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Xbox 360 Details and NYC Store
Gamasutra is reporting on some new Xbox 360 details, released today by Microsoft at the Game Developer's Conference Europe (GDCE). From the article:"Quick voice chat with Xbox Live friends will be available at any time on Xbox 360, even if the player is currently using another game. The game will simply pause and the voice conversation will be carried out - the game automatically mutes any other in-game voice." Additionally, the Seattle Times has piece up indicating that Microsoft is planning on battling Nintendo in the streets of New York City, with a possible Times Square store of their own. From that piece: "A retail store would dovetail with Microsoft's recent efforts to raise its profile in New York, an area that generates more than $1 billion a year in business-software sales for the company. New York is also home to the media giants Microsoft is courting with its software for distributing and protecting music, movies, games and television."
How do you pause in an online multiplayer game?
The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
"The game will simply pause and the voice conversation will be carried out "
What's the point of that then? Being able to chat at the same time as you're playing would be a marvelous feature. Surely the XBox360 hardware is up to the task.
And as for New York, either Microsoft or the reporter are seriously confused about the benefits.
"showcase consumer-oriented products such as the new Xbox." vs. "... New York, an area that generates more than $1 billion a year in business-software sales."
Are MS hoping for an Xbox in every office? Or every home?
- Default, game independent 'gamer profiles' on Xbox 360 will include some extremely broad, optional settings which all games will check, including difficulty levels, Y-axis inversion setting, preferred car transmission type (automatic or manual), and a handful of other extremely common game settings. There is then a requirement that game, on its first boot, checks those optional settings, so if the player always uses FPSes with inverted controls, he will never have to reset it in individual game cases.
This is really useful and innovative. I don't know why they don't talk about it more!
Did you get that thing I sent ya?
I can't shake the mental picture of a 200 foot tall Donkey Kong slugging it out with a giant Clippy. Whoops, there goes the Apple Store!
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
OK, i'll bite this troll. Ever consider that maybe some people (even geeks!) might actually be interested in the 360? I mean, the hardware seems nice and the launch games look good to me. Though a lot has been made of the price, $400 doesn't seem bad to me, since I usually import consoles at much higher prices than that. Is it 'retarded' because YOU say so? You don't speak for everyone, and it's difficult to deny the original XBox did better than most had predicted (including myself). Drop the conspiracy, i'm sure MS has better things to do with thier time than karma bomb slashdot, unless you have some kind of proof, I would stop talking out of your rear. I guess my point is, the fanboy'ism on all sides it out of hand. Why do people need to defend consumer products so vigorously? Buy whatever you like, but there is no need to publically belittle anyone who thinks differently/ -Robert Petersen (Proud owner of just about every console ever)
- "Scientia non habet inimicum nisp ignorantem"
What would the Xbox store even have in it??
Nintendo has over twenty years worth of games, consoles, handhelds, toys, characters, and history.
Microsoft has two consoles, one recognizable character, and no history.
I wonder how microsoft will spin that to have something that rival's Nintendo's "store" (it is more like an exciting museum that you can buy stuff in than just a store).
Why do people need to defend consumer products so vigorously?
Oh geez. Didn't you watch the indoctrination video when you became an American consumer? You know clause #2: It is your duty as a consumer to pick a brand and defend your choice and support this one brand of product to the death! Failure to do so will mark you as a socialist commie bastard who doesn't support capitalist competition...
Anyhoos....
I could explain this phenomenon as something called consumer loyalty. Many consumers will take offense when told they didn't pick the brand that had the best options which implicates that they were just ignorant people for failing to buy a superior product. I think many people often feel attached or relate to their physical possesions as an extension of their persona. If you insult their car or home or favorite brand of beer they feel personally offended.
I think some of this has to do with corporate advertising and consumer mentality of america.
Personally, I'd like to own them all if I could... Oh wait a minute...
"I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
-Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
Why not duke it out old-school style and breakdance? I mean, even the non-gamer is gonna wonder why Master Chief and Mario are bustin' out sick moves in the middle of Time Square. I know I would! =)
(marketing at its finest, folks)