UpdateSPY v16167-1 now available

October 28th, 2012, 20:16 Posted By: wraggster

UpdateSPY by 'Zouzzz' is a nice Windows tool that allows you to easily download almost all Xbox 360 Retail System Updates, since 2.0.6690.0 up to the latest 16197 Dashboard.
Here's the changelog for the newest release:

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XMPlayer v0.0.2 is now available!

October 28th, 2012, 20:15 Posted By: wraggster

It has been a while since its first release, and now, developer 'Siz' has released an update to the famous libxenon's Media Player, which was originally started by 'Ced2911'.
Here's the huge changelog and info for the new v0.0.2:

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FakeAnim v0.60b released!

October 28th, 2012, 20:14 Posted By: wraggster

FakeAnim v0.60b by our friend BioHazard, is a nice app that allows you to run a custom boot animation in the form of WMV 9 encoded videos, so they can be played on the console prior to showing the dashboard.
Overview: This release will allow for fake animations in the form of WMV 9 encoded videos to be played on the console prior to showing the dashboard. Since this file is only loaded after the console is ready there will be a minor increase in boot times. This has no impact on glitch times since the glitch occurs prior to this file ever being loaded. The Delay and Calibration settings are designed to allow the user to tweak the video to their specific system and display. This tweaking makes it so that the video does not get cut off. Please read below for a full set of instructions:
Installation & Configuration:
Important: Do NOT attempt to delete bootanim.xex if you are unable to restore to a previous NAND dump via hardware.
Requirements: DashLaunch v3.03 is required for this to work.
Installation:

• Copy over all files in the archive to the HDD or USB of the 360.
• Edit your launch.ini to have fakeanim = point to the fakeanim.xex
• Reboot the console and make sure the application runs. Ignore the Red Screen being present for a while.
• Once you have verified the application is launched remove bootanim.xex** from the consoles Flash. (Use FS3 or FTP).
• Reboot the console and pay attention to how long the red screen is displayed.
• Calibration takes place in the fakeanim.ini file and should be checked with a cold boot in order to force the GPU to initialize.
• Once calibration is complete edit the fakeanim.ini and set calibration to 0

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AutoGG v0.8 now available!

October 28th, 2012, 20:14 Posted By: wraggster

AutoGG by blaKCat is an All-In-One (Nandpro/xebuild/build.py…) Glitch/JTAG app.
Following the launch of the 16197 Dashboard, and the subsequent new versions of other apps like Xebuild and DashLaunch, he decided to update this one too supporting all of them.
Here's the full changelog for v0.8

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DashLaunch v3.03 is out!

October 28th, 2012, 20:13 Posted By: wraggster

cOz is back with a new version of DashLaunch with lots of new additions, like Corona 4GB memory support, tons of new options, and of course, support for the just released 16197 Dashboard!

Here's the full changelog for v3.03:

some commented code made contpatch non-functional on untouched demo containers
added polish translation
add nohealth option, disables kinect health pseudo video at game launch
add autofake option, when enabled fakelive functionality is enabled during dash and indie games only (thanks BioHazard!)
added some failsafe code to lhelper and launch to ensure auto profile signins occur
moved boot time quick launch button check to lhelper, it now occurs at the point where bootanim freezes (approx)
removed bootdelay option, it should no longer be required
add corona 4G memory unit path
add fakeanim path
fix bugs related to Guide/Power paths
add PIRS type content to installer launch item parsing
add nooobe option, disables setup screens when settings already exist
dash launch now patches xam to prevent flash updates from appearing when updaters newer than current are on devices
wired controller poweron causes should now be recognized from all ports for Guide path
added new option 'farenheit'
add 16197
removed button debouncing, A and Y are more useful exiting from miniblades but will be touchy on older dashes
tweaked boot time button checker, it should now possible to hold a button before the controller syncs (may only be 16197+)
add corona bl detection to xelllaunch


http://team-xecuter.com/

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xeBuild 1.05 and XeBuild GUI 2.085 are now available!

