Joystiq [Xbox]

Twitter users unlock Final Fantasy XIII chocobo Avatar item

In a feat considerably easier than breeding a golden chocobo in Final Fantasy VII, fans of Square Enix's thirteenth Final outing have unlocked a special Xbox Live Avatar item through the power of word of mouth (via keyboard). After garnering enough specially tagged messages on Twitter (some speculate that this may have represent some sort of "marketing tactic"), the folks at Microsoft have seen fit to entrust an adorable virtual chocobo to your Avatar.

If you're in North America, UK, France or Germany and registered on the site, you can expect a download code via email by mid-December. If not, we've placed something after the break to cheer you up.

[Via @AceyBongos]

Continued →

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Madden NFL Arcade

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

It would appear that Microsoft and Electronic Arts are onto our annual turkey-eating, football-watching ritual, as Madden NFL Arcade has landed on Xbox Live Arcade just in time for Thanksgiving. If you've been looking for a faster, simpler game of football, Madden NFL Arcade just might be the thing for you. Assuming you can stomach the 1200

($15) price tag, of course. Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief to see what the game is all about.

Download the trial version of Madden NFL Arcade

[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly.
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[M4V] Download the M4V directly.

Star Trek D-A-C gets new ships, modes, major online fix

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Paramount has announced that a free update is now available for the Xbox 360 version of Star Trek D-A-C. The update adds two new ships to the game, the missile cruiser and the support frigate.

The missile cruiser packs heavy, long range attacks, while the support frigate can heal friendly units and destroy escape pods. A new single-player survival mode has also been added as well. The online portion has been updated with more options, like configuring bot AI and the number of points needed to win.

Probably the most important addition, however, is host migration. This will automatically switch hosts if the current host decides to quit -- rather than simply dropping everyone from the game. Considering we were dropped several times even in the trial version, that's probably a good addition.

Gallery: Star Trek D-A-C Survival Mode

Halo: Evolutions story collection available now

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Microsoft and Tor Books have issued a friendly reminder that the Halo: Evolutions story collection has officially hit the shelves. The collection includes tales from the Halo universe penned by series authors Eric Nylund and Thomas Buckell, as well as others by 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor, Bungie's Robt McLees, sci-fi author Karen Traviss and others. The book retails for $14.99, but it can be had for much less if you know where to look.

For those who have picked it up already, any good?

The time-lapse evolution of a Castle Crashers boss

by Randy Nelson { 1 month ago }

The Behemoth, purveyor of fine classic-style action games with lovely high-res 2D artwork, has posted a nice time-lapse video on its developer blog showcasing the evolution of one of its Castle Crashers boss characters. In it, we get to see The Painter come a long way from his meager palette-sporting beginnings to the giant roller-wielding, toolbox-for-a-head monster we've come to know and despise.

It's not often that we get a glimpse at this aspect of the development process -- perhaps because a time-lapse video of an artist creating the 3D model for, say, the Joker from Batman: Arkham Asylum would be the length of most theatrical releases. The Behemoth's video, after the break, is thankfully only seven-and-a-half minutes long.

Continued →

Here's your Crackdown 2 weapon loadout, agent!

by Ben Gilbert { 1 month ago }

Doling out only a handful of fresh screens for Crackdown 2 with a smattering of in-game renders, Ruffian Games has done little to supply us with more information on its upcoming game in today's media release. Everything from various character designs to about two dozen weapon types can be found in the gallery below, showcasing the visually gussied-up artwork from the sequel to 2007's surprise hit. It appears as though the few screenshots included are of areas we've seen in the past, though (as you can see in the image above) we're now treated to many more explosions. Now if only we could get some sort of a release date, we could start getting properly excited for Crackdown 2. The thrill just ain't there without an end in sight, ya know?

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (11/24/09)

Section 8 update fixes matchmaking, Achievements, more

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Timegate has released a title update for Section 8, which should fix several bugs in the game and tweak a few things. The main fixes include improved matchmaking, a fix for faulty Achievements and improved tank controls. AI bots will now also follow and defend human players, and the update also fixes latency problems and lost stats. There's a host of other smaller tweaks and changes as well, which you can read about on the Section 8 forums.

Likely not fixed by the patch, a precipitous drop in players since November 10.

Winter Sports 2010 demo skates to XBLM

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

A new demo has arrived on Xbox Live Marketplace for Winter Sports 2010. Now, you might be asking yourself, "What is Winter Sports 2010?" We asked the same question. It comes from 49Games, makers of Summer Athletics on the Wii.

