Rampancy

Overswarm's Not So Common Sense Guide hosted over at HBO has received a number of new updates; complete details are in the post by Louis Wu.

Yahoo is reporting that Microsoft has stated at its Tokyo, Japan Xbox Summit today that the Xbox 360 will launch in the US, Europe and Japan in time for the 2005 holiday season. The Reuters report says that previously a six week delay was expected for those territories, and other news outlets, including SPOnG, are still saying this delay will occur.

Meanwhile, SPOnG also says that Microsoft has confirmed that every Xbox, in every territory, will come bundled with a 20Gb hard drive.

The Xbox Summit event has allowed Microsoft to show off the support they have from Japanese developers. In addition to getting a port of Square Enix's Final Fantasy for the new Xbox, games from Namco, Taito and Konami are being announced as well.

Over at Halo Arena, irc.bungie.org and HBO forum admin KP is interviewed about his playing style, the Halo vs Halo 2 debate, and life before Halo.

SketchFactor has posted at Bungie.net that since the introduction of the modified content detection in AutoUpdate 4 yesterday, more than 2,500 permanent matchmaking bans have been issued by the "self-aware automated Banhammer". Sketch also notes that in addition to this automatic routine, Bungie will still be looking for players who use other methods like boosting and standbying, as well as searching for players who built their rank by using modified content prior to the AU's deployment. Users are still encouraged to use XBL's feedback system to report cheaters, griefers and other behavioral problems.