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September 1st, 2006, 07:32 Posted By: wraggster
New 360 game released:
Condemned Psycho Crime allows players to experience a heightened level of psychological tension as they use their instincts, forensic tools, and melee combat to hunt serial killers and bring them to justice. Agent Thomas, an FBI investigator in the Serial Crimes Unit (SCU), pursues relentless serial killer through detailed urban environments filled with deadly sociopaths lurking on the periphery of humanity. Presented in a first-person view for maximum visceral effect, Condemned Psycho Crime is best played with the surround-sound up and the lights off. Given the power of next-generation hardware, this atmospheric thriller features photo-realistic backdrops, life-like physics, and highly sophisticated artificial intelligence.
More info/buy here --> http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?pro...0&lsaid=219793
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September 1st, 2006, 16:03 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is singing the praises of Xbox Live Marketplace, announcing this morning that downloads from the service have surpassed the whopping 50 million mark. Apparently, the figure's doubled in just three months, so well done MS!
Revealing further Xbox Live stats, the company's said that users have logged over two billion hours online to date, and that EA's Madden NFL 07 and Live Arcade title Texas Hold 'em - recently made a free download for 48 hours - have proved extremely popular in connection with Microsoft's online service.
"Within the first week of release [of Madden NFL 07], gamers unlocked more than 600,000 achievements and Xbox Live hosted more than 2 million hours of game play. This is equivalent to 228 years of online gaming in the first seven days alone. Texas Hold 'em, set a day one record as the fastest downloaded item ever on the Xbox Live Marketplace, with over 100 downloads per minute in the first 24 hours of the title's release."
And for those who like statistics breakdowns, here's one of them:
Top Xbox Live Statistics
More than 50 million downloads of gaming and entertainment content from Xbox Live Marketplace to date
Over 2 billion hours spent on Xbox Live by gamers across the globe since the launch of the Xbox Live online gaming network in November 2002
More than 60 percent of Xbox 360 owners are connected to Xbox Live
1,300,000 text and voice messages are sent via Xbox Live every day. Currently totaling half a billion sent messages between the Xbox Live community per year, this figure is set to explode with the launch of the Xbox Live Vision camera on 19th September, 2006 in the U.S. and 6th October in Europe
65 per cent of all connected consoles already downloading and playing Xbox Live Arcade titles
Over 8 million downloads of Xbox Live Arcade games following the launch of Xbox 360
Over 2 billion Microsoft Points sold to date
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September 1st, 2006, 16:04 Posted By: wraggster
Speeding along the development racetrack in pursuit of its Christmas release date, Forza Motorsport 2 has drifted onto our internet wing-mirror once more in a fresh trailer released this morning.
Obligatory graphical tweaks aside, Forza 2 promises to ramp-up the original game's "unprecedented" features with the likes of advanced simulation physics and an all-new damage system, making the sequel an even more realistic and hardcore racing experience for Xbox 360 petrol-heads.
You can check the out the fancy new visuals for yourself in the included trailer. We'll let you know how the game's shaped up when we get behind the wheel in a few months time, although perhaps we'll get a cheeky peek at X06 which is hurtling our way at the end of the month.
Trailer Here
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September 1st, 2006, 16:05 Posted By: wraggster
Ubisoft has finally released official confirmation on the existence of an Xbox 360 version of Assassin's Creed, shoving a couple of screenshots from the iteration our way too.
Assassin's Creed on 360 will release alongside the already announced PS3 version of the game next year. A PC outing is also in the pipeline too, of course - though Ubi still remains coy on gaming's worst kept secret.
Still, we're genuinely very excited about Assassin's Creed. The game is set in the 12th century during the time of the Third Crusade and battle in the Holy Land, players filling the boots of assassin Altair, who is playing a part in an attempt to halt hostilities by hitting warlords on both sides. There's talk that it might even be the first of a trilogy, but of course as soon as we have more on one of our Most Wanted, we'll share it with you. We're nice like that.
Screenshots Here
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September 1st, 2006, 16:07 Posted By: wraggster
Ubisoft and Gearbox's E3 2006 rolling demo showcasing Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway has been squeezed into an internet movie package and released. Running for just over 13 minutes, the movie obviously assaults eyeballs with a hefty amount of gameplay, revealing a number of new features appearing in the sequel along with pretty swish visuals. As per usual, you can view the goods by hitting our movie player on the right.
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway focuses on Operation Market-Garden, the ill-fated and high-risk Allied WWII offensive that, if successful, would have brought about a quick end to the conflict. Players once again find themselves fighting as part of the 101st Airborne.
Hell's Highway is out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2007. Enjoy the latest movie!
Movie Here
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September 1st, 2006, 16:08 Posted By: wraggster
Saber Interactive's time-bending PC and Xbox 360 shooter TimeShift has now been slapped with a 2007 release, as publisher Vivendi announces a delay to an unspecified date for the title.
According to a statement from Vivendi, the decision to move TimeShift to 2007 has been taken in order to "give it the time and resources needed to fulfil its potential." The publisher also said in the statement that it acquired the Saber Interactive title with the view that TimeShift "would become a stand out FPS franchise." It added: "Our commitment to that vision remains".
TimeShift chucks you into the shoes of a test pilot who, after testing out time travel technology for the government, finds himself stranded in an alternate reality ruled by a nasty geezer called Krone who has been messing with history to set himself us as dictator. Only Swift knows what's truly going on and needless to say, Krone isn't about to let the truth of his schemes be revealed...
Time-bending gameplay lends a helping hand on your adventures and you can freeze time, slow it down and also rewind it as an aid to completing missions and objectives and shooting shit. Marvellous, our chromometers have now been set to next year.
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September 1st, 2006, 17:05 Posted By: wraggster
SuperVisionX by Xport is a Watara Supervision Emulator for the Xbox.
Heres whats new:
Possible fix for the strange pulsating sound some people have been hearing.
More Info
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September 1st, 2006, 17:08 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has released a new version of his Playstation emulator for the Xbox:
Heres whats new:
- Added "Throttle Method" option to game configuration screen. The original way that throttling was handled in all versions prior to v14 is that once you hit the throttle/FF button once, it
would set a flag that would never get cleared, even after you release the throttle/FF button. In v14, I "fixed" this bug, but apparently people liked the bug - so now they have the option of making use of it. It defaults to the way things were before v14.
- Select the core on the game configuration screen. If the core you wish to use is not the current XBE that is running, the appropriate XBE will be launched with the game you selected as the parameter.
The 1.4core XBE must be called "DEFAULT14.XBE"
The 1.5core XBE must be called "DEFAULT.XBE"
The 1.6core XBE must be called "DEFAULT16.XBE"
All of the XBEs must be in the same directory.
- Possibly improved load state. I'm pretty sure that in this version of PCSXBox some variables are set up more correctly than in previous versions when completing a load state. The default is to have this new load state method on by default, but if you find that your saved states no longer load, then turn off the "Use Newer Restore State" option on the game configuration menu.
- Somewhat reduced the frequency/duration of the brief pauses during gameplay.
- Included game configuration option to save the memory card data with the save states.
- New SPU option "Sound Timer". Originally the sound code was executed synchronously with the CPU emulation. Putting it in threaded mode seems
to give a few extra FPS on average, so it is the new default. If your games sound different and you want to go back to an original setting, go to your game configuration -> Set SPU Fixes -> Sound Timer Method and set it to "Original" instead of "Threaded".
More Info
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September 1st, 2006, 17:15 Posted By: wraggster
So far 1.3m Xbox 360 machines have been sold in PAL territories under the guidance of Lewis, with global sales at five million.
He expects the 10m global target to be hit by Christmas, with his territories commanding an increased proportion of sales and the UK leading the way.
"The UK team expects to get to a million 360 sales well ahead of Christmas. We have built up a good head of steam, so it certainly won’t be nip and tuck," said Lewis.
European sales will be aided by increased efforts in major territories, and also new markets such as Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and South Africa, which will each see the 360 being launched over the next few months.
Russia could be next. "We’re still trying to get there as soon as we possibly can, but only when we’ve got a localised dashboard on the console."
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September 2nd, 2006, 01:38 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has released a new version of his Playstation emulator for the Xbox:
Heres whats new:
Save state loading caused crashes under certain circumstances. This has been fixed.
Defaulted "Auto load most recent save state" to off since this seems to be causing lots of problems.
If this is not disabled automatically for you, I suggest making sure it's always off unless you know what you're doing.
Download Here
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September 2nd, 2006, 01:53 Posted By: wraggster
From the Circuit City site:
Want to play your original xbox games on your new Xbox 360?
Backward compatibility on the Xbox 360 is done through software*
Let Circuit City install it for you
For just $28.99
What are the benefits to playing original Xbox games on my Xbox 360 console?
• Every game* will be playable in high definition.
• Every original Xbox game* will be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, and will take advantage of Xbox 360's anti-aliasing capabilities, delivering a picture that is clear and crisper than anything available on Xbox.
*Refer to the original Xbox games list to ensure compatibility on the Xbox 360.
Cheeky Basts
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September 3rd, 2006, 14:13 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has updated his Atari 7800 emulator for the Xbox, heres whats new:
Fixed palette (Rampage has blue sky now, for example.)
Cleaned up the game configuration menu.
More Info
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September 3rd, 2006, 14:14 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has updated his Atari 2600 emulator for the Xbox, heres whats new:
UI updated to most recent feature set
Save states implemented (!)
Rewind support
ZIP support (this may have already been implemented in a previous
version
but I don't see any notes in the README for it.)
Difficulty settings as specified on "Configure Game" are now obeyed.
Record/playback works now (because it's based on save states -
no save states = no record/playback feature.)
Added a Color/Black&White control. Go to Controller -] Emulator
Definitions and assign "Color/Black&White" to an Emu Button.
Then make a Joypad Mapping -] Game Mapping for it.
Removed the annoying audio "pop" that would happen whenever
starting/exiting a game.
Autodetect palette or force NTSC/PAL palette
Set phosphor level to reduce native flickering
DSP sound selection (off, simple average, scaled average)
Simulate PAL color loss option
Disable Compare Copy option
Swap joysticks 1&2 game configuration option, or go to
Controller Configuration -] Emulator Definitions and assign
"Swap Joysticks" to an Emu Button. Then go to Joypad Mappings -]
Game Mappings and assign a mapping to it.
Each XBox controller now controls the corresponding paddle so
full 4-player games of Warlord, for example, are now possible.
Selectable paddle control methods:
Left/Right Triggers (and inverted)
Left Thumbstick Left/Right (and inverted)
Left Thumbstick Up/Down (and inverted)
Right Thumbstick Left/Right (and inverted)
Right Thumbstick Up/Down (and inverted)
Removed paddle sensitivity since it's no longer used. The paddle
limits are exactly the limits of the triggers/thumbsticks. The range
of motion on the sticks and triggers just doesn't allow for the
sensitivity that a real paddle provides. There is no good solution to
this, but I think paddles work better now than they did before.
More Info
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September 3rd, 2006, 22:37 Posted By: wraggster
Associated Content has posted a list of reasons you shouldnt buy an xbox360
Here they are:
10) It's over priced
9) Bill Gates has enough money
8) Extras cost a lot
7) Graphics aren't much better than Xbox 1
6) The online play
5) Only one good exclusive game - Halo
4) No RPG's
3) Original Xbox just as good
2) You can go to vegas for a month
1) PS3 and Wii nearly to be released
Agree or Disagree, vent your Opinions.
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September 4th, 2006, 16:49 Posted By: wraggster
Aside from the tantalising teases courtesy of Bungie's very own weekly update, there's been little to emerge from the Halo 3 bunker since Microsoft's grand unveiling at this year's E3.
So it's welcome, if slightly disappointing, news this morning in the form of some new concept art from the Master Chief's adventure part trois (thanks GameFront) which is currently cooking long and deep back at Bungie HQ. Good news in that it's some fresh Halo 3 stuff, bad news in that it's just concept art.
Still it's very nice to see the old boy in action, and with X06 moving up the queue in our list of things to do this month, we'll hope for bigger things come Microsoft's Barcelona event -- perhaps even a first glimpse of the game in action? As ever, we'll keep it tuned to all things Halo for you.
Screen Here
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September 4th, 2006, 16:53 Posted By: wraggster
Championing the Monday morning screenshot charge, we've found some new shots of Crackdown, the latest free-roaming actioner from GTA creator David Jones, hitting Xbox 360 later this year.
Admittedly, it's not a rare occasion when we see a crime-em-up vying for GTA's crown, but hopefully Crackdown's super-human antics will put a much-needed spin on the genre with rocket-blasting and pedestrian-hurling aplenty, and Jones' track record - which also includes the seminal puzzler, Lemmings - certainly raises our expectations.
We'll let you know how Crackdown shapes-up when it hits the shops later this year - big ta to Gamefront.
Screens Here
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September 4th, 2006, 16:57 Posted By: wraggster
Not long to go now - 79 days to be exact, as more excited editors will point out - until we finally get our hands on Epic and Microsoft's killer 360 shooter, Gears of War.
To keep you from counting the days until release for at least the next two minutes, we've gathered a bunch of new Gears screens - 25 to be exact - showing off how great lead designer and man with lavish hairdo, Cliffy B is at snatching Locust headshots.
Gears of War is in the shops on November 17 - that's 79 days and 14 hours, if you're counting. We're not.
Screenshots Here
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September 4th, 2006, 16:58 Posted By: wraggster
They say pictures are worth a thousand words which frankly, makes our jobs a whole lot easier. So here's some new Forza Motorsport 2 screens - we hope you enjoy them.
Oh alright then, we'll give you another paragraph to remind you exactly how the racing sequel is flexing the Xbox 360's technical-muscle, to add a plethora of graphical loveliness including the likes of advanced simulation physics and all new damage system, which apparently took the dev team over six months to construct. It all sounds fine and dandy, but we'll have wait and see if the boys at Turn 10 can top Microsoft's other racing opus, PGR3 which is still tearing up the tarmac on Xbox Live.
With any luck we'll have a full hands-on Report with Forza 2 in a few weeks time, when Microsoft's X06 bash in Barcelona comes hurtling into view.
Screens Here
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September 4th, 2006, 17:08 Posted By: wraggster
There are two stories here. One is that Microsoft is releasing a compilation of six full Xbox Live Arcade titles on disc, and that you'll be able to get your hands on it here in the UK on September 15th. It should go for £24.99, although we've seen it listed at £19.99, so hunt around.
(The other, less interesting, story is of a my being on holiday last week, a typo in an email address - euorgamer.net, since you ask - and of new-boy Matt being very busy, which is why you're reading about this a week later than you probably ought to have done.)
Anyway, the six games that make up Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Volume 1 are Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, Wik: Fable of Souls, Outpost Kaloki X, Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, Hardwood Backgammon and Texas Hold 'Em. A decent mix. If you downloaded them all individually, it would cost you 4000 Microsoft points, or £34.00.
That's not all you get either - as Microsoft's throwing in one month of Xbox Live Gold access, and Xbox Live Arcade demo versions of UNO, Marble Blast Ultra and Feeding Frenzy.
On the whole then, an excellent-sounding pack - probably worth it for Geometry Wars, Wik and Kaloki alone. Although, er, perhaps not, since they'd only set you back 2000 points, or £17.00. Look, just make your own mind up, alright? And tell your friends - the ones without Internet, since they're presumably the main target, and won't be able to read this item, or the others like it that you might've read a week ago.
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September 4th, 2006, 17:30 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has updated his Atari 7800 emulator for the Xbox, heres whats new:
Selectable palette: MESS-NTSC, MESS-PAL, New stella NTSC, Old stella NTSC, Z26 NTSC
New UI feature: Garbage Directory
Press "BACK" on the game selection menu to move games you don't like into a garbage directory. The default for this is E:SAVES[EMULATORNAME]GARBAGE. You can change this location by going to Configuration -] Change Default Directories
More Info
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September 4th, 2006, 18:28 Posted By: wraggster
New from Lik Sang
Product Features
Full Replacement Case for your Xbox 360 console!
High Quality Chrome Case
Also Includes Chrome Faceplate, DVD Bezel, and Eject Button
Case Opening Tool Included
No Additional Tools Needed!
Easy to Install - 10-15 Mins
Description
This high quality case replacement is a complete chrome replacement case for your Xbox 360. The included case opening tool allows you to install the case without any additional tools.
More Info --> http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?pro...1&lsaid=219793
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September 4th, 2006, 19:00 Posted By: wraggster
A Microsoft Worker posted this bit of tech news about loading times:
Ozymandias has found out that the PS3 will use a 2x BD drive, which is 72Mbits/second or 9MB/second. The Xbox360 uses a 12x DVD, which should give it about 16MB/second. “That is significantly faster for games and will result in shorter load times.â€
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September 5th, 2006, 07:42 Posted By: wraggster
New from Success HK
Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged provides a taste of the Xbox Live Arcade experience for gamers everywhere, and includes games like Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, Wik: Fable of Souls, and Texas Hold 'em.
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September 5th, 2006, 07:44 Posted By: wraggster
New from Success HK
Test Drive Unlimited challenges players online to experience the most exotic and fastest cars and bikes on more than 1000 miles of diverse Hawaiian roads. Visit the most sophisticated car and bike dealers and chose to purchase new vehicles or simply take them for a spin. Collect and trade rare performance parts and customize each vehicle to make it one-of-a- kind. Gamers win races, challenges, missions and tournaments to earn credits and purchase new cars, bikes, rare performance parts, clothes, apparel, homes and garages. Boasting huge online content, racers around the world can challenge others to join them in the virtual paradise of the game's persistent online racing world.
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September 5th, 2006, 18:21 Posted By: wraggster
Following the news that the HDMI-equipped PlayStation 3 will ship without an HDMI cable, it appears that the Xbox 360 - which has no HDMI-out port - is about to acquire an HDMI cable.
How do we know? Well, EB Games in the US is taking orders for just such an object, priced at $99 (which is rather steep for a cable).
Which may sound like another coup for Microsoft at Sony's expense -- but is it? Not necessarily, we'd have to say. For a start, HDMI is an intelligent connection standard -- it auto-senses the maximum resolution at which your TV can run, for example -- and it is highly unlikely that those sort of features would work without an HDMI-out socket.
Indeed, it is questionable whether you would see any benefits in quality over the standard Component Video lead currently included with the Xbox 360. HDMI is, however, physically a smaller and neater format than Component Video, as it encapsulates both video and audio signals.
Still, if you're convinced that buying an HDMI cable for your Xbox 360 will lead to an improvement in the picture and sound you see on your TV, it sounds as if you will be able to do just that in the near future.
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September 5th, 2006, 18:22 Posted By: wraggster
Racing in late today and rapidly pulling up in one almighty screech of tyres are new screenshots from Forza 2, Xbox 360's circuit burner. We particularly like the shot featuring road, concrete barricades and no cars. Pure genius. All racing games should look like this.
Anyway, Forza 2 should be burning in on a wave of Christmas turkey and stuffing at the end of the year, and features hundreds of customisable motors that you can whip around famous tracks. It's all looking reasonably swish, especially the concrete.
Screens here
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September 5th, 2006, 18:25 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo China
Whisper Fan from Talismoon might be the top selling tuning accessories on Xbox 360. Not only it is a great upgrade with higher cooling and noise reduction, but it is also looking damn cool!
So it comes as no surprise that they added a new color, and it is now available in *RED* (Blue and Green still in stock).
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September 5th, 2006, 19:24 Posted By: wraggster
He's always highly anticipated, but you never get a clear view of him until he's almost on you. Such is the way with secret agents, and since Sam Fisher's a Black Forest Double Agent Gateau, it's no surprise that we've learnt of his impending arrival just over a month beforehand.
In other, less tiring words, Splinter Cell: Double Agent is due out on Xbox 360 on October 20th, with the PC, Xbox, PS2 and GameCube versions leaping out of the bushes on October 27th.
Then, a month after that, Ubisoft's other new Tom Clancy game, Rainbow Six Vegas, will take up its place on Xbox 360 - on November 17th. That's the date already confirmed for the PC and PlayStation 3 versions of the game - the latter of which is clearly a launch title.
Other updates to Ubisoft's latest release schedule include all of the Wii launch titles it's been banging on about, and recently bought-up Japanese 360 title Import Tuner Challenge, which is down for October 10.
Finally, those of you still coveting Resident Evil 4 on the PC will be pleased to learn that the Ubisoft-published port of the Capcom PS2 and Cube title is due out on December 8th, and should cost absolutely bugger all.
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September 5th, 2006, 19:29 Posted By: wraggster
Everybody's favourite Tempest developer Jeff Minter - a man never seen far from a llama (certainly not in rubbish website copy) - is planning to bring space giraffes to Xbox Live Arcade next year.
As in, a game, which he says most people are calling "Space Giraffe" since it features a giraffe-looking fellow. In space. Shooting things. As you can see in the interesting screenshots posted on his LiveJournal.
Minter recently worked on the Neon visualisations that play in the background when you listen to music on Xbox 360, and fans of the developer's distinctive style will probably find the visuals quite exciting - although Minter himself admits "this game is almost a worst case for screenshots since a lot of the structures are defined over time".
It won't cost much though - just 400 Microsoft points, or £3.40 - and you'll also be able to unlock new effects for Neon that support webcam input while you're playing it. "That's to make up for the fact that MS stiffed me on doing a proper new version of Neon to truly support the cam, and instead have done some half-assed thing where they just superimpose some cam effect layers over existing Neon," he says. "I figure that was a bit rude, so I'll put some proper cam-Neon stuff in the new game by way of schooling."
Back in May, Minter was upbeat about how the game was going. "The last couple of weeks I've had a couple of good points of traction. One being feeling something of how I want the control and firing to be, and the other being today, building in a nice p-system generator to use for the explosions and stuff and initial tests of that being really nice," he wrote at the time. He also said he was working with Llamasoft chum Ivan Zorzin, and said that Neon would be distributed on PC soon.
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September 5th, 2006, 19:58 Posted By: wraggster
New Preorder from SuccessHK:
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is a comical take on the Star Wars Trilogy, the movies that revolutionized pop culture forever. LEGO Star Wars II follows the Rebel Alliance's battle to dismantle the Galactic Empire and rebuild a galaxy in pieces. From Darth Vader's pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her Blockade Runner to a showdown on the reconstructed Death Star, the game includes the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles and humor that earned the original LEGO Star Wars such popularity and acclaim. Drop-in/drop-out feature enables friends to join easily and engage in multi-player action
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September 6th, 2006, 18:47 Posted By: wraggster
Despite Forza 2's release date changing to “winter†during Microsoft's recent Games Convention press conference, with a top executive refusing to guarantee a pre-Christmas debut for the Xbox 360 racer, GamesIndustry.biz has learned that the US giant is still briefing retail that it is aiming for December 8 in Europe.
Forza 2, sequel to the critically acclaimed Xbox racer Forza Motorsport, was confirmed for a “Holiday 2006†release when announced at E3 back in May. But during Microsoft's media briefing at last month's German event, the game's release window was announced as “winter†- immediately raising fears that the high-profile racing sequel had slipped into 2007.
Speaking exclusively to sister site Eurogamer TV immediately after the presentation, in an interview now showing, Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis refused to admit the slip, only promising a release by the end of Microsoft's current financial year - which runs to June 30 2007.
“I'm not going to use your media to make any announcements in that regard - what I will say is watch this space,†Lewis offered when pushed to provide a specific timeframe.
“I think we've always said that it will appear in our financial year - and in our financial year I can guarantee you that game will appear. I can't be specific right now in terms of the actual dates for Forza, but certainly it will be an integral game that appears during our financial year '07 which is the one we're in now.â€
Lewis's remarks certainly suggest that a pre-Christmas release for Forza 2 now looks unlikely. But GamesIndustry.biz can reveal that the firm is still communicating a target date of December 8 in Q4 briefings with key UK retailers.
“We're being told that Microsoft are still aiming to get Forza 2 out on December 8,†one retailer told GamesIndustry.biz this week.
“But this is very much an aspiration; it's hanging in the balance but I expect it to slip into next year.â€
The loss of Forza 2 from Xbox 360's holiday line-up will undoubtedly be a blow to Microsoft - not just because its console will therefore lack a new triple-A racing title during the peak season, but also because the game had been earmarked as a key driver for the firm's Wireless Racing Wheel peripheral, which will retail for a hefty USD 149.99 later this year.
Equally, however, Microsoft Game Studios will be reluctant to rush out one of its biggest products until it is absolutely ready - and Lewis's significant widening of the release window implies there is still plenty of work to be done on the anticipated sequel.
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September 6th, 2006, 18:56 Posted By: wraggster
Thompson says decision to move launch date is "not surprising"
Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson has told GamesIndustry.biz that Microsoft is not surprised Sony has "backed away" from its commitment to a global launch for PlayStation 3.
