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Week of September 23, 2007
Microsoft Announces Windows Media Center Internet TV Beta
>> From dailytech.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft today launches a beta of its Windows Media Center Internet TV platform. Microsoft's Internet TV initiative was first hyped for the Xbox 360 platform, but it will first show up on Windows Vista machines.
Owners of Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate will be able to access free ad-supported TV content without the need for a hardware TV tuner. Over 100 hours of programming will initially be available during the beta phase including episodes of "Arrested Development" along with music concerts by John Mayer and Snoop Dogg.
Vista users will also have access to news clips from MSNBC and sports highlights from FOX Sports.
Owners of Microsoft's Xbox 360 will be happy to know that their consoles can be used as Windows Media Extenders to view the same content available on Windows Vista.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: dailytech.com | press release
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Cxbx (Xbox1Emulator for PC) Progress
>> Well it's been a long time since we got an update about Cxbx(info) (just about 1year actually) ... but we're happy to inform you the project is not dead.
From Caustik on caustik.wordpress.com:
[QUOTE]
There was some amount of activity in a private branch in the Cxbx project recently..
I have been talking to a developer, Martin, who has spent some of his extra time fiddling with Cxbx. He was able to get some teaser screenshots from Battlestar Galactica. The game displays the menu, and even some in-game. I won't get into too many details, but here are a couple screenshots.
I have not started to work on Cxbx on a regular basis -- but I think this progress is very motivating, and it is tempting me to boot back up my development setup and take another look after a very long absence.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.caustik.com/cxbx/
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Bungie Confirms: Halo 3 Doesn't Run Natively in HD
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
The latest Bungie Weekly Update has Luke Smith confessing that in fact, Halo 3 doesn't run natively at 720p like all other Xbox 360 games:
"Halo 3 uses not one, but two frame buffers - both of which render at 1152x640 pixels. The reason we chose this slightly unorthodox resolution and this very complex use of two buffers is simple enough to see - lighting. We wanted to preserve as much dynamic range as possible - so we use one for the high dynamic range and one for the low dynamic range values. Both are combined to create the finished on screen image."
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Full Story: teamxbox.com | bungie.net
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
More Pictures of new CPU HeatSink Xbox360: 65nm? Falcon?
>> Here are more pictures by JWSpeed of the xbox forums of the inside of the Xbox360 with new CPU heatsink we talk about earlier. The motherboard looks (almost) identical to the Zephyr. If the CPU is 65nm or not is hard to say ... it seems to be a bit different to those in the Pro-hdmi or Elite anyway. The smaller package, the lower power usage (displayed below) and missing 'power converters' on the right side of the board seems to indicate we indeed have a 65nm CPU here.
While the new heatsink loses the copper heatpipe, it seems bigger/larger than the old CPU heatsink. So it might cool off the CPU as well as the old one (the CPU has never really been the issue anyway, it's the GPU that overheats). However, by removing the heatpipe in the middle of the CPU heatsink the airflow is probably also better for the 'addon' GPU heatsink ... and we all know that chip can use more cooling. Maybe that's why they changed it?
*Update* About the X-Clamps, his is what JWSpeed said:
"MS is now using the heatsink with a X spring clamp on the bottom, plus 4 screws to hold the heatsink down. IMO this looks like a good setup and should keep the GPU in place."
Please note that not all Halo3 LEs are like this, it seems to start somewhere at lot #734 (end august man. date) - you can find the lot# on the side sticker of the Xbox360 box.
 The CPU under the new heatsink. (to compare, this one has been used in the Elite so far)   Motherboard seems identical to Zephyr (Elite/Pro-HDMI). New CPU heatsink is a bit larger than old one.
  Elite (left) and Halo3 LE lot734 (right) power usage (amps) in dashboard
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
GameStop Informants: Xbox 360 Core Discontinued, New Low-End Unit
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
Apparently an email has come down informing [GameStop] store managers to pull down any signage regarding the Xbox 360 core system, because once their current stock is gone there isn't going to be anymore. Seems like stores are preparing for the rumored new Core system, that comes with the 256MB memory card and wireless controllers. There are rumors upon rumors, but this one rings true.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New CPU HeatSink in some Halo3 LE Consoles: Falcon, 65nm?
