"Looks like Dean Takahashi, author of Opening the Xbox: Inside Microsoft’s Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution, is planning another book. This time it’s on the 360 and he wants to know what lessons Microsoft has learned from the launch of the first Xbox in November, 2001.

He’s written up some well-known blunders like:

* The box and the controller were too big for the Japanese market. (Did they solve this with the “inhale” design and new controller?)
* The machine launched with too few games geared to Japanese tastes. (Is Japan starting to warm up to the idea of a new Xbox?)

Then again, there are some things that raise doubts:

* The hard drive wasn’t as much of an asset as Microsoft hoped. (With developers being unable to rely on the hard drive in the 360, will it exist solely to store content on, like music, Arcade titles, maybe even games!)
* Microsoft launched too late. Sony sold more than 20 million units by the time Microsoft sold its first 1.5 million. (Will launching earlier help them? It certainly didn’t help another little white box that ran on Windows.)

What do you guys think Microsoft has learned from, all things considered, the otherwise successful launch of their first game system?" [link]

Related Link: Dean's New Xbox 360 Book: What Are The Lessons For The Second Time Around?

¶ D.Vader // 11/12/2005 08:35:00 PM // PermaLink //

Blu-ray is about set to become Hollywood's preferred standard

¶ D.Vader // 11/12/2005 03:08:00 PM // PermaLink //

MGM joins Blu-ray camp

"Sony technology grabs the lion's share

¶ D.Vader // 11/12/2005 03:06:00 PM // PermaLink //

360 to play 200+ Xbox games

¶ D.Vader // 11/12/2005 03:04:00 PM // PermaLink //

PlayStation 3 controller gets no love; redesign imminent?

¶ D.Vader // 11/12/2005 01:11:00 PM // PermaLink //

"With just 11 days until the North American launch of the next generation of Microsoft's gaming console, Xbox 360 fever has fully descended upon us, including everything from golden tickets in Hershey bars to swank lounges, tribal gathering-like launch parties, and nagging worries over shortages.

Burning Xbox?
According to an online post, "The Xbox 360 Launch event will take place at an as yet-unnamed location in the middle of the desert in CA. There will be thousands of gamers there from around the world, celebrating the launch of Xbox 360. There will be copious Xbox 360 systems set up with high-def monitors, surround sound, the works … Microsoft is calling it 'Burning Man Meets E3.'"

(Green and) Golden Tickets
Leaked camera phone pictures of Wal-Mart stores readying their outlets for the launch madhouse at midnight on No. 22 show instructions about taking tight inventory, the Xbox 360 Experience Disk, and the "golden" launch tickets.

"Employees have been instructed to distribute numbered tickets (as many as the store has of 360 units) starting at 10:00 PM on the 21st. The tickets are divided into two sets (green and silver), in order to differentiate between the core and premium bundles. Rumor has it, a few tickets will be hidden in select Hershey bar wrappers."" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 11/12/2005 01:09:00 PM // PermaLink //

"Mis-leading headlines ahoy as Nintendo Japan gives something back to the fans with its Revolution TV remote

It's the must-have gaming accessory of 2006 and you can get one right now. If you live in Japan. Sort of. Of course we're talking about the fabled Nintendo Revolution controller, a artifact of near-mystical proportions, specifically designed to build and tone those flabby bingo wings while enhancing your gameplay experience via the power of tossing yourself around the living room like a spasmodic buffoon.

Now, those wiley folks at Nintendo have announced a special promotion enabling dedicated Japanese gamers to get their mucky fingers on the controller early - or at least that's what they'll be telling their friends when the slinky white fella slips through the letter box. What they're actually getting is a specially designed television remote, fashioned to look exactly like Nintendo's next-gen fun stick.

The cheeky facsimile will be awarded to members of the points-based Club Nintendo programme. If you've managed to amass a total of 400 points by purchasing a veritable cascade of Nintendo games - thus rocketting you up to Premium Member status - then your remote's in the bag. You'll also get a fetching Nintendo calander thrown in too, but that's marginally less exciting. Of course all this is utterly irrelevant if you don't live in Japan.

