The Console Wars: 12.18.2005 | Xbox 360, Playstation 3 PS3, Revolution

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Microsoft XBox 360

"The next-gen console wars have begun and Microsoft has fired the first shot. With at least a seven month edge over both Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft is out extra early with their brand spanking new Xbox 360 to seize control of the market. Now, Microsoft has been very keen to take control of the gaming market ever since the release of the original Xbox in 2001. Even though they have had over 4 billion dollars in losses, they are riding out the market with iron determination.

Their second console, going by the name of the Xbox 360 (most likely because Microsoft feared looking less technological compared to Sony’s third console, the PS3), is a beast of a machine. Coming with an IBM PowerPC based "Xenon" CPU, a custom ATI R500-based "Xenos" GPU, and 512 MB of ram all tucked neatly underneath its hood, the Xbox 360 is no joke.
The Bundles

As many of you may have already heard, the Xbox 360 comes in two major bundles; The Xbox 360 Core System and the Xbox 360 Premium. Here is a comparison of both bundles:

Spec vs System	Core System	Premium System
Detachable Hard Drive	No	Yes
Controller	Wired w/9ft cable	2.4GHz Wireless
X-Box Live Headset	No	Yes
Cables	Standard A/V	Component HD-A/V
XBox Live Membership	Silver	Silver
Trial Gold Membership	One Month	One Month
Ethernet Cable	Yes	Yes
Multimedia Remote	No	Yes (Initial Shipents Only)
Price	US$ 299.99 (AED 1100/-)	US$399.99 (AED 1475/-)

Today we will be testing and reviewing the premium bundle. As can be seen from above, the Core System doesn’t offer much. Not coming equipped with a Hard Drive, an HD-AV cable, or a wireless remote, its offerings are scant. Since the Xbox 360 has undergone many internal changes it requires emulation to play the original Xbox’s games and the only way to emulate the original Xbox games is through a hard drive, which the Core System does not offer." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/24/2005 01:43:00 PM // PermaLink //

AQ Interactive Announces Support for Nintendo Revolution

"In a press conference held earlier today in Tokyo, Japan, the newly founded publisher Artistic Quality Interactive announced its support for Nintendo's next-generation console, code-named the Nintendo Revolution.

AQ Interactive, whose most recent release was Tetris: the Grand Master Ace for the Japanese Xbox 360 launch, is overseeing development on no less than nine titles spread across multiple platforms. In regards to Revolution, the company is planning an original action title and a game based off of a major comic license. No further details concerning these software titles were provided.

Revolution Report will have more information on AQ Interactive's games as it becomes available." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/24/2005 12:45:00 PM // PermaLink //

Pick up 6, Ridge Racer flat out fun on the 360

Pick up 6, Ridge Racer flat out fun on the 360

"Okay, okay, okay. You're getting tired of all the Xbox 360 reviews, right? Understood. But we're trying to squeeze out as many as possible before year's end, so that when you're finally able to find a 360 in your local store, sometime in 2009 or so, you'll be up to speed.

Speaking of speed -- slick segue, no? -- behold Ridge Racer 6, the mistress in our marriage to Project Gotham Racing 3. Don't get me wrong, PGR3 is great. But sometimes you want a little something on the side that's faster, simpler and looser.

Wow, that's as far as that analogy needs to go, isn't it? RR6's debut on the Xbox 360 is an interesting blip on the venerable drift-happy racing series' radar, marking the first time a Yankee-made console has been home to a new game in this beloved Japanese franchise. Suck it up, Sony.

And it will only be more beloved after you lay eyes on this beauty, with the caveat that this as far from a realistic racer as it's possible to get in something that doesn't have Burnout in the title." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/24/2005 12:11:00 PM // PermaLink //

Trio Charged With Modifying Xboxes To Pirate Video Games

"The game consoles were modified with a new control chip and a 250-gigabyte hard drive. The embedded software on the chip creates a new start menu to play any of a number of pirated games, authorities say.

Two store owners and a third man were charged on Monday in a federal copyright infringement case for allegedly selling modified Microsoft Corp. Xbox consoles that allowed them to play pirated video games copied onto a multi-gigabyte hard drive.

The game consoles were modified with a new control chip and a 250 gigabyte hard drive. The embedded software on the chip creates a new start menu. "Turn on the Xbox, and the software comes up with the name of the modification chip," said Thomas Loeser, assistant United States attorney in Los Angeles. "You'll page through a menu similar to Windows browser to select any internal game to play it."

A criminal complaint filed in a Los Angeles federal court accuses Jason Jones, 34, Jonathan Bryant, 44, both of Los Angeles, and Pei "Patrick" Cai, 32, of Pico Rivera, Calif., of conspiring to traffic technology used to outwit a copyright protection system and conspire to commit criminal copyright infringement.

The complaint affidavit alleges Jones and Bryant, who co-own the ACME Game Store in Los Angeles, sold Xbox game consoles, that Cai modified. The chips and hard drives apparently allowed the user to copy rented or borrowed games onto the consoles for future playback."

¶ D.Vader // 12/24/2005 10:53:00 AM // PermaLink //

AGSDE Expo Asia 2005: The PS3 Construction

"The PS3 Opportunity You Didn't know You Had:

Expositions like the 4th Asian Game Show & Digital Entertainment Expo Asia 2005 might not be well recognized in the United States, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be envious that we here at GamesFirst get access to the floor over the week. The exposition clears nearly 300,000 visitors from the point it opens its doors to closing four days later, nearly 5 times E3's annual claim of 60,000. Combining elements of a game show and a consumer electronics event, attendees see everything from cell phones to sound systems and mp3 players.
Oh, and the PlayStation 3.

It takes seeing the luminescent white PS3 logo over the top of a booth before you really start to get excited. Sony's image and presentation are similar at every convention, be it E3 in California or ASGDEE in Hong Kong, and their booth here looks very reminiscent of what they had during the summer in the U.S.
Only with something worth seeing inside, this time.

The Hong Kong exposition isn't without its drawbacks. The show floor will have all sorts of games around, but you won't see Nintendo or Microsoft making a showing. Sony is obviously the dominant player at the event. However, I have an Xbox 360 sitting at home in the States; there's no mystery left to solve in Microsoft's next-generation offering, and there's all sorts surrounding the PS3. As with the first glimpse of any new console (E3 doesn't count because all they showed was plastic mock-ups), all it takes is the logo to send chills down your back.

There's something special about seeing an exposition site in the process of construction. Normally by the time the media has a chance to look around, there's nothing but the glamor and glitz of a polished presentation. Yet since I was invited here as one of the speakers in the conference before the event, my exhibitor pass gets me earlier access than I'd normally enjoy with the traditional media badge. " [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/24/2005 08:42:00 AM // PermaLink //

Friday, December 23, 2005

360 photo scam still going

"Unscrupulous grifters trick desperate holiday shoppers into buying pictures of Xbox 360s on online auction sites.

The hot holiday item, if one believes the media hype, is the Xbox 360. Short supply and high demand have left many holiday shoppers looking for the console empty-handed. While the thought of parents looking into the teary eyes of children left without an Xbox 360 this Christmas is saddening, imagine the same scenario with said parents paying upwards of $800 for a worthless photo of the gaming system.

That's exactly what has happened to a few shoppers desperate to get an Xbox 360 under the Christmas tree this year. eBay and other Web sites have multitudes of bidding wars going for the next-gen console, and the frenzy has attracted the cold hearts of those looking to take advantage of the situation. In a "cross-your-fingers-and-hope-someone-falls-for-it" scam, some tricksters on online auction site eBay have set up pages hawking what appear to be Xbox 360s.

Recently a New York woman was the winning bidder of an eBay auction for a new Xbox 360...at least that's what she thought. According to Web site TechWeb.com, the buyer inquired about the description of the item up for grabs--"Photo of picture of Xbox." The seller responded that it was a typo, and shipped out the winning item. Days later, an envelope arrived with a picture of an Xbox 360--that's it, just a piece of paper.

Her winning bid was more than $600. The Xbox 360 retails for $299 for a basic package, and $399 for the premium package.

This isn't the first such case of a Grinchlike dupe job. Earlier this month, The Register reported that a UK gamer was the winner of a similar dubious scam, ousting the buyer out of 470 pounds ($817) for a photo of an Xbox 360. In the item's description, after all the specs and information of the system, was the disclaimer (see picture) that the auction was actually for a photo of the Xbox 360. Ouch." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/23/2005 12:01:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360: Back to the Drawing Board

"Introduction

After a month with the Xbox 360, I'm ready to talk about all the mistakes that the Microsoft Xbox 360 team made in developing their console. The feedback is designed to be constructive.

Mistake #1: Overheating CPU or GPU

Anyone could have seen this one coming. With today's high performance GPUs and multi-core CPUs drawing more and more power, thermal management has become a critical element of modern systems. In the Xbox 360, either the GPU or the CPU is to blame for most of the overheating problems. As our esteemed colleague and FiringSquad alum, Tuan Nguyen showed, the bulk of the Xbox 360's heatsinks are focused on cooling the IBM PowerPC CPU. This either means that the PowerPC runs too hot and needs all that cooling, or that the GPU is not being cooled well enough. Although there were initial rumors of the power supply overheating, we can find no evidence to support this claim other than the repeated story of "holding the power supply up by a string." It's either the CPU or the GPU’s fault. After making a modification to my console to boost the flow of air to the exhaust fans, the system has been exceptionally stable even in an enclosed environment such as my entertainment center.

There are several approaches that Microsoft could have taken to solve these problems. Obviously, a higher level of quality control was necessary. These system crashes are prevalent and I have yet to encounter a single Xbox 360 owner living in a temperate climate who has not experienced at least one system crash. Although Microsoft could have improved cooling through the use of better thermal paste, the fundamental problem is the inadequate flow of the two exhaust fans. In an effort to keep the system quiet, Microsoft is overly aggressive with running the fans slowly. The best approach for Xbox 360 stability is placing a small exhaust fan to augment the existing solution. An enterprising entrepreneur could probably make a small fortune selling an added exhaust fan for the Xbox 360 powered by the rear USB port. The Xbox 360 just needs a little extra boost – that's all.

With time, improvements in yield and manufacturing advances should produce cooler running PowerPC CPUs, minimizing the likelihood of crashing. In Microsoft's position, I would have run the fans at a more aggressive rate – again the difference is minimal, the fans just need an extra 20% boost or so." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/23/2005 11:52:00 AM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 Hacked Through a PSP?

"An amusing Microsoft-beating video has appeared on the Web which purportedly shows the Xbox 360 being hacked via a Sony PSP.
It's hard to see exactly what they're doing in the video, but here's a theory from the many comments on the page:

it looks like hes launching a program from the memory stick that is on the psp to the xbox 360. which emulates the 360 to play back_up games (burned games). but if you look closely , the movie is edited alot. atleast 4-5 places. I just dont know what to make of it.

PSP Updates is openly sceptical about the video, but we'll know for sure by the 28th - the makers of the video promise to release more details then." [link]

Link: XBOX 360 Video Hacked

¶ D.Vader // 12/23/2005 11:50:00 AM // PermaLink //

Rod Stewart's Ex Wife Plays XBOX 360

URod Stewart's Ex Wife Plays XBOX 360

"Rod Stewart's ex wife Rachel Hunter says the highlight of her Christmas will be playing. video games.

The supermodel - who has an 11-year-old son, Liam, and a daughter, Renee, 13, - admits spending some quality time with the sought-after games console Xbox 360 is what she's most looking forward to over the festive season.

The 36-year-old blonde admitted to Britain's Night and Day magazine: 'The thing we're all looking forward to is playing with the new Xbox 360.'

Rachel, who is currently divorcing ex-husband Rod Stewart, added: 'The Xbox is very much a part of our family life.'" [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/23/2005 11:49:00 AM // PermaLink //

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Sony PS3 Graphics, there's more to it

"Ok, yesterday one of our readers informed us about an inaccuracy in one of our articles. Although his comments seem to be correct, another reader seems to disagree. So to be honest, I guess we're all lost and we'll just have to wait and see. But I couldn't spare you from the interesting read from our reader. It contains quite some information regarding Nvidia vs ATI's graphics cards in the next-gen console wars.

Hello,

Just a few notes on your reader's comments published in this article..

"The fact of the matter is, is that Nvidia taped out the RSX months ago"

NVidia's non-recurring engineering revenue from Sony for RSX extended until Sept/Oct if not later - that is to say, they were still working on the design up until then. It only taped out perhaps a month or two ago. Xenos - X360's GPU - taped out last year. Not that tape-out time tells us much about relative power..

"The Xenos has unified shader architecture that the RSX does not, and as a result, the Xenos may actually turn out to be more powerful than the RSX."

Unified shaders do not necessarily provide any more power. It's just a new way to arrange power. In terms of raw horsepower, RSX beats Xenos quite handily - floating point power is greater, shader ops are higher, it's clocked faster, higher fillrate etc. Xenos's claim to fame is that while it has less of a punch, it should be used more efficiently, but in a closed box such as a console, such concerns are somewhat mitigated since a dev can hunker down and get the best out of ANY chip. Xenos is also the first implementation of a new architecture - not always a good thing, and we've seen suggestions of some sacrifices on the part of devs. For example, Inis, the people making the nFactor2 engine have suggested that Xenos has relatively little texture cache and so forth, compared to nVidia chips, in order to provide more transistors for the control logic for the unified shaders, and this forced them to break up work into two shader passes that can be done on one on a nVidia card. More enticing than the unfiied shading in my opinion is the eDram, which if used properly will give Xenos an advantage with framebuffer operations thanks to its large internal bandwidth. But on the flipside of the coin, PS3 should always have more bandwidth to feed the CPU, and for the GPU for non-framebuffer tasks (texturing, vertex fetch etc.).