"We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plan, due to the unproven technology they are trying to pack in to their console," he said.
Microsoft brought Xbox 360 to market in Europe, Japan and North America late last year, pulling off a simultaneous global launch - although hardware shortages did follow. With the PS3 delayed until March, MS now faces one less competitor this Christmas; but according to Thompson, that will make little difference to the success of Xbox 360.
"Europe remains a priority for us. That is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day one, and why we're confident we're going to have a great Christmas - regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market," he stated.
Thompson went on to observe that Xbox 360 owners will have more than 160 software titles to choose from, with the likes of Viva Pinata, Gears of War, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 and FIFA 2007 due out in time for Christmas.
In addition, Thompson continued, Xbox 360 offers "a growing and innovating online gaming service, fantastic entertainment capabilities, optional HD-DVD capability and a great value price".
He concluded, "These factors will help us reach our goal of 10 million consoles sold worldwide by the end of the year."
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September 6th, 2006, 19:00 Posted By: wraggster
This week's Xbox Live Arcade upload should have been the 1981 arcade classic Scramble, but it has been delayed until next week due to "Final testing and certification issues".
It will now go up on XBLA on September 13 and, in its stead, Microsoft is releasing a somewhat less enticing PGR3-themed deck for Uno. It's a bit of a shame that we'll have to wait an extra week for Scramble, though: after all, you'd imagine that all the bugs would have been fixed in the mere 25 years since it launched...
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September 6th, 2006, 19:02 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has confirmed that the hotly anticipated Xbox 360 action-RPG Mass Effect will not be released until the first quarter of 2007.
To be fair, the company always said that Mass Effect, being developed by those masters of the RPG, Bioware, would ship some time this winter -- but that did hold out a slight prospect of the game shipping before Christmas.
To soften the blow, however, we've unearthed some new Mass Effect screens, which show off the games graphics, and the level of detail given to its characters, to stunning effect. Enjoy...
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September 6th, 2006, 19:21 Posted By: wraggster
THQ has denied that it will use September 15th to release a host of new clothes and tattoos for Saints Row players to deck their characters out in, but says we can definitely expect some downloadable content soon.
Speaking to Eurogamer, a spokesperson for the publisher said, "we have extensive plans for downloadable content for Saints Row and will be announcing more information closer to the time the content will be made available."
The 15th claim came by way of the Rated-M blog, which lists a bunch of new clothing and tattoo types and backs this up with some photos, claiming that the lot will be made available through kiosks and over Marketplace in exchange for some points. THQ disputes the date claim, but didn't comment on the specifics of the content mooted.
If it happens, then you can expect the likes of a spiked leather jacket, a skull ring, crazy bunny slippers, an eye patch and samurai helmet, as well as biohazard and ankh tattoos among others.
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September 6th, 2006, 19:39 Posted By: wraggster
New for Xbox 360:
Kengo Zero is the latest installment in Genki's famous samurai simulator. For this episode, the player does not follow a scenario but instead fights like in a beat' em all moving from stages to stages to face stronger opponents. Battle stages vary greatly and include historical places like Ganryuujima where Musashia Miyamoto and Kojirou Sasaki battled against each other. The battle system is similar to the previous episodes and relies on observation and strategy.
More info --> http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?pro...7&lsaid=219793
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September 6th, 2006, 20:35 Posted By: wraggster
In the wake of the news that Sony won't be launching PS3 in Europe until March 2007, we were keen to find out what Microsoft's official response - not just the obvious unofficial whooping, cheering and high-fiving - to the bombshell would be. And this is what Neil Thompson, Microsoft's UK director of Home and Entertainment Division, told us:
"We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from its previously announced launch plan due to the unproven technology it is trying to pack in to its console.
"Europe remains a priority for us and that is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day one and why we're confident that we're going to have a great Christmas, regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market. Xbox 360 will have over 160 high-definition games including Viva Pinata from Rare, Gears of War from Epic, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 from Konami and FIFA 2007 from EA, a growing and innovating online gaming service, fantastic entertainment capabilities, optional HD-DVD capability and a great-value price.
"These factors will help us reach our goal of 10 million consoles sold worldwide by the end of the year."
So, while diplomatically sympathetic, Microsoft is keen to reinforce the fact that it is delivering the next-gen era in Europe right now, while Sony is still some way from the starting blocks.
Of course, with nearly 40 million PS2s shipped in Europe to date, Microsoft - and the rest of us - knows better than to underestimate the power of PlayStation. We'll just have to see what happens in Christmas 2007...
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September 6th, 2006, 23:15 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has released a new version of PCSXBox his PlayStation emulator for Xbox.
What's new
* Analog support (tested on Medievil)
Go to the game configuration screen, and toggle the controller type for controller 1 through 4.
* Multitap support (tested on MicroMachines v3)
Go to the game configuration screen and toggle "Multitap".
More info --> http://xport.xbox-scene.com
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September 7th, 2006, 18:51 Posted By: wraggster
Yup you read that right, Microsoft are giving Live away for free for 10 days between the 20th and the 29th of September all across Europe!
Sponsored by Windows Live Spaces, the offer allows full access to the Xbox Live Gold membership through a standard broadband cable, enabling the online gaming, demo downloading and multitude of other features on the service usually cut off from those cheapskate Silver membership holders.
As part of the Xbox Community Network, a group of 150 enthusiast-run Xbox websites across Europe, 360Monster cites that "on 20th September at 00.01 local time, Xbox will flick the switch, giving gamers in Europe full access and the chance to see what everyone is talking about, until the free trial ends on 29th September at 23.59 local time."
Now there's frankly no excuse not to nuke your friends and loved ones over the internet.
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September 7th, 2006, 18:53 Posted By: wraggster
DoA creator Tomonobu Itagaki sort-of-confirms a Ninja' sequel heading for Xbox 360
Dead or Alive's creator Tomonobu Itagaki has given hope to fans anticipating a next-gen Ninja Gaiden, with hints that an Xbox 360 instalment is already under construction.
Speaking to IGN about the Xbox 360's multi-threaded architecture, Itagaki dropped a hint that the next-gen Ninja' sequel is on the way: "if you're working on a game like Ninja Gaiden 2, where it's really important that enemies are smart and challenging, then we might use up to two threads on AI," he said.
When asked outright about Ninja Gaiden 2, Itagaki responded: "I won't upset anybody by denying your expectations. I like to see people's expectations fulfilled." So that's a yes then.
Excellent news for 'Gaiden fans then, but gamers looking forward to Sony's next-gen console could also be in for some Tecmo loving. When asked if he would consider developing for the PS3, Itagaki responded by saying: "I think the most important thing is for people to have good games that they want to play on good hardware, so if there is a demand for it, we may follow that path some time in the future."
"Obviously, we are big supporters of the Xbox platform," he added.
Hopefully we'll get more of an idea on what Tecmo's up to after the Tokyo Game Show at the end of this month. Stay tuned for more Gaiden goodness.
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September 7th, 2006, 18:58 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's Xbox 360 racing sequel, Forza Motorsport 2 is going to miss its current 'holiday 2006' release date, according to an internet post by the game's community manager, Che Chou.
"Forza 2 will no longer ship in Holiday 2006," posts Chou, who then goes on to say that a new date will be announced at Microsoft's X06 event later this month. When asked if this means that the racer has slipped to March 2007, Chou replied "Isn't March like the new November anyways?" offering a quite neat sideswipe at Sony's launch delay.
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September 7th, 2006, 19:02 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has responded to yesterday's news on the delay to the PS3 in a press statement issued this afternoon and as we're sure you'll appreciate, the Redmond giant has nothing but the milk of human sympathy (yeah we know it's kindness normally, but bear with us) over the Japanese giant's launch problems.
The MS statement begins by addressing the problems of a tri-territory launch, saying "We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plan." Read between those lines however and you can probably hear the faint echo of a "yup, but somehow we managed it'.
However MS save the delicate stiletto for the end of that first paragraph which reads, "...due to the unproven technology they [Sony] are trying to pack in to their console."
Ouch that's gotta smart more than a little. Still MS continue in confident tone given they've now got a clear path in Europe this Christmas adding, "Europe remains a priority for us and that is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day one and why we're confident we're going to have a great Christmas, regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market."
"Xbox 360 will have over 160 high-definition games including Viva Pinata from Rare, Gears of War from Epic, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 from Konami and FIFA 2007 from EA, a growing and innovating online gaming service, fantastic entertainment capabilities, optional HD-DVD capability and a great-value price. These factors will help us reach our goal of 10 million consoles sold worldwide by the end of the year.
Rumours that Bill Gates, Peter Moore and J Allard are currently doing a breaststroke marathon in a swimming pool full of recently-acquired Blue Ray diodes are believed to be unfounded.
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September 7th, 2006, 19:11 Posted By: wraggster
There's a demo of NHL '07 up now on Xbox Live Marketplace, and it slaps in at 541.39MB - the kind of slap you might experience after a minor indiscretion involving a secretary.
According to the description, you can "select your favourite player from the Edmonton Oilers or Carolina Hurricanes and see if you have what it takes to score the momentum-swinging goal". So hard to choose!
NHL '07, out this month, features a new "Skill Stick" system that allows you to control everything with the analogue sticks, and EA's also put a lot of work into AI - with "Player-Specific Behaviours" allowing you to adopt a particular player-type, be it Dangler, Grinder, Playmaker, Sniper, Power Forward, Offensive Defenseman or Defensive Defenseman.
NHL '07 is due out on Xbox 360, PC, PS2, PSP and Xbox from September 22.
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September 7th, 2006, 19:30 Posted By: wraggster
Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2, the suntanned sequel to Xbox's 'vacation simulator', is due out for Xbox 360 before the end of the year and we've got new footage from most of its game modes - check the movies tab above to watch the two main events, volleyball and jet-skiing, or a further glimpse of the button-mashing minigames.
The volleyball could be mistaken as being taken from the first game - right down to having the same speech and animation (although the motion of hair and the DOA girls' more prominent assets have seen some attention) - but this is the first time the new jet-skiing event, obviously inspired by Wave Race, has been shown off.
Four minor minigames round out the DOAX2 schedule - a button-mashing beach sprint, an extended version of the first game's pool-hopping, a tug-of-war and a bun-fight-by-the-pool game, which is as close as the fighting gals get to actually squaring off. Our hopes for a DOA4-engined pillow fight with a deep combo and counter system have been dashed.
Movies Here
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September 7th, 2006, 19:38 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has announced a rework of its Media Player for Windows that will allow Xbox 360 users to stream content to their off-shiny white games machines, freeing the delivery of such media from the shackles of Windows XP Media Edition.
As you may be aware, Microsoft locked the ability to view movies and listen to music from your PC via its new console to its unpopular 'lifestyle' operating system. A new deployment of Windows Media Player 11 features a mode called Media Sharing that will, in time, open up your shady world of dark pornography, songs from the mid-80s and other sordid secrets to other areas of your home.
Although the beta version of the updated Windows Media Player is available now, you'll have to wait for an update to the dashboard - to be made available via Live - before the changes take place.
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September 7th, 2006, 19:42 Posted By: wraggster
New from Success HK
NHL 2K7 brings back the champion of hockey games with better gameplay and faster on-ice action. Take command of tape-to-tape passing, behind-the-net plays and precision give-and-go attacks. Dominate the ice with NHL caliber goaltending, skating, checking and puck handling with the deeply enhanced animation system. Featuring all-new presentation elements, commentary and cut-scenes, NHL 2K7 brings the ice to you. Online gameplay and comprehensive online features - Completely online stat tracking, buddy lists management and online leagues
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September 7th, 2006, 19:47 Posted By: wraggster
New from Success HK
The golden age of console hockey returns when NHL 07 debuts with gameplay innovations that will allow players to feel like they are actually on the ice. Players take complete command over every movement on the ice without ever taking their hands off the analog sticks. A revolutionary new Skill Stick system is an intuitive gameplay scheme that delivers an unparalleled sense of on-ice speed and control. Using the left stick to direct the lower body, and the right to control the upper, gamers will reach a level of fluidity only experienced on the ice. Skate into the zone and glide around your defenders while bringing your stick across your body and drawing it back to fire a slapshot ?all without touching a button.
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September 8th, 2006, 16:48 Posted By: wraggster
New From Divineo USA
FARMER brings us another great product in Component Technology: The "Twins Component Cable" for your Xbox and PS II. It is constructed from the highest quality coaxial cable. This cable provides added High Quality Noise Shield, to filter out even more noise & distortion, allowing you the highest quality resolution possible! Enjoy your game play in incredible resolution through the component inputs to your TV, Monitor, or other compatible viewing device. The high quality connections for both the Xbox and PS II allow you to easily switch between devices.
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September 8th, 2006, 16:56 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is bringing the Xbox 360 Core System to Japan a week in advance of the PlayStation 3 launch. Previously only available in North America and Europe, the Core System will cost 29,800 Yen ($256), approximately 10,000 yen ($86) cheaper than the premium Xbox 360. They're also throwing in a few games. From the article: 'According to a Microsoft spokesperson, buyers of the new base system will also get two free games for a limited time: Project Gotham Racing 3 and Ninety-Nine Nights. Microsoft will additionally announce the release of three other Platinum games which will be priced at 2,800 Yen, or $24
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September 8th, 2006, 17:08 Posted By: wraggster
This Xbox looks like it's straight from the set of the nonexistent Fallout movie. Post-apocalyptic scratches, dings, and peeled paint make you feel like this Xbox 360 has seen more than just the inside of your home theatre cabinet. Too bad you can only swap out the faceplate on Xbox 360s, or someone could make a killing manufacturing these for the public.
Screen Via Comments
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September 8th, 2006, 20:44 Posted By: wraggster
As the entire Xbox 360 community hits fever-point waiting for future game-of-the-year contender Gears of War, Microsoft aims to add more excitement by honouring fans who pre-order the game with a 'Limited Collector's Edition' in a similar vein to Halo 2.
Contained within the pack is a bonus disc and the not-entirely unpretentious sounding 'Destroyed Beauty" making of book to keep fans on tenterhooks when the game is released on this November 17.
Let the lusting for Gears of War continue!
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September 8th, 2006, 20:49 Posted By: wraggster
The Premium Xbox 360 won’t benefit from a price cut this Christmas - but instead a HD-DVD and console package is due, spearheading a marketing drive of console bundles available from November.
Retail sources have indicated to GamesIndustry.biz that Microsoft is currently planning to price the standalone HD-DVD drive at GBP 199 (293 Euro), and to package it with two HD-DVD movies. The sources also suggested that Microsoft will bundle the Premium console and next-generation movie player together for under GBP 400 (589 Euro) – and that the price could even be as low as GBP 375 (552 Euros).
Next-generation movie support is considered a unique selling point of the PlayStation 3, but Microsoft’s HD-DVD bundle could retail around GBP 50 (74 Euro) cheaper than Sony’s machine, which features the rival Blu-ray movie format.
UK distributor Gem is already offering Premium Xbox 360s with a copy of Project Gotham Racing 3 and two wireless controllers for GBP 299.
It’s expected an official Premium bundle will be made available in early November, with a newly released triple-A third-party title included.
Microsoft recently reduced the price of the Xbox 360 Core package, after many retailers had already taken a similar intiative.
With the pressure to compete with Sony over the Christmas market no longer a threat for Europe, Microsoft looks set to capitalise with a range of SKUs to help grow its installed base in the region.
Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment.
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September 9th, 2006, 02:36 Posted By: Skye
This comes via Xbox-Scene >> The September XDK has been released and with it developers got a first look at what to except in the fall 2006 dashboard update for the Xbox 360 that will be released in November 2006 to the public.
Some of the new dashboard features shown below:
* The "Launchpad" to boot game demos and homebrew games with the final version of XNA Game Studio Express (will require a $99/year XNA Creators Club subscription)
* New Xbox LIVE Arcade interface
* New Marketplace interface
* New memory management for your storage
This is certainly not a complete changelog, but it should give you an idea of some of the things you can expect in the upcoming fall build.
I personally can't wait for the XNA Game Studio Express for Xbox 360 to finally be released! Say hello to homebrew game development!
Check the comments for some screenshots! (Warning 56k users)
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September 9th, 2006, 11:22 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Product Features of Xbox360 Handy Pad
Better hand feeling
Effectively reduce slip
Stylish, customize the style of XBOX360 Controller
More Description of Xbox360 Handy Pad
This stylish silicon handy pad provides better hand feeling for your controller. It also let you feel less tired for long usage. You can choose the style of handy pad according to your favor.
Price:USD 3.02
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September 9th, 2006, 11:24 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Product Features of Xbox360 Remote Control
Remote Control for Xbox 360
Small size design
Perfect for playing back movies comfortably
Integrated controls for Windows XP Media Center
More Description of Xbox360 Remote Control
This remote control is ideal for controlling the XB360 when playing DVD movies. Compatible with all versions of XB360 consoles.<
Price:USD 5.88
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September 11th, 2006, 16:54 Posted By: wraggster
Car manufacturer Peugeot has inadvertently confirmed that Liverpool developer Bizarre Creations is working on Project Gotham Racing 4.
The French car-maker has announced its annual design competition - see these entry details -- and one of the prizes will be that your car will be featured in PGR4. The only slight problem is that neither Bizarre Creations or publisher Microsoft have announced that PGR4 is in development.
However, it would be a major surprise if Bizarre Creations and Microsoft did not come up with another instalment of the popular road-racing franchise. We've contacted both parties in search of further details, including news about when the game will arrive, and will update you as soon as we hear anything.
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September 11th, 2006, 16:55 Posted By: wraggster
Anyone who swapped a wad of notes for Atari's Xbox 360 game Test Drive Unlimited on Friday will no doubt be delighted to hear there's already news of downloadable content for the title.
Out this week - in fact, maybe even today although we're far too lazy to check - are cars Audi RS4 Quattro and the Nissan Skyline GT-R34, available via Xbox Live Marketplace and yours for absolutely nothing. Zilch. Zero. Not a penny.
Apparently, the free-content release is to celebrate the launch of TDU - or "the ultimate online automotive gaming experience for Xbox 360 gamers", as Atari describes the game.
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September 11th, 2006, 16:59 Posted By: wraggster
He may be the world's highest paid and most famous sportsman, but that doesn't mean that Tiger Woods is too grand not to hang wid da kids. Yes indeed: you too can win the chance to meet Tiger Woods, make an appearance in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 and win hatfuls of goodies, courtesy of EA Sports and GAME.
The Tiger will be in London on September 25, at "a secret location," and 50 people will get the chance to meet him. To find out how, click here. As you can see, you will need a GAME account. The competition closes on 15 September, so get your skates on.
A grand prize winner will be drawn, and 50 other winners selected to attend the event. To stand a chance of appearing in the game itself, players will have to win the 5-hole K Club Match Play Challenge in the game (highly appropriate, with the Ryder Cup due to be played shortly at that very venue). Eight players will eventually be involved in a knockout competition, and will have the chance to participate in a putting competition with the great man himself - and win an Xbox 360 or an EA Sports goodie bag. You know what to do, you golf-nuts.
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September 11th, 2006, 17:03 Posted By: wraggster
A snip -- and a PS3-undercutting £400 bundle with an Xbox 360 also on the cards
Although official confirmation has yet to arrive, Microsoft is almost certain to give its add-on HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360 a price-tag of £199 in the UK.
GI.biz quotes "retail sources" as confirming the price-point, and adds that they expect Microsoft to launch a bundle consisting of the Xbox 360 and the HD-DVD drive at under £400 (which will comfortably undercut the £425 PlayStation 3, not that Microsoft really needs to worry about such things). In addition, it appears that the HD-DVD drive will be bundled with two HD-DVD movies.
Expect official confirmation of the above following Microsoft's X06 shindig in Barcelona in a fortnight's time - which, of course, we'll be covering for you.
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September 11th, 2006, 17:11 Posted By: wraggster
Every so often a mod comes along that's so intricate, so amazing, so over the top, that words simply don't do it justice (but we'll try anyway). Ben Heckendorn's Xbox 360 laptop is one such mod. Having garnered no small amount of fame from previous portable projects like the nPod, PPS2, and N64p, Ben was commissioned by a generous benefactor to somehow make a 360 "good to go" a la the Crunchwrap Supreme -- and since this is the great Mr. Heckendorn we're talking about, slapping a hinged LCD onto an out-of-the-box console simply wouldn't do. Instead, Ben spent three months designing and building the so-called Xbox 360p, machining a custom aluminum laptop enclosure by hand into which he stuffed a keyboard, 1,280 x 720 Westinghouse LCD, and get this -- even a custom-built water cooling system to replace the 360's stock, bulky heat sinks. The end result is a polished, professional looking (albeit heavy -- this machine weighs in at about 14 pounds) laptop complete with WiFi, USB ports, obligatory glowing green ring, and converged power supply so that the monitor and gaming system only require a single cable snaking out the back. Well done, Ben, well done; but as you yourself note, there's no such thing as resting on one's laurels, so we can't wait to see what you have in store for the PS3 and, most especially, the swing-your-arms-like-a-maniac Nintendo Wii.
Check out the screenshot via Comments
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September 11th, 2006, 17:41 Posted By: wraggster
New from Play Asia
Make a statement: Personalize the Xbox 360 with high-quality, interchangeable faceplates that match your personal style. Then jump on Xbox Live Marketplace or bring your Memory Unit to a participating retail kiosk to download the matching Faceplate Theme for your Xbox 360 Dashboard.
More info --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1j6n.html
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September 12th, 2006, 01:40 Posted By: wraggster
Apparently, Xbox 360 gamers will "be able to" download Star Wars prequel characters from Xbox Live Marketplace for play in LSW2 for a fee.
I suppose this sort of makes sense, afterall, you can' transfer over characters for a game that doesn't exist on this platform, but it does still annoy me.
LucasArts hasn't yet announced the price, that I could see, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't egregiously high. Oh, and the opening to Episode V is just plain hot. Nothing like roping Lego Walkers.
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September 12th, 2006, 16:53 Posted By: wraggster
LucasArts has released a 'Force-power' video shown at this year's E3 that provides indication on the direction the company is taking with technology that'll be employed in its new Star Wars project.
The company is keen to point out that the footage on display is pre-rendered and not a tech demo, but nevertheless the prospect of physics tech that lends a whole new dimension to the use of Force powers - as seen in the video - is mouth-watering. LucasArts is confident that the Star Wars game will look as good as what we're seeing here - in fact, it reckons it may even end up looking better than this in the end product.
Currently, the Star Wars project, which is being developed exclusively for next-generation consoles, remains unnamed, but LucasArts has stated the it's set between Episodes III and IV and "represents the first entry into a new series of Star Wars titles." The company's also said that the game "places a strong emphasis on unleashing the Force" and that the Jedi use of Force lightning in the video "will all make sense as you learn more about the game...".
Screens Via Comments
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September 12th, 2006, 17:02 Posted By: wraggster
Following minor TDU problems over XBL - uprated servers promised too
In the wake of some reported problems encountered when playing Atari's recently released free-roaming Xbox 360 driver Test Drive Unlimited over Xbox Live, the company has announced that it is working on a patch and will ramp up server capacity, in a bid get things going more smoothly.
If you've encountered problems playing TDU over Xbox Live, you may want to head to the game's official forum to get the latest low-down. While all bugs are a pain, we have to give Atari props for moving swiftly to acknowledge there are problems and do something about them.
As soon as we know when the patch will be pumped down Xbox Live, we'll pass on that knowledge to you. In the meantime, drive safely around your virtual Hawaiis.
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September 12th, 2006, 17:14 Posted By: wraggster
Originally expected to be hitting the Xbox Live Arcade court sometime this year, Amsterdam-based Streamline Studios' HoopWorld has been benched until 2007 to allow for a bit of development teamwork.
Streamline Studios told GameSpot that it has entered into a partnership with Spanish studio Virtual Toys to finish up development on the Unreal Engine-powered HoopWorld. Work on the game between the two studios has already begun, according to Streamline cofounder Hector Fernandez.
Over the past five years, Streamline Studios has made a name for itself as a development support house, assisting in the production of games such as Unreal Tournament 2004, Ghost Recon 2, and the recently released Saints Row. Last year, the studio announced HoopWorld as its first original game, and the over-the-top basketball game was shown off both at the 2006 Game Developers Conference in San Jose as well as at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Virtual Toys, characterized by Fernandez as a "hardcore engineering house," has been charged with making sure HoopWorld conforms to the guidelines set forth by Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade games, including a 50MB size limit. The Madrid-based developer previously worked on Torrente for PC (which was released in the US in 2004), and was one of the first European developers to work on the PlayStation 2.
"We're basically looking to have their engineering expertise to make sure we get all our content within [the mandated] limitations," Fernandez said.
