Xbox 360s investigated by Watchdog

BBC consumer affairs show looks into a number of complaints about hardware faults on Microsoft's console.

The show's presenters say that they have received 248 complaints about faulty Xbox 360s, and they believe they will receive more as further items come out of the warranty period.

Watchdog highlighted two cases in which consoles that had just come out of the one-year warranty period had shown the dreaded 'ring of death'--referring to the three red lights which appear on the console to indicate a fatal hardware fault. The two owners had to spend around £80 ($156) each to fix the fault--something they considered to be unreasonable not much more than a year after purchasing the systems.

The popular UK TV series, first aired in 1980, investigates consumer problems including faulty or dangerous goods.

A Microsoft representative did not appear on the show, although presenter Nicky Campbell read out the following statement that the company had sent to them: "Most people who have an Xbox 360 have an outstanding experience and there's no common fault. Each incident is unique, and looked at on a case by case basis."

10 New Xbox Live Arcade Games in Feb

“3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures,” from developer Wanako Games and publisher Sierra Online, allows gamers to putt their way through 36 fun-filled holes of manic minigolf action on wild courses that range from the Old West to outer space and feature a bevy of crazy hazards and obstacles.

“Alien Hominid HD” from The Behemoth features side-scrolling, hysterical cartoon action with a quirky twist and exclusive Xbox Live Arcade features.

“Band of Bugs” from NinjaBee is a fast-paced tactical strategy game that offers gameplay deep enough to satisfy tactical genre fans and friendly enough to appeal to casual gamers. Creative gamers can even design their own levels with the built-in level editor, then play them solo or over Xbox Live with friends.

“Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” from Konami is a faithful version of this legendary classic updated for Xbox Live Arcade and featuring the game’s full soundtrack and memorable side-scrolling vampire-hunting action.

“Catan,” from developer Big Huge Games Inc. and publisher Microsoft® Game Studios, is a faithful remake of the immensely popular strategy board game.

“Eets: Chowdown” from Klei Entertainment Inc. is a completely revamped version of the popular PC title of the same name. It offers new items, 120 new levels and the exclusive debut of Marsho Madness, a high-adrenaline action game in which players must keep the impending evil marshmallows at bay.

“LUXOR 2,” from developer MumboJumbo LLC, sets a new standard for action puzzlers as players match and shoot their way through the land of ancient Egypt.

“Paperboy,” from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Midway, is a classic coin-op hit, specially enhanced for Xbox Live Arcade.

“Root Beer Tapper,” also from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Midway, features fast-paced reflex action as players scramble to keep thirsty patrons happy without dropping root beer mugs in the scramble to earn the biggest tips.

“Worms” from developer Team 17 Software Ltd. features armies of adorable weapon-toting worms locked in tactical combat.

Bill Gates Doesn't 'get' the Mac vs PC ads

"I don't think the over 90 percent of the [population] who use Windows PCs think of themselves as dullards, or the kind of klutzes that somebody is trying to say they are," said Gates. "And I don't know why [Apple is] acting like it's superior. I don't even get it. What are they trying to say?" He continued, "Does honesty matter in these things, or if you're really cool, that means you get to be a lying person whenever you feel like it? There's not even the slightest shred of truth to it."

Nice one Bill,

Kotobukiya Grab Halo License

Excellent news... Kotobukiya announces a new partnership with Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios in order to produce collectibles based on the best-selling video game franchise.

Kotobukiya will release at a series of ARTFX Statues (12” tall vinyl figural statues) throughout 2007, featuring characters from Halo 1 & 2, as well as the eagerly anticipated Halo 3. Renowned for amazing sculpting, painting, and design, the Tokyo based company will endeavor to produce high-end merchandise for the discriminating Halo collector.

Hiruma, Deputy Chief of Kotobukiya’s Planning Division said, “We are honored to be able to work on such an incredible game. We are confident that the fans will like our stylish interpretations of the Spartans and other characters of the Halo universe!”

In order to ensure the highest possible level or accuracy and detail, all goods will be fully approved and authorized by the game creators of Bungie Studios. The Halo ARTFX Statues will be available on a worldwide basis, with character line up and release dates to be announced in the coming months.

”It’s our great pleasure to collaborate with the talented sculptors, painters and artists at Kotobukiya, and a true joy to see our favorite characters and creatures captured in this unique medium,” said Brian Jarrard of Bungie Studios.

The epic saga continues with Halo® 3, the hugely anticipated third chapter in the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax.

Halo 3 represents the third chapter in the Halo trilogy—an international award-winning action series that grew into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.5 million units worldwide, logging more than 650 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox Live®, and spawning books, a graphic novel, apparel, an upcoming film adaptation, and now Halo’s first ever high-end statue series.

Europe Gets PS3 Launch FINALLY!

Sony have announced the much delayed European PS3 launch as being the 23rd of March 2007, i believe they will sell well but not as well as they could have doone, i believe allot of people have spent their money on the excellent Wii and may decide to leave the PS3 for the time being.

The cost is what really offends me, £425 is a hefty cost for a console, bearing in mind the 360 cost £279.

Admittedly it does come with a 60gig hard drive which is better than the 360, but the 360 has a 100 gig on the way...

The ps3 does have free online access which is something i think Microsoft will need to address.

There will also be 30 titles available for launch, with the 20 gig cheaper version following later in the year.

Brutes Playable in Halo 3?

According to a post on a few blogs out of Europe, a new Halo 3 video will be headed to Xbox Live Marketplace on December 20 showing Brutes as playable characters. The alleged seven-minute video will also feature two and a half minutes of gameplay, which would make it the first time the public has gotten a look at the game in action.

These blogs belong to members of Belgium's Xbox Elite Team, a group of Xbox 360 gamers who are regional ambassadors for the system. Xbox Ambassadors are sanctioned by Microsoft but aren't actually employed by the company. Typically, Ambassadors are active community members willing to go the extra mile to help out others.

Gamespot.com can not confirm this but believe it to be Bogus until prove correct. we will have to wait and see.

Halo Lead Multiplayer Designer Leaves Bungie

For everyone who raves about Halo’s multiplayer, an announcement today from Bungie could potentially affect Halo 3’s multiplayer functionality...

Max Oberman who was the lead developer on Halo 2 and Halo 3’s multiplayer engine has chosen to leave Bungie after 10 years. Oberman has decided to form a new company called Certain Affinity based out of Austin, TX. His company will, no doubt, be one to watch in the future for amazing multiplayer console games. Their first Xbox 360 game will be announced sometime next year.

In an official statement, Oberman said “What we've accomplished with Halo 3 is extraordinary," Hoberman said. "Halo 2 turned the online world on its head, but Halo 3 is going to rip its head right off. I am proud of my contribution to the Halo series and have learned a lot from my friends at Bungie."

Thanks to 2old2play

I'm a Mac Microsoft Spoof

Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility Update

Microsoft's latest backwards compatibility update now updates the following original xbox games for use on the 360. 31 new titles in total:

New Games:

* Buffy the Vampire Slayer
* Dead Or Alive Ultimate
* Destroy All Humans!
* Dynasty Warriors 4 / Shin Sangokumuso3
* Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
* Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy
* Family Guy
* Far Cry: Instincts
* Incredibles/ Mr. Incredible (J)
* I-Ninja
* Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
* Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
* MotoGP
* Open Season
* Pariah
* Psychonauts
* Rainbow Six: Lockdown
* Rapala Pro Fishing
* Scarface
* Shark Tale
* Shenmue II
* Splinter Cell: Double Agent
* The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
* Ultimate Spider-Man
* Wakeboarding Unleashed: Featuring Sean Murray
* Whacked!
* Winback 2: Project Poseidon
* Xiaolin Showdown

Updated Games:

* Burnout 3: Takedown

Halo 3 Advert right here!

