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November 30 Video Marketplace And The Dashboard UpdateIf you're wondering/worried/raging that the European launch of Xbox LIVE Video Store hasn't been mentioned as part of next week's Dashboard Update - and I know lots of us are - then relax. I've asked about what's going on and the word is:
“Beyond what was already announced at E3, no announcements have been made about the Canadian or European launch of the Video Store. Video Store is a standalone service, so it’s launch won’t be part of the Fall Update. We’re absolutely still committed to launching the service internationally this year, so stay tuned!”
So no firm answers yet, but keep an eye out for more details...
GamerScore Blog Tours the Dash UpdateThe 'lovely and talented' team over at GamerScore Blog (their words, not mine...
 ) have put together a brilliant video to demonstrate how the Dashboard Update that goes live on December 4 looks and feels. It's a great watch, but here are a few things to note:
Watch GamerScore Blog's Dashboard Update video here. And if you're interested in finding out more about how the Update will affect child accounts and also some info on changing Windows Live ID association, check out Major Nelson's informative post here. UPDATED: Dashboard Update DetailsIt's back! The next Xbox LIVE Dashboard update goes live at 10am GMT / 11am CET on Tuesday, December 4, and we've just released all the official details on what's coming down the pipe. No doubt you've heard plenty of rumours, but this is the real deal - the following are highlights, if you want the full gory details click the link at the bottom of this post:
"MORE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS:
• Xbox Originals – With this new service, announced on Nov. 13, consumers can download-to-own full original Xbox games that were previously only available at retail. The digital shelves will always be stocked with classic titles, such as “Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex” “Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge,” “Halo,” “Fable,” “Fuzion Frenzy,” “Psychonauts,” and more as the catalogue grows over time, at 1200 Microsoft Points per game. • Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits – On Xbox LIVE Arcade, the Arcade Hits program kicks off where some of the best selling Xbox LIVE Arcade games will become available at permanently reduced prices, making it easier than ever for everyone to build a library of downloadable games! The first games to become Arcade Hits will be “Bankshot Billiards 2” and “Lumines LIVE,” which will be available for 800 Microsoft Points each, and “Marble Blast Ultra,” “Small Arms” and “Zuma Deluxe,” which will be available for 400 Microsoft Points each. With free trial downloads for every game and over 100 games to choose from, Xbox LIVE Arcade offers something for every member of the family.
NEW WAYS TO KEEP UP TO DATE AND CONNECTED:
• Enhanced online profile – Members interested in sharing a few more details about themselves will have the option to go beyond their motto and further personalize their profile with an expanded bio. The extended bios will be visible to “Friends Only” or the entire Xbox LIVE community. Go to www.xbox.com/fof to select your setting. • Expanded Friends List access – A quick and easy way for gamers to expand their personal community on Xbox LIVE, members will be able to see the Friends Lists of other Xbox LIVE members, boosting their social networking experience on the service.
ENHANCED OVERALL EXPERIENCE AND CONTROL:
• Enhanced Parental Controls – Family Timer, a strong and flexible new addition to the Xbox 360 Family Settings, enables parents to set the amount of time their Xbox 360 can be used on a per-day or per-week basis by their children or other members of the household. • New video features – The convenience of full-screen movie previews and enhanced video codec support further expand the options when it comes to the Xbox 360 entertainment experience.
• Easy-to-use navigation features – With several noteworthy changes in the Xbox LIVE Dashboard, from the new Game Store button to the Video Store button to enhanced visuals and descriptions in the video library, Xbox LIVE members can find what they want, when they want it."
I'm particulalry inteested in the Friends of Friends feature - I think it'll be really interesting checking out your mate's Friends Lists like you can on Spaces or Facebook or MySpace. Of course, you can decide how much this feature affects you. If you go to www.xbox.com/fof you can decide whether you want to block this altogether (ie no-one can browse your Friends List), set it to Friends Only, or leave it open to everyone, which is the default option.
Look out for the Dash Update on Tuesday, December 4. As always you'll just need to turn on your Xbox LIVE-connected Xbox 360 to download it.
Marketplace Update and Out Now - 30/11It's almost the weekend! And to make sure you've got plenty to do with your free time there's a stack of new content iup on Marketplace Including a new Halo 3 ViDoc) - and some hot new Xbox 360 titles on shop shelves!
Marketplace content:
And out in Europe today:
November 29 Marketplace Update - 29/11Today: More Assassin's Creed Themes than you can shake a spring-loaded finger blade at.
November 28 Marketplace Update - 28/11Suffering from a bad case of the asteroids? You could nip down the chemist and get some soothing cream, or you could get yourself onto Xbox Live Arcade and download Asteroids Deluxe, the new HD version of the classic shooter that puts the rock in rock-n-roll. Not sure where the roll came from. It's 400 MS Points and includes both the coin-op original version and a fancypants new version with extremely fancy pants. And graphics.
