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
