Hopefully soon they'll announce the price. It sounds like they'll probably announce it at $150. But they might not. And if the price ends up being lower, people who preordered on that page won't have to worry. :-)
Yes, Gamestop, MS, Walmart, and every retailer in existence just happens to have guessed at a price of 150. It is pretty much confirmed.
I think these were not independent guesses or votes, I think these organizations were in communication.
Let me know when we've reached a point where you can say "Microsoft changed their mind" if they announce a price other than $150. I'm not saying $150 is unlikely.
I know this is irritating to people who want $150 to be set in stone, so we can get on with setting our expectations for what capabilities and what games will make the device worth $150. But Microsoft's options are still open, for what little that matters.
I think people understand what I am saying, and how insigificant the thing that I'm saying is. Really I think these posts are a waste of time, and it would've been better if people had just let things be. Instead some people seemed confused. Twice. X__X
mspencer on
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XBL Michael Spencer || Wii 6007 6812 1605 7315 || PSN MichaelSpencerJr || Steam Michael_Spencer || Ham NOØK QRZ || My last known GPS coordinates: FindU or APRS.fi (Car antenna feed line busted -- no ham radio for me X__X )
In the face of lagging disc-based video game sales across the industry, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is confident that his company's online strategy will compensate for the industry's shifting models.
Asked by the Wall Street Journal if he was concerned about weak disc-based sales in the industry, he replied, "I care a lot less. It used to be, I would religiously look at weekly retail sell-through data, but it's a very small part of our business now."
He added, "Today, probably 70 percent of our operating profit comes from non-console-based video games. So, while you might see a month-to-month change or volatility against expectations, that doesn't really get us too concerned." Operating income for Activision's January-March 2010 quarter alone was $511 million.
In the face of lagging disc-based video game sales across the industry, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is confident that his company's online strategy will compensate for the industry's shifting models.
Asked by the Wall Street Journal if he was concerned about weak disc-based sales in the industry, he replied, "I care a lot less. It used to be, I would religiously look at weekly retail sell-through data, but it's a very small part of our business now."
He added, "Today, probably 70 percent of our operating profit comes from non-console-based video games. So, while you might see a month-to-month change or volatility against expectations, that doesn't really get us too concerned." Operating income for Activision's January-March 2010 quarter alone was $511 million.
Yeah, the thing is WoW is basically irreplaceable. If something should happen to lower its userbase it's not like you can count on a sequel bringing those folks back.
Anyway, it just goes to show how unprofitable console gaming has been this gen (outside of Nintendo).
lowlylowlycook on
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
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FencingsaxIt is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understandingGNU Terry PratchettRegistered Userregular
$300 Kinect + ArcadeBox (Your Shape Not Included) == Wii + Wii Sports Resort + WiiFit+
OR$300 Kinect + ArcadeBox (Dance Central not included [two player limit]{won't be avialble this Christmas}) == Wii + Wii Sports Resort + Just Dance 2 [8 player limit {realistically 4}(will be available before Christmas] + Wiimote&Nunchuck
Never do this. Ever.
Don't say another Goddamn word. Up until now, I've been polite. If you say anything else - word one - I will kill myself. And when my tainted spirit finds its destination, I will topple the master of that dark place. From my black throne, I will lash together a machine of bone and blood, and fueled by my hatred for you this fear engine will bore a hole between this world and that one. When it begins, you will hear the sound of children screaming - as though from a great distance. A smoking orb of nothing will grow above your bed, and from it will emerge a thousand starving crows. As I slip through the widening maw in my new form, you will catch only a glimpse of my radiance before you are incinerated. Then as tears of bubbling pitch stream down my face, my dark work will begin. I will open one of my six mouths, and I will sing the song that ends the Earth.
Just to be clear, this is a reference to a comic.
Fencingsax on
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Brainiac 8Don't call me Shirley...Registered Userregular
edited June 2010
For all those who were moaning gloom and doom when Miyamoto mentioned the new Zelda as being 'easy.'
"Easy to me does not equal fun. I want puzzles where people have to think about it, and when they solve the puzzle, there's that feeling of accomplishment. That's something that's really valuable, that concrete feeling that when you accomplish something [in the game], it feels like you've done something worth doing. If the game is too easy, the accomplishments aren't valuable. When Mr. Miyamoto says easy, he doesn't mean simple. He means easily -- this is the difficulty of the language here. It's accessible, and you know how to do things, if not necessarily what to do. You may have a series of puzzles to figure out, and it may be difficult to decipher the meaning, but it's not difficult to accomplish what you need to do." - Eiji Aonuma
So, the Kinect thing. Yeah, it could be argued that this isn't set in stone yet, but it's odd that Microsoft is being so weirdly specific about the package in their online store, down to what's in the box. If things are still in flux, why would they bother to go into so much detail about the package? Why would they put that information out there?
At any rate. The biggest problem with this package isn't the price, though it is pretty high and requires a game on top of it. No, the problem is the lack of a game. The reason I say that is that I think one of the key factor's to the Wii's early success was the inclusion of Wii Sports. You didn't have to drift along and decide for yourself what this tech could do, Nintendo took you by the nose and gave everyone the same starting point, with a fairly robust selection of motion control examples. On top of that, Wii Sports practically begged you to show it off to friends and have them join in. It's like a virus.
With this package, consumers could buy the "wrong" game for it at start. It could be a game that doesn't work well with other players, or it could be in to narrow a niche, or it could just plain suck.
enforcing 60fps as a standard would be downright silly, just as silly as this generation's "720p standard wait we only gave you 10MB to work with, have fun!"
Why would enforcing a 60 fps standard be silly?
Framerate is one of the most important factors in overall video game enjoyment for a majority of genres, honestly.
Just imagine playing SSFIV at 30 fps as opposed to 60 fps...
$300 Kinect + ArcadeBox (Your Shape Not Included) == Wii + Wii Sports Resort + WiiFit+
OR$300 Kinect + ArcadeBox (Dance Central not included [two player limit]{won't be avialble this Christmas}) == Wii + Wii Sports Resort + Just Dance 2 [8 player limit {realistically 4}(will be available before Christmas] + Wiimote&Nunchuck
Never do this. Ever.
Don't say another Goddamn word. Up until now, I've been polite. If you say anything else - word one - I will kill myself. And when my tainted spirit finds its destination, I will topple the master of that dark place. From my black throne, I will lash together a machine of bone and blood, and fueled by my hatred for you this fear engine will bore a hole between this world and that one. When it begins, you will hear the sound of children screaming - as though from a great distance. A smoking orb of nothing will grow above your bed, and from it will emerge a thousand starving crows. As I slip through the widening maw in my new form, you will catch only a glimpse of my radiance before you are incinerated. Then as tears of bubbling pitch stream down my face, my dark work will begin. I will open one of my six mouths, and I will sing the song that ends the Earth.
Just to be clear, this is a reference to a comic.
Seriously people. I love how everyone responded like it was his own quote and he was trolling. Brush up on your 2006 comics..
"At the end of the day, when you look at 2009 and what people bought, it's Activision games. We were the only publisher that had success in 2009. No one else did."
So they're going to improve their image... by sounding like smug assholes. Great.
Also, no one else had success last year? Really? Geez, talk about setting up an easy target to knock down.
"At the end of the day, when you look at 2009 and what people bought, it's Activision games. We were the only publisher that had success in 2009. No one else did."
So they're going to improve their image... by sounding like smug assholes. Great.
Also, no one else had success last year? Really? Geez, talk about setting up an easy target to knock down.
Activision is the Floyd Mayweather Sr of Gaming. I only say that since I was reading one of his transcripts right before I read that, and they matched in terms of jackassery.
