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Chris Henderson

Rock Ridge Music, a full-service record label with artist management and marketing services presents its Vice President of A&R, and current guitarist for the rock band 3 Doors Down, in a Game with Fame event as Chris plays Xbox LIVE® members January 7 in Call of Duty®: World at War. If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member, and you want a chance to play with Chris Henderson, send a friend request to the following Gamertag and be online half an hour before (4:30 P.M.) the Game with Fame session starts on Wednesday, January 7, 5:00 P.M. ET.

Multi-platinum selling band 3 Doors Down have released two self-titled albums, the latest in 2008, and have racked up six number one hits in a career that has seen them go from the anthemic “Kryptonite” to the marvelous “It’s Not My Time” and “Train” off the new album. Chris notes, “I think it’s … fair to say we are one of the only Southern bands who has the balls to put a song like ‘Train’ out there these days.” He states, “We’re not a band that just goes through the motions. We go at everything hard.” That kind of attitude is what has made the band 3 Doors Down such a hit among fans. If you get a chance to play with Chris Henderson, we want to hear about it! Send an e-mail to xlmail@microsoft.com with the subject: “GWF - Chris Henderson.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

Game with Fame with Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down
When: January 7th
Time/Where: Nashville, TN from 4 - 6PM (CST)
Game: Call of Duty 4: World at War
Gamertag: Chris 3Doors (space between Chris and 3Doors)
URL: http://www.xbox.com/gwfchris4doors

Spotted today on Amazon:

Xbox 360 Live Subscription Gold Card

That’s 13! months of Xbox Live Gold for less than $40.00. Don’t know how long this one lasts.

Also, Newegg has some awesome deals on Xbox games:
Stranglehold for $9.99

Stranglehold Xbox 360 Game MIDWAY Stranglehold Xbox 360 Game MIDWAY

Kameo: Elements of Power for 9.99:
Kameo: Elements of Power Xbox 360 Game Microsoft

Blue Dragon for $12.99:
Blue Dragon Xbox 360 Game Microsoft

Need for Speed: Carbon for $14.99:
Need For Speed: Carbon Xbox 360 Game EA

Also, they have the Xbox 360 Wireless adapter for 86.99, which is 10% off most other places:
Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter

Happy Shopping!

Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV, Bionic Commando, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop, FLOCK! and MotoGP for Wii Ready to Dominate the Console World

Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, has today confirmed that six of its upcoming titles will be released within the first half of 2009. The line-up demonstrates Capcom’s commitment to pursuing a multi-platform strategy while growing its portfolio of titles and includes the latest installments of some of gaming’s most cherished franchises.

Throughout 2008, Capcom was at the forefront of digital download titles and is set to continue this trend into 2009 and beyond. Capcom’s first downloadable game of the year, FLOCK!, is scheduled for release in early 2009 and will be available for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®Network and Windows PC platforms. FLOCK! sees players take control of a UFO that is tasked with herding animals to its mothership through a variety of interactive levels utilizing physics-based gameplay. With over 50 levels in single player and co-op modes and a simple yet powerful level editor to extend the experience, FLOCK!’s unique theme, clever humor and easy pick-up-and-play controls will ensure a new twist on the puzzle genre.

The Street Fighter® series makes a very welcome return with Street Fighter® IV, which comes to the Xbox 360 and Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on February 17, 2009, followed by a Windows PC version set for release at a later date. The series which has amassed combined global sales of over 25 million units aims to put the fun back into the fighting genre and reignite the passion of the Street Fighter II era. Everything that made the legendary Street Fighter II a global hit is back in Street Fighter IV, with the addition of new characters (including fighters added just for the console version of the game), special moves and gameplay elements, providing challenges for even the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

Infecting gamers and completing Capcom’s list of releases for February is Dead Rising™: Chop Till You Drop for the Wii, scheduled for release on February 27. Based on the smash Xbox 360 game (over one million copies sold to date), the humor and challenge that made the original a hit with gamers remains, while many core elements have been totally redesigned for the Wii platform and audience, taking zombie bashing to a whole new level. With the added functionality of the Wii Remote™, players will be able to shake off zombie attacks and swing and throw dozens of makeshift weapons (everything from chainsaws to baseball bats, soccer balls to café umbrellas) in order to survive.

Gamers around the globe have already written Friday the 13th, March 2009 on their calendars in blood red ink in order to mark the release of Resident Evil® 5. One of the industry’s most successful franchises brings the next generation of fear to Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems. Resident Evil 5 promises to set a new standard in action gaming with amazing graphics and both online and split-screen co-operative gameplay on a single console.
Also scheduled for release in March is MotoGP™ for the Wii. Due to hit retail in the middle of March to coincide with the pre-season activity for the 2009 MotoGP™ season, the title turns the Wii Remote into a set of virtual handlebars as players compete across the three race classes in single races, a full championship or a series of challenge stages. Different handling models and AI rider characteristics allow ease of entry for riders of all skills whether a seasoned bike racing fan or new to the genre.

