Square Enix has released the box art for the North American version of FFXIII. Here’s the PS3 box:
And here’s the Xbox 360 version:
Continue reading “Final Fantasy XIII North American Box Art”
Tag: Xbox 360
Coffee Talk #37: Console Wars XXVIII — Black Friday
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, the Saints beating up on the Patriots, banning Canadian boxing judges Alan Davis and Benoit Roussel, or the Shakespeare play you want to see in videogame form, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
As expected, it was a huge week for the “big three” console companies. All three did well during Black Friday weekend. Let’s take a look at some of the (American) results.
- Nintendo claimed that it sold more than 550,000 Wii systems. Adding in the DS and DSi, the company said that it sold more than 1.5-million pieces of hardware. To steal a line from Shelton Benjamin’s music, “Ain’t no stoppin’ me, now!!!”
- Sony claimed its best week ever (not EVAR!!!) for the PlayStation 3, selling more than 440,000 units. With a recent price cut and the introduction of the PS3 Slim, Sony has a huge opportunity to gain marketshare. It looks like the company is making the most of it.
- Microsoft hasn’t cited numbers yet, curiously. The company is putting on a positive front, claiming that it has its best week of 2009 and sold twice as many Xbox 360 systems during Thanksgiving week than it did the previous one.
Nintendo’s continued success isn’t surprising. Most people expected Sony to do well, but the company probably exceeded many expectations. Microsoft’s statements were the most curious. By not citing numbers and using the “we did better than last week” stance, the company looks lame. Maybe its number crunchers are behind and it will put out a strong press release later today, but for now MS looks like a chump.
What are your thoughts on the latest round of the console wars? Will Sony be able to continue its momentum this holiday season? I know you Wii haters out there are hoping for a sharp decline from Nintendo, but do you really think that’s going to happen? And what’s up with Microsoft’s weak-sauce statements?
Xbox 360 Controller Hacked to Work with a NES
In a brilliant use of technology, Francois Gervais hacked an Xbox 360 wireless controller to work with his NES. It’s great to see sharp minds tinkering with tech for (awesome) trivial pursuits.
Today’s Poll: Are You Buying a New Console on Black Friday?
There are a lot of great gaming deals to be had this week and I was wondering if any of you are planning to bring home a new system on the busiest shopping day of the year. So….
[poll id=”12″]
Microsoft and Square Enix Reveal Chocobo Accessory for Xbox Live
Microsoft and Square Enix recently held a mystery Twitter promotion for Final Fantasy XIII on Xbox 360. Today it revealed the prize: a chocobo avatar item! While most of you are down on dolly avatar clothes for Xbox Live, I’m guessing that a lot of you would make an exception for a chocobo companion.
If you missed the initial promo, don’t worry. You can still register here to receive a chocobo in December. Now if only I could get a moogle to pal around with my Xbox Live avatar….
Rock Band Kiosks Invading Old Navy Starting November 26
In an interesting crossover, MTV Games is setting up Rock Band
Consumers will be treated to a rockin’ shopping experience when Old Navy unveils Rock Band game play kiosks in close to 700 stores in the United States and Canada. The kiosks will be featured throughout the holiday season, giving families a fun outlet during their busy holiday shopping trips.
In addition, six of the Old Navy flagship stores will install 10 x 10 fully equipped Rock Band entertainment stages providing consumers the chance to perform like rock stars. Families are invited to come down and play on Thanksgiving Thursday as part of the Gobblepalooza weekend. Customers will also get a chance to win a $200 shopping spree, Rock Band song tracks and other great prizes.
I absolutely dread holiday shopping and try to do most of it online to avoid the crowds. Somehow, I always manage to get roped into at least one shopping session, which almost always gives me a migraine. Being able to play Rock Band while my friends shop would be much better than Excedrin.
Facebook, Last.fm, and Twitter Used by Millions on Xbox 360
Microsoft claims that its new Xbox Live features of Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm integration have been immensely successful. Facebook is leading the way with more than two-million log-ins. CNet has reported:
According to Microsoft spokesman David Dennis, the first-week figures show that at least 2 million Xbox Live users have logged into Facebook, and that half a million Last.fm accounts were created in the first 24 hours of availability. Dennis didn’t address how many Xbox Live users have used the service’s Twitter feature, except to say that there have been “tweets from nearly every market where we have Xbox Live.”
I know that most of you aren’t high on these features, but it’s clear that they’re popular and an important value-add for the Xbox 360. While many enthusiast gamers might scoff at their consoles being used for anything that doesn’t involve a game, millions of general consumers are happy that their gaming systems have broad capabilities. This generation has really changed the idea of what a console is and I can’t wait to see how they’ll continue to evolve.
Do you think social networking on consoles is a fad? Or is part of an evolution (not the one with Ric Flair and Triple H)?
NY State Wants to Use Consoles for Emergency Contact
The New York State Emergency Management Office wants to reach gamers that might be too absorbed in the latest shooter or RPG to notice catastrophic events. Fearing that its citizens, particularly youngsters, will miss out on emergency broadcast messages on television or radio, the state is trying to communicate through online services like PlayStation Network and Xbox Live as part of its Empire 2.0 initiative. InformationWeek has reported:
State authorities are testing a plan that would see the Emergency Management Office issue alerts over online gaming networks in addition to regular channels.
The goal, said New York State Deputy CIO Rico Singleton, is to reach younger residents who spend more time on the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii than with television or radio.
While I’m pretty sure I’d notice a hurricane or nuclear attack while playing a game, I’m happy that my home state (born in the Bronx!) is being forward thinking. Also, the Yankees won the world series so NY rules even more.
Today’s Poll: Which Dragon Age Country Do You Want to Play In?
The excellent writers of Dragon Age: Origins
Leliana’s home country or Orlais once ruled Ferelden. It’s still the most powerful nation in Thedas, full of political intrugue and sexy bards. If gay elf assassins are more your thing, the lawless world of Antiva might be for you. Although it’s fronted by royalty, criminal organizations and merchant guilds are the real powers here. The island nations of Par Vollen and Seheron are home to the Qunari — giant people that are driven by war and a strict code of honor.
Which of these lands would want to invade in Dragon Age 2? Leave your answer in the poll and your reasoning in the comments section (please)!
[poll id=”11″]
Fallout 3 Avatar Clothes Coming Thursday
Bethesda has announced a line of Fallout 3
- Vault 101 Suit — 240 MS Points
- Bethesda Game Studios Shirt — 80 MS Points
- Fallout 3 Ringer Shirt — 80 MS Points
- Vault Boy Shirt — 80 MS Points
- Vault Boy Suit — 240 MS Points
- Vault Boy Head — 80 MS Points
I know that a lot of you are down on dolly avatar clothes and accessories, but some of this Fallout 3 gear is cool. Anyone tempted to buy some?