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August 1st, 2005, 16:34 Posted By: xuphorz
if someone were to make exact replicas of the maps from map pack in 3DS, and then spread them accross the internet with minor changes (different weapon locations, for exaple), would that be considered illegal?
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August 1st, 2005, 19:25 Posted By: sramota
So.. I got the chi, didn't get the manual, got pissed off, found a manual, calmed downed, modded the box and realized I ain't got a DVD burner, found a friend who has one, asked here to burn, waiting for the DVD to get here
(Burned with 4xspeed, Disc-at-once and finalized) now is there anything else
I gotta do before I get this bastard going?
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August 1st, 2005, 19:42 Posted By: wraggster
A new build of FBAxxx has been released.
What's new/fixed (since 07.23.2005 build):
* optimized VMM .. again (don t know how to do more  )
* corrected a bug in VMM
* changed some things to sound code, don t know if it will change something
* added options to disable autofire and pause shortcut
* moved some options to emulator menu, there was too many things on the menu
* added show debug option
* possibility to activate or not VMM optimizition, activated by default
* removed kof2003.zip, kof2k3ba.zip, kof2k4ex.zip and kof2003b.zip support, they were using 96Mb of graphics memory which would remove Vmm optimization and is not normal (bad dump?), you can use kof2k3.zip (it loads faster and take less memory usage)
* removed kof10th - alternate version, it isn t necessary anymore because manto fixed his code
* added running from hd/dvd detection, thanks to FreakDave
* fixed inverted black/white button in control configuration
* Support for uni-bios 2.1 in the neogeo section, dont forget to update neogeo.zip
* ALL Capcom CPS2 drivers updated to match Razoola's and latest logiqx dat files. In total 15 new clones added, 3 of them actually working because xor's were released. I have not aded new games like Choko or Hyper SF2 Anniversary because I have no idea if they will run in the actual emu once xor's are released.
* Fixed sfa romset dat, it was using different roms called the same so programs like clrmamepro or romcenter were killing parent relationship on one clone.
* Note: VMM is well optimized, actually, it runs great even without optimization, optimization cause some gfx bugs, so if you want, disable it, it is the choose between gfx bugs or some sound skips 
More info and screenshots <a href="http://xbox-emulation.dcemu.co.uk/fbaxxx.shtml" target="_blank" >Here</a>.
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August 1st, 2005, 20:19 Posted By: wraggster
Reports that Microsoft is to put a HD-DVD drive into a future version of the Xbox 360 have surfaced on the web over the weekend, drawing on a quote made by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates back at the end of June.
However, no further details about the company's plans with regard to the next-generation DVD standard have emerged to support the claim - so it all still rests on Gates' comment, which we reported on over a month ago.
"The initial shipments of Xbox 360 will be based on today's DVD format," Gates confirmed at the time, speaking at a conference co-hosted with HD-DVD creator Toshiba in Tokyo.
"We are looking at whether future versions of Xbox 360 will incorporate an additional capacity of an HD-DVD player or something else," he continued.
While far from being a confirmation that HD-DVD will ever be included in Xbox 360, the statement does prove that Microsoft is at least considering upgrading the functionality of the console over its lifespan.
It's unlikely, however, that Xbox 360 games will ever ship on HD-DVD - or the competing Blu-Ray standard, which Microsoft could still choose to adopt - since this would break compatibility with older consoles. Instead, the HD-DVD drive would be used only for movie playback.
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August 1st, 2005, 21:36 Posted By: ktyndall
my concern with the future renditions of the 360 is that what about people with non HD-DVD 360's. will they be able to upgrade their drives as well like the first xbox? it would suck if they couldn't. being as though i just preordered my 360.
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August 3rd, 2005, 00:01 Posted By: wraggster
A Microsoft presentation about the Xbox 360 in Spain has revealed a new peripheral for the console - a miniature keyboard which fits onto the bottom of a standard joypad and allows the use of text messages and chat during play.
Although the company hasn't yet confirmed that the peripheral is genuine, the slide seems quite credible - being one of a lengthy set posted by Spanish website SecretGameZone from the "Campus Party" Xbox 360 event in Valencia.
The mini keyboard, which looks to be around the same size and form factor as the board found on devices such as the Blackberry mobile email terminal, fits in between the two "prongs" of the Xbox 360 joypad.
It will presumably be used to allow users to communicate using text chat over Xbox Live, which has until now been purely the realm of voice chat using the Xbox Live headset, and may also allow users to send text messages outside the Xbox Live system - to users on the MSN Messenger service, for example.
The decision marks a small U-turn for Microsoft; the company had previously declined to create a keyboard peripheral for the Xbox, in a move which was widely seen as an attempt to distance the console from its PC roots.
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August 3rd, 2005, 23:28 Posted By: wraggster
The acclaimed Mutant Storm franchise will be landing on Microsoft's forthcoming new console, Xbox 360, thanks to a deal signed between the U.S giant and the game's London based developer, PomPom Software.
Highly regarded shooter, Mutant Storm, will first see a new version of the original appear on Xbox 360 Live Arcade around Christmas this year. Currently code-named 'Reloaded', the game is set to be a launch title for online service when the machine is released. A full sequel, Mutant Storm 2 (codenamed 'Revolution'), is scheduled for the second half of 2006, exclusive to Microsoft's machine.
"Naturally, we are delighted to be working with Microsoft on this ambitious new project," said Miles Visman of PomPom Software. "Writing for a platform as powerful as Xbox 360 is allowing us to put in features and ideas for the game which just weren't possible previously. We're looking forward to delivering the best ever version of Mutant Storm."
Inspired by Williams' classic Robotron and Jeff Minter's Llamatron, earlier versions of Mutant Storm have appeared on Xbox Live, PC, Linux and Macintosh.
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August 3rd, 2005, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster
Ridge Racer 6 may be a surprise launch title for Microsoft's Xbox 360, according to Namco's updated U.S release calendar - which slots the game in for an autumn 2005 date.
The newest installment of the arcade racing series had no official launch date set after it was confirmed for Microsoft's next generation machine, but speculation persisted that the company was pushing Namco for the title to line-up with the arrival of Xbox 360.
The Ridge Racer franchise has been a mainstay for Sony's PlayStation format franchise since 1994 after a previously successful stint in video arcades. A launch on Xbox 360 would be an obvious coup for Microsoft.
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August 4th, 2005, 00:02 Posted By: wraggster
Keen eyes have spotted something juicy in one of the presentation slides shown during a recent Xbox 360 event at a campus in Spain. The large central box in the “XNA Technology Map†slide is labeled, “Game Engines.†One of the items in that list is “Valve: Half-Life 3.†Keep in mind that this mention is just of the game engine, not the actual game. But still, this gives us reason to believe that Valve might be interested in the Xbox 360, despite the fact that its big man, Gabe Newell, recently expressed his concerns about developing games for the 360 and PS3.
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August 5th, 2005, 10:37 Posted By: hughzi
Hi
My mate who has been working for microsoft for 6 years now has told me the xbox 360 will be out in november 29th with a price of £299.99 and games at 39.99
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August 5th, 2005, 15:13 Posted By: wraggster
In an interview published in the current issue of Famitsu, Microsoft corporate vice president and chief of worldwide Xbox marketing Peter Moore trumpeted the upcoming Xbox 360 launch in Japan. Even though surveys have shown Japanese gamers to be indifferent to Microsoft's console, the exec gave a number of reasons why he is certain that the machine will succeed in the Japanese market .
Moore seems extremely satisfied with his Xbox Summit 2005 presentation last month, where he unveiled a number of Japanese publishers that will support the Xbox 360. He said that the Xbox Summit served as a chance to show exactly how much third-party publishers in Japan are serious about the Xbox 360. Moore believes that Microsoft's good relationships with key Japanese publishers over the past few years contributed to the summit's major announcements. He also noted that gaming has become a worldwide business, and the Xbox 360 will be another chance for Japanese publishers to expand further into the global market.
While Moore regrets that the current Xbox console hasn't had much to offer Japanese gamers, he did say that Microsoft now better understands their tastes. Microsoft announced a strong lineup of third-party titles, such as Ridge Racer 6, Rumble Roses XX, and a new Gundam game, during last month's event. Microsoft also realizes that role-playing games are vital in penetrating the Japanese market, so it signed on former Square Enix producer Hironobu Sakaguchi to create two titles, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey. Moore believes that the trio of Sakaguchi, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, and Yoshiki Okamoto will spur interest in the Xbox 360.
When asked how he felt about Sony Computer Entertainment and its PlayStation 3, Moore said that most consumers believe the Xbox 360 and PS3 to be similar in terms of their hardware and market strategy. However, Moore believes otherwise. He explained that Microsoft's main concern with the Xbox 360 is to expand the gaming industry's gamer population. After listening to SCE president Ken Kutaragi speak on the PS3, he believes that SCE is trying to push the industry into a different direction. Moore emphasized that the PS3's price won't be affordable to normal households.
Speaking of price, Moore did not reveal the retail cost of the Xbox 360, but he did say that it would be affordable and would be announced very soon.
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August 5th, 2005, 15:14 Posted By: wraggster
In a clear sign of the Xbox 360's potential success in Japan two 360 games were on Japan's Most Wanted Chart in the week of July 31, 2005.
Perhaps a reaction to the Xsummit in Japan, the games Blu Dragon and Dead or Alive 4 appeared on the charts.
While both games have been on the chart before, only one has been consistently on the chart, while at the same time the game has always been low on the chart. The chart this week shows Blu Dragon all the way up at 14 and Dead or Alive 4 at 17. Blu Dragon is from Japanese developers that have worked on projects as varied as Panzer Dragoon Orta and Final Fantasy.
The 360, set to launch on December in Japan, has received more support from Japanese companies than its predeccessor and this latest chart is proof of its success.
http://www.themagicbox.com/
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August 5th, 2005, 15:15 Posted By: wraggster
An update on the Xbox360 version of Resident Evil 5 in the latest issue of the Xbox version of Famitsu magazine has surfaced. It features and interview with producer Jun Takeuchi. In the interview, he reveals that the game developers are working hard to make the game a veritable eye candy fest, running at a constant 60fps throughout. This is twice the FPS of the Gamecube's RE4. Takeuchi claims this 60fps rate will be used to create game situations unattainable at 30fps. What this means is anyone's guess. He also said the team was exploring the possibility of using the Unreal 3 Engine to power the graphics. Sounds like it will be a winner.
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August 5th, 2005, 20:38 Posted By: XTHEATER
I have it on my XBOX. I loaded some roms onto it, but they won't show up!
Do I need to have a certain extension on the roms? Any suggestions?
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August 7th, 2005, 12:33 Posted By: Coley
Hi
I have been having trouble with getting my xbox to link up with my computer when i plug in the crossover cable it jus cuts in and out in and out and is never connected for more then 2 seconds im still not sure if it is the xbox or computer, could anybody help me.