According to Fernandez, this won't mean a dramatic rethinking of the basketbrawl concept that is at the heart of HoopWorld. As for whether the additional development time will result in new content for the game, he's keeping his options open on that as well.
"It's speculative," he said, when asked if the game will include addition content. "We'll have everything we intended and then we'll see."
When asked about the experience developing for Xbox Live Arcade, Fernandez was enthusiastic, especially in light of the recent release of the XNA Game Studio Express development platform. "It really empowers a lot of next-gen developers," Fernandez said. "When we first started [HoopWorld], we didn't even have final hardware. Now [developers] have a general idea of the framework. It's beneficial for everyone."
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September 12th, 2006, 17:26 Posted By: wraggster
Hey, thanks, Capcom! After oodles of potential zombie killers deprived of HDTV started complaining that the text in Dead Rising was so small that a single letter could be comfortably mapped upon the convexity of a single micron, there was great hope for a patch.
Will there be? Ha. No. According to 1UP:
So, the question is, will there ever be a patch? Unfortunately, that's a no. "Due to the amount of text and the size of the patch necessary to change the text, a patch isn't possible for this issue," said the company. "We had asked the team if it was even possible but ... due to the scope of what a patch would need to cover, it wasn't possible." Yeah, those font file sizes are just killer. Bastiches.
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September 12th, 2006, 19:39 Posted By: wraggster
A week late, but better late than never, so they say, particularly where arcade classics are concerned
Wednesday, 13th o' September's addition to the Xbox Live Arcade is set to be Konami's arcade classic Scramble - a week behind schedule due to some "minor problems" which were detected at the last minute.
We sincerely hope that the Live Arcade version of the game will be as good as the Vectrex one. If it appeals, it will set you back 400 Microsoft Points.
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September 12th, 2006, 20:09 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Cabela's Alaskan Adventures is the ultimate hunting and fishing adventure to North America's last frontier. Experience all that Alaska has to offer, as you go on 38 hunting and fishing adventures across vast tundra. For the first time in one game, you will be able to hunt trophy animals, fish, bird hunt, dog sled through the Alaskan Artic, and compete in various outdoor-themed contests. It will take every ounce of skill and strategy to hunt or catch that record-breaking trophy. It's as true-to-life as it gets! Go exploring or get to your next hunting spot in a snowmobile, truck or ATV All new shooting features and controls including Hunter's Sense, Gun Sway and Drop Dot Incredibly realistic terrain including vast tundra, dense forests, river deltas, rocky slopes and more.
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September 12th, 2006, 20:11 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
The book by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola's classic film serve as dual inspirations for Electronic Arts' action/adventure The Godfather. In it gamers can join the Corleone family to exploit loyalties and fear as they rise through the ranks to become Don in 20th century New York City. Carry out orders, earn respect, and make the Big Apple all your own. Featuring non-linear gameplay, The Godfather provides players with countless choices for solving family problems with brutal violence, skillful diplomacy, or a cunning mixture of both. From mob hits and bank heists to drive-bys and extortion, step deep inside a world where intimidation and negotiation are your tickets to the top. Custom-built for the Xbox 360, players will choose their path in this rough and tough world with enhanced BlackHand combat, enhanced graphics and HDTV support.
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September 12th, 2006, 22:00 Posted By: wraggster
New version of the Snes emulator for the Xbox:
Heres whats new:
-Added the ability to delete files from the ROM browser. The files are not actually deleted, but they are moved to the "ZsnexBoxgarbage" directory.
-Added multiple screenshot support. It will cycle through only the screenshots found. There can be up to 8 different screenshots per game. The screenshots are saved to whatever the active screenshot slot is set to (1-8). The screenshots themselves go into the artworkShots 1, artworkShots 2, etc... folders. The Shots 1 folder is searched first, then Shots 2, and so on. If you want box art (or in game, title, cart, etc...) displayed first, then put all the box art previews in the Shots 1 folder. This logic applies to all the folders so the user can determine the order the previews are displayed simply by moving them to different directories. When auto screenshots are turned off, only the Shots 1 folder is displayed. In this mode, the right analog stick is used to cycle through available screenshots (Right moves forward, Left moves back)
-Added option to enabled/disable automatic screenshot switching.
-Added option to set the screenshot preview switching speed.
-Added option to manually switch the screenshot preview with the right analog stick. Right moves to the next screenshot. Left moves to the previous screenshot.
-Complete new rom browser. The ROM browser now scrolls with the highlighted game in the middle
-Added analog scrolling with the Right/Left triggers for the ROM browser.
-Added the ability to page through the ROM list alphabetically (forwards and backwards). This is done with the D-Pad left and right.
-The ROM browser only displays games, directories, or "..."
-Added Game Genie Database with Analog scrolling for the game list and codes. This includes thousands of codes for hundreds of games. I have not tested them all, so I am sure some won’t work.
-Added Pro Action Replay Database with Analog scrolling for the game list and codes. This includes thousands of codes for hundreds of games. I have not tested them all, so I am sure some won’t work. Don’t forget that some codes will require the “fix code option” (like many Final Fantasy 3 AR codes)
-ROM extensions can now be upper case or lower case. For example, SMW.zip and SMW.ZIP will both be displayed in the ROM browser. However, the "no extension" option in the ROM browser will not remove capitol extensions. This will likely be added in a later release.
-Added a favorites browser. Pressing the white button will add a game to the favorites list when in the ROM browser. Pressing the white button will remove a game from the favorites list when in the favorites browser.
-Set the volume sent to all 5 speakers to the max as the default. You’ll likely want to lower the volume on your TV/Stereo if you have used ZsnexBox before because everything is louder now by default.
-Added support for SD Gundam Next games. The base cart must be named gnext.zip and put in the "base" directory.
-Added support for Sufami Turbo games. The base cart must be named stbios.zip and put in the "base" directory.
-Added Support for Same Game (J).zip expansions. The original (or a copy of) Same Game (J).zip must be named samegame.zip and put in the "base" directory.
-Added the ability to change the number of items displayed in the rombrowser (1
25)
-Added the ability to change the vertical spacing between items in the rom browser so more items could fit if desired.
-Fixed problem with some AR + GG codes not working
-Added option to change the max analog scroll speed for the GG/AR database and ROM browser.
-Added exit emulation animation when clicking the right thumbstick (similar to FBAXXX and xSnes9x)
-Added option to control the speed of the exit emulation animation
-Fixed the directory sorting problem in the ROM browser
-Fixed a bug where the zip file contents were not filtered on the display (no extension/extra characters/etc...).
-Fixed a bug where the wrong item was selected in the GUI options menu.
-Some code cleanup
-Faster screenshot loading
-Games now load even faster.
-Removed a lot of unnecessary code
-“Maybe” fixed the savestate creation/load bug some games (like DSP-1) had. I say “maybe” because every time I think I’ve fixed it, it just pops up again later.
-Fixed a bug where the cheat files were not created/loaded if the game was launched from the command line.
-Fixed some problems with the ROM browser display
More Info
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September 13th, 2006, 22:58 Posted By: wraggster
According to reports from Far Eastern sources -- and it could even arrive next year
According to DigiTimes, Microsoft is in the process of designing a version of the Xbox 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive.
The Taiwanese publication cites "sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry" and says that Microsoft has started designing the system and is in the process of selecting manufacturers for the internal drive. And it reckons that the HD-DVD Xbox 360 - with vastly increased capacity for games content - could arrive as early as next year, although MS has always previously denied the HD-DVD drive would would be used for games.
Bearing in mind Sony's total commitment to Blu-ray, the move would place Microsoft even more firmly at loggerheads with the Japanese consumer electronics giant. But it would also generate a vast amount of potential for consumer confusion - with two versions of the Xbox 360 already on sale, and an external HD-DVD drive for the machine due to go on sale before Christmas. Microsoft has always said that it will respond to consumer demand as far as the rival HD movie formats are concerned, and that it would not tie itself to one or the other until a clear winner emerges, so it would mark a policy U-turn for the company.
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September 13th, 2006, 23:00 Posted By: wraggster
News from Divineo USA
We will receive our shipment of Whisper Fan Red version in few days. For all thoses that were waiting this color, you can order today, and we'll ship it asap.
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September 13th, 2006, 23:03 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo USA
However you may look at things, the fact is that 20GB of storage space for your average 360 gamer is just not enough. Talismoon have long kept their prying eyes on the situation at hand and have developed two innovative solutions to the problem described. Both the Minispy and its bigger brother, the Minispy USB, allow you to free up space on a 360 hard drive via acting as a bridge between the drive and a PC.
Specifications & extra information
In conjunction with powerful free file management software currently available such as Xplorer 360, the Minispy will allow you to transfer game saves, mp3’s, demos and other media as required. The possibility of all your drive information being backed up safely on an everyday home PC is now a reality. This not only gives you extra security for your files, but also allows you to squeeze out every amount of 360 hard drive storage space available as and when you need it! The Minispy is so simple to use, just pop your hard drive off your 360 and plug it into the Minispy, you will now be ready to begin your journey on the quest for mass storage capacity.
If you already have a computer with a serial ATA connection (SATA) and only wish to move data from a 360, then the original Minispy is for you! The MiniSpy consists of a special adapter and all the necessary cabling to connect the Xbox 360 to your PC. These cables pass through a PCI plate that can be conveniently installed in the back of your PC with no fuss. Install the PCI portion one time, and enjoy moving data quickly and easily for years to come without having to open your case again.
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September 13th, 2006, 23:23 Posted By: wraggster
Gamasutra reports that the first 360 to hit a million copies sold is, unsurprisingly, Call of Duty 2. From the article:
"The World War II themed first person shoot 'em-up was already the best selling title available at launch in the U.S. and is now officially the best selling title of all time on the format, as well as being the most popular Xbox 360 game on Xbox Live. Although console launches have traditionally been dominated by first party releases this convention has proven less true in recent years with LucasArts' Star Wars: Rogue Leader - Rogue Squadron II (also published by Activision in Europe) proving to be the best selling title at the launch of the GameCube. Sony meanwhile, has rarely relied heavily on first party titles for any of its console launches."
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September 13th, 2006, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster
The Lucas Arts guys saw my post about the cost of the character pack for Xbox 360 version of Lego Star Wars II and wrote to calm my fears.
While the game will feature tons of unlockable characters from the original trilogy, you will have to buy a pack to get the 50 or so prequel characters for the game.
I saw your recent post about LEGO Star Wars II on Kotaku and wanted to clarify the situation with characters. There is indeed a Marketplace fee to purchase all of the 50-plus prequel characters on the 360 version, but it's a nominal one -- 200 points, or about $2.50. So that's basically a nickel per character. The characters are not quite available yet, but I'm told it will be soon. I'll keep you posted.
Less than $3 I can handle, good move LA.
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September 13th, 2006, 23:38 Posted By: wraggster
New information leaping from the obscenely colorful pages of Famitsu reveals a brand new Tri-Ace RPG for the Xbox 360 -- the uncomfortably named Infinite Undiscovery. Widely known for in-your-face epics, Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile, the Japanese developer has released little information regarding the fantasy title thus far, with GAF mentioning real-time battles and support for online play. While the game is unlikely to have any relation to last year's smash hit, Everlingering Nonemergence*, it is very much an important coup in Microsoft's continuing battle against apathy in Japan.
* This game has not been proven to exist in any shape or form.
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September 14th, 2006, 01:03 Posted By: wraggster
New version of the Snes emulator for the Xbox:
heres whats new:
Forgot to mention that I have made the Metroid skin the new default. I like it the best. However, you can easily change to the Zelda or Mario skin.
The ROM path in the Path.ini works again
Added the ability to move left/right in the GG/AR database to see the text that gets cut off. This is really only for non HD users because HD users can just extend the clipping window to see all the text.
More info --> http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=547372
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September 14th, 2006, 17:06 Posted By: wraggster
A trio of new gameplay modes arrive for Rare's 360 adventure game
If you're still playing Rare's shape-shifting adventure game, Kameo: Elements Of Power (and why wouldn't you be?) then you'll probably be pleased to hear that three new gameplay modes have arrived on Xbox Live, in the form of the Kameo Power Pack.
Weighing in at a respectable 46MB, and costing 400 (£3.40) of your Microsoft points, the Power Pack consists of a new Expert mode, Time Attack mode (also playable in co-op) and Rune Battle mode, which pits you against your co-op buddy in a mad scramble for erm, Runes.
That's not all though. The pack also includes 15 new achievements for you to work for, worldwide leaderboards and an armour costume pack. 400 points clearly goes a long way.
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September 14th, 2006, 17:09 Posted By: wraggster
Codemasters has unleashed demos of the upcoming Xbox 360 and PC versions of the stat-crunching LMA Manager series.
The two demos vary, with the PC one allowing you six months managing any club from the top divisions of England, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Holland.
Oddly the the 360 version only allows you to take the helm in an exhibition match at Wembley between Liverpool and Inter Milan. You'd think Codies would offer a bigger portion considering the very real threat of Football Manager on the console?
Looks like PS2 gamers will have to wait until September 22 to get their fix, when all three versions go on sale.
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September 14th, 2006, 17:52 Posted By: wraggster
With old man winter around the corner, devoted golfers outside of the warmer parts of the United States will be reluctantly retiring their swings for the season. However, they will still be able to get a few virtual rounds in, thanks to Electronic Arts' Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, which hits stores next month for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PC, and PlayStation Portable.
Xbox 360 owners currently in rain-drenched parts of the country won't have to wait until then, though. GameSpot has learned that the Xbox 360 demo for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 will be available on Xbox Live Marketplace on Thursday, September 14. The exact timing of the demo's release and the details have not yet been revealed.
Tiger 07 doubles the number of playable courses from last year's version, with an even dozen. The game has also ramped up the difficulty, with more of golf's frustrating factors, such as skill, coming into play on each shot.
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September 14th, 2006, 23:25 Posted By: wraggster
Well, the Wii is now breaking a long-standing tradition against game pack-ins for console sales. Unfortunately, their pack-in sucks (trust me on this). Luckily, Microsoft is one-upping them.
Starting September 30th, a new 360 Premium bundle will arrive, featuring Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and the XBLA arcade pack, featuring Geometry Wars Evoloved, Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, Wik: Fable of Souls, Hardwood Backgammon, Outpost Kaloki X and Texas Hold'Em.
You do need to take this with a grain of salt: this isn't Microsoft confirmed yet. It's only according to Clubskill.com... dead certain as they sound, better off keeping yourself zipped until Microsoft says something. But if this is true, this is just a great deal.
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September 15th, 2006, 16:44 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's high profile blogging fraternity has once again disputed claims that the company is working on a revision of the Xbox 360 hardware that includes an internal HD-DVD drive.
Under a headline post on the Gamerscoreblog entitled "No Internal HD-DVD Plans", online community lead manager Tony Hynes said, "Rumours of a built-in HD-DVD sku are greatly exaggerated. We're proudly launching the HD-DVD Player as an accessory this holiday."
That comes in response to a claim in DigiTimes this week that Microsoft has secretly begun work on a hardware revision, and is seeking partners in Taiwan's optical disc industry to manufacture the drives.
Microsoft typically deals with these claims, which have persisted ever since it announced plans for an external HD-DVD drive, by refusing to comment on "rumour and speculation" at a PR level.
But its bloggers, including the likes of Xbox Live director Larry Hryb, are not discouraged from expressing their views - although they are disclaimed.
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September 15th, 2006, 16:56 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo China:
Using this DVD cover with an Xbox 360 crystal case, you can see through the DVD rom and actually what the game discs, how does it spin, loading etc.
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September 15th, 2006, 18:40 Posted By: wraggster
Hot from Sega we bring you these shots from Football Manager 2007 on Xbox 360.
We know there are avid fans of the series out there, so these ten images are for your delectation. You may also be interested to know that the Football Manager blog has just become the 21st most popular blog on MySpace.com, with nearly 100,000 views.
Miles Jacobson, MD of Sports Interactive, gushed that "for something that started as an experiment, I'm extremely pleased with the outcome of posting these Football Manager 2007 blogs so far. To be rated inside the top 25 blogs is an incredible feat and one that reflects the true popularity of Football Manager".
You can check out the blog for yourself here.
Football Manager 2007 is due for release on October 20 for PC and November 24 for Xbox 360 and PSP.
News and Screens at CVG
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September 15th, 2006, 18:58 Posted By: wraggster
It has been a while since console gamers have been able to enjoy their racing games the way real fans of the genre should -- with a first-party racing wheel peripheral. Microsoft is bringing them a Wireless Racing Wheel for the Xbox 360 on November 1 packaged complete with a force-feedback version of Project Gotham Racing 3 for the retail price of $149.99.
Full article at IGN
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September 15th, 2006, 19:01 Posted By: wraggster
PG4 has released XB Stream v1.0, heres the full info:
Hello everyone,
Thank you for visiting xbstream.com. Today I am releasing the XB Stream software to the public. XB Stream in a nut shell is an RSS/XML feed reader/aggregator that works with the XBox 360 video game console. XB Stream allows you to view xml based content feeds (xml, rss, rdf) on your Xbox 360 video game console; you can also listen to podcasts and blogcasts as well. XB Stream automatically downloads and converts text based content feeds into images that can be viewed from the media>pictures>computer blade and hear audio podcasts/blogcasts from the media>music>computer blade. Content feeds are automatically managed by the software so you are always given fresh feeds, and older feeds are automatically deleted. Audio feeds show up as playlists and can be listened to while playing your favorite games! Below are all of the features of XB Stream:
Full support for all versions of Windows XP (Home, Professional, Media Center) & Windows Vista
Full support for Windows Media Connect, and Windows Media Player 11 (or higher)
Built in wizards to automatically configure with WMC and WMP 11 (or higher)
Automatically downloads text based xml feeds and converts to images
Automatically downloads and builds playlists for audio podcasts and blogcasts
Automatically deletes and manages old content feeds, allowing you to set the max number of feed items to retain
Simulates the Xbox 360 dashboard look onto rendered text content feeds
Downloads and renders content feeds with all images, and html formatting
Automatically breaks up large content feeds onto multiple pages
Easily add/remove and manage content feeds with the intuitive XB Stream feed manager
Supports outputting images in both widescreen and standard definition format.
Choose the frequency of how often content feeds should download and update - 15, 30 minutes, 1, 4 hours, 1 day, 1 week, or choose manual updates
Runs as a Windows NT service, allowing feeds to be downloaded to the Xbox 360 without anyone logging into the computer
Log-off the computer and content feed updates will still download and process themselves
Comes included with several text and audio content feeds from the best of the Xbox 360 community sites
Built just for the Xbox 360 video game console, and best of all it’s completely FREE!
More Info
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September 16th, 2006, 13:19 Posted By: wraggster
Heres an excerpt:
GameDaily BIZ: What was your reaction when you heard that Sony postponed its European PS3 launch and will only have 500K units on launch day? You must have been thrilled...
Aaron Greenberg: We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plans. Profile
BIZ: It seems that Europe always gets the shaft in these situations. Why do you think that is and how important do you think this delay will be in advancing Microsoft's Xbox 360 lead in Europe?
AG: Europe remains a priority for us and that is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day 1 and why we're confident we're going to have a great holiday, regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market. Xbox 360 will have more than 160 high-definition games including next generation exclusives like Viva Piñata from Rare, Gears of War from Epic, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 from Konami and FIFA 2007 from EA, a robust and continuously growing online gaming community in Xbox Live, fantastic entertainment capabilities, optional HD DVD movie playback capability and a great-value price.
More Info
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September 16th, 2006, 13:30 Posted By: wraggster
News from Team Xecuter:
We are very happy to finally reveal our next exciting product for the Xbox 360 modding community. A couple of weeks ago we gave you a sneak peak at a device that allowed flashing your firmware without ever having to open up your Xbox 360 again. No soldering, no cutting of the case - just plug 'n' go. You only ever have to open up your case once. We don't need to tell you how many different firmwares have been released in the last few months and who knows how many more? No longer will you have to have your Xbox in pieces all the time, no longer will you have to take the Xbox apart every time you need to update new features and functions or essential bug fixes.
We have designed this to be as ergonomically sound as the Xbox 360 itself. Its functionally perfect and works so good that we believe all firmware modders will be using this as standard by the end of the year, it just makes life SO MUCH EASIER !
Imagine using this along with the X360 USB - Firmware modding has never been so simple !
Features:
Once installed never open up the case again to update firmware
Works with ALL drives
No soldering, no cutting, no problem !
5 minute install
Xbox Mode & PC Mode Switch
Modeb Enabled for Hitachi
Molex Power connector (no lugging around the 360 PSU)
Superior quality design
Ergonomically matched to the 360 case
LED Glow feature (see video)
LED Glow Off / Led Perm On / LED Off switch
Screens Via Comments
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September 16th, 2006, 16:50 Posted By: wraggster
A new Release of the homebrew game 'Super Mario War' has been released.
Heres whats new:
* There are a lot of bug fixes and some new features with this release. When testing, please keep an eye out for bugs and report them to the forums.
* Your options.bin from previous releases will not be loaded for 1.7.0.3 so don't be surprised if all your settings are reset (sorry beta testers).
* Here are some areas that need to be tested closely:
-Down jumping on solid blocks
-Controls not responding
-Displayed skin names/hitting ready before game start
-Playlist forcing music on specific maps/backgrounds
-Random Skins
-Cached map images and filters for page switching and load time speed up
-Cleaned up AI class to allow for AI writters to create their own AI
More Info --> http://smw.72dpiarmy.com
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September 17th, 2006, 11:29 Posted By: wraggster
NHL starts next month, and with it comes the sport's video game counterparts on all major platforms that aren't made by Nintendo. So how does EA's NHL 07 stack up against 2K's NHL 2K7 on the 360? Here's what the critics are saying about each via MetaCritic:
NHL 07 - Average review score of 82
IGN 87% - "A great hockey game, pure and simple...NHL 07 represents the first truly next-generation gameplay innovation."
1UP 80 % - "It'll feel like you're learning videogames all over again, and the reward is scoring off a wicked slapshot after a series of quick, sharp passes. Ahh, the joy. Ultimately, the biggest praise that can be heaped on this game is this: It feels like hockey."
Gamespot 82% - "NHL 07's thrilling new skill stick makes up for its bare-bones package."
NHL 2K7 - Average review score of 77
IGN 89% - "Online, 2K Sports continues to lead the pack with online leagues and franchises and stat tracking. While NHL 07 features an excellent gameplay innovation with the skill stick, NHL 2K7 is the most complete, all-around hockey title on the 360."
1UP 65% - "EA's NHL effort is masterful, ballsy, and innovative. NHL 2K7 is stale, boring, and predictable."
Gamespot 83% - "The outstanding gameplay mechanics will be familiar to fans of the series, but NHL 2K7 makes important strides in the realm of presentation with this year's 360 offering."
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September 18th, 2006, 16:47 Posted By: Skye
nes6502 just released a new version of his great SNES emulator for the Xbox. ZsnexBox 2.92
What's New:
-Fixed a bug in SRAM based cheat codes. This bug could potentially corrupt SRAM files and/or cause some codes not to work. It's fixed now.
-Added two new Xbox hardware Audio filters. These are Ambience and Cathedral. I HIGHLY recommend people checking out the Cathedral filter. It's not a filter you'll want to use all the time, but it adds a great sense of 3D atmosphere to lots of games (especially if you are hooked up to a surround sound system). For example, go into any palace in Zelda 3. Turn on the Cathedral filter, and you'll see what I mean. There are also some games that sound great with it on all the time (like Donkey Kong Country) in my opinion.
-Added Force Feedback support. Each game can have up to 10 different force feedback settings. Each of these 10 slots can be assigned to any of the 4 Xbox controllers.
The values that can be changed are:
-On/Off
-Rumble on Value Change/Decrease/Increase
-Address
-Description
-Motor One Strength
-Motor Two Strength
-Motor One time (in seconds)
-Motor Two time (in seconds)
-Rumbles to Skip (See Notes below)
Each rumble can also be tested in the config. screen of that rumble slot. This way, you can play with the numbers, and immediately see what the Force Feedback will feel like.
Rumbles are based only off cheat codes found through searching (not AR or GG codes). However, the rumbles are not tied to the Cheat Search slots. For example, let's say the user searches for the life bar in Final Fight. Once they've found it they may assign the address to Cheat Search Slot 1. Then they can go and setup a rumble that monitors this address found in Cheat Search Slot 1. The rumble is then saved to a separate file. So the user can go erase the Cheat Code and it will not affect the rumble. So the user can have a "working" Cheat Search slot that they can use to find all their rumble addresses.
Often, when you find a rumble address for a game and enable it, there will be a certain undesired result. What I mean is the SNES may set/reset/clear that address 10 times as soon as you start the game. So your controller would start rumbling for no apparent reason. The amount of times this happens is always constant on a case by case basis. For example, let's say you found the address that represents the life bar in Final Fight (which you can find in like 10 seconds of searching). You then assign it to Rumble Slot 1 and set it to rumble every time this address decreases value (i.e. you got hit in the game and lost energy).
