The Console Wars: 08.21.2005 | Xbox 360, Playstation 3 PS3, Revolution

Saturday, August 27, 2005

X360 - Media Extender, and VISTA

"We spent some time talking to Microsoft about Media Centre and X360. We've got good news, and even better news if you are planning to upgrade to VISTA. Currently, X360 will run a Media Centre enviroment and, while this will need you to install some special PC tools on your Media Centre, setup is simple.

The difference from it being a normal Media Centre is that the X360 uses some of its processing power to render the Media Centre Screens - so it feels as if you are actually using a Media Centre.

The biggest news which we have heard is that when Windows Vista ships it will be Media Centre enabled as standard. This will also be able to talk to X360 and the enviroment will change.

If you wish to play a DVD via the Media Centre you can not stream this - it is only avaliable over the LAN, you can only do this with a local disk.

One other downfall is that the Media Centre Extender can not play anything bar WMV9 encoded video, even if you do install the DIVX codecs on your main Media Centre system." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/27/2005 07:18:00 PM // PermaLink //

Blu-ray DRM may cause BenQ delay

"BenQ may delay its schedule to produce Blu-ray Disc drives one or two quarters because of issues implementing the Digital Rights Management (DRM) employed by the Blue-ray Disc Association (BDA), according to local industry sources.

Production was originally scheduled for the first or second quarter of 2006.

BenQ has tentatively chosen the Blu-ray format over HD DVD, as its technology partner, Royal Philips Electronics, is a charter member of BDA, the sources pointed out.

In addition, DRM issues may cause CMC Magnetics and Ritek, the two largest optical disc makers in Taiwan, to delay their planned production of Blue-ray discs, the sources indicated.

However, the two companies will begin production of HD-DVD discs as scheduled, starting around the end of this year or early next year, as they only need to slightly adjust (using some additional equipment) their existing DVD production lines, the sources noted."

¶ D.Vader // 8/27/2005 03:13:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 at State of Play in Birmingham

"The October event will give attendees the chance to experience the Xbox 360 for the first time.

State of Play, supposedly the "UK's biggest ever videogame show," will take place at the Birmingham NEC from October 14th to 16th. The event will give the public the chance to play the big releases for this Christmas before they hit store shelves. It will also give many people their first taste of the Xbox 360.

The event is split into separate zones, each representing a different gaming genre:

* Hollywood Film Zone - catch the latest movies and play the latest movie related games.
* Combat Zone - With the best in combat and shooting games, this zone takes no prisoners.
* Urban Ghetto - Massive sound systems, street wear labels, skaters, BMX'ers, graffiti artists meet the coolest extreme sport games in the world.
* Pit Stop -The very best driving games, fully pimped up to the max with the best modified cars in the UK. All hosted by the Pit Stop Girls.
* The Den - Over 18's only allowed in the Den. Where gaming gets brutal and the results get messy!

Tickets for the show are £15 (plus a booking fee) and are available through Ticketmaster online or by phoning 0871 230 5440. Tickets can also be booked through the NEC box office on 0870 7636157."

¶ D.Vader // 8/27/2005 02:25:00 PM // PermaLink //

Friday, August 26, 2005

IBM, Toshiba & Sony Release Cell Details

By: Richard Allen

Over 500 pages of documentation pertaining to the Cell processor as well as Cell discussion forums are now available on IBM's website. The Cell processor was jointly developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony, Toshiba and IBM. It will be featured in the Playstation 3 console and is to be used in a myriad of applications.

The controversial Cell processor takes a departure from standard processor designs. The CPU impliments several Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) that work similar to Digital Signal Processors (DSP). The design is even more complex when you consider the processor does not accept out of order instructions. The Cell works in a manner that requires all instructions be in order. This explains why the CPU cache isn't that large, as in order instructions do not require as much indexing. Intel dropped the in order design when they moved to the Pentium series of processors.

All of these features will definitly make programmers lives more difficult, but in the end I believe the processor will find success. To view the documents and enter the forums, registration is required. Below is a quote from the overview of the literature.

