by Playfuls Staff |
22nd November 2006
With a robust library of 160
high-definition games expected by holiday, Xbox 360, the video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft Corp., will get even better today. On its
one-year anniversary, Xbox 360 will digitally deliver an initial lineup of TV
shows and movies to gamers in the
U.S. via Xbox Live, the [more] online
games and entertainment network from Microsoft.
As announced earlier this month,
Xbox Live Marketplace will now provide gamers with easy access to hundreds of
full-length TV shows for download to own and movies for download to rent from
CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS,
Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
with more content rolled out through Xbox Live Marketplace every week. Xbox 360
is the first gaming console to offer standard and high-definition TV shows and
movies via digital distribution.
Since its launch on Nov. 22,
2005, Xbox 360 has gained impressive traction fast. Xbox 360 was the fastest
console to reach 5 million sold, and 6 million Xbox 360 consoles had been sold
by the end of September 2006. At least 10 million are expected to be sold by
holiday. Expected to be available in 37 countries by holiday, Xbox 360
continues to retain record game and accessory attachment rates, according to
NPD. With more than 4 million members and an expected 6 million by June 2007,
Xbox Live continues its leadership as the first and most comprehensive online
games and entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire
Xbox 360 experience.
Xbox 360 is prepared to have a
booming holiday season, with consoles readily available at retail along with a
host of new accessories such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, Xbox Live
Vision camera and Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, not to mention blockbuster games such
as “Gears of War” and “Viva Piñata™.”
Examples of the download-to-own
TV shows and download-to-rent movies available on the network on Nov. 22
include the following:
• “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,”
“CSI: New York,”
“NCIS” and “Star Trek” from CBS
• “Chappelle’s Show,” “Drawn
Together” and Emmy and Peabody award-winning “South Park”
from COMEDY CENTRAL
• “Pimp My Ride” and “Punk’d”
from MTV
• “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
and “SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon
• “Skyland” and “Invader Zim”
from Nicktoons Network
• “Chinatown,” “Star Trek VII:
Generations,” “Patriot Games,” “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” “The Sum of
All Fears,” “The Untouchables” and “We Were Soldiers” from Paramount
Pictures
• “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,”
“Frisky Dingo,” “Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law,” “Sealab 2021” and “The
Venture Bros.” from Turner Broadcasting
• Some of the most intense fights
from Ultimate Fighting Championship
• “Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan
Knows Best” from VH1
• “Perfect Storm,” “Poseidon,”
The Shining,” “Three Kings” and “V for Vendetta,” as well as “The Nine” and
“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” along with the CW show “Veronica Mars” from
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Using the Family Settings
feature, parents and individuals can choose the video content that can be
played on their family’s Xbox 360. With the availability of this new
entertainment content, gamers now can set controls based on movie, TV and video
ratings, or they can entirely block explicit and unrated video content for
themselves or their children.
Pricing is competitive and will
vary based on format, media type and whether the content is a new release movie
or a classic feature film. High-definition TV shows will be 240 Microsoft
Points per episode, and standard-definition TV shows will be 160 Microsoft
Points per episode. New release movies in high definition will be 480 Microsoft
Points, and standard-definition new release movies will be 320 Microsoft Points
each. Classic feature films in high definition will be 360 Microsoft Points,
and standard definition will be 240 Microsoft Points. After purchasing a
high-definition TV show or movie, gamers can download the standard-definition
version at no additional charge.
Microsoft Points can be purchased
at retail or via Xbox Live. For example, gamers can get a 1,600 Microsoft
Points card at retail for $19.99 (U.S.)
or 1,000 Microsoft Points through Xbox Live for $12.50 (U.S.).
