Xboxer360.com

After a few weeks of sitting in 2nd place Call of Duty 4 has regained #1 spot on Xbox Live followed by Halo 3 in 2nd place and GTA IV in 3rd place.  To celebrate Inifinity Ward are giving us another Double XP weekend on all game types and have also introducing a new playlist to make all maps even in rotation (So no more Chinatown 50 times in a row)

Bungie have been very nice to us gamers and are releasing 2 new gametypes for 2 weekends to celebrate Easter.  Starting tonight at 8pm GMT till the same time on Monday night, you will be able to play Unranked Grifball, which is similar to rugby and involves 2 teams of 4 trying to take a ball into the enemies defence.  Bungie has changed the rules for this slightly but all will become clear when you play.

The other game type is called Team SWAT which was a popular mod from Halo 2.  This gametype starts on 20th March at 8pm GMT and will go through until 23rd at 8pm GMT. 

Both gametypes will earn you Double Experience, so if that isn’t an excuse to play these mods then I don’t know what is!  Bungie have also made modifications to the Herioc DLC, full details can be located here.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Call of Duty 4
2 Halo 3
3 Guitar Hero III
4 Gears of War
5 Rock Band
6 Frontlines: Fuel of War (Multiplayer Demo)
7 N+
8 Madden NFL 08
9 FIFA 08
10 Assassin’s Creed

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 N+
2 UNO
3 Rez HD
4 Commanders: Attack
5 Bomberman LIVE
6 Chessmaster Live
7 Poker Smash
8 TMNT 1989 Arcade
9 Worms
10 Marble Blast Ultra

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 Counter-Strike
4 Ninja Gaiden Black
5 Battlefield 2: MC
6 Fable
7 Call of Duty 3
8 Madden NFL 08
9 Sid Meier`s Pirates!
10 Conker: Live Reloaded

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

Happy happy joy joy! Gears of War 2 has just been confirmed at the annual GDC for a November 2008 release! Also to celebrate this great news head on over to the Marketplace cos there is a Gears of War 2 picture pack, theme and teaser trailer all ready to download for FREE!

Alas! The patch for Call of Duty 4 has been sent to Microsoft for certification according to Robert Bowling, Infinity Ward Community Relations Manager.  Considering the patch was announced before Christmas its about time it reared its head for the 360.  The patch updates several issues in the game including:

• New Kill Cams
• Host Migration
• Improved Sniper/ACOG Accuracy
• Upgraded Spectator Cam
• Quick Mute Option

Out of all the new updates i’m looking forward to the Quick Mute and Sniper updates! What are you looking forward to most?

PS. Dont forget our tourney this saturday, only a few places left so check it out!

http://www.xboxer360.com/index.php/fifa-08-tournament/ for full details

http://www.xboxer360.com/index.php/cod4-tournament/
We have launced a Call of Duty 4 Tournament with Game Share.. Click the link for details

Finally the moment we’ve all been waiting for, Big team battle goes ranked! Players can now push towards that godlike General rank in 8v8 battles. Slayer games are the favoured format although, CTF, Territories and Bomb modes are supported. Matches will usually default to Assault and Battle Rifles, but the wonderful mega-maps like sandtrap are supported so prepare to be hammered with an onslaught of Killpocalypse and Invincible medals…

More news from the rumour mill is that the Euro Video Marketplace will be expanding its library of about 30 films to about 400. Really? Allegedly we’ll be getting all the hit US shows like Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy, as well as others. I can hardly wait. At least they havent forgotten us poor saps over the pond anyway, shame it took them over a year to remember though…

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Call of Duty 4
2 Halo 3
3 Guitar Hero III
4 Gears of War
5 Rock Band
6 Madden NFL 08
7 Assassin’s Creed
8 Mass Effect
9 FIFA 08
10 Forza Motorsport 2

