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Week of September 9, 2007
FrostyTheSnowman and Xman954's X2 5035 VGA BIOS v1.0 (fixed)
>> From readme/nfo:
[QUOTE]
This is not an official Team Xecuter BIOS release. This is an unofficial, 100% VGA-compatible release of the X2 5035 BIOS by myself (FrostyTheSnowman) and Xman954. We are not affiliated with Xecuter in any way, and this release is not supported at all by Team Xecuter.
Version 1.0 *fixed*
* Supports Conexant Encoders
* Supports Focus Encoders
* Supports all HD resolutions, including 480p, 720p, and 1080i.
* Supports 'green screen' games!
* Supports ALL 480i Games and Applications!
* Supports .06 and .67 Partitions!
Known Bugs:
- Not compatible with v1.6/v1.6b XBOX Consoles
- Not compatible with PAL XBOX Consoles (Switch to NTSC for VGA)
- This BIOS only supports Mode 2+3 VGA cables and Component-to-VGA cables
- This BIOS does not support mode 1+3 VGA cables (switch the mode to mode 2+3 to use these cables with this BIOS)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by FrostyTheSnowman and Xman954
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Full Readme: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Last gasp for original Xbox? 122k Madden NFL, 80 Consoles sold in August
>> From blogs.reuters.com:
[QUOTE]
It was a bit of a surprise to see the latest NPD data for video game sales for the month of August. It turns out that Electronic Arts figured there were still enough people playing the original Xbox to justify making a version of "Madden NFL 08″ for it.
It looks like it was a smart move. According to NPD numbers provided by Microsoft, the Xbox version of "Madden" sold 122,000 copies, making it the 11th best-selling game for the month. That beat "Madden" for Nintendo's Wii, which sold almost 116,000 copies.
Oh, and it looks like there are still a few big black-and-green boxes trickling out of warehouses: Microsoft sold no fewer than 80 Xboxes in August.
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Full Story: blogs.reuters.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Confirmed for Sept. 16th
>> From the Microsoft press release:
[QUOTE]
The battle may not begin until Sept. 25, but "Halo" fans can prepare for the epic fight with the release the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console on Sept. 16 for an estimated retail price of $399.99 (U.S.).
Frags will be even sweeter with the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console, which features an authentic Spartan green and gold finish and comes with matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 20GB Hard Drive, Xbox 360 Headset, Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit, and exclusive Halo 3 Gamer Pics and Theme available via Xbox LIVE® download.
Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console will be available for a limited time and presale demand has been incredible. True Spartans shouldn't wait to get their consoles.
The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console will be the perfect addition to any "Halo" fan's arsenal and pairs perfectly the recently released Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controllers and Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset.
Created by legendary developer Bungie Studios and exclusive to the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, "Halo 3" will set a new standard for interactive storytelling and social gaming by engaging consumers worldwide in Master Chief's epic battle to save humankind. In November 2004, the world's view of video games changed forever with the release of "Halo 2," which generated a record-setting $125 million (U.S.) in sales within the first 24 hours and changed the way people think about interactive entertainment. Three years later, it remains the most-played game on Microsoft's Xbox LIVE® online gaming and entertainment network, with nearly 1 billion hours of online gaming logged to date.
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XCM 360 All BlackHard Drive Shell
Xport CaveStoryX v2
>> Xport released a new version of CaveStoryX - a Cave Story/Doukutsu Monogatari port for Xbox1.
What's new/fixed:
* Implemented "Fix Slowdown" option on game configuration screen. This is not needed for 480p or 720p. It is only needed for 480i, 1080i and other interlaced modes.
* Fixed end credits
Official Site: http://xport.xbox-scene.com/
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Full Readme: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
WinAmp 5.5 Beta: Remote Access Media on 360 (limited), PS3 and Wii
>> From biz.gamedaily.com:
[QUOTE]
This past weekend, we met up with Matthew Callaway, product director for Winamp, as he showed us the new Winamp Remote.
The product is relatively simple; users store their music files on a PC with Winamp running. Then they enable the application for remote access. After setting that up, users fire up the Wii or PlayStation 3 web browser and head to http://winamp.com/remote to sign in. As long as the host PC is on, has Winamp running and connected to the Internet, the user can allow a friend to stream music and video from that machine too. If the user was on the road, at a party, over a friend's or trapped in a coffee house with bad music, they can access their tunes remotely from anywhere with an Internet connection.
