XBox 360 Price Drop?

Microsoft is now making money on the 360.  Is a price drop imminent?  Planet 360 did an interesting article here.  It won't suprise me if we see a price drop once the PS3 begins to ship in higher numbers.  How much of a drop?  A year ago Microsoft was losing approximately $126 per system (premium).  That has now switched to about $76 profit.  There is a lot of wiggle room for Microsoft.  Just how long will it be until we see a $199 premium system?

Posted by deucedriver @ 9:44 pm EDT | Permalink | 0 Comments

XBL Video Marketplace

The video marketplace is alive and kicking.  It must be getting a lot of use because it has been slooowww for me, well at least any of the content I wanted to check out.  I clicked on the "V for Vendetta" link and the "dizzy 360" just kept rolling.  A click of the Star Trek II link went better, but alas, it's not available in HD.  Must not be as popular, it popped right up with the information.  I tried to dowload a Borat clip, which worked except the licensing failed on my machine (maybe because it took forever to connect and download?) so no luck there.

I'll have to try later.  The system looks promising and I look forward to checking out a few HD movies.  Hopefully the traffic issues will be fixed.  If they are, score another point for Microsoft and XBL.

Posted by deucedriver @ 10:04 pm EDT | Permalink | 2 Comments

PS3 Insanity

Another console launch has come and gone (actually 2) and what a site to behold.  There has to be a better way.  At least nobody has been shot trying to purchase a Wii!

The idea of getting your console on day one is intriguing, and I'll admit, I had a 360 pre-ordered and was playing on launch day last year.  What did it teach me?  I'll never care again.  Now, I thoroughly enjoy my 360 and had a blast playing around with live (I'm still impressed with the job Microsoft has done with it) and playing PGR 3 with a relatively small audience.  But is it worth "camping" for"? Heck no. 

Let's face it, the launch titles for any of these consoles leave something to be desired.  The 360 is just coming into it's own with GoW - a year later.  Looking back on the past year, I would have to say that waiting six months would have been fine.  My 360 experience leads me to my PS3 thoughts....

I had planned on purchasing a PS3.  I wouldn't wait in line, but if I could get one in the next couple of months without much hassle, I would have gone for it.  I've changed my mind barring some unforeseen circumstance.  There are a few reasons for my change of heart:

• The PS3 launch lineup is IMHO weak, just as weak as the 360's was.  There is one major difference, it's one year later.  Resistance looks good, but not better than GoW, and my preference is for GoW, it's just personal.  Should I wait a year for the PS3 to "get up to speed?"  Personally, four to six months minimum.
  
• X-Box Live - I'm an adult and a dad so let's face it, gaming time is at a premium.  Microsoft has put some really entertaining games on the live service, and when I have a few minutes to relax I can just plunk down and play.  No huge learning curve, no in-depth adventure, just several minutes of fun.  I've watched Sony bungle so much in the past few years that I want to see some proof of their competence before I spend money with them.  Live is well developed and Sony will need time to catch up.
  
• The developers need time to utilize the power of the console.  See my first point.  Let's see what you've got.
• Sony's launch has been a mess.  Sony's misteps over the last few years don't inspire confidence.  I was a diehard Sony TV fan, but it is no secret their customer service and quality went through a dismal period and they just started to recover about a year ago (of course many will disagree with me).  It makes me question just why were there so few launch consoles?  Is there a problem we should know about?  Is it just a shortage of Blu-Ray players or something else? 
  
• Blu-Ray and the format war.  I have a 50" Samsung DLP so I am looking forward to some hi-def DVD's.  The PS3's built in Blu-Ray is a significant selling point to me.  But now the reviews are starting to come in about the add-on HD-DVD drive for the 360 and they're good.  The add-on player is now an option I'm considering.

With that in mind I'll just sit back and see how this all works out. In the meantime I'll be playing a little NHL 07 and GoW.....

Posted by deucedriver @ 7:42 pm EDT | Permalink | 0 Comments

GoW and other stuff

Another win last night for my hockey team (the Kodiaks), making it a two game winning streak.  We are now a sub-par 3 and 5.  I wish I could say I had as much luck with GoW...

Played a little more of the campaign at "casual" - I know, I'm a wimp.  I tried the ranked play with a 4 on 4 match, basically got my butt kicked.  I did okay for a couple of rounds, but my leisurely scan cost me in the end.  Back to XBL tonight for some more punishment.

I'll be keeping a lookout for fellow members of the boards and west coast clan!

Posted by deucedriver @ 10:28 pm EDT | Permalink | 0 Comments

It's great to be back...

Okay, I guess really it's great to find this place and some "older" gamers.  Give me a few days to make my blog a little more personalized.  I've been a gamer since the Intellivision (still have it) and it's nice to meet some people online who know what "Astrosmash" is.

I look forward to seeing some of you online.  I'm currently playing Gears of War (a blast) and NHL 07 (when I get a chance after traveling, the wife and 4 kids!!)

Well I'm off to play a real hockey game, then back home for some Gears action.

See you online!

Posted by deucedriver @ 10:39 pm EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments