XBOX One

Microsoft this morning held an event to announce their next iteration of their console, XBOX ONE.

Building on the XBOX 360 as more than a game console, the XBOX ONE continues to be a ultimate multimedia hub with gaming, TV, movies, and music from a single unit.

Watch the Unveil video to see what the next console has in store.

XBOX SmartGlass

Back at E3 2012, XBOX showed us a great new technology called SmartGlass. This new technology would allow mobiles, tablets and PCs to connect to the XBOX and provide extended content relating to what was going on the console. So where are we at with that?

http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/smartglass

With SmartGlass almost turning 1, I came to think that it had gone quiet on that front and I hadn't heard or seen games promoting their compatibility with the service. So I have discovered a list of the current supported titles and services for SmartGlass.


App for Download

Here are the links to the XBOX SmartGlass app for the available platforms

Google Android - http://goo.gl/eEy31
Apple iOS - http://goo.gl/88y1W
Windows Phone - http://goo.gl/CfGjJ
Windows 8 - http://goo.gl/aFpPh

SmartGlass Compatible Content

Here is the current supported content for SmartGlass (Updated: 10-May-2013)

Games

• Ascend: New Gods
• A World of Keflings
• Dance Central 3
• Forza Horizon
• Halo 4
• Home Run Stars
• Kinect Sesame Street TV
• Madden NFL 13

XBOX Applications

• ESPN on XBOX Live (US-Only)
• HBO GO (US-Only)
• Internet Explorer
• Karaoke
• MSN
• Miss Universe
• NBA Game Time
• NBC News (US-Only)
• Now TV
• Sports Picks
• Today MSNBC (US-Only)
• UFC on XBOX Live
• XBOX Music
• XBOX Video

Movies

See Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_SmartGlass#Movies

While you will notice there isn't a wide range of compatible applications or content available for this service, but from what I have seen, the content that is there does offer a great additional experience that is worth. I am hoping that more content providers do get on board with it.

[Video] New Call of Duty DLC coming soon

Soon fresh to the new year, and we have a new Map Pack coming our way for Black Ops 2.

More multiplayer maps, new zombies, and new weapons. Check out the video.

Red Dead Drunk

BSE First Upload

Check out our first upload and let us know what you think.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Glitches

Within the first week of release, the much anticipated iteration of Call of Duty, Black Ops 2, a list of complaints and glitches were already being reported. Not to mention the fact they pulled the Nuketown 2024 map from the multiplayer map list after the first weekend.

But here are the popular glitches to be splattered across YouTube that you have yet to experience. There have not yet been any reports of updates to fix these glitches, but [BSE] will be keeping an eye on this as it develops.

Escort Drone Glitch



Care Package Glitch



YouTube clips source: http://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingFilms247?feature=watch
Subscribe to the AmazingFilms247 channel for more Call of Duty clips.

BSE has started a clan

These days it seems the only fun way to play games is with friends one way or another. Back in the day, it was gathering at a friend's house and sharing a split screen. Today with the internet and gaming laptops, we can still play the same game, but from a screen to ourselves.



What better way to show that you are part of a greater group but to become part of a clan?

Bloodshot Eyes has started its own clan with a clan tag and everything. While not all games use clan tags, it shouldn't stop you from joining and adding it to your signature, gamertag or some showing you are part of a group that is all about friendly and fun gaming.

Where you can, use the tag BSE and show that you are all about Bloodshot Eyes.

For more information, see the [BSE] Clan page.

Next in line… XBOX 8

Rumors have been floating around for some time now about the name of the next XBOX.XBOX 720 has been the popular vote, however the recent domain purchases by Microsoft shows we were all wrong.

XBOX 8 is likely to be the name of the next XBOX judging by the recent domains XBOX8.us and XBOX8.org.
Some sites are suspecting that it could end up titled XBOX infinity.

I would be believe that XBOX 8 makes sense and means it would fit into the rest of the Microsoft
family with Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

Also it has been known for a while now that Microsoft would be dropping and phasing out the ZUNE media brand
and as a result, ZUNE would become the XBOX media family. For example ZUNE music will become XBOX Music.
XBOX services will start appearing in the Windows system more and more for gaming and media services allowing
users to share music and video subscriptions across multiple Windows devices.

We're likely not to see the next generation until 2013 and likely to be released during E3 2012.

Red Dead Redemption: Coots Chapel Tombstones

Red Dead Redemption is a great open map western game that really aspires to put in back in the time of the classic ol' west.

When playing it I noticed that some of the tombstones weren't quite what you expect. Some stones were quite comical and worth taking time to check the small things in this game.

Here some of the best ones located at Coots Chapel near Armadillo:

In Memory of Francis Moon
Brother of Herbert Moon
Died May 23, 1897
Always took joke too far

Nelly Dillard of Armadillo
Wife of Warren Dillard
1879-1908
Born an Angel, Dead a Witch

Owen MacFarlane
Died June 23, 1896
Of Chronic Diarrhoea
Aged 14 years, 3m & 6 days
Always in our thoughts

Theodore Kilbane
Of St. louis
July 12th 1891
He came in search of fortune
And is still looking

...
1872 - 1907
Brother of Lewis Pickering
Came looking for gold
But found lead

Gus MacFarlane
Died in a Bar Fight
On August 4th 1905
Aged 22
Rest in Peace

Rosie Tenerton
1856 - 1878
Gone
But not forgotten

Calvin Draper
November 7th 1886
Loving Father
Terrible Lawman

In loving memory of
Hank MacFarlane
Died of Tuberculosis
December 8th 1893
Aged 12 Years

Here lies buried
Lydia Grubb
1878 - 1909
Dearly loved wife of
Eldin Grubb
Buy this tombstone at
Grubb Undertakers, Armadillo

Gideon Knox
Died Janurary 8th 1876
Six wives proved one too many

Dwight Bundy
1851 - 1887
Brave Solider
Cowardly Lover

Hamilton Murphy
of Armardillo
Loving brother of Jeb Murphy
1867 - 1908

Here lies
Josephine Byrd
Died April 1st 1878
Gone but not forgotten

Cowboy
No Name
Died on September 16th 1897

Jackson Greenwood
Of Armadillo
Gone Fishing
June 23rd 1891

Cole MacFarlane
Died of a Gunshot to the head
July 26th 1899

Here Lies
Ethan MacFarlane
1884 - 1903
Never try to Milk a bull

Gaming in Windows 8

While some people might have their reservations about the next iteration of Windows, for gamers (and PC gamers at that) might be a blessing in disguise. Microsoft focused a lot of attention on the gaming integration in Windows 8 for which people don't give Microsoft credit for.

XBOX Live Gaming

Windows 8 will now integrate with the XBOX Live ecosystem allowing you to login with you XBOX Live ID and play games. The Gamer Points you accumulate on the PC will add to those you get on the XBOX with same ID. You will also be able to purchase games and interact with friends through the service, exactly the same as on the XBOX only now on the desktop.

The XBOX Live games you buy and download on the PC will load and play from the Metro interface. For most people they are put of the Metro start menu, but I think its nothing. Once you start using it, you won't even notice the difference. Your games will load and play like they always have.

Windows 8 will also come with the XBOX Companion App which allows you to control your XBOX console from the PC. Like the app already available for the Apple iPhone (My XBOX LIVE - http://bit.ly/NoCp3N) and on Windows Phone 7 (http://bit.ly/MoN3Mo), you are presented with a screen with buttons on the controller. This system uses your network and wifi to connect to the XBOX 360 and control it.

PC Gaming

Those on the PC who have invested their time and money with other PC services such as Steam and Origin will be able to play like any other system as if it was any other Windows 7 system. Ignoring the Metro interface, you will be able to install your games as normal. While future releases of these services might accommodate for the Metro interface, however I wouldn't hold my breath for that.

All-in-all, Windows 8 will allow you to continue to play the games you have now while also giving you the XBOX Live services to expand and connect with other XBOX Live players.

The Walking Dead game not available to AU/NZ on Console

Since we posted the annoucement of the Walking Dead game earlier on the blog we have been eagerly awaiting it's release on the XBOX 360 and hungry to start slashing some zombies, however we have learnt that this won't be happening.

Confirmed on the Telltale Games forum, a Telltale team member has stated they have no plans on releasing the game for XBOX 360 or PlayStation 3 to Australia or New Zealand due to the game rating restrictions.

Mike states in the forum post...

Sorry, but due to the OFLC ratings laws in Australia and New Zealand, and the fact that this is a mature game, we do not currently have plans to release the game there on consoles.

