Happy Anniversary Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is 1 year old today - I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm making you look at a picture of a young Danny Bonaduce (feel free to get some Partridge Family songs stuck in your head) but you have to admit its hard not to stare at. The dude is a troll! Seriously, its like looking at a car accident. Adult Danny doesn't look much better but at least this picture is disturbing to the point of being funny. Totally unintentional of course but funny none the less.

So why am I torturing you? Because today Microsoft is torturing me. Its the one year anniversary of the Xbox 360 and the company is celebrating with downloadable movies, TV and music videos. When I first mentioned this on the blog, I was pretty stoked. I imagined something like iTunes. So far (and yes, I realize it hasn't even been 24 hours yet) I'm a little disappointed. For starters there are only 5 music videos and one of them is with some dancing penguin from the movie "Happy Feet". They are free, which is good, but for crying out loud give me more choices than that.

There are a decent amount of movies but you don't get to keep them. They only last 2 weeks then they're gone, they're only rentals. Now why the heck would I rent "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn" (I already own it so I wouldn't do this anyway, best Star Trek movie of all time in my opinon)? If I pay for a movie that old, I should own it. If I rent something it should be a recent release. I'm not sure if thats how it works for TV shows yet because I bought an episode of "South Park" and its been downloading for a couple of hours...A COUPLE OF HOURS!

Now I realize there might be some opening day issues. Download times may be longer than normal due to heavy use on the first day and the opening lineup should be expanded fairly quickly (I hope) but I'm still disappointed. Not by the selection of downloads or the non-sensical pricing but by the download times - they're just awful. Now granted, I know that downloads on iTunes for movies and TV shows are almost as bad but at least I can walk away from my computer and it still downloads. If my 360 goes into sleep mode the download stops. Same thing happens if I want to play a game. Sorry, but I just don't have the time.

In order to compete with iTunes, which is obviously what Microsoft is trying to do, they need to make sure downloads are completed quickly. They should also put more recent episodes of TV shows up and they will seriously need to broaden their movie and music video selection in order to compete.

Okay, so its not the second coming of iTunes. The good news is that Microsoft has set themselves up for success in the future if they do this right, IF. Hopefully this won't end up like the Xbox Live Camera, just another bright idea that became an unfulfilled novelty.

Gears sells big - Yesterday Microsoft announced that "Gears of War" has sold 1 million copies in its first two weeks of release. Its the fastest selling game of 2006 and the fastest selling original Xbox title of all time. There have been 10 million online sessions already.

That's pretty impressive. I've been working my way through the single-player and it certainly is a lot of fun. I haven't tackled "Gears" online but I'm looking forward to it. I can't really say how good this game is without playing it online but my initial impressions are that its a very good game. Judging by the sales numbers, gamers are itching for something to keep them occupied until Halo 3, which is what it looks like "Gears" will do.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Want a PS3? Bring your Nunchaku!

As expected, the PS3 sold out quickly on opening day this Friday. And no, I didn't get one either despite pushing little kids down to the ground and biting three security guards (Getting a Wii this morning, however, was considerably easier). Geesh! The nerve of some people. Of course my antics are nothing compared to some of the loons who were running around early Friday morning.

Idiot #1 - According to a report from Lexington, Kentucky's WKYT 27, four people were shot with BB pellets, including the TV station's reporter. No one was severely injured by the drive-by shooting. Police are still investigating the situation and looking for suspects. Lexington Police will be staying at the Best Buy to make sure campers are safe.

Idiot #2 - 15 to 20 people waiting in line at a Putnam, Connecticut Wal-Mart were robbed by two teenagers in ski masks brandishing a handgun and shotgun, according to the Associated Press. The robbers arrived around 3:00AM and demanded money from the crowd.
"One of the patrons resisted. That patron was shot," said state policeman Lt. J. Paul Vance.
The gunmen took off shortly after and the victim was taken to University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. The victim's condition is still unknown at this point.

Idiot #3 - This one was word of mouth from my brother-in-law. Evidently a man was attacked after purchasing a PS3 outside the mall in Manchester, N.H. The only thing the thief grabbed was his PS3.

So, lets recap. There are some crazy people in the world out there and evidently some of them are gamers (although I doubt any of these jerks are gamers, we're a little to laid-back for something like this). Watch your back, bring a buddy (armed witha shotgun) with you to pick up your new prize or have a store clerk walk you to your car. And please don't be dumb enough to sit in your car in the parking lot, checking out your new system. Gawk at home. Now if thats too much work for you do this right after you buy your system: take off your shirt, whip out some Nunchaku and swing them over your head and start yelling like you've just seen Bea Arthur naked. That should guarantee you get left alone.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Halo 3 News

Halo 3, you know you want it - Yeah, yeah I know. The title of this post says Halo 3 news but there's a picture of Halo Wars. Sorry, but I couldn't upload the Halo 3 screenshots my Microsoft contact sent me. I promise you'll get your money back. Anyway, here's the latest on Halo 3 and again (because I'm incredibly lazy and hate paraphrasing long press releases) its straight from the horses mouth.

On the fifth anniversary of the release of the landmark Xbox video game Halo, Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios celebrated the milestone by announcing an exclusive hands-on experience with Halo 3, one of the industry’s most anticipated sequels. The Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, which is a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of Halo 3, is scheduled for availability in spring 2007 exclusively on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

In addition, Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie confirmed today that consumers will be able to experience the Halo universe this holiday season through a one-time airing of a stirring, 60-second Halo 3 teaser ad (Thank you for quenching my Halo lust with a trailer, please just release the damn game already) . Finally, it was announced that new, premium downloadable content for Halo 2, exclusive to Xbox 360, is scheduled for release in spring 2007.

"The ‘Halo’ Nation has a nearly insatiable desire (For Funyons, hot pockets and living with their parents) ,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. “We hope a taste of advance Halo 3 gameplay satisfies some of their appetite (Mmm...hot pockets) as we count down to the game’s launch later in 2007.”

Expanding on everything that has made the “Halo” franchise so widely recognized, the final version of “Halo 3” will provide a wealth of technical and gameplay advancements, available only through Xbox 360, the leading next-generation video game entertainment system. Via the Xbox Live multiplayer public beta (okay, this is very cool), a first of its kind for the “Halo” franchise, gamers will be able to play online via Microsoft’s premier online entertainment network and participate in a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of “Halo 3.” This beta also represents an opportunity for gamers worldwide to participate in the development of “Halo 3.” Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further refine and hone the end result of “Halo 3.”

Unveiled earlier this year at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, “Halo 3” represents the third chapter in the “Halo” trilogy, an international award-winning action series that grew into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.7 million units worldwide, which equals nearly $700 million in sales (add another $20 for that Halo 3 faceplate I just bought), and logging in excess of 800 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox Live.

On Dec. 4, the special 60-second “Halo 3” advertising spot will be broadcast, one time only, on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football (Carolina at Philly, should be a good game).” The ad, created by advertising agency McCann Erickson (blatant plub for some ad firm I never heard of, does Heather Locklear work there?), will provide viewers with a unique and compelling look at Master Chief and the world of “Halo 3.” It is easily one of the most anticipated ads of the year and promises to be the biggest event in appointment advertising this year. It underscores the innovative approach and driving influence the “Halo” franchise has commanded. The television spot will also be available for download exclusively for Xbox 360 users via Xbox Live Marketplace (so if I'm not a Panthers or Eagles fan, I don't have to waste my time).

In addition, gamers who have jumped in to Xbox 360 will be able to join legions of Xbox fans next spring in all-new multiplayer maps for “Halo 2” available for download through Xbox Live Marketplace (now you're talking!). The exclusive “Halo 2” content will bring new experiences and excitement to the seminal sequel that made entertainment retail history in its first 24 hours — with $125 million in sales (Bill Gates Jr.'s college fund) — and that boasts more than four billion online matches since its release in November 2004.

“Since its original release, ‘Halo 2’ has redefined online play, delivering superior multiplayer capabilities in addition to an incredible social experience, and nurturing a constantly growing community through Xbox Live,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “After five years of rabid fan interest in the ‘Halo’ franchise and with more than 4 million users and counting on Xbox Live worldwide, this is the perfect time to invite fans to join the global ‘Halo’ phenomenon (Do Do Da Do Do).”

