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Week of May 9, 2004
Update from Team XLink about Kai Evo VII
>> From dfunked on the Xlink Forums:
[QUOTE]
Firstly, no this isn't an update to tell you that we've cancelled the countdown or anything like that.
The old website (bless her ugly face) has now been taken down. There will be NO MORE XLink(info) Messenger RC2 Omega signups, and no more 0006 XLink Kai BETA signups. If you were dying to get on, I'm sorry but you'll have to wait a week (it'll be worth it )
If you visit http://www.teamxlink.co.uk you'll notice that there are now 2 countdowns. The first countdown is when we hope that you'll be able to download XLink Kai: Evolution VII from one of our mirrors (if you want to mirror, let us know). The second countdown, 2 days earlier, is the release of our new website. We're doing this so that people can start registering their XTags (usernames) and minimize the strain on our webserver if everybody was trying to both register and download. So get in early to preserve your XTag
For people who currently own arenas, or groups with the 0006 BETA, here's an important note. If you CHANGE YOUR XTAG from the 0006 BETA, you WILL NEED to contact me so that I can update the owner of the arena / group. Otherwise you will not be able to manage your arena or group. If you sign up with the EXACT same XTag, then there will be no problems.
With the release of the new website, comes the benefits of integration. TD and myself greatly appreciate the efforts of XBox-Scene.com for hosting our Official XLink Forums for over a year now. They've been our only avenue to really get support issues sorted with the users. With that said, we are no longer an XBox-only crew, as XLink Kai: Evolution VII supports all 3 major consoles (XBox, GameCube and PS2). Hence we made the decision to host our own forums to better reflect the new vision and new stance. I've integrated the XTags with the usernames on the forums, so that support issues can be easily tracked. We don't know how successful we would have been without the support of XBox-Scene.com and we thank them again
Right now, TD's been hiding in the background trying to get a lot of stuff sorted. *IF* things become too much, or he feels it'll rush things, there may have to be an unfortunate delay, but at this point in time, things are still on schedule for a Midnight release on 23rd May (British Standard Time).
That's enough from me, I've got a website to finish
We hope to see you become a part of Global Network Gaming very very soon
Cheers, Team XLink.
[/QUOTE]
XBMC EuroDate Patch
>> From readme/nfo:
[QUOTE]
Until now the XBoxMediaCenter (XBMC) have not an option to change the date format to European style. With this patch you can change the display format of the date to this format.
From this "Saturday, May 15" to this "Saturday, 15 May"
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.darkmoon.org (by Pyra)
Download: here
News-Source: xbins.org
XBMC Skin Contest postponed!
>> From Gamester17 on xboxmediacenter.com:
[QUOTE]
We have decided to postpone the last submission date of our XboxMediaCenter(info) skinning contest by one month, this mostly due to the few number of skins submitted so far. Postponing the contest means new skinners will get a chance to catch up to join the competition and all existing skinners get to perfect the final touches of their entries, or perhaps even create another skin for XboxMediaCenter? Again, the prizes on stake is 20 Xenium modchips provided by Team-OzXodus and XBOX-GEAR.COM. The final submission date is now 20th of June 2004, so go ahead and get skinning!
Non-skinners, please make a donation to help pay for the winners modchip shipping cost.
More info: XBMC Skinning Contest Rules and Conditions
[/QUOTE]
How many lives does game industry have left?
>> From kentucky.com:
[QUOTE]
For years, the video game industry has performed like one of its action-title superheros, breaking sales records and reaching new levels of popularity. Now, the business is in dire need of a magic energy pill.
Nobody is about to declare "game over" for the industry's growth. But after a few stellar years that pushed virtual role-playing and first-person shooters beyond the realm of teenagers and geeks and into the hands of half the country's consumers, the business is poised for a breather.
As the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, the video game industry's annual convention got under way this week, Cole's DFC Intelligence predicts sales of interactive gaming software and hardware will drop 9 percent this year, to their lowest level in years. Next year is expected to be even worse, with sales of games and equipment forecast to drop an additional 14 percent.
No major new gaming hardware is scheduled to hit the domestic market for at least another year or two, although Sony was expected show off a new portable game and music player at E3.
Without new hardware, game developers are reluctant to take big chances on unproven titles. As a result, the business these days looks a lot like the sequel-driven movie industry, with titles like Halo 2, Doom 3 and Gran Turismo 4.
