Xbox360 Blogger

Bill says: Xbox360 to be the most reliable console

2008-01-11T17:29:00.001+00:00

The red rings are a threat to any Xbox360 owner. However until the extended 3-year warranty came along last year Microsoft couldn't care less.

In an interview with the BBC Bill Gates is doing one better. He believes with the new warranty and updated hardware that the Xbox360 may become the ”most reliable” console out there.

Source

Xbox360 Backwards Compatibility Updates 'Winding Down'

2008-01-10T20:33:00.001+00:00

In November of last year, the Xbox360 received another backwards compatibility update bringing the total number of supported original Xbox games to over 450. That update may have been the last, however, according to group marketing manager Albert Penello.

Speaking to Kotaku, Penello noted, "I don't know if we have plans to do any more releases. It feels like we kind of hit the point of diminishing returns there. I know with the Xbox Originals, there are still things happening there, but in terms of a lot of engineering work around bringing out new titles, I think they're winding that down." Xbox360

Penello said that Microsoft at this point has upheld its promise from a corporate standpoint to make its most popular original Xbox titles playable on Xbox360. "For the most part, we've crossed off games that people want to play," he said. "There's always going to be a notable exception here or there."

Source

Halo 3 Four Player Online Co-Op Confirmed

2007-08-01T13:51:00.000+01:00

Halo 3 Four Player Online Co-Op has been Confirmed, now to the details straight from the horses mouth at Bungie.net

So you were probably wondering why we didn’t want to commit to two player co-op online over Xbox Live. We certainly got plenty of mail asking, no, demanding that we make it happen. Of course we were working on it, but we were also working on something better. Not two player co-op. Not three-player co-op, but up to four player co-op. Online. On Xbox Live, or sure, System Link if you prefer.

That is correct – up to four player co-op in Campaign mode on Xbox Live or System Link.

We’ve been playing it for quite some time, and bluntly, having some of our greatest ever Halo experiences. We wanted to make sure all our “t”s were crossed and our “i”s dotted before unveiling this important new part of Halo 3’s Campaign mode.

Apart from the horrifying network challenges this new mode presented us, were the various gameplay balance issues it adds to the fray. So we got it all together, polished it, and that’s why we’re revealing it now. As a result, you’re going to want to play co-op as hard as you can stomach it. We’d certainly recommend Legendary, but we’ll be revealing some more ways to make the game more interesting and challenging for multiple players in the very near future.

Acting as a team is a fantastic new twist to the Campaign gameplay – something that works as well on foot, in close confines as it does on the battlefield, with large scale vehicle mayhem. Scared of Jackal snipers? Send out a scout to see what dangers lie ahead. Terrified of an open field? Flank your enemies and swipe their rides. The combinations and scenarios are endless – and you’ll be able to enjoy them time and time again in Saved Films of your co-op exploits.

We mentioned that we’ve been having a blast. We have a lot of stories. Many of them would require that we explain some of the reasons replay will be a big factor, but not quite yet. Soon, we promise.

Like every other aspect of Halo 3, this mode is chosen from a Lobby. Simply select Campaign, choose your network (Xbox Live or System Link) and invite your friends to join you, or they can simply join your session once it’s set up and in a lobby (but they cannot join a game once it’s in-progress). They will pop into your lobby instantly, and when you have all the players you need (anywhere from one to four) you can begin the game from the beginning – or from any of your saved checkpoints.

Split-screen co-op is as ever, limited to two players per screen – but they can if they wish join two other friends online or via System Link.

For fictional reasons, we decided to avoid Halo’s slightly surreal compromise of two identical Master Chiefs and rather, use this opportunity to expand the Halo universe just a little bit. Player one will control the Master Chief, player two will control the Arbiter and players three and four will get the chance to control two brand new Elite characters.

Microsoft Says No

2007-07-31T10:55:00.000+01:00

Microsoft has said no to the credible rumors of a $50 price drop for the $400 Xbox360 Premium package. The rumors continue to say that the price drop will see the Core system discontinued in the US.

Microsoft's response was: "No. Xbox360 Core remains an important member of the Xbox 360 family."

Limited Edition Simpsons Xbox360 Console

2007-07-30T11:06:00.000+01:00

One of only 100 Limited edition Simpsons Xbox 360 Consoles is on ebay with the current bid standing at $4000. Check out the auction here.

Stagnant overseas sales for Microsoft

2007-07-28T10:07:00.000+01:00

Sales of Microsoft's Xbox360 were dead in the latest video game hardware sales report in Japan.

Media Create Co. reported yesterday that the Xbox360 sold only 2,664 units between July 16 and July 22. In comparison, more than 86,000 Wii units and more than 12,000 Playstation 3 units were sold in the same period.

An Additional blow came as the Xbox360 was unable to rank any software titles in the top 50 sales.

The Xbox360 has not faired well in Japan where hardware sales have yet to top half a million, a tiny figure compaired with the 11.6 million Xbox360 units sold worldwide to date.

360 HD DVD Player Prices Slashed

2007-07-26T17:05:00.000+01:00

Today Microsoft announced it will lower the price of the Xbox360 HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 starting on Aug. 1, and will throw in five free HD DVD movies with it for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30.

360 in for a $50 Price Cut?

2007-07-25T14:34:00.000+01:00

In an effort to regain momentum in the video game console market, Microsoft will cut the price of the Xbox 360 by $50 by early august, sources have said.

The reduction will be made on August 8, according to one source in the retail world, noting that the cut will come during what traditionally has been one of the slower times of the year for game hardware sales.

A Microsoft spokesman has said: "We have no announcements to make on pricing at this time. While price matters, content is king. And no other system is offering all the games people want to play this holiday at a better price than Xbox360."

It is unclear whether the cut will effect all three versions of the Xbox360 (The Core, The Pro and The Elite) or just some of them. There are several big name titles set to ship at the time of the speculated price drop. Madden NFL 08, BioShock and John Woo Presents Stranglehold are coming to the Xbox360 in August.

Speculation of an Xbox price cut grew after Sony announced several weeks ago that it was going to be slashing the price of its 60GB PlayStation 3 from $599 to $499.

In latest sales figures, the Xbox360 and PS3 continue to trail the Wii in U.S. sales. In June the Wii outsold the Xbox360 by nearly 2-to-1. However Microsoft should get a huge boost in September with the launch of the exclusive Halo 3.

Xbox360

2007-01-12T11:31:00.000+00:00

Dead Rising on Xbox360 breaks 1 million barrier

2007-01-11T15:59:00.000+00:00

Capcom has announced that they have sold more than 1 million copies of Dead Rising for the Xbox360.
The game was launched in august last year and reached the 1 million mark just 4 months later.
The game won the Spike TV Video Game Awards 2006 for Best Action Game.

Buy Xbox get Socks

2007-01-10T16:37:00.000+00:00

Buy an Xbox360 and you might be in for a surprise.

Xbox360 Warranty Extended

2007-01-02T22:08:00.000+00:00

Microsoft announced that effective December 22, 2006, the Xbox360 warranty has been extended to one year from the date of purchase. The extended warranty applies to new customers and existing Xbox 360 owners.

Hardware issues with your Xbox360 within one year of purchase, your console will be repaired at no cost.

For those of you who have already shelled out to get your 360 fixed within their first year of ownership, Microsoft will be automaticaly refunding the repair cost within the next 10 weeks.

Mouse & Keyboard Adapter for Xbox360

2006-12-20T22:22:00.000+00:00

The XFPS 360 which will be the first device for the Xbox360 that enables you to use your keyboard and mouse, has finished final.

Using the XFPS 360 you can also connect a PS2 Dualshock or a PS2 Racing Wheel. It is also possible to connect a PS2 light gun, PS2 guitar or a PS2 dancing mat to the xbox360 through the XFPS 360 although these three would not be supported by any games available on the 360.

Halo 3 Ad

2006-12-18T21:35:00.000+00:00

360 Sales in Japan Improve

2006-12-16T14:55:00.000+00:00

Sales of the Xbox360 skyrocketed in Japan due to the release of the
anticipated RPG Blue Dragon.

The Xbox360 sold 35,343 units from December 4 to December 10, by contrast the console sold 7,000 units the previous week.

This boost in sales is good news for the Xbox360 wich has struggled in Japan from its launch due to limited game offerings. Titles like Ridge Racer 6 and Dead or Alive 4 have failed to attract interest in the Xbox360.

Microsoft has said earlier this month that it expects to sell in excess of 10 million Xbox360 units by the end of 2006.

More Games Added to the Xbox360 Back Compatibility List

2006-12-15T16:17:00.000+00:00

The Xbox titles that have just been added to the Backwards Compatable list are:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Burnout 3: Takedown UPDATED
Conker: Live and Reloaded
Dead Or Alive Ultimate
Destroy All Humans!
Dynasty Warriors 4 / Shin Sangokumuso3
Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
Family Guy
Far Cry: Instincts
Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy
I-Ninja
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna *** Laude
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
MotoGP
MX Unleashed
Open Season
PariahPsychonauts
Rainbow Six: Lockdown
Rapala Pro Fishing
Scarface
Shark Tale
Shenmue II
Soul Calibur 2
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
Ultimate Spider-Man
Wakeboarding Unleashed: Featuring Sean Murray
Whacked!
Winback 2: Project Poseidon
Xiaolin Showdown

There are now more than 300 Xbox games that will work on the Xbox360

Xbox360 camera comming

2006-05-30T16:32:00.000+01:00

Microsoft's director of programming for Xbox Live, better known as Major Nelson, has announced that the Xbox Live Vision camera will get a simultaneous release in Europe and the US this autumn.
The XLV camera will allow gamers to personalise their gamertag picture, send photo messages, and chat over Xbox Live. It can also be used to play Xbox Live Arcade games such as Uno and Texas Hold 'Em Poker. As previously announced, GestureTek will be providing the technology that powers the device.
According to Nelson's latest podcast, the forthcoming Xbox Live update is all set to work with the camera, so users can expect a "plug and play experience."
"The camera is launching this fourth quarter," Nelson said, adding: "We've actually given a specific date both for North America and Europe of September 19th." There was no word as to how much the camera will cost, however.

Xbox360 to have 200 games by Dec 07

2006-04-27T21:40:00.000+01:00

Microsoft’s new console may be only five months old but the company is already thinking long term. With hardware shortages becoming something of the past and the post-release doldrums rapidly disappearing, Microsoft is promising much more to come for the Xbox 360 in the next year or so.
The 18-strong collection of games that made up the Xbox360 launch titles in November 2005 could soon explode to 150 to 200 within the next 12 to 18 months, Microsoft’s Peter Moore said in an interview with Xbox.com.
Moore said “It is our goal to bring E3 home to Xbox Live members as best we can, all the videos and the news as quickly as possible,” said Moore. “We will give you the flavour of what’s going on, on the show floor and some of the stuff that we are showing and debuting here.”Source: Kikizo Games

Bloke Water Cools His Xbox360

2006-04-12T16:52:00.000+01:00

The bloke says that the XBox360 tends to get a bit noisy when it heats up which is mostly due to the fans. His idea was to void his warranty and replace the fans with a water cooling system of his own invention.

Obviously the whole concept of opening up your Xbox360 and filling it with water voids the warranty.

there are lots of pictures and a step by step guide if you want to do it your self here

Xbox360 Video Content

2006-03-27T20:32:00.000+01:00

The partnership will see Microsoft offering exclusive artist content and high-definition music video downloads free to Xbox360 gamers for a year, via the Xbox Live Marketplace service.

Free downloads from twelve up-and-coming artists will be offered through the Artist of the Month (AOM) program, with grandma-untroubling, British singer Natasha Bedingfield kicking off the service.

Microsoft Offers Xbox360 Video Downloads Videos and "exclusive artist content" will also be made available for download from the Xbox site.

"Our goal has always been to make Xbox Live a cutting-edge entertainment experience", insisted Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

"This agreement with Epic Records offers our members exclusive artistic content directly from the source. With Artist of the Month we will be providing exactly what music-loving gamers want: brand-new, exclusive music videos that can be downloaded quickly, easily and free of charge," he added.

