900°

Games With Gold – No Assassin’s Creed II or Halo 3 for July

"Major Nelson has confirmed that the FREE Games with Gold game for July is in fact NOT Assassin’s Creed 2 or Halo 3, but some cheap nasty Xbox LIVE Arcade game instead. Defence Grid The Awakening will be free on the marketplace for Xbox LIVE Gold Subscribers today."

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thisisxbox.com
SJPFTW3951d ago

Microsoft is certainly not making it easy for them to regain some good PR which is a shame really.

Godmars2903951d ago

More like a new PR low.

They used mention of the games to give themselves a high profile at E3, then pull a technical bait and switch for the actual deal. Those games likely will be the last ones they offer while all else with be XBLA titles.

How do they think that short term efforts will be good for them in the long run.

matrixman923951d ago

the sad thing is that Halo 3 and AC2 arent really worth anything anymore...u can easily find them in the discount bin at gamestop or even walmart.

Serg3951d ago

Halo 3 in particular is dirt cheap. I've seen in at my local brick and mortar for 2,50€. To put it in perspective: 1 month of XBox Live costs as much as 2 copies of Halo 3...

Wow... value.

ShinMaster3951d ago

PS Plus > XBL Gold > PSN basic > XBL Silver.

zeal0us3951d ago

PSN+>PSN basic> XBLG>XBL Silver

Fix it for ya

da_2pacalypse3951d ago

As crappy as their original promotion was, I was really looking forward to Halo 3 getting repopulated with some new players :(

I don't know how MS just went from having that cheap of a promotion to an even worse promotion...

kreate3951d ago

I thought they were asking gamers what they want for the free games?

And I thought they said they would be giving free games out for the rest of the year?

How could they change the games like that last minute?

Man I got all excited for nothing .... this is why I can't trust Microsoft.

Mainsqueeze3951d ago

Got super excited to jump back into a hopefully more populated Halo 3 (since i sold my copy a very long time ago) tomorrow but now i find the free game is some shitty ass old tower defense game...just disappointing to see the bad decisions keep on rolling.

BluEx6103951d ago

Quote from their website.

"As a gesture of thanks to the millions of Xbox fans around the world for their passion and loyalty, Xbox announced that every Xbox Live Gold subscriber will receive two free Xbox 360 games per month UNTIL THE RELEASE OF XBOX ONE, including the pair of popular titles: “Halo 3” and “Assassin’s Creed II.” And to celebrate E3 in the month of June, Xbox Live Gold members will receive a free download of “Fable III.”"

Looks like the free games will end when Xbox One launches. And it also looks like Halo 3, AC II, and Fable III will be the best games they give out. At least they're giving them out I guess. Hope I can continue to play them after Gold expires or month ends etc. I do hope MS continues this program, but compete a little better in the free games department. Competition is healthy, hopefully we see Gears 3 or Forza Horizon for free.

Source: http://news.xbox.com/2013/0...

2pacalypsenow3951d ago

They could if at least done a retail game not done cheap ass Xbox live game

ravens523951d ago

Dang zealous u beat me to it lol. Its true tho seeing as how to do the things u can do on jus psn you need xblg. Such as use netflix, play free-2-play games, access the internet browser amongst other things lol.

Just to be fair;) psn+>psn=xblg>xbls

s8anicslayer3951d ago

just wait til they reverse the 180, I swear to all that it will come soon after launch

ThanatosDMC3951d ago

MS is the master of smokes and mirrors, bait and switch, and ignoring problems like it never happened (RROD).

Godmars2903951d ago

@ThanatosDMC:
Would hardly call them the "master" of such things when its so obvious.

Do have to question the gamers who try to defend them.

loulou3951d ago

lol microsoft are just stumbling from one pr disaster to another

_QQ_3951d ago

Further Proving Gamefly>steam>redbox> gamestop's usedgames>PsPlus>Xboxgol d.

YNWA963950d ago

Sad>really sad>extremely sad>fanboys.... Jeez...

Mutant-Spud3950d ago

Defense Grid is one of the better tower defense games, I've spent hours and hours on it already but it's worth picking up if it's free.