Although sales of software, accessories and portable games increased slightly in the first quarter of this year, sales of consoles -- a category that includes PS2, Xbox and GameCube -- dropped 25 percent from a year earlier, according to industry research firm NPD Group.
[/QUOTE]
Go read the full article on kentucky.com.
W.I.P. XBConnect 4.1
>> From xbconnect.com:
[QUOTE]
XBC 4.1 is well underway. Currently work is being done on the XBC server software to support the new features of 4.1. We are also working on setting up a secondary server to minimize downtime while we bring these features online. XBConnect(info) 4.1 is going to have a primary focus on our Pro users. Features like total buddy list control, user blocking, and an enhanced server list will be made avialable to XBC Pro users. We are also toying with the idea of setting up a seperate Pro user game list server (kinda like a l337 area). Pro users support us so we want to give some back.
[/QUOTE]
Gentoox: Gentoo and Xbox v1.6 news *updated*
>> Some news of the last few days from ShALLaX on gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
* No longer a Gentoo developer.
[23:51] avenj: ping
[23:51] ShALLaX: pong
[23:55] avenj: we're going to cut you loose from the project due to inactivity
[23:55] * ShALLaX shrugs
[23:55] ShALLaX: suit yourself
[23:55] ShALLaX: inactivity in your eyes
[23:56] ShALLaX: bearing in mind that I dont use portage because I was told not to to start with
[23:58] ShALLaX: I'll continue to work alone as I always have done.
Well, at least they finished the way they started, I got no support from the beginning right up until the end. If I'm inactive its because they originally refused to have anything to do with me, yet still made me a dev. This is the whole reason I invented "magic" because they would not let me put patches on portage. Now they're suddenly asking me to do so. I told them I'd consider it after my exams are over (which start Monday), but they apparently can't even wait 9 days.
I'm not even sure HOW I'm inactive since I'm always providing updates etc...
A year of working on this project and I'm kicked just like that. It's not so much a problem though, since no one helped me anyway... the only issue I can see is them releasing an "official" Xbox Gentoo which will probably kill Gentoox off.
Also, that was the only correspondance I got, no proper explanation, no chance to refute. Seems even they dont appreciate I work for free and have an actual life outside of this project.
*Update*
Seems I dont have anything to worry about, they'd rather kick me and not have a Gentoo Xbox at all than keep me and the distro:
--- Additional Comments From avenj@gentoo.org 2004-05-14 16:23 PST ---
Shallax is no longer on the development team and we currently are not supporting a XBox port as part of Gentoo proper.
I hope the GentooX port continues to be productive and successful.
[Well you sure ain't helping, honestly, that's like decapitating me then saying "I hope you survive." -- ShALLaX]
* Xbox v1.6 is here!
Yep, its here. Just having a look around it now... it looks so bare and empty inside now without the extra ram slots and the missing tsop, hehe. I need to get this thing modded!
Of course, there are no expenses spared here, so here are some ultra high quality pictures of the board ;)
I cant soft mod this, since it needs US/NTSC discs, so I'm going to need a modchip. Keep watching for updates :o. Thanks again to Sinister Elf from xbox100.com for this much needed donation!
*Update*
Well, it seems the SmartXX diagram for "repairing" the missing LPC traces is incomplete, not to mention the d0 doesnt work at all. So I've just wasted about an hour or so soldering then desoldering. At least the box still works, though! ;). I guess I'll have to wait since modding the v1.6 is still in its infancy, and because of all the political bullshit surrounding modchip makers, no one is willing to share information with me... I thought we were meant to unite at such a time? Oh well.
*Update 2*
Seems that this LPC diagram is for SmartXXs only, sorry! ;)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com/
Square Enix considering next-gen Xbox development
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Japanese publisher Square Enix could be on board as a developer for Microsoft's next console, according to company president Yoichi Wada, who says the next-generation Xbox "would fully deserve consideration."
Speaking with US website GameSpot, Wada referred to an "evolution in the thinking" at Microsoft and said that his company - which makes the enormously popular Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest titles, as well as Disney crossover franchise Kingdom Hearts and the recently launched Fullmetal Alchemist series - would consider working on Xbox 2.
