Most Recent: Xbox 360

Microsoft relaunches Xbox Live Rewards program

Posted on September 6, 2013 by John Scalzo

xboxrewards-sept2013Microsoft Points are no longer the currency of choice in the Xbox Live Store. Now that everything is priced in dollars (or insert your own local currency here), Microsoft has revamped the Xbox Live Rewards program as well.

The system is now based on “Credits” and performing many of the same “missions” as before (filling out surveys, renewing your Gold membership, buying XBL Store content) will still desposit Credits into your Rewards. For example, if you fill out a survey, you’ll receive 250 Credits. After you’ve obtained 5,000 Credits, Microsoft will deposit $5.00 into your Xbox Live account.

The biggest addition to the new Xbox Live Rewards program is the “Play A New Game” mission. If you buy a disc-based Xbox 360 game within 30 days of release and put ten hours into it, Microsoft will give you 1,000 Credits. The offer doesn’t apply to downloadable games or older disc-based titles, so it’s not a great deal, but at least Microsoft is taking a few tiny steps towards making the Xbox Live Rewards program worthwhile.

More information about the program (including a full list of “missions” and their requirements) can be found at rewards.xbox.com.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 |

Keiji Inafune gives console editions priority in Mighty No. 9 stretch goals

Posted on September 5, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Another day, another Mighty No. 9 update.

Keiji Inafune’s spiritual successor to Mega Man is running wild on Kickstarter. The side-scrolling platformer crossed $1.6 million in pledges this morning and the cash flow shows no signs of slowing down. Because of that, and a “passionate” outcry from fans, Inafune has announced a slight reworking of the previously announced stretch goals.

Three of goals (Two More Stages, Mac/Linux Versions, and New Game Plus & Turbo Mode) have already been reached and are locked into place. But the threshold to unlock the “PS3/Xbox 360/Wii U Versions” goal has been shifted downward, from $2.5 million to $2.2 million. And the mystery stretch goals have been pushed off the chart, for now. The new stretch goal lineup looks like this:

  • REACHED – $1.2 Million: Two More Stages
  • REACHED – $1.35 Million: Mac and Linux Versions
  • REACHED – $1.5 Million: New Game Plus and Turbo Mode
  • $1.75 Million: The Making of Mighty No. 9 Video Documentary
  • $2.2 Million: PS3/360/WIIU Versions

If pledges continue to be made at this rate, it won’t be a question of if Mighty No. 9 comes to consoles, but when.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged

XBLA Today: World Series of Poker: Full House Pro

Posted on September 4, 2013 by John Scalzo

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After several delays (it was originally supposed to be out in the Spring), Microsoft is ready to ante up the Xbox Live Arcade release of their new free-to-play poker, title World Series of Poker: Full House Pro. Promising real world casinos, Avatar support, and a daily bankroll deposit, Full House Pro might just be the best poker platform on the XBLA yet:

There’s no other event like it — the World Series of Poker. Build your bankroll as you compete against players from around the world. Personalize your experience with flashy avatar accessories, amazing chip tricks, and real world casino venues. Download today and play for free, and be sure to come back daily for more free chips!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Keiji Inafune’s Mighty No. 9 is fully funded after 36 hours

Posted on September 2, 2013 by John Scalzo

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The Kickstarter campaign for Keiji Inafune’s Mighty No. 9 is now fully funded, just a tick over 36 hours after it began. Inafune and his team at Comcept asked donors for $900,000 to complete development on the side-scrolling platformer, which was heavily inspired by Inafune’s most famous creation, Mega Man. As of this writing, backers have pledged over $940,000.

So now that Mighty No. 9 is a mighty success, it’s time to talk about stretch goals. In the initial pitch, Inafune expressed a desire to bring the game to the PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360. And if fans can reach the priciest goal, $2.5 million, that’ll be a reality. Other stretch goals include:

  • $1.2 Million: Two More Stages
  • $1.35 Million: Mac and Linux Versions
  • $1.5 Million: New Game Plus and Turbo Mode
  • $1.75 Million: ???
  • $2 Million: The Making of Mighty No. 9 Video Documentary
  • $2.2 Million: ???
  • $2.5 Million: PS3/X360/WIIU CONSOLE VERSIONS!!!

Congratulations to Keiji Inafune and his team at Comcept on a MEGA successful Kickstarter campaign.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Capybara confirms Super Time Force in 2013, Below in 2014

Posted on September 2, 2013 by John Scalzo

capybaragames-logoCapybara Games confirmed a few release dates for us this weekend during the PAX Prime expo.

GameSpot caught up with Capybara’s President, Nathan Vella, and he told them that Below, a roguelike the company has in development for the Xbox One as a timed exclusive, would be released in 2014. Meanwhile, Polygon also chatted with the studio head yesterday and he revealed that their fourth dimensional shooter for the Xbox 360, Super Time Force, is “feature locked” and will be released in 2013.

They’re vague release dates, but it’s more than we had pre-PAX Prime.

Posted in News, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

XCOM: Enemy Within trailer brings “War Machines” to the fight

Posted on September 2, 2013 by John Scalzo

“War Machines,” the latest trailer for Firaxis Games’ XCOM: Enemy Within, made its debut at this weekend’s PAX Prime. The trailer depicts many of the new abilities your XCOM soldiers will have at their disposal including biological augmentations (such as telekinesis), cybernetic enhancements, and massive mechs. The aliens will counter with two new enemy types including a hulking mech of their own (known as Mechtoids) and the ghost-like Seekers.

The PC version of XCOM: Enemy Within, which requires a copy of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, will be released on November 12. The expansion will also be available as a standalone release for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on the same day.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged , ,

Mass Effect Edition add-on coming to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition this week

Posted on September 2, 2013 by John Scalzo

Microsoft wants to infuse a little Mass Effect into your Minecraft with a new add-on pack. The “Mass Effect Edition” will add 36 Mass Effect Skins, a “Pre-Built Mars Facility” World, a Mass Effect Texture Set, a Mass Effect-themed UI, and 22 music tracks from Mass Effect 3 to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition. The add-on pack is priced at $3.99 and will be available this Wednesday, September 4.

Microsoft is referring to this add-on as the “first” mash-up pack, so there’s a very good chance that more are in the works. Minecraft: Halo Edition, anyone? Be sure to check out the trailer above and you can view a ton of “Mass Effect Edition” screenshots at Microsoft’s Play XBLA blog.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

New Releases: Diablo III, Rayman Legends, Total War: Rome II, More

Posted on September 1, 2013 by John Scalzo

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The Fall is here! The drought is over! Let’s talk about new releases!

This week, Blizzard’s Diablo III has finally been released for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It feels the console of their hack and slash game has been in development for ages, but it was only announced this past February at the Sony’s PS4 reveal.

Also available this week is Rayman Legends. The game was originally scheduled to be released this Spring exclusively for the Wii U, but Ubisoft sent it back to the development team and asked them to also push out additional editions of the game for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360, and Vita.

Finally, we’ve got the PC-exclusive release of Total War: Rome II from Creative Assembly. The developers have claimed the war simulation is their best yet, but you can try it for yourself if you’re attending this weekend’s PAX Prime in Seattle. In fact, all of these games are playable on the show floor today and tomorrow. How ’bout that?

You can find more new releases after the break. (more…)

Posted in DS, News, PC, PS3, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged , , ,