News about Xbox 360:
Ben Heck has new mod for the masses, brings Atari and Xbox 360 together
Most of you who are pretty involved in the modding scene, especially where consoles are concerned, would definitely have heard of Ben Heck and his legendary exploits. Well, even if you’re a casual reader of this site, you would also have read about his previous work that are certainly head and shoulders above what most other modders are capable of. This time around, Ben Heck will attempt to bring the old and the new together in one single device – merging the 1977 Atari console with an Xbox 360. How about that for retro and modern in a single deivce?
Wireless Racing Wheel for Xbox 360
Do you love racing games on your Xbox 360? Then you would do well to pick up the Wireless Racing Wheel for Xbox 360 from Mad Catz. After all, forking out $129.99 for such a peripheral bodes well if you want to take your racing game experience to the next level, and with the Wireless Racing Wheel for Xbox 360, you can race straight to victory (how idealistic) as it boasts a complete set of racing pedals, an interchangeable gear shift, full rubber grips, lap rest supports and desk clamp, where it ought to fit into just about any home comfortably and nicely. Not only that, since it works across a wireless spectrum, you should be able to enjoy lag-free response within a 40 foot radius. Southpaws need not worry either, since its interchangeable gear shift will target both left- and right-handed drivers easily. An integrated headset port for Xbox LIVE has been thrown into the mix as well, and nice to see the manufacturer introduce a trio of AA batteries in the bundle – a simple yet thoughtful gesture. Read the rest of this entry »
Microsoft Kinect Beta Invitations Are Out: Did You Get Yours?
Rumors mills are working again. Microsoft is doling out invitations via Connect to the users for testing its “Xbox LIVE and Kinect 
Beta Program’. If the screen captures of the said invitations are genuine, then Microsoft is going … [visit site to read more]
PlayStation Move Vs Microsoft Kinect: PS Move Set to Dominate Sales in the Motion Controller Wars
As the release dates of the PlayStation Move and Xbox’s Kinect are being anxiously awaited, the question frying on everyone’s lips is, which motion controller will be more successful.
Well, it looks like this question has an early answer, because after a UK survey carried out by sales website Groupola, it looks like the motion-controlled gaming wars between Sony’s PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect is showing signs for an overwhelming Sony victory in sales. The survey, which … [visit site to read more]
Gaj-it Gaming Round up: Angry Birds, Halo Reach, Dirt 3, Medal of Honour & Battlefield 3
Following the hype and success of Angry Birds, Joe Wee, co-founder of Angry Birds developer Rovio, has announced that the highly addictive iPhone game would be a making an appearance on the PS3, PSP and Nintendo DS.
Microsoft says to expect non-casual, ‘hybrid’ Kinect games ‘over the coming 18 months’
Excited by some of the possibilities Kinect offers for non-casual games? Then it looks like you might have a bit of a wait in store. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft’s VP for Interactive Entertainment in Europe, Chris Lewis, went to some length to point out that Microsoft isn’t ignoring core gamers, but would only go as far as to say that non-casual, “hybrid” games that use both Kinect and a standard controller would likely become available “over the coming 18 months or so.” Not many more details beyond that, unfortunately, but Lewis did divulge a bit of UK news, saying that sales went up “1,000 percent week-over-week with an 84 per cent market share” following the release of the new, redesigned Xbox 360. Read the rest of this entry »
Microsoft Confirms Kinect Pricing and Confirms New Slim Arcade
Microsoft’s bigwig Aaron Greenberg announced yesterday the pricing for their hotly-anticpated Kinect movement control would be £129.99 with Kinect Adventures, and announced that it will be bundled with a new slim Xbox for £250.
Microsoft introduces new Xbox 360 4GB bundle
Microsoft has just announced a brand new way to spend your summer, and they don’t want you to do it outdoors. No sir, the big M prefers you to use up most of your waking time indoors thanks to a new controller-free way of playing video games with their spanking new Kinect system which will come bundled with an all-new Xbox 360 6GB console. Of course, what is the point of having all the hardware in the world when you do not have any software to go along with it? Microsoft has certainly not overlooked that fact, and will be rolling out “Kinect Adventures” packaged together in the bundle, retailing for $299.99 a pop.
