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The original Xbox could have been named one of these wacky acronyms
Had Seamus Blackley and his hardware team not vetoed the anagram-based suggestions made by Microsoft's mad men, the original Xbox could have been called the Microsoft FACE – which stood for "Full Action Center" – according to a list of rejected names for Microsoft's debut console provided to Edge by Blackley. Or, alternatively, the Microsoft O2 ("Optimal Ozone"), MEA ("Microsoft Entertainment Activator"), OM ("Odyssey of the Mind") or any other number of ridiculous things. Blackley said that, while "Xbox" was originally an internal shortening of "DirectX Box" used in email threads, it was the only contender to survive the four-stage naming process. Out of the entire list, we think the most historically interesting option was Microsoft TSO, which meant "Three Six Zero." Sound familiar?
Halo 2 still kinda alive, thanks to some fans
When the sun set on the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games on April 15, some Halo 2 players decided they just didn't want to let go. So they've been in-game and have left their consoles running past the designated April 15 shutdown, staying in Halo 2 for almost two weeks now. They're going to flip when they see their electric bills! This thread over on the Bungie forums lists the numerous individuals still online in Halo 2, the last few people able to play the game online ever. Determined not to abandon it until they're forcibly removed by Bungie or Microsoft (or their consoles blow up, which is a very real possibility), you can clearly see each individual's commitment via their profile page on Xbox.com: Agent Windex APACHE N4SIR sherlok 1 Rob2D Lord Odysseus11 xxMAKDADYxx H2o Shoagie DirtyCajun HiredN00bs You gotta give it to these guys for their perseverance. Sometimes, you just can't accept something coming to an end. That's why we've never gotten around to watching the series finale of Who's The Boss?. [Via CNET]
Reminder: Original Xbox games lose Live support tonight at midnight PT
Just a heads up for those who long for Halo 2's embrace: as of midnight PT tonight, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Live support for original titles. As of this publication, you have a little less than seven hours (as of this writing) to get in a few more rounds of Capture the Flag and Oddball with your friends of old, before having to go out and pick up an used copy of Halo 3 -- at least there's 400 MS points in it as a consolation prize.
X3F Game Night: Halo 2
Did you hear? Microsoft is pulling the plug on Xbox Live support for original Xbox games, like, tomorrow, so we thought it'd be a good idea to say goodbye in style. Specifically, in the style of playing some Halo 2! So tonight, Wednesday, the 14th of April, we're asking readers to log on and frag with us! I'll be online at 7PM ET, ready to rumble; merely send me an Xbox Live message (Gamertag: KnifefightYaDad), and I'll do my best to get you into the game, as space permits. Tell your friends, tell your mom and, uh, tell your mom's friends! This is the last time we'll get to play together before the servers are shut down tomorrow. Note: You may want to download all of the extra maps before joining us online, if you don't have them already. It'll save time and hopefully get us gaming together as soon as possible. Finally, we're hoping to turn X3F Game Nights into a regular thing, so if you keep showing up, we'll keep hosting -- all you have to do is ask! What: Multiplayer Halo 2 send-off Where: Your house (or wherever your Xbox/Xbox 360 is set up) When: Wednesday, April 14 at 7pm ET until ... dark! Why: Because Xbox Live won't support original Xbox games after April 15 How: Jump into Halo 2, send KnifefightYaDad a message and wait for the invite
PSA: Last weekend to play Xbox 1 games on Live
This is it. Cue The Doors record, because next Thursday, April 15th, Microsoft will be turning out the lights on the servers that run original Xbox games on Xbox Live, which means that this weekend will be the last non-workdays you've got to play Star Wars: Battlefront 2, Crimson Skies, or Halo 2 online. If it's any consolation, remember that the reason for the shutdown is that older hardware on the service is keeping Microsoft from being able to update things like the friends list limit, so in this case, change should bring some welcome progress. But as for us, we'll be vegging out all day on Sunday playing Conker: Live and Reloaded. We just called Aunt Emma to tell her this weekend's visit will have to wait -- something more important has come up. [Thanks, Chris!]
Xbox Live termination ends in a consolation goodie bag for Halo 2 owners
As Microsoft prepares to pull the plug on online gaming for the original Xbox, it's decided to act benevolently toward the undoubtedly grief-stricken Halo 2 loyalists and has rewarded them all with some consolation prizes. A free three-month Xbox Live membership awaits, accompanied by 400 MS points and a place on the Halo: Reach beta, should you wish to accept it. For a console that's nearly a decade old, it's understandable that online gaming support would've had to end at some point, so you might as well just transfer all your energies into being a good guinea pig / tester for Microsoft's latest cash cow. Steve would just love it if you did.
Major Nelson: Original Xbox DLC back online
After telling Joystiq just yesterday that it was working on a fix for unavailable original Xbox DLC, Microsoft has restored the content to Xbox Live. Major Nelson made the news known via his Twitter account. We popped a copy of Halo 2 into the ol' Xbox 360 and, sure enough, all the map packs were once again available for download. Ninja Gaiden worked as well. So, if you need any DLC for your dusty old Xbox games, you'd best get it before the original Xbox Live servers shut down permanently on April 15 (just in time for taxes!). Also, don't forget to snag the old Halo 2 maps for Bungie's final online farewell to the game on April 14. You really should be there to play one last time. It's got dual-wielding!
Microsoft 'actively working' to restore Original Xbox DLC
Earlier today we reported that Original Xbox downloadable content had been taken offline, presumably in an early effort to turn off online support for the classic Xbox; however, according to Microsoft the unavailable DLC is only an error. In an email to Joystiq, a Microsoft representative said: "We are aware that Xbox v1 users are currently unable to access downloadable content via Xbox LIVE, both for the original console and Xbox Originals on Xbox 360. The team is actively working on resolving this issue so that the Xbox v1 community can continue downloading content until April 15." No time frame was given for a fix to the disconnected servers, but it looks like Microsoft wants gamers to enjoy every element of the original Xbox's connected experience until April 15. Now we can all go back to ignoring these server shutdowns and stop acting like it's such a big deal. You know, because it's 2010.
PSA: Original Xbox games' DLC already offline
Plans to disconnect Xbox Live services for original Xbox games have apparently already begun, as DLC servers for Xbox titles have been quietly taken offline. According to numerous forum threads and our own tests of an assortment of Xbox titles, attempts to download original Xbox game content are now fruitless. Each title tested yielded the message: "Could not download content list. Please try again later." (The image above was taken from our test of Halo 2.) Last Friday, Microsoft announced online support for original Xbox titles would be discontinued on April 15, but made no mention of disconnecting DLC servers earlier than that. Some forum users claim that the DLC servers for Xbox titles were taken offline as soon as the announcement was made last week. So, if you've continued to put off your infiltration of the Kola Cell in the original Splinter Cell, you'd better have already downloaded the mission. [Thanks, Bren]
Xbox Live service for Xbox 1 games to be discontinued on Apr. 15
[Image: Bungie] Microsoft is pulling the plug on the Xbox Live services that still cater to the original Xbox. As of April 15th, all Xbox 1 games -- including those playable on Xbox 360 or via the Xbox Originals service -- will be severed from the online realm. "I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly," Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said at the start of a letter to Xbox Live members, "but after careful consideration, it is clear that this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community." Whitten added that in continuing to "evolve the service," Microsoft requires changes that are "incompatible" with the previous console's games. "We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities." According to Major Nelson's most recent list of top Xbox 1 Live titles, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Counter-Strike players will be hardest hit. Well, sure, Halo 2 is still the most widely played game, but at least those guys will have some consolation when they leave the house and discover that two three more Halo games have come out since 2004. By the way, if you have anything terribly important to say to your clan mates, we suggest you say it now.
PSA: Microsoft ends original Xbox support on March 2
On March 2, Microsoft will no longer offer repair support to users of the original Xbox console. Owners who (somehow) still have an Xbox console under warranty from Microsoft will be able to participate in an upgrade offer to an Xbox 360 -- terms of which are not detailed online. Microsoft recently ended support for the big black box in Japan. Pour out a portion of that Forty folks, the Xbox is no longer supported by Microsoft. Sure, most will tell you Microsoft stopped supporting the original beast on November 22, 2005, but those people would be ... no, they'd be completely right.[Thanks, Mustapha]
Microsoft kills support for the original Xbox in Japan
Beginning March 3 in Japan, Microsoft will no longer service original Xbox consoles, regardless of warranty status. Xbox (not Xbox 360s, now) owners who are still under warranty and require repair will have the opportunity to participate in an upgrade offer, trading broken Xbox units for a new, free, Xbox 360 (insert ironic Red Ring of Death joke here). More information regarding the service stoppage and upgrade offer is available on the Xbox Japan Support site.
Come February, Gamestop will shun Xbox trades
If you've been thinking about unloading your old Xbox games or even your big black box at Gamestop in hopes of getting some coinage, you best be getting to it soon. We just learned that effective February 9th, Gamestop will no longer be accepting original Xbox hardware, accessories or games for trade-in cash. Then again, is the $1.45 they pay for each Xbox game really worth it?
Seeking next-gen sequels
Xboxic has compiled a list of original Xbox "gems" in need of a next-gen sequel, including Phantom Dust, Jet Set Radio Future, Breakdown, Unreal Championship 2, and Burnout: Revenge. They also judge the probability that each game will come to pass. My addition would be Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, an innovative third-person shooter that will unfortunately never get the update it deserves due to inexplicably poor sales (we'll have to settle for Stranglehold from the same development team).What other forgotten Xbox titles would you like to see re-born on the 360?
Xbox retail confidence sags; PS2 powers on
An executive VP with Vivendi Europe feels that retail confidence in the original Xbox is flagging with MS needing to work with publishers "to help generate some impetus."With Microsoft's primary and first-party focus squarely set on the next generation, the 360's predecessor may be feeling some neglect since saves aren't transferable and exclusive titles are elusive.The Vivendi VP also noted that the PS2 still has a lot of life left in it, which we're inclined to believe with all the triple-A games still to come to the West, including Kingdom Hearts II, Okami, Final Fantasy XII, and God of War 2. You gotta love the PS3's 100% backward compatibility (or 99.9% BC, give or take a couple of titles). Emulation profiles can only do so much.[Via Evil Avatar]
BF2MC comparison video
While you're restlessly waiting for the Battlefield 2: Modern Combat demo to show up on XBLM, check out this EA-produced video comparing the Xbox and Xbox 360 versions of the game. As Xboxyde notes, it's a nice retort to the "Xbox 1.5" haters out there.That's great EA. Now where's our friggin' demo?
