TheJoey.Net

One of the selling points of the Xbox 360 was free access to the Xbox Marketplace, where you could download game demos, new levels, trailers, etc. This is called the “Silver Package” on Live. Since November 22nd 2006, one year after the 360 came out, you could also download TV and Movies (available in HD as well). You use Microsoft points to get TV shows like South Park, UFC, The Nine and much more. Movies include V for Vendetta, The Matrix and The Untouchables to name a few. The list of companies partnered with Xbox Live can be found here and the pricing can be found here

According to Joysig, the prices break down like this:

• New 720p HD movies- $6
• New 480p SD movies - $4
• “Classic” 720p HD movies - $4.50
• “Classic” 480p SD movies - $3
• 720p HD television - $3
• 480p SD television - $2

Not to shabby if you ask me! I have not tried the service yet, but will most likely post my experience when I do. Later!

posted on November 26th, 2006 in Gaming, Tech| No Comments »

Two Tuesdays ago was a pretty big day for games on the 360. Call of Duty III (CoD III), a game I was highly anticipating due to its amazing prequel, and Gears of War (GoW) came out. I happened to pick up both that week and promptly played CoD III until I got to busy to play, and then when the work let up, played Gears of War. Here is how that game stacks up.

I didn’t really know what to expect from GoW. It looked cool, with a Halo-esq feel to it. However, I grossly underestimated this game. Not only does it look kick ass graphics wise, but the game play is pretty awesome. It takes place in the future, where you are fighting in a post-apocalyptic world against “The Locusts.” It’s a team based game where you have to look after your squad or you won’t win. The controls are pretty sophisticated, and because of that the game has a pretty high learning curve but the basics are intuitive. It’s in third person, which allows you to hide against walls and behind almost anything. From there you can move to another hiding spot or rush out, jump over walls, etc. When behind these formations you can blind shoot, a feature I like a lot. You can shoot enemies while still hiding, which isn’t very accurate, but effective against a lot of locusts.

The weapon set is also really sweet. The default weapon is an AK/chainsaw, and when you are up close and personal with an enemy, that chainsaw comes in handy. And using it looks awesome. There is also a weapon called “The Hammer of Dawn,” which harnesses the power of the sun to obliterate the target.

As for multiplayer, you can do co-op, versus and Live. Co-Op is fun- your friend becomes part of your squad, and you guys have to communicate and work together to beat the levels. VS pits you 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 and you guys just find each other and go to town. Once you die, you’re dead until the end of the round. Live is the same way, just with more people. It’s cool with bigger teams, but again, if you guys don’t work together, you will probably lose.

Over all, the game is amazing. One of the best. The graphics and detail, the game play, the online experience. I was excited about Call of Duty III, but Gears of War is clearly the better game here. Later.

posted on November 23rd, 2006 in Gaming, Reviews| No Comments »

While scanning the internet the other day (something I tend to do every 3 hours or so), I came across a nice little site called vNES. It is an NES emulator that runs right from the browser! It uses Java, so you will need that to use it, but that is a small price to pay for this. Select from a number of classics including 1942, Super Mario Bros., and my personal favorite, BattleToads. They are currently working on saving games and mapping your own controls, among other things! It is definitely a site to check out. Later!

posted on October 12th, 2006 in Gaming, Websites| No Comments »

I just read about this site via Ctrl-Alt-Del. It is a website that unites video game voters and helps them contact their Senators about the Family Entertainment Protection Act.

Basically this act, headed up by my favorite people, Hilary Clinton and Joe Lieberman, with some help from Jack Thompson, will limit what kind of games can be created and sold. Besides the fact that this is against our right to freedom of speech, the government is boldly going where it should not. In 1993, the rating system was put in place with help from Joe Lieberman, and that should be enforced better. It is not up to the government to tell our kids what they can and cannot play. That is up to the parent. Check out the site to learn more about this act, the damage it can do, and the truth about video games that you aren’t being told. Visit the Site

posted on March 13th, 2006 in Gaming, Politics, Thoughts, Websites| No Comments »

I tried to find a screen shot that showcased the sheer awesomeness of the Fight Night Round 3 graphics. This was the best I could do. I assure you it looks better.

Fight Night is a boxing game, which I am a pretty big fan of since playing Knock Out Kings 2002. Fight Night, however, is infinitely better than Knock Out Kings. First of all, since it is a game for Xbox 360, the graphics are intense and amazing. You can see sweat glistening off the light shining in on the empty warehouse where you have exhibition matches. You can tell when someone’s nose is broken and bleeding. The shine of the gloves from different angles is incredible. The fighters like insanely real. Down to the last dimple (or bruise) on their face. They look even better in slow motion. On first glance, someone might think they are watching a real boxing match. And this is NOT on High Def. This is on regular old (and I do mean old) TV.

The game play is different, and it’s better this way. Move with the left joy stick, jab with the right. A and R are your haymakers. Dance around the ring, grab, head butt, block, and low blow. You are fighting, do the right thing. Or don’t. It’s your call. In between rounds, you have the chance to fix up your boxer. You bring the swelling around his eyes down and clean up cuts. Make your boxer last as long as humanly possible. When you get knocked down, you have to try and move 2 circles controlled by the left and right joysticks into a center circle, and you better do it before the 10 count. If there is no way you are getting up, you will know.

Play as a number of legends and greats; Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard (and Robinson), Smokin’ Joe and of course, Ali, among many others, Build your own boxer or follow the path of a legend. Fight Night Round 3 is defiantly a game worth buying. You will not be disappointed. Later.

posted on March 11th, 2006 in Gaming, Reviews| No Comments »