Metro: Last Light gets UK and US release date

March 1st, 2013, 21:25 Posted By: wraggster

Deep Silver has at last announced a release date for 4A Games’ Metro: Last Light.
The gritty FPS will arrive on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in the UK and Europe on May 17^th, a few days after its US release on May 14^th.
Last Light, of course, was formerly to be published by THQ until the publisher went into administration and the IP was acquired by Deep Silver late last month.
“The new release date is the ideal way to strike the balance between bringing the best out of Metro: Last Light and not keep the fans waiting longer than necessary,” Koch Media owner Dr Klemens Kundratitz stated.
“We won’t leave that time unexploited and will work closely together with 4A Games to make the game even better. It will receive all the attention it deserves.”
Deep Silver’s international commercial director Menno van der Bil added: "Since it has been made public that we took over the Metro franchise, the fans keep asking for a release date. Now we can finally announce when they will be able to get their hands on the game. We would like to thank all of the Metro fans for their patience. And we can assure them that we have a lot more coming their way with the franchise.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/metro...e-date/0111710

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Xbox 360 control for a toy heli

March 1st, 2013, 21:33 Posted By: wraggster


[Jason] leveraged the IR control libraries for Arduino to use an Xbox 360 controller to fly his Syma S107G helicopter.

http://hackaday.com/2013/02/28/hacka...ary-28th-2013/

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Free Xbox Live Gold weekend incoming

March 1st, 2013, 21:47 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has announced plans to offer free access to Xbox Live Gold services such as multiplayer gaming during the second weekend of March.

The free weekend will run from 12.00 GMT on Friday March 8 until 23:59 GMT on Sunday March 10.A series of multiplayer events is being planned for games including Halo 4, Borderlands 2, Tomb Raider, FIFA Ultimate Team, Forza Horizon, Far Cry 3 and Assassin's Creed 3.On the Friday, from 12.00-17.00 GMT, Rockstar fans will be able to challenge developers in multiplayer matches on GTA IV: Episodes from Liberty City, Max Payne 3, Red Dead Redemption and Midnight Club LA. More information can be found here.Xbox 360 Call of Duty Games on Demand have been discounted today as part of an ongoingXbox Live sale.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...kend-incoming/

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Microsoft's war of independence

March 1st, 2013, 22:00 Posted By: wraggster

It's not looking good for the Xbox Live Indie Games channel. First Microsoft ceases development of XNA, the codebase that drives the self-publishing service that allows eager devs to sell their wares on the Xbox 360. Then Nat Brown, creator of the original Xbox,criticises Microsoft for what he sees as the "primary problem" with the Xbox 360, namely the lack of "a functional and growing platform ecosystem for small developers".The Indie Games slot on the Marketplace has diminished with every dashboard update, and while Microsoft has made some steps towards raising its visibility since, there's ample evidence that its presence on the Xbox Live Marketplace is merely tolerated rather than actively supported. Though Microsoft may yet surprise us by launching the console version of Apple's App Store, the assumption from most in the XNA development community is that the Indie Games Channel will quietly vanish when the next Xbox rolls around.Will anyone miss it? After some early promise the service never quite shook off the perception that it was awash with tatty clones and ugly Avatar games, and it certainly never produced the sort of breakout hit needed to give it commercial credibility in the eyes of consumers.Yet if you dig deep enough, there were - and still are - a small number of developers for whom XBLIG is not just their platform of choice, but the foundation of their business. What does the future hold for them? Should Microsoft abandon its indie experiment? To find out, Eurogamer spoke to three XNA developers who have all stuck with the service through thick and thin.I catch up with Nathan Fouts just as Serious Sam Double D XXL, his first Xbox Live Arcade game, goes on sale. Under the Mommy's Best Games moniker, Fouts was one of the first developers to gain attention on the Indie Games channel, breaking away from Insomniac Games to work solo on well received shooters like Weapon of Choice, Explosionade and Shoot 1UP. For him, the appeal was the chance to work independently but still publish on a mainstream console.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...f-independence

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Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge has sharp Xbox SmartGlass support

March 1st, 2013, 22:03 Posted By: wraggster

It would make sense that Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge on Xbox would use Xbox Smartglass to add tablet features, since it's based on a Wii U game (that's based on an Xbox 360 and PS3 game.)

However, the Smartglass features are different from the inventory and off-TV play features used on the Wii U. Playing with the SmartGlass app loaded up on your phone or tablet allows you to keep track of your gameplay statistics. It also allows you to load up videos on YouTube of other players clearing the area you're in, to help you make your way.

Razor's Edge will be available April 2 in North America, and April 5 in Europe.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/ni...glass-support/

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Borderlands takes over Xbox Live Ultimate Game Sale

March 2nd, 2013, 23:29 Posted By: wraggster

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Gears of War: Judgment – Bulletstorm studio People Can Fly refreshes an old formula

March 4th, 2013, 18:55 Posted By: wraggster

People Can Fly’s ‘extra content’ for their PC port of Gears Of War was a level planned but cut from the 360′s campaign. Whether a matter of time or technology, getting the Brumak boss running on Microsoft’s console was beyond Epic in 2006, so People Can Fly was brought in and given the time and tech to do it right. Now, six years later, they’re pulling the same trick with Gears Of War 3′s missing link, Aftermath.Baird and Cole go missing in the tail end of Gears 3′s campaign, only to return in the final level having recruited the entire Gorasni navy off camera. The Baird ex machina was the least of Gears 3′s worries in a campaign filled with narrative contrivances, but it’s a plot hole into which People Can Fly has jammed a wedge anyway. Together, Baird, Cole and Marcus return to Halvo Bay where they fight their way aboard an imulsion rig beached by a tsunami, and then get told by a People Can Fly producer to turn the game off because they want to keep what happens next a secret.If Aftermath is among Gears 3′s leftovers, nobody at the Polish studio is saying so for now, but the unlockable miniature campaign certainly feels unlike the rest of Judgment. It’s a mission built to a different plan, with no space for the Declassified challenges which mark the start of every mission in Judgment’s campaign and none of the buffers which signal the end of each section. Aftermath stands out because Judgment’s main campaign is a series of carefully constructed meat grinders, none of which which play like anything else in Gears’ short history. Judgment is the makers of Bulletstorm making the covert overt and gamifying Gears Of War until the hit points fall out.The third campaign chapter, Onyx Point, begins in a closed steel tube where a seven-foot glowing COG emblem can be activated if you fancy making the upcoming section markedly tougher. The Declassified challenges change the flow of battle, justified with a little exposition about the story behind the story – did Baird and Cole fight their way to the top of a Locust-infested hill? Sure, but by Declassifying the stage you’ll discover they had to make it in four minutes or a misfiring Hammer of Dawn would have cooked the entire squad. When the tube opens it does so onto the one shooter trope Gears has yet to cover with waist-high sandbags: the beach landing. As Locust troops defend the captured Onyx Guard facility with troika guns and mortars, you’ll advance up the beach and storm their staggered emplacements, racking up points as you go. Every kill, gib and headshot is worth points, which the game turns into stars you can compare with friends and spend, not least, on unlocking the Aftermath campaign. Declassifying the mission reveals the Locusts used land mines and tripwires to defend the beach too, and near doubles your star-earning potential.

http://www.edge-online.com/features/...n-old-formula/

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Tesco breaks Tomb Raider street date, prices game at £32

March 4th, 2013, 18:59 Posted By: wraggster

Tomb Raider is available to buy today from Tesco supermarkets.
The retailer, which is offering the game for just £32, is selling the title in MCV’s local store. Other readers have also confirmed that the game is available to buy from other Tesco outlets.
Some gamers reportedly picked up copies of the hotly anticipated title as early as Saturday March 2^nd – three days ahead of the official March 5^th release date.
In addition, online retailers reportedly began shipping out the game on Friday, meaning many orders were arriving on Saturday.
MCV has contacted Tesco for comment.
UPDATE: Tesco’s games buying manager Jon Moss has told MCV that the game is being removed from the shelves of any stores that have been selling it, and will be available for sale again tomorrow.
Said Moss: “We take any street date break extremely seriously and are in the process of contacting stores to reiterate this message and ensure the product is taken off sale until midnight.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/tesco...-at-32/0111806

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Assassin's Creed IV has the 'most varied world ever seen in an AC game'

March 4th, 2013, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is the 'perfect series to bring piracy to games'.
The new game, which launches on November 1st this year for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U and probably the next Xbox, too, has been subject to spoilers and leaks all week – some by the publisher itself.
But there are some interesting elements still not subject to spoilers that was revealed at a London event last week. The presentation featured multiple trailers, game characters and locations. There was even a slightly-too-long opening monologue about Assassin's Creed from actor Ralph Ineson (that's Finch from The Office to you and I).
So yes, Assassin's Creed IV is a pirate game. But there are no peg legs, walking the plank or talking parrots. There's not even a 'yarr'. Ubisoft Montreal, and its eight (count them) support studios have tried to create a realistic pirate title, featuring real icons such as Charles Vane and the legendary Blackbeard.
The firm says it the first 'authentic' pirate experience. Monkey Island and LEGO Pirates of the Carribean this is not.
“With the new hero and new setting we are creating the boldest and most unique Assassin’s Creed game yet, while still respecting the pillars of the franchise that have made it such a fan favorite,” said Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.
“Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag is based on a true, harsh and exciting part of a legendary era and will thrill longtime fans and newcomers alike.”

It's an open-world title, too. And the developer promises seamless transitions throughout the game, from jungle to ruins to towns and from ship-to-ship. Players can even dive underwater to find buried treasure.

Although naval combat plays a significant role, there's plenty to do on land in what Ubisoft has dubbed the 'most varied Assassin's Creed ever', with jungles to explore, ruins to discover and targets to hunt down throughout the towns at the Caribbean location.

There are 50 different areas to explore in total. Check the screens below.
You can also customise your ship, and this will be crucial to reach areas of the game. Yes it is a fully explorable open world, but without the right firepower you'll never beat the ships to access other corners of the map.
The game actually predates Assassin's Creed III as you play as Edward Kenway, the grandfather to Assassin's Creed III's protagonist Connor.
Graphically it looked impressive, and the pirate setting should make for interesting marketing executions. Assassin's Creed III has sold just shy of 1m units in the UK, so this is one game to look out for when it arrives in November.
Meanwhile, Sony and Ubisoft have teamed up for the game. Those who purchase Black Flag on PS3 or PS4 can download 60 minutes of extra gameplay after the game’s launch.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/assas...c-game/0111795

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Microsoft to spill Xbox 720 beans this week?

March 4th, 2013, 22:23 Posted By: wraggster

The press could get its first look at the Xbox 720 this Wednesday, it is being claimed.
“Wait, select press are going to be at the Microsoft fiscal year 2014 event this week?” Superannuation Tweeted. “I thought that it was MS partners only. Hmm. There are a bunch of invite-only sessions about Xbox.”
Microsoft's FY2014 Event is not normally a place for game or tech briefings with the games press, and is normally reserved for investors and publishing partners.
However, the event's timetable shows invite-only sessions across both Wednesday March 6^th and Thursday March 7^th. They carry titles such as “IEB Xbox Platform Overview”, “Xbox Platform Deep Dive” and “Xbox Games”. Only one of the early sessions references “Xbox 360” by name.
It is entirely plausible that Microsoft has decided to use the pre-scheduled event to grant press a first look at its new console following Sony's decision to debut the PS4 at a globally viewed dedicated press briefing last month.
Press could likely be directed to start issuing information as early as this week – a prolonged embargo would not seem to work in Microsoft's favour. Certainly, a behind closed doors demonstration this early in year would seem to suggest that the machine will be revealed way ahead of E3 in the summer.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...s-week/0111783

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Xbox 360's first exclusive movie, Pulp, launches today

March 4th, 2013, 23:37 Posted By: wraggster

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Xbox Live sale: fighting games discounted today

March 4th, 2013, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster

The final day of a week-long Xbox Live sale features discounts on a number of fighting games.

The promotion has featured special offers on

more than 60 Xbox 360 games

available via Xbox Live Marketplace.The percentage discount figures below apply specifically to today's US pricing, with prices and availability varying by region. We've also added today's UK pricing for the fighting games, which are on sale for one day only.

• Mortal Kombat: $19.99 (60% off) / £14.99
• Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: $4.99 (75% off) / £4.49
• Street Fighter IV: $9.99 (50% off) / £8.99
• Street Fighter X Tekken: $19.99 (50% off) / £11.99
• Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition: $9.99 (67% off) / £4.49
• Tekken 6: $9.99 (50% off) / £8.99
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2: $19.99 (60% off) / £11.99
• King of Fighters XIII: $9.99 (67% off) / £4.49

Microsoft will offer free access to Xbox Live Gold services such as multiplayer gaming next weekend.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...counted-today/

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Team Xecuter RGX (inc DGX to RGX Conversion)

March 5th, 2013, 00:52 Posted By: wraggster

Team Xecuter RGX (inc DGX to RGX Conversion)
March 02 2013

A few months ago we brought you DGX (Double Glitch-X) which enable the key retrieval from all slim consoles above dashboard version 15572.The DGX was the first and only hack able to do this and worked with great success, enabling the scene to continue on with it's homebrew endeavors. For some bizarre reason some outsiders are claiming that DGX was no good and that it was too slow? The fact that there was NOTHING else that could achieve the hack and the fact that there are hundreds and hundreds of pro modders posting their success stories with boot times between 5 and 30 seconds – I guess that completely went over their heads?In the last week a leaked bootloader has been passed around by sources who wish to remain anonymous which allows booting without knowing the CPU Key, enabling our DGX method to work with a single glitch (which is how normal RGH works). To use simply flash to the 360 using any RGH board. Naturally you will get the very best results using a CR3 Pro – or even a converted DGX

So this now opens two doors:1. Compile a solid set of ECC's for standard RGH boards that can recover keys on Phat models Zephyr, Falcon, Jasper – and slim models Trinity & Corona (Both 16Mb v1/v3 and 4Gb v2/v4). The speed and performance will be no where near as good as the DGX hardware, but it will still work all the same. Much like the DGX, key recovery is a one time process anyway.2. To design a new hack for the DGX hardware so that it can be converted to what we will now call RGX (Regular Glitch-X). As the DGX hardware has similar parts used by the high performance CR3 Pro, the DGX (RGX) can be used as a regular (or not so in this case) RGH board but much faster and better performance than any other 64 based board. In fact the only board out there that will perform better is the CR3 Pro – everything else it will just smoke. DGX R.I.P? Sure it is……Files Included:

• RGX ECC For Zephyr, Falcon, Jasper, Trinity & Corona
• DGX to RGX XSVF Updates for Corona (3 Timing Versions)

Much more coming for DGX as well as new J-Runner and new DGX(RGX) Install guides…….
We see a lot of stores selling the DGX v1.0s & v1.1s quite cheap – I suggest you grab them while you can
Download: http://www.qfpost.com/file/d?g=uX6r8LFHG
UPDATE:

Download: DGX to RGX XSVF Conversion Files for TRINITY http://www.qfpost.com/file/d?g=CUXo4blDc
The usual merry band of Xecuter haters and accusers have typically come out of the woodwork accusing us of stealing blah blah blah. Here's the fact-correcting response to these clowns: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showp...&postcount=143
UPDATE 2:
SO……JUST TO CLARIFY!
The ability to obtain keys from dashes > 14719 and the DGX to RGX conversion are two separate things.
The ECC files are flashed to the nand (after you have 2 good dumps of them as usual) of the correspondingly named consoles (this replaces creating ECC from your nand) The console in question can be glitched using current RGH2 methods and normal CoolRunners to obtain your CPU Key (You can use CoolRunner Revs A, B, C or CR3 Lite)
In consequence of these ECC files being released, the DGX v1.0s and v1.1s are no longer required to obtain CPU Keys HOWEVER Team Xecuter have been on top of the game and allowed those people who bought a DGX to actually gain from this instead of losing out by being able to convert their DGX into the new fast booting RGX glitch chip for slims.

