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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GDC: Stardock's Brad Wardell explains the failure of Elemental and how he's making it up to fans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-stardocks-brad-wardell-explains-the-failure-of-elemental-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-stardocks-brad-wardell-explains-the-failure-of-elemental-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-stardocks-brad-wardell-explains-the-failure-of-elemental-a/#comments "Unlike the other examples you've heard tonight, this game shipped. It's at the store right now. At Walmart. Yeah." -- Brad Wardell, president and CEO of Stardock.

That ominous statement was slipped into the middle of Brad Wardell's "Failure Workshop" speech this afternoon, where the Stardock head discussed a project he now considers a full-on failure: Elemental: War of Magic. He was just one of five separate developers detailing a project that went awry.

"If someone had an idea, we'd say 'Oh sure, go ahead! Throw that in!,'" Wardell explained, describing the disorganized nature of Elemental's development. "That works okay if you have seven guys," he said, continuing, "It doesn't work so well when you have 18 guys."

Continue reading GDC: Stardock's Brad Wardell explains the failure of Elemental and how he's making it up to fans

JoystiqGDC: Stardock's Brad Wardell explains the failure of Elemental and how he's making it up to fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-wardellelemental-war-of-magicfailuregdcgdc-2011pcstardockThu, 03 Mar 2011 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Informer: Xbox 360 at 54.2 percent failure rate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/game-informer-xbox-360-at-54-2-percent-failure-rate/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/game-informer-xbox-360-at-54-2-percent-failure-rate/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/game-informer-xbox-360-at-54-2-percent-failure-rate/#comments The latest issue of Game Informer contains a surprising statistic for anyone who's ever loved and lost their Microsoft-branded home console - according to their survey, in which over 5,000 console owners participated, the Xbox 360's current failure rate due to the Red Ring of Death, E74 or other hardware failure is 54.2 percent. They also calculated the relative death toll for PS3s due to the Yellow Light of Death (10.3 percent) and Wiis, due to ... well, we're not actually sure what color the Wii's light turns to upon its demise (6.8 percent).

Unfortunately, for having the highest failure rate, survey participants also pinned Microsoft for having the least helpful customer service representatives. Not that it matters - later in the survey, only 3.8 percent of participants said they'd never buy another Xbox 360 due to its high failure rate.

Speaking of which, we're not sure what future techno-utopia this poll was conducted in, but a 54.2 percent Xbox 360 failure rate sounds awfully low. Had the survey's participants been comprised entirely of Joystiq staffers, it would have been a bone-chilling 100 percent.

[Via Consumerist]

JoystiqGame Informer: Xbox 360 at 54.2 percent failure rate originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e74failurefailure-rategame-informerhardwareMicrosoftrrodsurveyXbox-360Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: What Wii has done wrong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/opinion-what-wii-has-done-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/opinion-what-wii-has-done-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/opinion-what-wii-has-done-wrong/#commentsFiled under:

GameSetWatch has been running an interesting two-part column on the success and failure of the Wii in its first two years on store shelves (2nd anniversary arriving soon, read our 1st anniversary theme week here!). The second part of the piece, which focuses on the negatives, has a couple of interesting tidbits worth pointing out.

The first thing the piece focuses on is waggle and how the early promises of a more immersed experience for the gamer have not been fulfilled. We're willing to concede that, because of how great the console has sold in such a small period of time and how many developers and publishers have proceeded to churn out shovelware and dirty ports just in an attempt to cash in. There are always exceptions to the rule, however, with not only Nintendo showing us the amazing and unique things that can be done with the control scheme, as well as some other third party developers and their titles (Zack & Wiki, Let's Tap, and No More Heroes, just to name a few).

We won't spoil the rest of the piece for you, but, to be honest, it's really good. It calls the Wii out for a lot of its shortcomings, and not in a totally biased tone. And, if bashing the Wii doesn't sound like an interesting topic for an article to you, read the first part, where it's nothing but Wii love.

