Online reports are indicating that Microsoft is planning to encourage 12-month subscriptions to the Xbox Live Gold service for the Xbox 360 with a pricing plan that offers major discounts for long-term commitments.
French website XboxLive.fr claims to have stumbled across the US pricing bundles for the Xbox 360 Live service, with similar details being reported on the website of major North American retailer EB Games.
According to the reports, a Premium Gold Pack will be priced at $69.99 and will get you a 12 month subscription, an Xbox Live headset, $20 off an Xbox 360 game and 200 Xbox Live marketplace points. Plus, subscribers can play Billiards in the Xbox Live Arcade.
For those who don't need the extras a 12 Month Gold Card will be made available, offering a year's subscription only, for $59.99.
If that sounds like too much commitment, the 3 Month Premium Gold Pack is just $39.99. It includes - as you might have guessed - a three month subscription, plus a headset, $10 off a game, 100 marketplace points and access to Xbox Live Arcade game Joust. A straight 3 Month Gold subscription is $19.99.
And finally there's the 1 Month Gold Card, priced at just $7.99. Of course, those who don't want to pay at all can stick with the free Xbox Live Silver subscription - but this will only let you log on to use the marketplace and chatrooms, and you won't be able to play games online.
Microsoft was unavailable for comment so we've really no idea if this is the real deal or a hoax - but the same details have recently appeared on the Electronics Boutique website, only they've priced the 12 Month Gold card at $49.99 instead of $59.99.
d0wnlab released a new Windows build of OpenDash (an opensource dashboard currently in development for Xbox that can be build with the legal OpenXDK(info)). This is an executable compiled for Windows (win32) and not for Xbox. It's made for users interested in testing the UI of OpenDash and to attract some graphical designers to make skins.
From forums.xbox-scene.com:
[quote]
Hi. I am releasing today a windows binary of build 237 of opendash. Skinners can use this to see how their skin looks without needing to upload the skin to the xbox. Anyone interested in skinning for OpenDash should take a look at this release and play with it a bit.
There is also a (WIP) manual for skinning and configuring the dash at: http://th0mas.xbox-scene.com/releases/skinning.html
People should take a look at the config.xml file in the windows build as an example of a simple skin. Currently, keep the Resources, Elements, and Menu nodes all in the config.xml file - ignore the part in the guide that says to create a skin.xml file. That is not yet implemented (but will be before the first xbox release, so that people can change skins on the fly.)
Still to be done: a significant amount of testing on the xbox itself - all the file copying, xbe launching, has to be tested before the dash is ready for primetime.
If anyone sees any major issues with that windows build of the dash, or errors in the manual please let me know on the forums or via email.
Matt Farrow has launched a new website with a project he has called PSPEmu and he claims that it will be a PSP emulator for the PC and Xbox ( i doubt a Xbox can emulate a PSP at any stage of the game)
Heres what he claims will be the features:
+Stable PSP Firmware Emulation
+Laptop/Tablet PC Battery Support
+2.0 Web Browser Emulation
+Runs PBP Files(Homebrew)
+ISO Support(Not At Full Speed)
+WiFi Support
+Theme Setup
+Wallpaper Customisation
+MP3 and MPEG Support
+Full Screen Mode
+Reset,State Save and Power Off.
+Home Button Support(Includes Home Confirmation Screen)
+UMD Emulation(.umd files - new file type)*
+XBOX Version - (Limitations - No WiFi or ISO Support)
+Linux Version
+Windows And Mac Versions
+PSP Drive Emulation (PSP/GAME/ etc.)
+Extended 3D Rom Support
+New Project Name:PSPemu (Xbox: PSPemuX)
This does seem rather dubious especially Xbox Emulation but you can check the site out here --> http://mattfazzer.bl.am/ and report back with your own conclusions.
Hopefully Matt will come and visit us and explain how he plans to get a 333mhx system emulated by a 700MHz Xbox, We shall watch this closely
After not having much spare time to work ok Quake 3 for the last week or so, I’ve managed to put in a few hours this morning.
‘So what’s new?’, I hear you cry... well most of the time was spent trying to sort out a few ‘under the hood’ things. More on that later though.