No doubt you've seen this already, but did you notice that Sensible World of Soccer has been dated for December 19? We actually broke the news exclusively through the Xbox Community Network, which was nice. Classic footie action just in time for Christmas... November 27 Marketplace Update - 27/11Tomorrow's Xbox Live Arcade game is going to be a modern update to the old rock-blasting classic, Asteroids. Forr 400 MS Points you'll get the original game as well as the fancy new Asteroids Deluxe, which features spanky new HD graphics and the brilliantly named 'Throttle Monkey' mode, which propels you round the screen faster than a cheetah strapped to a greasy cruise missile. Screens and more details on GamerScore Blog.
Today's content - wait for it...
November 26 Find New Friends From The Friends of Your Friends!You can never have too many friends, eh? Well, when the new Xbox Live Dashboard update goes live on December 4th you'll be able to explore the friends lists of your Xbox Live friends, opening up a whole new world of potential pals. Here's the deets:
"Expand Your Xbox LIVE Network of Pals by browsing the Friends lists of other Xbox LIVE members
New Experience to be made available on December 4th with the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update Microsoft is making it even easier to expand your Friends network on Xbox LIVE, starting with the Fall Dashboard Update on December 4th. Members will now be able to check out the friends lists of fellow Xbox LIVE members right from the Dashboard. With this new feature, members can find old friends or connect with new ones within the community of more than 8 million people on Xbox LIVE around the globe and send messages and game invites, as well as compare games and Achievements.
With the prevalence of social media websites such as MySpace and FaceBook, this type of capability has largely come to be expected from consumers as a means to relate in an online community. Xbox LIVE continually seeks new ways to better serve the expectations of its members, which often result in enhancements made available for free through the bi-annual Dashboard updates.
When the Fall Dashboard update is distributed on December 4th, the new default setting on Xbox LIVE will be active enabling members to see the Friends lists of other Xbox LIVE members. Members who would like to keep their friends list private can take the following steps to change their settings beginning today:
Log in to www.xbox.com/fof and select one of the three options available for your Gamertag:
Stay tuned for more information about the Xbox 360 Dashboard Update later this month."
More details on exactly what will be in the Dec 4 Dashboard update very soon! Marketplace Update - 26/11Alright? How was your Xtival '07 weekend? I had a ball - I was one of the Xtival Mystery Gamers so I got to play a few games and make people happy by giving them free MS Points. Let me know if you had any cool experiences!
November 23 Rock Band on the RunDid you know Rock Band launched in North America this week? It actually hurt me to write that sentence, since we won't be getting it in Europe until next year. BUT! It's in such demand that hardly anyone can get their hands on it - least of all the GamerScore Blog team:
In your face non-Rock Band owners!
If I'm honest I'm a bit upset that Chris Paladino has quite a good voice. We're going to have to have a sing-off... Out Today -23/11Some days it just feels great to be part of the Xbox 360 family - and today is one of those days. Not only is Xtival '07 opening up Xbox Live for a whole weekend of immense free fun, but take a look at this little line-up of games available today:
MASS EFFECT MASS EFFECT MASS EFFECT MASS EFFECT MASS EFFECT. Just wish I could get some time to play it! Marketplace Update - 23/11 - Xbox Live Presents Xtival '07 Edition!Marketplace content is pretty light today so we'll ge that out of the way first:
More importantly, today marks the start of Xbox Live Presents Xtival '07! It's the world's biggest free gaming festival, and it starts at noon. From then until noon on Monday Xbox Live Gold will be free to everyone, and there's a whole raft of quality events, competitions, tournaments and fun happening over the weekend to keep everyone busy. Xbox.com has all the details, but you should definitely check out this little lot:
Something else to look out for are the Xtival Mystery Gamers, who will be online all weekend handing out prizes to lucky punters. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot one... And don't forget to download your free Xbox Live Presents Xtival '07 Theme and GamerPic pack. The pics are sweet! Right, I'm off to use the toilets before they turn into cess-pits. See you by the main stage later! November 22 Marketplace Update - 22/11It's been a bit quiet on the Marketplace front this week - UNTIL NOW! There's a cracking demo for Half-Life Ep. 2 (as if you needed any reason to buy Orange Box...), some cracking BlackSite launch content, some new planes and customisable options for Ace Combat 6, the Halo 3 theme tune for Guitar Hero III (!) and even some free Sex Pistols content to celebrate their Game With Fame appearance at Xtival '07.
November 21 Marketplace Update - 21/11Only two days until Xtival '07 kicks off, and you can get yourself ready by downloading the free Xtival '07 picture pack and Theme pack! Bog roll and tent pegs not included...
