Xbox 360 Dashboard update hits December 6

The next update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard will be dropping on Tuesday, December 6, and as with every other update, it will be free to all console owners.

Major Nelson details the key features found in the update, such as Cloud Storage for your game saves and Live profile, enhanced family settings, Beacons and Facebook sharing, integrated voice and gesture controls for the Dashboard and its apps, and Bing voice search.

Major Nelson also teases that more content will be headed to the system, such as customized television, music, movies, and sports applications from "world-leading" providers in more than twenty countries. 

Unreadable Modern Warfare 3 discs being reported on Xbox 360

Multiple owners of Modern Warfare 3 are reporting disc errors when attempting to play on Xbox 360, and took to the Xbox.com forums to share experiences.

It's unclear whether or not the problem lies within the disc itself or the console, as the reports span across the board. Some say they've had luck playing their game on a friend's console, while others have not. Some users purchased multiple copies of Modern Warfare 3 and had no luck with any of them.

An Xbox support representative posted the following: "If the game doesn't work on multiple consoles, it points to an issue with the disc, and I'd recommend you replace it. If it works on every console other than yours, then I suspect an issue with your console, that we can troubleshoot at that point."

It appears there's not much else one can do at that point, and if after multiple trials your problem still persists, best call Microsoft support. 

We've contacted Activision on the matter, and will let you know if we learn anything.

Xbox 360 S to S transfer cable alleviates Gears of War console owners

If the recently released Gears of War 3 limited edition console was your second Xbox 360 S system, odds are you need a way to transfer your saved data between consoles. Lucky for you, Microsoft released the new "S to S" transfer cable which, effectively allows gamers to transfer all of their precious content. 

Be sure to head on over to Xbox.com/transfer to learn how to correctly transfer your goods. Otherwise, it will be all for not, my friends. 

This is your last week to get a free Xbox 360 with a PC purchase

All great things must come to an end at some point, and this Saturday will mark the last day consumers can take advantage of the excellent "Buy a select PC, get a free Xbox 360" promotion. If you're in need of a PC, definitely check the Amazon listing of eligible products. There's quite a bit to choose from as well, though all are $699 and above, as the advertisement notes.

Brink's pre-order bonuses now available as DLC, as usual

It was just about that time, wasn't it? You know, where a game's pre-order bonuses become available for all to purchase as downloadable content? I guess we can't be too hard on Brink, though, given its hefty, free batch of DLC released a few weeks ago. But either way, now you can queue up two pre-order bonus combo packs for 160 MS Points/$1.99 each.

Fallout/Spec Ops pack

• Unique Fallout Vault 101 body tattoo
• Exclusive Vault 101 (Security) and Fallout New Vegas Vault Boy (Resistance) customized skins for CARB-9 SMG
• Exclusive Vault 101 (Security) and Fallout New Vegas Vault Boy (Resistance) t-shirts
• Exclusive Vault-Tec beanie cap (Security) and Fallout bandana (Resistance)
• Exclusive weapon: The "Hockler" machine-pistol
• Exclusive "GreenEye" Combat Optical Scope
• Exclusive Security "Sloani" Combat mask
• Unique Dogtag body tattoo

Doom/Psycho Pack

• Unique "Hellspawn" body tattoo
• Exclusive UAC (Security) and Cacodemon (Resistance) customized skins for the Bulpdaun SMG
• Exclusive UAC Marine Body Armor (Security) and Lost Soul Screaming Skull (Resistance) t-shirts
• Exclusive UAC beanie cap (Security) and Doom bandana (Resistance)
• Exclusive weapon: the "Caesar" revolver
• New attachments: The Resistance's improved Soda Can Silencer and Security's ArkTechnical Silencer
• Exclusive Resistance "The Grin" combat mask
• Unique: "Tortured Soul" body tattoo

Upcoming Halo: Reach title update features configurable reticule bloom, refined armor abilities

An upcoming title update for Halo: Reach addresses many of the issues the community has brought up, including refinements in the game's new armor abilities. First up, the fan-favorite Armor Lock has been nerfed a bit, and will take a certain amount of damage based on the amount of energy a player has left. Active Camo has also been tweaked, and will have a reduced duration period.

One of the new mechanics brought into the Halo series with Reach was reticule bloom, or, a state in battle where one's crosshair expanded with each subsequent shot fired, thus making the art of shooting a bit more tactical. This too will be adjusted in the update, and will be configurable, "delivering increased accuracy when firing in rapid succession." You may remember we mentioned this in a recent post, where a YouTube video demonstrated a more accurate DMR crosshair.

Other bullet-points are on the update's list as well, including the addition of the true Combat Evolved magnum in specific playlists for both Halo: Reach and Anniversary multiplayer, as well as allowing those 4GB console owners out there to finally utilize campaign and "Firefight" matchmaking.

