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Week of October 22, 2006
Blackbolt Classic Skin 2.0 for XBMC and new 'eX' Skin Details
>> From Team Blackbolt:
[QUOTE]
* Blackbolt Classic Skin 2.0 for XBMC Released
This skin was originally made by Blackbolt for version 1.0 of XBMC and Has been completely redone by me (Jezz_X) to make it compatible with version 2.0 of the XBMC skin engine. Included are the 2 other color themes that were originally shipped as separate skins they are MOONLIGHT (Blue) and FARENHEIT (Red), the default theme CLASSIC is GREEN. After Project Mayhem 1 became the Default Xbox Media Skin, Classic was the first skin created which wasnt just an edit, it was a skin created from scratch, with a whole new OSD, and new homescreen functionality. Blackbolt was originally just an Evolution-X skin artist and this was his first attempt at skinning with XBMC, with help from the legendary 'Chokemaniac' (Project Mayhem Creator), he was able to complete the skin in the summer of 2004.
As we have many more options in XBMC 2.0, if you use the two included themes you will need to change the text color to match the theme this can be done in 'Settings\skin\settings\Change Font Colors to Match skin Theme'. All extra strings that need translation (if you wish to) are found at the top of the includes.xml in the PAL and PAL16x9 Directory of the skin between the two fields below:
<!-- Begin Translate section -->
<!-- End Translate section -->
The rest should translate with XBMC Language files. The Skin supports full HD Resolutions and Widescreen. Unlike MC360, this is a totally finished skin, the version number is 2.0 to reflect the retrofit to XBMC 2.0.0. I Hope you like the remake have fun with it and please report any errors you find in it to the bug section on our xbox-scene forums.
You can talk about the Blackbolt Classic skin release here on our forums at Xbox-Scene.com
* Blackbolt eX XBMC Skin for 2007
As we mentioned in an earlier news post, the next skin developed by Team Blackbolt will be called 'eX' and will be for XBMC Exclusively. The entire theme behind the skin is elgancy, simplicity and no words! There will be as little wording as possible, you will see the filenames of your files, the settings menus will obviously have words in them, but the rest of the skin will feature simple icons that will display the info for that button. If you have thumbnails for your movies or folders, these will overwrite the text description for the filename and you will see the thumbnail only.
An elegant Black Gloss look has been determined and with the help of the Xbox-Scene XBMC Skinning forum users. Some concepts have been developed and a final look has still to be decided, but it will look alot like the preview images below. With the current time plan for MC360's production decided, eX will start coding and artwork early 2007 after a deserved break from Skinning. MC360 has been in production since December 29th 2005 from concept to finalisation. You can expect MC360 1.0 Build later this year. Thank you to all X-S forum users for their Ideas and help with ideas for eX, its looking like its going to be a breath of fresh air.
You can talk about the new Team Blackbolt eX skin here on our forums at Xbox-Scene.com
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://blackbolt.x-scene.com
Download Blackbolt Classic Skin 2.0 for XBMC: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: Classic XBMC Skin 2.0 | eX XBMC Skin
Epic says Gears of War pushes Xbox 360 to the limit
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
"We pushed the 360 to the limits," Gears of War QA manager Preston Thorne told Siliconera at last night's Hollywood launch party. While obviously an inflammatory remark, there could be some truth to the statement. After all, it was Epic that allegedly convinced Microsoft to bump up Xbox 360's RAM to 512 MB -- and Epic still maintains that 256 MB would not be enough to run Gears in its current state.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com and siliconera.com
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(Saturday 28 October 2006 10:00 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Halo 3 info leaked: new weapons, vehicles, features and Collector's Edition
>> From xbox360fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
It wasn't long ago that Bungie sat down with gaming magazines around the world to share the first real information about Halo 3. And it looks like Swedish magazine, Level, has the dubious honor of being scanned first. To be fair, these aren't exactly scans, but we'll take what we can get. The magazine reveals new details about weapons, vehicles and multiplayer.
Weapons
Spiker - a new Brute weapon
Spartan laser - a laser that tears vehicles apart
Nail Grenade - sticks into walls and sends nails everywhere
Vehicles
The Mongoose is in! This is the ATV that was cut from Halo 2. It seats two and has no weapons. Designed from recon and quick travel.
Multiplayer goodies
The "Man Cannon" - Spartans do their best Human Bullet impersonations for some extremely rapid transport. Players can still shoot in the air, and can be shot down.
