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 cuts 1,400 jobs, 5,000 total by June 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/microsoft-cuts-1-400-jobs-5-000-total-by-june-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/microsoft-cuts-1-400-jobs-5-000-total-by-june-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/microsoft-cuts-1-400-jobs-5-000-total-by-june-2010/#commentsFiled under:


A sign of the economic times, Microsoft just announced that, effective immediately, 1,400 jobs will be cut and a total of 5,000 jobs (around 5.5% of Microsoft's global workforce) will be cut by June 2010. The announcement was made after today's release of lower than expected fiscal Q2 earnings and is the first mass layoff announcement in the company's 34 year history.

The cuts will save Microsoft $1.5 billion in operating expenses as well as $700 million in 2009 capital expenditure, but the news instantly shot Microsoft stock down 9% after the announcement. Hopefully our Xbox peeps aren't affected by the cuts as we wish the best for all Microsoft employees involved. Stupid economy.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqMicrosoft cuts 1,400 jobs, 5,000 total by June 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmsxbox-360Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/todays-most-microsoft-surface-y-video-firefly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/todays-most-microsoft-surface-y-video-firefly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/todays-most-microsoft-surface-y-video-firefly/#commentsFiled under:

It's been a while since we first speculated on the gaming potential of Microsoft's Surface multi-touch tabletop computer -- long enough, in fact, that that potential has now become somewhat more actual. Sarcastic Gamer has the video of a Carbonated Games demo for Firefly, a simple game that, appropriately enough, involves gathering fireflies into jars (sorry Whedon fans, no Reavers here).

The multi-touch abilities of the Surface are put to good use in the video -- even with three hands and up to 15 fingers pushing the little flies around, the Surface doesn't seem to miss a beat. Our favorite part, though, has to be the ability to squash opposing players bugs with your actual fingers. Try doing that with one of today's consoles. We dare ya.

Continue reading to see why the future of gaming is as bright as a squished firefly's bottom.

Continue reading Today's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo

JoystiqToday's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoFireflyfuturegameMicrosoftMicrosoft surfaceMicrosoft-SurfaceMicrosoftSurfaceMSmulti-touchPCtouchThu, 28 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3 'Journey's End' doc sneaks onto Xbox Live Marketplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/halo-3-journeys-end-doc-sneaks-onto-xbox-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/halo-3-journeys-end-doc-sneaks-onto-xbox-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/halo-3-journeys-end-doc-sneaks-onto-xbox-live-marketplace/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Though we can't recall Major Nelson mentioning it, a new Halo 3 video documentary (or ViDOC, as the cool kids say) is now on Xbox Live Marketplace. Available only in HD and weighing in at 753 MB, "Journey's End" discusses the events in the first two Halo games as told through in-game footage and interviews with Bungie staffers.

Ardent fans of the Halo universe will probably not glean any new information, but they do get a chance to stare into Managing Editor Frank O'Connors gorgeous eyes - in HD no less! We've also embedded the video above (via Gametrailers) for those unable to get to an Xbox 360.

[Via X3F]

JoystiqHalo 3 'Journey's End' doc sneaks onto Xbox Live Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiehalohalo-3journeys-endmicrosoftmsvidocxblmXbox-360xbox-liveFri, 30 Nov 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[A heart-wrenching tale about Animal Crossing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/a-heart-wrenching-tale-about-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/a-heart-wrenching-tale-about-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/a-heart-wrenching-tale-about-animal-crossing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're not going to lie, this story moved us - not only for its content, but also because someone managed to use the YTMND format in a way that actually enhanced the storytelling process. This touching tale tells of the impact that Animal Crossing had on an ill family member. We don't want to spoil it, so check it out for yourself.

The story is from "a member in IGN" and illustrated by ONESOUND from This Is Game. If YTMND isn't your thing, you can also view a full-sized copy of the comic here and save it for later, or print it out and show your loved ones.

Update: As reader RySenkari has warned, the YTMND link had been "altered" to shy people away from the link, and the subsequent imagery was NSFW (try going to the site via Digg and you'll get an idea of what we're talking about). If you're sending this to family members or just don't want to risk seeing such things, we recommend either typing the URL in a separate window or just taking a look at the full-sized comic that we're hosting at the moment.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqA heart-wrenching tale about Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimalcrossingGameCubemsmultiple-sclerosisnintendopolioytmndMon, 19 Nov 2007 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Anecdotal: Red Ring of Death rate is 33% says DailyTech]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/anecdotal-red-ring-of-death-rate-is-33-says-dailytech/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/anecdotal-red-ring-of-death-rate-is-33-says-dailytech/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/anecdotal-red-ring-of-death-rate-is-33-says-dailytech/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ever hear the song that doesn't end? We have our own rendition for the continuing Red Ring of Death debacle: This Red Ring mess just doesn't end. Yes it goes on and on my friend. Xbox owners started getting it not knowing what it was. And we'll keep on reporting it 'til someone fesses up. (And now just keep repeating.)

