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January 2006 - Posts

Age of Empires III Goes Platinum

posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006 8:56 PM by johnporcaro
Age of Empires III has gone platinum, and has become the fastest selling title in the Age of Empires franchise history.  That's a million units sold since it was released in October.  Wow. To celebrate, Ensemble Studios Read More
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Xbox CFO Bryan Lee Meets the Press

posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006 7:47 PM by johnporcaro
Right after the earnings announcement last week, (acting) CFO Bryan Lee met up with Gamespot's Tor Thorson, to answer some specific questions about the launch, console and games sales, and our plans for the next year.  Gamespot just published Q&A: Read More
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“Age of Empires III” Goes Platinum – Becomes Fastest-Selling Game in Franchise History

posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006 7:00 PM by johnporcaro
Ensemble Studios announces “Fastest Industrial Age” contest in honor of one million copies sold Read More
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Make It Big in Indie Games

posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006 6:14 PM by johnporcaro
Great post called Why Shipping Marble Blast Ultra On XBox 360 Is Important For Indie Game Developers, Part 1, by Jeff Tunnell, GarageGames developer of Marble Blast Ultra.  If you haven't played the game yet, get online and download the demo!  Read More
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Digital Games & Society Blog

posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006 5:19 PM by johnporcaro
Who says playing Xbox can't prepare you for college?  Michigan State University has a course called Digital Games & Society.  As homework, students post entries to a "Student Blog."  There are some very interesting posts, actually got Read More
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Major Nelson on the Dashboard Update

posted Monday, January 30, 2006 10:48 PM by johnporcaro
I don't have to tell you that Larry Hryb (Major Nelson) is your best friend in the Xbox product group.  You can always count on him to keep you up to speed on what's happening with Xbox and Xbox Live.  I ran into him in the cafeteria today, Read More
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BHG Producer Tim Train on Rise of Legends

posted Monday, January 30, 2006 5:19 PM by johnporcaro
Rise of Legends producer Tim Train delivered his "developer diary" to Gamespot last week.  In an article called "Magic Meets Technology in 20 Minutes," Tim gives some insight into what to expect with the upcoming game, and explains how Read More
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Age of Empires III Patch

posted Monday, January 30, 2006 5:02 PM by johnporcaro
In a post to the Age of Empires III Developer Blog, Bruce Shelley offers some background on the update that was posted recently.  Patch 1.04: This update was made necessary by the crush of people going online around Christmas, possibly because Read More
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On a Lighter Note (ok fine, a sweeter note)

posted Friday, January 27, 2006 7:48 PM by cesarmenendez
One of the perks of working for a multi-national corporation is the free snacks. At multiple times throughout the day, people put out snacks, gift baskets with food in them, their baked goods, etc. In the kitchen yesterday, someone put out what I consider Read More
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New Asia Pacific Launch Dates for Xbox 360

posted Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:15 PM by johnporcaro
Just after the earnings announcements today, we announced some new launch dates in Asia Pacific for the Xbox 360. From the media alert: “The new launch dates have been set due to unprecedented global consumer demand stemming from challenges in ramping Read More
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New Asia Pacific Launch Dates for Xbox 360

posted Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:00 PM by johnporcaro
Microsoft announces new launch dates in Asia Pacific for the Xbox 360 Read More
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Xbox News from Today's Earnings Announcement

posted Thursday, January 26, 2006 4:28 PM by johnporcaro
With our Q2 earnings announcement complete, a bit more of the story emerges from the number crunchers.  As a public company, there’s a lot we can’t say, especially in a blog post.  Because the company is owned by shareholders, we have to tell Read More
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Microsoft Reports Record Revenue

posted Thursday, January 26, 2006 1:30 PM by johnporcaro
Quarter marks the successful launches of Xbox 360 and SQL Server 2005 Read More
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Dance Dance Revolution in West Virginia Schools

posted Wednesday, January 25, 2006 3:29 PM by johnporcaro
I know when I play Xbox, I tend to firmly plant my buttocks into the corner of our couch, pop my feet up on the cushions, and grab the controller in a very ergonomically-unfriendly position--for hours at a time.  Gotta get this game!  (I know Read More
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Highlights of 2005: Lost Tooth, Xbox 360

