The Xbox elite that was out before its street date release (Apr. 29th) is now on eBay. It was put up for $600 but the current bit stand at $5000 USD. With 14 hrs to go, I can only see the bids going higher…

Click here to see the eBay listing.

A ‘Target’ Store sold an Elite too early. They are officially going to be released around 29th April ‘07 in the U.S.

(Picture Source)

Click on the Picture to enlarge

Source: Red vs. Blue

“The Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta will go live on May 16th at 12:00 AM PDT and run through June 6 ^th at 11:59 PM PDT. That means that folks who purchased specially marked copies of Crackdown, or won a spot in the Beta through the “Rule of Three” or other regional promotions, will be able to log into their Xbox Live Gold accounts, download and play the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta and enjoy an early peek at the multiplayer aspect of the game.”

“The Beta itself consists of three maps – Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound – graphically improved since our first MP screenshots – and all three will be playable in Matchmaking only (that is after all, what we’re Beta testing here). All three maps are suitable for a wide variety of gameplay types, and you will have the chance to try all manner of game types, familiar and new.

There are a number of new features you’ll get to test out – including a new grenade type, a completely different class of weapon and some of the enhanced online functionality we plan to bring to the game – but it should be noted, a lot of secret features are hidden in this Beta. We’re keeping a lot of our powder dry for Fall. In May, when your firing the Spiker, sniping vehicles with the Spartan Laser and sticking fools with the Brute Spike grenade, remember that it’s just a peek-a-boo fraction of what’s to come”.

PK - If you still haven’t got your Halo 3 beta key or you want to get into the beta wagon go and buy a copy of Crackdown!

Via Bungie.net

A few much needed Xbox 360 updates, coming soon!

Major Nelson reports the official updates that will be out in a months time:

[Quote]

While the actual update is about a month away from being released, today we released official details on some of the new features and enhancements the free update will contain. In addition to MSN Messenger integration that you may have heard about, we also announced a new text input device coming this summer. Other features coming next month include:

• The redesigned Achievement notification pop-up (toast) will show the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value. You’ll see this information the moment you earn an achievement. No more popping open the guide and interrupting your gameplay. (screenshot)
• Enhanced family settings features for Xbox LIVE communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.
• A new Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade lets Xbox LIVE members access the content they seek - whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States) - from one place.
• Updates to Xbox LIVE Arcade allow owners to see which Xbox LIVE Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox LIVE members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list. The Tell a Friend capabilities have been expanded as well.
• A new option in Auto Downloads provides faster access to the entire collection of free, trial-version Xbox LIVE Arcade games.
• New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
• Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.

I know you probably have a bunch of questions about these features, so I’ll work on getting a few guests on some of my upcoming shows to answer ‘em.

One more thing, the update will also add the ability for the name of the game that is in your tray to show up on the dash. Oh, and it works for Xbox 360 and Original Xbox titles

[Quote end]

More details can be found on Xbox News.

The most interesting update to hardware will be the QWERTY keypad accessory for the 360 controller. Watch out for this accessory this coming summer. It will be very useful for people like myself, who want to use the Live Messenger on the 360 but don’t want to attach a USB Keyboard or use on the on-screen keyboard which is a pain-in-the-ass to use!

Details of it had been leaked ages ago around July 2005 on what seems to be a Spanish .ppt presentation.

“A TV advert for the XBox 360 games console has been banned over fears it encouraged reckless driving by “glamorising” boy racers’ following a complaint from just one viewer.

The un-named solitary viewer told watchdogs that the ad was “irresponsible” because it glamorised “street racing” and might encourage viewers - young men in particular - to drive dangerously.”

The purpose of video games is to escape reality. The advert clearly stated “Dramatisation. Professional stunt. Do not attempt”.

I don’t understand or support the logic behind this move. Why ban an advert on one negative feedback? Do they not take into account that many people did not mind this and did not bother to raise it up as it is so frivolous?  Before we know it, games like these will be illegal.

Source :Life Extra Style

“Two new maps, both available on April 17th through the Halo 2 downloader in the game itself, and it’s just $4 for the pair.The maps are Tombstone and Desolation - remakes of Hang ‘Em High and Derelict, respectively.”

Read more…

United Kingdom, France, Australia all had poor turn ups. Instead of huge queue that everyone expected outside stores before the PS3 launch only a few turned up. Is this a message to Sony from the Europeans who do not want the expensive consoles with gimped backward compatibility while the Americans and Japanese enjoy more features?

Here are a few interesting headlines:

Australian PS3 Launch Embarrassment

At midnight, about 40 PS3 buyers had arrived to collect their consoles, causing distress for the army of camera crews who turned up expecting to capture launch mayhem, while a team from 2Day FM let out bogus cheers to convince their radio listeners that a launch extravaganza was underway.

While in France..

Sony planned a big event at the Eiffel tower for the launch and were ready to hand 1000 PS3s but only 20 people were there. Same thing on the Champs Élysés where there were only 4 or 5 people.

Similarly in the UK, there are no long queue outside stores and you can get hold of a PS3 console even if you did not pre-order them.

This is a stark contrast to the US launch in November last year, where one man was shot by thieves and fights broke out over limited stock.

To make it worse, Microsoft did a few brilliant and hilarious marketing moves that are getting quite a few positive comments on the internet.

Xbox crashes PS3 launch party

At the PLAYSTATION 3 launch event in Paris, Microsoft found an opportunity to do a little guerilla marketing by sending French gamers queueing up for a PS3 a kind reminder via boat. You can check the video here, but don’t forget to view the… splendor of the midnight launch event over at Jeux-France. They have loads of shots of the, um, festivities.

Microsoft NZ Tease Sony, With Beer!

To commemorate the Xbox 360’s 1st birthday in NZ, the good people at DB sent a special present consisting of many a beer bottle to GamePlanet’s Auckland store. To be precise, $480-worth of beer, which incidentally is the exact price difference between the Xbox 360 (RRP$719.95) and the PLAYSTATION 3 ($1199.95).

Thumbs up to Microsoft on this one…

So, there’s this 14-year old kid in Mt. Victoria, New Zealand, right? Kid breaks into a house and steals someones Xbox 360 and all their games. Takes the games, disappears.

Until he decides to personally call Microsoft and complain because the legitimate owner’s already registered the 360 and now the thief can’t get online to play almol his stolen games. Oh, and he ordered a spare power cable to be delivered to his house ’cause… you know… he forgot to steal one.

Read more…