"We already know that the Cell's architecture does not lend itself to games and graphics processing"

Pure nonsense. This guy has obviously not been paying attention to IBM's work with raytracing and rendering on Cell for example (or The Getaway demo which was apparently rendered only using Cell) and too much time reading Major Nelson-style ramblings. If you simply listen to what developers are saying they are using more CPU power for, Cell starts looking exceptionally suited for games. Most devs seem to be using extra cores for physics, animation, particle systems, graphics, audio, fluid/hair/cloth dynamics - these are the things which are most compute intensive, and these are the things the SPUs in Cell are really good at. As good, if not better than a conventional core, and there are 7 of them there in addition to the PPE. If you don't believe me, look up Tim Sweeney's comments about Cell on anandtech.com - basically he says that the things SPUs aren't suited toward only take a small proportion of execution time anyway, and can be easily accomodated on the PPE. Or Crytek's comments about potentially achieving a linear speedup across the SPUs. Cell is a clear and large advantage for PS3 when it comes to games, there's no doubt in my mind." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/22/2005 05:42:00 PM // PermaLink //

Unreal Tournament 2007 to be PS3 launch title

"Seven months after a snippet was shown at E3, Midway and Epic's shooter is confirmed for Sony's next-gen console.

As part of its pre-E3 PlayStation 3 conference in May, Sony brought Epic Games cofounder Tim Sweeney on stage. Besides saying that Epic had already received a PS3 software-development kit--which he said was 'easy to program'--Sweeney also performed a tech demo of a shooter running on PS3 hardware.

The game on display appeared to be Unreal Tournament 2007, the flashy-looking, Unreal Engine 3-based successor to the popular PC shooter Unreal Tournament 2004. However, neither Sony nor Epic would confirm when--or even if--UT 2007 would arrive on the PS3.

Seven months later, the two companies have broken their silence. The January 2006 issue of PSM proudly proclaims that, yes, UT 2007 is coming to the PlayStation 3. Inside, the magazine also reveals that the game will be a launch title for the PlayStation 3, which is tentatively slated for a spring 2006 launch.

UT 2007 for PS3 is the second Epic shooter announced for next-generation consoles. However, the first, Gears of War for the Xbox 360, is slated for a general '2006' release date, meaning it could conceivably come out after the PS3 UT 2007." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/22/2005 01:29:00 PM // PermaLink //

How to get an Xbox 360 before Xmas

How to get an Xbox 360 before Xmas

"The secrets of a Best Buy memo

This Best Buy memo from today, the 20th of December, says there will be another shipment of Xbox 360s this week at all Best Buy stores.

It hints that the consoles could be arriving as early as Wednesday, but it doesn't mention how many units stores can expect to receive.

Interestingly, the memo tells Best Buys employees not to issue rain checks after they run out of the product.

The official plan is to remove any signs from storefronts that mention availability of the Xbox 360. So if all those signs suddenly disappear from the front door, it may mean that you should check back the next day.

Also, be sure to use the magic phrase 'I'm looking for an Xbox 360' when the door greeter asks, 'What brings you in today,' otherwise you might not be escorted to the 'controlled sales area.' Employees are supposed to keep the console's presence on the down low, both before and after its arrival.

Good luck, and don't forget to practice the secret handshake as well." [link]

Related Link:
3rd Shipment of Xbox 360 available at Best Buy this Week

¶ D.Vader // 12/22/2005 12:34:00 PM // PermaLink //

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

EA warns of weak sales, cites Xbox 360 shortages

EA warns of weak sales, cites Xbox 360 shortages

"No. 1 video game maker says low supplies of Microsoft's new console causing weak holiday sales.

Top video game maker Electronic Arts Inc. warned that quarterly profit and revenue would be "well below" earlier estimates due to lackluster holiday sales that it blamed on shortages of the Xbox 360.
The warning Tuesday sent shares of Electronic Arts down 3.8 percent in after-hours trading Tuesday.

The publisher of titles like football game "Madden NFL 06" will miss its targets due to shortages of the new Xbox 360 video game console from Microsoft and as consumers wait for rival machines from Sony and Nintendo next year, executives said.

"There are rumors that the PlayStation 3 may launch as early as spring, and that's causing some people to evaluate whether to make a purchase now or wait," CEO Larry Probst told a conference call.

The soft spending means the overall market could be down double digits, with Electronic Arts' third-quarter revenue possibly falling in the mid-teens, Chief Financial Officer Warren Jenson said.

"We don't see them getting to the installed base numbers we had forecast when we gave previous guidance," Jenson said of Xbox 360 shipments.

EA gets about half of its revenue during its third quarter, which includes the U.S. holiday shopping season.

The warning also sparked a sell-off of other video game companies. Activision Inc., the No. 2 video game publisher, fell 1 percent, while Take-Two Interactive Software fell 2.8 percent and THQ fell 3 percent.

"There are 5 million people who really believe they are getting an Xbox 360 relatively soon, by February. Microsoft has shipped 500,000 units, so 4.5 million people are doing nothing. That's enough to just kill Christmas," said Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities." [more]

Thanks Bill! :)

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 01:50:00 PM // PermaLink //

Sega's Genesis/MegaDrive titles for Nintendo Revolution...

Sega's Genesis/MegaDrive titles for Nintendo Revolution - "everything ready to go"

"16-bit Sega back catalogue looms

Speaking to SPOnG today, a source close to Nintendo has stated that Sega will soon announce a massive back catalogue line-up for Nintendo Revolution, with the MegaDrive leading the way on the pay-to-play service.

Our long-term, trusted source told us, under terms of strick anonymity, that Sega is 'on the brink of being in a position to announce exactly what it has agreed [with Nintendo]' with the 16-bit console's first-party catalogue to lead the way. Our source was unable to shed light on the possibility of Master System, GameGear, Mega CD, 32X and, dare we say it, Saturn games featuring on Revolution, though an announcement regarding the Genesis range will be made at E3 at the latest." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 01:48:00 PM // PermaLink //

Gamers Rave About High-Def Xbox 360

"'Xbox 360 is a must-have item,' said Mark Talowski, the general manager of Circuit City in Merrillville. 'PlayStation 2 and Xbox were big sellers, but with high definition being brought into the picture, that's what people have been waiting for.'

Darrell Hacker remembers saving his money and asking permission to buy a Sega Genesis video game system. It was the early 1990s, and he was in grade school. The system cost $190.

Now, Hacker is 22, working two jobs and still saving his money for the latest gaming console. Only this time, the quality -- and the price -- are higher.
Microsoft's new Xbox 360, which hits stores last month, retails for $299 to $399, depending on accessories. Microsoft expects to sell 3 million systems in three months.

This iteration, a considerable upgrade from the original Xbox released in 2001, promises better graphics, a faster processor, wireless controllers and a hard drive for storing games and competing on the Internet.
It's one of several hot items on shoppers' lists this holiday season. Retailers also expect Harry Potter merchandise, digital cameras and Bratz Pack dolls to clog checkout lines.