Now the next time you start Final Fight the controller may rumble a couple times. This is because the SNES is setting/clearing/etc... values in the address you specified for Rumble Slot 1. So how do you fix this? Easy. Just set the "Rumbles to Skip" option for that particular rumble. I usually create my rumble. Then I restart the game. I then play until I am actually on the first stage (i.e. where I could lose energy). All the while I am counting the number of "wrong" rumbles that happened from the time the game started. Let's say for this example, it rumbled twice before the first stage even started. So I go and set the "Skip Rumbles" value for this slot to "2". Now, every time I play this game I won't get any "fakeout" rumbles on boot up, during intros, intro movies, etc...
Just to make things a little easier, I have included rumble files for the following games (in the "extras" folder):
Actraiser (NSS)
Actraiser
Aladin
Battletoads and Double Dragon
Bazooka Blitzkreig
BS F-Zero Grand Prix 2
Castlevania: Dracula-X
Choplifter 3
Combatribes
Demon's Crest
F-Zero
Final Fight
Final Fight 2
Final Fight 3
Final Fight Guy
Joe and Mac
Joe and Mac 2
Killer Instinct
Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Megaman 7
Megaman X
Megaman X2
Megaman X3
Metal Combat
Mickey Mania
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat
Ninja Warriors
Prehistorik man
Maximum Carnage
Star Fox
Street Fighter 2
Street Fighter 2 Turbo
Super Castlevania IV
Super Metroid
Super Punchout
Super Star Wars
Super Street Fighter 2
TMNT: Tournament Fighters
TMNT 4
X-Men Mutant Apocalypse
Zelda 3
All you have to do is make sure they match your ROM names and copy them to the ZsnexBox\rumble folder. They are already setup great and enabled. Definatly try the F-Zero one if nothing else. It'll give you a good idea how cool force feedback can be on SNES games. The above rumbles mostly just represent Player 1 energy loss. Each of them took me on average of 30 seconds to create from start to finish. So there are lots more cool things that can be applied to rumble. I hope people will post some of the cool things they find that are not apart of the above rumble files.
Notes:
-I still need to add rumble file loading when a game is launched through the command line. It will appear in the next beta.
-There is currently no easy way to edit the rumble descriptions. In fact, editing the cheat code descriptions is a pain as well. I'm working on a better solution for both of these.
Thanks:
-BIG thanks to the Gens author that got me thinking about how force feedback could work on classic games that had no support for them. He's the real genius behind this, since he had a working Streets of Rage Rumble driver years ago.
-Xport for some rumble type suggestions, ideas, abilities, etc... either directly or indirectly from his rumble functionality.
-Everybody at Xbox-scene
-Anyone I forgot
By the way, a challenge for all you expert cheat searchers (I am certainly not one of them). Force Feedback Challenge: I never could find the energy address for Earthworm Jim 1 and 2, as well as car collisions in F-Zero. Hopefully someone can find these and post updated rumble files for them.
Via Xbox-Scene.
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September 18th, 2006, 20:48 Posted By: wraggster
3D Realms has announced that the recently-revealed new Prey content currently in the works will be released for FREE! - for both the PC and Xbox 360 version of the first-person shooter.
Unfortunately, the only release date the dev's currently giving for the content is "When they're done" at this stage, although it adds that it should be out sooner rather than later. When it does finally emerge, the update will boost Prey multiplayer, with new multiplayer skins (four female characters and Hunter and Elite Hunter) and new multiplayer maps best suited to two-to-four player battles.
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September 18th, 2006, 20:53 Posted By: wraggster
A demo of the eagerly awaited Xbox 360 RPG Lost Odyssey will debut at next week's Tokyo Game Show, ex-Square developer and Mistwalker CEO Hironobu Sakaguchi has revealed.
The latest Weekly Famitsu reveals that the TGS demo will take about an hour to complete and will allow players to play through the opening scenes of the game, which Famitsu calls a "seamless" integration of movie and gameplay. According to Sakaguchi, the graphics in the demo are representative of about "80 per cent of the finished game's quality," and the game system is present in its "most basic form."
Mistwalker's debut Xbox 360 title, Blue Dragon, is due out later this year, but Sakaguchi is vague regarding the exact arrivals of the company's other titles: "We are working on Archaic Sealed Heat-- or Ash -- with the goal of completing it during first semester next year," he said. "With regard to Lost Odyssey and Cry On, although we won't know for sure until they actually launch, they are progressing steadily. We also have several other plans under way, which I will talk about some other time."
We'll have more on Lost Odyssey - including all new TGS media and info - as it arrives.
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September 18th, 2006, 20:58 Posted By: wraggster
LOTR director reveals script not finalised, but visual style will be stunning and Halo world under construction
Halo movie producer and all-round film-making god Peter Jackson has revealed that, although the Halo film's script isn't ready yet, the world in which the flick will take place is under construction.
In an interview with movie site Ain't It Cool, Jackson said: "We're still developing a script and we've still got work to go on the script, but while that's happening, Neill [Blomkamp, the director] is just producing his vision of this world. It is original and new and has not been seen before on the screen. It's not Ridley Scott, it's not James Cameron, it's not what we've seen before, but it's something new and fresh, and it's cool."
Jackson revealed that one of his responsibilities is honing the script: "It's getting much better along now and there are certainly a lot of things in it now that are working well. There are things that aren't working well in it yet, but Fran, Philippa and I are not writing the script, but, in a sense, one of the things we're contributing with our involvement in the project is being the police, the script cops! So, nothing is going to end up on the screen that doesn't get our stamp of approval."
The Lord of the Rings director is aware of the need to create something which is an order of magnitude better than the average (invariably dire) film-of-a-game: "It's so easy to shut your eyes and imagine a really bad version of Halo. That comes to you in a frighteningly simple, quick way. You think, 'Oh, my God! This could be so terrible!' I guess it's because so many other videogame movies have been terrible, and so much other sci-fi in that type of genre has been terrible."
And he confirmed that all those familiar Halo features will be present and correct: "We know that there's going to be the Covenant, we know that there's going to be Warthogs, Ghosts and Scorpions, and there's going to be the Pillar of Autumn." Could Halo be the first film-of-a-game that would actually be worth watching? It sounds promising certainly.
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September 18th, 2006, 21:48 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
The 2007 game of EA's hoops sim, designed with a new development philosophy that drives gameplay and feature innovation. This year, NBA Live 07 introduces the next generation of basketball gameplay with EA Sports' Total Freestyle Control, a new feature that gives users more control over athletes than they ever imagined. By introducing a ground-breaking next generation AI system that is both intuitive and intelligent, combined with advancements to fan-favorite features like All-Star Weekend and Dynasty Mode, NBA Live 07 will continue to deliver its award-winning gameplay experience to fans worldwide. Also this year, NBA Live 07 partners with the worldwide leader in sports to deliver more ESPN content in-game while you play than ever before.
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September 19th, 2006, 17:11 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft will bring its announcements at this week's Tokyo Games Show and next week's X06 event in Barcelona direct to your living rooms, via Xbox Live Marketplace. Where you will be able to learn, among other things, about a mysterious "Never before announced major franchise making its way onto Xbox Live Arcade". Oooh....
Microsoft is repeating the format it pioneered at this year's E3, by giving Xbox Live aficionados the chance to access highlights from press briefings, daily updates and behind-the-scenes video from both shows. All of which will be available for free: Xbox Live's charges will be waived between September 20 and 29 (essentially, Xbox Live Silver membership will be upgraded to Gold for the period). The content, however, will be removed on September 30.
Microsoft adds that over 100 pieces of downloadable content will be made available over the period, including videos of Xbox 360 titles such as Call of Duty 3, Forza Motorsport 2, Kane & Lynch, Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom and Project Sylpheed. Both TGS and X06 should see some major announcements from Microsoft, with the company desperate to woo a completely uninterested Japanese market and eager to capitalise on the PlayStation 3's absence from Europe this Christmas.
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September 19th, 2006, 17:17 Posted By: wraggster
Bungie has rocked the foundations of the Halo community with news that its been testing out a "controversial" new control scheme designed for Halo 3. Well, actually, it's no so much rocked more caused a minor stir in the air with the wave of a cabbage leaf - metaphorically speaking.
"Basically it [the new control scheme] addresses some of the complaints 360 owners had about the button mapping - especially the black and white buttons no longer found on the 360 - and makes for a more logical use of the left and right bumpers. There are some other changes that are game-feature dependent that I can't talk about yet, but basically the new scheme is super solid," the developer's explained in a recent update on its website.
Allaying fears/conducting a pre-emptive strike, Bungie's gone on to say the new Halo 3 control scheme will be accompanied by "the classics" in the Halo control scheme world and "perhaps even some improved or new control variants. We might even take a look at the "backward" southpaw controls...".
Meanwhile, in the very same update, there's a few words on Halo 3's AI and the sequel's Warthog. In particular, the developer's spoken about the behaviour of the game's "AI buddies" in connection with the vehicle. Apparently, you can now do the likes of 'convince' an AI gunner on the Warthog to select more relevant targets and "target individual bad guys by steering the Hog".
Bungie's elaborated, "This has two effects on the gameplay - one is that it makes the Hog feel more like a weapon when you're driving, and the second is that it makes you want to cruise around bigger battle areas playing mop-up, whereas previously the temptation might have been to get the heck out of dodge."
Bigger battle areas sounds like major carnage to us, and with the dev also saying that current combat encounters in Halo 3 feature "more bad guys than ever before", we're already putting our triggers fingers through a fierce exercise regime in preparation for the action.
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September 19th, 2006, 17:19 Posted By: wraggster
EA is preparing to take on Activision's venerable Tony Hawk's franchise, with a rival skateboarding effort entitled SKATE.
SKATE is under development at the company's Vancouver studio, and is slated for a 2007 release on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. In the style of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, it will include the likenesses of 14 pro skaters.
Beyond that, little is currently known about the title, which will need all of EA's legendary marketing backing if it is to make an impression against Tony Hawk's Project 8 and Downhill Jam, the latest iterations of the (admittedly less popular than it once was) Activision franchise. It won't be EA's first skateboarding game, though -- that distinction falls to 1987's Skate or Die!
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September 19th, 2006, 17:30 Posted By: wraggster
Activision and The History Channel have announced a new PC, PS2 and Xbox 360 game based on the American civil war.
Cunningly titled The History Channel's Civil War, the Cauldron-developed game puts you in the role of either a Confederate or Union soldier in battles that take in Gettysburg, Bull Run and Antietam, among others.
There will be 12 famous battles to try and influence, with locations ranging from the renowned - Little Round Top, Lookout Mountain - to the slightly more mundane surroundings of train yards, saw mills, forts and trenches.
Hand-to-hand combat, using bayonets, sabres, gun butts and of course actual hands, will play a part, while you'll also engage in the rigours of line fighting, artillery barrages, urban assaults, sniping, stealth and sabotage.
Weapons include grenades, artillery, gatling guns, revolvers, bayonets, muskets and sabres, while objectives range from placing explosives and sabotaging telegraph lines to blowing up buildings and forts.
The game's due out in the US very soon - on November 14th.
Quite what its fate is in Europe, however, remains to be seen. Activision says it hasn't got anything on its UK schedule, and reckons it's "unlikely" we'll see it here.
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September 19th, 2006, 17:36 Posted By: wraggster
Lumines creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi, speaking at Nordic Game in Sweden, has confirmed that Lumines Live will release in October.
"Next month," said Mizuguchi when we asked him when it was going to be released. "The middle of next month. I think so."
The Xbox Live Arcade version of the rhythm action title will release before Lumies II in November. Mizuguchi premiered the PSP sequel publicly for the first time at the Nordic event today.
And from the sound of it, he's not done with the whole concept of music games quite yet, even though these two releases will bring the current tally of Lumines titles to four.
"I want to make a style, a new style, including Lumines," he said. "A new way to interact with the music. Maybe like a wallpaper or a screensaver. Screensavers are not interactive, but you do something, you get a reaction from it. Not a deep game, but playing with music."
Righto. So after Lumines II he's going to carry on with music?
"Yeah," he said. "I want to keep creating something with interactive music."
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September 19th, 2006, 18:46 Posted By: wraggster
New shots from the Xbox 360 version of Bioshock - the ground-breaking, awesome-looking FPS/RPG Irrational is developing for 2K Games - have surfaced and, naturally, we're giving you a chane to feast your eyes on them.
As you can see, Bioshock is set to be one of the best-looking games you will ever find, with its imaginative Art Deco-style look and gameplay which, we're assured, will hark back to the much-loved System Shock 2. Alas, we'll have to wait until 2007 before it appears (on PC as well as Xbox 360). Hopefully, we'll get more of a look at the game at the TGS and X06. But these shots should keep you honest for a while.
Screens Here
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September 19th, 2006, 18:47 Posted By: wraggster
On October 13 Microsoft is to launch Xbox 360 Classics, a budget range for its next-generation console.
According to a report on MCV, the initial line-up of games in the range will include first-party titles Kameo: Elements of Power and Perfect Dark Zero and third-party games King Kong and Condemned. Each game in the range is to be slapped with a £24.99 price tag.
Microsoft will follow this initial release with a second batch of budget titles in spring next year.
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September 19th, 2006, 19:04 Posted By: wraggster
Straight from a Dutch person's mouth! Make that apparently a Dutch Microsoft employee. Though, note that we are unable to read this page and are putting a big, fat "RUMOR" sticker on it. Kotakuite Rene was kind enough to translate the meat of it:
Microsoft said that they would only use the HD-DVD play for movies, but it seems like they're also gonna use it for their games. They are gonna pack a normal gamedisc (like we know it now) with a second disc that puts the same game on a HD DVD. This disc contains better quality movies and extra content for the game, content that gamers without a HD-DVD player can download from Xbox Live Marketplace as well, for free! This all was said by a Dutch Microsoft employee on a event for retailers.
We've been hearing about these HD-DVD game rumors for donkey's yonks now, and usually they come via some Taiwanese something. Hearing them sprout from Europe is a first, but most likely, not a last.
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September 19th, 2006, 19:26 Posted By: wraggster
Hidden away in the text of a Microsoft announcement today was a rather interesting mention of a major new Xbox Live Arcade deal, scheduled to be announced in the coming weeks. The press release, outlining Live activities around both the Tokyo Game Show and X06 simply says, "There will also be a brand new Xbox Live Arcade title launch each week, one at Tokyo Game Show and one at X06, including a never before announced major franchise making its way onto Xbox Live Arcade."
We have no idea what this is at time of press. We've asked some of our best spies to look into it and all going well we should find out what you having coming your way in the next few days.
Microsoft also announced that trailers of games shown at both key event will be available in Marketplace.
o Call of Duty 3 (Activision)
o Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (Tecmo)
o Forza Motorsport 2 (Microsoft Game Studios)
o Kayne & Lynch (Eidos)
o Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (Microsoft Game Studios)
o Need for Speed Carbon (EA)
o Project Sylpheed (Square-Enix)
o Shrek 3 (Activision)
o Viva Piñata (Microsoft Game Studios)
o Plus additional high definition videos from games to be announced at Tokyo Game Show and X06
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September 19th, 2006, 19:33 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
The book by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola's classic film serve as dual inspirations for Electronic Arts' action/adventure The Godfather. In it gamers can join the Corleone family to exploit loyalties and fear as they rise through the ranks to become Don in 20th century New York City. Carry out orders, earn respect, and make the Big Apple all your own. Featuring non-linear gameplay, The Godfather provides players with countless choices for solving family problems with brutal violence, skillful diplomacy, or a cunning mixture of both. From mob hits and bank heists to drive-bys and extortion, step deep inside a world where intimidation and negotiation are your tickets to the top. Custom-built for the Xbox 360, players will choose their path in this rough and tough world with enhanced BlackHand combat, enhanced graphics and HDTV support.
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September 19th, 2006, 21:16 Posted By: wraggster
The port of Zsnes to the Xbox has seen yet another update, heres whats new:
2.93 Fixes:
-Added a finer control to the rumble motor 1 and 2 times. This value now increments/decrements in 0.01 units.
-Added fast increase/decrease for the motor 1 strength/time and the motor 2 strength/time vales.
-You can now have cheats and rumbles on at the same time. So you can have an infinite energy code and still rumble when hit.
2.94 Fixes:
-Fixed a bug where rumbles would not disable sometimes.
-Fixed a bug that prevented having more than one rumble active at the same time. For example, if you set a rumble for firing a bomb and a rumble for losing energy in Starfox, only one of the two would rumble. This is fixed.
If you tried finding a rumble before with no luck (and had one of the other rumble slots turned on), you may want to try it again. This is because you might have found the correct address, but this bug prevented the rumble from working.
More Info
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September 20th, 2006, 01:46 Posted By: wraggster
Gamers planning on rewriting the Battle of Midway later this year have been given some extra time to ready their attack. Battlestations: Midway for the Xbox 360 and PC will be in a holding pattern until early next year.
The Eidos-published game was originally expected to be released this holiday season, but will now ship out in "early Q1 2007," almost 65 years after the real Battle of Midway.
Like the real conflict it depicts, Battlestations: Midway will feature gameplay in the air, on the sea, and underwater. Pilots will be able to switch over to Captains with the press of a button, as gamers can move between every vehicle--including planes, aircraft carriers, and submarines--instantly.
The single-player features 11 campaigns and a dozen bonus missions, and the online multiplayer supports both head-to-head and cooperative play.
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September 20th, 2006, 01:50 Posted By: wraggster
According to my friendly neighborhood Shibuya sources, Microsoft will announce tomorrow (late tonight for those of you in saner time zones) that the Xbox 360 HD DVD player attachment will ship to its wee Japanese fanbase just in time for the holidays. Priced at a very reasonable 19800 yen (20790 yen with tax), my source was eager to mention its 1080p capabilities and Windows XP Media Center Edition compatability. Woo.
For those of you too lazy to type in "19800 japanese yen in US dollars", or your currency of choice, that's about 168 bucks, otherwise known as "cheap". As we all know, pricing in dollars to yen to euros to whatever is not created equal, so speculating other regional prices on current exchange rates doesn't always tell the full pricing strategy story.
We'll see what Microsoft has to say about worldwide release dates and cost at Barcelona, but it seems cheap ass 1080p-ers may have something to shout about. We'll follow up with more details following Microsoft's press event later today.
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September 20th, 2006, 20:48 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's confirmed Japanese release and pricing details for the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive at a conference held in Tokyo prior to the kick off of TGS this week.
It will launch on November 17, according an official conference-focussed MS press release, although web reports covering the conference live give November 22 as the release date mentioned. Ho-hum. Anyway, it'll come with a 19,800 yen price tag, and a quick fiddle with our abacus reveals that this works out at around 89 quid or 168 USD. We're guessing this means a UK price hovering somewhere in the low hundreds, but that should all be confirmed at Microsoft's European X06 event next week.
The device will come packaged with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.
During the conference, Microsoft additionally spilled beans on future additions to Live Arcade, listing the likes of Contra, Dig Dug, Gyruss and Track & Field and then going on to reveal - for Japan at least - Yie Ar Kung Fu for XBLA (out in 2007). Ms. Pac-Man, Rush 'n Attack and New Rally X are also to get the Live Arcade treatment.
Plus, the company announced that its Xbox 360 software update scheduled for release later this year will allow the console to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution.
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September 20th, 2006, 20:50 Posted By: wraggster
Tecmo/Team Ninja's virtual nork-fest Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2 will launch in Japan and the US in November. Confirmation comes via a pre-TGS conference held by Microsoft in Tokyo.
Getting specific, the US version of DOAX2 pops out its bikini on November 15, the Japanese outing following on November 22. And what about the UK and Europe? Well, all we've been told is that the game's release will occur "soon" on these shores.
Dead of Alive: Xtreme 2 finds scantily clad DOA girls getting sporty - and sunbathing and, ooh, rubbing oil on each other, frolicking in the waves in semi-transparent swimwear and... sorry, getting a little carried away there - on Zack's Island. Expect the bouncing booby-doobie count to be xtremely high.
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September 20th, 2006, 20:56 Posted By: wraggster
Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey and er, Pac-Man lead massive Xbox 360 charge in Japan
At its pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference this morning, Microsoft showed further support for the Xbox 360 in Japan, by showcasing a library of 110 titles that will be available this Christmas.
A panel of graphically-spectacular RPGs headed-up the line-up, including Mistwalker's stat-happy duo, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, Namco Bandai's newly-announced (and questionably-named) Trusty Bell and the gorgeous looking Infinite Undiscovery from Microsoft Game Studios.
"The key to winning the hearts and minds of the Japanese market is great games, and this great line-up demonstrates that Xbox 360 has those games in spades," said Peter Moore, speaking at the conference. "Our line-up of role-playing games from the acknowledged masters of the genre is proof positive that there has never been a better time for Japanese gamers to jump in and pick up an Xbox 360 system."
There's still wide scepticism surrounding Microsoft's chances in the Japan, which is backed-up by the fact that its next-gen console was recently outsold by the Nintendo GameCube in the country. Still, showing no signs of giving-up the big M announced today that for a limited time it will bundle PGR3 and Phantagram's Ninety-Nine Nights for free with every Japanese Xbox 360. Let's see if that spikes sales.
Additionally, Microsoft and Namco Bandai also announced the Pac-Man World Championship, which will apparently pit the worldwide top-10 Pac-Man Live Arcade players against each other early next year. We're already practicing our munching skills...
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September 20th, 2006, 20:59 Posted By: wraggster
Xbox Live Marketplace has set out to breathe new life into classic games of yore, and this week's potential arrival of Dig Dug cements this mantra.
We say potential because our friends over at OXM.co.uk report that a Dig Dug page appeared briefly on xbox.com only to be mysteriously yanked off shortly after. The following information was posted for its short spell on the internet, giving an insight into the Live version of the retro classic:
"The classic arcade action title Dig Dug is now available for play on your Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Marketplace. Experience the fast-paced action of this quarter-cruncher from 1982 as you take control of Dig Dug himself and vanquish Pookas and Fygars. Using your trusty pump, inflate your enemies until they pop, or squash them under rocks. Don't hesitate, or you could get squashed yourself. Drive your high score up by taking out enemies further underground, or making more difficult kills.
Dig! Propel Dig Dug through underground tunnels as he hunts down monsters. The more dirt you move, the more points you get. Watch out for treacherous rocks and use them to your advantage.
Fight! Just because your enemies start in tunnels doesn't mean they have to stay there. Watch out for them sneaking up on you and make them pay!
Collect! Drop more than two rocks and look for icons to start appearing in the center of the map! Collect these items, including the ship from the Xbox Live Arcade game Galaga, to drive your score higher."
The game remains temporarily missing in action, although clearly its Marketplace release is imminent so keep checking back to satisfy your retro-driller cravings.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:02 Posted By: wraggster
We know what you're thinking: "the film sucked, the games all suck, why should I be interested in this!?" Well, good job you asked, because as you can tell from these screens things look like they have moved on drammatically from the days of N64's fog-ridden dog.
Giving you the city of Metropolis to bound around, the game opens things up and departs from the turgid film, offering up more interesting villains than a bald Kevin Spacey.
Having seen what open-ended superhero gameplay can offer in Activision's Spider-Man 2, we hold some hope for Superman Returns.
The game was originally due to launch alongside the movie release but was nowhere near ready in time. Now it's pencilled in to launch alongside the DVD this November. All things going well, of course...
Screens Here
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September 20th, 2006, 21:03 Posted By: wraggster
In an interview with Kotaku.com, Shane Kim, the corporate VP of Microsoft Game Studios, has spoken about 1080p support on Xbox 360 in the wake of news that a software update in the autumn for the console will introduce the output - without the need for an HDMI cable.
The software update for the console will add the ability to display both games and films at this lofty resolution. Kim explained that "if it is running at 720p we will up-res it to 1080p, if it it's already 1080p then we can display it in 1080p." In what's surely a snipe at PS3 and Sony, he added, "this is a great example of our console's ability and the great advantage of being a software company."
For those of you scratching your heads as to how a software update can fill in for the lack of an HDMI output, join the queue. Kim went on to explain Microsoft has "the ability to output either through VGA or component", and said "We have no HDMI announcement now."
"We do have the capability to deliver the software and, if needed, the hardware," he added.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:04 Posted By: wraggster
A batch of new shots has surfaced of Mistwalker's Blue Dragon, the game that Microsoft hopes will be the killer app to help it crack the tough Japanese market where 360 barely outsells GameCube.
Along with Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon is one of two 360-exclusive RPGs being produced by legendary Final Fantasy creator, Hironobu Sakaguchi. It is expected that his attachment to the game will stimulate sales in an otherwise disinterested country.
