Guitar Hero III: Battle Mode
IGN Playstation 3 :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Guitar Hero III (PS3)Where second best never gets a second chance.
Devil May Cry 4 Update
IGN Playstation 3 :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)Producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi doesn’t want system wars.
Transformers The Game Screenshots
Team Xbox :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
See Optimus Prime, Blackout and Starscream in both their robot and vehicle forms.
GTA IV May Be Delayed, Says Analyst. One Reason Halo 3
Team Xbox :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has issued a note to investors forecasting a delay of Grand Theft Auto IV. Find out why Pachter thinks GTA IV will be delayed.
Artist of the Month: Ozzy Osbourne Returns with BLACK RAIN
Xbox Live :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Released May 22 on Epic Records, BLACK RAIN finds the two-time Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee as vital, creative, and evocative as ever. He’s operating at the peak of powers, as a singer and songwriter.
Win Big in the Halo 2 Challenge
Xbox Live :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Master Chief wants you! Dust off your needlers, fuel up your warthogs, and recharge your overshields because the Xbox LIVE Halo 2 Play & Win Challenge is here.
XDVDMulleter Beta 8
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Badsheepy released a new version of XDVDMulleter(info (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox360-tools/XDVDMulleter.php )), an ISO extraction/creation/rebuilding tool for Xbox and Xbox360 discs with several features making it useful for more precise dumps as required by xtreme firmwares: [QUOTE] It is mainly just a quick release for stealth checking. An extra option works now!: batch extraction. not well tested. But working. XDVDMulleter will check every aspect of stealth on a disc and warn you of any difficulties. To load from dvdr: on the loading screen, just select the dvdr tab and ensure raw mode reading is selected. Stealth Checks: * Checks PFI for valid data * Checks PFI is a known pfi sector * Checks video matches PFI data * Checks Video is a known video partition * Checks 2nd layer of video to check splitvid * Checks DMI for ‘XBOX’ string (xbox 360 only) * Checks SS matchs default.xex (xbox 360 only) * Checks SS file for invalid hitachi SS Changes: * Deletes all temp files upon end * Bug opening dvds in raw mode fixed (I cant remember what bug though..) * Shrink page reset each time, so no longer messes up on multiple isos * Shrink page acts on a (virtual) copy of ISO, so back works properly * XBE checking page doesnt recheck once its been done once * Shrink page no longer auto crosslinks (because testing with gow took 20 minutes just for this step.. damn) * Checks to see if video partition is empty but present * Checks link between SS and default.xex to ensure you have the right SS file for the release * Hardcoded iso values removed, instead offsets calculated from SS + PFI * Inserts video directly into iso if partition exists (previously created new iso) * Checks all files you insert into ISOs * Extra stealth checking stuff i have forgotten about * Log file logs actions for debugging etc * Quick bugfix so unsplit Xbox1 Video files dont give split video error * Extract is back, extract and replace files in an iso * Batch extraction over FTP or to filesystem Source is included, but dont expect anything pretty :-) Thanks to all the people who tested, reported bugs, and sent feedback. Suggestions, bugs etc are still welcome :-) [/QUOTE] Official Site: n/a, by Badsheepy on forums.xbox-scene.com (http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=606457 ) Download: n/a (contains files built with XDK (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xdk.php ))
Game developers debate Xbox achievements
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
From joystiq.com (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/game-developers-debate-xbox-achievements/ ): [QUOTE] Love them or hate them, those Xbox 360 achievements have become a staple of the system. The little blips of joy are so annoying and addicting for some that we’re shocked the PS3 and/or Wii didn’t implement them. There’s an interesting thread going on over at the International Game Developers Association forums started by Raphael Van Lierop (Relic, 3D Realms) where he believes the achievements have taken gamers off course. Lierop writes, “I have many friends who LOVE achievements. They love the bragging rights, they love being able to compare achievements they obtained to other people … Personally, I dislike them…a lot. I find they are changing the way we play games, and the focus of the games we play, and make. I feel that games should be crafted to have enough intrinsic reward, that a secondary external reward system should not be required… was it really necessary for us to go back to the old ‘High Score’ system from the days of arcade games? I would have hoped that the gameplay and immersiveness of the ‘next gen’ gaming experience would have been enough reward, and that we wouldn’t have had to fall back on cheap gimmicks.” [/QUOTE] Full Story: joystiq.com (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/game-developers-debate-xbox-achievements/ ) | gamesetwatch.com (http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/05/van_lierop_curses_out_xbox_liv.php ) | igda.org (http://www.igda.org/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=27141 )
