Here's an interesting point. The suit alleges that the fire was started by an XBox 360. But, the fire took place in December of 2004, prior to the launch of the 360. So, was the fire caused by one of the original XBox systems (which had more than 14 million Xbox power cords recalled in February of 2005, citing fire concerns), or is this just an attempt to drag a little cash out of the big boys?

A Microsoft spokesman said, "Microsoft recently learned about this tragic incident that occurred in December 2004.

'Metal Gear Solid 4' confirmed for Xbox 360

Formely announced as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will now also be released on Xbox 360, with a cut-down Nintendo Wii version also a possibility, according to online reports.The new game in the multi-million selling franchise will feature objective-based missions, while the Xbox 360 version will also include exclusive content and gameplay not offered in the PS3 edition.Starring the infamous character Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, as with other titles in the series, is being created by renowned designer Hideo Kojima.A Konami spokesman said: "The game is set after the events of MGS2 and players will reprise the role of top secret agent Solid Snake with appearances by characters throughout the MGS series. With the addition of online capability, MGS4 is a leading product and will signal the dawn of a new gaming era for the MGS series."The firm also added: "MGS4 brings a totally new concept and situation, resulting in the toughest Metal Gear infiltration mission ever devised."Industry insiders claim publisher Konami is also in talks with Nintendo to bring a cut-down MGS game to the Wii.Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be released in 2008.

Hour of Victory Demo Goes 'Live' Next Week

According to Midway, the demo is coming sometime next week, but no date is specified. The single-player demo shows off the North African level and offers three ways to play it: as the "covert operative" who prefers stealth to flashy entrances; the Army Ranger who can "snipe from afar;" or the British Commando who'll "storm the gates."

Hour of Victory will be the first WII game on shelves utilizing the Unreal 3 Engine.

Xbox Live provokes profits: in the black by 2008

I can quite easily imagine my bank manager's face if I went to him and said "I'm planning to work at a loss, if that's okay, and build up a few million in debt" - in fact I can imagine the sound thrashing he'd give me - but things obviously work differently in games console land. We already knew that Microsoft had applied some still-leaky sutures to the gushing wound that is their Entertainment and Devices Division, bringing losses down to a mere $315m; now division president Robbie Bach has given an interview assuring us that through a complicated sum of Xbox Live revenue and game royalties the console will actually turn a profit next year.