"I believe that Japan will always love PlayStation over Xbox 360 and it will be very hard to change that," said Hees Kyung, Global Product Manager of the game talking to our colleagues at OXM.co.uk. "But Blue Dragon will undoubtedly be the killer app Xbox 360 needs to succeed in Japan. We also believe it will be very successful all across Asia."
Tellingly, Microsoft will bundle the game with the Core version of the Xbox 360 when it hits Japanese shelves on December 7.
The official website is launching in two days, so make sure to check it out when it appears for more information on this important game for the Xbox 360.
Screens Here
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September 20th, 2006, 21:10 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has said that Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom will be released in Q2 2007 on Xbox 360.
Developed by Blueside under series director Henry Lee, the latest Kingdom Under Fire title is described as "a truly next-generation Action-RPG" - a bit of a departure from its traditional action-strategy mould.
The game's previously been described as closer to Capcom's Devil May Cry than its predecessors. It's known to offer randomly generated dungeons above and below the ground.
Specific Xbox Live details have yet to be revealed, but Microsoft says you'll be able to play alone or recruit up to four team members.
Previously we've heard how the line between single-play and online is more or less gone.
"For instance, as you advance through the game in single-player, other players will enter online, and all of a sudden you will be in multiplayer," said Sangyoun Lee, president of Phantagram, which is publishing the game in Korea.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:11 Posted By: wraggster
Content going on Xbox Live Marketplace today includes a trailer for Half-Life 2: Episode Two, another for Tenchu Senran and a Tokyo Game Show picture pack.
You'll also be able to get your hands on a couple of Battle for Middle-Earth II map packs - the first, Aragorn's Journey, will be free between today and 29th September, while the second, Northern Badlands, will set you back 350 Microsoft points.
Today's update will also add Xbox Live Vision camera support to Spades, Hearts, Backgammon and Bankshot Billiards on Xbox Live Arcade.
Meanwhile, Japanese Xbox 360 owners will be able to download the Dead or Alive X2 E3 trailer, a Project Sylpheed trailer and a playable demo of Tenchu Senran.
That's all according to Xbox Live's Major Nelson, who also reveals that a five-minute cut of the Tokyo Game Show briefing delivered earlier will make it onto Live Marketplace later today.
Microsoft's planning to release a lot of content between now and 29th September to mark the passage of Tokyo Game Show and X06.
And in Europe, Xbox Live Gold access will be available to everyone for free between now and 8am GMT on 30th September.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:16 Posted By: wraggster
President of GarageGames, Jeff Tunnell, has revealed the costs associated with creating original IP for Xbox Live Arcade are rising due to the "industry standard arms race".
Writing on his blog, Tunnell pointed out that what has previously been considered a high-end figure for development of games for the digital service, is soon likely to be considered the budget of a cheap product.
"Creating an Xbox Live Arcade game is taking most studios 6-12 months. Costs are currently ranging from USD $100,000 to USD $300,000," revealed Tunnell.
"The industry standard arms race will quickly make the top end $300,000 budget a cheap product."
"Right now, I wouldn't consider attempting to make an XBLA game with a USD $100,000 budget. Development kits and Certification would eat up half of that, not leaving much for the actual game development," he said.
However high these costs might seem to independent developers, Tunnell also put them into perspective alongside development of a boxed title for retail.
"While these budgets may seem high to indies, these budgets wouldn't buy coffee on a triple-A console title for the retail box channel," he said.
Tunnell also expressed his pleasure at the success of GarageGames' title Marble Blast Ultra, stating: "I am extremely happy with our returns from Xbox Live Arcade, and I also know that we are not done yet. Marble Blast Ultra continues to sell extremely well."
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September 20th, 2006, 21:17 Posted By: wraggster
Activision has confirmed that it will bring hit music title Guitar Hero to multiple formats in 2007.
Speaking at Goldman Sachs Communacopia XV Conference, CEO and chairman of Activision Robert Kotick revealed the news as part of his keynote speech.
Kotick confirmed that Guitar Hero would appear "on every significant new format", while discussing intentions for yearly updates and building franchises across a number of key Activision titles.
The revelation comes in the same week that employees of retail chain Gamestation were reportedly informed that the game would appear on Xbox 360 in the first part of 2007. Activision's Guitar Hero-publishing subsidiary RedOctane has declined to comment on the matter.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:20 Posted By: wraggster
In mid-November, both Sony and Nintendo plan to release their next-generation game consoles, the PlayStation 3 and the Wii, respectively.
But as the game world welcomes these new consoles--and the first round of games for them--Microsoft's Xbox 360 will be reaching its first birthday with a year's head start in games and accessories. Further, while the Wii is getting a lot of good press for its relatively inexpensive $250 price tag, Sony's decision to put Blu-ray players in the PS3 and thus price its high-end console at $599 has resulted in a lot of criticism. Microsoft's "premium" Xbox costs $399.
Since the Xbox 360 launch last November in the Mojave Desert, Microsoft also has put a great deal of effort into bolstering its Xbox Live service and has recently unveiled its XNA Game Studio Express, which will enable small teams of developers to make games for the Xbox or for the PC and have those games made available to the public.
At the same time, the company has been touting its Xbox Live Arcade service, through which the company is regularly releasing hit games of the past such as Pac-Man, Galaga, and Scramble. Those games cost less than $10 to download and have become a hit on the service.
Throughout it all, Microsoft vice president Peter Moore has presided over the growing Xbox 360 empire. The company has said it eventually intends for a billion people to be connected in some way to that empire. And although that goal may be a fantasy, it's not hard to imagine Microsoft doing all it can to try to get there.
GameSpot sister site CNET News sat down recently with Moore at Microsoft's Xbox headquarters in Redmond, Washington, as he was preparing to head overseas for the Tokyo Game Show and then, among other things, a trip to India to launch the Xbox there.
CNET News: Why release the Xbox 360 in India?
Peter Moore: It's an incredibly fascinating market. India's growing, finally getting a middle class that's of a proportion that you really feel you can grow some business with.
CN: How much does Xbox cost in India?
PM: Obviously, it's in rupees. It's probably the dollar equivalent of where we are today here. In some instances, we will price down a little bit for the Marketplace, but it's a premium product. And as I mentioned earlier, there is a middle class there, and clearly we have to market to them. Not only do you want to market to the consumers that buy the console, we want to market to the consumer that can connect online. And broadband penetration is growing fast there. Plus, the business model is about selling software. The software pricing is where we could look at being a little more market conscious.
CN: Given different costs of living, the price of an Xbox 360 is not the same in San Francisco and Topeka. How do you deal with that?
PM: It's more expensive in Topeka. But we don't just look at the console cost in isolation. We look at what it takes to be up and running and have the best experience. We call it "TCO," total cost of ownership.
You look at hardware cost itself, and then you look at what software costs, you look at game subscriptions and peripherals. It is something that companies like ourselves, Sony, and Nintendo spend a lot of time figuring out. Where is the sweet spot? You're not going to make any money on the hardware in the early going.
CN: When you look at the ideal Xbox consumer, who is that person?
PM: He is a male. He is connected. He is very, very used to going online for community. He's probably played PC games online. He's part of a Halo 2 clan and has been for two years. That comes from him playing Halo in college--so he's 23 or 24--with his buddies. He still loves to go out on a Wednesday night with them, even though they're spread all around the US. But they all come together Wednesday night to relive the days in the dorm room.
CN: What else does he want?
PM: He also expects instant gratification, the delivery of game demos to his hard drive via his broadband network. And he's popular enough to have his profile online and he's pretty competitive, so he loves (Xbox game) achievements. He'll stay up all night to get achievements in games that his buddies have because it just pisses him off that they've got them first. He also would rather starve to death than not have a high-definition TV. He'll go without food rather than have a standard-def 27-inch TV.
CN: It's looking like the Wii won't be direct competition for the Xbox or PlayStation 3. Do you agree?
PM: In a lot of instances, it will be a No. 2 box because it's priced accordingly. The fear I would have is that people will buy the box and only play a few games. I think you'll pull it out at parties. It's fun for a few minutes, but I'm not sure (how long that will last).
CN: When Sony announced the PS3 will cost $600, were you guys pumping your fists?
PM: It will still sell out at launch. I've never known a console that didn't blow the doors down in the early going, and PS3 and the Wii will be no exception. But this is not about the first six months. These are six- to eight-year cycles now. So the question is how you attract that next 20 million consumers when you need $199 as a price point, for example, to do that. But maybe your cost of goods programming has not reduced in line to where you need. We've lived through that.
So as a result, you may have to take an enormous financial hit to catch up to your competitors' pricing. Sony is very fond of saying, "We never come into the market first, but we always win," or "The next generation will start when we say it starts." But they have none of the same advantages in this generation, like superior graphics, being the only console to play DVDs, or exclusive software. Now, these are two boxes on a par. And many would say the advantage goes to Microsoft because we're in the second generation of game development (while PS3 developers are still on the first generation).
CN: What percentage of your market has high-definition sets?
PM: Ninety percent of our first million customers in the U.S. either had one or said they were going to buy one within six months. The deeper you get in, the more that drops off, because price becomes a factor. And so I think we're doing a good job in tipping over that 25-year-old male into buying these things. They're actually more likely to buy them for video games because there's not much high-definition content available on TV.
CN: What have you learned about launching consoles?
PM: There's never enough supply. What we set out to do was do the first global launch. And it's Murphy's Law. A product that has 1,700 parts in it, it's no good if 1,699 parts show up. You can't manufacture it. But I will go to my grave proud of the fact that we managed to break the paradigm that it needs 12 months to launch a console. We did it in 17 days, from when we started here and then moved to Japan.
CN: Can you talk about how Xbox fits into the larger Microsoft vision?
PM: We have a real view of, in two simple words, connected entertainment. A lot of people have an offline entertainment experience, and we all do. But more and more--if you think about it--of our entertainment experiences are connected to a server where the content is. We're consuming it on high-definition televisions. We're editing, storing and manipulating it on our bigger PCs, particularly Media Center Edition PCs. Hard drives on those things now are 250GB, and we're seeing the ability for this simple portal to the home for entertainment being that PC.
It's where I keep my photos, where I keep 10,000 songs and my high-definition movies. I'll stream stuff, but I want to consume it at home, not on my crummy 15-inch laptop. The Xbox 360, which has Media Center extender software, allows you to be able to consume entertainment in the places where you should consume it. Now, Zune (Microsoft's forthcoming music player) becomes, over the next couple of years, the portable extension of that, because all of this needs to connect.
CN: Tell me more about Vista and how it relates to video games? PM: We look at Vista as a huge opportunity to reinvigorate PC gaming. Vista is a games platform. It is the best games OS we've ever developed. It is truly plug and play, and that's why we lost a lot of gamers to the console, because PC games wouldn't load properly. We've done a tremendous amount of back-end work with Vista to make sure games load. Vista is built on DirectX 10, and the games will run on DirectX 10.
CN: What can you say about Halo 3?
PM: It's coming out in 2007. The game is going to be even a quantum leap from Halo 2. We've allowed Bungie to really get this game to the next level, as Halo 2 was from Halo, Halo 3 must be from Halo 2. The multiplayer aspects of it must continue to redefine the way we play games.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:25 Posted By: wraggster
The Xbox Live Vision is in stores today, according to an announcement by Microsoft. This camera peripheral for the Xbox 360 adds real-time video-chat functionality to the Xbox Live service, along with various other features, including in-game support in current and upcoming titles. A paid Xbox Live Gold membership is required to take advantage of the video-chat functionality.
Xbox Live Vision
The camera ships as part of two different bundles. The $39 version includes the camera, an Xbox 360 headset, and the games UNO and TotemBall. The $79 Xbox Live Vision Gold Pack includes a yearlong Xbox Live Gold subscription, 200 Microsoft Points that can be spent on Xbox Live Marketplace content, and Robotron 2084, in addition to the headset and other two titles.
Furthermore, Microsoft announced that on September 20, four Xbox Live Arcade titles will be automatically updated to include support for the new camera. These include Bankshot Billiards 2, Hardwood Hearts, Hardwood Spades, and Hardwood Backgammon. Up till now, the Xbox Live Arcade version of UNO was the only game to include camera support.
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September 20th, 2006, 21:28 Posted By: wraggster
Before you ask, no, this won't allow you to download XBLA games from the net, burn them, and play them for free—believe us we checked. But what this can do is let you burn games you already own onto the disk so people without Xbox 360 hard drives can play games without having to download them each time onto their memory cards.
So what you do, apparently, is first buy the XBLA game, then burn it onto a CD—presumably by downloading it—and then pop it into your drive and the game boots right up. If you didn't actually purchase the game first, all you get is a demo version.
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September 20th, 2006, 22:48 Posted By: wraggster
The port of Zsnes to the Xbox has seen yet another update, heres whats new:
More tweaks to the rumble. It seems to be working correct when loading savestates or using rewind. Before, if you used rewind in the middle of a rumble, the rumble would not disable (even when you exited the game). Sometimes it would cause a crash, so hopefully this is fixed as well.
More Info
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September 21st, 2006, 16:57 Posted By: wraggster
Two controllers and game for GBP 299
Microsoft has confirmed the release of a new Xbox 360 bundle, to hit UK retail shelves tomorrow.
As revealed by GamesIndustry.biz, the package consists of the Xbox 360 console, two wireless controllers and copy of Bizarre Creations’ Project Gotham Racing 3.
"Project Gotham Racing 3 is such a popular game and a great first title for the Xbox 360," commented Stephen McGill, head of console marketing at Microsoft UK.
"Not only can you experience the seriously impressive graphics for yourself but now we’re bundling this game with the console and an extra controller, so you can take on your friends too. This will make a lot of gamers in the UK happy this Christmas."
The new bundle will retail for GBP 299.
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September 21st, 2006, 17:03 Posted By: wraggster
With TGS less than 24-hours away, a slew of assorted media is already beginning to shoot over from Japan, these new Lost Planet shots being among the first.
Originally announced for Xbox 360 last year, the snowy bug-blaster is finally approaching its Japanese December release, and you can tell Capcom has been doing some visual-polishing over the last 12 months.
Rather than strain our fingers telling you about the game, you can read our excellent preview by clicking here - or better still, head on to Xbox Live where you will find a fully-playable demo. Don't tell us we don't earn our wages.
Lost Planet is currently planned for European release in Q1 2007. We'll let you know how it turns out.
Screens Here
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September 21st, 2006, 17:04 Posted By: wraggster
This Monday (September 25) at 6pm, Xbox Live members across Europe will get another chance to take down Alan Mealor and Chris Pickford of Bizarre Creations in what's being dubbed a 'Developer Showdown - gamers versus designers'.
The news comes hot on the heels of Microsoft's announcement of a new Premium pack bundle containing the game, and of course is part of Xbox Live free week which began yesterday.
If you want a slice of this developer smackdown, you need to be an Xbox Live member and send your name, age, location, email address and gamertag to xboxlivedevelopershowdown@njlive.co.uk. If you're accepted you'll get an email with more details by Monday.
Now, you'd best get behind that PGR3 wheel and get practicing!
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September 21st, 2006, 17:05 Posted By: wraggster
Someone's having a very bad day at French publishing giant, Ubisoft this morning, as 2GB (yes, 2GB) worth of top-secret images somehow found its way onto the internet, detailing unannounced games like Splinter Cell 5 and Far Cry 2.
The images, which we obviously can't post if we want to hold on to our houses, include new looks at already-announced titles like the gorgeous Assassins Creed, as well as the first confirmation and looks at titles like Far Cry PSP, Rocky PSP and Shaun White snowboarding.
But by far the hottest images in the leaked batch are those showing art from the next Splinter Cell, called Splinter Cell Conviction, an all-new Prince of Persia and a sequel to Crytek's Far Cry.
There's a treasure trove of top-secret game details revealed in the images (which we erm, saw on a mate's PC) including Far Cry 2's multiple 'urban, desert and jungle' environments, and Splinter Cell Conviction's Washington DC locales. Far Cry 2 also appears to include a destructible weapon system, along with some distinctly 'next-gen' visuals - although it's pure speculation at this point what system the game is heading for.
When we contacted Ubisoft, we were expectedly given a very big "no comment." Perhaps, with X06 only seven days away, some of these images will become public domain within the week. Until then; sit tight and don't do anything naughty.
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September 21st, 2006, 17:08 Posted By: wraggster
Evil bunnies up to no good as Raving Rabbids says 'hop it' to Xbox
Rayman Raving Rabbids appears to have been quietly canned on Bill's original black box
'But', you cry ' the game's never been confirmed for Microsoft's old-gen console!' Well, officially, that's true, Ubisoft only setting in stone PC, PS2, Wii, GBA and DS versions for a late 2006 release in an announcement earlier this month. However, CVG knows that as recently as last month the publisher confirmed that an Xbox version of Rayman Raving Rabbids existed.
Speaking to Ubisoft earlier about the title on Xbox, it was simply sticking to the announcement made on September 5 that Raving Rabbids is 100-percent confirmed for PC, PS2, Wii, GBA and DS platforms. We can only assume that the publisher decided an Xbox version just wouldn't perform as the console gradually heading southward.
Well, either that or there's conspiracy been cooked up by evil bunnies to ensure Rayman Raving Rabbids doesn't appear on the MS platform. An Xbox 360 Raving Rabbids is expected, although Ubisoft remained coy when queried about this version. We reckon we won't see that until 2007, but we'll wait patiently for further news...
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September 21st, 2006, 17:10 Posted By: wraggster
Ubisoft's gorgeous medieval thief 'em-up, Assassin's Creed is heading for mouse-and-keyboard fans on PC, alongside its PS3 and Xbox 360 targets.
"If you do manage to get near enough to your intended target to kill at close quarters (sniping is cheating in the Assassin's Order), Altair can use his special concealed blade to deal the fatal blow. Suddenly, time slows down and the action is focused on the two individuals in a very personal and horrific moment. Killing is an honourable and serious profession for the Order - quite the opposite of other games such as Hitman, where you'll probably end up dropping someone off a balcony dressed in a clown suit."
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September 21st, 2006, 17:14 Posted By: wraggster
Rare's crazy piñata garden game explained
We've been dazed and confused ever since we first saw Rare's bizarre garden game, Viva Piñata, but thankfully a new TGS video has gone some length in explaining things, as well as showing off the gorgeous visuals in what Microsoft is calling 'the biggest Xbox 360 game this year' - it's already Gears of War in our book.
In the game you're tasked with building a garden to attract a variety of piñata species, and then customise and house them to keep them in your digs. You'll also be able to invite people over to your garden via Xbox Live and swap piñatas to complete your collection - a bit like Animal Crossing but with paper maché donkeys instead of bedside lamps.
Viva Piñata is due out this Christmas. We're off to make our own Piñata and fill it with assorted press discs.
Trailer Here
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September 21st, 2006, 17:16 Posted By: wraggster
News from Divineo China
After the success of the Ghost Case Ultra pack for Xbox 360 in clear version, Ghost Case comes back on 360 with 4 new colors: Blue, Liquid Metal, Pink and Green!
Heres more info about the Cases:
Overview of the product
This is the most complete 360 case on the market, with high quality plastic that gives the appearance of glass (nobody wants murky clouded plastic cases)!
This is the only case in the world that comes with a clear DVD drive lid, which actually lets you the DVD spinning while you play! Inside this amazing kit is also a clear fan tunnel, without this vital piece you wouldn't even be able to see your circuit board! This piece opens up the whole inside of your console so you can see everything going on inside (this also allows for your custom lighting kit to light up everything in the case)!
With this kit you really are getting a CLEAR Xbox 360
Specifications & extra information
COMPLETE kit includes:
* Complete Xbox 360 Case Replacement
* Includes Custom Dual Light Kit
* Clear DVD drive lid
* Clear dual Fan Tunnel
* Comes with Opening Tools
* Extremely High Quality !
* Complete Xbox 360 Case Replacement
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September 21st, 2006, 17:20 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's one-stop shop for everything Xbox Live, Major Nelson, has updated his blog with details of today's new Xbox Live Marketplace additions.
In short, there's not as much as yesterday, but you can see Fuzion Frenzy 2 in action for the first time, along with Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (due out in Q2 2007), Team Fortress 2, and a montage of games running on Windows Vista.
On top of that, there's a Tokyo Game Show downloadable theme, and Japanese users can download a Table Tennis trailer, although obviously you needn't bother with that since you can already download a playable demo. Or, you know, buy it.
See elsewhere on the site for details of the TGS content that pitched up yesterday.
More Info
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September 21st, 2006, 17:22 Posted By: wraggster
Codemasters and Triumph Studios are getting excited about next summer's release of Overlord on PC and Xbox 360, in which you and your minions get to trawl through a fantasy world wiping things out and generally repressing people.
To this end they've been telling us about the degrees of corruption available to the fledgling Overlord. Obviously you can teach the local peasants a lesson and force them to bow before your might, but that isn't enough for some.
No, some Overlords will prefer to foster false hope in the blighters, driving off violent halflings who are causing them bother so they'll worship you as their lord and protector - and then putting the boot in.
For this they'll reward you with more than just cheers and exultation - they'll cower in your presence and cough up other goodies, as you walk tall among them forcing them to do your bidding and metaphorically stamping on their cats.
But, says Triumph's director Lennart Sas, it's not meant to be taken too seriously. "Our goal is not to shock with realistic blood and gore," he says, "but to create an entertaining world where people can explore what it's like to have absolute power but in an amusingly gross way, not sick and grotesque."
Indeed, you can even play it straight if you want. There'll be an unlockable achievement for finishing the game "100% Uncorrupted". This means not killing peasants, not harvesting souls from living creatures, not betraying the missus and not exterminating the occasional fantasy race.
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September 21st, 2006, 17:32 Posted By: wraggster
The weather was hot and sunny in Tokyo on Wednesday, probably making more than a few attendees of the Xbox 360 media briefing wish they were relaxing in one of the city's many parks with an ice tea or cold beer rather than hanging out in the Cerulean Tower Hotel's underground ballroom where the event took place. However, the 200 or so journalists who turned out were rewarded with a dynamic and in-depth presentation. This briefing served both to introduce the new Xbox 360 games and peripherals that will be shown at the Tokyo Game Show and to fire an opening shot in Microsoft's bid to "relaunch" the Xbox 360 in Japan.
The event kicked off on schedule, opening with a video projected on a wide screen at the front of the ballroom. The video pummeled the spectators with a blast of load music and visuals that juxtaposed images of a martial artist with those of the Xbox 360 hardware and software. Though the martial artist appeared to kick the Xbox a couple of times, the overall impression was one of speed and power.
When the video finished, Microsoft Japan's Xbox czar, Takashi Sensui (pictured above), welcomed attendees. His voice rising and falling rhythmically, he seemed to stutter or stumble over his own words as he delivered the opening comments. Not to say that he seemed unsure of himself; rather, he appeared to become quite emotional as he discussed the Xbox and its community of users. "The first thing I want to say is that since its launch last year, the user base of the Xbox 360, which we can say constitutes a single global community, has been steadily and greatly increasing. Microsoft is on target to ship 10 million units worldwide by the end of this year." He hoped this might indicate Microsoft is doing something right, even if Japan sales have been a bit sluggish so far.
Swanky.Speaking of which, Sensui did not directly mention the Xbox 360's hitherto spotty Japan-side performance. Rather, he focused on the future. "The [Xbox 360] is approaching a turning point in its growth in the Japanese market. From now on, evolution in next-generation games will require qualitative changes." The kinds of changes he meant are outlined in Microsoft's new marketing campaign for the system. This campaign consists of three components, as suggested by the advertising slogan: "do! do! do!" The three "do's" are "do! Game," "do! Choice," and "do! Live," and it's on these three pillars that Microsoft hopes to build a foundation for success in Japan.
Sensui said the Xbox will have "the strongest lineup in history...Over 100 titles, including those for Live Arcade are planned for Japan." Regarding the "choice" aspect, Sensui touted the Xbox's personalization features, both in terms of hardware configurations and online profiles. "[The Xbox] offers flexibility found in no other console," he said. As for Xbox Live, he remarked that it was building a "brighter, more social environment" for gamers.
Corporate vice president of interactive entertainment business, entertainment, and devices division Peter Moore also stepped in to talk a little more about Microsoft's Japan strategy. Key to this will be "redefining the way Japanese gamers think about games" and producing more content "by Japanese developers for Japanese gamers." This will include 50 titles that will be exclusively for Japan, though he did not mention how these are divided up between Live Arcade and retail games. He also stressed that of the 110 titles to be released in Japan, fully 70 will be produced by Japanese developers. He further emphasized that Microsoft's strategy is global in scope, with the Xbox 360 slated to roll out in India later this week and in South Africa next week. Moore also introduced five new Xbox Live Arcade titles: Yie Ar Kung Fu, Gyruss, Rush 'n Attack, Ms. Pac Man, and New Rally X. Yie Ar Kung Fu will be exclusive to Japan.
