Filed under: News

Original Story: Users are emailing us en masse that Xbox Live has just stopped working. Reports are circulating from users across the globe that the online service is no longer allowing players to connect. Xbox Live recently underwent a 26-hour offline maintenance on Monday but throughout the day today users complained of issues from downloading content, playing online games and in minor cases connecting at all.

Xbox.com also appears to be having issues as it is not displaying player profiles and is loading pages slowly. Currently, Xbox.com's support page does not list the service is experiencing any issues other than TruSkill and EXP rewarding problems associated with Halo 3. We'll keep you posted as details come in.

Original Update: According to the Xbox Technical Support phone line Xbox Live is experiencing network issues that are keeping some customers from accessing the service. Microsoft is aware of the issue and is currently working on it and recommends users attempt to reconnect in one hour. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

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Filed under: News

Today, Capcom decided to reveal the box art and this prototype figure for Bionic Commando through its community blog. Check out Nathan, all decked out in his Bionic logo tank-top and rad arm. Take a really good look though because Capcom hasn't decided if the figure will be made available let customers know when, how or if the product will be made available.

Why would Capcom bother showing you then? Gauge customer interest of course! Looking to add another super solider to your wall of heroes? This might be the one you're missing.

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that this six-inch tall prototype was included in a special edition of Bionic Commando priced to own for an extra $20. Interested now? What if we put Todd McFarlane's stamp of approval on it? Come on. Someone must want this thing kicking around.

Ed. Note: This toy was not developed by McFarlane Toys. The reference was a joke.

 

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Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 3
2 Call of Duty 4
3 GTA IV
4 Gears of War
5 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
6 Madden NFL 09
7 Guitar Hero III
8 Rock Band 2
9 Rock Band
10 Duke Nukem 3D

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
1 Duke Nukem 3D
2 Castle Crashers
3 Feeding Frenzy 2
4 Braid
5 Domino Master
6 Geometry Wars Evolved²
7 Fable® II Pub Games
8 UNO
9 BC:Rearmed
10 DOOM

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 2
2 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3 Fable
4 Counter-Strike
5 Fable: Lost Chapters
6 Battlefield 2: MC
7 Splinter Cell Chaos
8 Conker: Live Reloaded
9 Call of Duty 3
10 Street Fighter Anniv.

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade, full versions purchased that week.

Filed under: News, Rock Band 2

Some of the fine print for Rock Band's upcoming AC/DC track package has been clarified thanks to a report by Variety. What we can now confirm is the 18 song pack will be a standalone product that can be played by itself or transferred to an Xbox 360 and act as downloadable content for Rock Band or Rock Band 2.

The standalone version will feature most, but not all, of the features found in both Rock Band titles. Players can play all four instruments (vocals, guitar, bass and drums), will not play as AC/DC themselves but as standard in game avatars because the product features no character customization. Players can participate in a tour style mode which plays through the entire set list, participate in tug-of-war and a score duels mode but the disc itself does not support online play.

In order to get online with the AC/DC tracks players must transfer the songs to their hard drive, as was required to play Rock Band songs in Rock Band 2 - which also opens up other restrictions such as character customization. Where things get hairy is that transferring the package can only be activated "once per disc," to prevent players from buying one copy and sharing the music with other machines.

The information was parsed from Paul DeGooyer, senior VP of electronic games and music at MTV who also stated the AC/DC tracks were only exclusive to Rock Band for "a term."

 

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Filed under: Fable 2

Commitment. Lionhead Studios has it. As the Microsoft owned developer created the world of Albion in Fable 2 the team felt the only way to truly know every aspect of battle would be to train with professional swordsmen. It isn't the most exciting thing you've seen all day but the trailer does prove the team wants Fable 2 to be more than just another adventure. Also, think about the footage we'll never get to see from Hogwarts when they went to train for magic casting animations!

 

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