November 2008 - Passion For Games

Microsoft Europe have today announced that the Xbox 360 - long (and still) the underdog in the European theatre of console conflict - has now sold seven million units across the continent. That's up from five million in June, showing anyone who couldn't figure it out for themselves that when you cut the price of a console twice in six months, lots more people will buy it. Those with an interest in PR exuberance, you'll love the accompanying quote from MS Europe's David Gosen, who was positively beaming when he said:

"It’s the combination of elements that put us in a fantastically strong position. We have 360 degrees of entertainment. At the moment, momentum is fantastic, we’ve got real traction in all European markets."

So it looks like the Xbox 360 console is still moving in the western side of the world. Something I feel Microsoft dropped the ball on the first Xbox, which it seemed like from day one of when the first Xbox launched it failed and the units moved really slow in Japan and in Europe. Which it looks like now Microsoft has tried and fixed the issues they had from the Xbox to the Xbox 360. Which I do not understand why Microsoft is struggling cause the 360 offers tons of content from the great Xbox Live Service to the games and DLC content.

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November 20th 2008 @ 13:53

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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Wii Boxing Gloves

Everlast, as you may be aware, are kind of a big deal in the world of boxing goods. They make, among other things, boxing gloves. Gloves like these ones, which are unique amongst their range by being designed less for punching men in the mouth with, and more for helping you swing your Wii Remote around like an idiot. Priced at $30, they include straps for the peripherals and holes so you can still use the buttons. Hopefully they're not as padded as real ones; we want people punching themselves in the face while regretting their purchase to really learn from the mistake

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November 20th 2008 @ 12:49

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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Microsoft to Kill of Live Care next year

In a very surprising move, Microsoft has announced today that Windows Live OneCare customers will be getting the shaft next year. The software giant has decided to replace OneCare with a free security solution (codenamed "Morro") to be released in the second half of next year. The yet-to-be-announced product will be a realtime anti-malware protection solution, whereas OneCare offered that plus backup and management features. Sales of the Windows Live OneCare subscription service as well as Windows Live OneCare for Server on SBS 2008 will end on June 30, 2009.

If your subscription is about to run out, I'd suggest looking for an alternative instead of renewing a product that is on its way out the door. Sure, OneCare will continue to be available online until Morro is available and your subscription will still work until it ends, but Microsoft's decision makes the company look unreliable.

When the new solution becomes available, OneCare users will have the option to move to it (it will be available everywhere OneCare currently is), but few will be happy enough with Microsoft to do so. Still, Morro will be free. I'll reserve judgment until we have some more information, but for now it's hard to argue with gratis. What are your thoughts on this out-of-the-blue development?
Update

Microsoft blogger Mary Jo Foley is reporting that Microsoft Equipt, which Microsoft announced just a few months ago, is also going the way of the dodo. The company will be offering refunds and will allow customers to keep the included Office Home & Student edition for free.

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November 19th 2008 @ 11:53

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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Sonic Unleashed Delayed a Week on 360, to December on PS3

Sonic Unleashed has been delayed in North America, reports IGN. While the Wii and PS2 versions should be hitting stores today, the Xbox 360 version has been pushed to next week, November 24. To make matters worse, the PlayStation 3 version has been given an indeterminate "December" release date. This comes shortly after we heard that the game had been delayed until Spring 09 in Japan, so North American Sonic fans should still consider themselves lucky.

The blue hedgehog hasn't had a great deal of success in his transition to the current-gen consoles. In fact, his first 360/PS3 venture was largely panned. This game appeared to be a return to form, but some of that enthusiasm waned when we heard that Sonic will be unleashed as a "Were-hog" for the title. These delays don't exactly make us boil over with confidence, but check back for our review of the game when it hits.

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November 18th 2008 @ 23:44

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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84,000 LittleBigPlanet User Levels Uploaded

"Sony Europe has announced that universally acclaimed social platformer LittleBigPlanet has seen a whopping 84,000 user-created levels uploaded since the game's release earlier this month, with a total of 27 million level play throughs logged."

WOW that is impressive

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November 18th 2008 @ 23:32

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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Microsoft issues press release for new Xbox Experience

In 1954, the introduction of colour TV heralded the dawn of a new era in entertainment. On Nov. 19, more than 50 years after that dramatic shift, a new era in home entertainment begins with the New Xbox Experience as millions of Xbox 360 consoles will transform instantly through the power of software. A bold new future begins now, where high definition entertainment is delivered in an instant, the best games share the stage with the best movies, and every experience is shared with friends and families, in the same room or around the world

[ Click here to read more ]

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November 18th 2008 @ 23:21

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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Playstation Home Leaked

Hit the jump now to find out everything you ever wanted to know about Home 1.0. Screen-captures have been taken by GT user 'jontay' straight off the official Playstation Home private beta forums.

Head over here to view the full story

[ Click here to read more ]

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November 18th 2008 @ 23:16

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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Xbox Site Adds Marketplace, Avatars in Preparation for NXE

EvilAvatar noticed that after a bit of downtime today, Xbox.com has two new revisions in preparation for the New Xbox Experience. First, the Xbox Avatars that many users have already been making now appear in user Profiles on the site. The news that is more likely to excite players is the new online Marketplace. Right now it's blank, but it promises users the ability to browse games and movies from their PC and place orders sometime in the near future. Items ordered from the store will then be auto-downloaded the next time the user logs onto Xbox Live

[ Click here to read more ]

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November 18th 2008 @ 22:54

Posted By: Ricanelite - Category: No Category

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