Source - Two Years In - The Wii's Successes
Source - Two Years In - How the Wii Has Failed

JoystiqOpinion: What Wii has done wrong originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryanniversary-weekfailfailurefailuresFri, 07 Nov 2008 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst blames Xbox RRoD on MS-designed graphics chip]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/researcher-blames-xbox-rrod-on-ms-designed-graphics-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/researcher-blames-xbox-rrod-on-ms-designed-graphics-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/researcher-blames-xbox-rrod-on-ms-designed-graphics-chip/#commentsFiled under: ,

With Microsoft remaining officially mum on the reasons behind the wave of Xbox 360-killing red rings of death, owners and experts have speculated on causes ranging from cheap heat sinks to bad soldering to power surges. Now, Gartner Research Vice President and Chief Analyst Bryan Lewis thinks he's honed in on the real reason behind the system failures: cheap, Microsoft-designed graphics processors.

Speaking at the Design Automation Conference, Lewis said Microsoft tried to save a few million dollars by designing the Xbox 360's GPU in-house, rather than farming the design out to an experienced, approved application-specific integrated circuit vendor. Lewis chalked the high failure rate to Microsoft's inexperience designing such chips. "How many ASICs per year does Microsoft design? Not many.," Lewis said. "The ASIC vendor could have been able to design a graphics processor that dissipates much less power."

The irony is that Microsoft is widely believed to have gone to experienced ASIC-designer ATI for a redesigned Xbox 360 graphics chip in the middle of 2007. So, in addition to spending over a billion dollars on a warranty extension, Microsoft probably still ended up having to spend the few million dollars they were trying to avoid in the first place. Smooth move, ex-lax.

[Thanks copa.]

JoystiqAnalyst blames Xbox RRoD on MS-designed graphics chip originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failureGPUhardwarered-ringred-ring-of-deathRRoDxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Just for laughs: Xbox HD DVD player gets update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/just-for-laughs-xbox-hd-dvd-player-gets-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/just-for-laughs-xbox-hd-dvd-player-gets-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/just-for-laughs-xbox-hd-dvd-player-gets-update/#commentsFiled under: ,


Major Nelson has informed the populace that the next time one of the surviving members of the defeated HD DVD army watch a movie they'll be prompted with an auto update. No, the update will not magically convert the dead format into a Blu-ray player, sorry.

Instead, the update will add "compatibility improvements with certain titles" and "additional support for network features." Xbox 360 owners without Live can download the update through Xbox.com later this week.

JoystiqJust for laughs: Xbox HD DVD player gets update originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurehd-dvdhddvdsick-joketragedyXbox-360Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RRoGDC? Xbox 360 failure shows up at trade show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/rrogdc-xbox-360-failure-shows-up-at-trade-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/rrogdc-xbox-360-failure-shows-up-at-trade-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/rrogdc-xbox-360-failure-shows-up-at-trade-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

Microsoft's efforts to divert attention from the Xbox 360's reportedly high failure rates were were certainly not helped today by an infamous Red Ring of Death that showed up at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. An intrepid BBC reporter noted the common hardware failure on display at Microsoft's XNA area in the Moscone Center's North Hall.

Perhaps this is why the whole XNA area was protected by a shroud as recently as yesterday. Then again, perhaps not. Regardless, the BBC is certainly correct in noting that "at the very least it's embarrassing for the company that its own stock of demo machines are still susceptible to the problem." Check out the full video of the "event" below.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Continue reading RRoGDC? Xbox 360 failure shows up at trade show

JoystiqRRoGDC? Xbox 360 failure shows up at trade show originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>embarassingfailureGDCGDC08microsoftRRoDXboxXbox-360Xbox360Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony denies 40% failure rate on new PS3, original article removed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/sony-denies-40-failure-rate-on-new-ps3-original-article-remove/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/sony-denies-40-failure-rate-on-new-ps3-original-article-remove/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/sony-denies-40-failure-rate-on-new-ps3-original-article-remove/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sony Europe came out and denied a "report" that 40% of the new 40GB PlayStation 3 models are defective. The story got started by Dutch site Gamed, which claimed that Belgian retailer, Games Mania, stated 40% of the new 40GB PS3 sold have been returned because of hardware defects. The original "report" has since been removed and wiped clean from the tubes.

