The successor of the Xbox 360 has been in the rumor mills for sometime now, rife with speculations and expectations of what comes next after the durable gaming favorite.  Introduced in 2005, the Xbox 360 has clearly surpassed initial expectations.  Microsoft appears to be just taking its time in introducing its new product to take advantage of the remaining marketability of the Xbox 360.

The Xbox 720 is the eighth generation of the Xbox family.  The first official announcement about the product is expected anytime this month although the launching is scheduled on 2013 yet.  The manufacturer is said to be considering at least two brand names – Xbox Next and Xbox Loop.

Product choice will be limited to a pared-down system and a gaming portal with full features including Kinect.  The former will be offered on a much cheaper price than the latter.  Both consoles will run on Windows 8. 

Microsoft’s move in releasing another game console is expected because of the big success of Xbox 720’s predecessor.  Gamers were treated to a unique experience through more interactive games of better quality as well as a better-performing console.  Probably because of the positive experience, it appears that the gamers themselves are the ones wishing for the news about the coming of the successor to Xbox 360 to be true.  This is of course in anticipation of new things to come such as the use of the 3D technology on games. 

The eager gamers’ wish aside, industry observers see no urgent need for a next generation game console considering that the existing hardware being used is far from exhausted in terms of capabilities.  Every calculated move of manufacturers is just part of the waiting game between close competitors.  It should be fun to wait for the moves of Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft.

The introduction of the new Xbox Companion app which integrates Windows Phone 7 with Xbox now makes it possible for users to remotely control their Xbox consoles wherever they are.  This is course presuming that Marketplace and Xbox Live is available in the user’s region or location.  Marketplace is the virtual store of Microsoft for apps, games, music, movies, podcasts, and TV shows. 

The new app allows users to browse the Marketplace for their preferred media, view friends activity, launch movies and music, search for information, control playback, and download games and play.  Players will be able to keep track of their Xbox scores and rack up their achievements while being able to play with friends.

It is made available for free to Windows phone customers through the Marketplace.    Players will just need to sign with an existing Xbox LIVE account or set up one in order to play.  Setting up the account is also made available for free.  The phone screen should display the gamer tag, score, and avatar once the account has been set up.  Users can perform just about anything offered through the app although access to some exclusive content plus the ability to play online with friends requires the purchase of a gold Xbox LIVE subscription.

This new offering can propel increased interest for the Windows phone because of the obvious advantage offered to Xbox users.  It should be noted that although the Xbox LIVE application was made available to Apple iOS mobile operating system, it does not actually offer actual gaming experience and merely enables iPhone and iPad users to track and compare their Xbox achievements.  This then leaves the Windows phone as the only phone with built-in Xbox LIVE.

By now, we know that the year 2012 has at least two positive developments for Kinect gaming.  First is the Disney/Pixar game aptly called “Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure” and the second is a yet-untitled Kinect game to be created by Blind Wink, the media studio of Gore Verbinski, the franchise director of the Pirates of the Caribbean.  Though probably not similar in theme, both are expected to bring the excitement of the movie world or a semblance of it with them. 

Kinect Rush will bank on the popularity and familiarity of five Pixar films including “Toy Story”, “Cars”, “Up”, “Ratatouille”, and “The Incredibles”.  The game will feature time-based challenges minus controller use as players navigate through familiar scenes of the films mentioned while taking control of their favorite cartoon characters.  It is scheduled to be released on March 2012 with an MSRP of $ 49.99.

The Verbinski-produced game is expected to hit the market in late 2012.  There are no clues released yet as to what kind of game it would be although Blind Wink promises to use Microsoft’s various platforms to come up with a game venturing into new territory with respect to gaming features.  This effort hopes to widen even more the audience reach of interactive entertainment. 

Microsoft is actively promoting the Kinect platform to major industry players as a way of transforming the business through its use in the work place.  By combining a revolutionary sensor and software, Microsoft was able to reinvent gaming and entertainment.  This time it will prove that it can work its magic to reinvent business and everything else that needs it.

Lately, the Internet gaming community has been going abuzz due to the Kinect hacks that have been cropping up.  You have to give it to these guys – they do not dilly dally with these things!  And, just when things were heating up in this scene, Microsoft stepped in and put a halt to the intentions of ThriXXX.  Now I don’t need to expound on what developer ThriXXX is all about, do I?

Just in case you don’t get it, ThriXXX is a game developer that has come up with a new Kinect-based game that is – you guessed it – sexually explicit.  They released a teaser video on YouTube, which got everyone all excited.  (Sorry, but YouTube has taken it down citing a violation of its policy on nudity or sexual content.)

For once, Google and Microsoft are on the same side here.  A Microsoft spokesperson has released an official statement saying that “Xbox is a family friendly games and entertainment console and does not allow Adults Only (AO) content to be certified for use on its platform, and would not condone this type of game for Kinect.”  Of course, it is an easy matter for them to block such content on their servers. For sure, it is an easy task for their managed data center service provider, and Microsoft will probably stay on this course for the foreseeable future.

While this development is sure to make parents happy (they will probably continue allowing their kids on XBLA), some lovers of adult content are whining.  Well, don’t whine too much.  ThriXXX is still releasing a PC version with additional Kinect support.  Happy now?

Amazon has been continually expanding their operations, and they sell practically everything now! From books to apparel to electronics to food – Amazon pretty much covers everything. As luck would have it, though, Xbox Live Arcade players who like purchasing game codes from Amazon have been let down.

