Gamerscore Blog

Gamerscore Blog Changes

Bastelyon — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Because of your feedback over the years and your desire to get more direct information about Xbox, we’ve created a variety of vehicles to communicate directly with you and keep you informed of everything new for Xbox. We love hearing your praise - and we learn from your criticism! We also want to make it easier for everyone to stay in touch, so we’re doing a little housekeeping. We made the decision to retire Gamerscore blog, and focus our community outreach through Xbox.com and through the Xbox dashboard.

We’d like to point you to a few of the places where you will find the things we’re working on--and more--hopefully delivered in ways you want to get them. In the interest of simplicity (and coolness), here’s a handy guide:

If you’re on your console and want to see behind-the-scenes content, interviews and featured game videos, check out the Inside Xbox channel.
If you’re on the PC and enjoy the informal voice of blogs, you should check out Xbox.com Voices, and Majornelson.com.
If you’re on the PC and want the latest breaking news and press releases, hit up: xbox.com/press.
If you want featured videos, exclusive content and interviews delivered to your email inbox, sign up for the Xbox newsletter.
If you want featured videos, exclusive content and interviews delivered to your cell phone, visit xbox.mobi.

We had a blast being part of Gamerscore blog, and we want to thank you for your support, but as you can see from the list above, there is no shortage of methods to snag the latest word from all of us at Xbox. And we’re ecstatic that we will continue contributing to these outlets going forward. We’ll see you there!

BlowOut Coming to Xbox Originals

CPaladino — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:00:47 GMT

On January 19th, 2009, you will be able to download and play BlowOut on your Xbox 360.

From Xbox.com:

Xbox Originals on Xbox LIVE Marketplace brings you original Xbox games to play on your Xbox 360. Relive your favorites or find games you missed the first time around.

BlowOut

Majesco Games
ESRB T (Teen)
1200 Microsoft Points
(NA and EMEA)

As Major John “Dutch” Cane, you're in charge of a platoon of mercenary commandos—mercenaries outfitted with experimental weaponry the military wouldn't even dream of issuing to their troops. Officially, these guys don't even exist. Lead your team into a space station that has been overrun by mutated alien parasites. Your orders are to take out the enemy before they have a chance to zero in on the station's control center and threaten colonized space. Secure the station by eliminating the alien threat, or life as you know it will cease to exist.

Halo Wars Clarification

CPaladino — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:33:00 GMT

Yesterday during his CES Keynote, Robbie Bach announced that Microsoft and Ensemble will release a “Halo Wars” demo that will launch Feb. 5 via Xbox LIVE.

Halo Wars will be available at retail as follows:

Japan and Asia Pacific: Feb. 26
Europe: Feb. 27
US, Canada, Mexico and South America: March 3

Unleash Your Inner Creator with Microsoft's New Xbox LIVE Community Game "Kodu"

CPaladino — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:30:04 GMT

Microsoft announced today that it will turn Xbox 360 players into creators with the release of their new game, “Kodu”. Launching on the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel, “Kodu’s” easy to use game creation techniques will make building personal playgrounds simple for anyone, with the help of an Xbox 360 controller. During a keynote speech at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 12-year-old student, Sparrow joined Microsoft’s President of the Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach on stage to demonstrate the intuitive game that lets players choose from a variety of visual building blocks in order to develop their own unique creation.

For more info, check out the full link.

Strategize and Solve the Biggest Online Jigsaw Puzzle in "Puzzle Arcade" Available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday!

CPaladino — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Puzzle fans, get ready to take on a colossal brain challenge in "Puzzle Arcade," the most expansive online jigsaw puzzle to ever hit Xbox 360. The title is making its way to Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, December 24 at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Full details here.

Tis the Season to Be Jolly: 2008 a Stellar Year for Xbox LIVE Arcade

CPaladino — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Oh the weather outside is frightful – so grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy this year’s biggest hits on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers and critics agree that 2008 was a stellar year for Xbox LIVE Arcade, which saw record numbers and the most impressive line-up of titles ever.

Full story can be found here.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Title Update

Gamerscore News — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Today we've released a title update for Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts over Xbox LIVE that improves players ability to read the text on standard definition televisions. Game players will need to login to their profile on LIVE and place their Banjo disc into their Xbox. At that point, they will be automatically prompted for the title update.