+ Show (16) more repliesLast reply 3950d ago
Name Last Name3951d ago

WTF Microsoft. I would really like to know what are they thinking because this isn't even funny anymore. It's sad.

ZodTheRipper3951d ago

They are trying desperately to regain peoples trust by doing the same things that Sony does. It seems like they can't get it right, however.

MidnytRain3951d ago

Really? Cuz your comment made me laugh.

fr0sty3950d ago

Microsoft, you're drunk. Go home.

Cueil3950d ago

they are having a huge ass sale... why would they throw out a AAA title out to distract you... also why are people bitching about free games... you keep the game and it's the best game in that genre...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3950d ago
Shepherd 2143951d ago (Edited 3951d ago )

Its not a huge deal, to make defense grid a free game, but i must defend it.

Defense grid is one of the best tower defense games i have ever played. I bought it years ago and still play it now. there are more than 40 maps, and about 6 to 8 game modes per map. Also recently Valve bought Hidden Path, the devs who made it. So Hidden Path made a $5 dlc pack called You Monster, a Portal crossover where Glados tries to mess with you in test chambers by turning rules on their heads while you defend against aliens she has released from the other dimension. Theres some great and funny dialog and a nice little story to go with it.

Its a cheap game now, but its not "nasty". Its a great title that will suck away dozens of hours and many people will be surprised at its quality if they like strategy games.

Mainsqueeze3951d ago

yes its a decent tower defense game and yes its free but its not Halo 3 or AC 2 which people were led to believe it would be. And to be honest most ppl don't want a tower defense game even if it is free, thats why microsoft didnt advertise it along with H3 and AC 2.

McScroggz3951d ago

It is sad that a lot of people will completely blow off the game (I haven't played it, but I like all variety of games). But, it's the misleading and sometimes outright lies that are making people upset.

I mean, Microsoft more or less said Halo 3 and Assassin's Creed 2 were the first two games available. Considering how old the games are (and Microsoft published Halo 3) I don't understand why they didn't just give those games away like they said they would.

It's all just very, weird.

Trekster_Gamer3951d ago

Defense grid rocks. Have enjoyed for years. Best tower defense game I have ever played...

CRAIG6673951d ago

I aint into tower defence games, feel pretty disappointed to be honest...

I will try this one though...

FamilyGuy3951d ago

Have you played Dungeon Defenders?
I really like it and it has RPG elements. It's the only tower defense game I've ever been able to get into and enjoy. How is Defense Grid in comparison to it?

It's pretty messed up that this game is getting downplayed simply because people were looking forward to the mentioned titles. It's interesting seeing the quote again though as it mentions the games but does not specifically mention when Halo 3 or Assassins Creed 2 will show up. People seem to just assume they were gonna show up in the first month or two.

kingPoS3951d ago

You deserve a pat on the back for defending a game you enjoy. I myself enjoy one the earlier ps+ titles Vetor TD ever other day.

PeaSFor3951d ago

MS is supposed to be ccompeting against the PsPlus service, well... look more like a faceplant to me.

right now MS is simply looking really silly.

Shepherd 2143951d ago

Well I mean I defended defense grid because I was led to believe people were complaining about H3 and AC2 because they were old, based on all the negative comments Ive seen. So I guess people are complaining that it's not those two now?

Okay.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3951d ago
achmetha3951d ago (Edited 3951d ago )

i was actually pretty excited to get halo 3 for free, i've been itching to play it again. edit: guess i'll have to wait a few more months?

bummer

Trekster_Gamer3951d ago

Stop being so cheap and pick it up for almost nothing almost everywhere!

thereapersson3950d ago

Why would he go buy it when the whole basis of his interest in the title is because MS used their bait and switch to fool people into thinking they were getting it for free ASAP?

3951d ago Replies(1)
CalvinKlein3951d ago

wow thats sad. As if AC 2 and halo 3 were not old and cheap enough.

Muffins12233951d ago

The best part is you need the DLC to play on half of the playlist for halo 3 LOL

DARK WITNESS3951d ago

I guess they figured that since everyone is complaining about getting halo 3 and AC2 which are so old that they are of no real value anymore... lets supprise everyone and give them a game for free which is even shiter and worth even less.

