MDFURY

Top 10 Things to do with the New Xbox Experience.

MDFURY — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:40:00 GMT

The New Xbox Experience is in the process of being deployed to all Xbox LIVE members, but it will take a few hours for everyone to get the prompt to update to NXE….be patient! In the meantime I thought I would give my Top 10 list of things to do with NXE when you get it later today:

1) Create (or Customize) your Avatar – You can spend as much (or as little) time as you want in the Avatar Editor to personalize your little guy/girl

Bonus: When you are done with #1, be sure to take a Gamer Picture of your Avatar. In the Avatar editor, choose Gamer Picture. You can use the controls to move your avatar around, zoom in and out or even change the background color (press Y)

2) Explore the all new dashboard. (hint: use the trigger and bumpers to quickly scroll up and down or left and right)

3) PAR-TAY! Check out Xbox LIVE Parties and chat with up to seven of your friends. Go to the Friends channel…choose a friend who is online and press Y to get the party started. You can also hit the Xbox 360 Guide button > Party >Start a Party. Once you do that, send off invites to your party (since one does not make a very good party…does it?)

4) Themes. While any themes you work will NXE, check out some of the new themes via My Xbox and select your profile (second slot) and then change theme. Xbox 360, Spectrum, Day and Night are new themes that available as part of your NXE upgrade…check them out.

5) Marketplace on Xbox.com. This new feature lets you search, browse, and purchase games and videos while you are away from your console. You can also perform account management functions like changing your billing information, viewing your purchase history, and downloading items you already own.

6) Netflix – Xbox LIVE Gold Member and you have Netflix? If you are in the US you can stream thousands of videos (some in HD) directly from Netflix to your Xbox 360. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial at Xbox.com/netflix

7) Install to / Play from Hard Drive. With the game in the tray, return to your dashboard. (pressing the guide button then Y works as always) then go to My Xbox. From here press Y, which will bring up a new menu which will allow, among other things the ability to install a game to your hard drive.
Hint: You can still use the Xbox 360 guide while installing a game to keep in touch with your friends or start a Party.

Bonus: Before you do #7, be sure to set up what happens when you turn on your Xbox 360. My Xbox->System Settings>Console settings. Then choose Start up to to choose Disc, Xbox Dashboard or Windows Media Center. Once you are done there…check the option right below it: Autostart. This tell your Xbox 360 what to do when you insert a game. The choices are enable or disable. I have mine set to disable so I can easily use install to hard drive.

8) Delete Zero Gamerscore games. You can remove any games from your games played list that you have earned no achievements or gamerscore. Press the Xbox 360– guide button, navigate left to the games section and choose Achievements. From here choose the game with zero gamerscore you want to remove and press X (Delete Game History.)

9) Press the Xbox 360 button on your controller to see the all new Guide. The team has added more functionality than the old guide, while making it more responsive. It’s a quick way to check your messages, see who is online or start a party.

10) Take a look at Community Games in the Games Marketplace. For the first time in the history of console gaming, thousands of games developed by the creative community will be available to the public.

Personal foul. Given him the business... Football Bloopers

MDFURY — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:54:00 GMT

Blooper 1

Good Hit by Maryland Terp

Naked guy get stuck

Ouch

Here are some of the new features coming to Xbox360.

MDFURY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:24:00 GMT

Avatars, Party System and Xbox Live Primetime baby are all new things coming to the 360 in a dashboard update. More info LINK

Some COD5 Information Link to first screenshots

MDFURY — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:50:00 GMT

First COD5 Screenshots. LINK

The next Call of Duty is subtitled World at War and developed by Treyarch.

It will feature co-op for the first time in the series and is heading to PC, Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii,

Call of Duty: World at War is set back in World War II amid the Pacific struggle between the US and Japan.

Content is said to be as gritty and mature as any game around. Apparently the opening shows a Japanese commander stubbing a cigarette out in the eye of a prisoner before slitting his throat and turning to dish out a similar fate to you. Is that gritty and mature enough for you? Is it?

There's no word on a date just yet, but word comes off the back of Call of Duty 4 managing to sell over 10 million copies and retake the top-spot of most-played game on Xbox Live from Grand Theft Auto IV.

Look out for our thoughts on Call of Duty: World at War in the nearish future.

I know alot of CBZ didn't like COD3 me included. Treyarch is the same develpoer that did COD3 that most of us didn't like. Infinity Ward only does every other COD game unfortunately.

Now no spring Update this year.

