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New Downloads For Guitar Hero II On Xbox Live

Activision, today announced details surrounding new downloadable content for Guitar Hero II on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Guitar Hero fans now have the opportunity to download three original recordings from The Black Parade album from My Chemical Romance through Xbox LIVE Marketplace, beginning today.

My Chemical Romance track pack includes the following master recordings:

· Teenagers
· Famous Last Words
· This is How I Disappear

The three My Chemical Romance tracks available for download can be found on their latest highly touted and platinum-selling album, The Black Parade.

“We’re pleased to offer fans of the Guitar Hero franchise the best tracks from one of the hottest selling albums of the year,” said Tim Riley, Worldwide Executive of Music for Activision. “My Chemical Romance has even appeared on television playing Guitar Hero II, and we’re thrilled to build on our relationship with them.”

Fans will have the option of viewing a preview on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the track pack before purchasing.

BioShock Demo Now Available on Xbox LIVE

2K Games and Take-Two Interactive Software, announced today that the demo of BioShock is now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The BioShock Windows PC demo will be available for download later this month.

Developed by 2K development studios, 2K Boston and 2K Australia, BioShock is a highly anticipated first-person shooter that will be available exclusively on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games For Windows in North America on August 21, 2007 and in Europe beginning August 24, 2007.

BioShock is a “genetically enhanced” first-person shooter that lets players do things never before possible in the genre - turn everything into a weapon, biologically modify your body with plasmids, hack devices and systems, upgrade weapons and craft new ammo variants, and experiment with different battle techniques.

The Xbox 360 demo introduces gamers to BioShock by inviting them to explore the world of Rapture, an underwater utopia torn apart by civil war. While immersed in the decaying art deco city, gamers can experiment with the various weapons and plasmids, as the captivating storyline unfolds. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically modified “splicers” and deadly security systems, players have to come to grips with a deadly, mysterious world filled with powerful technology and fascinating characters. No encounter ever plays out the same and no two gamers will play BioShock the same way.

What System Would You Buy?

Ya Ya we All Ready Know Xbox360 Price Drop Confirmed

Microsoft Corp. today kicked off the greatest holiday lineup in video game history by announcing it will reduce the estimated retail price (ERP) of Xbox 360 by $50 (U.S.) beginning Aug. 8.

At a new ERP of $349.99 (U.S.), Xbox 360 offers an unsurpassed experience right out of the box with a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, Xbox 360 headset, and more. For those looking for the ultimate value and the freedom to customize their console as they see fit, Xbox 360 Core System now has an ERP of $279.99 (U.S.). Xbox 360 Core System provides everything needed to start gaming while giving consumers the ability to add new features and accessories they want. Dressed in black and equipped with a 120GB hard drive, Xbox 360 Elite will be priced at an ERP of $449.99 (U.S.) for those who want the premium games and entertainment experience. In anticipation of this year’s largest blockbuster game launch, the Xbox 360 Halo® 3 Special Edition Console will hit store shelves in September with an ERP of $399.99 (U.S.). Featuring an authentic Spartan green-and-gold finish, this console will include a matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 20GB hard drive, Xbox 360 Headset, an Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit, and more.

You Can’t Play Grand Theft Auto IV Untill at least April 2008

The release date for GTA IV has been pushed back until at least April 2008.

Take-Two is reducing its fiscal 2007 guidance primarily to reflect the movement of the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008, due to additional development time required to complete the title. The title is now planned for release in the Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2008.

Here is the Why get ready to cry.

Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two, stated, “With Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar is setting a new standard for next generation video games. Certain elements of development proved to be more time-intensive than expected, especially given the commitment for a simultaneous release on two very different platforms. We all recognize that perfecting the game is vital and I can assure everyone it will be worth the wait. We owe it to the game’s millions of fans, to our dedicated development team, and to our shareholders to make sure that Grand Theft Auto IV is a groundbreaking gaming experience that takes maximum advantage of next generation technology.”

Sam Houser, Founder and Executive Producer of Rockstar Games, added, “The new consoles are allowing us to create the Grand Theft Auto game we always dreamed about. Every aspect of the game and its design has been completely transformed. The game is huge and is pushing the hardware platforms to their absolute limits. The top engineers from Sony and Microsoft are working closely with the team in Edinburgh right now, helping us to fully leverage the power of both platforms. As always, our goal is to surpass even the wildest expectations of the game’s fans, and to create the ultimate high definition video game experience.”

It’s a Sad day for GTA IV fans who wanted this game before Christmas 2007. Read the entire press release here.

NCAA Foootball 08 To Show Real Time Weater Updates In Game

Electronic Arts and The Weather Channel Interactive today announced that the recently released NCAA Football 08 features the ability to experience real-time weather conditions and updates through a service provided by The Weather Channel. The latest version of the top selling college football video game will use up-to-date information from The Weather Channel Interactive to reflect accurate, real-time weather conditions at NCAA stadiums.

If a winter storm threatens the Northeast, the Eagles of Boston College will play through the snow. Hurricane threatens Florida? See how the Gators field goal kicker deals with 50 mph winds. Through a deal with EA SPORTS, the sporting division of Electronic Arts, The Weather Channel will provide real-time weather to the game via the Internet.

“This is a long-awaited feature for gamers - it is the first sports game we know of where actual current weather conditions will affect weather conditions in the game,” said Derek Van Nostran, director of marketing for The Weather Channel Interactive. “The Weather Channel Interactive welcomes this opportunity to work with EA Sports to bring an extra dose of realism to the game.”

TWCI provides a custom weather data feed to EA SPORTS for each stadium location. Every time a player with a live Internet connection loads a new game, they have the option to choose real-time weather from TWCI. The video game will then use the current conditions at the selected location to create the weather experience for that game.

