Living LIVE News Report 12.05.11
Posted by Trace Aber on 12.05.2011
News and thoughts on the latest trailer for Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition, the FIFA phishing scam continuing despite EA's best efforts, the legalization of jailbreaking consoles, the announcement of the South Park RPG and more!
REPLY POSTED
A lot of people chimed in on what they thought about Microsoft's plan to release two SKUs for the Xbox 720, similar to what they did for the 360.
The only way the two SKU's would work is if the lower model could be upgraded to the higher model.
I work at Eb Games and the amount of parents that buy the 4gb 360 from a department store, than come to my store and complain that Forza 4 and other games don't work properly.
Posted By: Dynomite (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 02:02 AM
The 2 skus options works. They just further differentiated it. Price point is a huge factor for casual gamers so selling them a device that is essentially a casual machine at a low price is smart.
I like the idea that the lower model could eventually be converted into the higher model via additional add-ons. have USB optical drives or an expandable harddrive. Sure it would cost more long term (like the current xbox scheme) but short-sighted consumers won't think about it when they initially purchase.
Posted By: Shio (Guest) on November 28, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Sounds like the low-end SKU might just be a kinect TV portal and play games made just for it - like XBLA style games. People are already used to that differentiation thanks to the iFamily, where games might run on the iPad but not the iPhone or the iPhone 3GS but not the 3.
That would let them do a low-cost version for the people who want simple games and workout stuff, while putting out a high-end version that's aimed at the hardcore.
Posted By: lol (Guest) on November 30, 2011 at 03:03 PM
MSFT has to use two SKUs in order to compete with what Apple and Sony are doing. They need to cultivate their ecosystem and try to build their closed network like iOS. TV, Phone, Tablet, and PC will offer an experience that syncs across all screens and a lighter box that fosters this for TV makes sense.
They can continue to produce a dedicated game console for gamers but a dumbed down box that mostly focuses on media with some games makes sense as well.
Posted By: Wii60 (Guest) on December 02, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Everybody seems to agree that as long as the lower-end model can easily (if not more costly) be upgraded when the purchaser so desires. It makes sense too, though it might be difficult if the low end model comes without an optical disk drive. I can't imagine a USB-optical disk drive being offered at a reasonable price for the 720, at least not what more casual fans would be willing to pay. That being said, I don't think it's a bad idea at all, and allows for everybody to get a system that works best for them. These are all rumors though, so we'll have to wait and see what actually happens.
PdM gives us a brief rundown of The Sun (who he seems rather friendly with), and lol gives us more insight as to why the 360 version of FIFA is being targeted in the recent Xbox LIVE "hacks" and not the PS3 version. Believe it or not, this story is still going on, with the latest details in our lead story.
The Sun is owned by News Corp, the same people that own Fox News in the states. They are known for their ill thought and poor journalism that frankly extends no further than your average idiotic white van tradesman. You think News Corp would be more careful in their stories considering the parliamentary review that's going on now.
Posted By: PdM (Guest) on December 01, 2011 at 01:51 AM
The real problem with the FIFA hack is that the 360 version allows you to trade those coins. On the PS3 you can't so there's no way to monetize the hack.
Posted By: lol (Guest) on November 30, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Welcome everyone to another issue of the Living LIVE News Report, and as always, I'm your host for the evening, Trace Aber.
FIFA Still Being Phished
In a story that has been evolving for over two months now, it appears that despite Microsoft continually trying to stop the problem, certain Xbox LIVE members are still finding suspicious purchases on their credit cards that for some reason were being sent to other machines.
For a quick refresher, the phishers scoop up other's account info, buy a bunch of Microsoft Points, purchase FIFA Ultimate Team Cards, and then auction the cards off, some for nearly $300 a pop. For something being fairly simple, the results seem to be rather lucrative.
Electronic Arts has been diligent in trying to help users spot the difference between a real site and a fake site. With all of that being said, these can only remain as a stern warning, since EA has nothing to do with Xbox Live security or any transaction that goes down.