We love you, our loyal xbox fanbase.. you mean so much to us!

Ritsujun3951d ago

Micro$ofie loves nothing but $.

chrismichaels043951d ago

More last minute flip flopping by Microsoft. Then some Xbox loyalists wonder why I said in an earlier post that MS looks very confused right now. Halo 3 and AC2 may have been very old games, but at least they were big franchise titles. Now to make things worse, gamers arent even getting that anymore. No surprise why PS4 is ahead in pre-order sales at every major video game retailer.

xtremeimport3950d ago

And honestly, I thought the Halo3 and AC2 games were a joke. But look at MS, they could be even funnier!

showtimefolks3950d ago

MS can you do anything right anymore?

you are spending millions to keep 3rd party games exclusive how about reward your fanbase, and to be honest AC2 and Halo 3 are not really reward when you can find em both for under $6-7 bucks

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3950d ago
SpideySpeakz3951d ago

So XBL is just a watered-down version of PS+? Nice to know.

Funnymonkey0133951d ago

I know right MS sucks and their rip off live PS plus kills it in every single ways.

HammadTheBeast3951d ago

Come on now, let's not get rude here.

You're just insulting PS+ now.

fattyuk3951d ago

Watered down??

It's more like a cup of sewage.

ThatEnglishDude3951d ago

In the meantime, PS+ is offering Sleeping Dogs, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, a bunch of free Vita games and a number of other titles for free, or at least at a good discount.

TheNocturnus3951d ago

Don't forget they are giving us Saint's Row 3 as well.

Xaphy3951d ago

and dont forget new goodies for this month as well.

superterabyte3951d ago (Edited 3951d ago )

In the Eu we're getting IMO the best deals. I mean just this month we're getting Battlefield 3, Saints row 3 and Payday the heist as well as unit 13 and Ninja Gaiden sigma on the vita. Not to metion the yearly deals =D

ShwankyShpanky3951d ago

I'm starting to wonder if it might be worth signing up for an EU account and getting Plus on there as well. Anyone know of a good comparison chart for what's been released on PS+ EU vs US?

sAVAge_bEaST3951d ago

don't forgot Little Big Planet Karting,.. -fun game,. just like mario kart.. and online-- never would have played it if it wasn't for ps+

lsujester3951d ago

I agree, great game. Some of the stuff the community has made is fantastic.

ShwankyShpanky3951d ago

LBP Karting is the first game I got my 3-year-old son to "play" just the other day. (by "play" I mean pushing X and going in circles, but he was pretty entertained by it)

torchic3951d ago

can I ask a question are these free PS+ deals only available for the month, or like can I still get these games for free when I do subscribe to PS+ later in the year?

WeAreLegion3951d ago

Many of them will still be available later in the year. Some of them are only there for a month, but a big selection of them will stay for a year. I would recommend subscribing now and using https://store.sonyentertain...

That way, you can add the games to your cart, and "check out". They'll be waiting for you when you can access them on a system. :)

Horny3951d ago

I think most are there for a while. Just this month I downloaded gravity daze, deus ex, xcom, and saint row 3 all for free. Ps+ is really a ridiculously good deal. I was thinking about buying gravity daze when I realized I can get it free with + so I renewed after not having it for a year and got a whole bunch of other games free plus auto updates.
Also once you download them you can always play them as long as you have ps+

3951d ago
torchic3951d ago

thanks everyone for the responses.

I guess what @WeAreLegion suggested is the best option.

thanks again!

Mikeyy3951d ago

I would also Highly reccomend you sign up now, because a lot of the best deals from Plus are only on there for the month then they are forever gone.

Even if you just "start" to download it, then cancel the download (If you are tight on HDD space) you can at any time view your download history and redownload the game, even after the plus storefront takes it down. its considered "yours".

You would only get Highly depressed if I listed all the games you missed that I have in my library from PS+! The longer you wait, the more you miss out, and im talking entire trilogies of games.

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120°

Looking Back At 2008, An Unbelievably Incredible Year Of Video Game Releases

Huzaifa from eXputer: "2008 was home to the likes of Call of Duty: World at War, Dead Space, GTA 4, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, and many other hits, which is outright remarkable."

