The next Xbox 360 update is only just around the corner and we know Microsoft Studios are launching their new Xbox 360 "Games on Demand" service and some other cool updates but we haven't seen a full list of titles and features available until now.. Check out the full list below.
Less than a week from today, the Xbox LIVE summer update will arrive to more than 20 million Xbox LIVE members and with it will come the next evolution of connected entertainment on Xbox 360. Get ready to meet the many new faces of your Xbox 360; whether it’s new Avatar clothing and awards from Adidas or “Splosion Man”, or even a private home cinema, Xbox LIVE has something for you.
Movie night on Xbox LIVE
Browse, select and jump right into your favourite movies from the top genres: comedy, action, horror…even a tear-jerking chick flick. There are hundreds to choose from, with many in HD.
Avatars are people too!
Now thanks to Avatar Marketplace the options for customising your avatar are endless. With an ever-expanding selection of stores, full of premium outfits and accessories from your favourite games and fashion brands, you can express yourself through your Avatar like never before. Your Avatar’s one-stop-shop will launch with a growing collection from the top names in fashion and gaming including:
Top Brands: Adidas, Quiksilver, Roxy, Tokidoki
Unique Fashions: Steampunk, Recessionista
Your Favourite Games: “BioShock 2,” “Halo 3,” “Halo 3: ODST,” “Gears of War 2,” “Fable II,” “The Secret of Monkey Island SE,” “Splinter: Cell Conviction,” “Star Wars Clone Wars: Republic Heroes”
You can also earn special Avatar clothes and items just by playing your favourite games, starting with a hot logo t-shirt from “Splosion Man,” the hit Xbox LIVE Arcade title that kicked-off off the 2nd annual Summer of Arcade. And to keep your Avatars from getting bored, we’re giving them fun new props to play with; everything from a basketball to pompoms, even a mobile phone…just try to stick with nights and weekends.
Games on Demand marks the introduction of digitally distributed full Xbox 360 games: the titles you want, when you want them, straight to your Xbox 360 at the push of a button. You’ll also have the option to easily purchase Games on Demand titles directly via credit card.
There will be no less then 24 games available for digital distribution in the US and another 24 games available for EU using the "Games on Demand" Service . The dashboard update is set for release this Tuesday August 11th, 2009.
No more hide and seek
Now you can view, find and arrange your content on Xbox LIVE the way you want. Want to send a specific friend a message? Sort your friends list by Gamertag, status and even activity, so you can easily find the friends you want. There are also new options for viewing your Achievements and progress, improved matchmaking support and more.
Best of all, you can now rate every single piece of content on Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace using a five star system. Support your favourite XBLA game with a five star rating, or find the top-rated titles in the newly-updated Indie Games Marketplace – it’s never been easier to find the best and most beloved game content on Xbox LIVE.
Just the beginning…
The Xbox LIVE summer update brings all new ways to play games, and connect with friends or friendly rivals anywhere in the world. It’s another step toward realising the Xbox 360 promise of entertainment for everyone, and another reason why Xbox LIVE is hands down the best entertainment value in your living room. But this is just the beginning…
Coming soon, we’re bringing a whole new wave of partnerships and custom features straight to your Xbox 360 – instant on 1080p streaming video with 5.1 audio from Zune, personalised digital radio stations from Last.fm, and the biggest forces in social networking: Facebook and Twitter.
In the meantime, have fun with your Avatar, or download that classic Xbox 360 game you’ve been meaning to pick up. Sit back, relax and enjoy and stay tuned for the next evolution in connected entertainment, courtesy of Xbox LIVE.
As always for all the latest xbox 360 info and updates be sure to check back to 360-HQ or install our new fancy toolbar which will link you with all the latest xbox 360 content we have on offer including: screenshots, trailers & videos, cheats, achievements, news, tutorials, hardware reviews and much much more.
It's no doubt in anyone's mind that Sonic games haven't been as good as the original ones, here is an interesting look at why.
