IT News & Technology update

A much feared sight for a lot of Xbox 360 owners

Xbox 360 is now one of the most popular console, largely because it has a low price, a large library of titles and was the first next-generation platform to appear on the market. But his life was not the best, as a result of a very hard problem with a large number of users to see the three red lights appear on the button to open the console, a symbol of a general system failure.

"Affectionally" called the Red Ring of Death, after the blue screen of death errors that plague the Microsoft Windows operating system for this problem is much more common and aggravating for people, which meant that they must take their produce Authorized Service Provider for them to be repaired. But now it seems that things start looking for, at least according to the group product manager for Xbox 360 Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg.

He recently spoke with Edge and found that the worst problems hardware for the Xbox 360 is gone, and now, thanks to new versions of the console, such as the latest model of Jasper, with better cooling and lighter parts of the hardware, it will be much easier for players.

"We've improved that [repair] process," says Kant. "It is very fast, and they can update your system with the latest technology. So, that works really well. What is it to isolate and understand the problem, fixing the issue, and more that we can solve this problem, and the is fixed, then we are well. We have put the worst behind us in this, but we know that there are systems of delay, so we take them and make it right."

So there you have it, users of the Xbox 360 it seems that things are not so bad in the future and hopefully the console Red Ring be free until the next version of Microsoft's consoles will arrive, which was not in a while 'time.

No Comment | Posted in » console, Microsoft, Red Ring of Death, RROD, Xbox 360  

Biggest year sale of Xbox

While Microsoft is touting the biggest ever year for the Xbox 360 sales, the company is only the comparison with the PlayStation 3 console from Sony, and says nothing about the Nintendo Wii. After what he more than a year in the history of Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Microsoft said that at the end of 2008 managed to base installation, to the whole world and the PlayStation 3 in more than 8 million units. After the statistics published by the Redmond Company, Xbox 360 has over 28 one million consoles sold.

"On the Xbox, 2008 will be remembered worldwide as a critical year of growth and retail sales on the Internet - also in view of the difficult economic circumstances," Don Matt Rick, Senior Vice President for Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, has shown.

"Everywhere in the world, a record number of players in their droves to our wide range of entertainment and games of all time, while the New Xbox Experience delighted millions of fans of our console even more attractive. And yet we have only a vague idea for a new world of interactive entertainment as we think. The best Xbox 360 that will happen. "

Despite this, and 28 million unit sales for the Xbox 360 from Microsoft can actually grow over Sony, in the context of the PlayStation 3 or 20 one million milestone, the fact is that there is not even necessary for the performance delivered by the Nintendo Wii. The company has approximately 46 million consoles worldwide, Microsoft and Sony, which has outsold mainly because of the natural surface, Wii.

Still, manufacturers of Redmond have the advantage of Xbox Live community. Steadily increasing popularity, the Community of Xbox Live is now over 17 million active members. To keep pace with the 84-percent increase in online usage by consumers, the software giant has shown that since the debut on the Xbox 360 three years ago, members of the Xbox Live community more than 1 billion U.S. dollars.

But even if Microsoft has the greatest years in the history of Xbox 360, Sony, the location of the bronze winner in the console race, also applauded the continued growth. Ian Jackson, Vice President of Sales, Sony Computer Entertainment America, said that sales of the PlayStation 3 have exploded over 130% in the summer of 2008. This may be correlated with growth in sales for the year 2008, which Jackson said that about 40% for the PS3.

No Comment | Posted in » PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360  

Home isn't used by Microsoft

The console war is full of bitter fighting, in which each company is trying to show the world that your product is better and has more features. As such, the big manufacturers, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, which try to introduce the new services to their products more attractive on the market.

In this regard, Sony has recently launched the open beta phase of the new online service PlayStation Home, especially for the PlayStation 3 console. The service aims at a meeting of all owners of the PS3 on Earth, where they met people they know and make new friends and have fun in a constantly changing environment.

This has led to the curiosity of several companies in the UK, which began testing the service for home, to see if they, instead of the usual conference call with this new virtual world. Nothing interesting, so far, but it seems that Microsoft, Sony arch rival, also in the tests carried out by the advanced work Associates Company.

