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Xbox News is a site that brings you the very latest Original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One news, the latest games and releases, Part of the
DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network.
THE LATEST NEWS BELOW
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April 26th, 2005, 11:58 Posted By: wraggster
A new version of FBAxxx which is a port of FBA to the Xbox has been released.
Heres whats new:
* fixed slammaster and s1945p/pn (thx to +T+)
* fixed muscle bomber duo
* added kof10th driver by manto + alternate moves (thx ferchogtx)
* readded cthd2k3n driver
* fixed power spikes 2
* fixed soccer brawl
* removed frameskip option
* removed flash support
* added Low resolution filter (in software filter)
* added credits
* changed the way controls are configured
* removed dat generation in the beginning and moved it to main menu (forced generation when asked)
* fixed bakraider sound
* fixed rastan
* fixed psikyo sound + crash in striker 1945
* releases will now be on xbe directly, after all, it doesnt make difference for authors
* I'll include a default skin with the release (but try to grab skins.rar on the forum to enjoy a little more)
More info on this emu <a href="http://xbox-emulation.dcemu.co.uk/fbaxxx.shtml" target="_blank" >Here</a>
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April 25th, 2005, 21:30 Posted By: wraggster
A new image purporting to be the Xbox 360 console has been "leaked" onto the Internet, and is being widely reported as the final design for the hardware, which is due to be revealed in an MTV special in under three weeks time.
The new picture shows a small platinum/silver unit with a concave design, which appears to be designed to either sit flat or stand like a miniature tower unit - all of which ties in with the information from a British source who has seen the new console which we published two weeks ago.
Crucially, the design also fits perfectly with a zoomed-in teaser image of the console released on viral marketing "game" site OurColony, and the features on the case certainly seem to fit with other reports about the Xbox 360's functionality.
Interestingly, no controller ports are visible on the front of the system - the console supports wireless controllers out of the box, while USB connections for wired controllers are apparently concealed behind a small panel on the right hand side of the fascia.
Two slots for memory units appear on the front panel, while a "hood" supposedly concealing the location of the removable hard drive module is to be found on the left hand end of the console (the top of the unit if stood upright).
The size of the unit can be divined by looking at the DVD tray, which occupies almost half of the length of the console - suggesting a device far smaller and sleeker than the current Xbox console.
It's not clear where the "leak" came from, assuming of course that it is a leak at all and not simply a very clever mock-up; however, the original image which appeared online was in CMYK colour format, which is generally used in images destined for professional printing systems.
As might be expected, Microsoft's reaction to the image has been to issue their standard response: "Microsoft don't comment on rumours and speculation."
The firm plans to unveil the Xbox 360 (even the name of which remains unconfirmed, officially) in an MTV special to be broadcast in North America on May 12th, followed by international broadcasts on May 13th.
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April 24th, 2005, 23:12 Posted By: untold
I got back from church this morning and a friend emailed me a page in pdf containing this pic of the XBOX360.
I had to take a screen shot of the page showing this pic in the pdf document, and crop it, so as to remain anonymous as possible.
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April 23rd, 2005, 09:21 Posted By: wraggster
As, without a doubt, the most talked about thing in gaming right now, Xbox 360's steamroller campaign has been given an extra boost this morning thanks to a multitude of revelations in the world of Xbox.
First came leaked photographs of the Xbox 360 dev kit, Xenon, apparently first sent to a French Xbox website by an internal developer working with the hardware.
As you can tell by the pictures on the right, it's basically an Apple G5, as pointed out by numerous sources in the past.
More interesting than this, though, was a vague, arty photo of a chrome variant (the actual Xbox 360 hardware is 'Apple' white) of the Xbox 360 hardware, released from Ourcolony.net as yet another reward to its members for successfully completing another mind-numbing task.
This ambiguous image, also shown on the right of this very page, has set the internet on fire. Rumour and speculation from fansites is rife as they make assumptions about the machine based on its vague appearance in the photo.
