At the X10 Media event, Xbox announced the upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party* promotion. Now they are announcing additional promotion details and the release schedule:
March 3rd: Toy Soldiers -1200 points
March 10: Scrap Metal – 1200 points
March 17: Perfect Dark – 800 points
March 24: Game Room – Free to download. Individual games will cost 240 to 400 points
Plus: When you purchase all three Block Party titles and download the free Game Room app you’ll receive 400 Microsoft Points back to your account**! And if you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold Members you’ll also get an extra month of Gold absolutely free**!
And from Noon ET Friday, March 26, – Noon ET Monday, March 29 Block Party is making it easy for you to play together with an Xbox LIVE Multiplayer Unlock weekend! For this weekend only, we’re unlocking the online multiplayer features of all Block Party titles for Xbox LIVE Silver Members to play for free (games sold separately). This is the current release schedule for Block Party titles. As with everything game release related, dates are subject to change.
*Depending on your region, you may see this promotion called House party. The above information applies.
Halo: Reach Beta Begins May 3
Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has announced that the Halo: Reach beta will begin on May 3. The multiplayer beta can be accessed only via the Halo 3: ODST disc, much like the Halo 3 beta was opened up only to Crackdown players in 2007. Halo: Reach itself is not due out until the fall.
Halo: Reach will depict some of the same events that took place in the novel Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund. The book portrays both the siege of the titular fortress planet by the Covenant and the origins of the Spartan program, which developed dozens of supersoldiers like Halo series hero Master Chief. It will follow a squad of six Master Chief-like Spartan soldiers as they try to protect Reach's human inhabitants from the Covenant's relentless onslaught.
General Knoxx DLC Date and Price
The Secret Armory of General Knoxx will be available Feb 23rd for the Xbox 360 (800 Microsoft Points) and the 25th for the PS3 and PC (for $9.99)! We can't wait for Borderlands fans to enjoy the biggest Borderlands DLC to date. You and your friends will have a blast exploring the new areas in all-new vehicles (including a 4-player vehicle), fighting new enemies and bosses, and finding new weapons all while building your character to level 61.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II -- Chaos Rising Goes Gold
THQ and Relic Entertainment to Deliver Standalone Expansion to 2009's Real-Time Strategy Game of the Year, Dawn of War II
THQ Inc. announced Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II -- Chaos Rising, the highly anticipated standalone chapter in the critically acclaimed Real-Time Strategy (RTS) series, has reached the gold master stage of development and entered manufacturing. Developed by award-winning internal studio Relic Entertainment, Chaos Rising features the traitorous Chaos Space Marines army as a playable race, a new single-player campaign, a level cap increase from 20 to 30, more powerful war-gear and a suite of innovative multiplayer options. Scheduled for a nationwide release at all major retail and online outlets on March 11, 2010, Chaos Rising will be available as a Games for Windows LIVE PC title for a suggested retail price of $29.99.
"Chaos Rising is the perfect follow up to Dawn of War II, 2009's RTS Game of the Year, offering an incredible amount of new content for an amazing value," said Travis Plane, Vice President of Global Brand Management, THQ. "Relic Entertainment is the industry's leading RTS developer and will once again deliver bone-crushing action, breathtaking visuals and unprecedented innovation in the genre."
"Chaos Rising builds on the success of Dawn of War II to create a truly epic and memorable experience for fans and newcomers alike," said Jonathan Dowdeswell, General Manager, Relic Entertainment. "The game features an intense single player campaign with 15 action-packed missions and introduces our most brutal multiplayer army yet, the Chaos Space Marines."
About Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II -- Chaos Rising
Set in the grim, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop's vast Warhammer 40,000 science fiction universe, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II -- Chaos Rising transports players into the midst of an intergalactic war between ancient enemies. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II -- Chaos Rising introduces the Chaos Space Marines as a new playable army, continues the single player campaign from the original Dawn of War II with 15 new missions, delivers all new wargear and raises the level cap from 20 to 30. Relic Entertainment will also deliver new multiplayer maps and new units for the Orks, Eldar, Tyranids and Space Marines. For more information on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II -- Chaos Rising, please visit www.dawnofwar2.com.
Bungie's "Biggest Regret" Is No Matchmaking In Firefight
Bungie has told OXM that its biggest regret from the whole Halo series is the lack of matchmaking in ODST's Firefight mode - which it said it simply didn't have time to fix.
Speaking in anticipation of the launch of Halo: Reach later this year, community boss Brian Jarrard said that the firm would "love" to be able to go back in time and fix the issues fans had with the multiplayer - and said it's probably the reason ODST isn't as popular as other Halo games.
"I regret not being able to go back and make Firefight in ODST work and have match-making," he told us. "I think we would have loved to have done that. We've heard it from the fans, we've heard it from the press. It's definitely something we'd have loved to be able to do but we didn't have the scope on the project. We didn't have the time.
