According to this Eurogamer report, Xbox 360 sales have now passed 19 million globally.
The new came as part of a general Microsoft first quarter financial release yesterday, which showed the Xbox division had increased sales 68 percent for the past three months year-on-year.
Xbox 360 sales were last confirmed at 17.7 million in January.
Friday, 25 April 2008
Thursday, 24 April 2008
A new report claims Codemasters could be about to acquire recently shuttered developer Sega Racing Studio
According to Develop sources, Codemasters, itself a big player in the racing genre, may be close to signing a deal that would allow it to offer former Sega employees roles at its HQ in Southam, UK. A number of the team who worked at Sega Racing Studio, which was closed two weeks ago, previously held positions at Codemasters, including founder Guy Wilday who served as a producer on the Colin McRae series.
UK-based Sega Racing Studio developed just one title, 2007’s Sega Rally Revo for PS3, 360 and PC (pictured), which was built using proprietary tech.
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10152&Itemid=59
UK-based Sega Racing Studio developed just one title, 2007’s Sega Rally Revo for PS3, 360 and PC (pictured), which was built using proprietary tech.
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10152&Itemid=59
Thought you'd seen the last of Halo? Guess again!
By Phil May - 24 Apr 08
At the moment, Microsoft are frantically staffing up for a series of new Halo title...
Dubbed "Halo Chronicles", the game is closely linked to the Peter Jackson / Wingnut Films first cinematic outing for the Master Chief and pals. The news of the new game "mini series" was announced at Barcelona's X06 but this is the first time we've heard any news since then. Given the team involved already, and the fact that the props and other effects for the movie are already looking stunning (go and do a quick search on YouTube for Halo Warthog footage), this one's going to be stellar.
At the moment, Microsoft are frantically staffing up for a series of new Halo title...
Dubbed "Halo Chronicles", the game is closely linked to the Peter Jackson / Wingnut Films first cinematic outing for the Master Chief and pals. The news of the new game "mini series" was announced at Barcelona's X06 but this is the first time we've heard any news since then. Given the team involved already, and the fact that the props and other effects for the movie are already looking stunning (go and do a quick search on YouTube for Halo Warthog footage), this one's going to be stellar.
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars - New screens and facts
Activision have today released a new fact sheet for Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and a handful of new screens.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:Serving as the prequel to id Software’s legendary QUAKE II®, Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is the ultimate online team and objective-based experience, delivering a new depth of multiplayer action to next generation consoles. Set within the epic QUAKE® universe in the year 2065, the game pits the Allied troops of the Global Defense Force (GDF) against a sinister new Axis – the marauding, technologically advanced Strogg - during their initial invasion of Earth.
Brand new to the console environment, gamers choose to play offline or online modes as Human or Strogg in one of five unique character classes. Employing an arsenal of weapons, vehicles and deployable armaments, players engage in an action-packed test of skill and coordinated teamwork through a series of combat objectives. Persistent character growth and achievements reward players for teamwork, while clearly defined mission and class objectives guide new players to meaningful contributions on the battlefield.
Based on the critically-acclaimed PC game developed by Splash Damage, Nerve Software and Underground have collaborated with id Software to optimize Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars for the console environment (Xbox 360 and PS3), creating an intuitive experience that allows console players of every skill level to jump into a match and make a valuable contribution to the overall mission. Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars brings id Software’s new MegaTexture graphics technology to consoles for the first time, delivering large outdoor battlefields of unrivaled detail.
Brand new to the console environment, gamers choose to play offline or online modes as Human or Strogg in one of five unique character classes. Employing an arsenal of weapons, vehicles and deployable armaments, players engage in an action-packed test of skill and coordinated teamwork through a series of combat objectives. Persistent character growth and achievements reward players for teamwork, while clearly defined mission and class objectives guide new players to meaningful contributions on the battlefield.
Based on the critically-acclaimed PC game developed by Splash Damage, Nerve Software and Underground have collaborated with id Software to optimize Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars for the console environment (Xbox 360 and PS3), creating an intuitive experience that allows console players of every skill level to jump into a match and make a valuable contribution to the overall mission. Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars brings id Software’s new MegaTexture graphics technology to consoles for the first time, delivering large outdoor battlefields of unrivaled detail.