MS gets the ballroom in the basement.It was in this context that Peter Moore announced the first-ever World Pac-Man Championships. The championship will pit the top 10 Xbox Live players against each other sometime in 2007. Details, such as the venue and date, are still TBA. During Moore's presentation, Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani made a surprise visit. When asked about his thoughts on his creation, Iwatani said, "I hope that Pac-Man will become a new communication tool that transcends generations."
Some video presentations of upcoming third-party games were also shown. First off, the DOA Extreme 2 trailer treated attendees to a titillating display of prancing female characters from Tecmo's Dead or Alive franchise. Following the five or so minutes of bouncing and jiggling, Sensui simply said "I have nothing further to add," to the amusement of the audience.
Footage of Lost Planet and a first look at Trusty Bell, an animelike Japanese role-playing game, were also shown. Infinite Undiscovery also got a brief plug but unfortunately no visuals. However, the centerpiece of the game videos was live demos of Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon, both from Mistwalker Studios. Blue Dragon, which is near completion, looked particularly polished, with Akira Toriyama's character designs making a prominent appearance. Mistwalker's Hironobu Sakaguchi, who appeared to introduce the games and show off the demos, said of the graphics, "We rendered it like a Pixar film...that you can control." The Lost Odyssey demo showed what looks to be a very dark RPG aimed at older gamers. Of this title, Sakaguchi said he hoped to create "a totally fresh" RPG.
Will they be enough?Many more new titles were introduced briefly by way of video, some flashing by for only a few seconds. GameSpot editors will have to wait for the Tokyo Game Show to get a closer look at these.
A host of new peripherals were also shown off at the briefing, including the Vision camera (just released in North America), a wireless headset peripheral, and a wireless racing wheel. But the most praise was saved for the HD-DVD player add-on. A working model of this showcased some of the next-generation format's features, such as user-defined bookmarks and picture-in-picture displays. Almost as an afterthought, Sensui brought out an actual HD-DVD unit to show the audience after the demonstration. This created probably the largest stir of the entire event, as press members mobbed the stage to photograph Sensui holding Microsoft's answer to Sony's Blu-ray drive.
With big names like Sakaguchi and Iwatani promoting the 360, Microsoft may indeed win over the hardcore-gamer segment. However, the question of whether casual gamers will go for the system is far from certain. One detrimental factor may be pricing. Two very high-profile titles--Dead Rising and Lost Planet--are priced at 8,379 yen ($71), a good 1,000-2,000 yen ($9-$17) higher than average titles. Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 will cost a staggering 9,240 yen ($79). Prices this high are usually only seen on certain genres in Japan. For example, games with a hardcore following like strategy or RPG titles are priced in the 7,000 to 9,800 yen ($60-$84) range. Age of Empires III is one example. On the other hand, many casual users may be won over by the Xbox Live Arcade, which will let them download games such as Lumines and Yir Ar Kung Fu at more affordable prices.
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September 21st, 2006, 17:57 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Import Tuner Challenge is an authentic, customizable street-racing game where you'll challenge the fastest street-racing teams. Customize and race licensed import sports cars using real tuner parts and tuning techniques. More than five million combinations are possible in customizing a car's interior, exterior and engine. Go online with Xbox Live & see how your custom tuner stacks up in head-to-head in Versus mode -- take your most extreme mods straight to the streets to dominate all who challenge
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September 21st, 2006, 22:52 Posted By: wraggster
Xport has released a new version of PCSXBox which is a PlayStation emulator for Xbox.
Heres whats new:
* Added buttons for L3/R3/Mode. "Mode" only functions in Dual Shock mode.
* Fixed Right Thumbstick X-Axis (was inverted)
* There is now a single directory for saves. If you were using the 1.4 or 1.6 cores to play games, then you should move all of your files/directories from E:\SAVES\PCSXBOX_1.4 and E:\SAVES\PCSXBOX_1.6 to E:\SAVES\PCSXBOX
* Implemented true Dual Shock+rumble support. From the game configuration menu change the "Controller #" to "Dual Shock" to enable it. No, Ape Escape still does not work - it's a core issue, not a Dual Shock issue.
* You cannot use Dual Shock and multitap simultaneously.
* Added option to enable/disable rumble for controllers 1/2
* Added option to increase the rumble amount for controllers 1/2 if the rumble is too light.
* Instructions included on how to set up your own website which can store/serve configuration files: upload_download_configurations_instructions.txt
More Info --> http://xport.xbox-scene.com
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September 22nd, 2006, 02:35 Posted By: wraggster
Sony executive VP Jack Tretton said this to Gamedaily:
"What I've read widely and what I've heard from MS is, 'Yeah, we got beat last generation but that's because we were late to market and came out a year after PS2 did and that's why we got defeated and that's not going to happen again.' Yes, the PS2 was beating the Xbox 5 or 6 years ago, but now the PS2 is beating the Xbox 360... Year-to-date we've sold more hardware than they have and this past month we've sold more hardware," Tretton boasted. "So we beat them in their last generation machine and we're beating them in their current generation machine. And if I were Microsoft, the big concern I'd have is... Xbox 360 is actually doing worse than the original Xbox did."
He continued, "I think obviously our competition, the handheld devices from Nintendo and specifically in the case of the DS, we really feel like they're appealing to the same audience that Game Boy has always appealed to. And if you look at the adoption rate of the DS over the first 17 months, not only does it trail the PSP but it also trails their other platforms... They're potentially losing some of their core audience and they're not really expanding beyond that and we think we're expanding into a completely new audience as we did with PlayStation. And we'll do just what we did on PlayStation; we'll dip down to the younger consumer eventually and we'll ultimately appeal to that vastly Earth wide audience we carved out with the original PlayStation."
We queried Tretton about Nintendo's approach to broaden the market and "touch" the so-called "grey gamers" in addition to appealing to the younger set, and while it's hard to imagine a PSP in the hands of a 60-year-old for instance, Tretton believes there are more middle aged and young people playing PlayStation systems than one might think. "I think it's a good premise, but I would tell you for a fact that there are much more people in their 50s and 60s playing PlayStation platforms in terms of console, than there are playing Nintendo platforms. So I think it's conceivable just as we did with the PS1 and PS2 that we could bring in that audience."
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September 22nd, 2006, 02:37 Posted By: wraggster
Heres the info:
"As part of our standard and ongoing process of analyzing repair data, we recently noticed a higher than usual number of units coming in for repair. Upon further investigation, it was further discovered that the bulk of the units were isolated to a group that was part of the initial manufacturing run of the console. Returns for repair are coming in for a variety reasons and it's a higher rate than we are satisfied with. We've made the decision to comp repairs for consoles manufactured before January 1, 2006, and provide refunds to the small group of customers who have already paid for repairs."
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September 22nd, 2006, 16:53 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's Tokyo Game Show demonstration of Forza Motorsport 2 has quietly confirmed speculation that the game won't be out until the first quarter of 2007.
Producers in Japan are reportedly saying the code's about 60 percent finished.
That's a bit of a shame then, and probably won't do sales of the Wireless Racing Wheel, due out this Christmas, any favours.
Then again the first Forza, on Xbox 1, was a bit special, despite people predicting its catastrophic failure pre-release, so it's fair to say that the chaps at Turn 10 deserve the benefit of the doubt.
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September 22nd, 2006, 17:16 Posted By: wraggster
From Software loves giant battling robots. The developer has created the mech-combat game Chromehounds for the Xbox 360, a handful of Armored Core games, and the Japanese game Metal Wolf Chaos, which sees a fictional American president hop into a giant set of battle armor and deliver a thousand hollow points of light into enemies invading the US.
Today, publisher Sega and From Software announced that Armored Core 4, which was briefly mentioned at last year's Tokyo Game Show, will come to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in spring 2007.
The date is news, as previous reports had the Xbox 360 version releasing this year, and the PS3 edition was given the nebulous "To Be Announced" release date. No further details were announced.
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September 22nd, 2006, 19:09 Posted By: wraggster
Future has today announced that its two officially licensed Xbox magazines will merge into one title. News, previews and reviews for the original Xbox console will now feature in Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine.
Following the sales success of Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox 360 since it launched last November – consumer interest is now focussed across two platforms. As a result, the final standalone issue of Official Xbox Magazine, goes on sale Thursday 28th September.
Bowing out with issue 61, Future’s Official Xbox Magazine launched in March 2002 and has sold over 4.1 million copies in total. Its successor, Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine launched in November 2005 and achieved a debut ABC of 42,680. Circulation for the new magazine is currently growing at a faster rate than Future's original Xbox magazine did in its launch year.
Group Publisher for Future’s London Entertainment portfolio, James Ashton-Tyler said:
“Official Xbox Magazine has had an enormously successful run. The rapid success of the Xbox 360 means that readers are now interested in two Xbox formats. By rolling in coverage of Xbox games into our next-generation title, we can cover both consoles and provide Xbox gamers with a comprehensive Official magazine.â€
Issue 13 of Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine also goes on sale Thursday 28th September, with a coverprice of £5.99.
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September 23rd, 2006, 02:51 Posted By: wraggster
Jerone Hunter, 20, and Troy Victorino, 29, were sentenced to death yesterday in the murders of six people in 2004. The killings occurred after Victorino, who was kicked out of a house that he'd been squatting in, returned with Hunter to retrieve his Xbox and other belongings -- but the mainstream media mostly picked up on the Xbox stuff.
The murders were vicious, with blood being found on the floors, ceilings and walls. The victims were not only bludgeoned to death, but were mutilated after.
In related blame-it-on-video-games news, last week 25-year-old Tyrone Spellman killed his daughter after she yanked the cords on the console he was playing. According to Mia Turman, the dead child's mother, "the system - the box itself - fell" so he "hit her in the face twice." Turman also says that Spellman "slung" the child over a chair.
Turman is currently eight-months pregnant with Spellman's second child.
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September 23rd, 2006, 03:00 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has listed the games that are coming in the months following:
* Blue Dragon (Microsoft): RPG with Playable/Trailer
* Lost Odyssey(Microsoft): RPG with Playable/Trailer
* Forza Motorsport 2 (Microsoft): Racing with Trailer
* Atsumare! Pinata (Microsoft): Simulation with Playable/Trailer
* Riot Act (Microsoft): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis (Microsoft): Sports with Playable/Trailer
* Gears of War (Microsoft): Action with Trailer
* A Ressha De Ikou HX (Artdink): Simluation with Trailer
* Diario Rebirth Moon Legend (Idea Factory): RPG with Trailer
* Need for Speed Carbon (Electronic Arts): Racing with Trailer
* Dead Rising (Capcom): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Lost Planet Extreme Condition (Capcom): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Winning Eleven Series (Konami): Sports with Trailer
* Operation Darkness (Success): Simulation with Playable/Trailer
* Project Sylpheed (Square Enix): Shooting with Playable/Trailer
* X-Men the Official Game (Spike): Action with Trailer
* Prey (Spike): Action with Trailer
* Tomb Raider: Legend (Spike): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Full Auto (Sega): Racing with Trailer
* Phantasy Star Universe: Illuminous no Yabou (Sega): RPG with Trailer
* Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (Tecmo): Sports with Playable/Trailer
* Moto GP '06 (THQ Japan): Racing with Playable/Trailer
* WWE 2007 Smackdown vs Raw (THQ Japan): Wrestling with Playable/Trailer
* The Outfit (THQ Japan): Action with Trailer
* Earth Self Defense Force 3 (D3 Publisher): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Fusion Frenzy 2 (Hudson): Family with Playable/Trailer
* Culdecept Saga (Bandai Namco Games): Board Game with Playable/Trailer
* Trusty Bell: Chopan no Yume (Bandai Namco Games): RPG with Playable/Trailer
* Gundam Operation Troy (Bandai Namco Games): Action with Playable/Trailer
* Idol Master (Bandai Namco Games): Simulation with Playable/Trailer
* Super Robot Taisen XO (Banpresto): Simulation with Playable/Trailer
* Tenchu Senran (From Software): Action with Playable/Trailer
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September 23rd, 2006, 10:49 Posted By: zidanerick
According to xboxic.com bestbuy has released an advertisment displaying a picture of the possible black XBOX 360.
Looks very sleek so far and hopefully this will be released in the near future, if not modders will have their work cut out for them.
Original News Source : http://www.xboxic.com/news/1676
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September 23rd, 2006, 11:33 Posted By: wraggster
The port of Zsnes the Snes emulator for the Xbox has received a new update, heres whats new in this release:
-Changed the rumble type description and added several more rumble types. These are:
1) Rumble on value change and stop rumbling when the timer expires
2) Rumble on value decrease and stop rumbling when the timer expires
3) Rumble on value increase and stop rumbling when the timer expires
4) Rumble on value change and stop rumbling when the value changes
5) Rumble on value change and stop rumbling when the value decreases
6) Rumble on value change and stop rumbling when the value increases
7) Rumble on value decrease and stop rumbling when the value changes
8) Rumble on value decrease and stop rumbling when the value decreases
9) Rumble on value decrease and stop rumbling when the value increases
10) Rumble on value increase and stop rumbling when the value changes
11) Rumble on value increase and stop rumbling when the value decreases
12) Rumble on value increase and stop rumbling when the value increases
So, in other words, you can have rumbles that only last a set amount of time, or you can have rumbles that last until something changes. This is useful for games like F-Zero where you may run over the gravel and want the rumble. However, there is no way to tell how long you may be on the gravel, so a timer will not work. In this example, F-Zero sets the value to 10 when you are on the gravel, and 0 when you are off the gravel. So for this rumble, you would pick: "Rumble on value increase and stop rumbling when the value decreases" to have rumble the entire time. These combinations should enable the creation of rumbles for any situation and last any desired amount of time.
-Added a "Tips and Tricks" database. This includes information on hundreds of games on topics such as boss fight strategies, level select button sequences, and level passwords.
More info
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September 24th, 2006, 11:43 Posted By: wraggster
News from Lik Sang
If you are into tuning and unique looks, you certainly have taken a read at our Pimp My Ride bits already a month ago. If you are not so much the screwdriver type of guy though, it's clippable Faceplates that you are eyeing for. Good news, we have today re-stocked the popular Deluxe Chrome Faceplate for the Xbox 360. Additionally, we are now carrying two additional high-quality metallic models: Deluxe Gold and classy Copperized Bronze.
 
 
Even better, the price for these high-grade shiny armors has been crushed to just US$ 14.95 a pop! For all resellers willing to carry this stylish line of products in their corner of the gaming world, aggressive bulk discounts have been set up as well (head to the product page to check that out; or enter a quantity above 5 pcs in your shopping cart for automated calculation - you know the drill).
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September 24th, 2006, 11:57 Posted By: wraggster
New release of the Snes emulator for the Xbox, heres whats new:
-All the paths can be changed in the ini. The default save location is in the directory where the default.xbe is. However, this can be changed via the Path.ini. The folders must exist, because I no longer create the base directories. All 8 screenshot paths, rumble, cheats, sram, save, roms, ini, and garbage paths can be changed. For example, you could set the Shots 1 path to point to the xSnes9x previews folder and the Shots 2 – 8 paths to completely separate locations.
-The "Disable Key Combo Option" is now saved to the ini.
-Added support for loading cheat files when a game is launched through the command line.
-Added support for loading rumble files when a game is launched through the command line.
-Optimized the savestate loading/creation code
-I have included a few of my rumble files, so if you don't like force feedback, you can delete these or just turn them off within the options of each game.
Install:
This is a full install. Copy the contents of the archive to your Xbox. Run the default.xbe to start.
Upgrade:
You will need to either move all your files to the appropriate directories relative to the default.xbe or edit the Path.ini. For example, if you want to keep your files where they are, you could change the Path.ini to this:
E:snexBoxartworkShots 1
E:snexBoxartworkShots 2
E:snexBoxartworkShots 3
E:snexBoxartworkShots 4
E:snexBoxartworkShots 5
E:snexBoxartworkShots 6
E:snexBoxartworkShots 7
E:snexBoxartworkShots 8
E:snexBoxsram
E:snexBoxsave
E:snexBoxini
E:snexBox umble
E:snexBoxcheats
E:snexBoxgarbage
D:snexBox oms
This assumes you have previously been saving to the E partition. Do not put any spaces at the end of any lines. Make sure the "" is the last character on every line. You will not be able to use your previous ini files (for the emulator or for the skins), since the ini format has changed.
More Info
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September 24th, 2006, 12:03 Posted By: wraggster
We were right, sort of. Even after the software upgrade this fall, via component cables, the Xbox 360 will still only upconvert DVDs to 480p, and will play HD DVD movies at a maximum resolution of 1080i. To get 1080p output for movies, you must use a VGA cable, which is not subject to the same copyright restrictions. This just means the Xbox 360 is just like every other HD DVD and Blu-ray player on the market, but you wouldn't know that by reading Microsoft's press releases yesterday. If you ran out and bought a 1080p HDTV yesterday don't return it just yet, you should be able to get equal picture quality to 1080p if your TV processes the incoming signal correctly, and if it supports 1080p via component you can still play upconverted and native-1080p games . We're still waiting to hear exactly how HD DVD's advanced audio capabilities will be handled by the 360 and oh yeah...a US price, please Microsoft?.
Update: Added list of supported resolutions after the break.
To break it all down what you will get from the Xbox 360 after this fall's software update:
VGA:
HD DVD - 1080p resolution and all others
DVD - Upscaled as high as 1080p resolution and all others
Games - 720p games upscaled to 1080p, also supports native-1080p games in the future
Component:
HD DVD - 1080i resolution maximum, limited by AACS
DVD - Upscaled to 480p maximum, limited by CSS
Games - 720p games upscaled to 1080p, also supports native-1080p games in the future
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September 25th, 2006, 16:02 Posted By: wraggster
Bungie has been speaking briefly about Halo 3 in the first of a number of planned podcasts from the studio.
Major revelations on the FPS sequel remain tightly locked in the Bungie vault, but topics discussed include achievements in Master Chief's hotly anticipated return to battle, and we're teased with a "Halo 3 Mystery Sounds" section - in a nuthshell, lugholes are assaulted by one of the game's new sound effects.
In addition, Bungie takes time out to talk about Halo 2 on Windows Vista in its podcast, which is says is "coming along great" and introduces us to the, ah, Bungie jingle.
Plus, the dev's accompanied the launch of its podcast with a reveal on the official Halo 3 logo, which you can see for yourself on this here page. Who'd have thought it would have looked like that, eh?
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September 25th, 2006, 22:41 Posted By: wraggster
If there's one thing Xbox 360 needs in Japan it's top quality RPGs. If there's one thing Xbox 360 outside of Japan, it's top quality RPGs - we love 'em too, eh? So with over ten years of RPG experience under his belt, producer Yoshiharu Gotanda will lead the charge for Xbox 360 in Japan.
Almost nothing at all was revealed about the title at the recent Tokyo Game Show apart from the fact that we're due to see it sometime in 2007.
The Japanese press blurp included classics like "various situations unfold", "a grand story" and "unknown discoveries." We don't know about you but we're still non-the-wiser about what tri-Ace has planned but we're getting more and more curious.
Two screens have surfaced in the post-TGS aftermath that you can see on this very page. It's a single-player game only with options to join mates over Xbox Live still unconfirmed. We'll keep you posted.
Screens Here
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September 25th, 2006, 22:46 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo UK
The xbox8164adapter is the cheapest solution for a xbox dvd drive failure. The adapter allow to use a PC DVD Drive LG-8164 to replace a dead XBOX Drive.
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September 25th, 2006, 22:48 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo UK
The unlock 360 case kit by XCM, using a high quality steel for the screw driver (special design , better than using the handle screw driver) and the metal part of opening tool.
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September 25th, 2006, 22:50 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo UK
XCM 360 Chrome controller shells are FULL replacement cases for your Xbox official WIRED controller. They come with a LED kit set available in 4 colors (BLUE, GREEN, RED and YELLOW), which requires to solder 3 wires to light up all buttons.
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September 25th, 2006, 22:51 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo UK
XCM 360 cases are FULL replacement case for the Xbox 360. They include the 360 face plate and a screwdriver to install the case. Easy to install and totally custom design!
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September 25th, 2006, 23:24 Posted By: wraggster
SPOnG has long suspected that Peter Moore’s GTA IV tattoo which he proudly showed off at E3 this year is not actually real. Admittedly we don’t have a lot of concrete evidence on which to base this suspicion, other than Moore seems to have not shown the tattoo in public since E3. Oh, and it looked very much like it was a wash-on/wash off jobbie too, from where we were sitting in Mann’s Chinese Theatre back in May. Which was, admittedly, near the back.
So it’s interesting to hear that Moore was challenged to show said tattoo at the recent Xbox 360 launch in Japan over the weekend, with Kotaku quoting ‘game journo Ishaan’ who tells them:
“I also asked him [Moore] in front of an entire room of people to show us his GTA and Halo tattoos. He replied he was wearing a full-sleeved shirt, so it wouldn't be possible. I then asked him if we could see it later, maybe backstage. To which he laughed really loudly and replied 'Are you asking me to take my shirt off for you!?'
SPOnG will aim to get photographic evidence of the fabled GTA IV tattoo when we hopefully run into Peter at X06 later this week.
Perhaps Peter was just a bit shy, as it was his first trip to India after all. Although he wasn’t too shy to tell the assembled press: “After the legendary worldwide customer euphoria around the Xbox 360, we are extremely proud to introduce the Xbox 360 in the Indian market. In fact, going by the stupendous customer anticipation around the launch here, we can confidently say that India is more than ready for its leap into the next generation of digital entertainment experiences. In this context, the Xbox 360 with its strong portfolio of gaming titles and limitless possibilities will appeal to Indian gamers across multiple genres and equip them to explore new entertainment options.â€
An exclusive cricket title was unveiled at the launch, entitled ‘Yuvraj Singh International Cricket 2007’, created specifically to cater to the tastes of the Indian gaming market. Popular Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and cricketer Yuvraj Singh have been signed up as the Brand Ambassadors for Xbox 360 in India.
Recent reports indicate that over a quarter of Indians still live below the poverty line.
Via Spong
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September 26th, 2006, 21:30 Posted By: wraggster
F.E.A.R. has always been one of our fave shooters here on CVG, combining intense shooty action, superior horror shocks and some splendid slo-mo FPS melee combat. And with the game soon set to make a debut on Xbox 360, Microsoft fans now have a chance to sample a slice of the action with a brand new demo which has just debuted on Xbox Live.
The 360 outing promises to bring all the thrills of the PC version to console players, and it also contains additional single- and multiplayer content as an even bigger bonus for F.E.A.R. fans.
Further details on the game, plus forthcoming PC Expansion F.E.A.R. Extraction Point, can be found on the official site What is Fear.com, but 360 fans are simply advised to hit XBL, download and enjoy.
Via CVG
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September 26th, 2006, 21:39 Posted By: wraggster
Word from Japan had suggested that Resident Evil 5 will be exclusive to Xbox 360 for a year but that's not the case, Capcom tells us this morning...
"Resident Evil 5 will release on PS3 and Xbox 360 as announced. There a no plans for an exclusive with the game", a spokesperson from the company told us.
They went on to add that it's still very early days for the sequel, which means, unfortunately, it's likely to be some considerable time before anything of the project is seen outside of Capcom HQ.
Anticipation surrounding Resi 5 is GARGANTUAN thanks to Capcom's incredible reinvention of the series with Resident Evil 4. We will, of course, bring you further news on Resident Evil 5 as and when we get it.
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September 26th, 2006, 21:47 Posted By: wraggster
X06 is the new E3! For Microsoft anyway, and tomorrow night will see some big announcements and a few surprises for Xbox 360 and PC gamers. Taking place in the lovely city of Barcelona, Spain from 6pm on Wednesday, it's the place to be.
Xbox 360 games we know will be there in some form or another (MORE than just another trailer though) include first-party giants Fable 2, Gears Of War, Forza Motorsport 2 and junior giant Viva Piñata.
Ubisoft looks set to blow the cobwebs off the stealth genre with some seriously fresh Assassin's Creed gameplay footage and info. Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC) and a grand unveiling of Alone in the Dark on 360 will be Atari's contribution. Alan Wake, The Darkness, Age of Conan - Hyborian Adventures, BioShock (PC / 360) and Shadowrun, Microsoft's PC and 360 online crossover game head up the Vista showcase.
MS bosses Peter Moore and Shane Kim will also be in attendance, no doubt to talk about sale figures, XBL stats and Halo 3 (please GOD). The press conference is scheduled to begin tomorrow night (September 27) at around 6pm 'Spain o'clock'. By our reckoning that's about 6pm UK time.
