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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 18th, 2006, 19:52 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo China
This is the most complete 360 case on the market, with high quality plastic that gives the appearance of glass (nobody wants murky clouded plastic cases)!
This is the only case in the world that comes with a clear DVD drive lid, which actually lets you the DVD spinning while you play! Inside this amazing kit is also a clear fan tunnel, without this vital piece you wouldn't even be able to see your circuit board! This piece opens up the whole inside of your console so you can see everything going on inside (this also allows for your custom lighting kit to light up everything in the case)!
With this kit you really are getting a CLEAR Xbox 360
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August 18th, 2006, 19:48 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo China
Heres what they posted:
We are now taking orders for all 4 colors of the new XCM360 full (top and bottom) wired controller chrome case (matching their full console case in chrome). They are available in red, blue, green and yellow, and require 3 wires to be soldered to light up all buttons. This is for the official Microsoft wired controller only, the wireless version is coming in 1 week.
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August 18th, 2006, 19:46 Posted By: wraggster
New 360 and PS3 Battlefield extension shooting up next-gen!
Blimey, well we've pretty much shot our wad with both headline and subheadline there because that pretty much tells you all we know about a new Battlefield game which is currently underway and confirmed today for both PS3 and Xbox 360 and EA reps.
Undoubtedly it's in development over at D.I.C.E., but further details are proving pretty damn elusive, because the game's subtitle Bad Company is pretty much all we know for now, apart from the fact that it's absolutely nothing to do with PC shooter Battlefield 2142.
More info as it charges onto the battlefield.
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August 18th, 2006, 19:45 Posted By: wraggster
It's been a long, long time coming, but after momentarily plopping off the radar, it seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the long awaited Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera. The US edition of Official Xbox Magazine is reporting that the peripheral has been granted a stateside release of September 19 release date, and will be available in two bundle deals.
In case you don't know, the Camera is designed to abet online gamers communicative methods with the added bonus of video messaging for games compatible with the device. Although such games seemed focused towards specific Live Arcade titles, certain developers have begun tinkering with its capabilities in mind. Ubisoft, for example, is integrating support in its Rainbow Six: Vegas for visual hand gesturing. And we don't mean the sort of gestures you might wag to a moron who's just driven over your foot in a clapped-out, family Volvo.
The two bundled deals rumoured to be available from September 19 are:
STANDARD KIT(expected RRP $39.99 - £21)
-Xbox Live Vision Camera
-Xbox Live Headset
-One 'free' month on Xbox Live Gold
-TotemBall Live Arcade Game
-Uno Live Arcade Game
GOLD KIT (expected RRP $79.99 - £42)
-Xbox Live Vision Camera
-Xbox Live Headset
-'Free' Xbox Live Gold subscription for a year month
-TotemBall Live Arcade Game
-Uno Live Arcade Game
-A third Xbox Live Arcade Game (tbc)
-200 Microsoft points
Personally, we're not entirely sure how the two Live Gold subsciptions can be described as 'free', when such a service seems to be the most substantial reason behind the 100% price hike between the two bundles. Hmmm, yes. Somebody needs their head testing on that one.
As for what the TotemBall game entails, well, it supposedly works along similar lines as the PS2's EyeToy games, with you balancing or guiding balls on the end of a totem pole, culminating in entry to some kind of giant pinball game. Two-player co-op options exist for this one.
So, overall, good news then that the Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera appears to have returned to the scene. No news on what the European release date will be, mind. There was originally talk of the hardware being launched simultaneously across the globe, but we certainly don't recommend you take that as a given. Don't worry though, we'll be right back as soon as we hear something more concrete.
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August 18th, 2006, 02:40 Posted By: wraggster
Not only are the first party controllers for Xbox 360 coming fast and furious, third party manufacturers are also getting into the game. This time, Mad Catz is putting out a retro arcade joystick controller for the 360. It's got the same amount of buttons as a regular 360 controller, except instead of a stanadard left analog stick it has an arcade stick.
It's, conveniently enough, called the ArcadeStick, and should be released October 1 for $70. We're not sure if it's going to be wireless, but it should make Pac Man and Frogger more fun to play on Xbox Live Arcade.
