Dice is now preparing for the release of Battlefield: Bad Company and has a demo slated for June 5th on Xbox Live, in anticipation of their retail releases on June 25th in North America and June 27th in Europe. The Battlefield: Bad Company beta has since come and long gone now for this game, but now its time to ramp those servers back up again and get some game on via a demo.

If you've followed any number of Podcasts and gaming sites over the past couple days then you more and likely saw them giving away codes to get in before the public date of June 5th. This is what I call a soft launch and a controlled demo release.

But come June 5th, you can expect to see larger numbers of fans playing the demo and working their ranks up. Its nice to see Dice giving these codes to the masses of Podcasters, Bloggers, and Indie game reporters to give away to their audiences. After all this was the same groups that spoke out about the micro transaction ideas, discovered from the beta, to unlock certain weapons in the game. This was just what a beta was suppose to do, the unexpected feedback helped change those portions and have now provided ways to unlock those weapons with out any extra costs.

So mark your calendars for some gaming action and take a look at what Battlefield: Bad Company has to offer now. Here is what you have in store when you get in to the demo on June 5th.

Demo includes:
Single player
·  Early look into the quest for Gold with Bad Company

Multiplayer
·  Play the all-new Gold Rush mode on the Oasis map, featuring land, sea and air vehicles.
·  Reach rank 4 in the demo to unlock an exclusive in-game weapon

Don't just play games when you can create the games now. That's right, if you would like to create your very own games for the Xbox 360, Microsoft has the tools for free to let you do just that. Towards the end of last year some games were released during a trial period on Xbox Live Marketplace and these were created using the XNA tools. Now Microsoft has launched the XNA Creators Club website for those interested in building games using the XNA Game Studio 2.0 platform.

XNA Game Studio 2.0 enables hobbyists, academics, and small, independent game developers to easily create video games for Windows and the Xbox 360 console using optimized cross-platform gaming libraries based on .NET. Combined with an active membership in the XNA Creators Club (available from Xbox Live Marketplace), you can also create, debug, and play games on your Xbox 360 console.

This is all good news and I'm looking forward to getting the tools and learning about games creation for the Xbox 360. In fact I'm already looking at the XNA Game Studio CTP 3.0 and building games for the Zune even. Later this year its expected that XNA 3.0 will begin to work with Visual Studio 2008 and allow the creation of games for the Xbox 360. For now you still have to use XNA 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005 to create your Xbox 360 games. I'm also helping out with the formation of a local XNA Users Group and looking forward to this getting off the ground soon.

With all of the possibilities out there, I don't see a shortage of games anytime soon. Who knows, maybe I could have a game on Live for others to try or perhaps I could be playing a game that you've created.

Love that song... Fun, Fun demo for me. My oldest loved watching me play this game and had quite a few Hi-yas to throw in as I took on the enemies with my best Panda style Kung Fu. The game from Luxoflux and Activision is based on Dreamworks upcoming Kung Fu Panda film. I'll be taking my daughter to see the flick for her birthday when it comes out.

As for the demo and the game, its a lot of fun to say the least. My only draw back is I'm afraid it might hype my daughters up some and get their aggressions going a bit. This is something I need to work on with my oldest and sit her down with a few games to see how she really does and talk about them. I'd tried another game earlier for kids and found her telling me, "Kill em Daddy, Kill em.." I just want to make sure she doesn't get too wound up and pretends to go Panda style on lil sister after playing.

But back to the demo and what I think of the game. A blast and very well made in my opinion. Its a third person and my Panda only looked goofy a few times getting turned around. I think that helped confuse my attackers and added to me finally beating them. There's a limited selection in games geared really for kids these days and most seem to be tied to a movie or TV show of some sort. Talk about the money machines for stuff like this.

Anyway give the demo a try for yourself and go check out the movie too. Yes you'll see the same things in the movie, the thing with a game is your pushing the buttons and a part of the action more and for little ones they can get sucked into that a lot more. Like I said, my only concern is what effects the fighting will have on my kids in the end.

Finally gave Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy™ a look last night for a bit. The term button masher has been kicked around quite a bit in the reviews I've seen for this game and most people felt its just an ok game and demo.

Just ok... Yeah I'm one of those people as well on this one. Graphics look pretty cool and most of the fighting action is pretty cool. But its a story and direction they are trying to push you into here. How do you progress that story? You mash buttons and move along a path of the story.

Ok, most games tell a story and have a path for you, in general. But this game has a sure fire and fast paced clear cut path. At least from the demo and what I've seen that is the case with this one. What I like is the chance to try it, but from what I've seen and for me personally, this game doesn't do enough to make me want to play it. I'm not a huge fan of mashing button combos in the end I guess. But hey, its a demo and you should at least download it and give it a try for yourself and see what you think or take a look at the game trailer.