Sony Europe pres. David Reeves said they're very proud of the quality and reliability of the PS3 and are disappointed in the inaccurate story. We imagine Reeves was trying with all his might to not take the swipe at the competition he could have easily justified. Classy.

JoystiqSony denies 40% failure rate on new PS3, original article removed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europefailureps3Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[We wait for the Halo 3 (Boston edition): aka failure to launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/25/we-wait-for-the-halo-3-boston-edition-aka-failure-to-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/25/we-wait-for-the-halo-3-boston-edition-aka-failure-to-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/25/we-wait-for-the-halo-3-boston-edition-aka-failure-to-launch/#commentsFiled under:


Don't see much in the picture above? Don't worry about it because there's nothing to see. Remember how there were those midnight Wal-Mart launches for Halo 3? Well apparently that didn't apply to the Wal-Mart in Walpole, Mass. Quick timeline of the events leading to midnight:
  • 11:43PM - Arrive to an almost empty parking lot at Wal-Mart.
  • 11:43:30 - Realize there is nothing going on here as I watch a woman cleaning inside.
  • 11:44 - Two guys pull up asking what's the deal with the midnight launch? Tell them it looks like it's not happening here.
  • 11:48 - Call up Ross who's apparently in a really great launch line waiting for his copy. Ask him if he can easily find a 7-Eleven on his internet-enabled phone that has a midnight launch. He can't hear me, but the two guys in the car know of a local store. It'll be a roll of the dice whether they're selling Halo.
  • 11:50 - Follow the two guys to the nearest 7-Eleven. That's at least where I hoped we were going.
  • 11:55 - Arrive at the local 7-Eleven and in a very awkward exchange that involves me pointing at the Slurpee machine and asking if they are selling, "The Halo 3." The clerk politely responds and laughs, "No, no, no, no."
  • 11:57 - Say goodbye to the two strangers who say they're off to bed. They say they'll just pick it up tomorrow morning.
  • 12:01AM - Standing in the empty 7-Eleven parking lot and accepting the fact that there won't be the Haloz tonight. Begin the drive home.
So, what's the point of this post? Did you try and get a copy of the game tonight and have no luck? Share your stories below.

JoystiqWe wait for the Halo 3 (Boston edition): aka failure to launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostonfailurehalo3launchTue, 25 Sep 2007 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Moore: Sony is 'failing' in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/peter-moore-sony-is-failing-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/peter-moore-sony-is-failing-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/peter-moore-sony-is-failing-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The funniest part of the GameDaily.biz interview with Peter Moore is that he knows the Xbox is biting the big one in Japan, but he points out that Sony "crumbling" in Japan against the Wii is just more delicious. Moore says he planned for an uphill battle in Japan -- actually it's more like a flat-faced vertical mountain battle, having only sold 122, 565 Xbox 360s this year -- but he believes Sony never expected to fail in Japan like they have.

Moore points out that Sony keeps talking about this 10-year plan without ever explaining what that means. He says, "I'm not sure what their 10-year plan is ... It's like they just said, 'We have a 10-year plan' [and that's it]." Moore isn't talking 10-year plans but he expects the Xbox to live longer than the original's four years. He says Sony can have all the plans they like, but the key is getting to the "mass market with price points [that matter]," which Moore says Microsoft is a lot closer to being able to do. Yes, that certainly sounds like allusion to an incoming price drop.

JoystiqPeter Moore: Sony is 'failing' in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crumblinge3e307failuremicrosoftpeter mooreprice dropPS3sonyXbox-360Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[UK repair service Micromart refuses Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/uk-repair-service-micromart-refuses-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/uk-repair-service-micromart-refuses-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/uk-repair-service-micromart-refuses-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,

UK repair service Micromart is refusing to service any more Xbox 360s due to a "base manufacturing problem that potentially affects all 360s" they tell Joystiq. Before they stopped repairing Xbox 360s, which they are not an authorized repair center for, they were getting in "around 30 a week." Customers who are looking for the quick service of Micromart are suggested to "contact Microsoft for a motherboard replacement" as it's the only guaranteed fix according to Micromart.

