Xbox Live India Service officially announced by Microsoft

On September 17, 2007 while the rest of India was dreading those weekly Monday blues, we had an exciting event to attend. Microsoft India would be organizing a press event surrounding its much-awaited Xbox LIVE online gaming and entertainment network in the country. The event took place at Taj Lands End located in Bandra, Mumbai.

While it is already available in over 25 countries worldwide, India was left out of this for nearly a year now since its launch. We were awaiting this day with much anticipation as we couldn’t wait to get connected via Xbox LIVE using our Xbox 360 console.

Present at the event was Mohit Anand, Country Manager- Entertainment and Devices Division Microsoft India. He took the audience (which was quite scarce by the way) on a round trip of Xbox LIVE, explaining all the possible things that gamers could enjoy using this service.

So what are the activities that one can do on Xbox LIVE. Well, for starters the Xbox LIVE network connects you with over 7 million members across 26 countries that now includes India.

Here is some of the content that you will soon be able to access via Xbox LIVE:
*Music videos
*Movie trailers
*Playable game demos
*Multiplayer games
*New Game levels
*New Game characters
*Weapons

For those who are not into hardcore gaming, there are loads of casual games, puzzle games, card games, board games and arcade games such as coin-operated and retro classic.

And for those who cannot do without connecting with their friends and chatting, there’s the option of using Windows Live Messenger that allows you to text chat while playing games. A very useful peripheral for the purpose of easy texting was unveiled at the event. Called the Chatpad, this peripheral is required to be attached to the Xbox 360 controller.

Mr.Anand said that the launch of Xbox Live in India is a major milestone, and he also stressed on the fact that this service is one of the USPs of the Xbox 360 console.

When asked whether any India-centric content would be available, Mohit Anand assured that we would be seeing such localized content ‘very soon’.

Other Xbox 360 accessories besides the text input device (chatpad) unveiled at the event were the wireless headset and the Webcam which would aid gamers when connected to millions of other people via Xbox LIVE.

Xbox Live will offer two types of subscriptions to Indian users, Silver and Gold. The main difference between the two is that Silver card subscribers will not be able to play games in the multiplayer mode via the Xbox Live service.

Also present at the event was Juan Posada, senior global marketing manager for Xbox LIVE at Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division. He gave all those present a demonstration of the Xbox LIVE service as he showed everybody the popular ‘Forza Motorsport 2’ game between two random players.

Juan Posada also let the press in on Xbox Live features such as the Gamer card, Gamerscore, Reputation, Gamer Zone, Achievements, Intelligent Matchmaking, feedback and family settings.
He even downloaded a game to show the effectiveness of the Xbox Live India service. And, turns out that the game happened to be everybody’s favorite casual game “UNO”.

The pricing of Xbox Live in India would be along the same lines as the internarional service.

During the Q&A session that was to follow, a very crucial question related to ISPs was put forward to the Microsoft heads.

In response to this, Mr.Anand said, “Potentially with some of the ISPs, with some of their programs, it could be a problem. To give you a classic example, the Sify solution that is available today, the broadband solution technically has a problem with the Xbox Live service. And that’s a fact. Because they are using a technology, which is kind of archaic. Those are tests that are currently going on. It is some thing that is not set in stone.”

He also added that Microsoft is currently in the process of discussions with a number of ISPs in India.

Well, even though Xbox Live is not yet available in India, this event turned out to be a whole lot of fun. But, we’ll still have to wait for the service to actually launch in the country. But, the best part about it all was that all those present at the event received a Gold Xbox LIVE subscription card!


source:techshout.com

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Sony PSP (model 2000)

Slimmed down and souped up, Sony's latest handheld gaming device, the PSP (model 2000) offers some welcome improvements over its predecessor. It boasts more RAM to make game load times a little faster and is now able to output video straight to your TV. The PSP's smaller size is also more pocket-friendly. Although the device provides the same great game play and media abilities that made the original PSP a success, convincing current PSP owners to upgrade will be tough.

When Sony unveiled the new, redesigned PSP at this year's E3 conference, it appeared at first glance to be no different from the original. It wasn't until you "felt" the new PSP in your hands that you began to understand the subtle but thoughtful cosmetic improvements.

Measuring 6.6 by 2.8 by 0.6 inches (HWD), the PSP's shape has been streamlined in a way that is noticeable when you place the PSP 2000 next to the original, which measures 6.7 by 2.9 by 0.9 inches. The major difference between the two, however, is that the PSP 2000 weighs about a third less, 6.7 versus 9.2. When you use the PSP 2000 for an extended time, the lower weight makes it really easy on the hands; those seasoned by hours of game play on the original model will feel the difference instantly. While holding the PSP 2000 with both hands I noticed another design change: the wavelike bulges on the old PSP, which covered the battery and Memory Stick slot on both sides and curved beneath the middle and index fingers, are gone. They gave the original a more ergonomic feel, which will be missed, but this is minor point. The PSP 2000's screen is the same as the original's and, unfortunately, just as smudge-prone.

The four-way direction pad, as well as the familiar "diamond" buttons (triangle, circle, square, and x), have been slightly elevated, offering greater tactile feedback. This improved my game performance, especially with combo-heavy fighting titles like Tekken: Dark Resurrection. Another physical refinement is that the new PSP's UMD (Universal Media Disc) slot has a less mechanical structure than the original and is easier to operate. Instead of the dedicated button found on the old PSP, all that's required to open the UMD drive is a simple tug on the cover hatch. Placing a UMD in its grove within the opened hinge, then closing the hatch, is the easiest way to load discs.

