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Honestly I have never played the Zoo Tycoon series - but just got a media blast today about an expansion released for the game. It includes a bunch of extinct creatures of new challenges for you to complete.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals,” the biggest expansion pack for the award winning “Zoo Tycoon 2,“ has landed onto retail store shelves starting today.

Developed by Blue Fang Games LLC, “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals” enhances the “Zoo Tycoon 2” experience by introducing new challenges, more than 30 new animals, new exciting ways to play and a new look through extinct-themed objects and buildings. “Zoo Tycoon 2” players can experience all of these new features with ease, as the expansion pack seamlessly integrates with the core game so that gamers can play immediately.

“Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals” is available for the estimated retail price of $29.99 for Windows. “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals” is rated “E10+” for everyone 10 and older. “Zoo Tycoon 2” is required to play “Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals.”

For more information and free downloadable content, including new animals, scenery and demos, please visit the official Zoo Tycoon Web site at http://www.zootycoon.com.

Just in case Mass Effect left your mind for a moment, the team has released a new character bio to get it back on your mind. For those of you like me that can’t possibly wait for the release will be pleased to get yet another character bio Continue reading »

So I was reading trixies blog as I do from time to time, and she had posted about yet another great contest that you can grab yourself a bunch of free games and swag.

First Prize (4 Winners)
Estimated Retail Value (ERV) of First Prize: $522.00

• Crash® of the Titans
• Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal™
• Avatar: The Burning Earth
• Thrillville™: Off the Rails™
• NARUTO™: Rise of a Ninja
• Beautiful Katamari™
• Cars© Mater-National
• Bee Movie™ Game
• Viva Piñata®: Party Animals
• 1 Bee Movie antennae headband
• 1 Bee Movie plush toy
• 1 Katamari puppet
• 1 Katamari phone charm
• 1 Thrillville: Off the Rails T-shirt
• 1 copy of Looney Tunes Spotlight Collection Volume 5 DVD

Second Prize (5 Winners)
ERV of Second Prize: $492.00

• Crash of the Titans
• Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal
• Avatar: The Burning Earth
• Thrillville: Off the Rails
• NARUTO: Rise of a Ninja
• Beautiful Katamari
• Cars Mater-National
• Bee Movie Game
• Viva Piñata: Party Animals
• Thrillville: Off the Rails T-shirt
• Looney Tunes Spotlight Collection Volume 5 DVD

Third Prize (14 Winners)
ERV of Third Prize: $42.00

• Thrillville: Off the Rails T-shirt
• Looney Tunes Spotlight Collection Volume 5 DVD

just head on over to the official contest page at xbox.com and register (US only unfortunately for those of you outside of the States)

Make sure you send your thanks to trixie!

My friends over at XBLRadio have released episode 54 of their podcast.  I was away this weekend so I asked one of the other great staff members of 3fs to do the friendspot spot.  So make sure you head on over, check out Ant on the Friendspot Spot - and let him know how he did

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

NEWS:

• The newest trend in music downloading; Pay what you want!

CONSOLE CRIMES:

• Apple gets sued for price dropping.  This may make Wal-Mart rethink their “Falling-Prices” campaign.

GAME NEWS:

• The Wii recasts a new fishing sim. Perhaps they are angling for a new kind of gamer. Hope they can TACKLE it.

GAME REVIEWS:   

• The Orange Box: Rusty Ranchero gives us the scoop on Valve’s Half Life Bundle. Is 5 games enough to justify the transition to the 360? Or is Portal enough of a selling point? 
• Hour of Victory vs. Medal of Honor Airborne: Carpal once again tries to “Save Ryan’s Privates” as he enlists for two terms of active duty. Which one will he re-enlist for? 
• Drawn to Life (DS): Alex gets creative with KID PIX as he draws a conclusion on why this DS title is worth picking up.

PLUS: 

• The 360 FriendSpot SPOT 
• Useless Tips
• The Marketplace Minute. 

head on over to XBLRadio to check it out

Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom is slated to be released based on the following schedule

• Japan , Australia/New Zealand and Asia Dec. 13
• Americas (U.S., Canada, Latin America) Jan. 8, 2008
• Europe, the Middle East and Africa Feb. 1, 2008

 The exclusive Xbox 360 game promises randomly generated levels that you can cause havoc and desctruction upon, customizable weapons, and seamless 2-4 player co-op action. 

Now I know how our European friends feel when they always end up getting games after us (this one following suit as well), but I can’t help but be jealous that the Japanese get to dive in before us here in the states. 

Lunies Live! has a new downloadable pack coming out this arcade wednesday. If you are a gold member for free you can pick up two new skins (”Heavenly Star” and “Breeze”) between Oct 17 and Nov 14th.

Additionally there will be a download pack “Rockin’ Holiday Pack”, which will run you 400MP ($5) also available wednesday. Finally starting wednesday Lumines Live! will be at a new discounted price of 800MP ($10)

You can check out the new skins, and the holiday pack screenshots on my gallery.  Personally I think I will be rocking breeze as my skin.

What: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
When: October 17, 2007 5 AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10) 
More Info: Speedball 2 on xbox.com
Screenshots: My Gallery

Have been hearing a bunch about this game lately, and its looking like a pretty interesting game to play with friends.  I never played the original version or previous version of the game though, so I will give the demo a spin before i decide.    

Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive are bringing back the futuristic sports game “Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe,” now updated for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Play the fast-paced, brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics or go full on with the newly enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head-to-head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, four leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.

· For more details on “Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe,” please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/speedball2xboxlivearcade/default.htm  

What: Every Extend Extra Extreme
When: October 17, 2007 5 AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10) 
More Info: E4 on Xbox.com
Screenshots: My Gallery

Besides having a somewhat ridiculous title, based on screenshots and the title image it looks like some variation of Geometry Wars.  Since picking up PGR4 - I have found a new love for the Geometry Wars series.  Previously I had not really played much of Geometry Wars Evovled, but after playing hours of Waves in PGR4 I gave it a shot and really enjoyed it.  So if my assumption is correct - I have a feeling I might enjoy this one too.

“Every Extend Extra Extreme” from Q Entertainment is a frenetic race for survival. With 100 times more enemies and chain reactions than its predecessor, the objective of this unique action-packed shooter is to set off a chain reaction to wipe out enemies and collect the items they leave behind to extend the game. The game features five distinct game modes including Main mode, Wiz Ur Muzik mode, VS mode, Time Attack Mode and a genuine shooting mode. In Wiz Ur Muzik mode, players can customize the gameplay experience using their favorite music.

· For more details on “Every Extend Extra Extreme,” please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/e/e4xboxlivearcade/default.htm

Sierra Online has just unvieled their first details on two upcoming titles Aces of the Galaxy and Boogie Bunnies.  Both are scheduled to release on windows PC and The Xbox Live Arcade this winter.  More details on each game to follow later in this posting.

Additionally they have released some new details on some other upcoming titles such as : Commanders: Attack of the Genos, Arkadian Warriors, Assault Heroes PC, Switchball and Battlestar Galactica.

Everyone better keep an eye on Sierra, lots of things in the works, you are bound to like some….or maybe all of them!

Continue reading »

Keeping with my promise to try and keep up with PC gaming news (to the best of my abilities) I had to post the latest media blast related to Age of Empires 3.  Personally I have always been a fan of the Age of Empires series, I cannot even tell you the countless hours spent playing AOE2 at a friends lan party - oh the memories.  In any event Age of Empires 3 is recieving its 2nd expansion which is just around the corner. (coming October 23rd). 

Attached is a newly released video, showcasing the opening cinematic of the game. 

Also remember you can download a demo of the game at the following sites:

• http://www.agecommunity.com
• http://www.ageofempires3.com
• http://www.ageofempires3.com/asiandynasties