Wow, I'm sure no one saw this one coming. According to an IGN Mobile preview, Small Arms will be coming this fall to your mobile phone. Making the transition to the smallest form are six of the games characters (Hector El Pollo, Marky Kat, Fox Claw, Tyrone, Mr. Truffles and one unknown) and even achievements (more than likely not for your gamerscore though). Interesting to note though is the game modes.

Multiplayer is not an online deathmatch per se, but you do actually compete. On your handset, you must plow through as many AI-controlled animals as possible. The more you cut down, the more your opponent must deal with. Local Battle pits you against as many animal brawlers as you desire -- it's a good way to practice your skills.

Is anyone else worried about how this dual stick fighter will transition to the cellphone numpad? [Via The Xbox Domain via IGN and our own Blue Falcon]

Any aspiring developers out there? GameSetWatch has posted the Indie Games Summit 2007 Small Arms Postmortem to Google Video for all to watch and enjoy. "The creators of Xbox 360 Live Arcade stand-out title Small Arms, previous veterans of XBLA from their work with Fuzzee Fever on the original Xbox Live Arcade, talk about what went right and what wrong during the development of the frenetic multiplayer shooter, giving plenty of insight into developing indie games on console."

The Small Arms DLC that we were first told about by Godfree over at Gamertag Radio, will be dropping tomorrow. Coming with two new characters, two new levels, and two new achievements, it's quite surprising that the price tag is only 250 MS points.

Also being released tomorrow is a title update for the game. Including many performance and bug fixes, the update also includes some balancing work. Hopefully this means that we'll start seeing people use more than just Lord Peet and Tyrone.

Click read more to check out the press release.

Also check out some images of the characters here, and discuss the game in the Small Arms forum here.

Godfree, of Gamertag Radio, was kind enough to tip us off to the details on a ton of new, upcoming content for Small Arms. The GTR podcast (arriving Monday) will sport an interview with Don & Jake of Gastronaut Studios focused on all the following new bits and bobs:

First, two new Characters: Ivar and Gullarp (Screenshots here, videos upcoming)

Second, two new maps.

And last (but certainly just as important) a massive update to fix bugs.

All in all, sounds like Gastronaut is serious about the staying power of Small Arms. And now with all the recent XBLA competition, it is definitely a smart business move to get their title back in the spotlight. So, go over to GTR, take a gander at the screens, listen to the podcast (on Monday) and let us know whether you are excited to play Small Arms again (or did you just never stop?).

Here's the Video (thanks again to Gamertag Radio and Godfree):

 

 

[via Gamertag Radio, thanks Godfree!]

Just to prove that this week isn't all doom and gloom in the world of XBLA, news comes to us that not one, but two XBLA developers have been nominated for the Game Developers Choice Awards in the New Developer category.

Both Gastronaut Studios and Naked Sky Entertainment are nominated for the award along with Iron Lore Entertainment, Ready at Dawn Studios, and Wadjet Eye Games. We wish both XBLA Nominees all the best of luck!

You can check out all the nominees for all the categories here.

With far more in-depth questions than the usual prefab questionnaire some sites have used of late, Gamasutra has a great interview with Jacob Van Wingen, the studio founder of Gastronaut Studios. It covers their first XBLA game (on the original XBox) Fuzzee Fever, achievement design, and managing expectations for would be XNA developers. It's a must read for all of you (myself included) who are eagerly awaiting Small Arms.

You can check out the interview here.