Xbox 360 Game Talk

new Flight simulator games

2012-09-05T22:51:00.004-05:00

Click here to re-direct!

NEW MW3 Chaos Mode

2012-08-29T01:17:00.001-05:00

www.squidoo.com/new-mw3-chaos-mode

Chaos Mode Tips and Tricks

2012-08-16T16:35:00.000-05:00

www.squidoo.com/new-mw3-chaos-mode

New MW3 Elite Drop and Chaos Mode!

2012-08-08T19:36:00.000-05:00

Call of Duty Elite subscribers received two new Spec Ops modes and the new Chaos game mode for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Tuesday.

www.squidoo.com/new-mw3-chaos-mode

The August Elite DLC drops for Modern Warfare 3 include the "Light 'Em Up" and "Special Delivery" Spec Ops missions along with the "Special Ops Chaos Mode".

The official descriptions of the DLC are below.

View slideshow: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - August Elite DLC Drops

Elite Drop 19: Light 'Em Up

A VIP has been captured and detained within Makarov's castle, and it's up to you to breach the fortress and get him out. Take control of a small helicopter, secure the hostage, and evacuate before dawn’s first light in this new Special Ops mission.

Elite Drop 20: Special Delivery

Deep behind enemy lines, an allied flight crew helplessly awaits their fate at a nearby crash site. Pairing up a soldier on the ground and a helicopter gunner equipped with care packages, the Special Ops mission objective is to overcome the enemy resistance and rescue the allied crew. new Spec Ops mode.

A whole new way to play Call of Duty®, Special Ops Chaos mode delivers the ultimate in arcade mayhem. Experience truly heart-pounding and adrenaline-fueled action while competing for high scores in Resistance, Village, Underground and Dome. Chain kills together against a never-ending onslaught of enemies to increase your combo multiplier and earn performance enhancing perks. Choose your route through each map to optimize weapon pickups, attack, and escape options. Play solo, split screen or online with a friend to take out as many enemies as possible before they take you down or the clock hits zero.Elite Drop 21: Special Ops Chaos Mode

The two new Spec Ops missions and the Chaos mode will be on sale as part of the Modern Warfare 3: Content Collection #3 on August 9. It will cost 1200 MS Points ($14.99) for Xbox LIVE subscribers and will be released approximately a month later for PS3 and PC owners.

Black Ops 2

2012-06-27T19:56:00.001-05:00

All players will experience the same story, says Treyarch.

http://www.squidoo.com/black-ops-2-multiplayer-revealed

Treyarch interested in Smart Glass For Black Ops 2

2012-06-27T19:53:00.001-05:00

Black Ops 2 developer Treyarch hasn't confirmed nor denied if the game is coming to Wii U, but isn't ruling out using the hardware just yet.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 developer Treyarch is keeping quiet on the subject of Wii U development, but director of communications John Rafacz has confirmed to NowGamer that the studio is open to considering Nintendo's console in future.

Rafacz explained, "We're always interested to see what the first-party is up to. Taking a step back from just the Wii U - whether it's Wii U or SmartGlass or what have you, we are always interested in exploring anything that can enhance the Call of Dutyexperience."

"When you talk about fan expectations," Rafacz continued, "I think it's fair to say that people come to the Call of Duty experience with those, so anything that furthers that experience and remains true to the Call of Duty universe, we're open to considering."

The jury is still out on Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for Wii U and SmartGlass, but we'll keep an eye on Treyarch for more information.

Written by Dane Cook

New Xbox Rumors

2012-06-27T14:01:00.001-05:00

While gossip surrounding the next Xbox has been churning around inside the rumour mill for a good few years now, there's no doubt that we're getting closer to learning some cold, hard facts.

We fully expect the Xbox 720 - if it is indeed to be called that – to launch in time for Christmas 2013. And with the increasing frequency of new rumours, reports and leaks, an official reveal from Microsoft cannot be too far away.

So what can we expect from the Xbox 720 when it is finally revealed by Microsoft, and when will it finally hit the shelves?

Xbox 720 to pack Blu-ray and DVR features?

A document that leaked in June 2012 indicates that the Xbox 720 will come packing 1080p 3D support, Blu-rayplayer and DVR functionality. This would indicate that Microsoft is trying to position the Xbox 720 as the single does-it-all set-top box in your living room.

Xbox 720 to pack AMD graphics and CPU?

If the next Xbox is to be as popular and last as long as theXbox 360 – without the frankly appalling hardware failures which blighted its early days – it's going to need some reliable and powerful components.

Latest rumours suggest that the console will contain a revision of AMD's 7000 series graphics, which is based on its 28nm Graphics Core Next (GCN) Southern Islands tech.

Anonymous sources are being quoted on VG247 as saying that the graphics setup in the Xbox 720 will be "like two PCs taped together" which sounds like waffle to us. What does that even mean?

The same sources say that the two GPUs in the Xbox 720 "aren't structured as they are in a normal dual PC set-up," with each chip working separately to draw different items simultaneously.

Again, this sounds rather wooly to us, so let's try and make some sense of it...

Perhaps it depends what the source is referring to as different 'items'. The traditional usage of multi-GPU tech is Alternate Frame Rendering (AFR) where each GPU renders a frame in turn; if the source is saying that is not the case in the Xbox 720 then it will be a whole new usage of twin graphics chips.

It's also possible the confusion here could be arising from the difference between AMD's old GPU architecture, used in the Xbox 360, and the new Graphics Core Next technology. The old Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) architecture of AMD's last gen GPUs essentially batched up instructions before outputting them.It's possible this simultaneous rendering of different items could be referring to using the twin GPUs to display 3D outputs – where each chip is rendering a different angle of a scene to generate the 3D effect. This would then minimise the stress that 3D gaming puts on graphics chips.Still, if that secondary GPU is lying dormant during non-3D gaming it would be rather wasteful, so the GPUs must surely still be used concurrently to render the games.

But GCN is made up of more independent microprocessors capable of carrying out more instructions concurrently.

Either way, the inclusion of AMD 7000 series graphics would put the new Xbox on a par with the current rumoured specs of the Sony PS4 which is in turn expected to also contain AMD Southern Islands graphics as well as an AMD x86 CPU.

Are we really to believe that the 'next generation' of games consoles would essentially be out of date mini AMD PCs, with just the operating systems and scale of fun-sucking DRM the only levels of differentiation? We can't see that being the case, and a report in April 2012 suggests that Microsoft does indeed have something more exciting up its sleeve.It would put the two consoles on level footing in terms of performance as they will essentially contain the same hardware, though by the time they actually go on sale they would to be hopelessly out of date compared to modern PCs.

Xbox World reported that the Xbox 720 will pack a 16-core CPU, which would certainly add some much needed muscle to the maybe-possibly underpowered graphics.

What will the Xbox 720 actually be called?

It's entirely possible that Microsoft could call it the Xbox 720, but we reckon it'll have something a bit more exciting up its sleeve.

Noted Microsoft blogger MS Nerd outed the name Xbox Loop, claiming that the long-awaited console will be "far smaller", cheaper and quiteKinect-focused when it finally lands on our shelves.

Rrecent reports indicate that Microsoft's internal codename for the new Xbox is 'Durango'. Sean Tracy, a technical designer at games developer Crytek,said on Twitter: "Enjoying the Durango developers summit in London. So far, great swag and interesting talks". The tweet was very quickly taken down but the codename was out of the bag by then.

Xbox 720 storage and disc format

It now seems highly likely that the new Xbox will arrive packing a Blu-ray drive.

Microsoft was, if you remember, a staunch member of the HD DVDPromotion Group and went so far as to launch an external HD DVD drive for the 360. So it represents a bit turn-around for Microsoft to embrace Blu-ray, but it also makes perfect sense.

Read speeds from DVDs are still faster than from Blu-ray discs, but BDs can hold vastly more data. A standard dual-layer BD can contain 50GB of data compared to the Xbox 360's dual-layer DVDs which contain between 8 and 9GB.

Many current Xbox 360 titles come on two or three discs, and with the size of Xbox 720 games destined to dwarf current titles, that extra capacity is a fundamental requirement.