Controls
The X button has a new, still secret feature. Reloading has now been allocated to the bumper buttons. Right bumper reloads the right weapon, and the left bumper reloads the left. Genius.
Miscellaneous
You can now see your secondary weapon when it's not in use. In other words, it's actually slung over your shoulder instead of magically appearing out of thin air. Also, a 4 DVD "Legendary" edition is planned that will have material from Red Vs. Blue, documentaries, and a collection of all cut scenes from the game (possibly the whole series?).
Please take this info with a grain of salt, as it has all been translated from a Swedish mag that we've never heard of.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: xbox360fanboy.com and videogamesblogger.com (inc. all scans)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xecuter Blaster360 Update
>> From Team Xecuter:
[QUOTE]
It's been a while since we posted news of the Blaster360 as we have been extremely busy with the enormous success of the X360 USB.
The final external design has been completed and the tooling for the moulds are rolling out of the factory this week.
We had to redsign a few of the internals to make sure this device was 100% reliable so a Digital Sata Exchange Switch is now used to give optimum performance. We've attached a picture to give you an idea of what the messy insides look like
Another Recap of what this product is:
The Xecuter Blaster360 is an external switching device when, once fitted, allows you to flash your DVD Firmware without ever having to open up your Xbox 360 case ever again. In the era of constant firmware updates (I think there have been 22 so far?) this is an absolutley essential tool saving both time and effort, making the firmware update process a walk in the park.
Some questions answered...
1. Once fitted the device allows you to switch your DVD to flashing mode and to be flashed externally without ever having to open up your Xbox360 cases again.
2. It has a seperate molex power connector. This is for electrical safety and security. It resolves any short or grounding issues and keeps the Xbox360 PSU and any external flashing procedure seperate.
3. It has a switch to switch between normal 360 read operation and PC flashing operation.
4. There is a Modeb switch for Hitachi drives
5. You can connect direct to SATA or use the X360USB
6. There is no cutting of any of the outer case whatsoever - it is a clean install with no visible damage.
7. We have included a switch to disable the LED glow or to disable the LED alltogether (for those that don't like LED's)
8. We have optimized the design so it fits flush to the case and so you can also remove the hard drive with ease.
For more informatoin on the external design click HERE
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.team-xecuter.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-10-26 CVS T3CH build
>> T3CH released a new CVS compile of XboxMediaCenter(info), the 3rd since the v2.0.0 point-release.
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in CVS at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
Special Notes and Noteworthy/XML/Script changes since the October 15th CVS release:
* Here we are, 2.0.0 is out in the wild. Bugs have been found and fixed. Rumour has it Team XBMC is planning a 2.0.1, so if you want an issue fixed, same old rules apply, you must report it.
* If you want to report bugs, please do it the PROPER way, see here.
* Updated AMT to 0.92.3
For the full changelog since the 2006-10-15 T3CH CVS release click here.
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official Site: www.xboxmediacenter.com (manual and FAQ)
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Blackbolt Update: MC360 Final WIP and New 'eX' Skin Announced
>> From Team Blackbolt:
[QUOTE]
Yes, we are still here and yes we are still working on MC360 to make it as great as possible. We have a time plan and are working to it so we can bring you a final, solid build of the skin we have worked on for nearly a year from its conception to its final build. Although we say final we actually mean its complete and will still be maintained etc. When MC360 is complete we will begin work on our new skin 'eX'. More details about that soon. So sit tight and keep to this site for more updates. We also have some nice releases coming very soon, with a Classic XBMC feel to them.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://blackbolt.x-scene.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox Live Gold Members Getting Free Content First
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
The latest ad for Epic's Xbox 360 shooter Gears of War available for download on Xbox Live has also heralded in an apparent policy shift on Live account levels, according to comments by Microsoft employees.
As brought to light in a follow-up comment on Microsoft staffer Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb's weblog on the ad, members currently accessing Live at the 'silver' level currently will not be able to access the trailer, while 'gold' level members are free to download the item.
"So here is the deal," commented Hyrb, "Silver members WILL get access to this, probably in about a week." He continued, "This is going to happen more and more (Gold getting things before Silver) so you may want to think about upgrading if you want all the latest and greatest trailers, demos etc."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamasutra.com
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(Thursday 26 October 2006 22:03 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Six million Xbox 360s sold - MS Quarterly Financial Report
>> From Microsoft's Official GamerScore Blog:
[QUOTE]
We just had our quarterly financial report conference call. If you're interested, you can hear a recording of the call, or you can see the press release we issued here.
Here's a wrapup of the games business:
* The Entertainment and Devices division reported 70 percent growth driven by strong performance across all of its businesses. Interactive gaming in particular more than doubled as a result of Xbox 360 platform momentum.
* Xbox 360 will be available in 36 countries for the holiday and our installed base through September is 6 million consoles worldwide (3.6 million in North America, 1.7 million in Europe and approximately 700,000 in the rest of the world.)
* As such, Xbox 360 is in an excellent position for the second quarter. By holiday 2006, we expect to have sold more than 10 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide and have a catalog of 160 high-definition games. Our yearly guidance still implies that by the end of the fiscal year we expect to have sold 13 to 15 million Xbox 360 consoles since launch.
* Key profit drivers for the platform include Xbox 360 software and accessory attach rates, which remain very strong relative to previous console launches. The Xbox 360 accessory attach rate remains the highest ever for the first ten months after a console launch in the US, holding at 2.9 accessory units sold per console (Source: NPD). Software attach rates rose to a record 5.1 units per console (Source: NPD).
* With the impending releases of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, and the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing wheel accessory attach rates are expected to continue their momentum into the second quarter and beyond.
* Xbox Live now boasts a community of more than 4 million members worldwide, with more than 6 million expected by June 2007. Xbox Live Marketplace, the one-stop digital download center, has seen more than 70 million downloads since launch including Xbox Live Arcade games, content packs, demos, and other media. To date, there have been a staggering 12 million Xbox Live Arcade downloads. All told, more than 2 billion Microsoft points have been sold to date.
[/QUOTE]
Read the full press release here
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(Thursday 26 October 2006 20:40 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Why Microsoft Should (and Shouldn't) Enter the Handheld Market?
>> From modojo.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft is obviously the next in line to face the challenges that Nintendo will present in the handheld market, and the question isn't actually will they be ready, it's should they even try? The handheld market is an interesting one, and if Microsoft hopes to deliver, they're going to need to face not only their competition, but also their own ethos as a company. The Xbox 360 is a device that was built on the foundations of embracing the strongest technology available at the time, and improving the visuals, connectivity, and community offered to gamers. Would that same philosophy, which Microsoft is delivering impressively in the console market, translate to handhelds? Yes and no.
If embracing the 'bigger, faster, stronger' ideology was enough to win the market, then Sony should undoubtedly be in a much happier position than they one they currently find themselves. Visuals have proven, for handhelds, to play second fiddle to innovation, as Nintendo seems to understand. So could Microsoft innovate? The answer to that question isn't as easy as it seems. Offering a device similar to Sony's PSP would prove Microsoft is comfortable with their roots, and also that they'll most likely suffer the same failures and difficulties that Sony is currently facing. On the other hand, offering a device similar to a Nintendo DS, and embracing some form of innovation and emergent technology would instead seem like a much wiser route to embark upon. Microsoft could potentially embrace both sides of the spectrum and that would surely offer them some reason to claim their handheld a sure winner, but even that isn't so simple, thanks to a market that is undoubtedly going to be divided by region.
[/QUOTE]
Read More (3 pages): modojo.com
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(Thursday 26 October 2006 18:45 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Demos Very Important, says NPD
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Being able to take games for a "test drive" is of primary importance to consumers, according to the NPD Group's Game Drivers Purchase Report.
According to the report, being able to try games in stores, online, or at someone else's house is of particularly weighty importance. This importance grows when the focus is on the broader gaming audience. Says NPD industry analyst Anita Frazier, "Ads, reviews, and other vehicles are relatively more influential to the heavy gamer, but to attract more casual players, getting games into their hands so they can experience the fun first-hand is essential."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
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(Thursday 26 October 2006 12:07 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Open-Source Firms Reward Developers with Xboxes
>> From eweek.com:
[QUOTE]
While Stormy Peters (original founder of Hewlett-Packard's Open Source Program Office and currently the director of project management at OpenLogic) believes that almost all open-source developers are still motivated to work on those projects that they believe in and are useful to them, many are also being hired full-time by companies such as IBM and HP, which have an interest in those projects, she told eWEEK.
"The original plan was to pay these people in cash. But when I went out and talked to community members, they did not want to be paid. So we came up with a points-based system, where the points awarded could be exchanged for electronics, devices, cash or donated," she said.