Screen Via Comments
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August 17th, 2006, 17:54 Posted By: wraggster
SPOnG took an interesting call earlier this week from a seemingly non-fanboyish and fairly knowledgeable reader who claims to have spoken to a Microsoft employee earlier in the week, who told our him that a 360 price cut was imminent ("between £50 and £100"), that a 100GB 360 Premium Pack would launch before Xmas and that Microsoft had definite plans to make games available on HD-DVD.
Whoa! Now, whilst the Microsoft employee in question was only a 'mere' customer services rep, and it sounded to SPOnG like he was just shooting the breeze and trying to impress our reader with his 'insider' knowledge, this is clearly how Internet rumours start. Indeed, these particular three mentioned above have spread across the Internet like a dirty virus.
So, instead of printing the bog-standard games website 'ZOMG! 360 to pwn PS3' type unsubstantiated news ('someone called us and told us they talked to someone else and they said it was definite' etc.) we've approached Microsoft in the UK to ask them to comment on all the above rumours. Whilst we have still to receive a reply from their office on all of this, we will literally eat our hats if they say anything other than 'Microsoft does not comment on rumour or speculation'.
However, there has been an official response on the HD-DVD games rumours from John Porcaro, group manager of PR and communications, who clearly states on the GamerScore blog that it's not part of the masterplan: "Since announcing the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player accessory at E3 2006, we've been clear that it is designed exclusively for playing HD-DVD movies. It will not play games on HD-DVD."
Remember, you read that here first. Should there be a change in strategy in 2007, which many suspect is on the cards if Microsoft is to combat the 'Blu-ray menace', then we will remind Mr Porcaro of his words.
Mr Porcaro also added: "At this point, we haven’t seen anything to suggest that next-gen DVD formats offer a better game experience than current DVD. What we do know is that these formats will bring added cost to game developers, disc manufacturing, and could even result in added costs and longer load times for the consumer, which would negatively impact the game experience. We are focused on making great HD games available to consumers now, and games like “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” clearly show that beautiful high def graphics and huge, immersive worlds to explore are possible on the DVD9 format."
As for the rumours of an imminent price drop and the introduction of a 100GB Premium Pack for the 2006 Christmas holiday money-spunking season, we'll keep you posted as soon as we hear back from Microsoft on those.
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August 17th, 2006, 17:41 Posted By: wraggster
How fast can you beat Halo 2? In August of 2005, Cody Miller managed to take on the Flood on Legendary difficulty in 3 1/2 hours ... without dying. It's an amazing feat, so much so that the 2007 Guinness Book of World Record lists Cody's stunt.
If any Joystiq readers can get a scan of the page, let us know and we'll update. The Guinness website does not have it listed yet, unfortunately.
You can check out Cody's explanation of the feat here, as well as check out the video here. Congratulations, and for those naysayers who say his run is no big deal, we'll let the guys at Bungie's tell you off:
"I bet that about 40 of you will say, "ZOMG I TOTALLY DID THAT TWO YEARS AGO IN HALF THE TIME." But you're lying. I know it, you know it and your mom knows it good and hard. So just don't."
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August 17th, 2006, 17:32 Posted By: wraggster
Thanks to our awesome tipsters, we scored this exclusive picture of the Microsoft Zune. Yes, it looks almost exactly like the images we've shown you before on Gizmodo. The player also comes with a pair of magnetic headphones, which as you can see from the picture, stick to each other so they're easier to manage.
The reason the shot is in black and white is because Microsoft assigned a unique color scheme to every Zune prototype in existence right now—all 150 of them—so any leaks could be traced to the employee who leaked it. We don't want to be jerks and get anybody fired.
Also, check in later today for some "handy-er" info about the Zune. You won't want to miss it.
Screen Via Comments
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August 17th, 2006, 17:29 Posted By: wraggster
Format war over, HD-DVD wins by way of pornography appearing on it first. Over in Japan GLAY'z, known for its "Brand-new-century-visual-super-exprotion-entertainment," just released the world's first adult film on HD-DVD entitled (if machine translation isn't too unreliable) "Slave Room." Public fornication aside, it's pretty significant since everybody and their mom knows that whatever format the adult industry supports is automatically the winner, or at least that's how the story goes.
The movie includes both an HD-DVD and standard DVD version due to HD-DVD's small penetration rate thus far. It retails for about $52. Screenshots can be found on GLAY'z Web site (Google it). Needless to say, it's NSFW.
Xbox360 HD DVD Looks more enticing now :P
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August 17th, 2006, 17:20 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has announced plans to further integrate its Xbox Live Marketplace service into games, producing "consumable" items that users must pay for, such as in-game currency.
The controversial strategy could mean that once consumers had purchased a full price title, they would need to fork out more moneyto buy exclusive in-game items.
Differing from content such as expansion modules, extra levels and new characters which have proven to be a hit with players of games like Oblivion, the consumable items would have a limited lifespan. A suit of armour, for example, would eventually disintegrate in-game and the player would have to pay more money to replace it.
Xbox Live Marketplace business manager Rohan Oommen also told the Gamefest audience that the company plans to more comprehensively integrate Marketplace transactions into retail releases.
For example, players may be able to interact with in-game vendors to select required items, before switching to Marketplace to add real cash to complete the transaction - or spend real money on Marketplace to secure the equivalent in in-game currency.
The company has a number of ideas on how best to integrate the service into full price games. However, it's not clear how well consumers will take to the idea of spending more money on perishable game items, having already paid for a full-price game.
Oommen stated that the Marketplace updates were likely to be implemented into the next dashboard update for the Xbox 360, along with a number of changes and enhancements to the user interface.
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August 17th, 2006, 17:18 Posted By: wraggster
Just a few weeks after the release of PC and Xbox 360 shooter Prey, 3D Realms' Scott Miller has confirmed that a sequel is already in development.
Speaking in an interview with Next-Gen, when asked what he's working on these days, Miller replied: "Prey 2, of course!"
So what have we got to look forward to next time around? Well, Miller wasn't very forthcoming, but he did say: "We are addressing concerns about combat, as well as adding in more gameplay innovations." Which sounds nice.
This isn't the first time 3D Realms has suggested that a sequel is on the way. As we reported last month, a message at the end of the first game reads: "Prey will continue" - so it comes as little surprise to learn that it is indeed, er, continuing.
Here's hoping that Prey 2 won't take quite as long to get here as the first game, though - which was first announced back in 1997.
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August 17th, 2006, 17:05 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has been quick to pull the teeth from recent speculation that the forthcoming HD-DVD drive will be used as a games platform in the future, saying that it would negatively impact the game experience.
Addressing the speculation in his corporate blog, Microsoft's John Pocaro explained, "Since announcing the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player accessory at E3 2006, we've been clear that it is designed exclusively for playing HD DVD movies. It will not play games on HD DVD."
He continued: "At this point, we haven't seen anything to suggest that next-gen DVD formats offer a better game experience than current DVD. What we do know is that these formats will bring added cost to game developers, disc manufacturing, and could even result in added costs and longer load times for the consumer, which would negatively impact the game experience."
We are focused on making great HD games available to consumers now, and games like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion clearly show that beautiful high def graphics and huge, immersive worlds to explore are possible on the DVD9 format," Pocaro concluded.
Quite right too. To start releasing games that require a device that may well only be adopted by a limited number among the entire installed Xbox 360 user base would be downright silly. We'd never, ever want to be forced into a situation where we have to purchase the HD-DVD drive now, would we?
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August 17th, 2006, 16:57 Posted By: wraggster
A job advertisement attached to Lionhead Studios is causing us to ponder whether the developer's mysterious Project Dimitri could shortly be unveiled - properly - for the very first time.
According to reports, Lionhead is currently on the look out for a Senior XSI Animator, whose role will include leading and inspiring "the team working on an exciting new title for Xbox 360".
Now, admittedly it's speculation on our part that the 'exciting new title for Xbox 360' is Project Dimitri, but with that being one of two known games Lionhead is working on - the other being Fable 2 - it's highly possible. And, assuming it is Dimitri, dare we take the phrasing of the quote to suggest the title is further into development than we thought. Yes, of course we do.
