::: bisonium.com :::

Oh the joy of pulling pranks @ work.  Recently I pulled a fast one on one of my friends at work.  Well, Sophia being the Fast-n-Furious (she's into cars), smart ass and gamer chick that she is...she figured a little payback was in order.  The story was posted on our Microsoft games blog at Gamerscoreblog.  The short of it...several thousand post-its and a couple hours later, my Mustang was lookin like a mighty fine Viva Pinata ride.  :-)  Moral of the story...hell hath no fury like a scorned gamer chick...

Technorati Tags: Automobiles, Gaming, Humor, Microsoft

Posted by Frank Bisono at 5:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For you PSP gamers out there - heads up!  Use of this batter pack could burn 'yo crib down.  I have one of these and have noticed it definitely gets hot, but I've never really had one give me a problem.  In any case, I don't need to come home to a crispy pad.  I'm callin the hotline for me free replacement schwag.  Deatils can be found here:

http://www.powerbrickrecall.net/

Details after the jump...

Technorati Tags: PSP, Gaming, Peripherals, Accessories

Continue reading "Battery Chargers Used For Sony PSP Recalled" »

Posted by Frank Bisono at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In yet another example of a good thing gone bad, Alienware, makers of some of the most kick-ass gaming machines on the planet, have sold out to Dell.

"Dell is buying Alienware, the Miami-Dade company that makes powerful PCs for video gamers, for an undisclosed sum. The companies say no jobs will be lost."  [ Miami Herald ]

Is it me, or does anyone else see the end result already?  If you ask me it will play out something like this...Dell agrees to buy Alienware, and makes all the promises in the world that it will allow Alienware to remain it's own entity and not mess with it's current setup.  This sounds all peachy until 6 months to a year later, some bean-counter in Austin starts "thinking" how they could make more money by streamlining this or that at Alienware.  It won't be long before decisions are being made in Austin, and not in Miami.  The current Alienware management will cave in (because they have no choice in the matter) and ultimately Dell will do what it wants and dictate how it will be done.  Next, quality of the components and support will go to the dump and you'll be having Aliens from India answering your support calls.  The people who made Alienware what it is today will eventually get fed up and one by one, leave the company for something that they hope will be better.  It won't be long before the Alienware executives "retire" and also leave the company.  Ultimately Alienware will get rebranded "Alienware by Dell" and that will be the end of the gaming machines we know today.

We have all seen this happen far too many times to actually believe that this scenario will turn out anything but a disaster.  I am happy for the guys at Alienware that busted their asses all these years, it's time for them to get the big payoff, but it will come at a price.  That price is seeing their dreams and the company they poured their blood, sweat and tears into, demolished by corporate goons that have no clue what the gaming community wants in a high-end PC.  Good luck Nelson and Alex, enjoy your money and go start up a new venture.  My advice, create a new company that focuses on gaming, but supports the Macintosh community.  Maybe, just maybe, we could someday see a Mac clone focused on gaming.  Wouldn't that be something to bring to the table for Steve Jobs?  You have a whole clan of Mac gamers just waiting for someone to do something cool with Macs and gaming.  Give me a call if you need a Mac guru right here in Miami to help you launch your next venture. ;-)

Technorati Tags: Dell, Alienware

Posted by Frank Bisono at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posting has been slow around these parts hasn't it?  It's been over 2 weeks and Bellsouth STILL doesn't have a clue how to fix the problem with my DSL line.  Surprising isn't it?  Every time I call I get someone in India who is clearly having to call back to the states to actually get a real Bellsouth employee to tell them what to do.  I have had it, I am sooo over Bellsouth.

There is light over the horizon though.  By the time I get home tonight, I should have a brand spankin new 6Mbps connection through Adelphia.  I originally thought Comcast serviced my area, errr - technically I guess they do since they bought Adelphia, but for now everything is branded Adelphia.

I had the cable tv installed this weekend and got 2 Motorola HD / PVR receivers to boot.  I can't begin to express how absolutely AMAZING the HD picture is from regular cable or Satellite.  Watching Discovery HD Theater has just become my favorite past-time.  DirecTV, you lost.  If you offered me the upgrade at no cost, you would have most likely kept me as a customer.  So sad, too bad.  If the cable modem is anywhere near as fast as I am thinking it will be during those heavy peak hours, I will be one happy camper.  Next step - order up Supra telecom and completely dump Bellsouth services and related affiliates.  Unfortunately I am stuck on Cingular for another year, but rest assured - their days are numbered too.

