DFC: 360 Likely ‘Biggest Loser’ in Europe
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
From next-gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10235&Itemid=2 ): [QUOTE] David Cole with DFC Intelligence is betting that PlayStation-loving Europe will soon be switching its loyalty to Nintendo platforms, with the Xbox 360 being left in the wakes of both rivals. What will Nintendo’s success mean for the other platforms? It is important to note that DFC Intelligence is also forecasting strong sales for the PlayStation 3 and, to a lesser extent the Xbox 360. This generation is not expected to be a case of one platform dominating like the PS2 did in the last generation. One factor that will increasingly take hold in Europe is what DFC has labeled the “second car in the garage.” In the U.S. over 40 percent of game households now buy two or more of the current console systems. By comparison, Europe has largely been a one car in the garage market. In recent years, that car has been the PlayStation 2. As the game market in Europe grows we expect to see more consumers buying two or more systems (although not to the extent of the U.S.) The Wii is forecasted to be the market leader, but with a market share less than 50 percent compared with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Consumers will still need to play World of Warcraft, Grand Theft Auto IV, games on the go and so on. No one system satisfies all the diverse tastes in today’s market. It appears inevitable that, for the PlayStation 3, Sony will lose a big chunk of its PS2 user base. However, in the long-term, DFC Intelligence believes the PlayStation 3 will be a fairly strong competitor. The biggest loser in Europe is likely to be the Xbox 360. Microsoft has seen its self-proclaimed fall 2007 “greatest holiday lineup in videogame history” come and go with very little impact on the Xbox 360’s position in the European marketplace. To spur sales in 2008, Microsoft is being forced to lower the price of a system that is starting to look like a senior citizen as it approaches its third birthday. The Xbox systems have enjoyed much greater success in the U.K. than in continental Europe. In large part this is because the U.K. does not have a strong PC game market like those found in other parts of Europe. However, as in the U.S. and Australia where intense violence is more popular with gamers, U.K. gamers enjoy first-person shooter (FPS) titles and the Xbox 360 is clearly the leader in that category. Unfortunately, outside of the U.K., DFC sees the Xbox 360 continuing to struggle in Europe. [/QUOTE] Full Story: next-gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10235&Itemid=2 ) (2 pages)
Hardware Analyst Breaks Down Cost Of Xbox 360?s 120GB Hard Drive
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
From multiplayerblog.mtv.com (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/06/hardware-analyst-breaks-down-cost-of-xbox-360s-120gb-hard-drive/ ): [QUOTE] iSupli representative Krishna Chander expects the hard drive came from electronics manufacturers Toshiba or Seagate . When the hard drive ships to retail, it comes pre-loaded with starter software (i.e. Xbox Live Arcade trials) and “specific Gaming Instructions and some levels of the OS,” said Chander. Unlike an off-the-shelf drive that can simply be loaded into your standard PS3, Chander explained, the Xbox 360 drive’s pricing also includes color tuning and packaging. This begins to drive the price up from what you might see at an online retailer like NewEgg. The software-loaded drives are then sold to what’s called Value Added Resellers (VARs). These folks take the base drives and apply the casing and packaging. iSuppli expects VARs purchase the drives for $75, before charging $5 to add their part to the final package that ends up appearing at your local games store. These drives are then delivered to Microsoft. iSuppli believes the markup on the drives could be as much as $20, making the drives $100 a pop for Microsoft. Microsoft then sets a suggested price for retail. In this case, it’s $179.99. [/QUOTE] Full Story: multiplayerblog.mtv.com (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/06/hardware-analyst-breaks-down-cost-of-xbox-360s-120gb-hard-drive/ )
echochrome™
Sony Games :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Featuring an elegant black and white art design inspired by the works of M.C. Escher, echochrome™ is a puzzle game unlike any other. With gameplay based on optical illusions, players must utilize five simple laws of perspective to join walkways, hide dangers, and create new paths to reach the “echos,” or shadow guides. Once you’ve mastered the five laws, use them to create your own mind-bending levels to play and share with friends using the custom level editor. Key Features: Elegant Graphics – Simple black-and-white art style rendered in crisp 1080p HD Unique Gameplay – Master perspective puzzles based on optical illusions across 56 challenging levels that are exclusive to the PLAYSTATION®3 system version Canvas Mode – Create your own custom levels to play and share with friends over PLAYSTATION®Network. Users can even submit their best levels from within the game right to the game’s developers, who then pick the best levels to distribute to all echochrome PLAYSTATION®3 users worldwide