Peters was surprised by the large number of requests from these community members for Microsoft Xboxes. "A lot of them told me they really wanted an Xbox. So we decided that the first 75 people who solved an issue for us would get both an Xbox and points, but they were far more excited about the Xbox than they were about the points," she said.
After the plan was announced, the company got some pushback from the community for giving away a Microsoft product, but "I just told them that this was what the developers had asked for," Peter said, noting that while more than 75 people have signed up for the Expert Community, not all of them have solved an issue yet.
The company plans to follow this reward-based approach in other areas going forward, and has already started doing so in the area of documentation.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: eweek.com
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(Thursday 26 October 2006 00:37 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Nyko Ships the Charge Station 360 and Power Kit 360
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Nyko Technologies has shipped the Charge Station 360 and the Power Kit 360 both for use with Xbox 360 wireless controllers. Each product provides a different solution for the gamer that needs additional power for extended, uninterrupted play time. Xbox 360 fans can find Nyko's new charging solutions at retailers nationwide.
Nyko's Charge Station 360 consists of a dual-port battery charging cradle and two rechargeable battery packs. The batteries can be simultaneously charged in the cradle, allowing 360 users to switch out a drained wireless controller battery when needed. The Charge Station 360 plugs directly to a power outlet with no USB port required. Also, each battery pack provides players with up to 25 hours of additional playtime for each controller; both packs can be completely charged in four hours. The design of the Charge Station 360 complements the look and feel of the Xbox 360.
The Charge Station 360 Features:
* Includes charger cradle and two Xbox 360 wireless controller battery packs
* Charge both battery packs simultaneously - each pack provides up to 25 hours of power
* Fully charges one battery pack in two hours, two battery packs in four hours
* Dual color charge indicates charging status
* CE approved for safety and quality assurance
* Plugs directly into a standard AC wall outlet
Nyko's Power Kit 360 consists of a high quality NiMH rechargeable battery pack and a charging cable for simultaneous charging while playing. Users can plug the battery pack into the Xbox 360's USB port using the charging cable and play wirelessly once the battery has sufficient power. Additionally, the battery pack boasts up to 25 hours of play per charge, while the charging cable is longer than competing products.
The Power Kit 360 Features:
* Play and charge the wireless controller simultaneously by attaching the extra long charging cable
* High quality NiMH rechargeable battery pack
* Up to 25 hours of play per battery pack charge
* Included charge cable is longer than competing products
* Battery gauge accessible through Xbox Dashboard
Nyko's Charge Station 360 retails for $29.99 and the Power Kit 360 retails for $14.99.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole press release here.
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(Thursday 26 October 2006 00:22 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Operation to Turn Profitable by September 2007
>> From money.cnn.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft is expected to report lackluster results Thursday ... but Wall Street isn't likely to mind.
It's 2007 investors and analysts are thinking about. That's when Vista, the first major update of the Windows operating system since 2001, finally rolls out.
In addition, the world's largest software maker will roll out the latest version of its Office software suite next year.
Also contributing to the upbeat outlook for Microsoft is its Xbox gaming device, which looks poised to take some market share from Sony's PlayStation this holiday season, analysts said.
Microsoft still loses money on each Xbox console, but those losses are starting to diminish, Goldman Sachs analyst Rick Sherlund wrote in a recent research note. Sherlund, who has a "buy" rating on Microsoft, expects the company's Xbox operation to turn profitable by the September quarter of 2007.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: money.cnn.com
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(Wednesday 25 October 2006 17:55 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
(Australia) Xbox 360 breaks sales records: 100k since March 2006
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
The Xbox 360 has become the fastest-selling console in Australia, shifting over 100,000 units since its release in March this year.
The previous record was held by Sony, with the PlayStation 2 selling 78,000 units during its first seven months on sale.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamesindustry.biz
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(Wednesday 25 October 2006 08:47 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Maximus-Garyopa Hitachi-LG Xtreme v2.3 Stealth 8in1
>> Maximus released a new version of the GaryOPA Xtreme Firmware package for the Hitachi-LG Xbox 360 DVD drives.
What's new/fixed:
* Change booting order to counter-attack the fake ss that appears to be on some EA games. I have not tried it since here on America we don't have yet any of this games. In the worst case will not harm your box.
Official Site: n/a (by Maximus, Garyopa and Geremia)
Download: n/a (could be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 20:55 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Maximus 360 Firmware Toolbox v2.0
>> Maximus released a new version of 360 Firmware Toolbox(info) - a graphical tool to handle several common dvd-drive firmware tasks.
