In case you've been under a rock lately (or you're not an obsessive RSS reader like myself) you may not have heard that Xbox Live is turning 5 years old. That's right, Xbox Live will finally be enrolled in Kindergarten to learn the joys of show-and-tell, recess, and eating paste.

To celebrate the next step in the maturation of the Xbox Live experience, Microsoft is giving us all a little something to reward us for our loyalty.

First, if you've been with Xbox Live from the beginning (in other words, you have been on Live since 2002) you'll get 500MSP deposited into you account. Not too shabby.

Second, starting at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on November 15th, you'll have 48 hours to download Carcassonne for FREE (Korean members will get Hexic 2 instead). And who doesn't like free games? (Put your hands down you misers!)

There are other freebies to be had as well, so follow the link for the full details.

[via Xbox.com, thanks VinnieDaMac]

Wednesdays are becoming less about new releases and more about extending the value of the games already out there. We got Tetris Splash today, but even that has a load of premium downloadable content right out of the gate. So let's do a full rundown of our weekly haul.

XBLA Game: Tetris Splash

DLC: Carcassonne, Soltrio Solitaire, Tetris Splash

Trailer: 3D Ultra Minigolf

All of that content for Tetris Splash sure makes it seem a bit dubious (especially considering it arrives alongside the game). Soltrio Solitaire keeps coming back to delivery more every two weeks -- why would anyone be surprised by this arrival? And finally, how does everyone feel about paying 300MSP for 7 tiles in Carcassonne?

Full details for each and every piece of content after the break.

[via Major Nelson]

I feel a little guilty. Here I am posting with vitriol about how this week's Wednesday was the first in recent memory to cheat us out of an XBLA two-fer. And then, the day arrived and we were overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness of all the new content. What content, you say? Why, let me tell you!

In that lull before the Wednesday XBLA goodness, Major Nelson brings us word of new XBLA content. A theme for Carcassonne. That's it. Nothing else. Just a theme. Details after the break.

Totally worthy of a post, isn't it?

[via Major Nelson]

Here's another one to file under free stuff. GamingTalkHQ has a code for Carcassonne to giveaway. All they ask in return is so precious little. All they're asking for is for you to drop everything and squeeze out a little comment on their site detailing your plans for the 4th (aka Independence Barbecue & Fireworks Day for all our international readers). This is way easier than the Clyde contest so no excuses. Get it done.

[via GamingTalkHQ]

Well, many wanted it last week but we had to "settle" for Band of Bugs. Fortunately for all you European board game lovers out there Carcassonne is coming this week (I hacked that link just for our readers here). Luckily it won't take generations of slave labor to get your castles, towns, and roads built in this game so the only guilt you might be feeling while playing will be of the pleasure variety.

As for key features, my eyes fall squarely on the up to 5 players over Live and 4 players locally (sounds like developers are finally getting the message about local play). With options like that, you're bound to get it. Resistance is feudal. (The person responsible for the previous joke has just been sacked.)

Press Release after the break.

[via Press Release]

Carcasonne had already received a wonderfully specific launch date of "June". Now, we are starting to flesh out what that release will contain.

IGN releases some details about how the game is shaping up, including:

• Support for the Xbox Live Vision camera
• Inclusion of the Rivers I & II expansions with the initial game download
• More expansions on the way as DLC
• Two-player games under 20 minutes and Five-player games under 10
• Anticipated 800 MS Point price (not confirmed)

Hopefully, this will balance out the longer gameplay experiences of Catan. Either way though, digital board games rule -- no more lost pieces.

[Update]: Worthplaying has a preview up as well with some purdy pictures.

1up has a new preview complete with screenshosts of Carcassonne from Sierra. Carcassonne is one of the European-style board games that will be hitting Xbox Live Arcade this year along with Catan and Alhambra. The game looks nice in with it's full 3D glory.