The latest news comes from DailyTech who says that the failure rate is somewhere around 33%. Now let's just slow it down and take a step back. DailyTech came to the conclusion with the use of unnamed sources and no documentation. The Microsoft version of the Pentagon Papers this is not.

But, they did put some effort into the work, which although being anecdotal, does give a better picture to the situation. DailyTech contacted retail outlets that offer in-store extended warranties and found the Xbox 360 to be the least reliable. They also mention conference calls for EB Games stores which led to warranty policy changes due to the failure rate. A former EB Games employee by the name of Matthieu G. says, "The real numbers were between 30 to 33 percent ... We had 35 Xbox 360s at launch I know more than half of them broke within the first six months (red lights or making circles under the game discs). Two of them were dead on arrival." Of course, this is referring to launch Xbox 360s, an issue Microsoft has already addressed.

The rest of the article beyond that is just a chronology of everything that's been covered before, culminating in the cringe inducing Holmdahl interview with the Mercury Times. As more and more media outlets join the bandwagon, it's amazing that Microsoft hasn't just released the numbers regarding the failure rate, which they say is less than 5%. If you were a corporation with the evidence to make this all go away and you were telling the truth, why wouldn't you just do it at this point? And the next media outlet to report on the Red Ring of Death is?

JoystiqAnecdotal: Red Ring of Death rate is 33% says DailyTech originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dailytechmicrosoftmsred ring of deathrrodXbox-360xbox360Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[MS considering games for Zune]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/21/ms-considering-games-for-zune/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/21/ms-considering-games-for-zune/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/21/ms-considering-games-for-zune/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been oft rumored that Microsoft's music-playing, photo-sharing Zune (which was almost called the Xpod) will eventually have some sort of game-playing ability as well. Now, Microsoft Europe Chief Chris Lewis has thrown some more fuel on the rumor fire, telling TotalVideoGames in an interview that "gaming is certainly something we're considering for the device."

We can definitely see the appeal from Microsoft's point of view -- the move could provide the company with a quick, back-door entrance into the highly competitive portable gaming market while at the same time keeping up with Apple's game-playing iPod. The online functionality of Xbox Live and the library of casual and classic games from Live Arcade could also provide for good software support.

Still, we're not convinced games will attract many new customers to the weak-selling Zune. Given the system's design as a music player, we doubt the system has the hardware power or game-centric interface needed to really compete with the firmly entrenched DS and PSP. Still, you can never have too many devices that play Bejeweled in your pocket.

[Via GamaSutra]

JoystiqMS considering games for Zune originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bejweledDSgamesmicrosoftmsportablePSPXbox-360zuneThu, 21 Dec 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft gets a stock boost from 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/21/microsoft-gets-a-stock-boost-from-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/21/microsoft-gets-a-stock-boost-from-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/21/microsoft-gets-a-stock-boost-from-360/#commentsFiled under: ,

Competitors be damned! With the launch of both the Wii and PS3 come and gone, things are still looking rosy for Microsoft. On the basis of Microsoft's strengthening position in the digital entertainment arena (read: 360 and Zune) Credit Suisse has decided to raise Microsoft's stock rating from "neutral" to "outperform." Credit Suisse believes that Microsoft stock could appreciate as much as 20%, all thanks to the Entertainment and Devices division, the group responsible for both the 360 and Zune.

Sure, this is good news for Microsoft, but it has deeper implications as well. Credit Suisse's decision reflects an implicit belief that Microsoft's performance will increase despite the competition from PS3 and Wii. This doesn't necessarily mean that Credit Suisse believes Microsoft will dominate this generation of gaming, just that MS will be making money. Perhaps more to the point, it means that MS will be making more money than before. This holiday, it's a safe bet that plenty of 360s will be bought when shoppers can't get their hands on a PS3 or Wii, so the stock upgrade makes sense. The question is: how long will Microsoft's success last?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqMicrosoft gets a stock boost from 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console warsConsoleWarsmicrosoftmsstockTue, 21 Nov 2006 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[$40 XBL Vision camera & UNO bundle detailed by MS source along with prices & dates for other 360 accessories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/40-xbl-vision-camera-and-uno-bundle-detailed-by-ms-source-along-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/40-xbl-vision-camera-and-uno-bundle-detailed-by-ms-source-along-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/40-xbl-vision-camera-and-uno-bundle-detailed-by-ms-source-along-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

UNO and the Live Vision Camera: a match made in online heavenOur friendly anonymous source at Microsoft has provided us with a few more details concerning the 360 accessories announced back at E3.

