Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Rumor: Intel vying for Larrabee chip in Xbox 720http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/rumor-intel-vying-for-larrabee-chip-in-xbox-720/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/rumor-intel-vying-for-larrabee-chip-in-xbox-720/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/rumor-intel-vying-for-larrabee-chip-in-xbox-720/#commentsFiled under: ,

Intel is rumored to be heavily courting Microsoft for inclusion of its high-performance GPU Larrabee in the next-generation Xbox, according to The Inquirer. Its source states that Intel is willing to make a lot of major concessions, the logic being that inclusion in the console would compel game makers to develop for the chipset, thus increasing interest in the consumer PC market and making a dent in the GPU market dominated by ATI and Nvidia. It's certainly not a far-fetched scheme; we'd be surprised if Intel didn't at least make a pitch to Microsoft, regardless of the actual terms.

The Xbox 360 currently uses a PowerPC-based CPU from IBM and a GPU designed by ATI. Should this rumor prove true, our first reaction is "cool" and our second is to wonder about backwards compatibility, which became an issue given that the original Xbox's GPU was based on a different, Nvidia-based architecture in comparison to its successor.

[Via Tweaktown; Thanks, Tigerj]

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]]>intellarrabeemicrosoftrumorxboxxbox-720Ross Miller2008-09-05T12:50:00+00:00How important is the $199 Xbox 360?http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/how-important-is-the-199-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/how-important-is-the-199-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/how-important-is-the-199-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Microsoft has long acknowledged that it considers $200 the "sweet spot" of console price points. Now that the manufacturer has finally hit that sweet spot with the new $199 Xbox 360 Arcade, we've been wondering exactly what kind of impact Microsoft can expect, historically, in its bottom line. Luckily, Matt Matthews over at Edge Online did all the heavy lifting for us over a year ago, looking at the effect of system pricing on sales numbers in the last generation of the console wars.

The results, as you can see above, are pretty clear. Only 13% of original Xbox systems sold at the $300 price point, and a plurality of sales came at an eventual floor of $150. Sony's PS2 similarly only sold a quarter of its eventual installed base at a price greater than $200 (Nintendo's Gamecube never sold for greater than $200).

Of course, history is an imprecise guide here. The original Xbox dropped under $200 within six months of its initial release, while the Xbox 360 went nearly three years (exactly 1018 days) before hitting the sweet spot. And while the original Xbox also had competition from Sony and Nintendo, it didn't have to compete with "premium" configurations offered by Microsoft itself. Still, we can't imagine being the first current-gen system to be available for under two Benjamins will hurt sales of the system. For now, the unanswerable question remains: Exactly how much will it not hurt?

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]]>200historymicrosoftMSRPprice-pointpricingtrendsKyle Orland2008-09-04T13:00:00+00:00Metareview -- Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradisehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/metareview-viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/metareview-viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/metareview-viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In the terrible glut expected this holiday season, it's good to see Microsoft and Rare bringing a piñata to the party. According to reviews, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise doesn't seem to bring anything radically new to the fiesta, but it does make significant improvements to the formula introduced in the original. If you didn't like the original, it appears you can just move on. But, if you found the sweet candy fix of Viva Piñata addictive the first time, it looks like you'll be in for another treat.
  • 1Up (A): "If you hated the original, Trouble in Paradise isn't going to change your opinion. If, however, you somehow missed out completely on the piñata party the first time around, I implore you to check it out now -- it's certainly much deeper and more addictive than its playful visuals would lead you to believe."
  • Game Informer (83/100): "Keeping your piñatas happy can still be monotonous in task, but the expanded content and finely made multiplayer relieves some of the repetition that plagued the first game. Viva Piñata retains its child-like charm, but the content is layered with deep strategies and entertaining gameplay that can suck anyone's life away."
  • GamePro (80/100): "There are also some minor additions that attempt to sweeten the pot but they don't add too much. The new trick stick, which allows you to teach pinata tricks, and a wide range of toys are fun to play with, though. There's also support for the Xbox Live Vision camera which allows you to scan in special pinata cards, but it's a gimmick at best. Still, despite some irritating design elements, Trouble in Paradise is a fun game that retains the charm of the first Viva Pinata."
  • GameDaily (80/100): "Rare could've easily slapped a couple of minor changes into this game and given us an expansion pack. Instead, Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise offers enough to make it a worthy sequel. It'll be a little too cute for some, but others will see past the adorable exterior and find the delicious treats inside, just like a real pinata."

Gallery: Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise

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]]>metareviewmicrosoftrareviva-pinataviva-pinata-2viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradiseAlexander Sliwinski2008-09-03T18:00:00+00:00Xbox 360 price cuts official as of Sept. 5: 60GB $299, Elite $399, Arcade $199http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/xbox-360-price-cuts-official-60gb-299-elite-399-arcade-199/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/xbox-360-price-cuts-official-60gb-299-elite-399-arcade-199/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/xbox-360-price-cuts-official-60gb-299-elite-399-arcade-199/#commentsFiled under: ,


Major Nelson announced that the price cuts for the Xbox 360 we reported on two weeks ago will be official as of Sept. 5. The new prices for the console are:
  • Xbox 360 Arcade - $199
  • Xbox 360 60GB - $299
  • Xbox 360 Elite - $399
This means that the Elite and 60GB received a $50 price drop, while the Arcade received an $80 cut. Now we wait to see if the new prices help boost the Xbox 360's slouching sales.

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]]>breakingnewsmicrosoftprice-cutprice-dropxbox-360-arcadexbox-360-eliteAlexander Sliwinski2008-09-03T17:05:00+00:00Epic approaching tech ceiling of Xbox 360http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/epic-approaching-tech-ceiling-of-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/epic-approaching-tech-ceiling-of-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/epic-approaching-tech-ceiling-of-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,


Epic's Rod Fergusson tells Gamasutra that the developer is approaching the "upper end" of what the Xbox 360 can do, but that consumers won't notice for a few more years. The senior producer on Gears of War 2 explains that the company is much further along with optimizing the console than it expected to be at this point. He believes that trend will continue over the next few years, with "room to grow" on titles shipping two years from now.

Of course, Fergusson's comments are pretty much a tale as old as the industry. Studios get really good at optimizing for a console, only to have the next one thrown their way, which involves stumbling through development and potential for a couple years. God of War 2 in particular is a good example of the type of title possible at the end of a console cycle, just when every last drop of blood is wrung from the stone.

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]]>epicgears-of-war-2microsoftpotentialAlexander Sliwinski2008-09-02T16:30:00+00:00Not big in Japan: Xbox 360's price taghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/not-big-in-japan-xbox-360s-price-tag/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/not-big-in-japan-xbox-360s-price-tag/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/not-big-in-japan-xbox-360s-price-tag/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Xbox 360's continued struggle to win the hearts, minds and tightly shut wallets of Japanese gamers is not without benefits for tardy adopters. Microsoft has announced a new price drop for the system in the region, with the Xbox 360 Arcade model costing 19,800 yen ($180) as of September 11th. The nearly 30% drop will make the system the cheapest of the current-gen bunch -- and yes, that includes the Wii, you snarkastic lot sitting at the back.

In addition, the 60GB Xbox 360 will be introduced to Japan at 29,800 yen ($270), while the Elite will have its price chopped to 39,800 yen ($370).

[Via Engadget]

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]]>BreakingNewsDesperationJapanMicrosoftPrice-DropXbox-360Xbox-360-60GBXbox-360-ArcadeXbox-360-EliteLudwig Kietzmann2008-09-01T12:30:00+00:00From Software unsheathes Ninja Blade for Xbox 360http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/from-software-unsheathes-ninja-blade-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/from-software-unsheathes-ninja-blade-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/from-software-unsheathes-ninja-blade-for-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,


With Tales of Vesperia hysteria winding down to hushed, library whispers, Microsoft is forced to look to the next great game to carry the Xbox 360 into the folded and largely apathetic arms of Japanese consumers. Otogi developer From Software is hoping to satisfy this need with its previously leaked and generically titled actioner, Ninja Blade.

Set for release on Microsoft's console during early 2009, the game has very little to show for itself, outside of a teaser trailer featuring a Tokyo predictably beset by demons and a ninja wielding ... oh, we don't know, some sort of sharp and pointy thing. See for yourself after the break.

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]]>BreakingNewsFrom-SoftwareJapanMicrosoftNinja-BladeLudwig Kietzmann2008-09-01T11:30:00+00:00Epic: There will be no Gears of War 2 for PChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/epic-there-will-be-no-gears-of-war-2-for-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/epic-there-will-be-no-gears-of-war-2-for-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/epic-there-will-be-no-gears-of-war-2-for-pc/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Sometimes it's just best to get to the point ... even if that point is really sharp and will pierce the hearts of PC gamers. In an interview with IGN, Epic's Cliff "Don't Call Me CliffyB" Bleszinski, designer of Gears of War 2, revealed that, unlike the original game, the sequel won't appear on PC.

"Gears of War is a great franchise first and foremost for Xbox 360, and therefore we're focusing on that platform for Gears of War 2," CliffyB Bleszinski said, adding, "We've decided we're not going to do a PC version this time around." Point made. Now to stop the bleeding ...

[Via Shacknews]

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]]>cliff-bleszinskiepicgears-of-war-2microsoftRandy Nelson2008-08-29T20:30:00+00:00Immersion shakes $20.75 million into Microsoft's coffershttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/immersion-shakes-20-75-million-into-microsofts-coffers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/immersion-shakes-20-75-million-into-microsofts-coffers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/immersion-shakes-20-75-million-into-microsofts-coffers/#commentsFiled under: ,


Microsoft has won its claim against rumble licensor Immersion Corp., receiving $20.75 million from the company, Reuters reports. The particulars of the case revolve around a 2003 sub-licensing agreement between the two companies in which Microsoft was entitled to a portion of the cash that Immersion eventually settled on in its case against Sony.

It appears that everything is now ship-shake between all the corporations involved and we can continue enjoying the jiggles we get from our controllers.

Source -- Payback Time: Immersion To Pay $20.75 Million To Microsoft (Efluxmedia)
Source -- Immersion settles suit with Microsoft (Reuters)

[Thanks, laserboyjc]

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]]>immersionmicrosoftrumbleAlexander Sliwinski2008-08-27T12:30:00+00:00So, what's on the Gears 2 bonus disc?http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/so-whats-on-the-gears-2-bonus-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/so-whats-on-the-gears-2-bonus-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/so-whats-on-the-gears-2-bonus-disc/#commentsFiled under: ,


When the BBFC isn't busy keeping cool, violent games away from kids with totally square parents, they like to leak out the occasional news tidbit, just so all the game journalists think they're "hip." It's actually a little sad, but it's hard to argue with the benefits, like learning the content on the Gears of War 2 bonus disc that comes with the Limited Edition of the game.

Now, because there are some of you who may want to go into the experience completely pure, we've put the list after the break. But the awesome rebels among you should waste no time in clicking below.
  • 00:34:29:00 BENEATH THE SURFACE (NO SOUND UNTIL 3M30S)(FREEZES AT 6M50)
  • 00:01:05:00 RENDEZVOUS
  • 00:01:28:00 BARE YOUR TEETH
  • 00:07:30:00 E3 2008: GEARS 2 DEMO
  • 00:03:38:00 GTTV SPOT
  • 00:11:56:00 CHARACTERS - MARCUS FENIX
  • 00:07:40:00 CHARACTERS - DOMINIC SANTIAGO
  • 00:07:40:00 CREATURES - BOOMER
  • 00:07:10:00 CREATURES - KANTUS
  • 00:15:55:00 LOCATIONS - HOSPITAL
  • 00:13:01:00 LOCATIONS - THE HOLLOW
  • 00:07:08:00 VEHICLES - CENTAUR
  • 00:06:10:00 VEHICLES - REAVER
  • 00:13:00:00 WEAPONS - LANCER
  • 00:10:50:00 WEAPONS - HEAVY WEAPONS
  • n/a MAIN THEME
  • n/a CINEMATIC OPENING
  • n/a ASSULT INTRO
  • n/a MARIA
  • n/a COG SQUAD PACK (5 IMAGES)
  • n/a LOCUST SQUAD PACK (5 IMAGES)

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]]>bbfcepicgears-of-war-2limited-editionmicrosoftJustin McElroy2008-08-27T09:00:00+00:00Denis Dyack talks to X3F on the origin of Silicon Knightshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/denis-dyack-talks-to-x3f-on-the-origin-of-silicon-knights/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/denis-dyack-talks-to-x3f-on-the-origin-of-silicon-knights/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/denis-dyack-talks-to-x3f-on-the-origin-of-silicon-knights/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Our friends at X3F have posted the first part of their 1-on-1 interview with Denis Dyack, where he talks about the history of Silicon Knights, from its previous legal entanglements with Crystal Dynamics over the Legacy of Kain IP, through the prerequisite Eternal Darkness discussion (Spoiler: There's no talk of a sequel) and how they found themselves developing a Metal Gear Solid port for GameCube.

In case you missed it, check out the Dyack-guided studio tour from yesterday. You can catch up on all things Baldur on X3F's Too Human page.

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]]>denis-dyackdyackmicrosoftsilicon-knightstoo-humanRoss Miller2008-08-26T13:15:00+00:00Microsoft releases its PAX schedule: Gears 2, Halo Wars, New Xbox Experiencehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/microsoft-releases-its-pax-schedule-gears-2-halo-wars-new-xbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/microsoft-releases-its-pax-schedule-gears-2-halo-wars-new-xbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/microsoft-releases-its-pax-schedule-gears-2-halo-wars-new-xbo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Microsoft has released their partial game schedule for the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, and it's chock full of Gears of War 2, Halo Wars, and the New Xbox Experience ... experience. Sure there's plenty of other stuff happening at their booth as well, but we're drooling over these three right now, fetch the bibs. Hopefully those "TBA" slots mean there's going to be some surprises from Bungie someone, which will really kick our saliva glands into high gear.

If you're going to be at PAX, be sure and stop by for some hands-on time with these titles, and then search out one of your favorite Joystiq bloggers to pal around with. We'll be the ones with the plastic spit-shields on to keep the precious electronics dry.

Pictured: our inner child at the Microsoft PAX booth, via Gamerscoreblog's Flickr feed.

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]]>BungieEnsemble-StudiosGears-Of-WarGears-Of-War-2Halo-WarsMicrosoftNew-Xbox-ExperienceNXEPAX-2008Kevin Kelly2008-08-25T23:40:00+00:00New Halo Wars unit goes 'pew, pew, pew' at flying enemieshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/new-halo-wars-unit-goes-pew-pew-pew-at-flying-enemies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/new-halo-wars-unit-goes-pew-pew-pew-at-flying-enemies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/new-halo-wars-unit-goes-pew-pew-pew-at-flying-enemies/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Halo doesn't have a ton of airborne combat in it, but if you've ever been on the receiving end of a non-stop Banshee spawnkilling attack, you know how frustrating the skies can be. Thankfully, Halo Wars feels your pain and is introducing a new unit: the UNSC Wolverine.

It's armed with two anti-aircraft missile pods that can be lowered to target ground units as well, and it features a front-mounted heavy grenade launcher to take out "soft targets," like meat-shield infantry puppets. However, it looks like the thing is pretty vulnerable and will need plenty of ground support so it doesn't get blown to smithereens after it launches its first missile volley. We can't wait to see if they include this in the upcoming PAX demo. WOLVERINES!

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]]>Ensemble-StudiosHaloHalo-WarsMicrosoftRTSKevin Kelly2008-08-25T20:40:00+00:00GC 2008: Lode Runner XBLA remake 'coming soon'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/gc-2008-lode-runner-xbla-remake-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/gc-2008-lode-runner-xbla-remake-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/gc-2008-lode-runner-xbla-remake-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Developer Tozai has been noticeably silent with regards to its upcoming take on Brøderbund's early computer platformer Lode Runner, and while our army of robots have once more returned empty handed, the media sleuths at IGN report that a seemingly "largely done" build of the XBLA remake was on hand at the Leipzig's media extravaganza.

The news leaves us wondering just when we'll be able to revisit our platforming roots, though the game's presence on the show floor was reportedly adorned with rather ambiguous signage that simply read "coming soon." We certainly hope so, because with both this and some sort of R-Type title in the works, Tozai has become adept at tugging at nostalgia's heartstrings.

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]]>leipzig-08lode-runnermicrosofttozaixblaJason Dobson2008-08-21T05:00:00+00:00Sources: Xbox 360 price cut week of Sept. 7; 60GB $299, Elite $399, Arcade $199http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/sources-xbox-360-price-cut-week-of-sept-7-60gb-299-elite-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/sources-xbox-360-price-cut-week-of-sept-7-60gb-299-elite-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/sources-xbox-360-price-cut-week-of-sept-7-60gb-299-elite-3/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click to embiggen

It appears that two of the Xbox 360 SKUs will receive a $50 price drop by the week of Sept. 7, making the 60GB model $299 and the Elite $399 -- we've yet to hear any change on the $279 Arcade meanwhile, the Arcade will drop $80 to $199. A few of our retail contacts, some of whom have given us good intel in the past and who all work for separate corporations, have sent us identical information regarding a price drop. Evidence of the Elite and Arcade price cut can be found in the gallery below.

Update: Oh mercy, it's been a long day. The Arcade is marked as $199 in the flyer as well (under the TV, to the left). Thanks, Strike Man.

[Thanks Patrick, Master X, and everyone else who helped.]

Gallery: Radio Shack Xbox 360 Elite/Arcade price drop

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]]>60gb-xbox-360microsoftprice-cutprice-dropradio-shackxbox-360-arcadexbox-360-eliteAlexander Sliwinski2008-08-20T20:00:00+00:00Microsoft: Grand Theft Auto IV DLC coming this Autumnhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/microsoft-grand-theft-auto-iv-dlc-coming-this-autumn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/microsoft-grand-theft-auto-iv-dlc-coming-this-autumn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/microsoft-grand-theft-auto-iv-dlc-coming-this-autumn/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the midst of the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft has issued a statement (via IGN) about the much-ballyhooed and long-delayed Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content. Said Microsoft, "In autumn there will be news from Liberty City; the first episodes of GTA IV will be available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE, underlining Xbox 360's leadership role in the field of digital entertainment."

While we're fairly certain "news from Liberty City" is indicative of an Autumn launch, the "news" could just be a more confirmed release date for later this year. Take-Two previously noted that the DLC is expected in Fiscal Q109 (between November 1, 2008, and January 31, 2009). We've put in a call to Microsoft for clarification, who may or may not be too busy booking tickets to San Andreas. Update: Heard from Microsoft who confirm that the exclusive DLC itself is coming this Fall.

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]]>delaydlcgrand-theft-auto-ivgta4gtaivgtaiv-dlcleipzig-08microsoftRoss Miller2008-08-20T13:55:00+00:00The Sony Hardware Reciprocal: PS3 losses surpass PS2 profitshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/the-sony-reciprocal-ps3-losses-surpass-ps2-profits/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/the-sony-reciprocal-ps3-losses-surpass-ps2-profits/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/the-sony-reciprocal-ps3-losses-surpass-ps2-profits/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

According to DFC intelligence figures cited by Dave Perry, Sony has lost more money on the PlayStation 3 hardware than it made on the PlayStation 2 during its five most popular years. In pure numbers speak it's lost $3 billion on the PS3, which is about equivalent to everything it made selling PS2s during its peak years. This story would actually have a lot more impact if Carl Sagan was around to say "beelyuns."

Perry, best known for his stint at Shiny Entertainment, was speaking at the really long-named Games Convention Developers Conference, which appears to be both a Convention and a Conference, and was just using the figures to underscore how much Sony was spending on hardware development. However, the 1UP article doesn't mention until near the end that the original PS2 lost money in its first year, and that Sony (and the other console makers) does this so it can make bank on the software/games that people need to fuel their systems.

In all fairness, the article goes on to explain that Microsoft lost $4 billion on the original Xbox, and has had to spend over $1 billion replacing faulty hardware in the 360 and extending the warranty for original purchasers. So, we tend to think $5 billion trumps $3 billion. The real winner in this struggle? Nintendo. It has been churning a profit on that little Wii since it hopped out of the gate. Rassin' frassin' wand-wagglin' profiteers.

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]]>billionshardwareMicrosoftNintendoprofitprofitsSonyKevin Kelly2008-08-19T17:27:00+00:00Irate father nails Xbox to treehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/irate-father-nails-xbox-to-tree/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/irate-father-nails-xbox-to-tree/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/irate-father-nails-xbox-to-tree/#commentsFiled under: ,

After having "warned [their] 3 boys about their behavior while playing the Xbox," a rather vengeful father had decided to create folk art with the console, according to the mother's CNN iReport. In the comment section, the mother said the kids do not "totally hate dad ... There was a problem, and the problem was addressed properly."

Not to worry for the kids, however, as a replacement Xbox can be found on eBay for well under $40. In fact, the Xbox shown above can be found on the online auction site as well, with 50% of proceeds reportedly going to the local school system and 50% towards the children's college fund. So, now that we know it can be nailed ... will it blend?

[Via X3F]

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]]>dailypicfamilymicrosoftpicturesxboxRoss Miller2008-08-19T00:00:00+00:00Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise to allow four player co-op garden editing over Xbox Livehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-to-allow-four-player-co-op-gard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-to-allow-four-player-co-op-gard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-to-allow-four-player-co-op-gard/#commentsFiled under: ,


The obsession began as most obsessions do -- with a simple observation. Perhaps it was the perfectly arranged row of tulips, or the masterfully grown monkeynut trees. Perhaps it was the stunning flock of Chewnicorn that resided in that breathtaking place. One is never sure of how or why these feeling develop, but the end result is always the same -- your neighbor's piñata garden is too beautiful to exist, and has to be razed. It must be returned to the loam from whence it sprung, its candy-filled inhabitants scattered to the sweet-smelling wind.

Fortunately, word from Rare confirms that in addition to a slew of races and other contests, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise will indeed feature a four player co-op mode over Xbox Live, in which three players can enter and "edit" the host's garden. Players will have access to all the tools afforded them in the single-player mode, meaning you can use your trusty multi-purpose shovel to wreak a path of destruction through a friend's garden, carving a scar into its well-tended landscape.

Or you could help them out, we guess. We're not really sure why anyone would want to do that, though.

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]]>co-opmicrosoftpinatarareviva-pinata-trouble-in-paradiseGriffin McElroy2008-08-16T17:30:00+00:00Rumor: More concept art from 'revived' Halo moviehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/rumor-more-concept-art-from-revived-halo-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/rumor-more-concept-art-from-revived-halo-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/rumor-more-concept-art-from-revived-halo-movie/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You may recall that, a little over than a week ago, some purported concept art for a Halo movie based on Eric Nylund's Halo: Fall of Reach novel surfaced on the web. If you don't, here's a convenient link back through time. Pretty nifty, huh?

So it's going on 10 days later and a new, less "Spartans in Spaaaaace!" piece of art has sprung up, appearing to depict our finest future-soldiers in training. Make with the clicking on the image above or Source link below for a larger version ... and keep hope alive that the fight for a Halo film is eventually finished.

[Thanks, tbone!]

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]]>bungiehalohalo-moviemicrosoftmoviesRandy Nelson2008-08-15T21:30:00+00:00