bishopcruz Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 From Joystiq It seems that the recent rumors about real world rewards for virtual world Xbox Live Achievements are true. Microsoft has just announced a cross-marketing promotion with Old Spice deodorant to give some freebies to American Xbox Live users who add at least 1,500 Achievement points to their gamerscore between Feb. 12 and April 12. Players have to be at least 13 years old and register at Xbox.com/rewards after Feb. 12. Prizes are divided in to three tiers, depending on the participant's "annual gamerscore" (which we can only assume is the number of points you've gained in the last year): Level 1 (Gamers who have an annual gamerscore between 0-4,999 at time of entry): Game Picture, Dashboard theme, Contra for Xbox LIVE Arcade Level 2 (5,000-9,999 annual gamerscore): Level 1 Package, 100 Microsoft Points and a contest T-shirt Level 3 (10,000+ annual gamerscore): Level 1 Package, 200 Microsoft Points, contest T-shirt and Fusion Frenzy 2. All told Microsoft will be giving away $500,000 in prizes to gamers who would probably be earning these Achievements for free anyway. Sure, T-shirts and a few hundred MS points aren't anything to write home about, but Fusion Frenzy 2 is a $50 game that can be had for nothing but some diligent gaming. We applaud Microsoft for showing a bit of tangible recognition to some of its most loyal customers. Sony, Nintendo, the freebie ball is in your court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Yeah, again the Aussies get fucked on this. And who doesn't already own Contra anyways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoi Inu Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 So what happens when your boyfriend and his best friend are really into video games and making movies and love all the production stuff, and you leave them alone with a video camera? This...... Poor baby.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Some info & commentary from Kotaku about Gamestop's new rated M policy... GameStop managers and employees better be on their toes the next time an 8 year-old comes in to pick up a copy of The Guy Game. In a conference call late last week, corporate explained the new policy on M-Rated game sales to minors. In short, you're fired. Not only are you fired, but your manager? Also fired. I am assuming that afterwards they send someone to your house to fire your family. Then they hunt down any one you ever loved, regardless of whether that love was reciprocated or not. I've confirmed the new policy with a local store, at least up to the manager bit. This is meant to make sure that GameStop managers, some of which are famous for not knowing jack about video games, keep their peons who know so much they figure they can be a stand in for the ESRB in line. "This is rated M, but it's mainly just shooting aliens and a couple bad words. Here you go lil' Timmy." That sort of thing. I've seen it happen many times. Hopefully won't be seeing it happen ever again. This policy takes a load of responsibility off of parents, who can now go back to worrying about more important things, like getting their nails done down the way after they drop their children off at GameStop for an unofficial babysitting session. Glad to see the mature label taken seriouly now, but i fully agree that the industry's liability begins and ends with slapping on the label the ESRB tells them, they cant be your child's overseers. also on Gamestop: If theyre opening the games now, are they still new? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 FOr those of us too poor to buy Crackdown Wedding be damned, I'll be getting Crackdown come Feb 28 of I'll be getting a new missus. For those who couldn't be arsed or aren't as irresponsible as myself though, but Halo 2 for a crack at Halo 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newtype Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 FOr those of us too poor to buy Crackdown Wedding be damned, I'll be getting Crackdown come Feb 28 of I'll be getting a new missus. For those who couldn't be arsed or aren't as irresponsible as myself though, but Halo 2 for a crack at Halo 3. To think we get it a week before you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You're a fuckin' mongoloid existing on the same circle of cuntiness as Chris Isaak & the hack-demon that possessed Claremont once he was done with Xmen(the first run that is). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newtype Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You're a fuckin' mongoloid existing on the same circle of cuntiness as Chris Isaak & the hack-demon that possessed Claremont once he was done with Xmen(the first run that is). I love you too. Will you be up for a co-op once you get the game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 You're damned right. Was it you I tried to do Co-op with on the Demo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newtype Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 You're damned right. Was it you I tried to do Co-op with on the Demo? You had company so we couldn't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Ahh now I remember. Well, the internetorz got connected today, I gotta go down to the post office on Saturday to pick up the shiny new DSL modem, and from there-- BFME and Crackdown Demos alla way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 So either DOA 4 shows your gamer motto on some parts, or Nick payed a pretty penny to have Hondos plugged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Def Jam Icons: #1 reason Nick will buy a 360. here's a video It's got this weird turntable-sorta battle in the middle of the fight which is actually pretty damned cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 that game's not hurting the cause, ill admit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Surprised this one wasn't picked up by Kotaku.... Bono, Murdoch could buy 'Grand Theft Auto' makerFacing shareholder revolt, Take Two Interactive delays shareholder meeting, considers company sale. Game Over is a regular column by Chris Morris March 19 2007: 11:23 AM EDT NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Bracing for a shareholder revolt, the maker of the "Grand Theft Auto" video game said Monday it is considering new corporate strategies, including the sale of the company. Take Two Interactive Software also postponed its shareholder meeting by six days, moving it to March 29. Twelve days ago, investors owning some 46 percent of the company's shares announced plans to stage a take over the board and oust current CEO Paul Eibeler. The move comes after years of scandals and allegations ranging from backdated options to overstated revenue to hidden sexual content in its most popular game: "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." Shares of Take-Two (Charts) rose nearly 7 percent to $22.30 from its close at $20.85 Friday following the company's announcement. The company said there was no guarantee it would present any alternative suggestions to shareholders. Game industry insiders at the recent Game Developer Conference who are familiar with Take Two but asked not to be named because of ongoing relationships with the company, said they expect the shareholder action to be successful. While today's announcement makes the sale of the company a possibility, there's also a chance that the company (or a new board) might sell off underperforming units to concentrate on Take Two's core strengths. "Take Two's stock is a troubled bag now for two reasons: One, there's a high concentration of ownership in a very small number of hands - and at last report, nearly 30 million shares are short," said John Taylor, an analyst for Arcadia (who also owns shares of Take Two). "So you have a tug of war between two muscular groups. One is made up of people who think the worst is yet to come. The other is made up of a small number of increasingly activist shareholders. "It would not surprise me is this had some kind of pile-on effect with people getting behind the activists to squeeze the shorts." As for potential buyers, the list is long. Game publishers UbiSoft and Activision (Charts) have reportedly explored a possible bid in the past. Elevation Partners, the venture capital group whose members include U2 front man Bono, is a possibility as well. And Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (Charts) has also been mentioned regularly as a possible suitor. "The most important thing is the closure of the legal uncertainties," said Taylor. "With or without this activist shareholder group, if there were no legal cases, we'd be hearing a lot more about [a possible takeover] already." One company that says it's not in the running is Microsoft. Because today's independent publishers are platform agnostic - that is to say, they build games for all major systems - taking over one would result in a massive revenue loss for Microsoft, as all development would be redirected toward the Xbox 360. "We could never launch an acquisition bid at a third party publisher," said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft (Charts) Game Studios. Take Two has many holdings, though, which leads some to think an asset sale is more likely. On the game development and publishing side are Rockstar Games (makers of the "GTA" series), 2K Games and 2K Sports and Global Star Software. In addition, it also distributes games through its Jack of All Games subsidiary and manufactures peripherals and accessories via its Joytech branch. Of those, Rockstar is the breadwinner, of course - and should the company or a new board decide to pare down the company, this is the unit that's most likely to stay. "The [GTA] brand has only gotten stronger," said P. J. McNealy of American Technology Research. "It's foolish to think the brand has been diminished. They've certainly recycled it quite a bit, but it's still one of the biggest franchises in the cycle." 2K Games has some notable properties in its portfolio, including games made by industry legend Sid Meier ("Civilization," "Alpha Centauri"). 2K Sports, though, would be vulnerable to sale. Ubisoft, for instance, has made it known it would like to start a sports brand to compete with Electronic Arts (Charts), makers of the popular "Madden" series. EA, meanwhile, would likely make a bid as well. Global Star, Jack of All Games and Joytech are considered underperformers - and would be the most likely to be jettisoned. The looming shareholder battle is just the latest in a series of troubles for Take Two. The company spent a significant part of last year dealing with a scandal involving backdated stock options. Former CEO (and company founder) Ryan Brant in February pled guilty to criminal charges in connection with the option scandal and settled a civil suit for $7.3 million. Brant is expected to cooperate with investigators as they expand their case against the company. The company also entered into settlement talks in a lawsuit tied to the so-called Hot Coffee scandal, in which a sex mini-game was hidden in the code of "GTA: San Andreas." The stock has suffered as a result of the problems, hitting a 52-week low of $9.06, though share prices have rebounded since news of the shareholder action. Last week the company reported a net loss of $14 million for the fourth quarter. Of course, it's impossible to know what will happen should the current board offer no alternative proposal or if the shareholder group assumes control of the board. It's entirely possible either party will keep the company intact and work to rebuild it. "These guys aren't doing this without a plan," said McNealy. source In a way this works, selling off someone like 2kSports, who I've followed in the past, but now am a bit indifferent about (what happened to the low-low prices...fuckers? If EA weren't such cock-sucking franchise whores....) wouldn't really bother me if the same people kept control of GTA. It suck if it got watered down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 So...so Take 2 is falling apart, in accordance with the prophecy of Jack Thompson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 I dunno. They've been keeping quite hush-hush about GTA IV. If all goes according to plan it'll be a new version of Revolution X, substituting Aerosmith for U2. I'd pay $60 for that in a second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 if ps3 gets the gun periphrials, then yeah. i spent at least $60 in quarters on the original, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Found this on Nick's home-away-from-home Kotaku. I don't think I'll be the only one pissed if this new super-Xbox turns all ours into a $600 doorstop... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Here's a better link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 its true, im completely on kotaku's junk these days. I dont think the elite's gonna do much to mess up you guys' system. No HDD, no wifi, youre just missing out HDMI (if youve got a TV for it, its not like components look shitty anyway), and wha, 120 GB drive? shame its not interchangable like the ps3 but ive not heard many complaints of lack of space, and you guys dont seem to mind the noise complaints ive read either...so if youre missing out on the cool black look, just pick up a skin here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Yeah once I read up on it I see there's not a lot to it's gonna mess with my shit. I bought the premium box straight outta compton anyways, so I have the HDMI leads(I think- that's the red green & blue, yeah?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 nah, those're components, but that shit makes it HD anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 So what the fuck's HD leads look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 you mean HDMI? im pretty sure its audio/video all in one cable, but your TV needs the port for it anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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