MW3 DLC, Free Tokens and New Apps

The first Modern Warefare 3 DLC will be kicking off the "content season" in January (rumor has is, XBOX360 users will have the new DLC available in the XBOX Live Marketplace on Jan 24 2012, with PS3/PC following 30 days later). With Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software all chipping in on the new DLC, it is sure to make a splash however, beyond knowing the first map is called Park, specific details are still yet to be announced.

'Park', one of the new maps revealed for the Jan 2012 DLC

Happy Holidays from Call of Duty ELITE!  If you got this email in your inbox this past weekend, that means you were one of the lucky ones to sign up and pay for your ELITE subscription early.  As a holiday treat, Beachhead Studio and the Call of Duty ELITE team have given each of us a free Prestige Token and 2 hours of double XP.  These bonuses were automatically applied to your gamer tag and will appear next time you log in to Modern Warefare 3.

Coming in Jan 2012, iOS and Android will now have access to the Call of Duty ELITE app on mobile devices.  The app lets you track your challenges, check your stats and change load outs in addition to other cool features.

AC Revelations DLC Pack 1 & 2

Two new DLC packs will be available before Feb 2012

Assassin's Creed Revelations has been out for less than a month, and already they will be releasing their first DLC on Dec 12 2011 and another DLC on Jan 24 2012.  I have only just opened my game and completed the first DNA sequence (been too busy shooting things in MW3), so this comes surprisingly early and I have to wonder, when developers release DLC this quickly, it seems to me it comes out of greed and probably should have been included with the full game.

The first DLC, The Ancestors Character Pack, includes four new playable characters for multiplayer mode.  Privateer, Corsaid, Brigand and Gladiator, each character has their own unique assassination moves, weapons and taunts. Price will be $3.99 for PlayStation 3 or 320 MS Points for XBOX 360, available Dec 13 2011.

The second DLC, The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, which has gotten an early reveal by GameStop, will include six new multiplayer maps. Siena, Jerusalem, Dyers, San Donato, Firenze and the Imperial District of Constantinople.  The estimated release date is Jan 24 2012, but this could change and price is yet to be announced.

New 360 Dashboard Arrives Tomorrow

Social - Your new friends list on the new dashboard

Tomorrow on Dec 06 2011 the new XBOX 360 dashboard with it's Bing search look and features will arrive (this is not an optional download).  The new design is quite a lot different from the current look and will offer new features to users, especially those with Kinect.

Here is what you can expect to arrive on your 360 consoles dashboard over the next month or so:

United States Consoles:

Dec 06 2011

• ESPN on XBOX Live
• EPIX
• Hulu Plus
• Netflix
• MSNBC

Other Features Expected After Launch

• Crackle (Sony Pictures)
• iHeartRadio (Clear Channel)
• MSNBC.com
• TMZ (Warner Bros.)
• UFC on XBOX Live
• Verizon FiOs TV
• VEVO
• Vudu (Wal-Mart)
• YouTube
• CinemaNow (Best Buy)
• HBO Go
• MLB.TV (MLB Advanced Media)
• Xfinity on Demand (Comcast)

Global Consoles:

Dec 06 2011

• Hulu (Japan)
• LOVEFiLM (UK)
• Netflix (Canada)
• Premium Play by MediaSet (Italy)
• Sky Go (SkyDE) (Austria, Germany)
• Telfonica Espana - Movistar Imagenio (Spain)

