Worthplaying have gathered together all the latest screenshots of Doom 3 for the Xbox, which will be debuting on the aging console early next month. I have to say it looks like they have managed to pull it off pretty well, although compared to the PC version (mid to high-end PC) it will appear pretty flat, low-res and less crisp.

Check out the screens over at worthplaying

Related:
Doom 3 Xbox impressions
IGNIQ Doom 3 Mods list
Resurrection Of Evil – New Screenshots
Resurrection of Evil Official Trailer
Discussion >>

America’s Army will offer a top-notch multiplayer experience with up to 16 players online“Ubisoft has launched the official website of America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier, a game which will be available in summer 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The game features character customization, which allows you to create a soldier and take him throughout his career – from recruit to Special Forces team leader. Real Special Forces operatives are consulting with game designers to ensure the highest level of realism, as weapons, equipment, and combat situations come straight from the U.S. Army experts. New screenshots are located here

Check out our Americas Army PC Review
Discussion >>

StarDock have released a new real-time strategy game, Uplink: Hacker Elite that puts players in the shoes of a hacker hired to break into computer systems, sabotage companies, frame innocent people and in general be a nuisance:

One of the most alluring elements of the Internet is that of the hacker. They’re the elite programmers working in the dark reaches of cyberspace, going where nobody was meant to. Through Introversion Software’s Uplink: Hacker Elite, gamers can now take the role of one of these hidden agents. Using powerful virtual hardware, software, and an undercover network, players will hack into rival computer systems, frame the innocent, manipulate markets and much more.

Trust is a weakness.
Official site

Uplink: Hacker Elite is available as a stand-alone purchase, or through TotalGaming.net’s online distribution software, that lets subscribers download the company’s library of games without the need for packaging, CD’s etc, similar to Valve’s Steam system.

More info:
About TotalGaming.net
Discussion >>

An interesting contest is underway on the role-playing world Second Life – they have been supplied with an ASCII text version of sci-fi writer Cory Doctorow’s new novel, and users have the challenge of creating the best in-game representation of it:

I didn’t want this version to be just a very long text file on a notecard, so I challenged Residents to come up with a way to turn Cory’s entire 320 page tome into an actual, three-dimensional book in-world– a book with text transposed to a readable typefont, on 3D pages that you can actually turn, in a physical form you can set down and open in front of your avatar.
The word made real

I hadn’t heard of Second Life before, it’s not-quite a game, more a vast interactive online world for people over the age of 18 who are looking for a virtual escape.

The objects in Second Life are mostly all created by players, who are supplied with a 3D modeling program, and for a small fee players can also upload sounds and images for use in the environment – this is an example in a good intro video on C|Net, where music is uploaded to the world for use in a virtual disco.

Another interesting aspect is the currency used in-game, which players get in weekly allowances; this money can be traded for real US dollars with the blessing of Linden Labs, the creators of the world, and in the video we hear of players who earn $1000′s per month selling land from Second Life.
A 7-day free trial of Second Life is available with a credit card, the game costs a one-time fee of $10 to play without limitations.

More info:
Second Life
Second Life FAQ
“At the end of seven days, Everquest 2 is off my subscription list and Second Life is on.”
5 Things You Should Know about Getting a Second Life
Virtual world teaches real-world skills
About Cory Doctorow
Discussion >>

Ever since the launch late last year of the PSP in Japan, it has been haunted by something reffered to as “dead pixels”, which relates to few pixels on the screen that never change color because they are broken.

Earlier reports suggested that Sony would not be handling “dead pixles” on the PSP screen. According to the manual, dead pixels are a standard part of the screen.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) warrants to the original purchaser that each of the constituent products of this PSP system shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase (the “Warranty Period”). If one or more of the aboveidentified products is determined to be defective during the Warranty Period, SCEA’s liability shall be limited to the repair or replacement of this product with a new or refurbished product at SCEA’s option. For the purpose of this Limited Warranty, “refurbished” means a product that has been returned to its original specifications. You must call 1-800-345-7669 to receive instructions, and then must deliver the product, freight prepaid, to the authorized service facility specified to obtain repair/replacement services.

Via Joystiq

Related:
Sony Releases PSP In The U.S.
Japan’s best seller list, as usual paints an interesting picture
Web Browsing on Your PSP
Discussion >>

A pair of dedicated Finnish overclocking gurus have broken the 3DMark World Record with help from XFX makers of high-end graphics cards.

The setup rig included a special liquid-nitrogen cooling system with a pair pf XFX’s Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT cards with 256 Mb of video memory a piece.

