Portable media player to utilise Xbox 360 currency
Microsoft's portable media player, Zune, will accept Microsoft Points as currency in exchange for music downloads.
Already a system in use for transactions via Xbox Live Marketplace on the 360, users will be able to purchase songs at a price of 79 points per track, or around US $0.99 (EUR 0.77).
Although speculation regarding interconnectivity between the Xbox 360 and Zune has been rife, this is the first time that Microsoft has revealed a system unique to the hardware.
As with a majority of MP3 players, the Zune is able to connect with the Xbox 360 to play music and other media, or via a Media Centre PC streaming content to the console.
Zune will go on sale in North America on November 14th, priced US $249.99 (EUR 197).
There are few to no in-store displays. The title carries a restrictive game-as-porn Z rating. It is an exclusive for a largely unpopular American console. And, it looks like Dead Rising is going to be a hit in Japan.
I head over to Yodobashi Camera in Umeda. It's one of the largest electronics stores in north Osaka.
Similar to the store near my house. No in-store advertising, save for a tiny description shoved next to Aqua Zone. No posters. And, there were no boxes. I ask, and the clerk tells me the game is sold out. Sold out last Thursday, when the game launch. And according to this clerk, it sold out pretty quick. Thirty copies in all, he guesstimated.
Down south, Bic Camera is king. There's a massive store in Osaka's Nanba neighborhood.
Me: "How many copies of the game did you get in?"
S.T.W.B.T.C.W.G.: "Forty."
Me: "And when did the game sell out?"
S.T.W.B.T.C.W.G.: "They sold out on the 28th. When the game went on sell."
Three ground-breaking XBOX/XBOX 360 video games will be available exclusively at BURGER KING® restaurants this holiday season. Based on some of the most popular video game genres – Racing, Action and Adventure – and rated “E” for everyone, the authentic XBOX games blend the popularity of BURGER KING® brand personalities, like the King and Subservient Chicken, into visually rich, three-dimensional environments that give players of all ages a dynamic, interactive experience on one of the most popular video game platforms in the world.
Welcome to the wild world of Pocketbike racing where players race the King and his miniature motorbike crew through five fun, yet challenging speedways. Each track varies in level of difficulty and players navigate long straights, tight bends and sharp turns at high speeds while attempting to earn enhancements and tools that they can use to gain an advantage over opponents. Featuring HAVE IT YOUR WAY® customization options, players select a bike and a driver and then hit the track of their choice ¬-- a BURGER KING® restaurant parking lot, a construction site, a backyard, the King’s garden or the fabled Fantasy Ranch set. In addition to individual play, four players can race against each other in classic split-screen set-up or eight players can battle it out online using XBOX Live.
“Big Bumpin'" (Action) –– Big Bumpin’ looks like a traditional carnival bumper car ride and features familiar BURGER KING® icons, including the Subservient Chicken and Brooke Burke. But, there’s a catch – Big Bumpin’ arenas come with some big hazards, like surprise saws, bottomless pits and “power up” items that let gamers dole out thundering bumps. With several different types of game play, gamers have a chance to hone their bumper car skills in a variety of challenging scenarios. The game features theme parks, including the “Ice Box,” “Broiler,” “King’s Court,” “The Deep” and “Monsoon of Doom,” and three modes of play for each – intense four-player and XBOX Live-supported. Easy to learn. Fun to play. Difficult to avoid a major crash.
“Sneak King” (Adventure) –– Only the King can turn an everyday act into an art form and now players can step into the King’s royal shoes and use cunning stealth to sneak up behind unsuspecting people and bestow them with a delicious meal. The goal of Sneak King is to surprise hungry citizens with BURGER KING® sandwiches and other menu items throughout the day before they pass out from hunger. Whether in a logging yard, construction site, suburban neighborhood or downtown urban scene -- each rich with detail and hidden pathways -- players can hide out and earn points based on how elaborate the delivery is executed.
Availability: Nov. 19 through Dec. 24, 2006 at BURGER KING® restaurants
Price: $3.99 with the purchase of a BK™ Value Meal
So your addicted to Xbox L!ve, not a day goes by that you cannot resist getting your L!ve hit! You love talking Smack to your opponents that you've just ripped apart for the 3rd time in a row. :)
Well this is where GameDr's Smack Talker comes in. This handy little gadget fits in-between your headset and your controller and allows you to pre-record upto 5 sound clips, be it you just talking smack or maybe a few of your favourite film sound clips.
Featuring:
Record through the 360 headset mic or from any audio source to make wacked out clips to drive your opponents nuts!
Record your voice using the XBOX 360 headset microphone.
Add to the fact you can re-record your sound clips as many times as you like and you might just have yourself a fun little gadget to taunt your opponents with.
With a retail price of around $29.99(us) and £15.99 respectively and a release date of 1st November 2006 this might be one item to keep an eye on if you like messing with peoples heads. ;)
I'm sure you will agree its well worth the download, especially once you have seen your character in Leather Chaps, Crazy Bunny Slippers, a Sharp Edge Mutton with Eye Patch and a Panther tattoo. :)
The Xbox 360 game Saints Row has just released it's first content download on the marketplace.
The content called Funky Fresh Pack contains 69 additional items to bling out your character. These not only include new Clothes but also new Accessories like an eye patch for all you pirates out there. New Hair Styles such as a Curly Gents Moustache. ;) And some new Tattoos such as a Biohazard symbol.
The price of this first download is a very reasonable 100gp and only weighs in at 14mb for the download.
Here is a breakdown of what’s included in various colours and styles:-
We've suspected Assassin's Creed was coming to Xbox 360 ever since its E3 unveiling, but only recently did Ubisoft disclose the poorly-kept secret to the world. What's even strange is that the Xbox 360 version will actually sport better crowd artificial intelligence, according to a report on IGN.
"While the PlayStation 3 and 360 versions of Assassin's Creed are virtually identical, Raymond did say that on the 360 the team is putting a special emphasis on achievements. The hardware also allows for improved threading, which will improve even further the crowd AI," the impressions read.
We doubt this will have much of an impact on the actual gameplay (it's only the crowd AI and doesn't effect how combat works or influence enemy AI), but an interesting note, considering how many speculate PlayStation 3 will eventually be superior due to the Blu-ray drive.
Dune: Awakening Shows Off Stunning Unreal Engine 5 Gameplay & More Funcom (@Funcom) revealed a stunning new gameplay trailer and featurette for Dune: Awakening, the first episode of the new Dune: Awakening Direct series. Embark on a breathtaking journey across Arraki..
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