G4TV Reports: As I wrap up my reporting from CES 2010, I must return to some issues that won't go away.
Xbox Live deserves praise as a service, but being the standard for which other online gaming services are judged means its flaws come under repeated scrutiny -- for good reason. It's why I always find myself asking Microsoft executives a couple of the same questions whenever I'm given the opportunity to sit down with them: why is there a friends cap on Xbox Live and when will the entire service allow me to pay for content in real-world dollar amounts, rather than confusing Microsoft Points?
Some background on each issue.
You cannot have more than 100 friends on Xbox Live. I used to think this was an issue that affected only the most hardcore. I don't even engage in much multiplayer through Xbox Live. But I do use the service to keep tabs on what my friends are playing, what they're watching on Netflix and other social networking bits. Now, I have reached the friends list cap and find myself removing people I know. I published a story last year that reported the main holdup for the cap was Halo 2 players.
Microsoft's response?
"Phew," sighed Xbox group product manager Aaron Greenberg at CES. "God, I've been answering this question for so long. It's something that the team's looking at. It's more complicated than you would think. I know you have actually covered yourself in some detail and I think it is something that we're hoping to address. Exactly when that happens I can't say because there's some technical requirements tied to it. But I can tell you that, just like consumers, I share the same frustration and I, too, want more than 100 friends, and so know that we all want that and that we are working on getting that fixed."
When Microsoft launched the Games On Demand service last fall, it allowed users to purchase full, retail Xbox 360 games through Xbox Live and pay for the games in actual dollar amounts. You can still use Microsoft Points, but the less-confusing real-world dollar listings were seen as a welcomed addition, something that's been standard on PlayStation Network. So far, the change remains restricted to Games On Demand, not all of Xbox Live. Space Bucks continue to remain the dominant currency.
Microsoft's response?
"You're right," said Greenberg. "We did it with Games On Demand and the response has been really good. I think people like to see the dollar amount. We never intended to ever mislead people. I think we want to be transparent about it, and so it is something that we're looking at. How can we be more transparent and let people see it in actual dollars? The fact is that you've got to think that we have one service that we're offering around the world. The nice thing about points is that no matter if you're on the yen or the euro or the dollar -- something that's 200 points is 200 points everywhere around the world."
"There's more technical complexities to being able to put local prices in," he continued. "You have to do that for every product in very country and you then have to deal with currency fluctuations. So there's some challenges to that, but we absolutely did it with the Games On Demand, response has been good and absolutely it's something we're looking at doing."
It does appear we're seeing progress on both fronts, but I won't be satisfied until the changes are actually implemented. Until that happens, I'll keep asking Greeenberg and others about it for you.
Announced at CES 2010, Microsoft will be bringing classic game emulation to the Xbox 360 and Windows PCs in Game Room. The service, which will be released this Spring, will initially have around 30 games available to purchase or play. At this point, Microsoft hopes to release 7 games a week with the final goal being over 1000 games available. The Game Room is an actual 3D space for your avatar that can be customized and decorated. Your friends can even visit your personal arcade. If you don’t care for the virtual space, the entire experience can be navigated by menus.
Initially, games will range from classic arcade titles to consoles titles from the Intellivision and Atari 2600. For a full list of the launch titles, skip to the end of this story. For pricing, the model is a bit different from anything Microsoft has done before on Live. For 40 MS Points or 50 cents, you’ll be able to play a game once. That’s right, just like dropping two quarters into an arcade machine, Microsoft will allow gamers to insert credits into these classic titles. It makes sense if you want to try a bunch of games before buying, in order to find something you like, but 50 cents a pop could add up before long.
If you want to purchase a game, it’s going to run you $3. This enables unlimited play and placement of the game in your arcade space. It won’t, however, allow you to play that same game on your Xbox 360 and PC. If you want cross-platform play, the price will kick up to $5, but will allow you play the game on any supported platform according to Microsoft’s Frank Pape, senior director on the project, which might not be limited to the 360 and PC, though no new platforms were announced at CES. If I had to speculate, I would look to Windows Mobile as a possible platform. Live was just announced for Windows handsets and it would give Microsoft some ground against Apple’s iPhone and its growing game library.
The guys from destructoid have published a new video showing the "Fast Motion, Ice Skating Glitch" in Modern Warfare 2. The video was Captured while playing Sabotage on Modern Warfare 2 on the X-Box 360.
There's always time for stories about glitches in Modern Warfare 2. Yes, once again 2009's most popular shooter has been exploited by people who feel accomplished by cheating in videogames. The latest bug arrived in very much the same way as the last one -- it's a PC mod that has been smuggled onto the Xbox 360 version.
