Xbox Live Extravaganza

It would seem that Microsoft has decided to hold a huge sale called "Extreme Shopping". Better grab these games while the getting is good!

• Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter –
- 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Outland
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Yar's Revenge
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Islands of Wafku
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Trouble Witches Neo
– 400/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Bionic Commando: Rearmed
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Trials HD
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Shank
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Monday Night Combat
– 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Moon Diver
- 600 MS Points/$7.50 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Section 8 Prejudice
– 800 MS Points/$10 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Might & Magic Clash of Heroes
– 800 MS Points/$10 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale
– 800 MS Points/$10 (down from 1200 MS Points)

• Blade Kitten
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• The Maw
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

• Star Raiders
– 400 MS Points/$5 (down from 800 MS Points)

Source: Xbox Live Marketplace / 

Microsoft Apologizes To Wrongfully Banned, Compensates

Rolling bans were felt all across the network for Xbox Live users between August 29th, and Stepember 9th. This affected only a small fraction of people, but is still inconvenient, nonetheless. Microsoft has issued an apology, and will be compensating the people who were affected with a modest gift. The people who were affected will receive 3 months of Xbox Live for free, as well as 1600MP to spend as they choose. 

Chances are, I can see some hard core nerd rage went on over a few weeks of COD Black Ops gaming being lost, and I don't think the gift will appease the angst of a 15 year old. It is generous of Microsoft though, since the total value of the gift is around $45-50 for just a few days of lost online gaming. 

Source: Joystiq

Xbox Live To Come To Windows 8

According to Major Nelsons blog, Xbox Live is coming to Windows 8. What exactly the cross-over is, and what this all means has yet to be announced. Speculation is that Microsoft is ridding themselves of the angst-ridden Games For Windows Live platform, and pushing the integration of all their services (Windows Mobile 7-8, Windows 8, and Xbox Live). Hopefully this means more cross-platform games for PC and Xbox 360. 

Here is a screenshot that shows Xbox LIVE on Windows 8

We are confirming that we will be bringing Xbox LIVE to the PC with Xbox LIVE on Windows. We are very excited about Xbox LIVE coming to Windows 8.  Xbox LIVE brings your games, music, movies, and TV shows to your favorite Microsoft and Windows devices.  Bringing Xbox LIVE to Windows 8 is part of our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy.  At BUILD we are showing that it is easy for developers to create games for Windows 8 that take advantage of the power of Xbox LIVE.  We have much more detail to share about the capabilities of Xbox LIVE on Windows and look forward to the opportunity to do so in the near future.

Source: Major Nelsons Blog