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Week of October 9, 2005
SpiderGX Sample Pictures and Tutorials
New Halo 2 map on Mimesis: Moon Stronghold
>> From projectmimesis.com:
[QUOTE]
New for download from the Mimesis(info) servers is a mod made by none other than, ScottyGee himself. The map is called Moon Stronghold for obvious reason: your on the moon! A tremendous effort was put into making this mod with the quality that comes with the Mimesis name. We hope that you enjoy this release and be sure to thank the author for all of his hard work.
"The Covenant discovered a liquid energy under the Moon surface. Infiltrate the Moon Base and get control of it before they do."
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.projectmimesis.com
Mysterious Crop Circles Surface: New viral marketing campaign?
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
An individual, going by the name of Lutz, has been posting various pictures of crop circles across different Xbox forums including our own. Although this all could be a hoax played by someone with time and Photoshop skills, this look to us like a new viral marketing campaign in the style of ILoveBees, OurColony, and Origen Xbox 360.
The pictures each display a type of crop circle; two drawn on sand and one on grass. The circles have three numbers in roman digits: I: 1, VI: 6 and VIII: 8.
It appears the story thickens as some forum users have come across yet another strange website[hex168.com] that is obviously tied to these mysterious photos.
[/QUOTE]
Also note that 168 in hex = 360 in decimals ;)
HEX168.com also has a counter with countdown to somewhere 3days and 15hours from now at time of writing this news.
Read More/Pictures: teamxbox.com, forum.teamxbox.com, hex168.com.
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
GR at Digital Life Expo: Xbox 360 and Windows MCE
>> From gamersreports.com:
[QUOTE]
We were at the Digital Life Expo today, and we must say, it was a pretty big disappointment in terms of consoles. The Xbox360 was not on display at all save for 2 employee only demonstration booths. I did catch the intern working the booth and make him run me through Windows XP Media Center interacting with the XBox360, and here are all the images I captured during the demonstration. One thing was very evident, if you do not like long loading times, and I mean LONG, then do not use Windows XP MCE to serve files to your Xbox360.
[/QUOTE]
Go check out the 16 images/screenshots on gamersreports.com.
Publishers and Retailers: Don't Kill Xbox Early
>> From mcvuk.com:
[QUOTE]
"Microsoft seems to have taken its eye off the ball with regards to the current Xbox - sales of hardware have slipped to a low level recently," said one publisher boss.
"With all the excitement of the 360 launch they could be forgiven, but they must refocus as there are still opportunities for the current market. And as a publisher we need them to get behind it more strongly. This gets the consumer excited and in turn sells more software.
"As it stands, great software on Xbox is underperforming significantly." Microsoft, however, has denied that Xbox has lost any of the company's focus.
The shortages of last Christmas and the first few months of this year have taken their toll on Microsoft's hardware sales, too, according to ChartTrack:
* 2005 year-to-date sales (UK): 183,000
* 2004 year-to-date sales (UK): 304,000
Year-on-year change: -39.7%
[/QUOTE]
Read More: mcvuk.com
SpiderChip USB Programmer Software v1.1
>> Team SpiderGX informed us about a new version of the Spider Chip USB Programmer Software(info) they released today. It's the software that allows you to flash their previous chip (SpiderChip v1.0/v1.1) and some other mods (see full list below) on your PC with the Spider USB programmer.
They also informed us a new version of the SpiderGX OS (for their new SpiderGX modchip) will be released in 2 or 3 days.
[QUOTE]
As promise we are doing our best to support our older products from 'Team SpiderChip'.
We are rewriting a software to support our "Spider USB programmer".
This new version will not have the same limitations as the original software and has a very important list of compatible chips:
Aladdin, Aladdin EX, Aladdin Advance, Super Aladdin Live, Aladdin XT, Aladdin 2, Aladdin xeno, MuppetX, SpiderChip, DuoX, DuoX 2, DuoX 2 Lite, X-lite, X-chip, X-bit, X2.6, X3.0
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.spidergx.com/
Download: here
Japanese Console Plans Revealed: 23.9% interested in Xbox360
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
The Famitsu survey was answered by over 2,000 people, interested in videogaming, during the last week in September.
It showed that 23.9% of gamers are "interested in acquiring an Xbox 360" with 25% saying they have no interest. 40% of respondents are undecided, while 10% "don't care".
