Xbox 360

[The NZA]

from Tokyopia.com...

 

Tomorrow's the big unveiling in Japan. In addition to a live broadcast of the MTV special at the lavish Virgin Toho Cinemas complex in Roppongi Hills, there'll be an hour-and-a-half of "other," presumably Japan-specific content. Hironobu Sakaguchi is rumored to be there, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if some of the other Japan Xbox luminaries, like Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Yoshiki Okamoto, are in attendance.

 

So what do you think? Will they get it right this time?

 

Pics & details forthcoming as E3 draws near...not an M$ fan but ill post what i find here.

[Newtype]

Will they get right? Those dumbasses only think about making the game looking pretty.

They don't give a rats ass about game play. I mean think about it. X-box only has what 4 games worth playing at all. Even then those games are made for muti-players or online gameing and are no fun playing on your own. Sony and Nintendo

are going to have a field day with bill. So piss on the X-box.

[Silent Bob]

...seriously? XBox has tons of great games to play, man. Not to mention the fact that it has the best graphics and sound of any of the three systems.

[Newtype]

Games? What games? all I see are shiney graphics and nothing else. I only had my shit box for about 4 months before I got broad with just playing halo. I want gameplay not something pretty to look at.

[The NZA]

Its pretty, and sounds great, but i agree it needs more support.

People i know who dig PC & online games are enjoying the hell out of it, but there's only a few games ive seen that really attracted me, from Ninja Gaiden, Shenmue II, Panzer Dragoon Orta, etc. I wont say the system's shit, personally, but it doesnt have many game that interest me, at least none i cant find on PS2.

 

Every market analyst is projecting them to gain more ground against Sony this time, at least stateside (japan's not big on them). I'm fine with this, i just dont want to see them muscle Nintendo out of the console game, the way Sony did to Sega. The market usually is unkind to anyone not in the first 2 spots, and i swear to god if MS somehow gets an exclusive i want (like Shenmue III) im gonna cry, then rent a damn system.

 

I'm no fan, personally, but i admire the X-box live system.

[Newtype]

believe it or not, x-box is slow in getting their kit out. While sony and nintendo already gave some companys thier kits. On top of that, most game companys are saying that ms are still trying to figure out what to put in the new x-box. If they get thier act together before sony and nintendo release their system. MS going to need a stong start if they what to make it. Lets face the only reason thier still around is because of halo and online games.

[Newtype]

Well here are the spec for the new X-box. PC geeks are whacking off over this.

 

 

 

PLATFORM: Xbox 360

RELEASE DATE: Fall 2005

PUBLISHER:

DEVELOPER:

POSTED: 5/13/2005 11:53 AM

 

 

 

 

Recently, Microsoft brought us inside their global headquarters in Redmond, Washington to give us a glimpse of their Xbox successor, the Xbox 360. While leaks have been frequent across the internet for the past months, we are now able to finally give you the complete rundown on the new system and it’s specs, the new Xbox Live features, and most importantly, the games.

 

 

 

Xbox 360: The Hardware

 

 

 

When the original Xbox team got approval of the first Xbox on February 14, 1999, instead of just pitching the first console to the executive team and the board of directors, according to J Allard, they talked about the “20 year dream.” While the original Xbox at the end of the day was a success, it was still a test bed for the company. The Xbox was a chance to “earn a seat at the table” as Allard put it, and Microsoft wanted to get into the video game business and stay there for the foreseeable future. Throughout the last four years, the Xbox allowed Microsoft to cut their teeth in the video game business, make mistakes, and learn lessons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the Xbox 360, the goal according to Robbie Bach is to “change how people think about fun.” While an extremely bold statement, their ultimate goals are even loftier. Allard said Microsoft is out to redefine the concept of video games, and make them more popular than books. The main mantra they came up with for the entire Xenon team when they wrote “the book of Xenon” was to create a “living entertainment experience powered by human energy.”

 

 

 

Much smaller and sleeker than the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 design was a creation by collaboration of a sculptor, and two design teams. The sculptor was Jonathan Hayes from the Rhode Island School of Design, who orchestrated the project, and the two design firms were Hers in Osaka and Astro in San Francisco. This trio came up with more than 30 different designs before they reached the final design that was approved by focus teams and finally by Microsoft. What they ultimately came up with was a very simple design, which is targeted to be “optimistic and inviting”, said Allard. Much smaller than the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 can be laid vertically or horizontally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Specifications:

 

 

 

Xbox 360 Hardware Specifications

Custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU

 

- 3 symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each

 

- 2 hardware threads per core; 6 hardware threads total

 

- 1 VMX-128 vector unit per core; 3 total

 

- 128 VMX-128 registers per hardware thread

 

- 1 MB L2 cache

 

CPU Game Math Performance

 

- 9 billion dot product operations per second

 

Custom ATI Graphics Processor

 

- 500 MHz

 

- 10 MB embedded DRAM

 

- 48-way parallel floating-point dynamically-scheduled shader pipelines

 

- Unified shader architecture

 

Polygon Performance

 

- 500 million triangles per second

 

Pixel Fill Rate

 

- 16 gigasamples per second fillrate using 4X MSAA

 

Shader Performance

 

- 48 billion shader operations per second

 

Memory

 

- 512 MB GDDR3 RAM

 

- 700 MHz DDR

 

