Japan: Xbox 360 tops Wii in hardware sales
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From edge-online.com : <BR><I> Microsoft’s Xbox 360 outsold Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PS3 in Japan during the week ended September 14, Famitsu reports. According to an MCV translation of the report, weekly Xbox 360 sales hit 28,681 units, a massive jump on the 843 units shifted a week earlier (Media Create data pegged prior week 360 sales at 1044). In comparison, Nintendo moved 27,057 Wii units and Sony sold just 8,050 PS3s. A number of reasons were cited for the hike in Xbox 360 sales, including a recent price cut to the entire range of 360 models, the launch of a 60GB unit, and renewed stock following widespread shortages. The release of Square Enix’s Infinite Undiscovery, which reportedly sold 86,708 copies in its debut week, also contributed to the system’s weekly hardware victory. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: edge-online.com
XNA Game Studio 3.0 Beta is GO!
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From the Team XNA Blog : <BR><I> That’s right! You can download it now! We’ll be asking your help to put this baby through her paces as we lead up to the official release later this year. It is your input that makes us stronger, faster and better. Download XNA Game Studio 3.0 Beta at Launch Center If you do find any bugs or just have a suggestion on ways we can make XNA Game Studio 3.0 more awesome head over to Microsoft Connect (https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=226 ) to submit them to us. Xbox 360 Changes: * Xbox 360 project templates (You will not be able to develop on the Xbox 360 until our final release. We felt this was important to include so that you could get projects converted over and look at the system, even if you are not able to run the games, yet). * Support for the Big Button Pad. </I><BR><BR>
DosFlash 1.5/1.6
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A new version of DosFlash(info ), a flashing utility for VAD6038 Benq Drives DosFlash and DosFlash32 V1.5 Beta ———————————– – now supports serial flash chip MT1309E with mediatek status 0x72 like the SH-D163B, SH-D162D, Asus DVD-E616A3, Asus DVD-E818A3, Sony Optiarc DDU1671S – SST25LF020A and SST25LF040A chip support added – DosFlash32.exe ported from MFC to plain Windows API, exe size is now 22 KB – new port i/o driver, because giveio.sys can’t be compiled for 64 Bit Windows – DosFlash16 changed slighly in manual mode, one parameter is added to support SST25LF020A and SST25LF040A – two new methods of BenQ soft unlock are now possible on all motherboards with only one power supply unit – 1st method is powered by Geremia’s unlock core, thanks for the complete idea, concept and source to Geremia – 2nd method is the Magic28 key send, this only works on BenQ VAD6038 firmware, thanks to c4eva and podger for the initial idea – the two unlock methods are send one after the other if the drive is a possible unlock candidate, first the Magic28 command, then Geremia’s unlock commands and after that the already known power brute unlock is send to the drive, you can cancel any of these methods before they are send to the target, this only applies to BenQ drives with a locked flash – DosFlash.typ updated – other minor improvements – DosFlash32 is now ready for – Windows 2000,Windows XP 32 Bit,Windows XP 64 Bit,Windows Server 2003 32 Bit,Windows Server 2003 64 Bit,Windows Vista 32 Bit,Windows Vista 64 Bit – Warning: Drivers for Windows Vista 64 Bit need to be signed, because we can’t afford the money to let portio64.sys sign you need to do the following: 1) Log on as Administrator 2) Enter the following command in a Dos-Box: “bcdedit -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS” (we made sure there are no typos in the line above) Smiley 3) Press enter and reboot your PC 4) Press F8 key upon initial system boot up 5) Choose to disable forced driver signing enforcement for that boot session DosFlash and DosFlash32 V1.6 Beta ———————————– – fixed power brute unlock bug for VIA cards, this can stop your VIA from working with the power brute unlocking in Version 1.5 – for DosFlash16 in auto mode on DOS my VIA card works best if I do a cold boot and power up the drive short before or with the PC – for DosFlash32 on Windows my VIA card works best if I power up the drive short before starting DosFlash32 – for me the VIA works with internal and external connectors on DOS and Windows Official Site: n/a (by Schtrom) Download: here News-Source: xboxhacker.net
Mode_B
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
This nice little piece of software eliminates the need for slax, and will put a hitachi drive in modeb in windows! This exe is a win32 app that will put a Hitachi in Mode-B by sending cdb E7 H I T 30 90 90 D0 01 Be warned: This win32 program does not use the windows API. The exe writes directly to the ATA controller’s I/O ports (which requires Geek Hideout’s I/O dll, which I have included in the rarr). It also requires that you be using an ATA – SATA adapter to connect your 360 drive to your PC, or an SATA controller that has a legacy mode (try the BIOS setup options on your controller). This new method would not be possible if not for SeventhSon. Big thanks to him for sharing his work with others! Official Site: n/a (original code by SeventhSon, update by Podger) Download: here News-Source: xbox-scene forums
Rumor: ‘furious’ MS brought forward EU price drop
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From gamer.tm : <BR><I> Microsoft was forced to bring forward its European 360 price cut following the now notorious Woolworths leak, a source has said. While the new price points came as no surprise, it seems that last week’s very public Woolworths catalogue leak – which showed the revised prices – forced Microsoft to bring forward the announcement. As one industry insider revealed to us yesterday, Microsoft had been due to announce the price cut (along with a new Bungie game) at a rumoured European event next week. So the article also states, Microsoft is “furious about the incident.” And with good reason. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamer.tm
Rumor: Xbox Partnership with Sirius XM Satelite Radio
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From analoghype.com : <BR><I> With some more features to be announced in the coming weeks, rumors are already circulating about the mysterious Xbox event September 25th, with the possible announcement of a free Halo 3 map pack, preview of GTA IV DLC and the partnership with Sirius XM satelite radio. Rumor has it, you will be able to stream Sirius radio on your Xbox without any other hardware, while playing games. If this rumor is actually true, it will make the Xbox the best home entertainment deal out there. Does Playstation 3 have a chance after this possible holiday massacre? </I><BR><BR> Full Story: analoghype.com
So What Happened to the Newton Xbox 360 Motion Controller?