October 28th, 2012, 20:12 Posted By: wraggster

Corona and 16197 kernel support! The final version of xeBuild 1.05 has been released, along an update for its official GUI by Swizzy.



The Xebuild team has released an update to their famous NAND builder. After being in BETA, the 'final version' of xeBuild 1.05 has been released, adding full support for Corona and of course, for the just released 16197 dashboard.

Here's the full changelog:


1.05
tidy ini_creator output a little
colons were not being removed from macid string in ini file, fixed
added corona4g build target and dump parsing, nanddump.bin should be minimum 0×3000000 bytes from corona mmc machines (no spare data)
Xstress.settings will now be kept along with other mobile data
added flash header sanity checks
adjust dump loader to allow for 64bit file sizes
build process will no longer complete a retail image if smc is patched or a jtag image if smc is unpatched. Apparently a big fat error warning isn’t enough
added some older retail.ini, added new switch to allow selecting specific bl configs (if making images with patches, the switch is appended to patch names as well)
add 16197

Additionally, Swizzy has also updated the official GUI for XeBuild. v2.085 brings support for xeBuild 1.05, DashLaunch 3.03 and the 16197 kernel.


*********
* 2.085 *
*********
Updated: Now using xeBuild 1.05 – Final
Updated: Now using Dashlaunch 3.03
Updated: Now building 2.0.16197.0


http://team-xecuter.com/xebuild-1-05...now-available/

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Xbox SmartGlass now available in Google Play, brings console integration to Android

October 28th, 2012, 02:09 Posted By: wraggster

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Assassin's Creed III breaks Ubisoft's pre-order records

October 28th, 2012, 01:56 Posted By: wraggster

Upcoming historical action romp Assassin’s Creed III has become the most pre-ordered game in Ubisoft history.
The game, due out next week on October Wednesday 31^st, has already doubled the pre-order levels of its predecessor Assassin’s Creed Revelations.
“Assassin’s Creed III is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and this impressive pre-order mark is just a hint of the game’s potential,” Ubisoft’s marketing boss Geoffroy Sardin stated.
“When players discover the new features, historical period, characters and gaming experience that the development team has worked so hard to create, we’re confident that they will agree that this is the biggest, best Assassin’s Creed game yet.”
Ubisoft adds that the game was developed over three years and enjoyed twice the production capacity of any previous title.
Total sales for the series stand at 40m units.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/assas...ecords/0105298

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Xbox key to pivotal week for Microsoft

October 28th, 2012, 01:45 Posted By: wraggster

Make no mistake. Microsoft’s new operating system, tablet and music service doesn’t mean Xbox is out of the spotlight.
The platform holder hopes the raft of new hardware and software going live today (Friday, October 26th) has built bridges between the likes of Windows 8 and its console – and will transform the Xbox brand into a games service, not just a games device.
Does that sound like an awful lot of high-level Microsoft buzzwords? At first glance, yes, the claims feel a little hollow. This week, the firm pushed out an update to its 360 dashboard, adding features such as Internet Explorer, which it says ‘enhances’ its 70m-selling console.
Today’s Windows 8 launch adds a digital app store and Xbox-branded apps, plus SmartGlass functionality which ‘expands Xbox to hundreds of millions of devices’.
New and rebranded services like Xbox Music and Xbox Video, meanwhile, make more claims on that over-used Microsoft label ‘entertainment’.
“This is a big week for Microsoft,” Xbox Live product manager Pav Bhardwaj told MCV at briefings for the service this week. “From the Dashboard and IE for Xbox through to launch of Windows 8 and its apps, we’ve created a seamless bridge between a console, PC and smart device.”
Microsoft has made much of its ambitious plan to link up its platforms through its SmartGlass app, which was unveiled at E3 and provides either companion experiences for the things on your TV screen, or a portable screen to watch content on the go.
SMART THINKING
These are “not innovations for the sake of it” insisted Bhardwaj. The first examples of games content for SmartGlass are apps to support Dance Central and Forza from developers Harmonix and Turn 10, although other content is thin on the ground.
“You will see SmartGlass in games – it’s the same with Kinect, where we haven’t incorporated it into every experience. But if we can use SmartGlass to enhance the experience, we will. We announced a game called Ascend at E3, and we will be sharing more about that soon. Plus there are already other first-party and third-party apps in the works, although we have nothing specific to announce yet.”
But the biggest innovations, perhaps, are the deeper ones that look to fix issues around promoting and displaying digital content for games, movies and music.
On 360, new dashboard elements have been added around recommending games based on the other titles you have played or looked at, while another new features allows you to ‘pin’ links and stuff you’ll be interested in later to a list in the front end.
Microsoft’s also gone further into the tiled display interface – now common across Windows, Xbox
and Windows Mobile. There are more segments for promoted content, ads and recommendations.
An Xbox app on Windows 8, meanwhile, promotes PC games in the Windows Store, and even allows console owners to buy content remotely and have it sent to their unit at home.
MICROSOFT’S NEW TUNE
It’s actually clearest on Xbox Music, the new service that Microsoft isn’t afraid to say combines the best of rival services like Spotify (streaming), iTunes (digital sales) and Pandora (US-only recommendation and radio service). Demonstrations showcased the ability to buy content and stream it on a handheld device, and then resume play on the console. That’s easily done with music and its smaller filesizes over decent broadband, but these principles could shape all of Microsoft’s efforts to sell digital content and the games store specifically in a future era of faster internet.
“We’re operating across all kinds of platforms with these services, with the idea being that we will be wherever you are,” explained Bhardwaj. Although there is a bit of delay until SmartGlass arrives on non-Microsoft platforms like iOS and Android, the device-agnostic aspiration is clear.
Some quiet repositioning of the Xbox brand has deeper ramifications, too, as the console name goes from being something simply slapped on a piece of hardware to a label used by Microsoft to represent all of its games, music and video efforts, regardless of the device played on.
Sure, it has the potential to be misunderstood, and underestimated. Microsoft’s wont is to pack its messaging with plenty of buzzwords and innovative ideas, and little content to showcase them.
In fact, the announcements and activity this week could be Xbox’s most significant shift yet. While in a games sense very little has changed – there are no updates or changes to Games on Demand downloads, or the way that Arcade or Indie games are sold – the way device owners can access, buy and find out about content has been overhauled and expanded.
And maybe that’s better for the industry in the long term than rushing out that supposedly ‘overdue’ next-generation successor to the Xbox 360.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...rosoft/0105307

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MW3 loses Xbox Live throne to Minecraft

October 27th, 2012, 00:08 Posted By: wraggster

Port of Mojang's block buster beats blockbuster shooter for number of unique users

The biggest franchise in gaming history has been beaten out for unique users on Xbox Live by indie hit Minecraft.
After reigning for nearly a year, Modern Warfare 3 has finally been knocked from the number one spot according to Xbox Live's Major Nelson.

This may not last for long, as Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is due out November 13, but it is nontheless suprising to see a console port of an indie game beat out all AAA competition for the top spot.
Bested games include Fifa 13, Borderlands 2, Madden 13, and Halo Reach.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...e-to-Minecraft

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Halo 4 is Microsoft's most expensive game ever

October 27th, 2012, 00:05 Posted By: wraggster

Flagship Xbox series is a 'three billion dollar franchise', claims Phil Spencer

Halo 4 is Microsoft’s most expensive game ever, Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer has claimed.
Speaking to Polygon, Spencer said that he believed the Xbox’s flagship series was a “three billion dollar” franchise, and the most important entertainment product at the company.

