backdraft123's space: E3 2006

Best Downloads of E3 Week

Sun, 14 May 2006 22:01:53 GMT

The week of E3 was completely crazy, to say the least. Every day at 12:00 PM EST, i was on my 360 waiting for the freshest batch of content to be released. I was always looking froward to the free gamerpictures and themes, which turned out to be really cool.

Demos, trailers, themes, gamerpics, and even an arcade game where all released last week. Im going to give you a list of my top 5 favorite downloads of E3 week.

Halo 3 was the most downloaded item on the marketplace

1.) Halo 3 Announcement Trailer

Of course i have to go with Halo 3, simply because...well, its HALO 3. The franchise itself is Microsoft's baby boy and it is a system seller. People go out and buy an Xbox and Xbox Live just to play Halo: Combat Evolved, and Halo 2. Now, people have a sure reason to go out and buy a 360. There is no excuse now. Halo 3 is slated for a 2007 release is going to be the final installment in the series.

2.) Forza 2 Trailer:

I just simply liked this trailer a lot. I thought they did a good job delivering a great trailer to a game that is one of the most popular racing games for the Xbox. I never did play the other Forza game, but i will be sure to pick up the second one when it is released. I strongly recommend downloading this trailer, even if you arent a fan of these types of games.

3.) Gears of War Trailer:

This is another great trailer. It was put together extremely well. Im a little dissapointed that we didnt get the demo that was showed at E3. Still, it is worth the download. GoW has the potential to be the Xbox 360's system seller until 2007 when "you know what" comes out.

4.) Call of Duty 2 Map Packs:

I havent played these maps a great deal yet, but im sure some of my friends that are probably reading this now will be sending out the invites to get some games in on these new maps. The Bonus Map Pack is a free download and the Skirmish Map Pack will cost you 400 MPs.

5.) UNO:

I was actually really excited to be getting this game for a good price of 400 points. Its a great game to pass the time with a few of your friends while your waiting for others to get on, or just want something to do besides racing cars, shooting people in the face, and kicking someone between the legs. Nice relaxing elevator music and 4 player online play make this game a must-have for any card shark.

Notable Mentions:

I always looked forward to downloading the free gamerpics and themes last week. The X-Men themes and GPs where not really that great looking. I was surprised that i actually found myself adoring the Adidas themes and GPs, but the Xbox Live Gold and Silver GPs and themes are probably the coolest.

--backdraft123

E3-2006: Day 4, 2nd Wave of Content

Thu, 11 May 2006 19:03:29 GMT

Check out the fresh content released minutes ago!

Rainbow Six Vegas Trailer: 78.38 MBs
Live Performance by Chris Brown (Poppin') Video: 160.63 MBs
Live Performance by Chris Brown (Gimme That) Video: 194.72 MBs

All of its free. If there is anymore content released, i will update ASAP.

--backdraft123

E3-2006: Day 4 of Content Released

Thu, 11 May 2006 16:06:39 GMT

As usual, here is a list of todays content, and some of the content that has been leaking out onto the marketplace since yesterday's 2nd wave:

X-Men: The Last Stand Picture Pack 2: 96.00 KB
Adidas +10 Theme: 3.09 MBs
Gold Member Theme: 1.98 MBs
Silver Member Theme: 1.53 MBs
X-Men: The Last Stand Theme 2: 2.09 MBs
Spider Man 3 Trailer: 55.77 MBs
Showfloor Behind the Scenes: 274.58 MBs
Xbox Press Briefing: 278.58 MBs
MotoGP'06 Demo: 882.53 MBs
Splinter Cell Backstage Pass: 226.78 MBs

The MotoGP'06 demo can be played on Xbox Live with some friends. There is only 1 playable driver and 1 playable track to race on. Look for more content on the marketplace around 3 PM EST.

--backdraft123

E3-2006: 2nd Wave of Content Released

Wed, 10 May 2006 20:56:50 GMT

As i said earlier, you should be expecting the Call of Duty 2 Map Pack to be making its way to the marketplace. It is now available for download. The "Bonus Map Pack" is a free download and includes the maps Vosseneck, Germany and Wallendar, Germany. The file size is 124.78 MBs. Alongside the "Bonus Map Pack" is the "Skirmish Map Pack." It features the maps Kalach, Russia and Beaumont-Hague, France. These maps ring in at 127.03 MBs and cost 400 Microsoft Points.

