Gaming Mojo

Looks like we win and with Microsoft’s help. After first releasing the 360 Live iPhone app for $1.99 and subsequently being talked to by Microsoft, creator Xavier Larrea has released a free version on the iTunes App Store. As the app now complies with Microsoft’s policy that all Xbox Live apps should be free, 360 Live should be here to stay.

Hmmm, Microsoft not making money on something?

Well I want to say as an iPhone owner I am excited by the prospect of a 64gb or 120gb model. I am however not looking forward to the pricing. The main reason I am posting this is because Toshiba announced that it’s managed to cram 64GB of NAND flash memory onto a single chip. Be advised this is just speculation/rumour on my part right now about these iPhone models.

The iPod touch doesn’t have to worry about all the phone-related radios, and so has double the slots for memory, and will likely always get twice as much storage as the iPhone.  Apple typically releases new iPhones in June/July, new iPod touches in September.

As of March 2010, one of the biggest Japanese action games is coming to the U.S. Due to the hardcore fan base this game holds, Sega has finally decided to extend the trilogy to the West.  All the menus have reported to of been changed to English but the voice acting will remain and subtitles added.

Anyone looking forward to this game?

Well here you have it the premiere video of Halo Reach. Bungie said in July that Reach will be the final Bungie-developed Halo title, I don’t believe them but hey what do I know.

Look for Halo: Reach on Xbox 360 Fall 2010.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this news. I played the first game and there is nothing more satisfying than starting out as Darth Vader and being able to use the death grip. Prepare for another third-person action adventure set in the Star Wars universe.

Details from Lucas Arts about the game:

“With Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, the epic story continues as players once again assume the role of the devastatingly powerful Starkiller – Darth Vader’s secret apprentice set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

“Executive Producer Haden Blackman and his team have been able to build on the core foundation of the award-winning original and create a powerful combination of engrossing story-telling and intense action. The Force Unleashed II gives fans an opportunity to wreak havoc on an even greater scale in the Star Wars universe,” said LucasArts’ President Darrell Rodriguez.”

Visit the official website of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II at www.unleashed2010.com and sign-up for updates. A trailer will be posted on the website on Monday, December 14th.

I will be purchasing this game on release.

You read that header right. Mirror’s Edge will be coming to your device in January of 2010. It’s a first-person free-running game goes to third-person perspective on the mobile platform. You’ll play as Faith, just as in the previous Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC release. Here are more details from EA on what you can expect in the iPhone and iPod touch release:

EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF MIRROR’S EDGE – A place where information is heavily monitored and law is brutally enforced in an effort to create the ‘perfect’ society.

YOUR MISSION -Take control of Faith Connors, a member of an underground messenger group known as Runners, as she races to stop a deadly threat that has grown from within their own ranks.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST… AND FASTEST – Use Faith’s incredible acrobatic moves to outmaneuver the enemy -run on walls, slide down precarious ramps, ride ziplines, and leap between rooftops. Leave the enemy in your dust.

EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT EXCITEMENT – Burn through 14 levels of the fastest, most fluid action imaginable. Dynamic camera angles capture the intense action of this unique game.

HEIGHTEN YOUR SENSES- Immerse yourself in a stylish, graphically rich 3D environment flooded with realistic sound effects and phenomenal music.

Mirror’s Edge will be available on the App Store in January 2010 from EA Mobile. Keep a lookout for more here at EA Mobile’s iPhone website.

Developers are lining up around the block to take a crack at the new control methods including Ubisoft. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said in an earnings call :

the company would have, barring possible changes in timing, 10 games available for Natal within the first six months of its release. He also said that they’d have 4-5 games for Sony’s motion controller.

I’m excited for Natal and intrigued to see how it’s going to play out with gaming. With the right price and proper use for games, I would buy it.

Firmware 3.10 went live earlier today, bringing with it Facebook integration facilities, a colour palette for your gamercard, and a more convenient way to view and manage pictures and photographs. Of course there was no mention of error 80022A07.

For anyone who has yet to encounter error code [80022A07], the code signifies a trophy synchronisation failure, and prevents you from accessing your profile. It also makes it impossible to change the colour of your gamercard.

Not everyone is experiencing it but if you are they say to just install firmware 3.10 and it should solve the problem “should” being the keyword here.

Microsoft has announced a new “Hot Holidays Car Pack,” which will hit Marketplace on December 8. The pack is set to include several 2010 model cars, specifically some super cars and “purpose-built” racing cars. The bulk of the pack’s cars are wrapped in secrecy, though Microsoft did tease that one of them will be the Ferrari 458 Italia. Furthermore, the Audi S4 will be offered as a free download to entice players to download the premium content.

Don’t forget that the free Hyundai Genesis Coupe Car Pack for Forza 3 is now available. The pack includes three different versions of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

A new PSP-3000 bundle is available today, on the day that Assassin’s Creed II is available for the PlayStation 3 as well. It also includes the Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines PSP game and a PlayStation Network Voucher for the Angels & Demons movie

Packed in the Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines PSP Entertainment Bundle:
- White PSP-3000 system
- 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo
- Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines UMD game
- Angels & Demons movie PlayStation Network Voucher
- Sony Music Voucher for 10 song downloads