zeferinix
11-21-2009, 11:09 AM
We count down the year's biggest moments and look ahead to 2010.
November 20, 2009 - On Sunday, November 22, 2009, the Xbox 360 will officially turn four years old in the first region it was released in, the United States. It's with many great memories under our belt that we wish the Xbox 360 a happy birthday and well wishes in the coming year towards making it to the half-decade mark.
It was back in 2005 that Microsoft ushered in the era of HD console gaming with a launch lineup that included games like Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, Condemned: Criminal Origins and Project Gothamn Racing 3. Those days seem like another lifetime entirely. The face of gaming has changed significantly, even in the last year alone. Just think, not a single launch game for Xbox 360 came with a big plastic peripheral.
To recognize the evolution of the system, we're taking a look back at the top five events in the past year for Xbox 360, then looking forward and pointing out five that should make the next year even more interesting. Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Game Studios, also weighs in with a few comments on the growth of Xbox 360 and the upcoming launch of Natal.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/xboxbday_1258763620.jpg
5. Xbox Live Works
Alright, this one's boring but that's why it's important. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, was an important day for Xbox Live. When Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was released, everyone with a spare $60 rushed out, bought the game and hopped on Xbox Live to play. And nothing happened. While 2 million people played online at the same time (an Xbox Live record), the system ran smoothly. Meanwhile, over in Sony land, Trophies malfunctioned and the PS3 multiplayer servers had to be shut down while everything was upgraded to meet demand. That's not a cheap dig at Sony. Growing pains happen. In fact, a similar situation arose for Microsoft during the 2007/2008 holiday season. But the situation shows just how far ahead Xbox Live is compared to the PlayStation Network.
4. Halo Explosion
We've grown accustomed to seeing a new Halo game every couple years. But 2009 represents a true turning point for the brand that defines – more than any other – the Xbox 360 console. This year we saw more Halo than ever before. Halo Wars, a real-time strategy game by now-shuttered Ensemble Studios. Halo 3: ODST, an expansion-turned-explosion cranked out in record time by Bungie. Halo Waypoint, a new destination for the brand on Xbox Live, complete with meta-Achievement system, created by Microsoft's newly-formed 343 Industries. Halo Legends, a collection of anime shorts commissioned by MS and made by Japan's most famous production houses. All gushed out of the Halo pipeline in 2009. Not content to leave it there, Microsoft and Bungie announced Halo: Reach at E3 2009, a new installment in the Halo saga due next year. It was a huge year for Halo, and we're hoping the momentum continues into 2010. But no Master Chiefs on the Facebooks, please.
3. Ye Olde Price Droppe
Yes, for just $40 more than an Amazon Kindle, you can now get an Xbox 360 Elite videogame console with a 120GB hard drive, wireless controller and headset. In August, Microsoft announced a new pricing scheme for its consoles. The Elite (now minus an HDMI cable) would be $299. The much-loved Arcade unit would be $199. And the excitingly-named Pro model would disappear from the lineup. "If you're looking for deep experiences that don't require deep pockets, now is the time to purchase an Xbox 360," Microsoft exec Shane Kim said at the time. Well, that's exactly what we've been looking for, Shane. Thanks a million. Now can we have a new controller, built-in Wi-Fi and a power brick that doesn't scare our cats?
