During your play through of BioShock, didn't you always wish there was a way to Scout out what was going on in the next room? Wouldn't have been nice to be able to do that and also set up or actually attack enemies in the next room so they were weaker before kicking down the door for the attack? I know I would have saved a few deaths if I was able to do that. Actually screaming out "I wish I could [insert what I said above]" when I died. Not really, but I can picture it in my head. Read More...

With all the consoles (finally) starting to stream digital media, either from Netflix, or from online stores, it seems that the only natural progression would be to start showing live TV shows/sporting events. ESPN were in talks with Microsoft in a very "private" meeting, about the possibility to stream sporting events live on the XBox 360. Of course fee's would be involved but now your average gamer, on any given sunday, could sit at home and switch back and forth from Madden '10 to whatever football game was on. For a per-subscriber fee, ESPN could provide live streams of sporting events, similar to the ones available through ESPN 360, a service that is available from some high-speed Internet providers. Read More...

Cryptic Studios has finally announced the subscription plan information for Star Trek Online.  With the game being released February 2nd, players who have already pre-ordered the game will get discounted subscription offers and exclusive content.  Subscription models are always the make or break deal for MMO's.  With so many free online games out there to play and with pay to play business models already in place, MMO companies are starting to offer incentives to those willing to sign on for a longer subscription.  Here are the newly offered subscription options:Lifetime Subscription:$239 gets youLifetime AccessPlayable Borg2 additional character slots12 month Subscription$119. Read More...

At this year's CES in Las Vegas, NV there was loads to show off in terms of hardware. At least as gaming consoles and gaming computers go. But what about some of the software that was shown for all of us gamers? Like a real hands on with the multiplayer of BioShock 2. Not just spiffy videos. Well this was one of the games that was being showcased for all who attended and found there way out to the IGN and Sprint trucks hidden in front of the convention. Let me start off, as I usually do when it comes to multiplayer, not a big fan of it. In fact with this title, I was loathing the fact it was having multiplayer added as it generally ruins the single player game. Read More...

It looks like the two games next up for the Games on Demand treatment are, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 and Kane&Lynch: Dead Men. I find it funny that with both game descriptions they more or less end with "no refunds are available for this item." It adds a deeper level to the game description for some reason. Try and read them in the same way you would the game description, envision the music for each. It's epic isn't it? Read More...

Microsoft has finally caught on to the whole instant gratification idea and released it's long awaited Games for Windows- Live games on demand. Talk about a day late and a dollar short.Microsoft opened it's doors to PC gamers everywhere, with their new Games for Windows LIVE software.  Gamers can download numerous titles from Microsoft ranging from Dirt 2 to Street fighter IV.  Yes we are all aware that Digital Distribution already exists with Steam and Direct2drive among others, but Microsoft gives the players the ability to use cash or Microsoft points to purchase games. Read More...

You know the storyline.  You know the tricks.  But how is it still so fun?  New Super Mario Bros. Wii is another smash hit in a long line of Mushroom Kingdom mayhem courtesy of Nintendo.  Staying with their desire for accessibility, Nintendo took all the ideas and concepts that made the original Super Mario Bros. 2D platforming franchise a success and used that as the base for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Read More...

The crew is back minus Michael as he is in the land of the Crimson Tide. Brian and Binh are joined once again by Shannon (moepower). They talk about how much they miss Mike, give a lot of love to Oblivion and have a discussion about GameInformer magazine's top 200 video games of all time. We also discuss the games we have been playing (or not playing in Shannon's case), including Lego Rock Band, Torchlight, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Modern Warfare 2 and more. On Bargain Binh this week, Binh rolls out the doorbusters you must hit on Black Friday, On the DL has Brian gushing more love on a casual game that finally made it to the PSN, and Shannon pulls a hilarious TV series for the Netflix Pix. Read More...

