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Microsoft Xbox 720 Details Trickle Out?

January 27th, 2012
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The next version of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming and media entertainment console could be up to seven times more powerful than the current edition, according to reports emerging this week.

Citing unnamed sources, several blogs that cover the computer hardware market claim the Xbox 720 will use next-generation processors and graphics chips from IBM and ATI. Specifically, reports suggest the console will use a new, 32-nanometer PowerPC chip called Oban, designed by IBM and produced by IBM and Global Foundries, and an ATI “Southern Islands” GPU.

Industry bloggers claim that the chips are now in production, but most believe they are for development purposes only and that the Xbox 720 will not be available at retail until 2013.

The Xbox 360 uses a triple-core IBM Xenon chip, and an ATI Xenos GPU. Reports indicate the 720 architecture could be seven times as fast. Other reports say the Xbox 720 will include a Blu-Ray disc player and updated version of the Kinect motion control system. Microsoft has not commented on the reports.

It’s also been reported that the Xbox 720 will use some form of copy-protection technology that will prevent users from playing used games, but those reports are also unconfirmed.

While it began life strictly as a gaming console, the Xbox platform has become increasingly strategic for Microsoft. The Xbox Live network serves up movies, music, and cloud services like social networking and messaging. Kinect, meanwhile, is making its way to Windows PCs–paving the way for hands-free scientific, medical, and industrial applications that go well beyond gaming.

Guinness Records recently ranked Kinect as the fastest-selling tech gadget of all time.

The investments are paying off. Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices unit, which houses Xbox products and services, has been one of the company’s strongest performing divisions over the past several quarters. In the most recent three-month period, ended December 31, Xbox platform revenues were up 9%, year-over-year, to about $3.9 billion, according to Microsoft.

The company shipped 8.2 million Xbox 360 consoles during the quarter, compared to 6.3 million last year.

Microsoft launched the first Xbox in late 2001. The Xbox 360 debuted in 2005, making it almost seven years old.

That fact alone is driving much of the speculation about the company’s plans for a successor. There were rumors that Microsoft would go so far as to announce Xbox 720 at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month in Las Vegas, but they turned out to be unfounded.

Source:http://informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/232500541

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Braid Developer Says Xbox 360 Consoles are Outdated

September 30th, 2011
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Jonathan Blow, the often outspoken developer behind Braid, has stated that he believes the Xbox 360 Hardware to be too outdated for his latest project.

Blow seems to be the latest in a long string of commentators who has begun to question whether our current generation of hardware has perhaps become slightly aged.

In a recent interview, Blow has stated that the current hardware specifications for the Xbox 360 are now pushing past 5 years old, which in his words is “a lot in computer years”.

His latest project, an adventure exploration title called The Witness, was originally planned for release over Xbox 360, PS3, Steam and iOS, however it is now looking like it will be pulled from consoles due to the hardware’s limitations. Blow believes that in order to make the title “work” on consoles, he will have to pull some incredible feats of technical wizardry, something which he currently believes won’t be worth the effort.

It would be unfortunate if the developer turns his back on the console that made him famous. Braid became a best seller and widely acclaimed title after being release over Xbox Live back in 2008 before being ported to other systems and platforms.
At this point, it’s entirely possible that he’s just gripping about the hardware the same way that more than a few other developers have begun to question the current age of our consoles. I suppose the debate as to whether we need a new console or not isn’t one that’s going to quickly die down.

Nintendo has already made the leap, with the announcement of the Wii U as a successor to their current Wii, though it seems a little difficult to get very excited over another novelty system.

So, is it time to start thinking about an Xbox 720, or does our current console still have years of life left in it? I for one can’t complain about the hardware the way it is. Sure, the graphics could technically look better, but developers have been finding all kinds of ways of getting the most out of the system.

