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Microsoft Xbox 360 E3 2012 Media Briefing Live Coverage

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Microsoft, Video Games,

E3 2012 xbox 360 media briefing

Microsoft's E3 2012 Xbox 360 Media Briefing kicks off this morning at 9:30 AM PDT, and we're here to bring you the news as it happens. Keep it locked here for our live coverage of the event, which is set to kick off with Halo 4, with a new Gears of War title to debut, and the secretive SmartGlass feature as well!

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Today’s top tech deals: Dell Inspiron 14z, Halo 4, and more

Dell inspiron 14z deal

We're back with our list of the top tech deals of the day, with the highlight being on the 14-inch Dell Inspiron 14z. It's a Core i3 notebook with 4 GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive that typically sells for $600, but today you can get it for $450 with free shipping. Check out the rest of the deals after the jump!

Click to continue reading Today’s top tech deals: Dell Inspiron 14z, Halo 4, and more


Halo 4 Limited Edition details announced

Halo 4 Limited Edition

The release date of Halo 4 is quickly approaching, as November 6 is less than six months away. Today Microsoft announced the Halo 4 Limited Edition, a $99.99 bundle that beings Halo fans a ton of extras:

  • War Games Map Pack Access – The Limited Edition includes access to nine maps – three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox LIVE.
  • Specializations – Receive early access to six Specializations, available at launch on Xbox LIVE, to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career. In addition to gaining access to new ranks, Specializations unlock new customization options. Purchasers of the “Halo 4” Limited Edition will get access on launch day, while others will have to wait as Specializations are released over time.
  • The Limited Edition also contains the UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet, which includes an armor customization schematic, a blueprint of the massive ship itself, and insight into what it means to be one of humanity’s finest warriors: the Spartan-IVs.
  • “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition – An extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series that will bring the “Halo” universe to life as you’ve never seen it, and provide an enthralling backstory leading up to the events of “Halo 4.”
  • Bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE:
    • Unique in-game Spartan-IV armor skin
    • Unique in-game weapon skin for the Assault Rifle
    • An exclusive in-game emblem
    • Xbox LIVE Avatar prop
    • Xbox LIVE Avatar Spartan-IV armor set

Definitely a lot of content in exchange for an extra $40 above the standard version of Halo 4. You can pre-order Halo 4 now.

Read More | Halo 4 pre-order

Halo 4 release date: November 6

Halo 4 release date

Halo 4 is going to be one of the biggest video game releases this year, and gamers across the world have been waiting for confirmation of the release date. We can now tell you that Halo 4 will hit stores on November 6, according to Microsoft.

"We are beginning a new saga with Halo 4 and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of Halo games and experiences," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. "Millions of fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and, with Halo 4 leading the charge, we're confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history."

Halo 4 is the first in the series to not be made by Bungie. Instead, the game is being developed by 343 Industries, a Microsoft studio that actually works out of the old Bungie Studios building in Kirkland, Washington. Halo 4 takes place four years after the conclusion of Halo 3.

For more Halo 4 goodness, check out details on Halo 4 multiplayer, as well as a Halo 4 first-look video.


Halo 4 Multiplayer Details Leak

Halo 4 leak

Buckle yourselves in Halo fans because we have a lot of news to cover. On the 7th of this month a currently anonymous person, who we assume works at the ever popular magazine Game Informer, released for the viewing pleasure of the public the entire Halo 4 cover article. This article goes into great detail about the games multiplayer features and what we can expect at the games launch. Reactions are currently mixed, as no one knows what to make of all of this information. Neither 343 Industries nor Game Informer have made any comment about the leak.

Spartan Ops, Forerunner Vision, and Regicide are a few of the highlights posted in the leaked article. Let's break these all down. Spartan Ops, think Special Ops from Call of Duty but instead of all missions available immediately, we will most likely see Spartan Ops missions released as updates or DLC for the game. By the final Spartan Ops mission release, the entire length of the Ops is said to be comparable to the Halo 4 campaign itself. This is a tactic to keep players invested in the game over time and looks to be very promising. Forerunner Vision has many Halo fans up in arms, as this ability allows the player to see through walls. This could be used to locate enemy positions on the map easier, possibly eliminating camping. Finally there is Regicide, a free-for-all game type similar to VIP. In Regicide, the player with the most kills becomes the “King” and every kill that they get after that adds to points that another player can get after killing the “King.”

That is all we would like to share with you for now but if you would like to read the full list of Multiplayer additions and changes or you want to see a full gallery from the magazine, hit the link below.

Read More | GamePur

Making Halo 4: First Look Video

After months of development and secrecy, 343 Industries has released its first official 'ViDoc" explaining just a little bit of what they are working on for Halo 4. The video goes into detail about how the Master Chief looks with his upgraded suit and HUD, and also explain that the multiplayer for Halo 4 will be fairly independent from the campaign with newly designed multiplayer maps. This also goes on to explain that in multiplayer, instead of playing your campaign character, you are a completely new breed of Spartan, The Spartan IV. This, we can assume, will also give us a deeper look into the Halo Universe.

Right away in the ViDoc we notice that the Spartan model as well and the Battle Rifle have had a major overhaul and graphics update. The multiplayer, according to 343, will also give a reason as to why a Red Spartan should fight a Blue Spartan. We get a good look at two of the multiplayer maps throughout the video, one of which is “Warhouse”, an abandoned Military base with a giant mech in the middle that, while you play, is built. 343 stated that they want the player to feel completely submersed when they play the game, and go on to hint that the player will be able to manually open doors and even make jumps that would previously seem impossible in previous Halo games.

All of this news has come fast and will most likely be ushering more and more information from 343 Industries as the game gets closer to release.


Halo Helljumper web series looking for some support

A few weeks ago we shared the story of an ambitious web series called Halo Helljumper, a small independent work based on the book “Dirt” by Tobias Buckell. Two episodes have hit the web since then, and now the folks behind the project are looking for your help. We think they stuff they've produced so far is top-notch and high quality, and so we wanted to support the cause and share the message:

The series is in need of raising $65,000 to complete the next two episodes and get them released. You can watch the first two Halo Helljumper episodes here on their channel.


Halo Helljumper: The live-action Halo film series

Halo Helljumper

It is probably safe to say that any modern gamer, and some non-gamers, know of the Halo Universe. With several books, an anime series, and seven video game titles (with an eighth on the way,) it is hard for most not to know of the Halo franchise. Many have felt for a long time that the Halo Universe still needed more. Some have even demanded that they see a live action Halo movie. Well, that time has come with Halo Helljumper, a live action series of short films.

Halo Helljumper takes place in the year 2552, right at the end of the Covenant Human war. The series is going to be highly based on the book “Dirt” by Tobias S. Buckell, and the talented team at “Filmpocalypse” has been brought together to make this monster. Directed by Dan Wang, and produced by Helena Hilario and Dan Wang, Halo Helljumper is going to be an Independent series of short films. There is not much else that we know about the series right now except that it is due to be released later this month.

Wanna see the trailer? Check it out after the jump!

Click to continue reading Halo Helljumper: The live-action Halo film series

Read More | Halo Helljumper

Comic Book Jobs: Halo

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Action Figures, Editorials,

HaloIn the battle against The Covenant, the soldiers of Halo are looking for... a Consumer Products Category Manager.

That’s right, recruit. Microsoft Studios/343 Industries needs a marketing person to “manage the development and execution of all 3D licensed merchandise, including product planning and execution, retail programs and quality control.”

If you need reminding: “The Halo Franchise is a multibillion dollar entertainment franchise, spanning multiple product categories including games, collectibles, toys, novels, comic books, digital goods and apparel. Our product development team is responsible for working with our licensing partners to execute product plans that extend the Halo brand at the highest level of quality.

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Read More | Seattle Recruiter

Nook Color update brings Netflix streaming, Nook Comics

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Software,

Nook Color Netflix

Barnes & Noble on Monday rolled out what it said was the biggest software update yet for its Nook Color e-reader, including the addition of Netflix streaming, Nook Comics, and more customized reading options.

The retailer has added 100 new features to the Nook Color, including access to movies and TV shows via Netflix and Flixster apps. Thanks to the Ultraviolet standard, which provides users with a digital copy of physical media, Flixster will allow movie access on-the-go.

On the comics front, Nook Color customers will now have access to high-resolution comics, graphic novels, and kids' comics. Barnes & Noble promised the "largest digital collection of Marvel's graphic novels available through a third party – including Halo Uprising and other Marvel greats like Ultimate Spider-Man, The Astonishing X-Men, and Hulk: Planet Hulk, among others."

A new feature known as PagePerfect looks to preserve the look and feel of image-heavy books like cookbooks, craft, and art books, and allows users to zoom in and fluidly scroll through a book's pages.

Click to continue reading Nook Color update brings Netflix streaming, Nook Comics


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