Technofranki's blog

July 21, 2009

Xbox Live Dashboard update – August 11 & Preview Program

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Live,Xbox Live Arcade,Xbox Originals — technofranki @ 23:20

new_xbox_experience_update_04

The next update for Xbox Live Dashboard arrives on August 11. There is also a Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program which you can sign up for to get the update early.

Here is all the new features, copied from Joystiq.com:

Netflix Updates (US only)
Now you can watch movies with your friends no matter where they are and manage your queue from the comfort of your couch.

  • Movie Parties – Xbox LIVE Gold members can sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends no matter where they are while your Avatars watch a movie, flirt or even throw popcorn at each other.
  • Manage Your Queue – Browse the Netflix Instant Watch video catalogue, choose from the most popular movies and genres and add to your queue all from the comfort of your couch – no computer required.
  • Enhanced Playback Experience – Enjoy a smooth viewing experience when your internet bandwidth fluctuates.
  • Friends Info – Richer information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide showing what you and your friends are doing.

Avatar Marketplace

  • Express yourself! Deck your Avatar out with the latest clothing and props from the top brands and game franchises. Please note that only limited content is currently available in the preview.
  • Clothing – Download premium items, including branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and Xbox 360 games such as “Halo.”
  • Props – You can now equip your avatar with animated items they can carry around and interact with.
  • Awardables – The ability to earn Avatar clothing and props as rewards within games has been added. Please stay tuned for an update on supporting titles.

Games on Demand
Please note that Games on Demand will be available in the preview beginning early August.

  • Enjoy 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular full game titles on Xbox LIVE whenever you want them, in the comfort of your living room.
  • Purchase Options – Browse and download a great selection of full Xbox 360 games using Microsoft Points, direct debit, or credit card.
  • Game Manuals – Game manuals for Games on Demand titles can be viewed, downloaded or printed on Xbox.com.
  • It’s Yours Forever! – As with other Xbox LIVE content, Games on Demand titles are linked to your Xbox LIVE account, so you can delete and re-download anything you have already purchased to the same console or another console.

User Ratings
User ratings help you find games that other people think are awesome!

  • Rate it – You can now rate every game on the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace using a 5-star system.
  • Sort and Find it – Now you can easily find the games that everyone’s been raving about by visiting the Top Rated games in the Browse All category of Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace.

Xbox LIVE Parties
Everyone loves to Party! Check out the new and improved Xbox LIVE Party features.

  • Party Reconnections – If you are accidently disconnected from your party, Xbox LIVE will automatically reconnect you.
  • Streamlined Party Invites – Invites are now just one click away! No need to click through multiple screens to get all your friends together.

Video Display Options

  • We’ve made it easier for you to see your entertainment in the highest resolution possible on your TV using an HDMI connection.
  • Display Discovery – Make sure you can see and hear your entertainment in the highest resolution and sound quality possible with the option to override and select audio and video formats independent of the information your television sends to your Xbox 360 console.

Other Improvements
We’re always listening to you for feedback, and this Xbox LIVE update will include numerous dashboard updates.

  • Gold Member Veterans – Xbox LIVE Gold members get to show it off with a stamp on your Gamer Card that tells people how long you’ve been a Gold member.
  • Indie Games – Xbox LIVE Community Games has been renamed Xbox LIVE Indie Games. We feel this new name better represents the independent spirit of these titles.
  • Achievement Browser – We’ve revamped the Achievements browser so it’s now easier to read through all the achievements while playing a game. You can now also launch a game directly from the browser.
  • Achievements Tracking – A new view inside the profile panel which includes a summary of Achievements earned across all the games played, and shows of all your completed games.
  • Streamlined Navigation – Streamlined navigation, including new entry points in the dashboard for Active Downloads, redeeming codes, recovering Gamertags and more.
  • Voice Messages – No more blank voice messages! When recording a voice message, a warning will pop up if no audio is detected.
  • Friends List Sorting – It’s now easier to find your friends! Find and sort your friends by activity, Gamertag or online status by pressing the Y button while viewing the friends list in the Guide.
  • Memory – Time stamps now appear in the memory area, which particular handy when managing saved games.

