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Week of August 28, 2005
Linux kernel 2.6.13-xbox patch
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(Saturday 03 September 2005 22:34 EST) - (Category: Xbox) - (Posted by::
)
Halo2 New Level Skin: London
>> Halo G.A.M.A. released a new skin for Halo2 some days ago:
[QUOTE]
This skin is absolutly amazing. Greennc has realsed an absolutly amazing level skin for Turf and the theme is London.
This Mod reached 'Outstanding Mods' on www.halomods.com within seconds.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.halogama.com
Download: here
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(Saturday 03 September 2005 20:19 EST) - (Category: Xbox) - (Posted by::
)
Scott Henson Interview about Xbox 360 SKU's
>> TeamXbox.com had the chance to interview Scott Henson, the Director of the Xbox Advanced Technology Group, to discuss the two Xbox 360 SKUs, the price, massive storage, peripherals, HD DVD and much more. Here 's a short excerpt:
[QUOTE]
TeamXbox: Of the two SKUs, the hard drive have proven the most controversial difference between the Premium and Core editions. What happened to all the things we heard Microsoft stress about Xbox’s built-in hard drive and its vital role to the games we’ve been playing for the past 4 years?
Scott Henson: Our goal with Xbox 360 was to enable as many of these scenarios if you had a memory unit or if you had a hard drive and to make this transparent to our developers so they did not have to think about where things were being stored. This includes the ability to store things in other locations in the future as well like somewhere in your home network.
To address load times which are enhanced by caching information to the hard drive, we’ve invested in a super fast DVD that is more than two times faster than the first Xbox (Xbox was 5X andXbox 360 is 12X). It’s also important to note that in the beginning we sat down with game developers and proposed the choice between 512 and a hard drive, and without question developers said very clearly that RAM was much more important than a hard drive. It makes the biggest impact and fulfills the vision of their games. More RAM provides significantly more opportunity for developers to innovate in manners that require extremely fast access time which only RAM can provide. Just about everything falls into this category – world size, complexity of geometry, audio effects, AI maps and behavior patterns, collisions maps and most noticeably animation data. (Actual quote from one of our developers: "I would trade a HD for RAM in a second if ever asked again – It’s a no brainer.")
TeamXbox: Long before last month's announcement, there were rumors that Microsoft decided to raise the price of the Xbox 360 at the last minute and create these two SKUs after Kutaragi confirmed that the PlayStation 3 will be an expensive console and also that it won’t come with a hard drive. What would you say to that?
Scott Henson: We have our own game plan independent of competitive rhetoric. Our pricing was determined well in advance of competitive comments and was made with the customer first and foremost in mind. When setting our MSRP, we looked at the impact that it would have on our own internal production costs and most importantly, the impact it would have on the bottom line of the consumer.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole interview on teamxbox.com
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(Saturday 03 September 2005 01:05 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Bill Gates to Present Keynote Address at the 2006 International CES
>> From the pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced today that top Microsoft and Intel executives will deliver keynote addresses at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corp., will return to deliver the highly anticipated pre-show keynote address on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, at 6:30 p.m.
In the past, Gates has used the International CES to preview products and technologies such as Xbox, Tablet PC, smart personal object technology (SPOT) watches and Smartphone.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole pressrelease here.
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(Friday 02 September 2005 20:57 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Toshiba Admits Possible HD-DVD Delay
>> From pro-g.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
It had been thought that HD-DVD would go on sale at the end of the year, but now it would appear that the format will be delayed until some time in 2006.
"We originally aimed for the year-end launch in the United States, but we have not really decided on that," said a Toshiba spokesperson. "We are now in talks with Hollywood studios and large-scale retailers to see the most effective timing of the launch and the best way to launch."
Toshiba's HD-DVD format was thought to have the advantage over Sony's Blu-Ray format in respect to launch dates, so this news of a possible delay will put a smile on the faces of all those involved with the Blu-Ray format.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: pro-g.co.uk
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(Friday 02 September 2005 18:30 EST) - (Category: OffTopic) - (Posted by::
)
xTc - Xbox Tunneling Client
>> Team xTc has created a tunneling client that runs on the xbox, and remote controls XBConnect(info). The end result is similar to what XLink Kai(info) does, except made for XBConnect. Utilizing the udp control interface in XBConnect, the user is able to completely control everything from the xbox, without even touching the computer. XBConnect must still be run on the computer, or else xTc (xbox tunneling client) will not funtion.
From readme/nfo:
[QUOTE]
Here's how it works, you cannot view chat/gameroom, that will be for the next build. You can join+launch a game by hitting X in the server list.
The application will look for the game in E:\Games or F:\Games (depending on which build you have). It will use the name of the gametype from XBC to find what dir to use. For example, if you are in Halo 2 type games, then the program will try to launch E:\Games\Halo 2\. So if you are in "Halo - Halo Maps -" maps or something, make sure you label your directories on the xbox accordingly (this will be fixed in future versions)
Make sure to change the ip in xtc.ini before copying it over to the xbox this ip is the computer running xbc ie 192.168.1.x
Make sure you have Xbconnect Chat Connected or else xTc wont work right.
More info on setting up xTc with xbc at http://www.teamxtc.org/xtc/install
Known Bugs:
* Server parsing overlaps
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.teamxtc.org
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
TSMC already producing tons of Xenos Chips
>> From theinquirer.net:
[QUOTE]
A little birdie told us that TSMC is working hard to make ATI Xenos Xbox 360 chips and that the Taiwan-based manufacturing company has been producing these chips for months now.
Microsoft is storing the chips and its contractors ready to build hundreds of thousands of Xbox 360 consoles and it's certain that it won't be in short supply when it comes to the graphic part.
So if XboX 360 ends up with availability problems, it won't be due to a shortage of graphic chips, that’s for sure.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: theinquirer.net.
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(Friday 02 September 2005 09:00 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Micrcosoft about modchips for Xbox 360
>> Gamasutra.com posted an article about what they learned from Xbox 360 presentation at the GDC Europe 2005 in London, most of which has been covered in our previous news items, but in their conclusion they have something very interesting. Andre Vrignaud, Director of Technical Strategy for Xbox Live, referred to modchips for Xbox360:
[QUOTE]
More interestingly, a question from an audience member on the security for Xbox 360 in terms of 'mod chips' and other devices that modify for imported/illegal content prompted a reply that Microsoft took 2 and a half years on security this time round, whereas the Xbox only had around a year. Vrignaud prompted: "Never say never", but he thinks it's going to be a long time before the Xbox 360 gets modded.
[/QUOTE]
There's much more (general) Xbox 360 info in article, check it out on gamasutra.com
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(Friday 02 September 2005 00:22 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 can't handle all of the PhysX's features?
>> From 1up.com:
[QUOTE]
As Valve demonstrated with Half-Life 2, true-to-life physics can have a lasting impact on gameplay, and next-generation should prove that notion even more so.
What's interesting, however, is how this plays out between PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. At the European Game Developers Conference, Extreme Tech noted that the company confirmed plans to offer software-based rendering for single and dual-core PCs, PCs decked out with PhysX chips and software versions for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
That makes sense to offer development solutions on all platforms, but what's interesting is Ageia's report that Xbox 360 can't handle all of the PhysX's features because of architecture limitations. PhysX offers technologies ranging from physical object interactions to fluid-based particle effects like water and smoke and reportedly only PS3 and PCs will be able to handle all the goods.
What will Xbox 360 miss out on? PhysX's fluid-based technology. How exactly that impacts Xbox 360's future is for all intents and purposes minimal, but it's strange to see a split between the two machines after such rabid debate over which one had the edge.
[/QUOTE]
News-Source: 1up.com
GameSpot also has a good interview with the CEO of Ageia about the Ageia PhysX SDK, Ageia PhysX hardware, the PS3, prices of PC-addon cards and more.
Check it out here[gamespot.com].
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 23:23 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Forza CabExtract R2 and ForzaSign 1
>> 2 new tools for Forza Motorsport have been released:
* ForzaSign Forza Motorsport Resigning Utility (by Roofus)
This is a simple Forza Motorsport utility designed to resign profiles being transferred from one Xbox to another.
* Forza CabExtract Release 2 (by Angerwound)
This command line utility will input any of the supported archives and output their contents.
What's new/fixed:
-Added support for the track archives (.XB2) within Forza.
Future Goals:
-Still hoping to get a GUI/Explorer shell built for easier use and rebuild options.
Official Site: http://www.forzacustoms.info
Download: forzacustoms.info
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 19:36 EST) - (Category: Xbox) - (Posted by::
)
Chris Satchell answers more Xbox360 questions
>> Eurogamer.net talked with Chris Satchell, general manager of Microsoft's Game Developer Group, who answered many questions about the Xbox 360. Here's a excerpt of some of the interesting stuff he said:
[QUOTE]
* You will definitely need a hard disk to play Xbox 1 games.
