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Day of Defeat Source For Free! Well only for 3 Days

This Fourth of July holiday weekend we have a new major update for Day of Defeat Source, the WWII multiplayer shooter from Valve. Valve just released the update to the game via their Steam client, adding tons of new content and features.

The new version adds a new map to the game, Palermo, which is based loosely on the real Italian city that was the site of one of US General George S Patton’s victories (it’ also based on a popular community made map Sarleno). The update also adds 51 new achievements to the game, player stats, Steam Community integration and a new freeze cam.

Also if you haven’t played Day of Defeat Source you will be happy to know that from July 4-6 you will be able to play the full game for free.

Friends of Friends Coming to Xbox LIVE

Just announced, a new Dashboard update will be released next Tuesday, December 4th. One of the new features of the release is ‘Friends of Friends.’ With this new feature, you’ll be able to browse the friends list of anyone on your Xbox LIVE friends list and send anyone on the list a friend’s request.

Microsoft is making it even easier to expand your Friends network on Xbox LIVE®, starting with the Fall Dashboard Update on December 4. You’ll be able to check out the friends lists of fellow Xbox LIVE members right from the Dashboard. With this new feature, members can find old friends or connect with new ones within the community of more than eight million people on Xbox LIVE around the globe and send messages and game invites, as well as compare games and Achievements.

With the prevalence of social media websites such as MySpace and FaceBook, this type of capability has largely come to be expected from consumers as a means to relate in an online community. Xbox LIVE continually seeks new ways to better serve the expectations of its members, which often result in free enhancements made available through the bi-annual Dashboard updates.

Friends List Settings
When the Fall Dashboard update is distributed on December 4, the new default setting on Xbox LIVE will be active, enabling members to see the Friends lists of other Xbox LIVE members. If you’d like to keep your friends list private, you can take the following steps to change your settings beginning today:

Log in to www.xbox.com/fof and select one of the three options available for your Gamertag:

• Everyone (only available to members 18 and older)
• Friends only (available to members 13 and older)
• Blocked (available to all members, and automatic for anyone under the age of 13)

“Xbox Originals” added to 360 dashboard update

Microsoft has confirmed that classic Xbox games such as Halo, Psychonauts, Fable and Burnout 3 would be available for about 1200 points on Xbox Live Marketplace starting with the Dec. 4 dashboard update, next-gen.biz reported Tuesday. It is unclear from the post whether some of the games Microsoft has confirmed to be released via these “Xbox Originals,” including Psychonauts and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, would be available with the update. Microsoft also said they’re trying to release as much of the original Xbox catalog as possible to the Marketplace.

“This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games,” reads Microsoft’s statement.

Also in the update will be a movies-on-demand service for Europe similar to the one already available for U.S. gamers. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed when the service will begin, but next-gen.biz said users will download the movie to their hard drive and then have 14 days to watch the movie before it is automatically deleted. One they’ve begun watching, they have 24 hours to finish.

Hellgate: London Subscription Details

Flagship has finally announced what Hellgate: London subscribers will get for their $9.95 monthly subscription fee:

Elite Mode - This is for those players that always feel a game is too easy. The demons are tougher, deal out more damage, move faster, travel in larger groups, and have more champions at the ready. Numerous tweaks to the overall balance and progression of the game make this an extremely challenging mode.

Hardcore - Hardcore mode takes away the various resurrection options. For the gamer that wants the ultimate test, try playing an Elite Hardcore character!

Themed Events and Items
Halloween (October 31 – November 4)

• Zombot - A special pet just for All Hallows’, this amalgam of meat and metal is sure to frighten and delight those players that are willing to put in the time to find all the necessary pieces in order to construct him.
• All Hallow’s Visage - A Unique Helm that has not only very special properties, but as well a look unlike any other helm in the game. Ghost Rider would be jealous!
• All Hallow’s Treats - Delicious and devious, these different candies do everything from temporarily boosting stats to temporarily altering the appearance of the devourer.
• All Hallows’ Quests - There is a pair of special quests available, including one that is repeatable for continuous fun.
• Nemo ~ Master of Festivities - This special NPC can first be found in Covent Garden Station to greet players and send them on their way with quests specifically crafted for the season.

Guild Creation - Buy purchasing a Guild Herald, a character can form a new guild. Characters can only be part of one guild at a time and should a Guild leader decide to abandon their post, they can pass leadership of the Guild to another subscribing guild member.

Achievements - These are long-term goals for players. The player starts with a few new goals in an Achievement Log. These can be as simple as slaying a certain amount of specific demons to something as difficult as completing quests without the benefit of armor! Players uncover new goals as they start to meet the requirements of that achievement. For example, after 50 zombies have been slain, an “Achievement Unlocked” message displays on the screen. Checking the Achievement Log shows how many zombies must be eradicated to complete the achievement. Rewards for completing achievements can be anything from reputation to tags on the player to special particle effects to items to special skills to – well, anything is possible!

Extra Character Slots - While everyone gets 3 character slots, subscribers can have a maximum of 24 characters.

Larger Stash - Each character’s storage locker is doubled in size with an extra 6×8 section, making the hoarding of all sorts of goodies that much easier. Packrats rejoice!

Founder’s Perks - Name Color Forum Icon