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PSA: Gears 2 Snowblind Map Pack out now
Locusts and gentlemen, COGs and girls, the Gears of War 2 Snowblind Map Pack is now available. The pack contains four new maps: Grindyard, Under Hill, Courtyard and a remake of Fuel Depot from the first Gears. If you'd like to make some red snow in online multiplayer -- or mow down Locust scum in Horde mode -- the maps will set you back 800
. For those who'd prefer not to make a blind purchase (get it?), you can check out lots of screens in the gallery below. Even better, watch Joystiq Xbox's hands-on preview video after the break.
. For those who'd prefer not to make a blind purchase (get it?), you can check out lots of screens in the gallery below. Even better, watch Joystiq Xbox's hands-on preview video after the break.Gallery: Gears of War 2 - Snowblind Map Pack
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: UNO RUSH

from your account.Download the trial version of UNO RUSH
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Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack releases April 9, 800 points
Major Nelson has revealed that the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack will be available to everyone come April 9 for the price of 800
($10). The pack contains three new maps: Sandbox, Assembly and Orbital. So, if you haven't broken down and bought the limited edition of Halo Wars, which contains a token to download the maps, you now know exactly how long you have to wait. Mark your calendars kids, just a few more weeks until you too can have fun with Killballs.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our hands-on impressions of the Mythic maps as well as our video preview.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our hands-on impressions of the Mythic maps as well as our video preview.
Molyneux: 'The industry is growing up,' wants to stay out later on weekends
Peter Molyneux has grown up. In fact, he told Develop this past week that he believes the whole industry has matured. "We're growing up ... when I first started in this industry we were like six year-olds," Molyneaux says, speaking to the enormous development team sizes for games like Lionhead Studios' most recent foray, Fable II, and lamenting the industry's past arrogance towards structure of, well, any kind. "My feeling is that if you're making mistakes when you've got 100 people, that's a really big mistake," Molyneux says, adding, "You'd better make sure that you're making the mistakes when you're a ten or 20 person team; If you're doing that with 100 people, you are throwing millions of pounds down the toilet."
That being said, his position on what Lionhead Studios is doing other than Fable-related properties remains ... loose ... to say the least. "There are lots of things I would like to show you now; Within ten feet of you right now is possibly the most exciting thing I've ever seen," Molyneux teased Develop. What could it be?! We may never know, nor may you, as Molyneux remains surprisingly coy in his description. Lionhead has confirmed work on more Fable II DLC, so for the time being, we'll just have to be content with that.
That being said, his position on what Lionhead Studios is doing other than Fable-related properties remains ... loose ... to say the least. "There are lots of things I would like to show you now; Within ten feet of you right now is possibly the most exciting thing I've ever seen," Molyneux teased Develop. What could it be?! We may never know, nor may you, as Molyneux remains surprisingly coy in his description. Lionhead has confirmed work on more Fable II DLC, so for the time being, we'll just have to be content with that.
MTV's Totilo concerned about MS' Xbox exclusives in '09

Totilo's evidence: the lack of major rumors going into spring, MS not scheduling many press demos during GDC, the loss of once Xbox exclusive franchises like Mass Effect and PGR, and still no information about the long-delayed Splinter Cell: Conviction and Alan Wake. To be fair, Totilo admits that 2009's confirmed exclusives like Halo 3: ODST and the second batch of GTAIV DLC will be big hits, but fears those will be the only huge titles Microsoft will have for the year.
Should Xbox 360 fans be worried about the possibility of '09 being exclusive-less or is Microsoft keeping its cards a secret and planning on going all in at GDC and E3? Please, tell us what you think.
Lips receives Coldplay, Boys Like Girls DLC

- "The Scientist" by Coldplay (180
) - "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay (180
) - "The Great Escape" by Boys Like Girls (160
)
Ninja Blade demo takes giant spider warfare to XBLM
To give everyone a taste of what Ninja Blade is all about, we recorded a short video of the demo's green tinted gameplay and embedded it above. An acrobatic ninja evading a ginormous arachnid, all while attempting to navigate skyscrapers: it's Japanese game development at its finest!
[Via Major Nelson]
BrySi says goodbye with final Halo 3 song
It had to end sometime. Bryan Simon, maestro of original Halo 3 songs has written his final anthem to Bungie (embedded after the break). The subject of this heartfelt goodbye: Recon armor gives you cooties. Frankly, we're inclined to agree, as we are overcome with the urge to explode any poor sap we see wearing Recon. There's something about it. It just makes you want to kill the person wearing it. We're not sure if that's what Bryan meant, but hey, the song is pretty, so who cares?
He didn't say where his music will take him from here, but we have a suggestion: Halo Wars. It only seems natural, really.
[Original image: Sgt Spiffy]
He didn't say where his music will take him from here, but we have a suggestion: Halo Wars. It only seems natural, really.
[Original image: Sgt Spiffy]
Xbox Live Deal of the Week: PGR4 Challenge Pack DLC

as part of Microsoft's Deal of the Week program.The discount begins today and will be offered through Sunday, March 15. As always, Deal of the Week offers are only available to Xbox Live Gold subscribers.
Rare hints at Nuts & Bolts 'LOG's Lost Challenges' DLC

According to a post by the Lord of Games (L.O.G.) on Rare's official website, we're told that Nuts & Bolts "news on potential lifespan-lengthening activities will be incoming very soon" and are given a "LOG's Lost Challenges" image. We ain't no smarty-pants geniuses, but if we had to take a guess at what L.O.G. is talking about, we'd go with DLC that boasts new vehicle building and task-based challenges.
Now that we think about it, the Banjo-Kazooie Contraption Contest Rare held back in December may have something to do with this content. We wouldn't be too surprised to see the winner's creation as a part of next week's announcement.
Download a digital copy of the Halo Wars tech tree

The Halo Wars tech tree (not to be confused with the plantable type) is an easy-to-use reference guide that visually explains the technology progression of both Covenant and UNSC units, as well as each of their Leaders' unique powers. The chart comes in especially handy when creating the nearly invincible Grizzly and ODST combo. It's a strategy we nicknamed the "Drop Shock and Awe."
[Via HaloWars.com]
Play Halo Wars online and (possibly) win prizes

To enter, download this gamer picture, play Halo Wars multiplayer between March 6-8, then patiently wait for the winners to be announced. Microsoft is giving away an assortment of prizes, including a 52" television, a Halo Wars themed Xbox 360 (nice!), an assortment of MS points and even an overpriced Ultra Series 1000 Monster Cable.
Video: The Halo Wars universe expands even further
Just like the first Universe Expanded vid, this second ViDoc talks about the scope of the Halo Wars story, explains the key players involved and Adam Sessler is seen expressing himself using grand hand gestures. It's a great watch and a superb example of how to artistically decorate a film set using honeycomb shapes.
X3F TV -- Behold: The Halo Wars Limited Edition unboxing
If none of that works for you, you could always just watch the video in thoughtful silence. You should definitely watch it, though.
[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
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[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
XBLM Deal of the Week: Ninja Gaiden II DLC

($7). A $3 savings off the normal price.According to a comment made by Major Nelson on his official blog, the Ninja Gaiden II DLC will be available for purchase off the XBLM at the cheaper price beginning Monday, March 2 and will remain discounted until Sunday, March 8.
As is with all Deal of the Week offers, only Xbox Live gold members can purchase the marked down content. Something that may have bothered Live silver members last week when Braid was only $10, but probably not so much this time. Seven smackers for the Mission Mode DLC is still mighty expensive. Especially for a game whose all-star ninja has been off the gaming radar for quite some time.
















