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[ESPN on Xbox Live updated with all live ESPN content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/20/espn-on-xbox-live-updated-with-all-live-espn-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/20/espn-on-xbox-live-updated-with-all-live-espn-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/20/espn-on-xbox-live-updated-with-all-live-espn-content/#comments ESPN on Xbox Live now shows all live ESPN contentPreviously Xbox Live was a good place to see some of ESPN's more fringe live content, like log racing, plastic cup stacking and the occasional tennis match. Today all live ESPN content is streaming through your Xbox 360, including Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Baseball and more top draws from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Buzzer Beater and Goal Line - granted only if you're an Xbox Live Gold subscriber, that is.

The updated app on Xbox 360 still features all of the familiar Kinect gesture and voice commands required by Microsoft law, and lets users stream multiple events in split-screen format, set reminders for big games and track their favorite sports through a customizable menu. Next month, SmartGlass functionality will also be added to the app.

You can download the improved app right now, simply by booting up the old app or heading to the appropriate section of your Xbox 360 dashboard.

Continue reading ESPN on Xbox Live updated with all live ESPN content

JoystiqESPN on Xbox Live updated with all live ESPN content originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appespnespn-liveespn2espn3espnukinectmicrosoftMonday Night FootballSci/TechsmartglassSplit screenSportsSportsCenterSportsNationSunday Night BaseballVoice ControlwatchespnxboxXbox 360Xbox Livexbox-liveTue, 20 Nov 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sleeping Dogs DLC goes street racing on October 16]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/sleeping-dogs-dlc-goes-street-racing-on-october-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/sleeping-dogs-dlc-goes-street-racing-on-october-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/sleeping-dogs-dlc-goes-street-racing-on-october-16/#comments Square Enix has gone on the record about several Sleeping Dogs DLC packs coming in October, and the first supplementary content pack has been dated for October 16. The 'Street Racer' DLC pack will be available for 320 MS Points on Xbox 360, $3.99 on both PlayStation 3 and PC via Steam. The DLC pack adds three new races across land and sea.

'Street Racer' also adds a new motorcycle to Wei Shen's garage and a new outfit to his closet, boosting defense against gunfire and accidents. Retailers recently slashed the price of Sleeping Dogs - it's $40 on both Xbox 360 and PS3 on Amazon and GameStop, or as a $30 PC download through GameStop.

JoystiqSleeping Dogs DLC goes street racing on October 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazon.comdlcGameStopmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Sci/Techsleeping-dogsSquare EnixSteamunited-front-gamesxboxXbox 360Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Mass Effect 3 demo drops today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/psa-mass-effect-3-demo-drops-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/psa-mass-effect-3-demo-drops-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/psa-mass-effect-3-demo-drops-today/#comments
If you're an Xbox 360 owner, you can snag the Mass Effect 3 demo now -- PC and PS3 players will have to wait a bit later in the day to grab Bioware's early taste of the Reaper invasion of Earth. The demo features a mission from the invasion and another later in the game. The demo also supports Kinect voice recognition.

Additionally, a new CG trailer is set to premiere during this week's episode of The Walking Dead on AMC. A teaser trailer for the commercial can be seen above.

JoystiqPSA: Mass Effect 3 demo drops today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredemoeakinectMass Effect 3mass-effect-3mass-effect-3-demomedia-uploadmicrosoftpcplaystationplaystation 3ps3psasonyxboxxbox 360Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII petition video is an instant comedy classic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/final-fantasy-xiii-petition-video-is-an-instant-comedy-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/final-fantasy-xiii-petition-video-is-an-instant-comedy-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/final-fantasy-xiii-petition-video-is-an-instant-comedy-classic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

[Update: Apparently this is a video of Kevin Bowen of Something Awful fame (infame?), making us 99.999% sure that it's a joke. Thanks, commenters.]

We can't really decide whether or not the ridiculously over-the-top mad genius in this Final Fantasy XIII petition video (some slightly NSFW language) is for real or not. On the one hand, the know-it-all, spittle-flecked delivery and lines like "I personally do not admire this game any more," seem like a satire of every fanboy stereotype in the book. On the other hand, the final few minutes of the video are delivered with such passion ("I don't think you realize how emotionally invested some of your fans are!") that it feels almost real.

Regardless of its veracity, the video is an instant comedy classic, intentionally or not. If there's any justice in the world, references to"public sue-de-ku" and "Final Fantasy [making] its final sale" will live on as inside jokes in the gaming community for years to come.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII petition video is an instant comedy classic

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII petition video is an instant comedy classic originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffxiiifinal-fantasy-xiiimad-geniuspetitionPS3squaresquare-enixvideoXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Limited edition red and green Xbox controllers coming Sept. 30 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/limited-edition-red-and-black-xbox-controller-coming-sept-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/limited-edition-red-and-black-xbox-controller-coming-sept-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/limited-edition-red-and-black-xbox-controller-coming-sept-30/#commentsFiled under:

Want to add a little zing to the plain ol' white and black Xbox 360 color scheme? A Microsoft web page reveals a new limited edition red and black Xbox 360 controller coming on Sept. 30, 2008. The standard wireless controller will come with a matching red rechargeable battery and a play and charge kit for $64.99 (a $5 savings over purchasing them seperately!). We have no idea why Microsoft would reveal a new color so long before the controller is set to be available, but it's release is awfully close to the newly-revealed Gears of War 2 release date of Sept. 9 Nov. 7 [Update: Not sure how I made that ridiculous error. Jet lag, I suppose]. Hmmm ...

