Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft: 10 million Kinect units, Kinect games sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/microsoft-10-million-kinect-units-kinect-games-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/microsoft-10-million-kinect-units-kinect-games-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/microsoft-10-million-kinect-units-kinect-games-sold/#comments Xbox bigwig Aaron Greenberg tweeted today that Microsoft has sold 10 million Kinect units and 10 million Kinect games. The news comes a little over a month after Microsoft announced it had sold 8 million units.

The sales pace of the Kinect isn't just fast, it's apparently record breaking. Guinness World Records announced today that the Kinect is the "Fastest-Selling Consumer Electronic Device" of all time. The device sold an average of 133,333 units per day in its first 60 days (starting Nov. 4, 2010). Shockingly, the pace was reportedly faster than that of the iPhone or iPad for the equivalent period.

JoystiqMicrosoft: 10 million Kinect units, Kinect games sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergkinectmicrosoftsalesxboxWed, 09 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance Central and Kinect Sports sell 1 million each in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/#comments Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg has called Kinect launch titles Dance Central and Kinect Sports "breakout hits" for the publisher, announcing that each has accounted for one million units in US sales. Globally, the Kinect device has already achieved 8 million units shipped.

During Kinect's November launch month, Dance Central just missed making the top ten in US game sales for the month and was trailed by the Rare-developed Kinect Sports and Ubisoft's Your Shape: Fitness Evolved among the bestselling Kinect titles. Harmonix's dance game also just missed landing among our top ten games of 2010.

JoystiqDance Central and Kinect Sports sell 1 million each in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenbergdance-centralHarmonixkinectkinect-sportsmicrosoftNPDRaresalesxboxFri, 14 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: Kinect sales won't depend on review scores]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/greenberg-kinect-sales-wont-depend-on-review-scores/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/greenberg-kinect-sales-wont-depend-on-review-scores/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/greenberg-kinect-sales-wont-depend-on-review-scores/#comments Speaking to Eurogamer, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg said that he expects Kinect to sell more units during its launch period than the Wii did when it launched in 2006. "We'll definitely sell more sensors than the Wii sold when it launched or the Xbox 360 sold when it launched," said Greenberg, though he doesn't necessarily believe that sales will be dependent on high review scores. He noted that Kinect offers "different types of titles and experiences" than what most core users are used to.

"The correlation between a review score for Halo: Reach and sales is very high, but Kinect Sports is more about just having fun," said Greenberg, adding that Microsoft would certainly like to see high review scores, though he doesn't expect "the same type of correlation between reviews and actual sales of the game." Greenberg's comments echo similar comments from EA's Peter Moore last year, when he stated that casual Wii game sales are more dependent on Amazon user reviews than Metacritic.

Check out the whole interview for Greenberg's thoughts on Steel Batallion, Black Ops versus Halo: Reach and PlayStation Move, which he doesn't see as direct competition for Kinect

JoystiqGreenberg: Kinect sales won't depend on review scores originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergKinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftxboxFri, 29 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: Xbox 360 was top-selling console for fourth month in a row]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/14/greenberg-xbox-360-was-top-selling-console-for-fourth-month-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/14/greenberg-xbox-360-was-top-selling-console-for-fourth-month-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/14/greenberg-xbox-360-was-top-selling-console-for-fourth-month-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that the NPD has decreed our mere mortal minds are unfit to handle hardware sales figures, we're tasked with finding information from alternative sources -- wait, what's this? Aaron Greenberg just tweeted that the Xbox 360 bested the competition for the fourth month in a row? Search: complete.

Consider it the Halo: Reach bump. Previously, the Xbox 360 enjoyed three months of strong sales thanks to a hardware refresh, but Bungie's 343 Industries' franchise has been known to move consoles, so it's no surprise Microsoft dominated September. Greenberg elaborated in his following tweet that Microsoft sold 483,989 hardware units in September, "a 37% increase over last year." He also claimed the console is the only system with higher sales year-over-year.

So help us settle a bet: how many of you picked up the special edition Reach console?

JoystiqGreenberg: Xbox 360 was top-selling console for fourth month in a row originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergBungieBungie-StudioshaloHalo-ReachmicrosoftnpdxboxThu, 14 Oct 2010 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect bundled with slim 4GB Xbox 360 Arcade for $300, new console for $200 in August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-bundled-with-slim-4gb-xbox-360-arcade-for-300-new-conso/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-bundled-with-slim-4gb-xbox-360-arcade-for-300-new-conso/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-bundled-with-slim-4gb-xbox-360-arcade-for-300-new-conso/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In addition to Kinect retail pricing, Microsoft announced a brand-new Xbox console: a 4GB Xbox 360 "slim" meant to replace the Xbox 360 Arcade SKU. "It will go on sale August 3rd in North America," Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "and later in the month of August around the world." This $200 console will sport the same new look as the Xbox 360 slim, "except it will have a matte finish," Greenberg said. Though there are currently no Xbox 360 hard drives on the market that support the new "slim" form factor, Greenberg told us that this 4GB unit "absolutely does have that expansion bay that we have the opportunity to use in the future." Between 16GB USB thumb drives and 4GB of internal storage, the entry-level Xbox is more attractive than ever.

Microsoft also detailed a Kinect bundle, featuring the aforementioned 4GB Xbox 360 along with the Kinect sensor and Kinect Adventures for $300. "We think this is really a tremendous value," Greenberg said. "We believe the launch of this product is going to be driving a whole new series of new consumers into the Xbox 360 family."

Hoping for another game besides Kinect Adventures in your bundle? Greenberg noted that Kinect Adventures is it for bundles. "We feel like that's really the perfect title to include [...] It's got the great jump-in, jump-out multiplayer gameplay as well." The $300 Xbox 360 Kinect bundle will be available alongside standalone $150 Kinect sensors at retailers on November 4th.

Update: @AceyBongos (think Major Nelson, but with an accent) just let Twitter know that the European prices are "149.99 Euro for the camera + Kinect Adventures, 299.99 Euro for the 4GB console bundle." Some quick Google math puts those prices at roughly $200 and $390, respectively.
Update 2: The UK prices are £129.99 for the Kinect and £249.99 for the bundle, as reported by Yahoo UK.

Gallery: 4GB Xbox 360 (standalone and Kinect bundle)

Continue reading Kinect bundled with slim 4GB Xbox 360 Arcade for $300, new console for $200 in August

JoystiqKinect bundled with slim 4GB Xbox 360 Arcade for $300, new console for $200 in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergKinectmicrosoftxboxXbox-360-ArcadeXbox-360-Slim-ArcadeTue, 20 Jul 2010 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect priced at $150, includes Kinect Adventures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-priced-at-150-includes-kinect-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-priced-at-150-includes-kinect-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-priced-at-150-includes-kinect-adventures/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kinect retail box
The question of Kinect pricing is over ... insomuch as there was any question. As was widely assumed - and widely listed on retailers, from GameStop to Microsoft itself - the Xbox's newfangled motion-sensing camera will retail for $149.99 this fall.