We did the rounds this morning to check whether we can expect to see the sexy freebie being made available to members of Nintendo's European VIP scheme but it's not looking good at the moment. Which isn't to say they'll never put in an appearance over here. After all, we're sure you'll be able to pick one up on eBay shortly for roughly the retail value of a small tropical island." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 05:14:00 PM // PermaLink //

Best Buy Files: The Official 360 Document

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 05:13:00 PM // PermaLink //

First images of Splinter Cell 4

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 12:15:00 PM // PermaLink //

Is the XWand the Revolutionary Xbox 360 Controller?

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 10:07:00 AM // PermaLink //

With just weeks to go until the Xbox 360 hits European shelves, a survey has revealed that UK gamers are most looking forward to the arrival of the PlayStation 3.

The survey, which was conducted by research firm XTN Data in September, found that of the 1000 respondents questioned, 32 per cent were planning to buy a PS3, while 27 per cent said they would purchase an Xbox 360. The survey did not ask respondents for their opinion on Nintendo's Revolution console.

"This comes despite huge efforts by Microsoft to launch in time for the vital Christmas period and before Sony's 2006 launch," said XTN Data founder Greig Harper. The Xbox 360 is due to launch in Europe on December 2.

The survey also found that 11 per cent of those questioned use filesharing software to download games illegally. The most downloaded titles are Rome: Total War and The Sims 2, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas topping the bill - it's downloaded an average of 75 times per hour." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 09:49:00 AM // PermaLink //

Microsoft declines to comment on UK Xbox 360 shipments

"UK Xbox boss Neil Thompson has said that the Xbox 360 will be hard to get hold of this Christmas.

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 09:29:00 AM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 Zero Hour – Your Chance to Be There!

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 09:03:00 AM // PermaLink //

Kameo: Elements of Power, a launch title released earlier this week to retail stores, has made the EBGames.com best seller list.

The game, which features a shape-shifting female character, was developed by Rare, who is also responsible for the anticipated Perfect Dark Zero.

Microsoft announced Tuesday that retailers have begun selling Xbox 360 games, accessories, and Xbox Live offerings in advance of the console's launch on Nov. 22.

Online stores have sold out of Xbox 360 launch systems and retailers expect a shortage this holiday season for the in-demand item.

Microsoft will host a two-day Xbox 360 launch event in the middle of the Mojave Desert on Nov. 20 where attendees can try out new Xbox 360 software and purchase systems from event sponsor Best Buy." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 09:01:00 AM // PermaLink //

While the Xbox 360 is going to be dominating the media spotlight for the next few weeks (and possibly months), senior officials at Nintendo are quietly planting the seeds of Revolution.

Nintendo's next generation video game machine won't be out until 2006, but Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Nintendo of America hinted this week the company might have a surprise up its sleeve.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 has adopted a two-tier price strategy ($299 for a bare bones version and $399 for a souped-up machine). Sony, meanwhile, has shouted from the rooftops the PS3 would be a pricey piece of equipment. Nintendo, though, seems ready to lowball its competitors on the retail front.

"Value has been a key card for us this generation and we'll continue to play it," Fils-Aime told me. "Do I expect us to be at a lower price point than our competition? Yes I do. Have we determined a price yet? No we haven't."

Nintendo employed this strategy at the beginning of this round of the console wars in 2001. While Sony and Microsoft released their video game machines at $299, the GameCube initially sold for $100 lower. Ultimately, the move didn't work as well as hoped. The GameCube is third in hardware sales, behind PlayStation 2 and Xbox, a position typically blamed on a weaker portfolio of third-party games and (initially, at least) the machine's boxy design, which even senior officials acknowledge looks childlike.

"I think there were some lessons we learned with the GameCube that we need to apply to the Revolution," said Fils-Aime. "First, we've got make sure that the titles in the first six months are strong and can drive sales. We've also got to make sure the console is attractive visually. And we've got to deliver on the right consumer needs. With GameCube, at the time, portability was thought to be a big factor – that's why it has a handle. Obviously, that wasn't the case."

The Revolution (which will likely to be called something else when it hits store shelves) is aimed at a wider audience than the GameCube or any of Nintendo's previous systems. While it will play DVD movies (a departure for the company), its primary focus will be games. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will focus strongly on games as well, of course, but have their eyes on a bigger prize – digital domination of the living room. Nintendo has said it wants, instead, to attract people who do not consider themselves gamers." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 08:58:00 AM // PermaLink //

Canada gears up for 360 launch

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 07:04:00 AM // PermaLink //

Halo would look better on Xbox 360

¶ D.Vader // 11/11/2005 04:21:00 AM // PermaLink //

Revolution won't necessarily launch in Japan first, according to Nintendo Europe's senior vice president of marketing Jim Merrick, who also has some strong words for Epic Game's Mark Rein, who recently criticised the platform holder's next-generation plans.

