Console Digest

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Microsoft announces new, low prices for Xbox 360

Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies from Netflix, live out their musical fantasies through “Rock Band 2″ (Harmonix/MTV Games) and “Lips” (iNiS Corp./Microsoft Game Studios), star in their own Hollywood classics with “You’re in the Movies,” or have the power to never miss the latest episode of “Heroes” — all from one device, starting at $199(1). That device is Xbox 360, and Microsoft Corp. today announced it will offer the gaming and entertainment console, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE service, at a new low price in the United States. Beginning Sept. 5, Xbox 360 Arcade will retail for the estimated retail price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99 and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.

“We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry.”

History shows that more than 75 percent of all console sales happen after the price falls below the $200 mark. For millions of consumers who have been waiting for the perfect time to buy an Xbox 360 console, their moment has finally arrived. At $199, Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone with the most dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences available.

Xbox 360 Arcade plus a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix subscription costs $100 less than 12 months of digital cable. Xbox 360 invites everyone into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows can be enjoyed live side-by-side with your personal pictures and music library.

No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone. Music lovers can play new games such as “Lips” (iNiS/Microsoft Game Studios), the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing along to your own music collection(2); “Guitar Hero(R) World Tour” (Activision/RedOctane); and “Rock Band 2″ (Harmonix/MTV Games), the next evolution of the franchise exclusively launching on Xbox 360 that allows players to virtually step into the shoes of their favorite bands. Players can enjoy family-friendly games such as the big- screen movie-maker “You’re in the Movies” (Codemasters Software Company Ltd./Microsoft) and blockbusters such as “Gears of War 2,” the biggest entertainment event of this holiday season. Plus, with Xbox LIVE Arcade, downloadable games are available that the entire family can enjoy — with titles such as “Braid,” “Castle Crashers,” “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2,” “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” and “Uno.”(3)

Whether you want access to streaming movies and TV shows or a library of high-definition content, you will find it on Xbox 360. Starting this fall, Xbox 360 is the only game console to offer instant streaming of more than 12,000 feature films and television shows from Netflix(4). In addition, the Xbox LIVE Video store has more than twice as many hours of high-definition (HD) movies and TV shows than the nearest competitor(5). Download your favorite TV shows such as “30 Rock,” “The Office” and “House,” and even get a little old school with “The A-Team.” If it’s movies you want, check out the latest blockbusters and the best in family films, cult classics, horror and much more, all available through Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360.

(1) Games and content sold separately. Netflix requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and Netflix unlimited plan, both sold separately.

(2) The functionality of songs played from personal music collections will vary.

(3) Games sold separately. Xbox LIVE Gold Membership required for online multiplayer gameplay.

(4) Netflix requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix unlimited subscription plan, both sold separately.

(5) Hard drive required for optimal Xbox LIVE experience and to download movies and TV shows; hard drive not included with Xbox 360 Arcade.

Source: Microsoft Corp.

MatchBox360 are pleased to announce that the latest series of online tournaments for the Xbox 360 gaming community are now open for registration and will start on Sunday 7th September.

The “MatchBox360 Online Autumn Series” features the most popular Xbox 360 titles including Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Gears of War, FIFA08 and Unreal Tournament 3.

Following the overwhelming success of the £3000 Summer Series sponsored by Netgear and iiyama, over 200 teams and 800 players will take to the Xbox Live battlefield in this latest selection of online tournaments.

With the forthcoming MatchBox360 XL eSports LAN tournament on 28-30th November at Cranmore Park, the “MatchBox360 Online Autumn Series” will once again see some of the best teams in Europe practising their tactics as they prepare for the largest dedicated Xbox 360 tournament in Europe.

For all the latest MatchBox360 XL news and information please visit: http://www.matchbox360.co.uk

The “MatchBox360 Online Autumn Series” includes:

SteelSeries Halo 3 2v2

• 64 teams confirmed
• Prizes: €500 SteelSeries Headphones
• Forum: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=136
• Registration: Maximum capacity reached. Registration closed.