What's new/fixed:
* Corrected: Lookup of keys on GDR-3120L V78 because they dont have same location on all drives.
* Added: Show of the "hacker string" that identifies hacked versions. (Samsung on FFE0, Hitachi on 37F0) In case of 512 KB roms will only show for bank 0
* Added: Option to quick view the key database
* Added: Bigger "Encrypt/Decrypt" button for those that have not been using this save-time feature
Official Site: n/a, by Maximus/Carranzafp
Download: here
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 18:10 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Fall Dashboard Update by October 31?
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Xbox Live's Major Nelson discussed in his latest podcast that he has been playing around with the upcoming Xbox 360 Wireless Communicator on his development kit, which of course has "excellent" sound quality.
Major Nelson goes on to say that "even if you went to the store today and bought it, you couldn't use it until you have the fall upgrade to the dashboard." This is an extremely interesting little tidbit, because every online retail site that lists this for sale has a release date of October 31st -- which is also a Tuesday, the day new retail items are typically released.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com and majornelson.com
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 13:44 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Analyst Says Xbox 360 Could Do Better
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Analyst Lazard Capital Markets has warned that Xbox 360 sales are tracking below market expectations.
In a note today, the firm's Colin Sebastian wrote, ""Xbox 360 sales appear to be tracking below current market expectations. Based on year-to-date sell-through trends in North America, we believe sales of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console are tracking closer to 4.5 million units for the year versus current market expectations in the 5-million unit range.
"Xbox 360 supplies improved significantly over the course of the year following initial hardware constraints, and it appears that pent-up consumer demand has largely been fulfilled. However, it is possible that an expanding software release calendar, as well as limited supplies of new PS3 and Wii hardware could help boost 360 unit sales over the holidays."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 13:31 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Lik-Sang.com out of business due to multiple Sony lawsuits - Sony Denies
>> From the official press release:
[QUOTE]
Lik-Sang.com, the popular gaming retailer from Hong Kong, has today announced that it is forced to close down due to multiple legal actions brought against it by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sony claimed that Lik-Sang infringed its trade marks, copyright and registered design rights by selling Sony PSP consoles from Asia to European customers, and have recently obtained a judgment in the High Court of London (England) rendering Lik-Sang's sales of PSP consoles unlawful.
As of today, Lik-Sang.com will not be in the position to accept any new orders and will cancel and refund all existing orders that have already been placed. Furthermore, Lik-Sang is working closely with banks and PayPal to refund any store credits held by the company, and the customer support department is taking care of any open transactions such as pending RMAs or repairs and shipping related matters. The staff of Lik-Sang will make sure that nobody will get hurt in the crossfire of this ordeal.
A Sony spokesperson declined to comment directly on the lawsuit against Lik-Sang, but recently went on to tell Gamesindustry.biz that "ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers from being sold hardware that does not conform to strict EU or UK consumer safety standards, due to voltage supply differences et cetera; is not - in PS3's case - backwards compatible with either PS1 or PS2 software; will not play European Blu-Ray movies or DVDs; and will not be covered by warranty".
Lik Sang strongly disagrees with Sony's opinion that their customers need this kind of protection and pointed out that PSP consoles shipped from Lik-Sang contained genuine Sony 100V-240V AC Adapters that carry CE and other safety marks and are compatible world wide. All PSP consoles were in conformity with all EU and UK consumer safety regulations.
Furthermore, Sony have failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs, but also Sony Europe's very own top directors repeatedly got their Sony PSP hard or software imports in nicely packed Lik-Sang parcels with free Lik-Sang Mugs or Lik-Sang Badge Holders, starting just two days after Japan's official release, as early as 14th of December 2004 (more than nine months earlier than the legal action). The list of PSP related Sony Europe orders reads like the who's who of the videogames industry, and includes Ray Maguire (Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Alan Duncan (UK Marketing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Chris Sorrell (Creative Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Rob Parkin (Development Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited), just to name a few.
"Today is Sony Europe victory about PSP, tomorrow is Sony Europe's ongoing pressure about PlayStation 3. With this precedent set, next week could already be the stage for complaints from Sony America about the same thing, or from other console manufacturers about other consoles to other regions, or even from any publisher about any specific software title to any country they don't see fit. It's the beginning of the end... of the World as we know it", stated Pascal Clarysse, formerly known as the Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com.
"Blame it on Sony. That's the latest dark spot in their shameful track record as gaming industry leader. The Empire finally 'won', few dominating retailers from the UK probably will rejoice the news, but everybody else in the gaming world lost something today."