After hearing the news, it seems that the U.S. Company did not want his picture in connection with Sony products and a statement in which he is not the fact that they use online service Home. The press release went on to say that Microsoft has its own virtual meetings, such as the Xbox Live games, which are used for small meetings.

"Microsoft is not as a tool for virtual meetings in the home," Read the press release. "With Microsoft developed great products and applications such as Live Meeting, and part of Xbox Live, we have everything needed to create a virtual meeting at home."

It is now clear that companies in the financial sector, Ernst & Young and Merrill Lynch are the only participants in a study by Dr. Manish Nipan Mani and Malik from the University of Portsmouth. Although services from Microsoft are very good, it seems that the innovations that the home can be for other companies.

No Comment | Posted in » Home, Microsoft, PlayStation 3, Sony, Xbox 360  

Sony said don’t get any profit from PlayStation 3

Few players are aware of the fact that sales of game consoles are a risky business. The console takes years and a lot of money to organize and work for the prototypes created. Since a console cannot be in the first year is for sale because of the limited hardware performance or because of limited support for video game publishers. And even if the console sells well and is fast, the players, they tend to lose money on each game device sold.

iSuppli is a research to analyze the latest PlayStation 3 from Sony and found that the company made significant progress in relation to the console. It seems that the first PS3 model, which was sold to players for $ 600 costs about $ 800, which means that Sony basically lost $ 200 on each unit sold.

With time, the Japanese manufacturer has managed to significantly reduce costs. On the one hand, the number of parts in the gaming industry unit from 4048 to 2820th On the other hand, components and production costs has been consolidated for most of them fell. This means that at present costs for PlayStation 3 console is around 448 U.S. dollars, as Sony will lose about $ 50 on a console that sells for $ 399.

Andrew Rassweiler, an analyst at iSuppli, says that in 2009, Sony even achieve equality, to sell its console at a price equal to its manufacturing costs. He believes that "Every time we have a disconnection, it's kind of backward looking. Sony is one step ahead of us, and probably has plans to re-spin of the hardware, costs again."

Microsoft is also meant to lose money on each Xbox 360 sold, although no breakdown is available at the moment.

No Comment | Posted in » Japan, Microsoft, PlayStation 3, Sony, Xbox 360  

Nintendo Again over 200,000

The Japanese video game hardware and software chart by week 21 December, and the time until the holidays seem to be particularly fruitful for sale, with all the consoles increased number and with good prospects of seeing more sales in the coming week.

Nintendo DS moved 200,000 units, for the second time in a row, 204,100 consoles sold. While most of the sales of the newer JM model, two cameras and a better result. PlayStation Portable from Sony sold 146,000 units during the same period, since most of the sales will consist of the new PSP-4000 model.

In the home console segment again, Nintendo had the upper hand, selling 131,000 Wii consoles in a week, while the closest competitor was Sony with its PlayStation 3, which saw sales increase to 39,000 units moved in a week. Microsoft, Xbox 360 sold 12,900 units and only managed to outsell the aging PlayStation 2, which had a turnover of 8700th effects of the price of the Xbox 360 has received a boost in September and the PS3 is back to his dominant role in Japan.

The best-selling video game of the week was Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Square Enix by the administration to sell 489,000 copies in the first week, the strength of the franchise agreement is still in Japan. Another new release, to sell a large quantity of copies in its first week has Musou2 Mobile Suit Gundam for the PlayStation 3, published by Koei. Number three in the video chart is Nintendo's Kirby Super Star Ultra, sales 150000 sets. Animal Crossing: City People continue to sell even 145,000 units delivered, while Tales of Hearts was at number five, with 124,000 in sales.

No Comment | Posted in » Nintendo DS, Nintendo WII, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360  

The Xbox 360 will be host to a lot of things in the future

Xbox 360 is a very good place right now, both in terms of sales and popularity. It has outsold its arch rival, PlayStation 3, in many areas and countries, which were previously loyal to Sony's console. Now with a big price cut and a lot of packages available, the Xbox 360 out to be one of the best selling products in this season.

