Can’t wait to see the other goodies coming to the Marketplace tomorrow.

Cheaters and hackers beware, a console ban is a permanent ban. If you try and sign into LIVE and get “This console has been banned for violations of the Terms of Use. To protect the Xbox LIVE service and its members, Microsoft does not provide details about console bans. There is no recourse for Terms of Use violations.” your console is done for.  Buyer beware as a console that has been tampered with an sold or given away is still going to be banned.  Your warranty is void and you will not be able to have your console serviced.

I have not committed any fraud, I’ve never had action taken against me by the enforcement team, and I know for a fact I have not modified my console.  Can you undo my suspension?

The investigations and subsequent actions taken by the Xbox LIVE enforcement team are conservative in nature.  We work very hard to try to fully understand that a console has been modified by looking at a variety of information.  Sometimes it’s possible that a previous owner or another user may have performed unauthorized modifications to the console.  It is also possible that the purchaser of a used Xbox 360 was not aware the console was modified.  In either case we cannot undo the console suspension.  We recommend customers who believe they have not modified their Xbox themselves (or committed other actions on the service to warrant suspension) to contact previous owners or users of the console.

Check out the rest of the story at Xbox LIVE Policies on Console Suspensions

Major Nelson, aka Larry Hryb, ‘Xbox Live Director of Programming’ in the Xbox Live product group, just posted on twitter a link to Xbox.com with some valuable advice on keeping your Xbox LIVE account safe.

What is Unauthorized Access?

How are accounts compromised today?

Account Sharing - Do not share your Windows Live ID password with others.

Phishing Scams - Do not reveal your login credentials or other information about you or your account(s).

Gamerscore Boosting sites - should be avoided

Email and Web Site Phishing Example

Social Engineering - Do not reveal personal information about yourself or your accounts.

How to Secure Your Account

How to keep your Windows Live ID secure - Microsoft and Xbox will never ask you for your Windows Live ID password in email, Instant Messaging or over the phone. Enter your Windows Live ID password only at known Microsoft sites or through the Xbox console.

How to help protect yourself online

Remember, your gamertag is your online identify on LIVE and should be protected just as you would your ATM pinor other persoanl information  In someone else's hands you risk your account and possible financial obligations, play it safe and never give out your gamertag account information.  Lots of people complain about they’ve been hacked on LIVE when in reality they’ve chosen to share information with others or have passwords that are easily guessed. 

Interesting post by The Pro on the forums:

As you know, people are suspended for offensive content in their bio, motto, or location.  Violators will receive a suspension, and the words “Code of Conduct” are entered in their profile.  After they serve a suspension, they get suspended again for what they believe is the exact same offense.

Gamer “Foo” places inappropriate content in his bio. (infraction #1)

Gamer “Foo” changes his bio, leaving inappropriate content in there, or placing additional inappropriate content in there. (infraction #2)

Gamer "Foo" receives a suspension notification for Infraction #1. (email includes offensive text)

Gamer "Foo" serves suspension #1.

Gamer "Foo" receives a suspension notification for Infraction #2.  (email includes offensive text)

Gamer "Foo" gets confused and associates both infractions with the previous suspension.

This doesn’t cover all possible scenarios, but it covers many of the suspensions that we have seen in recent history.  Each time you put offensive content in your bio, YOU WILL receive a suspension.  This isn't a case of "I wonder if they can see this...", we see it, and we take action. 
All posts regarding "I was suspended twice for the same thing!!" will be referred to this post. 

malegrettiPXB, an Xbox MVP from Brazil brought to our attention something pretty cool that the Brazil marketing team came up with, a Halo 3:ODST Augmented Reality Campaign.   malegrettiPXB tells us: “Despite being in Portuguese, the website is very simple and intuitive; just scroll down to the bottom part of the page, print the PDF that is on the step labeled #1, and then point your webcam to the printed page”.  This is really wild to see as more and more augmented reality seems to be popping up everywhere.   Hats off to the Microsoft Brazil.

Just had a great experience playing Halo 3:ODST at the Mobile GameStop Tour in Owings Mills, MD.  The line wasn’t that bad getting in and with a team of four we had our choice of three maps and difficulty (minus Heroic).  Well it was my choice and we had just watched the ending of the previous teams run on Security Zone, so I choose the night version of Crater.  Why, well I wanted to try out the VISR vision mode.  VISR highlights enemies in red, friendlies in green, and usable weapons are easier to see on the map. 

