The XBOX Life by Stoopkids » News

XBOX 360 News: New Wi-Fi Means Faster and Cheaper Speeds

mike — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:11:05 +0000

For all of you XBOX 360 Online lovers, there is some good news coming from Microsoft as far as the new Wi-Fi feature available with this amazing console. In the past, unless your entertainment setup is accompanied by a possible lengthy Ethernet cord, many gamers have been stock paying a rather substantial and expensive fee for the Wireless Adapter, but that may all be over now.

It seems Microsoft is getting prepared to release an even better Wi-Fi adapter, which will create increased signal strength and faster speeds. What does this mean though, for gamers overall? The price will surely drop! Considering that Microsoft will be smart enough to keep the original 802.11a/b/g model and make a huge price cut. Of course, though, the new Wireless Adapter will be a bit more pricey (how couldn’t it be), this will open the door for more users to have Wi-Fi access in general.

This is a step in the right direction for the console, seeing that for years now the only Wi-Fi option has been a rather expensive one. At least now users can think that what they are paid for now (around $60 for the adapter) will take a price cut with the new release of a faster adapter.

News: Rock Band 2 Set List (XBOX 360)

mike — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:37:36 +0000

Here it is, the new set list for Rock Band 2…

AC/DC–Let There Be Rock
AFI–Girl’s Gone Grey
Alanis Morissette–You Oughta Know
Alice in Chains–Man in the Box
Allman Brothers–Ramblin’ Man
Avenged Sevenfold–Almost Easy
Bad Company–Shooting Star
Beastie Boys–So Whatcha Want
Beck–E-Pro
Bikini Kill–Rebel Girl
Billy Idol–White Wedding Pt. I
Blondie–One Way or Another
Bob Dylan–Tangled Up in Blue
Bon Jovi–Livin’ on a Prayer
Cheap Trick–Hello There
Devo–Uncontrollable Urge
Dinosaur Jr.–Feel the Pain
Disturbed–Down with the Sickness
Dream Theater–Panic Attack
Duran Duran–Hungry Like the Wolf
Elvis Costello–Pump It Up
Fleetwood Mac–Go Your Own Way
Foo Fighters–Everlong
Guns N’ Roses–Shackler’s Revenge
Interpol–PDA
Jane’s Addiction–Mountain Song
Jethro Tull–Aqualung
Jimmy Eat World–The Middle
Joan Jett–Bad Reputation
Journey–Anyway You Want It
Judas Priest–Painkiller
Kansas–Carry On Wayward Son
L7–Pretend We’re Dead
Lacuna Coil–Our Truth
Linkin Park–One Step Closer
Lit–My Own Worst Enemy
Lush–De-Luxe
Mastodon–Colony of Birchmen
Megadeth–Peace Sells
Metallica–Battery
Mighty Mighty Bosstones–Where’d You Go
Modest Mouse–Float On
Motorhead–Ace of Spades
Nirvana–Drain You
Norman Greenbaum–Spirit in the Sky
Panic at the Disco–Nine in the Afternoon
Paramore–That’s What You Get
Pearl Jam–Alive
Presidents of the USA–Lump
Rage Against the Machine–Testify
Ratt–Round & Round
Red Hot Chili Peppers–Give it Away
Rise Against–Give it All
Rush–The Trees
Silversun Pickups–Lazy Eye
Smashing Pumpkins–Today
Social Distortion–I Was Wrong
Sonic Youth–Teenage Riot
Soundgarden–Spoonman
Squeeze–Cool for Cats
Steely Dan–Bodhitsattva
Steve Miller Band–Rock’n Me
Survivor–Eye of the Tiger
System of a Down–Chop Suey
Talking Heads–Psycho Killer
Tenacious D–Master Exploder
Testament–Souls of Black
The Donnas–New Kid in School
The Go-Go’s–We Got the Beat
The Grateful Dead–Alabama Getaway
The Guess Who–American Woman
The Muffs–Kids in America
The Offspring–Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated
The Replacements–Alex Chilton
The Who–Pinball Wizard

Bonus Tracks
Abnormality–Visions
Anarchy Club–Get Clean
Bang Camaro–Night Lies
Breaking Wheel–Shoulder to the Plow
The Libyans–Neighborhood
The Main Drag–A Jagged Gorgeous Winter
Speck–Conventional Lover
The Sterns–Supreme Girl
That Handsome Devil–Rob the Prez-O-Dent

Thanks for the info Game Spot

News: Teens obsessed with video games?

mike — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:06:07 +0000

A look into 12-17 year olds reveals that 99% of boys and 94% of girls play video games.

