Tonight’s Evening Report is packed full of industry questions. Is free stuff worth the possible of losing primary online functions for months? Will the online pass confuse the consumer or cripple the used game market? Will anyone ever get a gaming rewards program off the ground on the first try?
Microsoft’s Major Nelson announced on his blog today that the team over at Xbox is preparing to launch their first Xbox 360 System Update Preview program session of the new year. The test will center around testing a new Xbox disc format. As part of the test participants will receive a copy of Halo: Reach, presumably it will feature the new disc format. To ensure maximum participation, Major Nelson was quick to note that, “This preview will not impact voice messages or party chat.” The program will be open to thousands of participants, with preference given to Xbox Live Gold members.
Source – Major Nelson’s Blog
Rumors are flowing in around the web that NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat reboot, in a move aligned with future Warner Brother games, will feature an 1st purchaser reward program, which will only allow gamers to play online for two days before needing to use the one-time use reward pass included with the game or purchase a $10 replacement pass. This move seems in line with the current trends in the gaming industry to encourage the purchase of new games over slightly discounted used copies. Their tipster also went on the say that WB would use this same program with the upcoming releases of FEAR 3 and Batman: Arkham City.
Source – Shacknews.com
The future of Sony’s PlayStation Rewards program is a bit murky today, according to the guys over at Joystiq. In a recent email to beta participants, Sony informed them that “Based on what we learned, we have decided the program is not ready to roll out to the public.” The beta program started last Fall and was expected to launch in April, but a follow-up by the staff the program looks to be stalled. Sony responded by saying, “After careful consideration and evaluation following the PlayStation Rewards beta, we have decided not to roll out the program to the public at this time.” One can only hope that Sony’s program someday finds the light of day and doesn’t fizzle out the same way Microsoft’s original rewards program did and take five years to resurface.
Source – Joystiq.com
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