New Xbox 360 4GB ships August 3rd for $199, Kinect standalone priced at $149, bundle coming this holiday for $299
Amazon Germany just couldn’t keep a secret. Microsoft’s just announced that a shiny new Xbox 360 Arcade replacement — with 4GB internal flash memory, a matte finish, and built-in 802.11n WiFi — will be shipping August 3rd for $199.99. A stark difference in capacity to the current 250GB model, but at least it’s cheaper. Looking ahead to November, the standalone Kinect, it’s coming for (yeah, you guessed it) $149.99 with Kinect Adventures. Act surprised, Microsoft would really like you to. As for the pièce de résistance — that’d be the 4GB console, Kinect sensor, and game — that’s due out “this holiday” for $299.99. Press release after the break, pretty pictures just below. Read the rest of this entry »
Microsoft patent application cuts controller cords, sews them back together
Wireless gamepads are more convenient, but for latency, copper trumps 2.4GHz. What to do? Build hybrid controllers that can instantly cut the cord. It seems that’s what Microsoft’s thinking, as the company applied for a patent on just such a controller in March, using infrared, Bluetooth or RF technologies alongside a wired (possibly USB) connection and switch between the two “without permanent disruption to an ongoing game.” Of course, dual-mode controllers have been around for months in a slightly different form — Microsoft’s own Sidewinder X8 and the Razer Mamba did the same for the high-end gaming mouse. It also doesn’t bode well that this particular application clearly describes the original chunky Xbox. Read the rest of this entry »
Rock Band 3 crashing into living rooms on October 26
Look, it’s summer break. What better to do than learn a little piano in preparation for the upcoming release of Harmonix’s Rock Band 3? The next installment — which promises to bring all sorts of new kit to the market — was finally given a release date today, and not surprisingly, it’ll be quickly climbing the Santa Lists of rug-rats the world over. According to the company, the title will ship on October 26th in North America, with the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions priced at $59.99 sans hardware and the DS rendition at $29.99. Hop on past the break if you’re interested in learning about your wealth of pre-order options. Read the rest of this entry »
Gaj-it Guide: The New Xbox Slim
Gaj-it took delivery of the new slim Xbox today, which was released to crowds across the country at mid-night launches last night.
Xbox 360 sales increase 88 percent in June, give it US console crown for the month
Proving once again that in this world it’s more important what you look like than what you do, the Xbox 360 has cruised to the title of best-selling console in June on the back of a sexy physical redesign. The latest numbers from NPD show that Microsoft shifted 451,700 units in the US, which ousts the Wii’s tally of 422,500 and comfortably dwarfs the PS3′s 304,800. Still, if Sony wants any consolation it need only look back to the results of its own console Slimmification last year — US sales were said to have tripled in the immediate aftermath of the new SKU’s release. So Microsoft might have a little bit of catching up to do yet, and let’s not forget that the king of all hardware sales remains the DS, which somehow managed to sell more than half a million devices in June, in spite of the whole world and its dog already owning one. Read the rest of this entry »
Xbox 360 getting dashboard revision this November?
Milo and Kate for the Xbox 360 Kinect
We covered the official announcement of the Kinect at E3, and I would imagine that game designers are going nuts to create new worlds of interactivity for Xbox 360 gamers.
Xbox 360 4GB Arcade Bundle gets premature Amazon page
Microsoft’s plans for the Xbox 360 Arcade bundle have been tipped, thanks to a prematurely posted Amazon Germany listing. The product page seemingly confirms a 4GB bundle, together with a €148.99 ($190) price tag, though has since been updated to remove any mention of cost or release date. Still, thanks to VG247’s speedy fingers, we know the retailer expects the new bundle to ship on August 20th 2010.
New Xbox 360 Arcade unit revealed by Amazon Germany?