The PSP 2000 incorporates a few new features that showcase just how much the system has evolved. The device's A/V port, not found in the original, serves two purposes. Since it uses the 3.5mm mini-jack format, the port works with any standard headset for listening. It also doubles as a video-out and can hook up to component or composite inputs via a special cable (sold separately for about $20). This ability lets you output your PSP games, videos, movies, and photos directly to an external display such as your television, or any LCD monitor with component/composite inputs. Movies, videos, and photos can be displayed at DVD resolution (up to 720 by 480, or 480p), but, of course, quality differs depending on compression rates. You can choose to view content in either a 4:3 or a 16:9 aspect ratio, and you can select from interlaced and component output when using the appropriate cables.


Like the original's, the PSP 2000's power button is located in an awkward position: It's easy to hit unintentionally, and if you aren't careful, this can lead to an accidental power-down during game play. The analog stick, too, is disappointingly unimproved over the original's: A better design would have raised the stick slightly and given it a rubberized texture, as opposed to hard plastic. And though the PSP mimics most of the functionalities of the PS2 controller, the new PSP does not introduce one of the PS2 console's main attractions: dual analog support. That is an opportunity missed, since dual analog support gives you greater control in certain games. For instance, when you're playing first-person shooter games like Halo, the Xbox, which has dual analog support, lets you use the left analog stick for movement and the right analog stick to aim your weapon. On the PSP, having only the left analog stick hinders the game play. Had Sony opted for dual analog sticks for the new PSP, upgrading from the original would have been an absolute must for most, if not all.

The Memory Stick Duo slot has been moved to the left of the D-Pad, and the Wi-Fi switch has been placed on top of the unit, next to the mini USB port. The speakers, now elevated above the D-Pad and the "diamond" buttons, are actually better positioned for stereo listening. But the low volume levels that plagued the original PSP remain an issue. The A/V output port really comes in handy, since it isn't positioned near the PSP's strap connector, as is the main headphone jack. This location can block the larger plugs of high-fidelity headphones, a problem that also dogged the original model.

The PSP 2000 runs firmware version 3.60, which is installed by default and comes with a new feature called USB Charge, which fully charges the PSP via a computer's USB port in roughly 5 hours. At first, USB Charge sounds like a welcome addition, but using it proves more of a hassle than a convenience. Unlike nearly all other devices that are able to charge over USB, the PSP must remain on in order to charge. Additionally, you must enable the USB Charge utility for charging to begin; simply connecting the PSP to the computer will not cut it. Another downside is that the 5 hours the PSP takes to charge over USB is nearly twice as long as charging via AC. I'm not saying that the feature is totally useless, but it could have been better implemented.

When testing the PSP 2000's video settings, I found that the 480p and 480i modes looked better than when the PSP upscaled video to HD resolution; upscaling resulted in a slightly distorted picture. Overall, AVI and H.264/MPEG-4 files looked fine on a 65-inch HDTV, and my S.W.A.T. Universal Media Disc (UMD) appeared nearly as good as a standard DVD. Images stored on my Memory Stick Duo looked amazingly sharp—just as good as when viewed directly on my PC monitor. Unfortunately, games are tied down to the PSP 2000's native resolution of 480 by 272 pixels and cannot be viewed in full-screen mode like everything else. This problem left me throttling my television's zoom feature until I found a comfortable setting. If your set doesn't have good zoom features, or any at all, you may be stuck playing games in a small, letter-boxed format with black borders on all sides.

Another disappointment was the lack of gaming support for interlaced-only TV sets. Although video files, movies, and pictures can be displayed in 480i, a message pops up stating that gaming requires the use of progressive scan, rendering sets without this feature incompatible for game play.


source:pcmag.com

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Nintendo Makes About $49 Per Wii Sold in U.S.

An analyst in Japan has estimated the profit that each Wii sold generates in Japan, the U.S. and Europe. With currency conversions factored in, the Wii makes the most money in Europe ($74 each), followed by the U.S. ($49) and Japan ($13).

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata promised from the very beginning that the Wii console would generate a profit on day one. While Nintendo has not disclosed exactly how much it costs them to make the Wii console, a new report in the Financial Times cites Nikko Citigroup analyst Soichiro Fukuda who estimates that Nintendo's gross profit per console is 1,500 yen in Japan, 5,600 yen in the U.S. and 8,500 yen in Europe. That equates to about $13, $49 and $74, respectively.


Fukuda says that Nintendo is able to make more money on the console in the U.S. and Europe because of a slightly higher retail price and the bundling of the Wii Sports software. While the Wii is a profitable endeavor for Nintendo, the company's rivals Microsoft and Sony have yet to make money on their new platforms. Microsoft is aiming to make a profit in its Xbox division in 2008, while Sony likely won't profit on the PS3 until the following year.


In the meantime, the Wii has surged, reportedly taking the #1 position worldwide with 9 million units sold. And following comments by Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime that Nintendo would have "unprecedented" supply this holiday season in North America, analysts in Tokyo expressed similar sentiments that the company would have little trouble ramping up production. "Nintendo's strategy has always been to have more than one supplier for the same part so there are no shortages," said one analyst in Tokyo. "This way, Nintendo always gets the best price and production is not an issue."


The Times article itself actually focuses not so much on Nintendo's supply and profit, but the profit of its component makers. The Wii has no doubt been a great boon to many of the parts makers involved. For example, Mitsumi Electric, which provides the Wii's wireless LAN module and parts for its controllers, helps assemble the machine and also supplies parts for the very popular DS, can attribute an estimated 40 percent of its profit to Nintendo, analysts said.


Additionally, Tabuchi Electric, which produces the AC adaptor for the Wii, reported a 492 percent increase in operating profit during its first quarter, and Hosiden, a parts maker in Osaka that helps assemble the Wii, saw sales rise 84 percent and operating profit rise 70 percent.



by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com

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Does EA Need to Rethink its Wii Strategy?

