Xbox bits

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A few items I noticed over at GamespyDaily this morning regarding Microsoft's console.  A bit of good news, and bit of bad, I suppose.  First, it appears that Phantasy Star Online will be making an Xbox debut in North America and Europe by the end of March.  A pretty saavy move for a system that may very well find a core audience through its strong multiplayer online component.  A few popular Live games could be a huge boon.

Yesterday evening Sega announced that Phantasy Star Online will be released for the Xbox in North America and Europe by the end of March. Reported through a story run over at CBS Marketwatch, the word comes from Yuji Naka, who’s also working on a yet-to-be announced online title, as well as further games in the Sonic The Hedgehog series.

But, to balance out things, Daily also notes that the Xbox experienced slow holiday sales despite some inventive marketing, and the launch of Xbox Live.

Xbox Senior Manager Masahiro Koide said that Microsoft suffered from slow sales during the holiday season in Japan. Koide was keen on pointing out though that he is confident this was not caused by the lack of Xbox Live or "killer hits such as Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball

Just a pre-emptive reminder.  Feel free to discuss, but avoid a console flame way, please.  And I swear on all that's holy if I see the '>' sign used to illustrate how one multi-national conglomeration is "greater" than another, I will hunt you down with pepper-spray and a scouring pad!

- Elysium

Comments

And I swear on all that's holy if I see the '>' sign used to illustrate how one multi-national conglomeration is "greater" than another, I will hunt you down with pepper-spray and a scouring pad!

All right, fine:

WorldCom = Enron

Happy?

Where the hell is my scouring pad?! 

At&t > Sprint?

 

But, but, I used equality symbol, not an inequality!

Well, I'm just using my XBOX to watch movies anyway. Maybe if they marketed it as a DVD player that playes games, they'll sell more units.

Well, I'm just using my XBOX to watch movies anyway. Maybe if they marketed it as a DVD player that playes games, they'll sell more units.

 

That might actually work.... "Watch amazing films in digital audio and with color-crips details! Also plays video game! (Sold seperately)"

Xbox needs 2 or 3 hit Japanese RPGs and those numbers will get better. Trouble is... who's gonna make 'em?

Geesh I guess i'm the only one who appreciates a good console flame war these days. I mean come on I have over 8 hours to kill here!

DOA:Extreme Volleyball is a killer-app? sorry killer-hit? Does anyone agree with this? Ok, maybe it has been marketed as a A-list game, but I seriously doubt that it is..

But, to balance out things, Daily also notes that the Xbox experienced slow holiday sales despite some inventive marketing, and the launch of Xbox Live.

Huh. I'm totally convinced that PS2 ran rampant again this season past, but I'm kind of surprised to hear the Xbox experienced slow holiday sales. Every retailer I saw this year (Best Buy, Circuit City, Babbages, EB, etc etc) seemed to be doing brisk business with them.