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Microsoft Game Studio and XB360 Rep Here Taking Questions
- Thread starter Marty Chinn
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Dark Age Iron Savior
Banned
Looking at the how gaming and game development has rapidly become more and more about essentially pointless technical obsession, as well as the constant appeals to "the mainstream" and the establishment of milkable franchises...
...can you really say you believe that the console you are helping to promote will be good for the game industry, from any point of view other than commercially?
Sorry if that's not very clear...
...can you really say you believe that the console you are helping to promote will be good for the game industry, from any point of view other than commercially?
Sorry if that's not very clear...
You're a BRAVE man for taking questions from this board...but I'm impressed that you're taking the time to do so.
1) Do you have any plans to license Fairplay (the Apple DRM) so that the iPod capabilities on the Xbox 360 will be able to playback songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store?
2) It has been widely reported that there will be initial, planned, limited deliveries of the console. Assuming that you do sell out the initial shipments, when can people expect to find a second wave of units in stores?
3) Taking off your professional hat, and putting on your personal one: Which games are YOU most excited about?
Thanks...
1) Do you have any plans to license Fairplay (the Apple DRM) so that the iPod capabilities on the Xbox 360 will be able to playback songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store?
2) It has been widely reported that there will be initial, planned, limited deliveries of the console. Assuming that you do sell out the initial shipments, when can people expect to find a second wave of units in stores?
3) Taking off your professional hat, and putting on your personal one: Which games are YOU most excited about?
Thanks...
DCharlie
And even i am moderately surprised
- Currently , the region coding of gaming seems to have been left to individiual developers to implement. Will this trend continue with the X360? This has been a particular god send for those in the far east where Xbox support was weak.
- On a similar note, the other great boon was the release of Asian games in English. I've never understood the policy of releasing the Japanese version into other Asian countries, when i'd suspect English is more widely used. Again, this is a boon for the westerners in the far east. Will this trend also continue and will the region remain NTSC-J?
- As mentioned with the above two points, i'd assume region free xbox games will operate just fine in any X360? i ask because i have a mix of US/Asian games, and if i have a choice of importing an X360 or buying the Japanese model, then i'll have to do some thinking based on my library (although to be honest, it's only a small factor)
- The start to the Japanese assault this time round has been much better than the Xbox launch. Although some people will play down the moves made, we're seeing a vast increase in the media coverage and exposure of the X360 in Japan. Do MS have even more ambitious plans for the X360 in Japan following on from this first step? how do they intend to keep the momentum going?
- Microsoft have been involved in the purchase of a few smaller upcoming developers, yet have strayed away from what some people see as more obvious takeover targets with more well know IP (Capcom and Sega both jump to mind). Is there an official / unofficial policy of not buying large development houses ?
- on a personal note, if the X360 could have one IP each from the Sony and Nintendo catalogue, what two games would you personally recommend MS to take?
Thanks for you time, much appreciated.
DC
- On a similar note, the other great boon was the release of Asian games in English. I've never understood the policy of releasing the Japanese version into other Asian countries, when i'd suspect English is more widely used. Again, this is a boon for the westerners in the far east. Will this trend also continue and will the region remain NTSC-J?
- As mentioned with the above two points, i'd assume region free xbox games will operate just fine in any X360? i ask because i have a mix of US/Asian games, and if i have a choice of importing an X360 or buying the Japanese model, then i'll have to do some thinking based on my library (although to be honest, it's only a small factor)
- The start to the Japanese assault this time round has been much better than the Xbox launch. Although some people will play down the moves made, we're seeing a vast increase in the media coverage and exposure of the X360 in Japan. Do MS have even more ambitious plans for the X360 in Japan following on from this first step? how do they intend to keep the momentum going?
- Microsoft have been involved in the purchase of a few smaller upcoming developers, yet have strayed away from what some people see as more obvious takeover targets with more well know IP (Capcom and Sega both jump to mind). Is there an official / unofficial policy of not buying large development houses ?
- on a personal note, if the X360 could have one IP each from the Sony and Nintendo catalogue, what two games would you personally recommend MS to take?
Thanks for you time, much appreciated.
DC
Is it true that Dead or Alive 4 is being delayed till December, or was that an error on the part of EB Games?
Will Fatal Frame 3 eventually show up on the XBox or Xbox 360?