Speaking in an interview with our sister site Eurogamer today, Merrick said Revolution might "not follow the stereotypical formula of Japan first, then the US, then Europe some time later". "Anything's possible," he said, when asked if the console could conceivably launch in Europe first.

Reacting to Mark Rein's recent suggestion that games using the Revolution's freestyle controller would be "gimmicky" and "cheap", Merrick paid tribute to Epic's strengths, but added, "he doesn't have a Revolution controller, he doesn't have a dev kit, he's talking about something he knows nothing about," before issuing something of a challenge - "if he'd like to get a dev kit and really dig into it, then I'd be interested to hear what he has to say."

Merrick also answered questions about pricing possibilities for the Revolution's back catalogue downloads, talked about other download possibilities, and confirmed that the console's 512MB of Flash memory will be expandable.

The Nintendo executive also reaffirmed, "I would be very disappointed if I went to E3 and didn't play Revolution games," and said that Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima was among developers working on the system.

Nintendo's Revolution is expected to launch in 2006. You can read the entire Jim Merrick interview on Eurogamer." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/10/2005 11:34:00 PM // PermaLink //

Sony PS3: a 2006 holiday launch likely

¶ D.Vader // 11/10/2005 05:23:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson has admitted that there could be Xbox 360 shortages this Christmas - but promises that Microsoft is doing all it can to get the consoles into shops as soon as possible.

"Xbox 360 is the hottest gift this Christmas and will be hard to find - but we’re working hard to ensure there’s a regular replenishment of stock to retail," Thompson said.

Microsoft offered no comment on rumours that the US will be getting precisely 1,098,200 units on launch day, which emerged after a forum poster on Team Xbox claimed he had received a copy of a booklet sent out to shareholders.

The poster claimed the booklet also revealed that Microsoft hopes to sell four million Xbox 360s in the five months following launch, and that 29 games for the console will be in the shops by the end of the year.

Rumours have also emerged that the UK will be getting just 50,000 Xbox 360 units in time for the console's launch on December 2.

That's according to the Official Xbox Magazine website, which claims it got the information from "a representative from one of the UK's largest videogames retailers."

Pre-ordering offers no guarantee of a console in time for Christmas, either. "We started taking pre-orders for Xbox 360 back at the start of summer, and by the end of June one store already had 300,” the source is quoted as saying.

"Customers can still put their names down for an Xbox 360, but we can’t guarantee that they’ll get their system before Christmas.”

Microsoft declined to comment on the 50k rumour. With regard to pre-orders, Thompson stated: "Microsoft does not have an official Xbox 360 presale program and we are unable to verify the status of these retailer programs."" [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/10/2005 05:12:00 PM // PermaLink //

Kameo Xbox 360 story coming to podcast

¶ D.Vader // 11/10/2005 04:57:00 PM // PermaLink //

"Hi folks, Cooper Hawkes here walking tall, feeling awesome, and with full knowledge that his Eric Cartmen singing will not happen because:

CONFIRMED: Next Generation Grand Theft Auto WILL BE Exclusive to the PlayStation 3

Earlier today I received a phone call from a source at one of the companies mentioned in my previous article. We had a very nice conversation regarding gaming and the next generation, and my original article on Grand Theft Auto being exclusive to the PlayStation 3.

The source was kind enough to confirm it.

One change of underwear later, here I am telling you all, in as humble a fashion as I can muster:

TOLD YA SO!

And so: The Console War truly begins: 13 days before the Xbox 360 launches, and Sony gets the biggest North American coup. This will change many things for many casual gamers." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/10/2005 11:52:00 AM // PermaLink //

Can the Xbox 360 Pull a 180 in Japan?

Microsoft swung into full-scale marketing mode last week, opening its stylish and swanky Xbox 360 Lounge in Tokyo. Dozens of celebrities were limo'ed in for the evening unveiling – including legit industry heavy-hitters like Metal Gear's Hideo Kojima and Capcom's Keiji Inafune – as well as the usual gaggle of game journalists and members of the media. Cameras rolled, industry insiders grinned, and Yuji Naka seemed oddly giddy throughout the whole thing. It was the kind of affair that seemed trite and phony – yet tinged with the undeniable, unbiased excitement that always seems to accompany the imminent launch of a new console.

