Geekonomics

Driven by record sales at retail along with an 84 percent jump in online consumer spending; global install base lead over PlayStation 3 expands to more than 8 million units.

SINGAPORE — Jan. 7, 2009 — Despite a tough economy, the gaming industry held strong in 2008 and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system recorded the biggest year in Xbox history, with more consoles, games and online entertainment experiences sold than any previous year. It was a year in which life-to-date unit sales of Xbox 360 systems climbed to 28 million consoles worldwide — expanding the product’s lead over Sony PlayStation 3 to more than 8 million units. The Xbox LIVE community also grew to more than 17 million active members, as online consumer spending increased 84 percent from last year. Since the launch of the Xbox 360 three years ago, more than $1 billion has been spent on Xbox LIVE. This amazing growth was fuelled by the launch of the New Xbox Experience[1]; the broadest selection of hit games, TV shows, and movies available; and mass-market price points, starting at $199.

Xbox 360 is experiencing record-setting sales Read more…

In case you dunno who’s Darren Ng, he’s a local basketball heart throb just recruited by the Singapore Slingers.

For a chinese, he’s really good in the game and even won the coveted Woollacott Medal award as the leading player in the 2006 ABA Central Conference. When he was in China for a few matches, the online forums went crazy wanting to recruit him for China! haha.. and did you know he’s a qualified medical doctor too?

So, you think geeks can’t jump?

Well that day I beat Darren Ng in basketball!

Read more…

Now you know why I bought an XBOX360 - to vote for the US Elections! Duh…

Story from ZDnet:

The Democratic convention gets started tonight and in the constant quest for the unconventional technological means of getting out the youth vote, the X-Box is today’s “in” device. Read more…

For the past few weeks, I’ve been doing 720degrees slamdunks, alley-hoops, 3-pointers with 95% accuracy, and a lot more of that jazz just to warm myself up for the exciting new season of Singapore Slingers starting this September!

Oh, in case you were wondering - just like white men, geeks can’t jump. So I’ve really been talking about doing my hoops and hooks on the latest NBA Ballers : The Chosen One on my XBOX360 which Microsoft has kindly passed me a review copy together with Ninja Gaiden II in May 2008.

While Ninja Gaiden II blew me away with it’s amazing graphics and gameplay, it was really NBA Ballers : The Chosen One that got me hooked to the screen like I was catching the finals of American Idol as I wore the shoes of Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming and slamdunked all over over my opponents.

Hey, they’re running a contest over at the website too for the nicest game graphic!

Grand Prize
Trip to the Conference Finals for Two, Video Game Package (5 games), Dwight Howard Signed Jersey & NBA Ballers: Chosen One design opportunity

1st Prize
Dwight Howard Signed Jersey & Video Game Package (5 games)

Oh did I mentioned that we have a stellar new lineup at the Singapore Slingers with some of the very best signings the NBL has ever seen? Complete with local heartthrob Darren Ng (OK, he’s Malaysian) who was once voted the top player in South Australia! Watch out NBL!

Darren Ng donning the Slingers Jersey posing with our mascot!

Here’s a plug for the Slingers, get your season tickets now!

Slingers Corporate and Season Ticket Packages…

With the 2008/09 Hummer NBL season set to tip off September 17 the Slingers have released their Corporate and Season ticket packages.

Look out for the early bird discount offers and be sure to lock in your seats for the new basketball season.

For great family entertainment be sure to catch the Singapore Slingers live at the Singapore Indoor Stadium between September 2008 and February 2009.

Corporate packages start as low as $3,200 for corporate seating and $20,000 for a fully catered corporate hospitality boxes for the season. Attach your name to the Slingers and one of their many promotional properties such as ‘The Slinger Girls’, the ‘Flying Blimp’, or the Merlion Mascot.

p.s. Get a free HP Touchsmart PC simply by commenting on this post!

Singapore is not a place known for many firsts (not positive ones at least).

So imagine my delight when the Microsoft folks gave me an ultra-exclusive sneak peek to the first-ever Ninja Gaiden II themed XBOX360 console - only 2 in the world and both in Singapore!

The first console was given away during the launch this week (ok so my peek wasn’t so ultra-exclusive) and you can win the 2nd one if you took part in the Digital Life contest! Did you miss it like me? Darn… but it might not be too late!

Other than this pic you see here taken by the Microsoft peeps, I took a couple of pics myself.
UPDATED here’s the pics taken with my HTC Touch Cruise (click on images to enlarge) :

T.G.I.F folks, and thanks to all the folks who sent your wonderful birthday wishes (and all the hugs and kisses) on facebook and SMS!!

p.s. running a really cool contest for HP on their latest Touchsmart PC - you get to win one too! Check it out.