Jeff Croft of Micromart says, "We saw it over a period of several months and it was just getting worse. It began towards the end of last year. Once the twelve month warranty finished then we started to see more and more machines being sent in to be looked at ... The problem with three red lights was there fairly regularly, but over two or three months it became a real issue." Croft goes on to say that even after the repairs that Micromart had done they were not happy with the result. They believe it is a problem with the motherboard and weren't comfortable charging customers for labor on a product for a problem they believed wasn't going to go away. Croft sent a letter to Microsoft with their concerns, but says they've received no response.

[Thanks, ktchong, CR, Jem]

Read - Micromart homepage
Read - Repair Firm Won't Service Ring of Death 360s (Next-Gen)
Read - Repair Specialist Refuses to Take Further Xbox 360s (GI.biz)

JoystiqUK repair service Micromart refuses Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurered ring of deathrrodxbox 360Xbox-360Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Audio proof of one man's 11 dead Xbox 360s]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/audio-proof-of-one-mans-11-dead-xbox-360s/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/audio-proof-of-one-mans-11-dead-xbox-360s/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/audio-proof-of-one-mans-11-dead-xbox-360s/#commentsFiled under: ,


As Microsoft dances around the Xbox 360 hardware failure class action lawsuit just begging to happen, 1UP has one more piece of "anecdotal" evidence to throw on the pyre. They offer up the tale of Justin Lowe and his 11 failed Xbox 360s. "No, that's impossible!" scream the fanboys in their best Luke Skywalker impression. Ah, but Lowe went ahead and got audio evidence to prove it's true. The recording (found below) covers his conversation with Xbox India support as they walk through every single one of his failed consoles. Although the recording is long and just goes through the motions, evidence isn't always sexy, sometimes it just proves a point.

Now, we're sure that Lowe keeps his Xbox 360 wrapped in an old shag carpet, standing vertically, in a room that has the humidity of the Amazon rainforest ... oh, and the electrical system in his house consistently causes spikes. Did we cover everything there? 1UP went through the motions, like every media outlet pretty much has done at this point, and received the standard wall of there being nothing wrong and that the newly installed heatsinks are merely part of the regular updating of components in consoles. As Microsoft previously asserted, they "do not provide details on these updates." Lowe, who is on console number 12 now, says, "I still like Microsoft, as much as that may astound people. There's no real hate towards the company for what I have experienced." And we just keep telling ourselves: Don't focus on failure, focus on repair.


Lowe Recording:

JoystiqAudio proof of one man's 11 dead Xbox 360s originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurerecordingred ring of deathrepairrrodserviceXbox-360xbox360Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[A valiant attempt to get Xbox 360 failure rate answers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/16/a-valiant-attempt-to-get-xbox-360-failure-rate-answers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/16/a-valiant-attempt-to-get-xbox-360-failure-rate-answers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/16/a-valiant-attempt-to-get-xbox-360-failure-rate-answers/#commentsFiled under: ,


Dean Takahashi from the San Jose Mercury News recently sat down with Todd Holmdahl, Microsoft's man in charge of the quality for the Xbox 360. Takahashi is another reporter trying to get Microsoft fessing up to the actual failure rate of the Xbox 360, a machine that many enjoy and continues to show its worth, but has an anecdotally tragic failure rate. It would probably make a great chapter if Takahashi ever follows up his book Xbox 360 Uncloaked. Takahashi does his best get answers in the interview to what's really going on with the system's failure rate, but if you've ever wondered what corporate stonewalling looks like, make sure to read the full interview.

Highlights from the interview after the break

Continue reading A valiant attempt to get Xbox 360 failure rate answers

JoystiqA valiant attempt to get Xbox 360 failure rate answers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jun 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurered ring of deathrrodtakahashiXbox-360xbox360Sat, 16 Jun 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft avoids 360 cooling rumors, calls hardware updates 'commonplace']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/microsoft-avoids-360-cooling-rumors-calls-hardware-updates-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/microsoft-avoids-360-cooling-rumors-calls-hardware-updates-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/microsoft-avoids-360-cooling-rumors-calls-hardware-updates-com/#commentsFiled under:


If we had actually started fixing a problem people had been complaining about since our system had been released (read: Xbox 360s dying) we'd be shouting it from the rooftops. In a statement issued to GamesIndustry.biz though, Microsoft was playing it cool on rumors of additional cooling in repaired 360. (Do you see what we did there?)