2. Global Thermonuclear Recession
It's no secret that the IGN editors became filthy rich speculating on real estate during the housing boom. Luckily, we all got out before the market crashed and moved into a giant penthouse suite together at the Four Seasons in downtown San Francisco. But not everyone was so lucky, a fact we think about often as we drink Champagne spritzers as we lay in our lobster meat beds. The videogame industry was not immune from the recession, although it wasn't hit as hard as other sectors of the economy. The impact on the Xbox 360 came mainly in the form of game delays. Many highly anticipated titles by third-party developers were pushed into 2010, setting the stage for a less-than-happy holiday season. Studio closures also plagued the industry – Pandemic, Ensemble, Factor 5 and others folded as the industry struggled to weather the financial storm. There were flashier things that happened in 2009, but the global recession was always the elephant in the room. Microsoft kept a close eye on the recession in '09, focusing its message on value and long-term plans.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/philaffordability_1258763299.jpg
1. Project Natal Unveiled (Kinda)
Rumors had been building all year long. Microsoft was working on some sort of motion control apparatus that would hook up to the Xbox 360 and cure diseases. Was it 3D? Was it a motion controller? Were there gnomes involved? Then, finally, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, all was revealed. Project Natal was unveiled as an innovative new motion control scheme that takes the handheld controller out of the gaming equation. Using highly sensitive cameras and witch magicks, Natal reads the room and the actions of the player. The possibilities seemed endless, and the demo wowed E3 attendees. There's still a bit of a split among gamers about how Natal will affect the industry. Will it revolutionize gaming? Will it turn the 360 into a Wii shovelware bucket? Could the answer lie somewhere shockingly in between? We won't find out until late next year. But there's no question that Natal was one of the biggest 360 stories of the year.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/closede3_1258763368.jpg
5. The Waits Are (Almost) Over
They say that patience is a virtue. But they also say cheaters never prosper, and we know that's not true. After all, that's how Erik Brudvig got through divinity school. Let's face it – waiting sucks. And never more so than when you're waiting for a game to release. Finally, after centuries of anticipation, two of gaming's most unattainable titles will be released in 2010 – Splinter Cell: Conviction and Alan Wake. The former was first shown officially in 2007 but went back to the drawing board a year later. Now, three years after its initial showing, the fifth installment in the stealth action franchise is almost upon us. And then there's Alan Wake, whose eternal development cycle makes Splinter Cell's schedule seem like that of an Activision music game. First announced in 2005, Remedy's "psychological action thriller" is finally dated for May 2010. Look for this one to be marketed in a big way next year
4. E3 Uber-Mega Showdown 2010: Showdown Edition
Ah, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, where fortunes are won, reputations are lost and sobriety is challenged at every turn. As we enter the final stretch this hardware generation, E3 2010 is shaping up to be more important than ever before. At next year's conference, all three platform holders will have their shiny new motion cont+rol schemes on full display. Sony and Microsoft will duke it out for current-generation supremacy, and the fourth wave of software will wash over the conference, causing attendees to weep with joy and mumble in hyperbole. What happens at E3 2010 could very well cement the winners and losers of this generation. Microsoft will have a Halo game to unveil, a host of exclusive third-party Natal-enabled titles to pimp and surely more secrets to disclose. Watch for the company to dump everything it has into E3 2010 in an attempt to bury its arch-rival Sony once and for all.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/spencerquote1b_1258762685.jpg
3. Final Fantasy Prances Onto Xbox 360
In the minds of many gamers, the Final Fantasy brand is synonymous with PlayStation. Sure, the storied Square-Enix role-playing game franchise traces its roots to Nintendo platforms, but the series achieved worldwide mega-status on Sony systems. That's why Square caused such an uproar when it announced at E3 2008 that the next installment, Final Fantasy XIII, would see a simultaneous U.S. release on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. No matter how many Japanese RPGs have been released on the Xbox platforms over the years (including Square offerings), there's always been something missing without the magic of Final Fantasy. Finally, in March 2010, that will change. Will Square be able to simultaneously reinvent the series for new audiences while staying true to its roots? We'll find out in just a few months. Meanwhile, we'll be tightly clutching our chocobo dolls.
2. Halo: Reach Release - Fight Not Yet Finished
In 2010, Bungie will release what could be the last Halo game it ever produces. With Microsoft taking the helm of the franchise from here on out, Halo: Reach will likely expand the Halo universe farther than any game in the series to date. We haven't seen any of Halo: Reach. We haven't played it. We know very little about it. Could it use Natal? Sure, why not? Will it have sweet multiplayer? Yep. Other than that, we can only guess. Oh, also it will be the best-selling game of the year.
1. Wave 'Em Like You Just Don't Care
Either you love Natal or you hate it. We've searched the entire Internet (twice), and those are the only two opinions about Microsoft's upcoming controller-free gaming technology. Although Project Natal isn't specutively scheduled for release until November 2010, emotions are high over the tech, which Time magazine recently rated as one of the top five inventions of 2009. Having seen the net result of the Nintendo Wii's motion technology (acres of shovelware punctuated by tiny dots of inspiration), gamers are wary of Microsoft's new peripheral. We've used Natal, and we're impressed. But as you know, it's all about the games, and nothing has socked our knockers off just yet. Expect to hear a ton more about what software is in store for Natal at E3 2010. Until then, we'll be watching it closely.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/spencerrightgames_1258762952.jpg
What are you hoping for out of the next year in Xbox 360's life? What about the past year made you weep tears of joy/sorrow? Leave a comment below and let us know.
