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Week of January 22, 2006
Team Xtender XCM 360 Full Case Design Contest
>> From teamxtender.com:
[QUOTE]
Welcome to Team X-tender's XCM 360 Full Case Design Contest.
Design a Case Mod for the Xbox-360 that you would like to see us[Team Xtender] make, post it on this thread and you will have the chance to win the following:
* A FULL XCM 360 CASE MOD THAT YOU HAVE DESIGNED YOURSELF OR A CHOICE OF OUR OTHER XCM 360 CASE MODS!
(All submissions and designs are the property of Team X-tender and may be used by Team X-tender)
We have already worked with one X-S member to create the "X" design. A "X" window cut out from the top panel of the Xbox 360 with Green LEDs behind! Submit your entry now and WIN!
Note: TeamXtender reserves the right to manufacture any and all designed submitted in this thread. TeamXtender will retain ownership of all designs submitted, whether we use them or not. TeamXtender reserves the right to add/or change conditions at any time. Submit as many designs as you wish
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.teamxtender.com
Submit your entires here on Xbox-Scene Forum: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 28 January 2006 14:02 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Japanese analysts weigh in on next-generation consoles
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
Credit Suisse's Defibaugh commented that the Xbox 360's sales in Japan were predicted to be low, but its actual performance was even lower. He thinks that the Japanese market will be dominated by the PS3 if the Xbox 360 continues to see sluggish sales in the country.
Daiwa Institute of Research senior analyst Eiji Maeda says that Microsoft isn't out of the race yet; the company had released its console half a year before its competitors, which gives it an upper hand in mass production and cost cutting.
Defibaugh and Maeda both think the PlayStation 3 will have half of the market in the worldwide next-generation console war by the end of 2006, followed by the Xbox 360 at 30 percent, and the Revolution at 20 percent.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamespot.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 28 January 2006 00:43 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
HSDEMONZ - I have NOT been contacted in any way by ANY 360 chip 'devs'
>> We usually don't like to address rumors, but I'm personally sick and tired of the comments and questions I've gotten this past week. So I'm going to address it, and expose the liars. It has come to my attention that people are going around the site and irc, and making claims that I, HSDEMONZ, have been intentionally with-holding information and photography regarding the 360 modchips in development.
These claims usually start with "I sent HSDEMONZ and.." someone else was given or sent documents and photos of the chips in question. Let me state this very clearly, I have received only one letter, it was an emailed reply, from a single "team" (I use that term loosely) which was a reply to my request for chip pricing. That email, was, and has been the only message, correspondence, etc I have been given or received from anyone claiming to have a 360 chip in the works. (The funny part of that email, was that the pricing for chips went higher as you ordered more chips. Seriously, that chip team is either fake or stupid, or both?)
I think that any chip team that wants to be recognized, and respected, would actually try to get in touch with us. I've received no correspondence to that effect. So as of this writing, short of that pricing list from a team I won't name, but was named in the blacklisted411 article we posted news about before, I haven't received anything worth reporting. I post this now so that all of you who have "credible sources" saying otherwise, have played you all for fools. Get new sources folks, they lied to you. Imagine that!
When there is something REAL to post about 360 chips, you'll see it here on this news page.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Discusses Japanese 360 Launch Issues
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft of Japan officials reflected on the Xbox 360's faltering launch in that territory. To date, the system has sold less in its first month on shelves than the original Xbox did in its first three days, with only 107,800 units as yet moved.
"It was a lot more difficult than we had imagined. We couldn't prepare the launch titles that we had promised, and it made an impact," said Microsoft of Japan Xbox chief of operations Yoshihiro Maruyama about the difficult launch. Two games in particular were planned as launch, only to see delays: Dead or Alive 4, the new entry in the most popular Xbox series in Japan, missed the system launch by several weeks, and the game's first RPG, [em] -eNCHANT aRM, was pushed back by a month.
