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November 1st, 2012, 23:38 Posted By: wraggster
Starting today, Activision Publishing will be selling limited edition dogs tag with the proceeds going to the Call of Duty Endowment. The non-profit was created to find employment for military veterans. The dog tags will cost $4.99 and remain available throughout the holiday season.
"Supporting our veterans as they re-enter the workforce is one of the most important priorities we have as citizens. Our youngest veterans - those 18 - 24 years old- currently face an unemployment rate that is almost twice the national average of their non-veteran peer group, and this is unacceptable. With the sale of our limited edition Call of Duty Endowment dog tags, we are urging Americans to join us in the support of our heroes as they attempt to re-join the workforce," said Activision CEO Bobby Kotick.
The Call of Duty dog tags can found at participating retailers, including GameStop, Walmart, Toys R Us, Best Buy and Target.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...gs-for-charity
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November 2nd, 2012, 00:27 Posted By: wraggster
EA has announced that everyone who pre-orders a copy of Crysis 3 will get a downloadable copy of the first Crysis for free.
Pre-ordering the new shooter will get you a code which you can use to redeem the 2007 original as a digital download via PSN for PS3, Xbox Live for Xbox or Origin for PC.The press release says the offer will only be open "while supplies last at participating retailers", but doesn't detail which retailers are participating. Expect the usual big players to be taking part.
EA has confirmed a Crysis 3 release window of February 2013.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ysis-for-free/
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November 2nd, 2012, 00:33 Posted By: wraggster
Master Chief’s new stewards, Microsoft’s 343 Industries, has struck gold with its first Halo outing.
Halo 4 reviews landed online this morning, delivering near-universal praise for the Chief’s latest adventure and likely his last outing on Xbox 360. At the time of writing the game has an impressive 91 per cent on Metacritic.
“After soaking in the new game, I am beyond thrilled to be so in love with Halo again, more than I’ve been since Halo 2,†IGN wrote in its 9.8/10 review, in which it describes the game as ‘awesome’. “343’s debut effort out-Bungies Bungie.
“Halo 4 is a masterstroke everyone can and should celebrate, and its two guaranteed sequels instantly make the next-generation Xbox a must-own system, with Halo 5 its most anticipated title. Halo has been rebuilt. It has been redefined. And it has been reinvigorated. The Xbox’s original king has returned to his rightful place on the throne.â€
Polygon scored it 9.6/10, concluding: “Halo 4 is most like the original Halo, where the novelty and wonder of exploring something really alien and different is a key factor. While Halo 4 continues the series' tradition of iteration on its own design more successfully than any one of its predecessors, that sense of awe, of discovery, has been light since the first game, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I played Halo 4.
“Halo is in new hands with 343, but the studio nailed exactly why the series became a genre-defining franchise. And it's exciting to think about where it goes from here.â€
GameSpot scored in 9/10, saying: “Halo 4 is every bit the massive shooter package that its predecessors were, and it holds the series' standard high. The thrilling and emotional return of Master Chief and Cortana is the highlight, and the campaign breaks new ground in narrative quality for the franchise.
“The top-notch competitive multiplayer picks up where Halo: Reach left off, infusing the action with some mainstream elements while still remaining undeniably unique. 343 Industries should be proud of what it has accomplished, and you should be excited to experience it for yourself.â€
Eurogamer scored it an 8/10, musing: “Halo 4 is authentic, and assures 343's role is more than a mere tribute act. Their delicate yet sprawling work may be more continuation than true expansion - and perhaps the true test comes in the next step - but for now, Halo returns with a bang, not a whimper.â€
Halo 4 will be released worldwide on Xbox 360 on Tuesday November 6th.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/343-i...s-land/0105618
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November 2nd, 2012, 22:33 Posted By: wraggster
Having featured on BBC consumer rights programme Watchdog for a second time earlier this week, EA has moved to address concerns about FIFA 13’s alleged technical issues.
Quite why the BBC has chosen to focus on EA’s game as opposed to any number of far buggier titles that are released is a mystery – presumably, more customers (of which FIFA 13 has millions) means more dissenting voices.
“Our fans have engaged with FIFA 13 in record numbers,†an EA statement issued to the BBC reads. “On any given day, more than 1m online game sessions of FIFA are played by our fans in the UK. But as with any product or online service with such a high level of traffic and popularity, there will be some circumstances where fans experience challenges or issues.
“And as with any online service, our game is also dependent on many other factors, such as online access and availability at the customer’s location, to ensure the best experience.
“We are constantly listening to our fans and asking for their feedback to help us identify issues and assist us in prioritising the improvements to our game. In summary, we have already delivered improvements to FIFA 13 to address issues in online connectivity, addressed key issues in game modes like Career Mode and FIFA Ultimate Team, and are actively addressing customer issues related to transactions in the game that have not been executed properly, such as missing coins or FIFA Ultimate Team items.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ug-allegations
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November 2nd, 2012, 23:15 Posted By: wraggster
Gem's bid to push Xbox 360 at indie retail kicks off this week, with a special offer on Kinect.
Independent stores that order a Kinect (with Kinect Adventures) from Gem can choose five extra titles at a reduced price.
The cheaper stock includes: Kinect Star Wars, Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure, The Gunstringer, Kinectimals Now With Bears, Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season 2, Kinect Disneyland Adventures, Dance Central, Kinect Sports and/or Kinectimals.
The offer is available to all indie retailers, both existing and new, and lasts until November 30th.
More information can be found at www.gem.co.uk/.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/reduc...m-deal/0105724
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November 2nd, 2012, 23:18 Posted By: wraggster
The release of Halo 4 next Tuesday is “set to make entertainment historyâ€, according to Microsoft.
It cites sources saying that the game’s release could be “the biggest entertainment event of 2012â€.
Over 10,000 retailers across 40 countries will open their doors at midnight on Monday night to welcome the release of the new Xbox 360 shooter, which is likely the final appearance from the Master Chief on Microsoft’s current hardware.
Major launch events are planned in 30 cities including London, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, Berlin, Seattle, Tokyo, Toronto, Singapore and Hong Kong.
London’s event “will host a spectacular stunt†on the River Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and Tower Bridge. Punters are invited to head over to the Design Museum in Butlers Wharf (London SE1 2YD) “no later than†7:30pm.
Around 350 midnight openings are expected to take place across the UK, with GAME’s flagship Stratford store hosting the official launch event. Developers from 343 Industries and The Gadget Show’s Jason Bradbury will be in attendance and prizes will be on offer – as well as a life-sized replica Warthog.
A free bus will offer transit from the Design Museum to GAME Stratford, though spaces are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...f-2012/0105717
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November 3rd, 2012, 00:55 Posted By: wraggster
Halo 4 updates could introduce clans and Theatre Mode campaign support, according to 343 Industries' Jessica O'Shea.
Writing in the latest Halo bulletin, she said (viaOXM): "Theater Mode in Campaign did not make the cut for launch for various reasons of scheduling, rendering issues and some significant engine changes."However, we are treating Title Updates very differently for Halo 4 and rather than simply using them as opportunities for simple big fixes, we are thinking of them as a way to sustain and grow features and options, so it is possible you could see Saved Films made available for Campaign (as well as some other significant features) at some time in the not-too-distant future, but that's yet to be determined."
On the subject of clan support, O'Shea said: "As we mentioned before, we plan to continue consistent and meaningful sustainment updates to improve and enhance player experience.
"Social constructs are something we too have missed since Halo 2, and we're looking at interesting ways to improve those experiences in the not-too-distant future. I will be using that expression a lot. Get used to it."
Microsoft has confirmed a Halo 4 release date of November 6. Our Halo 4 review describes 343's debut series entry as "one of the best multiplayer shooters on 360", although we said "Reach has the better Firefight and Halo 3 has the better campaign".
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...paign-support/
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November 3rd, 2012, 01:04 Posted By: wraggster
Fighting game Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is nearing one million sales.It shifted 840,000 copies in Europe and Japan up to the end of September 2012, Namco revealed in its financial report. The game launched in early September, so that figure relates to only a few weeks on sale.With the game due to launch on Wii U soon, TTT2 should hit the million mark - a total that will please the money men at the Japanese publisher.Elsewhere, Namco's other fighting game, SoulCalibur 5, has sold 1.38 million units worldwide and Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations has sold 1.01 million.The games' success contributed to a 15 per cent rise in revenue for the first six months of the 2013 financial year compared to the same period last year.Net income was 17,320 million yen off the back of 222,610 million yen in sales, an increase of 116 per cent on last year.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-sells-840-000
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November 3rd, 2012, 22:20 Posted By: wraggster
Developer Turn10 has confirmed the next Forza Horizon DLC; a 'November Bondurant Car Pack'.
The new car pack arrives on Xbox Live on November 6, and will costs 400 MS Points for six cars ranging from Italian exotics to American muscle.Here's the full list:
- 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante
- 2012 Shelby 1000
- 2010 BMW M3 GTS
- 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C
- 1994 Nissan 240SX SE
- 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Microsoft recently announced the Forza Horizon Rally Expansion Pack for release on December 18. The platform holder says it'll deliver "immersive and authentic rally racing on the roughest, untamed roads of Colorado", featuring "deeper ruts, higher jumps, and new surface types to explore".
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...pack-detailed/
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November 5th, 2012, 13:28 Posted By: wraggster
It looks like a new XBOX 360 Corona MoBo revision was spotted by the guys over at hackfaq.net highlighting some security changes.
Thanks to the guys over at hackfaq.net, there's some info of a new ‘downgraded’ Corona revision (v4? or v3/16mb) for the XBOX 360.
As expected, there are some security changes. Here are the main two, via Homebrew-Connection:
[QUOTE]
- There is no longer POSTbit connected to a point outside of the processor. The POST is used to get the debug info from the console and is used in the RGH to know if the console start glitched (ie start correctly) or if it need a reset to try another time.
This means it’s now a lot harder to glitch the new machines … for example the russian guys over at hackfaq removed the CPU to get postbit access. Let’s hope hackers find a alternative to the POST.
- Some resistors linked to J2C3.X pads have also been removed. These points are used to dump/flash the nand and for i2c SDA/SCL signal transmissions. You will need to brigde the pads to be able do read/write and properly send the i2c signals.
According to them, most likely this isn't the same Corona revision that T-X was able to glitch, as they've said that one has a 64MB NAND, while the MoBo described here is said to have a 16MB NAND. But of course, for the moment, that is just speculation.
So, just stay tuned for more news about this new Corona rev. in the upcoming days!
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...pVNKViniUF.php
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November 5th, 2012, 19:24 Posted By: wraggster
A third piece of downloadable content has been announced for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
It’s called Dragonborn and will be released on December 4th. It will cost 1,600 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live.
A debut trailer can be seen below and suggests that the content will very much return to the epic scale and dramatic sensibilities of the game’s core offering. Note the dragon riding.
The first Skyrim DLC was called Dawnguard and was released on May 1st. It concentrated on vampires and offered players the chance to either befriend the vamps or take up arms against them.
The game’s second DLC, Hearthfire, was released in September and allowed players to build, decorate and customise their own homes.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/bethe...onborn/0105804
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November 5th, 2012, 21:17 Posted By: wraggster
It will impossible to escape the launch of Halo 4 this week as the Xbox team prepares its most ambitious campaign to date.
Master Chief’s latest adventure – released tomorrow (November 6th) – will be supported by the biggest out of house budget Xbox UK has ever spent on a game, the platform holder told MCV.
Halo 4 will take over the London IMAX – just as Halo 3 did – with more stand-out ads in London Underground stations and major shopping centres. There will also be billboards around the UK.
Microsoft is planning a ‘spectacular stunt’ for launch night (November 5th), which will take place along the Thames between The O2 Stadium and Tower Bridge. This will kick off 350 midnight openings, headlined by GAME’s Westfield Stratford store.
And that’s on top of a month-long cinema push with trailers running before Skyfall, and partnerships with Mountain Dew and Pizza Hut.
TV advertising began last week, with spots running around Premiership football matches, movies, The X Factor and more .Throughout the summer, Microsoft has been driving pre-orders with online and print ads, as well as retail promotions and POS.
It has also produced a live-action web series, Forward Unto Dawn, to serve as a prequel to Halo 4.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/tomor...the-uk/0105790
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November 5th, 2012, 21:20 Posted By: wraggster
Xbox product marketing exec Matt Barlow boasts about 360's momentum and talks strategy going into this holiday against PS3 and Wii U
[h=3]Microsoft[/h]microsoft.com
Following our interview with PlayStation executive John Koller about the company's holiday positioning, GamesIndustry International got on the phone with Microsoft to see what the competition's game plan is. The Xbox 360 is entering its eighth holiday season now, and the platform and Microsoft's approach have both evolved quite a bit over the years.
As Xbox 360 nears the end of its life, Microsoft not only wants to retain the hardcore gamer with titles like Halo 4 and Forza Horizon, but the company is hoping to capture more and more of the broad base with cheaper bundles, better Kinect titles and the introduction of SmartGlass for a dual-screen experience across games and all sorts of entertainment.
Matt Barlow, general manager of product marketing at Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, told us all about how he believes this holiday will shape up for Xbox. Hint: he's super confident.
Q: Xbox 360 has spent 7 years on the market. It has to be a challenge for the marketing team at this point in the lifecycle. How do you get new users during this holiday season and how do you have to approach it differently from when the 360 felt fresh?
Matt Barlow: When I look at that 7 years to the end of the lifecycle here, I'm excited that we're that one console that's been actually defying gravity. I do think we have a lot of help with Kinect coming into that. We built off that strong core base and then brought in that controller free gaming benefit with Kinect. So to your point - how can you position this thing later in the life cycle? - it's actually a neat place that we happen to be. We think we're the one console that's out there that speaks to everybody and delivers their entertainment and makes it more amazing.
And if you look at what we've got, if you're a core gamer, and you haven't stepped over to our box yet, there couldn't be a better time with the games we've got - we just shipped Fable and Forza Horizon and Halo is shipping in a week or so, and then we've got Gears of War coming up the first part of next year and then content for Call of Duty exclusively first on Xbox Live. We're seeing tons of people becoming dual console owners, especially at this stage in the lifecycle if they haven't already jumped into 360. With a starting price of $199, you might as well jump right into our box.
If you're a casual fan, we've got Dance Central 3, Kinect Sports Ultimate, and then Nike+ Kinect Fitness, which is going to be shipping. Great things available for people to play controller free if they are a fan of the Wii or if they're a little intimidated by the controller, we've got something for them. The entertainment offerings that we announced over the past couple of weeks, whether it's Xbox music, movies, or TV, the sports partnerships we've got with NBA, major league baseball, ESPN, on top of the games that we're bringing, is amazing. And then you look at what we're doing across all screens with Xbox SmartGlass, whether it's with Windows 8 PCs or phones, tablets, on top of the TV, being able to have that supplementary experience or flip content back and forth is an amazing thing for people who are looking to get more from that experience.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...says-microsoft
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November 5th, 2012, 21:57 Posted By: wraggster
Pre-orders for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 5 have launched across the US and Britain, the company has announced.
Retail giants such as Amazon, Gamestop, HMV, Play.com and Zavvi have begun a co-ordinated pre-order campaign for what is widely regarded as one of the biggest games of the current generation.The new marketing move comes one week after Take Two revealed it has pencilled in a Spring 2013 GTA 5 release date for the title.
Rockstar's next crime opus will launch first on PS3 and Xbox 360. However, it is still unclear whether GTA 5 will be ported to the Wii U, and details on the PC edition have not been revealed.
The official Rockstar Games Newswire has provided links to the retail pre-order pages.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...rder-campaign/
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November 5th, 2012, 22:51 Posted By: wraggster
The Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has leaked onto the internet a week ahead of release.The game appeared on the usual websites for these things last night eight days before its 13th November release.Now, YouTube is packed with gameplay videos, most of the new expanded Zombies mode.SPOILER WARNING: One of these is below.Streams have also emerged. Responding, Treyarch design director David Vonderhaar took to Twitter to say: "If you are going to live-stream the game early, which I don't remotely recommend, you could at least be good at it. :P"Then, "I'm really glad people are excited for the game. Legit streams coming up later this week and early next. Watch this space."The news comes a week after reports claimed Black Ops 2 was sold early in Slovakia, although the Xbox 360 leak is thought to have originated from the US. Halo 4, out midnight tonight, leaked nearly a month before release.Activision declined to comment when contacted by Eurogamer this morning.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ead-of-release
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November 5th, 2012, 23:10 Posted By: wraggster
The first UK High Street prices for Halo 4 have gone live in this morning’s national press.
Retailer GAME will sell the game for 99p when customers trade-in any two games from its ongoing trade-in list.