Lastly, MTV has released an arty advert building up to its exclusive unveiling of Xbox 360.
"A momentous event is coming to MTV," the advert's narration begins. "An unveiling - a revelation that will change entertainment forever," it continues, before reaffirming the 12 May airing of the event.
No actual hardware is shown in the video, it's just lots of shots of people looking to the sky in amazement as lots of Xbox green floats about above them. It's kind of like that bit in Ghostbusters where Walter Peck shuts down the containment unit, releasing streams of spirits back into the world...
The advert finishes in a collection of green circles, further confirming that the name of Microsoft's next machine is indeed Xbox 360.
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April 23rd, 2005, 09:15 Posted By: wraggster
A British Microsoft source has claimed that Half-Life 2 on Xbox is now likely to ship in September in Europe, quashing rumours that the port is to grace Microsoft's next generation console as a launch title later this year.
Valve's Doug Lombardi added credence to the news this morning, but fell short of specifying a release date.
"We plan to finish development of Half-Life 2 Xbox in late summer and have it available everywhere very shortly thereafter," he told Eurogamer. "No specific date to share just yet." US reports are suggesting that the game is to be finished in August.
Lombardi added, "Aftermath is currently planned as a PC release," when asked whether or not the newly announced add-on would be included in the console package. That'll be a "no", then.
Microsoft and Vivendi both declined to comment on the release date of Half-Life 2's Xbox version yesterday. The content of the game for Xbox is now thought to be exactly the same as the PC outing, although some dilution of texture detail and auto-aiming are likely to grace the port.
Sequel to the 1998 classic, sci-fi FPS Half-Life 2 wowed the PC community last year with its excellence across the board and showed a glimpse of things to come to the retail world by successfully rolling out through Steam, Valve's online distribution system, before it even hit stores.
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April 21st, 2005, 20:39 Posted By: wraggster
At least two Japanese publishers are already making games for the next-generation Xbox, says Famitsu. Both Sega and From Software are currently developing multiple games for the console. No details on any of the games were revealed.
From Software president Naotoshi Jin revealed in an interview that at least one of his company's games in development is slated to be a next-gen Xbox launch title.
When asked what genres will be represented in the From Software next-gen Xbox software library, Jin said given that his company is known for its mech games (including 2003's Murakumo: Renegade Mech Pursuit), the company "could not leave these out of the lineup."
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April 21st, 2005, 20:34 Posted By: wraggster
Of course, as usual we can’t speak to the validity of the photos in question (we wouldn’t be doing our job if weren’t at least a little skeptical), but it sort of makes sense for them to be using a Mac G5 as an alpha for the Xbox 360/Xbox 2’s dev environment kit, as the console is supposed to be running a tri-core version of IBM’s PowerPC processor. The G5 in question is also supposedly equipped with that ATI R420-based adapter and a paltry 512MB of RAM. It also makes sense that the stickers refer to it as the “Xenon”, since Xenon has been confirmed as the console’s codename. Real or not, some stickers slapped on a G5 is still not nearly as impressive as that Sony PSP dev system we saw before.
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April 20th, 2005, 19:07 Posted By: wraggster
News From <a href="http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3621&&lsaid=219793" target="_blank" >Lik Sang</a>
<BLOCKQUOTE>It's soon that time of the year again... E3 Expo is just a month away from us and you can already see the whole industry warming up for the largest video game convention on earth (the Tokyo Game Show people will beg to differ but hell we'll state the same about them in September anyway, to make sure all parties are happy). Xbox 360 on MTV, PlayStation 3 live on the 18th, Nintendo Revolution this, next Gameboy that, it's going to be memorable year, for an industry at crossroads once again. Back to real life, not all of us have entrance tickets and flight arrangements, and even those who do are not guaranteed full access behind the VIP curtains for special interviews and personalized presentations of megahits to come. Not to mention those nextgen systems being shown only at special press conferences with strict screening process at entrance. So, if you want to see the whole thing as an insider, from the first day till the last, game by game, A to Z, frontline and backstage, there is only one way for this: NextGenVideos' E3 ACCESS.
