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Week of January 16, 2005
MagicBox XFPS Now Shipping
>> From TeamXTender.com:
[QUOTE]
We are delighted to announce that the innovative MagicBox XFPS is now shipping. You can expect a fully comprehensive coverage of the ultimate first person shooter control system appearing in all major publications and of course the one and only xbox-scene.com. The MagicBox XFPS is now being shipped to retailers, so it is only a matter of time before you can enjoy the ultimate first person shooter experience on your console! We encourage any retailers who are interested in reselling the MagicBox XFPS to contact Farmer Entertainment representatives at:
sales [AT] farmerentertainment.com for North America inquiries
salesdirector [AT] farmerentertainment.com for all European inquiries.
[/QUOTE]
For those who missed earlier news, the MagicBox XFPS is an adapter that allows you to play retail FPS games on your Xbox with a standard PS/2 mouse and keyboard - like the SmartJoy FRAG.
You can watch a promotional flash-movie of the MagicBox XFPS on www.magicxfps.com.
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(Saturday 22 January 2005 12:42 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Two Charged in Making and Selling Counterfeit Xbox Games
>> From MarketNews.ca:
[QUOTE]
Two Amherstburg, ON (Canada) residents are facing 21 charges under the Copyright Act, after RCMP investigators shut down an operation that was allegedly making and selling counterfeit Xbox games.
The RCMP received a complaint from Microsoft Canada, the manufacturer, copyright and trademark holder for Xbox, about a Website that was selling counterfeit games for modified Xbox systems. As part of the investigation, approximately 20 counterfeit games were purchased from the Website, which was tracked to a residence in Amherstburg.
Investigators believe the Website was in business for longer than 15 months, and sold in excess of 14,700 games at approximately US$7 each. Total sales is estimated at US$95,000, and games were sold all over the world, including in Australia, England, Ireland and Denmark.
Tammy Colombe, 26, and Christopher Kay, 27 were both charged on January 12, 2005 with 15 counts of selling and six counts of making counterfeit goods.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on /marketnews.ca.
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(Friday 21 January 2005 12:46 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Halo Maps: Map Pack Final Release
>> HaloMaps.com released their final map pack for Halo:
[QUOTE]
Ok people this is what you all have been waiting so patiently for:
Halo Maps: Map Pack Final Release!
Credits: Halo Maps Team, Hizlo & ViperNeo!
Included in this Major MapPack are:
Main Menu GUI, Danger Canyon, Death Island, Gephyrophobia, Icefields, Infinity, Timberland, Dual Bridge, Enhanced BloodGulch, Camtrack, Hang Em High, The Light Bridge, The Maw, The Wrong Way
This map pack has been a long time in the making and all maps have been extensively tested. Some of these maps are CE conversions and some of the best done to date.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.halomaps.com
Download/Screenshots/Installation Info: here[halomaps.com] (free reg. req.)
Thanks to SupaDawg for the news.
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(Thursday 20 January 2005 21:56 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
More About SpiderChip v1.1 Installation Problem on Xbox v1.6(b)
>> From SpiderChip.com:
[QUOTE]
As previously announced the SpiderChip v1.1 met a installation problem. All pogo pins do not touch correctly the motherboard of the Xbox, causing the chip inability to boot.
The screw and the ring delivered with the chip are the main cause of this problem. They are not of the proper size and therefore do not allow a good alignment of the pogo pins.
The pogo pin 'GND' (please refer to the picture), linked to the problem of the screw, prevents some other pogo pins to fit in correctly. This Pin is a 'security' pogo pin. In fact, it is not used for this Xbox version and it only is here to ensure the compatibility with future versions of Xbox.
One easy and efficient way to install the SpiderChip with perfect result is to remove the bottom of the GND pogo pin (please refer to the picture for more details).
Once this is done, we suggest you to use a 9mm long screw in conjunction with a 2mm thick ring. (If you missed the previous news: Spiderchip has already arranged that all resellers are supplied with bags of correct screws and rings, these will of course be sent to you free of charge. New orders will be sent with the proper screw and ring.)
The installation will be flawless!
[/QUOTE]
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(Thursday 20 January 2005 20:45 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Halo 2 Sales Hit 6.4 Mln Units and Xbox-Live Reaches 1.4 Mln Users
>> From Reuters.com/Yahoo!.com:
[QUOTE]
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sales of Microsoft Corp.'s blockbuster action video game "Halo 2" have reached 6.4 million units worldwide, Microsoft said on Thursday.
In a few short months, "Halo 2" has surpassed 2001's "Halo," which had been the best-selling game ever for Microsoft's Xbox console.Together, the "Halo" franchise has sold 12.8 million units around the world.
"Halo 2" was the No. 2 game of 2004 in the United States, behind "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" from Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Xbox Live online gaming service has set a new standard with more than 1.4 million members, exceeding expectations and cementing its leadership position in the digital entertainment landscape.
Smashing previously established records, the Xbox Live community has logged a record-breaking 91 million hours playing "Halo 2" since the title's launch -- more than any other Xbox Live game in the two-year history of the service. In addition, the instantly immersive gameplay has resulted in close to 61 million logged sessions on the game, with an average session lasting nearly 92 minutes, approximately the length of a major motion picture.
Other highlights from NPD Funworld include these:
* Monthly share for Xbox has grown year-to-year every month for 14 consecutive months, climbing 11 share points to 37 percent in December.
* Xbox was the only platform to see year-to-year growth during the fourth quarter of 2004 and the full calendar year 2004, while Xbox competitors and the overall market declined year over year for both time periods.
* Xbox annual 2004 console unit market share increased an impressive 12 points compared with 2003 and ended the year with a 37 percent share.
* Xbox had three titles in the top 10 in December: No. 4, "Halo(R) 2" from Microsoft Games Studios (including sales of the Limited Edition); No. 6, "Need for Speed: Underground 2" from Electronic Arts Inc.; and No. 10, "Star Wars(info): Knights of the Old Republic 2" from LucasArts.
* Xbox software sales led the way in 2004 as unit sales increased 46 percent year-over-year, and increased 55 percent (annual 2004 vs. annual 2003).
* There are now more than 200 Xbox Live-enabled titles, making it the richest library of online console games available today.
[/QUOTE]
News-Source: Reuters.com and Yahoo.com.
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(Thursday 20 January 2005 11:06 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
News From XenoChip: LPC Recovery PCB, New Flashbios and 4-8Mbit versions
>> From XenoChip.com (Aladdin XT):
[QUOTE]
* NEW PRODUCT: XENOCHIP XS FOR XBOX 1.6/1.6b
As requested by many customers we have integrated our popular (and so often imitated) xenochip with a 1.6 "LPC Recovery" board. This chip has quick-solder points for ALL points, so there is no need to use any wires to restore the functionality of the LPC bus. This chip is assembled with our new low-profile PLCC socket that is also present on some recently manufactured Xenochips.
* 1.0-1.6b LINUX BIOS for Xenochip!
We have succesfully completed tests of a new, 100% open source bios for Xenochip. It is compatible with ALL xboxes, thus eradicating the need for wholesalers to stock chips with different BIOS versions. Screenshots will follow shortly.
* 4Mbit, 8Mbit versions of Xenochip Pro announced
On popular request we will make limited quantities of Xenochip Pro with 4Mbit and 8Mbit onboard flashes. While not necessary for gamers, this can be useful for software developers.
[/QUOTE]
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(Thursday 20 January 2005 00:50 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBox-Board Ultimate Boot-CD v4.0
>> A new version of the 'Exusers Installer CD' now renamed to 'XBox-Board Ultimate Boot-CD' has been released. It's an UnleashX(info) based homebrew software installer disk.
What's new/fixed (since Exuser CD v3.2):
* A backup system saves all savegames before installation and recovers it after installation. Nothing is lost with a complete installation! (UDATA and TDATA)
* installable XBMC, even as a dashboard (C, E and F)
* Gentoox included, "only DVD version"
* Emulators with Roms
* the best Homebrew Games
* A new Intro-Video
* Background music during installation
* 700 MB for people without a DVD-Burner
* Analyse XBox (Which version and which Bios)
* Flash the newest Bios version under evolutionX
* Xecuter, smartxx and Xenium OS(info) under D:\Bios
* Complete instruction manual in German and English (15 pages)
* Covers DVD and CD + Nero Coverdesigner file ;-)
* Software included in this version:
-Dashboards: UnleashX (0.37.1218A), EvolutionX(info) (Build 3935), Avalaunch(info) (0.49.3), MS-Dash (185ead00), XBMC as Dashboard
-Applications: XboxMediaCenter(info) (2005-01-07) (includes many scripts), BiosChecker(info) (5.0) ; BoXplorer(info) (0.96), Complex Tools(info) (1.6), ConfigMagic(info), DVD-X(info) (v2.0), dvd2xbox(info) (0.6.1), enigmahx, Px-HDD Loader(info) (1.3a), LinksBoks(info), XB-FTP(info) (0.61), Xbox Version Detector(info), XSelect(info) (0.6)
-HomeBrew Games: X-Marbles(info), XBOMBERBOX(info), Super Mario War(info), XBoxV1.1, PacmanX(info) Beta1, Miss DrillerX(info), Bubble Trouble SX(info), BreakoutX3D(info) v1.3
-Emulators: DegaBox(info) (v1.201), DOSXBox(info) (v0.62), Kawa-X(info) (v0.11), MAME-X(info) (Beta 6), NeoGenesis(info) (v15), PCSXBox(info) (v13), Surreal64(info)-xxx (02/01/2005), UAE-X(info) (0.8.22), Vice64X(info) (v4), xSnes9x(info) (v.1.42), XBoyAdvance(info) (v17)
Official Site: http://www.xbox-board.de
Forum Discussion Thread: xbox-board.de and forums.xbox-scene.com
Download XBox-Board Ultimate Boot-CD 4.0: n/a (contains files built with XDK)
Download English Manual: here
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(Wednesday 19 January 2005 21:33 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Leaked EA Press Release Dates Xbox 2
>> From TheInquirer.net:
[QUOTE]
A LEAKED press release from industry Dahlings and would-be world-dominators Electronic Arts has let slip that Xbox 2 will be hitting late this year, just in time for the next versions of Burnout and Need For Speed.
According to a filing at SPOnG, the next version of Need For Speed - subtitled Most Wanted - will be making its way onto Xbox, PS2, GameCube, PC, PSP, Nintendo DS and willl have a "...simultaneous ship with the Xbox2 platform."
The time frame certainly makes sense - we're all expecting Gates' next wonderbox before the end of this year, and the massive Q4 success of Burnout 3 would put it on track for a sequel same time, same place.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on TheInquirer.net and SPOnG.com.
Thanks to Luc N. for the news.
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(Wednesday 19 January 2005 10:32 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X3CE + Pro Switch + X3LCD Bundle - 100 x GIVEAWAY !
>> From TeamXecuter.com:
[QUOTE]
We are proud to announce our latest competition, once again in partnership with Xbox-Scene.com
The staff at Xbox-Scene are now in possesion of 100 packs of X3CE + Crystal Pro Switch + X3LCD! The competition is open to everyone and will be split into 4 stages.
Competition 1: Post to THIS THREAD and give 5 reasons why you think Xecuter is and always has been the #1 Modchip and Bios producer in the Xbox Scene. There are 50 winners for this competition. As you can see no skill is required and you can be as silly or as serious as you like - this is simply a stupid idea to give away 50 bundles fast - skills will be required for competition 2, 3 & 4.....
Competition 2: TBA
Competition 3: TBA
Competition 4: TBA
The first competition will run until Feb 7th - winners will be announced on 8th. Competitions 2, 3 & 4 will be announced shortly - just after we release the next X3 Bios as the competition will be linked to new features.
Speaking of the new bios - we are currently evaluating all hacks currently implemented. There seems to be one major bug in one of the features that is holding us up so we may leave that particular feature from this release and continue with what we have now, which is very sweet indeed. Here's a screen shot of Build 2290 (an older build - we are currently on 2356). This does not affect the major new feature that we have talked about in the past.
On a final note - thank goodness that the Channel 9 news team have put an end to their Christmas ratings shenanigans. Unfortunatley for Wes Mantooth and his mad cap publicity gang, Ron Burgundy is still the #1 news team. Veronica Corningstone fits our v1.6 no solder mod (with super innovative contact led's never been done before) in less than 28.9 seconds! Another reason why the big companies deal with us - just like when we recently teamed up in a new project with Lucasfilm!
This admin takes his tongue firmly out of his cheek ;-)
[/QUOTE]
Note: Just a small note to confirm we (xbox-scene.com) did indeed receive 100x X3CE + Pro Crystal Switch + XLCD packages from Team Xecuter for this give-away :-) Njoy the competitions!
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(Wednesday 19 January 2005 00:50 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
On The 12th Day Of Xmas Team Xodus Gave To Me: v1.0-6 NoSolder Adapter
>> From TeamXodus.com:
[QUOTE]
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS... TEAM XODUS GAVE TO ME:
TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING, Eleven pipers piping, Ten LEDS lighting, Nine LCDS Dancing, Eight Skryers Skrying, Seven points a-posting, Six great a-wards, Fiiiiive brand new skiiiiins, Four more features, Three French pens, Two cool features. And a lot of bug fixes in the source tree.
1.6 INSTALL IN UNDER 30 SECONDS:
The twelfth day of Christmas has arrived! The drummers are drumming and we are dancing. We are proud to announce our newest innovation, a fully universal solderless adaptor for ALL versions of the Xbox know to date. We know that most of you will not really bother to read the text until you have admired and studied the video and the pictures, so go ahead, enjoy!
1.6 Solderless install in under 30 seconds (by a woman : -), of course) View Video
As is customary for us, we will not release all the features and information about this unique adaptor just yet but stay tuned for more info to come. With competitors now scurrying back to their bases trying to copy us once again, we figured we would keep a few aces up our sleeves.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the support and participation during our 12 Days of Christmas. Entries to competitions are now closed. Once judging has been done winners will be announced in the coming days. Of course this does not mean that news and new features and innovations are over. Far from it. We still have a few surprises yet, so watch this space for more.
[/QUOTE]
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(Tuesday 18 January 2005 20:51 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X3 Control Panel Update
>> From TeamXecuter.com:
[QUOTE]
X3 Control Panel Explained (for those that don't know):
The X3 Control Panel (X3CP) is a complete replacement of the front panel of your Xbox, giving a professional and clean option to have your LCD screen, 2 x USB ports, all switches and status LED's in position giving a "direct from factory" look and feel without having to cut messy holes or to have to do any time consuming DIY mods to your case. No cheap pieces of plastic or tacky extension panels are involved. The design has been a professional and expensive development process as with everything we manufacture - you deserve the absolute best. The upgrade of the X3CP takes approx 5 minutes with no soldering involved whatsoever.
A number of samples of the much anticipated X3 Control Panel were shipped to independant testers over the Christmas period and all results were collated and a final improved version of the X3CP has been completed and we are working hard to finalize shipments to resellers before the Chinese New Year hits us in the next couple of weeks.
* Improved LCD window for ease of upgrade to different design / color LCD panels also easier initial install if you purchased a non-lcd version of the X3CP (for those who already purchased an X3LCD - no point in making you pay twice for an LCD screen)
* Improved USB port adapter and design of the internal circuitry.
* Improved Switch positions and internal circuitry.
* Improved IR slot and window for upgrade to the X3 IR Mod.
* Improved color matching to the original Xbox cases - now perfect on Black, Crystal and Halo Green.
* Improved status window (X3 Logo)
* Video showing factory process of injection moulding the Crystal version Download Here
[/QUOTE]
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(Tuesday 18 January 2005 18:22 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Electronic Arts, ESPN ink exclusive 15-year deal
>> From GameSpot.com:
[QUOTE]
For the next fifteen years, EA will be the sole licensee of the ESPN brand in the area of sports games, which will include console, handheld, PC, and wireless games.
The news is the second blow to current ESPN license-holder Sega (and its Visual Concepts development studio). It recently lost the right to publish sports games using the NFL license when EA scooped that license up. Now, it loses the right to the ESPN brand as well.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on GameSpot.com.
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(Tuesday 18 January 2005 10:40 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 2 at ... Rotary Club?
>> From NewsFactor.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has been extremely tight-lipped not only about the details of the next-generation Xbox, but also about the timing.
