Novint Falcon Limited Edition
i4u :: Monday, June 23, 2008
“Today we are looking at the interesting mouse replacement called the Novint Falcon. The device allows you to feel items in compatible video games and adds a new dimension to games. Overall the Novint Falcon is a very interesting device. The biggest drawback is the lack of top-tier games that are Haptx enabled. Novint is working on that though and more top-tier titles are coming soon. The Novint Falcon works very well, even if it is a bit sluggish for a gamer used to much more sensitive mice.”
Saling The World: Metal Gear Solid 4, Mario Kart Wii Top U.S. Charts
Gamasutra Columns :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Saling The World” charts find Mario Kart Wii competing head-to-head with Metal Gear Solid 4 in North American multiplatform sales, while Spore Creature Creator leads the PC charts in its first week of release.
Lian-Li PC-XB01 Xbox 360 Modding Case Details
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
We received more information and pictures of the Lian-Li PC-XB01 Xbox 360 replacement case: <BR><I> XB01 was first shown at the 2008 CES show in USA, and this concept got a lot of feedback and user suggestions. At the 2008 Computex in Taipei, the final vision of the PC-XB01 Xbox 360 modding case was ready for shipping. Xbox360 is a superb video game console and Lian Li wants to make it even better. Lian Li designers designed the case around the Xbox360 main board, and created the XB01 for Xbox 360 owners who want an Xbox 360 with better cooling performance and that works silently. Not only does it work silently and with better cooling, it is all aluminum, in metallic finishing. Rounded edge, in brushed aluminum with anodized finishing, it can be place up-right or flat-down on the table top. The high quality finishing will fit in most user’s living environments. XB01 will help Xbox 360 to have better cooling performance, and running silently. User don’t need to worry about overheating problems anymore. Some Features: * There is a 120mm exhaust fan at the rear of the XB01 to replace the original 2x70mm cooling fan, the 120mm fan can move the heat faster at lower speed, and with less noise. * XB01 has a 12cm fan, with high airflow but it only needs to run at 1500RPM to cool down the Xbox 360 effectively. * The Xbox 360 DVD-drive has been relocated to the side, allowing maximum opening for the graphics chipset heatsink and it will also allow users to change the heatsink. * There are sound insulation foam sheets around the DVD drive to reduce the noise. * Huge aluminum airduct that covers the Xbox 360 heatsinks, the cold air will pass through the cooler to remove the heat. * There are water tube openings at the rear of the case, allowing users to upgrade their Xbox 360 to liquid cooling solutions. * The XB01 includes two fan converters for the different versions of the Xbox 360. * There are aluminum flippers to cover and protect the front connectors. </I><BR><BR> Official Site:
Release This: Wii Rock Band, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Make U.S. Debut
Gamasutra Columns :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Release This!” examines a week that brings the Wii debut of Rock Band and the Nintendo DS releases of Final Fantasy Tactics A2 and Guitar Hero: On Tour in North America, while Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk premiere overseas.
