Microsoft abandons Xbox360 sales target

The Financial Times has learnt that Microsoft have officially abandoned their original sales target for the Xbox360:

Microsoft has blamed a lack of capacity and components for shortages of its Xbox 360. It is now expected to miss its target of shipping 2.75m-3m of the game consoles in the 90 days following its launch on November 22.

Analysts estimate shipments at 1.3m worldwide by the end of 2005, with shortages predicted for January. The situation has leftgamers frustrated and meant limited sales of 360 titles for video games publishers and retailers.

Microsoft now aims to sell between 4 to 5,5 million units by June. Whether that is realistic or not, though, will greatly depend on the release dates of both PlayStation3 and Revolution and their respective marketing campaigns.

Source: Financial TimesNext Generation
Thanks to: Joystiq

Rev controller for back catalogue?

This is starting to get silly now. First, there are rumours that ´Zelda: Twilight Princess´ would feature additional Rev controller functionality when played on the Revolution. Then Nintendo go on record calling the rumours ´pure speculation´. Well, the speculations may still turn out true. National Geographic Kids Magazine (of all magazines) have apparently been invited to Japan to test out the Revolution controller and write:

The Revolution will be available later this year. You'll be able to use it with games you already have as well as with new games. Here are some old favorites and a few of the things you'll be able to do with this revolutionary new controller.

Here are some scans of the article, courtesy of Joystiq (perhaps the most valuable Revolution resource these days):




Interesting stuff, I am sure you will agree. Because are these guys talking about the game franchises which may be revived for the Revolution or are they talking about the actual Gamecube titles? It seems they are talking about the latter. And if so, they are actually suggesting that a whole number of games from the back catalogue would have dedicated Rev controller functionality. That in itself would be revolutionary.

EDIT Concerning this story, Nintendo has responded to Eurogamer and clarified the content:

What the magazine has done is imagine how existing franchises would work with the Revolution controller, rather than actually seeing anything. (...) It's all still speculation.

The good people at Joystiq, though, (who are really the top source for Revolution news at the moment, I have to reiterate) comment:

Why invite them all the way to Tokyo so they could write a feature article full of speculation?

Why, indeed?

Source: Joystiq
Image source: Joystiq

Miyamoto interviewed by ´Maxim´ and ´Famitsu´

Hyrule.net cites the current issue of Maxim Magazine with the following interview snippet by Shigeru Miyamoto:

Maxim: Don't you want to make an ol'-fashioned R-rated game?

Miyamoto: I would say the games that we're working on now, like the new Zelda, Twilight Princess, has hardcore content. And if you look at the Revolution's controllers, there's a nunchaku-style controller expansion that's really well suited to first-person shooters.

Maxim Magazine does not have the current issue online. I have mailed them, though, to ask for verification of this quote. It would be interesting enough if Miyamoto really was interviewed by what is euphemistically called a ´men´s magazine´. His outspoken commitment to mature titles could be interpreted as ushering in a new era for the company.

Secondly, Next Generation cites a Famitsu interview with Miyamoto and quotes these interview snippets:

Though games are things made by great efforts of skill, it is important to remember that they are also made by people.

Before making a game, one must understand precisely how it will end.

A game that keeps a smile on the player's face is a wonderful thing.

Nintendo's theme for 2006 will be 'Create new fun.' 'Spread the fun of games to everyone.' To do this, we must return to the beginning, to recapture the essence that made people who enjoy games even now enjoy them in the first place.

'Presentation' is not what kind of picture you paint; it is how you behold your beholder.

Albeit far less concrete, these quotes also contain interesting references, particularly ´fun´ and ´presentation´. In general, Miyamoto seems to want to suggest a return to the old-school days of gaming. I am reminded of the eighties when there was far less of a dicision between core and casual gamers. A game like Pac-Man was enjoyed by both groups.

But doesn´t this contradict the first quote? Where is Nintendo heading? Towards innocent and new types of fun games that can be enjoyed by everyone - or more mature games that will end up with a higher age rating?

Source: Hyrule.net, Next Generation
Image Source: Jeuxvideo
Thanks to: Revo-Europe, AMN