Just a controller's throw from the pricey, upscale shops of Harajuku, the Lounge is part of Microsoft's effort to drive sales of the upcoming Xbox 360 in Japan, a market where its predecessor was humiliated. In 2002, Microsoft's Xbox (released in late February) sold 327,699 units in Japan. That same year, Sony's PS2 moved a whopping 3.7 million units. In terms of software market share, Xbox tallied a measly 0.5 percent, compared to 55.2 percent for PS2 and 12.4 percent for Gamecube. Even Sega's flagging Dreamcast outpaced Xbox, earning 0.8 percent of the software market. And things only went downhill from there. In 2003, Xbox sold about 97,000 units – only marginally better than the ancient PSOne (61,000) and JVC's WonderSwan Crystal (47,000). In 2004, that number dropped to about 40,000 – or, just 10,000 more than Nintendo's non-SP Game Boy Advance. Over this three-year period, Microsoft sold roughly 464,000 units in Japan, compared to 9.2 million for PS2 and 2.59 million for GameCube. It's no wonder that not a single Xbox game has ever managed to crack the Japanese yearly top 50.

However, Bill Gates' chunky, black box has performed much better in America. Microsoft claimed 468,000 consoles sold in November 2002 alone. And in the two-year period from 2003 to 2004, Xbox sold over 7 million units in the U.S. Compare that to PS2's 10.9 million over the same period, and one can see that – in America, at least – Microsoft's got it going on. So, why the collapse in Japan?

"Games like Halo and Splinter Cell don't really appeal to me," said Matsuo Taiki, 20, a student observing the crowds outside the 360 Lounge. "However, some people like them. I would like to see more variety for Xbox 360. Games that will appeal to more Japanese players."

Indeed, the very games that propelled Xbox sales in America turned off Japanese gamers in droves. In a land where shelf space is dominated by anime-style RPGs and dating sims, Western-flavored first-person shooters and the latest iteration of Madden aren't just unusual, they're unwanted. And while Xbox Live was (and is) certainly a hit with American gamers, offering a robust, well-engineered online service that trumped Sony's similar efforts, it was a non-factor in Japan, where online gaming – outside of a cell phone – simply isn't very popular. Finally, there is the typical Japanese gamer's historical bias against Western games. Aside from the few non-Japanese titles that enjoy moderate success there (GTA comes to mind), the majority of American and European titles either flop or are simply never released. For a system engineered in the U.S. and whose library consisted largely of U.S.-developed games, this was a problem.

But in this, the latest battle of the never-ending "console wars," Microsoft seems prepared to come out blasting. Redwood recognizes the importance of conquering Japan, the industry's second-largest game market.

"The Japanese market is the most important key for the Xbox [360]'s global strategy," said Yoshihiro Maruyama, general manager of the Xbox Division in Japan, at a recent press conference. "Microsoft is committing fully to its success in Japan."

Any missteps the 360 might make in Japan could spell doom for Microsoft's "global strategy." Fewer hardware sales mean fewer 3rd party titles in development. Lackluster 3rd party support means lackluster consumer interest. And if Japanese gamers are reluctant to pony up their yen for the 360 (which will reportedly retail for the equivalent of $350), then Microsoft may once again find itself with a console that soars in the U.S., but stalls in Japan.

In a recent interview with GamePro.com, Maruyama commented: "Unlike the U.S., the Japanese market has always been a winner-takes-all market. My goal is to be number one in the Japanese market. Unless you become the number one console, you cannot keep making money."

The potential lack of sales in Japan may be comparatively small versus the Xbox 360's almost certainly strong performance in the U.S. But when you're talking about a "global strategy" and fighting for every dollar on an industry-wide, $25 billion battlefield, a few percentage points can mean a great deal.