OXM New Xbox 360 Report Card
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
From oxmonline.com : <BR><I> We’re halfway through the year, and probably halfway through the Xbox 360’s lifespan. Does our console make the grade? It’s time for the midterm examination. * Software (First-Party): A * Software (Third-Party): A+ * Hardware: C+ * Xbox Live: B+ * Xbox Live Marketplace: B+ * Marketing & Advertising: C+ * Overall: B+ </I><BR><BR> Full Story: oxmonline.com (4 pages)
Bruce Everiss about MrModchip Case
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Bruce Everiss, a veteran games marketer, blogged about the recent ‘modchip’ appeal MrModchip won in the UK : <BR><I> Very bad news for any gaming enthusiast. The British appeals court say that modchips don’t circumvent copyright protection. It is only by protecting copyright that game developers can be paid for their work. And if they aren’t paid for their work then they won’t make games as we have seen so many times before. </I><BR><BR>
Halo 3 Takes Advertising Prizes in Cannes
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
From adweek.com : <BR><I> CANNES, FRANCE – Four Grand Prix Lions were awarded at the final prize ceremony at the 55th International Advertising Festival here tonight, with two top honors given by the Film jury and two by the Titanium & Integrated jury. The top Film winners were Cadbury’s “Gorilla” by Fallon, London, and Xbox Halo 3’s “Believe” by T.A.G./McCann Worldgroup, San Francisco. The Titanium Grand Prix went to Uniqlo’s “Uniqlock” from Projector Tokyo, which also won the Cyber Grand Prix earlier this week. The Integrated Grand Prix was awarded to the Xbox Halo 3 effort. In Integration, Xbox Halo 3 “stood head and shoulders above the rest” of the contenders, said Tutssel. “The variety of the work they produced was so surprising and so new and so engaging,” he added. “It is breathtakingly beautiful in its craft, thinking, its execution and the way it connected with people. It’s game-changing in its thinking.” The winning Halo 3 campaign, from T.A.G/McCann Worldgroup, San Francisco, included three-minute online executions — “Enemy Weapon,” “Gravesite,” “John 117/Monument” and “Combat” — that delved into the story of the legendary battle between humanity and aliens using documentary-style interviews set 500 years in the future. Another commercial in the campaign, “Diorama,” also received a gold and a bronze Lion. The jury praised its unique approach in the category and the deep level of the storytelling. “You became quite emotional about the pieces as you are moving through the touch points,” said South African juror Paul Warner, founder and executive creative director of MetropolitanRepublic. Halo 3 – “Believe” – John 117/Monument</I><BR><BR> Full Story: adweek.com
Microsoft 1st Party Blunders and the Future
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
From xboxkings.com : <BR><I> Microsoft has stated that buying out development houses isn’t always the most sound strategy for both parties involved. However, it is a good way to strengthen MGS and promote growth as well as diversity. Let’s take a look at what Microsft has allowed to to be taken away as well as what could be potentially wise business moves to improve the 1st party development for Microsoft Game Studios. Blunders: 1) Bizarre Creations 2) Bungie 3) Bioware Wise Purchases for the Future: 1) Epic Games 2) Sega 3) Take Two 4) Tomonobu Itagaki/Team Ninja 5) Silicon Knights 6) Real Time Worlds </I><BR><BR> Full Story: xboxkings.com
IGN’s Top 10 Microsoft E3 Reveals (In Their Dreams)
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
From xbox360.ign.com : <BR><I> Microsoft is scheduled to kick off this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo with a press conference on Monday, July 14. Needless to say, expectations are high. The company needs to come out with guns blazing to set the tone for the rest of the week. After last year’s showing, we thought MS might like a little help planning this one out. If you recall, the last time MS took gaming’s biggest stage it started out strong with a live performance of the Halo theme song and some Rock Band. Then it took a turn for the worse with “big” announcements of Scene It! and Viva Pi?ata: Party Animals and an appearance by our dawg, Jeff Bell. Family fun is all well and good, but this is E3. We want excitement and instant gratification. We want these 10 games to be featured prominently. So if you’re reading MS, this one’s for you. 10. Gymnast 09. Star Ocean: The Last Hope 08. Fable 2 XBLA Minigames 07. Metal Gear Solid 4 06. Resident Evil 5 05. Mass Effect 2 04. Alan Wake 03. Gears of War 2 02. BioShock 2 01. Peter Jackson’s Halo Project </I><BR><BR> Full Story: xbox360.ign.com (2 pages)
Microsoft promises more new games for E3
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
From gamepro.com : <BR><I> “We have not announced all of our line-up yet for 2008 but will provide more details at E3 next month,” said Aaron Greenberg, director of Xbox 360 product management, in an email sent to GamePro on Thursday. “Xbox 360 will continue to be the home to blockbuster games and the most exclusives,” Greenberg added. “By the end of the year we will have over 1,000 games available for Xbox 360, which will be 2-3 times more than any other platform.” </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamepro.com
The Media Center Extender Shootout: 360 vs Linksys vs D-Link Extender
Xbox Scene :: Monday, June 23, 2008
From engadgethd.com : <BR><I> Vista Media Center really sets itself apart from any other DVR solution out there, and the single greatest advantage Vista Media Center (VMC) has over the other options — like the TiVo HD — is the ability to have multiple Media Center Extenders. There really isn’t any better way out there that will allow you to watch premium HD cable in every room of your house while at the same time centralizing all your media in one place. When VMC first hit the streets, there was only one HD extender: the Xbox 360. But the problem, of course, is that the Xbox is noisy and will always be a gaming console first and a Media Center Extender second. Well, things have really heated up in the extender market recently when both Linksys and D-Link released Media Center Extenders and HP upgraded its MediaSmart HDTVs. Wrap-up We are glad to see so many new ways to access all of our HD content (including recorded HD cable) on any HDTV in the house, and we’re happy to say that every one of these devices is a great solution. But while gamers will be drawn to the value of the Xbox 360, the noise and sheer size of the box prevent it from being the ultimate solution for others. So as much as we miss the cool animated transitions, the old adage “Jack of all trades, master of none” was never more true, and in the case of Media Center Extenders we really prefer the Linksys DMA2100. It is less expensive, boots up faster, and is so small and quiet it will work in just about any application where the main goal is to access VMC. At the same time, it is a close race, and since an Extender is the kind of device you’re likely to own more than one of, we’d probably choose one of each if we were outfitting our entire house. </I><BR><BR> Full Review: engadgethd.com
Rumor: Microsoft to Announce 60GB Xbox 360 at E3?
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
From trustedreviews.com : <BR><I> A number of months have passed since I dropped that Xbox 360 60GB bombshell on you guys, so you’re probably wondering what’s going on? Here’s the latest… After much dillying and dallying Microsoft has decided internally that it will announce the long overdue upgrade at E3 next month (the event runs from 15 – 17 July) with a release then scheduled for August (pre-10th says my source). </I><BR><BR> Full Story: trustedreviews.com
Microsoft: Leaked Concepts ‘May Or May Not’ Be Real Products
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
From kotaku.com : <BR><I> The recent weekend leak-fest, courtesy of marketing research company Intellisponse, yielded lots of possible upcoming Microsoft projects gleaned from surveys. There was the evidence suggesting that Mii-like avatars could be coming to Xbox Live, the rumored “Lips,” a possible SingStar-type game, and word that a “social interactive” game show channel might be popping up on Live as well. “We regularly test all kinds of concepts in market research with our Xbox community,” said a Microsoft representative. “These may or may not be real products in development or ever be released to consumers.” </I><BR><BR> Full Story: kotaku.com
Microsoft to Show Its Newest Games at the Second Annual E for All Expo
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
From the press release: <BR><I> Entertainment for All Expo (E for All) is kicking off its 2008 show with a bang, announcing today that Microsoft Corporation has signed on to exhibit at the 2nd annual E for All? video game event, scheduled to take place October 3-5, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. “We are thrilled that Microsoft Corporation has decided to exhibit at this year’s E for All. The addition of Microsoft’s leading line of products at the event will be a huge benefit for attendees, from hardcore gamers to families, and everyone in between,” said Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer at IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows and events around the globe and owner of E for All. “Microsoft’s presence at the 2008 event will help us build on the great success of last year’s inaugural E for All event, and will further our goal of building an exciting and cutting-edge event that brings the best and newest games to gamers of all types. We look forward to a terrific 2008 event, and to having the opportunity to bring even more great game products to the great gamers who attend E for All.” Dolaher said additional E for All participants and features will be announced in the coming weeks. For more about E for All, please visit www.EforAllExpo.com. </I><BR><BR>
Saling The World: Metal Gear Solid 4 Outsells Worldwide Competition In Debut Week
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Saling The World” charts find Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 4 leading worldwide PS3 software sales, while Lego Indiana Jones continues to do brisk multiplatform business in its second week of release.
Release This: Space Invaders Extreme, Alone in the Dark Make Western Debut
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Release This!” examines a week that brings the North American releases of Space Invaders Extreme and Secret Agent Clank, as the UK hosts the worldwide premieres of Alone in the Dark and Overlord: Raising Hell.
