Here are a couple of hi res shots of the new DLC thats set to hit on the 12th December

Guns can be exchanged for an Xbox game console in Mexico City.

MEXICO CITY - Police in vice-ridden Mexico City neighbourhoods hope to take guns off the streets by offering to swap them for computers and video-game consoles.

Police said anyone who turns in a high-calibre weapon like a machine gun will get a computer. Owners can swap smaller guns for cash or Microsoft Corp’s Xbox video-game consoles under the plan.

Xbox 360 Elite revealed

Premium Xbox 360 console includes 120GB hard drive, HDMI port, new line of accessories and elegant black finish

AUCKLAND 28 March 2007 – Microsoft today unveiled the much anticipated Xbox 360^TM Elite console complete with a sleek black finish, larger hard drive and HDMI port and cables for the ultimate high-definition* gaming experience.

The new premium console, for those who demand superior high-definition gaming and entertainment in their living room, joins the Xbox 360 and Core consoles to offer consumers three choices this winter. The Elite console complements the existing Xbox 360 hardware portfolio to fully cater for the wide range of consumer wants and budgets.

Ideal for the enthusiast, the Xbox 360 Elite video game and entertainment system will include a 120GB hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, wireless controller and Xbox LIVE^® headset.

The Xbox 360 Elite console has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available soon on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.** The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 console owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience.

Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will also be available separately.

David McLean, Regional Director Xbox Australia and New Zealand, says, “Since Xbox 360 launched a year ago, we’ve been listening to customer feedback and, as a result, we’re very excited to now add the premium Xbox 360 Elite to the top end of the Xbox range.

“With a large storage capacity for games, music, and high-definition TV shows and movies, the new 120GB hard drive will help to satisfy our customers’ appetite for on-demand, HD entertainment experiences offered through Xbox LIVE Marketplace, both now and in the near-future.”

Distinguished by its black finish and signature metallic detailing, the Xbox 360 Elite console will be available in New Zealand in limited supply from this winter, and consumers are advised to pre-order their console in order to avoid disappointment.

The Xbox 360 Elite video game and entertainment system will come packed with components and accessories for the ultimate high-definition entertainment experience:

• Xbox 360 Elite Console. The console is equipped with a premium black finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing stunning HD entertainment (up to 1080p), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, HDMI output and DVD playback with upscaling capabilities right out of the box.

• Xbox 360 120GB Hard Drive. The 120GB detachable hard drive allows gamers to save their games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.*** The hard drive will also be sold separately so existing Xbox 360 console owners have the choice to upgrade.

• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black). This ergonomic, high-performance wireless controller, now in black, features the Xbox^® Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of 30 hours on two AA batteries.
• Xbox 360 Headset (black). Now available in black, the headset lets gamers strategise or trade taunts while playing games and send voice messages to friends on Xbox LIVE.
• Xbox 360 HDMI cable. New to Xbox 360, HDMI allows consumers to get HD video (up to 1080p) and multichannel surround sound, all from one cable.
• Xbox LIVE Silver Membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, collect achievements and gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, HD movies and TV, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade.
• One-month complimentary subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership completes your online entertainment experience.**** Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, chat with more than one person at a time, and take advantage of unique privileges in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

The following accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite console will only be sold separately:

• Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit. Complete with a charging cable and a black rechargeable battery pack, the Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit allows gamers to recharge their Xbox 360 Wireless Controller without interrupting their gameplay.
• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery (black). The rechargeable battery pack provides more than 25 hours of gameplay per charge.

So your going out to buy a next gen console . . . . . you hit the stores and see the new PS3 will cost you $1199 (RRP) and then the Xbox 360 $719 (RRP) . . . . . you think to youself sheeze, that $480 difference  . . . . . what could i buy with that ?

 Well here is my suggestion . . . . . . 20 dozen beers . . . . yup 480 bottle of cold gold

 What’s your suggestion ?

