Reports are that Microsoft is looking to bring free-to-play gaming to the Xbox 360. They’re apparently talking to developers right now to facilitate free-to-play game deals.
These F2P titles would be supported by either in-game items or premium upgrade costs. The Xbox 360’s OS will have a built in micro-transaction service where in-game items can be exchanged for Microsoft Points immediately.
Source: Develop
Valve has announced that their popular online shooter title Team Fortress 2 can be downloaded for free. The PC and Mac versions of the game will be supported by micro-transactions.
Along with the F2P options for the game, there’s also the largest content addition for the game ever in the “Über Update.” The content pack includes training and offline practice modes for those new to the game.
Source: TeamFortress.com
Silent Hill: Downpour is a fresh new beginning for the franchise, featuring mostly new development and musical talent, along with a new focus on a different part of the town. Check out the new look of Silent Hill.
Catherine is a story about Vincent and his choices between two very different women. The complications are turning his waking day (along with his sleeping night) into a nightmare.
En Masse Entertainment and Blue Hole Studios have crafted a unique world for the upcoming action MMORPG in Tera. Get a glimpse at the world in this Ayzenberg Group produced trailer!
On the Become Immortal tab on the official Facebook page {page no longer active} for the new film Immortals fans have a chance to be immortalized in the upcoming graphic novel for the film and win an all expense paid trip to San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Two people – one male as Apollo and one female as Artemis – will be chosen by the number of “Likes” on their 500 word response as to why they most resemble one of the aforementioned gods. Immortals is due in theaters 11/11/11, but the contest ends June 3, 2011 so get to work becoming immortal!
Universal Motown has launched a Facebook campaign {link no longer active} to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the esteemed classic Marvin Gaye What’s Going On album. The campaign asks fans to post photos of “what’s going on” all over the world. Fans have responded by loading photos, videos and even editorials from pictures from the flooding in North Dakota to complaints about segregation in Santa Cruz, California. Even though there are only 20 posts, Marvin Gaye had fewer than 300,000 fans at the beginning of the week and, as of Thursday morning, had more than 900,000 an increase of more than 200 percent. Coincidentally, Gaye’s name also popped up as a trending topic in Twitter this week as a result of Big Sean & Kanye West ‘s hit Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay.
Sony has confirmed that there will be a retailer bundle for the Uncharted franchise. It will include the first two games in the series, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Those that buy the bundle will also receive Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception bonuses in a dynamic PS3 theme and a Home avatar. It will come out around the same time Resistance dual pack and a Ratchet & Clank Future dual pack coming out in late July 22.
Source: CVG
A report titled Global 3DTV Forecasts by Informa Telecoms & Media indicates that in the 11 million homes with a 3DTV by 2016, less than half will regularly use 3D content. While right now, 90 percent with 3DTVs regularly access 3D content, that number will fall as it becomes a more standard feature.
“Public reaction has been mixed due to both a lack of content and a simple failure of the public to engage with what is, essentially, a new type of viewing experience,” explains Adam Thomas, Informa senior analyst. “We do not share the view that 3D represents the obvious next evolutionary step for TV, in the same way that color followed black and white, or HD is following SD. 3DTV is less of an enhancement and rather more a new type of viewing experience one that many people will enjoy, but some way from becoming ubiquitous.”
Source: InformaTM.com
A 19-year-old was arrested, according to British police, because he was suspected of hacking Sony and CIA websites. No confirmed connection was made with the infamous hacking group LulzSec.
He was arrested 35 miles northeast of London and is being held for questioning. Forensic analysts are said to have “a significant amount of material” resulting from the search of the home after the arrest.
LulzSec has hacked several prominent sites, including Sony’s PSN, PBS, the CIA, FBI and the U.K.’s Serious Organized Crime Agency. For its part, LulzSec indicated by twitter that the arrest had not affected them.
“Seems the glorious leader of LulzSec got arrested, it’s all over now… wait… we’re all still here!,” tweeted LulzSec.
LulzSec recently announced that they are teaming up with Anonymous to combat companies and governments that control the Internet.
Source: CBS News
