Colin McRae 04, the forthcoming PS2/Xbox rally simulation from Codemasters, will enjoy a number of platform specific enhancements on the Xbox, it was confirmed today.

The game will now utilise the Live service, to allow players to compete in Live-hosted leagues for the best times. Late September is the current release date for the game, with the publisher stating that some tough stage times to beat are already online having been set by Colin McRae's developers.

Naturally, plan regular competitions and prizes based around their Live leagues. An offline mode was also announced today supporting up to four players.

In other pleasing news for Microsoft, and particularly their ample team of lawyers, a settlement was today reached with Immersion Corporation, concerning Redmond's alleged infringement of copyrights over various 'sense of touch' technologies. A deal has been brokered worth several million dollars to Immersion, and allows their various technologies to be used in several products, including their consoles.

Meanwhile, Immersion's battle with over the same infringements continues.

By Luke Guttridge