Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Xbox 360 shuts down before overheating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/new-xbox-360-shuts-down-before-overheating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/new-xbox-360-shuts-down-before-overheating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/new-xbox-360-shuts-down-before-overheating/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Okay, gang, we really need your help. Though Microsoft's shrunken, Valhalla-equipped version of its home console was announced last week, new functions of the device are just now starting to surface. The latest is an auto-shutdown feature which turns off the console when its primary cooling vent is blocked, which displays a warning prompt on screen and turns the console's power button into the ominous vision seen above.

So, here's what we need your help with: We feel like we can still get in front of this thing, and coin the new colloquial phrase for this warning. That guy who came up with "Red Ring of Death?" He's making bank off royalties, and papa wants a slice. So, let's start spitballing: Red Eye of Danger? Red Dot of Poor Ventilation? Red Light of Uncomfortable Proximity? How about, like, "The Killswitch?" It's foreboding, yet strangely catchy.

JoystiqNew Xbox 360 shuts down before overheating originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftrrodvalhallaxboxxbox-360-slimTue, 22 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 'Valhalla' model torn down, new hardware exposed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/xbox-360-valhalla-model-torn-down-new-hardware-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/xbox-360-valhalla-model-torn-down-new-hardware-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/xbox-360-valhalla-model-torn-down-new-hardware-exposed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Viewers of Microsoft's E3 media briefing reacted to the reveal of the new, slimmed-down Xbox 360 in peculiar ways. For instance, tech writer Anand Lal Shimpi apparently reacted with excitement -- not because he couldn't wait to add the new model to his collection, but because he couldn't wait to completely dismember it.

You can check out the pictorial fruits of Anand's labor over on his site, and glimpse some of the technology that powers Valhalla. The highlight of this teardown? We finally get to see the single chip (teased by the motherboard we had Ben Heck look at earlier this year) that houses the 360's CPU, GPU, and eDRAM, which can all be cooled by a single, more powerful fan. When you turn on your new 360 and it doesn't sound like a pair of jet engines, you've got this little guy to thank.

JoystiqXbox 360 'Valhalla' model torn down, new hardware exposed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftteardownvalhallaxboxxbox-360Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Slimmed-down Xbox 360 motherboard images leaked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/rumor-slimmed-down-xbox-360-motherboard-images-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/rumor-slimmed-down-xbox-360-motherboard-images-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/rumor-slimmed-down-xbox-360-motherboard-images-leaked/#comments Last week, speculation surrounding a pending announcement of the oft-rumored, slimmed down "Valhalla" model of the Xbox 360 was kicked into high gear, thanks to a Microsoft hiring notice for a motherboard engineer, and Steve Ballmer's reference to "more form factors" for the hardware. Earlier today, a Chinese tech forum purportedly posted a pair of pictures of the newly remodeled motherboard, which has undergone a massive size reduction from the current iteration of Xbox 360 hardware.

A few noteworthy changes in the motherboard (full pictures of which can be found after the jump) are a consolidated GPU/CPU (one of the rumored features of the Valhalla chipset), an extra SATA port, and a much smaller heatsink. Though the design could just be a mock-up from an extraordinarily talented modder, it certainly looks like professional-quality work. We've contacted Microsoft to see if they'll comment on the skinny-fied hardware.

Continue reading Rumor: Slimmed-down Xbox 360 motherboard images leaked

JoystiqRumor: Slimmed-down Xbox 360 motherboard images leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardwaremicrosoftmotherboardrumorsteve-ballmervalhallaxbox-360Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3's Valhalla gets Boom Bloxed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/halo-3s-valhalla-gets-boom-bloxed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/halo-3s-valhalla-gets-boom-bloxed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/halo-3s-valhalla-gets-boom-bloxed/#commentsFiled under:


Come one, come all and witness the creation and destruction of Halo 3's multiplayer map Valhalla in real-time, utilizing the building block awesomeness that is Bloom Blox (a Steven Spielberg Wii game don'tcha know).

Watch as Boom Valhalla creator EazyB2189 gives a tour of his Blox creation then attacks it with bowling balls of destruction all set to the comical tune of random Boom Blox sound effects. We know the ancient Forerunners would not approve of the mindless destruction, but for a bored fanboy who is attempting to make it through another Wednesday, the mindless Valhalla destruction is much needed entertainment.

