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The Xbox 360 kiosks for children hospitals  (Source: Companions in Courage)
Xbox 360 consoles becoming a part of hospital play areas

Microsoft is partnering with non-profit organization the Companions in Courage Foundation to provide hundreds of Xbox 360 kiosks to playrooms in children's hospitals across the U.S.

The first kiosks are being installed today at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center of Seattle and the Children's Hospital of Orange County in California.

"It's extremely gratifying to witness the joy and excitement of these children and teens when they have a chance to break away from the normal hospital routine, and make new friends while playing video games," said Cynthia Sparer, executive director of Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian.

"The goal for this program is to give these kids a chance to have some fun and just be kids," added Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.

Games such as Grand Theft Auto IV or Gears of War won’t be found on the special hospital kiosks, as the customized and hospital-friendly systems are pre-loaded with a variety of Y-rated TV programs, G-rated movies and games rated E and E10+.

The Xbox 360 kiosks will also be online capable and come with headsets and Vision webcams, but will be connected to a dedicated network created just for consoles in children’s hospitals that allows patients to play games over Xbox Live, but limits chat via voice, text and video to only those children playing from select hospitals across the country. This will keep the profanity and slur-filled communication of Halo 3 games away from young, sensitive ears.

Companions in Courage founder and NHL Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine said, "Entertainment, creativity and personal connections can be important factors in alleviating some of the isolation and discomfort these children experience each day. Xbox 360 offers young patients a fun escape through games, TV shows, movies and positive interactions with others over the Xbox Live network. These gaming stations are a perfect complement to the interactive playrooms."


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But lets keep it orderly..
By CTKP on 4/23/2008 3:43:58 PM , Rating: 3
So the bedridden don't get to play because the controllers are tethered




RE: But lets keep it orderly..
By therealnickdanger on 4/23/2008 3:48:13 PM , Rating: 2
I was just thinking about how exactly kids in wheelchairs will get close enough to play...


RE: But lets keep it orderly..
By daftrok on 4/23/2008 6:06:28 PM , Rating: 3
PR at it's finest. Rehabilitating kids, one frag at a time.


RE: But lets keep it orderly..
By FITCamaro on 4/23/2008 3:52:47 PM , Rating: 3
Where do you see that the controllers are wired? It looks like they're just on mounts to hold them while not in use. Even if its wired, the 360 controller has like a 10-12' cable. And the kiosks are on wheels so they can be rolled into a room. Assuming the picture is accurate.


RE: But lets keep it orderly..
By stburke on 4/23/2008 5:06:52 PM , Rating: 3
The Children's Hospital Denver just opened a completely new hospital last summer iirc. Each room has a 26' LCD, an Xbox 360 and a laptop. I thinks it's great that these kids have an alternative to the disease spreading "play room". I know I would have appreciated it.


Title
By isorfir on 4/23/2008 3:56:56 PM , Rating: 5
When I first read the title, I read it as "Microsoft Helping to Put Children in Hospitals with Xbox 360s"




RE: Title
By ajfink on 4/23/2008 4:04:09 PM , Rating: 2
That would have been far more entertaining. And morbid, and wrong, of course.


RE: Title
By kristof007 on 4/24/2008 12:13:55 AM , Rating: 2
Can someone please rate that up to a 6?


By sapiens74 on 4/23/2008 6:17:07 PM , Rating: 1
Since you are already in the hospital....




By SiN on 4/23/2008 6:53:23 PM , Rating: 2
im lost for words, no wait the words i have are coming to me but it'd be low for me to comment when i think of you based on what you just said.

if ninty or sony wanted to they could do the same, i would have said, "good for MS, now we'll see if nintendo or sony have any kind gestures"

PR or not, theres a lot of hospitals in the US.


By MrDiSante on 4/23/2008 8:26:31 PM , Rating: 2
He may or may not be - what I am offended by is your username. And for the record, I recently won an Xbox 360 with Guitar Hero III in a draw by Microsoft.


By FITCamaro on 4/24/2008 8:03:29 AM , Rating: 1
I love it how you act like you hand delivered the consoles yourself so you know for a fact what they are.

Microsoft tried to do a good thing here that, while yes gets them some good publicity, will make a lot of sick kids happy.

Get your head out of your ass and stop crying RROD any time someone even mentions the 360. The newer models do not have the problems of the earlier ones. And many of the earlier ones still work fine as well.


By theapparition on 4/24/2008 8:44:39 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
Dude, let me know the next time MS gives you ANYTHING for FREE! ANYTHING!

Considering that Microsoft is one of the largest doners of technology in the world and the Bill and Mellisa Gates Foundation (along with Buffet's pledges) is the most philathropic organization on the planet, I'd say you have not basis for your criticism.

I've no doubt that Microsoft's donations are strategic to advance thier own goals, but don't think for a second this is a bad thing. Are you serious that you think giving games to kids is a bad thing? Or has your hatred for the 360 (well documented) blided you? You may not like the system, that's fine you have your own opinion. But how can you possibly dislike the fact that a company gave games to sick children? You need help.


By theapparition on 4/24/2008 4:13:23 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
I really don't understand consumers today being soo accepting of a company admitting that they KNOWINGLY sold such an expensive console with soo many KNOWN defects.

This is where we disagree. I can guarantee that Microsoft didn't "know" about the hardware failures. You imply that MS knew they had hardware issues that would end up costing them over a billion in waranties and countless more in reputation. This is simply not true.

I don't know how much product desgin you've done, but that's just not how things work. I own my own engineering design company, and know firsthand that designs that shipped years ago can start simultainously failing due to poor design, bad manufacturing, or just plain component issues that get missed. Designing products is a complicated business, and one small thing overlooked can bite you years from now.

This is where your quality and verification departments are supposed to help you. I have no doubt that Microsoft rushed out the console too soon after design without proper Test and Verification. There is no doubt in my mind about that, but to say they knowingly had problems and decided to ship anyway is bunk speculation at best.

The same argument could be made about Sony and thier battery problem. Strange that you blame MS for shipping crap products that failed in the field yet Sony had a similar issue that also cost them money and reputation. Do you shout the same on some battery forum that Sony is the root of all evil and needs to be sued? I'm not singling out Sony, it happens all the time, every day, and companies issue recalls for products that have known defects. Personally, I think MS's warranty program is decent.

quote:
there is plenty of room for genuine competiting technologies WITHOUT the decision to knowingly screw consumers and then initially deny that there is a problem with your console. It's UNFORGIVEABLE!

That is for the market to decide, and if they decide to not buy MS's Xbox successor, than so be it. And once again, I'll bet the farm they had no idea there was an issue when shipping.

quote:
WHY AREN'T YOU MAD! SHOULD ALL BIG CORPORATIONS NOW HAVE THE FREE WILL TO SHIP PIECE OF CRAP TO MARKET JUST TO GET AHEAD OF A COMPETING PRODUCT IN SALES!

I'm not mad because I don't own any consoles, but I find the soap opera surrounding them intriguing. The real question is, why are you so mad since I don't think you even own one of those "defective" 360's.

I have 2 BR players and may pick up a PS3 in the future if it warrants it. However, hand's down right now I'd buy a 360 to game on. All my friends love playing on xbox live, and the lone guy on the PS3 doesn't do multiplayer.

That is, if I actually had time to game.


By mmntech on 4/23/2008 7:02:22 PM , Rating: 2
Haven't the poor kids suffered enough?!!

Still, it's a nice gesture on Microsoft's part even if it is just a PR stunt. A lot of these kids are cooped up inside so it gives them a little fun in their lives. It makes them feel like normal kids. It's not often I praise MS, even if I don't like the 360.


Now to see them get on live...
By ZaethDekar on 4/23/2008 3:42:01 PM , Rating: 2
For the first time, and break down weeping because someone said 'wtf, are you f&%king retarded?' while playing vegas 2




RE: Now to see them get on live...
By UppityMatt on 4/23/2008 4:09:13 PM , Rating: 2
Thats because your suffering from Dyslexia.


By UppityMatt on 4/23/2008 4:09:54 PM , Rating: 2
Ok... that was suppose to go under the guy talking about the title.... I wish i knew why it didn't post right!


Texas Children's Hospital?
By dagamer34 on 4/23/2008 3:42:44 PM , Rating: 2
Any hope of this coming to the LARGEST children's hospital in the US? I'd love to play some Xbox 360 during my downtime in my pediatrics rotation in a few years. :)




RE: Texas Children's Hospital?
By bhieb on 4/23/2008 5:05:42 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry kids the kiosks are all taken, the doctors are on break. Wow!


RE: Texas Children's Hospital?
By Aloonatic on 4/24/2008 4:09:10 AM , Rating: 2
Will they still be able to hear the sound of the patients alarms and Drs pagers over the sound of the 360s fans and DVD drive?


plus....
By jonrem on 4/23/2008 5:49:20 PM , Rating: 4
It's an excellent tax write-off. What else to do with thousands of refurbished consoles?




RE: plus....
By steven975 on 4/24/2008 10:24:27 AM , Rating: 2
for some reason, I think of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry asks Kramer "do you even know what a write-off is?":)

I'm not saying you don't, but it's not like a tax write-off makes it all worth it...basically instead of spending $300 in cash to donate they are only spending ~$200 or so. Sure, a write-off is encouraging, but it doesn't make it free to them.


Wii's Are In Hospitals
By rasmith260 on 4/23/2008 9:04:40 PM , Rating: 2
The Wii’s are in hospitals and quite popular; which I gather is the motive behind Microsoft’s move. I’ve seen plenty of stories about Wii’s in hospitals, nursing homes, and I just saw one not long ago about soldiers from Iraq in military hospitals using them to help develop lost motor skills from injuries suffered.




RE: Wii's Are In Hospitals
By ET on 4/24/2008 2:51:51 AM , Rating: 2
The first image that came to mind when I saw this news item was of a Microsoft goon with a 5 kilo hammer smashing the Wii's in the hospital to clear space for Xbox 360's.


Nintendo should join in...
By mcmilljb on 4/23/2008 4:11:27 PM , Rating: 3
I donated a Wii to a children's hospital around Christmas time. I think the kids there are probably enjoying it quite a bit. Maybe a doctor will get them a Wii Fit!




Why not Wii?
By Alexstarfire on 4/23/2008 4:11:44 PM , Rating: 1
I'm just curious, but why not just put Wiis in the hospitals instead. I know that many people may not like them, but if they are putting "E and E10+" games on the 360s, then why not just use Wiis instead. They certainly have a lot more content in the "E and E10+" area than the 360 or PS3.

Yes, I do know that Microsoft is putting these in the hospitals. Obviously they wouldn't put Wiis in there since it's not their console. I'm just thinking of why the hospitals wouldn't just put in some Wiis.




RE: Why not Wii?
By stargazr on 4/23/2008 5:02:33 PM , Rating: 2
Tell that to Nintendo.


By Bender 123 on 4/24/2008 10:45:07 AM , Rating: 2
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=743200

Donations are great, but this type of person deserves the worst fate imaginable. Same goes for the dude that stole that kids PSP on the way to his cancer treatments.




The staff can take bets
By HotdogIT on 4/23/08, Rating: 0
This idea is bad...
By uhgotnegum on 4/23/08, Rating: -1
RE: This idea is bad...
By stargazr on 4/23/2008 5:04:13 PM , Rating: 2
Eh? Have you read the article?


RE: This idea is bad...
By uhgotnegum on 4/24/2008 8:57:54 AM , Rating: 2
(sigh)

I'm still waiting for the day when comments are posted in audio so my obviously joking/sarcastic intent is made even more perfectly clear.

While I'm not presuming you are, it's more than a little upsetting that people could honestly think I'm serious. I really hate doing that </sarcasm> thing; it should be fairly obvious, but I guess I need to work on my communication skills.


RE: This idea is bad...
By darkpaw on 4/23/2008 5:34:43 PM , Rating: 5
As someone that spent more then a few weeks in the hospital a few times as a youngster, I can happily say get bent.

First, the article says it's limited to E and Y rated games.

Second, anything that takes kids minds off the horrible bordem of being stuck in a hospital bed is a good thing.


RE: This idea is bad...
By just4U on 4/24/2008 5:48:09 AM , Rating: 2
Agree, and it's a nice gesture on Microsoft's part. Good of DT to report on this. I'd like to see more articles on the tech industries charitable work.


RE: This idea is bad...
By uhgotnegum on 4/24/2008 8:52:38 AM , Rating: 2
Wow...I really figured that the exploding oxygen tanks and living dead comment would've made it perfectly clear that I was joking.

There are way too many serious people here. I've volunteered many times at Riley Children's Hospital, and I'm perfectly aware of the fact that this is a good thing.

I'm not trying to jump to any conclusions, but why would you assume I was serious? I'm making a broad and seriously generalized comment that video games CAUSE violence, despite the fact that these are "Everyone"-type rated.

Plus, take a look at pretty much any of my posts on Dailytech and it would likely be clear. I guess that my downrating, which came from more than just one person, is evidence enough that I'm not very good at being "obviously sarcastic."


RE: This idea is bad...
By SiN on 4/23/2008 6:57:23 PM , Rating: 2
Apart from the fact that there wont be violent games and the live network will be isolated to the hospital and or all the hospitals in this program, there is evidence to support that playing sports games and such while recovering or sick dissapates the pain these kids are going through.


RE: This idea is bad...
By uhgotnegum on 4/24/2008 9:10:58 AM , Rating: 2
Though I responded to the others, I'm going to take the time to personally respond to each reply...

I gather you weren't necessarily making a comment back at me, apart from the fact that there won't be violent games. To be clear, however, I do read the articles before I post.

I would like to say that I appreciate the more productive way you responded, because while you may have still misunderstood my sarcastic/joking nature (maybe you didn't), your response was productive...so, thanks.


"A politician stumbles over himself... Then they pick it out. They edit it. He runs the clip, and then he makes a funny face, and the whole audience has a Pavlovian response." -- Joe Scarborough on John Stewart over Jim Cramer









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