In this months Forza 4 DLC release we see 10 new cars introduced. One car Aussie racing fans may be interested in is the..

2011 Holden HSV GTS

More power, better handling, and new technology are all hallmarks of Holden’s latest E Series—the 2011 HSV GTS. The Australian manufacturer has truly thrown out the stops for the GTS, with a 6.2 litre V8 capable of 436 horsepower and an engine note that has spawned praise from tons of automotive critics. So it’s definitely got the muscle for straight-line speed, but the GTS’s MRC suspension will automatically change the damping settings of the suspension several hundred times per second, resulting in a responsive ride that’s fantastic through the turns. It’s also a great-looking car, featuring a dramatic front end complete with a unique vase-shaped grille. When you think about it, the HSV GTS is a lot like your stereotypical Australian: it’s good-looking, sounds great, and is a lot of fun to hang around with.

Remember if you purchased a Season Pass, this car pack is free. Check out the trailer below.

For more information, head to ForzaMotorsport.net

Today the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA) released industry data which shows Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is still seeing strong growth. Despite a challenging environment where all other console makers are seeing retractions in revenue, the Xbox 360 seen more than 5% growth in 2011.

It seems those looking to gaming for a Christmas present also turned to the Xbox, likely due to the cheap cost of the 4G model and the Kinect bundle. Xbox 360 was the number one selling console during the Christmas period of 2011, not only that, but more Xbox’s were sold during December 2011 than ever before.

Microsoft also experienced almost 40% growth in Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions during 2011. Their explanation points to the online services and partnerships, including FOXTEL, Zune Movies and Music, SBS ON DEMAND, ninemsn video, YouTube, ABC iView and Dailymotion¹¹.

Choplifter HD is a perfect conglomerate of various gameplay elements. A healthy mix of  awesome old-school platforming, highscore hunting gameplay, and current generation graphics that bring an old classic into the modern age for a new audience.

Set in a 2D side-scrolling universe, Choplifter puts you at the digital reigns of numerous varied helicopters to rescue or taxi people from a number of different environments and scenarios. It sounds repetitive, and at times it is, but there’s a number of different objectives to add some variety to the mix.

The basic back-and-forth nature of rescuing people is soon shaken up when you’re having to change directions, fight enemy combatants, and strategically airlift dying patients before others. When you throw in a rapidly depleting fuel gauge and armor levels into the mix, the deceptively simple game turns into a challenging experience.

Within Choplifter is a plethora of levels and varying objectives, so while the basic formula for each is the same, the core experience changes vastly.

Snipers stun your helicopter later in the game which leaves you vulnerable to rocket attacks, while AA and RPG emplacements wreak havock on thinly armored transport helicopters. Just when you think you’ve got a level figured out, you start second guessing yourself as you realise there are other ways to confront your objectives.

Even later in the game you’re still tailoring your skills and learning new maneuvers to accomplish the task at hand. Once you finish the missions you can then go back through them on higher difficulties, which then allows you to unlock increasingly better helicopters to take on harder missions.

Up there with the likes of Trials HD and Shadow Complex, Choplifter is an extremely rewarding experience once you figure it all out. The arcade gameplay roots are forefront to the whole experience and when combined with the great voice acting, sound, and visuals, Choplifter HD becomes an easy recommendation.

More info @ http://choplifterhd.com

Starting today, ABC’s iView application will be available on the Xbox 360. You will need to have upgraded to the new Xbox Dashboard to see the new app. As with all things Microsoft, it’s being rolled out, so if you don’t see it yet in the App Marketplace, just check back later.

The ABC iView app adds to the existing line-up of YouTube, SBSOnDemand, DailyMotion, NineMSN and Foxtel video apps on the Xbox 360. It’s important to note, that Xbox Live Gold Subscription isn’t required for iView. iView features shows like Good Game, Q&A, Gruen Transfer and more, allowing you to catch up on any episodes you or your DVR missed.

The iView app can be controlled using Kinect hand gestures (like the rest of the new Dashboard) and also supports voice commands. Not all the new apps do, so this is actually worth noting. If you’re using voice and hit an app that doesn’t support it, it really defeats the purpose, as you need to find that controller again.