Xbox 720 games are in development

It looks as though games developers are already playing with Xbox 720 hardware - a recent job advert from Peter Molyneux's Lionhead studio asks for developers with a background in DirectX 11 - a platform not used by any of the current consoles but is rumoured to be used in the AMD-powered Xbox 720.

It's a bit of a no-brainer that titles are in development from all the big studios if you ask us.

What about the Xbox 720 controller?

Many rumours suggest that the second version of Kinect will sit at the heart of the Xbox 720 experience. A console built around motion detection has lots of promise and it seems highly likely that this is the direction Microsoft is taking, given the way it's currently pushing Kinect hardware and software.

However, you can be sure that the trusty control pad will remain a core component for hardcore gaming. The 360 control pad is wildly popular amongst both console and PC gamers so we can't see the design changing too radically, either.

Will Microsoft kill the second-hand games market?

There have been rumours cicrulating that the new Xbox console will feature a system aimed at preventing owners playing used games. That would mean no trading-in of old titles in order to fund the purchase of new ones - a move that would not be warmly received by gamers or highstreet store.

The rumours centre around the concept of the new Xbox demanding an always-on internet connection. That sounds like a horrifying idea to us – say it ain't so!

The Xbox 720 release date

All indications are that the next Xbox will arrive in time for Christmas 2013.

How much will Xbox 720 cost?

That leaked document we mentioned earlier mentions a $299 (£190) price point which soundsd gloriously ambitious to us. Expect it to cost a bit more than that but assuming the PS4 launches around the same time, expect some competitive pricing.

http://www.squidoo.com/xbox-720-news

New Xbox 360 Music Player

2012-06-27T00:13:00.001-05:00

With the Zune music brand being de-emphasized, theXbox Music service seems poised to take center stage in Microsoft's music ambitions with its 30 million tracks, compared to 11 million in the Zune Music Marketplace. Microsoft promised Xbox Music for the Xbox 360, Windows Phone, and Windows 8, but Gartner analystMichael Gartenberg reports that the service will also run on iOS and Android. Support for anything other than Microsoft platforms was not announced publicly by Microsoft, however.

Xbox Music will be the "music service we have always dreamed of building," with great ways to share and discover new music, Microsoft marketing and strategy executive Yusuf Mehdi said at the E3.

Xbox Music will provide "access to your music collection from any screen, combined with unique social features," Microsoft said in marketing materials accompanying the announcement. "Xbox Music includes a music store for song downloads, music subscription offering, artist-based radio, and a great cross-screen client for your personal music collections."

While details on the music service (including an availability date) were scarce, Microsoft also announced several dozen new entertainment deals that will bring more video content to Xbox 360 owners. Content coming later this year includes NHL GameCenter Live, NBA Game Time, NBA League Pass, and 24/7 programming from several ESPN channels.

Over the next 12 months, an additional 30 or so content partners will arrive on Xbox, with many of them launching in just one or two countries. The US will get Comedy Central Stand Up, GameSpot TV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Movies, Rhapsody, Slacker Radio, The Weather Channel, and more (full list is here.)

The music and video deals will help cement the Xbox 360's position as a home media center that goes far beyond the capabilities of traditional video game consoles. With the "SmartGlass" technology also announced today, you can likely expect lots of cross-device scenarios, such as using your phone or tablet to control the music and video playing on an Xbox 360-powered television.

New DLC for Modern Warfare 3!

2012-06-26T20:45:00.000-05:00

Like Face Off? Then you’ll love ELITE Content Drops 13 – 15 as it features 3 brand new maps for the brand new game mode as well as a new Spec Ops mission which is offering some exciting and unique gameplay! Don’t worry though if Face Off isn’t your thing as Mark Rubin has confirmed that no more Face Off maps will be coming to Modern Warfare 3, instead standard multiplayer maps will be returing in the next content drops.

Drops 13-15 will be the first to be create the third content collection map pack for Modern Warfare 3.

Content Drops 13 – 15 Release Dates:

Xbox 360 Elite Subscriber: 19th June 2012
PlayStation 3 Elite Subscriber: Around 19th July 2012
Xbox 360: Somepoint in July as part of Map Pack 3.
PlayStation 3: Somepoint in August as part of Map Pack 3.
PC: Somepoint in August as part of Map Pack 3.

The first piece of new content (ELITE DROP 13) is the Spec Ops mission called “Arctic Recon”. Requiring surgical precision by air, land, and sea, this new Special Ops mission tasks you with destroying a Russian battleship by planting beacons for an air strike. Take control of a recon helicopter to reveal the beacon locations before fighting off forces on the ground to ensure the ship never leaves port. This mission requires two players so make sure you select your teammate wisely!

Arctic Recon

Next up we have ELITE DROP 14 which for some weird reason consists of two pieces of content: “Vortex” and “U-Turn”. In Vortex no storm shelter can keep you safe, the all-new “Face Off” map that places you just outside the danger zone of a devastating tornado. This one reminds us of Overgrown from previous Modern Warfare games!

An old ranch house sits threatened by the approach of a raging tornado. The front porch and sprawling shrubbery intensifies combat to the south with a tight line of sight. An open field stretches across the north, with a cornfield and central hill obscuring visuals, making ambush an ever-present threat.

Vortex

Vortex Tactical View

U-Turn is a bombed-out, gridlocked highway provides a perfect backdrop for combatants on this all-new “Face Off” map, where oil fields burn black high above six-lanes’ worth of abandoned cars, buses and paths for attack.

A militarized highway cuts across a burning oil field, with damaged vehicles strewn about four vertical lanes. Minimal overhead cover increases the threat of aerial killstreaks and the surrounding clutter makes detection much more difficult. Keep a low profile, sweep the area, and get the jump on your target.

U-Turn

U-Turn Tactical View

ELITE DROP 15: A New York bridge overpass provides the backdrop for this all-new “Face Off” map, Intersection in which an ultra-condensed 2-block battle zone allows players to fight on the first and second floors of surrounding apartments and bombed-out bodegas.

Four buildings circle a large cross street, encouraging players to dig in and fight it out across the map. Race out into the open and expect to quickly come under fire. Stick to the interior, protect your position with ground explosives, and book it only when the enemy starts pushing toward your location.

Intersection

Intersection Tactical View

Three brand new Achievement / Trophies have also been added to the game as a result of the Arctic Recon Spec Ops mission:

Stay Frosty: Complete the “Arctic Recon” Special Ops mission on any difficulty. (15G)
Sub Zero: Complete the “Arctic Recon” Special Ops mission on Veteran difficulty.
dr0n3d: Complete the “Arctic Recon” Special Ops mission in under 3:30.

How do I get it the drops?

If you are an Elite premium member then the next time you go into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer you will get a message saying that new content is available and then it will download it automatically. If not then make sure you visit the “Store” menu option where you should be presented with a message. The content will roll out slowly around the world so don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t show up straight away.

There is more detailed information on how to download it here for Elite members on this page.

Note: You can still become an Elite member after the Drops have been released and still get all the Drops that have been and will be released.

If you are not an Elite member then you will need to wait till the content is released as part of a map pack which will include 5 pieces of content. Then you can purchase it through the PlayStation Network, XBOX Live or Steam (For PC users).

Article originally seen here

Playing A Vampire In Skyrim: Dawnguard

2012-06-26T20:32:00.001-05:00

Playing A Vampire InSkyrim: Dawnguard

Crossbows, mysterious pale women, and a castle packed with nasty vampires: although the first few hours of Skyrim's first downloadable content start off a little slow, they've got some awesome things to offer—and they hint at even more to come.

Dawnguard, the expansion pack-sized DLC that developer Bethesda releases today for Xbox 360 (and later for PC and PlayStation 3), is good at slowly but surely building your excitement. Since receiving a code late last night, I've spent about three or four hours (who needs sleep?) exploring and hacking through Dawnguard's chunk of the world. And I'm psyched to see what will happen next.

While playing, I jotted down some notes about the experience. For your reading pleasure, here they are.

