E3 - Let the madness begin!!

All seasoned gamers know what 'E3' is because its where we get our first real taste of the goody games to come and quite often 'surprise' announcements are revealed. Its like a gamer Christmas... in the summer... with lots of weirdos doing Cos Play. As a lil run up to the event we thought that you guys and gals would like to see just a few of the hyped games that are set to strip off and run naked at the event so check out the vids below.

Don't forget E3 kicks off for June 6th and will be covered across all gaming news sites. Personally I recommend the following to watch it on - Epic Battle Axe - Giant Bomb - G4TV - and Gametrailers.com. Also, Spike TV will be covering the event in a more 'exclusive' manner. Of course we will also be doing our best to bring you the highlights. God, I love games!!

Forza Motorsport 4 Pre-Order Details and Trailer

This fall, the highest rated racing franchise of this generation returns with “Forza Motorsport 4”, the biggest racing game of the year. Starting today, fans can pre-order the game at U.S. retailers for $59.99 (US ERP). For even more incentive to pre-order, Turn 10 Studios confirmed today that fans who pre-order “Forza Motorsport 4” at participating U.S. retailers will receive a token to unlock one of the following five cars, while supplies last:.





Available at Amazon.com- Subaru Impreza WRX STI:
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is the highest standard-edition trim in the Subaru compact car line. The STI is recognized as a speed demon on race tracks, winning first place at Super GT in 2008.

Available at Best Buy- BMW 1 Series M Coupe:
Reaching top speeds of 250 km/h, the 1 Series M Coupe is the high-performance version of the famed BMW 1 Series Coupe.

Available at GameStop- Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde:
The creation of Italian automaker Alfa Romeo and first introduced at the March 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Giulietta contains an exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde configuration with a 1.7L turbocharged engine that will steer you to victory.

Available at Wal-Mart- MINI John Cooper Works Clubman:
MINI enthusiasts around the world rejoice! The JCW Clubman sports a 1.6-liter four-cylinder MINI engine that has been tuned and turbocharged to include 208 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.

Available at Target - Honda CR-Z EX:
The Honda CR-Z EX is Honda’s sport hybrid with an ultra-modern and sporty look, featuring 16” wheels and tires, low-to-the-ground stance and swooping bodywork. Additionally, its six-speed manual transmission makes it the only hybrid with three pedals.

This same list of cars is available in other regions worldwide and more information for those regions is coming soon.

For “Forza” fans who crave the VIP treatment, a Limited Collector’s Edition will also be available. Stay tuned for more details on the exclusive content the Limited Collector’s Edition will offer.

A limited quantity of “Forza Motorsport 4” games at retail will include an exclusive in-game car pack available at launch that boasts five incredible cars for fans to race, tune, paint and share. This car pack, limited to the first production run of “Forza Motorsport 4” game discs, will include:

Ford Mustang GT Coupe 1965:

Take to the road in this classic American stallion, one of Ford’s most successful launch cars behind the Model A.

Koenigsegg Agera 2011:

“The Agera--from the Swedish verb “to act”--celebrates 15 years of Koenigsegg’s uncompromising philosophy of making dream cars.”

Lexus SC300 1997:

A classic personal luxury coupé, the SC300 combines a powerful racer with a 225hp I6-powered engine.

RUF RGT-8 2011:

The spectacular RGT-8 is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 engine that has been fine tuned to deliver unmatchable sports car power and curb appeal.

Tesla Roadster Sport 2011:

For luxury car fans, the Roadster Sport is electric heaven. Get behind the wheel of this electric two-seater and go zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with a peak rating of 288 horsepower.

Turn 10 Studios is also revealing that the cover car for the standard edition of “Forza Motorsport 4” is the Ferrari 458 Italia. The Ferrari 458 Italia is an 8-cylinder two-seater berlinetta with a mid-rear mounted engine, and represents a genuine break with the past in terms of Maranello's previous high-performance sports cars. The Turn 10 team has worked closely with Ferrari to include every intricate detail of the Ferrari 458 Italia in the game, from its sleek aerodynamic design to its exquisitely modeled 4499 cc V8 engine, offering players the most realistic driving experience off the track.

