Named and Shamed....

Well, I've no responce from the guys who are rpping off BXB's reviews so I'm having to take further action. The person responsible has now been banned from BXB and I've named and shamed him on the forums.

The offending website is the small clan website www.xglclan.co.uk. They have copied our Dead Rising by myself and our Saint's Row revew by Leigh Sherval.

Here are their "reviews" of the same two games:

Dead Rising by Potleg

Saint's Row by Potleg

Now, other than the blatant theft, the thing that annoys me the most is that Potleg has been part of the BXB Community for sometime now and seems to have absolutely no problem utterly ripping us off for his own gain.

The people that work tirelessly and often thanklessly on BXB deserve better than to have their work just stolen and passed off as someone else's work on someone else's site. It's not even like it's a big website but it's the principle that matters.

People like this that are holding back honest websites like BXB from reaching their full potential by abusing the trust other people put in them.

It's a shocking way to behave and shows and utterly lack of maturity or consideration.

Frustrations and E-drama....

Well, I've managed to get some words down about X06 now since I got back last night. I've written the first part of coverage which basically covers day 1 and you can find up on the site front page now.

I've also written a cool peice which is like a behind the scenes look at all the funny stories and rumours I heard and saw while over there which will be published later.

I'll also be writing hands on stuff about Viva Pinata, Gears of War and Crackdown but sadly not much else because time was so short at the event I barely got a chnace to play on any of the games substantially.

That was the most furstrating things about the event for me, the fact I could cover so little ground well. I could probably write 20 hands on previews but they'd all be pretty rubbish because I had no more than 5 minutes tired and pressured play on most of the titles at X06.

This lack of time wasn't helped by the fact that the transfers were so long. It seems that MS decided to spread the event all over the city and I spent most of my time on buses getting to places!

I could have done with another whole day to get to grips with more of the games.

And, to top it all off, on top of my monstrous work load today and for the weekend, someone was kind enough to e-mail me because another site had blatantly stolen our reviews of Dead Rising and Saint's Row. I've already been onto the site but had no responce. It's most annoying.

Anyway, I'm trying to put BXB's video diary together but it's hard because I'm struggling to get all the videos I need.

Who'd be a spare time journalist eh!?

Post X06 Update

So yeah, I'm off on a jetplane tomorrow for X06!

I've been sent my interview schedule this morning by Crissie and I get to chat to Shane Kim and CliffyB which is quite nice. I'd have liked to spoken to Peter Moore just because of the whole British connection but I'm not down for that. Perhaps I'll meet him later, that'd be kinda cool.

So, I've spent the morning writing out questions for various people and asking the BXB Community to submit their own (some of which will get me shot).

I've got almost every peice of equipement I can think of on charge at the moment and I'm still wondering whether I should take the laptop on with my hand luggage or not. I'm still not allowed liquids (which I'm sure is just a scam by the airlines to sell me stupidly priced drinks on the plane) but I've got just under half of a very good book to keep me occupied on the way over.

I've been instructed to meet up with Rob Cram (MSxboxworld) in the lobby of the hotel at 16:45! Which means I'll only have about an hour to kill before all the madness kicks off. Looks like it'll be a quick blog update then!

I've kind of reached a point where there doesn't seem much else to do until tomorrow. All I have to do now is wait.

Oh, I'll get some written directions to Heathrow incase Tom Tom fails me!

My next update will be from Barcelona!

Excitment Factor off the scale...

So, there's really only one day left until I got to X06. Count out tonight because I'll be busy being excited. Then count out tomorrow morning because I'll be asleep for most of it. The count out tomorrow night because I'll be asleep again, that means there's really only about 6 hours until I get to meet Bill Gates! YEAH!

Woah, slow down, you're a professional Mike.

So, here's a list of jobs I've got to do before I go to X06:

1) Get Euros.
2) Get petrol.
3) Pack My Bags.
4) Check Heathrow Airport website for hang luggage guidelines.
5) Repack bags.
6) Steal my Mum's Sat Nav.
7) Panic.
8) Pack all of the charging leads I could possibly ever need.
9) Pack my hair wax.
10) Unpack my hair wax remembering that I need it for the morning.

So, I feel utterly unprepared and totally over-excited.

Sony Bashing

Now, I don't use this blog as a weapon for bashing Sony as I believe it's just painfully fanboyish of me to do so, BUT, seriously, I couldn't resist it this time round.

Some of the stuff that Ken Katuragi has been rabbiting on about at the Tokyo Games Show has been a joke. I actually think that his keynote was an actual practical joke aimed at showing up the Japanese Media for being the Sony ass kissers they are.

Basically, he went on for ages about anything but what games will be on the PS3. Spoke at length about things he really wanted to see on the PS3 and showed a few trailers.

Then he dropped these gems which I read on the IGN transcription of the keynote.

"Sony is considering having the retail kiosks used as arcade-style units, so people can pay 100 yen or so to play a game." Is this a joke? So, when I go into Game or HMV I can either choose to play on third generation 360 titles for free or to pay (probably a quid) to play on first generation PS3 titles (including one about Africa?!)

"A question on why HDMI only is in the high level version of the PS3 only. Kutaragi explains that Sony was worried that if they put the HDMI in the lower version, some would complain about having to pay for something they don't want." Now, I know Japanese culture is very far removed from ours but has Ken never heard of irony?

The Blu-Ray drive has caused the PS3 to be delayed in Europe and Universal Studios have just dropped their support for the format. I mean, are the guys at Sony deluded?

£89!?

Now, Microsoft have just revealed that the HD-DVD player will cost 19,800 Yen which converted into real hard English Pounds Sterling comes to a here £89.

Now, am I wrong? Is the currency converter I used wrong too? Is that not shockingly cheap and over one hundred quids below the rumoured price?!

I'm going to be very annoyed if the HD-DVD costs more than like £100 because otherwise it'll be such a massive rip off for Europe. Again.

Achievement Whoring

It really was inevitable. With the idea of putting achievements in Xbox 360 titles, it was bound to happen. Achievement Whoring has gone mad. Getting that extra Gamerscore is what everyone wants to do.

Combine that with a highly addictive game like Dead Rising, a massive hang over and a free Sunday afternoon and you're off reading up how to get the Outdoorsman achievement and leaving poor Frank in his pants (nothing to do with the achievement, but that's how it loaded) standing out on the roof of the mall.

Now, I don't achievement whore like some people. I just really like Dead Rising and I feel extra motivated to unlock some of the trickier achievements. I was doing pretty well with over 5000 zombie kills but then I got ghosted by some green mask/yellow mac wearing psycho.

So, I'm about 15 minutes into earning the Outdoorsman achievement. Time to read my book.

Dead Risen...

Finally put the main story of Dead rising to bed tonight. It's currently number 1 in the multiformat game charts, beating all other Xbox 360 titles and all other games available at the moment.

I'm really happy that I slapped my big stamp of approval on this game all those months ago and that's it turned out to be a massively popular and high quality game.

Hopefully, we can expect the same from the likes of Lost Planet! Capcom are the new coolest publishers on Xbox 360!

Roll on the rest of the winter's games!

My Arms!

So, I've recently been playing with the Xbox Live Vision Camera and Totemball and it's certainly an interesting experience.

I dragged my Dad upstairs to have a go as well (in an attempt to help J Allard achieve his dream of seeing the family playing video games again) and he found it quite tough to play. I also found it quite tough to play but it was fun in short bursts.

Right now there's only two games that support the camera and Microsoft really need to get more out onto the market in a very short time to capitalise on the hype that's surrounding the camera at the moment. They need to be really cheap, mini-party games that everyone can pick up in seconds. Totemball just seems too involved.

Of course, this is all part of Microsoft's master plan to bag that mainstream audience and make the Xbox 360 a massive success. How are they doing this? By copying Sony's Eye Toy. So, please, fanboys, no more comments about Sony copying Microsoft.

It seems that the gaming industry has awoken once more. There's been loads of new stuff up on BXB and it's almost weird to see it updating with great content as often as it does. We've had plenty of 360 reviews with more on the way as well as continuing our support for the original Xbox plus we'll have an Exclusive hands on preview of Totemball and the Camera up soon.

X06 preparations are also in full swing. I've decided to nab my Mum's sat nav and drive myself down to Heathrow as everything else is expensive and/or tricky.

Public Relations 101 from Sony

Here's a quick guide on how to land a top job in PR at Sony:

1) Ignore your customers: If people are saying that they feel second rate when you release a console in waves starting with Japan and then America, followed last by Europe. Ignore them. What do they know? They're not trying to launch a doomed format. The best bet would be to cut your losses in Europe because they all speak different languages and include the French.

2) Lie. Constantly. If you're competitor has achieved a world wide launch, say you'll do the same but then later change your mind and get the relevant people to say they're "disappointed".

4) Copy your opponents. Your opponents come up with a better idea than you? Well rip it off without even trying to do something original yourself. Entitlements plus gyroscopes equals big profits.

5) Totally ignore European events. They have the worlds biggest gaming event these days now E3 is changing in the form of Leipzig but that doesn't matter because the Germans organised it and they were rubbish Allies in World War Two.

6) Over price the console and then tell people it's because it's good. Well, it worked for Stella Artois...

7) Ignore the developers. They don't need software that's easy to program with! They get paid for fucks sake.

8) Employ a good rendering company. (See no. 2 and no. 9)

9) Remember to lie.

10) If you're ever asked "Who's the greatest man in Gaming History?" say Ken Katuragi, it is actually part of your contract to say this and saying anyone else could lead to dismissal.

Europe - Third Again?

So, once again, Europe gets the short straw. While Microsoft at least tried to treat all three of the major gaming territories equally, Sony have decided to give Microsoft another four months free ride in what I think is the most crucial territory now.

Microsft's failure in Japan and massive success in the States means that Sony have an easy ride on their home ground (hence the 100,000 consoles at launch) and a very tough battle in the US of A (hence the 400,000). However, with Europe still kind of in the middle it's pretty obvious that the territory Microsoft needs to throwing their weight at is Europe.

Europe will be crucial in taking control of the market as a strong 360 in both America and over here will mean a strong Xbox 360 worldwide. Japan is a whole different story. Yes, Microsoft failed there again and, yes, that is a little embarrassing.

But Microsoft trying to succeed in Japan is like Bush trying to single handedly invade Iran.

Europe is the territory to be conquered. There's a growing community movement over here that's getting increasingly supported but is still lacking compared to America.We don't have characters like Trixie or Major Nelson despite the best attempts of some people who fight for the little man.

Sony seem to rank Europe as third while I'd put us in second. Europe is where Micrsoft need to focus now. Make us feel like we're important while Sony tread on us.

*giggles alot*

Look at the stupid zombies with horse heads on their heads!

Timeless.

Wanted: One Game Where You Kill Thousands of Zombies!

Why haven't I got Dead Rising yet? Where is it? Why isn't it in my hands right now? I've been following this game from very early on and played it in its early stages at Capcom a few months ago.

I've been threatened with harassment charges by the Capcom press office since because I just won't leave them alone. WHERE IS MY COPY OF DEAD RISING!?

In a slightly more relevant note. BXB and XGZ are hosting their first Poker Night on the 7th of September and you'll be able to get your hands on some lovely free games (Not Dead Rising, I want that all to myself).

Apparently the table buy in is $2000 and the binds are $10-$20 so it won't impact on your fictional bank roll that much! More information here: Poker Night

Losing My Way

I'm pretty whacked. I've just enjoyed a marathon watching of the first season of the new Battlestar Galatica and I'm very impressed, however, I've also spent a lot of the day reflecting on the last few months of my life.

MSXboxworld recently posted their Dead Rising review before BXB; Clubskill had their Saint Row review up on the day the embargo was lifted and there are already a few Xbox sites out there with reviews of the Xbox Live Camera.

BXB has none of these things despite the fact we could have, very easily could have each one of them. Why not? Because I've become complacent. Rather than striving despite personal costs to give to our community I've started sitting back and expecting things to happen for me.

"Why should I spend £60 on a Xbox Live Webcam from Ebay?" I asked myself the other day. "I can just wait until they send me one." How rubbish is that? I should get one because I want one and because I want to provide a service to our Community.

Getting the Dead Rising review weeks early would have simply been a case of importing a copy from America or just getting an American freelancer to write the review and finally the Saints Row review should have been done on the day of embargo but wasn't because it spent time languishing around in and not being forwarded to the reviewer.

I'm beginning to question my own dedication to the role. MSXboxworld's Ade said to me when I announced my break that he thought I was "BXB until I die". I used to be. What am I now?

How long has it been since I lost my way with BXB? When did I lose my focus with the site?

More XCN Woes...

While it seems that everyone else has accepted that Microsoft's claims at Leipzig that PES 6 will be Exclusive to the Xbox 360 for a year was false, the European Xbox Community Network seems to be simply ignoring the fact that the games creator has said the statement at the event was misleading.

In a recent Exclusive Q&A with Chris Lewis (Regional Vice President, Home and Entertainment Devices Division, Microsoft Europe) the comments remain thus: "...it's great to be able to say that for next-gen football gaming there's only one place for the next year: Xbox 360". When the game's Producer and Creator Shingo 'Seabass' Takatsuka is quoted on a number of sites as saying: "The presentation [at Leipzig] was misleading. We never said exclusive for one year on the next-gen platforms. We said this year. We were agreed that it was this year."

Seems odd that despite a number of e-mails to both Microsoft's PR company in the UK and the XCN Admin, I've still not had an official response about this discrepancy in what Microsoft and Konami are saying.

We did actually post the full interview up on BXB last night but I asked for it to be taken down because I'd rather not post up content which appears to be incorrect. It's another rather embarrassing gaff from the XCN that, despite my desire to support the venture, makes me question how well it's being run.

In a recent Q&A with Ubisoft, the XCN as a Community submitted a question that featured the word "configurate" instead of 'configure'. A small trifle of a matter? No. I've got plenty of experience from BXB that shows that small things like that can make a big difference in the perception of the people responsible. Why aren't the questions being submitted being vetted or proofed?

One question recently submitted from an unknown website about Dead Rising read as this: "What is the online side like, is it player v player or do you team up with people across Live? Or is it both?" Dead Rising isn't multiplayer. It's never been marketed as multiplayer and the grammar of the question is shot to pieces. Why was this question even submitted?

In a world that all about perception then these questions look very bad on the XCN and all of the sites involved.

So, I'm awaiting the response of DO to what I have to do with the problems in the Chris Lewis Q&A and I'm still having to give the team the OK to submit questions to the XCN Q&As and even post them when they return.

The other big rumour I've heard about the XCN recently is that they failed to supply MSxboxworld with a prize and ended up costing the site over two hundred English pounds. While I'm not privy to all the details, if this is true, it's well out of line. Fansites have enough problems getting funding without having to fork out hundreds of pounds of our own money.