click to super-duper sizeAfter having the weekend to explore the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, we came across a very welcome addition to select Avatar clothing: the choice of color!

Within' the new dash update, the classic Avatar "Power Tee" (which is currently available in both green and red flavors) can now be color customized. A small color palette icon can be seen attached to the tee and, once chosen, offers the option of nine different colors. Don't believe us? Check out the video footage of the color choosing process, embedded after the break.

From what we can tell, the "Power Tee" is the only item that offers a color choice, but we hope more items (if not all) will receive this option in the future. Having the ability to change the color of Avatar clothing has been a popular request among the community and is a feature that adds an extra layer of customization. We encourage Microsoft to keep these color options coming!

Continued →

Today is the day of independence for Joystiq readers in the United States, which also means it's a day full of aerial explosions of light. You know, fireworks. For those not lucky enough to be in an area where one can witness this colorful spectacle, we figured we'd bring the explosive excitement to the internet, for all to share, with the help of the recently released Community Game, Kodu.

Enjoy the show and have a boom-tastic July 4th!

That picture pretty much says it all: the whole Joystiq vs. Bungie quarrel has been squashed and the competitive tiff has been settled. Let it be known that both the streets of New Mombasa and around the Joystiq Towers metro are, once again, safe to stroll without fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Continued →

With stomachs full of In-N-Out's fatty burger goodness, we're happy to present photographic proof that we were in attendance at Xbox Live's E3 reader meetup. Not that we need any photos to do that, the ketchup stains on our pants and our bloated bellies should be proof enough. Go ahead, take a gander through the photo gallery below to experience Xbox Live community at its greasiest finest!

Microsoft's E3 2009 keynote wrapped a few days ago. Plenty of Xbox goodness was revealed, various celebs took the stage and a few Wii insults were served. And what better way to reminisce about this year's BIG Microsoft announcements than with photos! So, here's some keynote photography for you.

Know that both we and John Schappert give this photo gallery two thumbs way up!

Dragging our sleep deprived selves through the convention center, today, we came across a Halo'riffic surprise. An unidentified red Spartan - one that sorta resembled the hue of Red vs. Blue's Sarge - was seen drumming his lil' Spartan heart out at the Lego Rock Band booth. He was thumping to the beat of "The Final Countdown", four starred the tune and we're pleased to report that no drum set victory tea-bagging was performed. It's all about self control, kids.

Continued →

click to see what's insideToday, upon checking the official Joystiq mailbox, we were pleasantly surprised to find that our Microsoft E3 2009 press conference invite was tucked inside, waiting patiently for its discovery. And like years past, we decided to share the invitation opening experience all while systematically comparing it to last year's rather fancy presentation. Remember, Microsoft takes the E3 stage on June 1st, but enough talk ... let's get opening.

On Thursday evening, Joystiq vs. Bungie: A Mythic Halo 3 Challenge came to an awkward, head-scratching close. We're sure most everyone who was interested in the outcome either watched the live stream or read through Bungie's uninspired Humpday challenge recap. But with so much misinformation circulating the internet, allow us to tell the real story. Allow us to clear the stench of deceit that has been wafting about.

Continued →

Update: Now that the challenge has concluded, be sure to check out the official recap of the battle including all of Bungie's shenanigans.

Earlier this week, Bungie challenged Joystiq to a Halo 3 competition to help get the word out about the just released Mythic Map Pack and to prove that developers are more skilled gamers than journalists. Over the course of a few days, we sought the help of the Joystiq community by having an open enrollment as we looked for nine individuals to represent Team Joystiq in battle. Well, we found our nine Joystiq representatives (along with one editor) and will be taking on Bungie Studios in a few hours in an event we're calling "Joystiq vs. Bungie: A Mythic Halo 3 Challenge".

