XBOX Console

XBOX Console

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HD DVD for Microsoft Xbox 360 coming this November

Software company Microsoft has said that they would be launching the much-anticipated HD DVD drive add-on for its Xbox 360 console in November.

This drive is expected to be available for the Xbox 360 in Japan starting November 22. It is expected to be priced around ¥19,800 (US$168).

This information was released by Takashi Sensui, general manager of the Xbox division of Microsoft's Japanese subsidiary.

This is great news for the owners of the Xbox 360 gaming console, as it would allow them to watch high-definition HD DVD video content on a compatible television set. Sensui spoke on this announcement: “For those who already own the Xbox 360 system it'll cost only ¥19,800 to enjoy HD DVD. That's by far the most affordable solution for those people."

This drive would help Microsoft challenge the upcoming competition from Sony, which has included the competing Blu-Ray format drive in their upcoming Sony Playstation 3 gaming console also scheduled for launch in November.

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Microsoft Working On Xbox 360 Sequel?

In a recent interview with the website Kikizo, Microsoft's Chris Lewis admitted that the gears are already in motion for a new incarnation of Microsoft's next-gen console.

"Of course we're thinking about that... we're constantly thinking about the next thing, we have to. It's my point about complacency - you can't sit back on your laurels in this business - the consumer won't let you, the developers certainly won't let us. So that's happening right now," Lewis said frankly.

But don't fret, the life cycle of the current 360 will be longer than the first Xbox. "We want to give people the chance to continue to expand - either through accessories or storage, or the Live which continually evolves and broadens - 360 can evolve in its own right, and that's an important step that we took beyond [Xbox 1]," he explained.

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Taiwan market: Microsoft offers discounted Xbox 360 package

Microsoft Taiwan on October 18 announced a discounted price of NT$13,980 (US$422) for a package that includes an Xbox 360 console, two Xbox wireless controllers and the game "Dead or Alive 4," 11.3% lower than the original total market price of NT$15,760. The first time Microsoft Taiwan has offered such a package, the offer is in preparation for the Christmas season and is limited to only 5,000 sets, according to the company.

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14:28 Xbox 360 Games Tour coming to the UK! (4)

It may be generally wet, windy and miserable in the UK but the kind folks at Microsoft are doing their very best to put a smile on our faces. By bringing the Xbox 360 tour to the UK they offer gamers a chance to play the latest Xbox 360 games and get a hands on preview of some of the latest accessories.

Here is the press release issued by Microsoft:

If you're fanatical about gaming then start flexing your thumbs; the Xbox 360 Games Tour is coming to town. Gamers across six UK cities will get the first chance to test the amazing range of killer titles and latest accessories on Xbox 360, the next generation gaming and entertainment console from Microsoft. Up first is Manchester followed by Newcastle, Birmingham, Sheffield, Southampton and finishing up in London.

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Sony claims Xbox 360 requires HD DVD, etc., thus costs $700

Ok, here's a new one: with Sony's announcements today they've issued a titled "Next-generation Console Comparison Fact Sheet," (downloadable here [DOC]) so let's see some facts. First up, were you aware that to use your Xbox 360 Core system you're required to buy the 20GB drive add-on, an HD DVD drive, a wireless controller, and an Xbox Live sub? We weren't either. But hey, it says right there, "requires users to buy" and this is, in fact, a "fact sheet." Of course, none of that's actually true, and what's more, were one to use the Xbox 360 Premium console pack in that chart instead of the Core pack, the total would be $399 for a console with that very same hard drive, wireless controller, and Xbox Live Silver subscription (which provides access to everything but multiplayer) -- remember, kids, an HD DVD drive is not required to do anything but watch high def movies -- it has nothing to do with high def gaming.

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Xbox Live Hits 4 Million

Microsoft has announced that its Xbox Live service has reached the 4 million subscriber mark. What's more, it expects to log 6 million users by June 2007. It has also stated that 70 percent of its users are downloading content and 9 million voice and text messages are sent weekly.

So the 3rd Gen console war is on the brink of beginning and Microsoft has already declared a significant market foothold. Perhaps going to retail early, with little product, was indeed the way to go? I guess we'll see when the Wii and the PS3 drop.

4m people use Xbox Live [Eurogamer via Kotaku]

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Other Consoles: Xbox 360

Sonic is one of the most famous video game characters that have stood the test of time. Making his debut back in the days of the Sega Genesis, Sonic has seen several installments across all Sega's platoforms. Some thought that the fall of Sega Dreamcast would hurt Sonic's reputation, but only made it more fierced. No longer is he bound to one company's platforms, thus creating another successful avenue for the blue bomber, the likes of which wouldn't of been achieved with Sega's consoles alone. As he continues to make his presence felt, he takes is talent and need for speed to the next generation levels with the PS3 and Xbox 360 in Sonic the Hedgehog. Meanwhile Nintendos Wii will get Sonic and the Secret Rings, which will be exclusive to that console. In this new installment of Sonic for PS3 and Xbox 360 Sonic will encounter once again Shadow the hedgehog and a new character Silver the hedgehog.

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Postal III In The Works

A game based on scandal will also have a sequel waiting to enter development, and the Postal series are no exception to this rule. Running With Scissors announced that the third Postal title will arrive in 2008 on both PC and Xbox 360. The game would be produced in conjunction with developer/publisher Akella.

RWS adds that the upcoming game will be using Valve's Source Engine, which has recently become available on Xbox 360. "We started this series back in 1997, and while the franchise has grown into an international computer game sensation during that time, it has always been our goal to bring it to the videogame console marketplace. For many years I've been asked by gamers around the world when POSTAL will appear on console. I'm so proud to be able to answer our fans' prayers." (Vince Desi, RWS CEO)As usual, Postal Dude (the main character) will act only "as violent as the player wants it to be" claims Desi, because "we've always maintained [this policy] since publishing the original Postal".

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Xbox 720 Already in Development

In what probably shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, Microsoft has confirmed that yes, the Xbox 360's successor is already being worked on. According to Microsoft EMEA (European, Middle East, and Africa) vice president Chris Lewis:

"The consumer won't let you [rest on your laurels], the developers certainly won't let us. So that's happening right now. You'll see more [on a new Xbox] over time…certainly we're not talking about the next version yet. So give us a chance to catch a breath, will you?;

Guys, please take your time; we haven't yet finished this round of "console X is better than console Y," and I think I need at least three years before I'm prepared to go through the "next-generation console holy wars" again.

[via GamePro]

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Microsoft adds an HD player for Xbox console

TOKYO -- Microsoft Corp. is introducing an external high-definition DVD player for the Xbox 360 video game console to match the Blu-ray disc functions of Sony Corp.'s upcoming PlayStation 3. The software maker also announced Wednesday it will launch the Xbox 360 in India this week and in Africa next week.

The rollout plans come as the company tries to shore up sales ahead of the arrival later this year of next-generation machines by its two top rivals -- Sony and Nintendo Co.

The basic Xbox 360 doesn't come with high-definition DVD capability. The new Microsoft peripheral, to be launched in Japan on Nov. 22, is based on the HD DVD standard, a rival technology to the Blu-ray format Sony is using for the HD player built into its anxiously awaited upgrade to the PlayStation line.

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