April 2006 - Posts
Yeepy! Reached 3000 Gamerscore points!
TR1GG3R MAN
On Tuesday May 2nd, Xbox Live, Xbox.com and the Forums will be offline for maintenance from 0200-1500 PT .
During this time, Xbox.com, the Forums and Xbox Live will not be accessible.
http://forums.xbox.com/3999416/ShowPost.aspx
Martedi 2 Maggio dalle ore 1100 alle ore 2400, Xbox Live, Xbox.com ed i forum saranno offline per manutenzione.
Durante questo arco di tempo, Xbox.com, i forum ed il servizio Xbox Live non saranno disponibili.
Ci scusiamo per qualsiasi inconveniente.
http://forums.xbox.com/3999416/ShowPost.aspx
"Old" and new Xbox Ambassadors received an email today:
Hello Ambassadors!
I am happy to report that we now have over 600 Xbox Ambassadors in 18 countries and speaking 30 languages! Some of you were with the program during the Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend, and some of you are new recruits! [...]
If you would like to know more about the Xbox Live Ambassador program, click here.
"[...]Because, it’s really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.[...]"
SBONG! 
Wii logo video: here
Yup I got my email as well! :)
Welcome to the Xbox Live Diamond Card!
Congratulations! This email confirms that your Xbox Live Diamond
Card registration was accepted and that your card is now being
printed. You will receive your personalized Xbox Live Diamond Card
in the mail within the next 2 - 3 weeks.
Once your Diamond Card arrives, logon to www.xboxlivediamond.com
to check out the cool discounts, view the complete list of
participating retailers and additional program information. To start
enjoying the discounts, all you have to do is present your Diamond
Card with the appropriate printable coupon (found on
www.xboxlivediamond.com) when shopping in person, or use the checkout
code provided on the website when shopping online.
LIVE. PLAY. COMPETE. CONNECT.
Bring your game online. - The Xbox Live Team
Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit Now Available
New Accessory Improves the Wireless Gaming Experience
April 21, 2006
Microsoft today announced the availability of the Xbox
360 Quick Charge Kit at retailers nationwide. The latest addition to
the Xbox 360 accessories family, the Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit provides gamers
the fastest way to recharge battery packs for wireless controllers and other
Xbox 360 accessories. In less than four hours, it fully recharges up to two
battery packs at a time. The Quick Charge Kit offers a premium charging
solution, giving gamers a convenient way to keep wireless controllers charged
and ready to use.
The Quick Charge Kit allows for continuous gameplay without
the hassle of cords being connected to the console. It is always
ready and easily accessible, powering down automatically when charging is
complete. For an affordable $29.99 U.S. MSRP, the kit includes a charging
stand for two batteries, one NiMH Rechargeable Battery Pack, and an AC
adapter. The Quick Charge Kit is currently available in North
America and will soon be available in other regions.
As the industry gears up for E3, Microsoft is preparing to unveil the next wave of premium game content and online gaming services for Xbox 360, and there are more surprises just around the corner.
The World Embraces Xbox 360
The worldwide Xbox 360 launch was met with great success and fanfare in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore on March 16 and Australia and New Zealand on March 23, successfully placing the console around the world.
The launch “down under” was the highest grossing entertainment launch in Australian history – grossing more than the Harry Potter books or the Lord of the Rings movies. More than 350 stores opened in Australia and New Zealand at midnight and the console availability may have temporarily impacted the region’s productivity: more than half of customers who preordered a console said they intended to take a day off from work to play their new consoles. More than 30,000 consoles sold in the first four days, making Xbox 360 the fastest-selling console launch in Australian history.
The excitement continues on April 22 when Australia aims to break records again, this time with the world’s largest water balloon fight. The water balloon event ties into the console’s “Jump In” brand advertising tagline, which has heralded the next generation of gaming (check out the ad online at xbox.com.au/waterballoon). The event takes place at Coogee Beach, one of Australia’s iconic beaches. Thousands of gamers from all over the world will launch more than 50,000 water balloons at each other.
