Microsoft has temporarily closed Xbox Live, Xbox.com and its forums for a day of maintenance.
From 10am today (UK time) until midnight tonight all of the servers across the globe will be shut for a major overhaul. During this downtime, Bill's boys in white coats are expected to upgrade the service to give Xbox 360 owners the ability to download video and clips direct from E3.
Which means until 00:01 on Wednesday morning when the servers are turned back on, you'll have to go cold turkey on Geometry Wars. Don't worry, you'll make it.
A600 released a port of the FPS PC-game Heretic to the Xbox :
* xHeretic v1.0 ported by A600
This port is based on HHeretic, UHexen and Heretic32 (my GP32 port) and it was possible thanks to the SDLx libs by Lantus.
Copy heretic.wad (full version) or heretic1.wad (shareware version) to the folder where you installed xHeretic
A600 released a port of the FPS PC-game Hexen to the Xbox:
* xHexen v1.0 ported by A600
This port is based on HHexen, UHexen and Hexen32 (my GP32 port) and it was possible thanks to the SDLx libs by Lantus.
Copy the full or shareware version (hexen.wad) to the folder where you installed xHexen
IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't use the 1.0 version of the full game (20.128.392 bytes) because there are some problems with it. Use instead 1.1 or 1.2 (20.083.672 bytes) versions.
* JPEG files work now
* Changing screens not randomly crash anymore. This was caused by an out-of-memory error because, by default, the current screen objects are not freed before loading the new screen objects when backing out. I'm not sure why this is not enabled by default, and why there is no way to configure it in the menus, but it may be because it's buggy. I guess we'll soon find out.
* Characters now work. If you want to use Characters, download the following file and put it in your "PACKAGES" directory:
That file contains a set of "bones" that is required for some older character sets to work.
* Added controls for menu navigation on all other games types (including Pump). If you already switched to Pump mode and cannot control the menus anymore, then delete the e:\saves\stepmaniax\keymaps.ini file. You will have to configure the input to your liking on the Options screen.
Microsoft, in the shape of its vice president of entertainment, Peter Moore, seems to have already conceded defeat to Nintendo and Sony in the battle for E3 headlines.
In a move already seen by many as an attempt to put a positive spin on what looks to be a quiet show for the Seattle giant, Moore said that "winning E3 is overrated; I won it at Sega in 1999 and 2000 with Dreamcast and see where that got me."
With Nintendo promising to finally give the world a taste of its Wii and Sony due to reveal the price and power of PS3 next week, many people are expecting the already-on-sale Xbox 360 to be squeezed into third place when it comes to coverage.
Not that the man charged with promoting Microsoft's games machines thinks that a few headlines matter, claiming, "this idea that you must win E3 is fine but the majority of consumers want to see more substance. It lasts for a few weeks and that's it."
With his bravest face firmly fixed during his whole online interview, Moore remained bullish but without revealing exactly what his company would have to show in LA, saying, "The important thing is that we have a strong message... it's the other guys' turn to put up or shut up."
What's new/fixed:
-Added the "Show Banners?" option to Graphics options. You need to replace xboxpackage.smzip on your xbox with the new one.
+Recompiled with some better optimizations. Things should be a bit faster now.
Theses drives are NEW, directly from Thomson. The price is a bit higher than the refurbished, but the quality is there.
The Xbox console has been around for sometime now, and more and more of the DVD Rom uinits are failing. Finally we have managed to source a secure limited stock of Brand New Thomson XBox DVD Drive units. If your machine is having problem reading disks, or coming up with the infamous "Dirty Disk" error, all you need to do is replace the old drive with this brand new official replacement Thomson XBox DVD Drive. And, as a bonus, fitting is very simple. (Like fiting a pc drive) Note: You will need your own front tray bevel from the front of the old drive, as these units do not include that.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told an online advertising conference today that he'd prefer not to be the richest person in the world. He was being interviewed by CNBC's Donny Deutsch when he said ''I wish I wasn't.''
Gates is ranked by Forbes magazine as the world's richest man, with an estimated wealth of about $50 billion. He says nothing good comes of the listing. In his words, ''You get more visibility as a result of it.''
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world's largest philanthropy, with an endowment of $29 billion.
Still, Gates said his wealth and celebrity doesn't make it difficult for him to go out and do everyday things.
