Posts Tagged ‘Xbox 360 games’

Avatar Kinect arrives at Xbox Live Marketplace

Friday, February 10th, 2012

The Avatar Kinect is now available as a free download from the Kinect Fun Labs section on Xbox Live Marketplace, which is two days earlier than originally expected. The app lets users with the Xbox 360 games console and the Kinect add-on control their avatars over the Kinect motion-sensing add-on, including facial expressions and body movements. Users have the ability to produce their own avatar TV shows, much like a podcast, and to chat between friends online.

The 660MB app includes 24 virtual environments within which up to eight avatars can interact. Users can film scenes and share it over XBOX 360 Kinect Share. The environments include the Talk Show Stage, the Performance Stage and the Sports Party Stage, among others.

At the same time, the Kinect Sparkler app arrived on July 28,2011. It makes finger painting an aerial light show, and uses users’ bodies as a stencil and their fingers used to paint. Drawing is available in 3D, with sparklers used to write words. Kinect Sparkler will cost 240 Microsoft Points, however.

Xbox Next Generation Could Function As A DVR

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

It seems that gamers are nver fed up with the rumour about next generation video game console.Some details on Microsoft said that Microsoft’s next Xbox are still slim, but an unearthed patent reveals that the next system could be going after the DVR market as well as Xbox 360 games.

Theories and speculation concerning Microsoft‘s next console (Xbox 720 or whatever it may be called) are still far more common than concrete information, but one patent filed by the company is turning heads. If Microsoft achieves its goal of becoming an entertainment hub within the home, that television/satellite DVR you’ve got may become unnecessary.

With the recent success that the Xbox 360 has found both as a game device or Xbox 360 accessories and as a brand new motion control interface, the developers at Microsoft are obviously not taking their feet off the gas. Already claims of an even bigger and better Xbox 360 Kinect 2.0 are being thrown around, but for the average consumer the future of television on the Xbox is far more intriguing.

The recently revealed plan the company has for its Xbox Live TV service aren’t quite as promising as the rhetoric that had been used led many to believe. In all honesty, Microsoft’s press conference at last year’s E3 seemed to imply a vast catalogue of TV shows that could be paused, recorded, and played back at the viewer’s convenience.

Whether this patent is an accurate glimpse at the company’s plans for the next Xbox or a pipe-dream is up for debate, especially considering just how many cable providers would need to take a massive profit cut to hand over their content to Microsoft. Still, the patent shows in far more concrete and plain terms what the developers of the Xbox 720/Next/Loop have in mind for achieving their entertainment monopoly.

What do you think of combining your TV and gaming channels into a single receiver? Do you think Microsoft is onto something big here, or has their previous support of TV and film content left you with more doubts than faith?

We’ll keep you posted on whatever details arise concerning the Xbox 720, whether it’s TV or gaming-related.

Necessary Updates for PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2012

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

With the ongoing argument of what is better PS3 or Xbox 360 we thought it would be a good idea to see what updates could benefit the pair this year and get views from various perspectives on what is needed.

PS3 MMGN talks about five Vita features that the PS3 could do with, as the ability of checking friends of friends on the Vita would be an advantage on the PS3 console, so that it is more social friendly, similar to that of the see who you last played option on Xbox Live. A photo taking feature like that of the Vita would also come in handy.

One of the main updates would be to buy and store as many of the PSN launch games possible on the PS3 no matter what size they are. The whole PlayStation 3 interface would benefit from LiveArea interface of the Vita making it fun and easier to use as well as a simpler way to move content from your console to home computer to allow for storage.

In an article on IGN, there is more on the changes that the Xbox could benefit from in 2012, with a mention of the limited amount of exclusives Xbox 360 games to a problematic dashboard along with making the most of the Kinect for Xbox 360 feature with more decent games. Showing some support to the 360 when it comes to the launch of a new system, like that of the ten-year plan by Sony supporting the PS2 when the PlayStation 3 came about would be ideal.

 

Advantage could be taken with the amount of room for digital distribution to grow with games on demand. The dashboard has plenty of possibilities as a front room media center although invasive ads and game pages can be annoying along with the new update making the XBLA and XBLIG sections hard work.