Australia isn’t the only country stepping up the fun. In a news conference in Tokyo on April 6, Takashi Sensui, the new general manager of the Japanese Xbox division, announced that 15 more games would be added to the Japanese lineup by summer, bringing the total to 40 – a number that is expected to double by the end of the year. Also announced was the “Blue Limited Edition” Xbox 360 model themed after the FIFA World Cup, of which Xbox 360 is the official games console. A special blue faceplate included in this model matches Japan’s national soccer team’s color. Other Japanese-exclusive content includes an online “Mobile Suit Gundam” game from Namco/Bandai, SquareEnix’ exclusive “Project Sylph,” a secret RPG developed by TriAce, downloadable anime episodes through Xbox Live Marketplace, and the upcoming RPGs “Lost Odyssey” and “Blue Dragon.”
In an effort to meet the unwavering demand for Xbox 360 across the world, Microsoft is now shipping two to three times the number of consoles that had previously been shipped to retailers each week. This keeps us firmly on track to meet forecast of 4.5 to 5.5 million units worldwide by the end of June 2006.
Xbox 360 Games: Topping the Charts
Xbox 360 is setting the bar for high definition gaming. Both “Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter” (Ubisoft) and “Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (Bethesda) exploded software sales in March. Bethesda announced “Oblivion” shipped more than 1.7 million copies on the Xbox 360 and Windows platforms between its launch on March 20 and April 7, making it one of the fastest-selling RPGs ever. “Oblivion” has been receiving accolades from nearly every game reviewer, and has been hailed by some as “one of the best RPGs ever made.” In Europe, “Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter” topped the all-formats sales charts the week it released – replaced only by “Oblivion” two weeks later.
Of the 80 high-definition games scheduled for release by June, games being released in April include:
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“FIFA World Cup™” (EA SPORTS)
-
“FINAL FANTASY® XI” (Square Enix, Inc.)
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“Top Spin 2“ (2K Sports)
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“Major League Baseball 2K6” (2K Sports)
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“Battlefield 2: Modern Combat™” (Electronic Arts)
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“Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend” (Eidos)
Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade: The Digital Trendsetters
There is incredible momentum behind the Xbox Live Marketplace digital distribution center. More than 10 million pieces of content have been downloaded from Marketplace since launch. In addition to high-definition movie trailers, games and demos, more than three million of the downloads were Xbox Live Arcade game titles. The ability to “try Arcade titles before you buy” is a big hit, with an average 20 percent trial-to-purchase conversion rate (39 percent for the most popular Arcade game, “Geometry Wars.”)
Gamers can also expand their gaming experience by downloading new content from Xbox Live Marketplace. Three new content packs for “Kameo: Elements of Power” introduced entirely new gaming features such as online cooperative gameplay. Kameo and her warriors received digital makeovers with a slew of new skins and costumes available online. Kameo players will also have a chance to leave their own personalized mark on the game with the “Kameo: Elements of Power Design Your Skin Contest.” Users will submit their own creative skin designs, with the winner’s skin available to the community after the contest concludes.
In “Perfect Dark Zero,” Joanna Dark fans will enjoy new maps in which to play and new gameplay functions in the coming months to expand this best-selling Xbox 360 title.
The downloadable “Project Gotham Racing 3” Speed Pack gives racers access to new gameplay upgrades including new cars. “Project Gotham Racing 3” also kicked off its first major tournament on April 17. When users register for the event, their game becomes tournament-enabled with the most recent update, and then they compete with other speed demons from around the world in a variety of events. Qualifiers and single-elimination tournaments culminate in a race for the gold at the Lamborghini Factory in Italy in June. Registration for the tournament closes on April 28.
In Game With Fame (GWF) news, Xbox Live gamers got a chance to participate in a special GWF session on April 5. Featuring R&B artist Chris Brown challenging opponents to a game of “Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter,” the session also included an auction for various prizes including signed CDs. The proceeds from winning bids went to Habitat for Humanity’s New Orleans relief efforts.
