Epic Games has released some info on their official forums detailing news about their newest patch update for the Gears of War 2 multiplayer. The overall online multiplayer experience is Epic's target. There also seems to be additions to achievements for your War journal and and update to that shotgun.

About that shotgun...

We fixed the client side hit detection on the shotgun so that in a high-latency (i.e. “laggy”) match, the shotgun will be more reliable. We’ve also fixed another bug whereby shotgun and boomshot rounds could strike the ground when firing from the hip.

Check out the rest of the update at the Gears of War 2 official forums...

Exclusive to the Xbox 360, Microsoft announced at TGS in 2008 a new "Ninja Gaiden knock-off" if you will. Ninja Blade seems to cover a different aspect to the Ninja story. What surprises me and I'm sure most of you is the fact that it is tentatively scheduled for release in Quarter 1 2009.

Step into the dark and mysterious world of “Ninja Blade,” where gamers will be given the epic task to defend Tokyo and ultimately humanity itself from a horrific, genetically mutating disease.

High atop the towering skyscrapers of modern-day Tokyo, Ken Ogawa and his team of skilled ninjas are deployed to destroy the infected monster horde and stem the spreading disease as humanity hangs in the balance. Matters quickly take a turn for the worse as Ken and his team are betrayed from within their own ranks. After narrowly escaping death, Ken is left to fight the daunting battle alone while also attempting to understand the motivations behind his betrayal.

Armed with an extensive arsenal of specialized ninja weapons, tools and skills including the powerful forces of “Ninja Vision” and “Todome,” players must fight insurmountable odds, and once again bring peace and order to Tokyo.

Check out some gameplay features below...

Yesterday Major Nelson revealed the top 20 games played on Xbox Live. There was no criteria listed as to what constituted the game counting as being played on Xbox Live whether it was multiplayer or single player. But, we can probably guess it was both. Here are the full versions pruchased of retail Xbox 360 games as well as demos and multiplayer betas.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)

Check out Major Nelson for the list of Arcade games....

Looks like you'll be able to find even cheaper Microsoft Point cards this holiday if you're looking for a quick stop on your shopping list. These seem to be popping up at retail stores like Target, Wal-Mart among others. We wonder if MS will make an announcement of these cards soon to officially declare them out in the wild.

Since the begining you've only been able to purchase the 1600 point card as your lowest amount for $19.99. Now, these 800 point cards will be charged at $9.99 it looks like.  So, hurry and get those cards, it may be just the perfect gift when completely undecided for the gamer in your family.

Via Xbox360Fanboy

You may just have to wait a little longer to enter the world of Albion once again, with Lionhead Studios announcing the delay of its upcoming DLC expansion. Knothole Islandhas been delayed until January 2009 citing that it has encountered unexpected technical difficulties.

As a result, the Fable II, Knothole Island Download and Win, originally scheduled to take place December 22 – 23, 2008, has been temporarily suspended.  Please check back for updates.  In addition, you can still register for the Download & Win by downloading the free Fable II: Knothole Island registration gamerpic, or by registering via Xbox.com at www.xbox.com/fableIIknotholesweeps.  Registered participants will be notified using the contact information provided at time of registration with revised Download and Win Entry Period dates.

Source

As per the VGA Awards last night, the Combustible map pack that was announced is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for download. These map packs are available for 800 MS points and can be played in the 5 player co-op mode, Horde.

The Combustible Map Pack unleashes three new multiplayer maps: Flood, Gold Rush and Fuel Station.

• Flood is a very tight map that's made extra snug when the environmental hazard of Imulsion begins creeping up around the edges. As the playing field closes in, the firefight will intensify as combat is forced to the center of the map. Teams skilled at flanking their opponents will have a powerful edge.

• Gold Rush takes place in an old Imulsion refinery that now serves as a hotly contested battleground. Players must survive heavy crossfire as they infiltrate the factory and navigate multiple tiers. Breakable glass allows for a clean shot at those who make a dash for the Longshot rifle while bolder players make their run for the heavy weapon. In the right hands, the Mortar can be devastating on this map, so keep those smoke grenades armed as the concussive effect comes in very handy.

• Fuel Station is situated in a desolate area marked by an abandoned fossil fuel station. The team that secures and controls the station is likely to be the side that wins the match. An especially strategic location on this map is the rooftop, as there are only two points of entry – the main elevator and a staircase on the back side of the building. Heavy weaponry is situated right in front, which presents a high risk to reward ratio in this level. Lugging the Mulcher around, deploying it and revving it up can keep an entire team at bay, and unleashing hell from the rooftops is always an excellent tactic.

All of the multiplayer maps in the Combustible Map Pack are playable in the highly popular, five player co-op Horde mode.

Check out a trailer for the map pack below...

Xbox 360 users have been reporting cheating in various matches of Left 4 Dead. Valve has heard their complaints and will be releasing a server-side fix on all dedicated Left 4 Dead Xbox 360 Servers. A title update will also be released  in the coming days for users who play games via user-hosted servers or system link. Kudos to Valve on the fast turn around.

Despite the mad rush through the crowds of Wal-Mart shoppers on Black Friday, at least one good thing came out of it. Microsoft is reporting that they have recorded record-breaking sales on just Black Friday alone. Almost 3-1 against the Playstation 3.

Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system kicked off the holidays with record-breaking console sales on one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year in the U.S. Retailers reported Xbox 360 console sales over the Black Friday weekend were on pace to beat previous years, outselling the PlayStation 3 by a three-to-one ratio and estimating a 25 percent increase from Xbox 360 Black Friday sales figures from 2007.

Strong game sales rounded out a historic Black Friday for Xbox 360, with record-paced software sales continuing for key Microsoft titles, such as “Gears of War 2,” “Fable II,” and “Lips.” Xbox 360 continues to have the highest game attach rate of any console at 8.1 games per console.

“We entered into the Black Friday sales period with cautious optimism, knowing that dollar for dollar, Xbox 360 offers more social entertainment value than any other console on the market,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Record Black Friday sales in the U.S., coupled with our existing global install base of 25 million and an online community of more than 14 million Xbox LIVE members, have laid the groundwork for continued global sales momentum in 2009.”

The surge also took place in Europe as well, rising the total sales of the console and probably giving it an edge on the Palaystation 3 by the end of the year.

Despite the Playstation 3 version being cancelled in America, development continued on for an exclusive Xbox 360 version. THis version is now available in retail stores everywhere. Destrory All Humans: Path of the Furon continues the series with new gameplay features and story.

When a mysterious new enemy attacks, Crypto must leave his groovy life in the 1970's behind and embark on a journey of extraterrestrial enlightenment. Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon features a wide range of devastating weapons and advanced mental abilities that allow Crypto to manipulate anything in the world, destroy everything in his path, and take complete control over time and space. Players can wreak havoc in new and exciting ways on the ground or in the air with Crypto's alien arsenal and fully upgradeable UFO. From the classy casinos of Las Paradiso to the star-studded streets of Sunnywood and beyond, players will guide Crypto as he gains new powers from an ancient alien Kung Fu Master in order to take on his most difficult enemy yet. Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon is now available for Xbox 360. For more information, please visit http://destroyallhumansgame.com/.

Destroy All Humans: Path to the Furon is available for $39.99...

Just as if available for the PC, the demo for Command&Conquer Red Alert 3 is now available on the Marketplace. Thanks to Major Nelson for the update.

Content: C&C Red Alert 3 Demo
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) VIOLENCE] Red Alert has arrived on Xbox 360! Battle alongside your friends and Hollywood stars as the bestselling series of the C&C franchise makes its 360 debut. Wage war solo or co-op on Xbox Live on land, sea, and air for control of the world with 3 epic factions! RA3 features the fastest & most precise RTS controls to date on console-plus the biggest Hollywood cast ever in gaming, not to mention War Bears, psychedelic Japanese schoolgirls and dozens of other units! This SP demo features the game's cinematic opening, 1 campaign mission from both the Soviet and Allied campaigns, and an interactive tutorial. RA3 game features 3 campaigns (solo or co-op online), a skirmish mode against 9 formidable commanders, and multiplayer over Xbox LIVE.