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Xbox Live Top 10 dominated by Shadow Complex, CoD: World at War
Major Nelson has revealed the latest figures for Xbox Live activity, which once again sees Call of Duty: World at War being the most played Xbox 360 Live title. That's not to say it's all business as usual, as the Lost Planet 2 co-op demo managed to claw its way onto the list, along with a new Xbox Live Arcade pair, Shadow Complex and Trials HD.Both titles made it onto the top two spots on XBLA's most played list, with Chair's Metroid-inspired adventure making its debut in first place. The remainder is comprised of usual suspects Battlefield 1943, Marvel vs Capcom 2 and 'Splosion Man.
Xbox Live Top 10: Nazi zombies run amok
Guys, do you ever play anything aside from four games? Major Nelson reports that last week's Xbox Live activity was very much the same as the week before ... and the week before that. Taking top spot was none other than Call of Duty: World at War, followed by usual suspects Halo 3, Call of Duty 4 and Gears of War 2. Madden 10 took last place, which isn't much of a surprise considering it released on Friday. Come next week, we're sure you'll be hearing more about that one.On the XBLA side, it was all about Trials HD, as the title earned top honors. Turtles in Time Re-Shelled managed to shell shock the competition by taking second and DICE's Battlefield 1943 continues its sad story of decline, falling to third. Well, okay -- maybe it's not a sad story, per se.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Trials HD
The Summer of Arcade continues this week with Trials HD. Probably the least talked about game in the Summer of Arcade, we're happy to report that it seems like a solid title. It evokes the simplicity of Excite Bike as well as the zen state brought on by a perfect run in games like Tony Hawk. It also includes plenty of broken bones and explosions. So, something for everyone, really. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief and see what you think. The full version is 1200 ($15). Download the trial version of Trials HD [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly. [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday: Trials HD skids onto XBLA
We have to admit to feeling just a little silly about continuing to remind you about these XBLA releases when you knew the lot of them a month or so ago. But, we're told that people with "that Memento guy disease" (excuse the clinical terminology) make up around 10 percent of our audience, surprising as that may be.So, as a reminder to most of you and a hot scoop for a precious few: Motocross platformer (that sounds made-up, we know) Trials HD is going to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday for 1200 ($15). Have fun, just don't let it stop you from tracking down John G.
Microsoft will give you $10! (For spending $70 on Xbox Live)
So, here's an interesting promotion. A press release just hit the ol' Joystiq inbox, claiming that those who buy all of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade titles will be treated to 800, also known as $10 in Microsoft's funny money. This calls for copy and paste! July 22: 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 ($15) August 5: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) August 12: Trials HD 1200 ($15) August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 ($15) Just adding those up -- carry the one --- that's a free $10 for spending $70 on Xbox Live. Keep in mind it's $10 you can only spend on Xbox Live (or Zune Marketplace). While the deal might seem silly at first glance, it does essentially boil down to five XBLA games for $60, the price of one retail game. And, as another Joystiq editor pointed out, that retail game could never be 'Splosion Man. It's a nice bonus if you already plan to pick up all the games. If you don't, you'll be saving money anyway. Everybody wins!
XBLA's 'Summer of Arcade' lineup reshuffled
As if this Friday wasn't freaky enough, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has alerted us to a schedule swap occurring within the "Summer of Arcade" lineup. 'Splosion Man has taken the July 22nd spot previously held by TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, which will now release on August 5th. The full Xbox Live Arcade release list -- excluding next week's Monkey Island revamp -- is as follows: July 22: 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 ($15) August 5: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) August 12: Trials HD 1200 ($15) August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 ($15) We're happy to experience Twisted Pixel's self-destructive efforts sooner, if only to ease us gently into a rather extravagant spending spree.
XBLA 'Summer of Arcade' 2009 release schedule announced
Microsoft's Major Nelson has revealed the full details of this year's "Summer of Arcade" ... and it's going to be mighty expensive if you're interested in the whole kaboodle. July 22: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 ($15) August 5: 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) August 12: Trials HD 1200 ($15) August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 ($15) The only difference from this list and the previously announced lineup is the absence of Monkey Island Special Edition, which is scheduled for release next week on July 15. [Update: Release schedule revised!]
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Hands-on: Trials HD (XBLA)
click to enlarge At its core, Trials HD is a platformer -- on wheels. The entire concept of the motocross racer is to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, while avoiding an array of factory themed obstacles (steel beams, barrels, etc). Based on the PC Steam release Trials 2: Second Edition, Trials HD adds a few extras to the original -- along with a few graphical touches (primarily lighting). In Trials HD players race through a level (presented with 3D graphics on a 2D plane), which range from simple ramps and jumps to large Micro Machines inspired loops and circus style rings of fire. The game is based on weight and propulsion, as the terrain changes under the rubber of your (cosmetically customizable) motorbike, players use the analog stick to adjust the body weight of their racer. Pushing all the way forward (and thus shifting all weight to the front of the bike) and hitting the gas will send your race pro crashing into the ground below. Added to this is the hilarious use of physics during crashes (and the ability to bail off the bike with the press of a button) and sounds, ranging from bone crunching to nervous screaming. The original fear we had when Trials HD was announced was that movement would lose precision when a console controller translation. While the analog stick was quick to react to subtle movements in our demo, the directional pad seemed to be tweaked as the more precise weight adjuster, and it works. Trials HD also features a robust level editor to create their own tracks (split into a basic "drop in items" editor for newbies and an advanced editor for hardcore) and freely share them with the online community. PC gamers will explain, Trials 2: Second Edition became an experience that would get under a player's skin. In the classic sense of "one more turn," Trials 2: SE would somehow suck away hours, just so a player could shave split seconds off a level's completion time, to climb the leaderboards. The same will be said about Trials HD.Trials HD will be made available on the Xbox Live Arcade later this summer.%Gallery-64987%
