Microsoft confirm that 1 vs 100 will be free

From the Xbox product page for 1 vs 100 MS have confirmed that 1 vs 100 will be free to Gold Members.

[TrevorPhillips]

thank you microsoft :)

[Emmo]

This is great news and also something totally original, you can't say that very often

[Why dis]

You have to be careful making sure things will be successful.

I didn't agree with you.

[KRUSSIDULL]

Hopefully some free easy gamer points :) Or will this be an addon to NXE like Photo Sharing?

[Neoraf]

Thank you Microsoft!

Can't wait!
It'll be so much fun!

[kwicksandz]

now confirm that gold members outside of the US can use it. No video store, no inside xbox and no netflicks stings.

[Foxgod]

Ofcourse they can, if you have a US account, and its easy for outside USA people to create one.

[Ghoul]

oehm ?

its nice yes but doesnt free mean free of charge ?
its bound to gold members only so you do pay for it!

[Bnet343]

Free avatars, Free games, I hope this will be trend for Microsoft.

[JokesOnYou]

That will definitely get people interested.

JOY

[ropelli90]

Maybe yeah, but gold costs. I don't want to pay for two gold accounts. One is more than enough already.

@1.5
Yeah it sucks. But all of those you can do if you create a US account. With even a silver account you can buy movies, watch inside xbox and use netflix.

[edgeofblade]

@Ghoul:

You mean the same way PSN isn't free because you pay for an Internet connection that costs every month what XBL costs a year?

Go away troll.

[ryuyasho]

free perse, cause the Gold Members of XBLA are already paying a yearly fee. poor bstards, still getting owned... i stick with PSN for FREE and even if have to pay for DLC, the service is still FREE. now people can you really feel FREE to spell FREE... the way it should... guess not ;)

@1.11: XBLA user pay for the service too. that being said makes me think that XBLA users like to take a DAP... FREEDOOOOOOOOOM - William Wallace

[Elvfam511]

dude look at what you wrote

"You mean the same way PSN isn't free because you pay for an Internet connection that costs every month what XBL costs a year?"

dude you know that you pay for internet connection and XBL dude you think or you just type.

[Mikerra17]

I think the reason they are doing this is simple

Alot of people wouldent but it which would make the game 1 vs. 12

When I see free games being put out I think of crack. te dealer will give you that first hit free (the game) and when your hooked your goona come back and pay a crapload for more (clothing, achievements, maps, etc.)

very smart Microsoft, but I see that evil grin

[TrevorPhillips]

I know ay.

[Emmo]

let's push the digg button and spread the word

[Stryfeno2]

Let see how the N4G babies spin this.

*Sits and waits*

[Emmo]

Let's see all the green eyed monsters

* sits and waits *

[xlx-russ_92]

is back lol.

[djtek184]

the bots are jumping for joy.. finally getting sh@t for free..

[Nelson M]

Because is Crap
And no one in there right mind would pay for it
Then Again i think Microsuck Dropped the Ball
After all you pay for everything else they offer
And all thats Crap too

[VMAN_01]

MICROSOFT...F-FREE??!?!?!?!

*explodes*

[siyrobbo]

lol, they also give away free viruses to billions of pc users

[Foxgod]

Not really, they do give free updates to your existing OS to increase your own safety on the internet.

[Buttons]

Not really, they do give free updates to your existing OS to increase your own safety on the internet.
--

Which is generally the internet they package WITH THE OS. I don't see them making updates for FireFox, do they?

[Arnon]

Windows OS uses resources from Internet Explorer.. That's why if you delete IE... it screws up your OS.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

I was half-expecting this, because if successful this could be a big push into the mass market for not just the 360, but the entire game industry.

Personally, I don't believe Microsoft has grown the industry this generation as much as Sony has, and no where near as much as Nintendo. But this here is exciting. I think it could potentially make the 360 a casual gamer friendly system without any uncertainty.

[Zeevious]

Free Office & OS software . . . Not so much.

Free Add-ons, Tools, Media, Encoding, Video Editing, Themes, Utilities, even a free Security Suite later this year...
(You might have missed 100+ or so of these)

XP - Microsoft's Free Tools, Utilities, Security, & Addons
http://bhandler.spaces.live...

VISTA's - Microsoft's Free Tools, Utilities, Security, & Addons
http://bhandler.spaces.live...

I recommend the Sysinternals Suite...especially Process Explorer!
http://download.sysinternal...
.

These are some of the free tools, programs, media, and additions listed at the links above:

Alt-Tab Replacement in addition to the icon of the application window you are switching to, you see a preview of the page.

Calculator Plus also performs many types of conversions.

ConferenceXP enables you to see & hear others in a virtual collaborative space, called a venue. You collaborate on an electronic whiteboard or PowerPoint presentation, send messages and more.

Feeds Plus is an Internet Explorer 7 add-on for RSS pop-up notifications.

FolderShare keeps important files at your fingertips - anywhere. All file changes are automatically synchronized between linked computers, so you always access the latest files.

GroupBar desktop tool offers enhanced window management capabilities in a taskbar-like setting. Through simple drag-and-drop operations on window tiles within the bar, users can create lightweight, transient grouping relationships that allow them to perform certain higher-level window layout functions on multiple windows at once.

Location Finder turns a regular WiFi enabled laptop, Tablet or PC into a location determining device without the addition of any separate hardware. Location Finder uses WiFi access points - or reverse IP lookup when WiFi is not available - to center and display the person's location on the Windows Live Local.

MapCruncher converts existing maps into an online format that’s easy to use as Virtual Earth. PDF and raster maps can be converted just by clicking on corresponding landmarks on the user's map. (Support: Website)

My Font Tool converts your handwriting into a TrueType font, making typed text appear written by hand.

Open Command Window Here adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders, giving a quick way to open a command window.

Power Calculator graphd and evaluated functions as well as performs many conversions.

Scalable Fabric task management system. A central focus area, defined by you, contains windows that behave in the traditional way. When you drag a window into the periphery, it becomes smaller and continues to get smaller the closer you get to the edge of the screen. This makes it possible to keep windows open all the time, and change "minimize" to mean "return to the periphery". (Support: Website)

Snip IT can email selected text within Internet Explorer.

Taskbar Magnifier magnifies part of the screen from the taskbar.

TIME ZONES
There are two programs that help deal with multiple Time Zones: Premium Time Zone requires genuine Windows XP, the Standard Time Zone program does not. (Support: Working with Time Zones)

Tweak UI gives access to system settings not exposed in the default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

USB Flash Drive Manager backup & restore files to/from a USB Flash Drive device.

Virtual Desktop Manager manages up to four desktops from the Windows taskbar

Virtual Machine is Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine for Internet Explorer, allowing you to view java applets on Web pages.

Webcam Timershot takes and saves pictures at specified time intervals from a Webcam.

Windows Live Writer blogging authoring tool

XML Notepad 2007 provides browsing and editing XML documents. (Support: Design Doc)

XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack enables you to view, generate and index XPS Documents.

ZoomIt is screen zoom and annotation tool for technical presentations that include application demonstrations.

EBOOK READER
eBooks Reader offers digital versions of printed books using ClearType technology.