Next-generation high-definition visuals; enhanced artificial intelligence; an advanced real-time lighting engine; and new weapons, characters and challenges are just a few examples of the evolution of design and technology in “Halo 3.” These improvements are designed to give gamers an unparalleled experience and tell an even more compelling and engrossing story. Working in concert with Xbox Live on Xbox 360, “Halo 3” builds on the unique social multiplayer experience of “Halo 2” and promises to expand the innovative and evolving online gameplay and community of “Halo 2” on Xbox Live. In this third chapter of the “Halo” trilogy, Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax (Snicker!).

Okay, I'm excited just bring out the game already. A public beta is a great idea and to be honest, not that unexpected. This announcement along with a steady stream of teasers from now until Halo 3 comes out is certain to keep the title on gamers minds. This, combined with the downloadable TV and movies on Xbox Live starting November 22, is a pretty slick move by Microsoft to steal some of the PS3's thunder.

No Live for the PS3 - I got an email from my buddy Angela at 2K the other day who was almost gloating (almost but not quite) at the news that EA will not be releasing NBA Live '07 on the PS3. This of course leaves 2K7 an upper hand (well, except for Madden and NHL Live) on the PS3 sports market. Why would EA do this? I'm not quite sure but I'm sure next year EA will be coming after a much larger PS3 market than the one that exists this Christmas.

Oh, yeah...about that ship - The pic above is of a UNSC Shortsword bomber. A ground based atmospheric bomber that is used primarily for short range, heavy payload, runs against ground targets. Or so I'm told. Primarily developed as a low altitude bomber, the Shortsword has proven to be very effective against Covenant installations. I'm not sure if gamers will be able to control this vehicle (which looks an awful lot like a Klingon Bird of Prey) in Halo Wars, but it sure would be sweet if we do.

And finally... - Last night I went to my favorite gaming store (Game Crazy on Academy between Palmer Park and Constitution) and tried out the Nintendo Wii. They had a Wii set up and an Excite Bike demo was running. I got a hold of the controller and all I can say is...WOW! It was incredibly fun. The buttons were easy to reach, the controls were simple yet engaging and the motion control felt very intuitive. It was a blast! I highly recommend you get over there and try it out.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Ouch!

Wonder what it feels like to be a PlayStation fanboy in Japan right now? Just look at the picture. The PS3 launched November 11th in Japan and as you would expect, quickly sold out.

Unfortunately for Japanese gamers, it was quickly discovered that the system was having major problems playing PS1 and PS2 games. In each PS3 there is PS1 and PS2 hardware that is supposed to allow gamers to be able to play games from all three systems. Oops.

When the 360 was launced gamers faced a similar problem but were at least aware of it ahead of time. Initially only the best selling Xbox games (Halo, GTA, etc.) were available for play on the 360. Microsoft periodically updates the backwards compatability list and is currently at a few hundred but they took a lot of heat for it at the time.

This case is a little bit different. The PS3 was supposed to be able to play all PlayStation games right out of the box. Don't think that the U.S. versions will be immune either. According to news organization Reuters, Sony is expecting the same thing to happen to consoles in the States with the number of games being effected in the hundreds. Yikes! I guess I won't be playing Metal Gear Solid or Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories any time soon.

Combine this bad news with the frightening stories I've been hearing about the PS3 being harder to find then a Kevin Federline concert-goer and it all spells bad news for Sony and PlayStation fans (unless you're crazy enough to buy one on ebay for $3K). While a software update is expected to solve the problem at somepoint, suddenly that 360/Wii Christmas gift is looking a little more enticing.

And finally... - Here are some Guitar Hero II cheats because I'm a nice guy (sorry Ryan, couldn't find any Sleeve of Wizard cheats for you). Enter these at the title menu.

Orange, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Orange, Yellow - Hyper Speed De/Activate
O,B,Y,Y,O,B,Y,Y - Crowd has Monkey Heads
Y,Y,B,O,Y,B - Air Guitar
O,Y,O,O,Y,O,Y,Y - Flaming Head
B,O,O,B,O,O,BO,O,B - Horse Head
B,O,Y,O,Y,O,B - Crowd has Eyeball Heads
Yellow, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Yellow, Orange, Yellow, Yellow - Performance mode

terry.terrones@gazette.com

A great week for gaming

Since cheat codes for games nowadays are as rare as a good episode of Saturday Night Live, here are the Xbox 360 Achievements for two of the best games that will come out all year (which both coincidentally came out this week) - Call of Duty 3 and Gears of War. Look for reviews within the next few weeks.

Gears of War
1. Prison Breakout - Completed tutorial level on any skill level. (10pts)
2. Completed Act 1 on Casual - Complete Act 1 on Casual Difficulty. (10pts)
3. Completed Act 2 on Casual - Complete Act 2 on Casual Difficulty. (10pts)
4. Completed Act 3 on Casual - Complete Act 3 on Casual Difficulty. (10pts)
5. Completed Act 4 on Casual - Complete Act 4 on Casual Difficulty. (10pts)
6. Completed Act 5 on Casual - Complete Act 5 on Casual Difficulty. (10pts)
7. Mercenary - Complete all acts on Casual Difficulty. (10pts)
8. Completed Act 1 on Hardcore - Complete Act 1 on Hardcore Difficulty. (20pts)
9. Completed Act 2 on Hardcore - Complete Act 2 on Hardcore Difficulty. (20pts)
10. Completed Act 3 on Hardcore - Complete Act 3 on Hardcore Difficulty. (20pts)
11. Completed Act 4 on Hardcore - Complete Act 4 on Hardcore Difficulty. (20pts)
12. Completed Act 5 on Hardcore - Complete Act 5 on Hardcore Difficulty. (20pts)
13. Soldier - Complete all acts on Hardcore Difficulty. (20pts)
14. Completed Act 1 on Insane - Complete Act 1 on Insane Difficulty. (30pts)
15. Completed Act 2 on Insane - Complete Act 2 on Insane Difficulty. (30pts)
16. Completed Act 3 on Insane - Complete Act 3 on Insane Difficulty. (30pts)
17. Completed Act 4 on Insane - Complete Act 4 on Insane Difficulty. (30pts)
18. Completed Act 5 on Insane - Complete Act 5 on Insane Difficulty. (30pts)
19. Commando - Complete all acts on Insane Difficulty. (30pts)
20. Time to Remember - Recover one-third of the COG tags on any difficulty. (10pts)
21. Honor-Bound - Recover two-thirds of the COG tags on any difficulty. (20pts)
22. For the Fallen - Recover all of the COG tags on any difficulty. (30pts)
23. My Love for You Is Like a Truck - Defeat a Berserker on Hardcore Difficulty. (30pts)
24. Broken Fingers - Defeat a Corpser on Hardcore Difficulty. (30pts)
25. A Dish Best Served Cold - Defeat General RAAM on Hardcore Difficulty. (30pts)
26. Zen and the Art of Reloading - Perform 25 perfect active reloads on any difficulty. (10pts)
27. Zen and the Art Part 2 - Perform 5 perfect active reloads in a row on any difficulty. (20pts)
28. Clusterluck - Kill 3 enemies at once 10 different times on any difficulty. (20pts)
29. A Series of Tubes - Host and complete 50 ranked matches. (20pts)
30. Dom-curious - Complete 1 co-op chapter as Dominic Santiago on any difficulty. (10pts)
31. Domination - Complete 10 different co-op chapters as Dominic Santiago on any difficulty. (20pts)
32. I Can't Quit You Dom - Complete all acts in co-op as Dominic Santiago on any difficulty. (30pts)
33. Don't You Die On Me - Revive 100 teammates in ranked matches. (10pts)
34. Fall Down Go Boom - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with the Boomshot. (20pts)
35. Pistolero - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with a pistol. (20pts)
36. The Nuge - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with the Torque Bow. (20pts)
37. I Spy with My Little Eye - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with the Longshot. (20pts)
38. Don't Hurt 'Em - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with the Hammer of Dawn. (20pts)
39. It's a Massacre - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with the Chainsaw. (10pts)
40. Curb Appeal - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with the curb stomp. (20pts)
41. Capital Punishment - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with an execution. (20pts)
42. Is It a Spider - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with grenade tag. (30pts)
43. The Money Shot - Kill 100 enemies in ranked matches with a headshot. (20pts)
44. Always Remember Your First - Finish playing a versus ranked match. (10pts)
45. Don't Hate the Player - Finish with the highest points in a ranked match. (10pts)
46. Mix It Up - Win a ranked match in every versus game type. (30pts)
47. Around the World - Win a ranked match on every versus map. (30pts)
48. Can't Touch Me - Win 10 ranked matches without losing a round. (20pts)
49. Seriously ... - Kill 10,000 people in versus ranked match total. (50pts)