LAGtv network sets its sights on the Guinness Gamer’s Edition record book by broadcasting live for 72 continuous hours. Hosted by real “gamers,” LAGtv provides live video programming and an interactive online forum for the computer gaming community. The record setting attempt for the longest live internet broadcast begins at 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 23 and continues until 9:00 p.m. Monday, May 26. The broadcast can be viewed in its entirety at www.lagtv.com.

LAGtv hosts, including those from the Cyber Sports Television Network (CSTN), will share broadcast responsibilities over the three days. Company founder Shane Latham said, “We’re locking the entire staff in the studio for three days, no one can leave.  But, we get to play video games and do something that’s never been done before.”   

During the marathon show, viewers can call in to talk, participate in the show’s chat room, or challenge hosts to on-air games using the BlitzCast network.  The BlitzCast network allows video game players the ability to share and save live video game feeds over the internet. “We’ve built up a very dedicated audience since our launch in February,” said LAGtv host Chris Trentham, “We’re counting on them to help keep us awake.” 

LAGtv broadcasts live from its web site Monday through Saturday at 9:00 p.m. EST.  The LAGtv web site also hosts past shows, message boards and a chat room.  For more information about LAGtv and its programs, visit www.lagtv.com.

Microsoft is taking part in a sweepstakes called What They Play and the deadline of June 10th, 2008 to enter is slowly approaching. See I'm glad I look around Xbox.Com from time to time and I'm always finding new stuff. This little thing was tucked away and right up my alley so to speak as a Parent. See I'm a father of two girls and love games and playing games with my girls too. So its nice to know that Microsoft has a few programs and materials online, for Parents that feel the same as I do and that want to game and provide safe & fun games for their kids.

For more information on Safety is no game. Is your family set?, just click the link and learn more on what you can do and how Microsoft is able to help. Also enter the Sweepstakes and score some cool stuff for the family, it doesn't hurt and its free to enter. More Resources for Parents are available and only a click away too.

Now have fun gaming and teach your kids that its just a game and by all means, if your not having fun, then your not doing it right. Take a break and find out what you can do to make it fun. Last, your the parent and you set the boundaries. No two kids are alike and the same goes for parents, just keep in mind that the ESRB ratings are here to help you out too.

And the hits just keep on rolling... The latest from Rockband in DLC is none other than the classic self titled album The Cars from 1978. This release of DLC marks the 2nd full album on Rockband and the 4th major collection of DLC from artists for Rockband so far to date. The 1st full album came from none other than Judas Priest's, Screaming For Vengeance from 1982. Boston has released almost a full album, being short by only one song and The Grateful Dead have 6 tracks released so far from a slated collection of 18 for this year.

But that's not all there is in the way of DLC these days. Motley Crue has released "Saints of Los Angeles" their latest new single as DLC and Metallica is expected to do the same with its new single when the album drops later this year as well. Metallica happens to be one of the largest requested artists of new content for Rockband.

Best of all, more an more tracks as well as albums should be coming to fans of Rockband. This is sure to help them continue the upward climb and success. The have so far reached a 6 times platinum for DLC. Encore anyone?

Latest Full Albums & Tracks
The Cars - The Cars
1. Good Times Roll 
2. My Best Friend's Girl 
3. Just What I Needed 
4. I'm In Touch With Your World 
5. Don't Cha Stop 
6. You're All I've Got Tonight 
7. Bye Bye Love 
8. Moving In Stereo 
9. All Mixed Up

Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance
1. The Hellion 
2. Electric Eye 
3. Riding On The Wind 
4. Bloodstone 
5. (Take These) Chains 
6. Pain & Pleasure 
7. Screaming For Vengeance 
8. You've Got Another Thing Comin' 
9. Fever 
10. Devil's Child

I was surprised to see this bit of news floating around the net today. But it appears to be more fact than fiction here. The next installment for none other than Guitar Hero IV will include drums and it appears a mic as well now.

Why not just create a new game here and call it Drum Hero. I'm sorry, but this is really just an attempt to go after Rockband now. I have to say, this photo shown on Slashgear looks killer and I'm not sure if this was an early attempt for GH IV or not, but this is one mean looking drum kit if you ask me.

How they settled on this kit to the left, I'm not sure, but it looks funny if you ask me. Clearly the cost to get a kit like the one above out would be way to much. From 8 percussion choices down to 6 percussion choices, it still gives you one more than what Rockband has to offer, right?

