360 Rant Rave

Borderlands Gets Free Level Increase

Iggypu — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:17:40 +0000

Announced by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, Borderlands will be getting patched up in preparation for the fourth DLC, Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution, slated for a September 28th release at a price of 800 MS Points. The upcoming patch will balance the original game…oh, and raise the level cap from 61 to 69. Though Vault hunters had to shell out the cash for The Secret Armory of General Knoxx in order to reach level 61, this cap-raising patch will be free for everyone across all platforms.

Full Power Gig: Rise of the Six String Setlist

Iggypu — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:57:39 +0000

· Eric Clapton – Layla
· Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally
· Eric Clapton – Let It Rain
· Dave Matthews Band – Funny The Way It Is
· Dave Matthews Band – Tripping Billies
· Dave Matthews Band – Why I Am
· Kid Rock – All Summer Long
· Kid Rock – Rock ‘N’ Roll Jesus
· Kid Rock – Son of Detroit
· John Mayer – No Such Thing
· Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing
· No Doubt – Platinum Blonde Life
· Ozzy Osbourne – A.V.H.
· Queens of the Stone Age – You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire
· Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock
· Disturbed – The Night
· Rage Against the Machine – Bombtrack
· Stevie Ray Vaughan – Couldn’t Stand The Weather
· Black Sabbath – The Devil Cried
· Stone Temple Pilots – Plush
· Living Colour – Cult of Personality
· John Mayer – Who Do You Think I Was
· Snow Patrol – Hands Open
· Three Days Grace – Break
· Paramore – Ignorance
· Silversun Pickups – Substitution
· The Offspring – You’re Gonna Go Far Kid
· The Black Label Society – Retribution
· Breaking Benjamin – Breath
· The Tragically Hip – New Orleans Is Sinking
· The Used – Blood on My Hands
· Mastodon – Crack the Skye
· A Perfect Circle – The Hollow
· Buckcherry – Tired of You
· Firewind – Head Up High
· The Black Keys – Strange Times
· Flyleaf – Again
· Godsmack – Awake
· Incubus – Wish You Were Here
· Jet – She’s A Genius
· The Hives – Tick Tick Boom
· John Mayer – Crossroads
· Bad Religion – I Want to Conquer the World
· Korn – Hold On
· The Academy Is… – His Girl Friday
· Lacuna Coil – Spellbound
· MuteMath – Chaos
· New Found Glory – Listen to Your Friends
· P.O.D. – Alive
· Puddle of Mudd – Blurry
· Rise Against – Paper Wings
· Sick Puppies – You’re Going Down
· The Donnas – Fall Behind Me
· The Get Up Kids – Martyr Me
· Idlewild – Reader and Writers
· Surfer Blood – Swim
· Channels – Chivaree
· Superdrag – Aspartame
· Envy on the Coast – Headfirst in the River
· Damiera – Silvertongue
· A Cursive Memory – Everything
· The Hounds Below – She’s Alchemy
· A Love Like PI – Innocent Man
· The Willowz – I Know
· I See Stars – Comfortably Confused
· The Paris Riots – Hotel of Infidels
· School Boy Humor – Camera Shy
· So Many Dynamos – Artifacts of Sound
· Taxpayer – When You When Young
· The Fatal Flaw – Don’t Start Believing

Per Joystiq

Loads of New Call of Duty: Black Ops Intel

Iggypu — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:32:25 +0000

Last night Activision hosted a reveal event for its upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops shooter. Loads of new information was revealed, and I’ve provided most of the high points. Read on!

Combat Training

Combat Training is a new mode that lets you train for multiplayer against a “lobby” of bots. This offline “multiplayer” gives new players the chance to familiarize themselves with the maps and pace of pvp; it even comes with its own progression system. This mode can be played alone or cooperatively with friends.

CoD Points

Black Ops is doing away with the standard progression reward system, one that unlocks gadgets and guns that might not even be used. Throughout gameplay you’ll get CoD Points that you will spend to unlock the gear that you actually want. Contracts can be bought and completed within the time limit for more CoD Points. If you’re feeling lucky you can play in Wager Matches in hopes of finishing in the top three, or “In the Money”.

Wager Matches
Wager Matches call for players to buy into four free-for-all game types that award CoD Points to the top three players. These unique modes, which are separate from standard progression, are called One in the Chamber, Sticks and Stones, Gun Game, and Sharp Shooter.

One in the Chamber puts a pistol (only) in each player’s hand, but the guns are loaded with just one bullet. If you kill someone you loot their bullet. If you miss, you’ll have to knife them in order to steal the ammo. Three strikes and you’re out.

Sticks and Stones changes out the pistol for crossbows, tomahawks, and ballistic knives. Knives and crossbows aren’t anything special here. The tomahawk, however, will bankrupt the player that it kills.

Gun Game is the result of a community request. In this mode players will work through a series of progressive weapons, with each kill bumping the player up a tier from pistol to shotgun, etc. Knifing a player drops them down a tier.

Sharp Shooter is the final type of Wager Match. All players begin with the same randomized weapon, and they’re stuck with it until the weapons change again at a set interval. Each kill earns a perk and eventually a multiplier.

Perks

Lightweight – Move Faster
Scavenger – Pick up ammo from fallen enemies. Replenish lethal grenades.
Ghost – Undetectable by the Spy Plane and the Blackbird.
Flak Jacket – Reduces explosive damage.
Hardline – Killstreaks require 1 less kill.
Hardened – Bullets penetrate better.
Scout – Hold breath longer.
Steady Aim – Increased hip-fire accuracy.
Sleight of Hand – Faster reloads.
Warlord – Equip two attachments to your primary weapon.
Marathon – Longer sprint.
Ninja – Silent movement.
Second Chance – Pull out your pistol before dying.
Hacker – Ability to detect enemy equipment and explosives.
Tactical Mask – Reduces the effect of flash and concussion grenades.

Killstreaks

3 Kills – Spy Plane
3 Kills – RC-XD (RC bomb)
4 Kills – Counter Spy Plane
4 Kills – SAM Turret
5 Kills – Care Package
5 Kills – Napalm Strike
6 Kills – Sentry Gun
6 Kills – Mortar Team
7 Kills – Attack Helicopter
7 Kills – Valkyrie Rockets
8 Kills – Blackbird
8 Kills – “Rolling Thunder”
9 Kills – Chopper Gunner
11 Kills – Attack Dogs
11 Kills – Gunship

There are also rare Killstreaks such as Death Machine (a minigun) and Grim Reaper (a rocket launcher).

Customization

In Call of Duty: Black Ops you’ll be able to create a unique emblem, complete with various layers, images, and backgrounds. This brand can adorn your gun as well. New camo patterns and customizable red-dot sights make your weapon truly yours.

Theater

As is the case with Halo, you’ll be able to record matches, maneuver a camera to view the whole map, and share your files. Supposedly all LIVE games can be searched, tagged, and viewed at your discretion. It’s currently unclear if we will see some service the likes of Halo Waypoint, but all this new intel is sure to stoke the fires for Call of Duty: Black Ops, due out November 9th.

New Xbox 360 Controller Coming November 9

Iggypu — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:05:09 +0000

There’s been a rumor the past two years or so that a new Xbox 360 controller would be in the works; the new device would address the d-pad that so many gamers hate. Just yesterday Major Nelson confirmed the rumors, even providing a video of the new version and the intriguing solution to the complaints over the years. In the event that you don’t feel like trekking around to see what’s in store, stay here for the details.

So first you’ll notice that there’s a new color scheme in town. Monochrome is the order of the day, draining the color from the controller in favor of the silver, black, and gray design. The traditionally colorful A, B, Y, and X buttons adhere to the colorless scheme, and they’re exclusive to this unique controller.

The analog sticks are concave, but that’s not the raison d’être of this controller. No, the pride of this new culmination of the wireless controller can be found in the convertible directional pad. With a little twist, the pad transforms from the normal disc to a raised cross, making those directional commands a little easier to hit.

The new controller is purportedly only available in the play and charge kit, but you could probably use another one of those anyway. Save up $64.99 for this sexy controller; it’s due out November 9th.

Cost of Xbox LIVE Gold Rising

Iggypu — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:12:43 +0000

The hammer is dropping. Major Nelson posted the bad news, confirming that Xbox LIVE Gold subscription prices for those in Canada, Mexico, the UK, and the US would be rising as of November 1st. Per Nelson, “Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same. We’re confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry.”

