As proof that Bungie never fails to mix things up for Spartans online, matchmaking playlist changes for Halo 3 on the Microsoft Xbox 360 are now live. Gone is the exploitable Social Doubles, as Rocket Race Hopper enters the list of available game modes. Other changes should improve your chances of getting desirable matches, like the reduced frequency of VIP gametypes in Multi-team and the appearance of Swords in Lone Wolves.
Original Xbox titles downloaded via Xbox Live for use on Xbox 360s will run imperfectly, says Microsoft.
On Tuesday the platform holder announced that its forthcoming fall dashboard update will enable Xbox 360 owners to download original Xbox titles such as Halo, Fable, Crash Bandicoot and Burnout 3 via Xbox Live Marketplace. However, the company has since posted a list of known issues affecting the performance of the classic games on its latest hardware.
“… Any additional content within a game (such as a demo or trailer) is not supported by Xbox Originals titles and selecting those options may result in crashing the game (requiring a restart of the console).”
Halo suffers from “some very mild frame rate drops”, while in Fable “there are some random bursts of audio static and some minor texture issues”.
A complete run-down of known issues can be found on Xbox.com.
A new report claims Nintendo will enforce a cap on game sizes and title releases for its forthcoming WiiWare service. The report also covers details of the financial models supposedly being applied to the service.
Set to launch in 2008, the WiiWare download service will offer short, creative titles, much like those found on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. It will allow both established developers and independent developers with small budgets the chance to bring their original games to market.
IGN reports on its latest Wii-k in Review podcast that developers have two options for getting their titles on the service. One option is to approach Nintendo directly with a game pitch, and if the platform holder likes the idea it will effectively agree to become the game’s second-hand publisher. Alternatively, developers can go through third party publishers who are likely to demand a large portion of the game’s future profits in return for cash up front. Interestingly, if a developer goes straight through Nintendo, IGN says they will receive a 65 percent share of the profit any game makes, with Nintendo taking the remaining 35 percent. Nintendo will also reportedly allow developers to dictate the selling price of their own games.
Only officially licensed Nintendo developers with Wii development kits will be able to utilize the service. Having spoken to numerous developers, IGN says the average development budget per WiiWare title is under $100,000.
The platform holder is said to be “actively discouraging” larger games, and is reportedly enforcing a 40MB size limit on titles, while developers will only be allowed to release one WiiWare game per month so as not to flood the market.
Titles slated to launch when the service goes live next year include Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Little King and the Promised Country, Dr Mario and Pokemon Ranch Channel.
Numerous PlayStation 3 owners claim that their consoles have stopped functioning correctly, if at all, since installing the latest PS3 firmware update.
Users report, via the official PlayStation forums, running into numerous hardware problems since updating the PS3’s firmware to the recently released version 2.0. The complaints include a slowdown in console functionality, the loss of content, and even consoles being unable to read discs or ceasing to function at all.
This Wednesday 14th November, 2007 Xbox LIVE Arcade launches its 100th title with “Screwjumper!.”
Published by THQ and developed by Frozen Codebase, players take the plunge in “Screwjumper!” and free-fall into the depths of a chaotic underworld, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. The free-falling action takes place on four different planets and features a total of 20 mines.
“Screwjumper!” allows players to compete with friends locally via a split-screen mode, as well as over Xbox LIVE. The game will be available worldwide with the exception of Korea and Japan this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated “E 10+” by the ESRB.
Shrek-N-Roll will be available worldwide with the exception of Korea and Japan this Wednesday 14th November, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. GMT for 800 Microsoft Points.
Join “Shrek®,” “Fiona,” “Donkey,” “Puss in Boots” and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in “SHREK N ROLL,” a puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages on Xbox LIVE Arcade.
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique environments in Far Far Away’s newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, or work together with friends and family in 2-player local Co-op mode. The game will be available worldwide with the exception of Korea and Japan this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST) for 800 Microsoft Points, and is rated “E” (Everyone – Comic Mischief) by the ESRB.
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“… Any additional content within a game (such as a demo or trailer) is not supported by Xbox Originals titles and selecting those options may result in crashing the game (requiring a restart of the console).”
Only officially licensed Nintendo developers with Wii development kits will be able to utilize the service. Having spoken to numerous developers, IGN says the average development budget per WiiWare title is under $100,000.