Pushing the PCI Express cards to the limit, the two overclockers managed a staggering score of 12,483 on 3DMark 2005.

This was no easy victory. The two XFX GeForce 6800 GTs with NVIDIA SLI technology were pitted against imposing opposition — including SLI enabled GeForce 6800 Ultras and, against all odds and mind-boggling improbability, they were able to surpass the competition by leaps and bounds.
Read on

Via p2pnet

Related:
Top PC Hardware According To 3DMark
NVIDIA’s SLI Shortchanges Gamers?
Post your 3D Mark05 scores here
Post your 3DMark 03 scores here
Discussion >>

Version 0.3 of the Last Man Standing mod for DOOM 3, for Windows. This release includes singleplayer coop support and a double barrel shotgun among other things

This sounds pretty kool to me, bring back my double barreled shotty. ;)

Download

Discussion >>

John Carmack, the main programming force behind Doom and id software’s other games, is working on a cell-phone version of Doom, dubbed DoomRPG.

Unhappy with the Java demo’s installed on his new cell phone, he decided he wanted to make his own game:

You aren’t going to be able to make an immersive experience on a 2” screen, no matter what the graphics look like. Moody and atmospheric are pretty much out. Stylish and fun is about the best you can do.

The standard cell phone style discrete button direction pad with a center action button is a good interface for one handed navigation and selection, but it sucks for games, where you really want a game boy style rocking direction pad for one thumb, and a couple separate action buttons for the other thumb.
[...]
I have a small list of games that I think would work out well, but what I decided to work on is DoomRPG – sort of Bard’s Tale meets Doom. Step based smooth sliding/turning tile movement and combat works out well for the phone input buttons, and exploring a 3D world through the cell phone window is pretty neat. We talked to Jamdat about the business side of things, and hired Fountainhead Entertainment to turn my proof-of-concept demo and game plans into a full-featured game.
John Carmack’s blog

Link via CGOnline.com

Related info:
id Software
Armadillo AeroSpace – Carmack’s aerospace startup company
John Carmack profile on Wikipedia
Discussion >>

The Sonic The Hedgehog franchise is to get yet another spin-off game with the official announcement of “Shadow The Hedgehog”.
The character was first introduced in Sonic Adventure 2 in 2001, and has also appeared in the Sonic cartoon series.

Sega are going the dark, mysterious character route for Shadow:

Shadow is tormented by a dark past, struggling to discover his true identity. He is caught in a complex battle between aliens, the G.U.N. army, and Dr. Eggman, and discovers that he may be the very element that will tip the scales between good and evil forever.
…
Is he an android created by Dr. Eggman? Is he the original Shadow simply suffering from amnesia? Or is there an even more sinister explanation? Now, gamers will decide in a race against time by choosing between any number of routes by which to unveil the secrets of his past. Multiple endings will reflect critical decisions at every stage of the game. Gamers have ultimate control over Shadow’s past, with the potential to rewrite his history time and time again.
More on the press release

Shadow will be available in winter this year for all current-generation console platforms.

Link via Joystiq
Discussion >>

In an extraordinary turn of events, Gabe Newell (CEO of Valve Software) has left the gaming industry to go on tour with his 3 piece folk-rock band, “Left of the Dealer”. The move has stunned gamers the world over (this one included) though when asked about reasons for his departure from Valve Gabe said:

it wasn’t because of any conflicts at Valve — they’re a great team. And don’t get me wrong, I love making games. But there’s a ton of creativity I’m just not able to express unless I’m with my guitar

If anyone is interested in hearing what his band sounds like, you can download “Chasing the Sun” (mp3) here

Valve Engineering Lead, Rick Ellis summed up the mood over at Valve:

of course, we’re sad to him go. But music is his other life, and I’m glad he’s finally living his dream

Via hlfallout

Related:
HL2 Lost Coast Tech Glimpsed on G4TV
Valve’s Anti-Cheat Beta Begins Next Week
Discussion >>

One of the top titles for the new PlayStation Portable – Wipeout Pure – has an almost fully-functional web browser built in; the code appears to be by Sony and may suggest an official browser for the device:

Wipeout Pure’s “Download” section is a full-featured WEB BROWSER!
[...]
Browsing is simple enough, up and down to move from link to link. D-Pad only though. Also there is no cursor anywhere, and no title-bars. If there is no link in the nearest vicinity, the PSP just scrolls the page (awesome). Entering links is X, refresh page is [].
PSP Web Browser (Thanks Wipeout Pure!)