Critical Reception: Taito’s Space Invaders Extreme
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
This week’s edition of Critical Reception examines online reaction to Taito’s landmark arcade franchise revival Space Invaders Extreme, which critics describe as “a classic brilliantly infused with technicolor, variety, and heaps of caffeine.”
Why Xbox Live isn’t free
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
From gamesradar.com : <BR><I> Until recently, Microsoft could brag about how Live was by far the most feature-complete online service on any platform, with a unified Friends list, the best online shop, voice and video chat as standard and a consistent and stable online experience. But in recent months there’s been a shift in the market, and even bigger changes are coming. Microsoft is the only player to charge for online play, and their policy has landed some of the best online games on the 360… but as PC and PlayStation developers offer comparable features at no extra cost, the Gold subscription starts to lose its shine. The launch of the PC’s Steam Community late last year and promises made by Sony at January’s Consumer Electronics Show have placed Microsoft on the back foot, and has all of us asking: what does your annual subscription pay for? Live’s best asset is that it allows even small developers to support online play – the value of which can’t possibly be denied. Without it, we’d never see online play in small-budget XBLA titles or even marginalised full-price games. The question to ask is whether or not that’s worth the precious money from your pocket, on rotation, every 12 months. From the player’s end experience, Live is the leader, but it’s hardly a full fifty bucks/forty-quid ahead of its competition. The market has changed since 2002 and so long as the PlayStation Network and Steam Community threaten to match Live feature-for-feature, Live needs to be obviously better in some other way, especially in the UK where it costs a full fifteen quid more for a yearly subscription than the $50 (?25) cost over in the U.S. At some point in the coming months, PSN will rob Live’s Friends List, completing its mimicry of Microsoft’s system. It’s at that point where questions must start to be asked of Live. It’s certainly easier for developers, but as gamers, perhaps we should rightly expect just a little more from our Gold subscription. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamesradar.com (3 pages)
Critical Reception: Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 4
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
This week’s edition of Critical Reception examines online reaction to Konami’s stealth-action sequel Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, which reviews describe as “a dazzling, heart-lifting voyage of discovery.”
TN GAMES FPS Vest Review – adding realism to games
Xtreme Computing :: Friday, June 13, 2008
“For this review I’ll be looking at something a little different from a, I assume, relative newcomer to the gaming accessory scene as before receiving the item for review I had never heard of them. The item under review today is the FPS Gaming Vest from TN Games. It’s a rather interesting item that should make compatible FPS games even more realistic by enabling users to “feel” the game.”
Overclocked: A History of Violence PC Review
Tweak Town :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
TTGamer have today posted a review of Overclocked: A History of Violence for the PC. Adventure gaming may no longer be at the forefront of the PC industry, but titles like this prove quality can still be had in this genre.
Release This: Metal Gear Solid 4 Debuts Worldwide; Civ Rev Hits UK
Gamasutra Columns :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Release This!” examines a week that brings Metal Gear Solid 4 to PlayStation 3 consoles worldwide, while the U.S. receives Blast Works and gamers in the UK get an early look at Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution.
Saling The World: Lego Indiana Jones Sees Warm Worldwide Reception
Gamasutra Columns :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Saling The World” charts sees the release of LucasArts and TT Games’ Lego Indiana Jones making early sales waves across multiple platforms in both the U.S. and the UK.
