Microsoft confirms XNA is over

February 1st, 2013, 17:00 Posted By: wraggster

Computing giant ending popular indie development toolset, but DirectX will remain

Microsoft has confirmed that it will not be producing future versions of its indie development toolset XNA.

Reports emerged yesterday that the software maker was planning to end upkeep of its XNA Game Studio, and now a spokesperson has confirmed as much to Polygon.
A former Microsoft employee shared an email that had been sent to game developers, which explained that Microsoft would no longer be maintaining the XNA toolset. That same email appeared to suggest that DirectX, the widely used API for games and video, would be phased out.

However, a Microsoft spokesperson said that there are no plans to discontinue the DirectX for its Windows and Xbox platforms.
“Microsoft is actively investing in DirectX as the unified graphics foundation for all of our platforms, including Windows, Xbox 360, and Windows Phone,” the spokesperson said.
“DirectX is evolving and will continue to evolve. We have absolutely no intention of stopping innovation with DirectX.”

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ms-XNA-is-over

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Minecraft tops first ever UK Xbox Live Arcade chart

February 1st, 2013, 17:12 Posted By: wraggster

The smash hit Minecraft is the first game to top the UK Xbox Live Arcade Top Ten.
The Top Ten will be printed exclusively as part of MCV’s market-leading charts and market data coverage every week. And our first XBLA Top Ten, for the week ending January 27th, is below.
Unsurprisingly, Minecraft is the top seller. The game has dominated the Xbox digital charts for nine months. Sega's new IP The Cave - developed by Double Fine – just misses out at No.2.
The chart joins MCV’s exclusive PSN Top Ten, which includes sales data from across Europe.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE UK TOP TEN - For the week ending January 27th
1. Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition – Microsoft (1600 points)
2. The Cave – Sega (1200 points)
3. Trials Evolution – Microsoft (1200 points)
4. The Walking Dead – TellTale Games (400 points)
5. Trials HD – Microsoft (800 points)
6. Castle Crashers – Microsoft (1200 points)
7. Sonic Adventure 2 – Sega (800 points)
8. Peggle – PopCap (800 points)
9. Real Steel – Yukes (800 points)
10. Guardians of Middle-Earth (1200 points)

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/minec...-chart/0110267

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Call Of Duty Championship turns Black Ops into new eSport

February 2nd, 2013, 11:15 Posted By: wraggster

The first Call Of Duty Champsionship will offer a £1 million prize and take place in Hollywood between April 5^th and 7^th.The tournament is the result of a partnership between Activision, Xbox, Major League Gaming and the Electronic Sports League. They will bring together the best 32 multiplayer teams to compete head-to-head in a live-streamed event.“Watching the performances of the very best Call of Duty players is already a mass spectator sport on YouTube and Call of Duty Elite,” CEO of Activision Publishing Eric Hirshberg. “We are going to bring the best players in the world to Hollywood to compete on the ultimate stage, for the ultimate prize. And we are going to invite our entire worldwide fan base to join in the fun.”Black Ops II players can register at the official site and then attempt to qualify by competing in the February season of League Play in Call of Duty: Black Ops II on Xbox Live, which opens today.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/call...to-new-esport/

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Xbox 360 life-to-date sales hit 75.9 million

February 2nd, 2013, 11:23 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has sold a total of around 75.9 million Xbox 360 consoles globally.
That's according to the latest figures released by the platform holder in a summary of its FY13 Q2 earnings results.It also claims in excess of 40 million Xbox Live users, although it doesn't break down how many of these are free Silver users and paying Gold subscribers.
According to a recent report, PS3 shipments hit 77 million units in December 2012 versus Xbox 360's 76 million. But those figures related to console units shipped to retail and not those purchased by consumers; actual PS3 sales reached 70 million units in November 2012, according to Sony, roughly one month after Microsoft reported the same Xbox 360 sales total.
According to recent data supplied to CVG by GFK Chart-Track, lifetime Xbox 360 sales look certain to overtake those of current-gen leader Nintendo Wii in the UK, having outsold its rival by more than 4:1 in 2012, and tailing by just 200,000 sales by the end of December.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...t-759-million/

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Netflix unlocked for all Xbox Live members this weekend

February 2nd, 2013, 11:34 Posted By: wraggster

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Take control of an 80s arcade with Arcadecraft, out now on XBLIG

February 3rd, 2013, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster

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GTA V delay: Rockstar dismisses 'conspiracy theories'

February 4th, 2013, 21:28 Posted By: wraggster

Rockstar has rubbished unspecified "conspiracy theories" surrounding the recent Grand Theft Auto V delay.
While it's not clear which theories the company is referring to, it has been suggested that the game could be planned for release on bothcurrent and next generation consoles.However, Rockstar insists the only reason it delayed the Grand Theft Auto V release date (from spring 2013 to September 17) was to ensure the product meets consumer expectations.
"To those of you saying or seeing various conspiracy theories about there being some other ulterior motive for this delay, rest assured that they're all nonsense - literally the only reason we've delayed the release is because we want the game to be as good as it needs to be," the companysaid.
"For those of you asking about the official box art, that will be coming out a bit later as well."
Rockstar said last week that it's looking forward to sharing more information about the game in the coming months, including plans for its "brand new and ambitious approach to open world multiplayer".
While GTA V has only been confirmed for Xbox 360 and PS3, Rockstar said previously that PC and Wii U versions are "up for consideration".

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...racy-theories/

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Microsoft working on multiple new Xbox IPs

February 4th, 2013, 21:30 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has a number of unannounced new intellectual properties in the works.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Jonathan Browne, a senior product manager and planner at Microsoft Studios, has helped bring four unannounced new IPs "from the very early concept phase through green light to production".Having joined the company in November 2010, Browne says he has served as a key contributor in planning the platform holder's three year first party portfolio.
The smart money is on the aforementioned projects making up the first wave of new Microsoft franchises for Xbox 720, which is expected to launch later this year.
Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver, which was recently rebranded as Black Tusk, is working on the company's "next big entertainment franchise", according to manager Mike Crump.
"We're not working on an existing franchise, we're looking to build the next Halo here, for example, which is really exciting," he said last November.
Last May the online CV of an art director at Black Tusk seemingly let slip that one of the projects in development at the studio is "a core AAA shooter experience using Kinect".

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-new-xbox-ips/

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Durango GPU detailed

February 4th, 2013, 23:58 Posted By: wraggster

Quote:

The following table describes expected performance of the Durango GPU. Bear in mind that the table is based only on hardware specifications, not on actual hardware running actual code. For many reasons, theoretical peak performance can be difficult or impossible to achieve with real-world processing loads.

Quote:

Virtual Addressing All GPU memory accesses on Durango use virtual addresses, and therefore pass through a translation table before being resolved to physical addresses. This layer of indirection solves the problem of resource memory fragmentation in hardware—a single resource can now occupy several noncontiguous pages of physical memory without penalty. Virtual addresses can target pages in main RAM or ESRAM, or can be unmapped. Shader reads and writes to unmapped pages return well-defined results, including optional error codes, rather than crashing the GPU. This facility is important for support of tiled resources, which are only partially resident in physical memory ESRAM Durango has no video memory (VRAM) in the traditional sense, but the GPU does contain 32 MB of fast embedded SRAM (ESRAM). ESRAM on Durango is free from many of the restrictions that affect EDRAM on Xbox 360. Durango supports the following scenarios: Texturing from ESRAM Rendering to surfaces in main RAM Read back from render targets without performing a resolve (in certain cases) The difference in throughput between ESRAM and main RAM is moderate: 102.4 GB/sec versus 68 GB/sec. The advantages of ESRAM are lower latency and lack of contention from other memory clients—for instance the CPU, I/O, and display output. Low latency is particularly important for sustaining peak performance of the color blocks (CBs) and depth blocks (DBs). Local Shared Memory and Global Shared Memory Each shader core of the Durango GPU contains a 64-KB buffer of local shared memory (LSM). The LSM supplies scratch space for compute shader threadgroups. The LSM is also used implicitly for various purposes. The shader compiler can choose to allocate temporary arrays there, spill data from registers, or cache data that arrives from external memory. The LSM facilitates passing data from one pipeline stage to another (interpolants, patch control points, tessellation factors, stream out, etc.). In some cases, this usage implies that successive pipeline stages are restricted to run on the same SC. The GPU also contains a single 64-KB buffer of global shared memory (GSM). The GSM contains temporary data referenced by an entire draw call. It is also used implicitly to enforce synchronization barriers, and to properly order accesses to Direct3D 11 append and consume buffers. The GSM is capable of acting as a destination for shader export, so the driver can choose to locate small render targets there for efficiency. Cache Durango has a two stage caching system, depicted below. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=511579

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Redbox Instant coming to Xbox 360

February 5th, 2013, 22:41 Posted By: wraggster

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Report: Next Xbox will require internet connection

February 6th, 2013, 14:48 Posted By: wraggster

Activation codes to prevent sale of second-hand games and new Kinect to ship alongside console, claim sources

Microsoft’s next Xbox will require a constant internet connection to work, according to a report.
Sources “with first-hand experience of Microsoft’s next-generation console" told Edgethat a new version of Xbox Live would play an “integral” role in the new console, suggesting digital distribution will play a bit part for the hardware.

It was also claimed that a new version of Kinect would ship alongside the console, and that games for the new hardware would be manufactured on 50gb Blu-Ray discs.
The sources said that each disc will come with its own activation code, meaning only the initial user can install and play the game. This effectively stops the ability for users to sell or buy second-hand games.
As also previously reported, the next Xbox’s specs are said to feature an AM eight-core x64 1.6ghz CPU, 8gb of DDR3 RAM and D3D11.x 800mhz graphics.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...net-connection

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Take Two boss shrugs off GTA V delay

February 6th, 2013, 14:55 Posted By: wraggster

Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick is confident that GTA V’s September release won’t be overshadowed by the expected arrival of next-gen consoles a few months later, adding that September is an open field for the game’s release.Speaking in a conference call following the release of Take Two’s latest financials results, Zelnick explained that the longer than expected wait for GTA V was to ensure the title lives up to the hype.“Grand Theft Auto stands alone – it’s a unique property and I think we’re all extraordinarily excited about this title and we think it’s just going to blow people away, at a level I don’t think anyone properly anticipates yet,” he said. “And the reason the title is is coming out in September is because that’s the time required to make sure it’s everything everyone expects, and then some. As it happens, I think September’s a great window, it’s a very open field that early in the fall.”He also remained confident that the company won’t miss out by releasing its biggest forthcoming title just as next-gen consoles are expected to arrive. “There’s not one gamer who’s going sit it out on Grand Theft Auto 5 and wait for something better,” he added. “Grand Theft Auto 5 is going to blow everyone away and it will be in the market in September. In terms of strategy around current-gen and next-gen, we have to wait for the announcements. We’re planning as well as we can, and we think we’re very well positioned.”Take Two hailed the performance of NBA 2K13, Borderlands 2, XCOM: Enemy Unknown and back-catalogue sales of Grand Theft Auto IV and Red Dead Redemption in its latest financial report for the three months up to the end of December 2012. Borderlands 2, in particular, helped the company post a huge boost in digital revenues, up 244% year-over-year. GAAP net revenue was $415.8 million, up from $236.3 million for the same period the previous year. Non-GAAP net revenue was $405.0 million, as compared to $236.3 million a year ago.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/take...f-gta-v-delay/

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Xbox LIVE sees first film premiere

February 6th, 2013, 15:04 Posted By: wraggster

Next month will see the Xbox LIVE service host its first ever film premiere, as Brit feature film Pulp will debut on the Microsoft service.
"Microsoft might not seem like the obvious partner for an indie comedy, but the film industry has changed," said co-director Adam Hamdy.
"Xbox 360 can instantly distribute Pulp to millions of UK customers, and publicise the release in ways that simply aren't possible with traditional releasing models."
The film will be available exclusively on Xbox 360 from March 4, and features Cold Feet and Coronation Street star John Thomson. It recently won the Jury Prize at the Las Vegas International Film Festival.
"Many people in the film business talk about the threat digital media poses to film, but, as newcomers to the industry, all we can see are opportunities," added producer Phil Bland.
"Microsoft is an exciting partner, and the fact they can release our film to millions of customers at the push of a button is very attractive."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-film-premiere

