Xbox Live will be down for most, if not all, of Monday (29th September).  As Major Nelson says, it's just for maintenance, the NXE will not be launched once Live resumes.

Official blurb: -

On Monday, 9/29/2008 from 12:01 AM PST for up to 24 hours, Xbox Live will be offline for maintenance. As a result, Xbox LIVE and the ‘My Xbox’ section of Xbox.com will be unavailable, and the Xbox forums will be in read only mode (you won’t be able to post.) The remainder of Xbox.com will be available with limited interruptions.

This service maintenance is in preparation for the new Xbox experience which will be available later this fall.

Let me reiterate: When the service returns, you will not have any new features and you will not have the new Xbox experience update. That will happen later this Fall.

• Pure Exhilaration Trailer HD: Free and available everywhere.
• Pure Launch Trailer HD: Free and available everywhere.
• Pure Games Convention Trailer HD: Free and available everywhere.
• Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Autumn Reeser Gamerpics: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Allied Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Soul Calibur IV Theme 04: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Soul Calibur IV Haloween Pack: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Midnight Club Los Angeles Gamer Pictures Set 1: 80 MS Points and available everywhere/
• Midnight Club Los Angeles Theme Pack 1: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Duke Nukem 3D Proton Picture Pack: 140 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Duke Nukem 3D Plutonium Picture Pack: 140 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Duke Nukem 3D Meltdown Picture Pack: 140 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Duke Nukem 3D Theme Pack: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Duke Nukem 3D Game Video: Free and available everywhere.
• The House Bunny Gamer Pictures: Free and available everywhere.
• House Bunny Theme: Free and available everywhere.
• Burnout Bikes Trailer: Free and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "Moving Pictures"[Track Pack]: 880 MS Points and available everywhere. 
• Rock Band - Rush "Vital Signs"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "Witch Hunt"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "The Camera Eye"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "Limelight (Original Version)"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "YYZ"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "Red Barchetta"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rush "Tom Sawyer (Original Version)"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Stone Roses "Love Spreads"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Sleater-Kinney "You're No Rock N' Roll Fun"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - The Cult "She Sells Sanctuary"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Kasabian "Shoot the Runner"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Hot Hot Heat "Bandages"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Bad Religion "Sorrow"[Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.

As stated in a previous news post, this weeks XBLA title is Duke Nukem 3D.  The price has finally been set at 800 MS points.

As I stated here a few days ago, I've returned to Planet C&C and I'm in charge of their mailbag section.  As it's my first mailbag since my return, I want it to be the best it can be, so I'm asking you for help.

This week's mailbag topic is: -

"Has the quality of C&C titles dropped since EA acquired Westwood Studios, if so, why (and what have EA done wrong)?"

I'm asking you, (yes you!), for your input.  Please send your opinions to mailbag@planetcnc.gamespy.com, and remember to give as full a response as possible.  The best replies I get (via email only please) will be included in the mailbag, which will be added to the site next Saturday.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Today may be Talk like a Pirate day, but Activision aren't laughing.  Activision are suing individuals for pirating games.  EDGE broke the story earlier, and had this to say in their article: -

Activision is suing an alleged software pirate for up to $150,000 per offense, Edge has learned.

Court filings from late August say that the publisher of the hit Call of Duty series is suing James R. Strickland of New York for copyright infringement, an act which includes illegally copying and distributing games.

The case revolves specifically around the Xbox 360 version of 2006's CoD3, but Activision also accuses Strickland of "copying and/or distributing" other unnamed copyrighted videogames. The firm said that it intends to amend the current complaint "to add additional acts of infringement."

Similar cases have been uncovered by GamePolitics, and their settlements are as follows: -

• Shawn Guse of Federal Way, Washington. Guse, unrepresented by counsel, agreed to pay Activision $100,000 (CoD 3 Wii, CoD 3 Xbox 360) to settle the case.
• Chris Hyman of Abbeville, South Carolina. Hyman, also unrepresented, agreed to pay Activision $25,000 to settle the case. (CoD3 Wii, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Xbox 360).
• George Laflin of New Jersey. Laflin, apparently the only defendant who had an attorney, agreed to pay Activision $100,000 (CoD 3 Xbox 360).
• Maryanne Leach of Northome, Minnesota. Leach, with no attorney, agreed to pay Activision $1,000.
• Kenneth Madden of York, South Carolina agreed to pay Activision $100,000 (CoD 3 Wii, Cod 2 The Big Red One PS2, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Xbox 360).
• James R. Strickland, aka Ryan Strickland of New York State; case is still active (CoD3 Xbox 360).

Remember kids, piracy is illegal, and asking why the rum is gone won't save you when you're being dragged into court.

Major Nelson just posted a fantastic short video showing the avatar creation process, that will be part of the New Xbox Experience: -

A quick marketplace update: -

• Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Allied Game Trailer: Free and available everywhere. (Just not right now it seems) 
• Mass Effect: Places of Mass Effect: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Frontlines - Fuel of War - 4 Map Pack: 800 MS Points and available everywhere except Germany.

MCV have posted an article in which Senior regional director of Microsoft UK Neil Thompson is quoted to say that MS will spend "tens of millions" to help bring the 360 more into focus in the UK and Europe.

From today, the 60GB model will now cost the consumer just £169.99 – ten pounds cheaper than market leader Wii.

"We think that for high definition entertainment Xbox is first choice," said Thompson.

"We’ve been talking to all of our retail partners about what we're doing at Christmas and we’ve been very bold and ambitious about how successful we think we can be."

"Once you get to the price points we're now at, the mass market can see the opportunity to step into the HD world."

"On marketing we’ll spend tens of millions – we're going to engage in a very bold promotional push from now until Christmas."

