Tag Archives: redefined

The Xbox 360 Redefined Gaming, but Microsoft Hasn’t Found a Successor.

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Anearly two decades ago (specifically on December 1, 2005), I attended the launch event for the first video game console at London’s Leicester Square. The Xbox 360 made its debut in the US on November 22, 2005, and subsequently in the UK on December 2, 2005, only a few months after I began my first role as a junior staff writer at GamesTM magazine. My recollections from that night may be foggy due to a) the significant time lapse and b) an abundance of complimentary drinks, but I can distinctly recall DJ Yoda performing on a surprisingly empty dance floor. The atmosphere was overwhelmingly green; however, my memories of the console itself and the games played on it remain sharp. Xbox Crystal stands out as one of the best consoles ever created.


In 2001, the original Xbox disrupted the gaming landscape, particularly in Japan, selling millions more than Nintendo’s GameCube and ushering in the online gaming era with Xbox Live—a multiplayer service that outpaced the PlayStation 2. Despite its innovations, the PS2 ultimately sold over 150 million units, compared to the original Xbox’s 25 million. In contrast, the Xbox 360 achieved over 80 million sales throughout its eight-year run, matching the PlayStation 3’s figures (though it exceeded in the US market), which transitioned Xbox from a newcomer to a leading player in the industry.

Defying typical Microsoft standards, the Xbox 360 boasted a unique and appealing design, featuring a double curve interior (referred to as a “suck” by its designer) and an interchangeable faceplate. Its iconic Y2K startup animation coupled with a sleek, futuristic menu introduced features such as messaging, friends lists, and music. I still find Microsoft’s marketing from that era quite cringeworthy—view this developer video showcasing former Microsoft Entertainment chief J Allard with his renowned earrings, alongside a man juggling while discussing “three symmetrical cores.” Yet, despite the marketing missteps, the machines they produced felt modern and thrilling, particularly the new controller, which featured sleek white and eye-catching colors, a significant improvement over the bulky original Xbox controller. I know several gamers who exclusively use Xbox 360 controllers for PC gaming.

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Captivating and striking… Microsoft’s Xbox 360 promotional video.

As the first gaming console to provide seamless connectivity, the Xbox 360 integrated various elements that shaped a gamer’s identity. Gamers could engage with a diverse range of titles online using a single unified gamertag. This concept drew from messaging capabilities, social features, and achievements, collectively creating a personal gaming history through the completion of smaller challenges. (Sony would soon follow suit with its trophy system.) Introducing a competitive element through the Gamerscore was a stroke of brilliance, incentivizing players to seek clout and fostering a community where friendships determined gaming choices. Personally, faced with the option to purchase a game for either PS3 or 360, I’d invariably choose the 360, as that’s where all my friends played.

When an overly confident Sony rolled out its pricier and less-than-attractive successor to the PlayStation 2 in late 2006, the Xbox 360 had already spent a year revolutionizing gamers’ experiences with its high-definition gaming approach. Players were accumulating game collections and online personas linked to their Xbox accounts. Major third-party publishers, finding the PS3’s technology cumbersome, began prioritizing Xbox for multiplatform releases. While the 360 struggled to gain ground in Japan, it emerged as the definitive console elsewhere, an impressive feat for Microsoft considering Sony’s dominance in the previous two generations with the PlayStation.




A peculiar monochrome world of limbo. Photo: Triple Point

Xbox Live Arcade played a significant role in ushering in the contemporary era of indie gaming. Throughout the ’90s and late ’00s, publishers and physical retailers largely dictated which games reached players, especially on consoles. In 2008, Xbox Live Arcade began providing a platform for smaller, affordable games to be downloaded directly to consoles without dependence on physical shops or publishers. This development paralleled what Steam later achieved for PC gaming, familiarizing players with digital distribution. Titles released through the arcade included Geometry Wars, Braid, Limbo, Bastion, and notably, the finest digital rendition of Uno ever. While I immersed myself in Oblivion, Mass Effect, and BioShock during my late teens, I also eagerly anticipated each new wave of Xbox Live Arcade games.

Reflecting on that period, the designers behind the Xbox 360 displayed a keen understanding of players’ motivations and desires for the next generation of gaming consoles. They recognized the transformative potential of the Internet, not merely for multiplayer gameplay but for enriching the social experiences surrounding games and shaping how people discover and purchase them. However, when Microsoft launched the Xbox One in 2013, it was an outright disaster, suggesting a loss of that insightful perspective. By then, Microsoft seemed to think gamers wanted to juggle gaming with watching picture-in-picture sports and mandated connected cameras to monitor their activities.

Microsoft has yet to recapture its former dominance in the gaming market. A revitalized Sony harnessed invaluable lessons from the Xbox 360, integrating them into the PlayStation 4, while the Nintendo Switch debuted in 2018, outperforming all competitors. Currently, Xbox finds itself trailing in a distant third in the shrinking console wars, seemingly opting for a semi-exclusive gaming subscription model rather than focusing solely on hardware. Franchises that defined the 360 era, such as Halo and Gears of War, are now accessible on PC and PlayStation, and others, including Fable, have dwindled for over a decade.

The 360 era represented an exhilarating juncture for gaming, characterized by significant change and rivalry introduced by online play. The console market was smaller yet unpredictable; a time before free-to-play games, still leaving space for “7/10 fun” games that sometimes became more memorable than the blockbuster titles. Games hadn’t yet congealed into the five dominant mega-series that currently prevail, and the emergence of indie titles on consoles truly revolutionized my gaming preferences.

What to play




Immerse yourself… in Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Photo: Bizarre Creations/Steam

Writing about Xbox Live Arcade inspired me to revisit Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, the unexpectedly addictive Xbox Live Arcade top-down shooter that dazzles like fireworks and serves as a sensory sensation. I quickly downloaded it on Steam and found myself hooked once again. Developed by Bizarre Creations, known for Project Gotham Racing, the game consistently outperformed Uno as the most downloaded digital title during the 360’s reign and still retains that status. I had forgotten how mesmerizing the grid backgrounds are as they ripple with each explosion, providing a touch of high-definition flair to this arcade classic.

Available: Steam, Xbox (if you don’t mind trying the sequel instead)
Estimated playtime: 10 minutes left until 2020.

What to read




A relentless challenge wrapped in humor… Baby Steps. Photo: Devolver Digital

  • Lately, I’ve been reflecting on challenging games. My ongoing interest led me to explore various perspectives on game design, culminating in this insightful article by veteran designer Raph Koster, titled Game design is actually simple, which is essential reading.

  • For fans of the original Xbox, you’ll be thrilled to know that Crocs has launched the Xbox Clog, inspired by the iconic black and green controller. It’s truly fantastically unattractive.

  • Poncle, creators of the BAFTA Game of the Year-winning Vampire Survivors, have announced a new title: Vampire Crawler. Check out the sarcastic trailer. It’s an eclectic mix of a card game and a classic first-person dungeon crawler.

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What to click

Question block




On another note… Cyberpunk 2077. Photo: CD Projekt

Recently, reader Jude inquired about which video game world I’d most like to inhabit (with Cyrodiil from The Elder Scrolls topping my list). We’ve now posed that question to you all. The responses were delightful and varied. Here’s what you had to say:

“For a spot to grab a drink, Cyberpunk 2077 seems surprisingly inviting. ” – Spence Bromage

“I know it’s quirky, but I’m irresistibly drawn to the ship in System Shock 2! ” – Charles Rouleau

“I long to live in the universe of Dragon Age. Give me Fereldan, Denerim, and Orlais. A skyhold to call home and a bard to manage sounds perfect for me.” – Caitland Vernon

“I can’t help it if people label me a weirdo; I wish to exist in the world of Fallout 3. Witnessing a segment of humanity navigate the conflict between good and evil in the wasteland was quite impactful for me.” – Toby Darnall

“There’s something uniquely captivating about Animal Well. The freedom to explore a self-contained map filled with hidden nooks and crannies gives me a strong sense of orientation. Even after ‘completing’ the game, I’ve found a strange solace recently just wandering its spaces for delight.” – Ben Gibb Read