>> Users on the xbox.com forums report that some Halo3 Xbox360 LE Consoles (starting lot #734) have a new CPU heatsink (without copper heatpipe). While they automatically assume this means Microsoft uses the new 65nm CPU and 'Falcon' (v3) motherboard ... it's too early to confirm this. It's certainly possible, but no pictures of the new motherboard or CPU have been shown yet:
[QUOTE]
How to see if you have a 65nm (Falcon) console:
First, get a flashlight that is very bright. Then put your console upside down (HD side down). You should be looking at an black or grey piece of plastic which is the bottom vent. Shine the flashlight directly into the bottom of the console (it works best to sit the flashlight on the plastic).
Then move the flashlight to the right side of the plastic. When you look inside of the console directly below the light, you will see a large white piece of plastic. This is the airflow shroud. You can see this highlighted in this picture: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/S8000516-2.jpg
Next, move the flashlight to the left a bit and look into the console again. You are looking for the large silver square that is directly in front of the airflow shroud. This piece will tell you whether or not you have a 65nm console.
90nm CPU Heatsink (left) - 65nm CPU Heatsink (right)
(Notice that there is no heatpipe on the new 65nm CPU heatsink.)
[/QUOTE]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
UK PS3 and 360 Sales Finely Balanced
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
UK calendar year sales of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are evenly balanced, but Microsoft's platform looks set to take the initiative following the release of the Elite 360.
As reported by MCV, ChartTrack statistics show that PS3 and Xbox 360 sales for the first 38 weeks of 2007 are almost identical.
Importantly though, 55 percent of all PS3s sold were shifted during the console's first 4 weeks in stores. Contrastingly, the Xbox 360 is still benefiting from a recent price cut and the introduction of a new model, having outsold the PS3 week-on-week since the Elite was launched in August.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Confirms Halo3 Launch Caused LIVE Downtime Tuesday
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft labelled Halo 3's launch day as the "most active Xbox Live gaming day in history" after more than a million people had been logged playing Halo 3 online. That may be the case, but there were many others who weren't able to get in on the action.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed, rather vaguely, that there had been some issues, all of which have now been resolved.
"Xbox Live and Xbox.com experienced minor issues [Tuesday] as a result of increased activity due to the launch of Halo 3. The issues were quickly resolved and both Xbox Live and Xbox.com are now working fine."
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XCM Add On Fan Renamed to XCM 360 Core Cooler - New Colors
>> From Team Xtender:
[QUOTE]
XCM add on fan renames to XCM 360 core cooler.
XCM 360 core cooler (add on fan) can be used with XCM High Speed air cooler (more efficiency and powerful) or independently, unlike another brand of external fan,external Xbox 360 fan can only cool the temperature of the Xbox 360's outer surface but does not cool the temperature of the CPU/GPU; therefore, making them useless to combat CPU/GPU overheating. XCM 360 core cooler directly cools down the temperature from the core (CPU and GPU) of 360 console.
XCM add on fan renames to XCM 360 core cooler (3 new colors)
XCM 360 core cooler (Sun core) Red LED will be available in Oct.
XCM 360 core cooler (Nature core) Green LED will be available in Oct.
XCM 360 core cooler (Laser core) White LED will be available in Oct.
XCM 360 core cooler (deep blue core) Blue LED (current stock)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: www.teamxtender.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Halo 3 Disc Read Errors Rampant *Updated*
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
A storm is brewing in both the Xbox and Bungie forums, where over a hundred posters have now verified that their copies of Halo 3 are causing disc read errors. lockups, and even the dreaded RRoD on their Xbox 360 consoles. From what I can glean from skimming through the 22 pages of replies to the original poster's problem, most of the people affected purchased the standard edition, though a few are reporting having the problem on both the standard and the LE version of the game.
