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Xbox News is a site that brings you the very latest Original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One news, the latest games and releases, Part of the
DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network.
THE LATEST NEWS BELOW
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June 7th, 2012, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster
E3 is well underway in Los Angeles, and Microsoft has already made a major splash with its 'SmartGlass' technology, game demos, and its announcement that a Kinect-powered version of Internet Explorer will debut on the Xbox 360. This is a marked change from last year, when Kinect was the unquestioned centerpiece of Microsoft's display and the company's demos focused on how Kinect-powered games used your full body as a controller. Kinect is in the interesting position of having sold extremely well while failing to move the bar forward in any of the ways Microsoft projected in the run up to its launch. Scroll through the ratings on Kinect-required titles, and the percentages are abysmal. Kinect's biggest problem is rooted in ergonomics. Gamepads with buttons may be crude approximations of real life, but they're simple and intuitive. They're also flexible — a great many games have conditional scenarios that allow the same button to perform different functions depending on what's going on within the game. Pure Kinect games don't have a simple mechanism to incorporate these features, and there's no easy way around them. The motion-controller's most enduring features may ultimately be its capabilities outside the gaming sphere.
http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/0...gaming-failure
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June 6th, 2012, 00:45 Posted By: wraggster
24 hours on and both media and fans have had plenty of time to chew over Microsoft's 2012 E3 press conference, and it's fair to say that not all of the commentary has been entirely positive.With that in mind, Eurogamer sat down with Chris Lewis, vice president of interactive entertainment for Xbox Europe, to find out how Microsoft itself views its performance and the ensuing public reaction."I think [the response has been] largely very positive," he said."I get the opportunity to talk to a lot of journalists from around the region, and analysts as well, and generally people are really positive about what we had to say."People love this mission that we're on to make the whole entertainment experience ever more amazing. They love the line up. I think people are blown away by the quality of the content, the breadth and depth of the games. Not only our own - we're unashamedly pushing pretty hard around Halo 4, Forza, Fable, Gears of course - but we've always done very well with our partnerships with third party publishers."So yes, generally I've had very good feedback," he continued."There's no doubt that Smart Glass has captured folks' imaginations, and in a good way. People love the browser, I think they're impressed with what we've got in terms of content partnerships and entertainment relationships. There's more to come of course, but we're happy."Lewis isn't oblivious to the criticism from some sections of the community, but argued that Microsoft is doing it's very best to keep the core happy while at the same time offering a range of broader content."We have an embarrassment of riches right now," he explained."In the lead up to the show we have to think really hard about what we can show at a practical level versus this desire to put everything in there because we're so proud of everything we have."The hardcore community defined us - there's no doubt. That community defines where we are now and we continue to bring great content to them - Halo 4, Gears. And the success we enjoy on our platform with Call of Duty is very clearly focused on continuing to bring content to that audience."But there's a lot more that we have to talk about too. Our consumers want Xbox 360 to offer broad digital entertainment, whether that's music, TV, sports or indeed games - both casual through Kinect or otherwise."I think it's about bringing that portfolio to an event like this and trying to cater to the different audiences that we want to appeal to. We want to be where our community wants us to be, and they want us to be in those places."One aspect of the show that surprised many viewers was how quickly it glossed over unknown quantity Gears of War: Judgement in a matter of seconds, while spending five minutes showcasing casual XBLA effort Wreckateers. Wasn't that an odd decision?"I didn't think it about that way," answered Lewis."We have such a strong base of fans for that whole epic Gears experience that we know it speaks volumes for itself."Finally, we quizzed Lewis on why we didn't get a glimpse of its next home console during this year's show. He answered that, with its current system still performing so well, it's focus remains on the 360."The lifestyle is longer than has been the case in the past but that allows developers to bring content they might not otherwise have been able to bring, as it pushes the boundaries out."We've still got so much more to do with this generation. We think we're in an enviable position. We're fixated on 360 and we love the fact that it's in such a momentous state still."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...e3-performance
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June 5th, 2012, 23:55 Posted By: wraggster
Indie darling becomes best selling XBLA title ever
[h=3]Microsoft[/h]www.microsoft.com
[h=3]Microsoft Studios[/h]
[h=3]Mojang[/h]
The Xbox 360 version of Minecraft has broken sales records, and passed the 2 million mark after it was released on May 9.
The news was shared on Twitter thanks to portfolio director for XBLA at Microsoft Game Studios, Chris Charla.
"I guess I can officially mention Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition has crossed 2,000,000 in sales on XBLA!"
Markus 'Notch' Persson also had good news to share on the XBLA version, tweeting "best selling XBLA game ever, in less than a month."
