Redbox still working on getting games to its rental kiosks

Do you have any idea how effen cool it will be if Redbox kiosks start spitting out video games? Think about this: you would be able to get your beer, Funyuns, and rent the latest gaming titles at one location. The future is near, friends and Redbox is still pursuing the game rental market.

Actually, Redbox is experiencing some technical difficulties. You see, Warner Bros, Twentieth Century Fox, and NBC Universal have cut off access to their collective libraries because they do not get any revenue from the rental kiosks. Plus, Redbox is stating that 20th Century Fox and Warner Home Video are somehow stopping the company from purchasing movies at retail from Target and Wal-Mart.

Welcome to the jungle, Redbox. The movie industry makes it worse here everyday.

The company is staying somewhat quiet about its gaming plans. Redbox hasn’t officially announced any partners or game publishers that are on board yet, but trials are underway in Reno, Nevada and Wilmington, North Carolina. Some kiosks in those areas have been renting out discs for $2 a day since this summer.

Mitch Lowe, president of Redbox, at the Reatuers Global Media Summit,

“We are talking early and often with the content providers of games so that we start out with a much better understanding of what we’re doing,”

Redbox is likely learning from its trials with the movie studios and probably do not want the same thing to happen if they do in fact offer games. But if all the kinks are worked out, games should be a big hit for Redbox. The expensive infrastructure is already in place. The company already has 20,600 kiosks nationwide, with further expansion planned for the northeast and Florida. Throw some Assassin’s Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2 discs in the machines, and they will likely be sold out within hours.

[via CrunchGear]

Nintendo Ad Sends Wrong Message

I have to say that I was creeped out a lot when I saw this Wii ad from Nintendo… And I have to give it to who ever created the motivation poster blurb below the ad, as I can’t agree more. This is just another example of the target demographic that Nintendo is after, and sadly that doesn’t include real most gamers.

By the way….. Where’s grandpa’s hand?

Way to go Nintendo!!!

[Gizmodo]

G4 Hands On 'DJ Hero' Demo At E3 2009

Video Games - E3 2009 - E3 '09 Live

Now this definitely looks kinda difficult, may require a bit more hand eye coordination than I can muster.  And I think the music might drive me crazy after a few hours, but it could be a fun party game with more dance like music.  Who knows.

[via G4]

The True Cost of Gaming in 2009

I saw this article over at Gizmodo and thought it was pretty interesting.

With the price of Wii Motion Plus bringing the cost of a full Wiimote to a whopping $80, we thought we'd reexamine the true cost of buying a console today. Which is truly the cheapest?

We're going to pretend we're either a family of four or an apartment that wants a system loaded up with four controllers. We'll assume you want to be able to recharge your controllers rather than wasting money on disposable batteries, and we'll pick the model of each console that we'd recommend to a family member asking us for advice. We'll also factor in the cost of 2 games, because nobody buys a console without a game.

So what's the true cost of going out and buying a system today? Let's find out.

Playstation 3
Cost of console: $400 (80GB)
Cost of 3 extra controllers: $43 x 3 = $129
Cost of charging station: $25
Cost of 2 games: $120
Cost of HDMI cable: $3

Total: $677

Wii
Cost of console: $250
Cost of 3 extra controllers: $36 x 3 = $108
Cost of 3 Nunchuks: $18 x 3 = $54
Cost of 4 Wii Motion Pluses: $20 x 4 = $80
Cost of charging station w/ 4 rechargeable batteries: $49
Cost of 2 games: $100
SD card: $12 (8GB)

Total: $653

Xbox 360
Cost of console: $300 (60GB)
Cost of 3 extra controllers: $37 x 3 = $111
Cost of 2 rechargeable batteries: $12 x 2 = $24
Cost of recharging station w/ 2 rechargeable batteries: $30
Cost of 2 games: $120
Cost of Xbox Live membership: $43 (13 months)

Total: $628

As you can see, the prices of all three consoles are incredibly close, and you can obviously fiddle with these configurations to change them. If you only want 2 controllers and are planning to only play Wii Sports, the Wii is still the cheapest, but a fully-loaded Xbox 360 with a year of Live is actually cheaper than the fully-loaded Wii (although it's the only console without WiFi, so add $80 if you really need that). And the PS3 is surprisingly close in price, thanks to its controllers having built-in batteries and its free online service. The Nintendo controller scheme really rockets it up in price, and it's pretty amazing that a Wii with 4 controllers is only $24 less than a PS3 with 4 controllers.

So really, it comes down to what you want in a console. But it's surprising to see that, in real-world prices, all three systems will set you back about the same amount, with the Xbox 360 being the cheapest of them all even when you factor in a monthly fee for online gaming.

iPhoned It In

I saw this comic on Dueling Analogs and thought it was spot on.  I love my iPhone, but it does spark a lot of fanaticism and fanboyism.  I just could never get into the Wii, it seemed too gimmicky.  I will admit that it is fun at parties, but so is charades and you’d never catch me playing that by myself.  LOL

SNL takes on the Wii

This is absolutely hilarious.

Gotta Love Wii Bowling

I'm sorry, but I can never get enough of these clips. This one is particularly good. For those that think this may be fake, listen very carefully. You can hear him hit the controller with his leg. Plus it looks like he was going for a 300 game. All I see up there are strikes. That may be why he was filming it.

Zero Punctuation - Zack & Wiki

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present this weeks Zero Punctuation!!!
As always it is very NSFW and LMFAO.

This weeks victim...err...game is Zack & Wiki for the Wii.

OK, maybe I don't want a Wii

OK. I had thought I'd changed my mind about getting a Wii with this video [NSFW]. But this changes all that. I no longer want a Wii. Good thing I have a small dog.

What Your Game Console Says About Your Dating Skills

I love those dating site commercials that pop on TV. You know the ones that takes all your detailed information and uses some kind of "scientific formula" to find you a tramp. Well with two-thirds of all men between the ages of 18-34 playing video games, Match.com has developed a formula about what your video game console says about you. Check it out:

If you own a PS3:

"This guy is in the know. He knows the right people, goes to the best restaurants and doesn’t wait in line to get into the club. This guy will be difficult to keep up with, as he is always working. When he’s not, he uses videogames as a chance to unwind and relax."

Have to call BS on this. Of course he's in the know, he has to find other things to do because he doesn't have any games.

If you own a Xbox 360:

"These guys tend to like extremely violent, visceral games, as well as the social aspect of connecting with friends online. They may be living out an active and social life through games, because they are a bit on the shy side. Xbox 360 fans tend to make good money and like to spend it. These guys are passionate about gaming and that transfers into the bedroom as well."

Have to call BS on this too. Hey look, I like connecting with friends, but I don't live through it. My social life has always been exceptional. And so far as my gaming transferring to the bedroom? I was a star way before the 360 came out.

If you own a Wii:

"Wii says he’s a fun guy. The Wii-mote will force him to get up off the couch and actually get a little exercise while he’s playing. Of all of the consoles, the Wii is probably the best date machine, as a lot more of the games appeal to both sexes. Challenge him to a game of tennis or bowling."

Have to call BS on this one also. You know anyone who owns a Wii is only 12, and isn't interested in dating yet. Challenge him to do his homework!!!

Guys & their games… [MSN Dating/Match via Crunchgear]

Xbox 360 Out Sells Wii During September: World Wonders Why?

In the most shocking news this week, Xbox 360 out sold the Nintendo Wii for the month of September. The 360 moved 527,800 units compared to the Wii bringing in 501,000 for the month. Of course everyones favorite game console the PS3 took a slight dip during the month, only bringing in 119,800 for the month.

No word from Microsoft on why they think their console performed so well this past month, as I'm sure they're stumped too.

Halo 3 Propels Monthly Xbox Sales Above Wii For First [Seeking Alpha via Crunchgear]

The Console Wars

glumbert - Console Wars Animated

Peter Ha from Crunchgear uncovered this gem about the console wars from glumbert.com.

It's so true it made me laugh, very hard!!!

Sony: We Were Only A Little Off With PS3 Sales

Matt Richtel from 'Bits' wrote an interesting article about the 3 next-gen console sales war. And how Sony has fallen from grace in terms of NPD sales numbers putting the PS3 in third place, far behind the Wii and Xbox 360. Check this outtake below:

"Dave Karraker, the Sony spokesman who predicted the PS3 would overtake the 360, told me that: (1) He was only wrong by a bit, and (2) NPD doesn’t provide an exact count but estimates some portions of the market and (3) No, he would not care to make a prediction about August’s sales figures."

Funny how Karraker was all about making predictions earlier this year, and that he was only off by a bit (nearly 6 million units off). Well with Halo 3 coming out soon, Sony better have another price drop in the works to offset that bold prediction.

