The FNG-Spot

"Next-gen.biz: Last year Xbox 360 owners got a spring dashboard update in early May. It's now late May and you still haven't announced anything regarding this year's update. Should 360 owners be holding their breath for it?

Marc Whitten:We have taken a different approach this spring and spent a lot of our time and resources of building the proper infrastructure and scale for the service not just today but also into the future. So while most users will not notice any significant changes to the dashboard this spring, I can tell you that the team will be releasing a new digital rights management (DRM) tool next month that will allow you to better consolidate your licenses for downloaded content to a single Xbox and allow you the freedom to be able to play your content both online and offline.  
 
Next-gen.biz: There have been some high profile complaints on the web about how difficult it is to transfer things like XBLA game licenses to replacement 360s in the wake of an under warranty hardware failure. Would these changes to DRM policy address these issues, letting people who have experienced such failure re-license their purchases on their new Xbox so they don't have to be connected to Live to play? Are there any other sorts of changes to DRM policy being made here that would affect the end-user experience?

Marc Whitten: Yes, this new tool will officially launch next month on Xbox.com and will allow you to be able to consolidate these licenses onto one box so you can access things like Xbox LIVE Arcade games and TV show you have downloaded even if you are not online.  Because this involved allowing users to re-download licenses for content that belongs to our partners it has taken some time to work out the agreements with them to allow this, but we have heard the concerns from folks about DRM and are happy to announce that everything is nearly in place to roll this out in June."

 

Source: "MS to Delist XBLA Titles" - next-gen.biz

 

 

  

    - Jay 

Here's an early image of what the Special Edition would come with:

GTA IV Special Edition - What We Got:

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition - Box

GTA IV Special Edition - What's In The Box:

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition - Lockbox

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition - Duffel Bag

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition - Audio CD (not entire soundtrack)

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition - Art Book

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition - Game Disc & Key Chain

I checked my Xbox Live Friends List at one point last night and there were 19 out of 95 people online; 19 of those 19 people were playing GTA IV!! (This is going to be so much fun!!)

I've finally finished a Power Save for one of the most anticipated, not to mention best selling, games for the Nintendo Wii.... Super Smash Brothers Brawl.

This was the most requested Power Save since the Wii Power Save product first launched, and I'm happy to say that I've been able to come through.

Subspace Emissary 100 percent Complete and MUCH More!
Adventure Mode complete (all difficulties), 9999 Coins, 99x of Every Sticker & Trophy,
Gallery Complete, 7 Hammers, Every Masterpiece Unlocked, Every Music Unlocked,
Every Stage Unlocked, and best of all... EVERY Character Unlocked.

• Mega Plate Pedal Repair Kit - $12.95 +shipping
  (3/16" aircraft grade aluminum - "diamond plate" pattern - used to repair or reinforce the foot pedal)
• Billet Mega Pedal - $18.99 +shipping
  (3/16" aircraft grade aluminum - "Billet" pattern - used to repair or reinforce the foot pedal)
• Complete Billet Mega Pedal - $29.95 +shipping
  (Complete replacement pedal piece. Machined from a solid block of 6061 T6 billet aluminum.)

I ordered the pedal on March 13th and it arrived yesterday, the 17th, so I was extremely pleased with the quick processing / shipment.

When I got the Billet Mega Pedal home I immediately gathered up all of the tools I'd need to install it.

1. Cordless Drill
2. 1/8" drill bit
   Drill & bit were used to make 7 guide holes for the attachment screws.
   NOTE: These are not required since it comes with 7 self tapping screws. I drilled guide holes to make sure I inserted the screws as straight as possible.
3. Tack Hammer
4. Center Punch
   Hammer & Punch used to tap the hinge pin out of the foot pedal.
5. Phillips head screwdriver
   I strongly advise AGAINST using a powered screwdriver or drill to drive the screws into the foot pedal. The plastic is soft and the screws are extremely likely to 'strip' it. If this happens the screws will not hold.
6. Super Glue or Modeling Glue
   NOTE: Glue is not required; however, it will ensure that the Mega Pedal doesn't slip out of place while drilling guide holes or driving the self tapping screws. Gluing the Mega Pedal in place will also create a stronger bond. (I did not use glue in my installation.)

  INSTALLATION:

Rockband Foot Pedal & Billet Mega Pedal Before Installation 

STEP 1: Remove the Hinge Pin

Using a hammer, along with a punch or thin screwdriver, gently tap the hinge pin out of the foot pedal.
Once the foot pedal is removed from the base you're ready for the next step.

NOTE: You do not need to fully remove the pin from the foot pedal. When the pin has passed far enough through, 85-90%, you should be able to angle the pedal and remove it from the base.

STEP 2: Glue the Mega Pedal in place.

Using Super Glue or Modeling Glue adhere the Mega Pedal to the kick pedal. Be sure to align the toe portion of the Mega Pedal with the toe portion of the kick pedal.
NOTE: Aligning the Mega Pedal at the "toe" end of the kick pedal is crucial. If you have too much of the mega pedal hanging over the heel section, you'll run into problems reassembling the kick pedal and / or hinder its range of movement. Also, you do not need to glue the pedal in place; however, the manufacturer recommends this step. (I skipped this step and merely aligned the pieces, clamped them together securely, and drilled the guide holes.)

STEP 3: Drill the guide holes.

Once the glue has dried, use a 1/8" drill bit to create 7 guide holes from screw installation; this is prevent the screws from going in crooked.
NOTE: You do not have to drill guide holes because the Mega Pedal comes with 7 self tapping screws. I drilled guide holes to eliminate user error and be absolutely sure the screws would not be inserted at an angle.

STEP 4: Install the 7 supplied screws.

Using a Phillips head screwdriver, SLOWLY insert the supplied screws until they're snug.
NOTE: DO NOT use a power screwdriver, drill with screwdriver attachment, etc. Over tightening the screws will strip the plastic and the screws will not hold; you may end up having to purchase a new foot pedal if you ruin yours!

Billet Mega Pedal attached to Foot Pedal

STEP 5: Reassemble the foot pedal.

• Reposition the pedal into the kick pedal base. Check to be sure that the spring and the orange plastic guide have been slid into position / aligned properly.
• Again, using a hammer, gently tap the hinge pin back into the foot pedal.
  NOTE: Be sure the pin is aligned through the entire reinsertion process. There are several kick pedal variations. Some, like mine, do not have a solid piece of plastic to slide through and can easily be snapped if misaligned.
  
  

Final Assembly of Foot Pedal
 

The entire installation process only took me 30 minutes. If using super glue or modeling glue to adhere the Mega Pedal to the foot pedal, you'll have to wait until the glue is completely dry before drilling guide holes or inserting the screws.

The only big complaint I have regarding the Mega Pedal is that the pedal sent to me isn't as smooth and polished as it was advertised on their site. Mine has very visible swirls and appears a bit dull.

If you're asking the question "is it worth the money?".... The answer is a resounding YES!
If you're interested in picking one of these bad-boys up, click HERE!

OVERALL: 4/5 stars!

  

    - Jay 

BIG IN 2008 – Xbox Ultimate
 
Xbox Ultimate – the gaming daddy? We’ve already had the Xbox 360 Premium and Elite. Both are, of course, fine gaming machines with the best games catalogue in the next-gen field. But come autumn 2008, we reckon both will be rendered obsolete by the Ultimate.

This PS3-killer will benefit from almost three years of Xbox development, featuring 1080p HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, hi-def audio output, cooler 65nm hardware architecture and a near-silent fan.

 

It’ll also have the ability to make the most of the by-then established Xbox IPTV service, which will mean recording TV shows to its vast 320GB hard disk and watching live TV shows via your broadband provider.

 

But the piece de resistance? It’ll have a built-in HD DVD drive. Let Round 12 with the PS3 commence...

Source: Stuff.tv

 

No offense or anything Major, but I hope the big-wigs over there understand that the "downtime" has prohibited more than just online game play / marketplace downloads... I've been unable to access the majority of my Xbox Live Arcade titles and downloaded content due to the Xbox Live outages.

 

When I upgraded to an Elite and was told there was nothing Microsoft could do to fix the DRM issue, or enable my 40+ games to work offline, I was upset.... When nobody would listen to my rational explanations as to why the "you must stay connected to live to access content" rule would leave valued customers like myself out in the cold (when ISP / Live connectivity issues arose) I became irate... I hate to say it, but maybe if enough Live members fight the system, someone may finally listen to reason and resolve this issue once and for all.

 

So I ask you Major, is there a light at the end of this dark DRM tunnel? Will you speak with your contacts and at least inquire as to whether or not there will ever be a solution to the DRM issue plaguing our beloved Xbox 360 / Xbox Live?

 

  

    - Jay 

My wife surprised the heck out of me yet again this year.... I NEVER expected to see this bad-ass Master Chief under the tree, that's for sure.

Getting gifts is great and all, but I REALLY get a kick out of seeing the reactions / expressions on the faces of my friends, family / loved ones when they open something special.

I finally got the "OMG WTF?!?!!" reactions I've been trying for from my son and wife.... My son flipped out when he opend his Nintendo DS Lite Gold with Zelda, and my wife nearly wet herself when she tore the wrapping paper off of a new "Quad Core" PC. (She's been complaining about our PC for over a year now.)