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Xbox Live Multiplayer Armageddon Approaching

Added by Brad on Nov. 4, 2008 25 comments

"You're either with us or against us."

Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb just posted the weekly list of the most-played games on Xbox Live. As usual, there aren't a lot of surprises on there.

Call of Duty 4
Halo 3
Fable II
Gears of War
FIFA 09
World at War Beta
Saints Row 2
GTA IV
Madden NFL 09
Fallout 3

No major activity just yet. Note that three of the top four games (duh: COD4, Halo 3, Gears) constitute the perennial holy trinity of ultra-mega-stupid popular multiplayer Xbox games. And if circumstances were to level back out per usual, you can bet Gears would slide back into the top three in due time.

But wait! You may remember a little sleeper called Gears of War 2 will be in stores in a mere three of your Earth days. Also notice that "World at War Beta" is creeping its way up the list; that's World at War as in Call of Duty the Fifth. That game's probably going to sell, too (you heard it here first).

Those two games are serious multiplayer contenders. What's going to happen to that list by the end of next week? How many Gears players will jump to Gears 2? Who's going to ditch their prestige level 8 to reup in World at War? Can Xbox Live actually handle all this strain? After the problems with Live downtime around the holidays last year--and considering the new dashboard is rolling out in a matter of a couple weeks--I'll be curious to see if Fortress Live remains sound through the end of the year.

What are you multiplayer fiends most looking forward to this month? I didn't include Resistance 2 in this Live-focused list, but that's obviously a pretty big deal on the multiplayer side too.

UPDATE: Scooper reminded me that Left 4 Dead is hitting the 360 later this month too. The hits just don't quit!

Filed under : Gears of War 2, Call of Duty: World at War

25 Comments

Scooper
on Nov. 4, 2008

Left 4 Dead, I've been wanting to play that game since they announced it and probably a good deal before they did.

Lemon
on Nov. 4, 2008

second!

zoozilla
on Nov. 4, 2008

The problem with so many games including multiplayer is that people are almost never going to invest time in 10 different multiplayer games. They'll just pick a few, and stick with them. Unless multiplayer is a main component, it makes very little sense to go for it half-heartedly. It just takes time and energy away from the single-player game.

Yeah, I know I should blog it, but this kind of relates. Kind of?

GalvanizedNails
on Nov. 4, 2008

honestly i dont give a crap about multiplayer games right now. im bathing in the glory of single player focused games like Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3

Pazy
on Nov. 4, 2008

I wonder whether Gears of Wars 2 and Cod:Waw will make a serious dent past the first month. I expect many people to want to play the both of them but especially with Cod:WaW how many will then go back to Cod4? When Cod4 came out it was such a big step up from Cod 2/3 that the majority of players went quickly but with WaW its a small step (up or sideways TBC) and could possibly just split the player base.

Gears 2 has less of a chance of this but it could still happen, people get attached to games or maps etc.

All shall be reveiled!

Afroman269
on Nov. 4, 2008

Gears will reign for a while. I can see people trying to justify if they should give up their fame in COD 4 to go to COD WaW

TooWalrus
on Nov. 4, 2008

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be safe from Armageddon in THE BOMB SHELTER! (but don't call it that.)

Scooper
on Nov. 4, 2008

@ Lemon

Congratsulations.

GUnitVer1
on Nov. 4, 2008

Live has been somewhat slow for me earlier today trying to look at Marketplace content. Maybe it is a sign of things to come.

PyjamaRama
on Nov. 4, 2008

Gears of War 2!

Godzilla_Sushi
on Nov. 4, 2008

Well, not here to blow anyone's mind, but Gears 2 is replacing Call of Duty 4 for me.

Milkman
on Nov. 4, 2008

Personally, I'm kind of surprised how low Fallout 3 is on the list but I guess any self respecting Fallout fan would probably buy it on the PC anyway.

Meteora is online
on Nov. 4, 2008

There's a lot of heavy hitters this year, its starting to prove that its better than last year.

Media_Master
on Nov. 4, 2008

How many people have time to play all of these games anyway?

Obienator
on Nov. 4, 2008

Left 4 Dead and Gears 2!!!
Hey Guys, how about some impressions of Left 4 Dead?

Crono
on Nov. 4, 2008

Will prolly buy both Gears and CoD: W@W, but bought L4D on PC, and will most likely log the most time on that. I like the idea of 4 players up against all odds in an attempt to make it from point A to point B with all hell left loose inbetween.

Gears co-op was a lot of fun on the couch... from all I have read this one ups the ante in every way possible so I look forward to that, and the online will probably rock face too.

CoD: W@W... what can you really say? More of the same with a different setting. At least I know what I am getting with this game.

RFX
on Nov. 4, 2008

Cod 4 is still the best

SilverArrows
on Nov. 4, 2008

With Horde and the 7 other MP modes, I doubt that anyone will come close the Gears 2. Sure L4D and WaW will get close (i'll get all 3), but Gears is going to be King, you heard it here first :)

dQuarters
on Nov. 4, 2008

I also think MK vs. DC will make a dent in this department. Not a lot has been said about the online, but enough to salivate about it a bit. An arcade-style lobby to watch other kings of the hill fighting, with queues to enter to take them down. It's a smart idea. I hope it works out, and delivers that old arcade vibe of yesteryear.

AgileNate
on Nov. 5, 2008

COD4 still on top? I got so tired of that game. Same thing over and over...

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