News: MW2 Stimulus Package costs 1200 MSP

Five maps detailed for March DLC. Infinity Ward has detailed the Modern Warfare 2 “Stimulus Package” downloadable content and said it will cost 1200 Microsoft Points (£10.20 / €14.40). Stimulus Package consists of five multiplayer maps – three new, two brought back from the original Modern Warfare – and is due out on 30th March. The new maps are called Bailout, Storm and Salvage. Bailout is a wide map set in an overrun apartment complex with long sight lines. Storm is a series of abandoned warehouses in the midst of a thunderstorm and is good for larger team battles and objective gametypes. Salvage is a smaller, snowy effort in a junkyard. Read more…

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News: MW2 Stimulus Package costs 1200 MSP

Modern Warfare 2’s "Stimulus Package" Brings Back Two Classic Maps [Maps]

An early listing of the Modern Warfare 2 “Stimulus Package” on the Xbox Live Marketplace web site reveals it is comprised of five maps, two of them old favorites from the first Modern Warfare . More

News: Modern Warfare 2 DLC named

“Stimulus Package” due out this month. Activision has said that the Modern Warfare 2 DLC announced this week is called “Stimulus Package”. It’s out on 30th March. To celebrate, Xbox Live Silver members will be able to play Modern Warfare 2 online between 12th March and 15th March in the hope their heads and credit cards will be turned enough to splurge on a Gold sub. Earlier this week developer Infinity Ward said Modern Warfare 2 had been played online by 25 million people since its launch last November. Read more…

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DSi XL Versus iPad: The Battle of the Bigger Versions [Size Matters]

