[EXPIRED] Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Subscription $34.99 at Amazon

If you missed the Best Buy deal I posted about a few weeks ago (no longer available), you can get an Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Subscription for $34.99 again, this time through Amazon!  Also, you get FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Don't pass this up if you want Gold!  This is normally $59.99, so this is almost half off, and is MUCH cheaper than paying month-to-month.  Amazon prices can change in a flash, so go for it!

[EXPIRED] Xbox LIVE 12-Month Gold Membership $39.99 + Free Shipping

Update:  Expired now!  Hope you grabbed it when you could!

Here's a post-holiday deal for you!

Right now Best Buy has 12-Month Xbox LIVE Gold Memberships for $39.99 (edit: no longer available, sorry!) (regularly $59.99) and is also boasting free shipping.
That breaks down to $3.33 a month, which is an awesome deal!

Shop through Ebates to get 2.5% cash back at Best Buy, too!

Netflix: Now With Kinect Action

Whether or not that title made sense (I’m very tired, don’t be mean), Microsoft has released an update today (April 14, 2011) that makes Kinect supported by Netflix!

Hurray!  This was one update I have been waiting very patiently for.  Actually, the minute my boyfriend and I updated, we started a show and began repeatedly saying “Xbox, Pause!” “Xbox, Play!”, which finally ended in “Xbox, have my babies!”

Unfortunately, the updates aren’t perfect:  though all the voice commands such as “play”, “pause”, “stop”, “fast forward”, “rewind”, and more are included, the one big fault is that when starting Netflix with Kinect, you only have a choice between certain “Suggested Movies”.  You have to actually use the controller to go to your Queue or browse any other way. 

However, I can’t wait until they develop it so you can search for movies with voice commands!  Or, you know, when they actually release an update allowing you to turn off the damn Xbox with a simple “Xbox, off.” 

But I can be patient!

 

[via Geek.com]

Technorati Tags: Kinect,Netflix,Microsoft

Kinect: What Happened to the Games We Saw At E3?

Watch the above video.  This was shown at E3 when Kinect was announced.  Now, if you own Kinect, or if you’d played it, or even just been paying attention to the games that have been released, I’m sure you are wondering the same thin as me:  “When are those games coming out”? 

I know, I know that the video starts by saying at the bottom that it’s only a “product vision” and thus may not actually portray real gameplay.  But still, since watching this video at E3 was one of the factors that made me want Kinect, I’m hoping that they choose to develop some of these games.

I mean, check out that samurai/ninja game!  I’d love to try that out.  And anyone who’s played Kinect Joy Ride knows it’s nothing like the game the family was playing.  Even the godzilla-like game the young boy is playing looks fun. 

The whole concept of “using your own gear” I’ve only seen used in Kinect Joy Ride, where you can paint your car based on the color you place in front of the screen.  I would love to see something like that developed more!  And while Kinect Video is pretty awesome, the video shows it being developed a lot more. 

I’ve heard that Microsoft is making more core Kinect games.  I haven’t read anything about what games they’re making, however.  I really hope that some of the games and features in the video will be used, though!  If anything, the fact that these games haven’t been made yet just make me look forward to what they will do with Kinect with more time to develop it.

End of rant.

What do you think?

Kinect in Guinness Book of World Records

I’ve been saying it from the beginning, but doesn’t this just prove it?  Kinect is totally awesome.  It has officially been named the “Fastest-Selling Consumer Electronics Device” in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Here’s a quick look at why Microsoft’s Kinect claimed that title:

• After 25 days, 2.5 million units sold
• After 60 days, 8 million units sold (that’s 133,333 units per day)
• After 125 days, 10 million units sold.

Let’s compare that to the iPad:

• After 60 days, 2 million units
• After 80 days, 3 million units

So, Microsoft actually called it when they predicted Kinect would surpass the iPad. 

Those of you who regularly read my blog know that I really love my Kinect system; therefore, I’m glad for it’s success.  Though numbers don’t necessarily indicate a great product…well, you can just take my word on that, right?