“The Ferrari 458 Italia was a perfect fit for the ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ hero car. It has the ideal blend of style, creative flair, cutting-edge technology and power that makes it just as gorgeous to look at as it is thrilling to take to the track,” said Dan Greenawalt, creative director of Turn 10 Studios. “We’ve worked closely with our partners at Ferrari to bring this amazing car to life in your living room.”

For those who have invested tireless hours in “Forza Motorsport 3”, Turn 10 Studios is pleased to announce a unique “Forza Motorsport 4” feature called Profile Import, which rewards fans for their time. Based on your player level and the cars in your garage in “Forza Motorsport 3”, gift cars will be automatically added to your “Forza Motorsport 4” garage and you’ll also receive bonus gifts and credits. And for those who spent hours creating intricate layers and liveries in the “Forza Motorsport 3” Livery Editor, you will be able to import those layers, so your time isn’t lost!

Stay up to speed on all things Forza Motorsport at http://ForzaMotorsport.net and stay tuned for more announcements at E3 in Los Angeles starting June 6, 2011.

Dublin teen responsible for Modern Warfare 2 hack; gets support from Microsoft

According to Herald.ie, a 14-year-old from Tallaght, Dublin was responsible for millions of computer users being alerted after the popular online game Modern Warfare 2 was hacked. The Dublin schoolboy caused a worldwide alert when he attempted to hack into Microsoft Xbox Live system. Microsoft feared  that sensitive information about their customers was in danger of being compromised.

Microsoft has come up with a unique way of handling the situation. General manager of Microsoft in Ireland Paul Rellis said that Microsoft "is working with the teenager to develop his talent and help him use his skills for legitimate purposes".

Well it's certainly a different approach to Sony's 'throw 10,000 lawsuits at the wall and see what sticks' methodology.

Microsoft to Replace 360's Damaged by Firmware Update

Microsoft have confirmed they are to replace, free of charge, all 360's that have been damaged by their latest firmware update. The update is intented to expand the amount of data that can be read and carried on new discs appearing soon, however some console owners have found that they are unable to play games since this latest bit of tinkering, recieving error messages informing them that current discs are unreadable or incompatable.

In a statement to Eurogamer a Microsoft representitive said:

"Following a recent update to our system software, we have become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs. This issue manifests itself a as a unique 'disc unreadable' or 'disc unsupported' error on the screen. We are also able to detect this issue over Xbox Live and are proactively reaching out to customers that may be impacted to replace their console."

If you do find your console has been affected you can also contact Microsoft here.

Get a figurine of your Xbox Avatar - Strike a pose!

Do you love your lil onscreen xbox avatar buddy? Would you like to have him sitting on your bedside table and take him for walks? Well now you can! Microsoft have introduced - 'Figure Prints'. This allows you to pose your lil lad or ladette, just like my lil fella bellow... aww - isn't he cute! They then scan it and make it a real life 3D model to hold in your hand. Only catch is that it cant display licenced gear, as in game bits or any branded frocks. It only costs $50... WAIT!!! WHAT??? FIFTY BUCKS?? It was a good idea till you hear the price tag! Ten to fifteen might be acceptable for a customised bit of plastic - but fifty? Forget it, I'll stick to cuddling my teddy... um... But if you do feel like blowing your doe on a dolly then start here - Figure Prints

Games are going soft...

Aghhh!! Microsoft - stop it, stop it now!! If you watch the video below you will see why my testicles are starting to shrivel up into my abdomen. Microsoft, what are you doing? Your turning our favourite pastime into a retarded cuddly fest. Its all very well and good to widen your audience base but keep in mind you could also lose allot of the people that brought Microsoft to its gaming pinnacle... What next - a pink Xbox 360? Just shoot me now, Arg! If this keeps up I see a much brighter future for the PS3, lately it has been a far more credible platform... and if we wanted cutesy - we'd play the goddamn Wii! Quit it and stick to the loyal audience instead of pandering to the casual mindless masses. Heed my warning!! Wooooo...