Explaining Square Enix' decision not to develop on the Xbox platform, Wada pulled no punches - saying that "there is no reason for us to allocate development staff for Xbox when we can have PS2."
"When you look at the Xbox from the standpoint of a standalone game console, it's not different from the PS2," he stated. "But when you look at it from the installed base perspective, there is a big difference."
[/QUOTE]
Read more on gamesindustry.biz.
A talk with Xbox chief Robbie Bach
>> Bach talked with the Seattle Times yesterday about the industry and Xbox's place in it, layoffs in the division, the Xbox Next, EA's move to Xbox LIVE and possibly compatibility with other platforms, XNA and more.
Go read the interview on seattletimes.nwsource.com.
Double Dashboard Exploit
>> A new way of utilizing the font exploit to eliminate clock loop issues...
100% credit goes to rmenhal for discovering & providing the necessary files.
No flaws besides Reset on eject. No clock loops and no corrupt sound track files!
Read http://forums.xbox-scene.com for more information
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2004-05-14 build + Team news
>> A new CVS compile of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
What's new/fixed (since last CVS build on 05-09):
* fixed: updated samba 3.0.1 to samba 3.0.4.
* fixed: There was still 1 more hardcoded Q:\albums directory. Thx to ush285t for the fix.
* fixed: samba could crash on filenames with strange characters in it.
* fixed: allmusic.com parsing bugs (sf bug #941107)
Gamester17 also informed us that Butcher announced today on the XBMC forums that he will no longer be actively developing XBMC because IRL pressures are taking him too much time and energy for now. The whole XBMC team and Xbox-Scene crew hate to see him leave and hope he will be able to come back in the future.
Also, for those who didn't notice yet, the XBMC port to win32 PC now became an official project: Media Portal.
So, if you are an experienced Xbox developer/programmer, please contact them as they could probably use some fresh blood :-)
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Download binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
Thanks to H.W. for release news + Thanks to Gamester17 for team news.
XBEPatcher v0.3
>> A new xbe patching utility...
hubevolution presents the XBEPatcher a simple tool to help you play your original xbox games from the HD even when the game has long filenames. It has been reported to work at the moment with MTX Mototrax PAL/NTSC (special MTX mode see .nfo) and Enter The Matrix.
Official Site: n/a (by hubevolution)
Download: here
News-Source: xbins.org
Sony and IBM take on digital content creation with Cell workstation
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
One of the least-reported announcements of E3 to date is also one of the most worrying for Microsoft - with Sony and IBM announcing co-development on a Cell-based workstation which is aimed at the content creation market.
The workstation, which will ship before the end of the year, will feature an architecture based on the parallel processing Cell chip, and will be designed to power digital content creation for movies, television and videogames.
Cell is the next-generation microprocessor created jointly by Sony, IBM and Toshiba, and it is expected to power a whole range of both consumer and high-end appliances in the future - including the PlayStation 3 game console.
"Microsoft should be really worried by this," one developer told us today. "They've been touting Xbox 2 to their partners and talking about the kind of content they want to see created on the platform - more polygons, higher resolutions, more effects - and our response has been that the tools to create this stuff for games don't really exist yet. Now Sony has effectively created those tools."
The Sony solution is certain to integrate tightly with the PlayStation 3 development system, whereas developers working on Xbox 2 will probably still be tied to Windows - making the task of putting digital content from the Cell workstations (whose proposed role reminds us of the market position occupied by Silicon Graphics workstations in the early nineties, before their performance was overtaken by x86 PC systems and PowerPC Macintosh systems) into Xbox 2 titles much more difficult than the equivalent task on PS3.
[/QUOTE]
Fba-xxx 13-05-2004
>> GogoAckman released a new version of Fba-xxx(info). What's new/fixed:
* fixed neogeo crypted roms not working
* rewrite arcade stick interface (black+white+start to go into in game menu, black-white to change liste) (option in the menu "menu")
* fixed many memory bugs
* Possibility to desactivate macros
* Brand new clean icone for the xbe
* fixed some saves not working in the menu
All the hard work was done by manto, he deserves a big thank.
I also included Bendermikes's dat files, thanks to him for this big work.