There's also an answer regarding the pricing of Kinect retail software. While most stores have been listing Kinect software for the usual $60 Xbox asking price, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "All of our Kinect retail games, from a first-party standpoint - Kinectimals, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joy Ride - will all be retailing for $49." Microsoft later followed up, letting us know that Dance Central, Harmonix's Kinect-powered rhythm game (and arguably the most well-received title in Microsoft's Kinect launch lineup) will also match the $50 first-party pricing.

That $149.99 hardware price also comes with a copy of Kinect Adventures, the casual title from Microsoft's Good Science Studio, formerly known as SpawnPoint Studios. Microsoft promises that those who pre-order Kinect or the $300 Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle "today" will "receive a token to download three exclusive game levels for Kinect Adventures." Before you get to that, why not let us know where you stand in our highly scientific poll?

Update: @AceyBongos (think Major Nelson, but with an accent) just let Twitter know that the European prices are "149.99 Euro for the camera + Kinect Adventures, 299.99 Euro for the 4GB console bundle." Some quick Google math puts those prices at roughly $200 and $390, respectively. Update 2: The UK prices are £129.99 for the Kinect and £249.99 for the bundle, as reported by Yahoo UK.

View Poll


Gallery: Kinect (retail)

JoystiqKinect priced at $150, includes Kinect Adventures originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergKinectKinect-AdventuresmicrosoftpricingxboxTue, 20 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Project Milo' team about 50 strong; 'product' not coming this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/project-milo-team-about-50-strong-product-not-coming-this-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/project-milo-team-about-50-strong-product-not-coming-this-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/project-milo-team-about-50-strong-product-not-coming-this-h/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pictured here we see the "Project Milo Team" hard at work, according to a TweetPhoto posted by Lionhead Studios' Sam Van Tilburgh today. Van Tilburgh's proof comes in response to comments made by Aaron Greenberg about the status of Lionhead's Milo & Kate project in a video clip (see 0:41 mark) posted on the Australia-based ABC "Good Game" site. "Obviously, that's a tech demo -- and technology -- that continues to exist, but right now it's not a game that we're planning to bring to market," Greenberg said of Milo in the brief clip.

While Van Tilburgh could not openly comment to Joystiq on the assumption (based on Greenberg's statement) that Milo could remain a non-retail tech demo, he did clarify, "There's about 50 people on the 'Project Milo Team'" (which would seem an unlikely number of staff and apparent resources to devote to a mere demo).

Van Tilburgh deferred to Greenberg, who tweeted this official statement today: "Project Milo absolutely continues in development at Lionhead Studios, it is just not a product we plan to bring to market this holiday." While carefully worded, Greenberg's statement suggests that Milo, in some shape or form, is likely to be integrated into a retail product in the future.

Just last week, Lionhead head Peter Molyneux teased that there was "a very interesting reason" why the updated Milo & Kate demo was not shown to media outlets during E3. Could it be that Molyneux is saving the big reveal for his scheduled TED talk? Probably not -- but the "game changing" designer will be lecturing about his "astonishing virtual friend" on Tuesday, July 13. Hopefully, he'll start to Kinect some of the dots.

Joystiq'Project Milo' team about 50 strong; 'product' not coming this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergKinectLionhead-StudiosmicrosoftMiloMilo-and-KatePeter-MolyneuxProject-MiloSam-Van-TilburghTEDxboxTue, 29 Jun 2010 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Aaron Greenberg, on Kinect core games, flailing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/interview-aaron-greenberg-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/interview-aaron-greenberg-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/interview-aaron-greenberg-interview/#comments
 Can you tell us about the decision to have these two separate events and what the Natal event is really supposed to accomplish from a media perspective, that tomorrow's press conference won't be able to do?

For us, this is a really special year. It was ten years ago that we unveiled the original Xbox and this is actually my tenth, and our tenth, E3. It's the beauty of our business. This will be the biggest year in the history of Xbox and really as we thought about E3, we've never had this much to share at one E3 as we do this year. We've taken a very non-traditional approach to E3. I think with what we're doing with Natal and working with Cirque du Soleil to bring that to life is a whole new way to tell a story.

Continue reading Interview: Aaron Greenberg, on Kinect core games, flailing

JoystiqInterview: Aaron Greenberg, on Kinect core games, flailing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenberge3-2010Project-NatalMon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg promises surprises from first-year Natal games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/greenberg-promises-surprises-from-first-year-natal-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/greenberg-promises-surprises-from-first-year-natal-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/greenberg-promises-surprises-from-first-year-natal-games/#commentsAaron Greenberg, product manager for Xbox Live and Xbox 360, told Edge magazine (excerpted by CVG) to expect a wide variety of games in Project Natal's lineup. Well, actually, the way he puts it, you can't expect it: "I think people will be surprised even in the first year by the variety of experiences you'll get," he said, also noting that the company has "thought out the portfolio years in advance." We'll be able to evaluate the variety of that early lineup at Microsoft's E3 Natal event, according to previous statements made by the company.

Seemingly transforming into Bizarro Reggie, Greenberg went on to channel the Nintendo promoter's gift of gab as he espoused the wonders of the Natal platform. "The beauty of Natal is that it brings you, male or female, young or old, an experience that everyone can enjoy," he said. "Whether it's gaming experiences or lifestyle experiences, everything we're doing in the design is about thinking of a way anyone can step in front of it and be able to use it in a matter of seconds."

JoystiqGreenberg promises surprises from first-year Natal games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergbizarro-reggiecasual-gameslaunchMicrosoftmotion-controlproject-natalXbox-360Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg explains why 360 won't get internet browser]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/greenberg-explains-why-360-wont-get-internet-browser/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/greenberg-explains-why-360-wont-get-internet-browser/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/greenberg-explains-why-360-wont-get-internet-browser/#comments Speaking to Edge, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg helped explain just why the Xbox will never, ever get its own web browser. According to Greenberg, browsing the web on a television makes for a "poor" experience. Instead, "The real magic," said Greenberg, "is to take those web experiences and optimize them for the living room." He listed the Xbox implementation of Netflix as an example -- the Xbox also has similar Twitter, Last.fm and Facebook apps -- and said that attempting to browse the web on a PS3 is "an absolute nightmare."

Said Greenberg, "No disrespect, there's things I love about the PS3, but that's not one of them." He added that Microsoft wants the Xbox online experience "to be fun and optimized for the living room," and that the company will continue to expand on its applications in order to "get more richness."

Of course, all of this skirts the main issue: Is an Xbox web browser worth dealing with Internet Explorer?

[Via CVG]

JoystiqGreenberg explains why 360 won't get internet browser originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergweb-browserxboxxbox-360Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Aaron Greenberg talks Xbox 1 Live shutdown, hard drives, and Games on Demand]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/interview-aaron-greenberg-talks-xbox-1-live-shutdown-hard-driv/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/interview-aaron-greenberg-talks-xbox-1-live-shutdown-hard-driv/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/interview-aaron-greenberg-talks-xbox-1-live-shutdown-hard-driv/#commentsIf you thought the jam-packed Xbox lineup on display at the X10 event was exciting for you, imagine being one of the people in charge of it. Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg got to watch reactions to the lineup at the event all day -- except, of course, for the time he took out to speak to us about the crowded game schedule, Project Natal, and more.

Greenberg remained genial even when faced with familiar questions about the ramifications of the removal of Xbox 1 Live support, and with random, odd questions generated from Joystiq's interview brainstorming session, such as:

Joystiq: Can you make Kudo in Kodu?

Aaron Greenberg: What?

I don't know. Don't worry about it.

Does not compute.

Continue reading Interview: Aaron Greenberg talks Xbox 1 Live shutdown, hard drives, and Games on Demand

JoystiqInterview: Aaron Greenberg talks Xbox 1 Live shutdown, hard drives, and Games on Demand originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250gbaaron-greenberginterviewMicrosoftproject-natalx10xbox-1Xbox-360xbox-liveFri, 12 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: No plans for 250GB Xbox hard drive outside of bundles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/greenberg-no-plans-for-250gb-xbox-hard-drive-outside-of-bundles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/greenberg-no-plans-for-250gb-xbox-hard-drive-outside-of-bundles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/greenberg-no-plans-for-250gb-xbox-hard-drive-outside-of-bundles/#commentsIf you've been downloading demos and premium themes at a furious pace in anticipation of an upcoming 250GB hard drive for Xbox 360, you may want to rethink your data footprint. Speaking to Joystiq yesterday at X10, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Product Manager Aaron Greenberg told us that the 250GB hard drive is likely to remain exclusive to limited-edition bundles.

"We did it with the Modern Warfare bundle, which, as people know, was a huge success, completely sold out," he reminded us. "We're excited to bring it back with the limited edition Final Fantasy bundle." Greenberg said that the limited nature of the bigger drive is "part of what makes it special."

Greenberg also mentioned that much of the Xbox 360's functionality, like Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter, and even the Zune Video Marketplace, doesn't require storing big files on the hard drive. "That said, we understand that game demos, a lot of the game add-on content does take up space."

"We're always evaluating," he said, "but for now we feel like the 120 is serving us very well as the standard offering, and then having the 250 as a limited edition is a good balance." Keep some space in your browser cache free for our full interview with Greenberg.

JoystiqGreenberg: No plans for 250GB Xbox hard drive outside of bundles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250gb250gb-hddaaron-greenbergfinal-fantasy-xiiiMicrosoftspecial-editionXbox-360Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox's Greenberg questions demand for at-home 3D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/xboxs-greenberg-questions-demand-for-at-home-3d/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/xboxs-greenberg-questions-demand-for-at-home-3d/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/xboxs-greenberg-questions-demand-for-at-home-3d/#comments Over the course of this year's CES, it was easy to get swept up in the fervor around 3D technology. Not Microsoft's Xbox team lead Aaron Greenberg though -- in speaking with G4TV, Greenberg said he thinks "there's a lot of challenges about 3D in the living room." To Greenberg, it's not a question of technology (or lack thereof) that's holding back 3D, it's the home environment. "I don't know about you, but when I play games or watch TV, I've got my phone, I've got all kinds of things going on. I get up, I get down, I'm looking outside at the weather and it's ... I'm not in a dark theater, wearing glasses, staring at a screen. I think it's just a different environment."

This isn't to say Microsoft isn't flexible when it comes to consumer demand -- quite the contrary! "As consumer interest for 3D grows, we'll grow with it," Greenberg admitted. "I think right now we're unsure what level of interest there is from consumers to really want a 3D experience in the living room."

Currently, only a handful of games ( Avatar, Invicible Tiger, and upcoming XBLA racer Scrap Metal, to name a few) support 3D on Microsoft's console. "If it becomes really important and people want to do more with it, we're absolutely happy to support it," Greenberg assured. Of course, with plenty of resources currently invested in the development and launch of Project Natal and its motion-based technology, Microsoft certainly has incentive to keep interest in 3D at arm's length.

JoystiqXbox's Greenberg questions demand for at-home 3D originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d-games3dtvaaron-greenbergavatarbusinesscesces-2010microsoftproject-natalscrap-metalxblaXbox-360Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Natal focus on 'brand-new experiences' not 'little Natal components']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/project-natal-focus-on-brand-new-experiences-not-little-natal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/project-natal-focus-on-brand-new-experiences-not-little-natal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/project-natal-focus-on-brand-new-experiences-not-little-natal/#comments With the news that Project Natal would offload the image processing to the Xbox console - as opposed to handling those duties in hardware on the device itself - and consume as much as 10 to 15 percent of the console's overall "computing resources," we became concerned that the potential for "supplemental" input in core games would be blunted. When asked what percentage of the Project Natal-enabled games in development would be Natal-exclusive as opposed to Natal-enhanced titles, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "Our focus is on most if not all them will fall into that category of completely unique, brand-new experiences for Natal."

"We're going to manage the portfolio very carefully and our focus is going to be on bringing completely brand new original experiences to the market when we launch Natal," Greenberg said. "We're not looking at just adding little Natal components to games, we're looking at how do we actually bring an entirely new category of controller-free games and entertainment to the market so I think that's where we will continue to focus."

But that doesn't mean that other developers aren't able to supplement their game's input with Natal controls. After the release this holiday, "developers will have that out there at their fingertips if they want to enable those features," Greenberg told us. "But I can't speak to what that means from a game development standpoint. As far as I'm aware, there's no real sacrifice." But Greenberg wasn't just talking up "new games" and "new ways to navigate" the console, but Microsoft is mysteriously promising "new entertainment-like experiences that will be enabled" because of the new interface.

With the "focus" on "controller-free games" and not just adding "little Natal components to games" we're left wondering how Peter Molyneux's Fable 3 - which he confirmed will have Natal support - will implement that support. With a 2010 launch for both Fable 3 and Project Natal, we expect it will be one of the device's bellwether games.

JoystiqProject Natal focus on 'brand-new experiences' not 'little Natal components' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenbergcesces-2010microsoftProject-NatalXbox-360Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: 'millions of Natals in consumer's homes this holiday']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/greenberg-millions-of-natals-in-consumers-homes-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/greenberg-millions-of-natals-in-consumers-homes-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/greenberg-millions-of-natals-in-consumers-homes-this-holiday/#comments Discussing specifics of the company's forthcoming Project Natal, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "We think that there will be millions of Natals in consumer's homes this holiday." To put that number into context, Microsoft sold 2.3m Xbox 360 consoles and Nintendo sold 1.7m copies of Wii Fit with bundled Balance Board in the US during the months of November and December, 2008.

"Millions" of Natal units in a single holiday season is certainly an ambitious goal and one usually out of reach of most video game peripherals; however, Project Natal will be released with more than a year of hype behind it, not unlike the highly anticipated Wii Fit. With more than 39 million Xboxes worldwide, there's certainly a large enough platform footprint, and Greenberg (re)assures us that Project Natal will work on every Xbox 360 released to date, whether a hard drive is present or not. "As far as I'm aware, there is no requirement for a hard drive," Greenberg said.

There is a 50mb software package that powers some of Natal's magic, which raises concerns that original Xbox 360 Arcade units wouldn't have the storage availability to use Natal. Greenberg assuaged our concerns, reminding us of Microsoft's NXE outreach, offering a free 512mb Memory Unit or a discounted hard drive. "It's kind of like the digital TV conversion you know, [subsidizing] the box," Greenberg said. "We did that with the New Xbox Experience because it did require some space and so we feel like now we're in an environment where we feel like we're fine."