So lucky owners of a DGX now get a fast booting glitch chip for slims at no extra cost due to the fact that the DGX uses similar technology to the super-fast CR3 Pro. All they have to do is program the newly released RGX XSVF timing files (Slims only – all Trinity (4 timing versions) & Corona (3 timing versions).

• The DGX/RGX is NOT essential to obtain your CPU Keys (this is what the new ECC files are for – you can use any RGH mod like a CoolRunner Rev C)
• The ECC files that we released are our own and not taken and renamed from anyone else. Note that Xell boots to a green colored screen and we also included Zephyr.
• The new RGX XSVF Files are NOT for use by any other chips than the DGX
• The new ECC files are for dashes > 14719 to obtain CPU Key.

http://team-xecuter.com/

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Auto GG 0.9

March 5th, 2013, 01:15 Posted By: wraggster

Autog GG is a program All In One has automated process that will help you perform the software a nand (creation, correction, hack, dump, injection, image cc etc ...)

New / fixed: Rev 34 - Fixed an error on the Xell includes Rev 32 - New NandXell to get the CPU key on any consoles that day (=> 15XXX) without DGX. Use a chip like RGH/RGH2 Squirt, Matrix, Stringer, Cr. Extractor - in beta and Key.bin CR.bin for LTU - alternative mode to find the IP of the console. To right click on the button Ip-Search - Reset parental code from the program - reset button variables - Improved code

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4154

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Hddhackr 1.40

March 5th, 2013, 01:16 Posted By: wraggster

New version of this utility Team MODFREAKz allowing you to prepare a disk drive.


New / fixed: - Updating the list of SATA and PATA controllers - Support for disk-drives 320 and 500 GB (HDDSS.BIN requested) - Possibility to adjust the Idle Timer (IntelliPark) - Support for disk-drives manufactured 2013 Notes: - Only works in real DOS mode, not working in command prompt or Windows XP/Vista/7 - 99% of the problems stem from the SATA chipset or BIOS configuration (RAID, AHCI, LegacyIDE ...) - Use Use Bootable USB Drive Creator Tool to prepare a USB drive to DOS mode - The package file contains about 70 files recoveries (undo.bin) Works with disk drives Western Digital-Series: [BEAS / BEVS / BEVT / BPVT / LPVT / BEKT / BJKT / BPKT / Budt / HLFS / BLFS] - WD Scorpio Series BEAS / BEVS WD600BEAS - 60GB WD800BEAS - 80GB WD1000BEAS - 100GB WD1200BEAS - 120GB WD1600BEAS - 160GB WD2000BEAS - 200GB WD2500BEAS - 250GB WD600BEVS - 60GB WD800BEVS - 80GB WD1000BEVS - 100GB WD1200BEVS - 120GB WD1600BEVS - 160GB WD2000BEVS - 200GB WD2500BEVS - 250GB - WD Scorpio Blue Series BEVS / BEVT / BPVT / LPVT WD3200BEVS - 320GB WD600BEVT - 60GB WD800BEVT - 80GB WD1200BEVT - 120GB WD1600BEVT - 160GB WD2000BEVT - 200GB WD2500BEVT - 250GB WD3200BEVT - 320GB WD4000BEVT - 400GB WD5000BEVT - 500GB WD6400BEVT - 640GB WD1600BPVT - 160GB WD2500BPVT - 250GB WD3200BPVT - 320GB WD5000BPVT - 500GB WD6400BPVT - 640GB WD7500BPVT - 750GB WD2500LPVT - 250GB WD3200LPVT - 320GB WD5000LPVT - 500GB WD10TPVT - 1TB - WD Scorpio Black Series BEKT / BJKT / BPKT WD800BEKT - 80GB WD1200BEKT - 120GB WD1600BEKT - 160GB WD2500BEKT - 250GB WD3200BEKT - 320GB WD5000BEKT - 500GB WD800BJKT - 80GB WD1200BJKT - 120GB WD1600BJKT - 160GB WD3200BJKT - 320GB WD5000BJKT - 500GB WD3200BPKT - 320GB WD5000BPKT - 500GB WD7500BPKT - 750GB - WD AV-25 Series Budt WD1600BUDT - 160GB WD2500BUDT - 250GB WD3200BUDT - 320GB WD5000BUDT - 500GB - WD VelociRaptor Series HLFS / BLFS WD1500HLFS - 150GB WD1600HLFS - 160GB WD3000HLFS - 300GB WD1500BLFS - 150GB WD1600BLFS - 160GB WD3000BLFS - 300GB zouzzz Thank you for the information . Hddhackr 1.40 Official website: xboxhacker.net

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4155

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x360ce SVN r671 - Xbox 360 Controller Emulator for Windows

March 5th, 2013, 10:50 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

x360ce SVN r671 is compiled. Xbox 360 Controller Emulator (a wrapper library that translates the xinput calls to directinput calls) which allows your controller (GamePad, Joystick, Wheel, ...) to function like an Xbox 360 controller on a Windows PC. For example it allows you to play Grand Theft Auto (GTA) game with Logitech wheel.

x360ce SVN Changelog:
r671
Fix small bug in Windows version check.
---------------------
r669
sleeping dogs is a terribly buggy title, infact, without hookcom, pressing B on a sub menu to close it would crash the game because B was sent twice

Download via comments

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EA axes Dead Space 4, shelves franchise

March 6th, 2013, 01:05 Posted By: wraggster

Following the failure of Dead Space 3 to reach sales targets, EA has reportedly axed the title's sequel, whilst shelving the franchise entirely.
VideoGamer understands that Visceral Montreal had already begun work on the new title, generating prototypes and ideas for Dead Space 4.
However, EA swiftly axed work on the title after "visiting Visceral Montreal to inform staff that the project had been terminated and announce details of the company's restructuring".
Dead Space 3 also came close to cancellation during its own production but ultimately survived following a number of budget cuts and adoption of micro-transactions late in the game's development.
Despite the reports, EA has remained tight-lipped on the news and decline to comment.
Whilst launching in February and debuting at the top spot in the UK chart, sales of Dead Space 3 were down 27 per cent on the franchise's previous entry.
EA Labels boss Frank Gibeau suggested last year that Dead Space would need to sell close to five million copies in order to maintain its future.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...anchise/030416

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Bungie: Pressure is on to beat Halo with Destiny

March 6th, 2013, 01:23 Posted By: wraggster

Bungie says its aim is to surpass its Halo series with its new shooter, Destiny.
The Activision-published shooter has headlined two press conferences so far this year, and is part of a new ten-year project for the developer and publisher. It is already tipped, along with Ubisoft's Watch Dogs, as one of the big new IPs for the next generation of consoles.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to set the bar higher," said Bungie COO Pete Parsons.
"We owe it to ourselves, and our fans to stretch our studio to its absolute limit.
"We constantly challenge ourselves to evolve with technology and entertainment, to do something better than we did before. That takes ambition, but it also takes passion, an incredibly talented and inspiring team, and tons of hard work With Destiny, we’re not only building a great action game, but to change the way our fans play Bungie games together
"We’re building an awesome, hopeful world filled with epic action and adventure. If we do that successfully, we hope players will hold Destiny in the same regard they do all their other beloved entertainment franchises."
The game's marketing and pre-order campaign has already begun, and Bungie is fully involved in this part of the business, too.
"We like to say that we’re all storytellers," added Parsons.
"We love taking our fans on entertaining journeys, even prior to launching our games. We’ve always been involved in every aspect of the marketing of our games. Destiny is no different."

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/bungi...estiny/0111846

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PETA targets Assassin's Creed IV whaling for PR win

March 6th, 2013, 01:24 Posted By: wraggster

Few organisations are as accomplished as PETA in using the games press to spread its message.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has in the past successfully ridden on the back of hype for titles such as Cooking Mama, Mario and Pokemon to increase awareness of animal rights.
And true to form, PETA has now latched on to the inclusion of whaling in Ubisoft’s recently announced Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
“Whaling – that is, shooting whales with harpoons and leaving them to struggle for an hour or more before they die or are hacked apart while they are still alive – may seem like something out of the history books, but this bloody industry still goes on today in the face of international condemnation, and it’s disgraceful for any game to glorify it,” a statement provided toVentureBeat read.
“PETA encourages video game companies to create games that celebrate animals – not games that promote hurting and killing them.”
It’s easy to be agitated about PETA’s piggybacking, but step back and perhaps it’s no bad thing.
While the notion that the inclusion of whaling in ACIV is a “celebration” and likely to provoke an increased uptake of the practise in the real world is pretty daft, if the campaign increases awareness of what is a brutal trade then the organisation’s move should be welcomed.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/peta-...pr-win/0111845

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Head of Xbox: Steam Box is not a competitor

March 6th, 2013, 01:57 Posted By: wraggster

Valve's Steam Box is not considered a competitor to Microsoft's console concerns, the company's president of Interactive Entertainment has said.

Speaking at Microsoft's TechForum (via

The Verge

), Don Mattrick responded to a question regarding the Steam Box's status as a competitor with a firm "no".Mattrick conceded that Valve is "doing some innovative stuff", but identified other major players as more immediate concerns. "The scale of products and things that are being brought to market are probably a little bit richer when I look at Sony, Nintendo, Apple and Google," Mattrick said.Gabe Newell voiced his own concerns regarding competition in January. "The threat right now is that Apple has gained a huge amount of market share, and has a relatively obvious pathway towards entering the living room with their platform," he said.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-a-competitor/

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New Kinect tech demoed across range of Microsoft devices

March 6th, 2013, 02:01 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft plans to expand Kinect technology beyond the home console and across a range of computing and entertainment devices, a company executive has suggested.

Image: The Verge

Craig Mundie, senior advisor to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, told

The Verge

that the corporation wants to build next-gen Kinect technology "as cheap as possible and physically as small as possible"."My dream is to get a Kinect into the bezel of something like [a Surface tablet]," he added. "It's not going to happen tomorrow, but we can see a path towards that sort of thing."Reporting from Microsoft's new 'envisioning center' at its Washington campus, a Verge journalist claimed to have spotted new custom models of the Kinect sensor on several devices.The report reads: "Microsoft has integrated its Kinect sensor in a range of screens at its envisioning center. The sensors appear to be thinner and smaller than existing ones, but a company spokesperson refused to say whether we were looking at Kinect 2 or not."In January, CVG reported that Microsoft has set about plans to unify its voice and video communication technologies under the Skype brand.Skype, which is in the process of replacing the instant messenger service MSN, is expected to be integrated across all hardware, including the next Xbox.Though Mundie claimed that Microsoft's plan is to also integrate Kinect across devices along with Skype, he said some technological hurdles exist."It turns out it's infrared so when you go out in the sunlight the sun is a big infrared source that drowns it out," he explained."There's a whole bunch of problems, not just miniaturisation, in designing the sensors so they actually do what you expect them to do in all of the environments."It is speculated that Microsoft will host a next Xbox event towards the end of April.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...osoft-devices/

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Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge demo coming to PSN and XBL

March 6th, 2013, 02:08 Posted By: wraggster

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Freestyle Dashboard Beta Rev 3 735

March 6th, 2013, 13:39 Posted By: wraggster

The FSD team today release a new version of its DashBoard Custom with some interesting news.

This update is currently only available in Auto-Update and if you are connected to jqe360.com. offline The installer will be available later this week. 's new / fixed: - Simplifying Plugins - Notes in the WebUI - Capture screen as possible during the game - Improved user management - Search launching and now contained NXE - The Rooms can be created in LINK - LINK in RSS Flus

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4156

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Microsoft Research brings mid-air multitouch to Kinect

March 7th, 2013, 00:11 Posted By: wraggster

Shortly after the Kinect SDK first launched, it spawned a number of inspired efforts from researchers to make it do morethan just track your body. Microsoft Research finally seems to be catching up to its own tech, as it just flaunted a recent project that allows fine-tuned gesture control, thanks to a newly developed talent for the motion sensing device to read whether your hand is open or closed. That let the team simulate multitouch-like capability on a PC as they air-painted basic images and manipulated Bing maps by varying their hand states. The hardware used doesn't appear to be stock, so whether such new capability entails a rumored new version of the Kinect that may or may not appear on a (rumored) future Xbox, we'll leave for you to decide.


http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/m...itouch-kinect/

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Tomb Raider DLC revealed, is Xbox 360 timed exclusive

March 7th, 2013, 00:18 Posted By: wraggster

Square Enix has revealed the first batch of Tomb Raider DLC.

Featuring three new multiplayer arenas to fight it out in, the Caves & Cliffs map pack is a timed Xbox 360 exclusive release.It will be available to download from Xbox Live on March 19 priced at 400 Microsoft Points (£3.43). The three new maps detailed below will be playable across all four of the game's online modes.

• Scavenger Caverns: An extensive subterranean network of caves used by the island's scavengers as an underground prison
• Cliff Shantytown: This scavenger settlement was built high up on the island cliffs. Its many layers hide some of the deadliest traps on the island
• The Burning Village: A raging fire has embraced an abandoned Japanese village, the burning buildings offer multiple ways to escape or engage your enemies

Release dates for other platforms are yet to be announced. Plans to launch Xbox 360 timed exclusive Tomb Raider DLC were revealed at E3 2012. How much content will hit Microsoft's platform first isn't yet clear.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...med-exclusive/

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Microsoft cancels Gore Verbinski's 'Matter' for Kinect

March 7th, 2013, 00:22 Posted By: wraggster

Matter, a Kinect game expected to launch on Xbox Live Arcade in 2013, has been cancelled by Microsoft. It was to be the first game developed in partnership with film director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Rango) and Blind Wink Games.

"Microsoft Studios is no longer pursuing this title," says a company representative. "We have no further details to share at this time."