Official Site: http://www.fbaxxx.fr.st/ (english version)
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 19:33 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
More X-Chip news and first picture
>> From EasyBuy2000:
[QUOTE]
The X-CHIP will be in stock in approx. 2 weeks. We thank everyone who has been patient with us for the last while. We will charge and ship when it's in stock! We have reduced our prices, so everyone who pre-ordered will be charged the NEW prices that we have listed.
Please see the specials below for even MORE savings on bulk purchases!
[/QUOTE]
They changed the release date from May 25, 2004 to "2 weeks" (which is about the same) and lowered the retail price from 54usd to 49usd for the modchip alone and from 65usd to 59usd for modchip + solderless adaptor.
They also released the first public picture of the new modchip (sample).
 You see: the X-CHIP, the Solderless Adapter, the USB PCB, Linker Wire (modchip-usb pcb)
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 18:19 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
ccXgui v1.2
>> [XC]D-Ice released a new version of ccXgui(info). From dott.lir.dk/ccxgui
[QUOTE]
Hi all. I am sorry for the long time, before a new release. The reason for this, is that I am a bit short of money, and after my lovely old 1.1 xbox melted (ask my dad why..he he) I had to use the money for a new, which I also had to chip because of mb revision (1.4)... damn...
Right now I am working my a*s off, so I can buy a Xbox Crystal Edition, a XBCase, and hopefully also a rack-server. Therefore there had been ' so little time for coding on ccXgui :( Well...here is the newest release, so enjoy it. I just hope I soon can spend some more time on ccXgui.
btw. do NOT select both small and full, in the install. :)
+ Manually set the server IP address
- removed update (still to buggy)
* Cleaned some of the code
* Better Task-bar info
* Hopefully the Autostart "bug" should be gone now.
+ Works for win98, winME, etc. again (you can install GUI without service)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://dott.lir.dk/ccxgui
Download: here
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 18:00 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox-Scene dashboard skin contest: win a X-Scene Tshirt!
>> We're giving away 10 Official Xbox-Scene.com 'Summer 2004' T-shirts for the best dashboard skin designs!
Make a skin for Avalaunch(info), MediaXMenu(info), XboxMediaCenter(info), EvolutionX(info), tHc, tHc LITE(info), neXgen(info) or UnleashX(info).
Subject of the skin: Xbox-Scene.com (can be very abstract)
The skin MUST work on the last released version of the dashboard the day that you upload your skin!
Check out more infomation and full rules on this page.
Njoy!
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 17:17 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Countdown to Kai: Evo VII
>> Team Xlink just launched a new website on www.teamxlink.co.uk. Right now it contains a downdown to (XLink(info)) Kai: Evo VII - the complete renewed and rewritten version of XLink, a program that allows you to play Xbox (and now also PS2 and GC) games with link support online against other players!
10 Days to go - we'll keep you informed!
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 13:16 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Team Xecuter: Backups on 1.6 - No Solder Solution Possible
>> From teamxecuter.com:
[QUOTE]
Not sure if we made it clear in the last news post but the X2.3 mod worked just fine on the v1.6 Xbox. Original test was with the 5838 MS Bios. New update is that we have now also tested with a crudly patched Bios to boot unsigned code however we are currently reverse engineering the Xcalibur code to implement into the X2 / X3 sources which will take some time.
We're trying to get our hands on older version of X2 (its been a while heh) to test if they still work due to the re-emergance of LFRAME. Will also be interesting to test out the cheapmod method - will grab some SST's later today from the workshop and do some more testing for those that have been requesting - however i'm sure many of you can test this stuff yourselves. Our coders have now received their 1.6 Boxes so they are splitting their time between X3 work and 1.6 work, be assured we are working on it.
Also looking at an easier 1.6 fix and a pretty cool no solder solution (!) - watch this space.
[/QUOTE]
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 11:15 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xenium Solderless Installation Manual
>> From ozxodus.com:
[QUOTE]
An installation manual for the Xenium S solderless kits is now available for download in our website's downloads section.
The official Xenium solderless adaptor is an improved version of the Chameleon adaptor. Xbox-Scene recently conducted a review of the adaptor and it can be found here, a French translation has been published by Gueux.Net and can be viewed here.
The Xenium S kits are now available from many of our Official Resellers.
Download: Xenium Solderless Installation Manual
[/QUOTE]
Buy Xenium S: xboxchips.com or divineo.com
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 10:51 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
First public neXgen skin released
>> From HoRnEyDvL on xboxopensource.com:
[QUOTE]
Well the first nexgen skin has been released 2 public made by The Reaper its brings the orange out on everyone.
For his Troubles Team Xos Will reward The Reaper with a lil gift. Come on guys get the skins rolling in.
[/QUOTE]
Check out more screenshots or download the skin on xboxopensource.com.
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(Wednesday 12 May 2004 07:02 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Halo2 videos and more
>> Lots of Halo2 news today ;)
It was already announced earlier on this news that Halo 2 will be released on November 9th. New screenshots were also released and now we've got some preview videos!
From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Tonight Bungie gave viewers a demo of Halo 2 and it's multiplayer combat in action. Last year we got a peek at the single player action and Bungie decided to blow our minds this year and they certainly did just that.
I won't even bother putting into words how amazing Halo 2 is, we already know it's going to be the biggest title gamers have ever seen...so without further adieu here are the clips. Sit back and watch...and try not to get too much drool on your keyboards.
[/QUOTE]
You can watch these videos for free and without requiring registration on teamxbox.com.
You can also check out the IGN's 'Hands-On' here as they got the chance to play it.
We also received information from Jason who was contact by gamestop about a Limited Collector's Edition of Halo 2 that will be released the same day (November 9th) for 5usd extra. It will be packed in a metal case and contain 2 DVD's (1 DVD with the game and a 2nd with all kinda extra features). You can find more information about this special edition + screenshots of it on bungie.net
Thanks to Shadow_Mx and Jason for the news.
New X-Chip release date
>> EasyBuy2000 today pushed back the release date of the X-Chip to May 25, 2004:
[QUOTE]
We are running some tests to make sure the chip is 100% ready to be released, and we expect to have it ready for shipment by May. 25th. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience!
[/QUOTE]
They are also still looking for Xbox v1.6 consoles (they offer 250usd or a fully modded xbox in return) to ensure v1.6 compatibility with their new X-Chip modchip. Click here for more info.
E3 - Sony Drops PS2 To $149, Shows PSP, Hints At PS3
SmartXX-OS boots on v1.6 (no video-output yet)
>> Update to the previous news SmartXX released (v1.6 LPC Port Recovery)
From smartxx.com:
[QUOTE]
Just to let you know...
SmartXX works on 1.6 units since the old os version 3259 (new xcodes for xcalibur), but without picture yet.
[/QUOTE]
Means you can probably already 'blindly' use the menus or use the webbased interface if you manage to get the network settings right (and FTP/Telnet if you flash ED@chip). Note that no 'hacked' MS bios for v1.6 has been released yet.
Tom's Hardware Guide XBMC and DreamX review!
>> From Gamester17 on xboxmediacenter.com:
[QUOTE]
TomsHardware.com has today posted a review of "The Ultimate Multimedia Center" that is XBMC. The famous tech review site now offers the first full review of XboxMediaCenter(info) which they call "the ideal home playback system for audio and video". The review also features XBMC tested on FriendTech's DreamX-1480 (Xbox modded with a 1.4 GHz processor and 128MB memory, twice the spec on a normal retail Xbox). The review concludes that nothing beats the price/performance ratio a modded Xbox with XBMC, but they forgot to also mention XBMC/Xbox's convenience and compatibility (as then they would have nicely summed up what XBMC is all about).
Full Review: Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center
German translation link: Mit Xbox-Modding zum Multimedia Center
[/QUOTE]
SmartXX-OS build 3311 and Xbox v1.6 LPC Port Recovery
>> Team SmartXX released a new version of the SmartXX-OS(info).
What's new/fixed:
* Added Special EEprom Repair/Diagnosis Functions
* HDTV Progressive / Interleaced Modes
* Fixed Web-Flashing problem with some Webbrowsers (specially IE 6.x ... Thx. MS)
* Added HotKeys on Startup (Main Menu,
Both Triggers + Y -> PAL / NTSC Switching
Both Triggers + X -> Progressive / Interleaced Switch
* Sorry: We know, lots of people are waiting for the Renaming of the Bioses through Webbroswer. Due to my 30'th birthday + a 3 day drunken period :-) , and the appearance of the 1.6 box, i was not able to test this feature 100%.(But it will come the next revision, i promise)
Download: here
They also released this picture showing how to recover the LPC points on Xbox v1.6.
 Click image for large view
Official Site: http://www.smartxx.com
E3 - Microsoft, EA Go Live, Halo 2 Dated, Xbox Videophoned
New Halo 2 screenies
Canada gets own Special Edition Xbox!
>> Europe already got a translucent green and crystal clear SE Xbox, USA (and a few other countries including Mexico and New Zealand) got the HALO SE Xbox (like a translucent green, but with Halo jewels) and now Canada gets the 'Extreme Green' Xbox similar to the translucent green released last year in Europe but packed with 2 new games!
We received this news from MomDad:
[QUOTE]
Good news for Canadians -- we've finally gotten our own Special Edition XBox! On a Saturday afternoon shopping trip, I came across this in Future Shop, and couldn't resist. XBox Extreme Green Edition, which features an exclusive limited edition translucent green console, one translucent green S-controller, and also includes two top titles -- Project Gotham Racing 2 and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, plus and a two-month XBox Live trial offer, all for only $229.99 CDN (only $29 more than a regular XBox).
Manufacturing date of this one is 2004-02-17, and so far I've heard of others with ones made in Jan and Feb.
It is a v1.4 and comes with what seems like a newer Philips drive that can read nearly all media thrown at it, including CD-R's.
More information: http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/Hardware/extremegreen.htm
Purchase online: futureshop.ca
[/QUOTE]
Fba-xxx 10.05.2004
>> GogoAckman released a new version of Fba-xxx(info). What's new/fixed:
- YOU HAVE TO GET THE FULL VERSION (NOT ONLY DEFAULT.XBE) AND DELETE YOUR OLD FBAXXX FOLDER (warning : do not delete rom's, ini and preview folder !!!)
- Added : Moves menu (Now you can look moves on fighting games, during playing !)
- Added : Codes menu
- Added : Cheats for all games (cps2, cps1...)
- Added : Wma player in rom selection
- Added : Arcade pads are now supported (fast scroll, ...)
- Added : No need S1 rom for decrypted roms if they are in the Cx rom
- Added : Backgroung resize fonction
- Fixed : black and white button was inverted
- Fixed : button 5 and 6 was inverted
- Fixed : Many bugs fixed in memory (menu and skins)
- Fixed : Removed many useless reading/writing HDD operations
We're still looking for developpers, if anyone is interested, contact anyone of the team on the forum.
Official Site: http://www.fbaxxx.fr.st (english version)
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Xbox Live! Arcade Targets New Gamers
>> From latimes.com[free reg. req.]:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Corp. will announce today a new online game service aimed at older players who have its Xbox console.
Xbox Live Arcade will feature relatively simple fare, such as traditional card games, puzzles and trivia quizzes.
Scheduled to launch in the fall, the service will offer games that can be downloaded starting at about $10 apiece. But it will be available only to those who pay $50 a year to subscribe to the Xbox Live online service, which offers gamers the chance to play against one another.
Current Xbox Live customers — of which there were 750,000 as of January — are generally serious gamers. Xbox Live Arcade is aimed at more occasional players, such as parents "whose kid might have an Xbox in the house," said Greg Canessa, Microsoft's manager of casual games. "A lot of older people don't have the time to get involved in a more complex game."
[/QUOTE]
Read the full article on latimes.com[free reg. req.]
Thanks to The_Titans for the news.
(USA) Microsoft's Xbox makes great gains
>> From theinquirer.net:
[QUOTE]
When the monthly league tables are released, it is expected that April is going to show that Vole's strategy of chopping its price back has lured itself some customers. It is expected to outsell Sony’s Play station 2 for the first time.
Besides price cuts, Xbox has managed to score over Sony with a set exclusive games which have been doing well like "Ninja Gaiden" and "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow".
[/QUOTE]
Read more on theinquirer.net.
Thanks to Gamester17 for the news.
Bunnie joins Infinium Labs, Phantom on display at E3
>> From biz.gamedaily.com
some Key points...
[quote]
Let's begin with the pricing of the hardware. Calling it, "Something we had to do," Bachus told GameDaily that the Phantom hardware will be—in essence—free though consumers who opt for the hardware will need to sign up for the Phantom Gaming Service, the medium which will deliver rented and purchased games, along with demos, to the console.