So during a wrap-up article on E3, IGN mentioned that during the Circque du Soleil thing that mspencer is trying to forget about, somehow Microsoft snuck into journalist hotel rooms and put Kinect ads on their bathroom mirrors.
A little Google searching shows that the claim is apparently true:
enforcing 60fps as a standard would be downright silly, just as silly as this generation's "720p standard wait we only gave you 10MB to work with, have fun!"
Why would enforcing a 60 fps standard be silly?
Framerate is one of the most important factors in overall video game enjoyment for a majority of genres, honestly.
Just imagine playing SSFIV at 30 fps as opposed to 60 fps...
True story, I have almost never noticed the FPS while playing a game. There are a few specific circumstances I can remember in games like Tomb Raider (maybe?) where they drop it automatically when too many things are on screen, and Splinter Cell DS which was so untested/unoptimized that it had stretches of 5-10 FPS.
(I don't know if he meant "there's no point" or "I want someone to tell me what the point is.")
I actually was referring to the part about motors.
EDIT: Oh yeah, now I understand. For some reason, I was thinking like some demented Roomba-like stalking, not the motion from side to side
The Wii could use that. I might actually play it some more if it followed me around, making sad puppy noises and waggling a wiimote at me.
"I can't, really. I don't ha... stop looking at me like that. Alright, fine, fifteen minutes."
:^:
Be careful, though. If you leave your Roomba Wii and Roomba PS3 together alone, they might enter into some kind of arena combat while you're out. Two consoles enter, one console leaves.
So during a wrap-up article on E3, IGN mentioned that during the Circque du Soleil thing that mspencer is trying to forget about, somehow Microsoft snuck into journalist hotel rooms and put Kinect ads on their bathroom mirrors.
A little Google searching shows that the claim is apparently true:
enforcing 60fps as a standard would be downright silly, just as silly as this generation's "720p standard wait we only gave you 10MB to work with, have fun!"
Why would enforcing a 60 fps standard be silly?
Framerate is one of the most important factors in overall video game enjoyment for a majority of genres, honestly.
Just imagine playing SSFIV at 30 fps as opposed to 60 fps...
True story, I have almost never noticed the FPS while playing a game. There are a few specific circumstances I can remember in games like Tomb Raider (maybe?) where they drop it automatically when too many things are on screen, and Splinter Cell DS which was so untested/unoptimized that it had stretches of 5-10 FPS.
Otherwise, nah.
Sadly, this mentality is apparently becoming the majority these days.
For whatever reason, Microsoft failed to announce this during the E3, but here it is, a new discounted Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack. For $99.99, it's basically buy 2 get two free, but with some added family friendly restrictions and functionality. With Kinect around the corner, it's an interesting new way to branch out the Xbox Live Gold service.
More information and the official announcement below.
Xbox 360 makes family time, quality time. Only Xbox LIVE delivers a world of games, movies, social entertainment and starting this November, live sports, allowing you to share them with the people you care about, around the world.
This November, the new Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will offer up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for only US$99.99 - the price of two regular Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. Now as you prepare for the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360, which makes YOU the controller, consider giving your family premium Gold experience and access to the biggest names in entertainment.
Perfect for families, the Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will also offer access to additional conveniences and services including the new Family Center, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and Xbox.com for easier family management, access to activity monitoring reports, and the ability to purchase and give Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members.
An Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack includes:
- Up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for the price of two - (US) $99.99.
- Family Center - a single, easy to use, destination for Family Settings and account management, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and on Xbox.com.
- The primary account member has the ability to purchase and dispense Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members.
- Activity monitoring reports viewable on Xbox.com to help encourage discussions about safer more balanced gaming and entertainment habits.
- Simplified billing that applies all purchase charges to the primary account holder's billing account and the ability to authorize purchases, helping to manage the family's entertainment budget.
- Exclusive family content and discounts.
