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Facebook, Twitter, and Zune Marketplace Coming to Xbox Live

Josh Salem — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:33:28 +0000

That’s right, this coming week your TV will transform into so much more with social networking, music, and movies come alive on your Xbox 360. Facebook, Twitter, and Zune video will launch November 17th, on Xbox Live.

Most exciting is instant-on HD video from Zune to be available to Xbox 360 consoles. “We’re delivering some truly exciting social entertainment experiences to our members,” said Marc Whitten, Xbox Live general manager. “Xbox Live’s differentiator has always been our community, and we’ve already seen a tremendous response to these features in our public preview.”

As well, Xbox Live will be debuting a music games store specifically for games such as Lips, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band.

I am excited!

Halo 3: ODST on andPOP

Josh Salem — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:22:47 +0000

Jordan had the opportunity recently to preview the latest big name from Bungie as he took out covenant scum with some of the best in Halo 3: ODST exclusively for the Xbox 360 out now. I guess dropping into hell feet first ain’t so bad.

Halo 3: ODST Recruitment Training Event

Josh Salem — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:43:31 +0000

Today I do not come to you as mild mannered gaming journalist Josh Salem, but rather, ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) Private Salem. Yes, that’s right, last night in the Fermenting Cellar at the historic Distillery District in beautiful Toronto (although it was raining) I completed (with fly colours) my ODST training from Sgt. Swaggard and his troops and got dropped into the pandemonium of Firefight.

Perhaps I should Explain.

Marking the launch of Halo 3: ODST, a sneak peek event was held yesterday in which fans (and VIPs whom got in an hour earlier by finding a secret code) were treated to quite the set up. Waiting outside what looked like an abandoned warehouse a fully clad, fully loud drill Sargent burst out the blacked out doors and ordered the first 5 cadets to line up, shout Hoorah and march inside the hell droppers training facility. Once inside we were commanded to strip down to our birthday suits and be deloused (no, not really). Once inside we registered with the proper authorities (gave our marketing information), and were seated in an army style bunker where two extremely intense and imposing soldiers (again fully clad in UNSC gear) informed us that we were the best of the best, and that we only had 5 minutes to go from cadets to full ODSTs as a battle was being waged right outside. We were given our dog tags (lanyards), uniforms (t-shirts from American Apparel… glad to know they’re still around in times of war), and our war cards (little cards for E3 explaining the controls). We were yelled at, badgered, and demanded questions; the solider sitting infront of me became top of class and team leader.

Master Chief's ride.

Once my future shell shock experiences were over we were shouted out of the tent and into the next room. Now, keep in mind that this whole area was pretty dark and there were lots of big men and women yelling at us army style, the mood was set, I knew it was all in good fun but secretly a part of me was afraid of the upcoming fight I would have to bare and the intensity grew threefold. In this next room though, it felt like something out of The Wizard fog all around (which is why a number of my photos didn’t turn out), more UNSC soldiers directing the new cadets to their battle stations, and about 9 standing terminals with 4 screens, 4 X-boxes, and 4 controllers each. This was it, the trial of Firefight mode. We played as a unit for a good 20-30 minutes before our lives expired and it was time for the next batch to experience. The ambiance was great as there were two huge screens hung in the corner showing what the middle (and raised) station players were up to, the sound was loud and furious from the gameplay and with green lights flashing everywhere (as well as silhouettes of the Covenant scum and New Mombasa in ruins all around, you really got into the mood.

Once you died however, the UNSC soldiers who had been badgering you previously turned mournful and sympathetic, thanking you for your courage, shaking your hand, and offering candy, drinks, and coupons for your honour. Once I went through my ODST training I felt I could do anything, so I went over to the media room (which was essentially just another blocked off area with nothing in it but a few chairs, Microsoft’s Jeff Rivait, and a Halo 3 ODST SUV with a big screen in the back playing the single player mode with Jeff walking us beaten soldiers through a typical romp as the Rookie.