Are titles like Boogie and Playground the right approach on the Wii? Judging by Boogie's lackluster sales in its first month, the answer might appear to be no, and given that Madden on Wii sold nowhere close to its 360, PS3 and PS2 counterparts, should EA rethink its strategy? Analysts take a look... [Updated]

After reviewing the impressive August NPD results, a few things struck us. While the Wii was easily the top selling platform, the best selling Wii software was primarily from Nintendo itself. Boogie, a game that leading publisher Electronic Arts promoted as part of its new focus on the Wii and casual titles, essentially tanked, selling only 68,000 units for the month. The game scored a 59 on Metacritic and a 60% on GameRankings, and thus far has failed to make a real impact.


Also of note is that the Madden NFL 08 juggernaut, which dominated the charts with well over 2 million units sold across all platforms, did not perform all that well on Wii. In fact the original Xbox version outsold the Wii version, despite the fact that EA attempted to make the Wii version more accessible with new "Family Play" controls.


So the question is: does EA need to alter its approach in some way on the Wii?


Not necessarily. Regarding Boogie, we may just need to give it more time. Unlike the hardcore audience that tends to jump on new titles during release month, Boogie may need time on the market for the casual audience and new Wii adopters to start picking it up.


"These people are also not in the mainstream gaming audience, so they may genuinely not know about Boogie," Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter told GameDaily BIZ. "Let's see if it changes at the holiday. You media types are too quick to reach a conclusion based on one data point. Let's give this some time."


Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian added, "I would characterize Boogie as an experiment, and part of their bigger plan to build share on Wii and grow the casual games portfolio. It seems that Boogie appeals to a fairly narrow audience, whereas titles like Playground or Spore could have broader appeal."


As for Madden's slow start on the Wii, analysts attribute the performance to the problems that all third parties face on Wii – first-party dominance – and the fact that sports gamers are probably better aligned with other more hardcore platforms.


"Nintendo first party titles are still dominating the charts for both Wii and DS, and third party publishers such as EA are having to fight hard to gain market share. Putting my gamer hat on, I have to believe that high quality games made specifically for the Wii and making good use of the user interface should be able to sell well," Sebastian said.

"Specifically on Madden, it seems that PS and Xbox are still the preferred platforms for sports gamers."


Along similar lines, Pachter said, "My guess is that Wii has expanded the market to non-traditional gamers (older demographic, women, etc.), explaining the Madden results... I would guess that Manhunt will receive a similar reception, but think that Guitar Hero will be a home run on the Wii."


In the end UBS analyst Ben Schachter told us, "EA is the first to admit that they didn't foresee the strength of the Wii (no one did). They have refocused their efforts, but it takes time and we won't see the results until next year."


EA was not available for comment as of press time.


[UPDATE] An EA spokesperson told us, "Something to keep in mind is that casual games have a different and potentially longer sales cycle than hard core games. Boogie is a family-oriented game and will be available through the holiday and beyond."



by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com

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NCAA Football July Champs Again

Madden remains the king of football, but gamers looking for an exciting "rah-rah" experience, flock to EA Sports' NCAA Football year after year. This year's edition racked up the sales again. Product Manager Kendall Boyd discusses kicking off the EA Sports season.

Few months are filled with more anticipation for football fans than July. That's the month when summer practices are occurring for both pros and college, and the seasons are so close you can taste it. It's also quickly becoming a tradition that EA Sports' latest NCAA Football hits the market to sate that summer hunger for football.

While it may not quite measure up to last year's success, there is no doubting that NCAA Football 08 performed well – even in the face of competition from 2K Sports' resurrected football franchise, All-Pro Football 2K7. NCAA Football 08 "cleaned house," and took three of the top six slots on NPD's July 2007 chart.

We sat down with Kendall Boyd, Product Manager for NCAA Football, and discussed the Xs and Os of success.

Well, Michigan's virtual season isn't ruined yet

According to the NPD, NCAA Football 08 was the best selling title for Xbox 360 and PS3 and was the second best selling title on PS2 for the July period. This made the 360, PS2 and PS3 SKUs of the game the first, fourth and sixth best selling titles of the month, respectively. Combined, these versions sold nearly 790,000 copies during July.

"We're extremely pleased with NCAA Football 08's performance this year overall," said Boyd. "Obviously we'd love to be the top seller on every platform, but it has been such a great year for software as a whole, so we're very excited with what we have done up to this point with all of the competition this year."

While results were still good, they were a bit lower than last year, where the top three copies sold over 1 million units. This could be attributed to the transition year status in the gaming industry and the fact that this year's July was much more competitive than last year's. Still, the release timing means that fans can pick up the game throughout the season as anticipation for the BCS bowls builds.

"This is definitely a sweet spot for us as a franchise," ventured Boyd about the July release date. "We launch literally weeks before college practices start so we are filling the lull before the season starts. It is also the kickoff to the EA Sports season, so we get to set the tone for other great games like Madden, NASCAR and Tiger Woods."

"Last year we were also the top selling product for the month of July, so again we feel we're right on track to having another breakthrough year," he continued. "Our selling period is literally like the college football season; it is long and goes all the way up through the holidays. We hope to continue to perform well through this time and put up solid numbers taking advantage of the great weekend that is Rivalry Week around Thanksgiving."

USC's in the top slot again

Outsiders to the college game might not appreciate how markedly different things are from Division-I to the pros. Subtleties include how players are recruited into specific systems and stay in them their whole college careers, as well as the atmosphere that accompanies a college campus and the raucous volume of stadiums that makes home field a big advantage.

"I think we did a great job with [the new recruiting and campus legend] features no doubt; we completely reinvented the way you play both Dynasty and Campus Legend," described Boyd. "But I think our real strength is the strong passionate base of college football fans. We really push ourselves to be true to the sport of college football. So we've been able to build a solid reputation over the past 15 years with this franchise and really supply our fans with what they want in a college game. This year is no exception. The team went out and made an innovative, fun, fast paced college football experience that keeps you coming back for more."

"Without a doubt the ability to save your highlights and upload them to the Internet has been our biggest online initiative," he added. "As a company, EA Sports continues to try to innovate in new areas and this is one of those types of features that really pushes the envelope. It is addictive when you get right down to it. Who doesn't want to show the world what it's like to bust open a huge kickoff return and brag about it to your friends? Isn't that really what sports is all about?

"This is also the first year for our product that you can get the ESPN Radio pod cast updates and video streams while you're in the game as well. There is nothing better than sitting around recruiting in Dynasty mode and then getting your real-word news info from the world-wide leader in sports."

Will LSU steamroll everyone?

The NCAA Football 08 ad spots are notable for how they were part of the larger EA Sports ad campaign for the year. Using the tag line, "How does it feel?" the ads feature former college players Matt Leinart and Adrian Peterson talking about how they change Bowl Game history, using the game. It shows off the engine nicely and highlights the individual moments and rivalries that really make college football so dynamic for its fans.

"This was probably the most aggressive marketing campaign that we've done for the NCAA Football franchise to date," commented Boyd. "We leaned heavily into a very solid advertising campaign. Our web creative was outstanding as we hit on several different executions, but by far the most popular was our viral campaign in which you could send a friendly greeting to one of your friends via a Cheerleader-gram. It's not too late to send one to you friend...or rival; just check out our web site if you want to see it first hand at www.easports.com/ncaa08.

"Outside of the online, we also had a great TV campaign in which we enlisted the help of former college, now NFL stars Matt Leinart and Adrian Petersen. Our agency took a very creative approach and 'changed history.' By far my favorite was of Adrian changing the outcome of last year's Fiesta Bowl game against our cover athlete Jared Zabransky."

While overall sales may have dipped in part because of a tougher environment and perhaps the decline of the original Xbox, ultimately the NCAA Football franchise remains very strong and more adopters of next-gen platforms have picked up the game as well. When asked what brought fans to the Xbox 360 and PS3 this year, he responded, "Easily innovation, all-new gameplay and the simple fact the game is fun to play. The game play is fast with big hits and we've done a great job of being authentic to the sport of college football, which is what our fans demand and expect from us year after year. It truly is a blast."



by David Radd
source:gamedaily.com

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Nintendo Storms Back to Top of Industry; Wii Now #1

In the middle of the GameCube era, if someone had told you Nintendo would be #1 in a few years, you would have probably thought that person to be insane. Well, let the madness ensue - Wii has overtaken the 360 in global sales according to the Financial Times. More within...

According to a report out of Tokyo from business publication Financial Times, global sales of the Wii have now overtaken Microsoft's Xbox 360, despite the Xbox 360's one-year head start.


The report which is based on sales figures from Enterbrain in Japan, The NPD Group in the U.S. and GfK of Germany in Europe, claims that consumers around the world have purchased a total of nine million Wiis, 8.9 million Xbox 360 units and 3.7 million PS3s. While Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming landscape ever since the first Game Boy was introduced (and the company is more than dominating with its DS), it's been a very long time since Nintendo has actually been #1 in the console business.


In fact, the last time Nintendo was squarely on top was 17 years ago when Super Nintendo was all the rage. To this day, many gamers believe that the SNES was one of the greatest platforms ever.


Many analysts point to the Wii's cheaper price, unique motion-sensing controls and overall accessibility, but the Financial Times also noted that the Wii was helped over the summer "while sales of the Xbox and the PlayStation 3 lagged behind due to a dearth of new software titles."


"The fact of the matter is that, despite the Xbox's earlier launch in November 2005, it only sells in two markets – Europe and the US," one unnamed analyst told the Times. "Japan is home turf to Sony and Nintendo, so the Xbox is not a player at all. In contrast, Nintendo has been selling well in all three major markets."


Between the DS and Wii, Nintendo's momentum in Japan has been so strong that the company's market value actually surpassed Sony's to become one of Japan's 10 most valuable companies, including Honda, Toyota and Canon. Furthermore, today BrandIntel released a new report suggesting that the Wii has benefited from the highest purchase intent among consumers, so Nintendo's success is likely to continue.


GameDaily BIZ has contacted Nintendo for comment and will update with any statements. A Microsoft spokesperson told us that we should simply "stay tuned" for their NPD statement following the NPD report.

by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com Read More!

Logitech Cordless Bluetooth Vantage Headset and MediaBoard Pro Keyboard for PlayStation 3 launched

Logitech has come out with headset and keyboard designed especially for the Sony PlayStation 3 console called the Logitech Cordless Vantage Headset and the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard respectively. PS3 gamers will surely appreciate this combination as it offers them the freedom and reliability of Bluetooth technology.

The Logitech Cordless Vantage Headset allows gamers to chat wirelessly both in-game or during voice chat sessions.

This headset features native PS3 support, large-diameter audio drivers and advanced noise-filtering circuitry, providing gamers with premium audio and excellent sound playback.

The design of the Cordless Vantage Headset is just perfect and lightweight too, as it features an ambidextrous behind-the-head design. Moreover, with just a simple rotation of the headband and microphone, the ear piece can be worn on either the right or the left ear.

Plus, the Logitech Cordless Vantage Bluetooth Headset features an adjustable noise canceling microphone that reduces unwanted background noise.

Lastly, this Bluetooth headset uses rechargeable batteries, offering PS3 gamers over 12 hours of wireless gameplay. But, the headset can also be recharged using the bundled power adaptor.

The Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard allows gamers to do what they need to do when it comes to profile set-ups, entering Web addresses, managing accounts and even sending text messages on the PlayStation Network.

The Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard features a dedicated MENU button that takes gamers directly to the PLAYSTATION Network Help Menu. Moreover, dedicated PS3 action buttons (Circle, Square, X and Triangle) make navigation of te PlayStation Network much easier.

The MediaBoard Keyboard from Logitech also features convenient media keys that make Web browsing easy. These keys also provide instant access to the media control panel and movie menus.

One of the good features of the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard is that it has a built-in touch pad that features vertical scrolling as well as LEFT and RIGHT-click buttons, totally eliminating the need for a mouse.

Logitech’s Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard has a glossy, piano-black design that is lightweight and slim as well. You will be able to usethis keyboard up to 30 feet away form the PS3.

The MediaBoard keyboard uses two AA batteries that provide over 200 hours of battery life, while a two-stage battery-indicator light alerts people when power is running low.

The Logitech Cordless Vantage Headset will be available in the US in November 2007 and in Europe in early December for a price of $79.99. The Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard will also be available in October in the US and Europe for a price of $79.99.


source:techshout.com

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Microsoft Unveils Ninja Gaiden 2, Rez, & More at Pre-TGS Show

Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki has once again professed his love for Xbox. He may have teased PS3 owners with Ninja Gaiden Sigma, but Ninja Gaiden 2 will be exclusive to Xbox 360. Other games confirmed at the event include Beautiful Katamari, Rez, Ikaruga, Infinite Undiscovery, Last Remnant and more.

The Xbox 360 continues to struggle in Japan (the console sold just over 11K units in August according to Famitsu), but that certainly hasn't stopped Microsoft from pushing on in the land of the rising sun. At an Xbox 360 Briefing in Tokyo in advance of the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) later this month, Microsoft unveiled a slew of titles from Japanese gamemakers, highlighted by Tecmo and Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden 2, which will in fact be exclusive to the Xbox 360. The game is expected some time in 2008.


Microsoft also announced that Hironobu Sakaguchi's (creator of Final Fantasy) Lost Odyssey will be available on December 6 of this year in Japan and will release globally early next year (February 2008 for North America and Europe). Square Enix also showed more support for Xbox 360 when reps took the stage to discuss two new titles: Infinite Undiscovery and Last Remnant.


Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation and Beautiful Katamari from Namco Bandai were announced as well.


In addition to its retail titles, Microsoft focused on the success of its Xbox Live Arcade service, claiming that Japanese developers "have long embraced and championed Xbox Live Arcade." A number of new titles for Arcade were announced including Every Extend Extra Extreme (Q Entertainment), EXIT (Taito), the GameCube and Dreamcast classic Ikaruga (Treasure Co.), OMEGA FIVE (Hudson Entertainment), Rez (Q Entertainment), Triggerheart Exelica (Warashi), Braid (Number None Inc.), Castlecrashers (The Behemoth), and Schizoid (Torpex Games LLC), which is the first Xbox Live Arcade game to be created with XNA Game Studio.


"Gamers around the world can look forward to the greatest holiday lineup in video game history," said Don Mattrick, senior vp of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, who recently replaced Peter Moore. "We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan's best and most innovative developers, and we're looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond."


As with past shows, for this year's TGS Microsoft also said that it would once again offer its "Bring it Home" content on Xbox Live so that gamers around the world can download the newest videos, trailers, demos and other content that will be on display at the show. "TGS Bring It Home" programming starts on September 13.



by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com

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Guitar Hero III Shocker... Coming to PC & Mac

The future rocker is coming to two new platforms. So now you'll have no excuse not to rock out, no matter what platform you play on. We talk to the game's producer to find out what will change in bringing the game to Mac and PC. Read on...

On Tuesday morning, Aspyr Media and Activision announced that Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will be released this fall for both PC and Mac.


Aspyr, best known for bringing games like Call of Duty 2 and The Sims 2 to the Mac along with the original Stubbs the Zombie, is handing the development for both games. Both versions will feature multiplayer battle mode, finger numbing boss battles and unlockable content. Packed with over 70 tunes, players will also access an expanded online multiplayer mode across either platform for the ultimate in competition.


"Working with such a wildly successful franchise and helping to strengthen an already powerful brand has us feeling like rock stars ourselves, only without the fame, money or musical talent," said Ted Staloch, Executive Vice President, Publishing for Aspyr. "But even without Slash's chops, we still have what it takes to bring the best music game on the planet to PC and Mac gamers. Aspyr's expertise in developing and publishing for these platforms means that we will deliver a game that wails just as hard as it does on consoles but feels natural on this audience's chosen platform."


"Providing the option for our fans to play Guitar Hero at their desk or on a laptop on the go is incredibly exciting, and we're thrilled to now offer the ability to rock out literally anywhere and everywhere," said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. "PC and Mac gamers can now shred as hard as their console counterparts do, and it's a great opportunity to help promote musicianship and expand the growing number of Guitar Hero fans worldwide."


Being excited about the news and having a few more questions about the upcoming game, we had a chance to ask Jay Gordon, Producer for Aspyr on Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for more information.


GameDaily BIZ: Since PCs tend to have smaller, yet sharper screens, has Aspyr had to make any graphical changes to accommodate the change in screen size?


Jay Gordon: We have added graphical options to accommodate various video cards and monitors, but otherwise remaining true to the console experience.


BIZ: The hardware is a major reason why players have gravitated to Guitar Hero, since it's easily to play and it just makes you look "cooler." Will the guitar be USB or wireless?


Gordon: The PC/Mac version of Guitar Hero III will ship with a Gibson model Guitar Hero guitar controller that will feature USB connectivity. More details on the exact model of Gibson Guitar we're shipping with will be available soon.


BIZ: When can we expect the game?


Gordon: Right now we are working toward a simultaneous ship with the console version. However, all of us in this business know that dates can slip, so we'll let you know when we're able to announce a ship date. We're quite certain that you'll see Guitar Hero III for PC/Mac in stores before the holidays.


BIZ: With the project, was this Activision that came up with the idea or something that Asypr pitched?


Gordon: Aspyr and Activision have a long-standing relationship collaborating on high-profile console titles porting to PC and Mac, so the idea to port Guitar Hero III was a naturally occurring topic during periodic discussions. And while some gamers have a PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii -- Everyone has a PC or laptop in their life. It was thus paramount to provide access to one of the most popular games ever on the most abundant interface, and what's more, considering laptops, to make Guitar Hero III a game you can take anywhere, with or without your guitar peripheral.


BIZ: Since this is the first PC/Mac based version of the game, how will new song packs be distributed to players? iTunes?


Gordon: How we're going to deliver downloadable content to PC/Mac users is a big topic of discussion going on behind the scenes here. We hope to have a very exciting announcement soon.


BIZ: Are there any options to allow players to record their own tunes or their own custom riffs?


Gordon: We've heard this type of question quite a bit but the truth is that right now our only focus is creating the best Guitar Hero III PC/Mac port possible. PC and Mac gamers are going to expect the same level of quality as the console gamers and we want to deliver in a big way and get the game on shelves before the holidays. As such, we're not putting any tools in the game that will allow for modifications or additions, and we certainly can't support gamers making modifications or additions to the game or songs.


BIZ: We heard that this was being talked about in Austin last week. What types of feedback have you received?


Gordon: We've been talking to many people behind the scenes including retail partners and distributor partners. We have received great feedback. I mean, it's Guitar Hero III. When you partner with a brand of this magnitude and a game of this caliber people are of course going to be very excited to be a part of it.


What really has people excited is the flexibility that this game will offer. We will be offering gamers the option to play with their keyboard and mouse or keyboard alone. With this option gamers can play Guitar Hero III "on the go" on their laptop (imagine plugging in your headphones and shredding on a long plane or car ride), or play multiplayer modes with a friend if there is only one guitar available. Keyboard support is also nice for much younger gamers whose small hands might not fit around a guitar controller neck just yet. To make it even more flexible, we're giving players the option to remap the keys however they see fit.


BIZ: Will Aspyr be doing publishing too or just development?


Gordon: Aspyr will be publishing Guitar Hero III for PC/Mac and our development group, Aspyr Studios, is working furiously to finish the game.


BIZ: Do you have a list of minimum specs yet?


Gordon: Not yet. We're still in the midst of compatibility testing, but we should have those available in the very near future. What we can say is that we're working very hard to make sure that Guitar Hero III for PC/Mac is as accessible as possible to the greatest number of PC and Mac owners.


BIZ: Thanks for your time.




by Micheal Mullen
source:gamedaily.com
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Dell Says Notebooks Driving Gaming Sales

Dell Inc is seeing broad demand for notebooks spill over into the market for high-end gaming computers, saying that gives it an edge over rival Hewlett-Packard Co's stepped-up gaming efforts.


"There's a general trend in the industry that notebooks are becoming more prevalent and we're also seeing that in gaming," said Glen Robson, general manager of marketing for Dell's XPS gaming computer brand.

The single-minded emphasis gamers place on performance has traditionally meant they opt for desktop computers, which deliver more bang for the buck.

But the market is changing as processors from Intel Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc, and graphics chips from Nvidia Corp and AMD get smaller and faster, helping notebooks close much of the gap with desktops.

"If you ask any gamer now, they're going to say they want a notebook. A lot of these guys can build their own desktops, but it's very hard to find a good notebook," said Nelson Gonzales, chief of Alienware, a specialty gaming PC maker that Dell bought in 2006.

"We always knew instinctively that if we could come out with a notebook as powerful as a desktop, it would be greatly accepted and would probably overtake our desktops."

Dell does not disclose sales of gaming PCs, but Robson said that offering such products helps the company push the bounds of technology and attract trend-setting buyers who often help others buy computers.

The Round Rock, Texas-based company is confident its gaming business can withstand a fresh effort by rival Hewlett-Packard, which overtook Dell as the top PC seller by overall unit sales, to take the top spot in the gaming market as well.

HP unveiled a new gaming machine on Wednesday called the Blackbird that aims to fill the niche above its general consumer PC line and below the ultra high-end models offered under its Voodoo brand.

"We already have the two foremost brands in PC gaming. Our world is not one of trying to play catchup, it's about staying ahead through innovation," Dell's Robson said. "HP is going to spend considerable resources to catch up with us.


source:tech2.com
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Online Games Generate Twice the Revenue of Offline Titles

A new study from Electronic Entertainment Design and Research stresses the importance of taking games online. Publishers should be able to bring in more than twice the revenue with online games as opposed to offline. The 360 so far has offered the most online titles.


With all three consoles offering online connectivity to varying degrees, it's more important than ever for publishers to take advantage of the online features, according to a new report from San Diego-based Electronic Entertainment Design and Research.


As reported by Reuters, video games with online components – specifically those that enable users to play one another online – apparently can generate more than twice the revenue as those played offline. In addition, games that offer some kind of multiplayer capability tend to make nearly 25 percent more revenue than those without.


"Developers who are not embracing online opportunities to a greater level are leaving money on the table," commented Geoffrey Zatkin, president and chief operating officer of Electronic Entertainment Design and Research.


The study looked at the Wii, 360 and PS3 from their respective launches through June 1 of this year. About 219 retail titles and 187 downloadable games were examined. The results demonstrate that Xbox 360 is clearly the most connected of the three, with 77 percent of the games incorporating some sort of online functionality. The PS3 meanwhile had 67 percent of its titles online. [Note: Reuters originally wrote 23 percent for PS3 but has since corrected its story - Ed.] Lastly, the Wii had only two percent of its titles online – but that certainly hasn't hurt the platform's success so far as we've all witnessed.


One of the reasons online is so important of course is that it opens up the door for further revenue opportunities, including microtransactions for downloadable content, whole downloadable games, and further exposure to dynamic advertising.


Earlier this year, ABI Research said that the market for console micropayments alone will account for over $833 million by 2011, "as console vendors and their publisher partners look to monetize both in-game and game-related assets beyond initial game purchases."



by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com

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Xbox 360 Bounces Back in August; $399 PS3 by April?

After sluggish sales in July for the Xbox 360, analyst Michael Pachter believes the console's numbers jumped back up in August thanks to the price cuts. Additionally, he is now anticipating the PS3 to come down to $399 no later than next April.


Ahead of the August video game sales data from The NPD Group, expected next Thursday (September 13), Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter has issued his own preview for the month, which predicts that the Xbox 360 bounced back from its 170K July showing with 240K units sold in August.


"We expect Xbox 360 hardware and software sales to increase over prior months due to the Xbox 360 price cuts," he said.


He believes PS3 sales dipped slightly, down to 150K, while the Wii sold 420K. If his forecast proves true, the 360 managed to outsell the PS2, which he thinks sold around 225K. Although the PS2 is seven years old, its low price and huge catalog of games has enabled it to outsell the 360 fairly often.


In terms of his overall forecast, he's assuming U.S. console software sales of $445 million, which would represent a 12 percent increase year-over-year. $310 million of that is expected to come from the new consoles (360, Wii, PS3) and the portables (DS and PSP).


Sales were likely driven by new releases such as Electronic Arts' juggernaut Madden NFL 08 (estimated 1.9M), Nintendo's Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and Take-Two's potential game-of-the-year contender Bioshock (estimated 600K). Continued sales of Activision's Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's and Guitar Hero 2 along with EA's NCAA Football 08 and Nintendo's Wii Play are expected to contribute as well.


Pachter also took the time to reiterate his belief that Sony will slash the price on the 80GB PS3 this year to $499, but he thinks they'll remove the bundled in Motorstorm at the lower price. He said the $499 price for the 80GB model should take effect some time before Thanksgiving.


Moreover, Pachter thinks that Sony will quickly shave another $100 off the PS3 in early 2008.


"We think that Sony's recent announcement of an IPO for its financial services unit (with an estimated $3 billion in proceeds) could forebode another PS3 price cut early next year. We believe that the company is interested in subsidizing sales of the console in order to stabilize its market share in the games market and grow its lead in the high-definition DVD market. We expect a price cut no later than April, likely to $399 for the 80Gb model," he said.



by James Brightman
SOURCE:GAMEDAILY.COM

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Preorder your Halo 3 Limited Edition in India Now

If you reside in India and just cannot wait to put your hands on the forthcoming Halo 3 title, then here’s some great news for you!

Watch Halo3 Trailor here 1 , 2
Gamers across India can reserve their copy of the Halo 3 Limited Edition from today, i.e. 7th September 2007. This Xbox 360 exclusive title is sure to vanish from store shelves in a matter of minutes and this move by Microsoft surely seems to be a very wise one.

Halo 3 is the third chapter in the Halo trilogy. In the latest title, Master Chief is on his way back to Earth to finish the fight with the invading Covenant horde. There are five halos still out there for him to destroy and save the galaxy.

Mohit Anand, Country Manager, Entertainment and Devices division, Microsoft India, stated, “Halo fans are waiting for the new title to arrive with bated breath. The worldwide release of Halo 3 is on September 25 and we are offering our customers in India the chance to ensure that they are the first to experience the adventure and excitement of this thrilling conclusion to the Halo trilogy.”

To pre-order Halo 3 Limited Edition in India, all you need to do is visit www.halo3.co.in/preorder.htm. This Halo 3 site features a list of retail stores in India where one can pre-order Halo 3 Limited Edition. Interested buyers can visit any of the select retailers enlisted there and fill up the pre order form. Customers are required to pay the complete amount of Rs. 2510/- to the retailer in advance. On September 25th, 2007, he can go back to the same retail outlet along with the receipt of the order Halo 3 placed, and get his copy of Halo 3 Limited Edition game along with a Halo 3 faceplate.


And the fun doesn’t end there. In addition to this announcement, Microsoft also kicked off the “Go Singapore contest” ,which is a unique chance for customers to win a trip to Singapore. The contest runs from September 7 – October 7 and applications are invited at select outlets. The lucky winner will get air-tickets absolutely free to Singapore.

Halo 3 Limited Edition pre-order forms will be available at select retail stores across the country from September 7 - 21, 07.

So rush now to the Halo 3 India preorder site, because you may perhaps have to come back empty-handed in case you delay a little too much!



source:techshout.com

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The Cost of Halo 3 Fandom

While the wages of sin may be Hell, Halo 3 may just cost you all your wages. It's perhaps the year's most anticipated release, and with it comes accesories out the wazoo. We determine how much hardcore fans are going to get set back this November.

Gaming is undoubtedly an expensive hobby, especially once the pre-holiday video games sales season starts in early September. This September, gamers who deem themselves as true Halo 3 fans may be eating a little less with the true cost of fandom.


First, the Halo 3 Legendary Edition offers up the game in a limited edition Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI helmet case. Crack that thing open for a disc that offered high definition video of the making of Halo 3 and a Legendary disc that offers new cinematic footage along with a Bestiary that details the creatures, the world and the story of the world of Halo. Of course, it sounds like a new car with all the options and the price... $129.99. (If you have a remarkably small head, you could save some Halloween money by using the helmet as part of your costume).


Next, the new Todd MacFarlane wireless Xbox 360 controllers will feature either a Covenant or Master Chief design along with limited-edition status for $59.99.


Of course, any stylish Halo 3 player needs some ear bling and the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset offers up a green and gold colored headset that features high-quality voice connectivity along with oodles of envy. Your price for player envy rings in at $59.99.


And every Halo 3 player, actually any player, that has experienced the horribly slow text entry on the Xbox 360 will finally get the Chatpad, a keyboard that attaches to the Xbox 360 controller in the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit. Of course, it comes with a wired headset but why would you want to shun a $59.99 wireless green and gold headset? While the Chatpad is essential for making Xbox Live even better, it does cost $29.99.