Optional Reference & Dictionaries

*
Encarta Pocket Reference

*
Foreign Language Translations
English --> French
French --> English

English --> German
German --> English

English --> Italian
Italian --> English

English --> Spanish
Spanish --> English

*
Text-to-Speech Packages
English
French
German

UTILITIES
ActiveSync synchronization of Outlook information, Office docs, pics, music, videos and applications from your desktop to Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs & Smartphones.

Clear Cache Feature for Internet Explorer – automatically deletes all temporary Internet files, cookies, and history files. This was developed to programmatically clear these files when a corrupt entry caused errors with Internet Explorer.

ClearType Tuner fine tunes the ClearType technology via the Control Panel, making it easier to read text on your screen. A necessity for LCD screens (portables and flat screens) -- Or try it On-Line. [Bonus = Consolas ClearType Font Pack]

Color Control Panel Applet adds a new "Color" item to the control panel, providing viewing and editing color management settings.

Desktop Language Settings changes language, keyboard, and regional settings for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office.

Desktop Search 4 helps you to find, preview, and use your documents, e-mail, music, photos, and other items.

o Internet Explorer History Protocol Handler Add-in indexes the history of the web pages you have browsed using Internet Explorer. (Support KB918998)
o UNC/FAT Protocol Handler Add-in indexes your shared network directories and FAT drive(s) allowing you to easily find your specific content. (Support KB918996)

Font Properties Extension adds several new property tabs to the fonts dialog box. (Support: Website)

ISO Recorder Power Toy makes images of CDs & DVDs to create ISO images.

Keyboard Layout Creator create & modify keyboard layouts.

MSN Search Toolbar software and components.

Mount ISO Files Virtually - this tool allows ISO image files to be mounted virtually as a CD/DVD device.

RoboCopy GUI - GUI for Command Line Utility ROBOCOPY

SequoiaView - Treemap visualization of hard drive’s contents. (Utilityapproved by the PowerToys group)

SyncToy helps copy, move, and synchronize files with digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. (Support: How to . . .)

System Configuration Utility (msconfig) has been updated with a Tools Tab. The System Configuration utility automates the routine troubleshooting steps used when diagnosing system configuration issues. (Support: How to MSCONFIG & How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting)

Terminals is a "tabbed" terminal services/remote desktop client used for controlling multiple connection simultaneously.

Transliteration Utility (TU) tool for transliterating one natural language script to another (like Serbian Latin to Serbian Cyrillic or Latin to Inuktitut). Plus, it can be used to create, edit, debug, and test natural language transliteration modules used to convert one script to another. (Support: How to . . .)

Tweakomatic utility that writes Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) scripts enablimg you to retrieve and/or configure Windows and Internet Explorer settings locally or remotely.

User State Migration Tool (USMT) migrates user files and settings during large deployments by capturing desktop, network and application settings as well as a user files, and then migrates them to a new Windows installation. (Support: Homepage)

Virtual PC is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows running multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation. (Support: Technical Overview)

VirtualWiFi abstracts a single WLAN card to appear as multiple virtual WLAN cards to the user. The user can then configure each virtual card to connect to a different wireless network. Therefore, VirtualWiFi allows a user to simultaneously connect his machine to multiple wireless networks using just one WLAN card.

Windows SteadyState is designed for schools, libraries, Internet Cafés, and other public locations.

Wntipcfg This GUI tool gives you information about your IP configuration.

SUPPORT & TROUBLESHOOTING
Bootvis – Microsoft states this tool is not available, but they still “support it”. Bootvis “was” a performance tracing and visualization tool designed to help identify performance issues for boot/resume timing while developing new PC products or supporting software.

Change Analysis Diagnostic tracks Windows OS changes

COMDisable tool, views, disable or enable a list of available COM ports.

DebugView monitors kernel-mode and Win32 debug output on your local or networked TCP/IP computer.

Desktop Heap Monitor examines usage of a WIN32 subsystem that has an internal heap area known as "desktop heap". When running large number of programs, "Out Of Memory" error messages appear when you attempt to start new programs or try to use programs that are already running, even though you still have plenty of physical and pagefile memory available. (Support: KB126952)

DiskMon logs and displays all hard disk activity.

DLL Online Help Database – helps identify DLL version conflicts.

Fiddler is an HTTP Debugging Proxy which logs all HTTP traffic between your computer and the Internet. Fiddler allows you to inspect all HTTP Traffic, set breakpoints, and "fiddle" with incoming or outgoing data. (Support: HTTP Debugging)

Guided Help (depending on the problem) can automatically guide you through various steps to perform some diagnostic tasks yourself. (Support: How to . . .)

Kernel Memory Space Analyzer helps expert debugging engineers analyze crash dump files.

MDAC Component Checker helps you determine installed version information and diagnose installation issues with the Microsoft Data Access Components (Support: MDAC Website)

Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. (Support: Users Guide)

Network Diagnostics for Windows XP tool (xpnetdiag) analyzes information about your network connectivity to help troubleshoot common connection problems. (Support: KB914440)

Portmon monitors and displays all serial and parallel port activity on a system. Advanced filtering and search capabilities make it a powerful tool for tracking down problems in system or application configurations.

PortQry Command Line Port Scanner is a command-line utility that troubleshoots TCP/IP connectivity issues by reporting the port status of TCP and UDP ports on a computer you choose. For details, see KB310099 and description. (Description of Microsoft Port Numbers & All Port Numbers)

Port Reporter logs TCP and UDP port activity on a local Windows system by running as a service logging which ports are used, which process is using the port, if the process is a service, which modules the process has loaded and which user account is running the process. (Description of Microsoft Port Numbers & All Port Numbers)

Port Reporter Parser Tool is a log parser for Port Reporter log files. Port Reporter Parser has many features that can help you analyze Port Reporter log files.

Process Explorer shows information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.

Process Monitor shows real-time file system, Registry and process/thread activity.

Product Support's Reporting Tools and Premier Services Reporting Utility (Alliance version) facilitates the gathering of critical system and logging information used in troubleshooting support issues. There are 8 specialty versions, one for each of the following support scenario categories: Alliance, Directory Services (not for NT 4.0), Networking, Clustering, SQL, Software Update Services, MDAC and Base / Setup / Storage / Print / Performance. (Support: Blog Article & Overview)

Sysinternals Troubleshooting Utilities zipped into a single file containing the individual troubleshooting tools and help files.

User Mode Process Dumper (userdump) dumps any running Win32 processes memory image (including system processes such as csrss.exe, winlogon.exe, services.exe, etc) on the fly, without attaching a debugger, or terminating target processes. Generated dump file can be analyzed or debugged by using the standard debugging tools.

User Profile Deletion Utility (Delprof) deletes all data that is stored in a user profile including desktop settings, favorites, program-specific data that is contained in the Application Data folder, and the contents of the My Documents folder.

User Profile Hive Cleanup helps with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems ensuring that user sessions are completely terminated when a user logs off when using Roaming Profiles or locked profiles as implemented through the Shared Computer Toolkit.

Video Decoder Checkup Utility helps determine if an MPEG-2 DVD video decoder is installed, and whether it's compatible with Media Player 10 or Media Center Edition.

