It’s well known that Sony has been trying to use the PS3 to bolster the Blu-Ray DVD format in its bid to remain relevant in the audio visual market.

Microsoft has now made it very clear that it will not support Sony, with a company spokesperson stating emphatically that the XBOX 360 will never have a Blu-Ray drive.

In the high-definition DVD war, Microsoft has sided with the HD-DVD camp, offering an optional external HD-DVD drive for the XBOX 360 console, which can also be used on PCs (with some slight modifications).

Blu-Ray is currently winning the format wars. With 1.5 million Blu-Ray players in the hands of consumers, comprised of both PS3s and stand alone players, many say that HD-DVD is already dying with only 300,000 players in the mix, made up of both XBOX 360 HD-DVD players and stand alone players.

The co-president of the HD-DVD association attempted to bolster the HD-DVD format by saying that the game is still early and far from over. He continued by saying that Blockbuster’s decision to exclusively offer Blu-Ray titles “may be a factor” in the current popularity of Blu-Ray, but that HD-DVD discs and hardware are ultimately cheaper.

While it appears that Blu-Ray is a more popular format than HD-DVD, Microsoft has clearly taken a stand against Blu-Ray, and Sony.

If Blu-Ray does eventually become the dominant DVD format, it won’t be through Microsoft’s help.

Xbox 360 owners, are you ready to rock?

You can, now that the video-game sensation “Guitar Hero II” — once the exclusive domain of PlayStation 2 head-bangers — is available for your system. And it is sweet!

For Xbox 360 mavens who turned up their noses at something that wasn’t theirs and for the adult-contemporary masses, “Guitar Hero II” is the latest in a hugely popular series of rock-music games in which the player gets to be an ax god (or goddess). To further sell the concept, gamers wield a guitar-shaped controller that comes bundled with the premium version of the game.

It is possible to play “Guitar Hero II” with a standard video-game controller. It’s also possible to pluck “Stairway to Heaven” on a ukulele, but no one would like how that turns out, either.

The guitar controller has five fret buttons, a whammy bar and a strum bar, whose up-and-down action mimics a strumming motion. During a selected song, the player is prompted to hold down one or more fret buttons while pressing the strum bar to make the notes sound in sync with the music. For sustained notes, tugging on the whammy bar adds style and points.

Anyone can play, and the game is loads of fun, especially at parties. The “Guitar Hero” games are electrifying not only rocker wannabes in family rooms and basements, but also on college campuses and in nightclubs, where “Guitar Hero” Night is all the rage.

That reach should extend even further now that “Guitar Hero II” is out for the Xbox 360, one of the newer video-game systems. The game mechanics are unchanged from the version for the venerable PS2 — which makes the new release, like its predecessor, one of the best video games going.

The Xbox 360 version has all of the PS2 version’s 64 songs — some of which have to be earned or “purchased” in the game’s career-mode store — including Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil,” Rush’s “YYZ” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The new release adds 10 tracks, including Pearl Jam’s “Life Wasted,” Deep Purple’s “Hush” and Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.”

The new release sports a guitar controller that replicates the swank Gibson X-plorer vs. the PS2’s faux Gibson SG. Unfortunately, each system’s controllers are incompatible with the other. The Xbox 360 controller also adds an input for an apparently planned effects pedal.

Most importantly, the Xbox 360 version offers online content via Xbox Live, such as a leader board to compare scores with other players and downloads. Xbox Live players eventually should be able to purchase (for real) even more songs online and go head to head in virtual battles of the band.

Lest anyone feel left out, Activision/Red Octane reportedly is working on “Guitar Hero” games for the Nintendo Wii and DS and another PS2 version.

Rock on, dudes!

Xbox 360 coming to South Africa

We try not think about it too much since it brings tears to our eyes, but there are still countries in the world who don’t have access to Xbox 360 yet.Sad, but true.

Microsoft is doing its best to rectify the situation, announcing today that the premier next-gen console will be making its way to South Africa at midnight on Friday, 29 September 2006. Not be left out, 360 is also launching for the first time in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.

