Bomberman-Live
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Hudson's final years detailed by insider
In about a month, Hudson will likely be nothing more than a brand name, having been fully absorbed by Konami. In a post on The Kartel, John "Master" Lee, who wore a couple of hats at US-based Hudson Entertainment -- including former VP of sales and marketing, and general manager of games publishing -- explains in his own words the "downfall" of the company. Lee, who was employed at Hudson Entertainment from 2006 until 2009, and continued working with the company after he left, gives a detailed account of Hudson's US division's rise and fall. He explains how the disaster of Bomberman: Act Zero came to be, why the US division started making good money for the company and how that attention eventually led Konami to make its final takeover. It's a good human account of the big business of gaming and cross-Pacific relations.
Five of XBLA's top six sellers are Japanese
Make all the snide jokes you like about the Xbox 360's less-than-stellar sales in Japan, it's hard to dispute that the country's development community is helping to fuel the console in a different way. As Microsoft just brought to attendees' collective attention at its TGS presser, five of the six top-selling games on Xbox Live Arcade originate in Japan. Great news for the Land of the Rising Fun, but it sort of casts the service in a less-than-flattering light considering that the games (Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Street Fighter 2, Super Street Fighter 2 HD Turbo Remix, Bomberman Live and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) are all either ports or remakes of fairly old games. Oh, and before you ask: We're not sure what the lone US holdout is, but we're pulling for either Yaris or Soltrio Solitaire.
New Xbox 360 Elite holiday bundle and Wireless Controller Game Pack announced
We'd been hearing that Microsoft had a new Xbox 360 holiday bundle in the works, and here we go: $299 will nab you an Elite, Lego Batman, and Pure. Not a bad deal -- and if you already have a 360, you can score a new controller, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Lumines LIVE!, Bomberman LIVE! and Ms Pac-Man for another $60. The new Elite pack should be shipping to retailers today, but you'll have to wait until November to snag the controller bundle. Now if only Microsoft would see fit to bundle in some freaking WiFi, we'd be all set.
Xbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle shipping today
Rumored, pictured, and now shipping to retail, the 2009 edition of the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle ($300) includes a pair of family-friendly titles from last year in Lego Batman and Pure. But, well, you knew that. (Protip: Grab and stash this before October 5 to be eligible for the $50 rebate.)Also announced today, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack will go on sale in November for $60. The black gamepad and bundle of XBLA titles is so close to perfect with Geometry Wars 2, Lumines Live, Bomberman Live and ... a code for Ms. Pac-Man? Make that a Pac-Man: Championship Edition token and we'd be looking at one of the best gifts you could have given this holiday -- 'cause let's face it, you (should) already own those games.Oh, and still no official word on that popcorn box o' peripherals.%Gallery-74224%
Bomberman Live blasts out 500,000 downloads
Hudson has announced that Bomberman Live, the XBLA version of its perennial explosion festival, has eclipsed 500,000 downloads. Sabine Duvall, Hudson's Vice President of Digital Download, states that the company is "awed by the enthusiasm and excitement" of the series' fans, adding that the milestone "is a testament to the longevity of the Bomberman series." Just to put the sales in context, Bomberman Live was released on XBLA way back in July of 2007, meaning it took just over two years for the title to amass 500,000 downloads. It was also one of the first XBLA titles to add Avatar support. If you've yet to pick it up and happen to be looking for an evergreen party game, we suggest you give it a try.
XBLM Deal of the Week: Bomberman Live
Larry Hryb – Xbox Live's Major Nelson – has dropped a bomb via his blog. Er, rather, he delivered news of a dropping in price of the Avatar-supporting Bomberman Live. As of Tuesday, December 16, the game will be on sale for 600 ($7.50), down from 800 ($10). The special price will be in effect for seven days.There's still a wee bit of time left to snag last week's deal, the Foo Fighters album The Colour and the Shape for Rock Band, at 1200 ($15). After today, it returns to 1600 ($20).
Holiday Deal of the Week: Bomberman LIVE
Bomberman LIVE, that Xbox Live Arcade game that you've come to obsessively love thanks to the addition of NXE Avatars, is being cheapened. We've just been informed via a nearly frozen carrier pigeon that this week's Holiday Deal of the Week is Bomberman LIVE, which has been discounted to 600 Microsoft points. A 200 point savings over its retail price and something we can only describe as being "blastacular!" The holiday deal goes live Tuesday morning, so prep those MS points for spending. Ho, ho, ho and merry Holiday Deal of the Week! %Gallery-5187%
NXE how-to: Avatars in XBLA games
Now that your NXE Avatar is dressed and ready for ... Hey, yeah! Just what is an Avatar for? Well, if you're not ready to drop 800 on A Kingdom for Keflings, we're afraid your options are seriously limited. What you can play with are several older Xbox Live Arcade games, which should be updated with limited Avatar support. Specifically, Uno, Bomberman Live, Hardwood Hearts, and Hardwood Spades -- disc-based Scene It? Box Office Smash is also due to receive an update enabling Avatar support today.The Uno update will install itself just as any other XBLA title update has in the past (and we can confirm this), but the other three games require additional attention. Gamerscore Blog has laid out the process in a simple 1-2-3 and 4-step guide. We attempted to update Bomberman Live earlier today, however, and were not prompted for the initial update. We can only assume that the update's absence is linked to the current condition of Xbox Live Marketplace (read: wonky). We got hit with the "8000ffff" error -- that's Xbox's way of saying: Try again later. Curious about the New Xbox Experience? Check out our ridiculously informative nine-video feature, covering everything from Avatar creation, Netflix integration, and the 8-player party system to installing games to the hard drive, the new Marketplace, the Blade-like "Guide" interface, and more!
