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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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August 17th, 2011, 22:46 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has released a video that shows off the new Xbox 360 dashboard update expected this autumn.
 The video focuses on the firm's aim to make media navigation easy via the voice control technology in Kinect and the search capabilities of Bing on Xbox. It's also one of the few times the company has showed off the new-look menu system, which appears to scrap a lot of the fancy graphics for a more straight-to-the-point boxy format.
In an accompanying blog post, MS said, "At Microsoft, we believe there's also a shift underway in how consumers access and control this ever-growing avalanche of TV shows, sports programming, movies, online videos, video games, music and more. At E3, we dropped a few hints regarding how we plan to enhance and expand the entertainment options available to consumers."
It went on: "Our philosophy is pretty simple: All the entertainment you want, with the people you care about, made easy... This video brings that philosophy to life, while showing off what the combination of Xbox, Kinect, Bing and voice recognition can do for your entertainment experience.
"Thanks to Bing, Kinect and our voice recognition technology, we envision a future where the words "Hey, where's the remote?" are as outdated as eight-track tapes and rotary telephones."
MS recently updated it's the Xbox dashboard to incorporate PayPal support and compatibility with its new disc format among other things.http://www.computerandvideogames.com/315996/new-xbox-dashboard-video-demos-voice-controls/
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August 16th, 2011, 22:42 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft says its ambition is to transform Xbox 360 into the number one home console not just in Europe, but worldwide.
Speaking ahead of its GamesCom press event this afternoon, Microsoft Europe's interactive entertainment business VP, Chris Lewis, said the titles it has on show in Germany have made him confident the platform holder can achieve its goal.
"We've been very clear that our ambition is to be the number one console not only in Europe but worldwide, and looking at our line-up at GamesCom while knowing what's still in the pipeline, I'm confident we have the games and experiences to drive us toward that goal."
He added: "Consumers of all ages continue to be captivated and entertained by everything Xbox 360 and Kinect have to offer and our commitment to the core remains undeniable."
Microsoft's line-up in Cologne includes Halo: Combat Evolved, Gears of War 3, Forza Motorsport 4, Kinect Star Wars and Steel Battalion, among others.
The platform holder also confirmed that Double Fine's Trenched will finally be released in Europe under the name Iron Brigade.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...no1-worldwide/
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August 15th, 2011, 22:35 Posted By: wraggster
You can pack all the gyroscopes, accelerometers and other motion-detecting sensors you want in your desktop -- it's still not going to be any good at playing Eliminate: Gun Range. That's the motivation behind developer Arik Poznanski's latest release. He has created a driver enabling his Windows Phone 7to transmit its accelerometer data back to his Windows 7 desktop in real time. Currently the driver's not good for much beyond a tech demo, but given the different ways people have hacked their Wiimotes, it won't be long before homebrewed killer apps start appearing -- perhaps paired up with a little Kinectwizardry. If you're looking to get started at home, hit the source link below for more details.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/w...d-mice-put-on/
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August 15th, 2011, 22:31 Posted By: wraggster
As sales slump and its last great exclusive goes multiplatform, retailers confirm plans to phase out Microsoft's console.
The Xbox 360's life appears to be coming to an end in Japan, with hardware sales falling, retailers beginning to turn their back on the console, and the system's last high-profile Japanese exclusive headed to PlayStation 3.
In June, Microsoft announced that Japanese Xbox 360 sales had finally passed 1.5 million units since the system's release in 2005, but that should not be taken as a sign that its fortunes are improving. Media Create data for the year to date puts Xbox 360 hardware sales at just 72,721 units, a drop of 46.7 per cent on the same period last year. Sales of its rival, Sony's PlayStation 3, have also fallen year on year, but only by 17.1 per cent, to 735,637 units.
The slump in sales has, we understand, caused many Japanese videogame retailers to contemplate dropping the Xbox 360 altogether. Geo, the nation's largest specialist retailer, is drastically scaling back its Xbox 360 business, and staff at electronics retailer Yamada Denki in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, confirmed that the company is removing hardware and software from the majority of its stores nationwide, and is selling off its remaining stock at a heavy discount. It will still sell the console and games, but only in selected stores where the system continues to be sufficiently popular.