ABC iView is now available on the Xbox 360, PS3, Boxee Box and the web. ABC has done an amazing job at making their content available wherever and whenever consumers want to consume it. If iOS had flash support it’d probably be on there as well. ABC’s content distribution is a model to be held as an example of how to use IPTV well. Without traditional commercial programming, ABC are free to distribute much more flexibly and achieve the ultimate goal of the content producers, to have it see by as many people as possible.

More information @ Xbox

December 10, 2011. Culver City, California.

This was the date and location that played host to the annual Spike TV Video Game Awards. In addition, however – and, perhaps more importantly, this was the date and location that saw the official unveiling of the next installment in Xbox hero Alan Wake’s on-screen adventure. After much anticipation and teasing, it’s here: Wake fans, welcome to your very own American Nightmare…

Since Alan Wake’s release in 2010, fans of the game have been craving for a second helping of their favourite torch-wielding, shadow-fighting writer. Earlier this year, almost twelve months after the game was introduced to the world, Remedy Games (the brains behind Alan Wake’s development) confirmed that their was “more Wake to come”. From that point on, rumours flew around like nobody’s business. To cut a medium-sized story short, however, speculation finally led to confirmation – and fans were ecstatic when hearing news of what was to come: Yes, there was a second Wake installment “in the works”. No: This release was not a full-fledged game, but rather an “independent release”.

The result of all these whispers, teasers and rumours? Alan Wake’s American Nightmare. As with its predecessor, this release has been developed by Remedy and published by Microsoft Studios. In addition, if die-hard fans haven’t left their favourite chair since the “first” game’s release, they’ll be pleased to know that they can stay seated — because American Nightmare is being published in the Xbox Live Arcade for download-upon-purchase obtainment.
Of course, for those of you who are interested in what AWAM’s storyline may entail, don’t sweat it: I’ve got you covered.
Alan is, once again, thrown into a world of darkness that refuses to set him free. Go figure. However, this time around, instead of fighting his way through a relentless wave of darkness-possessed woodcutters and loggers, he is pursued by what appears to be his darker (no pun intended. Honestly.), violent alter-ego: Mr. Scratch. Although the debut trailer for this release doesn’t give much away, I couldn’t help but notice that Alan will have all new locations to explore, all new weapons to play with and all new characters to be introduced to — see for yourself. For those of you who haven’t viewed the trailer, take a peek at it below.

Don’t be fooled, however, AWAM is not a sequel to Alan Wake — it is merely an “expansion of the Alan Wake universe”. A side story, if you will. Irrespective, it appears that Remedy are confident that they are giving Wake fans (myself included) a solid second installment to the “series”, and it will certainly be interesting to see if this release lives up to the hype.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is set to hit the Xbox Live Arcade early next year.

With an official Xbox companion app now available, those fears (and other apps) can disappear. The My Xbox app allows Xbox owners to message friends, customize your avatar, check achievements and get beacon notifications. Beacons arrived as part of the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard update (still rolling out), these allow you to set notifications when friends are playing games or participating in activities that you’re interested in.

Basically it works like this. You set a Beacon for a Forza 4, you then go about your housework until your the My Xbox app buzzes in your pocket with a notification that friend is now playing Forza 4 and wants to race against you. You ditch the vacuum cleaner for the next 3 hours on the couch. This is technology helping our disconnected worlds become connected, for gaming, as in the example, but potentially to watch movies, TV shows, listen to music or even video conference.

All this sounds great, and sure the app looks great and is buttery smooth, but lets take a second to consider the future of the app and Xbox. With an internet connected device like the Xbox 360, wake-on-LAN should be on option. This means being able to wake up and shut down your Xbox using your phone. What if you could also control the Xbox interface using gestures on your phone. When using your phone for entertainment and potentially some gaming, this would replace or be a complimentary control.

Of course there is already the ability for games information to transfer from the Xbox to your WP7 device, but this requires an awkward QR-code scanning process (Kinectimals as an example). With a true Wi-Fi connection between the Xbox and your phone, this transition should be much more seamless.

