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What is Microsoft hiding about Xbox 360 failure rates?
2007-06-20 01:46:00
Despite ongoing reports about the high failure rates of Microsoft 's Xbox 360 next-generation console, Todd Holmdahl, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Gaming and Xbox Products Group maintains that the "vast majority of people are having just a great experience".In fact, in recent interview with the Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, Holmdalm refused to directly answer any question about Xbox 360 failure rates.When asked about the poor quality of the Xbox 360, and the Xbox 360 user who went through seven defective machines, here's what Holmdahl had to say:"We’re very proud of the box. We think the vast majority of people are having just a great experience. You look at the number of games they are buying, the number of accessories they are buying, the Live attach. They love the box. They continue to buy the box. That said, we take any customer issue very seriously. We continue to look into these things very deeply. You have seen we have made some changes to our customer servic...
More About: Failure , Rates

Earth Defense Force 2017 XBox 360
2007-06-20 01:00:00
First introduced in Toho Studios' (the movie studio that gave us Godzilla) 1957 film "The Mysterians," the Earth Defense Force is no stranger to alien invasions. In that movie, they battled a technologically advanced race from the destroyed planet Mysteroid. In D3 Publisher's Earth Defense Force 2017, part of their budget-priced Simple series, the EDF must now combat a hostile extraterrestrial race known as the Ravagers. Produced exclusively for the Xbox 360, EDF 2017 is a mashup of "Starship Troopers" and "War of the Worlds" that revels in its B-movie origins.GAMEPLAY Not meant for the brainy set, EDF 2017 is a destroy-anything-that-moves 3rd-person shooter. And from the giant ants, spiders and robots sent to destroy mankind to the invaded city's skyscrapers... you can destroy everything... even your fellow troopers.If you ever have played a 3rd-person shooter, then the controls should be second-nature. If you are noob, no worries, the controls are pretty simple.Left Thumbstick -...
More About: Xbox 360

Microsoft Dismisses Xbox 360 Hardware Complaints
2007-06-19 02:59:00
Microsoft refuses to comment on alleged addition of heatsinks to repaired Xbox 360 units in Europe and other hardware flaws.Part 1 of a special five-part series.In the wonderful land of Xbox 360 -ville, the sun is shining, the grass is green, and everybody is very, very happy. Of course, that's only if you go strictly by the words of Todd Holmdahl, Microsoft's corporate vice president of the group devoted to gaming and Xbox products. Unfortunately, in Holmdahl's personal vision of Xbox utopia, nobody says anything of substance either.Last week, GamePro addressed the alleged addition of heatsinks to repaired Xbox 360 units in Europe, although Microsoft subsequently declined to comment on these heatsinks despite photographic evidence supporting their installation. To dig deeper into the matter, the San Jose Mercury News spoke to Holmdahl, and asked him tough questions regarding the Xbox 360's failure rate. However, a good portion of these questions were answered with some form of t...
More About: Hardware , Microsoft , Hardwar

Talismoon Tiltboard Xbox 360 Preview
2007-06-19 02:56:00
Motion-based control is so hot right now. The Wii has it in spades, and Sony added tilt-sensitivity to the PS3's controller just weeks before E3 2006 to try to match up. Aiming to extend the fad to the older consoles, SplitFish launched the MotionFX add-on for the PlaySation 2 (review) not long ago, essentially bringing SIXAXIS functionality to the older Sony console as well.Today, Talismoon unveiled a tilt-sensing solution for the Xbox 360, previously the only console of note that wasn't aboard the bandwagon. The company's new Tilt board product is a mod for the Xbox 360 controller that adds everything there is to love about the SIXAXIS' style of motion control to the Microsoft console. Installed via cracking open a 360 controller and soldering seven wires, the Tiltboard was designed specifically to fit within the controller and comes preloaded with TiltTune software that allows adjustment of tilt-sensitivity, at what angle the 0-degree (level) is calculated, and whether the Y-a...
More About: Preview

Episodic “Tomb Raider: Anniversary” for Xbox 360
2007-06-19 02:42:00
News of this had been leaking before I received this press release this morning. In other words, it’s not the freshest info in the world.But still, after posting my comments on the game last week, seems like I should post this as well.So here is the Eidos press release on the publisher’s plans to release “Anniversary” in the form downloadable episodic content which will be available for purchase to owners of “Tomb Raider Legend” on Xbox 360. The release:Eidos Interactive Ltd., part of SCi Entertainment Group, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce that the latest Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, will be released on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, initially in the form of downloadable episodic content which will be available for purchase to owners of Tomb Raider Legend on Xbox 360.This is the first time ever that the serialization of a full retail game will b...
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Xbox 360 Hardware Head Reveals Little When Pressed on Failure Rates
2007-06-19 02:40:00
The San Jose Mercury News directed some pointed questions at Microsoft's head hardware man for the Xbox 360, Todd Holmdahl, about the console's failure rate. Though the official deflected most questions, it was what he did not say that appeared most illuminating.When asked whether the 360 is experiencing a "normal return rate for a console," Holmdahl did not directly answer affirmatively, claiming instead, "We continue to say the vast majority of the people are really happy with it." Previously, the company claimed flat-out that there was nothing abnormal about the return rate.Further pressed about hard numbers, Holmdahl said he would neither disclose the actual number of 360 units that have failed or required repair. He also would not say what the repair rate was in comparison to the original console.But when asked point blank why there was such a boiling pot of anecdotal evidence in regard to 360 hardware failures, the Microsoft official simply reiterated a previous line:"I woul...
More About: Hardware , Xbox 360 , Failure , Head

Ace of Combat 6 Flightstick Bundle Announced for Xbox 360
2007-06-18 00:41:00
Namco Bandai announced on Friday that it will release a limited edition flight stick bundle with its upcoming flight action title Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation for Xbox 360.The flight stick will be manufactured by Japanese-based HORI, and the bundle will also include a collectible Ace Combat 6 faceplate. The price tag for all this? Only $149.99.You'll find more in the press release below:Santa Clara, Calif., (June 15, 2007) – Leading video games developer and publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that it has partnered with HORI Co. Ltd., a Japan-based peripherals manufacturer, to offer a limited edition Ace Combat® 6 ACE-EDGE™Flight stick Bundle. The bundle set, retailing for $149.99 and shipping this holiday season will include a copy of the highly anticipated new flight action game, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, its newly advanced peripheral from HORI, the Ace Combat 6 ACE-EDGE Flightstick, and an exclusive Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation collec...
More About: Xbox 360 , Stick

Week recap: PS3 future; Wii 7-to-1; Xbox 360 mismatched
2007-06-18 00:32:00
Sony Corp. President and CEO Jack Tretton this week said that past success does not guarantee future success in regards to the Playstation 3. He wrote in the Playstation Blog that has to improve the value and justify investment of the product.Sony chairman and CEO Howard Stringer this week said that the company is studying a price cut strategy for the PS3. He said that a competing console holds a better business model compared to the latest Playstation.Sony this week said that it will release The Agency to the Playstation 3 and PC. The online action shooter will feature cooperative and competitive missions across the globe.A PS3 owner this month used a sword to thwart attempted robbery of his console. The teenager lunged at the burgler, hitting him in the chest.Sony this week sent Go! Puzzle and the Hot Rod trailer to the Playstation Store. The new offerings are available now to download.Select PS3 titles fell to $39.99 at U.S. retail this week. Best Buy advertised Sega's Virtua Fi...
More About: Xbox , Future , Xbox 360 , Recap , Week

PS3 Price Cut Decided by Christmas - Stringer
2007-06-17 00:31:00
In an interview with Financial Times, Sony chairman Sir Howard String er all but confirmed that the PS3 will see a price drop by this Christmas .After admitting that the public wants to see a lower price point for the console, Stringer indicated that the company is still "trying to refine" how much of a price cut Sony can afford. Stringer was then asked if Sony will have the answer by Christmas, to which he replied "Yes, of course."Of course, this doesn't mean that the company would necessarily act on that answer by Christmas-time, but it's almost a certainty given how crucial the period is.Stringer also praised the Nintendo Wii's business model, and stated that developers are only using about 20% of the PS3's power at this time.
More About: Price , Cide , Tring