Supermarket Sainsbury’s, meanwhile is offering Halo 4 for just £32.99 when purchased with 2100 Xbox Live Points. Its standalone price is £39.99.
Have you seen any other price confirmations from the UK supermarkets? Let us know on Twitter at @mcvonline. We’ll update this story as and when we have more prices.
UPDATE 1: Users have contacted MCV with a link to a £30 deal on Tesco Direct using a discount code. You can find details here.
UPDATE 2: "It doesn't get much cheaper than free", we're told. And they're right! HMV is offering Halo 4 for free when you trade in any two of the following: 007 Legends, Borderlands 2, Dishonored, F1 2012, FIFA 13, Forza: Horizon, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, PES 2013, Resident Evil 6 or XCOM Enemy Unknown.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/halo-...eapest/0105788
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November 7th, 2012, 01:36 Posted By: wraggster
Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2 also pushed back
THQ has pushed the release of South Park: The Stick of Truth until outside fiscal year 2013.
The RPG is set in the world of the hit animated comedy, and though there have been South Park games before, this is the first to have series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker on board.
This major blow to fans and investors alike was dealt at today's THQ earnings call when company president Jason Rubin revealed that all titles for Q4 2013 had been delayed, saying the games needed more time for polish.
It was not said when Metro Last Light and Company of Heroes 2 would be released.
"The opportunity for South Park is massive," said Rubin.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...yed-to-FY-2014
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November 7th, 2012, 15:00 Posted By: wraggster
The latest Xbox 360 deal from Gem has arrived, with the UK distributor giving away Xbox Live points and cutting prices on accessories.
For independent retailers that order an Xbox 360 Wireless Pad with Halo: Combat Evolved, they will received 800 Microsoft points for free.
Meanwhile, there is 25 per cent off selected Xbox 360 accessories.
The offer is available to all indie retailers, both existing and new. It is part of a 12-week campaign from Gem to help drive Xbox 360 amongst independent stores.
More information can be found at www.gem.co.uk/.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/gem-c...retail/0105934
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November 7th, 2012, 15:08 Posted By: wraggster
A freshly unearthed Microsoft patent entitled ‘Content Distribution Regulation by Viewing User’ will likely not appeal to fans of 1984.
The idea is that Kinect (or any compatible camera source) will effectively observe users viewing content they have acquired and ensure that they are complying with the license. Breaches of the license could include youngsters watching mature-rated content or too many people watching a film licensed for personal use.
Kinect would then disrupt the content until the rules are adhered to or an appropriate alternative licence is purchased.
Of course, Kinect users could likely overcome such issues by simply unplugging the peripheral. But this won’t be so easy with devices using embedded cameras.
Of course, the likelihood is that such a technology could never become truly established as consumers could easily opt for a rival service that doesn’t spy on them like Big Brother.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/paten...-usage/0105862
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November 7th, 2012, 15:18 Posted By: wraggster
Proposed tech would let consoles control how many people could watch each movie, or enforce age restrictions
[h=3]Microsoft[/h]microsoft.com
The same technology that lets the Xbox 360 recognize users who step into the Kinect camera's field of view could also let Microsoft control who can play games or watch downloaded movies on everything from TVs to cell phones. As reported by Eurogamer, Microsoft has filed a patent application for "Content Distribution Regulation by Viewing User."
Originally filed in April 2011, the application describes a system where cameras on a TV, cell phone, or other display identify how many people are watching content on screen, and check to make sure that the user's license for that content covers that many viewers. If it doesn't, the game or movie in question could be halted and the user prompted to purchase more licenses before resuming. The system could also use recognition technology to identify specific users and permit or change access based on their profiles.
As the patent states, "Content is distributed to consuming devices, such as televisions, set-top boxes and digital displays, with an associated license option on the number of individual consumers or viewers allowed to consume the content. The limitation may comprise a number of user views, a number of user views over time, a number of simultaneous user views, views tied to user identities, views limited to user age or any variation or combination thereof, all tied to the number of actual content consumers allowed to view the content."
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-viewer-patent
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November 7th, 2012, 22:59 Posted By: wraggster
Bioware's November 27-bound Mass Effect 3 DLC revisits one of the series' most dangerously exotic locations - the lawless space city of Omega. Embedded deep in the metallic husk of a hollowed-out asteroid - spires of industrial buildings reaching out from its centre - Omega's been described as "the dark, twisted counterpart to the Citadel."
An anarchic haven for criminals, smugglers, bounty hunters, mercenaries, drug-peddlers and outlaws, the dev team has pre-empted Star Wars 1313's harder-edged take on the Lucasverse, by making Omega like Mos Eisley's infamous cantina (crossed with downtown Kabul); a hive of scum, villainy and literal backstabbing, and the place where Shepard reunites with an Asari, Aria T'Loak (voiced by The Matrix star Carrie Anne Moss), the 'Pirate Queen' of Omega.That's to say, she has the biggest army. Her defining personality traits - whip-smart and jealously dominant - didn't fair too well when her role as top dog was threatened in one of Mass Effect 2's most memorable subplots, and now she's got a new job opportunity for the commander. The mission? Reclaim her throne (well, her favourite haunt on the top floor of nightclub Afterlife). This time, however, it's a galactic-wide paramilitary network Cerberus who need booting out of the city, and they won't be silenced as easily as a few rogue Krogan.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...t-add-on-ever/
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November 7th, 2012, 23:07 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has announced its Halo 4 Combat Tour promotion that rewards players real money just for playing Halo 4. It sounds exciting until you realise that you need to play the game for 140 hours in the remainder of November - that's over six hours a day - to receive 600 MS Points i.e. £5.1.To be fair, there are lower reward tiers. Playing for 35 hours - a far more reasonable amount that many are likely to play anyway - will result in 100 free MS Points, which breaks down to £0.85. And 70 hours rewards players with 300 MS Points (£2.55).The promotion also rewards players who buy Halo-based goods on XBLA. Purchasing 1500 MS Points (£12.75) worth of content rewards players with 100 MS Points (£0.85) back, and spending double that rewards 200 Points (£1.70).Oh, and reading the fine print reveals that Microsoft is only giving out a maximum of 10,000,000 Microsoft Points (£85,000) on a first-come, first-serve basis. That's only enough for the first 100,000 players to achieve the lower-tier £0.85 reward, so ostensibly one could put in all this time and still not reap the benefits.Between this and Microsoft's £0.17 birthday rewards, it sure does know how to spoil us.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...d-receiver-5-1
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November 7th, 2012, 23:19 Posted By: wraggster
Last week Gearbox warned players about playing its hit open-world co-op shooter with strangers after a it was discovered that hacking certain save files on the Xbox 360 to unlock a "hardcore mode" resulted in players losing their save files. Anyone killed by these "infected" players met the same fate.The Texas-based developer just announced a new patch that should put the kibosh on this unfortunate "virus."According to the developer's support page, the latest update "Added security to prevent data loss tied to malicious violations of the Xbox Live Code of Conduct through an unsupported third-party program."In other words, it's safe to go outside.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...rrupting-virus
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November 7th, 2012, 23:23 Posted By: wraggster

Halloween may be over, but the most terrifying season of all has truly just begun – holiday shopping season. The horror. Black Friday deals are already popping up for a few retailers, but most notably for Best Buy.
Best Buy's doors open at midnight on Black Friday. Doorbuster sales start right then and there, and there is no end time listed on the site as to when those may end. Available as a doorbuster for $30 each is Disney Epic Mickey 2, Darksiders 2, Medal of Honor Warfighter, Battlefield 3 Premium Edition, The Amazing Spider-Man and Need for Speed Most Wanted.
Outside of the doorbusters, Best Buy has a Vita (wi-fi system) and Black Ops Declassified bundle for $200, Xbox 360 250GB bundle with Forza Motorsport 4and Skyrim for $200, and the Flame Red Nintendo 3DS with Super Mario Land 3D for $150. For $35 grab Assassin's Creed 3, Borderlands 2, Diablo 3, Madden NFL 13, Forza Horizon and FIFA 13; a smattering of Kinect games are $25 each, including Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth and Just Dance 4. For $15 is Grand Theft Auto 4: The Complete Edition, Halo Reach and Mortal Kombat Vita, among others; for $8 is Dead Island Game of the Year, Assassin's Creed: Revelations for Xbox 360 and The Sims 3.
https://blackfriday.bestbuy.com/vide...#!/video+games
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November 9th, 2012, 00:07 Posted By: wraggster
 The recording and broadcasting of gameplay footage is getting easier all the time, as we pointed out in our look at two new capture devices from Hauppage and Roxio. Today it’s become even easier for those on PC, with the latest update to EA’s Origin platform allowing players to live stream gameplay footage to Twitch TV. Activision has since confirmed that those on consoles will be able to do the same to YouTube when Call Of Duty: Black Ops II releases next week.
http://www.edge-online.com/news/the-...eal-announced/
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November 9th, 2012, 13:41 Posted By: wraggster
450 Blockbuster stores will open their doors at midnight next week for the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
It’s the biggest ever operation of this kind for the retailer.
“Call Of Duty: Black Ops II is the most anticipated game of the year and pre-orders are rising every day,†Blockbuster’s head of games James Morton stated.
“We’re thrilled to have the largest number of stores we’ve ever had participating in a midnight opening so that wherever you are in the UK, there’s a local Blockbuster that will be open.â€
Those wanting to find out if their local store is participating can find contact details here.
Those who have pre-ordered the game through the chain will also receive a free copy of Act of Valour on either DVD or Blu-ray.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II will be released next Tuesday (November 13th) with the midnight openings occurring on the evening of Monday November 12th.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/black...dnight/0106115
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November 9th, 2012, 21:05 Posted By: wraggster
All the research suggests that Call of Duty has peaked.
Last year’s Modern Warfare 3 sold significantly fewer units in the UK than 2010’s Black Ops and 2009’s Modern Warfare 2.
Anecdotally, MCV has been told that online traffic and magazine sales for Call of Duty editorial and covers have dropped year-on-year.
Yet it’s wrong to suggest Call of Duty is in a death spiral. Modern Warfare 3 is the fifth best-selling game in UK?history, and is close to overtaking Modern Warfare 2 to become the second highest grossing UK game since records began.
Activision’s shareholders may disagree, but when a game is selling this much, does it matter if it’s peaked?
ANSWERING THE CALL
Yet as the movie makers behind Saw will attest, releasing a blockbuster every year can lead to diminishing returns as consumers get bored of the formulae.
And with a drop in sales for Modern Warfare 3, there’s more pressure on Activision to try something a little different with Black Ops II. Developer Treyarch has sought to ‘surprise’ fans this year, with a futuristic setting and a new-look multiplayer, both of which took centre-stage in the game’s high-profile live-action TV ad.
“‘Surprise’ is one of the many messages around Black Ops II,†Activision’s UK boss Peter Hepworth told MCV
“Black Ops II delivers innovation at every level, and for many this will drive a re-assessment of a franchise.
“With 40m players it’s important to deliver an experience which feels fresh every year, while retaining the features which our core fans know and love. With such a massive community you have to ensure there is something for everyone.â€
Each year Activision has sought to raise the bar in terms of spectacle. The firm has recruited Hollywood talent – and not just for the game. Even the live-action TV ad was directed by Guy Ritchie and starred A-lister Robert Downey Jr.
“Every year Call of Duty pushes media boundaries to ensure we deliver a high impact campaign,†continued Hepworth.
“This year is no different with presence at key events such as the Champions League Final and The Dark Knight Rises. At launch the campaign will be unavoidable, encompassing TV, press, radio, outdoor and digital.
“Call of Duty is now blurring the lines of entertainment with many parallels with Hollywood and cinema being drawn. This link is apparent in the level of talent which Treyarch has been able to recruit to create the most ambitious Call of Duty yet, such as scriptwriter David S. Goyer [who co-wrote the Batman trilogy], musical talents such as Trent Reznor [who won an Oscar for The Social Network score] and Jack Wall, as well as A-list actors Sam Worthington and Michael Rooker. The TV ad is the embodiment of this.â€
LONG-TERM SUCCESS?
In terms of revenue, Black Ops II will almost certainly be the biggest entertainment launch of the year. Activision’s marketing muscle, plus its A-list supporting cast will ensure that.
The game’s biggest rival is the new James Bond movie Skyfall, which made £37.2m in Box Office receipts in its first week in the UK. Compare that to last year’s Call of Duty, which generated over £90m in its first week, and Black Ops II would need to suffer a 60 per cent drop in sales year-on-year to tumble behind Skyfall (it’s important to note that cinema tickets are considerably cheaper than video games, so Skyfall has a larger audience).
But the real challenge for Activision and Call of Duty is how it is performing in three months’ time. Modern Warfare 3’s sales curve dropped off sharply after launch, far more severely than in previous years.
Can Black Ops II prove a longer-term success? It won’t be easy. Next year is a busy one for video games, with a congested Q1 release schedule, plus the highly anticipated arrival of Grand Theft Auto V in spring. It will be interesting to see what Activision has planned for Black Ops II in the New Year.
DOES IT MATTER?
Ultimately a bit of perspective is needed. Will Black Ops II beat Black Ops? Probably not.
We’re talking about a game that has sold almost 4m units in the UK, generating well over £150m. If next week’s shooter comes even close to that it will be deemed a triumph, particularly when you consider how the games retail market has struggled this year.
Next week UK stores are expecting to make around £80m in less than a week from one game alone. Even if it has peaked, even if it is in decline, Call of Duty is still the biggest entertainment launch of the year.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/will-...matter/0106121
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November 9th, 2012, 21:31 Posted By: wraggster
That marks the 22nd consecutive month in the US as the top selling console
[h=3]Microsoft[/h]microsoft.com
Microsoft, in advance of the NPD data report, has noted that its Xbox 360 sold another 270,000 units in October, which is the same amount the company sold during September. The figure means that Xbox 360 has now outsold competing consoles in the US for 22 consecutive months.
Microsoft noted that Xbox 360 held 56 percent share of current-generation console sales in the US, which is the 20th consecutive month that Xbox 360 has held more than a 40 percent share of current-generation console sales.
The total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in October (hardware, software and accessories) came to $315 million, which once again means that consumers spent more on Xbox 360 products in October than they spent on the other two current-generation consoles combined, Microsoft boasted.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...during-october
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November 9th, 2012, 22:06 Posted By: wraggster
 It seems that Microsoft's latest dashboard update to the Xbox 360 was little more than a trojan horse for a super secret USB storage update from the original 16GB cap to 32GB -- you can't fool us, Microsoft! Er, at least you can't fool the vast swaths of people using their Xbox 360s, who tipped our superfriends atJoystiq on the update. Microsoft confirmed the storage limit change as intentional and explained its purpose in a statement: "The more our customers use their profile and download digital content, the larger the file size necessary to store that content and move it between consoles gets. Therefore we increased the size of the memory to enable our customers to take more of their Xbox profile with them on the go." So, there you have it! If you'll excuse us, we'll be over here loading our entire history of game saves to USB sticks for mobile gloating.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/09/x...rage-increase/
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November 9th, 2012, 23:59 Posted By: wraggster
Monolith Productions and Warner Bros. have confirmed that Lord of the Rings: Guardians of Middle Earth will be released via Xbox Live Arcade on December 5.
As previously announced, the PSN version for PS3 will be released on December 4. It'll cost £11.99 on PSN, and 1200 MS Points on XBLA.Developed by FEAR developer Monolith and designed to tie-in with the upcoming Hobbit movie, the arena-based multiplayer game sees two teams of up to five players trading blows.
A 'Battle Profile' gameplay video through here offers a sneak peek at the strengths, weaknesses and abilities of Gollum and Gandalf.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ate-confirmed/
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November 10th, 2012, 23:16 Posted By: wraggster
One online indie may have broken the street date, but that will do little to dampen Monday's excitement for the Call of Duty midnight launch.
Around 2,000 UK shops are to be open from midnight on Monday to celebrate Black Ops II officially going on sale.
It's the 'greatest ever number of stores due to open their doors for the launch of any Call of Duty title to date' says Activision and comes courtesy of 'unprecedented support from retail partners'.
Activision says that over 6,500 UK outlets will be selling the game from 12am Tuesday, November 13th - which only fuels the publisher's claim that the game will be "one of the biggest entertainment launches of the year".
Launch excitement is already in full swing. The game will inevitably be No.1 in a week's time, but UK bookies say the game is likely to be Christmas No.1.
Meanwhile, one plucky customer seems to have started queuing early at HMV.
GAME says it will have 300 stores open. Blockbuster will have 400 stores open - as too will Tesco.
Activision has even launched a pre-release hands on event, Black Ops II Live in London.