Tonight, Joystiq's hand-selected team will enter the Halo 3 arena and do battle with Bungie. While they've been spending their time talking trash on their forums and even finding it necessary to mock Team Joystiq, know that we don't play those adolescent games. Instead, our team has put all its time and energy into honing its Halo 3 skills and is determined to earn Recon armor for all participants involved. Failure is unacceptable. Each game Joystiq loses, its editors will be required to wear Bungie supplied apparel at E3 for one day and the humiliation that's sure to come.

If you're interested in viewing the matches as they're played, we'll be streaming the whole event LIVE! Starting tonight at 9:00 pm EST (6:00 pm PST), you'll find a Ustream embed of the match after the break. Even though there is no audio and the video quality isn't exceptional, it gives those who are interested in the competition a place to hang out with other like-minded gamers and a chance to watch history unfold. Be sure to bookmark this post and be here for all the carnage. For those who'll miss the stream, we'll be posting a recap of the Joystiq vs. Bungie shenanigans sometime late Friday.

Best of luck to all parties involved ... GO TEAM JOYSTIQ!

Continued →

Update 2: Winners have been chosen. Check your email (and junk mail) to see if you've been selected.

Let it be known that on this day, Monday, April 6, 2009, developer Bungie Studios has challenged us -- Joystiq! -- to "A Mythic Halo 3 Challenge." But fear not loyal readers, for we knew this day would come and are prepared to fight and defend thy Joystiq honor.

It's speculated that this gaming challenge was spawned from Bungie's jealousy of the innate awesomeness Joystiq possesses and its urge to promote the upcoming release of the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack. The challenge is simple: Bungie's best will battle Team Joystiq for ultimate gaming supremacy. But we need YOUR help.

The team that'll represent Joystiq will be comprised of community members, which is why we're holding an open call for the best Halo 3 players. Ultimately, we'll select nine community members to participate in the challenge. Each chosen member will receive a copy of the Mythic Map Pack and could be awarded Halo 3 Recon armor. Continue past the break for more information and details about how to represent Joystiq in battle.

Continued →

Update: The entry period has closed. Congrats to our winners Wesley, Odog4ever and pibs.

We're certain there are a few Xbox Live Arcade enthusiasts out there who really want to purchase this week's release of The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, but just can't afford it. (Thanks, crappy economy.) Knowing that and being privileged enough to have industry connections, we put together this Joyswag giveaway to award three readers a copy of The Dishwasher. What can we say? We're cool like that.

To enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment on this post sharing your tip for getting dirty dishes sparkling clean
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
• Limit 1 entry per person
• This entry period ends at 11:00 pm ET on Friday, April 3
• We'll randomly choose 3 winners at that time to receive a redemption code for The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (ARV: $10). Please check your email!

Also, be sure to to look out for the entire Dishwasher dev team (read: James Silva) playing on Xbox Live this Saturday as part of the Game with Developers program.

Here's a first look preview of the chilly Gears of War 2 Snowblind Map Pack DLC, which is set for release this Tuesday, March 31 on Xbox Live Marketplace for 800.

Embedded above is over six minutes of Snowblind footage that's guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest Gears 2 appetite and quench the thirstiest DLC thirst. So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot cocoa and press the play button ... you're about to get Snowblind-ed.

With the recent release of Gears of War 2's third title update and the complete overhaul of the game's ranking system, we figured we'd put together a helpful video explaining all the changes.

Embedded above is a short (and super sweet) video showcasing the new Gears 2 ranking system, including an explanation of those new pop-up "toast" messages. After giving the footage a watch, roadie-run over to the official Gears of War 2 forums to get informed about what enhancements, bug fixes and improvements title update three has brought us.

Because the world needs to know (and by "world" we mean the Joystiq reader base), this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week is none other than Xbox Original title Fable.

Starting today, Monday, March 16, and lasting through late Sunday, March 22, Fable can be purchased from the XBLM for 800 ($10), which represents a 33% discount from its normal 1200 pricing. As with all Deal of the Week offers, this Fable discount is only available to Xbox Live gold subscribers. Live silver accounts are forever shunned for choosing a life of evil and moral corruption. Be gone silver members ... BE GONE FROM THESE LANDS!

[Via Major Nelson]