November 20, 2009 - On Sunday, November 22, 2009, the Xbox 360 will officially turn four years old in the first region it was released in, the United States. It's with many great memories under our belt that we wish the Xbox 360 a happy birthday and well wishes in the coming year towards making it to the half-decade mark.
It was back in 2005 that Microsoft ushered in the era of HD console gaming with a launch lineup that included games like Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, Condemned: Criminal Origins and Project Gothamn Racing 3. Those days seem like another lifetime entirely. The face of gaming has changed significantly, even in the last year alone. Just think, not a single launch game for Xbox 360 came with a big plastic peripheral.
To recognize the evolution of the system, we're taking a look back at the top five events in the past year for Xbox 360, then looking forward and pointing out five that should make the next year even more interesting. Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Game Studios, also weighs in with a few comments on the growth of Xbox 360 and the upcoming launch of Natal.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/xboxbday_1258763620.jpg
5. Xbox Live Works
Alright, this one's boring but that's why it's important. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, was an important day for Xbox Live. When Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was released, everyone with a spare $60 rushed out, bought the game and hopped on Xbox Live to play. And nothing happened. While 2 million people played online at the same time (an Xbox Live record), the system ran smoothly. Meanwhile, over in Sony land, Trophies malfunctioned and the PS3 multiplayer servers had to be shut down while everything was upgraded to meet demand. That's not a cheap dig at Sony. Growing pains happen. In fact, a similar situation arose for Microsoft during the 2007/2008 holiday season. But the situation shows just how far ahead Xbox Live is compared to the PlayStation Network.
4. Halo Explosion
We've grown accustomed to seeing a new Halo game every couple years. But 2009 represents a true turning point for the brand that defines – more than any other – the Xbox 360 console. This year we saw more Halo than ever before. Halo Wars, a real-time strategy game by now-shuttered Ensemble Studios. Halo 3: ODST, an expansion-turned-explosion cranked out in record time by Bungie. Halo Waypoint, a new destination for the brand on Xbox Live, complete with meta-Achievement system, created by Microsoft's newly-formed 343 Industries. Halo Legends, a collection of anime shorts commissioned by MS and made by Japan's most famous production houses. All gushed out of the Halo pipeline in 2009. Not content to leave it there, Microsoft and Bungie announced Halo: Reach at E3 2009, a new installment in the Halo saga due next year. It was a huge year for Halo, and we're hoping the momentum continues into 2010. But no Master Chiefs on the Facebooks, please.
3. Ye Olde Price Droppe
Yes, for just $40 more than an Amazon Kindle, you can now get an Xbox 360 Elite videogame console with a 120GB hard drive, wireless controller and headset. In August, Microsoft announced a new pricing scheme for its consoles. The Elite (now minus an HDMI cable) would be $299. The much-loved Arcade unit would be $199. And the excitingly-named Pro model would disappear from the lineup. "If you're looking for deep experiences that don't require deep pockets, now is the time to purchase an Xbox 360," Microsoft exec Shane Kim said at the time. Well, that's exactly what we've been looking for, Shane. Thanks a million. Now can we have a new controller, built-in Wi-Fi and a power brick that doesn't scare our cats?
