Games News for Games Heroes
'Gears of War' breaks out for Xbox
In what is expected to be another record-breaking year for the more than $10-billion-a-year video game industry, the breakout hit is a science-fiction action game called Gears of War.The game didn't sneak up on anyone - developer Epic Games and Microsoft hyped it for nearly a year and a half leading up to its release Nov. 12 - but the futuristic sci-fi combat game has overcome an industry hurdle in establishing a new intellectual property as a hit.
It's not easy to compete in the marketplace with Mario, Madden and other established franchises.
Gears of War has sold more than 1 million copies in the USA and an estimated 2 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling game for Microsoft's year-old
Xbox 360 video game system.
Well reviewed by critics, the game is reaping year-end awards. GameSpot named Gears of War the game of the year, along with best shooter game, best multiplayer game and best graphics (technical).
Last month, it lost game of the year to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion at the Spike TV Game Awards but won studio of the year (for Epic Games), best graphics, best shooter and best multiplayer game.
"Gears of War is certainly one of the best games of the year," says Geoff Keighley, video game journalist and host of Spike TV's Game Head. "It's beautiful, engrossing and features very polished gameplay. It's the kind of game you want to show off to the friends. I dare say it's one of the first true next-generation games on the market."
More important, Gears of War (Microsoft, $60 and $70 for a collector's edition with an art book and DVD) provided a boost for Microsoft's game system at a time when much of the industry attention was focused on the launch of the competing Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii systems.
"It's no doubt sold a lot of Xbox 360s and has made existing 360 owners feel very good about their investment," says John Davison, editorial director of Ziff Davis Media's game group, including Electronic Gaming Monthly.
"It came at exactly the right time and has proved to be a great counter to the launch of the PS3."
At Newsweek, general editor for technology N'Gai Croal is withholding his verdict on whether Gears of War can be a "system seller" that significantly increases the base of Xbox 360 owners, which rose about 511,000 in November to 3.4 million.
But he will say, "Microsoft can hold up Gears of War and say, 'Sony says their machine is more powerful than ours, yet we have this game that looks better (than any PS3 games).' "
Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Gears of War has sold more than 1 million copies in the USA and an estimated 2 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling game for Microsoft's year-old
Xbox 360 video game system.
Well reviewed by critics, the game is reaping year-end awards. GameSpot named Gears of War the game of the year, along with best shooter game, best multiplayer game and best graphics (technical).
Last month, it lost game of the year to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion at the Spike TV Game Awards but won studio of the year (for Epic Games), best graphics, best shooter and best multiplayer game.
"Gears of War is certainly one of the best games of the year," says Geoff Keighley, video game journalist and host of Spike TV's Game Head. "It's beautiful, engrossing and features very polished gameplay. It's the kind of game you want to show off to the friends. I dare say it's one of the first true next-generation games on the market."
More important, Gears of War (Microsoft, $60 and $70 for a collector's edition with an art book and DVD) provided a boost for Microsoft's game system at a time when much of the industry attention was focused on the launch of the competing Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii systems.
"It's no doubt sold a lot of Xbox 360s and has made existing 360 owners feel very good about their investment," says John Davison, editorial director of Ziff Davis Media's game group, including Electronic Gaming Monthly.
"It came at exactly the right time and has proved to be a great counter to the launch of the PS3."
At Newsweek, general editor for technology N'Gai Croal is withholding his verdict on whether Gears of War can be a "system seller" that significantly increases the base of Xbox 360 owners, which rose about 511,000 in November to 3.4 million.
But he will say, "Microsoft can hold up Gears of War and say, 'Sony says their machine is more powerful than ours, yet we have this game that looks better (than any PS3 games).' "
Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Labels: xbox 360
Microsoft Offers One-Year Warranty for Xbox 360
When a new video game platform comes out, there are problems. Whether the issue is games freezing, sound problems, Internet connection or compatibility issues, gamers and consumers can spend hours sorting out these difficulties.
