Microsoft, modest as ever, are now comparing the launch of the much-awaited New Xbox Experience (NXE), or “firmware update”, with the conversion to colour television. “In 1954, the introduction of colour TV heralded the dawn of a new era in entertainment,” Microsoft said. “On Nov. 19, more than 50 years after that dramatic shift, a new era in home entertainment begins with the New Xbox Experience as millions of Xbox 360™ consoles will transform instantly through the power of software,” they continued, adding “A bold new future begins now.”

We all know Microsoft need to pimp out their new product, especially as they’re trying to steal Nintendo’s market away with thier innovative new avatars, but comparing a firmware update to the advent of colour television is taking it a little too far. The reasoning Microsoft give? “High definition entertainment [will be] delivered in an instant, the best games [will] share the stage with the best movies, and every experience [will be] shared with friends and families, in the same room or around the world.” Well, colour television was all grainy and not even in proper 1080p! How could that possibly be revolutionary in the entertainment world?

Oh and the reason for the Stingray image? It was the first British show to be filmed entirely in colour (sadly not in true HD).

Source: Destructoid via our good friends at Negative Gamer.

Remember last year, soon after the release of Call of Duty 4, when all the good little boys and girls that got Xbox 360s for Christmas proceeded to destroy Xbox Live? I do, as I’m sure a lot of you do as well, and I know for damn sure that Dan Landis does. When he reported on it last year, the article became a hot topic on Ripten for a good long while.

Well, this year is looking pretty scary with multiplayer heavy hitters Gears of War 2, Call of Duty: World at War, and Left 4 Dead on the horizon, not to mention the New Xbox Experience. All of these hit within the next three weeks. However, Microsoft claims that this year, they’ll be prepared. Read more…

For those lucky enough to get early access to the New Xbox Experience (I envy you), you better not think about sharing it with your friends. They won’t like not being able to play on Xbox LIVE, since the New Xbox Experience will only work with the gamertags of those Microsoft sent it to. Read more…

As if it wasn’t bad enough that Microsoft’s Zune isn’t doing as well as it’s competitors, NBC’s hit geek-oriented show Chuck took the opportunity this past Monday to take a stab at the Zune, as Morgan Grimes, a coworker of Chuck’s at the local Buy More jokingly claimed that he had the store’s Rush CDs on his Zune. Chuck replies in disgust, and Morgan asserts that he’s joking, and goes to get his iPod. Ouch.

My description can’t do it any justice though. The video is embedded above, so watch it on your own, if you will. We here at Ripten are already packaging some aloe vera and isopropyl alcohol to send to Microsoft, as we’re sure they’ll be needing it for this sick buuuuuuurn.

The search continues for the missing Ontario Canada 15 year-old, Brandon Crisp, who fled his home after an argument with his father over their decision to take away his Xbox.

According to Barrie police spokesman, Sgt. Dave Goodbrand, Microsoft Canada has offered to do “anything they can to expedite the process to find Brandon,” and the company is putting their money where their mouth is as they doubled the reward for information leading to his safe return, bringing the total amount to $50,000. Read more…

According to Arstechnica, Microsoft has just been granted a patent that it filed in 2004, allowing it to censor audio in real-time. The technology is able to recognise phonemes and censor the harsh ones (those used in swear words), making them either “unintelligible or inaudible.”

The Patent description also lists uses beyond that of XBox Live; while it aims to prevent potty mouths there, it can also be used to censor live television, negating the delay broadcasters use now. See the full description, and discuss your opinion, after the jump.

Read more…

PS3 finally gets some exclusive DLC TLC.  Sony has entered into an “exclusive marketing agreement” with Mirror’s Edge publisher and evil overlords Electronic Arts to bring downloadable content to the title via PSN.  How’d they manage that without the exorbitantly deep pockets of Microsoft?

Sony has also gone on record to squelch rumors that Mirror’s Edge would be a timed exclusive, stating that the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions would all release on the same day. Read more…

I know that when my 360 hits me it’s only because I provoked it.

These stories are getting a bit stale, aren’t they?  Not stale enough, apparently, or maybe it’s just not important for Microsoft to fix their shit.  You see, my latest Xbox 360 is dead.  I purchased a new Arcade version in January after my then current 360 was assassinated.  I’ve been using it since then until it started freezing, at which time I moved it to the other television and used it solely for movie-watching.  Less than eight months later, it does nothing but blink red and laugh at me. Read more…

According to the official Gears of War website, the Microsoft booth will be hosting 5V5 Gears of War 2 multiplayer matches during this weekend’s Penny Arcade Expo. Read more…

After the abomination that was Double D dodgeball, I can’t imagine anyone getting too excited over this; but for lovers of pirates and ninjas, they’ll be dodging balls on XBLA this coming September 3rd. Read more after the break. Read more…

Sony Computer Entertainment America’s VP of product marketing, Scott Steinberg, in an interview over at Gameindustry.biz, has stated that he thinks more and more developers will be switching to the PS3 as their foremost development console, and that will be making multiplatform games better as a result. Read more…

Now here’s a heck of a scoop, provided it’s for real. Xbox 360 Fanboy has what may be the first glimpse at the character customization options for the 360’s avatars, which will be part of the upcoming Fall update.

It appears to be a much richer suite of tools than the Nintendo Wiis, but to be honest, this still doesn’t make me too excited for this Wii wannabe. Also, is it me, or does that extended ring finger on the right side look like it’s flipping us off?

Source: Xbox 360 Fanboy

Peter Molyneux indicates how many days it would have taken him to create Earth.

There is an interview over at GameTrailers with Peter Molyneux that has some pretty interesting stuff about Fable 2… and beyond. The highlights include more discussion about the co-op and how that all works, as well as what I like to call “wuss mode” where you can’t kill any “friendly” townies and the like.

The most intriguing part is toward the end when Peter Molyneux states that Lionhead Studios is planning on releasing three more Fable games, even though the sequel (aptly titled Fable 2) is still two months away from release.

“We’ve got plans for Fable 3, 4 and 5 actually. It’s a big story arc and if you play Fable II you’ll recognize things from Fable 1.”

Read more…

In a recent interview, Microsoft’s Senior Vice President of Interactive Entertainment, Don Mattrick, responded to Bungie’s public disagreement with the company’s decision to put off their E3 Halo announcement. Mattrick was quoted saying:

“One of the things that we decided, when you have the number one game in the world as we have in Halo, it’s a safe prediction that if we do a separate event for Halo, that it’ll be well-attended, well covered …”

As a member of the press who was in attendance for the Microsoft’s press conference, I find their reasoning absurd. The attendance numbers were announced well in advance of the event, and yet they waited until the last moment before pulling the rug out from underneath Bungie.

Many (including myself) expected a response from Microsoft that cited something along the lines of production issues. However, the company instead decided to come out pointing its finger at E3’s size and significance.

True or not, the comments made by Mattrick add salt to E3’s already gaping wounds. The event of old is rolling in it’s grave right now.

Source: Eurogamer

Introducing the Xbox Wii60

At about the three minute mark in the GameTrailers video interview (shown below) with Nintendo President, Reggie Fils-Aime, Geoff Keighley began to press Reggie for a response regarding what he believed to be Microsoft’s implied interest in a Nintendo partnership, allowing Xbox 360 users to someday wield a Wiimote like device.

Reggie politely danced around the question for a few a few seconds, before uttering the words “we’ll see”. He then stated that John is a big Nintendo supporter, and while he would “always take John’s call”, he felt that the vision of the two companies was “fundamentally different”. Read more…

Major Nelson let loose on his latest podcast that the upcoming Dashboard update for the Xbox 360 will be entirely optional.  Well, you’ll most likely still have to download it, but you can continue to use the old blades system and even forgo the new Miis Avatars and stick with your Gamerpic.  Oh, and you can do it all in game. Read more…

Alan Wake, the upcoming action-thriller from Remedy Entertainment (developers behind Max Payne), was mysteriously missing at this year’s E3 convention. Now, however, it looks like the game will show up at this year’s Tokyo Games Show. Read more…

Oh boy… If World of WarCraft wasn’t already a massive drain on your free time, then Wrath of the Lich King will make things significantly worse.  Not only will the expansion add Death Knights and an entire new continent, but it’s also bringing with it Achievements, which you earn by doing a myriad of quest-related and pointless things alike.  With examples like Town Crier, which I assume involves /yelling a lot, and another one for giving out 10 hugs, I expect my fellow denizens of the World of WarCraft are about to get a whole lot more annoying. Read more…

Update on the previous Bungie cock-block snafu:  Microsoft, as the publishing giant apparently behind Bungie’s latest game, rescinded their green light just hours shy of Bungie’s official announcement.  Bungie was about to make us all climax, but Microsoft stepped in with its shotgun and forced them to stop. This does not make us happy, Microsoft… not happy at all. Read more…

During Monday’s Microsoft Press Conference, the company announced what they are calling the ‘New Xbox Experience.’ One would imagine that is the reason why we were system update-less this Spring, because they’re completely reimagining and revamping their user interface to something more of a Vista-esque, Zune-ish nature. Read more…