Rumor: Microsoft Developing Original TV Shows for Xbox Live

Microsoft is rumored to be hiring a television-programming executive to ramp up the video content on Xbox Live. Sources indicate that the company is seeking original programs, similar to the strategies being pursued by Hulu and YouTube. Here’s the story according to Bloomberg:

Microsoft Corp. is seeking to hire a television executive to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game and video service, according to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.

Microsoft has hired Tom Schneider, a partner at Stratis LLC, to conduct the search, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Two former NBC executives, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin, have been approached, they said.

I don’t watch a ton of video on my Xbox 360. Every now and again, I’ll download or stream some one-off content. I believe the last time I watched any kind of video on my Xbox 360, it was a bunch of panels from DICE 2011. I’m curious, though not terribly excited, to see where this goes.

How about you guys and dolls? Are you interested in watching original shows on your Xbox 360? What kind of TV programs would you like to see on Xbox Live?

Source

Game of Thrones Season 2 Teaser

HBO recently posted a teaser video for Game of Thrones: Season 2. As a mark for the show and the books, of course I think it’s awesome. I so can’t wait for the next season! Check out the teaser and let me know what you think (please!). Are you ready for the new season of Game of Thrones and more nude scenes featuring Daenerys?

RPad.TV Blackbox Bamboo iPad 2 Case: Best in the World

Check out this picture of my customized Blackbox Case for iPad 2. It’s completely awesome. It’s made from bamboo, one of the most sustainable materials in the world. It’s handcrafted in the USA by an American company. Best of all, it has my face and web site on it! This is pretty much one of the three best iPad 2 cases ever made.

I’ll be writing more about the case over at Padvance. For now, let me know what you think.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

I finally have a weekend where I’m not flying anywhere! Unfortunately (for my gaming needs), I have a pair of videogame-award shows and related parties to attend. *sigh* I really want to have a whole weekend to start Skyrim…perhaps next weekend. For now, I think I’m going to spend Sunday playing Bastion for Chrome OS. It’s a great game and I want to see how it translated to a browser-based world.

How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?

Today’s Poll: How Should Toilet Paper Roll?

Super important poll today! How should toilet paper roll? Some folks say over is the way to go. Others are more comfortable with it rolling under. It’s an important lifestyle choice and I’d love to hear how you roll. Kindly vote in today’s poll and explain your decision in the comments section.

[poll id=”141″]

Shigeru Miyamoto Retiring, Shigeru Miyamoto Not Retiring

Yesterday, my excellent friend Wired Chris Kohler reported that Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto was planning to “retire” or “step down” in order to work on smaller projects. For the last decade or so, Miyamoto has been more manager than creator. On the handful of occasions I’ve gotten to chat with him, he always mentioned that he missed working on smaller teams and having a more creative role.

Nintendo promptly denied the story, chalking it up to a misunderstanding. Some are speculating that the denial had something (everything?) to do with the company’s stock dipping two percent after Kohler’s story spread throughout the Internet.

In my heart, I believe that Miyamoto has been tired of being in upper management for a long time. I believe that he’d love to “step down” and work on a smaller team with a more creative role. What do you think is really going on? Is Nintendo covering its ass due to the stock dip? Or was this really all a misunderstanding? Post your theory in the comments section (please!).

Coffee Talk #429: Giving Your Kids Videogame Names

Would you name your child after a videogame character? Maybe a game designer? How about someone from a comic book? Or just straight up naming him Casper Van Dien? I’m totally down with this. Should I be blessed with a daughter, I plan to name her…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, where Chris Paul will be playing, why the hell its below 50 in Los Angeles, or your toothpaste of choice, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Would you name your child after a videogame character? Maybe a game designer? How about someone from a comic book? Or just straight up naming him Casper Van Dien? I’m totally down with this. Should I be blessed with a daughter, I plan to name her Tifa, after the strong-but-gentle woman from Final Fantasy VII. If I have a son, I’d like to name him Shigeru, after legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Twin boys? That’s easy! They’d be Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent.

Now it’s your turn! Would you name your kids after videogame characters, comic-book heroes, or game designers? If so, what would you name your son, daughter, or twins?

Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound (iOS) Free Today

The Manny Pacquiao game for iOS is free today. Head on over and download Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound if you’re a fan of the Filipino boxer or if you’re looking for some unintentional comedy. The game looks…meh and the videogame version of Pacquiao looks like he was rejected from the Street Fighter and Tekken tournaments, but you can’t really complain about a free game. Ha!

Coffee Talk #428: The Xbox 360 2011 Dashboard Update and You

Microsoft recently launched a major Xbox 360 dashboard update and I’m dying to hear your thoughts on it. Do you like the overall look and feel? What features are you digging? What features are you hating? Share your thoughts like a Care Bear…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, awesome holiday gift guides, the steady decline of Firefox, or sports drinks reminding you of Aquaman, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Microsoft recently launched a major Xbox 360 dashboard update and I’m dying to hear your thoughts on it. Do you like the overall look and feel? What features are you digging? What features are you hating? Share your thoughts like a Care Bear and tell me everything you’re feeling about the update.

As for me, I can’t look at it as a standalone update. The design is fresher and I’m sure there are some usability enhancements, but that’s not what really interests me here. I love that Microsoft is taking a unified approach and spreading its Metro UI across different platforms. Even though I’m not a big fan of Windows Phone or Windows for PC, I love that Windows Phone 7, Xbox 360, and Windows 8 share a lot of the same design philosophy. It’s smart. It keeps things familiar. It helps create a broader ecosystem (and also makes it harder for customers to leave to competitors). It’s strange to say this, but it’s very Apple of Microsoft.

I don’t know if I’m a fan of the new dashboard, but I’m definitely a fan of the company’s unified approach. Fair play to Microsoft!

Now it’s your turn. Please let me know how you feel about the Xbox 360 Fall 2011 dashboard update.

Are You Ready For WWE Network? Would You Subscribe?

WWE has revealed more details on the upcoming WWE Network. The most recent teaser video shows that programming will be a mix of live events, classic matches, and reality shows. I’m especially excited by the prospect of watching legendary matches from the NWA, WCW, and WCCW days. Sports Business Journal Daily claims that WWE Network will launch on April 1, 2012 — the same day as WrestleMania XXVIII — and that most PPV shows will be moving to the network.

Although I’m not into reality television and I was never too into Tough Enough, I’m intrigued by the Legends’ House show. In my head, making anyone live with the Iron Sheik will result in hilarity. Abdullah the Butcher would also be an interesting roommate. Mae Young would be the den mother, of course. Making WWE Legends live with each other and filming it sounds like it could be fun, especially if the show focuses on Iron Sheik ranting about making people humble.

I’m also curious about the pricing. Will it be part of a channel bundle? Or will it be a premium network? Let’s assume the latter. As an example, my crap-bag provider Time Warner Cable charges $20 a month for every flavor of HBO and Cinemax combined. Let’s say WWE is in that price range and it costs $10 to $15 per month. Even though that’s only one channel, it’s still cheaper than paying $45 a month for PPVs.

I’m still waiting for more details, but I’m pretty sure I’m on the hook for WWE Network. Between the classic matches and “most” PPV events, the cost will be worth it to me. Legends’ House could end up being a pleasant surprise. How about you? Are you interested in the channel? Are you a potential WWE Network subscriber?