Halo Online For Russian Release

MARCH 28, 2015 • Later this spring Microsoft Corp. is holding a closed beta for a free-to-play multiplayer online game on the PC in Russia called Halo Online. The title is based on the Halo 3 engine and is set directly after the events in that game. Most of the action takes place on a spac.....

Grand Theft Auto V Shines on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

FEB. 4, 2015 • The release of Grand Theft Auto V on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One last November sold through extremely well, according to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. By December 31, the title had moved more than 10 million units on the new consoles despite being in release on the PS3 .....

Xbox One China Price is Cut

DEC. 16, 2014 • A recent price reduction plus some attractive software bundles helped Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox One to take the No. 1 spot in hardware sales during November in the U.S. Now with the looming arrival of the PlayStation 4 in China at 2,899 yuan ($469) and 3,299 yuan ($533) with the PS4 Camera come January 11, BesTV New Media Co. (Microsoft’s Chinese partner) has lowered the price of the two least expensive Xbox One China SKUs by 500 yuan ($.....

Holiday Xbox One Discount Returns

OCT. 27, 2014 • The Xbox One is getting a $50 price reduction for the holidays in North America starting November 2. This is not an unusual promotional move by Microsoft Corp. as the company has done so previously during the holidays and during other times of the year. The difference is that Microsoft has a habit of not promot.....

Xbox One China Sales Reach 100,000 Units

OCT. 6, 2014 • Including local preorders the Xbox One China sales reached 100,000 units in the first 24 hours after it launched in China on September 29. The disclosure was made by Shanghai Oriental Pearl Co., Ltd. director Zhang Dazhong in an interview with the Xinmin Evening News. The console’s original September 23 release date was pushed back due to delays in getting titles finalized f.....

Japan Xbox One Sales are Minimal

SEPT. 26, 2014 • Japanese gamers appear to be taking a lukewarm view of the new Xbox One. Microsoft Corp.’s latest console debuted on September 4 in Japan and took the No. 1 spot on Media Create’s weekly chart at 25,674 sold. Seven days later units sold dro.....

China Xbox One Launch Delayed

SEPT. 22, 2014 • The China Xbox One launch was scheduled for September 23. In a statement issued in China, Microsoft Corp. said despite making steady progress more time was needed before launching the console. At first the company said it was shooting for a launch by the end of the year, but on September 23 issued a new announcement that the system would launch on the 29th of the month with 10 digitally distributed titles. No reason was provided to explain the d.....

China Console Manufacturing Firms Merge

SEPT. 5, 2014 • Last month Chinese president Xi Jinping called on the business community to create powerful media groups that possessed credible mainstream media assets as well as media based on new technology. Now one of the huge state-run entertainment en.....