It was truly a fantastic time as the Covenant being dropped in all around us and flying in also.  I tried out as many weapons as I could find and finally near the end found the gravity hammer.  You know you can never get tied of the hammer and I found a pile of Covenant flooding out and quickly ran to see what damage I could do.  I took out most of them but, alas it was only me that side of the map and I succumbed to the remaining two. 

You still have until 8 PM at Owings Mills and one more chance to play Halo 3:ODST at the Mobile GameStop Tour before the official drop date.  North Babylon, NY is the last stop on the 19th.  So check it out and climb aboard the Halo 3:ODST Transport Truck.

Halo 3 Believe

View Full Album

Ok, well I thought by now I’d have made it through Scared 2: Fallen Angel, but like The Elder Scrolls Oblivion, I keep taking on side quest after side quest.  It will definitely keep you playing for quite a while and there are the five classes you can play as, each with a Light and Shadow path, so the replay ability keeps going on and on.  Currently I’m playing through as a Shadow Warrior on the Light path. 

Still wondering about the title?  You can treat yourself to a in game concert by Blind Guardian. “The concert is over.  Some of the fans were really awkward.  Two of them almost bit me, one tried to crush my bones and another one wanted to enslave me.  But the song was brilliant! I will see whether I can meet up with Hansi and the others.”  This was a cool surprise and is an event you just have to see, excellent!

What I don’t like so much about the game is camera.  Yes, the game is suppose to  be played top down, but really I want to play from third person and see the surrounding 22 sq. mile environment.  There are times when there are to many objects on screen that the game sometimes has a hard time keeping up and during a battle this can be a real pain. 

Still all things considered this is a great game, it gives you 100 hours of playtime easily and you’ll want to replay the other classes.  Oh, and lets not forget multiplayer.  Fable II really sucks on multiplayer, Scared 2: Fallen Angel is a blast with four player seamless game play.  About the only thing wrong in multiplayer is current quests that the host may have been playing are not shown to your guests while quests started in the room are.  It’s great to be able to help out a friend with their quests while earning points towards advancement, but it’s also limited to joining within 10 levels, something not on the PC version.

Well time to get back on my unique mount and go kill something!

Want to go to Los Angeles to attend the Microsoft Press Briefing at E3 for free and take a friend?  Starting tomorrow you’ll have your chance in the latest Download & Win Sweepstakes on Xbox LIVE.  But wait there’s more, if you win the trip you also win a new 2010 Kia Soul Sport A/T and the ultimate home theater setup.  Now that’s a prize package that’s worth the price of admission: FREE, FREE, FREE!

The sweepstakes starts at 12:00 AM Pacific Time (PT) on April 18, 2009, and ends at 11:59 PM PT on April 30, 2009 so you’ve got a few days to wonder through the marketplace and download the Kia Download & Win Gamer Picture which will be found right about here starting on April 18th.   Of course you can also find the Gamer Picture through the marketplace on your Xbox 360 and on the banner ad click-through. 

Make sure your contact information is correct as they’ll call the lucky winner and if it’s not right, you lose.  So don’t say you weren’t warn.  Besides it’s easy as going here to check your information. 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (includes D.C.) 18+.  Game ends April 30, 2009. For details including entering by text message or free, alternate method of entry, see the Official Rules.

Update:  Updated the link to the gamer picture

Things just got serious, the boys from Bad Company crew return in the sequel to one of the best one-liner games.  While I haven’t played multi-player in a while I still enjoyed Battlefield: Bad Company campaign even if it was short.  And who didn’t enjoy driving a golf cart through a sand trap while a Russian tank wanted to play through!

DICE announces Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Stockholm, Sweden – February 5 2009 – DICE an Electronic Arts Inc. Studio (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the sequel to last year's blockbuster title.

In this installment, the Bad Company crew again find themselves in the heart of the action, where they must use every weapon and vehicle at their disposal to survive.  The action unfolds with unprecedented intensity, introducing a level of fervor to vehicular warfare never before experienced in a modern warfare action game.

Safety education campaign helps families manage video gaming and media use; company starts nationwide search for parents and teens to serve as gaming safety ambassadors.

REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 14, 2009 — With 65 percent of American households playing computer or video games,¹ it is more important than ever for parents and caregivers to be aware of — and have access to — resources and tools to manage their children’s digital media use. This is why Microsoft Corp., along with the nation’s most prominent children’s media advocates and consumer electronics retailer Best Buy^®, is encouraging families to Get Game Smart with a first-of-its-kind approach to educating and engaging American families. Get Game Smart is a new public service campaign designed to help parents and kids maintain a dialogue about balanced and age-appropriate media use and, more specifically, video gaming on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and Windows-based PC in their homes.

Get Game Smart gives families resources and incentives to put media use rules and guidelines into effect at home. Families are encouraged to participate in a variety of fun and engaging online and offline activities to help ensure they are using media in ways that are healthy, balanced and appropriate. There is even an opportunity for teens and their parents to become Get Game Smart Ambassadors, where they will actively inspire other families to make safer gaming choices.

“I’m a dad, and I know how important it is for parents to get involved with their children’s video gaming and media experiences, not to mention feel equipped to make sure those experiences are as fun and safe as possible,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft. “Get Game Smart demonstrates Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to this effort and complements the award-winning Family Settings tools we built into our products like Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. These offerings allow families to get the most enjoyment out of today’s digital entertainment.”

The new campaign Web site, http://www.GetGameSmart.com, brings the most current information about parental controls tools, expert tips and resources together online. At GetGameSmart.com, parents and caregivers can find all the information they need to say “yes” to what their kids enjoy, ensuring they use appropriate media safely. An expert blog on the Web site will tackle current issues such as reducing family friction when it comes to video games, and will inform parents of trends so they are ahead of the curve when it comes to video gaming and online safety.

As part of the Get Game Smart campaign, Microsoft is also conducting a search for parents and teens to serve as Get Game Smart Ambassadors — new messengers who will help educate their peers on making smart video gaming and media choices. Starting today, parents are invited to team up with one of their teens and participate in the nationwide search by submitting a brief video that spotlights their family’s approach to a responsible digital lifestyle, including rules related to video gaming.

Video contest finalists will be selected by a panel of judges that includes Mike Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association; Wendy Smolen, toy expert, co-founder of Sandbox Summit LLC, and editorial director of Toy Wishes Magazine; Parry Aftab, founder of WiredSafety.org and child safety advocate; Casi, teen cybersafety expert as a WiredSafety “Teenangel”; and fellow “Teenangel” Victoria Justice, who also stars in “Zoey 101” and Nickelodeon’s upcoming movie “Spectacular!”

Contest winners will ultimately be chosen via popular vote at http://www.GetGameSmart.com and will receive prizes including an Xbox 360 entertainment system, a suite of Xbox 360 family-friendly games, Zune digital media players, Insignia^® 7-megapixel digital cameras and cash. Winners will also become Get Game Smart Ambassadors and join Microsoft and other influential voices in a new forum for maintaining a dialogue about gaming safety.

“We are thrilled that Microsoft is taking the lead here. This is a meaningful and fun campaign to get families to enjoy technology together and help them make smart decisions about balanced use of online media and video games,” said Parry Aftab, a leading expert in children’s online safety and Get Game Smart Campaign partner. “The campaign reaches parents and their children in fun, effective and creative ways.”

Another component of the campaign is the Get Game Smart Family Challenge Sweepstakes. Families can enter by completing various activities related to smart video gaming and media use. One grand-prize winner will receive a $5,000 Best Buy gift card and 100 winners will receive Best Buy gift cards for amounts worth up to $250.

Microsoft’s partners in this public service effort include Best Buy, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Entertainment Software Association, Entertainment Software Rating Board, GetNetWise, iSAFE Inc., National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, National Institute on Media and the Family, National Urban League, NetSmartz Workshop, Parents’ Choice Foundation, StaySafeOnline.org, Web Wise Kids, What They Play and WiredSafety.org.