When asked if the title was one of the most expensive titles the console giant had ever backed, he said no other game from the company was “even close” to Halo 4’s budget.
According to original Halo creator Bungie Halo 3 made $300 million in global sales in its first week when it was released in 2007.
The latest entry into a series is being developed by 343 Industries based in Washington in the US.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...sive-game-ever

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EA reckons the Medal of Honor single-player campaign "can range from 5-15 hours"

October 26th, 2012, 02:44 Posted By: wraggster

EA this week pulled from its own website its claim that Medal of Honor: Warfighter's single-player campaign is 10 hours long.As late as Tuesday 23rd October 2012, the day the game launched in the US, EA.com'sMedal of Honor: Warfighter FAQ claimed the single-player was "roughly 10 hours".Here's what the FAQ said:"Approximately how long is the single player campaign?""The single-player campaign will consist of roughly 10 hours of action ripped straight from the headlines and missions of Tier 1 Operators from around the globe with 12 full-missions each taking place in a different "hotspot" of the world."This question and answer was removed from the FAQ a day later, but remains in Google cache form. And we snapped an image just in case.A Google Cache of the Medal of Honor: Warfighter FAQ on EA.com.

So, how long is Medal of Honor's single-player campaign?EA provided Eurogamer with the following statement: "Based on internal play-tests and depending on player skill level, the single-player game can range from five to 15 hours. The number mentioned in the FAQ was a medium representing cross section of players with varied skill levels."Eurogamer reviewer Dan Whitehead told me it took him about six hours to finish the game on normal difficulty - significantly short of EA's now-removed assessment.Warfighter's initial reviews suggest the game has fallen far short of the quality many had hoped for. At the time of publication the Xbox 360 version sits on a Metascore of 49 out of 100.

It's a great game. It's a great studio. It's a great franchise. The genre continues to be hot. We built great multiplayer
EA COO Peter Moore

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Spencer: Halo 4 is Microsoft's most expensive game

October 26th, 2012, 02:38 Posted By: wraggster

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Silent Hill: Downpour patched on Xbox, Games on Demand version due Oct. 30

October 26th, 2012, 02:30 Posted By: wraggster

Yes, a Silent Hill game has been patched on Xbox 360. No, it's not that one. Instead, Downpour has been updated to improve the framerate, "fix" the save system, and eliminate bugs in the "Homeless" mission, among other unspecified fixes. The patch will be released on PS3 "in the coming weeks."

The Xbox patch comes just in time for a Games on Demand release ofDownpour. It'll be downloadable for Xbox 360 on October 30 for $39.99.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/25/si...and-version-d/

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Minecraft is the first Arcade game to top weekly Xbox Live activity

October 26th, 2012, 02:21 Posted By: wraggster

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition has knocked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 from the top of the weekly Xbox Live activity charts.
According to Edge, it's the first Arcade game to garner the most unique users over retail titles.Minecraft recently surpassed four million sales on Xbox 360. We said in our 9/10Minecraft: Xbox 360 review: "Whether you're mining, crafting, building, or fighting - either alone, or with friends - there's nothing quite like Minecraft. An accomplished, streamlined port that's a perfect fit for Xbox 360."
Here's a full rundown of Xbox Live activity for the week of October 15:
Top Xbox 360 Live titles (based on unique users)

• Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
• FIFA Soccer 13
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Borderlands 2
• Halo: Reach
• Battlefield 3
• Modern Warfare 2
• Madden NFL 13
• NBA 2K13
• Happy Wars
• Skyrim
• Gears of War 3
• Resident Evil 6
• GTA IV
• FIFA 12
• Forza Motorsport 4
• Dishonored
• EA SPORTS NHL13
• Halo 3

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Minecraft played more than Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops on Xbox Live

October 26th, 2012, 00:50 Posted By: wraggster

Minecraft has climbed to the top of Microsoft’s Live Activity chart for the first time, toppling Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 from number one and in the process becoming the first Arcade game to garner the most unique users over retail titles. The only other Arcade game in the chart is Happy Wars, at number 11, Microsoft’s first Xbox free-to-play game.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/mine...-on-xbox-live/

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72% of Xbox 360 Gamers Approve of "More Military Drone Strikes"

