Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Peter Moore Resigns From Microsoft

 REDMOND, Wash. — July 17, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Don Mattrick, a former president at Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), will lead the Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB), which includes overseeing the Xbox® and Games for Windows® businesses. Peter Moore, who currently serves as corporate vice president of IEB, has decided to move his family back to the Bay Area for personal reasons and has secured another opportunity in the video games industry.

Mattrick will take over as the senior vice president of IEB at Microsoft, effective July 30. Mattrick was the founder of Distinctive Software Inc., which operated as a private company from 1982 until its merger with EA in 1991. Mattrick held various senior positions within EA, most recently as president of Worldwide Studios, until his resignation in February 2006. In February 2007, Mattrick began working with the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft as an external advisor.

“Peter has contributed enormously to the games business since joining Microsoft in 2003 and we are sad to see him go,” said Robbie Bach, president of Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “Since that time, he presided over the global launch of the Xbox 360™, spearheaded a revitalized and rebranded Games for Windows business, and helped steer the console’s ascent.”

Moore has decided to return with his family to Northern California, where they lived until he took the position at Microsoft. Moore will remain at Microsoft to assist in the transition through August and will then return to the San Francisco Bay area.

“While Peter will certainly be missed, we are delighted to have one of the industry’s most talented and passionate veterans on board to lead the business,” Bach said. “Don is well-known and respected throughout the industry for his deep knowledge, technical expertise and management savvy. Under Don’s leadership, the games team is looking forward to embarking on our biggest holiday ever, with a wide-ranging roster of some of the most highly anticipated titles.”

Mattrick brings 23 years of games industry and development experience to the strong Microsoft management team, having helped bring to life such celebrated game franchises as the “Need for Speed,” “Harry Potter” and “The Sims” while at EA.

“Over the past two decades, and the past few months in particular, I’ve worked closely with many of Microsoft’s top leaders and I’ve always been impressed by their talent, passion and commitment,” said Mattrick. “I’m thrilled to join an already strong team that’s delivering truly amazing gaming experiences to customers around the world. I’ve never been more excited about the future of the industry, and firmly believe Microsoft will lead the next great innovations in gaming.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Lost Planet Maps become free this Friday



This Friday (the 20th) the Xbox 360 Lost Planet maps (packs 1 and 2) become free. You can find more info at the official Lost Planet blog
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All the Peter Moore You Can Get Your Hands On

petermoorinterviews.jpgOur fearless leader was all over the place this E3 and but got chance to sit down with Microsoft's Corporate Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division (that means he's the big Xbox guy) Peter Moore and chat about a variety of subjects. We've been posting the videos up for you in nice bite sized pieces but in case you missed any, here's the breakdown after the jump.

With the Big 3 all competing for everyone's attention, naturally someone must have come out on top of the heap. Listen and hear Mr. Moore tell you who he thinks won. I bet you can't guess what he says.

Xbox hasn't really said much about theMGS4 for Xbox rumors and here, Peter Moore talks about the relationship between Konami and Sony and how Micorsoft acquires exclusive games. Hey, he has a Linkin Park ring tone!

The retirement of Ken Kutaragi was big news, and Mr. Moore speaks respectfully and thoughtfully of his colleagues retirement.

With the announcement ofHalo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Mr. Moore talks about previous special editions of other consoles and gives his take on the mild reaction to it at the press conference.

Here, Peter Moore talks a bit about the PS3 price drop and multiple versions of the hard drive sizes. But his big question is a sound one; what are you going to do with all that hard drive space?

First and foremost in many peoples minds has been the Xbox 360 Death Syndrome and Crecente gets Peter to talk about why one might give a warranty rather than a full recall.

Crecente quizzes Peter about his tattoos and Peter replies by admitting to checking out Angelina Jolie. Funnily he says "I don't know why I was looking at Angelina Jolie." Oh come now Peter, even I know why you were looking at Angelina Jolie

And finally, in classic James Lipton style, Crecente gets Mr. Moore's opinions on one of the big questions of the show, the death of the old E3. this one loads a bit slow, so go get a cup of coffee and come back.

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Blizzard Working On Totally Awesome New Game

While chatting with Gamasutra, Blizzard's Frank Pearce revealed that Blizzard have three teams currently at work. One's toiling away on WoW. Another is toiling away on Starcraft 2. The third? It's a secret, says Pearce.
Team 3 is working on something really awesome. I can't give you any hints, but it's totally awesome.
A game so totally awesome it must be kept a secret from us all? Sounds fab. Keep us posted. Oh, and before you link the words "totally awesome" with "nice ass", they confirmed this game is not Starcraft Ghost.
Blizzard Establishes Third Team, New Game Expected [Gamasutra]
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No idea what platform, but this article was funny!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Want to be in the new G.T.A.?

 Just caught this on achievementjunkie.com, it sounds interesting enough to look into if you like the G.T.A. series...Fresh out of E3, the first promotional/semi-pseudo ARG for Grand Theft Auto IV is now going full steam. Rockstar let us know, and subsequently sent out emails to the newsletter subscribers, that there is now a way for you to get your voice heard in both the (fictional)political and game development communities….oh yeah, and in the actual game itself…

Rockstar has set up a fictional phone number for Liberty City’s talk radio station named ‘WKTT Radio‘ for gamers to call into, and leave messages on what they think wrong with the world, the Americas, your health, the political state of things, and you in general in todays society. Rockstar will then filter through the mass of messages, weed out the handful of exceptional ones, and those will be put into Grand Theft Auto IV to be heard on the in-game radio. What are you waiting for? Call in and try to be ‘teh most fam0us gam3r evar’!…I’m sure someone out there will think that at least. Nice idea for a marketing ploy and game mechanic, no? Sneaky developers…

Saturday, July 14, 2007

More Free Austin Powers from Burgercon






McDonalds' Burgercon is offering up a second helping of free Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery movie rental off the XBLVM. Starting today and running through July 19th, US Xbox Live members can download Austin Powers off the Video Marketplace for free.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Bomberman Live and Yie Ar Kung Fu Next Week in the XBLA

 It’s a double-header Xbox LIVE Arcade Wednesday with “Bomberman Live” from Hudson Entertainment and “Yie Ar Kung Fu” from Konami.




Both will come to Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 this Wednesday, July 18 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).
Bomberman Live:
Created specifically for Xbox LIVE Arcade, the all-new “Bomberman Live” brings high definition graphics, four-person local multiplayer and eight-person online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE.

“Bomberman Live” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.


Prove you’re the best: Play at home with up to four players or hop online and challenge the best Bombermen (and women!) from around the world with up to eight players.

Fully customizable Bomberman: With over 10,000 possible combinations, players can customize Bomberman – from the gladiator outfit to the clown costume, or mix and match! Players can make Bomberman as cute or menacing as they like.

Do battle in eight exotic locations: Compete in eight striking arenas, each with their own traps and gimmicks.

Annihilate enemies with power-ups: Destroy blocks to reveal 16 distinct power-ups (and power-downs).

Yie Ar Kung Fu:
Try and master the classic fighting game “Yie Ar Kung Fu” from Konami. With enhanced graphics, hand painted backgrounds and new achievements, this classic fighting game is sure to test any player’s skills. “Yie Ar Kung Fu” will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E10+ for Cartoon Violence.

Choose to play the authentic arcade version or experienced the enhanced version, which features stunning hand painted models and backgrounds mimicking traditional Japanese art styles

Xbox LIVE leaderboards where gamers can compare scores among friends and the rest of the Xbox LIVE world

Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore

The BIGS Demo is now now up on Marketplace, Here are the details from MajorNelson.com ...

    Name: The BIGS Demo
    Price: Free
    Availability: Canada and the US
    Dash Details: The Bigs elevates America’s favorite pastime to new heights with larger-than-life ballparks, heroic gameplay and incredible player models. Setting this MLB® experience apart from anything you’ve ever seen before are spectacular power-ups, stunning special effects, and a totally unique career mode. Featuring fantastic pitching, batting and fielding animations, the Bigs brings new meaning to the term "highlight reel". CHECK OUT THE DEMO NOW!
    Size:900.4 MB

Hi

Hi I'm Paul J.(GT:trekx) from The Original XBox 360 MySpace Group i just wanted to introduce myself and let everyone know that i will be adding to the news from here on out ...

Thank you

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Xbox Back Compat Update 7/12/07

Right in the middle of E3 we get a new backwards compatibility update with some long awaited titles added .....

    America's Army
    Auto Modellista
    Bass Pro Shops Trophy Hunter 2007
    Blinx 2
    Bloodrayne 2
    Burnout
    Crash Bandicoot 4
    Crash Bandicoot 5: Wrath of Cortex Updated
    Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil
    Drive to Survive
    Drive to Survive (EM)
    ESPN College Hoops
    ESPN NHL 2K5
    Evil Dead Regeneration
    Exaskeleton New Japan only
    FIFA Street 2
    Full Spectrum Warrior: 10 Hammers
    GUILTY GEAR XX #RELOAD
    Harry Potter: And the Chamber of Secrets
    Harry Potter: And the Prisoner of Azkaban
    Hot Wheels: Stunt Track Challenge
    Jet Set Radio Future Updated
    Justice League: Heroes
    King Arthur
    Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders New No Live Access
    Magic: The Gathering: Battlegrounds
    Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects
    Marvel vs. Capcom 2
    Mech Assault 2
    MLB Slug Fest 2003
    Morrowind
    MotoGP2
    Myst III: Exile
    NBA Live 2002
    NCAA Football 06
    Nobunaga no Yabou Ranseiki New Japan only
    Outlaw Golf 9 More Holes of X-mas
    Outlaw Volleyball: Red Hot
    Outrun 2
    Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast
    Pac Man World 3
    Panzer Elite Action: Fields of Glory New EMEA only
    Pro Cast Sports Fishing
    Project Gotham Racing
    Project Gotham Racing 2
    RoadKill New No Live Access
    Rogue Ops Updated
    Sega GT 2002 Updated
    Sega GT Online
    Shadow Ops
    Showdown: Legends of Wrestling
    Silent Hill 2: Dreams New US/EMEA only
    Sponge Bob Square Pants: Lights, Camera, Pants!
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Melee
    The DaVinci Code
    The Sims 2
    The Urbz: Sims in the City
    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X
    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
    Transworld Surf
    Trivial Pursuit Unhinged
    Winning Eleven 8
    Without Warning
    WWE Raw
    Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny