By Stevie Smith Dec 5, 2007, 7:10 GMT
While Xbox 360 owners are happily bouncing off the gaming rafters at the news that Microsoft’s latest Dashboard Update introduces DivX and Xvid playback to the popular next-gen console, European fans are probably equally as pleased to note that the Xbox Live Video Marketplace is finally making the trans-Atlantic leap.
European Xbox 360 fans finally get their hands on HD video content as Video Marketplace is set to launch on Dec 11. Credit: Microsoft.
On December 11, the oft ignored and universally unhappy ‘Euro-pee-on’ gaming community will be able to download video content directly through Microsoft’s Live service. Generally known for (rightly) spitting out their pacifiers during staggered software releases, Euro fans who have been complaining incessantly about the regional lock applied to the existing U.S. Video Marketplace – which has been running for just over a year – can finally put down their placards, remove their hobnail boots, and return to Live safe in the knowledge that they now have access to a host of mediocre content they probably don’t want.
Furthermore, with a launch list that’s far from noteworthy, it’s hard to believe that Xbox Live users who’ve waited patiently for the arrival of Live Marketplace are likely to be thrilled beyond words at the prospect of paying 380 Microsoft Points for old movies in 720p HD or 250 Microsoft Points for SD video.
So, what’s on offer come December 11? Well, the most recent releases on the initial list include 300, Zodiac, and… um, well… that’s it. The remaining content offers up some seriously dud movies such as Demolition Man, Space Cowboys, and Eraser. Still, at least the Video Marketplace has finally arrived, and the only way is up.
There’s no word from Microsoft as to whether the European content will be localised region by region, will offer language-specific content, play in native English, or offer up language selection upon download.
Currently, game demos in non-English speaking countries play in English, but Video Marketplace may differ as the finished content is delivered by major media players accustomed to providing multiple languages as standard.
The full list of movies inbound to Xbox Live Video Marketplace is as follows:
300HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONEHARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETSZODIACMATRIX, THEMATRIX REVOLUTIONS, THEMATRIX RELOADED, THEOCEAN'S ELEVENPERFECT STORM, THESWORDFISHTHREE KINGSTRAINING DAYFUGITIVE, THERISKY BUSINESSSPACE COWBOYSEYES WIDE SHUTANALYZE THISDEMOLITION MANERASEREXECUTIVE DECISIONLETHAL WEAPON 3LETHAL WEAPON 4LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTIONMARS ATTACKS!CLASH OF THE TITANSSUPERMAN IIIDEAD CALM
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