THE VIP XBLA 360 BLOG

 

Braid is developed by Independent Games Festival Winner and experimental game designer Jonathan Blow, and is a unique 2-D platform experience that bends all the rules with the manipulation of time. Braid plays with the conventions of videogames while posing truly challenging puzzles for the platform gamer. With the ability to rewind time, players can focus on the core of the puzzle without having to die and restart the level.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

 

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is an unbelievable adrenaline rush in the latest version of this frenetic retro shooter. Newcomers and pros alike will be blown away by the screen-melting intensity and insane new features, including six action-packed gameplay modes, new enemies, new scoring strategies, and a diverse list of exciting achievements. If that's not crazy enough for you, try multiplayer mayhem for up to four players. Use power-ups in versus mode to boost your stats or handicap your opponent, or team up with others in co-op mode. Play it all in razor-sharp 1080p to new pulse-pounding music.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Summer is in full swing, and Xbox LIVE® Arcade is celebrating with the hottest lineup of games ever, starting on Wednesday, July 30 with the highly anticipated retro shooter Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. Also, Xbox LIVE members can earn entries into our Summer of Arcade Sweepstakes by logging in and playing the trial or full version of the featured Summer Arcade game of the week. Here are the games scheduled to be released for the Summer of Arcade promotion:

• July 30: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 – The latest version of the wildly popular retro shooter offers screen-melting intensity and insane new features, including six action-packed gameplay modes, new enemies, scoring strategies and a diverse list of exciting Achievements. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available at 800 Microsoft Points.

• August 6: Braid – From acclaimed developer Jonathan Blow, Braid is a mind-bending and artistic puzzle-platformer where the player manipulates the flow of time in strange and unusual ways. Braid is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB.

• August 13: Bionic Commando: Rearmed – The classic 8-bit side-scroller reports back for duty in a stunning remake, complete with all-new HD graphics and features that put 2D gaming back on the map! Bionic Commando: Rearmed is rated M for Mature by the ESRB

• August 20: Galaga Legions – The legend lives on with Galaga Legions, a reimagining of the classic arcade shooter. Featuring table-turning game dynamics and updated graphics, the game was created by the team behind the bestselling PAC-MAN Championship Edition from Namco Bandai Games. Galaga Legions is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

• August 27: Castle Crashers – Award-winning studio The Behemoth brings red hot arcade adventure to Xbox LIVE Arcade with Castle Crashers, featuring hand-drawn characters and an array of weapons to choose from as you defend your kingdom and save the princess. Castle Crashers is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.


Each week their will be a Drawing to determine one Grand Prize and two Secondary Prize. The prizes are as follows:


One (1) Grand Prize Package available. A prize package consisting of the following:

100,000 Microsoft Points
One (1) Xbox LIVE 12-month Gold subscription card
One (1) Xbox 360 Elite Console

Two (2) Second Prize Packages available. A prize package consisting of the following:

10,000 Microsoft Points
One (1) Xbox LIVE 12-month Gold subscription card

Prize Period Drawing Prizes consisting of the following:

Five (5) Weekly Prizes available (one per Prize Period weekly) of 4000 Microsoft Points

You are eligible to enter this Prize Draw if you meet the following requirements:

1. You are a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia, Canada, France, Germany or the United Kingdom, and you are 17 years or older at the time of entry; and
2. You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and
3. You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Prize Draw; and
4. You are NOT an immediate family (defined as parent, sibling, spouse, child regardless of where they live) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Prize Draw.

For more entry details please visit Xbox.com

 

In Go! Go! Breaksteady you take on DJ Scruffy and the Beatniks in this combination rhythm and puzzle game. Featuring original gameplay, a unique visual style, and six amazing characters breakdancing to 20 finger-tapping songs, Go! Go! Break Steady is the ultimate hybrid of two popular and challenging genres. Will Hydro and his "All City Crew" become the Break Steady Tournament Champs and take home the most prizes? The answer depends on your own rhythm and smarts. Play it solo, team up with your friends, or play online to see who has the real Break Steady "skillz!"  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

1942: Joint Strike is set in a parallel world reminiscent of our own WW II era, pilots take to the skies with stylized aircraft carriers and devastating weaponry. Inspired by the popular eighties arcade series, 1942: Joint Strike combines classic top-down vertical shooting with updated 3-D HD graphics. Take on massive waves of incoming enemies while dodging explosions and missiles, as you face off with huge enemy bosses in death-defying dogfights. Recruit a wingman locally or online to pull off new "Joint Strike" attacks, combining the powers of both aircraft in one explosive barrage. With new weapons and power-ups in your arsenal, prepare to rejoin the battle!  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Microsoft has revealed the marketing and pricing plans for its Xbox Live Community Games program, which is expected to launch in some public form this holiday season in North America and select European markets.

