Spectral Jester

The dust has settled on GAME’s first day in administration and already 277 stores have been shut, with plans to make 2104 staff redundant. This morning, GAME Group ran 609 stores across the UK and Ireland, employing 5136 staff. Now just 333 stores remain open, with 2814 staff. It could get worse, too. While the administrators, PwC have indicated that the remaining stores are to trade as normal, there’s still no guarantee that they will find a buyer. Even if they do, investors are unlikely to keep the retailer in its current form. That could mean more job loses. "PwC can confirm that the joint administrators are liaising with a number of parties who have expressed an interest in purchasing part or all of the business and assets of the group," said a statement issued today. "However, having reviewed the on-going operational requirements of the business and with the continued difficulties on the high street, unfortunately it has been necessary to close 277 stores throughout the UK and Ireland as of today. "The administrators are working closely with employees affected by this decision to ensure they receive the support they need during this difficult time to assist with their claims for redundancy and other compensatory payments.” Joint administrator and PwC partner Mike Jervis said: "Our priority is to continue trading the business as normal while we continue to pursue a sale. The recent job losses are regrettable but will place the company in a stronger position while we explore opportunities to conclude a sale. “My team and I will be doing all we can to help the affected employees at this difficult time."

First up is The Freedom Edition. This includes: A 24-cm high-quality figurine of Connor A steelbook case art drawn by awards-winning comic artist Alex Ross George Washington's notebook revealing all the truth & secrets about the Assassins and the Templars during the American Revolution. One exclusive Lithograph Lost Mayan Ruins single player mission: Connor's mission leads him in an old Mayan pyramid, full of mysteries and revelations. Players will be able to unlock Captain Kidd's fabled cutlass, a deadly, brutal and beautiful piece of steel. Ghost of War single player mission: The tide of the Revolution turns into the Templars favor. Defeat your enemies and unlock The Pontiac's War Club, a powerful Native American weapon. Multiplayer Sharpshooter package: Unleash the Sharpshooter fury in multiplayer with one new character, the Sharpshooter, one Relic, one Emblem, one special Picture and the Title of "The Jester". Then there’s The Join or Die Edition, containing: The medallion of the Assassins with its high-quality curd ladle George Washington's notebook revealing all the truth and secrets about the Assassins and the Templars during the American Revolution. Ghost of War single player mission Multiplayer Sharpshooter package Last up is The Special Edition. This comes with the game, some special packaging and an exclusive single player mission, called “A Dangerous Secret,” in which you must “fight against a secret that could jeopardize the funding of the revolution.” Successful players will earn an exclusive weapon: a Flintlock Musket. You can find images for the various special editions below, game is released in October 2012.

Hello and welcome to the friendliest corner of the Halo Universe

Spring’s most anticipated Xbox LIVE Arcade games are headed to your living room with “Arcade NEXT” from Microsoft Studios and Xbox LIVE. Beginning April 18, a new downloadable title will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade from Microsoft Studios every Wednesday, through May 9. Also, starting in April, all new Xbox LIVE Arcade games (like these) will include up to 400 Gamerscore, with up to 30 Achievements available to unlock. TRIALS EVOLUTION, April 18 for 1200 Microsoft Points “Trials Evolution” is on every front, the next dimension of the smash-hit, award-winning “Trials HD.” Bust out of the warehouse into an outdoor world of night and day, curved driving lines, and spectacular scenery. Multiplayer comes alive in your living room or on Xbox LIVE. Build your own tracks with the in-game editor or download those of any other player from the new Track Central. Customize your bike and rider with awesome gear and unique parts, enjoy innovative skill games, try ghost racing, beat your friends’ scores and more! Don’t miss the madness! BLOODFORGE, April 25 for 1200 Microsoft Points With a brutal combat system, stunning art style, and a deeply compelling story, “Bloodforge” empowers you to slaughter hordes of demonic soldiers, deformed worshippers, and the gods themselves, using ferocious Rage Kills, devastating Rune attacks, and furious Weapon Combos. Help seal Crom’s fate – and the fate of the rest of the world – in this dark, visceral story of revenge, betrayal, and destiny. FABLE HEROES, May 2 for 800 Microsoft Points “Fable Heroes” is an action-packed, hack-and-slash adventure built for Xbox LIVE Arcade. It delivers a fresh spin on the “Fable” franchise with a unique art style and gameplay that takes playful competition to the next level. Whether on the couch or using Xbox LIVE, up to four players work together to defeat enemies while also competing with one another to collect gold coins and level up. Precious gold collected in Fable Heroes can be imported into the forthcoming Kinect title, Fable: The Journey, providing players with a valuable head start from day one MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION, May 9 for 1600 Microsoft Points The infinite possibilities in “Minecraft” just got bigger. “Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition” brings the global phenomenon to console gamers for the first time. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game features an innovative new crafting interface, natural controller movements, a full Tutorial mode to teach the basics and for the first time in “Minecraft,” split-screen multiplayer as well as over Xbox LIVE. Update: Here is the official Arcade Next trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiFDDCWBivk

GAME has officially entered into administration. The retailer will now be valued and sold to the highest bidder, even if that means dismantling the business entirely. Around 6000 jobs are under threat. GAME Group PLC has confirmed the move, issuing a statement saying, “Further to our announcements of March 21st, the Board of GAME has completed its discussions with lenders and third parties without resolution, and has therefore today appointed PwC LLP to act as administrators for the Group.” “This decision is taken after careful consideration and ceaseless interrogation of every possible alternative. The Board would like to thank the teams of GAME and Gamestation colleagues around the world for their exemplary dedication, passion and professionalism.” In light of the news, CEO Ian Shepherd has resigned from his role. Speaking in an internal memo [via MCV], Shepherd said, “I’ve said a number of times that the administrator, once appointed, takes charge of the business.” “Having two people try to do that is both confusing and a waste of money. With that in mind, I’ve agreed with Mike [Jarvis, from administrators PwC] that I will step down as CEO and the business immediately – this is my final email to you all.” “I’m sad to confirm that no deal has been done,” Shepherd continued, “and so I have signed the necessary paperwork this morning to allow the appointment of administrators.The process has been finalised, and so Mike Jarvis from PwC takes charge immediately. Shepard also warned staff of the impending changes. “He [Jarvis] will have a lot to do very quickly. Let’s be clear, he will certainly make big changes, both to the store estate and in the office, but will be doing so with a view to creating a trading business that he can attract a buyer for. “As I’ve said before, the business is worth more trading than not. It’s going to be a difficult week for everyone, but the best thing you can all do is support Mike and his team, and do your best to help create the most positive outcome you can. “Mike will be communicating more with all of you today, both face to face where possible and by email, so watch out for that.” Meanwhile, The Telegraph is reporting that the Royal Bank of Scotland, GAME's primary lender, is planning to buy a stake in the company, now that it has passed into administration. The move has confused some as RBS blocked a full bid from OpCapita last week. The bid could have saved GAME. Says The Telegraph, “People familiar with the matter have been left puzzled over why Game’s lenders refused to accept a fully-funded bid from OpCapita last week, which would have prevented it from falling into administration.” The Mall also reports that a bid is expected to be made by US chain Gamestop. Following GAME’s slip into administration earlier today, the retailer’s website has been taken offline and a number of stores have been closed. Visit game.co.uk and you will be greeted by a message from the administrators saying, “We are currently reviewing and processing orders placed on this website.” It continues, “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we hope to be back up and running very soon.” Meanwhile, a number of stores around the country have been instructed to close their doors immediately. It’s estimated that around 300 of the company’s 609 outlets will shut before the end of the day. More will follow unless a buyer is found during the administration process. It should be noted that Gamestation stores are also under threat. GAME Group PLC also owns the specialist retailer. In light of the news, GAME has issued advice to customers on its Facebook page. The post, entitled “Important news about GAME,” gives the following information: No refunds or exchanges will be available from this point, until further notice If you payed a deposit for a pre-order, that money is now lost. The decision is being reviewed The use of GAME Reward Cards has been suspended As have GAME Gift Cards And GAMEwallet accounts You can still trade-in software for reward points and to exchange for another item. You cannot trade-in for cash. Pre-owned hardware trade-ins have been suspended The “Click and Collect” service has also been suspended The post advises that any consumers with further questions should contact [email protected]

this sounds like an microsoft issue. will move thread to general discussion

Nope One

also Halo 3 had little in the way on MP competition at the time, Reach is in the top 5 most played games week on week since release, and currently has a bigger population than Halo 3 and has had since Reach came out so clearly the Halo players don't prefer Halo 3.

just recently got Eclipse, just 2.5million cR to Nova

Star Wars Death Star Battle on the Atari 2600. Does my bum look big in this?

Atlas is good for learning the weapon locations. Don't use it for anything else, plus I was quite lucky as atlas is part of the waypoint app on a wp7 phone so it was free

you are correct and win our star prize which is erm.. well nothing. Im gonna say Biggles (come on biggles, for the UK!!!)

