LIVE 52.5 - Shall we finish the fight?

Posted by Rusty Ranchero
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September 25th, 2007



Rusty Ranchero hosts
LIVE on LIVE The Gamers Roundtable™

Topics include…
Did you pick up HALO 3 today? 50% of our guests said NAYLO. Find out why…
Will we say no to paying for “faster” XBL Downloads (and we don’t mean our podcast)? We might have missed our chance.
What new IP’s are gonna get lost this Holiday Season? Army of Two, Assassins Creed, Mass Effect?
Plus some interesting off topic Discussion.

Quick Wrap-Up with Rusty Ranchero…
Support LIVE on LIVE, sign up now.
All Games and Platform Nation plugs.
Extended And-Now-For Outtakes™ with bonus topic (FREE XBOX LIVE GOLD)…

LIVE on LIVE™ guests (regular gamers, just like you) are
GROMekstrakt, Tel Prydain, PimpMethod and X3R0 9.

Direct Download ver 52.5 - The Gamers Roundtable™,
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
-Duration 01:17:30 (53.2MB) 96Kbps (mono)-

Subscribe now! It’s free! You must act fast…

Is it worth the hype to finish the fight?

Posted by Mr B4
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September 24th, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children over the age of 17, this is the moment you all have been waiting for. Halo 3 goes on sale at midnight tonight at many stores all over the world such as Best Buy, Wal-mart, and Gamestop. I know you all have dropped about 60 bones on this game, and will wait in line as long as it takes to get it, because you have been waiting so long to finish the fight. Now the only question I have for you is is it worth the hype to finish the fight?

After watching a review of this game on Gametrailers.com, there are plenty of new features in this game to keep you interested in it for many months, or years to come. Let’s take a look at a few of them and see what our three year wait, awaits.

1. Campaign - I know that this is not a new feature of the game, but what bungie has done to improve on the story is what I want to talk about. Instead of just playing the game by yourself, or with one other friend in co-op play, this game now supports up to four players cooperatively locally, or on Xbox Live. There is also a new system involving skulls you pick up on the map, and as you pick them up, they will add more difficulty to the game by adding status effects to either your enemies, yourself, or the environment around you. And by using this technique, this adds a whole new level of the challenge to the game we have not experienced before.

2. Multiplayer- Now anyone knows that one of the only reasons that Halo 2 even survived was because of its multiplayer experience. This time around, instead of saving the game from disaster, this just adds more and new exciting features to an already fantastic experience. The first of which I would like to talk about is the forge map feature. Now from what I take of it, this is a feature in which you have a variety of maps to choose from, and you can add and place any weapon, item, and vehicle wherever you choose, save the map to your hardrive, and play it online against your friends. Even though I wish you could create your own maps, instead of just adding stuff to old ones, but the idea is original, and the possibilities are endless.

Halo 3 multiplayer

One more new multiplayer feature is the “Save Film” option. Not only can you capture every moment you want to remember from the game, such as splattering someone with a warthog, shooting someone down from the sky in a banshee or a hornet (we will get into that later), or getting a triple kill or killtacular. You can also share these clips with your friends online. The only thing I would have preferred with this new feature is if you could string clips together, and make somewhat of a highlight reel out of them. Either way the multiplayer looks like it will be even more fun than halo 2, and I cannot wait to try it out.

3. New Vehicles and weapons- Now in addition to the types of vehicles(Banshee, Warthog), and weapons (Assault rifle, Needler, Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle etc.) that we have seen in previous installments in the Halo series, Bungie has gone the extra mile to bring you some new and exciting weapons to try out. One of which is the Brute hammer, which looks like the alien version of a plasma sword, can take out enemies with only one hit. There is a Brute shotgun, flamethrower, new deployable shields and grenades, and loads of other weapons in which I do not have the space, nor time to write about it. Two new types of vehicles, the Hornet, a new flying vehicle, and the Brute chopper(motorcycle), will also add more excitement to the game.

I could go on and on about the new features of this game, but the truth is that myself, along with the rest of you, cannot simply rely on words alone to play this game. We will have to experience it ourselves to really see if it was worth finishing the fight or not.