2. Global Thermonuclear Recession
It's no secret that the IGN editors became filthy rich speculating on real estate during the housing boom. Luckily, we all got out before the market crashed and moved into a giant penthouse suite together at the Four Seasons in downtown San Francisco. But not everyone was so lucky, a fact we think about often as we drink Champagne spritzers as we lay in our lobster meat beds. The videogame industry was not immune from the recession, although it wasn't hit as hard as other sectors of the economy. The impact on the Xbox 360 came mainly in the form of game delays. Many highly anticipated titles by third-party developers were pushed into 2010, setting the stage for a less-than-happy holiday season. Studio closures also plagued the industry – Pandemic, Ensemble, Factor 5 and others folded as the industry struggled to weather the financial storm. There were flashier things that happened in 2009, but the global recession was always the elephant in the room. Microsoft kept a close eye on the recession in '09, focusing its message on value and long-term plans.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/philaffordability_1258763299.jpg
1. Project Natal Unveiled (Kinda)
Rumors had been building all year long. Microsoft was working on some sort of motion control apparatus that would hook up to the Xbox 360 and cure diseases. Was it 3D? Was it a motion controller? Were there gnomes involved? Then, finally, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, all was revealed. Project Natal was unveiled as an innovative new motion control scheme that takes the handheld controller out of the gaming equation. Using highly sensitive cameras and witch magicks, Natal reads the room and the actions of the player. The possibilities seemed endless, and the demo wowed E3 attendees. There's still a bit of a split among gamers about how Natal will affect the industry. Will it revolutionize gaming? Will it turn the 360 into a Wii shovelware bucket? Could the answer lie somewhere shockingly in between? We won't find out until late next year. But there's no question that Natal was one of the biggest 360 stories of the year.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/closede3_1258763368.jpg
5. The Waits Are (Almost) Over
They say that patience is a virtue. But they also say cheaters never prosper, and we know that's not true. After all, that's how Erik Brudvig got through divinity school. Let's face it – waiting sucks. And never more so than when you're waiting for a game to release. Finally, after centuries of anticipation, two of gaming's most unattainable titles will be released in 2010 – Splinter Cell: Conviction and Alan Wake. The former was first shown officially in 2007 but went back to the drawing board a year later. Now, three years after its initial showing, the fifth installment in the stealth action franchise is almost upon us. And then there's Alan Wake, whose eternal development cycle makes Splinter Cell's schedule seem like that of an Activision music game. First announced in 2005, Remedy's "psychological action thriller" is finally dated for May 2010. Look for this one to be marketed in a big way next year
4. E3 Uber-Mega Showdown 2010: Showdown Edition
Ah, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, where fortunes are won, reputations are lost and sobriety is challenged at every turn. As we enter the final stretch this hardware generation, E3 2010 is shaping up to be more important than ever before. At next year's conference, all three platform holders will have their shiny new motion cont+rol schemes on full display. Sony and Microsoft will duke it out for current-generation supremacy, and the fourth wave of software will wash over the conference, causing attendees to weep with joy and mumble in hyperbole. What happens at E3 2010 could very well cement the winners and losers of this generation. Microsoft will have a Halo game to unveil, a host of exclusive third-party Natal-enabled titles to pimp and surely more secrets to disclose. Watch for the company to dump everything it has into E3 2010 in an attempt to bury its arch-rival Sony once and for all.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/spencerquote1b_1258762685.jpg
3. Final Fantasy Prances Onto Xbox 360
In the minds of many gamers, the Final Fantasy brand is synonymous with PlayStation. Sure, the storied Square-Enix role-playing game franchise traces its roots to Nintendo platforms, but the series achieved worldwide mega-status on Sony systems. That's why Square caused such an uproar when it announced at E3 2008 that the next installment, Final Fantasy XIII, would see a simultaneous U.S. release on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. No matter how many Japanese RPGs have been released on the Xbox platforms over the years (including Square offerings), there's always been something missing without the magic of Final Fantasy. Finally, in March 2010, that will change. Will Square be able to simultaneously reinvent the series for new audiences while staying true to its roots? We'll find out in just a few months. Meanwhile, we'll be tightly clutching our chocobo dolls.
2. Halo: Reach Release - Fight Not Yet Finished
In 2010, Bungie will release what could be the last Halo game it ever produces. With Microsoft taking the helm of the franchise from here on out, Halo: Reach will likely expand the Halo universe farther than any game in the series to date. We haven't seen any of Halo: Reach. We haven't played it. We know very little about it. Could it use Natal? Sure, why not? Will it have sweet multiplayer? Yep. Other than that, we can only guess. Oh, also it will be the best-selling game of the year.
1. Wave 'Em Like You Just Don't Care
Either you love Natal or you hate it. We've searched the entire Internet (twice), and those are the only two opinions about Microsoft's upcoming controller-free gaming technology. Although Project Natal isn't specutively scheduled for release until November 2010, emotions are high over the tech, which Time magazine recently rated as one of the top five inventions of 2009. Having seen the net result of the Nintendo Wii's motion technology (acres of shovelware punctuated by tiny dots of inspiration), gamers are wary of Microsoft's new peripheral. We've used Natal, and we're impressed. But as you know, it's all about the games, and nothing has socked our knockers off just yet. Expect to hear a ton more about what software is in store for Natal at E3 2010. Until then, we'll be watching it closely.
http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1048269/spencerrightgames_1258762952.jpg
What are you hoping for out of the next year in Xbox 360's life? What about the past year made you weep tears of joy/sorrow? Leave a comment below and let us know.