Happy Birthday to 343i.org Reasons to stay? Easy, You folks! You make this the friendliest corner of the Halo Universe. The sense of community here is amazing. It makes everything the moderating team do worth while. Also Absolute Dog, you my friend ARE the heartbeat of this forum, Your a Community Moderator, the word Community should be underlined and in bold for you my good sir, as you make this place what it is! Also Twam, what to say? Simple Twam thank you for this wonderful place you created, and thank you for all the trust you have put into me as well. :unworthy: Just leaves me to say, I hope to see you all here for birthday number 2 next year! :guitar:

Our beloved forum is 1 year old today, so leave your birthday wishes here. Also maybe a little story as why you stay on the forum? What you like about the forum? Funny forum story?

Yeah its in my file share along with the emperors throne room, there's also a gametype for death star invasion as well (not had chance to play yet)

As part of the final transition of Halo services, 343 will begin unlocking Halo 3 Recon armor for all Halo 3 players in the very near future. This process, which will be done in waves, is expected to last several days. As always, thank you for your patience, and 343 will have more details for you next week.

Just a quick one love this pic

wrong, thank you for playing anyway. Derpwithagun

Correct.. Caboose

No its Me! Azaxx..

Wraparound Clouds billow past. The sun is blinding. And your mind cannot even begin to comprehend the monstrous scale of the imposing towers that surround you. As your eyes follow the flowing lines of the Forerunner architecture, your body picks up the implied movement and your mind suddenly asks, “Where am I?” The answer comes to you, a subtle whisper hidden within the whistling of the wind: you’re inside a tower, suspended in the atmosphere…. You’re on Wraparound. Wraparound was one of the first maps we worked on for Halo 4, and because it was done early in the development process, it went through a few different reboots. From a design perspective, it stayed the same. Visually, though, it became more ornate with each successive iteration. When the first iteration didn’t meet our vision for the Forerunner style, we (literally) went back to the ol’ drawing board. Significant progress was made between the second and third iterations, and that’s when this particular multiplayer map became an integral part in helping define the visual style of the Forerunner geometry found in Halo 4. Some of the things we really wanted to push were the impossible scale of being on colossal towers, the complexity of the high-reaching structures, and the familiar yet foreign sky. We also felt it was important to capture a feeling of movement. When you look at a still image of Wraparound, the form pulls your eyes in different directions. Players follow those guiding lines, which helps with traversing this two-tiered playspace. Stylistically, the philosophy behind the layout of the map is closer to some of the small, symmetrical arenas in Halo: CE, 2, and 3. We wanted something balanced and tuned for competitive play, and something that supports Halo in its purest form: aiming, running, shooting, and jumping. Jump gaps that you use to get into the center are there so if you find yourself on the losing side of combat, you can drop down, recharge your shields, and regain your composure. Those very same jump gaps also give you that adrenaline-filled moment when you’re charging into combat and leaping over the center, confidence soaring that you are, in fact, going to finish the fight. Yes, you’re a humanity-defending, ancient-evil–fighting, codpiece-wearing, cybernetically enhanced super-soldier. And yes, you should have those hero moments where you feel every single bit of that, too. Back to the map, though. Halls in the center provide long lines of sight. This map is not as powerful for long-range weapons, but, if you look hard enough, you can still find locations where you can use those weapons effectively. The bulk of the combat, as you would expect from a smaller-sized map, is close to mid. But, no matter what happens in the sandbox, this level tends to play out consistently. The center is a rally point, with the rear disconnected from the front and middle. While you can get there on foot, man cannons are also available to launch you directly into this high-occupancy area. In addition to the established lines of travel, there are a few secret routes that lead from the lower level to the upper center for players who are observant about the angles of the pillars leading to the upper deck. I can neither confirm nor deny that fancy-schmancy jumping may be involved in those routes. I can say, however, that fancy-schmancy jumping is definitely involved in those routes. Speaking of confirming and denying, you may be wondering why I’m not sharing new Wraparound in-game screenshots with you. While many of you would say (and have said, AHEM) I enjoy torturing you, the truth is that when we withhold information, there’s always a reason why. The two most common reasons are we prefer to only share that which is close to final or final (in order to minimize disappointment if things get changed or potentially pulled) or there is a plan which involves its usage in the future. I’ll let you reread the first few paragraphs and determine which one is applicable in this case.

azaxx this is a general message to all members, it is not aimed at any one person

its not goodbye director its see you soon

A man walks into a bar Ouch

i dont see badass as an issue