- Unified memory architecture

 

Memory Bandwidth

 

- 22.4 GB/s memory interface bus bandwidth

 

- 256 GB/s memory bandwidth to EDRAM

 

- 21.6 GB/s front-side bus

 

Overall System Floating-Point Performance

 

- 1 TFLOP

 

Storage

 

- Detachable and upgradeable 20 GB hard drive

 

- 12X dual-layer DVD-ROM

 

- Memory unit support starting at 64 MB

 

I/O

 

- Support for up to 4 wireless game controllers

 

- 3 USB 2.0 ports

 

- 2 memory unit slots

 

Optimized for Online

 

- Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live features, including Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content, Gamer Profile for digital identity and voice chat to talk to friends while playing games, watching movies or listening to music

 

- Built in Ethernet Port

 

- Wi-Fi Ready: 802.11 A, B and G

 

- Video Camera Ready

 

Digital Media Support

 

- Support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD

 

- Stream media from portable music devices, digital cameras, Windows XP PCs

 

- Rip music to Xbox 360 hard drive

 

- Custom playlists in every game

 

- Windows Media Center Extender built in

 

- Interactive, full screen 3D visualizers

 

HD Game Support

 

- All games supported at 16:9, 720p and 1080i, anti-aliasing

 

- Standard definition and high definition video output supported

 

Audio

 

- Multichannel surround sound output

 

- Supports 48 KHz 16-bit audio

 

- 320 independent decompression channels

 

- 32-bit audio processing

 

- Over 256 audio channels

 

System Orientation

 

- Stands vertically or horizontally

 

Customizable Face Plates

 

- Interchangeable to personalize the console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at the back of the unit (which we don’t yet have pictures of) you’ll see most everything you can see on the back of your current Xbox: power connection, 100mb Ethernet, and digital A/V output. The only change to the back of the unit is one USB 2.0 port. The Xbox 360 will not have Wi-Fi built in – most likely to keep costs down – but you will be able to use a wireless network adapter just as you could with the previous Xbox. While Microsoft was trying to allow the use of the original Xbox A/V cables, you will have to buy new cables for your Xbox 360. We’re assuming standard A/V cables will be packed in with the system at launch, but that’s to be determined at this point.

 

 

 

On the left side or top of the unit (depending on how you have the unit set up) is the removable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive. This allows you to take all of your saved games and custom soundtracks over to a friend’s house. The 20GB hard drive will be included in the regular Xbox 360 package. While 20GB will be the initial size available at launch, depending on future needs, Microsoft may have larger hard drives available down the road. What’s exciting about this as well is the fact that third party hardware manufacturers could create detachable hard drives with a headphone jack and an LCD screen so you could use it as an MP3 player with the music you have ripped to it.

 

 

 

On the front of the unit, you’ll notice that the Xbox 360 has IR built in for use with the wireless controllers, the media remote control, as well as universal remote controls. There are 2 memory unit ports on the front that will support 64MB memory cards. On the right of the memory unit ports is the connect button which binds your wireless controller to the unit. The right side of the unit houses two USB 2.0 ports which you can connect wired controllers, charge the wireless controllers (or use them as corded controllers), as well as connect your digital camera or MP3 players, which I’ll explain later. The front of the unit’s faceplate is completely removable, and custom faceplates will be able to be purchased. We saw a number of designs that ranged from faux wood paneling, to a white design with the green ring of light marketing logo spiraling out from where the ring of light will be.

 

 

 

Surrounding the power button is what Microsoft is calling the ring of light. The ring of light is featured not only around the power button, but also on the controller itself, and provides important information to people utilizing the system. The ring is broken up into 4 quadrants, which are 4 the four available wireless (or technically up to 3 wired, and 1 wireless) controller connections to the system. If you’re getting a message or an invite over Xbox Live while you’re playing a game, watching a movie or some sort of media on the Xbox 360, depending on which controller number you are, the appropriate ring of light section will illuminate or flash. This goes even deeper in games where, for example, say you’re playing a 4-player split screen game and you’re using the fourth controller. Your quadrant on the ring of light will be the lower right portion, which in split screen games will always place you in the lower right hand corner of the split screen game. There will never be any questioning which controller number you are, and you’ll always know which person was getting an invite or message over Xbox Live. The colors from the ring of light can change to be either green, red, or orange, so developers could program an assortment of different uses outside of Xbox Live features, like flashing orange and then red when your health is dwindling and then critical in a game session. The use is completely up to the developers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The controller itself hasn’t changed all that much from the current S-controller. The Xbox 360 controller is smaller than its S-controller brother, and can now be wired or wireless. The button layout is virtually the same, except the black and white buttons are above the left and right analog triggers, and have been renamed as “bumpers.” The audio jack is now on the lower part of the front of the controller, and you will be able to use your current Xbox Live headset, a cell phone headset, or cordless headsets. Microsoft doesn’t plan on releasing any cordless headsets at launch, but you can count on third party accessory manufacturers to have them ready when the console releases. The Xbox 360 controller can be powered by 2 AA batteries and Microsoft is also working on getting rechargeable batteries so the batteries can be recharged by connecting the controller to the unit with a “play-charge” cable (the charge port is at the top of the controller), or with a separate battery charging station. The bottom of the controller also has an expansion jack for future possible accessories. Also one very important function of the controller is the fact that you can turn the Xbox 360 on or off with the controller, so you won’t have to leave the couch to hit the power button.

