Live gets switched off on original Xbox – nostalgia time

The news that Microsoft are shutting down Live services for the original Xbox is not a major surprise. After all, the 360 has been on the market for nearly 5 years now and you have to wonder how much impact this decision will have. The additional news that Live support for any Xbox titles released as downloads for the 360 (Originals) will also be switched off could be more annoying, especially if you have only bought one of the games recently. But seeing as it is Friday let's look at the positives and remember when Xbox Live was altogether more frugal - no gamerscore or achievements back then - experience

MX vs ATV Reflex

Nicky Woolf: If you can ignore Captain Kirk and the sometimes dodgy AI, this is actually quite a satisfying game

Bill Gates has let China down

Zhang Hong: In contrast to Google's stand against online censorship, Gates's 'business as usual' comments betray China's internet users

Mass Effect 2 – it’s very good

Not even the distraction of the Saints V Pompey draw in the FA Cup could distract me from the highlight of the weekend - yes, Mass Effect 2 has arrived. I've been putting the hours in on the 360 version and it has been a fantastic ride. All the pre-release talk about making the game more of a shooter and beefing up the combat had me worried that Mass Effect 2 would forget that it was the characters and story that really made the original work so well. I needn't have worried - Mass Effect 2 is still a game where conversation is as important as combat. I won't reveal any spoilers but so far the plot has not disappointed.

Mass Effect 2 interview – Modern Warfare 2 among influences

The much anticipated – by me especially - space opera/RPG Mass Effect 2 is launching on the 29th Jan. The sequel promises more plot twists and relationship conflicts as well as tighter combat and even prettier visuals. The gorgeous retro-synth soundtrack will be back too. I recently spoke to producer Adrien Cho and asked him about influences, improvements and the future of role playing games

Playing the wall game in China

Google's experiences in China show that even the most powerful western companies have to accept its rules. By Charles Arthur and Tania Branigan in Beijing