For now, you can get your bisonium fix over at Gear Live with the following posts:

Sony Ericsson P990: The Ultimate Mobile Phone

Put Some DICE In Your Ride

VMware Server Released for Free

Major Nelson Giving Away Xbox 360 for Dummies

Adobe On Mactel: An FAQ

Posted by Frank Bisono at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Frank Bisono at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sometimes you have to wonder why you even bother to play video games when you have to compete against guys like this.  This guy is absolutely INSANE!  The editing on the video was also great.  Incredibly smooth transitions, so smooth in fact, I had a hard time noticing when they were going from one map to the next.

[ via HBO ]

Maptacular - A Tribute to Halo 1:

Yesterday, insidi0us (heretofore known primarily for s7ylish speedruns) sent me a link to a thread on the MLG forums, which highlighted a new project he'd just released. In it, he took a really artistic tour through the Halo 1 multiplayer maps - every aspect of this video was amazingly well thought out. Ostensibly, it's a 1v1 game with his girlfriend - but in actual fact, he manages to cut gracefully from one map to the next, showing every map at least once, and really taking care with the details. (The score's perfect every time, there are no left-over blastmarks, powerups are perfectly used, the opening and closing credits are really clever... and on and on.) There are some really slick gameplay moves, as well - I know the grenaded rocketlauncher on Damnation is common, but geez, he didn't even slow down or turn around to make sure the throw was good! All in all, a really, REALLY slickly-done ode to the beauty of Halo 1 multiplay; a must-see. The MLG thread has links to a hi-res WMP9 version (97 mb) and a low-res WMP9 version (49 mb) - to that we'll add a hi-res WMP9 mirror and a hi-res QuickTime version (87 mb). This one makes me feel warm all over.(Louis Wu 17:18:40 UTC)

Posted by Frank Bisono at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now this looks pretty interesting, but I have one question...why WHITE?  HELLO?  How about making it BLACK like the PSP?  Sometimes you just have to wonder what people are smoking...

[ via Engadget ]

Neo 4-in-1 Pad for PSP:

Besides the Datel 4GB PSP drive, there have been  few options to add non-MemoryStick memory to your Sony portable besides those awkward flash adapters that dangle from  the device with flat PCB cables. Well soon a new product will hit the market (from Neo, the same company that brought  us the MS converter tethered adapter) called the 4-in-1  Pad, an ergonomic PSP handgrip that doubles as an SD/MMC/CF/MicroDrive reader and triples as a battery pack that  accepts regular or rechargeable AAs and more than doubles the console’s playtime. Even better, the Pad features two USB  ports, which can either be used for charging the batteries or connecting to a PC to act as a standalone card  reader—plus, the bundled MemoryStick Duo won’t go to waste, as the 4-in-1’s adapter allows for MS passthrough. Neo is  still putting the final touches on this model, and it should be available in a few weeks for about $100—read on to  scope out the Pad’s profile.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Frank Bisono at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let me add to this by stating that this is a MUST HAVE game for the PSP.  A PSP without GTA and SOCOM 3 is useless, those 2 games are THAT good.

[ via PSPworld ]

SOCOM: US Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo Review:

After the release of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSPworld Rating: A), we had serious doubts as to whether or not another game would come along before x-mas to take its semi-permanent...

Posted by Frank Bisono at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow.  Either user demand was so great on the server that it crashed it, or someone screwed the pooch big time at MSFT.  Looks like xbox.com is completely down.  I mean toast - not down for maintenance, not being upgraded, I mean DOWN.  Ouch...

Posted by Frank Bisono at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's been I dunno how many months now since the official launch of the Sony PSP, and until now I have had to go without.  In my single days, I would have been first in line to get this, but alas - being married with a kid, the wife can put the kibosh on my so-called "frivolous purchases" these days.  However, never underestimate the power of knowing the right people in the right places.  Thanks to my good buddy Abe, I got the hookup on a brand spankin new PSP for my personal entertainment pleasure. 

After having this beast for the better part of the week, I have come to the conclusion that this little thing absolutely KICKS ASS.  The video quality is stunning.  Pictures, wallpapers and videos look amazing.  I have to admit, I don't really use it that much for music (not at all to be exact), mainly because the iPod just can't be beat when it comes to that.  I have been really jonsing for a video iPod, but after getting this PSP, the video iPod just isn't that compelling for me anymore.  This little device does all that, AND plays some pretty wicked video games to boot.  I currently have 2 games, SOCOM 3 and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.  I have got to tell you that these 2 games are just incredible.  The online game-play and use of the headset and mic in SOCOM is awesome.  I am still in disbelief at the quality of the graphics on such a small device.  Don't get me wrong, a PSP is not going to stand up to an XBOX 360, but for a portable gaming platform, it is amazing. 

Other features which are insane is the WiFi and built-in web browser.  I just can't believe how well this little browser renders just about anything I come across.  The best is those PSP formatted websites and portals.  People have done some great work squeezing a lot of information into a small area and making it usable.  It has inspired me to actually roll out a dedicated PSP section of my business website (when I finally finish updating it).  I can think of an insane amount of things to do with this device and I am amazed more folks have not developed apps and sites centered around the PSP.  Looks like a solid market just ripe for the picking.

With all that being said, the PSP is not without it's downsides.  The WiFi should have been 802.11g instead of (b).  That was a huge mistake.  The lack of a built-in hard drive is just about the most stupid mistake I can think of on this device.  For something that is geared to play video, there is just something wrong with expecting people to buy a bunch of Memory Sticks to store their media on.  Ohhhh yeah.......wait a second.  Isn't SONY the manufacturer of those proprietary little things?  Yeah, I thought so.  That kind of crap just really pisses me off. And what is up with this UMD format?  Stupid, just plain old STUPID.  Again, Sony with their proprietary strangle on the market.  Hasn't Sony learned their lesson yet?  Apparently not.  How they can think I am going to spend MORE on a UMD disc than an actual DVD, and be stuck with a disc that only works on my PSP is utter stupidity at it's finest.  They can expect ZERO UMD Movie sales from this PSP owner.  I will buy the games and nothing else.  I also think the games are WAY overpriced.  Again, this is a portable device that can't stand up to the full-blown big brother PS2 or an Xbox.  For most of these games, I would rather own the console version. 

All-in-all, I still give this thing a solid review.  For a tech junkie, I would say it's a must have.  I can only hope that future generations of the PSP take my gripes into consideration, because that is about the only way I will spend my hard-earned cash to upgrade to the next gen PSP.  I am adding a PSP category to the blog and will add the PSP to the list of things I cover.  Within the next few days, I hope to put up a list of some of the best PSP sites out there and some useful resources for PSP owners, especially those on a Mac.  For now, back to PSPeeeing in bed. :-)

Posted by Frank Bisono at 1:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is so typical.  I must say, this is nothing short of what I would expect from MSFT.  Anyone who knows me knows that I really dislike anything Microsoft, but the exception to the rule has been the XBOX.  This really pisses me off.  Not only do they make a cluster f$ck of the launch by pissing off half the world due to their stupid marketing tactics, but to actually be one of the few who gets one and then after paying all that money for it to crash on you?  Wow, pissed off is not even close the profanities that would be flying out of my mouth.

[ via Xbox 360 Fanboy ]

360 horror stories:

Seems like the launch hasn't gone as smoothly as expected. Not only are there shortages, and a lot of frustrated would-be customers, several of those who did manage to get their hands on a 360 are reporting failures.

The most common problem is overheating, with hard drive errors also occurring for some unlucky owners. 3D glitching has also been reported, although rebooting seems to fix it. Keep the stories coming, folks!

[Thanks to everyone who sent in tips on this]

Posted by Frank Bisono at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

If you are still debating on getting an Xbox 360, let me make that decision really easy for you.  This is a MUST HAVE game.  Look at the incredible detail in the screen captures. You can see all of them over at TeamXbox.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Can I buy my advanced tickets NOW?  It's gonna be a looooong wait boys and girls.....lets hope we don't get disappointed.

Variety.com - 'Halo' makes a date:

Master Chief is gunning for the bigscreen in summer '07.
Fox and Universal have closed their deal to make a movie based on Microsoft's hit vidgame "Halo," with plans for a tentpole in two years. Studios will pay the tech giant $5 million against 10% of the gross.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 1:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just may have to sell my first-born...holy smokes! Boss...I need a raise!!! :-)

[ via Major Nelson ]

Xbox 360 details, prices and images:

Moments ago, we announced Xbox 360 pricing, packages and accessories. Here is the complete list. I’ll have a blogcast posted of the press conference within the next hour. Until then, here are the details you have been waiting for.

Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Price for Europe and North America: Starts at $299.99 U.S.
Feature-packed system brings high-definition gaming to the masses this holiday season.

LEIPZIG, Germany — Aug. 17, 2005 — Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming video game platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck, today at the German Games Convention, Microsoft Corp. revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360™ — the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system — for as little as $299.99 U.S. / €299.99 / £209.99 starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $399.99 U.S. / €399.99 / £279.99, giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box.

The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System — along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world’s best publishers and developers — will make their debut in North America, Europe and Japan in time for this Christmas holiday, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region launch signifies an industry first. The Xbox 360 platform will deliver the most powerful console, the best games, the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, and amazing digital entertainment experiences never seen in console entertainment.

“The sheer entertainment value of Xbox 360 cannot be overstated,” said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. “While the system has the muscle to power awe-inspiring graphics, audio and online play, it’s also got the intelligence to serve as a one-of-a-kind entertainment device that plays CDs, DVDs, MP3s and digital content from an array of devices, including portable music players and digital cameras.”

With its built-in Ethernet port and free Silver level of service right out of the box, Xbox 360 also connects players to Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment network. With Xbox Live, gamers can chat with friends online, build and share gamer profiles, send and receive text and voice messages, and access Xbox Live Marketplace for new content such as game demos, trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade. Subscribers to the Gold level of service will also enjoy access to online multiplayer gaming in their favorite games, as well as great promotional programs such as worldwide tournaments, the chance to play online with their favorite celebrities, and opportunities to win big prizes.

For gamers who want the ultimate experience (and the best value) right out of the box, Microsoft will offer the $399.99 U.S. / €399.99 / £279.99 Xbox 360 console. This premium edition — distinguished by signature metallic detailing on the console itself — comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would cost more than $200 if sold separately:

• Xbox 360 console. Sexy styling that packs a punch — three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16×9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.

• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace.
•
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries.
•
Xbox 360 Faceplate. The removable Faceplate comes in stylish “chill” (white) and can be swapped out with custom Faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor.
•
Xbox 360 Headset. This lets gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games on Xbox Live.
•
Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable. This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360 games and graphics through high-definition and standard-definition connections.
•
Xbox Live Silver membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, send and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace demos such as trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade.
•
A bonus Media Remote. Included for a limited time, the integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as access their Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC’s controls with a single remote.

At $299.99 U.S. / €299.99 / £209.99, the Xbox 360 Core System comes standard with what consumers need to jump right into next-generation games and media, and is fully expandable to the complete Xbox 360 experience:

• Xbox 360 console. As with the premium edition, three powerful core processors pump out 720p/1080i output, 16×9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.
•
Xbox 360 Controller. This wired controller features an extended nine-foot cable and a comfortable, enhanced ergonomic design.
•
Xbox 360 Faceplate. Like no other console before, the Xbox 360 console allows customization and a removable Faceplate that comes in stylish “chill” (white), which can be swapped out with other custom Faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor.
•
Xbox 360 Standard AV Cable. This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360, delivering great next-generation graphics and games using standard-definition connections.

The Xbox 360 console also comes ready for customization. With an array of Xbox 360 accessories, gamers can trick out their systems to suit their individual tastes and personalize their experiences. In addition to an ever-growing selection of eye-catching Faceplates ($19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99), Xbox 360 Controller (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€34.99/£24.99*) and Component HD AV Cable (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*), the lineup includes a wealth of accessories that brings next-generation gaming entertainment to its optimum:

• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace and more (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S./€99.99/£69.99*).

• Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64 MB). Easily portable, this lets gamers save games, in-game achievements and unique gamer profiles for quick and easy access on the go (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€34.99/£22.99*).

• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. The same hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming that comes with the premium edition features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries (estimated retail price $49.99 U.S./€44.99/£32.99*).

• Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit. This allows plug and play for high-performance, precision wireless gaming with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Gamers will be given ample warning when the end of battery life is nearing so they can connect the Play & Charge cable for uninterrupted play (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99*).

• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery pack. This provides up to 25 hours of gameplay for wireless gaming fun (estimated retail price $11.99 U.S./€14.99/£9.99*).

• Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter. With this, gamers can chat with friends and play games via Xbox Live, as well as stream videos and music to Xbox 360 from a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, all without the clutter of wires (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S./€79.99 /£59.99*).

• Xbox 360 Headset. This heightens the Xbox Live experience by letting gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99*).

• Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote. Sold as an accessory, this integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as control a TV and their Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC controls with a single controller (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*).

• Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable (U.S. only) Xbox 360 SCART AV Cable (Europe only). This versatile cable works for both high-definition and standard-definition TVs that use S-Video or composite video inputs. It provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S./€24.99/£17.99*).

• Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable. Gamers can experience high-definition gaming on flat-panel TV or VGA monitors. This cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*).

“With both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox 360 Core System, we’re offering consumers real choice and real value,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for the Home Entertainment Division at Microsoft. “We’re bringing true next-generation experiences into gamers’ living rooms this Christmas holiday.”

*subject to change

Posted by Frank Bisono at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Swweeeeeeeet. Thanks to [ Macologist ] for the update!

Americas Army 2.40 begins testing:

Developer Ryan Gordon's .plan revealed that the highly-anticipated America's Army version 2.40, has now begun beta testing with his "MacNinjas" testing group. This new version features the upgraded Unreal Engine 2.5, from the previous UE 2.0 in version 2.30. One of the most significant additions in UE 2.5 is vehicle support (as in UT2004), which sets the stage for the addition of the Hummer and Stryker in future versions of AA.

The full title of "America's Army: SF (Q Course)" refers to the qualifications course for training to become a part of the Special Forces as a member of the Green Berets. The Windows version has already been at v2.40 since mid-May while the Mac and Linux versions have remained at v2.30 since their late March release.

Although a few official servers are still up for 2.30, it will be a welcome relief for Mac ArmyOps gamers to rejoin with the broader online community for deployments. Current player accounts in 2.30 will be compatible with the newer version. Gordon told us that fully rendered shadows might be a possibility if the upcoming OS X 10.4.3 ships in time with the GL_EXT_framebuffer_object." The AA 2.40 download will weigh in at over 800Mb, and we'll keep you posted as we are able on the latest news regarding any upcoming release.

Links:
America's Army Official Site
Unreal Engine 2.5
AA Forums: Databank on the Future
AA Forums: CEM update in 2.4

Posted by Frank Bisono at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Now THIS poses some serious questions. XBOX and PS3 emulation on a Mac? That would ROCK. Anyone also notice that BOTH platforms decided to create form factors that work both vertical AND horizontal? Whas up with that? Gonna be interesting to see the thread on this one...

[via TUAW]

Mac Gaming: Xbox 360 and PS3 Emulators?:

This is total conjecture; however, has any one else out there noticed that both the XBox 360 and the PS3 are running on G5 / PowerPC chips? There is also already speculation about Xbox 360 compatibility with the iPod and I think I read similar reports about the PS3, although I cannot now find the link.

So, the question is: with these similarities in architecture, could we see some nice hacks that squeeze OS X onto these two gaming boxes, or better yet, could we see some PS3 and Xbox 360 emulators for OS X coming out down the road?

Posted by Frank Bisono at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[via Breaking Windows]

Playstation 3 announced:

As expected, Sony has released the expected information on the upcoming Playstation 3, now the official name. Ken Kutaragi, designer of the console, spoke on its multimedia capabilities, including photo viewing and internet access. It will be backwards compatible with both the original and second generation Playstation.

It will run Sony's own Blu-Ray discs, their own Hi-Definition DVD standard. Wireless controllers will be the standard, though USB ports may allow for third-party controllers to connect via a cord. The slot for Memory Stick Duo cards could lead to some form of compatibility with the PSP.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks to Major Nelson for the heads up on this...

There is a new Fan Site (http://www.forzacentral.com) dedicated to the upcoming Forza Motorsport game on XBOX. This game looks wicked cool. THe graphics and selection of cars is insane. Check out the screen shots on the site!

Posted by Frank Bisono at 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new version (2.3) of America’s Army for OS X was released today, finally bringing Mac users up to speed with the Linux and Windows upgrades that have been out for a while. Can't beat a game that is put out by the US ARMY for FREE in order to drive recruiting efforts. And the game kicks butt to boot!!! Go get you some and start fraggin....HOOYA!

Posted by Frank Bisono at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks to Major Nelson for the updates! I can't wait to see these new maps!!!