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Metal Slug 3
2 Boogie Bunnies
3 Omega Five
4 TRON
5 UNO
6 Bomberman LIVE
7 TMNT 1989 Arcade
8 Sonic The Hedgehog 2
9 Worms
10 Marble Blast Ultra

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 2
2 Battlefield 2: MC
3 Madden NFL 08
4 Counter-Strike
5 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
6 Call of Duty 3
7 Burnout 3
8 Street Fighter Anniv.
9 Fable
10 Rainbow Six 3

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

Many users have been experiencing various problems with Xbox Live over the past few weeks due to record breaking user totals, but users were issued a formal apology regarding the issue and promised a free arcade game. Well, News has surfaced that the game will be Undertow which, to be fair has recieved fairly good reviews. The title would usually set gamers back 800 Microsoft Points but will be available free of charge next Wednesday through to Sunday (PST). More details on how to download here. At least it isnt Bomberman….

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles ( based on UU’s)
1 Halo 3
2 Call of Duty 4
3 Guitar Hero III
4 Gears of War
5 Rock Band
6 Assassin’s Creed
7 Madden NFL 08
8 Mass Effect
9 Forza Motorsport 2
10 FIFA 08

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Omega Five
2 Metal Slug 3
3 TRON
4 Bomberman LIVE
5 UNO
6 Sonic The Hedgehog 2
7 TMNT 1989 Arcade
8 Worms
9 Arkadian Warriors
10 Marble Blast Ultra
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Original Xbox Top Live Games
1 Halo 2
2 Battlefield 2: MC
3 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
4 Counter-Strike
5 Fable
6 Madden NFL 08
7 Call of Duty 3
8 Rainbow Six 3
9 Crimson Skies
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.

The headline says it all really - how cool would that be? The UK team are running a brilliant competition in conjunction with Activision and Odeon Cinemas where you and a mate have the chance to play CoD4 on a cinema screen. 

Check out the participating cinemas and enter for your chance to play Call of Duty 4 on a huge screen here. And be quick - the competition closes this weekend!

Access to the latest Xbox Live playable demos are now restricted as part of the autumn update. Anyone with a Silver account must now wait a week before accessing any free content, allowing Gold account members to fill their boots meantime. Microsoft says this isn’t a penalty for freebie Silver subscribers, instead a benefit to the paid-for Gold supporters.

Rather than an incentive to join Gold, this is a bit of a slap in the face don’t you think? As Sony’s PlayStation Network grows from strength to strength, and is free for all, how much longer can Microsoft keep this annual subscription thing going on Xbox Live? This is surely a backwards step.

*From Yahoo*

Here are the top games for 2007, based on Xbox Live connectivity.
The following rankings are based on data collected from 1/1/07 – 12/31/07:

UU’s (Unique Users) is the number of Gamertags that have played a game.
In the case of Arcade titles, the list is ranked by purchased games . 

The Entertainment Software Association has confirmed that the E3 Media & Business Summit will be returning back to its historic digs at the Los Angeles Convention Center next year.

Is the ‘old’ super-sized E3 back from the dead? Not quite.

“We are very much not going back to the old E3,” Rich Taylor, senior vice president of communications and research for the ESA, told Kotaku. “I think we are all on the same page for the industry on what we want those days in July to be about.”

Taylor calls it the “new E3, new and improved.”

Last year there was a change of direction for the infamous gaming super-expo, diverting from million dollar booths and endless fanboy queues to a more intimate setting in nearby Santa Monica.

The lack of queues was welcome, but the change to Santa Monica received plenty of criticism from the gaming press (we had to get the bus!).

For next year’s event, which will run from July 15 through July 17, the “media summit” will keep its small, more intimate meetings with less than 4000 attendees and not a booth babe in site.

“We talked to many folks, participants on both the media and industry side of things, one of the overriding things they wanted was a more centralized facility,” Taylor said. “That’s one reason we moved back to the LA Convention Center… hotels are walking distance from the convention center, they’re closer to each other…”

The ESA said the event will “continue to focus on the business of the computer and video game industry, with an emphasis on press events and small meetings with media, development, and other key sectors. While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit will not feature the large trade show environment of previous years.”