In comparison to Xbox 360, 63.2% of consumers absolutely want to buy PS3 with only 5% rejecting it out of hand. 30% want to wait.
For the revolution the numbers are: 36% Yes I will, 10.4% Absolutely not, 40.6% Not for the moment, 13% I don't care.
TOP 3 Reasons For Buying Xbox 360:
* 82.2%: I like the controller
* 53.9%: I like the console's features
* 41.9%: I like the idea pf a removable HDD
TOP 3 Reasons for NOT buying Xbox 360:
* 49.3%: from the beginning, I don't like it
* 49.1%: the line-up is not interesting
* 36.3%: it is way too expensive
TOP 3 Reasons for 'wait and see' on Xbox 360:
* 81%: I would like to wait to see what kind of games will come to the X360.
* 53.1%: I would consider buying a X360 if its price is lowered.
* 21.9%: I believe the X360 will not be really retro compatible with the Xbox
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
Microsoft Unveils Xbox Live Arcade on Xbox 360
>> From the pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
At the Digital Life consumer technology showcase in New York, Microsoft will reveal the launch window portfolio for Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360.
Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Xbox at Microsoft, will announce in his Digital Life keynote speech the highly-anticipated Xbox Live Arcade launch titles, as well as Xbox Live Arcade support by the world's leading publishers including Midway Home Entertainment, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Vivendi Universal Games, Konami, SEGA, Namco and Hudson Soft.
The Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 launch portfolio will include the following titles through Holiday 2005: Astropop, Bankshot Billiards 2, Bejeweled 2, Crystal Quest, Feeding Frenzy, Gauntlet, Geometry Wars 2, Hardwood Backgammon, Hardwood Hearts, Hardwood Spades, Hexic HD, Hoopworld, Jewel Quest, Joust, Marble Blast Ultra, Mutant Storm Reloaded, Outpost Kaloki, Robotron 2084, SmashTV, Wik: Fable of Souls, Zuma.
As an added bonus, the full version of "Hexic HD," the Xbox Live Arcade puzzle game, will be included free of charge with every Xbox 360 System at launch. Designed by world famous Tetris® creator Alexey Pajitnov, "Hexic HD" will be preloaded on the Xbox 360 hard drive.
Additionally, Peter Moore will announce that more than 40 publishers and developers have signed on to support Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 with game titles.
Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 will consistently release new games to the service for gamers to download, with 35 titles planned by summer 2006.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: pressrelease.
OpenDash WIP Update: New Features
>> d0wnlab posted a Work-In-Progress update for OpenDash, an opensource dashboard currently in development for Xbox that can be build with the legal OpenXDK(info):
[QUOTE]
Thanksgiving weekend travelling led me to have a good amount of time to work on the OpenDash. Features fixed/added:
* Copy files, with progress bar.
* Copy entire directory trees.
* Multi-line text messages
* Skin/config separation.
* Skin switching on the fly
* Internationalization support (some text still hardcoded, most in config)
* More error checking before assuming something exists
* Fixing some memory leaks - still some missing
Still need to do a bit of fixing up, then I can release another windows build for skinners, fix bugs and add a bit more functionality on the xbox build, then release an honest-to-God xbox build :). I'm on a roll so this should all occur pretty quickly I hope, despite it being midterm season.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://th0mas.xbox-scene.com
Official Forums: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showforum=156
Update for Windows MCE to Xbox 360 Streaming coming today
>> From zdnet.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft on Friday is set to deliver new software, called Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center 2005, that will more closely link its forthcoming Xbox 360 gaming console into the company's plans for delivering digital entertainment.
The update will be available as a free download for Media Center users on Friday from the company's Windows Update site. New PCs with the updated software installed should arrive at retailers by this weekend.
The company said that as part of an update to its Media Center Edition of Windows, it will add the capability to stream digital media--music, videos, photos television and movies--from Media Center PCs to any television or device via Xbox 360. The move has been expected. Company executives discussed plans to build the software earlier this year.
Microsoft already allows customers to stream media through devices it calls Media Center Extenders, and it has in the past sold a kit to make Xbox work with Media Center PCs. But the new software will make Xbox, Microsoft's high-profile game machine, a peer in such arrangements and will for the first time include the ability to stream high-definition content. Xbox 360 consoles with special Media Center Extender technology will ship later this year, said Brad Brooks, senior director of product management in Microsoft's Windows client division.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: zdnet.com
Gates: Computer Science Grads in Demand and Xbox 360 Demo
>> From Associated Press via moneycentral.msn.com:
[QUOTE]
Computer science graduates will be in greater demand than ever over the next 15 years, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates says.
