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Japanese Retailer Won’t Buy Back Xbox 360s?
In Japan (like in many places in the world!), there is a strong culture of selling back used games and hardware. Japan especially is quite good about keeping instruction manuals and boxes in pristine shape as many who purchase gaming goodies do so with intent to sell back in the future. For retailer TSUTAYA, the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 22, 2009 -
2010: Looking Back on Kotaku’s Look Ahead
We’re 10 days from New Year’s but tomorrow is the winter solstice, starting us on another trip around the sun. And a new year that will be full of its own controversies, challenges, triumphs, disappointments and delights in video gaming. This past week Kotaku put a comprehensive look into its crystal ball, breaking down what’s…
By Owen Good Published December 20, 2009 -
Microsoft Patents the Exercise Guilt Trip
Microsoft’s filed a patent that would make avatars more realistic and less idealized, with the point of getting your husky ass out to exercise if what you’re seeing in the dashboard is a more realistic presentation of yourself. “Avatar Individualized By Physical Characteristic,” is what Microsoft is claiming. “Linking the avatar to a physical characteristic…
By Owen Good Published December 19, 2009 -
2010: The Year of Better Xbox 360 Games?
2009 was a pretty good year for the Xbox 360, but based on Microsoft’s showing at E3, it felt more like a warm up for 2010, the year the company will launch Project Natal. Now this year was no slouch, with Xbox 360 console exclusives Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3, Left 4 Dead 2…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 17, 2009 -
Microsoft: Hardcore Games “Sell Themselves”
It’s been a constant criticism of both Xbox consoles: that Microsoft can only sell shooters to the hardcore gaming market. So what does it say about Microsoft’s marketing power when the company admits those games “sell themselves”? In an interview with GI.biz, Microsoft’s David Dennis has said that marketing games towards a casual audience –…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 17, 2009 -
Halo Wars…Clay
Microsoft’s Halo Wars is popular enough to merit its own line of toys — official toys. It also is popular enough to merit a line of rip off toys that come packed in clay. Because if you are going to rip someone off, do it with clay. “It’s one of those kits where you get…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 16, 2009 -
Games For Windows On Demand Goes Live
Microsoft’s catalog of Games For Windows titles have become that much more “on demand” as of today, with Games On Demand launching for interested PC gamers precisely on schedule. So, what’s available? As of right now, Games For Windows devotees can—after having downloaded the latest GFW software update—enjoy Fallout 3, Dirt 2, Resident Evil 5,…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 -
Bungie Donation Points to Halo: Reach Multiplayer in May [Update]
Earlier today, a news release accompanying the Halo: Reach opening cinematic said the multiplayer beta would begin this coming spring. Now, of all things, the description of a charity auction lot pegs the date no earlier than April 28. The listing (above) comes from Thursday’s Child’s Play Charity Auction Dinner in Seattle. Bungie donated not…
By Owen Good Published December 13, 2009 -
Halo: Reach Trailer Dates Multiplayer Beta for Spring
These two minutes come from the opening cinematic of Halo: Reach, establishing the story of Noble Team, assigned to defend the planet. An accompanying press release announced the multiplayer beta – invitations included in Halo 3:ODST – begins Spring 2010.
By Owen Good Published December 13, 2009 -
Who Put Out The Most Good Video Games In 2009? [UPDATE]
On Wednesday, EA CEO John Riccitiello provided evidence — in chart form — that his company published the most well-reviewed games of 2009. Wanting to test his assertions, I dug into the data and found some surprises. The EA chart was shown at an investor’s conference, designed to appeal to people who EA hopes will…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 11, 2009 -
Xbox 360 Game Helps You Talk To Girls
For some, talking to girls is hard. For others, talking is hard. Xbox 360 downloadable indie title Don’t Be Nervous Talking 2 Girls might be able to offer help. Or at least offer something for you to point and laugh at. Because that is one tall roller coaster. Available for 80 Microsoft Points, so leave…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 10, 2009 -
Xbox Live’s Holiday Plans
Microsoft details the next few weeks’ worth of Xbox Live Arcade, Deals of the Week, Avatar items, and Games on Demand, with twelve days of special holiday deals kicking off on December 18th. Microsoft generally isn’t the habit of laying out several weeks worth of Xbox Live releases in one fell swoop, so we can…
By Mike Fahey Published December 10, 2009 -
Forza 3 Drives A Million Sales
Forza Motorsport 3 has sold more than a million units worldwide, and Turn 10 celebrates by selling you even more in the form of the Hot Holidays car pack. More than a million racing fans snapped up copies of Turn 10’s Forza Motorsport 3 during its first month at retail, with players logging more than…
By Mike Fahey Published December 8, 2009 -
Games On Demand Coming To Games For Windows Live
Microsoft has announced that on December 15th, Games on Demand comes to Games for Windows Live, which is a very fancy way of saying it’s going to start digitally distributing PC games. It’s really the next natural step in Games for Windows Live development. The Xbox 360 Games on Demand program has been doing well…
By Mike Fahey Published December 3, 2009 -
Canada’s Bungie-Scented Xbox 360 Bundle
Microsoft announced this week that, for a limited time, Canadian gamers will be able to grab a special bundle that includes a console and both of Bungie’s Halo games for the 360. In all, you get a 360 Elite, two controllers and copies of both Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, all for CAD$400 (USD$380).…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 3, 2009 -
Exploiting MW2’s ‘Javelin Glitch’ Will Get You Banned, Says XBL
While Infinity Ward works up a fix for the infamous suicide-bombing “javelin glitch” in Modern Warfare 2, Xbox Live’s chief lawman vows that anyone caught doing it in his jurisdiction can expect a daylong banhammer, minimum. Said Stephen Toulouse (Stepto) over Twitter earlier today: While IW works on getting the MW2 glitch fixed, people we…
By Owen Good Published December 2, 2009 -
And Now 360 Avatars Can Have Pets
If I had 240 Microsoft points tomorrow, I would buy you a monkey. Haven’t you always wanted a monkey? The Xbox Live Avatar Marketplace pet shop opens tomorrow. Depending on your opinion of the Xbox Live Avatar Marketplace, tomorrow brings either a wondrous new addition or another ridiculous thing to waste your money on –…
By Mike Fahey Published December 2, 2009 -
What Marketing Can And Can’t Do With Microsoft’s Avatars
We took a look at Microsoft’s “Avatar Guidelines” today, the company’s set of rules governing how avatars can be displayed in both internal and external (ie, catalogues) marketing programs. And they’re more interesting than you think. Sure, most of it is made up with the kind of stuff only marketing teams and graphic designers need…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 1, 2009 -
Changing Video Game Cases Go For The Green
Xbox 360 owners who have recently invested in holiday season hits like Modern Warfare 2, Assassin’s Creed II, Brutal Legend or Left 4 Dead 2 may have noticed a change in their game cases. Meet the Eco-box, gamer. The lighter, thinner cases from manufacturer Viva Group are becoming the new Xbox 360 game case standard.…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 1, 2009 -
Halo Legends Dated For Japan, First Look At Movie Cover [Update]
Halo Legends, Microsoft’s collaboration with some of the biggest productions house of the anime industry, has a Japanese release date. The film will be released February 16, 2010 on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms. The ¥5,980 Blu-ray version is a two-disc set, while the ¥4,980 DVD version comes on three discs. Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 1, 2009