Finally, what is the general release timeline Epic and MGS are shooting for in releasing Gears of War, other then 2006?
Will Fatal Frame 3 eventually show up on the XBox or Xbox 360?
Finally, what is the general release timeline Epic and MGS are shooting for in releasing Gears of War, other then 2006?
123rl said:Hello Arne
I'd like to ask when will we know:
- what games are available on launch day
- how many machines will be available at launch
- how soon before the second batch of consoles will be available?
Thanks
The launch day titles haven't been announced yet. There should be an annoucement soon, I haven't gotten word on when though. Don't forgot that the launch day lineup in 2001 wasn't announced until like a week before launch I think.
There haven't been any figures released yet on how many consoles will be available at launch, but I know they are being manufactured constantly to make as many as possible leading up to and past launch. I personally have no doubt that no matter how many consoles get made, they will all sell out. I believe the plan is to keep sending the distributors/retails consoles on a weekly basis, but once they get them, I don't know how long it will be before those new batches will be available in stores -- that's really up to them.
TranceVibrator
Member
Hello!
I too would like to know about Austalia being kept out of the worldwide launch, why Microsoft have gone against their Australian fans like that (Xbox is really really popular in Australia), and what the launch date and price will be
Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!
I too would like to know about Austalia being kept out of the worldwide launch, why Microsoft have gone against their Australian fans like that (Xbox is really really popular in Australia), and what the launch date and price will be
Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!
Helznicht said:
Actually I think this is on Xbox.com. DVDs will be output at 480p when you use component video or VGA cables.
I don't have any info on if there's plans for upscaling playback, especially since the current DVD format is 480p (or thereabouts). I haven't personally seen DVD playback from a player that can upscale, but I can't imagine that it's really any better, usually things look best in their native resolution since they don't have to interpolate information that isn't there in the first place.
Dr_Cogent said:
I haven't had a chance to read some older threads, so I don't know what was discussed there, so forgive me if I repeat obvious information. The Xbox 360 supports 3 wired controllers. I don't know right now of any solutions for handling any additional wired controllers.
arne said:
Thanks
I'm not too worried about launch games since I'm sure the games I want will be available (PGR3 and Perfect Dark) but I'm worried about getting my machine on launch day. I ordered months ago but there's a lot of rumours here in the UK that there'll only be 50,000 machines available at launch, which is something like 4-5 for each indy store
Suikoguy
I whinny my fervor lowly, for his length is not as great as those of the Hylian war stallions
Y2Kevbug11 said:Wow! Poor Arne getting mobbed by all of us.
I just want to hear more about PDZ. Is it going to make launch? If not, who needs to be eliminated so that it makes launch?
Your not going to get any answers on launch titles as he does not know.
Straightballin
Member
Arne could you please answer some of the previous questions on the first page?
Y2Kevbug11 said:Wow! Poor Arne getting mobbed by all of us.
I just want to hear more about PDZ. Is it going to make launch? If not, who needs to be eliminated so that it makes launch? Which family member of Duncan Botwood is requesting he come "home" so he can have "dinner" with his "family"?
Err, hasn't PDZ shipped to stores already?
element
Member
I can answer this one. MS depending on the project offers UX (User Experience), testing, marketing, code review/analyst, programmers (if needed), artists (if needed), playtest. MGS is a one stop shop of all your development needs.
Arne, do you work in MGS proper or Xbox or an outside company? Mill D, E, F?
And guys, this guy is going to have to walk the company line, so don't expect him to start talking about unannounced games and stuff.
Fatghost28 said:
Ok, BC. Just like a lot of things, there's no offical word yet on anything. Obviously you've read the Bungie folks talking about Halo and Halo 2 already, but beyond that, no info I know of. I'm sure they'll be an announcement when things are ready and I'm sure I'll find out right around when you will. I know I'll be looking out for it on my own.
Sorry.
Straightballin
Member
Im not questioning you with you knowledge of the subject or where you work but..
Basically what info can you give us that we dont know already?
Basically what info can you give us that we dont know already?
Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
Yeah, so basically MS knows nothing about the launch games or how many consoles will be available or what games are BC? So how long until this thing is out again?
Straightballin
Member
Suikoguy said:I was gonna post that, but I was worried about a ban
lol so am I but im not trying to say he dosen't know anything or anything like that, Im just trying to get a quick run down of what he knows exactly that we dont know.
arne said:Ok, BC. Just like a lot of things, there's no offical word yet on anything. Obviously you've read the Bungie folks talking about Halo and Halo 2 already, but beyond that, no info I know of. I'm sure they'll be an announcement when things are ready and I'm sure I'll find out right around when you will. I know I'll be looking out for it on my own.
Sorry.
Any idea at all? 3 games? 30? 300? There's 12 days until launch.
Matlock said:Although what he can say is roughly equivalent to what we know right now, could you please just appreciate the service provided?
I'm not going to say anything after this, because I don't want to derail the thread, but I think it is a legitimate question. And, I did say I respected his effort in trying to assist us. Just that it might be a little unnecessary.
Straightballin said:
There's a lot of detailed info that just isn't general knowledge that I can get or find out. It's hard for me to offer it up because there's just a ton of it really.
A lot of things are held very close until they're ready to be announced, so I won't get that info until it's going to be announced or just before at best. Think of it like the stock market... information is really valuable and nobody wants there to be an imbalance in the access to the information, that creates more problems than solves them.
Straightballin
Member
Well the BC is supposed to be announced tommrow no info on that?
Mr. Lemming said:What is the warranty on the 360 going to be in the US? Lifetime right?
What is the expected battery life with the wireless controllers? Using both the battery pack and just using AAs.
Any cool features on the dashboard that haven't been widely publicized yet?
Any word on Marketplace content on day one? Demos, gamertiles and such?
Wireless controller battery life comes out to be up to 30 hours with AAs and up to 25 hours with the battery pack.
No clue on the warranty, I'll ask and see if I hear anything.
The Dashboard and Marketplace questions are really good questions, I'll also have to get back to you on that, I don't know off the top of my head. I'll see if there's anything I can share that isn't widely known.
Rabid Wolverine
Member
Arne,
Firstly congrats and goodluck to MS with the launch of the Xbox 360.
My question releates to the power sourceof the Xbox 360. Im in Australia and am going to be an early adopter with a American console. Ive read a post claiming that Major Nelson has stated that the Xbox 360 will be able to work in any country in regards to plugging in to its power outlet.
Can you confirm this?
If this is not the case what wattage power converter would you recommend to use.
Thanks.
Firstly congrats and goodluck to MS with the launch of the Xbox 360.
My question releates to the power sourceof the Xbox 360. Im in Australia and am going to be an early adopter with a American console. Ive read a post claiming that Major Nelson has stated that the Xbox 360 will be able to work in any country in regards to plugging in to its power outlet.
Can you confirm this?
If this is not the case what wattage power converter would you recommend to use.
Thanks.
I've got another one for you arne.
What titles are going to be available from MGS on the Xbox? Anything? I think I read that MS has dropped all support for the existing Xbox.
If there isn't anything from MGS, what are the titles MS knows are in development right now for the existing Xbox hardware?
And of those, which will be backwards compatible on the 360?
What titles are going to be available from MGS on the Xbox? Anything? I think I read that MS has dropped all support for the existing Xbox.
If there isn't anything from MGS, what are the titles MS knows are in development right now for the existing Xbox hardware?
And of those, which will be backwards compatible on the 360?
Almighty_Chocobo
Member
Will the Xbox360 be compatible with plug&play USB Keyboards/mice out of the box, or will we be required to purchase them specifically for the 360?
It just seems obvious this guy is pure PR. He has no info that hasn't been announced or signed as official. That basically means we know exactly what he knows. Kind of a waste of time if you ask me. I understand he can point out things some people would miss, but this is GAF. We are sticklers for details. It has all been covered here.
Dark Age Iron Savior said:
On a personal note, I believe in what I'm doing or else I wouldn't be here doing what I am doing, this was definitely my choice.
I will defer to a Porsche tagline (yeah, I love sportscars) with regards as to what is good for the game industry, which is: Racing [competition] improves the breed.
Dark Age Iron Savior
Banned
arne said:
Thanks for answering my question.
Looks like gaming is screwed.
Suikoguy
I whinny my fervor lowly, for his length is not as great as those of the Hylian war stallions
demi said:
Does Arne know where Demi gets his wit?
But seriously,
Since sony started the one year warenty on its products, and since nintendo seems to always have done so, I sorted expected microsoft to up the ante and give a one year also. Seems to me its one question you might be able to find out, maybe
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