Gates addressed University of Michigan students Wednesday in kicking off a three-day college tour aimed at getting young people interested in computer science and related fields.
"You're going to have tons and tons of opportunities," Gates said. "If there's a field to go into, this is it."
As part of his talk, Gates demonstrated new kinds of technology, including Microsoft's new Xbox 360 videogame console, which can also play music and store photos.
"I don't think I'm going to win this race," he joked, as the blue Porsche repeatedly bounced off a wall on a simulated Las Vegas street.
Gates' tour includes stops at the University of Wisconsin, Princeton, Columbia, Howard and University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: moneycentral.msn.com
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(Thursday 13 October 2005 14:52 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Team SmartXX announced SmartXX v3
>> Team SmartXX(info) posted a news-item with a picture of the bottom-side of the new upcoming SmartXX v3 modchip. The expected release date for the modchip is "Winter 2005". We do not have more details about this new SmartXX modchip at this moment. As soon as we have more details we'll let you know!
Official Site: http://www.smartxx.com
Japan: FFXI Beta Details and Launch Changes
>> From ign.com(1)/ign.com(2):
[QUOTE]
* Sticking with previous announcements, the beta program of Final Fantasy XI will kick off with the Japanese launch of Xbox 360 on December 10. Obtaining the beta version of the game will be easy for Xbox 360 purchasers. Those who pick up the limited edition of the console will be able to obtain the beta disk for free at retail. Microsoft and Square-Enix haven't announced specifics on how the exchange will take place. Copies of the beta version are said to be limited, and once they run out, the offer ends.
To actually play FFXI, users will have to sign for a Play Online account and be a member in either the Silver or Gold Xbox Live programs. Not that this matters too much, as both PlayOnline and Silver membership are free.
* The latest issue of Famitsu reports that while EA plans on having FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup available on the 12/10 launch date (at the expected price tag of 7140 yen), Ubisoft has delayed the Japanese release of Ghost Recon: Advanced War Fighter to some time in the Winter.
With these changes, the Japanese launch lineup now includes Perfect Dark Zero, Need for Speed Most Wanted, Tetris, Dead or Alive 4, Ridge Racer 6, Enchant Arm, Every Party and FIFA 06.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: ign.com(FFXI Japanese Beta Details) and ign.com(Japanese Launch Changes)
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(Wednesday 12 October 2005 23:50 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XLink Kai Server Back Up and Development News
>> From prestige on teamxlink.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
Sadly, after three solid years of selfless dedication, TD has officially resigned as the active head of Team Xlink. Around the same time as TD's announcement, our core authentication and web server went offline. When it rains, it pours. We had presumed this systems failure was due to a networking issue that would be fixed quickly. That was not the case. We now know that the server failure was due to a spam malware attack at the data centre. Fortunately, our user database and web files were untouched but getting this data off the compromised server has proved to be a tedious undertaking -- four days later, we have managed to restore our game tunneling services. Yes, you can now play on Kai(info) again!
The combination of TheDaddy's resignation and the failure of our core server has led many to speculate that the Team Xlink project has come to an end. Albeit, the timing was terrible, however Team Xlink is very much alive. As, TD's explains it, "Kai is like a rugby ball. You need to pass it every now and then [...] and you can only pass it back to some guy on your team." The game, my friends, is still very much in play and Team Xlink is in charge of the field. TD tossed me the ball and I am running with it.
Current Developments:
Back in the game...
* Kai is up and I will be contacting remaining Orbital sponsors shortly to further expand the network
* we expect to have the rest of our web files in the next day or so and the regular site will be back up
Looking into the future...
* work on Evo8 is maturing rapidly and we expect a public release in the not too distant future
* we are currently implementing failover mechanisms to insure any future outages will be brief/unnoticeable
* in the upcoming weeks, we will be announcing new web-based functionality for greater control over your gaming experience (creating tournaments, organizing clan scrimmages, and game planning)
In the know...
* we will be adding a Member's Newsletter to let users know about any scheduled maintenance, upcoming events, and new developments
* a new ticketing system will be implemented to allow members immediate and organized access to moderator assistance and documentation.