* If you yank the hard disk off the top of the Xbox 360 when it's in the middle of doing something, it will not corrupt it beyond repair or damage the File Allocation Table or anything like that - the hard disk uses a "transaction model" so that if you interrupt a transfer the data simply isn't present and the space is presumably reallocated when you next save data to it.
* The "ring of light" around the power button highlights which wireless controller is being used, highlighting player one's activity in the top-left quadrant. When the console is laid on its side, it senses this and starts using the top-left quadrant as you see it with the console laid flat. What's more, the ring of light motif is spread throughout the Xbox 360 interface, so you can see which player pulled up the "Guide" page as you're watching a film or playing a game and, in the words of Satchell, "slap him".
* Cross-platform development between Windows and Xbox is being actively pursued - in the future, Microsoft hopes that people will be able to play games against each other using either platform.
* DVDs can be played even if you don't have the remote control, unlike Xbox 1.
* For now, you can play music and access photographs on the PSP, but you can't do video yet. That may happen, but Satchell joked that Sony wasn't exactly giving them a helping hand there.
* Interestingly, you can actually have that slideshow draw photographs from another external device, so - as in our demo - you could play music from an iPod while using a slideshow of photos from a PlayStation Portable simultaneously.
* All of these devices will be supported by default, and any firmware updates that are necessary - Microsoft is hoping for very few - can be made available via Live.
* RGB video output will only be possible if you purchase the £17.99 cable separately - regardless of whether you paid £209.99 or £279.99 for your Xbox 360 console.
* You can plug in a keyboard but this is for text input only - including in massively-multiplayer games. You can't use it to play games and that was a design choice.
[/QUOTE]
Much more on eurogamer.net
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 17:23 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Origen Xbox 360: Sept 1st Update
>> There's a new update of the origenxbox360.com teaser site registered to Microsoft Corp. If you don't know what this is about click here.
From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Today, September 1st, the Origen Xbox 360 web site has been updated again. In past updates, we found several references to the classic tale Alice's Adventures in Wonderland such as the rabbit, the tree and finally a hole was added below the tree. Last week, two apples appeared on the tree and now the new teaser has the rabbit moving closer to the hole and two new apples have grown, making a total of four apples that you can now see between the leaves.
[/QUOTE]
*UPDATE* Joystiq.com found a new hidden images with 2 rabbits that you can see here. They also report that the flash file is called "week-3.swf" (which probably means there will be a new version of the site each week) and that the countdown is based on the local time of your local PC and not of the webserver, but that was known already.
Read More: TeamXbox.com
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 13:40 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Intec Introduces First-to-Market Accessories for Xbox 360
>> From the pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
Intec, Inc., the leading manufacturer of cross-platform video game accessories, today introduced its new line-up of accessories designed exclusively for the new Microsoft Xbox 360 console. The line-up, which offers a full complement of products, including items such as a vertical stand, TFT screens, aluminum protective cases, an A/V selector and game holder -- all of which are set to enhance the gamer's experience when using the new console -- will be available on retail shelves in North America on November 4, 2005.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole pressrelease here.
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 12:26 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
OpenDash Windows Build 237
>> d0wnlab released a new Windows build of OpenDash (an opensource dashboard currently in development for Xbox that can be build with the legal OpenXDK(info)). This is an executable compiled for Windows (win32) and not for Xbox. It's made for users interested in testing the UI of OpenDash and to attract some graphical designers to make skins.
From forums.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
Hi. I am releasing today a windows binary of build 237 of opendash. Skinners can use this to see how their skin looks without needing to upload the skin to the xbox. Anyone interested in skinning for OpenDash should take a look at this release and play with it a bit.
There is also a (WIP) manual for skinning and configuring the dash at:
http://th0mas.xbox-scene.com/releases/skinning.html
People should take a look at the config.xml file in the windows build as an example of a simple skin. Currently, keep the Resources, Elements, and Menu nodes all in the config.xml file - ignore the part in the guide that says to create a skin.xml file. That is not yet implemented (but will be before the first xbox release, so that people can change skins on the fly.)
Still to be done: a significant amount of testing on the xbox itself - all the file copying, xbe launching, has to be tested before the dash is ready for primetime.