JoystiqGreenberg: 'millions of Natals in consumer's homes this holiday' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergCESCES-2010MicrosoftNGEProject-NatalXbox-360Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Details, limitations of Xbox 360 Mediaroom 2.0 IPTV support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/details-limitations-of-xbox-360-mediaroom-2-0-iptv-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/details-limitations-of-xbox-360-mediaroom-2-0-iptv-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/details-limitations-of-xbox-360-mediaroom-2-0-iptv-support/#comments Three years after being unveiled at CES, Microsoft's Mediaroom software is finally coming to Xbox 360 (in the form of Mediaroom 2.0) "later this year" thanks to AT&T's U-verse service. But, that's all the details we had. Until today, when we spoke with Xbox's Aaron Greenberg as well as a Mediacenter spokesperson on the show floor who, between the two of them, managed to answer most of our questions.

First, we asked Greenberg to explain the three-year delay between the technology's 2007 debut and this announcement. "Well, the technology that we showed [in 2007] was brand new and showing that it worked," Greenberg said. "What we then did was we went out to the IPTV content providers and said, 'Hey, now this is an option for you.'" And that option was, of course, to use the Xbox 360 to deliver IPTV content. Greenberg said, "So the technology works ... the Xbox 360 can serve as a set-top box, be a DVR, and run Mediaroom." But not so fast! We got a tour of the service and found a few disappointing shortcomings to that nominally appealing feature-set.

Continue reading Details, limitations of Xbox 360 Mediaroom 2.0 IPTV support

JoystiqDetails, limitations of Xbox 360 Mediaroom 2.0 IPTV support originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergATTCESCES-2010IPTVMediaroom-2MicrosoftU-verseXbox-360Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: Crackdown 2 coming first half of 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/21/greenberg-crackdown-2-coming-first-half-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/21/greenberg-crackdown-2-coming-first-half-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/21/greenberg-crackdown-2-coming-first-half-of-2010/#comments On Major Nelson's weekly podcast -- with a host left laughing and teary-eyed due to the Xbox head's dental-related lisp -- Aaron Greenberg did some NPD boasting before ruminating on the first half of 2010. After pointing out Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, and Alan Wake, he confirmed Crackdown 2 as part of Microsoft's list of "triple-A, exclusive" titles heading to the Xbox 360 during "the first half of the year."

"Those are just the exclusives, that doesn't include Final Fantasy ... there's no way we had a first half of the year like that last year," Greenberg added. The back end of the upcoming year is no slouch either in his eyes, with Halo Reach and Fable 3 said to be on schedule for launch in the Fall. Considering the first Crackdown's February release date, we're hoping for a similarly timed release of the sequel (just in time for its third birthday!). We've followed up with Greenberg and will update this post if we hear more.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (11/24/09)

JoystiqGreenberg: Crackdown 2 coming first half of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010aaron-greenbergActionCrackdownCrackdown-2halo-reachMicrosoftrelease-dateRiot-Act-2Ruffian-GamesSandboxsplinter-cell-convictionXbox-360Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Greenberg depicts theoretical November without MW2 as 'very different']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/microsofts-greenberg-depicts-theoretical-november-without-mw2-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/microsofts-greenberg-depicts-theoretical-november-without-mw2-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/microsofts-greenberg-depicts-theoretical-november-without-mw2-a/#commentsIt's no secret that the Xbox 360 received the lion's share of Modern Warfare 2 purchases during last month's retail blitz and Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg certainly knows it, telling us not too long ago that it was the "best November ever" for the console. So when G4TV recently asked Greenberg how a theoretical November 2009 without Modern Warfare 2 launching would have looked for the company in terms of console sales, we weren't shocked to see the Xbox exec say, "November without Modern Warfare 2 would have looked very different."

Besides the MW2-branded Xbox 360's effect on overall console sales ("hundreds of thousands," he claims), Greenberg guesses "we would have probably sold less consoles ... to be honest." In his eyes, MW2's launch was "an event" that convinced consumers to purchase the game over not just other games, but also over "buying an iPod or instead of going to a movie." Considering the game got its own branded drink -- though not the branded drink -- we think it's clear that the game has nearly reached Independence Day status.

JoystiqMicrosoft's Greenberg depicts theoretical November without MW2 as 'very different' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergactivisionbusinesscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2infinity-wardMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2salesXbox-360Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox's Aaron Greenberg talks 'best-ever November in Xbox 360 history']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/xboxs-aaron-greenberg-talks-best-ever-november-in-xbox-360-his/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/xboxs-aaron-greenberg-talks-best-ever-november-in-xbox-360-his/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/xboxs-aaron-greenberg-talks-best-ever-november-in-xbox-360-his/#comments After two months of trailing the PS3 in monthly NPD sales - thanks in no small part to the success of the PS3 Slim - the Xbox 360 has taken the lead once again. And Microsoft was quick to offer spokesman Aaron Greenberg for a chat, to explain why they're calling this November the "best-ever November in Xbox 360 history."

"In the month of November, consumers spent more money at retail on Xbox 360 than they did on the Wii or the PS3," Greenberg tells Joystiq. "If you look at total consumer spend across hardware, software, and accessories, it was $838 million. And if you look at software games, specifically third-party software games, we sold more games than the PS3 and the Wii combined." This emphasis on the entire "ecosystem" - including console sales, and software and accessories - is behind Microsoft's "best-ever" claim. In fact, though the Xbox 360 did sell over 100K more units than the PlayStation 3, console sales were down 2% year-over-year.

"We're essentially flat, year over year. It's down 2%, technically, if you just look at hardware sales," Greenberg admits. Whether the Wii was on top or whether Microsoft's November sales are the best in the console's history, all comes down to a question of focus. "What scoreboard are you using?" Greenberg asks.

Continue reading Xbox's Aaron Greenberg talks 'best-ever November in Xbox 360 history'

JoystiqXbox's Aaron Greenberg talks 'best-ever November in Xbox 360 history' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergMicrosoftNGENPDXbox-360Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza 3 sales surpass 1m units; premium DLC released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/forza-3-sales-surpass-1-million-units-premium-dlc-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/forza-3-sales-surpass-1-million-units-premium-dlc-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/forza-3-sales-surpass-1-million-units-premium-dlc-released/#comments
[Paul J. Taylor]
Since its late October launch, Forza 3 has sped into over 1 million homes worldwide, marking a commercial milestone for Turn 10's critically acclaimed racer. In conjunction with today's release of the game's second and now premium DLC car pack (the first one's always free, ain't it?), dubbed "Hot Holidays," Microsoft has tallied up some Forza 3 stats.

According to the publisher, players have so far tracked 6.6 million hours and 590 million collective miles -- no word on flats or oil changes. Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg tweets that "more than 4M [million] auction bids" have lead to "$18.7 billion" virtual dollars spent (we have to imagine at least a billion went to that gorgeous coop pictured above). Of course, Microsoft has its eye on the real dollars, offering today's 10-car pack for 400 ($5). The full list of cars is posted after the break.

Additionally, a second premium pack has been confirmed for January 12, and -- wouldn't you know it -- that date coincides with the kick-off of the Detroit International Auto Show. You think that was planned?