* a developer journal will soon be added to help co-ordinate projects as well as give the members an insider's peek at what is currently in the works
Lastly, thank you everyone for your patience during this past four days. Your support and enthusiasm means alot to us!
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.teamxlink.co.uk
Press Preview Event: Joystiq' Xbox 360 hands-on
>> The guys at joystiq also went to the press preview event where the had the chance to try out the Xbox 360 for about 10-hours straight.
From joystiq.com(1)/joystiq.com(2)/joystiq.com(3):
[QUOTE]
Once the console has launched, we're gonna hear a lot of complaints. I think some people will return to the argument that we've heard all along; that is, the Xbox 360 is more like an Xbox 1.5. After spending a day with the system, I can definitely see how one might come away with that impression. But I hesitate to make that claim myself. What makes the Xbox 360 innovative--what makes it next-gen--is the interface, the Xbox Dashboard. My concern is that a lot of folks are gonna miss out on this revelation because its subtle, and because, at its deepest level, caters explicitly to hardcore gamers--or rather, detail-oriented perfectionists.
We've all read about the new dashboard, about the "blades" and gamer profiles. But once you see it in action, you begin to comprehend how this sort of interface is really going to change the definition of gamer. The real Xbox 360 can only function when its hooked into the network, Xbox Live. If all goes according to plan, Microsoft has developed a system that will rank and categorize gamers like never before--and what's so brilliant (or scary) is a user need simply to create a profile to initiate this process, that's it. In effect, your Xbox 360 is always watching; it's always cataloguing and taking notes. Theoretically, once it gathers enough information from you, if you do decide to make your experience Live, the system will have gathered enough information to group you with like-minded gamers, automatically. In addition, the options are there for you to fine-tune your preferences.
I was pleasantly surprised with Microsoft's enthusiasm for the Xbox 360's Live Arcade. The team is determined to do it right this time around--no hunting around for an installation disk. At launch, 12-15 games should be available, 15-20 by the end of the holiday season. Here's a list of definite launch titles.
All of the Live Arcade games will feature HD (1080i) resolution--but for purists, most retro-ports will be available to play in their original glory. In addition, 75% of the titles will feature Live multiplayer modes, with quick match, optimatch, and create match capabilities. Plus, your progress in these games will count towards your "gamerscore"; you'll also have the opportunity to earn achievements.
[/QUOTE]
Read More on joystiq.com(general), joystiq.com(xbox live arcade), joystiq.com(games overview) and perfect dark zeo.
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(Wednesday 12 October 2005 16:18 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Peter Moore about WorldWide Launch
>> Peter Moore, Microsoft's Xbox marketing and publishing boss, talked with bbc.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
"There's a reason no-one has done this before and we are figuring that out," said Xbox marketing boss Peter Moore.
"If we knew what we were getting into, we might not have done it," he admitted at a recent Xbox event in Amsterdam.
The downside has been a rush to get the console, the games and the online support ready for the 22 November launch in the US, and in Europe for 2 December and Japan for 10 December.
"We're going to ship all around the world; how we're going to do that, I don't know," said Mr Moore. "We're going to rent every 747 we can find."
The Xbox team admit that despite their best efforts, there will be some logistic issues around getting enough machines into the shops.
The problem for Microsoft is that some of the big names in the business are reluctant to rush out a game as they do not want to damage a franchise with a product that does not live up to expectations.
This is one of the reasons why leading French game maker Ubisoft has just delayed the Tom Clancy Ghost Recon game for the 360 until February next year.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: bbc.co.uk
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(Wednesday 12 October 2005 13:06 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
New sXb based slackware v10.2 with directfb and xdirectfb
>> A new version of sXb / sXbonastick(info), called 'sXb new', has been released. 'sXb new' is a slackware-based linux Xbox distro that can run from an USB memory-stick, HDD or CD/DVD (not tested). It now comes with:
* directfb: A thin library that provides hardware graphics acceleration, input device handling and abstraction, integrated windowing system with support for translucent windows and multiple display layers on top of the Linux Framebuffer Device. It is a complete hardware abstraction layer with software fallbacks for every graphics operation that is not supported by the underlying hardware.
* xdirectfb: A rootless X Server using DirectFB windows for X11 toplevel windows. This way you can adjust the opacity of every application with your mouse wheel (while holding Meta down over a window).
