Entries tagged with xbox - Channel 10

Rock the Vote From Your Xbox

sarahintampa — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:39:00 GMT

Xbox and Rock the Vote have partnered up in order to reach out to young voters through the Xbox community. Starting August 25th – the same day as the first day of the Democratic National Convention - Xbox 360 owners will be able to register to vote, participate in presidential polls, and voice their opinions to the presidential candidates through Xbox LIVE, a community whose members reach 12 million. Said Heather Smith, executive director, Rock the Vote: “To realize our goal of registering 2 million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there’s no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.”

I remember in the past Rock the Vote was involved with MTV, but I don’t ever remember seeing them actually go seek out young voters through a gaming platform before – that is definitely a first. And how creative! I went and checked out the Rock the Vote homepage to see where else they were besides Xbox, and it turns out that they’re on YouTube, facebook, and flickr, too. (Hmm, someone should tell them about Twitter.)

Xbox 360 + XNA is a Win-Win

Larry — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:23:00 GMT

Recently the game Braid was released on Xbox Live Marketplace. In the first week, this side scroller brought in nearly a million dollars in revenue. What sets this game apart from others is that it wasn't developed by one of the big game companies, but rather by Jonathan Blow with graphics help from David Hellman.

Turning console game development into a cottage industry is new, and it's a win-win for all of us. For Jonathan, he can now make developing games a full-time career. For us, it means we can anticipate more lower-cost games (Braid is $15). We can also expect some interesting twists from non-establishment game developers. For instance, Braid is a side scroller, but it is different from other Mario-type games in that you get a single life and the ability to reverse time (more on that from 1up.com).

I'm interested in hearing what downloadable games you like, and what you would like to see in marketplace games. Leave us a comment and let us know.

It's Official: Get Netflix on your Xbox 360

Larry — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:19:00 GMT

This morning we announced support for Netflix service as being built-in in an upcoming software update to 360 service. As C|Net points out, there have been some workarounds for this in the meantime, but this solution will allow you to stream natively and without a dedicated Media Center PC.

Also announced is a shared movie experience that will let you watch a movie at distance with up to 7 friends at once. Major Nelson promises more details on this later today.

Use Any Object as a Controller With Cam-Trax

sarahintampa — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:39:00 GMT

Cam-Trax lets you play any PC game you want using almost any object you can find as a game controller - you just need to have a PC and a webcam to do so. The software uses the webcam to scan the object you’re holding and then the object can be used to control your game! (See it in action here). Crazy! What’s even crazier is that I just discovered that the Xbox 360 can do this, too, but not many people know about it. The Xbox can be paired with a camera and through XNA, casual game designers can experiment with their ideas. In fact, here are a couple of videos of people doing the machine vision thing with their Xbox: video 1, video 2. Want to give that a try yourself, this guy documented some of the techie details on how to access the elusive camera frame buffer. The documentation is available as a download here. Now, who’s got a machine vision system that works with XNA?

Tweet Your Xbox Live Status

sarahintampa — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:26:00 GMT

Are you a Twitter user and an Xbox Live fan? Then you'll love this new Twitter app called Twee60. The app lets your Twitter followers receive your Xbox Live status updates via Twitter. To use the service, you must first register for an account at Twee60. Then, it's as simple as entering in your Twitter credentials and your Xbox Live gamertag. After that, no more configuration is required - the service runs 24/7 to keep you friends informed as to when you are online and ready to play.

fmx - XNA und Serious Games

lorigros — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:16:00 GMT

In zahlreichen Sessions auf der fmx erläuterten Microsoft-Sprecher aus Deutschland und den USA wichtige Technologien, wie beispielsweise den Einsatz von XNA Studio zur Spieleentwicklung unter Windows und auf der Xbox. Vor Ort habe ich mit Dirk Primbs, Microsoft Developer Evangelist, über fmx und XNA gesprochen. Auch dabei auf dem Microsoft-Stand war Kreativpartner Pixelpark Agentur. Sie habe ein Showcase zum Thema „Xbox Business Applications“, ein Szenario, bei dem die Xbox-Konsole für Simulationen und E-Learning-Applikationen („Edutainment“) präsentiert. Ich habe mit Dirk Krause von Pixelpark darüber geredet.

