Category: News (Page 105 of 108)

      Microsoft Opens Opt-In Style Live Preview Beta

      July 20, 2009 /

      Xbox Live downloadable games.There’s a lot of pride and one-upping that comes along with beta testing in the video game world. It’s not exactly the same for OS upgrades, but for the super nerds out there, OS betas sport the same clout.

      Microsoft has just unveiled their version of an OS beta via Xbox Live update previews. To sign up, just sign in to Live using your Gamertag, fill out the Xbox Live Update Preview Sign Up survey and you’re good to go. From there, Microsoft will select “multiple thousands” to participate in the preview for load testing.

      What’s in the update? You’ll get access to the new Games on Demand section, Netflix Movie Parties, and Avatar Awardables. Not a bad lineup for the new update. The program will be open to both Gold and Silver members, with preference given to the Golds. Microsoft said they’ll be contacting people who have been awarded a spot in about a week. Stop back and let us know in the comments if you’re one of the lucky few (relatively speaking, of course).

      News, Previews, Xbox 360

      Wii MotionPlus is Selling Well Despite Industry Sales

      July 19, 2009 /

      The Wii MotionPlus.NPD’s June report looked a little dire for most of the video game world. Hardware sales are down, software sales are down, Sony doesn’t seem to improving, etc, etc. Nintendo, however, is proving itself to be the little engine that could with this generation. Despite lagging sales numbers, the Wii MotionPlus is selling incredibly well, and Wii Sports Resort isn’t even out yet.

      Let’s have a look at the numbers, shall we? You may remember the Wii only sold 361,700 units in June. Not huge numbers, and I certainly wouldn’t expect Wii MotionPlus sales to come anywhere close, especially without Wii Sports Resort. Now granted, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 was shipping with the new and improved dongle, but that’s really the only game taking serious advantage of the accessory.

      The MotionPlus sold almost 170,000 units in its first month, though, and that’s not counting the ones that shipped with the new Tiger game, which itself sold 272,400 units. All in all you’re talking about nearly a half a million units, and do I need to say again, Sports Resort isn’t out yet! By all accounts the game is awesome – a big improvement on the already excellent Wii Sports game. When it finally releases, you can bet you’ll see even bigger MotionPlus numbers.

      News, Nintendo Wii

      The Conduit is Missing the Mark

      July 17, 2009 /

      The Conduit cover art.There was a whole lot of hype around Sega’s The Conduit when we first got word of it in April. The game was meant to grab the attention of the hardcore Wii gamer, but it seems to be missing its mark. NPD figures for the month of June show that the game has sold only 72,000 units.

      Now granted, the game has only been out since June 23rd, and NPD’s stats only go as far as July 4th, but 72,000 is measly. Puny. Almost laughable really. The only good news in this mess is that the game is faring better than MadWorld and House of the Dead:Overkill but that’s not saying much.

      It’s easy to point to the hardware at this point, to say the Wii wasn’t meant for any type of serious gaming. I’d say that’s mostly true – the graphics can’t hold up to the other systems by any means, and most of the audience for a game like The Conduit has probably played Halo or Killzone by this point, leaving a whole lot to be desired from Sega’s FPS.

      Do you think a serious shooter is possible on the Wii? I don’t know, at least not for now. They’d have to drop the gimmicky control scheme and give me something that feels a little more competitive before I’d vouch for the system.

      News, Nintendo Wii

      US Video Game Sales Plummet with the Recession

      July 17, 2009 /

      Video game sales on the decline.Research group NPD has put out some staggering numbers for the video game industry as a whole in June. Their report claims hardware and software sales fell a staggering 31%, in keeping with several other consumer markets.

      The less surprising news is the sales breakdown from June. The Wii remained on its pedestal, selling 362,000 units. The Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3 remained in their respective 2nd and 3rd positions. Nintendo’s DS continues to crush the PSP, selling 767,000 units as compared to the 164,000 PSPs sold.

      Personally, I don’t find the drop particularly disconcerting, mostly because it’s industry-wide and, frankly, world-wide. Most markets aren’t looking too hot, and without any major releases in June (Prototype only sold 600,000 units – hush, fanboys) the industry can’t really hope to see big sales. The decline is, however, the largest since 2000. I’ll be interested to see how the rest of the year pans out.

      News, Nintendo Wii, PS3, Xbox 360

      Appear in an EA Game and You Can’t Fight in the UFC

      July 15, 2009 /

      Dana White taking some questions.Dana White, president of UFC has confirmed his rumored stance that fighters hoping to make an appearance in an upcoming Electronic Arts UFC game will be banned from fighting with UFC.

      His stance (har har) comes after what he claims was bad form by EA. Apparently UFC approached EA some time ago with the idea for a UFC branded game and was told, “You’re not a real sport.” That’s how White remembers it, anyway. He goes on to say the following:

      We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world. We go out there and do this thing, and it’s successful, and now [expletive] EA Sports wants to do a video game. Really? That’s not what you told us a year-and-a-half ago.

      On the one hand I try to be sympathetic with the guy. UFC is now turning serious money and has an enormous following. But things weren’t always this way, and I distinctly remember a whole lot of people dismissing early UFC as a violent fad that couldn’t last.

      The most interesting part of this whole thing is that the game is getting made, regardless of what White thinks. I’m not sure how he thinks the game can carry the UFC brand and not have UFC fighters. Clearly the decision to make the game was out of his hands – I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone take the appearance decision away from him either.

      Source: MMA Junkie

      EA, News, Previews

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