“We are always looking to add more realism to the game experience,” said Jeffrey Luhr, producer for NCAA Football 08. “Adding real-time weather conditions from The Weather Channel interactive truly helps gamers feel ‘in the game.’”

Developed by EA Tiburon, NCAA Football 08 is now available in retail stores on the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems, and Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems from Microsoft.

Forza 2’s First Ever Downloadable Content

The first downloadable content for Xbox 360’s acclaimed racer “Forza Motorsport 2” is now available. Speed on over to Xbox LIVE Marketplace now to download the all new free Nissan car pack, featuring three premiere Nissan models: the 2007 Sentra SE-R, Altima, and 350Z.

To celebrate this release, Xbox and Nissan will be hosting several activities focused around these new additions to “Forza Motorsport 2’s” already extensive car list. The first of these activities will be a Nissan Sentra SE-R tournament on Xbox LIVE. Fans are encouraged to customize and upgrade their Sentras and then race head-to-head in an all-out Nissan Sentra brawl. The 32 bracket 256 player tournament will kick off on 18th August and take place over the course of seven weeks. It will finish on the 6th October with a championship race live at the L.A. Auto Show. Finalists will compete for a series of prizes including a chance to win a new Nissan! Full tournament details, registration and rules can be found at www.xboxlivetournament.com starting on 10th August.

In addition to the tournament, Nissan and Xbox will also be hosting an in-game customisation contest, as fans utilise the incredibly deep livery system of “Forza Motorsport 2” to create unique and stunning paint jobs on their Nissan Sentra SE-Rs. The contest will be judged by a panel comprised of Turn 10 developers and Nissan representatives, as fans battle for the title of ultimate Nissan customiser. Full contest details and rules can be found at www.xboxlivetournament.com also starting on 10th August.

Also the famed Peugeot 908 race car is also now available for download. Coming off a second place finish at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 908 not only brings yet another amazing racecar to the Forza universe, but it is also the only paintable racecar to be included in the game. Please visit forzamotorsport.net for a full list of available downloadable content, as well as in-depth Pit Pass reports, Auction House bid wars, tournament standings, and stat tracking.

EA Opens It’s Doors In Russia

Electronic Arts Inc., the world’s leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced the creation of a new EA entity in Russia. The new office, established to directly serve Russian consumers and retailers, is another step in the company’s growth strategy in Central and Eastern Europe and adds to EA’s global presence in over 40 markets outside of North America. EA intends to contribute to the rapidly growing market for interactive entertainment in Russia. The Moscow-based team will focus on bringing more localized game offerings to Russian players, more direct engagement with the gaming community and greater collaboration with retail partners.

At an event planned later today in Moscow, EA will host members of the government, industry and media to outline plans for bringing the best and latest innovations in interactive entertainment to Russia. Later this year, two of EA’s most popular franchises among Russian consumers, Need for Speed and FIFA Football, will launch in fully localized Russian versions for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, adding to the company’s existing portfolio of games localized in Russian for the PC.

“Russia represents a significant opportunity for the games industry,” said Peter Laughton, EA Vice President and General Manager of Central and Eastern Europe. “This is a very dynamic marketplace, with a world class retail environment and consumers who have the intellect and appetite for interactive entertainment. We’re looking forward to bringing tailored offerings to Russian consumers that incorporate local language, music, and celebrities into some of our most popular titles”.

The Russian video game market is estimated at $250 million today, and is expected to more than double in the next three to five years. An increasing number of gaming consoles, PCs and game-enabled mobile phones will encourage the trend, along with compelling games content and a vibrant retail environment.

Single-Player Demo The Darkness On Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Embrace The Darkness! 2K Games has released a new demo of The Darkness video game on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. This demo features a single-player experience from three early levels in the game, including the Tunnel, Cemetery and Grinders Lane.

Developed by award-winning developer of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, Starbreeze Studios, The Darkness is a next generation, first-person action game that features an immersive and gritty storyline written in collaboration with famed comic-book writer, Paul Jenkins (also of Civil War: Frontline). Set in the dark and seedy underbelly of New York City, players experience the role of mafia hit-man Jackie Estacado, heir to “The Darkness,” an ancient power that awakens within him on his 21st birthday. Jackie must use traditional weapons as well as learn to command his terrible new powers to seek revenge on his own crime family. The Darkness is based on the popular comic of the same name published by Top Cow Publishing and created by Marc Silvestri and Paul Jenkins.

The Darkness was released June 25 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The Darkness has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.

Bully: Scholarship Edition for the Xbox 360 and Wii

Rockstar Games is proud to announce that Bully: Scholarship Edition is coming to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Wii home video game system from Nintendo this Winter.

Both the Wii and Xbox 360 versions will retain the wit and deep gameplay of the previously released PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system title and will boast additional new content. Bully: Scholarship Edition takes place in the fictional New England boarding school of Bullworth Academy, and tells the story of 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins as he experiences the highs and lows of adjusting to a new school. Capturing the hilarity and awkwardness of adolescence perfectly, Bully: Scholarship Edition pulls the player into its cinematic and engrossing world. Universally acclaimed upon first release, Bully: Scholarship Edition is a genre-crossing action game with a warmth and pathos that is unrivaled.

Bully received a perfect “10/10″ from Electronic Gaming Monthly and 1up.com and was heralded as “a great, well-crafted action game that has one of the best senses of humor around” by IGN.com. USA Today called it “a fantastic debut title by Rockstar Vancouver.” The San Francisco Chronicle wrote “Bully has no shortage of creative energy, offering an immersive boarding school experience that is imaginative, funny and filled with surprises.”

Come and explore the zealous joy, mirth, and torment of youth with Jimmy Hopkins and Bully: Scholarship Edition when enrollment commences this Winter.