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Friday, July 08, 2005
XBOX 360 HIT BY STOCK SHORTAGES ALREADY?
"Reports out of the US suggest 360 pre-orders have already drained stocks - before they're even on the shelves
Stocks of Xbox 360 consoles are already critically low because of rampant pre-ordering, according to reports emanating from US retailers.
The reports, which remain speculation at this point, suggest that numerous large US retailers including EB Games and Gamestop have already exhausted their early stock allocations.
It seems that the demand for Microsoft's next-gen machine has been so great that a huge number of customers have pre-ordered their Xbox 360s - possibly resulting in empty store shelves when the console actually launches in November.
The news will cause distress for Microsoft, which was hit by severe Xbox stock shortages in the run-up to last Christmas. Also, potential Xbox 360 shortages could complicate the console's planned worldwide launch - it's expected to release in the US, Europe and Asia within weeks of each other in November.
But the Redmond-based giant seemed unphased by the reports when we contacted it for comment. "Excitement for Xbox 360 is running high," said a spokesperson, "and we're working with our manufacturing partners to ensure we meet worldwide demand for Xbox 360 this Christmas.""
Stocks of Xbox 360 consoles are already critically low because of rampant pre-ordering, according to reports emanating from US retailers.
The reports, which remain speculation at this point, suggest that numerous large US retailers including EB Games and Gamestop have already exhausted their early stock allocations.
It seems that the demand for Microsoft's next-gen machine has been so great that a huge number of customers have pre-ordered their Xbox 360s - possibly resulting in empty store shelves when the console actually launches in November.
The news will cause distress for Microsoft, which was hit by severe Xbox stock shortages in the run-up to last Christmas. Also, potential Xbox 360 shortages could complicate the console's planned worldwide launch - it's expected to release in the US, Europe and Asia within weeks of each other in November.
But the Redmond-based giant seemed unphased by the reports when we contacted it for comment. "Excitement for Xbox 360 is running high," said a spokesperson, "and we're working with our manufacturing partners to ensure we meet worldwide demand for Xbox 360 this Christmas.""
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D.Vader // 7/08/2005 01:09:00 PM //
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Jeff Henshaw Interview: Inside Xbox 360
Image Source: winsupersite.com
Jeff Henshaw Interview: Inside Xbox 360
By: Richard Allen
Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows has an interview with Jeff Henshaw, the Executive Producer for Xbox Digital Entertainment at Microsoft. Jeff was an integral member of the original Xbox team and is very excited about the possibilites and potiental for the Xbox 360.
The interview covers a variety of aspects including:
- High-Definition support
- Online Entertainment
- System Customizations
- Contollers
- Internet features
- Xbox Guide
- Xbox Community
- Xbox 360 Dashboard
- Xbox 360 Marketplace
- Xbox Live
- Micropayments & Microtransactions
- Game updates & Service packs
- Player Communications
- Portable Device Integration
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D.Vader // 7/08/2005 10:51:00 AM //
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Thursday, July 07, 2005
The Kraziness of Ken Kutaragi
"The president of Sony Computer Entertainment, Ken Kutaragi, is truly a visionary and a pioneer in the videogame industry. He is often called the "father of the PlayStation," as it was he who was the catalyst for Sony's entrance into the console business. Since then, he has been the driving force behind Sony's gaming ambitions, making the PlayStation 2 the behemoth success it is and revolutionizing the portable gaming market with the PlayStation Portable. These days, he is concentrating on cementing Sony's position in the worldwide gaming market by making the PlayStation 3 extend beyond the minds of the college student and turning the PlayStation into a mass-appealing home entertainment device.
Although much of his notoriety comes from his accomplishments, including his trailblazing work on LCD projectors and digital cameras, lately the venerable leader has been garnering press for his off-the-wall remarks. His image has been slowly turning from a videogame luminary to a boisterous loudmouth. What's happened? Why, suddenly, has everything that Kutaragi says immediately undergoes scrutiny and then ridicule on gaming forums across the ‘net? Let's take a look at the history of Ken Kutaragi's remarks and try to pinpoint where things go wrong.
