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Original Xbox games lose Xbox Live access on April 15

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

Xbox Live v1

Check it out, Microsoft just announced that all games made for the original Xbox will no longer be able to access the Xbox Live service as of April 15, 2010, and we couldn’t be happier with the news. No, we don’t hate classics like Halo 2, but the thing is, those titles are many years old, and they’ve been holding back the full potential of Xbox Live for far too long. As an example, it’s no secret that we hate the Xbox Live friend limit, and the major reason it exists is because of Halo 2. With Halo 2, and all the rest of the original Xbox games, being denied access to Live, Microsoft will be able to stop worrying about those original Xbox restrictions - and that means, among other things, that we should finally see that friend limit jacked up, if not removed entirely.

It should be noted that, even if you downloaded original Xbox games on your Xbox 360 using Games on Demand, even those won’t work when you try to connect to Xbox Live. It’s just the nature of the beast, and it’s all in the name of progress.

Read More | Gamerscore Blog

Gallery: Original Xbox games lose Xbox Live access on April 15


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BioWare hires an All-Star cast for Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2Casting is a very important part of film production, used to attract movie goers into theaters.  Similarly, BioWare is hoping to achieve this same kind of effect by casting big names into their upcoming title, Mass Effect 2. Sure, they are also hired to bless the game’s characters with talent, grace and—in some cases—even mannerisms. Names such as comedic actor Seth Green, Chuck stars Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin, Star Trek’s Michel Dom, Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer, Carrie-Anne Mos, and even Martin Sheen are part of this all-star game cast.  If the Mass Effect series never tickled your fancy, these names will surely spike your interest, even if it’s just curiosity.

Gallery: BioWare hires an All-Star cast for Mass Effect 2


It’s official: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune hit Xbox 360 on November 17

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

For those of you who weren’t able to get into the Preview Program, you can now rest assured that the latest Xbox 360 features, including Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Marketplace with instant on 1080p streaming, will be arriving on all Xbox 360 consoles on November 17th. Yup, that’s just five days away, which isn’t that bad at all. To celebrate the launch of the new dashboard, all Xbox Live Gold features will be available to Xbox Live Silver members from November 20-23, allowing Silver members to sample Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and online multiplayer. Oh, what’s that? You didn’t know that only Xbox Live Gold members were able to use the new social networking aspects of the dashboard? Yeah, major fail, we agree.

We previewed the dashboard in a recent episode of Bleeding Edge TV, which you can check out at the top.

Gallery: It’s official: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune hit Xbox 360 on November 17


Xbox 360 Wireless N networking adapter now available for $100

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Microsoft, Xbox 360,

Xbox 360 Wireless N Adapter

The Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter is finally available here in the US, after what seems like months of rumors proclaiming its existence. You can actually order one right now over on Newegg - just search for Xbox 360 Wireless N, and you should be good. It’ll cost you a cool $100 for the privilege, but the extra speed should be worth it, right?

Read More | Newegg

Gallery: Xbox 360 Wireless N networking adapter now available for $100


Xbox LIVE Fall Update: We’ll be previewing Facebook, Twitter, Zune 1080p for you on Monday

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

Zune 1080p Xbox 360

We just got word from our friends at that we’ll be getting the new Fall 2009 Dashboard Update on Monday, which means we’ll be bringing you a preview and walkthrough of all the upcoming dashboard features, including Twitter, Facebook, Zune instant-on 1080p movies, Last.fm, and more. For a look at everything we’ll be bringing you on Monday, hit the jump. Now go enjoy your weekend!

Click to continue reading Xbox LIVE Fall Update: We’ll be previewing Facebook, Twitter, Zune 1080p for you on Monday

Gallery: Xbox LIVE Fall Update: We’ll be previewing Facebook, Twitter, Zune 1080p for you on Monday


Xbox 360 with 250GB hard drive and Forza 3 spied on Amazon

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hardware, Microsoft, Rumors, Xbox 360,

250GB Xbox 360

Okay, hang on, we just posted about the Xbox 360 Elite price cut news, and now we are getting word that there may be a 250GB version of the Xbox 360 that will be dropping soon? According to Amazon Germany, there will soon be an Xbox 360 bundle that includes a 250GB head drive (over twice the size of the currently available 120GB drive,) 2 controllers, and Forza Motorsport 3. It’s priced at about $397, and we want it to be really. Very, very much.

[Thanks, Jason!]

Read More | Amazon Germany via Engadget

Gallery: Xbox 360 with 250GB hard drive and Forza 3 spied on Amazon


Xbox 360 price cut a reality: $300 Elite, $250 Pro

Xbox 360 Elite $299

It’s been rumored for weeks now that would be slashing the price of the , and it’s finally been confirmed. Starting tomorrow, the Xbox 360 Elite drops $100, down to $299. The Xbox 360 Pro drops $50, down to $250, but that is while supplies last. Once they are gone, they are gone. The Xbox 360 Arcade will remain at $199. Going into the holiday season, that gives consumers two choices for the Xbox 360 - the $299 black Elite console, and the $199 white Arcade. This brings the Xbox 360 Elite in line with the $299 at first glance, but of course, the Xbox 360 doesn’t have Wi-Fi built-in (that’ll cost you an extra $100,) nor does it play high definition physical media out of the box. Still though, it’s $100 less tomorrow than it is today, and that’s always a plus. You can pick one up over on Amazon.

Gallery: Xbox 360 price cut a reality: $300 Elite, $250 Pro


How are you liking the 8/11 Xbox 360 Dashboard Update?

Xbox 360 Avatar Props

Yeah, in case you forgot, today is the day that the masses (including you) get access to all the fancy new features in the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard Update! I’m talking about things like Netflix Movie Parties, Games on Demand, the Avatar Marketplace, etc. You can get the full scoop on all the updates, both major and minor, at the link below. What we wanna know now, though, is how you are liking it. Let us know in the comments.

Oh, and remember, there is more to come in a couple of months, as we still have Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm, and Zune Marketplace with 1080p instant-on movie streaming to look forward to later this fall.

Read More | August 2009 Dashboard Update Details

Gallery: How are you liking the 8/11 Xbox 360 Dashboard Update?


Trials HD arriving on Xbox 360

DescriptionThat’s right, folks - the next installment in the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade is about to drop! Trials HD is coming this Wednesday for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).

Be prepared for a “full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer” that includes fifty stages as well as a level editor. Trials HD is an enhanced version of Trials 2: Second Edition.

Sounds like it may be a solid entry in the XBLA line-up. I’m amped to check this one out.

In fact Trials HD already has a few scores listed on Metacritic. Eurogamer boasts Trials HD “may end up being the best thing on Xbox Live Arcade all year.” Woah! Could it surpass ‘Splosion Man?!

Gallery: Trials HD arriving on Xbox 360


The truth is revealed: Halo 2 causing holdup over Xbox Live 100 Friend Limit Increase

Halo 2 Friend Limit

A few days ago we posted an editorial begging Microsoft to fix the Xbox Live friend limit that is currently imposed upon both Xbox Live and users. Well, after years of being vague about it, the truth has finally come out. According to G4, a high-level Microsoft employee has revealed that the reason that the friend limit hasn’t increased at all, even after the launch of the Xbox 360, is Halo 2.

Halo 2? Yes. You see, original Xbox games have the friend limit hard-coded into them, and Halo 2 is an original Xbox game. Since it is still so popular, Microsoft thinks they need to keep supporting it. If they increase the friend limit, they need to take Halo 2 offline.

Please, for the love of all that is sane in the gaming world, implore your friends and countrymen to switch to Halo 3, or the upcoming Halo 3: ODST, so that we might have a more social Xbox Live.

Oh, and this still doesn’t explain the whole Zune Social thing, and Microsoft’s belief that it has to be tied to Xbox Live, for whatever reason!

Read More | G4 via Gizmodo

Gallery: The truth is revealed: Halo 2 causing holdup over Xbox Live 100 Friend Limit Increase


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