Microsoft to test out new Xbox 360 disc format

Before we start, no it's not Blu-Ray and it's been confirmed. Anyway, confirmed by Digital Foundry, Microsoft is set to test out a new disc format for people in North America. Unfortunately, Microsoft has closed off the sign-ups for eligible testers really quick. As for being a tester, Microsoft will be sending copies of Halo: Reach, which most people presume actually is the updated disc format.

As far as details go on the disc, it is said to give developers 1GB added to the dual-layered DVD, so that more data can obviously be added. Many sites, including myself, are assuming that this may be a newer way to eventually catch people who have pirated games and modded their Xbox 360 consoles.

InFamous 2's User Generated Mission Beta Sign-Ups Begin

Being like LittleBigPlanet, not entirely at least, InFamous 2 is going to have User Generated Missions. During GDC 2011, they announced this, as well as the beta for players to try out before the game's retail release. Interested? Sign up at http://infamousthegame.com and wait until April. Sucker Punch will be selecting people at random to participate.

What're you still doing here? Go register!

GameStop lists Gears of War 3 Limited & Epic Edition for Pre-Order

Leaks, leaks, leaks...it happens, but this one was unnannounced and we all knew that with Gears of War 3, there had to be a collector's edition for the game, but an Epic Edition of the game was something we didn't expect.

From one of our reliable sources, the same that tipped us with the NGP price, tipped us with this one. Gears of War 3 is set to have a Limited Edition version of the game and also an Epic Edition as well. The Limited Edition is set at a $79.99 MSRP while the Epic Edition goes for a whopping $149.99. There's still a standard edition, but any hardcore Gears fan would go all out for the other ones.

Nothing has been announced by Epic, nor do we know what's included inside the new editions that were put up for pre-order, but I'm imagining that during or even after the Gears of War 3 beta is going on is when we will get an official announcement.

When we get more info about what's included, be sure to check back on Gamerzitch for the latest in Gears of War 3.

SOCOM 4 Beta Release Date(s) & Details

Notice the (s) above? Yep, that means more than 1 release date for the beta! The Official Sony Playstation Blog announced today that the beta will begin in just a few weeks, but certain batches of people will begin to play up until it's up for everyone else.

• On March 15th, a private beta goes live. We’ll be contacting eligible players soon.
• Beginning March 22nd, PlayStation Plus members will gain access to the beta
• On March 29th, anyone with a beta code included with Killzone 3 gains entry
• Starting April 5th, the beta will be freely downloadable to anyone via PlayStation Network

Via the Playstation Blog, "The SOCOM 4 Multiplayer Beta will include each of the game’s competitive multiplayer modes — Suppression, Last Defense, Uplink and Bomb Squad — all playable on the maps “Port Authority” and “Assault & Battery”. And of course, you’ll be able to play each of our modes in either of their Standard or Classic variants."

I just realized this, but there sure are a crapton of betas being released

Gears of War 3 Beta to begin "mid-April" and more!

For those who are pretty damn eager to play the Gears of War 3 beta, it's been announced that the beta, exclusive to owners of the Bulletstorm: Epic Edition, will begin in "mid-April". No exact date has been put, but GamerzItch will keep you posted when the date is set!

So what will we be able to exactly play on the Multiplayer beta? As far as we know, there will be 3 new "Versus" modes for people to try out, along with 4 new maps. What's really cool is the fact that, the community, via the Gears of War Facebook page, can vote which maps we can play. 2 are confirmed, the other 2 are up to us! The deadline is the end of this month, February 28th, so get to it!

If you want in-depth details on the maps you want to vote for, G4TV has you covered with 5 of 6 maps that they tried out themselves.

So what's in it for us when we play the beta, besides having fun with it? We're supposed to get an exclusive unlock for the retail release of Gears of War 3, that's what! Mainly for the hardcore fans, but you'll be able to unlock the "Retro Lancer". There hasn't been a way to unlock it just yet, but Epic Games are goin to be working on that. Sounds like it'll be a good challenge though.

If that's not enough for you, G4TV has also kindly given us a taste of the current build of the beta with a little mini-preview. In the meantime, after watching, give Epic Games and People Can Fly a favor and play Bulletstorm. We all know you only bought Bulletstorm just to get into this, ha.

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2011 - Gears of War 3