Nightshadow, from Gameolio, writes:
"Today we take a trip down memory lane and visit the ghosts of old. We explore where it all started and why this genre in gaming became so successful, and finally where we are heading with First-Person-Shooters in the future."
Way back at CES 2006, Bill Gates first coined the term “LIVE Anywhere.” This was his overarching initiative within Microsoft to encourage convergence across numerous different disciplines and products. Among the big announcements at the time were the moving of Windows Media Center functionality to the Xbox 360, Windows LIVE search (later renamed BING.com), and increased Xbox LIVE functionality that would even include cell phone support.
Until a few weeks ago, all of these well laid plans had come to fruition, with the notable exception of the elephant in the room: Xbox LIVE for Windows Mobile. Over the past four years, representatives of Microsoft have skirted around the topic, taking every opportunity to dodge questions about the long promised, but never delivered product. Just for a trip down memory lane, here is a look at the version of the product that was demoed at E3 2006, several months after Gate’s initial CES keynote. (Photos courtesy of Engadget.com)
Fortunately for those that had given up hope of ever seeing the “Achievement Unlocked” message popping up on their cell phone of choice, the introduction of Windows Phone 7 at today’s Mobile World Congress 2010 ushers in a new age of promises for Xbox LIVE on the go. Gamers will now be able to add to their gamerscore, access their friends list, play turn based multiplayer games, and even view their avatar, without any need to turn on their console.
“Windows Phone 7 Series was built from the ground up with entertainment in mind, and its unique design allowed us to bring some of the best gaming and community features of Xbox LIVE to the Windows mobile platform. It has always been our vision to expand the Xbox LIVE service to connect people to their games, entertainment and friends wherever they go, and the launch of Windows Phone 7 Series is an important step toward that goal.” — Ron Pessner, general manager of Xbox LIVE Mobile
The image above reflects what you can expect to see once the product launches later this year. Whether this will live up to the broad promises made by Gates four years ago has yet to be seen, but it looks like there is plenty to be excited about. Who knows? Maybe I will finally have an excuse to retire my iPhone. Now to just get Sony to finally release that PSP phone that we have all been dreaming about…
Sharing: It’s Win/Win
Uncharted 2 Demo drops this week. Now go play the demo and prepare to drop some coin on the game. Here is your PSN update for the week!
Updates:
Downloadable Games – Small fun games:
PS one Classics – Great games from the past:
Game Demos (free) – Free trials, no purchase necessary:
Add-on Game Content – Taking that game purchase that much further:
Guitar Hero 5 – CCR Baby:
Rock Band – Rage….HELL YEAH!:
Game Videos (free) – It is a MAG kinda day:
PS3 Themes – Beautify your XMB:
Sharing: It’s Win/Win
It’s another one-game week on the XBLA, but at least that game is a big one. Call of Duty Classic. This HD remake of the original Call of Duty is a great way to see where the franchise started.
If you have thumbs, eyes, and something to play video games on, chances are you already own a copy of Modern Warfare 2, but did you know Infinity Ward has been making CoD games since 2003? The original Call of Duty was a smash hit, and it revitalized the WWII FPS genre. Fans of the series and newcomers wanting a taste of the origins of the franchise alike will want to check this game out. It has all the campaign missions, and multiplayer goodness that made the original a hit, as well as the additional benefit of an HD face lift. The game looks pretty good, considering at it’s core it is six years old, and I seldom saw the frame rate drop below 60fps. With a decent single player campaign, and a rock solid multiplayer component, this trip down memory lane is well worth the 1200 Microsoft Points.
Missing those 8Bit days of yesteryear? Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Atlus has you covered with 3D Dot Game Heroes. Check out the first video showing off the new art style and game play. The only thing this is going to be missing, blowing in the cartridge to get it to play. Ah, the good old days!
3D Dot Game Heroes is scheduled for a May 11, 2010 release with an MSRP of $39.99
When was the last time you got nostalgic while playing a game? Did you grow up in the NES, Genesis, Super Nintendo, Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, Sega GameGear, Sega 32X, The Atari consoles, Gameboy Color and Nintendo 64 days? Fear not, GamesThirst has started an original series that will take you down memory lane and help you relive all those fun moments.
So sit back and enjoy the show.
GrE writes, "For those of you who were around when Madballs invaded your television as well as your toybox, surely you have fond memories of both the cartoon and the toys. If you fall into this group of gamers, these next two images are sure to bring you back to a place long forgotten in your childhood. So enjoy this trip down memory lane, brought to you by Playbrains."
