Game of the Year? Vote here in the GeekWire Awards

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The Seattle region may be known for operating systems, airplanes and coffee, but video games play a huge role in the technology scene, and today we’re pleased to present a new GeekWire Awards category that recognizes this important field. Below you’ll find the five finalists for Game of the Year — the top video games… Read More…

Bored this weekend? Xbox Live Gold is free for everyone

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If you’ve wanted to experience the benefits of Xbox Live’s Gold service but didn’t want to dent your wallet, Microsoft is providing a nice little treat this weekend. Starting this morning and running through Monday morning, Xbox Live Silver members can enjoy the benefits of a Gold membership without charge. That means Xbox owners in… Read More…

Photos: Checking out Master Chief’s home at 343 Industries

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Welcome to the home of Master Chief. Across the 520 bridge in Kirkland is 343 Industries, the Microsoft-owned company now responsible for the Halo franchise after Bungie became private in 2007. 343 released its first Halo game, Halo 4, in November and plans on developing two more installments. Halo 4 brought in record $220 million… Read More…

Xbox Live servers down, Halo gamers angry

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It’s Friday afternoon and sometimes there’s nothing better to do than ending your week with some Halo. Unfortunately for gamers everywhere, that’s not possible right now. The Xbox Live servers have been down for the past few hours and it’s not making people very happy. And of course the first time I go to play… Read More…

New era for Bungie: First glimpse of Destiny, the next big thing from Halo’s creator

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It would be hard for Bungie to top the success that Halo brought to the Bellevue-based video game company, but a new first-person shooter could have the ingredients to do just that. Bungie finally lifted the curtains on its online multiplayer game called Destiny, the first title under Bungie’s name since the company spun off from Microsoft… Read More…

Video games analyst: “Consumers are starved for new titles”

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Game developers, take notice. Right now might be a perfect time to unveil that new game you’ve been working on for the past few years. According to NPD Video Games Industry Analyst Liam Callahan, the headliners of this holiday season’s video game lineup mostly consist of strong sequels — Call of Duty Black Ops, Halo 4, Assassins Creed… Read More…

New Microsoft game studio in Vancouver wants to build the next Halo

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Microsoft is officially opening a new game studio in Canada and expectations are off the charts. Located in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Black Tusk Studios has some serious goals to meet in the coming years. Studio manager Mike Crump told the Vancouver Sun that the new first-party studio, which has already been working for the past year, was asked to come up with Microsoft’s… Read More…

The best Halo ever? Halo 4 breaks record, brings in $220 million on first day

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It was a record-setting launch day for Microsoft, as the company announced today that Halo 4 brought in $220 million last Tuesday alone. It’s the biggest launch, money-wise, in the 10-year history of the Halo franchise and a nice chunk more than the $200 million Halo: Reach brought in two years ago. Microsoft added that… Read More…

PHOTOS: Master Chief, Cortana and hundreds of fans celebrate Halo 4 launch

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Signing autographs in one corner of a bustling University Village Microsoft Store was Steve Downes, the all-too-familar voice of Master Chief. Past him down the left side was Seattle Seahawks NFL cornerback Richard Sherman, posing for pictures and laughing with fellow Halo fans. And just outside in the chilly Seattle air was Master Chief himself,… Read More…

Master Chief returns: Halo 4 launches at midnight in 10,000 stores worldwide

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Dear bosses of employees who love Halo: Tomorrow might not be the most productive day of the year. Halo 4 is finally here. More than 10,000 retail locations around the world in 40 countries will open their stores at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday to the thousands of fans waiting for the latest installment of the legendary… Read More…