For the fifth year in a row, Lik Sang is teaming up with these fine people to deliver to hardcore gamers worldwide this high-quality 4-DVD-Set boasting over 13 hours of exclusive content. IGN GameSpy are also co-sponsor of this baby, while it is granted official support by the ESA, the organization behind this whole E3 event. Preorders are now taken for US$ 19.99 only, delivery date being expected to be some time in June or at the latest in the first week of July, after long post-editting sessions and mass-production of the DVD sets have taken place. As with past editions of the DVD, this year's effort will be REGION FREE.!</BLOCKQUOTE>
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April 20th, 2005, 19:02 Posted By: wraggster
News From <a href="http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3620&&lsaid=219793" target="_blank" >Lik Sang</a>
<BLOCKQUOTE>Last September we received, to much delight and 'testing' I might add, NubyTech's Street Fighter 15th Anniversary controllers for the PlayStation 2. Four different versions, for Ryu, Ken, Akuma and Chun-Li featured unique colors fitting with the characters of choice, and a lenticular N-Imation hologram sat in the center of the pad. Depending on which angle you looked at it, you'd see three different poses of their signature move.
Long-time SF loyalists raved over the attention to detail and build quality, praising a pad designed purely for 2D fighters. The 3D analogue stick for example was replaced with a good old digital paddle, which any pro will testify is the only way to play. The d-pad was enlarged and made extra comfortable, and L1 & R1 buttons were shifted over to the right side of the controller, in order to provide a total of six convex fire buttons in two parallel lines. But the essence of those Street Fighter Controllers was definitely their perfectly ergonomic shape, designed to fit for your palms like shoes for feet. Holding the controller felt a bit like having the Saturn pad in your hands again (praised for its great design when enjoying 2D games), or the Ascii Fighter Pads which the brawling purists among you will remember for sure.
Now NubyTech has confirmed that they are brining the same killer design to Xbox, slightly enlarged to accommodate all Xbox buttons, and with brand new characters to please the collectable minded gamers out there. Not being hindered by the controller lets you fight full force, and with these you can perform as many Shoryukens as you want without fearing to hurt your thumb 
The first Xbox controller features Guile, a member of the Green Berets, sent into the jungles of Thailand to try and incite a rebellion against M. Bison. Which brings us to the second controller, Mr. Bison. A criminal mastermind who lusts after world domination, one of his favourite phrases is "I'm happy you are alive, you are still capable of feeling pain". Friendly chap. Finally the third pad goes to Akuma (also known as Gouki Long), who was the most popular of all the PS2 editions!</BLOCKQUOTE>
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April 19th, 2005, 18:45 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft's is still planning to ship two different versions of its Xbox 360 console at launch, according to sources close to the company - while reports suggest that the high-end version may feature the firm's WebTV system.
It's long been thought that Microsoft plans to ship two different Xbox 360 bundles, one with a hard drive and one without, and give users the option of upgrading the low-end system with a hard drive accessory.
Sources close to the firm have confirmed this week that there's much talk of two distinct price points, which seems to indicate that this is still the plan for launch - while a report on well-connected gaming blog Kotaku gives an indication of how the two different models will be differentiated.
The site reports that the basic edition of Xbox 360 - the version without the hard drive - will not have backwards compatibility, while the "premium" version with the hard drive will ship with Microsoft's WebTV functionality built-in.
WebTV is Microsoft's effort at bringing internet communication and media functionality to the living room, and includes basic functionality such as web, e-mail and IM access along with the ability to stream music and video channels from the 'net or from local PCs.