[Thanks, Scott]

Update: The Xbox press site also has images from a green version of the controller (shown below the jump along with a higher-res version of the red one). No information about this version, which is not even mentioned in the accompanying press release. [Thanks, jdkay20]

Continue reading Limited edition red and green Xbox controllers coming Sept. 30 [update]

JoystiqLimited edition red and green Xbox controllers coming Sept. 30 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllerGears-of-war-2gearsofwargearsofwar2gow2microsoftredxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:30:00 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[Xbox 360 power supply cited in Little Rock fire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/xbox-360-power-supply-cited-in-little-rock-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/xbox-360-power-supply-cited-in-little-rock-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/xbox-360-power-supply-cited-in-little-rock-fire/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Y'know, just the other day we were saying to ourselves that it seemed like forever since we'd heard a new report of a Microsoft gaming power supply causing a fire. Well, we can't say that anymore, because KTHV is reporting that Little Rock Fire Department Captain Jason Weaver fingered an Xbox 360 power supply as the source of a house fire Monday.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the fire, which did $10,000 worth of damage to the house, but we're a little concerned that it was an Xbox 360 that allegedly caused the fire. Isn't the original Xbox supposed to be the one with the spark-generating, recall-spawning power supply? We thought the Xbox 360's heat problems were usually limited to inside the system (sorry, we had to go there).

JoystiqXbox 360 power supply cited in Little Rock fire originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firelittle-rockpower-brickpower-supplyXboxxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnov]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This week on Ask Joystiq, we look at downloading foreign content to a foreign system, streaming content to an Xbox 360, and identifying one --or possibly two? -- obscure Argentinian NES games.

If you have any burning questions, unsolved gaming mysteries, or just a desire for musings from our knowledgeable cadre of writers, drop us a line at ask AAT joystiq DAWT com (and yes, we write it that way for a reason).

Q: I might be going to Japan towards the end of the summer and might pick up some games or a system. If I get a system, how would that work when I bring it back to the states and log on-line for a Wii, PS3 or 360?? Would a Japanese Wii let me log in to only US servers or would I be able to download Japanese games from the marketplace. Same question applied to the other systems...
-- iwantmymtv

A: For the Wii, the region of the console corresponds to the region of the Wii Shop Channel -- Japanese systems will access the Japanese store, no matter where you plug them into the intertubes. You have to buy Wii Points that correspond to the system's region too, which means using a Japanese credit card or getting some Japanese Wii Points cards imported. [source]

Any PS3 will play downloads from any region, but each PSN account is locked to a specific region when you create it. Luckily, it's relatively easy to set up "dummy accounts" for each region you want to buy content, as long as you have a credit card from that country. Be warned, though: there is a significant language barrier for navigating the Japanese store.

Xbox Live users can also create dummy accounts to get around regional restrictions, but there are reports that Microsoft has been blocking downloads from accounts where this practice is detected. As always, let the international buyer beware.
-Kyle Orland

Continue reading Ask Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnov

JoystiqAsk Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnov originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-joystiqconnect-360connect360famicomHDDkarnovPS3region-freestreamingwhomp 'emWhomp'emWiixbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 sales up 40% in UK after price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/xbox-360-sales-up-40-in-UK-after-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/xbox-360-sales-up-40-in-UK-after-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/xbox-360-sales-up-40-in-UK-after-price-cut/#commentsFiled under: ,


Over the weekend the Xbox 360 saw an impressive 40% sales spike in the UK following a European price cut. The spike comes just as Sony prepares for another PS3 retail offering with the GT5: Prologue Bundle. According to Chart-Track, despite the Xbox 360 hardware boost, the software sales did not see an increase, but the company dismissed that because of the strong showing the previous week by Army of Two and Bully.

Chart-Track also reports that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games returned to the top spot in the software sales. Seriously, people, tell grandma to stop buying this game and end the madness.

JoystiqXbox 360 sales up 40% in UK after price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>salesukxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft unloading remaining HD DVD add-ons for $50]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/microsoft-unloading-remaining-hd-dvd-add-ons-for-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/microsoft-unloading-remaining-hd-dvd-add-ons-for-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/microsoft-unloading-remaining-hd-dvd-add-ons-for-50/#commentsFiled under: ,

Attention, people who collect obsolete technology -- here's the perfect chance to, um, add some obsolete technology to your collection! While Microsoft recently announced they're no longer producing HD DVD add-on drives for the Xbox 360, they are unloading their remaining supply at a bargain-basement price of $50, as a Microsoft spokesperson told Bloomberg.

Sure enough, online retailers from Circuit City to Best Buy to Buy.com are listing the defunct accessory for 25 percent of it's original price. At that price, the remaining stock could go fast. Then again, with the prospect of more HD-DVD discs looking less than good, maybe $50 is still too expensive to unload.

JoystiqMicrosoft unloading remaining HD DVD add-ons for $50 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onformat warsFormatWarshd dvdHD-DVDHdDvdmicrosoftperipheralxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Financial analysis looks at PC vs. console costs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/financial-analysis-looks-at-pc-vs-console-costs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/financial-analysis-looks-at-pc-vs-console-costs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/financial-analysis-looks-at-pc-vs-console-costs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Even the most diehard PC gamer has to admit that their console gaming brethren get the better end of the deal as far as costs are concerned. But exactly how much does a console gamer save over the system'ss lifespan? A poster over at TechConsumer crunched the numbers and found that, when everything is added up, the savings aren't necessarily that great.

When all is said and done, the full Xbox 360 gaming setup (including TV, accessories and Xbox Live subscription) costs $3,152 over six years, about $350 less than a basic gaming PC for the same period. Of course that cost includes a 42" 1080p TV, while the comparable PC uses a relatively paltry 22 inch display. When a comparable screen is used on the PC, the savings on the console side balloon to near $1,200.

