Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Source: First images from 360 Avatar creator leakedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/source-first-images-from-360-avatar-creator-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/source-first-images-from-360-avatar-creator-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/source-first-images-from-360-avatar-creator-leaked/#commentsFiled under:


We've all seen the adorably customizable lookalikes that we'll be generating with the Avatar system, due out with the Xbox 360 Fall update -- but we've yet to see the actual system that will let you let you create your virtual representation. However, a "super secret source" recently sent our green and white sister site, 360 Fanboy, a couple of images containing the icons used in the Avatar creator. Assuming they're legit, they give a great indication of what aspects of your avatar you'll be able to manipulate. Based on the images in the gallery below, it looks like our dream of walking through Xbox Live's virtual halls as a morbidly obese man in a rabbit costume might just come true.

[Thanks, DCB and SS1029.]

Gallery: Avatar Creator Customization



Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>360avatariconsrumorxbox360xboxliveGriffin McElroy2008-08-03T15:00:00+00:00Last Wednesday: Double D Dodgeball, Coffeetime Crosswords, Live Draft Tracker sneak onto XBLAhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/last-wednesday-double-d-dodgeball-coffeetime-crosswords-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/last-wednesday-double-d-dodgeball-coffeetime-crosswords-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/last-wednesday-double-d-dodgeball-coffeetime-crosswords-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As the first commenter on this post will assuredly point out, this is old news. The second commenter will likely correct him in a patronizing tone, reminding him that a requirement for news is that it be new, and that this story, therefore, is not news at all. The third commenter, a jocular fellow, will then inquire if it is, in fact, olds? We get it, alright? However, we've never failed to mention new additions to the Xbox Live Arcade, and we don't plan on starting this week. Besides, when you see these sterling new releases, we don't think you'll fault us for being a few days late to the new release party.

First up is Double D Dodgeball (800 MS points/$10), which recreates the classic playground sport with an eye-searing "retro arcade design". The game dropped two weeks before its expected release date, though a reported bug that kicks players off of Xbox Live upon starting up the game make us wonder if perhaps a few guns were jumped. Joining it is Coffeetime Crosswords (800 MS points/$10). With 150 puzzles and a co-op mode, this new entry will surely fulfill all your sinister linguiphilic desires.

Rounding out the list is the EA Fantasy Football Live Draft Tracker (400 MS points/$5), which allows users of EA's online fantasy leagues to import their league settings, draft new players, then export their new rosters back onto EA's servers. This is not a game, and we regret including it in this post.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>arcadecoffeetime-crosswordsdlcdouble-d-dodgeballea-fantasy-football-live-draft-trackerlive-draft-trackerxblaxblawednesdayxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-07-20T16:30:00+00:00Final Fantasy XIII petition video is an instant comedy classichttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/final-fantasy-xiii-petition-video-is-an-instant-comedy-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/final-fantasy-xiii-petition-video-is-an-instant-comedy-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/final-fantasy-xiii-petition-video-is-an-instant-comedy-classic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

[Update: Apparently this is a video of Kevin Bowen of Something Awful fame (infame?), making us 99.999% sure that it's a joke. Thanks, commenters.]

We can't really decide whether or not the ridiculously over-the-top mad genius in this Final Fantasy XIII petition video (some slightly NSFW language) is for real or not. On the one hand, the know-it-all, spittle-flecked delivery and lines like "I personally do not admire this game any more," seem like a satire of every fanboy stereotype in the book. On the other hand, the final few minutes of the video are delivered with such passion ("I don't think you realize how emotionally invested some of your fans are!") that it feels almost real.

Regardless of its veracity, the video is an instant comedy classic, intentionally or not. If there's any justice in the world, references to"public sue-de-ku" and "Final Fantasy [making] its final sale" will live on as inside jokes in the gaming community for years to come.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>ffxiiifinal-fantasy-xiiimad-geniuspetitionPS3squaresquare-enixvideoXbox 360Xbox360Kyle Orland2008-07-15T12:29:00+00:00Limited edition red and green Xbox controllers coming Sept. 30 [update]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/limited-edition-red-and-black-xbox-controller-coming-sept-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/limited-edition-red-and-black-xbox-controller-coming-sept-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/limited-edition-red-and-black-xbox-controller-coming-sept-30/#commentsFiled under:

Want to add a little zing to the plain ol' white and black Xbox 360 color scheme? A Microsoft web page reveals a new limited edition red and black Xbox 360 controller coming on Sept. 30, 2008. The standard wireless controller will come with a matching red rechargeable battery and a play and charge kit for $64.99 (a $5 savings over purchasing them seperately!). We have no idea why Microsoft would reveal a new color so long before the controller is set to be available, but it's release is awfully close to the newly-revealed Gears of War 2 release date of Sept. 9 Nov. 7 [Update: Not sure how I made that ridiculous error. Jet lag, I suppose]. Hmmm ...

[Thanks, Scott]

Update: The Xbox press site also has images from a green version of the controller (shown below the jump along with a higher-res version of the red one). No information about this version, which is not even mentioned in the accompanying press release. [Thanks, jdkay20]




Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>controllerGears-of-war-2gearsofwargearsofwar2gow2microsoftredxbox 360Xbox360Kyle Orland2008-07-14T19:30:00+00:00Gears of War 2's 'Day-One' map, multiplayer bots revealedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/gears-of-war-2s-day-one-map-multiplayer-bots-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/gears-of-war-2s-day-one-map-multiplayer-bots-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/gears-of-war-2s-day-one-map-multiplayer-bots-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,


In the latest episode of GameTrailers TV, baby-faced Geoff Keighley got a chance to have a pow-wow with Gears of War 2's designer and poster boy, Cliff Bleszinski, who revealed some of the game's heretofore unannounced additions. Chief among said additions are a new multiplayer map titled "Day-One", which features a sizable emergence hole and its massive, treacherous occupant, and the inclusion of AI bots in the game's multiplayer modes, as featured in another of Epic's staple franchises, Unreal Tournament.

Other big reveals during the episode include the revivification of a map from the original Gears' "Hidden Fronts" DLC pack titled "Subway", the addition of player-controlled tanks, and a limited edition red, Gears of War 2-themed Xbox 360 to be released around the title's launch. With the veritable cornucopia of information already unleashed about Microsoft's holiday blockbuster, we're beginning to wonder if they've got any frags up their sleeves for next week's showcase.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>botscliff-bleszinskiday-oneepicepic-gamesgametrailerstvgears-of-wargears-of-war-2geoff-keighleymicrosoftmultiplayerxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-07-12T14:30:00+00:00Diablo 3 'theoretically possible' for console porthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/diablo-3-theoretically-possible-for-console-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/diablo-3-theoretically-possible-for-console-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/diablo-3-theoretically-possible-for-console-port/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In our interview with Diablo 3 lead designer Jay Wilson, it was explained that there were no plans to bring the long-awaited title to any platform other than PC and Mac. However, in the six days that have passed since said interview, a couple of Blizzard higher-ups weren't quite as dismissive of the possibility of the dungeon crawler making an appearance on our primitive gameboxes -- though the language used to describe this possibility hasn't exactly given us high-apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes.

When asked about a console rendition of the third entry in the Lord of Terror-slaying franchise, Blizzard COO Paul Sams gave an inconclusive "I don't know yet," though Vice President of Game Design Rob Pardo suggested a console port was "theoretically possible," as out of all of Blizzard's franchises, Diablo would be the most console-friendly. We guess a theoretical "yes" is better than an actual "no", or a metaphorical "maybe", but we're still not holding our bated breath for a non-compy version of Diablo the Third.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmentconsolediablo-3macpcportps3xbox360Griffin McElroy2008-07-05T16:30:00+00:00Castle Crashers jumps through another hoop, gets rated 'Teen'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/castle-crashers-jumps-through-another-hoop-gets-rated-teen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/castle-crashers-jumps-through-another-hoop-gets-rated-teen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/castle-crashers-jumps-through-another-hoop-gets-rated-teen/#commentsFiled under: ,


