Microsoft patents in-game guide system
Researcher's 2008 patent for "User-Powered Always Available Contextual Game Help" shows Microsoft is considering an in-game guide similar to that of New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

2 million Xbox Live users Facebooked, a-Twitter
Microsoft announces around 10% of its subscribers log onto social networks during first week of 360 integration; 1 million check out Last.fm, 1.7 million peruse Zune video store.

EALA arming new Mercenaries
One week after laying off most of Pandemic, EA reveals next installment in guns-for-hire series; leaked pitch trailer suggests multiplayer focus.

Madden Arcade touches down on XBL
Xbox Live Update: EA's pigskin spin-off joined on Marketplace by Games on Demand Saints Row 2 and Lego Indiana Jones.

Just Cause 2 gets late March launch
Avalanche Studios' over-the-top open-world action sequel takes flight March 23 in North America, March 26 in Europe and elsewhere.

Assassin's Creed II slays 1.6 million in one week
Ubisoft says internal sales reports shows critically lauded sequel outselling original by 32 percent.

Modern Warfare 2 classification appealed in Australia
South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson says game allows players to be "virtual terrorists;" Classification Board says no appeal has been received to date.

Datel suing Microsoft over memory-unit lockout
British maker of high-capacity, low-price storage units takes legal action against software giant, accusing it of antitrust violation.

ESA, Sony, Microsoft partner on science, math push
Trade organization, console makers back President Obama's Educate to Innovate initiative with Little Big Planet, Web game design challenges.

Top US Nintendo PR exec resigns
VP of corporate affairs Denis Kaigler leaves after less than two years at Nintendo of America; no replacement yet named.