Price change for Xbox LIVE Gold subscription

Major Nelson wants to let us know that as of November 1, 2010 Microsoft are increasing the price of an Xbox LIVE for some members. This price increase only affects Xbox LIVE Members in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom or the United States.

Unless listed above, there is no change in any other subscription packages.

Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 Microsoft has continually added more content and entertainment experiences for their members, while keeping the price the same. They’re confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry.

However, Microsoft and Major Nelson do want to thank their loyal members and give you all the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount, so now would be a good time to renew your subscription.

Xbox LIVE Activity for week of Aug 9

Here is a look at LIVE activity for the last week:

Xbox 360 Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Modern Warfare 2
2    Halo 3
3    Call of Duty: WaW
4    Call of Duty 4 (Purchase the full game for direct download)
5    Red Dead Redemption
6    FIFA 10
7    Mafia II Playable Demo (Purchase the full game)
8    GTA IV (Purchase the full game for direct download)
9    Battlefield Bad Co. 2
10    Madden NFL 11
11    Monday Night Combat
12    Left 4 Dead 2
13    Halo 3: ODST
14    Forza Motorsport 3 (Download the demo)
15    Madden NFL 11 demo (Purchase the full game)
16    Trials HD
17    LIMBO
18    Madden NFL 10 (Download the demo)
19    Fallout 3
20    Borderlands

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
1    Monday Night Combat
2    LIMBO
3    Castlevania Harmony of Despair
4    Trials HD
5    Hydro Thunder Hurricane
6    Deadliest Warrior
7    Castle Crashers
8    RISK: FACTIONS
9    UNO
10    Blacklight: Tango Down
11    Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
12    Game Room **
13    Toy Soldiers
14    DeathSpank
15    Magic: The Gathering
16    Battlefield 1943
17    Worms 2- Armageddon
18    Marvel vs. Capcom 2
19    Hasbro Family Game Night *
20    Peggle

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
**Combined sales of all Game Room titles

*Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles

Top Indie Games (Full Versions purchased)
1    I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1
2    So Many Girls So Little Time
3    The Impossible Game
4    Baby Maker Extreme
5    Avatar Ninja!
6    Avatar Paintball
7    Try Not To Fart
8    Avatar Racedrome
9    ????
10    Flight Adventure
11   Zombie Estate
12   Avatar Onslaught
13   Avatar Drop
14    Miner Dig Deep
15    Avatar Showdown
16    The No Button Game
17    Super Avatar World
18    Breath of Death VII
19    Avatar Bumper Cars
20    RC Helicopter Sim

Games for Windows Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    GTA IV
2    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
3    Fallout 3
4    Colin McRae : Dirt 2
5    Street Fighter IV
6    Bioshock 2
7    Resident Evil 5
8    Halo 2
9    Batman: Arkham Asylum
10  Red Faction Guerrilla
11  Gears of War
12  FlatOut UC
13  Blacklight: Tango Down
14  Tinker
15  Fuel
16  Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
17  Battlestations: Pacific
18  Quantum of Solace
19  LOST PLANET COLONIES
20  Section 8

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Indie Games, full versions purchased during the week.

Some content (and therefore the links) may not be available in all Xbox LIVE regions.

Testing the DivX Web Player

This is just a test of the DivX Web Player that enables a website owner to stream 1080p videos directly through the web browser!

If the DivX player doesn’t show up, download it from their website!

Xbox LIVE Activity for week of Aug 2

Here is a look at LIVE activity for the last week:

Xbox 360 Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Modern Warfare 2
2    Halo 3
3    Call of Duty: WaW
4    Call of Duty 4 (Purchase the full game for direct download)
5    FIFA 10
6    Red Dead Redemption
7    GTA IV (Purchase the full game for direct download)
8    Gears of War 2
9    Battlefield Bad Co. 2
10   Left 4 Dead 2
11   Halo 3: ODST
12   Forza Motorsport 3 (Download the demo)
13   LIMBO
14   Madden NFL 11 demo (Purchase the full game)
15   Castlevania Harmony of Despair
16   Hydro Thunder Hurricane
17   Madden NFL 10 (Download the demo)
18   Trials HD
19   NCAA Football 11 (Download the demo)
20   NBA 2K10

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
1    Castlevania Harmony of Despair
2    LIMBO
3    Hydro Thunder Hurricane
4    Deadliest Warrior
5    Trials HD
6    Castle Crashers
7    RISK: FACTIONS
8    Blacklight: Tango Down
9    DeathSpank
10   UNO
11   Game Room **
12   Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
13   Toy Soldiers
14   Battlefield 1943
15   Magic: The Gathering
16   Marvel vs. Capcom 2
17   Worms 2- Armageddon
18   Hasbro Family Game Night *
19   Peggle
20   Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

**Combined sales of all Game Room titles
*Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles

Top Indie Games (Full Versions purchased)
1    The Impossible Avatar Getaway2
2    The Impossible Game
3    Baby Maker Extreme
4    I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1
5    Avatar Ninja!
6    ????
7    Avatar Paintball
8    Try Not To Fart
9    Flight Adventure
10   Avatar Racedrome
11   Zombie Estate
12   Avatar Onslaught
13   Avatar Drop
14   GET TO THA CHOPPA!!1
15   Miner Dig Deep
16   Avatar Showdown
17   Super Avatar World
18   Dragon Chess
19   The No Button Game
20   Breath of Death VII

Games for Windows Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    GTA IV
2    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
3    Colin McRae : Dirt 2
4    Street Fighter IV
5    Fallout 3
6    Bioshock 2
7    Resident Evil 5
8    Halo 2
9    Batman: Arkham Asylum
10   Red Faction Guerrilla
11   Gears of War
12   Blacklight: Tango Down
13   FlatOut UC
14   Tinker
15   Fuel
16   Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
17   Battlestations: Pacific
18   Quantum of Solace
19   LOST PLANET COLONIES
20   Section 8

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Indie Games, full versions purchased during the week.

Some content (and therefore the links) may not be available in all Xbox LIVE regions.

Windows Phone 7 Confirmed Xbox LIVE Titles

Today at Gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft premiered the first wave of Xbox LIVE games launching on Windows Phone 7 this Christmas. With even more games and applications to come, Windows Phone 7 is putting the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand — from Xbox LIVE Avatars to staying connected with friends, Xbox LIVE is now at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.

“We believe that no matter where life takes you, the best in gaming and entertainment should follow,” said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. “Windows Phone 7 takes a different approach to handheld gaming, utilising Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Game Studios, leading game publishers, and innovative indie developers, to create powerful, shared experiences for everyone.”

The Games You Want, Played When and Wherever You Want Them
In a sea of games, apps, gadgets and gizmos, the biggest obstacle can be finding the game that’s right for you. Only Windows Phone 7 has a Games hub featuring Xbox LIVE, creating a different kind of mobile gaming experience that puts the games you want front and centre. Xbox LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 will be specially selected from the top names in mobile, PC and console game development, making the best mobile games even better, thanks to Xbox LIVE. With try-before-you-buy demos, Xbox LIVE leader-boards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and more, Windows Phone 7 brings the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.

Windows Phone 7 also will be supported by content from Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), providing strong first-party gaming titles and intellectual property for the phone. For Xbox fans, this means that Windows Phone 7 will offer companion titles to familiar names, such as “Halo: Waypoint,” and “Crackdown 2,” extending the experience of their favourite Xbox 360 franchises.

“Windows Phone 7 is the launch of a major gaming platform for Microsoft,” said Matt Booty, general manager of mobile gaming for MGS. “Just like we’ve done with Xbox 360, our charter is to push the envelope and deliver definitive games that maximise the platform. We will have an incredible line-up of MGS titles, and that’s just the beginning.”

The most creative minds in game development are bringing the biggest franchises to Windows Phone 7. The first wave of launch portfolio titles includes Xbox LIVE games from the likes of Gameloft, Konami, Namco Bandai, PopCap and THQ. Whether you choose to play a gem of a puzzler with “BejeweledTM LIVE” (PopCap), bring down the house with “Guitar Hero 5” (Glu Mobile), fight off a destructive alien invasion in “The Harvest” (MGS), paint your way out of a corner with “Max and the Magic Marker” (PressPlay) or defend your city in “Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst” (MGS), the first wave of games announced in the launch portfolio of Xbox LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 has something for every mobile gamer:

“3D Brick Breaker Revolution” (Digital Chocolate)
“Age of Zombies” (Halfbrick)
“Armor Valley” (Protégé Games)
“Asphalt 5” (Gameloft)
“Assassins Creed” (Gameloft)
“BejeweledTM LIVE” (PopCap)
“Bloons TD” (Digital Goldfish)
“Brain Challenge” (Gameloft)
“Bubble Town 2” (i-Play)
“Butterfly” (Press Start Studio)
“CarneyVale Showtime” (MGS)
“Castlevania” (Konami)
“Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst” (MGS)
“De Blob Revolution” (THQ)
“Deal or No Deal 2010” (i-Play)
“Earthworm Jim” (Gameloft)
“Fast & Furious 7” (i-Play)
“Fight Game Rivals” (Rough Cookie)
“Finger Physics” (Mobliss Inc.)
“Flight Control” (Namco Bandai)
“Flowerz” (Carbonated Games)
“Frogger” (Konami)
“Fruit Ninja” (Halfbrick)
“Game Chest-Board” (MGS)
“Game Chest-Card” (MGS)
“Game Chest-Logic” (MGS)
“Game Chest-Solitaire” (MGS)
“GeoDefense” (Critical Thought)
“Ghostscape” (Psionic)
“Glow Artisan” (Powerhead Games)
“Glyder 2” (Glu Mobile)
“Guitar Hero 5” (Glu Mobile)
“Halo Waypoint” (MGS)
“Hexic Rush” (Carbonated Games)
“I Dig It” (InMotion)
“iBlast Moki” (Godzilab)
“ilomilo” (MGS)
“Implode XL” (IUGO)
“Iquarium” (Infinite Dreams)
“Jet Car Stunts” (True Axis)
“Let’s Golf 2” (Gameloft)
“Little Wheel” (One click dog)
“Loondon” (Flip N Tale)
“Max and the Magic Marker” (PressPlay)
“Mini Squadron” (Supermono Limited)
“More Brain Exercise” (Namco Bandai)
“O.M.G.” (Arkedo)
“Puzzle Quest 2” (Namco Bandai)
“Real Soccer 2” (Gameloft)
“The Revenants” (Chaotic Moon)
“Rise of Glory” (Revo Solutions)
“Rocket Riot” (Codeglue)
“Splinter Cell Conviction” (Gameloft)
“Star Wars: Battle for Hoth” (THQ)
“Star Wars: Cantina” (THQ)
“The Harvest” (MGS)
“The Oregon Trail” (Gameloft)
“Tower Bloxx NY” (Digital Chocolate)
“Twin Blades” (Press Start Studio)
“UNO” (Gameloft)
“Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet” (i-Play)
“Zombie Attack!” (IUGO)
“Zombies!!!!” (Babaroga)

Additional titles in the launch portfolio will be released between now and the Windows Phone 7 launch this Christmas; once the phone launches, new Xbox LIVE titles also will be added to the games portfolio every week.

Xbox LIVE: Bringing More to Your Mobile Gaming
Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 unlocks a world of games and fun and directly connects you to a global community of more than 25 million active Xbox LIVE members. Windows Phone 7 is the only phone that seamlessly integrates Xbox LIVE and provides unique mobile gaming experiences:

• Avatars. Connect to your Xbox LIVE profile and Avatar, or create a new one if you don’t already have an Avatar or Xbox LIVE profile; take your 3-D Avatar and props with you on the phone with full closet access.
• Friends. Bring your Xbox LIVE friends with you everywhere; compare Achievements, challenge rivals to your favourite game, and even see who’s online and what they’re doing on their consoles, PCs or phones.
• Game access. Easily view and launch your full game library from a single location; find, try and buy new games either in the Marketplace or Games hub.
• Achievements. Earn, view and track Achievements, view Xbox LIVE leader-boards and build your Gamerscore across Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 — every time you play an Xbox LIVE title.
• Messaging. Communicate with all of your Xbox LIVE friends, any time you want, through Xbox LIVE messages.
• Multiplayer. Invite, connect and play against friends on other Windows Phone 7 phones or the PC with turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming.
• Spotlight. Access Xbox LIVE Spotlight feeds, including the latest game titles, breaking news from Xbox LIVE, game tips and tricks, and more.

source: http://www.xboxic.com/news/6506

Title Update 1.03 Now Available for Red Dead Redemption

A new automatic title update (version 1.03) is now available for Red Dead Redemption on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. You will be prompted to download the title update as soon as you sign into PSN or Xbox LIVE.

This update contains the following new anti-griefing measures for Multiplayer Free Roam:

• While in Multiplayer Free Roam, if a player achieves a kill streak of 6 or more without dying, they will become a Public Enemy and receive a $1000 bounty.
• While in Multiplayer Free Roam, if killed three times by any human player and each death is within 80 seconds of respawn, the victim is given the option to respawn away from the area.

This new title update also addresses the following issues:

• Players now have the ability to swap shoulder buttons L1/L2, R1/R2.
• Players now have the ability to save game with cheats turned on.
• When playing the game with Region set to Asia, incorrect button prompts were displayed.
• Downloadable Outfits were not appearing in Change Outfits Menu after being unlocked.
• Invincibility cheat was turned off when activating Dead Eye.
• Occasionally, the player would not recover from being drunk.
• It was possible to have two player horses, with one permanently following the player.
• If equipped with the bandana, sliding doors would temporarily attach to the player’s head.

Xbox LIVE Activity for week of July 26

Xbox 360 Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Modern Warfare 2
2    Halo 3
3    Call of Duty: WaW
4    Red Dead Redemption
5   Call of Duty 4 (Purchase the full game for direct download)
6    FIFA 10
7    Gears of War 2
8    GTA IV (Purchase the full game for direct download)
9    Battlefield Bad Co. 2
10   LIMBO
11   Madden NFL 11 demo (Pre-order the full game)
12   Left 4 Dead 2
13   Halo 3: ODST
14   Forza Motorsport 3 (Download the demo)
15   Hydro Thunder Hurricane
16   Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Demo (Pre-order the full game)
17   Deadliest Warrior
18   NBA 2K10
19   NCAA Football 11 (Download the demo)
20   Madden NFL 10 (Download the demo)

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
1    LIMBO
2    Hydro Thunder Hurricane
3    Deadliest Warrior
4    DeathSpank
5    Castle Crashers
6    RISK: FACTIONS
7    Trials HD
8    Blacklight: Tango Down
9    Toy Soldiers
10   UNO
11   Game Room **
12   SONIC & KNUCKLES
13   Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
14   Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge
15   Magic: The Gathering
16   Marvel vs. Capcom 2
17   Worms 2- Armageddon
18   Battlefield 1943
19   Hasbro Family Game Night *
20   Peggle
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
**Combined sales of all Game Room titles

*Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles

Top Indie Games (Full Versions purchased)
1    Baby Maker Extreme
2    I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1
3    The Impossible Game
4    Avatar Ninja!
5    Avatar Paintball
6    Try Not To Fart
7    Avatar Racedrome
8    How Smart Are You? IQ Test
9    PLATFORMANCE : Castle Pain
10  Zombie Estate
11  GET TO THA CHOPPA!!1
12  The Impossible Avatar Getaway2
13  Super Avatar World
14  Avatar Onslaught
15  Avatar Drop
16  Avatar Showdown
17  Miner Dig Deep
18  Flight Adventure
19  The Impossible Avatar Getaway
20  Breath of Death VII

Games for Windows Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    GTA IV
2    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
3    Colin McRae : Dirt 2
4    Street Fighter IV
5    Fallout 3
6    Bioshock 2
7    Resident Evil 5
8    Halo 2
9    Red Faction Guerrilla
10   Batman: Arkham Asylum
11   Blacklight: Tango Down
12   Gears of War
13   FlatOut UC
14   Tinker
15   Fuel
16   Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
17   Battlestations: Pacific
18   Quantum of Solace
19   LOST PLANET COLONIES
20   Section 8

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Indie Games, full versions purchased during the week.

Some content (and therefore the links) may not be available in all Xbox LIVE regions.

New Xbox LIVE Gold Family Subscription Plan

Xbox 360 makes family time, quality time. Only Xbox LIVE delivers a world of games, movies, social entertainment and starting this November, live sports, allowing you to share them with the people you care about, around the world.

This November, the new Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will offer up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for only US$99.99 – the price of two regular Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. Now as you prepare for the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360, which makes YOU the controller, consider giving your family premium Gold experience and access to the biggest names in entertainment.

Perfect for families, the Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will also offer access to additional conveniences and services including the new Family Center, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and Xbox.com for easier family management, access to activity monitoring reports, and the ability to purchase and give Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members.

An Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack includes:

• Up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for the price of two – (US) $99.99.
• Family Center – a single, easy to use, destination for Family Settings and account management, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and on Xbox.com.
• The primary account member has the ability to purchase and dispense Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members.
• Activity monitoring reports viewable on Xbox.com to help encourage discussions about safer more balanced gaming and entertainment habits.
• Simplified billing that applies all purchase charges to the primary account holder’s billing account and the ability to authorize purchases, helping to manage the family’s entertainment budget.
• Exclusive family content and discounts.

The industry-leading, built-in Xbox 360 Family Settings are also being taken to the next level this November. It’s Microsoft’s goal to provide parents and caregivers with tools and resources to manage their children’s gaming and entertainment experiences, and these features are available to all Xbox LIVE members:

• Family Programming that removes all mature games, movies, and content from the dashboard, based on ESRB, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings and the TV Parental Guidelines system . Family Programming is password protected, and easy to turn on and off for each member. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
• Title exceptions – the ability to allow your family members to play specific games above the console’s designated ESRB rating if you deem appropriate. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
• Intelligent default settings for child, teen, and adult profiles. Xbox will automatically assign default privacy and activity settings for each member that can later be individually customized.
• Family Settings are displayed prominently in the MyXbox channel. Current tools include the Family Timer, which allows you to control the amount of time – either daily or weekly – your children may use the console.

Whether you want to play your favorite games, stream movies and music from Zune, or watch the latest sporting event together via ESPN on Xbox LIVE¹, Xbox 360 brings the best family-friendly entertainment straight to your living room.

Everyone’s doing it!

Xbox LIVE Activity for week May 31st

Here is a look at last week’s most popular titles on Xbox LIVE.

Xbox 360 Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Modern Warfare 2
2    Red Dead Redemption
3    Halo 3
4    Call of Duty: WaW
5    Call of Duty 4 (Purchase the full game for direct download)
6    FIFA 10
7    GTA IV (Purchase the full game for direct download)
8    Battlefield Bad Co. 2
9    Gears of War 2
10    Left 4 Dead 2
11    Forza Motorsport 3 (Download the demo)
12    Halo 3: ODST
13    NBA 2K10
14    UFC Undisputed 2010 Demo (Order the game)
15    UFC Undisputed 2010
16    Splinter Cell Conviction
17    Borderlands
18    NHL 10
19    Madden NFL 10 (Download the demo)
20    Snoopy Flying Ace

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
1    Snoopy Flying Ace
2    Prince of Persia Classic
3    DOOM II
4    Game Room **
5    Toy Soldiers
6    Castle Crashers
7    Trials HD
8    UNO
9    Magic: The Gathering
10    Perfect Dark
11    METAL SLUG XX
12    Watchmen: The End is Nigh
13    Marvel vs. Capcom 2
14    3 on 3 NHL Arcade
15    Battlefield 1943
16    DOOM
17    Worms 2: Armageddon
18    Marble Blast Ultra
19    Worms
20    AFTER BURNER CLIMAX

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
**Combined sales of all Game Room titles

*Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles

Top Indie Games (Full Versions purchased)
1    Avatar Paintball
2    The Impossible Game
3    Avatar Racedrome
4    Baby Maker Extreme
5    Avatar Ninja!
6    I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1
7    Breath of Death VII
8    Zombie Estate
9    GET TO THA CHOPPA!!1
10    Avatar Onslaught
11    Apple Jack
12    Avatar Drop
13    Home Run Challenge
14    Miner Dig Deep
15    ???????
16    Avatar Wave: Snowball Fight
17    Beat Hazard
18    Avatar Golf
19    Inside Lacrosse’s CL2010
20    ??????

Games for Windows Top LIVE Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
2    GTA IV
3    Colin McRae : Dirt 2
4    Street Fighter IV
5    Fallout 3
6    Bioshock 2
7    Shadowrun
8    Resident Evil 5
9    Halo 2
10   LOST PLANET COLONIES
11   Batman: Arkham Asylum
12   Gears of War
13   Red Faction Guerrilla
14    Tinker
15    Fuel
16    Universe at War
17    Battlestations: Pacific
18   FlatOut UC
19   Quantum of Solace PC
20   Section 8

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Indie Games, full versions purchased during the week.

Some content (and therefore the links) may not be available in all Xbox LIVE regions.