Read RSS Feeds on Your Media Center TV

sarahintampa — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:40:00 GMT

The Media Center RSS Reader application lets you read RSS news items on your Media Center TV as well as watch and/or listen to podcasts and watch video blogs. Originally developed for XP Media Center, there is now also a version for Vista Ultimate. The application adds a new option to Media Center's Start page called "Accessories." From there, you'll have access to a section called "RSS News & Casts" where you'll be able to view your feeds. If you run into any formatting issues or unsupported codecs, the site suggests you try downloading the content to your PC instead via IE's built-in RSS reader, instead. Since I use my Xbox 360 to watch Media Center content on my living room TV, I'm excited to have a way to access not just feeds, but podcasts too, without the addition of another set-top box to do so. (thanks to scribkin for the tip!)

Hear the Lions Roar on Xbox 360

Laura — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:30:00 GMT

I did this interview last year but JUST NOW is it allowed to go public...
A new program aims to make hospitals more fun for kids through technology. That’s the mission of a whole host of organizations nationwide like the Companions in Courage Foundation. Founded by pro hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, the organization sets up what it calls Lion's Dens – rooms like one just opened at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

"We can create an atmosphere and environment where kids can escape to and be a safe haven where they can play games and videos and create art and create music and video conference with friends, their heroes, their grandparents, and just be, with technology, connected to the outside world," LaFontaine said. "We really have four primary components: video game, so Xbox 360; we have the PCs, so kids can go in and instant message and email, they can get homework assignments," Jim Johnson of the Companions in Courage Foundation said. "We also have a big screen television; and then we have the video conference pod, which is a live video conference that allows them to connect to relatives that may be out of town or celebrities."

Download Iron Man Demo for Free

sarahintampa — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:44:00 GMT

If you're like a bunch of people I know, you're pretty darned excited for the upcoming Iron Man movie. As you may know, there will also be an accompanying Iron Man video game for Xbox. Both game and movie will arrive on May 2nd, but you can sample the game now, for free, via the demo available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. According to the description on Major Nelson's site, the game lets you: "Immerse yourself in hardcore shooting action and explosive combat from the film as well as exclusive content created just for the game. Customize your Iron Man suit and battle against armies of fighter jets, tanks, armored Super Villains and more. You are a One Man Army. " (via Xbox 360 Fanboy)

Add an Xbox Gamercard to Your Site

sarahintampa — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:39:00 GMT

Adam Kinney just posted on his blog that he created a way for you to add an Xbox Gamercard to your web site. The gamercard uses both Silverlight for its interactivity, data set stack, and portability and the Xbox Gamertag Data Service. To add it to your web site, you only need to enter your gamertag in the form on this site and then copy-and-paste the resulting code to your site.

There's also a "Friends Watch" Vista Sidebar Gadget available from Adam, found here, which lets you track when your friends are online and what they've been playing.

Halo 3 Downloadable Content Arrives April 15th

sarahintampa — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:07:00 GMT

Microsoft and Bungie just announced that April 15th is the release date for the next wave of downloadable content for Halo 3. The new content, entitled the Legendary Map Pack, will include three new maps: Ghost Town, Avalanche, and one other map, yet to be revealed. Additionally, there will be some new Forge options which will let fans create and share their custom Halo 3 content. The Legendary Map Pack will be made available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points.

GameStop Launches Mobile Text-to-Win Contest for Grand Theft Auto IV

Laura — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:27:00 GMT

GameStop announced today that it will launch a national text-to-win contest in anticipation of the Grand Theft Auto IV release by Rockstar Games, available April 29, 2008. The contest will end with a launch event in "Liberty City" (a.k.a. New York City) on April 28, where national winners will meet regional winners and compete for $30,000 in prizes. Check back here for event highlights.