Completing this impressive line up is Bionic Commando, the true sequel to the retro classic with an injection of next gen power, coming within the first half of the year. The title will be initially available for gamers on Xbox 360 and Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, with the Windows PC version following shortly afterwards. Bionic Commando harnesses the power of the latest generation of hardware to fully exploit the swing mechanic that made the original title so unique. Using the powers of the bionic arm to swing between towering skyscrapers, punch cars, pummel opponents and grab distant enemies, players can gain a tactical advantage to progress through the compelling single player campaign and take on all comers in online multiplayer modes.

Cambridge, Mass. - January 2, 2009- Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of one of the most influential pioneers of rock and roll, Roy Orbison, to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content. Grammy Award-winning Roy Orbison was a singer, songwriter and performer whose distinctive sound scored him an astounding nine Top 10 hits in four years in the early 1960s. Orbison’s historic career began in the 1950s and saw a huge resurgence in the late 1980s, when he became a prominent influence on artists like Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bono, k. d. lang and Traveling Wilburys.

The “Roy Orbison Pack 01″ will include “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Ooby Dooby,” “In Dreams,” Claudette,” “Mean Woman Blues” and “You Got It.” All six songs will be available for download as individual tracks as well. These six songs featured are hits from Orbison’s incredible legacy of albums including the recently released definitive box set Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock And Roll (2008) which contains 107 recordings spanning Orbison’s entire career.

“When I was a kid, my world evolved around a black vinyl record,” said Barbara Orbison. “How times have changed! Rock Band and Harmonix have given us a new way to experience music and now everyone can belong to a band. How much more fun could you have, than to play the opening riff of Oh Pretty Woman and try to sing like Roy Orbison?”

These tracks will be available starting January 6, 2009, for the Xbox_360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and January 15, 2009 for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points) for the 6-pack.

Release Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, January 15, 2009 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks: (Click on track to view music video) 1. “Claudette” 2. “In Dreams” 3. “Mean Woman Blues” 4. “Oh, Pretty Woman” 5. “Ooby Dooby” 6. “You Got It” (All tracks are original master recordings)

Price:$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$9.99 (800 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the 6-pack

Locations:Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network
** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Rock Band 2 is available now for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems and the Wii system. The Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 versions support all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise.

There are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 30 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

After last week’s practically non-existent releases, we’re back to business as normal for this week’s new releases!

8 Ball All Stars (DS)
12 Volt (PC, PS2)
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (360, PS3)
The Agency (PS3)
American Pool Deluxe (Wii)
Ape Escape: Million Monkeys (PS2)
Asphalt: Urban GT 2 (PSP)
Banjo-Tooie (XBLA)
Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End (PC)
Evasive Space (Wii)
The Fall: Last Days of Gaia (PC)
Highlander (PC, PS3)
Hotel for Dogs (Wii)
Hurry Up Hedgehog! (DS)
Indoor Sports by Konami (Wii)
Insecticide (PC)
LIT (Wii)
Pirates: Duel on the high Seas (DS)
Playboy the Mansion: Private Party (PC)
Professor Heinz Wolff’s Gravity (Wii)
Story Hour: Fairy Tales (Wii)
Worldwide Soccer Manager 2007 (360, PSP)

Peripherals
Playstation 3 Real Arcade Pro. 3 Fighting Stick (PS3)
Playstation 3 WarBeast Guitar (PS2, PS3)

Amazon’s new this week list

Rock Band rings in the New Year with songs from Snow Patrol, Deep Purple, James Gang and Jethro Tull
Cambridge, Mass. - December 23, 2008 - Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of four new tracks to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content from bands Snow Patrol, Deep Purple, James Gang and Jethro Tull.

Scottish alternative band Snow Patrol makes its debut in the Rock Band music catalog offering their first single “Take Back the City” from their new album A Hundred Million Suns (2008).

In addition, the Rock Band music catalog will expand its collection of Deep Purple tracks, giving players access to the classic rock band’s single “Space Truckin”” from the influential album Machine Head (1972). Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” was featured on the original Rock Band soundtrack.

Next week’s offering also includes the classic rock single “Funk #49″ from the album James Gang Rides Again (1970) featuring Joe Walsh, Dale Peters and Jimmy Fox.

The Jethro Tull single”Hymn 43″ will become the second Tull track in the Rock Band music catalog, joining “Aqualung” which was featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack. Both songs are from the band’s fourth studio album Aqualung (1971).