"Xbox 360 is a must-have item," said Mark Talowski, the general manager of Circuit City in Merrillville. "PlayStation 2 and Xbox were big sellers, but with high definition being brought into the picture, that's what people have been waiting for."

Unlike its predecessors -- Sony's PlayStation series, Nintendo GameCube and the original Xbox -- Xbox 360 is compatible with high-definition televisions. These TVs produce a picture with resolution three times clearer than a standard analog tube. The other gaming systems can hook up to an HDTV, but they can't produce an HD image. Xbox 360 can. Sony and Nintendo are expected to follow with similar capable systems this spring." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 01:42:00 PM // PermaLink //

50 Games For the Launch Of The Nintendo Revolution?

50 Games For the Launch Of The Nintendo Revolution?

"How many games will be available for the Nintendo Revolution Launch?

What can be expect with the Nintendo Revolution launch in terms of titles. Wikipedia suggests that we may see as many 50 titles on launch day. It has also been suggested that A third Super Smash Bros. game with online play is said to be bundled in with the Revolution. Having a Mario bundled with the console should go without saying though.

Third-party developers such as Activision, Atari, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sega, and THQ have made positive comments about the Revolution and it may be possible they are supporting the system, but have not announced any specific games themselves. Ubisoft spokesman David Hawk said, ”we have some wonderful ideas for the console and plan to support Nintendo’s latest offering.”

With the launch date and many details yet unknown, it is difficult to estimate how many titles we can expect for launch. As this point, we have not even seen an “official” screen shot for any games, nevermind a trailer, or demo. Developers who have acknowledged that they will produce games for the Revolution, have yet to release any specific details.

Will we see 50 games on launch day? Probably not. But with many major developers eager to work with the new console and controller, it is likely we will see more than a few titles with the release of the Nintendo Revolution" [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 12:49:00 PM // PermaLink //

How-to: Make an iPod dock for your Xbox 360 (part I)

"The Xbox 360 has iPod support built in, so we thought, “Why not just build the iPod in?” Okay, the train of thought wasn’t really that short. We were probably staring at the hard drive blister during a really long download and wondering, “Why the heck is that on the outside?” You could remove it and haul it around like a memory card — and we’re sure its size would complement your Zach Morris phone nicely. What should be on the outside? iPod dock. The 360 has good iPod support and your iPod it deserves a better home.
For part one of this project we will be moving the hard drive to a new location inside the Xbox. Check here next week for part two where we’ll build a dock in the space vacated by the hard drive. This modification is non-permanent and can be easily reversed.

Warning: Opening your Xbox will void the warranty and carelessness will cause damage to your machine.

The first thing you need to do is follow AnandTech’s Xbox 360 disassembly guide. Stop when you get to the screws. We only need to remove the top cover, so just remove the six long, silver, flathead screws that are size T12. Then you can flip the box over and pull the cover off. We pulled the DVD drive for the photo.

You should continue to follow AnandTech’s guide to disassemble the hard drive. We will be reusing the hard drive and its cable. You should save the extra pieces in case you ever want to return the drive to the original housing.

Only the hard drive is being placed inside the case. The cable will still be plugged into the external connector. You will need to enlarge the hole in the upper right corner of the hard drive’s shallow bay. Once the hole is large enough, thread the hard drive cable through. If you use the hard drive housing in the future, this hole won’t be visible." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 12:48:00 PM // PermaLink //

Casino Royale ... development cancelled for Xbox 360 and PS3...

Casino Royale videogame development cancelled for Xbox 360 and PS3, business as usual for current-gen

"As MI6 exclusively revealed last week, the next James Bond videogame from EA will be 'Casino Royale'.

The game was originally aimed at the recently released Xbox 360 and forthcoming PlayStation 3 platforms.

Sources now suggest plans for next-gen console releases have been cancelled.

Versions for current generation consoles (PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube) will be developed as normal, as with 'Everything or Nothing' and 'From Russia With Love'.

Pre-production work on the game started a few months ago, with concept artwork and some 3D models already complete, even before the latest game From Russia With Love hit the shelves." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 12:47:00 PM // PermaLink //

AQ Interactive's 360, PS3 Plans

AQ Interactive's 360, PS3 Plans

"With plenty of work fueled by Sakaguchi's Mistwalker.

Currently at work on various Mistwalker games, developers Cavia (known for the Drakengard series), Artoon (remember Blinx?), and Feelplus (churning away on Lost Odyssey), are joining together under a new publishing label called AQ Interactive. AQ stands for artistic quality, something the developers hope to excel in with their three new titles for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The first game announced is an action-adventure game by Cavia called Bullet Witch that's currently 40% finished and will be released in the summer for Xbox 360. In the game, players control a witch dishing out guns, magic, and giant grotesque demons to fight those in her way. Every stage will reportedly have a graphical element to give it an epic, film-like appearance. For instance, one stage will have meteorites crashing down, causing the stage to take place in a sea of fire.

The second game revealed was Vampire's Rain from Artoon. Players control Los Angeles vampire hunter John Lloyd part of a special military force sent to eliminate the night creatures on the city's outskirts. The team is supposedly doing their best to create frightening vampires. "Recently, vampires have become less and less scary. We want to bring back the fear of vampires from when we were children," they said.

Vampire's Rain will also include an online mode where players won't know who is a vampire, adding tension to the battles. The game is planned for a winter release next year on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 12:46:00 PM // PermaLink //

Santa runs short of Xbox 360

"For those whose shopping lists still include Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game system, it's looking like a blue Christmas.

Most stores and online retailers are sold out of the system, which starts at $300, and don't expect new shipments to satisfy the demand. Auctions on eBay and Craigslist are being bidded up to $1,000; sites such as xbox.clambert.org have sprung up to track availability on the Net.

When word leaked out that Best Buy stores were to have a few systems Sunday, customers began lining up. "I was going to camp out (early Sunday), but when I got there I found people who had already gotten there at 7 p.m. Friday," says Joey Rouse, 31, of Denham Springs, La., who checked a store in Baton Rouge.

Instead, he ordered a system from Best Buy's website, but he's not sure his 360 will arrive in time for him and his two sons to play over the holiday. Nonetheless, "I know what Christmas is really about," he says. "Anything extra is a blessing. If it doesn't come, it doesn't come."

It's unclear when individual stores will get replenishments; most spokesmen recommend that customers visit local stores and websites. "When the consoles come in, we'll put them out," says Circuit City's Jim Babb.

The 360 is the first of a new generation of game systems due in the next year. Microsoft launched it Nov. 22 and sold 326,000 by the end of the month, according to market-tracking firm The NPD Group.

That falls short of the November 2001 launch of the original Xbox, when Microsoft sold 772,000 in 15 days, says NPD's Anita Frazier. "The marketing and awareness they built up far exceeded the supply," she says." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 10:11:00 AM // PermaLink //

Sony PlayStation 3, Graphics close-up

"Yesterday and the day before we wrote two articles about the Sony PlayStation 3 and what we can expect of the next-gen Console. We received quite some heat from readers about taking sides with Sony and so on. But we also received word from some readers who had something more than pure nonsense on their mind.
One reader fills us in with the Graphics Unit the PlayStation 3 will run and how it will compete with the Xbox 360 solution from Microsoft.

