Don't think there is anything different with the new games. I've backed up both marvel ultimate alliance and splinter cell , both are fine for me. Used Xbox backup creator and a samsung 162C with kreon 0.81 to do em

.
Although now you mention it , splinter cell also spins down for me , how ever it does go back to full speed. Goes like this , full speed , then drops speed at main menu , then goes back to full as soon as you hit new/load game.
Using a samsung ms28 with 4.2A to play em , also they are both on verbatim (all I use).
Thanks Min. I just have a dilema on my hands in that I don't know anyone else who has their 360 modded so it's not like I could take my disks to another sammy and clear them of fault. Reading and Reading the facts has gotten me more unsure of the issue- hardware or software..actually even more complicated then that- pc hw, pc sw, 360 hw, or 360 sw. Or some ridiculous combination of the 4.
I've even gone to the extent of ordering a Pioneer 111D after placing no trust in my SONY DW-D22A (LITEON) burner. Jesterace gets mad props if thats the case.