MDFURY — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:06:00 GMT

No Spring update this year more info here-----> LINK

Some of the rumored 80 new features and tweaks coming in the spring update are:

Xbox LIVE

1. Option to delay sign-in to Xbox LIVE upon booting console (to allow user to set Online Status).
2. Option to promote Child Account from Family Settings.
3. Disallow Child Accounts (over 18) to override Family Settings by launching Privacy Settings through a title.
4. Option in Family Settings for Child Accounts to enable child-oriented/non-mature advertisements.
5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
6. Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from Marketplace only).
7. Extend height for Bio field in Personal Profile, easier navigation through text.
8. More fields present in Personal Profile - recent achievements, interests, games, movies, links, custom section.
9. Compact Personal Profile for new fields (navigating to field will open it up).
10. Mandatory option to delete duplicate titles from gamercard (excludes Games for Windows - LIVE). User disconnected from Xbox LIVE when booting any title until action complete.
11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.
12. New payment methods for international users.
13. Download History on Account Management better organized - games, genre, type, download date, miscellaneous.
14. Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.
15. Better organization of free content on Marketplace.
16. Option to 'ping' when testing connection.
17. Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.
18. New strip colours available to developers, staff gamercards.
19. New corner icon available to ambassadors.
20. Re-introduce Messages button for Inside Xbox updates only.
21. Option to store up to 10 messages permanently on server (excludes invites, status messages).
22. Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.
23. Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.
24. Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).
25. Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.
26. Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).
27. Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.
28. Display random tips to replace static text on Xbox LIVE and Games blades.
29. New button on Marketplace for optional dashboard features - uses Storage Device memory.
30. Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.
31. Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).
32. Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.
33. Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
34. Option to see 'snippet' of text message in notification.
35. Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.

Marketplace

37. Option to display gamer picture or standard picture as display picture in Windows Live Messenger.
38. Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger.
39. Support for limited 'winks' that display on dashboard interface. Option to disable 'winks' and 'nudges' added.
40. Notifications separate from Windows Live Messenger to Xbox 360 notifications.
41. Disable multiple languages from being used in any Xbox LIVE editable fields.

Games

1. Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).
2. Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) - sort by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.
3. Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.
4. Show dates of an achievement unlocked when comparing.
5. Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.
6. Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage

Device

7. Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.
8. Support for more titles to display banner when accessing guide in-game.
9. Option to re-introduce awarded gamer pictures from titles that do not have their own re-introduce feature (requires saved game).
10. Disable gamer pictures from being awarded from trials.
11. Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.
12. Synchronization to achievements offline/online that were deleted and then re-added from developers.

Media

1. Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.
2. Option to delete individual music tracks from storage device.
3. Option to rip music CD at different quality.
4. Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices.
5. Support for menu, top-menu features on video content downloaded from Marketplace.
6. Section added for audio delivered through feeds (podcasts). Option to stream, download to Storage Device.
7. Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.

Dashboard/Miscellaneous

1. Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies to Games, Media, System).
2. New blade trim styles added.
3. Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.
4. New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).
5. Calibration options for display/sound.
6. Calibration options for motion sensor devices.
7. New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.
8. Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.
9. Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.
10. Faster loading of Themes section on guide.
11. Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from
12. Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.
13. Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.
14. Option to change text colours on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.
16. Language improvements.
18. Word censor updated for fields.
19. Privacy Settings/Family Settings updated for new features.
20. Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts).

Xbox live will be down 2am to 10am Pacific Time on Monday April 21

MDFURY — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:50:00 GMT

It proable won't effect the cooperboys much. LINK

Anybody got a cool billion dollars to buy Epic? Microsoft does.

MDFURY — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:52:00 GMT

According to news posts on dbtechno.com and WRAL the latest issue of GamePro states that Microsoft is closing in on a deal to acquire developer Epic Games. The report states that Epic, known primarily as the developer behind Unreal Engine 3, would cost Microsoft upwards of $1 billion dollars. If true the acquisition would mean Microsoft would own Unreal Engine 3, the engine that powers most ~~next~~ current generation titles on the Xbox 360, PC and rival PS3 which would see Microsoft profiting from any title that makes use of the technology. See the rest of the story here ----> LINK

Blu-Ray already in Development for 360. Rumor: Xbox 360 Blu-ray add-on by May

MDFURY — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:27:00 GMT

If Blu-Ray comes to 360 I will buy one. Wow Microsoft will do anything to stay ahead of Sony. LINK

Official Press release from Toshiba ------> LINK

Update COD4 Patch heads to Certification

MDFURY — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:50:00 GMT

Great News! The new feature patch I talked about last week (with new Kill Cams, Host Migration, and other new features) for the Xbox 360 has finished it’s internal testing and development and has officially been sent off to Microsoft for Certification. It’s only a matter of Microsoft putting it through the certification paces and it will be available for download for all Xbox 360 players.

If you forgot, keep reading to re-cap on all the new features this patch brings to players.