Ken Kutaragi led the team that was developing the SNES CD-ROM. When Nintendo felt threatened by Sony, they dropped Japanese supergiant as the developer of the hardware in a very humiliating, public fashion at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1992. Embarrassed, Kutaragi pleaded with Sony CEO Norio Ohga to keep the project alive, saying that the final product would blow the SNES out of the water. The rest, as they say, is history." [more]
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D.Vader // 7/07/2005 04:57:00 PM //
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Foxlink and Ji-Haw to Supply Components for Xbox 360
"The Taiwan Economic News reported today that Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co. (Foxlink International, Inc.) and Ji-Haw Industrial Co. will provide connectors for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
Ji-Haw said that it has poured NT$90 million (US$2.84 million at US$1: NT$31.7) into establishing a new production line of Xbox 360 connectors, which will be ready for mass production in August. Foxlink, which will also start delivering Xbox 360 connectors in August, was already a provider of connectors and cables assemblies for the current generation Xbox.
These announcements suggest indirectly that the Xbox 360 will enter mass production as early as next month. We'll have more on the manufacturing of the Xbox 360 as it becomes available."
Ji-Haw said that it has poured NT$90 million (US$2.84 million at US$1: NT$31.7) into establishing a new production line of Xbox 360 connectors, which will be ready for mass production in August. Foxlink, which will also start delivering Xbox 360 connectors in August, was already a provider of connectors and cables assemblies for the current generation Xbox.
These announcements suggest indirectly that the Xbox 360 will enter mass production as early as next month. We'll have more on the manufacturing of the Xbox 360 as it becomes available."
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D.Vader // 7/07/2005 04:57:00 PM //
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Xbox 360 Beta Development Kit Picture Leaked?
Image Source: teamxbox.com
"Spreading faster than the speed of light, comes this new supposed picture of the beta Xbox 360 development kit, which according to reports from last week, it was delivered earlier this month.
The picture shows once again the Xbox 360 stood vertically, side by side with the current generation Xbox SDK. The quality of the picture suggests it was taken either with a web cam or a cell phone.
In the photo, you can see the new Xbox 360 controller in its wired version on top of the Xbox SDK (translucent enclosure). It is also worth clarifying that the Xbox 360 hardware on the picture has a black enclosure and an additional space on the top that probably hosts a bigger HDD or may be a larger enclosure was needed to host the current board because this is not the final hardware."
The picture shows once again the Xbox 360 stood vertically, side by side with the current generation Xbox SDK. The quality of the picture suggests it was taken either with a web cam or a cell phone.
In the photo, you can see the new Xbox 360 controller in its wired version on top of the Xbox SDK (translucent enclosure). It is also worth clarifying that the Xbox 360 hardware on the picture has a black enclosure and an additional space on the top that probably hosts a bigger HDD or may be a larger enclosure was needed to host the current board because this is not the final hardware."
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D.Vader // 7/07/2005 04:56:00 PM //
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Square Enix Xbox 360 Update
"In a recent IGN interview with Square Enix, several details were revealed concerning Final Fantasy XI for Xbox 360:
- the game is approximately 55% through the development cycle, with all graphics work being completely finished.
- development on the 360 version of FFXI started around February or March of this year.
- the game was ported over from the Windows version with few problems.
- by E3, players could log into the game and play without major hangups.
- the game was originally planned to be available for the original Xbox, roughly one year after Xbox launched, and just in time for the launch of Xbox Live.
- the game is still on track for a release alongside the Xbox 360 launch later this year.
- the Xbox 360 version is expected to have everything PC and PS2 players already enjoy, and all future updates are hoped to be available simultaneously for all versions in the future.
More details are sure to surface at Microsoft's 360 press conference later this month. We'll keep you posted."
- the game is approximately 55% through the development cycle, with all graphics work being completely finished.
- development on the 360 version of FFXI started around February or March of this year.
