Rumors from last month suggested Xbox 360 would see a bit of a shake up this holiday season. The first part of the rumor -- Elite and Premium SKUs bundled with two games -- has been all but confirmed by way of pictures and retail leaks. The second part, suggesting the Core SKU would be re-branded as the "Arcade," is gaining support, as well.
Joystiq points out that retailers Toys "R" Us and Amazon have both listed the "Xbox 360 Arcade" system for the release dates as October 25 and October 23, respectively. Both sites put the system at the price point of $279.99, the current price of the Core SKU.
Though the name and price are all the retailers provide, the aforementioned rumors used the name "Arcade" when predicting that the Core would be phased out in favor of a new system. This system would supposedly come with an HDMI port, 256MB memory card, wireless controller, and a disc containing five Xbox Live Arcade games. With other speculation suggesting Sony has new SKU plans as well, this could shape up to be a very interesting holiday season.
NAMCO BANDAI Games Reveals New Advanced Gameplay Tactics and Assets for Ace Combat® 6: Fires of Liberation™
NAMCO BANDAI Games today released new details and assets on advanced gameplay tactics from Ace Combat® 6: Fires of Liberation™, its upcoming flight action game for the Xbox 360™. While providing an accessible and intuitive play experience for gamers of all skill levels, Ace Combat 6 introduces several new advanced techniques that are sure to take series veterans to new heights of aerial domination.
Ace Combat 6 debuts the following advanced maneuvers:
Read-Ahead Fire: Normal missile fire is done by locking on to nearby enemies and launching missiles that pursue their target. While this approach of air-to-air combat is suitable for eliminating most enemies, it requires the player to spend valuable time getting closer to their opponents. Advanced players can utilize “Read-Ahead Fire” to predict the path of their enemy and fire missiles from long-distances without needing a lock-on. This tactic requires precise flying and strong knowledge of enemy flight patterns, but can quickly devastate an opposing fleet if properly executed.
Close-In Explosion: While “Read-Ahead Fire” provides a very precise way of dispatching aerial enemies, sometimes opponents are too fast and elusive for this tactic. If players are having a hard time hitting their enemies, they can utilize the “Close-In Explosion” feature to fire from a less than optimal position and still have their missiles damage the enemy plane. This tactic does not inflict as much damage as a direct hit, but mitigates the risk of missing due to quick turns by the enemy or a weak lock-on.
High-G Turn: Modern combat planes are stabilized via computer control, delivering a smooth and safe flight for the pilot, but limiting the overall maneuverability of the plane in emergency situations. By temporarily overriding their flight computer (holding the left and right trigger on the Xbox 360 controller), players can execute a “High-G Turn” and make extremely tight cornering maneuvers, but risk stalling their plane if they hold this extreme flight pattern for too long.
Mid-Flight Landing & Midair Refueling: Introducing massive battle areas with multiple combat fronts, Ace Combat 6 forces pilots to strategically manage their arsenal and the condition of their plane. Some missions will feature more enemies than players can destroy in a single load of missiles, in which case they can either take on the remaining foes with machine guns alone or attempt a challenging mid-flight landing on an aircraft carrier or occupied airfield. One mission will require the player to execute a mid-air refueling. By carefully docking with a refueling plane, players will be able to continue their mission without risking their safety by landing and taking off in the middle of a battlezone.
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation for the Xbox 360 will ship to retail stores nationwide on October 23 for a suggested retail price of $59.99. A limited edition version of the game, which includes a custom Xbox 360 faceplate and original ACE-EDGE flight stick will launch on the same day for a suggested retail price of $149.99. For more information on the game, please visit http://www.acecombatsix.com
Cabela's(R) Trophy Bucks Takes Aim at Retail Stores Nationwide
MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 03, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lace up your boots and sight in your rifle, Cabela's(R) Trophy Bucks is available now from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI). Players can now experience heart-pounding action as they pursue monster trophy bucks across North America in places most hunters only dream of experiencing in a lifetime.
