Microsoft announced yesterday that they have banned a very large number (rumored to be up to 1 million) Xbox Live player accounts for modding their Xbox systems and playing pirated games.With the current release of Modern Warfare 2, players are anxiously trying to get online and fragging their friends but it seems Microsoft has other plans.  Microsoft is citing it's terms of service agreement that players agree to when buying an xbox system:Download or use any material sent or provided by another user of the Service that you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally shared or distributed in such manner (except as expressly permitted by us).What they could and would do were clearly laid out:Microsoft may, among other things: (a) restrict or limit access to the Service; (b) retrieve information from the original Xbox, Xbox 360 console, personal computer, and any connected peripheral device used to log onto the Service as necessary to operate and protect the security of the Service, and to enforce this contract. Read More...

With the beta testing of this game-on-demand service launching not too long ago, it seems that OnLive has picked up even more steam and, perhaps, more ammunition against naysayers. Investors have gathered around the service and now include: AT&T Media Holdings, Lauder Partners and Maverick Capitol. These investors joined the ranks of other such partners as Warner Bros., who believe there may be a future in this. Yesterday a release from the CEO, via the official site, sounded as enthusiastic as ever: "Big news today — OnLive has closed a major round of funding with participation from AT&T Media Holdings, Inc. Read More...

"Ever want to watch your Xbox Live Avatar plummet helplessly through the air and smash into things? Well now you can in the humorously cruel new game "Avatar Drop"! You and your friends can experience the side-splitting hilarity of watching your digital alter-egos bump, scream and crash their way through random obstacles." This is the official description of this indie title by the name of Avatar Drop. Now, from that description it sounds like Xbox Live has found it’s equivalent to Playstation favorite, “Pain. Read More...

DataBox Games: Nine guys in their mid-20s on an island off Sweden. They are all attending Gotland University and working on their final thesis for their Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. Why is this important? Because much like the current wave of independent titles that flood the Xbox Marketplace - they are just a bunch of people with a love for games trying to deliver a unique experience. They don't have a major machine behind them, but they have a passion for crafting something that we can all get into and as such are definitely worth promoting around these parts. The game that they are currently working on is Penalty of Heroes, which I believe is their 26th title; most of the previous 25 have been made in ten weeks or less and have more fun crammed into them then a great majority of bigger budget titles. Read More...

This Thursday a demo for Mini Ninjas will be released for download simultaneously on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. While the PS3 and 360 versions will be available via the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace respectively, PC gamers will have to download the demo directly from the games website http://www.minininjas.com/. Read More...

XBox Live Summer Update Puts A World Of Entertainment At Your Fingertips Holy Hells there is a lot coming to XBox Live. All with in a week from today (August 5th, 2009). Not just minor updates either, but massive ones. Some of which teased about at E3 this year. Not to mention an "On Demand" type service for some the consoles games. You could pick and choose from the presser below what you think is awesome, but that might take too much time for you. That being said, let me sum up some of the larger additions and updates for the service here. Read More...

Since its inception in 2005, Video Games Live has been entertaining crowds across the globe.  With its epic scores, great energy and audience participation, VGL promotes the gaming industry in an extremely positive way.  Created by famous video game composers Jack Wall and Tommy Tallarico, the concert series’ agenda of solidifying game music as an art form and the games industry as a positive force are present and spotlighted but are carefully swaddled by the fun, excitement and showmanship.  The first show, in the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, had over 11,000 people and was instantly a phenomenon.  As the first few years have passed, the show has slowly made its way down to smaller cities and venues. Read More...

Just as a reminder, XBOX Live, as well as www.xbox.com, will be down for it's annual fix-up Tuesday, June 16th.Here are some things to do with your time:Actually finish the campaign mode of CoD4.Go on PSN (I still don't know whether this suggestion is a joke or not).Purchase Ghostbusters, it's mainly a single-player game, and it's pretty awesome, try beating it in one day!Purchase the 25th Anniversary Ghostbusters BluRay, my favorite comedy of all time.Go outside, have a KFC picnic. Read More...

There is something unforgettable about the moment you began playing Wolfenstein 3D.  Fast, furious and in your face, this title made an impact that affected the games industry forever.  For many gamers, including myself, it changed the way we played and thought about games, shooters in particular.  Fast forward 17 years and many first player shooters later, Wolfenstein is getting set up to be released by id Software and during this E3, we saw a demonstration focusing on the supernatural aspects of the game.   Once again, you assume the role of BJ Blazkowicz and it is your mission to uncover and stop the Nazi plot to take over the world. Read More...

Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 Coming To Live And PSN Looks like the complaining and wishing have finally paid off for all of us Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 fans. Well somewhat. Don't you hate when I say that because it generally means it comes with some kind of "but" or bad news? Well not totally this time. The aforementioned "somewhat" only means that we will have to wait until this summer to get it on our XBoxes and PlayStations. In fact, we will be getting it then with some new features that I'm sure will not let you down. Well as long as Live and the PSN do what is hoped of them. Read More...

Finally we get the word on the release date for Banjo Tooie on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The bear and birds second adventure will be out next week on Wednesday the 29th for probably the same amount as the original Banjo Kazooie, 1200 Microsoft Points ($15)The game will allow you to swop any of the hidden eggs you found in Banjo Kazooie at Heggy's Hen for brand new moves that were not on the original N64 version. Here's a little video that came out a couple days before Easter that shows you a preview of the stop n swop and where to find any of the eggs in case you missed them.    Also a list of all the achievements can be read here if you're interested. Read More...

From GameIndustry.Biz:Amazon.com has become the first retailer to begin selling Xbox Live Arcade content, previously only available through Microsoft's official website or the Xbox 360 Marketplace.The beta service offers US customers Xbox Live Arcade game codes, Microsoft Points and subscription cards"PC gamers have enjoyed the convenience of digital downloads on Amazon.com for some time. Now Amazon. Read More...

Overview Of OnLive If you have been paying attention to anything that has come out of this year's GDC, or at least following the Total Meltdown Podcast, you most likely heard some bit on the new service called OnLive that is being worked on. Some say it is the future of digital downloading, and others are skeptical about this new system that has been proposed. Which of course is why I went out to ask a few things from the people behind this service to get a few answers and information to give out. For those of you who have no clue what OnLive is, here is a an overview of it and in simpler terms for everyone. Read More...

For American Xbox 360 owners, and European PS3 owners, June 30th is going to bring a gem to the arcade scene of Live and PSN. It's OutRun Online, an online speed-fest based on OutRun 2006, with 15 courses, and support of online head-to-head play for six players. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou1fJ6CoRcIOutRun has long since been a favorite of mine and I would say it, arguably, influenced many other games in the genre with its approach to racing. If you aren't familiar with the series, it will be a great time to get aquainted. It's looking pretty good for an arcade title. Read More...

"Versus" Brings New Online Gameplay Excitement To Resident Evil™ 5 Via Digital Download So when you are done beating Resident Evil 5 and the mercenary game unlocked after that what is one to do? Trade it in at your favorite game trading company? Place it on your mantle as one of the best games of '09? Beat it again to try and find funny things you can do with the characters? Try to go online and kill your buddies in the aforementioned Mercenaries mode? Read More...