October 26th, 2012, 00:42 Posted By: wraggster

During the latest presidential debate, Xbox 360 owners were being polled live, as the debate was progressing, on a number of different questions, and asked to answer 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Don't Know' using their gamepad. Out of these questions, one particular question produced a surprising result: Xbox 360 owners were asked 'Do you support more use of drone aircraft to attack suspected terrorists?' 20% answered this question with 'No'. 8% answered 'Don't know.' And a whopping 72% answered the question 'Yes.' This raises an interesting question in and of itself: Is the average Xbox 360 player at all aware that drone strikes in countries like Pakistan cause a serious number of civilian deaths on a regular basis? Or do Xbox 360 gamers live in a parallel, game-inspired universe, where a real world 'Drone Strike' is something seriously cool, just like it is cool to use it in popular games like Call of Duty? In other words, does playing simulated war games like COD on a game console on a daily basis, and enjoying these games, cause gamers to become blinkered to the at times seriously dire real world consequences of using military tactics like drone strikes for real?

http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/1...-drone-strikes

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Phil Harrison to give first public address as Xbox exec at LGC

October 26th, 2012, 00:33 Posted By: wraggster

Xbox exec joins speakers from Twitter, Google, EA, Sega and Disney attending next month's conference

Phil Harrison will give his first public address as an Xbox exec at next month's London Games Conference.
He will give the opening keynote at the November 21st event.

Harrison joins a roster that already includes Twitter, Google, Electronic Arts, Sega, Disney, Yogscast and other key experts on digital games discovery and distribution.
To book your place at London Games Conference, go here.
Tickets cost £269 with discounts for Ukie, Tiga and Game Republic members.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ox-exec-at-LGC

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Resident Evil 6: Free update to improve camera

October 24th, 2012, 23:32 Posted By: wraggster

Capcom has announced plans to launch a free Resident Evil 6 title update in mid-December which will introduce a number of features requested by players.
These include new camera and subtitle options, plus the previously revealed Ada Wong co-op option and 'No Hope' difficulty level."Capcom values user feedback on Resident Evil 6 and ResidentEvil.net and is working continuously to improve the experience for players," the company said.
Here's a list of the update's additions and improvements, followed by screenshots showing off the new camera and co-op features:

• Gamers will be able to adjust the camera to give a greater field of view as best suits their play style. The camera screenshot pairs show the minimum and maximum range of the new camera setting. Please note that this feature is still in development and may change without further notice before the title update is released
• Subtitle options have been improved so that English language audio can be combined with subtitles in an alternative language
• As recently announced, Ada Wong's campaign will be unlocked from the start and have an optional player-controlled co-op partner added. It was previously necessary to complete all three other campaigns in order to unlock Ada's story
• 'No Hope' difficulty level will be added above the existing levels, for players who want an extreme challenge

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Halo 4 'War Games Pass' gets you three map packs - details

October 24th, 2012, 22:49 Posted By: wraggster

343 Industries has confirmed details for Halo 4's 'War Games Pass', which will be included in the Limited Edition of the game or sold separately.The War Games Pass will grant owners access to three War Games map packs that will be released in December, February and April.The pass, which will retail for $24.99 USD (2,000 MS Points), represents a 15 per cent discount versus purchasing each pack individually, according to 343.Map Pass owners will also get bonus goodies such as two in-game helmets and a "unique in-game emblem".343 earlier today released a new gameplay launch trailerahead of the official Halo 4 release date of November 6.Below is the official blurb on each map pack:Crimson Map Pack (December release timeframe)Maps: Wreckage, Harvest, ShatterDescription: Witness the chaos of a clash of civilizations in Wreckage, with its blend of claustrophobic spaces and dangerous exposures and venture into the human colony environs of Harvest, and explore a human foray on an alien moon in Shatter.Majestic Map Pack (February release timeframe)Maps: Landfall, Monolith, SkylineDescription: Landfall's emphasis is on infantry battles against a glittering ocean on a distant world, while Monolith exposes you to the naked vacuum of space - and the firepower of opposing teams, and Skyline's distinctly industrial feel provides new challenges in somewhat familiar, but occasionally confined spaces.Castle Map Pack (April release timeframe)Maps: Daybreak, Outcast, PerditionDescription: Daybreak is set in a military facility against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range, while Outcast plunges you into the warrens, canyons and arches of an alien edifice, and Perdition takes players into the heart of an urban sprawl, with tactical speed and situational awareness its key features.http://www.computerandvideogames.com...packs-details/

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