|
|
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
|
January 4th, 2009, 22:24 Posted By: wraggster
The limitations of the 360's D-pad are well known (and well trolled). This modder's building a D-pad with eight individual switches so that when he hits a diagonal, dammit, he hits a diagonal.
John, the modder, wrote us directly about this. While he acknowledges that sanding down the casing that surrounds the circular pad may improve its response, "you still do not get the accuracy of having eight individual buttons." And rather than build or buy an arcade joystick, he's broken out the solder and set out to make the 360 controller more better all by himself.
I guess building a controller with a D-pad more like Sony's runs afoul of IP infringement somewhere, but that'll never stop modders. John's project stands at $15 in parts, and he's now working on making the top plate/button cover (you see the exposed tact switches there). He says he'll get a step-by-step up on Instructables or his blog once the whole thing is finished, if you have some wires and diodes laying around and don't mind cracking open your own controller.
http://kotaku.com/5123013/modder-bui...a-better-d+pad
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
 Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
 |
|
|
|
January 4th, 2009, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster
Last November, Square Enix dropped a portable port of their web-based puzzler Yosumin on an unassuming Japan. Despite receiving middle-of-the-road reviews, it seems that Squeenix has decided to release an XBLA port of the game, titled Yosumin Live, as evidenced by a few screengrabs from Portuguese site RumblePack as well as a few leaked screenshots from Destructoid.
Yosumin, for those not in the know, is a Bejeweled-esque title in which the player must clear similarly-shaped blocks by swapping them into rectangular formations. A screenshot clearly showing an "Achievements" tab in the opening menu is the main evidence that the game is coming out on XBLA, though RumblePack claims Yosumin Live will make its move to the PSN shortly thereafter. There's no source given for said hypothesis, though -- we'll have to wait for word from Square Enix for further details.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/sq...-live-to-xbla/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 3rd, 2009, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster
Eager to use your mouse / keyboard combo on your Xbox 360? Eager enough to drop $179.95 for the privilege? If so, then you should probably know that XIM's ready and willing to oblige. The XIM 2 module, which is supposedly plug 'n play in nature, is at long last available for ordering, though it's not quite ready for shipment. Seriously though, for this price you may be better off investing in a few controller mastering lessons and using the remainder on Bawls and Cheetos.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/03/x...ready-to-pony/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 3rd, 2009, 10:39 Posted By: wraggster
Well, here's an interesting twist to this story. That mysterious and completely enraging "Zune bug" that cropped up on the final day of 2008 may not have been restricted to Microsoft PMPs. A much smaller cadre of Toshiba Gigabeat users reportedly experienced similar issues, and some even noted that the whole "discharge and re-date" rigmarole fixed their unit right up as well. Upon further investigation, it seems that the issue may actually reside in the Freescale MC13783 processor, which -- coincidentally enough -- is used in the Zune 30 and a few of Toshiba's alternatives. We suppose it's a little late to ask, but did any non-Zune owners experience similar issues just prior to the dawn of '09? Or were you too busy, um, partying like it was 1999?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/03/y...freescale-bug/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 3rd, 2009, 00:31 Posted By: wraggster
Last week Spike posted a countdown clock which ticked over in 2009 to reveal Way of the Samurai 3 was getting an Xbox 360 port. In a video greeting the developers revealed it’s on track to come out in Japan on February 26 and will have additional content not found in the PlayStation 3 release which came out in November 2008.
What kind of content? Looks like it might be character customization content. Way of the Samurai 3 has a character creation system where you can transform your samurai into a Spartan warrior or don a suit of cardboard boxes. Currently, no US publisher has announced Way of the Samurai 3, but since an Xbox 360 version is in the pipeline we should get it.
http://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/02...ns-to-the-360/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 3rd, 2009, 00:31 Posted By: wraggster
Now here’s a surprise. In the future Yosumin is going to be more than a DS game. Square Enix and likely some other developer are bringing the rectangle making Flash game Yosumin to Xbox Live Arcade.