One writer over at VentureBeat became a victim of the hack, noting he had 6,000 (around $80) Microsoft points purchased from his account, which he was immediately unable to access. Once he went through the LIVE website to access his account again, he learned that FIFA 12 had recently been played on his account, and well, we know where this goes. Thankfully the writer's bank was helpful in refunding the money, though the three achievements he earned through the phishing was just the final slap in the face.
Microsoft's stance on the issue hasn't changed much in the last week, however;
"It is important for us to reconfirm that the Xbox Live service has not been hacked. Some of our customers have been the victims of internet fraud on their accounts. This is a frequent issue that all internet and e-commerce sites and services experience every day. These threats include phishing, brute force attacks, malware, third-party security breaches and in-game scamming / social engineering.
Customers who use the same identity and log-in details across multiple online sites and services are more vulnerable against these everyday internet threats. As ever, we advise customers to be vigilant, and provide further advice on account security across Xbox 360, internet websites and email at www.xbox.com/security.
Of the tens of millions of Xbox Live customers (there are 35 million active members) using the service daily, these issues are affecting a very small percentage of users globally.
Security in the technology industry is an ever-evolving challenge. With each new form of technology designed to deter attacks, the attackers try to find new ways to subvert it. Over time, account security features have been added to help protect our customers' accounts, and we will continue to add features and processes.
As always, Xbox Live customers who have any queries or concerns should contact Xbox Live Customer Service on 0800 587 1102 [in the UK] or visit www.xbox.com/security."
If lol is correct that players can successfully trade and sell these cards for real life money on the 360 version but not the PS3, then the reasoning behind the scam becomes much clearer. But the question isn't so much how the phishers are doing it but how they're getting away with it. The VentureBeat writer suggests that it's simply due to it being easier to recover an Xbox LIVE account than it is a PSN account.
It appears to me that it is far too easy to recover someone's full Xbox Live account, including profile and payment details, to another 360 console. If a hacker manages to get access to a linked Windows Live ID and password, it seems they can recover the account, access the profile information, and use the stored credit card details to make purchases.
On Playstation 3, registering an existing account on a new console is just as simple, also requiring the email address and password of the user. However, if there is a credit card linked to the account, Sony requires you to verify this information, by providing the expiry date and security number on the card. Failure to do so results in the stored card details being wiped before you are allowed access to the account.
It is such a small difference, but maybe it is the one thing currently limiting this wave of hacking to the Xbox Live network. I have contacted Microsoft to ask for comment on this issue, and am awaiting a reply.
As more and more details come of this scheme it begins to make me wonder what's really going on, and why hasn't Microsoft been able to successfully deter these guys. While it may be true that this is happening to only a handful of users, it seems to be getting enough widespread attention that uh, maybe you should fix it, Microsoft. Hell, if the real problem is simply the account recovery system too easy – make it harder. For this to go on two months is ridiculous, and even though it might not be "hacking," it's still costing people a lot of time and money.
Finally, what are the odds this has a major impact on next year's Ultimate Team? I doubt the mode will be completely eliminated, but I imagine it's methods of trade will be extremely limited. Granted, I don't know a whole lot about the mode since I've never played it, but some precaution will need to be made.
Jailbreaking Consoles May Be Legal
Ok, well, don't get your hopes just yet – but there is a possibility. As most of you already know, it's currently a-ok to jailbreak your iPhone to bypass its DRM, but as of now the same can't be said about video game consoles. In fact, it was this issue that was at the supposed heart of the PSN hacks that took place earlier this year.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, the same people who lobbied for the iPhone to be exempt from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, is asking for the same treatment of "smartphones, electronic tablets, and video game consoles", allowing users to to "run operating systems and applications from any source, not just those approved by the manufacturer".
We know that this still happens in video game consoles without the exemption, but this would make it totally legal to do so. The console makers wouldn't have to support it, but they would have to adhere to it. The EFF states that these hardware protection measures are anti-competitive and not necessarily used to just piracy.
