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Reminder: Original Xbox games lose Live support tonight at midnight PT
Just a heads up for those who long for Halo 2's embrace: as of midnight PT tonight, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Live support for original titles. As of this publication, you have a little less than seven hours (as of this writing) to get in a few more rounds of Capture the Flag and Oddball with your friends of old, before having to go out and pick up an used copy of Halo 3 -- at least there's 400 MS points in it as a consolation prize.
Xbox Live termination ends in a consolation goodie bag for Halo 2 owners
As Microsoft prepares to pull the plug on online gaming for the original Xbox, it's decided to act benevolently toward the undoubtedly grief-stricken Halo 2 loyalists and has rewarded them all with some consolation prizes. A free three-month Xbox Live membership awaits, accompanied by 400 MS points and a place on the Halo: Reach beta, should you wish to accept it. For a console that's nearly a decade old, it's understandable that online gaming support would've had to end at some point, so you might as well just transfer all your energies into being a good guinea pig / tester for Microsoft's latest cash cow. Steve would just love it if you did.
Seeking next-gen sequels
Xboxic has compiled a list of original Xbox "gems" in need of a next-gen sequel, including Phantom Dust, Jet Set Radio Future, Breakdown, Unreal Championship 2, and Burnout: Revenge. They also judge the probability that each game will come to pass. My addition would be Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, an innovative third-person shooter that will unfortunately never get the update it deserves due to inexplicably poor sales (we'll have to settle for Stranglehold from the same development team).What other forgotten Xbox titles would you like to see re-born on the 360?
Xbox retail confidence sags; PS2 powers on
An executive VP with Vivendi Europe feels that retail confidence in the original Xbox is flagging with MS needing to work with publishers "to help generate some impetus."With Microsoft's primary and first-party focus squarely set on the next generation, the 360's predecessor may be feeling some neglect since saves aren't transferable and exclusive titles are elusive.The Vivendi VP also noted that the PS2 still has a lot of life left in it, which we're inclined to believe with all the triple-A games still to come to the West, including Kingdom Hearts II, Okami, Final Fantasy XII, and God of War 2. You gotta love the PS3's 100% backward compatibility (or 99.9% BC, give or take a couple of titles). Emulation profiles can only do so much.[Via Evil Avatar]
BF2MC comparison video
While you're restlessly waiting for the Battlefield 2: Modern Combat demo to show up on XBLM, check out this EA-produced video comparing the Xbox and Xbox 360 versions of the game. As Xboxyde notes, it's a nice retort to the "Xbox 1.5" haters out there.That's great EA. Now where's our friggin' demo?