- the game was ported over from the Windows version with few problems.
- by E3, players could log into the game and play without major hangups.
- the game was originally planned to be available for the original Xbox, roughly one year after Xbox launched, and just in time for the launch of Xbox Live.
- the game is still on track for a release alongside the Xbox 360 launch later this year.
- the Xbox 360 version is expected to have everything PC and PS2 players already enjoy, and all future updates are hoped to be available simultaneously for all versions in the future.
More details are sure to surface at Microsoft's 360 press conference later this month. We'll keep you posted."
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D.Vader // 7/07/2005 09:15:00 AM //
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Neon creator Talks Xbox 360
"Jeff Minter, the British head of studio LlamaSoft, has been waxing lyrical on the new Xbox 360 console, and his latest creation 'Neon' - which will be preloaded onto Microsoft's new system at launch (expected to be this November). Neon is a curious mix of game and musically-inspired light show, and is best described as a glorified visualisation tool which you have an element of control over. It's actually based on a 1984 piece of software coded by Minter called 'Psychedelia', but has of course grown immensely from this original seed. Now it'll be made famous by Microsoft who are clearly taken with Minter's creation." [more]
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D.Vader // 7/07/2005 09:07:00 AM //
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Could PlayStation 3 Play PC Games?
"TransGaming's roots are in Linux, with our flagship product Cedega. Very few games are developed natively for Linux but, with the global proliferation of Linux as a preferred operating system of choice, users are demanding the ability to play games.
Cedega allows Windows-based games to run on Linux, out-of-the-box, seamlessly and transparently. With Cedega, TransGaming does not require any access to a game's source code but, rather, runs the Windows executable on Linux. In simplified terms, Cedega loads a game's binary into memory on a Linux system and then dynamically links to code that provides an implementation of the Win32 APIs that the program is using. The APIs that Windows games are mostly built on top of are primarily based on Microsoft's DirectX system. These APIs include facilities for handling 3D graphics (Direct3D), mouse and keyboard input (DirectInput), audio (DirectSound), and so on. TransGaming works to create Linux compatible versions of these APIs that work on top of the Linux equivalents such as OpenGL, X11, and the OSS and ALSA sound APIs. An important attribute of Cedega is the complete support for third party engines and SDKs such as Bink, Lithtech, Miles, Havok, Renderware, etc. Cedega is the culmination of several years of effort on these API and our engineering team's knowledge of DirectX is probably second only to Microsoft's own."
Lets say you have a PS3 with the Hard Drive preloaded with Linux. Theoretically, with Cedega by TransGaming, you could play a myriad of PC games as well as new ones on the way. Couple this with the numerous emulators available for Linux and the fact that Microsoft's new development platform is PC friendly, this very well could make the PS3 the king of all gaming libraries.
Cedega allows Windows-based games to run on Linux, out-of-the-box, seamlessly and transparently. With Cedega, TransGaming does not require any access to a game's source code but, rather, runs the Windows executable on Linux. In simplified terms, Cedega loads a game's binary into memory on a Linux system and then dynamically links to code that provides an implementation of the Win32 APIs that the program is using. The APIs that Windows games are mostly built on top of are primarily based on Microsoft's DirectX system. These APIs include facilities for handling 3D graphics (Direct3D), mouse and keyboard input (DirectInput), audio (DirectSound), and so on. TransGaming works to create Linux compatible versions of these APIs that work on top of the Linux equivalents such as OpenGL, X11, and the OSS and ALSA sound APIs. An important attribute of Cedega is the complete support for third party engines and SDKs such as Bink, Lithtech, Miles, Havok, Renderware, etc. Cedega is the culmination of several years of effort on these API and our engineering team's knowledge of DirectX is probably second only to Microsoft's own."
Lets say you have a PS3 with the Hard Drive preloaded with Linux. Theoretically, with Cedega by TransGaming, you could play a myriad of PC games as well as new ones on the way. Couple this with the numerous emulators available for Linux and the fact that Microsoft's new development platform is PC friendly, this very well could make the PS3 the king of all gaming libraries.
