Xbox Live Update Today

Microsoft has announced that it will debut the so called sixth generation of its Xbox Live online service on Tuesday, October 31, with 85 new features and enhancements, including support for native 1080p games and movies, faster Xbox Live Arcade game list display times, and more options for video playback.

Sony cuts PS3 Launch Numbers

Reports emanating from Japanese newspaper Nikkei Keizai Shimbun suggest that Sony has been forced to cut its day one Japanese allocation for the PlayStation 3 by 20 percent to just 80,000.

When originally announced in September, the day one launch allocation for the PlayStation 3 was put at 4000,000 for North America and “about� 100,000 for Japan. Sony Computer Entertainment America co-chairman Jack Tretton later described the figures as “more of a target�.

ESA raises another $800,000 for kids

The U.S. computer and video game industry raised more than $800,000 at the industry's annual "Nite To Unite For Kids" dinner and auction to support charities working to improve the health and welfare of children, the ESA Foundation announced today. Over the past seven years, the event has raised over $7.5 million for children's causes.

Demos Galore

Only really posting this because I love two of the three games on the list - or rather, I love the games the guys who PRODUCE two of the games on the list make - and all of the links came in a convenient GameSpy email.

Sid Meier's Railroads Demo
Need for Speed Carbon Demo
Medieval II: Total War Demo

"Finish Him!" with Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson sent a cease and desist to Midway:

“It has today come to my attention that the newly recently Mortal Kombat: Armageddon contains an unauthorized commercial exploitation of my name, photograph, image, and likeness within the game.�
“You are commanded to cease and desist immediately [emphasis Thompson’s] from the distribution of this game because of this unauthorized, illegal content…�

The above is what Thompson had to say to Midway Games. This all came about after a character of Jack Thompson was made using the character creation tool in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and was posted online for everyone to create and use in the game. While some people might consider this an honour, Jack doesn’t seem too keen on the idea.

Nintendo going after the AARP crowd

"Over the weekend, the company proved that it believed its own press releases. For the first time, it took its products to Life@50+, an annual event sponsored by AARP, and held this year in Anaheim, Calif. The event, intended for those over 50, attracted more than 20,000 people and featured a wide range of panel discussions, celebrities and exhibitors showcasing products for older Americans. 'Nintendo has never gone after grandparents before,' said Amber McCollom, a senior manager of public relations for Nintendo. 'We're targeting this audience for themselves, not just their grandchildren.'"

Review: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PSP)
Review: 1701 AD

From Gamasutra

Game Boy Advance:
- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
- The Grim Adventures of Billy Mandy
- Need for Speed Carbon
- Scurge: Hive
- Tom and Jerry Tales

GameCube:
- Need for Speed Carbon

Nintendo DS:
- Chicken Little: Ace in Action
- Children of Mana
- Konductra
- Nacho Libre
- Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City
- Pokemon Ranger
- Scurge: Hive
- The Sims 2: Pets
- That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene
- Tom and Jerry Tales

PlayStation 2:
- ATV Offroad Fury 4
- Drive to Survive
- Final Fantasy XII
- Need for Speed Carbon
- Strawberry Shortcake: Adventures in the Land of Dreams
- Victorious Boxers 2: Fighting Spirit

PlayStation Portable:
- BattleZone
- Death Jr. 2: Root of Evil
- Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony
- Every Extend Extra
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- Killzone: Liberation
- Lumines II
- Mind Quiz
- Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City
- Power Stone Collection
- Reel Fishing: Life Nature
- Rush Xbox:
- Drive to Survive
- Lawnmower Racing Mania 2007
- Need for Speed Carbon
- Ultimate Pro Pinball

Xbox 360:
- F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon
- FIFA 07
- Need for Speed Carbon
- World Championship Poker: All In

PC:
- 1701 A.D.
- Captain Blood
- D.I.R.T.: Origin of the Species
- Jewel Quest Solitaire
- Need for Speed Carbon
- Neverwinter Nights 2
- Panzer Command
- Scrabble 2007
- The Secret Files: Tunguska
- Snoopy vs. The Red Baron
- UFO Extraterrestrials
- Ultima Online 9th Anniversary Collection