If you have a question for the Question Block or want to share anything else regarding the newsletter – Email us at pushbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Space Harrier at 40: How Sega’s Surreal Classic Redefined Immersion in ’80s Arcades | Games

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DDuring my family’s vacations in the 1980s, primarily spent at classic British seaside resorts, I devoted all my time and pocket money exploring arcades. From Shanklin to Blackpool, I dabbled in them all, drawn in by their vibrant bulb-lit facades and enticing names (Fantasy Land! Treasure Island!), alongside the alluring sound of beeping video machines within. Although I spent countless hours on well-known classics like Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Kung Fu Master, there’s one particular game that has always captivated me. It features a distinctive design that is both quirky and exhilarating. It offers a complete experience that feels like a blend of a traditional arcade game, a flight simulator, and a roller coaster. At the time, it appeared remarkably futuristic. Now, I find myself at the age of 40.

Launched by Sega in 1985, Space Harrier is a 3D space shooter where players control a jetpack superhero named Harrier. Harrier emerges on the screen and shoots down surreal alien foes amidst a psychedelic landscape. Initially envisioned by designer Yutaka Suzuki as a detailed military flight shooter, the graphic constraints of that era rendered this impossible. The animations were too complex. Thus, drawing inspiration from the flying scenes in the fantasy film The Neverending Story, he conceived something surreal and different, replacing fighter planes with flying characters and creating alien adversaries reminiscent of stone giants and dragons. It was vividly colorful and wild, akin to a Roger Dean artwork animated by the Memphis Group.

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However, what truly captivated players was the game’s motion cabinet. Sitting in a cockpit-style seat connected to two motors that provided rocking motion in eight directions, as Harrier leaped, so did you; as he tilted from side to side, you mirrored his movements. Enemies constantly approached from various angles, switching direction and altitude, keeping you swooping down, rising up, and spinning your body into action. Throughout, a synth-pop score by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, known for his work on Suzuki’s “Afterburner” and “Outrun,” resonated through the headrest speakers. Advanced speech synthesis enhanced the experience, allowing machines to shout encouragement and instructions: “Welcome to the Fantasy Zone, get ready!”

Space Harrier was a truly immersive experience and exemplified Suzuki’s talent for crafting engaging gameplay. It was just one of the many projects he was proud of at the time. Notably, Taikan offered a physical sensory experience. Games like “Outrun,” “Space Harrier,” “After Burner,” and “Power Drift” emerged in arcades featuring large motorized or hydraulically driven cabinets designed to enhance realism. Suzuki and his team also created an animation technology termed Super Scaler, which allowed manipulation of thousands of 2D animation frames to simulate a 3D environment. What I cherished most about Space Harrier was the way this motion intertwined within its fantastical realms of checkered planets and surreal aliens. It felt akin to participating in a vibrant 1980s interactive pop video. Like Pac-Man or Tetris, its timelessness lies in its unique abstract world.

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Why does Space Harrier celebrate its 40th anniversary? This arcade cabinet could still entice players anywhere in the world (if one can still locate it), but sadly, such opportunities are diminishing. The machinery is aging, and the expertise to repair and maintain it is fading. Aside from a few adaptations for home computers and consoles (with the PC Engine and 32X versions being the most notable), I haven’t engaged with the game in years. Now, as I settle into that familiar seat, insert two 10p coins into the slot, and grasp the joystick in anticipation, I wonder: Will I ever rediscover that immersive gaming experience? Will I ever see my 13-year-old self exploring an arcade in northern England again? Regardless, Space Harrier remains fulfilling for whatever purpose.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Naturally, Mark Zuckerberg is still performing well—he’s just redefined what ‘good’ means

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It’s a narrative straight out of a novel—this heavy-handed tech satire highlights the hypocrisy beneath it all. Yet here we are, digesting The New York Times report that reveals Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, running private schools from their compounds in Palo Alto, California, in breach of urban zoning laws. The school, serving just 14 children—including two of the couple’s three daughters—is located less than a mile from a school they founded in 2016 for low-income families.