[/QUOTE]
*Update* From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Added a user submitted video. The user shows that his disc has no scratches at all...
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: kotaku.com | forums.xbox.com | bungie.net | teamxbox.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Dean Takahashi's 800 USD Halo 3 Schwag Bag
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
This is perhaps the schwag bag to end all schwag bags...
Game journo Dean Takahashi with The San Jose Mercury News showed off his big $800-plus bag of Halo 3 propaganda sent to him by Microsoft.
He's sending back the free stuff, which he called "nothing less than a bribe to try to get me to be favorably inclined to accepting the idea that Halo 3 is 'the entertainment event of the year.'"
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: next-gen.biz | blogs.mercurynews.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Halo 3 Japanese Store Sell Out Shocker
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
Stupid, stupid me. With all that crazy Halo 3 hype in Tokyo, I thought I could just waltz into a store at 6PM tonight and walk out with a copy of Halo 3.
See those little white cards with blue writing on those Halo 3 copies? That means "sold out." I actually was so not expecting this that it did not dawn on me that I should've asked the clerk how many copies were sold until I was driving home. Unwilling to admit defeat (c'mon this is Halo 3 in Japan!), I stopped by another totally tubular shop, which had Halo 3 copies coming out the whazoo. It even had imported versions!
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox360 Forza2 and Marvel UA Pack (BB Confirms) - Core with HDMI and XBLA
>> From arstechnica.com:
[QUOTE]
Our mole has sent us another communication, deep from the depths of the deep depths from whence he operates. What can we expect from the Xbox 360 at retail in the coming weeks?
* October 9: The Xbox 360 Pro package will come with Forza 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance as pack-ins.
* October 23: The Elite will get the same package. No price drops on either system, you just get two free games with it.
* New Xbox Core Sku "at the end of October" that will include a new version of the system with an HDMI port, wireless controller, 256MB memory card, and five arcade games on a physical disc. The games will be Boom-Boom Rocket, Pac-man, Uno, Feeding Frenzy, and Luxor 2. This package is expected to retail for the normal Core price of $279.99.
[/QUOTE]
*Update* From arstechnica.com:
[QUOTE]
This morning Cheap Ass Gamer tipped us off to the fact that Best Buy has just now begun taking preorders on Pro and Elite systems featuring the Forza 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance software pack-in.
It's a good time to be a fence-sitter: now you get the system after a price drop with HDMI on the Pro systems and two free games.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: arstechnica.com | arstechnica.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xecuter Blaster 360 'Next Edition' Sample Pictures
GamerMetrics: Xbox 360 UT3 Delayed Over Halo Hype?
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
IGN Entertainment has said in its latest GamerMetrics report that among the nearly 15,000 gamers surveyed, the Xbox 360 SKU of Midway's Unreal Tournament III has emerged with the strongest affinity to fans of Halo 3.
As the report notes, if the Xbox 360 SKU for UT3 had launched at the same time as its PS3 and PC versions, due out in November, it might have been buried under an avalanche of Halo hype. But releasing it next year ensures that it'll reach Halo 3 fans at a time when they might be more receptive.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Massive Halo 3 bundle being auctioned for charity
>> From xbox.com:
[QUOTE]
To benefit the Boys & Girls Club [of King County], Microsoft is offering the ultimate Halo 3 package to one lucky winning bidder on eBay. Check out what's included:
* The ONLY Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 console that has been personally signed by Bill Gates.
* The ONLY Limited Edition Halo 3 Zune 30 GB media player personally signed by J Allard.
* The entire Halo Trilogy: Two copies of Halo 3 (Legendary Edition and Standard Edition), plus the Halo Triple Pack for Xbox® (Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack)
* Xbox 360 HD DVD player.