 

 

 

We also got a chance to look at a prototype of the new Xbox 360 media remote, which features your typical DVD function buttons, but adds Y,X, A, and B buttons, as well as the Windows Media Center button so you can access any media from your Windows Media Center PC. The remote can also be used as a controller, which for RPGs could come in handy for some simple one-handed gaming. Microsoft still hasn't given out an official picture of the remote, but one has been floating around the internet that's exactly the same design as we saw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did get to see a prototype of the retail box, and when you go to the store to pick up your Xbox 360 this November this is what the prototype box listed as contents:

 

 

 

Xbox 360 Console 20GB Hard Drive Wireless Controller Bonus Media Remote – Limited Time Offer Xbox Live Headset Ethernet Cable

Microsoft did state that they’re still figuring out what they want to include in the box at launch, and this list could change - so note that this isn't final. Packing the Media Remote in the box would be a real added bonus for early adopters, as the “Limited Time Offer” phrase suggested. Also, since you won’t be able to use your old Xbox video cables, we’re assuming that basic A/V cables will be included in the box, and you’ll have to pony up for anything different.

 

 

 

Allard showed off a USB 2.0 video camera that will be available shortly after launch that will be able to be used in games, as well as for video conferencing over Xbox Live. They are still messing around with the final design, so the leaked image from the MTV Unveiling is not the final design, and the one we were shown was 1/3 of the size of the camera that they show on MTV. Allard spoke of a number of different applications that this could be used for. For example, in a football game, once you score a touchdown, you could send a quick video clip of your victory dance. Websites could host UPC barcodes that could be printed out that once read by the camera would enable cheats or other unlockables. Other items that the camera could facilitate are face mapping, or even taking picture of a doodle that you could map to a paint design for the side of your car in Project Gotham Racing 3. But at the end of the day, it’s up to the developers.

 

 

 

Backwards Compatibility?

 

 

 

Currently, Microsoft is not talking about backwards compatibility with the original Xbox, but that could change at E3. The main problem with having backwards compatibility is the fact that the original Xbox uses the NVidia chipset, and the 360 will be using an ATI chipset. For some games it’s not really that much of an issue for an emulator to get them to work, but for games like Halo which are heavily coded to use the NVidia chipset feature, this poses a big problem. From what we’ve heard from sources is that it’s going to be a very touchy process to try to make this happen. Some of our sources are saying that most games will work, and other sources say that it may not happen. Until Microsoft gives the final word on backwards compatibility, all we can really say at this point is – we don’t know – so don’t go unplugging your original Xbox so soon.

 

 

 

The 360 Experience

 

 

 

The soul of the Xbox 360 is a game system, but the Xbox 360 experience is aimed at a consumer who wants their console to do more than just play games and movies. While the Xbox and PlayStation 2 allowed gamers to also watch DVD movies, Allard believes this was one of the reasons that the GameCube wasn’t as much as a success story as it could have been. “If you want to see something that held Nintendo back this past generation was that it [the GameCube] didn’t play movies. If they played movies they would have 5 million more units. It’s that simple. The consumers expectations have ratcheted up a level”

 

 

 

The Xbox 360 will not only be able to play DVD movies, but also a ton of other media as well. With a Windows XP computer hooked up on the same network as your Xbox 360, you’ll be able to stream media like MP3s or pictures that are on your computer. For those who have their video game systems hooked up through their home stereos you’ll easily be able to listen to your computer’s MP3 collection through much better speakers than you most likely have connected to your PC, or watch a slideshow of digital pictures. If you’re wondering, this will work just fine with your Apple iPod, and your Sony PSP. For those with a Media Center Edition PC, the Xbox Media Center Extender is built into the Xbox 360, so you’ll be able to access any video files or television shows from that PC, as well.

 

 

 

While you can still rip music files directly with the USB 2.0 ports on the front and the back of the Xbox 360 you’ll be able to connect just about any digital audio/MP3 player, as well as digital cameras and manage and play files with your Xbox 360. While you won’t be able to take files from these devices and have them transferred over to your Xbox 360 hard drive, you’ll be able to view pictures and listen to music files while you’re video conferencing with another person over Xbox Live. In addition, you’ll be able to use any custom playlist from your MP3 player as a custom soundtrack in Xbox 360 games.

 

 

 

On the controller, and media remote control, is the new Xbox Guide Button. While this is heavily involved with your Xbox Live experience, by pressing the button puts you into two different menus depending on what you are doing. If you are playing a game and press the Xbox Guide Button, the guide will appear. The guide will slide in over your game so you’ll be able to still see the game playing in the background (unless you’ve pressed pause, of course). On the guide you’ll see your gamer card, your Xbox Live presence which will show how many messages you have, which audio you have set to play, and messages if there’s downloadable content or contests dealing with the game you are playing.

 

 

 

If you’re not playing a game, the Dashboard will appear. The Dashboard is where you’ll be able to access your media, games, Xbox Live, and your system settings in the different menu areas which Microsoft is calling “blades”. Currently the different blades available are Media, Games, Xbox Live, and System. The setup is pretty intuitive, and an easy way to get to what you want quickly.

 

 

 

Media Blade: This is where you can access and control your digital music and pictures that are on your hard drive, as well as play video files or Media Center Extender files if you have a Media Center Edition PC.