Microsoft has set three tiers of pricing for XNA developed titles, games may cost 200MS points ($2.50) for titles 50MB or less and 400 ($5) or 800MS points ($10) for titles that weigh in at a maximum of 150MB.

Microsoft is set to share up to 70% of profits from any XNA developed title. Microsoft has also revealed plans to help promote the more successful titles on the service. "If we help you sell an absolute ton of these, it's going to be up towards 30% [more of your total revenue]," Microsoft chief technology officer Chris Satchell told MTV Multiplayer. "If it's not doing so well, down towards 10%."

As Shacknews described, developers who choose to distribute titles via the Xbox Live Marketplace will not be able to opt out of royalty-cutting promotions. Creators must first agree to a common set of terms when adding a game to the service and, According to Microsoft, "the majority of sales and revenue a creator earns will be generated by our promotions."

Unfortunately, XNA Community Games will not include achievements and the service is structured so no game may be released for free, it is assumed that there will be demos for each title.

 

source: xbox360fanboy.com

 

 

Prepare for a true crossword challenge as you test your skills in Coffeetime Crosswords™. Try for the high score as you progress through more than 150 crosswords developed by Penny Press™. Play together with a friend in co-op mode and help each other solve the crosswords. Gather your wits, prepare yourself to be entertained, and challenge your crossword prowess.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Relive the good old days of playgrounds and coin-ops! Double D Dodgeball turns the classic childhood sport into a fast-paced, retro arcade experience. With frenetic eight person multiplayer action, grab seven of your friends and go four-on-four via Xbox LIVE® to see which team has the ultimate bragging rights. Choose between a host of arcade-themed characters each with their own unique abilities. Select either East or West rule sets, switch up the playing surfaces, change the ball type, and more. No need to risk injury, just blast your friends from the comfort of your couch.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Brought to you by EA SPORTS™, experience the ultimate fantasy football league draft by purchasing the EA SPORTS™ Fantasy Football Live Draft Tracker. Available exclusively with teams from FANTASY.EASPORTS.COM, the Live Draft Tracker is designed for commissioners who host league drafts offline and in-person. Head to FANTASY.EASPORTS.COM to sign up and create your league. Use the Live Draft Tracker to import your fantasy league settings. Now you are ready to invite your friends over and experience the thrill and excitement of a live and in-person league draft complete with video highlights from MADDEN NFL 09 and audio commentary by the EA Experts. Once the draft is complete, upload the results to the website and start managing your fantasy teams!  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>> 

 

During the Microsoft Press Conference at E3, Monday, Microsoft announced a handful of new XBLA titles. Along with Portal: Still Alive, which will be exclusive to the Xbox 360, gamers can expect to play Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 on it's release date of Wednesday, August 6th, as well as Galaga Legions at a later date that same month. Both are exclusively coming to the Xbox 360 next month!

Microsoft also teased an exclusive South Park based XBLA title, but no other details are known at this time. While discussing the upcoming Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts it was also announced the original N64 classic will be made available on XBLA this fall.

The Story So Far...

 

 

Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) 2008 has revealed the ten winning independent games to be showcased at the event taking place in the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle, August 29-31.

The best ten games were chosen out of 80 entries, from a variety of genres, based on gameplay and "fun factor".

"The variety and calibre of the titles blew us away," says Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade.

"Narrowing down the group was a challenging process for the judges, but we're incredibly proud to have these ten games as our kickoff showcase and can't wait to see them on the show floor."

The games featured in the showcase are: The Amazing Brain Train, a puzzle strategy game by Grubby Games, Dylan Fitterer's rhythm racer Audio Surf, puzzle platformer Chronotron by Scarybug Games and Impulse by students from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Twisted Pixel Games' action adventure The Maw is also a winner, as is Polarity by students from Carnegie Mellon University, action game Project Aftermath by Games Faction, strategy game Schizoid by Torpex Games and the puzzle games Strange Attractors 2 by Ominous Development and Sushi Bar Samurai by Molly Rocket.