First, the console now displays, both when loading and in game.
The console can’t be used for entering any commands (not at this time anyway) but at least it can show some information – and it wouldn’t be Quake without a console would it??
The second thing is related to that behind the scenes work. I’ve been trying to get some mods loading, with variable success. The following screenshots are from a mod called Urban Terror. Unfortunately this particular mod isn’t playable – the xbox runs out of memory before the level can load.
I also tried out another mod called Matrix (I don’t have a homepage link, I found it on PlanetQuake) which worked fine. So playing some mods is definitely possible.
What is Mimesis?
Mimesis is a brand new content distribution app that will change the way you get your modded game content forever.
It will check for the latest content from a centralized server just like the Live! service does. By choosing from a list of available content on your TV screen (each with its own a preview image/video and map details), you will simply select the one you want to play and it will download and install itself to your Xbox! That's how easy it will be to get the latest and greatest modded content for your Live! enabled games. Sound familiar? That's right, its just as easy as getting 'official' content from the Live! service. Only difference is that this content was built by fellow modders in the Xbox community, oh yeah, and its free!
What's new/fixed v1.1:
This is a minor update mainly so that we can get data logged on your xbox incase you cannot get it to work, since there seems to be a lot of that going around. Check the forums for help if you need it.
A new CVS compile (by T3CH) of XboxMediaCenter has been released.
This T3CH-compile is a BAREBONE package compiled with XDK v5849.
Here's the added and updated stuff since the 2005-08-30 CVS release -
* updated: mplayer.dll (reverted change for no seek after fastforward)
* added: libdts to dvdplayer
* added: video scan button is hidden in context menu unless in files view
* added: libmad decoder to dvdplayer
* added: sf.net patch [1257055] - instable behaivour in cddb.cpp - thanks to pade2!
* added: httpapi exposed more values to GetGuiStatus
* added: big list view to my video title view
Hi, I'm new here!
I'm totally new to this, so please be understanding if this sounds dumb
I wanna buy an Xbox 360 as soon as it's out in November (never had a gaming console since PSX), and I understand it will need mod chips just like old Xbox does. When I go and choose what chip to buy, what should I take into consideration? What are the things that one chip can do (or can do better) while another chip can't do (or can do worse)?
I'm sorry for being a n00b, but I can't seem to understand why aren't all chips equally useful.
I will appreciate help very much! Even a link that explains this would be enough, because I can't seem to find one.
The day many of you have been waiting for has finally come; XBMC's built-in DVD-player core is now officially open to the public for general usage. The new dvdplayer-core, which a few of our developers have been working on for almost a year has been enabled in our CVS and is of today the default player for DVD-Video playback in XBMC. Please be patient with it, understand that it can be a bit buggy, it has some limitations, and still needs a lot of work. The basics functions for DVD-Video playback (DVD-menus support) is in there and from now on we will accept (properly formatted) bug-reports from end-users and we will do our best to help users of the player. We would also like to take this moment to ask and encourage programmers who may or may not yet have contributed to the XBMC project to step up and assist in the development of this new core for DVD-Video playback. Please take a look at the source code, its potential, and then look at the many (big and small) features that are missing or lacking, there are things that almost anyone can help with.
A special thanks goes to all people and groups who made a donatation!
News from Divineo China of a release of a new controller for the Xbox, heres the full details:
Impact-X is the successor of the famous Terminator-X controller. The same great features at an even lower price than before! It comes in a compact size and a smart design for even better gameplay.
- Compatible with all Xbox systems
- Turbo, Auto Turbo and Macro function built in with red & green led indicators
- Auto Turbo can be set to 2, 4, 8 or 16hz for shooting or action games
- Fully analog joysticks with rubber contacts and rubber handles for a better feel and grip
- 8 way D-pad, 6 buttons and 2 triggers, all fully analog and pressure sensitive
- The white and black buttons have been relocated to a more convenient place on the controller
- There are two expansion slots for memory cards or other game enhancers
Carcharius has posted an update to his work on porting Quake 3 to the Xbox:
Wow, I didn’t realise it had been almost 2 weeks since I last posted an update. I should take the opportunity to say thanks to everyone who has shown an interest in this project.
