by Rainier on Aug. 23, 2006 @ 5:15 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
At the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Microsoft unveiled several new products to enhance its gaming line, the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0, Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, Habu mouse in alliance with Razer USA, and Xbox Live Vision camera, Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, headset and more ...
by Rainier on July 21, 2006 @ 5:12 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft confirmed today its plans to release a new portable music and entertainment player called Zune. In fact there are plans for several products, the first one scheduled for later this year. Zune will compete with Apple's iPod, and aims to do so with various technological advances, such as the ability to transfer music and video wirelessly through wi-fi, and probably an online music store through its partnership with MTV. No pricing or details on its gaming capabilities were revealed.
by Rainier on July 21, 2006 @ 7:05 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft today released its Q4 fiscal results, and while overall revenue increased, the profit dropped almost 24%. Most interesting, of course, are the games-related numbers, where Microsoft is happy to announce sales of its Xbox 360 are going steady, and it has now reached an install base of 5 million. Unfortunately, since the next-gen console is sold at a loss, that resulted in a 106% loss increase, even though revenue increased 94%. Microsoft hopes to achieve a positive margin over the Xbox 360 console life cycle, although so far, the original Xbox is still turning a profit.
by Rainier on July 12, 2006 @ 11:59 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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In 2004, the EU ordered Microsoft to share program code with rivals as part of a ruling in its antitrust lawsuit. Now the EU believes Microsoft did not fully comply and
imposed a $357 million fine, and threatened new penalties of $3.82 million a day beginning July 31. Microsoft of course immediately said it would appeal the fine in court, saying the unprecedented fine is not justified. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes says after two years, she feels Microsoft has still not put an end to its illegal conduct, justifying the penalty payments.
by Rainier on July 11, 2006 @ 10:57 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Originally planned to end in 2003, Microsoft announced that as of today, it will no longer provide customer support or issue security updates for Windows 98/SE and WinME. Analyst firm IDC speculates that currently more than 70 million users are still using the older OS and will thus be affected by this policy change.
by Rainier on July 11, 2006 @ 12:55 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Blue Fang Games, known for the Zoo Tycoon titles, today announced it has extended their partnership with its publisher Microsoft Game Studios, extending its multiple development projects contract through 2009.
by Rainier on June 22, 2006 @ 2:48 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Penny Arcade announced that exhibit space is now sold out for its upcoming PAX gaming fest. PAX '06 attendees can expect to get hands on with yet-to-be-released games and products from Microsoft, Nintendo, Nvidia, ArenaNet, America's Army, Turbine, NCSoft, Ubisoft, Mythic, Sabertooth Games, Foundation 9, Rockstar, Flying Lab, Creative Labs, The Behemoth, Garage Games and Red Octane among others.
by Rainier on June 20, 2006 @ 4:32 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft is currently looking for a
software design engineer to join its Direct Physics team, working closely with the Direct3D team, helping to define, develop and map optimized simulation and collision algorithms onto data structures that are optimized for the GPU. Extensive experience with graphics shading languages such as HLSL is expected as well as a good understanding of modern graphics hardware and associated algorithms.
by Rainier on June 6, 2006 @ 3:40 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft today announced the appointment of Jeff Bell as the new corporate VP of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business, reporting directly to Peter Moore, corporate VP for the overall Interactive Entertainment Business, effective June 12, 2006.
by Rainier on May 22, 2006 @ 1:02 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft and Bizarre Creations today announced the availability of the PGR 3 Cadillac V-Series Collection, now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Gamers can add all three Cadillac V-Series vehicles to their virtual garage and race for an opportunity to bring home a new and exclusive award.
by Rainier on May 19, 2006 @ 5:00 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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While the official release for Microsoft's next OS is still a ways off (early 2007), today the first details were revealed what it will take to actually run the beast. A 800mhz CPU with 512mb RAM will do the trick (1Ghz and 1 Gig RAM recommended), although graphically you will need a DX9-compatible card that supports Pixel Shader 2.0 with RAM ranging from 64mb up to 256mb, depending on your configuration.
