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Analyst Predicts Wii Price Drop
Wedbush-Morgan’s Michael Pachter — the guy that was so harsh on the PSPgo’s price tag — thinks the Wii will drop to $199.99 this holiday season Edge Online reports that Nintendo has already sold 20 million units — 50 million worldwide — and plans to sell another 26 million this fiscal year. Noting that a…
By AJ Glasser Published June 12, 2009 -
When Will It Be Wrong To Call The Xbox 360 A Game Console?
Kotaku recently asked Microsoft if the flourishing of non-gaming features like Netflix, Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter on the Xbox 360 will someday invalidate the classification of the device as a gaming console. Since the original Xbox launched in 2001, Microsoft has worked hard to deflate suspicions that the company wasn’t serious about video games. Microsoft,…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 12, 2009 -
Gears Of War 2 On PC? Try Bears Of War
Rumors are circulating regarding a possible December release for a PC version of Gears of War 2, but the site the rumors reference might have its compass pointed in the wrong direction. IGN points to a site called Beantown Games, explaining that “there were plenty of details that appeared to be pulled from an upcoming…
By Mike Fahey Published June 12, 2009 -
Natal Launch Will Be As Big As 360’s
On that day in the future when Microsoft launches its E3-darling Project Natal no-touch control system, it will feel like a console launch, a company exec told Kotaku. Forget the launch of previous gaming cameras and mics like the PlayStation Eye or the Xbox Live Vision Camera when you try to imagine the impact Microsoft’s…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 11, 2009 -
Xbox Live Community Games Renamed
Buried in the official announcement of XNA Game Studio 3.1 is news that, come late July, Xbox Live Community Games would be getting a much-needed name change. Goodbye Xbox Live Community Games, and hello Xbox Live Indie Games. The name is being changed in response to community feedback, in order to increase understanding and promote….here,…
By Mike Fahey Published June 11, 2009 -
Nintendo Expected Rival Motion Control Last Year
This year, both Microsoft and Sony announced motion technology platforms. This comes years after Nintendo first launched its own motion controlled console, the Wii. So what does Nintendo think? According to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, “To tell the truth, I expected them to come up with stuff like this last year. So in my mind…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 10, 2009 -
Xbox Live Will Be Down Next Tuesday, Maybe For The Whole Day
Microsoft sent word earlier today that Xbox Live is in line for some scheduled maintenance. It’ll take place next Tuesday, and could leave the service down for up to 24 hours. The servicing will commence at 12:01 PST, and will leave Xbox-related online services down (including everything to do with Xbox Live) save for the…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 9, 2009 -
Microsoft’s Create-A-Game Game Out This Month
Despite it’s simple appearance, it’s clear Microsoft are dipping their toes in the LittleBigPlanet sea with Kodu. While the game was a no-show at E3, it’ll be a show-show on 360s later this month. The development team’s official blog has announced that the title/service/thing will be out at the end of June, with final content…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 9, 2009 -
Tracking The Ups And Downs Of Microsoft’s E3 Press Conference
After looking at the “popularity contest” study done on Nintendo’s E3 press conference yesterday, many asked when it would be Microsoft and/or Sony’s turn. Today, it’s Microsoft’s turn. Bitmob’s Andrew Hiscock has applied the same methodology – tracking the positivity or negativity of comments on hardcore gaming board NeoGAF – used for the Nintendo study,…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 8, 2009 -
Taking A Closer Look At Last.fm On The Xbox 360
News of a deal that brings Last.fm to the Xbox 360 was kind of lost in the flood of information coming out of Microsoft’s E3 press conference last week. So let’s go back to it. The service will be made available later this year, and will be free to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Once…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 8, 2009 -
Everything You Need to Know About Project Natal
This E3 was packed with explosive news and announcements, from confirmation of the PSP Go and Sony’s motion controls to the whispers of a new Metroid and Zelda. But one of the most startling may have been Microsoft’s Project Natal. On it’s simplest level, Project Natal is a straight forward motion control for the Xbox…
By Brian Crecente Published June 5, 2009 -
Microsoft: Project Natal Can Support Multiple Players, See Fingers
Earlier this week Microsoft let me try Project Natal in a hotel suite where test-versions of the new gaming sensor array was set up. Three times, I thought I found a flaw in the systems. I thought the system, as impressive as it was in letting me play kickball with virtual balls on a TV…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 5, 2009 -
Wii Remote Wizard Working On Project Natal
You remember Johnny Lee, right? Sure you do, he’s the man who can make magic happen with the Wii Remote. And it seems he’s bringing his skills to Microsoft’s Project Natal controller. While Lee is quick to say he doesn’t deserve credit for what we saw at E3, he does add, “The part I am…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 5, 2009 -
Microsoft: Rare Working On Numerous Natal Projects
No Banjo Kazooie at E3? No Viva Pinata? Blame Project Natal. We’ve been looking for Rare at E3. Microsoft’s Shane Kim, corporate v. p. at Microsoft for Xbox 360 strategy and business development, didn’t exactly tell us where they are, but he did tell us what they’re up to. “Rare is intimately involved with Project…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 4, 2009 -
Body On With Project Natal’s Controller-Free Kick Balls
I was fairly impressed with Project Natal’s ability to strip away the physical controls for Burnout Paradise and still deliver and relatively similar racing experience. But the kick ball game, designed specifically for Microsoft’s motion controller, wasn’t quite as impressive. Ricochet is a giant game of Breakout in 3D. You play the game by swatting,…
By Brian Crecente Published June 4, 2009 -
E3’s Unmentionables: What Microsoft, Nintendo & Sony Forgot To Say
Earlier this week Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony each hit the show with big news, unveiling a slew of major titles, major surprises and innovative technology. But despite a strong showing across the board at the big three press conferences, there were still quite a few things left unsaid. Like what about that rumored PlayStation 3…
By Brian Crecente Published June 4, 2009 -
Peter Molyneux Now Director of Microsoft European Studios
Peter Molyneux, the designer between the Fable franchise, has been given a promotion: Creative Director of European studios at Microsoft Games Studios. Previously, Molyneux founded Bullfrog Productions where he created “god games” like Populous. After leaving Bullfrog, Molyneux created Lionhead Studios, which has churned out titles like Black & White and The Movies. That studio…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 4, 2009 -
Booth Tour: Microsoft
Here’s a look at Microsoft’s booth at E3 2009.
By Christopher Mascari Published June 3, 2009