* fixed 60fps support in PAL50Hz, now the synchronization is perfect, could be useful for later
* fixed a bug sound in D3d sound (sorry, it was my fault)
* optimized a little lowpass ( 1/(1[[15) = ]]15), lowpass filter was always executed, corrected that
* removed neogeoblackscreenfix, it doesn t seem to crash anymore, if you have a black screen with neogeo roms, try to mess with FM interpolation
* added a minimenu, hope you'll like it, you can desactivate it in the menu option, it can't be desactivated in kiosk mode though
* added kiosk_mode, if you don't know what it is, you just don't need it
Thraxen has released a new version of the Mame emulator for the Xbox:
Heres whats new:
ver 20060505:
This is a fixed version of ver20060412.
1. Changed some malloc function to osd_malloc so if there's not enough memory, the emu will warn you instead of a crash. This fixed some crash when decrypting neogeo roms and the gfx error of Power Instinct 2 and Power Instinct Legends on 64m xbox.
2. Rewrote some neogeo gfx rom decrypting code, so it uses only 2K/8M ram instead of 40M/48M/64M to decrypt. Now on 128M xbox it doesnt need vmm to play kog, lans2004, and the svc bootlegs, and less vm is needed for svcpcb and kf2k3pcb. (On 64m xbox less vm is needed too. Some code is converted from iq_132's FBA code, thanks!)
3. Since some encrypted neogeo games need 8m physical memory to decrypt the gfx rom, if the neogeo game need vmm to play, you have to set the threshold value over 8m, or else you will get a crash. So I added a check in the gfx decrypting code, if virtual memory is used, and the threshold value is below 8m, it will warn you instead of a crash.
Due to these 3 changes/fixes, there shouldnt be any crash playing the neogeo games, even playing the huge encrypted neogeo games on 64m xbox.
3. If virtual memory is not used (which means, 'force vmm' is set to 'no', AND there is no info in vm.txt for the loaded game), then the xxpagefile.sys file wont be created in the cache drive.
4. Enable the patch to bypass the hardware test of Ghouls'n Ghosts which is tooooo slow.
5. Since many ppl never read the readme, and dont know there is an aspect ratio mode option, and then complain why the game is not in full screen, I have to set 'stretch' instead of 'original' as the default setting for aspect ratio mode...
8. MAMEoX.xbe is not packed, so it's a bit large. But this will save some byte of memory. If you want to pack it to save some hd space, just use xbepack to pack it.
Content in his annihilation of the 50s, Crypto the B-movie alien turns his attention to the decade of flower power. Developed by Pandemic, better known for heavyweight titles such as Full Spectrum Warrior and Star Wars: Battlefront, Destroy All Humans! 2 continues the light-hearted, comic style of its forerunner.
The Earth of ours is represented by five environments, modelled on locales such as San Francisco, Tokyo and bits of little old England. This time around you'll be able to start new missions without the chore of first returning to the mothership, and all sorts of side missions will be packed in to keep things fresh. Split-screen co-op and two-player mini-games (such as PK Tennis), and new destructive options including the Meteor Strike and Dislocator will spice things up further still.
Divineo China have posted a special offer on a Xbox Modchip called the DuoX 2, for a selected time period the price will be a low $ 9.90, heres some info about the Modchip:
The follow up of the popular DuoX from DuoChip. Reliable yet very affordable, DuoX 2 GS is a great low priced Xbox upgrade! 1MB of flash. Free Rebuild 1.6 PCB is included;
In a denial that should come as a surprise to no one (what, like they were really gonna tip their hand this early?), Microsoft's Xbox chief for Northern and Eastern Europe told UK tech site T3 "that we're not even thinking about handhelds at the moment." Neil Thompson's remarks came just days after the Internet was buzzing about a claim made by author Dean Takahashi in his new book, Xbox 360 Uncloaked, that said half of the 360 development team immediately began working on a portable 'box right after the next-gen console was launched last November. Thompson went on to say that although the big M has no plans to release a PSP-like device, the huge mobile phone market offers the company a "really good opportunity" to connect people with "other entertainment experiences." You heard it here first, folks: instead of wasting all that money on hardware development, Microsoft is simply going to develop an Xbox emulator for cellphones that lets you pull content directly from the Live service (either that, or Thompson was just toeing the party line in order to keep the wraps on this supposed Xbox2Go -- you be the judge).
nes6502 has released a new port of the snes emulator Zsnes for the Xbox:
New Features:
-Core switched to the ZSNES WIP 2-28-05 core (big thanks to dohopoki and Consoleman! for help testing this version).
This is much more stable than the code used in 1.2. The result is many games no longer crash (Super Bomberman 2-5, Battletoads/Doubledragon, Super Mario RPG, Blackthorne, and probably others), games that were choppy now run much smoother (Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, Super Mario World, Megaman X, and probably others), Star Fox runs at the correct speed, Chrono Trigger no longer has that annoying screen flash during battles, and all the BS-Zelda hacks now work. Top Gear 3000 does not work very well in this version. Use 1.2 to play this game.
-New logo on ROM browser (courtesy of kiteless)
-Added game Rewind support.
-Changed Direct3D swap effect method from Copy to Discard. This provides a speed increase of about 3-4 FPS.
-Assembled the NASM files with the -09999 switch for more optimized obj files. This should provide a speed increase.
-All new input code. It should be much more stable and hopefully solve all the input problems in the previous releases.
-Player 3/4 support added
-Added option to disable/enable controllers 3 and 4. Disabling controllers 3/4 is necessary for some games to work (example Tetris and Dr. Mario). These games will not run if they detect that a multi-tap (players 3 and 4 enabled) is plugged in.
-Added controller configuration screen (logo courtesy of zenstrom).
-All 4 controller mappings, FPS display, Game Exit, Rewind, Save State, Load State, and Fast forward can be changed. This will allow people not using a controller with analog sticks (i.e. a real SNES controller or the Street Fighter gamepad) to use ZsnexBox.
-Controller hotswapping is now supported. Controllers can now be plugged in/removed/changed at any point during the menu or during emulation
-Added an Options screen (graphics courtesy of Albino and Antiriad)
-Added support for the SNES Low Pass Filter generator. This adds more bass to the game audio. The choices are:
None
Simple
Dynamic
High Quality
-Added option to disable savestates
-Add option to disable menu sound effects.
-All of the above options are dynamic. The changes take affect instantly regardless of whether emulation has started or not.
-Most options (and controller configuration) are saved to the ini file. If the ini is missing it will be created. This is useful to set everything back to the defaults.
-Exiting from a game now goes to the option menu. The user can exit to the ROM browser, change options, and/or resume the game.
-Screen resize uses the blue and red borders if a game is not running. It uses the in game screen if a game is running.
-X, Y, Width, and Height values are displayed on the resize screen.
-Save and Load State can be done from the Options screen. Disable Savestates is the master control for these features. If Save/Load State is assigned to a button, but Disable Savestates is turned on in the options menu, the buttons will do nothing.
-FPS Display can be turned on and off from the options screen. This is the master setting. If FPS Display toggle is assigned to a button, but it is turned off in the options menu, the button will do nothing.
-Directory support. The current path always starts in D:\roms folder
-Rom browsing to all partitions (except X, Y, and Z) on the hard drive and the DVD drive.
-Running from the DVD added. An Xbox compatible image must be made.
-All files saved\loaded from E:\ZsnexBox\sram, E:\ZsnexBox\ini, and E:\ZsnexBox\save. These are created if they do not already exist.
-Rom menu scrolling is much more responsive.
-The in game emulation volume can be adjusted with the right analog stick. Up increases the volume and down decreases it. The current volume level (0-100) will display on the screen during adjustment.
-Set Advance MAME 2x as the default filter. It looks the best (in my opinion) and it is even faster than Super 2XSai.
-Fixed problem where graphics from one game were still displayed along the top and bottom of the screen when a new game was launched.
-Added screenshot support for the following extensions: sfc, swc, fig, mgd, ufo, bin, 058, 078, usa, eur, jap, jma
-Added "Exit ZsnexBox" as an option to the options screen. This will reboot to the dashboard.
-Added PAL video code detection. PAL 60 is used if available, otherwise PAL 50 is used.
-Add region setting to the options menu. The choices are:
Auto
NTSC
PAL
This can only be changed before a game is started. Some games (for example: Tetris and Dr. Mario) will not run if the incorrect region is set. NTSC or PAL will force ZSNES to render at 60 FPS or 50 FPS regardless of the region.
-The complete selected game is displayed beneath the ROM browser.