"Cell architecture from 20,000 feet
A high-level description of the Cell Broadband Engine (CBE), the Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs), and how they work together.

Cell Broadband Engine Architecture V1.0
Like the Power Architecture, but different -- the CBE Architecture builds upon knowledge contained in the Power Architecture "books" and describes the app-level User Mode Environment (UME) and the OS-level Privileged Mode Environment (PME) in astonishingly rich detail.

Synergistic Processor Unit (SPU) Instruction Set Architecture V1.0
Somewhere between a general-purpose processor and special-purpose hardware lies the Cell SPU: designed to provide leadership performance in game, media, and broadband applications, this document describes the Application Binary Interface (ABI) of the Synergistic Processor Unit (SPU). Get to know all of its instructions.

SPU Application Binary Interface Specification V1.3
Including low-level system and language binding information, information on loading and linking, and coding examples, this specification defines the system interface for SPU-targeted object files to help ensure maximum binary portability across implementations.

SPU Assembly Language Specification V1.2
Unleash the full processing power of the SPUs -- you know you want to! This specification will prove an indispensable aid in your efforts as it takes you on a carefully-worded journey describing SPU assembly-level syntax and machine-dependent features for the GNU assembler (but serves as an example specification for other SPU assemblers as well).

SPU C/C++ Language Extensions V2.0
Describes the basic data types, operations on these data types, and directives and program controls required by the CBE specification; includes sample code.

Cell forum
Technical discussion of these documents is going on now at the Cell Architecture forum; comments and errata are welcome there also, or by e-mail to CBE_Documentation@us.ibm.com."

Link: developerWorks : Cell Broadband Engine Documentation

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 08:15:00 PM // PermaLink //

DOOM Theatrical Trailer (With "FPS" Sequence)

"See Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the exclusive trailer for 'Doom,' the long-awaited adaptation of the classic video game.

Synopsis:
There's a level 5 quarantine at a remote scientific research station on Mars, and the only souls allowed in or out are the Rapid Response Tactical Squad - hardened Marines armed to the teeth. The research being done at Olduvai station has unwittingly opened a door, and a legion of nightmarish creatures of unknown origin now stalks the countless rooms and tunnels of the facility, killing what few people remain. Sealing off the portal to Earth, Sarge (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and his team must use every weapon at their disposal to carry out their orders."

Link: Doom on Yahoo! Movies

Related Links:
Universal Pictures :: Doom :: In theaters October 21
Doom Movie Info - Yahoo! Movies

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 05:51:00 PM // PermaLink //

GC 2005: Xbox Live Demonstration

GameSpy has a video up from the Games Convention 2005.

Link: GC 2005: Xbox Live Demonstration

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 03:52:00 PM // PermaLink //

Hitachi unveils world's first terabyte DVD recorder

"Japan's Hitachi Ltd. on Wednesday unveiled the world's first hard disk drive/DVD recorder that can store one terabyte of data, or enough to record about 128 hours of high-definition digital broadcasting.

Hitachi, Japan's largest electronics conglomerate, is still a relatively small player in the DVD recorder market, trailing industry leaders Matsushita Industrial Co. Ltd., Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp.

But it hopes its new line-up, which also includes models able to store 160 gigabytes, 250 gigabytes and 500 gigabytes of data, will help boost its market share and turn its loss-making DVD recorder business profitable in October-March, the second half of the business year.

"We entered the market last year and have only been able to grab about 3 percent of the market. It's been hard to earn a decent return on investment with such (low) volumes," Norio Ogimoto, general manager of Hitachi's storage media group, told a news conference.

"But we plan on being profitable with these new models given the volumes and prices we expect to see from them," he said.

Hitachi said the new models would be the first on the market able to simultaneously record two high-definition programs, and it hopes this will be a key selling point given the spread of terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan.

The recorders will go on sale in Japan from next month. They are expected to retail from about 130,000 yen for the cheapest model to 230,000 yen for the one-terabyte recorder, which stores data on two 500 gigabyte hard disk drives.