As for the Playstation 3 version of this patch, it’s currently finishing up it’s final internal testing (which I’m expecting to go very quickly) and should be heading off to Sony for it’s own certification in the near future, I’ll post that and full details on what that includes when that time comes.

New Kill CamsWe’ve added new Kill Cams for everything. So now those “WTF!” grenades that seemingly come from no where, you can see that a guy threw it over the house, it hit a tree branch, bounced off a rock, into a tiny window, where you happened to be pointing out of, and say…… whoa. Follow behind RPGs and M203’s kill cams, claymores, Airstrikes where you can follow the bomb from the plane until it hits you.

Host Migration:

Now you won’t have to be dropped back by yourself when a host leaves. Instead, everyone will stay together, a new host will be assigned, and the game will auto-start back up. Keeping everyone together, no more re-inviting, re-joining games because some host leaves. This has been a tall order and something that we’ve put a lot of work into which has allowed us to really optimize online play all around not just specifically with Host migration.

Improved Sniper / ACOG Accuracy:

Sniper and ACOG scopes have been tweaked and are really improved. I use to not snipe at all (mainly because I’m a horrible sniper), but now it’s so much more fluid and natural, while still having the same difficulty to use, it has no more “WTF I know I hit that guy!” moments.

Upgraded Spectator Cam:

Now when you’re in spectator mode you can follow them in 3rd person, switch to their first person view, or rotate the camera in a full 360 degrees around whoever you’re watching.

Quick Mute Option

Users will now be able to quick mute players on the fly by pulling up the scoreboard in-game or via the lobby by simply going to their name and hitting the mute assigned button. As quickly as calling in and designating an airstike. So no longer getting killed while trying to make your way through the Xbox blades for the mute option so you can shut up the guy who always seems to find it funny to sing into his mic or cover up for his lack of skill by telling you how to play Domination his way.

Categories: call of duty 4 modern warfare · patch · xbox 360
Tagged: call of duty, call of duty 4 modern warfare, certification, cod4, host migration, kill cams, microsoft, patch, xbox 360

New GRAW 2 maps, weapons and co-op content

MDFURY — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:02:00 GMT

The new 800 Microsoft point Co-op Collection DLC will feature five new co-op missions, a total of nine new multiplayer maps (seven of them being remakes) and nine new achievements totaling 125 Gamerscore. Ubisoft is also giving away a free More Guns Pack download that'll add seven new weapons to GRAW 2's single player campaign. Again, both the Co-op Collection and More Guns Pack DLC should be available sometime today. LINK

Free of Charge Next Week on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Undertow. Downloading can start Wed 1/23 2:00am pst.

MDFURY — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 06:48:00 GMT

LINK to details

Your welcome.

Spawn Campers reunite March 08. Rainbow Six Vegas 2 coming to a campground near you.

MDFURY — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:31:00 GMT

Another edition of Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is coming out in March? First bit of info can be found right here. LINK

I have a feeling this is not going to be a dramatic change from the last Rainbow Six Vegas game.

Free Carcassonne game. Happy 5th B-day Xbox Live

MDFURY — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:31:00 GMT

Microsoft also added some announcements about the fifth anniversary of the launch of Xbox Live on November 15. In celebration, Microsoft will be offering a free download of the Xbox Live Arcade game Carcassonne (Hexic 2 in Korea) starting at 12:01am EST November 15. The game will be free to all subscribers for 48 hours.

Fall dashboard update Dec4.. Original xbox games available for download?

MDFURY — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:34:00 GMT

Divx support and Xbox 1 game downloads for 1200 xbox points or $15 Original Halo is on the list.

Get your read on LINK

New games released in the next couple of months. Check it out!

MDFURY — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:10:00 GMT

Mutant Storm Empire	10/31/07
BlackSite: Area 51	11/5/07
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare	11/5/07
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War	11/6/07
Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2008	11/6/07
F.E.A.R. Files	11/6/07
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga	11/6/07
Scene It?	11/6/07
Assassin's Creed	11/13/07
Beowulf	11/13/07
Need for Speed ProStreet	11/13/07
Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back	11/13/07
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008	11/13/07
America's Army: True Soldiers	11/15/07
College Hoops 2K8	11/19/07
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess	11/20/07
History Channel: Battle For the Pacific	11/20/07
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men	11/20/07
Mass Effect	11/20/07
Mass Effect: Limited Collector's Edition	11/20/07
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus	11/20/07
Rock Band	11/20/07
Golden Compass, The	12/4/07
MX Vs. ATV Untamed	12/17/07
NCAA March Madness 08	12/18/07
Burnout Paradise	1/1/08
Cabela's Monster Bass	1/1/08
Frontlines: Fuel of War	1/1/08
Hei$t	1/1/08
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom	1/1/08