posted Wednesday, January 25, 2006 3:06 PM by johnporcaro
Yesterday, I got an email from the father of a nine year old girl (not an employee), who reads this blog.  He wrote: My 9 year old daughter came home last week with an in class assignment of creating a poster board about her highlights of 2005. Read More
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The 360 Song

posted Tuesday, January 24, 2006 3:15 PM by johnporcaro
From the TeamXbox forums, I ran across this beauty by XTeCnoX.  Not sure the marketing team will be paying the rights to have this played at our next press event, but for those of you who have an Xbox 360, you know what you'd do if someone got between Read More
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On the Back-Compat rumors circulating

posted Tuesday, January 24, 2006 12:29 AM by cesarmenendez
There are smart and savvy gamers out there. Folks who know exactly what to do with a statement that starts with something like “I have a friend who works with a guy who knows a girl on the Xbox team responsible for backwards compatibility and I heard Read More
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Keep Xbox Away From Sand & Water

posted Monday, January 23, 2006 1:56 PM by johnporcaro
Let this be a warning for those of you thinking of taking your Xbox 360 to any upcoming beach parties…  Beatrice Murch was walking along the beach in Northern California, when she found the remains of what looks like an Xbox.  She posts more Read More
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Bustin' Makes Me Feel Good...

posted Thursday, January 19, 2006 4:07 PM by johnporcaro
We have an internal alias here at Microsoft, for employees to have discussions, debates, ask (and even occasionally answer) questions, and sometimes complain.  It's one of the most active discussion aliases (except maybe the Vista Beta...), getting an Read More
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New Zealand hosts Zero Hour on Wheels

posted Thursday, January 19, 2006 9:53 AM by johnporcaro
One of our official Xbox MVPs from down under, New Zealander Xtramalt posts about the Xbox 360 Roadtrip, leading up to the launch of the Xbox 360.   Sounds a bit like Zero Hour on wheels!  Wonder how I can convince my boss that I need Read More
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Final Fantasy XI Tips

posted Wednesday, January 18, 2006 5:49 PM by Bastelyon
Now that the beta version of Final Fantasy XI is available, you might be wondering what the best way is to get started.  DeathscytheHC (an Xbox MVP and resident FFXI expert who posts frequently in the Xbox.com forums) just posted some great tips Read More
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AXIS_EVENT_00=AXIS_AILERONS_SET

posted Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:44 PM by cesarmenendez
That's a line of "computer code." Fascinating, that computer code. It's part of some instructions on how to play Flight Sim 2004 with an Xbox controller. So hey again, everypeoples. Around these parts, we're all about the integration of Xbox 360 Read More
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Microsoft to team with 4Kids

posted Tuesday, January 17, 2006 4:48 PM by johnporcaro
This morning we sent out a press release announcing a partnership with 4Kids, the company responsible for the licensing of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  We'll be working on development of a unique children’s entertainment Read More
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9th Annual AIAS Award Finalists

posted Tuesday, January 17, 2006 4:37 PM by johnporcaro
Not too shabby.  Kotaku posts the finalists for the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) awards and includes several Microsoft Xbox, Xbox 360, and Games for Windows titles. Still waiting for the AIAS website to post Read More
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Microsoft and 4Kids Entertainment Form Alliance

posted Tuesday, January 17, 2006 5:00 AM by johnporcaro
Entertainment Leaders Team Up to Create Children’s Property Read More
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Xbox 360 Fully Committed to HD-DVD

posted Monday, January 16, 2006 11:48 AM by johnporcaro
Happens to the best of ‘em.  Last week, a story from Japanese website IT Media quoted a comment from Peter Moore about the expandability of the Xbox 360.  In a classic case of taking something out of context, the story ended up making Read More
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Team Building

posted Thursday, January 12, 2006 11:16 PM by johnporcaro
Busy week, sorry for the delay in posting for a few days.  My team has been at an offsite in sunny Las Vegas.  A few that were here for CES last week stayed the weekend, and they tell me they’re totally ready to get home!  So what does Read More
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Bill Gates on Xbox 360