Sony Defeats Truman [Bits via Crunchgear]

Wii Out Sells The Xbox 360

The Nintendo Wii was released a year later than the Xbox 360, but that didn't stop it from kicking its ass. According to vgchartz.com, the Wii posted sales of 10.57 million consoles sold, compared to the 10.51 million consoles sold by the Xbox 360. Of course the PS3 is in third with 4.32 million sold.

I know that the Wii is a fun game system with the innovative controller, but I think their success might be from the low price point that it has. I wonder will the PS3 and Xbox 360 get more of a bump in sales from their price drop. And with the release of Halo 3, will that push sales for the Xbox 360 console?

I get the feeling that this war might not be over.

But for now, congratulations to Nintendo for getting back on top of the videogame world.

[G4TV]

Wii Closing In On Xbox 360 Sales

The Nintendo Wii is on the Xbox 360's ass, so far as sales is concerned. The is very impressive considering that the 360 had a year head star on the Wii.

According to VGChartz.com, a new video game comparison site put up a pretty cool comparison graphic (see above). The Xbox 360 comes in at 10.32 million consoles sold, followed by the Wii at 10.10 million, and the PS3 bringing up the rear at 4.11 million.

What I'm curious about is if the price drop of the Xbox 360 along with the release of Halo 3, will give the console a boost in sales that might widen the gap a little. I know that young and old people are buying the Wii, but the real gamers are buying the Xbox 360, and the lack of HD on the Wii cannot be overlooked. I know that most gamers don't care about HD, but to ignore it completely I think will be a mistake on Nintendo's part down the line.

Total world Wii sales close in on Xbox 360 [Reg Hardware via Crunchgear]

Nintendo's WiiWare: Make Games For Us

Nintendo is doing something that I hope that other console creators follow. For the first time game developers big and small will have an opportunity to create games for the Wii.

It isn't clear just how yet, but the ability will be there. And as always, developers will be responsible for securing an ESRB rating for their game.

Read the article after the jump. [Joystiq]

Sony Down and Out in Japan

In an another episode of PS3 bashing, Sony had its worst sales month ever in Japan.

Although sales figures for May in the states aren't out yet, the numbers coming in from across the Pacific paint a bleak picture for the future of the PS3.

Beleagured by problems, the PS3 pushed only 82,000 units, while the Wii 360,000 systems. To add insult to injury, the Nintendo DS outsold the Wii 5-1.

But, you wanna hear something even more ridiculous? Coming in a distant third was the Xbox 360 selling only 11,082 units.

Sony: At least our sales suck a little bit less than Microsoft's...in Japan.

Rumor: Wii Getting Hard Drive at E3

Boy is this rumor day or what?

This is a very shaky rumor, but Computer and Video games claims they have some info about an upcoming hard-drive add-on for the Wii.

They claim that since Neo Geo's Wii Virtual Console games are up to 330MB, there's not a whole lot of space on the console's current storage system to hold it. Therefore, Nintendo is going to release a hard-drive add-on.

Seems reasonable to me, but until there's some solid info to back this up with, we're going to call this a big fat rumor.

Check it out after the jump. [Computer and Video Games]

First Look: Guitar Hero 3

IGN gives us a first look at Guitar Hero 3 for the Nintendo Wii, which is slated for release in Q3, 2007

"Guitar Hero fans can thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform. The exclusive Gibson guitars include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that is integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience"

Check it out below:

Sony Needs to Drop PS3 Price By $200 or It’s Finished: Bank of America

Sony’s going to have to drop the PS3’s price by $200 this summer if it wants to be a player in this generation. That’s what a Bank of America analyst says, and who am I to argue with BoA? I like how the analyst calls a $50 price drop “meaningless.” Even the rumored $100 price drop wouldn’t do the trick.

The main thorn in Sony's side? If you guessed the Wii......ding!! ding!!! ding!!!!

Game publishers are seen as moving toward the Wii. Oh, and the PS3 has nearly no exclusives anymore, so consumers see little reason to shell out $600 dollars for what they could get elsewhere.

If the PS3 was at the same price point of the Xbox 360, things might be a little different for Sony. Hell I might have bought one!!! I remember what Sony said when asked about their high price point during the launch of the PS3: 'Work harder for a PS3'.

Arrogance will bite you in the ass every time!!!

Read the entire article after the jump. [GamesIndustry.biz]