* Rare special aluminum storage case with over $400 worth of accessories (two Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controllers with an exclusive Todd McFarlane Collectable Figurine, Messenger Kit, HDMI AV cable, extra 120 GB hard drive, and a Halo 3 T-shirt).
[/QUOTE]
You can see the auction on ebay.com. The current bid is already at $8,600 with a bit less than 8 days left on the counter.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
It's official: 'Halo 3' Registers Biggest Day in US Entertainment History
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Xbox 360 Exclusive "Halo 3" Registers Biggest Day in US Entertainment History with $170 Million in Sales
Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 exclusive game "Halo 3" has officially become the biggest entertainment launch in history, garnering an estimated $170 million in sales in the United States alone in the first 24 hours. The Xbox 360 title beat previous records set by blockbuster theatrical releases like "Spider-man 3" and novels such as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Within the first 20 hours alone, we've seen more than a million Xbox LIVE members come online to play Halo 3 - that makes September 25 the most active Xbox LIVE gaming day in history."
Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for GameStop Corp commented that, "With consumer demand for Halo 3 and related products, we expect it to be the biggest video game title generator in GameStop's history."
"The initial demand we've seen for 'Halo 3' has been astounding, and the game is on track to become the number one gaming title of all time. 'Halo 3' is a genuine entertainment phenomenon and our customers have responded very enthusiastically to the release," said Jill Hamburger, vice president of movies and games at Best Buy.
More than 10,000 retailers hosted Midnight Madness events to celebrate the launch of this third installment in the billion-dollar franchise. In New York, Seattle, Miami and Los Angeles, Microsoft and retail partners hosted marquee launch events that featured contests and appearances by local celebrities and professional athletes who are fanatical about the "Halo" franchise, including Ludacris and Zac Efron and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
More than 1.7 million copies of "Halo 3" were preordered in the United States before a single store opened its doors at midnight, Sept. 25, making this the fasting pre-selling game in history, surpassing the previous record-setting pre-sales of "Halo 2." Well beyond just a U.S. phenomenon, the launch of "Halo 3" was a worldwide celebration that released in 37 countries and available in 17 languages.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole press release here.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft About Scratched Halo 3 Disks
>> We already announced yesterday that Microsoft is replacing scratched Halo3 discs for free, today Associated Press talked with Microsoft about the Halo3 LE packaging issue:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft, which owns the studio that makes the Xbox-only "Halo 3," responded quickly on its Xbox Web site with details for a replacement program. Customers can fill out a form and send in their scratched limited-edition disks for a free exchange through the end of December.
"We have identified that there are some instances of blemishes on discs as a result of the packaging," said Microsoft spokesman David Dennis in an e-mailed statement. "This is a small fraction of the total number of Halo 3 games shipped and sold, and is a limited production version of the game."
Richard Mitchell, the lead writer of the Xbox 360 Fanboy blog, said one of the disks that came in his limited-edition set is scratched but the damage didn't seem to interfere with its playing.
The AP received several review copies of "Halo 3" in limited-edition tins. Both the game disk and an "essentials" disk had come loose from plastic housing designed to keep them in place. The game disk had been scratched but seemed to work fine.
"It sounds like it's just an aesthetic thing, though who wants to pay full price for something scratched?" said Brian Crescente, managing editor of Gawker Media's Kotaku.com video game blog.
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Full Story: Associated Press (via cbsnews)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Remind Japan What 360 Games Look Like
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
Poor Microsoft Japan. They can't catch a break! All these big games and nobody in Japan cares. Not even for Halo 3. Not even for Blue Dragon. In a desperate, last-ditch attempt at shifting their units, their TGS booth was dominated by this: a wall featuring the disc and cover art of every 360 game on the market. Didn't look like it got the job done, since I was the only person I saw actually paying attention to it, but hey, at least it looked nice.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: kotaku.com (incl. pictures of the booth)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox Live Issues... *Update* Resolved?
>> From Major Nelson (FYI: MS owned blog):
[QUOTE]
If you are having an issue with Xbox LIVE, keep an eye on the Xbox LIVE Service Status section of the support page. (Orange box, right column) The operations center will be updating that throughout the evening until the issues of subsided.
