GXP Blog has been on facebook for a while, but until recently it’s fair to say that we haven’t really made much use of it. There’s also a GXP Blog twitter account, but at the moment I just don’t really have time to keep up on both. Facebook is ideal for short posts and discussions on all things related to the Xbox 360. It’s great as a sort of community area, similar to having an online forum.

At the moment I’ve been using it to post about xbox 360 game deals, such as cheap pre-orders and special offers. This is mainly focussed around the UK where I live, but there are many other reasons to join in the discussion such as:

• Posting Xbox 360 deals you’ve found
• Sharing pictures of high scores, funny game glitches or creative ideas
• Arranging gamerscore-boosting events with small groups
• Sharing your own gaming tips or posting a link to your youtube videos

Who knows, something you post may even make it onto the blog..? I think facebook is a great platform to engage in the Xbox gaming community. If you are interested, please go to https://www.facebook.com/gxpblog and click on the “like” button. I look forward to chatting with you

Now I know I haven’t played through this yet so I can’t give it a review, but from what I have played so far, discussions from my friends, and reviews I’ve read online, this looks like a really special game. Right from the beginning you can see the attention to detail in how they have presented this game, the art style and the music. Sure, some of the character models and lip-syncing look a little off, but not enough to ruin the experience.

Apparently this game can be played to suit your style; you can be stealthy, or gun down everything that moves like a maniac. Personally, I keep trying to take stealthy approach, keeping to the shadows and silently taking out bad guys. At the moment, I’m pretty crap at it to be honest. I get fairly far through an area unseen, only to be spotted by someone and having to resort to shooting my way through difficult situations. I must be doing something wrong…?

For my first play through I think I’m just going to try and work through the game as best I can. This game is good in the way that it doesn’t really seem to punish you for playing one way or the other. Making mistakes and learning from them will surely make me a better player? I hope so anyway!

So, if you have some time free this weekend, go out and buy or rent this game. From the moment you start it feels your onto something big. Quite a few people are already giving the game the title “Game of the Year”, but for me I’m still waiting to experience Batman: Arkham City and Skyrim before I decide what my favourite game this year is.

If anyone is playing this at the moment and has some cool tips on how to master this game, please feel free to leave them in the comments area below.

One of my main focuses has been catching up on some of my unfinished games. You know how it is, you get halfway through a great game, then another one is released that you just can’t wait to play, and before you know it, you’ve got a load of incomplete games that have you thinking “damn that was awesome.. why didn’t I finish it?”. I got Mass Effect 2 on release and that is still in it’s cellophane!

So, what games have I been playing lately…?

Resident Evil 5

I don’t consider myself a fan of survival horror games but this one really surprised me! I think mainly due to the co-op element. I always love games that you can experience with a friend. I just find them more fun. And what could be more fun than trying to survive a mad chainsaw-wielding zombie creature with limited ammo?

I also like how you can upgrade weapons and the search for hidden collectables. I’m working through this game pretty slowly at the moment, but am really enjoying spending the odd hour here and there working through it.

Darksiders

Darksiders is definitely one of those games where I thought “why did I stop playing this!?”. The graphic style is awesome, the characters are dark and interesting, and the story and gameplay really have me hooked! At first this game feels like a linear adventure game (a bit like crash bandicoot), but after about an hour it really opens up into a style of game similar to Zelda: Ocarina of Time. There’s loads of puzzles to solve, big bosses to fight, secrets to find and unlockables to upgrade your character. Great stuff!

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Those who have played online with me or have me on their friends list know that I’m an “achievement whore”. Not quite to the extent that I’m a completionist… I just don’t have the patience. But I love playing games and improving my gamerscore. I played Modern Warfare 1 and 2 online and didn’t really get into it. But, for some reason, Black Ops really pulled me in to the whole online multiplayer experience. Since Darksiders, I haven’t played this as much, but if I have some time to spare and some friends online, this is a game I get a lot of enjoyment from at the moment!

So, there’s a brief summary of where I’m up to at the moment and the sort of games I’ve been playing. There’s loads of new ones that I’m very eager to play (such as the new Deus Ex game), but for now I need to finish some oldies.

What games have you been playing, or feel you need to revisit and complete?

See the trailer below:

See? I told you it looks incredible!

For those interested, Capcom have also released 2 other videos which are more character specific; Dormammu and Viewtiful Joe, who were not featured in the previous game. They looks great, although personally I find Viewtiful Joe a little annoying. He is definitely one of those characters where it is going to be hard to accept defeat from.

One thing that really annoyed me with the 2nd Marvel vs Capcom game was the awful music! I’m happy to see (or.. “hear?”) that this seems to have been sorted in the new game. From the character-specific trailers mentioned previously, the music sounds upbeat and pretty awesome.