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D.Vader // 7/07/2005 12:19:00 AM //
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Wednesday, July 06, 2005
SEGA & Secret Level To Create Xbox 360 &PS3 Content
"SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced a partnership with Secret Level, a San Francisco-based development studio, to recreate a classic SEGA franchise for PlayStation3 (PS3) computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The deal signifies an expanding SEGA network of development partners creating Western content for current and next-generation hardware platforms.
Under the terms of the worldwide exclusive deal, SEGA will manage all sales, marketing and distribution activities and work with Secret Level to supervise ongoing game development. Secret Level is best known for creating Americas Army: Rise of a Soldier (PlayStation 2 & Xbox), Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds (Xbox & PC), Star Wars Jedi Starfighter (Xbox), and the Unreal Engine for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and GameCube.
“SEGA will become a leading publisher on the next generation of console hardware by marketing great Western-developed content that includes properties from a rich portfolio of SEGA games,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America. “The talented design team at Secret Level has demonstrated innovation in game development and has a history of technical achievements that will help SEGA reinvigorate a vintage and highly commercial franchise.” “We are excited to be working with SEGA and honored to bring one of their classic franchises to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360,” said Jeremy Gordon, President, Secret Level. “SEGA's strength as a publisher and their history of great iconic franchises make them a perfect partner for a growing independent developer like Secret Level.”
This agreement, along with recent partnerships with developer Silicon Knights; developer, Monolith Productions (project: Condemned: Criminal Origins); Pseudo Interactive (project: Full Auto); and the acquisition of esteemed developer, The Creative Assembly (project: Spartan: Total Warrior) continues to highlight SEGA's emphasis on Western development.
Both companies have decided not to announce product, platform, or release details at this time." [more]
Under the terms of the worldwide exclusive deal, SEGA will manage all sales, marketing and distribution activities and work with Secret Level to supervise ongoing game development. Secret Level is best known for creating Americas Army: Rise of a Soldier (PlayStation 2 & Xbox), Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds (Xbox & PC), Star Wars Jedi Starfighter (Xbox), and the Unreal Engine for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and GameCube.
“SEGA will become a leading publisher on the next generation of console hardware by marketing great Western-developed content that includes properties from a rich portfolio of SEGA games,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America. “The talented design team at Secret Level has demonstrated innovation in game development and has a history of technical achievements that will help SEGA reinvigorate a vintage and highly commercial franchise.” “We are excited to be working with SEGA and honored to bring one of their classic franchises to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360,” said Jeremy Gordon, President, Secret Level. “SEGA's strength as a publisher and their history of great iconic franchises make them a perfect partner for a growing independent developer like Secret Level.”
This agreement, along with recent partnerships with developer Silicon Knights; developer, Monolith Productions (project: Condemned: Criminal Origins); Pseudo Interactive (project: Full Auto); and the acquisition of esteemed developer, The Creative Assembly (project: Spartan: Total Warrior) continues to highlight SEGA's emphasis on Western development.
Both companies have decided not to announce product, platform, or release details at this time." [more]
Related Links:
www.secretlevel.com
www.sega.com
www.sega-europe.com
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D.Vader // 7/06/2005 06:05:00 PM //
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Xbox 360's Early Start No Guarantee of Victory
"Jay Horwitz at Jupiter Research agreed that market timing is important. But being "first mover is never an automatic," he said, citing past first movers -- like Atari's Jaguar console -- that eventually failed. "At the end of the day, it's about software; it's about what you can do with the machine," said Ed Williams, an analyst at Harris Nesbitt in New York.
Expect a storm of hype this fall as the date draws near for the arrival of Microsoft's Xbox 360, the first of a new generation of video-game consoles.
But the big question for Microsoft Latest News about Microsoft and its competitors is, how big a deal is being first on store shelves?
Microsoft thinks getting its console out in November, several months before Sony's Latest News about Sony PlayStation 3, is critical in capturing market share from the reigning game champion.
Balancing Price and Performance
But several analysts say the real test will be which console has the right mix of great technology at the right price. The consoles' performance and price levels won't be known until the machines arrive.
In May, the big three of the console world -- Nintendo Latest News about Nintendo being the third -- all unveiled some details of their latest models. The new consoles will all have faster, more powerful computer processors, which will lead to a new generation of more realistic games.
The Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 will have entertainment features -- like music and movie capabilities -- beyond gaming.
Sony is the market leader for the current generation of consoles, with a 43 percent share last year for its PlayStation 2 Latest News about PlayStation 2 in the U.S., according to Jupiter Research, a market research firm. That compares with 19 percent for the Xbox Latest News about Xbox and 14 percent for Nintendo's Game Cube.
Microsoft's Xbox came out in late 2001, long after PlayStation 2 was launched in 2000.
"There is a lot to be said for Microsoft getting out there first," said Anita Frazier, an entertainment industry analyst for NPD Group, a market research firm.
Might Be Like the Tortoise and the Hare
Jay Horwitz at Jupiter Research agreed that market timing is important. But being "first mover is never an automatic," he said, citing past first movers -- like Atari's Jaguar console -- that eventually failed.
Several analysts said the games that are developed for the new consoles could be critical for their success because video game fans tend to be more loyal to games than consoles.
"At the end of the day, it's about software; it's about what you can do with the machine," said Ed Williams, an analyst at Harris Nesbitt in New York."
Expect a storm of hype this fall as the date draws near for the arrival of Microsoft's Xbox 360, the first of a new generation of video-game consoles.
But the big question for Microsoft Latest News about Microsoft and its competitors is, how big a deal is being first on store shelves?
Microsoft thinks getting its console out in November, several months before Sony's Latest News about Sony PlayStation 3, is critical in capturing market share from the reigning game champion.
Balancing Price and Performance
But several analysts say the real test will be which console has the right mix of great technology at the right price. The consoles' performance and price levels won't be known until the machines arrive.
In May, the big three of the console world -- Nintendo Latest News about Nintendo being the third -- all unveiled some details of their latest models. The new consoles will all have faster, more powerful computer processors, which will lead to a new generation of more realistic games.
The Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 will have entertainment features -- like music and movie capabilities -- beyond gaming.
Sony is the market leader for the current generation of consoles, with a 43 percent share last year for its PlayStation 2 Latest News about PlayStation 2 in the U.S., according to Jupiter Research, a market research firm. That compares with 19 percent for the Xbox Latest News about Xbox and 14 percent for Nintendo's Game Cube.
Microsoft's Xbox came out in late 2001, long after PlayStation 2 was launched in 2000.
"There is a lot to be said for Microsoft getting out there first," said Anita Frazier, an entertainment industry analyst for NPD Group, a market research firm.
Might Be Like the Tortoise and the Hare
Jay Horwitz at Jupiter Research agreed that market timing is important. But being "first mover is never an automatic," he said, citing past first movers -- like Atari's Jaguar console -- that eventually failed.
Several analysts said the games that are developed for the new consoles could be critical for their success because video game fans tend to be more loyal to games than consoles.
"At the end of the day, it's about software; it's about what you can do with the machine," said Ed Williams, an analyst at Harris Nesbitt in New York."
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D.Vader // 7/06/2005 06:04:00 PM //
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Possession confirmed for Nintendo Revolution
"Ninty's next-gen console joins Blitz's zombie holocaust - shots inside
Blitz Games has added Nintendo's still secret Revolution to the list of next-generation consoles that are awaiting Possession, the only game that lets you see the effects of a zombie holocaust from the perspective of the shuffling mob.
Designed to work both on and offline, you will be able to take control of a necromantic overlord who orchestrates his undead horde, a hungry meatbag in solo pursuit of b-b-b-brains or play as a single hero gunning to stop the fleshy army taking over his world.
