BenHeck: Sneak Peek at the THQ Laptop
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From benheck.com : <BR><I> Usually I don’t show works-in-progress, but THQ wanted me to keep people in the loop so here’s a quick look at the Darksiders laptop. It’s similar in size to my previous Xbox 360 laptops but a little bigger. * A little more room allows a lot more features as this one includes a slot to insert a full-sized Xbox 360 hard drive. * Also both memory card slots are available, so taking your home profile “on the road” will be a piece of cake. * The Xbox Live camera is back, as well as Wi-Fi. * The 2 circles on either side will be the speakers. Also note all buttons are front-mounted, sync, eject and the remaining USB port. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: benheck.com
6 Million 360s Sold in Europe
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From the press release: <BR><I> Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 has broken through the six million mark in Europe, thanks to strong momentum for the console across the region. A reduction in the estimated retail price (ERP) of the console last week has brought the entry-level ERP for Xbox 360 down to €179/?129.99. This reduction plus an incredible line-up of games and exciting and broad entertainment offerings means Xbox 360 is the true home of mass market entertainment, with something to offer for every interest and budget. Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business EMEA, said: “We’re very excited that more consumers in Europe are joining the ever-growing Xbox 360 community. We’re now the best-value next-gen console on the market with an entry-level ERP of €179/?129.99, and consumers have clearly responded to that offering. We’re supporting this momentum by putting launch-level investment into a European advertising campaign, launching this week, which shows how Xbox 360 is changing the way consumers experience entertainment. With the New Xbox Experience on the horizon, and great titles like Lips, Scene It?; You’re In The Movies, Fable 2, and more, there’s never been a better time to jump in to all that Xbox 360 offers.” From last Friday, 19th September, Xbox 360, which includes a 60GB hard drive and one wireless controller, has an ERP of €239.99/?169.99. The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace as well as their own music, has an ERP of €299.99/?229.99. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world of Xbox, has an ERP of €179/?129.99. The price drop has set the stage for a record breaking holiday season, and the launch later this year of the New Xbox Experience, which will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use. It’s the first time in history that a mass market consumer electronics device has been reinvented through software, changing the way we play games, watch movies, and enjoy great all-round entertainment. </I><BR><BR>
Peter Moore Interview: Epilogue – Microsoft Changed the World of Entertainment
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From guardian.co.uk : <BR><I> So here’s Peter, closing off on an extremely interesting and candid interview… “I am so fortunate to have been part of this industry at a time of technological advances that have changed the way we all play games. I am especially fortunate to have spent 4? exhilarating years at Microsoft, working with some of the most passionate, smartest people I have ever had the honour and privilege of working with. I guess you have to work there to truly appreciate what a unique and special company Bill and Steve have built, and I think gamers need to fully appreciate the positive impact that the Xbox consoles, and in particular Xbox Live, have had on our industry. I worked with a team of people so special and so near and dear to my heart, that not a day goes by where I don’t miss them in some way. Same with our studios – the flair and creativity of Rare, the sheer brilliance and focus of Bungie, the game-changing team at Lionhead, and all of the other brilliantly-talented teams that helped drive hardware sales with great software.” “Microsoft changed the world of enterprise and communications with Windows, and when all is done and dusted, I know the same will be said of the world of entertainment because of Xbox. The company is too focused, the people too smart, to achieve anything less, and I feel incredibly proud to be a tiny part of that legacy.” </I><BR><BR> Full Story: guardian.co.uk
Xbox in Japan: A New Dawn?
