Microsoft went a bit long on its 24-hour downtime to update Xbox Live. The My Xbox section of Xbox.com is still down almost 48 hours later, which means Gamercards are dark all over the Web. When complete, the update will enable more parental controls. Basically, you can designate accounts for your kids and control their contacts with more settings to block online communication and content. The other big news is that Lumines Live! launched for $15. A planned $7.50 bonus pack was held back at the last minute, which is a shame since it appears that much of the full game was omitted. Among the cuts: Versus CPU mode, which would offer helpful practice to players before they go up against real online multiplayer opponents. There's a one level Versus CPU demo in the "full" game, as well as a placeholder for the omitted Advance Pack levels. Also absent are the music videos shown in previous demos - no doubt, they'll cost you even more later...
UPDATE: Microsoft released the Advance Pack, with 22 more Challenge Mode skins to unlock (beyond the 12 in the base game). There are also announcements about future add-on packs (though no prices yet):
- Mission/Puzzle Pack: offers 50 missions, 50 puzzles and six more skins (there are only five of each in the base game)
- VS CPU Mode Pack: adds 11 AI opponents, each with its own skin (there's only one of those in the base game)
- Artist Pack: introduces music video skins for Challenge Mode (unknown number of skins and artists beyond Madonna performing "Sorry" - most likely spread across multiple packs)