Another factor affecting the launch, said Maruyama, was an ineffective marketing campaign based around the 360's HD-video capabilities. "We also received some criticisms toward our promotions, saying that people don't understand what high definition is. The Xbox 360's main appeal is high definition, but we couldn't successfully convey it."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Gentoox Loader v6.02 and more ...
>> From ShALLaX on gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
First off, the good news. Gentoox Loader(info) v6.02 is out!
+ Reboot while network client/ server active: If you have selected Net Flash, Net Boot, Web Boot or Web Update and want to cancel the operation, you can now press "X" on your Xpad(info) 3 (long) times (approx) and the Xbox will reboot. The reason I say "approximately" is because sometimes Gentoox Loader doesn't register button presses due to the way the TCP timer functions - if it doesn't reboot first time, just keep pressing.
+ You can now select the URL where your packlet is located (see Net Boot notes in the manual)
* IP selection much nicer: You can press left/right on the D-Pad now to scroll up and down through the numbers. The "A" button will skip upwards by 10.
* Timeout on text menus and timeouts shown when active: Selected text menus can now have timeouts (currently only the IP menu does). When a timeout is active in any part of Gentoox Loader, the seconds remaining are shown in small brackets on the screen.
* Greatly lowered the menu timer latency (10ms now instead of 75ms). This provides for a much more responsive GUI.
You can grab this update from here. You can also get the XBE update by running magic, and soon "Web update" will be active. Thanks to "cheesyboofs" for the push of inspiration on this release.
Now for the sad news. My development, and oldest Xbox, which has been with me for just under 3 years (probably 3 years next month) died on me. The scary thing is, it died just after my final test of this new Gentoox Loader. You don't have anything to worry about, though. The Xbox went up in a ball of flames and clouds of smoke. I tracked the problem down to some of my wiring which had become trapped between the casing after I last closed the box up (which I had assumed would be for the last time). The insulation on the wiring had finally given away and two wires touched. This instantly ruined the modchip along with the on-board flash circuitry. It wont even boot with the modchip totally removed.
What does this mean to you? I can no longer work on anything flash-related for the Xbox as I have no means of testing. I'll try and source a raincoat flashable modchip, but thats going to be low priority at the moment.
Anyway, comments on the new release are appreciated. While I make no guarantees that it won't make your Xbox go up in smoke, I'm 99.9% sure that Gentoox Loader wasn't the cause.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New Asia Pacific Launch Dates for Xbox 360
>> From Team Xbox Blog:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft today announced new launch dates in Asia Pacific for the Xbox 360, the next generation video game and entertainment system from Microsoft Corp.
In Hong Kong and Singapore, the Xbox 360 will now be released on March 16, 2006. In Australia and New Zealand, the new launch date is March 23, 2006.
The new launch dates have been set due to unprecedented global consumer demand stemming from challenges in ramping supply for a complex product like the Xbox 360. This is a short term manufacturing challenge and steps have been taken to increase supply to meet the strong consumer demand for the console.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: Team Xbox Blog
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xenium Gold 24K Samples Pictures
>> We received pre-production samples of the new Xenium(info) Gold 24K modchip from Team Xodus. Here are some quality and detailed pictures as you are used to see from us. Click the pictures for a high-resolution version.
This new version of the Xenium is now 24K-gold plated on both top and bottom of the PCB. You'll also notice the modchip is much smaller then the Xenium Blue/ICE (see size compared to the headerpin on the 3rd picture below for example).
The package we got came with an USB adapter, pinheader and cable with plug for D0/LFRAME but that might change for the retail version. The chip is expected to hit retail stores soon.
More Pictures:
* ModChip close-up shot1: low-res | high-res
* ModChip close-up shot2: low-res | high-res
* Top Modchip Angle2: low-res | high-res
* Bottom Modchip Angle2: low-res | high-res
Official Site: http://www.teamxodus.com
Pre-Order: Xenium Gold $50 (NoSolder v1.0-1.6x $60)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Profits Up 5pct
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has announced a 5 percent increase in profits for the quarter ending December 31, 2005, despite Xbox 360 supply problems.