Only time will tell if this bold new venture will pay off.

In addition to the XBLA content that was announced earlier this week, new content has also landed on the XBL Marketplace.

• Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Kelly Hu Gamerpics: 100 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Kelly Hu Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• NFS Undercover Concept Art Theme: 150 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Soulcalibur IV School Uniform DLC: Turn back the hands of time with the school uniform set. 100 MS Points and available everywhere.

I may just have to get that Red Alert 3 content.

• Rock Band - Megadeth "Peace Sells" Album [Track Pack]: 880 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Megadeth "My Last Words" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere. 
• Rock Band - Megadeth "I Ain't Superstitious" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Megadeth "Bad Omen" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Megadeth "Good Mourning/Black Friday" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Megadeth "Devil's Island" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Megadeth "The Conjuring" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Megadeth "Wake Up Dead" [Track]: 160 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Rock Band Live 2008 Tour Pack [Track Pack]: 320 MS Points and available everywhere. 
• Rock Band - Plain White T's "Natural Disaster" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Panic at the Disco "She's a Handsome Woman" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - Dashboard Confessional "Hands Down" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Rock Band - The Cab "One of Those Nights" [Track]: 80 MS Points and available everywhere.
• Death Race UK gamer pics: Free and only available in the UK.
• Death Race Theme UK: Free and only available in the UK.

Don't forget that the new Metallica album (Death Magnetic) is also available for Guitar Hero 3, for 1440 MS points.

This Friday Xbox 360 prices are set to drop once more, estimated retail prices are as follows: -

• Arcade Console: £129.99 / 179 Euro
• Pro Console: £169.99 / 239 Euro
• Elite Console: £229.99 / 299 Euro

Joystiq reports that Team17, the same company that brought Worms to XBLA, are working on a remake of (or possible sequel to) their popular title "Alien Breed."

Late last month, Spong published an exchange with studio head Martyn Brown, which indicates that Alien Breed will be a self-published, downloadable title. We're speculating that Xbox Live Arcade, PSN, and PC are the likely targets, with WiiWare a distant possibility.

Head over to Joystiq for the full story.

2 full XBLA titles will be launched this Wednesday via the XBL Marketplace, as well as additional content for an existing title.

• Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown (800 MS points).
• Domino Master (800 MS points).
• Ticket to Ride expansion pack "1910 map" (400 MS points).

Harmonix announced that 20 free tracks will be released for Rock Band 2 this Autumn.  Individual track titles will be closer to the release date.

Having once worked for PlanetCNC.com, I was recently contacted by site director Dario.  After a brief catch up I have been offered the chance to work once more on Planet C&C.  With my Command & Conquer addiction back in full swing, I jumped at the opportunity.

Here's what Dario had to say: -

We have another veteran returning to our staff. Please give a warm welcome back to Sonic Alpha! Sonic Alpha was doing our Mailbag feature back in the day, and he hopes to bring it back to its former glory. In addition to that, just to keep himself occupied, he'll be covering the Xbox 360-side of C&C right here on our front page.

Again, welcome back Sonic!

Don't worry folks, I'll still be updating this blog with all the Xbox 360 news I can find.

Gamers should get ready to kick ass and chew bubble gum, as Duke Nukem 3D will arrive on the XBL Marketplace on September 24th.  While no price point has been set yet, this XBLA title is sure to be a hit (well, lets face it, we've been waiting forever for the follow-up).

View more Duke Nukem 3D images

A few new features include the ability to rewind time, and save gameplay films.

Burnout Paradise owners should get set for a chunk of fresh downloadable content. Criterion will be launching the new bikes update on September 18th. It includes: -

• 2 motorcycles featuring male or female characters so that you can start on a whole new progression to earn your Bike License.
• 38 new against-the-clock race events – Burning Ride and Midnight Ride.
• A brand new in-game 24 hr day / night cycle that impacts traffic density and available events.  (It's fully customisable – you can make it day/night/change the clock speed – it's up to you.)
• Dynamic weather brings an all-new look to Paradise City.
• 70 more Freeburn Challenges too.

The price of this amazing dlc pack? FREE. September 18th can't get here fast enough, head over to the Criterion website for the full scoop.

Major Nelson recently posted a new screenshot of how the games played tab will look under the NXE (New Xbox Experience).  For those not clued up, and who haven't read far enough back in this blog, the NXE will be the replacement dashboard that will be released sometime this Autumn.

 
The New Xbox Experience

I have to admit, when I first saw the screen shots when it was announced, the NXE just didn't impress me.  But with all the demonstrations, and updated screens (including how existing themes will look), it has certainly grown on me.

The folks over at Gamerscore Blog go into more detail.

Gamerscore Blog has just released details of two upcoming games that are going to be added to the Xbox Originals catalogue.  Intellivision Lives! and Destroy All Humans! will land on the Xbox Live Marketplace on September 15th, and will be yours to keep for 1200 MS points.

• A Left 4 Dead demo has been confirmed to hit both Xbox 360 and PS3, though no date has been announced.
• Microsoft finally got around to confirming a rumour a lot of us believed would be false.  Halo Wars developer Ensemble Studios will close down upon completion of their forth coming title. They seem happy to say that Age of Empires will continue under Microsoft... but I stopped caring about that franchise a long time ago.
• The Call of Duty 4 map pack price will drop from 800 MS points, to 400 for this weekend only. Activision will also be providing a double XP weekend, to help promote the new price point.
• A demo for Fracture, the upcoming LucasArts title, will hit the marketplace on September 18th. Fracture is set for a retail release in Europe on October 10th.

AceyBongos has recently updated his blog with a guide to using the Xbox Vision Cam in the latest Viva Piñata game, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.

Read more, here.