"Regularly updating console components is commonplace within the industry," was the official line from the spokesperson, who then promptly declined to comment on whether or not Microsoft had done it. There's no word on whether or not the spokesperson's comically exaggerated winking was audible during the interview. If there's actually a Lorenzo's Oil for 360 heat death, we assume Microsoft's worried about opening the floodgates to the millions that might want their problem prematurely fixed. After all, as Peter Moore already told us, the company's not so much interested in preventative care as resuscitation.

JoystiqMicrosoft avoids 360 cooling rumors, calls hardware updates 'commonplace' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurehardwaremicrosoftpetermoorerepairsXbox-360xbox360Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Motley Fool tells MS to get its act together]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/motley-fool-tells-ms-to-get-its-act-together/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/motley-fool-tells-ms-to-get-its-act-together/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/motley-fool-tells-ms-to-get-its-act-together/#commentsFiled under: ,

Adding himself to the ever-growing pool of Xbox 360 failure coverage, Seth Jayson of The Motley Fool is warning investors that the Xbox 360's failure rates could hurt its future growth. After receiving the dreaded Ring of Death himself (and some faulty Zunes), Jayson has some fighting words for Microsoft. Of particular note, is the statement that the actual failure rates aren't as important as the perceived failure rates. In other words, the stories of multiple failed Xbox 360s are much louder than Microsoft's claims that failure rates are within the acceptable standard. Jayson admits that, when functional, the Xbox 360 is a topnotch game player and an excellent media hub to boot, but if the public perceives it as faulty, then Microsoft stands the chance of "alienating potential customers and crimping future growth." In conclusion, Jayson notes that Microsoft must address these basic hardware issues before it can effectively execute its plans for new-gen dominance.

What do you think? Do you know anyone who was swayed from getting an Xbox 360 based on failure horror stories?

JoystiqMotley Fool tells MS to get its act together originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 red lights360 failure360Failure3RedLightsconsole warsConsoleWarsfailuremotley foolMotleyFoolred ring of deathRedRingOfDeathFri, 08 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anecdotal: Microsoft low on Xbox 360 coffins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/anecdotal-microsoft-low-on-xbox-360-coffins/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/anecdotal-microsoft-low-on-xbox-360-coffins/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/anecdotal-microsoft-low-on-xbox-360-coffins/#commentsFiled under: ,



For the most part, we've given up on reporting every single time one of our colleagues in the gaming press has an Xbox 360 die on them. Frankly, we'd be writing a piece every couple weeks. A brilliant recent example was the Weekly Geek Show's Xbox 360, which we covered, died again in late May. Exactly one month and six days after being "repaired." But, like Peter Moore asked of all of us, we shouldn't focus on the failure rate of Xbox 360s, but on the service in repairing them. And so, we have the story of Officer Craig Ravitch of the New York Police Department.

Officer Ravitch discovered last Friday that his Xbox 360 died on him in a classic New York "You gotta' be frickin' kidding me!" moment. He loves his Xbox 360, it's his "favorite system," but the "constant breaking down is amazing" to him. He called Microsoft, as he's done three times before. This next console will be his fourth since the 360 launch. He bought the $60 two-year warranty after his last failure and also received a 50% repair discount after arguing the last time. Microsoft support told him he'd have his box by Tuesday. After not receiving a confirmation that this Xbox 360 coffin was sent (which he received the last time he did this), he decided to call support again. They informed him his box wasn't sent because "the service department is running very low on boxes, so it will take a little longer than expected to get that box" out to him. Ravitch was shocked. Is Microsoft getting back so many defective systems that they don't have a fresh supply of coffins anymore?

