In the early days of video games, developers had to contend with the small amounts of storage which were possible on game cartridges. The original Nintendo Game Boy had cartridges ranging from just 32 KB up to 8 MB while the Super Nintendo Entertainment System could (in theory) support cartridges of up to 128 MB in size. However, in practice only 117.75 MB was available, and most games could only use around 32-48 MB.
When you compare that to modern games, which can take up dozens or even hundreds of
gigabytes, you can see how little developers used to have to work with.
With so little storage space, video games had to be optimised over and over again, removing any unnecessary code, compressing images, and using other coding tricks to minimise their size. There was no room for anything other than the core game files, extra features, or bonus content.
That was until consoles started supporting optical media like CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, and the quirky proprietary GD-ROM that was used in the Sega Dreamcast. CDs came with 700 MB of storage, DVDs had more than 4 GB, and the Blu-Ray could store up to 50 GB.
The extra storage let developers for consoles like the Xbox create larger games and accompany them with minigames - smaller applications that used the same game assets but were separate from the main storyline.
These minigames are a fun way to take a break from the main missions or levels and add variety to the playing experience. Although they’re intended to be a side dish to accompany the game’s main course, some have been so popular that they’ve stolen the show.
Here are some of the best minigames made for Xbox consoles.
Major Nelson has announced that starting February 26, 2013 and running through March 4, 2013, over 60 Xbox 360 Games on Demand titles will be on sale up to 75% off with some as much as 85% off for the "Xbox Ultimate Game Sale".
Each day, a different set of titles will be on sale, so be sure to follow Major Nelson on Twitter where he'll announce what that day's special offer is. The Ultimate Game Sale only occurs once a year so you won’t want to miss it. Content availability and pricing may vary by region.
For a comprehensive list of titles you can expect to see on sale this year continue reading just after the break and don't forget to visit the 360-HQ games database for all of our previous coverage.
Here is the latest Xbox 360 LIVE Activity for the week of November 21st through Dec 1st 2011, 10:31 am. The list has been compiled from official Xbox LIVE data and 360-HQ's own Xbox LIVE statistics.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim shuts out Battlefield to become the third most played game over Xbox LIVE during the week of November 21st, slotting in just behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at No. 1 and Call of Duty: Black Ops at No. 2.
On 360-HQ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim pushes Call of Duty: Black Ops to No. 3 and takes out No.2 position. Battlefield 3 takes position No. 4 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 takes out position No. 5, while the official Xbox LIVE charts show that FIFA 12 is in No.5.
The 360-HQ Xbox LIVE top 20 list is compiled automatically by the HQ server. Our server tracks each and every Xbox LIVE Gamercard registered on our site and which games our members are playing or have played most recently. Please note we do NOT track demos or PC games.
If you'd like to see 360-HQ's Top 50 Xbox LIVE games at anytime you can check this page here. It's updated hourly.
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From now until January 17th, Xbox LIVE members have a massive selection of Activision DLC to choose from at discounted prices. Take advantage of the deals while they last.
The following content published by Activision is on sale for 50% off:
Xbox LIVE Arcade
Arkadian Warriors: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Assault Heroes: Sale: 200 MS Points (Normally: 400)
Assault Heroes 2: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Carcassonne: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Golf: Tee it Up!: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Crash Bandicoot: Sale: 600 MS Points (Normally: 1200)
Legend of Spyro: Sale: 600 MS Points (Normally: 1200)
Game Add-Ons/DLC
Call of Duty 2 Invasion Map Pack: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Call of Duty 2 Skirmish Map Pack: Sale: 200 MS Points (Normally: 400)
Call of Duty 3 Bravo Map Pack: Sale: 200 MS Points (Normally: 400)
Call of Duty 3 Valor Map Pack: Sale: 200 MS Points (Normally: 400)
Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Call of Duty World at War Map Pack 1: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Call of Duty World at War Map Pack 2: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Call of Duty World at War Map Pack 3: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Call of Duty World at War Map Pack Bundle: Sale:1000 MS Points (Normally: 2000)
Guitar Hero 5
Rock 1 Pack: Sale: 440 MS Points (Normally: 880)
Megadeth Pack: Sale: 220 MS Points (Normally: 440)
Avenged Sevenfold Pack: Sale: 220 MS Points (Normally: 440)
Disturbed Pack: Sale: 220 MS Points (Normally: 440)
Fall Out Boy Pack: Sale: 220 MS Points (Normally: 440)
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
Soundgarden Telephantasm Album: Sale:720 MS Points (Normally: 1440)
Linkin Park Pack: Sale: 480 MS Points (Normally: 960)
Rocky Horror Picture Show Pack: Sale: 220 MS Points (Normally: 440)
My Chemical Romance Pack: Sale: 300 MS Points (Normally: 600)
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Pack1: Sale: 800 MS Points (Normally: 1600)
DJ Hero
David Guetta Pack 1: Sale: 320 MS Points (Normally: 640)
Jay-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack: Sale: 320 MS Points (Normally: 640)
DJ Hero 2
Hit Makers Mix Pack: Sale: 320 MS Points (Normally: 640)
Electro Hits Mix Pack: Sale: 320 MS Points (Normally: 640)
Transformers WFC Map & Character Pack #1: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
Transformers WFC Map & Character Pack #2: Sale: 400 MS Points (Normally: 800)
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If you been playing COD WAW since the beta you know this map all to well so the COD WAW team has decided to change things up a bit with the addition of day light and map variations.
Callofduty.com reports: When you turn on your Xbox 360 or PS3 today and pop in World at War, you will be happy to find a nice surprise from Treyarch. Our latest Title Update / Patch has just gone LIVE, and with it some exciting new changes!
There are many different things we’ve addressed in this update, but the most exciting (and pictured below) is the addition of a new map! A daytime version of MP Makin - Makin Day - is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 absolutely FREE! Aside from the new dynamic the sunlight adds to the experience, some paths and cover have been modified to change-up the gameplay a bit. If you’re a PS3 player, you’ll get Makin Day when you patch. Xbox 360 players can download it from the XBL Marketplace once you sign into the game & Xbox LIVE and get the update.
This is all available now! (February 26, 2009) - for updates regarding the specific platforms, check your respective sub-forum over in the Barracks.
I don't know about you but going to go play till this map rolls around now, see you on the battle field.
Hey Call Of Duty fans we got one more weekend of double-XP coming at us with a few new types of match up, i am a bit slow on this one since it started Friday but better late then never right.
CallOfDuty.com posted this: In lieu of the festivities which will no-doubt keep most of you in front of your TV's all weekend, we've decided to initiate yet another weekend of Double-XP Jan 30 – Feb 1 to compliment The Big Game!
Not only will you be receiving Double-XP, but we're introducing two new playlists to the Xbox 360 and PS3 by popular request: Team Tactical (4v4) and Mercenary TDM (no parties allowed)! Team Tactical will pit two teams of four against each other in a random rotation of all the Team-Based gametypes.
It all starts tomorrow morning PST (Friday the 30th)
Thanks for the great suggestions on those playlists, and keep 'em coming in the Forums. We'll see you online!
Regards, -JD (Go Cardinals)
If you do not have an account with CallOfDuty.com and would like to get one to keep up with all your stats (I am talking about more stats then you can shake a stick at) then send me a PM with the E-mail account you will use and help me get a new badge, enjoy your weekend HQ fans.
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Each day, a different set of titles will be on sale, so be sure to follow 