Its BAFTA Time again... Get Voting!!! Make it count!

Ok, get your ass over here: BAFTA - And Vote. If you need some help, just click on the pic below of our very own Dara Ó Briain (he is Irish ya know), he can help ya out with his lil chat about games... Remember if you don't vote you don't have the right to complain... moan... or criticize. - Balls to that I say!!! I'll talk shit if i wanna and so can you... but ya really should vote anyway, ya don't want Dance Central to win, do ya?

More Halo Reach Maps in March: Defiant Map Pack

The big Cheese Major Nelson has let the cat out of the bag that there are three new Reach maps coming to the 360 in March for 800msp. That means new achievements, 150 points worth in total! Below is a rundown on the individual maps as posted on Major Nelsons blog. And above is a vid to tickle your taste buds. Nice to see more support for Halo Reach and at a decent price... yesh Activision - I'm talking in your direction!!

Condemned
Condemned takes place aboard Orbital Station Gamma, a massive space station high in orbit above the planet Reach. Prior to the Covenant’s overwhelming invasion, Orbital Station Gamma provided long range communications for UNSC fleets and a vital lifeline between Reach and Earth. During the Battle of Reach, the station suffered terrible punishment at the hands of the Covenant but a few fortified sections remain intact, fully pressurized, and ready for combat. Condemned supports 6 – 12 players in a variety of action-packed game types, including Team Slayer, Team Objective and Free for All.

Highlands
Highlands takes place on the top-secret Military Wilderness Training Preserve on Reach. The Preserve is a large, wooded area where Spartan super-soldiers trained long before the war with the Covenant began. During the Battle of Reach, the Preserve was the site of key battles between the alien invaders and a group of Spartans who used their familiarity with these UNSC training grounds to significant tactical advantage…but not everyone who enters these woods makes it out alive. Highlands expands the fight with massive-scale engagements for 8 – 16 players in Big Team Battle, Team Slayer and Team Objective.

Unearthed
Unearthed takes the battle for Reach to a large Titanium mine and refinery located in the Viery civilian sector of the planet. This particular mine was built to take advantage of the exposed titanium inside a massive meteor crater. The titanium produced here is used in much of the UNSC hardware, from the chassis of the Warthog to the meters-thick armor plating of capital ships like the UNSC Pillar of Autumn. While this facility was quickly abandoned when the Covenant arrived on Reach, it still has significant tactical (and economic) value and it won’t be long before both humans and Covenant return to battle for control. Unearthed allows up to 4 players to launch a counterassault against the Covenant in Firefight and Firefight modes such as Generator Defense.

Kinect - Your Face is the Controller...

In case you haven't heard, Xbox will be releasing 'Avatar Kinect' soon (see second video below). This will basically be a chat show environment where your avatar will simulate all your real life gestures and movements, including facial expressions and lip syncing. The vid below shows a basic overview of how this works and is worth a quick watch. The Kinect is turning out to be a very clever bit of kit but there is a serious lack of good games for it at present. As I've always said the potential is great and this bit of facial mimicking only adds to that but if there are no good games to support it then that's all it is, a clever bit of kit. Oi - Microsoft, start making some good games for this please!!

Whats coming for usss... VGA 2010 trailer reveals!

You may have seen these on Spike TV's VGA 2010... good for you, well here they are again. Yo Spike, make your show available to places outside of the USA yeah! Gaming is global Dude! Arg. Anyway, some great clips here and some real exciting games to look forward to! Its looks like a good year ahead... and beyond!




Mass Effect 3: Shepard... Tish - Ahhhhh - He saved every one of us, do-do-da-do-do-duh...




Batman Arkham City: Batman gets wet! Very impressive FMV. A guarnteed success!




The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Has allot to live up to! Potentially amazing!




