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Week of April 3, 2005
Xbox Image Grabber 2 v1.1
>> Team XR8D released a new version of Xbox Image Grabber(info) - small Windows GUI application that automates the process of taking screen captures off the Xbox.
What's new/fixed (since v1.0 (build 2005-03-17)):
* Added a Debug Game Manager
* Added automatic Image Resizing
* Date/Time format now in YYYYMMDDNNSS
Official Site: http://www.xr8d.net/dev/
Release Readme: here
Download: here
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(Saturday 09 April 2005 23:43 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Gentoox Home v4.0 status update
>> ShALLaX is currently completely rebuilding Gentoox Home(info).
From gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
KDE Multimedia finished about an hour ago (yes, it took a day and a half!). Now onto KDE Addons then KDE EDU and then KDE Utils... then KDE is out of the way and the rest should be relatively fast by comparison! It's on package 265/352!
[/QUOTE]
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(Saturday 09 April 2005 15:29 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
More Xbox 360 Rumors
>> From Spong.com:
[QUOTE]
More rumours are doing the rounds today regarding the specifications and software delivery methods of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console. Hard disk size is currently being touted as around the 40 gig mark – which seems fairly large but not staggering, though this will be subject to change as costs are juggled before the device goes into production late this summer. The machine is said to feature two video outs, one of which can be connected to a monitor, and will not, allegedly, be backwards compatible. It’s also being suggested that purchase via download is going to be offered, with games bought in this way sold earlier and cheaper to sweeten the deal.
And speaking of games on the HDD, the new console with be sold with Halo 2 pre-installed on the console, obviously beautified to make the most of the system’s power.
This isn’t all, though. There’s also talk of a 120 gig add-on hard drive for the new Xbox which comes pre-loaded with software.
We’d like to stress that all of the above is nothing but rumour at the moment.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on Spong.com and forums.gaming-age.com.
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(Saturday 09 April 2005 01:14 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
MS Press: All-Star Publishers Commit to Deliver Content for Next-Gen Xbox
>> Micrsoft issued a press release, confirming the news leaked yesterday:
[QUOTE]
REDMOND, Wash. -- April 8, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. today unveiled its all-star lineup of award-winning publishers committed to making the leap into the HD Era on Microsoft's next-generation Xbox® platform.
The future Xbox will deliver on the company's vision of the HD Era -- an era fueled by consumer demand for experiences that are always connected, always personalized and always high-definition -- through the amazing clarity of high-definition graphics, extraordinary benefits of constant connectedness and exceptional personalization abilities. To help make this a reality, Microsoft has assembled some of the most powerful publishers to drive the industry into the high-definition gaming revolution. Together, these publishers have sold more than half a billion copies of current-generation Xbox console video games worldwide and represent approximately 70 percent of all current-generation console games sold in 2004.*
"The key to bringing the vision for the HD Era of gaming to life is our partners: world-class publishers and developers that have molded and shaped the history of interactive entertainment for tens of millions of gamers worldwide," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Xbox global content and marketing at Microsoft. "This stellar lineup of publishers and developers is poised to deliver games experiences our customers only dreamed were possible, and is ultimately committed to elevating video games to be the No. 1 form of entertainment."
Publishing heavyweights such as 2KGames, Activision Inc., Atari Inc., Bandai Co. Ltd., Bethesda Softworks LLC, Buena Vista Games Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Codemasters Software Company Ltd., Eidos Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., FromSoftware Inc., InterServ International, KOEI Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., LucasArts, Majesco Entertainment, Midway Games Inc., Namco Ltd., Phantagram Co. Ltd., Rockstar Games, SCi Games Ltd., SEGA, Tecmo Ltd., THQ Inc., TWP Corp., Ubisoft Entertainment, Vivendi Universal Games Inc. and Webzen Inc. have committed their support for Microsoft's innovative vision for the future of high-definition gaming.
These premier publishers join Microsoft Game Studios, whose stable of game developers will bring exclusive content to the next-generation Xbox platform. These developers include BioWare Corp., Bizarre Creations Ltd., Bungie Studios, Epic Games Inc., FASA Studio, Lionhead Studios Ltd., Rare Ltd., as well as newcomers Yoshiki Okamoto's Game Republic Inc., Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker and Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Q Entertainment Inc.
The next-generation Xbox titles will provide exhilarating entertainment experiences that will drive the HD Era. Gamers can expect technological advancements such as multichannel audio fidelity that will plunge them into a world so realistic, even the faintest enemy footsteps can be heard. These advancements will be fueled by richer online communication and by an abundance of on-demand content delivered by the Microsoft® Xbox Live (TM) service.
In addition, Microsoft is fully committed to this generation, and gamers can expect an amazing pipeline of titles into 2007. This year alone, Xbox publishers and developers will deliver more than 200 games to the platform. Since its launch, Xbox has sold 20 million consoles worldwide, and is expected to sell millions more.
This unified show of commitment from the leaders of the publishing industry underlines their belief in the Xbox vision of how hardware, software and services can be fused to power next-generation gaming and entertainment experiences.
[/QUOTE]
You can read what these publishers have to say about Microsoft and the next gen. Xbox (Xenon, Xbox2, Xbox Next, Xbox 360) on the bottom of this page[microsoft.com].
PlayStation 3 to emerge ahead of Xbox 2 at E3
>> From GamesIndustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Sony will hold its event on a sound stage in Sony Pictures' complex in Culver City, just outside Los Angeles, at 15.00 PST on Monday, May 16th, and is expected to show off the next-generation PlayStation for the first time at this event.
Three hours later at 18.00 PST, Microsoft will kick off its own event in downtown Los Angeles, where it is expected to finally take the wraps off the next-generation Xbox, currently known only by its development codename Xenon.
The scheduling is threatening a headache for media and industry types who need to attend both events, since if the Sony event runs on for a while it could be quite tough to get from Culver City back into downtown LA in time for the 6pm kick-off with Microsoft.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on GamesIndustry.biz.
Pool SX W.I.P. Update
>> From shizno on aftershock.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
Well I have spent a bit of time on Pool now and the game's base is all done.
Basically all thats left is bitch work:
* Tweaking a few things, improve the AI a tad (actually Im not even going to bother putting AI in custom made games).
* I have to model everything better also...
Oh and I dont know much about pool, except normal 8 ball shit, so if there are any cool gametypes you know of find the Official Pool SX thread on the X-S Aftershock forums and give me the details so I can add it in, once I get the jist of how all the gametypes work you'll be able to make your own better anyway... (only a certain player can shoot their balls into a certain hole? etc)
I'm in a hurry to get this crap finished so I can work on my next project so if noone posts any gametypes soon youll be stuck with normal pool ;)
[/QUOTE]
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(Thursday 07 April 2005 15:20 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Ad campaign offering glimpse of next-gen Xbox? *updated*
>> From gamespot.com/computerandvideogames.com:
[QUOTE]
www.Ilovebees.com - any of you remember it? (note x-s: viral marketing campaign to help hype Halo 2).
Now it seems that the Xbox marketers are at it again, but this time for the Next Gen Xbox successor - the Xbox 360.
But whereas Ilovebees.com was a narrative-driven mystery, ourcolony.net appears to be a competition. After successfully guessing the password to enter the site a message from someone called the "Gamem8ker" asks visitors to form a "colony" or team. "It's colony against colony and to the winner, well, the winner gets all," reads a message from the Gamem8ker.
How does one win? Do the still-unnamed viral-marketing firm's legwork and spread the word about ourcolony.net. After starting a colony, players of the not-an-alternate reality who recruit five to the colony game will get their first "challenge," and will receive more challenges as they recruit more members to join the ad campaign/game. "You're not going to make it to the end if you try to solo this, there's strength in numbers," reads Gamem8ker's message.
