Xbox 360, 28 million of ‘em sold worldwide.
by Reece Heywood at Jan 6, 2009 7:19am
Despite a tough economy, the gaming industry held strong in 2008 and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system recorded the biggest year in Xbox history, with more consoles, games and online entertainment experiences sold than any previous year. It was a year in which life-to-date unit sales of Xbox 360 systems climbed to 28 million consoles worldwide — expanding the product’s lead over Sony PlayStation 3 to more than 8 million units.
The Xbox LIVE community also grew to more than 17 million active members, as online consumer spending increased 84 percent from last year. Since the launch of the Xbox 360 three years ago, more than $1 billion has been spent on Xbox LIVE. This amazing growth was fueled by the launch of the New Xbox Experience1; the broadest selection of hit games, TV shows, and movies available; and mass-market price points, starting at $199.
Xbox 360, 8 Million Consoles Sold To Date In Europe
by Reece Heywood at Jan 5, 2009 11:11am
Xbox today revealed sales data showing Christmas 2008 was the biggest sales period ever in the brand’s six-year European history, with sales of Xbox 360 almost double those of Christmas 2007[1]. Eight million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa up to the end of 2008, widening its lead over PlayStation 3 in the region to more than one million and setting the scene for further growth in 2009.
GFK ChartTrack data shows that Xbox 360 was the fastest-growing console of 2008, with sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 over double that of the same period in 2007, spurred on by a mix of value, great games and entertainment, and the recently-launched New Xbox Experience.
Wind Slayer, Closed beta testers sought.
by Reece Heywood at Jan 5, 2009 7:23am
Outspark has announced that a closed beta test for its newest game, Wind Slayer will take place between January 7th and 14th. Players will have a chance to embark on a hero’s journey through hundreds of quests and intense battles to earn experience, treasure and prestige. Outspark encourages gamers of all ages to sign up for a free account and register for the closed beta now at www.playwindslayer.com.
The testing period offers participants the elite opportunity to be one of the first to experience Wind Slayer in its entirety. Participants will also provide Outspark with valuable feedback that will be used to further refine the game before its wider release later this year.
“Outspark offers rides for every type of thrill seeker coming to play in our virtual playground,” stated Susan Choe, CEO and founder of Outspark. “Wind Slayer’s character customization and multiplayer options combined with its side scrolling style and simple controls make the game a perfect fit for all gamers wanting to enjoy a fun-filled crusade with friends they meet in the Outspark community.”
Set on the beautiful continent of Beuritania, Wind Slayer invites adventurers to travel a diverse land filled with everything from beautiful, grass covered meadows and mountaintops to curious villages, dark caves and even an underwater city. Along the way players gain skills, weapons and experience as their characters grow stronger and choose one of the game’s six exciting classes – Warrior, Archer, Mage, Rogue, Monk and Priest.
Additional Wind Slayer Features Include:
• Hundreds of in-game items to customize your character
• Powerful skills and deadly combos to battle foes
• Hundreds of engaging in-game quests
• Intense multiplayer battles with up to 20 simultaneous players
• Beautiful fantasy worlds and captivating visual effects
• Engaging community features including chat, trade, guilds and more
Wind Slayer is scheduled to be available to a wider North American audience during an open beta launch in February.
Capcom Confirms Stellar Line Up For First Half of 2009
by Reece Heywood at Jan 5, 2009 6:18am
Today Capcom has confirmed that seven of its upcoming titles will be released within the first half of 2009.
Flock! is scheduled for release this February and will be available for the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC platforms.
On February 20th the revolutionary Street Fighter series makes a very welcome return with Street Fighter IV releases on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems.
Infecting gamers and completing Capcom’s list of releases for February is Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop, scheduled for release for the Nintendo Wii and Neopets Puzzle Adventure for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC, based on the Nickelodeon property Neopets. Both titles will be releasing on the 27th February.
Gamers around the globe have already written Friday 13th March 2009 on their calendars in blood red ink in order to mark the release of Resident Evil 5. Also scheduled for release in March is Moto GP for the Nintendo Wii.
Completing this impressive line up is Bionic Commando, the first true sequel to the retro classic with an injection of next gen power.
Rock Band 2 : Roy Orbison track pack available this week.
by Reece Heywood at Jan 5, 2009 6:15am
The addition of one of the most influential pioneers of rock and roll, Roy Orbison, to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content. Grammy Award-winning Roy Orbison was a singer, songwriter and performer whose distinctive sound scored him an astounding nine Top 10 hits in four years in the early 1960s.
These tracks will be available starting January 6, 2009, for the Xbox 360 and January 15, 2009 for Playstation 3. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points) for the 6-pack.
Tracks:
1. “Claudette”
2. “In Dreams”
3. “Mean Woman Blues”
4. “Oh, Pretty Woman”
5. “Ooby Dooby”
6. “You Got It”
(All tracks are original master recordings)
Hey Microsoft, Where’s the Mallet?
by Reece Heywood at Dec 30, 2008 9:35pm
Ok so I’m not going to bash Microsoft too much since the release of clothing for our avatars is free but come on. What kind of people are happy with clothing that looks like it came from Timmy Mallets wardrobe.
Honestly skinny tight fit jeans doesn’t work for me and I’m sure it’s the same for many others. The same for the sweat bands, Ok it’s cool to add some in but the colour pink.. umm no thanks. Expand the the Avatar system to allow gamers the ability to choose different colours.
