Mass Effect 3: Rebellion Pack Info

Well looks like Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer component is getting another free DLC pack in the form of the “Rebellion Pack”. This pack will be free to anyone who has redeemed an Online Pass for Mass Effect 3.

The pack includes:

• New Characters – Vorcha Soldier & Sentinel; Male Quarian Engineer & Infiltrator; and Ex-Cerberus Vanguard & Adept.
• New Maps – Firebase Jade: A waterfall surrounded base overlooking an ancient reservoir built by the Salarians; and Firebase Goddess: An Asari stronghold based in a Thessian metropolis.
• New Weapons – Cerberus Harrier Assault Rifle; Reegar Carbine Shotgun; and Krysae Sniper Rifle

The DLC pack releases on Xbox Live, the Playstation Network and PC on Tuesday, May 29th (Wednesday, May 30th on the PSN in Europe).

So let’s get this out of the way: “OMG WTF?! Y U NO RELEASE EXTENDED ME3 DLC YOU FUCKTARDS?!” Yes, I did read that earlier on Facebook, but the person had the momentary higher brain function to remove said idiocy from the post. Look, we all want to see what BioWare has in store for Mass Effect 3’s extended ending. We all just want some more single-player content in any way shape or form as well. The extended DLC is still at least a month away, if not more, and until that releases I can all but assure you that there will be no additional single-player expansions even discussed with the public. So, patience is key here.

BioWare as of next week will have released two multiplayer DLC packs for free that they could very easily have charged for. They don’t need to do this, but still they are. All I ask is that we extend a little more patience and goodwill towards them and wait to see what they have in store.

Hey it’s already been confirmed that Lance Henriksen, Tricia Helfer, and Raphael Sbarge have recorded further dialogue for the DLC; which can only mean good things for more Hackett, EDI, and Kaidan goodness. Now just announce Brandon Keener is returning simply to speak and I’ll be all set.

 

Source: Mass Effect 3: Rebellion Pack (BioWare Blog)

Behold the Arcade NEXT All-Stars! SeaNanners vs. Minecraft!

A few weeks back we brought you word on a fun thing Microsoft Studios was in the process of doing. As you guys are well aware, those of you who maybe read my article “Microsoft’s ‘Arcade Next’ from a little over a month ago, Microsoft started releasing a series of Live Arcade games 3 weeks back. These games feature twice the maximum gamerscore (400, up from 200) which is expected to roll out to future Live Arcade games as well.

More information on tomorrow’s last event can be found below:

Microsoft Studios and Xbox LIVE are presenting the grand finale of their Arcade NEXT All-Stars live streaming event series this Wednesday at 6pm PST on Twitch.TV, when renowned gamer and YouTuber SeaNanners plays Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition. SeaNanners, along with special guests, will play and give insight into the first-ever console edition of the game, and live viewers will have the opportunity to enter to win an Xbox signed by the creator of Minecraft, Markus ‘Notch’ Persson. To live stream the event, visit http://www.twitch.tv/xboxlivearcade

 
Make sure to tune in and check out SeaNanners take on Minecraft tomorrow!

Sometime tomorrow we will also be giving out a free code for Minecraft. Check out, and like, our Facebook Fan Page for more info on this and any further contests.

Behold the Arcade NEXT All-Stars! Tobuscus vs. Bloodforge!

Hey, we have some fun news for your guys, so sit down and listen (read, for those who are actually aware of what activity they are doing right now). As you guys are well aware, those of you who maybe read my article “Microsoft’s ‘Arcade Next’ from a few weeks back, Microsoft started releasing a series of Live Arcade games last week. These games feature twice the maximum gamerscore (400, up from 200) which is expected to roll out to future Live Arcade games as well.

Starting last week Microsoft Studios teamed up with a group of YouTube gamers, dubbed “Arcade NEXT All-Stars”, to have them host a series of live-streaming events each week for that weeks game release. Last week they had Olga Kay take on Trials Evolution, which can be found on Youtube. This weeks event, taking place tomorrow April 25th at 5PM PST on Twitch.TV, will have famous YouTube gamer Tobuscus take on Bloodforge.