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August 10th, 2005, 04:47 Posted By: wraggster
The Xbox-Linux team has up a new article about The Hidden Boot Code of the Xbox. The Xbox console contains a 'chain of trust' to allow only legit Microsoft signed code to run on the Xbox. The hidden 'MCP' boot ROM (just 512bytes) is the link between hardware and software in this chain of trust." From the wiki article: "The Xbox, having an external (reprogrammable) 1 MB Flash ROM chip (models since 2003 have only 256 KB), would normally start running code there as well, since this megabyte is also mapped into the uppermost area of the address space. But this would make it too easy for someone who wants to either replace the ROM image with a self-written one or patch it to break the chain of trust ("modchips"). The ROM image could be fully accessed, it would be easy to reverse-engineer the code; encryption and obfuscation would only slow down the hacking process a bit
http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/The_H...de_of_the_Xbox
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August 10th, 2005, 04:48 Posted By: wraggster
Analysts at Piper Jaffray have released a set of estimates for the shipment figures of Microsoft's Xbox 360 when it launches at the end of this year, suggesting that Europe may get as few as 400,000 units by Janaury '06.
The figures, which were reported by Forbes Magazine, show 1 million Xbox 360s shipping in North America during 2005, with 400,000 units going to Europe and 200,000 to Japan.
Piper Jaffray belives that Microsoft will hit a November launch in the USA and Europe, with Japan following a few weeks later - but if their estimate of only 400,000 units in the channel for Europe is correct, the launch in this territory could be affected seriously by shortages.
In terms of software, the analysts believe that Xbox 360 will be accompanied by 15 titles at launch, with 25 to 40 games available by the end of the year - and expect North American software pricing to be $59.99, which almost certainly ties in with the UKP 45 price point suggested by senior sources here last week for Xbox 360 games.
Piper Jaffray also takes a stab at guessing the launch price for the system - coming down at a $299 price point for the standard console, with a $399 price point being suggested for an enhanced hardware pack including a number of additional components.
No pricing detail has yet been officially confirmed for the Xbox 360, with the only solid comment made on it so far being J Allard's observation that the price is unlikely to be very different to the last Xbox - which rolled out at $299 in North America.
However, some sources have hinted that since Ken Kutaragi has begun indicating that the PlayStation 3 may be extremely expensive, Microsoft has been considering higher price points for its system.
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August 10th, 2005, 04:52 Posted By: wraggster
Speculation over the price of Microsoft's forthcoming Xbox 360 console was fuelled today by new reports from the continent mooting a 349 Euro figure, supporting reports that the system will come in at UKP 249 in Britain.
The figure, reported by German website GameFront, reportedly originates with Austrian distributors who describe it as a "noncommittal" figure received from Microsoft - but implied that the trade price provides enough leeway that some retailers may offer the console at 299 Euro.
The 349 Euro figure would translate almost directly to the UKP 249 price point which is currently expected in the UK, although persistent rumours suggest that Microsoft may see itself has having a little more leeway in its pricing since Ken Kutaragi began telling people at every opportunity that the PS3 is going to be very expensive.
The whole situation is made even more confusing by the fact that a number of US analysts now expect the console to roll out in multiple versions, with a basic model shipping at $299 and a more comprehensive bundle at $399.
Piper Jaffray analyst Tony Gikas yesterday mooted the dual-model strategy, saying that he expects the high-end model to boast a hard drive, additional controller and memory unit, among other things; while American Technology Research analyst PJ McNealy opined that the $299 model will not feature a hard drive, with a hard drive equipped bundle being sold for $60 to $99 more.
Both suggestions are slightly surprising, however, since Microsoft has included a 20Gb hard drive in the official specification for the system, which we would expect even the basic machine to meet.
What's perhaps more likely is that a more expensive bundle may be offered with a larger hard drive - perhaps 60Gb or 80Gb - and a bundle of extra components such as the wireless networking kit for the console. Microsoft has already indicated that higher capacity drives will be made available as accessories for Xbox 360 at some point.
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August 10th, 2005, 05:07 Posted By: wraggster
“Electronic Arts announced today Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho as cover stars for EA SPORTS' FIFA 06, due for release this fall. These partnerships build on the success of EA SPORTS' FIFA, Europe's best selling sports game franchise ever. EA also today announced major enhancements to the gameplay and management modes aimed at making FIFA 06 the total football game.
"I'm a big fan of EA's FIFA series and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the final version. The game is very popular with many other players, especially when we travel together for away matches, and it's a great honour for a young player like myself to be chosen to be featured on the cover of FIFA," said Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney, current PFA Young Player of the Year, is one of the most exciting young football stars ever, having scored his first Premiership goal at 16. He became England's youngest ever player to score for his country at 17, and enjoyed a spectacular Euro 2004 tournament. Still only 19, he is a key striker for Manchester United and England.
"I feel very privileged to be asked to feature in another FIFA release. The game gives me the opportunity to play the matches I want to play every day of the week – even while away from the field," said Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004, was also noticed for his football wizardry at a very young age. At 19 he was part of the Brazil's 1999 Copa America winning team, and now 25, he has gone on to captain the Brazilian team and is also a star player for FC Barcelona.
For Rooney and Ronaldinho this is an exciting extension of previous collaborations with EA. Rooney has already worked on EA's FIFA 05 in the UK while Ronaldinho appeared on the packs of FIFA Street and FIFA Football 04. Both players have been valuable consultants in the development of the game. Under the new agreement Rooney and Ronaldinho will now both become global celebrity endorsers and appear on merchandising and advertising for FIFA 06.
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August 10th, 2005, 05:08 Posted By: wraggster
Is the Xbox 360 going to launch with two SKUs? Piper Jaffray analyst Anthony Gikas believes it is. GameDAILY BIZ spoke with Gikas about his predictions for launch, 360 Live, and Microsoft subsidizing third party content.
Xbox 360 rumor and speculation has reached an all-time high this week, as reports of a leaked UK launch date continue to spread, supposed US pricing strategy resurfaced, and most recently, Piper Jaffray analyst Anthony Gikas released a note detailing his Xbox 360 launch thoughts, based on "many conversations" with Microsoft executives.
GameDAILY BIZ spoke with Gikas about why he is so confident the system will lauch with multiple SKUs, his prediction for 360 live pricing, and why it's smart for MS to help subsidize third party 360 launch title development.
The Great SKU Debate
Whether or not Microsoft will launch the Xbox 360 at multiple price points has given message boards across the internet plenty of chatter about since E3. Xbox representatives has been unusually coy, even when asked directly whether the system would launch with two SKUs or not.
[ "Microsoft has been very, very aggressive. They're coming at Sony at 110 miles per hour," Anthony Gikas, Analyst, Piper Jaffray ]
Gikas told GameDAILY BIZ that he knew with a "high degree of certainty" that the 360 would indeed launch with two SKUs, although he refused to speculate on the all-important question of whether the low-end model would include a smaller hard drive (thereby making it standard) as opposed to not having one at all.
"Microsoft knows $299 is important," Gikas explained. "They know that historically that's been the launch sweet spot, but they also don't want to take such large hardware losses this time. Of the 1 million units Microsoft is expected to have available at launch, I expect 80% of them will probably be the more expensive SKU, because that's what early adopters are going to want."
As for the higher end model, Gikas conceded that it could come in as low as $350, but $399 seems like the most probably price point. He stressed that the model will likely include "all the additional peripherals gamers would want to buy anyway," as well.
360 Live Price Hike?
Gikas' initial note erroneously stated that he expected 360 Live's "Gold Level" price to be about $20 a month- confusingly said to be in line with current Xbox Live pricing. The current Xbox Live fee if $50 a year, or $6 a month.
Gikas quickly corrected the typo, stating "I do expect a small raise in the price of premium 'Live' service, but I expect it to fall in line with the $50 a year they are charging currently," he said. "I certainly do not expect a $20/month fee. That would be far too prohibitive for too many prospective owners."
The biggest innovation the 360 brings to Microsoft's Live system is the addition of a free "Silver" package to download free (or otherwise) content for their games, and to have access to a friends list. Gikas noted that Microsoft's goal for 360 Live is to have an impressive 50% of owners connected via the system. The hope is that offering a stripped-down free online service will go a long way towards realizing that goal.
Eating Developer Cost
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Gikas' research note was news of Microsoft's heavy use of incentives for third parties to support the 360 100%, and to secure exclusive titles for the system.
"Microsoft has set up a fund (of sorts) to be utilized for subsidizing game development and promotion for the XBX360. We think the Company will provide financial incentives in the form of development dollars, sales and promotions, and reduced royalty structures. At the end of the day, expensive third-party product development (on key IP) could be subsidized in part by Microsoft's balance sheet," Gikas stated.
Gikas explained to GameDAILY BIZ, why Microsoft would try to save money on hardware, only to turn around and spend to support some third party development efforts. "Microsoft has been very, very aggressive. They're coming at Sony at 110 miles per hour, and they feel it's very important for those key games to be there at launch," he said.
Gikas also pointed to the 360's lead-off position as another big reason why Microsoft felt it necessary to lend developers a helping (financial) hand. "Xbox 360 games will potentially cost upwards of 50% more than current-gen titles, and those 360 assets can't be reused in other versions to help spread that cost. The 360 version can't be ported" he said. "Microsoft wants to cushion that initial R&D blow as much as they can to ensure that publishers are behind the 360 100% right from the start."
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August 10th, 2005, 05:08 Posted By: wraggster
Software giant Microsoft and the biggest threat to the Playstation brand name of Sony Microsoft has announced confirmed plans to unveil its Xbox 360 next-generation gaming console to the media and press personals in Europe later this year in October. The location has yet not been revealed.
Microsoft would be holding their forth event about their Xbox gaming machines first of which was held in Cannas. This coming event would take place on October 4 and October 5 and more details about this upcoming gaming console from the company are expected to be revealed. The media is quite curious about Xbox 360 as many questions are yet to be answered by the company.
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August 11th, 2005, 00:08 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is looking to squeeze a profit out of the gaming market with a new royalty program tied to the release of its next Xbox console.
Only accessory makers that get Microsoft's blessing--by forking over a slice of their sales to the software maker--will be able to produce Xbox 360 gamepads, steering wheels, joysticks, and other controllers.
In addition, to ensure that only authorized products connect to the new console, Microsoft is adding a security mechanism that will be available exclusively to those who sign a deal with the company. The Xbox 360 console, announced in May, is slated to go on sale this holiday season.
The new royalty program could be part of Microsoft's goal of turning a profit with the Xbox 360, something the company was not able to do with the prior generation console, said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava.
"Microsoft has made it very clear that it's all about profitability" with this generation of console, Olhava said. "Maybe this is a way they are looking to make additional revenue off of the Xbox [360]." But, she said, the move could also be intended as "a way to ensure quality products make it out the door," reasoning that makers willing to pony up a share of the proceeds would be the kind of companies that make more-reliable gear.
