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Wednesday Surprise!: Crosswords, Dodgeball, and Draft Tracker

2008-07-16T16:50:41-04:00

We knew about Crosswords, speculated about Dodgeball, and were shocked to discover EA Fantasy Football Live Draft Tracker. Today's XBLA Wednesday was filled with all sorts of goodies but let's focus on the unexpected addition.

The Live Draft Tracker provides a tool for EA online fantasy league commissioners to manage their league's drafts. In-person drafts can be handled easily with the tool as it will download the appropriate league history for you, track your draft, and then update all the league data online. And it even gives you video commentary on top players and other such bells and whistles. Course, I'm not a fantasy sports player but it still sounds cool. And hey, it's only 400 MSP which isn't bad at all. TeamXbox has the trailer here.

X360F Rounds Up The E3 XBLA Media

2008-07-16T16:21:56-04:00

At X360F, all they (and we) got regarding my new #1 most wanted XBLA title was this beautiful logo. After I finished drying my eyes, I realized that the most important piece in the Portal: Still Alive puzzle is not the look, but the creative puzzles. That made me feel better and allowed me to pick myself up and check out other games and fan the flames of excitement for titles not involving a psycho AI with a cake fetish.

Go check out their nice little round up of all the XBLA games being shown at E3.

[via X360F]

Shred Nebula Pokes Head Above Ground, Sees Own Shadow

2008-07-16T02:21:41-04:00

Here's the first look at the cagey Shred Nebula. Sure, we might've been playing the game had it come out as some had predicted, but at least we get something this week, right? This video must count for something considering the game has been hiding for nearly a year. Just watch, decide, and then join me after the break.

The immediate question that I have after seeing this trailer is simple -- is Shred Nebula more than just another twin-stick Mutant Storm wannabe? I see a variety of weapons, but will the lack of single-box multiplayer (it has online and system link) hurt it's chances at success? Let's hope we hear and see more from this game before it finally launches in Q3 2008. Wait isn't that soon?

[via Shred Nebula's Official Website, thanks Motz]

Xbox.com Flood: Sign Of Things To Come? [Update]

2008-07-15T23:33:28-04:00

Tipsters are great. Thanks to TXMOOK I know that Double D Dodgeball has a release date on Xbox.com. Funny thing is -- it's tomorrow. Could this be the second game release tomorrow? Guess we'll find out in a few hours.

In other Xbox.com news, a ton of pages for upcoming games are lurking there, waiting for their time to shine. Here's a bunch of quick links in case you've got a craving for some hype, screens, and a whopping dose of "Release Date: TBD".

If any of you find any more information leaks, don't hesitate to tip a man.

[Update]: Added Geo Wars 2.

XBLA Summer: "Our Best Content Lineup Ever"

2008-07-15T23:21:09-04:00

Jonesing to play Lode Runner, Castle Crashers, Galaga Legions, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, or Braid? Have I got some great news for you. The wait will soon be over.

One of Microsoft's many XBLA evangelists was live on E3 Live on Gamespot (thanks to being on the road with glitchy internet, I missed his name) talking up the "best content lineup" on XBLA ever and told the world that all these games would be out "by the end of the summer." And more specifically he said, "in the next two months."

If all goes as planned I'll likely be at least 4000 MSP poorer in two months time (though no price points have been announced).

After the break I'll hit on a couple of points that were covered about each of those games.

Lode Runner

Same basic gameplay and the speed of the game seems very faithful to the original which I played like crazy on my Apple ][+.
Smooth pseudo-3D look (a la Cloning Clyde).
Now, when you finish a level you open up a pathway that transitions you directly to the next level with no load time or delay. This could lead to some seriously long uninterrupted gameplay sessions at my house.
The game will feature all new levels.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

4-player coop and competitive gameplay confirmed. Both Live and Local are confirmed. Whether you can mix the two wasn't discussed.
6 modes for multiplayer including "Deadline" (not demoed) and "King" which forces you and your buddies to hop into protective circles that disappear within a few seconds forcing you to move to a new protected spot. There are no bombs in the "King" mode but there are various powerups.
There is also a "Pacifist" mode that will challenge you to go through gates without shooting enemies. Passing the gates will destroy the oncoming enemies.

