Microsoft's NXE creates Sales Boom

It’s been talked about and rumored, but I think a recent article on gamesindustry.biz really did the best to talk about the recent explosion of sales Microsoft has experienced.

I often wondered how many people simply thought of the Xbox 360 as a gaming console and nothing more. Xbox Live was a multiplayer platform, and that was all. But for those of us who tinkered with the Dashboard in the past, we fell in love with movie rentals, TV show downloads, and every single part of the Xbox Live Arcade. Players would put in their game disc, and go right into what they came here to do.

I, myself, fell in love with the social platform that is Xbox Live – the entire Marketplace and the other features the Xbox 360 packs in. Since the NXE, users are being forced to stop at the dashboard and take a peek at the other offerings. And the consensus seems to be that they like what they see.

Help us make 2009 YOUR year!

It’s a new year, and we’re still doing a lot of planning around here at WinBreak central command. And while I may not have an unlimited budget or resources, I am quite interesting in learning the kinds of things people love to win! Not only that, but we want to help build the site around you. Everyone should want to be featured on Better Know a Gamer, but even if you’re a little too shy, why not have a say in the future of our fair little web property?

So why not answer a question or two over the next few days? We’ll start with these…

[poll id=”2″]

[poll id=”3″]

Thanks! We’ll keep up a few questions, and you’ll help us answer them and develop the kind of site YOU want to be a part of! The poll is open until January 18th, 2009, 6:00 PM EST.

Better Know a Gamer: Issue #20: Lil Rhymescheme


Today’s guest on Better Know a Gamer helps make this 20th edition even more special! Our 10th guest ever was The Rhymescheme. Double that number and what do you get? Why, his son, Lil Rhymescheme, of course!

Nu: What’s your Gamertag, and what’s the story behind it?
Lil RhymeScheme off my dads lil stands for me being ten

Nu: Where are you from?
Alabama

Nu: How old are you, and what do you do (school, job, family, hobbies)?
10 i go to school. Shooting my bb gun and playing pokemon and watching untamed and uncut.

Nu: How long have you been gaming in general?
since i was 2

Nu: Start’em while they’re young, folks. 🙂 How long have you been a 360 owner?
since it came out

Nu: What was one of your favorite Xbox / Xbox Live moments?
getting my first five friends

Nu: Are you currently “working on” any gaming goals?
yes, beating horde on gears 2

Nu: What game(s) are you playing the most now?
gears 2, sonic unleashed, mk vs dcu

Nu: I have still yet to play any of those, I can’t wait to try’em all! What’s playing now (what music do you listen to when away from you Xbox or when on your 360?
three days grace and linkin park

Nu: Excellent bands, sir! Do you try to stick with one Gamerpic, or change it frequently?
I change up quite a bit

Nu: What game are you looking most forward to in 2009?
halo 3 recon

Nu: Ah, yes, the newly renamed ODST. Do you have an “all time” favorite game, for any console or the PC?
halo 3 for xbox 360 gears of war 2 sonic unleashed super mario 64 ds and pokemon pearl

Nu: That’s quite a few “all time favorites” – but I get the idea! Do you have any “gaming buddies” you frequently play with / want to make almost as famous as you?
The Rhymescheme & elfkillerrip.

Nu: Any parting words for the droves of readers?
Shout out to sk8er and all my friends

Nu: Thanks for joining in on the fun! I certainly hope you’re enjoying that Wii of yours… oh, wait, that’s right! Camera Vixen told us that you traded that in! Thanks for being a part of the very special 20th edition of “Better Know a Gamer.”

Remember folks, BKAG wants you and all of your friends. All we need is an email address.

Download Xbox 360 related Sounds!

Just because I have been wanting these in an easy to access place, I thought I would post this on my own site! Thanks to Major Nelson’s various blog posts and the Mobile compatible joy that is Xbox.mobi, there are a few ring tones and sound effects you can completely customize your cell phone with. Or maybe just your Windows sound scheme. Why not have the Achievement Unlock sound play every time you boot up?

Because of the difficulty that can be had tracking some of these files down as the internet changes, I thought I would bring these glorious sounds all to one place. Customize your devices to your hearts content with several well known Xbox 360 related sounds (in as many already-available formats as I could find).

Sounds from the Xbox 360:
Achievement-mp3-sound.mp3
Achievement-mp3-sound.wma

Sounds from Crackdown:
AgilityOrb.mp3
AgilityOrb.wma
HiddenOrb.mp3
HiddenOrb.wav
HiddenOrb.wma

Sounds from Fable 2:
en_US-Fable2-FanfairWood.mp3
en_US-Fable2-Harp.mp3
en_US-Fable2-PubGame3.mp3
en_US-Fable2-XPGain.mp3