by Rainier on Jan. 25, 2007 @ 3:54 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Microsoft announced record revenue of $12.54 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, a 6% increase compared to last year, driven by Zune, X360 and its server applications. Despite increase in sales (from $1.69 billion to $2.96 billion) for the Entertainment and Devices Division, the Xbox has yet to make a profit as it currently has an operating loss of $289 million, slightly higher than last year ($286 million). With 10.4 million consoles sold Microsoft Games Division expects to turn a profit fiscal 2008 (second half of 2007).
by Rainier on Jan. 19, 2007 @ 1:42 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Aces Studio is using the Microsoft Flight Simulator X technology to develop a new version of Microsoft Train Simulator. Unrelated to our previous Train Simulator development efforts, this version will be an all-new product built on the FSX platform, although Microsoft stated that it’s too early to discuss any product details, which are to come later this year.
by Rainier on Jan. 18, 2007 @ 11:44 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
Microsoft is offering customers 3 new ways to buy, upgrade or license multiple copies of Windows Vista. Windows Anytime Upgrade, Windows Vista Family Discount and Windows Marketplace will provide customers with greater flexibility in obtaining the new OS and will ensure they have the edition of Windows Vista that matches their needs.
by Rainier on Jan. 10, 2007 @ 3:38 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Not wanting to be left out, Microsoft announced it was awarded the Emmy for Pioneering Work in Near and Real-Time Fully Programmable Shading Via Modern Graphics Processors for its DirectX technology, at the 58th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards, on Monday, January 8th at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
by Rainier on Jan. 9, 2007 @ 7:34 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
Several people have email in to let us know that apparently Microsoft has rolled out a new Xbox 360 update without any prior notification. When you log on to Xbox Live you will be prompted to download the new update which, according to MajorNelson adresses nothing major, just a few performance and stability issues.
by Rainier on Jan. 8, 2007 @ 1:04 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
During his keynote speech Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates' CES unveiled IPTV on Xbox 360, which will bring TV services into your home over broadband networks based on the IPTV Edition software platform. IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to be available by holiday season 2007.
by Rainier on Dec. 22, 2006 @ 6:11 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
Microsoft announced that it will change the X360 warranty from 90 days to 1 year from the date of purchase in the US and Canada, on par with the standard 1-year X360 warranty that is available throughout most of the world. This also applies to those who already have an X360 and are still within their first year of ownership.
by Rainier on Dec. 20, 2006 @ 12:46 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Macrovision announced an agreement to make its Trymedia games catalog available through the Microsoft Windows Marketplace, offering more than 1,000 popular core and casual downloadable games.
by Paul Kehler on Dec. 9, 2006 @ 6:16 a.m. PST | Filed under
Reviews
Flight Simulator X will present players with a wide array of new aircraft to fly in a beautifully rich and believable world which will contain greater detail than past entries in the franchise.
by Judy on Dec. 6, 2006 @ 2:57 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Xbox Live user REDRUM6622 claimed on the official Xbox forums that he has filed a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft because of the problems he and other users have experienced after performing the Fall System Update. He is demanding a jury trial, citing breach of contract, violation of consumer protection act (RCW 19.86), and negligence.
by Rainier on Nov. 30, 2006 @ 12:22 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Marketing outlet IDC expects Microsoft to deploy no less than 90 million units of its upcoming Windows Vista operatin system in calendar year 2007, quickly displacing the majority of shipments of older Windows versions.
by Rainier on Nov. 27, 2006 @ 6:53 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
In an
interview with San Joe Mercury News, Microsoft's president of Entertainment and Devices Robbie Bach said that the company's current primary goal is to "cost reduce the Xbox 360." Since Microsoft has a year's head start over the competition it will be able to drive down the manufacturing curve faster, an advantage over its rivals. Recently UK retail stores have started bundling the Xbox 360 with various top titles, making the console even more appealing.
by Rainier on Nov. 22, 2006 @ 6:03 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
An
article in the latest PC Gamer issue showed a photo of a promo kiosk featuring a Gears of War Games for Windows retail box, indicating a port might be in the works. Now Microsoft, usually not commenting on rumors, issued a short statement that this is not confirmed, but merely a mistake by the artist as one of the MGS titles used as examples to show what their retail setup would look like. Still, no confirmation does not mean it is not true ...
by Rainier on Oct. 22, 2006 @ 4:16 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
A few days ago 20th Century and FOX announced they were withdrawing their financial back of the Halo movie, putting a dark cloud over the project.
An article on United Press International claims that Microsoft plans to finance by themselves. Whether this is an actual statement or a mere misinterpretation of the official announcement is not clear at this point.
by Rainier on Sept. 27, 2006 @ 3:32 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft Game Studios will partner with Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer Peter Jackson, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Fran Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to the creation of world-class interactive entertainment. Two projects are already in the pipeline, one in collaboration with Bungie, set in the Halo universe, and the second will be an all new IP.
by Rainier on Sept. 27, 2006 @ 1:42 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Check out the following new screens from Microsoft's X06 2006 lineup:
by Alan Butterworth on Sept. 27, 2006 @ 2:17 a.m. PDT | Filed under
Previews
Flight Simulator X will present players with a wide array of new aircraft to fly in a beautifully rich and believable world which will contain greater detail than past entries in the franchise.
by Rainier on Sept. 25, 2006 @ 3:18 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Limelight Networks today announced it has renewed its alliance with Microsoft as the Content Delivery Network to continue to deliver content and downloads from Microsoft and game developers directly via the Xbox 360's Xbox Live network.
by Rainier on Sept. 23, 2006 @ 4:41 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Check out the following new screens from Microsoft's TGS 2006 lineup:
by Rainier on Sept. 21, 2006 @ 8:00 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
If you bought an Xbox 360 at launch or shortly thereafter, and it has recently died, you are in luck. Microsoft
finally acknowledges that their units manufactured in 2005 have a higher failure rate than ones purchased after January 1, 2006. Microsoft is now fixing them for free, or if it cannot be addressed within two days, will send you a replacement at no extra charge. If you have the three rings of death and your systems predate 2006, then call 1-800-4MY-XBOX.
by Rainier on Sept. 20, 2006 @ 2:10 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
At the start of the Tokyo Game Show Microsoft revealed its lineup of nearly 110 high-definition games by years end in Japan, as well as availability date details and pricing for the Xbox 360 HD DVD player, and an update that will allow the Xbox 360 console to output full 1080p games and video.
by Rainier on Sept. 16, 2006 @ 7:09 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft announced today that Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom will hit store shelves in Q2 2007. The Xbox 360 exclusive will take the franchise in a new direction as developer BLUESIDE and series director Henry Lee plan to create a truly next-generation Action-RPG, departing from their well-known Action-RTS formula.
by Rainier on Sept. 14, 2006 @ 1:29 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft's Zune, a 30 gig digital media player, features a built-in FM tuner that displays the name of the song being played, a 3-inch screen, preloaded content from various record labels, and wireless Zune to Zune file sharing. Microsoft Zune Marketplace also allows you to download as many tracks as they want for a flat fee.
by Judy on Sept. 8, 2006 @ 11:32 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft today announced that it will release a cheaper, basic version of its Xbox 360 in Japan on November 2 to boost sluggish sales of the video game console there.
by Rainier on Sept. 6, 2006 @ 4:31 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
With the news of the European PS3 launch delay, certain competitors might be eager to seize on the opportunity to push extra units over the holidays. Nintendo was rather subdued in its comments, while Microsoft was a bit more forthcoming, while industry analysts say the delay won't affect things too much, except for European stores who might be in a jam, and predict Nintendo might have the most to gain. Read more for details ...