This could have some very interesting implications if it does indeed pass. I'm not hopeful that it will, but it could make some companies nervous to enter the console marketplace if the stigma of piracy lies with consoles as well. We've already seen many major titles be delayed or not released at all on PC due to piracy, and the awful DRM protection they have on the games that do get released is awful. More on this story as it develops.
South Park RPG to be Made by Fallout: New Vegas Developers
Having conquered television, film, and more recently Broadway, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are prepping to make a video game that is truly worthy of their talents – a full on RPG. Working with THQ and Obsidian, Parker and Stone will be writing the script, performing dialogue, and overseeing development of South Park: The Game. You'll be playing as the "new kid" in South Park, performing jobs from others to defend the town from a series of threats. This will not be a cash-in, they promise, but a respectable, AAA-quality title. The game is expected to hit the second half of next year.
Microsoft Has a Good Black Friday
According to a recent Microsoft Press Release, the old Xbox 360 managed to sell 960,000 units last week, with 800,000 being sold in 24 hours. 750,000 Kinects were sold in both standalones and bundles. Some pretty damn impressive numbers, which I'm sure Microsoft will be touting for quite a while. At least until next year.
The Digital Downloads Arcade Games
Voltron (800MP)
Scene It? Movie Night (800MP) Games on Demand
MX vs ATV Alive ($19.99)
Kung Fu Panda 2 ($39.99)
Apache Air Assault ($49.99)
007: Blood Stone ($49.99)
The Theater
Defense Grid: You Monster Trailer (featuring GLaDOS from Portal!)
BioWare Pulse – Mass Effect 3 Combat
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition Version 2012 Update Trailer
Signing Out
That does it for me this week. Be sure to check back next week as we discuss all of the latest Xbox 360 news, including releases, rumors and reviews! Also, don't forget to bookmark 411Mania! And a note to all of the Indie Game developers out there – if you have an upcoming title that's going to be released soon drop me a line at traceaber@gmail.com and let me know. I'll write a full review of your game to be posted on 411Mania.com, which is a great way to get your game promoted!
I refuse to buy any digital content anyway, but Blood Stone is bloody expensive!
Posted By: Wow (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 01:04 AM
South Park is no longer a viable marketable franchise. They've fallen so far from mainstream attention that it barely qualifies as a cash-in.
It's only good when the developer comes with a proposal to the franchise holder. That way it is a quality gameplay experience first before it is a self-gratifying cash-in. Rockstar arbitrarily sought out 'the Warriors' franchise and made a damn good game out of it. Stone and Parker begging Obsidian to make their franchise relevant again doesn't seem to make for a good experience.
Posted By: Mr. Ace Crusher (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 01:33 AM
I picked up a new 360 and Kinect on MSFT's black friday sale. I got the whole package for 300. Strange thing was if you bought them separately (the 360 and Kinect) you got more games than the actual 306/Kinect bundle. Bizzaro. Still the fact that I can still sell my old white 360 used for $100 means I got the new 250GB unit for $100, not a bad trade. Now will Siri get jealous when I start talking to my Kinect enabled Xbox?
Posted By: Wii60 (Guest) on December 08, 2011 at 10:14 PM
South Park is no longer a viable marketable franchise. They've fallen so far from mainstream attention that it barely qualifies as a cash-in.
It's only good when the developer comes with a proposal to the franchise holder. That way it is a quality gameplay experience first before it is a self-gratifying cash-in. Rockstar arbitrarily sought out 'the Warriors' franchise and made a damn good game out of it. Stone and Parker begging Obsidian to make their franchise relevant again doesn't seem to make for a good experience.
Posted By: Mr. Ace Crusher (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 01:33 AM
Yeah like, you know, Janine said South Park is sooooo last week and I said yeah, I wouldn't be caught dead watching it!
lol you dork. No one gives a shit if you think it's "in" or not. Go back to watching Twilight and playing with your ipad, South Park is for a different group of people.
Posted By: Guest#4522 (Guest) on December 11, 2011 at 05:05 PM
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