XBox Fan Force

 Apparently Microsoft is of the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" mindset.

Tech website Fudzilla is reporting that California based Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has secured a deal to supply the graphics processors for the next Xbox. This shouldn't come as a surprise, as AMD is behind the current Xbox's processor. 

The site also suggests that Microsoft was working on readying the new console for late next year, but has pushed its release back to the year 2012. You know, the economy and all.

There's really no source on the story, so we've contacted both AMD and Microsoft for an official statement, but don't hold your breath -- if we get anything back, it'll be the standard "We don't comment on rumors or blah blah blah."

Major Nelson announced via his blog today that signups for this month's Xbox Live Update Preview featuring Twitter, Facebook and LAST.FM are now being accepted.  Oh, not so fast -- remember last the last beta where you just filled out a bit of information and crossed your fingers? Yeah, it's not that easy this time; they're looking for some pretty specific information.

To register, head to Microsoft's registration page and fill out the form. You'll need the basics; like your Gamer Tag, e-mail address and language of choice, but you're also going to need your console ID, serial number and oddly enough your router and TV make and model. I know right? That's not the weirdest part though -- you'll have to run a systems test on your computer to test your speed before you can submit your preview entry. And yes -- it's required.

If you do get all of that info and register, odds are you'll be in but like last time, nothing is promised. Those chosen will be notified by e-mail within the next few weeks. 

Oh and did we mention that we're on Twitter? Cause we totally are, and we have insightful posts too...oh and we give away free stuff all the time. Check us out @XboxFanForce

Okay, so maybe paying real world money to dress up your virtual you in virtual clothes is a bit laughable, but what about free Modern Warfare 2 themed items? Yeah, I thought so.

Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling dropped a bit of a teaser earlier on Twitter when he addressed the issue of avatar rewards; saying:

"not sure we'll be doing any Avatar rewards, but we are making avatar items. With some free ones hopefully."

While Bowling didn't give any specifics as to what the items would be or when they would be available, one would have to think that they would be hitting in the next month to coincide with the game's release. 

Staff writers at Popular Mechanics recently got the chance to test drive Project Natal, and to say they were impressed would be a bit of an understatement, in fact, the magazine named the motion sensing camera as one of this year's ten breakthrough innovations of the year.

"Holy cow," said PM writer Seth Porges. "Actually being up close with it is a transformative experience -- I'm reminded of the first time I played the Nintendo Entertainment System 20 years ago. As I played, my mind was racing with future possibilities for the platform. Hide behind cabinets to take cover in Halo ODST, or Hold the air to Tango with a virtual dance partner halfway across the world! Lets just put it this way: I want this. And if you thought the Wii did a good job of getting casual gamers out of the woodwork, this thing is going to blow it away. "

Porges got to try his hands at two games,  an unnamed racing game (more than likely Burnout) and what the writer describes as a full-body breakout like game. While the offerings weren't anything new, Porges praised the system's body mapping abilities and just how well it reads movement.

Japanese gaming news site GNN has posted what appears to be posters for two unannounced Left 4 Dead campaigns. While we're filing this as a rumor for now, we're working on getting the page translated to get a better idea of just what we're looking at.

Reportedly, Dead Center will serve as the game's opening chapter and take place in a mall. I know, I know...not very original, but knowing Left 4 Dead -- expect a bit of a tongue-in-cheek approach to the horror movie cliche. The other "revealed" poster is for Hard Rain, which is reportedly the game's fourth chapter and from the image above, looks to take place in a refinery.

Stick with Xbox Fan Force through the week for more on this developing story.

Brutal Legend is going to be awesome. Just how awesome? You can bury an axe into a demon's face. Something you can't do in some of this fall's other games. 

As seen on Joystiq; here's our first edition of Friday; where we show off our favorite video of the week. Happy weekend everyone!

As the network's Xbox guy, I'm not sure if it's Kosher to say this, but I friggin' loved the quirky DS title; Scribblenauts. Sure, it had it's flaws -- but what other game let's me ride a dinosaur in hopes of aiding God and Abraham Lincoln while fighting zombie ridding dinosaurs?

It makes me very happy then to report that 5th Cell, the game's developers have confirmed that they are currently working on an original Xbox Live Arcade title. 

"We're going to be doing an Xbox Live Arcade title next, and it's going to be pretty big," 5th Cell's head honcho Jeremiah Slaczka told Gamasutra. "It's going to be really cool and we're very excited about it...it's totally not ready to be announced. It's far away. The only thing that we've really announced is that we're working on console stuff, and we'll see where it goes."

The announcement comes on weeks of speculation that the indie developer was working on a project that involved console gaming. The team behind Scribblenauts even appeared on a recent edition of Major Nelson's podcast.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got an annoying soccer goalie to take care of. I'm thinking a Griffin and a chain should do the trick.