Do you have Kinect?  Are you thinking of getting it?  Do the numbers or the new status as Fastest-Selling Consumer Electronics Device sway you?

[via ReadWriteWeb]

Sweet Deal on Xbox 360 250 GB + Kinect Bundle

Here’s a pretty sweet after-Christmas sale!  Right now on Amazon, you can get the new Xbox 360 250GB console + Kinect (and Kinect Adventures) for $399 (the normal price) and get $50 in Amazon credit back!  This is a great deal to seriously consider jumping on if you’d like an Xbox and Kinect! 

If you already have an Xbox 360, consider that this is the new model, which BigJones and I have noticed seems to display graphics better, run quicker and more smoothly, and the 250 GB model obviously has a ton more space than the typical 4GB model. 

Thanks, Jessica’s Coupons!

Technorati Tags: deals,amazon,xbox 360,kinect,video games

Various Video Game Deals All Around the Web

Instead of posting post after post of single video games that I've found for cheap online, I'm going to compile everything here. 

• Fable III for Xbox 360 only $41.59 @ Amazon
• Red Dead Redemption for Xbox 360/PS3 only $39.99 in stores only @ Target (33% off)
• Just Dance 2 for Wii only $29.99 @ Amazon
• Call of Duty: Black Ops for PS3 only $44.99 @ Amazon (25% off)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops for Xbox 360 only $49.96 @ Amazon
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved for Xbox 360/Kinect only $33.99 @ Amazon (32% off)
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood for Xbox 360/PS3 only $34.99 @ Amazon (42% off)
• Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Card only $39.96 @ Walmart (normally $59.99)
• Kinect Game Party: In Motion for Xbox360/Kinect only $29.96 @ Walmart
• James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace for Xbox 360 only $10 @ Walmart
• Brutal Legend for Xbox 360 only $10 @ Walmart
• Assassin's Creed II for Xbox 360 only $27.20 @ Walmart
• Halo: Reach for Xbox 360 only $39.99 @ Amazon (33% off)

 

These were compiled January 3, 2011.  Obviously I can’t guarantee that the prices will be this low when you click on the respective links.  But please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail if one of these deals dies. 

If you find a video game deal, let me know and I’ll write a post about it!

Technorati Tags: deals,video games,amazon,gaming,low prices

Amazon Deal of the Day: EA Sports Active 2 for 52% Off

Since it’s the new year and people everywhere are vowing to lose weight or be healthier in 2011, Amazon is offering EA Sports Active 2 for Wii, Xbox 360 (with Kinect, I believe), or PS3 for only $47.99, which is 52% off the list price of $99.95.  Pretty damn good deal!  If you’re looking to live up to a new year’s resolution, you might want to snatch this. 

On the other hand, if you don’t want all the bells and whistles that come with EA Sports Active 2 and you have an Xbox 360 with Kinect, you might want to pick up Your Shape: Fitness Evolved for only $33.99 here, which is 32% off but still cheaper than EA Sports Active 2.  Pretty great deal; this probably won’t last long!  I have been playing Your Shape: FE, and it’s pretty fun…but intense!

 

Technorati Tags: deals,amazon,new years resolutions,video games,EA,Your Shape,Ubisoft

Kinect Rules the World [Video]

I’ve been a long-time believer that Kinect is totally awesome, thrilling, and all-around amazing.  This video, which a friend posted on my Facebook walll, is further proof of that:

BigJones keeps telling me how excited he would be if he could play Fable III on Kinect.  Playing an RPG this way just seems…fun!  At least this encourages WoW players to get out of their computer chairs and moving around!

 

Technorati Tags: Kinect,WoW,World of Warcraft,Xbox 360,gaming,MMORPG,software

Kinect Passes 1 Million Mark

Hooray!  I’m soaking up Kinect news lately, and I’m glad to see in a press release from Microsoft this morning that Kinect has surpassed 1 million sales.  This number will probably skyrocket before Christmas Day. 

According to the press release, Microsoft is expecting to sell between 3-5 million Kinect units before years end.  With Black Friday just a little over a week away, I think they’ll reach the mark.

In Geek.com’s article on the subject, author John Browlee indicates that Kinect is outselling Playstation Move by a ratio of 3:1.  However, I’m not a fan of his complaints: “Its field of view is limited, its voice recognition is spotty, its prone to lag, its more expensive than the competition and its launch titles are lackluster.”  I haven’t really had any problems like that with Kinect…and we’ve played dozens of hours.  It’s lagged maybe…twice, but the game always corrected itself.  The voice recognition isn’t perfect, but how can you expect it to be?

Overall, Kinect is way better than the Wii.  Hands Down. And considering nothing else really compares to Kinect, there’s no doubt that it’s awesome! 

[via Microsoft, Geek.com]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Kinect,Wii,Playstation move,Black Friday,Xbox 360

Kinect Games I Want [Videos]

I thought I would make a little wishlist of Kinect games I’d like to test out.  Along with each game is a video of the trailer or a demo of it.  When I get the games, I’ll be sure to post reviews!  All of these are games that are currently out.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved

 

Kinect Sports

 

Fighters Uncaged

 

Any of these look interesting to you?  Or do you have other games in mind?

Technorati Tags: Kinect,Xbox 360,video games,gaming,trailer,kinect sports,fighters uncaged,your shape,zumba fitness

Kinect Kicks Wii’s Ass!

All right, this is going to be a quick post, so I’m not going to back this up with articles, pictures, or videos.

Seriously, Kinect is awesome.  The first day we got it (November 4th), BigJones and I played for at least 4 hours.  We don’t have any games for it other than Kinect Adventures, the game it comes with, but it was so fun.

I am so glad we opted to get Kinect rather than getting a Wii. Granted, I’ve only played the Wii a few times, but playing Wii Sports is absolutely nothing like Kinect Adventures.  There’s something about not having to hold a controller, jumping around on a raft, getting a workout, and actually having fun doing it that just blows Wii out of the water.

I cannot wait to get more games for Kinect, but that doesn’t mean we’re getting bored with Kinect Adventures.

The other thing I absolutely love about Kinect is the face recognition and voice commands.  I really hope that they integrate the voice commands throughout Xbox and Kinect games, so you can just say “Xbox, pause!” at any time while you’re playing to pause the game.  The face recognition is awesome; you just have to use Kinect ID a few times for it to recognize you in almost any lighting.  And it’s so awesome playing as your Xbox avatar.

So basically, Kinect is awesome.  If you don’t have an Xbox, I can see how it would be too expensive (4GB Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle is $300).  But if you have an Xbox 360, I don’t see how you would not want Kinect.  Unless, of course, you hate moving around while having fun, or breaking a sweat while gaming.  Sure, I’m not going to stop playing Halo or Red Dead Redemption, but Kinect is just damn fun.

Have any of you tried Kinect?  I’d love to hear what you think!

Technorati Tags: Kinect,Xbox 360,gaming,video games

Steel Battalion Trailer [Video]

Oh my gosh.  If you read my last post, you know that the games being released with Kinect next week are all fitness, party, and kids’ games.  Until I saw this trailer yesterday, I believed that it would be a long time before Kinect attempted to make a game that appealed to the hardcore Halo: Reach and Call of Duty gamers. 

Wow.  I’m even more excited for Kinect now.  Sure, this is a mech game (where you play a person controlling a machine), not a shooter, but the graphics and gameplay are more similar to a shooter than Kinectimals will be. 
A lot of what people are wondering, though, is how are they going to go from this

to hands-free?
What do you think?

Technorati Tags: Steel Battalion,video,Trailer,Kinect,Microsoft

1 Week Until Kinect!—Game Options

With only one week until Kinect is delivered to my door, I’m pretty dang excited.  Similar to the Wii, Kinect already comes with a came called “Kinect Adventures", but obviously that’s not going to satiate all of us.  Good news is there are 17 games being released on November 4th with Kinect, so you can take your pick of other activities to try on this new system!

Here’s a list:

• Kinectimals
• Kinect Adventures
• Dance Central
• Motion Sports
• Kinect Sports
• Kinect Joy Ride
• Game Party: In Motion
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
• The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout
• DanceMaster
• EA Sports Active 2
• Zumba Fitness
• Deca Sports Freedom
• Adrenalin Misfits
• Fighters Uncaged
• Sonic Free Riders

It’s pretty obvious that Microsoft is gearing Kinect towards the same Wii psychos.  Fitness games, party games, kids’ games.  The only game that isn’t suitable for any ages is “Fighters Uncaged”.

What do you think?  What games would you get with Kinects’s release (even if you’re not getting Kinect…it’s called imagination!)?

Technorati Tags: Kinect,video games,Microsoft

Next Xbox Will Be…a Tablet??

Many gamers are always waiting for the new version of a console.  Face it, there will be something after PS3, there will probably be a new Wii, and Xbox 360 is evolving, too.  Actually, it’s pretty common knowledge that the next Xbox will be the Xbox 720 (as if Kinect isn’t enough). 

But wait…there are rumors going around that the Xbox 720 will be a tablet.  What?  Yes, you heard me. 

In an interview with Develop, Epic Games VP Mark Rein said, “Imagine a future Xbox 360 that is actually a tablet you carry around. It will have more power than 360 does today, with technology like Kinect built right in. Imagine walking into a bar with some friends, propping it up on the table and playing games like Dance Central or Kinect Adventures anywhere you go. Then when you get home that same device will use technology like AirPlay or wireless HDMI to connect to your big screen, you’ll pick up a wireless controller, or use your phone as controller to play games like Gears of War.”

I guess some people think consoles will be left in the dust of smartphones and Apple’s iPad, all of which offer video games as apps.  But is there any chance you will be able to buy the next Call of Duty on the iPad?  I doubt it. 

I really liked what writer David Hughes had to say at Huliq:

“At the same time, this would be a very risky decision for Microsoft or Sony. The tablet market is exploding right now, but the entry of even an ‘Xbox’ or ‘Playstation’ branded device would make the future of consoles just one device among many… Handheld gaming is an important business, but a console that tries to handle mobile gaming and the living room would more than likely fail at both.”

I’m inclined to agree.  Why do I need to carry around my Xbox 720 with me?  Why should I bring it to class, or to work, or grocery shopping?  It’s not like I’d be able to use it at any of those locations.  Sure, it would be nice if it had all the capabilities of smartphone, but I don’t have a smartphone as it is an I get along fine. 

As Rein suggests, it would be pretty cool to play Kinect games anywhere with friends, but I can’t imagine that screen being big enough to satisfy everyone (I think the recommended distance to stand when using Kinect is like…6 feet?  Just look at the screen on that concept design.  Any bigger and it wouldn’t exactly be “mobile” anymore).  And If you want to play Halo: Reach or Call of Duty?  You still have to either bring a controller with you and glue the screen to your face, or have to hook up to a TV using an HDMI cable anyway. 

So really, what would a tablet Xbox 720 do for me?  Nothing.  I probably would never take it out of my living room.  As the article on Huliq says, Gamers will revolt if this happens.

What do you think?  Is this concept hot or should it be thrown out immediately?

[via Huliq]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360,Xbox 720,Tablet,concept,Epic games,gadgets,video games

Why I’m Excited for Kinect

I’ve been seeing way too many people on the net who, frankly, think Kinect is a huge mistake in the gaming industry.  I’ve seen everything, from “researched” and extremely opinionated articles about why Kinect will fail, comments simply saying “Kinkt is 4 looozers rotfl”, and the inevitable GIF image that takes a video of one second of someone playing Kinect and speeds it up so the action going on looks completely silly.

Case in point:

 

Me, on the other hand? I’m excited for Kinect.  No, wait.  I’m f***ing ecstatic.  As a matter of fact, my boyfriend and I just preordered the 250GB Xbox + Kinect bundle.  Oh, we are excited.

But why? What makes me laugh in the face of all the speculation and outright disgust?

1. No Gaming Platform is Perfect

   Yes, you may have your favorite console (personally, mine’s the PS3), but you can’t deny that every console has their problems.  And while Kinect is technically a controller, the same principle applies.  Whether you agree or not, the closest you’re ever going to get to perfect gaming is on a PC (even though, I’ll admit, I’m not a PC gamer).

   Likewise, all consoles/controllers/um…whatever had their issues when they were first released.  Don’t you remember all the TV screens completely desecrated by the Wiimote? Oh, and am I the only person who didn’t forget how people made fun of the Wii when it was first released?  *ahem*giftoright*ahem*

2. I Need to Get Fit!

   Okay, this one is personal.  But I’m sure I’m not the only person who could afford to lose a few pounds.  One of the downsides of being a gamer is the lack of exercise.  I don’t have a Wii, and don’t plan on getting Move.  I’ve decided to forgo the two just for Kinect. I can’t wait to play video games and get a workout at the same time.  Sure, it won’t be anything like playing Halo: Reach, but at least it will be a fun alternative to the gym. 

3. I Have Never, EVER Been One of the First People to Get a Console

   Another personal one (hey, this is why I’m excited for Kinect; get off my back!).  But it’s so true.  From when we were young, having to talk my parents into buying a computer after months of hearing our elementary school friends talk about how awesome MSN messenger is and the cool flash games they found online, to now, when I don’t have a Wii (and have played Wii a grand total of twice) and don’t own a console (I’m horrible, I know…all the consoles in the apartment are BigJones’).

   Finally, I’ll get my hands on a new gadget before everyone else.  I know, there are people getting Kinect before it’s even released.  But I live in Fargo, North Dakota, people!  Do you have any idea how many people here are getting Kinect on release day?  Um…maybe a dozen.  After a month, how many?  Okay, 50. Maybe 100 or so.  I might be exaggerating a little, but I can honestly say that our of my circle of geeky gamer friends, BigJones and I are the only ones preordering Kinect. 

4. It’s The Future of Gaming!

   Okay, this last one may sound incredibly corny, but it’s unavoidably true.  I don’t know about you, but when I first saw Project Natal, my first thoughts were about virtual realities.  Might be a leap from hands-free gaming, but it’s arguably what gaming companies are striving for.  Hasn’t every gamer dreamt about being in the game?  Simply put on a helmet, and you suddenly are on Reach, clutching your DMR and dancing in delight as Grunt-brain-confetti explodes around you.  You’re behind the wheel in Grand Theft Auto, feeling the thrill of driving at 150mph. 

   The fact is, it’s happening.  Slowly, but it is.  But it’s not like controller gaming is going away (seriously, try telling people they can’t play Halo anymore.  Yikes!).  Kinect is just a new way to play.  And hey, I like options.  Don’t you?

 

So there you have it.  The reasons that I’m going to be waiting impatiently to receive a package on November 4th, and why I’ll probably be skipping class faking sick unable to make it to class that day.

Technorati Tags: Kinect,Preorder,Xbox 360,Gaming,Video Games

Microsoft Spokesperson Claims that Kinect > iPad This Holiday Season

 

Though I hate to seem like I’m contradicting yesterday’s hot gadget of the holidays iPad post, this is something I had to share.  Microsoft spokesperson Kudo Tsunoda said in a recent interview that he expects Kinect to “blow away” iPad sales when it comes out November 10th.

Tsunoda says that preorder sales of Kinect have been great, and the Xbox 360 is already selling better than the Wii and the PS3.  So, there might be some truth to his claim.

However, considering the millions of iPads that have already been sold (and the millions that will be sold during the holidays), the Kinect will have a long way to go.

I’ll be one helping them beat out the iPad though!  BigJones and I are super-excited to get Kinect (and the new Xbox 360)!

What about you? Will you be getting Kinect?

[via Gamasutra]