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Like weeds: new Natal Xbox rumor shot down, 3D Xbox rumor pops up to take its place
Rumor mongers seem hell bent on Microsoft building a brand new Xbox, despite what we assumed was wonderful news that current Xbox owners wouldn't have to shell out for new hardware to handle Project Natal. Well, Microsoft has already hit back against 1UP's rumor of a new Xbox coming in Fall 2010, calling the report "nonsense." Others have pointed out that the camera hardware actually does almost all of its own processing, so a slight hardware bump to the 360 would be kind of pointless -- though most seem to agree that Microsoft will package Natal with the 360 in a new SKU akin to the Arcade or Elite. Meanwhile, TeamXbox, the ones who seemed to think the Zune HD was a portable game console of sorts, have a new rumor in the works: the next Xbox 360 won't be out in 2010 because Microsoft is going to wait for 3D-capable TVs to become more commonplace and launch a stereoscopic 3D console at that time. It sounds enticing, but given the fact that the Wii has succeeded directly in the face of its next-gen television empowering PS3 and Xbox 360 competition, we can't say it's the most likely of ideas -- if anything, Microsoft will need to have some solid backwards compatibility for us 2D "Take On Me" types. [Via PC World] Read - Microsoft sources play down reports of new Xbox Read - TeamXbox predicts 3D Xbox
Sierra and Radical Entertainment remove multiplayer from Prototype
Those who harbored desires to go on Crackdown-esque romps through New York City with a genetically mutated pal will undoubtedly be crushed to learn that developer Radical Entertainment and publisher Sierra have decided to scrap Prototype's multiplayer mode in order to encourage players to truly delve into the single-player storyline, and, more truthfully, so they could meet their original Fall 2008 launch window.Radical's Tim Bennison defended the decision in an interview with TeamXbox, hinting at a possibility of co-op functionality in post-release DLC, and confirming that "multiplayer will definitely be on the table from the start" when, should the game be well-received, it comes time for a sequel -- which we can only guess will be titled Reference Design, followed by the critically acclaimed Initial Model, and then the action-packed conclusion, Finished Product.
New Crackdown enhancements coming today
There's a great new reason for you to hold on to your copy of Crackdown. What? No, silly, not that reason. This reason: The full scoop on all the free and not-so-free enhancements coming to the game this week today. We don't have room for everything here, but, suffice it to say: It's big. First up, there are some small changes via a title update like the gang reset option, new ground strike attack and easier-to-spot stunt rings. Then you've got the "Free-for-All" pack (yes, that's the free one). The key feature here is the "Keys to the City" mode, which could best be described as a cheat mode hopped up on goofballs. It lets you set whatever skill level you want, enable "super agility" or "super strength" or spawn a ramp truck just to name a few, all from a pop-up cheat menu that doesn't require pausing. Also, the Agency garage will allow you to store vehicles with an achievement if you "impound 'em all." Then there's the "Gettin' Busy Bonus Pack" which is premium content (read: it costs 800 points). That includes new vehicles like the buggy, a "ridiculously powerful mono-cockpit race car" and the Agency Armored Vehicle (which we're calling the Rocket Turretmobile). The premium pack also adds five new modes like street racing, rocket tag and footraces. There's also new equipment like a proximity charge, a cloaking device and the ... wait for it ... harpoon gun. What's more, you can actually sample the pack before you buy it by playing co-op with a well-off friend who's already purchased it. Also, there are 350 new Achievement points to be had between the two packs. This is a real bar-raiser for downloadable content and we can't wait to get our hands on it. We're not sure of an exact date yet, but if Realtime Worlds and Microsoft are wise, they'll get it here as long before May 16 as they possibly can. Update: Microsoft is now saying that the content drops today. The premium pack will be 800 points ($10). This new stuff is amazing, but there is still that other reason to own Crackdown on the horizon.%Gallery-3048%
Mass Effect is going to be one big RPG
Last week TeamXbox interviewed Ray Muzyka of BioWare about Mass Effect and how big the game really. In the interview Ray claims that Mass Effect will be "about 40 hours or so for the main story, so it's going to be a good-sized BioWare RPG". He also stated that "off the beaten path, there's probably another 20 or 30 hours or so of stuff". Good golly, it's looking like Mass Effect will be the RPG behemoth that we were always hoping for. With how the game looks, possible talk of sequels, and hearing how involved the game really is, RPG fans will be in for a huge treat when Mass Effect releases this year.[Via Gamespot forums][Thanks, dpcough]
Stupendous Shadowrun Shots
TeamXbox has some spiffy new shots of Shadowrun. We chose to display this one because Mr. Elf Vampire Dude has a sword, and swords are cool. Microsoft really, really wants all of you to think Shadowrun will be the next big thing, what with its Live Anywhere, PC-to-360 multiplayer goodness. Anybody hyped up to play against PC players, or does the lack of a keyboard and mouse leave you cold and untrusting?
360 games rock the sales charts
Microsoft released some updated retail sales numbers yesterday, and the results are good. First, the big M reiterated its goal of shipping 10 million Xbox 360 consoles by the end of Holiday '06, and 13-15 million by the end of the fiscal year in June '07. As for the numbers, the 360 has maintained a very high accessory attach rate at 2.9 accessories per console (apparently a record). Of course, this is somewhat misleading as Microsoft has made accessory purchases somewhat essential (battery chargers, play n' charge, memory card, etc.). It would be interesting to see what the attach rate is for optional accessories like faceplates.Software attach rates are also becoming larger, with an average of 4.6 games sold per console. Most of our readers will know that 4.6 is a very high attach rate for games. Also mentioned in the announcement, the 360 has four of the top ten games sold in the US this month, including: Chromehounds, NCAA Football 2007, Prey, and LOTR: BFME II. Don't be shocked if Madden '07 and Dead Rising make that list as well.Very encouraging numbers for Microsoft, indeed. Now if they could just get some momentum going in Japan ...
