Assassin's Creed 360 Enhanced. PS3 Loses Again.

Assassin's Creed producer Jade Raymond (Hottie!) has let slip what she must have assumed was a minor detail, suggesting the Xbox 360 version of Ubisoft's upcoming release will boast superior crowd AI when compared to the PlayStation 3 version. She points to 360's more-capable threading technology as the reason for this slight improvement. Raymond also noted that the Xbox team is working on some special achievements for Assassin's Creed, but she did not comment on the state of PS3 "entitlements."

So much for the "famed" Cell Processor...

(Via: Joystiq)

X06 Round-Up.

Microsoft rounds out the month with a bang. Their annual European event "X" was held in Barcelona this. They started in 2001 with X01, now in 2006 they are on X06. This show is was the same as America's E3 press event. To follow up some big announcements at the Tokyo Game Show (1080p anyone?) Microsoft came out with tons of Halo goodness: Halo Wars (pictured above) is a new RTS (Real time strategy) game by Ensemble Studios exclusive to the X360. While we're talking about exclusives, MS nabbed a few more: The next Splinter Cell game, Bioshock, GTA4 downloadable content only for 360, Banjo-Kazooie, Kane and Lynch, of and Gears of War of course.

Getting back to Halo, Peter Jackson (LoTR and King Kong) appeared on stage to announce that Wingnut Studios and Microsoft Game Studios will work on a new Halo "game," a blending of film and videogame into an interactive, emotional "experience." Whatever that means Jackson, the director of the Halo Movie is also making a new Halo game not to be confused with a little game called Halo 3.

Microsoft further twisted the knife a little deeper in Sony with announcing 1080p output on the 360 through a software update (Fall Update?). Also, they finally have let us in on the HD DVD Drive bundle, price, and date. To launch in Mid-November, the drive will sell for $199 and to come with the HD DVD of King Kong, Wow. With all the buzz the last few months points at $200-$300 for this drive no one was expecting $199 with a free (decent) movie and a remote.



Last but not least MS announced some XBLA (Xbox Live Arcade) news; manly that the beloved id software creation, Doom, is coming to XBLA um, now. Yes that's right it's already on the Marketplace, and as a bonus they threw in co-op player with up to 4 players and deathmatch. It doesn't get much better than that. Other big titles in the works for XBLA are: Contra, Small Arms, Gyruss, Mutant Storm Empires, TotemBall, Defender, Assault Heroes, Sensible Soccer Heavy Weapon, NBA Jam, Killer Instinct, and Spy Hunter.

Well that about wraps it up, another great day for Xbox and a bad one for the PS3...

PS3 Controller Dubbed: SIXAXIS

Oh, wait that's the PS One controller. The pic below is the "new" PS3 controller dubbed the SIXAXIS.

See the difference? Yea, me neither. Oh wait, they have a 360 Button Playstation Button in the middle, now I get it. Well we all know Sony has to ditch the name Dual Shock, due to some um, legal matters. But don't worry the SIXAXIS will get you to the "4th dimension".

P.S. SIXAXIS is a palindrome.

Here's some survey results regarding Sony and rumble:

Not only does the poll report that 72% of the 1,075 respondents agree vibration feedback enhances their game experience, it goes on to note that 59% of those surveyed would prefer rumble on the PS3 controller, while only 8% care about motion / tilt sensing (sorry, Nintendo). As if these numbers didn't paint a clear enough picture of the message Immersion is trying to convey, two further questions spell it out even more explicitly: when asked if the lack of rumble capabilities would affect their buying decisions (apparently 74% of those polled weren't even aware of the "no rumble" policy -- clearly no Engadget readers amongst that bunch), 5% said that it would definitely cause them not to buy a PS3 and 32% claimed that they were less likely to pick one up for this reason and this reason alone.

(Via: Engadget)

Dear Sony Online Department,

That port above, you know with the RED arrow pointing to it, that is to connect the system to this thing called the internet. Apparently Sony has yet to fully release their online specs so you know developers can make their games to have an online component. And as Geordi La Forge would say, "But Don't take my word for it..."

Mie Kumagai (Producer from Sega) says, "Sony has not delivered the necessary information about their online network to make coding the online mode possible."

What? two months from launch and devs don't have info on the supposed Live Killer??? Wow. Activision has no info either, says that Tony Hawk 8 has no online component for the PS3. But Sony fans don't fret yet, Resistance: Fall Of Man will support 40 players online. PS3 players have fun with all that lag...

(Via: GamersReports)

Sony Drops A Bombshell, PS3 Pricedrop?

Sony announced a (I hate to say it) big blow to Microsoft at the Tokyo Game Show, the Japanese version of the neutered PS3 (you know the $500 one?) has had a big upgrade. Namely the big neutering factor, no HDMI has been resolved, also it got a price downgrade: ¥62,790 to ¥49,980 yen, in dollars that's $538 to $428. Now this upgrade change is only for Japan it has yet to be seen if the same will happen over here in the US, if it does the Xbox 360 will now have some good competition. With the 360 and the PS3 priced basically the same, the PS3 is looking a lot more attractive you know in two years when you can find one...