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Risky business: the next Xbox versus PlayStation 4

February 7th, 2013, 00:53 Posted By: wraggster

You’ve got to admire Microsoft’s bravery. News that its next Xbox could shut out the second-hand games market has caused strong reactions across social media today, and it has impacted upon the real world too. GameStop’s share price took a dent following the publication of our story earlier this afternoon.If our sources are correct (and we’re confident they are), Microsoft has made the move that publishers and developers have been asking for. Microsoft’s next Xbox will do what Steam and the App Store have been doing for years, and very successfully, too – a download-first, one profile, one purchase, one storefront system. Overnight, it’ll stop GameStop and GAME from selling on games without a penny heading back to its publisher, let alone its creator.In recent years, online passes have allowed publishers to recoup some of the cost of maintaining servers for online play, but they have always been something of a half-measure. With the next Xbox, Microsoft could go all the way.The key differences between Steam, the App Store and the next iteration of Xbox Live are in pricing and that ‘always-on’ detail. There’s good reason no-one really cares that you can’t trade in Steam and App Store games – often, they’re so cheap it barely seems worth the bother. One can easily call into question whether download-first next-gen games will actually be any cheaper because they skip costly manufacturing and distribution processes. One would expect they won’t be. On first impressions, Microsoft is taking a huge risk in cutting out a second-hand games ecosystem which keeps gaming affordable and its players interested in the box under their television.But it is worth remembering that in adopting this download-first policy, Microsoft is free from existing pricing models. One can easily imagine premium prices for those titles deemed still worthy of a retail release. Service-based subscriptions for bigger, costlier games will play a part, too, and middle and lower tier games will sell further down the pricing scale. And let’s not forget free-to-play.Microsoft has also, rather more sensibly, surmised that the kind of consumer happy to pay for a next-generation console is going to have a decent internet connection. It is not a portable device; there’s little harm in keeping the next Xbox connected, as long as the next iteration of Xbox Live is implemented in the right way. Past experiences with always-on services have been disappointing – just ask Ubisoft and Blizzard – but that’s current generation technology. Microsoft must take note of its contemporaries’ mistakes and make its always-on Xbox service as unobtrusive as it can.

http://www.edge-online.com/features/...playstation-4/

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GameStop shares drop 6 percent over Xbox rumors

February 7th, 2013, 00:58 Posted By: wraggster

Rumors that the next Xbox could lock out used games prove costly for GME
This morning, Edge Online released a report that Microsoft's next Xbox console would use activation codes to lock physical discs to a single console. Edge's report also states that the next Xbox will require an online connection in order to function. This move would effectively kill used game sales and rentals at businesses like GameStop, Gamefly, and Redbox.
In response to the news, GameStop is trading at $25.04 at moment, down 6.56 percent from yesterday's close at $26.81. On the bright side, the stock has recovered from a low of $23.83 today.
Edge Online's report remains unconfirmed by Microsoft, who is expected to announce its next console at E3 2013.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...er-xbox-rumors

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Microsoft made Xbox to 'stop Sony'

February 7th, 2013, 21:42 Posted By: wraggster

PlayStation outfit refused to work with computing giant, claims Joachim Kempin

Microsoft entered the console business to take on and defeat Sony after the PlayStation manufacturer refused work with the company, the former VP of Windows sales has claimed.
According to Joachim Kempin, Microsoft set about creating the Xbox hardware so that Sony didn't achieve the kind of dominance on televisions that Microsoft enjoyed on PC.

"Sony was always very arm's length with Microsoft," Kempin told IGN.
"Yeah, they bought Windows for their PCs but when you really take a hard look at that, they were never Microsoft's friend. And Microsoft in a way wanted them to be a friend because they knew they had a lot of things we could have cooperated on because they are, in a way, an entertainment company, you know?
"I mean, at least a portion of Sony is and they had some really good things going there, but as soon as they came out with a video console, Microsoft just looked at that and said 'well, we have to beat them, so let's do our own.'"

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...x-to-stop-Sony

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Xbox 720 Could Require Always-On Connection, Lock Out Used Games

February 7th, 2013, 22:13 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's next-generation PS4 unveil is just two weeks away, which means leaks concerning both it and Microsoft's next-generation Xbox Durango (sometimes referred to as the Xbox 720), are at an all-time high as well. Rumors continue to swirl that the next iteration of Xbox will lock out used games entirely and require a constant Internet connection. New games would come with a one-time activation code to play. Use the code, and the game is locked to the particular console or Xbox Live account it's loaded on. Physical games will still be sold (the Durango reportedly supports 50GB Blu-ray Discs), but the used game market? Kiboshed. If this is true, it's an ugly move on Microsoft's part. Not only does it annihilate the right of first sale, it'll eviscerate any game store or business that depends on video game rentals for revenue.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...out-used-games

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Why Microsoft is killing the second-hand game market

February 7th, 2013, 22:15 Posted By: wraggster

We revealed yesterday that Microsoft’s next Xbox will only play games while connected to Xbox Live, in the process eliminating the second-hand game market as it exists today. It didn’t take long for gamers to reach the agreement that such a manoeuvre represents a mistake of horrendous proportions. So why would Microsoft risk pulling a move like this? The company has yet to make any official comment on its next-generation plans, but we can go some way toward piecing together its motivations, starting with its decision to position the next Xbox as an always-online device.In making its next console rely on an Internet connection, and by tying games to consoles, Microsoft will immediately eliminate the potential for pirated software. If you’re trying to play a game and your console isn’t talking to the closed network that is Xbox Live in precisely the right way – because the game code is somehow illegimate – it simply won’t function. Crushing piracy this way would represent a victory whose stature in the eyes of Microsoft’s publishing partners shouldn’t be underestimated.Having a consistent online connection also means that Microsoft can provide a more stable target environment for developers and publishers by pushing firmware updates at the same time to all of its users rather than only a proportion. The days of publishers being forced to manufacture game discs containing operating-system updates will end – with Microsoft hardware, at least.Beyond security and standardisation issues, a key motivation for Microsoft is the fact that the preowned market has long been an annoying tick on the back of game publishers and developers, and not only because when consumers are faced with such an appealing range of cheap options, it reduces the opportunities for new games to sell. The chief gripe among publishers and developers is that they see no revenues from sales of preowned games. It’s a standpoint that earns no sympathy with consumers, who want to be able to do whatever they wish with their possessions, but in changing the rules in this way, Microsoft immediately becomes a preferred partner to game publishers.There remains a possibility that Microsoft will allow publishers to sell pre-owned game activations via Xbox Live, in much the same way that, right now, buyers of certain second-hand Xbox 360 games with online components can pay to access features such as online play. Rather than eliminating the second-hand game market, this would simply transform it into something from which publishers and developers could benefit. Looking at it optimistically, the revenues being re-routed into publishing and development would provide additional investment opportunities for new games, so what at first seems like simply bad news for consumers may end up being beneficial in the long term.Yet online activations for preowned games would still prove devastating to the value of physical copies sitting on shop shelves, and therefore bricks-and-mortar retail as a whole. Let’s say that a game costs £40 new today and then £25 second-hand. If, with the next Xbox, online activation of a preowned game costs £25, what does that do to the value of the physical disc? And what, then, does that do to the value of game retailers, accustomed as they are to earning such a large proportion of their revenues from secondhand game sales? Suddenly a space-consuming rack of 200–300 preowned titles looks like a miserable proposition in terms of retail value.

http://www.edge-online.com/features/...d-game-market/

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Xbox 720 UI likely to resemble Windows 8, former Windows exec claims

February 7th, 2013, 22:17 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft is likely to follow the template it laid down with Windows 8 when it comes to designing the Xbox 360’s user interface.
That’s according to the former VP of Windows Sales Joachim Kempin, who told IGN: "I think the other thing they will try, there’s no doubt about it, is it’s going to be more Windows 8-like; maybe it even gets a touchscreen, who knows?
"Most of what’s in there today really is Windows, right? I wouldn’t be surprised if the next round of interface comes even closer to Windows 8 than it is today; maybe it even gets a touchscreen, who knows?"
Kempin also addressed recent claims that Microsoft’s games division is loss making. That’s not quite true, he says, though he does concede that Xbox as a whole has proved a damaging distraction for Microsoft.
"On the [Xbox hardware] itself there is no profit," he stated. "So the profit comes from all the other sources; royalties from game developers, maybe the next Halo version, maybe a new Kinect system and what have you.
"It is such a small portion for their company. It would really be better if they would just spin that whole thing out and let other people run it on their own and not get distracted by it. For me that whole environment is a distraction for the company.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...claims/0110551

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Next Xbox to feature 'greatly improved speech recognition', claims report

February 7th, 2013, 23:35 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft's next-gen Xbox will carry a big focus on "greatly improved" speech recognition, according to the latest insider report from The Verge.
Following on the heels of yesterday's huge Edge report, it's now claimed that the next Xbox will support wake on voice, natural language controls, and speech-to-text.Citing sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, The Verge claims that the improved capabilities mean Xbox users will be able to walk into a room and simply say "Xbox on" to wake up the new console.
It's also suggested Microsoft is investigating scenarios where a Kinect sensor will detect individuals in a room and suggest appropriate multiplayer games after a user queries the Xbox using voice.
Similar to Apple's Siri service, users will be able to ask questions such as, "what are my friends playing" to receive a friends list, it's claimed.
Just last month a CVG report stated that Microsoft is to integrate Skype into the next Xbox, with asynchronous voice and video chat possible.
In another next-gen Xbox report published today, former VP of Windows Sales Joachim Kempin told IGN that he strongly believes the new console will feature an interface reminiscent of Windows 8, possibly to the extent that a touch screen will also make an appearance.
He said: "I think the other thing they will try, there's no doubt about it, is it's going to be more Windows 8-like; maybe it even gets a touchscreen, who knows?
"Most of what's in there today really is Windows, right? I wouldn't be surprised if the next round of interface comes even closer to Windows 8 than it is today."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...claims-report/

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Next Assassin's Creed set for fiscal year 2014, new hero, new time period

February 7th, 2013, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster

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Activision predicts year-on-year decline for Call of Duty

February 8th, 2013, 22:33 Posted By: wraggster

The next Call of Duty – likely to be Modern Warfare 4 – will likely sell less than this year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
That’s according to Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg. Remember, too, that while says of Black Ops II have picked up in regions such as the UK, the game is currently tracking behind its predecessor Modern Warfare 3.
"The Call of Duty franchise continues to set the bar for innovation and we expect the new Call of Duty game in development for 2013 to raise that bar even higher," Hirshberg told investors, as reported by GameStop.
"There is increased volatility this year due to the ongoing console transition, which makes predicting the future more challenging than during normal years in the cycle. For Call of Duty, consistent with our past practices, we are planning for the mainline release in Q4 to be down versus 2012.”
Of course, what platforms the next Call of Duty will launch on remains to be seen. A release for the PS3 and Xbox 360 is very likely, but the industry bongos reckon that it’s also in development for PS4 and Xbox 720, too.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/activ...f-duty/0110644

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Next Xbox will struggle if it blocks pre-owned, argues GameStop

February 8th, 2013, 22:46 Posted By: wraggster

Retailer GameStop has warned Microsoft that any move to block the use of pre-owned software on the console would hurt the machine’s chances.
“We know the desire to purchase a next-generation console would be significantly diminished if new consoles were to prohibit playing pre-owned games, limit portability or not play new physical games,” GameStop spokesperson Matt Hodges told Bloomberg.
Of course, GameStop – like nearly any games retailer – has a vested interest in shouting down such a proposal. Stock in the chain fell after the news of a possible Xbox pre-owned block broke, and over 40 per cent of its gross profit comes from second hand games.
But its concerns are entirely legitimate.
The arguments against pre-owned are well established and, of course, perfectly valid. It robs the game’s creators of cash and helps swell the pockets of retail, without filtering down the chain.
However, will customers be as willing to invest in a machine when they know they won’t be able to trade in the games? And how many week one sales of a new title will be lost when customers are unable to offset the cost by handing over older titles?
It should be added that we don’t know if the rumours are even true. Last week’s story made plenty of noise but remains totally speculative. Note, though, that identical rumours have been doing the rounds for well over a year now.
No smoke without fire?

