One of the rumored features coming to the Xbox 360 spring 2011 dashboard update is PayPal support. Is this something you guys and dolls care about? In light of the PlayStation Network hack job, some gamers are especially wary about storing their credit card information on their consoles. PayPal, with its renowned buyer protection, might make console owners feel a bit safer. What say you?
In case you didn’t know, Microsoft has just purchased Skype for $8.5-billion (cash!!!). Skype allows for audio and video communication using voice over IP technology (VoIP). The company plans to implement Skype in its Kinect and Xbox 360 products. Here’s a clip from the press release:
Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.
With friends and family around the world, I’m a huge fan of Skype. The call quality is outstanding and the international rates are competitive. I use the free Skype-to-Skype service, as well as Skype Out calls to mobile phones. I’m excited to see how Microsoft implements Skype in its Windows Phone and Xbox 360 platforms…but I’m also a bit afraid of the company wrecking a perfectly good product. Let’s see how this one plays out.
Any of you excited by the Skype acquisition? What do you think it will add to your Xbox 360 gaming experience?
Today’s poll is going to require some deep thought (Jack Handy). I want to know which “situation” did more damage, the PlayStation Network outage or the Xbox 360 red ring of death? It’s easy to go with the PSN outage since it’s fresh, but I’d love for you to take a step back and give it some thought. Is a hardware issue for some worse than a service outage for all? Which situation did more damage to the reputation of the respective console manufacturer? Kindly vote and discuss!
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After a few slow weeks, May brings several interesting games to the table. Brink has been getting a lot of buzz — some of my reviewer friends are high on this game and some are meh on it. Virtua Tennis 4 looks to bring the series back to glory. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean serves up the cutest version of Captain Jack Sparrow ever. MX vs. ATV Live should keep motor sports fans happy. The First Templar is flying under the radar, but a few of my friends are digging this adventure game, saying that it nicely blends old and new.
Any of you guys and dolls picking up new games this week?
Sony’s PlayStation Network security breach is arguably the biggest story this console generation. While writers and gamers alike are talking up the PSN outage, I have to question whether all this talk will lead to action. (I studied philosophy. I question everything.) According to a survey conducted by CouponCodes4U, more than 20 percent of people that are PS3 gamers are considering leaving for Xbox 360 due to the security breach. Here’s a clip from GamePolitics:
The survey found that 21 percent of PlayStation 3 owners said they were “considering selling their console in order to switch to rival console, the Microsoft Xbox 360.”
The majority of respondents — 89 percent — admitted that they were concerned for their personal data, with names, email addresses and assumed stolen by hackers. More than three fifths ( 65 percent) of video gamers said their trust in Sony and the PlayStation Network had been ‘greatly affected’, while just fewer than 9 percent said that it “hadn’t affected their trust at all.”
Keep in mind that the sample size of 2,132 people is relatively small. I’m inclined to dismiss the numbers because of the sample size. Still, the findings are fascinating. Sony has been picking up steam globally, with the PS3 recently overtaking the Xbox 360 in worldwide sales (depending on whose numbers you believe). Will the PSN security breach halt that momentum? Will gamers with PS3s only defect to the Xbox 360? What do you think the longterm damage of the “external intrusion” will be?
With Sony’s revelation that user information — including credit card numbers — was compromised when PlayStation Network was hacked, I wanted to get your thoughts on tying your info to your consoles. I know that…
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, President Obama’s birth certificate, the fate of SETI, or your favorite Britney song, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
With Sony’s revelation that user information — including credit card numbers — was compromised when PlayStation Network was hacked, I wanted to get your thoughts on tying your info to your consoles. I know that a few of you only make console purchases through gift cards and codes. Those of you that do are looking extra smart this week. For those of you that use your credit cards on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, are you wary of doing so now?
Personally, I’m not too worried about it. In my limited experience, my banks have been pretty good at alerting me about fraud attempts — if anything, they’ve been overly paranoid. Plus, it’s not like I have money or anything (ha!). In the particular case of PSN, I’m guessing that the hack was a result of Sony’s strong-arm stance against people like GeoHotz. I will, perhaps naively, assume that malice was intended towards Sony Computer Entertainment and not its customers.
Now it’s your turn! How do you feel about the issue? Are you paranoid? Are you carefree? Or somewhere in between?
After a few lackluster weeks, Q2 2011 finally gets some hot videogame releases! Portal 2 and Mortal Kombat top the list. Flying under the radar is SOCOM 4. The PSP gets a spruced up version of one of the best Final Fantasy games of all time along with sequel content in Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection.
Any of you picking up new games this week?
While it’s not quite as bone dry as last week, there aren’t a ton of interesting games out this week. I’m curious to see how Michael Jackson: The Experience sells. The King of Pop is gone (rest in peace), but his family is still around to exploit his name. I wonder if Michael’s millions of fans will pick this game up. PSP gamers have a nice sequel (that’s free of Jesus juice) to gobble up this week in Patapon 3.
Any of you guys and gals buying new games this week?
Mortal Kombat has gone gold and Warner Bros. Interactive sent out a bunch of celebratory screenshots. Check out Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Johnny Cage, and Mileena in action. (Is it me, or did Mileena’s boobs grow to Dead or Alive levels?) The game is out later this month and loads of game writers are loving it. The early buzz is that this will be Mortal Kombat’s return to glory.
Any of you interested in this game?!? Perhaps this would be a good choice for an RPad.tv Invitational Tournament. Please let me know.
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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment showed off Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters at WonderCon 2011. Here are the screens. There’s some cool stuff here. I love the one of Hal Jordan facing off against Thaal Sinestro. Naturally, Hal makes a construct shaped like a giant fist (where’s the giant boxing glove?!?). The manhunters look pretty menacing. Sadly, Hal’s costume looks like a rotting piece of salmon nigiri.
Check out the screens and let me know what you think (please)!
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