Electronic Arts foresees robust holiday sales of its game portfolio, especially for the forthcoming “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” EA has spent more than $100 million developing the high-profile title, which is expected to compete with Activision Blizzard’s “World of Warcraft” online game.
COMING FIRST TO XBOX LIVE MAY 3
Activision has finally announced that the Escalation Pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops will arrive on May 3, confirming that the rumor spread in recent days by an Australian retailer. Just like the first DLC First Strike, Escalation packs will provide five new maps, four of the competitive multiplayer mode and one for zombies, which are also added new characters. Again the price will be 1200 Microsoft points, or 15 €. The maps will be Hotel (a luxurious resort with Cuban casino), Convoy (small ambush of a U.S. military convoy), Zoo (zoo abandoned Soviet) Stockpile (Russian country town that hides secret bases WMD) and the map to the Call Escalation zombie mode.
The DLC, as happened with its predecessor, will be exclusive to Xbox 360 time. Not announced the dates for the PC and PS3.
“In crafting the Escalation multiplayer maps – Zoo, Convoy, Hotel and Stockpile – the team developed them to be distinct experiences in their own right, giving players the variety they crave in both setting and gameplay,” said Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. “And I don’t want to spoil any surprises for Zombies fans, but Call of the Dead takes it to a whole new level.”
Call of Duty: Black Ops continues to attract millions of gamers around the world online, logging more than 2 billion hours played and counting. The game’s debut content pack, First Strike, shattered Xbox LIVE® launch records upon its release in February when it surpassed 1.4 million downloads in the first 24 hours alone.
Developed by Treyarch and published by Activision Publishing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), Call of Duty: Black Ops is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language. For additional Call of Duty updates, visit www.callofduty.com/blackops and also via Twitter @Treyarch. Additionally, to celebrate the upcoming release of Escalation, Treyarch will host a Double XP weekend beginning Friday, May 6th.
Can you smell what this product is cooking. I can with the official WWE All Stars Arcade BrawlStick for Xbox 360 and PS3. Just like in early days of video gaming joysticks you can now again lay the smack down with an arcade style joystick must have.
The BrawlStick from Mad Catz features a redesigned ball top joystick and high quality concave action buttons for gaming precision. I had a similar arcade stick one years ago for use when I played the original Tekken, Mortal Kombat and Streetfighter games.
Wrestling manic fans will love the graphics and you can get right into the game without having to manually configure the buttons since Mad Catz has already pre-programmed it. Good going guys! It will cost you $79.99 smackdowns!!!
Madcatz also makes Brawlpads for 360 and PS3 for $39.99.
Visit Madcatz at http://store.gameshark.com/listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=370
Honey you forgot to buy the milk. But babe, you did not write it on the grocery list for me. Sound familiar, not any more, with SmartShopper from – SmartShopper Electronics, LLC.
This is the ultimate stress saver for guys who seem to never get the grocery items right. They have come up with the SmartShopper voice-activated, handheld, electronic grocery list organizer, revolutionary kitchen device.
SmartShopper uses its patent pending voice recognition technology to allow users to create more organized grocery and errand lists. With 2,500 pre-loaded items in the SmartShopper master library, and the device’s ability to learn new items/brands, it is easy to find everything you need.
Simply press record, speak the item you wish to add and select the correct item. Upon selection, SmartShopper will automatically categorize lists into common supermarket isles (i.e. dairy, fresh produce, etc.) for more efficient shopping trips. You can even customize it to print your list to match the layout of your favorite store. Users also have the option to designate item quantities and flag those for which they have coupons.
You can manage and store two separate lists simultaneously for multi-person households. It even has an upgraded, built-in Samsung printer that uses thermal paper, so there is no need for the added waste and inconvenience of having to change ink cartridges.
The ultra-slim magnetic device is small enough to adhere to most refrigerators (except stainless steel) and is also wall-mountable, adding sleek, modern aesthetics to enhance any kitchen décor.
SmartShopper uses 4 AA batteries (not included) , www.SmartShopperUSA.com, $79.99.
The next Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike downloadable content to follow the first map pack, that was released through Xbox Live this past February 1st. is for the PlayStation3 on March 3rd – the Windows PC release date will be announced soon.
Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike features four new multiplayer maps, including Berlin Wall, Discovery, Kowloon and Stadium, as well as one all-new Zombie level, Ascension.
Created by Treyarch and published by Activision, Call of Duty: Black Ops made entertainment history this November when it shattered theatrical box office, book and video game sales records for five-day opening worldwide sell through in dollars, selling more than $650 million. Call of Duty: Black Ops is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language. For additional Call of Duty updates, visit www.callofduty.com/blackops and also via Twitter @Treyarch.
The timed Xbox 360 exclusivity for the map pack is due to an agreement between Microsoft and Activision that runs until 2012.
Information gathered from other sources.
Stressed Out? Need to get a grip on and have some fun. Here is an innovative new product that provides laughter and stress relief!
“Number Crunchers” and individuals looking for a better grasp on life will love The Manual Number Cruncher, a novel new product from The Superficial Intelligence Company. It’s a stress release, hand grip manipulator and whole body workout system!
The Manual Number Cruncher is a perfect desk accessory, to be squeezed as a reminder (in a recorded voice) to “crunch” those numbers…and to alert others to stay away during “crunch” time! The full benefits are derived by reading the side-splitting “Operator’s Manual.”
It’s the perfect gift for accountants, financial planners, small business owners, teachers and students – anyone who crunches numbers or has been in a crunch situation. The Manual Number Cruncher retails for $19.95 (including shipping). You can purchase the product online at themanualnumbercruncher.com (check out the entertaining “Cruncher Chronicles” on the website), or amazon.com.