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/next-...mestop/0110642

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Minecraft still top of UK XBLA charts

February 8th, 2013, 22:51 Posted By: wraggster

Minecraft is still the top selling Xbox Live Arcade game in the UK.
The building title has been a massive success on Microsoft's platform. This is only the second official UK XBLA Top Ten - which is published in MCV every week – but Minecraft has been comfortably the top seller both weeks, outselling Sega's The Cave which holds on in second spot.
There was one completely new release in the Top Ten, with Microsoft's Advance Wars-style title Skulls of Shogun debuting in seventh position.
THE UK XBLA TOP TEN IN FULL (week ending February 3rd)
1. Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition – Microsoft
2. The Cave – Sega
3. Trials Evolution – Microsoft
4. The Walking Dead - TellTale Games
5. Shank 2 – EA
6. Trials HD – Microsoft
7. Skulls of Shogun – Microsoft
8. Castle Crashers – Microsoft
9. NBA Jam: On Fire Edition – EA
10. Sonic Adventure 2 – Sega

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/minec...charts/0110631

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Xbox 360 Hacking - DGX v1.1S On Sale Now

February 9th, 2013, 14:24 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://team-xecuter.com/dgx-v1-1s-on-sale-now/

After the phenomenal success of our DGX product, we listened to a great deal of feedback from our loyal userbase and have implimented some changes to the design to make the DGX perform even better than before – especially for Trinity boards.
DGX V1.1S change log:

• Added 70cm 24WG POST_OUT Wire
• Added a ceramic cap option (Point C29) between D and GND (same as CR3 Pro) – included an optional 10pf ceramic cap
• Added a selectable 5ohm and 10ohm resistor to post_out (simple solder jumpers 1 Closed: 10ohm, 2 Closed: 5ohm, 3 Closed: 0ohm Default)
• Added a a grounded IPEX socket (Point J1) for CPU_RST (10cm IPEX cable included)
• Larger solder pads and stronger vias (C D E F 5v GND)
• Removed JTAG pin header (Programming is not required – some users tried to program their DGX and damaged it)
• Optimized code for enhanced Trinity performance. DGX 1.1 would boot the worst Trinity we had in 30 seconds (v1.0 booted in 2 minutes)
• My preferred settings for Trinity were: D: 10cm IPEX to R4D4, C: 70cm 24AWG Wire , 10pf Cap Installed, 0ohm (Default)
• My preferred settings for Corona were: D: 10cm IPEX to C5R11, C: Default wire, No Cap Installed, 10ohm

Remember that there may be fake DGX out there – it goes without saying that they are cheap garbage and you should stay away. Every official Xecuter product has a serial code – you should claim ownership of the code at serial.xecuter.com

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Xbox 360 Hacking - Maximus Lizard support LTU

February 9th, 2013, 14:33 Posted By: wraggster

via http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4136

As announced Maximum team updates the Lizard to make, half compatible with the new firmware from C4eva.

New / fixed: - Added menu DG16D5S, currently there are only two active functions: -> How to MTK PCB LTU 1175 + -> other to enable writing firmware into the PCB LTU 1175 + has ) There is no way to get in a drive MKT with stock (for now ...) b) There is no way to read or write the firmware or the key with DVD player stock c) There is no way to write a reader completely stock (for now ...) So, in the meantime, you need a DVD player with a blank chip MT1332E as the team Xecuter PCB or replacing your chip reader chip blank. Procedure: - With J-Runner and extract key.bin cr.bin - With JungleFlasher, create the Firmware LTU (read the manual to combine the files), the team works to implement this option in their ToolBox - Enter the new menu Lizard "DG16D5S-> MTK" - Enter the new menu Lizard "DG16D5S-> Write" from the ToolBox casebook sent the file generated by JungleFlasher ToolBox Lizard Lizard Firmware Updater website Official: 360lizard.com

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Xbox 360 Hacking - Autogg 0.8.7 Available

February 9th, 2013, 14:34 Posted By: wraggster

via http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4137

The famous BlaKCat who needs no introduction, is back with a new revision of its major application AutoGG, software all in one for your console and JTAG Glitch.

This new release adds features like automatic dump Nand FSD via the automatic search for the CPU key, creating an image Nand Xebuild update then flash it, all through the network and a simple click. 's new / fixed: - New mode of reading and writing Flash and CPU key network FSD - New Dash Lan AutoUpdate function using this method - Update AutoUpdate Avatar by - Select alternative when Xell construction image -> Reloaded -> blaKCat (mode Reloaded modified to obtain the CPU key by all modes Tv, Red, Usb, Lan, Com Monitor) -> Mini (mode Reloaded modified to obtain the key CPU via USB) - Timer and when the key is detected by the COM port - New way to create the ECC DGX - New function to download the Dash / Avatar manually - Improved GUI - Improved code Thanks for the green- Information.

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Spec analysis: Durango vs. Orbis

February 10th, 2013, 10:31 Posted By: wraggster

The next console war has yet to begin but the battle lines have already been drawn and the processing firepower available to Microsoft and Sony is now a known quantity. It's Durango vs. Orbis, and it's a console head-to-head quite unlike anything we've seen before. The raw technological building blocks powering each next-gen console are designed by the same people, and the raw architecture is almost identical in nature as a consequence. The differences between the two consoles are less pronounced than in any preceding console generation: fundamentally, Sony and Microsoft faced the exact same challenges and went to the same people to find the solution, resulting in very similar end-products. However, there are differences between Durango and Orbis, and they reflect how the platform holders envisage the evolution of the home console.We won't dwell too much on the known similarities between the two consoles, but we've already mentioned that both the next generation Xbox and its PlayStation competitor feature the same CPU - an eight-core AMD offering running at 1.6GHz and based on its forthcoming low-power, high-performance architecture, Jaguar. From a graphics perspective, AMD is also offering the same tech to both manufacturers: the GCN core, as found in the highly popular Radeon HD 7xxx graphics cards.Here's where we see our first point of divergence: GPU rendering is all about spreading the computational load across many cores and we find that the new Xbox has 12 of these "Compute Units" (CUs), while Orbis has 18 - a 50 per cent advantage. These numbers have been hotly contested in the last couple of weeks but our Orbis sources confirm the Sony side of the equation, while SuperDAE's leak - in combination with proof of his claims supplied to us behind the scenes - confirms the Durango CU count. The information there is around nine months old, hailing from Durango's beta period - in theory, the hardware could be improved, but practically it's almost impossible for this to actually happen. You can't just slap on some extra hardware without setting back your production schedule significantly by many months.

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Next Xbox requires Kinect to function, runs multiple games at once

February 11th, 2013, 21:46 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft isn't acknowledging the development, or even the existence, of the Xbox 360's successor (codenamed "Durango"), but that isn't stopping potential details from leaking out of Redmond. The latest report comes via console overview documents (known as "white papers") provided to Kotaku by the same source who provided information on the next PlayStation (codenamed "Orbis"), and it spells out some things we've yet to hear. Namely, the console will ship with a new version of Microsoft's motion-sensing camera controller,Kinect, and that the device, "must be plugged in and calibrated for the console to even function," the piece says. The new Kinect -- which we've heard of in the past -- is said to capture up to six people at once, and an alleged image demonstrating the difference between new and old versions of the camera puts much higher specs on said device (1920x1080 color resolution, more trackable joints, improved depth resolution, etc.).
The new console is also reported to employ multitasking, enabling multiple games or apps to run concurrently, similar to mobile phones and tablets; how many apps that could mean is unclear, if true. Sony's PlayStation Vita already employs such functionality, making the claim all the less far-fetched.
The piece also states supposedly final retail hardware specs for Microsoft's next game console, including a 64-bit D3D11.x 800MHz GPU, an 8-core x64 1.6GHz 4MB L2 CPU, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB of on-board memory, USB 3.0, HDMI-out, and an optical drive for 50GB discs. For its part, Microsoft's staying mum -- "We do not comment on rumors or speculation. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform, but we don't have anything further to share at this time," a Microsoft spokesperson told us -- and Sony's the only game in town with even an event scheduled in the near future.


http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/r...nect-required/

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Games without demos sell better on Xbox 360

February 11th, 2013, 21:51 Posted By: wraggster

Games without demos statistically sell better than those with demos - provided they have a trailer to entice players - noted Puzzle Clubhouse CEO and analyst Jesse Schell at a recent DICE keynote (via PCGamesN).Schell cited video game research and consulting company EEDAR's data looking at cumulative sales of Xbox 360 titles. According to the report, games without a demo or a trailer sold less than 100,000 units on average. Those with just a demo sold about 200,000, those with both a demo and a trailer averaged at around 250,000, while those with only a trailer soared at over 500,000."You mean we spent all this money making a demo and getting it out there, and it cut our sales in half?" said Schell, paraphrasing the hypothetical publisher looking at these figures. "Yes, that's exactly what happened to you.""People see the trailer and they're like 'that's cool!' and they made a plan. 'I gotta try that game!'" explained Schell. "And then when they play the demo [and they think] 'alright I've tried that game. That was cool. I'm done.' But the things with no demo, you've got to buy it if you want to try it."Nevermind that ceasing to release demos is a very anti-consumer tack, especially with £40 titles.What this study fails to take into account is marketing budgets. People are liable to purchase BioShock Infinite with or without a demo because advertising for that game is so widespread and people have experience with the previous games in the series. Less well known games like, say, Nier, may not get the love they deserve because their trailers won't be circulated enough to make an impact.Still, Schell raises an interesting question: How often have demos turned you off of a game rather than turned you onto one?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...er-on-xbox-360

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Xbox 360 Hacking - Xecuter Liteon DG-16D5S Replacement LTU PCB On Sale Now

February 11th, 2013, 22:07 Posted By: wraggster

via http://team-xecuter.com/

Do you have a faulty Liteon DG-16D5S or Hitachi DLN10N DVD in your Xbox 360? Are you swapping your drive to another console and are unable to program your firmware due to write protection being enabled?
Yet again Xecuter have made the previously impossible, possible.

• Fits all Liteon DG-16D5S Drives
• Can run all latest firmware versions for Liteon DG-16D4S, Liteon DG-16D5S and Hitachi DLN10N
• Easily programmable using the X360USB PRO V1 or V2 (Update to the latest firmware v20.1)
• Requires the latest Jungle Flasher 0.1.94(320) & J-Runner 0.2.286
• C4E's new LTU (LT Ultimate) firmware now allows booting of any Liteon or Hitachi based system without any previous firmware dump (inc the DG-16D4S and DG-16D5s 1175/1532 and Hitachi 0500/0502 firmwares) – all you need is the DVD Key and FCRT.bin which can be extracted using RGH or DGX if it's a newer version.
• Includes solderless quick install adapter
• Includes heatsink for drive controller IC

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Xbox 360 Hacking - Xecuter Sonus 360 (Phat) On Sale Now

February 11th, 2013, 22:08 Posted By: wraggster

The Xecuter Sonus 360 (Phat) essentially allows you to program a different sound for power on, power off, eject and even rgh glitch to your Xbox 360 Phat – No longer is this cool feature restricted to just Xbox 360S Limited Edition Consoles – yet another groundbreaking first from Team Xecuter!

No JTAG or RGH hacking is required for this very fun mod, you can either use one of the current stock sounds that are included in the Limited Edition Xbox 360S consoles (Default Xbox, Gears of War 3, Modern Warfare 3, Star Wars, Halo Reach and Halo 4) or use one of your own customs sounds! The Sonus 360 (Phat) module is easy to solder to your Phat console board and you simply hook it up to your JR Programmer and program which sounds you required using the Sonus 360 Sound Editor.
Note: An Xecuter JR Programmer is required to program the sounds to the Sonus 360 (Phat).
Check out a screen shot of the new version Xecuter Sonus 360 Sound Editor which is included in the latest J-Runner !

