Love of Games

Xbox 360 remains the game console to beat. Xbox games are in high definition and straightforward to use with excellent online gaming and communications via Xbox Live. Xbox graphics raise the bar for what consoles can do visually. Killer sound effects and a great soundtrack makes xbox very addictive online play. 

On the front of the machine 2 memory card slots are present. Xbox360 has a pair of USB ports hidden behind a hinged flap through which you can connect to and communicate with MP3 players and PDAs and digital cameras and laptops.

When laid horizontally, the 4kg Xbox 360 is 309mm wide, 83mm high and 258mm deep and is actually slightly smaller than the original Xbox, which also weighed in at 4kg. Xbox 360 can also be propped up in a vertical position and can be customised with interchangeable faceplates.

360 Xbox has a wireless controller included. The Xbox 360 has built-in wireless capabilities, but only for controllers, not Wi-Fi. Unlike with third party wireless controllers for earlier consoles each xbox360 console can support up to 4 wireless controllers. You’ll also like that a green LED on both the 360 itself and the controller indicates exactly which controllers 1 to 4 are connected.

Inside the 360, you’ll find three IBM custom designed symmetrical PowerPC based processor cores running at 3.2GHz. Xbox360 is designed by ATI he graphics processor unit is a custom designed unit running at 500MHz. Microsoft claims that the Xbox 360 can process more than four times the number of polygons as the original Xbox console. Inside the ATI GPU you will find 48 parallel shader pipelines. The console itself uses a shared memory architecture built around 512MB of GDDR3 RAM.

Xbox 360 gives you access to all the games you want to play and the people you want to play with and the experiences you will love — when, where and any time you want them. Why buy an Xbox 360? It’s obvious man To change the tides of the war. To make history. To rip the throne out from the fat cats over at Sony and bring choice, flexibility, customization and great online gaming to the masses … so be cool:)

There are many different kinds of toys and games out in time for Christmas but this year it would seem that the games on Xbox 360 need a look into, simply because there are so many.

These are just some of the games you should look into getting before Christmas.

Modern Warfare 2

Although this game was called the best game of the decade and has sold a hell of a lot of copies in just over a week and has been deemed one of the best games of all time. Of course you have to get this game if you have an Xbox 360 because if you don’t you are really behind on the times but there is no way this is anywhere close to being the game of the decade. Sure the campaign has some epic moment but it is incredibly short taking less than 6 hours to finish. In my opinion there is no way that this multiplayer is anywhere near as good as Halo 3 and Gears 2 it just feels the same as the older games.

Borderlands

I was really not too sure on this one when I purchased it as when looking at the game it is all made to look cell shaded. Thes games often turn out to be pretty bad. The only real problem to the game was that it didnt have much of an ending but who needs that when you have 250,000 weapon variations. Almost every gun I picked up was slightly different in one way or another and it made the game very fun to play indeed.

This really is just part one of the games you need to look into buying this side of Christmas. Some women may call all of these boys toys but I have to say my girlfriend loves kicking ass on Modern Warfare. Just have a look around and see if you can find the best toy review.

Where do gamers go?

The choices you have as a gamer are:

1. Buy (Online, Ebay, used, Gamestop..)
2. Rent (Gamefly, blockbuster…)
3. Trade (Goozex, Switchplanet..)

Renting in the past at your brick and mortar rental place can easily set you back more then $5-$7 every week like Blockbuster. Many places like Gamefly charge a monthly service fee. Renting is a solution but you spend more time with games than movies. Much more time is needed for videogames than movies. Most movies range from 1.5 hours to epics of 6 hours. Where most videogames you could get a good feel for a game in 3 hours but most sports games and long role playing games could be played for more then 70 hours.

This is where Goozex Game Trading steps in. Goozex allows the gamer to keep the game as long as you want but have the option to sell it too. There is only a $1 transaction fee if you request a game on their network. So basically you can trade in your older games and build up Goozex credit until you get enough for a newer title and just pay the $1 transaction fee. A shipping and handling is handled by sender and the buyer only pays . There is no monthly membership so you can stop at anytime or go at a slower pace. This is ideal in the sense that you could play the game until you are actually sick of it then send it in for credit. No hurry as you play and ship at your own pace. Plus you OWN the game. From then on the game is yours, not a rental.

The network is peer to peer in that you can only request games and send games to other members. There is no single central warehouse and the pricing of the credits of the system are in points (100pts = $5). The pricing of the game is determined by market demand, release date, initial cost of the game, and a couple other factors. Most xbox 360 titles will go for 800-1000 pts which translates to $40-$50. This isn’t bad for a used game. You could probably save a little bit of money if you bought it at a used gaming store but then you would have to pay tax and actually go to the store. Goozex gives you free shipping to you with no tax charge. You also have an option to buy credits if you want but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you have no games to send in or nothing of yours is being requested. Price fluctuations occur and you can see the points swings. I’ve had a couple games I requested and I can see that price increase/decrease. It doesn’t happen that much but some games change +/- 200pts depending on market demand.

So why use Goozex instead of a used videogame store or an auction site with games like Ebay? You just need $1 to pay for the transaction fee. Most people don’t like to continually shell out more money for a game and then feel like the games they bought are depreciating at a very fast rate. Selling your game for cash anywhere will not give you that much. Selling it to a store they will mark your game up to make money. Selling online is tiresome. Goozex at least you get to trade in games you are done with and still get some value out of it as it will lead to other games you really want. There might be more difficulty in sending older sports titles as those don’t have much demand once their season is up like trying to sending in EA sports Madden 2005 will be a hard game to sell to someone on the network. Older games on ebay are a hassle to sell. On Goozex you will be able to list it and it will just stay there without having to pay insertion fees.

Each videogame is packed with information like reviews from Gamepro, some tips/trick, game description, and some even have instructions. I love being able to see the supply and demand of each game. This will let you know if you have a game people want or if you can possibly get a game on the network. Goozex determines who gets the game by matching up users. There is a waiting list that is generated and when you add a game you will see in what place you are waiting for that game. You get a good feel to when you will get a game. You need to make a list for want and haves for your games. They will show you your place in line per game. Great place to build your wishlist. Building a large list ensures some games will continue to come to you. I requested Crackdown and I was like 60 people back. I got this game in 14 days. Just because you’re really deep in line doesn’t mean you won’t get the game soon. Newer games do get pushed out in the system fairly quickly. You have many options to what you want to trade in terms of instructions, case or just game. Some people tend to not keep cases or instructions. The value of the game doesn’t go down as the credits don’t reflect what is included. This is because the user requesting the game can have the option to request only full packaged games, games with instructions, or just the game itself. I have not had a problem with getting full packages as I’ve gotten over 49 games and I’ve sent out 54 in under 2 years of being there.

Why NOT to use

For this site to be a perfect 5 star site I would like to see:

1. More users (will there ever be enough?)
2. More retro gaming console support (nes, snes, saturn….)
3. Sure isn’t free but man it’s 4 quarters. I’m a member of another site that has no transaction fees yet still protects the members.
4. Video game trailers for each game
5. More user interaction like user reviews and tournaments…)

All the above are small tweaks to the system that is already very functional. The main reason someone would NOT want to use this system is time and money. If you have money why wouldn’t you just buy the game new down the street? Why wait? Saving money and the community are the main draws to the system. Save money and also connect with other gamers. If you wanted to save money but are impatient then this sits is NOT for you. Most new release games takes on average of 1-2 months. Why? You are placed in a waiting line. The order of the Que determines when you get the new game, but more importantly is how many are available? Most will eventually get bored of their new game and will send them out as “have” games. That could be more time than one might want to wait. Say you want to play a game that takes a long time to beat. Some people like myself take a long time with games. More popular games of course like Madden will hit the system quicker but that is also a bad thing. You don’t want to hold a game too long or it will lose it’s value. Trading for early on might be for 1000 points but in a couple months with the market being saturated it could be 500 points in no time losing half of it’s value. Not entirely the fault of the system but some games just won’t move depending on your timing.