I'm not planning on buying either console, so don't write this off as another fanboy complaint, but your PS3 Fanboy article does have some incorrect info. Your speculation regarding the GPU of the PS3 is wrong. Simply because graphics rendering technology advances at a very rapid pace in comparison to the rest of the processor industry, does not mean that the PS3, debuting March (in Japan, at least), is going to have more rendering power than the Xbox 360. The fact of the matter is, is that Nvidia taped out the RSX months ago, and while it does run at a 10% higher clock speed than the ATi Xenos chipset, it does so with old technology. The Xenos has unified shader architecture that the RSX does not, and as a result, the Xenos may actually turn out to be more powerful than the RSX. Sony may compensate for this by dedicating two or three of the Cell's SPE's to help the RSX out, however. So unless Nvidia overhauls the RSX, in all likelyhood, it will only be as powerful or possible slightly slower than ATi's Xenos. It's entirely possible that Nvidia may bump up the clock speed, but it's unlikely they'll get more than 10% faster than what they have now with that architecture, which will ultimately yield less than a 10% increase in real world performance. More than a marginal speed increase and chip yields become a concern anyway. We already know that the Cell's architecture does not lend itself to games and graphics processing, and the RSX will likely be, if anything, slower than the Xenos.

It would be unwise to conclude that the PS3 will be more powerful at all than the Xbox 360 simply because it's coming out later. It will have more features and they likely won't have the supply problem Microsoft had because they'll have multiple foundries producing chips (both IBM and Sony have foundries that will be producing Cell processors for the PS3), and Nvidia is already producing GPUs based on the same architecture as the RSX and getting good yields. The only thing that could hold Sony back is the Blu-Ray drive and the actual development of games. But do not assume that the PS3 will be at all superior to the 360 in terms of processing and rendering power. Especially just because it's launching later. " [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 10:06:00 AM // PermaLink //

"Ridge Racer 6" Xbox 360 game review

"Repetitive arcade-quality racing in widescreen and not much else.

Xbox 360 was designed to offer developers new opportunities to push games in new directions, both creatively and technologically. As we’ve come to expect from Namco’s long running racing series, Ridge Racer 6 does little to take advantage of the Xbox 360’s power, instead relying on a tired formula of simplistic arcade racing, overdone drifting and enough CPU nitrous to drive the sanest of gamers insane. Its presence alongside Project Gotham Racing 3 and Need For Speed Most Wanted in the Xbox 360 launch lineup sticks out like a Hyundai cruising with a Ferrari and Aston Martin.

Namco sets the tone for straight up arcade racing by offering a quick round of Pac-Man of all things before the main title menu appears. After chomping on some ghosts the logical next step is to enter single player World Xplorer mode. Here a daunting map of hexagons (six sided figure, get it?) representing different races must be finished in first place to win new cars and other prizes. Second place or worse requires retrying three laps ranging anywhere from under a minute to pushing 3 or 4 minutes each. The earlier races are beaten without breaking a sweat but naturally they grow progressively difficult as new car classes are unlocked and the A.I. commits fewer and fewer mistakes.

Although there are 30 different tracks available, each one seems to pop up over and over while progressing through the map. It's not uncommon to race the same track twice during one leg of races. To avoid complete duplication, sometimes a track is raced backwards or at night versus day. This lame attempt to spice up variance doesn't hide the painful truth.

Map repetitiveness wouldn’t be as big an issue if driving were at least interesting but alas, this is the same old Ridge Racer we’ve seen before with only minor upgrades. Nitrous is collected via drifting and can be stored for up for 3 boosts at a time. It doesn’t take long to figure out having a nitrous or two available for the final sprint is a good idea to ensure victory. Drifting is as obnoxiously easy and unreal as it ever was making sliding around each turn a chore and not a challenge. The higher-class cars with more dynamic drifting require more concentration but are easily mastered after one or two laps around a track. I’ve always found this unrealistic “driving on ice” effect fun for a few races and the same holds true here. Once that fun elapses and completing races becomes a burden there’s little incentive to want to become a seasoned World Xplorer." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 10:03:00 AM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 copy protection under attack in under a month

"Hackers have taken their first few steps to breaking the Xbox 360 game protection in just under a month of the consoles release. A group of crackers calling themselves Team PI coder say they have figured out the basic workings of the consoles file system. This has let the group dump raw data of 13 Xbox 360 games data already, though they have not been able to get data off the game discs. The data was dumped to a Dutch site along with a program the helps dump the data.

Microsoft was quick to respond that the console has several security measures in place to stop the running of unauthorised games. The Team PI coder group say that nothing can be done with the data at this current moment of time but that sooner or later you will.

The raw data of games that they have dumped will be of little use as it is the data that is created when the Xbox 360 starts a game. The group said that they had released the raw data to help other groups and coders out their figured out how the Microsoft Xbox 360 stops piracy. They also went on to say the release of data will hopefully make others take up the challenge.

Using the raw data will prove a challenge as the raw data will not be booted by the Xbox 360 as it still contains all the copy protection information to stop unauthorised games. Also the Xbox 360 uses non standard DVD game discs meaning that no DVD writer or DVD drive will be able to read or write these discs.
Microsoft said that a series of improvements to the Xbox 360 have been added to protect against hackers. It said that only games authorised and signed by Microsoft would run on the system and that unauthorised ones would refuse to run." [more]

Responses from Microsoft via the link.

¶ D.Vader // 12/21/2005 09:57:00 AM // PermaLink //

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Flextronics Boosted By Handsets, Xbox 360

"Morgan Stanley research analyst Bernie Mahon upgraded Flextronics International to 'overweight' from 'equal-weight' and initiated a $13 price target on the stock, expecting it to outgrow most of its peers due to fading headwinds and exposure to strong end markets in handsets and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

'We recommend building positions in Flextronics shares at current levels, as we view the risk/reward as favorable and expect the stock to trade up to our price target,' wrote the analyst in a recent research note.

Flextronics shares are down about 25% from the year's high, but Mahon does not believe the recent rally in the stock has fully priced in the company's return to growth in 2006. Moreover, he has concluded that that investor concerns over future electronics manufacturing services, or EMS, market share loss to ODMs seem exaggerated.

The research analyst expects Flextronics to benefit from its exposure to the fast-growing handset market and Xbox 360 build over the next year. He is modeling roughly $450 million in incremental revenue from the Xbox 360 for 2006." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/20/2005 05:58:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 Mag to Bundle Free FF XI Beta

"Japanese gamers who possess a special launch package have been able to participate in beta testing of Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox 360 since the 10th of December, but soon U.S. and U.K. gamers will have a chance to get in on the action as well.

Future PLC, the U.K. company behind Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine, have announced an exclusive deal with Squenix to bundle the beta on a free disc that will come with the next issue of the magazine.