If anyone sees any major issues with that windows build of the dash, or errors in the manual please let me know on the forums or via email.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://th0mas.xbox-scene.com
Official Forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: here
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 00:26 EST) - (Category: Xbox) - (Posted by::
)
US Xbox 360 launch as late November 25th?
>> From xbox360.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft plans to launch the Xbox 360 as late as Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving, with software potentially hitting shelves earlier that week, sources from three US retailers told IGN today.
The three retail chains, all of whom independently pointed to Friday, November 25, as the hardware launch day, received email describing launch data late Monday. Launch day games have been re-assigned from early November to Monday, November 22, as potential first day ship dates. When contacted, Microsoft would not confirm or deny the information. In previous official announcements, Microsoft has said Xbox 360 will vaguely launch this fall.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: xbox360.ign.com
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(Thursday 01 September 2005 00:00 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360: New Details from GDC Europe
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
At the Game Developers Conference Europe 2005, Microsoft delivered an interesting lecture on Xbox 360 development, revealing some new info on the The Guide, Xbox Live, and other features that debut with the Xbox 360.
* Vrignaud explained how the new Xbox 360 Guide liberates game developers from writing a lot of code since it is an always-running application that handles configuration and device management and common system tasks such as Xbox Live log-in, log-out, alerts, Friend’s List, game invitations, plus game saves, controller disconnection, music playback, and error messages.
* One of the things that the Gamer Profile will include is your common game settings for different types of games. So for example, you always use automatic gear in racing games and inverted Y-axis controls in first-person shooters, once you load any racing game or FPS, the game will automatically load your Gamer Profile settings, saving you to set up any of these in the game configuration screen.
* In his speech, Vrignaud explained the importance of the new Reputation and Gamerzone features when it comes to find new gamers to play with and eventually add to your Friend’s List.
After every game, gamers will be able to provide feedback on other players which will set up for every gamer a sort of reliability rating. This together with the Gamerzone will improve the matchmaking capabilities of the next-generation Xbox Live.
* Microsoft confirmed that the storage medium is completely abstracted, meaning that the game will choose from a variety of storage resources but does not assume which type of storage device it is. As long as the free space on the storage medium allows the game to save its data, developers should not worry about if it is an Xbox 360 hard drive, a memory unit or eventually, a remote storage space on Xbox Live. This is a clever way to guarantee backward compatibility with future generations as far as what storage respects.
[/QUOTE]
Much more on TeamXbox.com.
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(Wednesday 31 August 2005 22:35 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 retail Q/As for HDD and backwards comp. leaked
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
An anonymous tipster filled us in on what Microsoft’s been telling retail employees about the Xbox 360 hard drive and backwards compatibility on one of its online training sites recently.
Q: What exactly comes on the hard drive?
A: The hard drive will include an array of content including music tracks, skins, gamer pictures, videos, and more.
Q: Are you going to release a 40 gigabyte drive in the future?
A: We’re not announcing any larger hard drives today. That said, Xbox 360 is built for the future and can evolve to expand into new multimedia entertainment scenarios. With all of the great downloadable content that will be available on Xbox Live, we want to leave room for the gamers to ultimately decide.
Q: Is Xbox 360 backward compatible?
A: Yes. Our plan and our goal is to make every original Xbox game run on Xbox 360. We’ve focused first, naturally, on the top-selling titles.
Q: Do you need a hard drive for backward compatibility?
A: Yes. Xbox 360 comes standard with a 20GB hard drive which will enable gamers to play original Xbox games, and we’ll also have a hard drive peripheral for gamers who initially choose to purchase an Xbox 360 Core System.
Q: So if I buy the Core System, I won’t have backward compatibility capabilities?