The Saga Continues: “Gears of War 2” Combustible Map Pack Launches Today

Gamerscore News — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:47:00 GMT

More than 1.5 million people were drawn to “Gears of War 2” on Xbox LIVE during its first weekend, logging over 15 million gameplay hours and driving a new record for concurrent users. Now, the online experience has become even more explosive with the release of the Combustible Map Pack, a collection of three new maps for Gears of War 2 available now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 MS Points.

Debuted during the SPIKE TV Video Game Awards on Dec. 14, where Gears of War 2 took home the Best Shooter and Best Xbox 360 Game awards, Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games unveiled exclusive footage from the Combustible Map Pack with Marisa Miller (Sports Illustrated’s 2008 Swimsuit Issue cover model) and “Gears of War 2’s” Augustus “Cole Train” Cole (played by Lester Speight) presenting the first look at the new maps. Read more...

Save Your Planet From Destruction in “Meteos Wars” Available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday!

Gamerscore News — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:44:00 GMT

Take a ride through the “Meteos Wars” intergalactic journey in which players slide, stack and ignite blocks to blast away the world-ending Meteos! The title is making its way to Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, December 10 at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Act fast by arranging colored blocks to ignite and demolish the falling Meteos - with over 20 planets to defend, only you can stop the fast crashing Meteos from destroying these worlds. It’s a fight worth finishing as each planet has its very own alien race, Meteos block style, unique gravity effects and visual and audio style.

Pick your favorite planet and challenge your friends in intense multiplayer sessions. Master combo links, power-ups, special “Planet Impact” attacks and acquire tons of unlockable gameplay features to blast away your opponents and achieve intergalactic dominance!

Published and developed by Q ENTERTAINMENT INC., “Meteos Wars” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points worldwide. The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

For more details on “Meteos Wars” please visit: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/m/meteoswarsxboxlivearcade/

Sega Soccer Slam and Raze's Hell™ Coming to Xbox Originals

Gamerscore News — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:44:00 GMT

On December 15^th, 2008, you will be able to download and play Sega Soccer Slam and Raze's Hell™ on your Xbox 360.

From Xbox.com:

Xbox Originals on Xbox LIVE Marketplace brings you original Xbox games to play on your Xbox 360. Relive your favorites or find games you missed the first time around.

Sega Soccer Slam

SEGA®
ESRB E (Everyone)
1200 Microsoft Points
(NA only)

Have you ever taken on a deranged kilt-wearing Scotsman in a wild, no-holds-barred soccer match? Each character in this anything-but-ordinary soccer game wields special powers and moves that, if executed properly, earn the big score. In Quest Mode, you can unlock secret stadiums and uncover hidden items to improve your already stellar performance.

Raze's Hell ™

Atari®
ESRB M (Mature)
1200 Microsoft Points
(Europe and NA)

The Kewletts’ colonization efforts have taken a turn for the vicious ... until the newly transformed Raze shows up. As Raze, you must vanquish the twisted princess and her invading force of Kewletts by any means necessary.

Survive! Assimilate! Evolve! “PowerUp Forever” Available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday!

Gamerscore News — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:42:00 GMT

Gamers, get ready to hone your battle skills in the thrilling action-shooter game, “PowerUp Forever,” where no two encounters are ever the same. The title is making its way to Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, December 10 at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Players must extend their power to survive by hunting and defeating dangerous enemy Guardians! Harvest their glowing energy cores to assimilate their power and increase the size of your ship and stock of weaponry. As a player’s ship evolves their world and enemies shrink to insignificance, revealing enemies that were too massive and powerful to see before.

Think you’ve got it beat? Well think again - endless levels that extend for infinity, an armory of weapons which includes lasers, shields and bombs, and procedurally-generated enemies and environments provide a completely new challenge with every game session. Gamers can battle it out in a variety of modes of play, including Survival Mode, Guardian Mode, Defender and Overkill Mode.

