Assassin's Creed gameplay and info (Updated)

From X06, here is the first video of Assassins Creed gameplay:


IGN also has some info on the slight differences between the PS3 and 360 version:

While the PlayStation 3 and 360 versions of Assassin's Creed are virtually identical, Raymond did say that on the 360 the team is putting a special emphasis on achievements. The hardware also allows for improved threading, which will improve even further the crowd AI.

One of the (few) advantages of the PS3 is its better hardware, yet the Xbox 360 is getting better AI. This could be because they have had a year to work with the 360 already, but the hardware is the part that enables the improved AI, not the fact that they know it more thoroughly. This probably won't make too much of a difference, but this isn't the first time a PS3 game is lacking some features from its 360 counterpart.

[Video via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Update:
IGN has updated their article, taking out the part about improved AI and replacing it with this:

And while the 360 hardware enables Ubisoft's team to use multiple threads to enhance the crowd's AI, the end result for the game on both systems will be the same. "While the method for distributing AI load is different on each platform, the AI code itself is the same. Players will experience the exact same crowd results on PS3 and Xbox360," Ubisoft explained.

[Via Evil Avatar]

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Games announced for Xbox 360 at X06: New Halo, Splinter Cell 5, PGR4, and more

New games that were announced for Xbox 360 at X06:

A new Halo game (In addition to Halo Wars) and a completely new original property. From the press release: "A landmark partnership announced between Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer Peter Jackson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Fran Walsh, and Microsoft Game Studios will create two new interactive entertainment series exclusively for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live^®. The first series will be a collaborative effort with Bungie Studios to co-create the next great chapter in the “Halo^®” universe. The second series will be an entirely original property targeted at bringing new audiences into the captivating world of interactive entertainment. In addition, Microsoft Game Studios will partner with Jackson and Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to the creation of world-class interactive entertainment." There is no information on what the new property will be about, but Bungie had this to say about the new Halo game on their website: "...we can tell you it will be a blend of gameplay and storytelling quite unlike anything the games industry has ever seen before." If that doesn't get you excited, there must be something wrong with you.

Halo Wars, a Halo RTS. Here are all the details, along with an amazing video.

Another Splinter Cell game (After Double Agent). It will be console exclusive to the Xbox 360. That's right, no Splinter Cell for the PS3 or Wii.

Project Gotham Racing 4

Banjo-Kazooie. From the press release: "The beloved “Banjo-Kazooie” franchise will breathe new, high-definition life on Xbox 360 exclusively from famed developer Rare Ltd.; astonishing next-generation visuals and presentation reunite beloved characters Banjo, Kazooie and Gruntilda — among other fan favorites — with their sharp wit and hilarious sense of humor."

Marvel Universe Online

DOOM for Xbox Live Arcade. It is now available for download, costing 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

Sensible World of Soccer, also for Xbox Live Arcade. From the press release: "Based on the classic 1994 Amiga title, “Sensible World of Soccer” will let gamers choose between the original graphics or an updated, high-resolution look and feel — while still capturing the original’s entire world of football."

Some other news about already announced titles:

Grand Theft Auto IV. Just a few months after it's release (October 16th in North America, October 19th in Europe), two downloadable "epic episodes" will be available, each coming with hours of new gameplay. These will be exclusive to Xbox 360.

Bioshock will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows.

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Xbox 360 with an internal HD-DVD drive? (Update: Microsoft says nope)

DigiTimes says that Microsoft is planning on releasing an Xbox 360 with a built in HD-DVD drive, as early as the first half of 2007. According to their site, sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive industry say Microsoft is selecting manufacturers in Taiwan to build the drive for a second generation Xbox 360. Microsoft has previously stated that they have no plans for an internal HD-DVD drive, and I don't think there will be one any time soon.
[Via OXM UK]

Update:
Tony Hynes, or Bastelyon, the Online Community Manager in Microsoft's Global Games PR department, has posted on the Gamerscore Blog to say once again that there are no plans for an internal HD-DVD player:

Rumors of a built-in HD DVD sku are greatly exaggerated. We’re proudly launching the HD DVD Player as an accessory this holiday. Turns out you want a say in how you spend your entertainment dollars. So who are we to burden every customer with the cost of expensive movie technology?