KEY FEATURES:
• Team-Based, Strategic Missions – Gameplay in Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is all about conquering and securing enemy territory, either advancing or holding your team’s front line. Players must work together using their vehicles, deployables, and character class abilities to complete objectives, defend valuable installations or execute massive assaults. Whether playing online or in the game’s single-player mode, every player’s choice of character class and tactical action plays a critical role throughout as they gain rank, upgrade skills and provide specialist skills necessary for victory. Campaign proficiencies, persistent achievements and nearly a thousand stats are tracked to enable players to improve their class abilities, earn ranks and medals and track their progress.
• Weapons, Vehicles, Deployables – The weapons, vehicles and deployables in Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars are much more than standard issue equipment. Each selection truly affects gameplay and is integral to a team’s success or failure. Set in the relative near future, the Human arsenal is based on ultramodern updates to today’s conventional Earth armory (i.e. machine guns, rocket launchers, armored personnel carriers, hover-copters, etc.), while the Strogg utilize a more advanced energy and gravity-manipulation technology suitable for conquering vastly different alien worlds (i.e. the HyperBlaster and Lightning Pistol, the giant Cyclops mech-walker, Desecrator hover-tank, the insectoid Tormentor aerial attack craft, etc.). The game’s intuitive controls will also allow players to easily utilize unique strategic assets like radar, auto targeting anti-personnel or anti-vehicle turrets, artillery or strategic strike missiles – all of which are realistically deployed onto the battlefield when and where you choose.
• Unique Teams and Character Classes – With “asymmetric gameplay,” the characters of both the GDF and the Strogg look, move, and behave uniquely, while advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology provides formidable friends and foes in online and offline play, allowing new players to ease into the game, while intuitively challenging more advanced ones. Bases, characters, vehicles and weapons demonstrate the different technologies and behavior of each side and require distinctive approaches to combat from each player.
• Ground-Breaking Technology – Using id Software’s new MegaTexture rendering technology, Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars renders large, highly-detailed and un-tiled outdoor environments all the way to the horizon, providing a seamless experience that accurately simulates shadows, atmosphere, vegetation and weather for a graphically immersive gaming experience. Advanced real-time physics and all-new network code support large-scale military combat for up to 16 players through real-world locations, including deserts, glaciers, mountains and countryside.
• Team-Based, Strategic Missions – Gameplay in Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is all about conquering and securing enemy territory, either advancing or holding your team’s front line. Players must work together using their vehicles, deployables, and character class abilities to complete objectives, defend valuable installations or execute massive assaults. Whether playing online or in the game’s single-player mode, every player’s choice of character class and tactical action plays a critical role throughout as they gain rank, upgrade skills and provide specialist skills necessary for victory. Campaign proficiencies, persistent achievements and nearly a thousand stats are tracked to enable players to improve their class abilities, earn ranks and medals and track their progress.
• Weapons, Vehicles, Deployables – The weapons, vehicles and deployables in Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars are much more than standard issue equipment. Each selection truly affects gameplay and is integral to a team’s success or failure. Set in the relative near future, the Human arsenal is based on ultramodern updates to today’s conventional Earth armory (i.e. machine guns, rocket launchers, armored personnel carriers, hover-copters, etc.), while the Strogg utilize a more advanced energy and gravity-manipulation technology suitable for conquering vastly different alien worlds (i.e. the HyperBlaster and Lightning Pistol, the giant Cyclops mech-walker, Desecrator hover-tank, the insectoid Tormentor aerial attack craft, etc.). The game’s intuitive controls will also allow players to easily utilize unique strategic assets like radar, auto targeting anti-personnel or anti-vehicle turrets, artillery or strategic strike missiles – all of which are realistically deployed onto the battlefield when and where you choose.
• Unique Teams and Character Classes – With “asymmetric gameplay,” the characters of both the GDF and the Strogg look, move, and behave uniquely, while advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology provides formidable friends and foes in online and offline play, allowing new players to ease into the game, while intuitively challenging more advanced ones. Bases, characters, vehicles and weapons demonstrate the different technologies and behavior of each side and require distinctive approaches to combat from each player.
• Ground-Breaking Technology – Using id Software’s new MegaTexture rendering technology, Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars renders large, highly-detailed and un-tiled outdoor environments all the way to the horizon, providing a seamless experience that accurately simulates shadows, atmosphere, vegetation and weather for a graphically immersive gaming experience. Advanced real-time physics and all-new network code support large-scale military combat for up to 16 players through real-world locations, including deserts, glaciers, mountains and countryside.
Earthworm Jim Returns
A brand new game starring everyone's favorite machinegun-toting worm is in the works.
Motorcycles wheelie onto Burnout Paradise
Criterion Games said today on its official Web site that as part of its August software update for Burnout Paradise, motorcycles will be added to the game
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Gears 2 Gameplay Footage Hits May 9
It will be shown on gametrailers tv so make a note in your diary, cant wait!
Monday, 21 April 2008
Best Reasons to Play GTA IV on Xbox 360
No offense to PlayStation 3, but GameDaily don't want to play Grand Theft Auto IV on Sony's machine. Here's why they are rocking the Xbox 360 version.
Xbox Live
Sure, PlayStation 3 has free online play, but Microsoft's Xbox Live is a premium service that allows for user-friendly match making and features a robust online community. Besides, it's much easier to locate friends and communicate with them. Considering that most of our closest buddies have Xbox 360s, it just makes sense to stick with that platform instead of playing lone ranger with Sony's black monolith.
Xbox Live
Sure, PlayStation 3 has free online play, but Microsoft's Xbox Live is a premium service that allows for user-friendly match making and features a robust online community. Besides, it's much easier to locate friends and communicate with them. Considering that most of our closest buddies have Xbox 360s, it just makes sense to stick with that platform instead of playing lone ranger with Sony's black monolith.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Fallout 3: “360 is our lead dev platform,” says Bethesda
Speaking to videogaming247.com in London today, Bethesda marketing boss Peter Hines has confirmed that the lead development format for Fallout 3 is Xbox 360.
“The 360 is our lead development platform, so we got it working on that one first,” he said. I mean, we develop them all simultaneously, but one of them’s got to be the lead, so it was 360.”
The choice was made more by the timing of the console’s release than anything else, Hines added.
“We had a year’s head start on the 360 because it came out a year earlier, so we had final dev hardware to work with earlier on than we did with PS3,” he said. “But as this point all three of them are pretty much on par. The goal is that, if I get three versions in here and hide the console or PC and just had them running on the screen, that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”
Hugely anticipated action-RPG Fallout 3 will release for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 this autumn.
“The 360 is our lead development platform, so we got it working on that one first,” he said. I mean, we develop them all simultaneously, but one of them’s got to be the lead, so it was 360.”
The choice was made more by the timing of the console’s release than anything else, Hines added.
“We had a year’s head start on the 360 because it came out a year earlier, so we had final dev hardware to work with earlier on than we did with PS3,” he said. “But as this point all three of them are pretty much on par. The goal is that, if I get three versions in here and hide the console or PC and just had them running on the screen, that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”
Hugely anticipated action-RPG Fallout 3 will release for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 this autumn.
GTA IV Version Wars: Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3
By Jeremy and David ⋅ April 16, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment
Grand Theft Auto IV is undoubtedly the most highly anticipated and massively hyped multiplatform release of 2008. With April 29th just around the corner, gamers are salivating in anticipation of getting to cause massive amounts of chaos alone and with friends in Liberty City. While gamers agree that this game is most likely going to kick insane amounts of ass on both consoles, people who own both a Xbox 360 and a Playstation 3 are going to have to make a tough decision. Are they going to buy GTA IV on the 360 or the PS3? Despite the fact that Rockstar officially stated that both versions will look and run identically, The Exploding Barrel’s own Jeremy and David tackle the issue for gamers everywhere. Jeremy is here to explain why the Xbox 360 is the only console gamers should consider for GTA IV, and David tackles why the PS3 wins the day. Much like the theory of evolution, the debate may never be truly settled, but its fun to argue about meaningless shit anyway, right?
Grand Theft Auto IV is undoubtedly the most highly anticipated and massively hyped multiplatform release of 2008. With April 29th just around the corner, gamers are salivating in anticipation of getting to cause massive amounts of chaos alone and with friends in Liberty City. While gamers agree that this game is most likely going to kick insane amounts of ass on both consoles, people who own both a Xbox 360 and a Playstation 3 are going to have to make a tough decision. Are they going to buy GTA IV on the 360 or the PS3? Despite the fact that Rockstar officially stated that both versions will look and run identically, The Exploding Barrel’s own Jeremy and David tackle the issue for gamers everywhere. Jeremy is here to explain why the Xbox 360 is the only console gamers should consider for GTA IV, and David tackles why the PS3 wins the day. Much like the theory of evolution, the debate may never be truly settled, but its fun to argue about meaningless shit anyway, right?
Jeremy’s Argument for the Xbox 360 Version
The question on whether or not gamers should buy GTA IV for the Xbox 360 should really be changed to “Why wouldn’t you buy GTA for the 360?” The Xbox version of the title blows the PS3 version out of the water in almost every single category that is important to gamers. Let’s take a look at just a few of the reasons why the 360 is the superior console for GTA IV gaming madness.