Current Goozex Simultaneous Transaction on the Network as of Mar 11, 2009 = 4793

This is the last part of the Xbox 360 games you have to buy and not wait until Christmas!

Assassin’s Creed 2

This is the one I am personally waiting just one more day to get simply because I really enjoyed playing the first one through. They have made a lot of major improvements to this game. For the second game they have made the missions a bit different which is good as it was starting to get a bit boring in number 1. You are able to possess two hidden blades that can kill two people at once as well as being able to take the enemy’s weapons and climb 2X faster than you can in the first game. The great thing about this game is that now when you fall into the water you do not die, you can swim!

The Ballad Of Gay Tony

This is the second DLC that has actually come into GTA IV. I have actually mannaged to play this game throuigh and although it is a lot shorter than the main game it is a lot better. Parachutes seem to be the major add on to this and they are great fun to use! The bad point is that there are still no planes that you can fly around in which is a shame. This game feels a lot like Vice City which is why it is such a good game as Vice City has to be the best GTA game.

On top of all of these great games there are more out next year such as Splinter Cell, Final Fantasy and finally Alan Wake. It is also worth thinking about Project Natal.

Toys and games seem to be getting more and more popular as each year passes by which is why you should consider looking into a toy review before you buy anything. It can be very important that you get those boys toys right.

So continuing the list of the apparent boys toys that are video games that you have to have on your Xbox 360 this side of Christmas.

Dragon Age Origins

This game came out and not too many people were aware of it because they just didnt know enough about it. There has not been enough press around this game. The game itself is made by Bioware who are of course the people behind Mass Effect. This is their new games based entirely on a brand new world that they had spent years thinking up. Although the game is likely to take you around 150 hours to complete it has to be said that the graphics are not up to the standards that should be expected of a next generation game. A good game though.

Left 4 Dead 2

Although this game has caused a lot of controversy simply because it is being released just under a year since the first game it is actually a fantastic game. I have to say for less than a years devlopment this game is brilliant? There are many improvements to this game and they include, more weapons, better graphics and badder zombies! The best thing about this new game is that many of the levels are actually set in the middle of the day and hitting someone with a frying pan or baseball bat is very satisfying indeed.

So there it was the second part to the list, there is of course still one final part to come and you really should read it as you need to get the games on it. Toys and games seem to be getting more popular so before you buy why not look out for toys reviews. There it is really.Decide for yourself!

You probably already know it, Xbox 360 Games offer some of the most extraordinarily immersive experiences anywhere, online or off.  With blockbuster titles like Halo, Fallout, Call of Duty, and Panzer General : Allied Assault, it’s tough to see what else could presumably improve gameplay any more than the long way it is come.  Of course , it wasn’t but 1 or 2 years back that clunky old-style controllers were still being used.  Today the user interface has improved noticeably, with on-board accelerometers to process spatial data for human kinetics in gaming.  But something on the horizon may be the most revolutionary thing to hit videogaming at home in our time. 

Xbox 360 games can be closely matched to Xbox 360 Accessories for the most continued experience of really immersive gameplay.  But what if there were no need for any Xbox 360 accessories save one?One uber accessory to replace them all?  Long the definition of science fiction and comic books, this latest of Xbox 360 Accessories would also be the last.  It would be the only thing needed to play all of the Xbox 360 games made of then on. 

Not heard of it?  That’s because it was only recently announced by Microsoft.  It’s a electronic eye of sorts that will obliterate the need for physical controllers, hardware that is held in one’s hand.  This new soon-to-come electronic eye will sense player movements in space, so hand-held controllers with inbuilt accelerometers will not be required.  This latest advance in gaming technology is due out within the next year or two, and will be mounted separately from the console.  But all user movement data will be provided to the console just the same.  Try and imagine playing videogames with nothing more than your own body and body movements! 

This veritable magic eye that Microsoft has been developing will even track eye movements to switch point of view in a first-person shooter.  Imagine Halo or Call of Duty or medal of respect without annoying controllers but with instead a light gun and your own body and your own eyes!  As you turn right the screen capture reveals views to your right side, and as you turn left the panorama shifts with you! 
So while today’s Xbox 360 games are quite sophisticated, the Xbox accessories to come will need software that rethinks the entire idea of onscreen and off.  Hardware and software exist in a symbiotic relationship, and it will be fascinating to see what transpires next now that the hardware has taken a quantum jump forward!

Definitely, the Xbox 360 is amongst the finest gaming consoles  offered in the gaming market presently. A wide base of games,  unique graphics and capability to operate with a wireless mode makes  it match with rivals. That being said, nothing on Earth is  perfect and the Xbox 360 isn’t an exception. So, if your Xbox 360 does go out of sync, that’s when knowing Xbox 360 troubleshooting actually turns out to be handy. 

Xbox 360 troubleshooting is an solution to all the  potential issues that you’ll find while  playing your Xbox 360.  The 3 primary mistakes that the  users routinely face are the red ring of death, disc reading  mistakes and overheating machines. 

Amongst the usual  issues is the afflcition of three red lights, popularly known as  the red ring of death.  It’s actually a signal the Xbox 360 is in difficulty.  However if you come across this issue it isn’t always easy to  get a ready solution. 

In spite of being a dynamic and  technically sophisticated system, the Xbox 360 can get overheated over  prolonged lengths of gaming. When this happens players are alerted to  the difficulty via the Xbox 360 overheating sign. Xbox 360 troubleshooting for such an issue can be done by placing the system in a cooler  location helping it to ventilate in free air. 

Amongst the  things that are needed for successful Xbox 360 troubleshooting are a basic know- how of the Xbox 360 console, and a collection of basic electrical tools such  as screwdrivers and solders. 

By this time, you must have  amassed a fair concept about Xbox 360 troubleshooting guides. Essentially,  these are tutorials and tenets usually in form of visual or text to help you  uncover and solve problems associated with an Xbox console, available  mostly through online sources. The cash back guarantees associated with  these troubleshooting guides make it a decent investment and a reliable solution to basic  Xbox 360 problems. 

Here’s hoping with the aid of the above  Xbox 360 troubleshooting guidelines you’ll be able to solve basic Xbox problems.  This being said, in the event of major system failure, it is always recommended  you seek assistance from your closest Microsoft helpline.

Xbox 360 now offers gamers the chance to interact with one another, using the add-on feature Xbox Live. If you’re an Xbox Live member, you are automatically included in the chat list. So, you are able to chat and discuss anything with your gaming friends through the Xbox 360 headset. In addition, you can also interact and plan a gaming throwdown with countless other Xbox gamers.  Xbox  Live also lets you buy content in Xbox Live Marketplace, download extra videogame content and even access preview trailers. 

If users are interested by these functions and want to become an Xbox Live member, then there are a couple of memberships to make a choice from, classified into two separate services – silver and gold. 

Firstly, the silver service is simply the free option of Xbox Live. Using this variation, users can easily get online and download gaming titles. Adding to this, gamers are given the ability to use their own voice to chat and interact with fellow Xbox Live users. However, this is all Xbox Live silver provides subscribers with. If you are looking for the optimum Xbox Live experience, Xbox Live gold is what you must look into. 

Secondly, the Xbox Live Gold option has many functions that make it a grand way to game online. Apart from the awesome Xbox Live functions, it provides users with a host of further add-ons. There is improved chat allowance, as well as integration with many Microsoft features, including messenger and other chat and video programs. The most prominent function of Xbox Live gold is the manner in which your internet avatar is displayed to the community.  Every account is allowed to create a distinct ‘motto’ showing to other gamers online and even linking to Facebook.  Furthermore, you’re also able to hold a record of your feats. As you play more you gradually forge a name, and if users warm to you they are able to rank you favourably, making it simpler to avoid being grouped with players holding bad repute. 

Players can also create a contact list which will list all of your selected friends. It will also tell you when any of your buddies come online. There’s also a player list that will list the last fifty users that you have played with. 

Xbox Live is as good as Xbox gaming gets.  It not only offers great gaming but also provides you with the opportunity to share your experiences with other players!

One of the most basic problems with the ongoing improvements in gaming console technology is the issue of backwards compatibility. In the past, games from its predecessor would not be compatible with the latest version of the game console. Xbox360 games have this feature. There are ways so that you can play your Xbox games using the 360 console.

One way of allowing you to play both versions of the said games is via updating your game console through the Live system. However, it is required in this method that a high-speed internet connection is present. The simple process of connecting your game unit to an available broadband connection will allow you to update your system. After connecting, all that you have to do is to wait for the process to finish. Afterwards, you can start playing your Xbox360 games! By doing this, you remain updated about the latest addition to the games that are being supported by the system. Of course you will be needing a Live account, which could either be a Silver or the Gold membership package.

Another method that would to allow you to play Xbox games on your 360 console is by CD or DVD burning. This is for those who do not have a high speed internet connection. A simple dial-up connection would be sufficient for the download to complete. Using this method, one could simply go to Xbox.com and download a copy of the game and burn it on a disc.

This is useful for people whose xbox consoles are not connected to a broadband internet connection. It also adds that you could get a supported copy of the game some place else, where an internet connection and a CD or DVD burner is present. This saves you from the task of having to bring the whole game console just to get the supported games. The process is as simple as creating an audio cd. This should not prove to be too difficult even for beginners.

The last of the methods which would allow gamers to play Xbox360 games in a 360 console would be to order it directly from Xbox.com. However, this method would only be available by Early December to some people. But then again, it may seem as the most viable option. The disc includes all the necessary updates needed by the system to enable it to have backwards compatibility. It will be updating the program for the backwards compatibility, which would of course also update the operating system for your game console.

I should say that this backwards compatibility feature is really great. First of all, it saves gamers all that money that would be wasted. Waste of money happens because they cannot use their old games or they purchase new games. Although this feature only allows your Xbox360 and Xbox games to be played on the 360 console, it will surely be a feature that would dictate future technological developments in the gaming industry.

Some sad video game news now for gamers, Bungie, game developers of the massively popular Halo series, have announced that once they finish with the production of Halo: Reach, they will no longer be creating any more Halo games.

This news was released during an interview with video game reviews site, IGN, with Lars Bakken. Drakken, a member of the Bungie team, said this: “After Reach that’s it for us. We’re already working on a new IP that we can’t talk about yet.”

Absolutely nothing is given away about the new title that is currently in the works. However, Bungie have also developed third person games as well as real time strategy games, it hasn’t always been first person shooters like Halo. So, really because of this we have no idea at all what this new title will be.

What we do know is that many people will miss Bungies contribution to the Halo franchise. With the first release back in 2001 with Halo: Combat Evolved, the company went from strength to strength. With development starting soon after the release of Halo 1, the second and third Halo games came soon after the first, bring in huge numbers of sales. Halo 3: ODST and the final game, Halo: Reach, are currently both in production at Bungie Studios. September 2009 is when Halo 3: ODST is currentl set for, whereas Reach is planned for released in the latr part of 2010. Obviously the release date for Halo: Reach cannot be confirmed, only a target can be given.

Don’t be too worried though Halo fans, any future games that may be developed are being handed over to the recently announced Microsoft 343 industries. Whether any games developed by them will manage the same top notch game reviews is unknown, it’s just a case of waiting and watching for now.

Lets just hope that they don’t send the franchie into any strange new direction that might ruin the game. It would would be terrible if that happened as the whole game and reputation would be ruined.