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.lik-sang.com
UPDATE: Gamesindustry.biz has a reply from Sony:
[QUOTE]
"Lik-Sang did not contest this case (i.e. they did not turn up and therefore incurred no legal costs). We have been awarded substantial costs against Lik-Sang which have not been paid," the statement claims.
"We would therefore strongly deny that our actions have had anything to do with this website closing (we assume the legal entity is still trading), and would suggest that this release is sour grapes on behalf of Lik-Sang which is aimed to belittle Sony Computer Entertainment and the British judicial system that found against them."
[/QUOTE]
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 10:23 EST) - (Category: GamingGeneral) - (Posted by::
)
Commodore4eva's Xtreme firmware 4.2A and 4.2B for TS-H943 Xbox 360
>> Commodore4eva just released a new firmware for Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 Xbox 360 drives.
Whats new/fixed:
(v4.2) Security Sector read order now based on actual PFI from disk resulting in faster better booting for backups.
Technical details:
Security sectors are read in this order:
Only if disc is type DVD-Rom read Xbox 360 security sector from PSN FD021E and above(Layer 1)
Otherwise read Xbox 360 security sector from PSN 04FB1F (Layer 0)
then check for Enable0800 security sector from PSN 04FB1F (Layer 0)
then read Xbox 1 security sector from PSN 605FF (Layer 0)
Samsung Xtreme firmware was always immune to the EA dummy SS on original. This makes it faster and more reliable for SS reads.
No more attempted read/seeks of SS from FD021E and above for backups!
Hitachi will need to be updated to a similar routine!
Official Site: xboxhacker.net
Download: n/a (May be Illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 02:17 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XNA Game Studio Express Beta 2: Coming Soon
>> From the Official XNA Team Blog:
[QUOTE]
Our first beta of XNA Game Studio Express has been a tremendous success. The number of downloads, activity in online communities and especially the level of excitement out there in general has been nothing short of incredible. We've also been monitoring all the valuable feedback on our MSDN team blog, MSDN forums and Microsoft Connect sites for both this version and for future versions of XNA Game Studio Express.
One of the most popular requests has been for a second beta and on behalf of the XNA Game Studio team, I'm pleased to announce that we will indeed be releasing another beta of XNA Game Studio Express and that it will be available in a couple weeks.
Keep checking back as we'll be talking about more details on what you can expect in this new beta. We believe you will be pleased with the direct impact on the product your feedback has played. We'll also have plenty of information both on our blog and in our documentation on migrating your project from the first beta of XNA Game Studio Express to the new one.
One thing that's worth mentioning is that, as you may know there isn't too much time between the second beta and the release this holiday. In fact you might think of this beta more as a final release candidate. This is your chance to help us identify any critical issues in the product that prevent you from using XNA Game Studio Express.
We hope you'll enjoy using the second beta as much as the first one--and keep that feedback on XNA Game Studio Express coming!
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Note that with this beta2 it will probably still not be possible to run your code on an Xbox360 as Microsoft announced this feature would only be enabled for in the final version.
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 00:33 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Rumor: Halo3 Demo Coming Early Next Year?
>> From gameinformer.com:
[QUOTE]
We're titling this as a rumor, but even so, sources have revealed to Game Informer Online that there will be a Halo 3 demo released over Xbox Live in the first half of 2007. Obviously Microsoft hasn't revealed any details yet, but we wouldn't be too surprised if something was dropped in the second or third week of November. You know, just to mess a bit with the PlayStation 3 and Wii launches.
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Read More: gameinformer.com
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(Tuesday 24 October 2006 00:19 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
512MB RAM in Xbox360 thanks to Gears of Wars - Costs MS 1 Billion Dollar
>> From computerandvideogames.com:
[QUOTE]
Epic VP Mark Rein: "So what happened was, my partner Tim Sweeney, we kept arguing and we really wanted a hard drive in every single machine; that was something we really wanted but we realized that the 512 megs of RAM was way more important, cause otherwise you couldn't do this level of graphics if you had to both write your program and do your graphics in 256 megs. Nothing would really look that HD."
"So we argued and argued, and what Tim did is he actually sent a screenshot of what Gears of War would look like if we only had 256 megs of memory. So the day they made the decision, we were apparently the first developer they called; we were at Game Developers Conference, was it two years ago, and then I got a call from the chief financial officer of MGS and he said 'I just want you to know you cost me a billion dollars' and I said, 'we did a favour for a billion gamers'."