Exclusive Entertainment on Xbox Live
Xbox Live users can now download exclusive content from Epic records to enhance their entertainment experience. Announced last month, the exclusive Epic Records Artist of the Month program brings the hottest music to Xbox Live users, absolutely free. Each month, Epic features songs in 5.1 digital and high-definition videos from a new artist, starting with British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield whose video “Unwritten” is available through April 30. Artists of the Month will also participate in the “Game with Fame” program on Xbox Live Arcade, giving fans a chance to test their mettle against their favorite musicians.
Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend: Everyone Jumps In
If the ability to demo games converts to sales, then what about the ability to demo the entire Xbox Live Gold service? That was the philosophy behind the incredibly successful Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend, presented courtesy of Verizon from March 31 through April 2, 2006. Xbox 360 gamers connected to Xbox Live enjoyed all the services of gold membership, free of charge.
Gamers rocked the Xbox Live world during the Free Gold Weekend in a series of events representing the largest multiplayer games programming effort ever. Events included Xbox Live Arcade leaderboard tournaments, a series of Play and Win contests, and a mentorship program where “veterans” helped “newbies” get acquainted with the service.
Viva Piñata: The Next Big Thing
On March 15, Microsoft Game Studios and 4Kids Entertainment announced the introduction of “Viva Piñata,” a mass entertainment property created by Rare that features a vibrant world of living piñata animals. 4Kids Entertainment are known for powerhouse properties like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
This fall, a Viva Piñata television show debuts on 4Kids TV on Fox, followed by an Xbox 360-exclusive game in the 2006 holiday season. The customizable and immersive game allows players to create their own unique Piñata-filled adventures.
When Celebrities Play
April 8 saw the first “Settle the Score” event, a new program where celebrities go head to head on the Xbox to see who’s really #1. Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers defeated Corey Maggette of the LA Clippers in a game of NBA 2K6 for bragging rights – and an Xbox 360 for each of Kobe’s teammates. Future events featuring celebrity rivals are already in the works.
The Envelope Please…
We are proud to announce that the recently-redesigned Xbox.com website was nominated for a Webby Award for Community. The Webby Awards – considered the Oscars for websites – recognize the best online design and content, and by extension, recognize the growing gaming community at Xbox.com, fueled in no small part by the surge in Xbox Live members with the release of Xbox 360.
Games for Windows: A Legendary Rise
One of the most anticipated real-time strategy games will hit the Windows platform next month: “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends.” This fantasy title has been building buzz online for some time, and fans are ready to roll up their sleeves and pit magic against technology in this epic strategy game.
Additionally, Zoo Tycoon fans will want to visit the completely redesigned Web site for “Zoo Tycoon,” launched on April 3. Fans of the franchise can visit ZooTycoon.com for the latest zoo news, downloadable wallpapers, coloring book pages, ring tones and much more.
Microsoft Gaming: Accolades Abound
Next-gen.biz recently named a list of Top 100 game developers for next-generation consoles, and 15 of those 100 developers are members of the Microsoft Game Studios team. In alphabetical order, the designers honored include: Cliff Bleszinki, Martyn Chudley, Denis Dyack, David Jones, Jason Jones, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Peter Molyneux, Dr Ray Muzyak, Dr Greg Zeschuk, Okomoto-san, Alexey Pajitnov, Hironobu Sakaguchi, Bruce Shelley, Tim Stamper and Chris Stamper.
Additionally, IGN recently compiled metrics on gaming in 2006 with three major Xbox 360 titles making the “most anticipated original IP” list: “Gears of War” (Epic), “Prey” (Venom Games and 3D Realms), and “Ninety-Nine Nights” (Q Entertainment). Epic Games and Bungie Studios are among the top 5 Developers of 2006.
The Family Grows
A major partner joined the Microsoft Game Studios family this month: Lionhead Studios, makers of the revolutionary “Fable” and “Black & White.” Helmed by founder and legendary game designer Peter Molyneux, Lionhead will now produce content exclusively for the Xbox 360 and Windows gaming platforms.
Availability Means Attachment
With increased supply hitting retail shelves, gamers are gobbling up the next generation of games. Xbox 360 had 3 of the 10 best-selling titles across all video game platforms. “Ghost Recon: Advanced War Fighter” was the #2 title, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” was #3, and “Fight Night: Round 3” was the #9 title. “Oblivion” scored the #3 spot despite being on the market for only a few days in March.