We spoke with Officer Ravitch, who has a 26,000 point Gamerscore and buys about four games a month, and he told us, "As a consumer, I'm extremely, extremely disappointed with the way these consoles are dying. I don't have small children, I'm married, I get my three hours of gaming in when I can." He points out that the time he's lost in the back and fourth transit of his Xbox 360 has cost him three months of Xbox Live and he's thankful that he bought the warranty last time around, despite it being an unnecessary expense. Ravitch was mostly concerned that Microsoft is running low on coffins and now his repair has been delayed by a full week. Ravitch says, "I hate to badmouth the 360, its one of my favorite systems, but this burns me."

JoystiqAnecdotal: Microsoft low on Xbox 360 coffins originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failureofficer ravitchOfficerRavitchpeter moorered ring of deathRedRingOfDeathrepairxbox 360Xbox-360Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Has Sony failed to understand the casual gamer?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/has-sony-failed-to-understand-the-casual-gamer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/has-sony-failed-to-understand-the-casual-gamer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/has-sony-failed-to-understand-the-casual-gamer/#commentsFiled under:

In a recent interview with GI.biz, Nintendo VP of marketing, George Harrison, said that Sony and Microsoft have both attempted to woo the casual gamer but both failed due to a lack of understanding of the casual gamer. Specifically, Harrison mentioned the Sixaxis as Sony's failure:

"We can already see some of the things they've tried. For last year's E3, at the last minute, Sony rushed out their Sixaxis controller as an effort to respond to the Wii remote. We saw Microsoft roll out Viva Piñata as their killer app for the Pokemon set. And neither of those worked really well.

It's true that Nintendo knows how to dominate a certain kind of casual gamer market, but it seems a bit disingenuous to be writing off the Sixaxis as a failed attempt to capture Nintendo's market share. Sony has never particularly positioned that motion-sensitivity of the Sixaxis as a lure to the casual gamer. They've marketed it as a feature that adds to existing games and allows you to do things you've never done before (see LAIR and Warhawk). It's true that they have utilized the motion sensitivity aspect of the controller to create more easily accessible games like Blast Factor, flOw and Super Rub-a-Dub, but unlike Nintendo, thats that's clearly not their whole focus.

Continue reading Has Sony failed to understand the casual gamer?

JoystiqHas Sony failed to understand the casual gamer? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2007 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual gamesCasualGamesfailuregeorge harrisonGeorgeHarrisonnintendopokemonsingstarsixaxisWed, 30 May 2007 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Informer agrees: PSP failure is a myth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/game-informer-agrees-psp-failure-is-a-myth/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/game-informer-agrees-psp-failure-is-a-myth/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/game-informer-agrees-psp-failure-is-a-myth/#commentsFiled under:

The June issue of Game Informer has a feature about gaming's big questions. One of these is whether or not the PSP is a failure. Unsurprisingly, these claims are reduced to nothing more than simple falsities, spouted by Sony haters. As the Game Informer article smartly states: "How does selling 10 million units equate to failure?" Amongst many reasons listed is the undeniable fact that the PSP is the first serious portable competitor of Nintendo to find success. Before the DS Lite came out, PSP was actually beating DS in sales (according to NPD). To sum it up, no rational, unbiased gamer can list the PSP as a failure.

We all know the PSP is a success, it's just nice to see the often PSP hating press finally agree with us.

JoystiqGame Informer agrees: PSP failure is a myth originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failuregame informerGameInformermythpspFri, 25 May 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Failed Louisiana video game bill sponsor speaks out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/10/failed-louisiana-video-game-bill-sponsor-speaks-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/10/failed-louisiana-video-game-bill-sponsor-speaks-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/10/failed-louisiana-video-game-bill-sponsor-speaks-out/#commentsFiled under:

Following an embarrassing defeat of his unconstitutional video game bill, Louisiana Rep. Roy Burrell (D) wrote an op-ed piece in this morning's Shreveport Times. The newspaper had previously criticized him and it seemed he was attempting to explain himself. The naive representative worked with Jack Thompson to pen the bill that would not only eventually get defeated, but would force Louisiana taxpayers to pony up the $100,000 in legal fees to the ESA for wasting their time fighting the bill. From the op-ed piece Burrell still doesn't quite get what's wrong.