 

 

 

Games Blade: The Games blade lists what games, demos, trailers, and downloadable content you’ve downloaded from Xbox Live

 

 

 

The System Blade: All of your system settings are adjusted here including audio, video, and more.

 

 

 

Xbox Live Blade: This area is where you can manipulate your Xbox Live account, video chat, and get into the Xbox Live Marketplace.

 

 

 

Xbox Live on Xbox 360

 

 

 

Out of the box, Microsoft is giving people a lot of they are currently paying for with Xbox Live for free. There will be two different tiers setup for accounts on Xbox Live with Xbox 360. The free tier is the Silver Membership, and the subscription tier is the Gold Membership. The two main things that you get with a paid Gold Membership that you can’t get with a free Silver Membership are online multiplayer gaming, and video chat. Here’s a complete rundown of the differences between offline, Silver, and Gold:

 

 

 

Xbox 360 Xbox Live Feature Sets

 

 

 

Offline Experiences

 

Xbox Live, Silver (No Subscription Required)

 

Xbox Live, Gold (Subscription Benefits)

 

Unified Service Approach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xbox Gamer Guide that provides a consistent interface across all experiences

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Xbox Guide Button for fast access to the Guide and online features

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Personalized game play settings

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Seamless transition of Xbox Live account from Xbox to Xbox 360

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Xbox Live Online Game Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access to MMOs (additional fees may apply)

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Free Xbox Live weekends

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Multiplayer online game play

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Xbox Live Gamer Profile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gamertile (personalized image for your gamer profile)

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Motto (a personalized saying for your gamer profile)

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Personalized look for the Xbox System Guide

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Offline Achievements

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Online Achievements

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Gamertag (your nickname and identity on Xbox Live)

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Access to other players’ Gamer Cards via Xbox Live

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Xbox Live Intelligent Matchmaking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gamer Score (Part of Gamer Profile: cumulative score of all of achievements. Can be used for quick comparison with other gamers)

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Location/Language (Part of Gamer Profile: identifies your location and preferred language)

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Reputation (Part of Gamer Profile: rating provided by community that indicates how you are perceived by other players)

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Enhanced matchmaking using above elements of gamer profile

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Choice of matchmaking based on either skill level or social play

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Opportunity to provide feedback on other players and and affect your likelihood to match with them in the future

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Gamerzone (Part of Gamer Profile: indicates style of social gaming you prefer – relaxed/casual, competitive, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Xbox Live Community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friends List; online presence

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Recent Players List

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Ubiquitous voice chat in game

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Ubiquitous voice chat out of game

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Xbox Live Marketplace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit card no longer required for Xbox Live access

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Free and premium downloadable game content

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Free and premium downloadable movies, music and TV

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Downloadable game trailers/demos

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Microtranscations

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Xbox Live Message Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Invites

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Friend Invites

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Text and Voice Messages

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Service/System Messages

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Digital Media Experiences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom playlists in every game

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Play music from portable music devices

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

View pictures from digital cameras

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Stream Media from connected Windows XP PC

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Windows Media Center Extender built in

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Interactive, full screen 3D visualizers

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Track Info for CDs (Offline & Online)

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Parental Controls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game play based on game rating (e.g. ESRB)

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

Managing Friends List

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Sharing profiles and/or viewing other profiles

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Communicating via voice, video, and/or text

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Presence

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Ability to purchase premium content in marketplace

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Ability to play multiplayer online

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Already have an Xbox Live account that’s paid until 2006? Don’t worry, for those of you who already have paid for Xbox Live and your subscription will go past when Xbox 360 launches, you won’t have to pay any more fees until your current subscription runs out. Microsoft hasn’t announced any future pricing.

 

 

 

Xbox 360 users will be able to converse with original Xbox users, and visa versa. Since Microsoft isn’t addressing whether or not the Xbox 360 will be backwards compatible, it’s not known if you’ll be able to play games against each other. But you will be able to see whether or not if your friends are online, and what games they are playing.

 

 

 

The Games:

 

 

 

At the end of the day, however, what really matters is how the games play. That there lies a problem, because the one thing is, is that we are not allowed to talk about it yet have yet to play any Xbox 360 games. We do however know some of the titles that will be appearing on the system. These include:

 

 

 

Gears of War

 

Ghost Recon 3

 

NBA 2K6

 

Kameo

 

Perfect Dark Zero

 

Ninety-Nine Nights

 

Battlefield: Modern Combat

 

Condemned: Criminal Origins

 

Full-Auto

 

Test Drive Unlimited

 

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

 

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

 

The Godfather

 

Madden NFL

 

Tiger Woods PGA Tour

 

Quake 4

 

King Kong

 

Blue Dragon

 

Project Gotham Racing 3

 

The Darkness

 

Dead or Alive 4

 

 

 

The games are ultimately what Microsoft is making people really wait for, outside of the gameplay video featured on the MTV special. E3 2005 will be the official unveiling of the Xbox 360 and its games. Monday night is Microsoft’s E3 Press Briefing, and it’s when we’ll really get a good idea of how games will look in motion. That night we’ll be bringing you plenty of video to download, so be on the lookout for that. On Wednesday, when the E3 show floor opens, we’ll finally get our greedy mitts on the games and have a complete report. Until then, you’ll just have to wait for the next generation to begin.