One terabyte is equal to 1 trillion bytes of data. One gigabyte equals 1 billion bytes." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 01:45:00 PM // PermaLink //

INTERVIEW: XBOX 360 UNCOVERED!

INTERVIEW: XBOX 360 UNCOVERED!

"Regional vice president, Xbox, Europe, Chris Lewis cornered for highly enlightening Xbox 360 chat

"We've seen it a few times ourselves and sometimes we get almost blasé about how powerful it is." So says Chris Lewis - regional vice president, Xbox, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) - of Xbox 360, Microsoft's next-gen powerhouse that can catch even those company men who have had the pleasure of several fiddles by surprise, it seems. And that wasn't all Chris had to say on Xbox 360 when we cornered him recently for a chat about the console..." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 12:57:00 PM // PermaLink //

More Xbox 360 plans to be revealed ahead of TGS

More Xbox 360 plans to be revealed ahead of TGS

"Press conference on the 15th gets the Microsoft message out

Microsoft has announced that it's to host a press conference in Tokyo on the 15th of September, one day ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Game Show, with more of the firm's strategy for Xbox 360 in Japan expected to be announced.

So far, the company's plans for the Japanese market remain tightly under wraps - with the date, price and software line-up for the launch still unrevealed, despite the fact that US and European pricing was announced earlier this month.

Microsoft is likely to use the pre-TGS conference as a chance to discuss at least some of those details, as well as an opportunity to champion its newly-forged ties with Japanese publishers and developers.

The conference will be followed on the 16th by a keynote address at TGS from Microsoft's chief Xbox officer, Robbie Bach, with the other keynote at the show being delivered by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata."

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 11:26:00 AM // PermaLink //

Top ten next-gen comebacks

"By this time next year there should be three next-generation consoles on store shelves. Games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell, Super Mario and GTA are certain to appear at some point in the lifetime of these consoles, but what about the games that we hope to see, but might not. What franchises do we want to see on next-gen consoles and how likely are they to appear?" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 10:21:00 AM // PermaLink //

Revolution Controller Announcement Dated at Last! Mario and more…

Nintendo Revolution Controller Announcement Dated at Last! Mario and more…

"SPOnG can finally confirm the date by which the world will be relieved of the constant burden of wondering about what Nintendo’s Revolution controller actually is.

You’ll be pleased to know that a full explanation of Revolution will be made by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata during his Tokyo Game Show keynote address. This news represents completely finalised Nintendo plans – Iwata will fully outline The Secret on 16th September 2005.

Nintendo is assembling key media to attend this year’s show, due to take place between 16th – 18th September 2005. Iwata will make his presentation of current activities at Nintendo. He will outline current projects and will then - unveil the Revolution in all its glory.

The Revolution presentation will include an explicit outline of the hardware and its controller and input mechanic, as well as illustrate exactly how it will work. It will go on to show games running on the system and how they make use of the technology.

Mario 128, or ‘New Mario’ as it is dubbed internally at Nintendo, is expected to be the star of the show.

SPOnG has a record of perfectly outlining what Iwata’s keynote addresses will entail. And we can tell you with 100% certainty that in the next three and a bit weeks, we’ll all be looking at Nintendo Revolution controller hardware and accompanying games. Exciting times indeed."

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 09:56:00 AM // PermaLink //

XBOX 360 BACKWARD COMPATABILITY EXPLAINED

"Xbox 360 Core users won't be able to play most current-gen Xbox games without forking out for a hard drive, Microsoft sources confirm

After US marketing material was leaked onto the net earlier this week, suggesting that the Core version of Microsoft's Xbox 360 would not support backward compatibility without a hard drive, Microsoft sources have now confirmed that this is, for the most part, the case.

Previously, the company has explained that high profile Xbox games will be primed for use on its next-gen console on a game-by-game basis - however, it was unclear exactly what this would mean for end-users.

Microsoft has now clarified the process needed to play Xbox titles on the new console, kind of. For older current-gen games to run, you'll need an emulator sitting on your 360's hard drive - obviously this means that Core users won't be able to enjoy backward compatibility with these games without upgrading their machines.