Windows Installer CleanUp Utility can remove a program's configuration information if experiencing installation (Setup) problems.

Windows Support Tools are intended for use by Microsoft support personnel and experienced users to assist in diagnosing and resolving computer problems.

SECURITY, ANTI-SPYWARE & ANTI-VIRUS
Baseline Security Analyzer includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems. MBSA will scan for common security misconfigurations in the following products: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, IIS 5.0 & 6.0, SQL Server 7.0 & 2000, MSIE 5.01 and later, and Office 2000, 2002 & 2003. MBSA also scans for missing security updates, update rollups and service packs published to Microsoft Update. (Support Tool: Visio Connector for MBSA 2.0, MBSA Homepage)

Malicious Software Removal Tool checks for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found. (Updated on the second Tuesday of each month.)

Promqry and PromqryUI detects if a network sniffer that is running on a computer. If a system has network interfaces in promiscuous mode, it may indicate the presence of a network sniffer running on the system.

PromqryUI provides a Windows graphical interface that can be used to detect network interfaces that are running in promiscuous mode.

Promqry is a command line tool that can be used to detect network interfaces that are running in promiscuous mode.

Windows Defender protects against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Windows Live Safety Center – Web service designed to ensure the health of your computer with free scanning tools helping get rid of unwanted software.

OFFICE APPLICATIONS
Office Accounting 2009

Word 5.5 for DOS - Huh?

EXPRESS EDITIONS FOR DEVELOPERS
SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2005 with Advanced Services

Visual 2005 Web Developer

Visual Basic, C#, C++, & J#

MULTIMEDIA
CD Slide Show Generator can view images burned to a CD as a slide show.

"Decades" Auto Playlist Pack include dozens new auto playlists to organize your music by decades—from the 1940s through the new millennium.

Device Manager Software Development Kit (SDK) works with devices that support the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).

Easy Camera Calibration Tool determines a camera’s internal parameters (focal length, aspect ratio, radial distortion, etc.). The technique only requires the camera to observe a planar pattern shown at a few (at least two) different orientations. Either the camera or the planar pattern can be freely moved. The motion need not be known. (Support: Website)

GroupShot creates a composite image from a series of photos. The photos must be of the same scene, taken from the same point of view within a short period of time. (Support: Help, Website & Channel 9 Video)

HTML Slide Show Wizard creates an HTML slide show of your digital pictures.

Image Resizer resizes one or many image files with a right-click. (Support: How to . . .)

JetStream Image Editor with cut and paste tool, based on sequential curve growing with interaction. (Support: Website)

Media Audio 9 Lossless to PCM Converter - command line tool converts files encoded using Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless back into the original PCM WAV format.

Media Bonus Pack: utilities, PowerToys, visualizations, skins, sound effects, and much more. (Net Install Version)

Media Capture capture uncompressed AVI video files with mono, stereo, 5.1, or 7.1 channels of audio, with up to 24 bit resolution and sampling rates up to 192KHz.

Media Encoder provides support for high-quality multichannel sound, high-definition video quality, new support for mixed-mode voice and music content, and more. (Support: Introduction to . . .)

Media Encoder Studio Edition for video professionals, focused on the creation of high-quality, offline encoded content.

Media Mono to Multichannel Wave Combiner 9 Series - command line tool will combine 2, 6 or 8 mono WAV files into an audio-only AVI file that can be used as a source with the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series.

Media Player Software Development Kit (SDK) introduces a range of new features and functionality for customizing the Player and Player Control.

Media Professional Exhibitor intended for playback at full-screen resolution at all times. All transport and playlist controls appear on a (required) second monitor allowing for a theatrical viewing experience.

Media Transfer Protocol Porting Kit introduces the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which enables you to manage content on any portable device.

Movie Maker create, edit, and share home movies easily with drag-and-drops. [Fun Packs: Winter 2002 & 2003 - Creative Audio, Titles, Custom Effects and Transitions] (Support: Blog Posting)

P...

[MasterChief3624]

But I'm just happy that they didn't forget about this game.

Wasn't this originally supposed to be launched with the birth of NXE in November?

Even if it wasn't, I haven't heard anything about the game for at least 6 or 7 months, so it's refreshing to finally hear about it again :D

[Emmo]

MS decided that NXE and Avatars were enough fun for one update. 1 vs 100 should be here very soon.

[Zeevious]

It reminds me of BUZZ! on the PS2/PSP/PS3 but with about 96 more than 4 players!

I wonder what the rules are going to be with so many players...teaming up in groups or do you start with 100 players until there is only 1?

I can't wait to try it and find out.

(There can be only one...and since I'm the only one within gaming distance of my Elite...I WIN!!!)

[TrevorPhillips]

its conming dw just wait...waiit its coming just wait a bit more

[phosphor112]

A month ago or so, HHG said these exact things....holy sh*t

[sack_boi]

"Even a broken clock is right twice a day"

[Trebius]

If I could give you 10 bubbles I would, your comment blew me away...haahhaha. I love it.

[Ozzyb]

LOLOLOL! You just win. Period. Is there any way to give you all of MY bubbles? haha!

If you hit disagree on sack-boi, you probably don't deserve to live any longer. So much ownage in so few words.

[cayal]

I am astounded people have never heard that phrase before.

[phosphor112]

I know right?

Seriously though, no one heard of 1 vs 100 until HHG called it. I thought it was too good to be true, and everyone called him out for it (like usual), but he got that info down exactly. The least you can do is give him credit. I'm not asking for you to forgive his "writers", just give him his deserved credit, he was correct after all.

[Ozzyb]

It was the perfect timing.

[Persistantthug]

I'm fairly new around here,

Can someone show me or give me the link of where Hip Hop Gamer was giving this prediction?

Thank you.

[Brock Danger]

Perfect answer, well played.

EDIt: Geez, did HHG himself come in here and disagree with you 5 times?

[phosphor112]

I'm not sure WHERE the video is anymore, but it was one of his shows. Since he changed the format, I have had no idea how to get to his older shows. I'm tryin to think of which game he reviewed in that one.
It was Fracture, Facebreaker, or MK vs DC...i think..its one of those. He was sayin how in 1 vs 100, people with the top scores and stuff can win "prizes". I remember that much.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

HHG is very charismatic and proactive, so it is not surprising that he is in touch with people in the industry. He actually has sources.

Lots of you on this site hate him, but he doesn't do anything different than most of the sites that are posted - bad grammar, spelling, flamebait articles. Everyday I can find an example.

I've written to him before about his use of grammar and website design, but I still can choose to read his articles or not. I don't have to be a douchebag although this site is overrun with them.

[7thNightvolley]

gd news, free now that is not common for most of MS stuff

[cherrypie]

That's nonsense. There is free content on LIVE all the time.

Dont pretend to be suprised.

[Lygre]

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if 1 vs 100 were to be released for USA or North America only. I think that NA should have their 1 vs 100, then Europe could have a seperate one with different times when the show went live so that we didn't have to stay up late, or the US guys getting up early...

I like game shows like these, so I really would like to see 1 vs 100 in all Xbox Live regions, especially Norway.

[Kushan]

Nah, they've said it'll be available in a few regions. I don't remember which ones, but I know Europe is definitely getting it.

[Shadow Man]

but won't people cheat in the game by having a laptop right next to them googling the answers?

[Man_of_the_year]

LOL i was thinking the exact same thing. Maybe there will be a quick time limit to answer the questions like 1 minute. A time where someone wouldn't have enough time to research the correct answer.

[xabmol]

Hope this game turns out good.

Giving people more of a reason to pay for XBL is the next step MS needs to help separate it from the PSN. Sounds like a good idea. Besides it's this "evolution" of the consoles that make them all better. Except the Wii, it's really more of a mutation...

[thor]

I don't exactly know what you mean by "light years ahead"... we all know that the major difference is that Microsoft charge for their online service - meaning they can brand it as "premium", "exclusive", "gold" and all these things which create a mindset that you're paying to be a member of some exclusive club; that's the main difference. It means that you are always looking for reasons why the service is superior - people point the finger at certain features which, had they been planned, could easily have been implemented for PSN. It's not as though, when you're actually playing a game, anything's different at all... there are only minor "ease-of-use" things like invites (when, to be honest, sending a message does the same job).

Charging for Live is a very clever business model because it allows Microsoft to charge people without them really having a choice - add on the cost of 3 years of Live to the cost of the console and a lot of people would think twice. They don't HAVE to charge and charging for it does NOT IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER improve the service. Sony charging for PSN would NOT magically enable them to add features in.

Other misconceptions include the fact that many people think that somehow, Sony would simply be able to "patch in" certain features, if only they had the money to do so. Not true in the slightest. If Sony had created APIs and standards from the beginning, so that all games were enforced to have certain interoperability with the OS, you would be able to have:
1) Cross-game invites for every game (SOME games already support this)
2) In-game music (SOME games already support this)
3) In-game voice, video chat
4) Party system
5) Unified voice chat system (games allowed to set up a "channel" in the voice chat window, you can activate different channels
6) Home game launching; seamless integration between games and home
7) See exactly which game your friends are playing; what the settings of the server they're playing on are, how your friends are doing, straight from the XMB
8) In-game web browsing, access to the playstation store etc.
...

I could go on forever - but the point is that THESE FEATURES NEED TO BE PLANNED FROM THE START. You can't patch them in. So effectively, it was just the design choices Sony made at the beginning when creating their console. NOTHING to do with charging for their service. That's just an extra revenue stream.

[Brock Danger]

What you fail to recognize is that Live has been around for what, six years? Playstation was forced to match, and with the price of their console, charging for PSN would be like tying your own noose.

Their hand was forced, and it shows.

[Kushan]

Fantastic!

I remember saying a few weeks ago "The real prizes sound good, I'll be happy with just a few MS points and such, but make it all free and I'll be sold". Well, I'm sold! This is a first-day download for me for sure!

I cannot wait!

[FragMnTagM]

If it's free and you can win real prizes, I can overlook the cheesy avatars to play it.

[Brock Danger]

Can't really find fault with any of this, probably why this has remained relatively fanboy free.

@ frag em and tag em, just seeing your avatar reminds me that another Hitman game is certainly inbound, and after the awesome game that was Hitman: Blood Money, i can't wait. Making sure you never missed a target and always left with your suit for a perfect score was an amazingly satisfying challenge.

[ShabzS]

innovative and free... what else do you want

[cayal]

a good game?

btw 1 vs 100 isn't innovative.

[FragMnTagM]

It is the only game I have ever seen do the things it is doing, so how is it not innovative?

[cayal]

a 1 vs 100 video game isn't innovative since it is a TV Show.

[SonyRulz]

Could you be a bigger fanboy? I think not; you're pathetic.

LBP isn't innovative either, because it's a 2D sidescrolling platformer, with cartoony characters. See how stupid your "logic" sounds?

[cayal]

lol at your pathetic attempts at insults.

LBP isn't a direct copy of a TV Show. 1 vs 100 is.
That is not innovative.

Continue failing in life fool.

[Emmo]

You fail, please name another show that has been bought to a console and has real time playing and real prizes

[cayal]

It's still not innovative moron.

They took an already established idea and copied it. How hard is that for your small mind to comprehend.

Giving out prizes is also not innovative.

That doesn't mean I don't think it is a good idea, it is simply not innovative.

[Kushan]

You obviously don't know anything about Primetime, THAT'S what's innovative. Doesn't matter if it's 1vs100 or something else, it's still innovative.
Unless there's been another quiz show game where you play against hundreds of real players, completely with a live presenter and such?

[cayal]

again...how is taking an already established idea and implementing it in another format 'innovative'?

[Clap Your Hands]

It's free for the ones who are already paying.

Makes sense.

[XXXCouture]

yeah, it isnt exactly *free* 'cause you pay for xbox live gold. still its nice though

[Kushan]

It's still something more than you were getting before. I get the feeling this is the direction MS is going to differentiate live from PSN.

[Cenobia]

So you don't own a PS3 then?

Last time I checked every firmware update and added feature on the PS3 has been free. HOME was free, and already includes a bunch of mini-games.

Giving something more than you got before is what Sony has been doing since the PS3 launched, and it has ALL been free.

If you want to talk about what differentiates MS from Sony, it's that MS charged $50 a year for "free" stuff.

[Brock Danger]

Yea, and what great updates they've been. HOME really kicked ass, almost got me to keep my PS3 on for more than 10 minutes since MGS4.

I know it's hard to believe, but take a deep breath, step back, and try to imagine that Microsoft actually charges $50 dollars a year because IT'S WORTH IT. Hard to picture, I know, but true none the less.

Don't get me wrong, PSN has improved for sure, but it still doesn't have the quality that live offers. Things that have been in since the start, and the new things they've added (parties alone is brilliant) are indicative of the value you get. While Sony scrambles to hodge-podge together a similar experience, they're always several steps behind live. And odds are, as Sony frantically tries to implement things that live was built to do from the start, Microsoft already has plans for even better user functionality. 1 vs 100 is inidicative of that. And I own a PS3, and I do love it, great system, but it grants me the ability to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the two amazing consoles that are gracing homes across the country. And for MS, Live is certainly a checkmark in the strength column, while PSN registers on neither.

Side-note: L4D survival mode, free, live, how?

EDIT: Wow, just thought of something. With the recently free survival mode and Valve squarely in MS's corner, could an exclusive game for MS be a possibility? (full NEW game, new source engine) That would be a huge goddamned E3 announcement. Sadly, more than likely, MS will probably not have huge news this year, which is certainly alright considering the third party titles (Colonial marines, Operation Flashpoint, MW 2, GRAW 3?, Assassin's Creed 2, etc) coming out this year. May give me time to catch up on some of the games I never had time to appreciate in the breakneck release schedule they've unloaded on us the past two years.

[Cenobia]

Sony provides dedicated servers for free. If Sony didn't do that, and MS did, then it might be worth it. Everything else is just extras. Cross game chat doesn't really make playing the game better. It makes socializing easier, sure.

People may have the opinion that XBL is worth the money, but it should be free. You say yourself that XBL was designed to preform certain functions, so what are you even paying for. Both services are adding new features (although the PS3 is adding them faster to "catch up"), and both services let you play games online. Are you paying the $50 for cross game chat? Most people own phones.