This time, however, Microsoft has taken care to sidestep the landmines encountered during the first go-round in Japan. Most importantly, the 360 will boast a stable of Japanese developers from the get-go. Koei, Konami, Square Enix and some 40 other developers have signed on to develop games. Director Tetsuya Mizuguchi, head of Q Entertainment and creator of United Game Artists/Sega's Space Channel 5 and Rez, will release the 360-exclusive Ninety-Nine Nights. Japanese developer support seems solid. The 360's library should have enough non-Western flavor to pique the interests of Japanese gamers. And while Microsoft is (smartly) sticking firm to its commitment to online gaming in Japan, the company has taken a decidedly different tack with the design of its new system. Co-developed by a firm in Osaka, the system's shell is slim and curvaceous, not at all like the oversized, utilitarian frame of its forerunner. It's hoped that the new design and the soft, white color will appeal to Japanese gamers.

"It looks cool!" squeals Yumi Nanaho, 19, when asked about the system's appearance. "It seems like they want to take a sexier approach this time."

Perhaps most importantly, the new system will flaunt one feature that Sony can't hope to match: a head start. With Microsoft launching in Japan on December 10 and the PS3 launching sometime in "Spring 2006," the Xbox 360 looks to have up to a six-month cushion before the competition hits store shelves.

For now, though, Microsoft's immediate focus is on locking down a blockbuster launch and keeping the drinks flowing at the Lounge. In these early days of the next-gen war, Microsoft still enjoys the luxury of buoyant optimism. But even with a six-month lead and a healthy roster of Japanese titles, most analysts predict the 360 will have a tough time keeping up with Nintendo's Revolution, let alone the PS3. Japanese gamers seem similarly pessimistic. In a damning Infoplant survey, just 5.8 percent of respondents said they had an interest in buying the Xbox 360, compared to 72.3 percent for the PS3. It's going to take quite a few trendy videogame lounges (and maybe a Katamari Damacy exclusive?) to change that number.

¶ ac // 11/10/2005 09:49:00 AM // PermaLink //

More Prototype Xbox 360 Designs

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 06:43:00 PM // PermaLink //

Microsoft to host Xbox 360 launch event in desert

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 06:12:00 PM // PermaLink //

"Steven Spielberg is getting back into the video game business, striking a long-term agreement with Electronic Arts to collaborate on three original games with game makers at EALA, EA's Los Angeles studio, located in Playa Vista.

While Spielberg is filming "Munich" in Europe, he already has held discussions with EA execs, who have begun assembling the teams that will work on the first game.

EA, headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., will own the intellectual properties and will publish and distribute the games worldwide. Financial terms of the deal -- which Spielberg made through his Amblin Entertainment production company rather than his DreamWorks studio -- were not disclosed.

The move reunites Spielberg with the game studio that began life as DreamWorks Interactive. EA acquired DWI in 2000 and renamed it EALA. It has continued to turn out the "Medal of Honor" franchise, first created under DWI's auspices and inspired by Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." There have been four versions of the game, along with expansion packs and companion products, and a fifth reinvention of the title is under way.

Ties between Spielberg and EA were further strengthened last year when EA donated $8 million to the USC School of Cinema-Television to set up a three-year master's program in interactive entertainment as well as to endow a faculty chair. Spielberg sits on the school's Board of Councillors.

"It all came about organically, since Steven has been a friend of EA since it acquired DreamWorks Interactive," EALA vp and studio head Neil Young said. "We just realized we have the same vision for where the media (are) going. He is a passionate and avid gamer, and we are passionate about wanting to move the medium to the next level of narrative storytelling."

"I have been playing EA games for years and have watched them master the interactive format," Spielberg said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to working closely with the team in Los Angeles."

Because, Young explained, "game development is very collaborative," he expects that Spielberg, who will have offices at the studio in Playa Vista, will have "interactions (with the game developers that) will be pretty frequent."" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 06:08:00 PM // PermaLink //

"Hi folks, Cooper Hawkes here with an interesting scoop from a visitor to our site who calls himself Ethan.

For those of you who can read Japanese, the link is here.

This is supposedly a Japanese patent site, and this was the body of the e-mail from Ethan:

SCE has secured the patent for a new disc technology that, if used, would not allow the PS3 to read used games for that platform. The technology was invented by Kutaragi himself, as well as two others.

Details regarding the patent are featured here:(ED: The link I posted above)

It is indicated specifically that the technology is to prevent the use of used as well as pirated software.

The technology involves actually rendering a authentication code originally encrypted on the game disk unreadable to other machines once the disk it is used.

This would mean that Net-based and other such games will not be the only ones to be affected by the technology.

