At the moment the following Widgets and applications are available.

• Xbox Live Friends List:

This is the application that I’ve currently got installed on my iPhone. It’s a nice little application. It is very similar to the Vista Xbox Live Friends Widget but shows a lot more information. You get a breakdown of the last 15 games and their achievements for these games. Nice. Also available for IE, Firefox, MacOS, Blackberry and Palm OS.



• Warhawk Leaderboard:

It does exactly what it says on the tin description. Yep, it shows the Warhawk leaderboard. Simple, clean interface, err, yeah, that’s it.



• Halo 3 recent games:

Not tested this as I don’t have a Mac and I don’t particularly like Halo 3. But given the high standard of all the other apps, I’m sure it will be useful, just not to me.

• Go to xbox.com and sign in
• Go to support and click on the repair agent box (right side of the screen)
• Click on register a new device and enter your Xbox 360s serial number (found next to the USB ports, under the white falp on the front right of the console)
• Now click on your newly registered device (under manage devices) and click request a new repair
• Follow all the on screen instructions to “order” a repair from Microsoft
• Ignore the bit about being sent a shipping box as you will never be sent one (in the UK anyway). I confirmed with Xbox customer support that Microsoft doesn’t send out shipping boxes. You will only recieve an email containing the UPS pre-paid shipping labels



• Now check your email address (the one attached to the Xbox Live account)
• You should see an email called UPS delivery label. Click on the “retrieve UPS returns label” link and print it
• Also click on the “get the receipt” link and print it too (more about this later)
• Now find a box and pack your Xbox 360 inside it. Obviously use packing materials to protect your Xbox 360 during transit
• Attach the UPS delivery label printed earlier to the top of the box and make sure its either in a plastic pouch or covered to prevent damage. UPS need to scan it after all
• You can either request UPS to pick up your package, or you can go to a UPS drop off location
• Important: If you go to a UPS drop off location don’t forget to take the receipt that you printed out earlier. The UPS person will stamp this as proof that your Xbox 360 has been received by UPS
• Wait 2 weeks for the console to be repaired and sent back

Our repaired Xbox 360 came with a 1 month’s free Xbox Live gold membership and a letter identifying what the fault was and what they had done about it.

I hope that Microsoft has corrected the inaccurate and misleading information relating to sending you a shipping box. It caused a 2 week delay in getting our Xbox 360 fixed as I was waiting for a pesky box that was never going to arrive.

Test system:

• UK Wii Console - set to 60 Hz 4:3 screen mode
• Sony CRT TV (handles 60hz mode)
• RGB SCART lead
• COMPONENT lead - For CARNIVAL game test
• Wii FreeLoader - EURO version (£9.99 from Play.com)

Games tested and results: (GameCube unless otherwise indicated)

• PIKMIN (JAP) - Works fine
• PIKMIN 2 (JAP) - Doesn’t work
• PN03 (JAP) - Works but has squashed display
• SUPER MONKEYBALL (JAP) - Works fine
• METROID PRIME (US) - Works but with some pre-game menu issues (in game ok)
• ZELDA - WINDWAKER (US) - Doesn’t work
• ZELDA - WINDWAKER BONUS DISK - OCARINA OF TIME (US) - Doesn’t work
• RESIDENT EVIL 4 (US) - Works but has squashed display
• WAVERACE: BLUE STORM (JAP) - Works but with thin flickering band near the top of the screen. Gameplay unaffected but flickering band is annoying
• VIEWTIFUL JOE (JAP) - Works but with squashed display and playback issues with pre-menu movies
• DOBUTSO BANCHO (ANIMAL LEADER) - Works but has squashed display
• CARNIVAL (US - Wii Version) - Works but need to use COMPONENT lead otherwise the colours are all screwy (red and black)

As you can see, most of the games tested worked, but a number suffered some sort of issue. Tikipod didn’t test any JAP Wii games, as he didn’t have any available. According to one of the comments on the Play.com Freeloader product page Super Smash Brothers Brawl (US) works just fine so you can all rest easy.

Oh, and the recent reports that the latest Wii firmware update (called IOS37) disables FreeLoader is a hoax. However, with all the Wii firmware updates that Nintendo rolls out there’s no guarantee that FreeLoader won’t be disabled by one of them in the future.

Update 24th Mar 08: Carnival is a Wii game, so updated the post accordingly.

To be honest I didn’t expect them to have either. Maybe they had their hands full dealing with the rather shoddy provision of Xbox Live since Xmas and forgot about my support call?

It has now been 53 days since I first asked Xbox Live support to remove my credit card details. I’m now wondering if they actually are able to remove my card details? At this rate the card will have expired. Very, very poor service Microsoft.

Check out part I and part II of this ongoing saga.

Update 26th Mar 08: They’ve been removed. I can’t believe it. Microsoft have FINALLY done what I asked them to do over 3 and a half months ago. When I examine my LIVE account on my 360 there are no card details at all! Upon reviewing my LIVE account at http:\\billing.microsoft.com my card details have been flagged as removed (only there for historical purposes) and can’t be used or viewed. About bloody time Microsoft.

So there I was opening my Christmas presents when my mobile phone rang. It was someone from Xbox Live support about my request. Wow, they’re dedicated! We then had a fairly short conversation, in which I reconfirmed that I wanted my card details removed. They were finally going to carry out my request. However, this will take 30 days from the date of this latest call to remove my card details. In addition, I would never been able to use this credit card on Xbox Live again. Apparently, the “very complicated” process (support person’s words, not mine) to remove card details from the Xbox Live servers means that my card is essentially now blacklisted.

I was a little surprised to be called again following my discussion on the 15th Dec 07. As I’d specifically asked not to be called back and for them just to remove my card details. Ho hum. I guess the message was never typed never got though.

Here’s the time line for my support call(s) so far:

• 3rd Dec 07 - Raised original support call to remove card details.
• 4th - 14th Dec 07 - 3 missed calls from Xbox Live support.
• 15th Dec 07 - Phoned Xbox Live support - 30 days to remove card. Recurring Gold subscription stopped. Given new support call reference.
• 19th Dec 07 - 1 missed call from Xbox Live support.
• 25th Dec 07 - Informed that card details will be removed in 30 days, unable to use card again on Xbox Live. Given another new support call reference

With any luck when I post part III it will include the words “my credit card details have finally been removed.” I await this moment with bated breath. Almost….

As a “subtle” hint, you could point them towards an article I wrote a couple of weeks ago, How To Buy Video Games As Gifts. It’s a quick 5-point guide of things that may seem obvious to you and me, but your average non-gamer has probably never considered. Quick snippet:

Check which games are age-appropriate. Video games have ratings, just like movies. Not all games are appropriate for minors. If you’re an adult buying for your own child, it’s up to you to make the final decision on whether a game is appropriate.

What other how-to articles do you think would be useful for me to write?

For information about changing or cancelling your membership and your membership refund policy, go to www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

However, you can’t cancel your membership or remove your credit card details either via your Xbox dashboard or www.xbox.com/live/accounts. Even when you end up at http://billing.microsoft.com you can only change or add a credit/debit card. There is no facility what-so-ever to remove a payment method or cancel a service. Rubbish.

However, I want to stop my monthly Xbox Live Gold subscription. The only way to do this (at the moment) is by calling Xbox Support. I’ve included all the options you need to select to get you through to the relevant help desk person.

UK Xbox Support - Telephone: 0800 587 1102

• Press 1 - Xbox 360 support menu
• Then press 1 - For Xbox Live including billing enquires menu
• Then press 2 - For the cancel or enquire about your account menu
• Finally press 1 - To speak to someone about cancelling your Xbox Live subscription

After I’d said I wanted to remove my credit card details from my Xbox Live account, I was asked for the following information:

• Name
• Credit/Debit card number
• Address
• Home phone number
• Xbox Live username
• Mobile phone number

I was then given a call reference (no surprises there) and told that my request would be escalated to a special team. A member of this team would contact me (via my mobile number) within 48 hours.

The result of all this. It will take 30 days to remove my credit card details from my Xbox Live account. Yes, 30 days (I asked the help desk person to confirm this, just in case I miss heard, which they did). I find this totally unacceptable. The actual (and time-consuming) process of removing/cancelling your card details was completely glossed over in all the communications I received from Microsoft. I won’t hold my breath for the ability to cancel any subscription via the Xbox 360 dashboard. Somehow I don’t think it’s on Microsoft’s feature list (i.e it won’t make them any money). However, until they add this functionality I will not add my credit card details to my live account again.

Update 1st Jan 08: The task of removing my card details continues in part II and part III.

Others couldn’t care less about plot. They thrive on challenge, being knocked back again and again but refusing to give up. They derive some sort of sick pleasure from suffering under capricious whims of evil game designers who like to change the rules with no warning, rhyme or reason. In short, they play games like R-Type.