Features:

• Custom Xbox 360 (Phat) Startup Sound
• Custom Xbox 360 (Phat) Shutdown Sound
• Custom Xbox 360 (Phat) Eject Sound
• Custom Xbox 360 (Phat) Glitch Sound
• Use all Xbox 360S Limited Edition Console sounds
• Use your own custom sounds !!
• Easy to install only 5 wires (Included)
• Easy to program using an Xecuter JR Programmer (Sold Separately)
• Easy to use Sonus 360 Sound Editor software
• Programming cable included with the JR Programmer
• Includes same high quality speaker as the Xbox 360S limited Edition consoles
• Uses same chipset and protocol as the Xbox 360S Limited Edition consoles
• Rock Solid Design – Extensive testing by the Xecuter & J-Runner Teams
• Affordable – We Provide You With More For Less !
• High Quality & Trusted Xecuter Design

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Xbox 360 Hacking - Xecuter CR3 PRO v1.0S FULL POST On Sale Now

February 11th, 2013, 22:09 Posted By: wraggster

It's been 9 months in the making (no thanks to several motherboard/dashboard revisions during our development time), and now after an exhaustive test run, the CR3 Pro is ready for public consumption.
This is aimed at users who demand the highest RGH performance possible and the ability to tune their settings to an extreme level. The CR3 Pro is not for beginners, modders looking for cheap and cheerful solutions or anyone who is happy with slow, unreliable glitching.
The first release of CR3 Pro is designed for slims with FULL POST only (Trinity, Corona v1 & Corona v2). As Corona v3 and v4 had FULL POST removed there will have to be a different version of CR3 PRO for those models using FAKE POST. This is being tested right now and will be released soon.
We have put together two packages. The CR3 Pro Kit which covers the basics (mainly for those who already own the QSB's and JR Programmer v2 etc) and the CR3 Pro Ultimate 19pc Kit which includes absolutely everything that you need to do a complete high performance install.
Xecuter CR3 Pro v1.0S FULL POST Features:

• Brand new design – totally new RGH code
• Next Generation RGH Tool – The highest performing RGH device on the market
• Full POST Slim version supports Trinity, Corona v1 and Corona v2
• Full POST monitoring and tuning via the New CR3 Pro RATER Feature – fine tune your boot times to PERFECTO! (Requires JR Programmer v2)
• Multiple pulse settings via DIP Switches
• Multiple Ceramic Cap options (7pc kit included 10pf, 22pf, 30pf, 47pf, 68pf, 82pf and 100pf)
• New Built In ROL Option (Show Debug LED On Front Panel Ring Of Light)
• Built-in Ribbon Cable Connector For DemoN (Includes CR_EN and XSVF Programming – no soldering or wires)
• Quality Assured – No Cheap Chinese Knocks-Offs
• Optimized timing for each motherboard version
• Easy programming via JTAG
• Power LED
• Reset Cycle Debug LED
• Easy Install (Includes All Wires)
• Works perfectly with J-R Programmer v2 & DemoN
• New v3 QSB Add-Ons Available (Included with the Ultimate Kit)
• JR Programmer v2 is required for CR3 Pro RATER & programming functions (Included with the Ultimate Kit)
• Trusted Team Xecuter Design & Warranty

The CR3 Pro Kit Includes:

• Xecuter CR3 Pro v1.0S FULL POST
• Xecuter FULL POST SLIM QSB v2
• 7pc Ceramic Cap Kit (10pf, 22pf, 30pf, 47pf, 68pf, 82pf, 100pf)
• FFC POST_OUT Ribbon Cable – Trinity
• FFC POST_OUT Ribbon Cable – Corona
• CR3 Pro Install Wires (Optional if no QSB Used)
• MSRP $39.95

The CR3 Pro Ultimate Kit Includes:

• Xecuter CR3 Pro v1.0S FULL POST
• Xecuter JR Programmer v2 (*See Notes Below)
• Xecuter FULL POST SLIM QSB v2
• Xecuter JR Programmer / NAND-X / CoolRunner QSB Kit v3 – Trinity (**See Notes Below)
• Xecuter JR Programmer / NAND-X / CoolRunner QSB Kit v3 – Corona (**See Notes Below)
• Xecuter XCLAMP Removal Tool
• 7pc Ceramic Cap Kit (10pf, 22pf, 30pf, 47pf, 68pf, 82pf, 100pf)
• FFC POST_OUT Ribbon Cable – Trinity
• FFC POST_OUT Ribbon Cable – Corona
• JR Programmer v2 to CR3 Pro POST Monitoring Cable
• JR Programmer v2 QSB Cable
• JR Programmer v2 JTAG Update Cable
• CR3 Pro Install Wires (Optional if no QSB Used)
• MSRP $69.95

http://team-xecuter.com/

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Pre-order Gears of War: Judgment at Walmart, get Gears 2 or 3 for free

February 12th, 2013, 00:03 Posted By: wraggster

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Report: Next Xbox requires Kinect to work

February 12th, 2013, 13:30 Posted By: wraggster

Games must also be installed on hard drive, claims Durango ebay seller SuperDaE

Motion sensing peripheral Kinect will be a mandatory requirement for the next Xbox, according to a report.
Speaking to Kotaku, a source who goes by the name ‘SuperDaE’, known for trying to sell a Durango development kit on ebay, said that the Kinect would need to be plugged in to the console for the system to fully function.

The information came from 20 white papers, which showed the unit as “far superior” to the current sensor. The mandatory requirement to use Kinect is said to be down to the key role it will play in the new console and to encourage developers to create games making use of the hardware.
The new version of Kinect is said to have much-improved tracking, able to track thumbs and read facial expressions while also being able to track up to six active players.
As well as improved Kinect functionality, the next Xbox will also come with a 500gb HDD. All games will need to be installed on the console, but this can take place in the background while being played.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...Kinect-to-work

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Xbox 360 shifts 76 million units

February 12th, 2013, 13:31 Posted By: wraggster

Xbox Live grows to 46 million subscribers as users clock up 18 billion hours of entertainment in 2012

More than 76 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide since its launch over seven years ago.
As well as selling an impressive number of units, the Xbox 360 has also been the number one selling console in the US for the last 24 months.

Microsoft also revealed that 24 million Kinect sensors had be sold to date.
Xbox Live meanwhile grew 15 per cent year-on-year to 46 million subscribers.
During 2012, the Xbox 360 clocked up 18 billion hours of entertainment, a rise of ten per cent year-on-year, with the average user spending 87 hours per month on the console.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...x-360-consoles

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Xbox to open new Entertainment Studio in LA

February 12th, 2013, 13:36 Posted By: wraggster

The new Xbox Entertainment Studios in LA will produce “visionary original interactive content” Microsoft has said.Gamesbeat reports that the platform holder made the announcement at the All Things D: Dive into Media event last night. The new studio will be headed up by Nancy Tellem, Microsoft’s entertainment and digital media president and will create new content as well as oversee live event streaming over Xbox Live.The move appears consistent with the widely-held belief that the next Xbox‘s content offering will be broader. Microsoft Studios in Soho has already been experimenting with interactive content projects like Kinect Sesame Street TV, and this new US studio shows that Microsoft is investing in more content of this nature.The report adds that Yusuf Mehdi, the senior vice president of Microsoft’s games division, also took the opportunity to push 360′s credentials as an entertainment hub. He stated that entertainment app usage on 360 is up 57 percent over a year ago, and ‘family content consumption’ on Xbox Video has grown 400 percent year over year.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/xbox...-studio-in-la/

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Microsoft talks plans for premium content production, details Xbox 360's transition

February 13th, 2013, 00:35 Posted By: wraggster

Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, just sat down alongside Nancy Tellem, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft LA Studios, to kick off this year's rendition of Dive Into Media here in Dana Point, Calif. The first session of the evening is being piloted byAllThingsD's Peter Kafka, and naturally, the topic of conversation is Xbox. For starters, Mehdi affirmed that Microsoft is witnessing an unmistakable transition of the Xbox 360 "from a gaming console to an entertainment console." At present, the install base is up to 76 million (up from around 70 million at the close of September 2012), with US-based users using the console for some 87 hours per month.
In fact, he stated that 18 billion (yeah, with a "B") hours of entertainment have been consumed on Xbox, and while Netflix is obviously the driving force, it might not be that way for much longer. He was quick to claim that Sony's PlayStation 3 "isn't as good of an entertainment console" -- something he feels that "everybody knows" -- and insinuated that the next-generation Xbox will stick to "big and premium." In other words, don't expect Microsoft to kick out a $50 Roku-style content box. Mehdi wants to ensure that the future of Xbox enables voice control, interactivity, and "other stuff that's big and beautiful."

http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/m...entertainment/

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Bungie confirms Destiny reveal for February 17

February 13th, 2013, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster

Bungie has officially confirmed its new game, titled Destiny, will be revealed on February 17.
"So, our game is called Destiny," reads a message on Bungie's site."In a matter of days, we're going to give you your first glimpse into the vision and ambition that's driving the creation of our brave new world," it adds.
The developer is a little more specific with a reveal date on its Destiny Facebook page: "You can be the first to see the reveal of Destiny right here on Feb. 17 (T-Minus 5 days)," it says.
In addition to the aforementioned Facebook page, new Twitter and Google+ feeds have been set up for Destiny.
As reported earlier today, a web site teasing a reveal within seven days was launched, containing cryptic puzzles and riddles.
This follows news last week that Bungie will unveil its new Destiny unvierse "within a matter of weeks", indicating that news will come before the previously confirmed GDC reveal.
Plot and concept art details for Destiny leaked in November last year, pointing to "a universe as deep, tangible and relatable as that of the Star Wars franchise" said to be "fun and accessible to all."
According to the leaked docs, Destiny will feature a story set seven hundred years from now in the Last City on Earth, in a Solar System "littered with the ruins of man's Golden Age". Hit the link for more Destiny details.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...r-february-17/

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Kinect sales equal the original Xbox, higher than GameCube

February 13th, 2013, 00:51 Posted By: wraggster

Sales of Kinect have topped 24 million worldwide - more than Nintendo's GameCube (21.7 million) and equal to the original Xbox - according to the latest stats released by Microsoft.Microsoft also says it has now shifted 76 million Xbox 360 consoles - suggesting an attach rate of nearly one Kinect to every three Xbox 360s.If Microsoft's Kinect exec Kudo Tsunoda created a new operating system, he could call it KuDOS.

More than 46 million users are now described as Xbox Live subscribers, which is apparently a growth of 15 per cent year on year, although the release is not explicit about whether that means Gold subscribers only or the overall number of people who access the service.In 2012 the average US Xbox Live Gold user spent 87 hours a month sat (or stood) in front of their Xbox - an increase of 8.7 hours from last year.That figure is presumably helped by the recent boom in Xbox 360 apps - there are nearly 100 available worldwide.Altogether, users are said to have consumed 18 billion hours of entertainment through Xbox in 2012.So how do those numbers stack up? Xbox 360 is the seventh best-selling games machine of all time and the fourth best-selling home console (behind the DS, PS2, Game Boy, PS1, Wii and GBA, in that order).If Kinect was counted as its own platform, it would be joint sixteenth in the rankings, or joint eleventh if you don't count handheld devices.PlayStation 3 has sold 70.2 million. The Wii has sold 99.38 million. The Wii U has sold 3 million since its launch in November.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...top-76-million

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Microsoft 'idiotic' for ceding Xbox indie community

February 13th, 2013, 22:37 Posted By: wraggster

Last five years of Xbox 360 have been painful to watch, says founding engineer Nat Brown

Microsoft has been idiotic for its lack of support toward the indie development sector on Xbox 360, one of the hardware's founding engineers has said.
Speaking on a blog post, Nat Brown said it had been painful to watch the Xbox over the last five years, and felt Microsoft had been coasting on past momentum of the Xbox, and was failing to innovate or capitalise on technical innovations such as its motion sensing peripheral Kinect.

He also claimed that the computing giant was touting market success while it was just experiencing Sony and Nintendo's "stumbling failures", and had a complete lack of understanding on how to take advantage of living room gaming in the long-term.
Brown criticised Microsoft's ecosystem for small and indie developers, who have found it increasingly difficult to make money on XBLIG in particular, with many even leaving Xbox for good.
He said that all this was going on while Microsoft was driving forward with its plans to enter the TV entertainment sector and was partnering with "big dying media companies when their core product, their home town is on fire, their soldiers, their developers, are tired and deserting, and their supply-lines are broken".

