Late Night Consoling

Microsoft today announced that it has partnered with major entertainment content providers, including CBS, MTV, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Bros., to bring downloadable video content to Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Marketplace. Along with the announcement, Microsoft listed numerous movies and television programs to be made available both in 720p and 480p resolution formats. Television programs will be offered for sale, while movies will be provided on a rental basis. Content to be live on Marketplace within calendar 2006 includes:

- Adult Swim: "Robot Chicken," "Aqua Teen Hunger Force"
- CBS: "CSI," "Survivor," "Star Trek"
- Comedy Central: "South Park," "ChappelleÂ’s Show"
- MTV: "The Real World," "Pimp My Ride"
- Nickelodeon: "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Skyland," "The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival"
- Paramount Pictures: "Mission: Impossible III," "Nacho Libre," "Jackass: The Movie"
- Spike TV: "Carpocalypse," "Raising the Roofs"
- NASCAR: "Race Rewind"
- UFC: "UFC: All Access," "The Ultimate Fighter" original reality series
- VH1: "Breaking Bonaduce" and "Hogan Knows Best"
- Warner Bros.: "The Matrix," "Superman Returns," "Batman Forever"

As with other Marketplace content, movies and television programs will be accessible to any Xbox 360 owner with a free Xbox Live Silver subscription. Rented movies can apparently be kept for up to 14 days, but once watched will only remain viewable for 24 hours. Microsoft did not divulge purchase and rental prices. However, according to a forum post made on the NeoGAF forums before the Microsoft announcement, TV episodes will sell for 240 Microsoft Points ($3) in both SD and HD formats. Movies will allegedly rent for 320 Microsoft Points ($4) in SD and 480 Microsoft Points ($6) in HD. This information is still unconfirmed, but the poster in question, one "mildewproduction," has made several accurate predictions about various unannounced Microsoft programs in the past.

High definition movie content is expected to surpass 5GB, raising questions as to the adequacy of the included Xbox 360 hard drive, which in practical terms provides 13GB of storage space. Microsoft representatives have stated that while the company has no current plans to offer a larger drive, it will consider doing so if consumers deem it necessary.

Video content will be available in the United States as of November 22, one year after Xbox 360's North American debut. It is not clear which videos will be available from day one.

Microsoft today announced that this week's Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday release will be Konami's Contra. The game will be available from Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 Microsoft Points ($5) as of 1:00am Pacific time on Wednesday, November 8. It is a port of the arcade version of the game, and will include an online- and split-screen-enabled two-player cooperative mode. Players can choose between original arcade graphics and sound or updated visuals.

Coming to Xbox Live Arcade starting in January 2007 will be six classic Atari arcade titles: Centipede/Millipede, Battlezone, Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe, Missile Command, Tempest, and Warlords. All games will be updated with leaderboards, online matchmaking for multiplayer games, and the option of playing with updated graphics and sound. "Years ago, we couldn't even have imagined how gorgeous the classic games from 25 years ago would look with high definition graphics," said Atari Networks senior VP Chris Bergstresser, "but Xbox 360 has allowed us to make that leap." All six games are expected to be available within the first half of next year.

Finally, Microsoft revealed that five other Xbox Live titles will be made available by the end of 2006: Gastronaut Studios' Small Arms, Stainless Games' Novadrome, Wanako Studios' Assault Heroes, PopCap Games' Heavy Weapon, and Midway's Defender. Specific release dates were not given.

Sega announced today that it has acquired the video game adaptation rights to Marvel's Iron Man character, which includes the game rights to Jon Favreau's pcoming Iron Man feature film. That movie is expected to hit theatres May 2, 2008, and it is likely that a corresponding video game will be released on the same day or close by. "The Iron Man history is filled with compelling and intriguing characters and stories," said Sega of America president Simon Jeffery, "and with the power of the next-gen systems, SEGA will be bringing these characters to life like never before."

Today's press release also makes reference to "at least one additional Marvel Super Hero property" to which Sega has acquired the video game rights, though details as to its identity were given.

THQ today released the first map pack for Volition's Saint's Row (X360). Available now for download via Xbox Live Marketplace, the Industrial Map Pack is smaller in both size and price than many Marketplace content packs. It contains one new map playable in both Gangsta Brawl and Big A$$ game modes, and sells for 80 Microsoft Points ($1). More Saint's Row content is expected to be made available in the coming months.

Konami has sent over details of a limited run preorder bonus for Kojima Productions' upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP). Placing a preorder for the game at GameStop, EB Games, or Game Crazy will net you a set of plastic armor for your system, consisting of a clear front and a silver back emblazoned with the Konami, Kojima Productions, and Portable Ops logos.

Kojima Productions' Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ships for PSP this December.

Square Enix announced today that it shipped 1.5 million units of its anticipated RPG Final Fantasy XII (PS2) when it went on sale in North America on October 31, 2006. The shipment sets a record for Square Enix in North America, though not necessarily for the formerly independent Square. Final Fantasy XII also marked the first game Square Enix has ever released in North America with a mandated street date, meaning that retailers were required to refrain from selling the title to consumers before its official release.