Behind The Scenes: Microsoft’s Attempt To Woo Conan O’Brien For Xbox Live

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Chris Morris

[In exclusive comments made to Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris, the executive producer of Conan O’Brien’s talk show discusses how Microsoft tried to woo the comedian to take his show onto Xbox Live – and why it was ultimately too much of “a leap of faith” for the Conan team.]

U.S. talk show host Conan O’Brien has been a familiar face on late-night TV for the past 18 years, and even when he had his nasty falling-out with NBC in early 2010, most people expected he would wind up at another network – which, of course, he did.

But before TBS came calling, Microsoft did its best to entice the comedian to bring his show to Xbox Live to help launch an original content channel on the console. The company and the performer have never addressed the reports of the conversation.

Vidgames’ motion for changes

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Chris Morris

Nintendo may have pioneered the world of motion controlled gaming, but its days as the only player in the field are long over.

Microsoft and Sony, tired of seeing the Kyoto, Japan-based company steal the thunder of their souped-up videogame systems, have started to compete with the Wii on its own turf — and they’re seeing some notable success.

Microsoft Kinect sales blast past predictions

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Chris Morris

Kinect, Microsoft’s recently launched motion capture device for the Xbox 360, has lived up to its reputation as one of the holiday’s must-have gifts.

The software giant says there were 8 million Kinects sold through the end of the year. That’s far beyond the company’s 5 million estimate (which was raised from an initial estimate of 3 million right before the system’s launch).

Game consoles increasingly serving non-gaming purposes

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Chris Morris

While the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii are still game machines first and foremost, they’re increasingly being used for other forms of entertainment.

A new survey by Nielsen finds that non-gaming functionality is on the rise among console owners – and among PS3 owners, it even surpasses the time spent playing games.

Does Kinect Make Microsoft A Better Investment?

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Chris Morris

With backings by Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and just about every gift guide the media has written, Kinect for the Xbox 360 has become the “must have” gift of the 2010 holiday season.

The motion capture device has sold more than 2.5 million units since its Nov. 4 launch and Microsoft seems well on pace to meet its sales target of 5 million before the end of the calendar year. But do those sales mean it’s time to buy Microsoft shares?

App review: Game Party: In Motion

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Chris Morris

Family fun titles are the heart and soul of Kinect’s early lineup. Game Party in Motion, on the surface, seems to have the right elements to fit in with this, gathering some arcade and boardwalk favorites — but once you start playing, you’ll realize exactly how lousy it is. It has some of the worst controls of any Kinect title, making it impossible to fully enjoy the games. And rather than consistantly relying on people’s natural movements (such as with billiards, where virtually everyone knows how to mimic a shot), it requires an elaborate series of motions that don’t make sense. The menus give you no sense of where your hand is on screen, which can make it hard to navigate. This is one Kinect title you’ll want to avoid.

Video Game Sales Surge Once More in November

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Chris Morris

“Black Ops” brought some black ink for the video game industry in November.

Retail software sales posted impressive growth over 2009 numbers, marking the first time the industry has posted back-to-back gains this year.

Consoles battle for second place

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Chris Morris

There’s no denying that Nintendo is the videogame industry’s most powerful force. With sales of its handheld DS topping 43 million and the Wii selling more than 30 million, it’s the indisputable market leader.

But despite that success, there’s something very old school about Nintendo. Its consoles and games don’t capture the bleeding-edge sensibilities of the industry. That’s what makes the fight for second place so interesting.

Sony, Microsoft give sales updates on motion control

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Chris Morris

The battle over video game motion control devices has moved to the accounting department.

Sony and Microsoft are both claiming to have momentum on their side with their new devices, releasing updated sales figures. No matter how you slice it, though, it’s clear that both the PlayStation Move and Kinect are enjoying a strong holiday season.

Game Review: Adrenalin Misfits (Xbox 360)

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Chris Morris

Adrenalin Misfits won’t be a game that people talk about in six months. Sadly, many will have forgotten about it. But that’s not to say they won’t have fun with it today. It’s the gaming equivalent of a potato chip: fun to enjoy for a brief moment, but something that leaves you hungry for more. The controls are inexact and might cause some frustration, but not to the extent that families won’t get past it. (Gaming enthusiasts are more likely to notice the problems.) The characters are largely forgettable and try too hard to be edgy, but being able to use your Xbox Live avatar to board down a mountain is novel. Both single- and multiplayer modes (split screen on the same TV) are fun and can be a good bonding experience for families — and might get the kids excited about some real outdoor winter activities.

Chris Morris: Journalist

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