If you or someone you know is thinking of picking up a previously-owned (read: used) Xbox 360 for the Holidays, there’s one important thing to keep in mind. There are people out there who modify their consoles, cheat, pirate games, etc. When Microsoft finds these people, their consoles get banned from Xbox LIVE, the system’s online service. The worst part is, it’s a permanent ban. Ergo, if you buy a used system that happened to be banned from Xbox LIVE, you’re out of luck.

So if you’re buying from a friend or even from a place like GameStop, make sure to have the system plugged in so you can test the Xbox Live connection. That is, if you care about Xbox LIVE, which you should, because everyone needs to…pwn some n00bs as the kids say.

It seems as though a large percentage of stupid stories like this come out of our local Orlando area. Zachary Moir, a stupid 19 year old (did I mention he’s stupid?), wouldn’t listen to his mom, Dena, and come downstairs for dinner because he was in the middle of a game. When she came up and unplugged the Xbox, the turd (Zachary) pushed her and “called her a bad name.” Probably something like “doo doo head.” Later, while Dena was in the kitchen (someone’s in the kitchen with deeena…sorry), Zachary came down and proceeded to be a bad little boy.  (more…)

It looks like your Xbox just got a little more purpose. It was announced yesterday that a Hollywood based company, Safran Digital Group, would be producing original shows for the Xbox.

Microsoft, seeking to expand offerings on its Xbox 360 console, has reached an agreement with a company headed by Peter Safran, the veteran Hollywood producer and talent manager, to produce original shows for distribution on the system

Few details were given regarding any of the shows except that they would be targeted for the the Xbox core audience, males 14 to 34. Since I’ve been told I have the mentality of an 8 year old I have no interest on any of this.

[NY Times]