It turns out not all Microsoft related news is complete bullshit this week. Earlier this week, rumors began spreading that the company would be releasing a newly designed Xbox 360 controller, with the biggest change being the inclusion of a “transforming D-pad.” Today, a spokesperson for Microsoft has confirmed these rumors with the following statement:

“The Xbox 360 Wireless Controller with Play & Charge Kit – with Transforming D-pad will be available worldwide beginning early 2011.”

Major Nelson then confirmed that the controller will hit the states November 9th and retail for $64.99. When the new D-pad is rotated  ninety degrees on this new controller, it’ll raise up about a quarter of an inch, making it ideal for fighters, arcade, and game room games. Hit the jump for a video demonstration of the transforming D-pad.

Boy oh boy I sure do love my Xbox Live, don’t you? But ya know what? I just really wish I could watch ESPN and stream over 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events plus highlights on it. Oh, and also watch Hulu and make video chat conversations with my family and friends on the big screen using Kinect. What’s that you say, Microsoft? I can have all that and “other new Gold features?!” Well sign me right up, then!

And guess what, folks. You too will get to enjoy these totally useful Xbox Live features as long as you’re willing to pay $59.99 for your yearly subscription to Xbox Live instead of the usual $49.99. Yeah, that’s right. Starting November 1, Microsoft is planning on bumping up the Xbox Live Gold Subscription price for everyone. It’s not an option like with the Playstation Network. Along with the 12-month price hike, 1-month subscriptions will go from $7.99 to $9.99 and 3-month subscriptions will go from $19.99 to $24.99.

Even though I’m already set with another year and a half of free Xbox Live, I still can’t put into words how this money grab makes me feel. Actually, yes I can, but who want’s to read me ranting about crap? Anyway, if you want to buy yourself some extra subscriptions cheaply now before the big change, hit up Amazon and get yourselves prepped.

Peter Molyneux brought his virtual boy to the prestigious TEDGlobal conference and showed him/it off for the first time since last year’s E3.

In addition to fleshing out Milo’s backstory (his family recently upgraded from old England to New England) the demonstration showed Milo’s concience and the effect peer pressure (in the form of the player) has on his decision making.

After encountering some slugs on the sidewalk after a rainstorm Milo was encouraged to squash them and did so; apparently with some hesitation.

Immediately afterward small horns started to bud from Milo’s forehead.

Later in the presentation Milo is home eating dinner with his parents as the player is instructed to tidy his room (apparently you are more a nanny than just a friend) you can then hear Milo arguing with his parents before throwing his dinner to the floor and being sent to his room. When he gets to his room you’re told to cheer him up in exactly the kind of emotionally involving moment Peter Molyneux loves to throw out for events like this.

Finally, once the audience is in his pocket, Peter can’t help but turn up the smarm as he announces that Milo’s “brain” will be handled not on disc but through cloud computing which will allow him to “learn” from different users.

I’ll admit I was almost getting excited before I remembered all the times Molyneux has suckered me in before with this kind of shit. Yeah, I have issues with him.

Earlier this year, Halo developer Bungie made it very clear that Halo: Reach would be “the last Halo game for a long time.”  Sure enough, Bungie signed a deal with Activision for the exclusive rights to a new major franchise that would span over the next ten years.  Now, the loss of Bungie as a de-facto Microsoft studio (Bungie hasn’t made a non-Halo game since Halo: Combat Evolved) is going to be bad enough for Microsoft, but for them to lose Halo – the franchise that, more than any other game or series, ensured the success of the Microsoft and the Xbox – well, that would be devastating…

Obviously they aren’t going to let it happen.

Sure, Kinect is cool.  I mean, playing video games without a controller is an amazing, boundary-breaking achievement like Jackie Robinson or the Rick-Roll, but what good is a cool control system without games to match?  Well, now there’s actually something to get excited about…

Did somebody say, “Lightsabers?” More info after the jump.

According to Microsoft VP Marc Whitten, Kinect (Formerly Project Natal) will make the Xbox simpler and the living room smarter.

DOES THAT FREAK ANYBODY ELSE OUT!?  I really don’t want my living room doing the ‘Times Crossword puzzle faster than me…

(I can’t finish it, anyways.  So it’s not THAT impressive)

Crytek’s newest IP “Codename: Kingdoms” made an appearance at Microsoft’s press conference today. In the unveiling video there’s a short look at what looks like gladiators or Spartans covered with blood and dirt and grime. Confusion arose due to the trailer’s usage of live-action, but Crytek has confirmed that live-action actors will not be used in the game (thank god). No other info was revealed besides the fact that the game will be a 360 exclusive. The teaser is below:

Microsoft opened up their press conference with a bang, showing off an action-packed sequence from “Call of Duty: Black Ops.”  After a brief sequence, the new trailer featured an on-rails helicopter sequence – a.k.a. the kind where all you have to do is blow stuff up.  While it’s not a mind-blowing to function that’s going to totally redefine any aspect of gaming, lets just stop and give a hand to Treyarch for a minute because, from what I can see, blowing stuff up looks AWESOME.

Microsoft has announced that in a partnership deal with Activision, downloadable content for Call of Duty for the next three years will launch first on the Xbox 360.