Infinium Labs plans on launching the device on November 18. Bachus compared the Phantom Gaming Service to cable television, in that users can opt to subscribe to a basic service—which will net them access to a certain amount of games-or select a higher tier. Higher tiers will cost more, but will offer a wider selection of games.
As with any online-based business, Infinium is concerned about protecting its IP and its consumers. To that end, Bachus and Infinium have hired Andrew Huang, the MIT grad student who gained fame for hacking the Xbox. Bachus says the number one priority in security on the Phantom is to eliminate the spoofing of identities on the service.
The Phantom will be in display at E3 in booth #746 of the South Hall. Just as a warning, not all of the games seen running on the device at the trade show will necessarily be issued via the Phantom Gaming Service. As Bachus explained, Infinium temporarily partnered with some developers and publishers just for the show, in order to show the Phantom in action.
[/quote]
For the Complete Article: First Phantom Images, Pricing Details
High Res Pics: Phantom Controller Closed, Controller Open, Receiver Angled, Receiver Front
Thanks to Craize for the "news" :)
Join the on-going Discussion about the console in the XS Forums
Review: Xenium Solderless Adaptor
>> I got a 'Xenium Solderless Adaptor' some time ago, I finally got my photocamera back from the store (was broken) ... so here's the review. In meantime the adaptor is released in the retail stores already!
Where to buy::
Divineo.com $19.99 (adaptor alone)
Divineo.com $59.99 (Xenium S (adaptor + Xenium modchip))
XboxChips.com £38.95 (Xenium S (adaptor + Xenium modchip))
Or any other official OzXodus reseller.
Official Website::
http://www.ozxodus.com
What's in the package::
* The Xenium Solderless adaptor
* Special longer screw
* Rivets (optional install)
All packed and protected in a hard plastic box.
Pictures::
More High Definition pictures: picture1 - picture2 - picture3 - picture4.
What you need to install it::
* a v1.0-v1.5 Xbox
* a TORX 10 and 20
* clear diagrams of "d0" point for your xbox version
* a Xenium modchip (it will not work with any other modchip, besides the discontinued chameleon)
Install the Modchip::
The 'Xenium solderless adaptor' is a special adaptor that will allow you to install the Xenium modchip solderless.
Well ... they just made the original better. The 'Xenium solderless adaptor' is a renewed/better version of the 'Chameleon Solderless adaptor'. You can easily see the difference between the old and the new: the Chameleon adaptor is black, the new Xenium one is purple/blue. Make sure you buy the new one if you plan to buy this.
The new adaptor does not require any "rivets" (some kinda small pins you can put in the LPC holes so the pogopins make good contact) anymore.
They also made the "spring-wire" (hard wire you can bend into the "D0" point) more solid.
The small "hole" they made in the plastic mold (so the adaptor doesn't touch a capacitor on xbox v1.2+) is now smooth and it doesn't look like it has been cut out manually anymore.
With this all they managed to make the install even easier. Basicly you just open your Xbox (that's what will take you most time), you unscrew the motherboardscrew near the LPC, you 'click' the Xenium solderless adaptor into the LPC points, put in the special (longer) screw, screw till it 'stops', lift up the "spring-wire" and depose it into the "D0" point. After that you just have to put the Xenium modchip on the adaptor's headerpin and close your Xbox again.
I tried this on 3 xbox units, and it never failed, worked each time from the first try ... I never even watched under the adaptor to make sure it was all good aligned or so ... it's 'automatically' correctly aligned. Why? because the adaptor's pogopins and spring-wire go 'in' the points and not 'over' (or 'on top of') the points. Because aligning is no longer required this solderless adaptor can easily beat any 'solder install' speed-wise.
You will still get the 'rivets' with the adaptor as theoretically these will offer better contact - but for the tests I did they were never necessary.
Testing::
I shaked my Xbox a lot ... the adaptor didn't move and contact with all points stayed very stable.
POSITIVE::
+ Ultra easy and fast install.
+ Best solderless method ("spring wire") for "D0"
+ No need for "rivets" anymore
+ LPC and D0 points are very stable.
+ No 'aligning' difficulties what-so-ever, neither for the LPC points nor for "D0".
