231w ago - Microsoft is giving away Gold XBox 360 consoles to residents of Hong Kong. To be in with a chance of winning, they have to buy a new XBox 360 between now and February 15th.

After purchasing the system, gamers are expected to write a contest essay and explain why they love the XBox 360.

To quote: Gold, but not solid gold Xbox 360s. These consoles still play Resident Evil 5, but you can't buy one on eBay yet. Microsoft is giving these away as prizes for a Lunar New Year promotion.

To get a chance at winning one you have to buy a brand new Xbox 360 with a 60GB hard drive or an Xbox 360 Elite between January 15 to February 15 . Sorry, Xbox 360 Arcade purchasers Microsoft only wants big spenders in this contest.

After that you need to write an essay and explain why you love your Xbox. Oh, and this is the most important part, you have to live in Hong Kong. It's the only region I've seen Microsoft offer this contest in, which means whoever wins a gold Xbox 360 will have a real collector's item in their hands.

231w ago - If you're in one of the regions supported by Sony Computer Entertainment Asia you can get $10 HKD for free if you track down the money god avatar.

$10 HKD isn't much, it's like $1.30 US, but it's interesting to see Sony run such a promotion. Sure, it's not enough to buy a PlayStation Network game, but you can get a virtual item by finding the money god. Or you can save your money and hope Sony Computer Entertainment Asia runs more of these so you can get a free game.

No word if Sony is going to try this strategy in other regions of if this is only a Sony Computer Entertainment Asia strategy.

Terms and Conditions:

- You must be a Hong Kong member or Singapore member of Playstation®Network in order to participate in the event. Each eligable PSN account can only play one time.
- The reward top-up will be transferred to the PSN account by the end of 6 Feb, 2009.
- Funds added to PSN wallet are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- SCEH has the right to alter the terms and conditions of the competition. In case of dispute, SCEH reserves the right to make final decision.

240w ago - Along with the much anticipated Dashboard update, Microsoft has announced a new "Download & Win" contest where gamers have a chance to win free Microsoft Points.

The company is putting 1,000,000 Microsoft Points up for grabs for people who download content from Xbox Live between 6:01 AM PST on November 19th, and 11:59 PM PST on November 23rd.

The downloads must be from the following categories:

- Movie
- TV Show
- Full Arcade Game
- Xbox Originals Game
- Game Add-On
- Music Video
- The Prizes include:

- One Grand Prize of 500,000 MS Points
- Five 1st Prizes of 50,000 MS Points
- Ten 2nd Prizes of 10,000 MS Points
- Thirty 3rd Prizes of 5,000 MS Points

Sounds like a great way to kick off the New Xbox Experience. I think we all could use a cool 500,000 MS Points. If you have a few points laying around you might think about buying a game or two next week.

245w ago - That's right, USA Today ran a first come, first serve LittleBigPlanet BETA code giveaway. Sony have given them 15,000 key codes that will give people access to the trial.

USA Today stated that to enter, you will need to email littlebigplanet@usatoday.com with the subject title "LittleBigPlanet Beta".

As with most LBP key promotions, the keys were snarfed up quickly by eager LBP fans. In any case, props to Transient for keeping us updated on this news HERE.

For those who didn't get a key yet, good luck on the next LBP run! (although they claim this is the last)

249w ago - The Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK will be giving away codes to download the limited edition Kratos Sackboy for LittleBigPlanet.

In the bag with issue 24 of OPM will be a card containing a unique code to snag the specially made-up Sackboy - one of two limited edition Sackboys.

The other one, Nariko from Heavenly Sword, will be given to pre-orders of LittleBigPlanet on Play.com.

Also in the issue will be the, word exclusive LittleBigPlanet review, and the first 50 subscribers to the magazine will also be sent an exclusive Sackboy plush toy.

You know all the most smug players online will be those with the Kratos Sackboy, like the Hayabusa helmet-wearing master chiefs in in Halo 3.