480°

Microsoft’s New Xbox 360 – Where Did it Go Right/Wrong?

To anybody who doesn’t know. This week is the biggest gaming week of the year for gamers. This week marks the time when gamers get a gander at any new and upcoming software and hardware from the “big three” in Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Monday, June 14, marked the day that Microsoft had it’s press conference for E3 2010. The biggest reveal of their press conference was most notably the announcement and reveal of the new Xbox 360 design.

Along with the reveal of Project Natal a.k.a Kinect, the Xbox 360 and it’s motion “controller” both received similar design overhauls. While the design of the new Xbox 360 is extremely slick and has great features, it doesn’t come without faults.

Read Full Story >>
mygamernation.com
dizzleK5079d ago Show
-Alpha5079d ago (Edited 5079d ago )

Well it's a great new device, much better than the original 360.

The design should have happened a long time back, but I don't really find anything wrong with it except:

-New HDDs that aren't compatible with older models, + $20 to transfer= BS.

It's a nice looking console and helps the 360 look more trendy and modern.

Edit: Holy crap, 5 USB ports? That's nice.

Nike5079d ago (Edited 5079d ago )

I think it's a good device as well (though the main body design does evoke some major Wii deja vu), but that people were disappointed because there wasn't any change in price. I do applaud them for making it available from Monday onwards to the public.

However, one thing I found incredibly shady was how they were giving free XBox 360 S consoles to those in attendance. I hope the more trust-worthy journalists refused them (you know who you are, Hsu, Takahashi and Gerstmann).

hmmmm5079d ago

Why would you hope they refused something that was given to them for free? Im sure you would have taken it, who wouldn't? its free!

blumatt5079d ago

They added Wifi and 5 usb ports. On the flip side, there's still a power brick and the damn hard drive is still not a standard SATA 2.5 like the PS3. Bad move with those last two things.

RememberThe3575079d ago

But I'm sorry to say I'd probably do it. My Mass Effect file is on there and I'm not going to do all that crap over again.

OneSneakyMofo5079d ago

They went wrong about three years ago with the red ring. They should have fixed that ASAP. I guarantee had MS gone ahead and fixed their problems or waited six months to stabilize their console, they would probably be close to the Wii in first place.

Now they are trying to play catch-up with the Kinect and now the 360 S. Too bad the Kinect failed miserably and the 360 S will be a hit-or-miss depending on the next couple of months (for reliability sakes).

commodore645079d ago

I agree they went wrong with the rrod.

Had they got that right, they indeed might be near the wii in terms of sales. That $1 billion in rrod losses didn't help either, although it is a far cry from the $5 billion that Sony has lost on the ps3 so far.

However, I gotta call you out for trolling with regard to this:
"..Too bad the Kinect failed miserably"

Kinect hasn't even released yet.
How can you say it has "failed miserably"?

That's a fail, son.
Try to think before you speak.

Christopher5079d ago

Good device, but doesn't fix my two biggest complaints:

1. Non-proprietary HDD
2. Quieter disc drive

I don't mind if it's external wi-fi, there's a way to get it. I don't mind if it only has 2 USB slots, there's a way to expand them. But those two items? I can't fix them unless Microsoft does.

rkimoto5079d ago

Looks pretty damn good I might say, so maybe Microsoft is serious on going with the 360 for the long haul too... Which makes me happy because I don't have enough money for new consoles in the short term!!!

I would want new consoles to come out at least 4 years from now.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5079d ago
dorkyfresh115079d ago

Right with it

1 - Wi-Fi

2 - Lots of USB ports

Wrong with it

1 - No answer to the demand for growing software storage capacity (Blu-Ray)

2 - the official name (Xbox 360 S) is left up to the fans to have fun with (or make fun of)

TheAwesomessMan5079d ago

Actually, I kinda like the name but as long as you don't say the whole (Xbox 360 S) and just saying '360 S' even though though saying something something 360 is like going going stopping then going because you really can't say something and then say 360 all together fluently without stopping to say 360... yea.

IcarusOne5079d ago

Wait. You honestly for any amount of time thought that MS would incorporate blu-ray into their remodel? Um...what? Really? Why? Who are you?