The software also further expands on the Winamp steaming media concept with a similar interface for cell phones with web browsers and the Xbox 360. Sadly, without a browser, the Xbox 360 can only stream media from a local PC and not from another location. Should Microsoft fix the problem, you should be able to use Winamp Remote there too.
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Full Story: biz.gamedaily.com
Download WinAmp 5.5 Beta: beta.aol.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
MSFT wants to distribute XNA games like YouTube
>> From developmag.com:
[QUOTE]
In an exclusive two-part interview with Developmag.com, part one of which is available today, Chris Satchell (General manager of Microsoft's game developer group) said: "It's always been our vision since we've started.
"We use a music analogy - you know, it's like we've given the instruments so they can go and play music now, but what's the radio station where they can reach everyone? It's cool that they can invite people around and play in front of them, which is sort of the Creators Club, but hey, they want to play to the world."
"We don't have anything to announce about it yet, but I think it's really exciting, and to me that's the next really big step - we've opened up the Xbox, we've given a cross-platform framework, we've changed the paradigm of game development to make it easier.
"Now we need to provide people a stage to play on, a distribution medium so that they can show off their creativity to everyone. That's always been our vision and remains our vision."
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Full Story: developmag.com (via xbox360fanboy.com)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
UK Survey: Xbox brand not as 'Cool' as Sony or Nintendo
>> From gamesradar.com:
[QUOTE]
The CoolBrands list was determined by a poll of over 2,000 young people in Britain and The CoolBrands Council. PlayStation clocked in just below Google at sixth place in the top twenty list of cool brands, while Nintendo reached ninth place. Aston Martin topped the table, followed by iPod and YouTube.
The Xbox brand did make the long-list - a group of 500 brands from which the top twenty was picked. But it obviously wasn't nearly cool enough to oust chocolate maker Green & Black's or e-tailer Amazon from the list of the top twenty coolest.
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Full Story: gamesradar.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox Live Diamond Card Took Almost 2y to Arrive
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
Back in December of 2005 I was right there when the program launched to sign up. Stories of happy gamers receiving their shiny plastic cards started surfacing around the middle of last year, but sadly I was not among those shiny happy people (holding hands). Soon my dream of owning a relatively useless piece of plastic faded.
I'm not sure why it took the better part of two years, but finally the Platinum Card and accompanying burrito coupon are mine.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Closes FASA Studio
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
FASA Studio manager Mitch Gitelman has confirmed that that the Shadowrun developer is to close, following months of rumours to that effect, with today being the last day of employment for those not reassigned within Microsoft Game Studios.
Around half of the studio's staff has been offered positions elsewhere at Microsoft Game Studios and the wider Microsoft structure, with the remainder leaving the company today.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Thompson sends own son on personal sting operation against Best Buy
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
We have just received an email from Attorney Jack Thompson stating that his 15-year-old son purchased the Mature-rated game BioShock from a local Best Buy. Thompson informs us that BioShock is created by "the notorious Take-Two interactive," you may remember them from publishing such ultra-violent games as Grand Theft Auto. Thompson says that in using his son in a sting operation, he's proven "that Take-Two's upcoming releases of hyperviolent and sex-themed Manhunt 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV will be widely sold to kids of all ages, despite promises by Take-Two, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and major retailers." No word if Thompson will allow his son to play the copy of BioShock he purchased.
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Full Story: joystiq.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
August NPD Numbers: 360 277k, PS3 131k, Wii 404k
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
Specifically, the overall numbers are impressive, with game hardware and software sales combined up to $993 million in August 2007, from just $669 million in August 2006. Overall game hardware numbers were particularly strong, up to $384 million from $198 million the previous year, but all sectors saw growth.