Some time last week, Amazon stopped carrying XBLA game codes. If you drop by the Xbox Live Page, this is what you will see:

We are no longer selling Xbox LIVE arcade game codes on Amazon.com. You can continue to purchase Xbox LIVE points on Amazon.com and those points can be redeemed through your Xbox 360 console to purchase any of the games that were previously available.

Even though this announcement is right there in the middle of the page, you will still see some game titles in the right. They’re clickable all right, but you still won’t be able to purchase any. For example, when I clicked on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade [Online Game Code],” this is what I got.

Take note that it simply says that the item is not available and that it is unknown as to when the item will be available again – in short, don’t hold your breath!

This is a surprising move, especially since Amazon only starting offering this service a little more than a year ago. It’s not as if Amazon and XBLA have totally parted ways – you can still buy Xbox Live Points from the online store. Has anyone heard any rumors as to why this has happened? In any case, GameStop is going to start selling gamecodes, so it’s not like you’ll have a shortage.

This is

If you haven’t played the game, you will probably find it difficult to believe that this seemingly inconsequential flash game has reached this far. If, however, you have tried playing Plants vs. Zombies, then you are totally stoked about the recent announcements about the XBLA version!

Of course, rumors had been flying around prior to the official announcement, but we are now certain that we’re getting the XBLA version come September of this year. In the publisher’s announcement, it was mentioned that the game will cost 1,200 MS points, or $15. The new version will have two additional multiplayer modes. These two multiplayer modes are coop play or versus play. Can you just imagine how much fun you can have with these two modes? On top of this, there will be 12 achievements and 21 minigames (fun, fun, fun).

Of course, more interaction will be included with the XBLA version of Plants vs. Zombies. Friends can track each other’s progress on Xbox Live via houses which are customizable. In order to see what a friend is up to, you simply have to visit his house.

Plants vs. Zombies used to be an obscure game which not many people knew of. Today, it has spawned so many materials, including videos on YouTube. If this development isn’t enough to convince you of the game’s worth, then I don’t know what will. In any case, I strongly suggest you give it a try if you haven’t already. Get ready for the XBLA version – you have roughly a month to do so.

How much has your life been disrupted by the ongoing World Cup in South Africa? If you’re a decent football fan, you’re probably working your schedule around the games of your favorite teams. No one’s faulting anyone for that – if anything, that makes things more fun and exciting!

Now, if you are really that much of a fan, you should go take advantage of the deal of the week being offered by Microsoft. In keeping with the spirit of the World Cup, they are offering Football Genius – The Ultimate Quiz for a half of what it’s normally worth. For a mere 400 Microsoft ® Points, you can get your hands on arguably the most fun trivia game about football (or soccer if you wish).

The game is the brainchild of RTL Sports, which is a branch of RTL Interactive Games Publishing. This group is based in Cologne, Germany.

Football Genius is a multi-player game designed to be enjoyed by a group of soccer fans, or the whole family. It can be played offline so that groups of people can best each other in the realm of football knowledge. For more glory, it can also be played online and you can compete with countless football fans across the world. The game is supported by the Xbox 360 ® Big Button Pad, making it even more enjoyable for everyone. There are different variations to the game, allowing for your mood – play whichever mode you feel like engaging in!

Get the game while it’s featured from June 21 to 27.

Chime is one of those games that try to push the boundaries of game design. The Chime gameplay mechanic is quite simple — put shapes on a grid with the aim of making music.

Gamers will take control of one shape at a time, and then move and rotate it around the game space in order to place it on a grid. There is also a beatline that moves across the screen in time with the music being played and this triggers events when it hits the shapes.

The very interesting game will have two modes that will really feature a great opportunity to really get immersed in the game. Chime will have full leaderboard support for full bragging rights with other Xbox gamers.

If there’s one game that you should check out this month it should be Chime. The game is available at Xbox Live Arcade for 400 Microsoft Points.

Xbox 360 gamers should look forward to February 10 because that is the day Darwinia+ is going to be released in the Xbox Live Arcade.

Darwinia+, which is developed by Introversion Software Introversion, is a digital theme world for artificially intelligent polygons by Dr. Sepulveda. The world is “housed” in a network of ancient Protologic 68000 machines from the 80s. where single-poly Darwinians that possess an elementary but evolving AI grow and evolve. Darwinians live, work and grow and even die, where their virtual souls are released and then reincarnated.

Darwinia+ is one of those hard to classify games that is bound to become highly addictive once you discover its many nuances. It will cost 1200 Microsoft points.

The recent earthquake in Haiti has brought such devastation and loss of life that everyone is doing their best to try and give help to the country and to Haitians who are suffering so much right now.

The gaming community is joining in on this humanitarian effort in their own different ways. For example, The Behemoth announced that it is going to donate 100 percent of the revenue it will get from the downloadable content of two of its games on the XBLA – Castle Crashers and Alien Hominid HD. The gaming company said that all purchases of the DLCs made until the end of January will all be funneled to the Haiti disaster relief. What’s more, the company also said that it will match the total amount generated by the DLC downloads, effectively doubling the money that they will donate. The donation will be funneled through the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development.
With Castle Crashers being declared as Xbox Live Arcades Game of the Year, it’s expected that a lot of people will be downloading its DLCs. In fact, Castle Crashers is one of the largest games on Xbox Live Arcade’s roster of games.