Xbox Live Update Spring 2011

Details on this update were leaked a few weeks back, but today Major Nelson announced the update officially.

It appears the update will be spread out over the next weeks into different updates. Today's update will bring Paypal to most Xbox Users and a new feature called "Standby mode". If your console is idle for one hour it will go into auto standby mode saving power consumption. You can alter the settings in System Settings. 

I'm not sure if it comes with todays update or one down the road, but a change to the Xbox 360's Disk Format will be coming allowing for more room on the disk and better security.

According to leaked details, Avatar Kinect will arrive May 27th.




The updates may take a few days from its launch to reach the entire globe. I would be willing to bet that everyone on XBL will receive today's update atleast by Sunday if don't receive it today.

Exploitable Camping Spots in LD

Map: Boardwalk
Screenshot
Possible Solution: Add soft kill boundary.



Map: Powerhouse
Screenshot
Possible Solution: Add a soft kill boundary down there.



Map: Sword Base
Screenshot
Possible Solution:  Block off Ledge or Add soft kill boundary.

Map: Sword Base

Screenshot
Possible Solution: Add soft kill barrier



Map: The Cage

Screenshot:
Possible Solution: Block off or add soft Kill Barrier.


Map: The Cage
Screenshot:
Possible Solution: Add Soft Kill Barrier to the top of the base.

Map: The Cage
Screenshot:
Possible Solution: Add Soft Barrier or Block Off.

May Matchmaking Update Live!

Today the May Playlist Update for Halo Reach went live.

Here are the Major Details:

Action Sack

• Shotty Snipers: Shotguns and Sniper Rifles… don’t forget to bring marshmallows.
• Splockets: Spartan Lasers and Rocket Launchers. It’s like getting punched in the face repeatedly, WHY DID YOU ASK FOR THIS?!
• BOOM! Ball: Play Oddball (Hot Potato) with Grenade Launchers and infinite ammo.
• Hog Potato: Get to the Warthog! Ride it around for points, pile your teammates in for more points. Does anyone else smell gas?
• Shotgun Assault: Play Neutral Bomb Assault with only your trusty Shotgun.
• Dino Blasters: Elites + Concussion Rifles + Bottomless Clip + Jetpack = 42
• Rocket CTF: Play Neutral Flag CTF using Rocket Launchers. Yes you heard me, Neutral FLAG.
• To The Death!: Duel to the death… swing, clang and deliver the final blow with no recharging shields.

Squad Slayer

Squad Slayer is a new 5v5 playlist featuring Squad Slayer (AR/Magnum) and Squad Slayer DMRs (DMR/AR) game variants. Both game variants will be 75 kills to win and offer Sprint, Hologram, Jetpack and Active Camo abilities. Big Party Restrictions will be enforced on parties of 4-5 players, allowing them to only match with other big parties. Maps include Condemned, Uplink, Tempest, Unanchored, Asylum, Uncaged, Ivory Tower Reflection, Countdown, Boardwalk, Powerhouse and Arena Zealot.

• Team Size: 5
• Max Party Size: 5
• Big Party Size: 4-5
• Max Local Players: 4

Team Classic

We’re adding Classic CTF, Neutral Bomb Assault, Crazy King and Oddball game variants to the Team Classic lineup. Additionally, we’re changing starting grenades for all game variants in the Team Classic playlist to 1 frag starts and the Overshield will now give 3x up from 2x. We’ve accepted updated versions of a few maps and added objective gametype support to others.

• Classic CTF: Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Assault: Magus, Noble Creek, Prophet
• Classic King: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Oddball: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet, Rat Trap

Living Dead

The dead rise again! Significant changes are being made to the Living Dead playlist. First and foremost we’re increasing the player count to 12. Next up we’re going to start using the Alpha Zombies game variant as our core offering, but the traditional Infection game variant will remain available for the time being. Alpha Zombies features Sprint for everyone including Zombies, while Alpha Zombies also have infinite equipment usage.

Big Team Battle

Assault is being added to Big Team Battle! In addition to adding Assault, we’re also adding several community maps. The following maps have been considered and some are still being playtested so this is not a final list, some of these may or may not be added.

• Abridged by Schmittler 5000 (Forgetacular BTB winner)
• Wayont by FDL iGet Down (Original map from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Utopie by FDL FiFTy I (Paradiso rebalance from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Renegade by x black kn1ght
• Trident by x black kn1ght
• Temptation by tkblingx2

The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team

Always subject to change, blah blah blah… let’s just assume this is always the case and get on to the good stuff? OK! The following community maps are being considered for integration into The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team where appropriate. Due to the inclusion of community maps, the Team Slayer playlist will be restricted to a maximum of 2 local players. For you wild and crazy split-screen fans, please see the Squad Slayer section above for where you’ll get your 3way and 4way action on.

Also the Noble Map Pack Playlist has been removed and a new gametype was added to Firefight Arcade called "Arcadefight",Weapon Pick ups enabled.. There are more smaller details that haven't been revealed yet, I'll update this post when they become available.

Halo Reach Super Jackpot Weekend!

