Category: Xbox 360

Project Natal Shown at D8: All Things Digital

Here’s a video of the Project Natal demo at D8, the All Things Digital conference. It’s interesting to see how the tech crowd reacts to the peripheral. Hosts Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher have a basic understanding of gaming, but are more interested in how Natal can possibly influence the future of general electronics. It’s important for Microsoft to show this product to a broad audience and the crowd at D8 is full important people that will probably not be at E3.

Microsoft Announcing Hulu on Xbox 360 at E3 2010?

Here’s a hot E3 2010 rumor by way of Gear Live — Microsoft will announce a premium version of Hulu that will be available on Xbox 360. The look would be similar to how Netflix shows up on the Xbox Live dashboard. A paid subscription would also be required. Remember, Hulu was rumored to be launching a premium service in May, but that didn’t happen. Perhaps the Xbox 360 will kick things off. Here’s the deal from Gear Live’s Andru Edwards:

We’ve heard from a very reliable source (who has never been wrong before) that Microsoft is set to unveil Hulu as an Xbox Live service at E3 2010. Similar to how Netflix is integreated into the Xbox 360 dashboard, Hulu would be there as well, and would require a subscription fee.

What do you guys and gals think of the possibility oh Hulu on Xbox 360? What would you be willing to pay for premium content?

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Mark Hamill to Retire as The Joker in Batman: Arkham Asylum 2

Actor and nerd icon Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker, Cocknocker) has done a tremendous job voicing The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series and Batman: Arkham Asylum. Sadly, his run as The Joker is coming to an end. He recently told IGN:

This will be my last, there’s no question about that. But it’s the last hurrah.

As a huge mark for Hamill (see what I did there?) and Kevin Conroy, I’m sad that the duo won’t be sharing the screen again. They are absolutely brilliant together. Like most people that grew up on Star Wars, Hamill was pretty much the coolest person on Earth to me as a kid. When I grew up and found out he was a comic-book nerd, my respect for him increased tenfold. I’m sad that he won’t be back as The Joker. On the plus side, I’m looking forward to Arkham Asylum 2 more than ever!

I know a few of you are big fans of Batman: The Animated Series. Are you going to miss Hamill? What are some of your favorite moments of him as The Joker? Did you think he meant he was retiring as The Joker for good or just from the videogame series?

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Analyst Says PlayStation 3 Will Overtake Xbox 360 in Two Years

DFC Intelligence analyst David Cole believes that the PlayStation 3’s global installed base will surpass the Xbox 360’s in two years. Since the PS3 received a price cut in 2009, its momentum has been surging. In North America the price cut was accompanied by a marketing campaign that was far better than anything Sony has done since the PS3 launch. While Cole is confident in the PS3’s future, the one X-factor he cited was how well each console’s motion-console devices will sell. He told Industry Gamers:

Right now our forecasts are that the PlayStation 3 will have the momentum and is poised to overtake the Xbox 360 over the next two years. However, based on what we learn and see more specifically about Natal that could be subject to change. I would just say right now we haven’t seen anything yet that would make us change our mind.

What do you think of Cole’s statement? Do you think the PS3 will eventually overtake the Xbox 360? Will motion controls be a big factor in the race? Analyze that!!!

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What Do You Think Project Natal Will be Called?

PlayStation Move was allegedly codenamed PlayStation Arc before the name became official at GDC 2010. Obviously Project Natal is a codename and it’s 99 percent likely that MS will unveil its real name at E3 2010. Can you think of any good names for Microsoft’s motion-control scheme? Hopefully the company doesn’t pull a Windows CE (WinCE) and call it Xbox Flail…but you never know.

Project Natal to Cost $149, Bundled with Xbox 360 Arcade for $299?

Microsoft is set to hit E3 2010 in a big way with Project Natal, but could its impact be lessened by the motion-sensing peripheral’s price? According to Edge the standalone cost to Natal will be $149 and the bundled cost will be $299:

Natal will launch in the US this October with a price tag of $149.

That’s according to a trusted source, who told us that the motion sensing camera will also be bundled with the Xbox 360 Arcade console for $299.

If the rumor is true then I question how successful Natal will be. $149 is a lot of money, especially in this economy. What do you think of the price? Kindly vote in the poll below and elaborate on your choice in the comments section.

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Front Mission Developer Diary 1: Bringing FM to an Action Setting

Double Helix and Square Enix kick off its Front Mission Evolved developer diary series in this video. The team talks about bringing the Front Mission universe to an action game. The previous installments were strategy games known for their tactical gameplay. This upcoming Front Mission game focuses on shooting action, but with strategic elements that stay true to the series.

Front Mission Evolved is set for a September 14, 2010 release for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC (in stereoscopic 3D). I loved the old FM games, but I’m not too interested (yet) in seeing the FM world in an action setting. Are any of you interested in this game?

George St-Pierre Wants You to Buy UFC Undisputed 2010

THQ’s UFC Undisputed 2010 is available in stores now. If you haven’t picked it up, George St-Pierre — arguably the best fighter pound-for-pound in UFC today — is here to sell you on the game. Watch GSP train outside the octagon and kick ass in it. Whether it’s the real GSP or the videogame version, I’m not going to argue with him. I like my limbs.

Rock Band 3 Will Have a Keyboard: Do You Care?

I liked the conversation you guys had with yesterday’s “Do You Care?” article about Killzone 3. It was simple and totally fit in with the spirit of the site (you guys!). So let’s try it again! The demo for Green Day: Rock Band teased that Rock Band 3 will have a keyboard peripheral. A few of my journalist friends confirmed that they learned this at a recent press event (I’m guessing the info was/is under NDA). Do you care that Rock Band 3 will have a keyboard?

Personally, I think it’s great. On the ridiculous side, people can rock out to Europe or Jem and the Holograms. Being (more) serious, there are so many great songs with prominent keyboard or piano parts. Hell, just look at all the great Elton John songs that could take advantage of a keyboard peripheral. When I first heard about the news, Bon Jovi immediately popped into my head; David Bryan’s keyboard and piano playing are a really underrated facet of the band’s sound. He adds a great layer to so many Bon Jovi songs and his contributions are often overlooked.

So yeah! The question again is do you care that Rock Band 3 will have a keyboard? Well…do ya?!?

This Weeks’ Videogame Releases

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is out, exclusively for Wii. Are you one of those people that said Shigeru Miyamoto is “out of touch” and that the gaming business has passed him by? If so, explain why this game is so great. In other exclusive news, ModNation Racers is hitting both Sony platforms. Lastly, UFC Undisputed 2010 and Blur are hitting multiple platforms.

Any of you guys and dolls picking up any of this week’s new games?