We love the Xbox Live Arcade Service (fanboy placation: we love the PlayStation Network and WiiWare too), but it's a well-known fact that there are a number of hurdles a finished game has to clear before it can find its way onto the imponderable internets. One of said hurdles, labeled "the rating process" is actually three-hundred feet tall, covered in flaming, poison-coated spikes, and surrounded by a moat filled with bull sharks in mating season. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Thankfully, in an act of incredible vaulting prowess, Behemoth's upcoming racist multiplayer beat-'em-up Castle Crashers recently cleared said hurdle, receiving a decisive "Teen" rating (the German judges, obviously confused and unimpressed, gave the effort a 7.5). There are a number of other hoops the adorable brawler must jump through before attaining that coveted XBLA certification, but we're hopeful that we'll be storming cartoon strongholds relatively soon.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>behemothcastle-crasherscastlecrasherscertificationmicrosoftxblaxbox-live-arcadexbox360xboxlivearcadeGriffin McElroy2008-06-15T15:30:00+00:00Analyst blames Xbox RRoD on MS-designed graphics chiphttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/researcher-blames-xbox-rrod-on-ms-designed-graphics-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/researcher-blames-xbox-rrod-on-ms-designed-graphics-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/researcher-blames-xbox-rrod-on-ms-designed-graphics-chip/#commentsFiled under: ,

With Microsoft remaining officially mum on the reasons behind the wave of Xbox 360-killing red rings of death, owners and experts have speculated on causes ranging from cheap heat sinks to bad soldering to power surges. Now, Gartner Research Vice President and Chief Analyst Bryan Lewis thinks he's honed in on the real reason behind the system failures: cheap, Microsoft-designed graphics processors.

Speaking at the Design Automation Conference, Lewis said Microsoft tried to save a few million dollars by designing the Xbox 360's GPU in-house, rather than farming the design out to an experienced, approved application-specific integrated circuit vendor. Lewis chalked the high failure rate to Microsoft's inexperience designing such chips. "How many ASICs per year does Microsoft design? Not many.," Lewis said. "The ASIC vendor could have been able to design a graphics processor that dissipates much less power."

The irony is that Microsoft is widely believed to have gone to experienced ASIC-designer ATI for a redesigned Xbox 360 graphics chip in the middle of 2007. So, in addition to spending over a billion dollars on a warranty extension, Microsoft probably still ended up having to spend the few million dollars they were trying to avoid in the first place. Smooth move, ex-lax.

[Thanks copa.]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>failureGPUhardwarered-ringred-ring-of-deathRRoDxbox 360Xbox360Kyle Orland2008-06-11T13:30:00+00:00Microsoft's Bach tamps down Blu-ray Xbox rumorshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/microsofts-bach-tamps-down-blu-ray-xbox-rumors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/microsofts-bach-tamps-down-blu-ray-xbox-rumors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/microsofts-bach-tamps-down-blu-ray-xbox-rumors/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Well, it's tomorrow, and despite yesterday's rumor that Microsoft would be announcing a Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 today (that's yesterday's tomorrow, for those of you confused by that first clause), so far we've so far heard bupkis. In fact, we've heard less than bupkis if you take into account the San Francisco Chronicle interview with Robbie Bach, in which the Microsoft Entertainment & Devices president downplays disc-based movie formats and stresses Microsoft's HD video downloads.

"Xbox 360 has a great ability to deliver [high-definition experience] through the Xbox Live (online download) service," Bach said. "It's a great way to get the high-definition concept because it's right there. There's no additional media. There is nothing you need to purchase ... You have to look at how fundamentally compelling the difference is between a progressive scan DVD player and the picture that it can produce and what you get on a high-definition player. The reality is there is some difference, but most people look at it and say, 'I am not going to pay extra for that.'"

The full interview also includes Bach's thoughts on in-game ads, the next-next-gen Xbox, and motion-sensitive controllers. Check it out.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>blu-raybreakingnewshd-dvdhigh-defmicrosoftrobbie-bachrumorxbox360Kyle Orland2008-06-09T12:00:00+00:00Rumor: Microsoft to announce Blu-ray 360 tomorrowhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/rumor-microsoft-to-announce-blu-ray-360-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/rumor-microsoft-to-announce-blu-ray-360-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/rumor-microsoft-to-announce-blu-ray-360-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under:


Tech blog CrunchGear is reporting that an inside source at Microsoft who was a former member of the company's HD-DVD department has confirmed that the company will announce that the "Xbox 360 will get Blu-ray before Christmas" via a press release set to go out at 9 a.m. PDT. Details about the supposed system are slim, though the tipster confirmed that the new model will cost less than an Elite model ($449.99).

