It's August... that means a new 20 point survey!

If you haven't gotten into the drill yet, a new month means a new opportunity for a free 20 Microsoft points. All you have to do is complete a simple survey that uses up just a few minutes (at most) of your time. So if you haven't done so already, head on over to the Xbox Live Rewards web site and complete the survey! No immediate rush but make sure you guys complete it by August 31st.

How to earn Xbox Live Rewards

The Xbox Live Rewards program has changed a little bit over time with a few new ways to earn reward points. Check out their latest chart of how to earn points:

Don't forget about the July Xbox Rewards Survey. Earn 20 Free Microsoft Points!

It's already mid-July and the new survey has been up for slightly more than half a month. However, for those of you who aren't aware, don't forget to fill this survey out! If you do, you are denying yourself an easy 20 Microsoft Points that you can earn for just filling out a survey. I should note, the surveys have become a little bit longer as of late but can still be completed in a few minutes.

So if you haven't done so already, head on over to the Xbox Live Rewards web site and complete that survey!

Back with Xbox Live Reward News!

Sorry for the long hiatus, folks. Sometimes life just gets a bit crazy. But I look to get right back into the thick of things! Let's first start with some of the offerings from the Xbox Live Rewards program for the month of February.

The big news this month is their "Stay Gold and get 5% back on your February Marketplace purchases." To qualify for this you basically have to have Xbox Live Gold status through the entire month of February, 1st through the 29th. So not much you have to do for this deal if you're already Gold. Just make sure your subscription doesn't expire before the 29th or that you renew the same day it expires. And lastly, it requires you buy something from the Marketplace.

In addition to the 5% back, the survey for the month of February rewards you 40 Microsoft points. That's double the usual 20 points they give you. So head on over to the rewards page and fill out the survey!

Another great way to earn some reward points is to Refer-a-Friend. No friends or all your friends already Gold? Sorry. But how do you take advantage of this? Just enter your friend's gamertag on this page and they will be sent a message. And if they sign up, bam! 100 point for you!

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week October 25 - October 31, 2011 - Deal Rising

With this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week, you can get see how the saga of Dead Rising began. Pretty much all is available on sale this week except for Dead Rising 2. Anyway, just in time for Halloween. Check out the deal for this week:

• GoD - Dead Rising $14.99 $19.99
• XBLA - Dead Rising 2: Case West 400 800 Points
• XBLA - Dead Rising 2: Case Zero 200 400 Points

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week October 18 - October 24, 2011 - Reach for the Halo

Just a couple of deals to report for this weeks Xbox Live Deal of the Week. 50% off a couple of the Halo Reach map packs. Check them out:

• DLC - Halo: Reach - Defiant Map Pack 400 800 Points
• DLC - Halo: Reach - Noble Map Pack 400 800 Points

Visit the Xbox Marketplace Deal of the Week

New XBLA releases for October 12, 2011

We have two new Arcade games to talk about that were released today on the XBLA Marketplace. One of these is REAL STEEL. No, I am not shouting because I am excited about this game, but that is how they write the title out. Anyway, this game is from YUKE's. They're veterans when it comes to making wrestling and UFC-type fighting games. So perhaps this game might have some merit. The other game is Guardian Heroes. I mentioned it last week too. I really want to try this game. It's developed by Treasure, known for hits like Ikaruga and Gunstar Heroes, and was originally on the Sega Saturn. That's a system I know many of us never had an opportunity to use. This one is a definite download for me (demo first of course!).

REAL STEEL 800 MSP

This is a robot boxing game based on the upcoming film, "REAL STEEL". The player assumes the role of an owner of a fighting robot, and must battle against many different rival robots in an attempt to become champion of several levels of fighting tiers. Players earn in-game money by winning matches and, using this money, must periodically improve their robot, making it stronger and more fit to compete in the higher level match tiers. The vast amount of customizable parts and selectable equipment makes for over 100 million possibilities of custom robots! In addition to single-player mode, the game also supports online multiplayer combat, which means players can search for new opponents from all around the world. Take your own personalized robot and aim for the top of the world of robot boxing!

