Dear Xbox LIVE members,

Since the beginning, Microsoft has made an investment in the security and safety of Xbox LIVE and created tools and monitoring practices to ensure it is a fun and welcoming entertainment experience for people of all races, nationalities, religions and sexual orientations. And thanks to this investment and the enthusiasm of community members like you, we’re proud to be the strongest and most diverse online community of its kind at 23 million.

The Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and Code of Conduct are designed to create a place where people can safely enjoy all of the ways to interact on our service, be it online multiplayer gaming, photo sharing, Netflix parties, or social games such as 1 vs. 100, without fear of discrimination or harassment. As the service evolves and our customers provide us with feedback, these rules evolve to incorporate new features or changes in how people wish to interact.

With that in mind, I’d like to announce an update to the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and Code of Conduct which will allow our members to more freely express their race, nationality, religion and sexual orientation in Gamertags and profiles. Under our previous policy, some of these expressions of self identification were not allowed in Gamertags or profiles to prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs. However we have since heard feedback from our customers that while the spirit of this approach was genuine, it inadvertently excluded a part of our Xbox LIVE community. This update also comes hand-in-hand with increased stringency and enforcement to prevent the misuse of these terms.

I truly believe that our diversity is what makes us strong: diversity in gaming and entertainment options, and diversity in the people that make up this amazing community. I look forward to seeing you on LIVE soon.

Jump in,

Marc Whitten

Gamertag – Notwen

Source: Xbox 360 Press

Gamer on the go? Now you can take many of your favorite Xbox 360 experiences with you, wherever you are. Xbox LIVE – the leading online game and entertainment service in your living room – will be available in your pocket for the first time this holiday on Windows Phone 7 Series. Unveiled by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today at Mobile World Congress 2010, the Windows Phone 7 Series games hub featuring Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of games, fun and a community of more than 23 million active members to Windows Phone 7 Series users around the world.

The games hub will provide many popular Xbox LIVE gaming and community features found on the Xbox 360 today, including the ability to:

• Collect Achievements and build your Gamerscore
• View Xbox LIVE leaderboards
• See your Xbox LIVE Avatar
• Access Spotlight feeds, including the latest tips and tricks, game news, updates and more
• Add Xbox LIVE friends to your friends list while out on the go
• Turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming

“Windows Phone 7 Series was built from the ground up with entertainment in mind, and its unique design allowed us to bring some of the best gaming and community features of Xbox LIVE to the Windows mobile platform,” said Ron Pessner, general manager of Xbox LIVE Mobile. “It has always been our vision to expand the Xbox LIVE service to connect people to their games, entertainment and friends wherever they go, and the launch of Windows Phone 7 Series is an important step toward that goal.”

To watch the full replay of Steve Ballmer’s press conference at Mobile World Congress, and to experience Windows Phone 7 Series through an online product demo please visit: www.microsoft.com/news/windowsphone.

Source: Xbox 360 Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Feb. 11, 2010 — Fire up the flat screen and crank up the volume for the biggest year in Xbox 360 gaming history. Today at X10, Microsoft Corp. proved to the world why 2010 will be a landmark year for gamers of all types, and it showcased a barrage of exclusive games that defy traditional genres and create new experiences filled with emotion, adrenaline and suspense. Heart-pounding action and rich storytelling encompass a massive lineup of blockbuster exclusives announced today with the hotly anticipated multiplayer beta of this year’s biggest entertainment phenomenon, “Halo: Reach,” blasting off May 3, and the chilling and immersive mystery of “Alan Wake” coming May 18 — both only available on the Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment system, starting at just $199.99 ERP.1 Celebrating the franchise’s Xbox 360 debut on March 9, Microsoft and Square Enix have created the Xbox 360 “FINAL FANTASY XIII” Special Edition Bundle, offering the complete experience at an incredible value for $399 ERP.1

Available in North America on Aug. 31, Japan on Sept. 2 and Europe on Sept. 3, “Dead Rising 2″ picks up the suspenseful action where the original left off, as gamers fight to survive swarming hordes of the living dead. Microsoft and Capcom Co. Ltd. have also announced that they are teaming up to set a new standard in storytelling through an exclusive “Dead Rising 2″ downloadable prologue only on Xbox LIVE. “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO,” available shortly before the title releases in August, will allow Xbox 360 gamers to get their first glimpse into the “Dead Rising 2″ story with exclusive content that will not be featured in the full game.

Last November, acclaimed developer Infinity Ward took gamers back to the action-packed world rife with political intrigue, betrayal and heroism in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” becoming the largest entertainment launch in history, shattering Xbox LIVE launch records along the way. Now Xbox 360 owners will be the only players in the world to fully experience the biggest blockbuster titles with exclusive Game Add-ons, including a “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″ content pack arriving first on Xbox LIVE this spring.

“This is going to be an amazing year for Xbox 360 and for gamers worldwide. It’s our biggest and most breakthrough year yet, filled with games and entertainment that you won’t find on any other console,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “I’m floored on a daily basis with what the ‘Crackdown 2’ team is doing, and Bungie is proving the impossible possible by eclipsing even its own untouchable standards with ‘Halo: Reach.’ I can’t wait to jump on Xbox LIVE with some friends to amp up our Gamerscores in co-op or talk a little trash to fuel some friendly competition.”

Gamers can grab their Xbox 360 controllers and envelop themselves in heroic tales of revolutionaries and kings, struggles to save mankind from annihilation, and action-packed stories of mystery and espionage, or simply have some nostalgic fun with family and friends across the globe on Xbox LIVE with the following games:

Halo: Reach (Bungie). As the blockbuster prequel to the best-selling Xbox franchise of all time, developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie, “Halo: Reach” puts you front and center in the fateful moments that forged the “Halo” legend. As part of Noble Team, a squad of heroic Spartan soldiers, you will be called upon to defend the planet Reach, humankind’s last line of defense between the terrifying Covenant and Earth. Starting on May 3, the “Halo: Reach” public multiplayer beta will give you the opportunity to drive the latest advancements in multiplayer gameplay in the blockbuster franchise that started it all on Xbox LIVE. Access to the beta will be available through the “Halo 3: ODST” game disc on Xbox LIVE.

