Xbox Live Newsbeat

Microsoft has been kind enough to share with us their busy release schedule for the next couple of weeks.

There are bits and pieces for your Avatar, and some videos for Zune, but the main bulk of the list consists of games.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (EA) looks like it could make something of itself. The demo is out on January 17, so we can all see for ourselves just how this RPG is shaping up.

There are, of course, the deals of the week. This time round they include Orcs Must Die! (MS Studios) for 600 MSP, Dungeon Defenders (D3) is priced at 800 MSP, and for 400 MSP you can pick up either South Park: LGTDP (MS Studios) or Defense Grid: The Awakening (also MS Studios). There is also a tasty looking sale on all things Grand Theft Auto - probably worth checking out if there are gaps in your collection.

There are several DLC packs to tell you about. Highlights include the Gears of War 3 Fenix Rising Map Pack (MS Studios) for 800 MSP, Saints Row: The Third Genkibowl VII (THQ) for 560 MSP and there are a variously priced Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 (Ubisoft) packs too.

However, we've saved the best till last. The Xbox Live Arcade games release over the next couple of weeks are AMY (Namco), Choplifter HD (Konami), Scarygirl (Square Enix), Haunt (MS Studios) and the re-release of Doom (Bethesda). They're all 800 MSP except Doom at 400 MSP and Choplifter HD, which is available for 1200 MSP.

Happy gaming.