Whether the emulator is a one-file-fits-all solution however, or if a new file is required for each original Xbox game, is still unclear - as is Microsoft's intended method of distributing the software. Although downloading the emulator via Xbox Live is the obvious solution, rumours are persisting that Microsoft may ship the Xbox emulation software pre-installed on hard drives.

Either way, it's not completely bad news for anyone still intending to pick up a Core Xbox 360 system at launch - Microsoft has stated that developers currently working on current-gen titles have now been invited to include the necessary emulation software on the Xbox discs themselves, meaning that a hard drive won't be necessary to play these games in the future.

But due to limited resources, with Microsoft's emulation experts being assigned to assist developers keen to offer cross-generation compatibility, this will still only apply to key Xbox titles, and only key Xbox titles that have recently gone into development at that.

By the sounds of it, your best option for guaranteed backward compatibility at the moment is simply to hang on to your Xbox."

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 09:06:00 AM // PermaLink //

Origen 360 Update 08-25-05

Origen 360 Update 08-25-05

"The viral odyssey continues, new info included.

Last weekend Microsoft launched a cryptic new web site at origenxbox360.com. The site is composed of a single page of flash showing a tree, a green bunny, and a numerical countdown in the background. This sort of thing is old hat to gamers already acquainted with Microsoft's previous viral marketing campaigns ilovebees and ourcolony. Considering the approaching launch window of Xbox 360, this time the stakes are a bit higher.

For a synopsis of what has already appeared on the site please see our original article.

Recently the site was updated with slight changes made to the original display. The bunny shape has been moved to the other side of the tree, which is now sinking into a black hole in the ground. The tree is also a slightly different shape and appears to be bearing fruit. A comparison between the two pictures is included below in an animated GIF that switches after a few seconds.

We've received numerous submissions concerning the meaning of this new viral campaign including hidden clues concerning the original post and the new update."

Related Links:
Origen Xbox 360
Gamem8ker and Our Colony: Not An Alternate Reality Game
I love bees

¶ D.Vader // 8/26/2005 08:26:00 AM // PermaLink //

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Final Fantasy XI - Xbox 360: Screenshot

Final Fantasy XI - Xbox 360: Screenshot
Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Square Enix Genre: Role-Playing Release Date: TBA

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 10:38:00 PM // PermaLink //

Frame City Killer - Xbox 360: Screenshots

Frame City Killer - Xbox 360: Screenshots
Publisher: Namco Developer: Namco Genre: Action Release Date: Q4 2005

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 10:25:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360: New Tech Specs Details Surface

Xbox 360: New Tech Specs Details Surface

"Back in June, when we interviewed Todd Holmdahl, Corporate Vice President of the Xbox Product Group at Microsoft, and the man in charge of more than 1,000 engineers, we asked him if he could provide further details on the Xbox 360 CPU such as manufacturing process, the amount of transistors and other technical data that geeks like me find exciting. Unfortunately, Microsoft could not disclose such information at that time.

Today the desired photos showing the CPU and GPU die in complete nudity have made their way onto the Internet. We presume, due to some of the labels, that these pictures come from Asia.

The picture below is the first photograph of the Xbox 360 processor die, showing the physical design of the three-core CPU that powers the next-generation Xbox." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 06:06:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 Shortages Already?

By: Richard Allen

According to the retailer GAME located in Great Brittan, they are unable to take any more orders for the Xbox 360 Premium System. On their website, they indicate the demand for the Xbox 360 Premium package has been so high, they are not confident enough stock will be available on launch day. At this point Microsoft hasn't even begun mass production of the console, so it seems GAME is taking a conservative approach.

On the other hand this does stink of a PR ploy to generate more buzz about the system and perhaps garner more pre-orders in the process.

"IF I ORDER NOW AM I GUARANTEED A CONSOLE FOR LAUNCH / CHRISTMAS?
Unfortunately not - demand for Xbox 360 has been phenomenal. We have now sold out of our expected first allocation and are unable to promise delivery before Christmas if you place an order after 14:30 on 22nd August 2005. It’s always possible we will still be able to secure you a unit for launch, but unless we are 100% confident we are not willing to make you that promise.