In Tokyo's smaller, specialist stores, Xbox 360 consoles and games are beginning to appear in bargain bins, or "wagon sales". Games can be had for as little as ¥100 (79p), with one store selling the Halo: Reach hardware bundle for ¥9,980 (£79.30).
Perhaps the biggest indicator of the Xbox 360's struggles in Japan is the fate of The Idolmaster. Namco Bandai's pop-star management game, first released in arcades in 2005, was an Xbox 360 exclusive, its 2007 release reportedly causing a rush of new Xbox Live signups and a sharp increase in sales of Microsoft Points.
While PSP and DS releases followed, it was Microsoft's last high-profile console exclusive, and a sequel was released in February. It sold 34,621 copies in the week of its release, entering the Japanese all-formats chart at number ten, but the following week, it did not even make the top 40. The 2009 PSP release sold around 122,000 copies in its first week, and was in the top 40 for five weeks in total.
As such it was no surprise when, late last month, Namco Bandai announced that it would be porting Idolmaster 2 to PlayStation 3, with the Xbox 360 version's DLC included.
With mobile games increasingly popular in Japan - the sector's rise driven by mobile social networks like Gree and Mobage - cross-platform connectivity is becoming increasingly important as companies seek to protect their traditional sources of revenue.
Sony is becoming increasingly aware of this, with the upcoming Monster Hunter HD, the first game released for PS3 as part of the PSP Remaster series, allowing a single save file to be shared between PS3 and PSP. Microsoft, of course, has no portable console. With PSP still selling in huge numbers in Japan, and Vita set for release before the end of the year, it's little surprise that publisher eyes are drawn towards Sony: after all, cross-platform play means selling two games instead of one.
Kinect has done much to extend the 360's life in the west, sales of 8 million units in its first 60 days seeing it awarded a Guinness World Record, named the fastest-selling consumer electronics device of all time. In Japan, it was outsold on launch by PlayStation Move - no great surprise given PS3's far larger installed base - with one retailer saying shortly after launch that, far from helping sell the console to a wider audience, it was only being bought by existing Xbox 360 owners.
While the console's gradual disappearance from store shelves does not prevent gamers making their purchases online - indeed, it is our understanding that Amazon now handles a substantial proportion of Japanese Xbox 360 software sales - it does complicate things for Microsoft.
With an Xbox 360 successor widely accepted to be released in 2014, the firm may struggle to convince Japanese retailers to stock and prominently display the console when they have a decade's worth of proof that higher returns are available elsewhere.
Microsoft clearly still holds the Japanese market in high regard - just last month it appointed Takashi Sensui as head of the newly formed Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB), leaving him to focus almost exclusively on Xbox 360. While reports at the time implied a lighter load for Sensui - his previous remit also covered Windows and Office software - perhaps the reshuffle was in recognition of the onerous task he faces to revive the console's ailing fortunes.
http://www.next-gen.biz/news/xbox-360-dead-japan
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August 15th, 2011, 22:23 Posted By: wraggster
Codemasters' Dirt 3 stays at No.1 on the official UK Xbox 360 sales chart for another week, with FIFA 11 coming up from No.4 to take second place.
 Last week's runner up, Call of Juarez: The Cartel, moves down to No.3 ahead of Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, which climbs 16 spots from No.20 to No.4.
LA Noire is at No.5 and Zumba Fitness at No.6, while Battlefield: Bad Company 2 advances from No.10 to No.7.
Brink is up from No.23 to No.8, while Skate 3 and UFC Personal Trainer round off the top ten.
GfK/Chart-Track Xbox 360 Top 10 (week ending August 13):- 01. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
02. FIFA 11 (EA)
03. Call of Juarez: The Cartel (Ubisoft)
04. Pirates of the Carribean (Disney)
05. LA Noire (Take 2)
06. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
07. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (EA)
08. Brink (Bethesda)
09. Skate 3 (EA)
10. UFC Fitness Trainer (EA)
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...aintains-lead/
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August 15th, 2011, 15:23 Posted By: wraggster
Upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive Gears of War 3 includes the option to play in stereoscopic 3D, Epic Games has announced.
"We asked, could we do it?" executive producer Rod Fergusson told Eurogamer at a Gears of War 3 event in London.
"It felt like something we wanted to have. It was a feature we didn't want to be deficient in. When you look at Gears 1, it was what people used to demo HD at the time.
"It's still fledgling technology. It's still a niche feature. But it was something we could support, so we felt, why not?"
A handful of Xbox 360 games have launched under the "stereoscopic 3D" banner, including Crytek's Crysis 2 and Treyarch's Call of Duty: Black Ops.
But the Xbox 360 does not, currently, output in 3D to the same degree as the PlayStation 3. That is, it does not output in full, HDMI 1.4 stereoscopic 3D in the 1280x1470 twin 720p framebuffer configuration.
Instead, the Xbox 360 renders using 3D techniques based on the principle of two distinct images crammed into one 720p framebuffer. This is how Gears of War 3's 3D effect works.
It also forces the game to run at a lower resolution. "It's a little bit jaggier in certain areas," Fergusson said. But the difference is "not huge". "Instead of 720p you're at five something," he explained.
"It was something that came in really late in our process. It wasn't something where we said, OK, we're going to design the game from the ground up for 3D. It was more of a post-process 3D, where we're like, OK, certain things need to be adjusted, but for the most part it generally works.
"It's great. I love the qualities it provides, the window into a world. That's what the 3D gives you. Having that depth of character, and being able to see that separation from the reticule and the creatures in the background – it's a different experience but it's a really good one."
Meanwhile, Fergusson confirmed Eurogamer's May story that revealed that full, PlayStation 3 level stereoscopic 3D is coming to the Xbox 360 – in effect a 720p image per eye.
"As you look forward, in the next XDKs [Xbox Development Kit] coming out of the Xbox, it'll have more support for 3D or more higher quality for native support for 3D," Fergusson said.
"We're supporting the current state of the art for Xbox. Moving forward, the Xbox will be able to take it further."
Fergusson's comments here suggest full stereo 3D on Xbox 360 will not be enabled until after Gears of War 3's 20th September launch.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...c-3d-announced
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August 15th, 2011, 15:21 Posted By: wraggster
Those who shared Gears of War 3 campaign spoiler videos online may be banned from playing the game, Epic has said.
Earlier this month Epic said it was keeping track of those who shared videos of Gears of War 3 ahead of release - and promised "repercussions".
Following the high-profile leak of a pre-release version of the game, videos of the campaign popped up online, spoiling the Xbox 360 exclusive's story.
"We're extremely diligent about getting that stuff taken down and issued a call to fans to not perpetuate it... and just keeping track of those who do," executive producer Rod Fergusson told Edge. "I don't think everybody's aware of the potential repercussions of those types of actions."
Speaking to Eurogamer on the issue, Fergusson explained exactly what he meant by "potential repercussions".
"We have a banning system built into our stuff so we can go in and identify certain people," he said. "Some people aren't smart about what they do. They'll be disappointed on 20th September when they can't get in and can't play. They may be banned."
Last month Epic said it had joined forces with law enforcement to investigate the leak of an unfinished version of Gears of War 3 onto the internet.
At the time the Unreal Engine maker warned fans that the footage lifted from the leaked game did not do the final game justice.
Those who shared campaign spoiler videos were "going against everything we're trying to accomplish," Fergusson told Eurogamer.
"We had one of my video chats and somebody went into the chat room and tried to yell all caps spoilers throughout the chat room to try to ruin the experience for the thousand people who were watching me. It's that kind of stuff that just drives me crazy.