Looking for a new, slinky Xbox 360 but don’t have 250GB worth of stuff to archive on there? Sprechen Sie deutsch? Sehr gut! Amazon Germany has posted up what appears to be solid details about the cousin of the new Xbox 360 revealed at E3. Where that model has a 250GB HDD stuffed up inside, this one appears to have 4GB of some sort of flash memory and a price listed as €148.99 — about $190. It’s also listed as being a “bundle,” meaning it’s likely there’s a game, extra controller, or novelty hat included as well. And, the thing is said to be shipping on August 20, which just so happens to be when Gamescom 2010 takes over Cologne. Finally, Cologne just so happens to be in Germany. Another surprise unveiling and announcement of units shipping immediately? We wouldn’t bet against it — except for the “surprise” bit. Read the rest of this entry »
New Xbox Arcade Edition Sighted on Amazon Germany
We know that Microsoft will be releaasing their new sleek, shiny and quieter Xbox on Friday – but one question does remain what will happen to other the premium and arcade editions.
Microsoft Destination Arcade Now Launching July 21st
At the moment, Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Arcade is one of the best ways to get your nostalgia-rich gaming on, as it features quite a few “oldie-but-goodie” titles tucked away inside. The trouble is, in its current iteration it’s not the easiest digital interface to navigate through. Like Microsoft of yesteryear, lists play a big part of finding that next great game. As we reported last week, Microsoft is looking to change that up with Destination Arcade, a whole new way to find what you’re looking for, plus a lot more. But it’s not coming out on the 14th anymore, as the upgrade has been pushed back.
3DTV’s Will be Mainstream by 2013 According to UbiSoft
French computer game publisher and creator Ubisoft have waded into the 3DTV debate this week as they have stated that they feel that the new uber expensive tech will become mainstream in under 3 years.
Entelligence: Time for Microsoft to once again embrace and extend
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.
Microsoft Xbox Live revenues to top $1Billion
Microsoft have announced the latest revenue figures for their ever-impressive Xbox Live Service and they have confirmed that it generates over 1 billion dollars each year.
Bloomberg estimates Xbox Live to be worth $1 billion+
Given the number of users and $50-a-year subscription fee, it’s hardly a surprise that Microsoft is pulling in a ton of cash from Xbox Live, but it looks like the service has recently crossed a significant milestone: the $1 billion mark. That’s what Bloomberg estimates, at least, based on the number of paid users (about 12.5 million), and a recent statement from Microsoft’s Dennis Durkin, who said that sales of downloadable content had topped subscription revenue for the first time. That translates to about $600 million from subscription revenue, and at least $600 million from other sales, for a grand total somewhere north of $1.2 billion. Can’t really blame Sony for following its lead, can you? Read the rest of this entry »
Microsoft Kinect Will Let You Play Sitting Down, Only When Sitting Makes Sense
Whether or not you own a Nintendo Wii, you’ve probably seen the commercials. Or know someone who owns one, and have experienced the gameplay for yourself. With that in mind, we all know that Nintendo intended for people to get off the couch and actually interact with their games on a whole “new” level. Sure, there’s some commercials out there that show plenty of folks sitting on their couch, tilting their Wii remotes all over the place, but with accessories like Wii Fit and what not, we all know where Nintendo was going with this. (And subsequently, yes, Sony’s Move is positioned in much the same way.) But, what about Microsoft’s Kinect?
Microsoft Announces Summer of Arcade 2010
The summer months are notoriously slow months for the games industry with so many games launched around Christmas time. Last year Microsoft launched a new set of games that would be lauched during the summer months on Xbox live Arcade. And they have just announced their plans for this … [visit site to read more]
Microsoft Set to Launch Destination Arcade on July 14th
One of the little nuggets of joy that was missing from this year’s E3, was the announcement from Microsoft about their bi-annual Xbox 360 software update. Sure, they managed to announce a new Xbox 360, but nothing about the software front. Well, if you managed to get your hands on one of the new consoles from Redmond, then you should be happy in knowing that an update is right around the corner.