[/QUOTE]
The Xbox LIVE Service Status says:
[QUOTE]
Users may experience intermittent issues with billing transactions including, but not limited to downloading game updates from Xbox Live. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
[/QUOTE]
*Update* the Xbox LIVE Service Status page removed the message now, so we guess all LIVE services are stable again. If not let us know.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Master Chief Ringing the Closing Bell at NASDAQ
>> From Major Nelson (FYI: MS owned blog):
[QUOTE]
I just uploaded some photos of Shane Kim, the Bungie Crew (Harold Ryan, Frank O'Connor and Aaron LeMay) and Master Chief ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ. Following the ceremony, Master Chief and company went out into the center of Times Square for some photos with the huge NASDAQ sign in the background.
[/QUOTE]
Note: ... and Microsoft went up 1.65% (finance.yahoo.com)
More Pictures: flickr.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Next for Microsoft Xbox: winning casual gamers
>> From Reuters via Yahoo!News:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Corp has cemented its reputation among hardcore gamers with the launch of alien shoot-out "Halo 3," but it is still struggling to attract the mass market audience that has flocked to Nintendo Co Ltd's Wii console.
Widely expected to be one of the top-selling games of the year after its Tuesday debut, "Halo 3" should help Microsoft sell more of its Xbox 360 gaming machines and finally turn a profit in its entertainment division this fiscal year.
Microsoft has said it had 1.7 million advance orders for the game in the United States, but it won't release actual sales figures for a few days.
Microsoft knows it must attract casual customers as well if the Xbox 360 is going to be a living-room fixture.
"That's the biggest challenge Microsoft has. They were never able to do that with the original Xbox and they will be hard-pressed to do it with the 360," said Todd Mitchell, an analyst with Nollenberger Capital Partners.
Baker (Gartner analyst) said he expected Microsoft to ramp up marketing aimed at casual gamers in another month or so.
"They've got a pretty good offering for casual gamers with Xbox Live Arcade, but the problem they have is they are not perceived as a casual gamer platform," Baker said. "They have to do some messaging and marketing to that consumer to let them know the Xbox 360 is viable."
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: Reuters via Yahoo!News
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
BBC uses Killzone2 footage for Halo3 story
>> From n4g.com:
[QUOTE]
BBC anchors commented on Halo 3 's launch while using Killzone 2 footage. Check the video.
[/QUOTE]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Todd McFarlane's Halo 3 Controllers Could Be Better
>> From gizmodo.com:
[QUOTE]
A Todd McFarlane/Microsoft collaboration to work on Halo 3 controllers should be a winning combo...but it's not.
Plastering a glossy reprint all over a controller isn't cool, it's gaudy and cheap looking. And packaging in Halo figurines doesn't make the design any better. If I wanted something that looked like this, I'd go find a third party Nuby controller in the bargain bin at Best Buy and avoid paying $60.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: gizmodo.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox360 Elite Tempting New Gamers
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
The Xbox 360 Elite is selling well, and market research is indicating a high proportion of those buying it are people who don't already own an original Xbox 360.
That's according to Neil Thompson, senior regional director for the UK and Ireland at Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, who spoke exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz.
"It's gone very, very, very well. Our data is saying so far that a lot of people buying it are new to the platform."
"It was interesting to us, because we thought that a lot of people who came to the platform early would have chosen the Elite, but a lot of the data we're getting out of store visits, etc, is showing it's new people, which is fantastic."
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
MS Admits Halo 3 Scratched Disc Problem - Free Replacements
>> From computerandvideogames.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has admitted there's a problem with Halo 3's Limited Edition packaging scratching game discs, and is now offering replacements via the Xbox website.