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...die-dev-sector

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Xbox Originator: "Stupid, Stupid Xbox!!"

February 13th, 2013, 22:46 Posted By: wraggster

You can't begrudge Nat Brown for claiming some pride in the birth of Microsoft's game console: 'I was a founder of the original xBox project at Microsoft and gave it its name. Almost 14 years after the painful, pointless, and idiotic internal cage-match to get it started and funded, the hard selling of a compelling and lucrative living-room product to Bill (and then Steve as he began to take over), a product that consumers would want and love and demand, I am actually still thrilled to see how far it has come...' But in his recent ILIKE.CODE blog post he is driven to lament that '...as usual, Microsoft has jumped its own shark and is out stomping through the weeds planning and talking about far-flung future strategies in interactive television and original programming partnerships with big dying media companies when their core product, their home town is on fire, their soldiers, their developers, are tired and deserting, and their supply-lines are broken.' Nat goes on to detail a list of Microsoft's past and present strategic Xbox blunders, while tossing some barbs towards Nintendo's and Sony's game console strategies."

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...id-stupid-xbox

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EA admits that Medal of Honor: Warfighter was not good enough, but series will be bac

February 13th, 2013, 22:53 Posted By: wraggster

Medal of Honor may have been “taken out of rotation”, but expect to see more of the series in the future.
Last month EA confirmed that the series has been shelvedwith the intention being to make Battlefield a Call of Duty-rivalling annual series. Yet despite claiming in October thatcritics were overly harsh on Warfighter, EA’s creative director Rich Hilleman has admitted to Rock Paper Shotgunthat the game’s problems were very much of its own making.
“We don’t think its a genre problem,” he stated. “It’s an execution problem. We don’t think Medal of Honor’s performance speaks to any particular bias in that space against modern settings or World War II or any of that. It’s much more that we had some things we should’ve done better.
“I think a key part of this is having the right amount of high-quality production talent. And we didn’t have the quality of leadership we needed to make [Medal of Honor] great. We just have to get the leadership aligned.”
But the IP’s fate should not be regarded as retirement but instead more a case of extended shore leave.
“We’re blessed to have more titles than we can do well today,” Hilleman added. “That’s a good problem, frankly. In the long term, we have to make sure we don’t kill those products by trying to do them when we can’t do them well.
“What we think right now is that, for the next couple years, we can just have one great thing in that space. So we’re choosing for it to be Battlefield.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ea-ad...e-back/0110832

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Xbox 360's transition from hardcore to casual "was an accident of circumstance"

February 13th, 2013, 22:55 Posted By: wraggster

One of the founders of the original Xbox programme at Microsoft has lashed out at the direction the company has taken with Xbox 360.
Nat Brown was one of the key figures behind Microsoft’s assault on the living room and while he understand Microsoft’s want to make the Xbox 360 the central living room entertainment hub, he is deeply critical of many decision made by the firm.
“I was a founder of the original Xbox project at Microsoft and gave it its name,” he wrote on his blog. “Almost 14 years after the painful, pointless, and idiotic internal cage-match to get it started and funded… I am actually still thrilled to see how far it has come, how many installed units it has, how it is crushing its original console competitors, how the brand has grown and endured, and especially how great the games have become.
“But the past five years, and the last year in particular, have been simply painful to watch. Coasting on past momentum. Failing to innovate and failing to capitalize on innovations like Kinect. Touting strategic and market success when you’re just experiencing your competitor’s stumbling failure (yes, Sony, Nintendo – you are, I’m afraid, stumbling failures).”
Brown believes that Microsoft is destined to lose its battle of the living room at the hands of rivals Apple and Google. Indeed, he believes that Microsoft didn’t even intend to fight this battle in the first place.
“Microsoft is living in a naive dream-world,” he insists. “I have heard people still there arguing that the transition of the brand from hardcore gamers to casual users and TV-users was an intentional and crafted success. It was not. It was an accident of circumstance that Microsoft is neither leveraging nor in control of.”
Brown goes on to argue that while Microsoft’s content/entertainment strategy is broadly correct, the company “has jumped its own shark and is out stomping through the weeds planning and talking about far-flung future strategies in interactive television and original programming partnerships with big dying media companies when their core product, their home town is on fire, their soldiers, their developers, are tired and deserting, and their supply-lines are broken”.
Highlighted for specific criticism is Xbox’s struggle to embrace indie programming in the way that Apple has and the console’s increasingly cluttered and often slow OS
“Because these two critical issues – user experience and indie content – are not nearly in order and I see big investments in future interactive content happening, as well as idiotic moves to limit used games or put harder content protection into place than exists in mobile or tablets – I predict massive failure and losses here,” Brown concludes.
“And it makes me sad. Because it just doesn’t have to fail, even though it has been punted around poorly for five years. Xbox just needs somebody with a brain and focus to get the product in order tactically before romping forward to continue the long-term strategic promise of an Xbox in every living room, connected to every screen.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...stance/0110830

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Xbox 360 Hacking - J-Runner v0.2 beta (Build 287)

February 14th, 2013, 15:20 Posted By: wraggster

via http://team-xecuter.com/

J-Runner, the greatest JTAG/RGH tool of them all has been updated to support Xecuter CR3 PRO RATER and the Xecuter DemoN BB 256/512 Upgrade.
Also updated the Xecuter SONUS 360 Editor (now with the ability to program your own custom sounds to Power On, Power Off, Eject and CoolRunner Glitch!)

Here's the full list of recent updates:

• Added CR3 Pro Rater
• Added support for J-R Programmer v2
• Added support for LTU required files on "Extract files" function for use with JungleFlasher
• Added BGA on Corona v4 size as acceptable
• Added Write DGX button when nand requiring DGX is loaded
• Added Alternate DGX for Corona
• Added Corona_en files for DemoN
• Added Xell Freeboot for Corona with Full HDMI support
• Added ability to generate 16MB nand images from 256MB and 512MB dumps (For Demon BB)
• Fixed Bug in write nand, removed need for delay setting writing to nand with JRP
• Improved Sonus360 Custom editor Functionality
• Fixed settings save error
• Fixed inability to select Full Dump on BB consoles
• Fixed SMC config bug
• Altered available Dashes for direct download through J-Runner (Now limited – Dont go downloading more dash versions than you need! – Conserve the Bandwidth) You're now limited to number of dashes/time frame
• Added DGX support
• Added Sonus 360 Custom Sounds function
• Added more default Limited Edition Xbox 360S Sounds (Default, COD4, GOW3, MW3, Halo Reach & Halo 4)
• Added SMC Config Editor
• Added Erase for Corona 4GB (F2 for an alternative erase method)
• Added Custom XeBuild Command
• Rewrote Functions for NAND-x/J-R Programmer
• Changed way it saves settings
• Added support for new ISD chip
• Patch kv OSIG list updated
• Patch kv Serial and Console ID added
• Added rev option on Advanced XeBuild Options
• Lots of various enhancements, bug fixes, optimizations

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Take-Two snaps up WWE license

February 14th, 2013, 23:49 Posted By: wraggster

Defunct publisher THQ hands off wrestling franchise

The WWE wrestling franchise has been picked up by Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two.
The license was previously held by the bankrupt THQ, and the deal - reported by Bloomberg - is said to save the company millions.

"By working together to transition development of WWE games going forward, the parties have minimised the harm to WWE and Yuke's, which have, in turn, agreed to substantial reductions of their claims," said lawyers for THQ.
Had it not been for this agreement, the lawyers said the combined claims of WWE and game developer Yuke's "would certainly exceed $30 million and might exceed $60 million.”
The deal will terminate all previous contracts allowing new agreements with Take-Two, which will hire former THQ employees that worked on wrestling games.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...up-WWE-license

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GameStop lobbying platform holders over pre-owned block rumours

February 15th, 2013, 00:02 Posted By: wraggster

Global games retailer GameStop has been lobbying platform holder Microsoft to try and persuade it to abandon its rumoured plans to block pre-owned software on the Next Xbox.
"Sony has said publicly that they don't intend to block used games on their next console. Microsoft has not commented on the rumours that have hit the marketplace,” CFO Rob Lloyd told an audience at the LA Goldman Sachs Technology conference, as reported by Gamasutra.
“But over the course of the last year, we've had the opportunity to do research, and share that research with the console makers, and to demonstrate to them that consumers want the ability to play pre-owned games. They want portability in their games, they want to play physical games. To not have those things would be a substantial reason for them to not purchase a new console.
"I think approximately 60 per cent of customers have said that they would not buy a new console if it didn't play pre-owned games."
Lloyd continued GameStop’s offensive by outlining once again the value that pre-owned software brings to the market.
"Publishers understand that a healthy pre-owned games market helps them to sell more new games,” he argued. “And the reason is that our buy-sell-trade model puts over $1bn worth of currency in the customer's hands every year. And that currency goes primarily toward the purchase of new games.
“So by offering trades to customers, we sell more new games for the publishers. So the publishers understand that it's important to have that ecosystem in place.
"What we see from consumers is that they will buy new games, and some games you can play through faster than others, and so those games will start to come back in trade. And then when customers are done playing their games, they'll bring them back and trade them in.
“What publishers understand, and what we've helped to educate them on, is that only about four per cent of our used game sales are games that were released in the last 60 days. So it does not have a big impact on the sales of new products. That's why publishers understand how important the pre-owned business is to them.”
But GameStop has a second battleto fight. All this talk of pre-owned block has dented the chain’s share price, so Lloyd also stressed that whatever happens, GameStop will be able to adapt.
"We'll be able to sell the new consoles regardless of what features, or what they do or don't allow,” he insisted. "We'll have leading market share on the sales of those consoles, we'll adapt to what it does to the pre-owned business, and one of the ways we'll do that is through a continued healthy pre-owned business for today's generation of consoles.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/games...umours/0110908

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Xbox 360 closes in on Wii's UK sales record

February 15th, 2013, 00:04 Posted By: wraggster

The world’s eyes may be on PlayStation this month, but it is Xbox that is on the cusp of becoming the UK’s No.1 games console.
Xbox 360 has surpassed 8m UK sales and will overtake Wii in a matter of weeks.
A major push from a revamped SCEE team has seen an upturn in PS3’s performance, but it’s Xbox that has maintained market leadership. And now the platform holder is adding new faces to its team to ensure it stays there.
“Ten years ago, to think we would be the leader in our second generation is a achievement,” said Microsoft regional boss Jon Grimes.
“We have great people that have been with us a long time, and now it’s about strengthening that team.
“But what has got us to where we are today is not going to be what gets us through the next ten years. Now we’ve also got to start from scratch when thinking about the future. Driving creativity, whether around marketing, retail or new business models, is key for us.”

UK INDUSTRY IN A 'SPIRAL' OF NEGATIVITYXbox UK’s team says the games industry needs to be more positive.Retail boss Jon Grimes and marketing director Harvey Eagle believes
the negative press about video game sales are having a detrimental
impact upon the market, and that there are reasons to be optimistic.“I think we’ve got ourselves into a bit of a spiral,” said Grimes.
“We’ve had some great titles over Christmas, but people were
picking out the negative parts. FIFA had its biggest year ever.
Skylanders was a wonderful success. That didn’t tend to hit the headlines.”Eagle added: “The traditional life cycle of the console is changing.
The market is behaving as we would have predicted. We’ve had
great growth over the last four years. At some point
that begins to tail off and that should be expected.
It’s not a sign of hardship in the future.”

