The DRM Debate

Ok, I'm having issues with all of my game systems (among other electronic devices) all because of the damned DRM (Digital Rights Management) that they are using in regards to gamesaves, music, and downloadable content. 

Game time...ASSASSINATED!

So, everybody have a good Christmas?  Mine went quite well with time spent with family as well as with a great collection of games for me to enjoy.  (I had to wait a day past...but damn was it worth it.) Between the Christmas holiday as well of my 28th Birthday (oh I am starting to feel old :( ) I managed to walk away with a nice stack of games as well as 2 new accessories that I have been searching for for quite awhile.  Here's the haul that I got:

N-Somniac Bioshock - Limited Edition Preview

Ok, unless you've been dead deep under the ocean (just wait for the vita-chamber), you've probably heard, seen, or hopefully gotten a chance to play the new Xbox360/PC (Direct X 9 &10) game called "Bioshock".  I will be posting my own thoughts and views of the game soon, but here we are with a treat..the first article/preview from the newest member to the Zenspath.com Staff - N-Somniac! (name withheld for our safety). 
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It’s 9:45 am and I’m killing time in a retail shopping store waiting for the Gamestop next door to open. I’m standing in the electronics section staring at the only copy of Xbox 360’s Bioshock that just came out today and debating, should I get this now or wait 15 mins and chance getting the Limited Edition next door. As the time slowly creeped, I decided the latter and made my way next door.

Destroy All Humans! (Minus Bender)

Videogame publisher THQ has taken what I hope is the first step in a trend that could play well for consumers as well as for console makers with the announcements of their new Destroy All Humans! games coming for the PS3, Xbox360, Wii, and PSP in late '07 and early '08.  What they have done is actually take the franchise in two seperate directions in regards to what system they are going for to maximize the use of each systems strengths and to limit the weakneses by not trying to force one game to all of the platforms.  The PS3 and Xbox360 version is entitled "Destroy All Humans!: Path of the Furon" while the PSP and Wii versions will be "Destroy All Humans!: Big Willy Unleashed".  From what I have seen so far, the Wii/PSP version actually takes place in the 1970's just before the PS3/360 edition's events occur.  So if you have the option of playing the Wii version (it is available for the PSP, but was developed with the Wii in mind for controls) as well as one of the others on the PS3/360, you will actually get the entire story, but both will be playable without the others if you had to make a single choice this generation. 

Wii Edition Images - http://media.wii.ign.com/media/947/947059/imgs_1.html
360 Images - http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/947/947060/imgs_1.html
360 Videos - http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/947/947060/vids_1.html

More on this promising title as it comes!

Guitar Hero III Guitars Revealed

Guitar Hero 2...I AM ADDICTED TO THIS GAME ON THE 360!!!  Just wanted to get that out there first.  Now onto the upcoming sequel from 1/2 of the development team that brought you part 2, Red Octane.  They announced and showed the new wireless guitars that will be coming for the Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii releases of the game. 

Xbox 360 Spring Update Changes Announced

Well, it's that time of year again.  Microsoft will be releasing the Spring Xbox 360 Updates during the week of May 7th and while it looks like it won't drastically change the system, it will bring some MUCH needed fixes to a few issues.

Halo 3 Beta Starting May 16th

Microsoft and Bungie announced today that the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta will officially start on May 16th at 1pm (GMT) and run until June 7th.  This Beta will include 3 new maps (Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla), new vehicles (Mongoose, etc.), and new weapons (improved Assult Rifle, Brute Spiker, Spartan Laser and Spike Grenades).

The maps will represent the Medium to Large scale battlefields of Halo 3 and have only been demoed for the press, so nobody has any extra play time over anybody else in an attempt to level the playing field for those truly hardcore Halo 1 and 2 players. 

In order to play you will require either to have won the first contest to gain access, a valid copy of Crackdown (sticker on the package tells you this and will be made available up until May 16th), or to have qualified for the "Rule of Three" promotion that Bungie ran a few months back. But, if you either didn't qualify for any of these or just don't have Xbox Live Gold (worth the 50 a year in my opinion, but that's for a different post), you can catch a special video from Bungie at www.Bungie.net, or download a 720p version on your Xbox360 if you at least have a Silver account. 

I already have my access to the game and can't wait to use it on May 16th when the demo is released.  See you there!

Zen

Xbox 360 "Elite" Confirmed

 

Microsoft recently announced hat they will be releasing a limited third version of their Xbox 360 named the "Elite".  This version will be released on April 29th for $479.99. 

Castlevania arrives on Xbox 360 and Old School Turtle Power

Over the past 2 weeks Microsoft has brought out 2 wonderful titles for the Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360.  These include Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Teenage Mutant Ninjia Turtles 1989 Arcade. Keep reading to learn a bit more about both titles and to see if they are worth your money to purchase. 

Crackdown, Best Buy, Zelda, and Retirement

     Wow, this has been a span since my last update, but there has been a good amount going on including my ENTIRE family getting sick at one time (that was a MESS).  But now that we are all feeling better, I felt it was time to play a little catch up.

Gears of War updates coming Wednesday!

 

Well, I'm still feeling under the weather today, but that won't stop me from doing some updates to the page (gotta love a laptop for when your stuck in bed).  Today Epic games, the maker of the popular Xbox 360 game "Gears of War" announced a new series of updates, some new levels, and their sale marks for the game so far. 

New Page is Up and Going!

Well, after a full weekend of work and a little help from some friends, the page is finally updated and looking much better than the old version.  I moved the services here to a standard called "Wordpress" which was recommened to me and makes posting here much easier.  I'm still working out the details of the page, but 99% of it has been updated succesfully.  Now with that completed, onto some current news.