Rumour 2: Bungie splits from Microsoft?

Halo 3 launch

All this talk of rumours has me convinced that something big is going to happen real soon. But right now, let’s talk about the rumour specifically:

A guy from Seattle Post Intelligencer Blogs is running around the streets with a doomsday sign in his hands and saying that Bungie has split from their beloved publisher and surrogate mother, Microsoft. Bungie’s record-breaking video game seemingly pleased the big daddy enough to let them be set free.

Microsoft has supposedly chosen not to announce this right now, as it would hurt their quarterly sales of their already well-sold Halo 3. And about the future of Bungie?

They are now an independent entity, no longer licking Microsoft’s shoes. However, Microsoft still owns the Halo franchise, so if anything Halo is going to happen, it’s coming from Microsoft. However, it has been mentioned that Bungie might be interested in making a Halo 4.

I say for heaven’s sake, no! The Halo series has been completed with the end of the trilogy. Something like Halo Wars, sure! But please no Halo 4. 🙁

Rumor: New PS3 Model to Be Priced at $400

The PS3

Rumors are running a muck over the supposed release of a newer, cheaper, and slimmer PS3 model. Apparently, the new model will contain a 40 gig hard drive and will only cost $400. This is all according to Ars Technica’s mole who seems to be a very reliable source, previously reporting the addition of HDMI ports to the 360 and the the wireless/wired controllers for 360/PS3 versions of Rock Band (respectively). According to the mole, the 80 gig model will be dropped to $500, the new 40 gig model will be priced at $400, and the good ol’ PS2 will be priced at $99. In addition, a Blu-ray version of Spider-Man 3 will come with the purchase of any PS3, or at least with one of the models.

To fuel the flames of this rumor, Sony has filed information about a new PS3 model – CECHG01 – with the FCC and (as you can see in the post below) has announced that there will be a big announcement on October 12th. Could this be the new 40 gig PS3?

A $400 PS3 is exactly what Sony needs to get back on it’s feet. It would put the PS3 within a competitive pricing range of the 360. If they can manage to release some more good games for their console, this could be Sony’s saving grace.

Ah, but take this all with a grain of salt. In fact, take it with an ounce of salt. These are just rumors at this time. Hopefully, for any PS3 fans, they are true. Sony’s big announcement is in only 12 days so that’s all you have to wait to find out.
Well, see you then.

-Burbank

Sony planning something big for October 12th?

Sony Logo

It seems that Sony has heard enough news articles bashing them and their erratic corporate policies. We can’t blame them, although I would have preferred slicing journalists’ limbs with a chainsaw. If rumour is to be believed, Sony is preparing to strike back with a “Big bang” announcement this October the 12th.

GamePro states that something is going on in Sony’s offices, and it will all spill out on said date. Now, speculation has been running wild and since this news article is still in “rumour” section, we can predict anything from collaboration with aliens to a price drop for the PS3 to the announcement of the company’s dissolution. For all we know, Sony might even be creating a new universe. (They did say “Big Bang” 🙁 )

Whatever it is, it will have to wait for 12 days. We really hope this is worth it, Sony.

[Via Qj.net]

Halloween Is HERE

Seems like every post I make now has the title HERE somewhere in it. So I’ll continue the tradition just as Halloween has been done year after year – But this Hallows eve is different! For it’s the first where we can share our frightful haunts with you. Enjoy these shows for they won’t last, unless you like to visit the past.

Add The Halloween Channel to your page

Preview: Half-Life 2: The Orange Box

Gordon and Alyx From Half-Life 2 Ep. 1 and 2

We’re only weeks away from the premiere of yet another fabulous game, Half-Life 2: The Orange Box. The Orange Box is a compilation of 5 games: Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2 Episode 1, Half-Life 2 Episode 2, Portal, and the highly acclaimed Team Fortress 2.

Half-Life 2 has been upheld as one of the best PC games to date. With beautiful graphics, a revolutionary physics engine, and both a compelling story and gameplay, it alone justifies the $59 price tag. Thankfully the developer Valve is packaging in even more! The Half-Life episodic content, Episode 1 and Episode 2 has been additionally added in, but the best surprise is the addition of the action-packed puzzle game Portal.

Portals is another game set in the Half-Life 2 universe where you play as a yet unnamed female character who has possession of an experimental portal gun. With the portal gun she can create wormholes wherever she pleases. In the demo, the character was able to put one wormhole above another and create an infinite freefall or use the momentum gained from the acceleration of gravity from falling into one portal to jet out of the other in order to reach a faraway platform. This is something you HAVE to see yourself. It is a revolutionary gaming experience.

Heavy from Team Fortress 2

The last, and certainly not least addition to this compilation pack is the multiplayer game, Team Fortress 2. You play as one of nine different stylized characters in a multiplayer combat driven arena. Each of the characters have their own specific abilities and strengths. For example, the Spy can become invisible or disguise himself as an opponent character, the Engineer can build gun turrets, teleportation points, and health stations, the Heavy can endure brutal damage and deal it just as well, and the Scout can run incredibly fast and double jump. This unique and engaging multiplayer experience might be the threat to Halo 3 for best multiplayer game of the year.

The Orange Box will be released for the Xbox 360 and PC on October 9th and on the PS3 on the 13th.

Roll this beautiful game footage!

Rock Band = $169.99

Rock Band

EA’s upcoming Rock Band game will cost a whopping $169.99 for the Xbox 360/PS3 versions and $159.99 for the PS2 version. You might be asking yourself why would you want to pay that much for one game, well you’re paying for a ton of accessories to actually play the game. All the packages will include the game, the drum kit, one guitar, and one microphone.

Besides the graphical difference between the Xbox 360/PS3 version compared to the PS2, the PS2 version is coming out later on December 10, 2007 while the Xbox 360/PS3 versions are coming out November 26, 2007. The PS2/PS3 versions will feature wireless controllers, while the Xbox 360 will be wired. EA might have to release some USB device to create 4 ports.

Considering that Guitar Hero III will cost $90-100, Rock Band’s price doesn’t look that bad for the amount of devices that the player receives. Since the accessories were probably made in China, hopefully they won’t feature lead paint.

[Source: MTV Multiplayer]