Death by intelligence.
Downloadable Demos On Xbox 2?
Spong, featuring a new Googlified logo, put up a story late last night (so it's not an April Fool's joke, at least not a fair one) that says the Xbox 2 will have downloadable demo content right at launch.
In other news:
Major Nelson Denies Xbox Retail Pull Rumor
SPOnG has a story that claims retail channels are being told that current Xbox hardware is being phased out; Major Nelson denies this in his blog, saying that shortages of Xbox hardware in the retail channel are due to the popularity of the console.
Personalize Your Xbox 2?
Eurogamer has a story that indicates it may be possible to "customize" your Xbox 2-- or at least for Microsoft to custom-tailor the console different geographical regions:
"We have ways, we have ideas. Look at cell phones," Microsoft VP J Allard told trade publication MCV. "You can have snap-on faceplates, you can change the skin and the batteries, and you can change the ringtones. I think we need to have a global foundation, and then personalise within region."
New Halo 2 Game Types Also On Tap?
Joystiq links to a story at gamenews.botros.net saying that the latest OXM demo disc contained an update with five new game types for Halo 2. They are:
- Peacemakers
- Covie Gulch
- Classic CTF Tank
- Swords w/o Radar
- Golden Showers
Bungie Brings Shame And Dishonor To America
The pistol-whipping delivered to Bungie in last week's Humpday Challenge came from the land of the rising sun, in the form of the GunShin clan. The match was arranged by Microsoft's Japanese office, who was apparently asked to find a "group of typical Japanese players". Bungie lost all three games.
MLG Online League Filling Up
dolbex writes that Major League Gaming's new online leagues are starting to fill up-- go check out the site for details on how to register your team!
New Content Plans Are Uncommon Sense
The latest Narc's Retort is Bordering On Common Sense, about Bungie's downloadable content plans.
Bordering On Common Sense
It's rather difficult for me to get a handle on exactly how I feel about the recently announced plans for new Halo 2 maps. Part of that is because of my own personal situation-- having been without decent DSL since before Halo 2's release, I'm only just now getting the hang of the multiplayer maps that shipped with the game; and even then, my higher-than-average ping and utter lack of skill or practice is still getting me massacred daily on maps I barely know and already paid for, to say nothing of maps that are yet to come.
Bungie Reveals Halo 2 Map Expansion Plans
[image:9163 align=left hspace=5 vspace=5 border=0]Xbox.com and Bungie.net have news on Bungie's map expansion and downloadable content (DLC) plans for Halo 2.
At the end of next month, there will be two maps available for free to Xbox Live subscribers, and an additional two maps available for $5.99.
Sergeant A.J. Johnson
Has anyone else noticed or does Sergeant Johnson appear to be more of a badass than the Master Chief? Note the following:
1. He survived the fall of Reach
2. He survived Halo
3. He was attacked by Infection Stage Flood spores and lived.
4. He helped the Master Chief commandeer the Covenant cruiser, Ascendant Justice, and lived through that.
5. He survived Delta Halo (that can be argured of course)
6. He survived being on the Covenant homeworld.
7. He is just a hardcore Marine, who is a whole lot tougher than those ODST troopers.
But of this is just my opinion.
When Xboxes Are Free, Halo Movies Will Be Art
Prometheus addresses the concern that so many bad Halo machinimas may end up being made that no one will pay attention anymore. However, he thinks that original writing and high production values will keep the wheat and the chaff sufficiently separated that this won't happen.
Will There Be Too Many Halo Movies?
Prometheus writes in his blog that he believes that originality will be the quality that separates wortwhile Halo machinima from the rest, and will prevent the market from being flooded with so much low-quality work that no one will pay any attention to Halo machinima at all.
Xbox Availability Constrained?
Voodoo Extreme wonders whether Xbox demand is really as high as Microsoft says, or whether supply is being restrained in anticipation of the sequel's release. Only the Shadow knows.
2005 Video Gamers League Schedule To Include Halo 2
Jeff Gross of the Video Gamers League writes that they have recently announced a $20,000 gaming tournament that will include Halo 2. VGL is entering its fifth season, and the schedule for this year includes events in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, San Francisco and Chicago. More information is available from VGL's website.