 Check out more screenshots here
From bollywood on forums.xbox-scene.com/email:
[QUOTE]
'sXb new' comes with a new layout and some new ideas that may not have been done on Xbox before like xdirectfb nvidia overlays and sdl acc, supervesa, new xorg 6.8.2, web cam on xbox etc...
So for video modes we now have xdirectfb with some real nivida overlay acc support, xdirectfb-SDL acc, xdirectfb-supervesa and latest xorg with nvxbox.
So we have 4 video methods to run in xdesktop and instead of pure console I used dfbterm which is much more clear and faster with mouse or xpad support.
I compiled it all with directfb v9.23 cvs latest support and multi-fusion, which means you can run 8 directfb apps at a time. 'sXb new' was build just few days ago so I used the latest slackware v10.2 that came out just a few days ago.
All the apps are the latest version available this week, for example FireFox v1.07, mplayer 107 pre2, qemu, wine, etc,..
Please note that mplayer, xine and gxine were compiled with directfb support so please do not take any module out of the modules dir which are already in the sXb iso or mediaplayers (or even sxb itself) might not work.
The release is 288MB. It was 230MB but I added extra modules so you don't have to download them separatly.
I have added the extra modules (sambam, wine, etc...) in the 'extramods' dir for you to add in the 'modules' dir, make your own sXb, just install sXb on USB-device or loop file and do what you like. Please read the sXb-doc if you can understand my doc, good luck.
My quickcam USB webcam is working so I added xawtv to view.
I am compiling tvtime and other stuff with directfb support in modules. I will upload when done and if I have time.
There are some new and experimental stuff in this new release. So please try it out and let me know what you think. There are some things I could not test myself because my Xbox DVDdrive is broken. So I have left docs so people can test a few things if possible. Thanks.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://sxb.keckstar.com
Xbox-Scene Forum Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: here
RealNetworks Games on Xbox Live, Lawsuits Settled
>> Microsoft and RealNetworks announced today that they settled all lawsuits, certainly check the last sentence in the quote below where they announce that digital games from Real will be available as (downloads) on the upcoming new version of Xbox LIVE (under the Xbox LIVE arcade section?).
From forbes.com:
[QUOTE]
A broad settlement between digital media pioneer RealNetworks Inc. and its longtime foe Microsoft Corp. goes a lot further than simply ending the last major U.S. antitrust case against the tech heavyweight.
The settlement starts with a $460 million cash payment that settles all antitrust disputes worldwide that RealNetworks had against Microsoft.
RealNetworks also gets $301 million in cash and services - including promotion on Microsoft Web sites and the software giant's instant-messaging service - that are designed to help its products reach a wider audience.
Seattle-based RealNetworks sued Microsoft in December 2003, accusing it of illegally forcing Windows users to accept Microsoft's digital media player. RealNetworks said its player suffered as a result.
RealNetworks also had participated in European Union and Korean antitrust complaints against Microsoft, but withdraws from those cases as part of the agreement.
Among other agreements, Microsoft's MSN online unit will feature RealNetworks' Rhapsody music subscription service on its MSN Music download site. It also will provide links in its MSN Search results that let people listen to songs through Rhapsody.
RealNetworks also will take steps to support Microsoft's MSN Search, and the companies agreed to jointly promote use of Windows Media technologies with Rhapsody To Go, a music subscription services for portable devices.
Microsoft also will offer digital games from Real through MSN Games and an upcoming version of its Xbox Live online game service.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: forbes.com
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(Wednesday 12 October 2005 00:01 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 kiosks coming the week of Oct. 24
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Retail sources claim that "Microsoft plans to distribute Xbox 360 demo kiosks to all major retailers in North America" during the week of October 24 (a Monday).
Apparently, "the kiosks were planned to be launched this week but were delayed by Microsoft for unspecified reasons." Xbox 360 "playable demos and gameplay trailers of launch titles" are expected.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com
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(Tuesday 11 October 2005 20:24 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
ATI Releases Xbox 360 GPU Technology Papers
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
ATI Technologies has released new documentation of Xenos, the custom graphics processor designed by ATI for the Xbox 360, at its Developer Program web site.
The Xbox 360 graphics processor, codenamed Xenos, has a 500 Mhz clock speed and 48 shader pipelines featuring an unified shader architecture, a first for a commercial graphics processor. The Xbox 360 GPU actually consists of two cores, a parent die that has a total of 232 million transistors and a daughter die, which has over 100 million transistors and acts as a frame buffer among other functions. This daughter die is manufactured by NEC Electronics using 90nm technology in the company's 300-millimeter (mm) wafer fabrication facility.
