Today marks the return of gaming tidbits with lots of rejoicing, and far too much Xbox 360 news.

• Guitar Hero 2 is a fantastic title that builds upon the success of its predeccessor, but there is some fallout from the cost of downloadable content for the Xbox 360. I doubt that Microsoft and Activision will necessarily drop the prices, but for those folks who want more strumming action can look to the open source version of the game called Frets on Fire. The only downside has been the lack of a controller for the game, but now there is some software that allows players to use the Xbox 360 controller for the game. So when you think about complaining about pricing, go make your own tracks.
• Here at GamingSignal, we love boardgames. We play them as much as possible, but trying to get our collective selves together these days is much harder. We all have wives and kids and some of us have moved away (sniff, much love Scott). Luckily, Big Huge Games is bringing Settlers of Catan to us via Xbox Live Arcade this May. Furthermore, Carcassone is coming in June to help us play those board games we love without worrying about leaving our homes or making Scott move back here. Of course, he would have to step up and get a Xbox 360.
• Have an Xbox360? Want a bigger hard drive? Don't want to pay what MIcrosoft is asking? Well, these guys have a hack that takes some skill to get working but would allow people to buy a third party 120Gb SATA drive to work at its full capacity. Standard warnings apply about this kind of stuff that you do so at your own risk and cracking open a MS enclosure will void its warranty.
• Here at GamingSignal do not condone piracy (even though some folks seem to ask for stuff like that), but over at Game Giveaway of the Day there is a way to get a free game everyday. That's right, you can download a different game every day and while these tend to be independent titles and most are casual games, it is still an awesome service. This site is the sister site for Giveaway of the Day that gives away applications.

Posted by Tim at Monday April 23, 2007 - 4:33 PM | TrackBack (0) | Category: Tidbits | © 2007 Gaming Signal

To play online with you fine folks (which I certainly want to do) I assume I'd need to buy an XBOX 360 and sign up for the online service, right? That's what, about $500 including the games?

Also, do all of you play on an alternative TV, or are your families kicked out of the living room while you play?

Posted by Scott on Tuesday April 24, 2007 at 10:05 AM

Actually I'm playing on my PC monitor now. (Benq FP241W) I decided that I wanted to be able to play and watch TV at the same time. Also the Benq handles 1080p very well. I also realized that if I'm on the 360 I'm not using the PC monitor for the PC so it was a natural fit.

I was hoping JP and Tim had hooked up on Rainbow 6: Vegas or GRAW2 because Campos and I play that regularly and there aren't that many 360 games that have good co-op missions like that.

Hell I'm game for co-op on any game. The in game chat via XBL is so much more convenient than a teamspeak server.

Good to see that you are finally thinking of getting a 360 Scott. Go for an Elite. Since you have an HP TV the Elite is a no brainer I think. Also you save money on the Elite if you had planned to get the 120gig HD anyway.

Posted by tditto on Tuesday April 24, 2007 at 12:26 PM

I have my 360 setup using my Benq FP202 which is co located near my PC since I don't actually own an HD TV at this point ( I know I am a luddite). That with a decent set of turtle beach headphones and I am a happy little camper fragging Campos and Trent with random grenades

Posted by Tim on Tuesday April 24, 2007 at 1:55 PM

Hmm, I kind of like that idea - getting a 24" wide screen PC monitor and using it for an XBOX 360. I'll have to think about it - that Benq is $700.

Posted by Scott on Tuesday April 24, 2007 at 6:43 PM

The Benq FP241W is a very nice monitor. I got mine with not a single bad pixel, and that seems to be a fairly common sentiment I have read in a few forums. Quality control must actually exist at Benq. While they are not violating insider trading rules that is. http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/13/benqs-chairman-and-president-charged-in-taiwan-out-on-bail/

Posted by tditto on Wednesday April 25, 2007 at 9:55 AM

My 360 is hooked up to the TV downstairs. No one is kicked off of it since I game at night, after the kids go to bed. Oh alright, I kick my wife off of it, which means she has to watch less QVC. Which isn't a bad thing.

And I do have RS6:V. You're never on when I am.

Posted by jp on Thursday April 26, 2007 at 4:46 PM

Yeah, Campos and I usually start around 9-ish and go till 11:30-ish.

Posted by tditto on Friday April 27, 2007 at 12:23 PM

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Posted by on Sunday April 29, 2007 at 5:19 PM

Is that your final opinion?

Posted by tditto on Monday April 30, 2007 at 10:53 AM

It was those e's that set me off. Darned it I am hopping mad now!!!

Posted by Tim on Monday April 30, 2007 at 2:09 PM