Joystiq

Original Kinect for Windows being phased out next year

Mike Suszek — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:30:00 EST

Microsoft will phase out sales for the original Kinect for Windows in 2015. The decision follows the arrival of the sensor's second version and PC adapter in October, as well as the latest hardware's SDK being made freely available. The company noted in an announcement blog that companies reliant on the original motion sensor should contact Microsoft soon to fill orders for the older hardware, though "no more original sensors will be manufactured after the current stock sells out."

Version 2 of Kinect for Windows is essentially the same tech paired with the Xbox One when Microsoft's latest home console launched in November 2013, save for two changes: Microsoft pulled the Xbox logo from the camera and added a separate hub and power supply to operate. Microsoft's PC adapter for the Xbox One Kinect links the new camera to Windows 8 machines using USB 3.0 for $50. The original Kinect for Windows hardware launched in February 2012.

[Image: Microsoft]

Original Kinect for Windows being phased out next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo issues further statement on Amiibo shortage

Sinan Kubba — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:00:00 EST

"Certain sold-out Amiibo may return" to store shelves at some point, according to a new Nintendo of America statement provided to Joystiq last night. That may offer hope to those hunting down the rarest toys, but it doesn't necessarily run counter to earlier statements indicating "other [less popular] figures likely will not return to the market once they have sold through their initial shipment."

Nintendo of America's full statement reads:

"Some Amiibo were very popular at launch, and it is possible that some Amiibo in the United States, Canada and Latin America may not be available right now due to high demand and our efforts to manage shelf space during the launch period. Certain sold-out Amiibo may return to these markets at a later stage. We are continually aiming to always have a regular supply of Amiibo in the marketplace and there are many waves of Amiibo to come."

Continue reading Nintendo issues further statement on Amiibo shortage

Nintendo issues further statement on Amiibo shortage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo: We'll 'likely' phase out some Amiibo after first run

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:00:00 EST

Nintendo of America confirmed this week some Amiibo toys "likely will not return to market," following a retailer's claim that the publisher had officially discontinued the Marth, Wii Fit Trainer and Villager figures. In a statement provided to several sites including Wired, Kotaku and Destructoid, Nintendo said it'll aim to keep the "most popular" figures available, but that there's only so much shelf space to go around.

"We will aim for certain Amiibo to always be available," reads the statement. "These will be for our most popular characters like Mario and Link. Due to shelf space constraints, other figures likely will not return to the market once they have sold through their initial shipment."

Continue reading Nintendo: We'll 'likely' phase out some Amiibo after first run

Nintendo: We'll 'likely' phase out some Amiibo after first run originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 3DS XL on the way out in Japan

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:00:00 EST

The super-size 3DS XL is about to be downsized in Japan, at least according to new details spotted on Nintendo's website. As Siliconera reports, Nintendo's 3DS site lists "ending production soon" notices for the seven XL colors available in the country. Nintendo's not announced anything formally, but it does seem the XL will soon be an ex-device in Japan

While Nintendo's notices indicate the regular 3DS is to remain in production, the company's gaze looks to be shifting to the New 3DS. Both the XL and regular versions of the enhanced handheld continue to top Japan's sales charts, and according to data tracker Media Create they're matching the strong initial pace of the DSi, itself an iteration of the DS. Media Create estimates the New 3DS, which launched in Japan back in October, will reach 1.2 million sales by the end of 2014.

Of course, there's no similar news of XL discontinuation for North America or Europe, where the New 3DS is still waiting on release dates.

Report: 3DS XL on the way out in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free Xbox Music streaming to stop in December

Mike Suszek — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:30:00 EST

The free music streaming feature for Xbox Music will be discontinued on December 1, Microsoft revealed on an Xbox Support page for the service. The company said it is "focusing Xbox Music to deliver the ultimate music purchase and subscription service experience for our customers" with Xbox Music Pass, its $10/month music streaming plan.

Announced at E3 2012, Xbox Music arrived in October of that year as a Zune replacement and Spotify competitor. It took nearly a year before the service reached iOS and Android, just two months before Microsoft began closing down the Zune Marketplace. Those interested in trying out the paid music streaming service can sign up for a 30-day trial on Microsoft's site.

