<![CDATA[Kotaku: J Allard]]> http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: J Allard]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/j allard http://kotaku.com/tag/j allard <![CDATA[The Creator of Xbox is Also Fond of Gore-Tex Backpacks]]> The Clymb, a flash sales website with a focus on outdoor gear, just raised two million dollars from an unlikely source—former Xbox exec J Allard, fan of all things extreme. [Via All Things D] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5816730&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft, Why Did You Lie To Velocity Girl?]]> You may not remember her, but Velocity Girl was one of the stars of E3 2005. Young, funky and a casual gamer, she was promised the Xbox 360 would be the console of her dreams. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5763772&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard's Parting Advice To Microsoft]]> J Allard may have left Microsoft, leaving us heartbroken in his wake, but he leaves with some solid advice for the lumbering giant of the electronics world. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5547827&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Shake-Up Tied To Xbox Timeline]]> The departure of two key men involved in the Xbox 360 from Microsoft won't cause major changes in the Xbox division, a source close to Microsoft told Kotaku today. But the timing of the next steps for the Xbox brand was a factor. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5547549&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard, We Will Miss You]]> It's official. Our most beloved Microsoft exec, James "J" Allard, is leaving Microsoft after 19 years. The Boston University grad tasked with injecting cool into the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Zune is moving on, leaving us with fond, hoodie-filled memories More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5547354&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Father of the Xbox, Head of Gadgets and Fun Leave Microsoft [Update]]]> Sources have confirmed to Kotaku that both Robbie Bach, the current head of all things entertainment for Microsoft, and J. Allard, one of the top men behind the Xbox and Xbox 360, are leaving Microsoft. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5547283&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft "Shaking Up" Its Gaming Division]]> According to a report on The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is looking to "shake up" the management structure of its Entertainment & Devices Division, which among other things is the group responsible for the Xbox 360. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5546877&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Father Of The Xbox Leaving Microsoft?]]> Say. It. Ain't. So. Reports indicate that J Allard, a driving force behind the design of the Xbox (and the Zune) is leaving Microsoft, after his latest dream project was binned by the company. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5545064&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard Found, Working On Amazing New Tech]]> J Allard, otherwise known as Dr. J Allard, otherwise known as the man we miss from the deepest recesses of our cold, black hearts, has re-surfaced today as the driving force behind a neat-looking new gadget from Microsoft. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5365504&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard Working On Motion-Controlled "Magic Wand" For Microsoft?]]> It never rains J. It pours. Fresh from his honorary nod at Boston University, Dr. Allard has now been spotted as one of the inventors of a revolutionary new Microsoft "magic wand". More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5258977&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard? No, It's Doctor J Allard]]> J Allard has, tragically, been in hiding for some time now. And still is! But his name, at least, has come out of hiding. We're glad. And so, so glad that when it did resurface, it was to share the limelight with some illustrious company! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5238508&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Allard Watch: J Gets A New Job]]> We miss J Allard! Real bad. We miss pudgy Allard, we even miss HD Allard. It was bad enough when he stopped hanging around the Xbox guys and was welcomed to the social, but over the past few months, he hasn't even been doing that anymore. He's just...faded away, without a trace. We were getting worried. Worried sick. But it's OK! J's popped up with a new job, and a new job title. One as aWeSome and eXtreme as J himself: Chief Experience Officer. As Microsoft's CXO (yes, a real title), Allard will be "responsible for the technical architecture and user experiences related to products and services of the Entertainment and Devices (E&D) division". Not really sure that means, but in a perfect world, it'll mean he's back at E3 this year. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=397412&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[More On Zune Meeting/Hooking Up With Xbox 360]]> Last week we mentioned a bit on J Allard's reveal of what we all already knew—Microsoft will be merging the Xbox 360 and the Zune into a (powerhouse?) entertainment experience for us all to enjoy. Talking to the New York Times, Allard became even more relaxed and lippy about it all. Here are his highlight quotes, including some insight on the next generation of Zune: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=324399&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard Returns, Wishes Xbox Live A Happy 5th Birthday]]> We miss J. Since moving on to the Zune side of things, we've hardly seen hoodie nor hair of the Microsoft exec. His signature "chillax" moves and online foresight added much needed spice to the Xbox brand—and we felt better for his presence. For those who miss the man who has been described as "the father of the Xbox"—at left, enjoying a massive slice of cake during the Japanese launch of Xbox—he sat in on Larry Hryb's latest podcast to talk about the origins and future of the Xbox family. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=323356&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard Talks Zune Gaming, We Talk Zune Improvement]]> So the Zune 2 launched. And while the new models are a definite improvement on the last version of the Zune (and by the way, Microsot made all the Zune 2 features available through software updates on old Zunes, which was super classy), I was hoping we'd see new Xbox 360 integration with the device. But we did not. J Allard had this to say when asked about actual gaming on the Zune:
I love games and maybe for someone with a 40-minute commute, it might be an interesting scenario. Thus far, the market really hasn't proven out that it is a great scenario. Customer satisfaction with what has been done isn't that high.
More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=307081&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft: PS3 Consumers Paying For Technology They Don't Need]]> In a new opinion piece at MCV, UK marketing manager for Xbox 360 hardware Dan Cornelius explains why the company dropped the price of the Xbox 360 across the board. The answer is, of course, "We really want to sell more Xbox 360s" with the rest of the advertorial simply reading like a sales pitch or marketing speech Dan didn't get to read in public. Cornelius' best quote from the piece is his stance on the Blu-ray and wi-fi enabled PLAYSTATION 3. He reiterates that Microsoft's philosophy "is about giving people the same experience as our other consoles, but letting them upgrade when they feel comfortable doing so - and not to foot a huge bill for technology they don't need." More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=299231&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Look into J Allard's Eyes]]>
Ha! J, you may ignore our Xbox Live messages and call us "creepy." But there are others who are creepy, too. Take Jeff Minter, who features J Allard in the second part of the Space Giraffe level one tutorial, which is appropriately named "The Eyes of Allard." Yes, Jallard's mug is visible. Thumbs up!! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293546&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Bring Back J!]]> Yesterday was pretty traumatic. Microsoft's Peter Moore is no longer Microsoft's. He's moved onto Electronic Arts, leaving a gianormous charismatic hole in the Xbox division's front office. Some dude is replacing Moore. Not sure who or what this dude is, but following in Moore's footsteps will be hard. Just look at Moore's gaming cred: he previously worked on the Dreamcast for SEGA and later got tattoos for Microsoft. That's bad ass. Sure, the new dude's got a track record, but how can he top that? Impossible! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279497&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Doesn't Want Hardcore Rep Anymore]]> Microsoft is sick of the Xbox's hardcore gaming image. (An image the company helped foster!) Says Albert Penello, director of Xbox global platform marketing: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=267580&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Pick The Halo 3 Beta Shirt Winners!]]> Here they are, the finalists for the Halo 3 Beta shirt contest. Now, since we've got two shirts, we need two winners. So it's up to you, the commenters, to vote for the two entries you like the best! Note: Commenters who dip into little Mr. Critic territory and start degrading finalists will feel the brunt end of the ban stick. Many thanks to all who entered and good luck to those who made it this far! Hit the jump for the finalists. Voting ends at midnight tonight EST. Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=265510&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Aegis Wing Creators Livin' The Dream]]> Xbox 360 owners will be getting an Xbox Live Arcade freebie tomorrow in the form of side-scrolling shooter Aegis Wing. That project was the fruit of the labors of three Microsoft interns and UNO developer Carbonated Games. That's the short version. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=260671&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Spring Update Hitting LIVE Soonish]]> In-between-stage J Allard non-sequitur aside, the big Spring update hits Xbox LIVE tomorrow, bringing Windows LIVE Messenger to the Xbox 360. What does this mean? People on LIVE can instant message with folks PCs and cell phones. Here's the full skinny, via Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=258855&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Bach: We'll Make Money On Xbox Next Year]]> Microsoft's Xbox may be on the path to "reach a billion people" but the company's "disastrous endeavor" that has been losing money from the get-go is going to reach a milestone next year. It's going to turn a profit. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=257614&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Kaz, Version 3.0]]> While not as good as J Allard's eXtreme make-over (nothing is!), Sony Computer Entertainment honcho Kaz Hirai does look, well, different. While heading up Sony Computer Entertainment America, Hirai was known for his loud, open collared shirts, but kiss them good bye now that he's back in Tokyo. Just check out this portrait shot SCE is releasing. Yes, "Kaz" is no more. Meet Kazuo Hirai. Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=255778&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox 360 Warranty Now Better, Faster, Stronger]]> After extending the warranty of the Xbox 360 to one year from purchase date, Microsoft is making its warranty and service policies that much more wicked awesome. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=249394&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Night Note: READ THIS J ALLARD]]> To: Crecente More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=238347&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Allard, We're Calling You Out]]> 279 days ago, give or take a few hours, J Allard should have appeared on stage at Microsoft's 2006 E3 press conference wearing a dreadlock wig. He should have done this after losing a particularly bad bet to Newsweek's N'Gai Croal. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=237088&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Jallard, Wear That Wig!]]>
