Xbox LIVE being discontinued for Original Xbox consoles and games

"I wanted to let you know that on April 15, 2010 Microsoft will discontinue Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox 1 games playable on Xbox 360. Our first step in this process will be to turn off auto-renewals for those members who only use Xbox LIVE on a v1 Xbox. While I can’t comment on the specifics, this change will allow us to continue evolving the LIVE service with new features and experiences that fully harness the power of Xbox 360 and the Xbox LIVE community. We did not make this decision lightly, but after careful consideration and review we realize that this decision will allow us unprecedented flexibility for future features. 

 

Xbox LIVE general manager Marc Whitten (Gamertag Notwen) has posted this letter to the community which provides additional context.

 

The best is yet to come, and we look forward to sharing more details in the near future." – Major Nelson

Gears of War 2 Achievement Hacking: Banning has begun…

From Major Nelson:

"As you know, we are committed to keeping Xbox LIVE a safe and fair place to play for the more than 17 million active members. As part of our regular safety monitoring we have pinpointed a group of players who have unlocked specific Gears of War 2 Achievements through an unauthorized hack. Deliberate cheats like these are in direct violation of the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and will not be tolerated. As I post this, we’ve begun taking steps to reset the Gamerscores of the offending players.  As I have mentioned in the past, this is something we do occasionally to keep the service free of cheating in order to maintain a fair and level playing field for everyone. If you play fair and earn your achievements without glitching or cheating, you have nothing to worry about. Read my original post that shows what a cheater looks like and head over to Xbox.com to read the Gamerscore correction FAQ that may answer some of your questions."

 

 

PS3 (v2.50) update Available Now!

Now on to the PS3 v2.50 update. The latest features/enhancements include:

• Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset – we’ve told you about the upcoming Bluetooth Headset and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Bundle on the Blog. This latest firmware installment enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. On top of that, an added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.
• PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements – I know that many of you are busy collecting trophies and raising your PlayStation Trophy level. This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you’ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend’s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today.
• Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.
• Video – This update adds the Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.
• PlayStation Store – We’ve added a redeem codes option right on the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.
• Power Save Settings – You can now set your PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.
• Background Downloading – You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.
• In-game Screenshots – this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.
• In addition to all of the features above there are some additional features and enhancements included in 2.50. Once the update launches, you can read all of the details here.

The support for the Bluetooth Headset will be of particular interest to all of you SOCOM fans. With the “Proximity Chat” feature, SOCOM: Confrontation gameplay is intensified as it allows you to experience high-quality voice playback in full surround sound. Whether the action is near or far, Proximity Chat clearly matches distance to sound effects and voiceovers within the game, putting you in the heart of the action.

Enjoy and please share your thoughts with us.

The New Xbox Experience

Click HERE to see the New Xbox Experience

Preparing for the Fall Update!

PlayStation 3 Firmware Patch 2.42 released

The US PlayStation Blog is reporting that Firmware 2.42 has launched on the PlayStation 3, although it only contains a minor fix.

“This update improves the playback quality of some PlayStation 3 and PlayStation format software,” said PlayStation Network director Eric Lempel.

PS3 Update 2.40 GOES LIVE !

As of today, you can download the new update for the Playstation 3 2.40 which now has a trophy section that now can be compared to your friends. Go check for yourself and let me know what you think?

Nintendo launches WiiWare: an open playground for creativity

Nintendo’s Wii console has already changed the way people play games. Now its new WiiWare service decisively tears down limitations for how developers create games – and the way people receive them.

Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection can download new, creative games from a wide range of developers, from large publishers to indie shops. By reducing the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive, WiiWare showcases original ideas in the most democratic environment in industry history, connecting the people who make games more directly with the people who play them.

WiiWare frees developers from the traditional constraints of video game development. WiiWare lets developers experiment with big ideas and small budgets to the benefit of players everywhere. Newer, smaller teams now have an outlet for their creative ideas. The constantly growing WiiWare library will have a regular flow of unique video gaming experiences consumers might not otherwise have access to.

