Video Games & Gaming

New Xbox 360 Guide Hot Off the Presses

December 19, 2005

It didn’t take long, but the first guidebook to the new Xbox 360 -- the must-have gadget of the season -- has rolled off the presses within days of the Microsoft product's launch.

“Xbox 360: A Complete Guide” (www.lulu.com/xbox), complete with helpful tips and tricks, designed to serve as the ideal guide for helping gamers set up the Xbox 360 console, use the accessories and play the latest video games.

Written by technical writer, software engineer and old-school gamer Douglas Thompson, the book is made possible by the latest print-on-demand publishing technology, provided by Lulu (www.lulu.com). Lulu is a website that lets anyone publish and sell their own book, at no up-front cost.

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Xbox 360 As Loss Leader?

November 30, 2005

Hard to believe that Microsoft is selling its new Xbox 360 as a loss leader?�

Yes, that's right.� According to a report published on the NewsFactor Network(http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=39715), the total cost of� the Xbox 360� that retails for $399 is $552.27; in other words,� the cost of parts and� manufacturing� means that Microsoft loses� more than $150 on each box if sells (and this figure is even higher if we factor in the wholesale price that retailers actually pay for each unit).

Reminds me of the old joke about the clothing store that loses money on every suit it sells.� How do they stay in business?

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Gametap Taps Classic Video Games

November 23, 2005

Two paddles, one ball -- the game that launched a� thousand quarters and a billion dollar industry in 1972 – Pong from Atari – is just one of 300 of the greatest arcade, console and PC games available at www.gametap.com. The first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Gametap offers all-you-can-play gaming-on-demand plus original programming via a broadband connected PC for $14.95 per month (no contract required). New games will be added monthly.

Original programming will feature an exclusive mix of magazine, reality and lifestyle shows (including Space Ghost), interviews with the who’s who of gaming, celebrity features and all-new “game trailers.” This new service was one the highlights at the DigitalLife 2005 show in New York a while back.

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Midnight XBox Madness

November 21, 2005

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Xbox 360 Is Coming to Town Next Week

November 17, 2005

We’ve got “Harry Potter” opening tomorrow, but the news around our house is the Xbox 360 launch next Tuesday (11/22/05).� Launches in Europe (12/2/05) and Japan (12/10/05) will follow.� According to Microsoft, this is the first time a game console will be launched in three territories in the same time frame.� Am sure these launch dates are planned to get this goodie into as many stores as possible in time for the all-important holiday shopping season.

Promising to be more than a game box, with the Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service players can play online,� connect with friends for� voice and video chat and download new content.

Xbox 360 is also being called “the ultimate amplifier” for music, movies and photos stored on� MP3 players, digital cameras and Windows® XP-based PCs.� The systems comes with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Media Remote control, an Xbox 360 Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable and batteries.

The recent Tokyo Game Show marked the first time that consumers were able to experience the Xbox 360 firsthand.� While more than 200 games are currently in development, games on display in the Microsoft booth included:

Bomberman — Act Zero
Call of Duty® 2
CHROMEHOUNDS
Dead Rising
Dynasty Warriors 5 Special
Everyparty
Far East of Eden
FINAL FANTASY XI
Frame City Killer™
Gears of War™
Kameo™: Elements of Power™
Need for Speed Most Wanted
NINETY-NINE NIGHTS
The Outfit™
Project Gotham Racing® 3
Resident Evil 5
Ridge Racer 6
Sonic the Hedgehog
Saint's Row™
Test Drive Unlimited
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™
Wrestle Kingdom

Will it look good under the tree?

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

May the Force Be with You – Twice!

November 1, 2005

Star Wars fans rejoice!� Star Wars fans have twice the reason to celebrate today with the simultaneous release of the Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith DVD and Star Wars Battlefront II™, the sequel to the best-selling Star Wars video game of all time.

� � � � � The two-disc Sith set includes a brand-new, full-length documentary produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and two new featurettes – one exploring the prophecy of Anakin Skywalker as the Chosen One, the other providing an in-depth look at the movie’s stunts.

Star Wars Battlefront II adds all-new space combat, playable Jedi characters and never-before-seen environments straight out of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Fans of the original Star Wars Battlefront will also enjoy an all-new single-player experience that takes players through an epic, story-based saga centering on Darth Vader’s elite 501st Legion of Storm Troopers where every action the player takes impacts the battlefront and, ultimately, the fate of the� galaxy.

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Video Games & Gaming

New Xbox 360 Guide Hot Off the Presses

Xbox 360 As Loss Leader?

Gametap Taps Classic Video Games

Midnight XBox Madness

Xbox 360 Is Coming to Town Next Week

May the Force Be with You – Twice!

Live BlizzCon Coverage Starts Today

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