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Chris Cashman speaks on the end of 1 vs. 100
Inimitable host of the now-canceled Xbox Live gameshow 1 vs. 100 Chris Cashman recently spoke to Giant Bomb about his feelings on the show being disbanded, even going so far as to create a goodbye video. He called the situation a "bummer," adding, "It wasn't that long ago that I was blown away by having colored rubber bands on my braces, so getting to host the first live videogame ever is pretty much tops." And though he says he's "sure they are plotting something rad," Cashman, sadly, doesn't have any idea what the future of Xbox Live's Primetime channel will hold for gameshows like 1 vs. 100. We've dropped his goodbye video just after the break. Feel free to pour one out for 1 vs. 100 with us while watching.
Microsoft 'actively working to improve' 1 vs. 100 prizing process
With the conclusion of another 1 vs. 100 season on Xbox Live, it appears Microsoft still has some kinks to work out of its grand (and fun) online game show experiment. After receiving several tips and reviewing forums, it was made clear that some players were having problems obtaining their awards. Joystiq followed up with Microsoft and was told, "We are aware that some people have experienced delays in receiving 1 vs. 100 prizes. We apologize for the delay and are actively working to improve the prize fulfillment process. We encourage Xbox LIVE members to ensure all of their account personal information is up to date so Microsoft can determine prizing eligibility. If you have any further questions, please contact your local customer support." A major issue with the 1 vs. 100 prizing seems to be the number of minor details of which players may be unaware. For starters, prize winners should wait up to six weeks before hitting the panic button. There's also the issue of location: Remember that residents of Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Vermont, and Quebec can't receive prizes (and shouldn't even participate in the live shows). Prize winners (actually, all Xbox Live users) should also make sure their email and contact information is current. It also helps to review the game's Mini FAQ. Before the next season of 1 vs. 100 starts we'll follow up with Microsoft to see what improvements it has made to the process. Just letting players know if they are even eligible for prizes -- before starting them off in their first 1 vs. 100 Live show of the season -- would likely alleviate several issues.
XBL Silver members: Play 1 vs 100 this weekend!
Here's how it works: Xbox Live Primetime's initial offering, 1 vs 100, will be free to Xbox Live Gold members (translation: the ones who lay down $50 a year for the service). We're still not sure how (or if!) free-but-limited Xbox Live Silver members will be able to play the title short of upgrading to Gold. Sure, we caught an errant "Buy Season Pass" option in the menus, so that could be one option. Also: how about free-to-play weekends? Microsoft let us know that this weekend – from Friday June 26 (that's today!) to Sunday June 28 – Silver members "can enjoy the 1 vs 100 premium entertainment experience reserved exclusively for Gold members" for a limited time only. We're going to assume that most of you on Xbox Live are Gold members so consider this an opportunity to get some gaming in with those Silver members taking up space in your friend's list. Not a Gold member? Give 1 vs 100 a shot and see if it's an effective gateway drug.
Mysterious 'Season Pass' surfaces in 1 vs. 100
We all know 1 vs. 100 is supposed to be free to Xbox Live Gold subscribers, but while cruising around the game's menus last night, one of our more observant readers spotted something out of whack. As you can see in the images he snapped in our gallery below, an odd "Season Pass" option popped up in one of the game's menus. When trying to download it, the content was oddly labeled as "1 vs. 100 Show GB," and even though our tipster could get through the download process, doing so yielded no viable results, as the content would only give an error message. But, what puzzles us more is thig "GB" business. What could it stand for? True, the seasonal approach is something we knew about 1 vs. 100 already, but it's supposed to be free. Could Microsoft be looking to monetize the upcoming Primetime Channel game a bit more? We heard the company likes money, but we put in word for clarification just in case. We'll get back to you when we get a response. [Thanks, Josh!] %Gallery-66000%
1 vs 100 beta hops the border June 1, coming to America
For those of you with stockpiles of canned goods and automatic weapons in an underground bunker, patiently waiting for a) the zombie apocalypse or b) a Canadian invasion we have goo ... well, we have news. You can prepare for both occurrences on your Xbox 360 by alternating between Left 4 Dead and the 1 vs 100 beta!Wait, let us explain ... You see, the 1 vs 100 beta has heretofore been limited to The Great Nation of Canada but, beginning June 1st (read: the day of Microsoft's press conference next Monday!), that beta will be expanded to include the US as well. You see where we're going with this: While we can't guarantee you'll be matching wits with Canadians every game, we think you'll agree that the mere potential of a mental mano-a-mano (-a-mano-a-mano-a ...) with real live Canadians presents a thrill you probably haven't experienced since firing that first round into a cardboard cutout of zombie Celine Dion.
1 vs 100 to feature seasonal Achievements
1 vs 100 just became You vs Your Gamerscore, as the upcoming game will feature Achievements, Kotaku reports. The game will run in 13-week seasons, with each season allotting 200 Gamerscore in Achievements to gamers that earn them. When a new season starts, new Achievements will be available, adding incentive for players to keep coming back.This news will surely excite Achievement junkies, since the game will most likely be free to them anyway. If they're a Gold subscriber, that is. %Gallery-51712%Essential reading: Joystiq hands-on: 1 vs 100 (Xbox Live Primetime)
Joystiq hands-on: 1 vs. 100 (Xbox Live Primetime)
Originally announced during E3 2008, the Xbox Live Primetime channel and its flagship "program," 1 vs. 100 are finally close to going, well ... live. We recently participated in a 1 vs. 100 Live episode, competing against players locally in San Francisco, as well as Los Angeles and Redmond, Washington. While we found the core of the game very similar to other video game "gameshows" (Buzz! Quiz TV for PS3 comes to mind), the live presentation -- including the opportunity to win Microsoft Points and XBLA games -- is undeniably engaging and ambitious.Read on after the break to hear about our experience and to find out what to expect from the first "season" of the game that may very well eat your social life.%Gallery-51712%
1 vs. 100 will be free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers
Are you disappointed by the lack of perks associated with Xbox Live's "Gold member" status? We expect most membership tiers named after Au-some precious metals to include special jackets, or possibly unrestricted access to some sort of highly exclusive drinking establishment where people much cooler than us hang out. Instead, we get unrestricted access to bold new pejorative descriptors for a number of Earth's demographics.However, Xbox Live Gold subscribers will be getting more bonuses than just hate speech when the service's first Primetime title launches this spring. Yes, according to the game's official page on Xbox.com, 1 vs. 100 is going to be free for all Gold members. This is great news, as we probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise. No Saget, no sale.