The issue with the beta disc will be available in the U.S., U.K., France, Italy and Germany from the 5th of January, and participation in the beta will require a hard drive-equipped Xbox 360 and a broadband connection.

The Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XI is due for official release in early 2006, for more information about the magazine exclusive, check here and here." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/20/2005 05:57:00 PM // PermaLink //

Microsoft to Link Xbox 360 with Mobile Phones

"It is expected that, within the next six months, Microsoft will launch a new communication tool for users of the Xbox 360, allowing them to use it to send and receive mobile text messages over the existing MSN Messenger network.

This will allow gaming enthusiasts to let their friends know when they are playing, and more effectively schedule multi-player games and tournaments.

By integrating their new console with mobile phones, Microsoft is taking a bold move to more deeply embed themselves in the minds (and pockets) of gamers everywhere." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/20/2005 05:56:00 PM // PermaLink //

Sega “intrigued” by Revolution backwards compatibility

"If you were lucky enough to get a chance to meet up with Reggie “The Regginator” Fils-Aime yesterday, then you might have overheard some comments he made regarding the Nintendo Revolution. Apparently, Reggie said “Sega is intrigued by the Nintendo Revolution’s ‘backwards compatibility’” although he didn’t say whether or not they were willing to go all the way and bring classic Sega titles to the console. He also mentioned that the game controller “shell” will look similar to the Gamecube’s Wavebird (IGN weren’t too far off after all).

Nintendo must be extremely excited at the possibility of having not one, but two online catalogues of classic games for the Revolution. The chance to have Sega’s game library as well as a history of Nintendo games available at our fingertips is also pretty exciting for us, frankly! Who could possibly ask for a better launch line-up?" [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/20/2005 05:56:00 PM // PermaLink //

Kutaragi refutes $1 billion PlayStation 3 hole will bring SCE to its knees - News at SPOnG.com

Kutaragi refutes $1 billion PlayStation 3 hole will bring SCE to its knees

"Analysts warn of pre-marketing $100 unit loss lead...

Analysts have warned that the release of the PS3 could backfire on gaming giant Sony Computer Entertainment, bringing the Sony subsidiary to its knees. Merrill Lynch Japan has stated it expects Sony to lose more than $1 billion on hardware manufacturing alone during its next-gen console's first 12 months on sale, a figure that may prove unrecoverable.

Merrill Lynch Japan Securities, quoted in the latest issue of Toyo Keizai, states that it expects core production costs of PlayStation 3 to be around $500, with the machine likely to ship at $399 – equating to a loss of around $1.18 billion in the first year the machine goes on sale. It should be noted that these losses are based purely on manufacturing costs and do not factor in the colossal marketing budget SCE has undoubtedly prepped for it's next home console launch." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/20/2005 12:45:00 PM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 scalpers robbed

"Five youngsters trying to scalp their newly purchased Xbox 360s in Anchorage, Alaska, lost them to two thieves, one of them holding a handgun.

The Xbox 360 is the video game console made by Microsoft that has become this holiday season's hot-selling item. It has become the main target of thieves because of limited supplies, reports the Anchorage Daily News.

In the robbery incident, five young men tried to make a profit after buying the devices from some local stores. Police said the thieves, who saw them buy the items, followed them to where the youngsters were trying to sell them.

Police said the thief with the gun ordered the youngsters to open their van's door. The second thief then took the 360s and escaped. One of the youngsters saved their fifth Xbox by hiding it under his feet." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/20/2005 11:09:00 AM // PermaLink //

Monday, December 19, 2005

Got game? Living-room consoles grapple for consumers' eyes, wallets

"The holidays are here, so it must be time for another round of game-gear hype. Only one of the next-generation platforms is in production. Regardless of when they emerge, they all plan to evolve their capabilities beyond gaming with an eye toward being the home's entertainment centerpiece.

Three years ago, when EDN last covered gaming consoles in a Hot Technologies edition, that industry was at a notable inflection point (Reference 1). Sony had been shipping its PlayStation 2 in the United States for a little more than a year; the company had launched the PS2 in Japan almost eight months earlier. Microsoft's Xbox was a month old, as was Nintendo's GameCube. Fast-forward three years, and all three consoles are success stories to varying degrees and defined by varying measurement criteria. Look at the Xbox, for example; on the one hand, Microsoft has, according to a recent article, lost $4 billion over the last four years on the console (Reference 2). On the other hand, Microsoft reported in January that, by the end of 2004, the Xbox worldwide unit market share was 37%, up from zero two years earlier and against long-established console competitors (Reference 3).

The gaming industry had reached another crossroads as this article went to press in late November. Microsoft's Xbox 360, barring a last-minute introduction delay, will, by the time you read this article, have launched in all three primary geographies: the United States on Nov 22, Europe on Dec 2, and Japan on Dec 10, with the first wave of consoles likely sold out (Figure 1). Introduction dates for the Xbox 360's primary competitors are unknown; for now, Nintendo will say only that the Revolution unveiling won't be until some time after March 2006. However, the company recently asked game-industry insiders to mark their calendars for a May 9, 2006, press briefing-the first day of the E3 conference (Electronic Entertainment Expo, www.e3expo.com). As for the PlayStation 3, a recently published interview with Howard Stringer, Sony's chief executive officer and chairman, hints at a spring-2006 rollout in Japan, with US consumers not getting their hands on the console until the end of next year (Reference 4). This year also marked the unveiling of several significant next-generation handheld gaming consoles (see sidebar "Next time, portables get their turn").

With every passing generation, the success-or-failure stakes get dicier in the $25 billion gaming business for both hardware manufacturers and content developers (Reference 5). Echoing Microsoft's monetary morass, the PlayStation 3's development costs reportedly heavily influenced Sony's 46% drop in corporate profits in the second fiscal quarter of this year, compared with that same period a year earlier (Reference 6). Mark Thomas, the senior ISV (independent-software-vendor) manager for ATI Technologies, succinctly pointed out in his presentation at October's SID (Society for Information Display) ADEAC (Americas Display Engineering and Applications Conference) that game-development costs are seeing a fivefold increase per generation. (Given the new consoles' significant hardware incompatibilities, those costs are on track to meet or exceed that pace in the games' next iterations.) Meanwhile, only one in 10 games ever turns a profit. And Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Nintendo, shared equally disturbing statistics about retrenching trends in the core gaming market during an early-November briefing on the company's DS portable console's WiFi service. (Click here to view the statistics.)

With all of this gloomy news, why would any sane company seek its fortunes in the gaming business? Because the one title that is profitable can potentially far more than make up for the nine that incur losses. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the one quarter that Microsoft's Home and Entertainment division turned a profit, the group's fiscal triumph was the direct result of the mid-November 2004 unveiling of the franchise title Halo 2, which earned $125 million in its first 24 hours on the market and had, by press time, sold more than 8 million copies at roughly $50 a pop (Reference 7). One tempting title is often sufficient motivation for a consumer to take the console-purchase plunge. Granted, the hardware manufacturer may sell that console at a loss. But, once the consumer's on the hook, every subsequent game sale is a highly profitable enterprise, either directly-if the console manufacturer also sells the game-or through licensing revenue-if the game comes from a partner company. Microsoft forecasts that it will sell 2.7 million to 3 million Xbox 360s in the first three months the console is on the market and 10 million by the end of 2006. Over that initial three-month time frame, Microsoft believes it will earn approximately $1.5 billion in revenue from the sales of not only consoles, but also games, peripherals, and online-gaming subscriptions (Reference 8).

