Bereits Ende vergangener Woche haben wir über ein Grücht berichtet, wonach Microsoft plane bald SD- und HD-Filme und Serien über den Xbox Live Marketplace anzubieten.
Vor einigen Stunden wurde aus diesem Gerücht ein Fakt. Peter Moore hat höchstpersönlich in New York bekannt gegeben, dass man einiges an TV-Serien und Filme ab Ende des Jahres auf dem US-Marketplace finden wird (Details siehe unten) - der offizielle Startschuss für die Downloads fällt am 22. November. Bis zum Jahresende möchte man über 1.000 Stunden SD- und HD-Content anbieten. Der Service steht allen Gold- und Silber-Mitgliedern mit US-Account offen.
Ein Video auf Xbox.com, welches aber nach kurzer Zeit wieder vom Netz genommen wurde, zeigte erste Preise für die Downloads. Demnach sollen Serien 240 Punkte kosten, SD-Filme 320 und Filme in HD 480 Punkte. Serien soll man demnach ohne Zeitbegrenuzung auf der Xbox 360 Festplatte speichern können, Filme indes werden 24h nach dem Anschauen automatisch gelöscht. Während HD-Filme schon mal die 5GB-Grenze überschreiten können sind Serien natürlich um einiges kleiner, aber wer viele Demos, Trailer etc. auf der Platte hat, dürfte bei 20GB trotzdem schnell in Platzprobleme geraten…
Bleibt nur zu hoffen, dass es weiterhin so “einfach” bleibt an Accounts aus andere Länder zu kommen. Nicht, dass die Filmindustrie auf einmal auf die Idee kommt und Microsoft zu solchen Spielchen wie Region-Lock-Out per IP treibt - dann wären auch Auslands- Demos, Trailer und die restlichen Marketplace-Sachen hin…
Anbei die offizielle Pressemeldung:
On November 6, Microsoft Corp. announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of more than 1,000 hours of hit television shows and movies to Xbox 360™ consoles in the U.S. by the end of the year. Additionally, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and HD TV shows and movies to the customer via digital distribution over the Internet.
Beginning on its first anniversary, November 22, Xbox 360 will become the first gaming console in history to provide HD TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their own living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will be able to download full-length TV shows to own, and will be able to rent movies via download from the Xbox Live® network, the world leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional firsts:
For the first time, consumers will have an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console, including downloadable HD television programming and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360 consoles, whether they want to play games, play a movie on DVD, or watch a downloaded program in either standard or high definition.
For the very first time CBS will offer high-definition download-to-own TV shows including CSI, Jericho, Numb3rs, and even remastered classic Star Trek episodes! Gamers can buy an episode and watch it as many times as they like.
For the first time on any gaming platform, NASCAR.COM will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from Race Rewind.
Also for the first time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.
“This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it.”
The initial lineup of TV shows and feature films available for download will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of what will be available before the end of the year include:
- Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force from The Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
- CSI, Survivor, and remastered episodes of classic Star Trek from CBS.
- Emmy and Peabody award-winning comedy South Park and Chappelle’s Show from COMEDY CENTRAL.
- The Real World and Pimp My Ride from MTV.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon.
- Skyland and The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival from Nicktoons Network.
- Mission: Impossible III, Nacho Libre, and Jackass: The Movie from Paramount Pictures.
- Carpocalypse and Raising the Roofs from Spike TV.
- Race Rewind provided by NASCAR.COM.
- Select episodes of the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series and UFC: All Access from the UFC.
- Breaking Bonaduce and Hogan Knows Best from VH1.
- The Matrix, Superman Returns, and Batman Forever from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Xbox 360 gamers can access Xbox Live Marketplace with a free Xbox Live Silver membership and a broadband connection. More information about the content available on Xbox Live Marketplace can be found at http://www.xbox.com/marketplaceentertainment.
Quellen:
Xbox.com
News.com (Screenshots)
MajorNelson.com
Xbox.com (Übersicht Filmstudios)
