The Good the Bad and the Ugly 04.27.09: Microsoft, FFXIII, Battlefield 1943 and More

Posted by Armando Rodriguez on 04.27.2009

Microsoft losing money, BF1943 gets a release window, EA Sports celebrating their 500 millionth game played this week and more. Armando breaks down this past week's news and tells us what's good, bad and just plain ugly!

Welcome to another edition of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly News Report. I am your very opinionated host Armando Rodriguez ready to bring you the top headlines from the entire week. Let's get right to it!

Biggest News of the Week: Microsoft Xbox 360 Division loses $31 million

Just as the stock market fluctuates constantly in the weak economy, so too do companies find their financial fates wavering. Today Microsoft provided the latest evidence of this, releasing mixed results for its second fiscal quarter.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the software giant announced that company-wide revenues dipped 6 percent year-over-year to $13.65 billion, while operating income was actually up 3 percent to $4.44 billion.

The news was similarly scattered for Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, which includes the Xbox 360 business. Total revenues for the gaming segment were down less than 2 percent to $1.57 billion, and where the division posted an operating profit of $106 million during last year's second quarter, this year it ran a $31 million loss.

On the positive side, Xbox 360 sales picked up considerable momentum. Microsoft's console sold 1.7 million systems during the quarter, up nearly 30 percent from the same period last year. Microsoft also touted improving attach rates of games and accessories for the system, saying the average owner has 8.3 Xbox 360 games and 3.9 accessories, up from 7.5 games and 3.6 accessories at this time in 2008.

In a post-earnings conference call, Microsoft chief financial officer Chris Liddell said that he was pleased with the company's relative performance in what he called the "most difficult economic environment" the company has ever faced. Liddell specifically called out Xbox 360 hardware sales as one of Microsoft's bright spots for the quarter but cautioned investors that the company expects economic recovery to be slow and gradual, lasting at least through the next quarter and possibly the calendar year.

During the call, chief accounting officer Frank Brod also updated investors on the company's Xbox business. For the fiscal year-to-date (since July 1, 2008), Brod said Microsoft had sold 10 million Xbox 360s worldwide, 15 percent more than it managed over its entire previous fiscal year.

Credit: gamespot.com

UGLY: I am not biased against Microsoft, but it so happens that the biggest news of my first two weeks writing this report has to do with something bad happening to the big M. Although not specified here, I am sure the technical issues that the 360 has faced and the forced extensions to the warranty has to be part of the problem that has caused this loss. The other big factor has to be the current economic climate and how expensive both, the 360 and PS3 are. It is very hard to spend money on entertainment when you have to worry about food, gas and paying bills. Like I said last week, these situations have to be used by companies to prepare for the next generation. They need to make sure that their product is really ready, so that it does not end up buggy and full of problems and they also need to adjust themselves to the consumer, with good price points and not overly expensive stuff. What's the point of being technologically advanced if people don't have money to pay for that?

FFXIII drives PS3 Sales in Japan

An hour long demo of Final Fantasy XIII had a bigger effect on Japanese PS3 sales than most full game releases, according to the latest sales data from Media Create. Fueled by the Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete release, Japanese PS3 sales skyrocketed in Japan over the week of April 13 through April 19, placing the system in the number one spot, far ahead of even the mighty PSP and DSi.
PS3 sold 62,527 units over the week, a four fold increase over the previous week's 16,701. PSP and DSi continued to jockey positions, with the PSP coming out on top this week.

Credit: IGN.com

GOOD: Good news for Sony of course. I mean, if one simple demo can spike sales so dramatically, imagine what the full game can do? I remember in one of the Top 5 editions (which is a must read column here on the site!) I mentioned that if Sony could ever lock-up a remake of FFVII as exclusive to the PS3, that single game would win the war for Sony. After these numbers I dare say that my statement is true. Final Fantasy drives console sales. Period. End of story. Hell, I don't even like Final Fantasy that much, but I recognize a system seller when I see one. I just hope that the demos (and the game itself) are good enough to satisfy the need to spend $400 on a system.

PS3 version of Arkham Asylum to feature Joker as playable character

As awesome as the caped crusader can be, the real star of the show is usually his clown prince of prime nemesis, the Joker. So while Batman: Arkham Asylum is set for release on the Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3, a new exclusive Eidos announced today for Sony's system could impact a number of players' platform choices.

When Arkham Asylum hits shelves in June, PS3 users will be able to download an exclusive playable Joker from the PlayStation Network. While the single-player story mode remains a Batman-only affair, the purple-suited maniac will be available for use in challenge maps from the game.

Credit: Gamespot.com

GOOD/BAD: Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of playing as The Joker, as limited as it might be, but I hate the fact that it is console exclusive. I understand that in this day and age having something exclusive is the only way of getting people to buy your system, but when it is something so minor as a playable character, I feel for the people left out. There should be no reason for gamers that have a specific system and plan to buy the game to feel like they have the inferior version. That's not a good marketing strategy for the publisher.

Madden 2010 Cover Athletes Announced

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will both be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 10, set to hit retail shelves on Friday, August 14. For the first time in the 21-year history of the Madden NFL franchise, two athletes will grace the cover of the award-winning football franchise. Leaders on their respective sides of the field, Fitzgerald and Polamalu epitomize the offensive and defensive battles that take place on every play in the NFL…the Fight for Every Yard.

Credit: IGN.com

GOOD/BAD/UGLY: Well, I can rate this bit of news all three ways until The Curse takes it's toll. Who knows what's going to happen to Fitzgerald and Polamalu now? But I like that they are using the Super Bowl stars as cover athletes. It should become a tradition that Super Bowl teams (and finals teams from other sports) get to grace the cover of video games. An added incentive to play well. I am so sorry for all you Lions and Raiders fans.

Wii Video Channel Hits Japan on May 1

Nintendo looks set to turn its plans for video downloads into reality over in Japan shortly. On May 1, the company will kick off its video download service, previously announced as the Wii no Ma Channel. Wii no Ma does offer video downloads, but it's actually more than just that. Consider it a virtual living room. You and up to seven other family members register their Miis with the channel, inputting age, birthdate, and blood type (it's a Japanese thing). These Miis appear in a virtual space, where time progresses in real time. In the virtual space, you have access to a number of activities. Click on a television, and you can access the afore-mentioned video download service, searching for programs by recent arrivals or key words. Sadly, Nintendo hasn't shared a list of shows, but it has said that the video content will be light initially but will grow with time.

There's also a somewhat odd direct marketing component to the service. Click on a plastic plant in your virtual living room, and you're taken to a parade showcasing Nintendo's marketing partners. You can select one of these marketers to go to a company-specific space, where you can download videos of new products and request that samples be sent to your home.

Celebrity Miis will visit your living room on occasion. Known as "concierges," these Miis will introduce special programming. Their visits can later be accessed through a message board option in your space.

Your living room also includes a calendar, which will offer daily images and other content.

DSi owners will be able to link up to the Channel. Those who've downloaded a "Dokodemo Wii no Ma" program to their DSi can copy over programs from the Wii no Ma Channel for viewing on the go. The marketing side of the channel also has a part here, as the DSi can also take delivery of coupons from Nintendo's marketing partners. These coupons can apparently be used at retailers.

For a look at the Wii no Ma Channel, see the special Wii.com site Nintendo has set up. The site offers a video introduction where you can see many of the features in action, a video of DSi connectivity, and a commercial.
Everything kicks off on May 1 with both the DSi and Wii components becoming available for free download through the Wii Shopping Channel and DSi Shop. Nintendo has previously said that it hopes to take this program overseas in the future.

Credit: IGN.com

GOOD: It looks as if Nintendo is finally catching on with the program and when they eventually bring this service to America it will be a big hit. Of course, this raises the question about Wii storage space yet again, so Nintendo better think of a solution to the problem beforehand. As for the virtual living space, I think it is very Nintendo to try stuff outside the box and this might be an entertaining side attraction.

19 Guitar Hero II songs make the cut for Guitar Hero Smash Hits

Beginning two weeks ago, Guitar Hero fans were tasked with deciding the order in which songs will be revealed for Guitar Hero? Smash Hits. The votes from Week 1 declared the original Guitar Hero game the winner, and the songs from that game that appear in Guitar Hero Smash Hits were revealed. The voting continued and established Guitar Hero II as the clear victor this week. The voting resumes, and fans can now cast their votes online at SmashHits.GuitarHero.com to determine which of the remaining genre-defining titles, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, they would like to have the songs revealed from next.

Guitar Hero Smash Hits explodes onto store shelves on June 16, 2009 with 48 master tracks now playable for the entire band, including the following tracks from Guitar Hero II:

Guitar Hero II
Avenged Sevenfold - "Beast And The Harlot"
Rage Against The Machine - "Killing In The Name"
Rush - "YYZ"
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird"
Foo Fighters - "Monkey Wrench"
Iron Maiden - "The Trooper"
Nirvana - "Heart-Shaped Box"
Lamb of God - "Laid To Rest"
The Police - "Message In A Bottle"
Wolfmother - "Woman"
Kansas - "Carry On Wayward Son"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart"
Warrant - "Cherry Pie"
Alice in Chains - "Them Bones"
Danzig - "Mother"
Jane's Addiction - "Stop!"
Reverend Horton Heat - "Psychobilly Freakout"
The Sword- "Freya"
Motley Crue- "Shout at the Devil"

Credit: IGN.com

GOOD/BAD: I am really looking forward to Smash Hits as an opportunity to play the classic GH songs with a full band. I love some of the additions revealed this week like "Shout At The Devil", "Freebird" and "The Trooper" but I am also very disappointed as well. Where the hells are "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Ironman"? Once more, the track selection is a bit spotty, but the game looks solid thus far.