<rant>So awoke today to an all to familiar sight: a red ringed 360. I've had 4 red rings in 5 years, and while I most likely use my 360 more than the average user, 4 units in 5 years is unacceptable for a company who can afford to make a system that won't fail.</rant> I did a poll of my 60 some friends on Live and got 30 responses: 23 of them have had red rings, 7 of them haven't, and of those 7, 3 got theirs this year (the newest 360, which allegedly won't red ring anymore). While many polls have been done outside of mine, the results are always staggering, in some polls (like the game informer poll) gamers report that the failure rate is over 50% while some polls report around 20-25%. Anything above 10% in my mind is a completely unacceptable. Read More...

Today BioWare announced their next installment of downloadable content for their critically acclaimed Dragon Age: Origins will be available this holiday season.  Entitled as Return to Ostagar, players will be able to: A return to the battlefields of Ostagar, now thick with darkspawn encamped amidst the snow An opportunity to reclaim the lost arms and armor of a king A second chance to add Dog to your party The cheapest of the three DLC packs, Return to Ostagar will retail out at $4.99 on the PSN, 400 magical Microsoft Points and 400 magical BioWare Points.  I feel torn about all this content being released so soon after the full game's release. Read More...

The crew is here and celebrating their 50th episode. To kick off the celebration the right way, we brought back Michael's old co-host, Moepower (Shannon). We started off the episode perfectly as Shannon revealed her 360 just RRODed as we began the show. We then go ahead and check out what we've been playing, to include Dragon Age, Torchlight, New Super Mario Brothers and a lengthy discussion on Modern Warfare 2. Bargain Binh brings us a PlayStation 3 exclusive for just under $25, Brian takes on the DL, highlighting Nintendo's recent decision to release WiiWare demos, and Michael brings Korean Horror to Netflix Pix. Shannon divulges her own Netflix Pix, bringing an anime classic to the table. Read More...

Alright ladies and gents, it's that time again where we bring to you this week's downloads from Nintendo. But this time we have a nice surprise for you as they bring you 5 demos for you to try before you decide to buy them for the holiday season. For zero Wii Points you will be able to download BIT.TRIP BEAT, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits, World of Goo and Pokemon Rumble. They have more for you, as you swing into action from the Virtual Console with Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures and duke it out with Street Fighter II: Champion Edition. Read More...

So some news about Natal is making the rumor rounds. According to a member of a “secret tour of a Microsoft lab”, the controller-free movement only control system will come out November of 2010, which Microsoft had previously hinted at and then claimed bollocks. Microsoft hopes to have 5 million units available for purchase worldwide at the time of launch, some being sold with a 360, and some being sold on their own. The price would range anywhere from £30 to £50 (what the price would be in USD is anybody's guess at this point) and would have a fairly robust 14 launch games. We know that Criterion/EA had modified the popular Burnout Paradise to work with Natal, so maybe the 14 includes patches for some games. Read More...

Microsoft announced yesterday that they have banned a very large number (rumored to be up to 1 million) Xbox Live player accounts for modding their Xbox systems and playing pirated games.With the current release of Modern Warfare 2, players are anxiously trying to get online and fragging their friends but it seems Microsoft has other plans.  Microsoft is citing it's terms of service agreement that players agree to when buying an xbox system:Download or use any material sent or provided by another user of the Service that you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally shared or distributed in such manner (except as expressly permitted by us).What they could and would do were clearly laid out:Microsoft may, among other things: (a) restrict or limit access to the Service; (b) retrieve information from the original Xbox, Xbox 360 console, personal computer, and any connected peripheral device used to log onto the Service as necessary to operate and protect the security of the Service, and to enforce this contract. Read More...

"Loaded with multi-touch, accelerometer, and 3D graphics, Zune HD makes portable gaming even more exciting. All to the sound of your favorite music. Download free games from our catalog of popular titles like Vans Sk8: Pool Service and Audiosurf Tilt.", says Microsoft's Zune Site.Not one to allow Apple to comfortably situate itself atop the movie gaming market, Microsoft has rolled out some titles for the Zune HD. These titles range from new properties to some existing licenses. One of the advantages right off the bat for the Zune HD as a gaming platform -- and by extension as a mobile device in general -- is that it takes advantage of Microsoft Points. Read More...