Although Blitz Games are yet to find a publisher for Possession, these shots of the possessor himself in action should reveal enough gore and guts to convince everyone to 'join us'.
Possession will be unleashed on PS3, Xbox 360 and Revolution" [screenshots]
Not sure if these are genuine screen shots. Considering the E3 Revolution was a hollow shell, I wouldn't bank on this being the final result. Which is good news, because these screens don't look so hot.
Designed to work both on and offline, you will be able to take control of a necromantic overlord who orchestrates his undead horde, a hungry meatbag in solo pursuit of b-b-b-brains or play as a single hero gunning to stop the fleshy army taking over his world.
Although Blitz Games are yet to find a publisher for Possession, these shots of the possessor himself in action should reveal enough gore and guts to convince everyone to 'join us'.
Possession will be unleashed on PS3, Xbox 360 and Revolution" [screenshots]
Not sure if these are genuine screen shots. Considering the E3 Revolution was a hollow shell, I wouldn't bank on this being the final result. Which is good news, because these screens don't look so hot.
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D.Vader // 7/06/2005 04:16:00 PM //
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Anandtech's Removed PS3 - Xbox360 Review (UPDATED)
Anandtech's Removed PS3 - Xbox360 Review RECOVERED
By: Richard Allen
Someone actually saved and republished the controversial Anandtech article which has been pulled. There had been quite a stir surronding this article and Anand's notes said that the article was removed to protect the programmers identity from Microsoft. Who knows maybe this story has all the legitimacy of a Nintendo Revolution controller!
UPDATE:
Thanks to user "" at Google Groups for keeping a copy of the entire transcript.
Thanks to user "
Partial Transcript: Anandtech's Removed PS3 - Xbox360 Review RECOVERED. (30 Jun) (Incomplete Text, with Pics)
Full Transcript: Microsoft's Xbox 360 & Sony's PlayStation 3 - Examples of Poor CPU Performance (Complete Text, no Pics)
Full Transcript: Microsoft's Xbox 360 & Sony's PlayStation 3 - Examples of Poor CPU Performance (Complete Text, no Pics)
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D.Vader // 7/06/2005 04:25:00 AM //
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Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Kaz Hirai Speaks PS3 Online, Movie Downloads, Hi-Def & More!
Image Source: watch.impress.co.jp
Kaz Hirai Interview
"From Xbox 360 to PlayStation 3, Sony talks about the future.
Everyone expected Sony would talk PlayStation 3 at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, but few were prepared for the visceral onslaught of game demonstrations, hardware specifications, and ambitious talk about the rapidly approaching next-generation future from the company. Still, for as much as Sony unveiled at their press conference, there are just as many fine details still under wraps.
Were the game demonstrations running on actual PlayStation 3 hardware? Is that boomerang-looking controller actually real? How is Sony going to catch up to Microsoft in the online world? For answers to these burning questions and others, EGM turned to Sony Computer Entertainment America president and chief operating officer Kaz Hirai, who has been involved with the company since the launch of the original PlayStation and remains a key figure in the future of the brand."
Were the game demonstrations running on actual PlayStation 3 hardware? Is that boomerang-looking controller actually real? How is Sony going to catch up to Microsoft in the online world? For answers to these burning questions and others, EGM turned to Sony Computer Entertainment America president and chief operating officer Kaz Hirai, who has been involved with the company since the launch of the original PlayStation and remains a key figure in the future of the brand."
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D.Vader // 7/05/2005 12:45:00 PM //
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Team Ninja chief concerned by Xbox 360 DVD Capacity
"Team Ninja chief Tomonobu Itagaki has expressed concerns over the lack of storage space on the Xbox 360's DVD media.
Speaking to Japanese magazine, Famitsu, Itagaki has expressed concerns over the limited capacity DVD offers in the era of High Definition. He feels developers will struggle to fit High Definition pre-rendered sequences onto the 9GB format, being particularly problematic for Japanese developers who prefer to use pre-rendered over real time cut scenes.
