Halo Waypoint Update Coming Tomorrow April 14, 2011

A highly anticipated functionality update is coming to Halo Waypoint tomorrow.  The be-all and end all free Xbox 360 program to integrate all the achievements across all Xbox 360 Halo games and their DLC, is becoming a lot more functional come Friday.

You’ll soon be able to check out your multiplayer statistics in Halo Reach, similar to how you’re able to look them up on bungie.net and compare them.  They’re also promising that the release will also coincide with the release of The Mona Lisa animated feature, which was based off the story from the Halo Evolutions book.

This update can also be expected to come to the mobile program as well.

I for one, love the Halo Waypoint, but I think that the initial novelty of the program has worn off, given the fact that I’ve pretty much gotten every single achievement I could possibly get in Halo games at this point (Halo Reach’s DLC notwithstanding) and since I made it past rank 50 already and got the EVA Helmet awarded, there’s really been no incentive to go back and get those extra levels without a major reward dangled in front of me.  Hopefully something will be added in this update that will be an incentive to leveling up.

On a side note, Xbox has a rewards program that they’re testing, and I saw a promotion on it for spending at least 200 Microsoft Points you get a free Banshee avatar item.  I spent those points last night to buy the new Halo Reach Map Pack, but the site doesn’t say how I’m going to unlock the Banshee.  The site also states that they’ll give you 400 points for spending 800 on the Halo Reach Defiant Map Pack (the new one).  I’m pretty sure you have to be a rewards member to get access to these deals, but I encourage you to check the site for yourselves, log into your Live Profile and see if you get in.

Portal 2 Investment Opportunity Video 4 April 12, 2011

The fourth (and probably final) Portal 2 Investment Opportunity trailer has hit the web.  This one is detailing the newest technology in footwear.

In the original Portal game, the protagonist walked around barefoot with these stylish walking prosthetics attached to her leg, which I immediately took as some new futuristic form of high-heeled shoe.  It turns out, that this is why in the game you can fall incredible distances and not have your legs rip off your body.  The shape was strikingly similar to the prosthetics worn by Special Olympics runners who have lost their legs (I believe they were modeled after the legs of bipedal animals).

Well, now they’re adding a boot to it!  You can check it out here.

Portal 2 is releasing April 21st, 2011 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Gears of War 3 Multiplayer Beta Behind The Scenes Video April 12, 2011

Epic Games has released a new behind the scenes video for Gears of War 3, detailing the trials and tribulations of the push to release the Gears of War 3 beta.

The beta is expected to go live on the 18th of April for Bulletstorm: Epic Edition owners.  It should be released a week later to those who pre-order the game.  Xbox Live Gold required for beta participation.

Gears of War 3 is coming September, 2011 exclusive to the Xbox 360.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Episode 1 Released April 12, 2011

The first episode of a multi-part live action Mortal Kombat series has been officially released through Machinima.com.

This is the series that was promised after the highly successful Mortal Kombat: Rebirth viral video hit the web last year.  Although that original video has since been taken down, this new one has been done by the same production people and stars many of the same actors.

The series has been released by a division of Warner Bros and starrs Jeri Ryan and Michael Jai White.

Mortal Kombat (The New Game) will release April 21st, 2011 for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Portal 2 Comic Part 2 Released April 11, 2011

The second and final part of the comic that bridges the gap between Portal and Portal 2 has been released on IGN.com.

Portal 2: Lab Rat continues the story of Portal, introducing readers to a new character, and opening possibilities to what their impact will be on the new game.

You can read Part 2 here.  If you missed Part 1, it’s here.

Portal 2 is coming April 21st, 2011 to PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Back to the Future The Game Part 1 Free April 11, 2011

Telltelle Games has pulled a big bit of generousity and made the first episode of the Back to the Future Game series free to download for all PC and Mac users.  To obtain the game for free, simply just visit the Telltale Games website and create a Telltale Games account or log into your existing one.

The deal is good for the PC or Mac version of the game.  Telltale Games has promised a total of five episodes.  Of those five, currently three have been released on PC and Mac, and they will be arriving on console pretty soon.

Interested in playing any more of the game?  Here’s a preview for Part 3, the most recent episode.  Part 4 is expected to arrive this month for PC and Mac.  Part 5 currently has no release date.

Portal 2 Online Comic Part 1 Released April 10, 2011

IGN and Valve has released the first part of an exclusive webcomic which will bridge the gap between Portal and the upcoming Portal 2.  Portal 2: Lab Rat introduces a new character with a unique backstory and will lead up to the events of Portal 2.

As a graphic medium, I think the art style is fantastic, blurring the edge between reality and fantasy.  As for a story medium, the first half starts pretty interesting, but since the story is currently incomplete you really can’t tell what the relevance of it is, or how interconnected it will be with Portal 2’s story.

You can check out the comic for yourself here.  Part 2 is expected to come pretty soon.

Portal 2 is coming April 21st, 2011 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Unreal Engine 3 Shows New Features April 8, 2011

Epic has started to show just what is now possible with the newest version of Unreal Engine 3.  This is looking to be the technology that will be powering games like Gears of War 3.

From the looks of it, it supports full DirectX 11 hardware capabilities, with options like enhanced bloom, realistic foliage, enhanced motion blur, filmlike depth blur, and a handfull of other options.

It also shows the new development tools, including the development tools for iOS and Android Phones.

Please note this is just a technology demonstration and not by any means the demonstration of a final product that Epic is working on.  However, Epic IS working on Gears of War 3 right now, and it’s quite possible some of this technology could find it’s way into the game.

History of Duke Nukem Part 1 April 8, 2011

Well, not to be upstaged by my little Duke Nukem History Video, Gearbox Software has released their own history series of Duke Nukem, but they were fortunate enough to interview the key players involved with Duke Nukem since the beginning.

Also, the Official Duke Nukem Forever page has released their very first podcast.  It’s not yet been added to the Apple iTunes store, so you’ll have to sync it manually to your various iOS devices, but you can listen to it on your computer or mp3 player.

Duke Nukem Forever is coming June 14th, 2011 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Portal 2 Investment Opportunities Trailer #3 April 8, 2011

Turrets!  Everyone loves turrets!  In Portal, they had their own personality (programmed of course), and in this trailer for Portal 2, Cave Johnson (still voiced by J.K. Simmons) shows you just what goes into making these turrets and just how awesome they are.

Portal 2 is launching for PS3, PC and Xbox 360 April 21st, 2011.