Microsoft declined to comment on the royalty structure for the program or outline how it compares with the logo-only program for the original Xbox. "We want to make sure the customers are getting the best experience possible," a company representative told CNET News.com.
According to a contract between Microsoft and Mad Catz Interactive, the software giant will get a share of the wholesale revenue generated by the accessory maker's Xbox 360 add-ons. An edited version of the contract was filed by Mad Catz as part of the company's annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The edited document does not state the percentage cut that Microsoft will get from the accessory sales.
The decision to seek royalties from console controllers is not unlike a move Apple Computer made earlier this year in which it sought to get as much as a 10 percent cut from iPod accessory makers that wanted to display Apple's "Made for iPod" logo. The move was referred to by some analysts as tantamount to a "tax" on the iPod economy.
The Mad Catz agreement, which refers to the Xbox 360 console by its Xenon code name, also hints at the type of security that Microsoft may use to ensure that third parties work with it to produce Xbox 360 add-ons.
"'Security Feature' means Microsoft's proprietary protocol used to validate authentic devices on the Xenon platform as implemented in a Xenon Chip or other implementation method designated by Microsoft in writing," according to the Mad Catz agreement.
Programs that seek royalties from accessory makers are not unprecedented. Indeed, game console makers make most of their money off of similar royalties charged on sales of the game software that runs on their machines. Nintendo pioneered the "Seal of Quality" years ago as a way to nail down game-related revenue. But the moves from Apple and Microsoft appear aimed at expanding the concept.
At the same time, the software maker's move carries some risk, Olhava said, noting that some of the appeal for third parties is the ability to offer controllers cheaper than the official Microsoft-branded accessories.
"There could be less opportunities for third-party peripheral makers, just because the market opportunities may not be there, because they cannot bring out products that are priced low enough," Olhava said.
It's unclear whether Microsoft's licensing plans will affect the market for third-party devices. The Microsoft representative would not say how the company expects the more stringent requirements to impact the market for third-party accessories.
Companies that have made accessories in the past have not outlined any plans for the Xbox 360. A representative for Logitech declined to comment on the company's policies, but said, "We plan to have at least one product at launch."
A Radica Games representative declined to comment, while representatives for Thrustmaster and Mad Catz did not return calls seeking comment.
However, Mad Catz has said in regulatory filings that developing accessories for the new Xbox console is one of the company's "key initiatives" for the coming fiscal year.
The Mad Catz license agreement also puts limits on the type of controllers that third parties can make. Most notably, the add-on products can only be of the corded variety, while Microsoft itself is supporting wireless controllers.
In addition to the restrictions on wireless products, the Mad Catz contract excludes light guns, memory units, hard drives, and cheat cards. Licensed peripherals include gamepads, steering wheels, arcade sticks, flight sticks, and dance pads.
Microsoft declined to say if others might be licensed to produce such things or whether the company had separate deals for wireless add-ons.
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August 11th, 2005, 00:13 Posted By: wraggster
It's no huge deal, come to think of it, but for those wondering exactly how Microsoft's forthcoming Xbox 360 is going to interact with Sony's PlayStation Portable, the answer is deceptively simple: it's a mass-storage compliant device, after all. Which implies, of course, that the Xbox 360 will also be able to grab and manipulate data on any USB mass-storage compliant device from its dashboard, which isn't really blowing anyone's mind reading this, we're sure. But while we're on task here, someone care to help explain that mysterious iPod integration they've supposedly got cookin'?
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August 12th, 2005, 15:15 Posted By: rmedtx
Guys I found this article at fool.com. Microsoft is trying to get money out of peripherial makers. 
I knew this was going to happen. They are showing their true colors.
Here's the article By Rick Aristotle Munarriz
August 11, 2005
For the hardware makers, the video-game business has followed the model of razors and blades. Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), Nintendo (NQB: NTDOY), and Sony (NYSE: SNE) are willing to sell their consoles at a loss (the razors) in exchange for royalties from the software makers on each title sold (the blades). Ladies and Microgents, I introduce you to the third variable in the mix -- the shaving cream.
According to a story out of News.com yesterday, Microsoft is asking peripheral makers to pony up a piece of the action on Xbox 360 add-ons when the machines hit the market later this year. Until now, third-party makers of controllers, steering wheels, and other Xbox plug-in components didn't have to pay Microsoft a thing unless they wanted to feature the Xbox logo. This time around, Mr. Softy is incorporating security mechanisms into the promising, spec-heavy 360 that will be made available only to paying peripheral makers.
That will cut deep into the already tattered pockets of small companies like Mad Catz (AMEX: MCZ). Mad Catz has signed the contract with Microsoft, but with the software giant taking its cut off gross sales, it doesn't look as if Mad Catz's troubled income statements will get better anytime soon.
Paying royalties is no big deal on the software side. A company like Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) lives off such fat profit margins that it can afford to pay the format providers. Peripherals work on much leaner margins, so this move may backfire if there is a lack of affordable third-party peripherals out there. That's the risk that Microsoft has to take to make its hardware business less of a bleeder.
Being first to market matters. It was an advantage that Sony took advantage of brilliantly when its PlayStation 2 rolled out a year before its competitors' models, and this time around, it's Microsoft that has the head start. Let's hope it doesn't blow its lead by upsetting third-party ambassadors.
Shaving-cream pies? Trust me, they're just not as tasty as they look.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has an Xbox. He may pity the third-party hardware developers, but he will probably still buy a 360 later this year. He does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early. The Fool has a disclosure policy.
Here is the link to it:
Article
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August 14th, 2005, 11:04 Posted By: wraggster
ShALLaX released a new version of Raincoat
This incorporates a change from eXOBeX which checks that the manufacturer ID of a chip is correct (it needs an odd parity to be valid). If it is not it suggests what can be done to fix it. This should stop false-positive chip identifications (e.g. the dreaded 0x09 0x00 write-protected chip error).
http://gentoox.shallax.com/modules.p...rticle&sid=462
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August 14th, 2005, 11:54 Posted By: wraggster
North American retailer Electronics Boutique, which expects Microsoft to ship the Xbox 360 as early as November 2, 2005 for an MSRP of $299.99, has comprised a complete, albeit questionable, list of X360 games for the console launch, IGN learned today from several EB outlets.
The list IGN acquired from EB retailers today, features 21 launch titles, including three first-party games from Microsoft Game Studios -- Perfect Dark LE (i.e. Limited Edition), Kameo: Elements of Power, and Project Gotham Racing 3, approximate pricing, and sku numbers for every game.
Microsoft representatives officially re-confirmed with IGN today Rare titles Perfect Dark and Kameo would definitely launch day and date with the system, echoing Vice President Peter Moore's comments prior to E3. "PGR3 should launch with the system, if everything works according to plan." said a Microsoft representative. "But those first two (Perfect Dark and Kameo) are our big pushes for day one."
The full list, posted here alphabetically, includes:
Amped 3 (2K Games)
Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
Condemned (Sega)
Dead Or Alive 4 (Tecmo)
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda)
Final Fantasy XI (Microsoft)
Full Auto (Sega)
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
Gun (Activision)
Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft)
Madden NFL 06 (EA)
NBA 2K6 (2K Games)
NHL 2K6 (2K Games)
The Outfit (THQ)
Perfect Dark LE (Microsoft)
Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft)
Quake 4 (Activision)
Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
Saints Row (THQ)
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Activision)
Top Spin 2 (2K Games)
There were noticeable mistakes, however. The Godfather, for instance, was still listed as a launch title, even though EA officially announced its delay until Q1 2006. Too Human Part 1 was included, and Microsoft officially told IGN that was incorrect (duh). It also listed Burnout Revenge as a launch title, even though EA confirmed with IGN that a version of Burnout Revenge wouldn't appear until 2006.
Xbox 360 second wave launch titles, which EB has scheduled for November 16, include the majority of Electronic Arts' games:
Burnout Revenge
FIFA Soccer 06
Peter Jackson's King Kong
NBA Live 06
Need For Speed Most Wanted
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06
Namco's Frame City Killer is listed as releasing November 19, 2005.
EB's own data includes a $59.99 price for every Xbox 360 game, except one, Kameo, which listed at $49.99. The retailer told IGN that software prices weren't fixed yet, as Microsoft, third-party publishers, and presumably North American retailers agree on a firm prices.
EB even has Halo 3 listed as shipping July 1, 2006, presumably the same day as Sony's PlayStation 3.
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August 14th, 2005, 11:55 Posted By: wraggster
Having worked closely with Microsoft for the last 6 months on the 360 dev-kits, DemonWare is the first network middleware company to offer a full next-gen solution to developers and publishers for networking and all technical aspects of online gameplay.
"The future is online and DemonWare is helping Microsoft and the game development community get there faster," said Tracey Frankcom, Program Manager, Xbox Tools and Middleware. "We are convinced that the first Xbox 360 titles will set new standards in the online experience and DemonWares' groundbreaking network middleware will play a big role in that."
"We are very happy to be supporting the Xbox 360 platform from launch. Studios will be able to get up and running fast and deliver even greater online experiences utilizing the power of this new console", said Sean Blanchfield, CTO DemonWare.
DemonWare provides a complete range of network tools for studios and publishers working on multiplayer titles. DemonWare Netcode is widely regarded as being the most developer-friendly network middleware available and is being used in a number of AAA titles being released across all console platforms in 2005.
DemonWare Core State Engine Features Include:
NAT/Firewall Traversal: state-of-the-art techniques to negotiate complex routing setups
Compatibility: Supports Havok, RenderWare, SN Systems, Codewarrior.
Integrate Anytime: incorporate at the beginning or the end of your development
Voice: supports all in-game communications
Packet Amalgamation: avoids header/payload ratio inefficiencies
Reliable Messaging: switch reliability on or off at a fine granularity and configure acceptable delivery timeframes on a per-message basis
Bandwidth Arbitration: ensures smooth network play for users
Encryption: secure communications with low overhead
Network Specific Features Include:
DemonWare P2P (Peer-to-Peer)
Framework for synchronized simulation
Latency compensation
Automatic host migration
Support mid-game joining
Supports prediction, extrapolation and interpolation
DemonWare CS (Client Server)
Client-side prediction
Delta compression
Extrapolation and interpolation
Selective updating (LoD, BSP)
Interpolation breaks.
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August 14th, 2005, 11:55 Posted By: wraggster
The official Xbox 360 site has been updated with a great new video montage featuring footage from all of the following games that ranges from the craptacular to spectacular.
Once you’ve loaded the site, seek out the Madden thumbnail and click that for the video.
Here’s the list, in order that the games appear.