Burrell (pictured with Jack Thompson) writes, "I am offended The Times and one federal judge would question state legislators' commitment, integrity and legal knowledge because of a controversial constitutional court ruling on the protection of the First Amendment Right of free speech. Like me, during the legislative process, legislators never knew they would vote unanimously on HB 1381, only to have it struck down by a federal district judge, then publicly criticized by him and the media for doing their legislative duty. This is appalling. Conversely, they should be commended and not humiliated on standing up finally for children and families against the powerful entertainment industry."

So, not only was Burrell "humiliated," but he ended up costing taxpayers 100 grand. He says it's worth it if it stops one child from being harmed by "mind-altering harmful ultra-violent video games." Burrell closes saying, "It is difficult for me to ignore the facts that explicitly sexual and ultra-violent video games are severely and adversely affecting our children's behavior." Sorry Roy, no facts, you just got Jack.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqFailed Louisiana video game bill sponsor speaks out originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2007 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burrellfailuregame billjack thompsonJackThompsonlouisianaThu, 10 May 2007 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Moore: Don't focus on Xbox 360 failure, focus on repair]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/moore-dont-focus-on-xbox-360-failure-focus-on-repair/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/moore-dont-focus-on-xbox-360-failure-focus-on-repair/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/moore-dont-focus-on-xbox-360-failure-focus-on-repair/#commentsFiled under: ,



In a recent interview with Microsoft's Peter Moore, Mike Antonucci of the Mercury News had a portion of his interview dedicated to reader questions. The topic of the Xbox 360's failure rate was bound to come up. In a stunning display of spin typically reserved for only the best bad Sony news, Moore says consumers should focus on their treatment once their Xbox 360 fails, not the failure itself.

Moore says, "I can't comment on failure rates, because it's just not something -- it's a moving target. What this consumer should worry about is the way that we've treated him. Y'know, things break, and if we've treated him well and fixed his problem, that's something that we're focused on right now. I'm not going to comment on individual failure rates because I'm shipping in 36 countries and it's a complex business."

It's a moving target? It may be an ever increasing target (or decreasing target), but it's hardly moving. All it takes is the number of defective units sent in for repair, divided by units sold and voila ... a clear number. Nobody is screaming recall and owners have come to expect the Xbox 360's failure as part of the console's lore, but they're sticking to that 3% figure ... which works out to over 300K units, no small number.

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqMoore: Don't focus on Xbox 360 failure, focus on repair originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failuremoorered ring of deathrrodxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Tue, 08 May 2007 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Massachusetts tries Jack Thompson's failed Utah game bill]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/massachusetts-tries-jack-thompsons-failed-utah-game-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/massachusetts-tries-jack-thompsons-failed-utah-game-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/massachusetts-tries-jack-thompsons-failed-utah-game-bill/#commentsFiled under: ,

Massachusetts' legislators have been offered up HB 1423, a game bill which seeks to "restrict the sale of video games wih [sic] violent content to minors." "Harmful to minors" is defined as content describing or representing nudity, sexual conduct or sexual excitement, "so as to appeal predominantly to the prurient interest of minors." Section four of the bill is where the civil rights lawyers are going to have a field day. It states a game is harmful to minors if it "lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors." That's about as broad as making brush strokes with Mr. Fantastic's super powers.

Why does this all seem oddly familiar? This bill was created with the assistance of Jack Thompson and similar versions were shot down in Utah and deemed unconstitutional in Louisiana. Mayor Thomas Menino, one of the petitioners of the bill, was one of those who pushed through a ban on M rated game advertisements on the subway and got very upset during the infamous Aqua Teen Hunger Force bomb incident. Hopefully this bill will die somewhere along the path, because we're sure the citizens of Massachusetts aren't looking to pay back the ESA when this bill is deemed unconstitutional in the courts ... again.