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September 26th, 2006, 21:50 Posted By: wraggster
News from Divineo USA
We should receive our first batch of X360USB around friday or monday IF there is not delay at custom. We will be able to ship ALL pre-order, as soon as we receive our shipment.
Heres info on what it is :
World's First Xbox 360 HDD, DVD** & ANY SATA Hard Disk to USB Converter All-In-One. You can now connect your Xbox 360 HDD & DVD** to USB on your PC. You can also connect ANY SATA Hard Drive. The X360 USB is a "plug and play" device that is easily recognized by Windows. The X360 USB supports USB 2.0 for super fast file transfer with speeds up to 480 mbps.
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September 26th, 2006, 21:57 Posted By: wraggster
High definition video trailers for Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey will be released to Xbox Live Marketplace tomorrow, 27th September, Microsoft has announced.
It's all part of the Xbox Live "Bringing It Home" love-in that gives you the chance to see content first unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show - with more to come later this week from X06.
Blue Dragon, due out in Japan this December, is a collaboration between Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker studio and Artoon, with art from Akira Toriyama.
Lost Odyssey, also from Mistwalker, and Free Plus, is due out next year and tells the story of a chap sentenced to live for 1,000 years.
Expect much more from Xbox Live Marketplace in the next few days, with F.E.A.R. and Fuzion Frenzy 2 demos, trailers for the likes of Forza Motorsport 2 and Virtua Tennis 3, and various themes and picture-packs already available.
The Bringing It Home campaign ends on 29th September, and coincides with a week of free Xbox Live Gold access for everyone in Europe.
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September 26th, 2006, 22:12 Posted By: wraggster
News from Lik Sang
What was voted the best adventure title at the E3 by TeamXbox.com, Just Cause is set on a South American tropical island called San Esperito which you can explore via land, sea or air using one of more than 100 vehicles. This is claimed to be the largest area of any videogame in history, covering 250,000 acres (or 1024 square km), and with no loading! Amidst those bustling cityscapes, sandy beaches and sweeping mountain ranges, you play Rico Rodriguez, a Latin field operative and specialist in regime change who is tasked with overthrowing the corrupt government suspected of stockpiling Weapons of Mass Destruction by a top secret US agency. Rico has a slew of gadgets at his disposal, and is as the developers said, "the child of one thousand comic books and action movies. He is James Bond, Mad Max, El Mariachi, Wolverine, Punisher, Rambo, Tony Montana, Jack Bauer, Han Solo and Vincent Vega all rolled into one. With a touch of Enrique Iglesias to top it all off!" That's nice name-dropping.
There's 21 main story missions, but over 300 side missions, ensuring this really is a totally free roaming experience. Your support crew of Sheldon and Kane, two CIA field operatives, will provide you with reconnaissance info, extraction and vehicle drops, but all the fun stuff like jumping from vehicle-to-vehicle, parasailing, skydiving and base-jumping are left to you. The power to play the island's factions against one another, inciting a rebellion among the masses and building alliances with rebel forces and drug cartels is all in your hands. This week the Asian edition arrived, and what's more it's only US$ 48.95!
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September 26th, 2006, 22:13 Posted By: wraggster
News from Lik Sang
If you are one of those people who rates games according to the explosion count contained, you'll fall in love with Sega's Full Auto, which just got its Japanese port over from the US version. Treat yourself to immense horsepower, combined with full-screen, outrageous detonating mayhem. Throughout the game you'll not only rely on your driving skills (this title plays uber-fast!), but also on a huge weapons arsenal to take down opponents. The cool thing comes to you via Xbox Live, as you get to race human drivers, in case making the CPU cry doesn't do its thang for ya anymore. Both arena modes and full-throttle races await. Offline, there is Career Mode, where you've got different objectives to complete, like blasting cars and the environment, sliding around corners to reap boost or earning gold medals to unlock all goodies in the game. There are also team battle modes, no-weapons races and endurance style play. A riot is the unique "Unwreck" ability, which lets you roll back your race a few after you crashed, to undo the wreckage and have a second try. This feature depends on a special meter that you need to build up, adding a bit of strategy on top. Visually and adrenaline-wise a real blast!
Head-to-Head mode lets you take on a friend via split-screen. All unlocked car classes, tracks and weapons can be used in Arcade Mode to just show off and have a less stressful action experience. On the diverse tracks, almost everything can be destroyed and using the One Touch Replay feature, you get to instantly replay scenes at any point in the race, slowing time, zooming and panning to catch every explosion. Online, up to eight players can point their launchers at each other. Cars are split in different classes and control uniquely in a way, some are more gravitating towards heavy armor and nastier weapon power, others are lighter and faster in turn. Destruction glory is displayed with massive particle effects, shock waves and road bits flying around like there's no tomorrow. Full Auto (JP) hits Xbox 360 this week, if you enjoy unloading big guns while driving shiny, destructible vehicles into the nearest gas station, look no further!
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September 26th, 2006, 22:44 Posted By: wraggster
Digitimes, the premier news source in usual bullshit rumors, has a new one today that actually seems a legitimate, kind of. They are reporting that there will be a $100 price cut on the Xbox 360 Premium bundle, bringing the price down to $300 so that they can later bundle the HD DVD player with the Xbox 360 for $400 and still have a solid competitive price on the PS3.
Microsoft, to prepare for the price cut, has negotiated reduced production costs for the Xbox 360 with Taiwan-based manufacturing partners, stated the sources. The manufacturers estimate that the total production cost can be reduced by 15-20% due to diminishing costs for most components along with increasing production scales and decreasing defect rates, the sources pointed out.
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September 27th, 2006, 21:58 Posted By: wraggster
Publishing juggernaut Electronic Arts has announced its line-up for Microsoft's X06 event in Barcelona, which officially kicks of at 6pm this evening.
Half-Life 2, NFS: Carbon and Superman Returns are the most notable Xbox 360 games on the publisher's list, with obligatory sports updates FIFA 07, NHL 07, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 and NBA LIVE 07 also primed for playable appearances at the show.
Being big Freeman-fans, we're finding Half-Life 2's appearance the most exciting of EA's line-up, as its appearance at X06 would be the first time we've seen the game running on the Xbox 360 - although it's currently unclear whether Valve's next-gen port will be present in playable or in video form.
Commenting on the line-up, EA's VP of international sales and marketing, Jan Bolz said: "A year ago the industry inaugurated the next generation of video gaming - this year the next gen gaming experience gets even better. EA's 360 line up brings the innovation of our creative development teams to players around the world, immersing them in deep, connected game play experiences that truly signal the arrival of a new era of digital entertainment."
In addition, EA notes that it will be showcasing Rail Simulator at the event, under the Games for Windows brand. We'd have rather of had Crysis to be honest, but there you go.
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September 27th, 2006, 21:59 Posted By: wraggster
Capcom has reaffirmed its multi-platform position on Resident Evil 5, with Producer Masachika Kawata telling CVG: "Resident Evil 5 has been announced for Xbox 360 and PS3 and remains on course for release on both platforms."
Speculation has been rampant over the last 48 hours that, at Microsoft's X06 event in Spain which kicks off today, it will be announced that the hotly anticipated survival horror sequel will have a year lead on Xbox 360 over PS3.
However, comments from Capcom's European arm yesterday, today's response from Resi 5's producer and further word from Capcom's European arm this morning that there's no chance of a year-long exclusive for Xbox 360 being announced at X06 hose down speculation fires with a huge torrent of water.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:01 Posted By: wraggster
With X06 only hours away, one internet post at Teamxbox.com claims to have scooped a leaked X06 press release.
Most notable are claims that Killer Instinct 3 from Rare will be playable on the show floor, a new black Xbox 360 will be announced and a £119.99 price-point for the HD-DVD add-on (launching on December 1) are set to stun the Spanish event tonight.
According to the post, Bungie's shooter three-quel is also due for an X06 appearance; in video-form on the show floor and playable (!) for those lucky scamps behind closed doors. Apparently we can expect new multiplayer info, including 50-64-player online matches, and full 1080p support.
Meanwhile, Rare's got a new Killer Instinct game that supposedly supports four-player tag matches and will be playable at the event.
Further more, the supposed-press release also suggests that Microsoft will unveil a new black Xbox 360, along with updated core and premium bundles.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:03 Posted By: wraggster
Rumour has it that id Software's FPS granddaddy Doom will be one of the new games for Xbox Live Arcade announced at Microsoft's X06 event - which kicks off this evening 6pm our time.
Reports reckon that shooter will cost 800 Microsoft Points, but didn't go as far as mentioning a release date. But we can make one up if you like: December 15. UPDATE - some sources are saying the rumoured Doom will be released tonight. It seems unlikely, but we'll wait and see.
Meanwhile, the same rumours are additionally stating that Defender and Sensible World of Soccer will be named alongside Doom as forthcoming additions to XBLA.
Stick around for more X06 goodness.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:05 Posted By: wraggster
Gears Of War is the new Halo, at least as far as 2006 goes anyway. But the good news is, it's shaping up to deliver on anything Cliffy B has been shouting about for the past year. Gears has officially moved up a few places on our Christmas lists to Santa.
New footage and screens have been released at X06 and we've got the lot right here. Sit back, enjoy the ride but whatever you do, don't look down.
Gears Of War is set for an Xbox 360 release on November 17 in the UK.
Screenshots Here
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September 27th, 2006, 22:06 Posted By: wraggster
Ubisoft's giving us an eyeful Special Forces operations this afternoon via new screenshots and trailer from its latest Rainbow Six game, Vegas. We reckon it's looking pretty delicious - if you can describe a tactical squad-based shooter as such - but pass mince pies over the goods yourself and see what you think.
Vegas finds Team Rainbow hitting Sin City to tackle an escalating terrorist siege that's threatening global security. The game deploys on Xbox 360 - and PC and PSP - on November 17. A PS3 version is also in the pipeline.
Screenshots Here
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September 27th, 2006, 22:07 Posted By: wraggster
Codemasters has given the official thumbs to classic 90s football game Sensible World of Soccer on Xbox Live Arcade, confirming today's earlier rumours
Based on the Amiga SwoS - which many argue was the best iteration of the title - the XBLA version of the game retains the original's frantic, fast-paced football play, features teams and divisions from around the globe and mixes in management stuff.
In single-player, you'll get to indulge in a twenty-season career mode that allows you to play as thousands of different teams, it says here, and online play includes head-to-head matches, friendlies, tournaments and custom leagues over Xbox Live.
Sensible World of Soccer for XBLA is due in Q1 2007.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:08 Posted By: wraggster
Xbox 360's GTA IV is to receive exclusive content "just months" after the sequel has hit retail, Microsoft has revealed.
The content will consist of two downloadable episodes - described as "epic" - available via Xbox Live, both said to feature hours of new gameplay content.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:08 Posted By: wraggster
Ubisoft has dropped a bombshell at X06, confirming that its next Splinter Cell game will be exclusive to Xbox 360 - and Games for Windows.
We've no other details on the sequel at this time, but naturally we'll bring you more as soon as we get it.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:09 Posted By: wraggster
No major surprise perhaps, but nice nevertheless: Project Gotham Racing 4 has announced at X06.
Apparently, the sequel will hail the arrival of thrilling new racing experiences, but that's all we know currently.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:10 Posted By: wraggster
Joyous news for Rare fans as Microsoft has revealed that Banjo-Kazooie is being given a next-gen lick of paint and will be bounding onto Xbox 360
We're under the impression this is a brand new Banjo-Kazooie title, although it's not quite clear at the moment. We will find that out as soon as we can but for now chew over the fact that we're promised plenty of wit and humour in the game and the return of plenty of favourite characters.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:11 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has confirmed that FPS Doom is hitting Xbox Live Marketplace (not Arcade, as was rumoured earlier) - it's due out this evening. You may even be able to download it right now.
Cost of the download is 800 Microsoft Points, and for your money - or points - you get the original single-player game, four-player split-screen multiplayer with Deathmatch and co-op modes and four-player co-op and Deathmatch on Xbox Live.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:11 Posted By: wraggster
At its ongoing X06 event in Spain Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Game Studios will release superhero MMOG Marvel Universe Online on Xbox 360 and Windows Vista.
MUO's being developed by Cryptic Studios, the chaps behind City of Heroes and City of Villains. No release date has been given - yet.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:12 Posted By: wraggster
Despite Half-Life 2: Episode Two being known about for, well a fairly long time, these are actually the first screenshots from the title to appear online. Feast your eyes on the delights, which include shots from Valve's puzzle-shooter-thingy Portal.
Episode Two is out in Q1 2007 and comes bundled with the above mentioned Portal and multiplayer game Team Fortress 2. On Xbox 360 you'll get all this along with the original Half-Life 2 and Episode One.
Screens Here
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September 27th, 2006, 22:13 Posted By: wraggster
MS reveals partnership with Peter Jackson to create the next Halo game and form Wingnut Interactive
A partnership between Peter Jackson, screenwriter Fran Walsh, and Microsoft to create two new series exclusively for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live is one of Microsoft's many big announcements at X06.
The first from the deal will be a collaborative effort with Bungie to co-create the next great chapter in the Halo universe.
The second will be an entirely original property targeted at bringing new audiences to games. Microsoft will also team with Jackson and Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to games.
"Microsoft has built an amazing living canvas with Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, which allows the storytellers of our time to express themselves in a new medium. They have fundamentally changed how people think about games," Jackson said. "My vision, together with Microsoft Game Studios, is to push the boundaries of game development and the future of interactive entertainment. From a movie-maker's point of view, it is clear to me that the Xbox 360 platform is the stage where storytellers can work their craft in the same way they do today with movies and books but taking it further with interactivity."
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September 27th, 2006, 22:13 Posted By: wraggster
Due for release in North America, UK, France and Germany in mid-November 2006, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player will go for $199.99 in North America and €199.99/£129.99 in the UK, France and Germany.
The player comes with Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD DVD (for a limited time) and the Xbox 360 remote.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:14 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has announced an all-new Xbox 360 RTS game set in the Halo universe from Ensemble Studios, the makers of Age of Empires.
Halo Wars will be built exclusively from the ground-up for the Xbox 360, and puts you in command of human UNSC armies as they deploy for mankind's first deadly encounter with the enemy Covenant forces.
In an update on its website, Bungie had the following to say about Halo Wars:
"Bungie has been working with Ensemble primarily in the area of the game's fiction to help inspire the story and ensure continuity with the existing Halo Universe. Aside from that, Ensemble is applying their skills to deliver a great Halo experience in a whole new genre, which is ironically where Halo began in the first place. If you've seen some of the very early Halo videos out there, you might recall that before it ever became an FPS, it was in fact designed as an RTS (building off of Bungie's experience with the Myth franchise). Now, many years later, Ensemble is able to take the franchise full circle and bring it back to the place where it all began."
The post continues: "Ensemble brought their prototype to Bungie quite a while back, to show the guys that an RTS could not only work on the 360, but kick ass too. Frankly, Ensemble is one of very few folks on Earth that we would trust with our baby, and that trust is doubled thanks to the excellence of the Age of Empires franchise."
Ensemble's Chris Rippy commented: "The Halo Wars team is made up of a bunch of guys that are all very passionate Halo fans. When we sat down to start thinking about our next project, we thought bringing the Halo universe into the RTS world would be a perfect a fit, and would make an amazing game. We couldn't be more excited about Halo Wars, and can't wait for everyone to try it out!"
Halo Wars seems to be the first of many RTS games heading for Microsoft's console, with EA's Battle for Middile-Earth II already out on the system and other notable RTS developers expressing interest in the console.
Screens Here
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September 27th, 2006, 22:21 Posted By: wraggster
When the rumor mill gets a'turnin' you're bound to have a few false-starts, and it seems the new black Xbox 360 meme is no exception. The snazzy "black Xbox" seen above might look quite black and Xboxy, but we're sorry to report that it's just a developer box, plenty of which have been out since before launch for testing out pre-release games. Also, if when Microsoft does actually build a black version, we're kind of hoping they stick with that chrome drive tray from the regular 360, and maybe go with a truer black instead of this piddling smoke color. We're definitely not writing off the rumor entirely, according to some "leaked info" from Microsoft's planned X06 announcements this week, they'll be announcing Xbox 360 Black for the holidays, along with 1080p Halo3 and other fanboy pleasers. We also got a tip from somebody who claims to have a friend at GAME that says the black Xbox 360 will be a premium only color, and might even come with an integrated or bundled HD DVD drive and possibly a larger HDD. We suppose we'll know soon enough -- X06 is over tomorrow -- but that doesn't mean we can't stay busy drumming up the hype and unrealistic expectations until then.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster
Although presumably we'll have to wait a little while for the full impact of X06's Live Marketplace offerings to be made apparent, one particular bit-crater over which the dust has settled contains a demo of SEGA's new Sonic the Hedgehog title.
Shown off on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at the Tokyo Game Show last week, and previewed and everything, the new title sees Sonic and a few of his friends (including the blasted Tails) taking on Sonic Adventure-style levels, which mix insane speed and puzzle-solving.
New characters include Silver the Hedgehog, who can use telekinesis to manipulate things, which is great for solving puzzles/showing off SEGA's newfound love for real-time physics.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:23 Posted By: wraggster
RedOctane has announced that it is bringing Guitar Hero II to Xbox 360, bringing to an end several weeks worth of slightly boring rumours in the process, and will offer downloadable content too. Excellently.
An early glimpse of the game and the, er, "X-Plorer controller" will be seen at X06, and actually we know the bloke who's demoing it and he says it's "ace".
No word on when it's due out, obviously, but we do have some excitable-sounding quotes:
"The tour will continue the rockin' gameplay Guitar Hero fans have come to enjoy, and will now include expanded Xbox 360 capabilities," according to RedOctane president Kai Huang. Who sounds pretty hip.
Well, I think that sells the console pretty much single-handedly. Sony: it's SO OVER.
"With Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360 rock rhythm, lead, or bass guitar tracks with downloadable content and the new X-Plorer controller, designed specifically for the Xbox 360."
Woo! Yeah!
"With its large integrated hard drive, Xbox 360 provides an incredible platform for facilitating downloadable content," says excellently-named new pal of the website Dusty Welch, head of RedOctane's publishing.
"We believe there is no better title to feature micro-transactions than a music game like Guitar Hero II, where the content is the basis of your experience. The relationship with the Xbox Live Marketplace creates endless possibilities for exclusive content."
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September 27th, 2006, 22:34 Posted By: wraggster
With PlayStation 3 looming, its performance so far has hardly been auspicious - but Xbox Japan boss Takashi Sensui believes that Microsoft's efforts with 360 in the Far East will finally come to fruition this holiday.
While the bulk of media and consumer attention at last week's Tokyo Game Show was focused on an overwhelmed Sony stand, Sensui insisted that his struggling platform was finally receiving the content to match the value proposition to turn around Microsoft's fortunes in a territory which has thus far largely shrugged at a console the West has embraced.
"Japanese consumers are somewhat reluctant to take in new brands, particularly if the brand has come from outside Japan," Sensui told GamesIndustry.biz in an exclusive interview during last week's event.
"We've been here for several years now and we've launched a new campaign this summer for 360. The response has been very positive – people now feel they're very close to 360, that it's more relevant to their lives and particularly for gamers that Xbox 360 is the best platform there is."
Key to Microsoft's optimism this holiday is a triumvirate of 360-exclusive titles, spearheaded by Mistwalker's hotly-tipped RPG Blue Dragon and including Capcom's Lost Planet and Tecmo's Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2.
"Japanese consumers have a different taste in gaming. This holiday we have a great line-up that will answer those demands; I think it's going to be a great time for us going forwards," Sensui insisted. "I think we have a great variety of titles with great depth and some of the key titles necessary for the Japanese market."
The RPG genre, in particular, has proved a major obstacle to the US firm's ambitions in a territory where the mainly PlayStation-loyal Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises dominate consumer interest.
Blue Dragon, although a brand new title, is a project from original Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker Studio, seized upon by Microsoft as proof that it is honouring its commitment to woo Japanese gamers with apposite content.
Sensui continued: "The important thing is the balance of the portfolio. We need those established franchises to answer the needs of the consumers but at the same time we need new content."
A clear run as the only next-gen system in the market has failed to drive anywhere near the volume of unit sales of 360 Microsoft will have been hoping for to date in Japan. And the threat posed by the November 11th PlayStation 3 launch was increased last week by Sony, with SCE president Ken Kuturagi announcing a surprise and aggressive 20 per cent price cut for the 20Gb PS3 model, down to 49,980 Yen (EUR 337)
But Sensui rejected suggestions that this piles further pressure on the 37,900 Yen Xbox 360 (EUR 255) and the forthcoming Core model, due to be released in November at 29,800 Yen (EUR 200).
"We believe that what we offer in terms of the content and the value of the system and the pricing of the console both on the standard console as well as the Core system that we're introducing for the first time in November, provides the best balance of value and price and I think [our proposition] really is the best value for money going into the holiday," he said.
And while the Xbox Japan boss refused to provide an estimate of the 360 installed base in Japan by year-end, he moved to distance Microsoft from a direct fight with its rivals, pointing to the opportunities of a an expanding sector: "Well, as you very well know, I'm not allowed to say any specific number for the country," he explained.
"At least with these three consoles in the market this holiday [360, PS3 and Wii], the market itself in Japan will expand and we have a great chance of taking a good share in that market."
But with analysts suggesting that 360 has so far sold well under 200,000 units in Japan, compared with the 2.4m units shifted in the US alone by the end of August, it is clear that Microsoft's system must now show a dramatic leap in performance over the holiday period if it is to improve its status in the territory
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September 27th, 2006, 22:43 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's finally said what everybody expected them to—their HD DVD player will be $199. No surprise here, but good to get some solid information. MS also said they will sell it for €199.99/£129.99 in Europe, which isn't a tremendous price increase for once.
There should be around 150 HD DVD movies available to watch by its November release. In addition, the drive will ship with an HD DVD version of King Kong and a 360 Universal Media Remote. The latter used to eject the former from the drive.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:50 Posted By: wraggster
As you read this the original Doom, that's right the original DOOM should be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 points.
Don't freak if it isn't there when you check, Microsoft said they weren't sure if it would be up during or right after their X06 press conference today. But it will be today.
The game includes both single-player and two-to-four player co-op and deathmatch modes over Xbox Live.
The game will support teh deathmatch and coop play both on Live and in four-player split screen mode.
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September 27th, 2006, 22:57 Posted By: wraggster
Well, they say ‘range’, but in truth, just four games have been announced as re-issues as Microsoft’s next/current-gen machine approaches its first birthday. Still, with a UK price tag of just £24.99 as of October 13, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power, Condemned and Peter Jackson's King Kong look like bargains to us.
A quick call to the good folks at ChartTrack in Olde London Town to see if these games would fall into their budget bracket yielded a positive response. Indeed, our definition of a console budget game turned out to be the same as ChartTrack’s. £19.99 and under is the criteria for all games bar PC and Game Boy Advance releases. However, ChartTrack will accommodate the £24.99 pricepoint for these and future 360 reissues in its budget listings. Given recent news of PS3's full price point, we fully expect that, 18 months from now, the first Platinum games will follow the 25 quid route.
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September 28th, 2006, 17:52 Posted By: wraggster
Splinter Cell: Double Agent continues to impress in new screenshots and footage that have sneaked out of Ubisoft HQ today.
Just in case you've recently emerged from cryogenic freeze, Double Agent finds Sam Fisher going undercover to infiltrate a terrorist organisation. In this sequel, the special agent will be conducting operations for the both the good and bad guys, resulting in our hero - well, you the player really - being forced to make difficult moral decisions throughout the course of the action.
Screens and Trailer Here
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September 28th, 2006, 17:53 Posted By: wraggster
The collective love for BioWare's latest RPG, Mass Effect, is clear in CVG office - short of tattooing Commander Shepard onto our white bits, we couldn't be more excited about the 360 epic.
Fresh from Microsoft's green Barcelona floor-space, we've got some gorgeous new screenshots of the RPG, showing off the new characters and environments as well as another glimpse of the game's real-time combat system.
Screens Here
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September 28th, 2006, 17:58 Posted By: wraggster
New from Divineo UK
World's First Xbox 360 HDD, DVD** & ANY SATA Hard Disk to USB Converter All-In-One. You can now connect your Xbox 360 HDD & DVD** to USB on your PC. You can also connect ANY SATA Hard Drive. The X360 USB is a "plug and play" device that is easily recognized by Windows. The X360 USB supports USB 2.0 for super fast file transfer with speeds up to 480 mbps.
More info
Backup HDD Game Saves:
Back up all your Xbox 360 HDD Game Saves and media files onto your PC with ease and comfort. Utilize your Xbox 360 Hard Disc storage space to the max by transferring files onto your PC.
