FREE XBOX LIVE ARCADE TEXAS HOLD’EM GAME DATED

Gamespot is reporting that the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade Texas Hold’Em game will be released via the marketplace on August 23rd at no cost to Xbox Live subscribers.

“Gamers won’t be able to play for money, but that shouldn’t bother too many because the game itself is free, making it the second free game for the Xbox 360 after Hexic HD (available gratis on the optional 20GB hard drive). Card sharks will be able to play standard games, tournaments, and various scenarios, as well as create their own poker variants for up to eight players.” -Gamespot

I may not be a fan of Texas Hold’Em, but I sure am a fan of free stuff. My guess is Microsoft will use Texas Hold’Em as a way to popularize the upcoming Xbox Vision camera, as the game was used to demonstrate the face mapping features of the camera at E3. Check out the Gamespot story here as you do the “I’m getting something for nothing” dance!

UPCOMING XBOX 360 ACCESSORIES PRICED?

Joystiq is reporting that they’ve been tipped on the retail prices of several Xbox 360 accessories by an insider at Microsoft. While Microsoft has not confirmed any of the following, here’s the information they were given;

• Xbox Live Vision Camera – $39.99 – The camera will be bundled with a wireless headset, the Xbox Live Arcade version of Uno and a month of Xbox Live Gold service. No word on if Microsoft will offer the camera separately for those who have no need of the extras.
• Faceplates – Halo, Forza Motorsport 2 and Viva Pinata faceplates – $19.99 each.
• Wireless Headset – $59.99 – 30 foot range
• 256mb Memory Card – $59.99
• Wireless Gaming Receiver – $19.99 – Allows you to use Xbox 360 wireless peripherals such as the wireless controller, headset and steering wheel with your PC.

With how well Uno has sold since it’s release, I’m certainly hoping Microsoft will not shaft the folks who already picked it up and offer the camera separately. Of all the items listed there, I’m probably most excited about the Wireless Gaming Receiver. The ability to use my 360 wireless controllers on the PC is just to good to pass up. Click here to jump over to Joystiq for all the details.

XBOX LIVE VISION CAMERA DATED

Gamasutra is reporting that in his daily podcast, Xbox Live’s Major Nelson revealed that the Xbox Live Vision camera will be released on September 19th of this year, and that the upcoming Xbox Live update will add the required support for the camera to the 360. In addition to releasing the street date for the camera, the interview confirmed that in addition to World Series of Poker gamers, Rainbow Six: Vegas players will also be able to use the camera to map a players face and add it to the game models. If you have a 360 and a Live account and want to see more on this feature, download the E3 Backstage videos from the marketplace as there’s a short demonstration in one of them. Is the world really ready to see what gamers really look like? Only time will tell. Check out the full Gamasutra article here.