Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft has just confirmed that a group of hackers have indeed accessed the Xbox Live accounts of several of its past and present “high-profile” employees. News of the breach was first reported by Ars Technica, which itself had been the victim of a DoS attack this last weekend, potentially linked to the same group. Evidence pointing to hacking collective Team Hype’s alleged involvement surfaced when videos depicting its efforts were found online; videos that demonstrated the group’s reported use of illegally obtained Social Security data to gain access to and sell off Xbox Live user accounts. According to Microsoft’s recently issued statement, the company’s working with authorities to “disable this current method” and cut off the possibility of future attacks. For now, it appears this security compromise is unrelated to a UK incident which saw Microsoft’s Xbox Entertainment Award voting app temporarily expose user data. We’ll update you as soon as we hear more.

Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft

Comments

Source: Ars Technica

As if it wasn’t bad enough that some of our games require an always-on connection, but it looks like rumors of the next-gen Xbox having an always-on requirement could turn out to be true after all. According to website VGLeaks, they seem to have obtained a set of screenshots which takes them through the Xbox “Durango” dev kit installation process, revealing the always-on requirement, along with the possibility that the next-gen Xbox might do away with the need for playing games from the disc, instead opting to install the game fully onto the console’s hard drive and reading it from there instead.

This seems to be in line with the rumors that the next-gen Xbox might not be so friendly with gamers who buy used games, especially since the always-on requirement will have an activation system that will “lock” the games purchased to a single account/console. Of course since these are only rumors, it’s hard to say if they’re real or if the screenshots are photoshopped, but what do you guys think? Do any of these rumors put you off from possibly purchasing Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox console?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Final Fantasy 15 Rumored To Be In The Works, Could Be A PlayStation 4 Exclusive, PlayStation 4 And Xbox 720 Could See A Release By November,

Microsoft may force gamers of its next-gen Xbox “720″ to install all games to the internal drive rather than run them from disc, with the new console – codenamed “Durango” – also insisting on a permanent online connection. New documentation purportedly from the Durango XDK (Xbox Development Kit) and shared by Vgleaks suggests Microsoft is changing the way the next Xbox will load and handle optical media; although the console will have a Blu-ray drive, the help files confirm, it will only be used for installation.

“Every Durango console will have a hard drive, although its exact capacity has not been chosen” the XDK reads. “It will be large enough, however, to hold a large number of games. All games will be installed on the hard drive. Play from the optical disc will not be supported.”

It’s suggested that the installation system is part of Microsoft’s attempt to avoid used games being sold, with per-console activation codes for each title that cannot be revoked or exchanged with others. Earlier chatter indicated that Microsoft would use an online authentication system for this, and the XDK also mentions the connectivity requirement Microsoft will have of the new console.

“Durango will implement different power states so that it can always be powered on, but will draw minimal electricity when not in use” the document states. “The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that console software and games are always current.”

Although the purpose of such an “Always On, Always Connected” system state is described as being beneficial for the gamer themselves – meaning they can avoid lengthy boot times as well as any downtime for system updates – it also could pay dividends for Microsoft’s monitoring of what titles owners are running. Without a connection, the console will presumably not play any games whatsoever, meaning it won’t be possible to install someone else’s copy but avoid the online activation process.

One small saving grace is the promise that players won’t have to wait for protracted installation processes to be completed before they can start the game. Microsoft is apparently working on a system whereby a title can be played midway through the first-time installation, reducing the amount of frustrating delay.

“Durango consoles will have a Blu-ray Disc drive. Disc media will be used for distribution, but during gameplay games will not use content from the optical disc. An installation system is being designed that will allow gamers to begin playing while the game is being installed on the hard drive rather than waiting until installation is complete” Microsoft

Still, limits on used games seldom meet with approval from either gamers or retailers, many of whom argue that since they’ve paid for the title, they should be able to do what they like with it. One possibility, however, is that while authentic the XDK information could be based on old policies. The Verge claims to have separately substantiated the files, but points out that they date from 2012 and as such Microsoft might have tweaked its approach to copyright and activation in the meantime.

The Xbox 720 is shaping up to be a significantly more “aware” console than its predecessor. Another mandatory component is a new Kinect sensor, smaller and more efficient than the existing sensor-bar, with a broader field of view, HD video support, and better low-light performance. It’s also believed to be able to track more people simultaneously: up to six at a time, rather than the current Kinect’s two.

Xbox 720 demands installed games and always-on activation leak suggests is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’ve seen some neat rings in the past as we’ve seen ones that shows your love for Atari, doubles as a USB key, and a set of engagement rings based on a truly iconic exchange of words in Star Wars. A new ring we came across shows off your love for your Xbox 360, even though this is the final year it’ll be relevant.

The Xbox Ring was created by Brittany Foster of Bmf Jewelry who fancies up an eternity ring by replacing the diamonds with four mini-Xbox controllers with each controller having four sets of grouped stones, representing the Xbox 360′s controller button colors. The stones that are included in the Xbox ring contains four rubies, four emeralds and eight sapphires, four of which are yellow and the others are blue. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Draw Something 2 Leaked, PS3 Briefly Priced At $25… By Error,

The Xbox 360 is continuing its dominance as the best-selling console in the US. Microsoft has announced that they sold 302,000 consoles in February, making it the 26th straight month that the Xbox 360 has been on top in the US. Meanwhile, though, Nintendo Wii U sales continue to slump, with only 64,000 consoles sold during the month of February.

The Wii U had a really rough January, seeing sales as low as 57,000, but while February sales of the new console saw a jump by 40%, that only means that the Wii U sold 64,000 units, which is still lower than the lowest that the PS3 or the Xbox 360 has ever gotten. It’s said that January was a particularly bad month for the Wii U due to holiday backlash and people returning the console to stores.

However, as for the Xbox 360 console, it holds 41% of the market share among current-generation consoles, and the total money spent on the Xbox 360 in February — including hardware, software and accessories — was the most for any console in the US. Some pretty impressive numbers considering that Microsoft hasn’t lost the number one spot in over two years.

Total video game sales for February topped out at $810 million, which is actually down 25% from the same time last year. Console sales racked up $244.2 million, video game sales reached $369.9 million, and accessories rang in at $213.9 million while also boasting just a 3% drop from last year, while all other categories dropped 25% or more.

[via Gamasutra]

Xbox 360 best-selling console in US for 26th straight month, Wii U struggles is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.