Xbox 360 Ειδήσεις {News Topic}

[privateer]

Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) has delayed the launch of "Xbox Live Primetime," its programmed series of interactive games with real-world prizes, until the spring. Microsoft managers say the delay is necessary in order to ensure a smooth launch of the system's new user interface (or, if you prefer the terminology of Microsoft's PR department, the "new Xbox experience").

 

That's too bad. Xbox Live Primetime is a provocative concept and could represent the gaming industry's first serious foray into the turf dominated by TV. By waiting until the spring, Microsoft's offering will likely go up against a more compelling lineup of television shows--and put its chances of instant success at risk.

 

The Xbox's new dashboard is scheduled to launch Nov. 19 and will mark Microsoft's biggest grab yet for a mainstream audience. In addition to making new content easier to find, the upgrade will allow Xbox 360 owners to customize avatars that can be shared among friends as well as stream movies from Netflix (nasdaq: NFLX - news - people ) through their system.

 

But this relaunch was supposed to be even bigger.

 

When it was announced in July at E3, "Xbox Live Primetime" was described as a major component of the Xbox relaunch. Virtual game shows, which would only be playable at regularly scheduled times, would let members of the Xbox Live community members compete against one another for physical prizes rather than virtual ones (like digital trophies or gamer points).

 

The first show that was slated to debut on the service was an online version of "1 vs. 100."

 

The Microsoft approach certainly sounded bold: TV networks are already flailing, losing viewers to online games, the Internet or even just cable television. "We believe this is the natural extension of games on the 360," Shane Kim, vice president of strategy and business development for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment business, told me immediately following the unveiling of the new dashboard.

 

The engineering challenges proved formidable--perhaps even more than the company anticipated. Because the relaunch of Xbox Live is the biggest gaming project the company has undertaken since getting the 360 onto store shelves, things have slipped. Rather than postponing the launch until next year, when all touted features will be ready, the company has opted to cut. (Microsoft said recently that it would delay launching the feature that would allow members in different locations to simultaneously watch a streaming Netflix movie together.)

 

Aaron Greenberg, group marketing manager for Microsoft, said the company is still very dedicated to the concept of Primetime and continues to work on it. And, to be honest, the Redmond, Wash., team could find a way to make the delay a good move ultimately. If nothing else, the company will have more time to polish "Primetime" and possibly launch with games beyond "1 vs. 100."

 

Yet the weakness of the fall television season had left the TV networks particularly vulnerable. Many returning "new" shows, such as ABC's Pushing Daisies and NBC's Life--which had good momentum last year before the writer's strike--have seen viewership fall off considerably this season. Bored viewers might have been especially tempted to give Microsoft's offering a try.

 

NBC had adequate--though not breakout--results for "1 vs. 100" when it was airing regularly. The promise of known properties (where rules don't have to be explained at length) and prizes that have real value might have helped "Primetime" win over an audience that had had enough of Gary Unmarried and Knight Rider.

 

When the new year dawns, however, television's big guns, including 24, Lost" and the American Idol juggernaut, will return. That potentially puts "Primetime" up against a sweeps period, when networks work even harder to woo audiences (and viewership spikes).

 

And if Microsoft thought it was hard to break people of their day-to-day couch surfing habits, just wait until it goes toe-to-toe with Simon Cowell.

[papeipa]

Τι θα πρωτοπαιξουμε ρε!?!?!?!?Dead Space,Gears 2 η Midnight Club LA?

[nzeppos]

Εγώ ψήφισα ήδη. Dead Space. Μακράν.

 

(και με ολίγη από GoW2 εννοείται, με το co-op online campaign να προτιμάται)

[dreaming123]

Παίδες για πείτε γνωμες για το Midnight Club LA?Φωτο που είδα είναι ωραιο αλλά άλλο η φωτο και άλλο η <δράση>...

Καλά κάθε οκτώμβριο και νοέμβριο to 360 σπέρνει στα παιχνίδια dead space,gears of war 2!!!