Call of Duty 3
1. Basic Training - Complete the basic training in the beginning of Saint Lo.5 (5pts)
2. American Infantryman - Complete two missions as an American soldier. (20pts)
3. British Commando - Complete two missions as a British soldier. (20pts)
4. Canadian Highlander - Complete two missions as a Canadian soldier. (10pts)
5. Polish Tanker - Complete two missions as a Polish soldier. (15pts)
6. Won the War - Complete the single player campaign on any difficulty setting. (80pts)
7. Hot Potato - Pick up and return 5 live grenades. (25pts)
8. Rifleman - Complete a mission by firing only bolt action rifles. Melee attacks don't count. (15pts)
9. Assault Trooper - Complete a mission by firing only assault rifles. Melee attacks don't count. (15pts)
10. Battlefield Scavenger - Complete a mission by firing only German weapons. Melee attacks don't count. (15pts)
11. Still Ticking - Complete a mission without dying or using checkpoints. (30pts)
12. Allergic to Bullets - Avoid getting hit more than 30 times during a mission. (25pts)
13. Conservationist - Complete a mission using less than 300 rounds of ammunition. (20pts)
14. Close Quarter Combatant - Complete a mission without firing a round. Player can make use of melee attacks and hand grenades. (100pts)
15. Grizzled Veteran - Complete the Single Player Campaign on Veteran difficulty. (150pts)
16. Supply Officer - Supply ammunition to at least 20 friendly soldiers in a single ranked match. Multiplayer (15pts)
17. Doc - Revive 10 of your teammates in a ranked match without getting a teamkill. Multiplayer (30pts)
18. A War Hero - Capture the final objective in the game mode War. Must be a ranked match. Multiplayer (30pts0
19. Victory Medal - Be the player with the highest score and on the winning team in a ranked match. Multiplayer (30pts)
20. Lieutenant - Receive 200 total points in ranked matches. Multiplayer (20pts)
21. Captain - Receive 2000 total points in ranked matches. Multiplayer (40pts)
22. Major - Receive 8000 total points in ranked matches. Multiplayer (60pts)
23. Colonel - Receive 20000 total points in ranked matches. Multiplayer (80pts)
24. General - Receive 40000 total points in ranked matches. Multiplayer (120pts)
25. Purple Heart - For perserverence despite grevious injuries. (5pts)
26. Big Air - EXTREME! Found a big jump and caught some air! (25pts)

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Move over iTunes

Move over bacon, there's something leaner - Yesterday Microsoft made a major announcement that it is partnering up with a number of networks and movie studios that will make full blown movies (not just trailers) and TV shows downloadable on Xbox Live. Here's it is straight from the horses (Microsoft's) mouth because its too hard for me to paraphrase.

"Microsoft Corp. today announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360 gamers in the U.S. by the end of the year. Furthermore, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the consumer.

Beginning Nov. 22, on its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional “firsts”:

· For the first time, consumers will get an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console that includes downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360, whether they want to play games or play a movie on a disc or as a download in high definition or standard definition.
· For the first time CBS will deliver high-definition download-to-own TV shows including “CSI,” “ Jericho ,” “Numb3rs” and remastered “Star Trek” episodes (Yippee for us Star Trek nerds!); gamers can buy them and watch them repeatedly.
· For the first time on any platform, NASCAR.COM will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from “Race Rewind.”
· For the first time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series.

The initial lineup of TV shows available for download to own and feature films available for download to rent will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of content that will be available on the network by the end of year include the following:

· “Robot Chicken” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” from Adult Swim
· “CSI,” “Survivor” and “Star Trek” from CBS
· Emmy and Peabody award-winning “ South Park ” and “Chappelle’s Show” from COMEDY CENTRAL
· “The Real World” and “Pimp My Ride” from MTV
· “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and ”SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon
· “Skyland” and “The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival” from Nicktoons Network
· “Mission Impossible:III,” “Nacho Libre” and “Jackass: The Movie” from Paramount Pictures
· “Carpocalypse” and “Raising the Roofs” from Spike TV
· “Race Rewind” provided by NASCAR.COM
· Select episodes of the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and the “UFC: All Access” shows from the UFC
· “Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan Knows Best” from VH1
· “The Matrix,” “Superman Returns” and “Batman Forever” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment"

All I could think of after reading that was...Holy Guano Batman! I've heard how gaming consoles were supposed to be the center of your living room (I first heard this through some Sony hype with the PS2) but now its starting to become a reality. Downloadable TV and movies? To quote Kevin Bacon in Footloose - Jump back! Now that is sweet. The Microsoft Zune, Bill Gates' answer to the iPod comes out later this month. Think there's a chance that there might be some Zune/Xbox 360 connectivity? You bet your controller there is.

As a gamer, this is another shot across the bow for Sony and just another reason (aside from price point and limited availabilty) for a gamer who's undecided to choose a 360. I'm actually surprised I'm not seeing commercials for this already because this is such a huge selling point for Microsoft.

Let me put it this way. I have an iPod, so I use iTunes. I download TV shows and music but if I can do the exact same thing with my gaming console - something that connects my favorite TV programs, favorite Kevin Federline songs and my video games - there's no way I can resist. All of my favorite things in one place? Wow. Again...Wow! Now if Microsoft can figure out a way to take that downloaded content and burn it onto a disc...I'd probably throw up in my mouth.

Who do I have to kill to get Cyberball? - Also on Monday, Microsoft made some announcements about upcoming Xbox Live Arcade titles. On Wednesday Nov. 8, the Konami classic "Contra" (no it has nothing to do with Ronald Reagan or Manuel Noriega and yes I just dated myself with that vague 80's reference) is available for 400 Microsoft Points. Coming out between now and Christmas are "Small Arms", "Novadrome", "Assault Heroes", "Heavy Weapon" and "Defender".

Starting in January 2007, a number of classic Atari games - "Centipede/Millipede", "Battlezone", "Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe", "Missle Command", "Tempest" and "Warlords" will be released throughout the year.

Of course, you may have noticed that the Atari classic "Cyberball", the greatest robots-playing-football game ever made, is once again not on this list. This is an outrage! A white-gloved (but no sequence please) slap in the face! I strongly recommend that everyone emails Atari at us.pr@atari.com and urge this trend setting gaming company to put one of the most addictive games ever on Xbox Live Arcade immediately. This is an injustice to everyone who calls themselves a gamer. I may just have to start picketing Atari corporate offices with signs that read "Robot football players need love too" or "Give me Cyberball or give me death...but preferably Cyberball!"

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Make your own Halo

Create your own GTA - Last Wednesday Microsoft released the second iteration of its XNA Game Studio Express beta, upgraded with full functionality for Windows and third party toolset support, allowing hobbyists, academics and independent game developers to more easily integrate game content into their creations. The technology promises to ratchet up indie game development with an expanded set of features.

According to the company, Microsoft’s goal is to empower the masses through offering easy-to-use and affordable tools enabling them to bring their creativity to life by offering:

· The addition of XNA Framework Content Pipeline, a feature set that makes it simpler and more straightforward for game developers to use 2D and 3D content in their game projects from third party digital content creation packages like Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya and SOFTIMAGE XSI.
· New content importers for .X and Autodesk FBX 3D asset format in partnership with Autodesk.
· Xbox 360 project system gives game developers the ability to preview game design specifically for the Xbox 360 and pre-compile games starting today, giving developers a head start in preparing their games for the XNA Creators Club availability in December.
· Improved game component architecture updated with a simpler design, adding increased usability based on community feedback.
· Overall performance improvements and optimizations – XNA Game Studio Express Beta 2 is a near final version of the tool.

I really have no idea what any of this means, its way too technical for my small brain. But if this gives people who are much more creative than myself a way to create their own games, I'm all for it.


On a related note... - In August I posted an interview with PSM editor-in-chief Chris Slate and Official Xbox Magazine editor-in-chief Francesca Reyes. My last question for both dealt with how someone could become a gaming writer. They gave some good advice but if you're looking for a different career in gaming I highly recommend the book "Paid to Play: An Insiders Guide to Video Game Careers".

It gives detailed information about a wide variety of gaming jobs, not just gaming journalism. If a career in the world of video games is something you think you would excel at or are considering, I highly recommend a peek at this book. Its a pretty easy read and gives you a great idea of what companies look for and the qualifications you need to get into an incredibly competitive market.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Are video games art?