Until next time gamers, this is B4 signing off.
Take care,
B4

P.S.- If you are curious, here is a link to a review that Gametrailers.com did on the game. Take a look, and form your own opinion. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/25485.html

Here goes any chance of an MVP for me…

Posted by MrCarpalTunnel
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September 19th, 2007

The past year has been hard for fans like myself. I really enjoy gaming. I take it very seriously. I would go so far as to say: I am very defensive about my “Console of Choice”. After all I do a podcast that favors the Xbox Live enviorment. Since the beginning of the 360, XBL Radio has proven with Live on Live, that the Box is hard to beat for online play. However I have to be honest when I say it’s becoming hard to defend my console of choice.

The past years, since launch of the 360, has brought us: The Red Rings of Death, A faulty wireless headset, Numerous scratched discs, Overheated Bricks, Overheated Consoles, Warrenty issues that had to be addressed, and now the latest in the 360 issues: Similar to the way that the power cables on the original Xbox had problems with possibly catching on fire, the Xbox 360 Racing Wheel can possibly cause your wheel to “overheat” and “release smoke.” Thanks to a couple instances of this happening, Microsoft is instituting a program where you can get an AC adapter replacement for your wheel free of charge.

You can still use your wheel now on battery power (wirelessly), but they recommend that you quit using it while plugged in—which means there’s no force feedback—until you get the replacement adapter.

I know that some may say I’m being too critical on the 360. I am. Since XBL Radio prides itself on being “for the gamer” I want to let our community know that issues such as these are important to us. The 360 is quickly becomming the FIREstone story of the Platform Wars.

XBOX 360 Messenger Kit CHATPAD review

Posted by LIVE on LIVE
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September 18th, 2007


XBL Radio 360 Messenger Kit CHAT PAD review.
TheOtherGuy demonstrates the 360 Chat adapter for the Xbox 360 controller. Let’s see just how cool this thing really is.

Microsoft Planning to Nickel & Dime for Faster Xbox Live Downloads

Posted by Rusty Ranchero
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September 18th, 2007

Would you consider buying a service that allows downloading Xbox LIVE Marketplace content faster than your current experience?”, asks question six.

If you subscribe to the Xbox Flash Newsletter, the latest issue (9-18-2007) will invite you to take a survey to “Let [them] know how you feel about Xbox LIVE Marketplace*.” First, commendation goes to MS for being very sharp about the agenda of the servey. There is no beating around the bush or any masks behind the questions at all. Now with that said, shall we continue?

The final two inquiries of the survey blatantly ask “How much” would you spend, either for a monthly subscription (from $2-or-less to $4-or-more) or a per-download use (from 10 cents to 25 cents)? Taking note that there is no option for zero dollars and zero cents. Now at this point, am I really the only one asking, “shouldn’t this be free?” And who in their right mind would pick the more expensive answers in this survey?

“But Rusty, we live in a democracy where free trade and capitalism is not regulated. Businesses and corporations have the right to charge whatever they want for any porducts and services they offer. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.” Thank you. You are very educated.

I’m saying consumers have a voice and the Xbox Live Team asked to hear our voices by publishing this questionnaire and then sending out an email asking gamers to take the survey. Please let me help spread the word. I encourage everyone who may have recieved the latest Xbox Flash email to take the survey. Let them hear your voice by clicking your mouse. That’s all. And you know, some surveys ask for comments and feedback right before you hit the submit button; this one does not.

Ver 52: Halo Hype, Huddles, and Hijinks…

Posted by MrCarpalTunnel
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September 17th, 2007

Join Carps and TOG as they ponder on the past weeks in gaming…

TECH NEWS:
-Gaming is not a spectator sport.
-PS3 and Back Compat.
-Getting to the Core of Apple’s Rebate.

GAME NEWS:
-Is that WiiDom ROCK? Turn it up!
-THQ can’t pull off the Stunt of selling games.
-HALO3. Less than 2 weeks away. The Hype Continues…

GAME REVIEWS:

-STUNTMAN IGNITION: Howie would be proud as Carpal tries to manage all the director’s cues. -MADDEN 08: TOG tackles his first Madden game. Will it surpass his NCAA addiction?