After a little digging, we found a trailer on the YouTubes and confirmed our suspicions. Yep, it's a traditional Olympics-esque collection of mini-games, testing your skills at timed button presses and the like. The sports on hand include snowboarding, skiing, figure skating, speed skating, bobsledding and more. Though, honestly, why would you need anything other than figure skating?

Watch the trailer after the break.

Add the Winter Sports 2010 demo to your 360 download queue

Continued →

Get your graffiti in Crackdown 2

by Justin McElroy { 1 month ago }

Why waste your graffiti on something as temporary as the rear wall of the nearby Rio Grande or Ronald's Cheese Corner when you could have it enshrined forever, digitally? That's the opportunity being offered by Ruffian Games, which is looking for graffiti submissions from fans who'll have a chance to get their art in the game and their name in the credits, if their work is among the best, that is.

If you're having trouble deciding what exactly, the theme – the jumping off point, if you will – of your e-vandalism should be, may we suggest ... Mighty Horse?

Saints Row 2, LEGO Indy hit Games on Demand

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

As promised, both Saints Row 2 and LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures are now available on Xbox Live Games on Demand. The games are available in almost all regions, though Saints Row 2 is not available in Japan, while LEGO Indy skips both Japan and Mexico. Saints Row 2 is $29.99 in the US and Lego Indy is $19.99. Prices vary by region though, so check before you plunk down those MS Points.

Add Saints Row 2 to your 360 download queue
Add LEGO Indiana Jones to your 360 download queue

Amazon deal: DJ Hero Renegade Edition for $150

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 month ago }

With the season of bargain hunting upon us, Amazon has a special today on DJ Hero "Renegade Edition" for $150. The set, regularly priced at $200, includes a turntable featuring gaudy gold nobs, a case that converts into a stand and a two-disc CD set featuring Jay-Z and Eminem's block rockin' beats.

The deal is for today only and supplies are limited, so if you're looking to grab the game for the holidays the $30 difference between the "Renegade" version and the standard edition seems much more tolerable.

Gallery: DJ Hero Renegade Edition

Go clubbing with new GTAIV Gay Tony tees

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Rockstar has unleashed some brand new Grand Theft Auto IV T-shirts, giving fans of The Ballad of Gay Tony a reason to hit the floor show off their best moves. Available for $20 each, the shirts depict the logos of two of the DLC's nightclubs, Hercules and Bahama Mamas. If you've been looking to make a super hip fashion statement ... well, you probably shouldn't be buying video game T-shirts. If, however, you're looking for some inoffensive gaming apparel -- which can be hard to find -- go ahead and take a look.

Xbox 360 Fancast 144 -- Color Me Sadd

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

It's Fancast time once again, and this week we spend quite a bit of time on Left 4 Dead 2, which seems to be stirring up some contention on the ol' Joystiq. We also discuss under age gaming and our favorite retro titles. Listen intently as Richard rattles off one obscure game after the next. As if that weren't enough, witness the revival of Oklahoma's greatest contribution to mankind, Color Me Badd!

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in Zune Marketplace (MP3).
[RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander), and Dave Hinkle (KnifefightYoDad)

Produced by Richard Mitchell

Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta. "Clinically Dead" by Chad VanGaalen.

For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group

Continued →

This Wednesday: XBLA takes Madden NFL Arcade to the end zone

by Justin McElroy { 1 month ago }

Just in case you've taken a few exceptionally hard tackles in the past couple of weeks, we thought we'd remind you that this week's XBLA release is Madden NFL Arcade, a five-on-five, backyard-rules take on EA Sports' darling. You'll be able to pick the game up just in time for your Thanksgiving celebrations for 1200

($15).

Editor's Note: Thank you to reader TuchdwnMan449 for reminding us that it's called the "end zone" and not "the scoring rectangle thing" as our headline originally read. We pledge to improve our understanding of sports before writing future football posts.

Gallery: Madden NFL Arcade

Fallout 3 Avatar gear coming this week

by Richard Mitchell { 1 month ago }

Good news for fans of purchasing digital clothing for digital people, Bethesda has announced that Fallout 3 Avatar items will be hitting XBLM this Thursday, November 26. There are lots of items available, including a nifty Vault 101 suit with a sweet PIP-Boy. The cream of the crop has to be the full Vault Boy suit though, with its creepy, soulless expression. That one, by the way, is available only for male Avatars, which seems a bit silly. The rest swing both ways.