The problem is blamed on the plastic and foam nub in the LE tin designed to hold the discs; it turns out plenty of gamers - including CVG - are opening their copies of Halo to find the discs loose and scratched.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: computerandvideogames.com
Disc Replacement Program: here (free for the Halo 3 Limited Edition until 12/31/07)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Best Buy Allocations for Halo 3 and Defect Rate
>> I stood in line for an hour tonight like many of you around North America waiting patiently to get my hand on a Retail copy of Halo 3. Best Buy Toronto (downsview) location was the place to be, with 1000 of each Game SKU available and 400 of the Halo 3 Xbox Console sku. With less than 250 people in line, people can reasonably expect to get consoles and games when they wake up Tuesday morning here in Toronto. The Manager said BB Canada was allocated 15000 units per SKU across it's 27 Canadian Stores. With 1000 of each allocated to just the Downsview location, you can do some math and figure out what the rest of the Canadian shops are getting. :)
We had people show up around 1:30am after being in line at Walmart and FutureShop who did get a game, but didn't score much in the way of freebies. Best Buy had more than enough Free T-Shirts, Wall Graphics and Camo Headsets for all that wanted one.
Shocking though, was the number of Collector's Tin found to contain defective/scratched disks. when I left, the manager on hand for the event reported a 1/3 defect rate for the tin can collector's edition. Fortunately, BB was awesome, and allowed everyone the time to open their games, (regardless of edition) to determine if an on the spot swap was necessary. The Legendary "Helmet" edition had a few people pissed off, but that was more in the area of 1/20 defective. Kudos to Best Buy for the good service. The best bet for a guaranteed game experience was the basic no-frills edition.
Reportedly, some of the big losers tonight appear to be those who went to EBGames stores, and either found no midnight launches, or did and found not enough was available to meet even pre-order allocations.
Keep in mind this is a reflection of the Canadian market, and specifically the Toronto area.
Tested my copy, it works and I'm a happy camper. No Pre-Order BS for me. :) See you Recruits on LIVE!
BTW, the guide they are offering, has alot of helpful info without spoiling the ending!
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Some Gamers Plan to be 'Halo' Sick
>> From usatoday.com:
[QUOTE]
For Microsoft Xbox 360 owners, Tuesday is Opening Day -- the time to skip school, call in sick or take a vacation day for the big game.
"I've already talked to my teachers and got my assignments for Tuesday. I don't plan on going to class," says Dane Mitchell, 20, a Cincinnati State and Community College sophomore.
"I'm going to pick up the game at midnight from GameStop, go to a friend's house, and play it for 36 hours," he says. "That's what we did before, when Halo 2 came out, my senior year in high school. I can't believe my parents let me skip school to play it."
"At my school, at least 50 kids are getting it at the midnight release," says Sean Faust, 17, a high school senior from Alexandria, Ky.
"I'm not going to lie. I know about 15 kids who are going to skip school Tuesday, maybe even myself," Faust says. He'll nap 3-11 p.m. Monday, buy his copy at midnight and play until dawn -- or much later.
University of Cincinnati marketing major Dave Durham predicts that "about 25% of the students won't be in class on Tuesday" because of the Xbox factor.
[/QUOTE]
Will you call in sick from school/work? We won't call your boss/teacher ;)
Full Story: usatoday.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Cienti's Win FatX Renamer
>> From Cienti on the XBMC forums:
[QUOTE]
Well ... i programmed this 2 days ago, features (copied of another progs):
- Change [] and {} to ()
- Remove illegal chars
- Change illegal chars to _
- Change illegal chars to spaces
- Change _ to space
- Change space to _
- Change 2 or more spaces or _ to just one
- Remove spaces
- If filename is too long, remove spaces or _ before loosing chars
- Recursively (all folder+theif subfolder/files)
Why i did this? Because there is no really working program.
- xboxify (xbmc homepage link): Looks cool, dont work (at least in an WinXP Pro SP2 32bits).
- xboxify (last version, from SF): Same ... dont works
- all xbox-scene programs: All looks cool, some with nice features, but no recursive searchs. Some with recursive, but manual rename. Or finish ... dont work the nice one.