Microsoft May Sweeten Offer for Yahoo After Discussions Pick Up
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
From bloomberg.com (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aTNNfYoGunWg&refer=us ): [QUOTE] Microsoft Corp., closing in on the biggest acquisition in its 33-year history, may seek to end an impasse with Yahoo! Inc.’s board by raising its takeover offer, a person familiar with the matter said. Talks intensified this week after Yahoo spent three months hunting for alternatives to the deal. The original cash-and-stock bid of $31 a share, or $44.6 billion, has fallen to $29.40 a share because of Microsoft’s declining stock price. A higher offer may win over Yahoo’s board, eliminating the need for Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer to go to shareholders with a hostile offer, which might have spurred an employee exodus. A deal also may halt Yahoo’s efforts to forge an online advertising partnership with rival GoogleInc. [/QUOTE] Full Story: bloomberg.com (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aTNNfYoGunWg&refer=us )
MS: 360 GTA IV Outselling PS3 Version 2-to-1
Xbox Scene :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
From next-gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10281&Itemid=2 ): [QUOTE] Microsoft tells Next-Gen that the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV is outselling the PlayStation 3 version by a wide margin in the US, but Sony questions Microsoft’s claims. “What we’ve heard anecdotally from our retail partners is that the Xbox 360 version of the game is outselling the PS3 version by a margin of two-to-one,” said Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live during an interview Thursday. But a SCEA rep questioned Microsoft’s findings, saying that Microsoft’s two-to-one ratio “doesn’t line up” with what Sony has been hearing from its retailers. The rep declined to say exactly what Sony has been hearing from its retail partners until more concrete data can be compiled. [/QUOTE] Full Story: next-gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10281&Itemid=2 )
Iron Man™
Sony Games :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Based on the blockbuster movie by Marvel Studios, Iron Man™ blasts onto the all major gaming platforms! Immerse yourself in hardcore shooting action and explosive combat from the film as well as exclusive content created just for the game. Customize your Iron Man suit and battle against armies of fighter jets, tanks, armored Super Villains and more. You are a One Man Army. You are Iron Man.
Release This: Boom Blox, R-Type Command Highlight U.S. Debuts
Gamasutra Columns :: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Gamasutra’s latest “Release This!” examines a week that brings worldwide releases to a slow trickle, with Boom Blox and R-Type Command serving as highlights in the U.S. and UK.
Are Intel chipsets really capable of running DirectX 10 games?
Hardware Secrets :: Saturday, May 03, 2008
“That is the question nVidia is asking around. They just sent us some information about DirectX 10 support on Intel chipsets with integrated video. The conclusion is simple: DirectX 10 support isn’t relevant as on-board video doesn’t have enough performance to run today’s games anyway! See below the full e-mail we’ve got from nVidia. If you are interested in learning more about integrated (a.k.a. on-board) video from Intel it is an interesting read.— Rec”
House of the Dead 2 & 3 Returns Wii 
Gamepyre :: Friday, May 02, 2008
This game port is well worth the money, and the replay options are many and varied. I don’t think I could ever get tired of this game, even if it is an old arcade style. There’s something fundamentally satisfying about watching a zombie’s head explode as it lurches towards you with the old hollywood classic shamble. Some of the bonuses you can unlock to play in the Original Mode are incredibly funny, (primitive meat, anyone?) and you’ll no doubt spend many happy hours trying to find every path you can possibly take, and every bonus you can possibly shoot from start to finish. I know I did.
Jack Keane (PC) Review
Gaming Heaven :: Friday, May 02, 2008
Jack Keane is a game clearly inspired by the classic Monkey Island from Lucasarts. Deck 13, the developer of Ankh have borrowed the traditional adventure fare, starring a brave chisel chinned hero (Keane), a hot headed love interest, silly pirates and a bad guy resplendent with camp moustache.
Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge Wii Review
Gamepyre :: Friday, May 02, 2008
All around, Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge is not a bad sort of puzzle game. Fans of the original PC versions should be satisfied with it, as it not only keeps all the original controls and game play, but adds new elements as well to improve the game play experience. For people like my wife (who adores puzzle games of all sorts) the replay value is worth the $30 price tag. When you want to just laze around the house and relax, it can provide hours of meaningless, colorful entertainment.