But even if a lot of changes have been made in the North American console, the development team "only just begun to scratch the surface" in terms of the experience it can provide to the user according to Shane Kim, the man responsible for strategy and business development for Xbox 360. Kim went on to say that even if the new interface dubbed New Xbox Experience was a major step forward, Microsoft would not stay there and continue to bring new things to their console.

Kim said that his role was to monitor and determine how the Xbox 360 went largely determine what the console "want to be when they grow up." Executive agencies went on to say that the partnership made with Netflix would not be the last, and that more is between Microsoft and other providers, such as YouTube or Hulu, can be done in order to deliver a higher quality entertainment experience.

"The work we are doing now is to try to understand what is of interest to a broader set of customers beyond the traditional game audience that would benefit from an interactive platform we have," Kim stated. He said that any browser for the Xbox 360 was ruled out because "we are on track to deliver higher-quality experience, not having the most varied experiences."

So it definitely looks like the Xbox 360 will have a lot of aces up its sleeve in the coming year. Kim is very confident about the future of the console and, together with the statement made by Chris Lewis, VP of Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft, who said that this generation would be the longest, can we expect Xbox 360 to be in the spotlight for quite a long time.

No Comment | Posted in » entertainment, Microsoft, Netflix, Shane Kim, Xbox 360  

Now with more money making attached

So Microsoft are few avatars, which is just as MIIS for the Nintendo Wii, just that they are intended for use by Xbox Live users. In other words, Microsoft saw a nice concept that someone else created, and decided to clone it and offer it as a great news for its users. They seem to have much experience in this.

John Schappert, who is one of the company's vice-presidents of Microsoft, who recently spoke about how the idea could actually be implemented on the console and also addressed the problem of the new page is monetized by the company.

He said that the idea of avatars was born when the developers decided that the players needed a simple and intuitive way to create an image of themselves. He explained that "Motorola is logical to provide us with numerous opportunities to adapt our own style." He also pointed out that Avatar would be separated from the Mii by the fact that "it is not too cutesy. It is in the middle. Klär the gist First-person shooter, which can be hectic. And the more casual players can dress up to look friendly ", Even if the developers looked at how MIIS was integrated with the Nintendo Wii games as a source of inspiration. Microsoft is not designed to integrate avatars directly in most video games, but they believe that avatars to increase the social potential of consoles.

The disadvantage that avatars will be Microsoft will act quickly to make money from the system. Schappert said that as soon as the autumn, Xbox 360 users will want to see "a large library of accessories" while micro transactions that would be imposed in the future. Basic adaptation of avatars are most likely to remain free while the more complex options will require players to pay up.

No Comment | Posted in » Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360  

GTA4 With better multiplayer

It’s not too long since GTA IV was started. For two months. Most of us have played the game, finish it or come close, most of us even try to shake of multiplayer. Now Rockstar wants to us back in the game of the atmosphere at the launch of a new patch should have been any issues that appear - especially in multiplayer games.

Developers say that the supplement is intended to fix "freezes in certain regimes, for when players leave the match and errors within the races and race lobbies. The full patch notes that the main issues addressed are: one issue that prevented players from entering the exit race cars in GTA multiplayer mode, one that is scripted means of blocking the game, a rare problem that prevents the passage of race Race or GTA game in the lobby, one for a change of teams and several others associated with spectator role in Cops'n'Crooks.

He also is set to increase the frequency of updates for the PlayStation 3 board, and also changed some of the rules governing vision in the game.

It looks like a pretty impressive list of changes in the game, it might make some people with GTA IV-happy than they are now, but gamers expect a whole different set of messages for this title.

All Xbox 360 GTA IV players have patience in order to advance their hands announced exclusive content for download for the game, which may include a complete new towns. In Playstation 3 gamers, who are waiting for him some news for distance learning and development regarding the availability of their version. PC gamers are just waiting for a sign from Rockstar and take two, that one of the biggest games of 2008 becoming increasingly version of PC owners. Unfortunately, a patch, not satisfy those groups, so we'll keep waiting for new messages from the producers of GTA IV.