Gallery: Forza 3 DLC -- Hot Holiday pack

Continue reading Forza 3 sales surpass 1m units; premium DLC released

JoystiqForza 3 sales surpass 1m units; premium DLC released originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergcarsdigital-distributiondlcdownloadable-contentforzaforza-3forza-motorsportforza-motorsport-3hot-holidaysMicrosoftracingturn-10xblmXbox-360Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: 360 sales more than double over Black Friday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/greenberg-360-sales-more-than-double-over-black-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/greenberg-360-sales-more-than-double-over-black-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/greenberg-360-sales-more-than-double-over-black-friday/#commentsAccording to Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, Xbox 360 sales saw a serious increase thanks to the post-Thanksgiving shopping madness known as Black Friday. While Greenberg doesn't disclose specific numbers, he notes in a recent tweet that Black Friday granted the Xbox 360 its "biggest sales week of the year," with Microsoft selling over twice as many units than the previous week. That certainly sounds like a lot, though the average weekly sales in October -- based on NPD figures -- were slightly above 60,000 units.

Assuming November's weekly average was similar, Microsoft certainly didn't come close to topping Sony's impressive Black Friday total of 440,000 PS3 consoles. And let's not forget Nintendo's Black Friday success: 550,000 Wii consoles and DS / DSi sales in excess of one million units. Rest assured we will break down the exact November numbers once the NPDs shake out later this month.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqGreenberg: 360 sales more than double over Black Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenbergblack-fridayblack-friday-2009businessMicrosoftxboxxbox-360Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg touts holiday exclusives, 360 sales growth in down economy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/microsofts-aaron-greenberg-touts-holiday-exclusives-360-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/microsofts-aaron-greenberg-touts-holiday-exclusives-360-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/microsofts-aaron-greenberg-touts-holiday-exclusives-360-sales/#comments
Namedropping exclusives from Halo 3: ODST to Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City to Shadow Complex, as well as reaffirming Microsoft's "year-to-date growth in console sales compared to last year," Microsoft's director of product management Aaron Greenberg sounds extremely confident in the Xbox 360 (that's his job, right?). Thankfully, he's not always above admitting when his competitors are going to win. "When NPD releases September sales later today, we fully expect PlayStation 3 will come in as the console with the most units sold for the month," he tells Game Informer in a recent interview.

Unsurprisingly, though, he's sanguine on the prospect of Microsoft's console beating out Sony's. "We remain confident that Xbox 360 will not only outsell PS3 for the full calendar year, but for this entire generation." His confidence wanes though when asked about beating Apple with the Zune HD, offering only, "Our strategy has always been to completely focus on delivering the best games and entertainment experience in the living room and not get distracted by anything else." Gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, right?

[Image credit: gamerscore]

JoystiqMicrosoft's Aaron Greenberg touts holiday exclusives, 360 sales growth in down economy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergbusinessconsole-salesepisodes-from-liberty-citygame-informerhalo-3-odstmicrosoftsalesshadow-complexXbox-360zune-hdFri, 16 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: Price drops affect sales for a few months]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/greenberg-price-drops-affect-sales-for-a-few-months/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/greenberg-price-drops-affect-sales-for-a-few-months/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/greenberg-price-drops-affect-sales-for-a-few-months/#commentsMicrosoft's Aaron Greenberg told GI.biz that he doesn't expect the recent price drops on Xbox 360 and PS3 hardware to change sales trends permanently. "I don't believe the price cuts that both companies have made will impact the market dynamics too dramatically in the long term," he said. "We typically see a month or two of lifts and share adjustments, but then things tend to settle back to roughly the established market ranking. We do, however, expect that these new lower prices will bring in more consumers that were potentially a bit resistant to the previous pricing in place."

And, of course, these statements come before the rumored Wii price drop, which may reduce even the temporary lifts experienced by the other consoles. Luckily, we suppose, that period will run right into the holidays, when everything sees dramatic sales increases.

JoystiqGreenberg: Price drops affect sales for a few months originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergmicrosoftprice-cutXbox-360Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Xbox's Aaron Greenberg on the $300 Elite and all things Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/interview-xboxs-aaron-greenberg-on-the-300-elite-and-all-thin/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/interview-xboxs-aaron-greenberg-on-the-300-elite-and-all-thin/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/interview-xboxs-aaron-greenberg-on-the-300-elite-and-all-thin/#comments Last night, just hours before the price cut announcement went out, we had a chance to talk with Aaron Greenberg - the often outspoken Director of Product Management at Xbox - about the new $300 Elite console, the company's Fall lineup in the absence of Splinter Cell Conviction, Netflix "exclusivity" (whatever that means), the (still!) outrageous price of the WiFi adapter, and whether we're ever going to see Hulu or Groups/Clan support in Xbox Live (those are two of our favorite questions for Aaron). Read on for the complete interview:

Joystiq: Hey Aaron - so what do you have for us today?

Aaron Greenberg: So this may shock you, but effective on Friday we are dropping the price of our Xbox 360 Elite console by $100, dropping that down to $299. At the same time, we are also reducing the price of the Xbox 360 Pro or Premium 60 gig SKU down to $249 -- that will be effective while supplies last. And this will essentially set us up as we head into holiday with a two SKU setup: the $199 white Arcade SKU and then the $299 120 gig Elite black console.

The Elite price is effective Friday?

Yes. The price drop goes into effect at retail on Friday.

So of course we're totally surprised and had no idea this was coming, so any questions that might indicate I was prepared you should just take as good guessing on our part I think.

Right, exactly. So you don't read your own site or anything I guess?

Continue reading Interview: Xbox's Aaron Greenberg on the $300 Elite and all things Xbox

JoystiqInterview: Xbox's Aaron Greenberg on the $300 Elite and all things Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergAvatarsEliteGames-on-DemandGroup-supportGroupsinterviewMicrosoftnetflixprice-cutwifiwifi-adapterXbox-360Xbox-360-EliteThu, 27 Aug 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: 360 only console outpacing 2008 sales, Xbox Live sales up 73%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/greenberg-360-only-console-outpacing-2008-sales-xbox-live-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/greenberg-360-only-console-outpacing-2008-sales-xbox-live-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/greenberg-360-only-console-outpacing-2008-sales-xbox-live-sale/#commentsIf you want some console war fightin' words, you can always count on Aaron Greenberg, Xbox group product manager. Speaking to Gamasutra, Greenberg noted that, out of the three major consoles, the Xbox 360 is the only one that has managed to outpace 2008 sales for the first six months of 2009. "Our console sales for the first half of the year actually grew 20 percent from January to June versus the same six months last year," said Greenberg. In addition, paid downloads on Xbox Live have seen a 73 percent jump from June 2008 through June 2009.

Speaking of Sony and the PlayStation 3, which saw significantly lower numbers in this month's NPD report, Greenberg says the company made a mistake in not targeting core gamers from the beginning. "I think for Sony, what in many ways kind of threw them off that strategy was what happened with the PS2 and the DVD player phenomenon. They kind of expected that to happen with the PS3 and the Blu-ray." He adds that Sony's current focus on core games is "probably the right thing for them to do."

Hit the source link for more facts, figures and oh no he didn't.

