[Spike]

Microsoft has promised to give all of its Xbox Live members a completely free game to download after many were plagued with connection problems to the service during the Christmas period.

General manager Mark Whitten said the problems came from a "massive increase" in the number of new users signing up to its online gold service.

In a statement, Whitten said: "While the service was not completely offline at any given time, we are disappointed in our performance."

Before Christmas, Microsoft's service had over eight million subscribers, but that figure is expected to have grown significantly during the past few weeks.

Although no details of the free game have yet been announced, Whitten added: "Microsoft would give details of the offer in the coming weeks."

DS

[Spike]

Speculation is rife that Microsoft is to release yet another version of its Xbox 360 console, this time with a built-in HD-DVD player, claims Joystiq.

The rumour, which also suggests the new machine will include a 320Gb hard drive and Wi-Fi, claims Bill Gates will reveal the new machine during his keynote speech at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which begins on January 7.

If the announcement proves correct, it would put the Xbox 360 on par with the PlayStation 3 and its built-in Blu-ray player.

The report also states that Microsoft could license its Xbox technology out to other electronic companies, raising the possibility more models made by firms such as Toshiba could emerge.

Microsoft has yet to make any official announcement.

DS

[Ruth*Star]

Oh that sounds good, I spent the last £20 i had from xmas today and bought Stuntman Ignition, i'm happy since its what i've been wanting.
I'll play it tonight.

[Spike]

I was going to get me Stuntman Ignition because it was on sale on play.com but I didn't know if I would like it. Tell me what you think of the game after you have played on it please.

[Ruth*Star]

I've just put the disc in, i've started playing, its kinda hard. I'll give a propper review later.

[Scarlett.]

I got
Halo 3 (completed it)
Assassins Creed (completed it)
and with the controller
Forza Motorsport 2 and Viva Pináta

the games on my to get list this year are
GTA IV
Silent Hill V
Splinter Cell: ConViction

(dont ask my why roman numerals are used in all of them

[Spike]

A US games magazine claims that it has evidence that Microsoft is already working on a third-generation Xbox console.

EGM has stated that an undisclosed Microsoft Xbox 360 game has been canned and, instead, Bill Gates and his team are now creating the title for the launch of the next Xbox.

Although it is logical that all of the main console players will be planning their next move in the lucrative games business, this is the first time plans of any future systems has been revealed.

But given that Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft have all stated they are keen to extend the life cycle of their current consoles, it is unlikely that Microsoft have any plans for the near future.

DS

[Scarlett.]

Bought COD 4 yesterday, today bought Ghost Recon advance warfighter II and Rainbow Six Vegas

[Scarlett.]

Completed COD4 now, its a fantastic game
Rainbow six is quite hard though
and Ghost Recon is a bit hard too

[Spike]

I want to complete COD4 this weekend but I don't think I will have time because I have got a lot of revising to do.

[Scarlett.]

Have you got to the bit where
[spoil]The nuke goes off?[/spoil]
I love that bit

[Spike]

Fans of action game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 can now download additional content after Ubisoft unveiled a new package on Xbox Live.

Entitled Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Co-op Collection, the package, according to Ubisoft, will "enrich and extend the original game by allowing players to expand their Live experience with an all-new co-op campaign and a total of nine maps, seven of which are inspired by classic maps from Ghost Recon’s illustrious history and two that are totally brand new".

The new package, which is available on Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points, features numerous new additions to the game, including five co-op campaign missions that continue the story from where the original game left off.

In addition, Ubisoft has also released a free 'More Guns Pack' for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, featuring seven new weapons for use in the single-player Quick Mission mode.

DS

[cujo-man]

Hump de bump.

[Scarlett.]

I bough Turok today its quite good

[Mark]

I'm playing thought COD4 at the moment. Think I'll be getting Burnout Paradise before Turok though

- Mark

[Scarlett.]

COD4 is an awsome game, but I think I have "over-played" it lol

[Spike]

i'm thinking of getting Burnout Paradise, the demo is good. Anyone got it, if so whats it like?

[cujo-man]

Is Gears of War good.

It looks like THE best game eva!

[Spike]

Microsoft has appointed the former head of Electronic Arts' Chicago Studio in a bid to create a successful sequel to the best-selling Xbox 360 and PC hit Gears of War.

Kudo Tsunoda will now head up Microsoft's Gears of War development team as the firm begins work on a follow-up.

Microsoft's Kim Shane said of the news: "I'm really excited about it.

"We wanted to put more focus behind Gears, and it's great to get a creative lead like Kudo.

“Gears of War continues to be one of the most-played titles on Xbox Live. There's more that one can do to continue to deliver great experiences. And partnering with Epic on where we go from here, how can we make it even bigger and even better in the future."

DS

[Spike]

Development team Epic Games has announced it will release Gears of War 2 this November during its keynote speech at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

The developer said the title, a sequel to the 2006 Game of the Year PC and Xbox 360 third-person shooter, will be exclusive to Microsoft's Xbox 360 console.

The company demonstrated some technological advancements that will feature in the forthcoming game, including the ability to allow for dynamic shadows and other lighting elements, as well as offering the potential for destructible environments.

The firm then showed the audience over 100 onscreen Locust enemy models running around, illustrating further advancements such as water splashes and rolling waves.

Epic's Tim Sweeney said: "We've done significant work on the character pipeline. There's much greater contrast in the shadows, much greater specular lighting...much more detail on the character overall."

At the end of the demonstration, Epic chief Cliff Bleszinski added: "Gears 2 is going to be bigger, better and far more badass than the first one."

DS

[Stu]

Im at the edge of the cliff with my 360 sadly. I played it alot over the past year , playing virtually every good title I have wanted to play for it. All I give a damn about playing in the future would be Gears 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV , as well as any associated sequels. Thankfully , I made my own faceplate upon the system with nail polish and permanent markers about a year ago making the system immune from being a victim of premature shilling at some pawn shop.

Still , I think im gonna have to go out and get a Wii now. The PS3 just looks like a buffed up , less intuitive 360 with all the same games bar the only exclusive I want to play for it , Metal Gear Solid 4. I can think of at least a dozen titles I want to play for the wii so it looks like thats on the cards.

[xDramatick]

I just bought one today

I got Assassin's Creed and my dad got some car game.
I really like it, and I REALLY want DOA4, annd Eternal Sonata [omg.sobadly<3]

[Scarlett.]

Assasins Creed is brilliant

[Spike]

Microsoft's Games Developers Conference keynote speaker John Schappert has said the firm has no plans to release a Blu-ray drive for its Xbox 360 games console in the near future.

When asked if Microsoft plans to release a Blu-ray drive in light of the demise of HD-DVD, Microsoft's corporate vice president of live, software and services said 'no' while implying that add-on drives don't appear to work for Xbox 360 gamers, pointing out that its HD-DVD drive only enjoyed a 3% attach rate.

"We have no plans to announce anything like that right now. But I'd also urge you to look at the attach rate for the HD-DVD drive," Schappert told Eurogamer. "It was a 3% attach rate...you also have to take into account how did the other accessory do when you look at the future."

The news comes as Microsoft revealed it has now sold 18 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide.

DS

[Spike]

I brought Sega Rally yesterday, I have been wanting this game since it was released but decided to wait until the price come down because of some bad reviews.

I played on it for a few hours last night and it's a really good game. Not the best graphics you will see on the Xbox 360 but it's fun and addictive. It took me a while to get the hang of it but I am getting good at it now.