In the official announcement detailing the wide-reaching launch action, UK & Ireland MD at Activision Blizzard Peter Hepworth commented: “We are thrilled with the support we have already received from both our retail partners and fans alike and are looking forward to watching it to continue to unfold over the next few days.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/2-000...launch/0106188
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November 10th, 2012, 23:28 Posted By: wraggster
4J Studios, the guys in charge of Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition, is gearing up to release a new patch that fixes a huge list of issues and adds new features to improve overall gameplay.
Crucially, new recipes for Golden Apples and Pumpkin seeds will be added. Also, the update will bring new HUD options and the ability to disable bedrock fog.There's also a huge list of bug fixes to be implemented when the update hits - the date for which is "coming soon" according to the developer.
Here's the full change log:
Changes and Additions:
- Added an option to clear the quick select bar in the creative interface.
- Added an option to enable or disable bedrock fog, and set to off by default.
- Added an option to toggle the HUD off/on.
- Added an option to turn the player hand off/on.
- Added a crafting recipe for Golden Apples.
- Added a crafting recipe for Pumpkin Seeds.
- Made cakes stackable.
- Added a How To Play page for Host and Player options.
Fixes:
- Fix for a problem with signs in online games causing crashes.
- Fix for save renaming deleting the wrong save due to input received during the confirmation flow.
- Fix to the mob generation code to increase the number of animals in the world.
- Fix for chests being incorrectly lit, and rotated for maps from previous versions.
- Fix for problem with the eating animation being shown for players who weren't eating.
- Fix for problem with chest lids not behaving properly.
- Fix for animals looking like they were taking damage when they shouldn't.
- Fix for some sounds not playing when the player has an empty hand.
- Fix for lever sounds.
- Fix for fence gate sounds.
- Fix for splitscreen players sometimes having their settings zeroed.
- Fix for being damaged while flying over lava.
- Fix to stop lava, milk and water buckets being empty after use in creative mode.
- Fix for Leader of the Pack achievement being awarded incorrectly.
- Fix for leaderboard stats issue where value stored was incorrect.
- Fix for hitbox problems with glass panes and iron fence.
- Fix for small character display changing color to green.
- Fix for map rendering incorrectly in some situations with clouds disabled.
- Fix for block rendering problem at the edge of the map.
- Fix for splitscreen players not being able to mine in the tutorial.
- Fix for players not being able to sprint/sprint-fly in creative mode if the player was previously in survival mode with a low food bar.
- Fix for arrow damage not being ignored when PvP is turned off.
- Fix for activated pressure plates not working correctly.
- Fix for the low food bar hint appearing when loading a game in creative mode (usually the tutorial world saves).
- Fix to remove the player shadow when the Invisible option in the Host Privileges is used.
- Fix for Red Roses not being generated on the terrain.
- Fix for paintings being pushed by pistons.
- Fix so that players who can't eat, due to the Trust Players option being off, do not get exhausted.
- Fix for the interface disappearing after a Share to Facebook action.
- Fix to limit the number of Slimes, Ghasts and Silverfish that can be spawned in a world.
- Fix for the cursor position in creative mode being able to go offscreen.
- Fix for players showing on maps when they should not be, after the player dies and respawns.
- Fix for capes displaying wrongly when sprint-flying.
- Fix for capes not displaying in the Nether.
- Fix for capes not displaying when the player respawns.
- Fix for tools taking damage in Creative Mode.
- Fix so Bows don't need or use up Arrows in Creative Mode.
- Reduced the volume of the chest open/close sound effect
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...es-fixes-bugs/
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November 11th, 2012, 21:02 Posted By: wraggster
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 won't be blowing up living rooms until Tuesday, but an explosive methadone comes to DirecTV tomorrow night in the form of The Making of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
Premiering at 7 p.m. Eastern on the satellite carrier's Audience Network (channel 239), the documentary features interviews with the development team, voice actors, outside consultants and professional gamers that all contributed in some way to the CoDBlOps 2's production. Reruns are scheduled for Monday night at 10 p.m. Eastern and Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern, but by then we're sure you'll already have reached the highest pinnacle of multiplayer progression.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/th...ectv-tomorrow/
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November 12th, 2012, 14:33 Posted By: wraggster
Party Buffalo by 'CLK' is an XBOX 360 HDD/USB device explorer.
The just released v2.0.1.0 fixes a bug related to disk size calculations. Sadly, it looks like this will be the last update for this neat app, unless something goes wrong with this version.
Here's the official info:
[QUOTE]
Hello everyone,
It’s been a while since I’ve written on this blog, and since I’ve updated Party Buffalo. A friend of mine was trying to use my cross-platform FATX explorer, and it didn’t work for him. I thought that it was odd, since the FATX libs should be 100% solid as far as reading and disk size calculations and all that crazy stuff goes.
Well, I was wrong. Here was the problem, which also applied to Party Buffalo: I was using the raw disk size, and not the actual size that the Xbox uses from the security sector. So, for some disks, the size of the file allocation table would be off by +- (around)0×3000, give or take, which would then make the data region of the Data partition off by that amount as well, therefore giving the user bad (just random) filenames and other weird stuff happening.
I said this before, but this is almost 100% guaranteed to be the last update for Party Buffalo, unless I really screw up this update. I’ve since moved on to other projects. I’m starting to get in to web development (Ruby on Rails to be precise), and this project has lost my interest. I was debating finishing Up, but then two friends of mine showed me the awesome work they’ve done on their cross-platform STFS package manager (also does a lot more than just that!) called Velocity. They made the excellent point that it’s useless on non-Windows platforms without a device explorer. So, I’ve started to start development on Up again, and hope to have it done this winter.
Some reflections on Party Buffalo, and CLKsFATXLib:
I would have designed them both a lot differently. Looking through the source, I realize how much I didn’t understand when I started off, and how much better I could have made both projects in terms of performance and source structure/readability. Things got messy. Things got ugly. I sort of started to do that with the Drive class in Up’s FATX library, but I plan on sorting that out before the project is done with (how about this weekend?). I also probably should have made the update system a lot nicer, and shouldn’t have done that bullshit with the ads/latest news stuff. No one cares about that. It was annoying. I did it because the person who was hosting my server before suggest I do it in order to gain ad revenue for both myself and him. So, sorry for subjecting you guys to that.
I also probably should have used some kind SVC. Seriously. I started coding Party Buffalo when I was 13 I believe. I didn’t know what SVC was, so I didn’t use it. It was only at the end of the project that I finally uploaded the source to Google Code, and in hindsight I probably should have just uploaded it to GitHub. Zipping up the source and uploading it to a dump site really wasn’t the best solution (and it’s what I’m doing for this release, since I’m too lazy to reconfigure Google Code stuff and set it up on my GitHub page).
Per usual though, you can find the sources at CLKXU5. I did not provide CLKsFATXLib with its own source in the subfolder. Just grab the latest DLL if you need it.
To all of you who still use Party Buffalo: thanks for sticking with me. When Up is released, it should be pretty good, and make up for the flaws in Party Buffalo. If you’d like to follow the project, you can find its GitHub page here: landr0id. You can also follow me on Twitter (@landr0id) if you’d like. And yes, that picture is of me in a fur coat.
This update is recommended.
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...EEXoCRBUqD.php
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November 12th, 2012, 14:33 Posted By: wraggster
HoRus VbR has just released GX XGD Extract v00.10.10 (beta), a Windows app that allows us to extract Xbox and Xbox 360 games in local lan or via FTP.
The readme below (in french):
[QUOTE]
Extraction :
DVD (expérimentale) :
** Seulement avec les backups stealth pour l’instant.
** Pas d’implémentation de gestion d’erreur (d’ou le risque de bugs).
TODO :
** Extraction de plusieurs ISOs
** Choix des fichiers Ã* extraire dans un ISO ou DVD.
Versions :
0.10.0
* Original Release.
0.10.10
* Correction d’un bug majeur qui empêchait la lecture complète de certains isos (merci Ã* JKilvan).
* Correction de certains bugs liés au FTP.
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...yuLTTIRlrn.php
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November 12th, 2012, 14:34 Posted By: wraggster
Mojobojo has released FatX USB Explorer 1.1, the windows app that allows us to explore and extract files of 1GB or less from USB devices in Xbox 360 format.
The changelog below:
[QUOTE]
*** Hundred of bugs fixed
*** Added a reference file (More than 5000 known IDs)
*** Two languages : EN/FR
*** User will be prompted for existing files
*** Can save gamertags
*** Added a search bar & some settings
*** Can be resized quickly
*** Updatable
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...AkALZTJnBV.php
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November 12th, 2012, 14:37 Posted By: wraggster
Swizzy has just released xeBuild GUI 2.086, the popular app that helps us to create a NAND image for the RGH and JTAG or the possibility of returning it to retail version. The new version comes with some fixes and new features.
The changelog below:
[QUOTE]
** Removed: No additional checks are made for additional patches (apart from NOHDMI patch, which can really only be applied to any motherboard apart from xenon anyways) this should fix errors here…
** Fixed: Finally fixed that display bug with Xell icon not beeing shown properly for RGH 2.0…
** Fixed: F*ing jasper failsafe keeps beeing gay… >_
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...ukwVrpKWeu.php
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November 12th, 2012, 14:39 Posted By: wraggster
cOz is proud to release the new version 3.04 of DashLaunch, the app for your JTAG / RGH Xbox 360 that allows the system to boot from a homebrew app.
The changelog below:
[QUOTE]
* kinect health message block fixed for 16197
* updated polish translation (thanks Pelcu!)
* fix CIV hook issue, may break some titles that use CIV (a gamy Call of Decay: Body Odor 2 now works)
* lump updater version limit patch into noupdater option so it can be disabled
* improved installers ability to prevent install on unsupported kernels (including devkit and unsupported retail versions)
* installer will now only offer to update, if the embedded version is newer than currently running one
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...VZigkqlDwt.php
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November 12th, 2012, 21:05 Posted By: wraggster
Mass Effect 4 looks to be in the pipeline after one of the game developers tweeted that a new title is in the early stages of development.
Bioware executive producer, Casey Hudson wrote: “We're in early stages of designing a completely new Mass Effect game. What would you want to see in it?â€
This suggests that the developers are looking to develop an entirely new storyline, separate from the previous titles, and judging from his follow up tweets there seems to be a lot of demand playable alien races.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...nfirmed/029586
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November 12th, 2012, 22:13 Posted By: wraggster
Supermarket chain Asda has announced its midnight opening plans for Call of Duty: Black Ops II tonight.
250 stores will sell the game from midnight tonight. In total 479 of its outlets will be carrying the game, as well as 114 of its local Supermarket stores “making it very accessible for local customer to grab a copy of the gameâ€.
“We also have tonnes of in-store activities, free giveaways and a huge sampling programme to keep the crowds entertained tonight,†a spokesperson told MCV. “I believe Activision themselves will be filming in Asda Pudsey, where queues will be literally all through the store.â€
Activision revealed on Friday that around 2,000 retail outlets are expected to open their doors to sell the game at midnight.
600 Tesco stores are included in this number as well as 450 Blockbuster stores and 319 GAME stores.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/asda-...stores/0106206
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November 12th, 2012, 22:16 Posted By: wraggster
Halo 4 is packing a mighty punch this holiday season, as Microsoft has just revealed that its global sales total in the first 24 hours has hit $220 million, and the title looks to be on pace to hit $300 million in the first week.
Microsoft noted that Halo 4's sales total eclipsed the record for the biggest day-one opening in US box office history, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and the biggest movie of 2012, The Avengers - based on US sales alone. Additionally, these latest sales now have pushed lifetime sales for the Halo franchise past $3.38 billion
Another touchpoint Microsoft passed along is that Halo 4 secured the record for the largest number of players in the history of the Halo franchise, with over 4 million players in the first five days. Players spent a total of 31.4 million hours playing Halo 4, and the total number of gameplay hours across the Halo franchise now exceeds the five billion mark.
“We're thrilled that Halo 4 has emerged as the biggest US entertainment launch of the year,†said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. “Thanks to the millions of fans worldwide who helped make this another record-breaking launch for the 'Halo' franchise, Halo 4 is kicking off a strong holiday season and has become the must-have blockbuster experience of the year.â€
“Consumer demand and excitement for Halo 4 is even greater than we anticipated,†said Tony Bartel, GameStop president. “Day-one sales of Halo 4 make it the biggest Halo launch in GameStop history and the biggest game launch on any platform so far this year in our stores.â€
Halo 4 went on sale on November 6, with more than 10,000 retail locations hosting midnight launch events. Of course, there's a good chance that Call of Duty: Black Ops II will more than surpass these figures, given the franchise's history and the fact that it's a multi-platform game. Modern Warfare 3 last year generated more than $400 million in its first 24 hours.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...on-in-24-hours
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November 12th, 2012, 23:00 Posted By: wraggster
 Rumors have swirled that Microsoft is developing a high-powered 7-inch gaming tablet dubbed Xbox Surface, the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of Microsoft's homegrown hardware brands. Such a move wouldchange the landscape of Microsoft's Xbox and portable game initiatives. It would mark a reversal for the company, which has stayed out of the increasingly challenging handheld space in favor of promoting Windows Phone as part of its ecosystem battle. However, it would be in keeping with Steve Ballmer's promise (or is it OEM warning?) to expect more hardware from Microsoft. As the tablet was partly Apple's answer to the netbook, it could also be Microsoft's answer to the PlayStation Vita.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/11/t...-xbox-surface/
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November 12th, 2012, 23:04 Posted By: wraggster
Halo 4 has achieved the biggest launch of the series' history and is "on track" to become the biggest entertainment launch of 2012 so far, according to Microsoft.
The publisher said in a press release today that the game is "on track" to hit $300 million in global sales in its opening week.The game hit around $220 million in sales worldwide in the first 24 hours, which MS says "eclipses the record for the biggest day-one opening in US box office history", beating record holder 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,' and the biggest movie of 2012, 'The Avengers' - although it notes that this is based on US sales alone.
Over 4 million players were logged in the first five days - another record for the seres.
Lifetime sales for the Halo franchise are now over $3.38 billion, says MS.
"We're thrilled that 'Halo 4' has emerged as the biggest U.S. entertainment launch of the year," said corporate VP of Microsoft Studios Phil Spencer. "Thanks to the millions of fans worldwide who helped make this another record-breaking launch for the 'Halo' franchise, 'Halo 4' is kicking off a strong holiday season and has become the must-have blockbuster experience of the year."
Halo 4 debuted at No.1 on the UK all formats chart for the week ended November 10. It ranks as the UK's 18th biggest SKU launch in terms of week one unit sales, but failed to beat 2007's Halo 3 (15th biggest) or Halo Reach (12th biggest).
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...f-2012-so-far/
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November 12th, 2012, 23:26 Posted By: wraggster
Treyarch has published its Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 security and enforcement policy, outlining the behaviour that will result in a ban.There are plenty of obvious offenses in there, for modding/hacking, for example, and for running pirated content. You'll also want to avoid using modded controllers, IP flooders and lag switches.Boosting is a big no-no. Boosting, for years a problem with online games, involves colluding with another player to exploit the game to gain experience points and unlocks. Glitching, or abusing an exploit in game code, will get you banned too. This might include using a hole in the map geography to intentionally go outside its boundary.You'll face a ban for using offensive behaviour, such as aggressive or “racially charged†language. If you create an offensive emblem, that is, one with “sexually gratuitous images†or racist material, you could get a ban.New for Black Ops 2 is an in-game live streaming function that outputs to YouTube. This carries its own ban conditions. So, don't pump out offensive live streams or stream unauthorised content.“Offensive content includes but is not limited to foul language, racially charged language and nudity," Treyarch said. "Unauthorised content includes but is not limited to unlicensed music, TV shows, movies and brand logos.â€Black Ops 2 launches at midnight tonight and is expected to set records for game sales and online play.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ty-black-ops-2
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November 13th, 2012, 23:37 Posted By: wraggster
Long-serving Microsoft exec Harvey Eagle has this week been appointed the new marketing director for Xbox UK.
Eagle was previously Interactive Entertainment Business Category Director across the EMEA region, working for Jeremy Dale.
Prior to that, he has been a key member of the EMEA Xbox team for the last 12 years. He joined in 2000 as EMEA advertising manager, before moving to the role of Interactive Entertainment Business CategoryLead for western Europe.
Jonathan Grimes, head of Microsoft’s retail sales and marketing division in the UK said: “Harvey brings with him a wealth of experience and I’m very excited to have him join the Retail Sales and Marketing team to lead the IEB business, in what is going to be a very exciting time.â€
Eagle added: “I'm privileged to join a team that has already achieved leadership position in a market where the competition is fierce and ever-changing. Every single person on the planet likes to be entertained. When you think of Xbox as an entertainment service that will show up on any device, you realise our journey has only just begun.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-m...box-uk/0106294
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November 13th, 2012, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is to chop up previous full release Kinect Sports: Season Two into smaller, downloadable chunks.