Turning to hardware sales for the month, the top sellers for August 2007 in North America, listed in descending order with lifetime to date statistics in brackets, are as follows:
Nintendo Wii - 403,600 (4.0 million)
Nintendo DS - 383,300 (12.7 million)
Xbox 360 - 276,700 (6.3 million)
PlayStation 2 - 202,000 (39.1 million)
PlayStation Portable - 151,200 (8.3 million)
PlayStation 3 - 130,600 (1.75 million)
Comparing to July's sales, the Xbox 360's sales have surged from 170,000 to 276,700 thanks to its price cut, but the PlayStation 3's sales have actually declined in August over July's 159,000.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Reacts on Xbox Live Phishing
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
A number of Xbox Live users have been receiving emails, supposedly from Xbox Support, informing them that Microsoft has made changes to all Xbox Live accounts. The emails redirect users to a replication of Microsoft's Passport login page where they are asked to enter sensitive information which can be hijacked by phishers.
According to Microsoft, it is all over this security threat. It says it is retraining staff on the ins and outs of phishing, will reimburse any users that have had their accounts tampered with, and has offered some advice to Xbox Live users.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
SplitReason RROD T-Shirt
>> SplitReason informed us they launched a 'RROD T-Shirt':
[QUOTE]
If you're not careful, your 360 may jettison you out an air-lock. The red ring of death is just the first sign that something has gone terribly wrong and not only will you not be playing any games, your 360 may rebel and simply kill you.
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Note: While the t-shirt is obviously referring to the Xbox360 'Red Ring Of Dead' the logo and sentence ("I'm afraid I can't let you play that, Dave") is clearly also referring to the HAL 9000 'selfaware' speaking computer in the Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' movie (based on an Arthur C. Clarke book), where 'Dave' (David Bowman) is an astronaut/scientist interacting with HAL. "I'm afraid I can't do that" is a typical HAL sentence ;)
Buy T-Shirt ($17.95): splitreason.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Warner: We're Staying With HD DVD and Blu-ray
>> From tvpredictions.com:
[QUOTE]
The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Warner has received a "lucrative" offer from HD DVD supporters to back HD DVD exclusively in the format war. Paramount last month stunned the industry by announcing that it would support HD DVD exclusively. (Four major studios back Blu-ray only.)
But Sanders tells TWICE that Warner will "remain committed to both for the time being."
"We're talking to both sides and it's crazy right now," he said. "We'll see how the fourth quarter plays out. The consumer is still kind of divided, and we still believe that we should offer the content in both formats. Now, we will watch the marketplace very closely, and see how it plays out, but for now we are supporting both."
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[FS] tvpredictions.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
European Union Announces 1.5M Euro Game Fund
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
The European Commission has created a fund totaling €1.5 million ($2.1 million) to support game development.
EU based developers must have successfully developed one product since January 1, 2005 to be eligible for a grant, which can be used to cover all aspects of production. Grants are considered to be direct aid and won't need to be repaid.
New PC, handheld and console developers can apply for up to €100,000 ($139,000), while for projects already under way the minimum grant that can be applied for is €10,000 ($13,400) and the maximum is set at around €60,000 ($83,000).
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Dismisses Wii Sentiment
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
BrandIntel's study, "Top Video Game Console Report: Consumer Insight Monitor" rated purchase intent for the Wii at 3.7, followed by Xbox 360 at 3.4. PlayStation 3 was ranked at 3.1, just above neutral on the five-point scale.
A rep for Microsoft responded to the study in a prepared statement to Next-Gen, saying, "We are exactly where we need to be at this point in our lifecycle, and would not trade places with anyone"--an expected response from a Nintendo rival.
BrandIntel found that the Wii's relatively low price, intuitive control scheme and general focus on the causal player drove consumer sentiment. The report showed that Xbox 360 was tops with the hardcore crowd, though.
"When we launched Xbox 360 back in November 2005, we knew that strategically it would be imperative for us to first win over the hearts and minds of the core gaming audience before focusing on a broader audience. If gamers didn't love us, we didn't stand a chance," the rep said.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
FT: Nintendo's Wii Takes Console Lead
>> Vgchartz already announced it a while ago, but now the Financial Times confirms it too ... the Wii passed the Xbox360 in worldwide sales:
[QUOTE]
Cumulative sales of Nintendo's Wii have overtaken those of the Xbox 360, making it the world's best-selling next-generation games console in spite of having been on the market a year less than Microsoft's machine.
Analysts said the Wii was boosted by steady sales through the summer while sales of the Xbox and the PlayStation3 lagged behind due to a dearth of new software titles.
According to sales data from each console's launch through to the end of July (or the end of August in Japan), consumers have bought 9m Wiis, 8.9m Xbox units and 3.7m PS3s.
The data is based on sales figures from Enterbrain in Japan, NPD Group of the US and GfK of Germany, which tracks European sales.
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Full Story: ft.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Landmark 'Halo 3' Marketing Campaign Debuts: A Hero Must Rise. Believe.
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Every so often individuals are called upon to rise above themselves and act in a selfless manner - to help, to protect, to defend those in need. We call these people, who rise up in the face of great adversity, heroes. One such individual's story is about to be told worldwide. On Sept. 25, "Halo 3's" epic hero Master Chief will rise once again - he'll face seemingly insurmountable odds with the entire fate of the galaxy riding on his shoulders.
In memory of this hero, and helping build to what promises to be the largest entertainment launch in history on Sept. 25, a series of dramatic and evocative communications elements, created by McCann San Francisco, T.A.G., AKQA, and Microsoft Global Marketing will offer a stirring look at the "Halo" universe and Master Chief.
The first of the films, entitled "Museum," premieres today on http://games.yahoo.com and provides consumers everywhere with a reason to "Believe" in the amazing stories and action within the Halo experience, bringing the epic battles to life in the style of a museum "diorama."
Certain to catch the imagination of audiences around the globe, the ads are unlike any video game advertising ever created, and offer a powerful look at the world of "Halo". Uniquely, the campaign experience does not focus on "Halo 3's" graphics or gameplay, but instead looks at the themes that lie at the heart of the tale that spans the entire "Halo" trilogy: duty, sacrifice, and most importantly, heroism.
Through the eyes of celebrated Hollywood creature designer Stan Winston, known for his landmark work on Aliens and Jurassic Park;, as well as New Deal Studios, model creators for Spiderman 3, 300 and Superman Returns, and acclaimed director Rupert Sanders, people will experience a dramatic and moving look at mankind's struggle against our future enemy, the fierce warrior force known as the Covenant.
The central element that much of the integrated marketing campaign centers on is a painstakingly accurate replication of a key moment from a climactic battle set in the "Halo" universe. At over 1200 square feet, reaching a height over 12 feet above the ground and with each handcrafted human and Covenant figure standing eight to twelve inches high, the diorama was large enough to fill an entire studio.
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Full press release here.
High-Res 'Museum' ad here.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Pre-TGS 2007 Press Briefing
>> Joystiq.com reported live from Microsoft"s Xbox 360 2007 pre-TGS briefing in Japan.
Here are the highlights:
* Unreal Engine 3-powered RPG Lost Odyssey is 95% completed. Lost Odyssey looks great, but the battle system appears to be quite dated (or traditional depending on which you prefer). Will be released on December 6th in Japan, February 2008 in USA, and the rest of Asia in January 2008.
* They're showing off the E3 trailer of Halo3.
* PGR4 is coming to Japan on 10/11 and Viva Pinata Party Animals is coming in 2007.
* Namco Bandai showing off a new trailer of Ace Combat 6 (which is an Xbox 360 timed exclusive if you'll recall). Will hit Japan on November 1st.
* Koei is showing off Dynasty Warriors 6, which will launch for PS3 and Xbox 360 at the same time this November.
* Trailer for the no-longer exclusive Devil May Cry 4, and say it will be on the Xbox 360 "early next year." It's unclear if the PS3 version has been delayed from its expected Q4 release or if both versions are coming out next year.
* Itagaki takes the stage and says this is the world premiere of Ninja Gaiden 2. He mentions the leak today (he calls it "the accident") so he's going to show off a new stage. The title is jam-packed with gore, handily earning it a Z (that's like an M/AO to us). Coming in 2008.
* They're showing off new pink and light blue wireless controllers coming 11/1 or 12/1 in Japan. They're also introducing the chatpad for the Japanese market, but there's no release date just yet.
* For Xbox Live Arcade, they're bringing Rez, Ikaruga, Every Extend Extra Extreme, EXIT, Omega Five, and Trigger Heart Exelica! Wowza!
* Square Enix shows Infinite Undiscovery, the fantasy RPG being developed by Tri-Ace, and Last Remnant.
Full report of the event: joystiq.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Dead on Arrival: Games for Windows Live
>> From advancedmn.com:
[QUOTE]
What arrived with those two games [Halo 2 Vista and Shadowrun - first games using Games for Windows Live] was an underwhelming impression, to say the least. First of all, the Live functionality can only be accessed within one of the two games; there is no dashboard like the Xbox 360 currently has. In this regard, the current Games for Windows Live feature set is quite similar to the Live we got on its launch day nearly five years ago for the original Xbox.
Secondly, the two tiered system of Silver and Gold is much more confusing on the PC side than it is on the 360. For Windows, Silver Membership gives you a single gamertag, profile, Gamerscore, friends list, private chat ability, single player achievements and PC-to-PC multiplayer. Gold includes those Silver features plus TrueSkill matchmaking, multiplayer achievements, multiplayer matchmaking with friends, and cross-platform multiplayer. Confused yet? That's what I thought.
The problem here is that the entire Live platform is advertised as a similar, compatible experience between the Xbox 360 and a Windows PC, yet currently the two sides couldn't be more segregated if Microsoft tried. The Xbox 360, built as a gaming machine, has garnered a large amount of third party support to compliment its first party line-up. Additionally, every title now has Live functionality built in, even if it is just allowing you to access your friends list and messages in game. On the other hand, Games for Windows Live has been shunned by several large developers and publishers, and has so far only played host to Xbox ports. Even though Microsoft told us at E3 this year that Sega and THQ were on board with Games for Windows Live, where are Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, 2K, and others? The fact that a title can be a Games for Windows game, but not a Games for Windows Live game makes the situation even more confusing for consumers who are looking for the perfect game for their entertainment needs.
The competition in the PC arena is another obstacle that Microsoft must, but so far has failed to, overcome. XFire has grown to be a very popular service among hardcore PC gamers, with game time logging, a universal friends list, the ability to patch your games, and even voice chat. Steam, once Valve's way to secure legal activation and use of Half-Life 2, has blossomed into the premier digital distribution model of gaming. Valve even released a major update to Steam last week that brought about The Steam Community, providing universal voice chat among one's friends list, as well as a SteamID page that allowed game time logging, groups, and event organization. When these two established systems are shown side-by-side with Games for Windows Live, Microsoft's offering looks quite meager.
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Full Story: advancedmn.com (incl. possible solutions for MS and more)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
GameStop Execs: 360 Returns Have Gone Down Since MS Announcement
>> From nytimes.com:
[QUOTE]
The GameStop executives said they have noticed that sales of Microsoft's XBox 360 have not been hurt by the machines' widely reported design defects, which cause the consoles to fail. "All I can say is that we have not seen anything negative from that," Mr. McKenzie said. "We track our returns, and returns have actually gone down since they made that announcement, and we haven't seen any effect on enthusiasm for the 360."
Halo 3 is a big part of the buzz around the 360. The executives would not say how many pre-orders they have taken for the Microsoft game, but, Mr. McKenzie said, "Halo 3 is on track probably to be the largest release that we have had in the history of the company."
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Full Story: nytimes.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
E-mail phishers targeting Xbox Live accounts
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Stealing your bank account or credit card information is one thing, but now e-mail phishers are going after something truly important: Your Xbox Live account. Xbox.com forum-goer Whagi reports on an e-mail he received, purportedly from Xbox Support, announcing new features on his Xbox Live account. The e-mail links to a supposed Microsoft passport login page that's actually a phishing site designed to capture your login information.
The problem goes deeper than your Xbox -- if you use your Passport account for other Microsoft services, the phishers could have access to a lot of sensitive information.
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Full Story: joystiq.com | forums.xbox.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
US Halo 3 launch festivities announced, 3 free LIVE Gold days
>> From xbox.com:
[QUOTE]
We've got dozens of events, promotions, and contests scheduled around the release of Halo 3, the most eagerly anticipated game of all time. We'll have more information on these events as we get closer to the launch of Halo 3. Here are a few of the events to look forward to:
* Regional Launch Events: In New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Seattle, look for huge launch events. You could score some free swag, get a chance to play Halo 3 with local celebrities in on-site Game with Fame sessions, and be there for the countdown to launch!
* Midnight Madness: At 12:01 A.M. on September 25, over 10,000 stores will be open to sell Halo 3 in the biggest entertainment launch in history.