The announcement is supposed to drop one hour before the opening of the Worldwide Developer's Conference in order to steal the spotlight from Apple's annual event. Kind of a bizarre move on Microsoft's part -- we doubt announcing a new model of your gaming console will overshadow an entire conference-worth of Apple-related news stories. As per usual with rumors (especially ones involving Blu-ray 360s), we'll keep our standard level of skepticism at heart as we refresh our mailboxes tomorrow morning.

[Via X3F]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>appleblu-raybreakingnewsrumorworldwide-developers-conferencewwdcxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-06-08T15:00:00+00:00Ninja Gaiden II demo sneaks into North Americahttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/07/ninja-gaiden-ii-demo-sneaks-into-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/07/ninja-gaiden-ii-demo-sneaks-into-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/07/ninja-gaiden-ii-demo-sneaks-into-north-america/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ever since the passing of controversial anti-Ninja legislation, importing Japan's deadliest natural resource into the States is a near-impossible process. Luckily, the Federal Trade Commission has recognized that Ninja Gaiden II is not an actual ninja, but instead, a circular platter of polycarbonate encapsulated in a decorated box and an irritating plastic sheath. They also noted that the ninja on the cover is an illustrated ninja, who poses little to no risk of flipping out and killing you in your sleep.

Thus, Ninja Gaiden II was cleared to launch in North America just in time for its June 3 release date -- though it took Team Ninja much longer to convince the FTC that the game's demo was not some sort of digital assassin, sent to kill the internets. Luckily, that bit of confusion was resolved today, and the Ninja Gaiden II demo is now available on Xbox Live. Conveniently enough, we can think of no better way of venting our anger over the demo's North American delay than to dismember some minions with frightening bladed weaponry.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>delaydemomicrosoftgamestudiosninjaninja-gaidenninja-gaiden-2ninjagaidennorthamericateam-ninjaxboxxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-06-07T13:00:00+00:00360 Fanboy shows us real ultimate power with Ninja Gaiden II demo impressionshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/360-fanboy-shows-us-real-ultimate-power-with-ninja-gaiden-ii-dem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/360-fanboy-shows-us-real-ultimate-power-with-ninja-gaiden-ii-dem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/360-fanboy-shows-us-real-ultimate-power-with-ninja-gaiden-ii-dem/#commentsFiled under: ,


We can think of a lot of great things to sell our souls for, such as telekinesis, a swimming pool full of hundred dollar bills, or a seventh season of Mr. Belvedere. However, Xbox 360 Fanboy's Richard Mitchell (or as we like to call him around the office, Rich Mitch) recently showed his undying love for scarved ninjas by dealing with Beelzebub to get his hands on an early copy of the Ninja Gaiden II demo. Judging by the tone of his impressions as he plays the first seven minutes of the preview, it was totally worth it.

We strongly advise watching the above video -- not only will it get you totally pumped for the quickly approaching June 3 release date for the title, but you can also witness Rich Mitch's incredible proclivity for ninja flipping and henchman dismemberment.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>360demoimpressionsninjaninja-gaidenninja-gaiden-2ninja-gaiden-iirealultimatepowerrichardmitchellrichmitchryuhayabusateamninjaxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-05-31T17:00:00+00:00Microsoft, Xbox 360 sponsor new Major League Soccer team Seattle Sounders FChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/microsoft-xbox-360-sponsor-new-major-league-soccer-team-seattle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/microsoft-xbox-360-sponsor-new-major-league-soccer-team-seattle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/microsoft-xbox-360-sponsor-new-major-league-soccer-team-seattle/#commentsFiled under: ,


Those of you who enjoy soccer of the North American variety will begin to see jerseys emblazoned with a very familiar logo (that of the Xbox Live service) when a brand spankin' new Major League Soccer team, the Seattle Sounders FC, makes its debut in the 2009 season. The team (not to be confused with other Sounders franchises in the NASL and USL) recently agreed to a 5-year, $20 million sponsorship from Microsoft and its hot-under-the-hood home console.

