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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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March 10th, 2014, 21:35 Posted By: wraggster
US Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners could soon see political advertisements appearing on the Xbox Live dashboard, according to a new report.
The Washington Post reports Microsoft representatives were spotted handing out promo materials during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this month in Washington DC.
The distributed documents boasted the firm’s Xbox Live, Skype, and MSN services as a new source – beyond Internet, television and radio – for candidates to place campaign ads.
The materials state targeted political advertisements would show up on Xbox Live users consoles based on an individual's state of residence and what demographic they fall under.
Microsoft has so far yet to issue any comment on the report.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...report/0129288
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March 10th, 2014, 21:31 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has commented on the controversial parity clause that would force ID@Xbox partners to either launch their titles on Xbox One first, or simultaneously with any other formats.
In a statement issued to Edge, a Microsoft representative addressed the clause – explaining that its enforcement would be determined on a case-by-case basis.
“Our goal is not to limit developers who are interested in Xbox One. In instances where games have signed a timed exclusive with another platform, we’ll work with them on a case by case basis,” the rep said.” We encourage them to get in touch at id@xbox.com.”
Several indie developers – including some ID@Xbox partners – have taken issue with the clause, pointing to the potential manpower and financial problems smaller teams would likely run into attempting to meet the contractual obligation.
Current ID@Xbox developers include Double Fine, Crytek, Playdead, Vlambeer, The Behemoth, Ska Studios and many more.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...y-case/0129343
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March 10th, 2014, 20:52 Posted By: wraggster
DICE has confirmed that server rental options will 'soon' be available to Battlefield 4 console players.
Server rental is already available for BF4 players on PC, but the service is yet to be opened up to those playing on Xbox or PlayStation hardware.
 But speaking via the Battlelog forums, a DICE rep told fans, "Indeed, it is coming. I'm afraid we don't have any information on this quite yet, but it is coming soon!"
Nothing further was revealed, but we expect console players to receive more information in the coming months.
Renting a server for Battlefield affords you greater administrative control over the game - you're able set up private or public matches, customize gameplay parameters such as the number of starting tickets per team, kick or mute players and choose specific maps for rotation.
Rental pricing varies between providers but ranges up to $25 per month.
DICE has been working hard to fix Battlefield 4's gameplay following a troubled launch late last year. Having improved vastly since then, the game received the latest of its frequent updates last week for PS4, PC, and Xbox 360 and PS3.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...s-coming-soon/
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March 10th, 2014, 20:49 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has pledged to improve its Games with Gold programme and make it "more true" to what people might expect from the service.The offer currently gifts gamers two free Xbox 360 games a month to download and keep forever, but users have complained about the choice of titles offered.
It's something that Microsoft exec Phil Spencer has told Polygon that he is now trying to improve."I have been sitting down, monthly now, with [the Games with Gold team]... and playing a more active role in picking franchises that show up in Games with Gold," he said."I think you'll see at least something that feels, at least, more true to what I think Games with Gold should look like with the constraints that are there."Spencer also addressed the programme's frequent comparisons with PlayStation Plus. Sony's rival offer has more games for free each month - and usually newer titles, too. Sony also includes PlayStation 4 in its programme, whereas Microsoft does not include Xbox One.The difference, Spencer said, is that Games with Gold lets users keep the games forever, whereas PlayStation Plus only allows you access while you remain subscribed."One of our... differences between the other system we get compared to, is the fact that with Games with Gold, you get to keep that game, regardless of whether you continue to subscribe," Spencer concluded."I think there's some steps and some evolution of what Games with Gold or any of the other systems will go through to their full potential."Xbox One titles will be included in Games with Gold at some point, but Microsoft has yet to announce when that will begin.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...gold-programme
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March 10th, 2014, 20:41 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's top brass remains firmly behind the Xbox brand despite recent changes in the company's leadership, exec Phil Spencer has said.
Spencer reassured Xbox fans at SXSW that the company had no plans to leave the gaming space under the newly-appointed reigime of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella andXbox division boss Stephen Elop."In a funny way, our job is to create great games on Xbox, on Windows, on Windows Phone, and the stuff that happens above the studios is kind of just 'stuff' to a lot of the studios, which I think is the right way," Spencer said (thanks, Polygon)."In terms of Microsoft's commitment in the space, I know both Satya and Stephen Elop, I know them well. I've had explicit conversations with them about Microsoft's commitment to Xbox - they're extremely committed to Xbox."A report published in November 2013 stated that if Elop had got Nadella's job he would have considered selling the Xbox division."Xbox is a really critical brand for us as a company as Microsoft; when you think about consumers, what they love about our company, Xbox is one of the most beloved brands that the company has," Spencer continued."We're in the middle of a good, competitive battle in the console space with PlayStation, which is great for the industry. And they remain extremely committed to us succeeding with Xbox, which is nice to hear, right? It's something that resonates well inside the walls when you're talking to the teams, or when I stand in front of Xbox fans, I want to make sure that they understand we are extremely committed to this product."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...mitted-to-xbox
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March 10th, 2014, 20:38 Posted By: wraggster
Titanfall launches at the same "792p" resolution as the beta code released last month, according to reports that surfaced over the weekend, and officially confirmed by Respawn lead engineer Richard Baker during a recent interview with Digital Foundry.We asked Baker whether we can expect to see any post-beta resolution shifts, bearing in mind comments attributed to Respawn community manager Abbie Heppe, who indicated that final resolution may be in the region of 900p."We've been experimenting with making it higher and lower. One of the big tricks is how much ESRAM we're going to use, so we're thinking of not using hardware MSAA and instead using FXAA to make it so we don't have to have this larger render target," Baker told us."We're going to experiment. The target is either 1080p non-anti-aliased or 900p with FXAA. We're trying to optimise... we don't want to give up anything for higher res. So far we're not 100 per cent happy with any of the options, we're still working on it. For day one it's not going to change. We're still looking at it for post-day one. We're likely to increase resolution after we ship."What's curious about this response is that ESRAM utilisation appears to be key for Respawn as opposed to raw GPU power, as the jump from 792p to 900p, and again to 1080p are highly significant resolution bumps unlikely to be resolved by switching away from multi-sampling anti-aliasing (MSAA) alone. However, theoretically, dropping MSAA from a 1408x792 framebuffer could free up enough ESRAM to accommodate a 1080p image. In our recent tech analysis of the beta, we were curious about how Respawn could increase resolution so dramatically when the 792p code we played had issues sustaining a locked 60fps.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/di...-ships-at-792p
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March 10th, 2014, 20:33 Posted By: wraggster
Street Fighter developer Capcom has announced the Capcom Pro Tour, an annual gaming league in partnership with streaming broadcaster Twitch.The tour will initially focus on Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition, then transition to Ultra Street Fighter 4 when it releases this summer.10 premier events will take place throughout the year, and any player who wins one of these events will ultimately qualify for the year-end Capcom Cup. A further six places will then be offered on a points basis."The fighting community has always been a huge part of the world of competitive gaming, but has lacked global leagues and structure which other esports communities have benefited greatly from," said Twitch fighting game community specialist Victor 'Victheslik' Denchartphan."What Capcom is setting out to achieve by organising a year-long pro tour in tandem with leveraging the Twitch community is definitely going to change the face of the fighting game scene."Matches will be streamed on the Capcom Fighers Twitch channel - there's plenty more details of when over on Capcom Pro Tour site.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...er-game-league
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March 9th, 2014, 22:28 Posted By: wraggster
Hi Eurogamers! It's your weekly care package dropped from the Outside Xbox battlecopter. Inside is a look at Xbox One's major March system update, which is rolling out now.The update addresses a bunch of common user complaints, but is that going to be enough to keep Xbox One in the race? And, crucially, what's missing from the March update? Let's have a look.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ate-doesnt-fix
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March 9th, 2014, 20:19 Posted By: wraggster
Those intending to use Microsoft’s new stereo headset with their Xbox One will have to go through the unusual process of updating their controller’s firmware.
Fortunately it’s a relatively painless process that should take less than five minutes in total.
The required software arrived last week alongside Xbox One’s second system update. Remember, too, that Twitch will finally be arriving on the console next week alongside Titanfall.
Providing your console is already up to date, here’s what you have to do to update your controller, courtesy ofXbox.com:
- Open the battery compartment on the back of the controller and remove the batteries.