"With Cabela's Trophy Bucks, players set out to hunt record-setting trophy bucks in beautiful locales across the continent ranging from the Sonoran Desert in Northern Mexico to the Yukon Territory," said David Oxford, Activision, Inc. "Players will experience a wide variety of hunting missions for over 35 different species of animals in hunts that will challenge and entertain even the most seasoned outdoorsman in the most action oriented Cabela's hunting game ever offered."
Cabela's Trophy Bucks starts players off at the most critical and exciting part of each hunting mission where they will immediately be presented with a challenge. Gamers will need to rely on their skills, instincts and determination to tackle over 95 missions for 11 species of trophy deer and 25 other species including waterfowl, upland birds, small game and varmints in their quest to become the ultimate North American hunter.
Cabela's Trophy Bucks, which is published by Activision Minneapolis, is available now on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $39.99 and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for $29.99. The game is rated "T" (Teen) by the ESRB.
Activision Unites Marvel's Super Heroes and Super Villains at Retail Stores Nationwide with Spider-Man(TM): Friend or Foe
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct 03, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- It's time to experience the ultimate fighting team as Spider-Man unites with popular super-heroes and powerful super-villains from the movie trilogy and beyond in Spider-Man(TM): Friend or Foe from Activision, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI). Throughout the game's original story and thrilling battles, players are challenged to defeat and then join forces with notorious movie foes including Doc Ock, Green Goblin, Venom and Sandman, as well as others from the classic Spider-Man family of characters, and embark on a global quest to overcome an evil threat.
"Inspired by both the Spider-Man film trilogy and the classic Spider-Man comics, Spider-Man: Friend for Foe is a unique take on the most successful Super Hero franchise of all time," said Rob Kostich, vice president, global brand management, Activision, Inc. "For the first time ever in a Spider-Man game, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe features a unique co-op mode in which a friend can join the game at any time and take control of Spider-Man's sidekick as they battle side-by-side and replay favorite levels."
As the Spider-Man: Friend or Foe experience unravels, Spider-Man and his sidekicks unlock a variety of arenas and secret areas containing special tokens which allow players to revisit previously explored levels at any time as well as fortify their cache of collectables and power upgrades. Gamers can also replay levels as Spider-Man's darker, more mysterious persona, Black-Suited Spider-Man, and experience a robust Versus mode, with multiple arenas, where players match up any two characters and battle it out to see who wins.
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is available now for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Wii(TM) home video game system from Nintendo for a suggested retail price of $49.99, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and PSP(R) (PlayStation(R) Portable) system for $39.99, the Nintendo DS(TM) for $29.99 and the PC for $19.99. The game is rated "E10+" (Everyone 10 and older - Cartoon Violence) by the ESRB.
Xbox 360 is adding a splash of color to the holiday season with the release of new Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers in pink and blue on Oct. 2, each offered for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (US). The whole family can enjoy Xbox 360 with these bright additions to the “chill” and black Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers.
The pink and blue Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers will make a great gift this holiday season for newer gamers. Delivering high-performance wireless gaming, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers feature all of the convenience and flexibility of the originals with a unique twist of personality. Now every member of the family can have a favorite color controller to match their favorite animal from “Viva Piñata: Party Animals.”
The response from gamers regarding the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller has been nothing short of amazing. In fact, the Xbox 360 wireless controller is one of the most popular gaming controllers of all time. These integrated 2.4GHz high-performance controllers enable comfort and extended game-play.
The Xbox Guide Button, available on all the controllers, provides quick access to premium digital movies, music and games libraries on Xbox LIVE, the number one online distributor of high-definition television and feature film content.
All Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers also use optimized technology that allows users to wirelessly maneuver with a range of 30 feet. Two AA batteries provide 30 hours of life so users can enjoy hours of uninterrupted gaming.
HQ Network: 9,133 | 
Guests: 5135 |
Members: 3