[Major Nelson]

[UPDATE] Rumored Xbox 360 bundle includes Gears of War 2, Halo 3, Halo Wars, and more

According to a tweet from Future Shop employee Darren Christie, the retailer will be selling a 250GB Xbox 360 bundled with five downloadable titles--Halo 3, Gears of War 2, Alan Wake, Halo Wars, Fable III--starting tomorrow for $299.99. Together, these games will take up 29.51GB of space on the HDD.

With Future Shop located in Canada, it's speculated this promotion (if real) will be a retailer exclusive.

[via Joystiq]

[UPDATE] It's real, and available in Canada now.

Download Queue: Black Ops' "Rezurrection," Space Marine demo, Resistance 3 beta, sales, and more

Quite a bit to downloads for us shooter fans this week, the biggest of which being Call of Duty: Black Ops' latest DLC pack--"Rezurrection."

Call of Duty: Black Ops "Rezurrection"
The latest installment in Black Ops' series of downloadable content packages comes in the form of this zombie-themed pack dubbed, "Rezurrection," which contains "Zombies" levels from past games--think Nacht der Untoten, Der Reise, etc.--as well as the new Moon level. No, not "New Moon," but a new level called "Moon." Currently available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 MS Points, with Playstation 3 and PC to soon follow.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine demo
This third-person shooter features a ton of orcs, violence, and mayhem, and you can sample Space Marine now on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store in a free demo.

FREE Resistance 3 beta access
This is it, the moment you've all been waiting for. Time to test out Resistance 3's multiplayer.

Gears of War, Gears of War 2 price reductions
Gears of War 3 is coming in a few short weeks, and if you still need to catch up on your Locust invasion history, either take Sera 101 this semester or, queue up the two original titles at $14.99 apiece on Xbox Live's Games on Demand tab in the Marketplace.

Bodycount demo on PSN
Released last week on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 owners can now test out the carnage. After you do, be sure to check out our impressions of Bodycount and leave your own comments as well.

Bulletstorm bonanza
Bulletstorm's two DLC packs--"Gun Sonata," "Blood Symphony"--are on sale at 50% off, costing you only 400 MS Points to download each. If you can't get enough skillshots, you can't go wrong here.

Black Ops matchmaking update deploying

A new playlist update for Call of Duty: Black Ops has been deployed (or, deploying, depending on your region) which adds  the "Express" matchmaking option, a mode based upon faster gametypes coupled with a thirty-second lobby timer--which ensures, you know, quickness! "Express" also removes to option to use the "Ghost" and "Second Chance" perks--a welcome removal, no doubt.

The DLC playlist has been updated as well, removing "Annihilation" from the mix while adding the option to play either Moshpit or Hardcore (Capture the Flag and Headquarters) spanning across the game's list of downloadable maps.

The update is said to already be available on Xbox Live, with the PlayStation 3 to follow soon. We wouldn't know, because we traded our copy in months ago.

[We the Gamerz via TheSixthAxis]

I don't see any bloom, do you?

A few days ago, well, okay, practically a week ago 343 Industries posted gameplay footage showcasing one of Halo: Anniversary's multiplayer maps, Damnation. Having only getting around to viewing it now, I, as well as a few people on YouTube, have noticed the DMR in this video does not contain any reticule bloom, meaning, the crosshair doesn't expand with each subsequent shot fired. This is a feature that was added to the series last year with Halo: Reach, but it seems we'll be without it come November.

Check it out for yourself in the video--after the break--at around the 4:10 mark, and drop a comment below telling what you think. Is this a mistake? If not, will you happily bid goodbye to reticle bloom?

Battlefield 3's 'Team Deathmatch' supports 24 players across all platforms

This may come as a shock to a lot of you, but "Team Deathmatch" in Battlefield 3 will only support up to 24 players, no matter what platform you're playing it on. Yes, that even means you, expensive PC rig. Don't get yourself into too much of a rut, though, because the maps are more condensed than their Rush/Conquest brethren, even ditching vehicular warfare and only focusing on tight gunplay.

Thinking back, this may not even matter to a lot of you, including me, as we'll more often than not be capturing flags and destroying crates.

[Battlefield3Blog]

Need a headset at the right price? Turtle Beach's X11 can do the trick

Communication is key with online shooters, and with the amount of shooters coming out this fall--Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, and Resistance 3 just to name a few--you'll definitely need a mic. If you're in the market for a headset and can't afford to spend much cash, the Turtle Beach Ear Force X11 headset for the Xbox 360 is right up your alley. This USB powered headset also works for the PC and Mac, and connects through audio in/out cables.

Whether you prefer to connect the X11 to your television, Xbox 360 controller, or even surround sound set up, that functionality is available, as you'll get splitters and a controller connector inside the box.

Target is selling the Turtle Beach Ear Force X11 headphones for $47.99 this week, a savings of $12. If you prefer electronics retailer Best Buy, you can pick up the X11s there as well for $49.99.

As always, Amazon beats both outlets, selling the X11 for $45.99.

