modding
Latest
Xbox 360 H4xx0rz admit their hackjob is useless
After previously boasting about a DVD firmware hack that made it possible to run a backup copy of Project Gotham Racing 3 on a modified Xbox 360, one of the hackers behind the mod has joined Microsoft in calling it "useless". Apparently the mod is useless to the general public due to its complexity (the mod "requires that the flash chip is removed from the drive circuit board and inserted into a special flash programming device") and the fact that it could easily destroy an Xbox 360 in the wrong hands.However we must agree with one of the other members of the mod team when he said "given the complexity of the software it seems unlikely that there's no [other] way in." Did you know: Microsoft also make a popular operating system called Windows, an OS notorious for its backdoor vulnerabilities.[Thanks, striegs]
Breakfast Topic: Favourite Addons
We've talked about addons before, and even invited you to show yours off in our flickr pool, but here's another chance to discuss an ever-changing topic. Given the problems upcoming in 1.10, now might be an especially appropriate time to reconsider your mod choices.So, what are your favourite mods and why? Anything you can't live without?My first foray into UI addons came fairly soon after I started playing WoW, with Cosmos. I then moved on to the Insomniax all-in-one package, and still use a custom variant on that, with Titan Bar and the Auctioneer set as must-haves. I'm also a big user of BibToolbars to keep my windows clean and organised, and MonkeyQuest to track those ever-important quests. [Suggested by Mark Sisley]
Mod summit looks at modmaking from all angles
Computer Gaming World has (by way of 1up) a roundtable chat with various game developers and modders. If you've ever flirted with modding or downloaded a mod or two then it's a great read, looking at mods from both sides of the game engine.A couple of interesting points for would-be modmakers include the fact that modmaking is becoming more complex, linked to the increasing sophistication of game engines, and a tip from modders that FPS seems to be the genre of choice. While modmakers have no salary or loyalties, meaning that their creativity can run free, sometimes modding is a hard and unrewarding business. Fortunately, there are also success stories from modders who have moved into the games industry as a result of their work.[Update: Corrected CGW, thanks Stevo.]
World's first liquid cooled 360 to go on show
According to CoolIT Systems' press release, the "world's first truly liquid-cooled Xbox 360" will be on show at CES next week, featuring CoolIT's MTEC liquid cooling technology. While this technology is sophisticated and undoubtedly works well to cool the 360, it doesn't seem particularly useful as it doesn't address the problems many consumers have had with their power bricks overheating. It's more likely that CoolIT are taking advantage of a high-profile overheating device to showcase the company's technology. Still, with that said, there's something undeniably cool about a liquid-chilled 360.
