Ignore the fact that there are people and websites around saying that there’s no point in owning an HD DVD player. I’m here to tell you that there is a point and with a $50 price, it’s beyond a steal especially when you consider the 5 free HD DVD movies offer still applies. You can find the price at Best Buy, Wal-Mart and other retail chains. Naturally, going forward there won’t be much, if any at all, production on the format but that doesn’t change the fact that there are still several movies in high defintion worth owning.
I don’t think that Toshiba or Microsoft or any HD DVD supporter somehow magically stopped all existing movies or players from working. Call it what you will but I just purchased my mother one. There are quite a few movies in high definition that she can now enjoy for a ridiculously low price. We’ll cross that future HD movie barrier when we get to it. For now, I plan to enjoy this price and investigate the catalog of movies-to-own soon.
US, Aussie, New Zealand and Canada gamers take note of a price drop to the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. It’s now $129.99 from its previous price of $179.99. I’m not sure why it’s not at $99 now especially considering so many shifts in studio support that just about signal a premature demise of the format. Make sure you read my Truth Serum on format wars discussing a bit about this.
For those of you really considering this now, be advised that you can often find these players even cheaper with a little bit of interweb investigating. Another quick note is that you can still use the 5 free HD DVDs offer with the purchase of an HD DVD player.
Not done giving this holiday season? Stuck on finding out the perfect gift for that Xbox 360 owner in your life? Reach into your generosity bag then and give the gift of Microsoft Points. Microsoft is running a beta of this program that allows you to send points directly to a friend. You’ll need the Windows Live ID of the friend in order to gift the points.
This does not include any of your current Microsoft Points balance! You must buy any of the 3 bundles (2000, 1000, or 500) as point gifts. You should already be familiar with the prices of each pack. This service is supported by Xbox Live, Zune and Games for Windows - Live naturally so the giving isn’t limited.
Click here to start your gift of Microsoft Points to your closest friend. Make sure your friend is in the US though because as of right now this program is US only.
Birthdays are days to look back. They are days to reflect on previous years to see exactly what has gone on year after year after year. I know some of you are new to Xbox Live so I thought it would be fun to look back to the year it all began. I took a few pictures of the Xbox Live Beta Kit that I still have. It’s amazing that I’ve kept it this long but I figured it was the start of something beautiful. Five years later it seems I was right.
In October 2002, it began for me. I was selected to be amongst the few to beta an exciting idea from Microsoft. Xbox Live. It was a bold step to bring gamers from different cities, states and countries together. I didn’t know what to expect but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to be among the few to experience it first. My gamertag then was Racivius Dawn. (had to think quick and I was deep into Morrowind at the time)
Once upon a time people said that ‘nobody wants to talk while they play games…they like typing’. They said ‘your bet on broadband is crazy…look at the current penetration rates’. They also said ‘who wants a friends list in their game?’ Five years and 3.1 billion game sessions later we’re preparing to celebrate Xbox Live and its 5-year anniversary.
For me, celebrating Xbox Live turning five just got a tad bit more exciting! Take a look at the special edition LIVE is 5IVE Xbox 360 wireless controller. I’ve received a lot of cool things here at U360 and this one ranks right up there with the best of my Bag & Swag. I didn’t think I’d fancy an orange controller but this one looks great.
I want to send a big thanks to Microsoft and the Xbox Live team for five amazing years of gaming across the world with friends. I was an original beta tester so this little doozie will be extra special to me. It will now be my primary controller. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get these in any store. Check out more pics of the LIVE is 5IVE controller here.
Still not feeling the $20 price cut on the Xbox 360 HD DVD player? Still not sure even after the ultimate man movie, 300, hit stores the other day? Perhaps this deal is enough to get you on the high definition movie train.
Best Buy is offering the Xbox 360 HD DVD player for $149.99! Yes, that’s a $50 price drop from the original price. (which I was hoping Microsoft would make for all) The best thing about this is that you can still cash in on the 5 free HD DVD movies!
If I had another high definition television, I’d be all over this offer. You can thank me by purchasing and sending me a copy of the HD DVD version of 300. This is a hot deal!
It looks like the Xbox 360 is going a bit festive with its color arrangement later in the year. The Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers will be available in new colors. Gamers can express their identity with new pink, dark blue and light blue Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers. These new colors will be available in October. ERP $49.99 (U.S.).
Also, the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console features an authentic Spartan green/gold finish and comes with matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, 20GB Hard Drive, Headset, Play & Charge Kit, HDMI port and exclusive “Halo 3″ Gamer Pics and Theme available via Xbox LIVE download. Available in September.
You all remember this little thing don’t you? Plenty of the buzz during the Spring update revolved around this cool little thing and being able to text with friends on your console. Well the “Chatpad” finally gets priced and dated. It also appears to have undergone some plastic surgery since we last saw it.
(an early design of the 360 Chatpad)
The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit will be available on September 4, 2007 and will be priced at $29.99. It will come with the Chatpad and an Xbox 360 headset. For more details on the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, click here.
Not too long ago, the Ask-A-Dev feature was announced here at GAMINGtruth, and our first developer is Blue Orb. Blue Orb, thus far, is known for releasing the Texter - an adapter that turns your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 2 controller into a keyboard, of sorts.
Not too long ago, I had a visit to Blue Orb to interview them with your questions. How did it go? Read on to see…
When I arrived at the Blue Orb offices, I was greeted by a couple of the team members and Walt Wilson. Shortly afterward, I was given a demonstration of the Texter’s abilities using Phantasy Star Universe on the Xbox 360. Not too long after that, we got down to the questions:
- Rated from the PSU Forums asks: “How long is the learning cycle? Do they have, or will they come out with a typing tutor for the device?”
- According to the team, it takes about a half an hour of training to get the concept. You have to try it a couple times for it to really make sense. As far as a typing tutor, the Phantasy Star Universe Special Edition comes with a “Playground CD” that contains training exercises, mini-games, etc.
- ROB31 from the PSU Forums asks whether there’ll be a wireless version of it.
- When asked about wireless capabilities, the reply was that they’re looking for options for wireless users but can’t get anything specific due to Microsoft’s locking of the wireless from third parties. The Play & Charge kit only connects with the battery, so that’s ruled out as an option.
- NostraJonus from Unscripted360 asks: “Will the texter device be compatible with windows messenger on the Xbox360?”
- Yes it is. It’s compatible with anywhere there can be keyboard input, which includes the entire Xbox 360 dashboard.
- And even though there were a lot of people that asked the question sarcastically, the most common question was “Why use the texter over a keyboard or the upcoming chatpad?”
- Minimizing hardware where you game. When using a keyboard, you have to put down your controller to type. If you had the chatpad, you’d have to adjust the controller in your hands to use it. With the Texter though, it never leaves the position it starts in, and allows you to quickly and easily get back to the action when need be.
To the team, that was a simple answer:
Check back shortly. I’ll have a review of the Texter soon!
Welcome to the first “Ask-A-Dev.”
Ask-A-Dev is just like the normal interviews you’d see with developers, but its main focus is the fact that the questions asked will be either directly based on your questions or the questions themselves. The first use of the Ask-A-Dev feature will be for Blue Orb and their “Texter” for the Xbox 360 and PS2, so I expect the best questions to come from Phantasy Star Universe players.
I’ll be visiting the offices of Blue Orb this Friday to talk to the dev team behind it and I’d like any questions you’d like to ask them!
So if you have anything you’d like to ask, now’s the time! Thanks in advance!
-Deejay Knight