Link via Engadget.com

Related info:
PSP Reception Lukewarm in US?
What to play on your new PSP
PSP Launch Powered by Publishers
PSP 101: Useful PSP fact list
Sony Releases PSP In The U.S. (24 March)
Discussion >>

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has today announced an exclusive licence deal with Twentieth Century Fox that will bring the hit tv series 24 to the Playstation 2. Based around an intense thriller involving a “Counter Terrorism Unit” and all sorts of evil schemes that threaten the security of the world. The events in the show take place within one day and each episode makes up one hour of that day.

The countdown has begun to the release of ’24: The GameTM’ on PlayStation®2. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced an exclusive licence deal with Twentieth Century Fox to bring the acclaimed show ’24′ onto PlayStation 2. Set to become the biggest action adventure game of the year, ’24: The Game’ lets gamers take control and live a ‘brand new day’ in the life of Jack Bauer and the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU).

Press release

Via gamershell

Related:
Fox 24 official website
24’ Counts Down for PlayStation 2 This Autumn
Become Jack Bauer
Court to Sony: Halt PlayStation Sales, Pay $90M
Discussion >>

Shanghai man Zhu Caoyuan was stabbed to death after he sold a virtual sword lent to him by attacker Qiu Chengwei, a fellow player of MMORPG Legend of Mir 3.

Qiu and a friend won the “dragon sabre” in the game last February; the dispute started when Zhu sold it on for 7200 yuan (€ 671).

Qui went to the police to report the “theft” but was told the weapon was not real property protected by law.

“Zhu promised to hand over the cash but an angry Qui lost patience and attacked Zhu at his home, stabbing him in the left chest with great force and killing him,” the court was told.
Reuters

Link via Botros.net game news

Related info:
Onliner gamer stabbed over ‘stolen’ cybersword
Japanese Woman arrested for Deleting MMORPG Items (23 Jan)
Discussion >>

The browser-based 3D adventure game RuneScape, which has received positive feedback from players on our forums, has hit 300,000 members for the first time. The basic game is free to play, but players who sign up as members for $5/ month get benefits like new adventures, new skills and new areas to explore.

You control your own character who will improve and become more powerful the more you play. This isn’t a game where everything that happens is pre-determined. What you do in the world is up to you!

RuneScape isn’t a game you can just finish in a week, and we are adding in more features and quests on a regular basis to ensure there is always something new for you to try!

More info:
RuneScape.com
Jagex.com – Developers
Discussion >>

G4TV’s “Attack of The Show” guest last night was Valve’s Doug Lombardi. He showed off a tiny glimpse of the new Half-Life 2 level “The Lost Coast”, due for release in a few weeks, and which features the new HDR (high dynamic range lighting) technology.

Fans who are looking forward to the extra level (which will be free to owners of HL2 via Steam), may be disappointed that their PC’s aren’t powerful enough to play it – when asked if it would require a high-end system, he said:

Absolutely, no bones about it. This is targeted at the super hardcore early adopter guy, or gal who’s got the latest and greatest stuff, and really the horsepower to haul the new API’s and new lighting tricks.

HDR will be a general upgrade to Half-Life 2 along with the new level, and an update to the Source SDK will allow modders to use the new tech in their games.

For those that missed the show, a .torrent of the interview was posted in the comments section on Voodoo Extreme.

More info:
Half-Life 2 Expansion: The Lost Coast – links to concept art
Discussion >>

Face of Mankind is a futuristic multiplayer online game featuring real-time combat and true roleplaying, set against a cinematic ongoing storyline
Duplex Systems has released a new Face of Mankind showing off for two minutes the new HUD of this MMORPG set in the 24th century. We remind you that the open beta client is locally mirrored here – anyone wishing to participate will be able to create a free Face of Mankind account on the game’s official website.

I believe P.T Flea and Fivestardeath have both played this rpg. You can ask them questions on our forum

This little clip shows you about the interactive gameplay and the environment. People that have played this before will be familar and notice the updates.
Download 1
Download 2

More info:
Face of Mankind Open Beta

Discussion >>

Brothers in Arms is a new action packed WW2 shooter from Gearbox Software, based on a true story.

I never asked to be a squad leader. I’ve spent 8 days here. 8 days watching my men, my brothers kill and be killed. 8 days wishing it would stop. SGT Matt Baker – 101st airborne division

This is an in-game quote and is found on the back of the CD case. The game is based on a true story and attempts as realistic an experience as possible from back then.

System Requirements:

Minimum:

OS 2000/XP
1ghz Pentium/AMD
512mb RAM
32mb DirectX 9c Video card
DVD-ROM 4X
16-bit DirectX 9c Audio card
HD 5GB
Multiplayer 64kps Upstream

Recommended:

2.5ghz P4/AMD
1GB RAM
64MB DirectX 9c Video card
Multiplayer Broadband 128 Upstream+

There are many differences with this WW2 based game compared to others in its genre. Even though you can see down your sight and get a shot at the enemy, it doesn’t mean your going to hit. Your hands are extremely shakey, and it’s almost like you’re too drunk. Anyway you can’t expect to hit as they have their own strategy which makes it a squad based game where if your team lays down covering fire, you can outflank and kill the enemy, where they have no protection. Also I noticed some more scenes similar to “Medal of Honor” and the expansion “Spearhead” where they are in the plane and jump. So a lot of these games base it around The 101st airborne.

Now in this game, there are no renegade’s or soloing. You need your team to do something whilst you do the other. As you don’t have unlimited ammo but your team does, they carry out the suppressing fire whilst you out-flank and kill them.

Graphics
Now the graphics are kind of weird. The problem with this game is it reminds me of a console game (never a good sign) but in saying that it does have some great model textures and skies, with the day and night changing. I mean, it doesn’t have water like Half Life 2/Far Cry but it does create the atmosphere.

Audio
Well before I can say anything, I have never fired a real gun in my life so I don’t exactly know how the guns sounded back in the 1940′s, except in movies and games, but as I’ve seen in a video interview, these weapons sound like they did 60+yrs ago. In my personal opinion they sound weak and awful but that is just my view.

How does this compare to other WW2 games?
Well this has great graphics that run very smoothly compared to Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault, but to me it seems very strange. I know they want you to use the AI, which I find is different and more clever than most other WW2 games, but I mean if you’re a good shot, you’re a good shot.

Impression Verdict
I’m not really sure, I would need to complete the game but it does have something new to offer rather than these other WW2 games like Medal of Honor etc, which goes on for a life-time…

More info:
Hi-Res Trailer
Offical Website
Discussion >>

kotaku links to CBS GameCore’s mailbag, which is about lawyer Jack Thompson’s latest example of contempt for all things gaming.

In February, the lawyer took part in an online Q&A for CBS News GameCore about violence in games such as Grand Theft Auto, and his replies to the questions seemed reasonable and sane – and in general he does have a point about excessive violence in games influencing kids – but he almost negates himself by showing total comical disdain for gamers when he speaks to people outside of the spotlight of mainstream media.

The latest example is an attempt by the forum members of Ctrl+Alt+Del, whose owner is a gamer that took part in an alternate-view follow up to Thompson’s Q&A, to engage him in an open discussion.

The initial email sent to him was:

Mr. Thompson,
I have recently read your interview for CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005…ain676446.shtml) and I have read what you have to say on your website (http://www.stopkill.com) I would like to make a formal invitation to you to discuss your views on how violent video games correlate to violence in reality. I hope you have read the follow up interview from Tim Buckly, creator of the Ctrl-Alt-Del webcomic (http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com), as it was an astute contradiction to you views.

This discussion will be held on the Ctrl-Alt-Del forums here: http://www.cad-forums.com/showthrea…5078#post905078

My first question to you would be if you could prove your claims to have predicted the 1999 Columbine killings and the 2002 DC Sniper attacks? I have searched and searched the NBC archives and could not find a single excerpt or transcript. If you could provide us with a link or perhaps scan a transcript in your pposession, it would make your case all the easier to claim.

Thank you for your time.
Nicholas Chase (Nichabod)

Hardly a flamewar rant against him, but he acted as if was by first setting up his auto-responder to emails from the forum-goers to be “your favorite industry is going to be exposed on 60 minutes sunday night” referring to an appearance he was going to make on the show, then replied with:

My website and email are for people harmed by these games, not for people
the moral equivalent of Saddam Hussein. If you want to rant about this, go
to a GTAVC chat room. Either stop sending me emails like this or pay the
consequences. jesuslovesyou, dude
[...]
Ps: No you’re beyond help, so bugger off
Read the full thread

More info:
Thompson’s StopKill.com
CBS GameCore Mailbag Freak Out – reader responses
Jack Thompson won’t talk to bloggers, but he’ll talk to CBS
Jack Thompson is at it again – 60 Minute quotes for your enjoyment/terror
Anti-Game Lawyer Snubs GamersHell (2 Feb)
Discussion >>

A plausible but fake PlayStation 3 image has surfaced on the Internet. It can be checked over on Gizmodo.com, a page from an official presentation type leaflet listing the features of the machine (Cell processor, Blu-Ray disc, PS3/PSP UMD MediaMove and Piano-Black Design).

