Xbox LIVE Dashboard Public Preview Program goes live

It’s time to test Xbox LIVE’s latest dashboard update, due out officially this holiday. Microsoft is calling for Xbox LIVE members to test the new dashboard through a preview program that you can register for at this link. If you’re accepted, your dashboard will update to include these features: New design with integrated Kinect voice and gesture controls Beacons Facebook Sharing Cloud Storage for Game Saves and Xbox LIVE Profile On Major Nelson’s blog, he noted that there is a new model for registering for these update previews, featuring a more automated process that will not require you to type in console information before being accepted to the program.  

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Sold-out music festival coming to your Xbox LIVE Dashboard

Clear Channel Radio and Microsoft have signed a deal bringing the entirety of the iHeartRadio Music Festival right to your Xbox 360 dashboard. Tomorrow and Saturday, the music festival will come to your living room live in HD from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s supposedly celebrating the launch of customizable music stations as part of Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio app. “Since we announced the Festival in July, listener demand has been unprecedented, with fans across the country clamoring for a chance to be part of the biggest live concert in radio history, a show that sold out in just ten minutes,” said John Hogan, President and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “This partnership with Xbox 360 means that those who cannot be in Las Vegas in person will have the opportunity to experience the event as well through an HD video stream exclusively on Xbox LIVE.” And there’s a

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‘Crysis’ is doing it backwards

Crysis 2 has been out on consoles for a little while. Six months, almost. So, I don’t get why this is happening, but this October, EA and Crytek are releasing the original Crysis on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE for $19.99/1600 MSP. These downloadable titles are getting “modified and enhanced” for this release, so that might just mean toning some things down a little bit. It definitely means optimizing the Nanosuit’s controls and adding stereoscopic 3D support. Because 3D is in everything! “We are extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish with Crysis. We set out to create a next-generation FPS and delivered a PC experience that became a benchmark for quality – and still is for many gamers even four years later,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO of Crytek. “By bringing the single-player campaign to console, we believe we are again setting a new standard for quality in

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‘FortressCraft’ hits $1 million in sales

Xbox LIVE Indie Game FortressCraft has hit an incredible milestone not too long after its April 8, 2011 launch. As of now, it’s the highest-grossing Xbox LIVE Indie Game yet. The game, which sounds a lot like indie darling Minecraft in both name and gameplay senses, has officially hit $1 million in sales after selling 350,000 copies. The developers, ProjectorGames, report that a giant update is on the way that will add customizable blocks and server rankings (and more).

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Review: Fruit Ninja Kinect (XBLA)

Rating: Rating Pending Developer: Halfbrick Publisher: Halfbrick Release Date: August 10, 2011 Price: 800 MSP BUY I am not lucky enough to own an iPad. I do have friends that are addicted to Fruit Ninja on the iPad, but I never really understood it. Our conversations went like this: Me: “You mean you slice fruit with your finger?” friend1: “Yep” Me: “And this is addicting?” friend1: “Yep” Me: “um..okay” as I walk away from friend1 thinking they are losing it At San Diego Comic Con, Microsoft hosted an event where we got hands on time with games that are coming out soon. After dancing my heart out, I walked over to a guy that was just drenched in sweat. Besides being slightly grossed out, I had to ask him if he was okay. He informed me that he was playing Fruit Ninja and had to get the highest score of

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The Indie Game Uprising is upon us once more

For the love of indie games, Xbox LIVE’s independent developers are banding together to promote outstanding independent games during the Indie Game Summer Uprising, right after Xbox LIVE’s Summer of Arcade. From August 22-31, this merry band will release one game a day as voted on by developers. However, the community at large does get a chance to provide some input. From August 1-15, anyone on Facebook can vote on two favorites from the list of more than 70. The community’s two picks will release on September 1 and 2. How do you know which 10 titles make the cut? Pay attention to Twitter! The day after the polls close on August 16, the winner’s will be announced on IGSU’s Developer Twitter chat at 8 PM, which you can follow by searching the hashtag #IGSU. Don’t be afraid to talk, either! Here’s a full schedule: July 4 – July 18:

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Weekly Roundup Episode 8

Guess what? We’re on iTunes now! Click here to view our page and subscribe. Howdy! Time for another weekly roundup with the gals. This week, we talk about games that surprise us, what we’re playing, then on to the news. (Notes are below the player.) Download the file here. Elizabeth’s gamertag issue is finally resolved — with good news for everyone else in the process. Five year old makes her first game, and it’s a Magical Ponycorn Adventure! Does Kojima have the blues? Why? Violence in video games study Do video games increase joint pain in kids? We’re still giving away a scholarship to computer camp (know any girls ages 8-18?) as well as a prize pack of games (for anyone who isn’t a girl ages 8-18). Listen and let us know what you think of the show! As always, we encourage you to check out our partners in GamingAngels

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Double Fine’s ‘Trenched’ launches June 22

Double Fine announced yesterday that their latest, non-Sesame Street-related game, Trenched, will be released on Xbox LIVE Arcade on June 22, 2011 for 1200 Microsoft Points. (It’s a tower defense game.) Trenched’s Project Lead, Brad Muir, pretty much noted that words don’t even matter when we’ve got video, saying that, “You’re probably not even reading this part of the press release right now because we sent a video along with it.  And honestly that’s fine; the video has all the information you need.” You probably want to see that video — it’s the intro. Here you go.

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Opinion: Can Video Games Make A Positive Change?

We are living in the age of technology with 3D Televisions, the internet and, smart phones.  Gizmos, gadgets, electronics and social media are around every corner.  It’s kind of funny to imagine life without these things years ago.  One person can survive in the comfort of their home, never having to go out.  I’m not one to encourage hermitage, however I myself use almost all of these on a daily basis.  I’m still inclined to shop in a store versus shopping online, but that’s just me.  I have seen firsthand how gaming can bring positive changes in one’s life despite the years of negativity towards games. Through twitter, I have found GamingAngels.  The staff has embraced me as one of their own and in the months I have been working with them, have found a nice little family.  Although we are spread out across the nation, gaming, social media & the

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Review – Section 8: Prejudice (XBLA)

Rating: T (for Teen) Genre: Shooter Developer: TimeGate Studios Publisher: TimeGate Studios Release Date: April 20, 2011 BUY There is nothing like a shooter to get your blood pumping, your heart racing, or colorful adjectives flying straight from your mouth. This is where Section 8: Prejudice delivers. It has what you would expect from a science fiction first person shooter:, beautiful interaction of futuristic technology such as mechs and jet packs, the storyline that makes you wonder how it ends, and the satisfaction of destroying the enemy. Section 8: Prejudice is the second game in the series of first person shooters found the Xbox Live Arcade. The first game, Section 8 is a still availble on Xbox Live Arcade if you are interested in picking up the first game before playing Prejudice (though it is not required to play). First, make sure that you have enough space on your hard drive

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