Xbox 360 faceplates prototypes

[Everlost_MI]

TeamXbox (http://www.teamxbox.com/) has posted (http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8440/Xbox-360-Faceplates-The-Choice-is-Yours/) some of the Xbox 360 faceplates prototypes for your viewing pleasure.

Xbox.com UK (http://www.xboxemea.com/) has launched a survey (http://www.xboxemea.com/xbox360/survey/faceplate/en-gb.htm) for gamers around the world to vote for their favorites faceplates. You can enter the survey by visiting this address.

Right now we're at the prototype stage, which is where you come in. Faceplates are all about getting the look you want - vote now to tell us which design you’d like to see in store.

Maybe I am boring, but I'll take the default chrome plate and spend my money on games.

[Tricky Thumb]

It would matter to me if it was more than the face of the system, but I agree with Everlost I'd rather buy a game or two instead.

[CaptStu]

How much is a faceplate?

[bapenguin]

Hopefully not more than 10 bucks each. 15 tops. I agree though, My XBox360 will be sitting in a closet behind me that I won't even see. I don't care all that much how it looks.

[T-Dawg]

The only faceplate I'm interested would be basic black. So it would match the rest of my console and A/V equipment.

And I despise the aesthetic shift to silver/chrome for A/V gear over the last several years.

[Felonous]

I too would be hesitant to buy the new Xbox 360 soley based on the fact that it is going to stand out like a sore thumb when it is placed next to all my black A/V components.

Hope like hell they provide an all black model.

The all white model looks like shit.

[CaptStu]

You have to admit, though. This is going to be a very popular amenity. The younger crowd will eat this up. I'm too old. I could care less.

[CaptStu]

Maybe that's why it's white. So it would stick out. So it would become a focal point in everyone's living and/or game room. So it would become a point of conversation. I think it's smart.

[Arphahat]

What? Who cares what it looks like? No one is going to look at your xbox 360 and say, "Whoa... what an eyesore. I can't believe you actually bought that. It is so visually displeasing."

[01010]

Organism looks quite nice...

[MosBen]

Man, I saw "Organism" and read "Orgasm". I was about to be very impressed with Microsoft.

[Heretic Machine]

Black AV equipment looks like shit 99% of the time. No elegance, no aesthetics... just plain black shit. I'm glad we're finally getting away from it.

[Goronmon]

Has anyone actually played around with the X360 website, I swear, it reminds of that Boobah website people used to post all the time on other boards with all the crazy colors and stuff...

[51|RandoM]

They're not targeting the hard core gamer with this feature, lol.

I'll take black av equipment over fake metallics any day of the week. I want my bling bling on the inside, not on the outside.

[BlindSwordsman]

I love this stuff - i use windows blinds too though :)

[Atorak]

Man, I saw "Organism" and read "Orgasm". I was about to be very impressed with Microsoft.

No, no, no, that's just what happens to you the first time you turn on the system.

[MrTA]

I agree black is the color to go with when it comes to TV and other stuff in the rack. With a nice wood finish to go with it looks damn good. To fit my xbox 360 is a bit of a problem for me. I just wish they would keep the black color, but I guess they will release other colors eventually like they did with Xbox and go the Nintendo way so to speak.

MosBen yeah I misread that one to hehe. But regardless of its name it is still my favourite of the pack there.

[KarmaGhost]

I'm too old. I could care less.You could, so there's part of you that still cares a little bit.

Anyway, obnoxious grammar lesson asside, MS is banking on the whole modding mentality and even kids who like to "pimp" their rides. If I were to buy one of these it would be a solid color.

[Rirath]

If I was going to buy one of these it'd change the color of the whole dang 'box, rather than just the face. Not that I'm going to skip the 360 because it's white or anything, but at least Sony has a black unit.

Don't read too much into that.

[CapnBob]

Is there something wrong with window blinds? I still have a dreamcast and a SNES sitting around, so another white console isn't going to look totally out of place with the rest of my stuff.

[carneconcarne]

so who wants to make a custom face plates, this wouldn't be to hard to fabricate. At the very least we could do a gbaskins type sticker that fits on the xbox. gimme a holla

[Pluvious]

Just a hint of whats to come with *** nickel and diming us to death for everything. $60 games and then $10 for downloadable maps/characters/etc. No thanks. I'm converting over to PS3 this time.. they blew it. I bet these face plates are $24.99 or some stupid over-priced crap. *** is more intersted in creating a box that can take your money instead of a game machine.

PS3 here I come.

[51|RandoM]

*** is more intersted in creating a box that can take your money instead of a game machine.


Oh, you mean Microsoft is a business, with umm, stock, and shareholders, and stuff like that? lol.

Let me know when you find the company who is making a console with hardware like the 360, and doing it out of an altruistic desire to help mankind, and of course giving it and a pile of AAA titles away for free.

[Pluvious]

u knew what i ment.. don't get all high and mighty on me 51..

[Kyle Jones]

If I get a 360, it'll be white, but odds are I won't as I'm too poor.

[zyzyx]

I don't think I'd go out and buy any faceplates. I could certainly see them as a nice little extra for pre-orders and collectors edition titles though.

[Pex-Corrh]

It's nice to see you're using all your secret contacts in Redmond to suss out the long term strategy for the Xbox 360, Pluvious. If I didn't know you were a paragon of insider knowledge, I'd think you were just spouting off random half truths in an attempt to spin up some controversy by lying about things you have absolutly no knowledge about.

So, good call Pluvious.