- Plug the Stereo Headset Adaptor into the bottom of your controller.
- Plug in a headset (a headset is required to be plugged in so the adaptor will turn on).
- Plug the big end of the included USB cable into the port on the side of the console.
- Plug the small end of the USB cable into the top of the controller.
- Instructions to install the update should automatically be displayed. Follow the instructions, and don’t disconnect the USB cable while the update is in progress.
- When the update is complete, unplug the USB cable and put the batteries back into your controller.
- Press the Xbox button on the Wireless Controller to turn it on. Your controller is now up-to-date, and you’re ready to use your Xbox One Stereo Headset Adaptor.
Note: You only need to update your controller one time, but if you plan to use the Stereo Headset Adaptor with other Xbox One Controllers, you’ll need to do this process for each controller.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...dapter/0129233
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March 9th, 2014, 20:18 Posted By: wraggster
Don’t expect to see Sony and Microsoft dropping the price of PS3 and Xbox 360 this side of Christmas.
That’s according to EA’s chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen, who as reported by GameSpot told the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, & Technology conference that: "At some point [Microsoft and Sony] will most likely bring those prices down, which could expand the marketplace for old-generation software.
“I'm guessing it's probably late in the year or maybe even after next Christmas. I don't know; they've not told us what their plans are but it's probably not any time real soon."
Jorgensen also countered critics of the publisher’s recent free-to-play endeavours by saying that the business model is here to stay.
"On the mobile side, that business is growing extremely fast globally, and almost all of that mobile business is done in a free-to-play model,” he added.
"I think that model's here to stay. I don't see that there's a paid download model that really lasts much longer, and all of our games are focused on that free-to-play mentality."
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ea-s-...likely/0129234
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March 9th, 2014, 20:14 Posted By: wraggster
 Microsoft will unveil its ID@Xbox launchplan at GDC – but will it offer clarification on its launch parity clause?
Microsoft’s ID@Xbox initiative is off to an excellent start, with the first wave of games to be showcased at GDC and released later this month. And yet questions remain over Microsoft’s controversial launch parity clause.For the last few weeks we’ve been building a picture of Xbox One’s indie self-publishing program by speaking to a large number of studios signed up to the ID@Xbox scheme. What’s clear is that Microsoft is following in Sony’s footsteps, doing its utmost to woo indies to its platform by making processes simpler and offering support at every point of the submission and approval process.Those efforts will step up a notch at GDC. Microsoft will host a press event at the trade show intended to emphasise its commitment to independent game development, and has invited developers in the ID@Xbox program to showcase their wares on its stand. The first wave of ID@Xbox games is expected to go live this month, with Born Ready Games’ Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut set to be among the first – if not the first – game released through the initiative. Studios have also told us that the ID@Xbox revenue split is the same as its competitors, 30 per cent for the platform, 70 per cent for the developer. We have contacted Microsoft for official comment on these matters and will update this story with any statement offered.Xbox has become more open, fairer to indies and easier to work with, but it must now clarify its policy on launch parity. Remove the doubts around that, and indie games will thrive on Xbox One, potentially attracting the kind of goodwill Sony has enjoyed over the last year.
http://www.edge-online.com/news/firs...ds-resolution/
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March 9th, 2014, 20:13 Posted By: wraggster
 The latest Xbox One update shows signs of improvement – but it’s still not the interface it should be.
In December, with Xbox One freshly released, we delivered our verdict on the interface. It was not an encouraging one. Rushed to market, woefully designed and lacking feature parity not only in relation to PS4 but the Xbox 360, it remains one of the most curious oversights of this new generation: it is possible to see how Microsoft convinced itself that always-online and a TV focus was the best approach for its console, but there are no spreadsheets in the world that would suggest that throwing away a category-leading multiplayer system is the key to success.Three months later and, as we speculated, ahead of the expected arrival of new players courtesy of Titanfall, Microsoft has issued the first two updates to the console’s frontend. They address some of the more obvious flaws: the woefully under-featured party system, the inability to discover which of your friends is online and the absence of a way to manage the too-quickly filled storage space (In Microsoft’s defence, this is at least a sign of the console’s considerable games lineup; for all Sony’s success in positioning itself as “for the players” it hasn’t delivered the software that Microsoft has).The result is an undoubted improvement. The party system is now more or less the same as it was on Xbox 360 and it’s easier to find and play with your friends. UK users can actually use the TV features thanks to the addition of a 50Hz output option, and they can disable the Kinect gestures that have blighted the experience for those in the US.