Change that dial!
The Grand Theft Auto series is already known for its stellar in-game soundtrack. While it’s fun to flip through the radio and jam to the game’s tunes and funny commercials when mowing over pedestrians, eventually the game’s soundtrack becomes exhausted. While PS3 owners are stuck with the same (albeit awesome) in-game songs, 360 owners can make customizable soundtracks from their personal music library to rock out to when driving around Liberty City. This adds a tremendous amount to game immersion because there is nothing like doing a drive-by to your favorite song. Personally, I prefer my homicide with a little side of Britney Spears. “Hit me Niko one more time.”
Why kill alone when you can kill with friends?
Yes, the Playstation 3 has online play for GTA IV, but anyone who isn’t a diehard PS3 fanboy will admit that the service pales in comparison to Xbox Live. With some amazing looking multiplayer modes, it only makes sense to buy GTA IV for the console that has the best online service. Despite its recent hiccups, XBL is simply the better place to game because there are more gamers to play with and it is just a more reliable service. Sure, the PSN is free, but users have been plagued with connection issues and empty lobbies. What do you think is going to happen to the network when the GTA IV bomb is set off? It’s possible that the massive influx of online players will strain both services, but XBL has a better infrastructure to deal with the load and boasts a subscriber rate much larger than the PSN. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
You down with DLC?
There has been a tremendous amount of speculation about what exclusive content will be available for the 360, but no one really knows what Rockstar developed for the console. One thing is for sure, with all the money Microsoft paid for the extra content, it’s going to be much more than a few extra outfits for Niko. While no one is a fan of paying more money for game content (damn you microtransactions!), DLC gives gamers the opportunity to make a played game fresh again with new levels, new missions, and area maps. The thought of not even having the option to purchase loads of extra content should send chills down completionist gamer’s spins. Sure, PS3 has promised some exclusive content, but it definitely won’t be 50 million dollars worth…Microsoft will make sure of that.
All of this brings us back to the original question, “Why wouldn’t you buy GTA IV for the Xbox 360.” You won’t buy GTA IV for the 360 if you like massive installs on your hard drive just so the game won’t lag. You won’t buy it for the 360 if you enjoy shoddy online service, and you definitely won’t buy it for the 360 if you love not getting all of the available content for the game
All of this brings us back to the original question, “Why wouldn’t you buy GTA IV for the Xbox 360.” You won’t buy GTA IV for the 360 if you like massive installs on your hard drive just so the game won’t lag. You won’t buy it for the 360 if you enjoy shoddy online service, and you definitely won’t buy it for the 360 if you love not getting all of the available content for the game
.David’s Argument for the PS3 Version on link below
Iron Man Demo Coming to Xbox Live Tomorrow
Sega of America announced today that the demo for their upcoming action title, Iron Man, will be downloadable on Xbox Live tomorrow and up on the PlayStation Network soon! Everyone should check this game out because after getting my hands on it I am very excited to finish the final version.
March 2008 NPD: Microsoft's Take
Following the release of the March 2008 U.S. video game sales report, Microsoft sent a press statement that reads as follow: Going into March, some key U.S. retailers were still experiencing the trickledown effect of Xbox 360 console shortages. By the end of March, supply issues had improved and we expect retailers to be fully stocked with Xbox 360 consoles in time for the “Grand Theft Auto IV” launch. According to NPD, 262,000 Xbox 360 consoles sold in March, reclaiming the #2 position in the next-gen console category. In just two weeks, Xbox 360 will extend its industry lead with the year's most anticipated game launch, GTA IV. Launching April 29, GTA IV will be coming to Xbox 360 on day one. GTA IV will feature the first ever online multiplayer for the franchise and Xbox 360 is also the only place you can earn GTA IV Achievements and increase your gamerscore. Starting this fall, only Xbox 360 owners will have access to exclusive GTA IV episodic content. Whether it’s the results of online polls or data from pre-sells, consumers have made it clear that the benefits of Xbox LIVE and exclusive access to GTA IV episodic content are making Xbox 360 the chosen place to play GTA IV. Xbox 360 drives industry growth with record attach rates
March NPD data shows a new U.S. Xbox 360 software attach rate of 7.5, a record for any game console.
In Europe, Xbox 360 continues to enjoy the highest software attach rate of any game console with more than 7.0 games sold per console (PS3: 3.8; Wii: 3.5) after 27 months on the market..