Racing fans can now fire up their Xbox’s and pickup some brand new DLC for Forza 4. The December Car Pack includes a wide variety of cars from dedicated racing machines, to the latest model RX-8, and even a few classics. With a wide variety in the line-up the value proposition for everyone will be different.

Those of you who ponied up the cash for the Season Pass get this (and the next 4) for free as part of the packaged deal. There’s 10 new cars available in the December Car Pack, which will set you back 560 Microsoft Points which works out to A$9.24.

All these car packs are great turn10, but the biggest requested feature is the addition of new tracks like Bathurst. Get on it.

For more information, head to ForzaMotorsport.

Tip: To force the Dashboard Update, try running the network connection test to Xbox Live.

Update2
Microsoft have delayed the release of the Dashboard update without explanation. It’s likely a few last minute bugs were discovered that stopped the update from rolling out.

Update
@majornelson now says everyone in Australia should have the Xbox Dashboard update at 2AM tomorrow morning (Sydney timezone)

Go turn on your Xbox 360, there may be a major update waiting for you. The new Xbox 360 Dashboard is being rolled out today, the update adds a number of important new features including voice controls and applications, as well as a new Metro-style UI. Australian voice control has been missing since the launch of Kinect but is finally delivered in this update.

An increasing number titles are being released with voice capabilities exacerbating the delayed launch of Xbox voice controls in Australia. Strangely voice has been active in Kinect Labs and has worked well for months. The December 2011 Dashboard update bring Xbox-wide voice controls, meaning you can search for content by using commands like “Xbox Bing {movie title}”. The voice system is initiated by saying the word “Xbox” a list of possible commands is then displayed on each tile on the screen as well as common system functions at the bottom.

When you consider the challenges for Kinect, room acoustics, environmental noises and background conversations, it’s impressive how accurate it is. There’s also no training time like you may be used to with desktop voice systems like that of Dragon Dictate or even Microsoft’s own Windows 7 voice support. By limiting the list of possible commands, Kinect has a much easier task than attempting to interpret any words spoken in the room.

Metro-style UI
By now most of us are familiar with Microsoft’s current design philosophy Metro. It’s used on Windows Phone 7, Windows 8 and now the Xbox 360. This Dashboard update continues that theme with clean crisp text, minimal content per screen and large tiles. The use of Kinect gestures to move around the UI has also been improved from what was on offer in the Zune Marketplace. Gone are the days of having to find a ridiculously precise location to the left or right of the screen. Swipes gestures now work with a much larger region, achieving a much more natural experience.

If you don’t have a Kinect connected to your Xbox 360, don’t stress, it will continue to work just fine using normal controller operations.

Profile sync
With millions of Xbox sold around the world, it’s unsurprising that many of us find ourselves at someone else’s house, only for our profile stuck at home. With the new Dashboard update, you’re profile can now live in the cloud. This means that you can log into your account on any Xbox and have your achievements, game progress, friends list all come with you. About time right? If you’re thinking that this already existing with profile pull, it didn’t. Previously you’re account could only ever live on one console, now it can live anywhere you want with a simple sign in. This is progress.

Beacons
Setting up beacons on the Xbox, allows you to keep up to date with your best gaming buddies. While you’re contact list may have grown to dozens or more, there’s likely a few select ones that you always want to know about. Beacons also work with games. Set a beacon for Forza 4 and you’ll be alerted when one of your mates is playing that game. This information was previously only available when you started a game, it would say ‘4 friends playing this game’. Beacons will notify you Xbox-wide, so no matter what app you’re currently using, you’ll be up to date.

Gallery

Xbox as the future of TV
This afternoon, Microsoft confirmed they were bringing a number of key local applications to the Xbox 360. The following apps will be available in December.

• ABC iView
• SBS ON DEMAND
• YouTube
• Daily Motion
• Crackle
• Ninemsn – Nine News, Today, Wide World of Sports, CelebrityFIX TV

While Channel 7’s catch-up service is an omission this is actually a really impressive list, just remember they won’t be available today. Until now, 3rd party apps had been limited to Facebook, Twitter and Foxtel on Xbox 360. This announcement sets the scene for future applications to be delivered to the console.