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Read More: computerandvideogames.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New US Xbox 360 Commercial: Built By Games
>> From xbox360fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
The commercial depicts thousands of Xbox 360 game cases flying around to assemble the 360 console itself, like a puzzle. The commercial closes, saying that, "The next generation is over 100 high-def games. The next generation is now."
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Xtreme Boot Maker v0.3.5
>> Klutsh released a new version of Xtreme Boot Maker(info) - a simple program that will prepare a floppy or USB drive for use with X360SAM(info).
What's new/fixed:
* Added: Option for MS28 Bad Flash Recovery
* Added: Option to apply Boke's MS28 single device hack
Official Site: http://www.x-projects.org
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Gizmodo: Seven Upgrades the 360 Needs to Beat the Wii and PS3
>> From gizmodo.com:
[QUOTE]
Here's our list of what we [gizmodo.com] think the 360 needs to trump the PS3 and Wii onslaught.
1)Integrate the forthcoming external HD DVD drive and 100GB HDD into one console. Don't raise the price.
2)Expanded codec playback. C'mon guys, show some undiscriminatory love.
3)HDMI output. Nuff said.
4)A better-organized Xbox Live Marketplace experience. We think browsing could be improved.
5)Make it easier to hack the 360. We like personalizing our PCs and gadgets. Interchangeable face plates doesn't cut it.
6)Give us a quieter system that won't overheat. If you want us to watch HD DVDs on our 360, the console's whirring needs to be toned down.
7)No one wants to be MCE's bitch. Give us IPTV.
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Read More: gizmodo.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New US/CA Hardware Projections Arrive
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
International Development Group's Q3 report on the future of the game industry has been released, and Next-Gen has some exclusive highlights and stats.
Microsoft Xbox 360 (N-American Hardware sales / N-American Installed base)
2006: 4.9 Million / 5.6 million
2007: 6 Million / 11.6 million
2008: 5.3 million / 16.9 million
2009: 4.1 million / 21.1 million
2010: 2.8 million / 23.9 million
Sony PlayStation 3 (N-American Hardware sales / N-American Installed base)
2006: 0.9 Million / 0.9 million
2007: 5.6 million / 6.5 million
2008: 6.3 million / 12.7 million
2009: 5.6 million / 18.4 million
2010: 5.2 million / 23.5 million
Nintendo Wii (N-American Hardware sales / N-American Installed base)
2006: 1.1 Million / 1.1 million
2007: 3.4 million / 4.5 million
2008: 3.9 million / 8.4 million
2009: 3.1 million / 11.4 million
2010: 2.2 million / 13.6 million
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Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft reaffirms commitment to Halo movie
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has confirmed that plans to produce a film based on hit Xbox title Halo are still going ahead, despite the decision of Universal and Fox to pull out of the project.
Microsoft has released an official statement via the Bungie website which reads: "We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal. But the Halo franchise is hugely popular and our goal remains the same - to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise.
"Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality," the statement continues.
"We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognise the value of the Halo brand and its appeal to consumers worldwide."
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Read More: gamesindustry.biz
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(Monday 23 October 2006 09:48 EST) - (Category: OffTopic) - (Posted by::
)
More Talismoon Products: Xray Window, Crystalflow and Chromeflow
>> Talismoon announced more new products for the Xbox 360, the Twilight Flow and evolve360 Controller Faceplates were already announced on our site yesterday, and here comes the Xray Window Kit, Crystalflow and Chromeflow:
[QUOTE]
* 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.
The Xray great starter item that can lead to many better things, like case painting or internal light mods. Start your xbox customizations with a new Xray window kit, the foundation for a beautiful case.
Works well with our Crystal Flow, Chrome Flow, or Twilight Flow fan ducts, and with the Xray-DVD window unit.
* Crystalflow and Chromeflow for Xbox 360
Let the heat out of your console with the Crystal Flow tunnel by Talismoon.
Just snap it in place of your OEM Xbox 360 fan duct and enjoy the better look!
Works best with a clear transparent case or with an Xbox 360 with window installed, and enjoy a custom unique look.
Made of polycarbonate, the highest quality clear plastic, our Crystal Flow fan duct for Xbox 360 is as clear as possible. This means no distortion or fog, and it means that you can see more details on your xbox mainboard than ever before. The Crystal Flow is a direct replacement for the OEM fan duct, with minor modifications. A great compliment to the Xray window kit, or our 460 Clear xbox Case.