Short-term success is exciting, but pragmatic long-term vision is equally important. If Nintendo's data indicating atrophy of the core gaming segment is true, then future growth will need to come from expanding beyond that core by attracting new gamers into the fold, by broadening the console function beyond gaming, or both. From a high-level perspective, the three first-tier next-generation living-room consoles might seem to be "kissing cousins"; Microsoft and Sony based their systems on the same IBM-developed PowerPC core, as Nintendo likely will (Table 1). But peer closer, and you'll see significant differences emerge, reflecting each company's unique view of what's necessary for success in this next round of the console wars. There is, however, one other notable similarity: The words "living room" are key parts of each company's strategy. The company whose console becomes the entertainment nexus for the home has control and influence over and, therefore, obtains direct and indirect revenue from, all content flowing into and out of that home." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 05:50:00 PM // PermaLink //

Microsoft Boss Attacks Sony PS3

"A Microsoft boss insists that the forthcoming Sony PlayStation 3 will not be able to compete with the Xbox 360.

Microsoft's Peter Moore, who oversees marketing and first-party game development for the Xbox 360 said that the Sony PlayStation 3 will be inferior to the Xbox 360.

You tell that to all the people that thought Xbox 360 was going to have super-duper DVD technology, and all the people that are already disappointed in the lack of Xbox 360 units available, while some consumers call the Xbox 360 launch the most horrible and mismanaged launch for a video game console.

Speaking about Sony PlayStation 3, let's not forget what the die-hard fans of Sony PS3 thought in Japan. You know, Sony-land. Japan consumers made it clear that the Microsoft Xbox 360 isn't the same type of next-gen console they wanted. Afterall, Sony is promising all the DVD and HD goodies for the PlayStation 3.

I am sure that most of the gamers in Japan just laughed at what they saw, after learning a bit on what the Sony has planned for the PS3.

Microsoft is left with complete embarassment after the Japan launch. Xbox 360 retailers in Japan still have plenty of stock on shelves. Shoppers are just walking by.

Meanwhile, there is a shortage in North America and Europe, causing Xbox 360 pre-order consumers to become angry, and perhaps, regretful that they even placed any money for this console. Still waiting, since mid-November, still no Xbox 360.

Amazon really messed up this launch even further by taking November pre-orders, then launching some 'early-bird' special to allow new consumers to buy the Xbox 360 right away. Again, putting the Xbox 360 pre-order consumers back on the bottom of the stack." [more]

Will not be able to compete where? The Microsoft employee parking lot? So far the PS3 isn't out and Xbox 360 is having trouble competing with a system that is months away!

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 05:49:00 PM // PermaLink //

Mario Kart for Nintendo Revolution

"According to Mario Kart producer Hideki Konno, Mario is on the way to Nintendo Revolution.

According to the latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine (February 2006 issue), Mario Kart producer Hideki Konno discussed the possibility of the Mario franchise moving to Nintendo Revolution.

NP: What do you like most about the Revolution controller?

Hideki Konno: We're doing a lot of experiments right now with the Revolution controller and obviously with the direct pointing device (DPD) and its ability to track movement and distance. You know, that's huge, because that's a brand-new thing that we've never seen before in any controller. Trying to envision all the different things we could do with that motion sensor, that DPD, is a little mind-boggling.

NP: Where do you think the Mario Kart series can go from here?

Konno: As you know, Mario Kart has appeared on all of Nintendo's platforms so far, and I think it's done its job on the DS, or at least I hope it will with what's new. So the next logical step, of course, is the Revolution. Really what we hope to do is continue to bring new and creative things to the franchise that appeal not only to our established user base, but also bring new people into the game.

It does look like Mario will be a next-gen debut for the Nintendo Revolution. Keep it here on GameSHOUT as we will get more information on this exciting news." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 05:47:00 PM // PermaLink //

We bring you the Sony PlayStation 3

"Even on this Sunday, where a troubled insomniac wishes for some rest and to be left alone, I can't avoid keeping everybody up to date regarding the console wars that we find ourselves in. The Sony PS3 is what we're all eagerly waiting for, the Xbox 360 (if all goes according to plan) is just a preview of what Sony has in store for us.
Data seen by DataFuse (go figure) has shown us that CES 2006 is going to play a major deal in the release of the PlayStation 3. Although the huge event won't really be the official launch party, Sony is hogging quite some space in the exhibition.

CEO Howard Stringer will address everybody on CES with important information regarding the release. And with a bit of luck we'll know if it's going to be able to compete with an already impressive Xbox 360.

Anyways, MS is playing with fire and when I say fire I mean there's a forrest fire beyond their control. The release in Japan of the Xbox 360 was weak to say the least. While North America and Europe is screaming for more units, if they don't get it in time, most consumers are just going to wait another couple months for a Sony PlayStation 3 ... Quite some analysts are already calling the Xbox 360 release the most horrible and mismanaged one ever." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 11:12:00 AM // PermaLink //

Mistake or Not, Xbox 360's Disappearing Act Feeds Cycle of Hype

"Are they trying to taunt us? Every other commercial on TV these days seems to be for some Xbox 360 video game. At local electronics retail stores, displays for the new Xbox are taking up premium front-and-center floor space, complete with kiosks offering a hands-on look at the product. There's only one problem -- nobody has the thing in stock.

Many local big-box stores say they haven't gotten any new consoles since the product's Nov. 22 launch, and some have gotten just one or two. The Target in Germantown got four units Monday night and sold them almost immediately. As of yesterday afternoon, Web stores Amazon.com, ToysRUs.com, EBGames.com, CircuitCity.com and WalMart.com were all sold out, with no indication of when the new game console would be available again.

Microsoft won't pin the shortage on any one part or manufacturer, so game fans and Wall Street analysts don't really know if this is planned hype or a major screw-up or what. This is what is known: The company shipped 300,000 to 400,000 units Nov. 22 -- and after that, very few. The company says more are coming, but nobody knows for sure.

With hot items such as new Apple iPods or game consoles, the hunt for scarce products has become part of tradition. So ingrained is it that when a new Sony handheld game gadget didn't instantly sell out or spark riots in electronics stores this past spring, some pundits took it as a sign that the company was taking a step in the wrong direction.

No such problem for the Xbox 360. Over on Craigslist and eBay, opportunists are auctioning off the $400 device for $800 or more. College student Chris Lambert built an easy-reference tool for savvy Web surfers by combining leaked Best Buy supply information with a mapping program from Google. Enter your Zip code, and the site pulls up a map showing Best Buys in the area and their alleged Xbox 360 inventory. His site also has a service that automatically pings online stores every few minutes to see if the device is in stock." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 10:12:00 AM // PermaLink //

Xbox 360 outmanoeuvres its launch glitches

"A shortage of consoles and compelling new games, a lacklustre launch in Japan and early technology glitches have done little to detract from the successful global launch of the Xbox 360, according to video games industry analysts.