The line-up of entertainment partners internationally makes out list look sadly depressing, but at this point we’ll take what we can get. It’s clear Microsoft is now committed to working with partners to deliver 3rd party apps. These apps will fundamentally change the way users think and use the Xbox 360. While predominantly a gaming console, Microsoft continue to push the device and an entertainment hub for the living room.

With each application that enables IPTV delivery to the big screen without switching inputs, take consumers one step closer to the ideal set-top-box. Unfortunately that ideal STB isn’t likely to arrive until the Xbox 720 (or whatever the next one’s called), when it could include tuners and DVR functionality. Searching the content on your Xbox is available now, how long do you think it’ll be before the Xbox adds search for the web and competes with GoogleTV?

A history of Dashboard updates
Which one is your favourite?

Metro-style UI

XNE Update

Original blade UI

More information @ Xbox Live

Halo: Anniversary starts the Halo universe all over again, but this time, using today’s graphics engine. While the Halo franchise became a massive success with 2nd and 3rd editions, only the most hardcore Halo fans were there from the beginning with the original Xbox.

Halo Anniversary is the Halo we all know and love, but delivered in high definition with a current generation lighting and graphics engine. What a massive difference 10 years makes in video games. One of the best things to enjoy in the game is to switch between the original and current game engines.

That’s right, Halo Anniversary includes both game engines, to switch between the two just take a press of the Back button and a second to refresh. The difference is dramatic. Textures quality, polygon count, lighting effects, shadows, reflections, animations – everything is dramatically better.

Of course jumping 10 years is a massive leap, but what about the difference between Halo Anniversary and Halo: Reach? The answer, not a lot. At least not visually.

Original engine.

New engine

Single Player Campaign
The story begins from the very beginning, the start of Halo, where you begin with a calibration of the Spartan suit. This also doubles as a ‘how to’ tutorial and configures settings like look inversion. No matter where your Halo experience began, Halo Anniversary allows you to see the story unfold from the beginning.

Multiplayer
The best of the best multiplayer levels have been included in this release, along with a few new ones just for Anniversary. All of your favourite maps from across the Halo series are on offer. While everyone has their favourites, there are maps that rise to the top, working better in multiplayer matches and naturally become hits amongst the Halo community.

Kinect Support
Voice commands for games seems like the new flavour of the day, so get used to it now. Halo Anniversary actually uses voice in a pretty compelling way. There’s a plethora of commands available, everything from “change weapon”, to “reload”. Good news for Aussie’s, there is Australian voice support to cater for our accent (no bogan slang).

Windows Phone 7.5 integration
Those WP7 owners running Mango will be able to get an updated Halo Waypoint app on their phone. This can be used to intergrate with the Halo Anniversary game, get to know map layouts, weapon locations and even watch your team locations live on the device.

Overall
If you’ve never played Halo before, then this is definitely the game for you. If you already own every copy of Halo, then it’s hard to say this is a must-have for you, other than to complete your collection. There’s always new achievements to go after, so if that stat demon inside of you just begs for more, then you should also get the game.

Availability and Price
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary release date is November 15th, 2011 and will cost A$69.95 RRP.

Microsoft has begun rolling out their new Xbox Dashboard Update, codenamed ‘Madrid’. The update introduced the Metro UI to the Xbox 360, bringing it in line with Windows Phone and the upcoming Windows 8 release. Along with a new interface, the update also brings:

• New design with integrated Kinect voice and gesture controls  
• Facebook Sharing
• Cloud Storage for Game Saves and Xbox LIVE Profile

Last months we covered the upcoming Australian voice controls and Australian launch of Zune Music. The Aussie voice control via Kinect should arrive in this update, and remember the launch of Zune Music in Australia is scheduled for the 16th of November.

The update is restricted to a small set of beta testers who signed up at connect.microsoft.com last month. There is a Non-disclosure-agreement in place to all who were accepted into the program.

A source close to my console, says it has not yet reached all consoles. Expect this to take a while to roll out internationally. Do you know if it has landed in Australia? Leave an anonymous comment.

More @ WinRumors