No Comment | Posted in » GTA IV, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360  

GTA IV Waiting for the DLC

Microsoft had to pay $ 50 million for it, many people bought the Xbox 360 version, especially because it still take two decided to delay the whole thing - from tax on Q4 2008 to fiscal Q1 2009. Yes, we do not talk about extreme distance learning and development for the Xbox 360 version of Rockstar of the Grand Theft Auto IV. The good news is that the key word here is delayed, not canceled. Communicate bad news is the reason: the decision was made due to balance of the portfolio than the issues of development, which means something like "we simply want to release it later.

For sure, this decision is understandable, given that in recent financial results reported by taking two, 78 percent of the total revenue of the company this quarter came from GTA IV and the other Grand Theft Auto games. Though the delay just so that it - and even admitting that high - may not be the best action to please the fans. They could've done and everything would've been acceptable. (However, we appreciate their honesty.)

The declaration of GTA IV for distance learning and development was reported by the website gamesindustry.biz, which also stated that no information on pricing were given about the content, nor a confirmation or denial of portable version or release date for the PC version. We dare to believe that the PC version will reach stores at the same time, the Xbox 360 for distance learning and development - and this means that we must expect a slowdown in the rumored PC version, too.

Back to the message: this means that Xbox 360 owners of the Grand Theft Auto IV will receive a copy chance to try new things brought to them through distance learning and development sometime between November 2008 and January 2009 and not "the fall of 2008. We will keep close tabs on the Convention of Microsoft now and see whether it will be a response to the message. We are sure that will piss off many people in the games world.

No Comment | Posted in » games, GTA IV, Microsoft, Xbox 360  

G4 Moves to Xbox Live

If you're interested in the media, games and Web-based culture, then you should look at the shows put on G4. Now Microsoft is entering the deal with the G4 to show the network for greater audience, making them available to the Xbox Live service for gamers.

"Code Monkeys" is a comedy show is animated in 1980 and tracks the adventures of GameAvision, a company that is struggling to produce videogames in an age that do not understand them. On Xbox Live offering of the show will include free Chwiwgi peek of the first episode of the second season.

"Blokovoto" is an interesting reality series, which follows the lives of snowboarders who go around the world are living large, as well as the implementation of some of the best there is blowing tricks of slopes.

Last but not least, each measure "Attack of the show" comes to Xbox Live video memory. This is perhaps the most popular show G4 because it directly targets gamers with their in-depth coverage of events, features and numerous guests related to the game. It is hosted by Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn and bears much humor in the world of technology and games. There will be more special episode created exclusively for Xbox Live.

G4 is also thinking of adding even more shows to Xbox Live, but much depends on the manner in which users of the service Xbox responding to the original show. See how they are targeted to the same audience as the primary gamer demographic, which use one Xbox 360, chances are high that the partnership will be successful.

Neal Tiles, president of G4 network, said that the "G4 is physically fit to be part of Xbox LIVE Community. Our young male audience spends more time interfacing with technology than any other network. This partnership underscores G4 commitment to bring relevant and authentic content of young boys in more ways than ever before.

No Comment | Posted in » News, Xbox, Xbox 360  

Double D Dodgeball Comes to XBLA

In 360 Xbox Live Arcade will soon give you the chance to play Origin Futuristic kind of dodgeball game, thanks to YUKE OF Company Limited. The game has already received certification to be released for the Xbox Live service, and it will be available for download this summer for regular MS 800 points.

Double D dodgeball will offer multiplayer mode for up to eight persons (4 - and from the match) and four game modes (exhibition, the meeting Player, Ranked the meeting and the tournament). Also, another "must-have", leader boards, has been implemented, plus two types of rules, dodgeball - in Eastern and Western ones.

"People's Ball with a double D, we are able to capture the spirit of classic dodgeball ground that we have all grown up integration with a specific set of rules known in the East and West, and it Xbox LIVE", said Ken Koyama, manager of development of the product in YUKE of the Society of America. "Rather than meeting hot on the ground, you can go for Xbox LIVE Arcade and blast effects of your friend with the ball from the comfort of your couch."

Although parents will probably prefer you will actually go out on "hot landing", it seems that this is the future and one thing is certain: this is not pain involved! But you should know the rules before even thinking about dodgeball game.

