The other day beta testing for the upcoming Xbox Live and Windows PC integration started with a bash ... a Bug Bash. Xboxic got the details and found out those who signed up for the PC version of Xbox Live were invited to test the service with a free "game" download called Bug Bash. Once downloaded, beta testers could start up the "game" and be signed into Xbox Live via their PC. What's most interesting is that all the Xbox Live features were enabled and running including their friends list, text messaging, and even voice chat. Though, all the Xbox Live functionality was only accessible through the Bug Bash game and wasn't a stand alone application, something that'll hopefully be fixed when the service goes live this May. Was anyone bashing bugs the other day and if so (ignoring your NDA) what did you think?
[Thanks, Dan Rogers]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-06-2007 @ 3:06PM
Tony said...
I'm not entirely sure what we're allowed to talk about, but it's not really much of a game... seems like more of a way for them to gauge how to handle sever stress along with tons of button presses.
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4-06-2007 @ 3:13PM
Doom said...
It is not just for PC. I got an invite for 360. Its a game similar to "Wack-A-Mole" but with purple bugs. Its layout (the menu) is just like uno
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4-06-2007 @ 3:16PM
Doom3killer said...
the game if fairly fun
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4-06-2007 @ 3:17PM
Dan said...
I agree, it seems to be a server stress and basic functionality test.
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4-06-2007 @ 3:19PM
Dan said...
Oh, and I worked on the Xbox Live side too. It was an interesting experience... not exactly something youd want to sit and do for a long period of time though.
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4-06-2007 @ 4:00PM
Derka said...
Aside from the 50 some messages I got asking what Bug Bash was, it's a pretty cool thing.
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4-06-2007 @ 4:03PM
blamecanada said...
They said Bug Bash is never going to be a game, it's just a way to test the Games for Windows Live service.
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4-06-2007 @ 4:29PM
Bug Bashr said...
The best part of the app is being able to private chat with your 360 friends over your pc headset. I made a few people jealous anyway...
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4-06-2007 @ 5:51PM
thw said...
Its ruining my controller!
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4-06-2007 @ 5:59PM
Kurifurisan said...
it's a simple whack a mole style game that's timed and whoever gets the most hits wins the round. There's a simple leaderboard and chat is enabled. I found it to be a fun experience so far but in short spans...that bashing gets boring really quick.
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4-06-2007 @ 6:34PM
NuAngel said...
BugBash = Whack-a-Mole. But it is primarily to Find/BASH the BUGS in LIVE for the PC. PC/Xbox communication is a new thing, and Microsoft expects to have to work the bugs out.
All I can say that Live-Gaming on Vista is going to be quite awesome. Right now it seems to be embedded into BugBash - and probably whatever other games you get. But I hope there is some sort of LIVE Client or Dashboard for Windows - for those of us who want to see who's online, etc... without playing a game of Halo 3 or Shadowrun.
Still, the component of Live itself, on Windows, is awesome - and knowing you're playing with people on their 360's adds a little bit more excitement.
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4-06-2007 @ 10:51PM
Mr. W. Gates said...
As mentioned, those involved in the beta test are under an NDA. I will mention though that there is a simultaneous Live for Windows and Xbox 360 test occuring; beta participants for both are testing over the weekend.
Anything more than that would violate the NDA and we all know what would happen then . . .
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4-07-2007 @ 2:12AM
Seiggy said...
the only other thing that I can add to this, is so far during the intial release (the whole of this year) there will not be a stand alone Live client, but plans are to later implement a dashboard style application into DX10 in a later release...thats all I can say without breaking NDA
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4-07-2007 @ 2:44AM
Iced_Eagle said...
It was stated a little while ago in interview that they would release a stand-alone app. However, it won't be available until the end of the year.
That means when Halo2 comes along, to access XBL, you must be in-game.
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4-07-2007 @ 3:33AM
alijah said...
there will be no stand alone app when the service goes live. That something that they are looking into for furture update.
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4-07-2007 @ 11:48AM
asurroca said...
Wow, so are all the Xbox 360 Fanboy readers already in this beta? ;)
I just got in yesterday.
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4-07-2007 @ 2:32PM
tester1 said...
It's really bad lol, the game is never going public as stated in a recent play test email update.
"We know there are issues with Bug Bash as a game. Bug Bash is never going to be released as a "real" game."
to be quite honest, the only amazing thing about it is the live aspect of it... the rest of the game looks like it's done in paint, no joke.
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4-08-2007 @ 2:09AM
krazyman said...
Im in the 360 beta too, I would rather be in the PC one though.
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