Flay

Xbox 360 FAQ – Release Dates – Game Previews – Links

Last Update: Updated Release List– 11/14/05

All that is Xbox 360 can be found in this thread. Links are at the top of the page for quick access, unless you just love to scroll.

Flay

Xbox 360 F.A.Q.

General Questions

When is the system launching?

November 22nd, 2005 in the United States. European launch December 2nd and Japanese launch December 11th.

How much will Xbox 360 cost?

$299

Xbox 360 Console
Wired Controller

$399

Xbox 360 Console
20GB HDD
Wireless Controller
Headset
Ethernet Cable
Wireless TV Remote Control

Most stores may only sell bundles (the console, 2-3 games, and a 2nd controller) which could run you $500+.

Do I need a High Definition Television for the 360?

No, but you will really want one. All Xbox 360 games will all run in at least 720p with a 16:9 aspect ratio. But when playing on a 4:3 display, games will run in widescreen by default, though gamers will have the option to switch to 4:3 should they so choose. Designers are very much encouraged to design their games so that they're playable in a 4:3 ratio, with dialog text, HUDs and those sorts of things appearing properly at 4:3.

Will Xbox 360 be backwards compatible?

Yes! 214 titles at launch with many more to be added in the future. Check out the list here: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/back...ygameslist.htm

How many games will be available at launch?

According to Microsoft, 25 to 30 games will be available within the first 45 days of launch.

What are the basic specs for the Xbox 360?

3 IBM 3.2 Ghz CPU’s
500 MHz ATI GPU with 10 MB embedded DRAM
512 MB RAM
20 GB hard drive
12X DVD-ROM
Support for up to 4 wireless game controllers
3 USB 2.0 ports.
1 Ethernet port
Wi-fi Ready (Adaptor sold separately)
Video Camera Ready (Camera sold separately)
Dimensions: 309 mm wide x 83 mm high x 258 mm deep or 12.15 in wide x 3.27 in high x 10.15 in deep Picture
Weight: 7.7 pounds (3.5 kg)


Peripherals

What peripherals can I buy for the 360?

$99.99 Hard Drive: 20 Gig

$19.99 Interchangeable faceplates: Some faceplates will draw power from the USB port allowing it parts of it to glow, while others could have an integrated memory card that would have themes such as dashboard skins and related sound effects.

$39.99 64 mb Memory Cards:Comes with portable carry case that fits on your keychain. Picture

$29.99 Universal Media Remote: Keypad is backlit. Picture

Xbox Live Camera: VGA 640x480 video at 30 frames per second and takes 1.3-megapixel (1280x1024 resolution) still photos. Stills can be taken for your use in the UI, game, or in the moment of glory. Picture

$19.99 Xbox 360 Headset: Included with console. New adjustable boom microphone. Picture

$99.99 Wireless Network Adapter: supports 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a. Picture

$19.99 Play & Charge Kit: 9 foot long AC charger that will recharge the controller while you play and allow you to use the controller when the power is low. Includes NiMH rechargable battery that recharges in 6-8 hours and has a battery guage to indicate power level. Picture

$49.99 Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: Included with console; 30 foot range. AA batteries last 40 hours with force feedback enabled and the rechargeable batteries last 25-30 hours on a charge.

$39.99 Xbox 360 Controller: Nine foot long cord.

Cables:Component HD AV Cable ($39.99), VGA Video Cable($39.99), S-Video/Composite AV Cable($29.99).



Xbox Live

Can I register a gamertag now?

Yes. Go to http://www.xbox.com/en-US/myxbox/myprofile.htm and sign up.

What’s the difference between Xbox Live Silver and Xbox Live Gold?

Xbox Live Silver completely free. You get access to Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade, Community and Communication Features, and Limited Online Multiplayer Gaming (an occasional free weekend of Gold membership).

Xbox Live Gold is everything mentioned above along with online multiplayer gaming all the time. The first month is free. After that, the price will probably be the same as it is now, around $50 a year.

What are the new features of Xbox Live?

Xbox Live Marketplace allows you to download demos, trailers, episodic content, levels, weapons, vehicles, and more. Eventually, players will be able to open their own “Ebay-inspired” storefront’s and sell player created content. You will be able to design game content on your PC using tools that could be available on the game DVD and then stream them over to the XBox360.

Marketplace Picture

Xbox Live Arcade gives you access to old school arcade games and lots of card games. This will also be integrated with video chat which will allow you to talk and play at the same time.

