January 2008 - Posts
Geoff Keighley just sent me an email announcing the winners of this years Game Critics awards. Here, through the magic of cut and paste, is the email:
************************************
From: Geoff Keighley
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 7:08 AM
Subject: Game Critics: Game of the Year Winners Announced
Importance: High
GAME CRITICS: GAME OF THE YEAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED
BioShock Takes Top Honors as Game of the Year
The full list of the 2007 Game Critics Awards: Game of the Year winners is now posted on the Game Critics Awards website. You can see the full list of winners at http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/goty.html or below.
We look forward to working with you on our annual Game Critics: Best of E3 Awards this summer.
Thanks,
Rob & Geoff
Top 10 Games of 2007:
1.) BioShock
2.) The Orange Box
3.) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
4.) Rock Band
5.) Super Mario Galaxy
6.) Halo 3
7.) Mass Effect
8.) God of War II
9.) Assassin's Creed
10.) Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Game of the Year breakdown by platform:
Xbox 360: 7
PlayStation 3: 5
PC: 3
Wii: 1
PlayStation 2: 1
Game of the Year breakdown by publisher:
Microsoft Game Studios: 2
Sony Computer Entertainment: 2
EAP (Valve, MTV Games/Harmonix): 2
2K Games: 1
Activision: 1
Nintendo: 1
Ubisoft: 1
# # #
The Beautiful Katamari Demo that went live in North America a few months back, is now available for Xbox LIVE members in Australia, Europe and New Zealand.
Content: Rez HDPrice: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (EVERYONE) MILD VIOLENCE] Single Player, 5.1 Surround Sound, HD (High Definition). Set in a cyberworld, this legendary fast-paced action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi will provide the ultimate audiovisual experience as you target the enemies and hack the system while creating your own beats. Five challenging areas, each with its own theme as well as unlockables waiting to be discovered. Don’t be afraid to dig deep into the world’s computer network! This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see
www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Content: Chessmaster LivePrice: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Japan and Korea
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (Everyone)] Single Player, Xbox LIVE Multiplayer 1-2, Local Multiplayer 1-2, HD (High Definition). Chessmaster Live is the Xbox Live version of the reference chess franchise. It features multiplayer and solo modes. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see
www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
It’s been a while since I have posted the Top Video download list, so here goes:
Movies
1) Mr. Woodcock (HD)
2) Shoot ‘em Up (HD)
3) Hot Rod (HD)
4) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (HD)
5) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (HD)
6) Blade Runner: The Final Cut
7) Transformers (HD)
8) Ratatouille (HD)
9) Ocean’s Thirteen (HD)
10) Hostel: Part II (HD)
TV
1) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
2) Family Guy
3) South Park
4) Naruto
5) Comedy Central Presents: Stand-Up
6) The Universe
7) American Dad
8) MonsterQuest
9) Aqua Teen Hunger Force
10) Human Weapon (HD)
Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 3
2 Call of Duty 4
3 Guitar Hero III
4 Undertow
5 Gears of War
6 Rock Band
7 Devil May Cry 4 Demo
8 Madden NFL 08
9 Assassin's Creed
10 Forza Motorsport 2
Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Metal Slug 3
2 Boogie Bunnies
3 UNO
4 Pinball FX
5 Bomberman LIVE
6 Worms
7 Sonic The Hedgehog 2
8 TMNT 1989 Arcade
9 Omega Five
10 Geometry Wars Evolved
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased. Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 2
2 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3 Battlefield 2: MC
4 Counter-Strike
5 Fable
6 Burnout 3
7 Madden NFL 08
8 Call of Duty 3
9 Doom 3
10 Rainbow Six 3
These lists are based on global
unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade,
full versions purchased that week
Theme
Title: Spiderwick Chronicles
Content: The Spiderwick Chronicles - Theme
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: Download this theme. Unlock and explore the hidden world of the seen and unseen from The Spiderwick Chronicles™ movie. Battle strange and enchanted creatures in this spellbound world of eerie adventures as you fight to stop a rising evil There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Title: Anime Presented By Xbox360
Content: Witchblade Theme
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: United States
Dash Text: Download this theme. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
In Game Content
Title: GRAW 2
Content: GRAW 2 CO-OP Collection
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Japan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) BLOOD,LANGUAGE,VIOLENCE] The GRAW 2 Co-op Collection brings back some of the greatest maps in Ghost Recon history and let’s you cooperate and compete in exciting new locales. An all new co-op campaign with 5 missions takes you back to some of the greatest locations from the Ghost Recon franchise. Inspired from the original Ghost Recon and remade to the stunning benchmark from GRAW 2. 9 new adversarial maps – 7 inspired from the greatest in the franchise and 2 brand new maps. Classic tactical combat in open areas with weather effects and close combat across rooftops. 9 new Achievements with a total of 125 points. Exciting new challenges that encourage different tactics. The ghosts are back again. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see
www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Size: 930.32 MB
Gamer Picture
Title: Spiderwick Chronicles
Content: The Spiderwick Chronicles - Picture Pack
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: Download this picture pack. Unlock and explore the hidden world of the seen and unseen from The Spiderwick Chronicles™ movie. Battle strange and enchanted creatures in this spellbound world of eerie adventures as you fight to stop a rising evil There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Title: Anime Presented By Xbox360
Content: Witchblade Picture Pack
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Availability: United States
Dash Text: Download this picture pack. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Content: "Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial)"*
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada and United States
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track. *"Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial)" is a cover version of a song made famous by Coheed and Cambria. PLEASE NOTE: Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Content: "Working Man"*
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada and United States
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track. *"Working Man" is a cover version of a song made famous by Rush. PLEASE NOTE: Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Content: "Siva"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada and United States
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Siva"--Smashing Pumpkins. PLEASE NOTE: Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
The
Turok demo released earlier this month is now available in Canada, Mexico and the Unites States.