JoystiqGreenberg: 360 only console outpacing 2008 sales, Xbox Live sales up 73% originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergbusinessMicrosoftXbox-360xbox-liveFri, 17 Jul 2009 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft denies new Natal-based console, as a new 3D rumor surfaces]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/16/microsoft-denies-new-natal-based-console-as-a-new-3d-rumor-surf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/16/microsoft-denies-new-natal-based-console-as-a-new-3d-rumor-surf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/16/microsoft-denies-new-natal-based-console-as-a-new-3d-rumor-surf/#commentsMicrosoft has responded to the rumor of a new Natal-focused Xbox 360 successor, with two separate sources denying the existence of the new console to Eurogamer. One unnamed source at MS told Eurogamer ""Don't believe nonsense on the internet is all I'll say. We'll do the right thing for Natal."

Aaron Greenberg responded in a calmer manner, saying "I think part of the excitement about this announcement is that in many ways we are delivering a next generation experience this generation. With that said, I can confirm that Natal will run on Xbox 360 so no new console investment will be necessary."

Conspiracy theorists should note that both of these denials leave the door wide open for the rumor to actually be true. No new console investment will be "necessary" for Natal -- but it certainly could be an option, and there's always the possibility of Natal technology being built into the next console. And "the right thing for Natal" could certainly be "building a whole console around it." Releasing it as a standalone doesn't preclude the release of a later console with it built in.

Meanwhile, TeamXbox claims to have inside information about plans for the next Xbox console, specifically that Microsoft will not launch it in 2010 because the company is planning to include stereoscopic 3D functionality in full HD, and is waiting for the proliferation of televisions that support that technology.

Gallery: Project Natal


[Via Engadget]

JoystiqMicrosoft denies new Natal-based console, as a new 3D rumor surfaces originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3daaron-greenbergmicrosoftproject-natalXbox-360Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh, Aaron Greenberg: PS3 'hemorrhaging at retail,' GTA IV DLC would have beaten Killzone 2 at retail]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/oh-aaron-greenberg-ps3-hemorrhaging-at-retail-gta-iv-dlc-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/oh-aaron-greenberg-ps3-hemorrhaging-at-retail-gta-iv-dlc-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/oh-aaron-greenberg-ps3-hemorrhaging-at-retail-gta-iv-dlc-wo/#comments
Citing February NPD numbers against those in the past couple of years -- and Microsoft's own, mysterious Xbox Live numbers on GTA IV's exclusive downloadable expansion -- Xbox 360 product management director Aaron Greenberg did quite a bit of chest pounding to Gamasutra's Chris Remo yesterday. Broaching the subject of competitors head on, Greenberg says, "What we hear from our partners is that it's not just PS3, it's also PS2 down 62 percent year over year. With that business declining, and with the PS3 business declining, it's been described to me as hemorrhaging at retail right now, and it just keeps getting worse."

Moving right along to the subject of Killzone 2 -- a game released on the 27th of a 28 day month -- Greenberg compares the title to the aforementioned GTA IV mystery numbers, "If that content was sold at retail, it would be one of the best sellers across all platforms. It would have outsold Killzone 2." Considering GTA IV's astronomical sales numbers, if even half of the game's owners have the 360 iteration and a quarter of those people bought the expansion, that's over 1.5 million downloads. Still, without hard numbers to back up his statements, Greenberg's words amount to little more than our monthly rendezvous with executive smack talking.

Update: SCEA responds to February NPD numbers on Joystiq PlayStation. "We have no doubt [Killzone 2] will deliver a next gen experience and will be responsible for driving hardware sales throughout the year."

JoystiqOh, Aaron Greenberg: PS3 'hemorrhaging at retail,' GTA IV DLC would have beaten Killzone 2 at retail originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergchest-poundingchris-remodlcdownloadable-contenteconomygamsutragta-ivkillzone-2npdFri, 20 Mar 2009 13:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg blasts back at Hirai for 'longevity' jab]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/greenberg-blasts-back-at-hirai-for-longevity-jab/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/greenberg-blasts-back-at-hirai-for-longevity-jab/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/greenberg-blasts-back-at-hirai-for-longevity-jab/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's charming to see that no matter how high up you are on the gamer ladder, you can still be goaded into a flame war. Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai discounted the Xbox 360's longevity and chance at market dominance yesterday, and now Xbox boss Aaron Greenberg has rushed right into the fray, saying, "That complacent attitude is out of touch with where the industry and consumer is today." You say out of touch, Aaron, we say "big thinking."

But, still unmollified, he told The Bitbag, "I can't imagine any scenario where the PS3 can catch up with us. In fact, even if you doubled the current PS3 sales and Xbox 360 remained flat, they couldn't close the gap until 2014."

Meanwhile, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Amie reportedly made an ear trumpet out of $100 bills and shouted, "What? Can you two speak up?" Though the involved parties emitted nary a chuckle, we thought it was a hoot.

JoystiqGreenberg blasts back at Hirai for 'longevity' jab originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergconsole-warskaz-hiraiPS3xbox-360Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: Consumer spending up 84% on Xbox Live last year, success in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/greenberg-consumer-spending-up-84-on-xbox-live-last-year-succ/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/greenberg-consumer-spending-up-84-on-xbox-live-last-year-succ/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/greenberg-consumer-spending-up-84-on-xbox-live-last-year-succ/#commentsFiled under: ,


Aaron Greenberg, director of product management at Xbox, stated in a recent interview that the company saw consumer spending on Xbox Live grow by 84% last year. Speaking with G4, Greenberg noted that (as was announced during E3) Live had achieved a billion dollars in sales over three years. He calls it the "silent phenomenon" because NPD doesn't report it, retailers don't discuss it -- but third-party partners have seen the earnings.

Greenberg continued to point out that the company's last major push took place in Europe last year, when it "overinvested" and did "launch level marketing." He believes that after starting the year neck and neck with its competitor, the Xbox 360 now has a million unit lead on the PS3 in the region.

[Via MCV, CasualGaming.biz]

JoystiqGreenberg: Consumer spending up 84% on Xbox Live last year, success in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergmicrosoftxblaXbox-360xbox-liveTue, 13 Jan 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg talks up MS strategy, 2009 lineup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/greenberg-talks-up-ms-strategy-2009-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/greenberg-talks-up-ms-strategy-2009-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/greenberg-talks-up-ms-strategy-2009-lineup/#commentsFiled under:

In an interview with G4TV, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg had quite a lot to say about the Xbox 360's performance in 2008 as well as what's in store for the future. Greenberg began by trumpeting the 2008 numbers that were released last week, also noting high sales for Gears of War 2, Call of Duty: World at War and Left 4 Dead. He then clarified that the Xbox 360 has at least a 1 million unit lead over the PS3 in Europe (by install base, not sales). When asked about the runaway success of the Wii, Greenberg stated that the two machines offered different experiences and that he saw no reason why both couldn't successful. "I look at retail outlets and car companies and airlines... you know there's more than one," said Greenberg, adding, "I think what we're finding is that there are two platforms that are clearly having success." Greenberg also reiterated his belief that Sony will have to reduce the price of the PS3 "sooner, rather than later" if the company wishes to remain competitive.