From kotaku:

Although it’s probably a fake, mostly because it’s way too fat to come from Sony, there are a lot of things about the image that makes me think it could be real.

First off, it has a lot of other images on the page, including one of the PSP and two other devices a don’t recognize. One may be an LCD but I cant’ tell what the third is, is does appear to have a camera latched to it’s top. Joel says it is one of their phones.

Related info:
Best PlayStation 3 Fake to Date Does the Rounds
PS3 Fake, But Details Coming Pre-E3
Is this the PlayStation 3?
Nice looking console, but a closer look suggests an impressive fake
Cell Chip Tech Revealed (8 Feb)
Discussion >>

In a huge blow to Sony, a district court in California has ordered them to pay $90.7 million dollars to Immersion, a small company in Silicon Valley specialising in digital touch technology.

Immersion claimed the famous Dual-Shock controller, that comes as standard with the PlayStation and PS2 and shakes in response to actions in-game, infringes on a patent held by the firm.

The court order also requires Sony to suspend sales of the PlayStation in the U.S; but that order doesn’t hold while Sony appeal the decision.
Immersion CEO Victor Viegas:

The compulsory license during the stay of the injunction creates a binding obligation for Sony to compensate us for the continued use of our technology in their PlayStation products. We have always believed, and continue to believe, in the strength of our intellectual property. We remain confident of our position in the appeals process.
More

More Info:
Sony Asked to Pay $90 Million Fine
BBC News: Sony faces $90.7m patent damages
Dual Shock facts on Wikipedia
Discussion >>

eToyChest.org report that a baby has been named after Firiona Vie, the spokes-elf in EverQuest:

… player Tabitha Ayers gave birth to a baby girl January 6, 2005, and promptly named her Firiona Vie Ayers, in honor of EverQuest’s famous spokes-elf. The path to geekdom for this child has aready been paved in 12-sided dice and character sheets.
EverQuest Inspires Pizza, Babies

Related info:
EverQuest II – Order a Pizza In-Game
Discussion >>

Like the PC version of DOOM 3, which was leaked to the Internet days before it was released, a warez copy of the as-yet-unreleased XBox version is reportedly spreading like wildfire on Bit Torrent and IRC.

The XBox conversion is due for official release next Monday.
WindowsBeta.net, via kotaku

Related info:
Latest Doom 3 Screenshots For Xbox
Doom 3 XBox Impressions
DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil Official Trailer
Carmack Tackles DOOM For Cell Phones
Discussion >>

Patch V1.01 for Chaos Theory has just been released. This patch contains minor bug-fixes and overall improvements to the game (full changes here) The patch is a whooping 79.4 Mb.

You can download it via Bittorrent here
or direct download mirrors here

Related:
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory – Gone Gold In Europe
Fully playable demo (603 Mb)
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Review
Official Website
Discussion >>

Calling it a “major threat” to morality, the former 1st Lady has hit out at the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Some may see it as Hillary getting her face out there early enough to be making some political impact before the 2008 U.S. Presidential elections.

Children are playing a game that encourages them to have sex with prostitutes and then murder them.

This is a silent epidemic of media desensitisation that teaches kids it’s OK to diss people because they are a woman, they’re a different color or they’re from a different place.

Yes, she actually used the word “diss”. I thought that was hilarious. Could this be another politician looking for another scapegoat?

Via Kotaku

Related:
Hillary Clinton plays Grand Theft Auto card
Jack Thompson, Anti-Game Lawyer Strikes Again
enjoyment/terror
GTA San Andreas – Review
Discussion >>

Computer Gaming World’s May 2005 edition magazine have got their hands on the first screenshots and information of the next Unreal Tournament game based on the revolutionary Unreal 3 Engine. Also included is talk of a completely new style of gameplay “Conquest”.