Every year, the Entertainment Software Association updates its industry facts and figures to underline just how widespread gaming is in the United States. According to this year’s update, 65 percent of American households play games.

That number will likely skyrocket in the coming years if a newly released Pew Internet Project report is anything to go by. Researchers recently surveyed 1,102 teenagers and found that 97 percent of those aged 12-17 played video games in some form, with 99 percent of boys responding affirmatively, compared to 94 percent of girls. There are a lot of frequent players as well, as half of the respondents said they’d played games in the past day.

As one might expect, the tastes of those 97 percent of teens who game are wide-ranging. Racing games had the most widespread popularity of any genre, with 74 percent of teens admitting to playing them. The puzzle genre was close behind with 72 percent, followed by sports (68 percent), action (67 percent), and adventure (66 percent).

Interestingly, Rhythm games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band were played by just 61 percent of respondents, only slightly higher than the strategy genre, which includes hardcore gaming staples like Starcraft and Command and Conquer. However, when asked for three favorite titles, the most commonly responded titles were (in order) Guitar Hero, Halo 3, Madden NFL, Solitaire, and Dance Dance Revolution.

The least popular genres listed were survival horror (32 percent), massively multiplayer online games (21 percent), and virtual worlds like Second Life or Habbo Hotel (10 percent).

Pew also surveyed parents of teens to gauge their attitudes toward gaming, and found that most parents were actually ambivalent on gaming’s impact on their kids. Some 62 percent of respondents said games didn’t affect their kids, with 19 percent believing them to be a positive influence, and 13 percent considering them a negative influence. Just 5 percent of parents said gaming could be either positive or negative, depending on the game in question.

News: Guitar Hero III (3) Announced (XBOX 360)

mike — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:56:09 +0000

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — After warming their amps in the basement garage to rocking sold out shows at Stonehenge, fans of Activision, Inc.’s wildly popular Guitar Hero(TM) franchise will now be able to shred like never before with the next iteration of the game that will be available this fall. The new game will be released on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Wii(TM) video game system from Nintendo.

Turning it up to 11, Guitar Hero fans will channel their inner rock god using Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul and Kramer models as the industry standard. In addition, players will experience an incredible number of newly added features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status.

While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the gnarliest rock songs ever recorded. Delivering more master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent music record labels and publishers to allow unrivaled access to their deep history of music catalogs, along with supplying artists’ original recordings for even greater authenticity.

The initial list of face-melting awesomeness includes: * Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones) * Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins) * Sabotage (by Beastie Boys) * The Metal (by Tenacious D) * My Name is Jonas (by Weezer) * Knights of Cydonia (by Muse) * Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss) * School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper) * Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat) * Cult of Personality (by Living Colour) * Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform. The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience. Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model will be the battle axe of choice, and an industry standard for all rock gods on the Xbox 360(TM), PLAYSTATION(R)3 system, and Wii(TM). After much anticipation, PlayStation(R)2 system fans will also be receiving a new exclusive shape as well, the classic Kramer guitar, also a Gibson brand, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics, and construction for furious finger fretting.

“The development team at Neversoft has been exceptional, and we’ve been able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player game play modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that our fans have been asking for. Also, many of the top bands and songs we’ve tried to get in the past are now on board, and we’ve definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. “In addition, offering a new line of Gibson wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic rock star experience like no other.”

The next iteration of Guitar Hero, published by RedOctane(R) and developed by Neversoft, is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about Guitar Hero, please visit the dedicated community site http://www.guitarherogame.com/.

