Bad News for System of a Down Fans

The odds of them getting back together are next to none, according to Daron Malakian. Ya, its sad. System was a pretty amazing band. You can see more here.

Coming Soon: Portal 2

It seems that this year is the year of sequels as last years was of the trilogies with Halo 3 and Metroid Prime 3. Now we have Gears 2 and Portal 2.

This information is going to be announced tonight on X-play! so watch it tonight for the official announcement...well this is official since it came from X-play themselves.

Portal creator Doug Lombardi, says that There will defiantly be more Portal coming, he just doesn't know if its going to be a direct sequel or DLC content.

TheFeed

New Halo 3 Map

New halo 3 maps were released this morning and is available for download right now.

the map is called Ghost Town and its worth checking out.

So dust off that Halo 3 if you've been too busy playing Call of Duty!!!

TheFeed

Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT: A reality

A while age some of us heard of a rumor going around the net that Nvidia was coming out with a new graphics card, something in the 9 series. Most of us thought that this was bull****, but now we are forced to eat our words...

The Nvidia GeForce 9600GT is avtually here. On EtremeTech forums, a guy claimed that he picked up one from his local Best Buy and even toock a Picture, most people said that it was a box error but a confirmation email from BFG confirmed the claim.

Now EtremeTech gives us the insides and specs of this new graphics card. On my opinion, this is pretty much a beffed up 8800 but for WAY less the money, your average 8800 is around $200, this a pretty beffed up 8800 for about $20 less, now dont be fooled, $20 can get you a long way. This beast has got some astronomically high factory clock, the only down side is the cut-down of the stream processors, take a look for your selves at ExtremeTech's review.

Thoughts: I would wait till this card get more publicity and support in games. Otherwise I thinks this is a great alternative to an 8800 for less money. Imagine this beast in 3-way SLi.

ExtremeTech

"Gears 2" details

Some not-so new but helpful information was released this mornig on the soon to be most awsome sequel on the 360 and as a matter of fact, best one in the past year or two.

Here's the hot stuff:

• Gears of War 2 will continue the epic saga of Marcus Fenix and his squad. You're still against the Locust Horde and the claim is "a story of survival, loss and retribution."
• Graphics: Nothing really new in this field, they prety much said that Gears 2 will keep raising the bar of visual inovation as it was the best looking game at the time of arrival and they will keep pushing the technological advances of the Ureal Engine III
• oh...and if you didn't know it already, its a 360 exclusive.

They said its going to be developed by Microsoft Game Studios so maybe that might mean PC development side-by-side the 360? who knows, I hope so! =P

TheFeed

Gears of War 2 Teaser

It dosent say much but here it is:

Coming Soon: Gears of War 2

I cant believe its finally announced, at the Game developers conference, Microsoft unvailed that Gears 2 will release this November!!!

So In a few months it might be time to dust of that GoW disc and replay some of it to stay fresh on the story line.

MS also mentioned that they will make the water more realistic and screen-fulls of enemies.

Thoughts: well it was about time...and abou the water, well thats kind of a standard now-a-days so Epic better get with the program. Now dont get me wrong, Gears 1 looked killer for its time, now the've got to step it up a knotch.

TheFeed

Game List 2/20/08

Ok well we finally got some news here with the whole HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray war over. But other wise here we've been pretty light on the games... although I Will saw we've gotten the dates on some stuff we didn't know like Spore and Wii Fit and maybe a hint on Mario Kart. Also got some hot titles coming out such as DarkSector and Vegas 2. Here's what we've got:

Game's List as of 2/20/08

Supreme Commander (360) – 2/25

Front Lines: Fuel of War (PC, 360) – 2/25

Lost planet: Extreme Condition (PS3) – 2/26

God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) - 3/4

Army of Two (360, PS3) - 3/4

Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii) – 3/9

Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (PC, 360) – 3/11

Grand Turismo 5: prologue -3/18

Dark Sector (PS3, 360) – 3/25

Okami (Wii) – 3/25

Unreal Tournament III (360?) – Sometime in March

Mario Kart w/wheel - Europen Launch is 4/11 so sometime around there?

WiiWare (Wii channel) - 5/12

Wii Fit (Wii) - 5/19

Haze (PS3) - 5/20

Civilization: Revolution (360, PS3, Wii, DS) - 6/3

Spore (PC, MAC, DS) – 9/7

Gamespot
Gamstop's Coming Soon
TheFeed

UPDATE: Good-bye HD-DVD

No i wasen't jocking around with the issue if that's what you wanted to hear...
I dont know how I missed this but GameInformer had a post up about hthe issue and a conversation with microsoft about it. Here's what Microsoft said:

“We do not believe the recent reports about HD DVD will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. As we’ve long stated, we believe it is games that sell consoles and Xbox 360 continues to have the largest next-gen games library with the most exclusives and best selling games in the industry. We will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans around the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.”

Now I learned that Toshiba wasen't just a company that made HD-DVD players...they made the Xbox's HD-DVD player!! yeah i know im retarded...i dont own a 360 leave me alone... Anyways, this would correct what i put on my thoughts section of the post, this means that microsoft and SOny wouldn't have to make any kind of deal or agremment since the Blu-ray player is coming from Toshiba.

Thoughts: I'm jsut wondering how much would it cost, it would be great if MS keep the Blu-ray player the same price as the HD-DVD player, $130.

GameInformer

Coming Soon: 2G Shuffles

Good news apple fans who dont want to spend alot! Want to clip your music on you jacket for less? well, now you can!

Apple is about to release new 2G iPod Shuffles and (like everything) dropping the price of the previous version, to a well-placed $50. The new modles will be at the original price of $80.

This is said to be released later this month.

Thoughts: Pretty sweet idea for apple, now their getting even with the Zen Stone but that's still owning at 1G for $40. But im sure that early iPod adopters fell horible now (I was one of them) becaues the product they got for $80 is now worth $50.

TheFeed

Coming Soon: (maybe) Blu-ray 360 drives?

On the same boat...

A rumors has been going around that a blu-ray drive is coming to the 360.

Microsoft insideres say its already ready and it's waiting for an approval

Smarthouse thinks that a possible release date for this is around May of this year.


Not only this, but the insiders mentioned that blu0ray drives might come built-in to 360s... now that i'm a little shaky about since Blu-ray is pretty much a sony product and this would mean for microsoft and sony to work something out.

Thought: Maybe this could mean a company merge in a near future... MAYBE...

Engadget

HD-DVD... Say Your Last Farewells

People of america (and everywhere alse in the world i guess), HD-DVD has officialy died today, Fevruary 19th.

How has the only competitor of the dreaded (but suprisingly good looking) Blu-ray fallen? a stab in the heart? A slithing of a throat?

No, not really, the problem was that companies saw the blu-ray was getting more hipe the HD-DVD and lots of them started dropping development on the product.

The "haging thread" that was holding HD-DVD was toshiba and their player, and today they said "we're done, we're not wasteing our money" so the've dropped it and now Blu-ray is the top (and only) dog.

So now we all have *A* reason to buy a PS3!!! yay!!! save up you're grand of cash for ur new HDTV and a killer sound system.

Isn't it kind of cool that *DVD* has come through all this?

ExtremeTech

Coming Soon: Xperia X1

The Xperia X1 is one of the most awsome phones
I've seen next to the iPhone as far as inovation goes. The Xperia is a mobile phone made by Sony Ericson that is made towards the comon businesss man. But what makes the Xperia exploding news is that this is the first phone made by Sony Ericson that features Windows mobile technology.

This phone is sort of like a the Blackjack but way batter, I think that Sony Ericson had this phone in mind when developing this phone. Since the point of the blackjack was to have all your business apps when you need them plus, have all your etretaiment features right there on one device, and this is exactly what the Xperia X1 does, but in a more stylish way.

Ok lets get to some specs, the Xperia (like the iPhone) features a 3" touch-screen display. This display is natively protrate, but when you dish out the fully functionaly QWERTY keyboard it turns into a landscape view.




Since its Windows mobile technology, you can expect to have all of your mobile email with Outlook, keep track of all of your contacts and more. Then when your done with work you can watch DVD quality MPEG4 video and listen to all of your MP3's and ACC's music from that MicroSD card slot or store your music on its hefty 400MB internal storage.

As with all smart phones the mobile internet experience cannot be missed. Of course you can view the internet at its full HTML grace on your speedy 3G network. Dont want to pay for an extensive data plan? your ok with this phone since you can use its fast 802.11b/g interfaces.

Here's some other features of the phone according to smart-mobile-gadgets :

• 3.2 megapixle camera
• Bluetooth 2.0
• USB 2.0 interface
• optical joystick navigation (to scroll down through webpages)
• RSS reader
• Has downloadable games capeability
• comes in black or silver
• GPS
• FM radio
• motion sensing roation (also)
• Video call capeability
• Hadwriting recognition (to jog down notes)

Compatible networks:

• AT&T
• T-Mobile
• Rogers
• Fido

Networks it will NOT work in:

• Verison
• Sprint
• Tellus
• Bell

The phone has not released in the US officlialy but its bound to come soon. Online the phone retails for $899 (unlocked) at Smart mobile gadgets.

Thoughts: I love this phone, I think it beat the Helio ocean! with all this features I think it beats the iPhone anyday. Now some people dont like Windows mobile but if they saw it on this phone maybe they'll think twice. Now of course the downside is the price, but when it's officially released in the U.S and is claimed by a mobile carrier (AT&T cough-cough) then i would expect to see at $300-$400 or maybe even $500 but then with time it should go down. to about $250 if you lucky. bottom line, this phone kicks ass and to me its a definate must-buy.

Sony Ericson Xperia X1 Site

Spore: Again

I'd like to comment on Carlos' last post - its basically rumored that Spore is coming out on any system you could ask for: PC, Mac, DS, Wii, PS2, PS3, PSP, 360, but only the PC, Mac, and DS versions have been confirmed. But, rumors are occasionally right. Maybe I'll get to play Spore on my 360!

New Guitar Hero Game Coming

Some of us heard that Activision had already recorded the first track for guitar hero 4. Well now the "game has been confirmed.

Turns out Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is coming this June.

So this is not a full out game, this is just a waiter, a place holder, or whatever else you want to call it, until Guitar Hero 4 comes out.

The game is basicly you re-enacting the band Aerosmith's tracks in history from when they were in a garage band to when they became famous.

The game will be releasing on all mayor consoles and the PS2 (no PC =[) however, being developed by different developers, the list is as such:

• 360 version - Neversoft
• PS3 version - Neversoft
• Wii version - Vacarious visions (they dedicate to movie games and stuff like "Crash series," Tony Hawk series, stuff like that)
• PS2 version - Budcat (you remember them for GH3)

Thoughts: I say if eather (a) you are an Aerosmith fan (b) are tired of all of the guitar hero 3 songs or (c) need a reason to buy another guitar with a a game, you should not buy this game.

TheFeed

UPDATE: Spore

Just wanted to add and clarify to the Spore post:

Spore is still coming out September 7th 08 but I wanted to assure that It is been confirmed to be released on the PC, MAC and DS. now gamespot claims that a Wii version is also coming wit hthe release but X-Play claims that "a Wii version of the game has not yet ben confirmed"

Gamspot's Spore site

Check out the countdown for games at the bottom of the blog!

Writers Strike Over!!!!

Yes, the Writers Strike is officially over. If you don't know what I'm talking about and youj've been living under a rock since November 5th 2007, then that's your problem. I'll give everyone a short rundown of the biggest shows that are being affected by this:

Lost: Season 4 is going to be finished, but with 13 episodes this season, rather than the originally planned 16. The producers plan to "hit the ground running" but just won't have the time to make all the originally planned episodes, so they're going to be condensing some stories in order to make everything they want fit.

Heroes: Looks like Heroes fans won't be getting any new episodes until fall. They just don't have the time to keep this last season going, and rather than completing only 3 more episodes, they're just going to wait until the end of this season and begin filming again in April in preparation for the fall season. But what this means is that fans will have very few reruns to look forward to next season.

24: Yeah, bad news for you guys. Though 8 episodes of season 7 have been completed, all you fans of 24 are gonna have to wait until January 2009 for your new episodes. If this displeases you, take your anger out on FOX. 24 was originally renewed through season 8 before the strike had started (meaning that they had planned to finish 8 seasons) but now that they're going to miss an entire TV season, no one's really sure if that's still in effect, especially after their ratings drop during season 6.

Smallville: Not much to say here - except for Get Ready For Some New Episodes! CW wants to begin production again ASAP.

Supernatural: See above.

The Office: Production should begin again soon, and fans may get a nearly-full season. If you want an explanation on "Nearly-full," take the number of episodes there have been this season, and add 10 (give or take).

Battlestar Galactica: If you watch this show, you probably vaguely resemble Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons, and therefore are ENTIRELY caught up in the happenings of this show.

CSI: Good news here, CBS plans to make at least 6 or 7 new episodes to round out this season. Production will begin ASAP, which is alwaya a good thing.

NCIS, Without A Trace, Numbers, Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case: See CSI.

Android Unvailed, device gets date (year at least)

Google's Mobile UI Android was unvailed at a Barcelona Tech show and it proves quite promising. LG had agreed to work on a device that will hopefully rival the iPhone and hold the Android UI by 2009.

Here's a Demo of Android from youtube



Thoughts: I personaly think this UI Kill that iPhones UI right now in, in develomental stages. I can't wait till this is released. I personaly think it's pretty crazy that you can play Quake on the phone. A big quiestion would be what network carrier it would be released on.

Source: TheFeed Daily Video Podcast 2/11

Microsoft REJECTED!!!

The whole deal between Microsoft and Yahoo has finally recided as Yahoo has calimed that they have finally chosen to decline the offer from microsoft since it would "degrade the companies name"

Even though Microsoft clamied that Yahoo's name would stay intact.

Smash Bros. Brawl is the game to buy (when released in US)

Obviously, Super Smash Bros. Brawl hasen't been released here, or else you would be playing it right now (unless your in Japan) but thanks to the japanesse, Brawl has gone Platnum.

Both me and you knew this was going to happen sonner or later, now since the game has sold 1,000,000 copies in Japan!

So we'll be waiting for you Brawl on March 9th!

Check out the countdown to Super smash at the bottom of the blog!

IGN

The Day Gamers Rejoyce: September 7, 2008

Why is this date so magical you ask?

Well, this is the day that a video on the game's site has marked as the day the long-awaited and legendary SPORE Will be releasing to PCs.

If you've been under a rock for the past decade, spore is game where you get to live the wonder of evolution by creating your own "thing" and evolving through the ages.

No official word yet but I've seen on sites that they were planning to release it on consoles too, at least 360 I think might be a likely candidate.

Thoughts: Graphicly (from the trailers) the game dosen't seem like its bringing anything new to the table except pure, gameplay and evolving fun. So you wont have to be buying anything for this one if you own a meddium guage rig.

Spore's Site

Mass Effect riding Assassin's Creed's Boat

It looks like the awsome action RPG Mass Effect that until now has been a 360 exclusive is going to make its way onto PC's sometime this may.

One of the great things about PC gaming, that once a game comes from another console, we get some extras along with it! here are some of Mass Effects:

• New control scheme sclusive for the PC (AWSD, whats better than that?)
• HighER-resolution graphics
• New Dycription Mini-game
• New inventory and GUI screens

Im kind of glad we didn't get the Gears of War PC treatment because I think some people would of shot themselves if they added more story to this already huge epic galactic tale.

GameInformer

HOLY CRAP!

Until I start getting more hits at my own blog, I'll probably post big news like this here in Carlos' blog. I'm sure everyone knows about the Writers' Strike - its probably p'd you off that you've had reruns of your favorite shows for endless weeks, seasons ending early. Well, the strike should be about over, with the writers returning to work as earlier as February 13. Which is this Wednesday. I'm sure this is all you care about and the word "why?" doesn't come to mind at all. But since I'm bored I'm going to tell you. Apparently there was a deal made by the writers and the studios (obviously). Now, since we are the public. We're never going to know exactly what that deal was. But all that's left is for union members to approve this deal. This is GREAT news for fans of just about every show on TV. CSI, Heroes, Lost, ABC, and a bunch of other shows on all those big channels (CBS, NBC, FOX, etc.). So, yay! new episodes!

This just in!

Carlos is a Poo Poo Head! Nah, I'm just kidding. This is Josh. I'm a good friend of Carlos, and now I can post stuff here just as easily as he can. If you saw Carlos' earlier post about me, pretty much everything you need to know about me is there. Yes, Bioshock is awesome. But I don't know what he meant by "former" PS2 owner. I still have my PS2, and I still like it (it definitely owns the PS3! OH!). He's 7 or 8 years old and still goin' strong. I can't remember if he mentioned that I also own a gamecube. I only have like 5 games for it, and only 2 I can think of are any good (Pikmin 2 and Super Smash Bros.). But, nonetheless, I have one. I don't think Carlos mentioned my musicalness. I love music, and have since 4th grade or something when I had one of the coolest music teachers ever (Mr. Trapp). I didn't actually learn to play anything til 6th grade when I joined band playing the Flute (yes, haha, Josh plays the flute. Teehee). I continued playing throghout middle school. I'm not currently in band, but plan to join next year playing alto sax. I also play guitar (for about 2 years now) and would like to learn to play drums, piano, and bass sometime in the future. But, not regarding my musicianness, I'm a complete metalhead, my favorite band being AVENGED SEVENFOLD! Even if their new stuf isn't nearly as good as Waking the Fallen or City of Evil. Ok, that's all I feel like putting here, in the blog of Carlos, known as Carlos's Spot. That's probably all I'll put here too. I don't want to spam someone else's blog with stuff about myself. You're going to have to check MY blog out until then (there's a link in Carlos's previous post). Adios, and remember, "Como esta tu madre?"

I Welcome a New Author

I'm happy to dedicate a post to our new posting memeber Josh from Emo josh Entretainment. He is going to be writing for our site now. Josh has the same interest as us so he'll post the same quality content as us.

So be sure to check out Josh's reviews and speculation on the site soon.

Josh is currently a 360 owner. He loves Bioshock, but was blown away by Call of Duty 4. He recently got a 360 and was previously a PS2 owner. Some of Josh's favorite games of all time are God of War, Resident Evil series, and the Guitar Hero Series. Since it came out he has been itching to get his hands on Bioshock and this weekend, he finaly has.

We warmly welcome Josh and all of his knowlage to our website.

Pretty Laid Back This Week.

This week has been pretty laid back on the news litlely, here's some highlight of some stuff (or maybe ALL the stuff) that happened this week that I though were Interesting.

• Assassin's Creed is dropping onto the PC and the PC specs are matching the specs of Crysis pretty close.
• Apple got new iPhone and new touches with 16GB and 32GB.
• Google is about to unveil their shot at the iPhone killer at a barcelona tech meeting. This phone looks incredebly sweet i might add, just want to know what network its going to be running on.
• The 360's HD-DVD player dropped to $130 retail price.

And that's about it.

Me and My friend we're talking about some hot games going to come out soon and we agreed on some so i;d be sure to post a new game's list soon.

CoD4 Pwns Halo 3 at Most Played (again)

You remember that one xbox website where it told what games were being played the most on Xbox Live? well, there numbers are in for last week and it looks like CoD4 did it again.

hmmm... not looking good for Halo...

PLUS!! Call of Duty own major awards at the Anual Interactive Achivements Awards.

It's official, Call of Duty 4 owns.

If you want to check out an awsome review of the single player portion of the game head to Emojosh Entretaiment.

Assassin's Creed Coming To PC, Gets date

It apperas that Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed is going to make its way to the PC on
March 25 (I'll be sure to pu tthis on the games list.)

If you got to the site this is posted at, these specs look suprisingly familiar, thats because they are very close to Crysis's specs!

So be ready to get a new graphics card or some SLi if you dont already have Crysis because this game will possibly look as stunning as Crysis did does.

TheFeed

Carlos's Spot: Otronicon coverage - Saturday

Well here's part 2

carlossspot@live.com

Guitars Tune Themselves, Band Directors Wrong.

All of you out there who are in or ever was in band for a formitable amount of time, your band director, at one time or another made the joke "You guys need to learn how to tune! Instruments dont tune themselves!"

We'll, they were wrong, because now they do thanks to Gibson and their Robot Guitar!

Simply wit the turn of a knob and your struming, the guitar's motorazed pegs tune the guitar for you, so you dont have to.

So if your a bigginer guitar player and are (a) Hating to tune yourself or (b) tonedeaf. you might want to consider dropping the $2500 on it. Otherwise this is truly a remarkable leap in music since now players can change keys on the fly.

Gibson Robot Guitar

Carlos's Spot: Otronicon coverage - Friday

Ok, here's the promised. A littler late but, it's still here.



Any questions? comment this video or email us at: carlossspot@live.com

No Wii Guitars Till' March

Not only is this the word from redoctaine, but I saw a frontman guitar by Nyko going to be released but I learned that that one too, is going to be in march.

So unless you own a 360, a PS3, GH for the PC or play Frets on Fire, you're going to have to wait another month for Wii stand-alones.

Rock Band For Wii Offially Confirmed!!!!

At an EA conference call John Riccitiello confirmed that Rock Band Indeed was going to make its way onto the Wii!!

YAY!!!

Now this is strickly my opinion but I have a feeling that EA is going to release the game only and leave us to buy the periphrals ourselves, no bundel. But, that's just me.

Ok maybe A bundle.

IGN

Turok - 3/5?

Hey long time no see huh? of topic here but the Otronicon vids (remember that) should be up tonight so be on the look out!.

On a more news matter, The medeumly-anticipated game Turok got a 3 out of 5 on G4's X-Play.

X-Play's Morgan Webb says in the video rivew that the game itself is very good is just that the shooting system doesnt have the slight look-on features of other shooter thus, making it frustrating for players to aim. She goes on to say that this makes the added muliplayer functionality not as good.

Morgan says (more or less) "the game's bad aiming system makes it hard to recomend"

Gamespot hasen't reviewed the game yet but the gritict and the user score are averaging 7.6's

IGN is saying 7.3

The game wasn't all hipped up but it looked promising from the trailers.

Could we call this another Kane and Lynch? but not as bad?