Games
Blu-ray on Xbox 360 Not Going to Happen
The post published by us about the Blue Ray on XBOX 360 was nothing but just the rumors. Chris Lanier in his blog post have pointed out some of the serious issues which strongly disagrees with the addition of Blue Ray to Xbox.Here is what it reads-
Jason Unger of CE Pro does have the basic rundown of the issue, but don’t believe that Blu-ray is on the way to the Xbox 360.
Among the reasons behind these are the issues which are strongly against addition of Blue Ray to Xbox 360.
Quickly…
- Blu-ray support means adding a Java-based BD-J interactivity layer to the Xbox 360. Highly doubtful to ever happen
- The video/audio codecs are not really in question here, both HD DVD and Blu-ray use the same basic codecs.
- Blu-ray has extra DRM in BD+. The Xbox 360 can already do AACS, but they are not going to add BD+ support. Microsoft has been opposed to it from the start.
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Blu-ray Xbox 360 Planned By Microsoft
Rumours were circulating today that Microsoft is set to dump HD DVD and bring out a Blu ray Xbox 360 by as early as May 2008. The move will allow the Company to go head to head with the Sony PS3 gaming console which has been credited with being one of the main reasons that retailers have preferred Blu-ray over Toshiba’s HD DVD.
Insiders at Microsoft in the USA have told SmartHouse that Microsoft has already configured a standalone Blu-ray player that can be connected into an Xbox 360 and that subject to internal marketing and sales approvals the model could be on sale within 3 months.
The Company has also been working on a built in Blu-ray player however insiders are claiming that Microsoft see the HD format battle moving online with consumers offered 1080p movie and content files as a download as opposed to having to buy a HD DVD or Blu-ray disc.
Both Intel and Microsoft have been supporters of the HD DVD format that is set to be killed off this week.
Source- SmartHouse
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Microsoft Launches New Xbox 360 Console for Families
Just in time for holiday, Microsoft Corp. today released a new Xbox 360® console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an incredible value of $279.99 (U.S. estimated retail price)*. Available in stores beginning today, Xbox 360 Arcade console is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games, a wireless controller, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection to enable high-definition output if desired and 256 MB of memory useful for storing games and entertainment content. At $279.99, the Xbox 360 Arcade console will include five best-selling games: “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.), “Uno” (Carbonated Games), “Luxor 2” (MumboJumbo), “Boom Boom Rocket” (Electronic Arts Inc.) and “Feeding Frenzy” (Sprout Games).
“As families gather together this holiday, it’s the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “In addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun, the Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing — and we know how important that control is to families around the world.”
Karen Dodge, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer at Toys “R” Us, added, “We are excited to offer this new gaming experience to our customers — children and families — who can now enjoy the fun of Xbox 360 together. Many of this holiday season’s hottest items provide Internet connectivity, and with the online entertainment options available through Xbox LIVE®, Xbox 360 Arcade offers families a great mix of online content and traditional gaming in one console.”
source- Microsoft Press release
Halo 3 wasn’t the last game in the Halo series!!!!!!!
Bungie’s Community Leader Brian Jarrard has revealed that Bungie are already at work on another Halo game, but strictly speaking it is not Halo 3 but is based on the Halo universe and is a collaboration between Bungie and Peter Jackson. Jarrard simply stated that Halo 3 was definitely not the last Bungie Halo game. Moreover, he tried to dodge a question about how they would pitch future titles as they are an independent company which suggests that such a title could actually go multi-platform.
1UP: For all the super fans: does this mean Bungie won’t work on whatever "Halo 4" turns out to be?
Jarrard: Well we are already at work on another Halo game — I wouldn’t call it "Halo 4", but it is based in the Halo Universe and represents a collaboration between Bungie and Peter Jackson. Halo 3 was definitely not the last Bungie Halo game.
1UP: And perhaps most importantly, this means we’re going to finally see some progress on Pimps at Sea, right?
Jarrard: Fortunately, Bungie LLC does retain ownership of the Pimps at Sea franchise so anything is possible!