Account Management
We’ve made some changes to make your life easier.

  • Subscription Notification – If your Xbox LIVE subscription is about to run out, you will now be notified when you sign into Xbox LIVE.
  • Updates for Invalid Windows Live IDs – If the Windows Live ID you provided has expired, you will now be prompted to update it the next time you sign into Xbox LIVE.
  • Account recovery – We’ve enhanced the account recovery process to make it faster and more reliable.

What does this Xbox LIVE Update not include?
The following features will be coming in future Xbox LIVE updates, which we’ll be sure to let you know about.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Zune video and 1080p Instant On
  • Last.fm

February 17, 2009

Xbox Originals: Grabbed by the Ghoulies

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Originals — Tags: — technofranki @ 20:48

This week Grabbed by the Ghoulies is made available on Xbox 360 via Xbox Originals. The game will cost you 1200 points. (Source: MajorNelson.com)

 

Grabbed by the Ghoulies

Grabbed by the Ghoulies™ is a humorous beat-’em-up adventure game that takes place in a haunted house full of crazed ghoulies.

Take on the role of Cooper, akid on a mission to rescue his girlfriend, who has been “grabbed by the ghoulies.” Venture through haunted and ominous Ghoulhaven Hall and battle it out with a variety of monsters, while trying to escape the many tricks, traps, and shocks along the way.

rabbed by the Ghoulies is filled with unexpected surprises. But be careful … all that fail to get through Ghoulhaven Hall will be imprisoned within and never seen again.

  • Ghoulies galore: More than 25 types of dirty fightin’ ghoulies will keep players on their toes as they venture down dark and scary corridors. Players will face being electrocuted, bitten, burnt, cursed, bandaged and thrown around by the unruly ghoulies.Ninja imps, dancing zombies, cursed mummies, boxing skeletons, peg-legged pirates, haunted furniture and many more chilling ghoulies await players around every turn. Each ghoulie has its own crazed personality, hilarious animations and style of attack—and they all fight dirty.
  • Wide variety of weapons: Players will have more than 100 household objects at their disposal to use as weapons. They can bash ghoulies with chairs, pool cues, tables, food and nearly anything else they find in the house. Players that prefer long distance action will enjoy taking on vampires with a garlic-firing blunderbuss, dousing fire imps with a fire extinguisher, chasing zombies with a “sacred” water super-soaker, or launching 12 ounce exploding pop cans on ghoulies using a soda pop gun.
  • Spinetingling adventure: Players explore more than 50 rooms and 100 levels in the sinister Ghoulhaven Hall and follow a twisted plot full of unexpected surprises, shocks, escapes and rescues. We can’t say anything more!
  • Power ups galore: Players will be rewarded with 15 types of power ups including Power, Speed, Energy, Super Weapon boosts and a host of fun power-ups such as “miniature coopers,” which are actual mini clones of the main character that suddenly join the brawl. Players also have to dodge “nasties”—anti-power ups—that add a hilarious element to gameplay.
  • Mini game challenges: Players will earn access to a series of hidden and fun challenges throughout the game by collecting bonus books. Once earned, each of the 20 challenges is easily accessible for players to improve their scores for neighborhood bragging rights.
  • Sophisticated yet simple gameplay: Featuring an easy pick-up-and-play style, “Grabbed by the Ghoulies” offers something for gamers at all skill levels. Players can grasp gameplay basics quickly, and refine and improve their fighting strategy as they progress through the game.
  • The Rare Fan Site Kit (FSK) is now available for download. Included in the FSK is an assortment of screenshots, gameplay videos, buttons, and other Web site development materials from Rare titles Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Kameo: Elements of Power and Conker: Live and Uncut. With the Fan Site Kit, webmasters have the tools necessary to create a truly “Rare” site.” Click here to download.

December 16, 2008

Xbox 360: Sega Soccer Slam and Raze’s Hell added to Xbox Originals

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Originals — Tags: , — technofranki @ 19:08

To some regions, two new Xbox Originals are added for download. Sega Soccer Slam is only available for North America and Raze’s Hell is available for all regions except Asia. Each game is 1200 points. (Soruce: MajorNelson.com)

xbox_originals_sega_soccer_slam

Sega Soccer Slam

Sega Soccer Slam is a kick-off revolution, and the pitch will never be the same. A host of outrageous teams from across the globe unite on the pitch for intense, three-on-three matches of the world’s most popular sport. The thrilling gameplay action involves nasty tackles, lethal killer kicks, and brilliant spotlight maneuvers.

In Quest mode, take your selected team through a series of matches, unlocking secret stadium locations and gaining access to hidden items that improve player attributes. Alternative game-play options include Arcade mode, Challenge mode, and a round-robin Tourney mode with sizzling multiplayer action for up to six players.

xbox_originals_razes_hell

Raze’s Hell

A darkly comic action-shooter set in a fantasy world overrun by fiendishly cute creatures, Raze’s Hell follows the exploits of Raze, a monstrous anti-hero who takes a no-holds-barred approach to stopping an onslaught of adorable characters and restore his planet to its naturally ugly state.

Under the leadership of their twisted Princess, the Kewletts are trying to impose their disturbingly distorted view of utopia upon the masses. Raze goes to war against the Kewletts, gaining the respect and assistance of some of the other inhabitants of the planet. As he grows in power, Raze works his way closer to the capital of Kewtopia to uncover the truth behind the Kewlett takeover.

  • Level design: Battle through 20 massive mission-based levels set in surreal alien landscapes. The intense large-scale battles feature enemies that take cover, sound alarms, and fight back.
  • Organic weapons: Use devastating organic weapons that mirror traditional military weapons plus rolling, stealth, and melee attacks. More than 20 fiendishly cute enemy types are armed with deadly jack-in-the-boxes, lollipop axes, and even bunny rocket launchers.

October 18, 2008

Xbox Originals: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Originals — Tags: , — technofranki @ 16:57

On Monday October 20, 2008 you can download Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on Xbox Originals. The game will cost 1200 points. The game is only available in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States. (Soruce: MajorNelson.com)

 

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs, and corruption. Now he’s back in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas™.

But Carl’s family is in dire straits and his friends are headed for disaster. To make matters worse, he’s just been framed for homicide.

Join Carl on his journey across the state of San Andreas as he fights to save his family and take back control of the streets.

  • Sights: Become part of Carl’s world through the astounding graphics of the Xbox®. Experience dynamic weather, from sunshine to smog. Relive the last 30 seconds of outrageous gameplay with instant replays!
  • Sounds: Listen to San Andreas, now sonically invigorated for the Xbox. Use custom soundtracks to craft your own personalized radio station of early 1990s anthems.
  • Space: Explore three huge cities on San Andreas, an island almost six times the size of Vice City. Visit deserts, rolling countryside, truck stops, secret military base, forest, mountains, and dozens of small towns.
  • Speed: Take control of BMX bikes, motorcycles, aircraft, trucks, cars, boats, hovercraft, and more.
  • Style: Pimp your ride with a custom sound system, nitro packs, rims, bumpers, upholstery, and other options.
  • Sports: Play mini-games like basketball, pool, dancing, low-rider hopping, Vegas games, and old-school arcade games.
  • Support: Use two-player cooperative mode for certain objectives.

September 15, 2008

Xbox 360: Destroy all Humans and Intellivision Lives! on XBLA

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Originals — Tags: , — technofranki @ 19:37

This week we get two new Xbox Originals, well some don’t get anything at all. Destroy all Humans! will cost you 1200 points, but is not available in Japan and Korea. Intellivision Lives! is also 1200 points, but only available in US. (source: MajorNelson.com)

Destroy All Humans!

In Destroy All Humans!™, use destructive weapons and innate mental powers to take on the most feared enemy in the galaxy—mankind! You are Crypto, an alien warrior sent to Earth to clear the way for the Furon invasion force. Your mission is to infiltrate humanity, control them, harvest their brain stems, and ultimately destroy them. You choose the method—infiltration or disintegration.