Forza 2 Motorsport
2007-06-16 23:57:00
One of the late gems on the original Xbox was a racing title called Forza Motorsport . Dubbed by many as a Gran Turismo killer, the game delivered one of the best console racing experiences ever. Unlike the usual fare on the system (Project Gotham and its ilk), Forza brought in a realistic simulation racing title complete with damage, online play and both performance and aesthetic car customization. Forza was one of the top Xbox games by the end of the system’s life cycle, making Forza 2 was one of the top anticipated games for the Xbox 360.Forza Motorsport 2 brings the same, albeit refined experience to the Xbox 360. Forza 2 brings improvements and upgrades from the last installment in the series, causing the experience to ultimately feel familiar, yet new. However, many gamers will have to weigh in the improvements to see if Forza 2 is worth the price. This may seem like a strange thing to say, especially since this review ultimately scores it highly, and I will firmly hold my gr...
More About: Spor

Blacksite: Area 51 Box Art For PS3 And Xbox 360
2007-06-16 18:48:00
Box art isn’t a bad thing when it comes to news; it gives you a little bit of insight into the game’s cool factors. If the box art is lame, then you know the game can’t be cool. If the box art is fancy, then you at least know the game can’t be much worse. So now you get to judge, does Blacks ite look like it could be a good game, simply based on the box art? Well, an obvious answer might make CB Games look biased. And we wouldn’t want that, would we? So I’ll leave the judging up to you. All I’m going to say is that alongside the box art, are some brand new screenshots as well. Some of these screens don’t look half bad, especially the giant crater monster who thinks it’s a wise idea to attack the bridge. I guess it has a death wish; those army carriers on the bridge will have troops piling out to give that stupid, big thing a bath of bullets. Anyway, the game is due out near the end of summer and will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. You can check out...
More About: Xbox 360 , Area , Area 51

Confirm America's Army For Xbox 360
2007-06-16 18:39:00
Major publisher and developer Ubisoft, together with the U.S. Army , has announced that Red Storm Entertainment (Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter) is currently developing America's Army: True Soldiers, an Xbox 360 exclusive version of the Army's popular 'serious game.'Lincoln, NE (PRWEB) June 16, 2007 -- Major publisher and developer Ubisoft, together with the U.S. Army, has announced that Red Storm Entertainment (Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter) is currently developing America's Army: True Soldiers, an Xbox 360 exclusive version of the Army's popular 'serious game.'The game, which is expected to ship in September, is being built upon Red Storm's Ghost Recon Warfighter 2 game engine. According to Ubisoft, America's Army: True Soldiers will feature an added focus on multiplayer gameplay over Xbox Live, including eight different maps and built in clan support to make it easier for teams to compete online.Additionally, it appears that Red Storm has not ignored those players loo...

Nintendo Wii FIFA 08 Gets Exclusive Ronaldinho Mini Games
2007-06-15 02:15:00
Sure, FIFA Soccer 08 will be coming to many platforms besides Wii. But only the Nintendo Wii version will feature Ronaldinho as a customized character."My character looks like he enjoys playing football and shares my passion for the game. This is important to me. Whether you are playing football on the pitch or my party games in FIFA Soccer 08 on the Wii, it should be a fun and enjoyable experience," he said.The soccer star will be featured in a party mode called Footii Party with Ronaldinho. In the mode, there will be multiple unique party games - including Table Soccer and Shoot Off – where you can play as your self-created Mii character and face off against the champ. Each Footii game is created as a multiplayer, social experience designed to engage and entertain fans of all ages.Developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C., the title is set for worldwide release this fall.
More About: Exclusive , Games , Nintendo Wii

Halo 3 will drive XBOX 360 and accessory sales
2007-06-15 02:06:00
With the success of the Halo 3 beta, Microsoft is expecting sales for Halo 3, the XBOX 360 and Halo 3 accessories to top sales charts this coming fall/holiday season. I expect everything Halo 3 will be at the top considering that over 800,000 unique players amassed 12 million hours of gameplay during the 1 month beta trial, according to data that GameDaily acquired.Even if there wasn't a beta trial of Halo 3, the title itself would have sparked sales but now that people have had a chance to see it, it's all the more real and that should translate to more sales of the game, the XBOX 360 and all the glorious Halo 3 accessories.If you're wondering, Halo 3 will be available on September 25 with the accessories becoming available a week earlier on the 18. The accessories are to include two limited edition Halo 3 wireless controllers which features artwork from Spawn creator, Todd McFarlane. They will cost $59 each and feature either a Covenant Brute or Master Chief theme. Each control...
More About: Xbox , Sales , Drive , Xbox 360