Guardian Heroes 800 MSP

The classic SEGA Saturn adventure returns to Xbox Live Arcade! Guardian Heroes™ features co-op and online play, multiple game modes, optimised graphics, and brand new achievements.

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week October 11 - October 17, 2011 - Shadowy Things

This week's Deal of the Week on Xbox Live is all about getting together with others for a nice puzzle, card, or board game. Gather up some opponents either in person or via Xbox Live and get ready for some competition!

Also note it's GoD, Games on Demand! Not God. Just to avoid any confusion.

• XBLA - Shadow Complex 600 1200 Points
• XBLA - Perfect Dark 400 800 Points
• GoD - Saints Row 2 $14.99 $19.99
• DLC - Saints Row 2: Ultor Exposed 400 800 Points
• DLC - Saints Row 2: Corporate Warfare 280 560 Points

Visit the Xbox Marketplace Deal of the Week

New XBLA releases for October 5, 2011

Sega has recently been releasing some of their Saturn and Dreamcast hits onto the Xbox Live Arcade. As those systems never quite had the wide reach of consoles today, this is great news for gamers everywhere! And for those who have already played them, how great is it to be able to download and enjoy them on this current generation of consoles? This week we see Space Channel 5 Part 2 hit the Marketplace. Pretty soon we'll also see the Sega/Treasure Saturn classic Guardian Heroes coming to the Marketplace too. I'm looking forward to that! As for this weeks releases, take a look:



Space Channel 5 Part 2 800 MSP

Hey there, SpaceCats – meet Ulala, the grooviest reporter in the galaxy! She’s got attitude, and she’s got moves. Help her get the scoop on an unidentified Dance Troupe that has captured thousands of people and is forcing them to dance! Will you be able to free the hostages, and uncover who’s behind the kidnappings all while bustin’ some groovy moves to sweet beats?

SEGA Bass Fishing 800 MSP

Explore the exciting sport of bass fishing! Based on the Dreamcast hit, motor out to eight different fishing locations to catch the biggest and baddest bass possible! Choose between fourteen different lures, and compete in four tournaments. Start off as an amateur, and work your way up to the pros in the Masters Classic tournament. Get hooked!

NBA JAM: On Fire Edition 1200 MSP

HE'S ON FIRE! NBA JAM: On Fire Edition from EA SPORTS™ is heating up and available for download! NBA JAM: On Fire Edition is everything you love about NBA JAM, dialed up to 11! Featuring bigger rosters, 30+ unlockable secret teams, legendary players, monster dunks, all-new online modes, and so much more. Of course, the voice of NBA JAM – Tim Kitzrow – is back with tons more original commentary. Download today, you’ll be on fire in no time!

Orcs Must Die! 1200 MSP

Slice them, burn them, skewer them, and launch them - no matter how you get it done, orcs must die in this fantasy action-strategy game from Robot Entertainment. As a powerful War Mage with dozens of deadly weapons, spells, and traps at your fingertips, defend twenty-four fortresses from a rampaging mob of beastly enemies, including ogres, hellbats, and of course, a whole bunch of ugly orcs. Battle your enemies through a story-based campaign across multiple difficulty levels, including brutal Nightmare mode! Will you roast orcs in pits of lava, pound them flat with a ceiling trap, or freeze and shatter them with a slash? No matter the weapons and traps you choose, you’re sure to have an orc-killing blast!

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week October 4 - October 10, 2011 - Puzzle and Card Games

This week's Deal of the Week on Xbox Live is all about getting together with others for a nice puzzle, card, or board game. Gather up some opponents either in person or via Xbox Live and get ready for some competition!

Also note it's GoD, Games on Demand! Not God. Just to avoid any confusion.

• XBLA - Shadow Complex 600 1200 Points
• XBLA - Perfect Dark 400 800 Points
• GoD - Saints Row 2 $14.99 $19.99
• DLC - Saints Row 2: Ultor Exposed 400 800 Points
• DLC - Saints Row 2: Corporate Warfare 280 560 Points

Visit the Xbox Marketplace Deal of the Week

New Xbox Live Rewards Microsoft Point Earning Opportunity for October

Right now, purchase or redeem 2800 Microsoft Points (or more) and you'll get 140 Microsoft Points back. Not a bad deal if you're a bit spender on the Xbox Marketplace.