 

 

 

To see everything in motion, Ourcolony.net has finally revealed its ultimate prize - a video. Check it out by clicking here.

 

 

 

-Billy Berghammer

 

 

 

 

 

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[Silent Bob]

I'd buy it just for Perfect Dark 0.

[The NZA]

So, i hear the MTV special wasnt so hot; forutnately, Penny Arcade hooks it up with some details.

 

first, this is rumored to be the system's kiosk at E3 (bear in mind, it could all be prototypes here).

 

this is possibly a layout for the controller.

 

and here's a commentary from PA on said controller:

 

I guess I shouldn't assume you've all seen this stuff, so let me provide some links: here's a shot of what looks like an E3 kiosk for the new system, and here's a shot (also from Engadget) of a wireless controller. You have, of course, heard that this controller will work with the next version of Windows. There are some things you might not have heard about it.

 

Here's another shot of an Xbox controller with a cord on it and no large, round button in the center - this is (I believe) some kind of ergonomic test version for the general shape. Even though they're both white, the "black" and white buttons have been moved up to the shoulders to compliment the (by now) standard triggers. Back and start also on the face to either side of the mysterious button in the middle.

 

Let's talk about that mysterious button.

 

Of course, in this picture we can also see the jack in the bottom, which (it seems clear to me) is the headphone jack for the headset, which implies that the controller itself includes all that logic internal to it. No pucks, at least that's my guess, and no need for top slots on the controller with the memory cards being inserted directly into the machine. Back to the magic button thing: you can see numbers around the button very clearly, one through four, which I think is meant to nullify the one unwieldy element of the Wavebird - the goofy little knobs you turn to determine the channel. It's easy to imagine a light that illuminates the quadrant associated with the number when its in use.

 

But the button. Not a trackball, as we heard originally. I'll tell you what I think it does, based on how they do things and how other people have done things.

 

On the Windows Media Center remote, there is a "Windows" button that returns you to their primary menu. The PSP has one too, now - the "home" button - which returns you to the most fundamental state of the machine. It's a way to maintain the "brand" in the face of shifting content. The Xbox has the "Dashboard," but you can't get to it unless there's no game in - but they never really pushed the Dashboard like Jay Allard pushed "The Guide," the core experience of the Xbox 360, where you select playlists and manage shit. I wonder how far this extends - read that article to understand why I might feel that way. On several points they talk about liberating developers from having to manage things like user playlists - will this fundamental UI handle all such functions? Will you go there to manage friends or whatnot, in all games?

 

I will be very surprised if the system launches with a wireless controller actually in the retail box - you'll always need a fallback position when you're talking about batteries, and there's a single port for a joystick right on there. Eventually, I can see a "wireless pack" happening, but not at launch.

 

(for the links in that exert, go here)

[Newtype]

All those spec came from MS themself. Lets see how many of those things make the x-box 360.

[daytripper]

Guess they did announce the Xbox 360 official game lineup! lo' and behold:

 

Xbox 360 Launch Lineup Announced

Developers commit to the success of the next-generation console.

 

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Oct. 4, 2005 — Today at X05, the Xbox® brand experience for the games and entertainment industry, Microsoft Corp. unveiled an incredible lineup of games for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system as it gears up for launch Nov. 22 in North America, Dec. 2 in Europe and Dec. 10 in Japan. A series of special guests, including Cliff Bleszinski, lead designer for Epic Games Inc., Todd Hollenshead, co-owner and CEO of id Software Inc., and Gerhard Florin, executive vice president and general manager of International Publishing for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), joined Xbox executives Robbie Bach, J Allard, Peter Moore and Chris Lewis on stage to talk about their new titles for Xbox 360.

 

Titles that will form part of the impressive Christmas holiday portfolio include these:

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“Kameo: Elements of Power™” (MGS-Rare Ltd.). Renowned game developer Rare introduces “Kameo: Elements of Power™,” a mystical action-adventure game available exclusively on Xbox 360, in which the ability to morph into unique and incredible warriors allows Kameo to search out and battle ever-present evil. Boasting impeccable next-generation graphics and innovative gameplay, “Kameo” shines as a giant leap in game development. Continuing its legacy of creating dynamic puzzles, immersive combat and enormous environments, Rare fuses multiple genres to create a strikingly fun gaming experience destined for widespread appeal.

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“Perfect Dark Zero™” (MGS-Rare Ltd.). Joanna Dark returns in the Xbox 360-exclusive “Perfect Dark Zero,” the prequel to the international award-winning and multimillion-selling first-person shooter “Perfect Dark®” from famed game developer Rare. A secret war has begun between shadowy corporations bent on world domination. Joanna Dark and her father, Jack, are caught up in the fight for the planet’s future. A routine bounty-hunting mission rips open a global conspiracy that will change Joanna’s destiny — forever.

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“Project Gotham Racing® 3” (MGS-Bizarre Creations Ltd.). The popular “PGR®” franchise zooms onto the Xbox 360, expanding many of the “Project Gotham Racing” features that gamers have grown to love. “PGR 3” creates the ultimate roster of the hottest supercars in existence, introduces them to the high-definition era, and drops them into a completely new gaming world, where style rules the road. Racers define and create individually customized gameplay, and can race each other — online or offline. The “Project Gotham Racing” franchise is designed by Bizarre Creations, a long-established independent games developer, based in Liverpool, England. Bizarre is focused on producing high-quality, playable games that make the most of the advanced technology for which they are designed. Bizarre Creations can be found on the Web at http://www.bizarreonline.net or http://www.bizarrecreations.com.