Where our will was shattered and rebuilt as ODSTs

I don’t want to ruin any spoilers so I won’t discuss what I saw. But I will tell you this cadet; Halo 3: ODST is much more than any of us had ever thought it could be, it’s not an expansion, it’s a whole new game, with 7 hours of gameplay in single player mode, co-op mode, a whole new disc of Halo 3 multiplayer mode with all the maps released for it (as well as 3 all new maps) and what I am most excited for, Firefight mode; Halo 3: ODST is definitely one of the games I am most excited for this holiday season.

Halo 3: ODST drops feet first into hell (comes out) TODAY! As well, we have a special Firefight preview video that will be hitting andPOP.com very soon for those who don’t like to read these previews… but then again, if you don’t than you wouldn’t be reading this far anyways.

Private Salem reporting for duty, HOORAH!

Shadow Complex shatters records

sarge-ak47 — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:06:31 +0000

Chair Entertainment- a subsidiary of Epic games and Microsoft Corp- had released their smash hit SHADOW COMPLEX and now news has reached us that the title not only garnered critical acclaim but now is the best selling single player Xbox Live title to date. With 200,000 purchases in its first week things are off to a stellar start for this new exciting IP on Xbox Live.
Kudos to you Chair Entertainment!
Go ahead and try out the demo and buy this instant classic!

Xbox Live Update Preview

Josh Salem — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:35:37 +0000

You’ve probably heard that an Xbox 360 Live update was coming, if you knew when or what it entailed is another story. We’re here to set the record straight by discussing a few of the new updates coming to Xbox Live this August 11th.

Avatar expansions

Your virtual character in the Xbox world will be getting a massive update with plenty to styalize and customize your character. The avatar marketplace will open to allow gamers to purcahse premium outfits and accessories.

New props allow your avatar to character items that bring custom animations to your friends channel page.

New brands such as Adidas, Quiksilver, and Roxy allow you to show off your brand awareness clout.

New styles such as Steampunk and Recessionista allow your characters to have themed outfits.

New awards for your avatar just by playing games such as ‘Splosion Man’.

As well, your favourite games from Halo to Star Wars will have themed avatar costumes and accessories to enjoy.

Direct Download Xbox 360 titles

I’m not sure what EB games and Gamestop will be doing this coming year as coming August 11th, you have almost no reason to venture into these stores and drop cash for games. The reason is due to Games on Demand.

Launching globally with 30 Xbox 360 titles for direct download straight to your Xbox 360 hard drve. Gamers will be able to purchase these games either with their credit cards (thanks to PayPal), or through MS points.

With new titles being released every tuesday and available for download 24/7, theres no reason to ever leave your house again! Canada’s starting line-up includes:

Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft)
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (LucasArts)
Rainbow Six Vegas (Ubisoft)
BioShock (2K Games)
Mass Effect (Microsoft Game Studios)
ridge racer 6 (Namco)
Burnout Paradise (EA)
Meet The Robinsons (Disney)
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Rockstar Games)
Call of Duty® 2 (Activision)
MX vs. ATV Untamed (THQ)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (SEGA)
Viva Piñata 2: Trouble in Paradise (Microsoft Game Studios)
Need for Speed Carbon (EA)
TEST DRIVE: UNLIMITED (Atari)
Fight Night Round 3 (EA)
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (EA)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games/Bethesda Softworks)
Prey (2K Games)
Viva Piñata (Microsoft Game Studios)

Movie growth

Netflix is expanding their services on Xbox (sorry, NOT AVAILABLE IN CANADA) with a number of new features due to the overwheleming sucess of movie streaming on consoles (game consoles are the most popular devices for bringing web-based video to the TV). New features such as the ability to update your Nexflix queue from your couch and the choice to watch with friends having your avatars in the front row via Xbox LIVE Movie Parties.

Other new features include the ability to organize your Xbox dashboard as you see fit and search for whatever you need, Xbox Live Marketplace user ratings, and much more! Time for more Xbox for this gamer.