Battlefield 1943 coming in June

It was hardly a shock when EA and DICE announced in February that a new edition of Battlefield: Bad Company was en route for consoles and PCs this winter, considering that publisher CEO John Riccitiello had said as much in a conference call earlier that week. What wasn't apparent from Riccitiello's statements, however, was that DICE was actually rolling out two theretofore unannounced titles, the second of which is the downloadable Battlefield 1943.

Today, EA dropped additional details on Battlefield 1943, saying that the multiplayer-only shooter will be available through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network this June for $15 (1,200 Microsoft points). A PC edition of the game will follow in September.

Battlefield 1943 features 24-player conflicts that play out both on land and in the air. Players can assume a number of different play styles as either the US Marines or the Imperial Japanese Navy, including a trench-warfare rifleman grunt, a heavy-armor tank commander, or a nimble fighter pilot, with battles playing out across three historic World War II locales: Wake Island, Guadalcanal, and Iwo Jima.

Credit: gamespot.com

GOOD: As long as they price it right (under $20) this game is a must-have. Battlefield action is always a blast and I can't imagine how awesome it will be using the Frostbite Engine. Mark your calendars boys and girls!

Useless News of the Week: EA Sports Celebrates 500th Million Online Game Played This Week

EA SPORTS, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that 500 million online games have been played since launching its '09 product line last June. On average, more than 2.2 million EA SPORTS games are played online each day, which reflects an increase of more than 175 percent over last year.

"The massive migration to online gaming has transformed the video game landscape, and this week's 500 millionth online EA SPORTS game highlights the radical shift that we've helped pioneer in the industry," said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. "Online gameplay allows real-time competitions with fans from around the world who speak the global language of sports. EA SPORTS is committed to providing personal access to the emotion of sports by continuing to create immersive online features, compelling new downloadable content and daily real-time stats updates."

FIFA 09 Ultimate Team, which launched March 19, has sparked the highest online activity for FIFA 09 in the lifecycle of the product. The unique, downloadable game mode delivers a strategic new online experience to the award-winning FIFA 09 product, winner of 25 international game quality awards. FIFA 09 Ultimate Team challenges gamers to collect or create the most talented soccer players in the world, develop them into a dream team and then compete online.

EA SPORTS also recently launched of 3 on 3 NHL? Arcade and NCAA? Basketball 09: March Madness Edition as digital downloads. From the makers of NHL 09, winner of 12 Sports Game of the Year awards, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade immediately became the most downloaded game on Xbox LIVE Arcade for two straight weeks.
Six EA SPORTS titles have more than 500,000 registered online users – including Madden NFL 09 and FIFA 09 with more than 2.4 million each – to help drive its record online usage numbers. Users have logged more than 4 billion minutes of EA SPORTS games since last summer, and currently play the equivalent of more than 35 years of games each day.

Credit: IGN.com

USELESS: Ok, this is not only EA Sports but every company that sends this type of press release. My response to that is: Who cares? Are we supposed to throw a party every time these type sof milestones are accomplished? What is the benefit for the player? Are you doing some type of FREE promotion or incentive for the gamer as a "Thank You" for helping you reach this milestone? If not then you are just tooting your own horn and this is not relevant to gamers.

The Reader's Voice

Last Week We Asked: What is the most immature thing you have seen in a video game?

Reader's Response of the Week: Gospel X said: As immature as Lowe's Larry games were, I have to agree with his sentiments. I only played the first Larry game, but what was presented was funny and socially responsible. Hey, you die if you sleep with a woman without a condom. Much more responsible than God of War's threesome. The thing about the Larry games is that they were all very tongue-in-cheek. Games these days play everything straight. The GTA games, for as creative and awesome as they are, reward players for killing innocents, stealing cars, screwing hookers (not to mention how you can get your money back), and escaping or killing the police. I know mentioning GTA is the old standby, but there's a reason for it. It would seem that a lot of these games lack a social conscience. Lowe's not in a good place to say anything, but at least the Larry games tried induce some form of commentary. They simply failed. Many games these days, although not all, don't have anything to say and instead just glorify antisocial behavior.

Other Responses:

Kento: The most immature games i remember are bmx XXX on ps2 and custers revenge

Setobakura: Nice column! The most immature thing I've seen in a video game is an entire game called "The Guy Game". It's lame in many many ways

This Week's Question: What is your opinion on Console-exclusive DLC like The Joker in Batman: Arkham Asylum? Does it make the game better or worse? Do you think it has an impact on console sales?

Goodbye: Don't forget to leave your comments and you might be featured in the Reader's Voice next week! Also, bookmark us! Ashish will feed bananas to baby monkeys for every person that bookmarks us! See you next week.