 

Other great games announced or shown at X05 included these:

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“Crackdown” (MGS-Real Time Worlds). “Crackdown” pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the introduction of the first truly 3-D persistent playground, highly innovative cooperative gameplay, and an extensive prop interaction system all while taking place in a massive and highly stylized urban center. All strategies and tactics are acceptable provided players clean up the streets. Players roam a virtual city built to encourage and allow the full width, depth and height of the space to be explored and exploited. “Crackdown” will offer free-form gameplay, over-the-top action, and, for the first time in this genre, online cooperative play.

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“Gears of War” (MGS-Epic Games Inc.). Blending the best of tactical action games with the best of survival horror titles, “Gears of War” is the first game developed by Epic Games exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and Xbox 360. “Gears of War” thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

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“Too Human” (MGS-Silicon Knights). In “Too Human,” players are treated to a nonstop barrage of action powered by the seamless integration of melee and ranged firearms combat and fueled by breathtaking visuals previously not possible thanks to a powerful combination of Xbox 360 and the Unreal Engine 3. Battles unfold in awesome scale as players engage with vast numbers of enemies.

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“Mass Effect” (MGS-BioWare Corp.). Set 200 years in the future in an epic universe, “Mass Effect” places gamers in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue. A spectacular new vision from legendary developers BioWare, “Mass Effect” challenges players to lead a squad of freedom fighters as they struggle against threatening armies to restore peace in the land. “Mass Effect” is the first in a trilogy of games with an overarching story, where the real conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence comes to life in startling clarity.

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“FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup” (Electronic Arts). EA celebrates its new exclusive FIFA World Cup interactive entertainment partnership with the release of “FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup,” a game that immerses players into the emotional intensity of the next-generation football. Utilizing the power of the Xbox 360, fans will be able to revel in the world’s most sophisticated representation of football ever. Experience a newly enhanced gameplay engine that delivers extremely responsive controls and greater level of depth. New physics and animations mean that players will now react more realistically to every tackle, shot or pass of the ball. For the first time you’ll see and feel the joy, anguish and pain of 90 minutes of soccer in a videogame. Through the power of high-definition technology you’ll see how the detail of the players is accurately recreated in fine detail. The power of the Xbox 360 truly brings to life 80,000 chanting fans in a stadium and immerses you in the emotional intensity of FIFA World Cup football.

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“Saint’s Row” (THQ Inc.). Under threat from rival gangs and corrupt officials, the 3rd Street Saints must conquer the city of Stilwater or face destruction. From the spectacular opening battle to regain control of the local hood, “Saint’s Row” offers an unparallel level of freedom to explore this living, breathing city. Players are free to engage in the multitude of different activates at their leisure, all while building up respect in a gameplay-rich world. Build enough respect and the 3rd Street Saint’s lieutenants will trust the player with more dangerous missions.

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“Full Auto” (SEGA Corp.). Combine fully-automatic, weapon-equipped vehicles with highly detailed and interactive urban environments and you have “Full Auto,” the most destructive racing action ever experienced in a video game. This racer allows players to choose from a wide selection of unique vehicle designs and arm them with any combination of machine guns, cannons and other deadly weapons. The rules of the road don’t apply in this high-octane, no-holds-barred competition. And once players have honed their skills against computer opponents, they can jump onto Xbox Live® and take on real players in both destruction-heavy lap courses and last-man standing arena matches.

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“Condemned: Criminal Origins” (SEGA). “Condemned: Criminal Origins” allows players to experience a heightened level of psychological tension as they use their instincts, forensic tools, and melee/firearms combat to track serial killers and bring them to justice. Gamers will play as Agent Thomas, a detective in the FBI’s Serial Crimes Unit, whose pursuit of relentless serial killers leads him through gritty, life-like environments filled with sociopaths lurking on the brink of humanity.

 

Franchise titles that will make their debut on Xbox 360 were also announced, including these:

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“Superman Returns: The Videogame” (Electronic Arts). “Superman Returns: The Videogame,” developed by Electronic Arts-Tiburon in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics, features storylines from both the movie that will be released in 2006 and more than 60 years of comic book content. “Superman Returns: The Videogame” combines strong creative vision and compelling new technology to deliver a powerful and emotional gaming experience to consumers. Gamers will experience a real sense of flying while mastering Superman’s unrivaled superhero powers to save Metropolis.

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“Call of Duty 2” (Activision Inc.). The sequel to Infinity Ward’s 2003 Game of the Year, “Call of Duty 2” delivers an unparalleled portrayal of the cinematic intensity and chaos of battle as seen through the eyes of ordinary soldiers fighting together in epic WWII conflicts. The sequel offers more immense, more intense and more realistic battles than ever. “Call of Duty 2” features stunningly lifelike graphics, advanced AI technology, dynamic sound effects, the most authentic squad combat and astonishing action in new historic campaigns.