Want 21,000 extra credits this weekend? Then play some Defiant Map pack!

Bungie announced today in their Weekly Update that they are doing Super Credit Jackpot Weekends.

Starting right now until Sunday at Midnight (PDT), you will have the chance to win a 7000 credit jackpot every day. You can only win the jackpot once per day, but in total you can win 21,000 credits!

So once a day this weekend, keep playing the Defiant Map Pack playlist until you get the 7000 credit jackpot. Repeat each day until Sunday.


Easy credits!

Edit: Apparently the plan might be to increase weekend by weekend.

Halo Reach May Matchmaking Update

In Today's Bungie Weekly Update, some of the May matchmaking update for Halo Reach was revealed.

Check out below for the details.

Action Sack

• Shotty Snipers: Shotguns and Sniper Rifles… don’t forget to bring marshmallows.
• Splockets: Spartan Lasers and Rocket Launchers. It’s like getting punched in the face repeatedly, WHY DID YOU ASK FOR THIS?!
• BOOM! Ball: Play Oddball (Hot Potato) with Grenade Launchers and infinite ammo.
• Hog Potato: Get to the Warthog! Ride it around for points, pile your teammates in for more points. Does anyone else smell gas?
• Shotgun Assault: Play Neutral Bomb Assault with only your trusty Shotgun.
• Dino Blasters: Elites + Concussion Rifles + Bottomless Clip + Jetpack = 42
• Rocket CTF: Play Neutral Flag CTF using Rocket Launchers. Yes you heard me, Neutral FLAG.
• To The Death!: Duel to the death… swing, clang and deliver the final blow with no recharging shields.

Edit:  Jeremiah just responded to my thread stating Action Sack will have the "None of the Above" vote option in may.

Squad Slayer

Squad Slayer is a new 5v5 playlist featuring Squad Slayer (AR/Magnum) and Squad Slayer DMRs (DMR/AR) game variants. Both game variants will be 75 kills to win and offer Sprint, Hologram, Jetpack and Active Camo abilities. Big Party Restrictions will be enforced on parties of 4-5 players, allowing them to only match with other big parties. Maps include Condemned, Uplink, Tempest, Unanchored, Asylum, Uncaged, Ivory Tower, Countdown, Boardwalk, Powerhouse and Arena Zealot.

• Team Size: 5
• Max Party Size: 5
• Big Party Size: 4-5
• Max Local Players: 4

Team Classic

We’re adding Classic CTF, Neutral Bomb Assault, Crazy King and Oddball game variants to the Team Classic lineup. Additionally, we’re changing starting grenades for all game variants in the Team Classic playlist to 1 frag starts and the Overshield will now give 3x up from 2x. We’ve accepted updated versions of a few maps and added objective gametype support to others.

• Classic CTF: Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Assault: Magus, Noble Creek, Prophet
• Classic King: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Oddball: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet, Rat Trap

Living Dead

The dead rise again! Significant changes are being made to the Living Dead playlist. First and foremost we’re increasing the player count to 12. Next up we’re going to start using the Alpha Zombies game variant as our core offering, but the traditional Infection game variant will remain available for the time being. Alpha Zombies features Sprint for everyone including Zombies, while Alpha Zombies also have infinite equipment usage.

Big Team Battle

Assault is being added to Big Team Battle! In addition to adding Assault, we’re also adding several community maps. The following maps have been considered and some are still being playtested so this is not a final list, some of these may or may not be added.

• Abridged by Schmittler 5000 (Forgetacular BTB winner)
• Wayont by FDL iGet Down (Original map from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Utopie by FDL FiFTy I (Paradiso rebalance from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Renegade by x black kn1ght
• Trident by x black kn1ght
• Temptation by tkblingx2

The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team

Always subject to change, blah blah blah… let’s just assume this is always the case and get on to the good stuff? OK! The following community maps are being considered for integration into The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team where appropriate. Due to the inclusion of community maps, the Team Slayer playlist will be restricted to a maximum of 2 local players. For you wild and crazy split-screen fans, please see the Squad Slayer section above for where you’ll get your 3way and 4way action on.

• Affinity by GodlyPerfection
• Enclosed by Kymicals
• Kingdom by Sikamikanico
• Synapse by HWM BlacKnight
• Treasury by JoeSki73

May's Playlist update is scheduled to go Live in Early may, but is subject to changes. Next week should bring more smaller details.

Xbox Live is FREE this weekend!

Currently in between Xbox Live Memberships?

Well your in luck. This weekend Xbox Live is FREE. So Silver (Free) members can enjoy all the benefits of being a Gold Member including Netflix,Online Multiplayer,Facebook and so much more!

The Xbox live Free weekend runs from today (April 21st) until April 25th.


[Source]

Marissa's Bunny

Marrissa's Bunny is a website dedicated to raising awareness for Infantile Spasms.

"Infantile Spasms is a serious pediatric epileptic condition that could leave her mentally and physically disabled for life - or worse."

Marrissa is  a baby girl who was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms on February 15th of 2008.



Check out their site on how you can contribute. Be sure to subscribe to their RSS Feed and follow Marissa's Bunny on Twitter!