With this program, you can rename entire trees of folders/files, and later, with your preferred FTP Client, upload to xbox. Normally, the XBMC FTP Built-in server, rename the files and folders, but because FTP Protocol dont give enough information, when a folder is renamed, the FTP Client remain thinking the folder's name is untouched ... and here comes the problem, lot of folders without upload. When you have 1 folder, easy way, but when you have a folder with 200 subfolders, and into each, lot of files .... you cant do this manually.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by Cienti on XBMC forums (thx to pike for link)
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Halo 3: Generates Revenues of 560M USD - 1.5 million US pre-orders
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
With less than 24 hours to go before the game's launch, Microsoft has reported that it has already sold more than 1.5 million copies of Halo 3 in the US.
Early retailer reports indicate that the disks in the limited edition have a tendency to come loose in the tin, making them susceptible to scratching. The full extent of the potential problem will not be known until the game is made available to the public.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
In the eve of the Halo 3 launch, the L.A. Times has published an article today explaining that Halo 3 has the potential to generate revenues in excess of $500 million.
The game may sell as many as 10 million copies at an average retail price of $70 for a total of $700 million in sales, said Colin Sebastian, an analyst with Lazard Capital Markets. Of that, Microsoft will get about 80%, or $560 million.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: teamxbox.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Limited Time Price Cut on Select Xbox LIVE Arcade Titles
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Beginning at 12:00 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, September 26 (5:00 p.m. PDT on Thursday, September 27) and continuing through 11: 59 p.m. GMT (4:59 p.m. PDT) on Tuesday, October 2, the following Xbox LIVE Arcade games will be available at a discounted price:
* "Bankshot Billiards 2" (PixelStorm) - 900 Microsoft Points (normally 1200 Microsoft Points)
* "Frogger" (Konami) - 300 Microsoft Points (normally 400 Microsoft Points)
* "Hardwood Spades" (Silver Creek Entertainment) - 300 Microsoft Points (normally 400 Microsoft Points)
Also coming this Wednesday is "Bomb-Up Pack 2," the second add-on pack for "Bomberman Live," available for 250 Microsoft Points.
[/QUOTE]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft says no to Internal Wi-Fi for Xbox 360
>> From uk.news.yahoo.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it has no immediate plans to include Wi-Fi in the Xbox 360 console even though it continues to push its online gaming service.
"It's down to cost" a spokesperson for the gaming division told us before suggesting gamers can spend an additional £60 for the Wi-Fi dongle if they want wireless connectivity.
"We currently include an Ethernet cable and 1 month's free subscription to the Xbox Live service. We don't want people not interested in wireless connectivity having to play for a technology they don't want."
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: uk.news.yahoo.com
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XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2007-09-23 SVN rev10329 build - T3CH
>> T3CH released a new SVN compile (rev10329) of XboxMediaCenter(info) for Xbox1.
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in SVN at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
Special Notes and Added/Noteworthy/XML/Script changes:
* added: ability to set dlna profile on media items thumbnails in upnp server
* added: listitem.writer,listitem.tagline,videoplayer.writer and videoplayer.tagline info labels
* added: sort by video genre
* added : musicplayer.discnumber to DialogSongInfo.xml "again" only shows if files are tagged correctly. (Think i got them all now for consistency)
* added : musicplayer.discnumber to Home.xml & MusicOverlay.xml "again" only shows if files are tagged correctly.
* added : musicplayer.discnumber to MusicVisualisation.xml only shows if files are tagged correctly.
* added: Ability to specify actions on <onleft> etc.
* added: Ability to specify <animations> in list/panel labels.
* added: music video support. needs .nfo files for anything but artist and title (scrapes artist - title from filenames if no nfo is found, customize using musicvideos.xml). nfo tags
* added: support for program plugins
* added: <constant name="name_of_constant">number</constant> ability (in includes) to allow things such as <posx>name_of_constant</posx> for easy alteration of | | | | | |