A: Core System is about choice. If all you want to do is play Xbox 360 games, sign on to Xbox Live using a memory unit and enjoy Xbox 360’s media capabilities, then maybe the Xbox 360 Core System is the right choice for you. If you don’t want to download lots of Xbox Live content yet and don’t want to play original Xbox games yet, buy the Xbox 360 Core System and add the hard drive accessory when you’re ready.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com
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(Wednesday 31 August 2005 19:58 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
PS3 update: 1 SKU, GPU more power then GeForce 7800, More online *updated*
>> Some info about the PlayStation3 appeared today, both from Phil Harrison's (Sony's executive vice president for SCEE) keynote at the 2005 Game Developers Conference Europe in London and from the official PlayStation Magazine:
* PS3 'open platform' online capabilities (from gamasutra.com):
[QUOTE]
Pressed on the apparent success of Xbox Live compared to the PlayStation 2's online strategy, he indicated that the PS3 would have significant online capabilities, but stressed its nature as an 'open platform', commenting, in an obvious reference to competitor Microsoft: "Distinct from our competitors, we are happy for publishers to make their own financial agreements directly with consumers."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamasutra.com
* UPDATED! PlayStation 3 GPU More Powerful than GeForce 7800! (from TeamXbox.com)
[QUOTE]
NVIDIA contacted us today after we published the "PlayStation 3 GPU Less Powerful than GeForce 7800" story based on a report found at The Inquirer. Derek Perez, NVIDIA's Director of Public Relations, was kind enough to provide us the actual paragraph from the September issue of PSM. Here is the information from the blurb in question:
"There's no doubting that NVIDIA's new 7800GTX is the ultimate in PC graphics technology. The card's G70 GPU, which is more than twice as powerful as two of NVIDIA's previous top-of-the-line 6800 boards, shares a lot of similar workings with the PS3's RSX chip - only it isn't as fast. Oh, and it retails for $599."
The article actually says the GeForce 7800 GTX is NOT as fast as the RSX graphics processing unit that NVIDIA developed for the PlayStation 3.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: TeamXbox.com
* Only One Version of PS3? (from gamesindustry.biz):
[QUOTE]
Speaking at the European Game Developers' Conference in London today, when asked if Sony might follow in the Redwood giant's footsteps the VP of studios replied: "Unlikely."
"Are there two versions of the Xbox 360 that people want to buy, is my question," he continued. "I don't know."
"This is my personal view, not my corporate view, but when I look at those formats, I think it just confuses the audience. They don't know which one to buy, developers don't know which one to create for, and retailers don't know which one to stock."
"So I think we wouldn't take that strategy. We wouldn't create confusion," he concluded.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamesindustry.biz
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(Wednesday 31 August 2005 13:05 EST) - (Category: OffTopic) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 at Games Market Europe, London
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
I’m here at Games Market Europe in the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, where the first UK games trade since the ECTS/Game Stars! fiasco last year, is starting to kick off.
Here’s my first photo of note from the show, a real live Xbox 360 marketing booth! This was in the Gem Distribution section of the show. Come Christmas 05’ they’ll be the ones setting up Xbox 360s in game retailers and passing on units from Microsoft.
Apparently the marketing booth shown at the show was not a final model. The Xbox 360 wasn’t real (or plugged in). However, the controllers were real and they were wireless.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com
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(Wednesday 31 August 2005 12:51 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Microsoft to open Xbox 360 store in Tokyo?
>> From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
The timing couldn’t be any better on this one — ITmedia snapped some pics of the construction shielding surrounding what they suppose is an Xbox 360 store. Given the rumors about Microsoft putting up a similar store in Times Square, it seems like a valid hypothesis to us. Sure, it could end up being something else. But we probably shouldn’t argue with the Ring of Light lest it give us another terrible ending to a Halo game.
[/QUOTE]
News-Source: engadget.com / itmedia.co.jp
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(Wednesday 31 August 2005 11:23 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2005-08-30 CVS build
>> A new CVS compile (by T3CH) of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
This T3CH-compile is a BAREBONE package (so less stuff that can cause issues) compiled with XDK v5849.
Here's the added and updated stuff since the 2005-08-23 CVS release - for the full changelog including the fixed and changed stuff go to the forum thread:
* added: codec to paplayer for .it, .s3m and .mod. Based on dumb.
* added: cross-linking of cast information in the movie info dialog window.
* added: Master Lock: Master User Mode: If its true: the master user can access to all shares with the Master code! After 3rd time entered it will ask for opening all shares! [GeminiServer]
* added: httpapi exposed more values to GetGuiStatus
* added: new classes CSharedSection, CSharedLock, CExclusiveLock - used to protect resources, when multiply threads are allowed to read.
* added: [ 1237903 ] Use custom thumbnails for shares - (with minor modification)
... read the full changelog here
You can add more scripts and skins yourself if desired. You can download them from allxboxskins.com, xbox-skins.net and xbmcscripts.com.
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not a official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Compiled By: T3CH
Full Changelog/Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
Download SourceCode: here
Halo 2 Maptacular Pack now Free
>> From bungie.net:
[QUOTE]
If you've been holding out on getting the last wave of Halo 2 maps your time has finally come. The Maptacular Pack is now available for download free of charge and includes Terminal, Backwash, Relic, Elongation and Gemini.
