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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. What this actually means beyond the term “major organizational changes” is not disclosed, but it must be serious, because…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 25, 2010 -
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. Having been the former pin-up boy of Microsoft’s video game consoles, especially in the lead-up to the launch of the Xbox…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 22, 2010 -
Capcom: Japan Has No Hope In Hell Unless…
When Osaka-based Capcom isn’t making popular video games, it is doing something else entirely: ragging on the Japanese game industry. Last September at the Tokyo Game Show, Capcom exec and Mega-Man designer Keiji Inafune declared the country’s game industry “finished”. Now it’s Lost Planet 2 producer Jun Takeuchi’s turn. “If the Japanese games industry doesn’t…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 17, 2010 -
Project Natal Is…White? [UPDATE]
Released last year, this is the official concept promotional image of Microsoft’s upcoming motion control system Project Natal. It is black. Update: Microsoft comments, clarifies nothing. “Project Natal” is the code name for Microsoft’s controller-free motion controls that, as the promotional clip states, makes the players the controller. But even when the device was on…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 17, 2010 -
Are These The Ten Hardest Games?
“Hard” in gaming is relative. What I might think is easy, you might think is not. What you might consider a piece of cake, I may find impossible. Website shortlist.com has compiled a list of the “Top 10 Hardest Games”. Agree, disagree, but first, read the list: 10. Jet Set Willy (1984, Software Projects /…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 17, 2010 -
The Last Man to Play Halo 2 on Xbox Live
He is Apache N4SIR. Nearly a month after Microsoft shut down the original Xbox Live, he was one of the Noble 14 who kept their connections running. Their numbers slowly dwindled, and today, he was the last Spartan standing. At 4 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time, Agent Windex and Apache N4SIR were the last ones left…
By Owen Good Published May 10, 2010 -
This Man Would Like To Make A Video Game
George Romero’s name is synonymous with horror. Romero isn’t a huge gamer, but he’s interested in making a video game. If only a game company would allow him to do just that. There’s shit he’d like to hide and stuff. Romero is best known to moviegoers for his groundbreaking zombie films Night of the Living…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 7, 2010 -
Microsoft Will Never Kill Halo 2 (It’ll Just Watch It Die)
Despite the “death” of the original Xbox Live, a small band of fanatics are keeping the dream alive by leaving their Halo 2 accounts logged in. You’d think Microsoft would be pissed, but surprisingly, no. “We’re not shutting them off”, Xbox Live’s Larry Hryb has said on his weekly podcast. “Were going to let them…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 3, 2010 -
Halo 2 Diehards Lured With Halo: Reach Beta Codes
Microsoft sent Halo: Reach beta codes to the last dozen still playing Halo 2 more than two weeks after multiplayer support was shut off for the original Xbox. Maybe it’s a hint to finally disconnect and play something else? Technically, this isn’t much of an award, as Reach beta keys were to be offered to…
By Owen Good Published April 30, 2010 -
Behold The Halo Reach Rowdiness Question And Other Boot-Up Delights
The Halo Reach Beta is upon us, at least the 3,733 of us I saw enjoying early access to the Xbox 360 beta/promotion/multiplayer-tease that gets wider release next week. I shot video of how it begins. Warning: kinda shaky If you can stomach this video, you will learn what it’s like to boot up the…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 29, 2010 -
The First Alan Wake Add-On Is Free, But The Flashlight Will Cost You
Microsoft reveals that a free token good towards the download of the first add-on for supernatural thriller Alan Wake will come packed in every new copy of the game, which should offset the price of the official Alan Wake flashlight. Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake is nearly upon us, and Microsoft is making a big push…
By Mike Fahey Published April 29, 2010 -
Fourteen Halo 2 Fans Refuse to Let It Die
Lots of people continued playing Halo 2 past the midnight deadline Microsoft gave 12 days ago for discontinuing original Xbox multiplayer support. Fourteen have managed to still keep their consoles connected and running since, prolonging the game’s final goodbye indefinitely. Console overheating concerns and dropped Internet connections have whittled their numbers, but so far, neither…
By Owen Good Published April 27, 2010 -
Turn Xbox Media Center Into A Gaming Center
The Xbox Media Centre – one of the last things the old console is good for these days – doesn’t just play media. It can play games, too! Our pals at Lifehacker have come up with a handy guide that can turn the Media Centre into a gaming hub, letting you play both dedicated PC…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 26, 2010 -
Dead Rising Star Passes Through Left 4 Dead 2’s The Passing
Players passing through an abandoned pool hall in Left 4 Dead 2’s The Passing might catch a glimpse of the last words of a Capcom character who has covered wars, you know. Possible Dead Rising spoilers ahead? Behold the final words of Frank West, another victim of the zombie apocalypse. Left without film, without a…
By Mike Fahey Published April 22, 2010 -
Dodge Viper Or Ford Bronco? That Is The Blur Preorder Question
Bizarre Creations’ combat-racer Blur is coming May 25, and your choice of preorder locations determines which ride you’ll get early access to in online multiplayer, because everyone loves retailer-exclusive preorder bonuses, right? Durability is just as important in Blur racing as speed and style, so folks looking to put their money down on a copy…
By Mike Fahey Published April 21, 2010 -
Still No Official Shutdown Time For Xbox Live Support Of Original Xbox [UPDATE]
Xbox fans may have believed it would be impossible to play Halo 2 online by this minute of April 15th. But the planned shut-off of Xbox Live for games on the original Xbox hasn’t happened. [UPDATE: It’s been shut off.] A Microsoft representative confirmed, however, that today is still the lights-out day for that part…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 15, 2010 -
Today, The Original Xbox Live Dies
It’s April 14. If you own an old Xbox and play online with it, or still play original Xbox games on Xbox Live via your 360, you should know this is the last day you’ll ever be able to do so. As Microsoft promised earlier in the year, at midnight tonight the plug will be…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 14, 2010 -
Xbox 360 Consoles Now Have USB Memory Support
The calendar says April 6, and that means, as promised, your Xbox 360 consoles now have a little upgrade waiting for you: the ability to save data to removable USB memory drives. While Microsoft’s own first-party USB sticks, due next month, are pricey, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to use them. You…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 6, 2010 -
Day-One Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package Buyers Get Seven Days Back
Several readers sent us tips this morning indicating that Microsoft gifted them seven additional days of Xbox Live Gold for purchasing the Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package on day one. Julian sent us a picture, however, so Julian wins. What does Julian win? Well, credit, for one, along with the seven days’ worth of Xbox…
By Mike Fahey Published April 5, 2010 -
Buy a Broke Boxer’s GameCube
Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns was the first man to win titles in four different weight classes. That was more than 20 years ago. He’s now in debt to the IRS, and his possessions are being auctioned to pay the bill. Deadspin, in a whale of a downer post, found a number of lots whose prosaic…
By Owen Good Published April 1, 2010