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A more intimate look at the Nintendo Spot service
Click to enter gallery Remember that story we ran about McDonald's recently? No, not the one about no more free Wi-Fi, the other story. The one about the download service in Japan. Got it? Good.Well, Inside Games recently checked out the service and did a nice little write-up. Of course, some of you knew what the service looks like because you checked out our gallery of screens (below, if you're late to the party), but if you're looking for some additional screens depicting the service at work, hit up Inside Games.%Gallery-23702%
Hurry! McDonalds sponsored Rock Band DLC all available for cheap
Last month, McDonalds sponsored a list of eight Rock Band DLC tracks where, every week, they made three musical tracks available for half price. Thanks for that McDonalds, your Big Macs are delicious! But that month long promotion ran only during May and has since ended ... or so we thought.We have just been informed and confirmed that all eight McDonalds sponsored Rock Band DLC tracks are currently available on the XBLM for 80 Microsoft points! We aren't sure when the pricing will get jacked back up to 160, so be sure to grab musical DLC like "Crushcrushcrush", "Rock 'n Roll Band" and "Sugar Magnolia" as soon as you can. Hit the break to view the list of discounted Rock Band DLC that's available right now and, if you're looking for more 80 MS point music, don't forget about the recently released Disturbed tracks. They're good times too.[Thanks, StLouisRibs7734]
Free DS Wi-Fi no more at McDonald's
Hey, remember when McDonald's and Nintendo teamed up to offer free Wi-Fi access for Nintendo DS players? No? Really? We thought it was kinda cool. Anyway, they're not doing it anymore, so just forget it.The contract between Nintendo and Wayport -- the internet provider for McDonald's in North America -- actually came to an end late last year, though the termination of the agreement wasn't made well known. Well, now you know. DS-playing Mickey D's lovers can still get their fast food game on using a laptop and Nintendo's Wi-Fi dongle. Or, you know, not.[Via DS Fanboy]
McDonald's no longer offering free WiFi to DS users
It's a crying shame (okay, not really), but the long-standing availability of free WiFi to Nintendo DS users in Mickey D's is now over. Apparently the contract that enabled the access has expired, and there's no signs of a renewal happening in the US or Canada. Of course, if you're incredibly desperate to kick some tires online while treating yourself to a supersize medium order of fries and a vanilla cone, you can fetch the Nintendo DS web browser add-on or WiFi USB Connector from the second-hand market and carry on. We, however, see this as a perfect excuse to avoid the temptations that lurk underneath the Golden Arches.[Via DS Fanboy]
Free Wi-Fi for DS no more at North American McDonald's now
Personally, we can't remember the last time we were in a McDonald's, so this news comes as, uh, well ... news to us. You see, the partnership between McDonald's and Wayport actually expired back in November of last year. Canadians are also up the same creek without a paddle, as the deal with Fatport also expired. This is not to say you can't still get online at McDonald's, it'll just take a bit more for you to get online with your DS. Apparently, using the DS Opera Browser or a wi-fi dongle with a laptop will still allow you to get your DS online. But, as one might imagine, these alternatives aren't the best. Unless you go with the second choice, you won't even be able to enjoy a game online. Oh well, if it forces you to get wireless internet in your home, it can't be all that bad of a thing, right?
Nintendo brings DS wireless service to Japanese McDonald's
Stateside DS gamers can already get online using free WiFi at McDonald's, but now Nintendo's bringing a slightly different version of the service to Japanese McD's: customers can log in to get menu information and download free game demos. The service is being rolled out at 21 Tokyo-area restaurants with an assist from NTT, which also provides DS wireless service at Japanese train stations, so things should get lit up fairly smoothly. You'd better hurry if you want to join in on the fun, though: the test program ends on December 28th.