Please be sure to download all of the Halo 2 maps if you haven't already or you will be unable to play in matchmaking once the playlist update is released next week.
[/QUOTE]
Japanese developers weigh in on Xbox 360
>> Game creators at Japan's top publishers reveal the ins and outs of developing for Microsoft's next-generation console on gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
Despite whatever problems the multi-core architecture brings up, the Japanese developers interviewed in the magazine all seem to agree that the Xbox 360 is developer-friendly, with one of the main reasons being that the development environment is based on Direct X. The developers also spoke highly of the Xbox 360's development kit for its array of tools including Visual C++ programming support, and flexibility in recycling the programs that they've created.
But even with Microsoft's development tools and strong technical support (another aspect for which the developers had kind words), there are still a number of issues game makers face. Many developers consider the system's graphic capabilities "double-edged." The Xbox 360 can handle much better looking graphics than previous consoles, but it also requires a lot more effort in development.
SNK Playmore producer Soichiro Hosoya also explained, "The development tools are meant for 3D games, so it isn't any easier to make 2D games for the Xbox 360." However, Hosoya added that he expects 2D games to evolve with the Xbox 360 as well.
In terms of programming issues, one of the strengths of the Xbox 360, similar to the current Xbox, is the ease of porting Windows programs to the console. But surprisingly, porting programs isn't completely hassle-free, says Square Enix programmer Yasuhiro Yamamoto of his experience with Final Fantasy XI.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamespot.com
Report has Microsoft opening NYC retail store
>> From seattletimes.nwsource.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft may open a glitzy retail store in New York City's Times Square to raise its profile and showcase consumer-oriented products such as the new Xbox.
One possible site is a four-story space at One Times Square, a billboard-covered building where the famous ball is dropped during the New Year's celebration.
A store would be aimed mostly at the flood of consumers that flows through Times Square. A Microsoft store could counter the slick retail centers that Apple Computer and Sony use in New York and elsewhere to showcase their products and build their image as purveyors of cool technology.
The Times Square plans were reported yesterday in the New York Post. A company spokeswoman refused to comment.
"At any given time, Microsoft evaluates and pursues real-estate opportunities and needs," spokeswoman Rachel Wayne said via e-mail. "Out of respect for all parties, and a desire to not perpetuate rumors, we do not have a comment on this at this time."
A broker representing One Times Square declined to confirm Microsoft's plans, but acknowledged that "that caliber of company" is interested in the 18,000-square-foot space.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: seattletimes.nwsource.com.
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(Tuesday 30 August 2005 10:03 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Super Mario war 1.5
>> A new version of Super Mario War(info), a stomp-battle multiplayer homebrew game with level editor that resembles Super Mario 3 sprites/scenery, has been released.
What's new/fixed:
* New interaction blocks, Breakable blocks, Note blocks, Powerup blocks, Flip blocks, Bounce blocks, Donut blocks
* Powerups, Star, Fireflower, 1up
* 17 new background images
* 280 tiles, Ice tiles, Death tiles (above only, below only or any side death)
* 7 New Game modes: Coin Limit, Yoshi's Eggs, Tag, Domination, Fire Frenzy, Bob-Omb, Survival
* Improved collision detection (fixed screen edge bugs)
* Chocobo sprites in Chicken Mode
* Down jumping through solid on top blocks
* Improved menu: Graphics, Map view, Player select (allows any player to be in any state: disabled, player, cpu), Help keys at bottom of screen
* Choice of spawn styles: Added door and swirl to help you find your player when spawning
* Pause game feature
* Improved game scoreboard - game leader wears crown
* Two layers on map (one for tiles and one for blocks)
* 10 new maps and updated old maps with new blocks and backgrounds
* Various eyecandy effects like dust and explosions
* Friction jumping through air is less than on ground
* Added classic Mario sound effects
* More vibrantly colored player sprites
Official Site: http://smw.72dpiarmy.com/
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
New Xbox Live Pricing Revealed? - 5 different options *updated*
>> PlanetXbox360.com found out the french website xboxlive.fr managed to get scans of the new Xbox Live offers. With the Xbox 360 coming there will also be new Xbox LIVE offers. As you know already you'll be able to transfer your current Xbox Live account and the basic 'Silver' version will be free. Here are the 5 options you'll have to buy the 'Gold' version according to the scans:
*UPDATE* Prices and package match the new listing on ebgames.com except the "12 Month Gold Card" that goes for 49.99USD on ebgames.