"The screen resolution for Xbox 360 games will be in high definition, so the pre-rendered movies are going to be pretty large," said Itagaki. "If we encoded the Dead or Alive 4 trailer from E3 in high definition in a quality acceptable to us, it will easily be about 2GB." This would leave around 7BG for game data, but for games relying on pre-rendered scenes to tell and develop the story, multiple DVDs may be required. Itagaki added how shocked he and his team were when they were told the Xbox 360 would use DVDs.
"With DOA4, we'll be using the disc's capacity to its full extent. We started development on DOA4 pretty early, and we didn't know what disc format the Xbox 360 was going to adopt. So when we learned about it, we were really knocked out."
This is a realistic concern to have as HD video requires large amounts of disc space that the DVD format does not have. Sony, on the other hand, are to use the much larger capacity Blu-Ray discs, so PlayStation 3 developers should not face such problems."
I predicted this nearly a month ago. Everyone was trash talking me saying 50GB wouldn't be needed for video games. I was told look at PC games, they can do resolutions higher then Hi-Def, yada yada yada. Basically the argument was, look at the current generation of techonology, it's doesn't need huge disk space, so if it ain't broke don't fix it. If all console manufacturers had that same attitude, we would have never gotten out of the Atari or Colecovision days.
Speaking to Japanese magazine, Famitsu, Itagaki has expressed concerns over the limited capacity DVD offers in the era of High Definition. He feels developers will struggle to fit High Definition pre-rendered sequences onto the 9GB format, being particularly problematic for Japanese developers who prefer to use pre-rendered over real time cut scenes.
"The screen resolution for Xbox 360 games will be in high definition, so the pre-rendered movies are going to be pretty large," said Itagaki. "If we encoded the Dead or Alive 4 trailer from E3 in high definition in a quality acceptable to us, it will easily be about 2GB." This would leave around 7BG for game data, but for games relying on pre-rendered scenes to tell and develop the story, multiple DVDs may be required. Itagaki added how shocked he and his team were when they were told the Xbox 360 would use DVDs.
"With DOA4, we'll be using the disc's capacity to its full extent. We started development on DOA4 pretty early, and we didn't know what disc format the Xbox 360 was going to adopt. So when we learned about it, we were really knocked out."
This is a realistic concern to have as HD video requires large amounts of disc space that the DVD format does not have. Sony, on the other hand, are to use the much larger capacity Blu-Ray discs, so PlayStation 3 developers should not face such problems."
I predicted this nearly a month ago. Everyone was trash talking me saying 50GB wouldn't be needed for video games. I was told look at PC games, they can do resolutions higher then Hi-Def, yada yada yada. Basically the argument was, look at the current generation of techonology, it's doesn't need huge disk space, so if it ain't broke don't fix it. If all console manufacturers had that same attitude, we would have never gotten out of the Atari or Colecovision days.
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D.Vader // 7/05/2005 12:14:00 PM //
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Will Xbox 360 Feature True Force Feedback?
Image Source: teamxbox.com
The Хboх 360 might take advantage of true force feedback technology
like that found in the Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel.
Xbox 360 to Feature Force Feedback?
"One item of concern for diehard racing game fans is whether the Xbox 360 will support "true" force feedback for peripherals such as racing wheels. Up to this point, Microsoft has been non-committal, neither confirming nor denying the feature.
When posed with the force feedback question again last week (in regards to the Xbox 360), a Microsoft representative had this to say:
"We believe force-feedback is very interesting, and we plan on launching force-feedback peripherals after launch."
We can confirm that several third-party manufacturers are already working on force feedback peripherals for the Xbox 360, including a racing wheel for Project Gotham Racing 3.
While this statement again isn't an absolute confirmation of force feedback support in the Xbox 360, it at least gives hope to gamers who were severely disappointed that the original console merely supported rumble feedback; unlike the PlayStation 2 which took full advantage of "true" force feedback in games like Gran Turismo 3 and 4 with the Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel."
