No Astropop Until the LAN

As part of the upcoming MondoShark LAN, I'd like to have a contest to see who has the maddest old-school arcade skills. So far it looks like Astropop is the only XBL Arcade game that nobody's played, so don't practice! We'll download it the night of the LAN and take turns to see who can get the highest score. The other option is we have a bracketed brawl on the Fight Night Round 3 demo, but I think a few of us have practiced on that one (might be fun anyway).

And if it wasn't clear before, everyone in the clan is welcome to come to the LAN on April 13 at Free & Tenlin's place. This might be our only chance for a true 2130 Summit for a while so let's make it happen. Drop a note in the comments section if you need directions etc. We still haven't decided on a start time.

Top Spin 2130

I noticed a "2" on Armleg's gamer card indicating that he's now the proud owner of Top Spin 2. As you can see, the HD rendering of Maria Sharapova is breathtaking. Hopefully, Armleg will give us a review when he has a chance. And watch out for Dunkel if this game ever makes it into his hands. He was ruthless at Top Spin 1.

Xbox Live Free Weekend Schedule

Xbox.com Xbox Live Gold - Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend Calendar of Events

Time to pull out Kameo again

Xbox.com Forum - New Kameo Downloadble Content: "Microsoft Game Studios and Rare Ltd today announced the immediate availability of three exciting new downloadable content packs, expanding the already epic next-generation games experience enabled in “Kameo: Elements of Power.”
Kameo Co-Op Pack – Free of charge to Xbox Live Gold members. Players can now enjoy the exciting two-player cooperative gameplay in the Kameo: Elements of Power action levels over Xbox Live and System Link. "

For the Thunder Down Under

Gamerscore Blog : How Is Your Aim?

Mondo and Shark Head South

We are going to get together at Free's on the evening of April 13th - Thursday - to celebrate a visit from our Northern brothers - Mondo and Shark. We'll share a bite, some beers, a few laughs, some stickies, smack talk, shiny exploding thingy DJ action, Mr. T love and LANtacular hot shots. Who's in?

This Spartan Life

Got some love in Wired this month. These guys are also on iTunes under podcasts.

Free at Work

Since it's been kind of slow around here lately, I thought you all might enjoy a picture of me at work. We're still running DOS here as you can tell. Have a great day everybody!

The Xbox 360 Camera

IGN: GDC 06: The Xbox 360 Camera

Need I say more? Hit the link.

Blazing Angels...

...sucks

COD 2 Live Update

It looks like COD2 has a new update that makes it possible to hold spots for friends and have private games. We should give it a try some night with 3 or more of us. The update is automatic when you go Live with COD2 playing. I especially like the melee in COD and think that would be great against each other or going after the bad guys.

2130 Dream Crib

Burnout Revenge Demo Now Available

Let the crash-testing commence. On another note, Oblivion will be available in stores today as well. Enjoy.

Mondo's New Band

Lets Dance!

The Widget

I have really ejoyed checking out some different pod/blog casts while I'm working to make the hours fly by. I finally got around to checking out the Widget and thought some of you might enjoy the podcast.

While I wouldn't turn to them first for the latest industry news and inside information, they are quite funny. This most definitley is a mature rated podcast. I really recommend eppisode 32 - Punch it Chewie. If your a Star Wars fan, there is a bit in there on the top 10 Star Wars quotes not to use in bed that cracked me up.

Timo

How Sweet it is to GRAW!

I want to mention to all you non-360 users that we need to start a fund for you 2130 360 less homes. GRAW is all that and some. It is Black Arrow on tasty 'roids. We've had up to 6 at once and I'm looking forward to more of that.

The Missions are excellent so far and a great way to get used to the controls as a group. We haven't even touched the team games yet. Although last night Arrsstd and I got a taste of Shark&Timo Helicopter style...it was not good. My vote is in and I'm calling out the Schmurller's. GRAW is made for the brothers Schmurller.
Game on.

Schmurlur...

The Hanlons
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/45.html
Tim Tukker
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/60.html
Midnight Snack
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/65.html
ZummO
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/68.html
Schmid
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/94.html
Joachim
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/99.html
Robert Schmurler
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/128.html
Dobie
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/145.html
Sadok
http://sharpeworld.com/kriegsmann_files/source/154.html

Master Gronk Wins Fat Tire Coaster Contest

Our very own 2130 member MadeGronk, has been chosen as one of three winners in the 2005 What's Your Folly? Postcoaster Contest sponsored by New Belgium Brewery. A New Belgium creative team was flown out to Ventura to take some pictures of our fellow gamer. Imagine their surprise when they found out he wears a Master Chief helmet 24 hours a day? Click here to check out his winning entry. The coasters aren't finished yet, but you can be sure we'll have one scanned for the blog as soon as they arrive.

No, the dryer didn't get her...

Our clan's favorite kitty returns in Episode 2: Revenge of the Shears, or Silence of the Meows, or maybe even Shaved Pussy[cat] for you NSFW video watchers.

