Video Game Buttons Blog

April 9, 2007

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Microsoft has confirmed the imminent launch of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360 as part of the Xbox 360 Spring Update, allowing Windows, Xbox 360, and mobile users to communicate with each other, also confirming a mini-keyboard controller for X360 and many other Xbox 360 OS additions.

The Xbox 360 Spring Update, which will available on May 7, will include Windows Live Messenger.  Text chat using Windows Live Messenger is possible using the virtual keyboard accessible on Xbox 360, or by connecting a USB keyboard to the console.  In addition, this summer, Microsoft will launch a QWERTY text-input device, a new accessory that will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging.

Beyond Windows Live Messenger, the Spring Update for Xbox 360 includes many new features and enhancements including the following:

- A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.

- Enhanced family settings features for Xbox Live communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.

- A new Xbox Live Marketplace blade lets Xbox Live members access their game, TV show, and movie content from one place on Xbox Live.

- Updates to Xbox Live Arcade allow owners to quickly see which Xbox Live Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox Live members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list.

- New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox Live Marketplace.

- Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.
 

April 4, 2007

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With the release of Forza Motorsport 2 only a little more than a month away, Microsoft is readying a playable Xbox Live Marketplace demo that should be available pretty soon.

 
The full version of Forza Motorsport 2 will be available to Xbox 360 gamers mid-May.  Turn 10 director Dan Greenawalt is excited about its impending release, based mostly on the amount of meticulous attention his team has given it throughout its development period: “Whether it’s the hundreds of thousands of physics parameters captured from countless man hours taking track measurements and capturing car data to harnessing the power of the industry’s most advanced neural-network search algorithms, non-linear, and linear math models, as well as AI simulation systems from our Microsoft Research Labs.  We’ve turned mountains of real world raw data into a living, breathing racing simulator where the only difference between the game and reality is that you’re not risking life and limb when you hit a wall at 200 mph.”  Should be aswsome.

 
Turn 10 has also updated the list of available cars by adding their collection of aftermarket tuner cars.  They are as follows (by make):
1998 - Toyota - AB Flug S900 Supra Turbo
2003 - Toyota - APR Performance Celica GTS
1995 - Toyota - Border MR2 Turbo T-bar
1992 - Toyota - Do-Luck Supra
1995 - Toyota - Tom’s T020 MR2
2002 - Toyota - Tom’s W123 MR-S
2002 - Toyota - Tom’s Z382 Soarer
1998 - Toyota - Top Secret 0-300 Supra
1998 - Toyota - VeilSide Supra Fortune 03
1998 - Toyota - VeilSide Supra Fortune 99
1995 - Toyota - VIS Racing MR2 Turbo T-bar
2004 - Honda - Mugen Civic Type-R
2002 - Honda - Mugen Integra Type-R
2003 - Honda - Mugen S2000
2000 - Honda - Aerogear Integra Type-R
1994 - Honda - Do-Luck NSX
2004 - Honda - Wings West Civic Si
2002 - Nissan - Tommy Kaira Skyline GT-R R34
2000 - Nissan - Top Secret D1-Spec S15
2003 - Nissan - Fairlady Z Custom Edition
1993 - Nissan - MINE’S R32 Skyline GT-R
2002 - Nissan - MINE’S R34 Skyline GT-R
2006 - Mitsubishi - HKS Time Attack Evolution
1999 - Mitsubishi - MINE’S CP9A Lancer Evolution VI
2003 - Mitsubishi - Sparco Lancer Evolution VIII
1995 - Mazda - INGS RX-7
1995 - Mazda - RE-Amemiya RX-7
2002 - Chevrolet - Lingenfelter 427 Corvette
2003 - Chevrolet - Corvette Guldstrand Edition
2000 - Audi - AWE Tuning SilverBullet S4
2000 - Acura - VIS Racing Integra Type-R
2003 - Ford - FocusSport SVT Focus
2003 - Lexus - Foose Design IS430 Project Car
2000 - Dodge - Hennessey Viper 800TT
1998 - Subaru - Tommy Kaira Impreza M20b

April 2, 2007

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Officials from THQ and toy maker Jakks Pacific have confirmed that WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008, the latest in the company’s long running pro wrestling franchise, is currently in development for multiple platforms.

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 is being created for the Wii, Nintendo DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, and wireless devices.  The game is expected to ship across all platforms simultaneously this fall.

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2007, currently available for the Xbox 360, PS2, and PSP, was originally planned to debut also on the PS3 as well, but the game was later pushed back  to “late 2007.”  This latest announcement would seem to confirm 2007’s cancellation for Sony’s console, making 2008 the series’ first appearance on the PS3.

