Xbox 360

[Asher]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
PS3's supposed to be mid-to-late 2006 or early 2007. Odds are, BD will still not have made too much progress--early adopters aren't getting the hardware in enough numbers until at least mid-2006.

I've heard Spring 2006 for Japan and Summer 2006 for America.

[Q Classic]

Originally posted by Asher
But the transfer rates are much lower and the capacity much higher with BD-ROMs. They don't make much sense for games.

It doesn't make sense for them to put in such a new technology, perhaps, but it's paid off for them before, what with the inclusion of the DVD into the PS2. Who knows?

As far as the release date of the PS3, if Asher's dates hold true, then it's even less likely that the BD production lines will have matured, making DVD game printing still a cheaper, faster solution.

[sprucemoose3311]

they can program games with vast worlds that do not have load times. look at tony hawks american wasteland... no load times

[Imran Siddiqui]

Good news:

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=24022798

New XBox360s on the shelves this Friday or weekend. Of course they'll probably be sold out very quickly. But MS is persuing a weekly replenishment strategy.

[Imran Siddiqui]

LOL... just saw the "banned" XBox ad (though not really, it'll be aired later I've heard). Freaking great!

[Asher]

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1765&Itemid=2

Xbox 360 'Sells 400K'; Stock 'This Weekend'
By Colin Campbell

American Technology Research analyst P.J. McNealy estimates 300,000 to 400,000 Xbox 360s have been sold in the U.S in the last week.
Image McNealy believes Microsoft could have sold up to three times that amount, putting the company halfway to its three month target of 3 million units worldwide. "I think they would have been happy to have sold another million if they could have. They just didn't have them," he said.

Microsoft has told the retail channel top expect more supplies on a weekly basis, although further details have not been released. A company spokesperson has said that new supplies would arrive "for the weekend".

It seems even the biggest retailers are in the dark. Speaking to USA Today, Circuit City's Jim Babb said, "We knew demand would outstrip supply for some time. I have been told we'll get additional supplies, so I can only advise customers keep checking back with stores and on the website."

Microsoft is gearing up for its European launch this weekend, but many believe the shortages could be even worse over there. Retail supplies are said to be tiny, and many customers who have pre-ordered have been told that they may not receive their machines this side of the New Year.

Meanwhile, Microsoft says the number of faulty Xboxs is below the average for new consumer electronics products, of 3%.

[FrostyBoy]

I have read that the XBox 360 costs some where around $500+ to make, but they sell it for under that.

[Asher]

Yeah, it's not that uncommon for a console launch. Cost to manufacture comes down over time.

[Nostromo]

I tried out the 360 version of Call of Duty today, on a 60" inch widescreen TV. Looks great!

[Asher]

I spent an hour and a half today trying to find Call of Duty 2 for 360, everyone is still sold out.

[Asher]

Just unlocked all achievements in NHL 2K6.

Also, completed singleplayer PGR3 (on Medium/Silver) -- going to try Hard/Gold next.

Also complete singleplayer PD0 on "Agent" difficulty.

http://live.xbox.com/en-US/profile/profile.aspx?pp=0&GamerTag=Moosely

[Asher]

Gamespot has screenshots showing what Xbox games look like on the Xbox 360

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6140654/index.html

[Asher]

Just got my hands on Call of Duty 2 -- what a cinematic game.

My dad (who is anything but a gamer) actually watched me play today because of that. It runs in 1080i and makes very good use of Dolby Digital 5.1, really an awesome experience.