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XBox (Games) Entertainment Games

Xbox 360 Playable at Wal-Mart 54

Posted by Zonk from the shiny-toys-aisle-five dept.
hattan writes "Wal-Mart has playable Xbox 360s on display with demos of Call of Duty 2, Kameo, and King Kong. Joystiq has a look at what the setup looks like, with a rundown on locations where you can play." Gamespot provides more details on the setup, including the news that you'll be able to download content from these kiosks once the systems are on the shelves. Unrelatedly, but interestingly, Xbox.com has revealed a deep level of interconnection with the new gamer card system between the 360, Xbox Live, and Xbox.com. You'll apparently be able to look at your gamer card on the web, because Microsoft likes value adding stuff.
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Xbox 360 Playable at Wal-Mart More

Xbox 360 Playable at Wal-Mart

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  • Unique Approaches (Score:5, Interesting)

    by duerra ( 684053 ) * on Thursday October 20, 2005 @05:18PM (#13839557) Homepage
    I can't recall any time in history that a gaming company has made consoles playable in a retail outlet before the launch of the console. I don't necessarily know that this is an inherently good or bad move to make.

    From one perspective, it can build anticipation for the product to launch, and it generates exposure.

    However, if the games aren't of the highest quality, it might be a let down for those spur-the-moment type of shoppers that may have otherwise have purchased the console had they not had opportunity to spend a few weeks in front of it to begin with.

    Time will tell. I think regardless of anything, we can definitely say that Microsoft's approach to the XBox 360 has definitely taken a number of new moves that the industry had previously never made. Everything from the viral marketing, to the MTV official announcement, to the launch. They have all been non-traditional ways of launching a console. We'll see how well it pays off for M$.

    • Re:Unique Approaches (Score:2, Interesting)

      by pappy97 ( 784268 )
      "We'll see how well it pays off for M$."

      I'm curious, though, if this was Nintendo doing this on the verge of launching a new console, if your post would be all gung-ho about this interesting idea.

      As we all know, Slashdotters tend to be anti-MS, and love to discredit good ideas from MS, if they can. But if Nintendo does the same thing, there is instant praise.

      • Re:Unique Approaches (Score:4, Insightful)

        by duerra ( 684053 ) * on Thursday October 20, 2005 @05:33PM (#13839704) Homepage
        There was no inherent praise or comdemnation in that statement. Nintendo is taking a risk of their own with the Revolution controller. In fact, Nintendo appears to be going an entirely different direction than the traditional gaming community seems to be be ready for or expecting, and that may very well hurt them.

      • Re:Unique Approaches (Score:4, Insightful)

        by frikazoyd ( 845667 ) on Thursday October 20, 2005 @05:56PM (#13839938)
        I didn't read any bias, all I read was speculation and "We'll see how it goes off". However, I'd hope that we were all adult enough here to realize that this is a hype-building tactic. Hype is a very good salesman, and video game players love demos. I say it's a good idea, but he has a point. Games sell a console, and if they're hyping their console with low-quality games, they're going to have an uphill climb. Same goes for any other console.

    • Re:Unique Approaches (Score:2, Interesting)

      by iainl ( 136759 )
      Really? I distinctly remember playing both the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP in shops before their release dates here in the UK. This seems to be just a new thing in the US.

    • Re:Unique Approaches (Score:5, Informative)

      by chazmo ( 738348 ) on Thursday October 20, 2005 @05:29PM (#13839663)
      Nintendo put playable N64's with Super Mario 64 at Toys R Us before it was available to purchase.
      • The differance is that because the N64 had already been out in japan for a while & Mario 64 was a finished game with (most of) the bugs removed. Because Microsoft is releasing the X360 in the states first it means that the games available to play test on these cabinets are not neccesarly 100% finished and as such still need there final tweeking and polishing before release. This may give people a detremental view of what actual games are like on the console. On the other hand it could turn America's Wal
        • Perhaps Microsoft has just made sure to license to only the highest quality game manufacturers, confident in those game companies ability to deliver high quality, bug free game experiences well in anticipation of the console launch?

          Heh, whew, OK I needed a good laugh. Seriously, I'm sure Rare or somebody has a couple of demo levels at this point that only require the 360 rebooted every 10 minutes or so. It'll be fine.

    • Re:Unique Approaches (Score:4, Informative)

      by SoCalChris ( 573049 ) on Thursday October 20, 2005 @06:29PM (#13840179) Journal
      However, if the games aren't of the highest quality, it might be a let down for those spur-the-moment type of shoppers that may have otherwise have purchased the console had they not had opportunity to spend a few weeks in front of it to begin with.

      I'm guessing that the type of people who have $399 to impulsively spend on a video game, aren't the type who would be shopping in WalMart. They're probably aiming for kids whose parents are in there shopping. They want the kids to start begging their parents for one for Christmas.
      • I'm guessing that the type of people who have $399 to impulsively spend on a video game, aren't the type who would be shopping in WalMart. They're probably aiming for kids whose parents are in there shopping. They want the kids to start begging their parents for one for Christmas.

        Your guessing is very wrong. I knew I was getting one before the price was even determined. There are no WMts around where I live but when I visit my family I always know I am going there at least once: either for grocieries (it i

    • N64 demos were available in Toys-R-Us long before it was released
    • The Dreamcast was playable in just about every EB for weeks before launch.

