Bioware was nice enough to invite some community members to their evil lair (nestled away nicely in Edmonton, Alberta) for an early chance to play Mass Effect, tour the studio, and meet some of the creative people behind what I predict will be game of the year, perhaps even the of the decade. After spending a day immersed in the world of Mass Effect, the only thing bad I can say about the game is that “I'm not playing it right now”. When my time was up, and they came to collect the controllers I didn't want to leave. I was right in the middle of an engrossing story line that grabbed me from the start and that I won't be able to stop thinking about until I get the game back in my grubby little hands when it launches November 20th.

Electronic Arts threw the switch today on a free downloaded feature called Online Team Play that will enable 10 people on 10 different consoles anywhere in the world to connect online to play a single match of FIFA Soccer 08 or NBA LIVE 08. The new feature is automatically available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system* when connected online.

XCL recently had a chance to chat with Ben Ward, Community & Web lead over at Bizzare Creations, about the recently released Project Gotham Racing 4. Not content with resting on their laurels after the critically acclaimed PGR3, Bizzare seems set to once again innovate and deliver a knock out punch to the racing genre. With the introduction of super bikes, along with dynamic weather and more cities than ever before, there is plenty of racing goodness to satisfy. Take it away Ben.

Recently Xbox Canada hosted their annual fall media showcase event. Typically a press only affair, these last two years the event has been opened up to the gaming community. Those lucky enough to earn a golden ticket were given a rare chance to check out and get hands on time with the games that will comprise the most amazing holiday line up in video game history. Overall the event was a great success. The venue was perfect, and the set up was a gamer's dream. And despite some unforeseen power outage issues, the organizing team came through like champs and made sure everyone still had a good time. Generators were flown in via drop-ship (or so they said), power was restored, and it was game on. Below you will find my top 7 favorite things about this year's X'07 event.

Last month EA invited Xbox Addict along with a bunch of other journalists, podcasters, and community members to Fort Bragg, North Carolina to take a look at their upcoming 360 WW2 shooter, Medal of Honor : Airborne. While they could have taken the easy road and hosted the event at a posh air conditioned hotel, EA decided to go the extra mile and immerse us fully in the culture of the 82nd Airborne division. With temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, this was a community day like no other. Even while journeying to the base from my home in the great white north, there was a sense this would be an experience not soon forgotten. Not only did we get hands on time with the multiplayer, but there was also some time for some sessions with the excellent single player.