X3F Live Online Now! [Update]
Update: Well, it seems that no internet was any match for a decent game of Team Fortress 2. All of us (Xav, Richard and Dustin) attempted to get a game going but twice it crashed and once it was so laggy your character went for a swim in the 2Fort water without your permission! So. That in mind, tomorrow night at 9:30 PM - 11:30 PM we're going to host a roundtable of Halo 3 madness! Join us tomorrow and let us all thank Team Fortress 2's bad connection for a great time! Thaaaaaaaaank Youuuuuuuuu.Just so the entire night isn't a bust. Some of our team are going to play some random online games and would love for you to join up. If you see any of us online playing, drop us a line and request an invite!Original Post: That's right kids. Right now you are invited to jump onto Xbox Live and partake in some quality games of Bomberman Live and Team Fortress 2!As usual add X3FLIVE to your friends list and use the Friends of Friends feature to track down Richard (SenseiRam), Dustin (SuperDunners), Alexander (Sli Xander) and/or Xav (Snypz) and try to jump into an open session. We still need to set up a telethon to save Terrence's internets.So to recap. Just join the game in progress and if you don't find your way in send Xav (Gamertag Snypz) a message requesting to be invited. We are going to try and get as many people in the game as possible!
Reminder: X3F LIVE tonight!
Community, listen up. Tonight at 9:30 PM EST we're throwing down on some Bomberman Live and Team Fortress 2 in another edition of X3F Live. Browse through your ridiculously long list of XBLA titles, dust off those copies of The Orange Box and prepare yo'self for a few games of each when we play Bomberman Live from 9:30-10:30PM and then switch to Team Fortress 2 from 10:30-11:30PM!As usual add X3FLIVE to your friends list and use the Friends of Friends feature to track down Richard (SenseiRam), Dustin (SuperDunners), Alexander (Sli Xander) and/or Xav (Snypz) and try to jump into an open session. We still need to set up a telethon to save Terrence's internets.This week I (that's Xav, Gamertag: Snypz) will be hosting the games so, if you're online and haven't been invited to a game send me a message and we'll try to get you in throughout the night.See ya online!
X3F LIVE: Bomberman Live & Team Fortress 2
We had so much fun playing Gears of War and Uno on Monday that we decided we're not going to wait another six months before our next X3F LIVE event. On Monday, June 16, we're handpicking two other titles from last week's poll and choo-choo-choosing it for another round of X3F LIVE madness.Prepare yourself for another onslaught of gaming with the team at X3F (if you so choose) where we'll partake in a little Bomberman Live from 9:30 - 10:30PM EST and then retire to Team Fortress 2 from 10:30 - 11:30PM EST.More details to come on Monday, but as usual add X3FLIVE to your friends list and use the Friends of Friends feature to track down Richard (SenseiRam), Dustin (SuperDunners), Alexander (Sli Xander) and/or Xav (Snypz). Someone really needs to get Terrence some new, Xbox Live compatible internets!
Bomberman Live tournament for the new year
We couldn't think of a better way to kick off the new year than with a bombtacular Bomberman Live Xbox Live tournament complete with prizes and fame.Hudson just opened up registration for the Bomberman Live New Year's Bash Tournament & Sweepstakes (that's a mouth full) and invite the best bombers from around the world to participate. You will need the Bomb-Up Pack 3 to partake in the fun, because the tournament winners will be chosen from the "Weekly Ranked Friendly Fire" leaderboard. The eight gamers who sit atop the leaderboard will win prizes including 100,000 Microsoft points, Xbox 360 hardware and other accessories. Not up for tournament competition and are better suited for a game of chance? Registration on the Hudson website will also enter you into a random sweepstakes where twenty-five winners will win Microsoft points and sweet swag. Hurry up and register though, the tournament kicks off January 6th with all the festivities conclude on the 13th. Good luck bombing!
Bomberman gets new content Dec. 26
The afterglow of Christmas can be kind of a downer, but at least this year you'll have one slightly belated gift to look forward to: A fresh dose of content for Bomberman Live. (It should be noted that by "gift," we mean it costs 250 points [$3.13]. Sorry for any confusion.)The "Bomb Up Pack 3" will add a new mode called Friendly Fire, that gives players a power bomb and puts them on a holey map and 10 new characters (including soon-to-be-favorite "Bomb2-D2"). Your $3.13 will also net you two new levels called "Cavity Land" and "Robot Factory" (which we hope is a nod to "Monkey Vs. Robot," even though we know it's not). Look for the pack to go live on Dec. 26.
Third Bomberman Live Bomb-Up Pack Dec 26th
Hudson announced that a third (it has been three already?) Bomb-Up Pack for Bomberman Live will be available December 26th on the XBLM and it'll usher in new characters, new maps and new game modes. Bomb-Up Pack 3 will include two new maps (the sugar-high "Cavity Land" and the technology based "Robot Factory"), ten new Bomberman characters (like "Bomb2-D2" and "Shinobi Bomb"), some new leaderboards and a new "Friendly Fire" game mode where players start off with a power bomb on a map with nothing but holes. The new DLC will cost 250 Microsoft points and should make you love Bomberman Live all over again. Though, we know we never quit our love affair.[Via 1UP, Thanks, Jonah Falcon]
Bomberman Live gets a game improving update
XBLA game Bomberman Live just received a new title update today and is aimed at improving lag, fixing minor bugs and adding new features. The full list of new fixes and features can be viewed after the break with highlights including reduced power-up lag, fixed costume saving, settings previewable in lobby and a new six digit leaderboard. Overall, a pretty solid title update that should relieve your Bomberman headaches and promise more explosive fun. Happy bombing!
One week discount on select XBLA games
Starting this Wednesday and lasting for a whole seven days, three previously released Xbox Live Arcade games will be catching the price discount fever. XBLA games Frogger, Hardwood Spades and Bankshot Billiards 2 will be discounted this Wednesday with both Frogger and Hardwood Spades dropping from 400 Microsoft points to 300 and Bankshot Billiards 2 going from 1200 to 900. Again, these new prices go into effect this Wednesday and will remain at their lower prices until October 2nd, so give 'em a purchase if there is something you think you'll enjoy. And note to Microsoft, we and our fellow fanboys love these types of discounted Arcade game promotions. Please, keep them coming!
Second Bomberman Live Bomb-up pack revealed
This morning, developer Hudson announced a second Bomberman Live expansion called the Bomb-up Pack 2 and is set for a September 26th release onto the XBLM.Just like the first Bomberman expansion pack, Bomb-up 2 will cost a semi-cheap 250 Microsoft points and include ten new characters including Destructoid's mascot, Bomberella and El Bombito, as well as two new arenas (Medieval Times and Full Tilt) and a new gametype mode called Bomb Shelter in which players can hide in specific areas staying safe from explosions. The expansion pack will also add two new leaderboards into the mix for those who are all about proving their worth.There's no doubt about it, Bomberman Live is a great Xbox Live experience and a fantastic multiplayer game and the Bomb-up Pack 2 expansion pack can only make the good times continue longer. We always welcome new DLC, but are always watching for the cost versus content proposition and this Bomberman expansion looks to be well worth it. Bomberman go!
Bomberman Live & Yie Ar Kung Fu XBLA double header
Coming straight from E3 is confirmation of another Xbox Live Arcade double header next week with both Bomberman Live and Yie Ar Kung Fu releasing Wednesday, July 18th. Bomberman Live will feature (literally) tons of bombing excitement and fully customizable bombers for only 800 Microsoft points, while the mysteriously missing from Xbox.com Yie Ar Kung Fu will be available for a more modest 400 Microsoft points. And please fanboys, please pray to God that Hudson didn't muff up our classic Bomberman as we all can agree that Act Zero was a horrible attempt at entertainment.
Joystiq impressions: Bomberman Live! (XBLA)
I recently played Bomberman Live! at a Hudson media event, getting a sense for this title that goes back to the original Bomberman formula. This Xbox Live Arcade game is expected to launch later this month and will be available for 800 points ($10).How is it? It's Bomberman. Will you like it? It's Bomberman. Do you like Bomberman? It's Bomberman.%Gallery-4716%
Hudson admits Bomberman: Act Zero was bad
Private confession is good for the soul. Public confession is good for image and marketing. Hudson, in the latest of their kooky videos, goofs around about the upcoming Bomberman Live (expected before the end of July) and just flat out admits Bomberman: Act Zero as an absolute mistake. Although low on details, the video is a fun little thing to watch, with a nice bit of political incorrectness that pokes fun at everybody -- and brings the Wii into the discussion while people fake playing Bomberman Live.We'd be excited for Bomberman Land on the Wii if recent events hadn't reminded us how unfriendly the Wii is to online. Although Bomberman Land for the Wii and DS are expected later this year, Bomberman Live looks to be the way to go for the Bomberman faithful. And at an expected 800 MS point price ($10), that kinda beats anything that the Wii and DS versions will have at $29.99+ with limited online functionality. Keep it simple, keep it fun, keep it multiplayer friendly -- that should be the Bomberman mantra.
