Even more news from Microsoft's Xbox 360 RPG Premiere event, this time for Namco Bandai's Tales of Vesperia. Namco Bandai has not only announced the release dates of the game in Japan, North America, and Europe, it's also announced the impending release of a new Xbox 360 Bundle for Japan. Learn more after the jump!

Remember Nathaniel? He's the guy who lost his artwork and autograph loaded Xbox 360 to a tragic washing when he sent it in for repairs. Microsoft, who had been silent after contacting him only once after the incident, finally made things right. They sent him a huge cardboard box loaded with everything but the kitchen sink (because it was too heavy). Details in the full article.

If you believe that you can rock the hardest in Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PC), then you may want to participate in the tournament to be hosted by Xbox Live. More details in the full article!

Ten days after Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare hits shelves on November 6, Xbox 360 gamers will be able to take part in the Live Fire Weekend, a 72-hour Play & Win Sweepstakes over Xbox Live.

Every hour for 72 hours, players will have a chance to walk away with CoD4 swag and Xbox Live point cards. The grand prize winner will receive an Xbox 360 Elite console and a limited edition CoD 4 faceplate, among other items.


Buy: [Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)]
Buy: [Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)]
Buy: [Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360)]

Accompanying BioShock's (for Xbox 360 and PC) imminent release are limited edition BioShock Xbox 360 faceplates given to BioShock community members and random gaming store employees. The BioShock Xbox 360 faceplates are only limited to 5100 kits, and some those who were lucky enough to snag one are now putting them up on eBay, fetching at least US$ 100.

The kit contains a BioShock-themed faceplate, a lanyard, a BioShock XBLA theme pack code card, as well as a pamphlet. While US$ 100 may seem a bit too pricey for just a faceplate with a lanyard and theme pack thrown in, it seems that many collectors and BioShock fans are still eager to get one of these rare items: the highest bid for a BioShock faceplate kit as of this writing is US$ 152.20.

Got Milk? It seems the Xbox 360 is being saturated with all kinds of faceplates. A new - and perhaps slightly offbeat for the video game track - faceplate has become available for a limited amount of time. Introducintg the Milk Edition faceplate, which is based on Hong Kong's Milk Magazine.

 

Now, when we say limited amount of time, we mean it. There are only two units available in the whole wide world and they are both being sold in an online Yahoo auction that will end at noon of August 9. The asking price is now up to HKD 7,544 (about US$ 936). Proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Foundation.

The model is a sleek black that celebrates the sixth anniversary of the magazine, with its logo non-too-subtly yet elegantly printed on the side.

Time to get your creative juices flowing. While you thought only Martha Stewart can have her own handicraft projects, you can get your own hands dirty with paint now. If you've been hesitant in trying to mod your Xbox 360 faceplate for fear of busting some inner workings, here's something to help you.

While some of you have either A) already done this yourself, or B) at least already know the concept of how to do it, Pavel Dolgov of Xbox 360 artistry fame has drafted three easy steps for newbies to mod an Xbox 360 faceplate:

1. Preparation: sand the surface with fine 220A sandpaper, then mask the power button with vinyl application tape and cut the shape of the ring of light and the power symbol with X-acto knife (you can mask the infrared port before sanding). Prime with 4000 series base coat sealer (from airbrush paints) and let dry.
2. Painting: it's all yours, make styled graphics with aerosol spray or paint cool art with acrylic paints.
3. Finishing: apply 2-3 coats of Krylon Clear Glaze in a steady motion 10-12 inches from surface in well ventilated area. Make sure you wear filter mask. After 2 hours remove the tape, clean around the button and enjoy your artwork!

If you want a detailed version, and have around six minutes to spare, here's a vid that walks you through the whole process:

If you are a legal resident of either Australia or New Zealand, and you love playing Tom Clancy's Ghost Reckon Advanced Warfighter 2, then this is your lucky day as Ubisoft is currently hunting down the best GRAW 2 player in the said region.

The tournament will be held some time in April 2007 and interested parties can register on or before April 16, 5:00 p.m. Sydney AEST. The Read link below will take you straight to the competition's official website where you can register. And just in case you were wondering what's in store for the winners of this face-off, then just take a look at these:

• The lucky winner will take home AU$ 10,000
• Second prize: an extremely limited edition GRAW 2-themed Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system – plus a Ubisoft Xbox 360 prize pack containing 5 Ubisoft Xbox 360 titles of your choice and even a Limited Edition GRAW 2 faceplate
• The next top 20 players will each receive a GRAW 2 faceplate.

Registered participants will receive an email from Ubisoft which will contain the date of the competition, as well as further details.

 

You're probably going to get a copy of Crackdown just to get your place in Bungie's Halo 3 beta test, but why not get a little something extra with your purchase? Here's a sweet deal alert we picked up from Circuit City.

It seems you can actually pick up a free Halo faceplate if you buy the game from Circuit City. It's a US$ 20 piece of Halo merchandise, so getting it for free is definitely a sweet deal.

Now, it's a moot point if you already happen to own the faceplate, but it's a great addition to an already awesome set-up for one rather good game. In any case, the above picture comes direct from Circuit City, just in case the darned page gets taken down.

Sporting goods company Adidas, together with Microsoft, is currently hosting a raffle of some sorts for users of Xbox 360 and fans of basketball title NBA Live 07. The good thing about this is that there's no purchase necessary. Just head on to the raffle's official site (via the Read link below) and enter your email address. The event is open for countries U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, South Korea Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Aside from the fabulous prizes to be given away, fans can also look forward to obtaining codes that can be used to unlocked special 5ive elements in the game. Fans can get the codes by visiting the official online sites of Adidas and Xbox as well as visiting retail stores Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker.

If all of those still isn't an NBA VIP experience for you, just take a look at this grand prize package. The other prizes can be viewed via the Read link as well.

GRAND PRIZE: NBA All-Star 2007 VIP Experience

• Get treated like a star with an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to watch the NBA All-Star game; then get your game on with either of the following via Xbox Live: KG, Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, Adam Morrison, Josh Smith, Gilbert Arenas, Nene, Cory Maggette, and Sebastien Telfair.

Prize package includes:

• Tickets for two to the 2007 NBA All-Star Game
  
• Admission for two to the All-Star Jam Session and Rookie/Sophomore game
• Xbox 360 console and custom faceplate
• Xbox Live subscription and EA Sports NBA Live 07
• US$ 250 in cold cash