This game is available however on PC via Steam, and other outlets. Oddly, while Australia still does not have a R18+ rating for games, New Zealand does. We continue to monitor this and report more if it gets released.

Skyrim: Top 10 Tips

Skyrim is vast and open game and the possiblities in this game are endless it seems. However BSE have come up with some basic tips that we believe to be important when playing the game.

1. Saving

Saving is your friend. Save once, save twice... hang on did I just save? I’d better save again...just in case. Because automatic doesn't occur as frequent or reliably as we like, saving frequently “saves” you from having to do lengthy run through a dungeon or a path if you die in a boss battle.  And it'll save your LCD screen from having your controller/mouse thrown through it.

2. Level up your stamina

More stamina means you can carry more things. And things are great! You can make stuff with them like weapons and armour, sell them to merchants for coin, even display them in your house!  Also, pickpocket in the skill tree also gives you the “extra pockets” option which will allow you to have more storage in your inventory.

3. Career

Decide where you want to go in your Skill tree and stick to it.
For example,

• Melee Combat focused: For maximum hit points concentrate
  on smithing and enchanting (selling enchanted smithed weapons also
  gives you well deserved extra coin);


• Decide on a armour type - heavy or light and stick to it then level it up


• Choose one handed or two handed combat and stick to those weapons and level them.


• Block is also handy for close combat.

Only level up the skills relevant to the type of combat you are focusing on and which direction you want to take your character.

4. Potions

Stock up on health and stamina potions. They really come in handy!

5. Trainers

Use the trainers. You can level up your training in skills 5 times
per level for an amount of gold. Very efficient and no effort required
what so ever!  Also, Speech can be levelled up by simply
selling things. Sneaking can be levelled up by well...sneaking.

6. Companions

You can always take someone with you. There are mercenaries for
hire in taverns for a price.  If you get on the good side of a faction, they will offer to accompany you on your adventure to help you in battle.  Handy for those harder boss fights. (They are also handy to use to carry things as well - just remember to
take the things back!)

7. Books

See a book?  Read it! It might give you a spell, or a level up in
an attribute.  Also, there are some amusing stories out there in
Skyrim.

8. Food

Don't be afraid to eat or drink something you pick up.
Your character can learn from them and it will reveal one of
the effects for alchemy.

9. Currency

If you find yourself short of cash, go into a store where you
have made friends with the owner. They let you take items from the
shelves and sell it back to them. They will restock after a few days too,
so rinse and repeat. For example, in a potions shop, take all the ingredients, make them into potions and then sell the potions back to the merchant. Quick cash! (This also will increase your alchemy skill).

10. Giants

And last but not least.....Don't mess with the giants until you are ready!  Giants, as well as mammoths.  Try to defeat them after quite a few levels :)

Picture reference: http://bit.ly/JL3Bbs 

Skyrim: How to get married

Skyrim allows for a wide range of options and it is one of the reason the game is so popular. However there is one thing you can do in the game that most people avoid; Marriage.

In Skyrim, yo are able to marry certain characters within the game. There are some benefits from this, while not getting in the way of the game play. Some advantages are having your spouse taking care of your house, providing an income of money, and making food.

How to get married

So when I tried to get married, there wasn't a straight forward article on how to do this. Here is how you get married.

1. Speak to Maramal about marriage


2. Obtain and equip an Amulet of Mara (Either though looting, or buy it from the priest in Riften)


3. Speak to another character who would like to marry. If the option is available, you will ask them if they are interested in you. They are and you are interested in them, you will be engaged.


4. You will receive a Miscellaneous quest for "Speak to Maramal about arranging your wedding"


5. Go to Temple of Mara in Riften and speak with Maramal (Priest)


6. After speaking with the priest, the marriage will be arranged


7. Return to the temple between dusk and dawn, and your wedding will commence.


8. During the ceremony you will be asked for the "I Do's". Here you can either say yes or no.


9. After saying I do. Job Done!


10. Exit the dialogue with the priest and immediately talk to your spouse before they leave the temple to discuss living arrangements. Choose whether to live in your house, or your spouse's.


11. 10) Once you have decided on a place to live, your spouse will return there after 24-hours.

To buy a Amulet of Mara is 200 Gold from Maramal, or you can find one out in the world in chests or places.

My Disappearing Wife

So in writing this article I stepped through the process by marrying Camilla Valerius (from Riverwood). Once the wedding was over, before I had a chance to leave the dialogue, my spouse had turned and left the temple. Nowhere to be found. I searched for her at the shop, the temple and even my home in Whiterun. Nothing.

After reading some article I found this little gem in a list of software bugs.

In most cases the NPC spouse disappears after exiting the Temple of Mara, unless you exit dialogue with Maramal and rush after them before they reach the door. If this happens, you may find your new spouse in the spot where you first met; you can then talk to the person to decide where you'll both live. In some cases, the spouse seems to disappear from the game completely. This is easily solved by using the console command player.moveto (NPC RefID), which will move you to the spouse position.

• When the spouse disappears, the game still treats a spouse as "alive" even when they have disappeared forever.


• It is also possible for NPCs who attend your wedding to vanish forever in the aftermath, however this is considerably more rare and seems to only affect Camilla Valerius.

Just my luck. Marry a bitch and then they leave me forever alone. For PC there are some commands to reset the marriage, see here.

Shit! I missed the Wedding! She gonna be pissed!

Damn right they're gonna be pissed. Better punker up!

With my attempt at marrying Camilla, I sat in the temple and decided to wait for a few hours. Apparently in this short time I had missed the wedding. The people that were in the temple for the wedding suddenly didn't like me and I had to leave.

I returned to riverwood to find her again. The Riverwood Traders (where she lives) was locked, even though it was the middle of the day. I immediately knew it was locked because of me. I waited until it was night, and then picked the lock. She was in the room. I spoke to her and she mentioned to me how she "couldn't believe I was speaking with her after what I had done."  I asked if she would give me another chance, and she did. Again I was given the quest to talk to the priest in Riften.

Apparently, you can do this repeatedly, until you either actually get married or you you say No and call the whole thing off.

References

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Marriage

Walking Dead - The Game Announcement

It was only a matter of time but I was hoping it was going to be better than this.

Soon to released, The Walking Dead is coming to PC and game consoles in a series of games.

In a five part series, The Walking Dead - The Game will allow you to play characters which DO NOT appear in the comics. The story portrayed in the game progress parallel to the comics. For example, the start of the game series occurs while Rick is still in hospital. From the small amount of information I can find about the game, the comics and game never seem to cross paths.

Once we get our hands on the game we will give out more details.

Reference:
http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/122/1223560p1.html 

Block ads on XBOX 360 dashboard

Increasingly with the XBOX 360 dashboard, we are seeing more spaces for ads not only for games, but real-world products. For most of us, this is actually really annoying. Especially those paying for the XBOX Live Gold Membership.

So we have come with a way for you to block those ads on the XBOX.

Firstly, sign up for an OpenDNS account. It's free and comes with other benefits.

Next, add a Network to the OpenDNS. This will require you to provide you internet connections IP Address. You can find this by going to whatismyip.com

While logged in to OpenDNS, go to Advanced Settings and check the box 'Enable typo correction'. If this is already selected, go to the next step.

Now we block the ads. Got to Web Content Filtering settings and set the filtering level to 'None'. Then under 'Manage individual domains', add rad.msn.com and select 'Always block' and then click 'Add domain'.

Next we need to configure your XBOX. On your Xbox, go to System Settings > Network Settings > (your connection) > Configure Network > DNS settings > Manual. Enter the OpenDNS IP addresses for the primary and secondary DNS servers: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220.

You may need to clear the current system cache for this to take affect. To do this, go to System Settings > Storage > Hard Drive > press Y > Clear System Cache
Note: that you'll have to re-download any title updates for any games you play after doing this.

Once you have done this, you should no longer see ads displayed on the XBOX dashboard.

Skyrim: 5 ways to increase your carrying weight

All players of Skyrim find often that they are restricted with the amount of items that they can carry at any given time. This is refered to as Encumbrance.



By default, a character has an Emcumbrance (Carry) limit of 300 [units].

Here are five ways that you can increase the amount of item you can have in your inventory enabling you to carry more.

1. Leveling your Stamina increases your carrying capacity by 5 units


2. You are able to give items to your spouses or companions to elevate your own weight


3. Taking potions like Fortify Carry Weight can temporarily increase you carrying ability


4. The Seed Stone (located north of the Statue to Meridia and west of Solitude) will increase your carrying ability by 100 units


5. Enchant an item with the Fortify Carry Weight enchantment (this involves finding an item already with the enchantment and learning that enchantment)

If  you have any further tips on increasing your carrying limit, please leave a comment.