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“Castle Wolfenstein” (id Software). id Software’s newest chapter in the legendary “Wolfenstein” series will deliver players deep behind the enemy lines of a war-torn Germany, where Nazi experiments with technology and the supernatural threaten to turn the tide of World War II. Utilizing a revolutionary new graphics technology targeted specifically at next-generation hardware, this new “Wolfenstein” experience will draw players into a world of unmatched exploration, action and espionage.

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“The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (Bethesda Softworks LLC). “Oblivion” is the quintessential role-playing game for the next generation and another leap forward in gaming. Step inside the most richly detailed and vibrant game world ever created. “Oblivion” is the latest chapter in the epic and highly successful “Elder Scrolls” saga and utilizes the latest next-generation video game hardware to fully immerse gamers in the experience. With “Oblivion”’s powerful combination of free-form gameplay and unprecedented graphics, players can unravel the main quest at their own pace or explore the vast world and find their own challenges.

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“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 4” (Ubisoft Entertainment). “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 4” will thrust players into a new breed of gameplay that promises to innovate and revolutionize the “Splinter Cell” franchise. Ubisoft is taking the saga of Sam Fisher into entirely new territory, expanding the story and depth of his character.

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“Quake 4” (Activision, id Software and Raven Software Corp.) is the sequel to the award-winning and historic “Quake II.” In a war for Earth’s survival, against an unrelenting enemy, the only way to defeat them is to become one of them. Built on id Software’s revolutionary “Doom 3” technology, “Quake 4” also features fast-paced multiplayer competition modeled after the speed, feel and style of “Quake III Arena.”

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“MotoGP Ultimate Racing Technology (URT) 2006” (THQ). “MotoGP URT 2006” takes the franchise to the next generation as the only official game of the MotoGP Championship on Xbox 360. Developed by the same team behind the award-winning “MotoGP URT 3” and created exclusively for the Xbox 360, MotoGP URT 2006 looks set to create a new definition of high speed for racing fans looking for the fastest thrills on the fastest console.

 

Commenting on the announcements made at X05, Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for Xbox at Microsoft, said: “The biggest and the best names in publishing are committed to the success of Xbox 360, and looking at the titles we have announced tonight we are very excited. From exclusive titles to debuting the next installment of some of the world’s best-loved franchises, Xbox 360 will redefine gaming and entertainment. The high-definition era of gaming starts now.”    more...

 

The page goes into shameless self promotion and blowing themsel... thier own horn. What makes me laugh is the last line of the game annoucement,

"The high-definition era of gaming starts now.”

Nice resemblance to "The future is ours!", hmm?

[The NZA]

Its a solid opening lineup, from here, and theyre gonna go unnaposed for the big new toy for christmas....i didnt catch a price yet, was it given?

[daytripper]

Hmm, lemme see...

 

Microsoft's Next Generation Console Revealed: The Xbox 360

Christiaan Allebest | 12 May 2005 16:00

 

...From the beginning, the original Xbox was intended to be a tool to buy them a seat at the console table. While Microsoft's gaming group is still operating at a loss ($154 million), the number of publishers and developers currently supporting the console shows that their goal of market acceptance was successfully accomplished.

 

more...

 

Microsoft wants to sell 10 million Xbox 360 consoles in first year or so

Jun 21, 2005, 11:05 AM ET by Peter Rojas

 

Peter Moore, VP of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for the Xbox, announced at a conference in London that Microsoft expects to sell 10 million Xbox 360 consoles within 12 to 16 months of its launch    more...

 

Xbox 360 supply tight; Retailers stop taking pre-orders

By George T. Chronis 10/21/2005

 

This year, GameStop’s cheapest bundle added an additional $400 to the Xbox 360 MSRP, and the most expensive package included a plasma TV for $4,999. Wal-Mart’s least expensive bundle was $579. At press time, Wal-Mart’s advanced packages were sold out, as were all of GameStop’s bundles for less than $1,999.    more...

 

So basically, using my markitering experteese, The Xbox 360˚ will sell in special 'Holiday' bundles on release, then a shortage for a couple of weeks/months, then emerge with thier real retail package at thier standard price. But to get to the numbers they are expecting will take a lot of price slashing, an action they have done in the past and can afford to do again. Will the North Amercan consumers see this low price? Probably not. Our time-proven appitite for technology and willing to have 'the best' is our kick in the ass. Basically, people will buy it regardless of the price. More people will buy at a lower price. Many other countries will just not buy or have grey/black market units at a lower price.

[bishopcruz]

Well, there will probably be a 'shortage' for about a week or so, it worked wonders for Ninny with the N64 and more recently Sony with the PS2. Also the holiday bundles are a purely online thing. All brick and mortar sites are gonna be selling it regularly. This online bundle thing is nothing new BTW, it's been happenening with new systems for a while now, see the PSP at launch.

[daytripper]

Yeah I have a friend that told me gamestop is rsvp them for $299 today

[bishopcruz]

Yeah, we'll I'd tell him to get the $399 one because the $299 one sans wireless and a harddrive is just now worth it. Two weeks to go though, I can't wait for mine.

[daytripper]

Xbox 360 cannot play iTunes-purchased music - Microsoft

Tom Bramwell 10:56 08/11/2005

 

Platform holder says Apple rejected its advances on the subject

 

It's a well-known fact that Xbox 360 will be able to stream music from iPod MP3 players on its "dashboard" front-end and to provide background music for games, but what's less well-known is that the next-generation console will be unable to play songs purchased from Apple's iTunes Music Store.

