Dwayne's Blog : Xbox

E3 Wrap Up!

dwaynef — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:19:00 GMT

So a few days after the wrap of E3 2009, just a little recap of the big Xbox 360 announcements made (will be expanding this post over the next day or so, so check back).

Main announcements re Xbox 360 interface, Live functionality changes

- Addition of social networking to Xbox dashboard by way of Facebook & Twitter access from Xbox 360

- Video marketplace being replaced by Zune Marketplace, will include instant streaming of 1080p Movies (seperate from existing Netflix service).

- Avatar changes including props and possibility of avatar stores to pimp your avatar

- For the UK audience (lucky %^&*'es), Sky access via Xbox, including an option to watch a game with your buddies (avatars together and trash talk)

Game announcements and previews (my highlights)

- Forza 3 to be launched in October, 400+ cars, graphics bumped up considerably and improvements to community options that already exist

- Bayonetta, beautiful game that can be best described as a cross between Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry with a female lead character

- Samurai Showdown, amazing graphics bump, same characters (btw, game developers, doing stuff like taking away Galford's dog makes no sense)

- A Metal Gear Solid game coming to 360 (albeit minus Snake)

- Noteable mentions to Lost Planet 2, Halo, Prototype

- More music games, including a DJ Hero (controller is a turntable like device)

Controller/Interface announcements

- Natal (there is no spoon), the controller where you are the controller

- In case you did miss it, there was a 3rd party with a Xbox 360 motion based controller as well

- Skateboard controller for new Tony Hawk game (yes you stand on it)

All in all, a really good E3 for the 360

Getting your Xbox fixed

dwaynef — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:12:00 GMT

So if you are one of the unfortunate ones with your Xbox hardware failing, remember to go to http://support.xbox.com/ and click on the hardware link.

Remember the RRoD error is covered for 3 years, most else is 1 year (check site for details, I'm not the authority), also even if your 360 is out of coverage, you can send it in to be repaired (I believe it's a fixed fee, $99 and you get some new coverage), so may be better than a new buy.

Developer's 360?

dwaynef — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:47:00 GMT

Microsoft announced a developers version of the Xbox 360 with some tweaks like more memory, etc, but also visually so much more appealing

Blog with more pics here

and yes .. I do want one ...

New Xbox Experience

dwaynef — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:51:00 GMT

So the NXE (new Xbox experience) has gone live, change from the "blades" menu of old to a much more 3D type system. Changes to marketplace, Netflix streaming available for members who are both Netflix and Xbox Gold members.

More details at Xbox.com

XNA Games on Xbox

dwaynef — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:14:00 GMT

XNA is a framework and development studio created by Microsoft to help create games for Windows & Xbox (for anyone from hobbyist to independent game shop).Number of cool communities springing up around XNA games with lots of help and game examples.

Take a look at the XNA Creators Club and some of their XBox Games created by their contributors.

XNA Site, XNA FAQ, XNA team blog here

Game Development forums on MSDN here