Playstation's Merging and the new Xbox Live Experience.

Okay, for starters I'm really trying to figure out this new Playstation ID merging thing.

I don't understand how this is so cool right now?! How in the world is it supposed to be cooler than my Xbox Live GamerCard?


Oh and speaking of Xflop Live and it's New User Experience...the jury is SO still out. It's like the Wii's Mii comunity but with tons of more windows. I thought the whole purpose of the original "Blade" menus and their success was due to their simplicity. Yeah, simple is not the word to use in the layers upon layers of windows/blocks in the "new" Xbox Live interface. Am I missing something?

Texting on my 360 controller? You better believe it.

I've been trying to get a post up about the keyboard attachment for the Xbox 360 controller for a while. I don't know about you guys but it seems that practically the only time I chat with friends is while I'm playing games and that damn on screen keyboard sucks!
Just snap on the texting keyboard and now you can chat on Xbox Live easily with dedicated keys for letters and characters (it has your standard QWERTY layout like we're all accustomed to on our phones and blackberrys). The buttons are backlit so when you have the lights down and you're getting your pants scared off by BioSchock you can still carry on a conversation. No worries about losing the headphone jack because there's one on the keyboard and it even comes with and extra headset. Which, to be honest was a big selling point for me since I broke my last one after a particularly bad round of Halo 3 multiplayer.

This won't just be for Xbox Live though, because Microsoft has added Windows Live Messenger so you can chat with anyone on Live Messenger so your not just stuck with chatting up your Xbox buddies. So great functionality, easy to use and it only costs $29.99? Now that's the perfect stocking stuffer!

Finally, a reason to play the PS3!

Don't feel bad for my PS3. It gets used just not played. The media capability of playing almost any media file from a USB port and see it upconverted to HD has been a joy. Hey, its the only place to watch my downloaded Battlestar Galactica episodes. Really, you're not watching this show? EVERYONE is watching this show, but I digress. Of course Blu-Ray DVDs are the cat's meow too! But, back to the PS3. I have found the collection of PS3 games thus far rather under-whelming. Especially considering that there are very few exclusive to one console titles anymore. So I can play the same game on my Xbox 360 but I also get those crack-like addictive accomplishments. Yes finishing a game is great but getting the "unlocked achievements" notice at the bottom of the screen with the accompanying sound while playing a game is sheer gaming delight.
Well, now that Sony seems to be in catch-up rather than lead the way mode they've developed their own "in game Trophies" for us achievement whores. The Version 2.40 Firmware update for our PS3's will gives us access to said "in game trophies". How that's gonna work I have no idea and it must be for future games right? I mean how would they back'code these "trophies" into already released titles? Version 2.40 will also bring an updated version of the Cross Media Bar (that Sony refers to as the XMB) that'll also be accessible during gameplay. So you'll be able to e-mail, chat and play tunes while deep into gameplay. That's right boys and girls...just like the Xbox 360 lets us do now.

But imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And at at the end of the day aren't we all winners in this? Aren't we? It better get here soon cause I'm getting tired of my expensive George Foreman looking grill Blu-Ray DVD player!

Microsoft admits error and gives us something free?"

If you've been playing Xbox live lately (or just trying to log in last month) you'll have notice either a huge lag or that you couldn't log on at all. Well, after lots of complaints (yes I too complained, like I was gonna miss the chance to send an "I'm unhappy" e-mail to Microsoft) and bad press the folks at Microsoft decided to give its subscribers a free game for their trouble.

At Xbox.com the General Manager of Xbox Live-Marc Whitten posted a letter "thanking subscribers for their patience with the service" and went on to say "we’ve implemented several improvements to the service, to help ensure ongoing reliability and performance. As the popularity of Xbox LIVE expands, we’ll continue to closely monitor the service and make adjustments". Um, yeah! I would hope so. You guys tout Xbox (as a Microsoft product) as the best but essentially lock out your customers for over a month.

So for our troubles it was announced that Wednesday the 23rd of January at 2:00 a.m. PST through Sunday the 27th at 11:59 p.m. PST, we Xbox Live members will be able to download the full version of the Xbox Live Arcade game, "Undertow". The game is would normally cost us 800 points (read $10) so not too shabby. The game gorgeous. Its built on the the Unreal Engine 3 and offers a pretty good single player campaign while also providing an online mode that supports up to 16-players. The objective is to kill as many enemies as possible while staying alive the longest all while doing it underwater. If you already own "Undertow" you can contact Xbox Live in order to get a different game.

So mark your calendar and make sure you download your free game. And remember, if you ever have Xbox 360 or Xbox Live problems call 1-800-4-MYXBOX to register your complaint.