Crackdown 2 Coming In First Half Of 2010

Microsoft product management director Aaron Greenberg has finally given us a more descriptive window as to when we will be getting our hands on one of my most anticipated games of next year, Crackdown 2.

During his time on "Major Nelson Show", he stated that, "Starting in January, we have a triple-A exclusive title pretty much every month for the first half of the year," said Greenberg. "You got Mass Effect 2, you got Splinter Cell [Conviction], you got Alan Wake, you got Crackdown 2. We know we got things like Fable 3 and Halo Reach coming later in the year. Those are just the exclusives, it doesn't include Final Fantasy [XIII]. There's no way we had a first-half of the year like that last year."

12/22/09 Colton West

Aaron Greenberg: Exclusive Blockbusters separates us from Competition

With Sony, Microsoft's main competitor in the game consoles business recently cutting the price of the PS3, for the first time the two systems are the same price. Many have voiced their opinions on the matter, they said because the PS3 was more expensive, Microsoft's console was dominating the sales chart, and that as soon as Sony would slash the price of their system, a drastic change of fortunes would occur. As stated, Sony has done exactly that, but Aaron is not worried.

Director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Aaron Greenberg doesn't believe nothing much will change, and is confident that the content on their platform is second to none. And according to him, because of it, they will remain strong this holiday season.

GameInformer ask, "going into the holiday season, how would you rate Microsoft's position in the market?" Aaron then expressed his confidence and optimism:

"I think this holiday will be very interesting as we continue to expand and reach a more mainstream consumer, but I do expect Xbox 360 to have a strong holiday and remain competitive. We really separates Xbox 360 from our competition is the massive amount of exclusive blockbuster games and entertainment that you can only get on our system," Aaron said.

"Just on the game side alone we have exclusives like Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3, Left 4 Dead 2, GTA IV: Ballad of Gay Tony (exclusive downloadable content), and a ton of Xbox Live arcade titles like the recently launched "Shadow Complex."

Aaron really was on a roll talking up the offerings of the Xbox 360, this time hyping up services like Twitter, Facebook and the ability to watch movies on the fly.

"Then you have to add in things like Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and the ability to instantly watch movies in Instant HD in 1080p with no disc or download required. So I would say that with the combination of our exclusive content along with our very competitive console pricing starting at just $199, we continue to remain the best value in home entertainment and feel very confident about our position this holiday."

This Christmas season will be one for the history books, with Microsoft and Sony selling their main console at the same price, it's up to you the consumer to make the decision on which system offers the best bang for your buck.

10/16/09 Ernice Gilbert

Aaron Greenberg: Xbox 360 Owners Not into HDMI, still play games using AV output

While the HD revolution is in full swing, Xbox 360 owners could care less. If Aaron Greenberg is to be taken at his word, then Xbox 360 gamers haven't being enjoying high quality video output as make believe. Here's what he said:

"First we looked at the research, which shows that the majority of consumers who purchased an Elite console were not using the HDMI cable."

In a generation where graphics is as important as any other aspect of a game, it's surprising that 360 owners don't bother to use a high definition cable that was once packaged with the Elite console. The reason may be one I'll never find out, but surely there must be one; the most obvious drawback could be that, gamers rather buy games for their consoles, than invest in HDTV sets. But with the price of said televisions being drastically lowered, I'm still dumbfounded as to why this is the case. Share your thoughts, let us know what you think.

09/22/09 Ernice Gilbert

Aaron Greenberg: "Microsoft shapes up really well against Sony this winter"

Another holiday season's upon us, and according to MS's new director of project management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live (Aaron Greenberg), the Redmond company stacks up pretty well against its archenemy Sony. In an interview with eurogamer, Greenberg sat down to field some questions ranging from price cuts, HDMI cables, and the Christmas season. Eurogamer compiled and list of Sony's offerings available for the Holiday period into early next year, then posed the question to Greenberg, asking whether he thinks the Xbox 360's lineup will hold up:

"I think if you look at this holiday, we shape up really well versus Sony," Aaron voiced.

"Sure, they have Uncharted and Ratchet, but if you want to play Halo 3: ODST, Forza 3, Left For Dead 2, or the GTA IV exclusive games, you are going to find them on the Xbox 360. Then you have to add all the exciting offerings we are bringing to Xbox Live with Facebook, Twitter, Last.FM and instant-on-demand HD movies in 1080p."

"But of course you could look beyond this holiday and add even more exclusives like Alan Wake, Mass Effect 2, Crack Down 2, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Halo Reach and Project Natal. I truly believe Xbox 360 is uniquely positioned to deliver the leading games and entertainment experiences both today and tomorrow."

Mr. Greenberg sounds very convinced; and for his sake, let's hope he's on point, because in reality, Sony has come prepared for war this holiday season like no other time before. And if early reactions offer any hints, it's that the black behemoth is looking awfully good come Christmas.

09/21/09 Ernice Gilbert

Aaron Greenberg: “We’re the only console that grew in the first half of the year.”

Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Xbox Live group product manager was more that happy to speak to Gamasutra about NPD Results in the light of his company’s positive showing. Xbox 360 sales had a 9% year-over-year increase, selling just over 240,000 units making the console the only bright spot in the hardware department this month.

This must’ve been sweet music to Microsoft’s ear, because though the Software giant’s console has a decent lead on PS3, it is facing stiffer competition as Sony has been recently turning up the pressure on it’s competitor with major exclusives, more advertising and forging partnerships that will help build the offerings of the PS3 as an entertainment hub that goes way beyond games. But that’s not all, speculation has been rampant about a new PS3 (PS3 Slim) that will hit the market soon accompanied by a price cut of $100.00. If this happens, many believe Microsoft will follow suit and drop the price of the Xbox 360 to counter Sony’s move.

It’s a full blown war between the two giants, a war that breeds innovation, creativity, perfection and sometimes contempt. But gamers are the winners. How can we loose? They make the games and we play them; fight amongst yourselves Sony and Microsoft, it’s okay, just keep on bringing the goods and we will remain under the tent as happy campers.

What do you think about the war going on between Sony and Microsoft? Is it healthy for gamers being that it’s the right formula for competitiveness? Or is there way too much fan boy lambasting going on? Let us know what you think.

07/21/09 Ernice Gilbert