Major League Baseball fans can now decorate their Xbox 360 appropriately.

Major Nelson reports that all sorts of Major League Baseball 2K6 themes and picture packs are now available for purchase on the Xbox Live marketplace. There are 7 picture packs, basically divided into baseball's different American League and National League divisions. And 32 themes, one for each team and one for 2K Sports and MLB 2K6.

However, due to licensing, this content is available in North America only (an exception is the 2K Sports theme, available in all Xbox Live regions). Picture packs are 80 Microsoft Points, and the themes are 150 points each. Read the Full Article for a complete rundown of the new content!

Baseball fans, rejoice!

After much moaning and groaning about Major League Baseball 2K6 glitches, 2K Sports and Microsoft have finally released the much-needed patch for MLB 2K6 for the XBox 360.

These glitches involved a bug in the game the caused the game to simply freeze at any given time while playing. It reportedly happened most often when a player got out after 3 strikes or while players viewed the menu screen. Not so good if youre in the middle of the 7th inning before it happens, right?

Anyway, 2KSports' previous fix was simply:

    * Remove or disable the HDD

    * Load three different Xbox 360 games to the main title screen of each game then load Major League Baseball 2K6 on Xbox360.

Both of those solutions just didn't cut the mustard. So, high fives to Microsoft and 2K Sports for getting the patch on this one out before the All-Star Break!

You should be able to download the patch now from Xbox Live. Good luck and play ball!

In this age of "online distribution", we still have these moments once in a while.

The whole episode is regarding a few bugs in the game Major League Baseball 2K6 for the Xbox 360. It was reported that there was a bug in the game because of which the game simply froze while playing. It reportedly happened when a player got out after 3 strikes. The only remedy ? Restart your system.

Nevertheless, 2KSports' reply ? Well, you gotta read it to believe it.

• Remove or disable the HDD

• Load three different Xbox 360 games to the main title screen of each game then load Major League Baseball 2K6 on Xbox360.

A message by the Official Forums' Admin, "While we realize that these measures may seem unconventional, our 2K Sports QA Team has tested both methods and both will remedy issues that are causing the Major League Baseball 2K6 "freeze" issue on the Xbox 360. Again, we truly apologize for any inconvenience to your playing experience."

Yeah Right ! So you expect us to buy a $60 game, and then somehow live through the hassle of these workarounds ? Doesn't project the company in a favorable light. Like I said, a few minor bugs would always pass thru, and you generally can't do anything about it. But when a bug like this can be seen in the final product, it looks like there is not Quality Assurance team looking after the game.

Although a patch will come out sooner or later, it's high-time the game developers start taking their job seriously and dish out games which actually "work" out of the box without any patches or workarounds. Unfortunately, with all the "Online Update" systems, it can only get worse.

Are you one of the many sports gamers who have reported the game-breaking bugs that are plaguing the Xbox 360 version of Major League Baseball 2K6 (MLB 2K6)? Well, even if you didn't report them, I'm quite sure you've vented your frustrations in some other ways. 

But what can 2K Sports do? Well, 2K Sports is currently working with Microsoft to appease the angry sports gamers who wondered how these glitches made it through the quality checks. The game can freeze up during gameplay or while players view the menu screen.

 We're not sure what 2K Sports and Microsoft will do to solve these problems, but most likely they'll distribute a patch via Xbox Live. We'll keep you posted.

Looks like the release of MLB2K6 should have took a foul and waited to hit their new title into the outfield. According to 1up.com, earlier message boards today were lighting up with users complaining about their newly purchased copies of 2K Sports' next-generation edition of Major League Baseball 2K6. There have been dozens of reports constant glitches locking up the game during gameplay and while viewing menus.

If you are one of the people that ended up buying the new baseball game for 360, while you will probably have freezing problems right now, don't fret because this is what 2K Sports had to say to all the reports, "For those customers experiencing technical issues with Major League Baseball 2K6 on Xbox 360, 2K Sports is aware of the "freeze" problem some customers are experiencing and is working on a solution. This appears to occur for owners of Xbox 360 with HDD and a solution will be available in the very near future. Good luck to all those that shelled out 60 bucks for the game and hopefully the problem will get fixed shortly.

Just a moment ago we posted some screenshots of the upcoming MLB 2K6 game. TeamXbox recently released their review of the game and all things aside, they gave it a decent score. The game offers a lot of new features and with the HD output you can view them in all their glory. The game also features a VIP system to track you as you play. You can put your VIP files online to be downloaded and other players can play against you, and vice versa, virtually. The AI takes control of their team based on how well you've played.

The review goes into a lot of depth on the game's mechanics and controls. He notes that the game is essentially the same as the previous installments, save for the graphics, and players should expect that. The controls have been revamped and should make for a better, or bitter, experience, depending on how well you do. The game is far too similar to the previous installments which is why the reviewer gave it a low score. It could have been better, but since it's the only MLB title for the Xbox 360, it won't be.

We're here to bring you two new Major League Baseball 2K6 screenshots for your viewing pleasure. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with the spiffy graphics and in-game ads. MLB 2K6 expands on the franchise and adds a host new of new features like new movement systems and better player collision detection.

With morale driven drama the game will create a new experience unseen before. Will your players cry when they get hit by a ball? Hopefully! Will your players crack a bat over their knee when they strike out? One can only hope! Will your pitcher have the song Wild Thing blasted over the PA as he comes on to the field? Pfft, only in the movies! MLB 2K6 looks to be doing some nice things to the genre and with the upgrades it has been receiving it's no wonder the game is as popular as it is.

Games played in the virtual ballpark will get a bit more realistic when in-game advertising hits Major League Baseball 2K6. Massive Inc. and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. will make use of its ad-delivery system to put product logos and billboards in the game.

Massive CEO Mitch Davis has acknowledged videogames as a major new advertising medium and striking a deal with Take Two and  Major League Baseball and the Players' Association will give Massive a big boost in tapping the growing popularity of the $25 billion in-game advertising.

In-game ads are generally unintrusive and do not disrupt the feel of the game. Davis said, Advertising in the (baseball) game is additive. It makes the game better, it makes it more realistic because when you go to a stadium to watch a game, you see advertising around the stadium. Advertisers expect to spend $100 million this year on such ads and it could swell to $3 billion in 2010, in an effort to chase the 18 to 34-year-old men demographic. With that huge amount of money earmarked for in-game ads, let's see how long they can remain unintrusive.

The ads in the baseball game will only be seen on the version for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 console (for now), which can be hooked up to the Xbox Live network.

Enough of the April Fools mania, let’s now go down to business. Xbox 360 has revealed a list of new titles set for release this April, and I have made a short preview as well as the exact release date for all those Xbox 360 loyalists out there (wink, wink).

First off the list is Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, a game based on the blockbuster online multiplayer war Battlefield franchise. Developed by Digital Illusions, gamers will be included in the battle to another realm of modern-war. Players from the United States, China and the Middle East Coalition will all be represented in harrowing 24-player battles. Tanks, choppers and more than 30 military vehicles can be utilized by the player including full access to more than 70 kinds of weapons such as heat-seeking missiles, laser-designated bombs and other modern military hardware. This title will see the light of videostores this coming April 11.

Lara Croft is not to be outdone by mere soldiers with their toy tanks; she is also set to invade Xbox 360 consoles on April 11 with the latest installment Tomb Raider: Legend. Frontlining the game are new character animations and control schemes that goes along well with the natural character design and level details for the most immersive chapter in the series. Lara comes toting modern devices such as a magnetic grappling device, binoculars, frag grenades, personal lighting device and communications equipment for her all-new adventure.

A week after those two titles, Final Fantasy XI will hit video retailer’s shelves. Players from around the world control the fate of the world of Vana'diel as they take missions to defend its nations and people. Customizable characters allow players to tailor physical attributes and skills to suit individual tastes. Adventures span over 100 different areas such as mountains, deserts, oceans, castles and dungeons. Environments take on a life of their own as time and weather constantly change.

Virtual World Cup kicks off at April 24 via FIFA 2006: Road to FIFA World Cup. Players will be able to experience an enhanced gameplay engine that delivers extremely responsive controls and greater level of depth. New physics and animations mean that players will now react more realistically to every tackle, shot or pass of the ball. High-definition technology brings you details of the players that are accurately recreated in fine medium Xbox 360’s technology truly brings to life 80,000 chanting fans in a stadium and immerses you in the emotional intensity of FIFA World Cup football.

April is a good month for sports, believe it or not even for gamers. Proof enough is Major League Baseball 2K6 that ships out on the same date as FIFA 2006: Road to FIFA World Cup. The 2K6 edition “sports” innovative features such as a new movement system and realistic player collisions on the infield and outfield to take the virtual baseball experience to the next level. Broadcast elements boasts of flashback replays and an exceptional player morale system that aims to unfold the drama like never before in a baseball video game.

I don’t know about you, but I’m salivating buckets here...

Our buddies over at Xbox 360 Achievements have supplied us with information on the Major League Baseball 2K6. Slated for release on April 24, which is after the start of the season for those of you who weren't sure, this game looks like you can earn all 1,000 gamerpoints relatively easily. MLB 2K6 boasts cool new features, such as the player morale system which makes every decision impact your player's attitude.

Robbery!
Make a wall climb catch (rob a home run.)
   
Super Slugger
Hit 3 home runs in one game with the same player on "Pro" or higher difficulty setting.   
   
Thief
Successfully steal 5 bases in one game on "Pro" or higher difficulty setting.       

Unhittable
Strikeout 15 batters with one pitcher on "Pro" or higher difficulty setting.
 
Offensive Explosion
Score 20 runs in one game on "Pro" or higher difficulty setting.