Published by NAMCO BANDAI Games America and developed by Blitz Arcade, “PowerUp Forever” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points worldwide. The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

For more details on “PowerUp Forever” please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.com/games/powerupforever/

A New Chapter in the “Halo” Franchise, “Halo Wars,” Available at U.S. Retailers on March 3

Gamerscore News — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:34:00 GMT

Get suited up and ready for deployment! On March 3, “Halo Wars,” the action-based strategy game set in the iconic “Halo” universe and created exclusively for Xbox 360, will be available in stores nationwide. Internationally, “Halo Wars” will be available on the following dates:

Japan and Asia Pacific: Feb. 26
EMEA: Feb. 27
Americas (US, Canada, Mexico and South America): March 3

Pre-orders for “Halo Wars” are taking place at participating retailers nationwide now. Fans who pre-order will receive an exclusive in-game Warthog with flame decals. The Limited Collector’s Edition is also available and includes a special in-game “Honor Guard” Wraith, a graphic novel, six Leader cards and a “Spirit of Fire” patch. As an additional exclusive, LCE owners will get early access to the in-game “Halo 3” Mythic Map Pack for exciting new multiplayer action.

The Limited Collector’s Edition retails for an estimated retail price of $79.99, while the standard edition is available at $59.99. A first for a “Halo” franchise game, “Halo Wars” is rated “T” for Teen.

More information on “Halo Wars” can be found online at www.Xbox.com/HaloWars or www.HaloWars.com.

Fallout 3 - Need Help?

DirtyDiva — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:49:00 GMT

I've put a little time (ahem 130+ hours) into this Bethesda game and wanted to share some of the resources that have been invaluable to me during my time wandering the post-apocalyptic plains.

Maps:

Don't give me that cheater stare. If I've put that amount of time into the game, it wasn't because I used maps to find my way to every major storyline area! Seriously, sometimes you need a map to find things you may have missed along the way like Super Mutant Behemoths or perhaps Nuka-Cola Quantums.

Google:
http://planetfallout.gamespy.com/maps/1/Capital-Wasteland

Flash:
http://www.wikicheats.com/flash/fallout3map/fallout3_map.swf

Walkthroughs:

I am quite proud to say that I didn't need a walkthrough except for a quest that didn't play fairly with me but the following are two sites to visit if walkthroughs are necessary:

My personal favorite is:
http://mycheats.1up.com/view/superguide/2010007/fallout_3_/pc

A community favorite is:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/xbox360/game/939933.html

Achievement Guide:

If you're just going for the achievements, here's a look at what's involved:
http://www.giantbomb.com/guides/fallout-3-achievement-guide/467/

Here's a friendly piece of advice - if you haven't started the game, save when you're half way through levels 7, 13 and 19. "Save often Stupid" in between but at those times specifically. This has to do with getting the character karma achievements - Also, you'll have an easier time going back to get them if you go through the game as a good person first.

Finally, I know a few of my friends didn't realize this so I'm posting for anyone else who may have missed it. You can repair your own equipment by picking up duplicates (and as long as your repair score is high enough). Just go into the item screen on your pip-boy, select the item you want to repair and press "Y". It will use any extras you have to fix up your selected weapon. I've used this for weapons and armor. It sure saves a buck from having to have your stuff repaired by Moira (what an annoying woman) or a wandering salesman.

This game is simply amazing. That is all.

Oh, and don't forget the upcoming DLC. Must. Get. 1000 GS. Now.

Connect & Win!

Ryan Miller — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:41:17 GMT

The gang over at Games for Windows - Live have launched a new sweepstakes to coincide with the PC launch of Grand Theft Auto IV. They're giving away great prizes daily as well as an Alienware laptop every week. One lucky winner will get a sweet grand prize - a trip for two to San Diego Comicon and an Alienware Area-51 m17x gaming laptop to take with you... *drool*

It's pretty simple, just register your gamertag here, then log in and connect to Games for Windows - Live titles for your entry. You get one entry per day you log on, so there's no need to log on to all your games every day. But hey, don't let me stop you!

Banjo Kazooie - XBLA - Wednesday

DirtyDiva — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:20:00 GMT

If you have a yearning for some old-school gaming, this week's Xbox LIVE Arcade release might be for you.

Rare's original Banjo Kazooie is coming out this Wednesday, December 3. Banjo and his Breegull (I got it right this time) friend Kazooie have to learn to work together to save Banjo's little sister, Tooty, from Gruntilda the wicked witch.

The game is a platformer and you will learn to run, jump, swim, fly and fight as a team as you collect your jigsaw pieces, or "Jiggys" in all of the different worlds.

Banjo Kazooie will be 1200 MS Points and is rated E10+ by the ESRB.