Kotaku: xbox 360 arcade

No HDD In Core? "Mistake"

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:00:45 MST

Core and Arcade Xbox 360s are missing something super important: a HDD. That means developers must make sure their games can work without a HDD so a segment of users aren't totally screwed. Rory McGuire, lead designer on PS3 title Bourne Conspiracy, says:

In retrospect I wish Microsoft had made the choice to have [mandatory] hard drives like Sony did with the PS3... They did it with the original Xbox. I'm not sure why they decided to not require a hard drive on the 360. From what I understand they don't move many [Core/Arcade] units... Developers certainly benefit [from a hard drive]," he went on to explain, adding: "if you have a hard drive, the whole game loads faster. Obviously you'll be facing a short install time, but the developer benefits from it and you definitely benefit from it as a player... So I think that was one of the mistakes that Microsoft made with the 360.

Another mistake is of course made by the people buying the Core/Arcade Xbox 360s.
No HDD "Mistake" [CVG] [Pic]

Japan Gets Xbox 360 Arcade (Does It Care?)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:00:06 MST

Japan is getting a "family friendly" Xbox 360 arcade model of its own. On March 6th, the stripped down console will drop in Japan for ¥27,800 (US $261). The specs are the same (HDMI, wireless controller, 256MB storage card and the same pack of games). The only difference is that its US counterpart costs $279.99. Hey America, that's what you get for buying 360s!

Wal-Mart's Awesome Black Friday 360

Mike Fahey — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:20:39 MST

Ah, Black Friday. I prepare for the day by scouring countless websites for information, mapping out local retail outlets to make sure I can be in line when each store opens its doors. Then come Friday morning I realize that the gaming deals on Black Friday completely suck and wind up sleeping in, but still. Ah, Black Friday. Take Wal-Mart's big gamer incentive for the shopping holiday. You can get an Xbox Arcade system with five bonus games for the low low price of $279.92! That's a savings of $.08! Take back what I said, that's a steal! It even comes with five bonus games! Of course, said bonus games are the XBLA titles that come bundled with the package in the first place, but you throw the word bonus in there and parents go crazy buckets all over the place, not knowing how inherently Black Friday sucks for gamers. Thanks Wal-Mart!

Wal-Mart's Black Friday deals [CNN Money - Thanks Doug!]

MSoft Gets 360 Arcade Into the "Proper" Hands

Brian Crecente — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:00:57 MDT

It sounds like, if you read between the lines of the attached press release, that Microsoft might finally be officially rolling out the Xbox 360 Arcade edition next Tuesday... or maybe not.

The press release, found on the Hispanic PR Wire, is really more about the importance of giving Xbox 360s to your family, regardless of your background. That's right, even poor people can play games. Thanks for clarifying Microsoft.

To be fair Microsoft is donating two of the 360 Arcade consoles to each Para Los Ninos center on Skid Row in LA and throughout Southern California. I hear the Elites are all going to those Beverly Hills' children centers.

WHAT:
The biggest day in family entertainment this year is taking place on October 23. The new family-friendly Xbox 360 Arcade is being launched just in time for the holidays and features a price that is more affordable for parents. The new console comes with five new video games, a wireless controller, parental controls and more memory.

The selection of family-oriented programming for Xbox 360 is also being expanded with the release of a library of more than 200 games and 700 television episodes in English and Spanish from Nickelodeon and Warner Bros., ranging from "Dora the Explorer" to classic "Looney Tunes" and "SpongeBob SquarePants".

In addition, to encourage parent-child relations in households of all kinds, Xbox is making a major donation to low-income families.

WHY:
Microsoft believes every family, regardless of background, is deserving of the best in family games and entertainment. For this reason, on October 23, Microsoft is partnering with Para Los Niños, a nonprofit organization serving diverse children, youth and families of very low incomes.

Each of Para Los Niños' centers on Skid Row in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California will be equipped with two Xbox 360 Arcade consoles, given access to a full library of educational programs and entertainment games in English and Spanish, and provided with technical support by Microsoft.

WHERE:
Para Los Niños Youth Center
846 E. 6th St. (at corner of Ceres St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90017

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 23 - 3:30 p.m.

WHO:
Gisselle Acevedo, President & CEO, Para Los Niños
Juan Posada, Director of Global Marketing, Xbox

PHOTO OPS:

— Unveiling of the new family-friendly Xbox 360 Arcade
— Live demonstrations involving Spanish-speaking children, teens and parents
— One-on-one interviews for media in English and Spanish

New 360 Core Coming to U.S. This Holiday

Brian Crecente — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:00:58 MDT

Backing up what we heard from Europe earlier today several sources familiar with Microsoft's new Xbox 360 marketing tact have confirmed that the rebranded Xbox 360 Core is indeed legit and will likely be announced here in the U.S. in time for the holidays.

Our sources tell us the Xbox 360 Arcade will sell for the same price as the current, seemingly out-moded Xbox 360 Core but come packed in with a 256MB Memory Card and five free Xbox Live Arcade Games. As with all rumors and unnamed sources, you should take this with a grain of salt, though in this case, I'd say it wouldn't hurt to give the sodium a pass.

European 360s Get New Names New Color