JoystiqMassachusetts tries Jack Thompson's failed Utah game bill originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostonfailuregame billmassachusettsutahWed, 11 Apr 2007 23:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Negativity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/wii-warm-up-negativity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/wii-warm-up-negativity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/wii-warm-up-negativity/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've noticed something lately, and thought it worth mentioning this fine morning: there are lots of people talking about the "failure" of the Wii. We've seen dozens of op-ed pieces on the various things that have "killed" the Wii (lack of supply, lack of games, lack of third party support), and we see lots of rousing posts on various interweb forums about how Nintendo can "turn things around." Frankly, these kinds of pieces make us rub our eyes and make comic faces that demonstrate our disbelief. Is this bizarro world? Because in this world, we see a lot of people playing Wii. We see a lot of people buying Wii. We're watching Nintendo ooze money right now. So, uh, just what is it we're missing here?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Negativity originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurekillnegativityNintendoWiiwwuFri, 06 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech designed to die]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/11/tech-designed-to-die/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/11/tech-designed-to-die/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/11/tech-designed-to-die/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kris Wagner posts an amusing Wired News column asking if technology companies design a life-span into products, forcing customers into a money-spending cycle. While the conspiracy has existed as long as our technology has failed, it's hard to make the next jump to nefarious, Tomorrow Never Dies-style meetings where company leaders maniacally ask for bugs to be added into products.

Our informal poll around the Joystiq offices suggests that most of our game hardware has never broken. But a few of us are cursed with failure mojo, with one writer having had problems with an Xbox 360, PS2, SNES, and GameBoy. Is game hardware built better than iPods, or do we just pamper it more? (We've never taken an Xbox jogging.)

JoystiqTech designed to die originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Dec 2006 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brickedend of lifeEndOfLifefailureKris WagnerKrisWagnerwarrantyMon, 11 Dec 2006 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kristanna Loken dumps Uwe Boll]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/09/kristanna-loken-dumps-uwe-boll/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/09/kristanna-loken-dumps-uwe-boll/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/09/kristanna-loken-dumps-uwe-boll/#commentsFiled under:

Infamous video game director Uwe Boll is going to have to find a new "star" to drag through the mud. Kristanna Loken, star of two Boll films -- BloodRayne and the as-of-yet unreleased In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale -- has thrown the "engaged to be engaged" ring back in Uwe's face and has decided to move on to bigger and better things. BloodRayne 2 is just not in the Hollywood stars for Loken. Good move, Ms. Loken, Uwe just isn't good enough for you.

Loken's official statement is that she's too busy working on Painkiller Jane, a Sci-Fi series. Replacing Loken as Rayne (and Uwe's next "fling") in BloodRayne 2 (the first one warranted a sequel?) is Natassia Malthe. After checking IMDB, we discovered that Malthe doesn't exactly have a stellar career of her own. We have to respectfully inform Ms. Malthe that those "Oscars" in Uwe's office are made of Papier-Mâchè.

Loken's excuse for not working on a third Boll movie and reprising her role as Rayne is questionable. Maybe Loken decided it was about time to get out of the acting gutter and start working on some better projects? In any case, that hasn't stopped Boll from wasting other people's money; working on future flops such as Postal, Far Cry, Alone in the Dark 2 (again with the sequels) and non-gaming IP Seed. Who knows, maybe BloodRayne 2 will turn out like Superman Returns as Uwe claims; a dull movie that somehow managed to make a profit.

(We are proactively denying any future boxing challenges Uwe Boll may deliver ... you fight too dirty, bro.)

JoystiqKristanna Loken dumps Uwe Boll originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blood RayneBlood Rayne 2BloodRayneBloodRayne 2Bloodrayne2BollDungeon Siegedungeon siege taleDungeonSiegeDungeonSiegeTalefailureFar CryFar Cry movieFarCryFarCry movieFarCryMoviehack directorHackDirectorIn the name of the kingin the name of the king: a dungeon siege taleInTheNameOfTheKingInTheNameOfTheKing:ADungeonSiegeTalekristianna lokenKristiannaLokenlokenpostalpostal moviePostalMovieRayneSeedSeed movieSeedMovieUweUwe BollUweBollThu, 09 Nov 2006 22:40:00 EST