The $399 Halo: Reach Xbox 360 bundle whose existence was leaked by the Ars mole is now official. A Microsoft press release details the limited-edition silver console, which is available for pre-order starting ... now.

The bundle contains a silver 250 GB Xbox 360 S -- which "not only captures the look and feel of the game, but also features custom sound effects from the Halo universe." What? What? It also comes with two silver wireless controllers featuring Reach artwork, a similarly decorated headset, a Standard Edition copy of the game, a voucher for "Limited Edition Elite" armor and an episode from the Halo Legends anime anthology. It'll be out on the game's September 14 release date.

In addition, standalone Halo: Reach-themed controllers and headsets will go on sale in late August, for $59.99 and $49.99 respectively.

Halo Reach Xbox 360 bundle available September 14 for $399 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PC gamers in the US who felt like they were getting sonic-screwdrivered-over by not being able to play the BBC's free Doctor Who: The Adventure Games have some good news today. Direct2Drive has made the first two episodes, City of the Daleks and Blood of the Cybermen, available exclusively via its download service, for a price. The two Sumo Digital-developed installments can be had as a bundle for $4.95.

What you won't find at Direct2Drive: the Mac versions of the Adventures. Though out in the UK, they seem to have just missed the TARDIS before it vanished. We're getting in touch with the D2D folks to find out if us Yanks who think different will ever see Who here -- and if there are plans to bring over the two yet-to-be-released episodes, as well.

Forgive the TARDIS-ness: Doctor Who games arrive today in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earlier today, we were told of the "Jordan Challenges" in NBA 2K11, a series of highlight games from the illustrious career of the game's cover athlete, Michael Jordan. There will be a total of 10 different challenge games players will need to compete in and 2K Sports was kind enough to bestow upon us the full list, which you can take a look at after the break.

Continue reading NBA 2K11's full list of 'Jordan Challenges'

NBA 2K11's full list of 'Jordan Challenges' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you followed our advice and applied to be a part of the Spec Ops: The Line multiplayer beta, you just may be finding an invitation in your inbox sometime soon. Joystiq reader Reece got his earlier this week and sent over some images of the sign-up process. 2K Games confirms, "This is correct, beta invites for Spec Ops: The Line are going out to a small number of applicants. We'll be allowing more people into the private beta in the coming weeks."

Unfortunately, 2K also confirmed with Joystiq that this beta is "Xbox 360 only" - for you PC and PS3 gamers, consider it karmic payback for all that early access on Medal of Honor you've been enjoying while Xbox owners sat idly by. Anyone in on the beta? Sound off in the comments below or, heck, send us an email.

Spec Ops: The Line beta invites 'going out to a small number of applicants' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a recent interview with our PC-centric sister site Big Download, science fiction novelist and experienced game-to-book adapter William C. Dietz revealed he was recently "hired to write a Mass Effect tie-in." When pressed for details about the project, Dietz, who has also written books for the Resistance, Hitman, Halo and StarCraft franchises, could only reveal that it was due to his publisher in early 2011.

So, we've got Mass Effect: Ascension, Mass Effect: Revelation and, out next week, Mass Effect: Retribution -- and now Dietz is going to throw another piece of literature on the pile? Had we known that falling in love with the Mass Effect franchise would require us to do this much reading, we probably would have skipped the whole darn thing.

New Mass Effect novel penned by sci-fi writer William C. Dietz originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comic-Con Multimedia Madness!

Blizzard Entertainment took the stage here at Comic-Con in San Diego to talk about World of Warcraft-inspired merchandise, and when the topic of the WoW movie came up during the Q&A, Vice President of Creative Development Chris Metzen confirmed that though the process has slowed recently, the movie is still happening. Director Sam Raimi is still "very, very passionate" about getting the movie made, but Metzen said that a treatment is still being hammered out. If that gets approved, he said, then "hopefully it'll start moving very quickly, very soon."

Metzen and the rest of the panelists also talked about the next lore-based novel to be released -- it's called The Shattering, and will set up a lot of the events leading up to the Cataclysm expansion. Metzen cautioned the game's fans that there are "dark times ahead" for Azeroth with the return of Deathwing and quakes destroying large parts of the game world. "It's going to get rough out there for a while," he admitted. "But there's a plan. The great heroes always rise to the top."

Blizzard: World of Warcraft movie has slowed, but still happening originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today at Comic Con in San Diego, we announced the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo: Reach bundle which will be available September 14th when Halo: Reach launches. 

Designed by Bungie, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo: Reach Bundle includes all the features of the newly designed Xbox 360 console, such as a 250 GB Hard Drive and the fastest built-in Wi-fi. Additionally, you’ll receive two Limited Edition Wireless Controllers and a standard edition copy of Halo:Reach. The bundle will be available for US $399 in limited quantities and only while supplies last.

 

More pictures on my Flickr.

 

A whole new world!

What's in the box?