Gears of War 2 Preorders Surpass Original

With three weeks left until the release of the Xbox 360-exclusive Gears of War 2, Microsoft and Epic have announced that the game already has more preorder sales than the original Gears. When you consider that GameStop had declared the original Gears the second most preordered Xbox game of all-time (behind Halo 2), the stat becomes pretty impressive. 

Now, as the ship window slides wide open, expect a marketing barrage like none other which will most likely widen the preorder gap between the original Gears and Gears 2 even further.

Gears of War 2 ships to retailers nationwide on November 7, 2008...but something tells me the preorder ticket you hold already informed you of that;)

TGS 08: Halo 3: Recon Announced for Fall 09

Halo fans rejoice! Microsoft has officially announced Halo 3: Recon at their press conference at the Tokyo Game Show. Developer Bungie serves up an all new adventure in this prequel/expansion that details the events leading up to Halo 3.

Series icon, Master Chief, will sit this one out as players take on the role of a UNSC Orbital Drop Ship Trooper. Microsoft promises an expanded multiplayer experience with new maps and Forge options. Check out the official press release for all the info. Halo 3: Recon arrives sometime in Fall 2009.

European Price Cuts Official for Xbox 360

Microsoft today announced price cuts for its Xbox 360 consoles in Europe. Beginning Friday, September 19th the European Xbox line-up will be priced as follows:

• Xbox 360 Arcade €129.99
• Xbox 360 €169.99
• Xbox 360 Elite €229.99
  

Microsoft also points to the imminent arrival of Xbox Live across the pond:

"The new ERPs are part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with something for everyone. A major part of this strategy is a new Xbox LIVE online experience coming to Europe this autumn that will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use."

Today's news follows nearly two weeks after similar drops for the U.S. which, in turn, followed close on the heels of reductions in Japan.

-Full press release at MCV

Ensemble Studios Closing Confirmed

Halo Wars should be a good game. At least, that's what the fine folks at Microsoft keep saying even after they've confirmed a long-standing rumor that the studio behind the project (Ensemble) will officially be closing its doors (via an interview with Gamespot). The leadership team at Ensemble is reportedly launching a new development studio and has agreed to support the Halo Wars franchise alongside other Microsoft Game Studios titles over the long haul. 

Halo Wars is the upcoming Xbox 360-based RTS set in the Halo universe that allows players to control large armies and "shrewdly direct them in realistic warfare." The game is set for release in February 2009.

Grand Theft Auto IV DLC Scheduled for Arrival This Fall

The summer of 360 love continues today with IGN reporting that the infamous downloadable content exclusive to the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV, is finally on its way.

From the article:

"In autumn there will be news from Liberty City; the first episodes of GTA IV will be available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE, underlining Xbox 360's leadership role in the field of digital entertainment."

No specific release date or details were available, though rumors run the gamut from new missions to entirely new cities, nay states. Given that word on the street is Microsoft paid north of $50 million to keep the DLC exclusive to 360, I don't think its unreasonable to expect a bit more than just new vehicles/clothes/weapons. Stay tuned.

FREE Gaming Over Windows Live

It seems Microsoft has had a bit of trouble generating interest in its Windows Live initiative, which set out to deliver a unified online experience between 360 consoles and PCs. Well, if having chat, friends list, and cross-platform functionality wasn’t worth the price of admission for gamers (at $50/year), how about having all of that for FREE?!?!? Yep, apparently Microsoft doesn’t really need your money, so, ya know…just take the free service (effective immediately) and start talking trash!