Analysis: PlayStation Price Cut A Win For Some, A Threat For Others

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Chris Morris

As Sony cuts the price of the PlayStation 3 for the first time in two years, Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris looks at the ramifications the move might have on Xbox 360 and Wii.

So the PlayStation 3 price cut we all suspected was coming at some point this year has finally been announced, and immediately implemented to boot. Now things are going to get interesting.

Sony’s $50 reduction, positioned as the exclamation point to their Gamescom press conference, will have reverberations throughout the industry over the next couple of months. Let’s take a look at some of the ripple effects.

Microsoft’s Durkin: Entertainment ‘Driving Platform Momentum’ On Xbox 360

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Chris Morris

[Dennis Durkin, COO of Microsoft’s IEB, tells Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris, “Not only has gaming usage gone up [on Xbox 360], but non-gaming has as well,” as the company evolves the console into a do-it-all entertainment box.]

When Elijah Wood first showed the world the Xbox 360 on MTV in 2005, the system was laser focused on games. But as the industry has evolved since then, so has the 360.

These days, while games are still at the core of the system, other entertainment options have elbowed their way into the spotlight – and, with the addition of live television to the offerings planned by the end of this year, games will have even more competition for people’s attentions.

Court to teen: Give up your Xbox

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Chris Morris

An Irish teen has learned the hard way that breaking the law can be a losing game. Literally.

A judge in Belfast ordered a boy accused of a series of robberies — including a shopping center and high school — to surrender his Xbox 360 as part of the conditions for him to receive bail late last month.

Expect Microsoft to focus on more than games at E3

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Chris Morris

Granted, E3 is a video game trade show, but in between all the talk about Kinect and “Gears of War 3” at its pre-show press conference this year, expect Microsoft to have plenty to say about the non-gaming world.

The Xbox 360 has been a leader in general entertainment among the major consoles – but other devices, particularly Sony’s PlayStation 3, have been playing a good game of catch up. A recent statement by the company’s VP of corporate communications, however, indicates the company is hoping to ready to jump back out in front.

Spike TV to air Microsoft’s E3 briefing

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Chris Morris

We’re about two-and-a-half weeks from the start of E3, but if you weren’t able to get a pass to the video game industry’s annual trade show, you’ll still be able to see some of the big moments.

Spike TV and Microsoft have struck a deal for the network to broadcast the Xbox 360 E3 media briefing on June 6.

Will Nintendo Release a Wii Successor in June?

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Chris Morris

While the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were born with 10-year life cycles in mind, the Wii hit the market with a much shorter projected lifespan.

With no support for high-definition graphics and shaky online multiplayer functionality, everyone including Nintendo knew the Wii would show its age first and would probably be the first console in need of an update.

Now there’s growing talk that the company could announce its successor as early as June.

Vidgames face great divide

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Chris Morris

Forget Xbox vs. PlayStation. In the videogame industry, the biggest brewing battle these days is the one between traditional developers and the new breed — those who specialize in Facebook and iPhone titles.

While social networking games and mobile gaming apps are still dwarfed financially by franchises like “Halo” and “Call of Duty,” they’re stealing eyeballs — and talent — from the console world. And, according to some high-ranking execs, they’re putting the future of the industry at risk.

‘Yoostar 2’ puts you in pictures

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Chris Morris

Your high school drama teacher might have suggested that the best place for you when it comes to acting is in the audience, but does a PhD give him the ability to spot raw talent? No way!

Fortunately, with the help of an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, you can finally show the world your star potential by acting it out in some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.

Game hardware sales soar in February

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Chris Morris

Gamers went on a buying spree in February, shocking analysts and rocketing the video games industry into positive sales territory for the first time in over two years.

Buoyed by an unexpected 10 percent jump in hardware sales and a 22 percent surge in peripherals (led by Microsoft’s record-setting Kinect), video game industry sales are now 4 percent above where they were a year ago year to date, according to the NPD Group.

Video game industry posts a February surprise

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Chris Morris

The video game industry pulled a rabbit out of its hat in February – and that rabbit looked a lot like an Xbox 360.

A surprise 10 percent jump in hardware sales and a 22 percent increase in peripheral sales not only led the industry to an increase over the February 2010 numbers, but put it in positive year-over-year country as well, according to data from the NPD Group.

Chris Morris: Journalist

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