"I do indeed consider video games inherently inferior to film and literature. There is a structural reason for that: Video games by their nature require player choices, which is the opposite of the strategy of serious film and literature, which requires authorial control. I am prepared to believe that video games can be elegant, subtle, sophisticated, challenging and visually wonderful. But I believe the nature of the medium prevents it from moving beyond craftsmanship to the stature of art. To my knowledge, no one in or out of the field has ever been able to cite a game worthy of comparison with the great dramatists, poets, filmmakers, novelists and composers. That a game can aspire to artistic importance as a visual experience, I accept. But for most gamers, video games represent a loss of those precious hours we have available to make ourselves more cultured, civilized and empathetic." - Roger Ebert

A year ago this month, film critic Roger Ebert made the above comment on his website. Not only did he tick off hard core gamers but he inadvertantly started a debate on a topic that had long needed to be discussed - Are video games art?

Like most gamers, my initial response to Ebert's quote created a torrent of anger and frustrated thoughts like: "The man is too old, he's out of the loop. He's probably doesn't even know what an MP3 player is. He's a movie reviewer, what does he know about games?" and "The guys a moron."

Then I thought of something, this kind of thinking will never get video games to be considered main stream. If the video game industry is to be taken seriously, we have to be able to respond to thoughts like this in an intelligent, rational manner. An angry response of expletives and insults (while always fun) just makes gamers look like a ticked off toddler when their parent tells them they can't have any candy. We look like immature brats who can't think for themselves.

Personally, I'd prefer to be an intelligent teenager (which is what games are to the grandparent-like TV, Music and Movies) and give a thoughtful answer which gives the more established mediums enough pause to reconsider their stance. The Big 3 have been around a heck of a lot longer than games and they deserve our respect. They also, like a stubborn parent or grandparent, need to be enlightened about the changing world around them.

To make an intelligent case for video games as Art, lets breakdown Ebert's statement.

"Video games by their nature require player choices, which is the opposite of the strategy of serious film and literature, which requires authorial control."

Good point. Games are much more interactive. Players are an integral part of a games story and can guide the development of the characters...to a point. You can't actually do anything in a video game that the creator of it doesn't want you to to. To me, this makes the authorial control in a game much more pronounced than in any other medium because in order to get a games full experience, you are required to perform certain tasks. This qualifies video games as a form of interactive art.

This quote also brings me to a gaping hole in Ebert's statement. What about when a film or a piece of literature sucks? Is it still Art? Does he mean to tell me that I have to view all Rob Schneider movies as Art because it fits his definition? Does this mean O Magazine and US Weekly are pieces of Art too? I do consider Playboy Art however.

"To my knowledge, no one in or out of the field has ever been able to cite a game worthy of comparison with the great dramatists, poets, filmmakers, novelists and composers."

So what you're saying Rog is that games don't have a Steven Speilberg or a Billy Shakespeare or a Snoop Dog? I hate to agree with you but you're right. We don't have anyone who can consistently create that visceral emotional experience...at least not yet. Games are getting closer to that and depending on who you talk to (Final Fantasy and Hideo Kojima fans for example) some would say we are already there. As gaming emerges from its infancy, the opportunties for a different type of story telling combined with the vast visual improvements will gradually attract the types of creative minds that normally flock to film and creative writing schools. Gaming is such a new medium with so much potential that its only a matter of time before it has its own Ernest Hemingway or George Lucas.

"That a game can aspire to artistic importance as a visual experience, I accept. But for most gamers, video games represent a loss of those precious hours we have available to make ourselves more cultured, civilized and empathetic."

Ouch! Now you're hitting below the belt. Yes, "Schindlers List" contains a powerful message and "Where the Red Fern Grows" made me cry as a boy (I'm secure enough in my manhood to admit it) but did anyone become more cultured or civilized watching "Police Academy: Mission to Moscow" or the Sly Stallone arm wrestling flick "Over the Top"? No, in fact I think the world's overall I.Q. dropped 20 points thanks to those duds. And honestly, what wastes more time than watching TV? Can I get the 46 hours of "Knight Rider" I watched in the 80's back? The argument that video games are just a waste of time really chaps my hide.

I look at it like this, the human brain can't be on all the time, sometimes it just needs a break. So what do we do? Veg out in front of the tube, listen to some tunes, shoot some baskets...play a video game. Playing games can be therapy for your melon, just like those other things. Saying gaming is a waste of precious time just screams ignorance.

Let me conclude with a little story. Two years ago my wife and I spent 2 weeks in Italy. The Misses was an Art History major in college so about a million museums were on the agenda. In Florence I stood in front of the statue of David. I was completely awestruck. I was amazed that a human being could make such a thing. I'd seen pictures of it before but standing in front of it gave me a true appreciation for it.

Here in town I'm also very close to an artist who produces colorful, yet crude drawings that always draw an emotional response - my 6-year old daughter. About a year ago she moved from drawing heads with legs and arms sticking out of them to drawing people with actual bodies. In her drawings of me, I even have curly hair and glasses. Its quite touching, at least from my perspective.

And that's my point. Art is subjective. As a father, my daughter's drawings are Art. To someone else, they're just a goofy drawing a little girl made of some guy with a giant head. Art, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder and trying to agree on what is Art and what is not Art is like trying to get a Democrat and Republican to agree. It just ain't going to happen.

For me (and many other gamers) video games are beautiful works of interactive art. What they're defined as by others really doesn't matter. When it comes right down to it as long as games continue to give us the experience that fulfills whatever need it fulfills, why should it.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Say hello to my little cheat!

Before I throw down a ton of cheats (hey its been awhile), let me make a slight correction to a previous post. Remember how I mentioned that this blog had as many updates to it as Xbox.com and Xbox Live Marketplace did after it was shut down for 24 hours. Well that's about to change starting tomorrow morning. Here's what 360 owners can expect to see starting tomorrow, straight from the horses mouth.

Expanded HD Display and Video Playback Options
· With 1080p resolution, gamers now have the ability to enjoy both game and video content in the best HD resolution currently available.
· Expanded video playback options increase the ways gamers can enjoy video content on Xbox 360. It is now possible to stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11 or Windows Media Connect.
· Gamers can now play video files from data CDs and DVDs, as well as from storage devices like USB 2.0 flash drives and Xbox 360 Memory Units.
· Xbox 360 will support 50hz HDTV display modes, providing viewers greater choice in how they watch DVD and HD DVD content.

Xbox Live Arcade Enhancements
· Keeping up to date on Xbox Live Arcade games is now even more convenient with the ability to automatically download newly released Xbox Live Arcade trial games. This eliminates the need to manually search for new downloads on Xbox Live Marketplace each time a new game trial is released.
· Fast enumeration of games: you’ll see the games in your Xbox Live Arcade collection appear almost instantly. Get in and play right away.
· With so many games to choose from, Xbox Live Arcade added new sorting options such as “Recently Played” and “By Category.” These enhancements make managing Xbox Live Arcade collections faster and easier than ever.
· A new expanded Friends Leaderboard within Xbox Live Arcade allows gamers to compare themselves directly against their friends and view leaderboard details of their top 10 friends.
· A new expanded Achievements View within Xbox Live Arcade lets gamers view their full Achievement details for their Xbox Live Arcade games including descriptions, icons, allotted Gamerscore and more, right from the Xbox Live Arcade dashboard interface.
· The “Play Now” launch feature has been streamlined. Selecting “Play Now” after downloading a game in Xbox Live Marketplace now bypasses Xbox Live Arcade and takes you directly to the game.
· Xbox Live Arcade now offers a “Tell a Friend” feature. Select this option from the game info screen to send any friend on your friends list a message telling them about the Xbox Live Arcade game.

XNA Support
· Amateur game designers will be able to test and play the games they create using XNA Game Studio Express on their Xbox 360 systems when it launches later this year (separate download and subscription required).