HOWEVER...
We are able to continue to take orders for our first allocation of the Xbox 360 Core System until further notice.

I HAVE ALREADY ORDERED - CAN YOU GUARANTEE DELIVERY FOR LAUNCH DAY?
If you ordered before 14:30 on 22nd August 2005 then, essentially, yes. But we can only guarantee this as much as anyone can guarantee anything - it's never going to be cast-iron. So, allowing for acts of God or alien invasion, then yes. We're gamers too, and understand why you want it on day of release (believe us, we do as well) - and we will do everything in our considerable power to get it to you in time. Our track record on preorder delivery, especially when it comes to new hardware launches, is untouchable."

Link: GAME.net: Xbox 360 FAQ

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 03:39:00 PM // PermaLink //

SEGASonic:TV Returns

PRESS RELEASE: SEGASonic:TV Returns

Episode 4 available on Friday 26th of August

UK 21st August 2005. The only Sonic the Hedgehog TV show available for download from the internet will be making its acclaimed return with SEGASonic:TV Episode 4.

There has been a 6 month wait for this new episode and is packed full of new material for viewers to watch. SEGASonic:TV, better known as 'SS:TV' is a fan made video in the format of a TV show providing the latest news, Sonic the Hedgehog media and fan creations.

Not only is the show back but it has had a cosmetic makeover according to the shows producer ManicVJ: "The way the show looks and feels has changed from the first half of the season, it will feel more like a TV show and will be giving the viewers what they want. This show is gonna rock!"

The show is also receiving high resolution support says the shows director, FastFeet: "The second half of this season will see every episode in high quality 640x480 resolution and in Divx video for best viewing quality. We want the fans to enjoy Sonic the Hedgehog through new mediums and SS:TV aims to do just that."

The show itself previously had 3 episodes which are to be re-released in a higher quality format for download. There are also plans to release SS:TV on DVD with plenty of unseen extras when the season finishes. This will be available from the Sonic Stadium store.

SEGASonic:TV Episode 4 will be released by FastFeet Media on Friday the 26th of August. You can download the show on the day from FastFeet Media (http://ffmedia.sonicstadium.org) and from the official mirror; Sonic On The Net (http://www.soniconthe.net).

= About SEGASonic:TV =
SEGASonic:TV was created in November 2004 by FastFeet Media. Even today it is the only show of its kind available to Sonic the Hedgehog fans, since the release of episode 1 in late 2004 the series has had over 500 downloads.

= About FastFeet Media =
FastFeet Media is a Sonic the Hedgehog fan website that is all about downloads and broadcasting. They are host to audio, video and many other mediums. They also freely dispense Sonic MP3's, Video and many other Sonic the Hedgehog related files.

FastFeet Media was created in October 2003 to help the Sonic Stadiums bandwidth problems by offering FTP services, ever since then FastFeet Media has grown to become the Sonic the Hedgehog community's largest media portal.

http://ffmedia.sonicstadium.org

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 02:17:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 Dev Kit Photo

"The last few days have been really busy in what regards to the Xbox 360, with the official announcement of the price of the Xbox 360, the peripherals last week at the Leipzig Game Convention. Then, to close a wonderful week comes this misterious site called Origen Xbox 360.

Today, we bring you a picture of the current Xbox 360 development kit. A close-up reveals that the name of the Xbox 360 SDK is "XBOX360 XeDK". We guess the "Xe" stands for Xenon, the Xbox 360 codename.

In the picture, you'll see the Xbox 360 in a black enclosure and a little adenum on the far right that is part of the XeDK for debuggin purposes but won't be present in the retail Xbox 360. Make sure to click on the picture below to view the photo in high resolution."

Related Link:
Xbox 360 Dev Kit

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 01:54:00 PM // PermaLink //

Sony Blu-Ray Drives on Ebay!