These tracks will be available starting December 30, 2008, for the Xbox_360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and January 8, 2008, for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points).

Release Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, January 8, 2008 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks: (Click on track to view music video)
Snow Patrol - Take Back the City
Deep Purple - Space Truckin’
James Gang - Funk #49
Jethro Tull - Hymn 43
(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, PlayStation®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Rock Band 2 is available now for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems and the Wii system. The Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 versions support all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise.

There are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 30 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

WOW. ’nuff said.

OUTFITS

From day one the developers at Replay Studios knew they didn’t want to simply sensationalize one of the most tragic wars in human history, but to give gamers one of the first true-to-life experiences. An integral part of that mission was to provide players with an intriguing view of the war by portraying a strong, yet normal woman, not only in physique - but also in the reality of her abilities. Violette is a woman who has lost everything dear to her and now has but one goal – to disrupt and destroy the Nazi regime. Completely alone behind enemy lines, Violette has to do whatever it takes to complete her missions with what she has on hand. Everything Violette has must have a meaning and a use, including her clothing. Depending on the mission, Violette has a few sets of clothing that she can use to her advantage.

OUTFIT EXAMPLES

Pilot Outfit - Violette’s mainstay is her standard brown leather jacket and blue canvas cargo pant set. While not exactly all the rage in Milan, this is a very likely outfit of the times; providing the wearer with the storage of cargo pockets, durability of canvas and toughness of the leather. This outfit gives Violette a solid set of threads to get by with. There isn’t too much to be said for these duds, but they get the job done.

Leather Sneaking Suit - The all-leather suit gives Violette a slight edge in darkness. For obvious reasons she’s able to blend in with the shadows much better in this suit. Made of supple leather, this is the ideal outfit for Violette, with the tough, yet soft feel of the leather offering her great flexibility in both combat and stealth.

Nazi Officer Uniform – As the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Isn’t it funny how they never seem to find the things right under their noses? With one quick wardrobe change, Violette takes on the Nazi Officer uniform and can easily infiltrate enemy ranks. The minute Violette dons the uniform, she takes on the persona of a Nazi officer, walking and saluting to keep the other soldiers completely fooled. As long as Violette doesn’t have any close face-to-face encounters and doesn’t behave suspiciously, she should be able to fool any soldiers she comes upon.

Night Dress – This outfit is completely unsuited to any of the exploits that Violette will undertake, but that’s the point. The entirety of Velvet Assassin is actually a flashback, with Violette remembering her efforts while in a coma. Whenever players get into a tight spot in the game, they can go into Morphine Mode which simulates Violette getting an injection of the drug from her nurse to calm her down as she lives out the horrific memories of war in her violent dreams. When this happens, the action slows down and the world around her becomes more of a dreamscape, and whatever Violette was wearing is temporarily exchanged with the nightie she’s garbed in at the hospital.

Velvet Assassin will be released for Xbox 360 and PC in early 2009. For more information about Velvet Assassin please visit www.velvetassassin.com. For more information about Replay Studios please visit www.replaystudios.de.

Doritos: Dash of Destruction
Format: Xbox 360, Xbox Live
Cost: Free download
Points: 200 total

This is just a quickie review, for the game, Doritos: Dash of Destruction. It’s on Xbox Live Arcade right now as a free download, obviously to help the Doritos brand. You control either a Dinosaur trying to destroy the Doritos truck, or a Doritos truck trying to avoid the dinosaur and make deliveries to the “chips” on the board.  There’s not much depth here, but you get 6 levels (12 total) of easy distraction. They do have a skill level increase, but nothing too difficult. The dinosaur missions are a bit tougher, because he’s fairly large, and not as easy to control. It’s also the most fun to be the dinosaur, as you can destroy all buildings in your way. You can’t jump, so water is your enemy. With each level, you get upgraded, either with cybernetics or vehicle upgrades.

The graphics aren’t too flashy, and it’s worth mentioning that NinjaBee, creators of Kingdom for Keflings. If you’ve played that game, you know their quirky graphic style, and it’s here, making the game fun the see the first time around.

The music is unmemorable, but didn’t get in the way of the game either. You know when the new cars appear, or the dinosaurs are coming.

There’s not a whole lot of replay value, and you can probably finish the game in 20 min if you’re hardcore. The kids love being a dinosaur, and have probably fully played out the game many times over, just to destroy the buildings. It is a fun, fast way to get 200 points, but that’s about it.

Rating 2.5 of 5 - Nothing wrong with the gameplay or graphics, it’s just what it was designed for, a short, playable advertisement for Doritos.