(Spoilers for the first 2-3 hours of Dawnguard follow)

The coolest thing you can do in this DLC, in my experience so far, is turn into a vampire. You get this ability by visiting a castle full of vampires, listening to the king's generous offer to give you his blood, and saying yes. (He threatens to destroy you if you don't say yes.)
As a vampire, you have a handful of special abilities. From the main menu you can use Vampire's Servant, which reanimates a corpse to fight by your side for 60 seconds, Vampire's Sight, which improves your night vision, and Vampire Lord, which zooms you out into third-person mode and morphs your character into a vicious beast.
As a Vampire Lord—which is where all your real powers come into play—you can't use regular equipment. Your blood boils when you enter sunlight. You can drain life and eventransform into a swarm of bats (which is sort of like a makeshift teleportation skill.)
Turning into a vampire limits your inventory options until you revert back to human form.
Turning into a vampire will purge the werewolf blood from your system.
Turning into a vampire is really fucking cool.
But how do you get that ability? Let's take it from the top. When I log into Dawnguard for the first time—which is really just logging into Skyrim with the DLC downloaded and installed—I load up my old character, who had been hanging out in the city Whiterun. Immediately I'm accosted by a bunch of vampire thralls. Once I defeat them, a man named Durak comes up to me and orders me to go check out Fort Dawnguard, in the way southeast corner of the map.
See, Fort Dawnguard is where a group called the Dawnguard lives. They fight vampires. Like Buffy, but with Viking accents.
If you start random conversations with the guards, they talk about the new vampire menace and how they wish it would go away.
Eager to see a bunch of cool new shit, I make my way to the new area, which is southeast of Riften. I trek through an area called Dayspring Canyon and pass Stendarr's Beacon.

Fort Dawnguard is huge. It looks lovely and romantic in the snow.
Outside Fort Dawnguard, I meet a man named Agmaer. He's a little runt. He says he wants to join the Dawnguard, but he's scared because he's never done anything like this before. I vow that when I become a vampire and betray the Dawnguard, he'll be my first victim.
I see Durak training with a crossbow. We chat and he says it's the Dawnguard's specialty. He gives me one. "Nothing better for putting down vampires."
Shooting the crossbow feels nice and twangy, just like you'd expect. But it seems to reload way too slowly to be practical in combat at all. Maybe my character—a level 27 mage/swordsman—is just not built for ranged combat.
When I enter Fort Dawnguard, I fall into the floor. Talk about a groundbreaking experience.
Leaving and re-entering the room fixes this issue. Soon I'm chatting with Isran, leader of the Dawnguard, who asks me to go investigate Dimhollow Crypt, where a bunch of vampires are hunting after something. My job is to find out what that is.
I teleport near Dimhollow Crypt and make my way over there.
Oh, fuck off Ice Wraith.
I'm too powerful for this DLC—or at least the first few hours of this DLC. Everything dies very, very quickly. Even Master Vampires collapse in two or three hits.
So the dungeon is fairly easy. I do get to meet a new enemy, the Gargoyle, which is essentially just a new skin to attack.
At the end of Dimhollow Crypt, I find a vampire woman named Serana. She's casually carrying an Elder Scroll on her back. She asks if I'll help her get home.
I take Serana to her home, the aforementioned vampire castle (located in the way northwest). It's called Castle Volkihar. Her father, the king, asks if I want to join the tribe.
I am now a vampire.

In order to gain new perks as a vampire—which has its own skill tree—you have to kill enemies using your Drain Life or biting abilities.
Some of the higher-end vampire perks include Supernatural Reflexes, which slows everything down, Night Cloak, which gives you a cloak of bats (!) that feed on enemies within range, and Summon Gargoyle, which does what it sounds like.
I don't know why anyone would ever choose not to be a vampire. Presumably if you denied the king's request, you'd go back and fight for the Dawnguard. But... why?
There's a feeding pit. You can go up to human thralls and suck out their blood. It's hot.
I'm introduced to some other members of vampire court, like the nasty Orthjolf and Vingalmo, two oddly named vamps who are apparently out to get one another.
What's interesting about the vampire castle—and what will hopefully make this a cool plotline—is that everyone is just a straight-up awful person. Which will make for some interesting stories. Hopefully it's as cool as the Dark Brotherhood.
It will take every ounce of restraint in my body to not go around every city in Skyrim, eating people and bat-swarming my way through crowds of dumb guards. Gotta finish the actual game so I can review it for all you lovely readers. You're welcome.

Xbox Live Rewards Program

2012-06-22T18:13:00.003-05:00

You might soon be rewarded for racking up those achievements in your Xbox 360 games.

Microsoft has hinted that there could soon be a new system in place which gives players special offers or content based on their Gamerscore level.

Gamerscore values are pumped up by earningAchievements, virtual gold stars that players receive when they accomplish various in-game tasks. These range from basic things like completing a level, to very obscure side quests and high score milestones that are meant to be granted to only the most hardcore players.

The software giant alluded to the rewards program via Twitter, where it boasted about hitting 50,000 followers.

The company wrote, "We've hit 50,000 followers, which means it's time for an announcement! Coming Fall: a new way to earn Rewards based on your Achievements!"

Microsoft has previously toyed with this idea. It had a pilot program for awarding gamers with digital goodies if they managed to bump up their Gamerscore within a promotional period of time.

However, it was more of a one-time deal as opposed to a legitimate rewards/loyalty program so it likely doesn't relate to this upcoming announcement.

Sony also tried something like this with the PS3 and its online Playstation Network service. A very short-lived rewards program offered prizes including digital content and even physical goods like t-shirts, to users who were highly active within the PS3's online service.

But that program was only ever rolled out to a hand-picked group of users, only lasted a matter of months, and was never offered to the entire PS3 user base.

Xbox 360 May get Banned in the United States?

2012-06-22T18:01:00.002-05:00

Xbox manufacturer Microsoft has rejected a settlement offer from Motorola in an ongoing patent dispute between the two hardware giants. Had Microsoft accepted, the settlement would have resolved a long-running court case that affects the future of both Android phones and Xbox 360s in the United States.

For some background, Microsoft previously accused several Android phonemanufacturers of violating its patent for ActiveSync, a technology that powers calendar syncing on some Android phones. While multiple manufacturers reached settlements with Microsoft, Motorola (owned by Google) did not, instead countersuing on the grounds that Microsoft is in violation of five Motorola patents on both the Xbox 360 and Windows, including built-in WiFi and video decoding technology. Motorola believes that Microsoft should pay royalties for the use of this technology.

The case gained attention back in April when a judge ruled that Microsoft did indeed infringe upon four out of the five Motorola Mobility patents it was accused of violating. At that time, the judge decided that a six-person commission would need to review the extent of each infringement, and a decision against Microsoft would prevent imports of the Xbox 360 to the United States. Since the Xbox 360 is manufactured in China, blocking imports would effectively kill U.S. sales of the console.

Separately, an international ruling in favor of Motorola in early May similarly found that Microsoft had violated Motorola’s patents, banning sales of Xbox 360, Windows 7, Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player in Germany. Microsoft immediately planned to appeal.

Later that month, things looked worse for Microsoft as a judge recommended againstcontinued sales of Xbox 360 consoles in the United States. While this decision was only a recommendation (the final decision will be made by the International Trade Commission later this year), it could have a great deal of influence on the final call.

That brings us to this week, when Motorola offered to pay Microsoft 33 cents for eachAndroid phone sold. In exchange, Microsoft would pay Motorola 2.25% of each Xboxsold (we've contacted Microsoft to clarify whether that's 2.25% of the retail price or of Microsoft's profit per console) and 50 cents for each copy of Windows. Microsoft rejected those terms, arguing that it’s unfair of Motorola to request royalties “far in excess of market rates.” In the past, Microsoft has noted that it believes Motorola should “make its standard essential patents available on fair and reasonable terms.”

What this boils down to is that neither side is willing to compromise. For now, the International Trade Commission has recommended an import ban on all Android devices using ActiveSync and all Xbox 360 consoles until the patent issues are settled. If settlements continue to be rejected, the ITC will declare its verdict to the White House, at which point the office of the President will have 60 days to finalize the decision.

We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update with any statement they provide. Until then, keep checking back for continued coverage of the case as new details unfold.

Source: Reuters

Origanally seen Here

June Elite Content update Causes Big Problems

2012-06-22T17:35:00.001-05:00

The latest pieces of ELITE Content dropped for Xbox 360 this morning bringing 1 new Spec Ops Mission & 3 new Face Off maps. Many users however are having huge problems with the new content.

One known issue is a “Out of memory” error that users are getting when attempting to play the new Face Off maps. To fix the out of memory error, delete the game off the hard drive and run it off the disk.

Another fix for OOM (Out Of Memory) error: Reboot your console and launch an older map in Private Match You’ll then be able to load the new maps.

Another issue is with the actual downloading of the content as Mark Rubin revealed today on Twitter that they have hit the limit of DLC that a single game can install on the Xbox 360! This is causing some users to have to re-download all of their DLC content to date all over again and re-setting their Spec Ops stats, it is quite a mess!

Follow these steps to be able to load the Spec Ops mission maps:

Launch MW3 Special Ops running off HDD
Select Find Match and “The struggle continues with all new maps”
Back out of the lobby and you’ll gain the ability to load any new maps

Raven Software (One of the developers behind MW3) posted the tutorial below to help users download content:

We have updated our process for downloading Modern Warfare 3 content. If you see red text that says “Playing with original maps only. Download all DLC content you are entitled to from the STORE in order to play DLC maps” when you are entering multiplayer at the FIND MATCH menu screen please do the following:

Downloading MW3 DLC for Xbox 360:
1. Return to the Multiplayer Menu and select “Store.”

2. The DLC DEPOT will appear and show you what DLC you need to download. Download all available DLC that you are entitled to by pressing the “X” button.

3. Confirm the download of maps when the Xbox Live marketplace overview appears by pressing the “A” button. You will not be charged for this.

4. Press the “A” button at the Xbox Live active download notification screen.

5. Press the “B” button to exit the Xbox LIVE marketplace active download status screen.

6. You will be notified that in order to activate and complete downloading your DLC you need to exit out of MW3 to theXbox 360 dashboard. Press the “A” button to confirm.

7. Press the Guide button on your controller followed by the “Y” to enter Xbox home.

8. Scroll over to the marketplace blade and select the active downloads to monitor the progress of your DLC downloads. When all the DLC has completed downloading you can now return to MW3 and play with all your content.

An emergency patch has been release with the following message: “So the Downloading of all maps again is due to a change in the Key system for DLC. You don’t actually re-download the whole map just a tiny little key update. Should be really fast. Sorry Microsoft doesn’t have very good messaging for this. As for the loss of Spec Ops stats I’m looking into it. I’m really pissed that that might be broken so am angrily finding out what went wrong. I’ll update you all asap.”

Mark Rubin has confirmed that if your Spec Ops stats are missing that they are not lost, it is a problem with copies ofModern Warfare 3 installed on the Hard Drive of the Xbox 360 which isn’t good for Infinity Ward as that relies on Microsoft for them to fix the problem. “Developers don’t have anyway to know this. HDD install is an MS thing. Not something we can even do on Dev kits.”

Virgin gaming tournaments

2012-06-19T15:29:00.002-05:00

http://www.squidoo.com/virgin-gaming-tournaments

PLAY & GO

Choose Play & Go to challenge and play your friends 1v1
Scout potential opponents by checking out their skill and reputation
Use the VG matchmaking system to find players similar to you
Buy in for small OR big amounts at any round
Play by your own schedule and game at whatever time works best for you
Cash out at any round. Play one game, win and cash out OR play on to win more money

BRACKET TOURNAMENTS

Play in a traditional bracket at set times versus set opponents
Win your Round 1 game and win back your entry fee plus money
Make it to the finals and prove you’re the best of the best

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

CASH OUT
Take your winnings at any time or keep playing to the final round for the top prize. Our Play & Go tournaments let you pick your payout!
24/7 DEDICATED CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Friendly, smart, and able to play Capture the Flag for 16 hours straight, our sharpshooting Support Team helps keep Virgin Gaming safe, secure and easy to use.
WE ARE IN THE GAME
Find the exclusive Virgin Gaming multiplayer lobby inside your favorite game titles. Our partnerships mean we get win/loss results directly from the game servers for fast and accurate reporting.

Virgin Gaming Game list

2012-06-19T15:19:00.000-05:00

http://www.squidoo.com/virgin-gaming-tournaments

Virgin Gaming Competitive Gaming List

Play and meet gamers on VG
Scout friends/opponents and issue challenges OR use the VG matchmaking system to find players similar to you
Join Play & Go for 1v1 games at any time to fit your schedule and cash out when you choose to
Play in a traditional bracket tournament to compete at set times
VG gets your game stats in real time directly from the game servers ensuring your wins are tracked properly so that you get paid instantly
Customer Support 24/7 in case you ever have an issue

How Virgin Gaming Tournaments Work

2012-06-19T14:52:00.001-05:00

http://www.squidoo.com/virgin-gaming-tournaments

THIS IS HOW VG WORKS

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

One step registration get you going quickly.

WHAT GAME DO YOU PLAY?

Choose the game(s) that’s going to make you money.

PICK YOUR STYLE OF PLAY

Choose Play & Go OR a Bracket Tournament for whatever tourney type fits your bank account and schedule.

CHALLENGE PLAYERS

Scout friends/opponents and issue challenges OR use the VG match making system to find players similar to you.

GO PLAY ON YOUR CONSOLE

VG is integrated directly into the game(s) you play when you pop it into your console

EA SPORTS™ ARENA

The EA SPORTS ARENA is powered by Virgin Gaming. Find your scheduled opponents here. You can get to the ARENA by following the “Next Steps” on the match card once you have a game set up

You will see the Virgin Gaming Tournaments menu option inside the game. Once you have a challenge set up on VirginGaming.com just enter the Virgin Gaming Tournaments room where you will be directly linked to your opponent

AUTOMATIC RESULTS

Upon completion of your game Virgin Gaming will automatically update your game results and award the win/loss and pay out the winner. We get the results of your game directly from the game servers so there is no debate!

Our Other Great Features!

We've got our gamers' backs. Check out these features that make VG an awesome place to game.

SKILL RATINGS
Our Skill Rating system helps you find and challenge other members with similar abilities. We also offer tournaments that are gated by Skill Rating to provide gamers of all skill levels fair access to cash prizes.
FAIR PLAY GUARANTEE™
No one likes a cheater. We use various measures, including advanced technology, partnerships and community features to ensure that fairness is baked right in to the Virgin Gaming experience. When you play with us, you play with confidence.
24/7 DEDICATED CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Friendly, smart, and able to play Capture the Flag for 16 hours straight, our sharpshooting Support Team helps keep Virgin Gaming safe, secure and easy to use.

Start your Tournament NOW!

Virgin Gaming Tournaments Now on Xbox!

2012-06-12T19:58:00.002-05:00

VIRGIN GAMING™ TEAMS UP WITH XBOX
TO BRING TOURNAMENTS TO XBOX LIVE
Xbox LIVE Tournaments Service, Powered by Virgin Gaming, Brings Skill-Based Competitions to Xbox LIVE Gold Subscribers

http://www.squidoo.com/virgin-gaming-tournaments
TORONTO, CANADA – June 4, 2012 – Today, Virgin Gaming announced that it will be teaming up with Microsoft Corp. to launch the new Xbox LIVE® Tournaments service, powered by Virgin Gaming. Available later this year, this new exclusive entertainment application will let Xbox LIVE Gold subscribers seamlessly browse, enter, play in and track tournaments for their favorite games directly from the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network.

"It was always our dream to have the Virgin Gaming tournament experience seamlessly integrated into consoles," said Billy Levy, President and Co-founder of Virgin Gaming. "The new application on Xbox LIVE delivers unparalleled accessibility for all gamers to compete like never before in the biggest tournaments, for the biggest prizes with a growing selection of new games to choose from. This is truly game changing."

The Xbox LIVE Tournaments service, powered by Virgin Gaming will offer skill-based events and challenges for players of all levels, including a wide variety of free-to-play or paid-entry tournaments and head-to-head matches in top titles from leading publishers.

"We're really excited to work with Virgin Gaming to redefine the way people think about video game competitions on Xbox LIVE," said Alex Garden, general manager, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft. "The launch of the Xbox LIVE Tournament service, powered by Virgin Gaming will bring a wide variety of competitive and casual tournament options to Xbox LIVE subscribers. Our goal is to deliver a play experience that makes tournaments fun and accessible, in a way that resonates with both the core and casual Xbox gamer, and we've found a partner that shares that same vision. By teaming up with Virgin we are able to match their expertise in operating a tournament service with our large and highly engaged community on Xbox LIVE."

When it's time for gamers to showcase their skills in today's most popular console games, against the best competition, in the biggest and most exciting tournaments in history, Virgin Gaming is the premiere destination. With a community of over 1.3-million gamers and counting, top partners including EA SPORTS, 2K Sports and Ubisoft, and Innovations like in-game integration of automatic reporting of match results; a skill ranking system; secure payment facilities, and customer support all combine to make Virgin Gaming the platform of choice for both gamers and sponsors alike. You don't need to be a pro to be a player at Virgin Gaming, just bring your game.

To experience Virgin Gaming firsthand and to learn why It Pays To Have Game™, please visit http://virgingaming.com.

About Virgin Gaming
Introduced in June 2010 through a partnership with WorldGaming.com, Virgin Gaming is the premier destination for competitive console gamers to meet, challenge and play in head-to head and tournament challenges for cash, points and prizes. With an array of proprietary features, including a Fair Play Guarantee™ (with automatic results validation), a secure payment back end, and a Community Reputation Management System, Virgin Gaming allows gamers of all skill levels from around the world to safely and easily compete in some of their favorite multiplayer games. A leading-edge convergence of competitive online gaming and video games, Virgin Gaming offers robust community features with member pages, clan support, invitational tournaments, stats tracking, news, information, and more. For additional information, visit http://virgingaming.com.
# # #

VIRGIN and the Virgin Signature logo are trademarks of Virgin Enterprises Limited and are used under license.

Xbox 360 update

2012-06-12T19:49:00.000-05:00

A handful of Xbox 360 users will notice their console prompting them to download a new firmware update today and later this week. The rest of the crop will receive the update next week. But regardless of when you download it, don’t expect any monumental change to your Xbox Live experience. Yet. This is mainly an update to prepare your system for future major updates.

Micosoft’s Larry Hryb, also known as Major Nelson, confirmed via Twitter that the update had begun rolling out, but as for what kinds of changes it made he would only go so far as to say it contained “behind the scenes improvements & prep for future enhancements.” There’s no word on exactly what future enhancements this paves the way for, but we certainly saw a lot of contenders at last week’s E3.

Among the new features announced during Microsoft’s big media briefing are brand new video streaming options for live sporting events, new ways to interact with your Xbox 360 through the Kinect’s voice recognition feature, and of course the SmartGlass platform that allows users to use their smartphone or tablet as a second screen for the Xbox 360. Microsoft hasn’t provided any information as to when exactly those updates will be rolled out.

Big BlockBuster Games this year!

2012-06-07T13:17:00.001-05:00

“Halo 4” Headlines Biggest Year for Blockbuster Games in Xbox History

Xbox 360 is home to this year’s most-anticipated games, including “Halo 4,” “Gears of War: Judgment,” “Forza Horizon,” “Madden NFL 2013,” “Resident Evil^® 6,” “Dance Central 3,” “Ascend: New Gods” and “Call of Duty^®: Black Ops II”

LOS ANGELES — June 4, 2012 — Step back into the boots of mankind’s greatest hero. Hit the open road in some of the world’s most exotic supercars. Wield magic with your fingertips and dance your heart out. Today, on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. unveiled a portfolio of games demonstrating that no matter what kind of game gets your heart pounding, Xbox 360is the only place to play all of this year’s biggest blockbusters and brand-new titles.

Spearheaded by the return of Master Chiefin the most-anticipated entertainment launch of the year, “Halo 4,” Microsoft showcased a spectacular lineup of titles found only on Xbox 360, including “Forza Horizon,” “Fable: The Journey” and the world premiere of “Gears of War: Judgment” — setting the stage for the platform’s biggest holiday yet. Delighting music fans around the world, global entertainment icon Usher lit up the stage at Microsoft’s E3 media briefing with a surprise performance of his smash hit “Scream.”Backed by amazing in-game visuals, Usher blew the crowd away with a dance routine created for “Dance Central 3,”the next installment of the bestselling dance game on Kinect for Xbox 360. Microsoft also unveiled brand-new titles “Ascend: New Gods,” “Wreckateer,” “Matter”and “Lococycle.”

In addition, the industry’s biggest and best publishers were on hand to showcase why the most highly anticipated games are best played on Xbox 360. Activision wowed gamers with the first live gameplay demonstration of “Call of Duty ®: Black Ops II.” Making their worldwide debuts on Microsoft’s E3 stage, Ubisoft Entertainment’s “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell®: Blacklist™” and THQ Inc.’s “South Park: The Stick of Truth” were both confirmed to feature Kinect voice-recognition functionality. With the help of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, EA SPORTS showed off the future of sports videogames with demonstrations of “Madden NFL 2013” and “FIFA 2013” using the power of voice on Kinect. Microsoft further delighted audiences with news that Capcom Entertainment Inc.’s “Resident Evil® 6,” Square Enix Co. Ltd.’s “Tomb Raider” and THQ’s “South Park: The Stick of Truth” will all feature add-on content that will be available first only on Xbox 360.

“2012 is a landmark year for Xbox,” saidPhil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. “This year, we’re delivering an incredible lineup of games with many of the most-anticipated exclusives, such as ‘Halo 4,’ ‘Forza Horizon’ and ‘Fable: The Journey,’ and brand-new franchises, such as ‘Wreckateer’and ‘Lococycle.’ We’re also the best place to experience blockbusters such as ‘Call of Duty®: Black Ops II.’ Our message is simple: Whether it’s one of our beloved franchises or something totally new, there’s only one place to find them all — Xbox 360.”

With immersive games for the adventurous hero, racing fiend and dance superstar within us all, Xbox 360 is poised to unleash an unprecedented landslide of blockbuster games for everyone, including the following:

·       “Ascend: New Gods” (Signal Studios, Microsoft Studios). Signal Studios, the developers behind the hit franchise “Toy Soldiers,” is pleased to announce its new action role-playing game (RPG), “Ascend: New Gods.” Enter the world as Caos, a gigantic breed of mighty warriors created to serve the will of the Gods. Combat the immortal Titans while fending off attacks from rival players and establishing your influence in the global Ascend conflict. Epic three-scale combat takes place across immense landscapes and limitless dungeons. “Ascend: New Gods” offers unprecedented connectivity across mobile and console Xbox LIVE platforms. Wage war against Xbox 360 players from your mobile phone, gain power and prestige, and transfer it all to your console — anywhere, anytime.

·       “Avatar Motocross Madness” (Bongfish GmbH, Microsoft Studios). The classic motocross (MX) series returns in “Avatar Motocross Madness.” Engage in intense MX racing, exploration and social competition. Fly over huge jumps and perform insane tricks in extreme off-road races, competing with your friends in the Bike Club async social network. Challenge your friends’ times, beat their scores and race against their ghosts to stay at the top of your club. Then take your bike to explore three vast environments: freestyle riding, collecting special items and discovering hidden secrets. “Avatar Motocross Madness” brings back all the fun and excitement of the original series in a whole new way.

·       “Dance Central 3” (Harmonix Music Systems Inc., Microsoft Studios). The bestselling dance series game on Kinect returns this fall with “Dance Central 3.” “Dance Central 3” features dance hits from today and also sends players back in time to the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s — hitting the dance floor to learn classic dances like “The Hustle,” “Electric Boogie” and “The Dougie.” Premier music video game developer Harmonix keeps the dance party going with a new multiplayer party mode for up to eight players and the hottest, most diverse soundtrack yet. Featuring Usher, Daft Punk, Gloria Gaynor, 50 Cent and many more, “Dance Central 3” is sure to get any dance party started.

·       “Fable: The Journey” ( Lionhead Studios , Microsoft Studios). “Fable: The Journey” offers a whole new way to experience the deep storyline and picturesque world of Albion that fans have come to know and love. Set 50 years after the events of “Fable III,” this new version asks you to come to the aid of the mysterious Theresa, who thrusts you into an action-packed adventure full of dangerous enemies, hair-raising chases and humorous characters. Built from the ground up for Kinect, “Fable: The Journey” gives you the power to wield magic as a deadly weapon, defend yourself in combat and solve puzzles on your journey to becoming a hero. “Fable: The Journey” will launch on October 9, 2012 in North America, South America, Asia and Australia and October 12, 2012 in EMEA.

·       “FIFA 2013.” “FIFA 2013” captures all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football. This year, the game creates a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and delivers freedom and creativity in attack. Driven by five game-changing innovations that revolutionize artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and physical play, “FIFA 2013” represents the largest and deepest feature set in the history of the franchise.

·        “Forza Horizon” ( Playground Games/Turn 10 Studios , Microsoft Studios). Combining the legendary “Forza Motorsport” authenticity with a festival atmosphere and the freedom of the open road, “Forza Horizon” is a high-intensity, action-racing game set against the backdrop of the world’s most unique motorsport party. Featuring an expansive landscape, daring driving maneuvers to master, a rousing soundtrack and visceral moment-to-moment gameplay, “Forza Horizon” offers an immersive pick-up-and-play experience while retaining the unrivaled realism, diversity and innovation that are hallmarks of the “Forza Motorsport” franchise.

·       “ Gears of War: Judgment ” ( Epic Games , People Can Fly , Microsoft Studios). “Gears of War: Judgment”takes you back before the events of the original “Gears of War” trilogy to the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day — the defining event of the “Gears of War” universe. Follow Kilo Squad, led by Damon Baird and Augustus “The Cole Train” Cole, as they fight to save the city of Halvo Bay from an unstoppable enemy in the most intense“Gears” game yet. “Gears of War: Judgment” introduces a variety of new multiplayer experiences, including OverRun, a thrilling new class-based competitive mode that will pit Locust and COG soldiers in a head-to-head battle unlike anything “Gears” fans have experienced yet. “Gears of War: Judgment” will launch worldwide in early 2013.

·       “Halo 4” ( 343 Industries , Microsoft Studios). “Halo 4” marks the return of Master Chief and the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history. E3 2012 marks the worldwide premiere of “Halo Infinity Multiplayer,” including the all-new, story-driven experience known as Spartan Ops. A first of its kind, Spartan Ops is an episodic adventure — playable in single-player or cooperatively with up to four players — that blends immersive storytelling, high-quality cinematics and action-packed gameplay to deliver an unprecedented serialized experience. Spartan Ops will extend the “Halo 4” experience well beyond the game’s launch. “Halo 4” hits store shelves on Nov. 6, 2012, delivering its most epic and explorative campaign yet, together with groundbreaking multiplayer action.

·       “ Happy Wars ” ( Toylogic Inc. , Microsoft Studios).“Happy Wars” is a multiplayer action game that pits different comic-style characters against each other in over-the-top combat arenas. You can control any of three types of characters — warrior, mage or cleric — in a variety of fantasy battlefields including grasslands, a dark world and the ocean floor. Join with friends to enjoy action on a grand scale, casting magic spells and attacking castles as you cooperate to overcome enemies.

·       “ Joe Danger: The Movie ” ( Hello Games , Microsoft Studios). On the set of the greatest blockbuster “Movie” ever made, create your own action film scene by scene, performing every stunt yourself. Using dozens of stunt vehicles and spanning every action film genre imaginable, perfect every stunt to thrill the audience or crack the audience up with your failed attempts. Strap on the helmet of Joe Danger and defy death to impress the director.

·       “ Lococycle ” ( Twisted Pixel Games , Microsoft Studios). Presenting I.R.I.S.: Two-time Valedictorian of the illustrious Big Arms Academy’s School of Assassination. I.R.I.S. is proficient in more than 40 forms of unarmed combat, earning Sensei status in Jiu-jitsu, Aikido, Krav Maga and Jeet Kune Do. She is equally deadly with blades, handguns and the latest in nuclear technology. Fluent in more than 50 languages and virtually every local custom, I.R.I.S. can blend in and disappear at a moment’s notice in any country around the world. She was the first female cadet to break the four- minute mile — by three minutes and forty seconds. All this won’t even run down her batteries. Twisted Pixel Games proudly presents “Lococycle.” Today’s criminal requires tomorrow’s hero.

·       “Madden NFL 2013.” “Madden NFL 2013” is all-new, from boot-up to credits. Every mode, every screen, every pixel has been reinvented delivering the most innovative, connected and authentic “Madden NFL 2013” experience in franchise history.

·       “ Mark of the Ninja ” ( Klei Entertainment , Microsoft Studios). “Mark of the Ninja” is a side-scrolling stealth action game from Klei Entertainment that combines fluid 2-D animation with intense stealth gameplay. Observe your enemies from afar, manipulate them with your tools and execute your plan with precision. But be careful — you’re as fragile as you are powerful.

·       “Matter” (blindwink, Microsoft Studios). Experience a hero’s journey across a mysterious and visually stunning world. “Matter” brings the unique vision of Academy Award-winning director Gore Verbinski exclusively to Xbox 360 and Kinect.

·       “Resident Evil® 6.” “Resident Evil® 6”features three distinct, yet interwoven, storylines, each with its own pair of protagonists for either solo or co-op play, both offline and online. Leon S. Kennedy is paired with government agent Helena Harper, while Chris Redfield teams up with fellow BSAA member Piers Nivans. Finally, gun- for-hire and son of the infamous Albert Wesker, Jake Muller is joined by series returner Sherry Birkin. All six must face new horrors as they fight to survive the global C-virus outbreak. Blending both action and survival horror, “Resident Evil® 6” promises to be the dramatic horror experience of 2012.

·       “South Park: The Stick of Truth.” Written and voiced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, “The Stick of Truth” is the most epic South Park experience to date. Earn your place alongside Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman and aid them in a hysterical adventure to save South Park as only fourth-graders can. Recruit classic South Park characters to your cause, such as Professor Chaos or Jesus, armed with a machine gun. Arm yourself to the teeth with an arsenal of magical weapons and mystical armor to defeat crab people, underpants gnomes, hippies and other forces of evil. Succeed, and you shall be South Park’s savior, cementing your social status in South Park Elementary. Fail, and you will forever be known … as a loser.

·       “Tomb Raider.” Armed with only the raw instincts and physical ability to push beyond the limits of human endurance, “Tomb Raider” delivers an intense and gritty story into the origins of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.

·       “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell®: Blacklist™.” The United States has a military presence in two thirds of countries around the world. A group of 12 have had enough and initiate a terror ultimatum called the Blacklist — a deadly countdown ofescalating terrorist attacks on U.S. interests. Sam Fisher is the leader of the newly formed 4th Echelon unit: a clandestine unit that answers solely to the President of the United States. Sam and his team must hunt down these terrorists by any means necessary, and stop the Blacklist countdown before it reaches zero.

·       “Wreckateer” (Iron Galaxy, Microsoft Studios).“Wreckateer” uses Kinect to put you in control of a massive castle-wrecking ballista. With the help of Wreck and Tinker, travel the land and destroy 60 goblin-infested castles using six magical projectiles. Aim and fire each shot and then control it in mid-air, motion-activating special powers and guiding them toward their target. Utilize an arsenal of Flying, Explosive, Splitting and rocketing Speed shots to explore the infinite ways you can wreak havoc with “Wreckateer”’s fully dynamic destruction.

Xbox stays #1 Console

2012-06-07T13:14:00.001-05:00

Xbox 360 Continues Run as No. 1 U.S. Console in March

Xbox 360 continued to hold the number one spot in the U.S., selling more units in March than any other console. It was the Xbox 360’s fifteenth consecutive month as the best-selling console in the U.S. Below is a screenshot from "Mass Effect 3", one of the top-selling games in March.

NPD highlights in March include:

· Holding 42 percent share of current-generation console sales, Xbox 360 sold 371,000 units in March, maintaining the number-one console spot in the U.S. This marks the thirteenth consecutive month Xbox 360 has held more than 40 percent of the current-generation console market share.

· Total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in March (hardware, software and accessories) reached $430 million, the most for any console in the U.S. and more than the spend on PS3 and Wii combined.