Braid

5 worlds and approximately 4-5 levels per world.
Time manipulation is different in each world and level. Thus, many puzzles are about discovering the "trick" to each level before being able to solve the individual puzzles.
Unlimited rewind to the beginning of each level. Just hold "X".

Castle Crashers

4-player coop Local and Live.
You can use CPR on your dying buddies in the game to revive them which allows unskilled players to hang with their skilled friends throughout the game. Anger directed at the "weakest link" no longer necessary.
Overall, looks to be everything that you love about The Behemoth games and expected from the previews so far.

Galaga Legions

Comes from the same team that reimagined Pac-Man for Pac-Man Championship Edition.
New gameplay mechanics include enemy path preview and "satellite guns".
Before enemies appear on the screen you will see the path that they will travel. They can appear from any direction and move it very complicated paths reminiscent of bullet-hell shmups.
At any point you can deploy your two "satellite guns" to support your efforts against the massive alien hoards by using the right stick.
Single-player only.
The ship can be set to auto-fire allowing you to use the left stick to move and shoot (only up) and the right stick to deploy your "satellite guns". Manual firing mode is an option.

Overall, the games all look highly polished and ready for primetime. Commence the countdown.

Microsoft's E3 Press Conference: Any Surprises Left? [Update 2]

2008-07-14T11:56:04-04:00

As the clock ticks inexorably toward Microsoft's big E3 press conference the biggest question remains: did every secret get spilled?

It seems the past days and weeks have been filled with leaks, squeaks, and outright floods of information covering all the aces up Microsoft's sleeve. But might there be some nugget undiscovered? For just that reason I will be here ready to pounce on any information exiting their mouths (and video streams) relating to XBLA and will report it as fast as possible here in this post. Will there be a release date for community games? A surprise release this week? New game announcements? Absolutely nothing interesting?We'll know soon.

I'll keep things brief and to the point and do more thorough stories on individual topics as the days go on. So sit back and enjoy. Everything interesting will appear after the break.

[Update 1] The Story So Far...
Uno Rush announced featuring a seamless slide from your "live party" into the game.
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 coming next month exclusively to XBLA. (And I saw 4 player co-op in there!)
Galaga Legions announced from NamcoBandai. A true sequel to Galaga. Also exclusive to XBLA and coming next month.
Portal: Still Alive announced featuring new levels and coming Fall 2008.
South Park game announced for XBLA
Community Games coming in the fall featuring Colosseum, Hot Potato, and Word Soup.
[Update 2] Original Banjo Kazooie coming to XBLA.

Crop Circles And All: Capcom announces Flock

2008-07-14T11:14:41-04:00

There are plenty of ranchers and farmers out there that will tell you that herding animals can be brutal work. But what if I told you that herding can be fun. Well, it can! But there's one catch to all the fun and excitement. You have to do the herding from an alien UFO.

Capcom demonstrates my point in their upcoming game Flock for PSN and XBLA. Just cross Cloning Clyde with Lemmings and you'll be pretty close to the concept in this puzzle game. But words cannot do the game justice. Just watch the video and then give me a better game mashup to describe it.

[via GamerBytes, thanks strategyking]

This Week: Coffeetime Crosswords And More?

2008-07-14T10:58:18-04:00

Microsoft (via Gamerscoreblog) has declared that Coffeetime Crosswords is a lock for the E3 week release this Wednesday. Cue the complaining about how this isn't a "worthy" release followed by crossword fans snapping the game up in droves.

But could it be that Coffeetime will be sharing the E3 spotlight? X360F speculated that Shred Nebula would be starring alongside the puzzler but have since updated their post. I guess not every E3 mystery will be solved before breakfast. We'll have plenty of answers in a few hours though. Stay tuned.

Oh, I almost forgot. We'll also be getting some Buku Sudoku DLC (It's out now and includes 1200 New Puzzles for free!) and Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords will be hitting the Arcade Hits library with a price drop down to 800 MSP.

PR post break.

[via X360F]

Coffeetime Crosswords Debuts and Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords Joins Arcade Hits This Wednesday on Xbox LIVE Arcade! Free downloadable content for Buku Sudoku Available on Xbox LIVE Arcade Now!

Prepare for a true crossword challenge when “Coffeetime Crosswords™” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT). Test your skills and try for the high score in “Coffeetime Crosswords.” Featuring more than 150 puzzles for all skill levels, “Coffeetime Crosswords” supports solo or two player co-op play via Xbox LIVE.

Developed by Penny Press™ and published by Konami, “Coffeetime Crosswords” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

The classic puzzle-action game “Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords™” is the latest addition to Arcade Hits, with a permanently reduced price of 800 Microsoft Points beginning on July 16. “Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords” delivers classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good versus evil. Challenge your puzzle skills in single-player campaign mode, or battle your friends in multiplayer action.

Get 1,200 free new ways to experience “Buku Sudoku”! The game’s new puzzle pack, available now on Xbox LIVE Arcade, gives you 1,200 new puzzles for free. 1,200 new ways to experience “Buku Sudoku” in co-op, head-to-head, battle, casual and timed modes. That's like getting 12 sudoku books for free or over 3 years of puzzles from your daily paper!

For more details, please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcadexbox360.

The Maw Goes to PAX and Releases Trailer

2008-07-11T20:35:44-04:00

Telling me about how much fun your game will be is one thing. Showing me however, leaves a much more lasting impression. And that is just what Twisted Pixel has done regarding their upcoming XBLA game The Maw. Aliens + Kameo-style transforming powers + solid music = expectations raised.

And they've got reason to flaunt it since they were just chosen as a finalist for the PAX 10. And I heard somewhere that the guys from Penny Arcade know a tad about games. Check out the official trailer here and then check out the other games vying for the coveted "Audience Choice Award" at this year's PAX.

Short Press Release after the break.

The Maw by Twisted Pixel Games is a Finalist in Penny Arcade's PAX 10 Competition

Madison, IN -- July 9, 2008 -- Penny Arcade announced today that The Maw is one of the finalists in the PAX 10 indie game competition! Twisted Pixel Games will be demonstrating The Maw at the PAX 10 area of the Penny Arcade Expo August 29th - 31st. "We plan to do some fun contests and giveaways, and we couldn't be more excited about being considered one of the 10 best indie games by the legend that is Penny Arcade!", says CEO Michael Wilford.

Check out the trailer and screenshots for The Maw at www.WhatIsTheMaw.com. Learn more about Twisted Pixel Games, LLC at www.TwistedPixelGames.com.

Pre-order Fable II, Get Fable II XBLA Games For Free

2008-07-08T14:20:35-04:00

Peter Molyneux's notoriously bold vision for games hooked me the day I played Syndicate on my PC all those years ago. Little has changed in the way he pushes the limits of both hype and game design. With Fable II due in fall Molyneux and his team created another new way to get hyped about their game: gamble, XBLA-style.

Sure, it's not real money that's on the table is the various Fable II pub games that will be released on XBLA, but that doesn't take the value out of the experience. Those virtual dollars earned (presuming you don't lose your virtual shirt) go straight into your virtual Fable II bank account. And that, my friends, translates into one huge shiny sword and a nice set of armor before you even begin to quest.

But the best part of the whole idea is the price -- free. Ok, it does come at the cost of a pre-order for the full game (which ultimately costs either $59.99 for the standard edition or $79.99 for the limited edition) but if you want the game already, seems a small price to pay.

What do you all think? Is this a disgusting ploy to build hype and make more money or a nice fan-service gesture from the folks at Lionhead?

Note: if you don't preorder you can still get the set of 3 games for 800 MSP when they release in August.

[via Xbox.com, thanks gr1f1th]