"WiiWare is to the video game industry what independent films are to Hollywood," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "WiiWare lets developers experiment with new ideas and experiences. Combined with our collection of classic Virtual Console games, Wii provides one-stop shopping for the greatest games of the past – and the future."

WiiWare games are easy to download. Just go to the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel, find the game you want, redeem Wii Points and start the download. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. New games, at various Wii Point values, will be added to WiiWare on Mondays. The newly launched Nintendo Channel on Wii will let people view videos of and read information about WiiWare games and other Nintendo products. Users also can see player opinions to help them decide what to play next.

Today, the inaugural lineup of WiiWare games is just a taste of things to come:

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.

LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand – from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You’ll wield your Wii Remote controller to power Toku’s jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds’ novel, intuitive and playful control system.

Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?

Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone – casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.

V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen – Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.

TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you’ll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.

For more information about WiiWare, visit WiiWare.com.

Xbox 360 getting its own Wiimote?

That’s what one anonymous developer is saying, but it sounds like Microsoft’s purported "X-mote" project (well, that’s what I’m calling it, at least) is stuck in the mud, at least for now.According to MTV News’ anonymous source, Microsoft and Rare (the developer of "Perfect Dark Zero") have been working on a "motion-sensitive controller" for the Xbox 360 since last summer.

The plans for the remote look a lot like the Wiimote, but minus the Nunchuck, and would include four face buttons, an analog joystick, a microphone, and Xbox Live Vision support, the source told MTV.

Microsoft supposedly wants the "X-mote" out by the end of the year, but MTV’s mole says that Rare, which is taking point in the project, is missing deadlines, and that "the whole thing is a colossal cluster—-," according to the MTV story.

As MTV points out, Microsoft execs has expressed passing interest in a Wiimote-type device for the 360, although Bill Gates himself has said that "it’s something that’s not for mainstream gamers."

MTV says that "several developers" confirmed that a "motion-controlled" remote for the 360 is "in the works," although they were sketchy on the details.

It’s an interesting development, but even if the story is true, there’s one big problem—the "X-mote" (that’s my name for it, not Microsoft’s) wasn’t part of the original Xbox 360 platform, and that means any support for an X-mote would be spotty, at best.

For example, would we get patches to make "Halo 3" or "Call of Duty 4" work with the new remote? Maybe, maybe not (and online multiplayer modes—with some players using standard controllers and others using X-motes—would be thrown out of balance by a new controller).

Now, motion-controlled accessories made for specific games—like, oh, "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" or ported Wii games—could be well worth talking about. (I’d happily pay $100 for the new Star Wars game plus a custom 360 lightsaber.)

And of course, the ultimate solution would be baking a motion-sensitive controller into the Xbox 720 or PS4, when they arrive in the next decade.

So, what do you think—would you pay up for an X-mote? Or how about a new game with its own custom motion-sensitive controller?

Xbox 360 Halo 3 Edition

         Ok, here I am, back, and ready to review the new Xbox 360 H3 System.

Its really something, at first I ddn’t llike the color, but, having it in my hands, is a whole different story.

Obviously, I went and pick up my system Sunday the 16th. Went and bought the HDMI cable, then I got home

install eveerything, and of course, I swap hardrives, since I’m using a 120gb. But I had a little problem. I connct the HDMI calbe from the system to HDTV, so far so good, but then when I tried to connect the optical cable for the surround sound, It won’t fit. I just found out that if I want to use optical cable with the HDMI that I needed to buy the Microsoft HDMI cable with sound adapter, what a rip-off. So I went to the store and returned the HDMI cable I got and maybe at a later time get the MD HDMI. Oh yeah, the system works great, the exclusive Theme and pics (Check my gamerpic) are not that great, actually the Bestbuy free pics look better. I will be posting the photos really soon!