Naturally third software developers would embrace this technology, and it would ensure sales of the inevitable "Best series" for the PS3, but used games shops would be put out of business if the PS3 were to become the primary platform in the next generation.

While information regarding the patent does not specify outright that the technology will be used in the PS3, Kutaragi has gone on record saying that copy management is absolutely necessary in order to endure that no "Napsters" of the game industry create problems in the future.

Ok, if true: This is the biggest load of horse shit since the Kentucky Derby.

Now before I go off on a rant, let's talk about the positive aspects of this little scheme.

My biggest problem with places like EB Games and GameStop is that they basically double-dip the customers and do not compensate the developers for it. You buy a game from them for $49.99, now let’s (for the sake of argument) say the game cost them $39.99. That’s $10.00 profit right there. Then two weeks later you resell the game BACK to them which they will happily buy from you for $15.00 if you’re lucky. They then repackage it as used and since its only two weeks since the game came out, put it BACK on the shelf for $44.99. Once purchased by someone else, that’s an extra $29.99 in their pocket.

Amount to developer of game? $0.00

And that’s bullshit.

Now you can argue that they already received a profit from the initial sale, but that argument becomes torn down when you realize that not only is the developer getting screwed, so is the gamer.

Try this sometime, buy a game you really want, do not open it, then walk into a GameStop and ask how much they will give you for it, bear in mind that you purchased it just that day. You will get less than half the price you paid and they will profit and not share said profit with the people who made the game.

Now you’ll say: Well what about when I sell a game to someone, does this mean I have to pay the developers?

No, that’s completely different, your one person selling one game and you’re not profiting on it, you’re only getting some of it back. GameStop and EB Games are already making a decent buck, they are turning around, screwing the customers and the people that provide them with their merchandise to dip deeper into our pockets.

And you wonder why Valve uses Steam?" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 12:18:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 shortage conspiracy

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 12:16:00 PM // PermaLink //

Fable 2 Details Emerge?

"UNCONFIRMED: Molyneux has supposedly let slip on new gameplay details.

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 12:09:00 PM // PermaLink //

¶ D.Vader // 11/09/2005 09:14:00 AM // PermaLink //

"A new report on Japanese consumers has been published showing detailed next generation console buying plans. It shows that nearly a quarter of games players plan to buy Xbox 360, with 65% opting for PS3 and 36% looking forward to Nintendo Revolution. Bags of great stats inside…

The Famitsu survey was answered by over 2,000 people, interested in videogaming, during the last week in September.

XBOX 360

It showed that 23.9% of gamers are "interested in acquiring an Xbox 360" with 25% saying they have no interest. 40% of respondents are undecided, while 10% "don't care".

Software-wise, Japan is most interested in Dead of Alive 4, followed by Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Ridge Racer and FFXI. Microsoft's Western launch-line-up doesn't even figure.

Reasons For Buying Xbox 360

Among the people who want to buy the X360, 82.2%m say they like the controller, while 53.9% like the console’s features. Only 36% say they'll buy the machine because of the launch line-up. Nobody liked the face-plate.

- 82.2%: I like the controller
- 53.9%: I like the console’s features
- 41.9%: I like the idea pf a removable HDD
- 36.4%: I like the line-up
- 23.7%: retro compatibility with the Xbox
- 21.3%: I like the design of the console
- 12.9%: I find it affordable
- 12.7%: I like the network feature
- 17.8%: etc

Reasons for NOT buying Xbox 360

It seems that Japanese consumers who don't like Xbox 360, have simply taken against the very idea, Just under 50% said they "just don't like it". A similar number rejected the launch-line-up. 36% thought it too expensive.

- 49.3%: from the beginning, I don’t like it
- 49.1%: the line-up is not interesting
- 36.3%: it is way too expensive
- 24.1%: I won’t switch from the Xbox to the X360
- 14.2%: not interested in the console’s features
- 12.2%: I don’t like its design
- 10.7%: I doubt about the Xbox retro compatibility
- 9.3%: I don’t like the controller
- 4.9%: I don’t care about the removable HDD
- 3.9%: I don’t care about the network
- 2.2%: I don’t care about the face plate


Reasons for 'wait and see' on Xbox 360

Among undecided consumers, the biggest factor is games followed by price.