The Nintendo DSi XL comes out on March 28; the Apple iPad on April 3 . Both are essentially bigger versions of things that already exist, but how much of an improvement are they really? We know that comparing the Apple iPad to the Nintendo DSi isn’t exactly fair, but we aren’t comparing the two devices to each other on a feature-by-feature basis. Instead, we’re taking a look at the value that each holds as an upgrade to its respective ancestor. In other words, is bigger better, and which bigger is better? Flip through the gallery below in order to get the full effect, or, if you’d prefer, click here to see the article as one long list of words and pictures. The Combatants It’s the Nintendo DSi XL squaring off against the Apple iPad, larger versions of the Nintendo DSi and iPod Touch, more or less. Apple would like us to think of the iPad as an entirely new device, but let’s be realistic here. The Manufacturers On one side we have Nintendo, a dedicated video game company that isn’t too worried about aesthetics, as long as the devices they release get the job done. Take the Wii, for instance. The Wii is a box. It looks like an external DVD drive. Of course it doesn’t play DVDs, but the comparison still stands. Then we have Apple, the computer / mobile device company that spends millions of dollars developing the package its devices come in. This is good, as many hardcore Apple devotees would spend good money on an empty box, as long as Apple designed it. Case in point: the Apple TV. The Release Dates Nintendo announced the North American release date for the DSi XL as March 28, and by gum, that’s when it’s coming out. Apple announced the initial rollout for the iPad for late March, and I suppose April 3 counts as late March. It’s Apple, and they’ve redefined all sorts of stuff. Why not late March? The Price The Nintendo DSi retails for $169.99, while the DSi XL retails for $189.99, or $20 more. This basically means that, in order to be worth your attention, the DSi XL needs to add $20 of value. The Apple iPod Touch starts at $199.99 for the 8GB version, rising in $100 increments for the 32GB and 64GB versions. The iPad starts at $499 for the wireless-only, 16GB version, with the high-end model with 64GB of memory and 3G support ringing in at $829. With a discrepancy between the memory size of the two lowest priced units, we’ll have to compare the 32GB iPod Touch at $299 to the 32GB wireless only iPad at $599. That’s $300 worth of value Apple needs to add. Improvements In Nintendo’s case, this category is simple enough. It’s bigger. It’s got bigger screens, and a bigger stylus. We could sit here discussing the ability for other people to watch you play, but that’s not a feature. Obviously the iPod is also bigger, and the degree of difference is much larger than that of the DSi and DSi XL. It also has a higher resolution screen than the iPod Touch, and a more powerful processor. Oh, and other people can watch you play with it. I didn’t give that one to the DSi, but I’m arbitrarily giving it to Apple, if only to show that I am in complete control of this article. And yes, I recycled this image from my large size comparison chart from iPod announcement day. I’m quite proud of that chart. Enhanced Applications The Nintendo DSi XL is merely a larger than normal Nintendo DSi, and there won’t really be any special DSi XL software. There will be applications like books, that function better in general on the larger screen, but since the innards and the cartridge slot are the same, so are the games. This is where the iPad lords over the DSi XL, fists to hips, chortling heartily. The advanced processor and higher resolution screen of the iPad already has developers working on exclusive applications and games for the device, as we pointed out earlier today. The Downside The main downside to the Nintendo DSi XL is that it makes Stephen Totilo’s ass look very odd when it’s placed in his back pocket. It’s larger than the DSi, to be sure, but not so much larger that it isn’t still a portable device. The iPad will not fit in Stephen Totilo’s back pocket, but it also won’t make his ass look strange. In fact, and I am just guestimating here, the iPad might completely obscure Totilo’s ass. I’m not sure if that’s a plus or a minus. The lack of real portability isn’t really a downside, as no one buying a device the size of the iPad should be stupid enough to think it’ll fit in their pocket. The only real downside to the iPad is the lack of a camera, and since we’re comparing it to the camera-less iPod Touch and not the iPhone, that doesn’t count. A huge, glaring omission, but one that doesn’t count. The Verdict So which bigger is better? From a purely financial standpoint, the Nintendo DSi XL wins, hands down, adding a nice chunk of screen real estate for only $20 more than the original. There is another question we have to consider, however. Does the DSi XL justify replacing your Nintendo DSi? Probably not. Maybe if you have trouble seeing the screen of the DSi, but otherwise it just isn’t worth the extra cash. The iPad also does everything the iPod Touch does, only bigger. The key here is that the bigger in this case is a great deal bigger. So much so, that the larger device and the smaller should be able to co-exist in your gadget lineup. But we’re talking about ditching one for the other here, and in the case of iPod Touch versus iPad, the iPod clearly has an advantage over the smaller device. You might not notice much of a difference while listening to music, but reading books, watching movies, surfing the web, and playing games, especially those being developed with the iPad in mind, will all be greatly improved on the new device. Greatly improved, but $300 improved? Perhaps that’s a question best answered deep inside your heart. You have until March 12, when preorders begin.

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DSi XL Versus iPad: The Battle of the Bigger Versions [Size Matters]

Now’s Your Chance To Desperately Escape In Resident Evil 5 [Dlc]

Capcom’s second heaping helping of Resident Evil 5 drops today, with the release of the Desperate Escape episode starring Josh and Jill, along with new costumes for stars Sheva and Chris. The circle of downloadable content is now complete, and Resident Evil fans that opted to purchase the DLC instead of waiting for the March 9th release of Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition can complete the package. Desperate Escape, available today on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 Microsoft points, sees players taking control of Josh Stone and Jill Valentine as they struggle to escape the Tricell facility towards the end of the main game. Desperate escape also includes two playable characters for the games Mercenaries Reunion multiplayer mode, Josh Stone and Rebecca Chambers from Resident Evil 0. Costume pack is also available today on the Xbox Live Marketplace. 120 Microsoft points scores you Sheva’s business costume and Chris’ heavy metal outfit, both of which are new characters for Mercenaries Reunion as well, with their own unique weapon load outs. PlayStation 3 owners can purchase the new content tomorrow, because Sony loves Thursday.