Other Features Expected After Launch

• 4 on Demand - C4 (UK)
• ABC iView - Australian Broadcasting Corp. (Australia)
• AlloCine (France, Germany, Spain, UK)
• Astral Media's Disney XD (Canada)
• BlinkBox (UK)
• Crackle - Sony Pictures (Australia, Canada, UK)
• Dailymotion (available in 32 countries)
• Demand 5 (UK)
• DIGI+ (Spain)
• GolTV - Mediapro (Spain)
• Mediathek/ZDF (Germany)
• MSN (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, UK)
• MUZU.tv (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, UK)
• NineMSN (Australia)
• Real Sports (Maple Leaf Sports) (Canada)
• Rogers on Demand Online (Canada)
• SBS on Demand (Australia)
• TMZ - Warner Bros. (Canada)
• TVE - RTVE.es (Spain)
• UFC on XBOX Live (Canada)
• VEVO (Canada, Ireland, UK)
• YouTube (available in 24 countries)
• Antena 3 (Spain)
• BBC (UK)
• MLB.TV (available in 23 countries)
• Telenovelas Sports (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, UK)

Arkham City DLC set for Dec 20

Iceberg Lounge location will be included as a challenge map, The Iceberg

According to Batman Arkham City's official Twitter page, new challenge maps will be released as DLC on Dec 20 2012, just in time for Christmas.

The DLC will include three new maps, Batcave, Joker's Carnival and The Iceberg.  These maps may sound familiar since all three maps were available as pre-order bonuses from various retailers (for instance I received the Joker's Carnival Challenge Pack for pre-ordering with GameStop).  Curious to see how they price this considering many of us would be paying for a map we already own.

What is 'Founder' Status?

Are you a Founder? You can still get it through the Hardened Edition.

Been wondering how other players are getting those green skull Elite titles in Modern Warefare 3? You need 'Founder' status, and unfortunately, it is not something you can just sign up for now.  If you signed up for COD Elite prior to Nov 30 2011 you would also receive a free bonus, 'Founder' status, which includes bonus content, clan XP and other goodies.  If you have not yet picked up a copy of Modern Warefare 3 or simply want to be a 'Founder', there is some good news for you.  You can still get 'Founder' status by purchasing the Hardened Edition, which comes with the appropriate code to receive your status.

Here is what is included with 'Founder' status;

• Exclusive title in Modern Warefare 3: a green skull Elite
• Exclusive emblem in Modern Warefare 3: a silver skull
• 500 clan XP: join a clan and give them a boost to level up the clan faster
• Exclusive weapon camo in Modern Warefare 3: Winter for all guns
• Private discussion group in Elite Connect
• Green skull icon and background for your COD Elite profile page
• Exclusive competitions & prizes that only Founders can enter

'Back to Karkand' to PS3 Early

Got the Limited Edition? Get 'Back to Karkand' for free!

Battlefield Developer DICE has announced that the first wave of DLC for Battlefield 3 'Back to Karkand' will launch for the PlayStation 3, 7 days before the XBOX360 and PC which will arrive Dec 13 2011.

'Back to Karkand' includes four new maps, three new vehicles, 10 new weapons and an all-new assignment system.  If you picked up the Limited Edition this content is included at no extra cost, otherwise expect to shell out $15 USD.

Call of Duty Elite Fix - 2 Weeks Out

Call of Duty Elite has had an awful launch, on occasion (if lucky), you can get it to at least launch and use some of it's very basic features.  At other times, good luck getting it to load.  But according to the publisher, a fix should be here within two weeks time.

VP of Production Daniel Suarez mentioned in a recent Game Informer interview, "Our goal is to have [Elite] up and running at 99 percent, in terms of features and stability, in the next two weeks."  He also compared Elite's issues with trying to find a space to park at a football game.

Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary Review

Currently, I am playing the latest Halo Anniversary Combat Evolved and love it! While it does feel a bit dated in terms of repetition in scenery in some areas (in comparison to the more recent Halo games), it still has the makings of what started it all and is definitely a must play for any die hard Halo fan.  The music is beautifully remastered, however, there is no adjustment options for music and voice sound - good luck hearing a damn thing Cortana says to you during the game (which often includes instructions on what you are to do) and cut scenes require subtitles to catch most anything they say.  Quick tip, while playing single player campaign, hit the back button and you will switch between the original Halo graphics and the remastered version.