Details of the game are sketchy at the moment, however we can report that Epic programmer Steve Polge is the game’s Lead Designer, with Jim Brown filling the role of Lead Level Designer. The article also tells of Epic’s desire to put gameplay above graphics with the next UT, as demonstrated by the fact that the title’s programming is currently “ahead” of its art.
Read on

Link via gamershell

Related:
Unreal Engine 3 Impressions
Unreal 3 Engine Trailer
Computer Gaming World
High-resolution render of next UT character
Discussion >>

Ned Batchelder’s son is a massive fan of the Myst series of games, and for his birthday requested his cake be themed on Myst island from the first game:

Everything is edible. It includes Twinkies, ice-cream cones, coffee cakes, marshmallows (regular and mini), pretzels (stix and rods), Hershey bars, Ring Dings, Twizzlers, those rectangular wafer cookies, and my new favorite building material, Little Debbie Fudge Brownies. It’s all topped off with plenty of frosting, in brown, white, blue, and two greens.
Link

Via Boingboing.net
Discussion >>

From Gearbox Software comes Brother in Arms, a fast-paced first person shooter for the PC. The game is supposedly based around the true story of Matt Baker, a D-Day paratrooper squad leader. The games developers claim it is the most realistic and authentic WWII shooter ever.

I have not yet played it but from the videos i have seen it does look quite impressive (however authentic the actual storyline really is) As of yet there is no sign of a playable demo but i’m sure we’ll here more in the very near future.

Brothers in Arms is the most realistic and authentic WWII shooter ever. While other WWII games have sugarcoated the war experience, Brothers in Arms is based on a true story and will immerse gamers into the gritty, uncensored and emotionally-charged side of war.

Download the latest patch v1.02 here (3 Mb)
Official Website and trailers here

Discussion >>

I came across an interesting article on the Christian evangelism website Dare2Share.org, which has a number of programmes where youths look at ways to affirm their faith through popular culture and different outlets.

The Dare 2 Share ministers recognise the size of the Halo 2 audience and see it as a way to share their message, though they are not actually in favour of the game because of the violence.

One of the three ways the article suggests to witness (affirm your faith in public) through Halo 2 is to point out parallels between the storyline of the game and Jesus’ saving of humanity:

Jesus came to this planet to save the planet from a group much worse than the Covenant (the aliens) and from a fate much worse than physical death. Satan’s goal is to make sure people have a miserable and short life that stays as far away from the gospel as possible so he can have company in hell. Jesus died on the Cross and came back from the dead to give us the life God intended us to have. Remember this: for the Christian, this life is the only hell we will ever experience. For the non-Christian, this life is the only heaven they will ever experience. So the next time you are hanging out with friends who know Halo but don’t know God, try bringing up a conversation about the storyline behind planet earth.
How to Witness Using ‘Halo 2′

More info:
The Saga of the XBox – ”How To Witness Using Halo 2”

Link via Water Cooler Games
Discussion >>

Last week, the Korean XBox site briefly listed a Halo X-Pack as coming soon, before it was just as quickly removed from the site.
Now, Gamespot have uncovered more details:

According to a product page for a “Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack” that was briefly listed on EBgames.com this morning, the expansion is only “a collection of nine multiplayer maps, as well as non-playable video content (a cinematic and a mini-documentary). Delivered on a standard Xbox DVD disc, the multiplayer content can be used by gamers on Xbox Live as well as those who play multiplayer via System Link or via Split-screen (on one Xbox).”

Before it disappeared from the site this morning, the page listed the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack as costing $19.99 and shipping on May 24. As of press time, the page still displayed the name “Halo 2 Expansion Pack” as its page title in Internet browsers and HTML code.
Read on

Bungie themselves addressed the rumours also, and promised a major announcement next week about the new maps:

What’s up with the listing on Xbox.com in Korea that says the downloadable content is coming out as a retail game release??

Next week, we’re going to have a major announcement about the details of our new maps. Right now, there are some dates, details and ideas out there that are actually wrong, so please take everything you read between now and then with a grain of salt. We can’t talk about how and when the new maps will be released, we’ll leave that to the smart folks who actually do all the logistical work for this stuff – marketing and PR, but we can tell you this much – our entire plan is designed to make new content available for everybody, those with Xbox Live and those without Xbox Live. We hope in the end, everyone will be satisfied.
Bungie Weekly What’s Update

More info:
Bungie.net
  dek’s Halo 2 review
Using Halo 2 To Evangelize Christianity
Discussion >>

“Neo Sonic Godspeed is one of three Sonic the Hedgehog remakes from a group of developers called the Manic Team. The Neo Sonic games are excellent near perfect clones of the popular SEGA games originally released in the early 1990′s for the Sega Console systems. You have the option to play as Sonic or Shadow each with different leves and action packed game-play.”

Download 1

Review By Mr Mike

Discussion >>