Xbox Live Price Increase Coming

Microsoft has announced that they will be increasing the cost for a year of Xbox Live from $50 to $60 come November 1st.

Microsoft claims this price increase is due to inflation, but the increase will only affect Canada, Mexico, the UK and the United States. It's probably also no coincidence that November is the month Microsoft's Kinect controller will be released for Xbox.

Of course, thrifty shoppers can usually find a cheaper year long membership card on various sites on the internets. Right now, Amazon is selling year long membership cards for just under $40.

Xbox Live Avatar Remake On Its Way!

It looks like Xbox Live Avatars will soon be getting a remake.

A few "beta" avatars have been already been spotted in the wild - including that of Microsoft's Major Nelson. The new avatars appear more realistic and less cartoony/bobble-head. Most theorize that this change is so the avatars will work better with the soon to be released Kinect system.

Expect the new avatar design to probably be part of Xbox's yearly fall update and out in time for Kinect's November release.

Editorial: Why Microsoft Points Don't Make Sense

Okay. Many complaints have been given about Microsoft Points for the Xbox Live marketplace. They help Microsoft avoid excess credit card transaction fees. You can only buy in batches. For some reason, 80 points equals approximately $1 US. But my main complaint - the bulk purchases don't follow typical bulk purchase mentality. Buying more in bulk actually costs you more!

I can buy 400 points for $4.99. 800 points costs $9.99. 1600 = $19.99 and so on up to 6000 points = $74.99.

These numbers make absolutely no sense. People don't typically buy the 24 pack of toilet paper because they're going to need that much toilet paper tonight(unless they are TPing some jerk's house). They buy it because bulk is cheaper and then you have it when you need it.

If I bought 6000 points at just 400 points each, it would only cost me $74.85.

Sure it's only $0.14 cheaper, but the point is that the bulk purchase should be the cheaper option!

Come on, Microsoft! Bulk should always be cheaper!

Mass Effect 2 Coming to PS3

EA has announced that Mass Effect 2 will come to the PS3 January 2011.

No word yet if any of the DLC already available for the Xbox 360/PC version will be included or available to the PS3 as well.

Launch Kinects Will Not Read Sign Language

Rumors have been floating around that the Xbox 360's upcoming Kinect will be able to read sign language, but Microsoft has officially denied such claims.

The rumors surfaced after someone found patents Microsoft had filed for a Kinect that could read sign language. Microsoft says they made add this into later models of the Kinect if they improve the camera resolution on them, but the launch Kinects will be unable to read sign language.

Microsoft dropped this feature in order to keep costs low and maintain their $150 price for the Kinect.

Fable III Not Kinect-able at Launch

Although Lionhead's Peter Molyneux has been a huge supporter of Microsoft's upcoming Kinect system he has revealed that Fable III will not be compatible with the Kinect. At least at launch.

Fable III comes out in October, about a month before Kinect will hit the markets. According to Molyneux, they were trying to incorporate the Kinect into the game but in the end had to scrap the plans because Molyneux wanted to do more with it than a side quest or two.

Molyneux has hinted that some type of Kinect addition will be added to Fable III at some point in the future. It is unclear if this will be in the form of a patch or a DLC, if it does surface.

Dead Rising 2 Webisodes Now LIVE

The first three webisodes of Dead Rising 2's Zombrex Dead Rising Sun are now available on the Xbox Live service under Game Videos. They are all free and shows a live action zombie outbreak in Japan. The full movie will be released on Xbox Live August 11th.

Personally, I love the Dead Rising series, but I found the videos pretty terrible. It uses POV shots and flash backs but in an amateurish way. The acting is also sub-par.

Of course, the first three parts are free so you can't argue with the price!

August Game Releases

Is the summer draught on games over? Let's find out!
 

DS Titles

August 3
• Monster Rancher DS
• Dora's Big Birthday Adventure

August 10
• Galactic Taz Ball
• Lucha Libre AAA Heroes

August 17
• Dawn of Heroes
• Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar

August 24
• Crazy Pig
• Grease: The Official Video Game
• Horrid Henry
• Ivy the Kiwi?


PC Titles

August 1
• Alter Ego

August 3
• Superstars V8 Racing

August 5
• Privates

August 15
• Battle vs. Chess
• House M.D.
• Xsyon

August 17
• City of Heroes: Going Rogue
• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days

August 21
• Star Ruler

August 24
• Elemental: War of Magic
• Horrid Henry
• Mafia 2

August 27
• Ship Simulator Extremes

August 30
• Ghost Pirates of Vooju Island


PS3 Titles

August 3
• Disney Sing It: Family Hits
• Superstars V8 Racing

August 10
• Madden NFL 11
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

August 17
• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days

August 24
• Mafia 2
• Shank

August 30
• TNT Racers


PSP Titles

August 10
• Madden NFL 11

August 31
• Ace Combat: Joint Assault
• Valkyria Chronicles 2


Wii Titles

August 3
• Disney Sing It: Family Hits

August 9
• Enjoy your massage!

August 10
• Madden NFL 11

August 17
• Gold's Gym Dance Workout
• Ys Seven

August 24
• Grease: The Official Video Game
• Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns Arcade Hits Pack
• Horrid Henry
• Ivy the Kiwi?
• Martian Panic
• NHL 2K11

August 30
• TNT Racers

August 31
• Guilty Party
• Metroid Other M


Xbox 360 Titles

August 3
• Superstars V8 Racing

August 4
• Castlevania: Harmony of Night

August 10
• Madden NFL 11

August 11
• Monday Night Combat

August 17
• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days

August 18
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

August 24
• Mafia 2

August 25
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
• Shank

August 30
• TNT Racers

August 31
• Dead Rising 2: Case Zero