-Changed Direct3D format flag to D3DPRESENTFLAG_INTERLACED
-Increased the Stack size for the compiled xbe. Hopefully this will prevent any "mystery bugs" the XDK can sometimes introduce.
-Several general speedups
-99% of games still run 60/60 with 0 frame skip (with auto frame skipping turned on) with or without filters (with the exception of HQ2X)
It is exclusively designed for First Person Shooters
Configured and pre-installed perfectly for most FPS Best Sellers
Ideally adjust the sensitivity of your mouse
Max Shooter is a plug-and -play adapter that allows you to play the best selling FPS games on your Xbox or PS2 console with a standard PS/2 mouse and keyboard.
Fully programmable and comes with pre-installed key configurations for the best games available on Xbox or PS2. Advanced features such as Deadzone adjustments and mouse control inversion guarantee best gaming experience with your favorite titles.
Team XXX have released a new build of their Capcom CPS1/2 and Neo Geo emulator for the Microsoft XBOX.
Here is what's new:
* fixed simple1x,scanlines 50 et 75%, simple2x and hq2x filter, the bug was perceptible in tiger heli or other games
* fixed simple1x -] it is now filtered, no more flickering but can result in some performance loss in cps1 or 2, not perceptible
* rewrote simple2x -] 1,5% less CPU time used
* fixed minimenu, it is perfect now
* fixed vmm, should fix last blade2 and other neogeo roms problems
* fixed screenshot filtered in simple1x
* fixed init of YM2151 in finalstarforce
* corrected lowpass filter (not really corrected, but it is like before now)
* added green screen and calendar fix for neogeo boot by IQ132
* Added minimenu and several fixes from the latest FBAxxx(info). (by GogoAckman)
* Added working driver for sf2ce13. (by iq_132)
* The following sets have been added: (drivers by iq_132) tigerh2, tigerhj, slapfiga, slapfgtr, slapbtuk, alcon, opwolfb, ffightua
Xport has delivered another updated emulator for the Xbox, heres the info:
What's New:
- Trigger rumble when game memory changes
Idea shamelessly lifted from nes6502
- Trigger rumble when pressing emulator button
- View all potential cheat code items
Cheat Codes -> View Current Potential Matches
Cheat Codes -> Continue Search for Cheat Code -> View List of Matches
- View memory dump for cheat codes
Cheat Codes -> View Memory Dump
<get to list of potential cheat code items> -> <select an item> ->
Jump to this Position in Memory Dump
- Poke values into memory
<get to list of potential cheat code items> -> <select an item> ->
Poke value into selection
<get to memory dump> -> <select line> -> <select byte> -> Poke
- Added analog stick sensitivity configuration. Use this to
custom define your analog stick deadzones if you are experiencing
drifting:
Configuration -> Controller Configuration -> Controller # ->
Change Analog Stick Sensitivity
A New version of FinalBurn Alpha for the XBOX has been released, heres the info :
Fixed black screen in kof2003/kof2003d
Fixed samsho5.
Fixed diagnostics mode and dipswitch settings in kof2k2nd. (P1 was incorrect)
Note: You may need to delete your savegame and/or the kof2k2 files in the /cfg folder if you find your kof2k2nd dipswitch settings are still messed up. Alternatively you can enter diagnostics mode and set them yourself.
- Added mappers (These are all the mappers that FCEUltraX supported that MednafenX
did not - so MednafenX can now do everything that FCEUltraX did
plus much more.)
40 ( Super Mario Bros 2. J [p1] - Lost Levels FDS converted to INES format)
43 ( 150-in-1)
83 ( dragon ball z 4-in-1) buggy
( Fatal Fury 2 ) buggy
( World Heroes 2) buggy
91 ( Street Fighter III [p1])
161 ( same as mapper #1, MMC1 - Legend of Zelda, Metroid, etc)
225/255( 64-in-one), same games buggy buggy (1942), galaga, galaxian
226 ( 76-in-1) some games buggy
227 ( 1200-in-1)
229 ( 43-in-1)
240 ( Jing Ke Xin Zhuan)
( Sheng Huo Lie Zhuan)
- Trigger rumble via memory now has the following options:
+ trigger when memory value changes
+ trigger when memory value decreases
+ trigger when memory value increases
+ trigger when memory value = specified value
+ trigger when memory value != specified value
+ trigger when memory value > specified value
+ trigger when memory value < specified value
- Jump to Memory Dump from cheat code value
- More searchable memory locations for creating cheat codes
- Select a custom palette file
NOTE THAT THE PREVIOUS RUMBLE SETTINGS WILL NEED TO BE REDONE.
The new rumble settings are incompatible with the previous version.
You must redo them.
Via eToyChest, a sobering look at the not so distant end of the Xbox. The article at 'Dubious Quality' also discusses the current/next-gen boundary for Sony, Nintendo, and the PC. From the article: "While there are already 40 Xbox 360 titles earmarked for release in 2007, the original Xbox has exactly zero titles currently scheduled with the retail chain. What does this mean exactly? Not much on its own, as company's could have things planned that are simply not in the system yet, but it sure does not paint a very rosy picture for the gigantic console that gave us so many fond memories
As the current-gen Xbox nears the end of its life cycle, Microsoft has announced the launch of a new budget software range that will see hit titles retailing for just GBP 9.99.
The 'Best of Classics' range is the follow-up to the Xbox Classics range - launched just over three years ago - which saw best-selling games go on sale for GBP 19.99.
According to Microsoft a wide variety of games will be launched under the new brand, including Halo 2, Project Gotham Racing 2, Counter-Strike, The Simpsons and Fable: The Lost Chapters. Vivendi titles Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex, Crash Nitro Kart and Crash Twinsanity will also be included in the range.
Each of the games will be repackaged in a box which displays the original artwork framed by Best of Classics branding. The range launches today.
- Override mapper# and mirroring from game configuration menu
- Added button definitions for PowerPad 1-12/Family Trainer 1-12
- Added button definitions for HyperShot 1/2, Run/Jump
- Added button definitions for QuizKing Buzzers 1-6
- Mapper fixes :
43 - Fixed mirroring problem and reset, fixes the buggy games,
menu is still little off
187 - King of Fighters 96 [p1]
Sonic 3D Blast 6 (Unl) [h1]
Street Fighter Alpha Zero 97
Street Fighter Zero 2 [p1]
196 - Mapped to mapper #4 - for Magical Doropie (J)(TEngl1.00)
225 - Fixed mirroring problem and reset, fixes the buggy games
226 - Fixed mirroring problem and reset, fixes the buggy games
227 - Fixed mirroring problem and reset, fixes the buggy games
229 - Fixed mirroring problem and reset, fixes the buggy games
- Mapper additions:
50 - Super Mario Bros 2 (different levels) (Unl) [p2]
57 - 54-in-1 (Game Star - GK-54) (Unl)
6-in-1 (Game Star - GK-L01A) (Unl)
6-in-1 (SuperGK-L02A) (Unl)
58 - 68-in-1 (Game Star - HKX5268) (Unl)
61 - 20-in-1 (Mapper 61) (Unl) [p1]
62 - Super 700-in-1 (Unl)
188 - Karaoke Studio (J)
Karaoke Studio Senyou Cassette Vol 1 (J)
Karaoke Studio Senyou Cassette Vol 2 (J)
200 - 1200-in-1 (Alt Games) [p1]
230 - 22-in-1 (Unl) [p1]
231 - 20-in-1 (Mapper 231) (Unl) [p1]
241 - Study and Game 32-in-1 (Unl) (Keyboard)
Edu (Asia) (Keyboard)
Logic Sunrise have released a new version of Final Burn Alpha XXX XBOX.
Heres whats new:
* added HDTV support + 720x480 in pal60 and ntsc or 720x576 in PAL50
* added informations (offset and scale) in adjust screen section (I ve seen it was requested)
* added simple4x filter (only useful in 720p I guess)
* added now support HDTV resolutions : 720x480,720x576,1280x720p and 1920x1080i
* added rumble function in games (woks with : kof2000, 2001, 2002, fatalfury 2, fatalfury 3, rage of the dragons and snk vs capcom) -> thx to iq_132
* added settings for rumble function
* added possibility to show/hide non-working roms -> thx to Croc + fix
* added splash screen
* added VMM for cps2 games
* fixed input test
* fixed controller config not saved in minimenu
* fixed gamma options, it was randomly crashing
* changed D3d buffer was set to 16bits, more RAM available
* changed rendertarget limited to 640x480, more RAM in higher resolutions