[/QUOTE]
Check out the Xenos EG2005 presentation slides on teamxbox.com.
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(Tuesday 11 October 2005 16:32 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Engadget: Xbox 360 Press Preview Event
>> From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
Ok, technically I was just one of many journalists at yesterday's press preview event, but I did get a chance to spend a couple of hours with the Xbox 360. I wasn't exactly blown away with every title I saw, but overall I walked away impressed. We'll have a full review of the 360 once we get the review unit they've promised us, but for now a few quick initial impressions:
* The controller itself felt good in the hand and that button in the middle brings you straight to Xbox Live. You can jump instantly in and out of Xbox Live from any game without messing things if you want to check your messages.
* The Xbox 360 doubles as Windows Media Center Extender and the demo I saw ran flawlessly, it was as if a copy of Windows XP Media Center Edition was running natively. They showed the Xbox streaming high def video off of a PC and it was perfect.
[/QUOTE]
Read more of his impressions on engadget.com.
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(Tuesday 11 October 2005 15:08 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
EuroGamer J. Allard Interview Part2 on launching the 360
>> Yesterday part1 of EuroGamer's (GI.biz) J. Allard interview was posted, now part2 is available:
[QUOTE]
Regardless of the precise identity of the 360 games that will emerge on day one, some in the industry still need convincing that the overall quality of the games is truly 'next generation'. Do higher resolution visuals offer a different experience, or are we just being asked to pay for games that would have been just as exciting on current generation technology?
And how much does the looming threat of the PlayStation 3 worry Microsoft? All this and more was posed to Mr Allard in another revealing account from the mouth of one of Microsoft's most senior execs...
[/QUOTE]
Check it out on eurogamer.net.
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(Tuesday 11 October 2005 10:02 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Quake 3 Xbox W.I.P. update: HD support?
>> Here's a Work-In-Progess update from Carcharius who's working on a Quake 3 engine port to the Xbox. From carcharius.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
Again it's been a while since I posted anything, unfortunately it's not because I've been too busy coding away.
I have been coding away, but I've also been waiting to take delivery of the shiny new Samsung LCD TV that I ordered a couple of weeks ago. So, rather than coding all the time I found myself checking the order status every 10 minutes to see if it had been sent yet! ;) Anyway it now arrived.
What's this going to mean for Quake 3? Well it might mean HD support, but I'll have to see how that goes. At least now it's here I can concentrate on coding again! ;)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://carcharius.xbox-scene.com
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 Accessory Packaging Revealed
>> The guys over at xbox365.com have some 'spy' pictures of the Xbox 360 accessories in their final/retail packaging. The images include the wired controller, wireless controller, memory unit, universal remote and the wireless adapter.
Check out more pictures on xbox365.com (news via joystiq.com)
Hardware Sales Stats, 20% Drop in Sept., PS2 Pricedrop and Boom Till 2009
>> Lot's of sales stats and projections were released today. Here's an overview.
From next-gen.biz, Reuters and gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
* The U.S. and European installed base for current generation systems shows PS2 at 51 million units, followed by Xbox at 18 million and GameCube at 13.2 million.
According to the new report from WMS (Wedbush Morgan Securities) ). Sony will "likely" cut the price of PS2 from $149 to $99 at or around the same time as the introduction of Xbox 360 in late November. It's thought unlikely that Microsoft will follow suit.
WMS forecast for (European and U.S combined) hardware sell-through is 12.2 million for PS2, 5.1 million for Xbox and 2.7 million for GameCube. It says Xbox 360 will sell 2.5 million.
The company says total hardware sales for this year will hit 40 million up from 35 million last year.
* U.S. retail sales of console video games fell 20 percent in September, but are seen rebounding at year-end -- the traditionally strong holiday season when Microsoft Corp.also will launch its new game player, an analyst said on Monday.
Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter said he expects double-digit declines for September and October.
"We expect modest growth in November and dramatic growth in December," with full-year console video game software sales ending 9 percent higher year-on-year, Pachter said.
* The latest report from well respected market research firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers suggests that videogames will spearhead a major growth spurt for the global entertainment industry between now and 2009.
The videogames industry, however, will grow by an astonishing 16.5 per cent every year to reach a net worth of $55 billion by 2009, a figure which doesn't even include hardware sales.
Asia-Pacific market will be by far the biggest market, with videogame revenues of $23 billion and 18 per cent annual growth - but Europe will be the fastest growing region, with the EMEA territories recording annual growth of 19.1 per cent to reach $14.3 billion in revenues in 2009.
The United States, meanwhile, will grow at just 12.9 per cent annually and will reach $15.1 billion dollars by 2009, according to the PWC figures.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz, Reuters and gamesindustry.biz:
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(Monday 10 October 2005 19:45 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Autodesk Ships 3ds Max 8
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Autodesk announced today it has begun shipping Autodesk 3ds Max 8 software, the latest version of its award-winning 3D modelling, animation and rendering solution. Created to address growing 3D pipeline complexity with new data management, character animation and speed/performance advancements, 3ds Max software is one of the industry's most popular solutions that help customers realise their creative 3D ideas for game development, film and video production and design visualisation.
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Read More: teamxbox.com
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(Monday 10 October 2005 16:36 EST) - (Category: GamingGeneral) - (Posted by::
)
Allard predicts 'some disappointment' for retail at X360 launch
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Xbox corporate VP J Allard has confirmed that while Microsoft is doing all it can to meet demand for Xbox 360 at launch, there will be "some disappointment" for retailers and consumers.
Allard said there was an ongoing discussion around the "allocation issue": "It's a dialogue with the retailers, and it's not just by territory, it's also by country, and so at an event like this we can actually get some feedback from the retailers... So we can adjust our allocations."
Allard blamed the potential for shortages on the constraints of trying to develop silicon techniques and include the most advanced technologies within the 360, adding that any such shortages will not be concentrated in specific regions.
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Read More on gamesindustry.biz and the full interview on eurogamer.net.
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2005-10-09 CVS build
>> A new CVS compile (by T3CH) of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
This T3CH-compile is a BAREBONE package (with just a few thirdparty scripts and with just the default skin) compiled with XDK v5849.
Here's the added features, for all the fixed, changed and updated stuff check the full changelog since the 2005-10-03 CVS release:
* added: Nav view, recently played albums (musicdatabase will be updated to version 1.3)
* added: video mode override in my programs.
* added: rename xbe in my programs.
* added: Playlists to My Music Library, also directly accessible via XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyMusicLibrary,Playlists)
* added: XBMC.PlayerControl(Record) skin command. Toggles recording state. Player.IsRecording, Player.CanRecord are visibility states that tell if it is possible
... check the full changelog here.
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not a official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
You can add more scripts and skins yourself if desired. You can download them from allxboxskins.com, xbox-skins.net and xbmcscripts.com.
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Full Changelog/Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
Download SourceCode: here
Hamtitampti Talks About Stolen Xbox360 Dev Kits
>> Hamtitampti (Franz) talked on the smartxx forums about the stolen Xbox XeXDKs story and the article on Spiegel.de. Here's a translation from german to english by Nuendo. *UPDATE* An anonymous reader sent us an updated translation:
[QUOTE]
Sadly I was unable to get together with Microsoft to coordinate a press-release.
Here's a copy of an E-mail I've received [most likely from a middleman between hamti and Microsoft]:
Hello Mister xxxxx,
Thank you for your e-mail, I forwarded it immediately to Microsoft.
I don't think we will get a reply within the next couple of hours.
I can as well only hardly imagine that Microsoft releases the message in this form. We'll See....
Regards, Josef Niemann (Prevent AG)
While Microsoft is holding their mouth shut on the matter (Which is understandable as they don't want to be associated in such matters) I am being heavily attacked. Here's a quote of the upcoming "Spiegel" (a renowned german magazine) which is available on Monday: "A young man in his late 20's, whom policemen described as "chain-smoking and cola-addicted computer freak" and "The seeming confused man tried to tell the policemen the gullible story that he received the units off a friend in Germany."
The representation from "Spiegel" is insolence and contradicts any good taste. The whole thing then escalated to the extent that, even on TV, entire reports focused on the matter. It would've been funny if this happened in the USA; We would have seen helicopters circling over my house with a live camera... (Just like in the movie "Larry Flynt")
You want to know the Truth?