I'm so confused.

dorkyfresh115079d ago

@IcarusOne

then you can blame your assumptions. i didn't say that i expect them to incorporate blu-ray (even in any of their future consoles). i simply said that they still have no answer. they're using last gen media, it would've answered a lot of their problems and propelled gaming forward if they had an answer to this problem.

IcarusOne5079d ago (Edited 5079d ago )

(I'll put this up front: this is a long reply.)

Let's just consider Red Dead Redemption - a multiplat that does more for pushing gaming forward than any other game I can think of. While the PS3 crowd might care solely for graphics, I'm looking at the gameplay and design. Sure, KZ2 and UC2 and GOW3 are beautiful, but they're fairly standard when it comes to gameplay and actual innovation.

Look at RDR and how large the world is. Now look at the AI and the way pretty much everything, from strangers on the road to the animals you hunt, behaves in such a unique and believable way. Then factor in the day night cycle and the lighting engine. I've actually sat on my horse for ten minutes just watching the sun set and rise, it's that beautiful. Then consider the weather and how ferocious the lightening storms are and the wind ripping through the trees. This to me is the definition of a next-gen game - in its gameplay, it's visuals, it's sound, and ABOVE ALL ELSE, it's storytelling, characters, writing and acting.

If ever there was a studio that 100% disputed the supposed limitations of DVD9 it's Rockstar. Of course, you can argue that on blu-ray it would've been even more spectacular, and that's probably true, but it doesn't dispute my argument that you don't need blu-ray to create a totally immersive, mind-blowing gaming experience. Nor do you need it in order to tell a good story.

Time and time again, the games that have captured my imagination the most have been on "last gen hardware", and some of them multiplats, from Arkham Asylum to Assassin's Creed, from Mass Effect to Fable. PS3 exclusives sure do make my eyeballs bleed, but so does every Michael Bay movie.

Red Dead Redemption is like a movie written by the Coen brothers, directed by Clint Eastwood, and shot by Roger Deacons. The talent and craft of the narrative is rivaled only by the massive expanse of a truly cohesive world.

And they made it all happen on that oh-so-last-gen, oh-so-antiquated Digital Versatile Disc.

I go where the true artists go. And true artists don't give a shit about the format. So neither do I.

dorkyfresh115079d ago

.
.
...so don't give me this crap about how artists don't care about format. you made some really good points and i agree with some of them, however, ideas aren't the only things that propel games forward. if you have a truly epic vision and run into space problems (like several gaming companies are complaining about), then you obviously need more space.

theXfactor5079d ago

It does look better than the original 360 and 2 extra USB ports + built in wifi and a bigger HDD are all nice touches, but I don't think that justifies keeping it at a $300 price tag ($320 if you want to keep your old game saves.)

TheAwesomessMan5079d ago

I think keeping it at $300 is fine seeing as how they added something worth buying it for 2 extra USB ports, wifi 802.11n kinect ready where as buying the original 360 at $300 then buying a wifi adaptor of wireless adaptor plus the dungle for kinect and then kinect would probably run $600-$700.

theXfactor5079d ago

It is an absolute bargain, but imo the original 360 was overpriced as it is...adding 2 USB ports ad wifi couldn't have costed much and when you compare it to the competion rather than to its predecessor it is not a good price at all. Also, aren't all 360 "kinect ready" (as in compatible with kinect?)
Again, this is just my opinion.

On another note. That was a good reply. How do the "bubbles" work. I'm new lol.

gamingisnotacrime5079d ago

i like it, if gamestop does a promo for trading the elite for the "S" i will upgrade

etownone5079d ago

I think they are goin to try and clear out the stock of elites out now, and then probably drop the price of this new console to $249 either in sept for that holiday rush or alongside the release of Kinect.

If they would have dropped the price now, then existing elites would have had to be dropped even more like down to $200.

Show all comments (48)
80°

Microsoft Opening Xbox Mobile Game Store in July

The Xbox brand is expanding, as an Xbox mobile game store is opening this coming July where Microsoft will brings its "first-party portfolio."

Jin_Sakai1d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

“Bond adds that they will start on the web”

This will go nowhere.

Nice knowing you Xbox. This is what happens when the house never gets cleaned.

MrDead1d 9h ago

The only this MS is expanding is the amount of feculence it sprays on everyone who just want to enjoy gaming and make games.

The best thing MS can do for the gaming industry is leave and never return.

XiNatsuDragnel1d 7h ago

Good luck with this even it might not succeed.

Show all comments (7)
210°

Microsoft once tried to nab LittleBigPlanet from Sony after a few drinks

It turns out that many moons ago, Microsoft once had its eye on the Sony published LittleBigPlanet series.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
XiNatsuDragnel2d ago

Microsoft had a good idea but fumbled it again.

Cacabunga21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

Project Spark idea was decent but they quickly gave up ..
LBP was wonderful

ApocalypseShadow1d 15h ago

Microsoft in a nutshell. Always tried to poach Sony employees, games, 3rd party games and devices like the depth camera that was turned into Kinect but was running on PS2 before Xbox 360. Wouldn't be surprised they wanted LBP. Just like they worked behind the scenes pushing the MLB to bring Sony's baseball game to Xbox instead of making their own.
https://www.playstationlife...

They didn't spend years trying to develop their own baseball game. They wanted Sony's game.

They're scum.

Zachmo18219h ago

Microsoft didn't force MLB on Xbox. MLB gave Sony 2 options either go multiplat or risk losing the license.

Rynxie10h ago

And why do you think MLB said that? I believe Ms approached MLB.

ApocalypseShadow9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Totally ridiculous comment.

The only exclusivity Sony had was to their own creation of The Show. Microsoft could have paid the MLB for the license just like Sony did and made their own baseball game.

Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox. They're worth 3 TRILLION dollars. You think that's not enough money to make their own baseball game? Don't be delusional.

Microsoft spun it like they always do and told the media that they had to trust Sony with their hardware. After they put Sony in that position of not having a choice. Either go multiplatform or stop making one of their successful games. That's a no win scenario.

And what did Microsoft do? They didn't try to sell the game to the Xbox community. They put it on game pass to hurt Sony. Pushing the idea of why buy games that are $70 when you can play them in their cheap service for $10. It was a dirty tactic.

You fell for the Kool aid drink Microsoft served you instead of spitting it out. Hope it tasted good because you were fooled by Phil and the gang.

4h ago
Hereandthere1h ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Bond revealed that MLB The Show “always came up” in conversations between Microsoft and the Major League Baseball organization. “We always said, ‘We love this game. It would be a huge opportunity to bring it to Xbox.'” she recalled. However, when Microsoft’s efforts materialized, it put the company in an awkward situation where it had to send in pre-release consoles to a rival company.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
Notellin6h ago

"Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox."

Take a nap, conspiracies are rotting your brain.

4h ago
Hereandthere1h ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Hereandthere1h ago

They were too cheap/inept/lazy to develop their own mlb game, so they port begged for years and bribed the mlb to make the show multiplatform. Like i said many times, xbox brought nothing to the table their 24 years, ZERO.

OtterX22h ago

"However, Healey said Media Molecule wouldn't have felt right doing that, adding it would have been "morally corrupt"."

Major kudos to Media Molecule for being an upright studio with principles.

RNTody22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Great, more stories like this please. Show the last of the zombies holding the line what we've been saying for years: Microsoft is anti competition, anti industry and has no interest in making games at all.

But hey, at least there's an Xbox Games Showcase to look forward to, right?

Inverno21h ago

Well considering SONY just killed the series, LBP would've been dead by now either way. Though MM probably wouldn't exist by now either, so I'm glad they stayed with SONY, hopefully they don't get shut down any time soon or ever honestly.

Inverno19h ago

They shut down the servers, that's millions of user created levels gone. That and dead are pretty much the same, it's also been years since 3 and they cancelled HUB soooo.

4h ago
fsfsxii6h ago

They shutdown the servers because no one was playing, no one in the community cared about the user created levels so why keep them up? Wtf you guys would never succeed in running a business.

Inverno4h ago

Yea dood no one was playing so they shut off the servers. Cause people with enough common sense can't just Google why they were actually shut of, right?

Show all comments (26)
60°

Game Studio Closures, Entertainment News, Disney, And More Skewedcast

The full Skewedcast crew back for this episode and Gareth, Justin, Michael, and JoeyZ at Skewed and Reviewed break down the latest entertainment news qith a focus at 40:00 on the Microsoft Studio Closures and how it impacts the game community and what can be done to help offset this negative trend.