“We’re very excited to be bringing Xbox 360 to gamers in South Africa in time for the upcoming year-end holidays, when we expect to have sold 10 million consoles around the world,” said Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President for EMEA Home and Entertainment Division, Microsoft.

“South Africa is a country where the appetite for console gaming is growing in leaps and bounds – expanding to Africa allows us to build a successful business ecosystem for our partners, and to bring more gamers amazing next-generation gaming and entertainment experiences,” said Cindy White, South Africa Group Marketing Manager, Microsoft. “We’re committed to ensuring gamers in South Africa have a great Xbox 360 experience. To that end we’re taking steps so that a full portfolio of great games, tailored to appeal to local tastes, is available as well as accessories that complement the gaming experience.”

Welcome to the club, guys!

Xbox 360 releases over 125 new features to enhance next-generation gameplay and entertainment

 

Gamers ask and Xbox 360 delivers with revolutionary free upgrade for all Xbox 360 connected owners

 

Starting tomorrow, Xbox 360 gamers will be able to access a vigorous system-wide update creating a new pinnacle for next-generation gaming and entertainment.  The Xbox 360 spring update introduces more than 125 revolutionary features and enhancements adding to Xbox 360’s sheer power, stunning high-definition graphics, rich online capabilities and innovative media offerings delivering a digital gaming and entertainment experience that simply can’t be matched. 

 

Since the launch of Xbox 360 in November 2005, Microsoft has continuously focused on gamer and community feedback to determine further improvements and enhancements for the evolving next-generation experience, resulting in this inaugural mass update.  With more than half of all Xbox 360 gamers connected online, Xbox is further catering to its fans by delivering the spring update in the way they want it.  This free update will be digitally distributed over Xbox Live to all members (Xbox Live Silver and Gold) with no disc or hard drive required to take advantage of the plethora of new features.  Gamers without an Xbox Live account can easily sign up for the free network by connecting their console to a broadband internet connection.  Once online, downloading the update takes less than a minute and provides instant access to features including:

 

Xbox Live Marketplace Enhancements

·         New background download manager gives gamers the ability to queue up and download six high definition items at a time including playable game demos, Xbox Live Arcade games, music videos and movie trailers while actively playing games or browsing the dashboard.  As an added benefit, if gamers engage in multiplayer gameplay while downloads are in process, the new background download manager will automatically pause the download queue until the multiplayer session is complete ensuring a continuously optimal gameplay experience. 

·         Updated Xbox Live Marketplace menus makes it easier for players to find and store all of their gaming and entertainment content.  This includes the addition of new menus for media and entertainment content as well as enhanced menus making it easier for gamers to find what’s new in each section as well as a quick view at all downloads by category. 

·         Full remote control features for Xbox Live Marketplace videos allow gamers to fast forward and rewind at various speeds (2X-16X) during all videos downloaded from Marketplace.

 

Music Player Improvements

·         Custom background music now continues to play without interruption during game loads and when transitioning from game to game or disc content. 

·         During music play, the music playback screen now showcase the artist, song title and time remaining on the song along with a visualizer showing which song on the playlist or album is currently playing.

 

DVD Movie Playback Upgrades

·         DVD movie bookmarking now allows gamers to pause a movie at any point, put in a game for gameplay and return to the movie at the exact point it left off. 

·         Improved DVD movie playback for a smoother, higher quality viewing experience, including additional VGA support.

 

These features are just some of the new experiences gamers can expect on the system as part of this spring update.  For a list of additional new features and improvements, visit http://www.xbox.com/live . 

 

 

About Xbox and Xbox 360

Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox® (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video game and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries. Microsoft introduced its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, and launched the system in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com/xbox360) is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming network, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers.

 

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects millions of members across 24 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

We’ve been asked from quite a few of you for a comment about the recent “hacked” Xbox 360.  I got the official response for your perusal:

The core security system has not been broken. However, it is reported that the authentication protocol between the optical disc drive and the console may be attacked, which if accurate could allow people to play illegally copied games.  Our security team is aware of this and we are investigating potential solutions to this issue. The Xbox 360 platform was designed to be updated, and we are prepared to respond appropriately should any unauthorized activity be identified.

