Microsoft is suing shipping company DHL for allegedly losing 21,600 Xbox 360 consoles in a Texas train derailment, according to court documents.
In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle, Microsoft said it is seeking more than US$2 million in damages from DHL for two containers of Xbox 360 consoles that sustained "impact damage, wetting, pilfering and shortage" after a derailment near Duke, Texas.
The Xboxes were en route from a Microsoft office in McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, California, for eventual delivery to Hong Kong at the time of the loss, which occurred on Oct. 13, 2007, according to court papers. Flextronics Industrial in Hong Kong was the intended recipient.
Microsoft claims that DHL has refused to compensate it for the loss, even though the delivery service "negligently breached its duties as a common carrier, handler, bailee, warehouseman, agent, or in other capabilities," acc... More »
I’m glad to be back here with the PlayStation Posse and talk about a game that I’m looking forward to – Age of Booty. No, it’s not an online dating game.
It’s a casual, pirate-themed, online strategy game from some of the makers of Halo.
Actually, I consider this more of a multiplayer party game because it’s really easy to play and allows for a lot of smack talk. Yarrr!
Here are more details:
• Release date: Soon (I’ll confirm when I get a solid date)
• Price: Only $9.99!
• Trophies: No comment at this time.
• Add on content: Lots of free map packs in the future plus some cool expansions.
• Players: Up to 8 players online – You can play a 4 player local match then take the team online!
• Demo:Available a couple weeks after launch with online multiplayer matches!
<... More »
Tokyo Game Show is all about Sony... or at least it was. The annual event is in full swing now and that table has turned. Microsoft is usually as quiet as a mouse wearing slippers while the Japanese based Sony enjoys the love-in, but to date it has been Microsoft dropping bombs. Let us elaborate...
Back in the good ol’ days (or not so good ol’ days, depending on which side of the line you’re on) at the Tokyo Game Show, Sony would come in first, Nintendo second, and Microsoft would be a distant afterthought.
Indeed prior to this year’s TGS, the Japanese convention was dominated by Sony, plain and simple. Their booth was the size of a football field, they gave interview access to everyone who was anyone and, best yet, they delivered top notch treatment to game journalists.
Such was Sony’s dominance of TGS that they would fly upwards of 10 Aussie journos to Japan and put them up in the most pimping of pimped out hotel suites to ensure cove... More »
The President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA), Jack Tretton, has told the Financial Times that he has no qualms about Sony meeting their corporate goals and selling every PS3 they manufacture.
Tretton was also asked whether the consoles stands now after a shaky first years. "Gamers are coming back to us, we are selling a higher percentage of games such as Madden NFL and Grand Theft Auto, because people are choosing the PS3 [over the Xbox].
Sales are up over 100 per cent and we are tracking well ahead of what we expected." Tretton replied.
To quote: Where do you stand right now in the console wars after a somewhat shaky first year?
Gamers are coming back to us, we are selling a higher percentage of games such as Madden NFL and Grand Theft Auto, because people are choosing the PS3 [over the Xbox].
Sales are up over 100 per cent and we are tracking well ahead of what we expected. We are hav... More »
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has confirmed that the PS Store for PSP will officially launch on October 15, 2008 coinciding with PSP Firmware Update 5.0.
The update will add an XMB icon which will allow users to access the PlayStation Store directly from their PSP consoles. Sony will then begin offering downloadable UMD-based titles on the same day as their retail release.
In related news, IGN has made available the first PlayStation Store for PSP screens along with a description on how you use the store.
To quote: Users will need to connect directly to PlayStation Network from PSP via Wi-Fi connection, and then register for a PlayStation Network account to access the PlayStation Store on the XMBTM (XrossMediaBar) of PSP. PlayStation Network account for PS3/ PC can also be used.
Press Release: PLAYSTATION®STORE FOR PSP® (PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE)
TO BECOME AVA... More »
According to XBitLabs (linked above), Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp. has been contracted to manufacture external Blu-ray disc drives for Microsoft XBox 360 game consoles.
Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corporation is a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Toshiba Corporation. The Blu-ray disc drives are rumored to cost in the $100-$150 range.
To quote: It is still unclear when exactly Microsoft plans to release its external Blu-ray solution for Xbox 360. Hypothetically, the company may launch it slightly ahead of the holiday season in an attempt to steal an advantage from the PlayStation 3. B
ut since sales of Blu-ray are still on a low level, the software giant may decide to postpone the unveiling till Consumer Electronics Show early next year in order to get the most attention of the media with new device.
Microsoft and TSST did not comment on the news story.
Yes folks, it's October, which means that the crazy end-of-year games rush has begun. A boggling number of games are due out over the next few months, so let us guide you towards the titles we really think you should be keeping an eye on.
Remember though, most of these recommendations are based on previews, so wait until the final review verdict before picking any of them up.
1. Animal Crossing: City Folk - Wii, 16th Nov US, December EU
It might not be the great hardcore hope Reggie claims it to be, but the Wii version of Animal Crossing certainly promises to be the definitive entry in the series. It's got proper online play, mic and keyboard communications, Mii support, a new city area full of customisable gear to pick up and connectivity between Wii and DS. In other words, it's got everything Animal Crossing always needed. AC is one of those games you either love or just don't get at all, but if you're the former, this will be a must.
More »
Remember the announcement that the XBox 360 will get exclusive downloadable content for Tomb Raider: Underworld?
Yeah, if you're a PS3 gamer, don't count on it being a timed exclusive. Eidos has confirmed that the DLC will not - repeat, not - appear on other consoles.
What's more, the demo planned to come out for the game this month is also an XBox 360 exclusive. Called it.
So first it was Grand Theft Auto IV, and then it was Fallout 3. Now it's Lara Croft.
What's with all this PlayStation 3 deprivation? Is Microsoft dishing out money again to get these DLCs, or are Bethesda and Eidos just not PS3 fans?