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks fixing a few things and trying to make Quake 3 work as an xbox game. At this moment I’m concentrating on getting the original Quake 3: Arena running. I’ve tried Team Arena but, that brings a few problems of its own to the table. So I’ll leave that for a later date.
There’s not really anything new to see, most of the work has been non-visible stuff, so there aren’t any new screenshots I’m afraid.
One thing that might be of interest is that I did try running Threewave CTF. I can’t remember exactly what happened though, I know it did get as far as loading the mod but for the life of me I can’t remember what happened from there! I must be getting old!
I think I got as far as trying to find a game to join but at the time I was running without a cd key so any online adventures were right out. Anyway, I’m sure some people will be pleased to know that it at least loads the Threewave front screen!
After about 2 months of development, XLIL v1.0 has been released - (XLIL - XLink Linux Installer and Launcher). Like the name says, it's a GUI application to assist users who wish to use Kai on Linux.
Cyborgas' intention was to publish a distro independant application, both easy to use and easy to install. The code is written in Python using pyQt and can run on both KDE and Gnome. Many people have been asking for this software, because running XLink Kai Linux from the command line is too geeky for some folks.
You can visit the SourceForge website for the project at: http://xlil.sf.net
Or check out a movie of XLIL in action by clicking here.
Soon XLIL will be available to download from the main TX website - but for now, head to the project site above to get a copy.
Features in v1.0:
+ Installer script to add an application entry in KDE/Gnome menu.
+ Intuitive configuration of kaid with a visual form.
+ Control Center where kaid can be started/stoped.
+ Control Center where jKaiUI can be launched.
+ Control Center with sensors for:
- UI atached/detached;
- Orbital connected/disconnected;
- Console discovered/lost.
+ Easy downloader and installer for java runtime. For people who don't have java runtime installed. Needed for jKaiUI.
A new CVS compile of XboxMediaCenter has been released.
This T3CH-compile is a BAREBONE package (with just a few thirdparty scripts and with just the default skin) compiled with XDK v5849.
Here's the full changelog since the 2005-09-12 CVS release:
* added: wrapper class for dll's (See DynamicDll.h for more info)
* added: Milk(info)drop now supports stereo 3d mode.
* added: AC3-wav, AC3-cdda, DTS-wav and DTS-cdda playback to paplayer. NOTE: DTS-wav and DTS-cdda will always output as AC3.
* added: MasterPassword: Audio & Video & Picture -> Context menu - Settings will now also check for MasterPassword if Lock Settings is enabled! [GeminiServer]
* added: logpath for xbmc.log file! Set the path where the log file should be created. [GeminiServer] If no path is set the Default Q:\ path will be used. Example: E:\TDATA\0face008\
* added: New builtin command: XBMC.Notification(,). Will show a KAI toast dialog with the specified header and message.
* added: Display of type of audiostream (Commentary, For Hearing impaired on those dvd's that support it)
* added: Alternative ascii-gfx Filezilla (FTP) Welcome MSG. Disabled by default, to enable, first disable (comment) org. MSG, then uncomment new MSG. Use an ASCII capable font for display in ftpCLIENT. Thx to h8!
* changed: reversed and fixed double xboxmediacenter.xml settings issue if home path was set [GeminiServer]
* changed: reorganized the Homedir log structure! [GeminiServer]
* changed: disabled software upsampling for multichannel audio (>2). (MPlayer, DVDPlayer)
* changed: disabled software upsampling for multichannel audio (>2). (PAPlayer)
* changed: disabled crossfading for cdda.
* changed: context menu Audio & Video & Picture -> to avoid large context menu, grayed out context menu items are now removed! They will displayed if required!
* changed: minor improvement for vertical chroma alignment in PixelShader Renderers. it was off by half a pixel.
* changed: XBMC.AlarmClock() can now execute any builtin. NEW SYNTAX! XBMC.AlarmClock(,).
* changed: Playlists skip to next song when it an unplayable item is encountered
* changed: dvdplayer now select and show audio and subtitle streams, soly based on what's specifed in ifo files. mapping of this to the mpeg streams should now be correct too
* fixed: reading settings from xboxmediacenter.xml was broken! This should solve other issues! [GeminiServer]
* fixed: manual authentiction for smb wasn't working
* fixed: when set to dhcp, samba wouldn't be set to use the correct interface.
* fixed: with crossfading enabled a new track with a different amount of channels as the currently playing file could not be started.
* fixed: Audio Context menu - Rip CD Audio: AudioCD Detection was brocken/wrong. Also add. CDExtra and MixedMode detection to enable Rip CD Audio! [GeminiServer]
* fixed: dvdmenu jumps when selection is changed
* fixed: z: is now mapped to the correct drive.
* fixed: DVDPlayer was unable to play .ac3 files
* fixed: DVDPlayer wouldn't display subtitles unless the subtitles visible option was toggled of and on in osd
* fixed: DVDPlayer didn't display anything when in the background
* fixed: DVDPlayer would play horribly choppy when there was no audio stream present
The T3CH nfo also informs there's a new, easier way to install XBMC as your dashboard:
Because Rockstar needs to find a way to make up for that lapse of cash flow when San Andreas was pulled off the shelves, come October 18th expect two find two new special editions of San Andreas to further entice gamers who must buy all things Grand Theft Auto, gamers with a scratched copy, or (yes, they exist) those who still have yet to buy the game.
For the PlayStation 2, fans will be able to purchase the Special Edition of the game, which includes a bonus DVD featuring the prequel movie and the Sunday Driver documentary. Xbox fans do not get as nice of a treatment – their special edition, The Trilogy, is just all 3 games in one $60 bundle. However, if you are planning on taking a month out of your life to complete all three games (which could take about 70 hours apiece, at least), $60 is a good deal.
BaldBouncer.co.uk are doing a great special offer on the range of Gamecube, PS2 and Xbox Modchips and accessories they sell, for the rest of today they are giving 5% off with this code below:
New Discount Code For September
Enter The Code HOLIDAY At The Checkout On Your Next Order For 5% Discount
Valid Until The 25th Of September
New In
Qoob Pro £33.95
Qoob SX £23.95
IcedCube Qoob Pro Combo £58.95
IcedCube Qoob SX Combo £47.95
IcedCube Viper Combo £54.99
Divineo informed us the SpiderGX is now in stock and they sent us information and new pictures of the SpiderGX solderless modchip for Xbox v1.0-v1.6b, a new modchip announced back in August.
The SpiderGX is provided in its protective package and contains:
- One SpiderGX Main Board
- One SpiderWires Board
- One SpiderFront Board
- Two cables
- One transparent plastic cache to ease installation of wires
- One ring
- One screw
Size of package: 14 x 9.5 x 2.6 cm
Weight of package: 0.095kg
These are the final features:
* Hardware specs:
[-] Full solderless solution for Xbox 1.0 to 1.6b
[-] Running on one full speed CPLD with low power consumption.
[-] 16Mb Flash Memory: (OS)+(BIOS)+(SETTINGS)+(EEPROM Backup)
[-] New Pogo-Pins with High electric conductivity metal.
[-] 5v connector for xbox case and/or customizing light.
[-] LCD Connector, full software controlling.
[-] LCD Backlight engine control. (can be controlled manually or by software).
[-] Front panel connector (with build-in real speed programmer connector).
[-] Connector for add-on and free plugging.
[-] Status control LED.
[-] Programmation Status LED
[-] Flash In Progress LED
[-] Hard Enable/Disable the modchip.
[-] Power LED.
[-] Full manual modchip management.
[-] External LCD light control.
[-] Installation LED Control for each wires of the Spider Wires board. Ease and safe your installation.