- 81%: I would like to wait to see what kind of games will come to the X360.
- 53.1%: I would consider buying a X360 if its price is lowered.
- 21.9%: I believe the X360 will not be really retro compatible with the Xbox
- 8.1%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 4.1%: I would like to see what kind of face plate will be released later

PLAYSTATION 3

In comparison to Xbox 360, 63.2% of consumers absolutely want to buy PS3 with only 5% rejecting it out of hand. 30% want to wait.

Reasons For Buying PlayStation 3

- 70.4%: I like its features
- 61%: I like the line-up
- 58.6%: I like the retro compatibility
- 18.7%: I like its design
- 6.2%: I like the controller
- 5.5%: I like the color variations
- 10%: etc

Reasons for NOT buying PS3

- 54.9%: it does not bring anything new to the PS2
- 43.1%: its price has not yet been announced
- 32.4%: I don’t like the controller
- 31.4%: I fear about the level of retro compatibility
- 30.4%: I don’t like its design
- 28.4%: from the beginning I did not want to buy one
- 19.6%: the date of the launch is still unknown
- 13.7%: I don’t care its features
- 6.9%: I don’t care about its color variations
- 42.2%: etc

Reasons to 'wait and see' on PS3

- 76.9%: I would like to wait to see what kind of games will come to the PS3.
- 65%: I would like to know its price first.
- 40.1%: I don’t fully understand all its features.
- 22.1%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 16.7%: I would like to know its launch date first
- 14.9%: I find its design not very appealing
- 2.6%: I don’t find its color variations very attractive
- 20%: etc

NINTENDO REVOLUTION

Are you interested in acquiring the Revolution?

- Yes I will: 36%
- Absolutely not: 10.4%
- Not for the moment: 40.6%
- I don’t care: 13%

Reasons to buy Revolution

- 80%: I like its download plans
- 42%: I like the Nintendo Wi-Fi feature
- 41.7%: I like the controller’s features
- 40.9%: I like its features
- 37.1%: I like the controller’s design
- 33.2%: I like its design
- 20.6%: etc

Reasons to NOT buy Revolution

- 53.4%: from the beginning I did not want to buy one
- 32.4%: no games have been shown yet
- 24%: I don’t like the controller’s design
- 22.5%: I don’t care about its features
- 16.2%: I don’t see what it is going to bring
- 14.2%: the price is unknown yet
- 12.7%: I don’t like its design
- 12.3%: I don’t like the controller’s features
- 11.8%: the date of the launch is still unknown
- 9.3%: I don’t care about its download service
- 5.4%: I don’t care about its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 17.2%: etc

'Wait and see'

- 72%: I don’t fully understand its features
- 60.6%: I would like to know its price first.
- 49.3%: I would like to know its price first
- 34.3%: I don’t fully understand its download service
- 22.7%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 21.9%: I don’t fully understand its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 21.8%: I don’t think the console’s final design has been revealed yet
- 17.3%: I would like the know when the console will be launched

Opinions on Controller

- 45.6%: it looks very amazing
- 29.7%: it looks very uneasy to use
- 25.1%: I like its design
- 24.2%: I prefer standard controllers
- 19.1%: I like its color variations
- 16.5%: it looks very easy to use
- 16.4%: I don’t fully understand it yet
- 12.7%: I hate its design
- 9.3%: I don’t care about it
- 3.5%: I don’t like its color variations" [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 11:57:00 PM // PermaLink //

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 05:14:00 PM // PermaLink //

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 05:14:00 PM // PermaLink //

I just recently came back from an educational 2-day journey to Montreal. The reason for this trip was primarily to immerse myself in an environment conducive to a greater understanding of the current state of the video game industry in Canada. During my 2-day stay I got the chance to attend the M.I.G.S (The Montreal International Video Game Summit). During my time at the conference I had the chance to meet various industry professionals. It was a great oppourtunity to network and socialize with them, gain a greater understanding of conceptual and theoretical game design elements, and I got a chance to develop my understanding of the video game industry’s future. I was also able to get an idea of the types of jobs available to people like me in this industry and details concerning many of the big name employers such as EA and Ubisoft. Probably the most important thing I gained from this experience was a more solidified schema in which I will build my thesis research on.

