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Xbox 360 'Games on Demand' priced between $20-$30
Microsoft informed us this afternoon that its initial offerings of Games on Demand, the company's selection of downloadable Xbox 360 titles, will be priced between 1600-2400 -- that's $20-30 in American credit card currency. We got a little curious after one price was revealed in a video earlier today, but we wanted to make sure about the rest. We're currently working on getting the full list of prices for each game, but all will be revealed next week when the latest dashboard update goes live, on August 11.
First 21 Xbox 'Games on Demand' titles revealed
Next Tuesday (that's August 11th), a dream we have long held near our hearts will be fulfilled -- Xbox 360 will add the first twenty-one titles to its Games on Demand service. Now, we don't have any details about pricing for these yet, but Microsoft has said that the games, which include such august titles as Mass Effect, Call of Duty 2, and Tomb Raider: Legend, will be priced similarly to the physical games. We could whine about that all day, but we're going to hold off until we see actual pricing details, and move on to dreaming of a trackpad that doesn't become unresponsive when we spill orange juice on it. Check out the video of the newest addition to the dashboard after the break, hit the read link for the full list of twenty-one. Update: A Microsoft spokesman just emailed us a list of the Games on Demand titles for the US, which has a couple of notable differences. BioShock, Ridge Racer 6, Karaoke Revolution American Idol, Dance Dance Revolution Universe, and Sonic The Hedgehog are in, while SEGA Rally and Tomb Raider: Legend are decidedly Europe-only for now. Full US list after the break. [Via Joystiq]
First batch of Xbox 'Games on Demand' titles revealed [update]
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/first-batch-of-xbox-games-on-demand-titles-revealed/'; Can't be bothered to drag yourself to the nearest brick-and-mortar to pick up your Xbox 360 games? Don't worry, you won't be penalized for your sloth -- this coming Tuesday, the first batch of 21 titles will be added to the Games on Demand service, a new feature in the anticipated dashboard update. There are no costs attached to these titles yet, but Microsoft says they'll be similar in price to their tangible counterparts. We've got the full list of games posted after the break -- highlights include Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and ... Viva Piñata. What? We love ambulatory piñatas! Deal with it. Update: Turns out the initial list we got our hands on was for the European territories. We thought it was weird Bioshock wasn't on there! We've got the full list of 24 (!) games coming to the States posted after the jump.
Shane Kim iffy regarding on-demand Xbox 360 games releasing day-and-date with retail
Shane Kim, Microsoft's VP of strategy and business development for Xbox, admits that the company is "not anywhere close to that world today" of offering day-and-date releases of on-demand Xbox 360 games alongside retail launches. In an interview with Fast Company, Kim expresses that offering Xbox 360 games on the Xbox Marketplace is a "natural evolution," but states there are "complex issues" to deal with by offering digital versions of games on their retail release days. You can't download NVGs, after all.Kim explains that day-and-date digital releases would require technical effort by publishers to make the process smooth, and there are also business decisions to weigh -- like, you know, upsetting a major retail games giant. According to Kim, Microsoft still has a lot of work to do before offering games through Xbox Live Marketplace on a grand scale.[Via CVG]
Xbox Live Dashboard update preview goes live
The preview of the upcoming update for the Xbox 360 Dashboard is now live, giving a few lucky Xbox owners -- for now, mostly press outlets -- a chance to place their eyes upon many of the new features, such as Games on Demand, improved Netflix functionality, unlockable Avatar items, purchasable Avatar items, a community-controlled games rating system, and other minor improvements.We'll have a video preview and some additional image galleries of these new features up later today. Fear not, non-chosen ones -- you'll get your hands on the preview shortly, and everyone will be able to install the update when it goes public on August 11.Update: We've edited this post to clarify that while the preview is technically live, its access is currently limited to press and a select few "MVPs." Those of you lowly commoners chosen for the preview should be granted access in the next several days.%Gallery-68139%
Xbox Live Dashboard update coming August 11th
Ladies and gentleman, you can now mark your calendars with a permanent pen, felt-tip marker, or even a paint brush. Microsoft's announced that the next Xbox Live Dashboard update is beaming to your console on August 11th. This one includes Games on Demand, user ratings for games, a number of Netflix additions, and the much-anticipated (maybe not) ability to spend actual money on clothing for your Avatar. What it doesn't have is Twitter, Last.fm, and Facebook support, but according to Microsoft, those are still coming sometime later this fall. You went ahead and signed up for the preview program, right?
Xbox Live update preview program now accepting applicants
Looking to be in the envy of all your friends Xbox 360 online friends? As they did once before with NXE, Microsoft is launching an update preview program for its upcoming Xbox Live dashboard enhancements, which for this round includes Games on Demand, Netflix movie parties, and user ratings -- better luck next time, Facebook aficionados. A Microsoft Connect account is required for registration, and lucky participants will be notified by July 31st. Hit up the read link to throw your hat (and gamertag) in the ring for a chance to be selected -- no promises you'll get in, but can't hurt to try, right?[Via Joystiq; thanks, Ken]
Xbox Live update detailed: Games on Demand, Netflix queue/Movie Party, and more
click for gallery of new Xbox dashboard features Microsoft just dropped some details on the upcoming Xbox Live Dashboard update which begins rolling out later this summer – first, and perhaps most notably, we'll hit what won't be in this update: Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm support, along with Zune video and 1080p Instant On video functionality. Those are coming in "future Xbox Live updates" Microsoft assures us. "Updates" plural, eh? So, what is included? The Games on Demand feature will be available in August, giving you access to digital downloads of full retail games. Check out our video of the feature here. Netflix is being updated in a big way, bringing Movie Parties (kick back in a virtual theater – think "Party System" for your Netflix movies) and the ability to manage your Netflix queue right from the Xbox. They're also touting an "Enhanced Playback Experience" which we presume uses the latest Silverlight "Smooth Streaming" technology (see the demo here).Also included: The Avatar Marketplace, so you can buy virtual crap for your Avatar; User ratings, so you can attach a star rating to "every game on the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace" (this thankfully includes Community ... err, Indie Games which have been sorely in need of community moderation!); and more. You can check out the full list after the break, or peruse the gallery of screens Microsoft just dropped on us.%Gallery-68139%
Xbox Live update details announced, includes Games on Demand support, Netflix Movie Parties, game ratings
Microsoft just announced the details of the next Xbox Live dashboard update, which should start rolling out in waves later this summer. Highlight features include support for Games on Demand (coming in August), a slew of Netflix updates including the ability to browse the library and manage your queue, the long-awaited Movie Party system that allows Gold members to share a flick in a virtual theater, and a ton of other little tweaks like user ratings, avatar enhancements, friends list sorting, and a streamlined Party invite system. Yeah, we think we'll take it. Full release after the break.
Possible pictures of new NXE features emerge
GameCinema HD is hosting some images of what could be some of the new Xbox 360 features announced at E3. In the screen above, you can see sections for both the Avatar Marketplace as well as a space for Avatar Awards. Other shots show off these areas themselves, though they are understandably empty right now. The screens also include new Xbox Live Marketplace entries for Games on Demand and Indie Games (no shots of the inside of either of these areas, unfortunately).We find it a bit strange that someone willing to leak images of the new features would fail to edit out their own gamertag, though -- you'll notice it's in the upper left corner, clear as crystal. A quick check reveals that there is no Hobbtao gamertag listed on Xbox Live, which could mean a couple of things. One, these images are from an Xbox 360 dev kit, meaning Mr. Hobbtao is probably in violation of a Microsoft NDA. Two, the images are fakes.Regardless, we're talking about menus here, which aren't nearly as exciting as what they contain.[Via VG247]
Mass Effect pops up early on XBL Games on Demand service
It appears as though Microsoft's plans for an August launch of its Games on Demand service is popping up a bit early. Why just this morning, we spotted a listing for the already confirmed Mass Effect (sporting its snazzy new Platinum Hits packaging) in our Xbox.com Marketplace RSS feed. Unsurprisingly, the listing has been removed from the website itself, though RSS feeds won't allow for editing after something has been published.As 360sync.com rightfully points out, game manuals will be provided virtually through the Xbox.com Marketplace website according to the listing, so you've got that going for ya (which is nice). We're not sure when these puppies are showin' up on XBL for sure, but from the looks of things, we'd say sooner rather than later. For a video tour of the upcoming Games on Demand service, hit the break.[Via 360sync]
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Xbox 360's Games on Demand service gets demoed on video
Without a doubt, Microsoft's Xbox 360 Games on Demand unveil at E3 gave gamers plenty of reason to celebrate. Just think -- no more camping out for midnight launches; you just fire up your console, make sure you've paid your internet bill and get to downloading. For those who just can't wait to see what said experience will actually look like on Redmond's console, the video just past the break does a commendable job of explaining. It looks as if the system logs your credit card information in order to make game purchases as easy as a few button presses, and games that are already on your HDD can be played while another downloads. It's good stuff, we promise.
Video: Xbox 360 Games on Demand service
Curious how the Xbox 360's recently announced "Games on Demand" service is going to look in your Dashboard? Microsoft made this helpful video, walking you through the entire process. First off: Buying Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, for $19.99 (note: no Microsoft Points here, folks). Next: Booting up the already purchased BioShock. Simple as pie, no disc needed. And the cherry on top: Quick Launching Mass Effect from inside BioShock. Looks like a great feature ... ... now, let's talk about those hard drive prices.
Full Xbox 360 game downloads arriving in August
Beginning in August, Xbox Live users will be able to download full Xbox 360 games to their consoles via the service. Microsoft made the announcement during a luncheon following its pre-E3 press conference. Similar to XBLA titles, new releases will be made available weekly for a price comparable to what the boxed version is selling for at retail. Once the service -- which is integrated into the Games Marketplace -- launches, 360 game download purchases can be made using Microsoft Points or using a credit card. Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed and Civilization Revolution were used as examples of titles that will be available via the service. The possibility to downloading games on a rental basis was brought up but not confirmed, with MS stating that it is always looking to evolve its services.
Xbox 360 getting full retail games delivered on demand
Microsoft's E3 keynote was so jam-packed the company decided to wait until afterwards to announce what might be the biggest new feature of them all: on-demand access to full retail games. The service will launch in August with 30 titles to start, and new games will be added weekly, with pricing to match retail. The best part? Purchases can be made directly with a credit card, no pesky Xbox points required. More pics of the system after the break.Update: Don't get your hopes up, MS tells us that the point system isn't going anywhere, it's just being supplemented with credit card purchases. Also, game rentals aren't happening yet, but they said it "sounds great for the future."
A not-so-niche market?
How much do you have to spend a month on your games? There are doubtless those of you that run several at once, but here at Massively we've just had a straw poll and most people run 2 or 3 games actively. World of Warcraft appeared on more than half of the lists - but perhaps surprisingly nowhere close to all of them.Acclaim is building their appeal on the basis that everyone will have one game they're relatively faithful too (call it WoW for the sake of argument, they do!) and a number of other games that they will dip into. If you set up a system where you can choose from a multitude of games and pay a small fee for playing it now then you can make a living from this. Five million people paying 1c each day on average, is still $50,000 a day after all. There are other things this philosophy leads them to.
GASP: Phantom console fails to materialize
As tempting as it was to conjure up a "Phantom console CANCELLED" headline, the realization quickly set in that such a sensational piece of text simply wouldn't make any sense. How do you cancel something that never even existed to begin with? Zing, etc. It would appear that Phantom Entertainment has revamped their ball of lies website, quietly ushering in the demise of an imagined console and the arrival of an allusion to some sort of broadband game service. Said service is described as "the first end-to-end, on-demand game service delivering online games directly to your living room or any comfortable setting in your home or workplace." Fascinating, but since "the Company intends to modify the Phantom Game Service software to run as client software on personal computers operating Windows XP and Windows XP Media center operating systems," games will only be going to your living room should that be the location of your computer. First indeed.Further comedic value can be found in the "Who We Are" section, which duly describes the company as "an industry-leading, global entertainment and interactive game company." To be fair, it's probably the most truthful statement to be found on the entire website, as Phantom Entertainment is undoubtedly the leader of at least one industry and is frequently a provider of entertainment. Well, that and $129.95 Lapboards which, with the original console canned, barely have a reason to exist.[Thanks, delerious.]
