serpx noticed that halo3.com now has quite a bit of new content (updated about a week ago) - including tidbits like the fact that the M6D is returning (though we know nothing about its specs), some story details that have not elsewhere been confirmed before (to avoid spoilers, I'll not specify them, but you can read them yourself if you'd like), and more. Go check it out! (I'm sad for Gearbox that in the Games section, the only title left out is Halo PC...) The Media section contains a nice centralized location for videos, screenshots, concept art (I see one or two as-yet unpublished ones there, too), and the like - go browse!(Louis Wu 21:24:35 UTC)

Xbox Live Arcade fans are in for a nice treat. Three arcade titles are coming out, each giving gamers something nice for their gaming pleasure.

Legendary board game “Catan” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade

Brush up on your plans for expansion and hone your trading strategies because “Catan” is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 this Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

“Catan” from Big Huge Games is the Xbox LIVE Arcade edition of the legendary multiplayer board game Settlers of Catan. With over 10 million units sold, Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular board games to hail from Europe, and has been translated into twenty-five languages from the original German.

“Catan” for Xbox LIVE Arcade puts players in the role of colonists on a newly discovered island, where they vie for control of valuable territory and resources through strategy and trading. The game can be learned in just minutes, but will challenge players of all skill levels, even the experts!

Klaus Teuber, creator of the original Settlers of Catan board game, had this to say about the collaboration with Big Huge Games: "I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is an amazing achievement."

“Catan” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

* Learn As You Play tutorial, making the game instantly accessible even to players who have never played “Settlers of Catan” before
* All New 3D "Living World" Board
* Play against any combination of 13 historical personalities such as Alexander, Cleopatra and Tokugawa, which provide a range of play styles and difficulty levels that will test players’ wits and strategy
* Fans of the board game will enjoy the inclusion of popular house rules like Friendly Robber and Friendly Resources
* Multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE for up to 4 players
* The ability to taunt opponents with engaging animations and use emotes to compliment (or belittle!) the opposition over Xbox LIVE
* Voice Chat enabled
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Arthropods Attack! “Centipede” and “Millipede” Invade Xbox LIVE Arcade

Two of Atari’s best loved coin-op classics, “Centipede” and “Millipede,” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

The classic version of “Centipede” challenges gamers to defend their villages against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will also have access to an “Evolved” version which features pre-rendered, high definition graphics, special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions that make this classic as enjoyable today as it was in the arcade decades ago.

In “Millipede,” the primary challenge is to obliterate chains of arthropods that creep down from the top of the screen. Scattered mushrooms are the gamers’ main tool to shoot, destroy and redirect the menacing millipedes. “Millipede” also offers up Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers an “Evolved” version of this coin-op classic.

“Centipede” and “Millipede” will be available worldwide as a joint download for 400 Microsoft Points and are rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

· Two games in one! Enjoy both classic and evolved versions of both “Centipede” and “Millipede”

· Dolby Digital surround sound

* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Xbox Live Arcade fans are in for a nice treat. Three arcade titles are coming out, each giving gamers something nice for their gaming pleasure.

Legendary board game “Catan” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade

Brush up on your plans for expansion and hone your trading strategies because “Catan” is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 this Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

“Catan” from Big Huge Games is the Xbox LIVE Arcade edition of the legendary multiplayer board game Settlers of Catan. With over 10 million units sold, Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular board games to hail from Europe, and has been translated into twenty-five languages from the original German.

“Catan” for Xbox LIVE Arcade puts players in the role of colonists on a newly discovered island, where they vie for control of valuable territory and resources through strategy and trading. The game can be learned in just minutes, but will challenge players of all skill levels, even the experts!

Klaus Teuber, creator of the original Settlers of Catan board game, had this to say about the collaboration with Big Huge Games: "I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is an amazing achievement."

“Catan” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

* Learn As You Play tutorial, making the game instantly accessible even to players who have never played “Settlers of Catan” before
* All New 3D "Living World" Board
* Play against any combination of 13 historical personalities such as Alexander, Cleopatra and Tokugawa, which provide a range of play styles and difficulty levels that will test players’ wits and strategy
* Fans of the board game will enjoy the inclusion of popular house rules like Friendly Robber and Friendly Resources
* Multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE for up to 4 players
* The ability to taunt opponents with engaging animations and use emotes to compliment (or belittle!) the opposition over Xbox LIVE
* Voice Chat enabled
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Arthropods Attack! “Centipede” and “Millipede” Invade Xbox LIVE Arcade

Two of Atari’s best loved coin-op classics, “Centipede” and “Millipede,” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

The classic version of “Centipede” challenges gamers to defend their villages against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will also have access to an “Evolved” version which features pre-rendered, high definition graphics, special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions that make this classic as enjoyable today as it was in the arcade decades ago.

In “Millipede,” the primary challenge is to obliterate chains of arthropods that creep down from the top of the screen. Scattered mushrooms are the gamers’ main tool to shoot, destroy and redirect the menacing millipedes. “Millipede” also offers up Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers an “Evolved” version of this coin-op classic.

“Centipede” and “Millipede” will be available worldwide as a joint download for 400 Microsoft Points and are rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

· Two games in one! Enjoy both classic and evolved versions of both “Centipede” and “Millipede”

· Dolby Digital surround sound

* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Today's One One Se7en shows off Stuntmutt's punache (pronounce that any way you like) while looking at the new artwork released by Bungie last Friday. (Which reminds me - Friday's strip is now visible; don't blame mnemesis, blame his tools.) And that does it for a little bit; again, I promise, I'll get through email soon. Hopefully, there's enough content here to keep you entertained for a little while.(Louis Wu 18:22:02 UTC)

Martin Duffy stopped by our forum to point out a public reading he'd had recently - it wasn't Halo-related, but he attributes some of his success in fiction writing in general to Halo, and to the HBO fanfic community specifically - good on ya, guys! (And congrats, Martin.) (Louis Wu 18:17:36 UTC)

macegac noticed an article at Playstation Universe, looking at series and how they've evolved, graphically, over the years. Halo, interestingly enough, had TWO series - the only game with that honor. (Louis Wu 18:15:12 UTC)

Self Induced seemed to have some free time yesterday - he shows clearly that my vocabulary could use a bit more variation. Point taken. (Gah.)(Louis Wu 18:12:56 UTC)

darthbob noticed that Microsoft Game Studios has posted 'Map Tours' of District and Uplift, the two new maps coming out with Halo 2 Vista; they're available in Flash format by navigating through the new H2V interface at MGS. (Look under the Media tab.)(Louis Wu 18:11:16 UTC)

Rockslider continues his 'Spotlight with Suzie' series - this time, Suzie looks at new Halo 3 gizmos. She's a funny lady. (Louis Wu 18:08:38 UTC)

CougRon pointed out that Red vs Blue Episode 96 was released for sponsors late Friday night (it'll almost certainly be available for everyone else by today sometime). There's definitely some funky stuff going on in RvBLand... and my goodness, aren't we thrown a few curveballs. Go watch (unless you're not a sponsor, in which case, wait a bit, and THEN go watch).(Louis Wu 18:07:11 UTC)