Ranting Kenya

This game really looks like it’s going to deliver.

In my last post, I mentioned a new feature for the Xbox 360. Soon, Xbox 360s everywhere will have the ability to download a game from a game disc onto the hard drive. This is a fantastic feature that I will use a lot. I’m probably more excited about this than any game they could’ve announced. Obviously there are many advantages:

• When you pack your 360 and head for the cabin, or go camping, or a friends house, you can have all your games without all the extra baggage. Personally I have 13 games for 360 now, and taking that many discs around everywhere is quite a task.
• Moving your 360 around the house is now far more convenient.
• Taking your hard drive to your friends house and having all of your games would be awesome.
• Xbox Live Arcade probably first made me realize that I wanted this feature. Wireless controllers that turn on the console are great, but getting up to change the game disc breaks the whole “wireless” illusion/advantage. This fixes this now. Now I don’t have to get up from the couch.
• Hopefully cross game invites from friends will be much smoother now.
• Faster load times should benefit everything accross the board (since a hard drive is faster than an optical drive). I’m really hoping this will kill the texture popping issues that many games have (especially the Unreal Engine 3 based games).
• Quieter game operation. I don’t know what it is, but my 360 Elite has the loudest disc drive of any 360 I have encountered. Not having that thing spinning will help on those late night gaming sessions.

But I Still Have Some Questions

So, more details are now needed.

1. When will the dashboard update with this enhancement be available?
2. There must be some kind of DRM? What’s the deal with it?
3. What stops me from renting all the games from blockbuster and putting them on my console?
4. Will the game downloaded from the disc onto the hard drive share the already created game saves?
5. If I copy a game to my hard drive, then sell the disc to someone else, does my downloaded copy still work?
6. If I rent a game from Blockbuster, can I copy them to the hard drive aswell?
7. And what about purchasing used games from Electronics Boutique?

How Did We Not See This Coming?

Microsoft has done a lot of things in the last few years that is really pushing digital distribution, getting away from the office desk and into the living room and making the 360 the “do everything” box.

When the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray format war was raging on, maybe people speculated that MS wasn’t putting either drive in the actual Xbox because they were skipping that whole generation of content. Bill Gates even said it would be the last physical format. He didn’t say that Microsoft would be starting the next big thing so soon.

They have their Xbox Live Marketplace which allows people to download movies and game content from the internet to their consoles. Sure, games demos, live arcade games and movies are all find and good, but this is a much bigger deal to me as a gamer

Although these games will have to come in disc form first, having the games available on the hard drive will become an absolute necessity. Imagine now the next generation Xbox. I would bet, that every game will be available for download. It has been talked about before as the future, and this is a big step in that direction.

It now appears that the whole “Xbox Originals” program is really just a test bed for a far greater product. Xbox originals allows 360 owners to download select original xbox games to the console’s hard drive and play them from there

Throw in the digitally distributed XNA creators club games, the xbox live community, windows media center streaming and downloadable movies and you have a really compelling box in your living room. Then you add in their newly announced Netflix deal (please make it available to Canadians), and it’s a no brainer.

It also seems that this new 360 with the 60GB hard drive was basically announced so even the cheapest of the 360 gamers can enjoy this ability.

Updated

After writing this post, many sources are reporting that the game will have to be in the drive for the downloaded games to work. To that I say, FAIL. MS, I understand you don’t want crazy game copying. However, you’ve never been afraid to DRM the hell out of everything. In this case, you should’ve come up with some kind of DRM solution so I DON’T HAVE TO HAVE THE DISC IN THE DRIVE. You just about came up with the best feature ever. So close, but still so so far. Funny how that little tidbit wasn’t on Major Nelson’s post. Seriously, game performance better skyrocket, otherwise why would I bother doing this?

Ok, seriously. I wanted this so super bad, and I never knew I wanted/needed it.

· Here is a look at some additional features you will find interesting:· Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.

· Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.

Some of the features in the new Xbox experience (8 person chat, VGA support and more) - Xbox Lives Major Nelson

Now I can download the rock band tracks from work, but more importantly, when I go camping, I don’t have to pack ALL THOSE GAMES DISKS! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Also, my dvd drive in my 360 elite is stupid loud.

Tags: xbox, xbox 360, 360, gaming

Last year was a great year in gaming. But, I have a feeling that this year could be equally as awesome. Here’s a list of some games that I am looking forward to.