“Fight Night: Round 3” experienced its best sales since launch on Xbox 360. Gamers are clearly looking for a high-definition, next-generation gaming experience now. With Xbox Live giving gamers the opportunity to download the demo and try the game, “Fight Night: Round 3” has become one of the best-attached boxing games in console history.
Top 5 selling Xbox 360 titles for March:
-
“Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter” (Ubisoft)
-
“The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (Bethesda)
-
“Fight Night: Round 3” (EA)
-
“Burnout: Revenge” (EA)
-
“The Outfit” (THQ)
The Launch-to-date attach rate for games increased to a record 4.5 games per console in North America, fueled by the desire to jump into the next generation of high-definition entertainment and the increased availability of Xbox 360 in retail channels. The attach rate for Xbox 360 accessories broke its own record, at 3.0 per console in North America.
As E3 draws ever closer, get ready for the next chapter in the Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business story!
Many thanks to Tony for providing the article. :)
Today "e" finally gave an answer to the question that has kept users busy since the creation of the new forums.
What is Community User Level E?
It's time to put this thread six feet under.
It's been fun and we've made lots of new friends along the way, but it's becoming too spammy and repetitive to keep around.
So let me sum up the history of Community User Level E for everyone:
I was hanging out in Major's office one day when we realized that levels could be letters, and not just numbers. We decided to change my CUL to match my gamertag for no reason other than it sounded like a good idea at the time.
Kitty was adorned with an E of her own shortly thereafter because she's my girlfriend and I like messing with her in ways that won't get me in too much trouble. When she was named an Xbox MVP she moved to a V. Whether that's a promotion or a demotion is an exercise for the reader.
The real meaning of E? It's my gamertag, my CUL, and Kitty's favorite vowel.
See you on Live!
- e
Oggi "e" ha dato finalmente risposta al quesito che ha tenuto occupati molti utenti sin dalla creazione dei nuovi forum.
Cos'e il Livello Comunita' Utente E?
E’ stato divertente e ci siamo fatti degli amici col passare del tempo, purtroppo il thread e’ diventato troppo spammoso e ripetitivo.
Percui lasciatemi riassumere la storia del Livello Comunita’ E per tutti:
Un giorno, mentre ero nell’ufficio del Maggiore, ci siamo accorti che i livelli potevano anche essere lettere, e non solo numeri. Abbiamo deciso di cambiare il mio CUL facendolo combaciare col mio gamertag per nessun motivo in particolare e solo perche’ ci sembrava una buona idea a quel tempo.
Kitty e’ stata decorata con una E di li a poco perche’ e’ la mia ragazza e mi piace giocare con lei in modi che non mi causino troppi problemi. Quando ha ricevuto l’ Xbox MVP award e’ passata ad una V. Che quella sia stata una promozione o meno spetta al lettore deciderlo.
Il vero significato di E? E’ il mio gamertag, il mio CUL, e la vocale preferita di Kitty.
Ci vediamo in Live!
- e
Have a Happy Easter everyone!
Beeping a grandma at a pedestrian crossing can be a risky business...
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/34201/road_rage/ LOL :)
INTRODUCING THE XBOX LIVE FOOTBALL FREE-FOR-ALL!
- Sponsored by adidas
Play Out Your Football Fantasies for One Week on Xbox Live – Absolutely Free
Do you live, breathe and dream football? Do you love playing games with your friends, winning prizes and getting loads of stuff for free? If your answers are all ‘yes’ then you should take part in the Xbox Live™ Football Free-For-All, announced today by Xbox® and sponsored by adidas®.
The Xbox Live Free-For-All starts Monday, 8th May at 08:01 GMT / 09.01 CET and ends Monday 15th May at 07:59 GMT / 08.59 CET.
Xbox Live is the world’s premiere, fully connected gaming service with more than two million members. It lets you find friends, play with them through a broadband internet connection and chat with them through a headset as you play. The Xbox Live Football Free-For-All will celebrate all things football in a non-stop, connected world. You can play EA’s 2006 FIFA World Cup™ - in stores from 28th April - with or against your friends over Xbox Live and if you feel like some tougher competition you can register to qualify for the Xbox Cup - taking place right now.
