GameTrailers is live streaming the Xbox Reveal Event at 10am PST / 1pm EST – check it out in the video below after the break and let us know what you think!
Xbox Reveal Live Stream
Categories:
Related Post
Episode 545: Fleshy Testicle MonstersEpisode 545: Fleshy Testicle Monsters
Jonah finally finishes the strange puzzle platformer Inside and discusses it with the crew during the post-podcast discussion. Otherwise, there’s news galore, as well as a Gaming Flashback of the notorious flop Sonic the Hedgehog from 2006.
It includes:
- Quantic Dream is “not exclusive to any platform anymore”
- An enhanced edition of System Shock 2 is in development
- Nintendo Switch SNES controller spotted
- Minecraft‘s Super Duper Graphics Pack officially canceled
Let us know what you think.
Episode 246: Computer SpecsEpisode 246: Computer Specs
CES 2012 is going strong, as Jonah and Jordan do tonight’s podcast without Paul, who is packing for a trip. This week’s Gaming Flashback is the notorious Custer’s Revenge, and a punch of intriguing news and rumors comprise this week’s topics:
- Fallout MMO rights belong to Bethesda as Interplay settles
- Pachter sez there’s “zero chance” of PS4 at E3 2012
- Rumor: Next Xbox tablet-based?
- Rumor: Kaz Hirai to return as president of Sony
- Diablo III release held due to South Korea (from GameFront)
Plenty of Reader Feedback this week, which is good because we forgot to include a Question of the Week this time.
Exclusive Artist Deals In Rhythm Games Not Good?Exclusive Artist Deals In Rhythm Games Not Good?
Rhythm games are the new FPS for a lot of gamers, a broader audience of gamers, and the market is thriving and demanding new titles. Harmonix and Activision are at the front of the battle with Konami following a bit behind but still contending (we think) very soon.
Each company plans to up each other with cooler instruments, tighter controls and new in-game options and multi-player fancies. It’s a business and each competitor tries to gain a lead by whatever means needed to win… or do they?
Harmonix stops short when it comes to purchasing exclusive rights to music artists, for now at least. Harmonix’s Eric Brosious went on blogger record saying, “We prefer not to sign exclusive deals with artists because while it seems like the competitive “business” thing to do, in the long run, it’s really not good for anyone. We think we should be working to get more music out to more people.” (kotaku)
As Marky Mark once said, we need “Music for the people” not for in-game exclusives making us choose between Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles. We’ve seen what EA has done to the football franchise by taking control of the NFL roster, money talks and the best game doesn’t always win.
If Activision decides to buy up a ton of great exclusive content and you’re a rock band gamer, you’ll lose out in a ton of great content. For some gamers, that might mean losing out in some artists you’ve never heard before which also means the artist loses out in new fans. We’ve seen younger gamers fall in love with the sounds of Boston and The Police, bands famous way before the birth of many of the Rock Band fan base.
You can tell Harmonix is a development group with roots in music while Activision is a development group with their roots in business. While exclusive access brings you an advantage, in terms of broadening the culture of music, it does very little. Harmonix may be in the right but will that matter in the end when business deals hit the table?
p.s. sorry about the Marky Mark reference, but it had to be done. Bringing out a bit of my own childhood there…