Microsoft Offers Xbox360 Video Downloads Epic has already dished out music videos for the Xbox 360 from the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Audioslave, and their catalogue also includes acts like Shakira, Matisyahu, Jennifer Lopez and Antipodean dandruff shakers, AC/DC.

Each month Microsoft and Epic will announce the new Artist of the Month, along with exclusive benefits for Xbox360

Xbox360 Cable Problems

2006-03-13T00:07:00.000+00:00

Joystiq is reporting an issue with using the VGA cable option on the Xbox360. Evidentially, the aspect ratio tends to be off, causing some stretching and other inconveniences.

It seems games will either play perfectly, stretch out of proportion or some ugly black bars will appear. The stretching appears to be the biggest interference with actual game play. The full article can be read by clicking here. Xbox360

2006-02-13T21:56:00.000+00:00

During his DICE session last Friday Peter Moore tackled some of the burning questions regarding Xbox360, including stock shortages and the rather splendid Xbox360 Live online service.

The stock shortage problems should be ironed out in a couple of month’s time, according to Moore. "Within the next four to six weeks, anybody will be able to walk into a store and buy an Xbox360,” Moore claimed.

It's certainly true that the eBay Xbox360 frenzy seems to have calmed down. Plus major online retailers such as Amazon seem to have more Xbox360 available - although still being sold as part of overpriced bundles, rather than stand alone machines.

On being asked if the simultaneous global launch of the xbox360 was the right move, Moore answered: "Was it controversial? Yes. But it's what we needed to do to bring next-gen gaming to a global audience. There have been short-term shortages, but we're driving a clear advantage as we go forward. It was the right decision."

He went on to add: "There were component shortages, but they've been fixed. Now we're starting to cook. We're building a vibrant, rich and profitable business model for the future." xbox360

Perhaps 'cook' was the wrong word to use there Mr Moore, bearing in mind the somewhat negative publicity surrounding your next-gen consoles tendency to overheat a little. However, minor gripes about overheating issues aside, it does seem that Microsoft is on track with its plans for xbox360 in many significant ways.

Just look at the stats which Moore reeled off last week: 54 percent of Xbox 360 owners use Xbox Live, compared to 10 percent for the original Xbox and 4 million pieces of content have been downloaded from Xbox360 Live since launch.

The try-before-you-buy model of Live Arcade has also been an unqualified success. Moore gives the example of Geometry Wars – with 36 percent of consumers who downloaded the demo having gone on to buy the full game.

"Nothing normally converts from sample to purchase at a rate of 35 percent. It's proof positive that we are dragging gaming into the online era," Moore confidently stated.Xbox360

Source: http://spong.com/

Chocolate Xbox360 controler

2006-02-06T18:59:00.000+00:00

Xbox360 to do well in Japan?

2006-01-31T20:19:00.000+00:00

So the Xbox360 release didn't go so well in Japan.

But that could soon change as third party developers sign on with Microsoft.

Namco has a stash of titles announced for the Xbox360. Titles include Ridge Racer 6 for xbox360, Frame City, Love Football, and a few other titles that are yet to be announced.
The titles are due to be showcased at this year's E3.

Virtua Fighter 5 and House of the Dead 4 arcade titles are both roumored to be bought to the platform. Capcom has also said they will be bringing Dead Rising and Lost Planet to the xbox360 in late 2006. However will this be enough for the xbox to increases its market share in japan.

Xbox360 delayed in Australia

2006-01-29T14:10:00.000+00:00

The demand for the Microsoft Xbox360 has been huge, with consoles being sold out every where. On top of that, you can go to any store and find them gone almost as soon as they come in. Manufacturing problems have continually plagued Microsoft and their next generation console, and those problems seem to continue to haunt them.Microsoft representatives have now confirmed that the launch of the Xbox360 in New Zealand and Australia will be delayed from March 2nd to March 23rd. Despite the new third manufacturing company that Microsoft brought on board, the lack of Xbox360s is plaguing even its next launch. On the other side of things, Microsoft has confirmed that the launch of South Korea's Xbox360s is still on schedule with a February 24th release date.