[Image: Microsoft]

Free Xbox Music streaming to stop in December originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: PSP users in Europe, Asia lose PSN access on September 15

Danny Cowan — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:00:00 EST

Sony is closing off PlayStation Network access for its PlayStation Portable console in multiple regions starting this week, IGN reports.

A Sony representative told IGN that the shutdown affects PSP owners in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and select regions in Africa. North American PSPs will still be able to access the PlayStation Network while Sony "evaluates market trends" to determine if it should expand its service shutdown plans.

While affected regions will be unable to directly access the PlayStation Network from PSP hardware starting on September 15, Sony notes that users will still be able to buy PSN marketplace content and redownload previous purchases via the Sony Entertainment Network Online Store. Sony halted PSP production in Japan in June, and discontinued North American hardware shipments in January.

[Image: Sony]

Report: PSP users in Europe, Asia lose PSN access on September 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ascend: Hand of Kul to remain playable on 360 until November

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 11:30:00 EST

Despite the game being discontinued on Xbox 360, existing owners of Ascend: Hand of Kul will remain able to play it until November 18, after which it will officially close. The news follows Microsoft's removal of the free-to-play action-RPG from the marketplace, a decision developer Signal Studios only learned of as it was investigating player troubles.

"We can confirm that effective November 18, 2014, Ascend on Xbox 360 will close," a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer. "Players will still be able to play Ascend on Xbox 360 and use any content they have already acquired until the game closure date.

Continue reading Ascend: Hand of Kul to remain playable on 360 until November

Ascend: Hand of Kul to remain playable on 360 until November originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Aug 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft abruptly removes Ascend: Hand of Kul from Xbox 360

Sinan Kubba — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 07:00:00 EST

Free-to-play action-RPG Ascend: Hand of Kul is no longer available on the Xbox 360 after Microsoft discontinued it this week, apparently without informing developer Signal Studios beforehand. In what's seemingly less a case of "So long, farewell" and more Jazzy Jeff leaving the Fresh Prince's house, Signal Studios said the news only surfaced when the team was investigating player troubles from the weekend.

"We are deeply saddened by this decision and the impact it has on our community," Signal Studios said on its site while urging players towards the Steam version released in May. The studio didn't note what Microsoft's reasoning was behind the decision, and when we approached the publisher a spokesperson told us Microsoft had "no further comment."

Continue reading Microsoft abruptly removes Ascend: Hand of Kul from Xbox 360

Microsoft abruptly removes Ascend: Hand of Kul from Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Aug 2014 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP discontinued in Japan just shy of its 10th birthday

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 07:00:00 EST

And now the end is near, and so the PlayStation Portable faces the final curtain. The Sony handheld says sayonara to Japan later this month, when shipments to the country's stores will officially end.

Sony announced the news today, noting it discontinued North American shipments back in January. The company told Associated Press the PSP is to continue in Europe until later this year, while The Verge adds there are no discontinuation plans yet for lines in Latin America and other Asian countries.

The PSP's farewell to its homeland comes nine and a half years after it launched there on December 12, 2004. While history will remember it as second-best to the uber-popular DS, the Sony handheld's numbers ain't to be sniffed at. As of March 2012 it had shipped 76.3 million units worldwide, a figure that's probably closer to 80 million now if not beyond. The PSP also brought us the sheer joy of Patapon as well as the resultant joy of Pata-puns, and for that alone it'll always pata-pata-pata-pon in our hearts.

[Image: Sony]

PSP discontinued in Japan just shy of its 10th birthday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision pulling all DLC for Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Band Hero games

Mike Suszek — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:00:00 EST

The downloadable music for Activision's rhythm games in the Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Band Hero series will no longer be available after the end of this month on March 31. The production of DLC for the brands ended in February 2011.

The announcement comes from an update on the publisher's Facebook page, which clarifies that the Guitar Hero servers will remain online and that previously-purchased content will be unaffected. As an encore, selected songs and track packs will be discounted by as much as 50 percent on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii until the end of the month. Additionally, the Guitar Hero game on iOS will be discounted through the end of the month on the App Store.