So, after seeing the videos yourself, what do you think of this game? Is it a “day one” purchase for yourselves?

Is there any performance difference at all between the new Xbox 360 Slim and the original Xbox 360?

No game performance differences. It plays the same games and acts the same way as any Xbox 360.

How about backwards compatibility with all my Xbox 360 games and Original Xbox games?

No changes at all! All your current Xbox 360 and Orginal Xbox games (on the backwards compatibility list) will still work as they do today.

Is the fan quiet?

Yes, in fact the entire console is whisper quiet.

The photos show fan slots on the right side of the console. Does it vent to the back still, or the side?

The side (or top of you have it resting horizontally.)

What ports have changed?

Removed: The front Memory Unit slots were removed, but the front 2 USB slots are still there for controllers, USB storage, music game hubs, etc.. (Remember, since the 2010 Spring dashboard update, you can use any USB port on the console with a USB thumb drive as an Xbox 360 storage device)

Removed: The small cutout that the external wireless adapters connect to on the back of the console. Since the console now has internal wireless N connectivity, you may not want to use the external wireless adapter. If you find that the external adapter works best for you, that device has feet that swing out to allow it to sit on top of the console.

Added: An optical audio out (a.k.a. TOSlink, S/PDIF). It’s on the back of the 360 S now instead of on the AV cables.

Added: A port for the Kinect sensor that is a hybrid data and power port. Kinect works with all Xbox 360 consoles, but on the new Xbox 360, you don’t need a separate power adapter for the Kinect sensor because this port will provide the power.

Added: 2 more USB ports on the back, bringing the total to three on the rear of the console in addition to the 2 on the front of the new Xbox360.

Does the new Xbox 360 use removable faceplates?

The new Xbox 360 does not have removable faceplates.

Where is the wireless controller bind button, I don’t see it in any of the pictures?

It’s in the front. It was combined with the IR receiver on the front, so that’s why you don’t notice it!

Does that mean that I can use my old wireless controllers with the New Xbox 360?

Yup, all official controllers will work with the New Xbox 360

Does it stand vertically and horizontal and do I need an adapter or a stand?

The Xbox 360 console is designed to stand vertically or horizontally. Unlike other consoles, it does not require a stand to sit upright and with the new sleek design it looks and fits great in your living room entertainment center. However, no matter how you position the console, you should not move the console during game or media play, or at any other time when the disc is spinning.

What band does the internal wireless N use?

It’s 2.4GHz.

Do the external wireless adapters work with new Xbox 360 ?

Yes. And if you connect one to the new Xbox 360 will sense this and disable the internal wireless.

I don’t have wireless, will I still be able to connect to LIVE using the New Xbox 360?

Yes! In addition to the built in wireless card, there is a standard Ethernet port on the back as well.

Is the power supply the same?

No. It’s a bit smaller and it’s now 135 watt. The connecter type is different too because it’s not meant for use in original Xbox 360 consoles.

Is the hard drive removable?

Yes, just like on the original 360 console, the hard drive is removable.

What is included with the console?

You can find information about the retail package here.

How can I move data from my current Xbox 360 to the new Xbox 360?

Its super easy – check out Xbox.com/transfer for more details. One important note is that your current Xbox 360 hard drive will not attach to the new Xbox 360. You will need to use either a transfer cable or USB memory to transfer your content.

Source

So, we gladly welcome freebies! Xbox avatar items should all be free unlockables really, and it is great to see more games offering the chance to do this. I’ve compiled a list of all the current games that offer avatar unlockables, which are as follows:

• ‘Splosion Man
• Alan Wake
• Blur
• Darwinia+
• Dead to Rights: Retribution
• Doom II (2)
• Earthworm Jim HD
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo Waypoint
• Lazy Raiders
• Left 4 Dead 2
• Lips
• Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers
• Major League Baseball 2K10
• Perfect Dark
• Red Dead Redemption
• Scrap Metal
• Snoopy Flying Ace
• South Park: Let’s Go Tower Defence Play!
• Toy Soldiers

This list was last updated on the 12th June 2010.

Red Dead Redemption has an addictive (yet slightly buggy at the moment) multiplayer mode which allows you to from gangs/posses with friends, ride the open plains, and take down enemy hideouts. It is so much fun, that it has been hard to take the time away to write this article.

As you kill stuff and complete certain tasks you gain experience (XP), which in turn levels up your character unlocking new titles, mounts and weapons. There are 50 ranks in total, as well as a Prestige-style “Legendary” mode which allows players to revert back to Rank 1 once they hit 50, but with the added benefit of even fancier new unlockables.