 

That's according to Microsoft's Jeff Henshaw, who told CNET News.com that because of the digital-rights-management (DRM) software in iPod, playback of those tracks was not possible.    more...

 

Apple going on a ego trip? No way!

Edited November 8, 2005 by daytripper

[daytripper]

Played it yesterday... wow.

 

Played Perfect Dark Zero, very interesting. If you expecting this game to be a 'Halo killer', sorry no dice. But As far as shooters go, this game was very involving. Played co-op player mode, and there were moments in game that you needed to use the old grey matter. In one point, you are separated from your partner, one on the roof-tops, the other on the streets. And you have to cover each other through the level. Wow. The gamed reeked of made-for-xbox (unconvincing environments effects, like subpar skies and shadows) and ported for 360, but after was said and done (or in my case, bith and moan :p), what seemed like 3hrs of play was actually 5 hours.

 

So my recommendation: If you didn't get the Xbox 360 yet, don't sweat it. Give the developers time to get a better feel for the system (3-6 months) before the truely great games are released. Rumour mill says a new release for Fable and Elder Scrolls are pending release

[daytripper]

For those intrested...

 

Mistwalker, the development team established by the savior of Squaresoft, Hironobu Sakaguchi, is putting out two exclusive RPG’s, which are already looking incredible. First is Blue Dragon, the tale of five warriors who can craft their shadows and give them a corporeal form. The way things are going, this game is likely to be incredible in every way, which is in no small part due to the multitude of former Square-Enix talent brought by the likes of famed composer, Nobuo Uematsu (renowned for his insanely popular music from the Final Fantasy series), the great character artist Akira Toriyama (beloved by many for his work in Dragon Warrior, Chrono Trigger and Dragon Ball Z), and many others. Their second top-dollar RPG is Lost Odyssey, the tale of a suicidal immortal named Kaim Argonar, whose tragic story will be fleshed-out by the famed Japanese novelist, Kiyoshi Shigematsu, and will address in-depth details of his family, their deaths, his long-lost loves, and his dealings with other immortals. Judging from the incredible talents developing these games, both are likely to be excellent and in all likelihood, will bring many RPG gamers in America to the 360, even if they were originally unwilling to consider the new hardware. However, even the promise of two RPGs, probably of Final Fantasy caliber, isn’t enough to bring Japanese gamers to the 360. According to Famitsu, a Japanese gaming magazine, approximately FIVE PERCENT of Japanese gamers are interested in the Xbox 360. This is certainly an incredible blow to Microsoft, who has taken many strides when it comes expanding its Japanese fan-base, and with numbers that low overseas, despite other games likely to draw a crowd, particularly Dead or Alive 4 and a new King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, Microsoft pulling itself up the ladder in Japan seems improbable at best, but what about its Japanese rivals?

more...

 

Also...

 

The first project

Uematsu is already involved in two of Sakaguchi's projects and will write music based on the scenarios. The two have both aged since the early Final Fantasy games and believe that the new games will be different from the FF games, and will be more deep. The first game will feature slightly atypical characters. Technically speaking there will be a levelling system, but it's more like emotional development. Rather than developing with singular big events, he wants to show the smallest changes of emotions constantly. There will still be big events with large impact though, just like the real world, as the characters are human. Author Kiyoshi Shigematsu is also involved in the project, writing short parts of the story, for example about the families or about a lover, so that the game is emotionally deep.

more...

 

Image from web-article

 

 

[Newtype]

http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EE...kyEHasmrPqu.php

[daytripper]

I heard about those errors but fortuneately never experienced them. I'm never going to say 'It was something they did' but I just find it odd that there's not more of these complaints if it was a manufacturing defect. I am curious to know what material they burned to the drive, if they plugged it in on-line, or if they set it up in an area with adequate ventiallation. It would be an interesting twist if they burned a copy of a Sony BMG disc to the harddrive, wouldn't it?

[Newtype]

It would be an interesting twist if they burned a copy of a Sony BMG disc to the harddrive, wouldn't it?

 

 

Both funny and ironic at the same time.

[daytripper]

according to various forums the problem seemed to be caused by the power supply overheating. Various measures were taken when adressing this problem, from simple (making sure its on a bare surface and well ventilated) to complicated (opening the case and relocating the power supply). This is easily fixed versus a more complex problem like manufacturing defects. If anyone is a release date buyer you all are familiar with this problem plauging new systems since the original release of the Playstation.

[JunkerSeed]

This thing looks like what my computer looked like a year ago... Hell, with screenshots I can't really tell the difference between this and an old X-box game. I'm pretty unimpressed right now. Especially for 400 bucks, 60 bucks a game and 40 bucks per controller. As far as the games go, Condemned looks good, but everything else is a newly polished version of something I can get somewhere else. Elder scrolls will probably be great, but I'm definately waiting on the Nintendo Revolution. Nintendo's the only company doing anything that resembles a new system.

[daytripper]

As I mentioned before, the launch games were weak (of what I seen so far). I still can't find a playable copy of Call of Duty 2. From what I'm hearing the anticipated games were not released for launch, which I am okay with as long as it's not rushed. But just the difference in the play and visuals of Halo 2 on the 360 makes it more than worth it, knowing that anyone I'm playing against on Xbox Live with the original Xbox is getting pwned because of the preformance difference