110°

Xbox 360 Keypad Impressions and Q&A

To get a bit more insight into the mysterious Xbox 360 QWERTY Keypad Device, TeamXbox called on the expertise of Xbox Live's Group Program Manager Jerry Johnson.

Excerpts of the interview:

* TeamXbox: Did you have any particular games in mind when creating this?
* Jerry Johnson: While we are sure that game developers will implement this keyboard into their titles down the line, this peripheral was created to make text chat and IM over the Xbox 360 easier and more convenient. We are excited to see how game developers use this accessory in the future, but games were not the primary reason for its creation.

* TeamXbox: Why did you decide to create a keyboard that was added to the controller, as opposed to a full-sized standalone keyboard?
* Jerry Johnson: A USB keyboard can already be used with the Xbox 360 today. Rather than create another standalone keyboard, the Xbox team decided to bring something entirely new to the gaming market. The new keypad for the Xbox 360 is the first ever that connects directly to the controller. Because it fits seamlessly into the 360 controller, gamers can use it while playing games without having to interrupt game play. We have created a very easy and convenient way to type messages to friends without having to ever pause the game or put down the controller.

TeamXbox are really looking forward to using Windows Live Messenger with the Xbox 360 QWERTY Keypad Device, as it will easily change how people interact when engaged in an Xbox 360 endeavor (no more pecking at the virtual keyboard - whew!). The quality and seamless integration of the Xbox 360 QWERTY Keypad Device also gets us amped for the future possibilities of this device, as any text-based MMORPG or title needing more buttons for assignments will clearly benefit form such a quality piece. Even if you don't plan on playing games of a MMO nature or chatting with your friends via Live, you'll at least consider the Xbox 360 QWERTY Keypad Device as a favorable ergonomic upgrade for your current 1st party 360 controller.

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hardware.teamxbox.com
gta_cb6187d ago

just want to add, if you want to use this feature with the little see thru black box, you can by using a USB keyboard. all you need to do is have a convo going, then press the windows button (located between Ctrl and Alt (bottom left) and the letter M.

and if you have more then one convo going and your using this feature then just press again the windows button and the right arrow.

Sphinx6187d ago

I'm tired of pecking at that crappy on screen one, and voice messages can take a long time to load and send and receive.

kewlkat0076187d ago

is it fits perfectly without getting in the way. It probally adds a little weight to the Controller, but thi sis really nice. Peripheral of the year IMO. Will be so much quicker to type back and fouth as I do on my T-Mobile DASH PDA phone which I'm so used to.

gta_cb6187d ago

the only thing that worries me is that when they showed us the prototype it didnt look like the head set would fit in the keyboard =(

like i said the prototype so it is most likely to change, but if it didnt then you would only be able to use one at a time .... =(

BIadestarX6187d ago

gta_cb, they already said it... the current headset will not work with the keypad. Instead they said.. it will come with its own headset.
It kind of sucks... but at least it comes with it.

gta_cb6186d ago

oh right, sorry didnt read all of it lol.

well at least it comes with one, and that means you could use your existing headset with a diff controller if your split screening while online.

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130°

Looking Back At 2008, An Unbelievably Incredible Year Of Video Game Releases

Huzaifa from eXputer: "2008 was home to the likes of Call of Duty: World at War, Dead Space, GTA 4, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, and many other hits, which is outright remarkable."

ChasterMies5h ago

Some of these low paid video game “news” writers weren’t born before 2007.

just_looken33m ago

Here here

Those that were around before 2000's i am sure are like me that think we entered a world of non readers or those that follow without question.

I can not wait to see fallout 3 a goty game even though it was about water with non content until you add the dlc/updates then you got the performance/crashing

CrimsonWing6916h ago

I don’t think anything can compare to 2023

lucasnooker15h ago

1998 - the best year in gaming! Metal gear solid, crash bandicoot 3, medievil, half life, ocarina of time, thief, tenchu, resident evil 2, Spyro, tomb raider 3, oddworld abes exodus, banjo kazooie.

It was a different breed of a gaming era. You’ll never understand what it was like back then. The aura of gaming, it was different!