Mention “zoning violation” to certain Americans, and it triggers reactions akin to using “cue jumpers” among the British. The real issue here, however, transcends mere permissions. (A spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan informed the newspaper that families were unaware of the zoning law and that private schools, or “homeschooner pods,” are relocating elsewhere.) The crux lies in Zuckerberg’s apparent withdrawal from progressive social initiatives, opting instead to realign with the Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), which has slashed funding for diversity programs across numerous charities that support affordable housing and homeless services in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Officially, these adjustments come after CZI spent a decade mastering effective philanthropy, concluding that funding would be better directed towards scientific and medical initiatives. Unofficially, this shift appears to align with a local transformation in Zuckerberg’s worldview—from promoting human potential and equality to the establishment of a “science-first charity.” In essence, it mirrors Metahead’s political maneuverings, echoing feminist t-shirt slogans during the Biden administration while embodying a more “masculine energy” during the Trump era. Trump’s Allies now lurk in the metaverse.

Zuckerberg’s political adaptability mirrors that of other tech leaders, but there may be deeper dynamics at play. Unlike scientific research, philanthropy’s social experiments often reveal uncomfortable truths. Back in 2010, when Zuckerberg donated $100 million to revitalize the Newark Public School System, some educators criticized him for imposing startup ideologies and quick fixes—like charter schools and “parent choices”—on the complex and interconnected issues of the U.S. public school system. Imagining the reactions at headquarters: “We’re trying to help—why the backlash? Why don’t these nobodies behave like billionaires at a dictator’s inauguration?”

Another interesting aspect about billionaires is their rapid loss of interest. Allegedly, one reason Zuckerberg and Chan opted to close charity schools in East Palo Alto is that Chan was reportedly frustrated with the slow progress. Given the intellects involved, that’s not entirely surprising. However, these children seem determined to evade the Ivy League while remaining impoverished. The assumption of limitless adaptability of skills among certain tech leaders is hard to retire. Consider the Bezos Day 1 Academy Fund, where the world’s third-richest man promises to oversee “Montessori-style kindergartens” with zero tuition—a significant portion of taxes directed toward national education funds.

Meanwhile, back in Zuckerberg’s Crescent Park enclave, tensions are palpable. In an area favored by Stanford professors, Zuckerberg acquired 11 properties, transforming them into compounds, complete with pickleball courts and basement excavations, reminiscent of low-rent oligarchs in London’s West End. Following years of noise, construction, and traffic disruptions due to the school, a neighbor was ready to respond when a New York Times reporter called: “I don’t want my neighborhood to be overrun.” He stated that his house is surrounded on three sides by Zuckerberg’s property. “But that’s exactly what they’ve done: they’ve taken over our neighborhood.” Replacing “world” with “neighborhood” succinctly encapsulated the situation.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Frizz and Flair: How Millennials Redefined Coolness

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HThe right to bare ankles is a cause for which Natalie Ormond is willing to fight. Millennial Ormond has a strong aversion to the socks of ZZ crew members. “I’m all about my trainer socks and I won’t budge,” says the 43-year-old. “The more prominent the socks, the better.”

A trend of concealing socks within low-top trainers is just one reason why everyone born between 1981 and 1996 is perceived as outdated by the next generation: Gen Z, or Zilennials. As seen in numerous TikTok videos, traits like millennial pink, social media, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes reflect a distinct generational divide. Choices in denim (with skinny and mom jeans front and center, while baggy styles fade) and passions for avocado toast (Gen Z’s version being matcha) emphasize differences, as does the emoji usage—particularly the crying-laughing face for millennials and the skull emoji for Zoomers, which connotes humor akin to “I’m dying of laughter.” Millennial videos often commence with a brief pause, known as the “Millennial Pause,” highlighting their nostalgia for outdated tech, as they check devices they record on.

Avocado toast…a quintessential choice for millennials. Photo: Ekaterina Budinovskaya/Getty Images

This suggests that in recent years, the once trendy youth, who appeared fresh alongside their millennial counterparts, now seems somewhat outdated, particularly in contrast to the unabashed baby boomers and the mysterious Generation X.

