Psst! Sam Fisher is Getting Released

Hey, buddy. Word around the cell block is Sam Fisher isn't dead. He's been in the hole for a while now and rumor had been that he had gotten himself shanked. But a little birdy told me he's still alive and actually getting released from prison. He may look a little different. I hear he might have had reconstructive surgery, but everyone's pretty sure he's alive.

Splinter Cell Conviction is back on the gaming radar, despite numerous delays and rumors of cancellations. A new report from Ubisoft indicates that Splinter Cell Conviction will be released in time for Christmas 2009.

3 Year Warranty Extended to E-74 Error

Microsoft's three year warranty for the Xbox 360 now includes Xboxes that die from the dreaded E-74 error as well as the Red Ring of Death. This was revealed somewhat quietly by Microsoft who has seen an increase in the number of E-74 errors reported. Owners who paid for a repair during their first three years for an E-74 error problem should receive a refund.

Xbox.com describes an E-74 error as a graphics hardware problem.

Sadly, this announcement comes a little too late for me. My first two Xbox 360s both died from E-74, not RROD.

My very first 360 got the E-74 error from time to time but a quick reboot would usually make it go away. Then one day the graphics went weird(after an update to Orange Box). It returned to normal, but it wasn't soon after that my 360 went E-74 for good. It would only go to that error screen.

This happened after my 360 was out of its one year warranty. Microsoft didn't recognize the E-74 as a serious problem then. In fact, the person I talked to on the phone didn't understand what an E-74 error was.

I decided not to send it in and pay for repairs. Instead, I went out and bought an Xbox Arcade system and used my old harddrive and controllers. (I also didn't want to wait for repairs which at the time were a bit longer.)

My Arcade system died from an E-74 error within the first six months. This one I sent in since it was still under its year long warranty.

I am glad to see Microsoft taking the E-74 error seriously.

April 2009 Game Releases

No April Fools trickery, developers! Give me some good games or I'll go read a book or something...
 

DS Titles
April 5
• Rhythm Heaven

April 7
• Garfield Gets Real
• Hannah Montana: The Movie

April 14
• C.O.R.E.
• The Dark Spire
• Dokapon Journey
• Flower, Sun and Rain
• Puchi Puchi Virus
• Puzzle Kingdoms

April 21
• Jagged Alliance DS
• Steal Princess

April 24
• Gauntlet

April 28
• Elite Forces: Unit 77
• Math Blaster in the Prime Adventure

April 29
• Desktop Tower Defense

PC Titles
April 7
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
• Digital Combat Simulator: Black Shark
• Elven Legacy
• Flock
• The Godfather II
• Hannah Montana: The Movie
• X3: Terran Conflict

April 10
• Braid

April 14
• Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor
• Demigod
• Velvet Assassin

April 15
• Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason
• Still Life 2

April 21
• Zeno Clash

April 28
• The Humans

PS2 Titles
April 7
• Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus

April 21
• Dynasty Warriors: GUNDAM 2

April 28
• Backyard Baseball 2010

PS3 Titles
April 2
• Comet Crash

April 7
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
• The Godfather II
• Hannah Montana: The Movie

April 9
• Flock
• Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic

April 16
• OutRun Online Arcade

April 21
• Dynasty Warriors: GUNDAM 2

PSP Titles
April 7
• Class of Heroes
• Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus
• Hammerin' Hero

April 21
• DT Carnage

April 28
• Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce

Wii Titles
April 2
• Dance Dance Revolution Disney Grooves

April 7
• Garfield Gets Real
• Hannah Montana: The Movie

April 14
• Professor Heinz Wolff's Gravity

April 20
• Excitebots: Trick Racing

April 21
• Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball

April 28
• Puzzle Kingdoms

Xbox 360 Titles
April 1
• The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai

April 7
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
• The Godfather II
• Hannah Montana: The Movies
• Ninja Blade

April 8
• Flock

April 14
• Velvet Assassin

April 15
• OutRun Online Arcade

April 21
• Dynasty Warriors: GUNDAM 2

April 25
• Shop City: In the World of Zellians