Toys for Kids & Adults

NYT: In console war, Wii gains allies
TheNew York Timesis today reporting that Nintendo has gained crucial allies in the console war: game developers and publishers.

Despite Sony's best effort to convince the public that first year sales of a console don't really matter, it seems developers and publishers want to make and sell games for consoles that have sold well in that first year. What's more, these developers and publishers are preferring the inexpensive nature of making games for the Wii, as opposed to the PS3, which often costs twice as much. (Of course, if the PS3 was flying off the shelves, that wouldn't be a problem).

While none of this comes as a surprise to those who have been closely following the video game industry this year, the fact it is being reported in the mainstream media, provides another nail in the PS3 coffin, and another boost for the Wii.

The masses want to buy the console with the best games. TheNew York Timesis telling people that it's looking like the Wii will have the best games. And, while I still believe Nintendo President Satoru Iwata's comment that theWii could top the PS2 in number of consoles soldwas bold (and even arrogant), articles like this make it more of a possibility.

Read theNYTarticle

'Blue Dragon' demo — July 20 — Xbox Live

A demo forBlue Dragon, the highly anticipated RPG for the Xbox 360, will be available beginning on July 20th and will end on August 3rd.

The demo reportedly contains over two hours of gameplay and will be a 1.1 GB download, so get your broadband ready.

We'll definitely check it out and will start a walkthrough for it as soon as it enters the Lunabean HQ interweb.

Source

Xbox head, Moore, Resigns

Peter Moore, head of Microsoft's Xbox unit, will resign to oversee sports games at Electronic Arts. Taking the place of Moore will be Don Mattrick, a former executive at EA.

WSJ

MS extends Xbox 360 warranty to 3 years

Microsoft today admitted to an "unacceptable number of repairs" (source) for the Xbox 360, announcing it would take a $1 billion charge due to the repairs.

Because of this situation, Microsoft has done the right thing…

The company said it would extend warranty coverage to three years to cover the problem and would reimburse customers who had previously paid for repairs related to the three-flashing-lights error message. It also said it has made improvements to the Xbox 360 console.

Despite the $1 billion charge, and missing shipping expectations (11.6 million vs. 12 million), MS says it still expects to be in the black for fiscal year '08, which I believe, would be the first time the Xbox division is profitable for a full year.

Job well done, MS. Unlike many other technology companies, you've admitted to your mistake, said you'd fix the machines for free and extended the warranty to 3 years, which is one of the longest warranties for any consumer electronics product. This will help to maintain confidence in the product and will help with sales.

If your Xbox 360 has gotten the red ring of death, you can try thetowel wrapping methodbefore sending it in.

Reuters article

Need 'Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix' video game help?

Talking gargoyles got you down? Wand just not working the way it should? Getting lost in Hogwarts?

If you suffer from any of these symptoms then you'll be glad that we have a growingHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixwalkthroughin the works.

In addition to the walkthrough, we have an extremely activeHarry Potter: OotPhelp threadon ourmessage boards. Here, you can share your gameplay experience and help others along the way. Afterall, it is what a good Gryffindor would do.

Enjoy!

Spielberg's secret games

Last OctoberEA and Steven Spielbergannounced a long-term, three-game partnership.

Today, we have sometantalizing details. First, there is "LMNO," the secret title of an action game for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC (March 2008).

Second, there's "PQRS," a game dreamed up when Spielberg played Miyamoto inWii Tennisat last year's E3. Apparently, Spielberg was so taken withWii Tennisthat it inspired him to make a game for the Wii.

"Really, what that game is about is re-inventing classic blocks, but reinventing them with the Wii remote," Young said, beginning to describe a physics-based puzzle game of block stacking and block toppling. "Blocks can have physical properties. They can weigh different weights or they might explode and vanish, or if two combine they might have a chemical reaction."

Well, count me in as excited.

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Adverts for Xbox Live achievements

Let's face it. We all like getting a pat on the back for a job well done. It is for this reason that Xbox Live achievements have become so popular. I mean, who can resist seeking out all of the orbs inCrackdownor earning the Moth Hunter badge inLost Planet?

However, not unlike the Olympics, these pure and untarnished achievements are soon to be tainted by the pros…that is, they'll be sold to the highest bidder for sponsorship.

AsJoytiq reports, the upcoming EA game, NCAA Footbal '08, contains achievements sponsored by Old Spice and Pontiac.

I don't know whether to cry or to welcome what is certain to become a steady cash flow for developers to offset production costs (hopefully giving us better games). I think I'll cry.

List of achievements for NCAA Footbal '08