IGN also has a post on how Sony can rectify the mistakes of the last year and make it better throughout this year. After a problematic 2011, there are a few examples of how Sony can make up lost ground on the Xbox 360 console and the first idea would be to cut the cost of the PS3 console. Another theory would be to get some exclusive content like the Max Payne 3 missions and Grand Theft Auto V stories.

With Twisted Metal arriving in February and Starhawk hopefully before the summer, a decent promotion of these would be ideal along with giving a reason to make the PSN matter promoting money vouchers of $20 or so with every new PS3 giving people a reason to try it out. The new PlayStation Vita should have more media attention promoting the good points rather than focusing on the negative ones as it prepares for release in the west.

Do you have any ideas on how both the PS3 and Xbox can improve during 2012? After the shocking year Sony had last year with issues, there is always room for more improvements.

Microsoft has launched Xbox Live App for iPhone and iPad

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

It really exciting that Microsoft has released its Xbox Live app for Apple’s iPhones and iPads, shortly following its release of the Windows Phone 7 version and its announcement of rolling out the new Xbox Live Dashboard today. Although not as extensive as the Windows Phone 7 app in being able to fully control an Xbox 360 console using the app, this iOS version does allow you to access plenty of Xbox Live features.

 

The iOS app is called “My Xbox Live” and features a sleek Windows Phone 7-styled interface. Through the app, you can change your 3D avatar’s appearance, edit your Xbox Live profile, read and send messages to your Xbox Live friends, as well as keep track of your Xbox Live achievements.

The interface is split into three main categories of Home, Social, and Games. On the Home screen you can access news and videos, such as featured stories and trailers, while the Social screen is where you can interact with your friends, send out beacons, and edit your avatar.

The Games section lets you browse through Xbox 360 games you’ve played along with your achievements, but unfortunately, you can’t actually using Xbox 360 accessories play any games directly from the app. The app is available free from the iTunes App Store.

PS3 Games Come to Exclusives That ‘Stand Out’

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

In recently, a article has looked at some exclusive PS3 games that they feel the Xbox 360 needs. While we think it’s silly to think Xbox 360 owners would be desperate for exclusive PS3 games, we thought it’s worth looking at what they had on their list, and to think about anything missing and what the Xbox 360 has in return when it comes to exclusives that “stand out”. The list is an interesting one, and a handful of titles do stand out, but do Xbox 360 gamers really care, as they do have some great titles of their own? Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console is gifted with one of the best racing car games (Forza 4) but Motorstorm Apocalypse takes this genre to another level. There are a huge number of games that help to show off the quality of the Xbox 360, but you have to wonder what Wipeout HD would look like?

One of the most popular games for children on the PS3 is LittleBigPlanet 2, and some gamers believe that this would do very well on the 360. We’ve spoken to some Xbox fans and and they love LBP, although they’d never want to buy a PS3, and we understand this game is an acquired taste. The top four PS3 exclusive games that have been suggested in the above article include Infamous 2, Killzone 3, God of War III and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Having played three of these games, we know what they’re talking about when it comes to how good they are, in our opinion, although to say Xbox 360 owners really need them sounds a little crazy. Do you want these on your Xbox 360?

Depending who you ask, some would suggest that Xbox 360 exclusives are dwindling, but looking at what is on offer in 2012, this could not be further from the truth. A handful that stand out to us are Minecraft, which is due for release on the 360 in Q2 2012. Xbox 360 Kinect Star Wars should be with us in the summer and Fable: The Journey, although there is no release date just yet.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was released on the PC back in May of last year, but Xbox 360 users will get to see what all the fuss is about in the first quarter of this year. The final game on our list is Halo 4, which has been a long time coming.

It looks like nothing can take Halo 4 from its crown when that exclusive releases, which looks to be the biggest launch for the Xbox 360 games again, unless we see a major surprise from another title this year, although we highly doubt it. Are you looking forward to Halo 4?

Exclusives can sell systems when launched at the right time, you only need to look at the next-gen launch titles and how important they could be to help launch these system. Although certain hardcore fans will never jump ship to another brand, would you?

