Our PSP News site has finally had a makeover using the new Network design and much better it looks for it, Check it out here --> http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/
The DS sells over twice as much as all the other hardware sales combined, nothing new there.
The PS3 drops its sales by near 10,000 but that is most likely because of lack of supply rather than demand.
Good news for the PSP and the PS2 near double their sales after a few weeks of declining sales.
With Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 released (selling 45k units) driving the Xbox 360 sales up to 7k, the question is how much will Blue Dragon will drive xbox 360 sales? It goes on sale on the 7 Dec.
See Master Chief as you have never seen him before in our exclusive showing of the new Halo 3 ad. Sixty seconds of tantalising new Halo 3 goodness awaits. Don't miss out on the high definition all-singing, all-dancing version on Xbox Live Marketplace at the same time.
Building up to the launch of Halo 3 next year, you'll see new footage from the Halo 3 universe and learn more about the man behind the MJOLNIR armour. Soon the Covenant will learn what it means for humankind to make its last stand.
In Spring 2007, you'll also have the chance to join the Halo 3 multiplayer beta. Halo 3 is coming, are you ready?
We have just received stocks of a new Xbox 360 chip called the All 360 which offer the big advantage to have only one model compatible with both LG and Samsung drives
More Info
- Plug&Play : You don't need to extract the drive-key from the original firmware of drive on your console, only install the chip and the "unsigned" firmware on-board will boot .
- Firmware-drive UPGRADE: you can use an upgraded firmware for better performance of your dvd-drive to reading dvd-r DL support( ex: you should use on LG/Hitachi the firmware vers. 059 instead your original 047D or 46D).
- Electronic Switch ON/OFF : enable or disable the chip when turn-on your console by power button, you can check the state of chip by a led-indicator .
- Easy to reprogram Flash eprom: the on-board flash eprom is mounted on a socket connector for an easy and clean remove in order to quickly reprogram it.
- COMPATIBLE with ALL DVD-drive on the market (LG and SAMSUNG).
If you want to know what Sega's excellent World Snooker Championship has in line for its 2007 edition then look no further, as this new trailer has all the answers.
World Snooker Championship 2007 takes cue sports into the next generation with PS3 and Xbox 360 versions due early next year that allow for shinier balls, smarter physics and spookily real-looking players. There's even online play!
You can choose to play as, or beat, one of over 100 of the world's best players in the numerous officially licensed tournaments. But if snooker isn't your thing there a comprehensive pool game in there as well.
If you don't believe us about the spooky-looking players, watch out for Graeme Dott in the trailer. Terrifying
Gaming Nexus has up an article marking (kinda) the one-year anniversary of the 360's launch. Author Charles Husemann touches on the important moments in the console's first year on the market, discusses what Microsoft has done right, and talks about where the console is probably going in the future. From the article:
"Obviously digital content such as TV and movies are going to be a big deal (assuming Microsoft can get those servers running smoothly and release bigger hard drives). I know I can stream it from my PC but I'd love to have Major Nelsons' podcast automatically downloaded to my 360 every week. I'd also like to see Microsoft resist the temptation to cram a browser into the system as I know they are going to get pressure to do so with the Wii and the PS3 having that built in. Instead I'd love to have a simple, easy to use RSS reader that can stream headlines along the bottom of the screen when I'm in the dashboard. "
Capcom's promotional efforts for its frigid Xbox 360 sci-fi shooter Lost Planet are heating up. The company has already announced one preorder incentive program and released two demos of the game over the Xbox Live Marketplace, but now it is introducing a second promotion to drive preorders and a deal that will put its commercial in front of millions of people.
Lost Planet preorder bonus.Specialty retailer GameStop is currently offering an exclusive bonus for those who preorder Lost Planet in the form of a figure of one of the game's Vital Suits. Customers can get the figure by preordering either the regular or collector's edition versions of the game, and while supplies last they will also receive a scratch-off card with a code for a version of the game's multiplayer demo that comes with an extra map.
In addition, Capcom has landed some prime ad space for the game. From December 4 through December 31, a 60-second trailer for Lost Planet will be broadcast on NBC's giant-screen TV in Times Square. Capcom expects the trailer to be seen more than 40 million times in that span, which includes Times Square's annual New Year's Eve celebration.
Lost Planet is rated T for Teen. It will be available at North American retailers beginning January 12, with a regular edition selling for $59.99, and the collector's edition going for $69.99.
Now, some psychoanalysis on Microsoft executives would be quite entertaining ("Tell me about these lucid dreams, Peter."), especially when compared to the recent observations made by Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets. In his earth-shattering report, Mr. Sebastian describes the folks behind the Xbox brand as "upbeat" given the commercial success of Gears of War, the company's considerable launch lead against competitors and consistent growth in Europe. Japan, not so much.
The Xbox 360's 2007 lineup (featuring Space Ring 3) and catalogue of HD shows and movies are also expected to have a positive effect on this year's holiday sales. Sebastian believes that fleeting Wii and PS3 stock will prove to be Microsoft's greatest advantage, with desperate parents picking up a 360 and convincing their rotten brats that it was the only console they could find. It's a likely scenario, but if recent sales in Japan have proven anything, it's that the PS2 and DS Lite are far more likely (and cheaper) replacements -- if indeed a replacement is sought at all. How about a nice fruitcake instead?
Add vision to your Xbox360
Experience and see what you have been missing
Maximize Xbox Live Gold with video Chat
Send photo messages to all the people in your friend list
Bring motion based games to life using your own body movement.
