Microsoft would like you to know that since dropping the price on the Xbox 360 (all three SKUs), that they have seen sales double. That’s right, two times the sales before the price drop. Of course, that’s hardly a coup with their last place sales as of late.
There was a time when E3 was a really, really big deal. Now, it’s simply a really big deal. One of the biggest factors of its whole big dealness comes from the console manufacturers’ press conferences. They typically range from the epic (introduction of the Wii) to the horribly, horribly wrong (introduction of the PS3 and real-time weapon changing). So how did this year go for Microsoft?
Ever since EGM ran their infamous Simon Belmont in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gag, the gaming world has been obsessed with April Fool’s Day. This has, sadly, led to many groan inducing jokes over the years, some of which can be credited to EGM (you can’t win them all). Still, each year brings the promise of some actually good jokes and this year has delivered.
GameStop, that bastion of used-game goodness, recently revealed some fairly expected news for gamers. In an investor conference call, GameStop executives revealed that Wii shortages will likely last the next six months, while both the Xbox 360 and PS3 look headed for $50 price drops.
Executives stressed that the price cuts were not official but simply their speculation. They also happened to speculate about a $30 price cut on the PS2. None of this is too surprising, as people have been expecting such a cut on the PS2 for nearly a year now. The Xbox 360 and PS3 price cuts would go a long way toward getting both closer to a mass market price of $200-250. (more…)
If you haven’t picked up Call of Duty 4 yet, then it may actually be in your best interest to continue waiting. Word is that Activision will release a Game of the Year edition sometime in April. The special edition will feature new packaging as well as the ability to download the new map pack for free.
So far the special edition of the game has only been confirmed for the Xbox 360, though it would seem likely a PS3 version would be released, too. The whole idea of special editions of console games seemed entirely foreign just a few years ago. That all has changed as more games get the special edition treatment such as Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry 3. (more…)
Free Radical and Ubisoft have apparently finally let it be known that Haze is no longer a timed exclusive for the PS3. In fact, it’s just a flat out exclusive now. That’s right; the Xbox 360 and PC versions are apparently dead.
What is Haze, anyway? Well, it’s the first next-generation title developed b Free Radical, famous for the TimeSplitters series and Second Sight. Free Radical is better known to some as the refugees from Rare who once many moons ago helped develop Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64. Haze is scheduled for release in May. (more…)
This isn’t so much shocking news, except for how long it has taken. With the HD-DVD format now dead and Xbox Live Arcade taking off, Microsoft needed a way for gamers to download more high definition movies and arcade games. That way may be arriving soon in the form of a new 60GB hard drive for their standard Xbox 360 model.
Of course, this news comes on the heels of Sony’s confirmation that Microsoft is interested in a Blu-ray add-on for the Xbox 360. The same site that confirmed the new 60GB system also speculates that a Blu-ray integrated system is indeed on the way. It appears Microsoft’s little white box is growing up. (more…)
Almost immediately after the death of the HD-DVD format, rumors began to swirl that Microsoft would introduce a Blu-ray add-on drive for the Xbox 360. Microsoft itself had even hinted they might do as much if HD-DVD were ever to fail. Now, it seems something is actually coming of all those rumors. Microsoft and Sony are in talks to develop such a drive.
The confirmation comes from Stan Glasgow, Sony Electronics US president. Yes, this is the equivalent of cats and dogs lying together. The two bitter rivals are playing nice for a bit as they both hope to gain something. Sony sells more Blu-ray drives and Microsoft hopefully avoids the cries of “obsolete” by Sony’s marketing team. They end up helping one another out because they both need one another. (more…)
To be technical, the USA is not quite in a recession yet. However, many indicators show it a time of economic down turn, even if it does not technically fit the definition of a recession. What’s the most important question during these tough economic times? How will this affect video game sales?
The short answer, at least from those within the industry, is very little. They believe the game industry to be equivalent to the film industry, which traditionally suffers very little during bad economic times. Chalk this up to people wanting to be entertained during even the roughest economic situations in order to forget their problems. People flocked to theatres during the Great Depression for this very reason. (more…)
The battlefield series of games have not had the easiest transition from PC to console. While there has been mild acceptance for the console versions, it’s nowhere near the furor that surrounds the PC multiplayer. Electronic Arts hopes to change all of that with Battlefield: Bad Company for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The image is a real screenshot showing off the fantastic explosions and particle effects. Is it the Battlefield to finally bring the PC success over to consoles? Don’t hold your breath, but it should look pretty trying. Click on the image for a full sized version.
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