Yes, Magnolia has made her own headlines once again. After taking a tumble in the fluff-and-fold incident, our cute Ragamuffin went to the groomers on Sunday to have some knots taken out.

Let's just say, she's none too pleased. How would you feel if you were a long-haired hippie and cut all your hair off (cue Neil young). We are working on obtaining a sweater for her.

GRAW Review

The single player mission is intense, the graphics are amazing, the controls are complex, and your squad AI are as helpful as a bag of rocks. Right now I'm stuck trying to protect Mexico's Vice President from the bad guys attempting to order my guys to RPG a tank, while simultaneously trying to tell a chopper where to fire. I'll let you all figure this out on your own.

Arrested and I have had the chance to kick around a bit in multi-player and it's looking good, real good. Great maps. Cool use of the stealth hover saucer. Great weapons. Swarms of bad guys. Yeah no jumping and you can't even lean around a corner, but the action is intense. The idea of 16 of us sneaking around with sniper rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers promises to make some memorable evenings. Did I say the maps were HUGE? I'll step out and say that for those of us that continue to get out "twitched" at Halo, GRAW may be the new favorite. At least until Halo 3 hits the shelf...

Termas

Just Because...

...it's so damn funny!!!

Ghost Recon Multiplayer Review on IGN

Some multiplayer highlights according to IGN:

“The game supports System Link and Xbox Live with up to 16 players in both adversarial and cooperative modes. Gamers can compete against eight others in three to four different adversarial modes or against the online AI with 15 real-life buddies in co-op mode in four modes. That's right, you and 15 others can vie against the computer AI online. This is really good fun, besides being a trip. I mean, 15 others guys on your side all scouring the landscape alongside you? It's just awesome.

“The lobby system is solid too, though it doesn't allow players to choose servers, from what we can tell. Players finish a game, check their stats for the at session, and with the press of a button, return to a second lobby where the host can pick a new game and players can change their class on the fly.

“From a purely technical angle, the online game doesn't look nearly as good as the offline single-player modes, but the levels are nonetheless large, filled with potentially more people -- up to 32 onscreen simultaneously (16 humans and 16 enemy AI), and all of it online. The framerate generally holds at around 30 online, and during the numerous times we played online, there was almost no significant lag; at least none worth mentioning.”

Read the full review here.

Release Day

Ok, I'm soliciting reviews on the two hot released games today. The new Ghost Recon, or, Burnout Revenge for X360. As usual -- and budget wise -- I'm looking to get one or the other. I'm leaning to Ghost Recon but want to make sure there aren't any show stoppers like Battlefield 2 had.

I suspect the polling data will show the clan (360'ers) will be migrating to Ghost Recon in short order? Show of hands please?

Spectator Mode Coming?

From 360 Fanboy: "Most of us are familiar with the Gotham TV feature in Project Gotham 3, but MS wants to take the concept to a whole 'nother level. Patent No. 6,999,083 concerns a System and method to provide a spectator experience for networked gaming."

We've been dying for something like this on NBA 2k6. I hope it pans out.

LINK

Oh Billy, Billy, Billy

If the video does not display properly
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Coming Soon Just For Muscongus

We haven't had the pleasure of playing with Muscongus recently, but that might all change when Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis is released. Table tennis is played daily at Horny Toad headquarters and Muscongus is one of the top players in the company as witnessed by this video. Could an Xbox 360 and an HDTV replace the table and paddles at Horny Toad HQ? Only time will tell.

Free/Gronk Ollie Up Against the Gold Elite

An exclusive video clip came to my attention this morning of the lunch time skate trip by Free & Gronk yesterday. Here is a shot of the action. The evil Covenant didn't stand a chance with skating Free & Gronk on the move. Free came away with a sprained wrist but Dr. Gronk has him stablized. Nice work Spartans.

Flight simulator in the works for 360

I know there are a few flight simulation fans out there in the 2130, so this should be good news for you. Jetfighter was one of my favorite games back in the day when I still played on a PC because you actually had to fly the entire mission from takeoff to landing. Blazing Angels -- a WWII inspired flying game -- is coming soon as well but it looks to be more arcade-like than simulation.

Happy Friday

What a week! Wish I could have ended it with a zipped up pair of coach slacks. Dang!

Termas, who's gonna keep me in line?

Halo Action Figures in Action

Jack loves playing with his action figures. I walked in on him setting up this scene in his room. It was his idea to get a picture of the scene. Stopping the flood is no problem as Jack demonstrates in this action set up. That is one sweet flying Spartan to the rescue.

Tony Hawtness Underground With Free and Gronky

Gronky and Free out on a little lunch time strike in Santa Paula. We found the best tacos in the county right next door!

I wish we had thought of this...

With a host of virtual celebrities at my fingertips the baiting increased in frequency and intensity. Over 200 recordings have been generated so far and now I can master bait for long periods effortlessly.

Dr. Phil, whom I respect, and Mr. Rogers, my respect for whom eclipses my respect for Dr. Phil, have become very useful hate magnets. The Dr. with his stern barnyard logic and the Mr. being a gentle earthbound angel make it as easy as torch fishing.

LISTEN

LINK