Zune Chief Gallery: Halo 3 Zune Box is Really, Really Nice

You already saw the Halo 3 edition Zune last Friday, but here's the actual box. Noah was right: This thing is a work of art.

Halo 3 Beta Fixed, Download Now!

Bungie have (finally) fixed the issues that delayed the release. Owners of Crackdown can now download the beta! "Given the popularity of the beta, we expect it may take some time for users to grab the files via Xbox Live."



read more | digg story

Xbox 360 Live Cam Bundle Purchase that is Worth a Gander

Cam, Arcade Points, 12 Month Subscription, 3 Arcade games, an extra headset = 65.95 (no tax, free shipping). If you re-new your 12-Month live subscription, you are paying $50 already right there. See why its not bad to pay the extra $16.



read more | digg story

Freebird: X-Keys USB Extender Lets You Rock Out From 150 Feet

If your Guitar Hero 2 controller keeps getting yanked because you're rocking out from way across the room, check out the X-keys USB extender as demonstrated in the above video.

The extender uses Cat 5 Ethernet cable in order to extend your USB experience up to 150 feet, which may cause signal degradation in normal extenders, which is probably why these guys are charging $79.95 for theirs. Seriously? $79.95? Why not just get a standard USB extension cable? Or for that price, you can buy a bunch of powered USB hubs and link them up with standard Ethernet cords.

Funny video though. – Jason Chen

Dealzmodo: Toshiba HD DVD Players With $100 to $200 Rebate

If you're looking to get into the HD DVD game, Toshiba's got a set of rebates coming up that'll sweeten the pot. Starting May 20, if you buy a Toshiba HD-A2 (lowest price, $295 on Froogle) you'll immediately get a $100 rebate in store. Whether that means online store is qualified, we're not sure yet.

Three weeks after that, for the final week of the month-long promotion, Toshiba will offer you $200 back on any player Toshiba sells (like the HD-A1, which is slightly cheaper) if you buy a 42-inch Toshiba HDTV at the same time. Oh, and the Matrix Trilogy is being released May 22 as well, if that provides any more incentive. – Jason Chen

Update: We're hearing word that Amazon's participating as well, so it's not just B&M stores.

Microsoft's Moore likens PS3 to Dreamcast

In a recent interview with Next-Gen, Peter Moore had some interesting thoughts on the current state of affairs for the PS3. Specifically, Moore offhandedly compares the machine to one with which he is intimately familiar: the Dreamcast. When given the opportunity to insult the PS3 asked a question about the PS3's problems, Moore said, "I'm digging up my tortured past here, but remember Dreamcast?"

The implication here, obviously, is that the PS3 is failing as the Dreamcast did. We would be remiss in our duties if we didn't note that the PS3's situation is vastly different than that of the Dreamcast. SEGA was coming off the unsuccessful SEGA Saturn before it launched the initially successful Dreamcast, only to watch it get crushed under the matte black boots of the PS2. Sony, on the other hand, is coming off the incredible success of the very console that killed the Dreamcast in the first place. Still, details aside, the meaning of the comment is clear, and those, Mr. Moore, are fighting words.

Looking past the initial swipe at Sony, the interview covers a fairly substantial range of topics. These include the Xbox 360 Elite, the continued existence of the Core 360, and how Microsoft plans to expand its software lineup. Hit the "read" link to check it out.

Michael Bay Developing $25M First-Person Shooter

"The Los Angeles Times reports today that director Michael Bay is developing a first-person shooter with a budget of $25 million at Digital Domain, the special-effects house that created the Gears of War Mad World commercial. This will mark Bay’s first foray into video games.

'I make world-class images,' Bay told the newspaper. 'Why not put those images into a game?'

The LA Times revealed that Digital Domain plans to develop four or five games over the next two years. "

SEGA Licenses Unreal Engine 3 for Upcoming Projects

SEGA announced today it is the latest publisher to join the list of companies that have licensed Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3. Below is the press release with the announcement:

SEGA LICENSES EPIC GAMES’ UNREAL ENGINE 3 FOR UPCOMING NEXT-GEN TITLES

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (May 16, 2007) - SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced a licensing agreement with Epic Games to adopt the Unreal® Engine 3 for use in several upcoming projects being developed in North America.

“SEGA is pleased to arm our developers with the sophisticated tools contained in Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. “Its versatility and power will help SEGA create incredible gaming experiences.”

“Epic is extremely excited to be working with SEGA,” said Mark Rein, Vice President, Epic Games, Inc. “SEGA has a long history of innovation and leadership in our industry and we’re honored that they’ve chosen to use Unreal Engine 3.”

Details of the projects currently being worked on will be announced later in the year.

Peter Moore is Having a Good Day

And why wouldn’t he be happy? In a few months he’ll be launching Halo 3, the biggest consumer entertainment product of the year. Elite has been successfully introduced. Xbox Live is hitting all its targets. And best of all, predictions that PlayStation 3 would have overtaken Xbox 360 by the end of 2007 have been proven hopelessly adrift. Everything is coming up Peter.

Let's pull a Gears of War all-nighter

If you can find the strength to pry yourself away from the Halo 3 beta, we encourage you to pull a gaming all-nighter with our favorite over the shoulder shooter Gears of War. As part of Xbox.com's calendar of events, this Saturday, May 19th is scheduled to be a Gears of War all night frag fest. So, jump online, kill a few locusts (or COG members), and enjoy your friend's company into the early AM hours. And if you're willing to share your all-nighter story, send the Xbox Live team a brief writeup and a few pictures of you and your friends chillin' for a chance to win a hard bound copy of The Art of Gears of War book. Oh, and if you're feeling generous, have a pizza delivered over to Fanboy Towers. Our appetite increases during early morning gaming sessions.

Photos from a special Halo 3 LA event

Last night, a few Hollywood youngsters were invited to get some hands on time with Halo 3 at a special event held in LA. And since we're not part of the cool Hollywood crowd, both Major Nelson and the Gamerscore Blog guys gave us an inside look into the event by posting a few pictures. Among the attendees were the BK King, Jon Header and Master Chief with the Halo 3 Zune, Legendary edition helmets, and special Halo 3 Game Fuel Mountain Dew on display. It was a Halo 3 parrrtay! Now we're off to find ourselves a datable (very attractive) actress who could get us into such rockin' events. Wish us luck.

Ace Combat 6 scans

"Ace Combat 6 is back with these two pages from the latest Famitsu Weekly, and it's still as nice looking as ever."

NEW Halo 3 Game Features REVEALED!!

Through some hacking and magic, some crafty coders have uncovered a TON of new information regarding the upcoming release. Tidbits include a map editor, flyable Pelican, new Brute vehicle, and much more!



read more | digg story

Halo 3 release date has been officially announced

Microsoft announced Halo 3 with an official launch date of September 25th, 2007 as of midnight tonight. More details after the jump.



read more | digg story