BioShock 2 Multiplayer DLC Announced

BioShock 2 Multiplayer DLC will be arriving "in the very near future."  The DLC will feature six new multiplayer maps for 800 Microsoft Points or $9.99 USD.

Halo: Reach ViDoc "Carnage Carnivale"

Violent Video Games Make You Smarter

Yep, that' right.  A team of researchers in the Netherlands said a quick study proves that violent video games like Call of Duty and Resident Evil can make you smarter.  The study shows that shoot-to-kill video games improve quick thinking and make players more able to cope with demands of modern life.  So go ahead, rack up endless hours of shooting mahem.

Cloud Mario Unveiled

Official Nintendo Magazine released this image today of Cloud Mario.  Nintendo has been keeping most of the details behind Cloud Mario a secret but clearly you will be able to walk through the sky on platforms made of clouds in Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Other costumes we know are included in Super Mario Galaxy 2 include Bee Mario (as seen in the original) where Mario can fly for a limited time, stick/climb to honeycomb walls but cannot go into water or he reverts back to regular Mario and Drill Mario where Mario can drill through planets.  Super Mario Galaxy 2 is set to release in early Summer 2010.

Halo: Reach Beta Multiplayer Gametypes

May 03 2010 is quickly approaching (although to me it seems like an eternity) which means the Halo: Reach beta is close.  When you first get into the beta through your copy of Halo 3: ODST or via free code provided by Microsoft, you will notice you only have two options, Matchmaking and Theater.  Bungie has said they want to put the focus on Matchmaking and to do that, they need us to play it so we can experience any bugs, complain about them and they can fix them. 

Gametypes that you can play in the Halo: Reach beta:

• Grab Bag: Includes Slayer with Assault Rifle and Magnum starts. Want a long range game, vote for 'Pro'.  Also includes 1 Flag, Crazy King, Oddball and Three Plots (from Halo 2, cap and defend three neutral territories).  You will also find a new game type here, Covie Slayer (Elite on Elite evasion).
• Free for All: Unless you are the Juggernaut, you will have a Gravity Hammer and be on fire, literally on fire.  You'll be close to unkillable, really fast and unbound by the laws of gravity but these power-ups are limited.  Once your indicator on your HUD turns from a skull to a bullseye, you are back to normal with no power ups and you are now the Juggernaut, and a target.  10 points per kill as the Juggernaut and 5 points for killing the Juggernaut, goes to 150. No armor abilities, no load outs.
• Headhunter: Score 25 skulls to win or cash in 10 at one time for a Skullamanjaro which ends the game instantly. Skulls drop out of dead opponents and when you pick them up, a number appears about your head, everyone else can see this number and you ultimately become a bigger target the more skulls you have in tow.  Your drop all your skulls you are carrying when you die.  To score, you must deposit the skulls into one of your territories and territories move so there will be no camping.  This gametype will be FFA for the beta but will also have team play in the full game.
• Stockpile: Two teams fight over four neutral flags, flags are scored by bringing them into your teams designated territory and protecting them until the time reaches zero.  Flags are collected every 60 seconds.  If the flag is not in your territory when the timer reaches zero, it doesn't count, even if you are carrying it.  To win, score a total of 10 flags, score the most flags in 10 minutes.  FYI - You cannot carry a flag while using an Armor Ability, so no jetpacking the flag off, it will drop from your hands instantly if you try.
• Generator Defense: Three Spartans defend three generators from three assaulting Elites.  To win the round, the Elites must destroy all three generators.  Spartans can defend by activating a temporary blast shield on the armed generators which locks it down for 30 seconds before it can be armed again.  This gametype is not confirmed for the final game, it is merely a beta test.  If you like it, let Bungie now and perhaps it will be included.
• Invasion: Mystery...

XBOX 360 Natal Bundle for $299 USD

As Project Natal's release comes closer with an expected launch of 'holiday 2010', Microsoft has announced they will be releasing a redesigned 250GB XBOX 360 with the Natal motion device included for $299 USD.  

Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said, "It is far more likely that we will see a slim version of the XBOX 360 with a 250GB hard drive and with a Project Natal bundled into the box while maintaining the $299 price point."  While the "slim" part has yet to be verified, that would be cool.

Three New Hasbro Game Night Games Announced

Hasbro Family Game Night will be adding three new titles to their current roster.

Jenga - The original towering, toppling wood block game includes Classic Play and 'Chance Blocks' where players must perform challenges, such as removing red blocks and defusing bombs.

Pictureka - Find it fast, find it first.  Players race the clock and each other to see who has the best eyes and who can think outside the box in this visual game of hide and seek.

Connect 4 x 4 - With double the grid spaces and double the players, this new take on the original Connect 4 game features a remixed 'Super Squares' mode where power-ups reside inside the board itself.

The addition of these three games brings the total for Hasbro Family Game Night up to 100 achievements worth 2000G.  No current news on the release date, other than Summer 2010 or price.

Free MW2 Night Vision Goggles for your Avatar

Activision and Microsoft in light of the recent release on the Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package DLC are now also giving away free Night Vision Goggles for your avatar. Gold and Silver XBOX Live Members (yes, that means everyone) can download the goggles for free through midnight Sunday in the Avatar Marketplace.

If you had previously purchased the Goggles, you will be refunded the full amount of Microsoft Points sometime between now and May 01 2010.