And Persson seems to be eager to share the wealth, recently paying $6,543.21 for his Humble Indie Bundle V. The average price paid is $8.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...xbla-minecraft
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June 5th, 2012, 23:50 Posted By: wraggster
One surefire way to make sure your company gets out in front of the E3 buzz? Launch a pre-pre-E3 press conference, of course. Nintendo was already set up to kick off the show on Tuesday, getting the party started according to tradition with an early morning press conference ahead of show floor opening. As it has in the past, the gaming giant was scheduled to be the third of the big three, unveiling its wares a day after Sony and Microsoft had their moments to shine. For 2012, the company made an unorthodox play, opting for a small broadcast event the Sunday afternoon ahead of the show, with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata standing alone in an unassuming wood-paneled room, giving yet another sneak peak into the world of the Wii U.
Popular opinion has positioned E3 2012 as a make-or-break proposition for the company. Nintendo's had an unprecedentedly rough year, with a continually eroding sense of excitement around its aging Wii console and a lukewarm reception greeting the 3DS. And with mobile competition nabbing pretty sizable chunks from the company's casual offerings, Nintendo needs to remind people what the console can bring that handsets can't. In earnest, Iwata offered up a smattering of additional details on the Wii U, with a finalized layout for the system's tablet-esque controller, the introduction of Miiverse social functionality and the promise of a bit of mobile device compatibility.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/04/x...-u-controller/
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June 5th, 2012, 23:45 Posted By: wraggster
Sure today's Microsoft E3 keynote was jam-packed full of high octane explosions, but the biggest excitement from the hardware-free event was arguably SmartGlass, a new technology from Redmond that promises to help to bring together users' diverse array of screens. When it was initially leaked ahead of the event, SmartGlass looked to largely be a somewhat straightforward AirPlay competitor. Judging by Microsoft's flashy demo video, however, the company is clearly looking to build it into its own beast all together. Thankfully, we got to play with it a bit -- albeit for a very short amount of time, given the fairly early state of the technology.
Let's start thing off by clarifying a big question surrounding the somewhat enigmatic demo that we saw at today's event: yes, SmartGlass gives developers the potential to turn smartphones and tablets into a controller for the Xbox 360. As suspected, it will likely be integrated into more casual games -- after all, we shudder at the thought of controlling, say, Halo 4 using just a touchscreen. As is the nature of the product, the company isn't letting the details flow too freely here, but in a demo we saw of the technology tonight, a Microsoft rep name-dropped a title called Home Run Stars -- a baseball game, as you've likely already gathered from the fairly straightforward name.
We didn't get to see the game in action, but the rep mentioned a gameplay scenario in which one player uses the Kinect to bat and the other pitches with the touchscreen -- again, not too dissimilar from the kind of dual-screen gaming we've seen with the Wii U thus far. And you can also invert that game play, if you so choose, pitching on the Kinect and batting with a tablet or smartphone. Thing is, Microsoft is looking to make this whole process open for developers. As the rep put it, "what we've done is create a platform." In other words, Redmond is putting forward the tools here and letting the content developers play around, to come up with their own functionality based on SmartGlass.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/05/m...lass-hands-on/
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June 5th, 2012, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster
The thing about even massive fictitious space ships is that it takes a ridiculous amount of fictitious time and fictitious manpower to construct them. Take Halo 4's UNSC Infinity, for example. It's not like you can just imagine it and it exists – no, you've got to deal with non-existent labor unions and the like.
But, hey, all that trouble seems like it'll be worth it for War Games and Spartan Ops, Halo 4's expanded multiplayer modes offering weekly co-op missions and deep character progression system.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/ha...unsc-infinity/
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June 5th, 2012, 22:57 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's canny subscription-based Xbox scheme launched last month, but was , at that point, limited to its own stores. Looks like it's been deemed a success though, as Microsoft has decided to expand the deal to all Best Buy and selected GameStop stores later this month. The $99 deal ties you into a two-year subscription at $14.99 per month and includes a 4GB Xbox 360, Kinect unit and Xbox Live Gold. According to Microsoft, this is only the next stage of the "pilot period", with limited numbers and dates. No specifics just yet on those exact numbers and which stores will be offering the deal. But even ifSmartGlass didn't grab you the first time round, this makes it even harder to say no. Your turn, Nintendo.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/05/9...-and-gamestop/
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June 4th, 2012, 23:37 Posted By: wraggster
EA Sports' biggest franchises will gain Kinect compatibility this year, with new controls for FIFA 13 and Madden 13.
The new features were demonstrated during Microsoft's E3 press conference. A demo of FIFA 13 showed how players will be able to change their player formations and tactics on the fly using voice commands.
Similarly, Madden 13 - demonstrated iconic quarterback Joe Montana - lets them call out individual players and give them commands for each play.
Both games will be released worldwide later this year with the Better With Kinect branding. FIFA 13 is expected in its usual September/October window, while Madden is due on US shelves on August 28th.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...-madden/097290
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June 4th, 2012, 23:35 Posted By: wraggster
Forza Horizon has just been demoed on Microsoft’s E3 stage, and looks to offer a slightly different take on the popular racing simulator series.
Whereas previous entries have been strictly simulation based – and, arguably, designed as a counterpoint to Sony’s Gran Turismo – Horizon at times looked more like a Need for Speed title in its E3 demo.
While the simulation elements are likely to remain present and correct, it looks as if UK studio Playground Games has injected a bit of narrative and heated competition into proceedings.
In the trailer we saw three cars taking part in a street race amongst normal traffic, as well as participating in what appeared to be an illegal night race and a drifting competition.
We also see the player being pursued by a helicopter.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...rection/097291
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June 4th, 2012, 23:33 Posted By: wraggster
Disappointed that there was no word of Xbox 720? Microsoft says there's no need, thanks to its "biggest year for blockbuster games in Xbox history".
The platform holder confidently claims that the next twelve months is going to be better than any previous year for Xbox 360 users, thanks to the like of Halo 4, Call of Duty Black Ops, Gears of War: Judgment and a wealth of new Kinect and XBLA games.
Due for Microsoft's console throughout the next year are:
Ascend: New Gods, a new XBLA RPG from the makers of popular action title Toy Soldiers. Players will be able to continue their war efforts against their enemies on their mobile phone, strengthening their forces in game.
XBLA racer Avatar Motocross Madness, the latest in a string of games that let you play as your Xbox Avatar.
Dance Central 3, the second sequel to Harmonix's hugely popular Kinect dancing series, featuring tracks from Usher, Daft Punk, Gloria Gaynor, 50 Cent and more.
Lionhead's Fable: The Journey which brings Kinect functionality to Microsoft's flagship RPG series. The game will be released in the UK on October 12th.
FIFA 13, which now feature voice commands via Kinect
Forza Horizon, the first entry in the series to go beyond racing circuits and onto the open road - even throwing traffic into the mix.
Epic Games' prequel Gears of War: Judgment, which takes fans back to Emergence Day, a pivotal event in the Gears universe. Judgment will be released in early 2012 around the world.
Halo 4, Master Chief's comeback, which features Xbox SmartGlass connectivity and a brand new story-driven multiplayer experience called Spartan Ops.
Happy Wars, a multiplayer action game that focuses on cartoon-style arena combat.
Stunt-centric title Joe Danger: The Movie, which allows gamers to create their own wacky action films.
Lococycle, a martial arts action game starring a cybernetic assassin.
Madden 13, which - like FIFA 13 - will allow players to call out commands to their teammates via Kinect's voice control.
Side-scrolling stealth action game Mark of the Ninja
Matter, a mysterious title developed for Xbox 360 and Kinect in collaboration with Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski.
Resident Evil 6, the next blockbuster from Capcom's survival horror series. All DLC for the game will be made available for Xbox 360 before any other platform.
South Park: The Stick of Truth, an RPG set in the animated world created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. It is due for release on March 5th, 2013 and sees players rally familiar South Park chracters against crap people, hippies and other forces of evil.
Square Enix's action adventure Tomb Raider. Like Resident Evil 6, all DLC will be temporarily exclusive to Xbox 360.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist, the latest entry in Ubisoft's stealth action series. This time Sam Fisher must hunt down terrorists that are trying to force the US to withdraw its troops from global hotzones.
Wreckateer, an Angry Birds-style Kinect game in which players use a catapult to destroy medieval castles.
“2012 is a landmark year for Xbox,” said Phil Spencer, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Studios.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...box-360/097305
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June 4th, 2012, 23:32 Posted By: wraggster
Dead Space 3 will hit shelves in February 2013.
The sequel to EA's hit horror series was the dramatic opener to its E3 press conference in Los Angeles today.
The game features two-player co-op, which was shown to the assembled media and trade for the first time.
Judging by the trailer, Dead Space appears to have toned down the horror in favour of more action-orientated gameplay.
Dead Space was a surprise hit for EA in 2008, spawning a major sequel, which launched in January 2011.
Dead Space has also appeared as a comic book, an animated movie, plus a Wii spin-off.
Dead Space 3 is due on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ea-de...-launch/097310
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June 4th, 2012, 23:21 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has announced a feature called SmartGlass that provides a new set of features when viewing media on mobile or PC devices. Sources say that it will provide context focused advertising/product placement as well as metadata about the media you are currently viewing. Additionally the interface allows you to store viewing data and share between your desktop and mobile devices to continue viewing content between devices. From the article: 'SmartGlass also allows you to view the web on an Xbox 360 using Internet Explorer. The tablet or phone becomes the keyboard and you can easily browse web pages without having a physical keyboard in the living room.
http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/0...reen-announced
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June 4th, 2012, 19:57 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's proud of its homegrown search product -- so proud, that gamers hooked on its Xbox Live service will find themselves uttering that word aloud in a bid for hands-free control. Announced today at its E3 keynote, the company's expanding Bing Voice search functionality with the ability to navigate by genre. Simply saying, "Bing comedy," will bring up a host of titles allocated to that category. And non-English speakers will get to enjoy this new perk as well, as the service will now extend to 12 additional countries. Stay tuned for more live coverage of E3 2012 as the show unfolds.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/04/m...igation-exten/
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