external HD DVD drive for its Xbox 360 console in time for Christmas, the company said yesterday. However, the company failed to point out whether the unit will support the HDMI interface in its HDCP anti-piracy system.…

Posted by Kristian at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The headset is what I'm interested in:

Found here: Hands on with the Xbox 360 Live Vision, Wireless Headset, and Racing Wheel:

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Gaming, Peripherals, Wireless

Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD drive wasn't the only device we checked out at their post-press conference exposé. We also got to take a look at the Live Vision, Wireless Headset, Racing Wheel and Wireless Gaming Receiver up close and in person. Unfortunately for us, we were told these were all hand-built product mockups that apparently wouldn't withstand the wear and tear of a thousand or more press and partners manhandlings with chubby greasy party hands. Well, who cares, we touched the headsets anyway and they felt pretty nice, fairly light, if not a little fragile. Guess that's what we get for playing with the mockups though, right? Click on for more.

Yep, it's the same camera we've been seeing, well, for a long time now.

The Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver didn't get much play at the press conference, but it's a small device you will use to connect any RF wireless Xbox device with your PC (i.e. headset, wireless controller, etc.).

Yeah, don't touch, we get it.

The Racing Wheel is wireless if you use the battery packs, but if you want rumble you have to plug it in. Bummer, man.

This thing clamps it to the desk, obvs.

The girls of PMS were situated throughout the event at World Championship of Poker kiosks with avatars of themselves going all in... or whatever it is poker players do.

Just in case you were wondering what the pool area looked like.

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Frustrating, because we already own two. I'll get over it, it's just annoying when I double up on kit because they don't release the fricken products they should release WHEN THE THING COME OUT.

Technorati Tags: digitalcameras, digitalcameras, gaming, gaming, peripherals, peripherals, wireless, wireless

Posted by Kristian at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Interesting to us X-Box liver'-

Found here: Microsoft blends platform lines with Live Anywhere:

The latest ambitious endeavor by Microsoft might have "monopoly" written all over it, but we have a feeling they wouldn't want it any other way. Microsoft's new Live Anywhere that they announced at today's E3 keynote takes their Xbox Live concept and extends it to the PC, Windows Mobile and even Java-enabled phones. Whether you're at your PC or rocking a mobile, you'll be able to track your gamer tag, message friends, purchase content for that device or set it to download to another device, and of course compare rankings with your buddies on various gaming titles. Halo isn't going to run so well on your RAZR, so for actual cross platform titles, Microsoft is sticking with XBLA-esque games that can translate easily to different platform, such as Bejeweled. There will, however, be major games that can be played on your Vista PC and Xbox 360. Microsoft is banking heavily on third party support for Live Anywhere, in the form of mobile friendly value-adds for 360 games, and just straight up phone-friendly casual titles. In order to get more support, they're claiming to approach this from a "platform agnostic" (hah!) angle, and after supporting the 360, Windows Vista and Windows Mobile, will move on to Java, S60 and possibly even Palm if they deem it worth their while. Microsoft obviously has the muscle to launch a service like this, and the features they demoed look quite entertaining and welcome, but we'll still be (pleasantly) surprised if they actually manage to pull it off. Keep on reading for screenshots and impressions.

After the keynote we got a personal showing of prototype Live Anywhere functionality, mainly running off of a Windows Mobile device. Here's what we saw.



Teh Gamez. Once again, if you were hoping for some mobile version of Halo or even something like Geometry Wars, you'll be sorely disappointed. With that said, everything looked fairly snazzy, and there is definitely a difference between games supported by the more powerful Windows Mobile and those plain-jane Java phones.



In keeping with its XBLA roots, Live Anywhere allows for trials of games, which are suddenly terminated with a request for payment to purchase the full version. A bit janky, but at least they offer trial versions in the first place.


Be sure to bother MajorNelson with challenges to beat your high score, everybody else seems to.


That Gamercard is looking good.


There's enough platform support here already that it quickly seems like overkill.


Friends and what platform they're on.


Messaging isn't just email, it can include  video, voice, or even game content.


Java version doesn't look too different, but most of the games are different.


Our friendly presenter.


They finished up with a bit of Gamercard trading, which works over IrDA between phones and syncs across all platforms. In this case they showed the Xbox 360 Dashboard show the request, ask for approval, and then update automatically once the request was approved with the other mobile phone. Pretty slick.

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Posted by Kristian at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

FUCK! I'm sticking with the good ol' 360 for now then-

Found here: PlayStation 3 Gets $500 Price Tag:


Upbeat Sony execs reveal November launch plan for the next-gen console at a pre-E3 press conference. Game demos and a look at the PS3's new controller round out the presentation.

Posted by Kristian at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I would love to get into World of Warcraft more. I just can't find the time, and you people are annoying.

Found here: Legendary to give birth to a WARCRAFT Movie!:


Hey folks, Harry here - Hollywood Reporter is reporting this morning...

Posted by Kristian at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"meh" to everything not Optimus Prime. I fucking want that in my lounge room.

Found here: E3 booth props from day 1:

Filed under: Culture, E3

As much as we'd like to bring you photos from every square inch of the E3 show floor, there's a strong possibility that doing so might get in the way of other things... like blogging. Instead here's a quick take on some notable props and booth assets you may find interesting. More to come later!

Here's a guy some of you may recognize.


The name is Bond, the game is branding.


Pictured above is a huge prop for Quake Wars Enemy Territory.


Not far from the rest of these (in fact they're all from the same area) was the half-pipe. This is where Tony Hawk and his posse do their thing.

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Technorati Tags: culture, culture, e3, e3

Posted by Kristian at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Found here: Backstage: Microsoft Unveils XboxVP, Category-Defining Portable Device...:


Backstage: Microsoft Unveils XboxVP, Category-Defining Portable Device (j/k)

Posted by Kristian at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "360?" »

Posted by Kristian at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

align="top" border="0" height="152" hspace="4" vspace="4" width="425" />

During the course of a console’s initial development phase, there’s bound to be dozens of potential designs floating

around for each and every individual component, and the Xbox 360 is no exception. What aids in determining a final box

design is the fact that many of these initial prototypes are terribly, horrendously hideous. Normally these bastardized

boxes are sealed in wooden crates and shipped off to a secret government storage complex, but the BBC somehow managed

to get their hands on seven such rejected 360s, and Next Generation’s got the pics to prove it. Some of these we’ve

definitely seen before, such as the one on the far right.

At least one other, the box on the far left, is eerily reminiscient of the Xbox 360’s current design. Any of our

British brethren out there care to summarize this BBC special?

[Via 1UP]

[UPDATE: Ed Andersen took the time to upload the a copy of the video

here, while those of you without 180 MBs

to spare can check out the BBC’s own summary here,

courtesy of mkjones. And for even more scrapped 360 designs, click

here.]

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© 2005 Weblogs, Inc.

[posted with ecto]

Posted by Kristian at 8:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[posted with ecto]

Posted by Kristian at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

More amusement. You might only find this funny if you, err, ever played World of Warcraft. Oh, and have seen that little Lord of the RIngs movie.

[posted with ecto]

Posted by Kristian at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)