Exclusive Content for the Xbox GTA Is Microsofts Last Stand
As last week saw the release of GTA IV and this week saw the event titled PlayStation Day Europe, there was bound to be some commentary from
Sony related to the game that Microsoft pinned its hopes for the Xbox 360 on.
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9.5.2008 Microsoft Offers Downloadable Upgrade Tool for Netbooks
Microsoft is finally catching up to do-it-yourself ers by offering a downloadable version of Windows 7 for netbooks that can be put onto and installed from a USB drive.
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26.10.2009 Microsoft opens up Windows 7 to advertisers via downloadable themes
The same way that it already allows advertisers to buy placement on various Microsoft sites and properties, Microsoft may allow them to extend their brands onto Windows 7.
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13.11.2009 Windows DreamScene Content Pack
Even though DreamScene is still technically a preview release, Microsoft has just posted a little Content Pack featuring 4 new animated backgrounds.
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14.3.2007 Windows Vista Doesn't Add DRM To Unprotected Content
Robert McLaw: Of all the FUD that's out there about Vista, the false information about Vista's DRM is the FUD that frustrates me the most.
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28.2.2007 Windows Infection Deleting The Program Files Content
Security company Trend Micro today released an advisory concerning TROJ_AGENT.ADNA, a new Trojan horse which attempts to remove a file usually placed inside
Program Files, a folder created by Windows which usually stores the content needed by the installed applications.
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26.11.2007 Windows Vista Content Protection - Twenty Questions (and Answers)
A conversation has cropped up since the recent publication of a paper scrutinizing how Windows handles digital rights management, especially for HD video. I've since looped back with Dave Marsh, a Lead Program Manager responsible for Windows' handling of video, to learn from him the implications involved and to learn to what extent the paper's assertions are accurate.
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23.1.2007 Windows 7 Tips, Content, Demos, and Training Live on September 15th
Microsoft is cooking a range of resources that are indicated to be ready to be taken out of the oven in about a week.
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7.9.2009 COMPLETE List of Original Xbox Games Playable on Xbox 360
The folks at Xbox are working hard to add more of your favorite games to this list, so check back often for the latest updates.
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365 Days Later, Xbox 360 Unveils First Wave of TV Shows and Movies on Xbox Live
Xbox 360 offers the latest in entertainment options for everyone, from a library of 160 high- definition games expected by holiday to downloadable standard and high-definition TV shows and movies.
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22.11.2006 Portable Xbox -- no, really!
So, maybe you weren't quite ready to set you lap on fire with that JoyTech LCD portable Xbox 360 setup -- we understand.
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6.6.2006 XBOX Experience
Gridplane spent a few months working with Microsofts XBOX 360 group developing concepts for the latest graphical user interface for the XBOX 360 console.
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30.1.2009 Inside Xbox 360: What's Next?
Now that Microsoft's Xbox 360 has launched in its three biggest markets--the United States, Europe, and Japan--it's time to turn our attention to the second phase of this exciting game console's life.
In the first phase, we saw the massively successful launch of the console along with 18 launch titles and numerous hardware peripherals. And all around the globe, millions of eager Xbox fans queued up outside of retail stores to be the first on the block to obtain one of the most eagerly awaited game machines in video game history. How will Microsoft follow up on this blockbuster debut and keep new and future Xbox 360 users happy throughout 2006?
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12.12.2005 The future of Xbox Live
Aaron Greenberg, responsible for the Xbox Live Marketplace content, was interviewed in a podcast of VGM Daily, and some interesting news surfaced:
First of all, the Xbox 360 is getting a "Virtual console" feature similar to what Nintendo planned for the Revolution, meaning older games (from other platforms) will be downloadable for a small price. The service will be officially announced at E3.
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14.4.2006 Xbox Live 3.0 Tuesday
Xbox Live is set to go offline from 02:00 - 15:00 Tuesday Pacific Time (10:00 Tuesday - 01:00 Wednesday GMT).
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1.5.2006 PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360
We dig beyond the hype to see how Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3 stacks up against Microsoft's big white box.
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11.6.2006 Xbox.com Prima Guides
Lost in a particularly difficult level? Can't figure out how to beat that one boss? Wish you knew how to unlock that last character?
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14.10.2006 PS3 and Xbox 360 about the same
MICROSOFT'S Xbox 360 and Sony's soon to be seen PS3 are much of a muchness according to games developer, Denis Dyack.
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1.11.2006 XBox 360 ELITE
Xbox 360 Coming Soon in Black as "Xbox 360 Elite" Today Microsoft announced what has long been rumored, a premium XBOX 360 model with a black case and an HDMI port allowing for 1080p.
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30.3.2007 Try the Xbox 360 Pants!
One of the must-have accessories for all the Xbox 360 fanboys in the world has finally arrived and it is available for only 18 bucks.
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20.5.2008 Microsoft Misses Its Own Xbox Target
One week after the Xbox 360 launch in November, we'd noted that amid the runaway crash and burn reports, few had focused on actual sales of the gaming console. Microsoft itself only agreed to speak in terms of 90-day predications.
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10.1.2006 Xbox 360's Firmware Hacked!
A hacker who calls himself "TheSpecialist" stated that he
has installed his own custom firmware into the Xbox 360. He claims that with the custom firmware, he is able to create directly bootable backups of original DVD games. The firmware, claims TheSpecialist, circumvents the Xbox 360?s content checking by ignoring the required disc signatures that are present on retail games. However, TheSpecialist states that he will not release his firmware due to obvious piracy concerns.
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17.3.2006 Microsoft Comments on "Hacked" Xbox
The core security system has not been broken. However, it is reported that the authentication protocol between the optical disc drive and the console may be attacked, which if accurate could allow people to play illegally copied games.
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23.3.2006 Xbox marks the sore spot
Microsoft's lower-than-expected earnings are due in part to the cost of making the gaming console, and more research expenses could hurt future results.
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28.4.2006 Working for Xbox as Fun as Playing It
There are two benefits in working at a game company: First, you can play `Halo or `FIFA 06 in the office and pretend that it's work.
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20.8.2006 DOOM on Xbox Live Arcade
id Softwares DOOM is available now for the Xbox 360 by download from Microsofts Xbox Live Arcade.
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8.10.2006 Watch Movies and TV On Your Xbox
On November 6, Microsoft Corp. announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Bros.
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7.11.2006 Has Xbox 360 Already Won the War?
With Microsoft executives becoming ever more eager to tout the company's sales numbers of its Xbox 360 in public, and the dramatic success of games like Gears of War, has Redmond given itself such a head start that it will be near-impossible for Sony to catch up?
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8.12.2006 Xbox 360 price drop on the way soon?
If a promotion in a printed UK advertising catalogue is anything to go by, the cost of the Xbox 360 Premium console with wireless controller and 20Gb hard drive is set to fall to the cheaper cost of the Xbox 360 Core system, just in time to spoil the launch of the PS3.
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20.2.2007 Xbox Live Hits 6 Million
Microsoft today announced that Xbox Live has hit 6 million registered members four months ahead of its schedule.
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6.3.2007No Wait for 'GTA IV' on Xbox
360
Microsoft announced at E3 in
Los Angeles Tuesday that it
has inked an agreement with
Rockstar Games to make the
next title in the
controversial Grand Theft Auto
series available for the Xbox
360 on day one. Sony
previously had first access to
GTA for the PS2...
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10.05.2006Microsoft pays $50 million for Xbox GTA game exclusive
Microsoft is paying an
unprecedented $50 million for
exclusive rights to publish
two episodes of the
forthcoming game, Grand Theft
Auto IV, on its Xbox 360 games
console, according to
statements from a senior
executive at GTA IV publisher,
Take-Two Interactive.
Take-Two has already
recorded the payments in
financial filings as deferred
revenue, explained Lainie
Goldstein, Take-Two's newly
appointed CFO, in a conference
call with analysts.
The first 25
is for
the first episodic content
package that's supposed to go
out and that is in March of
08, Goldstein said. The
second 25 will be
for the second episodic... the
episode. That will be later in
fiscal year, fiscal 08..
winbeta.org - 17.06.2007
Doors Open to Xbox 360
Marketplace
Microsoft said on Tuesday that
it was making available over
400 pieces of downloadable
content through the Xbox Live
Marketplace, including
interactive demos of games, as
well as free and premium
add-ons for games, movie
trailers and music videos...
betanews.com - 16.11.2005
Microsoft to Release Halo 3 Beta
Microsoft said Wednesday that
it would offer a public beta
of its highly anticipated
"Halo 3" video game to
Xbox 360 users via Xbox Live
in the spring of next year,
along with new downloadable
Halo 2 content...
betanews.com - 15.11.2006
Microsoft To Pay For Exclusive GTA Content
Although it stops short of the
coveted 'exclusive'
contract, Microsoft said
Wednesday that it had paid $50
million for exclusive content
for Take-Two's Grand Theft
Auto IV ...
betanews.com - 20.06.2007
Microsoft claims 2-to-1 sales edge for GTA IV on Xbox 360
Microsoft says anecdotal evidence indicates its version of Grand Theft Auto IV is doing much better than Sony's, although Sony seems to dispute that
claim...
betanews.com - 03.05.2008
Microsoft to Sell Downloadable Full Xbox Games
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Xbox Live, Microsoft is preparing a system update that will be delivered to users starting December 4 and bring
support for downloading full versions of older Xbox titles such as "Halo," "Psychonauts" and "Crimson Skies: High Road to
Revenge."..
betanews.com - 15.11.2007
Xbox Live Gold To Get Paid Content First?
As the fuss over
Lumines Live! dies down (until
they release another booster
pack, at least), Microsoft's
kicking up another bit of Xbox
Live controversy as the fall
gaming season kicks into gear
by premiering downloadable
content to XBL Gold
subscribers before Silver
members are allowed access.
This practice started last
night with the fantastic new
Gears of War trailer.
"So here is the
deal..Silver members WILL get
access to this..probably in
about a week. This is going to
happen more and more (Gold
getting things before Silver)
so you may want to think about
upgrading if you want all the
latest and greatest trailers,
demos etc." -- Major
Nelson
Let's
get this straight: out of
nowhere, just as Microsoft's
under close scrutiny for its
marketplace content as it is,
they decide to start charging
for exclusive early access to
downloadable content? At least
Q Entertainment could've
taken much of the blame for
Lumines scenario, but not
here. Scarier, the next step
would be to start making
content completely exclusive
to paying members, rather than
migrating the content over
eventually.
neowin.net - 27.10.2006
GTA Re-Release Due Next Week
The re-release of Grand Theft
Auto: San Andreas is due next
Tuesday, according to the Web
sites of gaming retailers.
GameStop lists the title as
being available September 13,
roughly two months after it
stopped selling GTA due to the
"Hot Coffee"
modification, which allows the
game's main character to
engage in sex acts...
betanews.com - 08.09.2005
Xbox Originals Are Imperfect Says Microsoft
A day after confirming downloadable Xbox games for 360, Microsoft says "there are some known issues" with the games including choppy visuals, lack
of additional content, and even system crashing.
"We got issues."
According to Xbox.com, "there are also
some issues unique to specific game titles," such as frame rate drops in Halo and Fuzion Frenzy, minor flickering in Crimson Skies, random bursts of
audio static and texture issues on Fable, and lack of 720p support for Psychonauts.
winbeta.org - 15.11.2007
GTA IV earns half a billion for Take-Two in one week
Grand Theft Auto IV , Take-Two Interactive's crown jewel of the sandbox game series, reportedly sold over 6 million copies for Xbox 360 and
PS3, earning the publisher over $500 million dollars in the first week alone...
betanews.com - 07.05.2008
Xbox LIVE Hits 10-Million members
The Xbox Live community has continued to grow since it first launched back in November of 2002. Microsoft recently announced that it reached 10
-million members both gold and silver membership. Reaching it six months before Microsoft estimated it to. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members
across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music
videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as extra game content like new levels, characters, and vehicles for all their favorite retail
games. All in the comfort of one area called the Xbox LIVE marketplace.
jcxp.net - 08.01.2008
New Xbox Experience opens, for some
While the official first day of the New Xbox Experience (NXE) is November 19, users who applied for the preview program are already seeing their
updated Xbox interface, new sections, and the Netflix Instant queue with exclusive HD content...
betanews.com - 18.11.2008
High-definition Netflix streaming coming to Xbox 360
A highly-anticipated aspect of the "New Xbox Experience" dashboard upgrade for Microsoft's Xbox 360 is the addition of streaming Netflix
content. Today, it has been revealed that the content will include some 300 high-definition titles as well...
betanews.com - 29.10.2008
MS: 360 GTA IV Outselling PS3 Version 2-to-1
Microsoft tells Next-Gen that the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV is outselling the PlayStation 3 version by a wide margin in the US, but Sony
questions Microsoft's claims.
"What we've heard anecdotally from our retail partners is that the Xbox 360 version of the game
is outselling the PS3 version by a margin of two-to-one," said Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live during an
interview Thursday.
"That mirrors what we saw with pre-orders, but it continues to hold true at retail, at least for the first
couple of days. It's a great sign."
winbeta.org - 03.05.2008
Bethesda announces Knights of the Nine for Oblivion
Bethesda Softworks today
announced plans to make its
new Knights of the Nine(tm)
content for The Elder Scrolls
IV: Oblivion available for the
Xbox 360 videogame and
entertainment system from
Microsoft and Windows via
download and a new retail
Windows product. Knights of
the Nine will be available
through Xbox Live Marketplace
for Xbox 360 and www.Oblivion
Downloads.com on November
21st. Knights of the Nine will
also be available as a Windows
boxed product at retail on the
21st. The retail version of
Knights of the Nine is a
compilation that will include
all the other Oblivion
downloadable content released
to date: Horse Armor, The
Orrery, Wizard's Tower, Vile
Lair, Thieves Den, Mehrunes'
Razor, and Spell Tomes.
Bethesda Softworks will
publish and distribute Knights
of the Nine at retail directly
in North America and through a
co-publisher arrangement with
Ubisoft in
Europe.
"We're pleased to bring
this new content to Xbox 360
and to Windows gamers who have
been so supportive of
Oblivion," said Vlatko
Andonov, president of Bethesda
Softworks. "To date, the
response to our new
downloadable content has been
terrific - it's easily the
most popular downloadable
content on Xbox Live
Marketplace for Xbox 360and
has been very popular for
Windows as well - and we think
the opportunity to enjoy an
entirely new faction and
quests is something our fans
will be eager to
try." <
div>Knights of the Nine
features an all-new faction
and quests for noble
characters and answers many of
the questions surrounding the
Ayleid ruins found throughout
Oblivion. Players can join a
new faction and found their
own order of holy knights -
leading them into battle
against a sorcerer-king and
his demonic minions while
exploring massive dungeons and
searching for legendary relics
- the holy armor and weapons
of the Divine
Crusader. Released in March 2006
for the Xbox 360 videogame and
entertainment system from
Microsoft and Windows,
Oblivion is currently the
highest rated game available
for the Xbox 360 according to
MetaCritic.com and
GameRankings.com. The game has
won countless awards and
accolades to-date including
G4's "Best Game of 2006"
and the #1 ranking on PC
Gamer's (UK) list of the top
100 games of all
time. In addition, Bethesda
Softworks announced in
September that Oblivion will
be coming to the PLAYSTATION 3
computer entertainment system
in North America, and that a
version for the PSP
(PlayStation Portable) system
is also in development for
release next year. The
PLAYSTATION 3 system title
will contain the Knights of
the Nine
content. Following on from Microsoft's
announcement that they will be
offering downloadable TV shows
and films via xbox live,
Microsoft once again showed no
support in offering an upgrade
to the current 20GB hard disk
that comes with a premium
Xbox. With a high definition
720p likely to fill around a
quarter of a 20GB drive people
are starting to see the
limitations that the current
hardware allows, and if
Microsoft are to promote their
console as a media centre as
well as a console then this
problem will need to be
addressed soon.
Shane Kim, General Manager
of Microsoft Game Studios
estimates that the current
detachable 20GB hard drive
that comes standard with the
Xbox 360 Premium model can
hold four to five hours of
high-def content or about 15
hours of standard-definition
video.
British firm BSkyB has joined forces with Microsoft to give Xbox 360 owners the chance to watch live television and on demand content on their
consoles. The two firms launched the new Sky Player service on Xbox 360 today but in a u-turn the service has been switched off for new users until
tomorrow due to an "unforeseen technical issue". According to many who were able to use the service today there has been a mixed reaction to the
service. Some were able to use it perfectly whilst others struggled getting content streaming correctly.
..
Today at E3, Microsoft announced some new features and content partners that will be coming to Xbox Live, the now billion-dollar division of the
company...
Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the leading high-definition video-on-demand service, is expanding once again, adding content from two major entertainment
partners. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that Disney-ABC Television Group and
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) will be joining the more than 35 networks and studios offering U.S. Xbox LIVE members premium entertainment
content via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store.
Disney-ABC Television Group and MGM are two of the biggest names in the
entertainment industry, and this announcement helps continue to evolve and diversify the content offering on Xbox LIVE, said Robbie Bach, president
of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. The ability to offer such great content in high definition further expands Microsofts
commitment to connected entertainment with Xbox 360.