Big deal, here is what I'd like to see, I bet a future version of Rockband could include an add-on with a USB piggy backing of sorts. You add another set that ties in a couple cymbals and a high hat, bringing the set up to a total of 8 percussion choices. I bet a few things could be done to help signal which to hit with in the same amount of screen.

They could even tie some effects pedals for the guitars I bet along the same line of thinking. Best of luck to you GH, but I'm afraid your late to the party and I don't expect this to go over huge at all. Face it, if someone liked drums enough, they moved to Rockband and once there, I don't think they even looked back.

NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- H3 Enterprises, Inc.'s PinkSheets: HTRE President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and Mike Fischer, General Manager of Microsoft's Xbox Marketing, appeared today on FOX Business Network's "Money for Breakfast" to announce that Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft (MSFT) has become an Official Sponsor of H3 Enterprises' HipHopSodaShop (www.hiphopsodashop.com).

To see the FOX Business Network Interview, click here.

About H3 Enterprises, Inc. and the HipHopSodaShop
H3 Enterprises, Inc. is the parent company of the HipHopSodaShop, with its corporate headquarters located at 116 John Street, New York, NY 10038. As the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, H3 Enterprises, Inc. is dedicated to the mission of empowering young people through investment, education and economic development.

Safe Harbor: Certain information included herein may contain statements that are forward looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities. Such forward-looking information is subject to changes and variations which are not reasonably predictable and which could significantly affect future results.

Website: http://www.hiphopsodashop.com/

When I first thought about games like GHII, I just didn't get it or thought it would be something I'd really enjoy playing. Now as a group thing its an instant hit as I've learned and yes I do now enjoy playing this game, even if its just me on Solo, but I prefer a group session by far.

I'm a huge Rockband fan and so that is where I've invested all of my money and time more or less. So I was listening to Major Nelson's latest podcast and something caught my ear, "Pyro, Smoke, & Lights...", what are they talking about here now? It appears that GameStop has leaked a new kit for the Rockband game and its an interactive set of lights & smoke to add to your gaming system for only $99.

Now I love this game, but I just can't see buying this add-on. We are talking about spending $99 for some flickering lights and smoke here that interacts with the game play. This is clearly for a party and those around you to experience, but its still hard for me to justify that expense and what will be next, are we looking at a laser light show kit down the road?

Maybe I need to really focus the band here and throw a party. Charge a door fee and raise the money to get smoke and lights for the band. Then again, maybe we should just work on practicing and getting better and if someone is watching us, they can flick the house lights on and off for us and I can look into some dry ice perhaps.

The Box Art was revealed today for Fable II as part of the 2008 Microsoft Gamerday event earlier today. This is my must buy game of 2008 for me and its cool to see something that looks more like the final release piece at last.

Yes there are a lot of other games still coming out and some might do better, but this is my pick and favorite title for the year. The one game I'm looking forward to playing more than any for 2008.

In addition its cool to learn more and see more screen shots from the game now. Fable II takes place 500 years later than the first game to help set things for you. It also has a number of improvements over the first game, a huge plus for the hard core Fable fans.

Before the release of the game, we will also see the release of an Arcade tie in that should feature 3 mini games. The mini games will allow you to earn gold and transfer that to your playable character in the full game. This is a really cool feature being developed and perhaps will spawn other developers to do similar things with their games.

The game is slated for a Holiday release and has been listed in a few place as a late October release. I'm sure between now and then we will see more and more on this title as those days draw closer. I would think at least by the first part of October that we'll see the Arcade tie in become available.

Fable II is 10 times the size of the first game and has plenty of things to explore and will offer many hours of game play. If that's not enough to get you excited, its been mentioned that another 3 games are slated for the Fable series of games, so your not to late to get in and take part of a sure fire hit. Keep posted as I bring you more about the wonderful world of Fable II.

Lets talk cool tools for the gamer who loves to entertain. The Xbox 360 is more than a gaming system for a lot of people. For one thing, you can download movies and shows direct to your Xbox 360 to watch. You can also pop a DVD into the console and watch it as if its a DVD player. You can even access your music files from a networked PC if you like.

All at the control of the person using the gaming controller. But wait, you can actually purchase a remote control to help aid in navigating menus of DVDs if you like. It gets even better if you look for the Logitech Harmony Xbox 360 remote and the prices are not that bad if you hunt for them online.

I came across this remote the other day on a Best Buy outing with a friend. The only thing is they wanted $99 for it. Wow and what does it do exactly? Well for starters and like all Logitech Harmony remotes, it allows you to control everything.

Yeah right you say, but it is true and in one sleek looking controller. The great thing is you can hide all the other remotes away and keep one to do it all. Push a button for the Xbox 360 and it powers up the console, turns your TV to the correct setting, sets your stereo to what you need, and unlocks an achievement every time. Ok, it doesn't do that, but you'll fell like you've done something great in making a choice like this.

These remotes come with controls to added thousands of devices under your command, just like the game Overlord, you'll have your entertainment minions doing what you want with a single click. Something I could have used the other day when one of my remotes was lost on the field of battle (Living Room). You know how hard it is to control your Tivo with out a remote, near impossible?

Cool thing is Harmony remotes come in various flavors, shapes, and sizes. So all you need to do is decide which one is right for you. Do a little research and I'm sure you'll make the right choice and become the master of your entertainment land.

Liberty City is really huge and now you can explore what lays in store for any visitors from your PC. This is an ultra cool map with a very Google Maps feel and chock full of gaming details as well.

I started playing the game last night and I really dig the feel of this game so far. Talk about plenty to see and do and I've only hit about 1/3 of the available map area.

Its funny to think that a game would be such a blast like this, telling you to go from point A to point B and then wait for your next assignment to come your way, only to repeat the whole process. Its a very interactive story that you take part in and help along with your choices.

The Cell phone, GPS, and radio stations are all well done and add to the experience. Go on and take a look at the city streets and see what awaits you in Liberty City.

Sex and Violence shows up in a lot of games these days, some more than others... some a lot more than others I might stress. So why is this the case then? It really wasn't quite like this back in my childhood days and with the games I grew up with and played.

Back in the early 80's, a series of games entered the market called Leisure Suit Larry and the gaming world had changed forever. You can just imagine what the game was like from the photo above. This was leaps and bounds different from the simple games I use to play. Now this screen capture is a lot later in the line of games, but the subject matter is the same.

So how did games change from there to where they are now? The only thing I can really think to say, is we grew up and a lot of us create the games now. What does that say then? Well we are adults for one thing and it seems some of the adult subject matter we like, turns up in the games we want to play and create now.

Start looking a lot more at the game ratings and you'll learn more about what they have to offer inside, but at the same time, those games have different degrees of the content with in them. Take Viva Pinata for example. Hold on now... yes it is rated E for everyone, still if you've ever played this Family Friendly game, then you'll know about the "romancing" and yes the Piñata's don't always get along. No I'm not talking out right sex and blood shed here, but still you have to explain what they mean by "romancing" and why fighting is not always the answer and how sometimes people don't get along. You thought you just built a garden here? For the most part you do.

Jump to Fable, an RPG favorite among gamers and Yes violence and Yes Sexual situations. Thankfully its more language and then they fade to black and bring on the moaning. Point is games vary and we have some adult situations to deal with and these are not games for all kids. Yes some kids can handle more than others and the ratings are in place as a guide to help you make the decisions you feel are best.

Is it really needed though? In a lot of cases... more and likely not, but we are talking about developers that grew up playing games and now create them. Adults now and as adults, we don't all sit around and watch Wow Wow Wubbzy and want our games to be as innocent and geared towards kids.

I still find myself looking at some games, with the mild violence and have to decide if the title is alright from my kids to look at and play. I for one don't want my kids getting wound up and aggressive from action on the screen. Graphics are leaps and bounds better then Atari Combat and look more realistic. Plus the games have story lines that can go as far to the extreme as an episode of the Sopranos.

As consumers, we can only hope that the more kid friendly games come out and we need to look for titles like this and enjoy them with our kids, after all these are the future gamers of the world and I sure hope we are never going to sit down with a 6 year old and have them play GTAX. Should games with adult subject matter be created? Yes to a degree and I think its fine, but they could be toned down some perhaps. At least with GTAIV, you don't have to do all the things possible in the game. In other words, just because you can doesn't mean you should always.

What I do wonder is what magical worlds could be created for kids with some of the talent being used for these adult games.

  An official headset is not needed for your controller; any standard 2.5 mm socket handsfree set from a mobile phone will work as a headset on Live. However, not all hands free headsets have volume control or mute functions.

A new buddy to Xbox Live was in need of a headset and we were looking around at Best Buy. It was then I noticed the new headset they are selling looked different to me. I told the sales, guy this really doesn't look anything like what I have.

It was then he told me the extra parts are more or less for extra securing to the controller only. Then the light bulb went off. My buddy more and likely has an old hands free head set laying around. A quick search back on google and answer was in hand. Looks like he'll be testing and able to join in soon enough now.