More Description of Xbox360 Xbox Live Vision
The Xbox Live Vision video camera integrates with your Xbox Live and Xbox 360, for a more social & interactive gaming experience. It allows you to customize a more personal game feel, by letting you import a unique gamer picture. Players will also control some games with full body gestures, for fuller, real-time gaming immersion. When you aren't gaming, you can send photo messages or chat by video with friends and family over Xbox Live. The dashboard themes offer fantastic visuals that you can enjoy while using the Xbox 360's music player system.
Analyst Colin Sebastian from Lazard Capital Markets has sent out details of an 'upbeat' analyst meeting with Microsoft's Xbox executive team, during which he notes that the Xbox 360 is benefiting from PS3 and Wii shortages this holiday season.
Sebastian particularly commented: "Management appeared to be upbeat regarding the current state of the business, particularly with progress made in establishing the Xbox 360 as the early leader among next generation consoles, and also with penetration and usage of Xbox Live services."
The analyst continues: "We also believe the Xbox 360 may be benefiting at retail this holiday from short supplies of PS3 and Wii consoles. Recently, Microsoft executives reaffirmed the company's goal of reaching 10 million Xbox 360 units installed worldwide by the end 2006."
He also notes that the company may be making better in-roads in Europe, after only a moderate start, though the Japanese problem still remains: "North America remains the strongest Xbox 360 market, however Microsoft appears to be making some strides in other geographies, most notably in the U.K. and northern Europe, while we believe sales are still weaker in Japan."
When you look at the handhelds PSP, GBA and Nintendo DS you see 3 consoles that have region free gaming and they are a major success because gamers who want to play games from other regions can do so.
Then you look at the Consoles Xbox 360, Wii and PS3. Strange that Nintendo went with region encoding when they have had the massive success with the GBA and DS, Microsoft have some region free but why not all, then we go to PS3 and Sony have got this right, region free games for their console..
Isnt it time that all consoles were region free in todays small world ?
An anonymous reader sent a link suggesting we might enjoy High Def Digest's next-gen console media comparison. They take a look at the PlayStation 3's Blu-ray playback capabilities, and compare it to the performance of the Xbox 360's HD DVD add-on. The article offers a number of technical details for the movie, audio, and gaming buff. As you might expect, given the companies involved, both products basically perform their functions very well. From the article:
"That doesn't mean both aren't without their drawbacks. The Xbox 360 add-on suffers from a lack of HDMI and analog outputs, though it still delivers excellent results despite those limitations. The PS3, meanwhile, also lacks analog outs, but it does have HDMI 1.3 support and can decode Dolby TrueHD. The lack of 1080 upconversion of 720p sources on the PS3 is a huge issue, though, so unless you have a 1080p-capable HDTV, you may suffer buyer's remorse."
Put a face to your gaming experience* and make the most out of your Xbox Live® Gold subscription with video chat and messaging. Both Xbox Live Vision packages also include the Xbox Live Arcade hits UNO and TotemBall, available for download from Xbox Live Marketplace.
You've got a voice. Now use it. Experience enhanced voice chat with the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset. Designed specifically to work seamlessly on your Xbox 360™, this hands-free, wire-free headset employs the same technology as the award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Pair up both accessories for superior performance, freedom, and comfort. Use up to four Wireless Controllers and Wireless Headsets simultaneously on one Xbox 360 for the most intense multiplayer gaming sessions ever.
The Talismoon Xray Window kit for Xbox 360. The Xray is a top quality molded acrylic one piece window. Features include an attractive bevel on the edge, which is complemented with a 'frosted" pattern that helps to make a good transition between the OEM case and the new internal view that awaits you. 16 integrated hooks clip firmly and quickly to the OEM microsoft case.
Universal instructions are printed on an adhesive template used when you cut your OEM case. And Talismoon includes a microfiber polishing cloth so that your Xray window kit will be so clear that your friends will swear it is not even there.
- Adjustable Microphone for optimum sound quality.
- Volume Control and Mute Switch allows for unprecedented communication flexibility.
- Noise-Cancelling Microphone for improved game response to voice commands.
- Crisp and clear voice communication between players.
- Lightweight, over-the-head design enabling comfortable during sustained play.
- Headset plugs directly into Xbox360Controller.
Got an expensive original Microsoft Communicator XBOX headset or even a decent normal headset? Do you want to use these on the XBOX360? Well you can't - until now!
As an added bonus, a 2 way splitter enables two headsets to be connected to just one LIVE account!
