Games
Gamefest 2008 Presentations: Now Available on PC!
This year’s Gamefest included exciting announcements about Games for Windows - LIVE and Xbox LIVE Community Games. Now, you can enjoy the interesting and informative Gamefest 2008 presentations from the comfort of your own home! We’ve posted many of the presentation’s slides and audio at XNAGamefest.com Enjoy!
Source- MSDN Blog
Dolby Digital 5.1 and the Dolby Game Studio Program
Game audio is more important and complex than ever before. A top-selling title increasingly relies on cinematic, high-quality sound. In this session, learn tips and techniques to make your Xbox 360 game sound better. The session will deal with bass management and downmix considerations for the Xbox 360, then move on to mixing techniques for your game audio engine. We also discuss the mixing environment and lessons learned from Dolby’s Game Studio Program on acoustics, reflections, and the LFE channel.
Announcing the Nemesis® NXT® for Flight Simulator!
I am proud to announce the project that has had me busy for the past 3 weeks … the Nemesis® NXT® project for Microsoft Flight Simulator! Created by Jon & Patricia Sharp, the Nemesis® NXT® is the premier Sport Class racer at Reno. Jon plans to shatter the 3Km speed record for his aircraft’s weight class this week at AirVenture. Jon & Patricia have partnered with Eaglesoft and myself to create the MS FS version. The FS version is based on the actual CATIA model used for wind tunnel testing and manufacturing of the real NXT® kit. Without further adieu, I present the Nemesis® NXT®!
These shots are very early representations of the aircraft and will most certainly change as the project progresses. Stay tuned!
Source- polypoke spaces
Games for Windows LIVE Multiplayer now FREE
Introducing Games for Windows – LIVE, the free gaming service built for Windows that makes great Windows games even better. With Games for Windows – LIVE, you get an online identity – called a gamertag – and a friends list that works across multiple games, the XBOX 360, and even the Zune music service. You can easily find and communicate with your friends online with text and voice chat. Earn achievements and Gamerscore that lets you track and compare your accomplishments.
Play multiplayer games with your friends, or play against new opponents online using our exclusive TrueSkill™ matchmaking system – with other Windows® players or with or against XBOX 360 players (in supported games.)
All of this is possible today – and at no charge.
Source- Gamesforwindows
Demo Released for Tales of Vesperia
The Tales RPG franchise celebrates its tenth anniversary with the release of Tales of Vesperia™, exclusively on Xbox 360®. Tales of Vesperia brings the popular real-time RPG fighting system and a brand new cast of characters into a world struggling with an ancient technology, the blastia, and the empire that controls the blastia.
Tales of Vesperia has a beautiful aesthetic style.
The game follows the adventures of Yuri, a former Imperial Knight and the colorful members he meets along the way. Yuri travels with Repede, his loyal canine friend; Estelle, a sheltered noble looking to explore the world and find her path; Karol, a young member of the Hunting Blades Guild; and Rita, an outspoken mage researcher.
The beginning of the demo takes place shortly after Yuri and his companions have met up with Rita. After hitting a snag with the empire’s soldiers, they must detour through the forest battling ferocious inhabitants and a huge monster that has been attacking the neighboring villages.
Strategically string together sword combos and use your artes (magic) and items to their fullest potential to make it through the forest alive. Using your over limit allows you to string together even more attacks, and tailoring the battle strategies of your companions can give you that extra edge in battle.
In Tales of Vesperia, the artistic style is so detailed and animated, it truly blurs the line between animation and gaming. Try the demo available from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace July 14!
Source- XBOX
New Xbox Experiences Reinvent Home Entertainment, and Everyone Is Invited
As Xbox 360 readies for the next wave of audience expansion, Microsoft Corp. today announced a new Xbox experience that will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, changing the way we play games, watch movies and TV shows, and even become contestants in game shows. It all begins this fall with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use.
The announcement was made during the E3 Media and Business Summit in Los Angeles. It came amid the unveiling of an exclusive partnership with Netflix Inc. that will give Xbox 360 users instant access to more than 10,000 feature films and television shows with a click of a button.
Also on the docket: The best and broadest entertainment lineup the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has ever seen. In its strongest broadening play yet, Xbox announced Xbox LIVE Primetime, the next evolution in game shows slated for Xbox LIVE this fall; TV shows and movies from world leaders in entertainment including NBC Universal, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, SCI FI Channel and USA Network domestically and Constantin and MGM internationally; and blockbuster games “Lips,” “Rock Band 2,” “Scene It? Box Office Smash,” “You’re in the Movies” and the much anticipated “Final Fantasy XIII.”
Source- Microsoft Press Release
Guitar Hero III: Coldplay Track Pack - Available Today
Xbox Live and Coldplay fans can have access to a trio of Coldplay tunes today. It will cost you 500 MS Points but Chris Martin is worth it. There have been a few other releases this month and you can check them out below.
Coldplay Track Pack (available June 19)
Price: 500 MS Points
Songs: "Violet Hill" (from the band’s latest album, Viva la Vida), "Yellow" (from the album Parachutes), and "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (from the album A Rush of Blood to the Head).
Isle of Wight Track Pack (available June 12)
Price: 500 MS Points
Songs: "Shoot the Runner" by Kasabian (memorable performance from 2007 Festival), "I Predict A Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs (2008 Festival headliner), and "Problems" by The Sex Pistols (2008 Festival headliner).
Motörhead Track Pack (available June 5)
Price: 500 MS Points
Songs: "(We Are) The Road Crew," "Stay Clean," and "Motörhead" all performed by Motörhead.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock downloadable content is instantly playable and available in the Downloaded Songs set list in all game modes (Career, Co-op Career, Quickplay, Multiplayer, Practice, and all Online modes). Be sure to check Xbox LIVE® Marketplace regularly for the latest tracks.
Source- Channel 10
LEGO Indiana Jones Demo Available
The LEGO Star Wars video games are one of my personal favorites. The inventive title is also great for kids too, because a lightsaber that breaks a few lego bricks apart is much easier to pass by parents than the alternative. Now there’s a new LEGO game based on Indiana Jones and the only place to get the game demo (on any platform) before the movie comes out is at GamesForWindows.com.
The full game has 60+ playable characters and plenty of familiar scenes. The PC game also supports widescreen and Xbox 360 control (for Windows).