While I'm glad that Microsoft is making some improvements, none of this will affect the average gamer that much. The Xbox Live enhanncements were long overdue but the XNA support feature is intriguing. What they didn't mention was that Xbox.com is running at full speed. You should check out the Top 360 Tags section http://www.top360tag.com/, tons of cool information. On to the cheats! (I apologize for the crappy format, just trying to save space)

Mortal Combat: Armageddon Cheats (PS2)
Left, Left, Circle, Up, Triangle, L2 - Unlocks Shinnok's Spire, L2, left, R1, Up, Circle, Down- Unlocks Taven, X, Square, left, triangle, square, X - Armory Music, Down, L1, Up, L1, L1, Foward - Unlocks Nitara's Second Costume, Triangle, square, left, L1, left, circle - Unlocks Blaze, Triangle, Back, Back, X, Down, Circle - Pyramid Artwork, Up, Square, Square, Circle, Circle, Up - Meat Unlocked, Circle, L1, Up, Square, Circle, Down - Red Dawn Arena, L1, Back, Up, Circle, R2, L1 - Unlocks Ed Boon Concept Art, Up, Up, Down, Up, L2, X - Promo Movie, up,up,down,up,L1,X - Armageddon Promo Movie, forward, L1, R2, down, up, L1 - Cyrax Fatality Blooper Video, R1, L1, Triangle, Down, Down, Square - Unlock Daegon, L2, Right, X, R2, Up, Up - Unlock Drahmin's Second Costume, L1, Left, Up, O, Up, L2 - Unlock Shang Tsung's Second Costume, Down, R2, R1, L1, O, L2 - Unlock Frost's Second Costume, R2, O, Square, X, O, Triangle - Unlock Falling Cliffs Arena, R1, Left, Left, Down, L1, Square - Unlock Nethership Interior Arena, R1, L1, Square, X, R2, Up - Unlock Pryamis of Argus Arena, R2, L1, Left, X, Up, R1 - Unlock Sektor's 2 handed pulse blade concept art, R2, Triangle, R1, Up, X, X - Unlock General Reiko's map room arena, Up, Square, R1, L2, O, L1 - Unlock Firewall Arena concept art, L2, Left, O, X, R2, Right - Unlock Lin Kuei Palace Tune, Up, O, L1, R1, R1, X - Unlock Tekunin Warship Tune, Down, Left, R2, L2, Up, L1 - Unlock Pyramid of Argus Tune, O, R2, Triangle, Down, O, Left - Unlock Concept art for unused trap in Konquest, Up, X, R2, Down, L2, X - Unlock Early Taven concept art, L1, Triangle, L2, L2, R1, Square - Unlock Blaze concept art, Triangle, Up, R2, L1, R1, R2 - Unlock Motor Gameplay Movie, R2, Right, Up, R1, Triangle, Up - Unlock Mileena's car design concept art

Saints Row Cheats (Xbox 360)
Phone Numbers: Cheats, Rides, Help, and Funny messages - Pause the game and press the L or R Trigger until you reach your phone. Select DIAL and enter one of the following numbers then press CALL. NOTE: The ( ) and - symbols are automatically entered for you, you just need the number. The only symbols you're required to enter are the # or * if contained in a number. Warning: The codes that have # in front of them are considered cheats and you won't get achievements doing this.

911 - Ambulance (Restores Health), #42637867 - Unlock Special GameStop T-Shirt Cheat, (555) 018-0174 - Eagleline Yellow (Taxi Service), 555-455-8008 - TNA Taxi Service, 555-5966 - Eye for an Eye Voodoo, 555-7296 - On the Fence (Pawn Shop), 555-6238 - The Dead Cow, 555-9467 - Legal Lee's, 555-9473 - Grounds for Divorce, #AMMO - Infinite Ammo, #10 - God's Wrath (lightning strikes randomly), 555-2626 - Stocks, 555-3765 - Brown Baggers, #SPRINT - Infinite Sprint, #Rocket - Enables "Give RPG Launcher", #AS12Riot - Enables "Give AS12 Riot", #12Gauge - Enables "Give 12 Gauge", #Tombstone - Enables "Give Tombstone", #T3KUrban - Enables "Give T3K Urban", #GDHC50 - Enables "Give GDHC .50", #Shepherd - Enables "Give .44 Shepherd", #NR4 - Enables "Give NR4", #Pipebomb - Enables "Give Pipe Bomb", #Molotov - Enables "Give Molotov Cocktail", #Grenade - Enables "Give Hand Grenade", #AQUA - spawn the Aqua car, #268 - Spawns an Ant, #fullhealth - Full Health, #shogun - Shogun in garage, #3373352623 - Enables "Give Fer De Lance", the best car in the game!, #Newman - Spawns "Newman" in your garage (Mail Truck), #Macanus - Gives you the "McManus" sniper rifle, #money - $1000 cash, #778 - Repairs the car you're in

Scarface: The World is Yours (PS2)
MEDIK - CHEAT: Refill Health, AMMO - CHEAT: Max Ammo, DONUT - CHEAT: Increase Cop Heat, FLYSTRT - CHEAT: Decrease Cop Heat, MARTHA - Weather Modifier: Change Time of Day, RAINY - Weather Modifier: Toggle Rain, SHAZAAM - Weather Modifier: Toggle Lightning, TUNEME - Music Track: "The World Is Yours", 666999 - Vehicle: Spawn Bacinari, DOZER - Vehicle: Spawn Bulldozer,k OLDFAST - Vehicle: Spawn Ariel MK III, BLACK - Clothing: Black Suit Tony, BLUESH - Clothing: Blue Suit Tony With Sunglasses, GRAY - Clothing: Gray Suit Tony, GRAYSH - Clothing: Gray Suit Tony With Sunglasses, TBURGLR - Repairs any vehicle player is currently driving, BUMMER - Spawn 4x4 Bodog Stampede, SANDY - Tan colored outfit, SANDYSH - Tan colored outfit w/sunglasses, HAWAII - Hawaii print/shirt, HAWAIIG - Hawaii print/shirt w/sunglasses, S13 - Mission Replay: Babylon Club Redux, SO7A - Mission Replay: Freedom Town Redux, S09 - Mission Replay: Nacho Contreras, A51 - Mission Replay: The Dock Boss, S10 - Mission Replay: Nacho's Tanker, S11 - Mission Replay: Un-Load, S12 - Mission Replay: Deliver, DW_frn - Mission Replay: Oakley Drive-In, WHITE - White suit Tony, WHITESH - White suit Tony with shades

Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Xbox 360)
These codes have to key-ed in in a relatively quick succession. The text in the brackets describe where they have to be entered. Some codes require that you press start at the end (you should hear a sound effect if you entered the code correctly) while some require that you enter them 2 to 3 times before they work. WARNING: All codes aside from the unlocking of Daredevil and Silver Surfer will cause you to no longer receive achievement points. Use at your own risk!

Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Start - Unlock all powers (Character Selection Screen), Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Down, Start - Unlock all costumes (Character Selection Screen), Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Left, Left, Start - All Character Code (Character Selection Screen), Up, Right, Left, Down, Up, Right, Left, Down
The Courses (Comic Book Mission), Left, Right, Right, Left, Up Up, Right - All Comics (Review Menu), Down, Down, Down, Right, Right, Left, Down - All Concept Art (Review Menu), Up, Left, Left, Up, Right, Right, Up - All Cinematics (Review Menu), Up Down, Right, Left, Up, Up, Down - All Wallpapers (Review Menu), Left, Right, Right, Left, Up, Down, Down, Up - Filler (In-game), Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Left, Down, Right - God Mode (In-game), Left, Right, Down, Down, Right, Left - Touch of Death (In-game), Up, Left, Up, Right, Down, Right - Super Speed (In-game), Up, Up, Up, Left, Right, Left - 100k (Team Menu), Up, Left, Up, Left, Down, Right, Down, Right - Level 99 (Team Menu), left, left, right, right, up, down, up, down - Unlock Daredevil, down, left, left, up, right, up, down, left - Unlock Silver Surfer

Microsoft Gears Up

While everyone in Colorado Springs was trying to stay warm (or in my case, playing in the snow), Microsoft was announcing its plans for Emergence Day - the day "Gears of War" is released for the Xbox 360. Here's what's on the docket, straight from my contact at Microsoft:

Xbox Live will celebrate Emergence Day with 24-hours of special events beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. Xbox Live Gold members in North America will have a chance to participate in online tournaments, download videos, win prizes and participate in a variety of activities including:

- A 24-Hour Leader board Tournament. The tournament winner receives a one of a kind “Gears of War” branded guitar as well as an automatic bye to the finals of a Global “Gears of War” Tournament planned for 2007.
- Hourly sweepstakes drawings and prize giveaways including the chance to win one of several Samsung HT-P29 Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound Systems
- An exclusive free “Gears of War” Gamer pic and theme only available on Emergence Day
- Game with Fame sessions with legendary heavy metal band and “Gears of War” fans Megadeth, the game’s lead designer Cliff Bleszinski and other members of the Epic Games team
- Never before seen videos including a special Emergence Day transmission from Cliff Bleszinski
- An MTV “Gears of War: The Road to Launch” Sneak Preview

Our boy Billy Gates is putting a bunch of eggs in the "Gears" basket. The Xbox 360 needs its own killer app to keep gamers away from the PS3 (the guaranteed shortages are sure to help) and into the 360 until "Halo 3" comes out. While the 360 has had plenty of great titles (PGR3, Call of Duty 2, etc.) it still doesn't have that one game that makes the system a must own - unless you count Halo 2...which you shouldn't.

While console exclusives are becoming rarer than a Jake Plummer 300-yard game, the Big 2 will have their heavy hitters ready in November. Microsoft will have "Gears" and Sony will counter with "Resistance: Fall of Man". The better title may sway some indecisive gamers toward a particular console - although I think Sony's price point and availabilty is going to make a much bigger difference. Who will come out on top? I have no clue (sorry, I'm a gaming columnist, not Nostradamus), its way too early to tell. But from what I've seen of "Gears", it looks amazing and the game play is fantastic.

And as I always say, I never bet against Bill Gates...unless its in a fistfight.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Top 5 Family Guy Moments

In order to commemorate the release of the new Family Guy game, I thought I'd share my top 5 moments from the show. All the clips are courtesy of youtube. If you have one I missed, feel free to share it.

1. A-Ha - Who knew there was so much danger in the dairy section of the grocery store.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H1NKuZPBcg

2. Jughead - Peter can't keep his eyes off of his Archie comic book.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2hVxHEpAkk

3. Last piece of pie - Chris, Stewie, Brian and Peter all want the last piece of a pie Lois has baked. Peter decides they should have a contest for it by seeing who the last person is that throws up after downing a bottle of Epicac. A barforama ensues. Absolutely hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bv4-KGH4x8

4. Kool-Aid - As an adult, I always love those random bits that remind me of my childhood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8i4eM536uo

5. Pac Man - The ghosts try to cheer up a broken hearted Pac-Man, then quit trying and decide to go see Q-Bert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbx7MYcJBwU

terry.terrones@gazette.com

The Mole: PS3 launch titles...some other stuff

Get out your wallet - Late this week Sony finally announced the games that will be available during its launch window (any time between launch day itself and Christmas). Here's the list:

Resistance: Fall of Man
NBA 07
Genji: Days of the Blade
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII
Call of Duty 3
Fight Night Round 3
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion F.E.A.R.
Full Auto 2: Battlelines
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
NBA 2K7
Need For Speed Carbon
NHL 2K7
Ridge Racer 7
Sonic the Hedgehog
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Tony Hawk’s Project 8
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom

Greedy jerks - According to Variety magazine, both Universal and Fox studios have dropped the Halo movie. The studio's were insistant that Microsoft reduce its cut in movie project. The existing deal stated that Microsoft was due a $5 million payment on October 15th, which is what evidently prompted the last second demand. Here's what Ken Kamins, a rep for executive producer Peter Jackson, had to say in the Variety article.

"What happened was this: Universal, on behalf of both studios, asked for a meeting with the filmmakers just prior to the due date of a significant payment. Basically, they said that in order to move forward with the film, the filmmakers had to significantly reduce their deals. They waited until the last minute to have this conversation. Peter and Fran, after speaking with their producing partners and with Microsoft and Bungie respectfully declined."

Jackson is said to be continuing pre-production on the film and is seeking out a new studio.

Blog Update? - I'm sure everyone has noticed how this blog has been down for the past 24 hours. It was all part of a big update that adds more services to you, the faithful reader. You may also notice that I have as many upgrades as Xbox.com and Xbox Live...ZERO.

What was the point of Microsoft's shut down of both Xbox. com and Xbox Live? Xbox.com looks exactly the same, in fact its even worse. I can't log onto my Xbox.com profile. What's up with that? As for Xbox Live, it looks the same as well. No changes to the online performance, no changes to Xbox Live Marketplace - nada, zip, zero zilch.

Its fine with me if these guys need a day to work on their servers or whatever computer geeks do, but to make it sound like there's going to be some cool new features and almost a week later the website still isn't at full speed and Live is exactly the same is misleading.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Tale of the Tape: NBA 2K7 vs. NBA Live '07

I like to think of gaming companies 2K and EA as having a big brother, little brother relationship. For years EA has pounded on little bro 2K but now 2K is getting bigger and stronger and EA now has to rely on its savvy more than its strength. Or maybe I'm thinking about me and my little brother, I don't remember.

When it comes to sports games, there are die-hard EA and 2K guys who swear by their perspective titles. Trying to convince one is better than the other is like trying to talk a Bronco fan into rooting for the Chiefs - its just not going to happen. As an unbiased third party (I personally love both companies), I'm here to measure up each franchises basketball titles for those who just want the best pro hoops game available. Let's take a look at both games in... (booming announcer guy-type voice) THE TALE OF THE TAPE.

Graphics - 2K7 is pretty...but its not Live pretty. Let me put it this way, 2K7 is a Mini Cooper (Mary Ann) and Live is a tricked out Escalade (Ginger).
Edge: Live '07

Multi-player - Live has online play but no leagues or menus that make it easy to find a friend, 2K7 has leagues and online tournaments with an easy to follow menu.
Edge: 2K7

Create-a-player - Live has over 50 attributes (Rebouding IQ? Are you serious?) and you can buy enough shoes to embarrass my mother. 2K7's player creator looks the same as last year.
Edge: Live '07

Soundtrack - Live has Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy". I love that song! 2K7 has A Tribe Called Quest, a group that (previous to this year) hadn't been together since 1998. Way to stay current on the music scene 2K.
Edge: Live '07

Game play: offense - In Live, the computer will double and even triple team you but its still easy to score as your player drives by defenders like an adult playing Kindergarteners. In 2K, bad passes will get picked off and the game discourages one on one play.
Edge: 2K7

Game play: defense - In Live, if you make a mistake while covering a defender you're toast. Rebounding is almost impossible. In 2K7, you can play tight D and rebounding a ball can actually happen occasionally.
Edge: 2K7

Game play: player control/appearance - 2K has the shot pro stick, which is okay, but EA's Freestyle control stick is a little more intuitive. EA's players look good but still move like video game characters. 2K's player models aren't as pretty but move just like real people.
Edge: Push

Game announcers - This isn't even close, Live's Marv Albert and Steve Kerr are so good, it feels like they're sitting next to you calling your game. Kevin Harlan and Kenny Smith pale in comparison.
Edge: Live '07

Biggest Disapointment - For 2K, I'm most disappointed by the graphics, which look untouched from last year. While players move realistically, they still look like their on skates sometimes. For Live, the online menu is a real bummer. I'm also surprised by how few modes there were to choose from.
Edge: 2K7

Biggest surprise - For 2K, I hate to repeat myself but the online component is great. For Live, I loved the ESPN integration. Watching clips from PTI and getting updates on the days sporting events every 20 minutes was awesome. The fully customizable Slam Dunk contest is also fun to play with.
Edge: Live '07

And the winner is... NBA Live '07, by a nose. The gap is getting smaller every year but big brother EA still can bring it. Live just looks and plays a little more polished than 2K7. Maybe next year little brother, maybe next year.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

The Rant: Achievement Hangover

Starting midnight tonight, Xbox Live and Xbox.com are taking the next 24 hours off. I'm glad. I am nursing one rough Achievement Point hangover.

Don't get me wrong, I've been enjoying earning points for the past 11 months and rubbing it in my brothers face (14K to 6K, eat that Phil!) but recently I noticed a disturbing trend - I've been playing some games just to boost my Gamerscore. I'm not talking good games either, I mean games I wouldn't touch with my worst enemy's (Jake Plummer) controller. When you play 99 Nights or rent NBA 2K6 just for the points, something might be wrong with you. And of course, I would never do that. While getting wrapped up in collecting points might not be too surprising (who hasn't played Halo 2 until they're ranked at a certain level or played a game to reach the high score), where do gamers draw the line? When does collecting points become more important than playing the game itself? When do we remember what gaming is really about?

For me, that moment occurred this past weekend when I was playing the incredibly bad Just Cause. Because October and November are chock full of games, I won't be reviewing it, but here's the skinny. Good: great graphics, some truly innovative ideas. Bad: Dialogue, soundtrack, storyline, controls, game play and everything else. So I'm playing this dud and thinking to myself "This game sucks, how long will it take me to get some points out of it before I can trade it in?" What kind of thinking is that?!? Its not, Should-I-buy-this-car-without-consulting-my-wife thinking, but its close. What kind of gamer had I become? A point monger, thats what kind! After deciding that 10 points was all I was willing to suffer for, I traded in the game the next day.

