the buzz log
Netflix On Your Xbox
Many believe the Xbox 360 is best system for hardcore gamers. Might it be the console of choice for movie buffs, as well?
A few months ago, the idea seemed ludicrous. The HD-DVD format (which the Xbox 360 supported) had been declared dead, buried, and obsolete. As it turns out, that may have been for the best. Starting this fall, the Xbox 360 will be able to stream films from Netflix for "free." Why the quotes? An Xbox Live Gold membership as well as a membership with Netflix is required. If you have both, over 10,000 flicks will be available to suck your time at the click of a button.
Not surprisingly the announcement inspired a swirl of activity in the Buzz. An article from PC Magazine explains that the Netflix deal will also "enable users to watch movies together through the Live Party System." This will surely make bad movies much more fun to watch. Taking in a showing of "Pluto Nash" by yourself? Unbearable. Mocking it with some online friends? Fun!
Apple TV offers a similar service that charges users per download via iTunes. VentureBeat wonders if the Netflix-Xbox 360 partnership will "render Apple TV a second-tier living room product." Indeed, if there's one thing we learned from Capitalism 101, it's that it's hard to sell something when the other guy is giving it away for free (bottled water being the exception that proves the rule).
David, Goliath, and Barney
If the Nintendo Wii is David and the PlayStation 3 is Goliath, then who represents the Xbox 360? We think it's the oft-forgotten third combatant in that legendary battle—the scrappy but lovable Barney.
Searches on the 360 are strong these days, recently jumping 10%. That boost is likely thanks to the forthcoming "Xbox 360 Elite." Aimed at high-end gamers, the Elite will feature a bigger harddrive, HDMI support, and come encased in tasteful black plastic. Interest on "xbox elite" and "black xbox360" both surged, indicating folks like the idea of a newer, stronger competitor entering the fray.
Sadly, that won't happen until late April. In the meantime, it's David, Goliath, and regular-strength Barney duking it out. Who are you rooting for?
Filed under: Video Games, Xbox 360
A Taste of Halo 3
Back in 1998, many people bought tickets to "Meet Joe Black" just to catch the trailer for "Phantom Menace." It's 2007 and we're seeing the same phenomena all over again with video games "Crackdown" and "Halo 3."
Crackdown, a fine game in its own right, was recently released for Xbox 360. Included was an invitation to the "multiplayer beta" of "Halo 3," one of the most hotly anticipated games in years. Searches show just how hot. Interest in Crackdown jumped an impressive 53% the day it was released. But even with that substantial boost, Halo 3 more than doubled the buzz of Crackdown.
And that's not all. Gamers also pushed related searches on "Halo 3 release date," "Halo 3 pre-order," and "Halo 3 trailer" sky high. Clearly, folks are excited. All that's left to do is wait and see if the game lives up to the hype, or if it's simply just another "Phantom Menace."
Filed under: Video Games, Halo 3, Xbox 360
360 Degrees of Search
Searches on Xbox 360 have been climbing steadily over the past month in anticipation of its November 22 North American launch. Now that the magical day has arrived, we're seeing massive spikes on "xbox 360 games," "xbox 360 price," and "buy xbox 360." Of course, those who pre-ordered the mighty console needn't suffer the indignity of driving from store to store, begging surly employees to "please, please check in back." Although, isn't dignity a bit overrated? Because when you're hunting big game, it's no fun to call ahead.
Here are 10 of the most popular Xbox 360 searches. Break out your bright orange vest and search to kill.
Filed under: Video Games, Xbox 360
top movers
| Rank | Subject | 1-Day Move |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford 400 | Breakout! |
| 2 | Indonesia Ferry | Breakout! |
| 3 | Jordan Chandler | 3481% |
| 4 | Evan Chandler | 2322% |
| 5 | American Music Awards | 1841% |
| 6 | John F. Kennedy | 1529% |
| 7 | Turkey Stuffing Recipes | 1361% |
| 8 | Liam Hemsworth | 1172% |
| 9 | Lou Dobbs | 1142% |
| 10 | Hendrick Motorsports | 888% |
top leaders
| Rank | Subject | Move | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Friday | +340 | 1290 |
| 2 | NFL | +489 | 670 |
| 3 | Jennifer Lopez | +451 | 515 |
| 4 | New Moon | -67 | 250 |
| 5 | American Music Awards | +236 | 249 |
| 6 | UFC | -36 | 239 |
| 7 | Miley Cyrus | +66 | 169 |
| 8 | Hulu | -11 | 154 |
what's the buzz?
A subject's buzz score is the percentage of Yahoo! users searching for that subject on a given day, multiplied by a constant to make the number easier to read. Weekly leaders are the subjects with the greatest average buzz score for a given week.
For more detailed information, visit our FAQ.