New Maps for Halo 2:

After many weeks of speculation, the official word is now out.

Here is information on Xbox (with photos.)

And here is the more in depth explantion from Bungie in their Weekly update special edition.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 12:56 AM | Permalink

Thanks to the Scobelizer for tipping us off to this one!

What happens if you fall asleep while playing Halo 2:

This has to be the funniest Halo 2 video I've ever seen. Nick Whittome pointed me to this. It's of a guy who fell asleep during a Halo 2 game and the folks playing with him have a little fun.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 1:22 PM | Permalink

Halo 2 leaked onto the internet:

A version of the eagerly awaited Xbox game, Halo 2, has appeared on net piracy sites and newsgroups, almost a month before making it into the shops and <a href=&quot;http://www.microsoft.com/games/default.aspx&quot;>Microsoft</a> has said it is trying to track down the people behind the pirated copy.

In a statement reported on BBC News today, Microsoft said it was investigating the leak, adding that it was &quot;aggressively pursuing the source of this illegal act&quot;. The copy in circulation is reported to be a European version of the game on DVD, which is almost three gigabytes in size.

&quot;We consider downloading this code or making it available for others to download as theft,&quot; said the company in a statement. &quot;We are currently investigating the source of this leak with the appropriate authorities. Microsoft takes the integrity of its intellectual property extremely seriously.&quot;

Halo 2, due to go on sale worldwide in the second week of November, is expected to sell millions of copies. At the start of the week, the game's makers Bungie Studios, which is owned by Microsoft, said work on the title was complete and the game was ready to go into production.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 12:20 AM | Permalink

Smaller, slimmer Xbox 2 will please the Japanese, says Microsoft:

The Xbox has never gotten all that much love in Japan, which maybe isn’t too surprising given the hometown advantage Sony’s PlayStation 2 has there, but apparently Microsoft thinks that (besides the PS2’s two year headstart) the problem is that the original Xbox console is simply too big for people over there, with corporate veepster Peter Moore insisting that a smaller, slimmer Xbox 2 will do better in Japan because the large size of the original was “unappealing to Japanese consumers”.

[Via Joystiq]

Posted by Frank Bisono at 10:02 PM | Permalink

The Crew of Halo 2:

Meet the special-effects gods who created the most anticipated game of the year. By David Kushner from Wired magazine.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 10:04 AM | Permalink

Xenium OS-loaded solderless Xbox modchip:

A group called Team Xodus have released a new Xbox modchip that is not only solder-free (so you don’t have to heat up metal and burn your nubbins to install the thing) but already comes with an operating system on the chip, meaning that wily h@x0rs will be able to run Linux and a bevy of other unholy applications on their Xbox once this thing is installed. What’s more, the OS has been time-tested and is already at version 2.0, including webserver software and SMB support. Since it comes with the OS onboard users simply need to install the thing and go crazy &ndash; no more LAN file transfer nightmares and late-night Frankenstein scenes of doom.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 11:38 PM | Permalink

Xbox 2 to use Virtual PC 7 for backwards compatibility. Maybe.:

In the latest speculation regarding Xbox 2 backwards compatibility, Apple Insider is reporting that delays of Virtual PC 7 are due to the fact that the project has been given “exclusively to the Xbox team.” Why? In order to ensure Xbox backwards-compatibility on the Xbox 2, that’s why. You see, Xbox 2 is slated to run on the PowerPC 970 chip, and current Xbox 2 developer kits are PowerMac G5s. While these rumors haven’t been confirmed by Microsoft (like they’d do that), we can’t think of any good reason that the Xbox team would be working on Virtual PC graphic emulation other than to guarantee Xbox backwards compatibility for the Xbox 2.

Posted by Frank Bisono at 9:24 PM | Permalink

Xbox Modchip Featuring Onboard Operating System:

An anonymous reader writes "A group of talented coders known as TeamXodus, have released an xbox modification chip with a difference, the 'Xenium' is a modchip which features a fully legal operating system that was coded by the team from scratch. The mod can be installed Solderlessly and will allow the end user to unlock the power of the xbox and run applications such as Linux on their Xbox. The onboard Operating system currently stands at version 2.0 and features a massive 1.35 million lines of code and was recently reviewed by HomeCinemaChoice whereby they declared the Xenium 'The creators of the easiest Xbox modification - the complete package.'"

Posted by Frank Bisono at 5:41 PM | Permalink