[Image: Activision]

Activision pulling all DLC for Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Band Hero games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft quietly drops subsidized $99 Xbox 360

Mike Suszek — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 10:30:00 EST

Microsoft discontinued its subsidized $99 Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle in July 2013, the console manufacturer confirmed with the Wall Street Journal. The low-cost console was introduced in May 2012 and required a two-year Xbox Live commitment of buyers at a rate of $14.99 per month. The bundle worked out to be roughly $60 more than the closest option, a $299 4GB Xbox 360 console paired with two years of Xbox Live Gold as separate purchases.

"This program was intended to be a pilot experiment from the start, and Microsoft routinely adjusts the mix of offers available to its customers and this change was simply standard business practice," Microsoft spokesman David Dennis said. He added that the subsidized Xbox 360 option was for "squeezing the last 10 to 15 percent out of the potential market."

[Image: Microsoft]

Microsoft quietly drops subsidized $99 Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Mar 2014 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T ditches U-verse on Xbox 360 on December 31

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 20:30:00 EST

AT&T is discontinuing U-verse, its streaming TV service, on Xbox 360 starting December 31, the company announced. AT&T will issue a $99 credit to Xbox 360 U-verse customers to cover the cost of a year's Xbox Live Gold, which was required for the service, and then some. The refund should show up within two billing cycles, AT&T said.

U-verse hit Xbox 360 in October 2010. Anyone in need of an additional U-verse receiver to replace the Xbox 360 can hit up AT&T here or call 800-288-2020.

AT&T ditches U-verse on Xbox 360 on December 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Nov 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo of America: Wii to remain on store shelves in US

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 21:30:00 EST

The Wii will be available in the US as usual this year, Nintendo of America has confirmed. Yesterday, Nintendo of Japan announced that it would discontinue production of the Wii, but the worldwide implications of this stoppage were unclear.

"The announcement that the Wii console has been discontinued is specific to Japan," a representative told Gamespot. "There is no change in the status of Wii in the United States, and it is available for purchase this holiday season."

Earlier this month Nintendo of Japan announced that Wii manufacturing is due to end soon. Nintendo has sold 12.7 million Wii consoles since its launch in late 2006.

Nintendo of America: Wii to remain on store shelves in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Oct 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii discontinued in Japan

Jordan Mallory — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:15:00 EST

To put this situation into parrot terms, the Japanese SKU of the Wii is pining for the fjords. Nintendo of Japan's official site lists the console as "discontinued," according to Engadget's translation.

Earlier this month we learned that Nintendo planned to halt production of the console, though it was unclear whether the company intended to shut down all manufacturing processes, or only those concerning the Japanese Wii. There's still no indication that supply lines in North America or Europe have been altered, but we've reached out to Nintendo to find out precisely what the dealio, yo.

In any event, this means that there are now a finite number of Japanese Wii units in existence. We anticipate that the remaining new Wii units will undoubtedly be pitted against each other in a ruthless battle to the death - or a lot more people will be buying used Wiis, whatever.

Wii discontinued in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: GameStop discontinuing Wii U Basic after June 18 [Update: Nintendo responds]

David Hinkle — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:45:00 EST

Update: Nintendo of America Senior Director of Corporate Communications Charlie Scibetta has provided the following statement to Joystiq: "There is a current misperception about Wii U hardware. To clarify: Nintendo is working with its retail partners to simply rebalance the stock of the White 8GB and the Black 32GB Wii U models in the market. Consumers looking for either model will continue to find them available."

Some GameStop locations will no longer sell the 8GB Wii U Basic console after June 18, according to a Kotaku source. CNET also says it's confirmed this with several GameStop stores. We've contacted both Nintendo and GameStop for comment.

Other retailers have held sales for the Wii U Basic over the last few months, though it's hardly indicative of retailers looking to get rid of stock ahead of a recall. In its year-end financial report, Nintendo revealed Wii U shipments fell below the company forecast. As of March 31, 3.75 million Wii U consoles have been sold worldwide.

Rumor: GameStop discontinuing Wii U Basic after June 18 [Update: Nintendo responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation 2 is now discontinued worldwide, confirms Sony

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST

Worldwide production of the PlayStation 2 is finally at a halt after almost 13 years. Sony confirmed to The Guardian that, following the recent news of it being discontinued in Japan, the best-selling home console ever is now no longer being manufactured.