Pachter: 360 outsold PS3 in the US in May
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
From videogaming247.com : <BR><I> Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter just issued a research note saying he expects that Xbox 360 outsold PS3 in the US last month. “We estimate sell-through of 750,000 Wii, 250,000 Xbox 360 and 225,000 PS3 consoles. For purposes of comparison, The simExchange prediction market forecasts 744,000 Wii, 216,000 Xbox 360 and 228,000 PS3 consoles sold, while VGChartz forecasts 645,327 Wii, 191,992 Xbox 360 and 177,989 PS3 consoles sold. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: videogaming247.com
Dream-Build-Play 2008
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
From the XNA Team Blog : <BR><I> The XNA team is proud to announce Dream-Build-Play 2008, a global competition to see who can create the best game for the Xbox 360 using XNA Game Studio 2.0. This year’s participants will be competing for $75,000 in prizes and the bragging rights to say their game was the best. In addition, one of the top ten finalists will have a chance at an Xbox LIVE publishing contract. Prizes: * 1st $40,000 * 2nd $20,000 * 3rd $10,000 * 4th $5,000 Last year’s Dream-Build-Play was an outstanding success as we extended the four top entries opportunities to sign Xbox LIVE Arcade publishing agreements. We will begin to see those winning games released later this year on Xbox LIVE Arcade. This year’s contest will feature Xbox360 development only and to ensure that everyone has access, we will be giving away one free 12-Month XNA Creators Club Trial membership to everyone that registers. For more information and your chance to create the next great hit log on to www.dreambuildplay.com . </I><BR><BR>
Upcoming RPGs Announced at RPG Premiere 2008
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
From Microsoft’s PR Blog : <BR><I> Microsoft, Square Enix, Namco Bandai announced details for several upcoming titles, at the Xbox 360 RPG Premiere 2008 in Shibuya, Tokyo. Find all the details in a media alert just published this morning. SQUARE ENIX * INFINITE UNDISCOVERY will be launched in the United States on September 2, 2008, in Europe on September 5, 2008, and in Japan and Asia on September 11, 2008. * STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE will be coming in 2009. * THE LAST REMNANT will be launched worldwide this winter, with the Xbox 360 version hitting the shelves before other platforms. Microsoft * Fable 2 is coming to Japan by the end of 2008. * Mass Effect will also be coming to Japan. NAMCO BANDAI Games * Tales of Vesperia will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 in Japan on August 7, 2008, in the United States August 2008, in Europe in 2009, and in Asia in Summer 2008. * The free trial game demo of this title will be distributed through Xbox LIVE Marketplace by the end of June, 2008. * Xbox 360 Tales of Vesperia Premium Pack will go on sale on August 7 only in Japan. </I><BR><BR>
Gartner Chief Analyst about Last Year’s Xbox 360 ‘Recall’
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
From eetimes.com : <BR><I> When Microsoft Corp. announced a mammoth global recall of its Xbox 360 a year ago, the software giant never disclosed the exact source of the game console’s heat problem that led to the fiasco. Now, in an unlikely venue at Design Automation Conference here, Bryan Lewis, research vice president and chief analyst at Gartner, disclosed that the problem started in a graphic chip. Lewis offered this offhand revelation while discussing the changing ASIC and ASSP landscape for his DAC audience. The Xbox 360 recall a year ago happened because “Microsoft wanted to avoid an ASIC vendor,” said Lewis. Microsoft designed the graphic chip on its own, cut a traditional ASIC vendor out of the process and went straight to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., he explained. But in the end, by going cheap–hoping to save tens of millions of dollars in ASIC design costs, Microsoft ended up paying more than $1 billion for its Xbox 360 recall. To fix the problem, Microsoft went back to an unnamed ASIC vendor based in the United States and redesigned the chip, Lewis added. (Based on a previous report, the ASIC vendor is most likely the former ATI Technologies, now part of AMD.) </I><BR><BR> Full Story: eetimes.com
Replacement Xbox 360 Heatsink by Thermalright Spotted in the Wild
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
FaSMaN sent us this information: <BR><I> I was browsing Vr-zones latest set of photos from Computex 2008 and spotted what appears to be a replacement heatsink for the 360. It’s made by Thermalright. </I><BR><BR> News-Source: vr-zone.com
Rumor: Opus Xbox 360 Motherboard is Now Shipping
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
From 8bitjoystick on seattlepi.com : <BR><I> I’ve gotten word that the “Opus” Xbox 360 motherboard is now shipping and will be included in the repair and refurbish (RnR) operations at Xbox. This means that folks who have their 1st generation “Xenon” Xbox 360 die on them with the Red Ring of Death (or a Core Digital error as Microsoft internally call it) might get a new motherboard. This is a newer “Falcon” generation chip set with a cooler 65 nm CPU but no HDMI port. Also work on the “Jasper” Xbox 360 is going well and is on track to be out first week in September. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: seattlepi.com
MS: Live Arcade cull will force developers to focus on quality
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
From gamesindustry.biz : <BR><I> Microsoft has said that the decision to delist under performing Xbox Live Arcade titles will force developers to focus on better quality games. Director of product management, Aaron Greenberg, has also told GamesIndustry.biz that he believes developers will still be willing to experiment with niche or new concepts, rather than adopting safe gameplay in order to receive a high score and stay on the service. “I really don’t think we will see that at all, in fact many unique style games typically get stronger reviews because they stand out from the pack,” he said. “If anything you will see developers take more time, make use of the new additional storage space and focus on game quality now more than ever to ensure the title is well received.” “This program only applies to Xbox Live Arcade, Community Games created with XNA do not go through the same submission and certification process and since they are developed by community members are less likely to have review scores assigned to them like Xbox Live Arcade titles,” clarified Greenberg. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Critical Reception: Tecmo/Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden II
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
This week’s edition of Critical Reception examines online reaction to Ninja Gaiden II, Tecmo’s flagship franchise sequel that “isn’t better than before, but [is] still unmatched in its challenge and speed,” according to critics.
