Console Wars VI

[DrSpike]

And it's not like he is a fan of the Lego series.

[Asher]

Worse...he's into Transformers.

[DrSpike]

I'd say that's broadly even.

[Asher]

Lego is demonstrably cooler than Transformers. Lego is about building blocks and engineering fundamentals, Transformers are about toys.

People who do vacuous things like play with Transformers toys go on to become actors and economists. People who do more cerebral things like build with lego go on to become rock star computer scientists and engineers.

This is a demonstrable fact.

Now I'm going to do your job for you since you cannot do it: stop threadjacking this thread or I will ban you for 24hrs.

[DrSpike]

It's on topic since you posted a quote that made a reference to Lego games. You're just touchy because you know they are a casual gamer's game and you lurve them.

[Nikolai]

Funny that Asher calls Spikie's posting OT considering his own OT post right before.

Anyway, someone who knows if there is going to be a Xbox360 v2 in a year? First one MS employee says no, then one says yes, then one of the bosses says yes, then another boss says no.

[Asher]

Funny that Asher calls Spikie's posting OT considering his own OT post right before.

You are so very sharp sometimes!

Anyway, someone who knows if there is going to be a Xbox360 v2 in a year? First one MS employee says no, then one says yes, then one of the bosses says yes, then another boss says no.

Yes and no.

The Xbox 360 hardware will not change. The design of the console will be slimmer and it'll be bundled with the Natal controller, potentially with a new branding.

[DrSpike]

I think that's right. The MS messaging on this has been very poor.

[Asher]

Of course it's right, DrSpike. It doesn't take an economist to see the obvious.

[DrSpike]

I accept your thanks.

[DrSpike]

A deal for El Cid:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/428053/sega-mega-drive-2-player-console-wi/

[Asher]

NPD June '09

PlayStation 2 152.7K
PlayStation 3 164.7K
Xbox 360 240.6K
Wii 361.7K


PROTOTYPE 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD June-09 419.9K
UFC 2009:UNDISPUTED 360 THQ May-09 338.3K
EA SPORTS ACTIVE BUNDLE WII ELECTRONIC ARTS May-09 289.1K
TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10* WII ELECTRONIC ARTS June-09 272.4K
WII FIT WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA May-08 271.6K
FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS June-09 260.8K
FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4 PS3 ELECTRONIC ARTS June-09 210.3K
MARIO KART W/WHEEL WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA April-08 202.1K
RED FACTION:GUERRILLA 360 THQ June-09 199.4K
INFAMOUS PS3 SONY May-09 192.7K

----

Gap between Xbox 360 and Wii continues to rapidly shrink...

Year over year:

PlayStation 2 -1%
PlayStation 3 -59%
Xbox 360 +9%
Wii -46%

That's eight straight months of year over year declines for the PS3. The PSP is also down 55%, if anyone even cares.

[Asher]

Info on the 360 Software update coming this summer:

Netflix Updates

Now you can watch movies with your friends no matter where they are and manage your queue from the comfort of your couch.

Movie Parties – Xbox LIVE Gold members can sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends no matter where they are while your Avatars watch a movie, flirt or even throw popcorn at each other.
Manage Your Queue – Browse the Netflix Instant Watch video catalogue, choose from the most popular movies and genres and add to your queue all from the comfort of your couch – no computer required.
Enhanced Playback Experience – Enjoy a smooth viewing experience when your internet bandwidth fluctuates.
Friends Info – Richer information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide showing what you and your friends are doing.
Avatar Marketplace

Express yourself! Deck your Avatar out with the latest clothing and props from the top brands and game franchises. Please note that only limited content is currently available in the preview.

Clothing

Download premium items, including branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and Xbox 360 games such as "Halo."

Props – You can now equip your avatar with animated items they can carry around and interact with.
Awardables – The ability to earn Avatar clothing and props as rewards within games has been added. Please stay tuned for an update on supporting titles.
Games on Demand -- Please note that Games on Demand will be available in the preview beginning early August.

Enjoy 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular full game titles on Xbox LIVE whenever you want them, in the comfort of your living room.