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Now’s Your Chance To Desperately Escape In Resident Evil 5 [Dlc]

Your Rough Guide To The Studios Behind Halo Legends [Anime]

On February 16, anime Halo Legends was released on home video. The project was financed by Microsoft’s Halo arm 343 Industries and created by some of the biggest names in Japanese animation. But who are these names? If you like Halo Legends, you might like the studios that are behind each animated episode. Even if you do not like Halo Legends, you still might like the other flicks they have done. Studio 4°C The studio behind “The Babysitter” and “Origins” in Halo Legends. Check out the surreal Mind Game and the dazzling Tekkonkinkreet . Production I.G The studio behind “The Duel” and “Homecoming” in Halo Legend. Notable works include Ghost in The Shell , Blood: The Last Vampire and Patlabor . Casion Entertainment The entertainment arm of Casio, responsible for “The Package” in Halo Legends. Casio Entertaiment also worked on live-action film Dai-Nipponjin , the first from from comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto. Bones The studio created “Prototype” for Halo Legends and is known for created anime versions of licensed properties like Fullmetal Alchemist. Darker Than Black is a true stand out. Toei Animation The long standing giant of the anime industry contributed “Odd One Out” to Halo Legends. With a catalogue of works dating back to the 1950s, its hard to pick a handful. Notables include (but are not limited to) Cutie Honey , Dr. Slump Arale-chan and GeGeGe no Kitaro — among many, many more like Sailor Moon , One Piece and most recently, Kaidan Restaurant .

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Your Rough Guide To The Studios Behind Halo Legends [Anime]

Halo Legends Hits Blu-ray, DVD Today… Who’s Getting It? [Halo]

Microsoft’s foray into the animated adventures of Halo is now officially available at your local retailer of fine DVDs and Blu-rays, offering Master Chief fans seven short films based on the popular Xbox shooter. Anyone getting it? If you have plans to do so, Halo Legends should be available now in physical format on DVD for on or about $19.98 USD, as well as a two-disc special edition for $29.98 USD. (Of course, you can probably get it cheaper than that.) There’s also a Blu-Ray version for $34.99 USD, a chance to put some Halo in your PlayStation 3. Finally, the anthology will be available for digital on-demand download. For details on what you can expect in the package, get up to speed here .

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Halo Legends Hits Blu-ray, DVD Today… Who’s Getting It? [Halo]

Halo Legends Hits Blu-ray, DVD Today… Who’s Getting It? [Halo]

Microsoft’s foray into the animated adventures of Halo is now officially available at your local retailer of fine DVDs and Blu-rays, offering Master Chief fans seven short films based on the popular Xbox shooter. Anyone getting it? If you have plans to do so, Halo Legends should be available now in physical format on DVD for on or about $19.98 USD, as well as a two-disc special edition for $29.98 USD. (Of course, you can probably get it cheaper than that.) There’s also a Blu-Ray version for $34.99 USD, a chance to put some Halo in your PlayStation 3. Finally, the anthology will be available for digital on-demand download. For details on what you can expect in the package, get up to speed here .

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Halo Legends Hits Blu-ray, DVD Today… Who’s Getting It? [Halo]

Halo Legends Hits Blu-ray, DVD Today… Who’s Getting It? [Halo]

Microsoft’s foray into the animated adventures of Halo is now officially available at your local retailer of fine DVDs and Blu-rays, offering Master Chief fans seven short films based on the popular Xbox shooter. Anyone getting it? If you have plans to do so, Halo Legends should be available now in physical format on DVD for on or about $19.98 USD, as well as a two-disc special edition for $29.98 USD. (Of course, you can probably get it cheaper than that.) There’s also a Blu-Ray version for $34.99 USD, a chance to put some Halo in your PlayStation 3. Finally, the anthology will be available for digital on-demand download. For details on what you can expect in the package, get up to speed here .