1. Kameo, Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
2. Quake 4, (id Software)
3. Test Drive Unlimited (Atari)
4. Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
5. The Darkness (Majesco Entertainment)
6. Madden NFL 06 (Electronic Arts)
7. Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)
8. Gears of War (Microsoft Game Studios)
9. NBA Live 06 (Electronic Arts)
10. Frame City Killer (Namco)
11. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 3 (Ubisoft)
12. Top Spin 2 (2K Sports)
13. Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
14. Dead Rising (Working Title) (Capcom)
15. Condemned Criminal Origins (Sega)
16. FIFA 06 (Electronic Arts)
17. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games)
18. Full Auto (Sega)
19. The Outfit (THQ)
20. NBA 2K6 (2K Sports)
21. Saint’s Row (THQ)
22. Perfect Dark Zero (Microsoft Game Studios)
23. NHL 2K6 (2K Sports)
24. Ninety-Nine Nights (Microsoft Game Studios)
25. Dead or Alive 4 (Tecmo)
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August 14th, 2005, 11:56 Posted By: wraggster
Football Manager 2006 for Xbox 360
source: Sega Europe
SEGA Europe today announced Football Manager 2006 will be ready for the Xbox 360 and PSP in the Spring of 2006. Being an avid soccer.. er.. football player myself this should really be a fun game. It is currently being developed by Sports Interactive, they say about it:
"Finally a home console system is being released that can do Football Manager justice," said Miles Jacobson, Managing Director of Sports Interactive. "We promise the most in-depth console management experience ever!"
"It's only fitting that the most powerful games console in the market has the most popular and powerful football management game," commented Matt Woodley, Creative Director of SEGA. "I'm particularly impressed by the way SI have re-designed the interface and controls to make it Xbox 360 perfect."
All features from Football Manager will be incorporated, including training, the 2d match engine, full rules for all leagues and player data which will be accurate to the end of the winter transfer window. Football Manager once again has produced the super tactics to trounce the league and retain its crown as champion of management sims!
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August 14th, 2005, 11:57 Posted By: wraggster
Xbox 360 has been designed to only work with Microsoft approved and branded pads and peripherals, according to industry sources.
A contract between Microsoft and peripheral makers Mad Catz has revealed that an anti-piracy 'security feature', found inside every 360, will allow the machine to decide which devices it will and won't work with, according to reports circulating the geekier depths of the web.
If this proves to be true then any third-party company planning to make a dance mat, lightgun or steering wheel for the next-gen console would have to pay Microsoft up-front for the technology, or allow Bill to take a certain percentage of royalties on each device sold.
This might sound like just another way for the Seattle giant to make money, but a similar system currently operates with software, where publishers pay Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft to have their game released on their consoles.
And, if these rumours do prove true, then only companies with Microsoft's blessing and its logos slapped on their boxes will be able to sell equipment to plug into Xbox 360. Which has one obvious implication: joypads may become more expensive.
It could also seriously affect anyone currently planning to plug their camera, MP3 player, webcam, PSP or Mac into the next-gen console.
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August 14th, 2005, 11:57 Posted By: wraggster
Mad Catz Interactive announced today financial results for the three-month period ended June 30, 2005. The company also revealed it has obtained a license to manufacture Xbox 360 accessories.
Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz Interactive, stated: "These new products are expected to further diversify Mad Catz' revenue sources. However, in the near-term, we see a continuation of some of the slow market trends that we faced in the first quarter. In our historically strong fiscal third quarter, the Xbox 360 will be released. As an official Microsoft peripheral licensee for North America and Europe, we will produce a range of Mad Catz branded products that will be officially endorsed by Microsoft and carry the Xbox 360 license logo."
Yesterday, C|Net revealed that the Mad Catz license agreement limits the manufacturing on the type of controllers Mad Catz can make. Mad Catz can only manufacture corded controllers, while Microsoft itself is making wireless controllers. The Mad Catz license agreement also excludes light guns, memory units, hard drives and cheat cards. Licensed Xbox 360 accessories include game pads, steering wheels, arcade sticks, flight sticks and dance pads.
The agreement also revealed a new royalty program that will only allow authorized third-party accessories to work with the Xbox 360. This is possible thanks to a new security mechanism that checks if the peripheral is an Xbox 360 authorized accesory or not.
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August 14th, 2005, 11:58 Posted By: wraggster
Whilst we'd seriously like to question the wisdom of Microsoft herding hundreds of journalists and industry figureheads to Amsterdam and plying them all with free alcohol, that's exactly what Bill's lot will be doing this October, as Microsoft plans this year's X0 event.
For those of you in the dark, Microsoft has held an event at a different location in Europe each year since 2002, with Pierre Cardin's Bubble House in Cannes, La Isla Magica theme park in Seville and a beach club in Juan-les-Pins all previous venues for the event, which is exclusively intended for industry and press types. Like us. Presuming we get our mitts on an elusive invitation.
It's at these events that Microsoft shows off its latest console wares, and this year's X05 event should have a strong Xbox 360 flavour to it, with an array of completed, playable 360 code expected. So if all goes as planned, on October 4th and 5th PALGN will hopefully be found socialising and networking with a decent-sized portion of the games industry in the Dutch city, all whilst listening to what Microsoft has planned for the future and trying out the latest titles weeks or months before they hit shop shelves. Tough job, this. And even if we don't get over to Holland, we'll still bring you the latest coverage of events there as they unfold, albeit whilst sulking a bit.
If they've not already been revealed, then we'd expect an announcement on the Xbox 360's launch and price tag as well, another reason for us to stay firmly focused on the job at hand, rather than swanning off and enjoying the, um, extra-curricular activities the city can offer visitors. And why Amsterdam? 'To tell you our rationale for choosing Amsterdam would reveal some of our plans and we want to keep those as secret as possible!' proclaimed regional VP of Xbox for EMEA Chris Lewis. We can imagine.
More news as it breaks.
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August 14th, 2005, 11:59 Posted By: wraggster
Following up its E3 showing in May, Midway Games today held an annual Gamers Day in Chicago with an unsurprising cast of games and almost no surprises.
The big titles were the same ones we'd seen at the previous events, E3, and in between. The basic message of the event was this: Our games have progressed, we're expanding, and we're looking good.
After its fourth acquisition in four years, the latest being Australian developer Ratbag (World of Outlaws: Sprint Car Racing), and steady review scores in 2004 and 2005, President and CEO David Zucker was not lying. Under his helm, the company has made a concerted, steady comeback from years of ineffectiveness and rumors of being bought out to a growing company with big name titles, a healthy stable of development teams, and a wide variety of game types.
While steady progress on the The Suffering: Ties That Bind, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Blitz: The League, Rise and Fall: Civilizations at War, and LA Rush were shown via demonstrations and hands-on gameplay time, the lack of any next-generation games or announcements took a little zing out of the whole event.
Sure, we watched a video of Stranglehold, the John Woo shooter scheduled for a 2006 release, but it was the same one we saw at E3. And though we got to see Ed, Edd, and Eddy footage, in addition to seeing a new Rampage, which looked and played a lot like the old Rampage, no one game made people sit back and whisper and coo.
The interesting things about Midway's event were more subtle than startling. For every louder than necessary video presentation (it was like E3, only just one booth), there was something else happening behind the scenes that spelled good news.
For instance, while I'm complaining about a lack of next-gen games, Midway's approach for this next generation is significantly different than its been in every other console launch. It's holding back development and waiting until Microsoft's Xbox 360 has an installed base. It's taking its time so the games look good, instead of rushing out unfinished or unready product. While that sounds dull, this is a big move for a company that's always rushed to market with some arcade game that was never all that good.
The other good news is that Stranglehold is in development with the Austin studio, which created Psi-Ops, generally considered a financial success at Midway. This studio is experienced in FPSs and has a set of heavyweight designers and programmers who are, without doubt, going to have fun with the next gen hardware.
Third, all Midway's games really are progressing well. MK Shaolin Monks looked and played well, mixing arcade simplicity with fighting depth and excellent co-op gameplay. The Suffering Ties that Bind is genuinely distrubing, requiring a different mindset, and Blitz: The League will be the first non-licensed football game since EA gobbled up every license even slightly related to football last year. Blitz is violent, uncensored, and takes a very different look at football, one you would not see with a licensed product. LA Rush is a fast-moving arcade racer, but it doesn't feel or look like a Rush game in the least. If the hardcore followers can see past this notion -- that it's just a different game -- then this game might do well. And everything else looks like it's coagulating and simmering with just the right amount of care and craft. That said, we have yet to play a version of the new Gauntlet Seven Sorrows or see anything beyond a trailer. Guess it's still far from ready...
Finally, pehaps the most genuine and awe-inspiring part of the event was a surprise visit by the Brice Mellen, the blind gamer who's been making rounds in the media. Mellen cannot see, but that doesn't prevent him from playing videogames, and he demonstrated his superior skills by playing Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon at his own game and beating him. The crowd of 50-plus people at Midway's event gathered around in shock and awe as the young man played by sound and used button memorization to play Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. It was an amazing, hopeful, and inspiring sight, no pun intended, one I'll remember for the rest of my life.
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August 14th, 2005, 12:00 Posted By: wraggster
Gamegossip are reporting on an article in Time magazine and also on the Time magazine website in which Microsoft CEO Bill Gates confirms that Halo 3 is in development for the Xbox 360.
The one thing that stands out however, is that the game is not due to be launched with the next-gen console, rather used as a time-bomb set to go off with the release of the Ps3.
“It seems that the next Halo won't be an Xbox 360 launch title, but a title set to launch as a disruption to the PlayStation 3 launch, arriving as a second wave of titles during spring of 2006.â€
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August 14th, 2005, 20:42 Posted By: Mental2k
I was lookin to getting an xbox mod chip, and i was just wondering how you guys rated the x-bit chip, it looks simple to install, and relatively inexpensive, but I was jus wondering is there any bad points about this chip?
Also could I flash it with X-biosis?
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August 15th, 2005, 21:40 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's forthcoming next-generation console may not always ship in a configuration with a hard drive, key Xbox executive J Allard has confirmed, with developers being warned not to rely on the component for their games.
Speaking in the September issue of US magazine Game Informer, Allard said that the company isn't yet ready to announce details of possible multiple models of the Xbox 360, with the presence of a hard drive being touted as one potential difference between models.
"It's something we're not ready to announce yet," he said. "I don't think it's a one-size-fits-all [approach] over the next five-year horizon."
Allard's comment may also refer to the possibility that Microsoft will begin shipping Xbox 360 consoles with HD-DVD drives at some point down the line, replacing the DVD drive which will be present in the original model of the system.
However, the hard drive is also certainly up for debate, the XNA boss went on to confirm.
"We've said [to developers], 'Hey look, don't bank on the hard drive always being there,'" he revealed. "'There may be a scenario in the future where we don't want to have a hard drive, and in that case, we have to make sure that the games that you've created are accessible to the broadest possible audience.'"
However, at present the official line remains that the Xbox 360 will ship with a hard drive as part of its basic specification - and it seems more likely that the difference in configuration at launch will be that some models will ship with a significantly larger hard drive than the 20Gb baseline.
Developers will have to take into consideration the possibility of no hard drive being present regardless of what models Microsoft ultimately chooses to ship, since the drive is a removable module which can be taken out of the machine by the end user.
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August 16th, 2005, 22:52 Posted By: wraggster
A new report by Japan's Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association has revealed that of all the current generation consoles, Japanese studios find the Xbox to be the most expensive platform to develop for.