When posed with the force feedback question again last week (in regards to the Xbox 360), a Microsoft representative had this to say:
"We believe force-feedback is very interesting, and we plan on launching force-feedback peripherals after launch."
We can confirm that several third-party manufacturers are already working on force feedback peripherals for the Xbox 360, including a racing wheel for Project Gotham Racing 3.
While this statement again isn't an absolute confirmation of force feedback support in the Xbox 360, it at least gives hope to gamers who were severely disappointed that the original console merely supported rumble feedback; unlike the PlayStation 2 which took full advantage of "true" force feedback in games like Gran Turismo 3 and 4 with the Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel."
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D.Vader // 7/05/2005 12:11:00 PM //
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Cubed3.com :: Interactive Video Games Experience
"We've seen a number of very unconvincing 'Revolution controllers' dotted about the Internet, but this one we received this morning has got our minds boggling.
It really does look very authentic. A simple interface of two main action buttons, a control stick, what looks like a start button and something labelled a 'Track Pak' all adorn the sleek, black controller. No information was supplied to accompany the image, so we can only hazard a guess that the this is some sort of means of registering controller movement and specific user interaction and will serve as the main revolution to the controller.
Legitimate or not? We're not saying this is the real thing, but it is a very good mock up if not. "
I am saying it's fake. I mean why would Nintendo send this info to Cubed 3D and only Cubed 3D. If you think it's real I have some excellent real estate in Florida I'd like to sell you.
It really does look very authentic. A simple interface of two main action buttons, a control stick, what looks like a start button and something labelled a 'Track Pak' all adorn the sleek, black controller. No information was supplied to accompany the image, so we can only hazard a guess that the this is some sort of means of registering controller movement and specific user interaction and will serve as the main revolution to the controller.
Legitimate or not? We're not saying this is the real thing, but it is a very good mock up if not. "
I am saying it's fake. I mean why would Nintendo send this info to Cubed 3D and only Cubed 3D. If you think it's real I have some excellent real estate in Florida I'd like to sell you.
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D.Vader // 7/05/2005 11:16:00 AM //
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Monday, July 04, 2005
PS3 Architectural Inspiration But No Built In Router
"The 6/20 bi-weekly issue of Nikkei Electronics features both the PS3 and Xbox 360 as a cover story. The magazine has a nicely written feature discussing all areas of the systems, targeting a more adult audience than what the Famitsu feature targeted. The magazine also reveals some interesting facts about the PS3.
One of the more interesting facts was that the PS3 was designed to resemble the well-known buildings in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills and Shiodome areas. The reasons behind this are unknown, but the system really does resemble the architecture if you take a look at it.
Nikkei Electronics also reveals that SCE originally intended to include router functionality with the PS3, using the three gigabit Ethernet sockets (one WAN and two LAN) on the system as seen at E3. However, SCE president Ken Kutaragi reveals that the company believes costs would be too high to implement a built in router, and since has been abandoned.
SCE expects you to use the WAN socket to connect your PS3 to your ADSL router , with the two LAN sockets connected to digital appliances. This will perhaps allow for HDTV content to stream between the appliances and the PS3. As for actual router functionality, the company believes it will be just as well for people to use the current router that's in their home."
One of the more interesting facts was that the PS3 was designed to resemble the well-known buildings in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills and Shiodome areas. The reasons behind this are unknown, but the system really does resemble the architecture if you take a look at it.
Nikkei Electronics also reveals that SCE originally intended to include router functionality with the PS3, using the three gigabit Ethernet sockets (one WAN and two LAN) on the system as seen at E3. However, SCE president Ken Kutaragi reveals that the company believes costs would be too high to implement a built in router, and since has been abandoned.
SCE expects you to use the WAN socket to connect your PS3 to your ADSL router , with the two LAN sockets connected to digital appliances. This will perhaps allow for HDTV content to stream between the appliances and the PS3. As for actual router functionality, the company believes it will be just as well for people to use the current router that's in their home."
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D.Vader // 7/04/2005 01:24:00 AM //
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