It appears as though someone either has gotten their hands on a few of Sony's unreleased Blu-Ray drives. There are 5 available with a buy it now price of $3875.00, bidding is open to the US only. The auction contains quite a bit of information about Blu-Ray technology. Below is some information taken from the auction.

"Included in this Auction
Sony "Blu-Ray" 27GB High Definition HD DVD Disc Recorder + Remote Control + Cable Accessories + Operation Manual (in Japanese) + One(1) blank "Blu-Ray" recordable disc. No additional parts or accessories are included in this auction.

Item will arrive in an unopened manufacturer box from Sony and is brand new. The recorder is not refurbished but includes firmware external to the United States. As a result, on-screen display text and included manual is in Japanese. Unit will operate in the United States and includes all necessary power connections so you can get started working with the new "Blu-Ray" technology the same day it arrives. "

Images from the auction:

Link: eBay: Sony Blu-Ray High Definition DVD Recorder Player Blue (item 5799532876 end time Sep-15-05 10:15:00 PDT)

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 11:07:00 AM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 On Tour in Japan

Xbox 360 On Tour in Japan

"Microsoft sponsors tour for popular band, Dragon Ash.

Xbox 360 is slowly starting to establish a public presence in Japan. Following a few ads in Famitsu and Famitsu Xbox, Microsoft is taking a much louder approach with its latest campaign: sponsorship of a live tour by one of Japan's hottest bands.

Microsoft will be sponsoring an upcoming tour by Dragon Ash. The tour, which starts off in Tokyo on 10/27, is officially called "Xbox 360 Presents Dragon Ash Tour ~ Rio de Emocion ~ Powered by Asahi Super Dry."

The nature of the sponsorship is unclear at this point, but if playable kiosks are available, you can bet we'll pay the 5,600 yen standing fee to get closer to the Japanese X360.

Following the Tokyo event, the tour will continue with events in Osaka, Sendai and most other major Japanese locations, coming to a close on 12/16 in Fukuoka."

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 10:57:00 AM // PermaLink //

PlayStation 3 pulling a head-fake on the Xbox 360?

"Is Sony engaging in early damage control – or some incredibly savvy (and risky) marketing? I'm starting to wonder if Microsoft might have gotten suckered.

As you may have heard, the company unveiled plans last week for two pricing levels for the Xbox 360. The $400 package is significantly more expensive than console prices of the last few generations, but it offers everything you need to really see the machine at its best. A bare-bones $300 version falls into traditional pricing structures, but won't fully showcase the power of the 360.

Microsoft would never acknowledge that perceived competitor pricing played into its decision – and that may very well be true. But it's worth noting the company made the plunge past the $300 point at the same time Sony has been shouting far and wide – to anyone who will listen - that the PlayStation 3 is going to be an expensive piece of hardware.

Last month, for instance, Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi reportedly told attendees of the company's PlayStation meeting "I'm not going to reveal [the PS3's] price today. I'm going to only say that it'll be expensive."" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 10:34:00 AM // PermaLink //

Blu-ray Hoping for Standard

Blu-ray Hoping for Standard

"Toshiba says talks with Sony for a single DVD format are over, but Blu-ray still sees a ray of hope.

Toshiba says it doesn’t expect a single DVD format to emerge before its next-generation machines reach stores this fall, but the Blu-ray Disc Association said on Wednesday that negotiations may not be completely over.

The association is banking on the reported delays of HD-DVD rollouts for an opportunity to revive talks with Toshiba and the HD-DVD camp, said Marty Gordon, spokesperson for the association and the vice president for corporate alliances at Philips Electronics, which backs the Blu-ray standard.

Toshiba and Sony, who are heading their respective rival camps’ HD-DVD and Blu-ray, have been in a three-year format war for the next-generation, or high-definition DVDs and DVD players. Both standards promise better pictures and sound, plus higher storage capacities.

The two Japanese consumer electronics giants have been in talks to unify the format for months but have not come to any compromise. Both camps have spent millions of dollars to develop this technology for what In-Stat estimates is a $40-billion DVD market in 2005.

