Xbox Live 360.com. Games and Games.

Every Portal player knows that the Weighted Companion Cube was the greatest videogame character to come along in 2007. If you are a true cube lover then you should check out the new Weighted Companion Cube plush toys Valve has set free on the world.

While the Valve Store is sold out of these plush tastic cubes there are many of them on Ebay right now but they are selling for upwards of $200. Also on Ebay was a giant Weighted Companion Cube with proceeds being given to Childs Play but the auction ended with the a final bid of $1,200!!! Act now if you want a cube to be forever part of your real life.

~Hotapplepie

Sources: Ebay Valve Store Kotaku

There has recently been talks of Microsoft making a motion sensored controller and Cesar from Teamxbox took a break from his holiday to bring the community this message:

"I should not have been talking about this until next year, but a story of a motion sensing add-on for the Xbox 360 controller forced me to interrupt my holiday break. First, let me tell you that the image floating around with supposed prototypes of a motion sensing Xbox 360 controller is FAKE.

The image in question (see above) was taken from a Gizmodo article that showed the many prototypes Gyration and Bridge Design pitched to Nintendo in 2001; prototypes that eventually gave birth to the Wii controller.

TeamXbox.com can confirm that Microsoft has been researching alternative input technologies for the last two years, including vision-based recognition such as the one used on Xbox Live Vision, as well as motion sensing technologies similar to those seen in the Microsoft Freestyle Pro and the PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS.

Particularly, Microsoft has looked at ways to improve the right analog stick input and you’ll hear more about those efforts soon.

In the long run, there’s more than a first-party tilt mod in the works and TeamXbox.com will bring you a real list of next-generation Xbox controller prototypes soon. "

Personally I have no problems with the current 360 controller, and I have my Wii to please my motion sensor needs, but if Microsoft wants to combine the two, I wont complain.

~Hotapplepie

Source - Teamxbox

Check out this cool lithograph from my current game of choice: Mass Effect.

"Talented BioWare artist Sung Kim was commissioned to create this beautiful and unique rendition of the arch-villain of the Mass Effect universe: Saren Arterius. The image also features a young Captain David Anderson. Limited to a print run of 100 prints, hand-signed by the artist, only 75 of these will be made publicly available."

A signed, limited edition lithograph for only $18 seems like a good idea. For $42 you can buy the full game and experience one of the best 360 games to date.

~Hotapplepie

Source - BioWare Store

Edit: Seems they are sold out. Sorry guys.

There are only a few days left to vote for Law of the Game in the ABA Journal's Blawg 100. The voting ends January 2, 2008, and I would appreciate any additional votes between now and then.

Click here and vote for Law of the Game.


Have a Happy New Year!

The proposed "Game Tax" from Wisconsin state senator Jon Erpenbach has gained quite a bit of attention, and accordingly, I thought it was worth addressing a few key points. First, I'm sure many folks are wondering why they should care about a tax in a state in which they don't live. The simple answer is that tax ideas seem to spread. If Wisconsin adds such a tax, it will only be a matter of time before a dozen other states follow suit. In short, the long term picture is not pretty for gamers if one state begins taxing games.

The second question is what type of tax is this? There are two likely candidates, those being the "Sin Tax" and the "Luxury Tax." The concept of a sin tax is that because the government wants to discourage a behavior and because that behavior has a proven, clearly demonstrated, and direct negative impact on society, the government taxes the item to both discourage the behavior and offset the negative impact. For example, cigarettes are taxed because they are linked to lung cancer. Alcohol is taxed because drunk drivers kill thousands every year. Video games, however, would be taxed due to an unproven link to a theoretical change in behavior for a small number of users. The link is not nearly as defined as, say, drinking to drunk driving.

The other possibility is considering it a luxury tax. The idea here is that some things are just so extravagant that people should pay extra, or from a different viewpoint, that the people who want to buy certain things are well enough off that they can afford to pay more taxes. A good example of products often hit with a luxury tax are expensive cars. The assertion here would be that video games are a "luxury item," and therefore are so unnecessary that gamers should have to pay more for them. However, given that books, music, movies, and all other forms of entertainment are not subject to such a tax, it does not follow that any aspect of the "video game" so separates the medium from other forms of entertainment as to draw the line there.

This would appear to be nothing more than another cheap shot at a scapegoated industry for the basic purpose of continuing to fill the already bloated public coffers, which serves to continue to perpetuate the problem of government over-spending. Far be it for me to dictate public policy in Wisconsin, but a video game tax is simply not a logical answer to the issue presented. I'm certain there are many other ways to fund the "keep non-violent juvenile offenders out of adult prisons" program.

