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Call Of Duty MW2 Resurgence Pack to be released to Xbox LIVE June 3rd

Savan Thongvanh — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:02:54 +0000

Activision announced today that on June 3rd they’ll be releasing to Xbox LIVE a Multiplayer Map Pack they’re calling the “Call of Duty(R): Modern Warfare(R) 2 Resurgence Pack”. They’re going to need some resurgence with this map pack because the last one came out to mediocre reviews.

The map pack to be released at the end of this month will be the first multiplayer map pack releasedy by Activision/Blizzard with FIVE NEW MAPS. ADDITIONALLY, May 28th and June 4th Infinity Ward will be hosting DOUBLE XP weekends.

This is the second map pack this year, three months after the Stimulus Package. Does that mean we can expect two more this year? Only time will tell but for now I’m looking forward to five new maps and a shortcut to prestiging on the double points weekends!

BlizzCon 2010 Set for Anaheim Convention Center

Savan Thongvanh — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:36:18 +0000

It’s been announced that this year’s BlizzCon will be held in Anaheim California on Friday October 22nd and Saturday October 23rd 2010. BlizzCon is not only a gaming convention, it’s a gaming convention held by the company that makes one of the top selling game series ever, Call of Duty.

Also, Activision/Blizzard of course make other landmark titles like Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo universe games. These three massivly multiplayer games have killed millions of hours of peoples time and BlizzConn is a time for all the gaming geeks like me to get together and have a blast IRL.

Some things to look forward to at BlizzCon are:

Hand on demos with upcoming games
A forum with Blizzard Developers
Both cut throat and friendly tournaments to show your skills
contests and prizes
special commemorative gear
and more that Blizzard will announce in the months to come

The last BlizzCon, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, sold out in minutes so keep your eye out here by subscribing to our gaming posts and on the Blizzard website (http://www.blizzard.com) for ticket info.

Nintendo Goes 3D at E3

David Thongvanh — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:34:17 +0000

Nintendo is slated to discuss their attempt at a 3D DS at this summer’s E3. More ambitiously, they’ve set a release date for the platform in March 2011.

Although early, Japanese newspaper Nikkei reports that the device will have some kind of 3D joystick as well as force feedback. One confirmed feature is full backwards-compatibility, so don’t start selling off your current DS library just yet. It will presumably have cameras to accommodate the DSi library, but other features are sketchy for now.

It’s interesting that Nintendo would head this direction. The pop-out kind of 3D hasn’t been used much in gaming–3D usually means 3D modeling, 3D characters. Developers and industry experts are optimistic for now, but skeptics are already comparing it to the old 3D movies. E3 should give the public a better idea of whether or not this new DS will crash and burn, so keep an eye on Nintendo this summer.

Check the official press release for yourself.

New JAY-Z vs Eminem Mix Pack available now for DJ Hero

Savan Thongvanh — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:06:45 +0000

Today Activision announced that available now is a new mix pack including new tracks from JAY-Z and Eminem called the JAY-Z vs Eminem Mix Pack.

This downloadable content is a small add-on but it’s got some tracks you know and love we all know and love including:

“Shake That” by Eminem Mixed With “Show Me What You Got” by JAY-Z
“Without Me” by Eminem Mixed With “Encore” by JAY-Z
“Can I Get A…” by JAY-Z Mixed With “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

“From sold out concerts to #1 albums to double digit Grammy Awards, JAY-Z and Eminem define what it means to be a successful artist,” said Jamie Jackson, Creative Director, FreeStyleGames. “The DJ Hero soundtrack is an expanding collection of chart-topping hit music – mixed in an all-new way – that can only be experienced in our game, and with the addition of the JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack, players and their friends can not only experience, but interact with over 100 unique mixes.”

Availability and Pricing You can get the Mix Pack is available as follows:

Now on XBox LIVE for 640 Microsoft Points
March 25th, 2010 In the PlayStation Store for Playstation3 for $7.99
March 25th, 2010 As downloadable singles for the Wii for 300 Wii Points each

Activision Prices Modern Warfare 2 Map Pack

David Thongvanh — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:01:53 +0000

Activision has released the price of their upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 map pack, pegging it at 1200 Microsoft points, or $15 USD.

Dubbed the Stimulus Pack, it’s definitely stimulating Activision’s profits. Adding only 5 maps, 2 of which are re-releases, many fans are disappointed at having to pay what is in essence $5 per new map. Some speculate that this is a test price to see how high people will go for downloadable content. Many still remember when Ubisoft first introduced the now-standard $10 price tag for DLC, and there was a similar outcry at that time.

As with before MW2 itself came out, some are beginning to shout for boycotts of the map pack–we all saw how that worked out, and the result will likely be the same. Could this be the start of a new standard in DLC pricing? Let’s hope not.

Green Day Rock Band will finally hit shelves

Savan Thongvanh — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:02:41 +0000

Announced on the Rock Band website by Harmonix, MTV Games, and Warner June 8 will bring a huge release of the Green Day version of Rock Band. This episode will have fourty seven, yes FOURTY SEVEN tracks of Green Day-ness. However there will be no new guitar kit.

Featuring the three-part vocal harmony technology Harmonix introduced with the award-winning The Beatles™: Rock Band™, Green Day: Rock Band gives players access to an incredible setlist of 47 tracks that span the band’s career including “Brain Stew,” “Jaded,” “Hitchin’ a Ride,” “American Idiot,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” All 47 tracks are fully exportable, providing players with the opportunity to play the songs in Rock Band™, Rock Band 2™ and the recently announced Rock Band™3! Green Day: Rock Band™ features an export fee of $9.99 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system. The export feature is not available for the Wii system. In addition, the six Green Day tracks already available in the Rock Band Music Store as downloadable content can be played in Green Day: Rock Band with added vocal harmonies, unique performance visuals, and exclusive archival material.

There will also be a Green Day Plus version for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in a special box and including six additional downloadable tracks.

Green Day: Rock Band pricing is as follows:

Green Day: Rock Band standalone game for Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 system
US MSRP $59.99
Green Day: Rock Band standalone game for Wii system
US MSRP $49.99
Green Day: Rock Band Plus for Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 system (US/Canada only)
US MSRP $69.99 Includes special packaging, export and six Green Day DLC tracks ($22 total value)

Source: rockband.com

Call Of Duty MW2 Stimulus Package to be released to Xbox LIVE

Savan Thongvanh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:06:13 +0000

Activision announced today that on March 30th they’ll be releasing to Xbox LIVE a Multiplayer Map Pack their calling the “Call of Duty(R): Modern Warfare(R) 2 Stimulus Package”. What’s the stimulus?

The map pack to be released at the end of this month will be the first multiplayer map pack releasedy by Activision/Blizzard. ADDITIONALLY, the map pack will be available on a trial basis from March 12 to March 15th to Silver (free) Xbox LIVE members.

Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 became a cultural phenomenon when it launched to the world in November. The epic title set new entertainment records for the greatest one-day and five-day openings in history* on the way to topping $1 billion in sales and becoming the best selling title ever on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Additionally, Xbox LIVE celebrates having the largest Call of Duty community than any other entertainment system.

See more from the Activision release http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=450953

AMD Sponsors Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Game Design Category

Savan Thongvanh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:02:00 +0000

AMD Foundation to Sponsor Video Game Design Category for The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Game development serves as tool to promote STEM education, social issues

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — 3/10/2010 – AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the AMD Foundation, in support of AMD Changing the Game, has awarded a grant to the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The $65,000 grant will be used to help fund the Alliance’s new video game design category for the 2010 and 2011 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is a nonprofit organization that runs The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the most prestigious and longest-running competition in the United States recognizing teenagers’ intellectual creativity, innovation and artistic talent. Through this competition, scholarships and other activities, the Alliance annually reaches more than three million students in seventh through 12th grades, and 400,000 Art and English teachers. Including the new video game design category in the competition increases the reach of the program to math and science teachers and presents video game production as an art form requiring imagination, technical skill, planning and storytelling.

AMD’s partnership with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers will help to significantly broaden the reach of the AMD Changing the Game signature education initiative to its target audience. The AMD program is designed to promote the use of youth game development as a tool to inspire learning and improve science, technology, education and math (STEM) skills.

“The Alliance’s addition of a video game design category to its annual competition validates the growth of game design as a creative learning tool for teens,” said Allyson Peerman, President, AMD Foundation. “Digital gaming is the universal language of teens, and teaching them in that language can result in more engaged and better prepared students.”

“The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have always represented the cutting edge of student creativity,” said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “That tradition is well-represented with the addition of the video game design category.”

During its 87-year history, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has recognized more than nine million creative teenagers, including Andy Warhol, Robert Redford and Sylvia Plath. For the 2011 program year, the Alliance anticipates receiving 700 student submissions for the video game design category. The AMD Foundation grant also will help the Alliance host game design workshops and help fund cash awards and summer program scholarships for students. Each year top video game submissions will be showcased online.

“The ability to design computer and video games taps into a deep-seated passion for today’s youth and fosters critical 21st Century skills such as creativity, collaboration and critical thinking,” said Alan Gershenfeld, Chairman, Games4Change. “The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards video game design competition is a phenomenal outlet to spotlight teens’ passion and talent for shaping this powerful new medium. I tip my hat to the AMD Foundation for recognizing that when kids are motivated to learn they can move mountains.”

AMD Changing the Game

AMD Changing the Game is designed to take gaming beyond entertainment and inspire youth to learn critical education and life skills by equipping them to create digital games with social content. The program’s purpose is to promote the use of youth game development as a tool to inspire learning and improve science, technology, education and math (STEM) skills. The initiative is rooted in AMD’s commitment to and experience
in supporting education, and the company’s passion and expertise in the graphics processor and gaming industries.

Since its launch in June 2008, AMD Changing the Game has:

Funded 13 organizations that enable youth game development
Funded the development of a youth game development curriculum with PETLab and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Earlier in 2010, BGCA chapters in Larimer County, Colorado and Marlborough, Massachusetts kicked off new “Game Tech” programs that teach club members how to understand game design and create their own games.
Co-sponsored the Malaysian Cybergames Festival 2010, including the “Dare to Create” digital game design and development workshop
Co-sponsored the 2008 and 2009 Games for Change Festival
Funded an online toolkit to help nonprofits create games on social issues
Sponsored a video contest exploring the intersection of education and gaming

About the AMD Foundation

The AMD Foundation connects and empowers individuals with knowledge, thereby opening doors to opportunity. The Foundation’s signature program, AMD Changing the Game, supports initiatives designed to help youth harness the power of digital games with social content, while learning critical Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills and life skills. The Foundation also funds the AMD Employee Giving Program which supports AMD employees’ community interests by matching their personal donations of time and money to local organizations and schools.

Supporting Resources

About AMD

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is an innovative technology company dedicated to collaborating with customers and technology partners to ignite the next generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home and play. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com
AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Catherine Greenlaw
AMD Public Relations
512-602-2292
catherine.greenlaw@amd.com

Source: amd.com

Alien Vs Predator Swarm Pack DLC available March 18th

Savan Thongvanh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:31:40 +0000

Happy St Paddy’s Day to all you AVP players out there. On March 18th Sega will release downloadable content for Xbox360, PlayStation3, and Steam!

The dlc will include four new maps and several new modes of play, it’s called the “Swarm Pack”. Here’s what’s inside:

Docks: The caustic alkali waters of BG-386 put an end to Weyland-Yutani’s planned shipping activities. But this dockyard soon became an historic battleground.

Machine: As well as processing exotic ores, the BG-386 Refinery provided electrical power to the colonists at Freya’s Prospect. The lights may still be on, but nobody’s home. Yet.

Two new Survivor maps in which up to four Marines battle to stay alive against increasing swarms of Aliens:

Outpost: The site of the original Weyland-Yutani colony on BG-386 was abandoned, and soon reclaimed by the planet’s voracious jungle plant life. It is now the perfect hunting ground for all manner of wildlife.
Hive: Deep in the heart of the Freya’s Prospect Refinery lays the Xenomorph Hive. Beware all who enter here.

The “Swarm Map Pack” will be available on March 18th for $6.99 or 560 Microsoft Points.

For more information see the AVP blog www.sega.com/avp

Rock Band 3 Dated for Holidays

David Thongvanh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:31:36 +0000

With a franchise as successful as the Rock Band series, you knew there was never a question of if there would be another one, only when it would come. Harmonix has delivered, announcing on Facebook that Rock Band 3 will be out in time for Christmas this year.

Harmonix hasn’t announced any of the songs yet which isn’t surprising, but there’s already rampant speculation. While fans drool and dream about that though, they can tide themselves over with Green Day Rock Band, slated for June this year. They haven’t announced platforms yet, but you can expect titles for Xbox360, PS3 and Wii.

One big question is whether or not RB3 will have the option to import songs from previous games as RB2 did, though there was a $5 price tag attached to that. Details are scant right now, but we’ll keep an eye out and our fingers ready for more info.