‘Some products will try to bridge the two formats, but there is a price penalty for that.’ -Wolfgang Schlichting, IDC

“There are widely reported delays with the release of HD-DVD, and if that is the case, we hope that might buy us more time for further discussion,” Mr. Gordon said. “From our perspective, we are very open to continuing the discussion.”" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 10:24:00 AM // PermaLink //

Ultimate Xbox 360 Bundle - $1199.83!

No this Xbox 360 is not gold-plated. It just comes with all the fixins that a fanboy needs! GameStop.com has posted 4 Xbox 360 bundles priced from $699.91 up to $1,199.83.

Xbox 360 - Ultimate Bundle Includes:

Xbox 360 System
Perfect Dark Collector's Edition
Project Gotham Racing 3
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Dead or Alive 4
Call of Duty 2
GUN
Quake 4
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Condemned
Madden NFL 06
Kameo
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit
Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery
Xbox Live 12 Month Card
1 Year Product Replacement Plan

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 09:53:00 AM // PermaLink //

Wire: Kynogon announces Kynapse for Xbox 360

Wire: Kynogon announces Kynapse for Xbox 360

"Currently three games being built on Kynapse engine.

Kynogon, the developer of RenderWare A.I. announces that Kynapse SDK is available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Kynapse state-of-the-art A.I. SDK is now combined with the power of Xbox 360. Game worlds are alive, populated with credible characters; players face realistic opponents and are accompanied by convincing allies.

"Xbox 360 is a very exciting platform for Kynogon. Its architecture and performance offer tremendous opportunities for behavior simulation. As of today, 3 games are being developed using Kynapse on Xbox 360 and we are confident that the Xbox 360 will enable new game-play and character behaviors never seen before." - Pierre Pontevia, Kynogon CEO

"Harnessing the power of Xbox 360, game developers will be able to create stunning high-definition 3D worlds. But these lush environments will only truly be brought to life through credible AI, and gamers are increasingly demanding intelligent NPC behavior. Kynapse offers game developers the features and tools they need to solve the complex AI issues of next generation console games."
Tracey Frankcom, Program Manager, Xbox Tools and Middleware"

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 08:34:00 AM // PermaLink //

Chinese Online Publishers Sign 'Beijing Accord'

"Chinese government officials have unveiled new plans to discourage users from playing online games for more than three consecutive hours. Officials first announced plans to limit online use in August, when they also banned anyone from under the age of eighteen from playing online games where it was possible to kill other players.

"This timing mechanism can prevent young people from becoming addicted to online games," Kou Xiaowei, deputy director of the Audiovisual and Internet Publication Department of the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), said during a press conference, in remarks reported by China's Interfax press agency.

The new system, developed under the guidance of GAPP, cuts the ability level of a player's online game character by half after they have played for more than three consecutive hours. Once a player has played for more than five consecutive hours, the system cuts the ability level of that player's character to the lowest level allowed by the game. Players must be logged off for a minimum of five hours before the system resets.

The system also lowers the ability of players to find treasures or prizes available in an online game after they have played for more than three consecutive hours, but it does not at any point actually prevent the user from playing the game or communicating with others online. Development of the system is scheduled for completion at the end of September 2005 and will become compulsory by at least spring 2006.

Seven of China’s largest online games publishers – Shanda, NetEase, The9, Optisp, Kingsoft, SINA and Sohu – have already agreed to the measures and signed up to an agreement nicknamed the “Beijing Accord”, which will see them pledging to "sacrifice short-term revenues" to create a "healthy" environment for young Internet users."

¶ D.Vader // 8/25/2005 12:42:00 AM // PermaLink //

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Prey - Xbox 360: Screenshots & Video

Prey - Xbox 360: Screenshots & Video
Publisher: 2K Games Developer: Human Head Studios Genre: Action Release Date: 2006

Prey teaser 320x240
Windows Media required 5.2MB

Prey teaser 640x480
Windows Media required 7.5MB

¶ D.Vader // 8/24/2005 11:53:00 PM // PermaLink //