XboxLiveMarketplace
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400 XBLM points for free -- sort of
Outpost.com is selling 1600 Marketplace points for $14.99 (the usual price is $20.00). Over the weekend, the status of this deal was "Call for Availability." However, they seem to be back in stock now. The site is also selling 12 and 3 month Live subscriptions for $54.99 and $29.99 respectively. That's $10 off of a three month subscription and a full $15 off of a 12 month subscription. 360 Fanboy does not endorse this site, and I have no idea how reliable it is so, buy at your own risk. Anybody scored any other deals lately? [Via The Hottest Deals]
Nintendo granted messaging patent -- Wii IM?
Six years ago, before the GameCube's launch, Nintendo had filed for a patent on a "messaging service for video game systems with buddy list that displays game being played," and on Tuesday they were granted the patent. The details involve a fully-fledged IM system featuring buddy icons, in-game messaging (via text or voice chat), and web-based storage of the user profile (i.e. Nintendo's servers). All the details can be viewed within the patent's claims.You can see the similarities between Nintendo's patent and Microsoft's Xbox Live service, but there are two things you should take from this patent: It does not mean Microsoft copied Nintendo. While Nintendo filed this patent before the Xbox was even launched, chances are Microsoft also filed a patent just as long ago, if not longer. It does not guarantee these services will be included in the Wii. While Nintendo now has patent protection on such services, given the company the option to incorporate all these features into Wii Connect24, that does not guarantee Nintendo's willingness to implement every aspect of the patent into its service, although it is likely we will see a very similar (if not exact) system implemented by the time the Wii launches. Nintendo, we can now confirm, has the ability to launch a fully-fledged online service on par with Microsoft, providing almost the exact same features (fully-fledged messaging, downloadable content). To what extent will Nintendo beef up the Wii's online component?[Thanks, Ianc02]
Entourage 720p trailer on Xbox Live Marketplace; Season 3 HD?
One of the laments of my summer drought post was that one of my favorite programs, Entourage on HBO-HD, would not be in high definition since it hasn't for the first two seasons. However today they have posted up a 720p trailer on Xbox Live Marketplace (along with a theme and gamer pics) proudly touting itself as a Hi-Def trailer, so it seems likely that we will get 1080i display of the adventures of Vince & friends. Summer HDTV watching is definitely looking up now.
MSFT announces first major Xbox 360 update
I just spoke with Aaron Greenberg, Group Marketing Manager for Xbox Live, about the first major update to the Xbox 360 since last November's launch. The spring update is expected to be released to all Xbox Live users "in about a week" and will be followed up with a fall update, as part of their plan to release two major updates each year. Read on for details about all the improvements and additions, including background downloading, boot to Dashboard, and improved Marketplace layout.
XBL background downloads coming yesterday?
We already suspected it was supposed to drop this month, but Microsoft's Knowledge Base (KB article #919421) has revealed the feature set and the release date for the Xbox 360's long anticipated background downloading functionality. The date: yesterday. Alright, so they're running a little late (at least it's not Vista-late), but the feature set is promising. Instead of the compromised functionality many of us expected (Arcade games or videos only while downloading), the newly re-dubbed "Active Download feature" is fairly robust. It appears the only thing one can't do while background downloading is play online games, for obvious reasons. Actually, you can play online games -- the system just pauses your download to be resumed later. We've included the contents of the KB article after the break, lest someone at Redmond gets wind and decides to remove it. Microsoft: roll it out and we'll gladly cross this one off our list of Xbox 360 annoyances (both of em ... this was really annoying). [Thanks, Gary]
Download the entire XBL Marketplace catalogue for only $897.38 -- act now!
Besides building a helpful guide that features all currently available items on the Xbox Live Marketplace, Achieve360Points.com has calculated the total cost* of the service's premium content. The entire catalogue is yours to own for just 71,790 Microsoft Points. That's $897.38.That number is poised to grow exponentially as developers/publishers begin to explore the 'episodic content' formula (read: mini expansion packs). In this time of great paranoia, one can't help but feel suspicious of the micropayment structure. Are publishers purposely shipping incomplete titles? Will I be at a disadvantage if I don't buy the latest content? Why can't I trade it in when I'm through with it?Our rational side would have us believe that these downloads simply offer a little more, for a little more, thus extending the lifespan of our favorite games. And, these downloads should always be about choice, not advantage. Still, we wonder who benefits most from this business model. Are gamers scoring cheap added value? Or is Microsoft pocketing a healthy profit - cut with publishers - to make up for losses? Could it be both?*Achieve360Points.com notes that several of the items are counted more than once due to multiple listings. Also keep in mind that Xbox Live Arcade titles are figured into the total cost.
Tomb Raider: Legend, Pandemonium coming to mobile phones
Alongside the Tomb Raider: Legend content that should be appearing on the Xbox Live marketplace anytime soon, Eidos announced today that they're working on a 3D mobile phone version of Tomb Raider: Legend. Apparently the title will feature a new movement system and back to basics gameplay; a given considering the technological limitations of mobile phones. Eidos also announced a mobile phone version of Pandemonium: a platform adventure game where the lead character Nikki can shape-change from an invulnerable duck and cover turtle to a fire-blasting dragon. Both titles will be distributed via QUALCOMM's "BREW" solution which will apparently make it easy for gamers with 3G phones to download the game onto their handset.
The Outfit multiplayer demo now available on XBL
THQ had hoped that its multiplayer demo would be released this past Friday, just in time for weekend gamers to get a taste of The Outfit before GRAW and Burnout hit the Xbox 360 this week. Instead, the weekend passed by without an update. Today, the demo finally went live.Intended to showcase The Outfit's multiplayer gameplay, the demo will allow Xbox Live Gold subscribers to test out the full 8-player destruction-on-demand experience, while Silver subscribers will be limited to 1-on-1 split screen combat. The Outfit demo features a single map (Estate Assault) played on Strategic Victory mode. Let the chaos commence!
Ridge Racer 6 Marketplace content
Major Nelson has announced there is new Marketplace content for Ridge Racer 6 available, in the form of some music tracks, which ain't free, and some bonus cars, which are free. So if you're playing the latest in Namco's drift-racing series, check out those cars and let us know how they are. He includes the following caveat: This content is available in the following regions: Canada, United States, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and JapanHopefully Microsoft has plans for some PGR3 content...