Yousmin isn’t exactly Square Enix’s first Xbox Live Arcade since they own Taito and a handful of Taito properties like Space Invaders Extreme are coming to Xbox Live Arcade. However, the Yosumin leak stands out since it’s a Square Enix thing instead of a legacy property from Taito. Hmm… maybe some other developer isn’t working on Yosumin Live. Square Enix quietly announced they are building a US studio designed for digital titles.
http://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/02...-yosumin-live/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 3rd, 2009, 00:19 Posted By: wraggster
Word comes from Sauron's agent, the one they call Major Nelson of the Red Mound, that the multiplayer demo for Lord of the Rings: Conquest is available now on Xbox Live. The 1.25GB demo is available globally and allows you to play as either the armies of "good" or "evil" -- although, what side those terms represent is surely up for philosophical debate.
Developer Pandemic has had no qualms in saying that LotR: Conquest is Star Wars: Battlefront with a Middle-Earth setting. The game should arrive on January 13 for X360, PS3 and PC. Now, go kill some filthy Hobbitses!
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/sa...-demo-on-live/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 1st, 2009, 20:45 Posted By: wraggster
Well, that was a wild way to end 2008, but Zune 30 users should be back in the saddle now that 2009 is here, as of about 7 am EST. In case you missed Microsoft's sage advice on the issue, you'll need to let the player completely drain its battery, then plug it back into a power source and all should be right as rain. Hopefully you didn't do anything drastic like removing the battery (voids the warranty) or use up all 10 of your free Zune Pass songs during those dark, dark hours of Zunelessness.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/01/w...to-the-social/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 1st, 2009, 02:11 Posted By: wraggster
Former PlayStation exclusive series Way of the Samurai is making the platform jump. Publisher Spike announced its intentions to bring Way of the Samurai 3 to the Xbox 360 in February.
Originally released on the PlayStation 3 in November, Way of the Samurai 3 (aka Samurai Dou 3) debuted in Japan with 81,000 units sold. Not bad for a week's worth of sales, but developer Acquire and Spike may want to up those numbers with a port for Xbox 360 owners. The new version, dated for February 26th in Japan, will have "new elements" and offer downloadable content of some form.
Hopefully, that means we're one step closer to a Western release, regardless of the platform. I've always loved these quirky, if graphically underwhelming samurai adventure games. Who's with me? Anyone?
http://kotaku.com/5121824/way-of-the...th-to-xbox-360
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
January 1st, 2009, 01:58 Posted By: wraggster
"Early this morning we were alerted by our customers that there was a widespread issue affecting our 2006 model Zune 30GB devices (a large number of which are still actively being used). The technical team jumped on the problem immediately and isolated the issue: a bug in the internal clock driver related to the way the device handles a leap year. The issue should be resolved over the next 24 hours as the time change moves to January 1, 2009. We expect the internal clock on the Zune 30GB devices will automatically reset tomorrow (noon, GMT). By tomorrow you should allow the battery to fully run out of power before the unit can restart successfully then simply ensure that your device is recharged, then turn it back on. If you're a Zune Pass subscriber, you may need to sync your device with your PC to refresh the rights to the subscription content you have downloaded to your device."
There you have it, straight from the official support thread on this problem. So for those of you who were about to take screwdrivers to your Zune and open them up, just wait until tomorrow and it should start working again. This confirms that it was in fact caused by this year being a leap year, and thus having 366 days. I'm shocked and disappointed that Microsoft allowed this bug to go un-checked - they have some of the longest and most grueling test cycles in the industry for their software, so I'm stunned that the Zune team allowed this to happen. The Zune is struggling enough as it is, this is a black eye it really didn't need. We'll discuss that issue in a couple of days...I have some thoughts about it.
http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/sho...-1st-2009.html
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 20:28 Posted By: wraggster
It's time for the final Xbox Live Arcade game of 2008, and they've saved the best for last, provided you are a big fan of crossword puzzles, game shows, or the works of Merv Griffin.
Merv Griffin's Crosswords is a game based off of a television game show created by Merv Griffin, deceased media mogul and television host. The show pit players against each other in a quiz-show format, with the answers to given questions filling in space in a crossword puzzle. Exciting? So exciting that the show is currently on hiatus and rumored as dead as its creator, but that won't stop your family from having non-stop fun with the Xbox Live Arcade version, now will it?
It does have more than 1.000 puzzles, plus online multiplayer for 2-5 players, so it could be an interesting diversion for the more casual player at 800 Microsoft points. Just seems like a bit of a let down. What's a four-letter word for something very disappointing?
http://kotaku.com/5121445/xbla-gets-...v-griffin-game
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 20:25 Posted By: wraggster
Written by two designers of the Cell processor, The Race for a New Game Machine, is a new book covering the creation of Sony's ambitious PlayStation 3 chip, and how Microsoft got a hold of its architecture for the Xbox 360. The Wall Street Journal, which gave a rather gloomy forecast for the PS3 earlier this week, has an extensive preview.
According to the book, Sony, Toshiba and IBM started working on the Cell in 2001 and planned to spend $400 million over five years. If everything went according to plan, the PlayStation 3 would be out by Christmas 2005. In 2002, Microsoft approached IBM about making a chip for what would later be known as the Xbox 360. IBM ended up making a new chip "built around the core" of the Cell it was currently creating for Sony. In the end, Xbox made the 2005 launch (with a time bomb under the hood) and Sony came out a year later.
As the WSJ points out, for all the power and money behind Microsoft and Sony's consoles, Nintendo has outsold both with its "sound strategic vision" with the less-powerful Wii.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/bo...icrosoft-crib/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 20:18 Posted By: wraggster
Reader Neil has just told us a DIY solution to revive Zune 30s killed by the Zunepocalypse until Microsoft gets back with an official fix. It requires some slight disassembly, but nothing too complicated.
Follow Rapid Repair's guide to taking your Zune apart to step 4, so you have access to the hard drive and the battery. Disconnect BOTH the battery and hard drive, and then plug 'em back in. This apparently resets the Zune's internal clock, which brings it back to life. Put it back together, and it should be 100 percent again. (Assuming you don't screw it up.)
The risk here is that we're not sure how attempting this DIY fix will play into what Microsoft's solution is. Like, if for some reason you've gotta send it in to Microsoft, this might screw up your warranty situation. But, at least you'll have a working Zune sooner, rather than later. Thanks Neil!
http://gizmodo.com/5121618/how-to-revive-dead-zunes-30s
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 20:16 Posted By: wraggster
Do you have a Zune 30? If so, does the thing look something like the above? That is to say, stuck at a loading bar and completely non-functional? If so, you are not alone. We've been flooded with tips about users whose 30GB players started locking up at midnight last night, essentially bricking themselves without any help from their owners. The failures are coming 24-hours ahead of the big '09 changeover, but that hasn't stopped Zune aficionados from dubbing this unfortunate flaw "Z2K." No official word yet from Microsoft, but we're guessing a made-for-TV doomsday movie staring Louis Gossett Jr. can't be too far off. Trailer after the break.
Update: Jim wrote in to let us know that someone at Microsoft has apparently finally woken up and checked their e-mail (yikes, imagine that inbox). The official Zune site now has a message stating that Redmond's best are aware of the problem and "are working to correct it." We'll keep you posted.
Update 2: Major Nelson just tweeted that anyone with an issue "should be good to go." Exactly what that means, however, remains to be seen, as there's still no word of an official fix on the Zune site.
Update 3: Oops, sorry for getting your hopes up. Seems the Major was wrong and is now indicating the team of Zune developers is working like mad to figure it out. Somebody had better order in lunch for those guys -- it's going to be a long day.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/3...december-31st/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 11:34 Posted By: wraggster
Wanted to go online New Year's Eve, but didn't have a virtual stitch for your avatar to wear? Never fear, totally fresh clothing and accessories for the New Xbox Experience are here.