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From edge-online.com : <BR><I> The strategy has served Microsoft well recently. While the Xbox 360 generally averages about 5,000 sales a week in Japan according to Media Create data, last month saw the release of Namco Bandai’s 360-exclusive Tales of Vesperia, which debuted at No4 in the country’s software chart after selling 108,000 copies during the week ended August 10. That same week, Media Create reported that the 360 had scored a notable victory on the hardware front in Japan, shifting almost 25,000 units to outsell the PS3 2.5:1. “The recent launch of Tales of Vesperia was a true catalyst for console sales, and in order to bring more gamers from a broader segment of consumers to the Xbox 360, we need to make the strengthening of our RPG lineup a priority,” said Sensui. “The recent launch of Infinite Undiscovery on September 11 saw sales of over 90,000 units in the week of September 8-14 according to data from Media Create, placing it the third-highest selling game in Japan in that period. Console sales also passed the Wii for the first time according to data for the same week from Enterbrain,” Sensui said. “We have similar high hopes for the upcoming launch of other RPGs such as The Last Remnant, Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope and Fable II. However, we have no plans to launch Final Fantasy XIII in Japan.” </I><BR><BR> Full Story: edge-online.com
Activision Copyright Lawsuits NOT Based on File Sharing
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From gamepolitics.com : <BR><I> An attorney who has represented Activision in six recent copyright lawsuits involving video games has told GamePolitics that the legal actions were not related to file sharing. Karin Pagnanelli, a partner with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, wrote in an e-mail: “While we don’t comment on litigation involving clients, we can advise you that we have never filed any litigation against a file-sharer on behalf of Activision.” </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamepolitics.com | techreport.com
Xbox spending ‘tens of millions’ on Xmas
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From mcvuk.com : <BR><I> Senior regional director of Microsoft UK Neil Thompson has told MCV that the recent price cuts are the opening gambit in a peak season which will see “tens of millions” spent on marketing the Xbox brand. “We’ve been talking to all of our retail partners about what we’re doing at Christmas and we’ve been very bold and ambitious about how successful we think we can be. “On marketing we’ll spend tens of millions – we’re going to engage in a very bold promotional push from now until Christmas.” Thompson also ruled out shortages of the console as sales begin to climb – stating that there will be plenty to go around: “I have been very bullish on supply for the UK market,” he added. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: mcvuk.com
New Xbox Experience – What You Want to Know: Avatars
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From the Xbox PR Blog : <BR><I> We know many of you are very opinionated about the upcoming Avatars in the new Xbox experience. For this week’s inside look, Major Nelson has created a video to show how simple it is to create your online persona. Want to just pick any look and jump into a game? Fine – It’s easy! Want to really get into it and create a detailed Avatar? Go for it – This video will show you how. </I><BR><BR>
Japanese Hardware: Actually, Xbox 360 Just Missed Wii Victory
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From gamasutra.com : <BR><I> Though Enterbrain asserts that Xbox 360 sales topped Wii in Japan this week, data from Media Create disputes, asserting that the Xbox 360 just missed that achievement, selling 28,188 units to Wii’s 29,686. It’s a significant jump for Xbox from last week’s sales of only 1,044, when stock was completely sold out in the country. On the other hand, it’s a 3000-unit sales fall for Wii, down from last week and placing third on the charts. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamasutra.com
Rumor: XboxPure Name for a New Xbox 360 Model?
Xbox Scene :: Thursday, September 25, 2008
From cheapassgamer.com : <BR><I> I’m not completely positive how true this is, but most of the things GilZ sends my way are true. He was correct about the new price drops, new HDMI models, new Elites, and now a picture sent to us with clearly visible text, in what appears to be either the 360’s new name or the next xbox’s final name. “XBOXPure” is what looks to be the final choice in this document. </I><BR><BR> Note: could the codenames “Xbox Lean” and “Xbox Granite” mentioned on the document mean this will be a ‘slimline’ version of the Xbox 360? It’s very unlikely to be the name of the ‘Xbox 720’ (project Phoenix) anyway (too early for that). Could just be completely fake as well of course ;) *UPDATE* Yea we know, it’s fake … heh. Full Story (incl. doc screenshot): cheapassgamer.com
Petition to remove activations based DRM from Stalker Clear Sky
3d Xtreme :: Monday, September 22, 2008
Everyone should know that any hardware changes prompt the game to re-activate and there is a limit per key for activations. Uninstalling does not revoke the key. OS changes will also trigger the need for a re-activation. So basically if you change hardware or reinstall ~5 times you will now need to get the key unlocked or a new one issued – to which GSC and Valve keep referring you to the other with neither company doing anything to resolve it.
Pure (X360 & PS3) Review
Gaming Heaven :: Monday, September 22, 2008
Pure is the new game from Black Rock Studio and focuses on over the top racing action and back breaking stunts. The big question … does it deliver something more enjoyable and worthwhile than their previous ATV offroad games?
Rumour: lots of MS announcements next week
Xbox Scene :: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
From gamer.tm : <BR><I> It looks like next week could be a busy time for 360 fans, with an industry insider claiming that Microsoft is due to make several announcements next week. On Monday, a well place industry source informed us that Microsoft is planning to hold an event here in Europe next week, where – among other things – it was expected to announce a 360 price cut for Europe and new titles from Bungie and Rare. Following yesterday’s price cut announcement and denials from Microsoft that it’s planning to hold an event at all, we checked with our source again to see what’s what, with interesting results. Our source assured us that despite the price cut announcement yesterday, the event is definitely due to go ahead next week, and that Microsoft will make lots of announcements. </I><BR><BR> Full Story: gamer.tm
