Xbox Live's Major Nelson : Industry

Xbox 360 Console Bans

Major Nelson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

As you may have read online, we’ve been actively banning consoles from Xbox LIVE that have been modified to play pirated games. Our commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community remains a top priority. All consumers should know that piracy is illegal, and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs, violates the Xbox LIVE terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox LIVE. The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive from manufacturers, retailers, and the third parties that support them. This would also be a good time to remind you that the warranty on an Xbox 360 console is not transferrable and if you purchase a used console that has been previously banned, you will not be able to connect to Xbox LIVE.

Xbox LIVE sees biggest month ever

Major Nelson — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:07:00 GMT

January 2009 saw the most members join LIVE than in any previous month since the service launched in November 2002. Currently more than 17–million people are now connected over LIVE. In addition, the January NPD numbers also reveal that Xbox 360 sales were up 33 % from last year. Some other PR factoids for you to digest:

More than 1 million Xbox LIVE members now enjoying Netflix's streaming video service
Each household has watched an average of 16 movies over the service
Xbox 360 is the only place to get the complete storylines for hit games like Grand Theft Auto IV and Fallout 3
Fable II Knothole Island and Fallout 3 Operation: Anchorage were two of the top performers for game add-ons in the month of January

Edit: Here is a link to the official press release

Video Games Live in Seattle this weekend

Major Nelson — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:58:07 GMT

If you are in the Seattle area and looking for something to do this Saturday night, how about heading down to Video Games Live? The show, where video game music is performed with a live orchestra and choir, is in town this Saturday, January 24th. And as a bonus, they’re going to premiere music from Halo 3: ODST, and Gabe and Tycho will be there as well. Many area industry members will be there, so it may be a good chance to rub elbows with the people whose work you have enjoyed over the years.

Not in Seattle but still want to see the show? They’re on tour, so they may be coming to your area later this year.

See you Saturday night.

Gears of War sells 2 Million Units (and we unlocked over 19 million Achievements)

Major Nelson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:01:05 GMT

In addition to the 2 million copies of Gears of War 2 that flew off the shelves over the weekend, LIVE was pretty active as well. More than 1.5 million people signed into "Gears of War 2" during the weekend, racking up a total 15 million gameplay hours and helping set a new record for concurrent LIVE players. These players also collectively unlocked more than 19 million GoW2 Achievements.

Xbox 360 Console banning

Major Nelson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:18:58 GMT

I’ve gotten a few messages and seen some forum threads pop up on console bannings so I thought I’d post and let folks know what’s up. In our our continued effort to keep gameplay safe and secure for our community of more than 14 million members, Microsoft has taken action against a small percentage of Xbox 360 consoles that have been illegally modified in order to play pirated games. You should know that modifying your Xbox 360 console is also a violation of the Xbox LIVE terms of use, will void your warranty and result in a ban from Xbox LIVE. The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive, both from manufacturers and the local companies that support them. We will continue to employ and bolster anti-piracy security measures to counter piracy in the gaming industry and improve security in the Xbox LIVE community.

levelHead

Major Nelson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:37:02 GMT

I won’t waste your time trying to explain levelHead. But if you have a moment, read about it here and then check out the video here.

Pretty wild huh?

GETTING INTO THE GAME : Interactive Writing for Videogames

Major Nelson — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:47:28 GMT

The Writers Guild Foundation has a workshop scheduled for October 18th that may be of interest to some of you. If you are curious as to what it takes write for video games, this looks like an awfully good use of a Saturday afternoon (assuming you are in the L.A area.) Head over to the WGFoundation web site to check out the speaker list, panel listing and grab a ticket if this is your thing.

PopFly game creator beta released

Major Nelson — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:12:42 GMT

The Alpha came out in May, but the team just shipped the beta version with some new features for your game making fun.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend (if you’re not coming to PAX) why not kick out a game?

Note: You’ll need Silverlight which you may already have from watching the Olympics last week.

Announcing Platform Biased

Major Nelson — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:08:12 GMT

A brand new blog and podcast from our friends over at Microsoft Game Studios. Justin, Jeff and John are testers that work over at MGS and have started their own blog and show. I’ve given them a few pointers, but don’t let that stop you from subscribing to their show. They’ve only got one episode up right now, but they’re promising the next one very soon. Check it out and let me know what you think and I’ll be sure to get them on one of my future shows. I kind of like the name, don’t you?

A look at last minute game reviews

Major Nelson — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:50:27 GMT

Simon Parkin over at Gamasutra has an article on last minute game reviews. Certainly there are some valid reasons to limit access to a game (so a story won’t leak for one) but what does the average gamer think about this practice?

What would you ask Uwe boll?

Major Nelson — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:31:36 GMT

Sometimes, I just never know how my day will get started: I just got a call from the producers for the Sirius Radio show that I sit on on each week and they just told me we have (notorious) film director Uwe Boll live in studio. As usual, I’ll be at my studio here in Seattle and connected to Uwe (and the other hosts) in New York City for the show. I am not sure if Uwe is going to take phone calls with us, but if you want me to ask Uwe a question…..post it here and I’ll see if I can squeeze it in. I know it’s last minute, but they just told me a few moments ago.

The show is on the air live today at 2p ET/11a PT on Sirius channel 108 (Maxim.) The studio line is 888–99–MAXIM (62946).

If you miss it, the show will be replayed numerous times through out the week. Talk to you in a few hours.

Championship Gaming Series to open training center

Major Nelson — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:55:55 GMT

CNET has posted a story about the Championship Gaming Series to open training center in China. What do you think about this. as gaming as a spectator sport finally turned a corner and ready for the mainstream?

Get a sneek peek at the new COD4 Maps

Major Nelson — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:35:04 GMT

If you live near New York City or San Jose, CA and you want to get an early look at the new COD4 Maps coming out next week, you are in luck! Robert Bowling, (FourZeroTwo) the Community Manager for Infinity Ward, has posted complete details on his blog, along with a few photos of his current gastronomical obsession.

Game Critics: Game of the Year Winners Announced

Major Nelson — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:57:03 GMT

Geoff Keighley just sent me an email announcing the winners of this years Game Critics awards. Here, through the magic of cut and paste, is the email:

************************************

From: Geoff Keighley
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 7:08 AM
Subject: Game Critics: Game of the Year Winners Announced
Importance: High

GAME CRITICS: GAME OF THE YEAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED
BioShock Takes Top Honors as Game of the Year

The full list of the 2007 Game Critics Awards: Game of the Year winners is now posted on the Game Critics Awards website. You can see the full list of winners at http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/goty.html or below.

We look forward to working with you on our annual Game Critics: Best of E3 Awards this summer.

Thanks,
Rob & Geoff

Top 10 Games of 2007:
1.) BioShock
2.) The Orange Box
3.) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
4.) Rock Band
5.) Super Mario Galaxy
6.) Halo 3
7.) Mass Effect
8.) God of War II
9.) Assassin's Creed
10.) Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Game of the Year breakdown by platform:
Xbox 360: 7
PlayStation 3: 5
PC: 3
Wii: 1
PlayStation 2: 1

Game of the Year breakdown by publisher:
Microsoft Game Studios: 2
Sony Computer Entertainment: 2
EAP (Valve, MTV Games/Harmonix): 2
2K Games: 1
Activision: 1
Nintendo: 1
Ubisoft: 1

# # #

Demos, Trailers and you

Major Nelson — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:07:43 GMT

I have received a few questions as to why Xbox LIVE members under 18 cannot access game demos or trailers on Xbox LIVE. The answer lies with video game ratings organizations, like the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Game demos and trailers distributed over Xbox LIVE are considered advertising and in accordance with the ESRB’s Principles and Guidelines for Responsible Advertising Practices Xbox LIVE members under 18 do not have access to demos or trailers for a title rated M (Mature) or RP (Rating Pending.) ESRB Guidelines are industry wide and are not unique to Xbox LIVE. In other words, these are the rules that all online console stores, like the Wii Shop Channel and the Playstation Store, need to adhere to in order to in be in line with the ESRB’s Guidlines.

Portal Holiday Greeting Card

Major Nelson — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:40:12 GMT

It is short sweet and to the point. It’s good to see our good friend the Companion Cube with a Santa hat on, as well as the Holiday (Fruit?) cake.

If you have any links to any other game related online greeting cards, feel free to link to them in the comments.