http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png http://kotaku.com/tag/xbl http://kotaku.com/tag/xbl The Hulu Plus service launches on the Xbox 360 tomorrow, enabling people to stream episodes and clips of popular TV shows—or at least a subset of the ones that are available through your computer—through an Xbox 360 and onto a TV. Usually, this will cost you both the price of an Xbox Live Gold account and an $8/month Hulu Plus subscription. But, according to Microsoft, the service will be free to all Xbox Live users, silver or gold, Hulu subscribers or not, from April 29-May 6, thanks to a sponsorship from Jack Link's Beef Jerky. More »
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Xbox LIVE first debuted back in November 2002. Sony had an online service for the PS2, but it was no where near Xbox LIVE. Sony got competitive when it launched the PlayStation Network in November 2006. More »
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They've been on the boil for a while, but it seems Microsoft are only now giving consumers the option of buying a smaller, cheaper allocation of Microsoft Points from a retail store. More »
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A demo for upcoming LucasArts sci-fi shooter will hit the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace on Sept. 18, LucasArts announced today. More »
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It's unlikely, but some of you out there may use a dial-up connection on a semi-regular basis. Hell, maybe even a regular basis. If so, you're probably used to waiting an age for stuff to download, so why not give your ceaseless read-press F5-wait-repeat cycle a miss and try something a little more laborious. Like connecting to Xbox Live. Instructables have the how-to guide, and all you need is a a PC hooked up to these internets via 56k and an ethernet cable. Oh, and some time on your hands. More »
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An announcement has gone up in the Rock Band forums that next week's DLC will be a Boston pack. And not just three measly songs, but six and each and every one a Master Track! The list of songs is as follows... More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=370834&view=rss&microfeed=true Thought I'd give the new Tips Tool a try and let you guys know the Dropkick Murphys DLC Track Pack Kotaku mentioned a few weeks ago is now available on XBL. More »
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I never use my headset on XBL. Frankly, I have enough on my mind just trying to get my meaty hands to manipulate the controls properly let alone attempting to carry on any semblance of a conversation. And then the handful of times that I did use it I plain hated the experience. At best I had to listen to kids while they were talking smack [alert: 9 minutes of profanity-laced posturing] or just humming to themselves. More »
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The sharp eyes over at IGN have spotted what may be a juicy bit of news over on the Devil May Cry 4 fansite. If you click on the option to download a DMC4 widget, the site loads up an example picture which shows that the demo for the game will be hitting the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 on January 31. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=346021&view=rss&microfeed=true Just pinged Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb to see what the status was of his baby, Xbox Live. The Xbox 360's network has been suffering sporadic issues since the holidays and it seems that a solid solution continues to elude the team. More »
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Skyluss, a member of pro-gaming Team vBi, reported over the weekend that his Xbox Live account has been hacked... again. Apparently the hacker was a little envious of the Recon Armor Bungie had bestowed upon Skyluss and decided to take it for a spin him or herself. More »
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Just minutes after the Halo 3 map packs were supposed to hit, and hadn't quite yet, we had already received an email from a very antsy and very agitated Halo fan. So it's probably worthwhile to note that the Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack is now available. More »
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As we reported earlier this week, the Xbox Live Video Marketplace just added a ton of old Warner Bros. cartoons to it's lineup. I logged on to XBL earlier to investigate that IPTV rumor and discovered that one of my favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons is currently available for free. What's Opera Doc, Bugs' take on Wagner's epic Der Ring des Nibelungen, is offered in both HD and regular versions. So if you're like me and love the site of Bugs Bunny in Valkyrie drag riding an obese horse with tiny legs, log on to XBL now and get it while it's still free. "Kill the wabbit!" More »
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We finally understand that whole achievement addiction syndrome. But we'd still avoid using the old rubber band trick. More »
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More news from Gamerfest 2007: Microsoft announced that 7.1 million Live users have downloaded 25 45 million...things...from XBL. With that level of user base, that puts the download average of everything—from games to themes—at a (what I think is very, very low) average of 3 per person. More »
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Nothing like a little fear on the fourth! Major Nelson pointed out late last night that a new game pack is available for the 360 version of F.E.A.R. The 500-point pack comes with four new multiplayer maps. Heliport and Spill Kill are both Conquer and CTF maps. While Asylum and Cafeteria are both deathmatch and control maps. More »
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Not only are they XBL's Artist of the Month, but Wolfmother will also be the band in Xbox Live's next "Game with Fame" session. That means the Led Zeppelin-esque band from down under will be racing other gamers on Saturday, June 23rd on Forza Motorsport 2. All you have to do to get a chance to compete with the trio is send a friend request to their gamertag, "WolfmotherGWF". Engines will start revving from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST on Saturday. Kim Phu More »
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Xbox Live is getting more content to LIVE Marketplace, but this time they are broadening their range passed the usual categorical "gamer" programming which so far has mostly consisted of potty humor programming and B-rated movies. Although I enjoy both immensely, it's nice to see Microsoft going beyond the stereotype because, after all, they aren't a cable company and therefore don't need to keep such tight restraints on the kind of content they offer. More »
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Looks like Microsoft isn't just in the business of getting software and video game exclusives. Starting today, they will begin their "Ignition" program that will promote music on all of Microsoft's platforms including MSN, the Zune (and Zune Marketplace), and even Xbox Live. This isn't all that different from some of the offerings already on XBL (for example, free music video downloads or interviews with music artists), except for the fact that the Ignition program will only promote Microsoft-exclusive content: More »
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In the business world of Hollywood, Xbox Live gamertags are becoming the new business card. In a rather intriguing article on Variety.com, writer Ben Fritz relates the story of how young Hollywood executives are using Xbox Live for networking. More »
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And the hits still keep coming. The next wave of point-eating download content on Xbox Live just might be another set of song packs for Guitar Hero II. Although this is still rumor, the people over at HarmonixFans seem pretty trustworthy since they were the ones to reveal the first set of song packs. So get your ballpoint pen ready to write down the new set list as they are in all their rumored-glory: More »
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Fat dancer from "Take That" and popular British solo artist Robbie Williams is hitting Xbox Live across Europe and Asia. Good for him. His tracks "She's Madonna," "A Place to Crash" and "Lovelight" command 280 Microsoft points (230 pts. for standard def). In association with Xbox, RobbieWilliams.com is giving away five 360s and a load of games. Says Robbie, More »
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It's nice to see companies address the really important things. Things like, if I buy Armored Core 4 for the PS3, can I play online with 360 owners? The short answer: No, doofus, you can't. But AC 4 creator From Software has put up a FAQ that takes on concerns like where are the floating leg types and heat damage. Ollie at Insert Credit adds: More »
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Finally downloaded Lumines Live!, and it was pretty much like the version on my PSP, but bigger. Thing is, the game on my UMD is a full game, not a crippled download—this all, ironically, has given the PSP and UMD the best press it has had in months! More »
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Late last night, I was all raring to download Lumines Live! So much so that I stayed up late, waiting for the Xbox Live maintenance to wrap up. It did, but not in Japan, where I can home. More »
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Microsoft has rolled out an impressive online service with Xbox Live—a service that has taken the company years to create. Sony's coming late to the party, so how can the company compete? More »
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Next month, the Tokyo Game Show kicks off in *get this* Chiba, Japan. Some of you might go, some might not and some will wonder why the event isn't called the Chiba Game Show. For those sitting at home, Microsoft will be streaming coverage right into your living room. The company announced it will release all TGS vids and demos on Xbox Live Marketplace. It's just like being there, but minus the Microsoft booth companions. Brian Ashcraft More »
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Looks like Xbox Live Arcade is that much closer to becoming your official retro gaming dealer. Taking a cue from Capcom and hoping to capitalize on Street Fighter's XBL success, SNK Playmore is unleasing 2D fighter Fatal Fury Special on Live Arcade. There's no release date of yet and expect to find out more at TGS. Brian Ashcraft More »
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Hopefully, if you read this site, you actually play video games. But, some of you, for reasons unknown, play board games. It's not that we are graphics whores, but we just like pixels—any will do. And board games seem so 1983. For those that disagree, Microsoft has found a way to validate your wonderfully out-of-date hobby by offering classic European board games like Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne and Alhambra on Xbox Live. No word on pricing or release dates, but Crecente told, no ordered, me to post this, saying folks were truly excited about these XBL incarnations. Brian Ashcraft More »
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Food in honor Pac-Man making his Xbox Live debut! This eatable Pac-Man and ghost were made from papadums (also known as papadam, pappadam, pappadom, pappadum, popadam, poppadam, poppadom, papad, pappad, appalum, appalam or those giant roundy crackery things they give out at Indian restaurants). How-to site Instructables guides readers through step-by-step the process of making Pac-Man papadums. And yes, scissors are involved. What's Hindi for "yum"? Brian Ashcraft More »
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Xbox Live's Major "Larry" Nelson addresses the mysterious "Status code: 80070003," which is English for nothing having enough free storage space. To check storage space, go to System Blade->Memory and delete where necessary. Major astutely adds: More »
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Reader Jason swung by Hong Kong's Ani-com gaming convention, where he checked out what the Live Vision camera's Gamerpics looked like. Users will be unfortunately be able to take photos of themselves and put them on their Gamercards. So now, you can see the actual face of that little punk dropping f-bombs on XBL. Live Vision kicks off September 19th, bringing everyone on Live a little closer together. Brace yourself for the obligatory "moon shoot" and the occasional "scrot shot." Brian Ashcraft More »
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