I know what you mean. It always cracks me up when Japanese-style gamers say that all FPS games look the same. Every JRPG looks the same too IMO. I wouldn't even say that JRPGs variety comes from the storylines. Every JRPG I have ever seen has the same "pubescent male who has way too many feminine characteristics and a stupid haircut and wields a sword that is five times bigger than he is and his "destiny" is to save the entire world for complete destruction." I would rather play Oblivion or KOTOR or most any western RPG. At least they feature real "role playing".

Yeah, I'm with you on just about everything you said. However, if this is what people like, it's nice to see MS coming around and giving it to them. On a different note. The camera is ok, Totemball is fun. I just started but it was pretty fun so far. The lighting in my living room is horrible though, but my arms getting tired is more of a problem than the lighting so far. I really hope they come out with more games that are like the eyetoy packs for ps2. The kids are enjoying totemball more than I though.

Am I mistaken, or on the back of the box for the camera, isn't that the arcade texas holdem? I am sure it is.

HD Shows direct to your 360s - the rumor was true: Spread the word DVDTalk has the news first

Microsoft Corp. today announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360™ gamers in the U.S. by the end of the year. Furthermore, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the consumer.

Beginning Nov. 22, on its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live® network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional “firsts”:

· For the first time, consumers will get an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console that includes downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360, whether they want to play games or play a movie on a disc or as a download in high definition or standard definition.

· For the first time CBS will deliver high-definition download-to-own TV shows including “CSI,” “Jericho,” “Numb3rs” and remastered “Star Trek” episodes; gamers can buy them and watch them repeatedly.

· For the first time on any platform, NASCAR.COM will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from “Race Rewind.”

· For the first time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series.

“This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it.”

The initial lineup of TV shows available for download to own and feature films available for download to rent will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of content that will be available on the network by the end of year include the following:

· “Robot Chicken” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” from Adult Swim

· “CSI,” “Survivor” and “Star Trek” from CBS

· Emmy and Peabody award-winning “South Park” and “Chappelle’s Show” from COMEDY CENTRAL

· “The Real World” and “Pimp My Ride” from MTV

· “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and ”SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon

· “Skyland” and “The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival” from Nicktoons Network

· “M:i:III,” “Nacho Libre” and “Jackass: The Movie” from Paramount Pictures

· “Carpocalypse” and “Raising the Roofs” from Spike TV

· “Race Rewind” provided by NASCAR.COM

· Select episodes of the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and the “UFC: All Access” shows from the UFC

· “Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan Knows Best” from VH1

· “The Matrix,” “Superman Returns” and “Batman Forever” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Xbox 360 gamers can access Xbox Live Marketplace with a free Xbox Live Silver membership and a broadband connection. More information about the content available on Xbox Live Marketplace can be found at http://www.xbox.com/marketplaceentertainment.

Great News! One problem where will all this content be stored, surely not my 20gb HD.

I actually read it on Gamespot first

Cool idea, but a bigger hard drive really does sound like it should be coming.

I wonder if content could be saved on an external USB drive. That would solve the issue of drive space for all of the HD content. We'll probably just have whatever larger drive they offer though.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/06/m...loads-for-you/

This link says it can only be saved to the Xbox HD, no external drive.

Yeah but it was posted here first WIthin 4 minutes of me getting the press release ;-)

Yay! I can finally see the newly remastered HD versions of Star Trek since it's not showing in my area. Hopefully the episodes will be cheap.

Never mind - those big guys must get it BEFORE the embargo is lifted... not us though

Hey, check out the video preview narrated by Major Nelson on Xbox.com: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/marketplace/moviestv.htm

- The web link also lists Studio 60, Friends and West Wing as downloadable shows.

- From the video, it looks like other TV shows may include Venture Bros., Babylon 5, NCIS

- CSI NY was priced at 240 points ($3) Babylon 5 episode priced at 320 points ($4)

- Other movies may include Lethal Weapon 4, Cradle to the Grave, Analyze This, and a Albert Brooks comedy special.

Personally, I think the selection sucks at this point. But I'm sure it will get better if more networks / studios join up.

20gb just isn't enough space.

Agreed, if i buy the thing i want to be able to save a permanent copy somewhere other than on a tiny hard drive on my 360.

It would be cool if they would put episodes up for sale shortly after they aired. I would pay weekly to keep up with a few shows i started when they came out on DVD.

Hopefully they will release an update that will enable external drives. I hope.

While the JRPG doesn't really make enormous leaps and bounds in terms of gameplay evolution, this game (and Lost Oddyssey) is a decently big deal for Xbox 360 in terms of the Japanese market. It's not a Final Fantasy ripoff, though it is connected to FF...it's being made by Sakguchi, who was one of the top people involved in directing and producing the Final Fantasy series. He kind of parted ways with Square after he directed the FF movie which, well, tanked.

Nonetheless, much of the hype around this game and Lost Oddessey has to do with who's making it. Sakaguchi and his MIstwalker company are pretty much some of the most respected gamemakers in this genre and in the Japanese gaming world. Not to mention, for those into the genre, they look pretty damn good.

You can be pretty sure MS will be releasing a larger HD.

I guess I'll stick this here also.

Thanks to a clever GAF member for this:

Gears of War - Multiplayer Review

KICK ASS!

I can't wait to give the online co-op a go through the main game after I beat it on single player.

GRAW chapter 2 has been reduced in price by half (1200 points to 600 points) on Xbox Live for those still playing that game.

Guess that reflects the price drop ($39.99), maybe not .

That GoW video looks great.

Anyone else think PAYING for the TV shows is ridiculous? I could see renting HD movies, but the TV shows should all be free with a Gold membership....You can just tivo/dvr that crap for free....why on earth would I blow $3 to watch an episode of CSI??

You'd blow $3 to watch an episode of CSI because you missed it and don't have a DVR (I can't afford cable right now, and theres really no point in owning one. But then, I don't like CSI so I wouldn't personally be getting an episode of it.). And didn't feel like spending the same money on purchasing it from iTunes. That or the person w/ the DVR is too lazy to FF through commercials and wants an uninterrupted copy.

I don't disagree with paying, I do think it's about $1 too much though ($1.99 would be more fitting.)

It's no different than purchasing it over the net regularly. Gold is a cheap service (what is it, like $4 a month?), so there's no way it'd be free that way, and it is a nice option to have on a console -- being able to watch HD-quality copies of TV shows. So no, don't find it ridiculous at all, and find it a nice option to have. Hopefully we'll be able to use MS Points . That all said, that's a terrible line up.

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/micro...igs-212862.php

Gears of War GameSpot Video Review!

There's no score given, but the reviewer doesn't say anything bad about the game at all really and ends up saying that if you like action games of any sort at all, then this is the game to own this holiday season.