Specifically, three of the game’s individual events are to be made available for 240 Microsoft Points each – Darts vs Zombies, Ski Race and 3 Point Contest. Each will offer a total of 50 Gamerscore points spread across ten awards.
All three will be available on Xbox Live from November 20th.
Recent retail Kinect releases such as Fable: The Journey and Warner Bros’ Harry Potter Kinect have significantly flopped at retail. Considering the nature of Kinect titles – that being that they are light on gameplay and good for parties or in short doses – a bite-size downloadable model does seem like a more natural fit.
And considering how much Microsoft has invested on linking Kinect to the Xbox brand, it is imperative that it finds a way to sell the games to consumers. And quickly.
Also on the way to Xbox Live is Square Enix’s Sleeping Dogs and Silicon Knight’s topical outing X-Men: Destiny.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/indiv...x-live/0106292
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November 14th, 2012, 01:18 Posted By: wraggster
Gem is running another trio of deals this week for independent retailers.
Indies can pick two titles from the Classic range, and the shooter Halo ODST, for £14. Classic titles includes Gears of War, Mass Effect, Fable II, Halo 4, Halo Wars, Gears of War 2 and more.
Meanwhile, the distributor is offering special pricing on Xbox 360 Holiday Bundles. The two bundles includes a 250GB console, a Kinect, plus copies of Dance Central 2, Kinect Adventures and Kinect Sports, and a 4GB unit with Kinect, Kinect Disneyland Adventures and Kinect Adventures.
The firm is also offering special prices on Xbox LIVE 12 months cards.
These deals run until November 18th and can only be accessed by calling the Gem team. The team includes Rob Brown (01279 459081), Peter Foreman (01279 459199) or Adrian Fairbrother (01279 459014).
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/gem-o...indies/0106284
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November 14th, 2012, 01:19 Posted By: wraggster
UK magazines PSM3 and Xbox World are to be closed by publisher Future.
The final issues of both mags, which are renowned for sharing content between them, will go on sale in Wednesday December 12th.
"After careful consideration, Future has made the decision to close Xbox World and PSM3 magazines with the final issues going on sale on December 12,†Future’s head of entertainment Clair Porteous stated in a statement on CVG.
"This decision has been taken as Future continues to focus on its strategy on accelerating digital growth across its international digitally-focussed brand business.
"Future's gaming portfolio saw over 14m unique users for October 2012 – up over 20 per cent on October 2011. We intend and fully expect there to be no redundancies and will be looking to redeploy all staff within the business.
"Future continues to publish the highly successful Official Magazines for Xbox and PlayStation."
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/futur...-world/0106282
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November 14th, 2012, 01:23 Posted By: wraggster
No pressure, folks - just another product in the world's largest entertainment franchise. A franchise which has steadily increased its phenomenal retail presence over the last five years since its departure from a WWII setting with 2007's Modern Warfare, hitting a high water mark with Treyarch's original Black Ops in late 2010.
That game, despite predictions from Activision itself that it would undersell Modern Warfare 2 by 20 per cent, made $1 billion in revenues in 42 days - almost double Modern Warfare's $550 million chump change in the same period.
An incredible attachment rate for DLC meant that, on average, each of the 30 million plus players of Black Ops spent over $76 on the game in total - totalling over 18 million map packs. A record selling title around the world, Black Ops remains the highest-grossing entertainment launch of all time to date.
So what of the sequel? Despite some pessimism from analysts about its chances at breaking its own records, citing ageing console hardware and engine tech, Black Ops 2 has already tripled the pre-order total of the original.
So do the reviews even matter? A tightly enforced embargo, which only expired at 8am this morning for the UK and Europe, meant that the game had already been available for eight hours by the time the reviews went live, thanks to a plethora of midnight openings from games retailers. For the thousands who queued in the cold to grab their copies for a late night binge before things got really busy, scores were not important. For them, as for so many customers, any Call of Duty purchase is a given.
Near future settings are artfully realised with some surprisingly close attention to detail, say critics.
So far, the Metacritic rating is similar to its predecessor's, hovering around 85 per cent on Xbox 360, whilst Black Ops ended up at 88. 31 Reviews had been posted at the time of writing, ranging from 94 to 80 per cent, but there were a few notable gaps, including GamesIndustry International sister site Eurogamer, as a few outlets eschewed Activision-organised review 'events' or waited to get a better look at public multiplayer.
Looking at a range of scores from some of the biggest media outlets today, the trend is to see a wave of pleasant surprise at some interesting tricks worked into the single-player campaign to keep things fresh, including a range of choices which lead to multiple endings and a geographically and horologically diverse storyline. Multiplayer sees some new tricks, including a deepening of the RPG-lite perks and classes system, as well as plenty of new guns and gadgets.
Despite that, there's a general feeling that Treyarch haven't stretched themselves quite as far as they might have, and may not have brought as much innovation to the table as they did with the original.
Starting at the low end of the scores, we have Russ Frushtick at Polygon, who awards an 8/10 - painting Black Ops 2 as a Treyarch's chance to prove that the original wasn't a fluke but a sign of the quality to come - an attempt which he feels offers somewhat mixed results.
"These excellent new additions are layered atop an already-refined multiplayer blueprint which is as good as it's ever been. Black Ops 2 multiplayer feels like a Swiss watch I could never afford."
Russ Frushtick, Polygon
"Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 easily hits some of those expectations," says Frushtick. "At times it's genius, as with the multiplayer's redesigned class system. But at others, it doesn't feel like it's trying very hard. Occasionally, it's a complete mess."
Opening with a run-down of the changes to game's multiplayer, a consideration much more weighty than that of the single-player for most readers, Frushtick praises the flexibility of the new "create a class" system which allows players to balance weapons, attachments and equipment themselves rather than adhering to pre-set choices. Alongside these improvements come encouragements for support roles, with the kill-streaks of previous games being replaced by score streaks, letting players build momentum for the potentially match-changing rewards which they offer in more tactical or defensive ways - a lesson perhaps learned from EA's Battlefield series.
"Treyarch took a big risk with the Pick 10 create-a-class system, and it paid off, reimagining how players customize their experience," Frushtick believes. "They could have stopped there, but the developer's drive to go deeper, changing certain core elements of Call of Duty multiplayer to encourage more teamwork, makes Black Ops 2 online play even more remarkable. No other online shooter is offering a better experience right now."
A new ranking system also receives cautious praise, but Polygon rightly points out that it'll take a few days of public play before the effectiveness of this system can be properly assessed.
Where Black Ops 2 compares unfavourably with the original, says Polygon, is in the execution of its single-player campaign story, which drops some of the intrigue and characterisation of Alex Mason's story in favour of a villain who is "a cat-stroking Bond character" who attempts to take over the world of 2025's advanced military technology with "a magic computer chip and some spitfire technobabble but seemingly not much else."
This, says Russ, results in "Only a pair of missions in Black Ops 2 stand[ing] out, one offering a major structural departure from the linear Call of Duty mission format, the other an interesting glimpse into civilian life in the year 2025. More often than not you're running from one uninteresting room to the next, shooting guys."
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ty-black-ops-2
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November 14th, 2012, 01:23 Posted By: wraggster
 Microsoft's offering a hearty thank you to some of its longest running Xbox Live members with the handsome limited edition Xbox 360 seen above -- totally gratis -- celebrating this month's 10 year Xbox Live anniversary. Director of Xbox programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb posted an image of the box to his Twitter account this evening along with a tease that Redmond's hooking up more than just old-school XBLers. "I'll have details on how you can win one for yourself later this week," he noted. One lucky Kotaku reader already got their hands on the limited edition 360, which appears to be a Slim model -- it's unclear how much HDD space it comes equipped with. Hopefully it's more than enough to handle the 10 years of downloadable content it'll soon be holding.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/13/1...sary-xbox-360/
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November 14th, 2012, 02:17 Posted By: wraggster
EA and Criterion have released a single-player demo for Need for Speed Most Wanted.
The demo, available now via Xbox Live and PlayStation Store for PS3, lets you hit the tarmac in an Aston Martin V12, and jack into other cars and multiple challenges as you explore the open city.Here's the official blurb on its contents:
"The Most Wanted demo starts players behind the wheel of one of the game's most recognizable, rides: the Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Players can also jack into three additional cars placed in different areas of Fairhaven- the Porsche 911 Carrera S, the Audi R8 GT Spyder and the Ford Focus RS500 - if you can find it, you can drive it.
"Each vehicle has its own unique races, challenges and mods to unlock. Autolog 2 puts social competition at the heart of the experience by tracking and comparing everything players do against their friends and offering up gameplay recommendations and challenges throughout the open world as a result."
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...xbox-live-psn/
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November 14th, 2012, 14:42 Posted By: wraggster
Dan Houser has said that the end of the current console cycle is exactly the right time to release Grand Theft Auto V.
Before its release date was revealed last month, Rockstar’s enduring silence about the game had led many to speculate that the studio was holding off for a potential next-gen launch.
Such theories were ended when a spring 2013 release was announced.
"Rockstar is a content company, not a hardware company," Houser told Japanese weekly games mag Famitsu, as translated by Polygon. "We use the technology we have to create content, and we try not to let ourselves get beholden to the hardware.
“The fact that hardware's so mature right now is exactly why we're able to go on to the next level. GTA 4 was our first attempt at a new platform and HD visuals, so the first part of development was seriously difficult. Now we know what the hardware's capable of, so it's become a lot easier to move things along and a lot more fun, too.
“GTA: San Andreas came out at the peak of the PlayStation 2's cycle, and we put out a really good game thanks to that. All the best games for a console come out at the end of the lifecycle, right? So now's the best timing of all."
A second trailer for Grand Theft Auto V will be released by Rockstar later today.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/rocks...auto-v/0106368
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November 14th, 2012, 23:41 Posted By: wraggster
Warner has confirmed that an error has led to a “small number†of Xbox 360 copies of LEGO Lord of the Rings being labelled as demos.
Reports spread around the internet this morning as consumers claimed that had found a demo and not the full game in the box.
Fortunately this is not the case. The issue has only hit American gamers.
"Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment is recalling a small number of LEGO The Lord of the Rings video games that were released for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft to Walmart, Target and Toys 'R' Us in the United States with a disc labelling error,†the publisher said in a statement.
“The discs in question are incorrectly labelled as demo discs, but those discs do contain the full game content and are fully functional. This error does not affect any other formats of the game.
“We are in the process of remanufacturing the discs and will get them to the stores as soon as possible. Consumers who purchased a copy of the Xbox 360 version of the game with the disc labelling error can contact customer support via email at support@wbgames.com.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/don-t...-rings/0106372
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November 14th, 2012, 23:43 Posted By: wraggster
The narrative for this Q4 has already been written to some extent, but the industry’s big triple-A’s are looking to prove it wrong.
Both the UK and US markets are significantly down year-on-year and the belief that the market has peaked and consoles are losing popularity is becoming increasingly commonplace.
A host of big titles throughout the quarter have sold is far fewer numbers than we would have hoped, with notable exceptions like FIFA 13 and Borderlands 2 providing the few highlights.
We already know that Halo 4 failed to match the week one UK sales numbers of both Halo 3 and Halo Reach. If Black Ops II has managed to break records we’ll likely hear about it today or tomorrow, though some think there's a chance this won't happen.
But hope lingers.
Amazon revealed last night that Black Ops 2 has broken its internal records to become the most pre-ordered game ever.
And now Microsoft reckons that halo 4 is on track to amass $300m in its first week and inch above Halo 3 to become the biggest launch in the series’ history. The game already made $220m in its first 24 hours, smashing any comparable Hollywood records.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/halo-...ecords/0106359
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November 15th, 2012, 00:28 Posted By: wraggster
Snippets of what's claimed to be next year's Call of Duty game have been leaked, along with first details for the in-development title.
Voice over recording for the game has begun in LA, according to Siliconera citing an anonymous source (whom the site says leaked Sleeping Dogs details before its Square Enix acquisition) .CVG has contacted Activision for comment.
'Call of Duty 2013', as the source allegedly called it, will continue the Modern Warfare story arc, with the main protagonist apparently "a battle hardened veteran in his mid-thirties with a nihilistic point of view", codenamed 'Ben Burk'.
One scene in the game - apparently a flashback - is said to feature John 'Soap' MacTavish and take place in Somalia.
Below are what's claimed to be snippets of the script for the main character.
"Reminds you of Phuket, doesn't it? Only this time the dust gives you cancer... OK, park yourself and get ready. When this thing kicks off, put a hole in anything that moves."
"This is Sentinel Zero One, successful crypto change on C2 net break, requesting immediate update of blue force picture and status of artillery, over. I have you broken and unreadable, I say again, requesting updates to friendly positions and status of arty support. Do you read, over?"
"We've got KVA on the move! They're going to strongpoint the main gate, ETA two mikes! We're providing support for our heavy rollers! Ready up and let's move!"
"Goliath, this is Sentinel Zero One! We have enemy armor at the gate, hundred meters north of our position! Requesting close-air grid mark three-one-six!"
Previous reports for what is expected to be 'Modern Warfare 4' hint at a possible next-generation release for 2013's Call of Duty entry.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-warfare-plot/
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November 16th, 2012, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster
Ten years ago Microsoft embarked on an ambitious venture to marry the worlds of the internet and console gaming.
And it’s no exaggeration to say that the seeds it planted have gone on to transform the world of gaming.
What began as a 56K modem on Sega’s (and let’s not forget, also to some extent Microsoft’s) Dreamcast was truly realised with Xbox. And how Xbox Live has evolved. Starting out as a way to standardise online play, the network has gone on to become one of the world’s most active and lucrative commercial hubs and is the de facto standard when it comes to online console functionality.
Here’s a look at its road to glory:
November 2002: Xbox Live, a service allowing gamers to access a range of digital media and play against each other online, is made available on the Xbox.
December 2004: The Xbox Live Arcade service is launched on the Xbox game console in a disc form available in bundles, on its own and in several issues of Official Xbox Magazine.
November 2005: XBLA relaunched on the Xbox 360 as a service integrated into the system’s main dashboard.
March 2006: Three million downloads made on XBLA.
January 2007: 20 million downloads made on XBLA. 
March 2007: Uno becomes the first XBLA title to pass one million downloads.
November 2007: The Xbox Live Arcade Hits range is introduced. These are certain Xbox Live Arcade titles that become permanently discounted in price.
November 2007: Xbox Live Arcade celebrates a North American milestone with the release of Screwjumper, the service’s 100th title.
December 2007: Microsoft launches the Video Store in the UK, over a year after it debuted in the US, allowing consumers to rent and stream movies direct from the Live Arcade
May 2008: The XBLA file size limit increases to 350MB, marking the service’s transition from providing bite size casual games to catering for more expansive, mainstream titles.
July 2008: The first of the now annual XBLA Summer of Arcade. This saw anyone who downloaded one of the titles released during August entered into a prize draw to win 100,000 Microsoft points, a 12 Month Xbox Live Gold subscription and a 360 Elite console.
August 2009: A system update introduces the Games on Demand area of the Marketplace, allowing players to purchase full, (formerly) boxed games digitally for the first time.
February 2010: Marc Whitten announces Xbox Live has the 23 million-member mark.
April 2010: Microsoft ends Xbox Live support on the original console.
November 2010: Alongside the launch of the Kinect, Xbox Live touches down in Russia, Poland, South Africa, Greece, Hungry, Brazil, Columbia, Chile and the Czech Republic.
December 2011: Microsoft launches the official Xbox Live app.
March 2012: BBC iPlayer launches on Xbox Live
May 2012: Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition breaks all XBLA sales records by notching more than 400,000 sales in 24 hours.
September 2012: The 2GB Livae Arcade limit raises to an unannounced number with the release of Red Johnson’s Chronicles (2.68GB) and Double Dragon (2.24GB).
November 2012: Happy Birthday Xbox Live!
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/happy...x-live/0106454
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November 16th, 2012, 00:31 Posted By: wraggster
Modern Warfare 4 will be Call of Duty’s next offering, according to alleged voiceover leaks from the game.
Siliconera has word from anonymous sources that voice acting work is already underway in Los Angeles for a Call of Duty title that’s said to carry on the Modern Warfare arc.
Given Activision has two separate developers for the series and knowing the franchise’s history, it’s likely the game will see release sometime before the end of next year.
Call of Duty’s latest release Black Ops II came out earlier this week, and is already setting launch records.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/next-...rumour/0106444
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November 17th, 2012, 18:17 Posted By: wraggster
Call of Duty: Black Ops II has sold an estimated $500m worth of units in tis first 24 hours.
That beats the $400m made by last year’s Modern Warfare 3 in the same period.
What hasn’t been revealed, though, is how many units the game sold. Modern Warfare 3 managed 6.5m units in its first day. Black Ops II’s unit sales remain a mystery.
“With first day sales of over half a billion dollars worldwide, we believe Call of Duty is the biggest entertainment launch of the year for the fourth year in a row,†Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick stated.
“Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded worldwide theatrical box office receipts for Harry Potter and Star Wars, the two most successful movie franchises of all time. Given the challenged macro-economic environment, we remain cautious about the balance of 2012 and 2013.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/black...-hours/0106563
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November 17th, 2012, 18:22 Posted By: wraggster
Supermarkets have eclipsed specialists to become Britain’s No.1 games retailers.
The likes of Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have edged past GAME?and Amazon and made more money from games sales than any other retail sector, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel seen by MCV.
The supermarket chains continue to push their games offerings, despite a big drop in sales this year. The majority even held midnight openings for Black Ops II.
The drop in market share for specialists follows a tough 2012 for GAME and HMV, which both shed stores early this year.
“We are in an economic climate where money is tighter than ever. Customers demand the lowest price and this channel has always been focused on delivering this,†Asda’s games boss Craig Thirkell told MCV.
“The switch towards family and younger gamers as well as hardcore crowds naturally plays well to supermarkets.â€
But it’s not all down to price, adds Thirkell. “It’s not just the specialists that can create excitement and fun for new launches anymore and with gamers coming out at midnight for the big titles, where better to be than in a warm supermarket topping up on the energy drinks and sweets to get them through that all-night games marathon.â€
Despite becoming the No.1 games retail sector, grocers have lost a bit of market share this year. Sainsbury’s was the only retailer to increase its share.
The drop for specialists has also not been as severe as initially feared. The biggest retail sector to lose market share this year has been ‘other multiples,’ which includes the likes of Argos and Dixons.
The fastest growing retail sector for games continues to be the internet. According to Kantar, Amazon is the UK’s No.1 entertainment retailer (factoring in sales of physical music, game and videos, plus digital music sales), well ahead of HMV at No.2 and Tesco at No.3.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/super...ailers/0106556
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November 17th, 2012, 18:23 Posted By: wraggster
As Xbox Live celebrates its tenth birthday, Bungie studio manager Harold Ryan has shared his thoughts on how the service may not have survived if it wasn’t for the former Halo developer.
Speaking to GI.biz, Ryan explained the studio’s guidance and leadership in the fledgling years helped push the limits of the service.
“I think Xbox Live wouldn’t have made it. I don’t think the Xbox would be where it is today without Bungie and without Halo,†Ryan said.
“As a group, we provided both technical and creative guidance and thought leadership that really pushed the limits. We weren’t just a game developer using the service. We were integrated in the design of the service and how it worked. Systems for groups and matchmaking and skill ranking were all things that were pushed the furthest and the hardest by us.â€
Halo is now out of the hands of Bungie, but the franchise continues to represent one of the console’s biggest draws.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/bungi...t-halo/0106547
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November 18th, 2012, 00:01 Posted By: wraggster
A decade ago this week, Microsoft flicked the switch and turned on Xbox Live. It was not the first console online service, let alone the first major online gaming service, but it has a strong claim to being the first truly successful marriage of console gaming and online gaming - and it has certainly been the most long-lived. Ten years later, Microsoft's online vision has become a default part of the gaming experience on just about every platform that matters, and it has unquestionably changed gaming forever - with the idea of the videogame as a networked, connected experience which it popularised being now deeply ingrained in almost everything our industry creates.
"There is a dark underbelly to the service and to online gaming as a whole - and a strong suggestion that existing services may be an evolutionary dead end."
The positive aspects of the revolution in online gaming which was ushered in by Xbox Live can't be overstated. Online gaming and services bring us together, connecting us with friends around the world and giving us shared experiences which long distances or other barriers would otherwise deny us. Human opponents and collaborators are more interesting and more unpredictable than the finest AI yet devised; our victories over other humans are sweeter, our shared triumphs more memorable, than those which simply involve cold silicon logic. Even in single-player games, social features can make us into a part of a playing community; can spark conversations with old friends ("how far in are you? Enjoying it?") or let us extend our rivalries with Achievements, GamerPoints, Trophies and Leaderboards. For developers, too, Xbox Live and its ilk have become a treasure trove - not just of digital distribution opportunities, but of data, and a chance at last to see what players actually do with your games once they bring them home from the shop.
Moreover, it's easy to forget that Xbox Live was not necessarily a natural evolution of console gaming. It's not the case that Microsoft simply did first what someone else would have done eventually. In fact, several major publishers intensely disliked Xbox Live at the outset. Considering themselves market leaders and masters of their own customer relationships, they wanted to run their own online services. Without Microsoft's insistence (self-interested as it may have been), we could still be signing up to separate online services for every publisher, juggling multiple friend-lists and payment accounts, and completely robbed of cross-game chat, messaging or achievement systems. Microsoft's effort at knocking publisher heads together until they agreed to conform to Live's rules of engagement is not dissimilar to Apple's triumph when it forced mobile networks to play by its rules for the launch of iPhone; both were industry-defining moments which no other market player seemed to have the will or the ability to push through.
Yet I think it's important, as we celebrate Xbox Live's milestone, to note that the success of Microsoft's service does not mean that online gaming is a solved problem - or indeed that our online services are in anything other than their infancy. Many commentators are quick to attack other platform holders, especially Nintendo, for not following the trail Microsoft has blazed with online gaming. However, this fails to recognise that alongside the positive stories about Xbox Live, there is also a dark underbelly to the service and to online gaming as a whole - and a strong suggestion that existing services may be an evolutionary dead end.
Alongside the immense success of Xbox Live, it would be hard to miss the fact that the service also has a widespread reputation as a pretty unpleasant place. Supercharged by anonymity and, perhaps, by the innately aggressive nature of many multiplayer games, the voice chat on Xbox Live is regularly racist, sexist, homophobic and otherwise vile. Even those who turn off voice chat to avoid such abuse are not necessarily spared - a trawl through the archives of a site like Fat, Ugly or Slutty, which chronicles messages received by female gamers, is at once grimly amusing and absolutely appalling.
"There are hard-working staffers who track abuse and ban players accordingly, but as online gaming grows this becomes a problem too big to be dealt with by humans"
The other thing you'd be hard-pressed to miss after a couple of hours on Live is that, in spite of the fact that the average age of a console gamer is well into the 20s now, most of those playing - at least, most of those playing and speaking - appear to be waiting impatiently for the onset of puberty. Aggressive male teens and tweens make up a very large proportion of the "visible" playerbase of Xbox Live, even though all logic and research suggests that they're a relatively small proportion of the actual playerbase. Why is that? I'd hazard a guess that the simple reason is that the anonymous and largely unpoliced nature of Xbox Live is a toxic environment which ends up only being tolerable or accessible to those poorly socialised adolescents.
There are solutions to this, of a sort. From a player's perspective, you can effectively withdraw from Xbox Live (and other online gaming - I should be clear that I'm not singling out Xbox Live here) as a public service, treating it instead as a closed network in which you only interact with your real-life friends. That works, to an extent (it's largely how I play these days) but most games are still going to insist on pairing you up with public players at some point; some won't even let you advance in multiplayer without playing on public servers. From the service operator's perspective, there are hard-working staffers who track abuse and ban players accordingly, but as online gaming grows this becomes a problem too big to be dealt with by humans. Besides, humans make mistakes; witness Microsoft's utterly daft policy, after years of conference talks prattling on about how Xbox was all about self-expression, of banning anyone who mentioned being gay on the service, rather than the knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers who abused them as a result.
The result is that online gaming can often feel like a cesspit - a bullies' playground in which the only choice for most players is to keep your head below the parapet and hope it's not you that gets the inbox full of hate. However, don't misunderstand - this isn't an attack on gamers or on gaming culture, because this isn't a unique problem. Visit the comments section of any major website (YouTube is a good place to start) and you'll witness a similar culture at work - abusive, nasty, intolerant and aggressive. The majority of gamers are good people who want to play games and have fun together; the problem is that the naive ideas of the early internet, where we decided foolishly that everyone would want to speak to everyone else (and be spoken to by them) have turned out to be utterly wrong. Anonymity and (largely) freedom from repercussions turns a small, loud minority into abusive monsters, and there are enough of them to ruin it for everyone else.
I don't doubt that when Nintendo extends cautious, careful toes into the online waters, this is one of the things foremost in its mind (the other, of course, being the ever-present risk of media crucifixion at the slightest hint of children being "groomed" on a Nintendo online service). Other companies, too, are starting to think about how you fix this. Unmoderated comments are gradually becoming a thing of the past on many websites, who recognise that what they have created is not a "community", but an echo-chamber full of horrible madmen (or perhaps "the shit room", to use the unmistakeable parlance of British political comedy The Thick Of It). They're recognising that these problems can't be fixed by policing and moderation, or by threatening to wield a banhammer; the services are just too large and the problems too subtle for that to work. Solutions must be systematic, baked into the very nature of how the services work - and for established services like Xbox Live, that's going to require a major overhaul.
"Where a community can deal with its reprobates individually, society must build systems and facilities to deal with a much larger volume of them"
There are promising ideas out there, though. League of Legends, an online game absolutely infamous for the outright nastiness of its community, recently introduced a system whereby, rather than downvoting those who behave badly, people can award karma points to those who behave well - with rewards for players who get upvoted frequently. By all accounts, it's working extremely well. Positive reinforcement for good behaviour appears to encourage people to play ball, where the threat of punishment merely incites the foul-mouthed Che Guevara in every pasty-faced teenage rebel. Linking social networking accounts to game accounts and forcing people to take ownership of their own actions and statements isn't the universal panacea we hoped for (it turns out that some people are happy to be abusive bigots even under their own names) but remains helpful and promising. Above all, the simple idea of using the social graph as a core part of the matchmaking process seems to be incredibly powerful - playing with people they know, friends of friends or even slightly more distant acquaintances, players are more likely to have an enjoyable experience with like-minded people.
These solutions, and others yet to be dreamed up, are going to be absolutely vital as online gaming proceeds into its next decade. The first decade of Xbox Live has been a remarkable success story, but its social structures were defined on a naive dream - the dream of people like myself, no doubt, who remember online gaming from the days of QuakeWorld and its ilk, and believed that similarly tight-knit, fun communities would continue to be at the heart of online gaming. We forgot that as a service scales, it stops being "community" and starts being "society" - and where a community can deal with its reprobates individually, society must build systems and facilities to deal with a much larger volume of them. The next decade will be even harder on that front, I fear; online gaming will grow and grow, and an embittered band of testosterone-fuelled egos will be determined to make the newcomers as miserable as possible. It's up to everyone involved - service operators, game developers, publishers, players, even the media - to counteract that; to take this amazing thing that we've created, the world's first truly connected media format, and make sure it's a good place for everyone, not just the adolescent bullies.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...gest-challenge
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November 18th, 2012, 00:30 Posted By: wraggster
Bethesda has quietly released an update for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on Xbox.
Update 1.8 - which hit PCs earlier this month - is now available to download when you fire up the game with a connection to Xbox Live, and comes in at 25MB.It tackles various bugs, including those related to Vampiric Grip, duplicating NPCs and more. There's no word on the patch's release for PS3.
Here's the list of changes:
BUG FIXES
General memory and stability improvements
Fixed rare crash when using vampiric grip
Fixed issue where Arnleif and Sons Trading Company could become permanently locked
Fixed issue related to duplicate NPCs
Fixed rare issue where exterior door would not open properly
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-live-on-xbox/
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November 18th, 2012, 00:32 Posted By: wraggster
Xbox World has used its penultimate issue to publish an 8-page feature containing "everything we know" about Microsoft's next-gen console plans.
The mag has good form when it comes to next-gen Xbox leaks, having revealed in January Microsoft's plans for augmented reality, directional sound, and a four-player, finger-tracking Kinect, all of which were later confirmed in the now infamous leaked planning document in June.
Editor in chief Dan Dawkins told CVG: "Xbox World has been at the cutting edge of Durango coverage for over 12 months. Unless something really dramatic changes, everything we reveal in our penultimate issue will be revealed long before E3 in June."
According to the mag's final 'exposé', the next-gen Xbox - which it speculates is likely to be called simply "Xbox" - will introduce Kinect 2.0, use Blu-ray discs and feature directional audio, a TV output AND input, 'innovative controller' and - at a later stage of the console's life - AR glasses.
Current codename 'Durango' dev kits boast a CPU with "four hardware cores, each divided into four logical cores" and an impressive 8GB of RAM, XBW reports.
Xbox World has used the Microsoft leaks and industry sources to come up with a 3D mock-up of what it expects the next-gen Xbox to look like."We built ours with the same glossy face and patented VapourMG magnesium alloy Microsoft uses for its Surface tablet, and modelled the silver band after its new 'Wedge' touch keyboard and flexible Arc Touch mouse," it writes. "The future will be black, sharp and curved."
To read the full 8-page feature, buy the latest issue of Xbox World online or on Apple Newsstand here (UK) or here (US).
PSM3 features an equally large feature on PlayStation 4 and you can buy that on iOS here (UK) or here (US).
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...thing-we-know/
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November 18th, 2012, 21:46 Posted By: wraggster

Sonic the Fighters, Virtua Fighter 2, and Fighting Vipers are coming to Japan's Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on November 28. That's only confirmed for Japan, and there remain no dates for a Western release. However, all three games received ratings from German software regulator USK earlier this year.
The dates are confirmed on Sega Japan's official website for the 'Model 2 Collection.' The trio of retro fighters are now 400 MSP each, a change from theoriginal announcement of 800 MSP. Oddly, the PS3 price remains at 800 yen, which converts to around $10. However, the three can be bought in a set for 1500 yen, which converts to around $18.50.
The site still lists the collection's two other games, Virtua On and Virtua Striker, as coming soon. In the meantime, we've reached out to Sega for further details on a possible Western release for the collection.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/se...n-japan-nov-2/
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November 19th, 2012, 23:52 Posted By: wraggster
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 map 'Nuketown 2025' - a fan favourite - has been pulled from online multiplayer playlists.
Posting via Twitter, game design director David Vonderhaar confirmed, "Double XP weekend is official over. That means Nuketown 2025 / 24-7 is as well. I know. RIGHT? Don't kill the messenger."Essentially, this means that the Nuketown playlist has been removed, and the map has not been put into circulation with other maps in regular playlists.
In a subsequent post, Vonderhaar goes on to explain that Nuketown 2025 will only be back for "special events".
"Nuketown 2025 / 24-7 will be back for special events. You can always play it with your friends in Custom Games," he said.
The Nuketown 2025 map - a remake of Black Ops favourite Nuketown - was offered as a redeemable DLC map to those who pre-ordered the game and, was assumed to be permanently available for online play, not as an 'events-only' temporary map.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ine-playlists/
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November 19th, 2012, 23:54 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has teamed up with The Karaoke Channel to create a new Xbox Liveapp titled Karaoke.
Set for release "in time for the holidays", the service will let you stream songs from an 8,000 strong library for an hourly fee.
It will offer a selection of free rotating sample songs, with full access to the music library available for blocks of two, six or 24 hours purchasable using Microsoft Points.
The app will allow users to queue songs, support Achievements, and feature SmartGlass integration. To access all of the features users will need an Xbox 360 headset and microphone,Play XBLA reports.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...s-by-the-hour/
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November 21st, 2012, 00:57 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is set to bring Xbox Live subscribers a pay-per-hour Karaoke application.
This pay-as-you-play business model is a console first and the Karaoke service will allow Xbox Live subscribers to stream, and then butcher, songs through the 360.
Rather than pay for individual tracks, the service gives users the opportunity to exchange Microsoft Points for temporary access to The Karaoke Channel’s 8,000 plus catalogue of tunes.
Access comes in sessions of two, six and, for the hard-core crooner, 24 hours and features SmartGlass integration and achievements.
The service is set to arrive in time for Christmas and the move continues Microsoft’s recent exploration of new payment models, seen recently with its first free-to-play game on Xbox Live, Happy Wars.