  • Turn the tables: Play from the alien perspective and finally know what it feels like to have the upper hand!
  • Arm yourself: Employ a variety of alien weaponry on land or in the air. Use the Ion Detonator, the Zap-O-Matic, the Sonic Boom, or even the Quantum Deconstructor to eradicate feeble humans.
  • Explore the planet: Discover and interact with five huge environments using an arsenal of alien abilities to manipulate humans into submission—hypnotize, body-snatch, read minds, levitate, and more!
  • Take to the skies: Fly your UFO to abduct animals, cars, and humans for research, or cause large-scale destruction.
  • Enjoy classic sci-fi: The tongue-in-cheek game is packed with familiar and popular science fiction references.

Intellivision Lives!

Relive the eighties with Intellivision Lives! Play more than 60 classic Intellivision games all in one package. Check out the historical information and fun facts about the games, including interviews with the original Intellivision developers. View original Intellivision commercials and archival footage!

Titles include Armor Battle, Astrosmash, B-17 Bomber, Backgammon, Baseball, Body Slam: Super Pro Wrestling, Bomb Squad, Bowling, Boxing, Buzz Bombers, Checkers, Football, Frog Bog, Golf, Hockey, Horse Racing, Hover Force, Las Vegas Poker & Blackjack, Las Vegas Roulette, Motocross, Night Stalker, Pinball, Reversi, Sea Battle, Shark! Shark!, Skiing, Snafu, Soccer, Space Armada, Space Battle, Space Hawk, Space Spartans, Spiker!: Super Pro Volleyball, Stadium Mud Buggies, Star Strike, Sub Hunt, Tennis, Thin Ice, Utopia, Vectron, and more!

July 22, 2008

Xbox 360: Jade Empire on Xbox Originals

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Originals — technofranki @ 03:43

This week, Mondy July 21st, 2008, Jade Empire is available on Xbox Originals for the 360. The game is 1200 points and available in all regions.

Jade Empire

In the ancient, mysterious world of Jade Empire™, train under your master’s watchful eye and learn powerful Martial Arts fighting styles and mystical powers.

Travel across the world, from the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City. Face powerful human and supernatural foes. Learn exotic and magical Martial Arts. Discover the darkest secrets of the world …

Only by mastering the greatest fighting styles and defeating the most powerful enemies will you earn your place as a master of Martial Arts in the world of Jade Empire.

  • Epic story set in a world inspired by mythical China: Step into a deep, richstory in the tradition of BioWare games. Sinister events upset the peaceful harmony of an isolated Martial Arts school and draw you into a story that unfolds with drama, action, and adventure. Confront lawless bandits, evil magicians, demonic incarnations, and other foul villains that protect the Jade Empire’s darkest secrets. Stare in awe at the sweeping views of the lush environments, sheer vertical drops, and overpowering scale that provide the visual backdrop to the story.
  • The chance to be a Martial Arts master: Choose a character with a unique appearance and a powerful combination of ability scores and fighting styles. Choose to act for good or evil, and lead with an iron fist or a velvet glove.Your decisions will affect your reputation—a reputation that precedes you throughout the land, changing the course of interaction with other characters and followers. Take the role of a master of Martial Arts, build and develop a fortress, regale the populace with tales of bravery and honor, and recruit followers to your cause in an interactive, living world.
  • Innovative fighting system: Master fighting styles and mystical powers in a tale that matches the tempo and fury found in Hong Kong cinema favorites like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the Bruce Lee classics. As you journey through Jade Empire, you can upgrade your combat style or learn entirely new styles to tailor a character to your specific gameplay preferences. Select from more than 20 different fighting styles, each with its own unique moves, speed, power, and form, ranging from punches and kicks to weapon strikes, mystical powers, and even transformations into supernatural monsters!

June 26, 2008

Xbox 360: Content License Transfer Tool (aka the DRM Tool) now available

Filed under: Xbox 360,Xbox Live,Xbox Live Arcade,Xbox Originals — technofranki @ 21:45

The announced Content License Transfer Tool for Xbox 360 is now available for use. You can goto MajorNelson.com to read a bit more about it or goto Xbox.com to start the license migration process.

The video bellow is from MajorNelson.com.


Video: Xbox 360 Content License Transfer Tool on Xbox.com

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