* 12 Month Premium Gold Pack (US$69.99)
-12 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription
-A communicator headset
-Xbox Live arcade game: "Billiards"
-$20 discount on a games purchase
-200 points in the Xbox LIVE marketplace
* 12 Month Gold Card (US$59.99, on ebgames currently listed as US$49.99)
-12 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription
-1 month of Xbox LIVE free
* 3 Month Premium Gold Pack (US$39.99)
-3 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription
-A communicator headset
-Xbox Live arcade game: "Joust"
-$10 discount on a games purchase
-100 points in the Xbox LIVE marketplace
* 3 Month Gold Card (US$19.99)
-3 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription
* 1 Month Gold Card (US$7.99)
-1 month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription
Check out the scans of Xbox Live promotional packs on PlanetXbox360.com (or xboxlive.fr)
Xbox-Scene Forum Discussion: forums.xbox-scene.com
Spread News: PermaLink
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(Tuesday 30 August 2005 00:02 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
New XLink Kai OSX Package
>> A new XLink Kai(info) package for Mac OSX has been released:
[QUOTE]
Uebe has cleaned up a few things in the recent OSX Kaid package, and it's now available in the download section. Growl support and a couple of installation issues have been fixed. It's humming along great here, so I would recommend any OSX user update immediately.
Good work as usual uebe :)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.teamxlink.co.uk
Download: here
Project Gotham 3 Not Ready For Xbox360 Launch?
>> Talkxbox spoke with someone at EA (who's developing 'Need For Speed Most Wanted'):
[QUOTE]
I asked about PGR3 and how they are planning to market Most Wanted with another racing title launching so close. The answer: most everyone there at EAX doesn’t expect PGR3 to make launch. Microsoft has apparently been giving EA all the help they can give with getting Most Wanted out at launch (which they are on track to do), and they wouldn’t be doing that as much as they are if they had their own racing game ready for launch. Also, PGR3 is very ambitious, and from what they’ve seen it won’t make launch. Most of them expect it to be in the second wave of 360 titles, along with Gears of War.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: Talkxbox.com (news via gamersreports.com)
Infineon Provides Key Components in Microsoft Xbox 360 Game Console
>> From the pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
Infineon Technologies AG today announced that it will supply three key components for the Microsoft Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. Infineon will provide a removable solid-state memory unit product, a single-chip application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) wireless game-pad controller that makes cables unnecessary for game play, and an advanced security chip.
Xbox 360 consoles with Infineon-produced chips and components are expected to be on the shelves in the fourth quarter of this year. Financial details of the design collaboration and supply agreement were not disclosed.
Infineon is leveraging its IP in areas such as security, memory control and embedded firmware into ASIC-based system solutions for the Xbox 360. For the memory unit, the company designed an ASIC memory controller, created the embedded software that runs on the chip and designed the system printed circuit board. And the security chip is a custom implementation of Infineon's proven authentication technology.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole pressrelease here
Maruyama Talks about Japanese Xbox 360
>> From xbox360.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Japan's Maruyama was first asked to discuss preparations for the end-of-year release. He reveals that Microsoft is just about to enter the system's production phase, where it will be able to determine exactly how many systems it can produce for the end of the year. While Maruyama considers getting hardware allocated to Japan a big point, he's more focused on preparing software for the system.
Microsoft's plan for a huge software lineup at launch hasn't changed, it seems. Asked if he feels Xbox 360 will be able to launch in Japan with more than 10 titles and in America with more than 25 titles, Maruyama responds that Microsoft is working hard to make it happen.
One area of the Xbox 360's development in Japan that may differ from that of America is in its link up with Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs. Media Center Edition hasn't taken off in Japan yet, Maruyama states. However, the Xbox 360's media functionality may take a different form in Japan. Without getting too specific, Maruyama reveals that Microsoft is working on technology that uses wireless LAN to allow for some form of house-wide connectivity involving the Xbox 360. He states that this will end up being a big bonus point for the Xbox 360.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: xbox360.ign.com
A Look Back At Expensive System Launches
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
With all the buzz about Gamestop’s super stupid Xbox 360 game bundles there’s been a lot of speculation that the packages are the most expensive in the history of video games. Well, I had an inkling that this was probably a bit naive. So I dusted off my retro gaming books and loaded up Firefox and set off in search of the most expensive video gaming systems. Suprisingly, some of the most expensive systems were the most popular and groundbreaking. So here’s the list with the prices at the time of release as well as prices adjusted for inflation, as they would be today. I used The Inflation Calculator to help me with price conversions. The main references I used were “High Score: The Illustrated History of Electronic Video Games” and Wikipedia.org.