Everyone should keep in mind that Microsoft invests a great deal of time and effort to ensure that Xbox gamers enjoy the most powerful and exhilarating game experience available today. Genuine and unmodified Microsoft Xbox products provide gamers with the reliability, security, support and dynamic gaming experience that they expect.  Microsoft works with a large group of legitimate business partners to sell and service genuine Microsoft Xbox products. Microsoft does not authorize or support any products or companies that modify or change the Xbox console in any way.   

The first person shooter RPG BioShock will be released 2007 for the Xbox 360 and PC

In the current issue of Game Informer, there is a great cover story on the first person action-RPG from Irrational Games, titled BioShock.

The game takes place in the 1960’s in a massive underwater complex called Rapture, which was set up in the 1940’s as a sort of utopia.

Most of the action takes place in the complex where you have to deal with the citizens through interaction and of course fighting. As your progress through the game you can upgrade your characters items and skills in typical RPG fashion

A nice feature of the game includes the ability to make your own weapons and items through some sort of crafting system.

The game is due out for the PC and Xbox 360 (and maybe the PS3 and Nintendo Revolution?) in 2007.

We will have more information as it eventually becomes available.

Tecmo rings in New Year with next-gen fighter; DOA4 features online play, hidden content, and scrumptious scrappin’.

Between the unwrapping of gifts and popping of champagne bottles, fighting-game fans had one more reason to celebrate. Dead or Alive 4, Tecmo’s long-awaited and oft-delayed debut title for the Xbox 360, finally made it onto store shelves on December 29. The game was originally scheduled for release with the launch of the Xbox 360 on November 22, but was reassigned the vague release date of “2005″ for unspecified reasons.

The fighter continues the series’ tradition of variations of one-on-one hand-to-hand (and foot-to-face) combat, multitiered levels, and some easy-on-the-eyes gladiators. Gamers who want to reach out and touch a far-off friend with the heel of their virtual boot can now do so in the game’s online mode. Those who would rather settle their differences against a computer opponent can run through the game’s single-player story mode. The new roster of fighters includes a female Spartan warrior from the Halo franchise, who has her own fighting arena based on a level from Halo 2.

Though American gamers have long anticipated the Xbox 360’s first fighting game, DOA4 is expected to have its biggest impact in Japan. Sales of the 360 in the country, in contrast to North America, have been sluggish, largely in part to a thin launch lineup of available games. Microsoft is hoping that DOA4, developed by Tomonobu Itagaki’s Team Ninja, will kick-start Japanese sales of the next-gen console.

Three Pico Rivera, California store owners have been charged with violating copyright infringement and arrested yesterday for selling modified Xbox 360 consoles.  According to Gamasutra, the consoles featured a mod-chip which allowed them to play pirated, back-up video games stored on a 250GB hard drive, included with the installation:

“A criminal complaint filed in a Los Angeles federal court accuses Jason Jones, 34, Jonathan Bryant, 44, both of Los Angeles, and Pei “Patrick” Cai, 32, of Pico Rivera, Calif., of conspiring to traffic technology used to outwit a copyright protection system and conspire to commit criminal copyright infringement. The complaint affidavit alleges Jones and Bryant, who co-own the ACME Game Store in Los Angeles, sold Xbox game consoles, that Cai modified. The chips and hard drives apparently allowed the user to copy rented or borrowed games onto the consoles for future playback.Customers paid between $225 and $500 depending on the extent of the modifications requested and the number of games pre-loaded onto the hard drive. Cai would pick up game consoles to be modified from ACME Game Store, modify the systems at his home, and then return the game consoles to ACME Game Store to be picked up by ACME Game Store customers, law enforcement officials allege.”

It wouldn’t be surprising if we discovered later that the recent cracking of the Xbox 360 file system played a part in this modification scheme.  Hacking the Xbox 360 file system allowed code-crackers to illegally dump Xbox 360 games, though a mod-chip is required to play backups.  Perhaps of greater interest to gamers (and Microsoft) is how the Xbox 360 mod-chip emerged in the past few weeks.

Despite a disappointing showing in Japan with the original Xbox, it appears that Microsoft is making progress in establishing a presence with gamers in the Far East. A survey of Tokyo Game Show 2005 visitors indicated that interest in Microsoft’s Xbox 360 was higher than the Nintendo Revolution.

The report was conducted by the TGS host Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association (CESA), which found that 23 percent of surveyed visitors said they were looking forward to picking up the Xbox 360. While that figure doesn’t come close to that of Sony’s PlayStation 3, which caught the interest of 70 percent of surveyed showgoers, it did beat out Nintendo’s Revolution, which only garnered interest from 20.9 percent of those surveyed.

CESA’s report neglected to mention that the Xbox 360 was the only playable next-generation console during TGS 2005, which could well have factored into the survey’s results. Another likely influence on the figures was Nintendo’s unveiling of the gyroscopic Revolution controller during a TGS keynote speech.

The survey also revealed other figures that reflect the taste of Japanese hardcore gamers (or at least, the kind interested enough to visit a game show). When asked which currently available game machines they wanted, the top three picks were all new handhelds. The PSP ranked first with 35.7 percent of the surveyed gamers hoping to purchase it, followed by the Nintendo DS (13.7 percent) and Game Boy Micro (9.7 percent).

Nearly 60 percent of the surveyed visitors said that the body colors of game consoles are a “very” or “fairy” important factor. With multiple answers allowed, the top color of choice was black at 47 percent, followed by white (26.9 percent) and silver (23.5 percent). Surprisingly, color models based on old consoles such as the Famicom weren’t too popular, with only 10.2 percent reporting an interest in them.

Another peek at Japanese gamers’ attitudes toward the next generation of systems came earlier this year with a July survey conducted by marketing research company Infoplant. That survey showed 60 percent of polled Japanese gamers were most looking forward to the PlayStation 3, with 8 percent most eager for the Revolution, and only 2 percent reporting greatest interest in the Xbox 360.

CESA’s TGS 2005 survey was taken from a sample of 1,084 visitors between the ages of 10 to 49 (male: 80.4 percent, female: 19.6 percent). Detailed figures are available in CESA’s TGS 2005 visitor’s survey report, which is available at the organization’s official site.

Via GameSpot…

Media company IGN Entertainment’s GamerMetrics, a business intelligence tool that tracks the awareness and activity of over 25 million gamers using IGN’s websites, has ranked Microsoft’s Perfect Dark Zero, Tecmo’s Dead Or Alive 4, and Electronic Arts’ Madden NFL ‘06 as the most anticipated launch titles for Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 console, due for release in North America on November 22nd.

IGN specifically ranked only the launch titles by the amount amount of awareness they are generating with consumers seeking information about them, according to three of the firm’s largest video game web sites.

The survey authors also ranked titles by publisher, and when seen this way, Electronic Arts is leading the way with four of the top ten launch titles, Microsoft follows with three top ten titles. Sports games are the most popular genre, representing four of the top ten titles. Interestingly, Microsoft and Epic Games’ Gears of War, not a release title for Xbox 360, but expected to debut early in 2006, is currently the most anticipated Xbox 360 title overall.

The overall rankings are as follows:

1. Perfect Dark Zero (Microsoft)
2. Dead or Alive 4 (Tecmo)
3. Madden NFL 06 (Electronic Arts)
4. Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft)
5. Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
6. NBA Live 06 (Electronic Arts)
7. Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft)
8. Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
9. NBA 2K6 (2K Games)
10. FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup (Electronic Arts)
11. Peter Jackson’s King Kong (Ubisoft)
12. Quake 4 (Activision)
13. Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (Activision)
14. Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
15. Condemned: Criminal Origins (Sega)
16. Gun (Activision)
17. Amped 3 (2K Games)
18. NHL 2K6 (2K Games)

David Tokheim, Vice President of Marketing, IGN Entertainment, commented of the rankings: “Each console cycle brings a new set of challenges where understanding consumer behavior is critical towards future success. Exposing the awareness and purchase intent preferences of over 25 million potential customers allows game companies, retailers, analysts, and potential licensors a valuable source of information to guide their decision making process.”