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I’ve never used the Xbox 360 to rent movies, mainly because I’m not buying pretend money tothenspend on borrowing a film. Of course, if you’re one of the many UK folks who have been watching recent TV commercials for the 360’s download services, you might not have known that, because Microsoft didn’t tell you. The Advertising Standards Authority hasdecided to pulla recent advert for the 360 since it failed to clarify that you onlyrentmovies from the 360 Marketplace and can’t buy them....

Screen Digest has todayissued a reportclaiming that the Xbox 360 has hit a ‘brick wall’ in terms of European sales, hurt by its current inability to appeal outside of the adult male market. It’s a common criticism that the Xbox 360 only serves shooting games and this perception of the console as a one trick software pony is also being blamed for the current downturn. “The target market is still too focused on adult males and the brand does not enjoy the same cachet in non-Anglo Saxon markets as it does in the US and, to a lesser extent, the UK,” the report suggests....

In news that has shocked this monocle poppin’ Brit, news has come of Xbox Live actuallygiving us Europeans something. I kid you not, the territory that’s been shafted more times than Paris Hilton in a Red Lobster car park will be enjoying a three-day binge of free Xbox Live Gold, as well as a host of other fun items. A full line-up of XBL events is promised, although details are currently scarce....

Stop the presses!ZEN Pinballis ready to go. Development on the virtual quarter-sucking title is done and it’s nearly out the door. In a recent posting on theofficial PlayStation blog, Zen Studios managing director Zsolt Kigyossy told Sony enthusiasts that the title is feature complete and set to hit PlayStation Network on May 14. I know what you’re thinking. I have powers. So, stop it. Now. Thanks. Anyway,ZEN Pinballis actually packing quite the multiplayer component....

Zynga is at it again. Flush with cash and mad with power, they’re unleashing yet another stage in their grand design to reduce everybody’s workplace productivity to zero. The new gameCityVillewill join its brethrenFarmVilleandFrontierVilleon Facebook and have players acting as the mayors of their own cities. Th game will consist of players balancing the needs of its citizens with commerce and agriculture. It sounds verySimCity, except that you’ll be able to make actual changes to the cities of your friends (after gaining their permission, of course)....

This cool little Flash game popped up on my radar the other day. It’s calledThomas was alone and was made within twenty-four hours last weekend by Mike Bithell. It’s a cute little treatment on friendship and teamwork in which you must get each of the “characters” (represented as simple blocks) to a designated location on the screen. Thomas and his friends come in varying shapes and orientations and have to work together to achieve goals....

Kane & Lynch 2’s“Cops & Robbers” multiplayer mode is basically the game’s deathmatch. Six players will be the criminals that need to escape with the loot while the other six will be the cops that need to take criminals out. This mode is all about teamwork so no one can betray anyone here. The criminals will start off on one side of the map while the cops spawn by the end point....

While the photo above was probably taken from inside of Nick Chester’s house (photo actually fromShaun McInnis’ blog), that collection of plastic instruments could be any of ours. Even if you only buy one music game a year, the peripherals start to add up and before you know it, boom, you have no space left to sleep in your apartment. And then there’s the issue of compatibility, which is always a pain to figure out....

Pre-order customers onAmazon Germany forThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3Dwill get a fancy Zelda-themed Nintendo 3DS bag with their order when it ships on June 17. So far it seems like Amazon.de is the only one throwing in this free bag as a bonus. The bag, shown above, looks to be a shiny black case with a hugeOcarina of Time 3Dlogo on it. It’s priced separately on the Amazon....

With the economy screwing over people left and right, its not a big shock to hear that EA jobs may be the next on the line. At least, that’s what Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian seems to think. From his comments: “Importantly, we believe EA is continuing to review its cost structure and franchise base, and it is possible that management will announce further cuts in headcount and the development pipeline (including existing franchises) over the coming quarters....

The pumped up work of Jon Sommariva graces the front page for this week’s Art Attack Friday. A straight-forward comic artist at heart, Sommariva (aka *Red-J onDeviantArt)conveys his characters in the guise of wide-eyed, rough-cut, ready to rumble cartoons. With solid lines and action packed poses, his talent and creativity manages to translate any game character into its bad ass comic book equivalent. One of the neater aspects ofSommariva’s galleryon DeviantArt are the preparatory sketches of his work paired alongside the finalized colored renditions, revealing to the viewer the drastic difference between well conveyed linework and a finished piece....

Micrsoft’s Avatar-based chat and “social entertainment experience,” Avatar Kinect, is available today for Xbox 360. The program will be accessible to both Gold and Free Xbox Live members between July 25 and September 8. After that point, Gold members will only have access to the Avatar Kinect service. This Thursday, the Xbox Facebook page is going to be holding a contest, choosing the best stand up comedy acts recorded using Avatar Kinect....

Steam,Schmeam. Games on Demand forWindows LIVEalso offers promotional pricing for select premium games. For example, starting tomorrow and running until March 1st, you’ll be able to pick upBatman: Arkham Asylumfor 75% percent off its digital price. According toMajor Nelson-san, this is the start of something fun. A new game’s price will be slashed each weekend in March. The game and the deal will be announced through Nelson’s Twitter, which seems like a devilish way to net extra followers....