Coming soon

NHL 09

NHL 08 was probably the best hockey game ever created since the original on ice. The controls were excellent, the game played like hockey, and I feel it was the perfect blend of simulation/arcade hockey. Most of the things that I didn’t like about NHL 08 sound like they’ll be fixed for 09 (aka “heat seeking ass missile hip checks”). Plus now Dion Phaneuf is on the cover. Other things I hope they fix is the online play (didn’t work that well on my 360 for some reason), add good online leagues, and please EA update the rosters every month (at least) rather than quarterly.

Star Wars - The Force Unleashed

This is probably the first Star Wars game that I’m actually excited for since Knights of the Old Republic (previously TIE Fighter). I like the idea of just throwing guys around, and a compelling new storyline. Hopefully the controls and everything holds up.

Quantum of Solace

Similarly to the Star Wars games, there’s been a fantastic Bond game, and a lot of not fantastic Bond games. The movie Casino Royale ruled, I’m hoping this game will pick that up and carry it to the next movie. 1up’s Garnett Lee’s preview is making me feel better about a new Bond game. I played lots of the others. They were… forgettable.

Gears of War 2

I enjoyed the first Gears game, though not as much as some other people. Basically, if the online is actually fixed, I’ll probably play this a lot. Probably won’t unseat COD4 as my main online game however. I liked the single player though on the first, so I’m happy with a good campaign for the second.

Far Cry 2

I really liked Crysis for the PC. I liked it a whole lot until the aliens appeared. The alien sections were still good, but I really enjoyed fighting the Koreans. Hiding in the bushes, using my suit’s abilities, try different methods for my encounters was a lot of fun. Far Cry 2 feels like it could be the perfect shooter to itch that that non-COD4 shooter itch. There’s no suit abilities, but there is self-propagating brush fire! That Dunia engine looks crazy too. I think I’d like to play it on PC (especially if I can get some gamerscore for my Xbox Live account), rather than Xbox 360. May even get a second 8800GT so I can go SLI for this game.

Red Alert 3

I’ve played all the C&C’s and Red Alerts. I’ve always preferred Red Alert, and this one looks wicked. Again, probably play in on PC.

Spore

I know this is on everybody’s list. I’m not all that stoked about it, but it seems new and unique enough that I probably shouldn’t skip it.

Halo Wars

Here’s another title I’d like to play on PC, though I’m not sure it’s announced for PC yet (or if it will be at all). I do however believe it will hit PC eventually. It really looks like a fun game. I hope it’s story is as epic as the original Halo. I’d like to experience that awe that I did in the first game.

Tiberium

I’ll probably wait for the reviews on this one. Maybe I’ll just rent it. Need more info. It has my attention, for now at least.

Crysis Warhead

I liked Crysis, this is more Crysis. Hopefully lots of Korean encounters. Maybe I can turn the graphics up a bit more on this one.

Coming Whenever

I know these games aren’t coming anytime soon, but I’m waiting…

Bioshock 2

Seriously, how good was the first one? So good. Hopefully the story is as good. This game definitely gave me the original Halo awe that I was talking about.

Bungie’s Next Project

Whatever it is, it will be quality. Maybe it’ll finally be Pimps at Sea.

Assassin’s Creed 2

Lots of people didn’t care for the original, I however was not one of them. I really really liked it. Plus the cliffhanger at the end of the original really hooked me for the next story. I didn’t like the whole modern/middle ages take on the last game until the end of the game, now I’m way into it.

The next X-Com

If some developer could capture the essence of the original, and slap a new coat a paint on it, then add more modern game design concepts, then the world might implode. I played the first a lot, even though I never finished it. It was very hard, though one of my buddies beat it. Once the aliens went all nutty on the Psionics, I was finished. Still, I really want to play a good modern sequel to this game.

The Next Knights of the Old Republic

Because the first two games were so good. I really like the original best between the two. Also, if they could kill the silly loading screens and make the interface quicker, then it would sell like crazy.

Mass Effect 2

Basically the same for me as KOTOR. Kill the loading screens.

Already Released, Need to Play/Finish

I’ve played these already, or even own them, but need to finish them.

Rainbow Six Vegas

It’s sitting on my shelf, just waiting for me to play. I would’ve played this game when it came out, but my money and time went the Gears of War instead.

Lego Star Wars - The Complete Saga

I’m really just waiting for this game to be sold for like $30. Then I’m in.