(Via: Engadget)

Pulseless Artificial Heart

Since the FDA gave the big thumbs up to a fully implantable artificial heart earlier this month, cardiac surgeon "Bud" Frazier and his team at the Texas Heart Institute aren't wasting any time in developing what they hope will be a fully-functioning, pulse-free artificial heart. The "continuous flow pump" channels deoxygenated blood through the entire body on a non-stop basis, and over two years of testing in cattle, has resulted in lengthening the lives of the previously terminal cud chewers. Replacement hearts that are currently available are too large to fit into folks without "large chest cavities" (including most women), and due to the vast quantity of moving parts, aren't guaranteed to function for an extended period of time. Frazier's alternative, however, is about the size of "an adult thumb," consists of a single moving part (the rotor), and has been designed to keep the blood moving for ten or more years. The HeartMate II can even respond dynamically to the needs of the body, so more blood is circulated when busting a move, and less is pumped when kicking back for a soothing game of competitive relaxation. While the long-term consequences of living a pulseless life are still under debate, Frazier's group is hoping to move forward with development -- and apparently challenge medical personnel everywhere to find a new way to monitor those vital signs.

(Via: Engadget)

Microsoft To Fix All 2005 360's For Free.

Well, well, well. Microsoft has come to terms with their 360 um, mishaps. There was defiantly something wrong with the first batch of 360's that came on the market, claim rushed production, oversights or what have you put something wasn't right. When I first heard of the reports of people 360's "overheating" I thought it was bullshit, and that it was the customers fault, that they (the customers) were placing these unit in less than ideal conditions. Say in a cramped entertainment center with other heat producing hogs. Though I'm sure much the problems people have had with the 360's is their (customers) fault Microsoft has come up to the plate to say that they've had a hand in it too. I personally have two 360's and they have both been replaced twice, for free by Microsoft. While it did suck to have my Xbox's broken, Microsoft repaired each console for free and fast every time. I'm glad MS is stepping up to the plate and help everyone weather or not is was truly their (Microsoft) fault.

(Via: Engadget)

USB Rechargeable Batteries = Cool.

These batteries have a USB port built right in, all you do is pop the top and stick it in a USB slot to charge. Use your Xbox 360's USB ports to charge the batteries for your controller, or you laptop to charge the batteries for your mouse. Much simpler and easier than conventional rechargeable batteries.

(Via: 360 Fanboy)

This Is Funny.

I saw this on my friends blog and I had to repost, Niki didn't think it was as funny... At least I DO laundry.

(Via: Bimmergeek)

Never Lose Your Key (In Water) Again!

Now this is cool, this buoy inflates in 30 seconds and sticks up 14" out of the water for an easy retrieval. The buoy stays afloat for 30 minutes, to give your drunk ass time to realize that you've even lost your keys. At only $7 you'd better buy two!




















(Via: Engadget/Landfall Navigation)

Cingular Hates Engadget.

Well now, I guess the good folks over at Cingular are not a big fan of Engadget with all their leaks and early info on their (Cingular) products. Here's what the site I get ALL my new from Engadget has to say:

Oh, Cingular. We know you're pissed at us -- you stopped returning our phone calls a while ago after we posted that product roadmap we got our hands on -- but banning all mention of our name, as well as our URL, from your user forums is a little cheap and heavy-handed, don't you think? Guess you don't want your users making informed decisions about your service. Anyway, we must be doing something right, because here's the message users get when trying to post anything to Cingular's customer forums with the word "engadget" in it.


Update: There is one Engadget mention in an old forum post, but as of Thursday, September 14th, the word "engadget" is still banned!

Cingular's gonna get hell for this...

(Via: Well, Engadget)

Move Over iPod, Hear Comes The Zune?

This is Microsoft's iPod Zune. It's an all-in-one DAP (Digital Audio Player) that does music, video, and pictures. Sound familiar? A few features do seperate it from the iPod though, widescreen display, built in WiFi to share music between players (cool), and FM radio. Although I'd still stick with the iPod, this is definatly a good second choice. No other players even come close to the iPod or the Zune.


I don't know why they went with "earth tones" but brown??? Come on, green, silver, blue, yellow, maybe even pink, or even a descent shade of brown.

(Via: Engadget)

Microsoft To "Save" The Day!

How ironic that Windows, "in order to protect your computer", shuts down the one app (Windows Update) it touts will keep your computer the "safest". Gotta love it.

(Via: D-i-Double G)

360p, The "Portable" 360.

Now this is cool. Ben Heckendorn, a man made famous by his amazing work of turning non-portable devices into portables has done it again. This guy has taken an, Atari 2600, NES, and N64 and now the X360 and made them all into portable devices. Ben even takes you step by step through his highly involved, painstaking process of crafting this entire thing BY HAND. The features include: 17" Westinghouse display, WiFi adapter, 3 USB ports, "Ring of Light", and full keyboard. Pretty amazing, to bad his site is down due to so much traffic at the moment, but after it gets back up go check out his awesome work. How long till this is on eBay???

(Via: Joystiq)

First Camera Shots Of Live Anywhere.

While this isn't the best pic in the world it is nice to (sorta) see how this "Live Anywhere" is going to work in the mobile phone space. As you can see it's pretty basic, in this pic they are showing you your list of achievements and you friends list. But what else can/could you even do on a phone. There been talks of things such as, modding a car or your character on the go. I think I'll pass on that for now, there's not too many times I need to handle that sort of stuff on the go, or even see who's online for that matter but we'll see what cool stuff they come up with.
(Via: 360 Fanboy)