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Xbox 360 sells 281,000 in US during January

February 15th, 2013, 01:51 Posted By: wraggster

The console continues its dominance in the US market
Microsoft has just revealed in advance of the January NPD report that its Xbox 360 console has once again topped the competition, selling 281,000 units in January, marking the 25th consecutive month that Xbox 360 has been the top selling console in the US.
Overall, more than $338 million was spent on Xbox 360 retail (including games, consoles and accessories) in January, while Xbpx 360 held 44 percent share of the current-generation console market.
"Xbox showed incredible growth throughout 2012, almost tripling its entertainment offerings with nearly 100 custom, voice-controlled Xbox LIVE apps, and delivering users with 18 billion hours of entertainment. Xbox has sold three times the number of original Xbox consoles, with 76 million units sold around the world to-date," Microsoft noted.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...during-january

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Xbox 360 Hacking - Gecko 1.34, 1.57 Toolbox, LTU Fileset Geremia and patch

February 15th, 2013, 15:54 Posted By: wraggster

via http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4142

Today the Maximus team updates all the tools to make a generation Lizard correct firmware LTU. They also prepared the FileSet 1.0 LTU requested for the process.

To update, there are two choices, the easy way or the ToolBox manual way step by step explained in the guide included in the archive (the last steps of this guide explains how to generate a LTU). addition, a large thanks to Geremia for the active patch MKT drive semi-open, this will provide you insert the disc to enter 0800 MKT mode the next time you want to update (with TX PCB LTU, you will always need this disk the first time since it comes pre-flashed with the original C4eva LTU). C4eva The team hopes that will implement this feature in a forthcoming update. MKT mode To enter the once Geremia patch applied, all this you need to do is power the drive with the tray half open (or bare pcb without the mechanism connected). The patch also solves a security problem PC23. If you do not want to use the ToolBox, otherwise generate the firmware then apply the patch in the archive. Thanks the-green. ToolBox 1.0.57 Lizard Lizard Firmware Updater Official website: 360lizard . com

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Homebrew Release for Multiple Consoles - World Heroes Supreme Justice

February 15th, 2013, 16:03 Posted By: wraggster

Over at the ChronoCrash Forums, Magggas has released a new Beats of Rage Mod that should work OK on Dreamcast, PSP, Xbox, Wii and the Open Source Consoles such as Dingoo, GP2X Etc.



This is the last update from the game at 23/08/2012 which was released at Lavalit.(The new update with more playable characters is on the road)

There is two versions of this game.one for PC and one for consoles like XBOX,WII,PSP,GP2X,DINGOO
5 playble characters + 1 secret character
2 players co-op maximum

The game uses 4 buttons :
Punch
Kick
Jump
Block

(Be sure to define the key buttons before you play!)

You can combine Punch and Kick combos like:
Punch,Punch,Punch,Kick
Punch,Punch,Kick,Kick
Punch,Kick,Kick
Kick,Punch

About the rest moves and how everything works,check the
"moves_list.txt" or the "How to play" screen.

Download links:
For PC LINUX MAC:
http://www.chronocrash.com/forum/ind...pmod;dl=item21
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?b8ihdubi4eo10bv

For XBOX,WII,PSP,GP2X,DINGOO,WIZ:
http://www.chronocrash.com/forum/ind...pmod;dl=item23
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?w5d8q0g2gu22xnr

Have fun

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Bungie's Destiny 'requires internet connection' - New details

February 17th, 2013, 23:26 Posted By: wraggster

Bungie's next shooter, Destiny, will require an internet connection in order to play, the studio confirmed at a press event attended by CVG.
The so-called 'Shared World Shooter' will require a permanent online connection in order to power its persistent, emerging world, the studio said.Destiny has been confirmed for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but despite Bungie's commitment to the new franchise for "the next 10 years", the studio wouldn't confirm a release on next-gen platforms or PC.
In Destiny, players take the role of a Guardian of the last safe city on Earth. Fighting mysterious alien foes both on Earth and beyond, players' key goals will be to reclaim mankind's lost territory and to become a walking legend in its universe.
Combat, it seems, will be both FPS and vehicle based. Players will be able to customize their avatar's and vehicle's appearances and characters will be class-based.
One class - a large, brutish tank-like soldier - was referred to as a 'Titan', while another - with the ability to wield Traveller tech - was tagged as a 'Warlock'. A third Guardian class was described as a 'Hunter'.
Destiny will also feature mini-quests, loot drops and drop in/drop out co-op play, our debutDestiny preview reveals.
Analysts have predicted that Destiny's release date will fall in 2013, despite Activision refusing to commit in a recent financial meeting to a ship date this year.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...n-new-details/

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Black Ops 2 DLC: Orientation rumoured to be next map pack

February 18th, 2013, 21:54 Posted By: wraggster

The second Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 DLC pack is rumoured to be called Orientation.
A supposed image for the unannounced DLC suggests the game add-on will feature four new multiplayer maps (Water, Mobile, Southpaw and Plane), a new Zombies level (Dead High), and a fresh weapon.
As pointed out by MP1st, it's unclear if the image in question is legitimate, but it appears similar in style to promotional material used for - and leaked ahead of the official announcement of - the first Black Ops 2 DLC pack, Revolution.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...next-map-pack/

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Durango leaks source claims police raid

February 19th, 2013, 23:28 Posted By: wraggster

Authorities allegedly present warrant to man who sold an Xbox 720 dev kit on eBay

The man behind many of the recent Xbox 720 leaks claims to have been raided by police.
SuperDaE shot to prominence when he listed what appears to be a genuine Xbox 720 dev kit (codenamed Durango) on eBay.

The listing has now ended with the winner paying AU $50,000 ($33,400).
“Police raided me,” SuperDaE wrote on Twitter. “I find it hilarious how the warrant only really mentions ‘Microsoft’, ‘eBay’, ‘Paypal’.”
In a later tweet he claimed “an FBI agent and 7-8 police” were involved.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ms-police-raid

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Microsoft vows "vigorous action" against Gears of War: Judgement pirates

February 19th, 2013, 23:46 Posted By: wraggster

Those found to be playing Gears of Wars: Judgement early can expect a swift can of whoop-ass courtesy of Xbox 360 platform holder Microsoft.
It emerged last night that an unfinished (but mostly fully-featured) version of the game – which is not due for release until March 22^nd – is available to download illegally online.
The development led to a rush of spoiler videos on YouTube.
Now Microsoft has vowed what it describes as “vigorous action” against those who download and play the game on their illegally chipped consoles.
"We are aware of isolated cases in which Gears of War: Judgment content has been propped on the web and are working closely with our security teams and law enforcement to address the situation immediately," a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer.
"Consumers should be aware that piracy is illegal and we take vigorous action against illegal activity related to our products and services."
What action Microsoft can take is limited, of course, and will likely take the form of console and Gamertag bans.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...irates/0111072

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Destiny will not be released in 2013

February 19th, 2013, 23:55 Posted By: wraggster

Bungie’s first post-Halo project, Destiny, will not be released in 2013.
That’s according to publisher Activision, which issued the clarification after 48 hours of very successful marketing activity was instigated across media outlets online.
"Activision reiterated that although Bungie's amazing new world was revealed today, Activision has not included the launch in its 2013 outlook and there should be no speculation or expectation of a different result,” a press release read.
The immediate question that presents itself is what this might mean for a current-gen release.
Destiny is currently scheduled for a release on Xbox 360, PS3 and “future console platforms”. But with the PS4 and Xbox 720 likely to both be on the market before the end of the year, will the appetite remain for our current machines into the New Year?

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/desti...n-2013/0111058

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Next Xbox leak reveals Kinect 2 specs

February 20th, 2013, 23:18 Posted By: wraggster

Increased field of view and higher depth range to allow up to six users playing at once, claims report

The specs for the new Kinect on Microsoft's next Xbox have been leaked, according to a report.
VGleaks has claimed that Kinect 2 will feature higher depth accuracy and an increased field of view to allow play in larger spaces and differing room sizes.

The motion sensing peripheral now possesses a 70-degree horizontal and 60-degree vertical field of view, compared to 57.6 and 43.5 on the current iteration.
Kinect 2 can also see at a depth range of 0.8m to 4m, similar to the original hardware.
This increased vision backs up previous reports that suggested up to six players could now use Kinect at once.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...Kinect-2-specs

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Microsoft Kinect 2.0 Specifications Leak, Includes Support For USB 3.0

February 20th, 2013, 23:20 Posted By: wraggster

Whether or not you're an owner of Microsoft's Xbox 360, chances are you find the Kinect accessory intriguing, since you don't even need the company's console to use it. That's why there's so much excitement surrounding the console's successor, codenamed Durango: it will feature Kinect 2.0, the specifications for which allegedly leaked today. The new device will reportedly be able to track players with a height of one meter, feature a mode for both seated and standing players, detect hand states (such as open or closed), as well as extra and rotated joints. As for improved features, it will be able to supposedly track six rather than two active players, occluded joints, and sideways poses. This will all be possible thanks to an increased field of vision, 1920×1080 color stream, 512×424 depth stream, an added infrared stream, USB 3.0, and 60ms latency."
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/1...ort-for-usb-30

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Take Two officially unveils WWE2K14

February 20th, 2013, 23:24 Posted By: wraggster

WWE has signed a five year deal with Take Two to release its sports entertainment games under a new brand: WWE2K.Original developer Yuke’s will now work alongside 2K’s own Visual Concepts team on the newly-named WWE2K14. The game is set for release this autumn, reports ESPN.WWE’s executive vice president of consumer products Casey Collins said of the deal: “With Yukes, we have a lot of history, and we’ve been very happy with what Yukes has done in the past,” said Collins. “What we’re going to do moving forward is meld Yukes with the team at Visual Concepts, so we can have the best of both worlds. Having Yukes’ experience and then getting the Visual Concepts guys on board with them, we think this is going to be a dynamic duo.”“Now that we have the deal done, we have a lot of internal meetings with Take-Two, Yukes and Visual Concepts,” added Collins. “Everyone is going to come to the table and talk about how we can really ratchet this game up for this year.”

http://www.edge-online.com/news/take...veils-wwe2k14/

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EA is showing off Battlefield 4 to retail

February 20th, 2013, 23:29 Posted By: wraggster

Battlefield 4 is already being shown off to partners of publisher EA.
We know this because GameStop CEP Paul Raines said the following yesterday via his chain’s Twitter account:
“Got to see Battlefield 4 today and all I can say is WOW! Thanks @EA for the sneak peek. Can’t wait for you all to see it. #BF4”
VG247 notes that the message was retweeted by EA’s own official account.
THAT’S BECAUSE IT WILL BE SHOWN OFF AT THE PS4 REVEAL TONIGHT, RIGHT?
Sorry. We’re having trouble getting the PS4 reveal out of our minds. Did we mention that it’s happening tonight?

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ea-is...retail/0111142

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DMC gets 'Vergil's Downfall' DLC on March 6, Bloody Palace out today

February 21st, 2013, 00:25 Posted By: wraggster

Capcom has put a date on the DmC: Devil May Cry DLC, "Vergil's Downfall." The new content will hit both PSN and Xbox Live on March 6. Vergil's Downfall features a new story and, most importantly, allows players to take control of Dante's brother Vergil, who packs new weapons and abilities and one mean, bushy mustache. The DLC will set you back $8.99 or 720 MSP.

In other teary-eyed Devil news, the free Bloody Palace DLC is available today. The DLC adds a new challenge mode featuring 100 levels.
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/dm...-palace-out-t/

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Assassin's Creed 3: Washington Edition spotted, due for release "very soon"

February 21st, 2013, 00:29 Posted By: wraggster

Ubisoft is planning to release the Assassin's Creed 3 Washington Edition, its annual Game of the Year version which traditionally includes all of the game's DLC.
That's according to a report by Siliconera. The GOTY version will be released "very soon".It's unlikely to launch before the end of game's Tyranny of King Washington episodic DLC campaign - the final part of which is due in late March.Also likely to be included is other Season Pass content such as The Hidden Secrets DLC (a roundup of all pre-order bonuses) and multiplayer expansion The Battle Hardened Pack.Also spotted was the Ghost Recon Anthology, a trilogy pack of HD Ghost Recon titles, due for release this "spring".What titles will it include? Advanced Warfighter and its sequel were both released on Xbox 360, as was last year's Future Soldier.Publisher Ubisoft told Eurogamer it had nothing to announce at this time.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ease-very-soon

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Microsoft Kinect 2.0 Specifications Leak, Includes Support For USB 3.0

February 21st, 2013, 23:56 Posted By: wraggster

Whether or not you're an owner of Microsoft's Xbox 360, chances are you find the Kinect accessory intriguing, since you don't even need the company's console to use it. That's why there's so much excitement surrounding the console's successor, codenamed Durango: it will feature Kinect 2.0, the specifications for which allegedly leaked today. The new device will reportedly be able to track players with a height of one meter, feature a mode for both seated and standing players, detect hand states (such as open or closed), as well as extra and rotated joints. As for improved features, it will be able to supposedly track six rather than two active players, occluded joints, and sideways poses. This will all be possible thanks to an increased field of vision, 1920×1080 color stream, 512×424 depth stream, an added infrared stream, USB 3.0, and 60ms latency.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/1...ort-for-usb-30

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Next Xbox set for April reveal

February 22nd, 2013, 20:50 Posted By: wraggster

Growing number of developers suggest unveiling post-GDC

Microsoft will reveal the next Xbox at a special press event in early April, according to a report.
Speaking to CVG, a “growing number of developers and other industry professionals” such as Sony staff said that Microsoft would unveil its next-gen plans in early April.

A senior Sony official also remarked that the console giant had “caught Microsoft off-guard” with its reveal, and that it had “ruffled some feathers”.
An April reveal for the next Xbox could be seen as a surprise given that Sony has already fired the first shot in the next-gen race and revealed the PS4, with GDC also taking place during the interim in March.
Microsoft has yet to officially announce when it will unveil its next-gen console, refusing to recognised it has even been working on a new Xbox.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...r-April-reveal

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Huge Xbox 360 sale discounts over 60 Games on Demand titles

February 23rd, 2013, 22:54 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has announced a huge sale bringing discounts to over 60 Xbox 360 games available via the Games on Demand digital store on Xbox Live Marketplace.
Starting February 26 and running through March 4, a large selection of full-retail blockbusters will see discounts of up to 75 per cent.A different selection of games will go on sale each day. Below is a list of games you can expect to see during the sale period:

• Assassins Creed
  
  

• Assassins Creed 2
  
  

• Batman Arkham Asylum
  
  

• Batman Arkham city
  
  

• Bioshock
  
  

• Borderlands
  
  

• Borderlands 2
  
  

• Brotherhood
  
  

• Call of Juarez
  
  

• Call of Duty 2
  
  

• Call of Duty 3
  
  

• Call of Duty: Black Ops
  
  

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
  
  

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
  
  

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
  
  

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
  
  

• Code Veronica
  
  

• Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements
  
  

• Dead Island
  
  

• Dirt 2
  
  

• Dishonored
  
  

• El Shaddai Ascension of the Metatron
  
  

• Fable III
  
  

• Fallout 3
  
  

• Fallout 3 New Vegas
  
  

• GRID
  
  

• Halo 3
  
  

• Halo 4
  
  

• Halo Reach
  
  

• Halo Wars
  
  

• Kane & Lynch Dead Men
  
  

• Left for Dead 2
  
  

• Max Payne 3
  
  

• Metal Gear Solid HD
  
  

• Metal Gear Solid Peacewalker
  
  

• Mortal Kombat
  
  

• Mortal Kombat vs. DCU
  
  

• Orange Box
  
  

• Portal 2
  
  

• Raccoon City
  
  

• Rainbow Six Vegas
  
  

• Rayman Raving Rabbids
  
  

• Resident Evil 4
  
  

• Resident Evil 5
  
  

• Resident Evil 6
  
  

• Red Dead Redemption
  
  

• Revelations
  
  

• Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
  
  

• Street Fighter IV
  
  

• Street Fighter X Tekken
  
  

• Super Streetfighter IV Arcade Edition
  
  

• TC's H.A.W.X.
  
  

• Tekken 6
  
  

• Tekken Tag Tournament 2
  
  

• The Darkness
  
  

• The King of Fighters XIII
  
  

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
  
  

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
  
  

• Tomb Raider Legend
  
  

• Virtua Fighter 5
  
  

• World at War

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Tiger Woods 14 gets Country Club updates

February 23rd, 2013, 23:02 Posted By: wraggster

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Xbox Live cloud services down

February 23rd, 2013, 23:05 Posted By: wraggster

There may be a few clouds hanging over your Xbox Live experience today. Microsoft reports that users are experiencing troubles accessing cloud saves and other remotely stored information on Windows 7 and Xbox 360. We've also received reports of trouble with the Halo 4 servers.

The (crackpot) theory going around the Joystiq think tank is that Sony's testing PS4 cloud services and taking up all the bandwidth in the imaginary "cloud." Xbox Live isn't working right, because Kaz Hirai is streaming some Cool Boarders 2 to QA.
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/xb...services-down/

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XBMC4Xbox v3.2.1 has been released

February 23rd, 2013, 23:14 Posted By: wraggster

XBMC4XBOX by exobuzz & Arnova, is a SVN compile of XBox Media Center (XBMC) for the 1st generation XBOX.

Here's the full info and changelog:


Development of the 3.3 release is still ongoing, but in the meantime, here is a small update to 3.2 that includes a few fixes and improvements, including: Thumbnail scaling calculations are improved to correct the low-res issue with wide icons. Included a modern new default web interface from Sander (called XBMC Reloaded). The SVN Repo installer has been replaced with the Addons4Xbox installer, that is able to install addons designed for XBMC.

The SVN Repo installer has become little use as most of the scripts and plugins it references are no longer maintained. To fix this Temhil created an Addons4Xbox installer that allowed installation of addons from XBMC addon repositories. This doesn’t completely solve the problem though, as due to our old python version, and differences in XBMC4Xbox from XBMC many of them don’t work out of the box. To remedy this, we have our own repository that contains fixed up versions of many of the most popular addons. You can see details of which have been changed and the current working status at http://www.xbmc4xbox.org.uk/addons/.

The Addons4Xbox installer still has some issues, and could be improved, but it’s works well as a temporary solution.

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XKEY, Menu Iso-Discoverable On XBOX Live

February 23rd, 2013, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster

via http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4144

It seems that in recent tests, Microsoft is able to detect some users XKEY. concerns Menu Iso It's XKEY, when you open the tray to load the iso Microsoft is able to compare the hash names given to you. "ISO" and photos to a database P2P, Usenet, etc ... When in doubt, the wisest precautions that we can give you is to disable your menu iso. MenuIso To deactivate your , edit your file and go line xkey.cfg MENUISO MENUISO = Y = N. At the onset of XKEY, the team was informed that the dashboard Microsoft was able to pull up all information (doubt, error, crash, etc. ..) via the Xbox Live network, so only the remote control independent of the Xbox could make XKEY 100% safe on Live. They are independent developers to the team XKEY who proposed the Menu Iso as well as the DVD Menu to meet user demand that compared methods of loading the Wasabi XKEY. A Team XKEY time by publishing the first firmware incorporating the work of developers authorizing MenuIso had announced "Take for it works. " DVD Menu meanwhile, works differently iso menu, as you exit the interface to enter the mode DVD-Video and a priori no comparison between securities + photos with the database is not possible. There remain the two official methods XKEY for loading games (Remote and Wireless Dongle) are the safest and completely undetectable because beyond the console. Which means that the Wasabi using only the iso menu Xbox Live is vulnerable. The funniest part of the story is that it seems that this discovery comes from Microsoft tmbinc the person behind the Jtag Hack and since this discovery was a model employee at Microsoft "radius" Xbox360 . Source: http://k3yforums.com

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DashLaunch 3.07: support DashBoard 16203

February 23rd, 2013, 23:41 Posted By: wraggster

via http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4145

Coz, the famous developer of the Xbox360 scene is back tonight to give us a new version of the flagship application console Jtag / RGH, we speak of course: DashLaunch

New / fixed:
- Support DashBoard 16203 DashLaunch 3.7

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xeBuild 01.07

February 23rd, 2013, 23:43 Posted By: wraggster

xeBuild brings together ggbuild and fbbuild in a single application for building glitch image, jtag and retail. 's new / fixed: - Support DashBoard 16203 - Added trinitybigffs (file system block size big Trinity devkit) - Option - s added to create a file. sha1 with the image file -> If no argument is specified, the name of the image is used. sha1 as extension - Changed behavior patchsmc xeBuild 7.1

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4146

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XeBuild GUI 2.09: support 16,203

February 23rd, 2013, 23:43 Posted By: wraggster

Swizzy us with a new version of its application Xebuild GUI interface has now become the official application from the command line XeBuild. This new version follows the release date of Xebuild.

New / fixed: - Support DashBoard 16203 - Uses now Xebuild 7.1 - Now uses Dashlaunch 3.7 - Change the password option "videomode" to "avregion" GUI XeBuild

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4147

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The Hacker Who Found the Secrets of the Next Xbox and PlayStation

February 24th, 2013, 19:46 Posted By: wraggster

Stephen Totilo at Kotaku has a long article detailing the exploits of an Australian hacker who calls himself SuperDaE. He managed to break into networks at Microsoft, Sony, and Epic Games, from which he retrieved information about the PS4 and next-gen Xbox 'Durango' (which turned out to be correct), and he even secured developer hardware for Durango itself. He uncovered security holes at Epic, but notified the company rather than exploiting them. He claims to have done the same with Microsoft. He hasn't done any damage or facilitated piracy with the access he's had, but simply breaching the security of those companies was enough to get the U.S. FBI to convince Australian authorities to raid his house and confiscate his belongings. In an age where many tech-related 'sources' are just empty claims, a lot of this guy's information has checked out. The article describes both SuperDaE's activities and a journalist's efforts to verify his claims.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...nd-playstation

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Microsoft denies involvement in police Durango seller investigation

February 25th, 2013, 17:27 Posted By: wraggster

A police raid on the man who sold a Durango test kit on eBay was not instigated by Microsoft, the platform holder has claimed.
Aussie hacker SuperDaE was last week the subject of a police raid following his acquisition and subsequent sale of a genuine Durango (the code name for the Next Xbox) test kit. Microsoft was assumed to be the aggressor. However, the company has issued a statement denying such claims.
"Microsoft did not initiate this FBI investigation with this individual, as has been asserted in some of the articles in the media,” it said. “We take security very seriously and have no evidence of any compromise of our corporate network. We have no further comment on this matter."
The Tech Game is not so certain, however. It says that SuperDaE “was met by a Microsoft intellectual property official in recent months”. It also claims that he obtained the Durango test kit by hacking into the Xbox Developer Program website, creating a fake account and ordering the unit.
Furthermore, the search warrant – which has been verified by Australian police – names Microsoft specifically.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...gation/0111402

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Autogg 0.8.8 Available

February 25th, 2013, 21:33 Posted By: wraggster

The famous BlaKCat who needs no introduction, is back with a new revision of its major application AutoGG, software all in one for your console and JTAG Glitch.
This new version supports the latest versions of Xebuild, DashLaunch DashBoard and Microsoft. And a new option to delete the 4Gb Nand Glitch mode. You can follow this tutorial for more information: Getting A Day Of Nand Via Auto Autogg

new / fixed: - Support DashBoard 16203 - Xebuild 7.1 - 3.7 Dashlaunch - Option to remove the 4gb Nand Corona - Improved code GG 0.8 Auto .8

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4149

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Not one but three more Need for Speed: Most Wanted DLCs coming

February 26th, 2013, 01:48 Posted By: wraggster

EA is planning another three add-ons for last year's Need for Speed: Most Wanted, a freshly-leaked set of PlayStation Trophies has revealed.Due out at some point are the Terminal Velocity Pack, Movie Legends Pack and NFS Heroes Pack, PS3Trophies has listed.No pricing or release dates have been announced, but the game's first add-on, the Ultimate Speed Pack, cost 800 Microsoft Points/£7.99.Terminal Velocity will add five new cars and a number of new races, with new car add-ons such as the Ram Chassis, Jump Nitrous and Drift Tires.Both the other packs offer new races, too, although there's no mention of any new areas to race in.There's no mention either of finally being able to race as the cops, one of the highlights in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, developer Criterion's previous game.Eurogamer contacted EA about the packs, but was told the publisher had nothing to add at this time.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ed-dlcs-coming

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IGN and GAME unite for Gears of War launch event