Net income for the quarter was $3.7 billion, and revenues for the quarter hit a record $12 billion, up 9 percent over the previous year.
The Home and Entertainment division - the one that houses Xbox operations - lost $293 million, compared to a $55 million profit during the same quarter the previous year. Revenue for the division was reported at $1.6 billion for the quarter, compared to $1.4 billion a year earlier.
Operating income declined 2 percent from the same time last year to $4.7 billion, thanks in large part to Xbox 360 launch-related expenses.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
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(Thursday 26 January 2006 19:03 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XCM360 Faceplate Pack 1
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(Thursday 26 January 2006 16:36 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Handheld Coming?
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Although Microsoft has made no concrete plans to go ahead with the risky venture, sources say that the company has assembled a team to evaluate its feasibility. The device would likely target the huge potential audience that embraces the iPod, although Xbox head Peter Moore said "It can't just be our version" of Apple's player.
Moore also said that Microsoft may use the recognition of the Xbox brand to put some leverage behind this theoretical product. However, as BusinessWeek points out, the brand, which is primarily related to videogames, may not appeal to a wide variety of consumers as a non-Xbox brand would.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz and businessweek.com
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(Thursday 26 January 2006 15:04 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Fighter Update from Team AfterShock
>> Shizno of Team AfterShock posted an update about 'Fighter', a homebrew fighting game (style: Street Fighter 2/EX) currently in development:
[QUOTE]
Well I have done quite a bit more work on the game lately, particles are now scriptable per character so Scorp/Sub can make you bleed while Street Fighter characters have the 'color particle explosion' effect.
I also decided on a single skeleton to be used for every character so now each character can have their own unique throws/moves and apply the reaction animation to the enemy, if your character is too big/small/has weird limbs he will be classed 'unthrowable' (think old school bosses)
The engine is coming along nicely, Sub Zero and Scorpion are 100% playable and their moves work nicely, Sub can freeze you and Scorps spear is 100% working and his teleport punch works nicely also.
We also need some more artists to come and do some extra characters so if anyone is interested in putting in some work come to #a-shock on EFNET.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://aftershock.xbox-scene.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Gentoox Resctoox v2.4
>> ShALLaX released a new version of Gentoox Resctoox(info) v2.4:
[QUOTE]
Some may consider this a major new feature. After some great testing by Carlewy I have managed to add native G support to the native conversion script found in Resctoox. The native conversion script allows a loopback E: installation to be moved natively to F: and now to G:. For this to work on a G: partition you must (obviously) have a G partition, and the F/G partition MUST exist at the 137GB boundary. I do not recommend using the 'g' option on a drive smaller than 160GB. The theory has been tested but the final script has NOT so its released largely on a "suck-it-and-see" basis. Any comments are most welcome!
You can grab it from here. The netboot packlet has also been updated (though this update will need some time to propagate through the SourceForge mirrors - dont be shocked if you still see it booting Resctoox v2.3 for a while yet).
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com/
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
dvd2xbox v0.7.3
>> WiSo released a new version of dvd2xbox(info).