CESA calculated that the average cost of producing an Xbox game is 202 million yen (USD 1.82 million) after 28 companies voluntarily disclosed their figures to the association.
In contrast, the CESA report states, it costs an average of 96 million yen (USD 877,000) to develop a game for the PS2. PSP games cost around 90 million yen (USD 822,000), as do GameCube titles, while each Game Boy Advance game costs the developer 53 million yen (USD 484,000).
However, at the other end of the spectrum, the cost of developing a game for Nintendo's new handheld, the DS, stands at only 37 million yen (USD 338, 286).
The figures for the Xbox are skewed somewhat, of course, because so few Japanese studios have ever invested significantly in producing Xbox software - meaning that they don't realise the same economies of scale that they have over the lifespan of the PS2.
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August 16th, 2005, 22:57 Posted By: wraggster
With announcements due from both Sony and Microsoft at Game Convention in Leipzig tomorrow, rumours at the show suggest that Sony will be dropping its PS2 price point - but that Microsoft may have little news to announce.
On the Xbox 360 front, however, reports that the date for the console and possibly even its price point could emerge at Game Convention appear to have been off the mark, with none of Microsoft's three key Xbox executives - Robbie Bach, J Allard and Peter Moore - making the trip over to Germany for the event.
In the absence of those executives, who have become the face of the Xbox 360 project, it's unlikely that an announcement about date or price will be made - with further announcements of European software support for the console perhaps more likely.
However, one strong hint about the price point for Xbox 360 did emerge today from Microsoft itself - with a German language page on the company's own website fingering CHF 600.- as the value of the console.
The page, which describes a new initiative offering incentives to resellers who sell certain volumes of Microsoft software, notes that an Xbox 360 console worth 600 Swiss Francs is one of the bonuses on offer.
That translates roughly as 386 Euro, or GBP 264 - which is broadly in line with the upper end of price expectations for the Xbox 360.
Although the figure is likely to be a rough estimate more than anything else, it does still suggest that Microsoft may come in at 399 Euro or thereabouts for the Xbox 360 - probably translating as GBP 299 - adding fuel to speculation that the console may be priced at a level somewhat higher than Microsoft's last system was at launch.
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August 16th, 2005, 23:02 Posted By: wraggster
With the launch of the Xbox 360 just months away--most are expecting a November release--Microsoft today confirmed the lineup of contractor manufacturers on board for the new console.
Joining a duo of Singapore-based companies that built the current-generation Xbox is Toronto-based electronics maker Celestica. That company joins alma mater manufacturers Flextronics and Wistron.
All three companies maintain assembly plants in the Pear River Delta region of southern China.
Todd Holmdahl, corporate vice president of the Xbox product group, said, "It's an honor to have the expertise and support of three of the world's best-in-class manufacturing companies as we move into the next-generation with Xbox 360. With three contract manufacturers on board, we're poised to have the flexibility and efficiencies we need to keep up with the consumer demand for the world's most powerful next-generation platform."
In 2001, when the Xbox launched, Microsoft sent approximately 500,000 units into the US retail channel. It sold about 1.4 million units through the calendar year.
This time, Microsoft is readying 2 to 3 million 360 consoles for launch in November, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Addressing the company's inclination to compete in this second round of console wars, Xbox general manager J Allard told the Mercury News today, "Xbox was ready, fire, aim... This time, everything is ready."
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August 18th, 2005, 01:15 Posted By: wraggster
According to news in the LA Times, Microsoft will release two Xbox 360 packages when the console is launched later this year. The basic package will retail for $299 and will not include a hard disk, nor will it include a wireless controller, instead shipping with a wired pad. The second package will retail for $399 and will include a 20 Gb hard disk, wireless controller, wireless headset, Ethernet cable and remote control. No release date has been revealed, but a mid to late November date is expected
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August 18th, 2005, 01:18 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has issued a statement announcing that manufacturing companies Celestica, Flextronics and Wistron will produce the next-generation Xbox 360 console.
Flextronics and Wistron also produced the original Xbox, but this is the first time Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Celestica.
"It's an honour to have the expertise and support of three of the world's best-in-class manufacturing companies as we move into the next-generation with Xbox 360," commented Xbox executive Todd Holmdahl.
"With three contract manufacturers on board, we're poised to have the flexibility and efficiencies we need to keep up with the consumer demand for the world's most powerful next-generation platform."
All three manufacturing plants are located in the Pearl River Delta region of southern China
The Microsoft statement confirmed that the Xbox 360 "remains on track for a global launch this Christmas in North America, Europe and Japan."
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August 18th, 2005, 01:19 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has selected Extent Technologies, a market leader in the field of secure online delivery of games-on-demand, to be its first global digital distribution partner.
Extent already provides games-on-demand services for Internet portals and broadband service providers including Yahoo! Games and Comcast. The company also provides aggregation services for publishers such as Atari and Microsoft.
As part of the new deal, Extent will aggregate and distribute popular Microsoft PC games including titles from the Age of Empires, Dungeon Siege, Mechwarrior, Rise of Nations and Zoo Tycoon series.
"By making our titles available through games-on-demand services, we can broaden our reach to new audiences and monetise additional release windows," said Xbox executive Ed Ventura.
"Extent's distribution channels help us to extend the life cycle of our game catalogue and to build a firm foundation for the future."
Exten CEO Zvi Levgoren commented: "The addition of Microsoft to our growing line-up of game publisher partners is a leap forward in the evolution of digital game distribution."
"We're delivering the very best user experience, which in turn maximises end-user acquisition and retention for our customers," he added.
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August 18th, 2005, 01:22 Posted By: wraggster
The LA Times has broken news of Microsoft's pricing plans for the Xbox 360 console, revealing that the a basic version of the next-generation system will launch at $299, with a premium version shipping at $399.
According to the paper, the $299 version of the console will not include a hard drive - with the extra $100 for the premium version buying a 20Gb drive as well as a wireless controller, headset, Ethernet cable and wireless television-style remote control.
No exact date for the launch is mentioned in the brief article, which will appear in this morning's edition of the major broadsheet, but has already been published on the newspaper's website.
The print edition of the LA Times won't be on news stands until after this morning's Microsoft announcements at the Game Convention event in Leipzig, so it looks likely that the official announcement will go out there after all - despite yesterday's rumours at the show that suggested that no major news would be forthcoming, since none of the firm's top executives had made the trip to Germany.
Europeans will be watching the announcement carefully for news of the Euro and GBP price points for the console. It seems possible that Microsoft will translate between Euro and USD on an even ratio, giving a 399 Euro price point for the premium model - which probably translates as GBP 299 after VAT is taken into consideration.
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August 18th, 2005, 01:24 Posted By: wraggster
The Xbox 360 is set to be priced at 399.99 Euro (GBP 279.99) for the full system when it launches in Europe later this year, with the "Core System" pack - which doesn't have a hard drive - selling for 299.99 Euro (GBP 209.99).
News of the European prices came from Microsoft's EMEA Xbox boss Chris Lewis, who was speaking this afternoon at the Game Convention show in Leipzig, Germany.
Lewis confirmed this morning's report regarding the US pricing of the system, as well as details of the two different bundles which will be offered - with the Xbox 360 Core System bundle being the cheaper of the two.
Unlike the more expensive bundle, however, it will lack a hard drive, and will be shipped with a wired controller rather than a wireless version. The premium bundle will also include a Wi-Fi adapter, Ethernet cable and remote control, none of which ship with the basic model.
The Core System will also lack a bundle and the Xbox Live silver service, both of which are part of the premium bundle.
With pricing for the console and details of the two variants now public information, the key remaining piece of information regarding the launch is the date - but Lewis left the audience waiting for that detail, saying only that the console will launch in the Christmas season.
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August 18th, 2005, 01:47 Posted By: wraggster
Konami has announced a version of Pro Evolution Soccer 5/Winning Eleven 9 for Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox 360 platform, underlining the new level of support the US console is enjoying from the Japanese publishing giant.
Konami has dated PES5 360 for autumn 2006 and intriguingly mentions that, after the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and PSP versions have shipped, ‘other consoles’ will play host to what is without question the best soccer series ever released.
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August 19th, 2005, 00:22 Posted By: wraggster
French publisher Ubisoft has revealed details of its plans for next-generation console development, with the firm making an early commitment to Nintendo's Revolution console and announcing a pair of high-profile Xbox 360 launch titles.
Speaking at a trade event in the UK, the company's UK managing director Rob Cooper said that the firm has "many" next-generation games in development, and will be providing full support for Nintendo's Revolution as well as the PS3 and Xbox 360.
There was no word from the company about whether that support might extend to making older titles available over the Revolution's digital download system - but the statement still represents one of the first solid commitments to the platform from a major publisher.
Cooper also revealed that two of the company's biggest forthcoming titles will be launch titles for the Xbox 360 when it arrives later this year.
Both Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and movie tie-in Peter Jackson's King Kong will arrive with the console towards the end of November.
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August 19th, 2005, 00:26 Posted By: wraggster
Following on from yesterday's announcement of the price points for the Xbox 360 and the Xbox 360 Core System packs, Microsoft has also revealed the pricing of the range of first-party accessories which will be available for the system.
The list reveals that users who buy the Core System pack - priced at 299 Euro - will have to spend well over a hundred Euro to bring their system up to the level of functionality boasted by the "full" Xbox 360 pack, which includes a hard drive, wireless controller, Xbox Live headset, high definition video cable and universal media remote.
It also gives a price to the memory unit which will, presumably, be required by the Core System in order to save games - meaning that the real cost of a Core System pack will be more like 334 Euro.
It recently emerged that Microsoft is only allowing certain manufacturers to build Xbox 360 peripherals, and is charging a royalty on sales of third party accessories - and it's not clear whether the firm will allow all of its first-party accessories to be replicated by third parties, or whether it has any degree of control over the pricing of third party components.
Faceplates - GBP 14.99 / 19.99 Euro
Controller (wired) - GBP 24.99 / 37.99 Euro
Component HD-AV Cable - GBP 19.99 / 29.99 Euro
Hard Drive (20GB) - GBP 69.99 / 99.99 Euro
Memory Unit (64MB) - GBP 22.99 / 34.99 Euro
Wireless Controller - GBP 32.99 / 44.99 Euro
Play & Charge Kit (recharges Wireless Controller during play) - GBP 14.99 / 19.99 Euro
Rechargeable battery pack - GBP 9.99 / 14.99 Euro
Wireless Networking Adapter - GBP 59.99 / 79.99 Euro
Headset - GBP 14.99 / 19.99 Euro
Universal Media Remote - GBP 19.99 / 29.99 Euro
SCART AV Cable - GBP 17.99 / 24.99 Euro
VGA HD-AV Cable - GBP 19.99 / 29.99 Euro
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August 19th, 2005, 00:36 Posted By: wraggster
If you’ve been watching this or any other Xbox-focused site lately, you’ve probably heard about the two-pronged, dual-price strategy planned for the launch of the Xbox 360. Some people were ready, but most people (as far as I can tell) just seem plain mad. So what do developers, members of the press, and financial analysts have to say about Microsoft’s great $299/$399 hope? Words and phrases appear that run the gamut from “blunder,†“crippled,†“compromise,†“stupid pet trick,†“confusing,†“disrespect,†“absurd,†and “PR play†to “a very good strategy,†“a good thing for the industry,†and “creative pricing.†Kind words were certainly said, dear fan boys, but they weren’t nearly as memorable as the criticisms. Got anything you wanna say to Microsoft?