Perhaps most tantalizingly, Greenberg spoke to Microsofts still nebulous lineup for 2009. He noted that while 2009 is "a big year for Halo fans" thanks to Halo Wars and Halo 3: ODST, Microsoft still has plenty up its digital sleeve. Greenberg said that Microsoft prefers to "under promise and over deliver," explaining that the company likes to save announcements until a product is close to launch. He cites the NXE as an example, saying that the company kept it under wraps -- well, mostly -- until E3 2008, which preceded the November launch in the same year.

And before you ask, no, he didn't drop any hints as to what said projects might be. Our guess: Alan Wake and Duke Nukem Forever will both launch this year exclusively on Xbox 360 ... on the same day.

[Via VideoGamer.com]

JoystiqGreenberg talks up MS strategy, 2009 lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergbusinessconsole-warsMon, 12 Jan 2009 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: Joystiq's interview with Xbox's Aaron Greenberg]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/ces-2009-joystiqs-interview-with-xboxs-aaron-greenberg/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/ces-2009-joystiqs-interview-with-xboxs-aaron-greenberg/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/ces-2009-joystiqs-interview-with-xboxs-aaron-greenberg/#commentsFiled under:


Xbox director Aaron Greenberg was nice enough to sit down with us at CES this week, where we talked about everything from NXE to to You Don't Know Jack and Xbox Live clubs. Here are the highlights:

Were you surprised how successful the NXE has been, especially in regards to the 33 percent increase in the average size of friends' lists?

I think the increased friends was a surprise, I think the increase in downloads was a big surprise. A lot of people said "Wow, you guys added all this new content to the service," and we're like "Actually, it's been there the whole time," with the exception of maybe Netflix. We just made what was there easier to find.

Has the success of Avatars prompted you to think about other applications for them more?

So games is absolutely the right place to start. But people have been asking us for more accessories, unlockable content from games, there's lots of stuff that has to be done. But right now it's primarily focused on game integration.

Continue reading CES 2009: Joystiq's interview with Xbox's Aaron Greenberg

JoystiqCES 2009: Joystiq's interview with Xbox's Aaron Greenberg originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergces-2009Xbox-360Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: Expect more regular updates to 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-expect-more-regular-updates-to-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-expect-more-regular-updates-to-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-expect-more-regular-updates-to-360/#commentsFiled under: ,


With Xbox Live Primetime and Netflix movie sharing both in the works, we had to wonder if we were going to have to wait for a biannual update to get them, or if they'd be doled out piecemeal. When we asked Xbox director Aaron Greenberg today, he wasn't talking specific update timing, but he did say small updates should be more common.

"Some of the benefits of the design of the new interface is that we can add new channels, new content, new features on a more regular basis," he said. "It doesn't mean we won't group a bunch of these and do a big rollout, but I think you will see us do more regular updates and roll things out on a more regular basis."

JoystiqCES 2009: Expect more regular updates to 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergCESces-2009Xbox-360Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[MS predicts a Playstation 3 price cut 'soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/ms-predicts-a-playstation-3-price-cut-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/ms-predicts-a-playstation-3-price-cut-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/ms-predicts-a-playstation-3-price-cut-soon/#commentsFiled under:


With a 28 million Xbox 360 base and keeping a sales lead over the Playstation 3, Microsoft knows that the worldwide console price cuts they enacted in 2008 have been a key component to their strategy. Something that Sony has yet to do with PS3, which Microsoft exec Aaron Greenberg finds surprising.

"We absolutely expect the PS3 price drop to happen in the next couple of months," Greenberg told Edge. "We're frankly surprised it's taken this long... I would expect they'd have to move on price, sooner than later, for sure." Color us surprised as well.

Continuing into 2009, Microsoft is well aware that Sony will become more aggressive in their PS3 pricing which, truth be told, is still an expensive piece of hardware for the casual market. Greenberg is right though, it's truly odd to see Sony staying firm on their pricing structure, especially with how things are playing out in the industry.

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqMS predicts a Playstation 3 price cut 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergconsole-warsmicrosoftprice-cutprice-dropTue, 06 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft expects PS3 price cut soon, while Reeves reiterates profit mantra]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/microsoft-expects-ps3-price-cut-soon-while-reeves-reiterates-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/microsoft-expects-ps3-price-cut-soon-while-reeves-reiterates-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/microsoft-expects-ps3-price-cut-soon-while-reeves-reiterates-pr/#commentsFiled under:


This time, it's not an analyst that's predicting a PS3 price drop. It's the competition. Microsoft's outspoken Aaron Greenberg has been celebrating the tremendous success of Xbox 360, which currently leads PS3 by more than 8 million units worldwide. Obviously, part of the 360's success comes from its competitive price. In America, the cheapest 360 is half the price of the cheapest PS3. However, Greenberg doesn't believe the price difference to be as substantial in the future. "We absolutely expect the PS3 price drop to happen in the next couple of months. We're frankly surprised it's taken this long. ... I would expect they'd have to move on price, sooner than later, for sure."

Certainly, a lower priced PS3 would have helped the install base during an economically depressed holiday season. However, SCEE's Reeves said very frankly on the PlayStation site that "the most important thing for us as a company in the very short term is for us to start making money. This is a pledge that was made last March and is something that we are still very much on target to achieve."

With the cost of manufacturing a PS3 plummeting, it won't be long until PS3 units can be sold at a profit. "Once we have achieved this, I think it will be a very exciting time for PlayStation. Once we have alleviated that specific pressure, we can move forward at a rate of knots," Reeves promised.

JoystiqMicrosoft expects PS3 price cut soon, while Reeves reiterates profit mantra originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergdavid-reevesmicrosoftprice-cutps3sceeTue, 06 Jan 2009 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shares post-NXE stats: Marketplace sales up, more friends online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/microsoft-shares-post-nxe-stats-marketplace-sales-up-more-frie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/microsoft-shares-post-nxe-stats-marketplace-sales-up-more-frie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/microsoft-shares-post-nxe-stats-marketplace-sales-up-more-frie/#commentsFiled under:


Just three weeks after the - by all accounts, very successful - launch of the New Xbox Experience, Microsoft is ready to trumpet some statistics related to the new interface. To help us navigate this panoply of numbers, Microsoft lent us the services of one Mr. Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for Xbox 360, who served as our tour guide through the press release.

First, with 14 million folks suddenly using an entirely new interface designed to make content easier to find, you'd wonder how successful it is in that regard. Well, glad you asked! Microsoft reports that Marketplace downloads of TV episodes were up 30% and movie downloads an impressive 49% the week after the NXE launch. This is in spite of competition from Netflix's ample on-demand offerings in both areas. Wondering how many folks are using Netflix? Yeah, so were we ... Greenberg told us they're not providing that data just yet, but we wouldn't be surprised to hear them noting that as a success during next month's CES.

Continue reading Microsoft shares post-NXE stats: Marketplace sales up, more friends online

JoystiqMicrosoft shares post-NXE stats: Marketplace sales up, more friends online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergBreakingNewsNew-Xbox-ExperienceNXEXbox-360Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh no he didn't: Microsoft man dubs Wii a novelty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/oh-no-he-didnt-microsoft-man-dubs-wii-a-novelty/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/oh-no-he-didnt-microsoft-man-dubs-wii-a-novelty/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/oh-no-he-didnt-microsoft-man-dubs-wii-a-novelty/#commentsFiled under:

Pretty this won't be. In an interview with Gamasutra, Microsoft big cheese Aaron Greenberg ended up discussing the rivalry between the Xbox 360 and Wii, and in the process loftily dismissed Nintendo's console as a "novelty."

Greenberg compared Wii buyers to "the same people that buy a karaoke machine," and suggested that the console was simply "something [to] break out when people come over, and it's maybe a fun thing [...] They're not really buying it for games, they're just buying it as a novelty." From there, he adopts a more conciliatory tone, stating that Microsoft "[doesn't] really see the Wii as a direct competitor, we actually very much complement the Wii experience." Greenberg believes that Wii owners will eventually "graduate" to the Xbox 360.

While we can't ignore the 360's higher software tie-in ratio, Greenberg and his fellow naysayers seem to forget that the Wii hardware alone turns a profit for Nintendo, that it continues to thrash the pants off everything else out there, and that demand still outstrips supply in some parts of the world, despite the thing launching more than 18 months ago. The tiresome excuse of Wii being a "novelty" is beginning to wear horribly thin.

JoystiqOh no he didn't: Microsoft man dubs Wii a novelty originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergbusinesscasualhardcorenoveltyoh-no-you-didntxbox-360Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg attacks Sony on failure to live up to their promises]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/greenberg-attacks-sony-on-failure-to-live-up-to-their-promises/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/greenberg-attacks-sony-on-failure-to-live-up-to-their-promises/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/greenberg-attacks-sony-on-failure-to-live-up-to-their-promises/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a recent interview, Microsoft's own Aaron Greenberg decided to go on the offense when talking about Sony and their big promises that they keep making yet fail to deliver on. Specifically speaking, Greenberg brings up the PS3's 1080p support, Blu-ray, Playstation Home, PS3's supposed lead in Europe and even Killzone 2. Talk about fanboy ammunition! We don't have to say much more, because we think Aaron Greenberg's remarks can pretty much stand on their own. Check after the break for some attack'alicious Greenberg quotes ... yum!

Continue reading Greenberg attacks Sony on failure to live up to their promises

JoystiqGreenberg attacks Sony on failure to live up to their promises originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 May 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergconsole-warsmicrosoftsonyFri, 09 May 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Greenberg slams Sony's failed promises]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/microsofts-greenberg-slams-sonys-failed-promises/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/microsofts-greenberg-slams-sonys-failed-promises/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/microsofts-greenberg-slams-sonys-failed-promises/#commentsFiled under: ,

Speaking to Destructoid, Aaron Greenberg, Director of Product Management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, added fuel to the red-hot fanboy fire when discussing PS3's upcoming lineup for 2008. Greenberg's statement is certainly going to inspire some truly extraordinary comments from PS3 and Xbox 360 fans alike. While he is a Microsoft spokesperson, we wonder: do his complaints have merit? Read on:

"I know a lot of folks enjoy watching the console wars and we would never underestimate our competition. But answer to your question specifically, didn't Sony promise all of this last year including Home as well? We have been fighting Sony's promises from the day we entered the market and if you remember at that time it was all about PS2 being an online cybercity with partner announcements from the likes of RealNetworks and AOL. Then three years ago at E3 they showed what PS3 games would supposedly look like with the Killzone 2 video, that we are now learning will ship four years later. That means that we will have shipped Gears of War and Gears of War 2 before they can even get Killzone out the door," he said. "Think back to GDC 2007 when Sony promised to leap ahead in online with the Sony Home unveil. Here we are two years later and multiple delays for a product that appears to have little to no buzz. Where are the achievements? The friends list integration across all games? Where is the long-promised video store? Where are all the other products using and networking with their CELL chip? How come Blu-ray did not result in better games? What happened with Sixaxis and rumble? Where is the complete 1080p game library we were promised? If Blu-ray as they said would be such a catalyst to PS3 console sales, then why have PS3 sales over the past couple months not seen any lift since the format victory?"

Certainly, being a Playstation devotee has been frustrating. The system has been plagued by a slow start, and a number of key delays. Home and in-game XMB continue to be promises that have failed to materialize. This is a "ten year life cycle" on Sony's part -- but should that mean we should wait so long for the good stuff?

[Via GameDaily]

Is Aaron Greenberg right? Has Sony failed to keep its promises?
Yes - Sony needs to keep its game up
No - he's just a Microsoft shill

JoystiqMicrosoft's Greenberg slams Sony's failed promises originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergmicrosoftplaystation-3ps3xboxxbox-360Fri, 09 May 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft predicts 'hollow victory' for PS3 in Feb/Mar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/microsoft-predicts-hollow-victory-for-ps3-in-feb-mar/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/microsoft-predicts-hollow-victory-for-ps3-in-feb-mar/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/microsoft-predicts-hollow-victory-for-ps3-in-feb-mar/#commentsFiled under:

Every company has to put some spin on the monthly NPD numbers. But this month, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg is taking a preemptive strike. NPD numbers will come out later this today, and already Microsoft is trash-talking the PS3. "Our expectation is that because of our shortages at retail during February, we will sell less than PS3," he told Next Gen. "That's not a surprise to us. I don't know what Sony's reaction will be to that, but it will definitely be a bit of a hollow victory. The competition sure didn't show up [in February]."

However, it looks like MS is also conceding March figures as well, saying that their so-called supply issues will be rectified in April. "By April, we will be in a very healthy inventory situation," he told Reuters. This is a crucial month for both console manufacturers, as the release of Grand Theft Auto IV will certainly stir up the charts. Will Xbox 360's exclusive DLC make an impact on console sales?

Greenberg then further puts the PS3 in doubt, and its use of Blu-ray. "I can tell you that we're not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray disc association regarding integrating Blu-ray to the Xbox 360 experience," Greenberg says. "And we don't know what will happen to Blu-ray. Is it the next DVD, or the next UMD? Your guess is as good as ours ... we don't expect [Blu-ray's win] to give a boost to PS3 sales, and we don't expect it to impact our sales. Frankly, we think it's the games that sell the consoles."

JoystiqMicrosoft predicts 'hollow victory' for PS3 in Feb/Mar originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergblu-raymicrosoftps3xbox-360Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft 'not in talks' with Sony over Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/microsoft-not-in-talks-with-sony-over-xbox-360-blu-ray-drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/microsoft-not-in-talks-with-sony-over-xbox-360-blu-ray-drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/microsoft-not-in-talks-with-sony-over-xbox-360-blu-ray-drive/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well, this is awkward. Just a week after a Sony executive told the Financial Times that Sony was "in talks with console rival Microsoft about offering a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360," console rival Microsoft corrected the record. Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for Xbox 360 (and all around pleasant guy), told Reuters rather unequivocally, "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience."

Considering a not insignificant portion of the Xbox 360 owning audience has a now obsolete drive tethered to their 'box, we're unconvinced that the "Xbox experience" couldn't use a high-def optical format. Greenberg is quick to point out that Xbox 360 is "the only console offering digital distribution of entertainment content" which, to our continued great surprise (don't you own a movie studio, Sony?), is still true ... but for how long? We can't be sure of what makes sense to Microsoft bossman Ballmer, but we think just talking to the Blu-ray Association might be a good start.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqMicrosoft 'not in talks' with Sony over Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergBlu-rayMicrosoftXbox-360Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST