GamerScoreBlog has published a Letter from Marc Whitten about the discontinuation of Xbox LIVE for Original Xbox Games.
Quote:
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
"SEGA has announced Sonic 4: Episode I. It is, as GameSpot reports, a 2D downloadable game with 3D visuals.
The announcement is part of the Project Needlemouse build up SEGA has been pushing since last September 2009. "Needlemouse" refers to Sonic's codename when the game that would become Sonic The Hedgehog was initially being pitched.
While teasing this Project Needlemouse project, SEGA has stated that the game is a return to Sonic's 2D roots and that the blue hedgehog will be the only playable character.
The game will pick up after Sonic & Knucles, but, as "Episode I" indicates, this is a new story arc.
When asked if this means the title is episodic, associate brand manager Ken Balough told GameSpot: "As mentioned, I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure. When Sega released Sonic 3, ultimately it was the part 1 of a story that saw its conclusion in Sonic & Knuckles. In that same spirit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a bigger story, and this is that first chapter. I think it's also safe to say that by the end of the episode one, fans will be very excited to see what's in store for episode two!"
So that's a "yes" to episodic Sonic?
The game will feature traditional Sonic mechanics like spin dash, power sneakers and whatnot, but also an added "homing attack".
Sonic 4: Episode I will be heading to the PSN, Xbox LIVE Arcade and WiiWare this summer. It's possible to use motion control with the Wii version and SIXAXIS controls with the PS3 version."
The 3.1.3 firmware update for the iPhone is out now, available through an iTunes update. It's no revelation, fixing only the accuracy of the 3GS battery meter and the stability of some third-party app launches.
It appears that iPhone 3.1.3 closes the usb_control_msg exploit, used by blackra1n.
Therefore you should NOT update until after it has been fully jail-broken.
If you have mistaken upgraded to 3.1.3, you can follow this guide to downgrade back.
Microsoft has issued a reminder that in two weeks Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) users will begin receiving expiration notifications.
Windows 7 RC does not expire until 1 June 2010 but from February 15 users will begin seeing expiration notifications in the task bar one time per day and then a Notification Wizard one time every four hours and then one time every hour. After March 1 Windows 7 RC users will experience shut-downs every two hours. A brief summary of the events can be found below:
Effective February 15, 2010, the expiration notification process begins:
Windows 7 RC users receive an expiration notification in the task bar one time per day.
Windows 7 RC users are presented with the Notification Wizard one time every four hours and then one time every hour.
Effective March 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC enters the next phase of expiration:
Expiration notifications in the task bar continue.
Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.
Effective June 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC expires:
Windows starts to a black desktop.
Windows 7 RC users are presented with a Windows Activation screen. The screen states that the Windows that you are running is not genuine.
Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.
Microsoft is bumping up the size on the external hard drive accessory for the Xbox 360 to 250 GB. The downside? It's only available in Japan...so far.
Normally only sold as a part of a bundle with a new Xbox 360 gaming console, interested gamers will have the option to buy the larger hard drive as a stand-alone accessory.
Set to be release in Japan on March 11, the new storage space key will cost ¥15,540 which is around $172 / £108.
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