With the Xbox 360's fall update slated for December 4, Microsoft has been stringing gamers along on what, exactly, the firmware upgrade will contain.
Thus far, the console maker has confirmed that the update will include the Xbox Originals service, which allows games from Microsoft's first-generation console to be downloaded in full for $15 apiece over Xbox Live. The update will also include Family Timer, which lets parents or neglected significant others allot a specified daily or weekly playtime limit. What will not be in the update, however, is IPTV functionality, though the publisher said the service remains in the awnings.
Microsoft also noted today that more information on the Xbox 360 dashboard update will be made available later this week.
Microsoft Japan recently held a small press briefing detailing some of the new features bundled into the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update.
With the help of Engadget Japanese's Ittousai we've been able to pinpoint a few relevant changes that are in store for next Tuesday's update. The most significant addition is the reorganization of the "games" blade (pictured above), which now features the "Game Library" (in place of "Xbox Live Arcade"), in addition to the old "Achievements" and "Played Games" sections.
When opened, the Game Library is nearly identical to the current XBLA menu, with a vertically-scrolling games list and an info box appearing for the highlighted game [Famitsu image]. New, however, is a horizontal sorting menu, broken down by filters like "All Games," "Arcade," "Demos," and "Recent Downloads." (This new horizontal and vertical organization is not unlike Sony's XMB design -- Microsoft calls it "twist" navigation, the same UI used for Zune.)
Additional Fall Update features:
Top level of "marketplace" has been reorganized and reduced to four categories: "Featured Content," "What's New," "Game Store," and "Video Store" (below top level, categories will be navigated by twist, just like the Game Library)
"Personal Profile" added to Gamer Profile; text field allowing approx. 500-1000 characters, providing space to publish name, nationality, region, and self introduction. (Further social networking tools to accompany 'Friends of Friends' functionality)
XBLA demos deleted from "Played Games" and Gamercard lists
Note: This feature set is by no means complete, and we should expect to see variations in and additions to the North American update, which will be made available on Dec. 4th.
We find it hard to believe there are any 360 owners out there who haven't picked up Halo 3 yet, but if they do exist, their day has just been luckified.
The legendary edition of Halo 3 is on sale, right now, on Amazon for a mere $59.99. A pittance!
The legendary edition regularly retails for $129.99 and contains:
Halo 3 game disc (of course)
Two bonus discs filled with behind-the-scenes docs, making-of movies and other insider material
Images "slipped through proper approval process"
Electronic Arts has said that it regrets a promotion for its latest Need for Speed game which used Page 3 porn models for a topless photo shoot.
The images appeared on Page 3.com, the official softcore porn site of UK tabloid The Sun, and featured topless models posing with a Ferrari. The Need for Speed branding and EA logo featured prominently.
"We regret that these images slipped through the proper EA approval process," said a spokesperson for the publisher, speaking to GamesIndustry.biz.
"They were not appropriate for our brand. The original site has been taken down this morning."
While the images have been deleted, an accompanying video of the photo shoot still remains online, although any association with the game has been removed.
Need for Speed: Pro Street was released last Friday in Europe and today entered the all formats charts at number two.
Harmonix, MTV Games and EA, released today the second song pack for Rock Band. A variety of song packs, albums and individual tracks will be available for download on a weekly basis. And that’s just through the end of 2007. Fans can expect more music every week through 2008 with suggested retail pricing varying from $.99 to $2.99 per track (The equivalent of 80 to 240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360), with the vast majority selling for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360).
3-Pack for $5.49 or Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each (160 Microsoft Points per track and 440 per pack for Xbox 360)
David Bowie Pack
“Moonage Daydream” – David Bowie
“Heroes” as made famous by David Bowie *
“Queen Bitch” as made famous by David Bowie *
Japanese Wii owners are now able to download Nintendo DS demos and Wii trailers via the newly launched Everybody's Nintendo Channel.
The channel enables users to download DS demos which, according to CVG, are stored temporarily on the DS' internal memory, and then erased when the console is switched off.
Everybody's Nintendo Channel, which is currently only available in Japan, also allows Wii owners to view footage of upcoming and already released Wii games.
HQ Network: 10,202 | 
Guests: 5489 |
Members: 0
The images appeared on Page 3.com, the official softcore porn site of UK tabloid The Sun, and featured topless models posing with a Ferrari. The Need for Speed branding and EA logo featured prominently.
The channel enables users to download DS demos which, according to CVG, are stored temporarily on the DS' internal memory, and then erased when the console is switched off.