The real killer for the PC, of course, is the upgrades (estimated in this study at $250 every other year) and recommended full-on replacements (every three years) that come much more frequently than the console equivalents (one replacement every six years). So, PC gamers, is it worth the extra money?

JoystiqFinancial analysis looks at PC vs. console costs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-warsfinancesPCpc-vs-consolesavingsupgradesxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Microsoft announces "community arcade"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-microsoft-announces-community-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-microsoft-announces-community-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-microsoft-announces-community-arcade/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Update: The official press release has more details on the program and a few of the first available games. It also mentions that community-created games "will quickly double the size of the Xbox 360 game library."

At Microsoft's GDC 2008 keynote address, the company announced a "community arcade" allowing user-created games to be distributed to Xbox 360 owners worldwide. "Now, 10 million people on Xbox Live get to play your game," said Microsoft Game Developer Group General Manager Chris Satchell. Free trials of these community created games should be available on Xbox Live "immediately" according to Satchell.

"For the first time, community games will be distributed through Xbox Live," Satchell said. "'Xbox Live Community Games will give creators a huge audience to share their creativity with. Game distribution will be democratized, allowing the community to control the content. Create, Submit, Peer Review, Play are the four key steps ... We want creativity to flow through this pipeline.


Users will be able to upload games using a Gamertag-like "creator identity" which will keep track of your game creation history. Creators can use descriptive sliders to describe a game's content, and peer reviewers can also evaluate the content for appropriateness.

At the keynote, Satchell showed off a short demo of user-created game Jellycar (pictured below), featuring an adorable bouncy, 2D car that drives along on a sketchpad, bouncing up and down on a cartoon road.



More as it becomes available.

JoystiqGDC08: Microsoft announces "community arcade" originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebreakingnewsGDC08XBLAXbox 360xbox live arcadeXbox-360Xbox360XboxLiveArcadeWed, 20 Feb 2008 14:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Canadian Xbox 360 price drops $50 Friday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/rumor-canadian-xbox-360-price-drops-50-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/rumor-canadian-xbox-360-price-drops-50-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/rumor-canadian-xbox-360-price-drops-50-friday/#commentsFiled under: ,

Update 8:15 PM EST: Toys R Us Canada has apparently lowered their prices already.

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, we have early word on what might be an upcoming price drop for the Canadian Xbox 360. The above phonecam photo comes from a FutureShop Canada employee, who says he was "quite surprised" to find a $50 price drop for the Xbox 360 Pro Console advertised right on the front page of next week's advertising fliers. Our source also tells us that the inside of the flier trumpets a $50 price drop for the XBox 360 Elite (to $449), an offer which allegedly includes a free copy of Turok.

Both price drops should be effective Friday, if this rumor proves true, and while we have no way of confirming this information as of yet, we have no explicit reason to doubt it either. Regardless, if you're a Canadian looking to buy an Xbox 360, it couldn't hurt to wait a couple of days to see if you can save a bit of green, er, funny multicolored money.

JoystiqRumor: Canadian Xbox 360 price drops $50 Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$50canadaEliteFutureShopprice dropprice-cutprice-dropPriceDropProXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft launches family timer for Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/microsoft-launches-family-timer-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/microsoft-launches-family-timer-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/microsoft-launches-family-timer-for-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Microsoft has finally released its 'Family Timer' for the Xbox 360, a long rumored update which was only recently confirmed by MS exec Robbie Bach last month. Once applied, the timer can be used to adjust and set the amount of available console playtime "on a daily or weekly basis...and the feature will automatically turn off the console when the predetermined time limit has been exceeded." Thankfully Microsoft has included reminders which it says will appear to notify players when their time is growing short, so hopefully they can make a mad dash for the nearest save point instead of being cut off without warning.

Interestingly, Microsoft notes that this feature came about as a result of two independent surveys conducted by the company throughout Europe and the United States, which included 800 parents in the US and some 4,000 parents in the U.K., France, Germany and Italy. According to the company, the surveys found that the majority of respondents (75% in Europe, 62% in the US) welcomed the idea of having such parental controls built into their game consoles, though it remains to be seen how many of said parents will actually take the time to implement and use the controls now that they are available.

JoystiqMicrosoft launches family timer for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>family timerfamily-timerFamilyTimermicrosoftparental controlparental controlsparental-controlparental-controlsParentalControlParentalControlstimerxbox 360xbox liveXbox-360xbox-liveXbox360XboxLiveTue, 04 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft trumpets strong October sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/microsoft-trumpets-strong-sales-in-october-npd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/microsoft-trumpets-strong-sales-in-october-npd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/microsoft-trumpets-strong-sales-in-october-npd/#commentsFiled under: ,

Despite dropping back to third place in overall hardware sales for October, Microsoft isn't crying too much over the latest NPD sales report. Why not? Well, a press release issued by the company lists plenty of reasons, including:
  • Higher overall sales ($354 million in hardware and software combined) than the competition ($246 million for Wii, $116 million for PS3)
  • New-gen software revenue ($162 million) that beat the Wii and PS3 combined ($90 million for Wii, $48 million for PS3)
  • Halo 3 is still the best-selling game in the country, with 434,000 units sold in October
  • The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero III proved the most popular, with 383,000 units in sales
The press release also includes the somewhat misleading claim that "PS3 and Wii combined had one third party title in the top ten console title list for the month, while Xbox 360 weighed in with two." While technically true, if you include the PS2, Sony's system wins with three games* in the top ten, and if you include first-party games, the Wii wins with four top-tenners. It's like saying your baseball team has the best left-handed pitchers born on Thursdays in February -- interesting, but kind of meaningless when you really look at it.

* Including both bundled and standalone versions of Guitar Hero III

JoystiqMicrosoft trumpets strong October sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MicrosoftNPDpress releasePressReleasesalesspinXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Jasper' is the next Xbox 360 chipset]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/10/jasper-is-the-next-xbox-360-chipset/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/10/jasper-is-the-next-xbox-360-chipset/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/10/jasper-is-the-next-xbox-360-chipset/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jasper is both the name of the of the next Xbox 360 chipset, and an old prospector heading to the rocky hills of Utah, planning to strike it rich on "The durned richest haul you've jest about evar seen! Yeehaw!" Which one comes to mind first when you hear that name?

Basically the hurricane-like string of Xbox 360 chipset names continues. First we had Zephyr, then Falcon, and now sometime next August, Jasper. What does Jasper bring? We're glad you asked. According to Dean Takahashi at the Mercury News, it brings exciting things like ... a 65nm graphics chip from ATI, and smaller memory chips.

This isn't all that exciting, since the current Falcon chipset uses a 65nm processor already, but it means that Microsoft is still working on bringing production costs down. Which could also translate to even cheaper Xbox 360s next holiday season ... meaning 2008, three years after the introduction of the system. We're all for cheaper prices, but we like added value too. Zephyr brought us HDMI, why can't Jasper bring us something. At least milk and cookies.

Joystiq'Jasper' is the next Xbox 360 chipset originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FalconJasperXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360ZephyrWed, 10 Oct 2007 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 gets left on stove, melts, still works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/08/xbox-360-gets-left-on-stove-melts-still-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/08/xbox-360-gets-left-on-stove-melts-still-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/08/xbox-360-gets-left-on-stove-melts-still-works/#commentsFiled under: ,


Though you'd probably expect the - ahem -ring in the side of this console to have been caused by an overheating Xbox, in a surprising turn of events, it was actually caused by, well ... idiocy. In his own words, "Well the ethernet cord we had to connect the 360s was too short, so we moved a 360 from standing up next to the TV to laying on its side on the stove." Yeah, on the stove that you cook with, so it's hard to be surprised when someone smelled melting plastic and then "whammo", melted gaming deluxe, without cheese.

You'd expect this to turn into a sob story about how this band of gamers was plum outta luck with one console down, but ... the thing still works. We're not sure how considering this is the same console that melts down without the assistance of open flames, though we're guessing that hole in the side just gives it plenty of extra air.

Anyhow, Engadget has more deets and pix, check it out and remember to keep your consoles out of the kitchen, even if you're playing Cooking Mama.

[Thanks, Ty]

JoystiqXbox 360 gets left on stove, melts, still works originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>meltedovenstoveXbox 360Xbox-360Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Oops, HMV admits error in MGS4 Xbox listing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/oops-hmv-admits-error-in-mgs4-xbox-listing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/oops-hmv-admits-error-in-mgs4-xbox-listing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/oops-hmv-admits-error-in-mgs4-xbox-listing/#commentsFiled under: ,


HMV admits that a pre-order listing for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots on Xbox 360 found on the site over the weekend was an administration error. The listing caused quite a stir over the weekend as the MGS4 rumor that the game will make its way to Xbox 360 just won't die, recently spurred on further by Konami executive statements. What lent the listing a strange twinge of respectability was that the date set for the Xbox 360 version was five months after the expected spring release of the PS3 version, giving Sony that extra time to still use that word "exclusive" which keeps being attached to the game.

HMV says that the error occurred because someone got overexcited and that the company originally wanted to simply "ask customers if they wished to receive an alert in the event of this title one day coming out on this platform." They say they didn't intend to start taking pre-orders. HMV says, "We're sorry to have caused such a stir." So watch out for those HMV listings, when they get excited, games magically appear.

JoystiqOops, HMV admits error in MGS4 Xbox listing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal gear solid 4Metal-Gear-Solid-4-Guns-of-the-Patriotsmgs4PS3xbox 360Xbox-360Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Snack Strong to win Xbox Live or an Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/snack-strong-to-win-xbox-live-or-a-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/snack-strong-to-win-xbox-live-or-a-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/snack-strong-to-win-xbox-live-or-a-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under:

Not only is Doritos sponsoring the Unlock Xbox contest, but they're also rewarding gamers for snacking strong. Through July 22nd, when you head over to Snack Strong Productions and make your way to the Xbox 360 building (stupid flash) you can instantly win an Xbox 360 prize bundle. Heck, you don't even need a code from a Doritos bag to enter as one will be supplied. What's even better is that anyone who registers and plays will be emailed a 48 hour Xbox Live code just for playing. So, go register, get your free code and enter every day for a chance to win some hardware. Everyone's a winner when they Snack Strong ... or something like that.

[Via Xbox.com]

JoystiqSnack Strong to win Xbox Live or an Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doritossnack strongSnackStrongxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Up close and personal with the Halo 3 Xbox 360 [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/up-close-and-personal-with-the-halo-3-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/up-close-and-personal-with-the-halo-3-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/up-close-and-personal-with-the-halo-3-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,

You've heard about it and have seen a few pictures, but we wanted to share with you some higher res up close and personal shots of the Halo 3 Xbox 360. After digging around some press kits we stumbled upon the images in the gallery below of the Halo 3 Xbox 360, pretty green controller and headset and man are we enjoying the design. Go ahead, take a look at the high res photos in our gallery below, you'll be glad you did.

Also, we're trying to contact Microsoft to clear up some confusion we have about the included headset. You see, Xbox.com and the press materials we received specifically state the bundle will include a wired headset (now confirmed). But we heard from E3 and Bungie stated in their Weekly Update that they were going to include the Halo 3 wireless headset instead. So, we aren't sure which it is, wired or wireless, but we'll be sure to pass along any clarification when we get it. Until then, take a look at the photos below.

Update 1: We just got confirmation from Microsoft that the pictured wired headset will be included in this bundle. The wireless Halo 3 headset will be a separate purchase for $59.99. All cleared up.

JoystiqUp close and personal with the Halo 3 Xbox 360 [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiehalo 3halo 3 xbox 360Halo3Halo3Xbox360xbox 360Xbox360Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sunday deals offer free Live and gift cards too]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/15/sunday-deals-offer-free-live-and-gift-cards-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/15/sunday-deals-offer-free-live-and-gift-cards-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/15/sunday-deals-offer-free-live-and-gift-cards-too/#commentsFiled under:

Today is Sunday and that means it's time to talk about this week's Xbox 360 super-Sunday-deals-of-money-savings-greatness! As usual, Circuit City has all the savings this week by offering up a free year of Xbox Live with purchase of any Xbox 360 console. You want video game deals? Well, if you're looking to get your Madden on later this year, plop down a preorder on Madden 08 and Circuit City will give you $25 towards a FansEdge.com order. And if Madden is too long of a wait to play football, this week NCAA Football 08 is available and if purchased at Circuit City they'll give you $10 gift card to boot.

There you go, that was the best of the best Xbox 360 deals this week. Pull out your plastic and shop, shop the day away!

JoystiqSunday deals offer free Live and gift cards too originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealsdeals and discountsDealsAndDiscountsgift cardGiftCardmadden 08madden nfl 08Madden08MaddenNfl08ncaa footballncaa football 08NcaaFootballNcaaFootball08xbox 360Xbox360Sun, 15 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 panoramas are 360 degrees of rotating fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/e3-panoramas-are-360-degrees-of-rotating-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/e3-panoramas-are-360-degrees-of-rotating-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/e3-panoramas-are-360-degrees-of-rotating-fun/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you haven't stopped by Xbox.com for a while we sincerely recommend that you check out the E3 panoramas they've created and posted for you to enjoy. These 360 degree rotations allow you to view all kinds of fun E3 locations like Microsoft's E3 conference stage, behind the scenes action, the always interesting E3 crowd and the oh-so-large Santa Monica ferris wheel. Everyone knows that playing with virtual panoramas is amusing, so quit depriving yourself and rotate the day away!

JoystiqE3 panoramas are 360 degrees of rotating fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307panoramaxbox 360xbox comxbox.comXbox360XboxComFri, 13 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: CoD 4, Too Human, Rock Band and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/video-cod-4-too-human-rock-band-and-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/video-cod-4-too-human-rock-band-and-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/video-cod-4-too-human-rock-band-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Things are chugging along here at E3 with new trailers and game videos hitting the web at a rapid fire pace. So again we rounded up the latest and greatest in visual media for your viewing pleasure. To kicks things off we recommend giving Microsoft's Xbox 360 video compilation a watch as it features a bunch of 360 games you'll be playing this year. It's a great primer video. Also, after the break you can view trailers from games featured at last night's conference including a lengthy Too Human trailer, Call of Duty 4 demo, Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed demo, Rock Band and Project Gotham Racing 4. Get to watching soldier, it's your fanboy duty!

Continue reading Video: CoD 4, Too Human, Rock Band and more

JoystiqVideo: CoD 4, Too Human, Rock Band and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307microsofttrailersvideosxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 Facts 'n Stats are statilicious]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/xbox-360-facts-n-stats-are-statilicious/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/xbox-360-facts-n-stats-are-statilicious/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/xbox-360-facts-n-stats-are-statilicious/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Breaking news! This just in! The Xbox 360 is a success! As part of their press release blitzkrieg, Microsoft decided to supply us with some Facts 'n Stats ammunition to prove how awesome the Xbox 360 and its community really is. So, we're passing along the news.

Supplied in their Facts 'n Stats are little statistical gems post-marketing spun for easy digestion. Little gems like 18 million Xbox 360 games have been sold worldwide, which is twice as many sold as both competitors combined. And another stating that Xbox Live has garnered 7 million members and that in the last year a new member has joined Xbox Live every 8 seconds. Or how about one of our favorites that since November, sixteen third party Xbox 360 titles have broken into the top ten best selling games (NPD figures) while third party titles on the PS3 or Wii have yet to achieve any top ten status. Fun, isn't it? More Facts 'n Stats enjoyment can be had after the break.

Continue reading Xbox 360 Facts 'n Stats are statilicious

JoystiqXbox 360 Facts 'n Stats are statilicious originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307microsoftstatsxbox 360xbox liveXbox360XboxLiveWed, 11 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Special Halo 3 Xbox 360 console announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/special-halo-3-xbox-360-console-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/special-halo-3-xbox-360-console-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/special-halo-3-xbox-360-console-announced/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yesterday, rumors were flying around the internet that a new gray Xbox 360 would be revealed. Well, we were close as a new Xbox 360 was shown, but it wasn't gray. Microsoft just announced that they'll be releasing a special edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 sometime this Fall. This army green Halo 3 360 is accented by yellow highlights (think Halo 3 wireless headset color scheme) and includes a matching green 20GB HDD, wired headset, and wireless controller. The package will also include a play and charge kit and limited edition theme and gamer picture set. But what's most interesting is that the console WILL include an HDMI port on the back. So, it's kind of an Xbox 360 Elite/Premium hybrid where you only get a Premium style 20GB HDD, but you also get Elite style HDMI connectivity with only component cables included. Again, Microsoft did not set a firm release date or pricing for the new console.

Halo 3 Xbox 360 bundle contents recapped after the break including a bigger photo of this army green wonder. Oh yeah, Halo 3 game sold separately.

Continue reading Special Halo 3 Xbox 360 console announced

JoystiqSpecial Halo 3 Xbox 360 console announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiee3e307halo 3halo 3 xbox 360Halo3Halo3Xbox360xbox 360Xbox360Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bloomberg: Microsoft planning 360 price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/bloomberg-microsoft-planning-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/bloomberg-microsoft-planning-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/bloomberg-microsoft-planning-360-price-cut/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bloomberg is quoting Microsoft Game Studios President Shane Kim as saying that his company needs to lower the price of the Xbox 360 to attract more consumers. "We need to compete effectively for that customer and part of that is getting to the mass market price point for the console. We definitely are working on that area.," Kim told the financial news site.

The article gives no indication of when or how much the reduction will be, so this is pretty much just confirmation that the price cut we all know will happen eventually will ... happen eventually. Still, it's nice to know that some Microsoft higher-ups are paying attention to the issue.

JoystiqBloomberg: Microsoft planning 360 price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priceprice cutPriceCutShane KimShaneKimXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's E3 conference is over ... the aftermath]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/microsofts-e3-conference-is-over-the-aftermath/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/microsofts-e3-conference-is-over-the-aftermath/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/microsofts-e3-conference-is-over-the-aftermath/#commentsFiled under: ,

Microsoft's E3 press conference ended earlier this morning and boy oh boy do we have stuff to talk about. Actually, we have so much to talk about that we'll be breaking down all the announcments into digestible blog "wraps" recapping the news in themed categories. So, be sure to watch for those blog wraps throughout the day. But right now we're sure you want the quick and dirty rundown of what Microsoft announced, showed and demoed at this year's E3. And who are we to say no? Check out a the quick rundown of what we learned during Microsoft's E3 press conference after the break with more info to come later in the day.

Continue reading Microsoft's E3 conference is over ... the aftermath

JoystiqMicrosoft's E3 conference is over ... the aftermath originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307microsoftxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's E3 press conference kicks off tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/microsofts-e3-press-conference-kicks-off-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/microsofts-e3-press-conference-kicks-off-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/microsofts-e3-press-conference-kicks-off-tonight/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've made it fellow fanboys! Tonight is the night when the speculation comes to an end and all (if not most) of our unanswered questions get answers. In less than an hour Microsoft will begin their E3 press conference live from the Santa Monica High School amphitheater at 11:30PM eastern. We'll surely get to see some Xbox 360 games, peripherals and hopefully be in for a few "OMG!" surprises. And this year you're in luck, because you have unprecedented access to this insider's only event. Not only will you be able to keep track of MajorNelson's updated Twitter stream and watch the press conference live on G4 TV (coverage starts at 11:00PM eastern), but Joystiq and Engadget will be live blogging straight from the event! Also, if technical difficulties can be cleared up, our very own Richard and David just might be able to do some live blogging of their own here at X3F. Remember, the conference starts at 11:30PM eastern!

And with less than an hour until the event begins, you have one final chance to share your opinion and predict what exciting news you think will come from Microsoft's E3 press conference. So fanboys, what are your predictions?

JoystiqMicrosoft's E3 press conference kicks off tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307microsoftpress conferencePressConferencexbox 360Xbox360Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft gets sued: Scratched game disc lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/microsoft-gets-sued-scratched-game-disc-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/microsoft-gets-sued-scratched-game-disc-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/microsoft-gets-sued-scratched-game-disc-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under:

We sort of figured that a consumer Xbox 360 lawsuit would pop up with all these red ring of death hardware issues, but we didn't think we'd see such lawsuit be based on disc scratching problems. A Florida resident has filed a class action lawsuit against Microsoft for disc drive problems associated with the console causing "destructive damages" to his video games. He is seeking to be reimbursed for cost of replacing such games and is suing for a payout of $5 million dollars. Now, we aren't claiming to be legal geniuses here, but wouldn't a Xbox 360 lawsuit targeted towards general hardware failures be a little more successful seeing all buzz around the issue? Oh well, these kind of lawsuits are quite normal and usually go no where, but we'll keep an eye on this to see if it gets any ground.

JoystiqMicrosoft gets sued: Scratched game disc lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class action law suitClassActionLawSuithardwarelaw suitLawSuitmicrosoftred ringRedRingxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gray Xbox 360 to make an E3 appearance? [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/gray-xbox-360-to-make-an-e3-appearance/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/gray-xbox-360-to-make-an-e3-appearance/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/gray-xbox-360-to-make-an-e3-appearance/#commentsFiled under: ,

See something a little out of place above? Yup, far left, see that? It's an Xbox 360 ... but gray!

The big Microsoft E3 press conference airs tonight and so the Gamerscore Blog crew took a few pictures of the venue (a high school) where all the fun will be going down later and posted them to their Flickr account. But they obviously posted photos that they shouldn't have and quickly pulled a bunch of pictures featuring the venue and the rehearsal. But Joystiq reader Rickard Gudbrand was quick to take a screenshot of the one gray Xbox image (but we found a higher res one here) before it was pulled. Indeed, it is a gray 360.

So, what does this gray Xbox 360 mean? Well, we aren't sure and will have to probably wait until the press conference later tonight, but we'll go out on a limb and say it may have to do with either a price cut or be a reworking of what the Core system offers. Microsoft ... always wanting to surprise as if it were Christmas in July.

Update 1: We've stumbled upon a higher resolution version of the leaked photo. Enjoy.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqGray Xbox 360 to make an E3 appearance? [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307grayxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Canadians get 4 games free with 360 purchase]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/canadians-get-4-games-free-with-360-purchase/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/canadians-get-4-games-free-with-360-purchase/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/canadians-get-4-games-free-with-360-purchase/#commentsFiled under:

Canadian gamers are in for a treat this week, because Future Shop has an Xbox 360 deal you can't refuse. This week Future Shop is offering the Premium Xbox 360 Forza 2 bundle for $499, but they are also throwing in three free games to boot! The three free games included are Crackdown, World Series of Poker: Tournament Of Champions, and Hitman: Blood Money plus Forza 2 equals four free games with a 360 purchase. Now that's what we call gaming in a box. Though, we recommend holding out until tomorrow night to see if the rumored 360 price drop happens. If not, go get yourself a 360 ... you deserve it.

[Thanks, DjDATZ]

JoystiqCanadians get 4 games free with 360 purchase originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bargainbundledealsdiscountsfuture shopFutureShopxbox 360Xbox360Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[A smaller, cooler Falcon should be soaring this Fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/a-smaller-cooler-falcon-should-be-soaring-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/a-smaller-cooler-falcon-should-be-soaring-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/a-smaller-cooler-falcon-should-be-soaring-this-fall/#commentsFiled under:

Falcon. That's the code name for the project that'll not only make future Xbox 360s more reliable and make the hardware cheaper, but will also help Microsoft sleep better at night. Over at The Mercury News, Dean Takahashi talks about the Falcon project and how the new 65nm technology could be the answer to Microsoft's red ring woes. It is expected that the new 65nm CPU/GPU combo could be implemented as soon this Fall and would seriously help with hardware stability as the smaller chips produce less heat. The benefits are enormous and range from cheaper hardware, to more reliable chips, to less heat being generated. With project Falcon being so beneficial it'd be hard to believe that Microsoft isn't pushing to get the technology up and out the door as soon as possible. This Falcon could very well be the single best thing to ever happen to the 360.

JoystiqA smaller, cooler Falcon should be soaring this Fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>65 nm65Nmfalconrevisionxbox 360Xbox360Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysts expecting a Xbox 360 price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/analysts-expecting-a-xbox-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/analysts-expecting-a-xbox-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/analysts-expecting-a-xbox-360-price-cut/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you didn't already know, today Sony announced that they've trimmed the fat on their Playsation 3 by dropping the price by $100. Surprising isn't it? Now the obvious question is whether Microsoft will retaliate with a price cut of their own or keep things the way they are. Industry analyst Michael Pachter thinks a price cut will happen and has gone on record to say that Microsoft will announce a Xbox 360 price drop sometime during E3. How Mr. Pachter sees it is that they'll knock of $50 from the Core and Premium and take $80 off the Elite making the price points $249, $349 and $399. This is of course entirely possible seeing that Sony is stepping on Microsoft's price point territory. Also, we're thinking a price cut is overdue seeing that the console has been out for nearly two years at the same price. We'll just have to wait until tomorrow night to see what surprises Microsoft has up their sleeves and if our 360 will get a fat trimming too.

JoystiqAnalysts expecting a Xbox 360 price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307elitepremiumprice dropPriceDroprumorxbox 360xbox 360 eliteXbox360Xbox360EliteMon, 09 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Variety reports on E3, "The industry's biggest event"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/variety-reports-on-e3-the-industrys-biggest-event/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/variety-reports-on-e3-the-industrys-biggest-event/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/variety-reports-on-e3-the-industrys-biggest-event/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Variety magazine, a mainstay daily trade for folks in the entertainment business, has an article out about the scaled-down E3 and what it'll mean to the gaming industry this year. Basically it's a summary of everything you probably already knew about this year's E3, but it shows how all eyes will be turning towards the show this week, just as if it was E3 as usual. They cover the now-confirmed PS3 price cut rumor and speculate that Microsoft will most likely follow suit, or will possibly improve what's in the box, like maybe bundling that HD-DVD player finally?

They also mention the biggies that will hopefully be shown off for the majors, including Killzone 2 for the PS3, Mass Effect for the 360, and Super Smash Bros. for the Wii. We're certainly hoping there will be more than three games at E3 this year, and if you could see our E3 appointment calendar for this week, you'd think we might be wishing there were only three. There's going to be a boatload of information later this week, so be sure to stay tuned.

We love how they say Nintendo basically doesn't have to do anything at E3, other than mention some game dates. Even Nintendo's George Harrison says "Nintendo goes as its own pace. It always does things its own way." As Fleetwood Mac would say, you can go your own way ... but you'd better be giving us some Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. dates when you do.

JoystiqVariety reports on E3, "The industry's biggest event" originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E307Nintendo WiiNintendoWiiPlayStation 3PS3WiiXbox 360Xbox-360Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Transformers transforming Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/08/video-transformers-transforming-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/08/video-transformers-transforming-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/08/video-transformers-transforming-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under:


That Summer robot blockbuster movie Transformers features all kinds of technological items changing form including cars, CD players and (our personal favorite) an Xbox 360. We've known about the transforming 360 for a while, but now we have video proof! Embedded above is a clip from the Transformers movie featuring a premium Xbox 360 turning into a Decepticon right out of the box. It's a short clip, but if you listen close enough you'll hear the signature sound of the Xbox 360 starting up. Yes ... our inner geeks are more than satisfied.

[Via ComNetSlash]

JoystiqVideo: Transformers transforming Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>movietransformtransformersxbox 360Xbox360Sun, 08 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[If you like parkour, you'll like Mirror's Edge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/if-you-like-parkour-youll-like-mirrors-edge/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/if-you-like-parkour-youll-like-mirrors-edge/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/if-you-like-parkour-youll-like-mirrors-edge/#commentsFiled under:

For those not in the know, parkour is essentially the running around a city and using buildings as stepping stones. The art of movement? Freerunning? Hmm, it's a bit complicated to sum up, so perhaps a video of it would explain it better. Or a fantastic movie. Regardless of our inability to describe the street acrobatics of parkour, know that it's awesome and DICE's upcoming FPS, Mirror's Edge, wants to capture the feeling of the human body doing such stunts. It's essentially moving Prince of Persia into first-person and we can dig that.

The game wants to pay attention to the body like no other FPS, taking note of acceleration and deceleration, head movements whilst running, and motion while you climb or jump. To pull off the parkour-inspired moves, you've got to set in a sequence of button-presses, utilizing some sort of "reaction time" slow motion feature. The game, you can infer, isn't about shooting people so much as it is about knowing your way around the huge levels and being able to pull off these escape stunts. Gunning someone down is the ultimate goal, but in multiplayer at least, chase sequences are going to be the fun part. We're excited to see how this one turns out!

JoystiqIf you like parkour, you'll like Mirror's Edge originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If the recently rumored $100 price cut for the PS3 turns out to be true, it will end the era of one of the most controversial pricing moves in the history of consumer electronics.

The writing was on the wall early on, with former SCE President Ken Kutaragi hinting way back in July 2005 that he hoped gamers would "work more hours to buy [a PS3]." When the price was officially announced at Sony's E3 2006 press conference the first wave of ridicule was practically immediate. Kutaragi's comment that the price was "too cheap" for what consumers were getting just stoked the fires, leading at least one Joystiq blogger to call the company "out of touch." Hey, $599 is pretty cheap if the thing is made of uranium.

Yet by launch time there were some signs that the high price wasn't really a deterrent. Despite some launch window reviews saying the system "just isn't worth it yet," the initial stock of PS3s sold out to mobs of fans who waited in the November cold to drop up to six Benjamins on a game console. Many of those who managed to get one of the limited initial allotment put them up on eBay, where some fetched ridiculously inflated prices. Maybe $600 was a bargain after all.

Continue reading Behind the price cut: The long, strange saga of the $599 PS3

JoystiqBehind the price cut: The long, strange saga of the $599 PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dreamcastgamecubepriceprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropPS2PS3retailWiiXboxXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[360's Warranty extended to THREE years!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/360s-warranty-extended-to-three-years/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/360s-warranty-extended-to-three-years/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/360s-warranty-extended-to-three-years/#commentsFiled under:

The guys over at Gamerscore Blog expressed their discontent with the failure rate of Xbox 360s and the customer service for getting consoles repaired. As such, they are changing the warranty policy worldwide to 3 years after the consoles purchase when dealing with the 3 red rings of light hardware failure on Xbox 360s. Anyone who's payed for any repairs up to this point will be reimbursed in full. This means that anyone who bought their console at launch will be covered until November 22nd 2008. On top of the press release, Peter Moore himself posted an open letter to the community on the policy change, which is included after the break, as well as a FAQ on how it's being rolled out.

Continue reading 360's Warranty extended to THREE years!

Joystiq360's Warranty extended to THREE years! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 Red Rings3RedRingsMoorePeterPeter MoorePeterMooreThree Red RingsThreeRedRingsWarrantyXbox 360Xbox360Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Remnant: swords, kidnappers, and wars, oh my!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-last-remnant-swords-kidnappers-and-wars-oh-my/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-last-remnant-swords-kidnappers-and-wars-oh-my/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-last-remnant-swords-kidnappers-and-wars-oh-my/#commentsFiled under: ,


In addition to the nifty trailer we've embedded for you, we've got some more information regarding the Square Enix title Romancing SaGa Tactics The Last Remnant. No, we're not going to blab about the characters or basic plot (other than the kidnapping of your younger sister Irena). What we've learned is that there is only one main playable character, Rush Sykes, not two as previously rumored.

Even so, expect large-scale battles with numerous personalities instead of faceless infantry. If you played any of the old Ogre Battle games (which had subtitles named after many Queen songs -- March of the Black Queen, for example), imagine that. What we mean is a "main" character surrounded by some faceless infantry. With that, you'll imagine a fairly turn-based battle system with some more cinematic "realistic" experiences, such as the morale bar and some actions to take in the middle of something else (during a fight sequence, you may get some button cues to unleash a flurry of extra moves, increasing said morale bar). That's all we're going to say for now. Enjoy the trailer and we'll keep you up to date!

JoystiqThe Last Remnant: swords, kidnappers, and wars, oh my! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LucasArts is making a game called Fracture. We've covered it once or twice before. We're really excited about it. Taking that into consideration, when we read a new preview of the title, our excitement grew even more because the terrain deformation mechanic is starting to make more sense to us. We'll explain how it works without going into all the back story -- read that if you want. What we will tell you is the visuals look sharper and resolutions higher than 720p are being considered.

You can carry two weapons at a time, along with four types of grenades. Each weapon has a primary (shooting) feature and a secondary. The secondary features primarily (get it?) deal with terrain deformation -- the machine gun will chip away at the ground, making a staircase on a steep cliff. The shotgun bullets bounce off walls and the rocket launcher creates a subterranean torpedo. Another weapon serves as a type of vacuum, sucking up dirt and debris into a gigantic ball, then rolling it into enemies for an eventual explosion. The grenades serve different purposes as well, mostly for terrain deformation. They're really cool sounding, but that's for you to read up on. Look for the game in early 2008 as well as more coverage over E3!

JoystiqFracture details explode forth from the ground originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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