CompUSA Close 50% Of Stores

CompUSA is going to close down at least 50% of their stores. Oh oh, I hope the one I normally go to and hang out isn't in trouble. First Media Play, then IMAR, I hope not CompUSA too!

Shanghai Photos Part 1

So many people have been asking for them. I figure I'll go ahead and post the links to the photo sets of the first 3 days.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Shanghai Trip Day -1

Initially, I wasn’t that excited about the trip, at least not yet, P was far more excited about it than I am. I really wasn’t all “jazzed up” about it till two days before we were leaving. Prior to that, I was just like “yes yes, we are going, it’s so far away still, back to finish up all this stuff before we leave.” When it reached two days mark, suddenly I realize “hey, in 48 hours, I’ll be on a plane to Shanghai.” B’s enthusiasm was infectious too. He too left me an IM “less than 48 hours to go!”.

Find PS3 At Retail Store And Get $1200

Electronics Gaming Monthly (EGM).

"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than a few minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it." He continues, "I can get any retail buyer on the phone with you and get them to verify that not a single retail location in America where there's a PlayStation 3 on the shelf for sale. They've all been sold in a matter of minutes."

On lack of vibration feature in the PS3 SIXAXIS, "I've personally played a lot of games that had a vibration features, and it personally wasn't all that compelling to me, we feel that vibration is not part of our future."

On Blu-ray, "I believe we can complement the Blu-ray format," stated Tretton. "I don't think that we feel we can or should single-handedly carry Blu-ray on our back. I see it as an asset, though."

This interview was done in mid Jan. But as any retailer can tell you, you can find PS3 everywhere even at the end of 2006. In fact, EGM challenges Tretton on this by telling him that of the 18 stores they called before the interview, half of them have PS3.
I think Penny Arcade's response to this was by far the best.

Rewards For Xbox Game Score

Microsoft has just announced the Xbox rewards. Basically, you get prizes for playing games on Xbox 360.

Here is the first challenge

Xbox Rewards Challenge 1: Old Spice Experience Challenge
Old Spice is teaming with Xbox on the first Xbox Rewards Challenge to prove that Experience is Everything. Starting February 12, you will be challenged to increase your Gamerscore by 1,500 or more before April 12. Successfully complete the Challenge and get a Rewards Package*, and Old Spice will give you the gift of experience—all Level 1 and 2 participants will receive a level upgrade for 2007.

Ready to get your Rewards Package? The first step is to register for Xbox Rewards and join the Old Spice Experience Challenge. Then, it's up to you to complete the task within the time limit. You can't register until February 12. Some of the rewards within the Rewards Package are limited in quantity, and will be distributed to those who complete the challenge the fastest, so be quick about it.

The Rewards Packages listed below are unique to the Old Spice Experience Challenge. Each new Challenge will bring new rewards.

• Level 1
  The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami (Retail Value $5.00)
  Exclusive Old Spice Level 1 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
  An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 2
• Level 2
  The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami
  Exclusive Old Spice Level 2 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
  100 Microsoft Points
  An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 3
• Level 3
  The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami
  Exclusive Old Spice Level 3 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
  200 Microsoft Points
  Old Spice T-Shirt (Estimated Retail Value $10.00)
  A copy of Fuzion Frenzy 2 game (rated: E10+) (Estimated Retail Value $50.00)