Thankfully, this experience shook me out of my Achievement hoarding rut. At least I hope so. I don't want to play bad games just for the points (see 99 Nights). I don't want to keep good games because of some crazy points I'd have to kill myself to earn (see Call of Duty 2) and I don't want to try and compete with the insane people who have Gamerscores in the 30/40,000's (thankfully, nobody I know). Mae West may have said "too much of a good thing is wonderful" but she obviously wasn't referring to Achievement Points. I think Cicero (Wow! I'm sooo deep) said it best: "Everything in moderation".

Oh, I'll still be collecting my points but this time I won't be going all, No-beer-and-no-TV-make-Homer-go-crazy, to do it.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

The Mole: Xbox Live takes a day off

Slackers - Starting midnight Pacific time on Tuesday October 17 Microsoft will be shutting down Xbox.com and Xbox Live for 24 hours. What the heck for? To update Xbox Live and Xbox.com. Microsoft isn't giving any clues as to what the updates are except to say that its not a dashboard update and its going to be "cool".

Here are some things, courtesy of Xbox.com, that have happened on October 17th.
1931: Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion.
1933: Physicist Albert Einstein arrived in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany.
1945: Col. Juan Peron staged a coup, becoming absolute ruler of Argentina (don't cry for me Madonna!).
1979: Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Bada Bing! - Last night I watched a half hour preview on HBO for the new PS2 game The Sopranos: Road to Respect, which comes out November 7th. As a big Sopranos fan I'm pretty excited about this game and the preview show just added to my anticipation. The graphics don't look particularly good but the story line looks great. HBO plays things a million times so if you're interested, check it out.

Gearheads - For those of you anxious to get into the world of Gears of War early, here's your chance. Head to http://www.gearsofwar.com/ to get into the head of main character Marcus Fenix and chat with other gamers. The site is kinda kooky but I like it.

Dig 'Frickin' Dug? - Microsoft released Dig Dug for Xbox Live Arcade on Wednesday, leading to my monthly email to one of my contacts there asking about Cyberball. His response? After initially confusing Totemball with Cyberball (kids today) he said he has no idea when Cyberball will be released. I then proceeded to put my head on my computer and cry myself to sleep.

Rock On! - Here's the complete playlist for PS2's Guitar Hero 2, coming out November 7.
1. Opening Licks
Motley Crue - Shout at the Devil, Danzig - Mother, Cheap Trick - Surrender, Wolfmother - Woman, Spinal Tap - Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight

2. Amp-Warmers
Kiss - Strutter, Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box, Police - Message in a Bottle, Van Halen - You Really Got Me, Kansas - Carry on Wayward Son

3. String-Snappers
Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench, Alice in Chains - Them Bones, Iggy Pop and the Stooges - Search and Destroy, Pretenders - Tattooed Love Boys, Black Sabbath - War Pigs

4. Thrash and Burn
Warrant - Cherry Pie, Butthole Surfers - Who Was in My Room Last Night, Mathew Sweet - Girlfriend, Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knockin', Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

5. Return of the Shred
Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name, Primus - John the Fisherman, Sword - Freya, Thin Lizzy - Bad Reputation, Aerosmith - Last Child

6. Relentless Riffs
Heart - Crazy on You, Stone Temple Pilots - Tripping on a Hole in a Paper Heart, Stray Cats - Rock This Town, Allman Brothers - Jessica, Jane's Addiction - Stop

7. Furious Fretwork
Anthrax - Madhouse, Living End - Carry Me Home, Lamb of God - Laid to Rest, Reverend Horton Heat - Psychobilly Freakout, Rush - YYZ

8. Face-Melters
Avenged Sevenfold - Beast and the Harlot, Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized, Dick Dale - Misirlou, Megadeth - Hangar 18, Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird

And finally... - EA announced late last week that Medal of Honor heroes will be released exclusively for the PSP on October 25th. Now PSP gamers will have 3 must have games (MofH and the 2 GTA games) and a soon to be out of date movie cartridge system for their sizable investment. Yippee!

terry.terrones@gazette.com

The Cult of Personality

Video games have never looked better, sports games in particular. Nowadays gamers notice when a football field fills up with puddles during a rain soaked game and 3-dimensional crowds react realistically to the action right in front of them. Players move and look like their real life counterparts and the courts, fields and ice are so redonkulously gorgeous that most non-gamers (like my wife) couldn't tell the difference between live TV and a video game.

Of course this means that sports games are at their apex, their zenith, their...best ever right?!? Not quite. As my Grandpappy used to say: "Looks ain't everything" (and then my Dad would follow up with: "But they are important"). Put together the sage wisdom of two old coots and you have what I call "The Graphics Corallary".

The "Graphics Corallary" states that if a game is so visually stunning that you kiss the case it came in (not that I've ever done this) its going to have a deficiency in the personality department. Think Lindsay Lohan, Ben Stiller, Paris Hilton or Terrell Owens. Sure you'll be happy for awhile because your new game looks so good but eventually you'll find it lacks substance, penache, what the French call A-certain-I-don't-know-what and most importantly Personality. And yes I did capitalize Personality.

It wasn't always this way. Sports video games used to have style. In football, gamers could take out their opponents quarterback with only a 15-yard penalty to discourage them. And if you were playing against a friend, you'd have to hold him down so he couldn't press the reset button. In racing games cars used to take damage, in baseball games players would break their bats after striking out and in basketball you could commit a hard foul. But the sports game with the most Personality was hockey. In NHL '94 you could slam a guy so hard he flipped into the bench, have a tooth-busting fight every period and check a guy so hard against the glass it broke! Now all of those things are gone.

I know that just about every pro league out there is trying to keep things clean. They want fans to concentrate on great athletic ability and make all sports family friendly. This attitude gets passed down to the NFL, NHL, MLB, etc. licensed video games. I get it, there's more money in it. It's also incredibly hypocritical. What do you see on Sports Center? You see the big catch and the game winning bucket but you'll also always see lots of big hits or that days bench clearing brawl.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to be playing NBA Live '07 and suddenly have to button mash as my starting power forward rushes into the crowd to take out fans. I'm not promoting violence, I'm promoting realism.

If Al Wilson hits Steve McNair late and draws a penalty while knocking him out of the game for awhile, I should be able to do it and see it to. If mild-mannered Joe Sakic is bent out of shape about some cheap shots he's taken earlier in a game and then nails the guy so hard into the glass it knocks him out, I should be able to do that to. And if Tiger Woods confronts a fan who dares to take a picture during his backswing and throws it into a pond, I should be able to do that (while staring at Elin Nordegren) to.

As EA Sports is known to say "If its in the game, its in the game". Americans love sports, so why not put what we love about sports (the Personality) into our games as well? Sports video games look as real as ever, now its time they played like it.


terry.terrones@gazette.com

FN3 Heads to the PS3

No, there is nothing wrong with your eyes - EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 for the PlayStation 3 will be shipping on December 12. The game will feature exclusive content including an ESPN Integration package and a new first person mode called "Get in the Ring".

Get in the Ring mode allows gamers to experience the fight through the eyes of the boxer from the moment they step into the ring until someone is KO’d. The first person view can be played on or offline, throughout the career mode or in single bouts. Gamers will experience the sensation of the sport with different visual and audio effects occurring throughout the fight such as ear ringing, restricted vision, flashes of bright light, color shifts and blur effects that simulate the sense and feeling of getting punched. This of course will happen after you've paid $600 for your PS3 and before you've played the game.

Other new features

ESPN Integration - Get the latest scores and news with streaming radio, ESPN motion, live ticker updates, and ESPNEWS. I really like this in NBA Live '07, very cool feature.

Split-Screen Multiplayer Action - Go head to head against your friends in PlayStation 3 exclusive split-screen battles.

The Mole: Quick Hits

NBA Live 07 News - If you're interested in throwing down as multi-media mogul Jay-Z in NBA Live 07, you're about to get your wish. Starting October 11th, if you buy a pair of S. Carter Basketball IV shoes, gamers will get a code to unlock Jay-Z. No word on whether his long time gal pal Beyonce is unlockable.

Strategy Guides - EA has recently released video strategy guides for NCAA 07 and Madden 07 for 160 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Marketplace. They've also released a number of classic stadiums for 300 points. Oh how I miss good old Mile High Stadium.