Integrating the system with Xbox 360 would be a logical move, and a major land-grab for Microsoft in this space - which is tipped to become more important in the coming years as increasing amounts of content are broadcast over the Internet as opposed to over traditional TV networks.
A major question mark over the possibility of a the two-tier Xbox launch, however, lies with the question of customised content - one of J Allard's most vaunted goals for the new system - and how that would tie in with a low-end Xbox 360 without a mass storage device.
One part of the answer to that question is the inclusion of a high-capacity solid state memory device with the system, which wouldn't be large enough to store music or movies in any significant volume - or to act as a cache for Xbox games, as the existing Xbox' hard drive does - but would be able to act as a cache customised game assets.
Indeed, last year Israeli flash memory specialist M-Systems confirmed that it is working on a memory solution for Xbox 2, with CEO Dov Moran stating that "when users want to save their e-mail messages, copy music, or anything like that, the only storage they’ll have is what we give them."
Another part of the answer to that question may come from Kotaku's sources, who indicated to the site that around 80 per cent of the systems produced for launch would be the "premium" version - suggesting that the lower-end model is, more than anything else, a concession to launching a competitively priced "games only" system.
Sony is also widely expected to launch multiple versions of the PlayStation 3 console, which is due to arrive in 2006, with both "home media server" and stripped down "basic console" versions believed to be on the cards.
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April 19th, 2005, 18:44 Posted By: wraggster
With Xbox 360's May 12th unveiling fast approaching, talk is starting to extend to the console's third-party software, with THQ and EA both revealing preliminary details of their wares this week.
THQ yesterday released a brief missive stating that its internal studios Relic Entertainment (Homeworld, Dawn of War) and Volition, Inc. (Red Faction, The Punisher) are working on "exclusive content" for the new format.
EA, meanwhile, has gone a step further, announcing that it plans to broadcast a 60-second advert for its next-generation version of Madden NFL during the NFL draft on American sports TV channel ESPN this Saturday, April 23rd.
EA didn't specify format, but Xbox 360 must be a safe bet, and a PlayStation 3 version is almost certainly on the cards at some point too. A single teaser image of the game - previously seen at an investor conference in the USA - has also been released by the firm, and can be seen on our sister site, Eurogamer.net.
As we draw closer to May 12th, fully expect there to be plenty more of these little snippets. Although Microsoft recently announced a list of publishers committed to the next-generation format, and confirmed that Fable, Project Gotham and Halo would appear on the console, discussion of the software itself has otherwise been limited to the odd glimpse of games on release schedules. Only relatively small projects from independents have really been shown in any detail as they pitch for publisher support.
Xbox 360 is due to be unveiled by Microsoft in a half-hour MTV special on May 12th in the US, rebroadcast around the globe a day later. Microsoft then plans to unveil the console in more detail at its pre-E3 press conference on May 16th.
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April 19th, 2005, 18:29 Posted By: wraggster
As if we didn't already have enough cryptic next-gen info to pick over thanks to ourcolony.net, now Microsoft has sent out a media invite for its grand pre-E3 Xbox 2 unveiling on May 16 - and it's packed with clues.
Reading between the lines of these invites and the website they refer attendees to, it seems that the Xbox 2 may well be called Xbox 360 (a notion that has been gathering pace like a post-piss Paula Radcliffe for some time now), will feature something called the 'ring of light', and will employ a white, grey and green colour scheme.
The first thing that strikes about the invite is its enthusiastic use of rings and circles in its design. This is becoming an increasing trend in Microsoft's Xbox 2 marketing, suggesting that the 360 moniker is the one to put your money on.
This concentration on the circle may also offer clues as to the design of the machine itself. Should we expect a circular unit, or just lots of circles and rings built into the Xbox 2's body?
The 'ring of light' connection is a little more mysterious. This phrase has been doing the rounds for a while now and shows up in the Flash animation intro for the online media registration site (we've taken some screens for you to spy). Is it another Xbox 2 design feature? Possibly a circular light that rings the console when the power is on? Or just more illuminated circles on the console's body?
The colour scheme malarkey is thankfully a little easier to understand. Talk of a white console and matching controllers has been cracking for weeks and the exclusively white, grey and green colour scheme of the press invite and website seems to confirm these rumours.
In addition to all that, the website also chucks a couple of enigmatic phrases at you. "Amplify everything" seems to be a reference to the console's increased power and support for HD audio and visual equipment. "Hit reset on your reality" suggests Xbox 2 will be unlike anything we could have expected or thought up.
You can check out the media registration website here.
Of course, all this could just be more column-inch stealing tomfoolery from a Microsoft marketing campaign that's already storming the imagination of gamers. We'll find out for sure on May 12 when Microsoft reveal the Xbox 2 on MTV, and we'll find out even more at E3.
In the meantime, do you remember a little next-gen console called PS3? It seems to be getting forgotten in Microsoft's marketing wake, so we sincerely hope Sony have something major to bust out at E3...
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April 18th, 2005, 22:17 Posted By: wraggster
Publisher THQ has announced that it will be supporting Microsoft's Xbox 2 when the next-gen console hits shelves, currently thought to be before the end of the year.
THQ's internal studios Relic Entertainment and Volition have already signed up to create new and Xbox 2-exclusive content. That doesn't mean they won't be developing for any other format, but does mean that any Xbox 2 project they create will be exclusive to Microsoft's next-gen system.
No clues as to what these games could be yet, although a shuffle through both development team's back catalogues could provide some clues. Interestingly, Relic does most of its business with PC strategy titles. Titles like Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War, Impossible Creatures and the Homeworld series suggest Relic's first Xbox 2 title could push our brain cells as much as the console's tech specs.
Volition on the other hand has far more experience in the console market and recently scored a bloody hit with The Punisher. The Red Faction FPS series was also developed at Volition's Illinois studios, so perhaps we'll be looking at a third or first-person shooter come Xbox 2 time.
We squeezed reps at THQ for more info but the phrase 'blood from a stone' springs to mind.
Still, Jack Sorensen, THQ's executive vice president of worldwide studios did have this to say: "Microsoft's next-generation technology will enable a level of realism never before experienced by gamers. The teams at Relic and Volition have been working closely with the development team at Microsoft to ensure that our titles utilize the new system to its fullest potential."
The Xbox 2 will be unveiled during a special MTV programme broadcasting around the world on May 12/13 (full details here), then Microsoft plan to show it off properly at E3 the following week.
All being well we should discover more about THQ's Xbox 2 plans at E3.
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April 18th, 2005, 14:03 Posted By: wraggster
Microsoft will finally announce the true name of the Xbox 2 and briefly show the system itself and a selection of games on a special half-hour MTV programme, according to the console's marketing executive.
The Seattle-based computing giant announced last week that the world's first glimpse of Xbox 2 would not be at E3, but the week before on a worldwide MTV broadcast called MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed.
Speaking to GameSpot.com, Microsoft's corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing Peter Moore said that the decision was taken to reward the Xbox's consumer fanbase.
"We wanted to say things first to the consumer and give them a sneak peek under the tent of what's going on," he said.
The half-hour timescale of the show, complete with guest appearances from celebrities and musical sets from rock band The Killers, has encouraged critics to ask just how much Xbox 2 Microsoft is planning for the programme.
Not too much, according to Moore: "We'll talk name. We'll show the hardware as much as you can do in a television show. You'll get a little glimpse of games, but we're saving most of that for E3."
The worry is that the Xbox 2's more technical details - the stuff that has hardcore gamers salivating like dogs in the midday sun - could turn off viewers. "We won't do anything that is boring or feels like an infomercial," said Moore.