Perhaps the most important involves the bundling of the Xbox Live Vision camera with a wired headset, the popular Live Arcade title UNO, and a month of Live Gold service for $39.99 when it releases in the States on September 19, 2006.

Granted, this is still an unofficial report (based on a leak of "official" info), so understand that you're probably not gonna get much confirmation from MS until they're good and ready to give it. If you'd like information on what other peripherals are coming out "Holiday 2006" (so sometime in the 4th quarter) and at what price, read on for more.

Continue reading $40 XBL Vision camera & UNO bundle detailed by MS source along with prices & dates for other 360 accessories

Joystiq$40 XBL Vision camera & UNO bundle detailed by MS source along with prices & dates for other 360 accessories originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 00:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20GB256 MB256Mb360360-compatible64 MB64Mbaccessoriesaccessoryadd-onanonymousbundlecameracompatibleCoredatedateddatesE3faceplatefaceplatesForzaGoldHalohard diskhard drivehard-diskhard-driveHardDiskHardDriveHDHD-DVDHD-DVD playerHd-dvdPlayerHDDheadsetHoliday 2006Holiday2006LiveLive ArcadeLive GoldLive MarketplaceLiveArcadeLiveGoldLiveMarketplaceMarketplacememory unitMemoryUnitMicrosoftMSMUnon-bundlednonbundledofficialPCPC-compatibleperipheralpriceprice pointPricePointpricespricingPS3 launchPs3Launchpurchaseracing wheelRacingWheelrumorrumoredserviceSKUSKUssourcetwo-tieredun-bundledunbundledUNOunofficialupgradeupgradesVisionViva PinataVivaPinatawebcamwheelWinter 2007Winter2007wiredwirelesswireless gaming receiverwireless racing wheelWirelessGamingReceiverWirelessRacingWheelXBLXBL VisionXblVisionXboxXbox LiveXbox Live VisionXbox-360XboxLiveXboxLiveVisionFri, 02 Jun 2006 00:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

360 wireless gaming receiver for the PCThanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below:
  • 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20
  • Wireless racing wheel: $130
  • Wireless headset: $60
  • Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40
  • New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each
  • 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU
Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.

We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.

[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]

See also:

JoystiqRumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 May 2006 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>(non)specific(non)specifics256MB360 SKUs360Skus64MBaccessoryadd-onarcadebiggest gaming device of allBiggestGamingDeviceOfAllbundlecameracommentcommentatorcommentedcommenterconfirmconfirmationcontributorcontrollercontrollersCoreCore systemCoreSystemE3e32006epobirsfaceplatefaceplatesForzagaming receiverGamingReceiverGoldHaloHalo 3Halo3HD-DVDHD-DVD add-onHD-DVD playerHd-dvdAdd-onHd-dvdPlayerheadsetheadsetsJoystiq ContributorJoystiqContributorLive ArcadeLive GoldLive Vision CameraLiveArcadeLiveGoldLiveVisionCameraMaster ChiefMasterChiefmemory cardmemory unitMemoryCardMemoryUnitMicrosoftMSMUnetwork adapterNetworkAdapternetworking adapterNetworkingAdapternon-Bluetoothnon-specificnon-specificsofficialPCpodcastpodcastsportable memory unitPortableMemoryUnitpriceprice dropprice dropsprice pointPriceDropPriceDropsPricePointpricingPS2 memory cardPS2 memory cardsPs2MemoryCardPs2MemoryCardsracing wheelRacingWheelrumorSKUSKUsspecificsundercutUSBUSB-basedVision CameraVisionCamerawheelwheelswireless gaming receiverwireless headsetwireless network adapterwireless networking adapterWirelessGamingReceiverWirelessHeadsetWirelessNetworkAdapterWirelessNetworkingAdapterXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Vision CameraXbox-360XboxLiveArcadeXboxLiveVisionCameraFri, 12 May 2006 14:15:00 EST