Another Gaming Blog

Microsoft and Bungie finally announced today that the Halo 3 Beta will begin on 16 May at 1:00PM GMT and continue until 7 June at 7:59AM GMT.

The beta promises to offer the definitive glimpse at Halo 3's gameplay - how it 'feels', what the transition from Xbox to Xbox 360 has been like for the series, and how Bungie has tried to improve on a near-perfect multiplayer formula. Those who received an invite through purchasing marked copies of Crackdown, the "Rule of Three" program, or being one of Bungie's best fwends will get to gun their way across three maps - Snowbound, High Ground, and Valhalla. You will also, of course, be able to play with all of the new weapons and vehicles that have been slotted into Halo 3. Just keep in mind that this is a Beta, and Bungie is doing this to gather information just as much to drum up [even more] interest for the title - you will encounter some bugs and inconsistencies.

Hit the jump to see the announcement-accompanying video that demonstrates what you can expect to play with in the Beta.

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Not much on this one unfortunately, but RedOctane's support pages offer a golden nugget of insight for the future.

It quite matter-of-factly states that "Guitar Hero 3 for the Playstation 2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii are currently scheduled for release in the United States in Fall of 2007."

RAWK!

UPDATE: The information has been pulled from said support centre page. A prank? An accident? Time will tell. (11 April 2007)

Loading up your copy of Gears of War today should earn you an automatic update that grants access to the new multiplayer mode "Annex".

Following a 'hold the fort' style of gameplay, players need to run to a specified weapon placement on the map to activate a small ring on the floor. The ring will turn a dark colour (red for Locust, blue for COG) after a few seconds of staying within the boundaries, thereby securing the team inside the spot. This then allows players to step outside for a more spread out defense of their new-found territory.

Each ring has a duration of sixty seconds after turning active, with one point being dished out per second. As soon as somebody from the other team steps in, however, the timer will stop and you'll be forced to eliminate any threat. A team wins once a specified number of points is reached.

Initial playtests show that Annex certainly isn't a bad addition, but the close-quarters-combat nature of the mode demands yet more gratuitous use of the shotgun weapon - something that is arguably already far overused in multiplayer matches. New Gears of War players are also likely to be highly intimidated by having to run to weapon spawn points that will be totally uncharted territory for them. These are about the only things worth criticising though, and Annex mode promises to maintain Gears' top position on the chart for the most played Xbox Live game.

Hit the jump to read about other aspects that have been tinkered with (thanks to Major Nelson's blog for these).

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Jesus H. Christ.

A teaser clip of the upcoming Postal movie shows a window cleaner minding his own business on the North Tower of the September 11 attacks. It then continues with the Boeing flying into the man (and subsequently the tower) in a "behind yoooou!" style pantomime joke.

Has Uwe Boll no shame? Postal is being billed as a "shock comedy", but this is simply out of bounds. Multiple directors of movies that have already been filmed and those in pre-production go to great pains to try and treat the attacks as carefully and respectfully as possible. This, on the other hand, is just offensive.

Hit the jump to see the video.

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