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Microsoft Head: Pay Attention To Next Month’s Xbox Announcement
Microsoft honcho and screamer Steve Ballmer gave a speech today in Dallas as a guest of the Dallas Regional Chamber to deliver a speech at the Dallas Convention Center. The topic: “The Role of Innovation in a Challenging Economy”. The game connection: During his speech, Ballmer is quotes as saying, “Pay attention to the stuff…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 8, 2009 -
Microsoft Snatches Up BigPark
Microsoft Games Studios welcomes another new addition today as Microsoft agrees to acquire Vancouver-based developer BigPark. BigPark was formed in 2007 by a group of industry veterans formerly of Distinctive Software and Electronic Arts Canada. One of the founders was Don Mattrick, who went on to become the senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment…
By Mike Fahey Published May 7, 2009 -
Nintendo The Most Reputable Game Company Of Them All
Catering to a broader demographic pays off for Nintendo, ranked number six in the Reputation Institute’s 2009 list of the world’s most reputable companies. Where do Microsoft and Sony fall? The Reputation Institute releases an annual report which looks at how the public rates 1,000 companies in over 20 industry categories and more than 25…
By Mike Fahey Published May 7, 2009 -
Project Gotham Racing Devs Explain Last Days With “Corporate, Cocky” Microsoft
Bizarre Creations, the development team behind the renowned Project Gotham Racing series, used to make games for Microsoft. Now, they make games for Activision. Why the split? Speaking with Edge, the studio’s creative director Martyn Chudley has told of Bizarre’s final weeks with Microsoft, as development on Project Gotham Racing 4 (which I maintain is…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2009 -
New Gears 2 Content Striking Retail On All Fronts
Microsoft and Epic Games deliver seven new multiplayer maps to Gears of Wars 2 in July’s retail release of the Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection, finally answering the question “what is Dark Corners?” Back in March, rumors flew about a new batch of downloadable content for Gears of Wars 2 called Dark Corners,…
By Mike Fahey Published May 6, 2009 -
Marvel: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Slated For June Release
In its financial report, comic book giant Marvel dated the re-release of classic fighter Marvel vs. Capcom 2. That date is June 29. And that date is, if you check your calendars, a Monday. Marvel does note “scheduled release dates are subject to change” in its report, so that means just that: this release date…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 5, 2009 -
Microsoft’s Rumored Motion Controller May Be The ZCam
Microsoft may finally be ready to make good on extended threats of a motion sensing controller for the Xbox 360 at this year’s E3, with a rumored camera accessory reportedly in the works. Last week, Engadget wrote that Microsoft’s long-rumored motion controller pursuits were real and that its solution was coming in the form of…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 5, 2009 -
PC Broken Steel Error Is A Games For Windows Live Problem
The Broken Steel update for the PC version of Fallout 3 has been taken down for repair. Bethesda explains why. As we reported previously, PC users who downloaded the Broken Steel downloadable content via Games for Windows Live this morning were treated to a “cryptographic message is not formatted correctly” error. We contacted Bethesda’s Pete…
By Mike Fahey Published May 5, 2009 -
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! Yes, the former Xbox pin-up boy, who played a big…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 4, 2009 -
Microsoft’s Full Body Motion Controller Revealed?
Microsoft says that it will “completely transform how people think about home entertainment” at this year’s E3. A newly rumored motion controller that detects “full body” movement may be what the company has planned. According to a report from Engadget, who cites an anonymous tipster claiming to have knowledge of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 plans, the…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 1, 2009 -
Lips Gets New Edition In May
Microsoft’s karaoke game Lips adds a ton of new music this month, but none quite as impressive as the New Edition Song Pack. No, there’s nothing wrong with your line. The New Edition Song Pack for Lips is coming on the 15th of May, adding three of 80’s group’s biggest hits to the Xbox 360.…
By Mike Fahey Published May 1, 2009 -
Why Won’t Japanese Gamers Buy The Xbox 360?
Enterbrain, publisher of Japanese gaming mag Famitsu, has polled its readers as to why they don’t buy the Xbox 360. You know, the reasons why. Here is the breakdown: • Worried about its future 35.71 percent • Price is high 7.14 percent • No games I want to play 3.57 percent • Another reason 53.57…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 1, 2009 -
Forza 3 Teased, Expected To Arrive In 2009
Forza Motorsport 3 is definitely coming to the Xbox 360. That’s a poorly kept secret, as confirmation of the game’s existence was leaked last year with early details spewing forth from the infamous Intellisponse breach. It’s starting to look like Microsoft and developer Turn 10 Studios will have something to show soon, more than likely…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 30, 2009 -
The Big Three Escalate E3 Hype Levels To Code Orange
The glorious, obnoxious return of E3 proper is mere weeks away. The hype is now palpable, with Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony inflating expectations for their respective E3 showings. But Microsoft may be hyping the loudest. While Nintendo and Sony seem content to remind video game fans that they too will be attending the Los Angeles…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 30, 2009 -
Fable II See The Future’s Future Foretold
Lionhead promised news today, and they’ve delivered, revealing the release date for the upcoming See the Future downloadable content for Fable II and a new episode of Inside Lionhead to boot. Those eager to See the Future of Albion have only two more weeks worth of waiting to down, as Lionhead announces a May 12th…
By Mike Fahey Published April 30, 2009 -
Xbox Exec: “The Game Industry Deserves Respect”
The gaming industry is big business — huge. Yet, according to Xbox Europe exec David Gosen, it doesn’t merit the same respect that Hollywood or the music biz does. “But it frustrates me that from a public standpoint, the industry still hasn’t got the stature, credibility and cut through that we all deserve. I still…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 30, 2009 -
The Xbox 360 Truck Travels Through Hong Kong
Hong Kong doesn’t only get an Xbox 360 truck, but a cosplay lady to go with it. Recently, an Xbox 360 truck outfitted with LCD TVs and demo games hit the streets of Hong Kong to promote the console. There was also a cosplayer dressed as Reimi from Star Ocean 4. See that Xbox 360…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 30, 2009 -
How Not To Address Homosexuality In Gaming
BioWare’s censoring of homosexual terms on the Star Wars: The Old Republic forums was not a wise move, but they certainly weren’t the first video game company to struggle with the issue of homosexuality. And they almost certainly won’t be the last. Homosexuality has long been a controversial issue amongst gamers, developers, and publishers alike.…
By Mike Fahey Published April 29, 2009 -
Celebrate Grand Theft Auto IV’s 1-Year Anniversary With Bundles
Happy birthday, Grand Theft Auto IV. You’re one year old today. Microsoft got you an Xbox 360 Elite “Limited Anniversary Edition” bundle to promote the occasion. But brace for pack-in disappointment… While the latest Xbox 360 Elite package packs in a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV, it doesn’t appear to offer a complimentary copy…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 29, 2009 -
Lionhead Teases Tomorrow’s Fable II News
Why put off announcing something until tomorrow when you can announce the impending announcement today? That’s the apparent philosophy of Sam Van Tilburgh over at Lionhead’s Fable II development blog, who promises some sort of announcement and new content to arrive on the morrow. I’m picking up through the grapevine that tomorrow there is going…
By Mike Fahey Published April 29, 2009