BootDreams

What's new:
1.0.1b
- updated bin detection (see 1ST_READ.BIN Checker 2.0.1)
- fixed scrambling read-only binaries
- fixed closed windows when a file isn't selected and OK is pressed
- updated BootDream's MR logo

dc-tool GUI

Current version: 2.0.0a

What's new:
- source code cleaned


1ST_READ.BIN Checker

Current version: 2.0.1b

What's new:
2.0.1b
- changed the initial save folder

Source: Consolevision.com ...

Firm also predicts console shortages will boost 360 sales

Nintendo is expected to deliver between 150,000 and 200,000 Wii units to North America every week until the end of 2006, according to the latest report by Lazard Capital Markets.

All the major new hardware manufacturers should benefit from impressive sales where units area available according to Lazard's Colin Sebastian, who noted: "Our retail checks and comments from specialist retailer GameStop indicate that there is strong demand for PS3 and Wii ahead of meaningful replenishments, while the Xbox 360 appears to be benefiting from new console shortages and the release of new title Gears of War."

Sebastian also expects the sale of PlayStation 3 software to improve by the year end, stating: "We note that the initial PS3 tie-in ratio is a little light of expectations, however, we expect follow-up game sales and holiday gifts to provide a boost by the end of the year."

For some industry watchers it might be stating the obvious, but ahead of the Thanks Giving weekend in the US, the firm also predicts strong sales for software including, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Resistance: Fall of Man, Guitar Hero 2, Call of Duty 3, WWE Smackdown, Need for Speed Carbon and Final Fantasy XII.

More interesting is the estimation that between 10 and 15 per cent of all PS3 purchases may have been bought with the intention of being resold by profit-minded consumers.

"We estimate that approximately 20,000 PS3s have sold on eBay since pre-orders for the console began last month, with an average auction price of approximately US $1500," said Sebastian.

gameindustry.biz ...

Microsoft Corp., the world’s leading maker of software, is earning money selling the Xbox 360 hardware, according to updated teardown analysis from research firm iSuppli. The information means that the software giant has managed to lower the price of its latest game console by nearly 40% in one year.


According to iSuppli’s most recent analysis, the premium version of the Xbox 360 game machine equipped with hard disk drive has a manufacturing and materials total of $323.30, based on an updated estimate using costs in the fourth quarter of 2006. This total is $75.70 less than the $399 suggested retail price of the Xbox 360. Even though it is obvious that Microsoft still has to subtract freight, toll, retail partner’s profit and other possible charges, it is highly likely that Microsoft has either managed to reduce its loss to minimal, or is making a tiny profit selling the $399 flavour of the Xbox 360.

A year ago the total bill of materials (BOM) cost for the Xbox 360 Premium, including hard disk, the DVD drive, enclosures, the Radio Frequency (RF) receiver board, power supply, wireless controller, cables, literature, and packaging, reached $525, well above the retail price of $399, according to iSuppli. Considering the up to date BOM, Microsoft has managed to reduce the pricing of its console by over 38.5%.



The lower manufacturing cost will allow Microsoft to decrease the unit price of its console or even introduce a new version featuring more capabilities at the existing price tag. For example, Microsoft could equip its Xbox 360 premium with HD DVD drive and selling it at $399 still maintain price $100 lower price compared to Sony’s PlayStation 3, which is available at $499 and $599.

Microsoft’s arch-rival on the console scene – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. – currently sells its PlayStation 3 game consoles at $241 – $306 loss. If the company manages to trim the production costs by 40% in a year, it will cost $483 to manufacture the $499 version of the PlayStation 3 and $504 to make the $599 flavour.

xbitlabs.com ...

Get on your marks, as this will sell out fast!

The Xbox 360 "Limited-Time Deal" won the vote at Amazon.com
1000, Xbox 360's reduced from $300, to $100. First come first served.

The sale starts today 11am, PST (thursday, 23rd, Nov)

Check it out here

Good luck ...

BrandIntel, a leader in consumer and market intelligence solutions, today released a new tracking study on the top video gaming consoles, including Sony PlayStation®3 (PS3), Nintendo® Wii and Microsoft® Xbox 360 (X360). The BrandIntel report, titled "Top Gaming Consoles Report," found Nintendo Wii ranks first heading into the holiday season due to its intuitive controller and lower cost. With Wii and PS3 now released, BrandIntel will provide weekly online updates throughout the holiday season to track how sentiment and discussion share may shift as consumers begin using the consoles. Today's report follows BrandIntel's recently announced "Top 50 Games Report," in which the company tracked and analyzed the top new games for PS3, Nintendo Wii and X360.

Based on analysis of original consumer-generated content, the "Top Gaming Consoles Report" captures data from January 1, 2006 to November 12, 2006. Additional key findings from the study include:

-- In general, consumers are complaining about the PS3's price, raving
about the Wii's controller and satisfied with the X360's first year on the
market.
-- Gamers are also heavily anticipating popular Nintendo franchise games
such as "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess," as well as newer titles
such as "Red Steel."
-- The X360 is generating the least amount of discussion but benefits
from a year head start and established consumer base that discusses the
console in a positive manner. Because of this, it currently ranks second
among next-gen consoles for the holiday season.
-- The PS3 currently ranks the lowest according to consumer discussion.
While the PS3 has generated the most discussion overall, it has primarily
been negative concerning price and value. However, purchase intent has
recently trended upward showing marketing campaigns have begun to persuade
consumers who are skeptical of the PS3's price/value.


brandintel ...

BrandIntel, a leader in consumer and market intelligence solutions, today released a new tracking study on the top video gaming consoles, including Sony PlayStation®3 (PS3), Nintendo® Wii and Microsoft® Xbox 360 (X360). The BrandIntel report, titled "Top Gaming Consoles Report," found Nintendo Wii ranks first heading into the holiday season due to its intuitive controller and lower cost. With Wii and PS3 now released, BrandIntel will provide weekly online updates throughout the holiday season to track how sentiment and discussion share may shift as consumers begin using the consoles. Today's report follows BrandIntel's recently announced "Top 50 Games Report," in which the company tracked and analyzed the top new games for PS3, Nintendo Wii and X360.

Based on analysis of original consumer-generated content, the "Top Gaming Consoles Report" captures data from January 1, 2006 to November 12, 2006. Additional key findings from the study include:

-- In general, consumers are complaining about the PS3's price, raving
about the Wii's controller and satisfied with the X360's first year on the
market.
-- Gamers are also heavily anticipating popular Nintendo franchise games
such as "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess," as well as newer titles
such as "Red Steel."
-- The X360 is generating the least amount of discussion but benefits
from a year head start and established consumer base that discusses the
console in a positive manner. Because of this, it currently ranks second
among next-gen consoles for the holiday season.
-- The PS3 currently ranks the lowest according to consumer discussion.
While the PS3 has generated the most discussion overall, it has primarily
been negative concerning price and value. However, purchase intent has
recently trended upward showing marketing campaigns have begun to persuade
consumers who are skeptical of the PS3's price/value.


brandintel ...

BrandIntel, a leader in consumer and market intelligence solutions, today released a new tracking study on the top video gaming consoles, including Sony PlayStation®3 (PS3), Nintendo® Wii and Microsoft® Xbox 360 (X360). The BrandIntel report, titled "Top Gaming Consoles Report," found Nintendo Wii ranks first heading into the holiday season due to its intuitive controller and lower cost. With Wii and PS3 now released, BrandIntel will provide weekly online updates throughout the holiday season to track how sentiment and discussion share may shift as consumers begin using the consoles. Today's report follows BrandIntel's recently announced "Top 50 Games Report," in which the company tracked and analyzed the top new games for PS3, Nintendo Wii and X360.

Based on analysis of original consumer-generated content, the "Top Gaming Consoles Report" captures data from January 1, 2006 to November 12, 2006. Additional key findings from the study include:

-- In general, consumers are complaining about the PS3's price, raving
about the Wii's controller and satisfied with the X360's first year on the
market.
-- Gamers are also heavily anticipating popular Nintendo franchise games
such as "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess," as well as newer titles
such as "Red Steel."
-- The X360 is generating the least amount of discussion but benefits
from a year head start and established consumer base that discusses the
console in a positive manner. Because of this, it currently ranks second
among next-gen consoles for the holiday season.
-- The PS3 currently ranks the lowest according to consumer discussion.
While the PS3 has generated the most discussion overall, it has primarily
been negative concerning price and value. However, purchase intent has
recently trended upward showing marketing campaigns have begun to persuade
consumers who are skeptical of the PS3's price/value.


brandintel ...

Video Marketplace pricing (both Gold and Silver):
High-definition TV shows: 240 Microsoft® Points ($3.00 USD) per episode.
Standard-defenition TV shows: 160 Microsoft Points ($2.00) per episode.

New release movies in high definition: 480 Microsoft Points ($6.00) each.
New release movies in standard definition: 320 Microsoft Points ($4.00) each.

Classic feature films in high definition: 360 Microsoft Points ($4.50) each.
Classic feature films in standard definition: 240 Microsoft Points ($3.00) each.

* Purchasing high definition content grants you access to the same standard definition content.

Examples of the download-to-own TV shows and download-to-rent movies available on the network on Nov. 22 include the following:

· “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: New York,” “NCIS” and “Star Trek” from CBS

· “Chappelle’s Show,” “Drawn Together” and Emmy and Peabody award-winning “South Park” from COMEDY CENTRAL

· “Pimp My Ride” and “Punk’d” from MTV

· “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon

· “Skyland” and “Invader Zim” from Nicktoons Network

· “Chinatown,” “Star Trek VII: Generations,” “Patriot Games,” “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” “The Sum of All Fears,” “The Untouchables” and “We Were Soldiers” from Paramount Pictures

· “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” “Frisky Dingo,” “Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law,” “Sealab 2021” and “The Venture Bros.” from Turner Broadcasting

· Some of the most intense fights from Ultimate Fighting Championship

· “Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan Knows Best” from VH1

· “Perfect Storm,” “Poseidon,” The Shining,” “Strange Brew,” “Three Kings” and “V for Vendetta,” as well as “The Nine” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” along with the CW show “Veronica Mars” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment ...

It took the PS2 15 months to get its first Million selling game, Capcom's Onimusha: Warlords. But Today on the Xbox360's birthday, Gears of War has broken the 1 Million Mark, in just 2 weeks, 3 months sooner than the PS2.

Gears of War is also the most play Xbox game, Knocking Halo 2 of it's perch earlier this week.

Some more statistics from Microsoft "more than 850,000 unique gamers have engaged in 10 million [Gears of War] gameplay sessions while unlocking an impressive 7 million achievements." Since the game went on sale November 7, the rate of Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, which are required for online play, has increased over 50 percent. According to Microsoft, the impressive subscription rate is because over 85 percent of Gears players play one of the game's various multiplayer modes, which include full campaign co-op.




...