110°

Pizza Hut Enlists Pro Gamer David 'Walshy' Walsh To Promote Microsoft Kinect Xbox App

Even though he’s no longer actively playing professionally, former Halo pro gamer David “Walshy” Walsh has maintained his eSports followers as he’s branched out to casting. Pizza Hut enlisted Walsh to promote the first-ever Xbox Live app that blends real-world rewards with gesture controls.

The Pizza Hut app utilizes Kinect for Xbox 360 to allow gamers to order pizza without picking up a phone. They can use hand motion or voice controls to get food delivered to their home from the restaurant. Microsoft worked with the pizza retailer to develop this app, which is the first of many activations including exclusive rewards planned by Pizza Hut.

Walsh weighs in on the future of a Kinected world, explains how brands can tap into pro gaming fans and offers his thoughts on what 343 Industries could do to bolster Halo 4’s eSports presence in this exclusive interview.

jagiii4032d ago

The Minority Report potential for Kinect and the next Xbox console is cool to think about.

HammadTheBeast4032d ago

This is ridiculous lol.

How lazy are people getting? Walk a couple meters to a goddamn phone, have some human contact, and take a walk to get your pizza.

I'm actually scared for the future of humanity now.

matrixman924032d ago

i hate people though....i even buy movie tickets online, so i dont have to talk to people to buy them at the kiosk....i text so i dont have to talk to people on the phone...its the anti-social future, and I love it

rainslacker4031d ago

There's actually a huge push within the pizza industry, and I'd imagine similar restaurants, to make it much easier and more desirable to order online, or through other services so the customer does not have to call the store.

It lowers the costs to run the stores, as you need less staff to take orders and stuff. I can see why as well, given that pizza is the same price it was to the consumer as 20 years ago, yet food costs have gone up substantially.

Otherwise, I usually order online, because invariably you get a untrained or stupid CSR who rely to heavily on phone scripts. Pizza is about as bad as GameStop when it comes to up-selling nowadays.

Soldierone4031d ago

@rainslacker, if they want me to order more pizza, they will lower the prices of them. Or at least make meal based selections. Two slices, some chips, and a pepsi for 6 bucks. Instead of one large pizza for 20 dollars.

rainslacker4031d ago

@soilder

I understand. Pizza is a pretty competitive market. If your paying $20 for one pizza then your doing it wrong. My point was that pizza prices in general have remained the same for about 20 years now. You can still get a large pizza for $10-13 which is what they cost 20 years ago.

Because of this competition, most of the big companies are looking at ways to streamline ordering, and cutting costs because the costs to actually make the pizzas has risen with inflation.

4031d ago
nukeitall4031d ago

As someone that works in the food industry now (I swapped industry), I can tell you that ordering online is way better for both the restaurant and the customer. It reduces a lot of errors, and the customer can't claim the ordered something else.

On a rare instance though, the customer will forget and have the old delivery address that they want delivered to another one.

That said, there is nothing lazy about this. At least no more than picking up the phone.

@Soldierone:

I actually feel bad for pizza companies, because the profit margin is pretty thin after a while. You want them to make a meal for you at $6. Do you want that delivered to?

You are most definitely not a customer I would want! :D

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4031d ago
BattleAxe4031d ago

Not much of a pro if he's promoting or playing with Kinect.

Wenis4032d ago

"The Pizza Hut app utilizes Kinect for Xbox 360 to allow gamers to order pizza without picking up a phone."

Lol wow, that sounds so stupid.

majiebeast4032d ago (Edited 4032d ago )

Next up Mountain dew and Dorrito's delivery by pope Keighley! Dudebro's will never have to quit a cod game again.

Sony and Nintendo pack your bags Microsoft has won the war Pizza app style.

Knight_Crawler4032d ago

I not a fan of Mountain Dew but you cannot have enough Doritos...them chips is addictive.

Heavenly King4032d ago

Most fast food is made so that it is addictive AND that you find distaste with normal food. So it would be better for you to stop eating that $hit.

MikeMyers4031d ago

They should create a pizza sim game with Kinect. Then charge consumers 80 Microsoft points for every topping so that they can create their own personal pizza's. Sharing pizza's online and trading recipes would surely bump Xbox Live memberships well past 50 million.

Majin-vegeta4031d ago

Man that sounds like a bad cough.Here have some of my *CoughTruecough*.Itll make you feel better.

SilentNegotiator4031d ago (Edited 4031d ago )

No one is going to care that he's a pro-gamer anyway, other than some bright eyed 12 y/o MLG fanboys. As far as everyone else is concerned, he's just some kid that plays games a lot.

ApolloTheBoss4032d ago

Who would be soo lazy as to not pick up a phone that's laying right next to them? And even if you DON'T have to pick up a phone, you STILL have get up and answer the door once the pizza man arrives.

GreenRanger4032d ago

He could stab someone to death with his Adam's apple.

SilentNegotiator4031d ago

Why do they always have -0.01% body fat in their face, have greasy curly hair under a backwards baseball cap, and a deadly adam's apple?

I'm starting to suspect that "pro-gamers" have now become their own separate race of human beings.

Why o why4031d ago (Edited 4031d ago )

Lol

Bet they wear vans or converse ONLY

(nothing wrong with that though)

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest6d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN5d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan5d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor5d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic5d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv725d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts5d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares6d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv726d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka5d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion6d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer6d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow15d ago (Edited 5d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer5d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
bionicstar6d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn6d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18815d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast6d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

6d ago
Lightning776d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole5d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

6d ago
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6d ago Replies(1)
Lightning776d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

6d ago
anast5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning775d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast5d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning775d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast5d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
darthv726d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes6d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7211d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle10d ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188110d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10d ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning7710d ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga10d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv729d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19929d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff218310d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga10d ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan10d ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit9d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2310d ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv7210d ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier9d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan9d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
purple10110d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos10d ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-10d ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac10d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10110d ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic10d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead10d ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 10d ago
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