So it was more than a little surprising when Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith, addressing the Rotary Club of Seattle last week, said something that sure made it sound as if the next Xbox might be slated for release later this year.
Here's the full quote: "Certainly we're very excited about what we believe the year has to offer," Smith told the group.
"Technologically, our developers are focused on a number of products you'll see come to market, ranging from search technologies online and on your desktop to things you'll see as we get to the next holiday season with the next generation of Xbox and holiday devices."
Had it been a crowd of video-game enthusiasts, there might have been a collective gasp, or at least an interested murmur. But as you might have guessed, the Rotarians didn't seem to recognize the potential significance of the statement, at least judging by their lack of reaction.
Afterward, however, Smith said his words shouldn't be taken as conveying anything about the timing of the next Xbox, one way or the other. "I did not mean to imply anything about when it comes out," he said. "I was just talking about all the energy that's going into working on it."
Smith pointed out that any news along those lines would come not from the company's general counsel but from Xbox executives.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on NewsFactor.com.
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(Monday 17 January 2005 16:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
USA 2004: Market Shrinks Overall
>> From GamesIndustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
The videogames market in the United States saw a year on year decline in December, according to the latest figures from NPD Funworld, with the shortfall tipping the market into negative growth for the full year.
What had promised to be an exceptionally strong holiday period after the industry reported healthy growth of 15 per cent in October was crushed by shortages of Xbox and PlayStation 2 hardware which dropped the growth figure to two per cent in November, and then down to a nine per cent decline in December.
That leaves the industry on negative growth of one per cent for the calendar year, and even considering software alone, December still saw negative growth of five per cent and brought the calendar year growth figure down to seven per cent.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on GamesIndustry.biz.
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(Monday 17 January 2005 13:41 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
New SmartXX Recovery Board 1.6c
>> From SmartXX.com:
[QUOTE]
We pack this new Recovery Board 1.6c with all new v2.
SmartXX Reverse Technology Recovery 1.6c Board
Q: ?
A: This Board is in fact the same as current SmartXX 1.6b Recovery board, but solved the issue of the Lframe grounding.
Q: Is Lframe Grounding Dangerous ?
A: Basically, we not say Yes/No… atm no problems had been reported and we should not panic. But SmartXX has worked on this task and solved this issue.
Q: If you see no problem, why a new Board with new technology.
A: SmartXX is not like other Teams, who only want to make the maximum profit. SmartXX invested Money to build the "best" solution and we not care about some extra money.
We took a high-speed military logic-chip which costs more as others solutions in production. Why ? We want pure Quality and Stability for the People who buy our products and by the way NO clones! Also, we want, that the chip works in 10 years, too :-) We already give on all chips a warranty of one year !
Q: Will it work with SmartXX v1/v2/LT OPX ?
A: Yes, full compatible, and will be packed to the parcel as usual.
Q: Can other chips also use this Board?
A: Yes, the same as atm the normal recovery board is used. (not tested yet)
Q: Do i need this Boad on OPX chip ?
A: No, LT OPX chip already comes with this technology.
[/QUOTE]
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(Monday 17 January 2005 11:01 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XeniumOS LED Designer 1.0 *updated v1.1*
>> From readme/nfo:
[QUOTE]
Release Notes: Xenium OS(info) .led script design tool to ease making one's own led scripts exchange led scripts in .xled format to allow others to improve on your work!
Feature Log:
* 10 Custom-coded Transitions
* Adjustable frame delays
* EjectLED setting per Transition/Color
* Custom file format for easy exchange of editable led design scripts
* Slow modifier to affect all frames (similar to tempo in a midi file) (v1.1)
* Included Samples to help beginners (v1.1)
Fixed Bugs in v1.1:
* Some transitions were backwards (fade dest->src)
* Enhanced some of the ramp fades
Currently Known Bugs:
* 1.0 cannot handle all 1.1 files (frame delays greater than 32) this is a bug in 1.0, and not that big of a deal. It only means 1.0 cannot always export files made with 1.1 correctly. The exported .led will play on the Xenium, but the timing will not be what the .xled author intended.
To-Do List:
* web integration (download XLED files from web)
* .led file analyzer
* Other stuff
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.xboxopensource.com
Download (v1.1): here
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Sunday 16 January 2005 12:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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