Microsoft E3 Conference Xbox 360 Snippets

In case you're unaware between 11th - 13th July E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is being held in Santa Monica, California. Although it is now fundamentally different to previous years and gone is the huge central location and now in it's place are smaller individually organised events that are invitation only, all the big players are still in attendance. Yesterday Microsoft held there E3 conference which highlighted some interesting news

The Xbox 360 Elite will be released in Europe on 24th August, although a price has yet to be announced.

A new Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition will be released to coincide with the game.

There are now more than 7 million subscribers to Xbox Live and Microsoft expect this to increase to 10 million before next years E3. More than 45 million games have been downloaded from Xbox Live Arcade to date and more than 100 games will be available for the service by end of the year. Highlights include games such as Bomberman live, Undertow, Hexic 2, Sensible World of Soccer, Wing Commander Arena, Feeding Frenzy 2. Track & Field, Golden Axe, Space Giraffe and Super Puzzle Fighter.

Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe have been added to Xbox Live as of yesterday and will cost 400 Microsoft Points each.

Europe and Canada are to be added to the video marketplace download service (which is US only at present) later in the year.

Project Gotham Racing 4 now includes motorbikes (Honda, Suzuki, Ducati are signed up) and more than 120 cars are to be included in the game when it is released in September.

It was stated that the footage shown for GTA IV was captured from the 360 and there will be two exclusive downloadable chapters available for the Xbox 360 version next spring.

Mass Effect is now scheduled to be released in November but no definitive date has been firmed up.

A beta of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be made available and it will be exclusive to 360.

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Death of a 360

My Xbox 360 finally died on me at the weekend. It has been playing up for the past week and had frozen a few times whilst playing games so I had an inclination that all was not well. On Friday evening I finally got the three red lights of doom, fortunately the extended warranty is now in effect so I gave Microsoft Support a ring on Saturday morning.

After a 58 minute wait on hold and after about the one hundredth time of hearing the words: "Please remain on the line and a support representative will be with you as soon as possible. Thankyou for your patience." I finally managed to speak to a representative.

A few questions about the console followed (serial number etc) and I eventually got the option of having the UPS labels sent by post or by email. Initially I said I wanted them by post but as soon as I found out that it can take up to five days to get them I promptly changed my mind to email. At this stage I needed to change my Xbox Live email address so I gave the representative my new details and to my amusement the representative said he would have to write them down as the system had just crashed. I asked him if there were "three flashing red lights" displayed on the front of his PC but I don't think he was too amused with the quip.

My console is scheduled to be picked up tomorrow and there's currently about a 15 - 25 day turnaround for repairs (i.e. get a refurbished one sent back). I've had the console since the UK launch and I honestly thought I'd escaped the abysmal reliability problems but alas that was not to be. During my 360's downtime I will continue to post news but unfortunately trial and demo impressions will have to wait until I get the console back. On the up side I should now have the time to play a few of my back catalog of games for other platforms that have built up over the last year and I hope to post reviews as appropriate.

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Sony PS3 Price Cut in North America

I've just seen that a price cut has been announced for the Sony PS3 in North America. The 100 USD cut brings the price of the 60GB model down to 499 USD. Also announced is that a new 80GB model will be available from August for 599 USD bundled with a copy of Motorstorm.

There's been speculation of a cut for some time now, so the move is not entirely unexpected and the 100 USD amount is spot on with what was anticipated. We now have to wait and see what happens in the rest of the world, but I'm hoping this carries forward to Europe.

Press release via PR Newswire

Sony Computer Entertainment America Introduces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)); Announces New Price on Current 60GB Model

80GB System Designed for Today's Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499

FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment
America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStorm(TM). In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price.

By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast, providing ample storage space to download more games and other entertainment content from PLAYSTATION(R)Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION(R)Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.

Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3 users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), LAIR, NBA '08, Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), SingStar(TM), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Warhawk(TM).

Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be available such as Devil May Cry(R)IV, Dynasty Warriors(R):GUNDAM(R), Grand Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma(R), SEGA Rally(R) Revo, Stranglehold(TM), The Darkness, TimeShift(TM), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter(TM) 2.

Additional games and services will also be available for PS3 system owners through the PLAYSTATION Network including PlayStation Home, a state-of-the-art 3D online community that serves as a meeting place for PS3 users around the world, as well as numerous downloadable games including the highly-anticipated title PAIN.
"As we move into the next phase of PS3, it's important that we continue to evaluate our product line, offering consumers the technology and features that meet their growing needs for new forms of media and the way in which it is delivered," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA. "The introduction of the 80GB PS3, the new pricing for the current 60GB model, the availability of more than 100 new software titles this fiscal year and, finally, the expansion of services for PLAYSTATION Network, will provide even more options for users and will help bring new consumers into the PS3 fold."

Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) mobile entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com
"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP," "PS one" are registered trademarks and "PS3", "Cell Broadband Engine" and "SIXAXIS" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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Xbox 360 Gets Extended Warranty

Some great news was announced by Microsoft yesterday. Peter Moore has issued an open letter to the Xbox community and as of 5th July all Xbox 360's are now "covered by an enhanced warranty program to address specifically the general hardware failures indicated by the three flashing red lights on the console". The enhanced warranty applies to both new and previously bought consoles and will last for three years from the date of purchase. Additionally Microsoft will reimburse you if you've paid for your console to be repaired due to the "three red flashing lights".

This is definitely a step in the right direction from Microsoft, however the new warranty is specific to hardware failures displaying the "three red lights" so it isn't the great panacea for the 360 that some may have hoped for. If you've paid for an extended warranty from a retailer, then fear not, it's still very useful and should cover you for any other failures not specific to the three red lights of doom.

Open Letter From Peter Moore

To our Xbox Community:

You've spoken, and we’ve heard you. Good service and a good customer experience are areas of the business that we care deeply about. And frankly, we've not been doing a good enough job.

Some of you have expressed frustration with the customer experiences you have had with Xbox 360; frustration with having to return your console for service after receiving the general hardware error message on the console.

The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles have had a terrific experience from their first day, and continue to, day in and day out. But when anyone questions the reliability of our product, or our commitment to our customers, it's something I take very seriously.

We have been following this issue closely, and with on-going testing have identified several factors that can cause a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights on the console. To address this issue, and as part of our ongoing work, we have already made certain improvements to the console.

We are also implementing some important policy changes intended to keep you in the game, worry-free.

As of today, all Xbox 360 consoles are covered by an enhanced warranty program to address specifically the general hardware failures indicated by the three flashing red lights on the console. This applies to new and previously-sold consoles. While we will still have a general one year console warranty (two years in some countries), we are announcing today a three-year warranty that covers any console that displays a three flashing red lights error message. If a customer has an issue indicated by the three flashing red lights, Microsoft will repair the console free of charge—including shipping—for three years from the console’s purchase date. We will also retroactively reimburse any of you who paid for repairs related to problems indicated by this error message in the past. In doing so, Microsoft stands behind its products and takes responsibility to ensure that every Xbox 360 console owner continues to have a fantastic gaming experience.

If we have let any of you down in the experience you have had with your Xbox 360, we sincerely apologize. We are taking responsibility and are making these changes to ensure that every Xbox 360 owner continues to have a great experience.

This will take a few days to roll out globally, and I appreciate your continued patience as we launch this program. I've posted an FAQ that should address some additional questions, and we'll update it over the next few days.

I want to thank you, on behalf of all us at Microsoft, for your loyalty.

The Open Letter also has an FAQ and Update that are worth a read.

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Missile Command Trial Impressions

The classic 1980 arcade game by Atari Missile Command has been released onto Xbox Live Arcade today. The full version is 33.56MB to download and will set you back 400 Microsoft Points.

The premise of the game is pretty straightforward, you must prevent the destruction of your six cities from wave after wave of missiles. To help, you have three missile batteries with ten missiles each. The player must try and make the most efficient use of the limited supplies by targeting the best places to intercept the incoming warheads.

The game has been "remastered" for Xbox Live and has both an Evolved mode with re-stylised graphics and the original Classic mode. Also the game introduces the new Throttle Monkey difficulty level which is pretty insane.

The enhanced graphics are nice with some pretty backdrops and serve there purpose well. I doubt many players would prefer to play the original unless it's just for nostalgia value. The controls are very easy, with the left joystick used to guide your crosshairs and "X", "A" and "B" used to fire missiles from the left, middle or right batteries respectively.

The trial version allows you to play the the game for a limited number of waves (2 or 3), and this is sufficient to allow you to decide whether to buy the game or not. The full version gives you access to the usual set of leaderboards and 12 achievements totalling 200 Gamerscore points.

Although a nice job has been done on the update, and it's fun to play in small doses, for me the game doesn't really hold any lasting appeal. I'm sure however that fans of the original will like the version on offer here.

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Colin McRae: DiRT Review

Released a few weeks ago Colin McRae: DiRT is another great addition to the xbox 360's fine repertoire of top class racing games. Whereas the majority of racing games released are predominantly circuit or road based, DiRT as you may gather from the title is more concerned with the grittier and dirtier side of off-road racing.