by Judy on May 17, 2006 @ 10:44 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft has filed a countersuit against Lucent Technologies, contending that Lucent infringes upon several Microsoft patents. Lucent originally filed suit against Microsoft this March, alleging that Microsoft was misusing Lucent's patented technology for decoding MPEG-2 video files in the Xbox 360.
by Judy on May 11, 2006 @ 9:38 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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GestureTek today announced that Microsoft has licensed its video gesture control technology for use with the Xbox Live Vision camera for the Xbox 360. A library of dev tools will be made available to all X360 developers.
by Rainier on May 10, 2006 @ 5:52 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Check out the following new screens from Microsoft's E3 2006 lineup:
by Rainier on May 9, 2006 @ 4:16 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft announced a new cross-platform gaming service that integrates games played on cell phones, Xbox 360 consoles and the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.
by Rainier on May 9, 2006 @ 2:37 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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As was already revealed in our Microsoft briefing coverage, Microsoft Game Studios confirmed it will publish Remedy's psychological action thriller Alan Wake, exclusively for Windows Vista and the Xbox 360.
by Rainier on May 9, 2006 @ 12:26 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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An impressive Gears of War demonstration kicked off the Microsoft E3 briefing, which was followed by Peer Moore formally announcing Fable 2, Forza 2, as well as Tecmo's Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. Alan Wake is now being published by Microsoft and will be PC/X360 exclusive. Crysis is not Vista exclusive but will also work on XP. Live Anywhere is an Xbox Live Marketplace clone for PC, including GamerTag features. ShadowRun is unveiled, as well as Halo 3 trailer, both scheduled for 2007.
by Rainier on May 4, 2006 @ 3:29 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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As was
rumored last week, Microsoft announced today it is acquiring New York-based video game advertising company Massive Inc., in a move that will help deliver dynamic, relevant ads across Microsoft's online services, starting with Xbox Live and MSN Games.
by Rainier on May 2, 2006 @ 5:34 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Earlier today Xbox.com and Microsoft's online multiplayer service Xbox Live were down for maintenance and a possible upgrade. Now that the downtime is over, Microsoft introduces us to its newest features, My Xbox Message Center, which allows you to send msg's to other Xbox Live members via your PC.
by Judy on April 26, 2006 @ 1:06 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
According to the
Wall Street Journal, Microsoft plans to pay $200 million to $400 million for Massive, a company that places ads in video games. Although both parties declined to comment, this acquisition could lead to ads in Microsoft's Xbox Live service.
by Rainier on April 13, 2006 @ 3:25 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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The World Cyber Games today announced that Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 and Games for Windows will sponsor the global tournament through 2008, providing hardware, software, and marketing support for the events.
by Rainier on April 6, 2006 @ 3:07 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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It's official, Microsoft Game Studios announced that it has purchased U.K.-based Lionhead Studios, known for titles such as Fable, The Movies, Black & White, and will begin creating X360 and Windows exclusive products.
by Rainier on April 5, 2006 @ 4:57 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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In something that looks eerily familiar to Sony's legal woes with Immersion, The Register is reporting that Lucent is going to court with Microsoft for alleged unauthorized usage of its MPEG2 decoder in the Xbox 360. Back in 2003 Lucent had already tried to sue Microsoft for the same reason, but was unsuccessful due to a technicality (typo in the patent's wording), which has since been adjusted. The complaint was filed with the US District Court in San Diego on March 28.
by Rainier on March 21, 2006 @ 9:09 a.m. PST | Filed under
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Microsoft today provided details on the new games and entertainment experiences available to gamers this coming spring. The Xbox 360 games portfolio expands this spring with new next-generation titles from leading developers and publishers that cater to every genre, age, skill level and budget.
by Rainier on March 20, 2006 @ 1:43 p.m. PST | Filed under
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Microsoft today delivered a pre-release version of the first XNA Studio tools and unveiled the XNA Framework to attendees of the GDC 2006. Microsoft also announced that the company is opening its Xbox Live Server Platform to game developers and publishers, allowing them to innovate and extend the Xbox Live experience in their titles.