· During the month of March, Xbox 360 held five of the top 10 U.S. console game titles including: “Mass Effect 3,” “Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City,” “NBA 2K12,” “SSX” and “Major League Baseball 2K12.”

Last month, Xbox 360 delivered new voice-controlled TV apps from Comcast and HBO GO in the U.S., and MLB TV throughout North America, making it easier to enjoy your favorite TV shows, sports and music with voice control and Kinect voice search. Xbox has grown rapidly to become the best-selling Internet-connected entertainment device for TV. Since the entertainment apps on Xbox 360 started rolling out last December, total hours spent on Xbox LIVE globally has grown 30 percent year over year.

Later this year, Xbox 360 will deliver a strong portfolio of blockbuster titles, experiences and add-on content, including additions to the famed “Halo” and “Fable” franchises and groundbreaking experiences like “Kinect Sesame Street TV” and “Nat Geo TV.”

Posted by Jeff Meisner
Editor, The Official Microsoft Blog

Microsoft E3 Performance Review

2012-06-07T13:08:00.002-05:00

24 hours on and both media and fans have had plenty of time to chew over Microsoft's 2012 E3 press conference, and it's fair to say that not all of the commentary has been entirely positive.

With that in mind, Eurogamer sat down with Chris Lewis, vice president of interactive entertainment for Xbox Europe, to find out how Microsoft itself views its performance and the ensuing public reaction.

"I think [the response has been] largely very positive," he said.

"I get the opportunity to talk to a lot of journalists from around the region, and analysts as well, and generally people are really positive about what we had to say.

"People love this mission that we're on to make the whole entertainment experience ever more amazing. They love the line up. I think people are blown away by the quality of the content, the breadth and depth of the games. Not only our own - we're unashamedly pushing pretty hard around Halo 4, Forza, Fable, Gears of course - but we've always done very well with our partnerships with third party publishers.

"So yes, generally I've had very good feedback," he continued.

"There's no doubt that Smart Glass has captured folks' imaginations, and in a good way. People love the browser, I think they're impressed with what we've got in terms of content partnerships and entertainment relationships. There's more to come of course, but we're happy."

Lewis isn't oblivious to the criticism from some sections of the community, but argued that Microsoft is doing it's very best to keep the core happy while at the same time offering a range of broader content.

"We have an embarrassment of riches right now," he explained.

"In the lead up to the show we have to think really hard about what we can show at a practical level versus this desire to put everything in there because we're so proud of everything we have.

"The hardcore community defined us - there's no doubt. That community defines where we are now and we continue to bring great content to them - Halo 4, Gears. And the success we enjoy on our platform with Call of Duty is very clearly focused on continuing to bring content to that audience.

"But there's a lot more that we have to talk about too. Our consumers want Xbox 360 to offer broad digital entertainment, whether that's music, TV, sports or indeed games - both casual through Kinect or otherwise.

"I think it's about bringing that portfolio to an event like this and trying to cater to the different audiences that we want to appeal to. We want to be where our community wants us to be, and they want us to be in those places."

One aspect of the show that surprised many viewers was how quickly it glossed over unknown quantity Gears of War: Judgement in a matter of seconds, while spending five minutes showcasing casual XBLA effort Wreckateers. Wasn't that an odd decision?

"I didn't think it about that way," answered Lewis.

"We have such a strong base of fans for that whole epic Gears experience that we know it speaks volumes for itself."

Finally, we quizzed Lewis on why we didn't get a glimpse of its next home console during this year's show. He answered that, with its current system still performing so well, it's focus remains on the 360.

"The lifestyle is longer than has been the case in the past but that allows developers to bring content they might not otherwise have been able to bring, as it pushes the boundaries out.

"We've still got so much more to do with this generation. We think we're in an enviable position. We're fixated on 360 and we love the fact that it's in such a momentous state still."

Written by:By Fred Dutton Published 5 June, 2012

Delayed Plans for NEW Xbox

2012-06-07T13:03:00.002-05:00

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will release the next version of its Xbox console in 2013 at the earliest, as the company squeezes at least one more year of sales out of its current model, said two people with knowledge of the matter.

Enlarge image

Xbox 360 game console during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 11, 2012. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Enlarge image

A Microsoft Corp. representative demonstrates an Xbox Kinect video game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Monday, June 6, 2011. Microsoft Corp. said it struck an agreement with Google Inc.'s YouTube to deliver video on the Xbox Live service, as the software maker lines up a live television service for later this year. Photographer: Jonathan Alcorn/Bloomberg

The company may show the successor to its Xbox 360 in June 2013 at the E3 conference and put it on sale that same year, said the people, who declined to be named because the plans are confidential. David Dennis, a company spokesman, said earlier today that Microsoft won’t discuss new Xbox hardware at this year’s E3, quelling speculation that the device would be unveiled at the 2012 show.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360, bolstered by the Kinect motion-sensor accessory, had its best year of sales in 2011 -- the console’s seventh on the market. Announcing the next model too soon risks hurting orders for the current lineup, and new consoles typically lose money for their first few years. The Xbox 360 is profitable, giving the company incentive to keep it on store shelves for a longer period.

“They’re still selling a lot of Xbox 360, and they’re making money,” said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities Inc. in Los Angeles. “I don’t think the world needs them to put a new console out just because we’re bored.”

Sales Growth

Microsoft’s entertainment division, which includes the Xbox, posted a 45 percent sales gain to $8.91 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June. The Xbox 360 outsold Nintendo Co. (7974)’s Wii and Sony Corp. (6758)’s PlayStation 3 in 2011, and also sold better than any other TV-connected devices, including DVD players and home-theater systems, Dennis said.

“There will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon,” Dennis wrote today in an e-mailed statement. He declined to say when Microsoft would release the next model. “For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360.”

Microsoft has no reason to put out a new console soon, Pachter said. He estimates that the company makes about $115 of profit on the $300 Xbox 360, a model with a hard drive.

Pachter expects Microsoft to release the next version at the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014. The company will probably look at competitive pressure and sales in the current year to determine timing, he said.

Nintendo, meanwhile, is due to release a new machine called the Wii U later this year. Sony will probably update the PlayStation around the same time Microsoft puts out a new Xbox, Pachter said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Dina Bass in Seattle at dbass2@bloomberg.net; Ian King in San Francisco at ianking@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net

Nike+ Kinect Training

2012-06-07T00:23:00.000-05:00

Nike took to Microsoft's stage at E3 to announce a new fitness feature for your Kinect, Nike+ Kinect Training. We're told it'll make us "athlete-fit", with constant feedback on technique and every four weeks, it'll even re-assess your progress. The setup will also ~~nag~~ remind you through Windows Phone of incoming training sessions -- though there's no specifics on whether the fitness setup will play nice with other mobile platforms. The companion phone app will also allow you to compare and share progress with friends also using the training program.

http://www.squidoo.com/nike-kinect-training2

Xbox 720

2012-06-07T00:01:00.004-05:00

Where the hell is Xbox 720?

Microsoft doesn't want to talk about its next console, known as Xbox 720 or Durango. But IGN does want to talk about the next generation and so do IGN readers. We want to know why Microsoft came to E3 without showing us anything of its next-gen system, which is currently with developers.

I caught up with Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios, at the Xbox 360 booth at E3. I understood that Phil was not able to talk about Microsoft's plans directly, but he was happy to talk in general terms about the company's thinking.

Reading between the lines of his answers, it's clear that the company is in no hurry to move on from Xbox 360, and has a lot of solid financal reasons to wait. But Spencer is also aware that the core audience will not wait forever.

Also, that the next machine will likely be all about multiple-device connectivity, new models for buying and playing games and priced, at least as an option, on a smart-phone subscription model, with a low entry price and further payments over a couple years.

You can best judge for yourself what's going on here with the transcription of the conversation. We also talked about Halo 4 and other now-generation topics, and I'll post those in the near future.

Colin: So a lot of people are saying that this has been a disappointing E3, that the hardware companies, including Microsoft, haven't taken enough risks.

Phil: Okay... Well, I think there are multiple audiences when you come to a show like E3. You've got the developers, who are looking at each other. You've got the people who are all about buying new hardware, and they're just really focused on when the next hardware's coming out. And then you've got the whole business, retail kind of people, who are looking at business stuff.