Each of the Chrome Flow from Talismoon will reach gamers with in pristine condition due to meticulous handling from start to finish of the production process.
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From the press release we received we also know these items are now shipping to retail stores and the retail prices are:
XRAY window kit: $9.95
Twilight Flow: $11.95
Crystal Flow: $9.95
Chrome Flow: $9.95
Official Site: http://www.talismoon.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
VGA Patcher v0.7
>> A utility that will patch xbox 1 bios images to support HD resolutions...
[QUOTE]
FrostyTheSnowman's VGA BIOS Patcher for XBOX
Disclaimer: I take absolutely no responsibility for what may result from the usage of this patch. By using this patch, you are agreeing to be held accountable for what may result from the usage of this patch. Use at your own risk.
Version 0.7:
*Supports Conexant Encoders
*Supports Focus Encoders
*Supports all HD resolutions, including 480p, 720p, and 1080i.
*Supports all current hacked BIOSes, including new X3 BIOSes.
NOTE: You NEED your HD settings enabled in your Microsoft Dashboard for this patch to function properly.
Known Issues:
1. When using IGR, the screen will turn green on your dashboard until you select another game, or reset your XBOX. (This is caused by the current IGR methods not resetting the GPU before loading the dashboard.)
2. Games that do not reset the GPU before executing will be green.
(Morrowind, Splinter Cell 1 & 3, Jade Empire, etc.)
3. 480i games (interlaced games) are not supported in VGA mode.
4. When using a video cable OTHER than a VGA cable, the colors will be incorrect. It is advised that you use a Dual BIOS setup, consisting of a VGA patched BIOS, and a standard BIOS so that you can still use your XBOX on a regular TV.
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Official Site: n/a (by FrostyTheSnowman)
Download: here
Full Readme: xbins.org
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MS Engineer: to render pixel 1080i/p has 55pct less time than 720p
>> From Bruce Dawson (Microsoft senior software design engineer) on Andre Vrignaud's Blog (Microsoft's Director of Technical Strategy for Xbox Live):
[QUOTE]
Many developers, gamers, and journalists are confused by 1080p. They think that 1080p is somehow more challenging for game developers than 1080i, and they forget that 1080 (i or p) requires significant tradeoffs compared to 720p. Some facts to remember:
* 2.25x: that's how many more pixels there are in 1920x1080 compared to 1280x720
* 55.5%: that's how much less time you have to spend on each pixel when rendering 1920x1080 compared to 1280x720--the point being that at higher resolutions you have more pixels, but they necessarily can't look as good
* 1.0x: that's how much harder it is for a game engine to render a game in 1080p as compared to 1080i--the number of pixels is identical so the cost is identical. There is no such thing as a 1080p frame buffer. The frame buffer is 1080 pixels tall (and presumably 1920 wide) regardless of whether it is ultimately sent to the TV as an interlaced or as a progressive signal.
* 1280x720 with 4x AA will generally look better than 1920x1080 with no anti-aliasing (there are more total samples).
A few elaborations:
Any game could be made to run at 1920x1080. However, it is a tradeoff. It means that you can show more detail (although you need larger textures and models to really get this benefit) but it means that you have much less time to run complex pixel shaders. Most games can't justify running at higher than 1280x720--it would actually make them look worse because of the compromises they will have to make in other areas.
1080p is a higher bandwidth connection from the frame buffer to the TV than 1080i. However the frame buffer itself is identical. 1080p will look better than 1080i--interlaced flicker is not a good thing--but it makes precisely zero difference to the game developer. Just as most Xbox 1 games let users choose 480i or 480p, because it was no extra work, 1080p versus 1080i is no extra work. It's just different settings on the display chip.
Inevitably somebody will ask about field rendering. Since interlaced formats display the even lines on one refresh pass and then the odd lines on the next refresh pass, can't games just render half of the lines each time? Probably not, and even if you could you wouldn't want to. You probably can't do field rendering because it requires that you maintain a rock solid 60 fps. If you ever miss a frame it will look horrible, as the odd lines are displayed in place of the even, or vice-versa. This is a significant challenge when rendering extremely complex worlds with over 1 million pixels per field (2 million pixels per frame) and is probably not worth it. And, even if you can, you shouldn't. The biggest problem with interlaced is flicker, and field rendering makes it worse, because it disables the 'flicker fixer' hardware that intelligently blends adjacent lines. Field rendering has been done in the past, but it was always a compromise solution.
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