Red Rings Are Caused By This
Now I for one am a big fan of the Xbox 360, it is my favourite console of this generation and this is coming from someone who owns all of the main three as well as the portable ones too. Just because it is my favourite it doesn’t mean that the console itself wasn’t released with some problems that are still perhaps not fixed.
I actually still have my original 20GB console which is of course the first to be released and I somehow managed to get mine on month of release as a Christmas presents with two games. I was stuck with Kameo and King Kong as my very first two games for the console on a small tv which has now all changed. The only reason people buy King Kong now is to get the easy achievement points from and Kameo is always seen coming in at around £10. Of course a lot of games go down in price overtime because they are now made in such large quantities.
The games are great it seems to be a problem with the console. The three rings of death or three red rings is a term that angers many of the Xbox community as it is such a pain in the arse when it happens, if you are not familar with the term it means the console is pretty much broken unless you send it off for repair.
I have actually been through two repairs, the second I really had to push to be free even though it was on the same damn console. The problem is that there are not enough fans within the console to keep it cool which is what makes the soldering melt and destroy the motherboard. There is a way you can fix the console for a short period of time, wrap it in a wet towel, this will not make it work for long so it is best to get it sent off.
A good idea might be to put more fans into the system itself? There is already an issue with the loudness of the console, adding more fans could really cause another problem. So what is likely to happen is that we are going to have to wait until the next console release for the problem to be sorted. The repair service is free within three years purchase which is nice and it hasn’t stopped me from ordering my brand new 250GB special edition “super” elite.
It is funny how far ac fans and a few electrical components can go isn’t it?
What is the best games console out there?
This is an argument that has been in debate not just for this generation of games consoles but since the beginning. Which console is the best this generation, Wii, 360 or PS3?
Although if you are going on the basis of sales the Wii is top of the market it just doesn’t seem to be doing it for me personally. it is the games that are the problem on the wii not the console. The Wii has not seen a proper Nintendo game in over a year. Come on Nintendo, make games for the fans. Although there is the promised Mario Galaxy 2 and Legend of Zelda DS both seem to be complete copies of the previous game and this certainly is a first for Nintendo.
The PS3 is without a doubt a very good console indeed. The only reason I really bothered with this console was for the Blu-Ray. Sometimes free is not positive at all. The servers and games are really laggy and the overall experience is very poor. The games available just for the PS3 are very poor to Microsoft’s Halo and Gears of War with Uncharted, Metal Gear and Resistance all being very poor games. The PS3 wand seems to be a bit off a rip off from the Wii as well.
The overall experience I recieve from the Xbox seems to be the best which is why it is number one on my list. The games are a lot better and the online service (although paid for) never really recieves lag. As well as this Xbox Live receives regular updates that you can actually see happening. Project Natal is also on the way for the Xbox which hopefully will mean only one thing, domination of this generation. Microsoft are still trying to stick to their fans which is always good.
For more technology debates why not find a technology blog?
Project Natal- Something worth looking at?
Microsoft's presentation at E3 really was something special. I was getting a bit bored until my favourite director Spielberg walked onto the stage hinting at a new Microsoft gadget.
MIlo was then showed off to the world by British company Lionhead. The woman playing the game was actually able to hold a conversation with the in game boy and pass objects to him from the real world. Although critics have said, “What’s the point” you can’t say that isn’t cool.
You are going to be able to use your whole body within the games of Natal. For example you can hold an invisible steering wheel stepping in and out to accelerate and brake respectively. Anything from golf to penalty shootouts can be more realstic thanks to full body control. This isnt a one handed gesture like Nintendo this is the future. To make the games unique to each user, Natal can actually scan real life things so that you can use your own football or golf club.
If this is released in the way the videos and previews have been put forward to the public then it is going to be one of the biggest leaps in technology we have ever seen. On top of this, at the recent Tokyo game show major developers such as Sega and Capcom have both announced their backing of the hardware and this is on top of all the other major developers which include EA, Activison and of course the expected Microsoft Game Studios.
For more information on this amazing new gadget it might be worth checking out a gadget blog.
A Guide To XBOX 360 Achievements And How To Get Them
The XBOX 360 achievements creation is one of the main contributors to its booming popularity. It is a excellent idea wherein you stack points by playing XBOX 360 games and completing the different stages and challenges therein. When you have amassed enough points you can redeem them for actual rewards in the form of downloadable content from Microsoft. There’s a lot more to it than this though.
Garnering points is a simple task for veteran gameplayers at liberty to invest hours beating tough games and achievements. But what about those among us who can’t invest hours at a stretch in making an attempt to unlock XBOX 360 achievements? Well you don’t need to feel hard done by anymore.
Here is what you need to do to earn the highest points on the XBOX 360 with fewer hours of gaming;
Firstly you should pick the simplest games for the XBOX 360. Bear in mind that a straightforward game will equal easy gameplay aswell and some straightforward points to amass your XBOX 360 achievements. Some of the less complicated games currently available are King Kong, Madden NFL, Fight Night Round three and teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to name but a few.
Some titles may feature easy parts as well as troublesome parts. Normally you get the most points for completing the difficult parts, but that may be really long haul. Try and get as many XBOX 360 achievements as feasible from the simple levels and you could be onto a winner.
Lastly, it might be a great idea to focus on your skills. You may be really good at sporting titles and not so much at ‘first person shooters’. Therefore, get on with the football and throw the gun aside for a while! Just for the sake of gaining XBOX 360 achievements, it’s ideal not to play the titles from genres which you don’t prefer. You may end up with very little points but a lot of frustration instead.
There are plenty of XBOX 360 achievements guides available online, which can offer you updated information on the easy way to maximize your points tally easily. So you may need to keep a watch on these tips.
By employing a little bit of methodology and guile you can pile up the points while enjoying quality gaming time. So best of luck with your XBOX 360 achievements and aim at glory!
Need For Speed Shift is worth a go
After just getting in after returning the rental copy of Shift I have to say I might have to go out again to buy it. The previous additions to the game have not been brilliant. The last one that was worth a ten minute go was Undercover and that was at best, okay.
This game has actually got a chance of competiting with the new Forza game which is on the way later this month.
The playability of the game really is quite brilliant with many hours having to be spent finishing all of the races, tuning the cars to suit your needs and playing it on the various difficulties. The online modes are also going to take you a lot of time.
This game isn’t about used cars for sale but more about the custom made models from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen and every other car maker you can think of.
In terms of playing for fun , Need For Speed did seem a lot better than Forza but then again I have only managed to play the Forza demo. Forza has a bigger selection of choice when it comes to cars and also seems to have a far superior graphics engine.
This year EA have actually put all of their focus into the driver, although the cars still look brilliant. Everything in the game is supposed to make you feel like the driver, any crash you make will turn the screen blurry and even go black and white.
All you need to do is play the two demo's for the games and decide for yourself, you could always think about getting them both!
Play Xbox games using the 360 console
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 high-speed connection will allow you to update your system. After connecting, all that you really have to do is to wait for the process to complete. Afterwards, you can start playing your original 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 would be needing a Live account, which can 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 dsl internet connection. A simple dial-up connection would be adequate for the download to complete. Using this method, one could simply go to Xbox.com and download a copy of the game and simply burn it to a disc.
This is especially useful for people whose 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 for the supported games. The process is just 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 for 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 fabulous. First of all, it saves gamers all that money that would go to waste. 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.
Xbox Live – Gold And Silver
Xbox 360 currently gives users the means to interact with one another, using the add-on function that is Xbox Live. If you’re an Xbox Live user, you are automatically part of the chat list. So, you can chat and debate anything with friends and family via the Xbox 360 headset. Moreover, you can also interact and organize a gaming throwdown with countless other Xbox users. Xbox Live also lets you buy content in Xbox Live Marketplace, download additional videogame content and even watch preview videos.
If users are enticed by these features and wish to become an Xbox Live member, there are two accounts to choose from, classified into two distinct services – gold and silver.
Initially, the silver service is just the free option of Xbox Live. Choosing this version, gamers just simply get online and download games. Adding to this, users are given the ability to integrate their own voice to chat and interact with fellow Xbox Live players. However, this is all Xbox Live silver provides users with. If you’re attempting to find the true Xbox Live experience, Xbox Live gold is what you must go for.
Secondly, the Xbox Live Gold service has many functions that make it a grand way to game on the web. Aside from the brilliant Xbox Live functions, it provides players with a large number of further add-ons. There is improved chat allowance, as well as interaction with a host of Microsoft products, including messenger and further chat and video programs. The most notable function of Xbox Live gold is the way in which your online avatar is shown to the community. Each account is allowed to form a different ‘motto’ displaying to other gamers online and even linking to Facebook. Additionally, you can also hold a record of your accomplishments. As you play more you gradually forge a reputation, and if users like you they can rank you positively, making it better to avoid interacting with players holding negative feedback.
Users may also build a friends list that will list all of your selected chums. It will also inform you when any of your pals come online. There’s also a player list that will list the last fifty users that you have met.
Xbox Live is as good as Xbox gaming gets. It not only offers great gaming but also provides you with the chance to share your experience with other gamers!