* Software Specs:
[-] Easy to use OS and fully upgradable
[-] All xbox version compatible "v1.0 to v1.6b"
[-] Full software management
[-] Network management
[-] Compatible with all the actual bios
[-] Display and change the Video standard
[-] Display and change the DVD Region
[-] Display and change the Game Region
[-] Display the Serial Number
[-] Display and change the Mac Address
[-] Diplay the full network informations
[-] Enable/Disable the embedded HTTP Server
[-] Choose the Bank to use for the Autoboot
[-] Add bios from CD/DVD
[-] Add bios from HDD
[-] Add bios from network
[-] Enable/Disable function "AutoBoot On..."
[-] Allow the user to lock the HDD
[-] Can unlock the HDD
[-] LCD light control
[-] Case light control
[-] Flash SpiderGX'OS from CD/DVD
[-] Flash SpiderGX'OS from HDD
[-] Flash SpiderGX'OS from network
[-] Security file for SpiderGX'OS was choose to avoid against bad OS flash.
[-] Backup the EEPROM inside the SpiderGX
[-] Restore the EEPROM from the SpiderGX
[-] Display of all the content of the EEProm.
[-] Can backup the EEprom from the web'os
[-] Can backup the EEprom from the web'os
[-] Auto backup of the EEprom to the SpiderGX at the first time installation
[-] Auto configuration of the SpiderGX at the first time installatin
[-] Support direct boot of all media.
[-] Support all game regions USA / JAP / EUR
[-] Free DVD Zone
[-] Support direct boot for backup and homebrow
[-] Compatible MP3 (with xbmc)
[-] Compatible Divx
[-] Compatible picture jpg
Dashing up walls, silently striking and decapitating those who stand in your way, Ninja Gaiden was one of the best action adventures of this generation, recognized by many as the perfect Ninja Gaiden title. This week though, Tecmo proves the game wasn't perfect after all. In Ninja Gaiden Black, the entire original game is here, exploring the back story of Dead or Alive's Ryu Hayabusa, who is seeking revenge after his clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. On top of that however, are the new scenes, weapons, enemies and costumes from the two downloadable Hurricane Packs. Then moving into unseen territory, there’s new cinematics, extra side missions and fresh areas to traverse. Still not done, after you wrap the main adventure up, which is far from a simple task, there's around 50 extra combat missions awaiting you, and beyond that even, the entire original arcade version of Ninja Gaiden can be unlocked!
Showing it all the love and care it deserves too, Tecmo went through the whole game polishing up any graphics that didn't meet their standards of perfection. Further changes include many challenges with a beefed up difficulty level, but for those who the game mocks as "Ninja Dogs", after dying a few times you're given the offer to play at a much more forgiving level. If you're after the ultimate honor however, give Master Ninja mode a go. Only one lone staff member from the developers, Team Ninja, was able to complete this, and anyone else who can, can rest easy in the knowledge they are truly one of very few elite gaming ninja's in this world. Being released this week, if you didn't give it a go the first time around, find out just what you missed out on now, and if you did, take your skills, and adventures, to whole new levels.
With Far Cry Instincts coming out end of this week and with Half Life 2 in the starting blocks, it's time to prepare your weaponry ahead of the fierce Xbox Live combat you'll have to face soon. If you are a PlayStation 2 gamer, SOCOM 3 is probably the war you are preparing for. With widest maps than in the previous episode, sniping will be more important than ever in the series, which should turn your mouse into a much appreciated friend
Now for US$ 19.90 - Buy Two and Get a FREE SmartJoy X or SmartJoy PLUS
The good news of today is that the Smartjoy FRAG will be shipping out for a lowered retail price of only US$ 19.90 from now on, making it the must-have peripheral of this Christmas. If you buy two of them, you'll automatically get a free SmartJoy X (Xbox) or a free SmartJoy PLUS (PS2) along with it.
ok my xceuter modded xbox was running off xbmc is what friend gave me. whenever i turned on xbox, it went to xbmc. now for some reason the normal xbox menu is loading up (ever since i unplugged power cord) . i burned newest xbmc onto cdrw and screen shows but frozen. what's best menu for a modded xbox. i already have burnt games and emulators and programs on it, but i cant get to them from normal xbox menu screen.
Spider GX, the big brother of the Spider 1.1 has finally arrived. Still with the same solderless capacity and ease of use of the Spider 1.1, but much more powerful!