Portal 2: R2D2 and C3PO are going to be jealous. Wonder which one is the giver and which is the taker... um.




Uncharted 3 - Drake's Deception: Give that man a Beer... He's gonna need it!




Mortal Kombat: Kratos Reveal - Oh O, looks like there a new daddy in town!




Resistance 3: Methinks we is screwed! Wheres E.T. when ya need em, eh!




Prototype 2: Frankenstien for the modern age perhaps...




InSane: Ohhh, spooky. Less is more... I guess!?





SSX Deadly Descents: Hmm... Are we tired of this yet? Maybe not...




Forza Motorsport 4: Not much of a trailer... Meh! Will it be as good as GT5? Doubt it!

Kinect Launch Ireland & Initial Impressions

Some of the Reaper Gaming team recently attended the Kinect Launch in Dublin. Much fun was had by the Reaper crew (a little too much free alcohol fun for one ExcitingAlien). Being the shy basement dwelling types, we decided to just watch other people make fools of themselves and flay about like mentalists on fire. However, we did get to try out some of the Kinect launch titles, which even the hardest of hardcore gamers would have trouble denying that they're fun to play. Only time will tell whether it turns out to be a gimmick, or whether it'll actually fulfil its potential of being something truly immersive.

Below are some photos from the night. Notable attendees included Fight Like Apes, Steven Cooper (98fm), Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Brennan (RTÉ's FourLive) and 'the guy with the hair from the thing that used to be the Den'. A big 'shout out' to 'Pockets' of FLA - a true retrogamer, Piaras and David at Edelman for inviting us, and our friends at Average Film Reviews & TechTV101.

We've been testing out Kinect for a short while and we'll posting our impressions in the coming days.



Kinect - The Irish Launch party!

The ghouls of Reaper Gaming are going to the Irish launch party for Microsoft's Kinect tomorrow night (Wednesday 10th Nov) and we want to know what you want to know about Kinect. Have any questions you would like to ask Microsoft directly? Want us to try out a specific game? Tell us what you want by leaving a comment in the area below or on Facebook/Twitter, or just mail us at - ReaperGaming@gmail.com - before tomorrow night. Ask and you shall receive peeps! Oh, and yes, we will be very drunk so no big words, yipee!

Halo Reach - Noble Map pack Trailer

Getting sick of Halo Reach already? Feeling a bit bored with the map rotation? Tired of all the assholes online? Well this should fix two of the three problems... Check out the Noble Map pack trailer below, they do look quite good to play and hopefully it will kill the boring old selection that dummies keep voting for online. As for the Asshole players the only solution to them remains the mute and kick buttons, make sure to use them often! Noble map pack is out November 30th on Xbox Live.

Microsoft give you something for FREE! Sorta...

Microsoft are actually going to give you 800msp for Free!! No shit! Oh, hang on, there is some shit... You must first spend 2400msp on Xbox live. Oh, and it must be done within the month of October! You will get your free points at the end of November - if you splashed enough cash previously of course. So I'm not too sure if this is such a great deal, handy if you already planned on buying stuff I guess. If you live in France or Italy, I'm afraid this offer isn't open to you for some bizarre reason... maybe its because u is like ultra European or just better looking than most races?! Anyway, you have been informed... Enjoy your not-so-free-free-msp!

Halo Reach - The Noble Map Pack coming Nov 30th

Bungie are not ones to rest on their ass, time is money after all! They have already announced a free co-op add on coming soon for Reach and now a new, not so free map pack - 'The Noble Map pack', due for download on November 30th. It will go for 800msp, (which is allot cheaper than COD maps) and will contain 3 new playgrounds - Tempest, Anchor 9 and Breakpoint. It will also have new achievements adding up to a 250 points gamer score. Check below for picks and the official word about each map.Lots of fun...




Tempest – "Though we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned." This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small and large scale skirmishes alike. Tempest supports 8 – 16 players and offers a variety of modes including Free for All, Team Slayer, Team Objective and Big Team Battle. Tempest also provides players with a huge Forge palette, allowing them to create new custom map variants that can be shared with the community-at-large.