Microsoft’s Wireless Explorer Mini Mouse – Mac

Rick Levine — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:50:20 +0000

Mouse technology is an ongoing game of leap frog. Every so often a new mouse product arrives which introduces some kind of new technology – how much better can the ‘mouse’ be improved? Apple’s ‘Mighty Mouse‘ for the Macintosh, was oddly innovative by re-positioning the old ‘mouse ball’ on the TOP of the mouse to allow for additional navigation options. However, after a couple of months of use, the good old little mouse ball on the TOP will stop functioning in the UPward direction and it is next to impossible to clean it to get it working properly again. Until Apple figures out a way to resolve this sticky ball problem with the Mighty Mouse, I am trapped into hunting for a better mouse.

Microsoft markets no less than 30 mouse products (meese? mices?), only several of which are labeled as compatible with Macintosh. The new Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology* is available in two sizes – a big one just called the Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse (to which I may refer to in this review as the ‘desktop’ model) and a smaller lighter ‘cousin’ for traveling laptop users labelled as the Microsoft Wireless Explorer MINI Mouse. With its virtual tours, photos and specs, the Microsoft Mouse webpage provides a thorough description of all products, but nothing replaces a ‘hands on’test drive.

After taking the Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse out of the plastic bubble packaging, I installed the rechargeable NMHi battery, plugged the little USB receiver into a vacant USB slot in my Macintosh and the wireless Explorer Mouse immediately scurried into operation. Using 2.4 GHz wireless technology, (*NOT Bluetooth technology) the wireless Explorer Mouse is able communicate quite well with the Mac once configured in the Apple Mouse Preferences Panel. With Leopard 10.5.6 there was no need to install the intellimouse drivers, so things were off to a great start. The Wireless Explorer Mouse (s) seems capable of doing whatever Apple’s Mighty Mouse can do - Scroll North and South as well as East and West. The wireless Explorer Mouse can do a lot more too, once you configure your mouse preferences to fulfill your personal needs.

Rodent Alert! - this mouse is primarily designed as A RIGHT HANDED mouse. If you use the wireless Explorer Mouse in the LEFT hand, it will work, but it may take some getting used to as the molded edges feel more naturally oriented for use in the Right hand. I am a left handed person, but I happen to use my mouse with my RIGHT hand so I wasn’t feeling short handed. It is the bulky size and additional weight of the wireless Explorer Mouse desktop model that is something I need to get used to after handling the smaller and lighter styled Apple Mighty mouse for the last couple years.

Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mini Mouse with BlueTrack Technology

When laser technology was introduced, it was a welcome improvement over the old Ball Style Mouse but the Red beamed laser had it limitations and did not track well on all surfaces. So the search for better beam technology has continued. I am pleased to report that this *BlueTrack laser system which Microsoft unabashedly advertises to ‘work on any surface’, tests out pretty good. ‘BlueTrack works more places than ever before, including on granite countertops, carpet—even on a wood table or a rough, unfinished park bench’.Except for mirror or glass surfaces, ‘BlueTrack’ laser technology is a positive advancement and I have found the it to be very solid – Throw away your Mouse Pads – Yaaaaay!

So here is where I am trapped – I almost like these ‘Meeses to pieces’. I like the smaller size and lighter feel of the wireless Explorer MINI Mouse but I like the recharging features of the wireless Explorer Mouse DESKTOP. The wireless Explorer Mouse desktop version includes the NmHi battery and charging base while the wireless Explorer Mini Mouse comes with a handy Neoprene travel case an Alkaline Battery which supposedly provides 4 months or more of service. Each wireless Explorer Mouse model has a slot on the bottom surface to snap in the miniature ‘USB Receiver’ when traveling, keeping all the little components together. Maybe Microsoft should offer a specially priced Wireless Explorer Dual Pack to give us the best of both worlds.

The mighty chase for me has ended for now. Until Apple comes out with a solution for the mighty mouse, faulty ball issue, I will be sticking to the Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse to do my Apple Computing.

Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse $89.99 CDN

With NmH rechargeable battery, handy recharger, USB receiver

Microsoft Wireless Explore Mini Mouse $69.99 CDN

With Alkaline Battery, Neoprene travel case, USB receiver

Microsoft Mouse Products:

*Note: BlueTrack laser system which tracks the mouses’ movements on the horizontal surface has nothing at all to do with the Bluetooth technology used by some other companies such as Apples wireless Mighty Mouse, to communicate with the computer itself. All this ‘blue’ talk is a little confusing.

Microsoft to Introduce Subscription Model of Microsoft Office

andPOP Staff — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:15:12 +0000

An article at tgdaily.com is reporting that Microsoft is introducing its Microsoft Office Suite on a subscription model, rather than the software package the company now markets. The premise of this model is that Microsoft is predicting that less and less people will actually own a copy of the Microsoft Office suite, and will instead rent it out from the company on a month-by-month basis.

The subscription offering is called “Equipt” and includes Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 – with the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Windows Live OneCare, according to the article. Software updates are also included in the subscription so you will always have the most up-to-date version of the programs. The entire subscription is going for $69.99 a year.

Microsoft Cuts 360 Price In Europe

andPOP Staff — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:18:14 +0000

Microsoft announced that it will be lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) of the Core Xbox 360 in Europe from ?199.99 to ?159.99 making it the least expensive console in the region.

Also receiving a price cut are the Premium and Elite systems which will retail for ?199.99 from ?249.99 and ?259.99 from ?299.99 respectively.

“Xbox 360 is now mass market in Europe,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Europe. “History shows that £159.99 is the price point where a console’s audience begins to expand, and with these new ERPs in place we’re ready to bring more consumers into the Xbox 360 world.”

The new ERPs are part of Microsoft’s on-going mission to give the Xbox 360 a much wider mass market appeal and will take effect March 14th. There is no word on whether or not North America will see a similar price drop.

First Ever Xbox Live Arcade Awards Announced

andPOP Staff — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:09:45 +0000

Microsoft announced today that it would be having the first ever Xbox Live Arcade awards. The awards will recognize achievements (no pun intended) in Xbox Live arcade development.

Although the finalists in each category were chosen by a panel of industry game journalists, ultimately it will be up to gamers to vote on which title they feel should win the top honours. Gamers can vote by visiting www.xbox.com/xblaawards. Only titles released in 2007 are eligible to win.

Voting begins Tuesday, January 22 at 2:00 a.m. PST and ends Wednesday, January 30 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Microsoft will announce the winners at the Game Developers Conference in February.

Here are the list of games and categories which gamers can vote on:

Best Overall Arcade Game

Puzzle Quest
Pac-Man CE
Carcassonne
Bomberman Live
Alien Hominid
Catan

Best Classic Game

Castlevania
Prince of Persia
Asteroids
Jet Pac Refuelled
Sensible World of Soccer
Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Best Original Game

Pac-Man CE
Boom Boom Rocket
Aegis Wing
Undertow
Band of Bugs
Hexic 2

Best Family Friendly Game

Pac-Man CE
Carcassonne
Catan
Bomberman Live
Hexic 2
E4

Best Competitive Multiplayer Game

Puzzle Quest
Carcassonne
Bomberman Live
Super Puzzle Fighter II
Undertow
Catan

Best Cooperative Multiplayer Game

Alien Hominid
Golden Axe
Aegis Wing
Double Dragon
Arkadian Warriors
TMNT

Here are the categories which gamers will not vote on:

Best selling game
Most played game
Highest rated game
Staff choice

Free Live Arcade Game for Xbox Live Users

andPOP Staff — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:10:57 +0000

After having difficulties with the Xbox Live service over the holidays, gamers were promised a free arcade game to make up for the downtime. Today Microsoft announced that it will be offering Undertow (normally 800 points) free of charge to all silver and gold Xbox Live subscribers.

Developed by Chair Entertainment Group, Undertow is an aquatic based shooter which will allow players to immerse themselves in a full single player campaign, online or offline co-op, as well as battle for control of the oceans as one of three selectable races in 2-16 people multiplayer.

The offer is valid for 5 days beginning Wednesday, January 23rd at 2:00 am PST and will end Sunday, January 27th at 11:59 pm PST. Undertow is available worldwide and is rated Everyone 10+.