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Late Night Consoling

by Chris Remo, Nov 22, 2005 8:00pm PST
Related Topics – Tecmo, Sony, Games: Console, Vicarious Visions

Maarten mentioned some kind of console or something yesterday. I'm the Console Editor, I should probably keep up with these things.

  • Xbox 360 Has a Rough Launch

    [xbox360]
    If you read this site, you are surely aware that Microsoft has just launched its next-gen console, Xbox 360, in North America. But hey, it's the news: Microsoft has launched Xbox 360 in North America. While those hopefuls who managed to get their hands on the consoles seem pretty pleased, it seems that even months of anticipating widespread shortages still didn't accurately represent the difficulty faced by most gamers trying to purchase a 360. Nationwide reports indicated extremely limited availability of the machine, with some stores receiving only a few units and apparently some receiving none at all (yet). Ebay auctions have consoles selling for thousands of dollars, and there have even been accounts of violence, with a few shoppers being mugged and stores being subjected to armed robbery. I spoke with a local EB Games representative who informed me that one local branch of the chain had most of its stock of Xbox 360s stolen prior to the official launch. It's certainly nothing unusual for a console launch to be fraught with shortages, but this one seems a bit more extreme than is frequently the case. The console's extreme scarcity is no doubt due to several factors. For one thing, the machine uses new and not yet widely available tech, ensuring that production yields will be somewhat bottlenecked no matter what. Furthermore, Microsoft is attempting to supply most of the world (with the odd exception of certain territories such as Australia) with Xbox 360 consoles with a short two-week window, meaning their stock must further divided; generally, consoles take months to ship to that many locations worldwide. Finally, there's the simple fact that the number of gaming is growing, and with it grows the demand for such major products as a next-generation console. Microsoft has pledged that, despite a rather underwhelming initial launch shipment, shelves will be replenished regularly into 2006.

  • Xbox 360 Losing Money?

    [xbox360] [xbox]
    With the Xbox 360 now theoretically available, Arik Hesseldahl of Business Week has an article detailing the estimated costs that go into the production of the machine. Based on research of the individual parts making up the console, Hesseldahl figures that each hard drive-equipped system costs about $525 to manufacture, including bundled parts such as cables and controllers. This leaves Microsoft with a loss per unit of about $125 with a suggested retail price of $399.99. Selling consoles at a loss during the launch period is nothing new; Microsoft did it last generation, as do most console manufacturers with the notable exception of Nintendo. During the Xbox generation, and at least at the moment during the generation launched with the 360, Microsoft's immediate goal is not to make a profit but to narrow the gap between it and Sony at any cost. After all, Xbox Vice President and Chief XNA Architect J Allard has stated that his driving goal in the games industry is the thought of PlayStation boss Ken Kutaragi's resignation letter framed on his wall. By contrast, both Sony and Nintendo are more reliant on the profitability of their gaming divisions; most of Sony's non-gaming divisions are currently not in the best of shape, and Nintendo has no other major non-gaming divisions to absorb financial losses.

  • Mario Karters Go Online

    [ds]
    Nintendo has sent out a press release stating that in Mario Kart DS' first week of availability, almost half of its users have taken the game online via Nintendo's just-launched wi-fi gaming service. Of the approximately 112,000 Mario Kart DS owners in the United States, about 52,000, or 45%, have accessed Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The numbers are good news for Nintendo, which recently announced that it hopes to see an online attempt rate of 90% among owners of online-capable DS games. Currently, only two such games are available, the other being Vicarious Visions' Tony Hawk's American Sk8land. Next month, Nintendo plans to ship Animal Crossing: Wild World and in early 2006, Metroid Prime: Hunters, both online-enabled.

  • 50 Cent's Game: You Know, for Kids

    [ps2] [xbox] [psp]
    Curtis Jackson, the rapper known as 50 Cent, spoke to Reuters today about the recently-released video game based on his persona, Genuine Games' 50 Cent: Bulletproof (PS2, Xbox, PSP). The game is rated M for Mature, meaning it is intended only for gamers above the age of 17, but Jackson said, "Just because it is rated mature doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it for your kids. Play the game and explain to them what they are playing." The article notes that Jackson himself has a nine-year-old son; he further noted, "I think everyone knows that a game is a game. There's the part where you actually press start on the controller--after that you are playing a game." He also pointed out that popular culture in general is filled with violence, and that video games should not be singled out. In conclusion, buy 50 Cent: Bulletproof for your children.