"We accomplished a tremendous amount, but that's probably the reason ODST isn't being played as much right now as we'd like. It has had a shorter lifecycle than any of the Halo titles before. But Reach is our big chance to make up for some of those things."
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Demo Shatters 3.5M Mark
Download Now for a Limited Time – Demo Expires February 25
DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio announced that the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 army is already 3.5M people strong – and the game hasn’t even shipped yet. Available for a limited time, the demo* will expire in six short days so players interested in getting an early taste of the action should download it before February 25th. After that date, the DICE servers will shut down, and shift to support the game launch on March 2nd. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is winning accolades from fans and critics worldwide for the finesse of its online multiplayer experience and dedicated server support. The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 demo is available on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network for free.
Facts about the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 demo:
* 3.5 Million downloads
* 500 Million kills
* 100 Million vehicle kills
* 15 Million knife kills
* 30 Million destroyed vehicles
* 10 Million head shots
* 25 Million revives
The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 demo offers players early access to the Port Valdez map and Rush Multiplayer mode. This demo just scratches the surface of the game’s robust single-player and multiplayer offering. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 delivers eight intense maps and four multiplayer modes**. In the Limited Edition version of the game, players get early access to six unlockable items such as improved vehicle armor, advanced weapons and superior fire power. The Limited Edition is available at no extra charge, but is in limited supply. Action fans should pre-order now to secure their copy.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be in stores on March 2, 2010 in North America and March 4, 2010 in Europe for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and the PC.
For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se. For more information on Battlefield: Bad Company 2 please visit: www.badcompany2.ea.com. Or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialBFBC2.
* Internet connection required.
** In North America, four modes are available at launch when purchased at GameStop. In all other purchases, three multiplayer modes are available at launch; the fourth mode unlocks after 30-days.
Halo 3 Multiplayer Servers to Stay Online After Reach Launches
"I dont think we would pull the plug," said Brian Jarrard, Bungie's community director. "Halo 2 was the number one game until the Halo 3 lauch, and it was still supported until this April.
"I think it would be safe to say we wouldn't be investing so much time into doing massive matchmaking updates and then just turn (Halo 3 online support) off and walk away from it.
"Will we hope that people will migrate to Reach because it represents all of the good things from Halo 3 but better and more so? Sure, but I guarantee that there are hardcore gamers, like the pros who make their livelihoods off of playing Halo 3, who might take awhile to move over.
"I can’t imagine a world where Halo Reach and Halo 3 don't coexist."
Black Creator Developing New FPS
Codemasters has confirmed to CVG that it has a new shooter IP in the works from the mastermind behind Criterion's Black. The firm is set to hire developers to join its Guildford Studio and work on the game teaming up with Stuart Black.
Black was the Senior Designer on Criterion/EA's seminal 2005 shooter. The VP of Codemasters development Gavin Cheshire confirmed the news to CVG.
Former Game Director at Sony Computer Entertainment London Studio Tom Gillo has been signed up as executive producer, whilst Andrew Wilson, previously Senior Producer on Split/Second at Blackrock becomes Senior Producer. The duo will lead an 80-strong development team working with Codemasters' famed EGO engine.
"Codemasters' Guildford Studio is key to our overall development strategy and this year has opened further positions across its design, programming and art teams," said Gavin Cheshire. "With Stuart Black directing the vision for our new IP in production, deployment of EGO and key development figures heading up a highly skilled team, our Guildford facility offers great potential for development talent based in the South East who want to join a growing studio and work on original titles."
Ninety-Nine Nights II Announcement Trailer
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
World At War Map Pack Sales Nearing 10 Million
CEO of Activision Publishing Mike Griffith revealed that Call of Duty: World at War is still generating huge profit in the digital market. Combined sales of all three multiplayer map packs are nearing 10 million downloads since last year.
"The Call of Duty: World at War map packs have sold more than 8.5 million units in a single year," he said. "World at War remains one of the top three titles played over Xbox LIVE even more than one year since its original launch."
At 800 Microsoft points a piece (or $10), Activision has almost generated an extra $100 million dollars in one year by selling just multiplayer maps for a game that came out in late 2008.
Sales for the first map pack, released on March 19, 2009, reached one million downloads in its first week. Two additional map packs, released in June and August of that same year, also set record first-week sales on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network.
Activision is set to release its first of many planned map packs for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 this spring on Xbox LIVE, PlayStation Network and PC.
Second "Halo 3" Mythic Map Pack Drops onto Xbox LIVE on February 2, 2010
Mythic 2 Map Pack, a Game Add-on developed by Bungie for “Halo 3” consisting of three multiplayer maps available previously only on the “Halo 3: ODST” multiplayer disc, is set to arrive on Xbox LIVE on February 2, 2010.
The release of the Mythic 2 Map Pack brings the total number of “Halo 3” multiplayer maps to 24. The Game Add-on includes three action-packed maps: Heretic, Citadel and Longshore.