ALL THIS PLUS:
-Squidpunch and the 360 Friendspot “SPOT”-GUI J’s final Marketplace Minute™ -Useless Tips™ -Console Crimes™. And the usual banter from those Southern Boys of Gaming.

Direct Download ver 52.0*,
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
-Duration 01:27:15 (60.20MB) 96Kbps-

Subscribe now! It’s free! You must act fast…

*Leave us comments on the show; It’s not like we’re asking for a PayPal Donation.

EDIT: We have learned that the feed is downloading the wrong show (42.0, that’s twenty weeks ago!) It is now corrected and may take time to update.

I Want to play online, but there is a problem!

Posted by Mr B4
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September 17th, 2007

Xbox 360 wireless connection test

Now as most of you know, this is not the type of post you usually expect from me. The truth is, I have a problem and I need some help.

As the screen shot above illustrates, this is a test for your Xbox Live connection using a wireless network adapter. The fourth option down is called the DNS test. When I test my wireless connection, the network adapter, wireless network, and IP address all check out fine. The problem I have is that the darn DNS test keeps failing.

I have one idea of what it could be, let’s hope I’m right. Maybe the type of router I have is not compatible with Xbox Live, or at least not this version of it. When I checked on the Xbox.com website the other day, it told that me that versions 2, 3, and 4 of Linksys routers are compatible. I found out that I have version 6 of this router, with the same model number (WRT54G), but no Xbox Live connection.

stressed outSo as you can already tell, this is a situation that stresses me out. So before I buy a new router, I thought I’d extend my plea to this great community of XBL Radio (and now Platform Nation) to see if any gamer out there can help me out. Leave me a comment if you have some idea of what to do, I’d certainly appreciate it.

Here is Xbox.com’s solution. See if it makes sense…
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/live/con-power.htm

Thanks gamers, I appreciate your help and I’ll see you again, right here, next week with a news story.

Take Care,
B4

PAX07 video wrapup by 360 Style

Posted by Rusty Ranchero
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September 17th, 2007

Check out this sweet video from 360style.net. It’s a seven minute PAX-u-mentary showing off some cool games, gamers and gaming. It’s got more game than MJ. Also, keep an eye out for some familiar faces in this wonderfully edited presentation.

Length: 7:23
Edited: Chubby McCarlson
Filmed: Avid X3ro & GodfatherX360
If you’re gonna digg it, please use this link.

Prepping of LIVE 52.5

Posted by Rusty Ranchero
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September 16th, 2007

This is routinely done on the forums, but I felt like indulging this time around.

LIVE on LIVE version 52.5 will be recording on Friday, September 21, 2007. This will be done on Xbox LIVE in a Gears of War lobby. These six gamers listed below are the next in order on the waiting list. They have been contacted and I’ll update this post as they reply.


GROMekstrakt - CONFIRMED - “Im there boss. cheers, GROMekstrakt”


PimpMethod - CONFIRMED - I got Gears and I’ll see you Friday.


Jeremiah Night - PENDING - “dont have gears ill see if I can rent a copy”


ABACAB72 - STILL PENDING - YET TO RESPOND


Tel Prydain - STILL PENDING - YET TO RESPOND


BrokenTaco 09 - UNABLE - “I apologize, I will be working that night.

Now I need YOUR help. What shall we talk about during this roundtable? Please comment and suggest any topics you think gamers will find interesting. Catch you L8ER, -Rust.

What To Do While Waiting For Halo 3…

Posted by Silent Cypher
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September 14th, 2007

While in class yesterday, I was introduced to a toolbar expansion for Firefox called Stumbleupon, which based on the interests you choose, will send you to website pages with said criteria. As I went through the customization process for the toolbar, I found gaming was one of the interests, so I check marked it to see what cool things might come up. Within about 10 minutes of use of Stumbleupon I found this amazing video for San Andreas, that helped me figure out something I could do to pass time until Halo 3 or GTA4 arrives.

I’m quite excited now to go back an venture the streets of San Andreas, searching for things I had never thought of doing. Should keep me plenty entertained ’til the big titles drop.

And speaking of biding time until Halo 3, what are you doing during the wait? Diving into Skate or Stranglehold? Re-playing through Halo 2 on Legendary? What has your attention off of the week and a half wait?