Source:http://xboxfreedom.com/xbox-360-consoles-outdated/

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Xbox 360 tops US sales in August despite PS3 price cut

September 9th, 2011
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Xbox 360 sold 308,000 units in August, according to NPD data passed along by Microsoft, representing the 14th month out of the last 15 the platform has sold more units than any other console.

Citing the likes of Gears of War 3, Forza Motorsport 4, Kinect Sports: Season Two and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Microsoft said in a statement: “With a massive portfolio of new blockbuster and Kinect titles coming this holiday as well as new partnerships like Disney and UFC, Xbox 360 is well-positioned for continued success.

“Additionally, the highly-anticipated release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will launch on November 8. All of the entertainment, partner support, record growth and sales momentum give us confidence that Xbox 360 will notch another record year.”

According to NPD analyst Anita Frazier, all platforms saw unit sales increases over July. “The PS3 price cut also drove a notable uptick in sales of that platform,” she said.

While no PS3 sales figures were released, Sony Computer Entertainment America corporate communications boss Patrick Seybold said in a statement: “Despite inventory constraints at retail during the first half of August, PS3 hardware sales were very strong the last two weeks of the month following the $50 price cut and the new InFamous 2 bundle.

“The new PS3 price point, combined with PlayStation Move and the industry’s strongest lineup of exclusive titles, including Uncharted 3 and Everybody Dance, positions us for an amazing holiday season.”

Rob Dyer, SCEA’s senior vice president of publisher relations, admitted earlier this week that Microsoft has a “massive lead” on the hardware side in the US, selling 1.6 Xbox 360 consoles to every PS3 sold.

Source:http://www.computerandvideogames.com/318279/xbox-360-tops-us-sales-in-august-despite-ps3-price-cut/

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Xbox 360 may have a significant lead but games are still better on PS3 says Sony

September 9th, 2011
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Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Rob Dyer explained that they may be selling 1.6 360s for every PS3 but, when that is factored in the software sales are pretty much one on one.

He began: “If you look at the index ratio and see that where they might have this massive lead on the hardware side, the people that are buying software, when the software growth is happening, its happening on the PS3.”

Dyer elaborated using Mortal Kombat as a main example: “If you have a choice between buying a PS3 version and an Xbox version of Mortal Kombat, which one are you buying? Youre buying the PS3 version because you can play as Kratos. Although Microsoft has a 1.6 to 1 index ratio against us [on hardware], we outsold them on Mortal Kombat nearly at a 1 to 1. So that is due in large part to the exclusive content that youre getting on disc. Youll see that happening on almost every case where weve had a game that theyve supported with on disc content or with exclusive DLC.”

Source:http://www.play.tm/news/34131/xbox-360-may-have-a-significant-lead-but-games-are-still-better-on-ps3-says-sony/

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Xbox 360 top selling videogame console in US

July 15th, 2011
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Microsoft Corp’s Xbox 360 was the top-selling videogame console in the US last month, bucking a software-led decline that saw industry sales slump 10 per cent.

Consumers purchased 507,000 Xbox 360 game consoles in June, said Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft in an e-mailed statement today, citing industry tracker NPD Group Inc. A year ago, Microsoft sold 451,700 units.

The company since 2005 has sold 48 per cent of all current- generation consoles in the US, it said.
Sony Corp, the Tokyo-based maker of the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable, did not reveal its hardware sales numbers. The exclusive PlayStation 3 title “inFamous 2″ was its best-selling game during the month, Patrick Seybold, Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman, said in an e-mailed statement.

A light slate of new game software and Nintendo Co’s aging Wii console contributed to a 10 per cent decline in overall retail sales of $1.03 billion in June, Port Washington, New York-based NPD said in an e-mailed statement. The figure doesn’t include digital sales of games.

Industry hardware sales dropped 9 per cent to $366.6 million, and software declined 12 per cent to $469.5 million, NPD reported.