What's new/fixed:
* skinning: added new item dvdxbeicon which displays the embedded xbe title image when a XBOX game DVD is loaded
* added: support for SmartXX(info) V3 and OPX LCD
* added: MP3/OGG to Samba ripping
* added: TheSpecialist unlocker code. This should fix the 11MB video issue which some softmods still have (hopefully)
* added: a shutdown menu to the mainmenu (Reboot,Shutdown,Open/Close Tray, Launch DVD,press Y to activate)
* added: dns lookup. The freedb IP could now also be a hostname
* added: check if the SMB destination directory exists. if it exists a number to the directory name is added
* added: text extensions for the viewer can be choosen in dvd2xbox.xml. Viewer called via the action menu displays all files
* gui: some change to the file manager inputs to have it a little bit more like XBMCs file manager (Trigger for fast scrolling, black to open the drive menu, white to open the action menu, A to start xbe's and view text files, B to navigate one folder up, Y to highlight files)
* fixed: Video DVD-]SMB and ISO-]SMB copy was broken
* fixed: video replacement during copy GAME -] SMB
* fixed: fileprogress greater than 100%
* fixed: emergency key combo (LEFT+RIGHT TRIGGER + Y) sets the skin back to the right default skin
* fixed: null byte files failed to copy via SMB
* skinning: dvd2xbox checks for the file startup.xml to ensure a dvd2xbox skin
* skinning: alignment for text and menu items [align]right[/align] (left,right,center)
* skinning: updated Project Mayhem III skin to the newest version
Official Site: http://dvd2xbox.xbox-scene.com
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
Download Sourcecode: here
News-Source/Full Readme: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox Likely to Stay Scarce Into Spring
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
In an article in yesterday's USA Today, Circuit City's Jim Babb said, "We think supplies are going to remain pretty tight for the next 90 days." The company is still not actively promoting Xbox 360.
John Davison, editorial director for Ziff Davis' games mags said, "Microsoft needs to get the supply-and-demand situation nailed real soon. If it drags out much longer, it's just going to promote apathy rather than excitement."
Richard Doherty, research director of the Envisioneering Group. "Damage to Microsoft and 360 is growing every week with no clear explanation. The silence is unfair to consumers and fans alike."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
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(Wednesday 25 January 2006 13:43 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
The Xbox 360 GPU - Interview with B. Feldstein ATI VP Engineering
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft revealed that the Xbox 360 will feature a custom ATI graphics processor that clocks in at a blistering 500 MHz, with 48-way parallel floating-point dynamically scheduled shader pipelines and 10 MB of embedded RAM. Do all those numbers mean nothing to you? Don't worry.
We had the chance to interview Bob Feldstein, Vice President of Engineering, ATI Technologies, Inc., to learn more about the development and power of the Xenos GPU.
* TeamXbox: Before we continue, we never had the chance to clarify the correct name of the Xbox 360 GPU. Some call it Xenos, others C1. Sometimes it was known as R500. But the rumor was that ATI wanted to avoid that codename because it could make the Xbox 360 GPU look less powerful than ATI's R520 PC part. So, what is the Xbox 360 GPU codename?
* Bob Feldstein: The Xbox GPU had nothing whatsoever to do with the PC products. R500 was never an internal name for the Xbox. Internally we called the GPU, interchangeably, C1 and Xenos. C1 was a code name defined before we had the contract, Xenos was the project name after the contract was won - but C1 stuck in everyone's minds. Once we started calling it C1, it was hard to change.
* TeamXbox: The interface to the system's memory is 128-bit. Isn't this a bottleneck considering the bandwidth-intensive tasks performed in the GPU? Why was a 128-bit bus selected when PC parts already implement 256-bit buses in their high-end editions?
* Bob Feldstein: Excellent question because it gets to the heart of what is right in the system design. We have a great deal of internal memory in the daughter die referred to above. We actually use this memory as our back buffer. In addition, all anti-aliasing resolves, Z-Buffering and Alpha Blending occur within this internal memory. This means our highest bandwidth clients (Z, Alpha and FSAA) occur internally to the chip and don't need to access main memory. This makes the 128 bit interface to system memory, and the ensuing bandwidth, more than enough for our needs because we are offloading the bandwidth hogs to internal memory.
* TeamXbox: When the Xbox 360 GPU features were unveiled, Nvidia expressed doubts about unified shader architecture, particularly about its performance. Do you think Nvidia's comments are due to no Nvidia part, not even the RSX, having a unified shader architecture yet?
* Bob Feldstein: Oh yes. Very much so.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole 4-page interview on teamxbox.com.
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(Wednesday 25 January 2006 01:21 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-01-24 CVS T3CH build *UPDATE*
>> T3CH released a new CVS compile of XboxMediaCenter(info).
This T3CH-compile is a BAREBONE package (with just a few thirdparty scripts and with just the default skin) compiled with XDK v5849.
A special note in the readme of this release:
[QUOTE]
In case anyone missed it, XBMC now features the Trainer "engine" from Team Xored.
To save you some trouble, I (only this once) included a bunch of trainers (all are untested), they may work, they may fail. Next T3CH they will be gone again from release ;)
Known issue: XBTF trainers don't work yet.
New entry to XboxMediaCenter.xml: <trainerpath>$HOME\system\trainers</trainerpath>
[/QUOTE]
*UPDATE* There is a (bad?) trainer included (with this T3CH build).
It is called 'Evt-sdr2.etm' (298Kbytes). If this isn't removed, XBMC will crash during the "Update trainer list" scan. So please remove this file (default t3ch location for trainers is /system/trainers/).
The XboxMediaCenter manual has also been updated with information about the trainer feature, check it out on manual.xboxmediacenter.de.
Here's the added stuff from the changelog since the 2006-01-18 CVS release:
* added: cpu usage to codecinfo overlay
* added: Karaoke to left and right rather than just center, thanks to erpi99.
* added: Ability to set default settings for all movies from the video OSD.
* added: xored trainer engine! thanks to team xored and to britneyspair for skinwork!
* added: adplug codec to paplayer. add .adplug to the end of the filename of the file you want to play.
* added: new builtin command, xbmc.extract(rar/zip file). IMPORTANT: requires absolute paths. thanks to darkdonno459.
* added: Skinnable LCD. See lcd.xml in the system folder.
* added: ability to select dvdbutton by remote button number (thnx to jdoering)
... rest of changelog (including many fixes): here.
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Discussion Forum Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Altus - Xbox Package File Manager v1.0
>> From the readme/nfo:
[QUOTE]
Altus - Xbox Package File Manager v1.0 by DarkNeo & XIU
Altus is a plugin based application for manipulating Xbox package formats. Currently there is no ability to add/remove files, although the structure is in place, just need the plugins to support it. I started writing this program because every time a new development was made it spawned off a new program, we have quite a lot of programmers on the scene if they're all writing the same thing we're just wasting time.
Included Plugins:
* ImageReader Plugin - Reads any ISO/360/BIN/TAO Xbox image, it will read a burnt Xbox DVD in a standard DVD drive, plus it will unlock and read from original Xbox drives.
* BF Plugin - Reads King Kong .bf files
* XZP Plugin - Reads .zxp format (mostly noticed on the Kiosk disc)
* XIP Plugin - Reads .xip files from the original Xbox
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by DarkNeo & XIU
Download: here
Full NFO: xbins.org
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(Tuesday 24 January 2006 17:30 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Microsoft Reponds to Original Xbox Distribution Stop
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
We just heard back from Microsoft about the rumor that the company has stopped manufacturing the original console [note x-s: or "distributing" as I think MS stopped making the original Xbox long time ago].
In a nutshell, their official response is that they do not provide details on manfacturing for their console. Here's the longer version, which sorta dances around the question.
"Our plans for the Xbox version 1 platform remain unchanged from what we discussed last year at E3. We expect to continue to sell Xbox V1 consoles well into CY2006. We have more than 800 Xbox games in the portfolio today with many more being added in the coming years. Xbox V1 is a great value for consumers and we expect to continue to see good demand for the platform in CY2006. We don't provide details on our console manufacturing plans for either the Xbox version 1 or the Xbox 360."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Still Working on BC Games
>> From xbox360.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft still plans on making Xbox 360 backward compatible (BC) games prior to March 2006, the company told IGN today, contradicting a report posted earlier alleging it has halted work on said titles.
In an official but canned statement, Microsoft said this: "The backward compatibility updates are not on hold, and we're working to deliver them as soon as possible. We don't yet have a delivery date for these and will update you as soon as we can."
Microsoft said the information originally generated from a podcast that was misinterpreted.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: xbox360.ign.com and Xbox Team Blog
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Tuesday 24 January 2006 12:45 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
wxRipper v1.2 and wx360 v1.6
>> Gael360 released a new version of his tools to dump Xbox 360 discs with a PC DVD-drive using an hot-swap method (means you'll have to open your drive - see previous news). This is a translation from french to english of what he said on the gueux forums about the new release:
[QUOTE]
I just released a big update of my tools, you will now be able to find the 'magic number' immediatly, without having to scan an unknown Xbox 360 DVD.
So there's no longer a difference between known and unknown games, they will all be detected/dumped the same way.
The advantage of this method is that you will be able to use wx360 directly to open the content of the DVD without having to dump it first. After doing the hot-swap you'll just have to open wx360, select the DVD-drive and click the DVD icon.
wxRipper will thus have a feature to find the 'magic number' immediately, without scanning the Xbox 360 DVD. The features related to dumping did not change.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://bouclier.free.fr
Download wxRipper v1.2 (includes wx360 v1.6): here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Tuesday 24 January 2006 01:14 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XCM360 Faceplate 'Ocean Blue' Revealed and Case Concepts Considered
>> I'm privileged again to have some more inside info on the TeamXtender.com's Faceplates and Xbox360 Full Case replacements. (I like the exclusives, they like the exposure)
As you can see, the picture above is the first photo released of a production color for the new TeamXtender.com's XCM360 Faceplate line. It's a thing of beauty. More interestingly, They sent me a collection of photos. Nay, make that concept renders/ideas for the Full 360 Case they are making.
Concept "X", Concept "Square"
It's pretty clear that TeamXtender is watching and listening to the members of the scene, and some designs are definitely scene inspired. Trying out ideas for Window designs from the looks of it. Probably looking for more feedback, so if you have any, post in the forum thread that follows. I'm eager to see these come to market in one form or another. I'm sure many of you are too.
Manufacturer's Site: TeamXtender.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
JoyStiq/Engadget Interview with Peter Moore
>> Another interview with Peter Moore, this time by the guys over at JoyStiq and Engadget:
[QUOTE]
* JoyStiq: How much is that drive going to be?
* P. Moore: Don't know. We haven't made any pricing decisions, but clearly it'll be cheaper than the standalone.
* JoyStiq: How long do you think it's going to be until we see developers come out with a game or a couple of games that really push the capabilities of the console?
* P. Moore: This year.
* JoyStiq: Early this year? Second half of this year?
* P. Moore: Well, there are titles that excite me right now like Elder Scrolls - Oblivion 4. The team that has done all our Ghost Recon, there's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. The scenes I've seen look spectacular, and their ability to take advantage of Xbox Live is huge. Even Lara Croft is looking great, so Lara's coming. And then of course we've got Ninety-Nine Nights out of Japan that we are very excited about. The real title that I think everybody's looking at is Gears of War, and we're allowing Cliffy B. and the boys that extra time to not make it a launch title. They're brilliant at what they do, and we've continued to show the progression of Gears of War, whether it's at E3, and then XO5, and then TGS. That will be a huge title, and then Crackdown from Real Time Worlds is a title that I am very excited about, having seen some of the latest builds just recently. Very unique art style, very unique camera perspective of how you play the game.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole interview on JoyStiq or Engadget
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
No More Hot Booth Babes at E3?
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
The consequences of the "Hot Coffee" GTA mod are far from over and it seems that the long arm of law is reaching not just game retailers, but the industry in general. The IGDA's Sex SIG got access to a copy of the 2006 E3 Expo Exhibitor's Handbook and found out that the new rules put a defacto censorship to any material, including games and booth babes, with partial nudity or sexually explicit/provocative content.
