Jun 24 2007- Microsoft signed a deal with Rockstar for exclusive rights to Grand Theft Auto 4’s download content for a sum of $50 million. This means that the Xbox 360 will get exclusive content for their version of the Grand Theft Auto 4 game.

n Win a free copy of Spiderman 3: The Game. All you need to do is send an e-mail with a comment or suggestion to .

n I will discuss the problem of underage gamers getting ahold games that aren’t intended for them next week.


* Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
The Pirates the Caribbean movies have been a huge money maker and a fan favourite since the first film hit the theaters.

Now the third installment is here — the game is also being released for the first time on next generation systems.

There are a lot of Pirates fans that are awaiting a great swashbuckling game and the wait is over. The visuals are top notch and the characters look just like their on-screen counterparts. The games environments are also well detailed.

Even the Flying Dutchmen is included. The Flying Dutchmen was one of my favourite levels. The details in that level from the grim and slimy decks to the crew members stuck in walls trying to attack, are grand.

The sword-fighting is dumbed down as most enemies die within a few sword swipes. You can also punch them, pick up guns, grenades and other items.

The game also has a huge amount of collectibles that are scattered around the levels. The audio in the game is well done, but the actors’ voices from the movies aren’t used.

If you are a fan of the movies or just want to try your hand at a pirate’s life, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End is a fun and great looking experience. It gets an eight out of 10 rating from me.


* Shadowrun
Shadowrun was a huge fan favourite back on the NES system. The game has very little or nothing to do with the role playing game with the same name.

Shadowrun is a first-person shooter along the lines of Counterstrike. The game throws in a bit of technology and even magic into the mix.

Each party has to choose a race from dwarf, elf, human or troll. Before each round starts you are give cash to buy weapons, technology or magic.

The human races get bonus cash at the start of each round. If players die during the round they lose their weapons but get the magic throughout the match.

All the races are very well balanced as trolls are huge and take a lot of damage but are extremely slow, dwarfs are small and fast but don’t take as much damage.

The online or main part of the game is extremely additive as no matter what race, spells, or tech you buy you stand the same chance as anyone else.

Once you get into a match you will be hooked. I do wish Microsoft had a website with stat tracking as there is no way of knowing how many games you’ve played with which characters or anything else.

This is a great team-based shooter that can be played against Windows Vista users and Xbox 360 users at the same time.

If Microsoft speeds up the connecting issues and offer more maps and character customizing this will be a new favourite for shooter fans. Shadowrun gets a seven out of 10. This game is rated M for players 17+, so please read the box before you allow your child to buy or play this or any game.


By Sascha Heist