PGR4 delayed, 360 wheel 'retrofitted'

Bizarre Creations' high-speed racer bumped to October 2 on Xbox 360; Microsoft peripheral overheats.

Between Blue Dragon, Halo 3, Project Gotham Racing 4, and Mass Effect, Microsoft has a number of big-name exclusives headed to its console in the next few months. At its press conference during this year's E3 Media and Business Summit, the publisher was quick to highlight all of these games, as well as reveal launch windows for several, including Mass Effect in November and Project Gotham Racing 4 in September.

However, apparently unwilling to share the limelight with Bungie's megaton-hit-in-waiting Halo 3, Bizarre Creations announced today that PGR4 would not be coming out in September as initially planned. Instead, the supercharged racer will hit the gas on Microsoft's console come October 2.

PGR4 marks a new direction in Bizarre's long-running series. While the game features its standard array of classic, slick, and meaty cars, PGR4 will complement that list by introducing motorcycles to the mix. The second major addition to the series is dynamic weather effects, which will impact courses by introducing unpredictable road conditions. PGR4 is rated E for Everyone and will retail for $59.99. Check out GameSpot's previous coverage for more on PGR4.

In related news, Microsoft today announced today that the smoke being emitted by some Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheels is, in fact, a mechanical malfunction, and not the result of some revolutionary new immersive technology that simulates burning rubber. Accordingly, the hardware maker will be "retrofitting" all wireless wheels free of charge. All owners of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should contact Microsoft tech support through its Web site, or by calling 1-800-469-9269, to receive their free fix.

Microsoft acknowledged a problem has been reported with a component within the peripheral that overheats if it is used while plugged in using the AC/DC power supply in "a very small number" of 360s. Wheels being operated through battery power are not affected by this issue.

Today's announcement comes with Microsoft's recent Xbox 360 warranty extension still fresh in most gamers' minds. In July, Microsoft announced it would be extending the warranty on all Xbox 360 SKUs by three years due to an inordinate amount of hardware failures, and that it would be retroactively refunding customers who paid for repairs that would have been covered by the new policy.

126 Comments

  • Kensai_Akira

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 2:05 am PT

    awww...i thought it was really a simulation of burning rubber, perhaps it was done so by burning the copper wires!

  • wenbin09

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 6:29 pm PT

    cool

  • shadyjam_nyc

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 4:08 pm PT

    Microsoft consoles and peripherals are constructed using combustible materials - treat them as you would a leaf to a flame.

  • kappareign

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 5:26 am PT

    wow, great lineup for 360 coming... this will be a great finish on the year

  • X_CAPCOM_X

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 5:12 pm PT

    Why can't you just use a Logitech wheel? I use one on my PS3.

  • ctg867

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 5:03 pm PT

    I just hope my headset doesn't catch on fire and explode, blowing my ear off of something. Also, I hope the controller doesn't take a couple fingers off my hands. I swear, Microsoft makes the worst hardware. But the software is damn good, so I buy it. As long as they fix what ever broken crap they sell to me for free, I'll keep buying software, so long as it involves me keeping all my limbs and body parts intact and not set on fire.

  • LuminosityBlaze

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 4:36 pm PT

    I swear, the X-box is turning into the Daewoo/Hyundai/Kia of the gaming market. Quality Control Please!

  • GrimBee

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 6:45 am PT

    If microsoft made a refrigerator it would probably over-heat... what is it with Microsoft and building things which over-heat?

    When I had my 360 it got hot (especially when next to the power brick). But also the Wii gets quite hot as well. The ps3 doesn't get that hot, but the downside is that the console is freakin massive.

    Anyways - with trial and error, I bet microsoft will come up with the solution and probably end up being a market leader in cooling devices once they are through.
    The best way to make things it through trial and error - so lets hope things get better from here on

  • digi_dragon324

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 9:48 pm PT

    for over 20 years Microsoft has dominated the world in SOFTWARE sales. when its only been a year that microsoft has unvealed a new periferal its obviously gonna run into some problems.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 5:30 pm PT

    No, I want my PGR4 now.

  • Runningflame570

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 12:23 pm PT

    More Microsoft hardware failing...who would have thunk it? Although I'm not sure I buy the small percentage unless I hear more I'll go along with it.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 12:03 pm PT

    Now that the Falcon .65nm Xbox 360 systems have already been shipped, I'm glad that people who go out and buy the Xbox 360 won't have to worry about any problems with a "RROD."

    I'm also happy that current Xbox 360 owners, and future owners, will have a three-year warranty. That is amazing, and I am super thankful for that.

    But I think this new FREE "Retrofit," shows that even if something small is identifed as a potential problem, Microsoft will do what it takes to fix the problem. That is really the sort of responsible behavior that consumers like me hope for.

  • Zazalon

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 11:26 am PT

    Franzkill's a joker

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 9:44 am PT

    Microsoft needs to stop the overheating!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • subrosian

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 11:22 pm PT

    RRoD is a far better way to inform gamers that a piece of hardware is malfunctioning than burning metal and plastic... it's a good thing MS is offering free repairs, as if I had paid $200 for the racing wheel, I'd be pretty pissed when I found out that the smoke wasn't smell-o-vision.

  • bigpimppapa

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 10:44 pm PT

    MICROSOFT = JUNK FIX YOUR MULTIPLE BROKEN PRODUCTS

  • Sonicgod

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 9:05 pm PT

    Consoles and there stuff are over heating Because people whine about fan noise, and they are to cheep to add a cooling system in stuff that is decent.

    one small microscopic fan and heat sink in the wheel for AC power would fix the problem.

  • gkclassof2005

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 5:57 pm PT

    "Irve

    WTF is October 2 .... is it some game i've never heard of ? your journalists could you not at least write October 2nd or even use the proper grammar and say the 2nd of October .. it's not hard ! your not 4 ! "

    well if you want to jump on journalist...speak for yourself....ever herd of capitalization atthe beginnin of you sentence? or no indentions b4 the end punctuation?...this isnt a essay...we all got the point..only you would care bou that now would you

  • gkclassof2005

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 5:52 pm PT

    wii has its wiimote...sony has its six-axis...and microsoft has its revolutionary immersive technology that simulates burnning rubber...lol

  • Shinedown220

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 10:58 am PT

    Microsoft has major problems with hardware manufacturing.

  • bently810p

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 10:31 am PT

    Microsoft makes good software. Windows/ Video Games. Sony makes good hardware. Playstation 3/ Vaio. But microsoft dosent make good hardware and sony dosent make good software. Now if only they could combine.

  • KoNtRa_

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 9:29 am PT

    lmao simulating burnin rubber rofl

  • natethegreat235

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 9:21 am PT

    At least they're owning up to their mistakes.

  • ftjx

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 9:13 am PT

    smoking wheels !? HILARIOUS

  • AcidBurnZer0

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 9:11 am PT

    Bought the wheel, works great. If it ever breaks, they will replace it for free?
    Can't get that deal anywhere else. =P \m/

  • xboxrulze

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 9:05 am PT

    Ok MS is getting ridiculous. They really need to start putting out quality before their rep is burried underground.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 8:36 am PT

    Everything MS releases turns out to have some malfunction issues, the console, the new HDD, the wireless mics, now, the wheel, etc... They need to check with they manufacturers that's a shame. It ain't safe no more buy buy first generation peripherals.

  • Pie_FOREVER

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 8:19 am PT

    I find it funny how they somehow managed to create a driving wheel that overheats. A DRIVING WHEEL

    Just....XD. This company's rep is going down the ****er

  • Incubus420

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 8:06 am PT

    Another Broken item for Xbox....What are all of their items being made in China...(Drums please)

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 7:25 am PT

    I haven't bought a wheel yet - now Im not sure if I want too...

  • BL1NDS1DE

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 7:10 am PT

    I still like my controller just fine

  • KingKoop

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 5:51 am PT

    I never got round to buying a wheel think I'm gonna skip it now

  • Apoc112

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 5:30 am PT

    heh... no problems with my wheel yet (had it since it launched) but if it smelled of burning rubber while i played Forza, i guess that would really complete the experience...

  • wizard_levy

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 5:05 am PT

    "retrofitting".. what a creative name for a -recall-

    "Microsoft acknowledged a problem has been reported witha component using the AC/DC power supply in a 'very small number' of 360s."

    Oh, I get it. Like the small number of units that can get the RLoD.

  • skipper847

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 4:20 am PT

    In that lot im looking forward to Masseffect the most.

  • EssaregeeX

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 3:40 am PT

    "a very small number of 360s"... Now where have I heard that before... Deja vu?

  • Irve

    Posted Aug 24, 2007 1:31 am PT

    WTF is October 2 .... is it some game i've never heard of ? your journalists could you not at least write October 2nd or even use the proper grammar and say the 2nd of October .. it's not hard ! your not 4 !

  • Sam_Lowery

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 10:47 pm PT

    Well that's not too much of a delay. I just hope Mass Effect shows up on time.

  • Fauij

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 10:45 pm PT

    wow after halo 3, that game is gonna get plenty of attention,

  • the_real_VIP

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 10:32 pm PT

    360 Racing wheel overheats?

  • matty_sen

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 9:39 pm PT

    what does "retrofiting" mean?
    and i hope they make the motocycles realistic not arcade like

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 8:55 pm PT

    Dang, it sucks it got pushed back

  • KronikKilla

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    Gee I dunno, are they offering a retrofit to the guys who got their arms broken by the japanese arm wrestling game?

  • Darqness

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:40 pm PT

    Good problem to have. Too many Triple A titles at once. This makes sense. I am surprised they didn't move it back further. Closer to black Friday in November.

  • zanmato666

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:32 pm PT

    OMFG! Are you kidding me!? Leave it to Microsoft to make a freaking steering wheel of all things to overheat LMAO! They should've made the steering wheel itself consist of four lights akin to the ring of lights on the console that light up green just as the console does. Then when the steering wheel overheats you get three red lights lit up on your steering wheel dubbed the Red Wheel of Death ROFL.

  • Redsyrup

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    "Microsoft today announced today that the smoke being emitted by some Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheels is, in fact, a mechanical malfunction, and not the result of some revolutionary new immersive technology"

    Hahaha, this and the "Rumble Guy" story from Kojima prodcutions "who has nothing to do" makes this the funniest day yet in video game news. Thanks for cheering me up Gamespot.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Aug 23, 2007 6:50 pm PT

    i am so amped for this and midnight club

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