Moore denied that the move was a snub to E3 and the specialist videogames press and assured huffy journalists there would still be bones for them to pick. "On May 16 [at Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference], we'll do a real deep dive and will show the games in their full glory. And then on the E3 show floor itself we can really show you the power of the platform."
Both Sony and Nintendo are also expected to unveil next-gen consoles at E3. Moore refuted speculation that he was playing a game of one-upmanship with his competitors. "Regardless of what our competition wants to do, we had a very clear plan in mind that goes back a year now."
More revelations on brain-melting Xbox 2 viral marketing website ourcolony.net are also promised, although Moore was dramatically cagey about the details. "You'll have to keep watching that thing. I'm not quite sure about that thing."
MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed will air on Thursday May 12 at 9.30pm in North America and Friday May 13 at 8pm in the UK. You can get the schedule for the whole world here.
We'll bring you all the Xbox 2 news from the MTV show, Microsoft's pre-E3 conference and the showfloor at E3. Until then, we suspect there'll be a few more Xbox 2 nuggets to chew over...
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April 18th, 2005, 14:01 Posted By: wraggster
An 'Autoupdate' for Halo 2 is being released by Bungie today as the developer continues its efforts to present fans with a ship-shape multiplayer battlefield to enjoy. A number of cheat exploits, bugs and glitches are being addressed in the update, and Bungie has also taken the opportunity to balance the game's weapons in both Live and system link play.
Melee damage, grenades, the Magnum pistol and the SMG-Plasma Rifle dual wield combination have all been tweaked by the developer, which has handily posted a complete run-down of all the changes on its home on the internet. Fans would do well to check this out, as Bungie also explains the reasons behind the changes here and talks about the effect they'll have on the all-important Halo 2 leaderboards.
In related news, Halo 2's imminent expansion is teasing us with its wares once again thanks to a 3D screenshot of new level Containment.
Explaining what's shown in the screenshot, Bungie says: "...Tinman and Sketch thought they were making the perfect flag run. They threw the switch, took out everyone in the base with gauss fire, grabbed the flag, and was back out before the gate had time to close. However, Shishka had a plan. Well, no I didn't. What I did have, though was a Scorpion. And with that, I taught Sketch and Tinman about Containment's own special brand of pink death- the large land mines scattered about the level."
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April 17th, 2005, 21:48 Posted By: Hawq
N64 emu for the Xbox,heres whats new:
Beta3 FreakDave :
Fixed:
-Controller ports 3 and 4 did not work
-Slowdown in Zelda Majora's Mask
-Changing MemPak/RumblePak via submenu did not work
-Enable/Disable Controller option via submenu did not work
Added:
-Rice 5.10
-Rice 5.31
-Experimental 128 MB support
-some videoriceini editing
GogoAckman :
-X button in the menu to decrease
-bug of the 4 controllers solved (but there is another strange bug -] solved, removed others xbinput from project and linked to include)
-romlistcache readded
-emu now know if it runs from cd or hd, so it can now boot from (not tested)
-sensitivity -100% to +100%
-X button in place of B button by default
-debug info and find the screen size in rice5.60 but I am still looking for left and top offset position.
-removed some input.cpp from project, not needed (there are still unneeded files I think)
-debug info
-configappsave2 by crc
-include rice 510 and 531 (error compiling)
-see if there is a bug when editing controllers (done, apparently no bugs)
-launcher music
-loading bar corrected
-corrected freeze when no roms found
-Added skin by Neverwill
Beta 3a update
-Corrected PJ64 not booting with rice5.31 (typo error, sorry about that, thanks to prodigyxp)
-Corrected some romlist bug result in crashing
As ever no dl, find at the usual sources
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April 17th, 2005, 20:40 Posted By: wraggster
In 1999, Sega used the MTV Video Music Awards to introduce the Dreamcast to US audiences. The man behind that effort? Peter Moore, then marketing boss for the US subsidiary. The following year, the VMAs were the chosen platform to give the Sega.net initiative standing with the coveted gamer demographic. Again, it was Moore who spearheaded the effort.
This year, Moore, now part of the massive Xbox team at Microsoft (he is Corporate vp of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing) has once again chosen MTV as the primary vehicle for introducing a new product to the North American marketplace--this time the next-gen Xbox.
We spoke with Moore earlier this week.
GameSpot: Peter, how does a deal like this evolve?
Peter Moore: A year ago my team and I sat down to try and figure out how we bring this platform to life, not only to the trade show crowd at E3, but more importantly, to the tens of millions of people that have got us to where we are today with Xbox. And the tens of millions of more that are going to join us in the next generation.
We discussed how do we do it in an entertaining way, in a constructive manner, and unexpectedly. And how do we do it with a great partner, and do it simultaneously, globally. And tie in music and celebrity, and all that cool stuff.
GS: So you picked MTV…
PM: As you might remember, in my past life, I worked with MTV on a regular basis, using the VMA's as a launch platform for one particular console.
So I went to see my old friends there in April of last year; we got into some great conversations about an entertaining way to do this. We've been working on this ever since.
Only a few weeks ago, finally got all the details nailed down and felt comfortable in announcing this at the right time and the right place, and that's what we did last week.
GS: Does this send a message that E3 isn't as big as it used to be--as a platform to broadcast news to the game industry?
PM: Not at all. Not at all.
We have so much to say. We wanted to say things first to the consumer, and give them a sneak peek--albeit in a 30-minute television show--that will give them a peek under the tent of what's going on and allow them to see it at the same time as the rest of the world does.
GS: What's left for the E3 audience?
PM: Then on the Monday night, May 16, we do a real deep dive and will show the games in their full glory--getting into more detail in the Rob, J and Peter show [Robbie Bach, J Allard, Peter Moore].
And, of course, then on the E3 show floor itself…where we can really show you the power of the platform.
GS: What grade do you give Xbox, version one, in the area of marketing and advertising?
PM: I'd say a B. One of the things that probably stopped us from being an A- is, [even though] we created a very cool and aspirational brand, we need to broaden the appeal of the brand. Not losing, or disenfranchising in any way, the gamers that got us there today--which is always a marketing challenge--but we have to grow.
But at the same time, we need to make sure we continue to talk to the more hard core gamer, the early adopters. That has been an important part of our success, and we fully intend to do that. At the same time, we need to provide an even more approachable feel and tonality to the brand, and we need to do things differently.
GS: Is there an area you feel Xbox excels at?
PM: We're the thought leader in this generation. We need to turn that into market leadership in the next generation, and this is just one small example of how we will do that, and do that in a very aggressive manner, globally.
GS: Is there a little bit of cat and mouse with Sony behind this move--to show off the new console the week before E3?
PM: Not really.
GS: Not really?
PM: A number of people have asked me: "was this in response to Sony moving their press conference and getting first place for the unveil?" I don't know. As I said, regardless of what our competition wants to do, we had a very clear plan in mind that goes back a year now to meetings in New York at the MTV headquarters.
GS: Is it a two way street with MTV…any upside for them?
PM: We are very important to them. We're starting to drive an entertainment business that rivals music. As Nielsen reported two weeks ago, consumers are spending more money on video games than they are on music. That wakes people up.
But you have to have your own strategy and you've got to stick with it once it's nailed down. This is part and parcel of a strategy that's been in development over fifteen months now.
GS: How many people are you expecting to reach with this MTV effort?
PM: We haven't put any metrics behind it, but clearly you want millions upon millions of people to see it. I certainly think that with MTV, we should get those numbers.
What I've always been impressed with--and my consumer marketing hat goes on here--is how they've changed their entire persona to the outside world, from a network that just broadcasts three-minute video music clips to being the originators of reality television with Real World, and Pimp My Ride, and MTV Cribs, and Meet the Osbornes; when you think of all the stuff on TV right now, it was born on MTV--someway, somehow. Celebrity Deathmatch, Jackass…
GS: This is the Xbox audience?