You shouldn't have to pay to play online and that's the end of the argument. Nothing makes it worth it. People just put up with it because they want to play Halo online.

[Emmo]

If Xbox had free Xbox Live the consoles would have to be more expensive and they would have a smaller user base, sounds familiar.

Sony need to start charging for PSN to fund a price reduction of the PS3 and they would sell many, many more.

[Kushan]

@Cenobia

Every update released for the 360 has been completely free, so what's your point?

[Cenobia]

WTF?! $50 a year is NOT free. Sure you get the updates but you don't use them to their full extent because you have to pay for XBL gold. This is a perfect example. Everyone gets avatars for free, but a game comes along that uses them and you need to be paying that subscription fee. PLEASE tell me you don't actually believe this is free.

I want someone to actually say it. Just tell me "I love paying for XBL gold." DO IT.

Nobody says it because it isn't true. You can all say its for a premium service, or any other PR bullsh!t MS has been spoon feeding everyone, but it isn't true. You pay because MS charges, and you want to play their games. That's it.

You don't get dedicated servers for lag free gameplay, and that would be the only possible excuse for charging.

You should be pissed off that PS3 owners can play games like COD4 online while you're stuck paying. I'm not saying the PS3 is better or anything (it's purely opinion anyway), I'm just saying there is no reason that YOU should be paying to play online.

And @Emmo:
You're still paying more so your point makes no sense. Are you arguing that $50 more at the initial purchase time is worse than $50 each year? That makes no sense.

It's your perception that makes what MS is doing OK. You think the PS3 is so much more expensive, but you are willing to pay the MS subscription fee without a problem. Why not just get a "no APR for a year" credit card and buy a PS3? If you like monthly payments so much better, then you can pay in installments that way. The only difference would be that once you're done with paying for the PS3, you're ACTUALLY done paying.

[SonyRulz]

You ALL pay for electricity, AND your internet connection....so PSN isn't free EITHER.

See how stupid you sound? LIVE is a bundle of services, nicely packaged and presented, for the paltry sum of $50/yr (or $39.00 off of Amazon). Anything that isn't part of that bundle INITIALLY, that's later offered as FREE...well, it's FREE. Idiots. :o

[Kushan]

Hold on, who told you that you needed gold to use Avatars? That's completely wrong. If you've got a silver account (or even a non-live account), you can use Avatars just fine. Doesn't matter if the game uses or needs avatars, they're still free and they still work no matter what you're account is. Gold is purely for online stuff. If you're silver, updates are still free. You still get marketplace content (although usually a week later, but you still get it), you can still do everything except go online with games and use parties. That's about the only difference.
So yes, I stand by that all 360 updates are free. And parties are about the only thing they've added to the 360 that only Gold members can still use. DivX playback and such? Works on silver accounts.

[Strife Lives]

,but. . .theres always a but. . ,is it for all terrotories? And. .if so,can people battle it out across territories,eg Japan vs America etc.

[FragMnTagM]

It is a live game. If it is done across the world live, the time differences would spell epic fail man.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[killcycle]

It ain't free if you have to pay for Gold.

I'm a silver member because microsofts online service is a joke imo.
If you think this is gonna make me turn gold think again.

[Captain Tuttle]

Oh darn!

[pumpkinpunker]

Tell us what you really think.

[tudors]

"I'm a silver member because microsofts online service is a joke imo.
If you think this is gonna make me turn gold think again.
Agree"

Good we can live without you I am sure.

[devilhunterx]

feeling insecure?

[xaviertooth]

this product is pointless and a complete waste of time.

[Man_of_the_year]

What a flat out stupid comment to make...you haven't even tried it. And why bash a free service right....Home, PSN...right right?

[f789790]

Home is only good for acting like a jack*** with friends.

On topic with this being free, Microsoft does not know what free means. If they did give it for free, I can assure that.......

Edit: Apparently I don't know anything either. I just read the epic comment below. That has to be a new record for comment size.

[omgwownoobs]

Free - provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.

gold = 49.99+tax? psn = free... big difference u r still paying its not free

[JeffGUNZ]

If you are leasing a car and someone gives you a 4 FREE tires during your lease that you weren't expecting, would you say you're paying for the tires? NO. The 1 Vs. 100 is 100% free. Live Gold is not. God, fanboys will look for ANYTHING to complain about. This is innovative, no other system or game has EVER interacted like this. Give credit where credit is due.

Stop being a fanboy about everything. This is why LIVE is better then PSN. They come up with things that other people don't.

[rob6021]

It's just like pulling teeth to get microsoft to release something free. But then again they didn't do that - It's not really free if you have to have Gold to access it. They sure don't operate like Sony - i seem to remember Sony's exclusive DLC all being free (mirror's edge, and now batman) funny Microsoft could do the same for its fan's but chooses not to.

[squallsoft]

Something isn't "free" if you have to be a subscriber to a "paid" service to get it.... lol

microsoft at it again. silly microsoft.

microsoft and adobe should sleep together since they both love overcharging for services/software.

how come skype/teamspeak are free on my pc when they do the exact same thing xbox live does?

remember when microsoft was gonna charge for windows live?

yea, that worked. save your money and use a PC for onlione games. hell, ya can even use a 360 controllernif you want. PC comes with a web browser too ^_^ and the online is free. teamspeak PWNS XBL anyday. oh yea, and its free as well. go figure. oh yea, and don't forget that most of those "360" exclusives such as Halo and Gears of War are available on the PC as well.

hmmm, since im stuck at an airport and i missed my flight, lets do a little math... LOL

if your going to own a gaming machine for 5 years what will it cost in the long run.

Gaming PC Rig that can play all the latest stuff:
$900 - for system (includes speakers keyboard mouse if you dont believe do some research because i just built one and it runs crysis with full settings)
$50 - for 360 controller
$1200 - for 5 years of internet service.
-----------------------
$2150 over 5 years

360:
$400 - 120gb 360
$1200 - for 5 years of internet service.
$250 - for 5 years of XBL
$100 - for WiFi (optional but I would need it)
$65 - for controller charger (optional but I would need it)
-----------------------
$2015

PS3:
$500 - PS3
$1200 - for 5 years of internet service.
-----------------------
$1700

so yea, im done... you tell me what the most expensive system is...

let the corporate parade march on.

much love ^_^

(disclaimer: i own all systems, but refuse to pay for XBL and my 360 is out for repair. thanks microsoft my warrenty is almost up >_<)

oh and MGS4 owns your mom

PS: go upgrade your PS3's hard drive to 1 Terrabyte (1000 gig!)for $129.00(!!)
http://www.newegg.com/Produ...

how much does microsoft charge for the 360 drives? what a joke.

-squall

[mcgrawgamer]

and guess what when I don't feel like paying for xbl I won't renew my sub, but msft doesn't make me pay and they don't make you pay.

I don't know if I should commend you or condemn you for that math.

by the way placing a disclaimer in your post is a shame you have to identify that you own all 3 systems so you don't get flamed.

[creatchee]

Your comment fails on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin.

So I won't...

[squallsoft]

how? noob.

[Ausbo]

let me first of all say that you don't own all the systems. You are saying that to have a little bit of credibility. You didn't miss your flight because you are a 13 year old fanboy whiner. Lastly you think a 360 charger is $65? Try $20.

N4G is too late to save.
maybe they should change it to N4ps3G.

[squallsoft]

http://gizmodo.com/394007/n...

charger 20 dollars. sorry

acctually i own the following systems:

psp | snes | nes | ds | 360 | ps2 | ps3 | gcn | xbox | wii

my correct age is 25. i was born may 10th 1983 in the awesome state of nj. i obviously am turning 26 in about 2 weeks.

please do not insult my integrity. i have no reason to lie to support one console or the other. you need to just stop bawking at the truth. besides, i just saved you 40 dollars. have fun losing bubbles...

[News4fanboys]

is it free to someone with a silver account?
..... ... exactly!

free my ass.

[click 2 get virus]

that's not free

[OSIRUSSS]

A quiz game? On Live? Man, I would clean up on that thing.

[click 2 get virus]

you should clean your room first

[-EvoAnubis-]

MS normally doesn't like applying what I'm sure they see as the "f-word" to their products. This is good news for 360 gamers, because this seems like it'll be a lot of fun!

[cherrypie]

There is *FREE* product on live all the time. Free maps. Free DLC. Free themes. Free updates.. on and on.

You people sound so bitter and jealous.

[Boink]

What you are paying for gold membership has nothing to do with this game.

If your TV provider give a free pay per view movie , are you complaining it's not free cause I have to pay for cable service to get it? no you pay for your cable service, this is a freebee.

oh and BTW, using the same dumb logic people are using, HOME is not free cause you have to buy a ps3 to get it. quit trying to make this into a bad thing so you can justify your retarded fanboy point of view.

good on MS for rewarding gold subscribers, and I hope this trend continues.

[Bladestar]

I am not sure if people (haters) that are saying that microsoft give nothing free are trolling or.. simply ignorant...

I will provide a partial list of software/tools/utilities provide by microsoft for free... and ones I do that I expect you to provide a similar list from Sony and Nintendo so we can compare which company give more free stuff... so we for once can prove that you are not simply a bunch of ignoramous:

NOTE: For Vista you can find the list of software here: http://bhandler.spaces.live...

WINDOWS XP GOODIES

Agent components provide animated characters (Genie, Merlin, Peedy, Robby & "Custom") to appear during specific help or instruction. (Support FAQ)

Alt-Tab Replacement in addition to the icon of the application window you are switching to, you see a preview of the page.

Calculator Plus also performs many types of conversions.

ConferenceXP enables you to see & hear others in a virtual collaborative space, called a venue. You collaborate on an electronic whiteboard or PowerPoint presentation, send messages and more.

Feeds Plus is an Internet Explorer 7 add-on for RSS pop-up notifications.

FolderShare keeps important files at your fingertips - anywhere. All file changes are automatically synchronized between linked computers, so you always access the latest files.

GroupBar desktop tool offers enhanced window management capabilities in a taskbar-like setting. Through simple drag-and-drop operations on window tiles within the bar, users can create lightweight, transient grouping relationships that allow them to perform certain higher-level window layout functions on multiple windows at once.

Location Finder turns a regular WiFi enabled laptop, Tablet or PC into a location determining device without the addition of any separate hardware. Location Finder uses WiFi access points - or reverse IP lookup when WiFi is not available - to center and display the person's location on the Windows Live Local.

MapCruncher converts existing maps into an online format that’s easy to use as Virtual Earth. PDF and raster maps can be converted just by clicking on corresponding landmarks on the user's map. (Support: Website)

My Font Tool converts your handwriting into a TrueType font, making typed text appear written by hand.

Open Command Window Here adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders, giving a quick way to open a command window.

Power Calculator graphd and evaluated functions as well as performs many conversions.

Scalable Fabric task management system. A central focus area, defined by you, contains windows that behave in the traditional way. When you drag a window into the periphery, it becomes smaller and continues to get smaller the closer you get to the edge of the screen. This makes it possible to keep windows open all the time, and change "minimize" to mean "return to the periphery". (Support: Website)

Snip IT can email selected text within Internet Explorer.

Taskbar Magnifier magnifies part of the screen from the taskbar.

TIME ZONES: There are two programs that help deal with multiple Time Zones: Premium Time Zone requires genuine Windows XP, the Standard Time Zone program does not. (Support: Working with Time Zones)

Tweak UI gives access to system settings not exposed in the default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

USB Flash Drive Manager backup & restore files to/from a USB Flash Drive device.

Virtual Desktop Manager manages up to four desktops from the Windows taskbar

Virtual Machine is Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine for Internet Explorer, allowing you to view java applets on Web pages.

Webcam Timershot takes and saves pictures at specified time intervals from a Webcam.

Windows Live Writer blogging authoring tool

XML Notepad 2007 provides browsing and editing XML documents. (Support: Design Doc)

XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack enables you to view, generate and index XPS Documents.

ZoomIt is screen zoom and annotation tool for technical presentations that include application demonstrations.

EBOOKS READER

eBooks Reader offers digital versions of printed books using ClearType technology.

Optional Reference & Dictionaries

*
Encarta Pocket Reference

*
Foreign Language Translations
English --> French
French --> English

English --> German
German --> English

English --> Italian
Italian --> English

English --> Spanish
Spanish --> English

*
Text-to-Speech Packages
English
French
German

UTILITIES

ActiveSync synchronization of Outlook information, Office docs, pics, music, videos and applications from your desktop to Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs & Smartphones.

Clear Cache Feature for Internet Explorer – automatically deletes all temporary Internet files, cookies, and history files. This was developed to programmatically clear these files when a corrupt entry caused errors with Internet Explorer.

ClearType Tuner fine tunes the ClearType technology via the Control Panel, making it easier to read text on your screen. A necessity for LCD screens (portables and flat screens) -- Or try it On-Line. [Bonus = Consolas ClearType Font Pack]

Color Control Panel Applet adds a new "Color" item to the control panel, providing viewing and editing color management settings.

Desktop Language Settings changes language, keyboard, and regional settings for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office.

Desktop Search 4 helps you to find, preview, and use your documents, e-mail, music, photos, and other items.

o Internet Explorer History Protocol Handler Add-in indexes the history of the web pages you have browsed using Internet Explorer. (Support KB918998)
o UNC/FAT Protocol Handler Add-in indexes your shared network directories and FAT drive(s) allowing you to easily find your specific content. (Support KB918996)

Font Properties Extension adds several new property tabs to the fonts dialog box. (Support: Website)

ISO Recorder Power Toy makes images of CDs & DVDs to create ISO images.

Keyboard Layout Creator create & modify keyboard layouts.

MSN Search Toolbar software and components.

Mount ISO Files Virtually - this tool allows ISO image files to be mounted virtually as a CD/DVD device.

RoboCopy GUI - GUI for Command Line Utility ROBOCOPY

SequoiaView - Treemap visualization of hard drive’s contents. (Utilityapproved by the PowerToys group)

SyncToy helps copy, move, and synchronize files with digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. (Support: How to . . .)

System Configuration Utility (msconfig) has been updated with a Tools Tab. The System Configuration utility automates the routine troubleshooting steps used when diagnosing system configuration issues. (Support: How to MSCONFIG & How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting)

Terminals is a "tabbed" terminal services/remote desktop client used for controlling multiple connection simultaneously.

Transliteration Utility (TU) tool for transliterating one natural language script to another (like Serbian Latin to Serbian Cyrillic or Latin to Inuktitut). Plus, it can be used to create, edit, debug, and test natural language transliteration modules used to convert one script to another. (Support: How to . . .)

Tweakomatic utility that writes Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) scripts enablimg you to retrieve and/or configure Windows and Internet Explorer settings locally or remotely.

User State Migration Tool (USMT) migrates user files and settings during large deployments by capturing desktop, network and application settings as well as a user files, and then migrates them to a new Windows installation. (Support: Homepage)

Virtual PC is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows running multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation. (Support: Technical Overview)

VirtualWiFi abstracts a single WLAN card to appear as multiple virtual WLAN cards to the user. The user can then configure each virtual card to connect to a different wireless network. Therefore, VirtualWiFi allows a user to simultaneously connect his machine to multiple wireless networks using just one WLAN card.

Windows SteadyState is designed for schools, libraries, Internet Cafés, and other public locations.

Wntipcfg This GUI tool gives you information about your IP configuration.

SUPPORT & TROUBLESHOOTING

Bootvis – Microsoft states this tool is not available, but they still “support it”. Bootvis “was” a performance tracing and visualization tool designed to help identify performance issues for boot/resume timing while developing new PC products or supporting software.

Change Analysis Diagnostic tracks Windows OS changes

COMDisable tool, views, disable or enable a list of available COM ports.

DebugView monitors kernel-mode and Win32 debug output on your local or networked TCP/IP computer.

Desktop Heap Monitor examines usage of a WIN32 subsystem that has an internal heap area known as "desktop heap". When running large number of programs, "Out Of Memory" error messages appear when you attempt to start new programs or try to use programs that are already running, even though you still have plenty of physical and pagefile memory available. (Support: KB126952)

DiskMon logs and displays all hard disk activity.

DLL Online Help Database – helps identify DLL version conflicts.

Fiddler is an HTTP Debugging Proxy which logs all HTTP traffic between your computer and the Internet. Fiddler allows you to inspect all HTTP Traffic, set breakpoints, and "fiddle" with incoming or outgoing data. (Support: HTTP Debugging)

Guided Help (depending on the problem) can automatically guide you through various steps to perform some diagnostic tasks yourself. (Support: How to . . .)

Kernel Memory Space Analyzer helps expert debugging engineers analyze crash dump files.

MDAC Component Checker helps you determine installed version information and diagnose installation issues with the Microsoft Data Access Components (Support: MDAC Website)

Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. (Support: Users Guide)

Network Diagnostics for Windows XP tool (xpnetdiag) analyzes information about your network connectivity to help troubleshoot common connection problems. (Support: KB914440)

Portmon monitors and displays all serial and parallel port activity on a system. Advanced filtering and search capabilities make it a powerful tool for tracking down problems in system or application configurations.

PortQry Command Line Port Scanner is a command-line utility that troubleshoots TCP/IP connectivity issues by reporting the port status of TCP and UDP ports on a computer you choose. For details, see KB310099 and description. (Description of Microsoft Port Numbers & All Port Numbers)

Port Reporter logs TCP and UDP port activity on a local Windows system by running as a service logging which ports are used, which process is using the port, if the process is a service, which modules the process has loaded and which user account is running the process. (Description of Microsoft Port Numbers & All Port Numbers)

Port Reporter Parser Tool is a log parser for Port Reporter log files. Port Reporter Parser has many features that can help you analyze Port Reporter log files.

Process Explorer shows information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.

Process Monitor shows real-time file system, Registry and process/thread activity.

Product Support's Reporting Tools and Premier Services Reporting Utility (Alliance version) facilitates the gathering of critical system and logging information used in troubleshooting support issues. There are 8 specialty versions, one for each of the following support scenario categories: Alliance, Directory Services (not for NT 4.0), Networking, Clustering, SQL, Software Update Services, MDAC and Base / Setup / Storage / Print / Performance. (Support: Blog Article & Overview)

Sysinternals Troubleshooting Utilities zipped into a single file containing the individual troubleshooting tools and help files.

User Mode Process Dumper (userdump) dumps any running Win32 processes memory image (including system processes such as csrss.exe, winlogon.exe, services.exe, etc) on the fly, without attaching a debugger, or terminating target processes. Generated dump file can be analyzed or debugged by using the standard debugging tools.

User Profile Deletion Utility (Delprof) deletes all data that is stored in a user profile including desktop settings, favorites, program-specific data that is contained in the Application Data folder, and the contents of the My Documents folder.

User Profile Hive Cleanup helps with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems ensuring that user sessions are completely terminated when a user logs off when using Roaming Profiles or locked profiles as implemented through the Shared Computer Toolkit.

Video Decoder Checkup Utility helps determine if an MPEG-2 DVD video decoder is installed, and whether it's compatible with Media Player 10 or Media Center Edition.

Windows Installer CleanUp Utility can remove a program's configuration information if experiencing installation (Setup) problems.

Windows Support Tools are intended for use by Microsoft support personnel and experienced users to assist in diagnosing and resolving computer problems.

SECURITY, ANTI-SPYWARE & ANTI-VIRUS

Baseline Security Analyzer includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems. MBSA will scan for common security misconfigurations in the following products: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, IIS 5.0 & 6.0, SQL Server 7.0 & 2000, MSIE 5.01 and later, and Office 2000, 2002 & 2003. MBSA also scans for missing security updates, update rollups and service packs published to Microsoft Update. (Support Tool: Visio Connector for MBSA 2.0, MBSA Homepage)

Malicious Software Removal Tool checks for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found. (Updated on the second Tuesday of each month.)

Promqry and PromqryUI detects if a network sniffer that is running on a computer. If a system has network interfaces in promiscuous mode, it may indicate the presence of a network sniffer running on the system.

PromqryUI provides a Windows graphical interface that can be used to detect network interfaces that are running in promiscuous mode.

Promqry is a command line tool that can be used to detect network interfaces that are running in promiscuous mode.

Windows Defender protects against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Windows Live Safety Center – Web service designed to ensure the health of your computer with free scanning tools helping get rid of unwanted software.

OFFICE APPLICATIONS

Office Accounting 2009

Word 5.5 for DOS - Huh?

EXPRESS EDITIONS FOR DEVELOPERS

SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2005 with Advanced Services

Visual 2005 Web Developer

Visual Basic, C#, C++, & J#

MULTIMEDIA

CD Slide Show Generator can view images burned to a CD as a slide show.

"Decades" Auto Playlist Pack include dozens new auto playlists to organize your music by decades—from the 1940s through the new millennium.

Device Manager Software Development Kit (SDK) works with devices that support the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).