Retail Sales of Grand Theft Auto IV Top $500 Million in First Week

New York, NY – May 7, 2008 – Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), said today that Grand Theft Auto IV has surpassed all-time entertainment records for day one and week one sales by dollar value. Released on Tuesday, April 29th, Grand Theft Auto IV, the critically acclaimed video game, has sold through to consumers approximately 6 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million in the first week. Grand Theft Auto IV sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day with a retail value of approximately $310 million globally.

"We knew Grand Theft Auto IV would break new ground in terms of the player's experience, with its compelling story line, extraordinary gameplay and action that ranges over a broad urban canvas. Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well. Grand Theft Auto IV's first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date. We congratulate the entire Rockstar team on creating a must-have experience that takes the legendary Grand Theft Auto franchise to a new level," said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.

"Rockstar's goal is to make each new title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise even better than those that preceded it, and Grand Theft Auto IV is a smashing success on that score. Grand Theft Auto IV makes full use of the power of next generation technology, and offers players an experience unique in the interactive entertainment medium. This game sets a new standard in the industry, with critics hailing it as both an artistic and technological masterpiece," said Ben Feder, Take-Two's Chief Executive Officer.
Developed by series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system is rated "M" for Mature. For more information, log onto www.rockstargames.com/IV.

It sucks you in before you know it. Not the drink, I've never tried it actually and the same goes for GTA IV. But just about every where I look I'm seeing GTA IV. Shoot they even talked about the game and did a parody on the Conan show. It is all over my friends list and all in the news.

So I was listening to the Gamer Girls Podcast today and the topic was on Hype and GTA IV and Halo. They touched on how its showing everywhere and the numbers of people coming out to pick up the game and play. It's still early to tell which title has done better and launch and which will be top when all is said an done.

What is clear, hype or no hype, is this game is going to be in the top of games and could very well be the Game of the Year. If you've read some of my early posts on the games release, then you'll know I'm not a huge fan and I've never played the titles. I still feel strongly that this is an adult title and don't think I'll change from that view too. But I'm interested the more and more I hear about the game.

So the hype is catching, more and more friends on my list are playing this game. From what I gather its a must see for pretty much everyone. The sights and sounds of this game will be like no other game played. Strong subject matter aside, you do have the freedom to choose how you play the game.

I hadn't paid this title much thought and I'm surprised at the force its taking on the gaming community at large. It sounds like it offers a great Single Player and new for the series great Multi Player action too. Most of this is learned from my friends who play the game and talk about it. So where Microsoft & Bungie marketed the Halo 3 game like crazy and caused a media blitz Hype, you now have Rockstar on the other side creating the game and the gamers are causing all of the Hype.

For a first time player and from what I've heard (Hype), your going to be amazed at what the game can do and its all in your hands. Freedom of choice and you don't get that from many titles. Welcome to Liberty City, its a huge place to get lost in, but I think you'll be surprised with what you find there.

Cheater is more to the point here, but like the title says, this is some of the things if not a combination of things yelled at gamers in the lobbies these days. At least Microsoft and Xbox Live are cracking down on some of this when they can.

 Unscripted360.Com passed this information on to the community about game saving and links to an in depth article that explains the history and sheds some details on what exactly is done when you game save. Take the time to check out this and dive deeper into the lives of Cheaters. Thanks Deacon for the news as always.

Boosters, not as harsh as a game saver mind you, but its still rather cheap. Pretty much you find the stuff you need to get certain achievements and you bend the odds to your favor. More or less you need to kill 3 people with a grenade for example. You get three of your buddies to join a game, stand there and you all take turns blowing each other up. Another method is to bring in a ghost controller to allow you to have more in a room and score higher. Its still cheap and more or less Cheating.

The Lagger, now this one doesn't increase your gamer score so much and its debated as to if it really works or not. Pretty much depending on how its done, your going to get busted more and likely. At the least a large number of complaints could be filed against you for tampering. The simple act is a switch is pressed to interrupt your connection on live and this allows you to blip around and avoid being hit and perhaps gain an advantage when connection is restored. I've seen a few instances of stuff like this. "Hey where did that guy go?" Snap, I'm dead now! Lagger or Cheater I should say. Small note, its possible that your ISP could have issues and cause you to lag and make you appear to be using a Lag Switch.

So here is the real question, why do they do it? What gain comes from stuff like this? It doesn't appear to be fun if you ask me. I really like playing a game for how its meant to be played and wish others would do the same. If you feel someone is cheating or not playing right, you can elect to avoid them and file a complaint pretty much.

I don't use or ever will any of the methods listed above. The only thing that I can think that I've done to cheat myself more or less was looking at guides/walk through's and picking up the tips on where to find something or how to get past something and I have to be pretty stuck to do something like that.