Let’s hope after last year’s shake-up that this hits the nail on the head.

Courtesy of CVG.

Marketplace content is pretty light today so we’ll ge that out of the way first:

• Kane & Lynch Fragile Alliance: Walk in the Park Trailer: Get a feel for the Xbox Live multiplayer component of the brutal new shooter from the developers behind Hitman. Sounds interesting this - you’re part of a band of bank robbers and you need to steal cash, then decide which of your associates you should do over - and which you should ally with! Free and available everywhere. 
• Tomb Raider Anniversary DLC: Download the updated versions of Lara’s first adventures. There are two chunks both priced at 1200 MS Points to this, and you’ll need a copy of Tomb Raider: Legend to download and play them. 

More importantly, today marks the start of Xbox Live Presents Xtival ‘07! It’s the world’s biggest free gaming festival, and it starts at noon. From then until noon on Monday Xbox Live Gold will be free to everyone, and there’s a whole raft of quality events, competitions, tournaments and fun happening over the weekend to keep everyone busy. Xbox.com has all the details, but you should definitely check out this little lot:

• Xtival ‘07 Community Tournaments: Check out some of the amazing tournaments and events that our Xbox Community Network sites regularly hold - you’ll meet some ace people, enjoy some cracking competition, and come away with a Friends List full of new folk.
• The Headliners: Every festival needs its headline acts, and at Xtival ‘07 these take the form of big events and competitions. Check them out here and get involved for the chance to win prizes!
• Xtival ‘07 Stewards: Feeling lost? Need some good advice? You need to talk to an Xtival ‘07 Steward! These guys are some of the friendliest and most knowledgable people on Xbox Live, and they’re ready to be your friendly face in the crowd!
• The Full Line-Up: It’s always tough to choose who you’re going to see at a festival, but we’ve made your weekend easier at Xtival ‘07 with this full line-up of games. Need inspiration for something to play? Find enlightenment here.

Something else to look out for are the Xtival Mystery Gamers, who will be online all weekend handing out prizes to lucky punters. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot one…

And don’t forget to download your free Xbox Live Presents Xtival ‘07 Theme and GamerPic pack. The pics are sweet!

I dont usually post Marketplace updates but today is kinda special!  A couple of picture and theme packs that are definatly worth getting and finally a HL2: Orange Box Demo!

• The Orange Box - Half-Life 2: Episode Two Demo: Free and available everywhere.
• BlackSite Launch Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• BlackSite Launch Theme 2: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• BlackSite Lauch Gamer Pictures: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
• BlackSite Launch Gamer Pictures 2: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
• BlackSite Launch Trailer 480p: Free and available everywhere.
• BlackSite Launch Trailer 720p: Free and available everywhere.
• Devil May Cry 4 Theme 3: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Devil May Cry 4 Gamer Pictures 3: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Dead Space Teaser Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
• Guitar Hero 3 Halo Theme Single: Free and available everywhere.
• Ace Combat 6 Su-33 THE IDOLMASTER MIKI: 400 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Ace Combat 6 F-16C HISTORIC WINDHOVER: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Ace Combat 6 Mirage 2000-5 EXPERIMENTAL: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Ace Combat 6 A-10A　THUNDER SHARK: 200 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Ace Combat 6 F/A-18F SCARFACE EMBLEM: Free and available everywhere.
• Naruto- Rise of a Ninja Japanese Voices: Free and available everywhere.
• Sex Pistols Gamer Pictures: Free and available everywhere.
• Sex Pistols Theme: Free and available everywhere.

If you’ve been an Xbox Live subscriber since 2002, make your way to the registration website and fill it out. Once completed, submit that bad boy and wait patiently by your inbox. Then, by December 21st, those who “qualify” for their free 500 points will be emailed a redemption code. It’s that simple.