"If you don't value this community, you don't value this experience, then we don't value you. I'd rather pick that one bad apple out of the pool so everybody else can have a better time."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-spoil-gears-3
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August 13th, 2011, 23:11 Posted By: wraggster
A glitch in the Xbox Live Rewards programme dished out 1000s of free Microsoft Points to numerous users last night.
 Noticing the extra points appearing in their account, some gamers went on a spending spree, while others got in touch with Xbox customer support fearing their credit card had been hacked. Others contacted the platform holder just to find out what was going on and if they would be allowed to keep the points.
Xbox support sent out a number of Tweets on the subject in response to user questions. "We appreciate your honesty. Enjoy your points," read one. "There was a known issue with the rewards system. The points you were rewarded are yours," said another.
However, the firm then said the free points were being recalled. Asked if users who spent the points will be able to keep what they bought with them, Xbox support said: "We don't have any info on that."
We've contacted Microsoft to get the latest on the matter.http://www.computerandvideogames.com/315186/xbox-live-rewards-glitch-dishes-out-free-ms-points/
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August 13th, 2011, 23:06 Posted By: wraggster
A secret triple-A title set to be 'reborn' on Xbox 360 will feature in an upcoming issue of OXM UK, it has been confirmed.
 The mysterious title, which was originally due to be shown in OXM's March issue before a delay, will now finally appear in its issue out September 30.
OXM UK editor Jon Hicks told CVG: "I've been discussing it with the publisher ever since the reveal was pushed back, and I'm delighted that it's finally ready to be seen.
"Unfortunately we aren't doing the official reveal any more, as our on-sale dates don't match up, but we will have exclusive access to the game and the studio making it."
The elusive reboot was previously described as "One of the best games ever made reborn on Xbox 360."
Those words came from OXM's February next month page, which looked slightly futuristic - possibly science fiction-esque.
That doesn't really narrow it down too much in the world of video games, but you can speculate away regardless. What do you reckon it could be, readers?http://www.computerandvideogames.com/315245/secret-xbox-blockbuster-reboot-set-for-reveal-but-what-is-it/
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August 13th, 2011, 22:51 Posted By: wraggster
An Indiana man has filed a class action lawsuit against Microsoft, alledging that the company charged him for a two year subscription without his consent.
Ryan Graves, the plaintiff, allowed his Xbox Live subscription to lapse, leaving out of date credit card information on his account. When he updated those details a short time later he was billed twice, both for the expired and new subscription, giving him two tears of service.
Graves says this two year subscription was against his wishes, and Microsoft has refused to refund the charge.
He is seeking damages on the following charges. "Plaintiff asserts claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, conversion, and violation of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), 15 U.S.C. § 1693, et seq., on behalf of himself and similarly situated Xbox LIVE Gold members."
Graves also claims that the terms and conditions of Xbox Live are "vague and onerous" and unlawful.
Xbox Live has around 23 million subscribers.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...x-live-billing
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August 12th, 2011, 00:05 Posted By: wraggster
An Xbox Live enabled version of the Windows puzzle classic (which must surely also be one of the most played videogames of all time), has just joined Sudoku on Microsoft's smartphone platform. It includes Classic and Speed modes and Xbox Live features: ten Achievements and leaderboards. The downside is, however, that they're only available in the US.
http://www.next-gen.biz/news/free-mi...indows-phone-7
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August 11th, 2011, 23:34 Posted By: wraggster
Looking to spruce up that nondescript living room table? So are a smattering of folks from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. At this week's SIGGRAPH E-tech event, a team from the entity dropped by to showcase the deadly cute MoleBot table. At its simplest, it's a clever tabletop game designed to entertain folks aged 3 to 103; at the other extreme, it's a radically new way of using Microsoft's Kinect to interact with something that could double as a place to set your supper. Improving on similar projects in the past, this shape-display method uses a two-dimensional translating cam (mole cam), 15,000 closely packed hexagonal pins equivalent to cam followers, and a layer of spandex between the mole cam and the pins to reduce friction.
When we dropped by, the Kinect mode was disabled in favor of using an actual joystick to move the ground below. In theory, one could hover above the table and use hand gestures to move the "mole," shifting to and fro in order to pick up magnetic balls and eventually affix the "tail" onto the kitty. The folks we spoke with seemed to think that there's consumer promise here, as well as potential for daycares, arcades and other locales where entertaining young ones is a priority. Have a peek at a brief demonstration vid just after the break, and yes, you can bet we'll keep you abreast of the whole "on sale" situation.http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/molebot-interactive-gaming-table-hooks-up-with-kinect-puts-milt/
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August 9th, 2011, 23:46 Posted By: wraggster
Games industry analysts have weighed in with US sales predictions for the month of July, ahead of the release of official market data by the NPD Group this Thursday.
Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter and fellow analyst firm EEDAR expect Xbox 360 to be the top-selling platform for the seventh consecutive month, ahead of DS, Wii and PS3. Sony's home console is the only system both analyst firms expect to record an improvement over last July's sales total. Meanwhile, 3DS sales are forecast to come in second-bottom, ahead of PSP only, unless you still count PS2.
Wedbush / EEDAR July sales estimates (change year-on-year):
360 - 350,000 (-21%) / 401,000 (-10%)
DS - 315,000 (-21%) / 310,000 (-22%)
Wii - 230,000 (-9%) / 225,000 (-11%)
PS3 - 220,000 (+3%) / 229,000 (+7%)
3DS - 110,000 (n/a) / 100,000 (n/a)
PSP - 90,000 (+7%) / 80,000 (-5%)
PS2 - 10,000 (-59%) / n/a
Total - 1,325,000 (-7%) / 1,345,000 (-5%)
On the software front, Pachter said he expects July sales to be led by new release NCAA Football 12, with continued strong sales of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Infamous 2 and LA Noire.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ales-analysts/
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August 9th, 2011, 23:44 Posted By: wraggster
Another week, another Xbox Live Marketplace release list and the only new games in the pipeline are Fruit Ninja Kinect and Toy Soldiers: Cold War, set for August 10 and 17 respectively.
 Freddy Krueger arrives in Mortal Kombat today along with demos for Madden NFL 12 and Driver: San Francisco, while Dance Central is getting new songs from James Brown and Lloyd next week, Rock Band songs make up the latest Deals of the Week.
Today Driver demo is the single-player incarnation (and Ubisoft's released a new trailer to go with it) - a multiplayer demo will be released on August 16.
Get the full Xbox Live Marketplace release list through the source link.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ace-downloads/
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August 9th, 2011, 23:24 Posted By: wraggster
That crafty Ben Heck is always up to something, like whipping up an Xbox 360 disk changer for the laziest of gamers. But, on the latest episode of his hacking and modding show, Mr. Heck is back to helping those in need and crafting accessible controllers for the disabled. During the 15-minute hackathon, the modder extraordinaire creates two different Xbox 360 remotes -- a split model for those with limited arm motion, and a one-handed version for people with use of only one set of digits. If you've got a smidgen of soldering experience (and ideally access to a CNC) these projects are probably even simple enough to tackle yourself.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/ben-heck-splits-and-condenses-a-pair-of-xbox-360-controllers-for/
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August 9th, 2011, 23:19 Posted By: wraggster
We know that Symbian isn't dying any time soon, but here in the US of A the little OS that couldn't quite captivate our picky buyers will soon be mighty hard to find. Speaking with All Things D, Chris Weber, President of Nokia's US operations, said "When we launch Windows Phones we will essentially be out of the Symbian business, the S40 business, etc." That means no more full-price or business-focused devices in the US, and no more Symbian love. This is at least in part thanks to the failure of the Astoundto find a solid foothold, but Nokia's upcoming Windows Phone offerings (like the Sea Ray) will at least follow in its footsteps, being sold with proper carrier subsidies and riding the wave of a giant advertising blitz. Will it work? According to Weber, it has to: "The reality is if we are not successful with Windows Phone, it doesn't matter what we do."
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/n...-in-on-window/
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