According to Page 13 of the Exhibitor's Handbook:
Material, including live models, conduct that is sexually explicit and/or sexually provocative, including but not limited to nudity, partial nudity and bathing suit bottoms, are prohibited on the Show floor, all common areas, and at any access points to the Show. ESA, in its sole discretion, will determine whether material is acceptable.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: teamxbox.com.
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(Monday 23 January 2006 18:14 EST) - (Category: GamingGeneral) - (Posted by::
)
Jade .bin re-pack tool
>> Yesterday xor37h released JADE .bin Unpacker, today he released the a Jade .bin re-pack tool on xboxhacker.net.
It allows to both pack and unpack .bin files of the JADE Game Engine used in the .bf file of the Xbox 360 game King Kong:
[QUOTE]
JADE Game Engine .bin file pack-tool v1.0 by xor37h/hitmen
using LZO real-time data compression library (v2.02, Oct 17 2005).
With this tool you can decompress and recompress the extracted .bin files from the extracted KingKongTheGame_clean.bf bigfile on the 360 kiosk disc. It should work on other packed .bin files using the JADE game engine.
depacking -> repacking will not produce a 1:1 identical file due to the fact that the lzo algorithm gives different compressed output depending on library version used aswell as the machine it is running on.
depacking -> repacking -> depacking will produce a 1:1 identical file.
The file size of the repacked file will often (but not always) be the same.
I have allready tested the following:
1. extract KingKongTheGame_clean.bf
2. unpack a .bin file.
3. change some strings
4. repack the .binfile
5. rebuild KingKongTheGame_clean.bf
6. load it up on a 360 and see the changes without any problems.
[/QUOTE]
Download: here
News-Source: xboxhacker.net
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Team Xored and XBMC: Working Together as One
>> We received this press release from Team Xored:
[QUOTE]
The most advanced and refined dashboard for Xbox is now more refined and more powerful than ever before. No other dashboard provides as many Luxury, yet functional, Appointments. The creature comforts provided in XboxMediaCenter(info) (XBMC) far surpass other dash's strongest yearnings and attempts.
In the past XboxMediaCenter may have paralleled some of the other dashboards that were available for the Xbox, but this is no longer the case. With the full integration of Team Xored's ETM/XBTF Engine, XBMC now eclipses all other dashboards and has set itself apart as being the only Xbox dashboard to be officially licensed to use Team Xored's ETM/XBTF Engine.
The combination of the hottest dashboard and the most technically advanced trainer engine will ensure we all have the greatest experience waiting for us at our finger tips.
Grab your copy of Xbox Media Center featuring Team Xored's ETM/XBTF Engine today.
[/QUOTE]
Read The Full Press Release: DOC | JPG
Official Logo: Small | Big
Official Site: www.xboxmediacenter.com and Team Xored Forums[forums.maxconsole.net]
Download: sources | t3ch binary release coming soon.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
NDURE Installer for PC v3.0
>> A new version of the NDURE Installer has been released, this a tool that will allow you you to easily install the latest software exploits on your Xbox. From readme/forums:
[QUOTE]
NDURE: NEXT DIMENSION UBER RMENHAL EXPLOIT
WHAT IT IS: It is a pc ndure installer. It creates the appropriate ndure setup according to your selection. Then you can ftp the files into your xbox or install them with xboxhdm(info).
WHAT DOES IT DO:
1. Creates Ndure Basic Setup
2. Creates Ndure Retail Setup
3. Creates UDDAE Setup
4. Open tray settings
5. Switch between MS dash and xonlinedash console
6. Can convert the setup to use with xboxhdm
7. Ndure toolset for change/troubleshooting/maintanance
DETAILED README: Detailed readme for every function is in "Readme.pdf" file
Major additions since Ndure installer 2.1:
UUDAE (Uber Double Dash Audio exploit): Uses Uberdash (4920.17cdc100) xboxdash.xbe to trigger audio exploit. You can use this in conjunction of Ndure and use it to go back to modded state or launch xonloinedash console.
MS Dash and xonlinedash console switching: Previous Ndure setup was incompatible with xonlinedash console so users would get a blank screen if XBL menu was launched. This setup uses a modified xonlinedash.xbe to make it compatible Ndure exploit(info) setup. Users can launch xonlinedash console by just putting a file called boot1.bin ( any file) in E:\ root. If there is no boot1.bin file in E:\ root then Nkpatcher(info) would launch MS dash.
The nkpatcher used is little modified ( with xman954's code). Users dont need to replace fonts or nkpatcher to toggle open tray settings, just placing boot1.bin/ or removing in E:\ root is enough.
Ndure installer for xboxhdm: Successor to UXE installer for xboxhdm. Just create your Ndure setup by choosing your appropriate settings. Check the box saying "Create xboxhdm installer" and it will create a custom xboxhdm Ndure installer for you. MOre details on how to use xboxhdm installer is on Readme.pdf file.
CHANGELOG (from 2.1 to 3.0):
* Added UDDAE setup function
* Added UDDAE installation to Ndure toolset
* Ability to convert your setup for use with xboxhdm
* Open tray settings
* Ability to use xonlinedash console
* Nkpatcher_11_U2 by xman
* RGB/Progressive Nkpatcher
* Changed graphics and icons of the installer
* Improved Ndure Toolset
* Minor bug fixes and additions
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=411052
Download: n/a
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XMugen-linux Beta v0.1
>> Darcelf/Alg5 released M.U.G.E.N for Xbox:
[QUOTE]
XMugen-linux is not an xbox port of mugen, it's a mini linux distro reduced to it's minimum in order to launch mugen on Xbox.
BEWARE: it's a early BETA version which has not been tested a lot.
It's a new "concept" for games that can't be ported (because no public source code).
You could expect this to be easier than a port, but there were some parts that take time (finding on which teminal mugen works, making the pad emulate a keyboard, shrinking linux to it's minimum, ...)
2 joysticks should be supported.
If you want to add things into mugen, just go to one of the many web pages you will find on internet (make sure the linux version of mugen is compatibility with these addons).
To do:
* Add a proper reboot when exit mugen (partition are not unmounted in current version of Xmugen-linux!)
* use the real joy2key instead of my ugly hack!
[/QUOTE]
M.U.G.E.N is a 2D fighting game engine designed by Elecbyte starting in 1999 using the Allegro game programming library. Elecbyte distributed beta versions that ran under DOS, Linux, and Windows. The engine allows for anyone to create characters, stages, and other game objects through interpreted text files and graphics and sound compilations, and it also supports MP3 background music during gameplay. The engine is very powerful and flexible, allowing for the same type of functionality found in most any commercial 2D fighting game, such as the Street Fighter games produced by Capcom or the King of Fighters games produced by SNK.
More info about M.U.G.E.M here.
Official Site: http://www.darcelf.tk
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
MemCard Driver for x64 and JADE .bin Unpacker
>> * 'Loser' released an update of maximillian's Xbox 360 MemoryCard Driver(info) to also support Windows x64.
And there are a few more suggestions about how to best connect the memcard with your PC on the forums.
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
* xor37h posted a new tech tool over at xboxhacker.net to unpack .bin files of the JADE Game Engine used in .bf files of the Xbox 360 game King Kong:
[QUOTE]
JADE Game Engine .bin file unpacker v0.2 by xor37h/hitmen
using LZO real-time data compression library (v2.02, Oct 17 2005).
Just a quick hack to unpack the .bin files from the extracted kingkong .bf
Ok, the first version was really too quick a hack, it didnt work with all the .bin files and the code was ugly as hell :)
Here we go with an updated version that supports ALL the .bin files, also the big ones!
[/QUOTE]
Download: here
News-Source: xboxhacker.net
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