Καλά το πρώτο θα λιωσω το σβκ είναι το gow2!!!

[kratistos]

Τι θα πρωτοπαιξουμε ρε!?!?!?!?Dead Space,Gears 2 η Midnight Club LA?

 

να μην ξεχνάμε και το Fable 2 έτσι ;;;

[privateer]

Arcade: Portal: Still Alive

 

Content: Portal: Still Alive

Price: 1200 Microsoft Points

Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions

Dash Text: [ESRB: T (TEEN) BLOOD, MILD VIOLENCE] 5.1 Surround Sound, HD (High Definition). Winner of over 30 ʽGame of the Yearʼ awards, ʽPortalʼ now comes to the Xbox LIVE Arcade! As unwilling test subjects in a sinister laboratory, players must break the laws of physics using ʽportalʼ technology to solve puzzles and survive. Unlock the full game to experience the complete singleplayer story, gain access to all 14 new bonus maps, and get a glimpse behind the scenes with developer commentary! This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see http://www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

[privateer]

2.2 million 360s sold in last quarter

 

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=265979

[haloking]

30 Things We Didn't Know About NXE

[privateer]

Demo: Tomb Raider: Underworld Playable

 

Content: Tomb Raider: Underworld Demo

Price: Free

Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions

Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) BLOOD,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES,MILD VIOLENCE,VIOLENCE] Explore everything. Stop at Nothing. Download the Tomb Raider: Underworld demo now!

[ultralisk]

Demo: Tomb Raider: Underworld Playable

 

Content: Tomb Raider: Underworld Demo

Price: Free

Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions

Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) BLOOD,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES,MILD VIOLENCE,VIOLENCE] Explore everything. Stop at Nothing. Download the Tomb Raider: Underworld demo now!

 

και να πω απλά...ΤΑ ΣΠΑΕΙ

[privateer]

Content: Banjo Kazooie N&B Demo

Price: Free

Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions

Dash Text: [ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10+) CARTOON VIOLENCE,COMIC MISCHIEF] Build awe-inspiring vehicles and tackle the Jiggy challenges in any way you see fit! Show your creations off over Xbox LIVE.

Size: 1.07 GB

[privateer]

Arcade: Penny Arcade Episode Two

 

Content: Penny Arcade Episode Two

Price: 1200 Microsoft Points

Availability: Not available in Korea

Dash Text: [ESRB: M (MATURE) MATURE HUMOR, BLOOD AND GORE, VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE] Single Player, HD (High Definition). Game is in English only. Want more crazy dialogue and outrageous enemies? Upgrade to the full version of On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two to see the mystery continue and Gabe and Tycho banter in classic Penny Arcade style. Plus, there are leaderboard rankings and achievements to earn, so get started now! This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see http://www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

[privateer]

NXE Review and Video Overviews

 

http://gizmodo.com/5070189/new-xbox-experience-nxe-review-its-pure-improvement

[privateer]

TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH BEFORE MIRRORʼS EDGE HITS RETAIL STORES IN NOVEMBER WITH DOWNLOADABLE DEMO!

 

This week gamers can ʽtake a leap of Faithʼ with a special demo for Mirrorʼs Edge™, available at the PlayStation® Store on October 30th and on Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace on October 31st. The demo will feature the prologue of the game, a tutorial and a segment of the single-player story mode. Now is your chance to experience the action that has GameSpot saying “Unlike anything we'd ever played before."

 

Players who pre-order the game* will also receive an unlock code for exclusive access to the Time Trial mode. Time Trial is an addictive mode that challenges players to use their speed and best moves to find the fastest routes throughout the city. Gamers can upload their best time to the Mirrorʼs Edge online leaderboards for their friends to download and compete against. Players can see their friendʼs ʽghostʼ run as they race to the top of the leaderboards.

[privateer]

Xbox 360 'New Xbox Experience Walkthrough'