It might be weird to see a Microsoft Game Studios title on the DS, but in an interview with 1UP, Microsoft Game Studios">Shane Kim, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Game Studios, said that, "A Kameo or a Viva Pinata on a DS makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways from a franchise perspective."

Despite a slow start, Microsoft Game Studios is still committed to Rare's Pinata-filled IP. Phil Spencer, head of Studio Development for Microsoft Game Studios, said that Viva Pinata is "the beginning of an IP that will be a pillar for Microsoft Game Studios for a long time." Kim also expressed similar sentiments, saying, "I think it's fair to say that we're going to continue to invest in that property."

Speaking of handhelds, will these and other Rare titles make the jump to the PSP too? Don't hold your breath. Says Kim, "Whether you're talking about [publishing games on] mobile or the DS -- you probably won't see it on the PSP, though."

Buy: [Viva Pinata for the Xbox 360]
Buy: [Kameo Elements of Power (Xbox 360)]

Aussie gamers will now finally be able to grab their copies of games from the Xbox 360 Classics range soon. Kotaku reports that the re-released budget Xbox 360 titles will become available in Australia come March 1. The initial wave will include ten titles going on sale for AUS$ 49.95. The titles included are:

• Project Gotham Racing 3
• Perfect Dark Zero
• Kameo
• Dead or Alive 4
• Call of Duty 2
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
• Condemned
• King Kong
• Tomb Raider: Legend (due "late March")
• Rockstar Table Tennis

If you're looking to save a bit of money on your next games purchase, check out these titles when they hit retail stores.

In some surprising news, two of Rare Ltd.'s founders have left the company to tackle new challenges, it seems. According to a 1Up report, Chris and Tim Stamper have left Rare, though the reasons for their departure are still cause for debate.

Titles from Rare haven't been particularly impressive as of late, with their Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power, and Viva Pinata games selling fewer units than expected. Microsoft asserts that the low sales are not the reason for their departure, saying:

Chris and Tim have helped shape Rare into the world-renowned development studio that is it today and their impact on the videogame industry as a whole is well known. They are simply leaving to pursue other opportunities and we wish them luck in their future endeavors.

While Microsoft is probably reeling from the acquisition of Rare and the lackluster sales, we're still hoping the two Stampers can find some way to bring new sorts of gameplay mechanics (perhaps a new Viva Pinata) to consoles everywhere, whether they be on the Xbox 360 or not. Till then, we'll just have to say "See you later!" to them while we wait for news.

Another game adaptation headed for the big screen, eh? Well, nothing's been confirmed thus far. However, what's been going on around the rumor mill is that Kameo: Elements of Power the movie has already started production on November 2.

Reportedly, Sunmin Park has been tapped to bring the project to its fruition, as its writer and director. Park also was in on the anime feature "Sky Blue", which Siliconera tagged as "a beautiful, though somewhat empty experience". Not much details have surfaced, but you can bet we'll be right on it, as soon as some official word gets out.

Major Nelson has just announced a bunch of new stuff already up and available on Xbox Live Marketplace. And among them are brand-spanking NHL 2K7 team themes, a Viva Piñata theme, new Kameo UNO theme deck, and the Rainbow Six: Vegas demo.

Alright, first things first, as of 1:00 a.m., the Kameo Uno theme for Arcade has been pulled out due to a deck issue, but it will be fixed and put back up as soon as they fix the problems. But the Viva Piñata theme is now up for grabs in all Xbox Live regions for 150 points. Download this theme and prettify your dashboard with the piñatas!

EXCEPT for Hong Kong, Japan, Korea,  Singapore, and Taiwan, you can now have the following NHL 2K7 team themes for 150 points each:

Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and a general NHL 2K7 theme.

And lastly, some of you guys may already be aware of this, but for those who don't check their XBL constantly, the Rainbow Six: Vegas demo is now downloadable for free, but ONLY in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The QJ staff is on board 24/7 to bring you the latest Xbox Live updates so stay tuned for more.

After all that hype and fun at the Tokyo Game Show this year, Microsoft will again be wowing audiences, much to the delight of Xbox fans. This time, the hype goes to Barcelona, Spain. Yes, Barcelona will be Xbox City as it hosts X06.

X06 is the Xbox brand experience for the games and entertainment industry. It will start September 27 and will last till the next day. And roughly hours before the event starts, the rumor train is already at full speed. So why don't you take a ride and we'll share you some of what it carries?

First is the HD-DVD release date and price for Europe and U.S. that is expected to be announced in the conference. A speculation is that the add-on will start retailing in the U.S. on the 24th of November for the price of $ 200, while Europe will get their hands on it on the 1st of December for the price of € 150. The HD-DVD is expected to be bundled with Universal Media Remote.

Another exciting rumor is that there will be updates about 1080p. Also taking a ride in the rumor train is the new dashboard, which will hopefully be released late November this year. A new Halo 3 trailer is also speculated to be shown in X06. Rumor has it that Halo 3 will run natively on 1080p and will include info on the multiplayer features; sad news is that only a handful of people will be able to see the playable demo.

Aside from Halo 3, other game titles also joined the rumor mill: Gears of War single player and multiplayer videos will be shown plus trailer and multiplayer for Fable 2 will be confirmed. Another thing you surely don't wanna miss is the confirmation as to whether the Black Xbox 360 will really be available this holiday. Also to watch out for in X06: new Xbox 360 core and premium bundles and Xbox 360 Classics games list, which includes Kameo and PDZ. Wow!

Xbox fans may also be interested in being updated with news on Xbox's Live Anywhere and how it will function. Will it really function with Zune and XBLA  titles? X06 will hopefully answer that question. Furthermore, we heard that Alan Wake is now fully playable and will also be available on Windows Vista. The X06 floor will also let us get our hands on lots of playable demos, picture packs, and themes. Well, we hope this X06 rumor train will definitely stop at the Barcelona station.

We know what you are thinking right now. You definitely want to be in Barcelona! But don't worry, we here at QJ will surely deliver you 'hot-off-the-rack' news and updates on X06 and we'll let you know which passengers of the rumor train actually got off in Barcelona. Stay tuned!

Word is out that the LEGO Star Wars 2 demo is now available in the Xbox Live Marketplace. Along with this treat are the trailers for Forza 2 Physics & Damage, NBA 2K7, Sonic The Hedgehog, Shrek 3, Just Cause, NHL 2K7, and The Darkness. Also, players can now avail of Alan Wake Picture Pack for 80 Points, Alan Wake Theme for around 150 points and a new Kameo Design-a-Skin pack. All of these are still part of Microsoft's Bringing it Home downloadable content galore in line with the TGS and X06 season.

Speaking of X06 season, every Xbox 360 fan is now looking forward to more downloadable content that will be announced in Barcelona on Wednesday, September 27. We got hold of news that Microsoft will be first dishing out  Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey trailers. Blue Dragon will be released in Japan this winter and is expected for international release along with Lost Odyssey by the end of the year.

Microsoft's X06 will happen on the 27th to 28th of September in Barcelona. A great time to expect for more updates, so keep it here at QJ for more news.

A downloadable content for Microsoft Game Studios' Kameo: Elements of Power will be released tomorrow featuring new skins for the old Kameo characters, inspired by art designs by fans. Characters like Pummel Wheel, Deep Blue, Thermite and Snare have all undergone skim makeovers and the results will be available on Xbox Live. Check out the teaser images, just so you'd know what to expect from the downloadable content.

If new content like this keep pouring in, we wouldn't be surprised if Xbox 360 gamers start dusting off their Kameo discs and actually relive the fun times they had with the game. Too bad for gamers who have already sold their copies.

   
   
   
 

We guess Microsoft heard the US Xbox 360 gamer's pleas and cries for a North American Platinum Games Package. On October 15th, make sure you at least have $29.99 with you so you can buy one of these: Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo:Elements of Power, or Need for Speed Most Wanted.

The Platinum Series, or "Classic" for Europe, offers games at good value because, as Mitch Koch (Corp. VP of World Wide Retail Sales for the Interactive Entertainment Business) says, "it ensures that the platform's best games are available to new customers at an amazing price. And if you missed playing a game the first time around, now is a great reason to pick it up."

So for those who weren't able to get these games the first time around because they were too expensive, they're available at a more cheaper price now.

The second wave of Platinum Hits will be hitting global shores in Spring 2007, with varying titles per region. Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia will all have Platinum Hits specified to the specific faves of gamers within those regions.

Buy: [Perfect Dark Zero]
Buy: [Kameo Elements of Power]
Buy: [Project Gotham Racing 3]
Buy: [Need for Speed Most Wanted]

For those who haven't yet caught up, the Kameo Power Pack is now out and available at the Marketplace for 400 points in all Xbox Live regions. The Power Pack contains three new co-op modes of play, including Expert Mode, Rune Battle Mode, and Time Attack Mode. It also introduces 15 new achievements and worldwide leaderboards.

This is the 5th downloadable installment of Kameo:Elements of Power on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Previous packs gave Kameo a closetful of Barbie implements, but for the new Power Pack, her monster warriors got a load of cosmetic revamp through the modified armors they received. Also, Kameo has a shiny green plastic outfit with yellow trimmings. Plus, you also get an outfit for all ten morphs, including a ninja, cowgirl, and pirate.

Buy: [Kameo: Elements of Power]