http://www.edge-online.com/features/...nes-interface/
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March 9th, 2014, 10:04 Posted By: wraggster
The developers of Alan Wake and the upcoming Quantum Break now have an Oscar in their midst, further raising their new game's profile in Microsoft's big multimedia push on Xbox One. The third-person shooter, in which unforeseen anomalies fling bits of the world forward in time, will have a companion television show and visual effects work from some of the recognized talent behind Alfonso Cuarón's boundless space film, Gravity.
In a note on the official Remedy Games website, the staff congratulates Greg Louden for his work at London-based effects studio Framestore, which won an Academy Award last week for Best Visual Effects. According to Louden's resume, he oversaw shots of Gravity's computer-generated interiors, with a focus on the free-floating objects that surrounded Sandra Bullock's stranded character. The film was entirely pre-visualized and extensively animated, making it an even greater achievement in visual effects than it might first appear. Gravity was also given gongs for its director, cinematography, editing, musical score, sound mixing, sound editing.
At Remedy, Louden is working not only on visual effects for Quantum Break, but on scripting and designing events as part of level design. The environment for visual effects is arguably more challenging in games, which are expected to display high-quality graphics in real-time and in a way that responds well to the player. And even with top-notch effects, the approval of players may still be harder to earn than an Academy Award.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/05/qu...on-to-gravity/
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March 9th, 2014, 09:51 Posted By: wraggster
 Come next week, Microsoft is kicking off a promotion designed to make an Xbox One purchase that much more attractive by including a gratis copy of the console's flagship racer, Forza Motorsport 5.
Omnipresent Xbox spokesman Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb unveiled the offer on his blog earlier today. "Starting at select retailers next week in the U.S., a digital copy of Forza Motorsport 5 will be included with purchases of Xbox One for the retail price of $499.99 for a limited time," Hryb wrote, before launching into a hyperbolic, if not inaccurate description of the racer. Our own review of the game awarded it four of five stars, with Ludwig praising the game's functionality and attention to detail, but lamenting its anemic selection of vehicles and tracks - an issue that has since been partially amended by DLC additions.
Unfortunately, according to Microsoft, this promotion does not apply to Xbox One consoles purchased as part of the upcomingTitanfall bundle.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/06/bu...py-of-forza-5/
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March 9th, 2014, 09:51 Posted By: wraggster
Activision's flagship first-person shooter, Call of Duty: Ghosts, is expanding once again, with the release of the "Devastation" DLC pack on April 3.
Devastation marks the second of four major DLC releases for Call of Duty: Ghosts and brings with it four new multiplayer maps, alongside the second chapter of the alien-infested narrative attached to the Extinction gametype. The highlight of these new maps is a modern reimagining of "Dome," a fan-favorite multiplayer arena first introduced in 2011's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Other maps include a wrecked shipping vessel pinned against an equally wrecked New York City bridge, a massive South American excavation platform and a Mayan temple inexplicably located at the top of a mountain.
To whet players' appetites for the DLC, Activision is releasing a small portion of Devastation early. As of today, those Xbox Live players who own the Call of Duty: Ghosts season pass now have access to the Ripper, a convertible weapon which can transform from sub-machine gun to assault rifle faster than you can say "Optimus Prime."
While season pass holders will receive Devastation at no additional charge, those who decide to purchase the DLC a la carte will need to shell out $15 for the privilege.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/06/ca...box-live-on-a/
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March 9th, 2014, 09:48 Posted By: wraggster
EA's quadrennial FIFA World Cup sub-series comes around as often as the global sporting event does, but this year's version will still include some familiar modes. EA Sports announced six core modes for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil this week, each celebrating the cherished soccer event in different ways.
First up is the game's Road to the FIFA World Cup mode, which allows players to take one of the 203 international teams through the World Cup competition starting in the qualifying rounds. That's separate from the game's "authentic" 2014 FIFA World Cup mode, which begins with the teams that qualified for the group stages and can be played online or locally.
The game also includes the Road to Rio de Janeiro mode, which has players competing online at each of the 12 Brazilian World Cup venues, similar to FIFA 14's Online Seasons mode. 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil also includes two historic modes: Story of Finals follows this summer's competition and issues challenges based on the results of each real-life match while Story of Qualifying features over 60 matches from the two-and-a-half year qualifying cycle for the upcoming World Cup event. The latter mode also features challenges specific to the outcomes of those historic games as well, such as scoring two goals as a 10-man France team against Spain in 11 minutes to qualify for the event.
Lastly, players will be able to guide an individual athlete, either real or created, through the World Cup process in Captain Your Country mode. While a similar mode from 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa allowed players to use their created footballers from FIFA 10 in the mode, it's unclear if 2014 FIFA World Cupmaintains the same compatibility with FIFA 14. The game will also feature standard online and local friendly matches in addition to 50 new skill games.2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil launches April 15 in North America and April 17 in Europe on Xbox 360 and PS3.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/06/ca...ld-cup-brazil/
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March 9th, 2014, 09:47 Posted By: wraggster
Haven't played Battlefield 2142? If that's the case, the upcoming 'Carrier Assault' mode in the Naval Strike DLC for Battlefield 4 will feel like a fresh experience. Inspired by 2142's 'Titan' mode, Carrier Assault challenges opposing sides to sink their enemy's aircraft carrier. In a new post on theofficial Battlefield blog, lead gameplay designer Gustav Halling explains how the revamped mode works:
"There are two ways of destroying the enemy carrier: either by full map control or assaulting the carrier as infantry. Each round is divided into 2 stages, starting with map control and ending with carrier attack. Both teams start on their own carrier and race to control the missile launchers placed on the map, by capturing the control points near them. This will automatically launch missiles towards the enemy carrier throughout the round, eventually destroying its hull and making it open for infantry attacks," he writes. Once access to the carrier is established, players can either drive a boat to the carrier to board it, or parachute down from spawn points above to destroy a series of M-COM stations within the hull. Alternatively, they can sit back and allow for the missile silos to reduce the carrier's health to zero.
Halling says the inspired mode maintains the importance of map control, so a team that can't seem to break through to an enemy carrier can still succeed by defending their carrier and controlling the missile silo.
Battlefield 4's 'Naval Strike' expansion will launch (as missiles are wont to do) later this month, first for Premium members and then for all.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/06/di...-assault-mode/
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March 9th, 2014, 09:44 Posted By: wraggster
Once upon a time in South Africa, a young video game journalist named Ludwig Kietzmann collapsed for no apparent reason, falling to the floor in a heap of stylish dark-wash jeans and almonds. Seconds later, he awoke and knew something was desperately wrong. Something horrible was coming, and there was only one thing he could do to avoid catastrophe. He had to get out of South Africa.
EA South Africa will not launch Titanfall in the region, attributing the decision to poor internet performance rates. The post on EA South Africa's Facebookreads as follows:
"After conducting recent online tests for Titanfall, we found that the performance rates in South Africa were not as high as we need to guarantee a great experience, so we have decided not to release Titanfall in South Africa at this time.
"We understand this is a disappointment for local fans and will keep fans posted on any future plans regarding the release of Titanfall in South Africa."
In February, EA delayed the Titanfall beta in South Africa, but overall it marketed the game as per standard protocol. Reviews of the South African betanoted a ping in the 200ms range, but added that the game's built-in latency tolerance worked well and made it playable.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/07/no...-south-africa/
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March 9th, 2014, 09:42 Posted By: wraggster
RBI Baseball 14 will reportedly launch on April 10, according to a tweet from ESPN Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell. Rovell noted that the launch date applies to the game's Xbox 360, PS3, iOS and Android versions, though there's no word on the Xbox One and PS4 versions as of yet.
The resurgence of the RBI Baseball series was first announced in January, and is in development by MLB Advanced Media, the baseball league's in-house interactive entertainment division that handles mobile games and broadcast tools like MLB.TV. We've reached out to MLBAM to confirm the game's release date and will update as we learn more.
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/07/re...d-on-april-10/
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