American McGee
Beautiful Pixels
Hideo Kojima
Hitachi Wasabe's Xbox 360
Xbox 360 Marketplace Updates: (MajorNelson.com)
Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming (Subscribe)
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Get out and vote (for Halo), use a keyboard and mouse, and GameStop goes Braveheart
- Vote for the Master Chief!
- Halo 2 Pre-Orders Reach 1 Million
- Red Vs. Blue creators expanding
- Ubisoft to bring Cold Fear to gamers
- XBox Live growing by leaps and bounds in AP
- Next-Gen Mortal Kombat?
- Add a keyboard and mouse to your XBox
- HD DVD Promotion Group wants in with Xbox 2
- Next Oddworld game to be XBox-only
- XBox tops GameFly again
- XBox 2 updates
- Game updates
- Rentrak's Home Video Essentials Industry Data Service signs Microsoft
- GameStop: "You can't take away our freedom!"
- Sam & Max get a new studio
- Acclaim pulls a phoenix?
- New Releases
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NEWS:
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- Vote for the Master Chief!
- Gamers can vote for their favorite game, characters and creators, and 4 winners will be honored at a new 'Walk of Game' display at Sony's Metreon entertainment complex in San Francisco.
- Get off your duff and vote! for Halo, and the Master Chief. How cool would it be have a Halo 24x24 brushed steel star at Sony's complex for video games?
- http://www.walkofgame.com/
- Gamers can vote for their favorite game, characters and creators, and 4 winners will be honored at a new 'Walk of Game' display at Sony's Metreon entertainment complex in San Francisco.
- Halo 2 Pre-Orders Reach 1 Million
- Even before the one-month pre-order rush typical of a game's pre-sale, single-platform Halo 2 has already shattered the record for highest videogame pre-sale. Franchise opener Halo: Combat Evolved has sold a total of 5 million copies to date.
- Even before the one-month pre-order rush typical of a game's pre-sale, single-platform Halo 2 has already shattered the record for highest videogame pre-sale. Franchise opener Halo: Combat Evolved has sold a total of 5 million copies to date.
- Red Vs. Blue creators expanding
- Rooster Teeth Productions, the guys who have brought us two seasons of Red Vs. Blue, have signed with Electronic Arts to produce a series of in-game movies for The Sims 2. Rooster Teeth founder and Austinite Burnie Burns says he wants to run the machinima for a 22-episode season.
- Season 3 of Red Vs. Blue will be starting shortly.
- Rooster Teeth Productions, the guys who have brought us two seasons of Red Vs. Blue, have signed with Electronic Arts to produce a series of in-game movies for The Sims 2. Rooster Teeth founder and Austinite Burnie Burns says he wants to run the machinima for a 22-episode season.
- Ubisoft to bring Cold Fear to gamers
- Developer Darkworks and publisher Ubisoft will be publishing Cold Fear, a first-person action-horror title that is supposed to bring a story-driven action/horror title to the XBox.
- Developer Darkworks and publisher Ubisoft will be publishing Cold Fear, a first-person action-horror title that is supposed to bring a story-driven action/horror title to the XBox.
- XBox Live growing by leaps and bounds in AP
- Six months after the regional launch of XBox Live in the AP region, 1-in-7 XBoxing Asians is on Live. At 15%, this is higher than the rest of the world's 12%, with the majority coming from China. This trend is in keeping with recent industry forecasts picking China as the #1 online industry by 2007.
- Six months after the regional launch of XBox Live in the AP region, 1-in-7 XBoxing Asians is on Live. At 15%, this is higher than the rest of the world's 12%, with the majority coming from China. This trend is in keeping with recent industry forecasts picking China as the #1 online industry by 2007.
- Next-Gen Mortal Kombat?
- As if this week's most recent release in the franchise wasn't enough, a recently published filing showed Midway trademarking Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. Midway had previously confirmed development of the XBox Next "Mortal Kombat 7". I'm waiting for politcally sensitive Midway to patent Mortal Kombat: Tiananmen Square.
- As if this week's most recent release in the franchise wasn't enough, a recently published filing showed Midway trademarking Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. Midway had previously confirmed development of the XBox Next "Mortal Kombat 7". I'm waiting for politcally sensitive Midway to patent Mortal Kombat: Tiananmen Square.
- Add a keyboard and mouse to your XBox
- Peripheral maker Lik-Sang is shipping a gadget that will let you attach a keyboard and mouse to your XBox (or Playstation 2). The SmartJoy FRAG will let PC FPS whiners bring their inputs of choice to the giant black box, and may provide an edge to controller-only jockeys. The $28.90 device is available now, and supports standard keyboards and mice, but can support USB peripherals with an additional $12.90 adapter.
