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Xbox 360 January Dashboard System Update Available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,
Microsoft has just released the January 2006 System Update for Xbox 360, highlighted by improvements to the Xbox Guide. Here are the details:
We’ve been listening to what the community has been telling us, so we’re happy to announce that this update will improve your gaming experience.
Here are some of the changes in this update:
Improvements to the Xbox Guide.
Option to retain your saved games when you delete a profile.
Increased accuracy of “last time played.”
Network configuration improvements for Xbox Live members in the Netherlands.
More detailed messaging for unreadable disk or region errors.
This free update is available to all Xbox Live members. Your console will be updated the next time you sign in to Xbox Live.
Boot up your 360 to grab the update.
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No Halo 3 in 2006?
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: First Person Shooters, Release Dates, Rumors, Xbox 360,
A GameStop insider claims that he received word via a company e-mail that Halo 3 won’t be coming in 2006.
In fact, here’s exactly what the reported e-mail says:
“Microsoft has stated that Halo 3 WILL NOT be released in 2006.”
Personally I don’t believe it. We all know that if Microsoft can get Halo 3 out the door in 2006, they will. But even if the game won’t make it out this year, why would Microsoft already be telling Gamestop? Telling Gamestop to forget about Halo 3 in ‘06 would kill hype for Halo 3, along with the 360, and probably lead more people to begin pre-ordering PS3s, and not purchase 360s, since they won’t be planning on needing a new Xbox for Halo 3 this year.
What’s with these Gamestop employees and rumors?
Xbox 360 Full Auto Demo Available Now
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Action, Driving, Release Dates, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace,
Earlier today, we were pleasantly surprised to log into Xbox Live and discover that SEGA’s Full Auto demo had been released. After a few minutes of downloading, we jumped right into the game. The main concept behind the game is this: get behind the wheel of a car and race to the finish line - while firing weapons at your opponents, utilizing boost, and gaining air.
Unfortunately, the play experience wasn’t as smooth as you’d hope it’d be. Reportedly, some 360s freeze when the game’s booted up. We didn’t have a problem with freezing though, and we doubt most people will. However, while the gameplay is a lot more polished than what was shown at E3 last year, it’s still not great. The frame-rate isn’t perfect and the controls seem off. Additionally, the game simply doesn’t have the sense of speed that other great races have. Still, the demo’s free and you might as well check it out. Full Auto hits February 14th.
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Marble Blast Ultra Available on Xbox Live Arcade
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Strategy, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace,
If you’ve been waiting for a new Xbox Live Arcade game, you may want to boot up your 360 now. Earlier today, GarageGames’ Marble Blast Ultra was released on the Live Arcade. We downloaded the game earlier, and we are impressed. The goal is to move a shiny marble around, navigating through platforms, collecting goodies, jumping, and reaching goals. This one will cost you 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Overall, there are 60 single player stages as well as a multiplayer mode.
Xbox 360 Shortage to Continue?
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Corporate News, Rumors, Xbox 360,
Kotaku reports of an article in USA Today that claims the Xbox 360 shortage will continue into the future. As unfortunate as a continued shortage is, we fully believe it. Microsoft originally planned to have more consoles out before the end of 2005 but as we all know, failed to do so. It seems like the company just overestimated its production capability - in pledging to ship so many consoles within a short period of time. Additionally, the worldwide release may not have been the best idea for production.
Read More 
| USA Today via Kotaku
No Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility Updates Until March
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,
According to Active Xbox, the backwards compatibility team over at Microsoft is taking a break and won’t be releasing any new BC updates until March. While this news is unfortunate, we recognize that the guys over in Seattle need a break since they worked their butts off to get over 200 games on the BC list for the 360’s launch. We have a feeling we’ll get along just fine without being able to play some old Xbox games since the 360 has a good number of solid games already - and EA’s Fight Night Round 3 will be out in less than a month.
Read More | Active Xbox
We knew the 360 hasn’t been doing well in Japan, but we were still surprised to find out that there are already used consoles for sale over there. I honestly laughed a little when I first read details of the news, but in all seriousness, this is very bad news for Microsoft. The company has been working really hard to expand its market share in Japan and honestly, it looks like it needs to do something different, and fast, if it really wants to get more people playing XBoxes over there.
Read More | I Wonder Too via Kotaku
According to a report at Xboxic, we may be seeing a large update to Xbox Live in the near future. “An inside source at Microsoft” has asserted that changes to the Dashboard, in-game problems, and the addition of web-cam capability will be seen in an upcoming Xbox Live update. Of course this is all a rumor, so we’re not sure what to think. If anything’s certain, we know we’ll see an Xbox Live update sometime, we just don’t know when it’ll be released or what it will feature. In the meantime, we’re left wondering.
Read More | Xboxic
Xbox Live Arcade Top 10 Sellers
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace,
IGN has reported the top ten best selling Xbox Live Arcade games. We can say we are surprised at the game that took the number one spot…
- Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
- Gauntlet
- Smash TV
- Bejeweled II
- Zuma
- Bankshot Billiards
- Outpost Kaloki
- Mutant Storm Reloaded
- Joust
- Wik: Fable of Souls
It’s good to see a variety of games (both old and new) on the list, but we’re looking forward to seeing more games being released on the Arcade in the new future, because in all honesty, there aren’t that many Xbox Live Arcade games available quite yet.
Read More | IGN
As we all know, the Xbox 360 cannot stream Xvid and Divx movies as is. Finally, thanks to a clever piece of software, it can. Basically, you can stream the movies by converting them to WMV format on the fly, but since the conversion time is so fast, you don’t really notice that it’s happening. Follow the lengthy (but useful) instructions from Casey over at Brains-N-Brawn.com.
Read More | Brains-N-Brawn.com
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