The industry-leading, built-in Xbox 360 Family Settings are also being taken to the next level this November. It's Microsoft's goal to provide parents and caregivers with tools and resources to manage their children's gaming and entertainment experiences, and these features are available to all Xbox LIVE members:
- Family Programming that removes all mature games, movies, and content from the dashboard, based on ESRB, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings and the TV Parental Guidelines system . Family Programming is password protected, and easy to turn on and off for each member. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
- Title exceptions - the ability to allow your family members to play specific games above the console's designated ESRB rating if you deem appropriate. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
- Intelligent default settings for child, teen, and adult profiles. Xbox will automatically assign default privacy and activity settings for each member that can later be individually customized.
- Family Settings are displayed prominently in the MyXbox channel. Current tools include the Family Timer, which allows you to control the amount of time - either daily or weekly - your children may use the console.
Whether you want to play your favorite games, stream movies and music from Zune, or watch the latest sporting event together via ESPN on Xbox LIVE1, Xbox 360 brings the best family-friendly entertainment straight to your living room.
You know what would be an even better way to appeal to casuals? Free online gaming.
The funny thing is I never really considered how terrible XBLG is for people that share an XBOX. I don't see many people being thankful that MS isn't charging them $200/year.
lowlylowlycook on
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
The funny thing is I never really considered how terrible XBLG is for people that share an XBOX. I don't see many people being thankful that MS isn't charging them $200/year.
I'm sure most families will just set up one profile that everyone uses, since that's the path of least resistance.
For whatever reason, Microsoft failed to announce this during the E3, but here it is, a new discounted Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack. For $99.99, it's basically buy 2 get two free, but with some added family friendly restrictions and functionality. With Kinect around the corner, it's an interesting new way to branch out the Xbox Live Gold service.
More information and the official announcement below.
Xbox 360 makes family time, quality time. Only Xbox LIVE delivers a world of games, movies, social entertainment and starting this November, live sports, allowing you to share them with the people you care about, around the world.
This November, the new Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will offer up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for only US$99.99 - the price of two regular Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. Now as you prepare for the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360, which makes YOU the controller, consider giving your family premium Gold experience and access to the biggest names in entertainment.
Perfect for families, the Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will also offer access to additional conveniences and services including the new Family Center, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and Xbox.com for easier family management, access to activity monitoring reports, and the ability to purchase and give Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members.
An Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack includes:
- Up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for the price of two - (US) $99.99.
- Family Center - a single, easy to use, destination for Family Settings and account management, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and on Xbox.com.
- The primary account member has the ability to purchase and dispense Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members.
- Activity monitoring reports viewable on Xbox.com to help encourage discussions about safer more balanced gaming and entertainment habits.
- Simplified billing that applies all purchase charges to the primary account holder's billing account and the ability to authorize purchases, helping to manage the family's entertainment budget.
- Exclusive family content and discounts.
The industry-leading, built-in Xbox 360 Family Settings are also being taken to the next level this November. It's Microsoft's goal to provide parents and caregivers with tools and resources to manage their children's gaming and entertainment experiences, and these features are available to all Xbox LIVE members:
- Family Programming that removes all mature games, movies, and content from the dashboard, based on ESRB, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings and the TV Parental Guidelines system . Family Programming is password protected, and easy to turn on and off for each member. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
- Title exceptions - the ability to allow your family members to play specific games above the console's designated ESRB rating if you deem appropriate. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
- Intelligent default settings for child, teen, and adult profiles. Xbox will automatically assign default privacy and activity settings for each member that can later be individually customized.
- Family Settings are displayed prominently in the MyXbox channel. Current tools include the Family Timer, which allows you to control the amount of time - either daily or weekly - your children may use the console.
Whether you want to play your favorite games, stream movies and music from Zune, or watch the latest sporting event together via ESPN on Xbox LIVE1, Xbox 360 brings the best family-friendly entertainment straight to your living room.
You know what would be an even better way to appeal to casuals? Free online gaming.
Do all the accounts have to stay and move together? I'd imagine so, otherwise what's to stop...say...4 friends from doing this and splitting the cost?
Sadly, this mentality is apparently becoming the majority these days.
It's not a "mentality," it's a fact that it simply is not noticeable / does not bother most people. It's not becoming anything, it's been that way forever. Anywhere from 30 to 60 is what everyone is used to and perfectly acceptable in all situations.
“We're developing controller-based games for the core and Kinect titles that appeal to everyone”
Microsoft has offered up a very simple explanation for the lack of hardcore games currently set to support the upcoming Kinect motion camera – the device isn’t aimed at the core market.
Instead, the company has said that its motion titles and traditional joypad-based games are aimed at very different demographics
“With Halo: Reach, Gears of War 3 and Call of Duty: Black Ops, this is the biggest year for core games on Xbox 360,” the platform holder told Kotaku. “In addition to these controller-based games, Kinect is a new way to play, using your full body and voice
“At Xbox, we're developing controller-based games for the core and Kinect titles that appeal to everyone.”
The remarks come in stark contrast to claims made to MCV by Project Natal director Alex Kipman last year:
“We'll have games that are specifically designed to work only with Natal – not just arcadey games, but real, hardcore, triple-A titles.”
Whether this strategy proves correct ultimately depends on the appetite that the core games market shows for the new motion control offerings from Sony. If the likes of SOCOM and The Fight sell well MS could quickly find itself playing catch-up.
Kinect: Fuck it, let's not even pretend we are trying to appeal to those who already own a 360.
Sadly, this mentality is apparently becoming the majority these days.
It's not a "mentality," it's a fact that it simply is not noticeable / does not bother most people. It's not becoming anything, it's been that way forever. Anywhere from 30 to 60 is what everyone is used to and perfectly acceptable in all situations.
Sadly, this mentality is apparently becoming the majority these days.
It's not a "mentality," it's a fact that it simply is not noticeable / does not bother most people. It's not becoming anything, it's been that way forever. Anywhere from 30 to 60 is what everyone is used to and perfectly acceptable in all situations.
Sadly, this mentality is apparently becoming the majority these days.
It's not a "mentality," it's a fact that it simply is not noticeable / does not bother most people. It's not becoming anything, it's been that way forever. Anywhere from 30 to 60 is what everyone is used to and perfectly acceptable in all situations.
Anybody who ever played any PS1 or N64 games will realize this. The framerates were horrible for many games.
On my old computer in WoW 25man raids my frame-rate would drop down into low single digits sometimes, made a huge impact on my ability to move out of fire and do my dps rotation. I never even figured out why, since the same computer ran 40 mans pre-BC just fine.
The issue is that not every game needs 60fps. More than a few will do just fine as long as it says above 25. And besides, even games that would benefit from 60+ would still see a relatively small group of players for whom it was even remotely important.
On my old computer in WoW 25man raids my frame-rate would drop down into low single digits sometimes, made a huge impact on my ability to move out of fire and do my dps rotation. I never even figured out why, since the same computer ran 40 mans pre-BC just fine.
Your graphics card probably sucked, and with increasingly higher-res models and more effects, it started to hit a lot. On my old laptop I would get 25-30 fps in old-world azeroth, but in northrend I would get like 10-15 because of that.
Posts
Let me know when we've reached a point where you can say "Microsoft changed their mind" if they announce a price other than $150. I'm not saying $150 is unlikely.
I know this is irritating to people who want $150 to be set in stone, so we can get on with setting our expectations for what capabilities and what games will make the device worth $150. But Microsoft's options are still open, for what little that matters.
I think people understand what I am saying, and how insigificant the thing that I'm saying is. Really I think these posts are a waste of time, and it would've been better if people had just let things be. Instead some people seemed confused. Twice. X__X
XBL Michael Spencer || Wii 6007 6812 1605 7315 || PSN MichaelSpencerJr || Steam Michael_Spencer || Ham NOØK
QRZ || My last known GPS coordinates: FindU or APRS.fi (Car antenna feed line busted -- no ham radio for me X__X )
link
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Anyway, it just goes to show how unprofitable console gaming has been this gen (outside of Nintendo).
