Category: Xbox 360

Xbox Live Preview Program: Zune, Facebook, and Twitter

Xbox Live logo

Microsoft has announced a preview program revolving around the Zune, Facebook, and Twitter functionality of Xbox 360. Here are the official bullet points:

  • We’re looking for multiple thousands of participants, so your chances of making it in are good
  • This opportunity is open to all Xbox LIVE Members in regions where Xbox LIVE is available
  • Just completing the survey does not automatically get you access to the Preview Program. We’ll be making final selections from the completed surveys and send you an email if you are selected.
  • While both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up, Priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.

Click here for the signup page.

Anyone giving this a try? What are expectations for Zune, Facebook, and Twitter on Xbox 360?

Rumor: ATI GPU to Power Next Xbox

The word on the street is that the Microsoft’s next Xbox console will be powered by an ATI GPU from AMD. According to Fudzilla:

We’ve learned from industry sources that AMD / ATI has already won the GPU deal for the next generation Xbox console. It looks like Microsoft was happy with first Xeons GPU and it wants to continue using the same, especially since the new ATI GPU should keep the compatibility with legacy games.

The move isn’t exactly surprising. Rival GPU manufacturer Nvidia has been struggling lately and Microsoft seems keen on using backwards compatibility as one of its key differentiators. Vulcan logic would dictate Microsoft going with AMD/ATI once more.

What do you guys and dolls think of the rumor?

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Street Fighter IV’s Abel Was Supposed to be a Girlie Man

Street Fighter IV Abel

Street Fighter IV’s Abel is a brawny and burly character, but apparently that wasn’t the original vision for him. At first, Abel was supposed to be a scrawny French judo master that looked like a girl. Andriasang translated Capcom battle planner Taisaku Okada from the Street Fighter IV blog:

With Abel, we wanted to make someone representative of ‘the weak can beat the strong,’ and so he was originally a small judo character who could be mistaken for a girl.

I know a lot of SFIV players that dig Abel, but I have to wonder if they’d still be into the character if he were a puny girlie man.

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Dragon Age Origins Launch Trailer — Sacred Ashes

Okay, I’m pretty much a BioWare fanboy, so when the company says anything or releases new media — like a new Dragon Age: Origins trailer — I pay attention. Here are some official lines from the press release, followed by the video.

This trailer takes a look into a quest in search of the Sacred Ashes, where danger awaits the band of warriors in the glacial, jagged edges of a treacherous mountainside. Darkspawn assault the group, and pressed into action, the soldiers leap into battle. Using world-class skill, magic, might and outright brute force, the Darkspawn are being eviscerated; just when the situation appears to be under control, a massive Dragon – stunning in its size and might – swoops in and crushes everything in its path, threatening the very survival of the heroes. Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!

PSA: Xbox Live Deal of the Week — Hasbro Family Games Night

Scrabble -- Hasbro Family Games Night

This week’s Xbox Live Deal of the Week has Hasbro Family Games Night titles on sale. According the Major Nelson:

Xbox Live Gold Members can save 50% when they purchase any of the Hasbro Family Game Night games.Normally priced at 800 points, this week Battleship, Connect 4, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Boggle and Sorry Sliders are 400 points each.

Most of these games should have been 400 points to begin with, but I love me some Scrabble and recommend it.

Hey…anyone interesting in getting some round robin Scrabble going?

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