[Via HBO]

JoystiqHalo 3's Valhalla gets Boom Bloxed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesboom-bloxbungiebungie-studioseaFPShalohalo-3Microsoft-Game-StudiosvalhallaWed, 23 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox 360 slimming down in 2009 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/rumor-360-slimming-down-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/rumor-360-slimming-down-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/rumor-360-slimming-down-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,

Since it won't go anywhere near the Wii Fit balance board and is extremely likely to die during a heated workout, your obese Xbox 360 isn't going to get thinner in its lifetime. No, that's what the "Xbox 540" replacement is for, claims TG Daily. The site reckons that Microsoft will release a "mid-cycle refresh" of the system in Fall 2009, one built around a new and more compact "Valhalla" internal chipset. (Have we introduced you to Jasper yet?)

The shrinking of innards will reportedly allow a redesign of the system's exterior, much like the PlayStation 2's second iteration. Our fancy next-gen games may be getting bigger on the screen, but much like our Wiis, it seems we'll end up with something smaller to play with. On. Play games on. Multiplayer games. Curses! is there any way out of that one?

Update: Microsoft says it has "no plans to release a new console in 2009."

[Via X3F]

JoystiqRumor: Xbox 360 slimming down in 2009 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JasperMicrosoftRumorValhallaXbox-360Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox 540 (360 slim) in 2009?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/rumor-xbox-540-360-slim-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/rumor-xbox-540-360-slim-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/rumor-xbox-540-360-slim-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a follow up to the news that the 360's internal hardware will be changed to the "Jasper" setup, there is now the news that the "Valhalla" update mentioned in that story is more than just a CPU and GPU on the same chip. TG Daily thinks that the Valhalla chip will be the heart of a complete hardware revision in Fall 2009, ala the slimline PS2. While that would seem the logical course of action, all that we know for sure is that the Valhalla chip will indeed be used in the "mid-cycle refresh" of the hardware, and that it is in fact an "all-in-one" chip. Whether or not Microsoft will actually change the outer shell or not is unknown, and the Valhalla hardware update could come and go without changing the outer look of the console at all.

JoystiqRumor: Xbox 540 (360 slim) in 2009? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 May 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chiphardwarejaspermicrosoftvalhallaMon, 12 May 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jasper 65nm chips could hit 360s by August [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/jasper-65nm-chips-could-hit-360s-by-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/jasper-65nm-chips-could-hit-360s-by-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/jasper-65nm-chips-could-hit-360s-by-august/#commentsFiled under: ,


Note: those afraid of tech-speak should skip the first paragraph.

According to Cens.com, the first 65nm GPU chip equipped Xbox 360s -- codenamed Jasper, the successor to current Falcon 360s, which incorporate a 65nm CPU but use a larger GPU -- will start showing up in by August of this year. IBM will reportedly manufacture and test the CPU chips, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has reportedly been contracted to manufacture and the graphics chips, which will in turn be tested and packaged by Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc. (ASE). Nanya will be responsible for supplying flip-chip packaging substrates (don't ask us). Furthermore, CENS reports that industry watchers are betting on TSMC to win contracts to manufacture chips for Japser's successor, Valhalla, which will combine both the CPU and graphics chips into one super chip.

The upshot of all this is that new chips should be arriving this August, making for cooler, quieter 360s everywhere. that's something we can all enjoy, right? Oh, and no, there was no mention of Microsoft cramming Blu-Ray drives into either the Jasper or Valhalla.

[Via Joystiq]

Update: Clarified differences between Falcon and Jasper units

JoystiqJasper 65nm chips could hit 360s by August [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 May 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>65nm65nm-processorfalconfalcon-360jaspervalhallaxbox-360Thu, 08 May 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Xbox 360 Jasper chipset contracted for production, Valhalla on deck]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/report-xbox-360-jasper-chipset-contracted-for-production/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/report-xbox-360-jasper-chipset-contracted-for-production/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/report-xbox-360-jasper-chipset-contracted-for-production/#commentsFiled under: ,

xbox 360
Reports that Xbox 360's Jasper chipset will begin shipping in August continue to hum along, as China Economic News Service has named three Taiwanese companies that have been contracted to manufacture, test and package the pair of 65nm microprocessors in preparation for a summer rollout. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) will build the chips, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering will test and package them, and Nanya will supply flip-chip packaging substrates (which sure do sound important). The Jasper combo will ideally use less power, simplify cooling and, most importantly, cut back on the console's jibba jabba.