My pal CraigIx the webmaster of GP2X UK the UK and Europe main distrubuter of the GP2X Homebrew Handheld has put up a staggering Auction of Games Consoles and accessories etc:
Heres the full listing
Games (Mostly Boxed Gameking, but
also NES, GP32 + Neogeo pocket) = 404
PSU = Over 300, many brand new multivoltage UK
NES Controllers = Over 120
Ariel Cables = Over 100
GBA Memory Sticks = 64
Nintendo RF Switches = 59
Nintendo PSU's = 53
GBA/DS USB Charger = 51
Genesis Controllers = over 40, some brand new 6 button
SNES Consoles = 36
PSP Cases = 36
NES Consoles = 35
SNES Controllers = Over 30, some brand new
Sega Power Supplies = over 30 + brand new ones
Atari Joysticks = 23
76in1 Consoles = 23
Vcom Consoles = 21
PSP Car Chargers = 20
NES Zappers = 20
Atari PSU = 19
Sega RF Switches = 19
Genesis 2 Consoles = 15
GBA Chargers = 15
PS1 Controllers = 14
Playstation AV Cables = 14
PS1 Memory Cards = 13
N64 Rumble Paks = 13
GBA TV Tuners = 13
Gameking Consoles = 12
Atari 2600 Console (Woodern) = 12
Playstation RF Adaptors = 12
PSP USB Chargers = 10
N64 Controller Pak = 10
GP32 Consoles = Around 10, unknown type, most boxed
RF Switches = 11
32x Console = 11
Dreamcast Memory Cards = 11
Dreamcast PSU's = 9
NES PSU's = 9
Atari 2600 Console (Plastic) = 9
Atari Single Hand Dial Joystick = 8
Genesis Consoles = 7
Sega Joysticks = 6
NES Advantage Controllers = 6
NES Joysticks = 6
Sega Lightphaser = 5
GBA Carry Cases = 5
GBA Battery Packs = 5
DS Carry Cases = 5
N64 Memory Cards = 5
JVC RF Switches = 5
GBA Consoles = 4
GBA Link Cable = 3
Gamegear Consoles = 3
Wireless Gamecube Controllers = 3
128 SMC. = 3
Treamcast Consoles (with cases, cables, LCD screen etc.) = 3
Sega Saturn Consoles = 3
Atari Dual Joystick = 3
NES Floormat Controller = 2
NES Console Box = 2
Gameboy Consoles = 2
GBA Battery Chargers = 2
GBA Charger PSU's = 2
Gamecube Consoles = 2
Genesis Console Box = 2
Genesis 3 Consoles = 2
Mega CD 2 Consoles = 2
Sega Saturn Controllers = 2
Dreamcast Consoles = 2
Dreamcast Controllers = 2
Dreamcast Keyboards = 2
Atari 2600 Console (Special Wood) = 2
7.5 inch LCD TV = 1
Atari 2600 Box = 1
Atari 5200 Console = 1
Atari 7900 Console = 1
Atari RF Switch = 1
PSX Receiver For Controller = 1
PS2 Controller = 1
PS2 Multitap = 1
Playstation PSU = 1
PSX RF Switch = 1
A whole load of GBA flash kits, cables, carts, xchangers etc. etc.
Also:
Genesis 2 Console Box, Genesis 3 Console Box, Master System Console, Master System Controller, Sega Receiver, Boxed Dreamcast, Dreamcast Internet Cable, Sega Control Deck, Boxed Sega Arcade Joypad,NES Laserscope Headset, Nintendo Receiver, Gamecube to GBA Adaptor, Gamecube RF Adaptor, GBA Camera, Gameboy Screen Magnifier, Gameboy Booster, N64 Transfer Pak, N64 Receiver, N64 Console, Boxed SNES 2 Console, SNES 2 Console, NES 4 Player Adaptor, NES Satellite Receiver, NES Zoomer, Gamecube RF Adaptor, JVC Controller, Lightgun, Racing Wheel, Joypad, Av Cables, Menacer Receiver, Wireless RF Links, Ariel Adaptor (loads of these), Tape Storage Box, Tape Storage Deck, GameSystem Bag, Plastic Lid, Gamegear Carry Case, Handyboy, Handy Gear, Microphone, Mattel Intellivision, Intellivision TV Game Console, Video Game Computer Centre (Boxed), Astrocade Arcade Box.
Thats one bloody massive auction, buyers would really want to be in the UK as your gonna need a Van to shift that lot. Full details at the Ebay Auction - 7 Days Left as of writing
1.) Nintendo DS Lite - 34,938
2.) XBOX 360 - 25,832
3.) PlayStation 2 - 20,322
4.) Nintendo DS - 19,703
5.) PlayStation Portable - 19,033
6.) Game Boy Advance SP - 3,932
7.) XBOX - 1,841
8.) Game Boy micro - 1,382
9.) GameCube - 91
10.) PlayStation - 16
11.) Game Boy Advance - 7
12.) Nokia N-Gage QD - 5
Sales info leaked from chart-track from a few weeks ago, show a snapshot of the current hardware sales trends in the UK. Like the rest of the world the DS dominates but the original DS is still selling well, were as in the US and Japan, most people opt for the Lite version. The good news for Sony is that the PS seems to be holding its own relative to other hardware sales, and don't seem to have the problems PSP has been having in japan, sales wise.
It also seems that the Gamecube is all but dead, after major chains like GAME have been clearing there stock the last few months, making way for the Wii.
Good news for MS as the Xbox 360, beats the PS2 into second place, remember it will be at least another 3 months till the PS3 arrives here. Xbox 360 sales were most likely boosted by Gears of War which had just launched that week.
I've actually always wanted to build some helpful devices for people with disabilities, I know that sounds completely different than the stuff I usually do (you know, like Xbox laptops and ghost documentaries) but I see it as an interesting challenge. Here was my chance!
I managed to get both rumble controllers on this thing because I didn't want to accidentally build a Sixaxis. The right analog shoulder button has been moved down and flipped for use with the pinky finger. The X Y B A triggers, along with right bumper, have been rewired with tact switches to the middle for actuation by the middle and ring fingers. The left analog trigger and left bumper have not been moved. It will take some getting used to but everything is within reach. Pulling the right trigger with the pinky isn't that hard, though who knows after a marathon of Oblivion rat-killing what could happen.
One of the biggest challenges, at least in the brainstorming "how I am going to do this?" phase was how to do the right analog stick. Then I realized I could just put it on the bottom of the controller and reverse its wiring. You don't actually tilt the controller on the axis of the stick because that would be awkward. (Believe me, I tried) Instead you actually just move the whole thing in the direction you want for the right stick, and the analog stick then rotates against your leg. This is why you have to reverse the wiring, because the use of the stick itself has been reversed.
The CGI TV ad is airing in the US today, but already developer Bungie has more to say about its massive 360 three-quel Halo 3, revealing that combat dialogue recording has just begun at its Kirkland HQ.
"We're recording combat dialog today," the update reads, revealing that the first Halo 3 dialogue recorded was by veteran covenant voice man Joe Staten, who voices the Grunts: "[Joe's] dialog today will of course be used in the final game and next week, we'll have a couple of other actors in to reprise roles. One of them is a huge fan favourite," the Bungie news man teases.
"Joe in fact just came back from a session, he's on a break, but his voice is already wrecked. I asked him to give me a sample line from the dialog but his favourite line was a grunt giving away something really big and secret about Campaign gameplay."
"His second favourite," the post continues, revealing that the Grunt's trademark humour will return, "was a Grunt yelling, 'Oh no! The Demon. No wait, he not have enough rivets on glove.'"
The update also spills the first word on one new weapon heading for the third Halo instalment, in addition to the already-divulged Spartan Laser and Brute Spiker: "Steve Scott, one of our amazing artists, showed me a new weapon today. No exaggeration to say that it is the single coolest graphical effect I have ever seen," the post reads, not under-promising in the slightest.
"He's busy trying to make the effect look cool from every angle - it looks amazing in third person, or even when it's in your face, but needs tuning in a first person view to look cooler, even though technically it looks the way it should. Sometimes artists have to exaggerate things to make them more obvious."
Could it be the illusive flamethrower chopped for both Halo and Halo 2? Hopefully we won't have long to find out...
Further proof that EA's NBA Street Homecourt will be one of the most realistic console games around comes in the form of these amazing new shots from the Xbox 360 title.
Of course, while the player models and animation might be photo-realistic the action will consist of the most over-the-top action imaginable.
The Homecourt in the title is a reference to where every NBA legend started on their road to stardom - performing mad skillz in their local playground, beating all comers and establishing a reputation. This is where the games action will take place as the greatest ballers in the world go up against each other in three-on-three games.
This is a big week for Microsoft in Japan as Thursday sees the release of Blue Dragon, its Japanese-developed RPG that's specifically aimed at tempting Japanese gamers to Xbox 360. Take a look at the images on the right and the game's intro on the movies tab above.
The original Xbox didn't perform that well in the Japanese market and many experts put this down to the lack of traditional RPGs available for the console, the type that is particularly popular over there. To make sure this isn't the case for 360, Microsoft hired Final Fantasy originator Hironobu Sakaguchi to oversee the development of Blue Dragon which uses the design of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama.
The game follows the story of a boy named Shu, who has a shadow that can transform into a blue dragon. Not only that but he has mates who possess the power to summon other shadow creatures, so they team up and embark on a quest to save their world.
These new shots show the other creatures that can be summoned, each of them blue and suitably threatening.
The new footage is quite low-key but is actually the playable intro for the game. While it lacks a little in terms of action it gives you an idea of the quality of graphics, the type of music used and the way the levels can be explored.
Via Kotaku comes a list of what Japans Gamers want the most, interesting to see an Xbox360 title so high up the charts:
1. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)
2. Blue Dragon (Xbox 360)
3. Biohazard 5 (PS3)
4. Metal Gear Solid (PS3)
5. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
6. Summon Night 4 (PS2)
7. Ryu ga Gotoku 2 (PS2)
8. Seiken Densetsu 4 (PS2)
9. Bruise of Destiny (PS 2)
10. Lost Odyssey (Xbox 360)
11. Super Robot Wars OG (PS2)
12. Fushigi No Dungeon: Furai No Shiren DS (NDS)
13. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
14. Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA)
15. Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
16. Gyakuten Saiban 4 (NDS)
17. Dragon Quest Monsters Joker (NDS)
18. Higurashi No Naku Kei nor Matsuri (PS)
19. Gran Turismo HD (PS3)
20. Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)
21. Sangoku Shitaisen DS (DS)
22. The Legend of Zelda DS (DS)
23. Dragon Shadow Spell (PS2)
24. Shining Wind (PS2)
25. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II (PS2)
26. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP)
27. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (GC)
28. Final Fantasy XIII: Versus (PS3)
29. Fate/stay night [Realta Nua] (PS2)
30. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)
Back at the Tokyo Game Show, I attended a Microsoft Community Event. There was a faceplate contest, no booze and Japanese schoolgirls. Not only were they the only schoolgirls there, they were the only girls.
I asked them why they were they, and they replied, "The faceplate contest." They had all made their own faceplates and entered them. I asked one of them, the one in the middle, how she got into the Xbox 360. Here's what she said:
I lived in New Zealand for a study abroad. And one of the going away presents I got was an Xbox 360 game... I didn't have an Xbox. So, I bought one when I got back to Japan.
She didn't remember the game, but it didn't work on her 360, she told me. The girl seemed sincere, and I could buy how she got into the system. And her friends, likewise, probably got into it due to overflowing enthusiasm. And that was the end of that story. Or so I thought.
Earlier today, tipster Daniel sent along this NSFW link which had four school girls taking sticker pictures with their 360 controllers, singing karaoke songs about the Xbox 360 with their controllers and talking about how great the "Ekubo" (Xbox 360) is on the streets of Shibuya. They've even got a blog in which they do things all normal Japanese schoolgirls — like talking about Tokyo Disney Sea, hairspray and how great UNO is using the Vision Camera. There are a handful of young women blogging at that site. I did a quick search, looking for the bought-to-you-by-your-friends-at-Microsoft, but turned up nothing. The NSFW site Daniel sent seems to think this is marketing, though.
Know: There are Japanese gamers who are fanatically insane about the 360. There are Japanese women who play the Xbox 360 (my wife, for example). But, this is the first time I've ever heard of h4rdc0r3 gamerz school girls who tote around their controllers and write songs about game consoles the love while blogging their exploits online. And I've been covering schoolgirl stuff for Wired Magazine for three years! It's possible, sure. As I mentioned above, the one I spoke did seem sincere.
Click here to go to the Microsoft site and check out the new (Dec 4th) cgi video for Halo 3. I'll be staying up till 2:15am GMT which is when it goes live.
Whilst it will offer no actual gameplay footage, it should contain some awesome music, and hopefully some sweet Master Chief action.
It was made by Hollywood FX house, Digital Domain, who were supplied with models and assets directly from Halo 3's creators, Bungie.
Stay tuned for an update as soon as it goes live! Until then, here is a selection of smileys for your viewing pleasure:
Well I just watched the new trailer. A 1 minute 2 second beauty of CGI!
The first bit is fairly slow, but sets the mood nicely before blowing us away with roughly 30 seconds of action, with an almost real-life looking Chief.
I'll skip the lame talking kids bit and get straight to the action...
Suffering from shellshock, we look through the Chief's eyes as he reaches for his helmet and puts it on. Then we see him receive some news from command, and then in come the wraith attacks on the scarred battlefield! How can Chief survive against such a barrage of deadly blue plasma? Well, he whips out some sort of grenade type device, fires and sticks it in the ground at his feet - and up goes a big hex covered sphere around him. Safe in his bubble, the plasma falls about him and he emerges unscratched to take a mad run and jump into a pile of what look like Brutes.
All in all, fairly good, I wasn't expecting to find any new gameplay details in a movie with no in game footage, but I think we can safely say that this shield is the much pondered use of the 'x' button. We know from a 1up.com report that the 'x' button is something you activate, and also that it's not a central part of a muiltplayer match, since, the 1up players said they didn't need to activate their 'x' button once in a match of Halo 3.
It seems from the new movie that it takes about a second to plant the shield before it will activate, and only lasts for a moment, so use of this feature may be an answer to the 'cover' style gameplay of Gears of War, adding some tactical play to the multiplayer. My guess would be that the time it takes to deploy the shield leaves you vulnerable, but if you can get it up, it will defend against possibly any attacks for the moment it remains active.
I'm still left wondering what happens if an enemy is intersected by your shield (chopped in half?!), or can you move after planting the shield? Can you be melee attacked whilst it is active? Probably not, you probably stop to plant it, and have to wait until it fades before moving on. So, as the trailer suggests, it must be a primary way for Chief to defend against Wraith and grenade attacks. How will it change Halo's multiplayer feel? Hard to say - I'm kind of getting used to being able to take cover behind burnt out cars and buildings, and I think I'd miss Gears of War's hidey-peeky-shooty antics in any future first person shooters.
By the time Halo 3 comes out, one would hope GOW's pretty bad matchmaking (or lack thereof) system will have been long fixed, and if so, GOW will be perhaps competing with Halo 2 for most played Live title. So when Halo 3 does arrive, it's not going to be the only decent shooter in the village!
RoboBlitz™ is a humorous, physics-based action game full of inventive gizmos, weapons, characters, and environments. Players take on the role of Blitz, a multi-talented robot who must activate an aging Space Cannon to save his world from a band of maladjusted space pirates.
- Powered by Unreal® Engine™ 3
- Gameplay entirely driven by physics
- Advanced robot simulation and control
theory
- 19 levels of puzzle-solving and high
intensity action, set in 7 unique
environments
it costs a bit higher than usual: 1200 Microsoft points (GBP £10.20 / EUR 13.96 / US $14.99 /Cad $19.19 / AUD $19.80 ) the asking price.
Register now for future Halo 3 updates and for an opportunity to participate in the Halo 3 multiplayer public beta program, scheduled to kick off in spring 2007. Participating in this beta is an unprecedented opportunity for gamers to be among the first to experience the most anticipated game of 2007.
The Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, which is a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of Halo 3, is scheduled for availability in spring 2007 exclusively on Xbox 360. This beta also represents an opportunity for gamers to give information that will help in the development of Halo 3. Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further refine and hone the end result of the game.
Please note that in order to register* for the beta, you must be 17 years or older and a resident of the 50 United States (includes District of Columbia) or Canada. If selected to participate, you must have access to the following:
- An Xbox 360 Pro console (includes hard-drive) or an Xbox 360 Core console with hard drive
- A valid Xbox Live Gold subscription
- A valid Microsoft. NET Passport account with a Xbox Live gamertag linked
European Gamers
Europe will soon have the chance to secure their place on the Halo 3 multiplayer beta, scheduled to start next spring. Keep an eye on your local Xbox community site for more details.
Mistwalker's Xbox 360 RPG Blue Dragon recently scored an impressive 37/40 in Japanese gaming mag Famitsu, so a) presumably the game's a corker and b) the title could well be the one that helps Microsoft finally crack the Japanese market. It hits over the pond this month, so let's wait and see what happens. Meanwhile, new screenshots have been released.
Blue Dragon boasts involvement of original Final Fantasy developer Hironobu Sakaguchi and characters designed by acclaimed Dragon Ball Z artist Akira Origami, and tells the tale of a young lad called Shu and his pals. They're using their magical powers to battle the evil Nene and work their way through numerous ancient ruins to help save the planet.
Microsoft has informed CVG that Blue Dragon is down on the Western release schedule, but there's no launch date as yet. However, we'd expect it to hit around spring/summer next year.
Bookmaker Paddy Power has predicted that EA's Need for Speed will top the all-formats software chart for the third year running this Christmas.
NFS: Carbon is the favourite with odds of 8/13, followed by fellow EA title FIFA 07 at 4 to 1. NFS: Most Wanted took the number one spot last year, while NFS: Underground 2 achieved the same feat in 2004.
Hit Xbox 360 shooter Gears of War has been given odds of 10 to 1, along with Rainbow Six: Vegas and Vivendi's new movie tie-in, Eragon.
Also in the running are Tony Hawk's Project 8, Superman Returns, Call of Duty 3 and the latest instalment in the WWE Smackdown vs. Raw series, plus family-oriented titles Bratz: Forever Diamonds and Happy Feet at 80 to 1. The full list of odds is available at PaddyPower.com.
"Need for Speed is the game to beat every year and this year it's no different," said Paddy Power's Sharon McHugh.
"There are some great games out there - FIFA 07 is proving to be very popular with enhanced features that have made it go straight to No.1 in the charts. Gears of War has also been hailed as one of the best games this year, but the fact it's only available on the Xbox 360 means it won't be able to compete with Need for Speed."
ELSPA MD Mike Rawlinson said Christmas 2006 is likely to be "another great year" for videogames, adding, "There are lots of strong competitors as always and it is impossible to tell if the favourite will make it or be pipped to the post last minute. There is a great selection of games that will appeal to various age groups and styles of gameplay to battle it out."
Until pretty recently, PC gaming was very much an exercise in harnessing the power of hardware and an operating system designed for general productivity and applying it to a hobby far less business oriented. Though Microsoft first gave gaming a nod when it began hyping the release of Windows 95 and a collection of APIs dubbed DirectX, PC gaming has never approached the simple and cohesive experience possible on a dedicated gaming console. A couple of OSs and a decade after Microsoft's first attempt to call one of its operating systems a "gaming platform," the dynamic may finally be about to change.
Windows Vista will be Microsoft's warmest embrace of gaming yet. As we discussed in Part 2 of our Windows Vista Journal, Vista's Games Explorer consolidates installed games and offers features like parental control. That's actually only the surface of a broader "Games for Windows" push that Microsoft is only just beginning to ramp up, which will shortly include a lot of marketing, unified design for game boxes and more prominent retail placement in stores.
features
Next-generation gaming technology: Advanced Warfighter is built from the ground up for the Xbox 360™, maximizing increased power to deliver phenomenal graphics and a host of innovative features.
The soldier of the future: Gain access to the future of military technology. Using a fully integrated combat system with cutting-edge weapons and communication systems, gamers will embody the soldier of the future
Revolutionary feature: Use the revolutionary Cross-Com, a communication device powered by satellite technology. Attached to the soldier's monocle, the Cross-Com provides full situational awareness and command of the battlefield.
Stunning urban environment: One capital, multiple locations. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter takes place entirely in Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities. A stunning, meticulously detailed universe provides complete immersion in the urban war of the future.
Top-notch multiplayer experience: Just like the previous Ghost Recon titles, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter delivers industry-leading multiplayer and cooperative gameplay for Xbox Live®.
Premium Edition: Free new Multiplayer Maps, Co-Op Missions, Weapons and much more
description
The face of war has changed in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™. Enemy lines blur and there is no longer a clear opponent. New enemies and new threats require a new type of warfare and a new type of soldier. Enter the Ghosts.
In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement the Integrated Warfighter System evolving what we know as the modern soldier. IWS combines advanced weapon systems, satellite communication devices, and enhanced survivability into one fully integrated combat system. The IWS program has been developed to meet these new threats head on. Now, it can be tested on the battlefield.
In this next installment in Ubisoft's award-winning squad-based military shooter series, become the soldier of the future. Equipped with cutting edge weapons and communications systems, you will find yourself immersed in a detailed universe that sets the stage for the urban war of the near future.
The year head-start in the next-gen console race for the Xbox 360 has always seen as a major boon for Microsoft. Late to the party during the last console cycle, Microsoft leapfrogged its competitors this time around by releasing the Xbox 360 in November 2005. Nintendo and Sony released the Wii and PlayStation 3, respectively, in November 2006.
But while Nintendo and Sony trumpet sales in the hundreds of thousands--Nintendo says it sold through 600,000 Wiis and Sony has yet to give official numbers--Microsoft is looking towards sales of 10 million Xbox 360s by the end of this year's all-important holiday season.
The figure is nothing new. Five months before the Xbox 360 launched, Peter Moore boasted that Microsoft would sell 10 million Xbox 360s in the console's first year on market.
More than 17 months later, Microsoft appears to be sticking to that lofty number. Speaking at the NASDAQ analyst conference in London, Microsoft CFO Christopher Lidell talked about his company's future. While touting the upcoming launch of the Vista operating system, he said, "We also believe we can sell 10 million Xbox 360 units by the end of the Christmas season," according to the Wall Street Journal.
In the company's first quarter financial report for the period ending September 30, 2006, Microsoft revealed that it had sold 6 million Xbox 360s worldwide. In order to reach 10 million sold, Microsoft would have to sell more than 1 million Xbox 360s per month between October and December.
Selling 10 million units before the competition is more than just bragging rights for Microsoft. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer earlier this year said the number could very well determine the winner of the next-gen console war.
Speaking about Sony's delay of the PS3 to this holiday season, Ballmer told Fortune, "In every other generation, the first guy to 10 million consoles was the number one seller in the generation. Did we just get an even better opportunity to be the first guy to 10 million? Yeah, of course we did."
Sandvine identified a surge in Xbox Live and iTunes traffic on North American broadband networks following the release of new Xbox games and iTunes 7.
Sandvine observed an 80% increase in the number of Xbox Live users across a sampling of North American-based broadband service providers’ networks during the first week following the release of six new Xbox games. On November 7, 2006, Microsoft released six new games for Xbox, including the highly anticipated release of Gears of War, which sold 1-million copies in the first two weeks.
This spike in Xbox Live traffic following the launch of a highly anticipated game is reminiscent of Halo II’s release in 2004 (read "Halo II signals start of broadband gaming boom"), marking the first boom in online gaming and resulting in the sustainable popularity of Xbox Live.
"The effect Gears of War and other games are having on networks indicates to service providers that online gaming is not just a craze. Their networks must be equipped to protect this increasingly valuable traffic from the effects of a best-effort network," says Dave Caputo, president and CEO of Sandvine. "Other multimedia applications like video downloads onto iPods are increasingly becoming popular, so service providers need to identify these trends early in order to proactively ensure there is adequate capacity to support the extra bandwidth usage."
Blue Dragon is being developed by Artoon , headed by Final Fantasy series originator Hironobu Sakaguchi. The game features art from Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball.
Having already done a multiplayer demo for both Xbox 360 and PC and a single-player demo for the latter, Ubisoft has completed the set by uploading a single-player demo for Splinter Cell: Double Agent to Xbox Live Marketplace.
Advertisement
It's available everywhere except Asia, for some reason, but, yes, it's exclusive to Xbox Live Gold members (for around seven days, we're told). Oh, and it's 505MB in size.
If you've resisted the urge to go back to good old Gears curb-stomping and are still gardening away in Viva Piñata, then you'll be pleased to know that a slew of Piñata download content has just hit Xbox Live Marketplace - and you can buy earrings!
90 Microsoft points is the asking price for the latest pack, which gives you a pair of mermaid earrings (!), romance earrings and a Santa hat to buy from the pet store in your paper-mache village.
And if that simply isn't enough to quench your frothing demand for more multi-coloured animal downloads, there's also a pair of "sweet and sour" gamerpic packs up today for 80 points each.
Oh sod it - we're off to build a new house for our paper badgers.
The battle over modchips rages on in Australia, heres the news from aussie it
GAMES console makers such as Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft may need to re-engineer anti-piracy technology in consoles made for the Australian market to stop consumers using illegal game titles, according to law firm Minter Ellison.
Amendments to Australia's copyright laws expected to be passed this week will make it legal for consumers to use modified chips (mod-chips) that circumvent anti-piracy technology built into game consoles if they also overcome measures that restrict the use of DVDs and games titles purchased legally in other regions.
Minter Ellison special counsel Carolyn Dalton said technology measures designed to restrict use of copyright material in geographic regions, including coding built into DVD players and games consoles, won't be given special protection under the law.
Games manufacturers will need to have technology in their consoles to deal with region coding and copyright protection that operate independently.
"I think people are just going to have to sit down and think about manufacturing standards," Ms Dalton said.
Sony lost a High Court battle to outlaw mod-chips in Australia in October 2005.
The hearing ended a three-year battle against backyard mod-chip supplier Eddy Stevens, which reached the full bench of the Federal Court.
Sony asked the court to interpret parts of Copyright Act dealing with technological prevention measures to include access control measures in its consoles, thereby outlawing the use of mod-chips Mr Stevens was selling.
The federal Government was expected to amend provisions of the Copyright Act dealing with TPMs to make mod-chips illegal as part of its obligations under its Free Trade Agreement with the US.
However, Minter Ellison said, changes to the law incorporated in the Copyright Amendment Bill 2006 and presented to the Senate in October only outlaw chips in cases where they have the sole purpose of overcoming anti-piracy technology.
Attorney General Phillip Ruddock rejected recommendations by the Senate's standing committee on legal constitutional affairs that the Bill's wording be amended to outlaw the chips that overcome region coding.
Sony declined the opportunity to comment on the new laws when contacted late yesterday.
The Australian computer games industry's peak representative body, the Interactive Gaming Association of Australia, was unable to comment on the new laws in time for publication.
Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker and developer Artoon present the highly anticipated Xbox 360™ exclusive Blue Dragon. Featuring the character design of Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball Z and music by Nobuo Uematsu of Final Fantasy, Blue Dragon is an epic role-playing game that centers on a young boy named Shu and several of his friends.
These unlikely heroes possess the power to control phantom shadows that mirror the actions of their masters, giving Shu and his comrades miraculous strength and magical powers.
The warriors can create and develop their combat styles by utilizing different types of Shadow Change, including Sword, Assassin, and Power Magic. Shu and his friends must use the shadows as weapons and wield their skills to save their world from impending doom.
Encountering various people on a planet where numerous ancient ruins remain, the characters and their shadows travel through a world full of mysteries and illusions, where the slightest touch can cause reactions of unparalleled magnitude.
Info from Play Asia
The long-awaited Xbox360™ RPG hit Blue Dragon is in stock today, shipping as NTSC/J encoded Japanese release version at US$ 64.90 only. The game is also expected to be available as Asia release version in limited quantities by tomorrow.
Also in stock today is the Xbox 360 Core System Blue Dragon Premium Pack. Limited supply of the First Time Limited Edition Core Pack are also expected for tomorrow but currently pre-booked by preorders.
features
Official Blue Dragon Trading Figure
Includes 1 out of 5 (+1 secret) character from the game (randomly shipped)
Please order a total of 10 units to receive a factory sealed container
Limited availability
A xbox user going by the name REDRUM6622, is sueing Microsoft because of freezing problems following the dash board fall update
what REDRUM6622 posted
Well I really just followed the same lines you guys took (BBB Complaint and also a complaint though a lawyer website)I was just contacted by the lawfirms about it. We put together the case and I signed the papers to be the Plaintiff suing Micosoft on behalf of the class(YOU GUYS), and BAMM they did the rest. They were already aware of these forums aswell as others complaints.
he also posted a bit of the Class Action Suit
Filed on the 29th November:
XXXXX XXX, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,
Plaintiff, v.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION, a Washington Corporation, and certain unidentified Microsoft Corporation affiliates, Defendants. )))))))))))))
Case No.
CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FOR:
1. BREACH OF CONTRACT;
2. VIOLATION OF CONSUMER
PROTECTION ACT (RCW 19.86); AND 3. NEGLIGENCE
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
SUMMARY OF CLAIMS
1. This is a class action against Microsoft and its affiliates for Breach of Contract, violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) (RCW 19.86) and, alternatively, Negligence. Plaintiff brings this action on behalf of himself and all other persons who experienced hardware problems with their Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles following installation of Microsoft’s Fall 2006 Update for the Xbox 360.
THE PARTIES
2. Plaintiff XXXX XXX is an individual resident of California. Plaintiff is the original purchaser and current owner of an Xbox 360 gaming console. Plaintiff brings this action individually and as a class action under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on behalf of the class specified herein.
at this stage we are going by what REDRUM6622 has posted and there has been no confirmation yet
Microsoft has announced the first details of the Halo 3 European Beta. The only way (for now) to sign up for beta tester for Halo 3 multiplayer is via wining a contest on one of the official Xbox Community Network Fansites. Each of the fan sites, listed below, has a number of Beta spaces to give away. Only a few have started their contest, but the rest should follow soon.
Please note you must have;
* An Xbox 360 Pro console (includes hard-drive)
* A valid Xbox Live Gold subscription
* A valid Microsoft. NET Passport account with a Xbox Live gamertag linked
Ubisoft is shortly to patch its tactical shooter Rainbow Six: Vegas (Xbox 360) and has been good enough to release a weighty list of what's being addressed. So, if bugs and crashes have been plaguing your assault on those naughty terrorist blokes and causing you to rip handfuls of hair out in frustration, hopefully we can now say: calm down dear.
According to a post from an Ubisoft staffer on the official community forums, this patch was already in the works a few weeks back and, as a result, they say that "some of the recently discovered issues may not be addressed right away. We do know about these critical issues and are planning to address them as well."
Anyway, here's what's to feature in the patch:
Single Player
-Fixed bugs with voice recognition
-Fixed a bug that made the game crash when killing Dr. Smythe under a specific circumstance.
Multiplayer
-Getting stuck at briefing screen when joining a match in progress
-Fixed a coop crash when failing a mission numerous times
-Fixed an exploit where observers received same kills as host in terrorist hunt
-Fixed a intermittent coop crash in map Factory
-Fixed a disconnection bug when host changes map
-Fixed a bug with live camera that forced a reboot.
-Fixed an issue with max players not being related to recommended players for maps.
-Added better feedback in the game search menus.
-Fixed a bug with the siege specialist achievement.
-Fixed players crashing when using shield and entering a game with shield restricted.
-Fixed a rare crash when starting a coop story game
-Fixed a bug that made the shield become invisible in certain circumstances.
-Fixed a display bug with weapons disappearing while using shield
-Fixed a crash while using the Live Vision Camera
-Fixed a display bug with the canister in retrieval staying visible after being taken.
-Fixed a random crash for clients in COOP games.
-Fixed a display error that showed 14 players instead of 16 for dedicated servers.
-Fixed a bug with score limits not working properly.
-Fixed a bug that sometimes prevented grenades from being used at game start.
-Fixed a crash through the world bug related to starting COOP games while playing Terrorist Hunt.
-Fixed a crash through the world bug in Casino COOP.
-Fixed a bug with invalid recommended players in COOP maps.
-Fixed a lockup in COOP mode related to clients joining a game late.
-Fixed a bug where a dedicated server set for 16 players only accepted 14.
-Added better feedback in the game search menus
-Remove proximity voice chat from team games.
-Adjust TerroHunt XP based on density setting:
- Fixed bug regarding voice chat - Now voice chat works for all players
- Fixed a crash where clients crash when host change map or quit the game before they have time to load lobby
-Fixed a crash when clientnt selects Option/ Map name either in the lobby or In game
-Fixed a bug related to the infiltration specialist achievement
-Fixed a bug where when score limit is 10 a game does not end when canister is deposited
- Fixed a bug in splitscreen:Crash when player 2 Press ready before player 1 in the login profile menu
- Fixed a bug where game occasionally crashes on boot at the Title Screen.
General
-Fixed some localization errors in Spanish
The recent fall update for Xbox 360 seems to have been plagued with problems for more than just a few gamers.
Over on Xbox.com there's a HUGE 66 page thread with people complaining about problems following the recent dashboard update. Many have contacted Microsoft's customer service, only to be told that they have to pay for the repairs themselves.
"I called tech support and they said they were looking into it but haven't found anything conclusive yet. I refuse to pay for repairs when an update caused the problem," says EeryB Runner. And he's not the only one.
A number of US gamers aren't standing for it and have been filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau and their State Department of Consumer Affairs. RedRum6622 claims to have filed a 'class action' suit against Microsoft with a US law firm.
We must have been the lucky ones, because we've yet to experience any issues followign the update. Microsoft has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
Flagship Xbox 360 RPG Blue Dragon has finally hit shops in Japan - the title that Microsoft hopes to finally cover the Far East in a green Xbox hue.
According to Famitsu, over 180 Japanese gamers were queuing outside the official launch spot Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, Tokyo yesterday morning, and at 9am the first copy of Blue Dragon was ceremonially sold to most punctual punter, on stage with a