Now, Microsoft appears to have taken a step in the right direction to lessen these issues for users of its
Xbox 360. On Dec. 22, the Redmond, Wash., company announced that it will change the Xbox 360's warranty from 90 days to one year from the date of purchase in the U.S. and Canada.
By expanding its warranty offer from 90 days to one year, Microsoft will give its North American customers the same guarantees and hardware protection the company already offers to Xbox 360 users in other parts of the world.
Microsoft officials could not be immediately reached for comment about the announcement. The company has said that there have been ongoing issues and problems with some of the hardware used in the Xbox 360.
In September, Microsoft told IGN Entertainment online that there were problems with many of the consoles that were made before Jan. 1, 2006. As a result, the company offered refunds to customers who had already paid for repairs.
With the new warranty extension, Microsoft has promised customers who have already paid out-of-warranty repair charges within the first year of owning an Xbox 360 that they will receive reimbursements within 10 weeks.
Microsoft is not the only console maker experiencing problems with hardware. PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii are also having issues with their platforms such as sound, compatibility and Internet connections. As a result, Sony and Nintendo have also offered expanded warranties as way to address the concerns of their own customers.
IGN reported in November that the PS3 was having compatibility issues when it comes to running select
PlayStation 2 titles such as Tekken 5, Devil May Cry and Gran Turismo.
Click here to read more about the Xbox 360.
IGN has also reported that there have been hardware problems with PS3, such as physical memory cards, multitaps and USB specifications, which have created problems when trying to use PS2 games on the PS3.
In order to fix these problems, IGN reports that Sony plans to make hard disk-based PS2 games compatible in a future system software update.
Users of the Nintendo Wii have also been reporting issues with their platforms on the Nintendo Wii Chat Web site, such as the Wiimote disconnecting, problems with the Internet connection, sound issues and the system freezing on the screen.
One Wii user wrote of problems with the console's sound.
"After playing for a bit, the audio goes full FUZZ. Static if you will," the user, who goes by the name CasopoliS, wrote on the site.
Check out eWEEK.com's Desktops & Notebooks Center for the latest news in desktop and notebook computing.
Patrick Hoffman - eWEEK
Xbox 360. On Dec. 22, the Redmond, Wash., company announced that it will change the Xbox 360's warranty from 90 days to one year from the date of purchase in the U.S. and Canada.
By expanding its warranty offer from 90 days to one year, Microsoft will give its North American customers the same guarantees and hardware protection the company already offers to Xbox 360 users in other parts of the world.
Microsoft officials could not be immediately reached for comment about the announcement. The company has said that there have been ongoing issues and problems with some of the hardware used in the Xbox 360.
In September, Microsoft told IGN Entertainment online that there were problems with many of the consoles that were made before Jan. 1, 2006. As a result, the company offered refunds to customers who had already paid for repairs.
With the new warranty extension, Microsoft has promised customers who have already paid out-of-warranty repair charges within the first year of owning an Xbox 360 that they will receive reimbursements within 10 weeks.
Microsoft is not the only console maker experiencing problems with hardware. PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii are also having issues with their platforms such as sound, compatibility and Internet connections. As a result, Sony and Nintendo have also offered expanded warranties as way to address the concerns of their own customers.
IGN reported in November that the PS3 was having compatibility issues when it comes to running select
PlayStation 2 titles such as Tekken 5, Devil May Cry and Gran Turismo.
Click here to read more about the Xbox 360.
IGN has also reported that there have been hardware problems with PS3, such as physical memory cards, multitaps and USB specifications, which have created problems when trying to use PS2 games on the PS3.
In order to fix these problems, IGN reports that Sony plans to make hard disk-based PS2 games compatible in a future system software update.
Users of the Nintendo Wii have also been reporting issues with their platforms on the Nintendo Wii Chat Web site, such as the Wiimote disconnecting, problems with the Internet connection, sound issues and the system freezing on the screen.
One Wii user wrote of problems with the console's sound.
"After playing for a bit, the audio goes full FUZZ. Static if you will," the user, who goes by the name CasopoliS, wrote on the site.
Check out eWEEK.com's Desktops & Notebooks Center for the latest news in desktop and notebook computing.
Patrick Hoffman - eWEEK
Labels: xbox 360
Xbox Live challenge is to reach masses
LOS ANGELES, Dec 21 (Reuters Life!) - Letting video game players compete against others online has distinguished Microsoft Corp's (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) Xbox 360 console from Nintendo and Sony Corp.(6758.T) rivals, but casual gamers have yet to embrace the service in droves.
Xbox Live allows free game downloads, video chat sessions and more, but its main success is allowing gamers to play competitively against others online, often in violent games. Some 4 million subscribers pay $50 per year for the service.
But the runaway success of Nintendo's (7974.OS) new Wii, a game console that openly caters to the mass market, has underlined the importance of more casual gamers to the industry. The console debuted mid-November and is expected to sell 4 million consoles worldwide by the end of the year.
"Microsoft has gotten a solid base of hardcore gamers who are drawn to its first person shooters," said video game analyst David Cole, president of DFC Intelligence. "But that is one small segment of the game market."
Even games with heralded online features are often played alone.
Cole says that even though 6 million copies of the hit alien-killing game Halo 2 were sold, only 2 million of those users took the game online, despite online being heralded as its most important feature.
"A lot of casual gamers are intimidated by online in general, both in terms of the technology and the human competition," said Cole. "That's changing, but it still has a ways to go."
SOCIAL NETWORK IN THE LIVING ROOM
Xbox Live's subscribers are spread across 24 million original Xboxes as well as Xbox 360s, which Microsoft says should have 10 million units shipped by the end of December.
The most popular games on Live are usually shooters such as Halo 2, Gears of War, Call of Duty 2 & 3 and Rainbow Six Vegas, and so the online environment is often full of aggressive and sometime verbally abusive players, which can make even experienced gamers uncomfortable at times.
"You kind of gravitate toward playing with your friends and co-workers," said Bryan Intihar, the reviews editor at Electronic Gaming Monthly, a video game magazine. "There's a lot of immature people playing online, but that's a problem that's been there since day one."
Microsoft hopes to counter any perception of Live as a service for the hardcore only. The company recently launched a video download service that allows users to download movies and television shows to their Xbox 360 consoles for a fee.
"We're building a social network in the living room," said Aaron Greenberg, the group product manager for Xbox Live. "I believe it's delivering on being something your mom, dad and kids can use.
Greenberg said that only 10 percent of original Xboxes were connected to the Internet, while more than 50 percent of all Xbox 360s are taken online, proving that the Live community is becoming more inclusive.
But Cole said new features like Xbox Live video are more enhancements for existing users, and not a huge attraction for mass market casual gamers.
Games that do not depend on Web play -- such as some roll-playing games -- are most important, he added.
"The key to the 360's overall success is what they'll offer consumers who don't go online," Cole said.
Kemp Powers
www.reuters.com
But the runaway success of Nintendo's (7974.OS) new Wii, a game console that openly caters to the mass market, has underlined the importance of more casual gamers to the industry. The console debuted mid-November and is expected to sell 4 million consoles worldwide by the end of the year.
"Microsoft has gotten a solid base of hardcore gamers who are drawn to its first person shooters," said video game analyst David Cole, president of DFC Intelligence. "But that is one small segment of the game market."
Even games with heralded online features are often played alone.
Cole says that even though 6 million copies of the hit alien-killing game Halo 2 were sold, only 2 million of those users took the game online, despite online being heralded as its most important feature.
"A lot of casual gamers are intimidated by online in general, both in terms of the technology and the human competition," said Cole. "That's changing, but it still has a ways to go."
SOCIAL NETWORK IN THE LIVING ROOM
Xbox Live's subscribers are spread across 24 million original Xboxes as well as Xbox 360s, which Microsoft says should have 10 million units shipped by the end of December.
The most popular games on Live are usually shooters such as Halo 2, Gears of War, Call of Duty 2 & 3 and Rainbow Six Vegas, and so the online environment is often full of aggressive and sometime verbally abusive players, which can make even experienced gamers uncomfortable at times.
"You kind of gravitate toward playing with your friends and co-workers," said Bryan Intihar, the reviews editor at Electronic Gaming Monthly, a video game magazine. "There's a lot of immature people playing online, but that's a problem that's been there since day one."
Microsoft hopes to counter any perception of Live as a service for the hardcore only. The company recently launched a video download service that allows users to download movies and television shows to their Xbox 360 consoles for a fee.
"We're building a social network in the living room," said Aaron Greenberg, the group product manager for Xbox Live. "I believe it's delivering on being something your mom, dad and kids can use.
Greenberg said that only 10 percent of original Xboxes were connected to the Internet, while more than 50 percent of all Xbox 360s are taken online, proving that the Live community is becoming more inclusive.
But Cole said new features like Xbox Live video are more enhancements for existing users, and not a huge attraction for mass market casual gamers.
Games that do not depend on Web play -- such as some roll-playing games -- are most important, he added.
"The key to the 360's overall success is what they'll offer consumers who don't go online," Cole said.
Kemp Powers
www.reuters.com
Labels: xbox 360
Gears of War hits 2 million mark
It's already been well established that Epic Games' Xbox 360 shooter Gears of War is a hit. In the first two weeks after the game's November release, Microsoft confirmed that it had already sold a million copies worldwide and that it had surpassed Halo 2 as the most-played game on the Xbox Live service. There was even speculation about a fourth installment in the series, when a sequel of any kind has yet to be announced.
Today, less than six weeks after Gears of War's "Emergence Day" launch, Microsoft announced that sales had tallied up to more than 2 million copies worldwide. The game has also gone platinum in the US, reaching the 1 million mark. Since the game went on sale November 7, the daily rate of Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, which are required for online play, has increased more than 50 percent.
In a statement, Epic Games president Michael Capps said the development team was "stoked" at the news, and said fans can count on the company delivering "new gameplay" through Xbox Live. Previously, Capps assured fans that his company would provide free downloadable content for all its games.
Brendan Sinclair
GameSpot.com
In a statement, Epic Games president Michael Capps said the development team was "stoked" at the news, and said fans can count on the company delivering "new gameplay" through Xbox Live. Previously, Capps assured fans that his company would provide free downloadable content for all its games.
Brendan Sinclair
GameSpot.com
Labels: xbox 360
Microsoft to ship over 10 million Xbox 360 units
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) on Wednesday said it expects to have shipped more than 10 million. Xbox 360 video game consoles to retailers by the end of calendar 2006. "This holiday, we expect to have sold in excess of 10 million units worldwide," a Microsoft spokeswoman said.
That "sold" number refers to units "sold into retail," which refers to units in transit, units sitting in store inventories and machines sold to consumers.
The Xbox 360 debuted in November 2005, roughly a year ahead of machines from rivals Sony Corp. (6758.T)(NYSE:SNE - news) and Nintendo Co. Ltd. (7974.OS), whose PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles went on sale in the United States last month.
Microsoft has previously forecast global shipments of 10 million by the end of 2006, as well as shipments of 13 million by 15 million by the end of its 2007 fiscal year that ends June 30. The company's latest Xbox 360 shipment count stands at around 6 million units.
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell spoke at a Nasdaq investor conference in London on Tuesday and his accompanying power point presentation included a slide showing the Xbox 360 outpacing the original Xbox, which launched in November 2001.
That presentation, at http://www.microsoft.com/msft/events/default.mspx, showed Microsoft had shipped more than 5.7 million Xbox 360 units in the three quarters following the launch period, compared with 4.7 million Xbox units in the same post-debut time frame.
The world's biggest software maker offered no further updates.
Microsoft shares were off 21 cents to $28.92 in late Nasdaq trade.
Lisa Baertlein
reuters
The Xbox 360 debuted in November 2005, roughly a year ahead of machines from rivals Sony Corp. (6758.T)(NYSE:SNE - news) and Nintendo Co. Ltd. (7974.OS), whose PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles went on sale in the United States last month.
Microsoft has previously forecast global shipments of 10 million by the end of 2006, as well as shipments of 13 million by 15 million by the end of its 2007 fiscal year that ends June 30. The company's latest Xbox 360 shipment count stands at around 6 million units.
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell spoke at a Nasdaq investor conference in London on Tuesday and his accompanying power point presentation included a slide showing the Xbox 360 outpacing the original Xbox, which launched in November 2001.
That presentation, at http://www.microsoft.com/msft/events/default.mspx, showed Microsoft had shipped more than 5.7 million Xbox 360 units in the three quarters following the launch period, compared with 4.7 million Xbox units in the same post-debut time frame.
The world's biggest software maker offered no further updates.
Microsoft shares were off 21 cents to $28.92 in late Nasdaq trade.
Lisa Baertlein
reuters
Labels: xbox 360
Roboblitz to hit 360 Arcade this Wednesday
It has just been announced by Microsoft that Roboblitz will be the 360 Arcade game to be released this Wednesday, and I can't be happier. I loved the game when I reviewed it for the PC, and the idea of playing it with even better graphics than my computer can provide and with a controllers gives me the joy joy joy joy deep in my heart. Where? Deep in my heart. And if Nintendo doesn't like it they can sit on the tack.
OUCH!
Be sure to at least download the demo this Wednesday. I think you'll be very impressed with what you play. From Microsoft:
Experience the power of the Unreal Engine 3 for the first time in an Xbox Live Arcade game in “RoboBlitz,” this week’s Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday’s release. This independently developed breakthrough game will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, December 6, after 0800 GMT (1:00 a.m. PST).
Independent developer Naked Sky Entertainment created “RoboBlitz” using the latest in game technology to deliver an innovative, high definition experience. “RoboBlitz” is a fast-paced, 3D action game with unique physics, inventive gizmos, creative weapons, and robotic characters. Players take on the role of Blitz, a multi-talented robot who must activate an aging space cannon to save his world from a band of maladjusted space pirates. Set in seven distinct environments, RoboBlitz features 19 levels of puzzle-solving and high-intensity action.
“RoboBlitz” will be available worldwide for 1200 Microsoft Points.
1200 Microsoft points translates into $15, which is on the upper limits of Arcade pricing, but this game is worth it. I'm happy about this finally getting a 360 release.
Ben Kuchera
arstechnica.com
Be sure to at least download the demo this Wednesday. I think you'll be very impressed with what you play. From Microsoft:
Experience the power of the Unreal Engine 3 for the first time in an Xbox Live Arcade game in “RoboBlitz,” this week’s Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday’s release. This independently developed breakthrough game will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, December 6, after 0800 GMT (1:00 a.m. PST).
Independent developer Naked Sky Entertainment created “RoboBlitz” using the latest in game technology to deliver an innovative, high definition experience. “RoboBlitz” is a fast-paced, 3D action game with unique physics, inventive gizmos, creative weapons, and robotic characters. Players take on the role of Blitz, a multi-talented robot who must activate an aging space cannon to save his world from a band of maladjusted space pirates. Set in seven distinct environments, RoboBlitz features 19 levels of puzzle-solving and high-intensity action.
“RoboBlitz” will be available worldwide for 1200 Microsoft Points.
1200 Microsoft points translates into $15, which is on the upper limits of Arcade pricing, but this game is worth it. I'm happy about this finally getting a 360 release.
Ben Kuchera
arstechnica.com
Labels: xbox 360
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