Microsoft and Sony have shown their cards by officially revealing the prices of Kinect for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Move. Which one is the better value? Kindly vote in the poll and explain your answer in the comments section. Fore!!!
[poll id=”60″]
Category: Xbox 360
Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Kinect Pricing: $149.99
Microsoft has officially announced the pricing for its Kinect
Naturally, I’m dying to hear what you think of Kinect’s price. Too much? Just right?
Power Gig: Rise of the Six String Developer Diary
Seven45 Studios has released a developer diary on its upcoming game, Power Gig: Rise of the SixString
With its unique controls and story mode, will Power Gig be able to take a slice of the pie that’s dominated by Guitar Hero and Rock Band? I’d love hear your thoughts on the matter.
Microsoft Drops (Small) Details on Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live
Engadget posted an excellent preview of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system. One aspect that was touched on (lightly) was the operating system’s connectivity with Xbox Live. The site chatted with Microsoft corporate vice president Joe Belfiore and found out:
We were told by Joe Belfiore during a meeting that there would be two kinds of games on Windows Phone 7 devices — turn based, “app” games, and Xbox Live content which would be full-on arcade experiences. We’re dying to get our hands on something more than just a brief demo of The Harvest, but that’s not possible yet.
Although gaming details were sparse, I highly recommend checking out the article. It reveals a lot of details on what should be an excellent alternative to Apple iOS and Google Android. Whether it’s too late for Microsoft remains to be seen, but the details Engadget revealed are very exciting.
NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of June 2010
Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for June 2010. There are a lot of repeats on June’s list, with Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption leading the way. There’s also one omission that annoyed me. And the the top ten are….
- Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 582,900
- Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 548,400
- Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 380,300
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 200,900
- Just Dance (Wii): 174,800
- Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
- Toy Story 3
(Nintendo DS)
- UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Wii)
- UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3)
Ugh. Just Dance is back on the list and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver didn’t make it?!? Come on people!!! Oh well, as a Harry Potter nerd at least I can be happy about the number nine spot. Expelliarmus bitches!
What did you think of June’s top ten? You surprised that Red Dead is still dominating? Wasn’t it interesting that the only version of Toy Story 3 that made it on the list was the handheld one?
NPD Hardware Sales Figures for June 2010
NPD Group released its console sales data for June 2010. It was an unusual and exciting month for console hardware. Microsoft did very well thanks to the Xbox 360 “slim”. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. When you get caught between the moon and New York City. Let’s look at the numbers:
- Nintendo DS: 510, 700
- Xbox 360: 451,700
- Nintendo Wii: 422,500
- PlayStation 3: 304,800
- PlayStation Portable: 121,000
Nobody should be surprised that the Xbox 360 beat the Wii in June. Hardcore gamers bought the new version of the console while bargain hunters snatched up the older model at marked down prices. Sony recently claimed that its inventory problem will no longer be an issue, so it will be interesting to see how the PS3 does for the rest of the year. As for Nintendo…it keeps putting up excellent numbers.
Nintendo reminds me a bit of the Boston Celtics’ Robert Parish; every year sports writers predicted a decline in his stats, but dude put up the same numbers for like 20 years. Some analysts and a lot of enthusiast gamers keep saying, “This is the month Nintendo will decline,” and the company keeps posting excellent sales figures.
Anyway, let me know what you think of NPD Group’s June 2010 console sales figures. Were you surprised that Microsoft did so well? Or was that what you expected from its console refresh?
Watch the Super Street Fighter IV Finals of Evo 2010
Here’s a clip of the Evo 2010 finals in Super Street Fighter IV
This Week’s Videogame Releases
There are pretty two games coming out this week. First up is NCAA Football 11
Any of you planning to pick up new games this week? List ’em (please)!
Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, and Paul London in WWE Game
A friend notified me that my IMDB listing has been updated to include my writing credits for SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. Naturally, I went ahead and perused the listing. I was surprised to see that the motion-capture actors were listed. The entry noted that former WWE Superstar Paul London, my friend Austin Aries, and my favorite wrestler Claudio Castagnoli did mo-cap work for the game. This surprised me since I didn’t think that THQ and WWE would want the world to know that indie wrestlers were doing the in-game moves for current WWE talent.
According to IMDB, Aries did the mo-cap work for Evan Bourne, Chris Jericho, and Santino Marella. London portrayed Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston. Castagnoli donned the capture suit for Edge and Jack Swagger.
(Not a) Review of “Leliana’s Song” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins
The “Leliana’s Song” downloadable content for Dragon Age: Origins is the best post-launch DLC Bioware has released for its outstanding 2009 RPG. In addition to the things you’ve come to exepct from Dragon Age DLC — new items, new companions, new villains, etc. — “Leliana’s Song” stands out for its excellent voice acting and storytelling. If you’ve ever been tempted by any Dragon Age DLC, this is the one to download before any of the other post-launch content.
(Spoiler alert for anyone that hasn’t played the original!) “Leliana’s Song” is a prequel that examines the titular character’s past as an Orlesian spy. The DLC recounts the circumstances that lead her to chantry life in Ferelden, focusing on the betrayal by her mentor and lover Marjolaine. (And yes, fans of lesbian make-out scenes have something to look forward to.)
The storytelling is well done, thanks to a strong script and some excellent voice acting. Leliana and Marjolaine steal the show, while companions Sketch and Tug add some decent support. If you’re a Leliana fan — and lots of Dragon Age players are — then you’ll enjoy experiencing her past as a manipulative, cutthroat bitch bard. It’s such a great contrast to the seemingly dopey, bless-the-maker character you first encounter in Dragon Age.
The DLC adds some new music that’s completely appropriate for the adventures of the bard. Some of the exploration and battle tracks are lute driven, which is just cool. Along with cowbell, videogame music needs more lute.
In terms of gameplay, there’s nothing new. It’s the same action-RPG combat and exploration that made the original so enjoyable. Most players will be able to beat the DLC in less than two hours. It takes considerably less time if you skip through the dialog and cutscenes (in which case you’re kind of missing the point). Beating the DLC nets you some nifty armor (Battledress of the Provocateur) that can be used in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Origins Awakening. Next to the Felon’s Coat, it’s the second-best light-armor in the game.
Most diehard Dragon Age fans have already purchased “Leliana’s Song.” If you’re on the fence about it due to disappointment in the other DLC then I recommend taking a chance on this one. It’s another dose of that lovely BioWare combination of fun gameplay and great storytelling. Out of all the Dragon Age DLC, “The Stone Prisoner” and “Leliana’s Song” are the best. This DLC is a nice prequel chapter in the Dragon Age saga that offers a few hours of fun and some nice armor that can be used in the full game.