From Monday, March 24 through Tuesday, April 15, 2008, players can click here to get the contest question and sign up for exclusive insider information about Grand Theft Auto IV leading up to its release. Playing for a chance to win up to $10,000 and a trip to "Liberty City" for the launch event, participants are required to text-in one of five possible answers using their mobile phones. Players will have a second opportunity to enter at www.gamestop.com.

A total of four (4) national winners will be selected at random from all correct mobile and online entries, and will each be awarded:

· Roundtrip airfare and ground transportation to "Liberty City" for themselves and a guest

· One hotel room for two nights

· Two gift bags courtesy of GameStop and Grand Theft Auto IV

· Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) in spending money

· One key to open a lock box at the April 28^th launch event

On April 28, 2008, the national winners will meet the regional winners in "Liberty City" to see if their key opens Niko's Lock Box. Niko's Lock Box contains 38 unmarked envelopes containing awards from $100 to$10,000. The event will take place GameStop's flagship store at 1282 Broadway (at 33^rd Street).

For additional details and to obtain a list of official rules, visit a local GameStop retail location or www.gamestop.com/GTAIV.

Regional "Lost Keys" Promotion in "Liberty City"

In addition to the national contest, GameStop will drop red key chains in select stores in "Liberty City" from April 1-27, 2008. The unmarked red key chains will direct players to call a local telephone number for further instruction on how to gain access to GameStop's Grand Theft Auto IV launch event in "Liberty City" on April 28, 2008.

XNA Game Studio - Your world, your game.

Laura — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:29:00 GMT

XNA Game Studio really does give you all you need. Not only do they give you the tools to make the games that you want, but they also give you the training and tutorials to give you the skills to do it. I ran across one of their many game design challenges to see exactly how it happens, who can enter- and of course, where you can find out when one is coming near you. Take a peek here at the latest event in San Francisco, and then I hope to see you at the next one!

Halo 3 Heroic Maps Free Today

sarahintampa — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:26:00 GMT

Happy Halo Map Pack Day! As of today, Halo 3's formerly $10 set of maps, the Heroic Map Pack, is now free. This add-on lets you add new battle zones to the Halo 3 game. The pack consists of the Rat's Nest, Standoff, and Foundry maps, where players are provided with things like labyrinthine mazes (Rat's Nest) and editable objects that can be used to create a custom battlefield (Foundry). The next series of maps, the Legendary Map Pack, will be available on April 15th for 800 Microsoft Points.

Wanna work for Xbox?

Laura — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:46:00 GMT

People are always approaching me and asking how they can get their foot in the gaming industry door. What a dream come true it would be to be a lifelong gamer and then actually get paid to be a part of what you love? Well, the truth is there are alot more opportunities than you might think. Xbox and Microsoft are constantly on the hunt for fresh new talent- and sometimes they even recruit it! I came across an Xbox recruiting booth and decided to get you guys all the info on nabbing that dream job. Enjoy.

MIX Rock Band Tournament

Laura — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:25:00 GMT

This year at MIX, amongst the seminars and future of the web discussions there was an intense battle of the bands. The Rock Bands. Friends and colleagues grouped together and formed the best possible Rock Band they could and entered the tournament. More than having some of the most interesting and unusual names I'd ever heard- some of these bands could really Rock! Take a look at some of the highlights and see who finally ends up as the Rock Band Winner.

Nokia's Xbox Live Themes Contest

sarahintampa — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:39:00 GMT

Nokia is sponsoring a contest for Xbox Live theme builders, which gives artists the opportunity to have their work offered through the Microsoft Xbox Live Marketplace. Xbox 360 themes let you change what you see on your screen in the Xbox Live Marketplace. Some Xbox 360 themes are free and some cost Microsoft Points to use. To get involved with the contest, artists can upload their work to www.my360theme.com, where the themes will then go through an internal quality review process before the public gets to vote on them. Along with having a theme published, the winner will also receive a 42-inch HDTV, surround sound stereo, Xbox 360 games, Blu-ray player, and Nokia N81 phone.

Great new games coming your way from XBOX Live arcade

Laura — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:55:00 GMT

You may not have heard of them, but Chair Entertainment has been bringing you great games for years now. Perhaps you've played Undertow on XBOX Live arcade? If not, you should- especially since it was just named XBLA Game of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine. And there's more good news! The expansion pack, "Path of the Elect" was just released. The BIG NEWS though, is about Chair Entertainment's next big thing: Empire. They decided to kick off their franchise by commissioning a book, Empire, written by Orson Scott Card. If you're not convinced yet that Chair is a company that should be on your radar, then watch this clip to learn about them also acquiring the interactive rights to Orson Scott Card's : Enders Game. And a few other juicy surprises as well.....

JD and Brian Podcast - Episode 4

brianjo — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:03:00 GMT

This week on the podcast, JD and I talk about MIX08, South by Southwest, Microsoft Techfest, and the Electronic House Expo.

Links:

RealGamercard Gadget

sarahintampa — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Calvin Toren wasn't satisfied with the Gamercard Vista Sidebar Gadgets out there, saying "I've found 10 different Gamercard gadgets currently available. With the exception of [one], none of them used the official Gamercard." Luckily for Calvin, he had the skills to just make his own gadget! With his, the "RealGamercard" gadget, you have the ability to change which Gamertag is displayed, change the size of your Gamercard, and change how often it gets updates. You can even have multiple cards on the screen at once in multiple sizes. If you want to fit the gadget into the sidebar, just reduce the size to 70% and it will fit just fine. It's a great gadget for gamers!

Games on your Zune!?! What? How? When?

Laura — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:08:00 GMT

There are many happy Zune owners right about now. At GDC last week Microsoft announced that XNA Game Studios games can now also be made for the Zune. If you didn't know, XNA is a game development toolkit available to "do it yourself" enthusiasts for about $99 / year. You don't need to create your own games, simply take advantage of XNA games created by the user base. The XNA team also made some cool announcements about Xbox LIVE community games. I got all the good dirt- take a look.

JD and Brian Podcast - Episode 3

brianjo — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:46:00 GMT

This week on the podcast, JD and I talk to G. Andrew Duthie, Microsoft Developer Evangelist, about Microsoft's announcements around interoperability and about XNA game development on the Zune.

Links for the show:

Show Us Your Home: Scott Hanselman Edition

Larry — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:33:00 GMT

In this edition of Show Us Your Home, Scott Hanselman - a guy who works out of his home office - shows us his Geek Developer Crib with Rory Blyth on the glass and Chris Sells on the open mic.

Scott takes us on a tour of his OCD wiring, Windows Home Server, Xboxen, and personal effects. Special thanks to Rory for producing.

Xbox Live at CES 2008

Laura — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:18:00 GMT

Xbox Live Marketplace has always been the place to be for all your gaming needs, but it's about to get even better.
There are great games coming in 2008, Grand Theft Auto, Splinter Cell Conviction, Halo Wars, Resident Evil 5, and of course the fan favorite Burnout 3 (download the demo now), Xbox Live Marketplace is more than the service that connects you to your friends, it's the way to play the games before they ship.

Your Xbox will now be the destination for all things entertainment.

Robbie Bach @ CES 2008

Nic — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:18:00 GMT

Each year Microsoft's connected entertainment vision gets better and better. By now, you've seen the broader picture - Media Centers in the living room, Extenders in the bedroom, Xbox's in the playroom, Windows Mobile on the hip, and Sync in the car. Making all this work, and work more seamlessly in the future, is no small task of course, and the person charged with making it all work is Robbie Bach.

Robbie invited us over this morning to talk about what we can expect from the Connected Entertainment experience in 2008 as well as what's coming in the future (yes, Surface computers in your house.) The first digital decade is just the start.