Along with the maps 2 new videos are also available:

DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball 2 Trailer: 188.14 MBs
Shadowrun Backstage Pass video: 308.34 MBs

If you want to play some Call of Duty 2 with me tonight, send me a Friend Request and we'll get some games in.

--backdraft123

PS--Check out the brand new wireless gear in the photo booth that will be hitting store shelves before holiday season.

E3-2006: E3 is here and todays 1st wave content downloads

Wed, 10 May 2006 16:17:21 GMT

How can you top yesterday's massive content release? Well, to be honest im not sure if you can. But, more content has been ushered out to the marketplace, moments ago. Lets take a look at the first wave of cotent that is now available on the marketplace today:

Gold Members Picture Pack: 128.00 KB *Free*
Silver Members Picture Pack: 96.00 KB *Free*
X-Men: The Last Stand Theme #1: 1.64 MBs *Free*
Adidas Team Geist Theme: 3.16 MBs
X-Men: The Official Game Trailer: 78.31 MBs
Xbox Live Arcade Montage: 49.94 MBs
Xbox 360 Montage: 209.17 MBs
Enchanted Arms Trailer: 111.89 MBs
Games for Windows Montage: 140.36 MBs
Niney Nine Nights Trailer: 153.97 MBs
World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions Trailer: 93.16 MBs
Prey Trailer: 117.75 MBs
MotoGP'06 Trailer: 69.33 MBs
A Scanner Darkly Trailer: (480p,720p) 22.17 MBs, 119.00 MBs

This is only the first wave of content for today. I have heard that Call of Duty 2 map pack will be available for download today also. 2 maps are free, the 2 will cost 400 MPs. I'll have more news when the content is released.

Also, i will have a recap at the end of the week of the best and worst content that was released during E3 Week.

--backdraft123

Pre-E3: Day 2 Content. The day just got CRAZIER!

Tue, 09 May 2006 20:34:38 GMT

I didnt think my day could've gotten any better. But it did, it really REALLY did. Halo 3 has OFFICIALLY been announced. The Halo 3 Announcement Trailer is available on the marketplace. Though, i think it would be way easier if you just headed on over to bungie.net and downloaded the trailer to your computer.

If that wasnt enough for you, here is a complete list of the second wave of content to hit the marketplace:

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent Trailer: 90.72 MBs
Crackdown Trailer: 67.47 MBs
Fable 2 Trailer: 75.75 MBs
Shadowrun Trailer: 94.75 MBs
Forza 2 Trailer: 93.61 MBs
Gears of War Trailer: 58.61 MBs
Too Human Trailer: 69.81 MBs
Alan Wake Trailer: 66.77 MBs
Viva Pinata Trailer: 259.61 MBs
Halo 3 Announcement Trailer: 104.42 MBs
Halo 3 Picture Pack: 112.00 KBs
Halo 3 theme: 3.53 MBs
UNO Arcade Game: 24.33 MBs

Alright, well im going to give everyone a fair warning and say that the download center is like New York Rush Hour traffic. Its pretty much crammed, so expect sloooow downloads for now. The Halo 3 themes and GPs are not free, and after i downloaded them i forgot how much they where. My bad. Enjoy your "free for the most part" content!

--backdraft123

PS- Im more excited than a priest at a little league game.

Pre-E3: New Trailers, Gamerpictures, and a demo!

Mon, 08 May 2006 17:26:46 GMT

Mega Monday has kicked off! Tons of new content has been released onto the marketplace. Here is the entire list of downloads:

Test Drive Unlimited DEMO : 483.17 MBs
Poseidon Trailer (480p ,720p) : 22.78 , 122. 95 MBs
Bullet With Trailer : 76.66 MBs
Dance Dance Revolution Universe: 53.91 MBs
Rain Trailer: 58.28 MBs
Sonic the Hedgehog Trailer: 64.36 Mbs
John Woo Presents: Stranglehold Trailer: 70.44 MBs
Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway Trailer: 102.78 MBs
Lord of the Ringfs: Battle for Middle Earth II Trailer: 73.59 MBs
Dead Rising Trailer: 65.94 MBs
Battlestations: Midway Trailer: 100.75 MBs
NCAA College Hoops 2K7 Trailer: 39.55 MBs
NCAA Football 07 Trailer: 47.39 MBs
Adidas Soccer Picture Pack: 160.00 KB
X-Men: The Last Stand Picture Pack 1: 96.00 KB

Test Drive Unlimited is a pretty good demo. You have a 15 minute demo time in single player and when the servers are up and running, you can take the game online for some online play. Look for more content to become available through the week. It's going to be a KA-RAZY week!