New 1 vs. 100 Primetime trailer emerges (sans Saget)
Microsoft has released a new trailer for its first Xbox Live Primetime offering, 1 vs 100. For those that need a refresher on Primetime, it's essentially a scheduled Xbox Live gameshow in which players compete for real prizes. In the case of 1 vs 100, the roles of the host, contestant, mob and even the audience are filled by actual people.It's a really intriguing idea, but there's just one flaw: No Bob Saget. The Avatar hosting the game doesn't even look like Bob Saget. Still, it's hard to argue with winning fabulous prizes right from your couch, possibly in your underwear. Let's just hope the Vision camera isn't supported.
Honda sponsors launch of Xbox Live Primetime
Honda is hoping that the chance to win a Honda Insight will be motivation enough to get some folks into Microsoft's Xbox Live Primetime channel, set to launch on May 15. The Japanese giant will be sponsoring the release of the Xbox 360's new online space through a "Play & Win" campaign, forcing participants stuck in queue in the waiting room to watch ads for the car before being thrust into an open game. In the end, the overall winner of "Play & Win" will be gifted a 2010 Honda Insight, allowing them to drive around and quietly judge everyone else that isn't a hybrid owner.Source - AdAge (subscription required) [Via Autobloggreen]
Xbox Live Primetime coming springtime
With arms raised, Xbox head Robbie Bach declared during Microsoft's CES keynote address, "This Spring we'll launch the Primetime channel on Xbox!" While the announcement didn't exactly elicit an ovation from the crowd, it does put a relative timestamp on the arrival of another, delayed piece of the NXE puzzle (we're still waiting on word about movie sharing). The Primetime channel's complete lineup remains a vague concept of "scheduled social events," but we do have 1 vs. 100 -- and its limitless chest of real prizes -- to look forward to.The game-show-turned-game-show was briefly demoed during the keynote, ostensibly confirming 102-player support (The One versus the 100-count Mob -- plus one host). Players will be represented by their Avatars and will answer questions "about really, really recent pop-culture," according to Engadget. The demonstration asked: "In 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' who plays a character that ages in reverse?" Three potential answers were offered. Clock's ticking!
Xbox Live Primetime won't make NXE launch
Trivia junkies will have a bit longer to get their buzzer fingers in shape (at least one part of you will be!) as Microsoft has revealed that Xbox Live Primetime won't be making it in time for the New Xbox Experience launch next month. According to Forbes, Microsoft says it needs the extra time to "ensure a smooth launch of the system's new user interface." Primetime won't be happening until springtime.Poor NXE. First Primetime gets limited to four regions at launch, then we hear movie sharing won't make the date and now Primetime will be altogether absent. By the time Nov. 19 rolls around, is the New Xbox Experience just going to be a bunch of stickmen avatars wandering around an empty gray box? We certainly hope not.[Via MCV]
Xbox Live Primetime limited to four regions at launch
Thanks to our friends at Button Bandits for noticing that the Xbox Live Primetime game show channel (revealed earlier today at Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference) will be launching only in North America, France, Germany and the U.K., according to a press release. The limited rollout could be due to licensing restrictions for Endermol's game shows, or it could be to simply try the service out in a limited release before kicking it to the larger world.
1 vs. 100 game show coming to Xbox Live Primetime
The recently rumored game show channel for Xbox Live was officially announced at this morning's Microsoft press conference in the form of "Xbox Live Primetime." TV producer Endemol has teamed up with Microsoft to produce the new massively-multiplayer game show channel, which will include a version of the semi-popular NBC show 1 vs. 100, complete with real prizes (no word on whether host Bob Saget is involved). Primetime is part of Microsoft's new "Live Party" community channel, which includes the long-rumored Avatars. No word on what, if any, other game shows will be coming to Primetime, but we're hoping for a version of Ninja Warrior that involves rampant button mashing.
Install your Xbox 360 games to the hard drive, access XBLM on the web
Major Nelson just updated and offered a bit more detail about the upcoming Dashboard update for Xbox 360. Some of the cooler things: Play from hard drive. You'll be able to copy game discs to your Xbox 360 hard drive. Installing the games will prevent wear 'n tear on the disc drive, and will shorten load times. You will still need the disc in the disc tray to prove you own the game. Hopefully, installing things on the Xbox 360 will come with sage advice, a la Metal Gear Solid 4. Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. If you're not near your Xbox 360, you can still use this "Internet" thing to browse and purchase things from the Marketplace. Once you purchase something from Xbox.com, it will download automatically to your console while you're away. Xbox LIVE Primetime. This is a "whole new category of games" that not only supports Achievements and leaderboards, but will also offer real prizes. Games are played throughout the Xbox LIVE network and each game is "broadcast simultaneously" so that everyone is partaking in the same activity. These events can feature live hosts, "calling the shots as they happen." [Thanks, Glitch W.!]
