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New Xbox 360 Controller Details, Press Pics, And Some Exclusive Details

Stefan Etienne — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:27:51 +0000

The new Xbox 360 controller which has an improved D-pad and better analog sticks — a newer and better controller all around — is in freaky awesome metallic silver and such, and makes all new owners of the Xbox 360 (sometimes called the Stealthbox) a little sad.

After speaking to one of Microsoft’s Xbox agents, I can directly say that Microsoft hasn’t outed the availability of the controller in Xbox retail units, as the new controller is only coming in a Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States. Interestingly, I did learn that the older controller will still be sold, and then other than that, Microsoft doesn’t have any plans for displaying the controller in public (i.e a press event), for now.

That’s that folks. Shiny press images below.

Xbox 360 with nicer D-pad press pics

Jacked Up: Microsoft Makes Xbox LIVE A Little More Expensive

Stefan Etienne — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:04:50 +0000

So Microsoft jacked up the XBOX LIVE subscriptions costs you say? Well, yes. On November 1st in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the 1-month charge is increasing to $9.99 from $7.99, three months will cost $24.99 from $19.99 while the yearly plan is increasing to $59.99 from $49.99. Yes, it sucks, and it nags me because I was going to buy an Xbox 360 S (I still am, btw).

Reasons for the price increase could be that Windows Phone 7 phones will have integration with your Xbox 360 and LIVE, as well as cross-platform gaming and a ton of other “nice” stuff.

Xbox 360 Slim goes Halo Reach in limited edition

Stefan Etienne — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:54:10 +0000

Know what’s better than a shiny new matte silver Xbox 360 Slim with two wireless controllers, special Halo sounds, and a copy of Halo: Reach with a price tag of $400 on September 15th? Exactly what I just said, dudes. The “limited edition” is $100 mure than the plain-old-same-old black, glossy 360 Slim, and $200 over the upcoming Arcade model.

Still, even though the limited part means 1 million will be produced (or more?), this does look pretty interesting.

Whoa! Mr. Wallet, go back into my pants! Easy, easy.

Source: Major Nelson, Xbox Press

Xbox 360 4GB ships August 3rd for $199, holiday Kinect bundle for $299, then some

Stefan Etienne — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:33:33 +0000

The Xbox 360 Slim 4GB is going to be the new Arcade replacement, in this case priced at $199 for 4GB of internal flash memory, built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, a matte finish instead of the usual glossy seen on the 250GB $299.99 model, and a shipping date of August 3rd. The holiday bundle will include the same 360 hardware, but with Kinect, and the bundled game Kinect Adventures, for $299 total, sans tax. Interesting for the budget-minded, eh? Gallery of pretty computer-generated photos for your pleasure below.

Xbox 360 S Arcade

Source: Xbox

Microsoft Kinect Hits Microsoft’s Retail Store For A $149 Pre-Order

Stefan Etienne — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:51:45 +0000

Want a Microsoft motion-sensing, video playing Natal? Yes? Well remember that it’s no longer called the Natal, but the Kinect. Starting at $149 for pre-order on Microsoft’s own Xbox store, don’t be surprised if there’s a price drop or anything else tasty as launch date nears. Also, if you have that old Xbox 360 Fat, you’ll need to plugin the AC adapter that comes with it. Have a new Xbox 360? Well gamer, just plug it straight it. What I’m saying is that it’ll be easier if you shed for a new Xbox. Yeah.

Source: Microsoft

Microsoft outs new slimmer, meaner, and more awesome Xbox 360

Stefan Etienne — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:26:51 +0000

Today, it’s become official. The Xbox 360 is now, slimmer, sleeker, and almost borrows some aesthetics from the original Xbox. It’s described as being “sleeker, smaller, whisper quiet,”. It has a 250GB HDD (that isn’t compatible with the original 360, but is removable), built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), and a super cheap (pretty close) $299 price tag. And it starts shipping today. Exciting, exciting, exciting! By the way, the original 360 stays $199, while the Arcade becomes $149. Developing…

Source: Xbox

Test Drive Unlimited 2 goes on pre-sale

Stefan Etienne — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:46:31 +0000

See, I may not know about you liking racing simulators and buying cars through races while seeing mind-blowing graphics and dynamic weather changes, along with vehicle damage, including live free-roaming in multiplayer and buying and selling cars, getting new clothes, creating your own avatar…Test Drive Unlimited 2 has the works. It may sound like I’m selling the thing, but really just watch one of the trailers and you’ll see how awesome it is for yourself. And it just went on pre-order for PS3. Xbox 360, and PC (which requires little hardware, but demands a lot for maxed-out graphics), and ships September 21st. Check it out.

Xbox 360 now allows USB storage support, cheers heard everywhere

Stefan Etienne — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:57:36 +0000

That’s right! Today is a wonderful day to be an Xbox 360 owner, because with a new update USB storage support has finally been added. It could be any size of USB storage you want, except that it will have to be formatted and has a maximum of 16GB worth of files and game saves. That was probably some nice news, wasn’t it?

Official: Xbox 360 USB mass storage coming April 6th

Stefan Etienne — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:57:27 +0000

Besides what’s in the headline, there’s very little to explain here. Major Nelson has reported that the Xbox 360 will get USB mass storage on April 6th, as long as you let your 360 format your USB drive the first time you use it. For the meantime you can use your own storage drives, while Sandisk will come out with official ones later on. Oh, and just to point out kids, you can only use a flash drive up to 16GB. Just though I’d leave that note for ya.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 Is Now Official! Can You Wait?

Stefan Etienne — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:10:51 +0000

For those of you who might not know, I am a super fan of racing games. More precisely good racing games. And more precisely still, online awesome racing games. The original Test Drive Unlimited was a dream for me. You started off with a sucky Ford Mustang or whatever you could buy with 5,000 dollars, then you had thousands of miles of Oahu, Hawaii to your pleasure. You could free roam, buy new houses at a real estate office, get chased by advanced cops, and play online and organize the coolest races ever. There was even one race that allowed you to grand tour the whole island for 2 hours. And that’s why Atari has its first customer.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will also a seamless experience as Atari puts it and “is always live”, meaning that unlike the original which had offline and online modes, there’s a single narrative mode that can be progressed on online or offline, either on the Xbox 360, PS3, or PC this Fall. Good stuff. Press release after the break.

Atari To Transform Online Racing With Test Drive(R) Unlimited 2

Join Thousands of Players Online, Race the Worlds Most Coveted Cars, and Live the Ultimate Luxury Lifestyle

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ — Atari, SA, one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, and much-acclaimed developer Eden Games, are proud to announce the newest installment in the legendary racing franchise withTest Drive® Unlimited 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC coming Fall 2010.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 expands on the traditional racing experience providing gamers with M.O.O.R.®: Massively Open Online Racing®; immersing drivers in a persistent online environment and revolutionizing multiplayer racing communities as players compete, team up, and share their achievements and creations online. Unlike any other driving game, TDU2 blends the open world experience with realistic vehicles and performance dynamics and for the first time, TDU2 features vehicle damage, weather effects, day and night cycles, and a brand new island to explore.

The first Test Drive® Unlimited innovated the racing genre with an immersive online and offline experience – over 1 million players created online accounts. Test Drive Unlimited 2 blends the single player and multiplayer experiences seamlessly, creating a dynamic world of unique content and challenges. Test Drive Unlimited 2 is “always live,” with automatic updates and seamless online/offline integration. A revamped single player narrative mode can be played offline or as part of the multiplayer experience.

“After the highly successful Test Drive Unlimited which redefined the genre with massively open online racing, Test Drive Unlimited 2 will be an innovative evolution in racing games, expanding its unparalleled multiplayer experience and immersing players in a world full of new online content and lifestyle customization.” said Jeff Lapin, CEO of Atari, SA. “The game fits squarely into our strategy of moving online and generating new revenue streams while maintaining our current retail business.”

Test Drive Unlimited 2 puts the world’s most desirable vehicles in the players hands. These ultra-limited edition masterpieces are flawlessly replicated with Eden’s finely tuned driving technology. Players define their online persona through the customization of their vehicles, and the acquisition of property, clothing and all the accoutrements of a luxurious car-based lifestyle. The challenge comes to life with the most expansive and comprehensive multiplayer offering on the console and the ultimate refinement of the core Test Drive driving experience. All-new race types, vehicle classes, environmental challenges, locations and much more push this epic franchise to new levels of performance and luxury.

For more information on Test Drive Unlimited 2 please visitwww.testdriveunlimited2.com or log on to www.atari.com.