* Heretic brings players to familiar ground as the “Halo 2” arena Midship returns in “Halo 3.” The stark interior of the Pious Inquisitor might appear austere on first glance, but Heretic’s symmetrical spaces require players to execute complex strategies in order to outplay their opponents.
* Citadel may be a long abandoned Forerunner stronghold, but its small, symmetrical confines are far from secure. Two opposing bases offer little safety for players looking for solace. Instead, Citadel forces small squads to stay in constant communication, keep their heads on a swivel, and be prepared to adjust combat tactics in close quarters.
* Longshore lacks the commercial ships that once made it a lucrative port for Old Mombasa, but it still bustles with activity. Designed for large-scale combat and well-suited for smaller affairs, Longshore’s multitude of industrial buildings, elevated walks, and open inlets conspire to create a complex battleground tailored for multiple combat scenarios.
Mythic 2 Map Pack will be available on Xbox LIVE for 800 Microsoft Points. Mythic Map Pack 1 and 2 are also included in “Halo 3: ODST”, which includes the complete “Halo 3” multiplayer map collection, an all-new campaign and the incredibly popular cooperative experience, Firefight. “Halo 3: ODST” will act as a key to the upcoming “Halo: Reach” multiplayer beta which goes live later this Spring.
UFC Undisputed 2009 Sells 3.5 Copies
THQ Inc. and Zuffa, LLC on have announced that UFC 2009 Undisputed, the critically and commercially acclaimed debut videogame based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has achieved “Platinum Hits” status in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as joined Sony’s “Greatest Hits” collection in North America for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.
Having shipped more than 3.5 million units worldwide to date, both versions of the videogame originally launched on May 19, 2009 and are now available for the suggested retail price of $29.99.
“Reaching ‘Platinum Hits’ and ‘Greatest Hits’ status is an honor that speaks to the strength of our software and the power of the UFC brand,” said Vice President of Global Brand Management Brian Coleman. “With a reduced price point, more players can now step into the Octagon and take part in the ultimate virtual UFC experience.”
“We are excited that so many fans around the world have helped us achieve these impressive milestones in our debut year,” said UFC President Dana White. “UFC 2009 Undisputed opened the door for us to further share the UFC brand with videogame and fight fans around the world, and we cannot wait to return this spring with the release of UFC Undisputed 2010 on May 25, 2010.”
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Surpasses $1 Billion in Retail Sales Worldwide
Game Continues to Set Retail Sell-Through Records
Activision Blizzard, Inc. has announced that Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to set sell-through records crossing the $1 billion mark in retail sales worldwide since its launch in November, according to internal Activision estimates.
In its first five days alone, the game sold an estimated $550 million worldwide, outpacing five-day worldwide theatrical box office gross figures for such films as Avatar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Dark Night, according to internal Activision estimates and boxofficemojo.com.
"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has exceeded our expectations and shattered theatrical box office and video game records," said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. "There are only a handful of entertainment properties that have ever reached the $1 billion mark, which illustrates the power of the Call of Duty franchise and mass appeal of this game."
Modern Warfare 2 is rated "M" (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language. For additional information about the game, visit http://www.modernwarfare2.com.
CES 2010 Biggest News: Microsoft’s and Sony’s Keynotes
Microsoft:
1. Over 39 million Xbox 360s sold around the world.
2. More than $20 billion spent at retail on the Xbox brand; with more than 500 million games have been sold since the launch of the first Xbox.
3. Project Natal is scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010.
4. Nearly 10 million people have logged into Facebook, Twitter, Zune and Last.fm.
5. Over 20 Million Xbox Live Subscribers.
6. Relive the glory days of the classic arcade “Game Room”: Game Room coming to Xbox 360 and PC, with content from Atari, Konami, Intellivision and more. For 400 Microsoft Points. Or, to purchase a game for only one platform, each individual Xbox 360 or Windows-based PC title is 240 Microsoft Points. You also have the option to pay to play a single game, just like dropping two quarters in the slot in the old arcades, for 40 Microsoft Points. Visit your friends’ “game rooms” and try their games free before you buy. 1000 games being released throughout the next three years.
Sony:
1. Sony sold more than 3.8 million Playstation units during the five weeks following November.
2. PSN has more than 38 million accounts around the world.
3. More than 780 million pieces of content have been downloaded per month.
4. This summer, new 3D Bravia TVs will be available. Also, 3D gaming will be a reality in the future; they showed Super Stardust HD in 3D. (also leaked screens of Gran Turismo 5 running in 3D)
5. Sony is integrating PSN ID with other Sony stuff: Starting next month, people will be able to use their PSN accounts to stream PSN-available movies in HD and SD directly to their Sony Bravia and blu-ray devices, as well as their Vaios and Windows-enabled PCs.
Bonus Video: Casio Girls Performing Martial Arts at CES 2010
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
Gaming 
