Tag Archives: Xbox
Microsoft Xbox: The New Generation of Game Systems
Microsoft Xbox: The New Generation of Game Systems
Entertainment is an integral part of our lives. In fact, there are various forms of entertainment that existed during the pre-colonial era, such as watching opera and musical theater plays. Betting is also an active recreation during the colonial times. It is designed to provide pleasure to individuals of varying age groups and areas of interest.
However, with the rapid development of technology nowadays, entertainment is not just about watching operas and musical plays. Entertainment in the 21st century is now dependent on the development of technology—animated and digital films, television programs, and video game consoles.
Video game console means entertainment for the younger members of our society. Because of the animated game characters and graphics similar to real-life characters, video game consoles became one of the hottest items in the electronic market. Since its existence in 1972 (when Magnavox released its 1st home video game console, which is the Magnavox Odyssey) until the continuous release of its new generation game systems, video game consoles are now what we call the “entertainment of the 21st century and beyond”.
Because of the popularity of these video game consoles to the gaming public, particularly to the young generation, different technology firms released different game consoles that cater to the needs of the gaming public. It paved the way to the birth of the sixth generation of video game consoles, which the Xbox belongs to.
Xbox’s producer, which is no other than the Bill Gates’ Microsoft Corporation, said that Xbox game console takes you away beyond the ordinary entertainment. It redefines the way you play the game of your choice. Aside from games, you have access to music and movies through this high-technology game console system. Thus, it lets you share good times with your friends and even lets you compete with other gamers around the world.
Xbox was Microsoft’s first independent business enterprise in the video game console industry, after the development of the tools for MSX (the standardized home computer architecture of Microsoft in the 1980s) and the operating system for Windows. It was launched on different dates: November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Europe.
The development of Xbox was initially facilitated by a small team formed by Microsoft, which included the famous high energy physicist and game developer Seamus Blackley. The rumors of the release of a Microsoft-developed video game console first spread at the end of 1999 following interviews of Microsoft big boss Bill Gates, saying that the company is developing a gaming and at the same time a multimedia device that is essential in the convergence of digital entertainment era. And the company confirmed such rumors through a press release on the “Xbox project” on March 10, 2000.
As previously mentioned, the first launch of Xbox was in North America on November 15, 2001. On its first launch, most of Xbox’s launch titles became one of the best-selling games at the end of 2001. Some of the successful launch titles of Xbox were the Halo: Combat Evolved and its sequel, Halo 2 (which became the most played game in the Xbox Live), NFL Fever 2002, Dead or Alive 3, and Project Gotham Racing.
Xbox’s design was based on the fact that there must be a game system that will take advantage of the slowdown of saturated PC gaming market and at the same time integrate a built-in Ethernet adapter. It was the first video game console to integrate a hard disk drive into its system, which is used mainly to store game data compressed in a ZIP archive and content download from Xbox Live. Thus, it eliminated the need for a separate memory card, which is popularized by Sony’s Playstation. Most of the Xbox games make use of the console’s hard drive as the disk cache for quicker game loading time. There are also games that support “Custom soundtracks”, which allows the user to rip music from standard audio CDs and add it to the soundtrack of the game.
With the Xbox as one of the modern video game consoles ever produced, it provides unusual entertainment for gamers; especially those who are looking for a gaming experience that will make them crave for it.
Yes, Microsoft’s Xbox did it—one of the game systems that you will love once you get your hand on it.
More Gaming Computer Articles
Xbox 360
Xbox 360
It wasn’t so long ago that kids who got the “new” Nintendo 8-bit gaming console or the Sega system for Christmas were the envy of every less fortunate and burned out Atari owning neighborhood playmate. As time elapsed, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and NES’s Turbo Graphix 16 became all the rave. Anyone now in their twenties can recall being impressed by the awesome advancements in playability and graphic display of the Nintendo 64 and Sega’s Dreamcast system, and even more recently (only five or so years ago) the advent of Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s Game Cube, and the Play Station by Sony. The Video Gaming industry has made great strides in the past twenty years: from slow-moving, barely recognizable forms on screen in original Atari games such as Pac-Man, Calga, and Tron, to the extremely vivid and life-like graphics of Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell, and Tekken; available for the Xbox and Play Station. Now, just in time for Christmas 2005, Microsoft has made the next move in the continuing race for Video Gaming Supremacy with the introduction of the Xbox 360. The result is truly phenomenal.
The Xbox 360, as with all video game consoles, is basically just a computer with hardware and software dedicated to the function of running video games. The original Xbox was pretty much just a Microsoft PC with a modified Pentium III processor, some powerful graphics and audio capabilities, and a modified version of the Windows 2000 operating system, all packaged in that distinctive black box.