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From seattlepi.nwsource.com : <BR><I> It has been a while since I have typed the name “Newton” as in the semi-secret Xbox 360 motion controller wand project. So what happened to Newton? There are two possibilities: 1. It was delayed and they are still working on it. Either the software or games is not ready. 2. It was canceled and it will never reach market. They might have decided that it was not going to work in the Xbox accessory lineup. They might end up using the research from the Newton project on project Phoenix (the third generation Xbox AKA 720) or it might be introduced in 2009. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: seattlepi.nwsource.com
More Details on XCM Rapid Fire Gear – Lite
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
XCM released more details about their XCM Rapid fire gear – Lite: <BR><I> Announcing the XCM Rapid Fire Gear Xbox 360 Controller Case. This case will be a direct replacement for the existing Xbox 360 wireless controller case with an added rapidfire (turbo fire) feature. Now you’ll be able to dominate your competition using a standard wireless controller! Pictures will follow shortly, so stay tuned for more information. 　 Features: – Ability to program ANY button for rapid fire (turbo). – Includes new D-Pad button – Allows the D-Pad to scroll more smoothly – Built in LED lights to light up your controller! – Utilizing a special process the surface of the controller is extra smooth to the touch. – Compatible with Wireless Xbox 360 ? Controllers. </I><BR><BR> Official Site:
Microsoft Confirms Price Cuts in Europe
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From the press release: <BR><I> Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies and share pictures, live out their musical fantasies through “Lips” (iNiS Corp./Microsoft Game Studios) and “Rock Band” (Harmonix/MTV Games) and star in their own Hollywood classics with “You’re in the Movies” (Codemasters/Microsoft Game Studios) — all from one console, starting at an estimated retail price (ERP) of only ?129.99. That is the Xbox 360?, and Microsoft today announced the new lower ERP for its Xbox 360 family of consoles in Europe. Now with an entry-level ERP of ?129.99 and offering a plethora of exciting and broad entertainment in the living room, Xbox 360 is the true home of mass market entertainment with something to offer for every interest and budget. From Friday, 19th September, Xbox 360, which includes a 60GB hard drive and one wireless controller, will have an ERP of ?169.99. The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVE? Marketplace as well as their own music, will have an ERP of ?229.99. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world of Xbox, will have an ERP of ?129.99. The new ERPs are part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with something for everyone. A major part of this strategy is a new Xbox LIVE online experience coming to Europe this autumn that will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use. It’s the first time in history that a mass market consumer electronics device has been reinvented through free software, changing the way we play games, watch movies, and even become contestants in game shows. Along with the new Xbox experience, the Xbox 360 platform is offering a stunning games portfolio for all ages and interests this Christmas, with new titles for music lovers, family-friendly games, and exciting blockbuster titles for the committed gamer. “Xbox 360 has now sold over 20 million consoles worldwide and due to its unprecedented success, we are now able to pass on the rewards of that success to the consumer with a new retail pricing from ?129.99”, said Neil Thompson, Senior Regional Director, Microsoft UK. “With more games, more entertainment with Xbox LIVE and now even more value, we are looking forward to welcoming more customers into the leading Next Generation console, Xbox 360.” </I><BR><BR> For EURO countries, the prices will be 179 euros for the Arcade, 239 euros for the 60GB “Pro” and 299 euros for the Elite.
New Xbox 360 Controller Hands On
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From eurogamer.net : <BR><I> If there’s one thing wrong with the Xbox 360 (apart from being about as robust as a pillar of flour in a hurricane), it’s that the directional pad on the otherwise-excellent controller is useless. It’s hard enough to navigate the dashboard menus: scrolling through lists, the cursor flies off to adjacent boxes as the d-pad decides it’s been angled left or right; and inputting text with the on-screen keyboard is like driving one of those carnival bicycles where the handlebars and front wheel turn in different directions. For games like Pro Evolution Soccer, Street Fighter II and Pac-Man Championship Edition, it’s necessary to fall back on the analogue stick – a weaker option for precise, reflexive directional combinations, but in the 360’s case still a dramatic improvement. That’s why Microsoft’s decision to rejig the Xbox 360 d-pad for a new version of the controller, due for release in October, drew so much attention when the pad mysteriously appeared on Konami’s PES stand at Games Convention in August – and why the manufacturer’s apparent disinterest is baffling. It wasn’t just announced with little fanfare; it wasn’t actually announced. We had to drag a statement out of Microsoft to confirm it was even new, and at the time of writing the company has been unable to give us a detailed explanation of how the pad’s reported 32-direction input will be implemented in games, whether it will be available for developers to patch for retrospectively, or even whether PESFan’s claim that the new d-pad will be included in all future Xbox 360 controllers – not just the limited-edition lime-green version due out next month – is true. If you ask us, whoever designed the Xbox 360 d-pad in the first place was having a bad day. Or perhaps they didn’t realise what it was for. But after a couple of days testing, it’s clear that the replacement will need software designed to take advantage of whatever magical advances live beneath its bright green exterior, because while it feels a bit different beneath your thumb, the physical change alone is insufficient to improve your average Xbox Live Arcade game. Although for some reason we do like the colour. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: eurogamer.net
