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Week of September 28, 2008
Microsoft Freezes Hiring At Xbox And Zune Group
>> From alleyinsider.com:
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UPDATE: We've confirmed that Robbie Bach, who heads up Entertainment and Devices (Xbox, Zune, etc), sent out an email last night announcing a freeze at his group.
Prior to receiving the news about the E&D group, we asked Microsoft for comment about the possibility of a companywide hiring freeze, which the company says is not happening.
"Microsoft will continue to grow and add thousands of new jobs this year, but given the current economic environment we are taking the prudent step of reviewing our hiring plans and will make some adjustments as appropriate. We are optimistic about our prospects for growth and will continue hiring the talent we need to ensure our ongoing success."
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Full Story: alleyinsider.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
NXE - What You Want to Know: Games Store
>> From the Xbox PR Blog:
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Let's face it. The number one reason you turn on your Xbox 360 is for the games, and the team creating the New Xbox Experience certainly didn't forget about that. This week we wanted to share with you what the Games Store will look like later this fall when the New Xbox Experience launches.
Current Games Store | New Xbox Experience
Today, when you look at a particular game in the Game Store you get a pretty basic list of information: name of the game or piece of content, ESRB rating, price and a short explanation of what it is. Check out the screens above to see. That information is really useful, but with the New Xbox Experience we thought we could give you even more.
Current Games Store | New Xbox Experience
Here's a snapshot: When you go into the new Games Store this fall, you will be able to check out screenshots of the game, watch trailers and read the back-of-the-box description like you are shopping at a retail store. The Games Store will also display every available download for the game you are looking for. Let's say you are looking at "Gears of War 2," you will have all available Gears of War 2 options easily accessible such as: previews, trailers, gamerpics, themes, game add ons, game images. You'll never need to search for the content you want.
Now you will get all of the information you want about the games you want to play, in one easy-to-navigate place right there on your TV.
Like we said... the games are the top reason why you turn on your Xbox 360, and this fall we will make the gaming experience even better.
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Japanese Hardware: Xbox 360 Wins Its First Full Month Against PS3
>> From gamasutra.com:
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The Xbox 360 has outsold the PlayStation 3 for the third week in a row in Japan, although hardware sales have been on the decline even while the software charts stay busy.
Famitsu publisher Enterbrain's six-month hardware data also revealed that in the month of September, the Xbox 360 beat the PlayStation 3 in overall monthly sales for the first time ever in Japan.
According to Enterbrain's figures, as translated by Reuters, the Xbox 360 sold 53,547 units in the four weeks to September 28th, while the PlayStation 3 sold only 33,071 units. The Wii sold 109,548 units during the same period.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
More Details on XCM Rapid Fire Gear Lite
>> From xcm-usa.com:
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Latest news about the XCM Rapid Fire Gear Lite for the Xbox 360 wireless controllers we've all been waiting for. Here goes:
1. The rapid fire feature will be easily programmable/reprogrammable to any button (fire buttons A,B,X,Y, Right Trigger, Left Trigger, Right Bumper, Left Bumper) by simply pressing and holding down the rapid fire button on top of the controller case and pressing and holding the button you want to have rapid fire until the LED blinks. Also disabling the rapid fire function will be done using the same technique. This allows for an infinate rapid fire configuration that will please EVERYONE! This is really the ultimate rapid fire mod people have been waiting for.
Comparision: Many rapid fire mods available on the net (Ebay, etc) will either do just one button or several buttons at once, but this does not allow you to use different configurations for different games. So if you have it modded for Halo 3 for example, it will not work so well in COD4, Gears of War, etc. This is a huge downfall of these types of mods and is why most people have stayed away from them until now. Not to mention these types of mods are really expensive and make the controller look wierd with a huge on/off button sticking out of the back of the controller. The XCM Rapid Fire Gear Lite on the other hand uses a tiny button similar to the buttons that turn on the LED lights on the other XCM replacement Xbox 360 controller cases. This makes it look professional and keeps the button out of the way so you do not bump it during play.
2. The D-Pad has been redesigned and optimised. Simply put the current d-pad is inadequate for normal gameplay, however most of us have gotten use to it and have stopped complaining about it until now. The XCM Rapid Fire Gear Lite however uses a much larger d-pad with more room to allow the d-pad to move more when using it. This will make sure you do not accidentially hit another direction on the d-pad while trying to access something else. For example when switching weapons on most first person shooters.
3. Installation will not be dummy-proof. The installation process is not too difficult but it does require some soldering and the cutting of a couple of traces. This is not a problem to most people but obviously it will be to some. The overall process is pretty simple and painless but the ability to solder is a must, or at least the ability to learn how to solder. Extreme-Mods.com will be offering a service to send your controller into for the installation of this mod to your existing wireless controller for those that cannot perform this task on their own. You can also visit our discussion forum at http://www.XCM-USA.com/forums/ and there will be people present to assist you in the installation process and troubleshooting of this device or any product under the XCM brand.
So in conclusion this is a well designed and well executed modification that will soon be available to the general public shortly (mid-late next week). This will be the rapid fire mod people have been dreaming of, and once installed it will work exactly like everyone had always wished for. Pre-Orders will be taken within the next couple of days on www.Extreme-Mods.com so get in line as soon as possible to reserve your unit when they do finally ship.
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Official Site: http://www.xcm-usa.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft: We understand European loyalty to Sony
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
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Head of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer has even said that he understands the loyalty that European consumers have traditionally held for Sony products, and his team is working hard to create games that appeal to niche demands.
"I understand as a gamer the brand that Sony has here, and the work that we need to do to build content and franchises that uniquely resonate with the customers in the different European markets," commented Spencer in an interview published today.
"Investment in studios, investment in people on the ground creating games is critical to us succeeding in this market."
The Xbox 360 has sold over six million units in Europe, 2.3 million of which are in the UK alone.
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
(UK) Sainsbury's to sell Xbox 360 for 99GBP
>> From videogamer.com:
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MCV reports that Sainsbury's is set to offer substantial price reductions for the Xbox 360 from tomorrow. According to the publication's sources the Xbox 360 Arcade will go on sale at £99.97 - a £30 price cut - while the 60GB model will be available for £139.97.
The price cuts won't be permanent though, with MCV noting that Sainsbury's will run the promotion between October 3 and October 12.
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Full Story: videogamer.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
PlayOn Beta Unlocks Netflix, Hulu, and More For Xbox 360, PS3
>> From 1up.com:
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1UP Boards has pointed our way to the PlayOn Beta, a new service available for the Xbox 360 and PS3. PlayOn allows Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners to watch Internet content from Netflix, Hulu, CBS, YouTube, ESPN and other video streaming sites on their television.
I've actually been following this service for a while now. Being able to watch all my Netflix on my big screen TV in HD has a lot of appeal. If the full version of MediaMall can beat out the New Xbox Experience update in bringing Netflix support to the 360 (not to mention the other home consoles to boot), they could really gain a lot of popularity.
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Full Story: 1up.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft's Xbox Live hit with Additional Outage - Update: Solved
>> From news.cnet.com:
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An unplanned outage hit Microsoft's Xbox Live service starting Tuesday night, leaving online gamers unable to connect.
Microsoft said the outage was due to an unexpected issue following the maintenance work. Visitors to Microsoft's Xbox Live support page have been offered the following status update.
"Users will not be able to connect or log into Xbox Live," Microsoft said. "We are aware of the problem and working to resolve the issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."
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From Major Nelson's Twitter: "Just got of a meeting getting an update on the service issues. Things are going to get better VERY soon."
*Update* "Looks like pretty much all is good on the LIVE front. We're still chasing a Halo 3 rank issue down...but otherwise we're good to go."
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
(EU) Xbox 360 Sales More Than Double
>> From the press release:
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New figures announced today by ChartTrack saw sales of the Microsoft® Xbox 360 increase by 214% in the last two weeks[1], outselling Sony's PlayStation 3 by more than two-to-one and reaffirming its strong momentum in Europe in the wake of its recent reduction in estimated retail price (ERP).
A reduction in the Xbox 360 ERP last week has brought the entry-level price point for Xbox 360 down to £129.99. The reduction is only part of the story though, as the largest marketing campaign in the history of Xbox also launches, inviting everyone to live their music, movies and family gaming 'moments' with Xbox 360 through new television, print and poster ads as well as a totally new look for Xbox.com. Combined with new launches to add to its already impressive line-up of games, movies and wider entertainment content, Xbox 360 is set to drive forward the success that saw sales reach over 6 million in Europe last week.
Through an incredible line-up of games in time for Christmas, including the new singing game Lips and the chance to star in your own B-movie with You're in the Movies among many others, an ever-growing library of downloadable movies, a revolutionary new interface and new interactive games soon to be available through Xbox LIVE, the Xbox 360 is truly becoming the home of mass-market entertainment with something to offer every interest and budget.
Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business EMEA, said: "This data shows that the Xbox 360 trajectory continues upwards, and not just in the UK. We've seen uplift in all countries in Europe and are confident that even at this rate of growth we can keep retail satisfied with a steady supply of consoles throughout the Christmas season. Our commitment to continuously improving and innovating new content, our new high-profile marketing campaign and the fact that we're now the best-value next-gen console on the market with an entry-level ERP of £129.99 combine to make Xbox 360 the right blend of gaming and wider experiences at the right price to offer unparalleled entertainment for everyone. And these figures prove it."
From last Friday, 19th September, Xbox 360, which includes a 60GB hard drive and one wireless controller, has an ERP of £169.99. The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace as well as their own music, has an ERP of £229.99. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world of Xbox, has an ERP of £129.99.
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Rolls out Red Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
>> From the press release:
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This holiday season, Xbox 360 fans are invited to accessorize with Microsoft's award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers, now available for a limited time in red with newly designed black accents. Experience wireless gaming from up to 30 feet and enjoy uninterrupted play with the included Play & Charge cable and red rechargeable battery, which provides up to 25 hours of play on a single charge. Additionally, when the battery runs low, you're given ample warning so you can connect the included Play & Charge cable for continuous play.
Available in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Red Wireless Controller and Play & Charge Kit with red rechargeable battery now come together in a never before available color and at an exceptionally low price of just $64.99 (U.S. estimated retail price (ERP)). This product is the newest addition to Microsoft's line of Xbox Authentic Products and further reinforces Microsoft's commitment to enhancing the way people experience games and entertainment.
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Jasper Xbox 360s on the Shelves?
>> From joeygadget.com:
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According to the Xbox 360 DVD Drive Database, it appears Xbox 360s outfitted with the much-anticipated Jasper chipset have finally started showing up in stores and at online retailers.
The key things to look for when buying a new Xbox 360 with the Jasper chipset is a manufacturing date (MFR) as early as 2008-08-06, Lot 8031 and up, and Team CSON.
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Full Story: joeygadget.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
More lessons from XBLA on why XNA Community Games won't make you rich
>> From letskilldave's blog:
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Kim Pallister (oh, hey, yet another Microsoft colleague that went to Intel), wrote a nice commentary a few days ago on the marketing of indie games on XBLA, referencing the postmortem of Go Go Break Steady as a lesson about how marketing is so critical to the success of a game. I'm not really talking about traditional marketing here, but am instead suggesting that word-of-mouth style marketing won't merely be optional, but will become your #1 priority when it comes to XNA Community Games. The warning here is that you, as a Community Games Publisher, must be ready to launch promotions of your game to as many places as possible that will reach your target audience (hint: not a silly "teaser spot" on the Xbox that you might pay for Microsoft to promote). However, I'm not telling you to spam places like Kotaku or 1up either (Brian Crescente would kill me if that happened). Rather, you need to think through the kind of audience and message you want consumers to "get" about your game, then work with people that are experienced enough to help you market that game effectively, long before the game hits the Community Games Channel on the Xbox.
What does this mean in the end? If you want your game to have big returns, you need to be prepared to have smart people help you promote the game.
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Full Story: letskilldave.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
What Microsoft-India Has To Say About Xbox 360 Slim
>> From theangrypixel.com:
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While we were present at the event and reported about the new bundle, we strangely never ran across any official (or unofficial) revelation of the slim avatar being in development or even a hint of hitting the shelves any time soon. We got in touch with Microsoft India, who made it clear that no such announcements were made. Below is an excerpt from the press release addressing the Xbox 360 Slim rumour:
"We would not like to comment on any market speculation or rumor. In India, we have the Xbox 360 Core and the Xbox 360 Pro console currently available in the market. There are exciting new game titles like Gears of War 2, Fable II and Fallout 3 in the pipeline for the holiday season along with special promotions and festival offers."
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Full Story: theangrypixel.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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