• Alan Wake (Remedy Entertainment Ltd.). Launching May 18 in North America and May 21 in Europe, nightmares come to life in this Xbox 360 exclusive that will establish a new gaming genre, the gripping psychological action thriller. It is built like a chilling episodic TV series, where your wits and light are your only allies, and you can pre-order your copy now at participating retailers to reserve your Bright Falls Bonus Pack, which includes exclusive content such as avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, and a “making of” video. Those looking to immerse themselves in the mystery beyond the game can also pre-order the limited collector’s edition, packed with bonus discs of behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive in-game commentary and hints from Remedy, a game soundtrack, “The Alan Wake Files” book, and more, all bound together in a hardcover bookshelf-worthy package.
• Crackdown 2 (Ruffian Games). Available exclusively on Xbox 360 and hitting store shelves later this year, the sequel to the 2007 smash hit features over-the-top action, a massive living world, unprecedented online and multiplayer capabilities, and stylish graphics. Reserve your copy today and stand above the crowd — you’ll receive a code to download four exclusive suits of Agency-Issue armor: Gold, Brushed, Red and Blue Metal.
• Dead Rising 2 (Capcom). Following the 2006 bone-crunching, zombie-bashing action adventure hit, “Dead Rising 2″ puts a new offbeat defender in the heart of the fight to save the United States from complete zombification. Before the mayhem launching in August and September, “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO” will release as an exclusive Game Add-on only on Xbox LIVE.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 content pack (Infinity Ward/Activision). The first content packs for this award-winning title and biggest entertainment launch ever will be available first on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction (Ubisoft Entertainment). Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC on April 13 in North America, April 16 in the United Kingdom, and April 28 in Japan, “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction” is the highly anticipated sequel in the multimillion-selling “Splinter Cell” series, and one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox franchises of all time. Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high-octane, no-holds-barred storyline, the game also features intense co-op espionage missions on Xbox LIVE, making Xbox 360 the only console where you can unleash your inner renegade spy.
• FINAL FANTASY XIII (Square Enix). The Xbox 360 “FINAL FANTASY XIII” Special Edition Bundle includes a 250GB hard drive, two wireless controllers, exclusive downloadable avatar items and a standard-edition copy of the dramatic sequel in the multimillion-selling series. Xbox 360 is the only console outside of Japan to be bundled with the game, available in stores starting March 9, while supplies last. In addition, a very limited number of “FINAL FANTASY XIII” Limited Edition Faceplates have been created by designer Tetsuya Nomura. These faceplates are only available promotionally in fixed quantities across select retailers in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Fable III (Lionhead Studios). “Fable III” delivers an unparalleled action and adventure experience as players journey from revolutionary to the ruler of Albion and beyond. With your trusted canine companion, you will embark on an epic hero’s quest against injustice, forge alliances, crush your enemies and take control of your kingdom. But with great power comes great responsibility. Will you honor promises made in your rise to power, or sacrifice allegiance for personal gain? Choose wisely, as the decisions you make will forever impact your ever-evolving world.
• Lost Planet 2 (Capcom). The next installment of the popular third-person shooter returns you to breathtaking environments, unique Vital Suits and larger-than-life bosses of the world of E.D.N. III. The story picks up 10 years after the original game as players follow the exploits of their own customized snow pirate on their quest to seize control of the changing planet. You’ll be able to play through the intense and action-packed campaign mode with three of your friends on Xbox LIVE. “Lost Planet 2″ launches in North America and Europe on May 18.
• Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing (Valve). The first Game Add-on brings the original “Left 4 Dead” survivors down south for a meeting with the “Left 4 Dead 2″ cast, while delivering new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay, exclusively for Xbox 360 and PC. Targeting an early spring release, “Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing” will include new co-operative campaign and associated narrative and new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes, and introduce a new co-operative challenge mode.2
• Toy Soldiers (Signal Studios). An intense action game kicking off the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party on March 3, “Toy Soldiers” casts players into a fantastic, miniature world where antique toy soldiers fight in vintage World War I dioramas. To celebrate the release of “Toy Soldiers” on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Microsoft is launching a companion Facebook experience on Feb. 12, “Toy Soldiers: Match Defense,” which will have you and your friends matching items to collectively win countries and conquer Europe.
• Game Room (Krome Studios Pty Ltd.). Launching this March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party, “Game Room” lets gamers relive the glory days of classic arcade and console games in their original forms, as the player’s avatar takes part in the original sights, sounds and gameplay only on Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC.
• Perfect Dark (4J Studios). Fire up your Farsight and prepare for assignment — the Dark returns this March as part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party. Agent Joanna Dark brings her epic tale of galactic conspiracies in future America to Xbox 360 with remastered visuals, LIVE-enabled multiplayer modes, leader boards, achievements and avatar awards.
• Scrap Metal (Slick Entertainment Inc.). Launching in March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party, “Scrap Metal” lets gamers drift around corners with guns blazing and take out competitors in this fast-paced, top-down racer. Gamers fight their way through explosive, action-packed missions, defeat cunning bosses, or jump on Xbox LIVE to race against their friends, exclusively on Xbox 360.

Not since the console’s launch in 2005 has there been a better time to jump into Xbox 360. With the year’s biggest lineup of blockbuster titles and most-anticipated exclusives launching now and throughout 2010, leading up to the holiday debut of “Project Natal,” only Xbox 360 offers the revolutionary gaming and entertainment experiences that everyone craves.

Dear Xbox LIVE Members,

On April 15 we will discontinue the Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox v1 games playable on Xbox 360 and Xbox Originals. I want to start by saying this isn’t a decision we made lightly, but after careful consideration, it is clear this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox LIVE community.

Seven years ago we laid out our vision for the connected console when we launched Xbox LIVE. We believed then that the power of the Internet to connect people would revolutionize living room entertainment. It started with amazing multiplayer games, and we’ve since seen that bet pay off again and again with the launches of Xbox 360, Marketplace, Netflix and powerful social features like Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm. None of this would have been possible without the success of LIVE as a multiplayer gaming network.

There’s no greater example of the power of the Xbox LIVE community than the “Halo” franchise. “Halo 2” has had an amazing run on LIVE, with a dedicated community more than five years after launch and well into the next generation of consoles. It has fundamentally changed the way we play video games. And while it’s difficult to see that run come to an end, the “Halo” franchise continues to act as the benchmark for multiplayer gaming in this generation, with “Halo 3,” “Halo 3: ODST” and soon “Halo: Reach” on Xbox 360.

Your Xbox LIVE community has grown to 23 million strong. And as we look down the road, we’ll continue to evolve the service with features and experiences that harness the full power of Xbox 360. To reach our aspiration, we need to make changes to the service that are incompatible with our original Xbox v1 games. We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities. We view you as a partner in this process.

We’ll share more details soon, but in the meantime I want to assure you that the best is yet to come for Xbox LIVE. I believe we’ll look back on 2010 as a landmark year in gaming and home entertainment, and I couldn’t be more excited about what we have in store with “Project Natal” and LIVE. The LIVE community is the driving force behind everything we do, and it’s because of the community that ground-breaking experiences on Xbox continue to be possible.

See you on LIVE,

Marc Whitten
Gamertag – Notwen
www.twitter.com/notwen

Source: Xbox Press

Activision Blizzard, Inc. announced today that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to set sell-through records crossing the $1 billion mark in retail sales worldwide since its launch in November, according to internal Activision estimates.

In its first five days alone, the game sold an estimated $550 million worldwide, outpacing five-day worldwide theatrical box office gross figures for such films as Avatar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Dark Night, according to internal Activision estimates and boxofficemojo.com.

“Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 has exceeded our expectations and shattered theatrical box office and video game records,” said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “There are only a handful of entertainment properties that have ever reached the $1 billion mark, which illustrates the power of the Call of Duty franchise and mass appeal of this game.”

Source: Activision

The North American International Auto Show kicks off this week, as car manufacturers, professional drivers, and fans from around the world flock to Detroit, Michigan to see what’s revving up in the automotive industry this year and beyond. To mark one of the biggest auto shows in the world, Turn 10 and AutoWeek are partnering to bring some of the year’s best cars to life in “Forza Motorsport 3” with the “AutoWeek Car Show Pack.”

Available starting today for 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the new downloadable car pack raises the curtain on some of the most exciting new cars for 2010, and adds several elite 2009 racers to the ever-growing “Forza Motorsport 3” car roster, including the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and 2010 Aston Martin One-77.

Coveted by car enthusiasts for years, the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was first conceived in 1963 by legendary Chevrolet engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. The 2010 model brings classic style and track-proven performance to the table with an updated 6.2-liter LS3-based V8 engine rated at 430 horsepower, wide-body styling, and an updated suspension setup. The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 is a must-have in any “Forza” fan’s garage. Featuring a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 that pumps out 540 horsepower, the Shelby GT500 runs on an updated chassis with new suspension and aerodynamic improvements. Additionally, the 2010 Aston Martin One-77 combines modern technology and design with supreme craftsmanship for the ultimate expression of Aston Martin exclusivity. The 7.3-liter V12 pushes the car to well above 200 MPH, which may make it the fastest car in your “Forza Motorsport 3” stable.

Now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the “AutoWeek Car Show Pack” gives fans 10 great reasons to continue racing, drifting, tuning, and painting in the new year:

• 2009 Audi RS 6
• 2010 Ford Shelby GT500
• 2009 Lotus 2-Eleven
• 2010 Aston Martin One-77
• 2010 Porsche Boxster S
• 2009 Audi R8 LMS Show Car
• 2010 Pagani Zonda R
• 2010 Saleen S5S Raptor
• 2010 BMW Motorsport M6 Coupe
• 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

For fans who like to try before they buy, Turn 10 is offering the 2009 Lotus 2-Eleven as this month’s free car download, so strap in and take the “AutoWeek Car Show Pack” for a test spin!

Source: Xbox 360 Press

If the weather outside is frightful (or blistering hot in the Southern Hemisphere), take a break indoors and check out the endless entertainment Xbox LIVE offers you and your family this December.

Fight the urge to sneak a peek at your presents from the family and let Xbox LIVE Marketplace fill your December with holiday surprises. Starting December 18 through December 31, enjoy limited time, one-day discounts on select Xbox LIVE Marketplace content every day – games, movies, blockbuster game add-ons, holiday themes, you name it! Available to all Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members, everyone can celebrate the countdown to the New Year with a special gift from Xbox LIVE! Be sure to check the console dashboard daily for the latest info.

A Tacky Holiday Sweater for your Avatar

On December 10, get your Avatar in the holiday spirit with specialty items including an ugly holiday sweater and even a free holiday gift for your Avatar to unwrap! And make sure they’re dressed to impress with signature tokidoki gear too, including an assortment of trademark tees and a pair of tokidoki-themed rain boots. Wishes really do come true during the holidays! Dress your Avatar in magical Disney apparel when Disney Classics (Disney) releases on Avatar Marketplace December 24.

Here Comes Santa Claus with Deals of the Week

Deal of the Week continuously delivers more fun to Xbox LIVE Gold Members for less points, so take advantage of these supreme deals each week in December.

• Week of December 7: Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage game add-on (Bethesda) | Japan: 560 Microsoft Points, rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
• Week of December 14: Lips: Coldplay Track Pack (Microsoft Game Studios) | Worldwide except Japan and India: 240 Microsoft Points, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
• Week of December 14: Pinball FX (ZEN Studios) | Japan: 400 Microsoft Points, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
• Week of December 21: Shadow Complex (Epic/Chair Entertainment) | Worldwide: From the producers of Gears of War comes Shadow Complex, a modern and masterful side-scrolling shooter. Winner of nine “Best of E3″ awards, Shadow Complex combines the quality and depth of a retail title with the accessibility you love, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade. From December 21 through December 27, get Shadow Complex for 800 Microsoft Points, a 33% savings. Shadow Complex is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
• Week of December 28: The Maw (Twisted Pixel) | Worldwide: 400 Microsoft Points, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Make your Holidays Bright with Xbox LIVE Arcade!

Xbox LIVE Arcade delivers quality downloadable games at the best value to light up your holidays.

• December 16: Alien Breed Evolution (Episode 1) (Team 17) | Worldwide: The game features incredible fidelity and attention to detail throughout, awesome audio effects, and an engaging single-player narrative. The pulsating story takes the game’s hero through an intense ride through a stricken craft, onto a mysterious, ageing hulk ship and beyond. In addition to the explosive single-player story, there’s a relentless, action packed, two-player cooperative battle mode for online and offline local action with a number of difficulty modes to challenge all skills. Available for 800 Microsoft Points, Alien Breed Evolution (Episode 1) is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
• December 23: Trials HD BIG PACK! (Redlynx) | Worldwide : Fans of Trials HD, one of this summer’s hottest downloadable games, can get ready for more fun and insane challenges with the add-on, Trials HD BIG PACK! Rev your engines with 35 new racing and skill tracks, over 50 new crazy physics objects, tournaments, new achievements worth 50 extra Gamerscore, and more. Trials HD BIG PACK! releases December 23 on Xbox LIVE Arcade at 400 points and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. Fasten your helmet and prepare for serious bruises!

Chestnuts, Cocoa, Snowflakes, and Games on Demand

Games on Demand titles are available for quick, convenient download 24×7. Check out some of this month’s top titles to add to your collection.

• December 1: Crackdown (Microsoft Game Studios) | Worldwide except Germany, Japan and Korea: Prepare for the upcoming release of Crackdown 2 by revisiting the award-winning predecessor, Crackdown. Take on the role of judge, jury, and executioner as you restore peace by any means necessary in Pacific City, a crime-ridden urban center primed to explode and ready for you to explore. Enter the vast and fully explorable world as you clean up the streets the only way you know how. Your way.
• December 8: Disney Bolt (Disney) | North America and Europe: Join Bolt and Penny as they travel the globe on a dangerous mission to save Penny’s Dad from the evil Dr. Calico.
• December 15: Viva Piñata: Party Animals (Microsoft Game Studios) | Worldwide except Japan: Compete in a variety of zany battles and races in the social party game Viva Piñata: Party Animals. Control the fame, fortune, and destiny of all your favorite characters from Viva Piñata: Fergy Fudgehog, Paulie Pretztail, Franklin Fizzlybear, and Hudson Horstachio. It’s party time!
• December 22: Lost Planet:Extreme Condition Colonies Edition (Capcom Entertainment, Inc.) | Worldwide except Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and India: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition provides explosive action for both offline and online players, and allows cross-platform play between Xbox 360 and PC, all in time to prepare for the anticipated release of the upcoming Lost Planet sequel.
• December 22: Devil May Cry 4 (CAPCOM Co., Ltd.) | Worldwide except Japan: Devil May Cry 4 immerses you in a gothic supernatural world, where a new protagonist clashes with a familiar hero. As the new leading man Nero, unleash incredible attacks and non-stop combos using the unique new gameplay mechanic of his powerful “Devil Bringer” arm.
• December 29: Gears of War (Microsoft Game Studios) | Worldwide except Japan and Germany: Gears of War fans, check out the original title that started it all! Developed by Epic Games, Gears of War thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. Players take on the role of Marcus Fenix, a disgraced war hero who seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against the Locust onslaught. Gears of War unites breathtaking visuals with classic, emotional storytelling and a revolutionary tactical combat system, engrossing the gamer in a horrifying epic story of war and survival.

Source: Xbox Press Releases & Feature Stories

The Halo universe’s most iconic figure embarks on a harrowing mission in the third preview episode of the epic anime saga, Halo Legends. Created by Casio Entertainment and visionary director Shinji Aramaki, part one of “The Package” will be available exclusively on Halo Waypoint for only 24 hours this Saturday, December 5.

The story follows Master Chief and four specially selected Spartans as they launch out on a stealth cruiser into the heart of a massive Covenant fleet in a bid to recover a valuable intelligence asset.

Spartan Battles

This episode will prove that Spartans are just as adept fighting in zero-G and piloting never-before-seen light attack vehicles as they are on the ground. Once Master Chief locates the target he and the remaining Spartans blast their way on board, where the action gets hand-to-hand as they fight through an army of Covenant troops in order to recover the most important Human intelligence resource there is.

Preview Schedule

“The Package” will be previewed in two parts, with the conclusion of the story scheduled for Saturday, December 12. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of “The Package” on Saturday, December 19, in which Aramaki and his team recount their work on Halo Legends. A full schedule of upcoming Halo Legends 24-hour exclusive previews is as follows:

Episode Airing Date

05-Dec-2009 – “The Package” Part 1
12-Dec-2009 – “The Package” Part 2
19-Dec-2009 – Making of “The Package”
02-Jan-2010 – “Origins” Part 1
09-Jan-2010 – Making of “Origins”
02-Feb-2010 – Trailers of upcoming episodes

Produced by 343 Industries and created by a group of renowned anime studios, Halo Legends will be distributed by Warner Home Video on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital formats on February 16, 2010.

For updates on the Halo Legends previews, visit halolegends.com. For details about the full anthology, visit www.halolegendsdvd.com.

Source: Xbox Press Releases & Feature Stories

Activision Blizzard, Inc.  announced that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to shatter theatrical box office and video game sales records for five-day worldwide sell through in dollars. The biggest entertainment launch in history set a new worldwide estimated five-day sell-through record of approximately $550 million, according to internal Activision estimates.

Modern Warfare 2’s launch beat all previous first-and five-day entertainment industry box office, book and video game sell-through records:

• The largest reported five-day opening worldwide box office gross figures, held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($394 million)
• The largest reported five-day opening domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($203.8 million)
• The largest reported five-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (6 million units, $500 million)
• The largest reported opening first-day domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($66.4 million)
• The largest reported first-day book sales in dollars, held by Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows ($220 million)
• The largest reported first-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (3.6 million units, $310 million)

Modern Warfare 2’s blast radius also extends to Xbox LIVE, in which the blockbuster title’s epic release established the following new standards, according to Microsoft:

• More than 5.2 million multiplayer hours were logged playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day alone.
• More than 2.2 million unique gamers played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in one day on November 10th. A new one-day record for Xbox LIVE.
• More than 11 million achievements were unlocked on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day.

“In just five days of sell through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has become the largest entertainment launch in history and a pop culture phenomenon,” said Robert Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc. “The title’s success redefines entertainment as millions of consumers have chosen to play Modern Warfare 2 at unprecedented levels rather than engage in other forms of media.”

Source: Activision

Xbox are once again happy to announce the return of Xtival – the ultimate online party weekender. FREE to all*, from 27th to 29th November via our Xbox LIVE service, Xtival will feature an live gig from the ongoing US Tour by Tiësto, as well as delivering a raft of exciting entertainment to Xbox users from the comfort of their sofas.

Xtival is fast gaining a reputation as Europe’s premiere online festival, and a destination for cutting-edge interactive entertainment. Last year the festival attracted over 1.5 million visitors who joined the Kerrang! rock stage, downloaded hot film titles such as The Dark Knight and take part in exclusive competitions. Xtival Winter 2009 promises to be even better, jam packed with a host of exciting content and experiences.

Silver Members

Silver member? Don’t worry! For this weekend only, Xtival is offering you the chance to sample all of the latest LIVE features from Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm through a series of sneaky peaks at the Gold way of life.

Music

This year the musical showcase is bigger and better than ever before with enough to keep even the most diehard music lover happy. The Grammy nominated Tiësto will be fronting the dance stage featuring footage from his ongoing US Tour in support of his new album Kaleidoscope. There will also be interviews with the man himself with Inside Xbox
Music fans will also be offered the chance to download exerts from the forthcoming Metallica DVD through the LIVE stage as well as a video EP from the Prodigy and full live classic concerts from Run DMC and rock legends ZZ Top.

Movies

This year Xtival introduces the ‘cinema’ stage where movie buffs will be captivated by a 4 minute trailer from the highly coveted and much awaited film ‘Avatar’. This footage from James Cameron’s adventure blockbuster will be available exclusively on Xbox for 5 days giving fans the ultimate glimpse of the movie.

Games

For one weekend only Silver members will also get the chance to play multiplayer games online with their friends. Whether you prefer a good sing-along to a Lips classic or the adrenalin rush of racing the Nurburgring in Forza Motorsport 3, we have a range of content and exclusive downloads to suit all.

Xtival will offer more than just great music, movies and games with an exciting range of LIVE content for download and competitions with the chance to win fantastic prizes. Festival goers can also go on the ultimate free shopping spree and kit out their avatar with the latest in winter chic jazz up their dashboard with some Xtival themed backgrounds and gamerpics.

For more details, please visit www.xbox.com/Xtival.

Source: Xbox Press Releases & Feature Stories