Tips to Help You Before Give Up Playing A New Game

Friday, December 30th, 2011

It’s really hard to get into a new groove once we’ve settled into a favorite pattern of doing something and that includes playing new games or trying a new game machine like the Kinect for Xbox 360. It’s important to remember however that simply because you’re not used to the way a new game plays or the way that a new system runs – it doesn’t mean that there’s something up with it. The following offers some guidance on how to get over the obstacle of giving new games a chance.

1. Accept the mess ups of your ways. Nothing is perfect and that of course includes video games, the system that it plays on, and dare we are saying – even you! While trying a new game, you are sure to trip all over the place and make even some of the most stupid mistakes that anybody could ever make. Try to remember that failings are inevitable and the even the master of all gurus (that is you) can blunder your way through a new game.

Mistakes don’t make you a dreadful player. On the other hand, they’re not making the game dumb or dumb. Actually it’s quite the reverse. If you find yourself making howlers during a new game, it’s time that to decelerate and give this game a second and more heavy look. If something in the game tripped you up – you, the master of all experts – then the game couldn’t be as nasty as you first thought.

2. Play a new game, like Xbox 360 games.When you’re “in the mood”. What a fast paced world we are living in! So fast, that we mistakenly expect to understand a game within the first 5 minutes of putting into the console! Then when we aren’t sure of what to do, the game becomes baffling or just dumb. Never try a new game when you’re not in the mood to or when you are in a hurry. New games need patience and a thorough read of its manual.

3. See the positive. There’s something good about every video game – even the more violent ones (though we’re not prepared to defend violent video games). While checking out a new game, think about what you like about the game in contrast to what you can’t quite work out what to do yet.

A positive attitude will carry on to other sides of the game and before you know it, you may be urged to carry on with it and make some real progress.

4. Do not be such a know it all. To paraphrase, if you playing a Xbox 360 games, don’t be blinded by your own conceit or talents in a selected brand of games or Xbox 360 accessories. that you close yourself off to new methods of achieving tasks. The most important room is the space to improve and your room is not an exception.

Understand that the game you’re playing could have something new to teach you about gaming as a whole. Then revel in it.

5. Continue to play. It’s highly dubious that anyone will like a new game in twenty four hours. Keep playing a new game until you are positively certain that you do not ever would like to see it in your console again.

6. Play on your own. It’s fairly likely that if you play a new game with a pal, you’ll be vulnerable to accepting your friend’s feelings about the game as your own.

Play a new game by yourself so you can translate your own feelings about the game and not any person else’s.

Play Xbox 360 Games on Windows 8 PCs?

Friday, December 9th, 2011

The Teknylate article claims that Windows 8 will let users play Xbox 360 games on their PCs, although it attributes no particular source with the information.

Teknylate’s piece appears to be the reason this story has entered the news cycle today, but it’s not entirely new. A very similar story surfaced in May on Insideris, with the author of that piece (who goes by “Sam”) attributed generic “sources” with the information that Xbox 360 functionality on Windows 8 PCs will be reserved for those willing to pay an Xbox Live-like subscription fee.

However, the subscription service won’t simply be Xbox Live, as cross-platform play will specifically be prohibited to avoid competitive mismatches that could arise from one group of players sporting mice and keyboards while others wield standard Xbox 360 controllers.

Such a move would dramatically increase the installed user base for the Xbox 360 and bring console gaming into households that never would have considered picking up a $200 gaming system they would play rarely, if at all. The risk of Microsoft undercutting the Xbox 360 market could also be limited as the console is already older at this point than the original Xbox was when it was discontinued.

The longer Microsoft can ride this generation, the better, but the software giant is rumored to be unveiling its next step forward by E3 2012. And given the razor-razorblade business model the gaming industry generally adheres to (in which hardware is often initially sold at a loss with the money recouped through software sales), perhaps Microsoft wouldn’t mind significantly expanding the Xbox 360 user base without needing to sell more systems.

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has eyed PC and Xbox integration. The company’s original Games for Windows Live initiative brought the Xbox Live gamertag (and games like Gears of War and Halo 2) to PC players with merged friends lists and achievements.