Here's hoping Dimitri is present at Microsoft's X06 jamboree which takes place at the end of next month.
All we know about Project Dimitri to date is details we scored exclusively from Peter Molyneux in early 2005. At the time, he described a typically ambitious Lionhead venture: "It's a game about... you. It allows anyone who plays the game to relive their life, their entire individual life". Intrigued? So are we.
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August 17th, 2006, 16:56 Posted By: wraggster
Fresh from the loins of EA's chugging screenshot factory are 19 (yep, count 'em, 19) new screenshots of arguably its most impressive title of this year's E3, Army of Two.
Don't let the masks mislead you - this is neither a wresling game nor a gimp simulator, but a high-adrenaline co-op blaster of the highest degree. At E3, we sampled a taste of the game's impressive-looking campaign, which included a team mate-assisted building rappel, an intense parachute/sniper section and a mission which concluded with the two running up the side of the a massive, sinking aircraft carrier, dodging jets sliding off the deck. Certainly, It was almost a trip to the local trouser emporium after that showing.
Stay tuned to CVG next week, when we'll get a fresh look at EA's co-op extravaganza at the Leipzig Games Convention, and bring you every morsel of info we can possibly get our hands on.
Screens Here
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August 17th, 2006, 00:30 Posted By: wraggster
Even though we've been 99% sure that the Zune is going to have video support at launch—but no video store—it's nice to have a definite confirmation from an official Microsoft source. The Zune Insider blog says that the video The Kill from the band 30 Seconds To Mars is going to be pre-loaded onto the Zune.
Since the first generation of the Zune has that gigantic screen, which has been confirmed by insiders, it makes sense for it to support video. Now we just need to find out what codecs the Zune supports.
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August 16th, 2006, 18:04 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Sengoku Musou 2 is developed based on the story of the warlord period in Japan and the game system of the Shin Sangoku Musou series. A number of generals are introduced for the first time. Besides, the gaming system has been improved and different characters will have their own growing system.
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August 16th, 2006, 18:03 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
The Xbox 360's first Japnese RPG places you in the control of Atsuma, who early in his adventure manages to inadvertently open a seal which revives the fierce Devil Golem. You'll make use of Golem support characters as you work through the game's strategic battle system. The game has over 100 Golems which can be assembled using ingredient items. Characters can be customized using the "SP" experience points that you gain in battle. As the story develops, players face increasingly difficult challenges and learn to master Atsuma’s special fighting and magical abilities.
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August 16th, 2006, 17:51 Posted By: wraggster
The elusive "casual market" has recently become quite the sought-after prey for game publishers, each one attempting in its own way to hunt down those who would normally shy away from complex and scary video games. Nintendo isn't the only company to have Grandma firmly set in a Zapper scope -- the other major players are also taking aim, Microsoft with Xbox Live Arcade and Sony with Singstar microphones.
With this in mind, Alex Petraglia decided to test whether or not Microsoft in particular was actually hitting their target. After all, he had the equipment necessary to conduct such an inquest: one Xbox 360 console, several Xbox 360 games and one willing female parental unit. Alex introduced his mom to a wide variety of XBLA and full retail titles, documenting her performance and struggles. The article places his thoughts alongside those written by his mother and it makes for some very interesting reading.
It seems the most difficult acclimations involved controls and finding the correct path through a level. The 53 year-old Mrs. P notes that "the biggest problem is a simple lack of experience. It seemed like, in a game such as Prey, you [Alex] knew exactly where to go after looking at a puzzle or roadblock, whereas it'd take me an exorbitant amount of time to move onto the next task or area. And it took me a very long time to develop the ability to move freely in the game and feel comfortable with the controls, to some extent."
Other points of interest include her first interpretation of Geometry Wars ("she flew directly into the first target, thinking maybe that was the point of the game") and her eventual favorite, Condemned (!). "I think strong dramatic elements, like story and visuals and music, would be a bigger draw to older generations than unique gameplay mechanics or what have you."
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August 16th, 2006, 17:38 Posted By: wraggster
Source: Popular hardware destination HardOCP.com, Taiwan-based Digitimes, and game-info site Digitalbattle.
What we heard: Ever since the Xbox 360 was first shown to the public in May 2005, rumors have surrounded it. Once the specs for the console were revealed, the speculation shifted from what the console could do at present, to what it will be able do in the future.
Microsoft answered part of that question at E3 this year, unveiling several new peripherals, announcing Live Anywhere, and taking the wraps off the 360's external HD-DVD drive. Soon, many speculated that premium, hard drive-equipped 360s fitted with the unpriced HD-DVD drive would cost around $600 a pop--i.e. $399 plus a rumored $199. That's as much as the high-end model of the Blu-ray drive-equipped PlayStation 3, which has taken considerable flak for its premium price point.
This week, two sources reported that the 360 HD-DVD drive will indeed ring up at around $200. First was Digitimes, which stated flatly on Monday that "Microsoft will launch external HD-DVD drives for its Xbox 360 at a retail price of US$200 by Christmas of this year."
Seconding that opinion was HardOCP, which yesterday included the HD-DVD price point report as part of a piece titled "Xbox360 Roadmap Peeked At." The site elaborated on the add-on, saying it would "only require component inputs. ... No HDMI in sight." It also said that Microsoft would be releasing a cable to support 1080p video output. However, "Little more information is known on [1080 output] or if there will be a gaming performance impact."
Last but not least, HardOCP revealed that the Xbox 360 would soon get functionality borrowed from a Windows Media Center PC. "While this is not a term that Microsoft used, the Xbox360 will be seeing an added on 'media jukebox' for handling tons of movies, video, pictures, and music," said the site. No mention was made as to whether Microsoft was going to release larger capacity "outrigger" hard drive to store said media, since many 360 owners' 20GB HDDs are getting nearly full of game demos, trailers, and saves.
In other 360-rumor news, Digitalbattle reported that Microsoft is mulling a second controller specifically for first-person shooters. "The new controller would have an improved and more precise right analog stick for games requiring higher precision," read the report, which sourced Microsoft’s product unit manager Robert Walker's presentation at the Microsoft Gamefest developers' conference. Strangely, though, first-hand accounts of Walker's Monday speech, like the exhaustive recap of the session on FiringSquad.com, make no mention of a FPS-centric controller.
The official story: So what does Microsoft have to say about all this? Not much, unsurprisingly. Regarding the HD-DVD, "We haven't announced any pricing or availability at this point so we'll keep you posted," a rep for the game giant said regarding the HD-DVD. The same rep wouldn't comment on 1080p support and media jukebox functionality, and also would only say that "We have not made any announcements about a new Xbox 360 controller."
Bogus or not bogus?: $200 360 HD-DVDD? If bogus, it's a close estimate. Support for 1080p? Almost certainly. Media jukebox? Sounds probable, given the fact Windows Media Center PCs already have similar functionality. New FPS-specific controller? The jury's out on that one, but it would make sense.
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August 16th, 2006, 17:37 Posted By: wraggster
When Microsoft debuted its Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays program, it specified that hump day was going to be the day for new games on Live Arcade, but it wouldn't guarantee a new game each and every Wednesday. The first wave of XBLA Wednesday titles ended with last week's release of Pac-Man, but Microsoft has given digital downloaders a few more release dates for upcoming anticipated Arcade games.
There will be a slight break in the flow of games, however, as this week's Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday release is four new picture packs for Ninja Bee's XBLA platformer Cloning Clyde. Each picture pack will go for 100 Microsoft points ($1.25).
The gaming action picks up again next week as the long-awaited Texas Hold 'Em finally arrives on August 23. The game will have persistent bankrolls attached to each Xbox Live gamertag, so players who bet recklessly and come out on the losing end will have to go back to the lower stakes tables in order to work their way back into the games with heavy action. Texas Hold 'Em will normally be available for 800 points ($10), but Microsoft has announced that it will actually be free for download for the first 48 hours.
After Texas Hold 'Em hits the Marketplace, the next two Wednesday release slots will be occupied by a pair of Konami titles. On August 30, arcade dogfigher Time Pilot will arrive with HD graphics and "enhanced gameplay" for 400 Microsoft points ($5). That will be followed on September 6 by the 1981 side-scroller Scramble, also for 400 Microsoft points ($5).
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