“

People are looking for new things.

I think our business is really in a sweet spot, if you think about the installed base and the number of people, the addressable audience of a platform like Xbox 360 right now. So as somebody who's running a publisher, a first party publisher, but still, an entertainment publisher, it's a great time to be on Xbox. We've got tens of millions of people out there, so when we put out something like Minecraft, we sold two million units. That's a great business.

You're now at a scale, both on Live and the hardware, where you can come out with things that are not Call of Duty, Halo, Assassin's Creed, these big hundred-million-dollar productions. Because the audience is there to reach people and actually have real success. I think that creatively that's a great unlock. There's just more things you can focus on. You can focus on specific segments, or specific projects. We think about entertainment, television, sports, fitness... You know those people are out there because you look at the numbers and it just pours out. You're going to have more women, younger kids, a lot of people in the system. I think it's a really healthy place for us.

Colin: It must make it difficult for you to let it go, for you to say, well, let's move on to the next thing now. Because hell, everything is going really well. And yet we work in the games business, we want something new. Everyone is asking, where the hell is Xbox 720? Why did you come to the show without a new piece of hardware?

Phil: Well, I think we have to be careful when we say "everyone" is asking. Because I don't think it's everyone, right? There's a core set, and I'm one of these people. In my heart I'm a core gamer. There are some people that are looking for what's next. And I love that. Those are the catalysts for our business, those are the people who are going to line up outside the store the night before and get the newest piece of hardware when it comes out. You want to keep that core enthusiast involved in what you're doing, and they're the most critical. But we can't fool ourselves into thinking that that's all that this business is about. Because this business is much broader than that.

Colin: I think that you were going to show something and then you decided not to, that's my personal opinion. Can you comment on that?

Phil: We start our E3 plan in December and January, we start looking at assets and getting stuff together. But we've been pretty consistent on what our E3 plan was going to be all along. We haven't really changed that. Certain things start showing well and other things need more work, but in terms of our key messages at E3, Halo is going to be the biggest game. But no, our E3 plan has actually been pretty consistent from the beginning.

Colin: You're stuck with this problem of when to jump to digital-only, to release a console where all the content is downloadable or streaming and retail is gone, and there are no discs. But the world isn't quite ready for that quite yet. So if you wait you can get closer to that world, which is more ideal for your purposes. Right?

Phil: I would say, and not just for PR reasons, that retail is very important to us. Retail distribution of games is going to be very important for years. When you go to a midwest town, there are still people where retail is still the way they buy , even music. There are millions of people who still buy DVDs. And they're going to buy [retail] games and they're going to buy consoles.

Colin: I am trying to figure out what you have up your sleeve with the next Xbox. Something, maybe, in Kinect, I just can't put my finger on it. You've got to have some really interesting idea and I don't know what it is.

Phil: You look at the beginning of Xbox, talking about eleven years ago, the beginning of Xbox 1, to where we sit today, and you see that the amount of time spent on an Xbox 360 in the house has gone up dramatically. We've seen continued online growth, a growth in online gameplay and now we see online video actually eclipsing online gameplay in terms of just hours used. And that's not because online gameplay is going down, it's just because the box is literally on for more people in the house at more times during the day.

“

There are some people that are looking for what's next. And I love that.

This is a really interesting opportunity for us with the kind of entertainment that we can bring to the box. It doesn't mean that we have to diminish focus on the core. Just like if my TV shows a different thing in the morning than it does in the middle of the day than it does at night.

We really start looking at the Xbox as an entertainment product, plugged into the biggest screen in your house, the TV, and a unique display surface in the TV. That's why I try to focus on SmartGlass, trying to light up other things that are happening in the house, because we understand that it's a connected-device ecosystem.

It's a little bit like Kinect when it came out. We got Dance Central 3, the kind of game that didn't even really exist before Kinect came around. I think now we look at SmartGlass and these other opportunities, and I think the kind of entertainment that we're building will continue to push forward, multiple devices and opportunities to play anywhere, asynchronous multiplayer gameplay. We're trying to come up with new terms for these connected experiences. I think you're going to see just a ton of growth.

Colin: I was talking to Gaikai about their deal with Samsung. I asked if consoles are dead? They said, no, not just yet, but yes, one day it's all going to be through the TV, the cloud. That, presumably, is a problem that you guys have been thinking about.

Phil: Cloud is a huge opportunity. And someday, yes, someday. But if you look at the internet capabilities today, it's a challenge. Even, forget about games. If you said everybody was going to watch the Champions League Final concurrently via the internet at HD-level quality, the internet can't handle that. And that's just people watching a [soccer] game. That doesn't include the level of interactivity of a game and a two-way pipe going back and forth.

So there's just bandwidth issues in terms of metering and things that are out there. So I believe, yes, in the long run we'll land in a spot where there's cloud distribution of all content and Microsoft is clearly invested in that. I like the work that Gaikai does, I play games on Gaikai, and if I get the right bandwidth situation they're actually good experiences. But today it's not really up to scale. You're still going to be pushing boxes out to people's houses that they're going to plug into the TV. That's what they're going to use to play their AAA games. And I think that'll be the case for a while. But that's not trying to downplay what Gaikai is doing, because I think that it's great that they're investing in it.

Colin: Are you going to do a price cut this year for Xbox 360?

Phil: We're not announcing any price cuts right now. We feel good about where the console sits, number one console globally. The partners like the sales rate of games that are coming out, so competitively we feel like we're well-positioned. We announced the opportunity to buy an Xbox with a subscription, where you can sign up to a two-year Live subscription and you get an Xbox for $99 which obviously brings the up-front price point down on the console below a hundred dollars, which is a really attractive price to people. We've seen good uptake. We're just moving out of a trial on that. But it's... I think there are opportunities like that to continue to try to hit all price points.

Colin: So from what you've seen of that experiment, is it something that you guys can work with in the future?

Phil: I think it should be part of our model, absolutely. It's pretty new. I think you want to let it play through, to really get full analytics on what happened. But if we just take our early impressions that we've seen, it's been very positive.

Colin: Do you feel that when the new console comes, say in 18 months' time, there will be a lot of new IP that you've been sitting on?

Phil: Well, there's no doubt that when new hardware lifecycles start, it's always a great place to launch new IP. You just look at us historically, I'll say that we had three big hardware launches. Xbox 1, Xbox 360, and Kinect. Obviously Halo launched with Xbox 1, I'd say Gears was a franchise that was created with 360, and I'm going to look at things like Kinect Sports and Dance Central for Kinect.

if you look at the sales and the financial success of those games, they're big successes. I think it's a unique opportunity, when new things come out, to launch new IP. There's no doubt about that. Because you have that core fan there that wants something new. It aligns very well with what you're bringing in. People are looking for new things."

by Colin Campbell

JUNE 6, 2012

Xbox Smart Glass

2012-06-06T23:52:00.000-05:00

Microsoft's new SmartGlass app will enhance your entertainment experience by intelligently linking your device …

Microsoft made a number of announcements at the E3 gaming convention in Los Angeles today, but they weren't just limited to gaming. One of the most promising new projects in the works at Microsoft is the SmartGlass system, a downloadable app that will allow you to connect your tabletor smartphone to your Xbox 360, boosting their ability to enhance each other's content regardless of what type of content you're enjoying.

Because it works with the Xbox 360, of course you'll be able to use it to enhance a number of video games. For example, you'll be able to plan, draw up, and execute complicated football strategies in future releases of Madden NFL, all directly from your tablet.

But SmartGlass works with virtually all other forms of entertainment as well. When you're watching a show or movie on your TV via Xbox, SmartGlass will automatically pull up information about what you're watching on your portable device, giving you insights on casting, episodes, and commentary. The system will also work in the other direction, allowing you to effortlessly view and navigate your favorite websites on your TV. It will even help manage your music playlists, make suggestions, and help you share your music choices socially. In short, SmartGlass promises to be a complete multimedia experience, changing the way you watch shows, listen to music, and play games.

Since SmartGlass is a Microsoft project, it will be heavily integrated into Windows 8 tablets when they launch later that year. SmartGlass will also be available for other tablet and phone operating systems, as well.

This article was written by Fox Van Allen and originally appeared on Tecca

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