[/QUOTE]
Check it out on joystiq.com.
Gabe Newell: Xbox 360 Makes My Life Worse
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
The latest issue of Computer Gaming World has an interview with Gabe Newell, Valve Software’s founder and managing director, in which the developer of Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike discusses various topics including the release date of Aftermath, Lost Coast and Day of the Defeat Source.
Gabe also had time so discuss Windows Vista, the next-generation operating system from Microsoft due out late next year, and the Xbox 360.
"Look, I spoke to some people at Microsoft, and as I said, I can't point to a single feature in Vista that I care about that solves problems for us at all. And I had the same conversation with the Xbox 360 guys. It's like, Xbox 360 doesn't make my life any better, and in fact, it makes it a lot worse, as you're telling me I can't count on having a hard drive."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: TeamXbox.com
Mountain Dew and Xbox360 'Every 10 Minutes' Giveaway Launched
>> From the pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
The Xbox 360, the next-generation video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, may not be available until the holiday season, but thousands of lucky people will be selected to win an Xbox 360 console before they can buy it. Through Mountain Dew's "Every 10 Minutes" sweepstakes, which began yesterday, consumers can win the most anticipated new gaming console months before it hits store shelves.
Microsoft and Mountain Dew will select a new winner of an Xbox 360 every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for nine weeks straight. In this unique sweepstakes, participants can develop their own strategies to best position themselves for an opportunity to win during the 10-minute intervals. Everyone who enters has the chance to choose how they will play.
Here's how the "Every 10 Minutes" promotion works:
* Look for a unique code printed under specially marked "Every 10 Minutes" caps of 20-ounce and 1-liter bottles of participating Pepsi products and under the rim of specially marked fountain cups.
* Go to the Web site, http://www.every10minutes.com, powered by Yahoo! Register and set up your personal, free "Every 10 Minutes" account.
* Participants will be able to choose which 10-minute drawing to enter and can spread codes across different drawings, or stockpile codes and put them all toward one drawing.
In addition, codes entered will automatically earn the participants points toward obtaining collectible merchandise and gear, including Mountain Dew T-shirts and hats.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole pressrelease here.
Official Site: http://www.every10minutes.com
Xbox 360 Guide Brochure
>> Deamonz sent us the a brochure of the Xbox360 he received during a conference. The brochure was supposed to be turned back in, but he managed to get one home and took some exclusive pictures for us.
It's called the "Xbox 360 guide" and it's probably the retail brochure that will be available soon in stores to promote the upcoming hardware and games for end-users. It's not the same as the marketing brochure (meant for store owners) that was leaked some time ago.
It includes information about the Xbox 360 hardware and the 2 SKUs, the official Xbox 360 accessoires, Xbox LIVE, Perfect Dark Zero, PGR3, all EA-titles and many other games. Even some upcoming (original) Xbox games are in the guide.
Check out the brochure youself:
page 02 | page 03 | page 04-05 | page 06-07 | page 08-09 | page 10-11 | page 12-13 | page 14-15 | page 16-17 | page 18-19 | page 20 | page 21 | page 22 | page 23 | page 24 | page 25
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
X-DSL v0.3
>> A new version of X-DSL(info), a small (about 50MBs) but fully functional Xbox linux distro based on 'Damn Small Linux', has been released. From forums.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
Well this update has been a while coming but X-DSL v0.3 is now out.
It is based on the latest DSL v1.4 and therefore inherits a number improvements since the last version based on DSL v1.01.
On the Xbox side we've improved the install scripts (no more Error creating loopbackfile: Read only file system). Also we've fixed an issue which prevented a loopback install of X-DSL from detecting a swap file on the same partition. We've added raincoat (the Xbox BIOS flasher) and a graphical utility to show the current Xbox IP address (ok it's basic but it's the first time I've use lua-fltk). The kernel has been updated to 2.4.31 which should have better xpad support and an improved framebuffer driver.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.x-dsl.org
Official Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: here
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