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Monster GameLink 360 Component Video & Fiber Optic Audio A/V Kit
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Product Reviews, Video Games,
We have complained about the
Xbox 360’s loose fiber optic connection
in the past, noting that it is such a poor oversight on Microsoft’s part. Since we didn’t want to use crazy glue or a twisty tie, we went for the next best thing - replacing the Microsoft cable all together in the hopes of finding something better. We got the Monster GameLink 360 Component Video & Fiber Optic Audio A/V Kit. Putting aside it’s insanely long product name, we unpackage the new wires and set everything up - check out the images after the jump.Click to continue reading Monster GameLink 360 Component Video & Fiber Optic Audio A/V Kit
The second annual Seattle Game Conference is scheduled for Saturday February 4th, 2006. The conference is designed for anyone interested in getting into the videogame industry.
It’ll cost you $45 if you purchase a pass in advance online, otherwise it’s $60 at the door. As shown in a schedule on the linked page, the day will be filled with a couple of lectures, some networking, and a resume workshop. Additionally, attendees are encourage to “bring plenty of resumes” because “a number of hiring managers will be on site.” The conference should make for a great experience, and be sure to post if you’re considering going.
Read More 
| The Game Initiative
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Next Generation has posted a chapter out of “Smartbomb”, a new book on the videogame industry. The chapter discusses why Microsoft made the Xbox in the first place and how it happened.
While this makes for an interesting read, it doesn’t come close to the detail of Dean Takashi’s “Opening the Xbox”. I read Takashi’s book shortly after its release and found it extremely compelling. In fact, I found myself rooting for the Microsoft guys working on the Xbox by the time I was done reading it. The book does a great job describing everyone involved, along with their strong dedication to succeed. I highly recommend this one if you haven’t read it yet.
And while I haven’t read Smartbomb in its entirety yet, I’ve heard it’s a great book - so if you’ve got some time on your hands pick it up as well!
Read More | Next Generation
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Next Generation has put together an interesting feature discussing the five biggest “howlers, blunders and goofs” of 2005.
Here’s the list: (In order from bad to worse)
5. Nintendo’s Revolution Revelations
4. EA and Madden Next Gen
3. Sony’s PSP Launch
2. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Launch
1. Hot Coffee
We knew Hot Coffee would be at the top of the list, and the four other topics do seem in place. The 360 shortages were (and still are) horrible, the PSP’s launch didn’t go over as well as Sony would have liked, and Next Gen Madden really doesn’t do much better than the current gen versions of the game - and that “Madden Next Gen” commercial shown earlier this year was a joke. As for the Nintendo Revolution’s controller, we’re not sure if we completely agree with it being a huge blunder - but then again we haven’t tried it out so who knows, it could be a huge dud. But then again, this is Nintendo we’re talking about and they certainly do know videogames.
If you’d like to read Next Generation’s reasoning behind the blunders, just make the jump.
Read More | Next Generation
So much for Microsoft getting a big head-start. It doesn’t matter if everyone and their mom wants a 360 this Christmas - if they’re not on store shelves, no one’s going to be able to buy them. Microsoft decided to launch so far ahead of the PS3 to get a good head-start but it’s starting to look like when it comes down to it, the company may not have that much of a lead.
EA is apparently upset with the 360 shortages because it isn’t able to sell as many games as projected. After EA issued a price warning, we all knew things aren’t going well for the company this holiday season.
Moving on, the linked story also mentions that Best Buy should be receiving more 360s today - which will go on sale tomorrow.
Read More | GameDaily
EA Tried to Acquire Exclusive NHL License
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Corporate News, Sports,
Last December, EA acquired the exclusive license to produce NFL games. Many videogame fans became upset with EA since Visual Concept’s NFL 2k series wouldn’t be made anymore. Midway was actually able to stick it big with its newest Blitz title which sold above expectations.
Based upon a GameDaily story, Electronics Arts also tried to obtain the exclusive rights to the NHL license. EA was turned down though by the hockey league because the league believes that “choice is good” and consumers should have more than one option for a hockey game. It must have taken a lot to stand up to EA, but was it the right decision for the NHL? Theoretically, more hockey games on the market means competition within the genre, so you should expect to see better hockey games than what we’d be seeing had the license been exclusively given to EA.
Of course EA makes the argument that it would still work to make the best hockey game possible not only to save face but also because its newest sports games compete with older iterations in the series. After all, if you have Madden NFL 2005 but 2006’s version is hardly any different, why on earth would you go out and buy 2006?
Read More | GameDailyBiz
New Picture of the PS3 and Xbox 360 Side by Side
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360,
Makes the Xbox 360 look a lot bigger, huh? And yes, the consoles are shown to scale - see the ethernet ports.
Read More | flickr
Still don’t have an Xbox 360 but want one without having to pay way too much? The guys over at ‘Addicted to Digital Media’ have found a fool proof way to score a machine online at MSRP. Basically, the method involves tracking 360 availability. While we haven’t tried it out since we already have ours, the method looks solid, so check it out if you’re still looking.
Read More | Addicted to Digital Media
We knew it wouldn’t take long after Xbox 360 games had been cracked, but an actual Xbox 360 console has been hacked - as shown in the linked video. Just watching the 360 in the video load up an illegal copy of PDZ makes me feel uncomfortable. It really didn’t take long for the machine to be hacked - and it’s disappointing especially considering how hard Microsoft claimed it worked to prevent this sort of thing from happening.
Read More | YouTube
SCOTTeVEST 237D Jacket Review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Features, Product Reviews,
The SCOTTeVEST 237D is the updated version of the Three.0 Spring jacket that we reviewed about a year-and-a-half ago. We have been testing out the 237D in Seattle weather for much of December, and are finding that the 237D moniker - which stands for “237 days,” meaning you can wear it for 3-out-of-4 seasons per year - lives up to its name for the most part. The 237D features 33 pockets, and adds the Detachable Cargo Cache, built-in battery holders, addition magnetic enclosures, and two more pockets than the Three.0 Spring. Check out the full review after the jump.
Click to continue reading SCOTTeVEST 237D Jacket Review