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PS3's Europe release delayed

The release of the PS3 in Europe has been delayed until March 2007. Although still releasing as planned in North America and Japan, the number of consoles available at launch will be much less than promised. There will be only 500,000 worldwide: 400,000 for the U.S. and 100,000 for Japan.

More at Joystiq, or read what Microsoft has to say at OXM UK.

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Xbox 360 eventually $149-$199

GamePro has an interview with Microsoft's Albert Penello about HD-DVD, PS3, and the Xbox 360 in general. While most of it is stuff that we already knew, here are some of the things he said. The HD-DVD drive will be the cheapest player on the market, and although he didn't confirm a price or release, he said it will "be out in plenty of time for the holidays" and a price will probably be revealed by the Tokyo Game Show or X06. He then said that there were no plans for HDMI or DVI on the HD-DVD add-on, saying that "the reality is, for any normal HD owner, the difference [between the formats] is nonexistent". He said that they may add it eventually though, but nothing is planned so far. Penello then said that an Xbox 360 with built in HD-DVD was possible, but once again there were not yet any plans to do so.
Then he said that "We built the Xbox 360 Core system so that we could get to $199 or $149 sometime", also saying he didn't think the PS3 could achieve such a low price. Although Microsoft is very clear that there won't be a price drop this fall, it looks like eventually the 360 could cost as low as the origianl Xbox.

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Molyneux on next-gen combat and motion controllers

Peter Molyneux, the creator of Fable, had some things to say about how combat can evolve in this generation. Along with showing a demo of how combat could be done (and although it was done in Fable's style he says it's not Fable 2), he said he thinks motion controllers are not the next step and just leave the player tired. Read more of what he said at gamesindustry.biz.

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HD-DVD drive for $200 (Update: Gamerscore Blog comments)

DigiTimes has an article stating that the HD DVD add on for the Xbox 360 will sell for $200. This makes sense, because together with the Premium 360 it would be $600, the same price as the PS3.
Via Engadget

Update:
There is a post on the Gamerscore Blog stating that "we haven't announced a price or availability date for the HD DVD Player--anything you're seeing online is speculation". They probably just want to make sure people know that - so if it ends up being more expensive, people won't get angry about Microsoft "lying" about the price.

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Why 1080p does not matter

Ozymandias has a good post on why 1080p does not matter, and is in most cases no different from 1080i.
Read the post

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HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray...which is better

Now that there are some of the same movies on both HD-DVD and Blu-ray, a side to side comparison can finally be done. High-Def Digest compared the movies Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Rumor Has It, and Training Day, and from video and audio quality to load speeds, Blu-ray was worse while HD-DVD peformed better. These next generation DVDs are still very new, but considering that Blu-ray is one of the PS3's big selling points, and one of the reasons for the high price, this isn't good for Sony.
Via Ozymandias

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Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3

There's a good comparison between the 360 and the PS3 at Yahoo! Video Games, it's worth checking out.
One thing they brought up was the Xbox 360's lack of HDMI, saying you should go for the PS3 for HD movie playback. According to this article at Team Xbox though, it may not matter.

Thanks to Xbox-Scene

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360 is top selling console for April

In the month of April the Xbox 360 sold more than any of the other consoles, about 295,000 (90,000 more than the PS2). Plus, five of the top-selling games were on the 360.

More at Team Xbox and Joystiq

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Grand Theft Auto IV on 360

Grand Theft Auto IV has been announced for Xbox 360, and will be released on October 16th, 2007. Although it is not exclusive (it will also be on the PS3), it will feature episodic content for download on Xbox Live Marketplace which is exclusive.

More on GTA IV at OXM UK, Team Xbox, and IGN

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PS3: Microsoft's response

Microsoft has responded to the news on the PS3, more at Team Xbox

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PS3 price and release date

This isn't directly related to Xbox, but since the PS3 is the 360's leading competitor, I think this is important.

The PS3 will be released on November 17, 2006, and there will be two versions (similiar to the 360). One will cost $500, although it will have less features. The second will be a full $600, twice the price of the Xbox 360 Core System. Each will come with a hard drive, 20GB on the $500 version and 60GB on the $600 one. Sony has scrapped the boomerang controller in favor of one similiar to PS2 controllers. It will be sensitive to movement (like the Wii controller), although it will not feature vibration like the Dual Shock and Dual Shock 2 controller. The PS3 will have an online service which has pretty much the same features as Xbox Live.

More at OXM UK and Team Xbox.

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