BestBuy Had Your Xbox 360.. For an Hour.
Well, they came and went, and those lucky enough to have heard about the huge deliveries to BestBuy were able to take advantage of news and score their Xbox 360 before Christmas.
Like many Xbox 360 fans, I had heard the news about the BestBuy deliveries last Sunday. I was even able to check my local stores for information about how many units were to be delivered. Much to my surprise, two stores in my area received over 100 units each. HOLY COW!
But my lazy self wasn't able to get to the store before it opened. It was freezing in Chicago, minus 10 degrees with windchill, the car was slow to warm up, so was I, the dog ate my homework, I left my glasses at home, the sun was in my eyes, Neuman! I was too late.
Within 1 hour ever single Xbox 360 had been sold at both of my local BestBuy stores. My chance to score an Xbox 360 before Christmas was now nothing more than a dream.
Sources tell me that another large delivery will take place in two weeks, and this time, no matter what, I'll have one of those units in my grubby little hands... no matter what!
Test Microsoft Video Games
One of my first jobs was testing video games for Bally Midway back in the 80’s. I actually got paid to play video games, and much to my surprise they even listened to my suggestions. Being a Video Game Test Pilot was one of the most fun jobs I have ever had. I am even more amazed that I still get to do it as an adult. I love my job.
Want to give it a try?
Microsoft is always on the look out for new people to test out their video games. Sure, you won’t get paid, but you will get a nice gift, and the right to say you played it first. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll have your own video game website and be able to sit around all day playing the latest video games with your friends.It’s called “
The Playtest Program” and according to Microsoft it’s “The most fun you’ll have testing software”By enrolling in the Playtest program you will be eligible to participate in lab sessions, surveys and site visits. Once enrolled and scheduled to participate in a study, you will be offered a gratuity selection at the conclusion of your study.
Enrollment takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Click here to enroll into the Playtest program.
Sign up to be eligible for Microsoft Game Studio research activities and see for yourself!
Gun - Game Review
By Ronnie Lewis
Platform:XBOX
Publisher:Activision
Copyright:2005
ISBN:B0009Z3HZQ
ESRB Rating:M
Price:$49.99
Rating:7
Synopsis: Activision's Gun is an attempt at the Old West that has real cowboys spinning in their graves.
Features:XBOX Live, nope.
Co-Op, nope.
Ride whatever horse you can get your hands on even wild mustangs. That's right without Robert Redford having to whisper to it first.
Completed side missions earn you extra cash to spend in town's general store. All two of the towns.
Watchout for foul language.
Review:
StorylineTypical story line in the Old West, your father is killed by some renegades and you have to avenge his death. Wyatt Earp this is not your Dodge City anymore, its nobody's Dodge City not even Randolph Scott's. Randolph Scott? Watch Blazing Saddles, best Western ever made!
GameplayOK with room for improvement. Example, when you target something you really don't have to be dead on to hit it. I'm not one for in the ball park aiming. However, I did like the controls of the horse.
Graphics
The graphics had me scratching my head as some things were very good and some where not. Good things - the horse shoe prints left in the dirt. Bad things - the size of the hands and feet on the characters. The girls at the saloon looked like Bugs Bunny in drag. With all that extra feet hanging over the shoe.
The Bottom Line
Its a renter and definitely not a buyer. I think that Activision can do a lot better. The game is way too short and the landscaping needs to be crisper.
Xbox 360 Costs Microsoft $153
iSuppli Corp. analysts have reported that Microsoft loses at least $153 on each Xbox 360 video game console it sells.
The parts such as processors and manufacturing costs around $552.27 for every machine that retails at $399. Marketing and shipping costs aren't included in the estimates. The premium version of the games machine uses an IBM processor that costs $106. Other IBM chips bring the total cost of chips and integrated circuits to $340 per console, the researcher said.
Bill Gates is betting that the Xbox 360, Microsoft's only unprofitable unit last year, will bolster sales of the company's other products to consumers. The Xbox 360 will also be profitable over the life of the machine, unlike its predecessor. Microsoft gets $7 to $8 hardware royalties for each game made by outside companies, and more on games produced by its own game studio.