  • Monster Hunter Hunts PSP

    [psp]
    The niche hit Monster Hunter series (PS2) is making its way to PSP. Previously rumored, the game has now been confirmed as Monster Hunter Freedom (PSP). The franchise is an action/adventure/RPG-ish affair that has players--rather obviously--hunt monsters and complete various quests in a fantasy world. The game will feature local wi-fi multiplayer battle and trading modes; it was not specified whether it will go online.

Misc. Media/Previews

PS2
Screenshots: Tales of the Abyss (PS2).
Xbox/X360
Screenshots: Mutant Storm Reloaded (X360). Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved (X360). Hexic HD (X360). Movies: Perfect Dark Zero (X360).
GameCube
GameSpot checks out Next Level's Super Mario Strikers (GCN). 1UP takes a look at Tomy's Naruto: Clash of Ninja (GCN).
Portable
GameSpot checks out SCEI's Talkman (PSP). IGN previews Tecmo's Tokobot (PSP). Screenshots: Flipper Critters (DS). Movies: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (DS). Burnout Legends (DS, PSP).
Multi
Screenshots: Major League Baseball 2K5: World Series Edition (PS2, Xbox).

Console Game Of The Evening [Submit Yours!]

Suikoden III for the PlayStation 2. "While it is true that this game is inferior to its prequels, I don't believe it gets enough credit for its interesting story and characters. The battles weren't too annoying, either." (submitted by Orange Pylon)


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Comments

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42 Threads* | 199 Comments*
  • #200
    Refresh Thread
    By: socksta x
    Reply
    Guys, read what 50 cent said before posting your comments. This story has been on gamespot for a few days now and its incredibly misleading. I'am surprised shacknews even posted this. As a child I was aloud to watch R rated films if my parents were present. He is just saying be a parent and make the judgement call yourself. Unless everyone of you believes fully that no body under 17 is capable of seeing this game in any form, then what are you insulting him for? Gamespot went as far as to suggest that 50 said his game was a learning tool for small children then they had no quote to back up such a claim. If you are going to get pissed at people like Jack Thompson then don't go slamming people like 50 for just saying what has been our argument for ages now that parents need to step in and make their own decisions and be parents. I am willing to bet 50 is a few steps lower in the intelligence area than most gamers and news journalists but you just put him way above you. Stop being morons you are giving me a headache. And somebody just go hurt a few people at gamespot..nothing serious just go hurt a few of them..I think it'll send a message. Where are those crazy gun toting, bitch slapping gamers gangstas when you need em.
    Nov 23, 2005 6:23pm PST
  • #181
    Refresh Thread
    By: kingmofo x
    Reply
    So the 360 deal is pretty weak. I feel like I was bent over after having to buy all that other shit that didnt come with the core system. It's not god's gift to gaming or anything, and the hype thing and shortages and overall value are lame. It's not a shitty system, it's not the greatest thing since the first nintendo came out either.

    However, if you own a large hdtv/ home theater, it makes it worth it imo. I like pc games, but the experience of playing while on the couch on a 65" hdtv with a 7 speaker digital audio setup makes it all worth it imo. You just can't get the same effect sitting in a chair at a desk on a 24" monitor.
    Nov 23, 2005 9:33am PST
  • #152
    Refresh Thread
    By: ssj4megaman x
    Reply
    so i must be lucky... got my xbox 360 on launch day.....
    short story...

    saw the link for the compusa stock check... check local zip.
    had a friend check compusa at 10:30pm in la mesa san diego.
    he chatted to the guys in line and the notice on the walls/doors said 14 total units... 10 premium/4 core.....
    Guys who were waiting before store closed were told they would open early for us around 7 instead of 10.... friend was #9 in line....

    waiting with guys playing star wars board games and general chattery for next 8 hrs... pimp night, cold night....

    got 9th system, pgr pd0, took home, sexed myself... awesome interface, awesome system. still up... .need sleep.... i'm off
    Nov 23, 2005 3:32am PST