Europe Investigates Microsoft Xbox 360 Scratching Disk Problem
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
From theinquirer.net (http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40016 ): [QUOTE] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER for Consumers has asked Microsoft to explain why Xbox 360s have so many faulty hard drives [note: obviously they mean disc drives here]. According to this Dutch web site (http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=nl_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkassa.vara.nl%2Fportal%3F_scr%3Dnieuws_artikel%26no%3D3412996%26nodes%3Dall ), Commissioner Meglena Kuneva (http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kuneva/index_en.htm ) wants answers from Microsoft. Fast. There are, apparently, 1,000 complaints from The Netherlands alone. She wants and expects Microsoft to respond to worldwide complaints about the problem. There’s a radio interview with the Commissioner, here (http://cgi.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/radio1/vara/radiokassa/20070601-11.wma?start=0:2:14.497&end=0:6:17.492 ) – much of this is in English. She wants Microsoft to respond in a week. She mentions this in her blog, which can be found by clicking on her EU page (http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kuneva/news_en.htm ). [/QUOTE] Full Story: theinquirer.net (http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40016 )
Pachter: Take-Two Could Delay GTA IV
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
From next-gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5832&Itemid=2 ): [QUOTE] Take-Two’s new management might “throw in the towel” on fiscal 2007, pushing Grand Theft Auto IV back a few weeks to make for a more solid fiscal 2008, stated Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter in a note to investors today. Currently, GTA IV is slated to release simultaneously on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 16, just before the end of the fiscal year. There’s also the Halo 3 factor that Take-Two could take into consideration. “We believe that a two-week delay would provide a reasonable gap between the launch of Halo 3 and the launch of GTA IV, and would actually help sales of both games,” wrote Pachter. Pachter even said that there would be advantages to launching the $90 collector’s edition GTA IV SKU on the originally planned date. “…A delay of the ‘normal’ SKU for GTA IV by two or three weeks could allow Take-Two to maximize revenues from the $89.99 Collector’s Edition of the game by shipping that SKU on October 17, and to increase overall profitability,” he said. [/QUOTE] Full Story: next-gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5832&Itemid=2 )
Titan unveils the XFan, another cooler for the Xbox 360
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Titan unveiled another external cooler addon for the Xbox 360: [QUOTE] Titan Computer Co., Ltd, a leader in the design and manufacture of computer cooling solutions, today unveiled the XFan that is especially designed for the Xbox 360. Titan XFan is a powerful silent cooler, which helps reduce the internal operating temperature of the Xbox 360 and prevent potential crashing. While playing games for long periods of time, you can feel very hot air from the X360 box, but after attaching the XFan, you can physically feel how much cooler the air is when it comes out the back of your console. The XFan indeed provides great cooling performance and ensures the Xbox 360 without the overheating problem. Features: * Special design for the Xbox 360 * Two powerful silent fans with four bright LEDs * Easy installation * Without sacrificing the USB port by adding a USB port to the XFan * USB power, no extra power adapter required Product Available: Middle of June, 2007 [/QUOTE] Official Site: www.titan-cd.com (http://www.titan-cd.com/em/xfan.htm ) News-Source: xbox360fanboy.com (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/06/01/yet-another-360-cooling-solution-the-xfan/ )
360 Flash Dump Tool v0.2
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Robinsod released a new version of the 360 Flash Dump Tool(info (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EElpFFZkAynUaHrfkJ.php )) – a developers tool that will allow you to decrypt and extract various parts of a XBox360 flash dump. What’s new/fixed: * Decrypts CF & CG (thanks again tmbinc) * The .cab file extracted from CE now contains 2 files, Hypervisor.bin and xboxkrnl.exe * Exported sections now include version number in the name Todo: * Apply CG patch to CE and extract patched Kernel & Hypervisor * Patch pairing data in CF and re encrypt Official Site: n/a, by Robinsod on xboxhacker.net (http://www.xboxhacker.net/index.php?topic=7691.msg48307#msg48307 ) Download: here (http://dwl.xbox-scene.com/xbox360pc/developers/tool.02.zip ) Thanks to HoRnEyDvL from Team XOS for news/link.
Microsoft Data Centers – getting bigger and better
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
From on10.net (http://on10.net/blogs/tina/microsoft-data-centers-getting-bigger-and-better/ ) (FYI: MS owned blog): [QUOTE] I sit down with Michael Manos the senior director of Data Center Services here at Microsoft. Microsoft is building some massive facilities in various places around the world. It houses everything from Live to Hotmail. Can you imagine a building 1.3 miles big? And its full of thousands and thousands of servers. He talks about effeciency for environmental reasons and how Microsoft is going green. [/QUOTE] News-Source and Steam/Download video interview from on10.net (http://on10.net/blogs/tina/microsoft-data-centers-getting-bigger-and-better/ )
Video of XCM XFPS Pro in Action
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
Team XTender released a video of the new XFPS Pro in action. The new ‘Pro’ version comes with 2 extra wheels with 16 levels of adjustment for X and Y sensitivity to adapt to every mice on the market. Official Site: www.teamxtender.com (http://www.teamxtender.com/ ) Buy Now ($88): divineo.com (http://www.divineo.com/php/affstart.php?affcode=xboxscene&prod=zz-36-xfpsp ) | divineo.cn (http://www.divineo.cn/php/affstart.php?affcode=xboxscene&prod=360-xfps360p )
Lite-On IT Lands OEM Orders for Xbox 360 DVD-Drive
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
From digitimes.com (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070529PD212.html ): [QUOTE] Lite-On IT has reportedly secured OEM orders for DVD-ROM drives to be built into Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles, with monthly shipments of 0.8-1 million units to begin in the third quarter of 2007, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Lite-On IT took over BenQ’s optical disc drive business unit in mid-2006 but did not take over the OEM manufacturing rights for Xbox 360 because it was required to obtain new certification from Microsoft, the sources pointed out. Although Lite-On IT will succeed BenQ as the secondary OEM maker of the built-in DVD-ROM drive, the company stands a chance of displacing TSST to take the primary status. [/QUOTE] Full Story: digitimes.com (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070529PD212.html )
iXtreme firmware 1.0 for TS-H943 Xbox 360
Xbox-Scene :: Sunday, June 03, 2007
A new firmware replacement for the TS-H943 xbox360 drive Features (v1.0) Defeats all current and some future Xbox Live detection attempts (v1.0) Boots ONLY Stealth Xtreme Xbox 360 backups (v1.0) Boots ONLY Stealth Xtreme Xbox 1 backups (v1.0) Boots all Xbox 360 originals (v1.0) Boots all Xbox 1 originals on Xbox 360 Use on Xbox Live at own risk!! Thanks to everyone on #FW, Xboxhacker.net , Xbox-Scene.com, Maxconsole.com and Xbins.Org for their support. Keep up the good work everyone. If you prefer to use Xbox Boot Maker,grab the updated definitions here (http://caster420.360mods.net/iXtremedef.rar ) Note: Hitachi version is in progress. No eta. Official Site: n/a (by commodore4eva) Download: n/a (May be illegal under EULA/DMCA) News-Source: xbins.org (http://www.xbins.org/nfo.php?file=xboxnfo1596.nfo )
Blogged Out: ‘Married To Games’
Gamasutra Columns :: Friday, June 01, 2007
In his latest ‘Blogged Out’ column, veteran UK writer Jim Rossignol takes a look at the world of developer blogging with views on art and Marriage, allegations of corruption in EVE Online, and one brave soul questing his way through the entire Ultima series.
Saling The World: Mario, Lara Top U.S. and UK Charts
Gamasutra Columns :: Friday, June 01, 2007
Gamasutra’s latest “Saling The World” column, charting worldwide top five best sellers, sees Mario Party 8, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Forza Motorsport 2 dominating consumer interest in the United States and the UK.
Next-gen console sales healthy at HMV
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
All three next-generation home consoles are performing well at retailer HMV, with the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 contributing to healthy sales at the start of the traditionally quiet summer months.
In brief: this week’s new game announcements
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
A round-up of the latest product news
Office of Fair Trading to investigate Gamestation acquisition
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
The UK’s Office of Fair Trading is looking into GAME’s recent acquisition of rival High Street chain Gamestation.
In brief: this week’s mobile gaming news
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
God of War, Ratchet & Clank Go Mobile, The Sims Bowling and more
Football genre will continue to expand, says Electronic Arts
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
FIFA 08 producer Joe Booth has told GamesIndustry.bizthat he relishes the challenge of facing off against Pro Evo in a market which is able to support more football titles than ever.
I-play to double internal development capacity
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
I-play boss David Gosen has revealed that the company’s acquisition by Oberon Media will “virtually double” its capacity to produce games internally.
PSP Remote Play goes live
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
The PSP’s Remote Play function, allowing users to stream content from the PlayStation 3 to the handheld, has now gone live thanks to the latest firmware update.
Groove Games launches SkillGround
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
Groove Games has announced the launch of SkillGround.com, billed as the first online gaming service that lets users play games for free and compete against each other for cash.
Guitar Hero, Call of Duty help double Activision profits
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
Sales of Guitar Hero II and Call of Duty 3 have helped Activision more than double its profits for the latest financial year from USD 40.3 million (EUR 29.9m) to USD 85.8 million (EUR 63.8m).
Traveller’s Tales acquires mo-cap studio
GamesIndustry.biz :: Friday, June 01, 2007
UK developer Traveller’s Tales, the studio behind the Lego Star Wars series, has announced the acquisition of Centroid Motion Capture Limited.
BlackSite: Area 51
IGN Playstation 3 :: Friday, June 01, 2007
BlackSite: Area 51 (PS3)One piece of artwork.