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 will build upon the best selling wrestling franchise with a number of new features, headlined by superstar fighting styles.  The game will include eight different fighting styles and a new struggle submission system, as well as updated rosters, more environmental hotspots, and a combined season and general manager mode experience.

“We are extremely pleased with the success of the SmackDown! vs. Raw franchise and its continued growth to a widespread audience, particularly in our European markets,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “With the addition of fresh, innovative game play on the Wii, the tremendous capabilities of the PlayStation 3 system and unique handheld experiences for Nintendo DS and wireless devices, gamers can now truly live the life of a WWE Superstar and choose from numerous ways to play.”

March 29, 2007

Following the announcement of the Xbox Elite, potential Xbox 360 owners across the world have been disappointed that the news announced so far only applies to the North American market, but a recent Microsoft Japan press release indicates that the Elite’s 120 GB hard drive will be available in Japan for the price of 18,900 yen ($161.64) starting June 7th.

 
Wired’s gaming blog, however, recently examined that press release a little more closely and noticed some eyebrow-raising conditions that will most likely affect 360 gamers from all regions.  In particular, the blog post points towards the process of transferring data from the old 20GB hard drives to the new 120GB models.

 
According to the press release, partial transfer looks to be impossible, since the entire contents of your 20 GB drive will automatically be transferred to the larger 120 GB drive. Once that transfer takes place, everything on your original drive will be permanently deleted.  In addition, it will be impossible to move any transferred data back to an original 20GB drive.  It is also impossible to transfer the data on two or more 20 GB drives to one single 120 GB drive.  If there is existing data on the 120 GB hard drive at the time of transfer, the whole of that data is deleted.

 
The blog is also quick to point out the words of Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg, who suggested that gamers buy a second 20GB hard drive upon the launch of the Xbox Video Marketplace.  If you’ve followed his tragic advice, we offer our condolences.

March 27, 2007

Even though an official announcement has not yet been made by Microsoft, plenty of print and internet sources are unofficially heralding the forthcoming Xbox 360 Elite system.

 
Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury News recently chimed in with his sources, claiming that the Elite (or, more specifically, its comparably larger 120 GB hard drive) will be featured as an introductory platform for Microsoft’s new IPTV service.  As a result, the Xbox 360 will double as an IPTV set-top box, allowing users the luxury of viewing television programming after it’s piped through their console systems.

 
Takahashi also writes that, given Microsoft’s track record of redesigning motherboards and reducing chip costs on a yearly basis, another major change is in store for the Xbox 360 starting this fall.  According to his sources, the microprocessors that power the Xbox 360 will be reduced in size from 90 nanometers to 65 nanometers, which will benefit Microsoft in a number of ways, including reduced costs, increased production capacity, and more efficient hardware.

 
Meanwhile, news broke out in a rather unexpected place as a Microsoft employee, labeled as an “XNA Framework Developer,” may have inadvertently admitted to the Elite’s existence.  In a forum thread on the Microsoft Developer Network, one inquiring poster asked whether the HDMI output on the “revised 360″ would require any code changes.  The developer, known as “Shawn Hargreaves,” responded by saying, “No changes required,” thereby possibly confirming the system’s existence!
 

March 21, 2007

A recent issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu reports that the latest installment of the Ace Combat series - at least for now - won’t be coming to the PS3.  In addition, Capcom has announced that Devil May Cry 4 will also join the Xbox 360 lineup. 

According to the Famitsu article, Ace Combat 6 has only been listed as an Xbox 360 title.  Whether a PS3 version is in the works is still unclear.

Ace Combat 6: Kaiho e no Senbi (loosely translated to “The Flames of War Towards Liberation”) will become the first ever Ace Combat game to be released on a non-handheld, non-Sony console.  Ace Combat 6 is planned for a Japanese release some time by the end of 2007.

Possibly one of the most significant changes to the Ace Combat protocol will be addition of Xbox Live support, with online multiplayer modes enhancing the gameplay experience.  Confirmed so far are team battle, battle royale, and co-op options.

 
In a press release from Capcom’s main Osaka branch, Capcom said that it will be “pursuing a multi-platform strategy to help enhance profits”, indicating that Capcom is no longer willing to bet on the PS3 being the undisputed console champion this generation. Nevertheless, Devil May Cry 4 will mark the series’ first foray on the Xbox.

 
A press release from Capcom’s American branch reads as follows: “Capcom is committed to making its titles available to as wide an audience as possible, and has been building its technology base to meet that goal,” said Mark Beaumont, executive vice president, officer and head of Capcom consumer software publishing in the Americas and Europe. “This announcement means that PS3, Xbox 360 and PC owners worldwide will be able to experience the latest installment of one of Capcom’s pillar franchises.”

 
Release dates for each version of Devil May Cry 4 still have not been announced.