To commemorate the launch of the PlayStation 3, the folks at Computer and Video Games (CVG) received the gift of beer. £146 worth of Foster’s to be exact, which is the difference between the cost of the Xbox 360 and the PS3 in the UK. The present came from Microsoft of course, with the following message attached:

“What would you purchase for £146…? (The price difference between an Xbox 360 and a PlayStation 3)”, asks the included Xbox 360-headed notice. “Well, for a start we thought you might like £146 worth of beer to kick start your weekend early.”

I feel the need to put this in perspective. While that seems like a lot of beer here in the states, in Australia, home of Luke Plunkett and Foster’s, what you see here is referred to as ‘a good start.’ If only Nintendo had gotten in on some of this action.

Geese those Sony exclusives are falling by the wayside . . . . . yet another of the touted titles looses Sony Exclusivity, I wonder how long before Sont themselves release their exclusives on other platforms . . . . . .

Capcom have just announced that Devil May Cry 4 is no longer a PS3 exclusive. Not only is there a 360 version in the works, but it’s coming to PC as well. Capcom’s Mark Beaumont:

Capcom is committed to making its titles available to as wide an audience as possible, and has been building its technology base to meet that goal. This announcement means that PS3, Xbox 360 and PC owners worldwide will be able to experience the latest installment of one of Capcom’s pillar franchises.

The 360 version will ship alongside the PS3 one, with the PC version coming a little later.

Big news? Certainly. Unexpected? Hardly. . . .

. . . .  Nail . . . Meet Coffin !

Celebrities game for Make-A-Wish®

Customised Xbox 360 consoles signed by Russell Crowe, Peter Jackson, Shane Warne and The Wiggles go under the hammer for charity

SYDNEY 20 March 2007 – To celebrate the Xbox 360™ console’s first birthday in Australia, customised consoles signed by some of Australia’s biggest celebrity names such as Russell Crowe, Peter Jackson and Shane Warne are about to go under the virtual hammer on internet auction site eBay to raise cash for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

The campaign, called Konsoles for Kids, kicks off this week with the first round of consoles up for grabs on eBay from March 23. The star studded array of Xbox 360 consoles will be auctioned off on a weekly basis with some of the first available including Oscar winner Russell Crowe and racing legends Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes.

The consoles will be air-brushed with a portrait image of the celebrity by renowned artist Wayne Harrison.  The lucky winners of each auction will receive the customised console, which will also be signed by the celebrity.

The block-buster line-up participating celebrities include:

• Award winning movie maker Peter Jackson
• Oscar winner Russell Crowe
• Legendary kids entertainers The Wiggles, featuring the all-new Yellow Wiggle
• Sporting greats Shane Warne, Sonny Bill Williams and Andrew Johns
• Motorsport legends Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes
• Australia’s favourite face Megan Gale
• WBA Super-Middleweight world champion Anthony Mundine
• Bungie studios, the makers of upcoming Xbox 360 blockbuster game Halo^® 3

In addition to the money that is raised on eBay, Microsoft Australia has pledged to donate $1000 to Make-A-Wish for every customised Xbox 360 console that goes under the virtual hammer.

David McLean, Regional Director, Xbox Australia and New Zealand, is hoping the celebrity pull of the Konsoles for Kids campaign will have gamers clambering for their piece of the Xbox 360 birthday action.  “We are ecstatic to be able to support a great charity like Make-A-Wish and, at the same time, celebrating the fruits of our very successful year in Australia.”

“We have no idea how high the bidding will go for each console, but we are aiming to raise $30,000 from the campaign and I am pretty confident that all the consoles will generate a fair amount. Our pledge to donate $1000 for every console auctioned will alone raise some much needed funds for Make-A-Wish.”

Sandy Brattstrom, CEO of Make-A-Wish says “Make-A-Wish Foundation of Australia is proud to be associated with Xbox.  The money raised will go a long way towards making many more spectacular wishes come true for children with life threatening illnesses.”

To get involved and place your bid, go to www.xbox.com.au/charityauction

So where are you going to lay the money on line, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii or down at the TAB . . . . I know my preference, but hey some may say im biased, so I thought I would link out to this independant review/commentary housed on Xtra games site

LINKY LINKY - - - CLICKY CLICKY