|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:17 pm
Think the Xbox 360 is just for hardcore gamers? Microsoft would like you to reconsider. The console best known for its considerable lineup of excellent core video games is targeting Nintendo's crowd -- and your mom's wallet -- with a suite of family-friendly games and services.
A notable $50 price drop for the basic 20 GB model (while supplies last, by the way) started their week off right, but the biggest bombshell came in the form of a partnership between the computer giant and movie rental leader Netflix. The ability to download and watch Netflix movies on your 360 adds tremendous value to the system's already massive down loadable content catalog. More importantly, it keeps you (and, again, your mom) glued to the 360 even when you're not playing games.
That's just the beginning of Microsoft's assault on the casual player, and while they have no shame in ripping off other companies, they're at least doing it well. The new customizable Avatar system is a pretty blatant take on Nintendo's popular Miis, but it's a smart move, and coupled with a redesigned 360 dashboard should make the system itself more appealing to less tech-nerdy types (for the third time, we're talking about your mom). Lighter fare like the karaoke title Lips (aka Sony's Singstar), the surprisingly fun party game You're in the Movies (aka Sony's Eyetoy) and the upcoming Primetime game show channel offer more pleasant variety for 360 owners.
But in the end, you buy a gaming console for the games, and while we didn't see much new from Microsoft on that front -- no new Halo title, really? -- the thought of playing sequels to Gears of War, Viva Pinata, Fable, Banjo-Kazooie, Resident Evil and Fallout this year should keep you (and, by proxy, your mom) satisfied.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:22 pm
Microsoft, Netflix bring streaming movies to Xbox 360
Today's Microsoft press conference held one big piece of news for 360-owning movie fans: a new partnership between the software giant and the pioneer of online movie rental, Netflix, will link the console to Netflix's streaming movie service.
You'll need both an Xbox Live Gold account and a Netflix subscription to join in the fun, but assuming you don't mind shelling out for those, you'll have instant access to over 10,000 streaming movies and TV shows. Microsoft tells us they should start streaming within 30 seconds of being selected, so lucky subscribers won't have long to wait. Previously, the only way to enjoy Netflix's streaming service on your TV was either to hook it to a PC, or to pay extra for a $100 set-top-box.
As if that wasn't enough, you can also get together with groups of Xbox Live buddies to watch the same movies simultaneously. The prospects for heckling, arguing over bathroom breaks, and movie-inspired drinking games are nothing if not impressive. Plus there won't be anyone around to steal your chips. Sold.
That wasn't the only news to come out of the press conference, of course, and here's a round-up of the day's other announcements:
* Final Fantasy XIII will come out on the Xbox 360
* Gears of War 2 hits the mean streets on November 7
* Resident Evil 5 will feature online co-operative play; launches March 13
* Fable II will be out in October
* Xbox Live is getting a cleaner facelift, and Mii-like avatar characters
* You'll be able to install Xbox 360 games to the console's hard drive, cutting load times
* Rock Band 2 will include AC/DC's "epic rock anthem" Let There Be Rock, and Bob Dylan's Tangled Up In Blue
* Xbox Live will gain a new service called Primetime, "the world's biggest virtual game show stage". First out of the gate is a quiz show called "1 vs. 100", which pits one lucky Xbox Live player against 100 others.
* The 360 will get a motion-sensitive microphone controller, and a karaoke game ("Lips") to go with it
* New game "You're In The Movies" promises to -- well, put you in the movies, courtesy of an included video camera and a set of comic backgrounds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:22 pm
As previously said, Square Enix has now joined up with Microsoft and has released Final Fantasy XIII. However, this is not the only game from Square Enix to be released on the Xbox 360 this year. Another game for all those hard core turn-based RPG players would be a new title to hit the Square Enix line called "The Last Remnant." Square Enix President Yoichi Wada came to the E3'08 Live himself to release the information on this game and two others (which I regretably forgot).
Activision's Guitar Hero is Coming out this year again with "Guitar Hero World Tour" for the Xbox 360. This game has an outstanding amount of songs based at, but not limited to, 85 songs to start out the game and more to download. This game also features a new drum set like the sister game, Rock Band. Not only is this game remarkable because of the fact that there's more songs than ever on this game, and a new Drum Set, but the Activision Inc. is now introducing songs from an older, yet loved band from the past... Metallica!
(more game info later)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