Colin McRae titles of yesteryear were purely associated with Rally driving, but just like the namesake has digressed in the latter stages of his career, the developers, Codemasters, have also branched out and the game now features a whole host of off-road styles with a plethora of vehicles to make the game more appealing to the mass market. It certainly contains lots of variety and one minute you could be tearing down a narrow track competing in a traditional rally stage and the next you could be driving in a CORR (Championship Off-Road Racing) event, wheel to wheel with other competitors as you bounce around a muddy circuit.

There are plenty of modes available in DiRT. The main mode, Career, features a pyramid of eleven tiers with the bottom tier consisting of eleven stages, the next tier 10 stages and so on until you reach the final stage on the last tier. When selecting a stage you can choose from one of five difficulties starting from the easiest "Rookie" and moving up to "Pro" class. The level of difficulty you choose directly effects not only the AI opposition skill but also the level of mechanical damage you can sustain, whether terminal damage is switched on or off and importantly the amount of money you can win from placing 1st to 3rd. In a nice change to the financial rewards once you score a podium position the money that will be offered for repeating the race at the same difficulty significantly decreases, thus encouraging you to step up to the next difficulty level.

Money gained through the career mode can be used to purchase new vehicles and liveries. With 46 vehicles and 182 liveries in total there's something to please everyone from rally cars like the "Suzuki Swift 1600" and "Subaru Impreza 06 WRX", to buggies like the "Ickler Jimco" and big rigs such as the "Freightliner Century Class S/T". All the vehicles handle very differently to one another and the player has to adjust to not only the vehicle but to the track surface, whether it is tarmac, mud, or gravel the differences are very noticeable and the physics engine does a fine job in this department.

Career race events are nicely varied and as-well as covering traditional rally stages and crossover events also feature CORR circuit racing, hill climbs and rally raid events. Once an event has been selected there are a number of additional options available and although you can jump straight into the race you could also practice an event, change your vehicles set-up, repair damage or get verbal feedback on the stage from your co-drivers recce.

As with Forza this game features a good balance between realism and accessibility. For those that want to glean every bit of performance from a vehicle then there are plenty of tuning settings that can be changed for a vehicle such as the suspension, brakes, differential or the downforce. Similarly tuning is not a necessity and a player can quite happily stick to playing the game without ever feeling the need to mess around with the setup.

As well as Career mode there are a couple of additional single player modes available. Championship is the more traditional rally game setup, and the "National" event within this allows you to compete in a single rally event consisting of up to seven individual stages. The "European", "International" and "Global" championship events bulk up the championship mode by combining a number of single rally events into individual tournaments. Rally World finishes off the single player modes and allows you to choose a single race, event or time trial for any of the career events you've unlocked thus far.

The environmental graphics for this game are truly excellent, very realistic with plenty of variety and locations such as the green hills and windy roads of the UK to dusty outback trails across Australia. You get a real thrill as you hurtle down dirt tracks narrowly missing rocks and trees as you slide around tight hairpin bends. The vehicles themselves are all beautifully modelled featuring a good damage system that becomes more realistic on the harder difficulties.




Whereas I was a bit disappointed with the camera views on offer with Forza I cannot fault the number available in DiRT. There are six in total and apart from the usual bumper, bonnet and external chase views there are a couple of cockpit views that really immerse you in the action. The replay camera also deserves a mention with great slow-mo, rewind, and fast-forward actions and I've found myself using it on many occasions to watch the action once a race has ended.

So what are the negatives? Well, there are some minor points. The game features fairly long loading times and although an attempt has been made to disguise this fact with some snazzy statistics you do eventually get bored of knowing how many times you've failed to finish or the amount of time you've spent on two wheels. And although on the whole the cockpit views are excellent, I did find that I had to switch to a chase view when using the "Chevrolet Siverado" as one of the front reinforcement bars badly obscures the view. It may be accurate, but in terms of playability it just gets in the way.

To summarise this is another fantastic racing game, beautifully modelled with a lot of variety and if you're looking for an alternative to Forza then I would highly recommend it.

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Zelda - Phantom Hourglass US Date

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo DS has been given a release date as the 1st October 2007 by Nintendo of America. As yet there has been no official word on a European release date and given the usual track record for Nintendo Europe I think we'll be lucky to see it on UK shores before the end of the year.

However all is not lost for UK gamers and if you can't bare to wait for a European release, and as the DS is region free, there will be plenty of importers lining up to supply you with the American version.

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