Multiplayer, fully connected gaming action, and the ability to take part in tournaments, is usually only available to Xbox Live Gold members. However, during the Free-For-All, Xbox will flick the switch, giving gamers all over the world full access and the chance to see what everyone, including the football pro’s, are talking about. English football star, Ledley King said: “The Xbox Live Football Free-For-All Week is a great chance for everyone to take on their friends over Xbox Live and I’ll certainly be looking out for some of my team mates online to give them a game!”
As well as enjoying multiplayer game play, the Xbox Live Free-For-All will keep the excitement coming each day in the form of free downloadable content like trailers for new games, game demos and exclusive gamer pictures - all of which will only be available to Gold members during this period.
But it’s not just about football – there are hundreds of titles available for the Xbox 360 that you can try out over Xbox Live, including Project Gotham Racing 3, Top Spin 2, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power plus easy to play, retro style Xbox Live Arcade games.
To make sure you can access Xbox Live during the Free-For-All, all you need to do is plug a broadband cable into the back of your Xbox 360 console. This will give you the standard Xbox Live Silver membership which will be upgraded automatically on 8th May.
The Xbox Live Football Free-For-All also gives you the chance to represent your country in Berlin this summer by qualifying for the Xbox Cup through Xbox Live. All you need is an Xbox 360 console, a copy of EA’s 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and a broadband connection.
The Xbox Cup, launched two weeks ago by Xbox®, adidas and Electronic Arts, is a global competition to find gamers to represent their country in Germany this summer at the final showdown alongside the FIFA World Cup™ Finals. There, players will compete with 31 other teams from around the world for the Xbox Cup, win tickets from adidas to the FIFA World Cup™ and bring back a host of other prizes. Because the Xbox Live Football Free-For-All gives you automatic Gold membership of Xbox Live from 8th May to 15th May, it means you can use those seven days to register, play the game online and qualify. If you’ve got the top leader-board spot on 24th May you’ll be playing for your country at the Xbox Cup in Germany this summer.
Richard Teversham, EMEA Director of Marketing and Platform, Xbox, said: “We’re very excited to be working with adidas to bring people the Xbox 360 Football Free-For-All. Football fans and gamers will get the chance to experience just how exciting High Definition, multiplayer gaming can be over Xbox Live. But above all, this is just a brilliant way to get together with your friends and enjoy football. I want to thanks adidas for making this a possibility”
Since Xbox Live launched in November 2002, gamers have spent over 1.5 billion hours on the network playing games online with their friends around the world. This is equal to 65 million days of gaming or close to 200,000 years
Stay tuned to the Xbox Live Calendar pages on Xbox.com in the coming weeks for more information on the schedule of events taking place during the Xbox Live Football Free-For-All.
INTRODUCENDO IL CALCIO XBOX LIVE GRATIS-PER-TUTTI!
- Sponsorizzato da adidas
Metti in atto le tue fantasie calcistiche per una settimana in Xbox Live – Totalmente Gratis
Vivi, respiri e sogni per il calcio? Ami giocare con i tuoi amici, vincere premi e ricevere montagne di cose gratis? Se tutte le tue risposte sono ‘si’ allora dovresti partecipare al Xbox Live™ Football Free-For-All, annunciato oggi da Xbox® e sponsorizzato da adidas®.
L’ Xbox Live Free-For-All inizia Lunedi, 8 Maggio alle 08:01 GMT / 09.01 CET e termina Lunedi 15 Maggio alle 07:59 GMT / 08.59 CET.
Xbox Live e’ il primo servizio gioco al mondo, completamente connesso con piu’ di due milioni di giocatori. Ti consente di trovare amici, di giocare assieme a loro con una connessione internet a banda larga e di chattare attraverso delle cuffie mentre giocate. L’ Xbox Live Football Free-For-All will celebrera’ tutte le cose calcistiche in un evento non-stop. Potrai giocare ad EA 2006 FIFA World Cup™ - nei negozi dal 28 Aprile – con o contro i tuoi amici attraverso Xbox Live e se cerchi una sfida maggiore puoi registrarti per la qualificazione all’Xbox Cup.
Multiplayer, gioco online, e la possibilita’ di partecipare a tornei, e’ di solito disponibile esclusivamente per membri Xbox Live Gold. Tuttavia, durante il Free-For-All, Xbox dara’ accesso a tutti i giocatori del mondo e la possibilita’ di vedere di cosa parlano tutti, includendo i giocatori di calcio professionisti. La star calcistica Inglese, Ledley King ha detto: “La settimana Xbox Live Football Free-For-All e’ una grande occasione per tutti di sfidare i propri amici con Xbox Live e di sicuro mi aspetto di trovare alcuni compagni di squadra online per una partita!”
Oltre a godersi il gioco online, l’ Xbox Live Free-For-All offrira’ contenuti scaricabili per mantenere l’eccitazione col passare dei giorni – che saranno disponibili solo ai membri Xbox Live Gold.
Ma non si tratta solo di calcio – esistono centinaia di titoli esistenti per Xbox 360 che puoi provare in Xbox Live, includendo Project Gotham Racing 3, Top Spin 2, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power ed i facili giochi Xbox Live Arcade.
Per assicurarti che avrai accesso ad Xbox Live durante la Free-For-All, tutto cio’ che dovrai fare sara’ collegare la tua Xbox 360 ad una linea internet a banda larga. Questo ti dara’ l’abbonamento standard Xbox Live Silver che sara’ automaticamente aggiornato l’8 di Maggio.
L’ Xbox Live Football Free-For-All vi da inoltre l’opportunita’ di rappresentare la vostra nazione questa estate a Berlino se vi qualificherete per l’Xbox Cup attraverso Xbox Live. Tutto cio’ che vi serve e’ una Xbox 360, il gioco EA 2006 FIFA World Cup™ ed una connessione internet a banda larga.
L’ Xbox Cup, annunciato due settimane fa da Xbox®, adidas ed Electronic Arts, e’ una competizione globale per rappresentare la vostra nazione in Germania contemporaneamente alle finali di FIFA World Cup™. In Germania, i giocatori si batteranno contro 31 squadre di tutto il mondo per l’ Xbox Cup, per vincere biglietti dall’ adidas per il FIFA World Cup™ e per aggiudicarsi altri premi. Siccome l’ Xbox Live Football Free-For-All vi da automaticamente un abbonamento Gold ad Xbox Live dall’ 8 al 15 di Maggio, significa che potete utilizzare quei 7 giorni per registrarvi, giocare online e qualificarvi. Se sarai al primo posto della classifica il 24 Maggio giocherai, rappresentando la tua nazione, all’ Xbox Cup in Germania questa estate.
Richard Teversham, EMEA Director of Marketing and Platform, Xbox, ha detto: “Siamo molto felici di lavorare con adidas e di portare giocatori all’ Xbox 360 Football Free-For-All. I fan di calico ed i giocatori avranno l’occasione di vedere fin quanto e’ affascinante l’alta definizione, il gioco multiplayer in Xbox Live. Ma piu’ di tutto, questa e’ un brillante modo di trovarsi assieme con gli amici e di godersi del buon calico. Vorrei ringraziare adidas per aver reso questo possibile”
Fin dalla data di lancio di Xbox Live nel Novembre 2002, i giocatori hanno speso piu’ di 1.5 miliardi di ore giocando online con i loro amici in tutto il mondo. Questo equivale a 65 milioni di giorni di gioco, attorno a 200,000 anni
Sintonizzati sulle pagine del Calendario di Xbox Live durante le prossime settimane per maggiori informazioni sul programma di eventi che avranno luogo durante l’Xbox Live Football Free-For-All.
Are you an Xbox Live member who is attending E3 and has an MSN Spaces blog?
If so, Trixie may have something for you... 
http://forums.xbox.com/3598094/ShowPost.aspx
Sei un membro Xbox Live che partecipera' all' E3 2006 e possiede un blog MSN?
Se si, Trixie potrebbe avere qualcosa per te...
http://forums.xbox.com/3598094/ShowPost.aspx
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