Llama team's Rockstar-edition Xbox 360 mod [update 1]

by Vladimir Cole { May 18th 2006 at 2:15PM }

We've blogged about the Llama.com folks before, but we've got to give them props yet again for the tremendous job they did on their latest mod: a Rockstar-themed Xbox 360.

The wet-look paint job seen here gives the Xbox 360 some of the same glossy shine that contributes to the sex appeal of the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii consoles.

But this mod also makes us wonder why, in this age of candy-coated Apple products, manufacturers still dare to release dull, matte-skinned hunks of plastic that look more like boring old personal computers than fruits dropped from the forbidden tree of consumer technology.

[Update 1: fixed matte/matt error.]

Tags: hack, mod, xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Clint @ May 18th 2006 2:18PM

That looks like something Whitney Houston would cook crack in!

ncdign @ May 18th 2006 2:26PM

Note to Microsoft: Hire Llama.com to design your consoles.

martin @ May 18th 2006 2:29PM

The good thing about the alterations... You can tell when the system is on fire!

Just kidding. It looks pretty sweet, and it would have been better for M$ if they tried to go along with something like this (though I don't think clear is the answer for mass consumers).

SteveDaWonder @ May 18th 2006 2:33PM

I find it interesting how Nintendo is going for the small, sleek console and Xbox 360 and PS3 aren't. Does anyone know why?

It doesnt make a lot of sense to me, when everything is just getting smaller and smaller, and smaller.

EdZ @ May 18th 2006 2:34PM

"But this mod also makes us wonder why, in this age of candy-coated Apple products, manufacturers still dare to release dull, matt-skinned hunks of plastic that look more like boring old personal computers than fruits dropped from the forbidden tree of consumer technology."
Because... The shiny surfaces smudge and smear, and are more difficult to hold (not to mention become greasy much faster)? I'll take dull and funtional over flashy and inconveniant any day.

Canadian Geese @ May 18th 2006 2:36PM

Is that a new faceplate? ;-)

JodyAnthony @ May 18th 2006 2:38PM

"Because... The shiny surfaces smudge and smear, and are more difficult to hold"

uh, how often do you hold your consoles?

Jeff @ May 18th 2006 2:41PM

"Because... The shiny surfaces smudge and smear, and are more difficult to hold"

It's bigger than that.

The original post mentioned Apple - well, like it or not, Apple commands a 5% market share. They get a lot of the forward-thinkers, they get a lot of the press, but they don't sell a lot of PC's. True, the iPod is pretty popular, but do you really think it's popular because it's shiny and white? No, it's popular because it's a good product, in a lot of ways, is fully integrated with cross-platform software, and it's marketed well. It's fashionable, yes, but "fashionable" is a subjective term - and I would argue that this Xbox 360 certainly isn't that. There's more to making a product fashionable than just giving it a wet-look paint job.

So the route to success is to design products just nice enough to look the part, and just bland enough to be inoffensive. It's a balancing act.

But the main point is, sure, you can release a beautiful product with a ground-breaking design that captures the public's imagination. You could say the original iPod did that. Or the original Ford Taurus. Or the Palm Pilot. But it's rare, and most attempts at it drop with a thud. Most mass-market products are products that appeal to the broadest demographic, and that means a design that offends the least number of people.

Jose @ May 18th 2006 2:49PM

So does the insignia on the console mean that Rockstar's new title, Bully, will be released for the 360 (and perhaps PS3) as well as current generation consoles?

Sir Stank @ May 18th 2006 2:51PM

That's just as HOT as the Scarface Babe Roster!!!!!

jron @ May 18th 2006 2:54PM

"4. I find it interesting how Nintendo is going for the small, sleek console and Xbox 360 and PS3 aren't. Does anyone know why?"

Because Nintendo is using older/cheaper technology.

32_Footsteps @ May 18th 2006 2:55PM

First, at the risk of sounding shrill, the proper spelling of the word to indicate a surface that is less reflective is "matte", though it's pronounced like the thing you wipe your feet on.

As for the actual design of the casing... honestly, is it all that important? Sure, maybe the Llama team's 360 looks nicer than one fresh from the factory. But does it run any better? If it doesn't, then I'd rather just get one off the shelf.

Now, if that thing was a water-cooled monster that managed to boost performance, I wouldn't care if it looked like my sister's old Rainbow Brite doll; I'd buy it if I had the opportunity.

patrick @ May 18th 2006 3:02PM

dont you hate it when you get your unit all greasy?

Joe A. @ May 18th 2006 3:04PM

It's because people will whine and bitch if they pull the console out of the box and find it already scratched up.

iPod nano anyone?

Master 0f None @ May 18th 2006 3:08PM

@7: Take a look at the pics. They painted the controllers as well. They look mmm...pretty...until you touch them.

Art Guy @ May 18th 2006 3:12PM

Two things.

First, I personally think PC and 360 mods with the guts showing are tacky, they remind me of the late 80's when everything came in a "clear" version and electronics had neon lights inside. I had a phone like that, but I never bought "Crystal Clear Pepsi" because, well it was a ridiculous idea and I heard it tasted worse than radiator fluid. Mmm, radiator fluid... Anyways, it does look like they did a very professional job and I'm sure Rockstar will love it. It's just not my taste, to each their own.

Secondly, the place that made that mod isn't far from where I work. I really need to check it out one of these days.

Andrew @ May 18th 2006 3:19PM

i have to be the one to ask... so did they just void the warrenty?

specialty products to suit the needs of those who don't wish for the stock, or are just willing to buy the extra business if only for braging rights. Expanding on the demographics subjeted to the product.