This new glitch grants players the ability to move in fast-motion, and players get the feeling that they're skating on ice while they move. Running gives players about five times the normal speed. This glitch is most commonly found on Sabotage games, so be warned if that's your preferred gametype.
Every glitch uncovered in Modern Warfare 2 is yet another point scored by those in favor of dedicated servers. It really seems that letting Infinity Ward handle everything did not make for a more secure and fun gaming experience. Not that we expect IW to care, given the amount of bank they made.
[Video captured and sent by Dtoid reader DunKology]
When Microsoft announced that there would be new content coming to Modern Warfare 2—and the Xbox 360 would get it first—gamers had one of two reactions. People with 360s were excited, while other gamers complained that Microsoft seemed to be yet again locking down content by writing large checks. At CES we sat down with Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, and asked about the business of getting exclusive content.
"I think about it like a sports team, when you sign a star athlete for your team... when you sign that free agent, I think it makes your team better. At the end of the day, we want to turn as many people as possible into Xbox 360 fans."
Greenberg talks about Microsoft's line-up of exclusive content this year as being incredibly strong. "And then to say, on top of that, to take the biggest game of last year, and be the exclusive place you can get that downloadable content first, I think that's a big deal. That's a big reason you'd want to buy an Xbox 360 instead of another console. So we think from a business standpoint that's part of the reason more people are buying the Xbox 360, more people are on Xbox Live, it's part of the reason more people are buying Modern Warfare 2—more than two to one our box vs. the PS3."
He points out the "bet" Microsoft put on Modern Warfare 2, by putting out the custom console and showing it off at E3, and says now Microsoft wants to follow up that trend by offering the content first.
Will any of this convince gamers that are angry that Microsoft isn't simply throwing money around? It's doubtful. The fact remains, however, that you'll have to own a Microsoft console if you want to play the newest Modern Warfare 2 content first. That's a powerful selling point.
Step into ‘the Void’ with the new "Dark Void" demo which is now available for download from the Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo weighs in at 838 MB.
Ancient gods known as "The Watchers," once banished from our world by superhuman Adepts, have returned with a vengeance. A sinister parallel world of hostile aliens, powerful weapons and deep mystery.... Dark Void’s unique combination of jet-pack powered dog-fighting and ground-based combat brings a thrilling new dynamic to video-gaming. Experience the seamless transition between flight and fight in this epic adventure from Capcom®.
Content: Dark Void DEMO Price: Free Availability: Not available in Australia, Japan and New Zealand
Dash Text: Dark Void is a sci-fi action adventure game that combines an adrenaline-fuelled blend of jet pack and cover-based combat. Set in a parallel universe, you play as Will, a pilot dropped into the mysterious Void, only to meet fellow humans struggling to survive and fight the malevolent alien race threatening Earth. Full game available 22.01.10. Download the demo today!
Dark Void from Capcom is scheduled for release January 22nd, 2010.
For more information on "Dark Void" for Xbox 360 be sure you visit our 360-HQ games database or install our FREE Xbox 360 Toolbar which will link you to our latest content and keep you up to date with all the latest xbox 360 stuff as we get it..
Microsoft tonight announced it would start shipping its Natal gesture and voice controller for the Xbox 360 game console in time for the Christmas holiday shopping season.
Natal, named after a Brazilian city, lets players yell, jump, kick or wave their arms to control what happens in a video game, using a series of motion detectors, a camera and a microphone to capture what players are doing.
The Redmond, Wash., technology giant demonstrated Natal last June in Los Angeles, but it did not say when it would start selling the add-on device.
Natal will work only with Xbox 360 consoles, not the original Xbox. Microsoft said it has sold more than 39 million Xbox 360s worldwide. Its Xbox Live online service, which can be accessed from consoles connected to the Internet, has drawn more than 20 million players, half of whom have tried out nongaming content offered on Xbox Live, including TV shows and movies, as well as Facebook and Twitter feeds.
In his keynote speech, Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, said sales of consoles, games, peripherals and downloads from Xbox Live generated $20 billion for Microsoft and other companies since the company launched its first Xbox in November 2001.
Dune: Awakening Shows Off Stunning Unreal Engine 5 Gameplay & More Funcom (@Funcom) revealed a stunning new gameplay trailer and featurette for Dune: Awakening, the first episode of the new Dune: Awakening Direct series. Embark on a breathtaking journey across Arraki..
HQ Network: 7,632 | 
Guests: 4245 |
Members: 1
