Inside Out

Rumors were swirling last month as to the SRP of the Xbox 360. While not hitting the stores until November 4, online reports noted anonymous Wal-Mart employees claiming the unit will cost $299.99. But unless the number-one toy retailer was considering selling the 360 as a loss leader, those alleged employes had to be musing about the low-end version of the box; the one without wireless controller, 20 gigabyte hard drive and headset. The upscale box with all the options will be priced at $400, according to Microsoft. Also, game releases for Xbox 360 are reported to cost upwards of $70.00 as opposed to the usual $39.99 to $49.99 for the regular Xbox. Atari, New York, has two new releases for the new next generation console, TimeShift (also for PC) and Test Drive Unlimited, due out spring 2006. And new 360 game prices are yet to be set in stone. Ryan Barr, vice president corporate communications for Atari, tells Playthings that the new games will be in the price point of other 360 games without giving a specific price range. “We are supporting the Xbox 360 as we have already announced plans for our first two titles,” he says. “We anticipate retail pricing for these titles to be in line with other launch titles for the 360.”...Speaking of upscale, a new, improved Furby is making a comeback. At least its manufacturer, Hasbo, Pawtucket, R.I., hopes it is a comeback. The 21st Century Furby is more advanced with enhanced voice recognition technology. Additionally, the new-gen Furby is also larger and has a fully flexible beak, more expressive eyes, movable ears and eyebrows that move during interaction. The advanced Emoto-tronics, a combination of advanced robotics and puppetry can also be turned on and off, something the Furby didn't include when it first came out in 1998. The new Furby is available in white, black and white, gray and pink and brown and pink....People on the move: Roger Bildsten, formerly of Manhattan Group, is the new president of the U.S. subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Grand Toys International...Etienne J. Veber is the new president and chief operating officer at Learning Resources, Vernon Hills, Ill.; Rick Woldenberg remains as CEO...Jeff Trojan, formerly of Play Along has joined DC Comics as vice president, business development for DC Direct.