New Xbox 360 redesign is good for Indonesian market

The new Xbox 360 redesign is good for business and even better for Indonesian market. Why?

First thing, the new design will give cheaper and more efficient machine, and it will certainly squeeze down broken Xbox 360 rate of failure. 
According to recent survey, the failure rate is around 46%, which I think it should decrease a bit by now but nevertheless it is still an unacceptable number. With this new design, hopefully it can bring down the rate on par with Sony and Nintendo system.

So why is it good for Indonesian market?

Ever wonder what do they do with the broken returned Xbox 360? Yes, they repaired it and shipped it to countries like Indonesia where they sell it as a new console. You didn't think they put those in rubbish bin, were you?. And this sad fact actually came as a confession from a retail shop in Indonesia. He said,

"Mostly the Xbox 360 that you all buy in here is actually broken Xbox 360 which came from other countries like USA, Japan. They then refurbish it and shipped it to here. That's why I bought my Xbox 360 straight from Japan."

With this new redesign and low failure rate, at least as a Indonesian customer, we can pick the new Xbox 360 instead of the older design to make sure that what we get is 100% new.
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New Xbox 360 design and name for Project Natal

The image above was briefly appear on certain website before its taken off. Though its not confirmed (for new design), it can safely assumed that Xbox 360 undergo design change. Whereas for Project Natal, Microsoft officially changed the a slightly weird name to Kinect.

 The rumor for Xbox 360 redesign is already circulating around for quite some times, some even correctly predicted that it will be announced during E3 together with Project Natal considering it is the right moment. From the looks of it, it certainly will come true.

The redesign will feature a 250 GB hard drive and built in Wifi. Like PS3 slim announcement, price cut should follow. I'd predict that the new Xbox 360 cost should be $199.
If it is true, then together with Kinect, Xbox 360 should gained enough momentum to break away from PS3 assault and bring its price closer to Nintendo Wii.
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Xbox gaming room to feature over 1000 arcade classics

During Consumer Electronic Show yesterday, Microsoft announced that Xbox 360 will be added so called "gaming room". It's like Playstation home where you can play the classic arcade. And it could feature over 1000 arcade classics to played on. The catch? It is not free. Should you want to purchase it, it will cost you around 240- 400 MS point, or you can play it once and pay 40 MS point ala arcade.
I think Microsoft is really testing the market on this one, the pay for play thing. It is interesting whether this could work, especially that we have this thing called "emulator". If it does, I'm pretty sure other will follow.

My personal view, yeah maybe I'd try it a few rounds of some oldies and pay per play, not for the games but for testing this Xbox gaming room. But after that, I'm not interested at all spending 0.5 cents per play for some really old games. If they put some Street Fighter III, well yeah sure why not. But Centepede, Digger? You can always play it for free on the PC. 
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Rumor shot down: Blu-Ray drive not coming to Xbox 360

Some confusion happen when Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer said that Blu-Ray drive might come to Xbox 360 as an external drive.
However Larry Hryb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) made a blog post to clarify. "Steve was referring to Blu-ray accessories for the PC," he explained. "As we have said in the past, we have no plans to introduce a Blu-Ray drive for the Xbox 360."
"In fact, the future of home entertainment starts very soon when Xbox 360 becomes the first and only console to offer instant-on 1080p streaming HD movies", he added. 
Sounds logical.

Source: Kotaku
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Microsoft offering rebate for Elite buyer

Between today, 22nd Sept to Oct 5th, Microsoft will offer $50 rebate on Elite purchases.
Purchase Elite at regular price of $299 and go to http://www.xbox.com/eliterebate , follow the instruction. You will receive $50 mail check in the end.
With Halo ODST launched today, no doubt it really tempting to get an Elite now.

Source: Kotaku
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250 GB PS3 and Xbox 360 bundle confirmed

Microsoft finally confirmed that they will bundle Modern Warfare 2 ($399) and Forza 3 ($411) for Europe with 250 GB Xbox 360 .
Soon after PS3 too reported that they will bundle Uncharted 2: Among thieves, FIFA 10, Need for Speed, and Ratchet and Clank with 250 GB PS3 for europe, though this is still unofficial.

Source: Kotaku
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Modern Warfare 2 press conference sum up

Infinity Ward and Activision held a press conference in LA, and here is a summary from the event:

- Microsoft announced that Modern Warfare will be bundled with 250 GB Xbox 360. The bundle will consist of Black console, a copy of the game, and two wireless controller. It sells for $399 and its available for preorder.

 

- Some new rewards for killing streak: 3 kills will get you UAV, 4 kills you get a care package random drop.  You can get ammo or hop in into AC-130 gunship. But anyone can get the care package once it is drop, so better be careful. 

- New deathstreak rewards will give less skilled player a balance after being owned. Some of the rewards are copy cat, mimic the killer's class and weapons for 1 life, and painkiller, increase your health for short period.

- There is a new feature called "Callsign" which enable you to customize your online account with emblems. 

- There is a new perk called "scavenger". Basically it lets you to "scavenge" enemy bodies for ammo supply. 

- Hardline perk lets you reduce kill streak requirement by one. 

- Bling perk allows you to put 2 attachment to your weapon.

- Secondary weapon is not limited to pistol, you can equip a rocket launcher, shotgun. 

- You can carry additional item such as throwing knives and tactical insertion (flare that mark your next respawn point). 

Modern Warfare 2 will release on Nov 10th.

More info, please go to Kotaku MW2 multiplayer hands on

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Xbox 360, Project Natal: Can Microsoft breakthrough the casual market?

Microsoft announced Project Natal during E3 show. Project Natal enable user to manipulate game without the use of controller. It uses camera that can detect body movement, facial recognition, which in turn use it to control the games.  With Natal, Microsoft hope to gain some casual gamer market from Nintendo Wii.

Casual gamer market simply cannot be underestimate. Since Wii launched, Nintendo has always been no 1 spot in terms of console sale.

Part of Nintendo plan was to create a controller that does not intimidate first time gamer.

Nintendo did it by creating a controller that is simple to use by moving it and it doesn't have a lot of buttons. And it resembles a remote tv, a device that is common to every household.

Now, with project Natal, Microsoft intends to follow Nintendo's step. By creating a simple controller, (what could be simpler than no controller?), it reduces one of entry barrier for casual market.
Now the real question is, can Natal deliver? Is it going to become a revolutionary or just a gimmick?

There is a lot of issue. Microsoft will need to create great software to show what Natal can do before other developers will follow.
Not only that, how is Microsoft going to integrate Xbox and Natal. For example: 2 people playing Modern Warfare 2. One is using controller, the other is using Natal. How do you balance the game? And the one using Natal, can they last couple hours of constant body movement?
And the price. Natal is using high end camera, that is estimated will cost $600 dollar each. Even if Microsoft dare to take a loss and sell it at $200 a camera. Casual gamers will find it too expensive to shell out a total of $500 just to experience casual gaming. Especially since there are lots of competition, ie: Nintendo Wii, Facebook games (which did pretty alright for casual gamer).

Will Microsoft succeed? Only time will tell.
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Xbox 360 Project Natal : A Brief insight

No String (or No Controller) Attach.

Project Natal first announce on June 2009 at E3 2009. What it do is allow the user to play games in Xbox 360 with out Controller and only uses natural user interface using gestures, spoken commands or presented objects and images.

In E3 2009 Microsoft show several games for the audience to see. One of them call Breakout, which get you in to a virtual room and you have to breakout from there. First the system will scan your body and put a ghost out line for you body on the screen. Then you need to bounce to ball using all your part of your body to break the blocks. You can use your arms, head or your foot to do the job. Interesting, yes?

Project Natal is going to be use By Microsoft to explore the non hardcore gamer market which currently are dominated by Wii.

Even though the Microsoft has't say anything about Natal's release date, you can expected to be around late 2010.
-AT-


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Rock band Network announcement

Harmonix announced Rock band Network. It is a service that allow any music author to release their song as a downloadable for Rock Band 2.

The user will have to pay $60 for the license, and more for pro license. This is a service that gears toward musician and required to know some coding to use it. So it might not going to attract average gamer.

If your music downloaded, you will get your share for profits.
This is, I think, an excellent news, where all parties is a winner. Music authors get exposure, publishers get more profit, users get more content for their games. Well done!

Its coming to both Xbox 360 and PS3.
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Xbox 360 price drop confirmed!

Xbox 360 price drop confirmed! Microsoft just announced both pros and elites will get price drop.
The 120G Elites will cost $299 and the 60G Pro will reduced to $249.
The Pro will be phased out from production, and will sell until stock last, so Microsoft will only have two models: Arcade ($199) and Elite ($299). Elite will ship without HDMI cable though.

The console wars is getting hotter than ever!! Oh ya, fyi there will be no Xbox 360 slim.
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How to fix RROD here?

 

Ever wonder how they fixed RROD in Jakarta?

First thing, some background. There is no customer service for Xbox in Indonesia, because as a country, we are very weak in IP protection. All the Xboxes that are sold here are modded so they can play pirated copy. And until now, principals never even look at Indonesian market.

So, what do you do when you have RROD on Xbox?

You can always go back to your retailers and have them fixed. Your warranty won't mean a thing. They will charge you a straight around USD 40, and give no guarantee whether the system will be fixed thereafter. In other word, you'll biting your fingernails if somehow they can't fixed it.

So what did they do with it actually? My friend once asked the store keeper about it when his Xbox RRODed. Interestingly he said, "To tell you the truth, we did nothing. We are just going to disassemble and reassemble all the parts, and see if it works." He added,"the thing about RROD is, there is a disjointed or loose parts somewhere that we can't detect. So by reassembling it, we hope to fix the problem. Once in a while if we still can't fix it, then you have to get yourselves a new one."

Nice..
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