More information about the Get Game Smart Video Contest and Family Challenge Sweepstakes, including Official Rules, can be found at http://www.GetGameSmart.com.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

¹ Entertainment Software Association 2008 Industry Facts

posted at: http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2009/01/14/562724.aspx

Ever since I read about this gaming vest from TN Games I’ve wanted one for the Xbox 360.  Now later this year it seems like it will be a reality according to CES 2009 as the console versions are in prototype.   Pricewise I’m betting they’ll be around the same as the PC, which dropped from $169 to $139.  Now if I could afford to buy them for all my online friends so they can feel my bullets.  Of course I wouldn’t need one as I never get hit, ok, maybe once or twice but it’ll probably be a TK by Catalina DSO *runs away quickly*.  Seriously I wish there would be a Xbox 360 bundle with this or perhaps a Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 ultimate collectors edition *makes note to write to fourzerotwo*.  

via Ubergizmo

Horde for the Holidays Play & Win Sweepstakes that is:

• Verify your account info
• Register your gamertag
• Play Gears of War 2 online between December 30 – January 1.
• Check your e-mail to see if you're a winner!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (includes D.C.) 18+. Game ends January 1, 2009. For details including free, alternate method of entry, see the Official Rules.

This has to be one of the easiest ways to win on Play & Win.  You’ve now got the NXE so all you have to do is connect to Xbox LIVE and play any multiplayer game over Xbox LIVE (co-op or competitive). 

How to Enter

• Verify your account info
• Register your gamertag
• Play any multiplayer game on Xbox LIVE between November 21 - 23.
• Check your e-mail to see if you're a winner!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (includes D.C.) 18+. Game ends November 23, 2008. For details including free, alternate method of entry, see the Official Rules.

Ten-hut solider time to see if you have what it takes to score big and win a trip to compete in the finals aboard the USS Midway in San Diego, CA.  It gets better as you’ll have to earn your way starting November 14th.  32 players will win spots to complete in San Diego and a chance at $2,500.  But first you need to sign up and win at your local GameStop.  

No purchase necessary to play or win.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and DC who are 17 years of age or older at time of entry.  Void where prohibited.  For more information see official rules.  Sponsor: GAMESTOP, INC.

The New Xbox® Experience launches November 19th! You'll be able to instantly stream Netflix® movies and TV shows to your television via your Xbox 360. To celebrate, we're sponsoring movie nights across the country on November 22, 2008. Find out how you can get a chance to host a New Xbox Experience movie night at your pad.

A PARTY PACK TO REMEMBER

• Xbox 360 Universal Remote
• 3-month Xbox LIVE Gold membership
• A 1,600 Xbox LIVE Point card good for purchasing movies, TV shows and games in the New Xbox Experience
• 2-week free trial of Netflix

Apply Now to host The New Xbox Experience House Party.

So do you want to tryout the upcoming New Xbox Experience (NXE) before November 19th when the rest of the world sees it?

· Xbox is looking for a few thousand participants, so your chances of making it in are good

· This opportunity is open to all Xbox LIVE Members in regions where Xbox LIVE is available

· Just completing the survey does not automatically get you access to the NXE. We’ll be making final selections from from the completed surveys.

· Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up.  Priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.

Check out Major Nelson’s latest post The New Xbox Experience Preview program, what you’re still reading this…go…well, go now!

Via JD at CallofDuty.com

Updated to reflect 24 level cap.

Hey guys!
Just wanted to give you a heads-up, tomorrow's a big day. We have an update coming to the BETA that will introduce the following:
- Raise the level cap to 24 (new weapons, perks, and challenges)
- Introduce some Hardcore playlists
- Add a Search & Destroy playlist
As I mentioned in an earlier sticky, we have collected your feedback and are aware of some anomalies with the BETA. That feedback has been invaluable, and keep it coming. You may not see all the bug fixes tomorrow, but let it be known we're working tirelessly to make sure all the problems are fixed for release.
Also, check out GameTrailers for our new Multiplayer trailer. That trailer will be up on the front page of COD HQ later today!
Regards,
-JD

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41629.html

SD version http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41630.html?type=
WMV version http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41629.html?type=wmv
Quicktime version http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41629.html?type=mov
Download QuickTime http://www.gametrailers.com/download/41629/t_calldww_mp_downfall_h264.mov
Download WMV http://www.gametrailers.com/download/41629/t_calldww_mp_downfall_h264.wmv

DICE Battlefield: Bad Company map picks revealed for deployment this October!

With the upcoming release of “Acta Non Verba” and “Par for the Course” multiplayer maps selected by the community,  we’d also like to share information on what the additional maps selected by the Battlefield: Bad Company team here at DICE are.  Drum roll please…… the winners are “Ghost Town” and “Crossing Over”.  These were the additional maps that we felt would be the best for Conquest mode and coincidentally the 3rd and 4th most popular maps from community voting - great minds think alike! The team is really looking forward to sharing these new Conquest Maps with you for free this October.

More news about the update; we have not stopped looking into the VoIP issue on PS3.  We are working hard here at DICE and with our partners at Sony to help improve and fix the PS3 VoIP issue.  We have also seen some questions about our awards, especially the Savior Trophy and Staying Dry Wild Card.  The Savior Trophy has been adjusted to be more achievable and the Staying Dry Wild Card has had its description corrected in the menu.  After the update, it will read “Get 50 road kills with the boat in multiplayer”.  A news announcement with a full list of fixes and changes that have been included in this update will be released in the near future.

Well now we know how the tokens are going to work for the upcoming Call of Duty: World at War Beta *cough demo cough*.  Whee I’ve been 1 and 2 and signed up on CallofDuty.com day one!!  Yea for me and hopefully for you.  More news in that there will be no PS3 demo.

QUESTION: What is the CoD: WW Xbox 360 Beta?
ANSWER: Treyarch is recruiting dedicated Call of Duty fans of to help test Call of Duty: World at War’s performance from a gameplay and backend standpoint. Feedback and performance data from this Beta will be instrumental in ensuring CoD: WW’s success from Day One! This Beta will have a limited space so make sure you get your name in the hat to get a token!

QUESTION: Who gets to be in the CoD: WW Xbox 360 Beta?
ANSWER: For U.S. consumers, read on to find out more. For our international comrades, many more countries will have access to the Beta program, so stay tuned! People interested in joining the beta in the U.S. can join one of two ways:

1. Guarantee a spot by pre-ordering the game through GameStop or
2. Getting first-crack at a token by heading to CallOfDuty.com and signing on as a new community member. Remember, space is limited so the earlier you register, the more likely you’ll get a token.

QUESTION: If I already have an account on Callofduty.com, should I create a new one?
ANSWER: No! See below for how the handout of tokens will work, but if you already have an account with us there is no need to sign up anywhere, you’re already in line!

QUESTION: How does token distribution work for members of CallofDuty.com?
ANSWER: To reward the most dedicated CoD fans, the order of distribution on CallofDuty.com is as follows:

1. Charlie Oscar Delta members who migrated their accounts over to CallOfDuty.com
2. CallofDuty.com members
   (CallofDuty.com members will be prioritized by they date in which they joined CallofDuty.com. The longer they’ve been a member, the better chance they have of getting a Beta Token.)

QUESTION: How will we get the keys?
ANSWER: Beta keys will be emailed to the address you have associated with your membership on CallofDuty.com. We will be announcing the start of the Beta on CallofDuty.com as well as emailing everyone selected to participate.

QUESTION: When will the beta start and how long will it last?
ANSWER: The beta is tentatively slated for October and will conclude prior to the game’s November 11th launch. As soon as we approach the launch of the Beta, we will notify everyone who is eligible to participate.

QUESTION: Will I have the opportunity to provide feedback?
ANSWER: Absolutely. When the beta launches, we’ll provide information about how you can communicate back to Treyarch.

QUESTION: Will there be a PS3 beta? If not, why?
ANSWER: No, there won’t be a PS3 beta. The Xbox 360 and PC environments will provide the feedback that we need to make any back-end technical modifications to the co-op and multiplayer features, which means an optimized experience for everyone, independent of the console they own.

QUESTION: When will more information be released on the PC beta?
ANSWER: More information on the PC beta will be posted soon, please stay tuned. The PC beta is also planned for October.

Oh I so want to try this out!  While I still think motion controllers should be seen as additions to the conventional controllers, they can take certain games to a new level and I'd like to see that happen in the Xbox 360 gamescape. 

In2Games' Gametrak Freedom is described as, "a remarkable ultrasonic 3D motion sensing technology which delivers performance, control and flexibility far in excess of that offered by existing technologies."

Now that's a bold statement when you think the the Wii motion controllers are probably the biggest single reason for the success of the Wii.  The first game using the controller will be In2Games' own Squeeballs.  

Now I just need to start saving up for four of these as this will be a blast at home party when combined with HD next gen console.  I'm sure they'll be a bit more costly then then the current wireless controllers.