Tag Archives: Xbox 360

Classic Dreamcast titles are headed to Xbox 360, Playstation 3 this fall

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What comes to mind when you think back to the Dreamcast, the console that officially marked the end of SEGA’s run as a hardware maker?  For me, it’s two games and an essential accessory (at the time): Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, and the Visual Memory Unit (or VMU).  Though the VMU will never see the light of day again, something entirely different can now be said about the former two games.  Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi have been named the first two games (with many classic Dreamcast titles to follow) that will make their way to modern consoles.  Ported Dreamcast games will boast “high resolution visuals and surround sound” and support online leader boards and achievement and trophy integration.  Look for the games to hit Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network this fall.  Stills in the gallery below, PR after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

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Halo: Reach gets September release, Bungie thanks players with video

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Mark your calenders, people.  Halo: Reach will release September 14, 2010.  And if you’re an ultimate Halo fan and expecting to get your game on day one, be sure to preorder as soon as possible.  Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop: “Pre-orders for ‘Halo: Reach’ have been off the charts, with fans snapping up the limited and legendary editions since they were introduced just a month ago.  Overall, it’s a real testament to the passion of the ‘Halo’ fan base.”

The Halo: Reach beta invitational was a huge success for developer Bungie and Microsoft.  Over 2.7 million gamers participated in the beta, playing over 13 million games for over 16 million hours.  In a fun way to thank Halo fans for taking part in the beta, Bungie compiled a bunch of in-game footage captured by players.  The video, embedded above, contains some awesome sticks and impressive kills..so check it out.

[Via IGN; Joystiq]

Aisha Tyler walks us through the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta

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Halo fans, check out this tutorial of sorts.  Actress Aisha Tyler breaks down game types, the new maps and environments, weapons, and more.  It’s an informative and helpful video; the only downside is the crazy amount of awkward  mentions of the phrase “kick your ass.”  Aren’t those oversized prop weapons she handles kick-ass, erm, awesome!?  To access the Halo: Reach beta you need a copy of Halo: ODST.  Happy fragging.

Xbox 360 to get USB mass storage support this spring [Updated]

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The fine folks at Joystiq have corroborated with two outside sources, confirming that “USB Mass Storage Device Support on Xbox 360” is coming this spring via a firmware update.  The update will allow Xbox 360 users to transfer Xbox Live Arcade games, Xbox Live Indie games, Games on Demand, DLC, and game updates to an external storage device.  According to the leaked Microsoft documentation, the external device must be at least 1GB in size with space for a 512 MB system partition.  After you insert the storage device into the 360,  a prompt will give you two options: “configure now,” which completely wipes the device and caps 16GB of space for game file content and “customize,” which readies the device for game files and allows you to keep non-game files on it such as music.  So what can we deduce from all this?  It looks like the Xbox team is willing to pull out of the Memory Unit (MU) business and finally allow its customers to use their own external storage devices, an ability PS3 users have had since that console’s introduction in 2006.  Also, with recent chatter that a slimmer Xbox 360 is in the works, the design team may opt to remove the MU slots entirely.  Sure, 16GB of external space (or 32GB if you choose to insert two USB devices) isn’t much, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.  Hell, that much space allows for “previously infeasible operations such as installation of a full disc-based title.”  Full games on the go sounds nice, now doesn’t it?  (Disc-in-tray authentication is necessary, of course.)

UPDATE: Microsoft’s Major Nelson has confirmed USB mass storage support is coming to Xbox 360 via a system update on April 6.

[Via Joystiq]

Rock Band Network beta opens to Xbox 360 users, allows rockstars in training to show off their talent

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Rock Band Network to enter public beta testing. Gaming, Rock Band, Music, Music games, Harmonix, MIDI 0

Harmonix wants to breathe new life into its Rock Band series by allowing gamers to upload their own music to the game for others to play.  It’s being positioned as a way for unsigned artists to show off their talent in video game form.  All artists have to do is create a MIDI file of their song, record it with quality audio levels, and submit it for a peer review.  If a song is selected for the service, the artist will be prompted to pick a price point (ranging from $1 to $3) and then the song will be posted to the network for millions to download and play.  However, there is somewhat of a catch.  Artists must pay to place their songs on the network and the pricing is pretty steep, ranging from $999 for an entire track to $500 per minute of music.  This being said, it is likely that only serious artists will be willing to take the leap into the Network.  And if you ask me, this is a good thing; we shouldn’t run into showing-singing tweens.  So far many larger bands have expressed deep interest in lending some of their tracks to the service.  They include  Jonathan Coulton, The Shins, Ministry, Evanescense, The Stills, Creed and All That Remains.  Also, SubPop has announced that Nirvana, Sleater-Kinney, Flight of the Conchords, and the Postal Service will share tracks as well.  Harmonix stipulates that they will not enable the service  “until we accrue a good base of content.”  So you think you got what it takes?  Head on over to Rock Band’s official site to join the beta and get started!

[Via Pocket-lint; Engadget]

ESPN may stream live sporting events to an Xbox 360 near you

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According to the NY Times, Disney is in talks with Microsoft to bring ESPN to Xbox Live.  Sure, Live subscribers already have access to the large Netflix library to rent the latest movies and TV shows, but streaming live sporting events takes things to a whole new level.  ESPN on Xbox Live would be set up in a similar fashion to the ESPN 360 service that’s been widely available from a number of ISPs.  The Times reports that it would be based on a per-subscriber fee and include access to live sporting events and interactive games labeled with the ESPN brand.  Hulu on the PC, Netflix and ESPN on Xbox Live; this tidbit of news gives us yet another reason to cut the cord that is cable.

[Via NY Times; Gizmodo]

Facebook comes to PS3 (and Xbox 360) today

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Seems like Facebook is infiltrating all of our favorite gadgets these days: computers, cell phones, iPods, and now video game consoles.

Facebook capabilities are now available on the Playstation 3 today via the (free) 3.10 firmware update.  Sony is pressing that this is the first of many Facebook features coming to the PS3.  For now, FB on PS3 will enable users to share their Trophy and Playstation Store activity in their Facebook News Feeds.  Also, publishers are given the option to send game-specific information from the console to users’ News Feeds.  Other Facebook features, basics such as status updates and photo sharing, are not included with this update.  Hopefully future updates will bring these features to life.  For now, Sony advises its users to make use of the PS3’s browser to log-in and fully utilize Facebook that way for the time being.  Other new updates with 3.10 include a new way to orgainze and view your photos in a gallery and customization options in your PSN Friends List (you can color your PSN ID).

And don’t forget: also available today (via a free download) is the Xbox 360 dashboard update that includes full-blown Facebook integration, Twitter, last.fm, and Zune (video) marketplace additions with HD (1080p) instant-on streaming.  What are you waiting for?  Get social network’d.

[Via Engadget; Playstation EU Blog]

Long-awaited Xbox 360 dashboard update is coming November 17

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We’ve known for quite some time now about the next Xbox dashboard update coming to Xbox Live subscribers.  Here’s a refresher for those of you not in the loop: Facebook/Twitter integration, last.fm, Zune (video) Marketplace, and instant-HD (1080p/5.1 channel) streaming.  The new press release (in full after the break) sheds light on new additions:

In addition to these social features, Xbox LIVE will also be debuting “News and More,” a new section of the “Inside Xbox” channel, transforming Xbox LIVE into a full-fledged media portal. With a regularly-updated stream of content from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert, “News and More” brings the latest in current events, arts and entertainment right to your fingertips.

[Via Engadget]

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Rumor alert: Project Natal gets priced, dated, and further detailed

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Here’s the scoop, Coop.  Details surrounding the anticipatory launch of Microsoft’s codenamed Project Natal has apparently been leaked from a “behind-closed-door meetings in the UK between Microsoft and third party developers.”  According to the leak source, Natal will launch in November 2010 from a low, low price anywhere between $50-$80, thus making it quite the “impulse buy.”  Natal will come packaged with an initial set of 14 games.  Microsoft will manufacture 5 million units (that includes standalone and bundled-with-Xb0x 360s units) for a worldwide launch.  Pretty sweet if you ask me.

[Via Gizmodo]

Netflix streaming coming to PS3 (and Wii?)

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Sony announced that it will be offering Netflix streaming movies and TV shows to its Playstation 3 console owners come this November, thereby throwing the Xbox 360-Netflix exclusitivity out the window.  Initially PS3 owners will be forced to feed a Netflix CD into the console in order for streaming capabilities to function.  Don’t fret too much; Sony plans on releasing a software update sometime in 2010 that will remove this annoying barrier to entry.  PS3 owners can order a streaming CD directly from Netflix.  Check out the official press release after the break.

It is worthy to note that streaming Netflix on the PS3 (on Sony’s end) is absolutely free.  What you pay for is the Netflix service itself, which starts at $8.99/month and rises as you increase the number of rentals.  The Xbox 306, on the other hand, requires you to pay to stream Netflix content; you must be an Xbox Live Gold member ($50/year subscription) to access the Netflix menus.

In much related news, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter foresees the Nintendo Wii also gaining the ability to stream video via the Netflix service sometime next year.  Though will many be excited for Netflix capabilities on a non-HD device?

[Via Engadget, here & here; IGN]

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