The US’s current XBL Gold pricing for one month is currently $7.99, three months is $19.99, and a year is $49.99. Starting Nov 1, 2010, one month will cost $9.99, three months will be $24.99, and a year will cost $59.99. In the UK, one month was 4.99 GBP; it will change to 5.99 GBP. In Canada, the one month subscription will rise from $8.99 CAD to $9.99 CAD. Finally, Mexico’s 12-month subscription hops up from 499 Pesos to 599 Pesos. Any unlisted subscription options will remain the same; as you’ll notice though, all the US pricing options are covered in the change.

Nelson advises that subscribers should check to see when they are due for a re-up. He also posted a link that would allow users to lock in a discounted subscription price. So what are your thoughts? Do you think that the upcoming ESPN service or the Facebook/Twitter/Last.fm services warrant such a price hike? At least PS3 gives premiums for its paid service…I’m not too certain that ESPN is enough to justify the extra cash we’ll be forking out for XBL Gold come November 1st.

Fall Update: New Dashboard, Avatars, and Better XBL Audio?

Iggypu — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:50:43 +0000

It’s getting to be about that time, when every good gamer is rewarded with new toys! No, not Christmas. I’m talking about Fall Update!

As we near that magical day, little birdies keep chirping away at what’s under the wrapper of our prezzies. So much so, in fact, that we really have no need to pick up and shake the box when no one’s looking. Read on to discover just what we can look forward to later in the year.

The audio codec behind online voice communication is in need of an overhaul. Per Xbox LIVE Studio’s Jerry Johnson, this original code only needed a 64k connection for the service; that this was considered broadband at the time is a sign that a change is long overdue. Since then, crackly audio has been tolerated over countless Xbox LIVE headsets. The imminent fix is surely on the wish list of many gamers.

Joystiq, Kotaku, and many other sites have been receiving feeds from the Kinect beta testers who are breaking confidentiality to show what’s coming.

The Dashboard has undergone a number of changes, and why should this year’s update leave it alone? Kinect beta testers are flooding the interwebs with images of a new Xbox 360 interface.

Mentioned around Gamescom, we’re now starting to see proof of the claims that Avatars would be remodeled to facilitate Kinect-users’ coordination with their virtual counterparts.

As you can see, the Avatars are looking less cartoony and more realistic. Again, this was implemented due to apparent deficiencies in tracking on the part of real people attempting to “be one” with their unrealistic Avatars. As you can see, Major Nelson’s personification is a little closer to actuality after the update.

DJ Hero 2 Setlist

Iggypu — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:26:42 +0000

• 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman – “California Love Remix”
• 50 Cent – “In Da Club”
• Adamski – “Killer”
• Afrika Bambaataa and The Soul Sonic Force – “Planet Rock”
• Armand Van Helden – “I Want Your Soul”
• A-Trak – “Say Whoa”
• B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ On You”
• Basement Jaxx – “Where’s Your Head At”
• BlakRoc feat. Pharoahe Monch & RZA – “Dollaz & Sense”
• Busta Rhymes – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”
• Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone”
• Chamillionaire – “Ridin’“
• Chic – “Good Times”
• Chic – “Le Freak”
• Clinton Sparks, DJ Class, & Jermaine Dupri – “Favorite DJ”
• Daft Punk – “Human After All”
• Damian Marley – “Welcome To Jamrock”
• David Guetta & Chris Willis – “Love Is Gone”
• David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi – “Memories”
• David Guetta vs. The Egg – “Love Don’t Let Me Go (Walking Away)”
• Deadmau5 – “Ghosts N Stuff”
• Deadmau5 & Kaskade – “I Remember”
• Deee-Lite – “Groove Is In The Heart”
• Dillinja and Skibadee – “Twist ‘Em Out”
• Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden – “Bonkers”
• DJ Qbert – “Super Battle Breaks”
• DJ Shadow – “Midnight In A Perfect World”
• DJ Shadow feat. Q-Tip and Lateef The Truth Speaker – “Enuff (DJ Fresh Remix)”
• Donna Summer – “Bad Girls”
• Edwin Starr – “War”
• Eminem – “Not Afraid”
• Estelle feat. Kanye West – “American Boy”
• Flo Rida – “Low”
• Flo Rida feat. Will.I.Am – “In The Ayer”
• Gorillaz feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack – “Stylo”
• Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat. Melle Mel & Duke Bootee – “The Message”
• Harold Faltermeyer – “Axel F”
• House Of Pain – “Jump Around”
• Iyaz – “Replay”
• Janet Jackson – “Nasty”
• Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.”
• Justice – “Waters Of Nazareth”
• Kanye West – “Heartless”
• Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
• Kaskade & Deadmau5 – “Move For Me”
• Kelis – “Acapella (David Guetta Extended Mix)”
• Kool & The Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
• Lady Gaga – “Lovegame”
• Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
• Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis – “Just Dance”
• Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins – “Get Low”
• Lil’ Wayne – “Go DJ”
• Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major – “Lollipop”
• LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
• M.I.A. – “Galang”
• M|A|R|R|S – “Pump Up The Volume”
• Major Lazer feat. VYBZ Kartel – “Pon De Floor”
• Malcolm McLaren – “Buffalo Gals”
• Metallica – “The Day That Never Comes”
• Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On”
• MSTRKRFT feat. N.O.R.E. – “Bounce”
• Nas feat. Keri Hilson – “Hero”
• Naughty By Nature – “O.P.P.”
• Nelly – “Hot In Herre”
• New Boyz – “You’re A Jerk”
• New Order – “Blue Monday”
• Newcleus – “Jam On It”
• Nightcrawlers – “Push The Feeling On (MK Mix 95)”
• Orbital – “The Box”
• Pirate Soundsystem – “Bashy Bashy”
• Pitbull – “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”
• Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes – “Don’t Cha”
• Rihanna – “Pon De Replay”
• Rihanna – “Rude Boy”
• Robin S – “Show Me Love (Stonebridge Radio Edit)”
• Salt N Pepa – “Push It”
• Sam Cooke – “Chain Gang”
• Sam Sparro – “B&G” a/k/a “Black & Gold”
• Sean Paul – “Infiltrate”
• Sean Paul – “Get Busy”
• Snoop Dogg – “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”
• Snow – “Informer”
• Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
• Sparfunk & D-Code – “Apocalypse”
• Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”
• Talib Kweli – “Get By”
• The Chemical Brothers – “Leave Home”
• The Chemical Brothers feat. Q-Tip – “Galvanize”
• The Crystal Method – “Busy Child (Still Busy After All These Years Remix)”
• The Jackson 5 – “ABC”
• The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Mase & Diddy – “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems”
• The Prodigy – “Omen”
• The Prodigy – “Firestarter”
• Tiësto – “Speed Rail”
• Tiësto & Sneaky Sound System – “I Will Be Here”
• Tiësto vs Diplo – “Come On”
• Tiga – “You Gonna Want Me”
• Timbaland feat. Drake – “Say Something”
• Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – “The Way I Are”
• Tweet feat. Missy Elliott – “Oops (Oh My)”
• Walter Murphy – “A Fifth Of Beethoven”
• Warren G feat. Nate Dogg – “Regulate”
• Wayne Smith – “Under Mi Sleng Teng”
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix )”
• Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”

Last Second Hot Deals

Iggypu — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:51:13 +0000

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction is currently $20 at Best Buy. It probably won’t get any cheaper than this for a long time, so now’s a great chance to back Fisher in his vengeful crusade.

Today is the last day for a big sale at Toys R Us. Just yesterday I grabbed a second DJ Hero bundle for $20, in order to get another peripheral before the sequel hits.

Another dissipating deal is on the Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX 2 for $35 at Amazon. If you want a cheaper alternative to the Street Fighter IV sticks, this may be a more affordable substitute.

Avatar Awards Collection

Iggypu — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:32:57 +0000

GameInformer had the presence of mind to collect all of the Avatar Awards available to date. Not bad, GI. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to do in each game in order to make your Avvy look savvy.

Alan Wake
Jacket and Scarf – Play the Limited Collector’s Edition Bonus disc

Crackdown 2
Freaky Slippers – Survive Agent Diagnostics and be deployed in Pacific City
Level 1 Agent Suit – Detonate every beacon
Official Agency Hoodie – Complete one of every objective type
Orb Shirt – Earn the First Blood achievement from Crackdown 1 then play Crackdown 2
Ruffian Hat – Detonate ever beacon in Hope Springs

Darwinia+
Red Darwinia T-Shirt – Win a game of Multiwinia on Xbox Live
Squad T-Shirt – Complete the Epilogue

Deadliest Warrior
Samurai Armor – Complete Arcade mode on any difficulty setting
Samurai Helmet – Complete Arcade mode with every character on Deadliest difficulty setting

