It’s still a pissing contest: But do Gamers care?

Analysts disagree on important PS3, Xbox 360 issues:

“The blogosphere is full of posts highlighting the relatively weaker performance of Madden NFL 08 on the PS3 vs. the Xbox 360,” analyst Ben Schachter told a game site this week, “Such detailed discussions of slow frame rates and performance are not typically considered important by Wall Street. “

“But given Madden’s popularity and the volume of this debate, we think this is a more meaningful negative for Sony than investors might realize, as it gives gamers just one more reason not to buy a PS3… It is a positive for Microsoft,” Schachter added.

Analyst Michael Pachter disagrees, saying the Madden comparison has been blown out of proportion, and that the more alarming issue is continued Xbox 360 failures.

“Analysts are too quick to criticize,” he said. “There are obviously PS3 games that look fantastic… Eventually (as in next year), EA will figure it out, and nobody will care.”

Pachter went on to say, “The PS3 is a fantastic console, and anyone who has one knows it’s awesome. The Xbox 360 is also fantastic, but has no Blu-ray playback, and has been plagued with warranty issues. One would think that stupid analysts would be writing about the 360 warranty issue, and how people will avoid that box until issues. One would think that stupid analysts would be writing about the 360 warranty issue, and how people will avoid that box until they can be assured that they won’t see the ‘three red rings of death.’”

One would think:

The Mystery Box

Going to a store with the intention of purchasing an Xbox 360 must be hell for the average consumer. It’s no longer as easy as walking in, money ready in hand, and throwing four bills on the counter. No, it’s a convoluted, incomprehensible mess. You’ve got four different boxes staring you in the face: core, premium, elite, and Halo edition – plus variables.

“Fine” you say, “I can figure this out.” And you do. Or at least you think you do. You’ve discarded the deceptively low-priced core and the unexplainable over-priced Halo edition, so now it’s down to elite and premium. This is where it gets tricky, and thanks to MS, a little luck is involved. Do you go with the elite, which advertises 100 extra gigs and guaranteed HDMI, or do you take your chances with the premium, try to get HDMI and hope you get lucky?

I find this distinction, or lack of, quite infuriating. Remember how much MS advertised the me-too addition of HDMI when the elite was announced? I remember listening to the Major Nelson show when he not too subtly poked fun at Sony saying, “HDMI cable is in the box”. Well Major, which box is it in? As a consumer, I have the right to know what I’m paying for. This kind of information should be readily available to the public, and withholding it is nothing short of dishonest.

Do it. Pull the trigger. Try your luck. Play 360 roulette.

It becomes even more confusing when you throw processor chips into the mix. Will you be fortunate enough to get a hold of the improved 65 nm chip? Or are you going to be stuck with the will-need-of-repair grandfather chip? What about which DVD drive will you have? Is your family going to be yelling at you in the middle of the night, screaming “Turn that damn buzzing off”, or will you be able to game into the wee-hours without interruption? So many variables to consider.

Hardware revisions are nothing new, and in some cases necessary. They help producers cut costs and improve their product, while passing the savings to consumers and shipping them more reliable products. But why not be honest and up front about it? The reasoning: Well, because consumers won’t by old, unreliable tech, and store shelves will be filled with unmovable goods. Which is the point! It is our right to choose and be informed of what we’re buying.

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Perhaps if it hit you over the head!

Recently we did a story on XBL Radio about Roger Ebert and how he sees games. In his statement (which you can read the article here) he stated, “Although I haven’t played many shoot ‘em up video games (I find them as dull as rote gunfights and car chases in movies)”.

This week I had the honor of playing the demo for the upcoming 360 title: BIOSHOCK. So I wanted to let Ebert, and all of our listners know, THIS IS ART! It really bothers me that someone I respect cannot see it through those prescription lenses.

Let’s face it: Gaming is moving into the mainstream media infastructure. Like their Film counterparts they incorporate direction, storyboards, actors, deadlines, promotion, and yes Ebert: Critical anylsys. That’s why it boggles my mind when you, and others in your profession, cannot see Art if it landed on your head.

I understand the resistance. But just like the indie-film explosion of the Ninties, gaming is bringing a new stlylized, interactive aspect to our entertainment experiences. It’s time that we own up to it. Embace it. Not ignore it or pass it off as an immature pastime.

BIOshock will hit store shelves this month. After playing the Demo I felt the same way I have when I view a trailer for upcoming film attraction. I want to know what happens. The sets are georgous, the direction seemed flawless, and I felt the same emotions I’ve had endless times at my local cineplex. The only difference is I get to play a pivitol role in this adaptation. Film cannot offer that.

So to those who criticize us or acknowledge that what we do is not art: I say stop playing Games!

-MrCarpalTunnel

Entertainment Critic for XBL Radio

ROGER & Me (at the 2005 Film Festival)

J.W.’s Notes: GamePro gaffing articles?

I saw this at Xbox 360 Rally, gamepro.com is stealing our articles and running them as there own. Even going as far as using our own custom made pics. Here is the article as from Xbox 360 Rally:

GamePro is currently running a story about a supposed “Halo 3 tax” on it’s website. After looking over the evidence presented in the GamePro article, I have to say that I agree. You know, like I did the first time when XBLRadio originally broke this story.

I am not someone who will start fueds with websites without provocation. However, when another site runs with a story broken by another site, going so far as to use images from the original story, I take issue. If you want to report this, fine. No problem. But give proper credit when credit is due.

[XBLRadio Original Article]
[GamePro Article]

I want to thank the guys at Xbox 360 Rally for bringing this to our attention and letting us know what was going on.

XBL Ver 50 (50 is the new 20)

(long in the tooth, but still just as cantankerous!)

TECH NEWS:
-The 360 and the Wii get updates. One is noticeable the other got noticed!
-Nissan’s Car of the future: Or how Lindsey lost her groove!
INTERVIEW: The guys from Penny Arcade tell Steve and Carp about PAX and Gamerpics.

GAME NEWS
-EA and their expiration dates. One more reason Rusty won’t leave Shadowrun!
-SK8TE: Will this kick Tony Hawk from his board? Or will we be bored?
-GTA Delay. The lack of 4 player co-op may be to blame for this delay.

GAME REVIEWS: ALL PRO FOOTBALL: 2K and O.J.? The newest Football Game to take a STAB at the Madden genre.

NASCAR: Carpal tells us why 2 lefts (turns that is) won’t make this game right!

PLUS:

Squidpuch with The 360 Friend-Spot Spot. The Marketplace Minute: Rusty joins Gui J to let us know that “WE” judge the Marketplace. Console Crimes, Useless Tips, and more on XBL Radio ver 50.0

Direct Download ver 50.0,
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
- 01:33:00 (42.7 MB) 64 Kbps -

To subscribe to the podcast you can click on one of these…

It is time to put up or shut up!

Ok Maddenites, the time has finally come for you. The midnight sale of “the most highly anticipated football game of the year”, Madden NFL 08, is tonight. This midnight sale will take place at many local Gamestop’s and EB Games stores throughout the world. Check gamestop.com, and ebgames.com for more information.

Now if you are a fan of this franchise like I am, you should not be ashamed to admit that we have not been getting our money’s worth out of the next gen versions of the game since the debut of Madden NFL 06 for the Xbox 360. The 06′ version was completely barren, with only season and play now modes to choose from. EA’s attempt at making the 07′ version better with adding the superstar mode, franchise mode, and the lead blocking control was a good improvement. It did still fall way short of expectations, however, leaving the madden fans wanting more out of this year’s installment.

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Best Buy’s Halo 3 Tax

With the release of “the most anticipated game of the year” right around the corner, retailers know that consoles and accessories will jet of the shelves. So what better way to join the celebration then by adding a Halo 3 dollar tax to many Xbox 360 accessories?

While other retailers are pricing the 360 add-ons at Xbox.com’s MSRP, Best Buy thinks adding three dollars to that is the perfect theme to tie-in the Halo Three launch. As many devotee gamers will pop-in to jump-in, why would they suspect they aren’t getting the best buy?

Now obviously, I’m only speculating the reasoning for the price increases, but the amount of flabbergastation flowing in my veins is very unsettling. I have been a loyal Best Buy customer for as long as I can remember with purchases including all three computers I’ve ever owned + my $1,700 fridge, just months ago. Even my vacuum cleaner! I have their credit card and am a member of the Best Buy Rewards program (since it first started with a $10 fee and when it was more rewarding before they changed it). So will I continue to shop at Best Buy? Only if their name lives up to it. And the way things look now, I best be shoppin’ elsewhere.
See full image…

Check out all the free stuff on the Xbox Marketplace

I just saw this on xbox360rally.com and I thought you guys would really like to see this. Its a list of EVERYTHING for free on the Xbox Marketplace. Thats right, EVERYTHING. So go ahead and either click the xbox360rally.com link or click the read more to see the list.

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Core may not be “Best Buy” Anymore!

You heard it here first everyone (well almost first), according to an article posted on gamingrevolution.com, joystiq.com, and gamepro.com, many Best Buy’s are out of stock on the 360 core. They also do not plan on restocking their shelves with them anytime soon. So I thought I would go to a couple of local stores by me to see if this was true or not. Not only is there not anymore systems on their shelves, an employee there told me “We do not plan on receiving anymore systems, since they were not selling all that well“.

Where’s the proof you ask? Well it’s right here in front of you.

According to the area’s circled in the image above, the 360 core has been deleted from Best Buy’s inventory on July 29th. What this means is that this product will be removed from their shelves, and the online stores. Thus, leaving us to 2 types of systems for the time being.

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But, think of the children?

This past Monday, August 6th, US District Judge Whyte ruled against bill AB 1179, which had been passed in California, October 2005, calling it unconstitutional. This bill would have placed severe restrictions on the sale and rental of certain violent video games to minors, and offenders would have faced fines of up to $1000.

Join me in doing your best Arnold:

“I signed this important measure to ensure that parents are involved in determining which video games are appropriate for their children. The bill I signed would require that violent video games be clearly labeled and not be sold to children under 18 years old. Many of these games are made for adults and choosing games that are appropriate for kids should be a decision made by their parents. I will vigorously defend this law and appeal it to the next level.”

So the ESA, and in turn gamers everywhere, can count this as a victory, right? Well, in a sense. The distribution of video games is going to continue unchanged, with no federal or state regulation — but is this actually going to hurt the quality of games in the long run? I’m going to announce something that conflicts with the typical gamer viewpoint: I’m all for the restriction and controlled distribution of interactive entertainment. Just take this ride with me, and pretend that I make perfect sense.

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