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Just to be clear, this is a reference to a comic.
Nintendo Network ID - Brainiac_8
PSN - Brainiac_8
Steam - http://steamcommunity.com/id/BRAINIAC8/
Add me!
At any rate. The biggest problem with this package isn't the price, though it is pretty high and requires a game on top of it. No, the problem is the lack of a game. The reason I say that is that I think one of the key factor's to the Wii's early success was the inclusion of Wii Sports. You didn't have to drift along and decide for yourself what this tech could do, Nintendo took you by the nose and gave everyone the same starting point, with a fairly robust selection of motion control examples. On top of that, Wii Sports practically begged you to show it off to friends and have them join in. It's like a virus.
With this package, consumers could buy the "wrong" game for it at start. It could be a game that doesn't work well with other players, or it could be in to narrow a niche, or it could just plain suck.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Why would enforcing a 60 fps standard be silly?
Framerate is one of the most important factors in overall video game enjoyment for a majority of genres, honestly.
Just imagine playing SSFIV at 30 fps as opposed to 60 fps...
Seriously people. I love how everyone responded like it was his own quote and he was trolling. Brush up on your 2006 comics..
So they're going to improve their image... by sounding like smug assholes. Great.
Also, no one else had success last year? Really? Geez, talk about setting up an easy target to knock down.
Activision is the Floyd Mayweather Sr of Gaming. I only say that since I was reading one of his transcripts right before I read that, and they matched in terms of jackassery.
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
A little Google searching shows that the claim is apparently true:
http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/80446/microsoft-kinect-invades-our-bathroom/
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
The Wii could use that. I might actually play it some more if it followed me around, making sad puppy noises and waggling a wiimote at me.
"I can't, really. I don't ha... stop looking at me like that. Alright, fine, fifteen minutes."
True story, I have almost never noticed the FPS while playing a game. There are a few specific circumstances I can remember in games like Tomb Raider (maybe?) where they drop it automatically when too many things are on screen, and Splinter Cell DS which was so untested/unoptimized that it had stretches of 5-10 FPS.
Otherwise, nah.
:^:
Be careful, though. If you leave your Roomba Wii and Roomba PS3 together alone, they might enter into some kind of arena combat while you're out. Two consoles enter, one console leaves.
This would have done nothing but infuriate me. Can't even shave in the morning without being bombarded with MS ads? Screw them, the silly geese.
3DS Friend Code: 0404-6826-4588 PM if you add.
Sadly, this mentality is apparently becoming the majority these days.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
I'm sure most families will just set up one profile that everyone uses, since that's the path of least resistance.
Do all the accounts have to stay and move together? I'd imagine so, otherwise what's to stop...say...4 friends from doing this and splitting the cost?
It's not a "mentality," it's a fact that it simply is not noticeable / does not bother most people. It's not becoming anything, it's been that way forever. Anywhere from 30 to 60 is what everyone is used to and perfectly acceptable in all situations.
You're just not hip, not with it. You ain't cool.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
THE PENNY ARCADE GODS HAVE SPOKEN
Any framerate arguments henceforth are invalid!
...you are a man of many, many bizarre hang-ups.
If you want them at that price, go ahead and get it. I've ordered dozens of games online and haven't had a problem with any of them.
Anybody who ever played any PS1 or N64 games will realize this. The framerates were horrible for many games.
Your graphics card probably sucked, and with increasingly higher-res models and more effects, it started to hit a lot. On my old laptop I would get 25-30 fps in old-world azeroth, but in northrend I would get like 10-15 because of that.
The Pipe Vault|Twitter|Steam|Backloggery|3DS:1332-7703-1083
Also it was on sale for $10 on Steam on Friday so you could have escaped the EA trap entirely.