Combined sales of Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 game consoles accounted for less than 1% of Japan's game console market in July, according to a report by Japan-based research firm Media Create.
Sales of the Xbox 360 during the week of July 17-23 totaled only 1,472 units, lagging far behind the 22,288 for the PS2 (PlayStation 2) and the 262,453 for the Nintendo DS Lite, the report said.
In addition, the top-10 most favorite game titles played in Japan are those designed for the Nintendo DS (NDS) and PS2, with six out the 10 titles designated for the NDS, the reported added. However, none of the titles designed for the Xbox or Xbox 360 was listed among the top-50, it added.
He'll consider an HD-DVD 360, too, if people demand one.
It's old news that Xbox 360 isn't performing well in Japan, so let's instead focus on what's being done to change the future. For reference, Microsoft sold 1,427 Xbox 360s July 17th through July 28th, according to the latest Media Create numers.
One, Xbox Japan general manager Takahashi Sensui spoke with Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily News deemed PlayStation 3 too expensive, and claimed Xbox 360 can provide everything Sony's machine has to offer at a lower price. Despite the looming launch, however, there do not appear to be plans for a price cut in that territory -- but expect one if Blue Dragon doesn't perform up to par this winter.
Additionally, Sensui weighed in on the thought-dead HD-DVD issue. Microsoft maintains they have no plans to produce an Xbox 360 SKU bundled with an internal HD-DVD drive, but Sensui points out the obvious, and states they'll consider such a scenario if consumers demand the feature down the line.
Don't worry, though, even if Microsoft does produce an HD-DVD Xbox 360 eventually, regular DVD will remain the go-to format for games. Any changes Microsoft makes to the hardware will simply be an added benefit for the movie viewing experience.
For twelve years now, gaming professionals and geeks alike have gathered for a week of electronic entertainment frenzy. The annual Electronic Entertainment Expo has hosted giants and small players alike as companies present their latest game titles and hardware to media, retailers, and colleagues. The event crammed the Los Angeles Convention Center with blazing lights, blaring speakers, bustling crowds, and endless activity -- before spilling into flash press conferences and notoriously decadent after-hours parties.
Now, E3 as we've known it is a thing of the past.
The Entertainment Software Assocation, which hosts E3 each year, announced today that going forward the Expo will be an "intimate event" rather than a massive trade show, hosting press events and small meetings with media, retailers, and developers. According to Electronic Arts, the redesigned E3 will now take place in July.
Sam Fisher holds back in the shadows a little longer.
Buried in the company's first-quarter financial results today is word that Ubisoft will release Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent late in October, and not in September as last scheduled.
While games are often delayed to provide more development time, in this case the change was strategic. According to a Ubisoft representative, the delay moves Double Agent into the company's holiday quarter, where Ubisoft expects strong sales of the title to contribute to year-end revenue.
This isn't the first time Sam Fisher has been given a holding orders. Ubisoft previously moved the new title from March to September.
Splinter Cell Double Agent, the fourth title in the popular stealth-action series, is currently in development for Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and PC. Ubisoft has yet to announce plans for a PlayStation 3 version of the game.
Pre-Registration for Penny Arcade Expo Extended to August 3, 2006
Seattle, Washington - July 31, 2006 - Penny Arcade Inc today announced that due to overwhelming demand, pre-registration for Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) gaming culture fest slated to invade Washington State this August 25th-27th has been extended to August 3rd at 6:30pm pacific.
On the exhibit floor PAX '06 attendees can expect to get hands on with yet-to-be-released games and products from the likes of exhibitors Microsoft, Nintendo, Nvidia, ArenaNet, America's Army, Turbine, NCSoft, Ubisoft, Mythic, Sabertooth Games, Foundation 9, Rockstar, Flying Lab, Creative Labs, The Behemoth, Garage Games and Red Octane among others. In addition to pre-release games galore on its show floor, PAX offers attendees a host of game-related conference sessions, parties, concerts and contests, including the grand-daddy of game challenges, the Omegathon. Details of this year's Omegathon prize will be announced later this week.
About Penny Arcade Expo
Started by videogame-oriented comic strip creators Gabe and Tycho in 2004, Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is a 3-day, round-the-clock celebration of games and game culture. It includes an exhibition floor filled with playable demos of games that won't be on shelves until next year, a conference program of game industry speakers on topics related to gaming, music concerts, game tournaments and more. For more information visit http://www.pennyarcadeexpo.com.
About Penny Arcade
Equal parts online comic and commentary, Penny-Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com) covers videogames in a way that is genuine, insightful, and respected by the gaming community. What started as a hobby for Jerry "Tycho" Holkins and Mike "Gabe" Krahulik has, over five years, grown into an online phenomenon that serves 45 million page views a month to millions of readers worldwide. In addition to the comic strip and PAX, Penny Arcade Inc. also manages Child's Play (www.childsplaycharity.org), a gamer-driven charity for sick kids in Children's Hospitals across the world.
The Fractal 360. A universal, comprehensive and efficient solution which will be sure to push the boundaries within this mod category.
With over five years of PCB manufacturing to our credit, our 360 mod is physically designed just as greatly as it is perceived.
We are delighted to release preliminary information on what we believe to be the ultimate universal 360 DVD firmware chip.
Fractal 360 specs : * Reduced number of wires to solder
* On the fly patching! Your on-board firmware will stay unchanged
* Fully compatible with actual Security sectors without need to reburn games
* Media fix for hitachi readers (increased media compatibility)
* Security sectors and game ripping on both hitachi and samsung readers
* Fully automatic disable feature for original game boot
This is an non exhaustive list of features.
The full features list will be announced in 2 weeks, so stay tuned
The launch date of the Fractal360 has been set for the 20th of August 2006
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..
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