Here is a list of all currently available unlockable weapons and mounts in Red Dead Redemption:

Rank 1 – Cattleman Revolver, El Senor Mount
Rank 2 – Repeater Carbine
Rank 3 – Throwing Knives
Rank 4 – Lusitano Nag Mount
Rank 5 – Volcanic Pistol
Rank 6
Rank 7
Rank 8 – Winchester Repeater, Turkmen Mount
Rank 9 – Schofield Revolver
Rank 10
Rank 11 – Pump Action Shotgun
Rank 12
Rank 13 – Springfield Rifle
Rank 14
Rank 15 – Dynamite
Rank 16
Rank 17 – Double-Action Revolver
Rank 18 – Sawed Off Shotgun
Rank 19
Rank 20 – Rolling Block Sniper Rifle
Rank 21
Rank 22 – Fire Bottle, Cleveland Bay Mount
Rank 23
Rank 24 – Semi-Automatic Pistol
Rank 25
Rank 26 – Semi-Automatic Shotgun
Rank 27
Rank 28 – Carcano Sniper Rifle
Rank 29
Rank 30
Rank 31
Rank 32 – Henry Repeater
Rank 33 – Hungarian Half-Bred Mount
Rank 34
Rank 35 – High Power Pistol
Rank 36
Rank 37 – Double-Barrel Shotgun
Rank 38
Rank 39
Rank 40 – Bolt-Action Rifle, American Standardbred Mount
Rank 41
Rank 42
Rank 43 – Evans Repeater
Rank 44
Rank 45
Rank 46 – LeMat Revolver
Rank 47
Rank 48
Rank 49 – Mauser Pistol
Rank 50 – Buffalo Rifle, Bonzo Mount (Bull)

Legendary 1, Rank 50 – Buffalo Mount
Legendary 2, Rank 50 – Albino Buffalo Mount
Legendary 3, Rank 50 – Super Bull Mount
Legendary 4, Rank 50 – Zebra Donkey Mount

As a list of character names is not very useful, please check out this You Tube video to see each character unlockable:

With the news of some exciting new DLC coming out soon for Red Dead Redemption, this list is likely to change in the near future. Please bookmark and check back often for updates to the list.

As a HUGE Joker fan, this saddens me. In a recent interview with IGN UK, voice actor Mark Hamill revealed that he won’t be revisiting the role of Joker after the release of Batman: Arkham Asylum 2. At first, he was reluctant to do the voice work on the sequel, saying, “My answer to (Rocksteady) for the sequel was; “Guys, we’re never going to be able to top the original” and that he had intended to leave the role on “a high note” with his work on the original Batman: Arkham Asylum.

However, once Rocksteady told Mark Hamill of their intentions for the sequel he agreed to reprise the role. “This will be my last, there’s no question about that,” said Hamill, “but it’s the last hurrah”.

After all the years he has done voice work for the Joker, I can understand why he may want to move on. Still, it’s a shame to know there will be no more Joker after this. Sure, someone else will take on the roll, but for me I feel Hamill’s work suited the “Clown Prince of Crime” perfectly.

On a more positive note, Rocksteady must have something amazing instore for the next Arkham Asylum game to have convinced him to voice the Joker just one more time.

To say thanks, Bungie have uploaded a new trailer called “The Good, The Badass and The Ugly” featuring awesome kills and freaky glitches that occurred during the beta event.

“It’s exceeded our expectations. Our only real perspective going into this was the ‘Halo 3′ beta test, which had about 800,000 people. We knew there were a couple million copies of ‘ODST’ out there, but we really didn’t have any specific information that let us know what the population might be like.” – Brian Jarrard, Bungie Studios Community Director

Check out the video below:

Since it’s release on the 21st of May I have been playing an awful lot of Red Dead Redemption. Whilst progressing through the game I managed to unlock a new avatar item. At the moment, unlocking most of these items remains unknown, but as I find new ones I will update this article.

Here is a list of Red Dead Redemption Avatar Rewards I have found out how to unlock so far:

1. Sombrero: Shoot someones hat off
2. Red Dead Redemption shirt (red): Found in a trunk in Riley’s Charge cabin
3. Rockstar shirt (black): Found in trunk in attic of your final safehouse
4. Posse shirt: Rumoured to be unlocked via an upcoming Social Club challenge called “Strike It Rich”
5. Gentleman’s Attire: Rumoured to be unlocked via upcoming Social Club challenge “Skin It to Win It”

If you have found any new Xbox 360 unlockable Avatar rewards in this game, please leave a comment below and I will update the list.