[Via GamePolitics]

This post is to announce that James Collins is the Winner of our Halo 3 contest. James got a brand new Halo 3 Gift wrapped from Xbox360help team. Congratulations James & Good luck for all of you in our next contest.

Please leave a comment on this post with your suggestions for our next contest, should it be a free game? An Xbox live Gold Card? or maybe something else?

Over at Ebay seller worldwidewebbs is selling this custom made plasma grenade based off the ones that are popular in the Halo series.

"What you have here is a plasma grenade "prop," that you can display next to your Halo 3 Edition Xbox 360, or on your desk, or even attach to a costume. The grenade is made from clear blue plastic and is illuminated from the inside by a blue LED. There is also a genuine red laser built into the grenade. For safety precautions, I have covered the lens with a white paint to prevent the laser from being pointed accidentally into someone's eyes. Still, I would try to avoid looking directly at the laser if at all possible. The grenade comes with a metal base "cup" that can hold the grenade for display. The LED and laser are powered by three button-cell batteries like watch batteries, which are included and can be replaced without disassembling the grenade, and which are activated by a slide switch."

The grenade sells for $19.99 with a shipping cost of $5. For a object that doesn't even do anything I would be more than willing to shell out the 20 bucks for this amazing piece of work.

~The new guy. (Hotapplepie)

Source

If you haven't been following our Halo 3 contest, then you must have been living under the rock!!! Tonight we are going to announce the winner's name so stay tuned by subscribing to our feed.

Microsoft announced recently that they have droped the price of the Xbox 360 wireless racing wheel by $30 from $130 to $99.99.

"Microsoft is now giving holiday shoppers even more value by reducing the price of its incredibly popular Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel by $30 to just $99 (U.S. ERP). The newly priced Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel now comes bundled with a driver disc and a demo of the acclaimed “Forza Motorsport 2” including full force feedback support. With its sleek design and cutting edge technology, the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel immerses gamers in an unparalleled racing experience.

The Wireless Racing Wheel is compatible with all of the most popular racing games on Xbox 360, including:
• Forza Motorsport 2
• Project Gotham Racing 4
• Project Gotham Racing 3
• Test Drive Unlimited
• Need for Speed Carbon
• DiRT• Nascar 08"

Source: Teamxbox

Wow, it's been a WHILE since my last blog. Sorry about that, it's been a crazy few months for me.

Anyway, I wanted to wish all the readers and bloggers of The Xbox Collector Happy Holidays with a Special Greeting Card I found:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from APERTURE SCIENCE


I'll be back with more blogs in 2008, I promise.

--Capt. Capcom

The Orange Box

Xbox 360 help joined the new advertising service, only designed for bloggers. Blogsvertise advertising service is setup for bloggers and online journal writers to earn revenue/income from their online blog/journal in an easy to use, simple and effective system.

It is free to register your blog and add your blog to the system for approval. Once approved, your blog goes into the assignment queue. The blogsvertise administrator then assigns writing tasks for what our advertisers want you to mention in your blog. You dont have to endorse the website product/service, just mention it in your blog and link to the advertiser website 3 times in your entry.


We thought that we would share this great service with our readers who are interested in blogging.


Xbox 360 help blog team.

Blood Bowl, based on the popular 80’s board game created by Jervis Johnson and published by Games Workshop, will soon be receiving a breath of Xbox 360 life by way of French development studio Cyanide.

Scheduled for release in late 2008, Blood Bowl combines American football with a Warhammer-like fantasy universe, resulting in a brutal, bloody sport like no other. Imagine a team in which players consist of Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarfs, Goblins, Lizardmen and many other fantasy creatures whose only desire is to carry the ball to the Endzone…at any cost! Weapons, magic and good old fashioned hand-to-hand combat are at your disposal as you battle your way to victory in this unique sports sim that doesn’t bother to take itself too seriously.

While players can choose to play Blood Bowl in real time, the game also features the board game’s turn-based mode of play. Both modes come complete with the original rules, devices, strategies, play and rhythm that fans have grown to love. Bribe a referee, hire a wizard to cast spells on the other team, hire cheerleaders, whatever it takes to win.

If you have a few spare minutes for some holiday cheer, please check out the GamePolitics.com Holiday Podcast. It's full of nothing but personal holiday greetings from many people in the game industry and blog-o-sphere, myself included.

To celebrate the launch of Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store Microsoft is giving everyone chance to download the spectacular 300 (BBFC 15) at a bargain price. For 24 hours starting at 00:01 (GMT) on 28 December to 23:59 (GMT) on 28 December, the Warner Bros box office hit can be yours to rent for just 100 Microsoft Points.

