Last night we decided to go bowling. All I can say is my right arm is sore as hell. I never realized how much the 10 pound balls can hurt you. I will say that everyone had fun and I doubt we will be doing it again anytime soon.

Andrew

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taken from: SciFiBlog.com

The Nintendo Wii has surprised a lot of people, generating loads of buzz from its strange name, unique controller, and low price point. But are those things enough to topple the monster consoles from Microsoft and Sony? An admittedly underpowered machine, Nintendo has taken a very risky path, ignoring gamers’ cries for cranked specs and flashy graphics, instead going after casual gamers and focusing on what made people gamers in the first place: fun. Will this risky strategy pay off, and will the Wii succeed in the face of super-charged, high-priced competition? For a number of reasons I think the answer is a definite yes.

Every generation of consoles has given gamers a vast improvement in graphical power, justifying a new investment in hardware and games. The jump in graphics from the NES to the Super Nintendo to the Nintendo 64 was drastic, making the older systems obsolete immediately. However, systems have reached a point where the graphics can’t look much better on a standard-definition TV. That’s the reason for the jump to high-definition for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, which gives HDTV owners a lot more to play with, but for a huge jump in price. The fully-loaded PS3 will run gamers a gasp-inducing $600 ($500 for a lesser version), a price that cost Sony a boatload of gamer goodwill when announced. After all, the PS2 cost $300 when it was first released — people aren’t used to spending that much on a game console. The Wii, on the other hand, is not HD-capable and barely upgraded the graphics from the GameCube, the previous console to come from Nintendo. Instead, the revolutionary changes come in the form of the Wii’s controller, which looks more like a remote control than a video game controller and is motion-sensing. The cost, while not yet announced, is expected to be either $200 or $250, less than half that of the PS3.

Will casual gamers balk at lesser graphics, instead choosing to continue the pattern of upgrading the consoles purely for graphical enhancements? I don’t think so. If a hardcore gamer really wants the hottest graphics and latest technology, they have a choice. They could invest $2,000 in a new HDTV, $600 in a PS3, and another $300 in a few games, or they could buy a high-end gaming PC for the same price. A gaming PC has the benefit of being upgradeable and never becoming obsolete, unlike the PS3, which will only become more outdated every day it sits hooked up to that flat-panel TV. While high-end gaming PCs have always been a niche market for gamers with a lot of cash to throw around, the Xbox 360 and PS3 demand a similar investment of money in order to get their full potential. They’ve thrown themselves into a much higher-end market, pitting themselves against products they just can’t compete with. It’s entirely possible that the relative success of the Xbox 360 so far (it was released last November) can be attributed to hardcore gamers who buy every console regardless of the price. Once they have all picked theirs up, the market for high-end consoles may shrink much faster than Microsoft and Sony expect.

The Wii, meanwhile, remains affordable and is meant to work on a regular old TV. It remains at the same price level people are used to paying for consoles, and a price that casual gamers will be willing to spend on something they use for fun on the weekends. After all, it’s a video game console, not something you should be forced to consider as a serious investment. And that’s the main reason I’m certain the Wii will do so well: it’s aimed at casual gamers, a large group of people that Microsoft and Sony have pretty much ignored, instead greedily going after the smaller, more moneyed, hardcore-gamer market.

Combine these things with the unique, you-just-gotta-try-it controller and the new Virtual Console, which will allow people to play older games from the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, and TurboGraphix 16, and you’ve got a console people will be dying to get their hands on. Nintendo read the market, saw how the big guys were shunning a huge number of people, and created a product designed to give them everything they wanted and more. Mix that with a product unveiling by Sony so badly blundered Nintendo couldn’t have written it better themselves and you have a recipe for underdog success. Mark my words: the Wii’s gonna win.

taken from: SciFiBlog.com

Now if everyone realizes the Wii will suceed, then I can sleep better.

Andrew

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taken from: OnNintendo.com

It looks like EA is seeing the light, or is it Lite? Anyway, EA recently announced six games for Nintendo’s forthcoming revolution, the Wii. A couple of the games were already announced but a few were not. All the games will be custom-designed for the Wii and the WiiPointer by the dedicated Wii team at EA Canada. Here’s the list…

The Godfather
Harry Potter
Tiger Woods PGA Tou
SSX
Madden NFL 07
Need for Speed Carbon

Also, EA had some nice words for Nintendo’s latest innovation. John Schappert, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA, had this to say… “Once we started to experiment with Madden on Wii, there was an explosion of innovation. Everyone in the studio is energized by the creative opportunity afforded by both the hardware and controller. By reaching into our catalogue, we are able to bring a fresh and distinctive experience to some of EA’s most popular franchises. Creatively, the game play possibilities are staggering and endless.”

EA has also revealed that more titles for the Wii are in development and will be announced at a later date.

taken from: OnNintendo.com

Ya See, Nintendo is going to win this war!

Andrew

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taken from: Nextech News.com

Apparently the PS3 Cell processor is so big and complicated, they’re having a hard time making enough to satisfy the demand. An IBM Semiconductor VP says they’re “lucky to get 10 or 20 percent” out of a chip like the Cell. The other 80-90 percent aren’t fit to be used in PS3s, meaning they either get used in another application or thrown away if they can’t be. (Gizmodo)

Ok so now we have the cell processor one of those “new things that sony is taking a risk on” having horrible production runs… 10-20% is going to REALLY eat into sony, if they are only able to use 1 in 10 or 1 in 5 of the produced chips that means 4 of those chips atleast are scrap silicone and wasted cash… THIS IS NOT GOOD, especially considering that sony is taking at minimum 400$ [LOSS] on each ps3 console.

But that’s not the end of the bad news, it appears Bluray diodes are also in very short supply as kotaku covered today and quoted below.

A Chinese newspaper is reporting that Sony’s running into a brick wall with Blu-ray production. The paper says that production facilities have not been able to meet the demand for the diode that generates the blue laser that puts the blue in Blu-ray. Sony’s own plants and those of Japan’s Nichia Corp. have been having continued run-ins regarding supply shortcomings. This could not only delay production of Blu-ray DVD players, but also the PlayStation 3. (Kotaku)

The fact is as was feared by myself and MANY MANY others, the PS3 is based on untested, unproven hardware and is a HUGE risk, basically sony is betting their entire company on it. With such new drive and processor components and the shear complexity of the PS3, sony’s not only going to take a HUGE loss on each console, but the fact is with these high failure rates, reaching any sort of demand levels for the PS3 let alone leaving enough diodes for “other” bluray products. If sony can’t improve it’s silicone yield and up the diode output drastically not only will they end up making an even bigger loss on each PS3 than was originally expected (which would lead to no price cuts as has been demanded by consumers and developers), but they will also could end up not meeting the demand as they have been promising.

Also another sad fact is Microsoft has a 2-3% failure rate on a proven silicone chip that they are already on their second revision and people are acting like thats a “high failure” when in fact its quite low… but as i was saying if they think this is bad god only knows what sony will end up having with all the production problems and the shear complexity of the system. For the sake of sony as a company i really hope they can fix things up because if you look back in the PS3 category you’ll notice things for Sony haven’t been looking good lately at all.

taken from: Nextech News.com

I wonder how much Sony is going to fail… This should be interesting.

Andrew

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taken from: Joystiq.com

If Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times is to be believed (he seems like a nice enough fellow), Microsoft is not only poised to release an Xboy this Christmas, but will have it interacting with Xgirl, Xuncle and Xred-headed step-child, the latter of which will probably prove a formidable challenge to market. All part of Project Argo — the name of the warship that carried Greek Mythology’s Jason around — the project jokingly dubbed Xboy seems to be a full attack on that popular, more fruitful music player and it is likely to be waged on multiple fronts. As Mr. Dudley writes, the project “being developed is actually a complete line of Xbox-branded digital-media products, including a device that plays media, a software media player and an online media service.”

Under the leadership of General J. Allard, the branded media players will go to war with the iPod, the DS and the PSP with Wi-Fi at their disposal, as well as the backing of music companies, online media services and presumably, blitzkrieg marketing tactics. The article also mentions the support of the touted XNA platform, no doubt paving the way for easy support for existing Microsoft platform games.

What you can take from the Seattle Times article is this: Microsoft is pushing hard to release a killer portable device this Christmas, one complete with Wi-Fi capabilities and an online X-tunes service which may very well be home to familiar games and properties. We can only pray that the inevitable portable version of Halo isn’t dubbed Hago.

taken from: Joystiq.com

I own an iPod, Treo 650, DS, Gamecube, and an XBox 360. IF I could get that ONE device to cut out my Treo, iPod, and DS, I might do it. I love my iPod Video. I think it was a GREAT buy [I actually won mine]. I can deal with my Apple/Nintendo/Microsoft/Palm connection!

Andrew

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So what has been going on in my life these days. Nothing really new… I have been working and working. I did get an XBox 360. I bought a couple of games for it and that is about it.

I recorded 2 vertebreakers, 3 UCT, and 3 NC’s. I am trying to edit them tonight and/or post them. I never realized how much time it takes to do a podcast. It takes a long time.

I do have some terrible news though. It turns out my uncle cheated on my aunt. I am pretty pissed off right now. I cannot believe it, but sometimes people change. If he was drunk, I might be like it was a mistake. He doesn’t drink though. I feel bad for my aunt and cousin. I hope everything works out in the end. If I knew someone who was married and they were cheating on their wife, I would pressure that person to stop. If they were just dating… I have no idea.

Andrew

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Today my grandmother is 87 years young. I hope she is lovin’ her 87th birthday!

Andrew

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more information @ Vggen.com

Under normal circumstances, I would not usually feel the need to preview the latest, greatest installment of a sports game, and certainly not Madden at that! Though some might disagree – and I am more than willing to concede that I am no expert on the series – it seems to me that there is rarely very much change from one game to the next, with perhaps the exception of graphics and updated team rosters. However, considering that the version of Madden NFL 07 at hand is headed to the Wii, Nintendo’s upcoming console, these are hardly what I would call “normal circumstances,” so a look ahead does seem apropos. Though still in its early stages, the game seems to have all that you’d expect from a Madden game – such as detailed graphics (which, even though they aren’t PS3 or even Xbox 360 quality, are still pretty decent), training camps and that sort of thing – and it is not as though the game itself will be too much different – I mean, after all, it is still football – but the way you will play the game is certainly something new.

At first, the gameplay in Madden NFL 07 might seem somewhat traditional: when running the ball down the field, players will use the nunchaku attachment’s analog stick to control their athlete, Z to sprint and C to cover the ball and on the other hand (literally) using the Wii-mote’s A button to spin and B button to dive. Players will also use the Wii-mote D-pad to select receivers before passing…but this is where the game starts to get anything but traditional. As we discussed in our feature Control Issues: Examining the New Wii-Mote, it was revealed shortly before E3 that both the freehand controller and the nunchuk attachment have built-in accelerometers to give them motion-sensing capabilities, and both are put to good use in Madden NFL 07. To help guide you through this next section, we’ve composed a sort of playbook, if you will, of some of the new ways you’ll execute old moves.

Please read more @ Vggen.com

Please read the full article. There are even pictures!

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taken from: Digitimes.com

While talk of an early launch of the Nintendo Wii game console circulates in the market, chip makers including, ATI and Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS), said orders for their chips used in game consoles, including the Wii and Xbox 360, are picking up.

The concrete release date of the Will is not yet finalized and Nintendo said it would announce the release date and pricing in September, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

ATI, which supplies the graphics chip for the Wii, reported that the contribution from its consumer electronics chips business this year grew to 20% from last year’s 15%, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.

Pixart Imaging (PXI), an affiliate of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and the remote sensor chipset supplier for the Wii, was cited by the Commercial Times as saying that its shipments may reach a million units in August.

SiS, the southbridge chip supplier for the Xbox 360, is also cited in the report as saying that orders started picking up from July.

taken from: Digitimes.com

I know most SMART people love hearing about the 360 and Wii.

Andrew

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taken from: Magamanlive.com

OK as the title just read:
I have had my Xbox360 since launch. After 3 months I needed to have the system replaced and the system was replaced by Microsoft. Now the system is plagued by 3 rings of light. I call customer support and after being hung up I make sure to fire up the phone recorder; AUDIO with XBOX Support

Now the call is long but within the last five mins or so they supervisor walks me through a diagnostic test which he says is a hardware issue. Now inorder for me to use my XBOX360 I must ship it out and pay 100 dollars.

I cherish my systems and not a single one has been broken, my NES still works. Microsoft should be held responsible for these hardware issues and should not be charging gamers like myself extra money on fixing defective hardware.

I will not pay for somthing i did not break and everyone else should join this fight.

I will continue with updates including a shorter version of hte phone conversation so you don’t have to listen to the whole thing

**update 1** SO far this is getting some response on Digg thank you, now I got the end of the phone conversation edited down where the Rep admits “It is somthing specific with the hardware inside the console” Here is the link

Also I might have to move this to my blog since the godaddy.com site might max out.
**Update 2** I have now filed a complaint with the BBB, I have also tried to contact Microsoft reps. and will need to fax Robbie Bach the VP of the XBOX Divison in the morning.

**Update 3** Thank you for the support. I need to clear a few things up. First off I know the chain of command I spoke to two CSR’s before the CSR supervisor who told me the tests show “specific defective hardware” listen ot the shorter audio version. Two as far as dropping names and press, I am press I do internet radio I report on the industry weekly, I have the first amendment right, of freedom of speech and I will use my avenues to show people that Microsoft is really screwing over the consumer. As far as Larry Hyrb(major Nelson) I have emailed back and forth and talked with him, and I know he gets my emails and I right out told him in the email that this is not meant for him and that I would be very happy if he could foward it along to the correct people.
And I stand by my feelings that any product shouldn’t need to be replaced or repaired every 3-6 months, thats not right, and I wouldn’t be mounting this campaign if I was at fault but I treat my systems and other electronics very well and if this was my fault cuase I dropped it or did somthing to it then I would have no problem being a man and owning up to it.
Thanks again, and if this site crashes due to bandwidth which it might all this will be mirrored on my blog even though I never really use it.

**Update 4** Microsoft is now censoring my thread on the XBOX forums. I had a thread posted with this issue, with 4 pages of replys some peopel dissagreeing with me but many agreeing that Microsoft is wrong and should be replacing our broken systems.

taken from: Magamanlive.com

I hope my system does not goto shit like this guys.

Andrew

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HAPPY Fourth of July!!!

Andrew

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Today marks my niece’s 2nd birthday. It is ALSO her golden birthday. I doubt she will remember it, but she can talk about it later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

Andrew

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Today is a good day. We FINALLY did a deal with credit acceptance. It took 2 full months, but I has paid off. Ironically we have had a lot of people come in, but most of them went to first rate financing. I am just glad we can offer people this program. It has helped lots of people out and will continue to do so. I feel EVERYONE deserves a second chance NO MATTER WHAT!

Andrew

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taken from: DSL Reports and Seattle PI

The same lawyers that sued Sony over the rootkit CD fiasco have now turned their gaze on Microsoft, and its Genuine Advantage anti-piracy tool. The tool phones home daily via your broadband connection, activity Microsoft dubs “a safety measure designed to allow the tool – to quickly shut down in case of a malfunction.” The lawyers disagree, and say the software is largely spyware that users were given no choice in installing, reports the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

taken from: DSL Reports and Seattle PI

Please check out the FULL article. I do not like the fact I am updating Genuine Advantage EVERY other day. I find that shit annoying. I hate it when Microsoft gets sued, but there has to be a better way.

Andrew

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taken from: Enquirer.com

During Pearl Jam’s show Saturday in Cincinnati, frontman Eddie Vedder remembered the 11 people tragically trampled to death prior to a 1979 concert by the Who at the same arena, as well as the nine victims killed in a similar incident during PJ’s 2000 set at Denmark’s Roskilde festival. Vedder dedicated a song to “those who passed and all the survivors.” In addition, the band closed its set with a cover of the Who’s “Baba O’Riley.”

taken from: Enquirer.com

Andrew

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