Half life 2 - Episode One/Two

Loved the game, need to continue the story. I know I’m way behind on this one, but there was this Portal…

Civilization IV

I’ve played this game a certain amount, but is there ever enough time for Civ?

Company of Heroes

I’ve played against the PC a lot, but not so much that I’ve finished Opposing Fronts. I should probably play this game online some. It is the best strategy game to be released in my opinion.

Sins of a Solar Empire

Actually, this game might be a little too epic for me. But it is fun.

Lost Planet

Again, really liked the demo, but my money went somewhere else.

Dead Rising

I played the demo too, loved it, but didn’t buy it. Maybe when it’s in the cheap bin.

Star Wars - Empire at War

My PC can handle it now, so I just have to get into it.

Movies

Just thrown in for good measure.

The Dark Knight

Batman Begins was the absolute best Batman movie ever. Christian Bale is an awesome actor, and Batman is awesome, so The Dark Knight is awesome. Plus this film was filmed on IMax film, not adapted like to many other IMax movies. Going to be so good.

Step Brothers

C’mon, it looks so funny. What a hilarious idea.

I just knew they couldn’t stomach an unlimited plan. I just knew it. It is however still a pretty good data plan for Canada…

Here we have it, iPhone 3G pricing for our better mannered, gun-toting friends up north. All the plans from Rogers Wireless require that lovely, three-year contract and include visual voicemail, free evenings and weekends, and unlimited WiFi at all Rogers and Fido hotspots. The plans start at $60/month for 150 minutes of voice and just 400MB of data before topping out at $115/month for 800 minutes voice and up to 2GB of data. None of these plans offer unlimited data as previously rumored.

Rogers announces iPhone 3G plans, unlimited data isn’t one of them - Engadget

Tags: iphone, rogers, mobile, data

This information would have been really, really helpful to have had yesterday afternoon when the announcement was made (though certainly part of the blame rests with me for not checking to see if Rogers’ website had been updated.) You guys are technology companies, right? And you deal with communications services and such? Maybe next time you could send me an e-mail, or (gasp) pick up the phone and call. Seriously. WTF.

Load This - Apple (p)i(e)Phone

Tags: rogers

On July 11 no less.

Gee, I wonder what it could be? Rogers, who are you kidding? You’ll hold out all your information until the last dying second won’t you?

Well, Apple’s WWDC event for 2008 has had it’s keynote now. As expected, the 3G iPhone has been unveiled. I must say, this phone does actually make the previous iPhone look kinda light in the features department. The wireless speed alone is a big difference, the GPS tracking should be awesome (doesn’t cost extra money to have like on my Moto Q). So July 11 should be a big day in Canada and elsewhere.

But aside from a release date from Apple (a search on Rogers’ reveals no matches whatsoever for “iphone”), there is no price information on the Canadian page. Two screenshots below show the differences between the US and Canadian pages.

US Page:

Canadian Page:

Also, there’s no info on data plan rates either. I find this interesting since it was heavily speculated that Canada may have been left out of the last round of iPhones due to Rogers’ data plan greed. But $199 sounds good to me.

At any rate, at least now there’s a date.

Seriously, this is a great idea, and I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. It seems like it would also be a good way to roll out your wireless access points across the house too, if you have signal connection issues.

The D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit (DXN-221) is ideally suited for adding bandwidth-demanding applications such as high-definition (HD) media streaming, music sharing and online multi-player gaming to the home network. The DXN-221 comes with two adapters, each of which includes an Ethernet port as well as a Coaxial F-type connector for bridging the two adapters together. The adapters may also be purchased individually (DXN-220).Users can easily connect the D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter to their existing router and then to an available coaxial outlet in the home, enabling network and Internet access to multiple rooms. A second adapter is added in another room to connect Ethernet-enabled devices like PCs and media players. The DXN-221 may be used in rooms with multiple devices by connecting a switch to the adapter to connect additional devices.

D-Link Introduces Ethernet-to-Coax Kit for Extending the Home Network Using Existing TV Cabling in the Home

Tags: network, ethernet

Here’s just a snippet of the intro from Ars Technica. It’s an interesting post to read.

It’s hard to imagine a time at which touting your own downloadable video store makes less sense than when you’re on the hot seat for throttling all P2P traffic, much of which competes with Bell to offer video (including entirely legal BitTorrent downloads from the CBC).

Bell Canada opens online video store as P2P debate rages on

Tags: media, video, net neutrality, bell, p2p, traffic shaping