Source: 1UP
Halo 3 finally available in the market
The much awaited game Halo 3 is now available at the different stores in US and is also available on net.
More than 10,000 retailers are planning events and opening their doors at midnight to celebrate this third installment in the billion-dollar franchise. In New York, Seattle, Miami and Los Angeles, Microsoft and retail partners are hosting marquee launch events that will feature contests and appearances by local celebrities and celebrities and professional athletes who are fanatical about the “Halo” franchise.
A list of retail outlets opening at 12:01 a.m. can be found at http://www.xbox.com/unitetofight.
Made exclusively for Xbox 360, “Halo 3” is made available in three versions: Standard Edition at $59.99 (U.S. ERP*), Limited Edition for $69.99 (U.S. ERP*), and the ultimate collector’s item, the Legendary Edition at $129.99 (U.S. ERP*). The Legendary Edition will be released in limited quantities and arrive in a highly collectible Spartan helmet case, along with two bonus discs full of exclusive content. The Limited Edition will ship in a sleek metal collector’s case and include the first bonus disc found in the Legendary Edition, as well as a special “Halo” fiction and art book. And for those who crave nothing more than the highly anticipated third chapter to one of the greatest gaming trilogies of all time, the Standard Edition will consist of the “Halo 3” game.
All the games freaks who can’t wait for it just go here and order one for yourselves -http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/buyNow/h/halo3/
Halo 3 and the Silverlight technology
Halo 3 and Silverlight are proving the ultimate combination: if you want access to all the latest and greatest Halo 3 content, then you’ve got to have Silverlight installed on your machine.
Today Microsoft just published the Halo 3 Game Guide online; it provides in-depth information on game play, the story so far, the key characters and the vehicles at your disposal. It’s pretty neat. In honour of the imminent launch of Halo 3, the Tafiti experimental search interface is also wearing a rather attractive "Master Chief" skin as reported by us earlier. Lastly, all the Halo 3 trailer videos are of course available in high-definition exclusively using Silverlight, with a bunch more coming over the next few days.
Source- Blogs.msdn.com
Xbox Live India Service officially announced by Microsoft
On September 17, 2007 while the rest of India was dreading those weekly Monday blues, we had an exciting event to attend. Microsoft India would be organizing a press event surrounding its much-awaited Xbox LIVE online gaming and entertainment network in the country. The event took place at Taj Lands End located in Bandra, Mumbai.
While it is already available in over 25 countries worldwide, India was left out of this for nearly a year now since its launch. We were awaiting this day with much anticipation as we couldn’t wait to get connected via Xbox LIVE using our Xbox 360 console. Present at the event was Mohit Anand, Country Manager- Entertainment and Devices Division Microsoft India. He took the audience (which was quite scarce by the way) on a round trip of Xbox LIVE, explaining all the possible things that gamers could enjoy using this service.
So what are the activities that one can do on Xbox LIVE. Well, for starters the Xbox LIVE network connects you with over 7 million members across 26 countries that now includes India.
Here is some of the content that you will soon be able to access via Xbox LIVE:
For those who are not into hardcore gaming, there are loads of casual games, puzzle games, card games, board games and arcade games such as coin-operated and retro classic.And for those who cannot do without connecting with their friends and chatting, there’s the option of using Windows Live Messenger that allows you to text chat while playing games. A very useful peripheral for the purpose of easy texting was unveiled at the event. Called the Chatpad, this peripheral is required to be attached to the Xbox 360 controller.
Mr.Anand said that the launch of Xbox Live in India is a major milestone, and he also stressed on the fact that this service is one of the USPs of the Xbox 360 console.When asked whether any India-centric content would be available, Mohit Anand assured that we would be seeing such localized content ‘very soon’. Other Xbox 360 accessories besides the text input device (chatpad) unveiled at the event were the wireless headset and the Webcam which would aid gamers when connected to millions of other people via Xbox LIVE.
Source- www.techshout.com