DeathSpank
Dragon Hatchling – Complete Ms. Heybenstance’s quest to save her dragon
Unicorn Poop T-Shirt – Kill the twin dragons guarding the artifact

Destination: Arcade
Dragon Pet – Find the dragon in the arcade
Hoodie – Check out Destination: Arcade

Doom II: Hell on Earth
Marine Suit – Finish No Rest for the Living
Doom II T-Shirt – Finish any level

Earthworm Jim HD
Earthworm Jim Shirt – Defeat Billy
Earthworm Jim Supersuit – Complete any bonus stage

Halo Waypoint
Monitor Pet – Start Halo Waypoint
ODST Armor – Unlock Halo 3: ODST’s Good Samaritan achievement
ODST Helmet – Unlock Halo 3: ODST’s Campaign achievement
ODST Hoodie – Unlock Halo 3: ODST’s Dark Times achievement
ODST Shirt – Unlock Halo 3: ODST’s Tourist achievement
Recon Helmet – Unlock Halo 3: ODST Vidmaster Endure achievement

Halo Reach
Noble 6 Helmet – Available to attendees of 2010 Gamescom, PAX, or San Diego Comic-Con
Additional Noble Team Helmets – Bungie has announced additional helmets will be available as avatar awards

Hydro Thunder Hurricane
Hydro Thunder T-Shirt – Earn 800 points from events

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Mercenary Outfit – Complete the game

Lazy Riders
Dr. Diggabone’s Hat – Collect 16 relics
Dr. Giggabone’s Outfit – Start the game

Left 4 Dead 2
Bull Shifters Shirt – Win 10 games in Verses
Depeche Mode Shirt – Hold and rescue Gnome Chompski from Dark Carnival
L4D2 Hat – Play any map in The Passing
L4D2 Shirt – Win 10 Scavenge games
Med Kit – Beat all five campaigns
Zombie Hand Shirt – Kill 10,000 infected

Limbo
Limbo Pet – Beat the game
Limbo T-Shirt – Earn your first Limbo Achievement

Lips
Over the Top Hat – Play one song
Lady Gaga Shades – Earn 100 of every type of medal and 100,000 stars
Infinity Shades – Earn infinity on a song

Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers
Planeswalkers T-Shirt – Unlock all cards for three decks

Major League Baseball 2K10
2K Sports Jersey – Win a game in any mode
Bat and Ball – Hit 150 homers, or win the batting title in Franchise or My Player modes
Batting Helmet – Hit a grand slam
Evan Longoria Jersey – Win the best fielder award in Franchise or My Player modes
MLB 2K10 Jersey – In My Player, get called up to the Majors

Monday Night Combat
Mascot Mask – Meet the mascot during the tutorial
Monday Night Combat Shirt – Complete Exhibition Blitz mode

Perfect Dark
Elvis Plushie – Beat the game and complete a special mission
Perfect Dark Shirt – Achieve a headshot

Red Dead Redemption
Gentleman’s Attire/Ladies Finest – Complete the Skin It To Win Challenge in the Social Club
Red Dead T-Shirt – Find the hidden chest in Riley’s Charge
Sombrero – Shot an enemy’s hat off without killing them
Yellow Rockstar Logo T-Shirt – Open the chest in the Marston household’s attic

Scrap Metal
R/C Car – Complete all single player missions
Scrap Metal T-Shirt – Complete your first race

Snoopy Flying Ace
Red Baron Avatar Outfit – Achieve the Flying Ace rank
Snoopy Avatar Shirt – Earn a medal on all missions

South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!
Cartman’s Hat – Complete one level
Kenny’s Hoodie – Complete the campaign

‘Splosion Man
Big Science Shirt/Dress – Complete the multiplayer campaign
‘Splosion Man Shirt/Sweatshirt – Break any glass object

Toy Soldiers
Gas Mask – Complete the first level
Pickelhaube Hat – Finish the campaign

Fable III Controller and Special In-Game Weapon

Iggypu — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:25:18 +0000

Pick up The Balverine Order by Peter David on October 5th and you’ll get a code for a mystery weapon in your Fable III game.

Want to look just as cool out-of-game? The Limited Edition Wireless Controller for Fable III (as seen above) bears a flourish fit for royalty. In fact, Lionhead artists fashioned the device to resemble the actual Albion Crown. Snatch this up and you’ll also get an Xbox LIVE code for an in-game tattoo. The controller is available on October 5th, three weeks before the game releases.