So, did you vote for your favorite Xbox Live Arcade game? The votes are in and Microsoft has revealed the winners of the first ever Xbox Live Arcade Awards at the 2008 GDC. Check out the full article to see if your favorite game got an award.

Here's an update on the current DICE Summit 08: Roger Hector, Vice President of Development at Namco Bandai, gave a short talk on how video games have made fictional characters into living icons. He even mentioned one of the greatest icons living until now. Details in the full article.

There's a new Pac-man homebrew in DS town, and it's certainly easy and fun. Developer sebskater29 was nice enough to share it to the community, so feel free to download and enjoy it. More details are available after the jump.

Download: Dual Pac-man v0.1

It's natural for human beings to reminisce about days gone by and compare them with the current status quo. Famed Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto did a bit of that in a recent interview featured in the 1000th anniversary issue of Famitsu. He also touched upon a variety of other topics as well. Curious about what he said? Why not find out in the full article after the jump.

If you're looking for more nostalgic 8-bit gaming fun on your Virtual Console, then you might be interested to know that Nintendo has released Devil World on the Japanese VC. Coming close to what can be described as Pac-Man on speed, Devil World is one classic game that you definitely have to try if you're into games with endless levels of round about mazes and pellets littering it.

For more information, check out the full article after the jump!

Our intrepid hero from the 8-bit makes an appearance in another PlayStation Portable homebrew game by developer lukespalding, called Christmas Pac Man. Check out the full article for more info about the game.






Download: Christmas Pac Man

Gorgeous Christmas trees don't need stars or all those shiny things, because this Pac-Man themed one sure looks sweet. It's the entire original Pac-Man level turned into a Christmas treat, and it's waiting at the full article.

It looks like Microsoft is working on a new angle to draw in its market. Previously known to target the hardcore gamers, such as "the stereotypical young male dressed in black and living in the basement of his parents' home," the company is now looking into a more wholesome aspect by targeting casual gamers outside the usual teen and adult technophile range.

Jeff Bell, a Microsoft corporate vice president, talks about the new ad campaigns for the company which will be more family-oriented, especially with the recent release of the Xbox 360 Arcade console. Analysts from Microsoft realize that the light, family-friendly attitude reflects where the video gaming industry is going nowadays.

Check out the full article right after the jump!

Moral Kombat has finally been screened, and straight after was the panel discussion between Jack Thompson and Lorne Lanning, co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants. The debate was heated and filled with solid (and not-so-solid) arguments (complete with friendly jests and banter) from both sides.

No hair pulling, no punches thrown (except verbal ones, maybe). Read the full article for more details on the debate.

After announcing a price cut for the Xbox 360 package in Japan, Microsoft has now finally issued an official statement regarding the long-rumored Xbox 360 Arcade package, recently confirmed by Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division Head Robbie Bach.

The Xbox 360 Arcade Pack becomes available today in retail stores for US$ 279.99. And just like what earlier reports claimed, the new package comes with five casual video game title demos namely Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket, and Feeding Frenzy.

Aside from the Xbox 360 video games, the Xbox 360 Arcade package also comes with one wireless controller, HDMI connection output, and 256 MB of memory. Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Corporate VP for Global Marketing Jeff Bell had this to say:

As families gather together this holiday, it's the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy in addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun.

The Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing and we know how important that control is to families around the world.

In addition to this, Microsoft has also announced that it just expanded its catalog of downloadable TV shows over at Xbox Live Marketplace with the inclusion of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck from Warner Bros. as well as Blue's Clues, The Backyardigans,  and iCarly from Nickelodeons.