News: Microsoft reports issues with HALO 3 scratched discs (360)

mike — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:52:18 +0000

On the serious side, are you suprised?

Microsoft has admitted there’s a problem with Halo 3’s Limited Edition packaging scratching game discs, and is now offering replacements via the Xbox website.

The problem is blamed on the plastic and foam nub in the LE tin designed to hold the discs; it turns out plenty of gamers – including CVG – are opening their copies of Halo to find the discs loose and scratched.

Microsoft’s replacement program lets those unfortunate few download and complete a form to get a working copy for free, with a minimum wait of two weeks. Other games are covered by the program, but you’ll have to pay £10 for anything that isn’t Halo.

In spite of the amazing sales Halo 3 has had since it’s release date, we can see that Microsoft was just as excited to send out the packages, as you were to open them, so they did it half-assed.

You can get ahold of the form yourself here.

News: HALO 3 Leaked! (XBOX 360)

mike — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:47:28 +0000

If your looking for a quick video of the leaked version, check here

Gamers around the world were hoping for this to happen, but so early? Recent findings show that an Australian eBayer has begun selling copies of the BETA version of HALO 3 on eBay. Here is a quick summary of the new additions to HALO 3.

Weapons

Spiker – a new Brute weapon
Spartan Laser – a laser that tears vehicles apart
Nail Grenade – sticks into walls, sends nails everywhere

Vehicles

Mongoose – the ATV that was cut from Halo 2; seats two, but no weapons; designed for recon

New Feature

“Man Cannon” – what it sounds like; launches you into the air (think: jump pads from Unreal, Quake Arena)

Controls

Bumpers are used to reload the right and left weapons independently
X-button has a “secret” function

Misc.

Secondary weapon is now visible when not in use (slung over shoulder)

Collector’s Edition

“Legendary Edition” – box is a replica of Master Chief’s helmet, includes 4-disc set:
- Disc one: game
- Disc two: documentaries and developer commentary
- Disc three: spin-off material (Red vs. Blue, Spark of Life, etc.)
- Disc four: all cut scenes from Halo 1-3 in HD
- Bonus: sneak peek of Halo movie will be included on one of the discs

News: Project Falcon: The new chip for XBOX 360 (XBOX 360)

mike — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:42:00 +0000

If your not familiar with Project Falcon, it’s the name for the new board that will be used in the XBOX 360 Elite and Halo 3 Special Edition boxes. What’s the big deal you may ask? Current XBOX 360 boards run with a 90-nanometer chip, which is partly responsible for the overwhelming amount of XBOX 360 defective reports. Because of this large number of defective XBOX 360, Microsoft has offered [over a three-year period since purchase] an option to send your console back to Microsoft for a FREE fix. Good for consumers [because it's free], but horrible for Microsoft because they end up taking their Engineers and Hardware experts out of the drawing room, and back into “how can we make the next version not crash like this one?”

The reason why Falcon is so important is because it will introduce a new 65-nanometer chip which will result in less heating issues. Now, this isn’t ‘new’ technology. This is something that has been around for a few months with Intel & IBM. Originally, the plan for XBOX was to release a new board technology every 2 years, taking 1 year for the new board design, and 2 years for the chip technology. Obviously, consumers are overdue for a new type of stable board.

A big problem is Microsoft doesn’t know what it’s competitors plans are for introducing the 65-nanometer chip in their consoles. Right now it looks like the Falcon boards will be available by Christmas, probably to accompany the release of the highly anticipated Halo 3 game. Now, Microsoft still has a huge quantity of the 90-nanometer (original) console boxes, and those must sell before they begin selling the new 65-nanometer Falcon boards with the console. This not only means that Microsoft is going to possibly loose even more money then they already have with XBOX, but also that consumers who choose to purchase an XBOX before the new chips are accompanied with all the consoles, will not be able to tell which chip/board they are getting. This makes it not just a risk for consumers, but also for Microsoft and the possibility that consumers wait for the new stable systems.

story compiled from here/here