Microsoft has awarded Halo 10th Anniversary recognition badges to those dedicated Halo series fans, as shown below, in addition to provided some interesting stats of how you stack up against the rest of the XBOX Live community.

Halo 10th Anniversary recognition badge for RedLace

Stats of RedLace vs. all of XBOX Live Members

 

Free Gears 3 Map Pack on Thanksgiving

5 Free Maps, available on XBOX Live Marketplace Thanksgiving Day

Free maps? Yes, you heard me.  On Thanksgiving (Nov 24 2011), Epic has announced they will be releasing another map pack DLC, the Versus Booster Map Pack, which will include a total of five maps; three from Horde Command (Azura, Blood Drive, Rustlung), and two others (Bullet Marsh, Clocktower) from the original Gears of War.  

Unfortunately, even though the new free DLC will include all the maps from the latest Horde Command Pack (released yesterday on XBOX Live), it will not include all the other goodies.  So if you want the new fortification upgrades, characters and weapon skins, you'll have to shell out the 800 MS Points for the Horde Command Pack.  

SSX Delayed till Feb 14 2012

SSX was expected to hit store shelves in January 2012 but has now been delayed.  It will launch in the US on Feb 14 2012 with a UK release expected for the 17.

Ratchet & Clank All 4 One Trailer

Available in stores now!

Gears of War 3 'Horde Command' DLC

New playable Characters - Dizzy, Onyx Guard, Bernie (left to right)

The first Gears of War 3 DLC has just been announced, titled, 'Horse Comman Pack; and will launch on the XBOX Marketplace on Nov 01 2011 for 800 Microsoft Points.

The DLC includes new maps (playable in Horde, Beast and private versus), characters, weapon skins, horde fortifications and an additional 250 Gamerscore to earn.

The Maps include:

• Blood Drive - The Jacinto Medical Plaza was overwhelmed by evacuated citizens after the Hammer Strikes, the area is no longer a safe haven.  An abundance of high ground and funneled choke points will make this a great addition to Horde.
• Rustlung - Once the pride of the Roayl Tyran Navy, the foredecks of this decommissioned battleship are now riddled with bullet holes.  The central torpedo bay has a battle-ready Silverback mech suit, if you can hold the exposed area.
• Azura - This island resort was once the exclusive domain of Sera's educated elite, but the tranquil water gardens and lush foliage have become a heavy combat zone.  Dual snipers overlook the area and a defensive platform may be a last place of retreat.

Fortification Upgrades:

• Command Center - A brand new type of fortification that allows you to call in fire support from sniper teams, mortar strikes and Hammers of Dawn.
• Decoy Upgrade - A new fortification level, turns your decoy into an Onyx Guard bot that will fight in your defense.
• Sentry Upgrade - A new fortificaiton level, adds a fire bolt sentry that deals much more damage and is effective against Berserkers.
• Silverback Upgrade - A new fortificaiton level, add rockets and extra level repair cost reduction.

New Characters:

• Onyx Guard
• Big Rig Dizzy
• Bernie

New Weapon Skins:

• Team Plasma
• Jungle Camo

Rage TV Spot

Battlefield 3 "Operation Guillotine" Video

Torchlight II priced, adds Embermage class

Torchlight II coming to PC this year

Torchlight II, the sequel by Runic Games to the 2009 RPG dungeon-crawler, has been priced for $20, same as the original.

Runic Games has also announced the addition of a new - fourth and final - class, the Embermage, joining the previously announced classes, Berserker, Outlander and Engineer.  Embermage is "highly-trained spellcasters renowned for their skill, dedication, and arcane power" according to the official game site.

Torchlight II will be a digital release for the PC, later this year.

Borderlands 2 Official

Game Informer's latest issue, covers Borderlands 2

Very quickly after the rumors circulated around a potential Borderlands 2, the developer Gearbox has made the sequel official.  The game will launch during Take-Two's fiscal year 2013, which begins on Apr 01 2012.

