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VellVett performing at the 2014 Gear Live Holiday Bash

In addition to Twitter, Facebook is also coming to the Xbox 360 this fall. You’ll be able to update your Facebook status, browse your news feed, view photos, and more, all from the Xbox 360. Even better? Games can take advantage of Facebook Connect, to publish screenshots and other details directly to your Facebook account, if you so choose. You’ll also be able to send Facebook friend requests to those in your Friends list on Xbox Live, if they’ve linked their Facebook and Xbox Live accounts. Get a look at the Facebook on Xbox 360 screenshots that we’ve put together, so you can get a better idea of how it will all work.

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1 vs 100 Xbox Live1 vs 100 on finally has a date, and you’ll be able to take part in the madness starting June 1 at 7:30pm PST. The 1 vs 100 beta is open, and free, to all Xbox Live Gold members, and you can actually win real prizes during the beta. Here’s a look at what you can win:

  • One (1) Grand Prize : A Samsung 52” plasma HDTV and surround sound/receiver bundle. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize: $3000
  • Two (2) First Prizes : An Acer Aspire laptop computer. ARV: $500
  • Two (2) Second Prizes : A Microsoft Zune 120GB music player. ARV: $200
  • Thirty (30) Third Prizes : A Microsoft Xbox Live Arcade Game of Sponsor’s choosing. ARV of Third Prize: $15 each

Do note, these are the prizes available during the beta period. The actual skill-based prizes, where you can win Microsoft Points and all that, aren’t up for grabs until the beta period ends.

Read More | 1 vs 100

Xbox Avatar ClothingI don’t know about you, but some of the clothing that I put on my avatar that has since been removed from the currently available items in the Avatar Editor are no longer available for me to re-apply to my little guy—even if it’s a saved outfit. I threw out the issue on Twitter, and Major Nelson his me back to let me know that older clothing will be unlocked, and the issue will eventually disappear. Apparently, for those of you in the NXE Preview Program that was around before the went public, if you’ve saved items as outfits that were removed, you are unable to access them, with the one caveat being that if you are currently wearing a piece of clothing that is locked, you get to rock it, as long as you don’t take it off.


Xbox Avatar ShoesXbox wants your avatar to get its Summer on in style this year by bringing you new shoe styles to rock. Yes, classics such as the flippy floppies, or even the amazingly sexy socks and sandals looks are now available to you. Of course, the ladies will get some love, although limited, with pretty sandals and boots.

Listed below is what you will find to be shiny and new:

The Boys:

  • Flip Flops
  • High Top Sneakers
  • Socks and Sandals
  • 70’s Leather Platforms

The Girlies:

  • Sunny Day Sandals
  • White 60’s Boots

Read More | Major Nelson

Xbox Live Gold discountWe are gonna go out on a limb and say this is likely the best gaming deal you’ll see today. Over at Amazon, they are selling the 1-year Xbox Live Gold subscription at just $29.97. That’s a little over $20 off the standard price of $50 that most of us pay on a yearly basis to stay connected to the Xbox Live golden world, or in other words, a full 40% off. If you are nearing the end of your subscription, you’ll wanna grab one, certainly. Heck, I’m gonna pick up a few just so I can stay stocked up. At $30, why not?

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first sale of its kind, as Buy.com was also pulling a similar stunt last week. Could we be seeing the beginnings of an Xbox Live Gold price drop? Maybe?

Your thoughts?

Read More | Amazon

So, we hit you with a 20-minute video tour of the New Xbox Experience, but we’ve received a bunch of feedback where you guys were asking about the installation process of the new dashboard. Thing is, since we had already updated our two Xbox 360 units, we couldn’t go back and show how installation worked, since you can’t go back to the old interface once you’ve upgraded. Luckily, Major Nelson just put up a video showing how installation of the NXE works. Check it out above - as you’ll see, it’s all painless. November 19th is just five days away.


New Xbox Experience

If your hopes at getting into the preview program were dashed on the two previous opportunites for you to get in, you may still be in luck. Major Nelson just announced on his blog that a third (and final) wave of acceptances will be sent out tonight - and they’ll be adding over 10,000 more Xbox Live members this time around. Of course, you had to have signed up for the NXE Preview Program a few weeks ago, as they aren’t accepting anyone who didn’t throw their name into the hat. The email notifying you of your acceptance will be coming from msftconn@microsoft.com, so be sure to let your spam filter know that it might be arriving. Good luck, and if you don’t make it, the official release is only six days away anyway.

Read More | Major Nelson

WWE SmackDown vs. RawCan’t get enough wrestling action from the tube? THQ is launching its latest title “WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009” this week. Included in the roster are Dusty Rhodes, Randy Orton, Johnny Swagger and Beth Phoenix. In all there are over 60 wrestlers. Gamers can create custom finishing moves as well as images and highlight reels to share with others. Look for the launch of “WWE Legends of Wrestlemania” next April with 40 superstars and managers. You can pre-order Smackdown now for Xbox Live, Playstation 2, Wii, or Nintendo DS at a price of $39.99.

Read More | Smackdown Official Site

New Xbox Experience

At the Tokyo Game Show, finally let everyone in on the date that their current Xbox experience would be ending, and the would be, er, beginning. We knew it would be coming in the fall, but the firm date is November 19th. We hope you’re ready to spend hours working on that perfect Avatar, because we are going to so own you in 1 vs. 100, despite having never seen it on television. The New Xbox Experience will go live for all gamers across the world at the same time - no staggered launch here, folks. We must admit, we’re looking forward to it.


Soulcalibur IV

Here I am, about seven weeks after the launch of Soul Calibur IV, finally getting to bring you guys our thoughts on the game. Before we jump in, a bit of background on Soul Calibur IV. The game hit and on July 29 here in North America, followed by a release in Japan, Europe, and Australia on July 31, and then finally the UK on August 1.This is the fourth installment in the Soulcalibur series, and it features a Story mode, as well as Arcade, Training, Museum, and Tower of Lost Souls modes. That last one is new to the series, and rewards you, as the fighter, for winning special battles. Also new to the series is the inclusion of a few characters from the Star Wars universe - namely, Darth Vader, Yoda, and the Apprentice.

The game comes just about three years after the release of Soulcalibur III back in 2005, and is the first Soulcalibur title to feature online play. Now, on to our review.

Click to continue reading Soulcalibur IV review


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