Along with this week�s planned Xbox Live Arcade download of Undertow to apologize profusely for outages, Microsoft announced yesterday that this year will see the first Xbox Live Arcade Awards. The awards will be a mixture of Microsoft picks and fan votes, and the results will be announced at the February Game Developers Conference. Microsoft assures us that a panel of consumers and journalists picked the finalists.

If you want to vote, just head over to Microsoft�s voting page and exercise your democratic right. Voting went active this morning at 2 a.m. PST, and will run through next Wednesday (January 30) at 11:59 p.m . PST. The categories open for public voting are:

·         Best Overall Arcade Game

·         Best Classic Game

·         Best Original Game

·         Best Family Friendly Game

·         Best Competitive Multiplayer Game

·         Best Cooperative Multiplayer Game

In addition, there will be four awards given out based on statistical data or Microsoft�s choice, and those are: Best Selling, Most Played, Highest Rated, and Staff Choice. Remember, if you don�t vote, you�re not allowed to complain for the next four years.

Credits: 1UP News

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