The newest leg in Microsoft’s post-Kinect remodeling of Xbox Live, Xbox Live Rewards will incorporate small Microsoft Point rewards into common dashboard actions. Gamers can get 10-400 points for a variety of actions including subscription renewal and occasional survey participation, and also be entered into associated raffles. Interested gamers can sign up for the program here, or through their Xbox 360.
As one of the few sponsors that were willing to maintain a partnership relation with Tiger Woods during the public scandal with which the golfer was hit last year, EA CEO John Riccitiello has stated that the long-term future of the Tiger Woods PGA Tour franchise may be in danger if the eponymous golfer does not return to his former position as the world’s best male golfer. Woods lost this position to Lee Westwood in October 2010.
Speaking with Reuters, Riccitiello stated that EA currently has “no plans to move away from him, but it’s a business relationship on the basis of ‘we make the best golf game’ and ‘he’s the best golfer’. Both of those things need to be true in the long run for the partnership to make sense.” Though the sale of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011 was down by 68% as compared to sales before Woods was hit with his scandal, Riccitiello did indicate that EA would cooperate with Woods to bring at least one more installment in the franchise: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2012.
Though Woods has not yet won a major tournament in recent months, EA remains “willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for a period of time.”
Despite the fact that Wii hardware sales were down by more than 24% during the first ten months of 2010, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime remains convinced that the Nintendo Wii will continue attract new customers as it enters into the second half of its lifespan. Speaking with the L.A. Times, Fils-Aime stated that “the back half of any system cycle always attracts a higher proportion of buyers who are concerned with price, ease of use and group play. […] This late-adopter group is the next audience for the Wii.”
Regardless, the drop in sales of Wii consoles has caused Nintendo to adjust the salesforecast for 2010 by 21%. Despite the drop in sales during the first ten months of 2010, more than 600,000 Nintendo Wii’s were sold in the United States in anticipation of Thanksgiving.
During the first ten months of 2010, the sale of Xbox 360’s and Playstation 3’s increased by 34% and 14% respectively. (more…)