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• The complete Matrix trilogy
• Ocean's Eleven (2001)
• Lethal Weapon 4

Classic cinema such as :

• The Fugitive
• The Perfect Storm
• Eyes Wide Shut

Family favourites as :

• Analyse This
• Clash of the Titans
• Looney Tunes: Back in Action.

Start renting great cinema in standard or High Definition today - all you need is an Xbox LIVE membership and broadband.

Commisioned Faceplate by Pavel Dolgov.
Strike Freedom Gundam - Lighting Edition Xbox 360 Faceplate

Commisioned artwork : Customized Xbox 360 for Traktor agency (Austria)

Very simplistic. Could have been worse.

Source: Cryostasis

Worlds in Motion has an article up detailing a new surge in the efforts to legitimize real money transactions in MMO games. Generally, the idea is a good one, as RMT can provide the players what they want, as demonstrated through the vibrant black market, while the legitimization gives the developers what they want. In fact, RMT based games are widely successful in other parts of the world. However, given the current state of US gambling laws, increased RMT in MMO games where gambling exists could put the MMO providers on thin ice. Second Life has already seen attention for gambling, and other worlds may not be far behind.

The tricky issue to deal with is the conversions between the virtual goods or currency and real currency. This is something I've discussed at length in my SSRN Papers. From a broad perspective, if a game either lacks gambling or lacks RMT, then there should be no cause for concern. However, when both elements are present, it becomes more problematic. Second Life (while gabling was still permissible), for example, as a direct currency exchange, could be viewed no differently than online casinos. In fact, even if gambling were using a more barter-like system, where, for example, weapons were wagered in fights, there could be a gambling issue assuming the weapon has a real world value, for example, from the ability to buy or sell it for real currency. The even more complex situation arises where the market price can fluctuate, especially given the prospect of reporting winnings or losses for tax purposes.

Obviously, this issue could take a number of turns depending on what the developers end up implementing in future games. It will be interesting to see if more developers place outright bans on wagering to avoid the issue entirely.

My sincerest apologies, readers, for the hiatus that just ended. It's rare that I have so many projects operating as such a pace where I simply cannot find any time to blog, but as the year draws to a close, many clients want to wrap up ongoing projects. However, I seem to have things back under control, and so my blogging should be back to normal.

I will also (hopefully) be able to make a pretty big announcement in the very near future.

And please remember to keep voting for Law of the Game until Jan. 2!

Most importantly, please have a happy holiday season.

Happy Holidays from Law of the Game

The glitz and the glamour of Hollywood is about to hit Xbox 360 when the Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store opens for business.

• 300


• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone


• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets


• Zodiac


• The Matrix


• The Matrix Revolutions


• The Matrix Reloaded


• Ocean’s Eleven


• The Perfect Storm


• Swordfish


• Three Kings


• Training Day


• The Fugitive


• Risky Business


• Space Cowboys


• Eyes Wide Shut


• Analyze This


• Demolition Man


• Eraser


• Executive Decision


• Lethal Weapon 3


• Lethal Weapon 4


• Looney Tunes: Back in Action


• Mars Attacks!


• Clash of the titans


• Superman III


• Dead Calm

Have you satisfied your appetite for Halo 3 yet? It’s barely been out of the office Xbox 360 since it arrived and we’re still hungry – ravenous, even – for more. And that’s very fortunate because ‘more’ is just what we’ve got, thanks to the Heroic Map Pack.

Came to Xbox LIVE (in a hail of Covenant bullets) on December 11th the Heroic Map Pack download comprises a trio of brand new multiplayer arenas, each offering a unique gameplay experience and all significantly extending the incomparable Halo 3 fun – and that’s got to be a good thing, right? Be assured, it totally is!

The first map, Standoff, is set in a symmetrical valley that is riddled with large boulders and sinuous trenches, making it ideal for sneaky sharp-shooters and mid-sized Slayer matches. Next up Rat’s Nest is a vast and twisty labyrinth that you wouldn’t really want to run around on foot, thus the action is more vehicular in nature – and is all the more explosive for it! Finally the Foundry describes itself as the ultimate Forge map. More or less every component of this cavernous warehouse can be moved and placed to your liking – stairways, bridges, tunnels and large walls to cower behind when you see us coming, guns a-blazing! With that kind of flexibility you might never need another map pack again. But that’s not how we play…

The Heroic Map Pack costs a mere 800 Microsoft Points and is available now – go check it out! However if you’re prepared to wait until spring 2008, when the next Halo 3 map pack is scheduled to launch, it will be totally free. How’s that for a triple-whammy of awesome news? But can you really keep your itchy trigger finger in check until next year? No, us neither!

Yes! This is a very very cool shirt if your a HL2 Orange Box PORTAL fan ! Which I happen to be.

Source: Splitreason