NEGATIVE::
- The price of the adaptor alone - combined with the Xenium modchip the price is better ... so better buy it together :-)
Archive of review: http://www.xbox-scene.com/hardware/xenium-s.php
rawX v1.00
Map Alliance Project - updated
>> As reported earlier.. alot of new work was being done on new maps. They are now available for download from the hard working guys at Rainbow Six 3 - Map Alliance Project.
8 New Maps.. and 7 old maps updated and fixed (lighting/texture).
Thanks to Letterman for the news.
We also received this news from c0w of the RS3 - Map Alliance Project:
[QUOTE]
We are planning on releasing maps on a semi regular basis, something like every Sunday or every other Sunday. More details will be available later this week on our website.
We'd also like to note that Terrorist Hunt will be added in many of the maps in the near future.
[/QUOTE]
Xbox Media Center (XBMC) 2004-05-09 build
>> A new CVS Compile of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
What's new/fixed (since last CVS release on 04-27):
* changed: settings windows with buttons remember the selected button when selecting a subwindow
* changed: sort settings in my files, my videos, my pictures are remembered for root and directories
* Changed: When correct cd/dvd is already in drive the dialog asking for that cd/dvd won't be shown
* changed: Window ID's internally start at 10000 now. Values in .xml files offsets from WINDOW_HOME.
* added: updated 'Boxalizer' visualisation SF[937508]
* added: updated 'StarBurst' visualisation SF[939719]
* added: matching of subtitle with video file is now done case insensitive [SF 942131]
* added: More GUI tweaks
* added: More 720p skin changes + 1080i now tries 720p subdir before dropping to the defaultres dirs
* added: Better thumbnail quality (JPEG quality set to 90% instead of 75%) Also doesn't load/save thumbs for scaling unless it has to (128x128 thumbs pass straight through)
* added: Various GUI related tweaks + Niceties
* added: New option to general settings to hide media extensions for Music, Video + Pictures.
* added: 720p version of skin by Aurora13
* added: new mplayer (1.0pre4) code.
* fixed: Loading database info / thumbs for playlist files (sf patch #950246 by herg for bug #944135)
* fixed: creating dialogs with python crashes xbmc
* fixed: wma tag loader did not get track number correctly
* fixed: No visualizations with CD music (sf bug #948156)
* fixed: buttons-labels in weather settings were not always updated
* fixed: when playing a file from a samba share, mplayer did not react to button presses
* fixed: Skin scaling wasn't scaling everything properly.
* fixed: crash changing views in mymusic
* fixed: Databases no longer hardcoded to Q:\\albums directory. It will use whatever is defined in tag in XboxMediaCenter.xml.
* fixed: inexact cddb matches don't get cached to local hdd
* fixed: Can't launch movie from cd/dvd using imdb info
* fixed: My Files: move a game directory with many subdirs to another drive, lots empty subdirs are left in the source tree
* fixed: Sub display optimized
* fixed: Quality improvement for video output
* fixed: Thumbnail panel view cosmetic fixes. Text is centered under buttons + scroller is reset properly.
* fixed: vobsubs not working.
* fixed: FF/RW will now take a paused video out of paused state
* fixed: virtual keyboard could not be found by windowmanager because ID's did not match (music/imdb/weather search broken).
* fixed: Fixed closing tag in fountain.xml (Thanks Wabid)
* fixed: Release with Debug project config
* fixed: Thumbnail creation in my programs now has accurate counter
* fixed: AC3 passthru for stereo files should be working properly now
* fixed: Refresh button in IMDb used to launch DVD player
* fixed: weather is broken - lookup or location select = freeze
* fixed: strm files not visible in MY Movies if stack is enabled (sf bug #939542)
* fixed: Slideshow: previous/next is broken (sf bug #939845)
* fixed: IMDB lookup crashes XBMC.
* fixed: seeking in ogg video is buggy, updated demux_ogg.c to current mplayer cvs plus fixes for audiostream switching.
* opendml now fixed? 2 files that previously didnt play now work fine
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Download binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
dosxbox v3-bmy
>> Bmy6063 released a new version of DOSXBox(info) (originally ported by Xport).
From readme/nfo:
[QUOTE]
Just recompiled it using that latest libSDLx(info), so multiple controllers issue may be fixed
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by Bmy6063 (bmy6063 [NOSP@M] lycos.com)
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
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