Some Xbox 360 owners have noticed that while wailing on their whammy bars to snag more Star Power, that the performance of the controller has been less than rockin'.
Kotaku reader Ken got an official response from a customer service rep who provides details on the problem.
We have isolated this issue to two model numbers that can be found on the guitar's packaging. The numbers are 95065 and 95055. We are asking that customers who puchased their items from a retailer perform an exchange with that respective store (for a model number other than the defective two listed above). Customer's who purchased through our online story can complete an rma request for their defective item and we will exchange it for a fully function guitar controller. We do apologize for the inconvenience and will [resolve] these matters.
With information leaks an oft commented-on thorn in the side of major press announcements, the team behind Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog has sounded off on the topic, discussing the leaks relating to Microsoft's recently announced Xbox 360 Elite.
Speaking during a segment on Gamerscore Blog's latest podcast, Microsoft's Games for Window's PR manager Michael Wolf argued that information leaks, such as those for the Xbox 360 Elite that appeared before the official announcement at the end of March, are counter-productive because “...they don't have any context.”
He explained: “For the Elite, for example, people were talking about the functionality and had pictures and all this stuff, but they didn't have the full story. They didn't know the price, they didn't know the accessories, they didn't know additional information that really puts a lot of context and a lot of information behind it,”
“The reason why it's bad is because then you lose all the context. You lose all the facts that back it up, so that people hear the story once, understand it, and move forward, as opposed to hearing things bit by bit, piece by piece.”
John Porcaro, Microsoft's senior group manager for online community and communications, echoed this sentiment, but conceded that information leaks may be a necessary evil: “With the way that Internet works we're just going to have to deal with it to some degree, but on the other hand, it's almost like there's so much information out there... you could say any publicity is good publicity, sort of play devil's advocate there a little bit.”
Wolf explained that the vast number of supposed leaks and the amount of information flowing thanks to the nature of the internet is “why we kind of have a stock phrase of 'we don't comment on rumor and speculation'... it doesn't add value to comment on a rumor if you don't have the full context and you're not ready to make a full announcement.”
Instant Messaging Comes to Xbox 360, Expanding the Largest Social Network on Television
Xbox 360 owners can connect with more than 260 million Windows Live Messenger users on Xbox 360, Windows-based PCs and Windows Mobile-powered devices beginning the week of May 7.
REDMOND, Wash. — April 8, 2007 — Your Xbox LIVE® friends list is about to get a whole lot bigger. Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Windows Live™ Messenger on Xbox 360™, connecting friends across Xbox 360 consoles, Microsoft® Windows®-based PCs and Windows Mobile®-powered devices. With this update to Xbox 360, friends and families can easily connect and chat directly from their television using Windows Live Messenger, a network of more than 20 billion relationships and more than 260 million active accounts.
Beginning the week of May 7, 2007, the Xbox 360 Spring Update will provide Xbox 360 owners worldwide with access to Windows Live Messenger features, broadening the communication options on the Xbox LIVE social network. Members of the 6 million-strong Xbox LIVE community currently send more than 2 million text and voice messages a day and can now use Windows Live Messenger to text chat with up to six people on their contact list at one time, while playing games, listening to music or watching movies. Text chat adds to the variety of options friends and families already have to communicate with on Xbox LIVE, including voice and video chat.
Current relationships on Windows Live Messenger and Xbox LIVE will be unified on Xbox 360 and users will see at a glance if their existing friends on Windows Live Messenger have gamertags, instantly expanding the breadth of connected experiences they can share online.
“Bringing the largest IM community in the world, Windows Live Messenger, to Xbox 360 makes sense, as Xbox LIVE has really become the largest social network on television,” said Jerry Johnson, product unit manager of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. “For our growing community of 6 million on Xbox LIVE, using Xbox 360 is a very social, connected experience. They are using Xbox 360 to play games, music and movies while simultaneously communicating with one another through video, voice and text chat. With this announcement we are simultaneously expanding the access of Xbox LIVE users to existing friends and family while introducing Windows Live Messenger users to the benefits of Xbox 360.”
Beginning the week of May 7, users of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360 will text chat using the virtual keyboard accessible on Xbox 360, or by connecting a USB keyboard to the console. This summer Microsoft will launch a QWERTY text-input device, a new accessory that will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging.
Beyond Windows Live Messenger, the Spring Update for Xbox 360 includes hundreds of new features and enhancements including the following:
· A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.
· Enhanced family settings features for Xbox LIVE communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.
· A new Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade lets Xbox LIVE members access the content they seek — whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States) — from one place on Xbox LIVE.
· Updates to Xbox LIVE Arcade allow owners to quickly see which Xbox LIVE Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox LIVE members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list. Expanded Tell a Friend capabilities make it easier than ever to boast about Achievements and high scores.