According to posts in the ourcolony.net forums, challenge-winners receive partial pictures of what looks like a white version of a redesigned Xbox controller. Currently, only two images are currently available--both in a folder marked "thesecret" on the site's directory. The first looks like a thumbstick above a D-pad. The second shows the D-pad in more detail, just above a curved edge in what appears to be the middle of a controller. When combined and compared to a current-generation S-controller, the images exhibit a distinctly Xbox-ian layout and feel, although the start and back buttons appear to be missing. As the ourcolony.net competition progresses, it is almost certain that a more pictures of the controller--and perhaps its console--will surface.
Also, those with a keen eye will also notice a countdown timer on the top of the page.
The countdown will ends at 8pm PDT on Thursday, May 12, nearly four days to the hour before Microsoft's pre-E3 presentation on the evening of May 16. What will happen on May 12 remains unclear.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on computerandvideogames.com (free reg. req.) and gamespot.com.
Visit www.ourcolony.net to check it out. (can't find entry password? click here).
To join the X-Scene colony use this pass: '13897122'
Xbox-Scene Forum Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
*UPDATE*
You can now join the xbox-scene colony called 'X-Scene'.
The password is '13897122': http://www.ourcolony.net/teampass/.
The ourcolony.net server is very slow atm and giving errors all the time. Seems like the Windows(r) servers can't handle the load ;) Keep trying :)
Go on the forums for more info/discussion.
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(Thursday 07 April 2005 10:53 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 Developer Support List Offered
>> From Spong.com:
[QUOTE]
According to various Taiwanese news agencies, the country’s Xbox division has leaked a list of companies already contracted to Xbox 360 support. With perhaps only Square Enix as the only notable name absent, the leaked info is the first offering on the subject to date.
Sources claim that this initial roster will be further bolstered at this year’s E3 and while SPOnG keeps an open mind as to the validity of the list, it does make compelling reading nonetheless.
[/QUOTE]
Go check the full list on Spong.com.
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(Thursday 07 April 2005 10:15 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
J Allard Talks Backward Compatibility, Halo 2 and Xbox 2
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Soon after the GDC keynote, G4TV landed an exclusive interview with J Allard.
Here is an extract of the interview:
G4TV: What about those kick ass Halo 2 players who wanna be able to continue their reputation on the next Xbox? What if they can’t play that game?
J. Allard: We’ll have something for those kick ass Halo 2 players on the next system.
G4TV: So you’ll be able to play Halo 2 on Xbox 2?
J. Allard: We’ll have something for those kick ass Halo 2 players in the next generation.
G4TV: Is the next generation Xbox going to be backwards compatible or not?
J. Allard: You keep asking a question I’m not going to answer Geoff. Does that satisfy you?
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on TeamXbox.com.
To watch the entire interview, go to video.msn.com (seems to require IE).
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(Thursday 07 April 2005 00:02 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
sXb mini v1 + update
>> The team behind the sXb(info) distro released a new version of sXb mini(info) (a sub-50MB linux distro for Xbox based on the Slackware PC distro).
Features of this release:
* Less than 43MB download!
* Use as FAST LiveCD or install to E/sxbmini in about 1 minute by running script
* Ultra-light and fast sXb. Boots in ~10 seconds from HD to desktop. And boots Dillo web-browser in less than 1 second.
* xpad support
* Virtual Keyboard icon on desktop
* SSHdaemon
* Network configuration via DHCP
* Updated save-sxbmini script to easily save changes
Bollywood has also released an updated etc.tar.gz for sXb mini v1.
The changes are:
* Static IP (192.168.0.2) if you don't use DHCP
* Automatically saves changes before shutdown! No having to run save-sxb!
To install: download update and just FTP it to E:/sxbmini/packs
Official Site: http://sxb.keckstar.com
Screenshots: here[keckstar.com].
Xbox-Scene Forum Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
sXb Forums: www.keckstar.com
Download sXb mini v1 (43.67MB): here[keckstar.com]
Download Update (0.42MB): here[keckstar.com]
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(Wednesday 06 April 2005 20:00 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 Sees Dramatic RAM Increase?
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
As the war between the Xbox 360 and PS3 begins to really kick into overdrive, the rumor mill is starting to go crazy. The latest is word that there has been some major change in the Xbox 360’s RAM in the last month. No word on details, but it sounds like it could be a dramatic increase.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole story on kotaku.com.
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(Wednesday 06 April 2005 10:50 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Prometheus Update1 and Forums
>> Prometheus is a map editor currently in development that will allow you to edit and create maps for Halo 1, Halo 2, and future games that use the Halo Engine.
They updated their website with a real-time (check the clock at the bottom right) video of some of Prometheus in action. You can download the video (6.5MB) on halodev.org.
They also answered 10 frequently asked questions and launched their forums.
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(Tuesday 05 April 2005 23:01 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Using Your PSP To Save Xbox Games
>> Here's something interesting from cq-ef.net:
[QUOTE]
Well well, we over at CQ, not being content with leaving well enough alone, have figured out a way to use your PSP to carry XBOX game saves. Thats right XBOX. **Keep in mind this will ERASE ALL YOUR PSP SAVES. Back them up first. Here is what you need to do:
1. Get a PSO USB keyboard adapter from XBOX.com. That or any other USB adapter for the XBOX controller.
2. Go to the MS dash Memory section.
3. Plug your PSP USB cable in to the PSO USB adapter. Put your PSP in USB mode. Wait for the XBOX to detect it and pick "ERASE."
4. Copy any saves you like on to your PSP.
5. When you are done reformat your PSP Memory Stick in the PSP System Options and you can use it for PSP again.
[/QUOTE]
Good work cq-ef.net. Visit them to view the images.
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(Tuesday 05 April 2005 22:08 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
CNN Gives a Sneak Peek to Next Xbox: Date, Name and More
>> From cnn.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has the most riding on this year's show (note xbox-scene: referring to E3 that kicks off May 18th in LA). Three days before it officially begins, the company will finally take the wraps off of its next generation Xbox (which will almost certainly be named Xbox 360). Microsoft hopes the new machine will help it unseat Sony from its long-held industry leader position, which won't be an easy feat.
While there are still plenty of mysteries surrounding Xbox 360, a few details have leaked out. All games will be optimized for high definition televisions. All will have some online functionality. And the graphics engine will be more powerful than anything on the market today.
A hard drive is still a possibility. And Microsoft is working hard to make the machine backward compatible with current Xbox games, though that hasn't been easy due to a change in hardware vendors.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on cnn.com (with some info about Sony's and Nintendo's next gen console aswell).
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(Tuesday 05 April 2005 19:17 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XNA Studio Interview
>> From GamingNexus.com:
[QUOTE]
We chat with Chris Satchell, the General Manager of the Game Developer Group of Microsoft about their new XNA studio tool.
With the impending release of the next Xbox later this year, Microsoft introduced a new toolset for game developers last month at the Game Developers Conference. XNA Studio is based on an upcoming version of the Microsoft Visual Studio development suite. Since John and I are both software developers, we just had to get the scoop on what Microsoft had planned for this version of the tool we use in our day jobs. Luckily Chris Satchell, the General Manager of the Game Development Group, took some time to answer our questions
[/QUOTE]
Go read the interview on GamingNexus.com.
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(Tuesday 05 April 2005 10:09 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
More Japanese game giants choosing next-gen Xbox?
>> From GameSpot.com:
[QUOTE]
"[Final Fantasy creator Hironobu] Sakaguchi-san, [Space Channel 5 creator Tetsuya] Mizuguchi-san, and myself (Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto) have been the focus of attention so far. But I've been hearing that some other designers will also be joining [in making games for the next Xbox]. There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'."
"If the current line-up [of games] in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed," Okamoto said in the interview, "it would not only surprise users, but the entire industry. There probably wouldn't be anyone [in Japan] that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the line-up." He called the still-under-wraps list "a powerful fleet of Japanese designers."
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article from GameSpot.com
Win a Trip to E3 from Xbox.com *Updated*
>> From xbox.com:
[QUOTE]
The Xbox.com Apprentice scores a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles, three night's lodging, tickets to E3, and 200 bucks kickin'-around cash. In between checking out the show, getting your hands on o-fresh-they're-steaming game demos, and ogling booth babes, you get to be our little Xbox.com lackey. Give Peter his wakeup call. Fetch coffee for Major Nelson. Help Rinaldi haul his video gear. Hold TriXie's hair when she pukes. You get the idea.
Sound like something you'd be into? Here's what you need to do for your shot at E3 lackey-dom:
Send us mail at xlmail@microsoft.com, with the subject line "I'm Your Lackey". Tell us in writing (email or Word doc; 250 words or less) why you are the Xbox.com Apprentice of our dreams. Be creative, be funny—just don't be boring. You can also include a photo (.jpg or .gif; two megabytes or less) or video (.wmv; five minutes max) to help your case. We must receive your entry by April 15, 2005. Get all the specifics in the rules here.
[/QUOTE]
Min. age is 21 and contest is open to US residents only.
More Info: xbox.com
*Update* There's also a 2nd E3 trip contest:
The 2nd contest dubbed 'Major Nelson & TriXie's L.A. Sweepstakes', will get the winner about the same prizes ($250 instead of $200 cash and they also promise to make sure the winner has access to 'some of the coolest stuff'). It's a random drawing contest open to all current Xbox Live members registred before March 24 2005. Min. age is 18 here, it's still only open to US residents and registration ends April 8 2005.
More Info: xbox.com
osXsign v1
>> osXsign is a app that allows mac users to sign halo 2 maps. All you have to do is simply drag the map or maps that you would like to sign on to the app and let applescript do its thing. It currently does not support folders just file(s).
It has been tried on multiple maps including entire map packs and every map worked flawlessly.
Official Site: n/a, by Metallirat and Brent
Download: here
News-Source: halomods.com
More Xbox2 hard drive rumors: removable HD?
>> From computerandvideogames.com:
[QUOTE]
This is a subject that has been much discussed before, with various dark hints, conjecture and additional rumours adding petrol to the bonfire. Will Xbox 2 have a hard disk? Will it not? Will it be removable, will it be fixed? Will it come in a number of flavours and sizes depending on which Xbox 2 edition you buy?
The list of hard drive rumours is almost endless but there's further speculation from US magazines today saying that Xbox 2 will not only have a hard drive, but that it will be removable and portable, so that you can carry around all your favourite games, saves and preferences, as well as MP3 files and video, possibly slotting them into other Xbox 2s to share this stuff with your friends and relations.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on computerandvideogames.com (free reg. req. possible)
Halo, Fable and Project Gotham franchises confirmed for Xbox2
>> From GamesIndustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Several of the biggest Xbox franchises are already planned for Xbox 2, according to Microsoft Game Studios boss Shane Kim, who has confirmed that Fable, Halo and Project Gotham Racing are all en route to the next-gen console.
Kim didn't give any further details of the company's actual plans for any of the franchises in question, but the new Halo and Fable games, at least, are unlikely to appear until quite a while after launch - since developers Bungie and Big Blue Box both only finished work on their last games late in 2004.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on GamesIndustry.biz.
Xenium S.P.ICE Sample
Surreal64 XXX beta2
>> Team XXX (GogoAckman,FreakDave and Artik) released a new version of Surreal64(info) XXX - a Nintendo 64 emulator for Xbox.
What's new/fixed:
* sources updated to latest cvs, which means rice video 5.60, new audio plugins.
* brand new launcher, I let you discover it
* brand new ingamemenu
* lot of options
* input corrected a bit, it is not perfect though
* many other things, too much to tell actually
Official Site: http://fbaxxx.fr.st
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
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