It should also be mentioned that Schizoid is already available on the Xbox Live Arcade for 800 MS Points and The MAW has been officially announced to be heading for the XBLA. I would't be suprised if more of these titles start making announcements about heading to a console near you!

For more information about these games, the developers, and to get more details about the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) 2008 event in the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle, August 29-31, please visit: http://www.pennyarcadeexpo.com/pax10.php

 

 

Shizoid redefines cooperative fast-paced gameplay! Control red and blue ships, ramming them into enemies of the same color to destroy them. But be careful, because if you hit the opposite color, you will be destroyed. Quick thinking and quicker reflexes help you seize victory, but sharp teamwork provides the best chance of earning gold medals along the way. Schizoid offers more than 120 levels of challenge, playable in either single-player or co-op mode, plus the brain-melting Uberschizoid hardcore mode, in which one player controls both ships!  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Golf: Tee It Up! lets you pick up and play a few quick holes on your own or compete with friends in a full 18-hole multiplayer tournament. With zany customizable characters, both beginners and experienced golfers can easily join the fun on beautiful panoramic and challenging courses. Need that special touch for your hacked shot? With the unique Focus feature, read the green or control the ball's spin in flight to achieve amazing precision! A huge combination of game modes awaits including stroke, cup, or match play with local or multiplayer modes over Xbox LIVE®.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Don't tell your Xbox 360 that it has a voice of it's own! It will want to blog its thoughts about you, and your gaming habits, if you don't sign up for the 360Voice.com before your Xbox 360 beats you to it! You have been warned!   ... it changes... daily! 

 

 

 

Did you ever wonder what your rank was by State or Province? Are you the Xbox Live big shot of California? North Carolina? Florida? Texas? How about British Columbia? Ontario? New Brunswick? Alberta? Did you miss XboxAmerica.com ??

 

Want to keep track of your Xbox 360 Achievements?? They're priceless!! Count down from the good people over at Xbox360Achievements.org where they not only record your achievements, they also tell you how to get them!!

 

Now did I mention MyGamerCard.net that will make you a banner / signature based on your Xbox Live that you can now customize for the internet? Don't post above until you have viewed yourself here!

 

Saving the best for last.... the VIP recommends the XboxLiveArcade.com

 

 

Hiddenpath Entertainment has released some new downloadable content for Wits & Wagers. Read on:

Energize your Wits & Wagers experience with 280 new questions and fun facts. Purchase the Wits & Wagers Question Pack 2 for use in all local and selected online games. Online, question packs are automatically used if owned by all participants in a game.

The Wits & Wagers Question Pack 2 is available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 320 MS Points.

 

 

Soulcalibur®, the highest-rated console fighting game, has returned to the next generation! Sharpen your blades as you relive old grudges against classic adversaries in new high definition graphics. Prove your mettle against the world with a variety of leaderboards spanning every character and mode, or challenge a friend in local-play Versus mode.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

 

Happy Tree Friends False Alarm™ is based on the popular and twisted Web and TV series. Lumpy and his accident-prone friends face one gory, horrible disaster after another in Happy Tree Friends False Alarm™! Armed with a helicopter pack, Lumpy rescues his pals by blasting open areas where they may be trapped with flaming napalm or explosive nitro, or he can put them into a deep freeze if they are about to stumble into danger. Try to keep the friends from peril in ten exclusive disaster-filled scenarios, each with three frantic levels, and brand new cutscenes.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Get your Ticket to Ride™! Travel from coast to coast and visit all the stops on the exciting train adventure Ticket to Ride™. Plan your routes and connect your cities across the country to become the ultimate traveler. Earn points as you claim your tracks and complete your tickets for your chance at the big score. From sea to sea, crisscross the nation as you build the longest route and take home the prize. It's hours of fun for your family and friends. Who will come out on top when the steam clears? Get your Ticket to Ride and see!  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

 

Apparently the SSFIITHDR Beta is now up on the Xbox Live Arcade! It was supposed to become available June 25th, but it's up now! Maybe it's a mistake, so grab it quick before they take it down!

To get it, simply buy Wolf Of The Battlefield: Commando 3 (if you haven't already), scroll down to Super Street Fighter II HD Remix Beta and start downloading.

The Beta has a single background, and allows players to choose between Ryu or Ken only. You can play both online and locally!

 

More information available at XboxLiveArcade.com

 

 

The Jjaro were a mysterious race that disappeared from our galaxy millions of years ago… They left behind their technology--12 of the best multiplayer levels and two achievements for Marathon: Durandal.

Fast forward to June 2008, the new expansion pack to Bungie and Freeverses Marathon: Durandal game titled the 'Jjaro Net Map Pack,' is discovered on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Freeverse says the DLC will be adding 12 multiplayer levels previously seen in the Mac originals Marathon and Marathon Infinity:

Thrud (Infinity)
Vulcan (Infinity)
King of Pain (Infinity)
Spiral Insanity (Marathon)
Dead Fields (Infinity)
Morphine (Infinity)
La Cosa Nostra (Infinity)
Mars Needs Women (Marathon)
‘Fugee Camp (Infinity)
What Goes Up Must Come Down (Marathon)
Arena (Marathon)
Spline (Infinity)

This Multiplayer Pack only costs 250 Microsoft Points, which is roughly $3 USD and far cheaper than most other XBLA expansion packs. It will also include what they call "Jjaro" collection of textures, supposedly from Marathon Infinity (Mac), as well as two new achievements.

 

 

Sea Life Safari™ is a journey the whole family can enjoy in! Make a splash as an underwater photographer tasked with capturing the most incredible pictures of wild sea animals. Entice your subjects into playful poses, provoke photo-worthy reactions, and reel in those picture-perfect scores!  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

In Elements of Destruction™, you are the master of disaster! Use tornadoes, lightning, earthquakes, and other forces of nature to do your bidding. Fired from your job as a top research scientist, you have built a machine that allows you to control nature and exact revenge on the corporation that fired you. Your quest for revenge takes you to locations across the globe where you must use the forces of nature in challenging ways. Shake down buildings with earthquakes, suck up and throw objects with tornadoes, and strike down aircraft with lightning to cause mayhem in cities and towns across the earth.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

 

 

Wolf of the Battlefield™: Commando 3 revives the classic Commando franchise with an all-new adventure. Fight solo or recruit two other specialized commandos to defeat the evil tyrant General Ratiev. This frantic war-fest combines precise, old-school gameplay with hi-def 3-D graphics. Play as Codename Wolf, Coyote, or Fox as you take on waves of soldiers, rescue POWs, and blow up armored vehicles through a variety of dangerous battlefields. With loads of weapons and power-ups at your disposal, gear up and blast your way to victory!  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Frogger® 2 has you hop along through more than fifteen challenging levels filled with new enemies and obstacles. Each of the five exotic environments provides a new set of challenges, but beware of the bosses that try to thwart your progress. Compete with up to four friends in two different online multiplayer modes, and hop your way to victory.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Roogoo updates the square peg in a round hole premise to a whole new level. Help the Roogoo defeat their enemies, the evil Meemoo, in Roogoo, a new and innovative action-based puzzler. Players line up multiple platforms on different levels to allow shaped blocks to pass through and once enough of them stack up, that particular shape closes off. A simple premise becomes more complicated as Meemoos begin to obstruct players' paths, and butterflies attempt to steal blocks away. Players must swivel, roll, and boost their way through 45 puzzle-filled levels alone or with up to four friends in cooperative party mode play. For those with a more competitive spirit, Roogoo offers a two-player multiplayer mode over Xbox LIVE® where players battle to solve the same puzzle and can build up attacks to thwart their competitors' efforts.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

Aces of the Galaxy sets you up for the 3-2-1 blast off! Launch yourself into the intense space-shooter Aces of the Galaxy™, a non-stop, old-school arcade thrill-ride for the twenty-first century and beyond. Utilize an impressive arsenal of upgradeable weapons including high powered missile launchers, devastating torpedoes, and the ever-reliant chain gun to annihilate the ships of the wretched Skurgian Empire. Save planet Earth cooperatively at home with a friend or join up on Xbox LIVE®.  FULL REVIEW>>  VIDEO PREVIEW>>

 

 

Calling all achievement addicts, Load Inc needs your help. Their upcoming XBLA title, Things on Wheels is nearing the end of its production cycle but they still need your help on a few things, namely the achievements. Who better to help design some of the achievements for a game than the Xbox Live Arcade crowd? So bring your imagination and a whole tub of exhuberance and get in on the act. 

 

Things on Wheels, developed by Load Inc who made Mad Tracks and published by SouthPeak Interactive, allows gamers to take control of their own RC car and race it around 20 different tracks. Players will have 12 cars to choose from as they race  around various rooms of the house which include a disco and a mini movie theatre. The game supports up to 4 players over XBL and gamers even have the chance to make use of 4 different powerups available.