Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming: My Xbox caught on fire!; Halo 3?

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Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming (Subscribe)

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

My Xbox caught on fire!; Halo 3?

My Xbox caught on fire!
And the Emmy goes to ... Microsoft
Xbox Live pricing for Europe -- no credit required
Microsoft to offer Digital Pay-TV
Another "Should-Probably-See" game trailer
From brings mechs to Xbox 360
My Xbox caught on fire!
Sonic is going next-gen
Origen Xbox 360 -- Halo 3?
My Xbox caught on fire!

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NEWS:
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1. My Xbox caught on fire!

If you haven't heard, my Xbox caught on fire (seriously). Catch the blow-by-blow to date (resolution still pending):

2. And the Emmy goes to ... Microsoft

Cool. Microsoft is getting an Emmy its Xbox Live service for "Outstanding Achievement in Technology and Advanced New Media", specifically, "Outstanding Achievement in Multiplayer-Backend Console Game Technology".

The 57th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards will be held September 29, 2005 in Princeton, New Jersey.

3. Xbox Live pricing for Europe -- no credit required

OK, Microsoft's done two huge things for hurtling online gaming into the next realm: Including a basic, "Silver" membership for every Xbox 360 owner; and removing Xbox Live's requiring a credit card to sign up for the full service.

On this side of the pond we forget -- credit cards aren't as compelling in a lot of places outside of the U.S. Here, we're protected. If you have a credit card swiped and used, you're maybe liable for around $50 (your Issuing bank might even waive that fee; though fixing your credit history and credit credibility may take a little more time). In Europe, you can be liable for anything spent on your stolen card; surprisingly, this has hindered adoption in the EU.

By allowing Xbox 360 Live subscription purchases by credit cards, cash, or other payment methods, Microsoft is poised to explode with the next version of the service in the 14-to-18-year-old demographic (maybe 12-to-18-year-old demographic) in the U.S., and even more overseas.

Great marketing/biz-dev move ...

4. Microsoft to offer Digital Pay-TV

Microsoft and Nagravision, the
"world's leading independent provider of value-added content protection solutions" will be making "cost-effective" products and services leveraging both MS and Nagravision products and services. This includes Windows XP Media Center Edition and related connected devices -- including the Xbox 360.

5. Another "Should-Probably-See" game trailer

What happens when the guys who made the Burnout series (Criterion Software) get bought by the biggest publisher (Electronic Arts), and apply their physics engine to an FPS? An amazing game slated for 2006 on the current Xbox.

Check out the trailer to Black -- "where the bullets are the heroes".

6. From brings mechs to Xbox 360

The folks who brought the Xbox the exclusive (and freaking gorgeous) Otogi games is bringing Chromehounds to the Xbox 360. From Software is also the mech developer of choice for Sony PlayStation 2 owners ...

7. My Xbox caught on fire!

Just a reminder.

8. Sonic is going next-gen

It was bound to happend, and I, for one, am happy. Slated for the character's 15th anniversary in 2006, Sega will be the developer and publisher of their mascot's entry on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

9. Origen Xbox 360

Could it be counting down to the announcement of Halo 3? Hmm, let's see: A hidden Latin phrase makes reference to "Elysium", which, besides being a reference to the Elysians Fields (where men favored by gods go after they bite it), is also, evidently (according to the Halo novels), the hometown where "John Spartan-117, aka Master Chief, grew up before being replaced with a flash clone in order to join the Spartan II program on Reach."

Also, the final "non-boss battle" of Halo 2 is against "Tartarus". Huh ...

10. My Xbox caught on fire!

Just in case you were waiting to read this entire blog before catching up on my woes, we're done. Time to get caught up.

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SOURCES: Gamespot.com, joystiq.com, kotaku.com, Xbox.com, IGN, GameInformer, Official XBox Magazine, CNN, gamesindustry.biz, and others.

Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming (Subscribe)

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

My Xbox caught on fire!; Halo 3?

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