Phil Spencer, Corporate VP of Microsoft Studios, told Joystiq in June last year that Verbinski had pitched Matter as a means to instill and demonstrate emotion in typically motionless game players. A futuristic metal sphere, seen moving through a futuristic landscape in the game's E3 2012 trailer, represented an active control surface implemented through Kinect.

"To a lot of people who haven't played games for a long time, somebody standing completely stationary with a controller in their hands kind of seems emotionless, even though we know that we'll be sweating or twitching," Spencer said. "And [it was] his feeling, that with motion and movement, that the connection of the emotion that's happening on screen and how the player feels would be more natural."

Blind Wink, which is attached to a film production company partnered with Universal Studios, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/mi...er-for-kinect/

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Kinect Can Detect Clenched Fist

March 8th, 2013, 00:07 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft Research is currently having a Techfest at Redmond where it is showing off a lot of new work. The latest work on the Kinect uses the same sort of machine-learning approach to distinguish between an open hand and a clenched fist. Although there are no details, its general method was to use a large number of images of people's hands and supervised training to distinguish between open and closed hands. The learning algorithm is based on a forest of decision trees, which is the same general method used to implement the skeleton tracking. Being able to detect an open or closed hand might not seem to be much of an advance, and certainly not as good as a multi-gesture touch screen interface, but it is enough to allow the user interface to distinguish a "pick up" or "grip" gesture. So you can move the hands within an image, close both hands to grip the image points and move apart to zoom. You can't get the software at the moment, but it has been promised for the next version of the Kinect SDK for Windows along with the long awaited 3D scanner Kinect Fusion.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...-clenched-fist

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Aliens: Colonial Marines Xbox 360 update released

March 8th, 2013, 00:39 Posted By: wraggster

Gearbox Software has released a new patch update for Aliens: Colonial Marines on Xbox 360.

The patch targets several glitches and errors spread over both the single-player campaign and multiplayer modes. The patch notes - posted in full below - make no mention of a fix

for a save file-erasing glitch

that, according to Sega, is affecting a 'small number' of players.Gearbox has said updates for the PC and PS3 versions "are on the way as well", but offered no ETA.Here are the full patch notes:General

• Addressed an issue that could sometimes cause co-op player revival to not work under certain circumstances.
  
  
• Addressed issues with players not spawning into a level properly.
  
  
• Fixed a marine player invincibility exploit.
  
  
• Resolved several instances where players could walk or fall outside of maps.
  
  
• Fixed an issue that could cause localized text to sometimes display incorrectly.
  
  
• Addressed an issue where weapon ammunition was not always highlighted properly.
  
  
• Addressed some issues where multiplayer / co-op clients could see interactive objects displayed in a different state.
  
  
• Fixed a bug affecting voiceovers with the Firing Range bonus content.
  
  
• Addressed an issue where Ripley's Flamethrower (bonus content) would sometimes fire continuously without player input.
  
  
• Addressed a rare issue that could cause Achievements to not unlock properly.
  
  
• General user interface improvements.
  
  
• Miscellaneous bug fixes.

Campaign

• Addressed some issues that could cause improper warping for co-op players.
  
  
• Various tweaks to address instances where NPC characters would not always properly navigate to objectives.
  
  
• Added safeguards to prevent players from using a weapon in the weapons-suppressed portion of "One Bullet."
  
  
• Modified Bella and Reid's behavior in "No Hope in Hadley's" to prevent them from spawning at the wrong point.

Versus

• Fixed issues that could clients to report inaccurate results and statistics.
  
  
• Addressed instances where a map would appear to "pop in" when loading into a new match.
  
  
• Addressed an issue that was could cause stutter when opening the multiplayer scoreboard.
  
  
• Switching profiles while in a lobby now returns players to the title screen immediately.
  
  
• Multiplayer teams should now correctly auto-balance between rounds.
  
  
• New Xeno appearance customization added.
• http://www.computerandvideogames.com...date-released/

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Ubisoft responds to PETA 'whaling' complaint in Assassin's Creed 4

March 8th, 2013, 00:43 Posted By: wraggster

Ubisoft has issued a response to PETA after the animal rights group criticised the game maker for "glorifying" the hunting of whales in its upcoming sequelAssassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.

PETA issued a complaint against Ubisoft

on Wednesday, labelling the harpooning of whales in-game as "disgraceful."An Ubisoft spokesperson responded to the claims with the following statement:"History is our playground in Assassin's Creed. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is a work of fiction that depicts the real events during the golden era of pirates. We do not condone illegal whaling, just as we don't condone a pirate lifestyle of poor hygiene, plundering, hijacking ships, and over-the legal-limit drunken debauchery."Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag was officially unveiled on Monday following several leaks last week.As we revealed in our Assassin's Creed 4 preview, the game is being developed Ubisoft Montreal, the studio behind Far Cry 3, a title which also lets players hunt numerous animals.PETA has previously attacked Pokémon by likening the way Pokémon are treated to the abuse of animals, and made what it subsequently labelled a "tongue-in-cheek" call for attention byattacking Mario for "sending the message that it's OK to wear fur".

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ssins-creed-4/

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Braid dev concerned by Microsoft's next-gen strategy

March 10th, 2013, 21:25 Posted By: wraggster

The creator of indie hit Braid admits that the idea of working with Microsoft on its new Xbox console fills him with “a certain amount of dread”.
Jonathan Blow’s experiences with PS4, on the other hand, have been overwhelmingly positive. That’s why his next game, The Witness, is scheduled to be a timed PS4 exclusive.
“I think Sony realise that downloadable games are going to be bigger than they ever have been, and I think they realise that part of success in that area is having developers who are making the most interesting games want to be on their platform,” Blow told Edge.
But Sony’s praiseworthy strategy isn’t the only reason for his decision. Concerns about Microsoft’s next-gen plans and, indeed, the mystery that still surrounds the machine, also played a part.
“There were a lot of reasons why it was a good choice,” he continued. “Some were technical – we haven’t officially been disclosed on Microsoft’s next console, but we do see the same leaks as everyone else has, and they seem plausible.
“To me they talk about a console that is not strictly about games. It’s trying to be the centre of the living room device, which is fine and maybe it’s the right thing for Microsoft to do, business-wise. I don’t know; I actually don’t think it is, but they’ve certainly thought about it more than me!
“As a place to put the best, highest performing version of our game on, it doesn’t seem as good a choice.”
Then of course there are the issues that Blow faced personally with his hit release Braid, which appeared first on Xbox Live.
“I’ve had a bad time working with Microsoft in the past,” he admitted. “Maybe not super bad, but a moderately bad time in terms of business relationships. Other developers who are friends of mine have had a horrible time, so the idea of signing up again with Microsoft isn’t something I’d have ruled out, but there’s a certain amount of dread I have about doing that again.
“I don’t have that with Sony. Who knows, maybe it’ll turn out to be just as bad at the end! But I don’t think so. The people we’re talking to on a daily basis there are just really good people, and we’re happy to work with them.”
Writing on his blog, Blow also revealed that he was not paid for PS4 exclusivity, but instead felt a single-platform launch was strategically prudent.
“Because we are a small developer, we only have the ability to launch on a small number of platforms at once,” he explained. “We liked the idea of being on a console, and originally we thought we might be on the PS3 or Xbox 360, but eventually we decided not to target either of those, due to the relatively low system specs and the work required to do the ports.
“After some more time went by, and our release date drifted further into the future, we realized that the next-generation console launch time might be a good time to release the game.”
None of which is to say that an Xbox 720 release has been ruled out. Far from it.
“Our deal with Sony is a limited-time exclusivity that applies to competing console platforms,” Blow said. “Basically it is that you will see the game on the PlayStation 4 for a while before you will see it on the Wii U or the rumoured next Microsoft console. This exclusivity does not prevent us from being on the PC or iOS at launch, for example.
“To launch a high-spec version of the game on a console, it came down to a choice between the next Microsoft console or the next Sony console. There were people at Sony who really liked the game and were keeping in touch with us about it, and so we naturally started going to their PS4 developer events, got a dev kit, and started playing with it.
“I don’t have good communication with anyone at Microsoft right now, but all our technical people like the PS4 specs a lot more than the leaked Durango specs, and we like the positioning of the PS4 (it’s about games) more than what we perceive Microsoft’s positioning is going to be.
“So we just found ourselves doing a PS4 port. And once we are doing that, it is not practical for us also to think about another console port. We were going to be a de facto console exclusive for Sony no matter what. As I mentioned, there are people at Sony who are very interested in The Witness, so they somehow percolated up through the ranks the idea of showing the game in the launch show.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/braid...rategy/0112145

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Xbox 360 isn't maxed out yet, Gears of War dev argues

March 10th, 2013, 21:26 Posted By: wraggster

Xbox 360 may be currently in what we suspect to be the last year of its life, but developers People Can Fly and Epic reckon there’s more juice waiting to be squeezed out of its seven-year-old innards.
"Yeah, there'll always be something more we can figure out, do better," Gears of War: Judgment’s art director Waylon Brinck told OXM.
Epic's lead level designer Jim Brown added: "I'm trying to remember if it was the transition between Gears 1 and Gears 2 or the transition between Gears 2 and Gears 3, there was like a million different changes to Unreal Engine 3 to get to that point.
"When we first released Gears of War, the first one, people were like 'woah, they're pushing the Xbox to its limits, they're doing crazy things' – and every single time we've been able to step it up and find some corner of the 360 that no one was aware of and more areas for us to push."
The pair unsurprisingly think that their latest title – due out on March 22^nd – provides a new benchmark for what’s possible on Xbox 360.
"Right off the bat there were two pillars of the game that we had to support by optimising like crazy," Brinck added. "We wanted this to be the most intense game ever. More enemies on screen, more action, more dense action, less of that sort of downtime in between. We had to get those enemies in there, we had to stream them fast.
"We're pushing way more enemies, way more particles, the environments are a lot more dense than on previous games. Our rendering engine, we've even added a few new features that allow us to do richer lighting, more dynamic lighting, darker darks, brighter brights.
"So yeah, it was all hands on deck optimising this thing, we squeezed a lot more out of it."

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...argues/0112140

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Dead Space 3 Awakened DLC out next week

March 10th, 2013, 21:30 Posted By: wraggster

Dead Space 3’s Awakened DLC is set to arrive next week across all platforms, EA has announced.
The previously announced content pack will arrive on Tuesday, March 12th. The add-on will go for $9.99/800 MS Points, and release on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.
What’s described by Visceral as the “darkest chapter” in the Dead Space saga, Awakened continues the plot onward from the end of the game – where protagonists Clack and Carver were marooned on Tau Volantis.
Earlier this week, EA squashed a false report that an already in the works Dead Space 4 had been canned.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/dead-...t-week/0112126

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Battlefield 4 reveal on March 26, teases EA

March 10th, 2013, 22:33 Posted By: wraggster

An EA teaser has sparked speculation that it could be planning to unveil Battlefield 4 at a press event on March 26.

EA has sent invites to members of US press - including

IGN

- for an event in San Francisco on March 26, coinciding with the Game Developers Conference.The event is to take place at a movie theatre at 7pm.While the invite holds off disclosing the subject of the event, IGN notes that the background image, showing what appears to be street lights blurred by heavy rain, features a similar tone and colour palette to that of the iconic Battlefield 3 box art, which made heavy use of dark blues offset with striking shades of orange.So far, EA has revealed nothing of the game other than its numerical title, and that early beta access would be granted to those who pre-ordered Medal of Honor: Warfighter.It's reveal this month is speculation, but given that Battlefield 4 is expected for a late 2013 launch, and considering it has recently been demonstrated to members of the retail business, a big reveal would certainly seem due.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-26-teases-ea/

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March is last month of Dance Central 3 DLC 'for the near future'

March 10th, 2013, 23:23 Posted By: wraggster

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F3 Rev 735, LiNK Beta 3 including WebUI