Microsoft's J Allard isn't only too cool for periods and shift keys, but also hair. Even fake hair is too cool for J. And when manly things like HONOR and PRIDE are on the line, J says "meh." More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=217801&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Wired Looking for Sexiest (Gamer) Geeks]]>
Last year, Wired News kicked off the sexiest geeks of the year list with such hotties as Tiny Nibbles Violet Blue and Gawker founder Nick Denton. But there wasn't a damn gamer among them. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=217447&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[JAllard In Business Week (Doesn't Mention Kotaku)]]>
Holy mackeral! Microsoft's resident bald hipster gets a profile in Business Week, and we learn things like: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=217233&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[TGS06: We Did It For You, J Allard. For You.]]>
It's Sunday, the last day of the Tokyo Game Show. But, just because our TGS coverage is winding down, doesn't mean our coverage of J "Too Cool for Punctuation" Allard is. I spent the entire day looking for the shiny headed Microsoft bigwig, but came up empty handed and horribly depressed. But, that doesn't mean we won't stop looking for the eXtreme one and taking pics. Oh no, we just won't be posting them, J. Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=202808&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[TGS06: J, Please Stop Blocking Our Phone Calls]]>
When Microsoft's eXtreme hipster J Allard said we were "kinda creepy," he had underestimated us. We are totally creepy. There are four of us staking out four different hotels in the greater Tokyo area, waiting for a glimpse of J's shiny noggin, searching for the scent of his pricey trainers. Mike, thought he had found Allard, only to have his heart broken. Repeatedly. Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=202774&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[TGS06: Where Is Our J?]]> Our resident gaming freeloader Scott Spatola spent the afternoon tracking down our favorite little bald xtreme guru, J ("no period") Allard. Every time we see a freshly shaven head, or a polished hairless head, we get giddy and think of J. While the word on the street is that Allard has ditched the 360 to dirty his hands with Microsoft's brown mp3 player, the Zune, J. ("with period") has been spotted in the throes of the Tokyo Game Show. And, several times at that. Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=202615&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Says No Internal HD DVD (Again)]]>
For the umpteenth time (yes, we've been counting), Microsoft once again states there are no internal HD DVD plans. While there have been rumors that the company is secretly working on a hardware revision and searching for partners in Taiwan to produce the drive, Microsoft states otherwise. The official word, via the Gamerscore blog: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=200827&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[J Allard On Kotaku: "Creepy"]]>
We like J ("No Period") Allard. A lot. At E3, we made sure to book the same hotel and followed him closely. For days. When he gained weight and started to look like Uncle Fester, we worried. So we were so OMG jealous when Gizmodo's Brian Lam interviewed the eXtreme dude on Microsoft's new music player. We did what anyone would and immediately scanned the interview for the part where J talked about us: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=200758&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox Brand Taps Inner Power-Hungry Prick]]> This should settle it once and for all: Xbox fanboys are smug, distrustful jerks and PlayStation fanboys are simpering ninnies with no self-confidence. That's not hyperbole, that's scientific fact! Maybe. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=192306&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[KotakuStalku: J Allard Weight Watch]]> Don't blame hipster Xbox creator J "James" Allard for turning pale and pudgy. He's been squirreled away, giving his heart and soul to Microsoft's "secret" iPod killer. Subsistence means a steady diet of Jolt cola and Combos cheddar cheese crackers, and the opportunities to emerge from his work hovel have been few. Here is J in a rare moment, enjoying the fresh air, wearing a sweater hoody and looking like Uncle Fester. The other smiley person? Why that's former G4 television host Laura Foy. Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=189269&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Getting to Know My PSP (Again)]]> Forgive the LiveJournal confession: Until yesterday, I didn't have a DS. Well, I did have a DS, a regular one, which was left at that squalid hotel Gawker Media put us up in. I don't know how even the likes of Xbox dood J Allard, Mario nerd Cliffy B and Final Fantasy mustache Hironobu Sakaguchi were able to stay there. Booze, perhaps. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=188890&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Peter Moore on Wii ("Party Console"), Japan ("Price Sensitive"), J Allard ("Busy")]]> Peter Moore chatted up a group of journos in a recent interview at Microsoft Studios. What did he have to say before he crushed them with his 24-inch guns? The Msoft exec got some Wii hands-on at E3, dishing that "Sonic was almost built for the controller because it was so intuitive." Moore worried "how thin that's [the controller] gonna wear after half an hour" and dubbed the Wii "a party console." He also mentioned how he was surprised that there were "so many things" on the controller and that it took him a little while to get going. He then added he was a huge fan of innovation. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=181606&view=rss&microfeed=true