As a proud millennial born in 1991, I share the memories of a pre-tech era. I wasn’t on Facebook until my friend’s mother was attempting to join her sixth form. I remember when Netflix was a DVD rental service. Yet, being a millennial hasn’t been without its challenges. We’ve been labeled as lazy, entitled, and overly sensitive. Older generations often overlook the realities of rising salaries, student debt, and housing costs, blaming us for our financial habits and brunch preferences instead of understanding our struggles. Yet, I must admit that we are part of a pioneering generation that bridged the gap between analog and digital, making us significant, fascinating, and yes, undeniably cool. Realizing that you’ve suddenly been surpassed is quite a shock.

Matcha latte… Gen Z’s green glove of choice. Photo: Baoyan Zeng/Getty Images

Some millennials are resisting their newfound status with fervor. Lily Saujani, 37, feels insulted. “It’s absurd. We’re evaluated by younger generations who act like we invented everything,” she remarks. “But really, they’re just repurposing our teenage styles.” Saujani recalls first feeling this generational gulf while scrolling through TikTok, an app invented by millennials, as she realized being born before 1992 equates to being labeled ‘old’. “There’s certainly competition across generations on TikTok, and yes, I feel older while using it,” she states.

Much of the tension stemming from Gen Z’s teasing seems rooted in the notion that they are capitalizing on trends pioneered by millennials. “We carved paths that Gen Z now thrives upon, taking what we once did on MySpace into their college dorms,” comments Lizzie Cernik, 41, a strong advocate for hard work who identifies as a “tough cookie.” Meanwhile, Ormond, fond of trainer socks, aims to open a sustainable family store, Smallkind, in 2019, emphasizing that Gen Z’s eco-consciousness echoes the paths laid by millennials.

But when exactly did this shift in coolness take place? Selnik suggests the pandemic might have been pivotal. “Many older millennials, myself included, saw the end of our party days during the lockdown,” she reflects. “The pandemic accelerated this shift; when we emerged, Gen Z had taken over fashion with new trends.” Beauty editor and influencer Laura Pearson, 40, who feels under 25, concurs and has noted changes in the online milieu during COVID. “Previously, the internet was more exclusive, but now, there’s a wave of individuals without any prior credibility who are making careers on Instagram and TikTok.” Although Pearson, who stays relevant by mingling with Gen Z friends, insists she won’t be defined by labels, “If someone feels ashamed to be called a millennial, they’re handing over too much power.”

Generational disparagement is hardly a new trend. In fact, one could argue that millennials were partly responsible for the late 2010s’ “OK Boomer” meme, which dismissed baby boomers’ outdated viewpoints. This latest generational conflict has played out prominently online, becoming a very public battleground for two groups that are most at home in digital spaces.

Illustration: Edith Pritchett/The Guardian

Dr. Carolina, a social media researcher at the University of Northumbria’s Digital Civic Center, notes that Gen Z’s commentary on millennials’ perceived coolness mainly occurs online. As a millennial, she observes that the two generations often differ significantly in their online existence and that millennials tend to appear less stylish to younger peers.

“Being online necessitates a constant mediation of self through various platforms. So even those who claim to be ‘unfiltered’ can struggle to establish credibility,” she explains. “While millennials have curated sophisticated feeds and focused on their best moments and personas, Gen Z seems to favor a more chaotic and unpolished approach.”

When I asked my Gen Z younger sibling and their friends about their thoughts on what makes millennials feel outdated, it was revealing. Even comments that alluded to my excessive messaging were deemed “very millennial.” For instance, take selfies. My generation preferred front-facing angles, while Gen Z utilizes the 0.5x lens for expansive shots, which often include a distorted arm of the photographer.

Millennial selfies have a cultivated quality, yet looking through my collection, there’s my friend in a laid-back pose, drink in hand, and looking slightly self-conscious. Moreover, our penchant for taking selfies during various occasions (like in parks, pubs, or casual hangouts) underscores a millennial trait. “While Gen Z is also aware of social media’s pitfalls, they seem willing to embrace the chaos of our current reality,” they say. “The fact that millennials often post carefully curated images or try to project a polished image may strike them as out of touch.”