£1 Million Xbox 360's stolen

Two consignments of Xbox 360s has been stolen in the UK this week, reports regional newspaper the Express and Star.

The first occurred after a lorry was flagged down travelling south on the A38 at Hillards Cross. The driver, who thought he was being waved down to inform him of a problem with his vehicle, pulled over. The men then threatened him and dragged him out of the cab, they then made off with the lorry and £750,000 (approx $1.5 million) worth of consoles. The driver suffered minor injuries, and the lorry was later found--empty--further down the A38.

The second theft occurred in the Hellmann Worldwide Logistics depot on the morning of November 23, when a trailer containing £250,000 ($483,000) worth of Microsoft's next-gen consoles was taken.

Staffordshire police spokesman Peter Stevens said, "We are appealing for information from anyone offered [the consoles] in suspicious circumstances, such as in a pub, at a car boot sale, or off the back of a lorry, to help us track down those responsible."

Connect a PS2 Controller to your 360

I'm not sure why you would do such a thing, but this is very cool from Engadget

EA Announce Next Harry Potter Game

Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix videogame is in development. The game is scheduled for a July 2007 release to coincide with the Warner Bros. Pictures film based on J.K. Rowling's fifth book of the same title.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the first in the franchise that we have developed for the next generation consoles," said Harvey Elliott, Executive Producer at EA UK. "Together with current generation versions, we are creating an immersive and, above all, faithful Harry Potter experience that will both accurately reflect the world showcased in the film and also delight fans of all ages."

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is scheduled for release for the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation3, Xbox 360, PlayStation2, PSP, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Windows PC.

Read the full article here

Halo 3 screenshots galore!

AWESOME.

New Halo 3 Screenshot Rocks!

Bungie have posted the following image, stating that it was in-game footage and the first screenshot ever for Halo 3. Heres what they had to say.

First off, the screenshot. Here’s the deal. Brian grabbed a controller, moved the Chief up against a wall from a level in Campaign, and typed a debug command to take a shot. We ran the shot in Newsweek and then later, right here on Bungie.net. We took the shot at 2X so you could use it for wallpaper or whatever. But just to be clear, it’s a very ordinary, if atmospheric moment from the game. Well, ordinary in the graphical sense. Naturally that building is crawling with the Chief’s foes, and he’s not really going to get a chance to stand around chewing the fat.

C&C 3: Tiberium Wars heading to the 360

Actiontrip reports that EA Games have recently announced Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars for the Xbox 360 platform. In addition to the multiplayer game there will be additional downloadable content on Marketplace. They estimate a vague 2007 release date.

Superman Returns Demo Hits Xbox Live

You heard it, download at will! a lovely 905.42 MB file.

Halo Wars Images

Check these images out from halowars.com

Play.com's Halo 3 Release date

Play.com have the much anticipated Bungie game, Halo 3 as a 24th November 2007 release date, i wonder what truth there is to this?

take a look at the screen shot, what does everyone think? id say that was fairly late in the day for a release date!

I hope it comes sooner, but maybe we have a release date to look forward too? i wouldn't count your chickens!

Bungie's Halo Announcements

Bungie promised they would make some special announcements to coincide with Halo's 5th Anniversary and so here they are - and, frankly, they are a little... disappointing.

Maybe you were expecting in-game footage of Halo 3, or the launch of Bungie's Marathon on Xbox Live Arcade, or possibly even a playable demo of Halo 3. Don't hold your breath.

The first announcement is of the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta Test. Next Spring, Bungie opens the Halo 3 multiplayer beta to Xbox 360 gamers, allowing fans to try out an unspecified number of maps and game modes and to help Bungie make the strongest online game possible.

The second announcement is of a new Map Pack for Halo 2 on Xbox 360. These maps will be released exclusively on the Live Marketplace in the Spring.

And finally, there will be a new 60-second teaser of Halo 3 shown during an American Football game (ESPN's Monday Night Football game featuring the Panthers against the Eagles, to be precise) on December 4.

And, er, that's it.