Wii/PS3/X360 Preview - 'Transformers: The Game'
2007-06-14 13:32:00
Transformers: The Game represents a united next-generation front for Activision, which went a different route with its recent licensed mega-release, Spider-Man 3. In the case of the web-headed adventure, the Wii version was considerably different from the one prepared for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, though none of the console versions were especially well-received.With Transformers, Traveler's Tales has been tasked with crafting a multi-platform experience that can hold up even on the less-powerful, waggle-enabled Wii. While some will bemoan the release of a game that doesn't appear to take particular advantage of any one piece of hardware, it does allow the developer to polish a singular entry instead of dividing up its resources for multiple iterations.Transformers has always been about the struggle between the Autobots and Decepticons, and the next-gen versions of Transformers: The Game will let players duke it out as each side in a pair of campaigns, each containing 20 mis...
More About: Transformers , Preview , Form

Microsoft upgrades Xbox 360 cooling system
2007-06-14 13:28:00
It seems that Microsoft is finally doing something about the Xbox 360's 'ring of death' overheating problems. MaxConsole and French website Logic-Sunrise are reporting that consoles which have been sent to Microsoft for repair have come back with extra cooling hardware installed As a comparison, here's a standard system: Whether these are the result of a few friendly technicians or part of a much larger scale effort to sort out hardware problems remains to be seen, but it's certainly promising.
More About: System , Xbox 360 , Upgrades

Microsoft adds addional cooling to Xbox 360
2007-06-14 01:19:00
I love my Xbox 360, and I hope that I never have to turn it on one day to see the red ring of death. Sadly, that’s somethiOne cause of this horrible death is by heat. Sometimes from the 360 just getting too hot. Sometimes other consoles just have it out for your Xbox. Either way, we know that it could use some additional cooling. From the looks of this 360, Microsoft has finally decided to add a second GPU cooler to the console.Unfortunately, we don’t know if they are adding these to new units, or simply ones that were in need of repair. We’ll let you know when we find out more.Microsoft is finally doing something about some of the technical problems that plague the Xbox 360 . A hardware revision was spotted “in the wild,” as they say, showing an additional heatsink near system’s GPU. A cooler GPU should help solve some of the problems that users have been complaining about pretty much since the system’s release. What’s still unknown is whether or not Microsoft is ins...
More About: Cooling , Dion

PS3 and Xbox 360 too complicated for gamers
2007-06-13 13:38:00
Next generation games consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are so 'complex' to use that they are alienating gamers and are destined to struggle in the market. That's according to a big name in the games industry.Yoichi Wada, CEO of the company behind smash hit games such as the Final Fantasy series, said that the big consoles face missing the next wave of keen gamers because they're doing things too complex."There is a new breed of gamers in the market - we have to make games for all kinds of people," the Square Enix boss said in an interview with the Financial Times ."In the old days, we could just focus on the PlayStation or the GameBoy , but the environment has changed completely."Too complex for you?"There are too many specs, and you also need a high-definition TV, a broadband connection and a deep knowledge of gaming. These consoles are mismatched to today's environment. In a year or two years they will fare better."Wada told the FT that what gamers really want is ...
More About: Xbox 360 , Gamers , Cate , Complicated

The Darkness
2007-06-13 05:13:00
On the eve of his 21st birthday, fearless mafia hitman Jackie Estacado is suddenly possessed by the terrifying and spectacular powers of The D arkness . Though his supernatural entity lets him wreak terrible havoc on his enemies, the Darkness also has a strong will of its own and now Jackie must learn how to control it. Gameplay features include a seamless and unique blend of modern crime drama and supernatural horror with both first and third person non-linear progression, ad well as highly destructible environments that enable players to stalk the gritty New York slums, harbors, subway tunnels and rooftops, then defeat the terrifying creatures of The Otherworld-a parallel reality where the Darkness dwells.