Gears of War 3 becomes fastest pre-ordered title in Xbox 360 history

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Bret Morace

Major Nelson announced today that Gears of War 3 has become the fastest pre-ordered exclusive in Xbox 360 history. In real numbers, Microsoft confirmed the game has already surpassed one million pre-orders. Along with this information, Nelson released some stats about the recently completed Gears 3 beta.

Over the course of the beta’s four weeks, 1.29 million players played more than 11 million multiplayer matches. Wow. Here are some of the other stats provided by the Major:

  • 145 different countries participated in the beta
  • 249 years worth of matches played
  • More than 11 million matches completed
  • More than 927 million kills recorded
  • More than 131 million executions performed
  • More than 23 million deaths by chainsaw
  • Nearly 23 BILLION bullets fired
  • 4.9 billion ribbons and 291 million medals earned
  • 435,000 people earned the Beta exclusive Thrashball Cole skin
  • 234,000 people earned the Beta exclusive Gold Retro Lancer

Gears of War 3 will be released on September 20.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Valve is skipping E3 2011

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Were you hoping that Valve would use E3 2011 to provide more news about Portal 2 DLC or Half-Life: Episode 3? Or perhaps you were holding out hope for a surprise announcement of Left 4 Dead 3?

Well, you can forget it.

The developer sent out an email today detailing their E3 plans. And in two short sentences, they confirmed they have no E3 plans because they won’t be attending the big show. The message reads in full:

Lots of folks have mailed asking about appointment times, etc., with Valve.

Well, we are not showing any titles at this year’s show. So no appointment is needed.

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

Yar’s Revenge Review: Float Like a Shameless Copy, Sting Like Sin & Punishment

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Back when video games were played using a wood-paneled console on a wood-paneled TV (which you bought by driving to the store in your wood-paneled car), Yars’ Revenge was one of the most popular games available on the Atari 2600. While Yars’ Revenge was eventually overshadowed by other titles in the ensuing 30 years of gaming, Atari has decided to resurrect their once great game as a PC/XBLA game now titled Yar’s Revenge.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in PC, Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Modern Warfare 3 official site reporting for duty

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Activision has launched the official website for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at CallofDuty.com/mw3. The website is rather sparsely populated at the moment, but you can view the four teaser trailers that Infinity Ward released a few days ago.

Aside from the teasers, there’s also something interesting in the site’s footer: the Sledgehammer Games logo. I believe this is the first public acknowledgement that Sledgehammer Games lent a hand to the development of Modern Warfare 3.

These little bits of information are fun and all, but hopefully Activision has a big Call of Duty reveal coming soon.

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

Sega Rally Online Arcade added to XBLA

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has revealed today’s addition to the Xbox Live Arcade: Sega Rally Online Arcade.

The latest game in the dirt-caked series comes from racing specialists Sumo Digital and will set you back 800 Microsoft Points ($10). A PlayStation Network version is also planned, but obviously you’ll have to wait for the PlayStation Store to return before you can play it.

More details on Sega Rally Online Arcade can be found right here:

When was the last time you enjoyed getting dragged through the mud? Race through five different types of terrain in more rally-bred vehicles than a baker can shake his dozen at. Including the Ford Focus RS, the classic Lancia Delta Integrale and the ferocious Bowler Nemesis. Play through a slew of modes including Time Trials, Single Races, and Championship Events. Cut to the chase and face off online in a variety of 6 Player multiplayer racing events – isn’t it about time you showed your friends who’s numero uno?

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Leaked Wii 2 presentation showcases new controller

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

More Wii 2 rumors have escaped into the wild, this time courtesy of a YouTube video titled “Private Presentation of “Project Cafe” by a Video Games Editor.”

The video features a slideshow presentation of production drawings for the Wii 2’s controller and the system itself. The anonymous video game editor also claims that the Wii 2/Project Cafe console itself is actually visible at the 15 second mark. Circled in red, it’s sitting on the table below the screen. However, this could be any piece of computer equipment as it’s never clearly shown.

But the real highlight of the video is supposed confirmation of the Wii 2 controller, complete with that six-inch touchscreen. The controller closely resembles an Xbox 360/GameCube hybrid with a screen slapped into the center of it. And if the six-inch screen measurement is accurate, it will make even the original Xbox controller look tiny in comparison.

Of course, the entire clip is of a very poor quality and creating a similar looking video as a hoax wouldn’t be difficult at all. I’d take this rumor with a huge grain of salt and wouldn’t consider it confirmation of anything just yet.

Posted in News, Wii U |

Daily Scoop – Wednesday, May 18 – Gold Box Event!

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Fresh off of an L.A. Noire hangover, I’m here to bring you today’s Amazon Gold Box event details! *drum roll*

First up: today’s Deal of the Day in video games, which is EA’s Crysis 2. It’s $34.99 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, and $29.99 as a digital download for PC. This is perfect timing, as it’s hot on the tail of yesterday’s release of the Retaliation Map Pack DLC. Scoop it up, kids!

The clues for the rest of today’s Gold Box deals, with our guesses in parenthesis, can be found right here:

  • 6:00 AM (PDT) – Engineer your adventure in the dead of space – it’s Dead Space 2! $19.99 on PC, $39.99 on PS3/Xbox 360
  • 7:00 AM (PDT) – The legend of your rise to power begins now – it’s Dragon Age II for $39.95 on PC, PS3, & Xbox 360
  • 8:00 AM (PDT) – The divine conflict between harmony and discord for your PSP – it’s Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy for $19.99
  • 10:00 AM (PDT) – One of the greatest games of all time complete for your PSP – this one is Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection for $19.99
  • 12:00 PM (PDT) – I believe I can fly – it’s NBA 2K11 for $27.99
  • 2:00 PM (PDT) – Choose the Guardians or the Defiant – it’s Rift standard ($29.99) and special ($59.99) editions
  • 4:00 PM (PDT) – Hit the gridiron with this perennial franchise – this one’s Madden NFL 11 for $9.99-$19.99
  • 6:00 PM (PDT) – Twist and turn through an action-packed Sonic experience – it’s Sonic Free Riders for $19.99
  • 8:00 PM (PDT) – Experience the pageantry of College Football like never before. – yup, it’s NCAA Football 11 for $19.99

We’ll be updating everything as the sales go live, so check back later!

Posted in Daily Scoop |

Netflix on video game consoles is the leading bandwidth usage in America

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Independent researcher Sandvine has concluded that Netflix accounts for more downstream and overall bandwidth usage than all other sources, at 29.7 and 24.71 percent, respectively. Of all devices, video game consoles account for nearly two thirds of that figure, making Netflix usage on consoles alone accounting for 19.7% of all downstream usage. That’s bigger than the next highest usage – web pages.

The PlayStation 3 leads the pack in that figure, responsible for 30.57%. The Xbox 360 comes next, representing 24.94%, followed by PCs at 19.55%, while the Wii, with the highest install base of current gen consoles, comes in last with only 10.75%. Looks like someone may have been right about that whole closet/living room dichotomy.

One thing is for certain: game consoles are usurping cable providers. With the 3DS getting Netflix a later date and Sony’s NGP probably to do the same, expect this trend to continue in the future.

Posted in 3DS, Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 |