[Mondopest]

Well, they really dont make much per console unit (sometimes even negative) so they have to charge more for the after console stuff. Thats where they make their profits aside from game deals with publishers.

[mister_slim]

So apparently Microsoft has the same quality design aesthetic as Swatch. Blah...

[president_fred]

I am so looking forward to expressing my individuality and personality with my own unique faceplate.

[Furious Wang]

Just a hint of whats to come with *** nickel and diming us to death for everything. $60 games and then $10 for downloadable maps/characters/etc. No thanks. I'm converting over to PS3 this time.. they blew it. I bet these face plates are $24.99 or some stupid over-priced crap. *** is more intersted in creating a box that can take your money instead of a game machine.

PS3 here I come.


Err...you don't think PS3 games are going to cost the same as X360? Or even more since they'll be on Blueray?

And if you don't want a face plate...you don't have to buy it. Microsoft isn't nickel and diming you to death for everything. That's a pretty ridiculous statement. If you think that all extra downloadable content that a company actually has to spend money and time on to create should be free, well maybe you should be a socialist. Actually, I highly doubt a socialist would agree that you have some sort of human right to extra content for your video games.

It may have been a different story back when a single developer could make some new stuff in his spare time...but costs for this next generation, of course, are going to rise. Don't expect for a company to spend a million or two making content and then just give it away.

"Here, have this option to make your console look anyway you want it to!"
"What a dumb idea I hate it."

See how silly that sounds?

Regardless, they'll sell a ton of these things. Probably even multiple sell throughs to some. Customization is in in a big way.

[KDups]

$60 games and then $10 for downloadable maps/characters/etc. No thanks.

Wasn't it Activision that said they'd be charging more for next-gen games? Nowhere have I heard MS say themselves that games will be going for $60. And no one's forcing you to buy new maps, characters, etc. Welcome to the age of a real business model.

[thecrazyd]

Are you guys deffending the decision to charge for downloadable content? What the hell?

[Achilles]

I love this stuff - i use windows blinds too though :)Your company is going to support the 360 right BlindSwordsman? I think it would be a great 'collector's edition' bonus to have a faceplate with a great illustration of your game on it. Or even something more complex like a different texture, for example a Halo2 faceplate that looks like covenant metal. Something I've been thinking about since seeing these, that none appeal to me but they easily could especially if they made a Ninja Gaiden, Halo or DOA one.

[Furious Wang]

Are you guys deffending the decision to charge for downloadable content? What the hell?

You think you should just get everything for free? Even though it took time and money to create? What's your problem?

I'd rather have downloadable content that costs a few bucks than not have any new content at all.

[Pluvious]

U guys are clueless..mark my words.. *** is screwing up gaming as we know it. You'll see.

[mister_slim]

U guys are clueless..mark my words.. *** is screwing up gaming as we know it. You'll see.
Both Sony and Nintendo are talking about charging for downloaded content, so I guess gaming is dead... Ladies and Gentlemen, Mario has left the building.

Where am I?

[TrainwreckX]

U guys are clueless..mark my words.. *** is screwing up gaming as we know it. You'll see.

It's so funny. This fool comes in here and fronts like he was some undecided voter or some shit, then starts hating on the 360 because it has stuff the PS3 doesn't have.

Welcome to the console war, enjoy your stay, and enjoy your boomarang controller.

[Rirath]

You think you should just get everything for free? Even though it took time and money to create? What's your problem?

I'd rather have downloadable content that costs a few bucks than not have any new content at all.

His problem, my problem, and every PC gamer in history's problem with this is that it's not all or nothing as you describe it. There was a time when developers would offer new content as a free bonus to paying customers, and to attract new customers.

[Achilles]

His problem, my problem, and every PC gamer in history's problem with this is that it's not all or nothing as you describe it. There was a time when developers would offer new content as a free bonus to paying customers, and to attract new customers. Developers have the ability to charge for content now on the Xbox but most of them don’t. Last night I was playing the Ninja Gaiden Tournament which consists of a bunch of new enemies, a couple new outfits, a new weapon, and it was all free, as were the two maps I downloaded for Halo 2. There will be tons more downloadable content on the 360 because players can generate it, and some will charge for it just like they do on the PC but most probably won’t. For example on the PC you can go out and buy user generated 3d models for Maya, or you can find free ones. Pay Pal doesn't eliminate every free thing on the internet it just gives people the option to actually make a living at providing really good user created content.

[Kelegacy]

Maybe I am boring, but I'll take the default chrome plate and spend my money on games.

Oh god, a guy who finally MAKES SENSE! What kind of idiot will buy face plates for their game console? You MUST have something better to spend your money on! Buy a game. Chicks dig cool clothes, not cool video-game system face plates.

[Furious Wang]

His problem, my problem, and every PC gamer in history's problem with this is that it's not all or nothing as you describe it. There was a time when developers would offer new content as a free bonus to paying customers, and to attract new customers.

Some still do and some still will. But, they certainly have the right to charge for it if they want to. Just like you have the right to not buy it.

But arguing that you have some sort of right to additional content past what you originally paid money for is ridiculous.

If those wonderfully benevolent companies offering free content are truly benevolent, then they'll continue to offer free content.

However, if some "evil" companies (the ones who will charge) start creating content that otherwise wouldn't ever have been made, then how is that bad for us as gamers?

[TrainwreckX]

It does cost money to develop that crap, you know. It would amaze you how much the company I work at spends developing in THIS generation every day.