- The device is programmable, and comes with presets for Halo, Medal of Honor Frontline, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Unreal Championship, and Counter-Strike.
- http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?products_id=5438
- Peripheral maker Lik-Sang is shipping a gadget that will let you attach a keyboard and mouse to your XBox (or Playstation 2). The SmartJoy FRAG will let PC FPS whiners bring their inputs of choice to the giant black box, and may provide an edge to controller-only jockeys. The $28.90 device is available now, and supports standard keyboards and mice, but can support USB peripherals with an additional $12.90 adapter.
- HD DVD Promotion Group wants in with Xbox 2
- The HD DVD Promotion Group is lobbying Microsoft to make HD DVD the technology of choice for XBox 2. With Sony saying the Playstation 3 will support competing Blu-Ray technology, the stage is potentially set for a VH-versus-BetaMaxish showdown. HD DVD is more like VHS, though, in that Blu-Ray is argaubly the superior, more industry-backed technology. If you get Microsoft to front you, does that matter though?
- The HD DVD Promotion Group is lobbying Microsoft to make HD DVD the technology of choice for XBox 2. With Sony saying the Playstation 3 will support competing Blu-Ray technology, the stage is potentially set for a VH-versus-BetaMaxish showdown. HD DVD is more like VHS, though, in that Blu-Ray is argaubly the superior, more industry-backed technology. If you get Microsoft to front you, does that matter though?
- Next Oddworld game to be XBox-only
- Despite being dropped by Microsoft Game Studios and picked up by Electronic Arts, EA recently announced the spring 2005 title is too far into development to make a PS2 release, and they have canceled the SKU for that platform. Heh. Things work out the way they should...
- Despite being dropped by Microsoft Game Studios and picked up by Electronic Arts, EA recently announced the spring 2005 title is too far into development to make a PS2 release, and they have canceled the SKU for that platform. Heh. Things work out the way they should...
- XBox tops GameFly again
- XBox titles or SKUs took 7 of the top 10 rental spots from GameFly's U.S. Game Rental Charts, in the week ending October 4.
- Fable (Xbox-only)
- Star Wars: Battlefront
- X-Men Legends
- Def Jam: Fight for NY
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005
- Burnout 3: Takedown
- NBA Live 2005
- Fable (Xbox-only)
- XBox titles or SKUs took 7 of the top 10 rental spots from GameFly's U.S. Game Rental Charts, in the week ending October 4.
- XBox 2 updates
- The XBox's Virtual Processing Unit (VPU) design is almost finished. The ATI-customized VPU will leverage the as-yet unfinished next version of the DirectX API, and embedded DRAM found in the Xbox silicon acting as a frame buffer.
- The XBox's Virtual Processing Unit (VPU) design is almost finished. The ATI-customized VPU will leverage the as-yet unfinished next version of the DirectX API, and embedded DRAM found in the Xbox silicon acting as a frame buffer.
- Game updates
- Mortal Kombat: Deception Ships -- The most recent iteration of the uber-violent fighter has shipped and is getting solid reviews (8.5 - 9.5). Featuring tons of gameplay options (including chess and Tetris-like mini-games), and online play, the title is probably a great value. The special edition even includes an arcade-faithful copy of the first Mortal Kombat.
- Robotech: Invasion -- Global Star Software/Vicious Cycle's FPS take on the Robotech/Macross franchise is now available, but initial reviews make it sound like the game will disenfranchise anime faithful and genre lovers alike.
- Conflict: Vietnam -- The now-available Global Star Software offering (this time with developer Pivotal Games) is YAAtCIoV -- Yet Another Attempt to Cash In on Vietnam. Any good? Well, OXM's tag line is "More like a disagreement."
- Yourself!Fitness -- Here's an interesting offering. Not a game, per se, responDESIGN's title is a home fitness program for women, that gives women a complete fitness analysis, personalized goal setting, customized meal planning, fitness calendar, multiple workout environments, multiple music options, over 200 health and fitness tips (from Prevention Magazine, and a virtual trainer. Kudos to responDESIGN for offering productivity lifestyle software for consoles, and helping me justify the importance of my XBox.
- BloodRayne 2 -- Majesco Games' sequel to the fan-favorite has gone gold, and is scheduled for sales as of October 12. Featuring tons of gore, skin-tight curvaceousness, an occultic spin on vampires and nazis, the game should make you feel uncomfortable on a bunch of levels. But is should have a firm grip on tight gameplay. (Hah! I slay me!)
- TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue -- Electronic Arts (EA Games) and KROME Studios platforming sequel has gone gold, and will be available in retail next week.
- Spyro A Hero’s Tail -- Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) is bringing the Playstation fan-favorite's next title to the XBox, and it's gone gold, ready for shipment this November.
- Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 -- Activision's THUG 2 is now available for retail purchase.
- Mortal Kombat: Deception Ships -- The most recent iteration of the uber-violent fighter has shipped and is getting solid reviews (8.5 - 9.5). Featuring tons of gameplay options (including chess and Tetris-like mini-games), and online play, the title is probably a great value. The special edition even includes an arcade-faithful copy of the first Mortal Kombat.
- Rentrak's Home Video Essentials Industry Data Service signs Microsoft
- The Microsoft Xbox division has signed on as the first customer of the video game business intelligence service, which allows members to monitor and analyze trends broken-out by market share, genre, ESRB rating, platform, publisher, and other industry benchmarks.
- The Microsoft Xbox division has signed on as the first customer of the video game business intelligence service, which allows members to monitor and analyze trends broken-out by market share, genre, ESRB rating, platform, publisher, and other industry benchmarks.
- GameStop: "You can't take away our freedom!"
- Ahem. Barnes & Noble Inc. purchased computer retailer Babbage's in 1999, and renamed it GameStop, turning it into the #2 non-Wal-Mart video game retailer. B&N announced it's sold $111.5 million in shares back to GameStop. Maybe B&N is getting back to their core market (uh, books), or maybe the big swings in video game retail makes them nervous.
- Ahem. Barnes & Noble Inc. purchased computer retailer Babbage's in 1999, and renamed it GameStop, turning it into the #2 non-Wal-Mart video game retailer. B&N announced it's sold $111.5 million in shares back to GameStop. Maybe B&N is getting back to their core market (uh, books), or maybe the big swings in video game retail makes them nervous.
- Sam & Max get a new studio
- Maybe. The creative geniouses behind critic- and fan-favorite titles Sam & Max, Grim Fandango and Escape from Monkey Island, have founded San Rafael, California-based TellTale Games.
- Maybe. The creative geniouses behind critic- and fan-favorite titles Sam & Max, Grim Fandango and Escape from Monkey Island, have founded San Rafael, California-based TellTale Games.
- Acclaim pulls a phoenix?
- Could happen. Acclaim CEO Rod Cousens says he will be launching a new publishing house, with a placeholder name of Exclaim, next week, and will staff it with ex-Acclaim staff from the Cheltenham and Manchester studios. No word on how this benefits the stateside folks.
- Could happen. Acclaim CEO Rod Cousens says he will be launching a new publishing house, with a placeholder name of Exclaim, next week, and will staff it with ex-Acclaim staff from the Cheltenham and Manchester studios. No word on how this benefits the stateside folks.
- New Releases
- Week of 10/03/2004
- Conflict: Vietnam (Action)
- Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge (Driving)
- Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude (Adventure)
- Mortal Kombat: Deception (Fighting)
- Robotech: Invasion (FPS)
- SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom (Fighting)
- Syberia II (Adventure)
- Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (Sports)
- Trigger Man (Action/Shooter)
- Ultra Bust-A-Move (Puzzle)
- Yager (Flight sim/shooter)
- Conflict: Vietnam (Action)
- Week of 10/10/2004
- BloodRayne 2 (Action)
- FIFA Soccer 2005 (Sports)
- Funkmaster Flex Digital Hitz Factory (Puzzle)
- Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders (Strategy)
- Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (Classic)
- Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (Platformer)
- Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue (Platformer)
- BloodRayne 2 (Action)
- Week of 10/17/2004
- Dead or Alive Ultimate (Fighting)
- Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors (Action)
- Outlaw Golf 2 (Sports)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus (Action)
- Dead or Alive Ultimate (Fighting)
- Week of 10/24/2004
- Bicycle Casino (Puzzle)
- Chessmaster (Action)
- The Incredibles (Action)
- Men of Valor (FPS)
- Monster Garage (Driving)
- OutRun2 (Driving)
- Pinball Hall of Fame (Puzzle)
- Scaler (Platformer)
- SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie (Platformer)
- Bicycle Casino (Puzzle)
- Week of 10/31/2004
- Armada 2: Star Command (Adventure)
- The Bard's Tale (RPG)
- Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Adventures (Sports)
- FlatOut (Driving)
- Godzilla: Save the Earth (Action)
- High Rollers Casino (Puzzle)
- IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (Driving)
- The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age (RPG)
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Platformer)
- Spikeout Battle Street (Brawler)
- Spyro: A Hero's Tail (Platformer)
- Xbox Live Arcade (Multiple)
- Armada 2: Star Command (Adventure)
- Week of 10/03/2004
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SOURCES: Gamespot.com, joystiq.com, kotaku.com, Xbox.com, IGN, GameInformer, Official XBox Magazine, CNN, gamesindustry.biz, and others.
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