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Halo Legends Hits Blu-ray, DVD Today… Who’s Getting It? [Halo]

Speak-Up On Kotaku: Damaged Packages, Missing PS2s, Bad Science, And Cheating [Speak-Up]

In this week’s installment of Speak-Up on Kotaku, Pykestein, Jimmuhpage, Sazzrah, and WhiteMåge is in fact a boy take on packaging woes, PS2 availability, cheat devices, and Jo Frost. Don’t like the gallery layout? Click here to view everything on one page. About Speak-Up on Kotaku : Our readers have a lot to say, and sometimes what they have to say has nothing to do with the stories we run. That’s why we have that little box on the front page of Kotaku. You know, the one with “Got something to say?” written in it? That’s the place to post anecdotes, photos, game tips and hints, and anything you want to share with Kotaku at large. Just make sure to include #speakup in your comment so we can find it. Every Wednesday we’ll pull the best #speakup posts we can find and highlight them here. The Importance Of Packaging Pykestein is a little miffed about tape ruining his precious Divine Edition of Dante’s Inferno. How important is packaging to you? I love EA, but man. Just got home with my Dante’s Inferno Divine Edition. I pre-ordered from GameStop for the first time ever. I am one of the old school douches who still values packaging and will go to extremes to preserve it. I’m PISSED because the adhesive on the plastic tabs used to hold the sleeve in place pulled the foil off the cover. I have 2 perfect semi-circles and 2 other places where chunks are missing. Petty, I know. But EA, come on. Come onnnn……… I shouldn’t have to steam the game above a boiling pot of water for 5 minutes just to open the damn thing without ruining the package! Where Did All The PS2s Go? Is GameStop hording all the PlayStation 2 consoles ? Inquiring minds want to know. Jimmuhpage wants to know. So I’ve been searching around (don’t ask me why), and it seems that most retailers (except for GameStop) have stopped selling PS2 consoles. Best Buy, Target, Amazon, all sold out, even if you check for in-store availability. GameStop on the other hand seem to have plenty both on their website and in-store. Did GameStop make a deal and get all the unsold PS2’s from the other retailers? Did a significant amount of people simply decide to buy a PS2 but not from GameStop? Have all retailers simply forgotten to update their stock on the web? Or is it just a shipping error where they decided to pass on the savings to themselves? (Price is still $99.99) I can’t come up with a reasonable explanation. Any guesses/inside info? The Death Of The Cheat Device WhiteMåge is in fact a boy mourns the death of the cheat device. Yes, yes, we know none of you has ever used one. Console online gaming becoming a staple of consoles, as opposed to a one-game-out-of-every-thousand kind of thing, available and pushed on any player, has killed the cheat device. As has achievements. Why? I’m not quite sure. Developers are 100% capable of blocking the devices out during online play and detecting their presence during single play, and the devices are 100% capable of blocking online modes and achievements out. So I have no idea why they went away, but I do know that online gaming and achievements are the cause. I probably wouldn’t feel the same if I was big on online console gaming(Or maybe I would, considering that last paragraph), but I find it so damn frustrating. Using an Action Replay or Codebreaker is a fantastic way of getting more life out of a game. I remember getting hundreds of user-made cheats for GTA3. one made it so any car you touched would launch at high speeds in a random direction, flying like mad and bouncing off of anything it hit. Couple this with a cheat to make cars indestructible except by water and you have a game to see who can keep their car in the air the longest. Extreme Television Stupidity Sazzrah questions the scientific methods employed by a British show called “Jo Frost: Extreme Parental Guidance.” I do too. Anyone else in the UK watching Jo Frost: Extreme Parental Guidance? Jo Frost is the “Super nanny” the British woman who has made a name for herself in the UK and the US by being a tough no nonsense child care expert. Well, her new series started tonight where she set out to see if violent video games desensitise kids to real life violence and whether or not playing these violent games affects the child’s behaviour. They sat 20 kids playing a violent war game and then another 20 kids playing a football game. They checked their heart rates during this and took an average. Then they showed them 20mins of violent news footage and checked their heart rates again. Apparently the kids who played the war game (on average) have unchanged heart rates while the kids who played football have a stronger reaction with higher heart rates. This supposedly proves the kids had become desensitised.

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Speak-Up On Kotaku: Damaged Packages, Missing PS2s, Bad Science, And Cheating [Speak-Up]

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