Easy Camera Calibration Tool determines a camera’s internal parameters (focal length, aspect ratio, radial distortion, etc.). The technique only requires the camera to observe a planar pattern shown at a few (at least two) different orientations. Either the camera or the planar pattern can be freely moved. The motion need not be known. (Support: Website)

GroupShot creates a composite image from a series of photos. The photos must be of the same scene, taken from the same point of view within a short period of time. (Support: Help, Website & Channel 9 Video)

HTML Slide Show Wizard creates an HTML slide show of your digital pictures.

Image Resizer resizes one or many image files with a right-click. (Support: How to . . .)

JetStream Image Editor with cut and paste tool, based on sequential curve growing with interaction. (Support: Website)

Media Audio 9 Lossless to PCM Converter - command line tool converts files encoded using Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless back into the original PCM WAV format.

Media Bonus Pack: utilities, PowerToys, visualizations, skins, sound effects, and much more. (Net Install Version)

Media Capture capture uncompressed AVI video files with mono, stereo, 5.1, or 7.1 channels of audio, with up to 24 bit resolution and sampling rates up to 192KHz.

Media Encoder provides support for high-quality multichannel sound, high-definition video quality, new support for mixed-mode voice and music content, and more. (Support: Introduction to . . .)

Media Encoder Studio Edition for video professionals, focused on the creation of high-quality, offline encoded content.

Media Mono to Multichannel Wave Combiner 9 Series - command line tool will combine 2, 6 or 8 mono WAV files into an audio-only AVI file that can be used as a source with the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series.

Media Player Software Development Kit (SDK) introduces a range of new features and functionality for customizing the Player and Player Control.

Media Professional Exhibitor intended for playback at full-screen resolution at all times. All transport and playlist controls appear on a (required) second monitor allowing for a theatrical viewing experience.

Media Transfer Protocol Porting Kit introduces the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which enables you to manage content on any portable device.

Movie Maker create, edit, and share home movies easily with drag-and-drops. [Fun Packs: Winter 2002 & 2003 - Creative Audio, Titles, Custom Effects and Transitions] (Support: Blog Posting)

Photo Info allows photographers to add, change and delete common "metadata" properties for ...

[xaviertooth]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

up there is the mother of all retard!

[Man_of_the_year]

I think bladestar just proved a point...that MS releases lots of services that are free, and that Sony Loyalists are ignorant...like yourself.

[KingKionic]

wow. thanks bladestar.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Bladestar that was a heck of a list. It would of been more effective if you would of listed all the stuff on Live that is free.

Anyway, you are wasting your time. Fanboys are the new lepers man, it's time to cast them aside because they aren't gamers and they don't even deserve to have their voice heard. You are trying to convince what is probably a 15 year old kid living with mommie and daddie and thinks he knows it all. No matter what evidence is presented a fanboy will just ignore it and reach his own conclusions.

I've been adding ignores like crazy and if you simply just don't click on their names you never have to read their crap again. It's like they die! and it will save you a few IQ points. :)

[Emmo]

Longest post in the world ever, brilliant

[kewlkat007]

Even though some Spin it, "your still paying for XBL Gold".

Well I'm sure if you were to put a price on one value of XBL, this might end up being 10 cents, if you were to divide all the "unlimited" features provided by XBL by that Gold member price..hehe

XBL is a service that offers unlimited features 24/7.

[No Way]

Okay.. So it's not "Free." Alright.. Well, look at it this way.
You're paying to play the game, but if you win, you get the prizes for free!
WhooHoo! :)

Oh, and Bladestar.. You got issues bro. =/

[heroman711]

nice. i hope the prizes are microsoft points

[Kyur4ThePain]

but I didn't know it had the power to change the definition of words!
"Free"
Color me impressed.

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

Sweet!

[JokesOnYou]

Theres absolutely no real reason to criticize a company for giving an "incentive" to paid subsribers.= FREE game. Yet sony loyalists had to do something to downplay what is obviously good news no matter how you spin it.

JOY

[aaronisbla]

worked up over fanboys of any type? you seem like you been here long enough to just phase it out.

[JokesOnYou]

Why do you think I'm "worked up" over it, its not like my post is full of insults, foul language, or screams of hate...I simply made a statement about my impressions of some of the negative comments which at face value is really a small piece of good news, thats all. I don't know why my observation offends you, you seem like you been here long enough to just phase it out.

JOY

[aaronisbla]

i was offended by ur comment? I simply asked a question based on my recent observations, you seem to get worked up in all the post i have seen you make recently. You don't have to scream at the top of your lungs or be filled with hatred to let something irk you, or get you worked up. You seem like you have been here long enough to know that i wasn't offended in the slightest....

[aaronisbla]

I don't want no damned tshirt prizes, no buttons, hell no posters are any other crap like that, they only prizes that i and others should want is MSpoints or something other game related like free map packs for certain games or some sh!t like that.

Lets wait and see what the prizes will be before we get too excited.

[KingKionic]

YES!

May 15...

[Thoreau]

you pay for it with your 50 dollar a month subscription

[cherrypie]

"$50 per month"?

Try <$40 Per Year. And worth more than twice that.

[SonyRulz]

Ignorant fanboy. :o

[Coolrah]

Nothing is free if I have to pay for something to use it...For all the silver members out there they have to virtually play 50 bucks to play this.....Thats not free... Sony doesn't make you pay at alll..They don't say "oh you can get warhawk for free but you have to pay a "MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION" to continue playing it....K so your wallet is repeatedly getting buttpounded for something........Thats why subscription games phail hard....Especially live....Why should i have to pay 200 dollars plus money for games and extra peripherals and 50 bucks a year just so I can get the most out of my system...THATS why all people who pay for live are fools and fanboys. Thats why xbox 360 will always cost more for no reason as sony offers virtually the same thing at a FREEE price.....Atleast I have "confirmed" AAA games this year unlike 360...

[PeterGriffinSays]

Even though I'm a PS3 User, I must honestly say, this game looks awesome. Kudos to everybody on Xbox Live. ^_^

[DNAgent]

I think 1 vs 100 is pretty nice...Until you realize that somebody will obviously cheat by having a laptop next to them as they will just google the answers anyways.

It's a good idea but it doesn't work.

Also, is this going to be free in the same way that Hasbro game for XBLA was free? (You get the basic backage which is really nothing but a glorified options menu for free but you have to buy all of the games even if it's something ridiculously overpriced like Connect Four for 800 points).

[GiantEnemyCrab]

I'm sure whatever it is you will hate it and probably find a bunch of problems with it.

It's free. Period.

All you do is troll 360 news with your negative bullsh*t why do you even care? At least you keep it in the leper zone.

[No Way]

Thas why most games, like this, have a timer... duh.

You can't possibly type in the question and find the correct answer in what.. 15 seconds? I type around 70 words a minute. And, that would be tough, for me, to do.

Does this game have a timer? I don't know. Will it? Most likely.

[SuperSaiyan4]

Sorry but owning both consoles the PS3 interface is extremely boring and pathetic compared to the Xbox 360 interface. The way Xbox Live is intergrated into the 360 is unrivalled by any system, the way I can view things happening on Live etc and the way the interface is soo inviting whats better? Look at a dull PSP interface or being welcomed amazingly by the 360 NXE interface with its amazing Live intergration?

[manwich25]

free=good