One thing I noticed at the conference was the turmoil that the industry is currently in. Corperations have full capitalistic grasp of the industry as a whole. Behemoths, EA and Ubisoft, have moved large portions of their studios to Montreal. Thus their employees dominated the crowds. The majority of developers, designers, art directors, programmers and the like walked around outfitted with EA, Ubisoft, or Activision labels on their nametags. This is important to consider because it is directly impacting the future of the industry. These corperations have predominantly concerned themselves with selling games in the highest volume possible. It was very much apparent that these companies are only now realizing the importance of theoretical study of the medium in which their industry depends on. There was a lot of talk specifically from the keynote speakers of how important it is to take into consideration the demographic that they are shooting to please. There was talk about what a game means and is. Ludological and Narratological debates and lectures dominated the game design landscape of the conference.next gen unreal

I question Neil Young, Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Arts. He made a very business and corporate presentation during his keynote speech. He was a very energetic and bold personality which is not surprising considering his career standing. The man has signed deals with Spielburg for an example. He’s the definition of an industry big-shot and it showed. He talked a lot about the future of video games in the wake of next gen systems and critized some of the other Keynote speakers for pointing fingers. I felt that his speech was largely meant to sell EA to the development community as a company that cares about the future of games. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if he knew nothing about the underlying theoretical concepts conveyed through much of the research me and Heeduk have done. Some of the other keynote speakers were much more impressive to me. Warren Spector, for one, is a character of smaller industry stature and he talked in a more down to earth tone. He’s been in the industry for somewhere around 20 years so it was very interesting to hear what the guy who did Wing Commander way way back thought about the Next Gen tsunami about to hit our continent." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 05:13:00 PM // PermaLink //

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 04:11:00 PM // PermaLink //

Koei Goes Canuck: On Koei Canada's Expansionary Aims

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 02:40:00 PM // PermaLink //

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 02:06:00 PM // PermaLink //

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 12:08:00 PM // PermaLink //

"Nintendo of Japan has started giving away the controller you see pictured to the right of this news. The controller will be made available to Club Nintendo platinum members in the next few weeks, free of charge, and unfortunately for we western types, in Japan only.

But what is it? No, it’s not an actual Revolution controller. Aside from the fact that there would be no point in releasing controllers without accompanying hardware, Nintendo would not be best pleased with letting its rivals tinker around with the innards of the much-vaunted revolution in gaming it has planned.

It’s actually a universal television remote, designed we imagine to sit on the coffee tables of Nintendo enthusiasts while they await the all-new machine, expected to be launched around the world starting in Japan in June 2006.

As mentioned a couple of paragraphs ago, there are no plans for the eBay-igniting piece of memorabilia to see a release outside of Japan right now, though given Nintendo’s recent relaxation of cross-border promotional activities, there is some hope.

We’ll keep you updated. " [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/08/2005 11:40:00 AM // PermaLink //

"Microsoft has revised the allocation of Xbox 360 launch units to 400,000 for the North American region, an EB Games employee said on Saturday. The number of units is far below the 1 million units expected at the launch window and much dire than recent estimates.

The employee, who works at an EB Games brick and mortar retail shop in Southern California, said the store will be able to fulfill only 14 of 43 pre-orders. Another shipment is expected to arrive before Christmas, however the employee did not see entire fulfillment of pre-orders until March of next year.

The store's allocation numbers are in line with numerous reports that retailers will see a severe shortage of Xbox 360 units on launch day.

While several online reports suggest a 'fake shortage' strategy to spur demand, store shipment numbers prove otherwise.

A local Game Rush store in Southern California will receive 10 Xbox 360 premium edition units and does not expect any further stock.

Retail chain Toys R Us will receive as few as 12 units per store.

A Best Buy packing slip revealed that the nation's number one electronic retailer would receive as few as 60 units per store.

At 400,000 units, consumers will see less units on store shelves than the Playstation 2 launch of 2001. At the time, Sony was forced to cut a forecast of 1 million launch units in half due to component shortage. As a result, many consumers were unable to find the console at retail before Christmas.

Online retailers like Walmart.com and EBgames.com have sold out of launch units, though the latter continues to accept pre-orders for units after launch.

Amazon.com resumed pre-orders for Xbox 360 launch units late Friday evening. The e-tailer is offering four bundle configurations that retail for $995.95 each." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 11/07/2005 10:28:00 PM // PermaLink //

Shanda begins limited sales of IPTV gaming console for USD 849

¶ D.Vader // 11/07/2005 09:50:00 PM // PermaLink //