Microsoft has stated that they did not ban as many as 1 million Xbox Live members for connecting to the service using a modded Xbox 360 gaming console.

A company representative said: “We didn’t release the number. I cannot explain to you why people would think it was a million people. It wasn’t a million people. These were people that were pirating software. We try to keep sanctity of life from a safety and anti-cheating perspective and we protect our partners…I think we do a really good job understanding what people are doing on the system. That applies to intellectual property and how we treat the community in terms of harassment. We are committed to making it better and better.”

Microsoft does not allow owners of modded gaming console to connect to the Xbox Live service.

Once a console is banned, it cannot be used to connect to the online services again. Gamer has to get himself a new unit to continue playing online.

US based software giant Microsoft has announced their new gaming title named Joy Ride.

Joy Ride has been developed by Big Park which was recently acquired by Microsoft.

The company said in a press statement: “Avatars, start your engines! Full of wild driving fun, Joy Ride will get your adrenaline pumping as you tear up the track with your friends, or jump, flip and trick your way through the Stunt Park as you work with the whole community to unlock rewards. Joy Ride is completely free to download and gives you all new ways to play, whether you’re looking for a quick game or a deep, custom social experience, all on Xbox Live. Design your dream car or purchase new tracks, game modes and avatar items. You can share the racetracks and game modes with your friends so no one is ever left out.”

Windows 7 RC, Bing and now Joy Ride… Microsoft is in a roll!

Microsoft showcased their latest new technology development named Project Natal for their Xbox 360 gaming console.

Project Natal is a prototype camera that would work as a controller for the Xbox 360 console.

The gamer would not be required to use any hardware controller.

The company said that the camera would be capable of tracking the gamers’ body movements and actions.

This new product announcement was made at the Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference at University of Southern California’s Galen Center.

This certainly looks like a lot of fun. And something that can provide a real challenge to Nintendo Wii.

Netflix has announced that their collaboration with Microsoft has been pretty successful.

As many as 1 million Xbox users are already subscribed to their online movie delivery service.

The two companies had announced this service around three months back.

The company added that the Xbox LIVE community has already watched around 1.5 billion minutes of movies and TV episodes through this web based service.

This service is available to the Xbox LIVE Gold members. These members already pay $50 a year to Microsoft. Netflix service costs around USD 9 a month extra.

Rockstar Games has now announced confirmed details about their upcoming downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV.

They have named this new update Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned would feature a new story and a new protagonist.

Rockstar is also adding new weapons, vehicles, music and multiplayer modes in this release.

Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games said: “Making these episodes has enabled us to expand the narrative and the experience of interacting with a game world in really innovative ways. We hope fans of the game enjoy the new way of experiencing life in Liberty City contained in this first episode.”

They did not however reveal the pricing of this downloadable content for the GTA 4.

Software giant Microsoft has finally made available the New Xbox Experience for their Xbox 360 gaming console.

This new update comes with support for streaming HD movies from Netflix.

It also features a brand new user interface. It is available to the members on the Xbox Live service.

Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox Live at Microsoft spoke about this update: “The next time you turn on your Xbox 360, the way you enjoy entertainment in your home will be changed forever. The New Xbox Experience will not only be easier to use from the very beginning, but it will give you new ways to connect with your friends and family and offer up more entertainment choices than any other device connected to the TV.”

This update is around 120MB big so users would require the empty storage to accommodate this update.

Checkout: Microsoft New Xbox Experience

Microsoft and Netflix are expanding their collaboration to let the users of Xbox 360 gaming console download high definition movies online.

The two companies confirmed that the service would be available to users who are subscribed to both Xbox Live and Netflix.

The service currently has around 300 movies in HD format available at the moment.

It would be applicable starting next month and customers would not be required to pay anything extra for this functionality.

Users would be required to have a slightly more expensive Netflix account. The base pack costing USD 5 a month won’t do.

Joshua Martin, a Yankee Group analyst spoke about this new development: “Netflix has been on a roll. They realize that partnerships are integral in the connected world we live in today. The HD thing is really interesting. I can see a business model emerging in the long term where they charge for the streaming. It makes sense. It’s a great value add.”

Microsoft is expected to announce the much needed Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack for people with Xbox 360 consoles without a hard drive.

Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack is a USD 99 kit that comes with a 60GB hard drive, an Xbox Live headset, a three-month Xbox Live Gold subscription, and an Ethernet cable.

This would make it possible for the gamers to get the required hardware and subscription to become a pro gamer on the Xbox Live network.

This would also make it possible for them to install the upcoming New Xbox Experience update on their consoles.

This update require more than 100 MB storage space and the arcade version of the Xbox 360 console lacks that in default configuration.

Checkout: Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack

Microsoft has finally achieved the goal to price their Xbox 360 gaming console lower than the Nintendo Wii.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade is now priced at USD 199.99 which makes it 50 dollars cheaper than the only version of Nintendo Wii on sale.

The two other versions of the Xbox 360 are also now cheaper by USD 50 (USD 299.99 and USD 399.99).

Nintendo Wii has been dominating the US market ever since it was launched and with this price cut Microsoft is hoping to catch up with the market leader.

Xbox has seen several price cuts since it was launched 3 years ago. Nintendo Wii on the other hand retails its original launch price.

Microsoft has announced a price cut on their Xbox 360 gaming console in four markets in the Asian region. India is not included unfortunately.

The company has lowered the prices of this gaming console in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

This announcement comes after the company noticed improved sales in Europe after a similar price cut in that region.

Microsoft has been lowering the price of the console to stay competitive as they face intense challenge from both Sony and Nintendo.

Nintendo has become the market leader with their Wii gaming console. Sony has been fighting back with their Playstation 3.