PM: I think that they are a major part of the generation that is part of Xbox nation, yes.
GS: You called the MTV program a "first look." What are you going to talk about?
PM: We'll talk name. We'll show the hardware--as much as you can do in a television show. You'll get a little glimpse of games, but we're saving most of that for you guys at E3.
GS: Is the MTV event all figured out?
PM: We're still developing the script, if we can find ways to talk entertainingly about features, we will do that, but we won't do anything that is boring or feels like an infomercial.
GS: You talked about 'you guys,' by which you mean the enthusiast press. Who's got the power now to best communicate your message? The enthusiast press? The mainstream press?
PM: Particularly in the early go, the enthusiast press still has the ability to create the stories that talk to the evangelists. But let's make no bones about it, it's not you, me, or anyone...it's the consumer that has the power. It's the guy that had to fish several hundred dollars out of his or her wallet when they want to make a purchase on a console--and over the lifetime, total cost of ownership, several hundred dollars more. Those are the people that are in control, and we've got to find ways, we--and I mean you and I--have got to find ways of talking to them in a relevant and entertaining manner, otherwise they're not going to read your stuff and they're not going to buy my stuff.
GS: What's the connection with The Killers, the musical group in attendance on the May 12 MTV broadcast?
PM: A: We love them; B: They've been on Game with Fame, on Xbox Live. They are hard core Xbox gamers--and very good gamers. I can't think of a hotter band right now. I've been listening to their album Hot Fuss for about six, seven weeks on my MP3 player as I run. I love Mr. Brightside. I think they have the right attitude.
GS: And what happens to Ourcolony.net on the night of May 12?
PM: Don't know. Don't know. Have to keep watching that thing. I'm not quite sure about that thing. It's difficult for me to follow...I'm from a different generation. It's way too complex.
GS: Ah yes, Peter...way too complex [wink, wink]. Thank you, Peter. We'll be watching.
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April 13th, 2005, 19:14 Posted By: wraggster
British sources have confirmed that the next generation Xbox is indeed called Xbox 360, that the logo is a simple, round nexus, and that the console itself has a concave design - and a platinum white finish.
Many rumours - some of them conflicting - have been circulating in the past months regarding Microsoft's next generation system, but speaking under conditions of strict anonymity, a British source who is privy to Microsoft's marketing documents for the console has now cleared up much of the speculation.
The name of Xbox's successor is Xbox 360, we can confirm, and the design of the machine is indeed a concave shape.
The machine can stand upright and hollows in at the middle, like it's "sucking in its cheeks," our source told us today. Previous rumours had put the console as light silver, although fresh information says the final design may be white. It's impossible to tell from the documents, our source explained - although the glimpse of the machine's controllers given on viral marketing website OurColony does suggest a platinum-white colour scheme for the hardware.
According to the source, the rumoured slot for the hard drive module - which was apparently at the top of the machine - is not obvious on the document, and the person was unable to clarify where the slot for discs is actually located.
One other aspect we've been unable to confirm is the rumoured customisation features on the box. It's been speculated that the emphasis on customisation which J Allard touted at the Game Developers Conference last month could extend to allowing users to change the "skin" of the console, but this feature was not mentioned by our source.
As for the logo of the console, it is described as a simple, round nexus with "Xbox 360" written inside it. Previous rumours had simply the numbers "360" in the disc. This branding tends to suggest that we can expect to see "360" appearing after many game names, as happened with the Nintendo 64.
Microsoft will show the console for the first time in a half-hour special on MTV on May 12, a week ahead of E3. The company's press conference, on Monday, May 16, will be the first viewing of the console to the trade en bloc.
Xbox 360 is expected to receive a global release in late 2005.
When contacted today, Microsoft simply said that it does not comment on rumours and speculation relating to next generation product.
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