Happy Easter

Outside The Box would just like to wish everyone and their families a Happy Easter.  Please drive safely if you are traveling on this sunny warm day.

PS3 Mandatory Update Upsets Gamers

Sony recently pushed out a mandatory update to all PS3 systems that are connected to the internet.  This update is version 3.21.  What this update does is it makes it impossible to install a third party OS such as Linux onto the PS3.  Sony use to encourage their customers to install Linux onto the PS3 but now Sony has put a stop to third party operating systems from being installed onto their system in order to prevent piracy.  This has of course angered many gamers that have installed Linux onto their PS3 systems because the update removes the third party OS if one is found and disallows another OS from being installed in the first place.  Gamers are upset because they claim that most gamers were not using other OS's for the purpose of piracy but to explore other features that Linux provides to the PS3.  Gaming forums are flooded with people complaining about this update and encouraging each other to contact the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in order to fight this.  I am sure that Sony is also putting the 3.21 version update on all new game discs for gamers who do not have their console connected to the internet.  I believe that a company must do what ever is necessary to protect their investment and I am with Sony on this one.  I can't stand piracy because it raises the cost to video games, DVD's, movie ticket prices, CD's and computer software.  I also believe that people should be paid for 100% of their work.  I do hope that the FCC and the BBB is in favor of Sony.  Good luck Sony!

250GB HDD On Sale Today

In the beginning of the month we posted that Gamestop listed the 250GB HDD for sale as a stand alone item. Just as soon as our post went live the link was taken down, so we all figured that Gamestop was a little trigger happy on information that they weren't suppose to be releasing yet. We all figured that the 250GB HDD was on its way, we just didn't realize how long we would be waiting.

Well Wait no more, or if your ordering from Gamestop a little bit longer. Today Microsoft released their stand alone 250GB HDD for sale at a very affordable (Microsoft style) rate of $129.99 US. As of right now they are on back order from Gamestop but if you like Amazon and deals, then they have what your looking for and under $100!

Very excited to see they are selling this now, as I'm sure everyone is.

Free Avatar BBQ Grill

To celebrate Xbox Live Block Party this year Microsoft is giving away a FREE BBQ Grill Prop for your Avatar. They have sent out reusable codes for all of us to pass along. I dont know how long the code will be good for, so if you want this item snag it up while you can.

Code: 9XBX9-9RCD9-9BCK9-9PRTY-9RCKZ

Hope everyone enjoys there new prop and feel free to share the code with your friends!

Early Dashboard Update For A Repaired 360

A repaired XBOX 360 was accidentally updated to an unreleased dashboard update. Supposedly the new Dashboard update when it's released will update your XBOX 360's dashboard to version 2.0.9195.0. Microsoft is currently trying to locate the early updated console. There is no word as to who took this photo and what new features are included in the update. If the console was already sent back to the customer who sent the console in for repair then Microsoft is at a loss and they will just have to let it go. If this shot was taken by a Microsoft employee, then they have an employee that can't keep his or her mouth shut. The only company that really knows how to keep their mouth's shut about upcoming products (not that this is a new product) is Apple. That comes at a cost though. Apple pays big money to manufactures if they keep their mouths shut till official word is given from Apple them selves about an upcoming product. I don't know what their other tactics are for keeping people quiet about upcoming products but I am sure its very strict. Not too long ago an employee of a Chinese manufacturing plant for Apple had lost a prototype of a new iPhone. The employee committed suicide after being questioned about the lost iPhone. His apartment was illegally searched by employees of the manufacturing plant. Supposedly the employee was also beaten while being questioned about the loss of the new iPhone. You can rest assured that Microsoft will not be beating any of its employees for the repaired console getting a dashboard update early. I am looking forward to hearing more on this upcoming dashboard update and as soon as I hear more I will post it for you.

First Details Of Portal 2 Emerge

Game Informer's April issue had the first details of the highly anticipated sequel to the ground breaking game Portal, by developer Valve. So here they are, for all of your viewing pleasure, the first real and most interesting details of Portal 2.

Portal 2 is set hundreds of years after the original game and sees the return of nasty GlaDOS and female protagonist/test subject, Chell. There's also two-player co-op planned with a pair of humanoid robots controlled by each player. They like to hold hands.