On Wednesday, the 24th August, 10 XeDK Boxes (Xbox 360 Development Kits) were stolen from the central deposit of Microsoft Europe which is ran by „Bertelsmann LogisticGruppe" in "Düren" (A Town in Germany).
On Friday the 26th August, Team SmartXX(info) received an offer for 7 XeDK boxes. Team SmartXX was shocked, but said: "Yeah we'll take 4 of them". (We didn't believe this offer at first)
We immediately contacted Microsoft with whom we have a long-running (Hate-Love) relationship in various Territories. Together with Microsoft we then decided that on Saturday the 27th August we would unveil [post pictures of] the XedK Boxes with the reasoning to lower the emotional value of the units (in order to prevent future thefts) as well as to create a market based on stolen XeDK Units.
This attempt succeeded. On the 6th September another 14 (!) XeDK Boxes been stolen. But due to an internal mistake (on Microsoft's side) the theft was known to them although the pursuit of the units failed and Microsoft could not track these units down anymore. Of course this case was not brought to the police's attention.
Due to a miss-understanding within Microsoft - Only a few were aware of the whole thing because Microsoft assumed to have a spy/informant within their own employees - 2 of my E-mails been forwarded mistakenly saying "Hey they got something" to the police since there was a report from the Logistic Camp (Bertelsmann). Although this was not the case, Team SmartXX handed out the 4 Boxes to the police to prevent hindering their case.
Out of this reason Microsoft wasn't involved in the case anymore, and thus the company "Prevent AG" (www.prevent.ag) got the case since they are specialized on them.
A raid in your own house on a Sunday evening is something you have to bear with - said the Microsoft Rights Department - And I shouldn't take this so seriously... (Everything can be ironed out with money, not without a reason is MS designated as M$...) But it is truly saddening that one side of such a large company doesn't know what other side does and certain things being done without investigation on higher authorities.
That the police had to investigate for a long time to find the so-called thief (who they thought was me) is also a bloated representation. I think with a mail containing phone number and address it's pretty easy to find the sender.
Team SmartXX and Microsoft tried everything possible in order to stop the whole case at the police. Although an "unknown factor" couldn't help in our covered investigation and unfortunately we didn't succeed in stopping the case. On the other hand it is pretty sensational that the police themselves given interviews about the case yet was telling our lawyers that the case was still open and thus no documents or information could be handed out. As well our confiscated hardware (including a laptop and digital camera) have not yet been returned. (Have fun with my vacation photographs)
After this took place we decided on the 9th October 2005 to showcase 3 Xbox360's on the SmartXX Homepage (but this time final machines with all accessories).
With the idea: "what worked once, works a 2nd time too"
To achieve this, the idea was that we would receive boxes arriving on Monday / Tuesday (10th/11th October).
Which were by then equipped with tracking transmitters from the factory based in China in order to be 100% secure and not leave a loop-hole within shipping anymore. It's not hard to figure out by now that it was impossible to acquire the machines anymore now.
Therefore the whole action was stopped and never taken place.
Team SmartXX wants to send out their apologies to everyone involved in this matter as we didn't play with open Cards.
To Microsoft I only want to say this: Of course you will deny everything, like always. But to tell every reporter at the X05 that the thief has already been caught....... That's wonderful considering you've been proclaimed internally to remain "silent" on the case.
And you can at the same time try to deny why you are paying my lawyer? Bank vouchers are hard to deny or are they forged documents?
In addition we do thank the press for the "outstanding" press release, it was truly pertinent. Thanks again. It really helped clearing up on the case. Although it seems there are a few good reporters left, thanks go out to Golem.de, which gave us a call first and only then posted about it. That's something you'd wish to be the same with other reports, alas, it isn't.
Team SmartXX reserves itself to induce legal steps against the demagogic press. A simple apology will not be enough to dispose this.
[/QUOTE]
The original german text is available on smartxx.com.
OpenDash WIP Update
>> d0wnlab posted a Work-In-Progress update for OpenDash an opensource dashboard currently in development for Xbox that can be build with the legal OpenXDK(info):
[QUOTE]
Just a quick note on what's going on. Currently getting OpenDash running on xbox in good condition. I'm still haunted by circumstantial input handling - sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. Development is very stuttered due to schoolwork and the beginnings of my honours project - a port of eCos to a ARM7 computer that is going to be part of a nano-satellite in the spring.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://th0mas.xbox-scene.com
Official Forums: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showforum=156
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