More information on upcoming events can be found below:

Microsoft Studios Presents Arcade NEXT

Experience the next level of downloadable games with Arcade NEXT, a four-week promotion featuring the NEXT in Gamerscore, the NEXT in visual fidelity, and the NEXT in platform-defining gameplay! Beginning April 18, each Wednesday brings a new adventure with increased gamerscore and achievements.  For more information, and to purchase the games, visit: http://www.xbox.com/arcadenext

Trials Evolution

Available Now

Live event hosted by Olga Kay

Bust out of the warehouse into an outdoor world of night and day, curved driving lines and spectacular scenery. Build your own tracks with the in-game editor or download challenging tracks created by other players. Customize your rider and grab Trials Evolution for the next generation of motorcycle racing games!

Bloodforge

Available April 25

Live event hosted by Tobuscus Wednesday, April 25 at 5pm PST on Twitch.TV

With a brutal combat system, stunning art style and a deeply compelling story, Bloodforge sends you into battle. Slaughter hordes of demonic soldiers, deformed worshippers and the gods themselves with Rage Kills, Rune Attacks and Weapon Combos. Seal Crom’s fate in this dark, visceral story.

Fable Heroes

Available May 2

Live Event Hosted By Katers17 Wednesday, May 2 at 5pm PST on Twitch.TV

This action-packed, hack-and-slash adventure delivers a fresh spin on the Fable franchise with a unique art style and gameplay that takes playful competition to the next level. Whether on the couch or playing co-op on Xbox LIVE, work together to defeat enemies and collect gold coins.

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition

Available May 9

Live Event Hosted By Seananners Wednesday, May 9 at 5pm PST on Twitch.TV

The infinite possibilities of Minecraft just got bigger, bringing the phenomenal experience to a game console for the first time. The Arcade version includes an innovative new crafting interface, natural controller movements, plus local and online muiltiplayer modes.

Make sure to tune in tomorrow to check out Tobuscus playing Bloodforge live on Twitch.TV.

Sometime tomorrow we will also be giving out a free code for Bloodforge. Check out, and like, our Facebook Fan Page for more info on this and any further contests.

A Week(ish) In News #3

Welcome back to another edition of A Week(ish) In News! If all goes according to plan this should be quite the lengthy edition, so to speak. Why such an extended edition you ask? Well this last week has just been fraught with technical issues for our little site, as well as personal issues that dramatically decreased my ability to get any writing done. But, that is the past now and this is the future…or the past I guess since this article is about the past week. Anyways, on with the words:

Shouting at your screen now serves a purpose in Skyrim

So, by this point the topic of Kinect controls coming to Skyrim has been discussed to death. But we here at Constantly Calibrating are in no way above beating a dead horse; especially when the horse is quite alive and enjoying a healthy, relaxing day.

Now the first thing some people might point out is that Skyrim for the PC already has most, if not all or even more of these features via mods. Well in that you are right, but those of us playing it on the 360 don’t have these features yet and don’t have any alternative, so shut up and go play with some string.

Some of the features coming to Skyrim with this free update include:

• Dragon Shouts: Now you can yell Fus Roh Dah to your heart’s content at your screen and watch as time and again Lydia flies forth from the Throat of the World. What, just I do that? Whatever. Now the one caveat to this is that stating the name of the shout in English will activate it, but to use the dragon language for shouts you will need to hold a button down. This is due to Kinect’s inability to recognize non-English speech. Still a nifty little feature.
• Command your allies: Have you ever thought to yourself “Why do I have to spend minutes on end in a conversation menu to order my companion to attack something, stand still, or even trade with me?” What, again just me? You bastages. Anyways, now with simple commands like “Ally follow”, “Ally wait”, “Ally attack”, and “Ally trade”. Pretty simple, and seemingly easy to use.
• Item Hotkeys: Have you ever felt it was incredibly frustrating to equip and switch out items and weapons on the fly, even with the Favorites pull-down? See that one I know you agree with. Obviously we all know that the inventory system leaves a lot to be desired. Now you can pull up your Favorites window, highlight your favorite bow and state “Assign Bow”. From that point on no matter what you have equipped you can state “Equip Bow” and suddenly whip out your Glass Bow of Infinite Face Rape. This works for all weapons, spells, items, and even armor it seems.
• Better Sorting: With Kinect while in your inventory or a shop’s inventory you can state “Sort by weight” or “Sort by value”. This will help you to find what items to trade to your follower when over-encumbered or what items are best to sell for most profit.
• Efficient Menu Navigation: A simple announcement of “Quick Map” is all it takes to pull up the full world map now. Stating a location such as “Whiterun” or asking “Where am I?” will bring the map to the proper location. Stating “Quick Skills” will also pull up your skill constellations. Saying a name of a skill like “Archery” or “Sneak” will bring you to that skill. Finally, the phrases “Quick Save” and “Quick Load” also work for all of your saving and loading needs.

To see the Kinect in action check out the below video.

As a person who recently started playing Skyrim again, I find all of these features highly interesting. I look forward to trying out our new Kinect when the Kinect update for Skryim shouts its way into the world sometime this during the week of April 23rd.

Microsoft’s ‘Arcade Next’

This morning Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson), Director of Programming for Xbox Live, announced in his blog Xbox Live’s new initiative: Arcade Next. Plans were announced earlier in the week in regards to expanding the Xbox Live Arcade to allow new games to have double the possible achievement points and achievements.

Today they made the announcement of what games will be launching from Microsoft Studios under this initiative. The games start rolling out on April 18th and will release each week through May 9th. The slate of games are as follows:

TRIALS EVOLUTION, April 18 for 1200 Microsoft Points
“Trials Evolution” is on every front, the next dimension of the smash-hit, award-winning “Trials HD.” Bust out of the warehouse into an outdoor world of night and day, curved driving lines, and spectacular scenery. Multiplayer comes alive in your living room or on Xbox LIVE. Build your own tracks with the in-game editor or download those of any other player from the new Track Central. Customize your bike and rider with awesome gear and unique parts, enjoy innovative skill games, try ghost racing, beat your friends’ scores and more! Don’t miss the madness!

BLOODFORGE, April 25 for 1200 Microsoft Points
With a brutal combat system, stunning art style, and a deeply compelling story, “Bloodforge” empowers you to slaughter hordes of demonic soldiers, deformed worshippers, and the gods themselves, using ferocious Rage Kills, devastating Rune attacks, and furious Weapon Combos. Help seal Crom’s fate – and the fate of the rest of the world – in this dark, visceral story of revenge, betrayal, and destiny.

FABLE HEROES, May 2 for 800 Microsoft Points
“Fable Heroes” is an action-packed, hack-and-slash adventure built for Xbox LIVE Arcade. It delivers a fresh spin on the “Fable” franchise with a unique art style and gameplay that takes playful competition to the next level. Whether on the couch or using Xbox LIVE, up to four players work together to defeat enemies while also competing with one another to collect gold coins and level up. Precious gold collected in Fable Heroes can be imported into the forthcoming Kinect title, Fable: The Journey, providing players with a valuable head start from day one.

MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION, May 9 for 1600 Microsoft Points
The infinite possibilities in “Minecraft” just got bigger. “Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition” brings the global phenomenon to console gamers for the first time. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game features an innovative new crafting interface, natural controller movements, a full Tutorial mode to teach the basics and for the first time in “Minecraft,” split-screen multiplayer as well as over Xbox LIVE.

They also released the following trailer:

Now my thoughts on this whole ‘Arcade Next’ initiative is nothing but positive. There is no downside that I can see with Xbox Live Arcade games having more achievables. It doesn’t hurt that I was already excited for both Fable Heroes and Minecraft’s appearance on Xbox Live.

What are your thoughts on ‘Arcade Next’? What do you think of the launch titles? Let us know in the comments below. Also take our poll and let us know which game(s) you are most excited for.

Source: Announcing ‘Arcade Next’ (Major Nelson)