Nintendo Wii
Nintendo did not release sales numbers for its 3DS handheld, which lets users play 3D games without the need for special glasses, or the Nintendo Wii home console. The company today began letting 3DS users stream Netflix movies and TV episodes to the device.

Nintendo said in June it was prepping a successor to its Wii for release in 2012. The Kyoto, Japan-based company has said it wants to revive home console sales by adding the ability to play games and watch content in high-definition and a new tablet-like controller.

“We continue to believe that Nintendo’s HD console is arriving two years late, given recent momentum for PS3, Xbox 360, and their respective peripherals,” Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles, wrote in a report July 1. He rates the shares “neutral.”

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/hardware/Xbox-360-top-selling-videogame-console-in-US/articleshow/9235339.cms

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Toys R Us offers $50 Bonus with Xbox 360 250GB hardware

December 28th, 2010
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Toys R Us Inc. this week began offering a $50 Bonus with purchase of Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 250GB hardware in a new in-store promotion.

Through Jan. 1, customers who purchase the Xbox 360 250GB SKU will receive a $50 Gift Card at no additional cost.

The new Xbox 360 250GB Elite, which includes built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and a 250GB hard drive, holds a retail price of $299.99.

The hardware is labeled ‘Kinect Ready’ to allow functionality to the new Kinect gesture-based motion controller.

Source:-http://news.punchjump.com/blog/2010/12/27/toys-r-us-offers-50-bonus-with-xbox-360-250gb-hardware/

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PS3 Killzone 3; Xbox 360 Kinect; Mario All-Stars Wii

October 31st, 2010
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Media Create Co. this week reported that Sony Corp.’s Playstation 3 ranked as the No. 2 hardware overall in Japan.

The hardware ranked six titles in the top 10 sales, including Namco Bandai Holdings Co.’s Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm at No. 3, Sega Corp.’s Vanquish at No. 4, and EA Inc.’s Medal of Honor at No. 6.

Sony in Oct. recorded a Q2 profit of $385.2 million in the second fiscal quarter ending Sept. 30, citing strong Playstation 3, game and PC sales.

The PS3 sold 3.5 million units in the second quarter, a nine percent increase from in the same period the year prior.

PS3 games sold 35.3 million copies, an increase from 23.9 million one year ago.

The Networked Products and Services division, which includes the Playstation business, held a 12.9 percent sales decline from the year prior due to slow PSP handheld sales.

PSP game sales held at 11 million, down from 13 million the year prior.

Sony this week began sale of the Playstation 320GB stand-alone SKU at $349.99.

Sony Corp. this week said it will sell Killzone 3 for the Playstation 3 in a standard SKU and a Helghast Edition SKU.

The Killzone 3 Helghast Edition SKU will include a Helghast Helmet replica, bonus video content, art book, an exclusive Cloaking Helghast Marksman action figure, and a super voucher that includes the Killzone 3 soundtrack and PS3 Dynamic Theme, Retro Map Pack, Double XP for the first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay, and Full access to all weapons and abilities during the first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay at $129.99.

Amazon.com this week access to 3 Unlock Points to be used on a weapon or ability and the Killzone 3 Retro Map Pack with the pre-order purchase of the Killzone 3 standard or Helghast Edition SKU.

Playstation Move controller for the Playstation 3 held an sold out status at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s online division this week due to high demand of the peripheral.

The PSP sold 32,591 units to rank as the No. 1 game hardware for the week. The PSP go sold 924 units to rank No. 9 in the same period.

Sales for Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 ranked No. 7 in the latest Japan retail figures.

Sega Corp.’s Vanquish ranked No. 14 selling 11,204 copies in the period.

Microsoft in Oct. posted $16.2 billion in revenue in the first quarter. Net income totaled $5.4 billion in the same period.

Entertainment and Devices division, which includes the Xbox business, recorded revenue of $1.8 billion, a 27 percent increase from $1.41 billion one year prior.

The company sold 2.8 million Xbox 360 consoles in the quarter.

U.S. retailers this week sold out of pre-order sales for Microsoft Corp.’s Kinect hardware with Kinect Adventures for Xbox 360 due to overwhelming demand for the new motion controller.

This week, Amazon.com Inc., Best Buy Co. Inc. and Toys R Us Inc. sold out of the pre-order sales for the Kinect hardware.

The Xbox 360 4GB hardware SKU with Kinect and Kinect Adventures and the Xbox 360 250GB Kinect Special Edition Bundle held an in-stock status this week at select retailers.

Pre-order sales for Kinect hardware ranked No. 1 at Toysrus.com amid sell out of the product.

EA Inc. this week said it will release a new DLC called Hot Zone to the Playstation Network division of Sony Corp.’s Playstation 3 and the Xbox Live division of Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 Nov. 2.

Microsoft this week released a new wave of demos to the Xbox Live division the Xbox 360.

New titles available this week EA Inc.’s Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and Namco Bandai Inc.’s Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom.

Retailer Amazon.com Inc. this week said pre-order sales for Activision Blizzard Inc.’s Call of Duty: Black Ops is ranking as one of the top media pre-order titles of all time.

Pre-order sales have currently passed Microsoft Corp.’s Halo: Reach, Activision Blizzard Inc.’s World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, and Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption.

Amazon this week is offering a $20 Video Games Credit (200 Pre-order Bonus Points) with the purchase of the purchase the Call of Duty: Black Ops PS3 or Xbox 360 SKU.

Microsoft this week released a new wave of new titles to the Xbox Live Arcade division including 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures 2 at 800 Microsoft Points Pinball FX2 at no cost, Bloody Good Time at 400 Microsoft Points and Haunted House at 800 Microsoft Points.

Media Create Co. this week reported that Nintendo Co.’s Wii ranked No. 5 in overall sales.

Wii ranked three titles in the top 10 game sales for the week, including Super Mario All-Stars: Limited Edition at No. 1 with 307,755 units sold, Kirby’s Epic Yarn at No. 5, and Wii Party at No. 10.

Nintendo in Oct. recorded a Q2 loss of 2.01 billion yen ($24.7 million) between Apr. and Sept. amid slowing Wii and Nintendo DS handheld sales, and the release of the Nintendo 3DS in the post holiday period.

Operating profit 30.89 billion yen ($378.1 million) compared to 63.96 billion yen profit a year ago.

U.S. retailers this week began pre-order sales for the Red Wii Hardware Bundle and Red Nintendo DSi XL Bundle.

The Red Wii Hardware Bundle will include a limited edition red Wii hardware, a copy of New Super Mario Bros., a new red Wii Remote Plus, red Nunchuk, and a copy of Wii Sports at $199.99.

Nintendo this week said it will release Super Mario All-Stars: Limited Edition for the Wii hardware Dec. 12.

Super Mario All-Stars: Limited Edition will include four classic Mario games – Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 with enhanced graphics and updated sound from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System version.

Additionally, the SKU will include a soundtrack CD and illustrative booklet at $29.99.

Media Create Co. this week said the Nintendo DSi LL sold 15,819 units to rank No. 3, the Nintendo DSi sold 14,703 to rank No. 4, and the DS Lite sold 3,887 units to rank No. 6 between Oct. 18 and Oct. 24.

Nintendo this week released a new wave of download content for the Wii, and Nintendo DSi.

Technology News

Sony Ericsson, a joint venture between Sony Corp. and Sweden-based Ericsson, is said to be in development on a Playstation Phone that will incorporate Sony’s PSP handheld into an Android-based smartphone.

The Playstation Phone is said to include a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655, 512MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM, and Google Inc.’s Android OS. A slide mechanism will reveal Playstation controls, including a directional pad, buttons, and select and start functionality.

Source:-http://news.punchjump.com/blog/2010/10/31/week-recap-ps3-killzone-3-xbox-360-kinect-mario-all-stars-wii/

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