Industry analysts have also pegged TSMC as the primary candidate for Valhalla chipset production (in addition to the Jasper contract, TSMC has also built 90nm chips for an older version of Xbox 360). Valhalla is rumored to be a single super-chip that combines the properties of a 65nm CPU and 65nm GPU, and is expected to be incorporated into Xbox 360 hardware in the fall of 2009.

[Via X-bit Labs]

JoystiqReport: Xbox 360 Jasper chipset contracted for production, Valhalla on deck originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 May 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>65nmchipsetjaspervalhallaXbox-360Thu, 08 May 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Snow is brought to Valhalla]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/30/snow-is-brought-to-valhalla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/30/snow-is-brought-to-valhalla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/30/snow-is-brought-to-valhalla/#commentsFiled under:


Games have always been subject to getting hacked, and while in today's world of online gaming that usually is a bad thing, it can occasionally be a fun and interesting thing. In the case of any kind of Halo hacking though, very very rarely is there any kind of silver lining. This case though definitely falls under interesting. It seems as though some modders somewhere were able to reskin Valhalla with snow to resemble Avalanche. While there are no signs of any reskinned vehicles, the reskin of the map itself gives the thing an almost "Assault on the Control Room" feel that we felt gamers would be able to appreciate. According to the source of the pics the creator must have a dev kit, so this could be a personal project for some smaller dev (or just a really lucky modder). A few Bungie employees even stopped by the thread to check it out and give their opinions (not overly impressed). While modding will always be a controversial issue, it seems hard to find any faults with fun projects like this.

[Via NeoGAF]

Gallery: Snowy Valhalla

JoystiqSnow is brought to Valhalla originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiefan-stuffhalo-3valhallaSun, 30 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Next Xbox 360 chipsets are Opus, Valhalla]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/15/rumor-next-xbox-360-chipsets-are-opus-valhalla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/15/rumor-next-xbox-360-chipsets-are-opus-valhalla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/15/rumor-next-xbox-360-chipsets-are-opus-valhalla/#commentsFiled under:


We know it's a little weird to be pumped for Xbox 360 chipsets, but we here at Joystiq HQ are all pretty excited about "Jasper". When we see each other in the halls we'll often exchange a look and we don't even need to speak it, we just know: It's Jasper. Now, if Jacob Metcalf (the guy who broke the Bungie/Microsoft split story) is right, we'll have to start exchanging an additional two looks for the upcoming "Opus" and "Valhalla".

The first, "Opus" is basically a third-generation ("Falcon") board built to fit first generation ("Xenon") cases, primarily for the recycling of red-ringed systems, giving them cooler, more dependable guts (though no HDMI). The second, "Valhalla", is rumored to combine the 65nm CPU and 65nm GPU into one awesome super chip. It would only require one cooling system, meaning Valhalla would be quieter and (one would hope) more dependable. It would also be considerably cheaper.

Both chips (again, if Metcalf is on the money) are a ways off, with Opus coming in 2008 or 2009 and Valhalla following a year later. As excited as we are for the new builds (even though our eyes are getting sore from exchanged looks) we'll be happiest if this news means Microsoft won't euthanize the 360 as quickly as its predecessor.

JoystiqRumor: Next Xbox 360 chipsets are Opus, Valhalla originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipsetsfalconjasperopusvalhallaXbox-360xbox360xenonFri, 15 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Two new Xbox 360 models in production]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/15/rumor-two-new-xbox-360-motherboards-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/15/rumor-two-new-xbox-360-motherboards-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/15/rumor-two-new-xbox-360-motherboards-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under:


The blogger who famously broke the news that Bungie was parting ways from Microsoft has tipped us off to yet another internal MS situation. 8Bit Joystick is reporting that Microsoft is working on two new motherboards for the Xbox 360 to combat the persistent, but apparently dwindling, failure rates of our favorite console. Fifth and sixth generation Xbox 360's are being developed in Redmond codenamed Opus and Valhalla, respectively.

In October 2007, Joystiq reported that the third generation Xbox 360, codename Jasper, was being developed for an August 2008 launch to replace the current Falcon models. The Opus is described as the "zombie Xbox 360 killer," a mishmash of working parts from current red-ringed first generation Xbox 360's (codenamed Xenon) that includes a 90nm GPU and a 65nm CPU fitted onto a Falcon motherboard squeezed into the original Xenon case, which means this console would lack the new HDMI port. This replace-repair scenario was designed to rid Microsoft of the "millions of dead Xenon's" they currently have in stock according to the post by Jake Metcalf at 8Bit Joystick. Due to its refurbished nature, the Opus will never be available at retail and will only be used as replacement units for replacement during RRoD situations.

Continue reading Rumor: Two new Xbox 360 models in production

JoystiqRumor: Two new Xbox 360 models in production originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falconhardware-failurejasperopusridiculously-named-craprrodvalhallaFri, 15 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Month of Metroid Prime 3 videos continues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/21/month-of-metroid-prime-3-videos-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/21/month-of-metroid-prime-3-videos-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/21/month-of-metroid-prime-3-videos-continues/#commentsFiled under: ,


With the third and final Metroid Prime title coming in just a week, we're being blitzed with previews from all directions. GameTrailers's extended hands-on impressions, embedded above, builds up the hype without spoiling too much of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption's story. The six-minute clip examines the first-person adventure's graphics, controls, and token system, lauding each point at every corner. If you're still craving some new preview footage after all that, the video site also has a variety of gameplay movies, as well as a comparison between Corruption and its GameCube predecessor, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.

Nintendo also updated its Metroid Prime 3: Corruption channel with two new clips. The first video documents the aftermath of a Space Pirates attack on Galactic Federation ship Valhalla, whereas the second clip has Samus knocking down her enemies while in Morph Ball mode. You can watch both of them past the post break. The next two movies, Dark Samus and Mine Battle, will show up on the preview channel this Thursday.

Continue reading Month of Metroid Prime 3 videos continues

JoystiqMonth of Metroid Prime 3 videos continues originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowlingcorruptionmetroidmetroidprimevalhallaTue, 21 Aug 2007 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The 70's called, they want their Valhalla back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/the-70s-called-they-want-their-valhalla-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/the-70s-called-they-want-their-valhalla-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/the-70s-called-they-want-their-valhalla-back/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Bungie Store hopped into their (Microsoft paid for) time machine and traveled to the 1970's to learn about disco, big hair, and the artistic design. Then, they jumped back into their time machine, made a rest stop in 1992 for some Crystal Pepsi, and arrived back in 2007 to offer up a new 70's inspired tshirt. The tshirt is none other the Valhalla Tee with what the description calls Barracuda Fastback stripes and enough retro style to make you one cool cat. It is $16.95, but how can you put a pricetag on something that is so studly and took so much time travel research to create?

JoystiqThe 70's called, they want their Valhalla back originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungie storeBungieStorehalo 3Halo3t shirtTShirtvalhallaMon, 16 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3 beta adds Banshee on Valhalla]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/halo-3-beta-adds-banshee-on-valhalla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/halo-3-beta-adds-banshee-on-valhalla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/halo-3-beta-adds-banshee-on-valhalla/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Well, did you enjoy the Halo 3 beta? We hope so, because it's officially over on the Valhalla map, which will now be host to the hot new game Grab the Banshee (C). Those who fire up the newly added Big Team Training mode on Valhalla will now find the flying craft at either end of the map, ready for all manner of non-game related hijinks. Objectives? What were objectives?

Adding awesomeness to injury, you can also apparently fly the craft right out of the level, which is sure to always be entertaining to onlookers who hate playing first-person shooters. If we sound bitter about the Banshee, there's a perfectly good reason ... someone grabbed it before us.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

JoystiqHalo 3 beta adds Banshee on Valhalla originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2007 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bansheebungiehalo3valhallaXbox-360Tue, 22 May 2007 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's hottest game video: Halo 3 information]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/todays-hottest-game-video-halo-3-information/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/todays-hottest-game-video-halo-3-information/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/todays-hottest-game-video-halo-3-information/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Since the top slots everywhere are totally being hogged by the Halo 3 "Starry Night" commercial from last night, we've decided to go with the top rated user-submitted video at GameVideos.com which is -- Halo 3 information by TM22 from Shatter Studios. Looks like it's Haloverload all over again this week. The info in this video is taken from the EGM article, the released screenshots, and some crudely drawn maps, but they've put it all together with pans and zooms and whadda ya know, it actually looks fairly cool.

That is, if you can get past the metal soundtrack. Heck, we'd rather watch this with Enya behind it or something because ... daymn. That's just ear-grating. But hey, it's a tradeoff for the Halo goodness in movie form, so we'll crank the volume down and enjoy. Check out the video after the jump, and start your jonesing.

Continue reading Today's hottest game video: Halo 3 information

JoystiqToday's hottest game video: Halo 3 information originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BungiecommercialHaloHalo 3High GroundinformationmapsNail GrenadenewValhallaXbox-360Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST