Xbox 360 outselling Wii in UK by two to one

post from Destructoid on 04 July 2009 10:00:00 AM. © Destructoid

Xbox 360 outselling Wii in UK by two to one screenshot

The Wii has a reputation for being a sales powerhouse, but according to the latest data, it would seem that at least in Britain, it's the Xbox 360 that's become the breadwinning console. The Annual General Meeting of The GAME Group has released sales data that shows the 360 outselling the Wii at a ratio of two to one.

The data, which covers all UK retailers, shows that from February to June this year, the Wii sold 300,000 units while the Xbox 360 was able to shift 600,000. The Wii is, of course, still ahead in total lifetime sales, but this represents one of three things: Either people are getting bored of the Wii craze, everybody in the UK who wants one already has one, or consumers are just buying a brand new Xbox 360 every time their one red rings.

Wii Sports Resort is out very soon, so we'll have to see what this does to the sales data. Still, I'm sure Microsoft is quite happy with this data in the meantime, and will ignore all subsequent statistics to the contrary.

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Electroplankton making a splash on DSiWare next
week

post from Destructoid on 04 July 2009 09:00:00 AM. © Destructoid

Electroplankton making a splash on DSiWare next week screenshot

Finally, a DSiWare "game" that isn't a clock or a complete load of wanking sh*t. Electroplankton is a quirky music maker that uses little neon sea creatures to create tunes. It was a really interesting game that sat on my "must get" list for ages, but I never did go and buy it. Now that it's coming to DSiWare and I still have complimentary points to burn, it's certainly tempting.

Of course, there's always a catch. Electroplankton's ten different programs will be sold as individual 200 Point downloads. This still works out as a pretty good deal, since the original game was retail priced, and with 2000 Points still sitting on my DSi and doing nothing, I might as well just get the whole thing.

What about you? Is ElectroPlankton finally a worthy bit of DSiWare, or did you blow your Points on an Animal Crossing Clock?

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Electroplankton making a splash on DSiWare
(Update)

post from Destructoid on 04 July 2009 09:00:00 AM. © Destructoid

Electroplankton making a splash on DSiWare (Update) screenshot

Finally, a DSiWare "game" that isn't a clock or a complete load of wanking sh*t. Electroplankton is a quirky music maker that uses little neon sea creatures to create tunes. It was a really interesting game that sat on my "must get" list for ages, but I never did go and buy it. Now that it's coming to DSiWare and I still have complimentary points to burn, it's certainly tempting.

Of course, there's always a catch. Electroplankton's ten different programs will be sold as individual 200 Point downloads. This still works out as a pretty good deal, since the original game was retail priced, and with 2000 Points still sitting on my DSi and doing nothing, I might as well just get the whole thing.

What about you? Is ElectroPlankton finally a worthy bit of DSiWare, or did you blow your Points on an Animal Crossing Clock?

[Update: God damn it, I did not notice where it said Japan only. For God's sake, NoA, why can't we have nice things!?]

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A Brief History of the Elusive PSPhone

post from The Escapist : Latest News on 04 July 2009 09:00:00 AM. © The Escapist : Latest News

Rumors about the PSP Phone just won't go away.

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http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/pocket-gamer/6230-A-Brief-H
istory-of-the-Elusive-PSPhone

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Amazon offers Animal Crossing City Folk for $20

post from Destructoid on 04 July 2009 08:30:00 AM. © Destructoid

Amazon offers Animal Crossing City Folk for $20 screenshot

Animal Crossing is such an addictive series of games that I've made a concerted effort to avoid the Wii installment. It's better for my health, which would really suffer from me obsessing over collecting fossils and paying that bastard Nook. Now that Amazon has offered the game for $20 today, it may be too enticing to resist any longer.

It's a Deal of the Day, so make sure you hop on over and grab it now if you're interested. This is the standalone version, meaning that it doesn't come bundled with the WiiSpeak accessory. That's even worse for me, as the bundled accessory was repellant enough on its own to keep me away.

If you guys don't see me for a few weeks, could you send someone around to my place to make sure that I'm not sitting on my couch, unbathed, wearing tattered clothes and muttering, "just one more fish," as I limply waggle a remote in my hand? I would really appreciate it.

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Sesame Street approves of videogames

post from Destructoid on 04 July 2009 08:00:00 AM. © Destructoid

Sesame Street approves of videogames screenshot

While politicians and moral crusaders have done their best to criticize videogames and preach about their perceived ill effects, Sesame Street (by way of the Joan Glanz Clooney Center at Sesame orkshop) approves of their existence, and sees games as a force for good in the world.

"Despite their reputation as promoters of violence and mayhem, digital games have in fact been shown to help children gain content and vital foundational and 21st century skills," explains the center's Game Changer report. "We know enough about digital games and how they work to recognize their promise. Now we need to invest time and resources to turn this promise into a real “game changer” for America’s children."

The report focuses on various elements of videogames that have value in the development of children, discussing the educational value they have, the potential to develop problem-solving skills, creativity and systems thinking.

It's a shame that those who rail against videogame don't try and do something to enhance the game industry's positive aspects, rather than simply focus on the perceived negative aspects. That never really helps anybody or anything. Still, we now officially live in a world where Big Bird is making more sense than Jack Thompson, so that's something.

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Youre Free to P(l)ay

When reading the above title you might think that I’m selling the latest pyramid scheme.[...]

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http://ready-up.net/2009/07/04/youre-free-to-play/

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SGC 09: Metal Gear FAIL

SGC 09: Metal Gear FAIL screenshot

It seems that every gaming convention needs some genius in a cardboard box, pretending to be Solid Snake. Everyone laughs like it's the first time they've ever seen it, and even cynical bastards like me find a tiny sliver of grudging respect for somebody willing to sacrifice their dignity to impress a gang of nerds.

This guy went beyond the call of duty, especially when it came to the dignity part. As you can see from the footage we captured at the ScrewAttack Gaming Convention, there was much fail to be had for one intrepid cosplayer. Hit the jump to watch the video, because GAME JOURNALISM!