Turtle Beach is a well-known brand, and with their other products costing upwards of $100, you really can't go wrong with the Ear Force X11. Heck, I didn't.

[Similarly, the PlayStation 3 has the Ear Force P11 headset for $59.95 on Turtle Beach's website, and although I can't speak for this model, its description is similar to that of the X11.]

Start taggin' Lancers in this Gears of War 3 opening cinematic

Word. It's about to get super hardcore up in Gears of War 3, so much so that Anya is taggin' the crimson Gears omen all over stuff, most notably her trusty Lancer. After watching this trailer, I hope there's constant side-missions in the game that allow you to pull a Jet Set Radio and just tag a whole city.

Oddly, Battlefield 3 features server browser only on consoles

Yes, that is quite odd, isn't it? A feature that is available in practically most, if not all PC games will no longer be available on the platform's biggest title to come out this year. 

It has been revealed that console versions of Battlefield 3 will feature in-game server browsers, while the PC version will not, instead leaving players needing to exit Battlefield 3 altogether and locate another server though Battlelog.

Quite ironic to say the least, and definitely not the right way to attract an audience for the PC's version of Battlefield 3.

[BF3blog]

Abandon couch, there's no split-screen co-op in Battlefield 3

You may as well return that carton of ramen noodles and huge keg of Red Bull, because DICE has confirmed there will be no split-screen co-operative modes in Battlefield 3. The news broke out from DICE's VP and GM Karl Magnus Troedsson, who also detailed the co-op feature even further, stating the maps were built separately from the main campaign, with an emphasis to "build more specific co-op missions."

"Naturally, you will recognize some of the elements," said Troedsson, "but they are built specifically for the co-op with all the scripting, events and everything."

Also revealed was the fact that Battlefield 3 will ship with six co-operative maps instead of the rumored ten, with each taking around 20-45 minutes to complete.

[GamingLives via GamerZines]

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded's MI6 Ops mode trailer

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded will be releasing later this year on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. It will run at 60-frames per second, feature four-player split-screen and 16-player online multiplayer, and will also ship with a brand new mission mode called, "MI6 Ops."

 "MI6 Ops" features missions that differ from Reloaded's main campaign, and has players completing specific objectives through four different scenarios.

• Elimination- Neutralize all enemies before time runs out
• Stealth- Remove targets without being seen
• Defense- Protect a computer terminal against waves of enemies
• Assault- Two words: Just charge.

Developer Eurocom has also confirmed Sharpshooter support on the PlayStation 3.

So, how does the game appear to be shaping up?  Take a look at a brand new trailer released just yesterday for GoldenEye 007: Reloaded below!

Impressions: Bodycount has no shortage of explosions, red barrels, or chaos

After all the screenshots, developer diaries, and trailers we've seen for Bodycount throughout the years--or, year...whichever--the game is finally releasing at the end of the month, with a demo newly released on the Xbox 360. After treading and shredding through its short presentation of what's to come, I must admit that I am both interested yet, a tad perplexed.

As you may or may not know, the story in Bodycount is...there. There's you, there's bad guys, there's more bad guys, and then there's a head honcho bad guy, all of whom are aiming to kill you before you kill them. That's roughly the grand scope of the story, with the mission in the demo sending you to Africa to take out bad guys led by a bigger bad guy holding a mini-gun. It's more or less "Summer Blockbuster Film 101," but in some cases, like here, it works.

Sling some lead in the Bodycount demo now available

Codemasters' pseudo-sequel to the cult-classic shooter Black--Bodycount--is now available to demo on the Xbox 360. As of now, the demo is a Gold member exclusive, and will have players square off against enemies in Africa in the early missions of the campaign. Weapons on hand include a G36, Super 90 shotgun, proximity mines and grenades.

No word on a PlayStation 3 demo yet, other than Codemasters saying it "will follow" the 360's demo.

The studio also released another developer diary, and you can peep that after the break.

Co-op for Battlefield 3 confirmed; watch a duo creep around in a scenario

DICE confirmed at Gamescom earlier today that Battlefield 3 will include co-operative gameplay, and even presented a live demo showcasing how it works. From the screenshot above [and video after the break], it seems like you'll always be able to see what your partner is doing, kind of like Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter's Crosscom. Well, either that, or the second player gets severely duped with the screen ratio.

I quite enjoyed what was shown in the demo, and to me it had a Rainbow Six feel to it, with the duo creeping inside closed-quarters co-ordinating who was going to eliminate which tango. "I'll take the left side, you stay on the right." Awesome. Pure. Awesome.

Get trenched in Europe this September with Iron Brigade

After a long struggle, it seems that Microsoft has taken the "just end it now" approach by changing Double Fine's tower-defense, mech-based shooter's name from Trenched to Iron Brigade. This name change is for Europe only, as recently the game was undergoing copyright infringement against a board game with a similar name, "Trench."

Nevertheless, the game will still be just as excellent--no matter what it's called.

[Joystiq]