Log In

Recent Bumps

Recent Comments

Tag Search

Features

Current Events

Most Used Tags

Blog Style or Sort By Most Bumps This... Day  Week  Month  Life

Previously known as Banjo Kazooie 3, Microsoft has officially announced that Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts for the Xbox 360 is set for a November release. The game is a radical departure from the series' platforming roots as the gameplay ventures into vehicle building and customization modes.

Hit the jump to view more images.

Continue reading...

Bumps:

2

  Email This      0 Comments   

It was only a matter of time until the bug guys over at Microsoft decided to go along with Toshiba and every other company out there to stop production of HD DVD items. Microsoft just issued this statement today.

As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD.  Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market.  As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. 

HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

Blu-Ray wins. Horray! Now give me The Kingdom on Blu-Ray please. Thank you...

Bumps:

6

  Email This      0 Comments   

According to CVG, Banjo Kazooie 3 is rumored to be scheduled for a 2008 release following an earlier discussion between Microsoft Game Studios head, Shane Kim and MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo at this year's DICE summit.

Quoth directly from the news story, a Microsoft spokesperson issued this comment:

"As announced at E3 last year, the next installment in the popular Banjo franchise is still on target for 2008."

Those that wish to read the full interview can do so here.

Bumps:

3

  Email This      0 Comments   

Microsoft has updated its Xbox Originals program offerings to include Black, Ninja Gaiden Black, and Sid Meier's Pirates.

If you're into the whole "downloading what you should already own in hardcopy" thing, head over to Live now to check them out.

Bumps:

1

  Email This      0 Comments   

Some good news for Xbox 360 gamers in the US today, as The Club demo that was previously made available to Australia, Europe, and New Zealand is now up for download via the Xbox Live service.

Not a lot of perky bits of information have been filtered from the Microsoft camp since its little holiday hiccup, aside from a free download of Undertow that no one cares about anyway (why not arrange a price point and let me download one XBLA game I actually want), but at least the demos continue. And everyone loves the demos.

Bumps:

0

  Email This      0 Comments   

Following the recent news of the Xbox Live lawsuit, Microsoft has officially confirmed the free Xbox Live Arcade game being offered to Xbox Live users.

The side-scrolling title, Undertow, will be available on January 23 at 2 am (PST) until January 27, 11:59 pm (PST) as Microsoft's compensation for their Live service downtime over the holiday season.

Xbox Live's Major Nelson has issued this comment on the forums:

"If you have already purchased the game, you can contact support and they will take care of you."

Those that wish to visit the site can do so here.

Bumps:

2

  Email This      1 Comments   

According to Takashi Sensui, Microsoft's Xbox-related go-to guy in Japan at a recent Spike, Xbox 360 New Year's party, more and more (Xbox 360) western titles will be making their way over to the gaming capital of the world, and those being third-party titles at that. The first three games include Battlestations: Midway, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and 2K's ever-popular Bioshock.

It's an interesting move, with Xbox 360 sales lagging behind... everything else (hard to top those Nintendo DS's). It's possible that offering western-style games to Japanese gamers via the 360 might boost unit sales, but it's equally possible that the audience doesn't give a damn. But if Bioshock, one of 2007's premier titles in the west, can't move 360s over there, then what can?

Bumps:

2

  Email This      0 Comments   

According to a report on the Dow Jones Newswire, a recent survey has "discovered" that Japanese gamers "care more about the games they want to play than price," as a poll of 3,422 gamers on kakaku.com claims that 49.2% say their primary concern in choosing a new console is that it be "compatible with the games they absolutely want to play."

Here are some figures for those who like numbers.

• 43% wish to buy the most popular console
• 6.1% are mostly concerned about price
• 25% own a Wii
• 25% own a DS
  
• 10% own a PlayStation 3
• 10% own a PSP
• 3% own an Xbox 360
• 28% hope to buy a Wii next
• 27% hope to buy a PS3 next

I can only assume that 0% are interested in buying an Xbox 360 as their next console, as a figure wasn't given for Microsoft's unit. Maybe they're saving up for a DS or PSP in a new color?

Anybody surprised by this at all?

Bumps:

3

  Email This      0 Comments   

Regarding the news of the Xbox Live lawsuit, the plaintiffs' lawyer, Jason Gibson, has recently spoken with MTV to defend the lawsuit against heavy criticism by the media and consumers.

Gibson has denied allegiations that the Texas residents are seeking excessive financial benefits from the lawsuit by stating that his clients are "college-educated" individuals who treat the Live service downtime as a "real issue." Furthermore, he explains that they are seeking to be compensated for the Xbox Live services they failed to receive.  

MTV has reported that others have pledged their support with over 50 plaintiffs joining the lawsuit. Despite Microsoft's apology and their publicized promise to compensate Gold members with a free yet unconfirmed Xbox Live Arcade game, Gibson has declared that the class action lawsuit will proceed. 

Microsoft has not issued a comment in response at this time.

 

Bumps:

1

  Email This      0 Comments   

In more Blu-ray news, Reuters is claiming that Microsoft would "consider" switching to the Blu-ray camp if "consumers want it".

Said Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware, "It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider."

As far as the rumor of Paramount switching sides in the Blu-ray/HD DVD format war, Penello stated that he didn't think that Paramount's decision (to abandon HD DVD) would have a "significant impact" on the Xbox 360 as it continues to go up against Sony's PlayStation 3.

I find this humorous because the PlayStation 3's 40GB model looks a hell of a lot more attractive as the most affordable Blu-ray player on the market. Plus it plays games, too (surprise!) and the PlayStation brand is still powerful despite the PS3's lackluster first year.

Bumps:

2

  Email This      0 Comments