Karaoke also continues the console's proud history with the party pastime, with titles including Lips on the 360 and 2003’s Xbox Music Mixer.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/karao...x-live/0106689
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November 21st, 2012, 01:22 Posted By: wraggster
 Gamers yearning for the promise of more than just ESPN 3 on the Xbox 360 have finally gotten what they've been waiting for. As of today, WatchESPN has landed for Xbox Live Gold Members, packinglive network programming through channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and ESPN Goal Line / Buzzer Beater. In order to take advantage of the app on Ballmer and Co.'s gaming box, you'll need service from a cable provider that offers WatchESPN. Those who're content with only ESPN 3 will still just need an Xbox Live Gold subscription and an internet connection from an "affiliated provider." Along with live content, the app also brings split screen channel viewing, game reminders, a personalized "My Sports" section and more. According to Microsoft's Major Nelson, an Xbox SmartGlass companion experience for ESPN, NBA and SportsPicks will be available come December. For those eager to spend some quality time with Sports Center and Mike an Mike in the Morning, look out below for more details in the press release.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/19/w...x-live-launch/
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November 21st, 2012, 01:27 Posted By: wraggster
Just Dance 4 players can now download the insanely popular 'Gangnam Style' song and dance for Xbox 360.
The song will arrive on the PS3 and Wii versions tomorrow, November 21, and Ubisoft says the Wii U version will release "at a later date".Costing 300 MS Points, 300 Wii Points or £2.39 on PSN, Ubisoft says the DLC song contains "the authentic dance moves" from the video.
Gangnam Style, by South Korean artist PSY, has been watched over 770 million times on YouTube, according to Ubi's PR, earning its creator instant international stardom, and placing it in list of YouTube's top 10 most watched videos of all time.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...dance-4-today/
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November 21st, 2012, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster
LGC12: Former SCE Worldwide Studios boss and current Xbox man also details the future of 'New London Studio'
Speaking at today's London Games Conference, Phil Harrison, corporate Vice President at Microsoft EMEA, has admitted that over the past decade, which includes his tenure at Sony, he often envied those involved with Xbox Live.
He revealed his feelings during the keynote at the event, in a presentation titled 'Building the Future of Entertainment'.
"For a large period of the last ten years I've been very envious of Xbox Live," confessed the former president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, who has to date been with Microsoft for some six months. "It's a great way of creating engagement with players."
While Sony's PlayStation Network is increasingly successful, it has never managed to trump Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live, which currently sees up to 442 million hours of entertainment consumed in a single week.
Harrison also devoted much of his time on stage to Microsoft's relationship with its fist-party games development studios, revealing that in overseeing both Rare and Lionhead, he: "feels like I'm guarding two of the crown jewels of UK games development."
http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...envy-Xbox-Live
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November 21st, 2012, 23:53 Posted By: wraggster
SternisheFan writes with news of rumors over Microsoft's plans for its next-gen Xbox console. According to The Verge, the company is working on a cheap, Xbox-based set-top box for some time in 2013."The device will run on the core components of Windows 8 and support casual gaming titles rather than full Xbox games typically found on a dedicated console. Although hardware specifications aren't fully locked down, we understand Microsoft will use a chipset to enable an "always on" device that boots quickly and resumes to provide near-instant access to TV and entertainment services. Microsoft's Xbox set-top box work is said to be part of a broader effort to ensure its core architecture for the next-generation Xbox is scalable enough to be put together to run on a number of devices. We understand that the company could opt to combine its core system for the next Xbox with a phone stack to deliver a phone capable of running a full version of Microsoft's Xbox Live services."
http://entertainment.slashdot.org/st...xbox-tv-device
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November 22nd, 2012, 00:05 Posted By: wraggster
Popular games exec Phil Harrison delivered his first public address as a Microsoft VP at London Games Conference this evening, and gave the room a rapid tour around the new Xbox business strategy.
After admitting that the latest games industry headlines ‘have not been great to read’ he said: “I am more positive about the future of our industry than I have been in the 25 years I’ve been in games. There are more people playing than ever before, and paying more than ever before. We have much to be proud of and much to celebrate as we move forward into the new generation of our industry.â€
POWER OF THE CONSOLE
He began his speech by delivering a defence of the games console, telling the attendees that despite the growth of mobile and browser games, the games console is still the most profitable platform to develop games for.
“Consoles are still very relevant in our industry,†he added.
“The highest generator of average revenue per user comes from the console market. The seventh generation of consoles currently sit in over 200m homes worldwide. This generation is bigger than any other generation by some margin.â€
However, Harrison believes that the movement from retail to digital is now a formality. He brought up a slide that he used at this even three years ago which suggested that 2012 would be the tipping point where more money is generated via retail than digital. And said ‘although it is too early to tell if that prediction is right. That movement is happening.â€
“As an industry we can either be victims of that transition, or we could help lead and drive that transition. And that’s the approach we at Microsoft are taking,†he said.
Harrison then ran through a few big numbers for Microsoft. He revealed that 70m Xbox consoles are now in gamers homes around the world, perhaps a comment against PlayStation, which recently stated that it has ‘shipped’ 70m PS3s worldwide.
He said that Xbox 360 has had the No.1 console market share for the last 22 months straight and is enjoying ‘similar success’ in the UK.
“We are the only console to grow year-over-yea," he boasted. "We are also innovating, new business models, new types of content and new ways to play. gives us the scale to invest in content for that audience.â€
Xbox Live is critical to this, says Harrison. Before revealing that the Xbox Live users consumer 442 million hours of entertainment every week.
“Over the past 10 years I have been very envious of Xbox Live,†he continued. “It’s a fantastic achievement at Microsoft that it has invested in and pioneered.†It’s a ‘great compliment’ that people liken similar services to being ‘like Xbox Live’.
ENTERTAINMENT AMBITIONS
Harrison then discussed Xbox Music, Video and Television. Xbox Music is now ‘the second biggest download-to-own music service in the world†behind iTunes.
Xbox in general is now the brand that represents all of Microsoft’s entertainment, says Harrison.†Is it the concerted cross-company initiative that brings games, TV, music and film to their Microsoft devices.†It is no-longer all about the games.
But Harrison was keen to remind the attendees that core gamers is still the hear of the Xbox business. He revealed that by combining sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops II on Xbox 360 with Halo 4, then the platform has generated roughly $500m worldwide. ‘No other platform has generated that sort of entertainment revenue in such a short period of time,†he said.
He then discussed the company’s ambitious Halo marketing campaign, which included a free ‘multi-millon dollar’ live-action TV production called Forward Unto Dawn, the big glyph PR stunt above the Thames and then Microsoft ‘took over a country’ joked Harrison, in reference to its live event in Liechtenstein.
“But this is just the start of the relationship with the audience with Halo,†added Harrison.
“You then get access to a number of free episodes that are delivered to you to enhance the multiplayer. You will get maps that are introduced by a series of animated introductions.â€
DEVELOPMENT TALENT
Finally, Harrison ended his talk but discussing Microsoft Studios. He described the development outfit as ‘multi-platform’ studios, that are creating games for mobile, PC, browsers and more.
“We are no longer competing with the basic console companies, we are competing with the likes of Apple and Google.
“All of which is powered by the Cloud. Microsoft is now a devices and services company, and there isn’t an organisation that does that more concisely than Microsoft Studios.â€
He then ran through the firm’s big UK studios – Press Play, Rare, Lionhead Studios, Soho Productions and the yet untitled ‘New London Studio.
The New London Studio “is a new kind of studio,†said Harrison.
“It is a 21st century studio. It will not make retail products. It will make products largely based on Windows 8. We are hiring some incredibly smart people from the console industry, the Web 2.0 industry and the mobile industry. And it is interesting to see those three skillsets smashed together.
“I’m a firm believer in UK and European talent.
“We don’t always have to be based in Silicon Valley to be successful.â€
And then came Harrison’s final pledge that the firm will hire 100 new developers in the UK and is currently hiring and seeking new development partners to grow content across Windows 8, Windows Mobile and Xbox 360.
Finally, in a Q/A session Phil Harrison addressed the discoverability issue on digital, and pointed to an improvement in showcasing games and the use of voice with Kinect as a good way to find content online.
And free-to-play evangelist Nicholas Lovell asked Harrison how important free games will be to the future of Xbox and the industry.
“We think that free-to-play is a great way to expose people to your product,†answered Harrison.
“But we also think that advertising is a great business model. We have a great advertising department within Microsoft. And we think that will be a valuable way to monetise users.
“We had a great experience with our first Xbox 360 free-to-play game Happy Wars, so we are making strides, but they are measured strides. But we know that is a viable business model for the future.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/halo-...oft-vp/0106787
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November 22nd, 2012, 00:15 Posted By: wraggster
November 16th, 2007: Ubisoft releases risky but ambitious new IP Assassin’s Creed. It debuts at No.1 in the UK charts, dethroning little-known shooter Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
In week two, Assassin’s Creed prevents the latest Need for Speed from topping the charts – the first time in three years the racer did not make No.1. That was a pretty clear sign Ubi had something special on its hands.
October 31st, 2012: Assassin’s Creed III shatters the publisher’s previous day one and week one sales records. It shifts 3.5m copies worldwide in its first week.
It has become one of the defining series of this generation, but why has Assassin’s Creed not hit its limit yet?
TARGETING GAMERS
For Ubisoft’s EMEA marketing and sales director Geoffroy Sardin, it’s about keeping the fans informed.
Most Creed titles were announced at E3 and released the following Christmas, but barely four months after last year’s AC: Revelations, Ubisoft unveiled the next chapter in the series.
“We have to involve fans very early in the setting and the new experience,†Sardin told MCV. “We announced Assassin’s Creed III much earlier than the previous games, releasing the first details in March instead of taking advantage of E3 as we did with the others.
“Anitcipation is key to involving gamers in a title’s release. It gives us time to be sure fans are interested in what we’re creating.â€
Social media has become integral to this, and Ubisoft experimented this year with how it can engage gamers. The first gameplay trailer wasn’t released at E3 or a Ubisoft press event – it went live on Facebook once the game’s page reached a certain number of Likes.
“Nowadays, 93 per cent of 15 to 35-year-olds in Western countries are on Facebook, so it is makes sense for us to communicate with them that way,†said Sardin. “All forms of social media are important to us because they give us direct feedback from the community.
“We’re planning to develop direct contact between the development team and the consumers through social media, to gather feedback. It’s super important for us to have this kind of relationship now.â€
THE NEXT KILL
Now that the game is out, Ubisoft is intent on catering to attracting even more gamers with fresh content.
The publishing giant has plenty of experience in this manner, having delivered several DLC add-ons for the past three releases. And with AC III, Ubisoft wants to push this further.
“We want to increase the lifecycle of this current game through DLC,†Sardin explained. “We’ve already announced that we’re doing a Season Pass for the first time, and we gave details of our first DLC with George Washington.â€
And that’s just the plans tied in directly to the console game. Ubisoft has invested heavily in the creation of new assassin Connor and the fiction of his era, and is keen to make the most of this on other formats.
AC III launched alongside a Vita tie-in, Liberation, and Ubisoft is still collaborating with mobile market leader GREE on Assassin’s Creed: Utopia, a tablet and smartphone game that tells the backstory of the assassins from Connor’s time.
Then there’s the possibility of annual follow-ups, which Ubisoft used to expand the world of Ezio and Assassin’s Creed II.
While Sardin wouldn’t comment on new console adventures for Connor, he did say that the release of Brotherhood and Revelations show the level of resources Ubisoft has dedicated to evolving the AC brand.
“What we understand and what we know by heart now is launching yearly triple-A products is the result of huge expertise,†he said. “Very few companies in the industry are able to deliver this level of execution and on such a regular basis. It’s the combination of expertise from a lot of studios in the company.
“We have six studios around the world involved in Assassin’s Creed, taking the best expertise everywhere.
“For example, to do the naval battle in Assassin’s Creed III, we involved the Singapore studio because they are experts on this type of gaming experience. We also involved the Annecy studio from the south of France for the multiplayer mode, as well as a lot of other studios.
“To create this kind of experience, we have to involve all the expertise from around the world. This is key. You couldn’t do this with one team from one studio.â€
THE NEW WORLD
Ubisoft has already started harnessing the next generation of gaming, with a Wii U version of Assassin’s Creed III due by the end of the year. With whispers of the next Xbox and PlayStation growing louder, you can be sure Ubi won’t miss the chance to see where new technology can take the series.
Said Sardin: “We will explore the opportunities of future formats we could develop on – tablet, console, PC, – to develop our best brand, Assassin’s Creed.â€
As proud as Ubisoft is of Assassin’s Creed III’s success at retail, the publisher’s ambitions lie beyond the next game release. Instead, it wants more. A lot more.
Already the publisher has produced million-selling novels, graphic novels, short films made for broadcast online, collectible figurines and other merchandise – that risky game IP from 2007 has gone far beyond what even Ubisoft could have hoped for.
“It’s not all about games, it’s about brand,†said Sardin. “We announced two weeks ago that we’re going to produce a movie with Michael Fassbender as the star and co-producer. And these plans are becoming more concrete as we work with New Regency.
“And it’s not just the movie. We are constantly expanding the brand with figurines, comics and so on – basically, in every cultural format you could have interest to go deeper into detail on our brand.
“We want to do everything. We even want to get into clothes. We’ve got a lot of ideas, but we still need to focus on quality. That’s why we will go little by little into each new field. The comics, the novels and so forth are very important for us, because they create more detail for the player, and give them a better way to understand the games. We want to create a global experience.â€
Like Connor trying to carve his way through the New World, Ubisoft is investing in its future.
This year’s success won’t just fund the next Assassin’s Creed game, but the ongoing expansion of a franchise that has captured imaginations in a way few gaming properties have.
And for Sardin it comes back to those all-important fans: “It’s all about entertainment, and it’s what consumers want. It’s something that’s very important to Ubisoft – we want to involve the consumers in everything we create.â€
There is one last feather in Assassin’s Creed’s multi-million selling cap: the nature of the franchise itself. The series lends itself to as wide a range of possibilities as other best-sellers such as FIFA?or Call of Duty do. As Ubisoft has already proved, Creed can use new heroes, new eras, new settings to constantly keep things fresh for its growing fanbase.
“It’s a huge challenge for us – to reinvent ourselves within the same brand,†said Sardin. “But for Assassin’s Creed, there is no limit because there’s no set timeline. We can go to the past, the future, wherever we want. That’s why we want to improve and develop this brand everywhere.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/analy...-creed/0106781
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November 22nd, 2012, 00:23 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's VP of the Interactive Entertainment Business, Phil Harrison, has acknowledged that the company's internal development studios are no longer competing with just traditional console manufacturers, but web and tech companies including Google and Apple.
Speaking at the London Games Conference this evening, Harrison said that his game development teams are now multiformat studios, working not only across Xbox but Windows 8, Surface and mobile devices.
"Our competitive landscape includes the likes of Google, the likes of Amazon, it includes obviously the likes of Apple"
"We are now really a multiplatform studio," he told the audience. "We are not just building games for Xbox 360, we're building experiences for smart glass, we're building dedicated games for Windows Phone 8 and for Windows 8."
Around 30 titles released for the Windows 8 launch period were developed in-house at Microsoft Studios, according to Harrison. Thinking multiformat at Microsoft is part of a wider remit at the corporation, he said, pulling other developments such as cloud computing into the entertainment business.
"We think this expands our competitive map," he said. "We're no longer just competing with the traditional console companies, but our competitive landscape includes the likes of Google, the likes of Amazon, it includes obviously the likes of Apple."
"We think that's great. We think it's good for us, we think it's good for the industry and we think it also moves us into this network generation more aggressively and with more determination. And this is in turn powered by the cloud, and this is another corporate investment that Microsoft is making the future of how technology and devices interact. We think of Microsoft as now being a devices and services company.
"There isn't an organisation that embodies that strategy more precisely and concisely as Microsoft Studios inside the interactive entertainment business."
He also went on to shed some light on the recently announced tablet and mobile phone studio in London, headed up by former Rare developer Lee Schuneman.
"We are trying to build a new kind of studio," he said. "We describe it as being a 21st Century studio.
"It will not make retail products. It will be making products largely based on the Windows 8 platform and technologies. And it's more about exploring new business models and pioneering new ways to play on devices that we think are going to be powering the future of our industry over the next five or ten years. We're hiring from the console industry, the web 2.0 industry and from the online gaming industry."
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...sole-companies
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November 22nd, 2012, 00:27 Posted By: wraggster
 Microsoft may be preparing a lite version of its next-generation console specifically made for set-top box purposes. The Vergesays the device -- dubbed "Xbox TV" -- will be part of Microsoft's next-gen console strategy, offering a low-cost alternative to the still unannounced, "Durango" with "access to core entertainment services;" it's also said to be an "always on" device. The report also posits that both Microsoft's next system and this alternate device will be revealed and released ahead of holiday 2013.
It's unclear exactly what the rumored set-top box's "core entertainment services" might be, but it's not hard to imagine it comprising the recently revamped Xbox Video / Music services, as well as the myriad other multimedia services available through the current-gen Xbox 360. The company is also allegedly exploring Xbox TV as a service, licensed out to various television manufacturers and integrated on a software level -- none of this sounds especially far-fetched considering Microsoft's new strategy of marketing the Xbox brand as its entertainment wing, as well as pitching its latest version of Windows as a scalable, multi-device OS.
For Redmond's part, the company's only issuing the following boilerplate statement: "Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend the console lifecycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention." We expect to hear many more rumblings on the next-gen front after the coming holiday season.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/21/rumor-xbox-tv/
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November 22nd, 2012, 00:41 Posted By: wraggster
If you just bought a Windows Phone 8 device like the Nokia Lumia 920 or the HTC 8x and were hoping to load it with Xbox content for the holidays -- after all, they're both from Microsoft, right? -- it seems that you may be in for some disappointment. As of right now, purchases or rentals from thenewly-branded Xbox Video will not sync to Windows Phone 8. Microsoft has even officially acknowledged the issue in its support page, stating: "Windows Phone 8 does not currently support playback of rented or purchased content from the Xbox Video Store." The article goes on to say that you can go to the Windows Phone Feature Suggestions page to recommend it for future releases. Gee, thanks, Microsoft; that's so helpful. Now we'll actually have to talk to our families. The horror.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/20/w...th-xbox-video/
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November 22nd, 2012, 00:55 Posted By: wraggster
Activision release the 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 HD Revert Pack' for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD on December 4.
That's the global release date for Steam, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, putting an end to a string of delays. It'll cost $4.99.The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 HD Revert Pack contains three levels from the original THPS 3 (Airport, Los Angeles, and Canada). It also adds the 'Revert' move which allows for huge combo potential.
Skateboarding icons Steve Caballero and Geoff Rowley make their return, while James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo from Metallica are added as playable characters.
The Metallica track 'All Nightmare Long' is also added.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ate-confirmed/
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November 22nd, 2012, 01:10 Posted By: wraggster
Treyarch has released a title update for the Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
While there are no patch notes, the update will address a number of issues outlined earlier this week including a Theater Mode UI error, a Dragonfire glitch which stops the Scorestreak from deploying, and an Escort Drone glitch which sees the Scorestreak attacking the owner while under the map (see video below).While some players will be able to download the update now, others may have to wait a short while. Game design director David Vonderhaar said on Twitter: "Deployments like these are usually staggered over the course of a few hours. So hang tight. You'll get it eventually."
Treyarch is also researching a Care Package glitch following reports from some players that the Scorestreak bounces out of the map after falling to the ground.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...date-released/
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November 22nd, 2012, 01:24 Posted By: wraggster

In case you've not noticed it dozing on retail shelves, Sleeping Dogs is now grabbing 40 winks on Xbox Live's Games on Demand, and (Square Enix hopes) $44.99 from your wallet.
Back when Xav dissected it in August, the action-adventure's seedy underbelly didn't exactly strike him as brimming with originality. He doled out three and a half stars in his review, saying that while it's a good game, "Sleeping Dogsmostly leaves you remembering the media that inspired it and probably won't remain in your thoughts over time."
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/sl...mes-on-demand/
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November 22nd, 2012, 01:26 Posted By: wraggster

The Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has received an update, and while the full patch notes won't be available until tomorrow, we do know some details thanks to Treyarch design director David Vonderhaar's Twitter account.
Specifically, we know that an issue preventing Dragonfire drones from deploying correctly has been corrected, in addition to an error that caused Escort Drones to attack their owners and Theater Mode UI Error #226117, whatever that is. The bouncing care package glitch, which supposedly causes care packages to bounce wildly away from their drop location, is still being investigated and will not be corrected with this patch.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/bl...-get-stitches/
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November 22nd, 2012, 01:32 Posted By: wraggster
For those brave enough, and cheap enough, to venture into Walmart after 8pm on November 22, some Black Friday deals await, including a 4GB Xbox 360 with a Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure starter pack for $149, a Wii for $89, and a 250GB PS3 with the Uncharted Dual Pack and the Infamous Collection for $199.
The retailer is also discounting some games, including Epic Mickey 2, Modern Warfare 3, FIFA Soccer 13, NBA 2K13, Borderlands 2, Medal of Honor Warfighter, and Just Dance 4, to $25 each. $15 games include Dance Central 3, Max Payne 3, Black Ops, and Spec Ops: The Line. Dead Island, Gran Turismo 5, and more are $10.
Finally, in the offer that is most likely to confuse and irritate people, Walmart is advertising "Wii U-Draw" for $10. That's actually the uDraw Game Tablet for Wii, and not the Wii U, which also includes a tablet. Some kind of fight is going to break out over this confusion, we're afraid.
http://localad.walmart.com/Walmart/E...Walmart-121123
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November 22nd, 2012, 01:40 Posted By: wraggster

Halloween may be over, but the most terrifying season of all has truly just begun – holiday shopping season. The horror. Black Friday deals are already popping up for a few retailers, but most notably for Best Buy.
Best Buy's doors open at midnight on Black Friday. Doorbuster sales start right then and there, and there is no end time listed on the site as to when those may end. Available as a doorbuster for $30 each is Disney Epic Mickey 2, Darksiders 2, Medal of Honor Warfighter, Battlefield 3 Premium Edition, The Amazing Spider-Man and Need for Speed Most Wanted.
Outside of the doorbusters, Best Buy has a Vita (wi-fi system) and Black Ops Declassifiedbundle for $200, Xbox 360 250GB bundle with Forza Motorsport 4 and Skyrim for $200, and the Flame Red Nintendo 3DS with Super Mario Land 3D for $150. For $35 grab Assassin's Creed 3, Borderlands 2, Diablo 3, Madden NFL 13, Forza Horizon and FIFA 13; a smattering of Kinect games are $25 each, including Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth and Just Dance 4. For $15 is Grand Theft Auto 4: The Complete Edition, Halo Reach and Mortal Kombat Vita, among others; for $8 is Dead Island Game of the Year, Assassin's Creed: Revelations for Xbox 360 and The Sims 3.
https://blackfriday.bestbuy.com/vide...#!/video+games
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November 23rd, 2012, 00:04 Posted By: wraggster
This week's MCV is now available to view online – and it features a detailed analysis of Call of Duty's launch sales performance.
We also go behind the scenes at the game's midnight launch at HMV. And there's a full interview with the president of 2K Games, Christoph Hartmann.
We've listed the contents in full below.
Download our iPad app now, which includes access to the last two years of MCV back issues.
You can also read the magazine in your browser. Click here to subscribe or click here to access this week's individual issue.
Individual issues usually cost £1.99. You can subscribe for three months (iPad only - £19.99), six months (£34.99) or 1 year (£64.99).
The issue's key content includes:
• Was Call of Duty a failure or disaster? We analyse the figures
• INTERVIEW: 2K Games boss Christoph Hartmann
• The biggest news stories: The Hobbit boost for Lego, Excalibur enters US, HMV wants more concessions
• Ubisoft discusses its bold plans for Wii U
• We go behind the scenes at HMV for the midnight launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops II
• Want to win an MCV Awards? The full criteria detailed
• We run through all the Wii U third-party launch games and accessories
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/was-b...-s-mcv/0106864
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November 23rd, 2012, 00:05 Posted By: wraggster
We’ve all woken up bleary eyed in the morning after a longer then expected game sessions the night before. But this takes it to a whole new level.
Australian retail worker Okan Kaya has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest video game marathon ever by playing Activision’s Black Ops II for a staggering 135 hours and 50 minutes, beating the previous record of 120 hours and seven minutes.
He didn’t play it without break, though, Guinness rules allow for ten minutes respite every hour, and that can be accrued meaning Kaya was in fact able to grab a brief nap or two by skipping his regular breaks.
By the end of the marathon Kaya was ranked 37th in the world at the game.
Be warned, though – prolonged gaming sessions can be bad for your health and are not for the feint-hearted.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/man-p...record/0106857
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November 23rd, 2012, 00:08 Posted By: wraggster
Rumours of a low-spec TV set-top box style Xbox have returned.
The Verge reckons that “multiple sources familiar with Redmond's plans†have revealed that Microsoft is indeed intent on launching two versions of the Xbox 720.
One is the fully-fledged meat and two veg console powerhouse that you’d expect while the other is a cheaper unit that is designed as a living-room access point for the wider casual market into the Xbox world.
It will be based on Windows 8 and won’t run large-scale triple-A titles but will instead focus on downloadable content. From a broader perspective the new box is yet another example of Microsoft attempting to make its new software environments easily scalable and easily embedded into a broad range of devices.
More speculative rumouring adds that “the company could opt to combine its core system for the next Xbox with a phone stack to deliver a phone capable of running a full version of Microsoft's Xbox Live servicesâ€.
Both machines will apparently be revealed in 2013 and arrive before Christmas next year.
Talk of a twin-SKU Xbox 720 strategy has been around for over a year, with November 2011 bringing word of a disc-less digital-only console. This was backed up in March of this year when MCV revealed that Microsoft is hatching a disc-less strategy of sorts for Xbox 720.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/talk-...merges/0106852
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November 23rd, 2012, 00:30 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft Studios is now multiformat, according to Phil Harrison, the vice president of Interactive Entertainment at the company.Microsoft believes it no longer competes with just console companies such as Sony and Nintendo, Harrison said during a keynote speech at the London Games Conference last night, attended by Eurogamer sister site Gamesindustry International. Instead, Google and Apple are the target. Microsoft's Phil Harrison.
"We are now really a multiplatform studio," he said. "We are not just building games for Xbox 360, we're building experiences for Smartglass, we're building dedicated games for Windows Phone 8 and for Windows 8."Harrison's comments come hot on the heels of the launch of new operating system Windows 8, which came out with around 30 titles developed in-house at Microsoft Studios, Harrison revealed.He said: “We think this expands our competitive map. We're no longer just competing with the traditional console companies, but our competitive landscape includes the likes of Google, the likes of Amazon, it includes obviously the likes of Apple."We think that's great. We think it's good for us, we think it's good for the industry and we think it also moves us into this network generation more aggressively and with more determination. And this is in turn powered by the cloud, and this is another corporate investment that Microsoft is making the future of how technology and devices interact. We think of Microsoft as now being a devices and services company."There isn't an organisation that embodies that strategy more precisely and concisely as Microsoft Studios inside the interactive entertainment business."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-says-harrison
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November 23rd, 2012, 00:47 Posted By: wraggster

Time to be thankful for the Microsoft Store, which is now offering Forza Horizonfor a measly $14.99. Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios' racer released just under a month ago, so 75 percent off its regular price is brimming with Black Friday goodness.
Jordan got revved up for Forza Horizon in his review, speeding all the way to four out of five stars. He said that, while there are a lot of "little, annoying things" about it, Forza Horizon is "a massive toy chest full of hyper-accurate hot wheels."
Update: As commenter JoshHandrich notes, Microsoft Store has a few other handsome Black Friday offers, the lot neatly collected here. Standouts includeDance Central 3 ($14.99), Borderlands 2 ($24.99), NFS: Most Wanted ($24.99), and Dishonored ($24.99).
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/...00/search.true
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November 23rd, 2012, 23:45 Posted By: wraggster
The Verge has reported that Microsoft is building an inexpensive Windows 8-based set-top box.
According to multiple sources ’familiar with Redmond’s plans’ the ‘Xbox TV’ will offer the entertainment functions of the 360 console, focusing on media and TV streaming services, which would make it a direct competitor to the Apple TV as well as devices such as the Roku.
Allegedly set for release in 2013, the set-top box will not have the ability to play AAA titles such as Dishonored or Assassin’s Creed, but it will be able to run casual indie games. This seems to be an attempt to prove the Xbox brand can offer more than just games and can provide a product ideal for the livingroom and the whole family.
The rumours suggest that the box will be an ‘always-on’ device, featuring an option for a quick-boot up.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...in-2013/029677
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November 25th, 2012, 22:36 Posted By: wraggster
Time flies. It's been a full 12 months since the Metro Dashboard arrived on Xbox 360. There was an update this October, but it didn't fix the same problems many CVG readers, Redditors and Xbox.com forumites have had with Microsoft's next-generation user interface. One year since its release, and the Metro experiment is regarded by many as a failure.
Xbox 360 originally launched with the famous 'blades' Dashboard with individual pages for System, Media, Games, Xbox Live and, later, the Marketplace. It was neat on the surface but did a pretty lousy job of presenting the information players needed, and buried DLC and Live Arcade stuff beneath layer after layer of obfuscating menus.
Microsoft's New Xbox Experience Dashboard fixed all those problems in 2008 with an interface styled after Windows Media Center, but fixed yet another 'problem' by freeing up space for advertising and promotion. When people fondly recall the old blades it's usually because it was so free of advertising.They forget that downloadable content was ordered alongside everything else in one giant alphabetised list and that the 360 had no support for Kinect, streaming TV or any of the 360's modern media functions. NXE fixed that, then fixed it again with Kinect support which never quite worked, but all of it was merely a stop-gap for Metro, which everybody hoped would provide the ultimate home media centre for Xbox owners.
Officially, it's not 'Metro' any more. Microsoft has been advising developers against using the Metro name since July with rumours of a trademark dispute with German wholesalers Metro AG. It's now 'Microsoft Design Language', and is used on Windows Phone, Windows 8, Surface and 360.
[h=3]METRO-FLEXIBLE[/h]MDL works well on Windows-powered phones and on Microsoft's new Surface tablet where the bold panels display information simply and can be activated with a touch. Windows 8 users have their own problems with the interface, mostly tied to the accessibility of the classic Windows desktop and how it's designed more for fingers than a mouse, but those problems pale in comparison to 360's.
On Windows Phone, Surface or Windows 8 you can build your own homepage with the apps you most commonly use. On 360, the Dashboard is laid out by Microsoft. It's not your UI; it's theirs - how else could it turn Xbox into an ad delivery machine? The latest version of MDL adds a search panel to every page but misuses a colossal amount of screen space.The three left-hand squares are the only practical panels on each page. Less than 15% of the screen is available for things you use regularly; the rest is reserved for advertising. It's a fundamental component of Microsoft's modern business strategy. Even Windows 8's default apps are ad-supported. Delta Airlines appear in the News app and Pantene intrudes on the Weather app, but on PC you can dump Microsoft's apps for third-party equivalents.
The same isn't true on 360's closed system where you're stuck with what Microsoft gives you. In a Facebook poll, 70% of Xbox World magazine readers said they 'hate' the modern 360 Dashboard. "It's good on touch screens, mediocre at best for Kinect, and useless for mouse or controller," says XBW reader Steve Abramo. Ryan Clayton agrees: "It looks cool but it's a pain to navigate with a pad.
"Games are buried under menus too, but the thing I hate most is the advertising for Nike trainers over the thing people use their console for most: games." So how can it be fixed? "Get rid of the ads," says Chris Wells. "On every other online service, Premium = no ads. Reduce the number of pages and leave it at Home - Profile - Apps - Settings. Has anyone ever used the Bing bar?"
Phillip McLean agrees: "I'd remove all the freaking ads for paid users, first off, then I'd make everything on the one home hub: games, music, movies, apps etc." MDL isn't bad in its concept, the problem is Microsoft's handling of the user interface and their insistence on making Xbox an advertising platform.
"Anyone who owns a Windows Phone knows how customisable the tiles are," says Jamie Jones. "Just give us a 'my page' option where you can place game shortcuts, apps, even a direct link to a friend's Gamertag."
"The interface itself is nice," says Mark Marling from the XBW Facebook group. "The problem on Xbox lies in how it's been implemented. There are too many layers and ads cluttering the dash, but dismissing Metro as a UI is throwing the baby out with the bath water."
[h=3]SQUARE-PUSHER[/h]The perfect 360 Dashboard? A simple homepage with nine bold panels, easily 'touchable' with Kinect or controller - we've mocked up our own version, stripping the 360's UI down to bare essentials and making everything accessible on one page. Games, video, music, friends, apps and system settings are instantly available, and online friends are visible from the minute you boot up.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...tro-dashboard/
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November 25th, 2012, 22:43 Posted By: wraggster
Capcom will port 3DS game Resident Evil: Revelations to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, a ratings board listing suggests.PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game have appeared on the Korean Ratings Board (viaNeoGAF).Revelations originally launched for 3DS in January of this year to positive reviews. It marked a return to Resident Evil 4's slower-paced survival horror, with less of Resident 5 (and 6's) shooty shooty bang bang bits.The next fully-fledged Resident Evil game is likely some years away (and not for this console generation). A quick port of Revelations seems a logical step.Presumably the game will be released as a downloadable title, as previous re-releases from the series have been sold.Capcom refused to comment when contacted by Eurogamer.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ox-360-release
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November 26th, 2012, 14:02 Posted By: wraggster
Reecelol today released the first version of its application pc, allowing the screenshot from your Xbox JTAG / RGH.