The DS: McDonalds is lovin' it
Fast food chain McDonalds is to launch a new download service in Japan tomorrow, through DS download stations located in 21 Tokyo branches of McDonalds and train stations along the Tsukuba Express line.The scheme, dubbed "Nintendo Spot," is currently in a trial period, and will give DS owners access to free downloads featuring the latest "McDonalds news" (this just in: you need to learn to cook for yourself), nutritional information, and menus, as well as actual news, weather reports, horoscopes, a Brain Training demo, and hotel/restaurant guides for Tokyo (though we assume that guides to rival restaurants won't appear in McDonalds). The trial ends on June 30th in McDonalds, and on December 28th at the railway stations.Incidentally, our machine translation is picking up something about a "downloadable gift" related to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Here's hoping the service heads west so we can find out more. While you wait with us, make the jump for a look at Ronald McDonald's offspring as perceived through the eyes of Japanese advertising executives (warning: slightly NSFW).%Gallery-23702%
Select Rock Band tracks on the cheap
Harmonix and McDonald's have teamed up to slash prices on select Rock Band downloads on the Xbox Live Marketplace. According to Major Nelson, beginning today two existing tracks for Rock Band will be offered at a discounted rate of 80 MS Points each. Each week two new tracks will be discounted while the previous week's sale ends.Looking for some new tracks to freshen your Rock Band experience? This sale could help build your set-list, while staying light on the wallet! The sale is scheduled to end on June 7. Jump into this story to see the list of sale items as part of this promotion.[Thanks, StLouisRibs7734]
See Ronald McDonald teach DDR
We've never really been what you could describe as Dance Dance Revolution experts. We've always believed it was because years of the sedentary blogging life have lead to thick, unwieldy bodies that could sooner emit diabetes-curing indigo light from their fingertips than complete 15 seconds of physical exertion. Now though ... now we're starting to think its because we never had Ronald McDonald to show us the way.Watch the odd video above and see if you don't end up feeling the same way, just don't blame us if you have to trade your sanity away in the process.
UK McDonald's chief blames game industry for obesity
We're used to scientists, the government and even beverage companies taking the game industry to task for contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic. But now there's a new, even more unlikely source using gaming as an obesity scapegoat -- McDonald's.Talking to the London Times, McDonald's UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said games are part of a "lifestyle element" that has led to a rise in childhood obesity. "There's fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they'd have been burning off energy outside," he said.To be fair, Easterbrook didn't lay the blame completely at gaming's feet. "The issue of obesity is complex," he said, while also acknowledging that the government, the food industry, and good old personal responsibility have their part to play in solving the problem. Still, any organization that serves a "deluxe breakfast" with 59 grams of fat should be very careful when shifting the blame.
Burgercon offers second helping of Austin Powers
Nope, you aren't losing your mind, Burgercon did give out a free movie rental a few weeks back and now they're doing it again. McDonalds' Burgercon is offering up a second helping of free Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery movie rental excitement off the XBLM. Starting today and running through July 19th, US Xbox Live members can download Austin Powers off the Marketplace for free. But for some reason we feel like we owe McDonalds something for our free movie and feel guilty for not upgrading our number one Big Mac value meal to a large. Guess we're eating our guilt away tonight.[Thanks, djphatjive]
Homer says burgers are good for Play and Win
The Simpsons + yellow Xbox 360 = greatest Play and Win prize ever! Over on Xbox.com they've posted details about two new Play and Win events going down in July involving The Simpsons Movie and McDonalds' Burgercon. First up is the Burgercon Play and Win event which supposedly kicks off today through July 5th although we don't see any way to sign up. What we do know is that you'll have to play Forza 2 and they'll be giving away Microsoft points and 360 HD DVD players. Not too shabby, but not nearly as exciting as The Simpsons Movie Play and Win. This promotion runs from July 2nd through July 17th where you can win the sexy yellow Simpsons Xbox 360 featured to the right. They are giving away five of these yellow wonders and all you have to do to enter is play Cloning Clyde during the promo period for an entry each day. What's also nice about The Simpsons Play and Win is that you can actually sign up right now. How convenient.Two Play and Win promotions, one involving a yellow 360 and one we can't sign up for yet. No matter, it's fun and it's free, so go play already and win!Read - McDonalds Burgercon Play and WinRead - The Simpsons Movie Play and Win
Austin Powers available free on Xbox Live
Beginning yesterday, Xbox Live users could download a free copy of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, which should come as a welcome relief to those of you just coming out of a cryogenic sleep, those who've been without TBS for the past decade or those who just like to get free stuff. The download is apparently sponsored by McDonald's and their "BurgerCon" area of Xbox Live. However, there's no forced McDonald's advertising on the download, which you can find on Marketplace, just a trailer for Rush Hour 3. Oh, and Dr. Evil's head has been digitally replaced by a Southern Style Chicken Sandwich. You'll be able to get the free download until June 28 and once more from July 13-19. In another innovative marketing ploy, New Line is offering $20 and a "World's Greatest Foot Massage" coupon to Xbox Live members who download and watch Codename: The Cleaner as part of their new "We're So Terribly Sorry" campaign.[Via GameSpot]
Burgercon offers free Austin Powers movie rental
Burgercon, McDonald's latest marketing campaign aimed at trying to get you to eat their Big Macs, is offering a free movie rental for Xbox Live members in the United States. Make your way to the Video Marketplace and rent Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery for free! All thanks to the kind folks over at McDonalds ... Burgercon rocks! Also, if after watching the original Austin Powers and you have a jonesing for more Mike Meyers, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is available for rental, but for 240 Microsoft points.It's also worth mentioning that we ran into some technical difficulties trying to download the movie from the Xbox Live Burgercon ads. But there's an easy workaround. Simply make your way to the "all movies" list on the Marketplace and you'll find Austin Powers listed. Try downloading it from there, it worked for us.
McDonald's MP3 players ship with trojan horse
What do tubby teens, MP3 players, and grandma's scalded taint all have in common? That's right, the absolute attention of McDonald's legal. See, McDonald's and Coca-Cola recently teamed up in Japan to give away 10,000 self-branded MP3 players pre-loaded with 10 spankin' new tunes and... some delicious malware. It seems that a "portion" of the players sport a variant of the QQPass family of trojan horses which capture passwords and other personal information when the MP3 player is plugged into the users' PC. The code then proceeds to email the details to the author. McDonald's has setup a 24 hour hotline while they are investigating the matter and will swap out all the offending players. Good times. [Via Impress]
Happy happy old Japanese McDonald's ads
I'd like to end your evening with absolutely terrifying footage from GameVideos. These McDonald's ads from the PS1 era feature your favorite Ape Escape and PaRappa characters, dancing and singing. AND EVERYTHING IS SO HAPPY!!! Maybe Sony isn't as "t3h m4tur3!!!1" as we thought it was.
McDonalds brings "m-Venue" user-selected media to face stuffers
Today's discerning consumer can no longer be satisfied by a mere peel-and-win game on their box of fries, now it takes 10 flat-screen TVs and a sound system to keep those burger lovers coming back. McDonalds has started to roll out a new m-Venue system to franchisees, which provides music and videos to customers via text-messaging and WiFi. Users can select the video content they'd like burned into their retina by the in-store big screens via text message while they chow down on fries, and can purchase ringtones, video, wallpaper and games for download as well. This new effort definitely isn't the first attempt at getting customers into McDonalds for more than the meals, but positive reaction at pilot stores might mean this idea is a bit less ill-fated. [Via The Wireless Report]
McDonald's to host game tournaments in Dallas/Ft. Worth
McDonald's -- in what must have been pitched in a meeting full of McSynergy -- is sponsoring a series of "midnight" gaming tournaments in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. McDonald's has recently tried to attract gamers through DS Wi-Fi, Happy-Meal giveaways, and an ad campaign that looked a little too familiar to some. Of all of these things, we give McDonalds the most credit for hosting these game nights, speaking to gamers directly through controllers.Players can register online now to play each Saturday night in Tekken 5, Guitar Hero, and NCAA Football '07. The weekly tournament begins tomorrow and runs through mid-November, with single-elimination play between 9:00PM and 4:00AM. Weekly winners will net McPrizes totaling a few hundred dollars, including Best Buy and McDonald's gift certificates. They will also compete in the November 18 championship, where three players will win a thousand-dollar Best Buy gift certificate, Xbox 360, and more.Dallas and Ft. Worth gamers, represent Joystiq, and tell us how it goes. Just consider bringing gloves and/or bleach; those guitar controllers are going to be pretty McGreasy by the end.[Via: Adrants]
McDonald's Japan provides cellphone-readable "nutrition" information
QR codes may be slow to catch on here in North America but they are, like so much other cellphone-based goodness, big in Japan. The latest to get in on the action is none other than McDonald's, which is now printing the newfangled barcode patterns on all its food packaging so you'll know exactly what you're eating (if you want to know, that is). To read the info, you simply scan the QR code with your cellphone camera, which should automagically recognize it and direct you to a mobile website with the lowdown on the contents of your McFood, including any potential allergy warnings. For the two people in Japan that don't have a camera-equipped cellphone, McDonald's is also printing conveniently short URLs for the corresponding mobile website. Of course, all this info only is really more of a curiosity, since you've likely already bought the food by the time you're snapping pics of it with your cameraphone.
McDonald's in serious games hoax
"Today I'm going to tell you the story of a game so serious that it changed the direction of a company."Grave words indeed, delivered at the International Serious Games Event on Monday. However, as Water Cooler Games explores, the delightful speech about games causing environmental change was, in fact, a set-up.Related to the anti-McDonald's game we reported on back in February, the hoax presentation is a subtle and brave attempt at needling a large corporation, although others at the Serious Games Event may disagree with the choice of platform. Regardless of its (lack of) authenticity, the closing remark from the speech is a noble sentiment: serious software can change the world.[Via Wonderland]