* Halo 3 Play & Win Sweepstakes: Register your gamertag, then play Halo 3 between September 28 and September 30 to enter the sweepstakes. We've got some great Halo prizes, including Halo accessory packs, Halo Xbox 360™ consoles, Halo 3 Zune players, Microsoft Points, and Halo Graphic Art Books.
* Free Xbox LIVE Gold from Best Buy: From September 25-27, Best Buy brings Xbox LIVE®Gold to everyone free, so you can experience the online multiplayer of Halo 3! Fight through the campaign with your friends cooperatively online, save and share your best moments from the game, or try other online activities free during the Free Gold days.
* Best Buy Play & Win: You could win a Pontiac G6 GXP Street Edition or a Samsung home theater system in this special car giveaway sponsored by Best Buy. Simply register your gamertag, play Halo 3 between September 25-27 and you're entered into the sweepstakes. More than a hundred lucky winners will each score 8000 Microsoft Points from Best Buy.
* NASCAR: All eyes will be on Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates as David Stremme drives the Number 40 Target/Halo 3 inspired race car at the NASCAR Dover 400 on September 23. Select NASCAR drivers will even have a chance to test drive Halo 3 prior to the race during a private event.
* Game with Fame: We've got some celebrities lines up to play against Halo 3 gamers. The Dates, times, and celebrities are still being finalized, so stay tuned for more details.
* Game with Bungie: Here's your chance to play against members of Bungie Studios, the makers of the blockbuster game.
* New Marketplace Content: Look for exclusive content on Xbox LIVE for Halo 3 throughout the Unite to Fight week.
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Full Story: xbox.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 Chatpad Disassembly
>> From nuxx.net:
[QUOTE]
After acquiring an Xbox 360 Chatpad as part of the Messenger Kit I took it apart. Here are photos of that.
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More Pictures: nuxx.net (via kotaku.com)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
GameStop Not Playing Around With Halo 3 Launch
>> From rated-m.blogspot.com:
[QUOTE]
According to the E-Mail, Halo 3 begins making it's way to stores as early as September 13th. By September 18th, all retail stores should have their copies. Not a huge surprise here though. Who DIDN'T expect this game to ship early?
But here is the news worthy part. With leaks recently of Bioshock and Stranglehold for the 360 by retail chains, GameStop has decided to impose strict penalties for employees who open the shipping cartons before the midnight launch. If you break the tape, even if by accident, you will be fired on the spot. It doesn't matter if you are an hourly peon or the store manager...or even the district manager. If you break the tape, you will be fired.
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Full Story: rated-m.blogspot.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Rumour: 360 Exclusive Castlevania?
>> From spong.com:
[QUOTE]
Konami is set to bring the next console version of Castlevania exclusively to the Xbox 360, if recent comments from series creator, Koji Igarashi, are anything to go by.
"I think the Xbox 360 would be the best platform for the U.S. market... The U.S. market is the biggest market for the Castlevania series, so I will give the first priority to the U.S. market. The platform will be the Xbox 360, since the PS3 isn't doing well everywhere in the world", he tantalisingly added
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Full Story: spong.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Aussie Halo 3 hits eBay
>> From xbox360.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
An enterprising (or should that be thieving) Aussie has somehow managed to get his mitts on two retail PAL copies of Halo 3, which he promptly placed on eBay. It's obvious they're the Australian versions, thanks to the whopping big OFLC rating on the front cover (it's an M by the way - doh, no high-level MA15+ violence this time around!)
The games sold at first bid for AU$149 - only fifty Australian bucks more for the privilege of playing it a fortnight earlier than the rest of us. We rang Microsoft to see if they'd despatched robotic ninjas with laser eyes to track down the culprits of the leak, and were met with a staunch "No Comment". When quizzed about whether Microsoft would ban the Xbox Live account of any user found to be playing Halo 3 online earlier than the launch date, the same "No Comment" answer was forthcoming.
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Full Story: xbox360.ign.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2007-09-11 SVN rev10193 build - T3CH
>> T3CH released a new SVN compile (rev10193) of XboxMediaCenter(info) for Xbox1.