--backdraft123

Pre-E3: Content announced and more news!

Tue, 02 May 2006 23:11:01 GMT

Gaming History is about to take place during the week of May 8th-12th. Microsoft will be bringing the E3 experience right to our dashboards. Forget about sitting on your couch with your buds and watching it on TV. Get on the Marketplace and find exclusive E3 content for the Xbox 360. There is going to be Demos, Trailers, Themes, and even Gamerpictures from E3. Here is some of the stuff you can be expected to see:

Crackdown
Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth 2
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
Moto GP '06
Sonic the Hedgehog
Splinter Cell Doule Agent
Test Drive Unlimited
Viva Pinata

You can also expect a HUGE amount of HD trailers from games that have not yet been announced. I have a hunch, a Halo 3 trailer will be on the marketplace sometime next week.

Along with all this uber content, Activision will be releasing 9 new Multiplayer Maps for it's hit title Call of Duty 2. The Map Packs will be released at different times. The first four maps will be released during the week of E3. The other 5 coming in July of 2006.

Vossenack, Germany *FREE*
Wallendar, Germany *FREE*
Kalach, Russia
Beaumont-Hague, France

The Russia and France map will be apart of a map pack called the "Skirmish Map Pack" which will cost 400 Microsoft Points. As i said earlier, there will also be map pack that will be released in July. These 5 maps can be purchased in July for 900 Microsoft Points:

Antoville, France (Crossroads)
St. Louet, France (Newvillers)
Amaye sur Seulles, France (Normandy)
Alam Halfa, Egypt (Decoytown)
Rostov, Russia (Harbor)

While typing up this blog entry, i was just informed by Haloaded that Xbox.com and Xbox Live are back up and running. They where recently shut-down at roughly 2 AM this morning for maitenance. It looks as if you can now message your friends from Xbox.com and also check out a list of your recently played players.

Link Dump:

http://www.majornelson.com

http://www.xbox.com

http://xbox360.ign.com

--backdraft123

Pre-E3: Halo 3 expected to be at E3

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:09:52 GMT

Halo 3

Another great E3 rumor. Im sure everyone had a feeling that Bungie and Microsoft where in the works to give us something at E3. "Halo 3", Bungie's third installment in the series, has been rumored to be in a 2 minute video format. No other contents of the video have been confirmed, but you know it has to be some dramatic scenes with actual gameplay footage instead of CGI videos. Remember, this is Microsoft's game, not Sony's.

My entry from yesterday, commenting on what Peter Moore had to say made this even more interesting. If he holds true to his statement about bringing E3 closer to viewers at home, then maybe we can expect this 2 minute video of Halo 3 to be on the marketplace no later than the 3rd week of May.

Now, let me ask you this. Do you have a sense now that E3 is finally in the air?

--backdraft123

Video Downloads and Demos from E3?

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:49:04 GMT

"It is our goal to bring E3 home to Xbox Live members as best we can, all the videos and the news as quickly as possible. We will give you the flavor of what's going on, on the show floor and some of the stuff that we are showing and debuting here." --Peter Moore Microsoft's Corporate VP

What did Mr. Moore mean by this? Well if you go onto read the full article, he states that it is Microsoft's goal to bring the E3 experience into the homes of millions of people.Yes folks, thats right. Demos of games that are playable at E3, videos of games that are playable at E3, possibly a downloadable slideshow that you can view of pictures from E3. There are tons of possibilities. I'd like to see some Free Gamer Pictures and Themes that are "E3" themed.

Here is a list of games that are have already been announced and are in the works. Hopefully we will see some playable demos or Video Downloads on the Xbox Live Marketplace soon!

Blue Dragon

Lost Odyssey

Here is the link for the full article on Xbox.com

Pre- E3 Virtua Tennis 3 Confirmed

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 14:35:49 GMT

If your looking for an alternative tennis game to play besides Top Spin 2, your in luck! Virtua Tennis 3 has officially been announced for the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360. VT3 is developed by AM2 Studios who are the makers of Virtua Fighter 4 and Shenmue II. Game details are still pretty blury at the moment, but some of the features in the game will include the following:

World Traveling Career mode which allows the player to take top stars around the world
Player creation modes
Officially licensed tennis equipment
Tons of mini-games which include some of the other mini-games from the other 2 games in the series
Facial expressions and improvements to the AI

The release for the game is slated for a Spring 2007 release, but more info on this game will become more available when E3 2006 kicks off.

--backdraft123