the Hushed Casket

For the past several months, I've rediscovered Halo 3 multiplayer with Disavowed and Deathslayer. It's probably been some of the best Xbox LIVE gaming I've experienced. Deathslayer got the idea to plan a day to meet regularly to play. We've tried it out for the past few Tuesdays and that's going to be our night.

So, join up this Tuesday at 7 PM CST and meet us online for some Halo 3 multiplayer.

and you say something funny...

IT STICKS!

and I <3 ManCandy.

RE: the end of this video:

Joyride will be a FREE video game released on the XBOX Live Arcade by Microsoft.

What’s the catch?  Your Avatar customization and micro-transactions inside the game.

While the game will be free, Microsoft is betting on the fact that you’ll want to customize your experience.  And I think they’re making a great bet.

After all, when we play a First Person Shooter or especially when we play a Role Playing Game we customize our character in-game.  Microsoft has tested this theory by marketing “upgradeable” or “exclusive” in-game items, such as the golden lancer in Gears of War 2.

Gamers want to be unique.  Just look at the armor permutations in Halo 3.  Would you have paid money for a special weapon?  For special armor?  For new abilities and equipment? 

With Microsoft reporting that they’re expecting to generate $1 Billion, they are already seeing the growth of micro-transactions over their network.  Gamers are spending many millions of dollars of maps and downloadable content that months later would be free to download.  Gamers want exclusive content. 

In Joyride, you’ll be able to play the game for free and you’ll be playing with your Avatar that you’ve got set-up in your New XBOX Experience dashboard.  You’ll even be able to share some in-game content with other players for free (e.g., you can send them maps that you’ve gotten). 

However, Microsoft is going to sell you upgrades for the game.  Besides the obvious upgrades that you can make to your Avatar through the soon-to-be-released Avatar Marketplace, you’ll be able to buy in-game content and features for your presence in the Joyride game.  You’ll be able to buy a new car, buy new engines and parts for it in a car marketplace, buy new maps, and unlock new features by paying money.

While it’s uncertain just what exactly you can buy, I wonder if those that can afford the upgrades will have any advantages over those that can’t.

I can’t help but wonder how much money MSBungie would have made it they made, say, the Halo 1 pistol a $10 purchase.  Would the majority of hardcore Halo fans have made the purchase?

I know I sure would’ve.

1. A pistol resembling the one from Halo 1 will be, according to Bungie, the primary weapon of choice in Halo 3: ODST.  Humans will be popping off headshots.  However, Bungie has also said that the Halo 1 pistol  was “ridiculous” indicating that it will some what be toned down.
2. The H3:ODST pistol is called a M6C/SOCOM.  The pistol from H1 was an M6D.  Bungie says you’ll be able to pick enemies off at a distance but that it packs a serious punch up close.
3. You’re a human.  You’ll run slower and the enemies will appear larger.  You’re no longer 8-foot tall wearing special armor.
4. No dual wielding or equipment.
5. New health system. When you get hurt, you’ll have to go find a health kiosk or soldiers in the field.
6. Don’t expect to be able to play as aggressive against the covies as you did as MC. 
7. Firefight co-op mode is pretty much like the Horde mode in Gears of War 2.
8. ODST's will have a low light vision mode toggled by the “X” button.
9. You’ll carry a PDA that gives you situational awareness. Access it through the “Back” button.

Info about Halo’s Pistols:

Join us at our new voice server at http://voicemic.com
Just follow the instructions to get online to the HushedCasket server

Send admin or channel requests to me or rapture.

Current admins are:
Mikeulus
rapture
Midnight

I uncovered a ton of old pics and uploaded them to the THX Facebook page. If you are reading this, you were probably tagged multiple times and you are part of the resistance. Have a look if you aren't too nervous.

Major XBOX gaming news was announced by Microsoft today at their E3 briefing.

• Project Netal adds new motion tracking accessories more powerful than Wii and allows you to play games without any controllers
• A new Halo game, Halo Reach, was announced
• Halo 3: ODST gets a release date and more
• Left 4 Dead 2 comes out this year (exclusive to PC and 360)
• Forza 3 comes out this year
• Metal Gear Solid announced for 360
• Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm come to the New Xbox Experience
• Full XBOX 360 titles will be downloadable from XBOX Live
• Beatles for Rock Band announced
• New skateboard peripheral announced for Tony Hawk game
• Crackdown 2 announced
• Splinter Cell: Conviction announced
• Add Netflix titles to your queue via the XBOX
• Simultaneous viewing of Netflix movies
• Instant 1080p streaming for videos over the Marketplace
• Avatar marketplace
• Final Fantasy XIII releases spring 2010 for XBOX 360

Halo: Reach

A multiplayer beta of Halo: Reach will be available with the purchase of Halo 3: ODST which releases September 22nd.  Halo: Reach will be released sometime in 2010.

There’s no indication what genre this game will be although many believe it to be a prequel.

Halo 3: ODST

Narrative for Halo 3: ODST:

The year is 2552. The Covenant control the city of New Mombasa. They are searching for something beneath its darkened streets. You are an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. Your orders: Stay alive, meet up with your scattered squad, and escape the embattled city. Stop the Covenant and we just might win this war.

Firefight is a new co-op mode available in ODST.  Form a squad and fend off the Covies.

All released Halo 3 DLC maps plus three new Halo 3 maps will ship with ODST: Heretic, Longshore, and Citadel.

Recon armor will be achievable by playing Halo 3 and ODST.

SGT. Johnson will be a unlockable character in ODST if you pre-order.

Left 4 Dead 4

New melee combat options announced. Chainsaw, frying pag, axe, baseball bat, and blunt-force objects can be used. New AI Director 2.0 announced and will direct weather effects, world objects, and pathways provided to players.

To be released November 17th.

Valve has said this game will be larger than the original game with more maps and campaigns.

Crackdown 2

Lego Rock Band 2

Beatles Rock Band

To feature harmonizing vocals.

• I Saw Her Standing There
• I Wanna Hold Your Hand
• I Feel Fine
• Day Tripper
• Tax Man
• I am the Walrus
• Back in the USSR
• Octopus's Garden
• Here Comes the Sun
• Get Back

"Abbey Road" will be the first downloadable album.

Forza 3

Screenshot:

Project Natal:

The “Project Natal” sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device.

Uses a 3D camera and a plethora of other sensors to detect emotion, the tone of your voice, recognize your face, and monitor you arm, hands, legs, feet, and body movements.

Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond. Want to log onto Xbox LIVE? Simply step in front of the sensor

Steven Spielberg helped with the project.

Avatar Marketplace

Not only clothes, but new characters can be unlocked and purchased.  Finally.

Alan Wake

New skateboard controller

Facebook and Twitter to XBOX dashboard