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in SVN at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
Special Notes and Noteworthy/XML/Script changes:
* AMT updated to pre0.99 rev1486. I also added the new AMT Plugin. Tetris has been updated to 1.1 (thanks Blittan).
  The new AMT Plugin
* A little info about the AMT Plugin. It relies on a functional AMT install (and with FULL database retrieved for ALL trailers to work - naturally). It needs to be added as a 'source' to Videos, you currently do this by using the context menu:Add Source>Browse>Video Plugins then >>SELECTING the plugins/video/Apple Movie Trailers Plugin FOLDER<<! After this is all done you browse it like any other source..
* I'm including the XBMC Win32 PC environment.exe that is meant for skinners & python developers, read more about the concept here. It was built using Microsoft DirectX Summer 2004 SDK.
* I've tweaked the win32 run_me_first.bat so it runs and then unmounts the virtual drives when you exit.
For the full changelog (all added/fixed/changed/updated stuff) since the 2007-09-02 SVN Rev10142 build click here.
Keep in mind this is a SVN snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official XBMC Site: www.xboxmediacenter.com (manual and FAQ)
Official T3CH Site: http://t3ch.yi.se (release RSS feed)
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Anatomy Of An Onslaught: How Halo 3 Attacked
>> From brandweek.com:
[QUOTE]
This week, Microsoft breaks its Halo 3 "Believe" TV ad campaign touting the Xbox 360 title's highly-anticipated Sept. 25 launch. The estimated $10 million-plus effort centers on an immaculately constructed diorama depicting the great battles of lead character Master Chief. With this as a backdrop, warriors that did battle with the game's hero provide testimonials as to his greatness in the ads created by McCann-Erickson, San Francisco.
The goal of the campaign is to bring Halo fans and nonfans up-to-speed as to where we are in Master Chief's epic battle to defeat the evil Covenant. While most major game titles begin their ad campaigns weeks before launch to build buzz, Halo 3 differs greatly. This mass-market push is actually the end of the of Halo 3 campaign.
The TV push is the grand finale of a five-pronged attack Microsoft quietly launched last December. The carefully orchestrated onslaught was designed to make casual fans interested and core fans rabid as Microsoft aims to eclipse Halo 2's record-breaking $125 million in sales on day one. To date, Halo 3 is already on the books for one million preorders and counting.
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Full Story: brandweek.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New Study Finds M-Rated Games Sell Best
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
The new study, titled "Console Intelligence Brief 2007" examines the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 since each consoles' release through June 1, 2007, and comprises some 219 retail and 187 downloadable games made available on the new platforms, examined by genre, ESRB rating, gross sales in the United States, MetaCritic scores, online functionalities, multiplayer capability and other core game features.
Among the sample results made available, the study found that critics' favorite list and the blockbuster charts have a lot in common, with highly-rated titles selling up to five times better than titles with lower scoring reviews.
Notably, according to the study, mature-rated titles, comprising 10 percent of all US retail games examined, have both the highest average MetaCritic scores and the highest average gross sales in the United States -- despite the fact that some major retailers decline to sell them.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Warner Bros. Weighing HD DVD Offer?
>> From tvpredictions.com:
[QUOTE]
Warner Bros is considering a "lucrative offer" to back HD DVD exclusively in the high-def disc format war.
That's according to an article in today's Los Angeles Times.
The Times writes that "Hollywood insiders" say Warner is "mulling over a lucrative offer that could bring such popular titles as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix into the HD DVD camp." The newspaper doesn't say, but the offer is presumably from Toshiba, the leading backer of the HD DVD format.
While a Warner switch would seriously boost HD DVD's chances in the high-def format war, the Times reports that the Blu-ray side is also busy trying to line up exclusive deals with studios and retailers.
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Full Story: tvpredictions.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
DosFlash and DosFlash32 V1.2 Beta
>> A new version of DosFlash(info) - the dos and windows based TS-H943 and BenQ flasher for xbox360...
What's new/fixed:
* bug fix for BenQ recognition
* manufacturer and device id are sometimes 0x00 for a correct installed switch
* this issue is fixed with an additional ATAPI device reset before the mtk vendor intro is sent
Thanks to Redline99 who fixed my buggy code by adding one line! :)
Official Site: n/a (by Schtrom)
Download: here
News-Source: xboxhacker.net
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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