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's attempt to steal leadership in the games industry from Sony's PlayStation, has become this year's must-have Christmas gift in gaming circles in the US and western Europe. But the shortages and the resulting 'buzz' they have created are partly a reflection of the slow ramp-up in production of the machines.

'We don't think this was staged but we're a little surprised there hasn't been more information about follow-up shipments,' said Richard Doherty, an analyst at Envisioneering in the US.

Makers of the most sought-after Christmas gifts, such as the latest Nintendo hand-held games machine last year, generally kept retailers informed about extra shipments they were rushing out before the holidays, he added – something Microsoft had not done.

Any unhappiness this has caused among retailers and potential customers, however, has been balanced by media coverage of unmet demand for the products, according to analysts.

In Japan, where the new machines went on sale a week ago, early demand fell short of that in the US and Europe." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 07:11:00 AM // PermaLink //

Price of Xbox 360 in RP skyrocketing

"Almost a month after the launch of the Microsoft Xbox 360 in the United States, malls, small shops and online resellers have begun selling the US and Japanese versions of the new game console at startling prices.

Topping all of the other resellers is a Filipino seller in eBay.ph with the handle “buying_usa” who has two different Xbox 36 packages; a core system for 89,000 pesos and an Xbox 360 Limited Premium package for a whopping 109,000 pesos.

In an interview with INQ7.net, a representative of “buying_usa” said the packages were bought straight from the US. She explained that the prices included the shipping and handling of the items to the buyer.

In particular, the 109,000-peso package comes with nearly all of the available accessories, including a wireless controller, a 20-Gigabyte hard disk, a high-definition TV cable, headset and a DVD remote control.

The buyer_usa representative also said that the Limited Premium package comes with two games of the buyer’s choice. She added that the prices are negotiable.

Relatively less expensive to say the least are prices in malls that are offering Xbox 360 packages. Kidzone in EDSA Shangri-La Mall is selling the core package of the Japanese version for 35,000 pesos.

The core package includes the console and one wired controller. Aside from the Japanese version, the shop is also offering the core package of the US version priced at a whopping 58,000 pesos." [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 07:10:00 AM // PermaLink //

NEXT-GEN FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 3 DETAILS PUNCH IN

"With the power of the Playstation 3 we can now see every drip of sweat fall from these burly boxers' faces

Kudo Tsunoda, executive producer at EA Chicago, has been talking up his new sweaty boxing game Fight Night: Round 3 and has even dropped some details on the Playstation 3 version.

Speaking to US mag Game Informer, Tsunoda spoke about Fight Night: Round 3's intricate graphics engine. The game uses a 'Mo Cap' system, which realistically renders a character's skin, realistically stretching it over a modelled bone structure - blimey. "The U-Cap is affecting how the skin moves and making the skin less plastic and more organic," Tsunoda explained.

Graphical touting aside, Tsunoda did offer some rare details on the PS3 version of the game. "I think the cool thing about the [PS3] controller, especially with our game, is that I think it allows people with not as large hands to better utilize the analogue sticks. Our game is so analog stick driven. I think that [the] controller is set up nicely to work in our game."

And with FNR3 also confirmed for Xbox 360, will we additionally be seeing the sequel in wand-waving Revolution action? "I think it's really interesting technology and we could do cool things with it," said Tsunoda. "As a developer, I'm always excited seeing new things being done because it definitely gives you more things to play with."

EA has so far officially confirmed Fight Night: Round 3 for Xbox, PS2, PSP and Xbox 360, these versions releasing in early 2006." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/19/2005 07:09:00 AM // PermaLink //

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Kaz Hirai Speaks on Next-Generation Systems

"The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, by way of consumer site 1UP.com, has posted an interview with Sony Computer Entertainment America president Kaz Hirai, in which he speaks out on Sony's plans for the future and his views on the competition.

Speaking on the fact that the Xbox 360 will have a lead of several months over the PlayStation 3, which is expected to be introduced in spring 2006 at the earliest, Hirai said that 'People, especially people up north on the West Coast, seem to put a lot of credence on being out before the other consoles. If you take a look at when our competitors came out in the market, we had upward of 3 [million] to 5 million PS2 units when our competitors came out with a platform. Consumers adopted our platform because [they like our content] and not because we were first to market. And, first to market, from what we can tell, has never been an advantage.'

Hirai does admit that the PS3 will need to meet the challenge of the Xbox and Xbox 360's advances in the online front: 'Online-especially in the next iteration of hardware-is going to be like air conditioning in a car. I can't imagine any car without it. We showed that online in the PS2 generation isn't going to be the end all be all, but it's become a more integral part of the experience, and I think we've proven that.'" [more]

¶ D.Vader // 12/18/2005 12:54:00 PM // PermaLink //

Aussie-Nintendo.com - Kojima: A Revolution for Females

Aussie-Nintendo.com - Kojima: A Revolution for Females

"Hideo Kojima comments on Revolution and game possibilities.

Speaking to Japanese Magazine Famitsu in its latest edition, Metal Gear Solid creator, Hideo Kojima, mentioned a few details relating to his Nintendo Revolution project/s.

Kojima suggested that, unlike the other consoles, with Revolution he envisions creating more artistic and stylish games, 'based on life, something organic.'

Further, and following Miyamoto's recent comment that Kojima wants to create a game that'll make him popular with girls, Kojima said without elaborating that certain aspects (some most likely yet to be revealed) of the system will make it popular with females.

Hideo Kojima has continued to show strong support for Nintendo and its direction in gaming, and we expect his game to debut along with Revolution's full unveiling next May, at E3." [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/18/2005 12:42:00 PM // PermaLink //

Smash Brothers Revolution Dev Starts Summer 06?

"Despite the fact that Google’s translator turns the title of the game listed on this hiring call website into “Large Scuffle”, I’m told by a Japanese reader that it is in fact for Super Smash Brothers.

The reader goes on to say that the job description leads him to believe that it’s for the Nintendo Revolution. It looks like the site has some mention of a July 2006 start date, but I could be off.

Although Nintendo mentioned a Smash Brothers title at E3 earlier this year, this is the first sign of movement toward developing the game for the next-gen console.

Contract" [link]

¶ D.Vader // 12/18/2005 12:41:00 PM // PermaLink //

Look at how far we have come from 1984!

Here is a link for you to check out. It is a television program from 1984. Guests: Trip Hawkins, Electronic Arts; Bill Budge, Game Designer; Chris Crawford, Atari; and Steve Kitchen, Activision. Products/Demos: Pinball Construction Set, One on One, Space Shuttle, Excaliber and Larry Bird Basketball.

Link: Internet Archive: Details: Computer Games (Episode year: 1984)

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