March 11th, 2013, 01:06 Posted By: wraggster

TeamFSD has made some awesome additions to F3 teamFSD_zpsb19c1170.jpg Quote: Today we are releasing F3 Rev735, LiNK Beta 3 including WebUI.
Here are just a few of the new features.
**** Freestlye 3 Beta Rev 735 – Released March 5th, 2013 ****
**** Thanks go out to our dedicated beta testers and the community!
**** Quick Change Info: Streamlined Plugin for less overhead
**** Quick Change Info: Notes in WebUI
**** Quick Change Info: In game Screenshots
**** Quick Change Info: Better user Management
**** Quick Change Info: Now scan and launch NxE Containers
**** Quick Change Info: Can create rooms in HUD
**** Quick Change Info: RSS Feed in HUD.
**** Enjoy!
NOTE: If your link isn't working check the settings there were some database changes and may have defaulted your link settings to disabled.
NOTE: If your plugin won't load properly it could be a conflict when updating. Try deleteing the plugin turning your xbox off and turning it back on then updating the plugin again
NOTE: BE Sure to Cold Boot or Unload and Reload plugin after update.
NOTE: Be Sure to update your kernel, users with dashboard versions lower then 15xxx will have issues with plugin
Full Change Log:
******** F3.0.735 *********
[Fixed] Fixed TU Pause on startup.
(Added) live.json and assets to show in WebUI
(Added) paramters on WebUI for local testing
(Added) support for custom genres on WebUI
(Fixed) invalid access crash in http server for incorrect arguments
[ Fixed ] TU Issue with it deleteing tus when it shouldn't
[ Updated ] New and improved link web. To many updates to list.
(Fixed) DashLaunchInfo boolean was switched in plugin
(Changed) DashLaunchInfo settings enumerator in plugin
(Added) DashLaunchInfo in WebUI (ticket:7)
(Fixed) Invaliud urls in notes will no longer link, check with regex
(Fixed) Load screencaptures properly (ticket:91 & ticket:76)
(Fixed) Show error when screencapture not loaded (ticket:80)
(Added) Note is added without clicking a position first (ticket:72 & ticket:78)
[ Fixed ] Not downloading XML Files.
[ Added ] A sound when launching From Details Screen.
(Fixed) Incorrect date format in notes (ticket:77)
(Fixed) Disable screenshot hotkey on fancybox popup (ticket:71)
(Added) Placeholder text on notes fields (not in IE) (ticket:74)
(Added) Set notes author to first signed in gamertag (ticket…
[ Added ] Enable Kinect Option.
[ Update ] We don't scan any DLC except for Indie Games. Regardless of path.
[ Fixed ] Typo in Loading Engine
[ Fixed ] Unable to go up to APIKey from Search button for weather.
[ Fixed ] Title Text changes when you change favorites
(Added) titleID Override to WebUI ScreenCapture API (Fixed) START + BACK screenshot triggers opening keyboard twice
(Added) Notes beta 1 (ticket:6 & ticket:4)
(Added) JQE username and API key to system tab
(Changed) Switched all paths from forward to backward slash (ticket:13)
(Added) Total upload / download LiNK (ticket:43)
(Fixed) Incorrect tab highlig…
[ Fixed ] Doesn't copy empty folders
[ Fixed ] no Title in non coverflow views
[ Fixed] Focus bug in Plugin settings
[ Update ] Disable Activator and Trigger Buttons when screenshot commands are disabled
[ Changed ] Default buttons for Screenshot
(Fixed) Screenshot Set Buttons
[ Added ] User must add their own APIKey
[ Added ] Settings added for Screenshot trigger
(Added) upstream/downstream totals to getSystemLinkBandwidth response
(Updated) /getScreenCaptures to return an json array [ ... ]
[ Fixed ] OnBoardMU for corona and trinity not getting serial number
(Removed) Kai menu and plugins tab from menuconfig xui
(Added) Gamepad Exports – GamepadEnableTriggers & GamepadSetTriggers
(Fixed) PlayerInfo button flags (Fixed) Back + Start screenshot combo
(Fixed) No Saved Games Display by adding a text element
(Fixed) No Games Found Text in game list when moving last game out of scene
(Fixed) FileBrowser Selection Bug
(Fixed) File Browser File Selection Bug
(Revered) Game Drive name back to 'Game'
(Updated) ConnectX KeyboardUI to display Remote PC Name to be consistent with labeling
(Renamed) "Game" to "Current Game" to reduce confusion in HUD file browser
(Fixed) Verify LINK Scene Cancel button to show back when complete
(Added) New Credits
(Fixed) Issue Graphics Glitch with Skin in Plugin Settings
(Updated) postLiveData and postUserData code to use titleid function
(Added) getGameFile http command to retrieve any file in the game:\\ directory
(Added) live.json overrides for webui display. Place live.json in the root game dir and it will be loaded over the file from microsoft
(Fixed) Http PW Hashing on fresh install
[ Fixed ] Humidity spelling in weather Scene
[ Fixed ] Entering incorrect information in APIKey now clears it and reports correctly.
[ Added ] Scanning NxE Games into gamelist.
(Added) New Mount Path "Game:\\"
(Added) Build Dependent Log in HTTP
(Updated) Ingame screenshot to be Hold Start + Press Back
(Fixed) Chrome not scrolling back to first tab on refresh (ticket:19)
[Added] Ingame Screenshots using Hold Back + Start Press
(Cleaned) Up some code
(Added) Useranme and ApiKey to /getSystemLinkInfo
(Added) Missing JSON Files
[Fixed] WebUI / to use the correct/consistent \\
[Added] getDashLaunchInfo webUI command
(Removed) NOTES version from getPluginInfo
(Fixed) getScreenCaptureCount spelling
(Added) getDashLaunchInfo stub
(Fixed) Screencapture list showing filesize in bytes, changed to readable
(Added) Screencapture list including viewer ([ticket:5 Ticket 5])
(Fixed) WebUI bytestoreadable when bytes = 0 (Fixed) WebUI bytestoreadable use proper units
(Added) WebUI Track max bandwitdh with system link bandwidth graph
(Changed) WebUI System page layout (sections)
[Added] – Many SystemLink Optimizations in the LINK Core- basic Syslink needs to be tested for problems
[Added] – System Link Bandwidth monitoring code for WebUI Output ( mattie provided updated html code )
[Updated] – PlayerInfo Scene by s…
(Added) System LiNK bandwidth graph
(Added) Support for Celcius / Fahrenheit switching
(Added) nested template parsing
(Added) NOREPORT Flags for USERFLAGS
(Fixed) Disabling Reports
(Added) Automatic HUD Dismissal when game launched through HTTP API
(Fixed) System Link not enabling during f3 boot or during plugin reload
(Added) /getScreenCaptureCount
(Added) WebAPI version to /getPluginInfo
(Adjusted) Location of Buttons in HomeTab Scene
(Added) "celsius" var to /getTemperat…
(Added) Temp Settings to FreestyleSync
(Fixed) FreestylePlugin Settings Imports
(Added) Hashed HTTP and FTP Passwords (no more plain english passwords)
[Fixed] – URLEncode issue that could cause some usernames to fail url validity (MaesterRo)
[Added] – New Method of Handling Xbox1 Games- single lobby filtered by xbox1 titleid (MaesterRo)
[Added] – On/Off flags for System Link Enable to hav…
(Fixed) Many Little Graphical Bugs
(Fixed) Dashlaunch Not Found Bug
(Added) getLaunchGame command for HTTP
(Added) Dynamic Game Detection
(Fixed) SetLeader typo
(Fixed) Falsely launchable containers
(Added) RSSFeed Scroller Code
(Updated) About Section
(Added) Icon Toolbar
(Added) FileSystemWatcher to monitor for changes to open file and gives the option to reload
(Updated) Request Lobby To actually work and provide feed back
(Added) FileBrowser code
(Added) Passcode Entry
(Added) Proper Version file for plugin tester
(Added) Passcode Template XUI
(Added) Null object check to dumping code
(Added) Password Module (Test with (Y) on Lobby Tab)

http://team-xecuter.com/f3-rev-735-l...cluding-webui/

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J-Runner Core Pack 0.2.288

March 11th, 2013, 10:43 Posted By: wraggster

Team Xecuter updates its application rgh / jtag while one called J-Runner which allows you to create / read / write nand xbox 360 from Xebuild.

New / fixed: - Added XSVF files for conversion to RGX DGX - Adding files ECC Tx to retrieve the key on the CPU than 14,719 Dashboards - Removed options DGX now flashed the ECC is based on Nand loaded / selected - Added option to write Nand no good if ECC is loaded - Ability to write files LPT XSVF x128 - Checking when using JR-Programmer to prevent the flash with CR3Pro XSVF one example - Trinity moved RGH2 Button - Fixed a bug to create an image without nanddump.bin - Fixed a bug on custom orders XeBuild J-Runner Core Pack 0.2.288 Official website: Team-Xecuter. com

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4158

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Squirt Programmer V2 coming soon

March 11th, 2013, 10:44 Posted By: wraggster

After a long silence for several months, the team behind the leak Squirt or RGH hack v2.0 comes with a new product, Squirt Programmer v2.

The team is pleased to present the SQUIRT PROGRAMMER V2. This new version adds a simple but very useful 8BIT 3.7V to 1.8V transformer. This simple micro-controller opens the doors to Squirt to connect to its port FTDI n ' matter what devices. 's release date has been announced for end of March 2013 for only 5 € more. With this new version, the chip can connect to the bus POST Xbox360 for debugging and optimizing the RGH (as CR3Pro). AuttoGG by through blakcat will soon have to support this feature. It is also possible to connect to any devices that have a communication port 8 BIT. Squirt The program is now one of the cheapest and most complete " bridges "USB. Anyone can develop its own application and communicate in many different ways from a PC to a device. 's team will post more information to developers soon. thank-green for the information. official website: 360squirt.com

http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4159

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BioShock Infinite will be 'talked about for a long time to come', says 2K

March 11th, 2013, 22:31 Posted By: wraggster

2K Games proudly claims that BioShock Infinite will live long in the memory of gamers and the industry.
The publisher has faith in the quality of its new shooter and it’s backing the title with a monster marketing campaign.
“BioShock Infinite is like no other shooter out there,” Simon Turner, UK marketing boss at 2K Games told MCV.
“Not only does it demonstrate the technical quality that gamers expect, but the story and characters invite you into a world so rich and immersive that people will be talking about it for a long time to come.”
2K has sponsored the new series of Spartacus on Sky 1 with BioShock Infinite, and it has booked a month-long campaign through lifestyle channels.
TV spots will also appear during Champions League matches and the World Cup qualifier between England and Montenegro on March 26th.
There will also be a broad mobile campaign directing fans to a BioShock microsite. By the March 26th launch, there will be billboards around the London Underground, print ads in specialist magazines and an insert in Shortlist.
2K has already promoted Infinite with a talkSPORT and cinema campaign, with ads around The Hobbit and Jack Reacher.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/biosh...ays-2k/0112207

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Free Xbox 360 game Happy Wars scores 2m players

March 11th, 2013, 23:47 Posted By: wraggster

Xbox Live’s first free-to-play title Happy Wars has amassed over 2m players worldwide since launch.
Developer Toylogic announced the figure as it rolls out a new content update designed to secure even more players.
“I’m so excited that more than two million people love Happy Wars. I hope all of our players enjoy this update,” said Happy Wars game director Yoichi Take.
“We always continue to make improvements on improvement to have millions Happy Wars fans be happy. We’d like to continue to deliver additional updates in the future.”
Happy Wars debuted in October as Xbox Live’s first microtransaction-based title. The game costs nothing to play, though players can purchase “Happy Tickets” with real money to upgrade the equipment and appearance of characters.
An Xbox Live Gold subscription is required to play.
More free-to-play titles are launching on consoles this year, while the free-to-play business model is already a possibility on Sony's next machine, and probably Microsoft's next Xbox, too.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/free-...layers/0112202

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Star Wars 'Battlefront 3 predecessor' leaked in screenshots

March 12th, 2013, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster

Star Wars: First Assault, the unannounced action game leaked via Xbox.com last year, is a "predecessor" to Battlefront III, a report claims.

The LucasArts downloadable FPS was originally slated for release this spring, claims a

Kotaku

source, and pits teams of eight Stormtroopers against eight rebels in iconic Star Wars locations such as Bespin and Tatooine.The Unreal Engine-powered title was being treated as "step zero" to a full Battlefront III instalment, it's claimed, with LucasArts said to have vehicle prototypes up and running in the event that First Assault were to sell strongly.However, the title - like Star Wars 1313 - is said to have been affected by the recent Disney buyout of Lucasfilm, Kotaku reports.Since September LucasArts employees are said to have been working on the game "with no knowledge as to whether or not it will actually come out."Originally it had planned to launch a closed beta by the end of September, it's said, with a full release this spring.

If fans want to see the game released, the report adds, Star Wars fans should offer their vocal support for the project online."Fans should tell Disney/Lucas loud and clear they don't want shitty titles from random developers; they want games to be taken seriously, and they will only pay for quality," the source said."I believe that if Disney/Lucas lets LucasArts die, it means the death of Star Wars as a storied game franchise is right behind it."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...n-screenshots/

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'Hacking the Xbox' book released as free PDF

March 12th, 2013, 13:44 Posted By: wraggster

An open letter from bunnie, author of Hacking the Xbox:

Dear Reader,

No Starch Press and I have decided to release this free ebook version of Hacking the Xbox in honor of Aaron Swartz. As you read this book, I hope that you’ll be reminded of how important freedom is to the hacking community and that you’ll be inclined to support the causes that Aaron believed in.

I agreed to release this book for free in part because Aaron’s treatment by MIT is not unfamiliar to me. In this book, you will find the story of when I was an MIT graduate student, extracting security keys from the original Microsoft Xbox. You’ll also read about the crushing disappointment of receiving a letter from MIT legal repudiating any association with my work, effectively leaving me on my own to face Microsoft.

The difference was that the faculty of my lab, the AI laboratory, were outraged by this treatment. They openly defied MIT legal and vowed to publish my work as an official “AI Lab Memo,” thereby granting me greater negotiating leverage with Microsoft. Microsoft, mindful of the potential backlash from the court of public opinion over suing a legitimate academic researcher, came to a civil understanding with me over the issue.

It saddens me that America’s so-called government for the people, by the people, and of the people has less compassion and enlightenment toward their fellow man than a corporation. Having been a party to subsequent legal bullying by other entities, I am all too familiar with how ugly and gut-wrenching a high-stakes lawsuit can be. Fortunately, the stakes in my cases were not as high, nor were my adversaries as formidable as Aaron’s, or I too might have succumbed to hopelessness and fear. A few years ago, I started rebuilding my life overseas, and I find a quantum of solace in the thought that my residence abroad makes it a little more difficult to be served.

While the US legal system strives for justice, the rules of the system create an asymmetric war that favors those with resources. By and far one of the most effective methods to force a conclusion, right or wrong, against a small player is to simply bleed them of resources and the will to fight through pre-trial antics. Your entire life feels like it is under an electron microscope, with every tiny blemish magnified into a pitched battle of motions, countermotions, discovery, subpoenas, and affidavits, and each action heaping tens of thousands of dollars onto your legal bill. Your friends, co-workers, employers, and family are drawn into this circus of humiliation as witnesses. Worse, you’re counseled not to speak candidly to anyone, lest they be summoned as a witness against you. Isolated and afraid, it eventually makes more sense to roll over and settle than to take the risk of losing on a technicality versus a better-funded adversary, regardless of the justice.

The US government is far and away the best-funded and fearsome enemy in the world, and copyright law has some unusually large, if not cruel, penalties associated with it. I never knew Aaron, but I feel that the magnitude of the bullying he was subjected to is reflected in his decision to end his life.

I echo Larry Lessig’s notion that the US legal system needs a sense of shame. To an outsider like me, it seems that certain prosecutors in the US government are obsessed with making a name for themselves at the expenses of the individuals they pursue. Winning cases gains them the recognition and credibility needed for promotions and assignments to ever higher profile cases. For them, it’s not about justice—it’s about victory and self-aggrandizement.

This system of incentives contributes to the shameless bullying of individuals and small entities who have the guts to stand up and do something daring. Individuals are robbed of the will and strength to fight for what they feel is right, as the mere act of prosecution can be as much a punishment as the verdict. As a result, I fear that the era of civil disobedience may be coming to a close.

As people, as individuals, as hackers, we need to oppose this trend and continue to do what we feel deep down in our hearts is right. While Aaron's story came to a tragic end, I hope that in this book you will find an encouraging story with a happy ending. Without the right to tinker and explore, we risk becoming enslaved by technology; and the more we exercise the right to hack, the harder it will be to take that right away.

bunnie
Singapore, March 2013

Download Link:

- HackingTheXbox_Free.pdf

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Microtransactions for ‘Customization Items’ Come to Black Ops 2 on Xbox 360

March 12th, 2013, 14:40 Posted By: wraggster

Beginning Wednesday, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 will begin offering "personal customizations" on the Xbox 360, the game's community manager said this morning. The items don't affect gameplay—they're items like weapon skins, targeting reticles, and player calling cards. Moreover, the multiplayer mapNuketown 2025, originally a preorder incentive back in November, will be made available for free.
"This content contains either personal customizations or nice little luxuries that I've seen players request," Amrich wrote on his official site. "None of them affect gameplay, but they are small, specific ways to enhance your online experience."
The content comes in themed packs for 160 Microsoft Points each, and will contain a weapon camo, three targeting reticles, and a Calling Card.
Additionally, Nuketown 2025 goes free for everyone on Wednesday, and Nuketown Zombies now comes as a standalone purchase for 400 Microsoft points. (It had originally been included with limited editions of the game.).
Players may also purchase 10 more create-a-class slots for 160 Microsoft points, and Flags of the World Calling Cards. They're grouped by region and available for 80 Microsoft points per pack.
"At the end of the day, all of these items are completely optional, and were created for players who've asked for more customization options," Amrich wrote. "If that's not you, that's fine; everybody gets Nuketown 2025 for free, so definitely take advantage of that."
More information will be available on the official Call of Duty website tomorrow, Amrich said.

http://kotaku.com/5990098/microtrans...-2-on-xbox-360

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Microsoft shares Kinect source code

March 12th, 2013, 14:47 Posted By: wraggster

Source code initially offers face tracking, depth of field and more

Microsoft has shared the source code for some elements of the PC version of Kinect, its motion control hardware.
Until now, developer and hobbyist’s wanting to use Kinect had to work from an official software toolkit that covered the underlying code.

The software maker has posted 22 code samples used in Kinect for Windows to CodePlex.
The Kinect for Windows sample code is available in C#, C++ and Visual Basic. Some of elements it offers include colour basics, face tracking, depth of field, skeleton basics and audio capture.
Developers who wish to use the software will need to download Visual Studio, .NET and the Kinect for Windows SDK before getting started.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ct-source-code

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DLC helps Skyrim soar at retail

March 12th, 2013, 23:22 Posted By: wraggster

It’s over a year old, but Bethesda says it’s still not done with Skyrim at retail.
Far from being just a hit at launch, the RPG has been a mainstay in the Top 20 since November 2011.
The company has been using the High Street to help push the game’s DLC (Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn) on Xbox 360, which it says has helped maintain Skyrim’s longevity. And European MD Sean Brennan says the DLC will be available on shelves for PC and PS3, too.
“We’ve already brought Dragonborn on PC to retail and we’re looking into Dawnguard,” he told MCV. “Skyrim fans will also be able to purchase all PS3 add-ons in-store throughout the next few weeks.”
Bethesda has also been raising awareness of Skyrim and its DLC with Twitter and Facebook activity.
“We plan to continue promoting the game throughout the rest of the year through all our social channels, and through special initiatives at retail – both digital and brick-and-mortar,” Brennan said.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/dlc-h...retail/0112273

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1.92GB Xbox 360 Battlefield 3 multiplayer patch live

March 13th, 2013, 01:47 Posted By: wraggster

A Schwarzenegger-sized Battlefield 3 multiplayer patch - 1.92GB - has appeared on Xbox Live.Multiplayer Update 6 "contains improvements to the multiplayer portions of the game", the Xbox.com blurb reads. "We strongly advise you download it."The patch arrives on the same day as End Game, Battlefield 3's fantastic new dirt bike-featuring DLC. (It's out for BF3 Premium members on PC and 360, just to be clear.)I wouldn't be surprised if the patch contained the bulk of the End Game content, and that the 1200 Microsoft Point DLC itself was a key to unlock it with. (Apparently all previous Xbox 360 Battlefield 3 patches contain the DLC.)It's a bit cheeky but it shouldn't matter too much because End Game is well worth your while. Our Dan Whitehead just planted a sloppy 9/10 kiss on End Game's lips, calling it, among other things, "fun"!How better to sum it up than with this incredible video of an End Game player zooming across the map on a dirt bike, launching into the air, swivelling quickly to loose a rocket at a nearby helicopter, landing and then reaping the just rewards.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...yer-patch-live

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Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition headed to retail

March 13th, 2013, 23:51 Posted By: wraggster

Minecraft will be released as a boxed product on Xbox 360, Microsoft has confirmed. It’ll arrive on April 30th in the US for $19.99, and then early June in Australia, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. There’s no word on a UK or EU release yet, but we have contacted Microsoft for details.The retail edition is identical to the version available now on XBLA, and supports multiplayer connectivity between the boxed and digital versions. The retail disc version will receive all the same content and feature updates as the digital version through Xbox Live.We recently reported that Mojang will consider releasing Minecraft on PlayStation when its timed exclusivity deal with Microsoft ends, but a Wii U version remains unlikely.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/mine...ded-to-retail/

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PES 2014 is ready and waiting for next-generation consoles

March 15th, 2013, 00:27 Posted By: wraggster

“The problem is, it took us too long to admit we were going wrong.”
That’s the admission of an unnamed member of Konami’s PES team in this month’s edition of Edge magazine, in which the publisher’s revamped and remotivated football studio has outlined the sweeping changes that will be introduced in this year’s PES 2014.
Even the most devout PES fan will concede that the switch to next-gen marked a notable decline of the series. That, in part at least, is because the series on PS3 has been developed using a reworked version of the PS2 engine.
It’s a different story this time around. PES 2014 is being built using the impressive Fox Engine.
“We couldn’t really overhaul our old engine in the yearly development cycle,” creative producer Kei Masuda admitted. “The schedule was too demanding. We reflected on the difficult transition from PS2 to PS3 and could see the next-gen coming. We needed to make a new engine.”
The game has a completely new physics engine and a new control scheme that detaches player movement from the ball and gives direct control to a player’s centre of gravity. Users will be able to independently control a player’s body in relation to the ball. This will provide detailed control whether dribbling, feinting or even jostling for position off-the-ball.
The momentum of a match will also play a big part, with a strong captain, like say Steven Gerrard, able to resist the effects of a hostile crowd and strong attacks from the opposition to inspire his teammates to keep fighting. Visually, too, there’s a huge improvement, with the player models in particular looking stunning.
And Fox Engine is reasonably future proof, scaling the game for a range of machines – be it PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, PS5, smartphone or tablet.
Edge bravely speculates that the game’s changes could herald a sea change in the genre similar to the disruption caused to Tony Hawk’s dominance with the arrival of Skate.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/pes-2...nsoles/0112433

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Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams set for XBLA next week

March 15th, 2013, 01:01 Posted By: wraggster

Last year's PC platformer Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is officially slated to come out next week on XBLA for 1200 MS Points. A PSN version is set to follow "a few days later," but no official date has been set.The reason for this discrepancy between platforms is due to publisher bitComposer owning the publishing rights for the PC and XBLA versions, while developer Black Forest Games is responsible for publishing it on PSN. A Wii U eShop version is still expected to come, but that's still to be dated.The Giana Sisters license is infamous after the first game in the series, The Great Giana Sisters (1987), was pulled from store shelves after Nintendo threatened legal action over its incredible similarities to Super Mario Bros. A remake of the original game was later released on DS as Giana Sisters DS.This latest entry in the series has little to do with that Mario clone adventure as it was developed by a new studio who picked up the license. Twisted Dreams became something of a cult success as it was funded by Kickstarter and went on to become the second game greenlit on Steam with the advent of Steam Greenlight.It stars the two titular sisters as the player toggles between them, which also alters the environment as each sibling is trapped in a different dimension.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...xbla-next-week

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New Team Xecuter RGX Timing Files, Guides & FAQ

March 16th, 2013, 12:40 Posted By: wraggster

via http://team-xecuter.com/

We are happy to announce the release of a new set of RGX XSVF Timing files along with tuning options which have been taken from the code of the CR3 Pro along with added DemoN CR_EN Support. Feedback from testers has so far been phenomenal. many had Trinity's and Corona's that simply wouldn't boot with the old 64 based RGH2 methods or were very stubborn or slow and now they boot in 1-5 glitch cycles every time. Some of them reported times equivalent to the CR3 Pro Perfecto! score (cycles that would usually look something like this 1,1,1,2,1,2,1).
So if you have a DGX (or if you don't you can buy one now as we released a bunch of new stock this week), then you convert it to be almost as high performing as the fastest glitch chip in the world – the CR3 Pro. Some installed and got instant results, others had to do a fair bit of tuning – but EVERYONE ended up with great results. We have compiled a comprehensive guide for you to follow so you can get the most out of your DGX-RGX conversion.
Tools Required:
DGX v1.0s or DGX v1.1s
JR Programmer (any version – requires latest fw update) or NAND-X
Optional: Ceramic Caps for Tuning (10pf, 22pf, 30pf, 47pf, 68pf, 82pf, 100pf)
Optional: POST QSB (Trinity & Corona v1, v2)
Optional: POSTFIX Adapter (Corona v3, v4)
Software Required:
J-Runner v0.2 Beta Build 288 Core Pack (The new XSVF files and latest JR programmer fw is included in this release) - Download Here
Wire Info:
POST_OUT: Recommend length is 12cm. We also recommend you use 24awg.
CPU_RST: Recommended length is 10cm. The DGX v1.1s includes an IPEX u.FL Double Shielded Cable.
Note: For CPU_RST it is high recommended that you use the POST QSB (For Trinity and Corona v1 and v2). It is much easier to tune the shape of the wave with just one wire length.
DIPS Info:
The DIP switches are not used in any way once you have converted your DGX to an RGX. Some users say that they get better results with all DIPS ON. I personally think this is nonsense as I know how the code and hardware is design and none of the DIPS are even touched – but it doesn't hurt for you to try it

Programming the DGX:
First make sure your JR Programmer has the latest firmware (Select Tools > Update JR-P fw). If you have a DGX v1.1s, there is no JTAG pin header, you will need to wire up your JTAG cable directly to the JTAG solder points on the PCB. They are clearly labelled in the diagram below.
You can use a Xilinx LPT cable or a JR Programmer (with latest firmware) to program the DGX with an XSVF timing file. (You can also use the Xecuter DemoN or NAND-X if you wish).
Load up the latest J-Runner and click the "Flash CoolRunner" button.

You will now see a list of timing options for the RGX. Each of these use the same computations as the CR3 Pro. The settings are dynamite and couple with the speed of the upgraded Xilinx IC and specifically manufactured crystal, the speed settings are so accurate that, apart from the CR3 Pro itself, the RGX will beat any RGH mod out there when setup correctly.
There are 3 timing options for the Corona and 4 for the Trinity. Each setting can be fine tuned with a specific ceramic capacitor – just like the CR3 Pro, to give maximum results on the hardest to glitch console.

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Battlefield 4 reveal confirmed for March 26 event

March 17th, 2013, 00:21 Posted By: wraggster

EA will reveal Battlefield 4 at its previously-teased San Francisco press conference on March 26.

While

previous invites

for the event left out specifics, it was already heavily speculated that the event would be related to Battlefield sequel.Now it's official. "Dice invites you to the unveiling of Battlefield 4," confirms a new invite received by CVG today."Please join us to celebrate a new era of Battlefield," it adds.So far, EA has revealed nothing of the game other than its numerical title, and that early beta access would be granted to those who pre-ordered Medal of Honor: Warfighter.The game has reportedly been shown to members of retail, however, as GameStop CEO Paul Raines claimed to have been wowed by a Battlefield 4 showing in February.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...arch-26-event/

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X360POA PostFix by Soulheaven

March 17th, 2013, 01:27 Posted By: wraggster

Librasoft today release a new product, "the x360POA."


The x360POA (Post-Out Addon), is a Post-Fix directed by SoulHeaven.
QSB No more than 15 Euros, Do the same thing as well and much cheaper, the product is already available here Librasoft Console and resellers The recommended retail price is € 8 Librasoft would also like to announce to you the next available their next product. x360SPIFlasher The v2. latter replaces x360JTU and x360SF and also loads a Nand Reader. It will thus be compatible: - Glitch for all chips flash timing. - All models of motherboards for the dump nand (Xenon, Zephyr, Opus, Falcon, Jasper, JasperBB, Trinity, Corona v1, v2, v3, and v4) The x360SPIFlasher v2 promises a big advantage over the competition advantage which will be revealed during the presentation of the product. Source: http://www.x360glitchip.com

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EA uses Vine for Battlefield 4 promo

March 18th, 2013, 21:38 Posted By: wraggster

Twitter’s bite-sized video service Vine has become the latest marketing tool available to publishers and game makers.
EA has taken to the service to promote the upcoming Battlefield 4 which, as we learn from the short, will be debuted in some form on March 27^th.
Given Vine’s nature (clips are limited to six seconds) there’s little in the way of detail, but with over 700 retweets at the time of writing the publisher is clearly getting the brand out there and should have a decent level of hype ahead of the game’s reveal next week.
The big question Battlefield 4 fans are currently asking is whether or not the game will be a next-gen launch title? And if it is, does that potentially have any negative consequence for a current-gen release?

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ea-us...-promo/0112603

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Gears of War: Judgment goes big on IAP

March 18th, 2013, 21:39 Posted By: wraggster

Friday release Gears of War: Judgment will offer an array of XP-boosting in-app-payment options for gamers.
Videogamer reports that the entry-level purchase costs 80 Microsoft Points (around 70p) for which gamers receive double XP for ten games.
320 MSP (£2.75) buys a 50-match long boost, 560 MSP (£4.80) a 100-match boost and 800 MSP (£6.85) a 200-match boost.
Alternatively the 1,600 MSP (£13.70) VIP Pass allows access to a select number of permanently double-XP offering playlists.
The news comes at a time when IAPs and freemium payment models are riding upon a wave of vocal unpopularity – although that in no way means the functionality won’t earn big money for Microsoft, of course.
Gears of War: Judgment is just the latest in an increasingly long line of IAP-offering triple-A console games that includes Halo 4, Dead Space 3 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/gears...on-iap/0112601

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Xbox Entertainment Awards announced

March 19th, 2013, 00:57 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has announced the Xbox Entertainment Awards.

Fans are being asked to

vote now

for their favourite products across a range of categories including games, movies, TV and music.Players can vote in the categories listed below from today until March 26. The finalists will be revealed on April 9, with interactive voting then taking place for a week on the Xbox Livedashboard before the winners are announced on April 17.Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win an Xbox 360 Limited Edition 320GB Halo 4 console along with a Kinect sensor, a one year Xbox Live Gold membership, 2,000 Microsoft Points, plus games and other goodies.And those who vote on Xbox Live between April 9 and 16 will be placed into a sweepstake to win prizes including a "VIP experience" at Gamescom 2013.Games:

• Best Game
• Best Family Game
• Best Xbox LIVE Arcade Game
• Best Add-on (or Consumable)

TVs and Movies:

• Best TV Show or TV Series
• Best Movie
• Best Superhero Movie
• Best Comedy

Music:

• Best Album
• Best Single
• Best Artist
• Best Music Video

Last month, Microsoft announced the formation of LA-based Xbox Entertainment Studios. Headed by Nancy Tellem, president of entertainment and digital media at Microsoft, the studio's mission is to "create true interactive content for Xbox and other devices that will change the way entertainment content is experienced and delivered".The firm's move to broaden Xbox Live's content offering has included interactive events such as the Elections 2012 Hub and interactive red carpet experiences for this year's Grammy Awards and the 85th Academy Awards.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...rds-announced/

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New 'Xbox 720 leak' says it is "Always On, Always Connected"

March 20th, 2013, 01:40 Posted By: wraggster

Does a new report confirm that Xbox 720's always-on web connection will eventually lock-out second hand games?
VGLeaks has taken a look at the Durango-codenamed device's purported software development kit (called an XDK - Xbox Development Kit by Microsoft).
The Hardware Overview in the device's documentation details summarises both the device's need for a permanent web connection, and how it will use that to install patches and keep games updated.
"The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that console software and games are always current," a screenshot posted by VGleaks - and embedded below - shows.
"With this 'Always On, Always Connected' design, users will quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install updates."
The documentation also says the device will not actually need to read optical discs once games bought for them have been installed.
This, coupled with the always-on connection, would appear to confirm previous reports that the device contains stringent anti-piracy and anti-pre-owned technology prohibits the resale copying of discs.
Edge reported that detail earlier in the year - and many were skeptical at the time.
But the documentation reads: "Every Durango console will have a hard drive, although its exact capacity has not bn chosen. It will be large enough, however, to hold a large number of games. All games will be installed on the hard drive. Play from the optical disc will not be supported.
"Durango consoles will have a Blu-ray Disc drive. Disc media will be used for distribution, but during gameplay games will not use content from the optical disc. An installation system is being designed that will allow gamers to begin playing while the game is being installed on the hard drive rather than waiting until installation is complete."
Gamers and retailers will not be best pleased by this, should the machine's design lock-out second hand discs as speculated.
Second hand games are a lucrative part of the specialist games retail model - and consumers should in principle have a right to sell on the content of physical goods they buy.
It will be interesting to hear Microsoft's answer on the matter, and whether it thinks the ownership and licence agreements around buying games software have changed in this more web-centric era.
The question is, have the team at Xbox been watching the recent SimCity debacle - and have they just ignored vocal gamers' reactions to being forced into always-on connections by third-party publishers?
But then again, the documentation does start with this disclaimer: "This documentation is preliminary and subject to change."
Maybe, hopefully, some things are still to be decided.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-x...-discs/0112675

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Redbox Instant app for Xbox 360 goes live for Gold subscribers

March 20th, 2013, 01:49 Posted By: wraggster

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Xbox Live spring sale kicks off March 26

March 20th, 2013, 02:01 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft will host a spring Xbox Live sale between March 26 and April 2.