Keeping up with the latest trends, Microsoft is offering new, brightly colored gear like an all over print "Pixel Art Hoodie" and a pair of "Rave Baseball Caps." Sweat bands, zebra pumps and fingerless gloves can give you horrible electroclash flashbacks while browsing your Xbox Live friends list now too. Yes, more skinny fit jeans (read: Avatar leggings) because you demanded it!
The full list of new wearables is after this. Fire off your "Hey Microsoft, 2006 called and it wants its Bape knock-offs back!" e-mails afterward.
http://kotaku.com/5121178/your-nxe-a...n-the-new-year
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 00:54 Posted By: wraggster
For the first time ever, a major console company has allowed hobbyists to create peer-reviewed console games, and publish them directly onto the console for worldwide download.
Here are XNPlay picks for the top XNA titles released onto the Xbox 360 in 2008, all currently available for download from the console's Community Games section:
10. Galax-E-Mail (BogTurtleStudios) - 200 Point
9. Monaco360 (Cognatus Systems) - 200 Points
8. CaveIn (Johnny Death) - 400 Points
7. Star Pilot (jsmars) - 400 Points
6. Weapon Of Choice (Mommy's Best Games) - 400 Points
5. Hexothermic (David Webb) - 200 Points
4. Duotrix (Caffeine Monster Software/Binary Zoo) - 400 Points
3. Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp (Ishisoft) - 200 Points
2. Ultratron (Pumpkin Games/Puppy Games) - 400 Points
1. CarneyVale Showtime (Gambit) - 400 Points
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=21673
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31st, 2008, 00:53 Posted By: wraggster
2008, it was predicted, was to be the beginning of the end for Microsoft. It's lead over Sony was born of an early launch and the competition fumbling its first year, some said. But with the forward-looking PS3 picking up steam, the 360 would slowly lose market share and eventually cede the year, sales-wise, to Sony.
Now however, it looks like that won't be the case, and the reason for the turn-around is also the story of the console's 2008--a series of strong management decisions and wise market reads that could give the business the strength to power through the entirety of the generation.
* HD-DVD Dies, 360 Player Goes With It - February 25
* Sony, MS, Duke it Out for GTA Supremacy - May 15
* Shane Kim Gets Promoted - June 12
* Microsoft Wrests Final Fantasy XIII Exclusivity from Sony - July 14
* Microsoft Undercuts Wii's Value Price Point - September 5
* Halo Wars Becomes Ensemble's Swan Song - September 9
* Japanese 360 Sales Get Surprising Surge - September 17
* Gears of Wars 2's 2 Million Weekend - November 12
* New Xbox Experience Launches to Success - November 19
* Xbox 360 Outsells its Predecessor - November 24
http://www.edge-online.com/features/...08-news-makers
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 30th, 2008, 22:08 Posted By: wraggster
Listen, we respect your intelligence, so we're just going to be straight with you. This is a really hard time of the year for news. On any other day, we'd probably let you discover that the Guitar Hero World Tour European track pack we told you about before had appeared on XBL for yourself. But it's Dec. 30, so here we are.
European Track Pack 02:
"Degenerated" - Backyard Babies (Sweden)
"Por La Boca Vive El Pez" - Fito Y Fitipaldis (Spain)
"Johnny" - Di-Rect (Netherlands)
They're each 160 points, and we're sure some of them are by some fine bands. We think that picture above is one of them, but there's really no way we can be sure.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/ne...ro-world-tour/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
|
December 30th, 2008, 22:07 Posted By: wraggster
One of our New Year's resolutions is to do better at keeping up with all the XNA Community Games (it's a long-time-coming, we know). In the meanwhile, GamerBytes and XNPlay have picked up the slack, and have chosen the top games on the service from 2008.
Taking the top slots are Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp, Ultratron and vertical ragdoll platformer CarneyVale: Showtime, which you really have to see to "get." Don't worry, we've put a video of it after the break.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/ga...mmunity-games/
To read more of the post and Download, click here!
Join In and Discuss Here
Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here |
|
|
|
|
« prev
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
next » |
|
|
