Thumbstick Gamer

I hate reporting things like this, but I feel like all of you fans of Halo should know. Halo 4 has/had landed in the hands of a very uncaring individual who decided to dump the game online for every pirate and law breaker to enjoy early. Along with leaks come spoilers, many spoilers, and the first place the trolls will go to ruin such surprises will be the web. All we know is that Microsoft and authorities are investigating the leak. Hopefully the individual will be found (how many people receive a game so early really?) Anyway its time for a Internet blackout Halo fans.

Xbox Live users rarely get free games. Unlike PS Plus users, they aren't given free games every month for. Their premium membership. So when a free game finally does hit, its time to celebrate. Today Gold members will be able to download the online battle MMO Happy Wars. Happy Wars Main Features:   Download and enjoy the game for free with your Xbox Live Gold Membership.  Team work is the key to victory in online play. Turn the course of battle through powerful Team Skills you can launch with your team mates!  Customize your character using items obtained in the game. You can also combine items to increase their power!  In addition to online competitions, you can also enjoy cooperative play with team mates to fight a quirky troop of bots, or individually work your way through missions in the single-player campaign mode.  Regular releases of even more items and character customization parts are planned following release of the game. Happy Wars is the second free t

A new week in gaming with a couple big hitters being released (Dishonored, Fable: The Journey, XCOM just to name a few). This week I'm hoping to finish Alpha Protocol (third and final time) then on to Assassins Creed Revelations to play the DLC I bought a few weeks ago. I also have another side project in the works that I will detail here later. What's on your agenda?

I recently signed up for the tracking service Raptr. Raptr is a social networking site geared towards us gamers. It tracks your time played on each game, achievements you've unlocked, and how commited you are to an individual game. The site also offers free dlc, games and content from time to time based on your playing history. Raptr tracks all online play with PS3, 360 and Steam (sorry WII fans). Raptr also allows gamers to publish their gaming accomplishments to other sites like Twitter and Facebook. Partner this with TrueAchievments and you can track exactly how long the supposed 5 hour game has taken you. Of course this isn't exact so if you set at menu screen (or xbox menu button) for awhile, it runs up your time in game. Because of this I'm probably at 300 hours on Alpha Protocol, but its still pretty neat to check out. Join us at Raptr.com

Today brings us part 1 of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn live action mini series. You can view it on YouTube or watch it on your 360 via the Halo Waypoint App. Do it.

Whoa, hold on to your seats. I just received my birthday gift from XBOX Live Rewards program. I detailed this in a earlier post about the new MyAchievement Rewards based on your gamerscore. Because I am one of the Elite gamers who managed to reach the legendary gamerscore of at least 25000 before the programs start, this entitled me to all the awesome reward unlocks immediately and a stunning gift from Microsoft the month of my birthday (25 cent value per Microsoft) Well its October and that's the month of my birth, so this morning I received a unexpected email from XBLRP, notifying me that my gift was ready. My hand shook profusely as I moved the mouse to the link. My muscles flinched as I clicked the email and then my mind and eyes were thrust into a world of unexpected glory. What was the amazing gift I received was it a Birthday Theme, Gamerpic, or Avatar Item? No those things could have been used or even at least interesting. So what was it you say? ***Drum Rol

There's not much I enjoy more than video game magazines, its even better when that magazine is free.  For those that weren't aware, Walmart bought/partnered with EGM to distribute their GameCenter magazine. Inside you will find reviews, previews, tips and news following the industry, along with plugs to buy your gaming goods at Walmart. GameCenter recently just became an monthly release (instead of every other month or quarterly like it was) so look for it in stores (usually where the game guides are stored) every month. The newest issue covers some interesting tidbits of AC III that I wasn't even aware of, along with some other great reading material. Grab one whenever your there, its great for the price.