Xbox

Xbox 360 To Offer Classic Game Downloads

Yet more details of Microsoft’s December 4th Xbox 360 update have been revealed… In addition to the “family timer” (yawn), we now get word that select classic Xbox game titles will be available for download. Initially, there’ll be seven “Xbox Originals” available for purchase, including Halo 1. However, given the large list of backwards compatible … Read more

DivX on Xbox 360 About To Become A Reality?

DivX followed their earnings report with a JP Morgan conference presentation. Having just undergone their quarterly confessional, I didn’t expect to hear any new information.

Luckily, I was rewarded midway through the Q&A session. JP Morgan analyst Paul Coster coyly probed Kevin Hell regarding DivX support on the Xbox 360. The question seemed to catch Hell off guard and, while his initial reaction was enthusiasm, there was something in his tone suggesting that Coster was on target.

Below is the exchange verbatim. However, to fully appreciate the awkwardness of the exchange, I suggest listening in at the 24 minute mark and determine for yourself if you hear a sense of urgency in Hell’s response.

Just a minor point here, but there was a recent Microsoft conference where I believe their media extender now incorporates the DivX codec on it, is that correct? Can you confirm that and does that mean we’re soon going to see Xboxes with DivX on them?

Yes! that, uh, we’re in discussions with Microsoft on that at this point in time, so I can’t go into any great detail on that. Um that is not a certified, that is not a certified or licensed product at this time.

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ESPN Content Lands on Xbox

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ESPN and Microsoft have announced Xbox LIVE downloads:

Effective immediately, fans of all ages can access a growing catalog of marquee sporting events and timely programming, including full-length NCAA college football and basketball games, Summer X Games 13, “World Series of Poker,” “The Contender,” “Madden Nation” and much more on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the leading high-definition video download service.

I obviously support additional partners and digital downloads, but I wonder how many will pay for a game 48 hours after broadcast? As a college football fan, I know the outcomes of all the meaningful games and have no interest in watching old sports programming… for a fee. Especially, since the first batch of games (above) are SD only. However, what I might pay for is something like DirecTV’s Superfan “Short Cuts” — an entire game condensed into 30 minutes or less. Get creative, people!

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The Darker Side of Xbox Live

Major Nelson, the voice of Xbox LIVE, is taking a hard line and reminding folks not to share accounts or tamper with acheivements:

As you can imagine, we know how to find out if you do this and we do take action. Even worse, you might have your account and/or console banned from Xbox Live.

I’m all for fair play but, in the grander scheme of things, who really cares how Achievements are met? Especially in light of Microsoft’s much bigger Xbox LIVE problem… I’m talking about the profanity. It’s primarily a verbal problem, but I’ve also encountered questionable Gamertags. Dropping F-bombs in the heat of battle doesn’t bother me (parents may feel differently) and I know I’m guilty of the occasional curse word slip, but hearing tweens/teens repeatedly using the N word or from others wanting to kill Jews and homosexuals is just unpleasant. Regardless of intent (No, Junior. You’re not funny.), it takes away from my gaming enjoyment. I wish I could say these incidents were unusual but, in a casual calculation, 1/4 – 1/3 of Shadowrun Live rounds contained a notable amount of adult language and/or verbal unpleasantries. In fact, if I had children, I wouldn’t let them anywhere near Xbox LIVE with a headset.

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Xbox 360 Getting Full Extender Capabilities?

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Microsoft had a fairly large (Media Center) presence at DigitalLife and I managed to sneak away Thursday for a bit to attend their press conference and visit the booth. In addition to educating the uninitiated in Media Center functionality, Microsoft also had new extenders on display ($300 and up from DLink, Linksys, and Niveus) and announced the public beta of Internet TV.

In the booth, MS reps had folks focus on the new extenders from their partners. I told them I already own an almost-great MCE extender in the 360, that all it needs to reach greatness is Divx and Xvid support. Bryan Koski, of the Windows group, went on to tell me that Media Center functionality is pretty much a self-contained chunk of code… Whatever powers the new extenders should ultimately end up intact on the 360. He didn’t know (or wouldn’t say) if that meant this fall or down the road, but he seemed fairly confident all new functionality would be retained in any 360 update.

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