KyRo15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

I second this. Gaming was a lot more varied and fun than it is today. I'm 35 so getting on compared to some here but I got to see all the changes from NES up to now but I've never felt so disappointed in any generation than I have this current gen. I was expecting more from this generation rather than prettier versions of games that came before it. Game mechanics have become so refined that alot of games feel the same and has done for a while now.

Maybe it's time to have a break for a while. I love gaming but I don't feel I get much fun in the traditional sense out of it anymore.

CrimsonWing6915h ago(Edited 15h ago)

Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Abe’s Exodus, and Ocarina of Time are the only things from that list that I liked.

Here’s the 2023 game releases that I personally liked… and big releases that I didn’t care for:

- Dead Space Remake
- Wo Long Dynatsy
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Diablo 4
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Hogwarts Legcay
- Street Fighter 6
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
- Octopath Traveler 2
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
- Final Fanatsy XVI (actually ended up not liking this, but it was still a big deal release)
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Lies of P
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Starfield (Ended up hating this one, but big release)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (I’m an old-school Zelda fan, but didn’t really enjoy this game)
- Alan Wake 2

I mean, honestly I’ve never seen a year of major IP releases like that, ever.

Profchaos12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Isn't it just a generational thing realistically.

I've been gaming since way back and I some of my favourite games go as far back as the late 80s for me each generation has a year or two of game changing releases one after another before an inevitable dry spell.

I kind of agree gaming had a different feel games hit different because we didn't have the internet nothing got spoiled and you really had to put in the effort to beat a puzzle which could set entire groups of people looking for a solution. But most importantly games were experimental and not as cookie cutter as today even basics like controls were not universal today r2 is shoot l2 is ads garunteed you can't deviate from that in a shooter back then it could of been square, R1 or R1 and circle nothing was standard.

But as time moves on a new generation picks up their controller they are going to be interested in different things that PS1 demo disc with the t Rex blew our primitive 16 bit brains back on launch but to kids today it's laughable.
The new gen of kids coming into to hobby seem to value different things to us there seems to be a huge focus on online play, streamers, gaming personalities, and social experiences, convience of digital downloads. To me I value none of that but that's ok like my parents not liking the band's I would listen to its just the natural cycle.

Gameseeker_Frampt3h ago

Just about every year in the 7th generation was great and something we most likely won't experience again.

2009 for example had Assassin's Creed 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dragon Age: Origins, Uncharted 2, Halo 3: ODST, Killzone 2, Borderlands, Bayonetta, and Demon's Souls to name a few.

just_looken31m ago

It still amazes me we got over 7 rockstar games ps2/ps3 but 3 for the ps3/ps4/ps5

Dragon age 1-3 and mass effect 1-3 in 7ish years what a generation.

120°

6 Fun Games Where You Actually Play As The Bad Guy

While the mainstream media always sees things turning in favor of the hero, here are 6 games that own being a bad guy.

Profchaos21h ago

Pretty much all of these games listed are based around a morality system you don't have to be bad and you don't have to be good.

It seems to have left out some real amazing games like red dead redemption 1/2,ass effect and true crime la/ny

Tacoboto21h ago

Armored Core VI?

Ok, I'm really missing something here. Just beat chapter 3 earlier this evening, unlocked A-rank Arena fights. I'm not seeing or sensing any branching paths or morality system and I've done every side mission and arena fight available to me up to that fight.

Is something big coming soon to branch the story?

banger8820h ago

No mention of Grand Theft Auto? Saints Row (original trilogy), Manhunt? Also The Suffering (depending on the ending you get).

ChasterMies10h ago

Trevor in GTA 6 is a sadist and psychopath who dabbles in cannibalism. Should be top of the list. These game “news” sites should hire people that know games.

130°

Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Video games are no longer just a simple past time. Today's games are evolving into true works of art. Offering intriguing narratives, cinematic setpieces, and profound messages, games can entertain us for hundreds of hours.

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wealthofgeeks.com
Chard1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

I never got around to mass effect - I’m skeptical that it would hold up if I were to try it now

Furesis1d 14h ago

I would say it does. The combat is a bit shit for todays standards but everything else is great.

anast1d 12h ago

It's worth a play through today.

gold_drake1d 5h ago

the first one is abit the odd one out but after u finished it, believe it it gets tremendously better and better