360's playable @ Wal-Mart, now!

Dont turn this into another will sega release another console thread!

 

Haha, sorry bout that. Not trying to, but it happens pretty easlily when you throw a bunch of video game enthusiasts all together on a site like this, everyone starts getting all nostalgic (especially us Sega fans... we're the worst about that). I think new consoles really tend to bring it out of us even more.

 

So, Walmart's been shutting these off...claiming something about interference with the company inventory scanners.

-hl718

 

yeah.. the controllers use a 2.4 ghz band which fucks with there 2.4 ghz hand scanners for inventory. No big deal. i just worry about playing a game and then getting a phone call. I have wireless router in my house and the cordless phone fucks with that connection all the time.

 

Xbox 360s unplugged because of wireless interference




ALL OF the Xbox 360s in Wal-Mart shops around the US have been switched off due to wireless interference. Microsoft has admitted that the console is interfering with Wal-Mart's hand held scanners but has also said that the problem is minor and that a software fix is in the works. Wal-Mart's headquarters in Arkansas has instructed all branches to shut down the console until a fix is available.

Microsoft's statement says that their kiosk program has "encountered some minor wireless interference issues that are specific to some retail environments". The Xbox's 2.4 GHz wireless is much like that used in cordless phones and wireless routers. Since the implementation of these signals some retailers have had problems with network based stock systems suffering interference.

Microsoft said it had identified the problem and within 24 hours had deployed a fix to Wal-Mart kiosks. More information here. It is still unclear whether or not the 360 will cause interference with other wireless devices possibly already in use. When questioned a Microsoft spokesman s confident that this would not be the case, stating that: "The issue is specific to the equipment used in a few retail environment". It continued: "Xbox 360, like portable phones, wireless network routers, and Bluetooth devices, emits radio frequency in the 2.4GHz band. It is possible that devices that do not comply with FCC/ETSI rules of operation in this band may not properly handle interference from other 2.4GHz sources. Such devices would be extremely rare in a home environment."

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=27204

 

Wow, this is a shame, I was looking forward to testing one out too. Has anyone found out if they interfere with wireless computer networks yet? I know Microsoft was saying earlier that they wouldn't, but you know how that goes. I'd hate to get one and find out that my $400 investment just rendered my whole network useless...

 

Err thats all a bit of an exagerration. MS knows of the problem, and rolled out a fix within 24hrs. Its just the media loving to hate microsoft, 2.4ghz is an unlicenced band - anyone can put anything in it.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-360/microsoft-confirms-issue-with-360-wirless-at-kiosks-132822.php

 

Ahahahah. That sux. I wonder of the interference either caused prices on certain items being scanned to go up or down. Would've been funny to see.

Anyway, MS is due for some hefty FCC violations if they don't get this fixed before November. Oh boy, I hope they don't have to recall all of their current stock.

 

FCC havent got anything to say about because its an unlicenced band...

 

I just went to my local Super Wal-Mart and saw an XBOX 360. There, some kid was playing the Call of Duty 2 Pre-release Demo (Not to mention he got pwned like crazy! :lol.

I got to feel the XBOX 360's gameplay, and I have to admit, the graphics are superb. :thumbsup:

 

Just found out last night that the Wal-Mart in Palmyra PA has a playable xbox 360 at it! The Palmyra Wal-Mart is probably the nicest store in the area too, one of the few Wal-Marts that I really don't mind going in. If you are in the Hershey/Harrisburg/Lancaster/Lebanon area, hit up the store sometime if you want to test out an xbox 360.

 

I played Call of Duty 2, as well. I dont really care for modern FPSs, but the graphics were truly amazing. I got pwned as well, because there were some "secret" buttons that did other things.
I pressed the left trigger to throw a grenade at some group of guys, and went into aiming mode or something, and got full a' lead. The new controller has two shoulder buttons now. More buttons are ok I guess, but I wish I had it set up the way I usually play FPSs...or as some people say, set the controls to "Halo". :lol:

 

Idk man, when I first passed it I missed that it was a 360, a guy was playing some car game and I just walked by thinking it was an Xbox, then I heard 360 and noticed it was, in fact, a 360. I played through the COD 2 demo and some of Full Auto, and I think the system itself is really cool, I loved the controller, the system, and the dashboard, but the graphics to me just sort of looked like a PC game....the games don't look too great either, although I can't wait till DOA 4 and Perfect Dark (which is looking a little dissapointing but hopefully it isn't.) I bet around next year that system will be truly awesome though.

 

Yea, I thought the same about it looking like a PC game. It reminded me of those shooter PC games I play at Best Buy, I think they might also be Call of Duty.

 

I really liked the controller and system and dashboard. I thought it was all great looking, and lucky me, I got to play before a 250 pound child slobbered all over it. I was just sort of upset to see a new system...............and not get that excited for it's release. You know there's something up in games when that happens. =( It just seemed like an upgrade for current Xbox and something to take money from Halo nerds around the US.

Hahahhaaha, also, before I left I renamed the user on it to GOATSE, and then the little spiral book hanging on the glass window that explained the system and accessories fell off....................so I took it. :thumbsup:

 

i tried the demo at a walmart i can actually stand, and i must say the controller is very comfterble, i just wish they had better demos, the demos they picked were extremely lousy, i wish they would have put something on there like doa 4 or a possible section of perfect dark.