Video Game Saga *

XBOX Live Helps Prevent a School Shooting, Activision Announces 2010 Releases, Windows Mobile 7 Connected to Xbox Live, Sony Ericsson Phone Will Come With Playstation Network

From Kotaku.com:

"The Vancouver Sun says the unidentified gamer, of Port Alberni, B.C., was in an unspecified game with five other teammates on Feb. 4 when one, apparently distraught and nihilistic over being a failing student in his senior year, started talking about gunning down classmates at his high school. Authorities say the suspect spoke of his plans at length, listing also the names of individual targets.

The suspect disconnected when the gamer questioned him further, which was alarming enough for the gamer to alert his local office of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They began an investigation and located the suspect with the help of Microsoft Law Enforcement, who traced the suspect console to San Antonio. Authorities there made an arrest, and a teenage suspect faces charges, reports say.

WOAI-TV contacted school officials, who said authorities met with the school's principal and student before arresting the teen. The officials described the boy as remorseful, but believed there was "no serious threat." He has been suspended from school indefinitely, however, and will face a state felony charge.

So, while the teen in question may have lacked the means or the serious intent to pull this off, threats of this type are taken seriously whenever law enforcement get wind of them. Schools do especially. Whether it's a joke or an expression of teen angst, it's going to cause far, far more trouble than it is worth."

I think I speak for most people, that if there is a serious threat made public in any way, it should be investigated. +1 INTERNET to this Canadian gamer for having the sense and responsibility to report this and help protect people.

Most likely, the public threats over XBOX Live was just a cry for help, but it's nice to know that there are people out there that take this seriously.

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From Activision:

"In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm™, as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing's best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan."

Ok first things first. No one can muscle Blizzard—Starcraft will only be released when it is perfect. I hope it is this year—but this statement is by no means a guarantee. It's a fair bet that the rest of the list will all come out this year.

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From 411Mania.com:

Unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer showed off the Windows Phone 7 Series.

In an attempt to compete with the Apple iPhone, Microsoft's new cellular will feature a video game hub that's fully compatible with Xbox LIVE. That's right, you'll soon be able to collect achievements, view the leaderboards, see your avatar, add friends, access spotlight feeds and even play games on the go.

"Windows Phone 7 Series was built from the ground up with entertainment in mind, and its unique design allowed us to bring some of the best gaming and community features of Xbox LIVE to the Windows mobile platform," said Ron Pessner, general manager of Xbox LIVE Mobile. "It has always been our vision to expand the Xbox LIVE service to connect people to their games, entertainment and friends wherever they go, and the launch of Windows Phone 7 Series is an important step toward that goal."

This will definitely set Microsoft apart from Nintendo, providing a unique service to their fans. People love apps for their phone, and this is a great idea for Xbox Live users to keep in touch with their games and friends.

Which brings me to my next announcement!

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From IGN.com:

Just days after Microsoft confirmed Xbox Live support for its upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series, Sony says it will include PlayStation Network in new Sony Ericcson phones, as part of an ongoing initiative to bring PSN to as many Sony hardware devices as possible.

Sony revealed its plans during a Mobile Phone World Congress presentation in Barcelona, where company CEO and president Howard Stringer called PSN Sony's "not-so-secret weapon" in the rapidly-evolving networked era.

"Leveraging PSN, we are building a new network service that will connect many more network-enabled products, including Sony Bravias, Vaios, and Blu-ray players," Stringer said. "To satisfy the demand for more open systems, and to broaden the array of networked devices connected to our network services, we are committed to extending that service to Sony Ericsson mobile phones."

It just makes sense--Sony has a very successful line of cell phones, and the desire to match Microsoft's new Windows Mobile 7 features. Both companies will be able to directly target their consumers, providing media and demos to promote new upcoming titles.

Which online mobile service are you more likely to use? Microsoft or Sony?

See you next week!