Ever Since Sonic Adventure 2 on the Sega Dreamcast the hedgehog has suffered some pretty piss poor releases. Sonic fans have been hurting for a long time now with titles like "Sonic Riders" and more recently "Sonic The Hedgehog". What little good will gamers had left for the blue blur is quickly evaporating thanks to Sonic Unleashed, an otherwise decent Sonic game ruined by brawling levels that turn Sonic into a werehog combatant. So why exactly do the development team keep screwing things up exactly? Turns out it's an entirely conscious decision.
In the latest IGN Three Red Lights podcast at the 19:40 mark David Clayman recalls a time when he talked to a member of the Sonic Unleashed team about this very issue...
Sonic Unleashed, set to come out later this year.
"I asked one of the developers at TGS, you know I was like, come on everybody just wants Sonic running, like whats up with the werehog? And he was like, well, heres the deal... he runs at this miles per hour, kilometers per hour, and he laid out all of the statistics on how fast this hedgehog goes, and he was like In order to make a game where Sonic is running and everybody enjoys the whole thing we'd have to design this many miles of level, and it was some ungodly number. And he's like and that would be like maybe a three hour game and I was like wow, well that kinda stinks and he's like yeah, so we gotta do this other stuff."
So there you go! Sonic's speed means the level designers would have to craft and design miles and miles of scenery in order to make a game of decent length. Would you rather have a short, great Sonic game or the current lengthy and flawed Sonic games of recent years? I know which school of thought I subscribe to.
Feel free to discuss this in our forums and let us know what you think!
So there you have it, the Sonic Devs, are just trying to make it appeal to mass markets. I think they should listen to their fans and remember this simple trick, Quality > Quantity.
The latest xbox live statistics have been released by majornelson so we thought what better time to add our own HQ Xbox Live Statistics. On 360-Hq we track all the games our members are currently playing and can provide a list of the TOP Xbox 360 Titles our members are playing.
360-Hq now tracks all members gamercards and tracks the most played games right now. We are working on improving our site continously so please be sure to check back for even more cool xbox 360 features.
If you have any suggestions for new features please be sure to get active in our forums and introduce yourself.
And finally here are the most popular Xbox Live Arcade games available for the Xbox 360.
For more info on the latest XBLA games please check out our games database from the links available.
For all the die hard Sonic the Hedgehog fans we thought you might find First 4 Figures new "Sonic the Hedgehog" collectable figures and statues interesting.
First 4 Figures, creators of some of the most amazing Zelda, Metroid, and Transformers collectible statues you're likely to find, have just announced an agreement with Jetix Consumer Products to produce viynl figures and statues based off of the 'classic version' of Sonic the Hedgehog. The first series of 4 to 5 inch figures is slated for July 2008 release, with the lineup - as pictured above - featuring Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Depending on where they draw the line with 'classic' Sonic, there might not be all that many more in the pipe. I mean, what's left? Robotnik? Maybe some mechanical animals? As far as I am concerned, vinyl Sonic figures are a dime a dozen anyway. I'm holding out to see what they do in the statue department.
The latest Xbox 360 Live Stats for the week ended January 14 have just been release by Major Nelson. Call of Duty 4 is the most popular retail game and Metal Slug 3 is most popular XBLA title.
All statistics are based on unique users. The most popular Xbox 360 Live titles for the week ended January 14 are:
Microsoft is upping its assault on the casual market by offering free Xbox Live Arcade games to prospective 360 owners and the friends that persuade them to buy a console.
Microsoft is hoping to take advantage of Wii shortages this holiday by reaching out to those looking for a casual gaming fix. European gamers who persuade a friend to purchase an Xbox 360, and the person who actually parts with the cash, will each receive ten free XBLA games for their troubles, assuming they don’t forget to fill out and send off a form.
The ten titles in question are Every Extend Extra Extreme, Sonic The Hedgehog, Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, Bomberman Live, Marble Blast Ultra (pictured), Spyglass Boardgames, 3D Mini Golf Adventures, Small Arms, Assault Heroes and Zuma Deluxe.
According to Stephen McGill, head of Gaming and Entertainment, Microsoft UK, the offer “…enforces the fact we’ve got an exceptional online service in Xbox Live, which truly does bring everyone together.”