In addition to fancy new jerseys, the young team's home field will be tiled "The Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field", and the 360 will reportedly be recognized as the "official and exclusive video game console of Major League Soccer." We pray Sony doesn't respond by sponsoring a competing MLS team -- to combine the zealous fanaticism associated with gaming consoles and soccer teams may incite a fanboy war that would tear our continent asunder.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>major-league-soccermajorleaguesoccermicrosoftmlsseattleseattle-sounders-fcseattlesoundersfcsoccersounderssponsorxboxxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-05-28T18:30:00+00:00Download now, or forever hold your points: Potential delisted Xbox Live Arcade titleshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/download-now-or-forever-hold-your-points-potential-delisted-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/download-now-or-forever-hold-your-points-potential-delisted-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/download-now-or-forever-hold-your-points-potential-delisted-xb/#commentsFiled under: ,


Our Xbox-toting brethren at 360 Fanboy recently came across a list of Xbox Live Arcade titles which may be up for expungement in Microsoft's spring cleaning of their online store. The list (available after the break) includes all titles that fulfill the first and second criteria of Microsoft's new standards -- that is, they've been available for six months, and currently hold a 65 percent or lower average score on Metacritic. A steady conversion rate (the number of people who purchase the complete title after downloading the demo, a figure only Microsoft has access to) is the only thing standing between these games and a date with the delete button -- so if you've been holding out on downloading Shrek-N-Roll, you may want to pick it up in an expedient manner.

Crystal Quest
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Hardwood Hearts
Texas Hold 'em
Fatal Fury Special
Contra
Marathon: Durandal
Missile Command
Time Pilot
Track & Field
Hardwood Backgammon
Hardwood Spades
Pac-Man
Frogger
Mad Tracks
Root Beer Tapper
Super Contra
Geon: Emotions
Soltrio Solitaire
Arkadian Warriors
TiQal
Rush'n Attack
Defender
Double Dragon
Xevious
Gyruss
Asteroids / Asteroids Deluxe
Battlestar Galactica
Centipede & Millipede
Spyglass Board Games
Tetris Splash
Ecco the Dolphin
Yie Ar Kung-Fu
Wing Commander Arena
Novadrome
Shrek-N-Roll
Scramble
Tempest
Street Trace: NYC
Word Puzzle
New Rally-X
Cyberball 2072
Screwjumper!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>360delistdelistedlivelivearcademetacriticmicrosoftspringcleaningxblaxbox360xboxlivearcadeGriffin McElroy2008-05-26T12:30:00+00:00Feed your discs to the alligator-skinned Xbox 360http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/18/feed-your-discs-to-the-alligator-skinned-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/18/feed-your-discs-to-the-alligator-skinned-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/18/feed-your-discs-to-the-alligator-skinned-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're usually not ones to post about console case mods of any sort, but we decided to buck that trend today -- namely because no case mod we've ever seen has inspired such fear into our hearts. A forum-dweller by the name of dfw monkie recently posted pictures of his latest monstrosity to The Llamma's Game Console Forums (instilling a greater fear in us that a Llama-themed 360 is in the works) -- an Xbox 360, covered in the pitch-black skin of a gargantuan alligator that dfw monkie killed with his bare hands.

Okay, the crocodilian pattern was created with common crafting supplies, but we much prefer our own "Man vs. Wild" interpretation of the console's backstory. Martha Stewart-esque origins or no, the final product is still downright unsettling.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>alligatorcase modcase-modCaseModcrocodiledfwmonkiellamamodskinxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-05-18T16:30:00+00:00Explore Liberty City with Google Map applicationhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/explore-liberty-city-with-google-map-application/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/explore-liberty-city-with-google-map-application/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/explore-liberty-city-with-google-map-application/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Between the comprehensive in-game map, the GPS-imbued minimap, and the TomTom-esque functionality of certain vehicles, we've yet to misplace ourselves within Liberty City's digital boroughs. Still, if you find yourself lost whilst playing Grand Theft Auto IV, we guess this Liberty City map application (mapplication?) using the Google Maps interface would come in handy.

A number of user contributions have already been made to the map, showing the location of hidden items, easter eggs, pigeon locations, stunt jumps, and yes, even hookers, whom we assume were fitted with GPS locaters by trained prostitute handlers before being released back into the wild. It makes for a useful cartographical companion for those with a laptop near their console of choice -- if you don't mind ruining the fun of exploring the nooks and crannies of Rockstar's intricately crafted metropolis for yourself, that is.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>360googlemapsgrand-theft-auto-ivgta-ivgta4gtaivlibertycitymapps3rockstargamesrockstarnorthxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-05-03T19:00:00+00:00Xbox Live down Monday morning for spring cleaninghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/xbox-live-down-monday-morning-for-spring-cleaning/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/xbox-live-down-monday-morning-for-spring-cleaning/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/xbox-live-down-monday-morning-for-spring-cleaning/#commentsFiled under:


Did you know that every foul obscenity, racial slur, and homophobic epithet collects in the corners of Xbox Live, much akin to the mood slime in "Ghostbusters II"? It can cause some serious latency issues -- though unfortunately, it cannot be cleared away by a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne. It takes hours of tedious chiseling and scraping to clear this hate plaque from Microsoft's servers, during which time Xbox Live is made unavailable for CoD4 grinding and piñata swapping.

Unfortunately for those 360 owners with online gaming on the docket for this coming Monday morning, Xbox Live will be down for said maintenance for eight hours. Before you get your hopes up, Gamerscore Blog assured everyone that this is not the fabled spring update, just some routine sprucing. We know the thought of division from the gaming hivemind is unbearable, but we trust you can go without from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. PST (that's 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST, or "Too Legit 2 Quit" to "Pumps in a Bump" in Standard Hammer Time.)

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>hammertimemaintenancemicrosoftserverslimexboxxbox-livexbox360XboxLiveGriffin McElroy2008-04-19T11:30:00+00:00Xbox 360 power supply cited in Little Rock firehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/xbox-360-power-supply-cited-in-little-rock-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/xbox-360-power-supply-cited-in-little-rock-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/xbox-360-power-supply-cited-in-little-rock-fire/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Y'know, just the other day we were saying to ourselves that it seemed like forever since we'd heard a new report of a Microsoft gaming power supply causing a fire. Well, we can't say that anymore, because KTHV is reporting that Little Rock Fire Department Captain Jason Weaver fingered an Xbox 360 power supply as the source of a house fire Monday.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the fire, which did $10,000 worth of damage to the house, but we're a little concerned that it was an Xbox 360 that allegedly caused the fire. Isn't the original Xbox supposed to be the one with the spark-generating, recall-spawning power supply? We thought the Xbox 360's heat problems were usually limited to inside the system (sorry, we had to go there).

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>firelittle-rockpower-brickpower-supplyxbox 360Xbox360Kyle Orland2008-04-18T22:00:00+00:00New Xbox 360 update doesn't do anythinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/new-xbox-360-update-doesnt-do-anything/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/new-xbox-360-update-doesnt-do-anything/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/new-xbox-360-update-doesnt-do-anything/#commentsFiled under:


The next time you fire up your 360 you'll be prompted to do a system update and we hope you're sitting down when it happens, because after it's complete you need to be prepared for the thrill of performance identical to before said update. No, there's nothing. Don't try poking around, you're just going to get your heart broken.

Genie paramour and Microsoft spokesman Major Nelson said the code is solely to "prepare for future growth of the service." We're hoping the update is tantamount to a young girl getting a saddle the night before her thirteenth birthday, only the metaphorical pony is the Spring Dashboard Update, information on which has been unusually scarce. We'll let you know when we get some.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>dashboard-updatedashboardupdatexbox360Justin McElroy2008-04-18T08:00:00+00:00Ask Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnovhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This week on Ask Joystiq, we look at downloading foreign content to a foreign system, streaming content to an Xbox 360, and identifying one --or possibly two? -- obscure Argentinian NES games.

If you have any burning questions, unsolved gaming mysteries, or just a desire for musings from our knowledgeable cadre of writers, drop us a line at ask AAT joystiq DAWT com (and yes, we write it that way for a reason).

Q: I might be going to Japan towards the end of the summer and might pick up some games or a system. If I get a system, how would that work when I bring it back to the states and log on-line for a Wii, PS3 or 360?? Would a Japanese Wii let me log in to only US servers or would I be able to download Japanese games from the marketplace. Same question applied to the other systems...
-- iwantmymtv

A: For the Wii, the region of the console corresponds to the region of the Wii Shop Channel -- Japanese systems will access the Japanese store, no matter where you plug them into the intertubes. You have to buy Wii Points that correspond to the system's region too, which means using a Japanese credit card or getting some Japanese Wii Points cards imported. [source]

Any PS3 will play downloads from any region, but each PSN account is locked to a specific region when you create it. Luckily, it's relatively easy to set up "dummy accounts" for each region you want to buy content, as long as you have a credit card from that country. Be warned, though: there is a significant language barrier for navigating the Japanese store.

Xbox Live users can also create dummy accounts to get around regional restrictions, but there are reports that Microsoft has been blocking downloads from accounts where this practice is detected. As always, let the international buyer beware.
-Kyle Orland



Q: When I was a kid in Argentina we didn't have the original NES console, we only had Famicom clones and cartridges so sometimes I don't even know what was the name of some games because I had a pirate Chinese version or something. I remember a Chinese game that had a Phoenix on the cover (with flames and everything) and it was about a guy that had spears, I can't remember if he just used to hit enemies with it or also could throw them. The main guy was a little fat and could possibly throw spears, and he could also grab some weird orbs with flames inside that game him more power.

I would really like to play that game again but I can't remember the name... can you help me with that?
Thank you very much!
-- DAGO of the WireD

Pirated cartridges are definitely a gray area for game-hunting, as a lot of times details like box art, title screens, and even in-game graphics get heavily altered from the original releases. Rather than focus on variable elements like artwork, we decided to focus on the gameplay elements you describe: fat dude with spears, and weird flame orbs that give you power.

We found two games that each match several elements of your description, and we think it's possible you're conflating the two. The first is Jaleco's 1991 NES platformer Whomp 'Em (Saiyuuki World 2 on the Famicom), which starred a spear-wielding Native-American protagonist in the American release, and the Monkey King Son Wukong from Chinese mythology in the Japanese version (both of whom ARE a little on the pudgy side). The game has "totem balls" which the player is tasked with collecting, although each features a different icon in the center. And no phoenixes in sight.

The other title we found was the 1987's Karnov by Data East, which features no spears or phoenixes, but has plenty of dragons, and a rather buff (read: fat) main character. Karnov attacks by spitting fireballs, and can collect red orbs to upgrade his fireball attack.

Are either of these titles bringing back waves of nostalgia? Let us know in the comments if we hit our mark.
- Scott Jon Siegel

Q: Hey guys, Ive looked everywhere but cant seem to find any answers. Do you know if a 360 can play movies from a network attached hard drive? I have a 500GB external hard drive attached to a Airport Extreme and want to play movies from it. Is it possible? If so, how? If you can send me a link to a site that explains it that would be fine. Thanks in advance!
-- Eric B.

Since you talk of Airport Extreme, I'm going to take a guess that you're an Apple user. To answer your question, it is possible, but not directly. You're going to need another computer open to do so, and if it has Mac OS X, we suggest you invest in Connect360, which allows streaming of music and movies (including DivX and Xvid) from your iTunes account to the Xbox 360.

If your iTunes folder is set to the network attached hard drive, it should work, at least theoretically. (Note that we haven't personally tried this method ourselves, but there's a free demo you can use to try before you buy, anyway). For Windows users, the ability to stream is built right into the operating system. Xbox.com has an official guide here.
- Ross Miller

Do any readers have more advice for Xbox 360 streaming? Let us know your experiences in the comments below.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>ask-joystiqconnect-360connect360famicomHDDkarnovregion-freestreamingwhomp 'emWhomp'emxbox 360Xbox360Kyle Orland2008-04-04T18:00:00+00:00