Anchor 9 – "Orbital dockyards provide rapid refueling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels." Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort. But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbor – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field. Anchor 9 allows 2-8 players to face off in game variants including Free for All, Team Slayer and Team Objective.



Breakpoint – "ONI officials believe the data buried within this artifact is key to our survival." Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity's survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures. This dig site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave. Breakpoint offers multiplayer mayhem for 8-16 players, and supports the Invasion and Big Team Battle game variants.

Fable III - Launch trailer - Its the 70's all over again!

Looks like Fable 3 is trying to recreate a real sense of rebellion by using some iconic scenes from our very own modern times, like pulling down the statue of Saddam... oops I mean the evil king! Looks more like a game about crowd control to the uneducated eye, in truth its a game about whatever the fuck Molyneux wants it to be about... and dogs! Check out the nicely atmospheric trailer below... will it be all it promises? Hope so but Doubt it!

Xbox Dashboard Update - Preview

Its time for another Xbox dashboard update!! I tell ya - Microsoft changes things around more often than Paris Hilton gives head... But I guess both are expected and generally beneficial for our enjoyment. Below there is a brief run through on some of the new features that gamers in the USA will be able to access, we'll let you know when a European (cut down and less impressive) version is available. This vid (courtesy of G4tv) contains a look at the new ESPN, MNBC and a few Avatr details among other bits. Nothing to blow your stained Y-fronts off but I guess over all its an improvement plus it looks different. Also theres the whole Kinect side that hasn't really been seen yet... but do you really care about that?

Alan Wake - 'The Writer' DLC - Here before Halloween!

Are ya ready for a good old spook fest this Halloween? Good, cos its time to turn off the lights and lock the doors! Prepare for the season of scary stuff with some Alan Wake DLC 'The Writer', coming October 12th, it will cost you 560msp, which isn't bad. Have to say that this second DLC has been a bit slow in coming compared to the norm... Hopefully it has been worth the wait. Check out the preview below and try not to stain the couch when ya get a fright! Boo!

Xbox 360 - Vote for your 'Deal of the Week'!!

Are you always looking at Xbox DLC and thinking 'I'll get it when it goes on sale'? Good, cos now you can make it go on sale!! Over at Major Nelsons site you can see all the fine details or check his direct quote below but basically we are going to be able to choose from a small range of DLC which will then go on sale based on the vote. I imagine that this is a testing phase to see how it works out and if successful it could become the norm! Judging from the snap shot here and the ones over on Major's blog this will come into place after the next dashboard update. So, cheapskates unite and vote your tight asses off soon as, I know I will!

"Want to tell us what YOU want to see for an upcoming Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week? The next time you sign into Xbox LIVE, head over to the Spotlight channel and check out the Member’s Choice Deal Of The Week Poll.* Here you can vote on what you want to see for an upcoming Deal. You can choose from Deathspank for 33% off, Perfect Dark for 50% off or discounts on select Dragon Age Origins, Trials HD or BF BC2 content. The winner of the poll will be a Deal of the Week in October. You can only vote once per Gold Account, so choose carefully."

Kinect - Try it out in Dublin for free!!

Here's another one for the Irish!! If you are interested in Kinect and want to give it a shot then here's your chance... if you couldn be arsed that is. Xbox.IE has announced that Kinect will be going on the road as of today around various parts of Ireland: "XBOX KINECT ROADSHOW KICKS OFF AT THE NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIP this Tuesday and Wednesday. Experience the controller-free fun of Kinect for the first time this week ahead of its launch on 10th November. Xbox Kinect will also be present in Blanchardstown SC on Friday 24th September, Dundrum SC on Saturday 25th September and Pavilions SC in Swords on Sunday 26th September."
Cant say I'm all that interested myself but if you have the gumption then head along and try it out, oh... and get someone to video tape you playing so you can share your lameness with those not lucky enough to witness it first hand!