Microsoft has been asked some intriguing questions about their online service strategy involving Avatars and more. The software giant said that they're not taking ideas from Nintendo and they're not threatened by Sony's PlayStation Home. David Gosen speaks for the boys in green after the jump.

Welcome to the Xbox 360 blog's Weekend Warrior section, where we tackle the many important things that have happened in the Xbox 360 scene in the past couple of days, as well as discuss the highs and lows behind Microsoft's console in general. Find out all the interesting things that have happened in the past week after the jump!

Microsoft is packing some "fantastic surprises" heading into E3. That's according to  David Gosen, European VP of strategic marketing for interactive entertainment at Microsoft EMEA who also commented that the Xbox 360's battle with the PlayStation 3 is "far from over." He says Microsoft has the advantage in numbers, and what it will unveil in the weeks to come will change the industry's status quo. Details in the full article.

Microsoft is sending word that they have appointed David Gosen as the new VP for Europe's Strategic Marketing division. Gosen's also expected to help handle the region's Xbox Live service, which speaks plenty for his past experience as a CEO for a mobile games company. Details on this news are in the full article.

Nokia is gearing up for the release of its new N-Gage platform, and I-play is supplying the software necessary to make the mobile phone/handheld console hybrid successful.

The first two games that I-Play will release are racing sim World Rally Championship and the intense puzzle title Super Mah Jong. In recognition to the casual gaming revolution that's taking the world by storm, the firm made necessary adjustments to make its creations more appealing.

According to I-play, their games will push the N-Gage hardware to its limits but will maintain the one-hand control scheme being pushed by Nokia. The idea behind it is fun and ease at the same time to lure in people of all ages.

"We’re very excited to be cooperating with Nokia. The awareness that the launch later this fall alone will bring to the consumer and the mobile industry will help propel mobile gaming to the front and centre of entertainment consumed on the mobile," says I-play CEO David Gosen.

In the mobile video games arena, The Fast & Furious: Tokyo is considered a behemoth as the total number of paid for downloads just reached a staggering seven million.

Developed and published by I-play, through an agreement with Universal Mobile Entertainment, Tokyo received Best Made for Mobile Game honors during 2007 3GSM Awards earlier this year.

This time, The Fast & Furious: Tokyo has been shortlisted by The MEF for the 2007 Meffys. I-Play CEO David Gosen commented that he is very proud of this franchise and is very much honored with the recognition. Gosen added,

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo is one of the most successful games in I-play's history to date and the franchise is unmatched by any other racing game on the mobile platform. This game was developed by our internal team who continually raise the bar in terms of innovation.

Speaking of which, Tokyo is the first game to re-create "drifting" on mobile phones. Likewise, SVP of Universal Mobile Entertainment Jeremy Laws is excited about the Meffys as he commented,

The Fast and The Furious is the most successful racing franchise and film franchise on mobile. We are thrilled that The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo and I-play’s game development capabilities have been recognized by the MEF shortlist for its 2007 MEFFYS.

Mobile phone owners are being informed that today, I-play is announcing the release of their new 4 Wheel Xtreme game. If the name didn't give its genre away, 4 Wheel Xtreme is an off-racer that puts the player's hands (or rather, thumbs) behind the wheels of one of several monster trucks and SUVs. The game comes in a 3D and 2D version, with both carrying these features:

• Various racing environments,ranging from mountains to deserts
• Three game modes: Duel, race and Time Attack mode.
• A physics engine that allows allows for intense vehicle bumps and tumbles
• Fast-paced arcade-style gameplay, with added speed from in-game nitro boost power-ups
  

The 3D version of 4 Wheels Xtreme is expected to launch in Europe and North America within this month. "Despite the gritty nature of off-road truck racing, this title stays true to our casual gaming philosophy with one-thumb playability, giving players instant accessibility to this challenging title" said I-play CEO David Gosen regarding this latest game release. In case you're wondering how the game looks, we've also loaded up with screenshots below to give you an idea of how both version (2D and 3D) will look. Enjoy your viewing.

The screenshots for 4 Wheel Xtreme's 3D version are available in the Full Article!

If you think mobile games are no fun, that may soon change for you. Mobile game maker I-Play has come up with a nice fighting game concept that will keep you coming back for more. It's called Sexy Pillow Fight and it's coming right for you.

The premise is simple, take control of jaw-dropping French maids or cheerleaders, grab a big, fluffy pillow and go nuts. It's a nice deviation from volleyball with babes and we welcome this innovation.

"We've all done it sometime in our life - squared up to someone with only a pillow for defence. Like our mobile game, the opportunity this month's MEET-UP event offers is highly unique and original and as I'm sure most of us will testify - will have to be seen to be believed," said I-Play CEO David Gosen.

The game is slated to be released late this year and will be distributed by most major cellular providers. Grab a pillow and pound the babes to pillow oblivion.

After launching a real-life Jewel Quest challenge a few days ago, I-play comes up with it's latest lineup of titles due to come this year. Check out them coming-up games right here:

1. The Fast and the Furious: Fugitive - This will have you play as an ex-cop running from the law and blazing through the streets of LA to Miami to prove your innocence. The Fast and the Furious franchise is actually the most successful racing franchise on mobile. This fact alone could be reason enough for you to watch out for this mobile game.

2. Pillowfight - We bet this mobile game will bring much energy to a lot of male groins. Slug it out as a French Maid, a cheerleader and several other racy characters. You can even plump up your pillows and unlock downloadable wallpaper rewards as you progress through the game.

3. Metal Slug Mobile 3 - Everybody loves a zombie run and gun. Play as Sergeant Allen in this third iteration of the hugely popular arcade classic franchise. The future of your troops lies in your hands.

Apart from believing that mobiles will eventually surpass consoles, I-play is noted to be one of the world's longest established brand in mobile development. David Gosen, CEO of I-play says that the company also believes that "Great brands, simple and intuitive entertainment experiences all lead to outstanding fun for existing and new mobile users of every age."

The latest installment to the Quest mobile game series, Jewel Quest II, was launched across the globe last January. It was an instant hit because of several features, most notably the fact that it's not just a straight-up action puzzler - it also sports a deep story line, along with challenges of skill, strategy, and cerebral fun.

Anyway, mobile entertainment company I-play has a treat for players of Jewel Quest. Beginning today, participants can enter a global sweepstakes to win a trip for two to Mexico.

What will they do in Mexico, you ask? Well, they will compete in a real-life Jewel Quest challenge through the Mayan ruins and find a US$ 25,000 diamond.

"I-play's Jewel Quest promotion is one of the largest sweepstakes giveaways on mobile to date. In honor of the release of Jewel Quest II and the success of the Quest series, one of the top selling mobile game franchises in history, I-play is giving gamers a true taste of adventure," remarked I-play CEO David Gosen.

The said competition is open to all Cingular Wireless, lusacell, Amp'd, and Sprint subscribers.