Release This: Ninja Gaiden II, Lego Indiana Jones Head U.S. Lineup
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Release This!” examines a week that sees the worldwide release of Ninja Gaiden II on the Xbox 360, which joins Lego Indiana Jones and The Bourne Conspiracy in this week’s U.S. release lineup.
Critical Reception: Ubisoft/Free Radical’s Haze
Gamasutra Columns :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
This week’s edition of Critical Reception examines online reaction to Haze, a PlayStation 3-exclusive first-person shooter that “really is this year’s most significant gaming disappointment,” according to reviews.
Nyko Ships Charge Base For the Xbox 360
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From the press release: <BR><I> Nyko Technologies?, the premier gaming peripherals manufacturer, today announced that their Charge Base 360 has shipped to stores. This new charging solution for the Xbox 360 provides a drop-in charging and storage solution for up to two wireless controllers. Nyko is the first to offer such a charging solution for the millions of Xbox 360 owners looking for a faster and more efficient way to store and charge their controllers. The Charge Base 360 offers an alternative to USB charging or wasteful and expensive disposable batteries. Nyko’s Charge Base 360 comes with two custom NiMH rechargeable batteries that feature special contact points, allowing the controllers to be easily dropped into the Charge Base 360 without removing the battery packs. Two ports allow up to two controllers to charge simultaneously, with a single charge providing up to 25 hours of play time for each controller. The device is AC powered and plugs into any standard outlet for a charge time of less than 2 hours for one controller, and less than 4 hours for two controllers. The Charge Base 360 also includes two LED lights which change color to indicate the charge status of each controller. “Nyko has identified a need among Xbox 360 owners looking for a more convenient way to store and charge their controllers, said Chris Arbogast, Director of Marketing at Nyko Technologies. “The Charge Base 360 eliminates the use of wasteful and expensive disposable batteries and keeps your controllers charged while you store them, so that they are ready to go for an extended gaming session every time you pick them up.” Nyko’s Charge Base for the Xbox 360 is available for the suggested retail price of $34.99. Please visit www.nyko.com for more information. A limited edition run of 200 units in a Black & Gold color scheme will go on sale June 2nd, exclusively on the Nyko store website at for the standard MSRP of $34.99. </I><BR><BR>
UK: 360 consoles outselling PS3 since GTA IV launch
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From gamesindustry.biz : <BR><I> Sales of Xbox 360 consoles are 18 per cent ahead of the PlayStation 3 in the UK since the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, Chart-Track told Eurogamer. Official GTA IV sales figures for the first four weeks also reveal that the Xbox 360 is the format of choice for UK gamers, with 57 per cent of the total sales of the game on 360, compared to 43 per cent on PS3. However, taking all 21 weeks of 2008 into account, sales of PlayStation 3 in the UK are 10 per cent ahead of Xbox 360. Prior to the launch of GTA IV, the PS3 boasted a 20 per cent lead on 360. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
VGChartz: Wii Passes 360 in America
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From vgchartz.com : <BR><I> With the release of the latest figures from VGChartz, Wii has officially passed 360 in the Americas in lifetime sales as of the week ending May 24th, 2008, despite the 360 having an extra year on the market. Wii has reached 11.7M sales in America in its 79th week available; whereas, 360 reached 11.5M in American sales in its 131st week. PS3 is currently at 4.9M lifetime sales in the Americas after it’s 80th week on the market. (For reference, the “America” region tracked by VGChartz includes all of North, Central, and South America.) </I><BR><BR> Full Story: vgchartz.com
Saling The World: Age of Conan, Mass Effect Lead U.S. PC Charts
Gamasutra Columns :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Saling The World” charts see a slow sales climb for Wii Fit in North America as supply shortages continue, while Age of Conan and Mass Effect top regional PC software sales.