The platform holder

says

it will feature discounts of up to 75 per cent on Xbox Live Arcade games, Games on Demand, add-ons, movies and more.Microsoft recently published the Xbox Live DLC release schedule for March.Today's releases included the Gears of War: Judgment multiplayer demo, the first batch of timed exclusive Tomb Raider DLC, and the second part of Assassin's Creed 3 DLC the Tyranny Of King Washington.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-off-march-26/

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BattleBlock Theater dated for early April on XBLA... really

March 20th, 2013, 02:03 Posted By: wraggster

Castle Crashers and Alien Hominid developer Behemoth has finally revealed 3rd April as the release date for its long-delayed XBLA multiplayer party game BattleBlock Theater.It will be priced at 1200 MS Point.BattleBlock Theater was originally scheduled to come out in 2010. After an initial delay into 2011 it disappeared off the radar for awhile while Behemoth polished it up. It now contains "technologically evil cats, friendship, betrayal, co-optional justice, and several other forms of visual and audible stimulation."Rich Stanton previewed BattleBlock Theater back in summer of 2011 where he came away underwhelmed, but that was then and this is now.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...on-xbla-really

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Rumor: New Strider coming to XBLA, PC, Double Helix involved

March 20th, 2013, 02:08 Posted By: wraggster

NeoGAF user canIhasAnAccount discovered a temporary XBLA box art and banner for a new Strider game. Subsequently, users found a Strider entry on the Steam database, complete with icon of Strider Hiryu's face from the Capcom ninja series.

To extrapolate further, user Sega1991 found a Steam Community pageconnected by number with the leaked Steam information, posted by a user "ascarlston" whose profile offers a first name "Andrew." A quick search finds one Andrew Carlston in the game industry, a junior programmer at Double Helix. He's Steam friends with someone named Jorge Oseguera, a name belonging to a producer at Double Helix. Double Helix is the studio behindSilent Hill: Homecoming, as well as Front Mission Evolved and the Battleshipgame (based on the movie based on the game.)

As we find ourselves trapped deep within this rabbit hole, we called out to Capcom for verification of any of this. Capcom told Joystiq only that "We have made no announcements in regards to that title." In the absence of more info about that, why not look back at the last attempted Strider reboot, by GRIN Barcelona?

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/ru...elix-involved/

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New ‘always on, always connected’ Durango SDK leak is real

March 20th, 2013, 23:51 Posted By: wraggster

Fresh documents posted on vgleaks.com related to the next Xbox are real, our source has confirmed.Our insider described the screengrabs from the Durango SDK on vgleaks.com as “entirely legitimate”, although they contain much of the same information we revealed on February 6th, and were circulated to developers working with the console last year.The ‘Durango Hardware Overview’ section re-iterates that Microsoft’s next-generation console – codenamed Durango – will be “always on, always connected”.“Durango will implement different power states so that it can always be powered on, but will draw minimal electricity when not in use,” the document reads. “The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that console software and games are always current. With this “Always On, Always Connected” design, users will quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install games.”The new leak also tallies with our original story in that it confirms the new console will be bundled with a new, improved Kinect and also include a Blu-Ray disc drive.It does reveal, however, that all games on Blu-Ray will be installed onto the console’s hard drive, and that play from the optical disc will not be supported. Game players will, however, be able to play games as they are being installed on the console.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/new-...-leak-is-real/

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Microsoft reassures Xbox Entertainment voters after data leak

March 21st, 2013, 01:40 Posted By: wraggster

No third parties were involved in yesterday’s Xbox Entertainment security breach, Microsoft has confirmed.
MCV yesterday revealed that the Xbox Entertainment website was displaying the names, gamertags and addresses of nearly 3,000 users who had voted on the site.
However, the platform holder has assured MCV that data was only available for a short time and that it is working with those who were potentially affected.
User passwords were not compromised.
“I can confirm that the online display of personal information was the result of a technical error – one which is in the process of being rectified,” a spokesperson stated.
“Microsoft acted immediately to:
- Remove the voting app from Facebook as soon as it was alerted about this issue;
- Is fixing the issue with the voting app;
- Is working closely with affected Xbox Entertainment Awards voters who have been in touch with us to ensure that their Xbox LIVE accounts have not been compromised.
“Data security for all Xbox 360 owners is of the utmost importance to Microsoft. Upon learning on March 19th 2013 that a number of UK Xbox LIVE subscribers have inadvertently had a limited amount of personal data disclosed online because of an error with our Xbox Entertainment Award voting app, Microsoft took immediate steps to remove the Application from its UK Facebook page.
“We are working closely with affected Xbox Entertainment Awards voters who have been in touch with us to ensure that their Xbox LIVE accounts have not been compromised and will restore the Xbox Entertainment Award voting app to our Facebook page once the issue is resolved.
“Xbox LIVE customers who have any concerns should visit www.xbox.com/security for information on account security.”
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...a-leak/0112767

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Xbox 360 gets pay-as-you-go Sky Sports access

March 21st, 2013, 01:53 Posted By: wraggster

Sky and Microsoft have struck a deal to bring pay-as-you-go Sky Sports access to Xbox 360 owners.
It arrives as part of an expansion to Sky’s streaming video service app Now TV. As announced yesterday, Sky is for the first time offering accessing to its sports broadcast on a non-subscription basis.
Now TV users, whom can access the service on Xbox 360 (proving they are a an Xbox Live Gold member) as well as PC and tablets, can now elect to pay a one-off fee of £9.99 to access Sky’s six sports channels for 24 hours.
That’s a lot more expensive than subscribing, of course, but for those who don’t want to commit to a monthly contract and just want to access a particular football match or F1 race, it’s potentially a good deal.
Sky Sports’ roster includes Premier League and Champions League football, all 19 Grand Prix races, rugby, golf, tennis and the Ashes.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...access/0112756

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"High-profile" XBL accounts of MS employees targeted by hackers

March 21st, 2013, 01:57 Posted By: wraggster

Social security number loophole linked to third-party apps, says Microsoft
[h=3]Microsoft[/h]microsoft.com


A number of "high-profile" Xbox LIVE accounts owned by current and previous Microsoft employees have been targeted by hacks reportedly linked to the gathering of US social security numbers.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is working with law enforcement agencies to trace the attacks and close the existing loopholes, which it says are linked to third-party applications. Microsoft issued a statement on the attacks to The Verge, which originally covered the story.
"We are aware that a group of attackers are using several stringed social engineering techniques to compromise the accounts of a handful of high-profile Xbox LIVE accounts held by current and former Microsoft employees," the statement reads. "We are actively working with law enforcement and other affected companies to disable this current method of attack and prevent its further use. Security is of critical importance to us and we are working every day to bring new forms of protection to our members."
The attacks are thought to stem from a third-party agency which collects social security numbers as part of a user profile, which has been compromised. A stringed connection to the XBL accounts is then followed, unravelling various security measures and passwords on the way.
"We are actively working with law enforcement and other affected companies to disable this current method of attack and prevent its further use"
Microsoft statement

"Microsoft does not collect or use Social Security numbers in its services, including Xbox LIVE Gamertags or Microsoft accounts. Attackers are targeting high-profile Microsoft employees by social engineering other companies that do use this data to intercept security proofs from Microsoft to compromise the accounts."
There is considerable evidence that the attacks could be part of a larger story centred around an ongoing persecution of security blogger Brian Krebs, reports The Verge.
Krebs had recently been covering the spate of attacks on Microsoft employees. After he published details of the methods he believed were used in the attack, Krebs suffered a DDOS attack on his website, and, far more worryingly, had a SWAT team raid his house after a hoax police call reported that invaders had entered his home and shot his wife.
Krebs believes that these events, and the attacks on Microsoft employees, are potentially being perpetrated by the same attackers and could be linked to a piece he wrote exposing a website which was selling the social security details of US citizens, including many celebrities. After covering his work on the issue, both Ars Technica and Wired were also subjected to DDOS attacks.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ted-by-hackers

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Battlefield 4 teaser site launched, offers exclusive dogtag for BF3

March 21st, 2013, 02:13 Posted By: wraggster

EA and DICE have launched a Battlefield 4 teaser site ahead of the game's big reveal next week.

The site starts off appearing as a water-covered window obscuring your view of tanks in the background. "The more fans who log in, the more we'll reveal," it teases.Logging into your Origin account via the site reveals an image of a tank in a rainy scene - the same one (pictured right) which emerged online days ago but without the soldier and game logo in the foreground.Logging in also rewards you with an 'I Was There' dogtag which can be used immediately in Battlefield 3.The site tells visitors to come back on March 27 for "a first look at gameplay". That's one day after the game's planned reveal event on March 26, to which EA has invited press to see the game for the first time.Battlefield 4 is expected to launch in late 2013 on current and next-gen platforms.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ogtag-for-bf3/

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New Xbox 360 spring hardware bundles released

March 21st, 2013, 15:49 Posted By: wraggster

<p style="font: bold 1.2em/1.3 sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class="article-intro">Microsoft has released two new<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>Xbox 360<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>spring hardware bundles.</p><p style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"></p><figure style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; width: 300px; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; clear: both; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; float: right; display: block; white-space: normal; position: relative; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class="article-image article-image-alt article-image-300"><img style="font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; vertical-align: baseline; display: block;" title="Xbox 360 Screenshot" alt="Xbox 360 Screenshot" src="http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/dir_2989/image_298923_thumb_wide300.jpg"></figure><span style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Available exclusively at GAME while supplies last, both come with 250GB hard drives, two games and one month of free access to<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span>Xbox Live<span style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>Gold.</span><p style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"></p><ul style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em 2em; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><li style="font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; vertical-align: baseline;">Spring Value Bundle (£200): 250GB Hard Drive, 1 Wireless Controller, 1 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription, Batman Arkham City game (token), Darksiders 2 game</li><li style="font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; vertical-align: baseline;">Kinect Spring Value Bundle (£300): Xbox 360 Console, Kinect Sensor, 250GB Hard Drive, 1 Wireless Controller, 1 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription, Fable: the Journey game, Wreckateer game (token)</li></ul><p style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">The bundle featuring Batman Arkham City and Darksiders 2 hit US retailers<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>last month priced at $299.</p><p style="font: 14px/21px sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Microsoft will host a spring<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>Xbox Live sale<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>between March 26 and April 2, featuring discounts of up to 75 per cent on Arcade games, Games on Demand, add-ons, movies and more.<br><br>Check them out at <a href="http://bit.ly/ZWtlbr" data-cke-saved-href="http://bit.ly/ZWtlbr">Game.co.uk</a></p>

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New Xbox 360 spring hardware bundles released

March 21st, 2013, 15:50 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has released two new Xbox 360 spring hardware bundles.
Available exclusively at GAME while supplies last, both come with 250GB hard drives, two games and one month of free access to Xbox Live Gold.

• Spring Value Bundle (£200): 250GB Hard Drive, 1 Wireless Controller, 1 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription, Batman Arkham City game (token), Darksiders 2 game
• Kinect Spring Value Bundle (£300): Xbox 360 Console, Kinect Sensor, 250GB Hard Drive, 1 Wireless Controller, 1 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription, Fable: the Journey game, Wreckateer game (token)

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Star Trek - where no game has gone before

March 21st, 2013, 23:43 Posted By: wraggster

JJ Abrams’ Star Trek: Into Darkness is one of 2013’s biggest cinema releases – and the games industry has its own voyage with the Starship Enterprise to look forward to.
But Namco Bandai’s Star Trek: The Video Game isn’t your typical movie tie-in. It’s the result of a three-year development and heavy investment from Paramount Digital Entertainment, the Hollywood giant’s burgeoning games division.
Like Captain Kirk himself, Paramount is on a mission to ‘seek new life’: namely, gamers. After countless tie-in apps and licensing deals, this is the company’s biggest venture into the increasingly mainstream video games market.
“Our biggest challenge was designing a game that was complementary to the amazing universe created for the 2009 film,” Brian Miller, SVP of worldwide marketing partnerships and licensing at Paramount Pictures, tells MCV. “We knew everything had to look, sound and feel as if it had been pulled right from the big screen.
"The game also has the same challenge as the 2009 film itself did: To both appeal to a wide audience and satisfy the hardcore Trekker. The only way to do this was to have an engaging story that appeals to both demographics.”
This story takes place between the events of the 2009 film and Into Darkness. When the Enterprise responds to a distress beacon at a strange research station, events quickly escalate into a race to uncover a Vulcan conspiracy and prevent an invasion from classic Trek villains, the reptilian Gorn

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/star-...before/0112845

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Microsoft slow on digital game releases to appease retail

March 23rd, 2013, 23:08 Posted By: wraggster

So why exactly are triple-A digital releases on Xbox 360 so much slower to appear than they are on either PS3 or PC?
Because Microsoft doesn't want to upset retail, according to Xbox Games on Demand senior business manager Erik Yeager.
"We have a lot of strong partnerships with retailers," Yeager told yesterday's MIT Business in Games conference, as reported by Joystiq. "We really need them to do a lot for us.
“They're the ones out there selling the consoles, selling the peripherals and, in this time, we're trying to figure out how to fit that in to the whole digital landscape shift. We're just taking a bit of a measured pace with it.
"We really strongly believe it's important to have these retail partnerships and the ability to sell our console is the most critical thing for us. If you don't sell the console, you can't sell anything else."
However, with rivals like Sony, Steam and even Nintendo routinely releasing digital versions of their games at the same time as their boxed retail releases, don't expect Microsoft to stick with this strategy for long.
And all the delayed digital releases in the world won't pacify even the most relaxed retailers for long if talk of the next Xbox blocking pre-owned games proves to be true.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...retail/0112948

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Fuse release date confirmed for May

March 24th, 2013, 20:26 Posted By: wraggster

Publisher EA has confirmed a Fuse release date of May 28 in North America and May 31 in Europe.

Fuse is Insomniac Games' four-player co-op action shooter in which players take control of four elite covert agents, "each with their own Xenotech weapon and set of unique skills used to fight to protect mankind from a deadly alien energy source known as Fuse".Formerly a Sony-exclusive studio with its PS3 FPS series Resistance, Fuse will be Insomniac's first multi-platform release, coming to both PS3 and Xbox 360.Players who pre-order Fuse from select retailers will be able to unlock special armor and weapon customization for each of the game's four elite agents.The pre-order bonuses include:

• Four Hyperion Prototype Agent Armor Skins - Upgrade your agents' look with four special, state-of-the-art armor skins discovered inside the top-secret Hyperion Base
  
  
• Four Hyperion Prototype Weapon Skins - Customize your Fuse weapons with four skins based on each of the original prototypes developed inside Hyperion Base
  
  
• Quickdraw Team Perk - Increase your damage with this team perk adding powerful Fuse elements to all one-handed weapons for all four characters in your squad

The game was previously expected for launch in March. EA said the delay was to allow for extra development time.The third-person shooter was initially conceived as Overstrike, before the title was re-revealed as Fuse earlier last year. The re-brand saw Overstrike's cartoon-flavoured art direction stripped away in favour of a grittier aesthetic.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...irmed-for-may/

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Microsoft gifts 1600 MS Points following Xbox Awards security breach

March 24th, 2013, 20:29 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox Entertainment Awards voting app had leaked the personal information of a number of users online, and is offering free Microsoft Points as compensation.

Voting was suspended and the awards website taken offline

for 'maintenance' following concerns of a security breach on Tuesday, March 19.The platform holder has today sent messaging to affected users confirming the breach, which saw names, email addresses, Gamertags and birth dates exposed via an online web page momentarily."The voting app inadvertently disclosed a limited amount of participants' personal data for a brief time to a non-public web page. We took immediate steps to remove the application from its UK Facebook page and sincerely apologise for the error," said MS in the statement."The information available for that brief time was generated from the prize draw form you filled in and was limited to your name, email address, Gamertag and date of birth. No other information was recorded or available. The information disclosed cannot be used to directly compromise your Microsoft Account. However, to ensure that you have the appropriate security in place on your Microsoft Account we highly recommend you visit www.xbox.com/security."We have removed the "Xbox LIVE Awards Programme Competition" element of the Xbox Entertainment Awards and have closed this Facebook prize promotion," it added.The distributed email also contains an Xbox Live code for recipients to redeem 1600 MS Points for free "as a gesture of goodwill". Codes expire on June 30.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...curity-breach/

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Terraria digs in on PSN March 26, Xbox Live March 27

March 24th, 2013, 23:07 Posted By: wraggster

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Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 'Siberian Strike' DLC hits XBLA/PSN/PC next week

March 24th, 2013, 23:08 Posted By: wraggster

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Xbox Games on Demand manager explains why it lags on day-and-date launches

March 24th, 2013, 23:12 Posted By: wraggster

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Xbox Loop (720) Software XDK Durango revealed.

March 25th, 2013, 00:35 Posted By: wraggster

Information prior to the time the new Xbox codenamed "Durango" revealed by the development software "Durango XDK" and running with Visual Studio 2012. The information comes from vgleaks.com reveals documentation and feature set of Durango supporting DirectX11.


The full documentation confirms that the Future XBOX Loop or "720" as you want, would be a console connected "Always ON, Always Connected" and the software will MAJ in the background. KINECT A new sensor will be sold with the improved console as necessary for its operation, it will recognize you and will also monitor your body automatically. Under certain lighting conditions Illumiroom work with the console and KINECT. All games will be installed on the hard drive of the console, it will not be possible to play with only one disc in its Blu-ray player, which is why The new Xbox will come with a large hard disk capacity to store games. His is the 7.1 audio system that supports all current formats. A new controller will accompany this new XBOX she wants to be even better than the excellent lever XBOX 360. it will have a different ergonomics control "gamer" but the possibility of a simplified control for casual gamers or young. You can download the software and documentation here if you have an account: http://microsoft-durango

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BioWare "getting ready to develop new Mass Effect game"

March 25th, 2013, 22:31 Posted By: wraggster

Regardless of whether your Shepard lived to tell another tale at the end of Mass Effect 3, don’t expect your favourite gender-hopping space hero to return in the next game.
That’s because BioWare has said it plans to tell a completely different story in the next Mass Effect game – which, incidentally, is rapidly approaching development.
"We are starting to get ready to develop another Mass Effect game, and it's going to be a new thing," the series’ executive producer Casey Hudson explained at a Mass Effect retrospective at PAX East in Boston, as reported byKotaku.
"We want to be able to give fans an opportunity to get back into the world with these things you've come to know and love about the Mass Effect experience but start something fresh and new – a new way for you to explore the whole universe in Mass Effect."
It was also revealed that it will be developed at BioWare’s Montreal studio with some production duties being handled by Hudson from the studio’s Edmonton HQ.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/biowa...t-game/0113027

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BioShock Infinite on track to be one of the highest rated games of all time

March 25th, 2013, 22:45 Posted By: wraggster

2K Games’ BioShock Infinite, which goes sale worldwide tonight, is receiving a blistering reception from critics.
The review embargo lifted just one hour ago at the time of writing, and already the game has an almighty 96 per cent rating on Metacritic. Only 13 other games have ever scored so highly on the site, including Half-Life, Half-Life 2, BioShock, The Orange Box, Batman: Arkham City, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Mass Effect 2 and Resident Evil 4.
Only five games have scored higher, with Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and Grand Theft Auto III all scoring 97 per cent and Grand Theft Auto IV getting 98 per cent.
Amazingly, BioShock Infinite has so far grabbed ten 10/10 ratings from sites including Polygon, Destructoid and Eurogamer.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/biosh...l-time/0113021

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Xbox: The ability to sell our console is critical

March 25th, 2013, 22:57 Posted By: wraggster

Games on Demand manager explains release lags, highlights retailer importance
Xbox Games on Demand senior business manager Erik Yeager has talked about the delay between a game's release and its appearance as a digital product on Xbox Live, suggesting that relationships with retailers and the importance of consoles are a factor.
"We really strongly believe it's important to have these retail partnerships and the ability to sell our console is the most critical thing for us. If you don't sell the console, you can't sell anything else," he told MIT Business in Games conference, as reported by Joystiq.

"We have a lot of strong partnerships with retailers. We really need them to do a lot for us. They're the ones out there selling the consoles, selling the peripherals and, in this time, we're trying to figure out how to fit that in to the whole digital landscape shift. We're just taking a bit of a measured pace with it."
Of course the real interest is now firmly focused on the future of the Xbox brand, with the announcement of the much discussed next-gen Microsoft console expected in the next few months..

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...le-is-critical

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ITC judge clears Xbox in Google patent dispute

March 25th, 2013, 22:59 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has been cleared of violating the patents of Google's Motorola Mobility unit with the Xbox 360.
U.S. International Trade Commission Judge David Shaw issued the ruling on Friday, dismissing the last of the five initial patent disputes. The final dispute related to a patent for communication between the Xbox console and peripheral devices.
Judge Shaw's ruling is subject to review by the International Trade Commission (ITC), and Google has the right to petition his decision if it decides to pursue an import ban.
"We are pleased with the Administrative Law Judge's finding that Microsoft did not violate Motorola's patent and are confident that this determination will be affirmed by the Commission," said David Howard, corporate VP at Microsoft, in a statement.
In May last year, Judge Shaw found that four of the five relevant patents had been infringed. Shaw recommended an import ban on the Xbox 360, but the ITC ordered him to review the matter after a new precedent was set in an unrelated case.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...patent-dispute

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Durango Leak: All Games Installed Onto Hard Drives From Disc

March 26th, 2013, 01:11 Posted By: wraggster

According to VGleaks, the new Xbox will have all of your games installed onto the HDD and here’s the bad part. You can’t play the games on the disc itself!



Now this may sound like a terrible idea, but there is some sense in it being as it will speed up the loading times of games as a standard, in the XDK (see below) it will have a big enough hard drive to store multiple games, but I know someone who has quite literally, a shed load of Xbox games and no hard drive would ever be big enough for the amount of games he has! ( I’ve tried converting him to PS3, but he’s having none of it).


http://wololo.net/2013/03/25/durango...not-supported/

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You can play BioShock Infinite's ultra hard 1999 Mode without completing the game

March 26th, 2013, 02:17 Posted By: wraggster

Fancy giving yourself a seriously difficult first run at BioShock Infinite? You probably don't, but the option is available to unlock from the off.All you need to access the game's rock hard 1999 Mode is to enter the famous Konami code on the game's main menu. That's: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B and A.PlayStation 3 players should substitute the last two buttons with O and X.1999 Mode is usually only unlocked after completing the game.Amusingly, it's exactly how BioShock Infinite creator previously promised the mode wouldn'tbe unlocked, Game Informer, which discovered this method, reported.The developer then said it was "talking about" such a method, but had not confirmed its inclusion."Probably what we're going to do is you'll only be able to get to that mode through some kind of unlock," Levine said last year. "Not unlock in the game through 'left, right, up, down' that kind of thing."1999 Mode is so named because it harks back to the more hardcore shooters of the nineties. 1999 was also the year that BioShock developer Irrational's System Shock 2 released."One of the reasons 1999 Mode is so much more difficult than any other setting is that dying often uses up all your money and then you can't respawn," Tom Bramwell wrote in Eurogamer's 10/10 BioShock Infinite review."You're sent back to the main menu and have to resume from your last autosave prior to the section where you died."A new infographic released by Irrational via its Twitter account revealed that the game features over 10,000 lines of dialogue, a third of which belongs to main characters Booker and Elizabeth.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...eting-the-game

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First details: Battlefield 4 brings open-world freedoms to its campaign

March 27th, 2013, 11:51 Posted By: wraggster

Battlefield developer DICE already has a winning formula for multiplayer, but it aims to prove that with this year's sequel, Battlefield 4, it can create a single-player campaign to match.

DICE's Creative Director Lars Gustavsson told press attending a special presentation at its Stockholm, Sweden studio this week how the developer hopes to achieve this.As reported in CVG's Battlefield 4 preview, the developer wants to address the linearity of BF3's campaign by transitioning the open-ended approach of its online mode to set pieces in the main campaign of BF4."If we can deliver on that, while telling you great story where you don't care about anything except finding out what comes next - I'd want that," said Gustavsson."And since you're steering the direction of what's happening with the new set of tools you're using - hopefully you'll be so connected to it, you'll come out of it and say 'I want more'. That's my hope and dream," he said.A short gameplay demonstration showed the player able to either destroy an enemy jeep or shoot the driver and commandeer it.The demo also showed the player's ability to issue squad orders, in this case requesting suppressing fire on the jeep.CVG's man on the ground also praised the game's visuals. "Shown in HD - running on a PC - on a full-size movie screen, Battlefield 4 is an incredibly immersive piece of work. The newly tweaked Frostbite Engine conveys a real sense of place presented through the lens of a high-octane movie," Nick Cowen said in our preview.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-its-campaign/

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Xbox Live DLC release schedule: Battlefield, Tiger Woods, Double Dragon II

March 27th, 2013, 11:56 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has published the Xbox Live Marketplace release schedule for the next few weeks.

It includes new DLC for the likes of

Battlefield 3

and

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14

, the XBLA release of Double Dragon II, plus discounts on plenty of games in the Xbox Live spring sale.A list of upcoming Xbox Live Arcade titles, game add-ons, sale items and more follows:Xbox Live Arcade

• Terraria, 12-Mar
• Battle Block Theater, 27-Mar, 1200 MS Points
• Double Dragon II, 3-Apr, 1200 MS Points
• Penalty Saver, 5-Apr, 240 1200 Points

Add-ons

• Battlefield 3 End Game, 26-Mar, 1200 MS Points
• Bioshock Infinite Season Pass, 26-Mar, 1600 MS Points
• Tiger Woods PGA 14 Various DLC, 26-Mar, 400-3200 MS Points

Deal of the Week

• Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, varies by region
• Transformers: FoC Dinobot Destructor Pack, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 400 MS Points (50% off)
• Transformers: FoC Multiplayer Havoc Pack, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 400 MS Points (50% off)
• Transformers: FoC Massive Fury Pack, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 400 MS Points (50% off)
• Transformers: FoC G1 Retro Optimus Prime, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 160 MS Points (50% off)
• Transformers: War for Cybertron, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, varies by region
• Transformers: WfC Map and Character Pack #1, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 200 MS Points (50% off)
• Transformers: WfC Map and Character Pack #2, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 200 MS Points (50% off)
• Quarrel, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 200 MS Points (50% off)
• Mercury, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 200 MS Points (50% off)
• Swarm, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 200 MS Points (50% off)
• Pool Nation, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 400 (50% off)
• Axel & Pixel, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 400 MS Points (50% off)
• Retro City Rampage, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 600 MS Points (50% off)
• Puzzle Arcade, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 400 MS Points (50% off)
• Winterbottom, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 400 MS Points (50% off)

Special Sales

• Spring Sale, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, varies
• Kinect Central: Dance Central 3 LMFAO Dance Pack 01, 26-Mar to 1-Apr, 160 MS Points (60% off)
• Microsoft Studios Sale, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, up to 50% off
• WWE Sale, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, up to 50% off
• Kinect Central: Wreckateer, 2-Apr to 8-Apr, 320 MS Points (60% off)

Games on Demand

• Assassin's Creed III, 26-Mar
• Hulk Hogan's Main Event, 26-Mar
• Summer Stars, 26-Mar
• MLB 2K12, 26-Mar
• WWE 13, 26-Mar
• Top Hand Rodeo Tour Kinect, 26-Mar
• Jeopardy!, 26-Mar

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ble-dragon-ii/

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Battlefield 4 Official Teaser Trailer

March 27th, 2013, 13:10 Posted By: wraggster

Heres the trailer in full, going to be the game of the year

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Call of Duty: eSport of the future?

March 27th, 2013, 13:11 Posted By: wraggster

Earlier this month, our YouTube Editor Ian Higton travelled to the Call of Duty Championship European finals in Cologne to investigate how COD was faring in its attempt to enter the hyper-competitive eSports business.Once upon a time eSports felt a bit like prize-fighting, with dodgy promoters and a sense that it wouldn't last. These days, thanks to the success of games like StarCraft 2 and League of Legends, it's become much more respectable and sustainable, encouraging companies like Activision with Call of Duty and Ubisoft with ShootMania to make a play for its potential first-person shooter audience.But does this stuff really work as a spectator sport? What do the events feel like? Check out Ian's report below to see what he made of it all.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-of-the-future

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BioShock: Infinite Released

March 27th, 2013, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster

kandelar writes with news that BioShock: Infinite has been released. It's the third major release in the series of BioShock first-person shooters, and it's available for Xbox 360, PS3, and Windows. The game is garnering good critical reception, for the most part. Rock, Paper, Shotgun said, "Infinite is a game ruled by artists at least as much as it is by its writers. It’s the ultimate answer to the question of whether art or technology is the most important part of creating a visually excellent game – Crysis 3 might have far more going on under the hood, but its uninspired paintjob makes it seem so dull compared to Infinite’s vaguely Pixar-esque fusion of the photoreal and the colourfully unreal." Ars' reviewer wrote, "Infinite's battle system doesn't wear out its welcome or weigh down the game's excellent pacing. Infinite avoids the problem of near-endless waves of identical enemies that plagues so many shooters these days. The bits of shooting action are spaced and timed to serve as gentle punctuation marks that break up the story rather than full stops that bring it to a grinding halt." However, RPS adds this criticism of the player's effect the plot: "Infinite’s a triumph in terms of fantasy-architecture spectacle and bringing superb flexibility to the modern rollercoaster shooter, but in other respects it’s a small step down from the player agency and even the singular aesthetic of BioShock."

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...inite-released

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Free DLC for Battlefield 4 pre-orders

March 27th, 2013, 23:45 Posted By: wraggster

EA has revealed early details of the Battlefield 4 pre-order packs.
The shooter, which launches this year, will come with a Premium Expansion Pack for consumers who pre-order the title.
Meanwhile, those who pre-order the PC download version of the game from EA's Origin Store will receive the Expansion Pack, Battlefield 4 Beta access and 'bonus in-game content'.
It's all quite vague, but considering Battlefield 3's excellent digital components, consumers can expect substantial expansions.
Battlefield 4 is currently only officially announced for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. But judging by the 17-minute trailer (which you can watch here), we can pretty much expect PS4 and Xbox 720 versions, as well.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/free-...orders/0113190

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Gears of War helps UK retail generate £13.4m last week

March 27th, 2013, 23:52 Posted By: wraggster

The UK games market made £13.4m last week.
That's a rise of 19 per cent over the week before, but it's still a relatively low figure. The games market has struggled for momentum since the start of the year. All data is courtesy of UKIE/GfK Chart-Track.
In total 506,625 games were sold from UK stores last week, driven by a number of new releases, with Gears of War: Judgment comfortably the biggest selling.
However, as already reported, the Microsoft IP's sales were significantly down on previous entries in the series.
Other games that boosted the market included The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, which performed well despite its poor review scores, and Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate. Monster Hunter 3 accounted for almost half of all Wii U software revenue last week.
FIFA 13, Aliens: Colonial Marines and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance all saw sales increases last week.
Next week's sales performance will hopefully be another improvement. There's actually a surprising amount of new releases, with yesterday's BioShock: Infinite the biggest title. Other new games set for release includes LEGO City Undercover, Luigi's Mansion 2, Tiger Woods 14, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time and Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/gears...t-week/0113189

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Minecraft holds Xbox Live UK No.1 spot for ninth consecutive week

March 27th, 2013, 23:56 Posted By: wraggster

Minecraft is the No.1 UK Xbox Live Arcade game for the ninth week on the trot.
It's been No.1 since we started printing our exclusive XBLA charts back in February.
The game has withheld stiff competition from free-to-play game Happy Wars, plus a string of price discounts in recent weeks.
This week's Top Ten is listed below. Check out MCV every week for the latest Top Ten.
1. Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition – Microsoft
2. Trials Evolution – Microsoft
3. The Walking Dead – TellTale Games
4. Trials HD – Microsoft
5. Yu-Gi-Jo! 5D's Decade Duels Plus – Konami
6. Worms 2: Armageddon – Team 17
7. Castle Crashers – Microsoft
8. Beyond Good and Evil HD – Ubisoft
9. Rayman 3 HD – Ubisoft
10. Sonic Adventure 2 – Sega

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/minec...e-week/0113184

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Minecraft is a system-seller for Xbox 360

March 27th, 2013, 23:58 Posted By: wraggster

Consumers are buying Xbox 360 consoles purely to play Minecraft says Graeme Taylor, store manager at indie retailer Game On.
Game On told MCV that the Xbox Live Arcade title, which has sat at the top of the XBLA charts now for almost a year, has helped the firm shift points cards too.
“Over Christmas we sold between 10 and 15 Xbox 360s, bought purely for Minecraft,” said Taylor.
“It shifts consoles, points cards and gold cards. It’s been a crazy thing and a very canny move by Microsoft.”
Taylor believes a portion of the title’s success on the console comes from some consumers still being wary of PC and online credit card transactions.
“Some people are still suspicious of PC and parents are happier if their kids are playing it on Xbox. Parents seem to be wary of this ‘Minecraft website’. We’ve had to reassure people that it’s not a scam.
“The points cards have also been really popular, and again, some parents feel more comfortable buying points cards because they’re not tied to card details.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/minec...ox-360/0113179

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Xbox Live this week, including Toys R Us movies and a refreshed MLB.tv

March 28th, 2013, 00:18 Posted By: wraggster

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Gears of War: Judgment Warzone mode found on the disc, and it's playable

March 28th, 2013, 00:32 Posted By: wraggster

UPDATE: Microsoft has confirmed to Eurogamer that the Warzone mode found lurking with Gears of War: Judgment is a slice of code leftover from Gears of War 3.There are no current plans to release the mode - free or otherwise."There is a text string and a bit of leftover code within TDM from Warzone," a Microsoft spokesperson told us. "We don't have any current plans to release Warzone. But, we will be releasing Execution, a very similar mode, for free as an update on April 2 via Xbox Live."ORIGINAL STORY: A playable version of game mode Warzone has been discovered on the Gears of War: Judgment disc.Players have been able to access and play it using a simple button combination entered on one of the game's menu screens.Warzone exists as a multiplayer mode in Gears 1, Gears 2 and Gears 3, but was left out of Judgment.Warzone can be accessed using the following method (and there are numerous video walkthroughs on YouTube):After booting the game, choose Private Match and highlight Team Death Match, and press A. At the next prompt press the A and B buttons simultaneously. When it says "You are about to start a match. Continue?", press A again.Gamers who discovered Warzone have been left wondering whether the hidden mode is intended as paid DLC. But an employee of developer Epic Games has suggested its inclusion was simply a mistake - a remnant of game code being ported over from Gears of War 3."Thanks for the heads up, was easier to leave Warzone refs than rip out," said senior multiplayer programmer Peter Knepley in response to a fan on Twitter."It's not the polished Execution of April 2nd," Kneply continued, referencing another mode due for release. "I'd never say never, but Execution is way more popular than Warzone."
An image posted on NeoGAF appears to show information for a number of extra maps, too. These haven't been proven to exist in playable form on the disc and may just be placeholder entries for future content.The additional maps are Mausoleum (likely a re-make of the Gears 1 map of the same name), Hospital, Museum, Capitol and Haven.The latter two have already been announced for release next week as part of a free, Maxim-sponsored download alongside Execution.Eurogamer has asked Microsoft for comment. We'll update when we hear back.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...d-its-playable

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RGH 2.0 with PLL_BYPASS...

March 28th, 2013, 01:06 Posted By: wraggster

There is an interesting forum thread over at xboxhacker.org about improving glitch time for fat Xbox 360 consoles using PLL_BYPASS. Questions are turning into research, with speculation if this is similar to Team Xecuter's recently announced exploit for phats."

http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?na...ticle&sid=3158

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Dxbx SVN r1652 - Xbox Emulator for windows

March 28th, 2013, 02:03 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

Dxbx SVN r1652 is compiled. Dxbx is an Xbox emulator, written in the Delphi programming language. Dxbx is a delphi port of the original Cxbx emulator.


Dxbx SVN Changelog:
r1652
Corrected pointer usage

Download via comments

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Minecraft exceeds 6 million sales on XBLA

March 28th, 2013, 23:56 Posted By: wraggster

Minecraft has exceeded six million sales on XBLA, according to developer 4J Studios.“Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition has now sold over six million copies,” the studio announced via Twitter.Mojang revealed the game’s astonishing performance across all formats at the end of last year, with XBLA, PC and mobile versions shifting 500,000 on Christmas day.Mojang is now also considering bringing Minecraft to PSN, while the 360 version will hit retail shelves next month.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/mine...sales-on-xbla/

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Retail hails Battlefield 4 reveal, as Q4 war heats up

March 28th, 2013, 23:58 Posted By: wraggster

Retailers are braced for a blockbuster end to 2013 now that Battlefield 4 has joined the fray.
Leading specialists and supermarkets have told MCV that they have huge expectations for the new shooter, following the long-tail success of Battlefield 3. The original title shifted well over 1.5m units in the UK.
"It's an understatement to say that fans are excited about Battlefield 4; the franchise has built up a really passionate and dedicated following over the past decade and the Battlefield 4 release will be a key date in the gaming calendar," said GAME category director Charlotte Knight.
“EA always keeps its flagship shooter fresh and relevant and we can expect new gameplay features and improved graphics. Its predecessor, Battlefield 3, was particularly well-received by critics and the gaming community alike, so we can't wait to see what the next installment brings."
HMV's Sian Clarke added: "The Battlefield franchise has already come a long way since its first incarnation and has a huge, loyal and very avid fanbase. It is also probably the only real contender to challenge the lure of Call of Duty."
The game launches in a two month period that includes some of the biggest games ever released, including Call of Duty, FIFA 14, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Grand Theft Auto V.
“Having seen the gameplay released today, it has confirmed that Battlefield 4 is breaking boundaries,” said Tesco buyer Jonathan Ferdenzi.
“I’m glad to see that they are focusing a lot of time on the single player campaign, which I think has been slightly lacking in recent FPS shooters.
“In a blockbuster line-up of games this year, this will certainly challenge to be one of 2013’s biggest and best.”
ShopTo boss Igor Cipolletta added: “Battlefield 4 could eventually be one of our biggest titles ever. Battlefield 3 still holds the pride of place as the biggest day one purchase in ShopTo history.”
The long-tail success of Battlefield 3 was boosted by a comprehensive DLC strategy. And retailers hope that EA will adopt the same tactic for Battlefield 3.
Sainsbury’s games boss Gurdeep Hunjan said: “We all know what a huge success Battlefield 3 was and continued to be with the DLC drops. Lets hope EA builds on this with lots of new cutting edge technology that really pushes the boundaries once again.”
Battlefield 4 was revealed with a 17 minute trailer at two locations earlier this week, at GDC in San Francisco and in Stockholm, Sweden. And EA has told MCV that it expects the game to be one of the biggest releases of the year.
“The innovation and quality that DICE are known for will be to the fore again and, with the game dev and Frostbite teams working so closely together," Uk marketing lead on Battlefield Colin Blackwood told MCV.
"We’re looking forward to Battlefield 4 being one of the most exciting games of 2013."

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/retai...ats-up/0113272

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GDC 2013: Bungie reveals Destiny’s beginnings through its concept art

March 29th, 2013, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster

Joseph Staten and Chris Barrett explained some of the challenges Bungie’s 400-strong team faced in building a new gameworld and maintaining a consistent vision at GDC 2013 today.Writer and designer Staten and artist Barrett explained that the title began as a fantasy-style game which took in myths, swords, artefacts, castles and monsters – but Bungie “couldn’t shake the lure of sci-fi,” said Barrett.“Ancient ruins are cool, but so are derelict spaceships. So then we asked ourselves – why can’t we have both? We started exploring this genre which we called mythic science fiction.”The game’s central motif, The Traveller (pictured above), was the result of “months of iteration”, with the name alone the subject of several days intense brainstorming.Westerns, films like Stalker, Solaris and Time Bandits, and artists including John Harris, Zdzislaw Beksinski and Peter Gric were also cited as influences for the team st Bungie.“The big challenge was to unify all of these influences,” said Barrett. “more than anything else we’ve worked on, it requires a lot of concepts – more than all of the Halo games combined.”Alot of work fell by the wayside as the project continued, too. The Bungie duo showed the crowd some concept art for ‘tiger man’ by way of example, a player race which didn’t make the cut as Bungie settled on Humans, The Awoken and Exos.“This was another another lesson for us,” said Staten. “Some things you have to leave on the cutting room floor. You have to have a strong sense of editorial in deciding what to leave behind.”

http://www.edge-online.com/news/gdc-...s-concept-art/

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Xbox silence at GDC isn't the full picture, says Epic exec

March 30th, 2013, 23:08 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft's next-gen silence at this week's Game Developers Conference has been dismissed as "more perception than reality," by Epic Games co-founder Mark Rein.

PlayStation 4

has been an ever-present discussion point at the San Francisco event, with Sony publicly fostering developer relations and even showcasing controllers at its booth.However, Rein said that assumptions Microsoft didn't have a private presence at the conference "isn't true," and that on the public side it's simply a case of one platform holder having announced their new console and the other not."I think that's more perception than reality," Rein said of Microsoft's suggested absence from GDC."Microsoft has always been very developer centric with all of their platforms and that Sony is embracing that approach is wonderful. But I don't think it diminishes what Microsoft is doing."I don't think with developer relations anyone is trying to be public, it's just you're at GDC and Sony has the hardware to talk about, and Microsoft hasn't talked about it publicly yet. So I think it's just the difference between someone who can say the name of their console and someone who can't."On the PS4 side Epic released an extended video of its Unreal Engine 4 'Elemental' demorunning on the console.Rein had plenty of positive things to say about Sony's open approach to developer relations:"It's abundantly clear that PS4 is being driven as a collaboration between East and West, as opposed to a dictation from one side to the other," he said. "Developers are fully involved, activated, discussed and doing really cool collaborative things."http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ays-epic-exec/

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Halo 4 Forge Island DLC available now

March 30th, 2013, 23:12 Posted By: wraggster

Halo 4's 'Forge Island' DLC has released nearly two weeks early, and is available now free via Xbox Live Marketplace or the in-game store.

The update

wasn't due to for release until April 11

, but has launched early after passing certification seeming much quicker than 343I had anticipated.The free update, which weighs in a 155MB, adds a new Forge Island map to the game's Forge mode. The new map consists of three large islands with flat surfaces, separated by an open body of water.According to 343 Industries, the map was created in response to fan demand for a flat environment on which to build their own multiplayer arenas.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...available-now/

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