"Combining invention and evolution, Borderlands 2 features all-new characters, skills, environments, enemies, weapons and equipment, which come together in an ambitiously crafted story... Players will reveal secrets, and escalate mysteries of the Borderlands universe as they adventure across the unexplored, new areas of Pandora." 

Gamescom in Germany will release a first look later this month (Aug 17 - 21 2011), and even more will be announced at PAX Prime (Aug 26 - 28 2011).  For now, the latest issue of Game Informer has exclusive first looks at the new title.

Borderlands 2 in 2012?

The sequel to Gearbox's 2009 Borderlands, an artistic styled RPG set on a planet called Pandora, a loot-laden land (also full of lots of bad guys and crazy bad guys), is rumored to be scheduled for a 2012 release.

According to a Eurogamer source, the game is deep in development as we speak and folks from Gearbox have constantly expressed an interest in continuing the franchise (THANK YOU because this has got to be one of my personal favorite games), not to mention the 3 million + copies sold.

Formal announcements are expected soon, perhaps at Gamescom?

Dragon Age II DLC "Legacy" out July 26th

EA and BioWare have announced their first DLC for Dragon Age II, "Legacy", will be launching on PC, Mac, XBOX360 and PS3 on Jul 26 2011 for $9.99 or 800 Microsoft Points.

The expansion, which can be accessed at anytime during the campaign, leads our hero Hawke outside the walls of Kirkwall and into an ancient Grey Warden prison as well as several other mystery locations.  The DLC takes you on an adventure to reveal the truth about the Hawke lineage and battle new darkspawn, including the most powerful darkspawn of them all.

Ms. Splosion Man

Ms. Splosion Man - Coming July 2011

The follow up to the 2009 platformer Splosion Man, Ms. Splosion Man, will arrive on XBOX Live on Jul 13 2011. The game will include 50 levels in the single player campaign and 50 multiplayer levels.  It will also feature new gameplay mechanics, environments, more bosses and better network support.

Catwoman Playable in Arkham City

It is official, Catwoman will be available as a playable character in the upcoming Batman: Arkham City.  Catwoman has her own sets of unique combat moves and perhaps some cat-like stealth.  Watch the Catwoman Trailer now and see her moves in action.

Take a look at a few of the screenshots.

Batman: Arkham City hits North America on Oct 18 2011 for XBOX360, PS3 and PC.

Assassin's Creed Revelations, Coming Nov 2011

The fourth game of the Assassin's Creed series has now been officially scheduled for a hopeful Nov 2011 release date for PC, XBOX360 and PS3.  Assassin's Creed Revelations is seen as the finale to the story followng Ezio and will take players on a journey to Constantinople, the heart of the Ottoman Empire where the Templars are once again causing troubles.

Black Ops: 'Escalation' DLC for May 03 2011

The second DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops "Escalation" is set to release on May 03 2011 on the XBOXLive Marketplace.  The new map pack will include four new multiplayer maps and one new zombie map, 'Call of the Dead'.  The multiplayer maps include Zoo, Hotel, Convoy and Stockpile.

Batman: Arkham City set for Oct 18 2011

Batman: Arkham City, the follow-up to 2009's hit Batman: Arkham Asylum, is scheduled to release Oct 18 2011 for US residents.  If you are in Australia, the 19th and for Europe, the 21st. Rocksteady, the games developers, have said that Arkham City is five times bigger than Arkham Asylum but continues to deliver the same amazing game play we have come to love from Asylum.

My Font Factory

RedLace has designed a new level for Little Big Planet 2, My Font Factory. This is a toolbox level for other creators, pick fonts to use in your own level creations, or take them all. Letters from A-Z on a thin layer packed as full alphabets (to save room in your Pop-It). Fonts include serif caps, sans serif caps, sans serif lowercase and retro arcade.


ADD LEVEL TO MY QUEUE  


The Font Factory also distributes well-made fonts by the community, if you would like to have My Font Factory distribute your font, please send us the font along with it's name.  We will credit your creation if published.

