At the 2008 CES Microsoft announced that Disney/ABC and MGM Studios will be offering U.S. Xbox Live members premium entertainment content (movies, old/new TV series) via the Marketplace Video Store.

Microsoft's Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten made an official statement regarding the Xbox Live hiccups over the holidays, when users reported connectivity issues. The system had trouble coping with the influx of new user sign-ups, and to compensate, Microsoft will be offering all Xbox Live members around the world access to a free download of an Xbox Live Arcade game. Specifics to be announced later.

Hudson's Omega Five is a next-gen, high-def. Xbox Live Arcade shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. Players fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller and try to avoid the enemies that come at them from all sides, even from behind. Omega Five will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade Jan. 9, 2008 for 800 Microsoft Points.

The fourth title in the Metal Slug series joins the Xbox Live Arcade library as Metal Slug 3 arrives this Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST). An update of the original arcade version, Metal Slug 3 is a run-and-gun video game updated with HD graphics and now features co-op multiplayer over Xbox Live.

Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom will take the franchise in a new direction as developer BLUESIDE and series director Henry Lee plan to create a truly next-generation action-RPG, departing from their well-known action-RTS formula. Microsoft has released a 1.2GB demo, now on XBL Marketplace. If you haven't yet, check our recent KuF: CoD preview ...

The C&C series continues to thrive with Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath. As the expansion pack to Tiberium Wars, this RTS game returns to the Tiberium universe with Kane at the center of an epic new single player campaign. In a recent community Q&A with EALA, the C&C 3: Kane's Wrath developers revealed there will be no PC demo, only an X360 demo on Xbox Live.

Sensible World of Soccer draws on the '96/'97 original to recreate one of the most influential games of all time in HD. Challenge friends over Xbox Live, kick it solo in Career mode or flex your managerial muscles by leading a team to the Champions league! After being pulled earlier this week for a multiplayer bug, Sensible World of Soccer is available on Xbox Live Arcade

In Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements, players will be introduced to the dark and unforgiving world of Ashan, scarred by a bloody history and threatened by the apocalyptic prophecy of the Dark Messiah. Ubisoft has released a single/multiplayer demo for its action/RPG, now available on Xbox Live.

Burnout Paradise gives players license to wreak havoc in Paradise City, the ultimate seamless racing battleground, with a massive infrastructure of traffic-heavy roads to abuse. EA has released a 835MB demo, now available on Xbox Live. It will probably show up later today on PlayStation Network.

As society succumbs to a worldwide energy crisis, a new global depression takes hold. Amidst this desperate backdrop, two superpower alliances emerge. Join the battle on the frontlines of tomorrow as the Western Coalition or the Red Star Alliance. THQ has released a 1.7GB demo on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Halo 3 players will be able to continue the fight as Microsoft has released the Heroic Map Pack, three all new multiplayer maps for its recent sci-fi FPS, the first in a series of downloadable content from Bungie Studios to come via Xbox LIVE.

Following a successful launch in the United States last year, all Xbox 360 owners connected to the internet in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom can now download to rent both high definition and standard definition movies direct to their console using Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store.

Culdcept SAGA features online competitive gameplay via Xbox Live, combining the thrilling luck and strategy of a board game with the depth of a trading card game to create a unique twist on traditional turn-based play. Namco Bandai has released a demo allowing you to try out the first map of the game as well as multiplayer matches for up to four players.

Microsoft announced that the Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store will open for business in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany on 11th December. Standard definition movies will cost 250 MS Points, while the HD versions will set you back 380 MS Points.

Battle your way through the LEGO Star Wars universe playing online co-op via Xbox Live and get a chance to win the sinister black starship Rogue Shadow, awarded every hour throughout the weekend of Dec. 7-9. One lucky winner will be awarded the grand prize, a true collectible and faithful replica of the LEGO Death Star II.

Timed with the Xbox LIVE Fall Update, Arcade Hits can be found within the Xbox LIVE Arcade section of the new Game Store, making it easier than ever to build a library of great downloadable games, and offering some of the best-selling Xbox LIVE Arcade games at permanently reduced prices.

After a few PC patches, SouthPeak Interactive has release a title update for the Xbox 360 edition of Artificial Studios' 4-player co-op online-enabled action game Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia, adjust controls, fixing level issues, improving framerate, tweaking weapons, and more...

Atari announced that Tempest, Battlezone and Warlords will also be hitting the Xbox Live Arcade soon, each with 12 achievements, support for up to 1080p as well as full-screen anti-aliasing and digital surround sound. Even better, Warlords and Battlezone will feature online multiplayer and support for the Xbox Live Camera, enabling players to watch live video of their opponents.

Ubisoft announced that it is releasing its classic board game Chessmaster Live on the Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360 with all-new twists.

Sidhe Interactive revealed last month that it's bringing its high-flying stunt driving, puzzle-solving action Stunt Car Racer-esque game to Xbox Live Arcade with updated graphics, improved controls and additional single- and multiplayer content, including new Challenge courses and a Deathmatch mode.

Microsoft has released the fall backwards compatibility update, adding 84 original Xbox games that you will be able to play on your X360. At the time of writing it may not yet available on Xbox Live, but you can always download it here, and burn it to DVD. Titles of note are Burnout 2, Syberia II, Test Drive, and a ton of old NFL, NHL, MVP, NCAA, Nascar sports titles.

Originally announced at the X06 media briefing, scheduled for release early 2007, Codemasters has finally confirmed that the Xbox Live Arcade edition of its 90's classic lightning-fast football game Sensible World of Soccer will launch Dec. 19, 2007.

Get ready for classic space shooting action with the release of Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe which will be available jointly for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wed., Nov. 28 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST).

The Orange Box includes Half-Life 2, Ep. One and Ep. Two, where Dr. Gordon Freeman,armed with new weaponry and vehicles, must race through a countryside riddled with an increasingly fierce Combine threat. Also included are TF2, a class-based multiplayer addition, and physics-focused puzzle game Portal. This first demo for The Orange Box is dedicated to H-L2: Ep. Two, coming to Xbox Live tomorrow, Nov. 22, 2007.

BlackSite: Area 51 takes next-gen gaming to an all-new level integrating cutting edge technology, game design and story writing to create the ultimate entertainment experience. Midway released its second (988mb) Blacksite: Area 51 demo on Xbox Live.