• Portal was a 'trial game' apparently. Size and assets were specifically kept minimal as Valve had no idea it would be as popular as it turned out to be.
  


• Portal was a 'test bed', Portal 2 is a 'full game'.
  


• Portal 2 takes place hundreds of years after the original and so the Aperture Science complex has overgrown and almost looks like a jungle.
  


• GlaDOS returns as the antagonist.
  


• Chell returns as the hero, and we play as her once again.
  


• Those personality orbs you may recall from the last Portal have sectioned off parts of the Aperture labs as their territory and are concerned about the decaying state of the complex.
  


• The original Portal gun thankfully remains unchanged, so will still be the same sleek, crisp white lump of tech we're used to.
  


• There's a new 'paint' mechanic wherein certain liquid substances can be used to cause a reaction. For instance, the demo showed an orange substance on the floor that propelled Chell upwards. Using portals you can chuck these 'paints' through to other areas of the level for puzzle solving.
  


• New reflection cubes will enable you to reflect laser beams for some puzzles.
  


• Physics will now be an integral part of portal puzzle solving. A vent that sucks air in can be combined with a portal to 'suck' from a different location is cited as an example.
  


• The co-op campaign has you play as two bipedal robots that like to hold hands. Fruity.
  


• Co-op will also have a splitscreen option and will reportedly utilise picture-in-picture online to allow you to easily communicate with the other player and combine efforts for puzzle solving. Nice.

Some great news to start getting excited if I do say so myself. Really looking forward to this game and hearing some more news come E3 if not sooner.

Aliens vs Predator DLC Next Week

SEGA announced today that they will be releasing their first batch of DLC next week for their recently released Aliens vs. Predator.

The Swarm Map Pack will contain 2 maps for all competitive game types and 2 new Survivor maps. These maps were previously only available to those that purchased the Special Edition of the game. The Swarm Map Pack will include the Docks and Machine maps for competitive play and the Outpost and Hive maps for the Survivor mode.

The “Swarm Map Pack” will be available on March 18th for €5.99/ £4.79/ 560 Microsoft Points.

Not much good news here for those of us that purchased the Special Edition of the game. Hopefully they will keep supporting this great game with upcoming DLC that will be new for all of us.

Microsoft To Announce Full Natal Line-up At E3 2010

"We're going to have some great stuff," says Mindy Mount, Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer of Entertainment & Devices while she talks about Project Natal; The upcoming motion controller camera for the Xbox 360 and its game line-up that is due to be announced at this years E3.

About 70 percent of game publishers are now supporting Natal from Bethesda, Square Enix and EA. Even big titles such as Fable III are planning to boast Natal motion features.

Mount continued with saying "As a history, Microsoft works very strong with third-party developers, so we're hoping that we're going to get some great titles from that,". "You'll be able to see more news about that this summer at E3. We'll show you the full line-up."

Project Natal is rumoured for release towards the tail end of the year. We still sadly don't know the official name of Project Natal, we are hoping to find out at this years E3 as well.

Valve Officially Announce Portal 2

Just a few days ago Valve officially announced that Portal 2 is on its way, with GameStop listing the title as a fully priced retail version with a release date of October 26th 2010.

Game Informer also has Portal 2 as their cover story for the upcoming April issue too, noting that the "12-page cover story gives you the first details on Portal 2's new gameplay mechanics, storyline, and some surprising new twists."

According to Valve, Portal 2 will becoming this "holiday season" and their are rumours circulating that the game may even feature co-op.

There is little else to say about the game so far. We will have to look forward to the Game Informer article that's on its way. Still hungry for more cake? I know I am!

BioShock 2 'Sinclair Solutions Test Pack' DLC Dated

Announced last week, BioShock 2's first DLC pack entitled 'Sinclair Solutions Test Pack' has been given a March 11th release date, bringing with it a host of multiplayer content listed below:

• Rank Increase to level 50 with Rank Rewards
  
• New playable characters Louie McGraff and Oscar Calraca
  
• 20 new trials (some only available after a player achieves a rank of 41 or higher)
  
• A third weapon upgrade for each weapon
  
• Five additional masks (some only available after a player achieves a rank of 41 or higher)
  

The 'Sinclair Solutions Test Pack' will set you back 400 Microsoft Points.