February 28th, 2013, 01:02 Posted By: wraggster

Fans will be able to play the new Gears of War game at a special pre-launch event next month, courtesy of IGN and GAME.
The ‘First Look’ promotion is the first in a series of events following a partnership between the media and retail giant.
40 fans will be able to invite two friends to play the new Xbox title ahead of the game’s midnight launch, with ten stores around the country running the special event.
“We need to be a lot more pragmatic in terms of how each part of the industry can work together to help facilitate people’s experience of games,” said GAME boss Martyn Gibbs.
“In terms of that, it is really key for me that we have struck our first major partnership with IGN. Culturally our businesses our similar, in terms of what we want to achieve for the longer-term benefit for the games industry.
“We started doing lock-ins last year with Assassin’s Creed III, which was allowing gamers to get access to the game a while before it came out.
“Basically, with that we are trying to act as a cinema in terms of creating theatre.”
IGN International director Ian Chambers added: “GAME is the No.1 specialist retailer and IGN is the No.1 in games media, so we’ve always thought there would be a great fit there.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ign-a...-event/0111552

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Maxim sponsors two free multiplayer maps for Gears of War: Judgement

February 28th, 2013, 01:03 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft efforts to thrust big brands upon you using Xbox 360 continues apace thanks to a new Gears of War partnership with Maxim.
The deal will see buyers of Gears of War: Judgement offered two multiplayer maps and a new game mode – called Execution – for free at some stage after launch.
Microsoft has also revealed an Online Pass for the title. Costing 1,600 Microsoft Points, it will offer a permanent 20 per cent discount on DLC for the title.
Those who sign up will also receive a permanent doubling of XP in the multiplayer mode.
Gears of War: Judgement will be released worldwide on March 22^nd.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/maxim...gement/0111550

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Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag leaked online

February 28th, 2013, 01:08 Posted By: wraggster

Ubisoft will shortly unveil Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, if leaked images online are to be believed.
Kotaku has obtained a poster naming the game and seemingly picturing its protagonist who, surprise surprise, looks much like predecessors Connor and Ezio.
The Examiner names him as Edward Kenway, father of Haytham Kenway and grandfather of the aforementioned Connor from Assassin's Creed 3.
The source who supplied the image to Kotaku also believes the embargo on the game’s announcement will lift on March 4^th.
The most notable visual style to note is the use of pirate ships, which are expected to prove central to the plot and setting. Speaking of which, this poster also identifies the Caribbean as the main location of the game. The pictured map also includes parts of Cuba, Jamaica and Florida.
Ubisoft is holding an AC-themed press event today, incidentally...

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/assas...online/0111531

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Slacker now streaming tunes on Xbox 360

February 28th, 2013, 01:51 Posted By: wraggster

After receiving a pre-Valentine's Day makeover, Slacker has officially made its way to the Xbox 360. Free to download for Xbox Live Gold subscribers in the US and Canada, the 116.17MB app brings the internet radio station's revamped color scheme, music guide and a posh set of voice controls viaKinect. So, if you're ready to bombard your TV with high-res slideshows of Diddy while rapping along to "Bad Boy for Life," then navigate your console's tiles to the Xbox Live Marketplace to add this app to your dashboard.


http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/26/s...-for-xbox-360/

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Nexuiz Xbox 360 servers turned off as THQ asset sale looms

February 28th, 2013, 11:27 Posted By: wraggster

The servers powering shooter Nexuiz on Xbox 360 have been shut down.The news comes amid the sale of publisher THQ's remaining assets, which include Homeworld, Darksiders, Red Faction and, of course, Nexuiz.The developer of the game, Illfonic, said the servers were being run by THQ so, as you'd expect, can't be maintained. Illfonic will keep the PC servers, which it controls, up and running itself."It was fun while it lasted on there and we are glad you guys enjoyed the game!" Illfonic said in a Facebook post.Some players reacted angrily to the news, which comes less than a year after the launch of the game."Can I have a refund then?" asked Jaime Sanchez, "'cause that's BS. You guys couldn't even support it for a year. What a waste of money and I bought it day one."Others pointed out it was the collapse of THQ that caused the closure of the game's servers, and Illfonic was not to blame."Sad to see this happen but seriously, you people demanding your money back," wrote Kelechi Iwuoha."It was like $10 when it came out and I'm pretty sure it didn't hurt your pockets that bad that you need the reimbursement. I personally loved the game on Xbox and PC and feel I at least got my $ worth."Good luck in your future work Illfonic."Illfonic addressed a fan who suggested the developer gain control of the Xbox 360 servers and bring them back online."It certainly is a possibility,2 the developer said. "Unfortunately, at this time we just cannot justify the cost. Anyone who buys Nexuiz on XBLA would be sending money to THQ, not IllFonic, so we wouldn't be getting any money to help with the server costs (which are really pricey)."The PC costs are next to nothing outside of our daily operating costs, so it isn't an issue for us to keep it running. If anyone has any complaints about getting points back/etc. they need to bring that up with THQ and not IllFonic - we don't have any control over that kind of stuff."Nexuiz should be removed from the XBLA store soon (if it hasn't already)."

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...set-sale-looms

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Halo 4, 3, Reach, Wars sale on Xbox Live today

February 28th, 2013, 11:34 Posted By: wraggster

In addition to the daily deals there are a collection of week-long deals. They've been dug up by the handsome people of NeoGAF.Highlights include BioShock and The Darkness for £4.50 each, Dark Messiah of Might & Magic and Call of Juarez for £2.70 each, and racing games Grid for £4.50 and Dirt 2 for £2.70.Phwoar.

• BioShock (75 per cent off) £4.50
• Call of Juarez (75 per cent off) £2.70
• Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (85 per cent off) £2.70
• The Darkness (75 per cent off) £4.50 (I can't find this deal)
• Dirt 2 (85 per cent off) £4.50
• El Shaddai (85 per cent off) UK N/A (I can't find it for sale here)
• Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (75 per cent off) £2.70
• Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (75 per cent off) £2.70
• Grid (85 per cent off) £2.70
• Kane & Lynch (75 per cent off) £4.50
• Rainbow Six Vegas (75 per cent off) £2.70 (I can't find this deal)
• Rayman Raving Rabbids (85 per cent off) £2.70
• Tomb Raider Legend (85 per cent off) £2.70
• Virtua Fighter 5 (75 per cent off) £4.50

Original story: Halo 4, 3, Reach and Wars are discounted on Xbox Live Games on Demand today, as part of an Ultimate sale that will offer new deals ever day until 4th March.
Halo 4 is down a third to £25, Halo 3 is down two thirds to £9, Halo: Reach is down to £9and Halo Wars is, err, £20. Maybe skip that last deal.Halo 4 is the latest of the bunch and £25 isn't a bad deal. It's the first core Halo game not made by Bungie, too, and it was a success, which bodes well for the new trilogy it's a part of.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...box-live-today

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Win a custom themed Xbox in 'Swagfest'

February 28th, 2013, 11:41 Posted By: wraggster

The Xbox Live Swagfest is a way to get a free custom Xbox 360 for playing a multiplayer match – but it also illustrates how important non-game entertainment has become to the console. In order to enter the Swagfest, you have to download a special gamer pic and use it on your profile, then play a multiplayer round of Halo 4, Tomb Raider, or Gears of War 3 between now and March 11. Or, you can download HBO Go.

At the end of the period, five winners will be chosen to receive a special 4GB Xbox – bearing art from either Tomb Raider, BioShock Infinite, Gears of War: Judgment, Splinter Cell Blacklist ... or Game of Thrones on HBO. In other words, "watching HBO" is presented as equally representative of the Xbox experience as any of these AAA video games. Which is probably fairly true to life for most of us.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/wi...x-in-swagfest/

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Guardians of Middle-earth adds new Survival mode, one-lane map

February 28th, 2013, 11:42 Posted By: wraggster

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Next Xbox Wont Play Used Games ?

February 28th, 2013, 14:45 Posted By: wraggster

Eidos co-founder Ian Livingston doesn't see a digital-only system this generation, but he suggests the next Xbox will require an always-on internet connection and will feature marked discs that prevent sharing games across systems.
"Broadband speed globally isn’t at a level that justifies digital-only.” Livingstone told MCV India. “So they’ve gone halfway [...] With the next Xbox, you supposedly have to have an internet connection, and the discs are watermarked, whereby once played on one console it won’t play on another. So I think the generation after that will be digital-only.”
We already occupy this reality with Steam, but it's still unsettling to see it come to consoles. Now we can all complain about DRM in unison. Livingston is only offering speculation, not facts, so let's hope Microsoft doesn't adopt such an anti-used games position, especially after Sony said they would not be pursuing such tech in the PS4, even though patents suggest otherwise.

Read more at http://www.destructoid.com/eidos-co-...VQrdkzmCKbJ.99

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Rumor: Next-gen Xbox reveal due on April 26

February 28th, 2013, 14:46 Posted By: wraggster

Following Friday’s rumor about an early April reveal date for Microsoft’s next generation Xbox, CVG’s Rob Crossley has said on Twitter that a ‘trusted’ source has told him the event will occur on April 26.
“The next Xbox event is scheduled for April 26th,” Crossley said on Twitter. “I’ve been told by someone I trust. Microsoft may change date, obvs, but diarise tentatively.”
As always, take this with some salt until it is confirmed or denied.

http://gematsu.com/2013/02/rumor-nex...ue-on-april-26

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“Xbox Gold” domain registrations spark Durango name speculation

February 28th, 2013, 14:47 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has gone a little mad buying out just about every version of XboxGold.com it can find, Fusible reports. Naturally this has led to some furious speculation over whether we have a name for the next Xbox console at last, but don’t get too excited; “Xbox Gold” sounds a heck of a lot like “Xbox Live Gold”, so it could just be a defensive measure against scam websites and similar. The next Microsoft console is codenamed Durango and is frequently nicknamed “Xbox 720″ but we honestly have no idea what the damn thing will be called.

http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/27/xbox...e-speculation/

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Resident Evil 6 cut to £8.99 in Xbox Live sale

February 28th, 2013, 23:59 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Games on Demand sale continues apace with recent release Resident Evil 6 cut to a staggeringly low price.
The game, which was only released in October 2012, can now be had for just £8.99 on Xbox Live.
Also on sale for the same price are Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 4. The promotion will run for one day only, although other pricing activity will run until March 4^th.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/resid...e-sale/0111620

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Halo 4 gets 'Extraction' playlist, new Forge maps next week

March 1st, 2013, 00:33 Posted By: wraggster

With the first season of Spartan Ops over, the focus of next week's Halo 4 update will be on competitive multiplayer.

The 'Extraction' game is currently available in both Team Throwdown and Majestic Team DLC, but as of Monday, March 4, the mode will get it's own standalone playlist.For those unfamiliar with the mode:"Extraction is a 5 vs. 5 objective-based game type where opposing Spartan teams are tasked with extracting assets from various sites around the map. Once a team has found a site and is in position, they must plant their beacon and protect it from the opposing team while the extraction process occurs. If the defending team remains in control of the beacon, they receive one point, however if the opposing team overtakes the site before extraction is complete, the point is theirs. Once a site has been extracted, a new site becomes available. The first team to extract five points wins."The Capture the Flag playlist will also be updated with two new maps; Simplex and Settler.As developer 343 Industries explains, "Simplex, an arena-style map from community forger SaLoT, has seen the spotlight in both the Community Forge Test and Team Throwdown playlists."Settler is a fast paced, semi-symmetrical on-disc Ravine variant that rests atop a verdant cliff side - it will be appearing in Matchmaking for the first time, slightly tweaked for 5 vs. 5 CTF."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...aps-next-week/

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Xbox 360 'Spring Value Bundle' hits US today

March 1st, 2013, 01:00 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has shipped a new limited Xbox 360 hardware bundle to US today.

The 'Spring Value Bundle' includes a 250GB Xbox 360 slim with a wireless controller, a one-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold, and download codes for digital copies of Darksiders 2 and Batman: Arkham City.That lot will set you back $299. Microsoft warns that the new bundle is "available for a limited time, while supplies last, at select major US retail stores".

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...hits-us-today/

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