      The GameCube was playable in Circuit City and Sears stores for about a month before launch.

      The Nintendo DS, the Gameboy Advance, Advance SP, Pocket, and Pocket Color all had pre-release in store playable demos.

  • Broken before a week is up (Score:5, Funny)

    by frikazoyd ( 845667 ) on Thursday October 20, 2005 @05:27PM (#13839648)
    If they're anything like the Wal-Mart displays of current consoles I've seen, someone will break the controller in most of these displays before you know it.
  • While Microsoft will benefit from having the 360 in the public eye for a bit before they release it, if the games suck, it will not help. Microsoft isn't just competing with the other console makers here, they are trying to get folks that JUST purchased an orginal Xbox to buy a new version.

    I have to believe this will increase the "cool factor" for the box and is probably a smart move. But, it could also be a bit risky.

  • $20 says... (Score:2, Interesting)

    by HTL2001 ( 836298 )
    $20 says at least one of these things will get stolen. I don't know where it will go from there, but one will definatly be stolen.

    maybe sold on E-bay, or held for "ransom" so Microsoft will pay up not to have their "secrets" revealed (wait... that was nintendo who didn't want their secret let out... but it could still apply)
    • It would be kind of hard to take since most stores are open 24/7 and have security cameras and the 360 is locked behind that glass case. Not saying it couldn't be done but that window of opportunity (normally when the store is closed) isn't quite as easy to come by.
    • Plus, the original XBox had ways of identifing each console (and banning them from Xbox live if they were modded) -- I'm sure the boot loader for all the released software could contain the serial numbers of these consoles, and refuse to run non-demo software these units, just in case they are stolen.

    • Re:$20 says... (Score:3, Informative)

      by Ayaress ( 662020 )
      There's no secret, though. By putting them in stores, the secret is out already. Stealing a display model a few weeks before release isn't like stealing a test rig months before release. Certainly, one will get stolen. Probably more than one. Probably by enterprising Wal-Mart employees before by hooligan kids. But they aren't really gaining anything by getting ahold of a finalized system with launch looming. They'll sell it on eBay for an ungodly sum, and then in a while when everybody else gets the same t
  • I think I found the 'Couple Finds Porn On Memory Stick' article more fascinating and interesting than this...

  • 6-year-olds (Score:3, Funny)

    by Detritus ( 11846 ) on Friday October 21, 2005 @06:24AM (#13843148) Homepage
    Wire a 4 kV power supply to the controller via a timer and relay. After ten minutes of continuous play, close the relay. BANG! Zoom! Award a daily prize for greatest distance achieved.

  • 360 demo (Score:5, Informative)

    by slib ( 876774 ) on Friday October 21, 2005 @06:54AM (#13843234)
    I've played the demos, and I can assure you that they're really, really good. The controller feels great, the system's incomprehensibly sexy, and the wireless capabilities of the system prevent the wireless inventory handsets used by Wal Mart associates from working within 60 feet. They actually shut off the demo I was playing so they could finish ordering. So much for customer service, eh?

    Here's the breakdown:
    King Kong: amazing graphics, but it was so brief I couldn't really get a feel for the gameplay. A fantastic tech demo for next-gen system capabilities.
    Call of Duty 2: graphics comparable to Valve's Source engine, which is disappointing, but so well done it really doesn't matter. Keeps the hectic CoD pace intact. Also, it runs at an unerring 60fps, no matter what. I tried everything I could to get the framerate to drop, but believe me, it isn't possible.
    Kameo: I didn't play this game because Rare sucks now. Grabbed by the Ghoulies? I'll grab YOUR Ghoulies, whoever came up with the concept for that shit burger.

    Oh yeah, the home screen is really in-depth.
    • I thought the graphics were much better than the current generation of consoles (duh), BUT it was running on a Sony HDTV. I wonder how many will be returned because the picture quality at home didn't match the picture quality in the store?
    • I'm sorry, how are these games really, really good again?

      King Kong: amazing graphics (the defacto standard of the industry) and no accurate representation of gameplay. I can download the Unreal3 tech demo if I want to look at yet another pretty picture.

      Call of Duty 2: Really now, I can't believe you played the game with graphics that ONLY looked like the source engine. Sheesh, I wouldn't play a game that looks that terrible. And I'm biased because I already played the CoD2 demo on my PC with an un-errin

  • Good place to buy a 360 (Score:3, Informative)

    by hal2814 ( 725639 ) on Friday October 21, 2005 @09:23AM (#13843809)
    Wal-Mart is an excellent place to buy the 360 at launch (or any console for that matter). Wal-Mart has a fantastic return policy as it applies to electronics. Remember when EB and Gamestop would only take a PSP return if there were X or higher dead pixels on the screen? For the same price, you could get one at Wal-Mart and exchange to your heart's content. Wal-Mart has enough muscle that the distributor answers to them, not the other way aroud as it usually is. Even my favorite large store (Target) can't touch Wal-Mart's return policy. If you're buying a system at launch, no telling what could be wrong with it. Do yourself a favor and pick one up at Wal-Mart first. If the system ends up not having an QC problems in the first 90 days, go ahead and return it anyways and get one from the store of your choice.
  • I'm sure because our market base is significantly smaller than the US (10x less), can anyone comment on the availability for Canadian Wal-Marts? I contacted the one local to me, but they were absolutely clueless and had no idea the US counter parts were demoing the 360.

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