Live Arcade Picture

Your new friends list keeps track of your friends and what games they are currently playing. If you are watching a movie or don't wish to be disturbed, you can list yourself as Busy. Each player's reputation is also listed in the Friend's view. Microsoft describes a player's reputation as their equivalent of an Ebay reliability rating, though it is more sensitive to time.

Invite Screen & List with Reputations

There is also a new feedback option that passes data into the matchmaking system. Rating someone positively tells the system that you would enjoy being matched with them in the future. Rate someone negatively and you will most likely never see them again.



Media Capabilities

Will custom soundtracks still be available?

Yes, all games will support custom soundtracks.

Can I use my Ipod or PsP with the Xbox 360?

Yes. From the two USB ports on the front of the system (one in the back), you can attach any portable MP3 player and stream music through the console. Songs that you've downloaded from iTunes (with their DRM entact) will not be playable through the Xbox 360 dashboard, but any other MP3 files that you've stored on your iPod will work just fine.

Also, the console is fully compatible with the latest version of Windows Media Center, so gamers with a home network can use 360 to stream music and HD movies from their PC.

Media Center Picture, Music Playlist Picture, Play screen with Visualizer, High Def Visualizer

Flay

None of these titles have true release dates yet. This list is a combination of IGN, Gamespot, TeamXbox, Ebgames, and Gamestop lists along with judgement of the most likely games to be released at launch. Dates will be updated when provided.

Xbox 360 Release List

11/08/05

Kameo: Elements of Power

11/15/05

Amped 3
Call of Duty 2
Condemned: Criminal Origins
FIFA Soccer 2006
Gun
Madden NFL 2006
NBA 2K6
NBA Live 2006
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
NHL 2K6
Perfect Dark Zero
Project Gotham Racing 3
Quake 4
Ridge Racer 6
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006
Tony Hawk: America Wasteland

11/21/05

King Kong

12/01/05
Dead Or Alive 4

12/05/05

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

01/01/06

College Hoops 2K6
Top Spin 2

02/01/06

Gears of War
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Test Drive Unlimited

02/07/06

Frame City Killer

02/21/06

Full Auto

03/01/06

Burnout Revenge
Godfather, The
Prey
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 4

6/30/06

Halo 3

Q3 2006

Tracer

TBA 2006

2 Days to Vegas
Afterburner
Alan Wake
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Blue Dragon
The Darkness
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball 2
Dead Rising
Demonik
Dirty Harry
Dog Tag
Final Fantasy XI
Huxley
Lost Oddyssey
Ninety-Nine Nights
The Outfit
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Possession
Project Delta
Saint's Row
Scarface: The World is Yours
ShadowClan
SSX 4
Stranglehold
Theseis
Tomb Raider Legend
Too Human: Part 1
True Crimes 2
Ultimate Spider-Man
Unreal Tournament 2007

Spring 2007

ShadowClan

TBD

Dark Sector
Resident Evil 5

Flay

Xbox 360 Game Previews

Action:

Alan Wake IGN – Gamespot
Battle Angel Gamespot
Chrome Hounds Gamespot
The Darkness Gamespot
Dead Rising IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox
Demonik IGN – Gamespot
Dirty Harry Gamespot
Frame City Killer Gamespot - TeamXbox
The Outfit IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox
Saint's Row IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox
Scarface: The World is Yours IGN – Gamespot
Stranglehold Gamespot

Action/Adventure:

2 Days to Vegas Gamespot
The Godfather IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox
Kameo: Elements of Power IGN - Gamespot - TeamXbox
King Kong IGN – Gamespot
Ninety-Nine Nights IGN – Gamespot
Secret Service Gamespot
Shadowclan Gamespot
Splinter Cell 4 Gamespot
Tomb Raider: Legend IGN - Gamespot

Fighting:

Dead or Alive 4 IGN - Gamespot

Racing:

Full Auto IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox
L.A. Rush IGN
Need for Speed: Most Wanted IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
Project Gotham Racing 3 Gamespot
Test Drive Unlimited IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox

RPG:

Blue Dragon IGN – Gamespot
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion IGN - Gamespot
Fable 2 Gamespot
Final Fantasy XI Gamespot
Lost Odyssey IGN - Gamespot

Shooter:

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat IGN - Gamespot
Call of Duty 2 IGN - Gamespot - TeamXbox
Condemned: Criminal Origins IGN – Gamespot - TeamXbox
Dark Sector Gamespot
Dog Tag Gamespot
Gears of War IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
Halo 3 Gamespot
Huxley Gamespot - TeamXbox
Perfect Dark Zero IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
Prey Gamespot
Project Delta Gamespot
Quake 4 Gamespot
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 3 IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
Unreal Tournament 2007 IGN

Sports:

Amped 3 Gamespot – TeamXbox
College Hoops 2K6 Gamespot
Fifa Soccer 2006 IGN – Gamespot – TeamXbox
Madden NFL 2006 Gamespot – TeamXbox
NBA 2K6 IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
NBA Live 06 IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
NHL 2K6 IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 IGN - Gamespot
Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland IGN – Gamespot
Top Spin 2 IGN - Gamespot – TeamXbox

Strategy:

Possession IGN – Gamespot

Flay

Xbox 360 Links

Just a growing collection of useful links about the 360.

Xbox.com – Xbox360.com

J Allard Video Interview

TeamXbox:

Taking a Spin with the Xbox 360
Xbox 360 Dissected
The Xbox 360 System Specifications
Xbox 360 Software and Services Features
Xbox 360 Peripherals

IGN:

More In depth F.A.Q.

Movies and Screenshots:

Xbox 360 Movies
Excellent site for screenshots and game trailer torrents

Technical breakdown of the 360's hardware:

Link

Backwards Compatibility:

The Guy in Charge of the project

The Xbox 360 Interactive Kiosk:

The Xbox 360 Retail Experience

Trigger

Wow... you sure did alot of work here. Nice job.

K&AJones

All I can say is excellent work man. You look at that list then realize how far away the 360 is set to be out and then start thinking what's it going to be like this time next year...it's down right scarry.

Also it took almost three years to start seeing games getting the most out of the XBox. Just think of what's down the pike in two or three years for the 360 compared to just the bit we're seeing now. Now that "IS" really scarry!

Great job Flay!


Kenny J. - Buzz Starhopper

DARTH GAMER

I second that! Great Job.

Gallant Pig

Great job Flay.

jeffdsmith

Nice work and thanks.

$20 bucks says there is no way 2 Rare games ship on the same date.

RyoHazuki

Nice.

Decker

fixed.

And thanks Flay, for all the hard work.

Centurion

Very nice!
I remember when you did this for the Xbox and kept a thread of the games to be released week-by-week. It was a thread I visited frequently.

Thanks [again] for doing the same for the 360.

Giantrobo

This thread has answered more of my questions in one quick straight forward read than all the other threads on 360 combined.


Thanks flay.

gr8fuldave

Nice Job Flay. I hadn't seen the headset or network adapter anywhere else. Please keep updating this. This is put together in a better package than I've seen on any of the big gaming sites.

sdcrym

So the remote is a separate purchase? For some reason I thought it was included

goLUCKY

I'm positive that'll come with the remote.

Flay

Thanks for the kudos and the stickiness! I'm out of town atm, but I will resume updating tomorrow night.

I'll probably be mostly adding to the FAQ and the links until new release dates become available. Any additional info or sites that you guys find can certainly be added.

I figured this thread will be a good place for answers to all the 360 questions that would have been posted on the forum for the next 6 months.

Trigger

Don't know if you want to note it, but neither MS or Sony revealed that the power adapters for their systems are going to be quite large. For the 360, the adapter is currently (for the beta version of the hardware, which is now fitting inside the box - as opposed to the alpha kit which was inside a G5 tower) nearly the size of a PS2. Huge. The adapter for the PS3 is likely to be as big or bigger. It'll sit behind furniture and whatever - out of the way, but MS is worried about the size of the adapter causing Japanese consumers to shy away. They are trying to reduce the size, but with the amount of power required by the components inside the console, it doesn't look like there's much choice.

Also - the prices may end up being higher than what you listed... unless something changes.

Gromit

Engadget says that there is a possibility of a $300 360 release price.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000437044859/

edstein

This thread is the bomb. Nice and tight. Great work Flay.

BeanDip0001

who needs ign for news I've got dvd talk! awesome work buddy!

Deftones

Wow, great work with this thread.

al_bundy

www.thestreet.com is reporting that pricing for the X-Box 360 is going to be in the $300 range. Sounds about right, but a little low. I think Microsoft is taking a loss on this just to hurt Sony. Most of Sony's profits are from the Playstation.

Josh H

Here's another blurb about pricing (backs up Flay's range and the post above this one) from www.1up.com.

Great work on this thread Flay!