Halo 3 FFA

• Over 180 players confirmed
• Prizes: to be confirmed (please contact for unique tournament sponsorship opportunities)
• Forum: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=137
• Registration: Maximum capacity reached. Registration closed.

Call of Duty 4 2v2

• 64 teams confirmed
• Prizes: to be confirmed (please contact for unique tournament sponsorship opportunities)
• Forum: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=139
• Registration: Maximum capacity reached. Registration closed.

Call of Duty 4 4v4

• 32 teams confirmed (maximum 64)
• Prizes: to be confirmed (please contact for unique tournament sponsorship opportunities)
• Forum: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=138
• Registration: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7464

Gears of War 4v4:

• 32 teams confirmed (maximum 64)
• Prizes: to be confirmed (please contact for unique tournament sponsorship opportunities)
• Forum: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=140
• Registration: http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7459

MatchBox360 spoke to Edward Burrows (aka vVv Varddd) who won the Summer Series Halo 3 FFA and a finalist in the recent XL Summer Halo 3 4v4 with vVv Gaming:

You won the online Summer Series Halo 3 FFA, but what was your goal in placing for before the tournament started?
- I felt that I could of won the event, but all I really wanted was to place in the top 8. I think that is a great achievement to be reached in an FFA, but when you enter a tournament you should never aim below first place.

You are an experienced Halo 3 player. How does the online FFA differ from XL FFA? Which one do you think allows the player to perform at his best?
- I think the online FFA is much harder to perform on due to the fact it is online and much harder to get kills as it depends on your own connection, which may be good or bad. XL FFA works so much better due to the fact you’re playing on LAN, which means you have the same advantages and disadvantages as everyone else. I prefer playing XL FFA even though the pressure is more intense with all the people watching how you play, but I love to compete and strive to win.

With console eSports receiving more publicity in the UK, do you think the European scene can ever grow to the scale of the likes of MLG in the USA?
- I believe that European gaming can get much bigger with more people joining the community and playing at the tournaments, which will lead to better players, stronger teams and increased prize money. I think that MLG is so much bigger than XL at the moment due to the fact they have been doing competitive tournaments for several years, but I think XL can be this BIG in a couple of years time if more people get involved. Hopefully we can be bigger and better than MLG.

Strong words from Varddd as he prepares to defend his Halo 3 FFA title and take on the best European players in the MatchBox360 Halo 3 2v2 sponsored by SteelSeries.

The “MatchBox360 Online Autumn Series” tournaments are now open for registration and will take place throughout September to November with the first tournaments starting on Monday 1st September…so what are you waiting for, get your teams registered now!!!

More of your favourite Xbox 360 titles including Guitar Hero 3 and Unreal Tournament 3 will be added to the online tournament line-up over the next few weeks. For more information on all the tournaments available, please visit the MatchBox360 online tournament forums:

http://matchbox360.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27

We look forward to meeting you online and at MatchBox360 XL on 28-30th November at Cranmore Park!

Hockey fans cheer with game now in production and ready to launch on September 9

2K Sports today announced that the highly anticipated hockey title, NHL 2K9, has gone gold and is now ready for production for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems. Dedicated fans will enjoy this on-the-ice experience like never before as NHL 2K9 brings the fun back to hockey video games on September 9 in North America.

NHL 2K9 offers brand-new gameplay features including user-friendly controls, expanded superstar moves, friendly Zamboni® competitions, a revamped fighting engine, custom Stanley Cup™ celebrations, and six-on-six online capability. As the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii, NHL 2K9 will also provide fans with a chance to play like the pros using the Wii Remote™ as a hockey stick, a wholly unique and entertaining experience.

A free demo is now available for download through Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®Network. Fans will have an early opportunity to experience the new simplified controls and relive the excitement of this past season’s thrilling Stanley Cup Final in a brief three minute period as either the Pittsburgh Penguins or Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

NHL 2K9, developed by Visual Concepts, is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and older by the ESRB and will be available on September 9 for Xbox 360, Wii, PLAYSTATION 3 system and PlayStation 2 system. For more information about NHL 2K9, please visit www.2ksports.com/games/nhl2k9.