I just found a fun presentation that compares the copy protection schemes used by the 360 with those of the C-64. I was really surprised at the similarities, despite the many years and "advancements" made in the interval. The presentation really gets into the guts of the C-64 and the 360; you techies and hardware hackers out there will really enjoy this. Link via maxconsole.

Backwards compatibility is a complicated, multi-faceted problem. The issues are different for players, developers, and engineers. Each has his or her own reasons to wish to extend or shorten the longevity of software designed for the previous generation’s hardware. Ultimately, though, backwards compatibility is a bad short-term solution to a big long-term problem. It’s hedging the bet on a new platform—and it lowers the stakes and thus the potential winnings offered by that platform. While there are certainly some situations where backwards compatibility is arguably very necessary, it quickly becomes a self-defeating activity. A nice, clean break with the last generation’s hardware and system software improves the odds that the new platform really will be something special. Of course, it could also end up six months later as the most expensive doorstop you’ve ever owned, but in the long term, it’s worth the risk—anything else stifles progress and limits the horizon for future gaming. If we want to move beyond present technology, we’ve got to be willing to take those risks.

It's always good to have many sources for purchasing new Commodore-related projects. While the Amiga has a great resource, here, Marco sends word of a similar Website that focuses mostly on the C-64:

Since discussion on video-game music has been quite the subject I thought I'd bring the following to your attention. A coproduction between Micromusic Netherlands and Productiehuis Oost-Nederland (ON) sprung to life a project with members of the Dutch Riciotti ensemble and conductor Bas Wiegers for a real classical C64 Orchestra. Micro Music and ON approached two of the most experienced C64-composers of the 1980's, Rob Hubbard and Jeroen Tel. The Dutch Ricciotti ensemble will perform their music, with scoring done by Rob Hubbard himself. The game scores that are to be performed include the following Rob Hubbard compositions: Monty on the Run, One Man And His Droid and International Karate. Also Jeroen Tel's Cybernoid II, Hawkeye, Myth and Supremacy will be performed.

C-64A Flash-based C-64 Emulator has been released. I have known about java-based emulators for quite some time, but this is the first time a Flash-based C-64 emulator has surfaced. It needs the new Flash 9 player (which is still in beta at the time) and with this Flash version the complexity of Flash-programs is significantly enhanced in my opinion. I remember Flash as just having some scripting capabilities, but it has turned into a genuine programming language.