This year Microsoft has released two versions of the Xbox 360: the Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System. The Xbox 360Core System is “plug and play”, that is, that in addition to the console, it includes an integrated controller and an AV cable. The Xbox 360 (not the “Core system”) comes with a wireless controller, an HD AV cable, an Ethernet connectivity cable, a headset, a media remote, and a removable 20-GB hard drive.
For anyone who thought the original Xbox was a technological marvel, you must try this out! As amazing and realistic as the play on the first Xbox was, the Xbox 360 makes its predecessor look tired and worn-out. Microsoft has rebuilt the Xbox from the ground up. From the name to the look, from hardware to features, the Xbox 360 is a radically different and more powerful machine than the original Xbox. Far more than a video game console, the Xbox 360 is a total media center that allows users to play games, network with other 360 owners; rip, stream and download all types of media, including high-definition movies, music, digital pictures and game content, as well as play DVD movies and audio CD’s.
The Xbox 360 will revolutionize the gaming world. Microsoft has definitely set the new standard in video game technology.
More Gaming Computer Articles
The Xbox 360 –a gamer’s dream machine.
The Xbox 360 –a gamer’s dream machine.
The Xbox360 is a video game console that is visionary. It competes with the Sony Play Station 3 and Nintendo Revolution. A gamers’ dream machine, the Xbox 360 is sold in two versions a premium edition that has a hard drive, a wireless controller, headset, Ethernet cable, a HD AV cable, and an Xbox live silver subscription and a core system.
Powerful and futuristic the Xbox360 includes HD gaming, perfect sound, and sensational graphics. The system offers high-end gaming with several exciting possibilities. It revolutionizes video game consoles and is, in actuality, a computer dedicated to gaming. It is not just a gaming machine it is a media center that allows you to play games, network with other gamers around 360 of them, rip, stream, and download high definition movies, music, digital pictures, games, music, and play DVDs and CDs. It is what makes dreams into realities.
The Xbox360 has around 18 titles in the US including games like Call of Duty 2, Dead or Alive 4, Every Party, FIFA 06, NBA live, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, and Project Gotham Racing 3. Technically, it has advanced graphics and a 115 GFLOPS theoretical peak performance. All games support a six channel Dolby Digital Sound with no voice echo.
Apart from video and DVD playing the X box 360 live market place allows the user to connect to Xbox live even if offline. Users can view messages and game invites sent by other Xbox live members. The live market place allows download of avatars, trailers, as well as game demos.
With the Xbox360 a person can view a complete record of games played, play games downloaded from marketplace, play game demos, watch movie as well as game trailers, listen to music customized for the user, view pictures as well as videos stored on a camera or any other portable device, and activate the media center extender.
The Xbox 360 has backward compatibility and so, users can play games originally developed for the earlier versions of the box. Wireless connectivity and wireless controllers offer great freedom and connectivity at large distances. And, you can download and play arcade style games using the Xbox Live Arcade. Game demos and trailers are offered free but full versions of games have to be purchased using Xbox Live Marketplace using Microsoft points which can be bought through Live or via game cards sold retail.
Technically a few small glitches have been reported. There is what is known as the Xbox360 screen or death which is an error screen. This stops the console and the user is requested to contact technical support. Another problem is that of the Xbox 360 freezing due to overheating. To solve this, users are requested to ensure proper airflow and a cooler environment. If the Xbox is moved from its vertical to its horizontal position while reading a disc, the movement causes the pickup assembly to brush against the disc resulting in radial scratches. Often the Xbox displays red lights instead of a green ring of light to indicate errors.
The X box360 transforms gaming experience into something futuristic and exciting.
Helpful Reviews on the Xbox Game System
Helpful Reviews on the Xbox Game System
The Microsoft Company has just created and released their new game console, which is the Xbox 360. This video game system provides a different entertainment experience to its users. It combines information, innovation, information and entertainment. They introduced the new and innovative video game system in North America, Japan, and Europe in 2006.
The new game console of the Microsoft Company altered the sound and appearance of the games. It is because the designers in Japan and San Francisco are surrounded by console technology that are very powerful offering a more sophisticated and stylish exterior. The game worlds becomes more realistically alive with its wonderful details as well as the animated characters showing a wider range of emotions adding to the unique video gaming experience of the user. There are various features provided by the Xbox 360. It includes the 16:9, 1080i and 720p resolution, quality movie graphics, enclosed multi-channel sound, and smoother, wider format of the screen.
Fabulous games are offered in arrays by the Xbox 360 game console. The users have an option to access a compelled game-play, choose their opponents, and watch and enjoy videos, photographs, digital music, and other features that was never been experienced before. It illustrates the new gaming system that was created in today’s generation. The Xbox 360 games allow the user to experience and stream high-definition movies and television direct from the Windows Media Center Edition of their computer to their Xbox 360 game systems.
The users can personalize their gaming experiences as well as their systems. Take for instance; they can alter the appearance of their consoles by using interchangeable faces that are available in the market place. By turning on the system, the users can download the skins of the chosen character and additional levels through the live Xbox marketplace. There are different faces and skin to choose from that will fit their mood or personality.
The button on the Xbox Guide can allow the users to access Gamer Guide instantly. It is their instant gateway which immediately connects them to movies, music, games, friends, and other contents that are downloadable. The Light Button Ring as well as the Guide Button also connects the users to Xbox live and digital media. This was considered to be the first global, unified, online game system service. The Guide button can also turn on or turn off the system without exiting.
If the users have broadband connections, then they can access the Live Silver of the Xbox letting them to construct gamer cards, gamer tags, and profiles. They can also talk to other gamers through voice chat, or have a free access of the Live Marketplace. The multiplayer gaming online can be available by upgrading to the Live Gold membership of Xbox.
There are a lot of posted reviews about the Xbox 360 done by experienced gamers. This is helpful if you are planning to purchase one for yourself.
– The physical weight of the Xbox 360 machine will be the first one that will catch your attention. Its designs are small but it weighs like a concrete block. Xbox 360 configuration and desktop systems shows immediate features. It implies that there are more great things that this machine will offer.
– Xbox 360 is considered as a simplified computer without messing on upgrades and patches. You can easily logon to Xbox 360 live and be informed about the things you need to upgrade. It provides easy navigation wherein you can jump in and out of the games easily.
– Loading times are really very impressive. The ace in the Microsoft’s deck is the Xbox live. It is free to use. However, upgrading to the Xbox gold compels a gamer to play online games as well to get a hold of some downloads. In addition, all game has its particular online modes giving different gaming experiences to the users.
– It provides points and ratings with your achievements. These ratings can be improved by friends, visits, helps, messages, and others. They are after the involvement of the users in playing games to get such rewards. It is a great idea to create a game system which is not only after the money paid by the users or a mere product of modern obsession but also after the advantages offered to its users.
Xbox 360 is really a great system for home entertainment with a lot of things to offer to its users. So, why not try the excellent Xbox 360 and its new features.
Related Gaming Computer Articles
Xbox 360: A Revolution in Console Gaming
Xbox 360: A Revolution in Console Gaming
It wasn’t so long ago that kids who got the “new” Nintendo 8-bit gaming console or the Sega system for Christmas were the envy of every less fortunate and burned out Atari owning neighborhood playmate. As time elapsed, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and NES’s Turbo Graphix 16 became all the rave. Anyone now in their twenties can recall being impressed by the awesome advancements in playability and graphic display of the Nintendo 64 and Sega’s Dreamcast system, and even more recently (only five or so years ago) the advent of Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s Game Cube, and the Play Station by Sony. The Video Gaming industry has made great strides in the past twenty years: from slow-moving, barely recognizable forms on screen in original Atari games such as Pac-Man, Calga, and Tron, to the extremely vivid and life-like graphics of Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell, and Tekken; available for the Xbox and Play Station. Now, just in time for Christmas 2005, Microsoft has made the next move in the continuing race for Video Gaming Supremacy with the introduction of the Xbox 360. The result is truly phenomenal.
The Xbox 360, as with all video game consoles, is basically just a computer with hardware and software dedicated to the function of running video games. The original Xbox was pretty much just a Microsoft PC with a modified Pentium III processor, some powerful graphics and audio capabilities, and a modified version of the Windows 2000 operating system, all packaged in that distinctive black box.
This year Microsoft has released two versions of the Xbox 360: the Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System. The Xbox 360Core System is “plug and play”, that is, that in addition to the console, it includes an integrated controller and an AV cable. The Xbox 360 (not the “Core system”) comes with a wireless controller, an HD AV cable, an Ethernet connectivity cable, a headset, a media remote, and a removable 20-GB hard drive.
For anyone who thought the original Xbox was a technological marvel, you must try this out! As amazing and realistic as the play on the first Xbox was, the Xbox 360 makes its predecessor look tired and worn-out. Microsoft has rebuilt the Xbox from the ground up. From the name to the look, from hardware to features, the Xbox 360 is a radically different and more powerful machine than the original Xbox. Far more than a video game console, the Xbox 360 is a total media center that allows users to play games, network with other 360 owners; rip, stream and download all types of media, including high-definition movies, music, digital pictures and game content, as well as play DVD movies and audio CD’s.
The Xbox 360 will revolutionize the gaming world. Microsoft has definitely set the new standard in video game technology.
Find More Gaming Computer Articles