Purchase Options – Browse and download a great selection of full Xbox 360 games using Microsoft Points, direct debit, or credit card.
Game Manuals – Game manuals for Games on Demand titles can be viewed, downloaded or printed on Xbox.com.
It's Yours Forever! – As with other Xbox LIVE content, Games on Demand titles are linked to your Xbox LIVE account, so you can delete and re-download anything you have already purchased to the same console or another console.
User Ratings

User ratings help you find games that other people think are awesome!

Rate it – You can now rate every game on the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace using a 5-star system.
Sort and Find it – Now you can easily find the games that everyone's been raving about by visiting the Top Rated games in the Browse All category of Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace.
Xbox LIVE Parties

Everyone loves to Party! Check out the new and improved Xbox LIVE Party features.

Party Reconnections – If you are accidently disconnected from your party, Xbox LIVE will automatically reconnect you.
Streamlined Party Invites – Invites are now just one click away! No need to click through multiple screens to get all your friends together.
Video Display Options

We've made it easier for you to see your entertainment in the highest resolution possible on your TV using an HDMI connection.

Display Discovery – Make sure you can see and hear your entertainment in the highest resolution and sound quality possible with the option to override and select audio and video formats independent of the information your television sends to your Xbox 360 console.
Other Improvements

We're always listening to you for feedback, and this Xbox LIVE update will include numerous dashboard updates.

Gold Member Veterans – Xbox LIVE Gold members get to show it off with a stamp on your Gamer Card that tells people how long you've been a Gold member.
Indie Games – Xbox LIVE Community Games has been renamed Xbox LIVE Indie Games. We feel this new name better represents the independent spirit of these titles.
Achievement Browser – We've revamped the Achievements browser so it's now easier to read through all the achievements while playing a game. You can now also launch a game directly from the browser.
Achievements Tracking – A new view inside the profile panel which includes a summary of Achievements earned across all the games played, and shows of all your completed games.
Streamlined Navigation - Streamlined navigation, including new entry points in the dashboard for Active Downloads, redeeming codes, recovering Gamertags and more.
Voice Messages – No more blank voice messages! When recording a voice message, a warning will pop up if no audio is detected.
Friends List Sorting – It's now easier to find your friends! Find and sort your friends by activity, Gamertag or online status by pressing the Y button while viewing the friends list in the Guide.
Memory – Time stamps now appear in the memory area, which particular handy when managing saved games.

Account Management

We've made some changes to make your life easier.

Subscription Notification – If your Xbox LIVE subscription is about to run out, you will now be notified when you sign into Xbox LIVE.
Updates for Invalid Windows Live IDs – If the Windows Live ID you provided has expired, you will now be prompted to update it the next time you sign into Xbox LIVE.
Account recovery – We've enhanced the account recovery process to make it faster and more reliable.
What does this Xbox LIVE Update not include?

The following features will be coming in future Xbox LIVE updates, which we'll be sure to let you know about.

Facebook
Twitter
Zune video and 1080p Instant On
Last.fm

[Asher]

More info:

Xbox LIVE paid downloads from Jan-June grew 73% over last year.

Other notable numbers:

PS3 RED FACTION: GUERRILLA 67,486
PS3 KILLZONE 2 26,696
360 HALO 3 62,546
360 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE GOTY ED 71,175
360 GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME 192,298
360 CALL OF JUAREZ: BOUND IN BLOOD 23,684
360 GEARS OF WAR 2 21,516
WII THE CONDUIT 71,913

PS3 FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4 210,335
PS3 INFAMOUS 192,674
PS3 UFC 2009 UNDISPUTED 187,895
PS3 PROTOTYPE 179,210
PS3 GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME 103,413
PS3 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10 96,539
PS3 RED FACTION: GUERRILLA 67,486
PS3 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR 38,798
PS3 MLB '09: THE SHOW 38,000
PS3 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE GOTY ED 37,149
PS3 BLAZBLUE: CALAMITY TRIGGER 36,570
PS3 TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN 35,351
PS3 KILLZONE 2 26,696
PS3 RESIDENT EVIL 5 23,267
PS3 X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE UNCAGED ED 22,359
PS3 FIFA SOCCER 09 21,209
PS3 GUITAR HERO: SMASH HITS 20,909

WII EA SPORTS ACTIVE BUNDLE 289,083
WII FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD 271,556
WII TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10 MOTION PLUS BUNDLE 204,899
WII MARIO KART W/ WHEEL 202,137
WII PUNCH OUT!! 148,754
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE 146,149
WII THE CONDUIT 71,913
WII GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME 71,899
WII TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10 67,523
WII LEGO STAR WARS: COMPLETE SAGA 60,000
WII GRAND SLAM TENNIS 54,379
WII LINK'S CROSSBOW TRAINING W/ ZAPPER 47,619
WII BOOM BLOX BASH PARTY 47,288
WII SUPER SMASH BROS: BRAWL 44,098
WII INDIANA JONES AND THE STAFF OF KINGS 40,042
WII UP 39,194
WII LEGO INDIANA JONES: THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES 38,528
WII STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED 36,627
WII GUITAR HERO: SMASH HITS 35,827
WII LEGO BATMAN 32,817
WII TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN 30,895
WII MARIO PARTY 8 29,341
WII GOLD'S GYM CARDIO WORKOUT 27,595
WII MY SIMS RACING 26,683
WII CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR 26,563
WII ROCK BAND 2 SPECIAL ED 26,158
WII MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K9 26,081
WII NEW PLAY CONTROL! MARIO POWER TENNIS 26,019
WII SUPER MARIO GALAXY 24,114
WII GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR W/BAND KIT 22,453
WII GUITAR HERO METALLICA 21,581
WII MARIO SUPER SLUGGERS 21,537
WII DECA SPORTS 21,030
WII MY FITNESS COACH 20,342

360 PROTOTYPE 419,863
360 UFC 2009 UNDISPUTED 338,278
360 FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4 260,817
360 RED FACTION: GUERRILLA 199,380
360 GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME 192,298
360 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10 133,321
360 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR 88,589
360 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE GOTY ED 71,175
360 HALO 3 62,546
360 NBA 2K9 61,400
360 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K9 58,916
360 TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN 58,829
360 GUITAR HERO: SMASH HITS 43,139
360 OVERLORD 2 38,772
360 FALLOUT 3 OPERATION ANCHORAGE AND THE PITT EXPANSION PACK 38,559
360 LEFT 4 DEAD GOTY ED 35,141
360 FABLE II 31,796
360 X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE UNCAGED ED 30,878
360 ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION GOTY ED 29,201
360 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV 29,176
360 BLAZBLUE: CALAMITY TRIGGER 28,905
360 FALLOUT 3 28,404
360 HALO WARS 26,346
360 RESIDENT EVIL 5 25,796
360 FIFA SOCCER 09 25,431
360 STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED 24,191
360 CALL OF JUAREZ: BOUND IN BLOOD 23,684
360 SACRED 2: FALLEN ANGEL 22,163
360 GEARS OF WAR 2 21,516
360 LEFT 4 DEAD 21,316
360 PRINCE OF PERSIA 20,756
360 GUITAR HERO METALLICA 20,076

PSP MONSTER HUNTER FREEDOM UNITE 68,768
PSP ROCK BAND UNPLUGGED 37,480
PSP GOD OF WAR: CHAINS OF OLYMPUS 35,144
PSP X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE 28,384
PSP MLB '09: THE SHOW 27,575
PSP UP 26,328
PSP GRAND THEFT AUTO: LIBERTY CITY STORIES 25,370
PSP STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED 25,294
PSP TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN 25,150
PSP MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K9 20,956
PSP RESISTANCE: RETRIBUTION 20,901
PSP CRISIS CORE: FINAL FANTASY VII 20,458

152 games in the leak, all over 20k

NDS:42
Wii:34
360:32
PS3:17
PS2:15
PSP:12

Overall
360 > Wii > DS > PS3 > PS2 > PSP

1st Party:
Wii > DS > PS3 > 360 > PSP > PS2

3rd Party:
360 > Wii > PS3 > DS > PS2 > PSP

[DrSpike]

360 doing really well it seems - and it should catch up even more when some decent games actually start coming out later this year.

Good that MS seem to be consistently innovating even though Live is already so much better than the other online services.