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August 20th, 2005, 02:17 Posted By: wraggster
News from Divineo China
The Magic XFPS is a high quality adapter for Xbox to use PC keyboard and mouse on your console! Great to use with all FPS, it is now cheaper than ever and the best time to offer yourself one!
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August 20th, 2005, 02:26 Posted By: wraggster
The standard version of Xbox 360 won't be backwards compatible with Xbox games, it has emerged today.
A representative for Microsoft this afternoon confirmed that backwards compatibility rests on making use of the removable 20GB hard drive - which isn't included in the basic 'core system' bundle (which will retail for £210).
Instead, gamers will have to purchase the £280 Xbox 360 Premium Edition - which is packaged with a hard drive - if they wish to use to the next-gen machine to play current-gen Xbox titles. Alternatively, it's possible to buy a stand-alone hard drive for an additional £70.
While the notion that the core system offers a low-cost entry to next-gen gaming is certainly a good one, it does seem surprising that you won't be able to play your Xbox games on a 360 without splashing out an additional 70 quid.
We're keen to find out which Xbox 360 bundle you'll be buying: to have your say, vote in our poll now, which can be found to the left of this very story.
Xbox 360 is expected to launch in the UK in November
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August 20th, 2005, 03:08 Posted By: wraggster
Rumble Roses XX for Xbox 360
Source: gameplanet
Konami of Europe has announced its first title for the Xbox 360 in the shapely form of Rumble Roses XX (working title), an all-girl wrestling game starring a bevy of beautiful combatants.
Featuring over 20 female characters, Rumble Roses XX is a "graphically stunning" wrestling title featuring a wide range of throws, counter-moves and pin-downs. Each character has a distinct personality, from Cow-Girl Dixie through to schoolgirl Reiko and wicked nurse Anesthesia. In addition to the staple throws, slaps and pins of the wrestling genre, each girl has specific attacks linked to their overt personalities and can also string together a number of moves to create formidable combinations. In keeping with the glitzy showcase nature of the game, the girls also have taunt moves to rile their opponents and to get the crowd going.
Rumble Roses XX features a number of solo modes wherein players can pummel their way through the game's many characters and unlock additional foes. There is also a number of additional competitions to put the player through their paces, each giving the player a chance to access the hundreds of possible attacks the game can produce.
Multi-player action is also included via a four-player tag team competition, wherein two pairs of girls can fight against each other. The Tag Team mode also gives players access to previously inaccessible moves as the pairs work together. Rumble Roses XX will also make use of the Xbox Live online gaming service, with one-on-one bouts or team battles to be enjoyed against like-minded fans.
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August 20th, 2005, 03:09 Posted By: wraggster
After the announcement of the Xbox 360 pricing plan our reader response has been a fiery mix of anger, jubilation, and confusion. The total package which includes the hard drive will cost gamers $399.99 meaning that a typical holiday bundle including a second controller and a game will run about 500 dollars. The Core unit is $299.99 (the launch price of the first Xbox) but lacks the wireless controller, HD cables, and hard drive which will enable backwards compatibility.
There is no question that four hundred dollars is a good chunk of money, but how wide is the gap between this console launch and the price of previous gaming hardware? What follows is a list of previous consoles with their prices adjusted for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index. NASA.org is kind enough to provide an array of inflation calculators including a separate calculator based on the Employment Cost Index which is based on employee wages and benefits.
As pointed out by Erik Brudvig, our guides editor and resident smart aleck, computer technology doesn't exactly follow the same rules of inflation as other products. This is due to the decreasing cost and increased capabilities of the guts of a machine. So while the value of the $650 smackers paid for a Neo Geo is an exorbitant amount of cash by today's standards, the actual hardware could now be produced for a tiny fraction of that cost.
Perhaps the best illustration of this principle is the evolution of the PS2 architecture. What was originally a 300 dollar system was later re-released with a more compact design and a lower price tag. This was basically done a third time with the PSP which is only slightly less powerful and of course portable.
Another factor contributing to the worth of a console is the functionality of each system. For a short time the Nintendo Entertainment System included a robotic opponent for gamers without friends but this is hardly comparable to features like DVD playback, custom soundtracks, online capability, and a remote control.
For the purpose of this article we'll be looking at the price of a video game console statiscally and comparing its cost to today's dollar value.
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August 20th, 2005, 03:10 Posted By: wraggster
After the announcement of the Xbox 360 pricing plan our reader response has been a fiery mix of anger, jubilation, and confusion. The total package which includes the hard drive will cost gamers $399.99 meaning that a typical holiday bundle including a second controller and a game will run about 500 dollars. The Core unit is $299.99 (the launch price of the first Xbox) but lacks the wireless controller, HD cables, and hard drive which will enable backwards compatibility.
There is no question that four hundred dollars is a good chunk of money, but how wide is the gap between this console launch and the price of previous gaming hardware? What follows is a list of previous consoles with their prices adjusted for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index. NASA.org is kind enough to provide an array of inflation calculators including a separate calculator based on the Employment Cost Index which is based on employee wages and benefits.
As pointed out by Erik Brudvig, our guides editor and resident smart aleck, computer technology doesn't exactly follow the same rules of inflation as other products. This is due to the decreasing cost and increased capabilities of the guts of a machine. So while the value of the $650 smackers paid for a Neo Geo is an exorbitant amount of cash by today's standards, the actual hardware could now be produced for a tiny fraction of that cost.
Perhaps the best illustration of this principle is the evolution of the PS2 architecture. What was originally a 300 dollar system was later re-released with a more compact design and a lower price tag. This was basically done a third time with the PSP which is only slightly less powerful and of course portable.
Another factor contributing to the worth of a console is the functionality of each system. For a short time the Nintendo Entertainment System included a robotic opponent for gamers without friends but this is hardly comparable to features like DVD playback, custom soundtracks, online capability, and a remote control.
For the purpose of this article we'll be looking at the price of a video game console statiscally and comparing its cost to today's dollar value.
Atari VCS launched in 1977 for $249.99 — $811.21 in 2005
Nintendo Entertainment System launched in 1985 for $199.99 — $354.91 in 2005
SEGA Genesis launched in 1989 for $249.99 — $389.67 in 2005
NeoGeo launched in 1990 for $699.99 — $1041.12 in 2005
Super Nintendo launched in 1991 for $199.99 — $282.21 in 2005
Jaguar launched in 1993 for $249.99 — $328.69 in 2005
3DO Interactive Multiplayer launched in 1993 for $699.95 — $920.30 in 2005
SEGA Saturn launched in 1995 for $399.99 — $497.66 in 2005
Nintendo 64 launched in 1996 for $199.99 — $242.75 in 2005
SEGA Dreamcast launches in 1999 for $199.99 —$228.09 in 2005
PlayStation launched in 1995 for $299.99 — $372.01 in 2005
PlayStation 2 launched in 2000 for $299.99 — $333.15 in 2005
Xbox Launched in 2001 for $299.99 — $325.34 in 2005
GameCube launched in 2001 for $199.99 — $216.89 in 2005
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August 20th, 2005, 03:11 Posted By: wraggster
Joe Jimenez and Benito Flores are avid fans of Microsoft's Xbox video game console. And they're both eager to see the latest model slated to hit stores this fall.
Yesterday, they discovered they will have a choice, as Microsoft announced it will make two versions of its new console -- the Xbox 360, priced at US$399, and a stripped-down version, the Xbox 360 Core, priced at $299.
It marks the first time a gaming console has been introduced at a multiple price point, something common with other electronic gadgets. Analysts said it is a good strategy by Microsoft in its battle against Sony, the reigning champion of home video game systems.
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August 20th, 2005, 16:54 Posted By: wraggster
The worlds best Xbox sites for emulation and homebrew are now merged into one site and will now be covering Xbox 360 news too, add to that we now have a RSS Feed and better site and forum integration plus less ads and a much better look for the site.
Welcome to the best in Xbox and Xbox 360 sites.
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August 21st, 2005, 22:03 Posted By: hughzi
Hi
I think the 2 prices for the xbox 360 £209.99 and £279.99 are a real bargin worth the money shame the good games will be £45 or £50 each but worth the money.
What does everybody else think????
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August 23rd, 2005, 00:36 Posted By: wraggster
1up.com has a news post throwing together information from various sources, and revealing some release details about the Xbox 360. Scans of marketing flyers finally make clear the differences in the two skus. From the article: "There's ... a handy chart comparing the Core system to the standard system. The accessories are perhaps the most interesting, with specs and suggested retail prices listed. The wired controller is compatible with Windows XP, and the hard drive comes with some pre-loaded data, including an HD puzzle game. Of course, everything in the brochure is subject to change without notice, so check back for more confirmation as we get closer to the launch date."
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August 23rd, 2005, 00:37 Posted By: wraggster
The head of the Xbox 360 design team is set to give a talk at the Design Museum in London this September.
Jonathan Hayes works as director of platform experience design for Xbox, and coordinated with teams in San Francisco and Osaka to develop the new console, and is expected to explore this topic during a session lasting an hour and a quarter.
The talk will take place between 7.15pm and 8.30pm and tickets cost £10 or £6 to Design Museum supporters who also have a priority booking. You can book tickets via the talks@designmuseum.org email address.
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August 23rd, 2005, 00:38 Posted By: wraggster
J Allard, Microsoft’s chief XNA architect, was forced onto the defensive last night as he faced the public in an hour-long live online chat regarding Microsoft's next generation gaming system, Xbox 360.
Answering questions about the dual pricing decision announced at Games Convention in Leipzig last week - whereby Xbox 360 will be made available at retail as a pack complete with 20GB hard drive, a wireless controller, and more for GBP 279.99, as well as a Core System pack, which includes only the console and a wired controller for GBP 209.99 - and the high pricing of the hard drive add-on, Allard was given a tough time by his audience.
Asked, "Why even offer the Core package?", Allard responded, "While we designed a no compromises game system, a huge percentage of our customers are not like the folks in this chat room."
Comparing the Xbox 360 to other successful entry-level consumer products such as the iPod Shuffle, Porsche Boxster, the 4:3 TV and the 1 mega-pixel digital camera, Allard said, "We designed the Core System as a way to get folks to come into the family at a cheaper price and decide if and how they scale the system.
"The great thing about our approach, unlike these examples, is that the Core owner can upgrade the system and match the capabilities of the premium system when the time is right for them."
He did concede, however, that Core users would have to buy a GBP 22.99 memory card in order to save their games, a point he said was "consistent with the games industry for the last decade."
Taken to task over the price (GBP 69.99) of the 20GB hard drive add-on, Allard responded, "The 20GB hard drive is a 2.5 inch user serviceable drive and is more expensive than a PC ‘crack the box’ drive. It's one of the reasons we pushed to create a compelling premium bundle."
In response to the "steep" asking price for the premium Xbox 360 bundle (GBP 279.99), Allard pulled no punches, arguing it was "great value" and that the capabilities offered in its forthcoming machine "are unmatched in the history of video gaming."
Comparing it to Sony's PlayStation 2 launch strategy, he said, "The PS2 launched at $368 (in Japan) with no hard drive, no online service, no [memory card], no wireless, no voice, no network adapter, no remote, and only support for two controllers.
"When you consider you are getting the most powerful games system, best CD player, digital media player, movie player, etcetera, it's great value," he added.
Meanwhile, on the thorny issue of HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray, Allard said, "It's going to be interesting to see how and if a high def format for movies plays out," but later admitted, "We prefer HD-DVD to Blu-Ray in terms of the flexibility it offers to different applications as well as the infrastructure costs to the market."
Elsewhere in the discussion, Allard addressed Microsoft's stance on why Wi-Fi wasn't included as standard, the role of the hard disk, backward compatibility and more.
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August 23rd, 2005, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster
Atari doubled its announced Xbox 360 support today with news that the fourth-dimensional first-person-shooter TimeShift is headed to Microsoft's new platform in spring of 2006. The game was previously announced for the PC and Xbox, and those versions of the game will warp into stores in spring and summer of next year, respectively.
Set in the near future(s), TimeShift puts players in the quantum suit of Colonel Michael Swift, who's been tapped by the American government to test a time machine. Swift is sent back to 1911 on a test voyage, but when he returns he finds that the world has dramatically changed. As a result, he must take up arms against an oppressive regime to set things right again.
Swift is aided in his mission by the usual assortment of shotguns, small arms, and flamethrowers, as well as by the quantum suit, which lets him slow down, pause, and rewind time.
Developer Saber Interactive is building the game on its Saber 3D engine, which lets normal mapping create highly detailed textures and characters, advanced parallax lighting, and complex physics for in-game objects and characters.
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August 23rd, 2005, 22:38 Posted By: wraggster
UK chain store, GAME, has clarified that while it is still taking pre-orders of Microsoft's forthcoming next generation machine, Xbox 360, there is currently no word on how many units the group or country will be getting.
Shortly after putting a placeholder section on its site for taking Xbox 360 pre-orders, GAME created a notice saying: "We are now unable to promise delivery of the Xbox 360 pre-Christmas. We will endeavour to fulfil new orders placed for the system as soon as is possible but are currently unable to speculate when exactly that will be. We are however, able to continue to take orders for our first allocation of the Xbox 360 Core System until further notice."
While it may seem the company is limiting its orders based on the popularity for the higher priced system -which includes a wireless controller, 20GB hard-drive, Xbox Live headset and universal remote control for GBP 279.99-, over the Core System which contains none of the above for GBP 209.99, the reality is that currently Microsoft has yet to provide a number on stock for the machine, and GAME is taking a cautious stance.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Simon Soffe, head of PR & communications, said: "We want to make sure that as many GAME customers as possible can buy an Xbox 360 as soon as it's launched. We're very actively taking pre-orders from customers in all our stores and online."
"It's still very early days," he continued, "and the launch timing and stock volumes have not been confirmed. Once they are confirmed, we'll be able to give our customers more information about when they'll receive their new console."
Microsoft was unavailable at the time of writing in regards to the stock allocation Europe and the UK may be getting.
Xbox 360 is expected to launch in Europe in late November, although a final date has yet to be confirmed by Microsoft.
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August 25th, 2005, 00:50 Posted By: wraggster
The Xbox 360 faces an uphill struggle against its rivals in the Far East, according to Nintendo of America VP Perrin Kaplan, who claims that "very few people are aware of or anticipating Xbox 2 at the moment" in Japan.
Speaking in an interview with US website IGN, Kaplan discussed the prospects of Nintendo's next-generation console, Revolution, and its rivals from Microsoft and Sony in the Japanese market.
"Xbox has no recognition at all in Japan," she claimed, "and very few people are aware of or anticipating Xbox 2 at this point."
While Microsoft has inked deals with several high-profile Japanese developers to create Xbox 360 titles, Kaplan believes that those deals are less important than they might seem, since they don't bring major franchises to the table.
"Microsoft has had no success in the Japanese market and they were required to attract such developers in order to have a chance in the market," she said. "Further, those developers won't be making software for that system that are currently known and loved on other systems, such as Kirby."
By contrast, Kaplan expects Japan - the only market where the GameCube comfortably outperformed the Xbox in the last generation, although it also led in several European markets - to remain a successful market for Nintendo.
"[The Japanese market] continues to be a very successful and profitable market for Nintendo," she said, "and we anticipate this to be true for the indefinite future. What might make more sense is to say that it's changing. All companies in Japan are experiencing these changes. Portable play is one additional arena that remains vibrant."
Regarding Nintendo's largest competitor, Sony, Kaplan believes that respect is due to the firm, not only for getting to market first but also for the quality of the offering which it has created with the PS2.
"Launching early in the Japanese market has been the key to success for Sony's PlayStation 2," Kaplan told IGN. "Their early launch date and marketing push along with a solid library of games gave them momentum that they still enjoy today."
However, even though Nintendo won't be launching first with Revolution, Kaplan believes that the firm's offering will be extremely attractive.
"It is too early for Nintendo to discuss our strategy for Revolution," she said, "but I can tell you that we have much experience running a successful global video game company, and Nintendo will come to the dance extremely well dressed."
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August 25th, 2005, 00:55 Posted By: wraggster
When Microsoft announced the two-tiered pricing structure for its contribution to next-gen gaming, the Xbox 360, the shattering sound heard round the world was the simultaneous smashing of piggy banks. At $299 and $399, many gamers may not be seeing the holiday season's hottest toy under their Christmas trees this year.
However, when hot new gaming systems come out, supply is short, and demand is often so high that retailers can elect to sell the units only as parts of bundles that include accessories and games of the retailer's choosing. EBgames.com unveiled its holiday offerings today, and the prices may make some gamers feel as though they're getting "scrooged."
Like Microsoft, EB Games is offering two bundles, one for gamer's interested in the Core System and one for gamers eyeing the premium package. The Xbox 360 Core Bundle is priced at $599.93, and it includes everything in the standard package, plus an extra wired controller, a 64MB memory unit, and four games: Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Edition, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Kameo: Elements of Power. Using Microsoft's announced pricing for peripherals and an assumed $59.99 price point for Xbox 360 games, the package unbundled would come to $618.94.
The Xbox 360 Ultimate Bundle weighs in at just under $700. Gamers (or generous parents) willing to shell out $699.92 will get the Xbox 360 "premium" package, plus an extra wireless controller with a Play & Charge Kit, a rechargeable battery back for wireless controllers, and the four games mentioned above. Doing some quick math, the sum of the bundle's pieces would be $720.93, again assuming a $59.99 price point for games.
After choosing one-day shipping and ordering an Ultimate Bundle within California, the total comes to $777.86.
Each bundle is limited to one order per customer. A similar launch strategy was taken by online retailers for the PSP, but the no-frills Value Pack could be found on store shelves shortly after launch.
Gamers who think this is concrete evidence that DOA4, PGR3, Perfect Dark, and Kameo will be available the day the Xbox 360 is launched may want to think again. Though all are leading candidates to be available when the 360 hits store shelves, fine print at the bottom of the page reveals that "Dates and prices have not been confirmed and are subject to change."
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August 25th, 2005, 23:49 Posted By: wraggster
What is Darwin?
Darwin is the base of Mac OS X, comprising the kernel "xnu", the system libraries and the UNIX tools.
Can I run Mac OS X on the Xbox?
No. Darwin does not include the Mac OS X GUI, and the future x86 version of Mac OS X will only run on Apple branded hardware. Besides that, at least the current builds of Mac OS X for x86 need SSE2 and SSE3 support of the CPU - the Xbox CPU has neither. And of course, OS X wouldn't run with only 64 MB or RAM, and very slowly with only 128 MB.
Why should I run Darwin instead of Linux?
You should not. The Xbox version of Linux is far more advanced at the moment than the Xbox version of Darwin. If you are interested in Apple's modified-microkernel BSD-UNIX, have a look at it, though.
How to run Darwin
The patches and binaries currently support Darwin 8.0.1 only (this is the base of Mac OS X 10.4.0).
* You need a 128 MB Xbox for this for now!
* Use a PC with at least a Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 CPU (because of SSE2) to install Darwin/x86 8.0.1 on a fresh hard disk (should be at least 2 GB).
* Replace /System/Library/Extensions/IOPCIFamily.kext with the patched version.
* Set up a DHCP and TFTP server to send "bootkernel.elf" to the Xbox's MAC.
* Run cromwell and choose "Etherboot".
"bootkernel.elf" already includes the patched Darwin kernel, so there is no need to replace "/mach_kernel".
http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Darwin
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August 26th, 2005, 01:50 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is holding a press conference just a day before the Tokyo Games Show and is expected to announce Japanese pricing of the console. Japanese pricing is still unknown after Microsoft revealed US, EU and UK guidelines for pricing last week at Games Convention 2005 in Germany.
It’ll be interesting to see how much the console will cost in Japan when compared to the price elsewhere. If Microsoft used current market rates we’d see ¥32,963 and ¥43,941 for Core and Xbox 360 packages respectively. However, looking at the premiums that UK and EU gamers will pay, it’s likely the numbers will be higher than this.
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August 26th, 2005, 02:08 Posted By: wraggster
A number of online reports have emerged suggesting that the Xbox 360 version of Square Enix' massively multiplayer title Final Fantasy XI will only play on versions of the console which are equipped with the hard drive.
While no confirmation or denial has been forthcoming from Square Enix itself, the reports are logical enough - in its PC and PS2 incarnations, FFXI uses the hard drive incredibly heavily to store character information and content updates.
Installation sizes on those systems are multiple gigabytes, and over the months and years of the game's operation, hundreds of megabytes of additional content, patches and expansions have been added to the game.
Therefore, it's logical that FFXI should require a hard drive to play - but it's potentially embarrassing for Microsoft, which faces the prospect of the first title it has ever secured for its platform from Square Enix not working on many Xbox 360 consoles.
The decision to make the hard drive optional has a number of consequences for the Xbox 360; many developers who have spoken to GamesIndustry.biz expressed doubt that the drive would be used in many third party games, since it will be seen as an optional peripheral.
However, the possibility that a "two tier" Xbox 360 has been created, where only those with hard drives will be able to play certain - primarily online - games, is arguably a more major concern. It remains to be seen how Microsoft plans to communicate the differences between the two versions of the system to consumers, and avoid confusion and disappointment among those expecting to be able to play MMOG titles on the Core System bundle.
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August 26th, 2005, 19:20 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has announced that it's to host a press conference in Tokyo on the 15th of September, one day ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Game Show, with more of the firm's strategy for Xbox 360 in Japan expected to be announced.
So far, the company's plans for the Japanese market remain tightly under wraps - with the date, price and software line-up for the launch still unrevealed, despite the fact that US and European pricing was announced earlier this month.
Microsoft is likely to use the pre-TGS conference as a chance to discuss at least some of those details, as well as an opportunity to champion its newly-forged ties with Japanese publishers and developers.
The conference will be followed on the 16th by a keynote address at TGS from Microsoft's chief Xbox officer, Robbie Bach, with the other keynote at the show being delivered by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.
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August 27th, 2005, 19:43 Posted By: Hawq
- optimized a little simple2x function
- writed simple1x for no filter function
- changed scanlines 50 function
- removed low resolution in software filters and added none (use of none function makes at least 10% boost)
- optimized some VMM function (mainly in the optimizition)
- fixed black/white buttons inverted
- changed name of turbo option to turbo/slow option (hope it is more clear now)
- added missing CRCs in neogeo drivers and changed shin... name to power instinct matrimelee
- fixed 2xsaibuffer created when not needed (200Kb RAM loss)
- fixed background menu not being deleted with neogeo games (2Mb RAM loss)
- fixed releasing memory, was not done with help screen, dipswitches or config menu, so it still could crash
- fixed dipswitches menu not releasing background menu (1Mb loss and sometimes crash)
- corrected oneframe function, you can now take your screenshots as you want
- completely rewrited config pad menu, it now is more clear and more enjoyable, removed configscreen intermediate menu in the same time
This version is released without xbepack being done, so just run :
- pack.bat to have a default.xbe of 920Kb smaller and correct some things
- rename.bat to rename to default.xbe, use this if you had problems with previous release
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August 29th, 2005, 00:59 Posted By: Onetonbullet
Old news already, but no one has figured it out yet so...
www.origenxbox360.com
Sure It's a silly ARG, or ourcolony comeback,....but some people have suggested it has something to do with microsoft including a hddvd with the 360...
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August 30th, 2005, 16:03 Posted By: wraggster
A new version of Super Mario War has been released.
What's new/fixed:
* New interaction blocks, Breakable blocks, Note blocks, Powerup blocks, Flip blocks, Bounce blocks, Donut blocks
* Powerups, Star, Fireflower, 1up
* 17 new background images
* 280 tiles, Ice tiles, Death tiles (above only, below only or any side death)
* 7 New Game modes: Coin Limit, Yoshi's Eggs, Tag, Domination, Fire Frenzy, Bob-Omb, Survival
* Improved collision detection (fixed screen edge bugs)
* Chocobo sprites in Chicken Mode
* Down jumping through solid on top blocks
* Improved menu: Graphics, Map view, Player select (allows any player to be in any state: disabled, player, cpu), Help keys at bottom of screen
* Choice of spawn styles: Added door and swirl to help you find your player when spawning
* Pause game feature
* Improved game scoreboard - game leader wears crown
* Two layers on map (one for tiles and one for blocks)
* 10 new maps and updated old maps with new blocks and backgrounds
* Various eyecandy effects like dust and explosions
* Friction jumping through air is less than on ground
* Added classic Mario sound effects
* More vibrantly colored player sprites
http://72dpiarmy.com/
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August 30th, 2005, 22:46 Posted By: wraggster
Even before the unveiling of the Xbox 360 in May, Microsoft made no secret that it hoped for a better showing this time around in the Japanese market, a region dominated by rivals Sony and Nintendo. Last month at Xbox Summit 2005, the company unveiled a long list of Japanese publishers that have signed up as third-party game makers for the Xbox 360. Over the past months, some better known developers such as Q Entertainment's Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto have talked about their commitment to the Xbox 360, but there's been little opportunity to hear from other developers on the development challenges and opportunities. The latest issue of Famitsu Xbox features a series of interviews with the newly announced third-party developers, who talked in-depth about what it's like to make games for the next-generation console.
"When you consider the essence of videogames, you can't take away its graphics, sound, and interactivity. The Xbox 360 is the best solution [to delivering the highest quality gaming] at the current time," said Tecmo producer Tomonobu Itagaki, who is currently developing Dead or Alive 4 as an Xbox 360 launch title, with three more games also underway in the future.
Other Japanese developers certainly agree with Itagaki, especially in terms of graphics. The developers at Yuke's, best known for the WWE SmackDown! series, are working on a new wrestling game called Wrestle Kingdom for the Xbox 360, and the differences in the console's graphic capabilities are, well, striking. Director Koji Ito and chief planner Shunsuke Katsumata commented that the Xbox 360 allows a game's atmosphere to be considerably more realistic than in previous consoles, which is due to the machine's lighting effect calculations.
"Self-shadowing effects contribute a lot to making a pro-wrestling game," Katsumata said. "When it comes to pro-wrestling games, trying to render the wrestlers' muscles is really the key point. But up until now, we couldn't even use a virtual self-shadowing effect, due to hardware limitations."
But for the game creators, the Xbox 360's graphics are just the surface of the new development experience. They explain there's much more to the console than just high definition graphics and new rendering formats.
Capcom producer Keiji Inafune, who's making the new zombie action game Dead Rising said the console offers plenty of potential, but how much of that gamers get to see depends on how developers use its multi-core architecture. "I believe that we'll be seeing two kinds of games for a while after the Xbox 360's launch," Inafune said. "Games that feel like something on current generation consoles, and games that feel like they're Xbox 360 titles."
Despite whatever problems the multi-core architecture brings up, the Japanese developers interviewed in the magazine all seem to agree that the Xbox 360 is developer-friendly, with one of the main reasons being that the development environment is based on Direct X. The developers also spoke highly of the Xbox 360's development kit for its array of tools including Visual C++ programming support, and flexibility in recycling the programs that they've created.
"For example, if we had two projects going on, [the Xbox 360's development environment] would allow us to take different program components created from the two teams, and merge them into a single software [application]. That wasn't possible up until now," explained Cavia chief producer Takuya Iwasaki, who is currently studying the console's hardware for an upcoming project. "Also, once we create a game, we can take parts of it and build it into a new game. So if we make a program to display an ocean wave, we can use it again and again."
But even with Microsoft's development tools and strong technical support (another aspect for which the developers had kind words), there are still a number of issues game makers face. Many developers consider the system's graphic capabilities "double-edged." The Xbox 360 can handle much better looking graphics than previous consoles, but it also requires a lot more effort in development.
"We had no intention to make Rumble Roses XX just a usual port. We were hyped, saying to ourselves that we're going to make it a completely new game," says Konami producer Akari Uchida. "But when it came time for the actual development, we realized that the volume of data [for the Xbox 360] would be one digit different [from current consoles]. The number of polygons per character by itself is 10 times larger than current consoles. … It's as though we need to bring the quality graphics from pre-rendered movies into to the actual game."
What might be an issue for smaller publishers is trying to make 2D games, which are still popular for handheld machines, but slowly disappearing from the home console space. As SNK Playmore producer Soichiro Hosoya explains, "The development tools are meant for 3D games, so it isn't any easier to make 2D games for the Xbox 360." However, Hosoya added that he expects 2D games to evolve with the Xbox 360 as well.
In terms of programming issues, one of the strengths of the Xbox 360, similar to the current Xbox, is the ease of porting Windows programs to the console. But surprisingly, porting programs isn't completely hassle-free, says Square Enix programmer Yasuhiro Yamamoto of his experience with Final Fantasy XI. "Windows PCs and the Xbox 360 have differences, so it'd be a lie if we said there aren't any headaches [in porting programs]. Sound is one example. The Xbox 360 uses a proprietary format, and it gave us a little bit of confusion. A bigger point is the CPU. Windows uses Intel, while the Xbox 360 uses the IBM's Power PC. Under certain conditions, the two companies' CPUs will display programs in totally opposite ways. Flipping that around took us some time."
From Software producer Masanori Takeuchi, who's been working on Enchant Arm, a role-playing game slated to be an Xbox 360 launch title, said developers will also be running into issues of storage space in the next generation. While the Xbox 360 is a next-generation console, Microsoft decided to equip it with a normal DVD reader, rather than to give it HD-DVD or Blu-ray reading capabilities.
"The volume of data in Enchant Arms won't fit into a single DVD. It's an RPG, so we're thinking it would be inevitable that we release it on two discs," says Takeuchi. "But to be honest, that's even looking grim."
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August 31st, 2005, 20:07 Posted By: wraggster
Asobo Studios has announced that its off-road racing title, Gran Raid Off Road, is being developed for the Xbox 360. The game will include 6 unique landscapes to race across, with each landscape measuring at least 3,500 square miles. Players will choose from 30 vehicles and compete in such modes as Raid, Race, Free Run, Stun, Catch the Flag, Keep the Flag, and Baja—and of course, the game will feature Xbox Live support. On paper, the sheer size of Gran Raid Off Road is staggering, and the ability to tear off into the horizon makes our mouths water. Unfortunately, no release date has been set. We’ll keep you posted.
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August 31st, 2005, 20:09 Posted By: wraggster
BioWare has revealed that two previously unannounced games are in development for the Xbox 360. One of those titles is likely the sequel to the critically acclaimed RPG Jade Empire. The second game could be the FPS-RPG BioWare hinted at late last year, which will use the Unreal Engine 3. Don’t expect an official announcement until 2006.
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August 31st, 2005, 20:13 Posted By: wraggster
news from joystiq
I’m here at Games Market Europe in the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, where the first UK games trade since the ECTS/Game Stars! fiasco last year, is starting to kick off. This is my first report of (hopefully) many from the day which I’ll be posting later today and possibly tomorrow. I’ve already spoken to representatives from the BBFC, Codemasters, Digital Jesters (Crazy Frog Racer creators) and the guys at the Ubisoft stand. I’m hoping to sit down with the boss of European Ratings board, ELSPA and a marketing executive from Eidos, so hopefully I’ll catch up with them later.
Here’s my first photo of note from the show, a real live Xbox 360 marketing booth! This was in the Gem Distribution section of the show. Come Christmas 05’ they’ll be the ones setting up Xbox 360s in game retailers and passing on units from Microsoft. Unfortunately, the assistants aren’t allowed to turn the Xbox on, which is a bit of a bummer since, well, I wanted to see it turned on for real! However, they assure me that this machine is a real Xbox 360 and is powered by internal components. No more G5 powered Xbox 360s from here on in. There’s another close-up shot of the wireless controller after the jump.
[Update: Apparently the marketing booth shown at the show was not a final model. The Xbox 360 wasn’t real (or plugged in). However, the controllers were real and they were wireless. The black cable you can see going underneath is the power supply.]
shots within
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