Gen Z’s unique selfie style. Photo: Stephen Zeigler/Getty Images

Perhaps Gen Z’s ribbing of millennials stems from their lived experiences, generating diverse humor. While millennial humor tends to lean toward self-deprecation, Gen Z’s is marked by absurdity, irony, and meta-commentary. My 25-year-old brother breaks this down: “We still feel the waves of social media, the consequences of 2008, climate anxiety, soaring housing costs, and the negativity of fractured news environments. This confluence of factors contributes to Gen Z’s more sarcastic, absurdist, and often angry humor.”

Ultimately, this generational coolness may inevitably shift to the younger generation, casting millennials in the shadows. Sam Harrington Law, 55, founder and editor of Silver Magazine, which focuses on “Generation X-ers and Beyond,” posits that Generation X (born from 1965 to 1980) is “arguably the coolest generation.” “Coolness is subjective,” she emphasizes. “The viral nature of ‘OK Boomer’ illustrated the sheer joy derived from ridiculing Baby Boomers’ outdated attitudes.”


One millennial who remains indifferent and seemingly embodies the millennial spirit is culture journalist and author Daisy Jones, 32. A Goldsmiths alum and Vogue writer, she notably lacks brunch selfies or cute animal photos on her Instagram. “I believe that ‘coolness’ doesn’t stem from hard work or consideration,” she asserts. “It’s about the relentless worry regarding trends, appearances, and persistence.” Jones further mentions that she and her followers share common cultural references; recalling the past is essential, especially regarding significant events like 9/11 or Limewire. “It’s strange to act as if I didn’t experience growing up on the internet; I was on MySpace.”

Truly, defining cool is subjective; what’s deemed cool to one may differ for another. Yet perhaps there’s hope for the millennial legacy. If we perceive ourselves as cool, does it truly matter? Maybe we can all embrace being like Ormond and wear trainer socks with pride. “As I grow older, it’s less about fitting in, and more about expressing who you are,” she remarks. “That authenticity may just be the coolest aspect of being a millennial today.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Reducing Bias, Improving Recruitment: How AI is Revolutionizing Hiring for Small Businesses

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Artificial intelligence is trained on human-created content, known as actual intelligence. To train AI to write fiction, novels are used, while job descriptions are used to train AI for writing job specifications. However, a problem arises from this approach. Despite efforts to eliminate biases, humans inherently possess biases, and AI trained on human-created content may adopt these biases. Overcoming bias is a significant challenge for AI.

“Bias is prevalent in hiring and stems from the existing biases in most human-run recruitment processes,” explains Kevin Fitzgerald, managing director of UK-based employment management platform Employment Hero. The platform utilizes AI to streamline recruitment processes and minimize bias. “The biases present in the recruitment team are embedded in the process itself.”

One way AI addresses bias is through tools like SmartMatch offered by Employment Hero. By focusing on candidates’ skills and abilities while omitting demographic information such as gender and age, biases can be reduced. This contrasts with traditional methods like LinkedIn and CVs, which may unintentionally reveal personal details.

AI helps businesses tackle bias when screening for CVs. Photo: Fiordaliso/Getty Images

Another concern is how AI processes information compared to humans. While humans can understand nuances and subtleties, AI may lack this capability and rely on keyword matching. To address this, tools like SmartMatch evaluate a candidate’s entire profile to provide a holistic view and avoid missed opportunities due to lack of nuance.

SmartMatch not only assists in matching candidates with suitable roles but also helps small businesses understand their specific hiring needs. By analyzing previous hires and predicting future staffing requirements, SmartMatch offers a comprehensive approach to recruitment.

Understanding SME needs and employment history allows SmartMatch to introduce you to suitable candidates. Photo: Westend61/Getty Images

By offering candidates the ability to maintain an employment passport, Employment Hero empowers both job seekers and employers. This comprehensive approach to recruitment ensures that both parties benefit from accurate and efficient matches.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the impact of poor hiring decisions can be significant. By utilizing advanced tools like SmartMatch, these businesses can access sophisticated recruitment solutions previously available only to larger companies.

Discover how Employment Hero can revolutionize your recruitment process.

Source: www.theguardian.com