· A new option in Auto Downloads provides faster access to the entire collection of free, trial-version Xbox LIVE Arcade games.
· New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
· Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.
The Spring Update is free beginning the week of May 7 and is easily accessible to every Xbox 360 owner through Xbox LIVE or on Xbox.com.
Although the Wiimote (and the SIXAXIS, under certain conditions) already enjoy the luxuries that tilting can bring, it looks like those sticking with Microsoft's console will now be able to get in on fun as well. Thanks to a partnership with "specialist peripheral makers" Talismoon, the highly-regarded tiltBoard is reportedly getting an commercial makeover as it readies itself for "mass production." Details are admittedly scant right now, but the forthcoming product -- "which will bring tilt sensitivity for the Xbox 360 to the masses" -- is said to be "worth the wait" from its presumably jovial creator. And if you can't visualize just how spiffy it'd be to control your 360 titles without touching the analog or D-pad, be sure to click on through to see what the tiltBoard can do for you.
Gamers fearing the usual summer slump can rest at ease as Microsoft prepares to release two different, yet equally captivating titles in North America for Xbox 360™. Players can pilot a space fighter and warp into a distant era with the arcade style space shooter, “Project Sylpheed,” or save humanity from the wrath of a new breed of vampire’s in the stealth horror shooter, “Vampire Rain.”
Reminiscent of summer days spent hunched-over a coin-op machine in a dark arcade, “Project Sylpheed” is a 3-D makeover of the classic, mid-‘80s scrolling shooter franchise “Silpheed.” Developed exclusively for the Xbox 360 by Game Arts and Seta Corporation for Square Enix, developers of the legendary “Final Fantasy” franchise, “Project Sylpheed” launches players through an exhilarating space combat experience driven by a deep, multilayered storyline. Feast on more than 50 minutes of visually stunning Japanese CG animation footage that propels the engaging story forward between space combat missions. As Katana Faraway, players must pilot a Delta Saber space fighter equipped with a highly customizable arsenal of weapons. In order to succeed, players must execute squadron commands and monitor their speed, shield, radar and weapons as they maneuver out of challenging situations and defend Earth against the evil ADAN forces.
Xbox 360 Screenshot for Project Sylpheed
In addition to non-stop space action, gamers can embark on a pulse-pounding mission in “Vampire Rain,” leading a highly-trained black-ops unit on a secret mission to eliminate the deadliest supernatural enemies ever faced: the intensely fast and super agile Nightwalkers. Players must traverse all areas of an eerie and rain soaked city by moving across rooftops and through back alleys, avoiding detection to ensure the best strategic use of high-tech weaponry. Developed by Artoon, “Vampire Rain” combines stealth, survival horror and shooter aspects of several classic games to bring an intense and hair-raising experience that can be enjoyed alone or with friends over Xbox LIVE ®. Who can keep their cool under the heat of the dog days with Nightwalkers in hot pursuit?
Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 Shreds to Retail Shelves
Be Prepared for a Gnarly Rude a-ROCK-ening!
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 3, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that Guitar Hero II(TM) for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft is now available on retail shelves nationwide.
Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 features an expanded track list of over 70 axe-smashing hits -- including 10 tracks exclusive to the Xbox 360 -- along with deafening rock venues, HD remodeled characters and guitars, a variety of addictive gameplay modes, and a bevy of achievement points to unlock. Also exclusive to the Xbox 360 is the ability for competitive rockthusiasts to view how their legendary performances rank on the online leaderboards. Guitar Heroes looking for even more can download exclusive gamer themes, picture packs and fresh new songs on Xbox Live Marketplace(R).
"With an expanded set list, blazing hot HD graphics, and a tenacious new X-Plorer(TM) guitar controller, Guitar Hero II on the Xbox 360 will allow fans to truly feel and live out their ultimate inner-rockstar fantasy," said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. "In addition, offering exclusive downloadable content and the added Xbox Live components such as competitive online leaderboards and tons of unlockable achievement points will help extend the gameplay experience for our hardcore Guitar Heroes to blow out more speakers and rock like never before."
Guitar Hero II, published by RedOctane(R), is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and is now available through RedOctane's online store: www.redoctane.com/store.html.
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Beginning the week of May 7, 2007, the Xbox 360 Spring Update will provide Xbox 360 owners worldwide with access to Windows Live Messenger features, broadening the communication options on the Xbox LIVE social network. Members of the 6 million-strong Xbox LIVE community currently send more than 2 million text and voice messages a day and can now use Windows Live Messenger to text chat with up to six people on their contact list at one time, while playing games, listening to music or watching movies. Text chat adds to the variety of options friends and families already have to communicate with on Xbox LIVE, including voice and video chat.
