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Rumours over at Kotaku suggest that Microsoft looks like it may be planning to release another Xbox 360 Elite bundle, this time with Rockstar’s hit game Grand Theft Auto IV. Although no release date has been set it looks as though retailers are getting information through. It is likely that Microsoft will included the Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable episode The Lost & Dammed as an added bonus. It also maybe possible that the Elite will get a colour change as it did with the RE5 special edition.

Autosport have revealed that Codemasters’ F1 2009 game will be released this autumn, but only on the Wii and PSP. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will follow sometime in 2010 after receiving a makeover to enable HD resolutions. All versions of the games will feature the new KERS kinetic energy recovery system, slick tyres and the full 2009 aero rules. All of the current cars and drivers will feature including the new and very successful Brawn GP team with their BGP001.

Electronic Arts today have released a downloadable game mode for their FIFA Soccer 09 game on the Xbox 360 platform. FIFA 09 Ultimate Team is available to download now and allows gamers to bring together the most talented footy players the world has to offer with the intent of developing them into a dream team. The aim is to then enter online competitions with the team./p>

Resident Evil 5 was released in Japan yesterday. Early figures for first day sales put the PS3 version of the game at 220,000 sales against the Xbox 360 version at just 56,000 sales. The PS3 obviously has a huge advantage but remember that in Sony’s home market their console has a user base some 300% higher than that of the Xbox 360. If haven’t purchased the Sony console yet then get yourself over to gadgets-4-free where you can claim a free ps3 so you’re ready for the excellent RE5.

Microsoft has cut the Xbox Live Gold price for a 12 month subscription to $39.99 in North America and £34.99 in the UK. It is applicable to all Silver memberships, although only for a limited time. Microsoft don’t specify how long the offer will last. A statement from Microsoft reads “currently running a promotion in-dash that gives Silver members a special opportunity to upgrade to the full benefits of Gold membership at a reduced price for a limited time.”

The new Grand Theft Auto IV expansion episode The Lost & damned from developer Rockstar has set a new revenue record on Xbox Live. The Xbox exclusive title has, according to Microsoft “eclipsed first-day revenue for all previous downloadable content on Xbox LIVE”. There is no word on whether their original fee to the developer has been anywhere near covered. We know the cost is $19.99 but Microsoft has not released actual sales figures.

It looks like the traditionally weak Xbox 360 sales in Japan are on the up. Reuters today reports that in the week ending 22 February the Xbox sold 21,013 units compared with Nintendo selling 16,900 Wii’s and Sony shifting 15,967 PS3’s. A good result for Microsoft which reinforces the PS3’s recent poor sales performance in other markets.

A Microsoft executive has commented that European sales of the Xbox 360 console was up 120% over the Christmas 2008 period compared to the same period in 2007. This backs up claims that the Xbox 360 has seen a huge sales growth in the US in comparison to a sales drop for the PS3.

Microsoft have today announced a special edition Red Xbox 360 to mark the imminent release of the first Resident Evil game on the platform. It will be released on 13 March, the same day as the game and will based on the top-of-the range Elite edition of the console. The package will include the usual Elite package (in Red rather than Black) along with the game and a special Resident Evil 5 theme. The special edition will be available in the UK, US and Australian markets.

Sony have announced that they have sold 21.3 million PlayStation 3 consoles worldwide up to 31 December 2008. They do not split the figure down into territories.

Let’s see what figure Microsoft come back with for Xbox 360 sales! It should be much more considering their one-year head start and the recent sales performance reports.