CrimsonWing694h ago

I don’t think anything can compare to 2023

lucasnooker4h ago

1998 - the best year in gaming! Metal gear solid, crash bandicoot 3, medievil, half life, ocarina of time, thief, tenchu, resident evil 2, Spyro, tomb raider 3, oddworld abes exodus, banjo kazooie.

It was a different breed of a gaming era. You’ll never understand what it was like back then. The aura of gaming, it was different!

KyRo4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

I second this. Gaming was a lot more varied and fun than it is today. I'm 35 so getting on compared to some here but I got to see all the changes from NES up to now but I've never felt so disappointed in any generation than I have this current gen. I was expecting more from this generation rather than prettier versions of games that came before it. Game mechanics have become so refined that alot of games feel the same and has done for a while now.

Maybe it's time to have a break for a while. I love gaming but I don't feel I get much fun in the traditional sense out of it anymore.

CrimsonWing694h ago(Edited 4h ago)

Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Abe’s Exodus, and Ocarina of Time are the only things from that list that I liked.

Here’s the 2023 game releases that I personally liked… and big releases that I didn’t care for:

- Dead Space Remake
- Wo Long Dynatsy
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Diablo 4
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Hogwarts Legcay
- Street Fighter 6
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
- Octopath Traveler 2
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
- Final Fanatsy XVI (actually ended up not liking this, but it was still a big deal release)
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Lies of P
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Starfield (Ended up hating this one, but big release)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (I’m an old-school Zelda fan, but didn’t really enjoy this game)
- Alan Wake 2

I mean, honestly I’ve never seen a year of major IP releases like that, ever.

Profchaos1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

Isn't it just a generational thing realistically.

I've been gaming since way back and I some of my favourite games go as far back as the late 80s for me each generation has a year or two of game changing releases one after another before an inevitable dry spell.

I kind of agree gaming had a different feel games hit different because we didn't have the internet nothing got spoiled and you really had to put in the effort to beat a puzzle which could set entire groups of people looking for a solution. But most importantly games were experimental and not as cookie cutter as today even basics like controls were not universal today r2 is shoot l2 is ads garunteed you can't deviate from that in a shooter back then it could of been square, R1 or R1 and circle nothing was standard.

But as time moves on a new generation picks up their controller they are going to be interested in different things that PS1 demo disc with the t Rex blew our primitive 16 bit brains back on launch but to kids today it's laughable.
The new gen of kids coming into to hobby seem to value different things to us there seems to be a huge focus on online play, streamers, gaming personalities, and social experiences, convience of digital downloads. To me I value none of that but that's ok like my parents not liking the band's I would listen to its just the natural cycle.

120°

6 Fun Games Where You Actually Play As The Bad Guy

While the mainstream media always sees things turning in favor of the hero, here are 6 games that own being a bad guy.

Profchaos10h ago

Pretty much all of these games listed are based around a morality system you don't have to be bad and you don't have to be good.

It seems to have left out some real amazing games like red dead redemption 1/2,ass effect and true crime la/ny

Tacoboto9h ago

Armored Core VI?

Ok, I'm really missing something here. Just beat chapter 3 earlier this evening, unlocked A-rank Arena fights. I'm not seeing or sensing any branching paths or morality system and I've done every side mission and arena fight available to me up to that fight.

Is something big coming soon to branch the story?

banger889h ago

No mention of Grand Theft Auto? Saints Row (original trilogy), Manhunt? Also The Suffering (depending on the ending you get).

130°

Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Video games are no longer just a simple past time. Today's games are evolving into true works of art. Offering intriguing narratives, cinematic setpieces, and profound messages, games can entertain us for hundreds of hours.

Read Full Story >>
wealthofgeeks.com
Chard1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

I never got around to mass effect - I’m skeptical that it would hold up if I were to try it now

Furesis1d 2h ago

I would say it does. The combat is a bit shit for todays standards but everything else is great.

anast1d 1h ago

It's worth a play through today.

gold_drake18h ago

the first one is abit the odd one out but after u finished it, believe it it gets tremendously better and better