Xbox2, ‘games and movies’
p2pnet.news :- “The next-generation Xbox video-game console will offer new ways for Microsoft and game creators to make money from players, the company announced yesterday at a game developers’ conference in San Francisco.”
That’s the intro to a Seattle Times story, and it says it all.
"The next-generation console will offer an on-screen guide with a shopping marketplace in which players can buy new game levels, weapons, cars or character outfits," it goes on. "Microsoft will set up a payment system so that even small-ticket items can be easily purchased.
"The idea aims to realize what has long been a dream for developers: bringing in more revenue long after games leave store shelves. Up to now, console gaming has mostly been a one-transaction business, in which there is little incentive or opportunity for players to buy anything after the initial game purchase.
"Players may also have the ability to spend money on music. The on-screen guide will allow players to listen to their own music during games instead of the game soundtrack."
Microsoft claims the feature takes the burden off developers to include custom music in games, "but the company may also have less altruistic motives," says the Seattle Times’ Kim Peterson.
So what’ll get the punters punting?
"To show its love for video game developers, Microsoft gave away 1,000 high-definition television sets Wednesday to those who listened to a pitch for its new game console at a San Francisco conference," says the San Jose Mercury News.
And, "James Cameron participated in a video demonstration of how the Xbox was part of the networked home, briefly explaining how his current HD 3-D project based on Yukito Kishiro’s ‘Battle Angel Alita’ was being designed to blur the distinctions between games and movies," says Reuters, adding:
"In an age when the music industry is utilizing video games to break new bands and introduce new songs from established artists, the new Xbox also will allow for custom playlists. The guide instantly connects players to their music so they can listen to their own tracks while playing their favorite next-generation Xbox games, or can be expanded using the Xbox Live broadband service to give artists and labels a new avenue for reaching their audience."
However, "“Console launches come with a level of hype that even Donald Trump could not imagine," as CNN’s Chris Morris once stated.
Something you think we should know? tips[at]p2pnet.net
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See:-
Seattle Times – Next-generation Xbox to target consumers, March 10, 2005
San Jose Mercury News – Free TVs for game developers, March 10, 2005
Reuters – Xbox Taking Gaming Into the ‘HD Era‘, March 10, 2005
once stated – XBox 2 – near or far?, p2pnet, January 9, 2005
March 10th, 2005 at 3:25 pm
This is one of the main reason there are still console gamers.. the games are complete, well developed…
Now M$ wants to pull this crap where they release every game missing it’s final levels.. like halo2 did.. so they can force you to:
A. buy broadband (unless xbox has some kind of dialup)
B. pay more money
C. subject your xbox to searches and “authentication” to penalize you for having a brain and enhancing your xbox by.. say.. hacking it out with mac bios and osX(it’s supposed to have a g5 chipset) or a larger hard disk which can store your legally purchased games, making it easier to lug it to a friend’s place, or an XBox version of mplayer to turn it into an all purpose media center.
Oh god forbid you should actually be allowed to modify your own hardware!
March 10th, 2005 at 3:27 pm
nuff said.. this is all a ploy to allow M$ to micromanage your use of your own hardware in your own home.
March 10th, 2005 at 3:38 pm
While giving you less and less?
Of course they want a way to fleece endless revenue off of my gaming habit, personally I like the current system where I but a game, play the game, and that’s it.
Next thing you know they’ll be asking me to “rent” game time. Wanna play Prince of Persia? Only $4.99 an hour.
March 10th, 2005 at 3:40 pm
Incompelte games? why not the operatins system with security holes the size of a mack truck has worked well for them.
March 10th, 2005 at 3:49 pm
the soundtrack to halo2 was excellent.. not the stupid rock crap they threw in.. the original score composed for most of the game.
It’s very sad when video game music is better that what’s supposed to be popular or current. What does this say about RIAA member corporations when people who can’t program a proper operating system, who rip off every idea they claim they come up with.. can contract out for better music than they can.