posted Monday, January 09, 2006 4:58 PM by johnporcaro
Engadget, one of my favorite sites (and one of my favorite podcasts) had the chance to sit down with Bill Gates last week at CES.  Peter Rojas did the interview, and posted the transcript on the site...  Some highlights from The Engadget Interview: Bill Read More
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Xbox 360 Pricing for Hong Kong and Taiwan

posted Monday, January 09, 2006 11:56 AM by johnporcaro
For those keeping track, Microsoft announced our pricing for Hong Kong and Taiwan.  The console is planned to go on sale on March 2.  The Xbox 360 will be made available in Hong Kong and Taiwan in both versions, costing from US$380 for Read More
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Xbox 360 Feeding Frenzy Off the Richter Scale with Retail Price Announcement in Asia

posted Monday, January 09, 2006 9:00 AM by johnporcaro
The must-have next generation console price starts from US$300 in Hong Kong and Taiwan as the Xbox 360 pre-order program kicks off Read More
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Welcome Tony!

posted Friday, January 06, 2006 12:40 PM by johnporcaro
A special "hey howdy ho" goes out to the newest member of the Xbox team, Tony Hynes (posting as Bastelyon)!  He's already familar to many of you, since he's been running the Xbox MVP program (along with Major Nelson).  He'll be moving to our Read More
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Final Fantasy XI Xbox 360 Beta

posted Friday, January 06, 2006 12:05 PM by Bastelyon
The Final Fantasy XI beta testing period for the Xbox 360 has officially begun.  You can register for the beta right now at Square Enix's PlayOnline Web site.  After you apply you'll need to get a copy of the February issue of the Official Read More
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INXS Set to Rock Out on Xbox Live

posted Friday, January 06, 2006 9:00 AM by johnporcaro
Rock Legends to Take on Gamers in Latest Xbox Live ‘Game with Fame’ Session Read More
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Xbox Announces Changes in European Marketing Team

posted Friday, January 06, 2006 7:00 AM by johnporcaro
Michel Cassius Departs, Richard Teversham named EMEA Director of Marketing and Platform Read More
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Major Nelson Corners Peter Moore at CES

posted Thursday, January 05, 2006 5:14 PM by johnporcaro
For those that missed it, Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson, visited with Peter Moore just before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off. You can listen to the interview in its entirety on Larry's podcast, but for those short on time, Xbox.com shares Read More
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Hey, gamers: we're getting another manufacturing partner

posted Friday, January 06, 2006 12:42 AM by cesarmenendez
For those of you lucky enough to have your Xbox 360s, move along, nothing to see here. If you're waiting on yours, good news for you: we've brought another manufacturing partner onboard, Celestica, as Peter Moore outlined in the CES keynote. They should Read More
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Back from Holiday

posted Thursday, January 05, 2006 4:16 PM by johnporcaro
Ah, so much better without the post-launch, pre-holiday frenzy.  Nothing exciting to report on my end, other'n getting some time in on Kameo and hanging out with the kids.  I'm jumping back into things with a full inbox, and with CES news Read More
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FS Planet Shows Off Flight Sim X

posted Thursday, January 05, 2006 4:04 PM by johnporcaro
Last night, Bill Gates did a demo of Flight Simulator X, the eagerly anticipated upgrade to the Games for Windows franchise giant (read the press release).  Joystiq points to enthusiast site, FSPlanet that has some screen shots you gotta check out... Read More
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“Flight Simulator X” Takes to the Skies at Consumer Electronics Show

posted Wednesday, January 04, 2006 6:30 PM by johnporcaro
Successor to landmark “Flight Simulator” franchise scheduled to land on shelves Holiday 2006 Read More
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Gates Outlines Vision for the Digital Lifestyle and Showcases New Products and Technologies From Microsoft

posted Wednesday, January 04, 2006 6:30 PM by johnporcaro
CES keynote address features first broad demonstration of Windows Vista; new Xbox 360 peripherals, mobile devices and Windows Live services. Read More
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All Your CES 2006 Coverage Belong to Us

posted Wednesday, January 04, 2006 11:08 PM by cesarmenendez
Hey there, everypeoples. Cesar again. I wanted to point everyone to some online spots where you can get CES coverage. Bill G will be onstage delivering a keynote, joined by my boss' boss' boss, Peter Moore. Bill's page on Microsoft.com has a link Read More
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