Image by http://lookandlistenentertainment.wordpress.com

QWERTY Keyboard on XBOX 360

Found an excellent video showing how to turn on a QWERTY keyboard for when writing messages to other gamers.

1. Press the XBOX button your controller.


2. Go to Settings tab > System settings


3. Select Console Settings then Language


4. Then Select "English (QWERTY Keyboard)"

You will now have a QWERTY.

Video by decadentgamer (YouTube)

Top 10 First Person Shooter Tips of the Web

I won't be affraid to admit it but I love the Call of Duty games and most first person shooters. But when I was starting out I had a hard time in advancing as I was unsure what I was to do, or how to develop skills.

That got me thinking what would be the best advise I could give to anyone else when it comes to play most first person shooters online with multiplayer.

So what I have done is gone out on to the web and tallied up the top 10 tips that others believe are important when it comes to playing First Person Shooters (FPS) online/mulitplayer.

(Please note here that I am assuming that you have SOME First Person Shooter experience.)

Number 1: Learn your maps

It's agreed upon all over the web that it's important that you know your maps. Understanding and knowing your maps like the back of your hand will give you a huge advantage when playing. Knowing where the places to not only hide and killing your enemies, but to also collect and regain your health during tence moment can help save your life, and prevent yet another notch against your death tally.


Number 2: Weapons

In at a close second was tips regarding your weapon(s). First, like your maps, make sure you know what you can do with you weapons (more than just point and shoot). Know they're range and accuracy and it will help you with you kills. Pick the best weapon for the job. For example, leave shotguns for close range and sniper rifles to long, accurate shots.
Also, make sure you have plenty ammo at the ready. Reload when you can while, also, not wasting your shots.

Number 3: Don't stand still

Best advise ever. Keep moving. Never stand in the same place for too otherwise players will soon learn your location and hunt you down. Again. KEEP MOVING.

Number 4: Check your back

While you may have a nice, juicy target in your sights, you might be in someone elses. Always check you back, before you find a knife in it. Be aware of your environment.

Number 5: Keep cover

Nothing better for keeping you alive than hiding behind something that bullets and explosive can't penertrate. When reloading or waiting for the shooting to ease, crouch down behind a wall, car or some sort of solid object that might just protect you. Very important.

Number 6: Learn your controls

This one might seem a little obvious. I mean, how else will you play the game? No. Learn every corner of you controls. Learn combos, learn how you can manover in the game, learn where your controller buttons are by feel along. The better your are at controlling, the better you will be overall in the game.

Number 7: Practice in Single Player

This tip was surprisingly common while at the same time overlooked. The best way to become good at Multiplayer FPS, is to become really good in the Single-Player mode of the game you're playing. If you can finish the game at least once on a hardened level, then you will be well prepared for Multiplayer. However, this is not a Rule. If you want to just get straight to the online mulitplayer, just go for it. It's a game, just have fun.

Also, some games offer an Offline mode where you can learn you weapons and maps against the CPU (or A.K.A. Bots) before taking it online against friends and the world.

Number 8: Keep cool

Doesn't mean turn on the air con. No. In the great words of Douglas Adams, Don't Panic. Stay calm. If you are getting hammered or somehow just getting into a panic, just find a dark corner and chill out for a moment.
Like in real life, you make more mistakes when you panic and not thinking. Stop, collect your mind and then, unleash hell.

Number 9: Learn from you mistakes

One of the best ways for you to improve is to correct your mistakes. Often games will give you a replay of how you died. Watch that footage and watch and learn what went wrong and how you can not make that mistake again. Maybe you thought you were hiding, where in fact you were standing in the open. Maybe you for Tip Number 4 and you got shot in the back. Watch and learn.

And Finally...

Number 10: Headshots

There is nothing more rewarding in a FPS. A headshot is the title give to a single bullet to a players head killing them instantly. These shots will often reward more points as they require more skill incomparison to standard body shots. Sniper rifles will help make these shots at long distances but it is possible with other guns. The more headshots you get will not only get you points, but respect with other players as it proves your skill with you gun.

Again these tips were taken from a variety of site across the web. These are all important in becoming a true player. Good luck.