Now that you feel the light at the end of the Halo 3 tunnel of waiting, let's do some math. Getting a Halo 3 Legendary Edition game, plus one limited edition Halo 3 controller, plus you throw in a Halo3 limited-edition wireless headset and the Messenger Kit into the bag.


Adding that all together, your total damage comes to a mere $279.96 (plus tax, unless you live in Alaska, New Hampshire, Delaware, Montana or Oregon). Of course, if you don't have a Xbox 360 or you've modified your old one so much that Microsoft won't take it back, the gold and green adorned Halo 3 Limited Edition Xbox 360 will add $399.99 to your cost. Sadly, apart from HDMI connectivity and special themes, you'll still have to buy all the above for $679.95.

by Micheal Mullen
source:gamedaily.com


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Analysts: 80GB PS3 to Drop to $499 This Year

As the supply of the 60GB PS3 continues to dwindle, Sony's 80GB model may very well be reduced to $499 as well. Analysts Michael Pachter and Jesse Divnich believe that Sony will strategically bring the 80GB model down to $499 in time for Christmas.


When Sony first confirmed that the 60GB PlayStation 3 would receive a price drop, gamers cheered, but when it was revealed soon thereafter that the price reduction to $499 was to help clear out the remaining 60GB inventory, those cheers quickly died down. But there may be cause for celebration again if the analysts are right.


With supplies of the 60GB model starting to dry up at retail, analysts believe that Sony will cut the price on the 80GB model down to $499 in time for the 2007 holiday season.


Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter said in his latest report, "We note that Sony recently acknowledged that it will no longer produce its 60Gb PS3, and we expect the price of the 80Gb PS3 to be reduced to $499 before the holidays, maintaining a premium SKU at that price point."


Pachter added that he also envisions a further price reduction in the early part of next year to coincide with some hotly anticipated titles. "Any hardware price reduction could serve as a catalyst for sales growth later in the year. We do expect Sony to again be in a position to cut the price of the PS3 in early 2008, when blockbuster games Grand Theft Auto IV and PS3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4 will launch," he said.


Along with Pachter's report, a note from Jesse Divnich, an analyst with the simExchange, a video game prediction market, said, "After examining more closely the hardware sales of the PS3 over the last 6 months we have come to the conclusion that the PS3 cannot remain competitive in the current North American environment at its current retail offering at $499 and $599."


"To remain competitive against the other consoles, the Sony PS3 would have to reduce its 80GB SKU by $100 down to $499," Divnich continued. "Other options, besides a price drop, could be the bundling of more free software titles, which has always been a popular option during the Holiday season."


Trading on the simExchange predicts that the Xbox 360 may outsell the PS3 by 2 to 1 over the holiday season (the three-month October to December period). Although Sony may incur further financial losses from another price cut, Divnich believes the company has to make a move.


"Sony's third party software support could be at serious risk if they allow Microsoft to continue to widen the sales gab. We are already seeing examples in the market of their deteriorating third-party software support. Titles like EA's SKATE, EA's Medal of Honor, EA's Half-Life 2, and Midway's Stranglehold are just some of the titles being released on the Xbox360 first with a delayed PS3 release date," said Divnich. "... In other words, at any given point through the development process, the PS3 SKU is always weeks behind the Xbox 360 SKU, which results in the later release date for the PS3 SKU."



by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com

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Xbox 360 Gamers get Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special on XBLA next Week

Xbox 360 gamers are in for a treat this coming week! Microsoft as always comes out with a slew of new game for its Xbox 360 console that can be downloaded via Xbox Live Arcade. This time, the company has revealed details of next week’s games in advance and along with that they are treating Xbox 360 gamers to four games that will be available at half their normal price.

Next week will see two new games- Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special making their way on to XBLA. They will be available for download on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 9 AM GMT (2 AM PDT).

Cyberball 2072 is a classic arcade game developed by Midway. In this game, gamers take control of their robotic team and call the shots to move their team downfield for a touchdown.

Fatal Fury Special happens to be the third title in the Fatal Fury fighting game series developed by SNK Playmore. The game features Terry and Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi and 12 of the roughest and toughest players in one of the biggest matches of the millennium.’

Fatal Fury Special is set in the fictitious American city of Southtown. Gamers will have to take on the ruler of the underworld, Wolfgang Krauzer.


Now you must be wondering why Microsoft is giving away games at half prices? Well, the company is feeling overly generous as next week is the Labor Day weekend. This offer will be available for just a 48 hour period that begins at 12.00 a.m. GMT on Sunday, September 2 (5.00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, September 1) and will continue through 11.59 p.m. GMT (4.59 p.m. PDT on Monday, September 3)

Okay, enough of this, now let’s get to the real stuff. Here is the list of games that will be available for half their usual price on XBLA:

*Small Arms (400 Microsoft Points but normally costs 800 Microsoft Points): Easy to pick up but hard to put down, Small Arms is a frantic multiplayer action game with the feel of an arcade shooter.
*Zume Deluxe (400 Microsoft Points but usually costs 800 Microsoft Points): Explore over 20 realms in Adventure mode and put your skills to the test in this fast-paced puzzle game.
*Gauntlet (200 Microsoft Points but normally costs 400 Microsoft Points): The original dungeon crawler lets four adventurers explore and fight together as a warrior, valkyrie, wizard and elf.
*Dig Dug (200 Microsoft Points but usually costs 400 Microsoft Points): Experience the fast-paced action of this quarter-crunch from 1982 as you take control of Dig Dug himself and vanquish Pookas and Fygars.

But remember, this offer is only available for 48 hours starting Sunday, September 2. This certainly is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so mark the date on your calendars.

source:techshout.com

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