Joystiq

Not content with merely launching the Xbox 360 in local game stores, the South African and somewhat fidgety arm of Microsoft also shoved the next-gen console into the spotlight at rAge -- that's a really awesome acronym for "Really Awesome Gaming Event." The annual show provides a rare opportunity for South African gamers to gather en masse, play games, discuss trends, purchase goods and generally complain about ineffectual airconditioning. What better place to erect snazzy stands and lure uncertain gamers into a nexus of high-definition visuals and inescapable green lighting? Indeed, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to convince uncertain gamers as to the overwhelming and decidedly monstrous power of the Xbox 360.

Perhaps it was the fuzzy graphics, odd aspect ratios and the indecipherable text that gave it away, but it became abundantly clear that those lovely HD visuals were being strangled by a hissing composite cable. A quick inspection of all the consoles revealed a disturbing truth -- Core systems running at a paltry 480i, the mistake magnified for all to see on Samsung LCD screens. Stranger still was the fact that neighboring booths managed to get it right. Both EA and a prominent local distributor had correctly configured Xbox 360s, showing more adherence to the ubiquitous HD marketing than even Microsoft themselves. How did that happen?