Sony boasts total software sales for the console of over 1.5 billion, in addition to more than 150 million PS2s sold. Rivals Nintendo and Sega barely shifted more than 30 million units of the GameCube and Dreamcast put together. It's unlikely we'll see a console dominate its generation so resoundingly ever again. Out of respect for the countless hours of gaming goodness it provided us, we at Joystiq are tearfully doffing our hats in memory of that little black box. That'll do, pig. That'll do.

PlayStation 2 is now discontinued worldwide, confirms Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation 2 discontinued in Japan after almost 13 years of service

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:00:00 EST

The very last shipment of PlayStation 2 units to Japanese retailers is out the door, and the prolific console is now discontinued in the country. As Famitsu reports, production of the venerable black box ceased today nearly 13 years after its launch on March 4, 2000.

While the original PlayStation sits in and around the 100 million mark, the PS2 built upon that success to sell over 150 million units worldwide and dominate its generation. Its long life in Japan is a testament to it comfortably being the best-selling home console ever.

PlayStation 2 discontinued in Japan after almost 13 years of service originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video Game Price Charts reveal biggest resale prices of 2009

Mike Schramm — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:30:00 EST

VideoGamePriceCharts.com, a site that tracks average online prices for video games and consoles, has released its year-end report for 2009, and if you were buying and selling games speculatively (we all do that, right?), you'll want to check it out. Okay, so maybe you weren't picking up the now-discontinued Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition because you hoped it would get rare, but if so, you're in luck: That game topped the list, raising in value from an MSRP of $69.99 up to a high of $116. Grand Theft Auto IV's Lost and Damned retail box (which contained a code for the DLC) is another big collector's item, and if you were so lucky as to nab a copy of Bass Pro Shops' The Strike (with Fishing Rod) for Xbox 360, then reel in the money, because it raised in value over 50%. Whew! Welcome to the exciting market of video game price speculation!

For a little more practical information, you can also see which companies and consoles kept their value in 2009 -- turns out MTV, Atlus and Nintendo games all did well at resale, with the Wii (surprise!) topping the market for overall value held among its games. Of course, you should really be buying games (and supporting developers) for their quality, not for their resale value, but it doesn't hurt to figure out which ones will give you a few more bucks in return when you're done.

Video Game Price Charts reveal biggest resale prices of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Target done with Xbox 360 Core model

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

Although not mentioned as part of today's Xbox 360 price drop announcement, more evidence is coming in that the Xbox 360 Core model may be finished. An employee of a Target store took multiple images (sadly the clearest one is above) of the store's PDA showing the Core model as "discontinued" in the "status" bar at the top right.

This follows last week's Best Buy information that the Core model was finished there as well. The stories are starting to stack up. We've been told by numerous sources that their various stores haven't stocked Core units in a while, this all feels identical to the way the PS3 20GB death occurred earlier this year.

[Thanks Anonymous]

Rumor: Target done with Xbox 360 Core model originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Style stores done with 20GB model

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business

Hmmmmm, well this is certainly curious. Although there is no official word that the PlayStation 3's 20GB model is finished, the Sony Style stores haven't had them in stock for a long time and the SonyStyle.com mother ship is done with the model -- it's no longer listed on the site. We contacted SonyStyle.com and were told, "We haven't had it in stock for a month ... We're not getting any more. You could maybe go out and find one." Going to a Sony Style store isn't going to get you anywhere either. One store we called had the same story as SonyStyle.com. A sales representative said, "We haven't gotten those [20GB] models in for a long time. We have plenty of 60 gig models in stock." When asked if the model had been discontinued he said, "Not officially ... but we haven't seen any in a long time."

Best Buy stopped carrying the 20 GB model last month. As of mid-March Sony told us the 20GB model was still being manufactured and that "retailers have been requesting the 60GB model, the mix has been about 80 percent 60GB, 20 percent 20GB retailer orders." Sony's own stores are part of that 80 percent now. Having two models of the PlayStation 3 is a nice gesture, but if a product is no longer being stocked by anyone, including Sony's own retail chain, does it really still exist?

[Thanks Jason]

Sony Style stores done with 20GB model originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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