Xbox 360 sales in Europe have more than doubled in the wake of recent retail price changes, solidifying its leadership position as the number one next-generation console in EMEA, owning 42 percent of the market in terms of life-to-date revenue. (Microsoft estimates based on ChartTrack and Gfk data).
Third party publishers find more success on Xbox 360. In March, Xbox 360 accounted for $220 million of all third party game sales this generation, or 49 percent of share. Third party publishers win on Xbox 360 more than any other platform. (March NPD data)
Games for the Xbox 360 platform accounted for four of the top ten games for this generation. (March NPD data) Xbox 360 most widely used system for online gaming
Xbox 360 delivers social entertainment experiences to more than 10 million Xbox LIVE gamers around the globe. (Microsoft internal data)
On April 2, NPD released a study called “Online Gaming 2008” which reported that 42 percent of people ages six to 44 play video games online. Their console of choice? Xbox 360. Half of online gamers prefer the Xbox 360 over other current-generation gaming consoles. (“Online Gaming 2008”)
Xbox LIVE now delivers 4,800 hours of TV and movie entertainment including family favorites like “Hannah Montana,” “Lost,” and “Superman III.”(Microsoft internal data)
Thursday, 17 April 2008
PS3 GTA IV has five-minute “mandatory install”, 360 version’s is optional?
This could be very funny. “Skip” - Andrew Pfister, the writer of 1up’s GTA IV preview - has posted on Neogaf saying that the PS3 version of GTA IV features a five-minute mandatory install. Unsurprisingly, teh internets have gone grade A crackers for it.
We’re also reliably informed this morning that the 360 version features an “optional install” as well. We’ll drop Rockstar a note asking for confirmation.
Posted in: Action, PS3, Rockstar, Rumour, Xbox 360
We’re also reliably informed this morning that the 360 version features an “optional install” as well. We’ll drop Rockstar a note asking for confirmation.
Posted in: Action, PS3, Rockstar, Rumour, Xbox 360
CVG writes: GTA IV Xbox DLC will be bigger than San Andreas
Massive new city on the cards for Xbox 360Future Publishing have just released their CVG GTA IV special. The whole magazine is dedicated to the biggest videogame franchise of the 21st Century. What stands out is their blatant lust for the Xbox 360 version over the PlayStation 3 version. Why? Because of the Downloadable Content of course. CVG compares the Xbox 360 exclusive DLC to the Vice City & San Andreas games in space and scope, and claims the DLC will feature a brand new city.I've included the whole quote here so the comments can be viewed in their full context."Of course, to call games as vastly ambitious as Vice City or San Andreas mere 'expansion packs' seems childish, but nevertheless, the downloadable content (DLC) coming for the Xbox 360 version of IV has repositioned those games in just this way. DLC so far has meant the odd new car, jumper of bit of horse armour, but GTA IV is set to completely redefine the idea with expansions that are to GTA IV what Vice City or San Andreas were GTA III. Yes, Rockstar is clearly hinting at new downloadable cities; and the chances of them being London, Vice City or SA again are slim to none. So that's new as in brand new. GTA IV's Liberty City is the beginning. Think about that and be excited."
Microsoft’s GTA IV Push to Rival Halo 3’s
Microsoft says its Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox 360 marketing campaign will be on the same scale as Halo 3’s
The platform holder’s UK promotional campaign begins this week with lifestyle press and web advertising before hitting TV screens this weekend. It will run through and beyond the game’s April 29 worldwide release.
“Rockstar will naturally be doing their own campaign to launch what obviously will be a massive title for them, but Microsoft sees GTA IV as a fantastic title to showcase how great Xbox 360 is,” said Stephen McGill, Xbox UK’s head of gaming and entertainment.
“As such you can expect a large awareness campaign from us, showcasing how great GTA IV on Xbox 360 is, and what great value the Xbox 360 console is too. Our campaign is the same sort of scale as our Halo 3 campaign last year so you can expect to see and hear a lot about GTA IV on Xbox 360 over the coming weeks.”
“Rockstar will naturally be doing their own campaign to launch what obviously will be a massive title for them, but Microsoft sees GTA IV as a fantastic title to showcase how great Xbox 360 is,” said Stephen McGill, Xbox UK’s head of gaming and entertainment.
“As such you can expect a large awareness campaign from us, showcasing how great GTA IV on Xbox 360 is, and what great value the Xbox 360 console is too. Our campaign is the same sort of scale as our Halo 3 campaign last year so you can expect to see and hear a lot about GTA IV on Xbox 360 over the coming weeks.”
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