The Official XBLA Update Thread

[Isildur´s Heir]

Update for this an next week

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week:
Feb. 1: Splosion Man, 400 Microsoft Points

Xbox LIVE Games on Demand:
Jan. 26: Dead Rising and Halo Wars
Feb. 2: Medal of Honor: Airborne

Xbox Avatars Marketplace:
Jan. 28: Assassin's Creed
Feb. 4 : Valentine’s Day and Carnival collections

Game Add-Ons
Jan. 27: Pinball FX Excalibur Table, 240 Microsoft Points
Jan. 28: Assassin’s Creed II: Battle of Forli, 320 Microsoft Points
Feb. 2: Halo 3 Mythic 2 Map Pack, 800 Microsoft Points

Xbox LIVE Arcade:
Jan. 27: KrissX, 800 Microsoft Points
Feb. 3: Chime, 400 Microsoft Points

 

[AxlsAppetite]

Question, I was under the impression that if you pay for XBL with one account the other accounts on the console get it too. Was I wrong or do I need to do something.

 

[Dark_Lord]

Question, I was under the impression that if you pay for XBL with one account the other accounts on the console get it too. Was I wrong or do I need to do something.

They don't. You only get one month gold for the first (I think) 3 gamertags you connect on XBL. If you buy a gold membership, it's only for the account you bought it for.

 

[Crook]

• 1080p
• 60 Frames Per Second
• Original control schemes plus more (Halo & COD)
• All multiplayer modes online (Combat Simulator, Co-Op, Counter-Op)
• 8 players online
• 4 player split screen (Online and over Xbox Live)
• Multiplayer now includes all weapons from Goldeneye
• Game release is either March 10th or 17th
• Game is priced at $10 or 800 MS Points

 

[StrainedEyes]

Here's a Giantbomb interview about Perfect dark, there is also gameplay footage towards the end!
http://www.giantbomb.com/giant-bomb-at-x10-perfect-dark/17-2025/

Also, all the weapons from Goldeneye? That's awesome and 800 points is even more awesome. I'm very excited to play this again.

 

[Coca Cola Duracell Franklin.]

I never played Perfect Dark. Apparently I missed something big.

 

[Crook]

It's amazing and sad that when it comes to features and gameplay mechanics, PD still holds up to the modern days FPS, and at times even surpasses it.

I really hope the gaming community embraces this remarkable game with the appreciation it sorely lacks in numbers. Also worthy to note Ken hinted that if the game sold well, they have DLC planned (new maps and weapons) for future release.

 

[Soapy]

I can't believe Microsoft is only charging ten bucks for this. I thought for sure they would try and squeeze fifteen or even twenty out of people.

 

[StrainedEyes]

I hope all of the awesome Bot customization is still in the game. I made a whole enemy team that me and a friend would go against.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

March Releases:

Arcade Block Party

March 3 - Toy Soldiers, 1200 MS
March 10 - Scrap Metal, 1200 MS
March 17 - Perfect Dark, 800 MS
March 24 - Game Room


March 31 - Megaman 10 and Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Ancients of Ooga - Developed by NinjaBee

These screenshots from an early beta version of the game reveal a first look into the Oogani world where this new action-adventure platformer takes place. Though not a sequel to Cloning Clyde, developers of the title consider Ancients of Ooga to be the classic XLA game’s spiritual successor. The game was heavily influenced by Cloning Clyde, taking on characteristics like extremely unique gameplay, a distinct artistic style, a cast of characters bursting with personality, and a dose of random, silly humor. “The Ooganis aren’t your typical heroes,” said Brent Fox, NinjaBee’s art director. “But that’s what makes this game so fun to play. They’re quirky, bizarre, and at times borderline foul. An Oogani’s world is centered around eating. You have to eat, chant, dance and even puke your way through the primeval land of Ooga. This is definitely the most gluttonous game you’ll play in 2010 – it’s gonna be out of this world!” Ancients of Ooga is set in a bizarre, tribal universe where, to the Ooganis, it’s customary to eat anything you can get your hands on. Meet, befriend, and finally acquire several other zany Oogani tribes. Uncover their lost, ancient powers and exploit their abilities to lead them in a revolt against the tyrannical Boolis. There are over 50 amazing levels, great replay, plus, narcotic slugs that make you loopy! This 2 1/2D-side-scrolling adventure is packed with puzzle solving, bad-guy fighting, ladder-climbing, catapulting, strange-object eating, puking enjoyment. Nearly anything is edible: dried wormies, charcoal, peppers, and yes, even your Oogani brothers. But be careful what you eat – while some objects can give your Oogani special powers, others won’t have such a pleasant effect.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