Installation:
The archive contains the plugin XBM Nate (without Microsoft SDK) and a readme. Placing the plug-in on your JTAG hdd. Configure dashlaunch, indicating the path to the plug-in that launches the at the start of the XBOX.
Save the new configuration dashlaunch. X360Screen Capture v1 Now run on your PC and you can capture everything happening on your JTAG / RGH. Dash, FSD, Configuration, Video and even screen your games.
or other .... X360 Screen Capture V1
http://x360.gx-mod.com/modules/news/...p?storyid=4088
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November 26th, 2012, 14:06 Posted By: wraggster
The FSD team today release its new version of freestyle dashboard that includes its new gaming system network LiNK.
The day you have been waiting has finally arrived, the team is proud of FSD releaser F3 with more new LiNK Web plug-in for open beta testing. Keep in mind that this is a beta, it is not 100%, but not far from being finished.
We still have some features to implement, but we thought she was not ready for the public. Bugs should be reported on RealModScene. 's new / fixed: - Increase stability Scan - Increased stability in the game list - Added integration LiNK - Remove Xlink Kai - Added integration plug Web-in If you use the automatic update. The installer will prompt you to press any key to restart F3 instead of completely turn off your console. WebUI - This new version includes LiNK but WebUI that allows you to obtain information about the game play and information systems during game play to access the new interface, enter the IP of your Xbox in your browser on port 9999 (eg 192.168.1.8:9999). From there, you can take screenshots and save them on your computer by clicking. Kash Thanks for the information. Freestyle Dashboard Official website: realmodscene.com
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November 27th, 2012, 00:18 Posted By: wraggster

If you're the type to meticulously pore over leaderboard data, you may want to boot up Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Some users are reporting their leaderboard data has been erased – total play time, points, rank and even zombies performance seem to have been affected.
The forum thread in question only shows a few users complaining of having their stats erased, but we've still followed up with Activision for clarification on whether this is a widespread issue or isolated to a few specific players. We'll update you all as soon as our intel package arrives.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/us...rd-data-reset/
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November 28th, 2012, 00:21 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft is in talks to open retail stores across Europe and is reported to be looking to launch next year.
According to the Financial Times, the vendor has already spoken to landlords in the UK and a decision will be made after the performance of the company’s US stores is assessed.
The move follows a wider trend in the IT industry. Unfortunately for retail partners, the success of Apple’s closed-garden model means that it is increasingly being held up as an example of how to succeed in the IT market.
This trend has already been partially embraced by Google’s Android ecosystem but Microsoft seems keen to more fully emulate the model. This can be seen in Windows 8’s integrated app store, which has versions for both mobile and PC applications, and the introduction of Microsoft retail stores.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-europe/029696
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November 28th, 2012, 00:56 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has revealed Xbox 360 US sales data for the week of Black Friday, announcing the results of the sales period have exceeded the firm’s internal forecasts.
360 moved over 750,000 consoles in the US last week, bolstered greatly by discounts at a variety of retail and online outlets during the later portion of the period.
Microsoft notes that the retail reporting calendar for the period only includes data from Sunday, November 18th through Friday, November 23rd. Though they’ve yet to be accounted for, it’s likely the consoles moved during the weekend and Cyber Monday would add a considerable amount to the 750,000 recorded sales.
The company added that Xbox Live saw over 14m users online this past Sunday, who together hit 72m hours of use during just the single day.
Halo 4 exceeded expectations with "impressive" sales during the week as well.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...y-week/0107074
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November 28th, 2012, 01:31 Posted By: wraggster
Rockstar has released a new automatic title update for Max Payne 3.
Available now on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, it offers the following multiplayer fixes and improvements: - The Kill screen now shows what weapon and burst the enemy used to kill you
- Fixed an issue where players would occasionally get stuck in cover
- Fixed an issue where players would occasionally appear invisible
- Fixed an issue where game modes could appear to be over 100% full
- Fixed an issue where occasionally a Loadout slot could overwrite another Loadout slot at the start of a round of Gang Wars
- Fixed an issue where a party would have trouble loading into a new game after a party member had left
Last night Rockstar confirmed that Max Payne 3 DLC 'Painful Memories' will launch on December 4. The multiplayer add-on pack will introduce four new maps influenced by sections of past Max Payne titles, plus new weapons, items and more.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...iplayer-fixes/
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November 28th, 2012, 01:33 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has published the Xbox Live Marketplace release schedule for the next few weeks.
As well as today's Mass Effect 3 Omega DLC, there's a sale on GTA IV and its two expansion packs over the next week, and the Skyrim Dragonborn DLC launches on December 4.A list of upcoming Xbox Live Arcade titles, game add-ons and sale items follows:
Xbox Live Arcade
- Virtua Fighter 2, 28-Nov, 400 MS Points
- Sonic the Fighters, 28-Nov, 400 MS Points
- Fighting Vipers, 28-Nov, 400 MS Points
- Red Bull Crashed Ice, 30-Nov, 400 MS Points
- Guardians of Middle Earth, 5-Dec, 1200 MS Points
Add-ons- Mass Effect 3: Omega, 27-Nov, 1200 MS Points
- Skyrim: Dragonborn, 4-Dec, 1600 MS Points
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD Revert Pack , 5-Dec, 400 MS Points
- Magic 2013: Deck Pack 2, 5-Dec, 240 MS Points
Deal of the Week- GTA IV GonD, 27-Nov - 3-Dec, Varies by region
- GTA IV Lost and Damned, 27-Nov - 3-Dec, 400 MS Points
- GTA IV Ballad of Gay Tony, 27-Nov - 3-Dec, 800 MS Points
- Deadliest Warrior, 4-Dec to 10-Dec, 400 MS Points
- Deadliest Warrior: DLC Expansion Pack 1, 4-Dec to 10-Dec, 200 MS Points
- Deadliest Warrior: Legends, 4-Dec to 10-Dec, 400 MS Points
- Deadliest Warrior: Legends - Joan of Arc DLC, 120 MS Points
Special Sales- Kinect Central: Burnout Crash, 27-Nov - 3-Dec, 400 MS Points
- Kinect Central: Dragon's Lair, 4-Dec to 10-Dec, 400 MS Points
- Ubisoft Publisher Sale, 4-Dec to 10-Dec,Varies
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...sale-and-more/
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November 28th, 2012, 01:35 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft has unleashed a mandatory system update for Xbox 360. It includes a number of small bug fixes.Nothing new has been added in terms of major features, Microsoft's Major Nelson blog announced. You still can't control the dashboard via your eyeballs and Kinect has not yet turned sentient.The update corrects problems with playlists when using Xbox SmartGlass, subtitles when using Xbox Video and an unspecified update for Xbox Music.You'll be asked to update your console the next time you sign into Xbox Live. We've just downloaded the patch and it took us around five minutes.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...date-goes-live
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November 28th, 2012, 14:32 Posted By: wraggster
Hey,
First of all let me apologize for the sites downtime this last week. We get ddos'd a lot and our old server just wasn't good enough so had to make a few changes. It was good timing anyway as there have also been lot's of changes within the Xecuter operation. We'll soon be saying farewell to one of our pioneering founder members, but will be saying hello to a new and improved Team Xecuter. It's in safe hands, more will be announced very soon.
A couple of updates to let you know where we are with our current slate of products:
1. We have fine tuned the DGX add-on so that it can now be used with any RGH device, not just the CR3 Pro. We are also working on phat (we have recovered cpu_key from jasper and falcon 16197). Yes it also works on the new corona v3/v4 without soldering to the CPU pin.
2. CR3 pro is all done and finished. The timing is fantastic – however the delays are in 1 of the parts has a current long lead time (6 weeks). We hope to have it out before Christmas – we'll do our best. Pro modders will LOVE IT !
3. Same as #2 with the new LTU PCB. The fw from c4 works perfect we're just waiting on a couple of parts to arrive in stock. Won't be long now.
4. The next version of JF is very cool – includes a few exciting updates 
5. The new Sonus 360 Custom Sound Editor is almost ready. You will be able to program custom soundpacks to work with not only power on and eject, but also with power off and glitch !
6. remember to use serial.xecuter.com to check that your Xecuter product is genuine and not some cheap knock off. Currently only CR3 Lite stock is supported – but we will be adding new batches of our other products in the next week.
7. 2.0.16202.0 comes out today. We are 99.9% 100% confident that DGX will work with it – will let you know. Tested – works just fine
Santa is coming very soon…….
http://team-xecuter.com/2711-quick-update/
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November 28th, 2012, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster
Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops II has debuted in second place in the weekly Japanese software chart.
Combined sales across PS3 and Xbox 360 reached 220k units, with the PS3 SKU claiming No.2 with sales of 197,350. The Xbox 360 release charted at No.6 with 22,177 unit sales.
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed III currently sits in eighth with total lifetime sales of 88,883. Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Leaf remains No.1 with total sales now having passed 1m units.
Nintendo’s 3DS continues to boss the hardware charts with the 3DS LL (the XL as it is known over here) shifting 101,667 units and the 3DS selling 60,410 units.
PSP continues to outsell Vita, with sales of each coming in at 16,167 and 9,712 respectively.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/black...charts/0107154
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November 28th, 2012, 23:47 Posted By: wraggster
And that’s why the industry gets excited, sits up and pays attention when the words ‘Grand Theft Auto’ are uttered.
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick told the Credit Suisse 2012 Technology Conference – as reported by GameSpot – that the series has now shipped 125m units worldwide.
Of that total Grand Theft Auto IV accounts for 25m units.
The last time the company released GTA sales figures in September 2011 they stood at 114m.
Zelnick also explained why he doesn’t believe Grand Theft Auto can follow the lead of IP such as Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed by releasing a new instalment every year.
"It's our view that if you want intellectual properties to be permanent, then you run the risk in that circumstance of having consumers fall out of love with that franchise,†he argued. “[Activision] obviously views the world differently."
Pointing out that Black Ops II looks likely to fall short of the sales numbers posted by its predecessor, he added: "That's never been the case with one of ours. Ours do better each time. Our view is it's hard to make permanent intellectual properties if you annualize it, with the exception of sports titles. So far that's proven to be the case.
“IP that is annualized eventually seems to hit the wall and we don't want our IP to hit the wall."
He went on to liken GTA to James Bond, whose unpredictable release schedule he believes plays a part in keeping the series “specialâ€.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/gta-s...o-grow/0107140
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November 29th, 2012, 15:13 Posted By: wraggster
[source: c4evaspeaks.com] Microsoft has begun rolling out a new SystemUpdate that brings the Xbox 360 dashboard/kernel version to 2.0.16202.0. Backups continue to work fine on LT+ v3.0, LTU v1.0, and xk3y offline and on LIVE. Xbox LIVE's Major Nelson (Larry Hryb) posted this about the update: "In this update, we are correcting some issues such as displaying the incorrect playlist name when launching a playlist from Xbox SmartGlass to the console, an error with Xbox Video closed-captioning and an error with Xbox Music that some were experiencing."
http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?na...ticle&sid=3114
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November 30th, 2012, 00:59 Posted By: wraggster
Gem is running another trio of deals this week for independent retailers.
This week indies can get 25 per cent off selected accessories, including Quick Charge Kit, Wireless Controller (in black), Wired Headset (also in black), Chatpad, HD Component Cable, 320GB Hard Drive and a HDMI Cable.
Meanwhile, Gem is also offering special pricing on Xbox Live Gold Memberships and has cut the price of the Kinect Sensor with Kinect Adventures. But hurry, you'll have to order the latter before November 30th.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...ailers/0107239
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November 30th, 2012, 01:06 Posted By: wraggster
The developer behind a Kickstarter game designed for Kinect has blamed the gamers’ ‘hatred’ of motion controls for the project’s imminent failure.
Kung Fu Superstar was pitched as a narrative led fighting game which as well as accurately utilising Kinect’s technology could also help players learn authentic kung fu techniques.
At the time of writing the project stands at £36,320 – well short of its £200,000 target – with just five days remaining.
“We all know what the majority of hardcore gamers think about motion control,†creator Kostas Zarifis told Eurogamer. “We're not talking indifference, we're talking hatred. And for good reason.
“Since the advent of motion control they've been constantly treated with disappointments (Rise of Nightmares, Star Wars, Steel Battalion... the list goes on). Unfortunately this is the climate we've been trying to pitch Kung-Fu Superstar in. And it doesn't matter that's exactly the landscape we are trying to change. People just don't care about that landscape any more.
“We were also too slow to go into detail about how Kung-fu Superstar is not exclusively motion controlled. Far from it. Anyone who has seen our demos and sees how we blend controller and motion control gameplay tells us, 'I can't believe how innovative this is. Why has no-one done this yet?'
“Unfortunately the people who do get that far into our pitch are very few. Most people's attention falls way before that point.â€
As well as being glum about motion control, Zarifis is also despondent about the overall impact – or lack of – that the UK arrival of Kickstarter has caused.
“Kickstarter UK hasn't been the extravaganza we were thinking it might be,†he added. “We were biding our time until the platform launched here firstly for practical reasons but also because we hoped the launch would be this big thing that would lift some of the 'Kickstarter fatigue' we have been experiencing.
“What actually happened was we had a whole load of Americans telling us they were trying to pledge but couldn't, people getting confused by conversion rates, people just couldn't be bothered re-entering their credit card details (something we hadn't realised you have to do on Kickstarter UK) and so on.
“If I could turn back time I'd definitely launch in the US despite the hassle that is.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/hatre...s-woes/0107225
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November 30th, 2012, 01:08 Posted By: wraggster
Dragon Age III: Inquisition will skip next year and current-gen consoles entirely, if the CV of EA Shanghai’s Tao Gu is to be believed.
According to the level designer’s Linkedin profile (via Kotaku), the next fully-fledged Dragon Age title has been pushed to 2014 and onto next generation consoles due to a change in scope.
"Scope of the DAIII has been changed [sic], which will target next gen platform and will be postpone to 2014," Gu’s CV states.
Inquisition was originally announced for late 2013 back in September, but no official platforms were mentioned at that point.
EA has thus far declined to comment.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/devel...-title/0107155
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November 30th, 2012, 23:04 Posted By: wraggster
Next-gen Xbox likely to launch in time for Christmas, claim sources close to the matter
Microsoft will have its Xbox successor on the market before Thanksgiving and Christmas 2013.
That's according to a new report on Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter who have conveniently started to blab just as the Wii U rolls out around the world. (It launched last night in the UK after a strong start in the US.)
The format-holder, while still enjoying strong sales of its current 360 flagship console, is reportedly planning to tap into the all important pre-holiday sales season.
However it is not yet clear if the device will be showcased at E3 or separately to the event.
If you've been paying attention, this is all to be expected - signs at the start of this year made it clear Microsoft was outlining its plans to third-party partners, with expectations that it would be shown at E3 2012 to get the jump on Sony and spoil the Wii U's reintroduction.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...riving-in-2013
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November 30th, 2012, 23:25 Posted By: wraggster
The follow-up to Dead Island will not make it to Germany, revealed the game’s creative producer.
Techland’s Sebastian Reichert revealed Dead Island: Riptide will skip the major European games market during an interview withPCGamesN.
"We have no censored version of the game so we cannot release it in Germany.†Said Reichert.
“It feels ****ing awkward to have one of the most successful games in years and nobody in your country knows it."
He goes on to state that German media laws prohibiting violence against human-like characters as one of the key reasons behind the decision.
Dead Island is set to land on shelves on April 26th.
The original was released last year and debuted at No.1 in the UK All Formats Chart – a first for publisher Deep Silver.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/dead-...ermany/0107345
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November 30th, 2012, 23:29 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft will have its Xbox successor on the market before Thanksgiving and Christmas 2013.
That's according to a new report on Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter who have conveniently started to blab just as the Wii U rolls out around the world. (It launched last night in the UK after a strong start in the US.)
The format-holder, while still enjoying strong sales of its current 360 flagship console, is reportedly planning to tap into the all important pre-holiday sales season.
However it is not yet clear if the device will be showcased at E3 or separately to the event.
If you've been paying attention, this is all to be expected - signs at the start of this year made it clear Microsoft was outlining its plans to third-party partners, with expectations that it would be shown at E3 2012 to get the jump on Sony and spoil the Wii U's reintroduction.
But in lieu of the arrival of other Microsoft products like the Surface, Windows Phone and Windows 8 - plus Xbox Music and other Xbox-branded serves - it's clear the firm has opted to officially unveil the hardware closer to launch.
However the Bloomberg report - the site broke the news that the Xbox '720' wasn't going to happen this year - does add some credence to what has been a year of speculation and no comment from Microsoft direct.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-x...omberg/0107339
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