Serif Caps Font by RedLace

Bonk: Brink of Extinction

Bonk is Back!  Hudson Soft is releasing a remake of the classic 2D platformer titled 'Bonk: Brink of Extinction' set to launch on Mar 22 2011 for XBOX Live Arcade, Wii Ware and PlayStation Network.  In the story, Bonk must undertake a perilous journey to save the Earth from a doomsday comet that is leaving bits of debris smashing into the jungle near Bonk's home and is on a collision course with Earth.  Some of the features of the game include, Story Mode with Co-Op play, an entire new adventure with levels based in the jungle, desert and volcanic caverns, new power-ups, new transformations, new enemies and tons of collectables.  It is classic 2D platforming in a 3D world and it is the first time online play has entered the Bonk series.  Price yet to be announced.

Bulletstorm 'Gun Sonata' DLC

Developer People Can Fly has announced the 'Gun Sonata' DLC pack set to launch sometime in Spring 2011 will include three new maps for Anarchy mode.  The maps include the Sewers of Stygia, Hotel Elysium and the Villa.  It will also include two new maps for Echoes mode, Crash Site and Guns of Stygia which both offer new objectives.  There will also be two new leash enhancements, the Flamingo and the Pulp, each giving you new ways to kill with skill.  The pack will be 800 MS Points or $7.99 USD on the PS3, date yet to be announced.

Fable III DLC 'Traitor's Keep'

Lionhead Studios has announced a new DLC pack for Fable III titled 'Traitor's Keep'.  The DLC pack offers three new levels, a story that revolves around a mysterious prisoner and an additional 250 achievement points.  The 'Traitor's Keep' launches on Mar 01 2011 for 540 MS Points.

Infamous 2 set to Release June 07 2011

Sony has announced that Infamous 2 will be hitting the PS3 on June 07 2011 in North America.

'Hansel and Gretelbot'

Media Molecule has just announced a 7 level Little Big Planet 2 adventure created by 12 of the best creators, 'Hansel and Gretelbot'.  While a release date is yet to be announced, based on the trailer below it looks very promising.  It also includes many collectables from custom music to other items to use in your own creations.  Watch the trailer now.

Batman: Arkham City 5x Bigger than Asylum

Batman: Arkham City Director Sefton Hill recently stated “The footprint of Arkham City is about five times bigger than Arkham Island.”

So what exactly does that mean? “In Batman: Arkham Asylum, we really focused our effort on creating an intense, pressure-cooker atmosphere by locking Batman in the madhouse and allowing The Joker to turn up the heat. In Arkham City, we want to take that attitude to the next level, so we created an experience in which gamers will have a huge amount of navigational freedom, but they will also feel the extreme pressure of the challenges that they face.”

Batman: Arkham City is set to hit late 2011.

Little Mario Planet World 2-2

Super Mario Bros. Water World (with real water) - Includes classic Mario enemies such as flying fish, squid and thwomps.  Collect all 3 hidden Mega Star Coins to earn Mario themed prizes at the end of the level.

Published in Little Big Planet 2 on Jan 31 2011 by RedLace. 
Labels: Collectables, Water, Challenging, Artistic, Platformer
Add Level to Queue

End Level Castle

Underwater Squid

Little Mario Planet World 2-1

World 2-1. Bowser has kidnapped the Princess from Toadstool Castle (again). Power-up with Flower Power to take on the Koopas. Collect all 3 hidden Mega Star coins to earn Mario themed prizes at the end of the level.  Also features a x2 multi-player prize bonus area with Mario themed goodies.

Published in Little Big Planet 2 on Jan 01 2011 by RedLace. 
Labels: Bounce Pads, Creatinator, Platformer, Collectables, Multiplayer 
Add Level to Queue

Cloud Bonus Area with Mega Star Coin (shown above pipe)

  

Piranna Pipes and other familiar enemies from Mario return