3 XBLA this week

Greed Corp, 800MS - Developed by W!Games

In Greed Corp, you must find the delicate balance between harvesting the land for resources and preserving it to stay alive. Will you defend your territory or sacrifice it to keep it out of enemy hands? Manage the finite available resources to build your army and use the collapsing terrain to your advantage. Destroy your enemies, or destroy the very land they stand on, before they do it to you.
This game features a comprehensive single player campaign, introducing you to the four factions that inhabit the world. A large collection of unique maps is available outside of the campaign, specifically designed for 2, 3, or 4-player battles. Matches can be played with any combination of local, online and AI players, allowing for quick access to multiplayer action and offering multiple unlockables for a variety of challenges

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDq-9t9VEeg


Lazy Riders, 800MS - Developed by Sarbakan

Imagine an overweight, lethargic Indiana Jones. That's the premise of an upcoming Xbox Live Arcade game called Lazy Raiders, a treasure hunting adventure starring one indolent archaeologist named Dr. Diggabone. Since he's not much of a tomb raider, it's up to you to bring the jewels to him. Instead of controlling the protagonist, you control the game world. You can also play with your Avatar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSH2s0WNjKA


Fret Nice, 1200MS - Developed by Pieces Interactive

Fret Nice is a musical platformer. It's not a music game, mind you, but a "platformer that loves music," as the official description goes. And that turns out to be a fitting definition for an experience with all the trappings of a Super Mario Bros.-style game that requires you to kill enemies with sound. Guitar strums, to be exact. It has a unique art style and a personality all its own but the thing that really makes Fret Nice different is that you can play it with a guitar controller. Yes, you can hook up your Guitar Hero or Rock Band guitar to play this platformer. Why would you want to do that you ask? That's a good question. One that, after spending some time with the game, we're not sure we can answer. Fret Nice might be a good reminder that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzs0TSOsI14

 

[StrainedEyes]

Limbo is coming to XBLA -
http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/107/1073457p1.html

March 2, 2010 - Today developer Playdead revealed to IGN that its first game, Limbo, is headed for Xbox Live Arcade. No, it's not a Natal version of the Limbo dance. Rather, this is a moody puzzle platformer with a striking black and white art style. Limbo is nominated for both Art and Technical Excellence at this year's Independent Games Festival Awards.

Players control a young boy on a quest to find his lost sister. The word "limbo" comes from the Latin word "limbus," which refers to the edge of hell. This is where the game takes place. Freaky!

You'll be able to drift off to Limbo this summer. Game Developers Conference attendees will get to take it for a spin next week.

Looks sweet!

 

[Team Andino]

^^^
That looks really neat

 

[StrainedEyes]

http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-toy-soldiers/17-2122/

Toy Soldiers quick look. Looks cool, but I think Perfect Dark is the only thing I'll buy from the block party.

 

[CASTER]

X-BOX is cool, PS3 is better! : P

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

you wish caster.

 

[Soapy]

Perfect Dark XBLA Quick Look

http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-perfect-dark/17-2173/

 

[StrainedEyes]

Perfect Dark XBLA Quick Look

http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-perfect-dark/17-2173/

I am pumped, can't wait to download this tomorrow! I played the **** out of this when it came out, and the addition of the Goldeneye maps and weapons makes it all the better.

 

[Coca Cola Duracell Franklin.]

This should be a big release. I might have to get it if I enjoy the demo.

 

[StrainedEyes]

It is very strange seeing Peter Molyneux trying to shoot my face off.

 

[Dark_Lord]

EDIT: Double Post

 

[Dark_Lord]

Hydro Thunder Returns With All-New Xbox Live Arcade Sequel

Midway's classic arcade speedboat racer Hydro Thunder is getting a full-fledged sequel with Hydro Thunder Hurricane, exclusively for Xbox Live Arcade, promising all-new, over-the-top rocket powered speedboat action. (Which you can witness in the game's first trailer!)

Hydro Thunder Hurricane will come to XBLA this summer courtesy of Microsoft Game Studios and developer Vector Unit, bringing with it eight new "theme park" levels and new game modes, including Ring Master "a series of slalom-style challenges with progressive difficulties" and the Gauntlet "an explosive new take on time trial."

While the game's watery racetracks may be new, developer Vector Unit will bring back some of the original speedboats, including Razorback, Cutthroat, and Rad Hazard. Hydro Thunder Hurricane will let you take those races online, with support for up to 8-player online multiplayer. If you're an offline kind of guy, Hurricane also supports four player split-screen.

Vector Unit, the creator of Hydro Thunder Hurricane, was founded by ex-EA and ex-Stormfront Studios developers in 2007. Its principals, Ralf Knoesel and Matt Small, both worked on boat-battler Blood Wake among a great number of other games. So... why a sequel?

"We decided to take the ideas that worked from the original, and then start over from scratch," says Vector Unit technical director Ralf Knoesel. "The water physics engine is completely new. Everything affects the racing surface — the boats leave wakes behind them that other boats can jump off or draft in, falling rocks and explosions create huge waves, we've got wave machines, whirlpools, the works."

Kotaku.com

The trailer is at the link above. I think it looks great.

 

[Soapy]

Grrr...you beat me to it.

Yes, it looks awesome. Hydro Thunder was one of my absolute favorite games to play in the arcade. I had it for Dreamcast as well, but it just wasn't the same without that 12" subwoofer underneath your ass.

I'm very excited for this though.

 

[Tron Bonne]

http://kotaku.com/5503543/hydrophobia-impressions-mix-water-with-exploding-barrels-please

I had forgotten about this game. It was originally meant as a retail title for PS3, 360, and PC, but it looks like they've making it an episodic title for XBLA. The impressions here seem somewhat iffy on it, but I'm still fairly interested

The best parts of Hydrophobia are, not surprisingly, wet. Today in Boston at PAX East I got a chance to try a demo of Hydrophopbia, a game several years in development by studio Dark Energy Digital that has been announced at this show as an exclusive Xbox Live Arcade game.
At first glance it is a Tomb Raider in a ship, a third-person action game starring a heroine who jumps and climbs through a dangerous environment. By that standard alone the game gives a poor first impression, feeling less polished and less clever than Lara's best adventures or even the Prince of Persia game being shown in the Ubisoft booth a few feet away at the PAX East Microsoft booth. Heroine Kate's platforming is a little stiff. In a game that is and will be marketed for its water, she's opening the demo having to climb ladders, dangle from beams and reverse-jump to ledges all in competenet but not magnificent fashion. It is not improved when she has to hack a door and the game is presenting a hacking mini-game — lining up sine waves — before it has gotten to the good stuff.


Then the water comes. Kate is afraid of water. But the city-sized ship she is on has been attacked by terrorists. It is springing leaks. Kate is panicked by a message flashing on monitors: Save the world, kill yourself. And as the player walks her into a hallway, the water comes flowing. This water seems almost alive and certainly irrepressible, pouring through breaking windows and out hatchways, bulging and gushing with force that rumbles the controller and pushes Kate and the player to a dashing panic. The water is the game's real star, but the demo here at PAX East doesn't give it enough play time. It looks great and seems to run with impressive, realistic fluid physics. But it was not a major playable piece in the demo. It will be in the game, a trailer they are showing here teases. One of the game's develoeprs backs that up. He called out some of the more advanced water scenarios as they played on the trailer: Underwater combat that looks like bullet time under the sea, an earned superpower for Kate that lets her control columns of water (think Psi-Ops with water, the developer tells me). And here's my favorite: the exploding barrels. In this game you shoot them so that they blow open a hole in the wall, sending water gushing and then carrying their inferno across spilled oil to the enemies. If that is something I can play some day, I'll be happy.
Hydrophobia right now is an odd project. What we can play of it is the game's quiet opening, one that does not offer what would be the game's best qualities first. The draw here is the water. Its pull and push will be the game's best attribute. If and when we can feel more of that from this roughly six-hoursingle-player game we will know how good this aquatic adventure can be. Here's hoping it gets the wet parts right.

EDIT: Here's a video of the game: http://kotaku.com/5503756/hydrophobia-in-action-a-contender-for-video-games-best-water-yet