Enough World of Warcraft to choke even Rosie O'Donnell - On Thursday Blizzard announced its new World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade collectors edition. It sells for $69.99 and has a tentative release date of November 28th. Here's what you get (and if its not enough WoW for you, you'll never be satisfied):

- World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade on both CD and DVD
- World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Behind-the-Scenes DVD
- The Art of World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Hardcover Art Book
- Exclusive In-Game Pet: Netherwhelp
- Two World Of Warcraft Trading Card Game Starter Packs, Plus Exclusive Cards
- Map of Outland Mouse Pad
- World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Soundtrack CD

Say hello to the Sixaxis - Sony Japan has revealed that the name of the PS3's new controller will be the Sixaxis. Since there is no rumble feature, I guess "Dual Shock" had to go. In Japan the controller goes for 5,000 yen ($43). A couple of peripherals were announced as well including a Blu-ray movie remote for 3,600($31) and a memory card adaptor for 1,500 yen($13). I'm sure these prices will be higher in the U.S.

Gears of War Contest - Microsoft is offering up a backstage pass to check out Epic Studios and their new game Gears of War. On October 27, two lucky winners will head to Raleigh, North Carolina to tour the studio, meet the games creators (including Cliffy B) and try out a multi-player level of Gears. Airfare and hotel accomodations are included. If your interested in entering go to http://xblgearsofwar.onlinepromo.com.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Top 5 Reasons to Not Buy a PS3...just yet

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that you want the best, most powerful and hottest gaming console on the market. You're thinking your kids (or you, lets not be dishonest here) deserve the best. Since Sony makes the most expensive system and has a name you can trust, that means you have to buy a PlayStation 3 when it comes out November 17th, right? Maybe.

Before you open up your wallet and take the plunge (and its going to be an expensive plunge) here are a few things to consider.

Terry's Top 5 Reasons to Not Buy A PS3...just yet

1. Money, Money, Money, Money...MONEY! - The PlayStation 3 is going to hit your bank account, hard. While the Nintendo Wii (which comes out Nov. 19) sells for $250 and the Xbox 360 sells for $299 or $399, the PS3 will sell for a robust $499 or (gulp) $599.

Much like the lower priced Xbox 360, there is no real reason to buy the cheaper version of the PS3 (no internet connectivity, no memory stick/SD/compactflash slots) so you're looking at $600 right off the bat. Throw in tax, a few of games (prices haven't been released yet but expect $60 and up), a second controller, a warranty (the first generation of PS2's had numerous defections, so don't you dare go without it) and an accessory or two and you're looking at leaving the store around $1,000 lighter. $1,000! Read that one more time. That's enough money to buy an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii. Or invest in your kids college fund. Hah! Just kidding.

2. Lingering Online Questions - The PlayStation 2 has a free online gaming service. That would be great, if anybody actually used it. What does this have to do with the PS3? Plenty. The future of gaming is online connectivity. Downloading upgrades, updates, movies, music and even games is where the gaming world is headed and its partially there already. Of course, a superior online component includes playing against other gamers online which is always a great time.

The Xbox did an awesome job of setting up the Xbox 360 for online success. Its Xbox Live Marketplace, where you can do all of the things I listed above, is easily one of the best things about owning a 360. Has the PS2 set up the Ps3 for similar success? Not even close. What's even more bothersome (yes, I just used that word) is that aside from saying its free, Sony has given no indication of what its online service will be or do. If its anything like the PS2's online service, gamers will riot. Or at least they should.

3. HD DVD vs. Blu-ray - Remember when there was a battle between VHS and Betamax for home video supremacy? The HD DVD/Blu-ray debate is like that, sort of. Both formats are trying to take the place of DVD's and both formats are represented by different sides, HD DVD by Microsoft and Blu-ray by Sony.

Here's the rub, nobody knows which way this battle is going to go. A Blu-ray player is included with a PS3 and the Xbox 360 has an add-on HD DVD player going for $200. With so much uncertainty, There's no way I'm buying the 360 add-on and the Blu-ray player in the PS3 is not really a selling point. I don't want to be the guy who ended up with my generation's version of the Betamax.

Of course none of this might matter in the end as it seems no one is in a big hurry to get rid of their DVD collections. I know I'm not. So instead of talking about HD DVD/Blu-ray in a VHS/Beta kind of way, we may some day be comparing it to the Laser Disc instead.

Oh by the way, guess who created Betamax? That's right, Sony.

4. The Competition is Good - Most years when you get a PlayStation, you know you have the best console on market. That's not necessarily the case this year as the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii offer gamers solid alternatives to gamings most dominant franchise.

The Xbox 360 is a powerful machine and has the best online component of any system. The available games are going to be just as good as anything avaible on the Ps3. And so far, with everything I've seen, while the PS3 is more powerful there is no difference in how games look or are played compared to the 360. While the Wii certainly won't be able to compete with the Ps3 and the 360 when it comes to graphics, its easily the most innovative of the three. The Wii remote and Nunchuk controllers and the always creative games from Nintendo make the Wii system very attractive.

Throw in the price differences between the Xbox 360 ($200 cheaper than the PS3), the Wii ($350 cheaper) and the PlayStation 3 and suddenly choosing a console is a lot harder.

5. Sony's Arrogance - Still not convinced? Fine. I hate to go all US Weekly on you, but check out these quotes from some Sony big wigs. I'd list a few more but I don't want to wake up next to a horse's head tomorrow.

"Its probably too cheap." President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi on the $600 pricepoint for the PlayStation 3.

"The first 5 million consumers are going to buy the PS3 even if it didn't have games." Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO David Reeves.

Too cheap?!? Buy it even if it didn't have games?!? This is a perfect example of disrespecting your clientele. I understand brand loyalty...somewhat. But there is such a thing as loyalty to a fault (except when it comes to sports teams and basketball shoes). Should someone buy something just for the name on it or because they know they're getting a good product from a company that respects them? I know for a fact that the PS3 will be a big seller, my mamma didn't raise no fool! I just don't like having it thrown in my face.

A couple of other items to consider about the PS3, but not quite Top 5 material: The reduction of game exclusivity (see Assasins Creed, GTA 4) and limited initial console availability.

So What Does It All Mean? - Hey, you're going to buy what's best for you. As well you should. And its not like I think the Ps3 is going to suck. I'm certain it won't, I know that I'll be getting one. Of course I write about video games, so I have no choice (my son is getting a Wii for Christmas so I'll have all 3 systems, please pretend to feel sorry for me). You do have a choice however, so I hope you make the most informed decision possible. There's a lot ot unanswered questions out there about the PS3 so a wait and see approach may not be a bad thing. But whatever you end up with, as long as you're happy with your choice, you can't lose.

terry.terrones@gazette.com

Kaaahhhn!!!

Have you ever had something so heinous happen to you that it made you want to scream? It happens to me more often than I'd like. I call it having a Kahn Moment. Why? Well for most people, when something quickly goes awry they'll shout out "Nooo!" or "Crap!" or "Shazam!" or whatever. Not me. Whenever something goes wrong for me I shout out "Kahn!" and if I can get a little echo in, all the better.

This is obviously lifted from the movie Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn. I feel that any day I can use a quote from Captain James Tiberius Kirk ("They threw me a few curves", "I don't believe in the no-win scenario") in an appropriate real-life situation is a good day for me - and yes its pathetic that I know Kirk's middle name. Like most guys I borrow quotes from TV, movies and music (sorry but t-shirt sayings do not qualify) without shame and place it into my regular vocabulary. My wife doesn't find this very creative but I disagree. I think it takes quite a bit of imagination to take something funny and use it in the appropriate context. Sure some sayings like "That's what she said" and Little John's "What?!?" can be overused but that just illustrates my point.

The reason I bring this up is due to my most recent Kahn Moment. Saturday night, after a long copy editing shift at the Gazette, I came home to unwind with a little bit of Saints Row. After 2 hours, I'm making some serious progress when suddenly the game locks up. Kaaahhhn!!! It was 3 o'clock in the morning, I had been playing for 2 freaking hours and of course I didn't save my progress. I just sat and stared at my screen, waiting for things to start moving, pushing buttons on my controller like a madman and cursing at Bill Gates. Eventually I popped out the disc and my 360 brought me to the main blade. I then went to bed and had nightmares that everything in my life quit moving except me.

This brings me to the dilemma of what to do with the game. Do I trade it in or keep it? I've invested a lot of time in the game and want to continue playing it but I also don't want to spend another 2 hours going over the same things I've already played. Of course if I would have just saved my progress, none of this would have happened to me. The moral of the story, which can be used for gamers and non-gamers: Don't be an idiot, save frequently.