I don’t get it. (Obviously.) The idea of playing something over and over just to memorise the patterns and reach the end of the game bores me to tears. Perhaps there’s something physiological at work there. Perhaps these achievers get the same buzz from reaching the end of a level, that I get from learning something new about a fantasy world.

At the end of this month, the Dana Centre in South Kensington will be hosting In The Game (supported by Nintendo). They’re claiming to show how our bodies react to games by measuring excitement and stress levels. It’s even topped off with live physiological demos! (o_0)

Here are the details:

When?
21 November 2007, 7pm to 9pm

Where:
The Dana Centre
165 Queen’s Gate
South Kensington
London
SW7 5HD

How Much?
Free!

The Upcoming listing says you need to register beforehand. Drop an email to the address given at the Dana Centre’s In The Game page if you’re interested.

Maybe see you there!

Do you think the current market emphasis on MMORPGs is destroying the CRPG genre?

It’s definitely taking a bite out of the pie, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say destroying. I think it will re-stabilize in the future and we’ll see more balance than what we are seeing right now. It’s all about entertainment value… if we don’t create more value on the traditional side, well, perhaps we deserve to be destroyed.

- A conversation with Chris Taylor of Gas-Powered Games - Matt Barton

I fully agree. I think a lot of people who currently play World of Warcraft and other MMOs just wouldn’t bother with an offline version. An awful lot of players (particularly the guys) aren’t there for the immersive game world or the storyline. They’re in it for the sense of progress (ding!) and the social scene.

CRPGs give you neither.

Okay, that’s not entirely true. Let me explain: So far, there have been two types of Western computer-based RPG. On the one hand you have games like Diablo and Dungeon Siege - the hack-and-slashers. On the other is the story-driven world-builders - games like Neverwinter Nights and Elder Scrolls: Oblivion.

The first group are certainly under threat from MMORPGs, if they haven’t already been killed off. The appeal of hack-and-slash RPGs lies in the sense of achievement you get through killing mobs to gain stats and levels. MMORPGS do this extremely well, with the added bonus of bragging rights. Nobody cares that you hit level the experience cap in Baldur’s Gate. If you tell people you have a level 70 Tauren Shaman you get an appreciative “Ooooo” in pretty much any gaming circle. Inside the game world you don’t even need to tell them - you can just strut about knowing that everyone can see how much better you are. A standalone RPG simply can’t compete.

Lucky for Bioware, achievers only make up a tenth of MMORPG players.

The rest are in it for social reasons, for immersing themselves in the gameworld or for a mixture of all three motivations. Standalone CRPGs can’t compete as a tool for making new friends. That’s another 10% of MMORPGers who wouldn’t touch a CRPG with a pole. Still, what with online play, non-MMORPGs can still be every bit as good when it comes to playing with your existing friends. The place they really beat MMOs is on immersiveness.

Sure, MMOs have that persistent world. In my mind, that’s their weakness. You spend all that time killing wolves and escorting Deathstalkers and not 5 minutes later the buggers have gone and trapped themselves in the farmhouse again! Complete immersion-killer. RPG servers do their bit to address outside influences but places still remain largely unchanged by your actions.

Unlike MMORPGs, standalone CRPGs don’t need to be everything to everyone. They can just be. When you do something in an offline CRPG, it stays done. You get a real sense of progression as you play. Add to that a purpose-filled storyline that isn’t padded out with days of grind and you’ve got a winner. We all want to save the world. A standalone game universe will let you do that.

There’s plenty of place for MMOs and CRPGs. It’s time that standalone games started playing to their strengths.

Got a DS and fancy playing something that’s not a puzzle game? Yes, I know Sim City DS is available, but apart from that it’s puzzle city until Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass is released later on in the year.

Fortuantely for us Majesco Entertainment are due to release Operation: Vietnam onto the DS later in Aug/Sep 07 (exact date to be confirmed). With the emphasis placed firmly on killing rather than puzzling, it should make a nice change.

Operation: Vietnam’s feature list reads as follows:

• 20 21 jungle missions
• 4 controllable characters
• Each solider has a different speciality and available weapons
• Destructible environments
• Full control of the action via the touch screen

Later on this month we will be having an exclusive Q & A session with Operation: Vietnam’s development team.

In the meantime, take a gander at these lovely screenshots.

Screenshots:

Update 6th Jul 07: Corrected the number of jungle levels available to 21.