- Update DVD Firmware:
You can now read and write to your DVD drives firmware chip. Get the latest updates to keep your drive running at its peak performance, no more SATA frustrations and incompatibilities. Compatible with all programs such as Birdy & Garyopa
- Portable:
X360 USB does not require the XBOX to be powered while in use. You can detach the Xbox 360 HDD & DVD and connect directly to your USB port (DVD Powered by Xecuter 360 Connectivity Kit). The X360 USB is the first and only device in the world that converts both the Xbox 360 HDD & DVD to USB
- No Sata?, No Problem!
Will also work for ANY Sata hard drives to use them on your PC if it lacks Sata ports, or no ports are available.
- Extremely Compact:
Can be easily hidden away behind your computer.
- Clearly Visible LED's:
Power, Activity, and Status LED's clearly visible on top of the unit.
- SS Dumper:
Dump X360 Disc SS's with appropriate firmware flashed DVD's.
- All Cables Included:
We also provide a high quality USB & SATA cable.
Also included, the new Connectivity Kit v2:
-NEW- Power On/Off for ease of hotswapping
-NEW- PCB Design eliminating risk of shorts
-NEW- Cool LED Design (Why? who cares - it looks cool)
-NEW- Better connectors to eliminate risk of cable damage
All the standard Modeb / Eject Features are still there of course.
We are also STILL throwing in the 360 HDD adapter for FREE !
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September 28th, 2006, 18:01 Posted By: wraggster
Although most of you will have supped on DOOM's Live Arcade appearance yesterday evening, there have been plenty of additions to the download-list since then - including themes and picture packs for Halo Wars.
The trailer for the Ensemble Studios-developed strategy title, announced and demonstrated in Barcelona last night, can also be found on Live Marketplace this morning, along with videos from X06 for Banjo-Kazooie, Marvel Universe Online, BioShock, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey.
Plenty of previously announced games are trailed too, including Call of Duty 3, Viva Pinata, Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, FIFA 07, and Rainbow Six Vegas.
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September 28th, 2006, 18:02 Posted By: wraggster
In all the excitement last night, you might have been forgiven for thinking Sensible World of Soccer and DOOM were the only new games announced for Xbox Live Arcade - but of course that's not the case.
Because among the games shown were several new titles, including Assault Heroes from Vivendi, Mutant Storm Empire from PomPom, and Street Trace: NYC from Gaia Industries.
Other games on the reel included Midway's Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Defender, Konami's Contra and Gyruss, and indie titles Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank (PopCap) and Small Arms (Gastronaut Studios).
All those titles should be released before the end of 2006, with the exception of SWOS and Gyruss, which are a bit harder to predict.
Lumines Live was also shown briefly, and as far as creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi knows, that's due out in the middle of October.
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September 28th, 2006, 18:03 Posted By: wraggster
Peter Jackson says that he's "a little bored of movies".
Last night the Lord of the Rings director revealed that he was forming Wingnut Interactive - an off-shoot of his Wingnut Studios company - to explore partnerships with Microsoft Game Studios, including an original chapter of the Halo franchise with Bungie and a second, unnamed title for Xbox 360 and Live.
In a roundtable discussion with Peter Molyneux and Bioware's Dr. Greg Zeschuk this morning, Jackson expanded on his reasons, and said that his changing attitude to film led him to explore other options - of which games are one.
"I've got to the stage now where I just end up catching something on DVD and I'm more excited about games coming out in the next 2-3 months than films," he said.
"That created an awareness in me of the shift in entertainment options out there, and if I'm feeling that other are too." On his approach, he said that his ideas - stories, scenarios and so on - might not always be suitable for film, and that's what he intends to explore with Wingnut Interactive.
"We're not going to force a round peg in a square hole," he said.
On his choice of Xbox 360 as the platform, he told attendees at Microsoft's press conference last night that he saw Xbox 360 and Live as "an amazing living canvas ... which allows the storytellers of our time to express themselves in a new medium".
"From a movie-maker's point of view, it is clear to me that the Xbox 360 platform is the stage where storytellers can work their craft in the same way they do today with movies and books but taking it further with interactivity," he concluded.
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September 28th, 2006, 18:04 Posted By: wraggster
Honestly. No sooner do you write one item about new content on Xbox Live Marketplace, but a bucketload of new stuff turns up. This time it's headlined by a WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 demo.
That's joined by trailers of Tony Hawk's Project 8, Wheelman, Frontlines: Fuel of War and Crossfire, along with what's described as an X06 game montage video.
On top of that, those of you who haven't already picked out a new theme for your dashboard now have the option of an X06 theme or one about Molyneux's latest, Fable 2.
And if you're living in France, Italy, Germany or Spain and missed out on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion downloadable content, Xbox Live's Major Nelson alerts us to the fact that four packs previously available in other regions are now available to you for 150 Microsoft points each.
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September 28th, 2006, 18:06 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has confirmed its software line-up for the Christmas period, promising a bumper crop of games for the Xbox 360 and Windows PC.
Retailers and consumers alike will be able to get their hands on a wealth of next-generation titles, with 360-exclusive Gears of War leading the charge in Europe on November 17th.
Other titles ready for the holiday season include the third outing for Activision's number one 360 title Call of Duty, as well as fan favourite Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2 from Tecmo.
Younger gamers are catered for with the Xbox 360 version of Cars, a game that has performed very well for publisher THQ, while new Rare title Viva Piñata will hit retail with cross-media promotions due to the animated series showing on 4Kids TV, as well as the promise of licensed merchandise in 2007.
Sports fans will have plenty of choice with the next-gen exclusive FIFA 2007 joining NBA Live 07, NBA 2K7 and NHL 07 in stores, while Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 6 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 are both updated for the Christmas season.
EA's phenomenally successful racing franchise returns with Need for Speed Carbon, and the third-party publisher will also be releasing movie tie-in Superman Returns: The Videogame.
Other favourite franchises to appear before year end include Tony Hawk's Project 8 from Activision and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas from Ubisoft.
Showing a continued support for PC gaming, Microsoft will also release expansion packs Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs and Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania, while brand new titles Neverwinter Nights 2 and Flight Simulator X are also confirmed for release this year.
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September 29th, 2006, 17:02 Posted By: wraggster
Visually outstanding and with a mass of promise oozing out of every polygon, Irrational's Bioshock is a game we just never get tired of looking at. Which is why we've been staring longingly at new screenshots to emerge out of Microsoft's X06 event, the images tainted with the spooky and hinting at the disturbing things to come.
Bioshock was announced as an Xbox 360 and PC - or Games for Windows - exclusive at X06. It finds players caught up in weird goings on in Rapture, a failed utopia constructed on the seabed that houses mutated humans and other things of a not particularly pleasant nature. Mwahahahaha....
Screens Here
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September 29th, 2006, 17:08 Posted By: wraggster
Lionhead's - and the always ambitious - Peter Molyneux didn't have much to show at Microsoft's X06 event this week, but he did share with us the first details and ideas for his forthcoming adventure sequel, Fable 2.
First up, he spoke about the world in the sequel, which is now significantly more dynamic thanks to the Xbox 360's bulging technical-muscle. In Fable 2, Molyneux explained, if you come across a small campground you can either befriend its inhabitants and or kill them, which will have direct consequences later in the game where the camp could have either grown to a bustling village, or remained un-touched depending on your actions.
Once again, you start things off as a small child in Fable 2, only this time you have the option of having either a male of female character. Apparently, female characters will realistically physically develop as they age, and Lionhead has developed a physics system accordingly. Excellent.
Fable's marriage system has also been bumped-up in the sequel, this time allowing you to knock-up the missus and have some kids. According to Molyneux, your kids will imitate your actions, exchanging a loving hug if you're good and showing off their latest tattoo if you're bad. Fable 2's antagonist, Lucien, will apparently target your wife and kids if you have any, which will certainly be an interesting gameplay feature to watch play out.
Scavenging the last of Molyneux's offered tid-bits, cut-scenes have apparently been chopped from Fable 2 entirely, Molyneux calling them "last generation," and the combat system - which the Lionhead boss was keen to tiptoe around - will apparently be "new and fresh."
And after all that, we're also told that Fable 2's most impressive feature is still very much under wraps. Stay tuned for more Molyneux - and Fable 2 - coming soon.
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September 29th, 2006, 17:15 Posted By: wraggster
Ubisoft top dog Yves Guillemot has revealed why the French firm decided to develop the next Splinter Cell title exclusively for Xbox 360 - and it's all thanks to family history.
The announcement, one of many made in a rather impressive display of content from Microsoft at X06, will see the currently multi-platform adventures of Sam Fisher (latest SC title Double Agent is on PC, PS2, X360, Xbox and Wii) fly solo on the next-gen system, though a separate PC version wouldn't surprise us.
"Splinter Cell was created on the first Xbox, so we thought it was important to come back for one volume with Microsoft to create a very good quality title focused on using the full power of the system," Guillemot told our sister site GamesIndustry.biz during the swanky post-X06 party in Barcelona the other night.
"And especially for next year when the big guns will be out, it's very important to have a game that will use 360 to the full, because you will need that to fight against all the other games that will be there. For us it's a good way to win the next-gen battle. We love Xbox 360 because it's easy to develop on and that's why we want to put great quality products on it."
It's certainly quite a coup for 360. And also quite a hole in Microsoft's wallet, we'd imagine. No date for the new Splinter Cell yet, but Double Agent is out on October 20th.
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September 29th, 2006, 17:17 Posted By: wraggster
As promised a few weeks ago, THQ and Volition have released a bit of extra content for decent-enough Grand Theft Auto clone Saints Row.
The "Funky Fresh Pack" - seriously? - costs 100 Microsoft points and consists of several items of clothing, some tats and hairstyles and whatnot, for use in both single- and multiplayer modes.
You've also got some tiger stripes underwear in there, crazy bunny slippers, and most importantly an eye patch, which next to the samurai helmet, medallions and rattlesnake tattoos is probably the classiest of the bunch.
there's also a demo available on Live Marketplace.
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September 29th, 2006, 19:20 Posted By: wraggster
Speaking to CVG at X06, Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Game Studios, believes the recently announced Halo Wars will draw in new audiences to Xbox 360 because they've finally made an RTS work on a pad.
In an interview with CVG at X06, Kim explained, "This is a great opportunity for us to try and expand the appeal and customer base for 360. And we think that with Ensemble Studios - and you'll get to see this for yourselves soon - we've figured out how to make a real-time strategy game compelling on console. They've figured out the controls, which has always been the challenge for those types of titles."
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September 29th, 2006, 19:26 Posted By: wraggster
Ensemble Studios' real-time strategy 360 title set in Bungie's elaborate sci-fi universe was the biggest surprise of this week's X06 - and a top Microsoft exec has let slip that Halo Wars has been specifically created to appeal to our European gaming chums.
Chatting away during Microsoft's lavish post-X06 party, we were told by one top Xbox Europe luminary that, while the firm is thrilled with 360's performance so far, it still needs a bit of a nudge in certain territories.
The firm hopes Halo Wars, from the developer of Age of Empires, will give it just that. "It's for the Germans," the exec confided. "We think this genre of game is perfectly suited to Germany, northern and eastern Europe. It illustrates our desire to release games that are appropriate for gamers in all markets."
This strategy is, of course, also being employed in Japan where the US firm hopes Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, from FF creator Sakaguchi-san's Mistwalker studio, will affect a dramatic turnaround in the console's ailing fortunes.
Halo Wars, which is set before the events of Halo 1 ("during the UNSC's first deadly encounters with the Covenant," according to Ensemble), is currently without a release date.
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September 29th, 2006, 19:31 Posted By: wraggster
The X06 line-up might have impressed the games industry, but Xbox boss Peter Moore has conceded that Microsoft must work harder to attract new gamers if it is to match arch rival Sony and “hit 100 millionâ€.
And, speaking to GamesIndustry.biz in Barcelona earlier this week, Moore revealed that Microsoft is already working on peripheral-based software that it believes can match the market-broadening success of titles like SingStar and Guitar Hero.
“We recognise that what we call the 'Family Funster' stuff, if it's a category, is something we need to do better on,†admitted Moore.
“With Viva Pinata there's this interesting concept of building an animated series – this is Microsoft doing children's television. If we'd said two years ago we'll have stuff for 8-12 year olds on Xbox Live I'm sure you'd have given me a slightly puzzled look. But I recognise that and we are doing a lot of stuff, we're just not ready to announce it yet.â€
Asked whether this meant Microsoft is currently working on its answer to the likes of SingStar and Buzz, Moore confirmed: “Oh yeah. And it's more than just games. Buzz, Singstar, Guitar Hero – there are peripherals and stuff of that nature. Things that in some instances take the controller away and give you things you feel more comfortable with.â€
Moore argued that the EyeToy-aping camera peripheral, due for release later this year, was an important step in the right direction, broadening the appeal of 360 by opening up “all types of possibilities not just with video chat but interesting ways to interact with the gameâ€.
Senior European publishing execs, who privately expressed concern during the X06 event that Microsoft still lacked the mass-market penetration achieved so consummately by Sony and Nintendo, are likely to be encouraged by this news.
“You make a good point that, in the traditional sense, we're checking the boxes of a lot of genres and that's important,†he continued.
“[But] it's about getting people to interact with the games console, regardless of whether they do it for 30 hours a week or ten hours a week, whether it's my mum or my sister or my daughter. Those are the people we need to get.
“If you're going to hit 100 million you need to address that market. We're still finding ways to be able to do that, but we will. I absolutely guarantee that we will.â€
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September 29th, 2006, 19:40 Posted By: wraggster
Yesterday, Microsoft announced the pricing and release date for the first of its Zune MP3 players. Set to hit stores on November 14--three days ahead of the PlayStation 3 and five prior to the Wii launch--the 30GB player will cost $249.99, in line with Apple's 30GB iPod.
Zune will also use Xbox Live Marketplace's currency.
However, unlike Apple's iTunes Music Store, the Zune Marketplace won't just deal in real-world coin. It will use a virtual currency well-known to Xbox 360 owners--Microsoft Points. According to the software giant, "users can purchase songs individually using Microsoft Points for 79 points per track." As anyone who's ponied up for a new set of nonrefundable premium gamer pictures knows, that 80 points comes to about $0.99--the same per-song-cost as iTunes.
Microsoft also clarified that the Microsoft Points used on Zune and XBLM are one and the same--meaning the company is essentially creating its own currency, which it prefers to call a "stored value system." "Microsoft Points ... can be redeemed at a growing number of online stores, including the Xbox Live Marketplace," it said in a statement.
But does the shared currency mean that the Zune and Xbox Live Marketplaces will be unified at some level ? Will there be any connectivity between the two--i.e. will one be able to access Zune Marketplace songs via Xbox Live and download them right to a connected player? (Note: All Mp3 players, inlcuding iPods, can already stream music onto a 360 when when connected via a USB port.) That's unclear for now, as Microsoft had not responded to requests for clarification as of press time.
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September 29th, 2006, 19:48 Posted By: wraggster
The Zune accessories we showed you yesterday had a little typo, courtesy of their press release. The FM Tuner is supposed to be an FM Transmitter, you know, like the type to broadcast into your car's radio. The FM Tuner is the thing that's built into the Zune itself.
More Info
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September 29th, 2006, 19:53 Posted By: wraggster
For anyone who has ever had a 360 die on them — and, judging by buzz, that's just about everyone — there's an excellent new rumor going around: namely, that the 360 is going to get a processor upgrade as early next year that will hopefully make the Red Eye of Death a thing of the past.
Apparently, the upgrade will change the Xbox 360's 90-nanometer manufacturing process to a 65-nanometer manufacturing process. Yes, that's gibberish to me as well. However, this change will mean the CPUs will require both less power and will output less heat. Therefore, be less likely to spontaneously explode in the middle of Oblivion.
If this rumor is true, the only thing required to win our hearts and minds forever, Microsoft, is letting everyone trade in their old 360 for one that won't sporadically melt down.
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September 29th, 2006, 21:35 Posted By: wraggster
New at Play Asia:
features
Maximize your Xbox Live Gold subscription with video chat and video messaging (Gold membership required for video chat).
Put a face on your gamertag and make yourself known to the people on your friends list.
Bring gesture-based games to life using your body movements to control the action.
Supports games designed with "face in game" technology for a personalized gaming experience—add your face to your character in-game.
Crystal-clear images are a snap with VGA 640H x 480V video at 30 frames per second and still photos at 1.3 mega-pixels.
description
Put a face to your gaming experience* and make the most out of your Xbox Live® Gold subscription with crystal clear video chat and messaging. Both Xbox Live Vision packages also include the Xbox Live Arcade hits UNO and Totemball, available for download from Xbox Live Marketplace.
More Info --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1m97.html
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September 29th, 2006, 21:53 Posted By: wraggster
New Xbox 360 game released and one that works in any Region heres the details:
features
Play as Boog and Elliott and relive the movie adventure!
Interact with Beth, Shaw, and all your animal favorites from the Open Season film!
Throw skunk bombs, hurl rabbits, use acorn-firing squirrels, and pull outrageous woodland pranks to scare the pants off the hunters!
Roll in a giant snowball, ride the rapids on a floating outhouse, zip through tunnels in a crazy mine cart ride, and take on more madcap adventures as Boog discovers how to get wild, animal-style!
Challenge your friends in hilarious four-player mini-games!
description
Take a Walk on the Wild Side!
Team up with a cast of crazy critters, unleashing your animal instincts in Open Seasonâ„¢, the game - a riotous romp in the great outdoors where the rowdy brood of forest animals turns the tables on a bunch of unsuspecting hunters.
When a domesticated grizzly named Boog gets lured into leaving the creature comforts of home by a fast-talking mule deer named Elliot, he finds himself lost in the woods just three days before hunting season. Forced to "rough it" in the great outdoors, Boog goes native, rallying all the forest animals to take back their home and send the hunters packing.
More info /buy here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1gk6.html
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September 29th, 2006, 22:03 Posted By: wraggster
I guarantee that Xbox 360 games will look better than PS3. Xbox 360 is easy to develop on and programmers have experience already. We will keep ahead of the curve for two to three years
I am planning on PlayStation 3 being launched in March, but with how many consoles? If Japan becomes a succes, will Sony ship consoles to Europe?
It is time to deliver on all the plans. Today's line-up is great, before Christmas it will be amazing, and after Christmas it will be unbeatable
Source
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September 30th, 2006, 11:31 Posted By: wraggster
It looks like Xbox 360 gamers won't be rocking around the Christmas tree this year.
A RedOctane representative told GameSpot that the recently announced Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 will be released sometime in 2007, significantly trailing the PlayStation 2 version of the game, scheduled to hit retail this November.
The rep also addressed some speculation about the new X-Plorer guitar controller that will be released with the game. At Microsoft's X06 event in Barcelona, Spain, Activision showed the game off with a prototype X-Plorer, which was connected to the 360 with a wire. However, representatives there wouldn't confirm whether or not the final hardware would also be wired.
Today, GameSpot received confirmation from the RedOctane spokesperson that the final X-Plorer guitar will also be wired, dashing gamers' hopes of re-creating Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic's dramatic finish to the band's 1992 MTV Music Video Awards performance.
The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II will contain all the same content of the PlayStation 2, as well as exclusive extra songs that will be made available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace. No pricing information has yet been released for the game.
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September 30th, 2006, 11:35 Posted By: wraggster
Nintendo is basing its entire console around it and Sony is ditching rumble in favour of it, but is Microsoft interested in joining the motion/tilt-sensing party? That was the question put to Phil Spencer, one of Microsoft Game Studios' general managers, at an X06 round-table Q&A session in Barcelona yesterday.
"Our input devices or new hardware will come through our innovative ideas on games. We won't formulate a piece of hardware that we want someone to buy and then figure out how we can build a game to compel them to buy it," Spencer explained.
The Microsoft man certainly wasn't ruling out the possibility of alternative ways to play games on 360 in the future, though. He continued by telling the assembled journalists that "if an idea broke the boundaries of the hardware," and if the game idea was strong enough, then it "might lead to a new input device".
He also admitted that the kinetic powered controllers from Nintendo and Sony would be "some of the things we'd watch to see what compelling games come from the new input devices. What are the new gaming paradigms, if any, that might be delivered?" Spencer himself obviously has doubts: "I don't think the promise of a new input device means a new kind of game."
And talking about Nintendo's focus being almost entirely on its motion-sensing technology, Spencer commented that, "when you have an input device that is basically your only thing to talk about... that's what you talk about".
So, while Microsoft might not be convinced right now that kinetic-based technology will have a truly beneficial impact on gaming, it is keeping an open mind and will, no doubt, be watching the public's reaction to Wii with interest.
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September 30th, 2006, 11:50 Posted By: wraggster
from the site:
The XboxMediaCenter 2.0.0 point-release source code has now been set in our CVS. We consider that the current code in the XBMC CVS is as stable as a point-release should be. All XBMC users are highly encouraged to upgrade to this stable Xbox Media Center 2.0.0 point-release. Remember, the XBMC source code needs to be compiled with the XDK, and requires a modded Xbox to run. Our thanks goes out to everyone who has tested, reported bugs, and helped fix them in order to make this release possible.
There are many new features and functions that have been introduced since the 1.1.0 point-release, that we cannot list them all here. A few that are especially worth mentioning are; the enhanced GUI/skin-engine, the Project Mayhem III skin, DVD-Video menu/navigation support (with ISO/IMG image parsing), RAR/ZIP archive parsing, a new audio/music-player (PAPlayer) with crossfade, gapless playback and ReplayGain support, Karaoke CDG-file display, Xored Trainer Engine (gaming-cheats), XLink Kai (online-gaming) front-end, iTunes 6.x DAAP and UPnP-clients, and two surprise features; read-only support for FAT12/16/32 formatted USB Mass Storage Devices up to 4GB in size, and a brand new "skinnable" 3D visualizer.
For a full list of all features/functions and codecs/formats supported by XBMC please visit the "XBMC Features and Supported Formats/Codecs" page in our new online manual.
More info --> http://www.xboxmediacenter.de/
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September 30th, 2006, 11:52 Posted By: wraggster
First it was $399. Then it was $299. Now, Microsoft is once more cutting the price tag on its upcoming Zune music player, to $249. That matches the recently discount for a similar 30GB-capacity Apple iPod. At that price, writes JupiterResearch analyst David Gartenberg, there's no way Microsoft is making money, since it won't have the same volume discounts on hard drives and other components Apple enjoys, not to mention the added cost of the Zune's Wi-Fi connection.
Is Microsoft taking a page from the Xbox strategy with Zune? On the surface, yes. But in the videogame business, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo take losses on game consoles but make money by charging software developers licensing fees. The more ubiquitous the hardware is, the more money they make from games. In digital media, that business model doesn't work. Apple breaks even or makes a modest profit, at best, on the iTunes Music Store in order to drive profitable iPod sales. Microsoft could easily find itself losing money on Zune hardware and losing money on music sales. All of which should leave shareholders howling for the head of whoever's crunching the numbers in Redmond.
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September 30th, 2006, 12:14 Posted By: wraggster
Via Gamedaily
There's no doubt that Microsoft has made huge strides with their Xbox Live service. Initially introduced on the Xbox console for online play, the service has since evolved on the Xbox 360 as a full-blown community page. Downloadable demos are available around the clock, as well as new videos, features, and Xbox Live Arcade titles. In fact, today's release of Doom should awaken the hardcore gaming community, having players "frag" each other in several deathmatches. And this is just the beginning, as several titles, including original games such as Castle Crashers and classics like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, are making the rounds.
Pros: Microsoft has nailed down the online service of Xbox Live perfectly. It has grown well, allowing users to put together their own pages and download whatever they choose, be it videos, demos, or actual games. The online play works fast and smoothly, with only the occasional hitch with connection coming around. There's also some games that take this community one step further with extra interaction, like Project Gotham Racing 3's televised races. And the fact there are two types of packages to choose from- Silver and Gold- should attract all kinds of gamers, rich or poor.
Cons: This "artist of the month" feature doesn't really do much for the service. Yes, Jessica Simpson is hot. A blind man could see that. But I don't get on the XBLA to download her latest video, I get on there to play games. Some of this content is pretty much unnecessary. Also, the pricing structure of the Xbox Live point system may be a bit much for some. 1600 points for $20? This could be steep, especially for those who dropped half of those points on a decade-old game such as Doom. And lastly, Microsoft still charges a $50 yearly fee for Gold online support for Xbox Live. This is nothing new, but in the face of the "free" competition, it's a pain in the wallet.
Overall prognosis: Even though some of the features are a little bland and the price a bit high for some, Xbox Live Arcade still sets the standard for what online gaming should be. It has a vast library of titles to choose from right now, and several more coming that look to be outstanding. The online play is smooth and efficient, and future games (like Halo 3) should support it strongly.
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