Theme
Title: U.S. Army & Halo 3
Content: U.S. Army Heavy Weapons Theme
Price: Free
Availability: United States
Dash Text: Get the exclusive new Heavy Weapons Theme and Gamer Pictures to show the Halo 3 community you've entered this phase of Basic Combat Training.
Trailer
Title: U.S. Army & Halo 3
Content: Halo 3 Heavy Weapons: Support Weapons (HD)
Price: Free
Availability: United States
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD AND GORE,MILD LANGUAGE,VIOLENCE] Any elite player knows the importance of heavy weapons in a game. Check out tips about how to best use Halo 3's support weaponry.
Content: Halo 3 Heavy Weapons: Shoulder-Mounted Weapons (HD)
Price: Free
Availability: United States
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD AND GORE,MILD LANGUAGE,VIOLENCE] Any elite player knows the importance of heavy weapons in a game. Check out tips about how to best use Halo 3's shoulder-mounted weaponry.
Gamer Picture
Title: U.S. Army & Halo 3
Content: U.S. Army Heavy Weapons Registration Picture
Price: Free
Availability: United States
Dash Text: I would like to enter the U.S. Army Heavy Weapons Play & Win Sweepstakes, which ends February 15th 2008 at 11:59pm ET, and agree to the Terms of Use/Official Rules See xbox.com/usarmy for more information and full sweepstakes rules.
Content: U.S. Army Heavy Weapons Picture Pack
Price: Free
Availability: United States
Dash Text: Get the exclusive new Heavy Weapons Theme and Gamer Pictures to show the Halo 3 community you've entered this phase of Basic Combat Training.
Rez HD and Chessmaster LIVE will be available this Wednesday for 800 points each.
This week’s show:
Co-host : e
Recent game news
Interview: Derek Andersen and Jino Talens on Burnout Paradise
Why the show is a little different this week.
and more...
Get the blogcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3) Listen in iTunes? Submit a review
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[MP4] Download the show (MP4)
Format:
51:19, 31.7 MB, MP4
Production notes:
As you will hear, this is a different style of show. I am experiementing in producing an enhanced podcast. In order to decrease production complexity my regular features are not includes this week. They will return next week. This is an MP4 file, and if you have an iPod, this file has chapter markers, chapter artwork and (if you are listening in desktop software) weblinks embedded in the file. Most other digitnal media players will still be able to hear the audio, but will not see the advanced functions. If you would like the standard MP3, I have made a comment below with a link.
Link dump (links to a few of the things I mention in this episode):
http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/splash/b/burnoutparadise/
http://live.xbox.com/en-US/profile/profile.aspx?pp=0&GamerTag=uaintdown
http://live.xbox.com/en-US/profile/profile.aspx?pp=0&GamerTag=Madtalenz
http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=29&langid=100&itemid=4893
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/soundtrackpro/
http://www.mxlmics.com/condenser_mic/900_Series/MXL990/mxl990.htm
http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_SM7B_content
Content: Classic Rock Track Pack
Price: 500 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] "Peace of Mind" as performed by Boston, "Juke Box Hero" as performed by Foreigner, and "Any Way you Want it" as performed by Journey. For all song credits please visit www.redoctane.com There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
The following trailer is available as a free download that previews the pack:
Content: Classic Rock Track Pack Trailer (HD)
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Video prieview of "Peace of Mind" as performed by Boston, "Juke Box Hero" as performed by Foreigner, and "Any Way you Want it" as performed by Journey. For all song credits please visit www.redoctane.com
Content: Devil May Cry 4 demo
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD,LANGUAGE,SEXUAL THEMES,VIOLENCE] Is his power that of a demon, or of a god? New main character Nero and his demonic devil bringer add speed and style to the Devil May Cry series! Experience advanced gameplay along with gorgeous cutting-edge graphics. Thanks to the power of the latest graphics hardware, the stylish action runs at an incredible 60fps so you won't miss a beat! This is true next-generation entertainment!
Undertow is now available, free of charge, until Sunday January 27th at 11:59pm PT.
Content: Turning Point:Fall of Liberty Demo
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) LANGUAGE,VIOLENCE] In an alternate reality, unstoppable Nazi forces win world War II, and take over Europe and the United States. Witness war more personal than ever. Download the demo of this provocative shooter and witness the Third Reich's epic invasion of New York, then go to www.turningpointgame.com to join the resitance!
Size: 1.24 GB
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