BPM? @ May 18th 2006 3:22PM

Art Guy:

... I actually liked Crystal Pepsi...
And for that matter, Pepsi Blue, too...
Though, I hate regular Pepsi... Isn't that odd?

Back on topic...
That is pretty cool... but I just don't care for the color orange that much... give me blue any day.

Prof-KOS @ May 18th 2006 3:23PM

Is the paint heat tested?

That was low-brow I admit, but easy. It looks great. These guys do great work. It looks like they're going to do Wii and PS3 too when they get their hands on them. I look forward to seeing the results of future products. I don't know that I'd buy one, but I'd look.

oldhat @ May 18th 2006 3:24PM

April called, it wants.... oh hell never mind. I guess it's a slow day when you have to post old news.

"matt" WTF? It's "matte". How much do you guys get paid to write like this?

David @ May 18th 2006 3:26PM

Lots more pictures from all angles here

http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/news/Custom_Modded_Xbox_360_for_Rock_Star_Games.htm

Nathan @ May 18th 2006 3:29PM

This was on Digg a few weeks ago. Thanks for the fresh news! Anyway, the build quality is nice, it's just too bad they chose to theme it after a second-rate developer like Rockstar.

Fenris @ May 18th 2006 3:31PM

All I want is a plain BLACK one. The freaking white looks way out of place with my other components.

I thought MS's thing was all about choice.

I choose black.

brian fantana @ May 18th 2006 3:41PM

uh, how often do you hold your consoles?

How often do you put games in?

Kevin D @ May 18th 2006 4:03PM

I wouldn't want that in my entertainment center because in my greatroom in a 1/2 mil $$ house, this would look GHETTO... 12 Yr old white kids may want to look ghetto, but most adults dont want ghetto, hence the name...LOL...

Thats why...

And glossy does show every fingerprint terribly and most likely will scratch easily...

As for the finish it is pronounced MATT, even though its spelled 'matte'. Father used to own painting firm years ago. Theres also eggshell, flat etc etc...

Peace out....

Gary @ May 18th 2006 4:25PM

I think the mod looks fantastic but I get prickly when I see consoles treated more and more like a pc.

I don't want the inherent advantages of console gaming to blur or diminish. Console gaming should be cheap (relative to pc gaming) and fun! Add-on drives, modifications and tiered hardware give me the pc willies.

vc @ May 18th 2006 5:21PM

Thanks for the numerous corrections of matt/matte. Fixed it.

vc @ May 18th 2006 5:22PM

Oldhat: The mod was created and posted on May 3rd by Llama. This can't be April's news. Negative star for j00!

vc @ May 18th 2006 6:35PM

David: we link to that URL twice in the post. Did you notice?

Monkiavelli @ May 18th 2006 7:25PM

@Art Guy: LOL (really). My first thought was "I had that phone!" Whenever I think of the neon phase of the 80s the first thing I think of is that phone. Clear + Neon + Flashing lights. I think I still have it sitting around somewhere. We haven't yet reached the stage where that's retro yet, but I fear it's coming soon.

(Oh, Crystal Pepsi was a stupid idea, but as a soda it wasn't all that bad.)

Anyway, hit the link below... is that your phone? This one's really similar to the model I had... although I have to admit that, even in the throes of the color-blind 80s, I wouldn't have add a bright red cord to it. Maybe that was the reason for the spread of neon... neon colors just don't go with any other colors. So you get one hip neon geegaw and suddenly everything else has to be neon to match...

Monkiavelli @ May 18th 2006 7:28PM

Err, forgot the link to the phone. Here it is.

iDSX @ May 18th 2006 7:42PM

Would someone care to explain to me what is up with businesses and llamas? I?ve seen them mentioned a lot in SimCity games, Jimmy Neutron, This, and other places

Raikage @ May 18th 2006 8:02PM

I don't really like RS but the color is nice. (about the matte finish... how often to you stroke your...wait...maybe you do touch your box...Alot...I won't go there...)I also like the Llama (nice touch...Now only if it made a llama moo(or whatever llamas do)everytime you walk by it) And if Clear Pepsi was running trough tubes and was keeping it cool and providing a tasty beverage on tap...or beer for your beer fans...I am soooo copywriting that...

David @ May 18th 2006 8:57PM

mmm I guess I don't usually click on the pictures so I didn't see that link, but I didn't see any 'Read' Link in the post either so I posted the link to the full set.

Lt Vadali @ May 18th 2006 9:27PM

Yay Llamma.

Murc @ May 19th 2006 1:10AM

For those of you who wich the 360 was Black & Shiny...It will cost you an extra $40...but it sure looks puuurty.

http://www.divineo.cn/cgi-bin/div-cn/360-xcmfcb.html

Joe Smith @ May 19th 2006 1:52AM

I saw teh PS3 at E3, and if you think the shiny blcak surface make sit sleek, you didn't see the same whale-lik emonstrosity I did. The Wii is sleek -- and kind of friendly looking too. The Sony is just big and ugly. The shiny black looks really cheap.

Nintendo Wii @ May 19th 2006 8:38AM

I like this kind of thing. I own a alienware computer and its worth the extra $500 for the same specs.

I just love to show off ;),
NW

Art Guy @ May 19th 2006 12:41PM

Monkiavelli - Yup, that the same one! Mine had all red internal parts, but otherwize identical. I did like the fact that it lit up, great for when I had my music up really loud. I used mine all the way through college, now it's just sitting in a box in my closet.

I prefer electronics with a nice clean look. All three next gen systems seem to get that. The first Xbox was UGLY with all the dust trapping lines on the top of it. I think the PS3 would look really nice and sleek if there had never been a Foreman Grill. It has clean lines, but just reminds me too much of the grill. Hopefully I'll feel differently once I see the final units in person.