Live ESPN Coming to the Xbox 360? January 24, 2010
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Rumors, Video Games , add a comment
What with Facebook, Netflix and Twitter already playing on Xbox Live, and with a new Halo and, of course, Project Natal coming out later this year, you’d think Microsoft has done enough to pump up 360 owners for another great year. Well, for all us 360 owners who love all things sports and ESPN, things look to be getting even better.
According to the New York Times, Microsoft is having “super secret” meetings with Walt Disney Co. (the owners of more than Disney land and Disney channel—they also own ABC and ESPN) in order to bring live streaming of ESPN to the 360 (think kinda like the current ESPN360, we know—a perfect name, that lets you watch live games on you computer).
The rumors also say that, unfortunately, this may require some sort of subscriber fee, though if its any consolation, it might be live streaming and some interactive games. Of course seeing as neither Microsoft and Walt Disney haven’t said anything on the topic, take this as an awesome rumor for now.
And I believe this very well could happen. Microsoft over the past couple of years have pushed something called IPTV, or TV over the internet, with the 360 helping drive its case. Getting ESPN and perhaps other Disney-owned channels would be a great way to really build this service up and really make the case for people to ditch their regular cable or satellite.
What you think? You think/want this to happen? You watch any movies or do other things with your 360 beyond gaming? Do you want the 360 to become your “cable box?” Sound off in the comments.
Info from the New York Times. Pic from Engadget
Half Life 2 Shown Playing on Project Natal December 30, 2009
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Video Games , add a comment
It’s almost 2010, and for the video game world, that means that Microsoft and Sony are preparing to release their motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. Now while we know the PS3’s looks and acts like a more accurate Wiimote that works better with hard core games, Microsoft’s Project Natal has remained far more ambiguous, especially as to how it will handle particularly intense games like Halo or Call of Duty.
Until now.
A leaked video has popped up on the internet over the past 24 hours showing off EA’s Half Life 2 running on Project Natal. Anyone who’s played Half Life 2 knows that it definitely goes up there in that “intense games” category, so this is a pretty big step showing that Natal will be able to play these more intense games without the need for a traditional 360 controller. How well does it play? We can’t really judge conclusively based on the brief 1 minute video, but from my take the graphics look traditional Xbox 360 awesome (the video is on a decent-looking camera and the game is said to only be in the early stages of development), and after getting used to them, the movement and controls should take you into games on a whole new level– particularly as this all gets refined and finished up before release.
Who else out there hoping Madden 11 and Halo 4 are Natal capable?
Video of Half Life 2 on Natal after the break.
Batman AA 2, Medal of Honor, and Force Unleashed 2 in 2010? December 14, 2009
Posted by Zev Rosenbaum in : Video Games , add a comment
Last night were the Video Game Awards and among the surprise winners and losers, Modern Warfare 2 did not win Game of they Year. In addition, we were informed that 2010 will be a very fun year for gamers especially if you’re a batman fan like me. Read on for more (more…)
Project Natal's Price Tag $84? November 11, 2009
Posted by Zev Rosenbaum in : Rumors, Video Games , add a comment
If you read our round-up posts on E3 last June, you noticed a new way to play video games on your Xbox 360 called Project Natal. Basically, Project Natal allows the player to be the controller, something that PlayStation attempted since the days of the PS2 with PlayStation Eye, but it didn’t pan out too well for them. Today reports were coming out that Microsoft was showing Natal off to some UK game publishers and they let a possible price tag slip. What is the price of this sick looking device? Try an awesome $84, that could possibly go down to $50 as Microsoft is trying to push this to be a must have or “impulse buy” for everyone. Oh, and they also let slip a possible release date of November of next year.
For a full overview of everything that is the awesome Project Natal, see our post here.
Of course these are just rumors for now (and don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more), but what you think of Natal possibly being so cheap when it comes out? If it is, you running out on day one and picking it up? Sound off in the comments.
Info from Joystiq
Review: Need for Speed Shift (Xbox 360) November 1, 2009
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : First Look/Reviews, Video Games , add a comment
A couple of weeks ago we wrote a little preview post on EA’s upcoming successor to their hit Need for Speed racing franchise: Need for Speed Shift. Over the past couple weeks, we got a chance to review the game, and as far as adding this racing game to your holiday wish list, we gotta say– one of the best racing games we’ve ever played. It really is a great racing game. Read on for a full review.
Sony Unveils New 250 GB PS3 October 16, 2009
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Video Games , add a comment
The new PS3 with 250 GB hard drive
You honestly didn’t think Sony would just let the PS3 stay behind the Xbox 360 in hard drive space now did you?
A few days ago we wrote about how Microsoft is making a special edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 version of the Xbox 360 with a 250 GB hard drive. Now, Sony has upped the PS3 to that same 250 GB. This should be great news for those looking for a new PS3 and for those that use the PS3 as a media center as now you got a heck of a lot more room for your pix, music, videos and PlayStation Network game downloads.
Features and looks are otherwise are the same as the recently announced 120 GB PS3, and it will be available for $350 ($50 less than the CoD 360 bundle– though you don’t get CoD included here, and only $50 more than the 120 GB PS3), when it comes out next month on November 3rd.
Info and pix from Sony.
Need for Speed: Shift– All the Info You Need to Know October 8, 2009
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Video Games , add a comment
Over the last couple of weeks you may have seen some sick new ads for the upcoming next version of the hit, Need for Speed franchise– Need for Speed: Shift. The new game looks to continue the series’ awesome reputation for racing games, while adding some sick new things to raise the bar. So what’s new? Read on to find out!
Xbox 360: Wireless N WiFi for $100 and a New Call of Duty 2-Themed Bundle October 5, 2009
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Video Games , add a comment
One of the big downsides to owning an Xbox 360 is the serious lack of built-in WiFi, and the fact that it’ll cost you usually at least $70 to be able to connect to the awesome Xbox Live using your WiFi network. While we don’t know if Microsoft has any plans to change that part of the 360 anytime soon, GameStop has posted online a new Wireless N WiFi adapter for the 360 for $100 coming November 3rd.
The big news here is that the Xbox 360 will be the first to use the latest high speed WiFi networks that are becoming more and more common everyday (wireless N is much faster and has a much better range than the older wireless G and B networks, and pretty much anywhere you look for a new WiFi router you’ll most likely find wireless N for a not too expensive price. I personally can’t wait for this; I currently use wireless N in my own house, and can’t play Xbox Live because the WiFi adapter can’t pick it up). This would also be the first of the next-gen systems to be able to use the next gen wireless N.
Unfortunately, Microsoft wants to again charge $100 out of the gate to get in on this, something I don’t know why they’re doing– especially because the Wii and PS3 still do have WiFi built in. Hopefully someone at Microsoft decides to make the smart move and drop this to a more reasonable number, because as much as I (and I’m sure any hardcore Xbox Live gamer) would wanna get this– there’s no way I’m willing to give Microsoft another $100 for it. You can pre-order it now from GameStop.
In other Xbox 360 news, anyone looking for a new 360 may wanna listen up here. Microsoft, along with Activision presumably, are planning a really sick 360 bundle to launch with the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. How sick you may ask? For $400, you’ll be getting an Xbox 360 with a sick Call of Duty paint job, the video game itself, 2 black wireless controllers, and…. a 250 GB hard drive! Yeah, that’s right, 250 GB! It’s a pretty solid deal in my opinion (mainly for the 250GB hard drive, and the amount of games you could possibly save on that hard drive), and you can expect this to come out with Modern Warfare 2 on November 10th. You can also pre-order it now on Amazon.