March 13, 2007

Microsoft big shot Peter Moore said in an interview that the production team behind the creation of Xbox 360 is already working on the next Xbox.

Moore even went as far as saying that Xbox 360’s successor could launch around 2012, as the team of tech-heads are looking into what kind of computing power would be available around that time frame.

 
It is also being reported/rumored that Microsoft could soon ditch the Xbox 360 Core version, the one without the hard drive and wireless pads that.  We think it makes perfect sense to drop the cheaper model, as the Premium System is a bargain in its own right, so dropping the bare bones version makes good sense, no?  By now, everyone that has a 360 should be online (or close to it), for which you need a hard drive.   Microspft has issued no comment on this.

February 23, 2007

Microsoft has announced an new batch of discounted games for both the U.S. and Europe for Xbox 360’s ‘Platinum Hits’ line of titles, which was launched last fall.  Microsoft also confirmed that the line will be extended to Latin America, Japan, and Asia Pacific next month.

Set for release on March 16 are Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Burnout Revenge, and Fight Night Round 3, Activision’s Call of Duty 2, Tecmo’s Dead or Alive 4, Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, 2K Sports’ Top Spin 2, and Rockstar’s Table Tennis.

The European market will get a similar collection of ‘Platinum Hits’ titles for an estimated retail price of 29.99 euros ($38.35), including Call of Duty 2, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, Table Tennis, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, and Tomb Raider: Legend.

In Japan, the Xbox 360 ‘Platinum Hits’ line will debut with Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Burnout Revenge, and Perfect Dark Zero, Sega’s Chrome Hounds, each costing 2,800 yen ($23).

In the Asia Pacific region, initial ‘Platinum Hits’ releases in March will include Dead or Alive 4, N3: Ninety-Nine Nights, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.  Pricing for these games will vary slightly by region, Microsoft said.

“Platinum Hits not only lets gamers enjoy a broad portfolio of titles at an amazing price,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It also ensures that existing and new gamers alike can get the most from their Xbox 360 by owning a great library of blockbuster hits. So if you missed playing a game the first time around, now there is a great reason to pick it up.”

February 22, 2007

Microsoft UK officials have announced that Microsoft will showcase IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) for the first time in Europe at The Connected Home Show, co-hosted at the third annual IPTV World Forum, in London on March 5-7. IPTV technology will be demonstrated by Ed Graczyk, worldwide director of marketing and communications for Microsoft TV during a keynote speech at the conference, entitled “Future of Connected Entertainment.”

Microsoft has already discussed IPTV plans for the Xbox 360 in the U.S., with talk of services including digital video recording and the ability to chat via Xbox Live while watching movies and shows. Bill Gates has also discussed the possibility of a deal with AT&T, which may lead to the Xbox 360 being offered for free in exchange for a long term IPTV service contract.

The first IPTV services for the Xbox 360 are expected to be made available by Christmas 2007 in the U.S., with Microsoft suggesting that, unlike current HD movie and TV show downloads, the service could launch at a similar time in Europe. The company implies that the use of Microsoft IPTV software technology could see companies such as AT&T, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, T-Online (France) and Swisscom becoming partners in their relevant territories.

“Separately the Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV IPTV Edition deliver unique and exciting entertainment experiences, but IPTV on Xbox 360 delivers a real value proposition for consumers, service providers and content and game developers alike,” said Graczyk. “By integrating these industry-leading solutions, we continue to drive innovation and enable new connected entertainment experiences for consumers.”

February 19, 2007

Microsoft has suggested that multiplayer gaming through Live on Windows Vista will be a free service, unlike on Xbox 360, where users need a gold membership subscription to access to multiplayer.

Microsoft’s Shane Kim was asked in an interview whether it’d be free for PC users to play against friends, while certain premium-level stuff would be locked behind Gold, to which he responded,  “Theoretically speaking, that’s exactly the kind of thing we’d want to do.”  PC gaming’s traditional ‘multiplayer for free’ ethic that exists with the platform is a factor being taken fully into account by Microsoft for Live on Windows.

“In the Xbox world when we created Xbox Live, there was no other option. We’re sort of creating it as we go, we established that model and that framework. As we come into the Windows gaming world, there are alternatives that are out there so we have to be cognizant of that,” said Kim.  “We do recognize that, unlike the Xbox 360 environment, there’s existing competition in the PC online space. So we have to take that into account as we think about how we’re going to structure our services, what they’ll pay for and what they won’t.”

It’s also possible that Microsoft’s plan for an integrated Live experience across PC and Xbox 360 could be a good thing for Xbox 360 owners in regard to paid-for content.  If multiplayer gaming’s provided free through Windows Live, then the company may just see fit to offer the same to Xbox 360 fans.