November 20 Mass Effect: The Dangers of The Dialogue WheelThose lucky North Americans get Mass Effect today, and to celebrate the GamerScore Blog guys have taken an in-depth look into the use of the game's dialogue wheel at Xbox HQ:
Mass Effect is out in Europe on Thursday/Friday. While we're here, the GS Blog guys also did this video for Portal a few weeks back - properly funny: Marketplace Update - 20/11"I'M A COWBOY - ON A STEEL HORSE I RIDE!"
I was playing Rock Band earlier. Coincidentally, that's also what the cool thing I did the other week that I never told you about was. It's probably the best thing ever. Even better than crisps. Even those cheesey ones. I have to admit that my singing was well ropey today (my excuse is that I have a bit of a cold going on) and halfway through 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' someone from the room next to where we were playing came in and told us to turn it down! Classic - imagine trying to have a serious meeting about ROI or PNL or something important like that and suddenly some eejit through the wall starts wailing like a trapped cat!
Anyway, the game's ace. The drums are AMAZING (a bit weird to get used to but after a while you feel like Animal from the Muppets, just going mental on the skins), the guitars are CHOICE and feel really authentic (they're also a little bigger than the GH guitars), and the singing - if you're into it like I am - makes you feel like a proper rock star. When I was playing it the other week I actually sung The Killers' 'When You Were Young' - a song I love and know all the words to - while also playing lead guitar. For a moment I actually thought I was Brandon Flowers, but except without the dodgy 'tache. Honestly, what a buzz - and enjoying it together with three other people multiplies the fun and adrenlaine by four. Is that good maths?
Aside from that, here's today's Marketplace content:
Short and sweet! If you haven't checked these out already you should, both over on GamerScore Blog: Halo 3 Map Pack! Undertow on XBLA! WOOT WOOT! GamerScore has been quality lately - the new guys Tom and Nelson (formerly of Achievement Junkie) are posting some really funny stuff, and the viral videos the team are producing are well good. If you don't have it on your RSS already then sort it out. "AND I'M WANTED (cough cough)... DEAD OR ALEEEEEE-IVE" November 19 Marketplace Update - 19/11Hello! I'm trying to be as upbeat as possible even though the disappointment from the Scotland game on Saturday was pretty epic. Anyway, I'm not going to say too much about it other than the players, the team, the management, the fans and the country did us proud. I'd rather go to South Africa anyway...
I mentioned last week that things have been really busy here lately and the posts have definitely suffered, but I'm keen to get things moving a bit better on here again. So - here's my pledge - I'll be doing my best to post daily from here on in with, at the very least, the latest Marketplace content for Europe.
Famous last words?
Anyway, here's today's content - just in time for the release of Mass Effect this week. I've got a copy at home but I haven't even got it out of the shrinkwrap yet... Maybe tonight.
November 15 Happy Birthday Xbox Live!AARRGH! I'm so busy just now, and I'm not just saying it to make myself sound busy. Things are mental around here with Xtival '07 coming up, all the big games coming out, and all the stuff we're working on for next year. Really sorry about the lack of posts - hopefully things will level out in the next couple of weeks. I miss you guys...
But I should point outthat today is a very special day - it's Xbox Live's fifth birthday! Don't they grow up quick? Too much cool stuff going on to list here, so hop on Xbox Live, download Carcassone for free, then check out the Live is Five area on the Dash for all the details. Don't eat too much cake though, you'll make yourself ill.
The cake is a lie.
The cake is a lie.
The cake is a lie.
The cake is a lie.
The cake is a lie.
UPDATE: IRB just reminded me that if you have been on Xbox Live since the start of the service you will be getting an email soon telling you how to claim your 500 MS Points. If you're in this elite group thanks for your support and loyalty, and here's to the next 5 years! November 12 Marketplace Update - 12/11Good weekend? My Sunday League team got horsed 4-1, Aberdeen got horsed 4-1, but at least I did get a fair bit of GHIII and CoD4 in. Oh, and I haven't forgotten about that thing I was going to tell you about - hope I haven't built it up too much...
November 09 Marketplace Update - 9/11Hello! Sorry I haven't been posting for the last few days, but I've been at a big European Xbox marketing conference and getting bandwidth to get online was like trying to catch a greasy fly with chopsticks. Talked about some really exciting stuff though, and I did get to do one INSANELY cool thing that I'll tell you about later. Honestly, I'm still buzzing from it...
Anyway, here's today's Marketplace content and games out to buy. Note that the GHIII Track Packs are available but the game isn't out in Europe until November 22/23:
And the games out today:
Sorry for the radio silence over the past few days, and enjoy your Friday! |
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