On the western tip dodgeball bears the traditional method where two teams square off in the arena, separated from the center line. Whenever a team is hit, he or she must obtain from the court, and only returned when the team begins on the opponent. Eastern part of the rules, on the other hand, contain a scene with the center line and the outfield, located around the outside of the court. One player from each team will start in the outfield of the opponent and autizam balls of "enemies". All players will send the head of the outfield and will only be allowed to enter when they hit the opponent. Chun cake!

No Comment | Posted in » games, News, Xbox, Xbox 360  

Microsoft Playing up GTA IV Impact on Console Sales

A 40% rate for bundled Xbox 360s

Microsoft is clearly trying to escape, the number of proof, as the Xbox 360 is always that now the "killer app" is that Grand Theft Auto IV. The company is now that 40% of the new Xbox sales in the first week of GTA IV launch were in the party.

A recent statement from Microsoft also claimed that 60% of sales of the band were living game for the Xbox 360, with only 40% is the Playstation 3 Even earlier, when it, Microsoft, that the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV is outselling the PS3 version of two to one. Either the figures by train to change very, very quickly, or from Microsoft is really efforts to turn what is so hard as possible for their own console, the console was recently proposed in the sale of cards by the Sony rivals.

A spokesman for the city was founded by Major Nelson, a known source for the timeliness of the Xbox, as saying: "The game is well suited to the new consoles, almost 40 percent of the 360s out door has a copy of GTA IV is them. " The game, leads to 360 the total sales by 54% if the figures are in comparison to the week of publication.

Expenditure, in society in the Chart Track UK say that we 514000 units of GTA IV has been on the Xbox 360 in the first week. At the same time, the PS3 can not boast the sale of 413000th

The number indicates, precisely the date on which Microsoft and Sony, in another "war of words" in relation to the success of their consoles in the European market. According to David Reeves, Sony said that the PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 in absolute numbers in Europe, Microsoft has responded and said that these figures do not even know that the real and Xbox console is the selection for the European players.

If GTA IV leads to a growth in sales of Xbox 360, Microsoft can claim that he has the best console, which justifies the millions of lies flat on Rock Star, the only content downloaded from the upcoming August. On the other hand, if the PlayStation 3 version of the game sold, the number close to the Xbox 360 version, Sony will say that the only reason for the success of the console from Microsoft, is limited, it is the large advertising campaign by the promise garni by DLC.

post tags: MIcrosoft, Sony ,Xbox 360 ,PlayStation 3 ,GTA IV

No Comment | Posted in » GTA IV, Microsoft, News, Xbox 360  

GTA IV came to a close last week

In anticipation of GTA IV has at the end of last week and as a result of the furious advertising campaign for the game that the Star of Microsoft Xbox 360, even if the game is also playable on the PlayStation 3, many people have summer by console you ask Benefit from the liberalization of the game and how. I, myself, was wondering how long it before, that Microsoft tried to turn in GTA IV
his favor.

Well, my wait is over. Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, is in the protocol say: "What we have heard, to anecdotes from our retail partners is that the Xbox 360 version of the game is outselling the PS3 Version by a margin of two to one. That reflects what we have seen, with the above commands, but still in possession of detail is true, at least for the first few days. It is a great character."

Greenberg not developed on the "big character" part of his statement, but quickly Sony a statement that the applications, there is no evidence that the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV is outselling the PS3 version, 2-1 .Why the rush to the bar was a declaration on "anecdotal evidence? Since the launch of GTA IV is seen as a crucial test for the entire markets the console. If the Xbox leads to an increase in sales can be confirmed with the numbers Sales of the Xbox 360 version of the game, Microsoft about the hands-free, claiming that their console is more efficient than the PS3. If the details of the improved performance of the Xbox is not in the next few months if the copy GTA IV is the same felt, and Sony can say that only several million campaign and the promise DLC reject the scales, and the PS3 is the console with the best benefits.

Greenberg added: "I think we have a solid performance in April, but I think you will see a greater influence in May." So are the people at Microsoft are really difficult, betting on an increase in sales of its console, which mainly in May. We would be better to our breath, until June to see how GTA IV impact on the console of the war.

No Comment | Posted in » anecdotal evidence, GTA IV, Microsoft, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360