Seattle’s new MLS team Sponsored by Xbox Live
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From AP via biz.yahoo.com : <BR><I> Microsoft will sponsor the new MLS team in Seattle. The Seattle Sounders FC will be sponsored by Microsoft and Xbox Live 360, the team announced Wednesday. Microsoft will pay a reported $20 million over five years. Microsoft executive Robbie Bach said the growth and global scope of soccer enticed the company to get involved with sponsoring a sports franchise. The team will begin play in the 2009 season. </I><BR><BR>
Michael Pachter: Xbox360 Next for Netflix
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From businessweek.com : <BR><I> Following a Netflix analyst event in San Francisco, Wedbush Morgan Securities’ Michael Pachter has reiterated his belief that the popular rental company will partner with Microsoft to offer a new streaming service over Xbox Live. “The company is investing heavily in building its online streaming capability, to the point where it is a market leader, and a desirable partner for consumer electronics companies that hope to participate in digital media convergence in the near term. As we have speculated in the past, we believe that one of Netflix’s partners is Microsoft. We arrive at this conclusion based upon Netflix management repeatedly mentioning ‘Internet enabled video game consoles.’ While there are three such consoles, only one (Microsoft’s Xbox 360) has a sufficiently large installed base to make sense from a streaming partnership with Netflix,” Pachter stated in his latest research note. “It strikes me that the right business model for Microsoft and Netflix is that they both participate for free, and I think the idea is that Netflix has 8 million subs in the U.S. and Microsoft has probably pretty close to that many Xbox Live members in the U.S., and there’s probably not 100 percent overlap – my guess is there’s a couple million of overlap, but there’s 5-6 million Xbox Live subscribers that Netflix would love to have join Netflix service and there’s probably 5-6 million Netflix subscribers that Microsoft would love to sell an Xbox 360 to,” Pachter told us. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: businessweek.com
Itagaki: Xbox 360 is the Most Powerful Hardware
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From an interview with Team Ninja (Ninja Gaiden II) developer Tomonubu Itagaki on mcvuk.com : <BR><I> * MCV: “Ninja Gaiden II has got some great previews from the press – how proud of it are you?” * Itagaki: “I’m very happy with it. It’s not 100 per cent as I think that’s not possible to do, but I think that I was successful in making a game that no one else could. This is a game that only my team and I would be able to make.” * MCV: “Do you prefer to develop on the Xbox 360, rather than the other consoles?” * Itagaki: “Yes. In my opinion it is the most powerful hardware. I have a lot of friends that develop on it so in some ways I regard it like being at home when I’m working on it. There’s no reason for me to go to a strangers house to make games.” </I><BR><BR> Full Story: mcvuk.com (via n4g.com )
Opinion: Where Microsoft Is Going Wrong With Xbox Live
Xbox Scene :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
From gamasutra.com : <BR><I> Conclusion As you can see, Microsoft have effectively hoisted themselves by their own petard when it comes to XBLA. In trying to manage consumers and overcome what they believed was an image issue, they have created a network that organisationally can’t actually sell a lot of games. Their solution is to reduce the catalogue, but this is essentially an admission of failure on their part. With the 360 probably having peaked in terms of overall appeal and other console providers and technology companies now delivering credible alternatives, it is up to Microsoft to rethink their whole strategy and decide whether this is a sector of the business that they really want to be in any more. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamasutra.com