So I voted once more for GameSpot's Game of the Year. Aren't we supposed to get a badge for voting on the Reader's Choice awards and GotY? I never heard either way, so I'm not sure if I was supposed to get a badge or not. What gives?

If any of you wonderful people know the answer to that one, let me know! I'm obssessed with badges!

So I decided to use part of my tax return to upgrade my Xbox 360 experience. The two accessries that interest me the most are the wireless head set and the Windows messenger keypad. My question is: Can the two be used at the same time? I absolutely hate the headset that came with my X360. The cord is too short and more often than not ends up getting in the way. I've had a couple of occasions when the plug of the head set comes right out during the middle of a grueling match of slayer in Halo 3! Not cool, to say the least. I'm getting the wireless head set, but before I buy the Windows Messenger keypad, I need to know if I can use it in conjunction with the wireless headset. If I can't, and MUST use the head set that's packaged in the Messenger Kit, I probably won't buy it. Help me out, my fellow gamers!

-Ace

I've recently finished playing through Mass Effect and highly recommend this game! While it's not perfect and has a vehicle mode that seems like it was slapped on at the last minute, it's a must play for the rpg starved Xbox 360 fan base. It also has a very high replay value and achievements that can't be attained through a single time through. Once I finished playing Mass Effect, I started on BioShock. I haven't gotten very far into the game, but rest assured that I will play through it and eventually finish. The question at hand is this: What game should I play next? I'm seriously considering the Orange Box since I haven't played through Half Life 2 or any of the Episodes that follow up. Being the rpg fan that I am, I'm giving consideration to Lost Odyssey yet have found myself discouraged from it by the reviews it's gotten. Anyone played it yet? I take into consideration personal opinions as much as GameSpot's reviews. Eternal Sonata is another rpg I'm considering, but I'm interested in more than just rpg's. Anyone played Witcher? LOL, yet another rpg. Anyways, I'm in need of recommendations for my next Xbox 360 game or possibly PC game, in the mean time I shall be playing BioShock!

--Ace

Not too long ago my Xbox 360 suffered a fatal blow: the three flashing red ring lights. After contacting Microsoft with my delima, I received a box to ship it back to Microsoft with a return address label inside, effectively covering all shipping costs. I would have been a little upset if I had been forced to cover the shipping costs. Once my X360 was in the mail, I didn't hear anything from UPS or Microsoft until two days before it was to be delievered back to me. It was merely a recorded message telling me that someone needed to be at home to sign for the package, otherwise they'd try delivering it another day. Thankfully, I was home, not having to work until later that evening. To my surprise and delight, I received a brand new X360 instead of my old one! I guesssending me a new onewas cheaper than trying to fix the original. It has a manufacturing date of November 2, 2007. In comparison to my old X360, the new one is a lot quieter, runs smoother without any grinding noises and even runs cooler. Another problem I had with the old one was that my original Xbox games didn't play very smoothly, being choppy with sound distortion. After playing Knight of the Old Republic for an hour, I'm happy to report that all of those issues have been remedied. All in all, Microsoft has done right by me. I ended up with a brand new unit without having to pay a single penny. As frustrating as it was to have my system die, it was taken care of in a timely manner and without hassle.

-Ace

My Xbox 360 is scheduled to be delivered to me tomorrow. I haven't been told whether it's been repaired or simply replaced, either way I'm looking forward to it. The last game I played was Halo 3, and hile it does have a high replay value, it's time to decide what game I'll play next. I have narrowed the games down to three from which to choose and I would like some opinions from my fellow GameSpotters. The games are: Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect and BioShock. I love RPG's as well as action adventure games, so my delima is well founded. Let me know which one you like (or dislike) the most!

-Ace