Purchase or redeem 2800 Points or more and get 140 back.

For more reward earning opportunities check out the chart below. Click the image to blow it up:

20 Free Microsoft Points! - New Xbox Live Rewards Survey for October

A new month has just rolled around the corner this past weekend. By now, Xbox Live Rewards members, you should know that means a new opportunity to earn an easy 20 Microsoft Points from completely a short survey. How do you get these points? First of, yes, you must be a Xbox Live Rewards member (don't fret, membership is free!) and second you must complete a short survey on the Xbox Live Reward web site. So what are you waiting for? Grab those points! Head on over to the Xbox Live Reward web site now!

New XBLA releases for September 28, 2011

Wednesday! That of course means new releases on the Xbox Live Arcade. Let's take a look at this weeks crop of games... Probably the most notable is Worms Ultimate Mayhem. If you've played the angle and fire turn based worms game before you're in for a bit of a change. 3D gameplay. It is supposed to preserve some of the turn-based aspects though. I'll have to try out the demo. I was never really too keen on the Worms or Worms clone games. The other two games are: a sort of racing game where you slide a blob of goo or mercury around a course called Mercury Hg and a baseball game with encephalitic baseball players called MLB Bobblehead Battle. Oh, I get it, Hg is the periodic symbol for Mercury. Clever. Anyway, scroll below for more details.

Mercury Hg 400 MSP

Mercury is back, all new and in HD! Explore 60 levels of tilting tension, color it, split it and watch the levels pulse to the beat of your own music. Can you attain the top position on the leaderboards and have the world race against your ghost? With the help of the ghost replays shave split seconds off your time and achieve higher scores. Discover the 20 bonus elements and 10 challenges as you explore the world of Mercury Hg.

MLB Bobblehead Battle 800 MSP

(ONLINE INTERACTIONS NOT RATED BY THE ESRB) Knock a curveball out of the ballpark with MLB® Bobblehead Battle! This MLB® bobblehead challenge features all of your favorite teams and players with a unique twist – it’s entirely focused on batting! Create customized fields with various obstacles such as walls and slopes while outsmarting your opponent with a dynamic card system that allows customization of players and more.

Worms: Ultimate Mayhem 1200 MSP

Worms™: Ultimate Mayhem is the definitive 3D Worms™ game! Load your weapons and experience a whole new dimension in destructive turn-based cartoon action! Taking the game into 3D creates all-new strategic and gameplay possibilities. With over 80 single-player missions and challenges, Xbox LIVE multi-player for up to 4 players, 5 multi-player modes, unprecedented customization of both worms and weapons, and fully destructible environments, it’s bursting with anarchic mayhem. Battle and puzzle your way through all of the missions from both “Worms™ 3D” and “Worms™ 4: Mayhem” - it’s essentially two games in one, and is the ultimate 3D Worms™ collection.

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week September 27 - October 3, 2011

A couple of XBLA games on sale week to mention. Both have a dragon and swords theme, I suppose, if you're looking for any connection between the two. Might & Magic Clash of Heroes is a great puzzler. It's basically an HD version of the DS game that came out before the XBLA version. As for Daggerdale, I haven't heard very many good things about that game. That's definitely a try before you buy title.

• XBLA - Might & Magic Clash of Heroes 800 1200 Points
• XBLA - Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale 800 1200 Points

Visit the Xbox Marketplace Deal of the Week

New XBLA releases for September 21, 2011!

There are a couple of new games out on XBLA this week. Whether they're worth mentioning, who knows? From what I've seen thus far I am somewhat unimpressed. But as they say, never judge a book by it's cover, right? When I get the chance I'll give them a shot and download the trial. Without further ado, I present to you, the new Xbox Live Arcade games for wednesday, September 21st:

Burnout Crash! 800 MSP

Criterion Games brings back the much loved Crash Mode in the latest instalment of the multi award winning Burnout franchise! Party with your friends in the all new Kinect Rush Hour Party for up to 14 players. Go on the wildest Road Trip of your life; causing huge pile-ups, blowing up buildings and unleashing disastrous Super Features! Play 3 all new game modes, across 6 themed areas: - Stop traffic escaping and trigger crazy special features in Road Trip! - Go wild against the clock in Rush Hour! - Practise your precision crashing skills in Pile-Up! Use Autolog to compete with your friends high scores and Challenge your friends to one-on-one battles with all new Autolog Challenges. ACCESS TO ONLINE FEATURES AND/OR SERVICES REQUIRES AN EA ONLINE ACCOUNT. EA ONLINE PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE CAN BE FOUND AT www.ea.com. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER FOR AN EA ACCOUNT. EA MAY RETIRE ONLINE FEATURES AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON www.ea.com/2/service-updates.

Rotastic 800 MSP

Rotastic is an addictive 2D arcade game, offering accessible, innovative and original gameplay, as well as a huge dose of fun, without taking itself too seriously. Behind very simple swinging mechanics hides a deep gameplay with numerous possibilities to challenge your reflexes, ingenuity, and skills! Collect items, escape deadly traps, send your opponents flying to their doom, smash bricks, execute aerial acrobatics, burst chickens to dust and feathers, or top the fastest speedruns! The solo campaign spreading across 7 worlds and nearly 70 levels offers hours of fun, with a wide range of gameplay to value replayability! Pit your skills against your friends and the players from around the world by beating the best scores for every one of each level! Rotastic offers local battle mode, for up to 4 players to either race for item collecting, or tried-and-true deathmatch. Multiplayer is intense and full of fun!

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week September 20 - September 26, 2011

Have you still managed to go on with out ever playing Portal from Valve still? Well perhaps this week is your week. The original Portal is 50% off on XBLA! Also, along with Portal is a random assortment of XBLA puzzle games. Check out the Xbox Deal of the Week:

• XBLA - Portal: Still Alive 600 1200 Points
• XBLA - Gyromancer 600 1200 Points
• XBLA - Bejeweled Blitz LIVE 200 400 Points
• XBLA - ilomilo 400 800 Points

Xbox Marketplace Link

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week September 13 - September 19, 2011

It's Tuesday, September 13th. So that means another Xbox Live Deal of the Week. Compared to previously weeks, this week's offering seems a bit sparse. However, were you fan of L.A. Noire? Those facial animations were really something, weren't they? Too bad the body animations didn't seem to be up to par with the facial animations. Nevertheless, the game has it's moments as well as an engaging story line. If you enjoyed the main story line, you might be interested in this week's deal - L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass. This basically includes all of the downloadable content in one convenient package.

• DLC - L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass 640 960 Points
  
  From Xbox.com:
  
  IMPORTANT NOTES: All of the game content included in the pass will also be made available for sale as individual purchases on Xbox Live Marketplace. DO NOT download this content from Xbox Live Marketplace to avoid being charged twice. The L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass includes all the following: The Broderick Detective Suit, The Sharpshooter Detective Suit, The Badge Pursuit Challenge & Button Man Suit, "The Naked City" Vice Case, "A Slip Of The Tongue" Traffic Case, "Nicholson Electroplating" Arson Case and "Reefer Madness" Vice Case. Individual items will become available to download when released. ADD ON CONTENT. ORIGINAL GAME REQUIRED TO PLAY.
  

Xbox Marketplace Link

New Fancy Chart for September Xbox Live Reward Offers

Here's a new fancy chart from Microsoft of the current Xbox Live Reward offers available to all registered Reward members for the month of September:

Xbox Live Rewards September Offer

A new month and new opportunities from Microsoft to earn some free Microsoft points for just doing what you normally do! This month you can purchase any two Avatar items or more and you will get 80 Points back. So if you're one of those gamers who love to dress up your avatar in the latest game fashions or whatever else Microsoft might happen to roll out, this is definitely a deal to get on!

Purchase any 2 Avatar items or more in September and get 80 Points back!

New Xbox Live Rewards Survey for September - Earn Free Microsoft Points!

Hey, Xbox Live Reward members, it's time to earn those 20 free monthly Microsoft points. It's now September so that means a brand new survey. Head on over to the reward site and do the survey now!

September Xbox Live Reward Survey - Earn 20 points!