The End of The Red Ring of Death?

With the new Xbox 360 S model on the way, gamers everywhere are wondering...is this the end of the infamous Red Ring of Death?

In a word, yes. But not for the reason you'd think.

As part of the redesign, the dreaded red error lights that have plagued an estimated 30 to 55 percent of 360 consoles sold (depending on who you ask) have been removed entirely. In their place is what Kotaku has taken to calling the "Red Dot of Death." In the event of an error, the central power indicator will switch from green to red. RDoT has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Time will tell whether the redesign, which boasts a combined CPU/GPU, larger cooling fan, new heat spreader, and some pretty spiffy looking cooling vents on the sides will eliminate the error, which has plagued 360 owners since its release entirely.

Personally, I hope so. I talk a lot of smack on the 360 because of its ridiculous failure rate on Twitter, Facebook, and in person, but the fact of the matter is, I want one. Really, I do. There are a ton of great exclusives on the system that I'm anxious to get my hands on. I have just chosen not to do so up until now because I don't want to shell out for a console that has a good chance of breaking on me. My fingers are crossed that the new S model 360 has put the problem to bed once and for all, so that I can finally pick one up and catch up on some of the system's amazing titles.



UPDATE: 1Up is reporting that the new 360 S has a new feature that should prevent the RDoT from occurring. If the system isn't venting properly, it will display an error message (pictured below, image courtesy of Engadget and NeoGAF) saying as such, and will shut down your console. Granted, it will be mighty annoying to have your 360 shut down on you in the midst of an extended gaming session, but it's better than the alternative.

Still Still Alive?

Speculation has been running rampant about Portal 2 since it's official announcement several weeks ago. The internet is abuzz, with people scouring everywhere they possibly can for tidbits of information.

There is only one piece of info I actually care about.

Will we be getting another amazing musical performance by GLaDOS at the end of the game? For many, the ending credits, accompanied by the wonderful "Still Alive" (written by Jonathan Coulton and performed by Ellen McLain), was their favourite part of the game. I am one of those people.

What do you folks think? Will Portal 2, in addition to giving us a sequel to one of the greatest games ever made, give us another fantastic song by GLaDOS? Only one way to find out. 

Portal 2 will be released on PC, Mac, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360 sometime in 2011.






UPDATE: According to Game Informer, Jonathan Coulton has been hired to compose another song for the game. Awesomesauce.

Dormammu Confirmed for Marvel vs Capcom 3!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Dread Dormammu has been confirmed for Marvel vs Capcom 3!

For those of you unfamiliar with the character, Dormammu is the ruler of the "Dark Dimension", an alternate dimension not far removed from ours, which as the name implies is not a very happy place. The longtime arch-nemesis of Doctor Stephen Strange, Dormammu will be recognizable to more recent comic fans as the source of Parker Robbins' powers, whom you might know better as The Hood.

Based on the above (incredibly awesome) trailer, it appear as though Dormammu will be appearing in a boss capacity, most likely as the final boss of the game. This role was filled in previous games in the series by Marvel characters Thanos, Apocalypse, and Onslaught, as well as original character Abyss.

Dormammu will be joined by Marvel Comics characters Captain America, Deadpool, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Wolverine, along with Chris Redfield, Dante, Felicia, Morrigan Aensland, and Ryu representing Capcom.

Capcom has announced that at least twenty more fighters will be added to the game by the time it releases sometime in 2011, for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.