Last month Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 Arcade pack in place of the prior entry-level unit, the Xbox 360 Core system, in a bid to target the family-friendly market being bossed by Nintendo. The Arcade pack comes with a wireless controller, five full pick-up-and-play arcade titles, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) support and a 256MB memory card.
They’re at it again – Sonic and his two-tailed friend Tails team up to fight Dr. Robotnik in “Sonic The Hedgehog 2.” The newest addition to the SEGA Vintage Collection, “Sonic The Hedgehog 2” is available for download this Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).
Price: 400 MS Points
With his new Super Spin Dash and "Tails" the Fox, Sonic is back and better than ever in Sonic The Hedgehog 2! Defy gravity in hair-raising loop-de-loops, bounce like a pinball and race like lightning. Play against friends at home or against others over Xbox LIVE® in this classic game.
Features
Classic Sonic action: One of the world's most famous video game characters comes to Xbox LIVE in one of his fans' favorite titles. Experience the thrill of the fastest hedgehog in the universe.
Enhanced graphics and sound: The game stays true to the original, but takes full advantage of high-definition graphics, with enhanced sound effects.
Achievements and leaderboards: Take on the challenge of new achievements to conquer, and use the leaderboards to compare scores among friends and the rest of the Xbox LIVE world.
Multiplayer: Play with a friend at home, or go online and play Sonic and Tails with the world at large.
Here's the latest LIVE Activity for the Xbox 360 straight from major nelson's blog.
These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade, full versions purchased this week. If the Xbox 360 list and the original Xbox list were combined, then Gears of War continues to be the top Xbox Live title.
The arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
For all the latest xbox 360 gaming info check out the 360-hq games database which will link you to our xbox 360 screenshots, trailers, videos, achievements and cheats.
Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (UU’s)
1. Gears of War
2. BioShock (Demo)
3. STRANGLEHOLD (Demo)
4. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas
5. Guitar Hero II
6. Madden NFL 08
7. Forza Motorsport 2
8. Call Of Duty 3
9. Track and Field
10. Oblivion
Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1. Track and Field
2. Hexic 2
3. Ecco the Dolphin
4. Marathon: Durandal
5. Spyglass Board Games
6. Bomberman LIVE
7. Sonic The Hedgehog
8. 3D Ultra™ Minigolf Adventures
9. Golden Axe
10. Carcassonne
Japanese RPG “Blue Dragon” Lifts Its Wings and Flies To North American Shores
U.S. gamers will finally have the chance to join Shu and his friends in the eagerly awaited “Blue Dragon” for Xbox 360, when the game journeys to retailers on August 28
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the highly anticipated role-playing game (RPG) “Blue Dragon” will ship to retailers throughout North America on August 28 for the estimated retail price of $59.99. Rated “T” for “Teen,” “Blue Dragon” will usher in the next generation of RPG exclusively on the Xbox 360, with a combination of realistic environments, anime-styled characters, unique battles and a deep, compelling storyline.
Bringing top Japanese developer talent to the Xbox 360, “Blue Dragon” is a culmination of the work of famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker game studio and developer Artoon. This epic RPG features the character design of Akira Toriyama, who designed “Dragon Ball Z,” and music by Nobuo Uematsu, the composer for “Final Fantasy.”
Gamers will find themselves exploring and discovering the vast world of “Blue Dragon” as they assume the role of Shu, a young boy who along with his band of four friends, embarks on a quest to combat the evil forces that have come to their world. These unlikely heroes possess miraculous strength and the magical power to control their phantom shadow creatures that range from a Minotaur to a phoenix to a dragon and more.
“Blue Dragon” will be available on August 28, but anxious adventurers can head over to http://www.xbox.com/redwhiteandbluedragon now to check out the “Red, White and Blue Dragon” feature, based on the premise of “American Independence and Japanese Games.”
In addition, adventurers can bring Shu, his friends and their quest to save the world to their websites with the official “Blue Dragon” Fan Site Kit, which is available for download from http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/bluedragonxbox360/. The Fan Site Kit includes artwork, skins, screenshots, forum avatars and more assets for webmasters to create their very own “Blue Dragon” fan site.