Week of January 20, 2002
No Grand Theft Auto 3 for GameCube
>> IGN contacted Rockstar :
"After receiving much inquiries from readers regarding a possible release of Grand Theft Auto III on GameCube, we contacted a Rockstar representative to get the final word on the situation. The representative sited several reports responsible for the propagation of the rumor and indicated there was absolutely no truth to them. Rockstar currently has Xbox and PC versions of GTA3 on the way, but there are no plans for a GameCube port at this time."
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(Friday 25 January 2002 20:00 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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Sony Wins Laws Suit : R.I.P. Messiah
>> Sony has won its court case against Channel Technology, the makers of the Messiah PlayStation 2 mod chip (a mod chip that allows user to direct boot DVD & CDR backup and imports). Surely it's only fitting that the ruling be as controversial as the case itself, and Judge Jacob Dean managed to offer food for thought on the topic of importing videogames and DVDs. The word 'illegal' was even bandied about.
"Judge Jacob stated that Sony licensed games for the territory that they were issued, the licensing of these games did not allow for their use in other territories, therefore whether they were imported for private and domestic use by personal purchase for instance via the internet, or purchased abroad on holiday, they were not allowed by Sony to be played outside of the licensed territory, this argument should be upheld. The technical reason for the decision being based upon the fact that a game that is run without permission makes a copy of copyright material in memory, this copy is 'infringing' because it is an unauthorized copy argued Sony. Basically, this 'controversial' statement made it illegal to play games purchased from abroad."
I wonder what Sony will try to do against TW/HK companies selling messiah-clones ...
R.I.P. Messiah
This will make the chance for a Xbox modchip even smaller ...
Check the Channeltech website for more info.
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(Thursday 24 January 2002 18:45 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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Michel Cassius Interview
>> The General Manager of Xbox, J. Allard, whose job it was to make something spectacular happen of the Microsoft’s biggest launch ever, and European Director Michel Cassius, have both been interviewed by GamesDomain.
Interesting part :
Q: What plans are being made to bring the likes of Square on board with a view to getting Final Fantasy XI to Xbox?
J.A.: We’ve talked to Square quite a bit [laughs]…
Seems to me like Sqaure said NO ...
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(Thursday 24 January 2002 01:10 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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Xbox - Homestation: Reality or Myth?
>> The San Jose News is reporting that Microsofts UltimateTV hardware group will be moved into Microsoft's Xbox team, furthing identifying the path Microsoft is taking with Xbox and the mythical beast: Homestation.
UltimateTV combines television-based e-mail and Web-surfing services with DirecTV satellite-television programming and digital video recording.
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(Tuesday 22 January 2002 17:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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Xbox Drags Microsoft Profits
>> Microsoft is selling each console for less than it costs to manufacture--a widely copied practice in the video game business. Makers of game consoles typically count on sales of their own software and licensing revenue from third-party software to partly subsidize the cost of making game machines.
Such subsidies--which don't happen in Microsoft's core software business--are built into the price of the Xbox and will undercut Microsoft profits for some time to come.
Microsoft hailed the successful launch of the Xbox in reporting earnings Thursday for its second fiscal quarter. The company reported it sold 1.5 million units of the console in the quarter, at the high end of internal estimates, and said it was on track to sell 4.5 million to six million units by the end of the 2002 fiscal year on June 30.
While Xbox sales helped boost Microsoft's overall revenue, the company also said high launch costs cut into profits.
"Xbox is the first step in Microsoft's long-term strategic vision for the future of home entertainment, and it too met with great success," Microsoft Chief Financial Officer John Connors said after the earnings announcement.
But that success comes at a price. Each Xbox console sells for $299, and analysts estimate it costs the company anywhere from $20 to $150 more than that to get it on store shelves.
One of the most widely publicized estimates of Microsoft's subsidy was Merrill Lynch analyst Henry Blodget's report last March that Microsoft would lose $100 for each console sold. Subsequent estimates have been more conservative, but nobody can say for sure without knowing how much Microsoft pays for Xbox components, many of which are standard PC parts subject to fluctuating prices.
Prudential Securities analyst John McPeake now estimates the company is losing about $30 per unit, a number that's unlikely to change much. "The consoles themselves they'll never make money on," he said.
Check the full article @CNet
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(Tuesday 22 January 2002 17:34 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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Xbox and Samsung reaches a deal.
>> Samsung has been contracted to provide DDR SRAM for Microsoft’s Xbox. Each console features four 128Mb (4Mx32) DDR SDRAM devices, optimized for graphics applications, providing a total of 64 Megabytes of system memory. The agreement highlights Samsung’s strength as the leader in the semiconductor memory arena and as a key member of the impressive team of technology suppliers supporting Xbox. "Samsung provides great technology and top-notch customer service," said Todd Holmdahl, General Manager, Xbox hardware. "We value Samsung’s support in helping to make Xbox a successful product." Microsoft has contracted Samsung to provide DDR SRAM for the Xbox. So far each Xbox console uses four 128MB (4Mx32) DDR SDRAM devices, optimized for graphics apps, providing a total of 64 MB is system memory. This is a really big step for Samsung and Xbox alone.
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(Tuesday 22 January 2002 17:30 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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Grand Prix 4 Xbox
>> Infogrames has officially confirmed the fourth installment of Geoff Crammond’s Grand Prix series entitled Grand Prix 4 for the Xbox and PC platforms, and is set to release in June 7th. The Grand Prix games have successfully established themselves as the most successful Forumla 1 racing games franchise on the PC, and will further grow on that popularity to bring gamers technology, competition, blistering speed, and the oppurtunity to witness the unveiling of a new chapter in Formula 1 gaming.
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(Tuesday 22 January 2002 17:30 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
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