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This Wednesday: Sonic 2 hogs XBLA
How to appreciate the above headline in five simple steps: Read the sequence of words from left to right. Note: Utilizing this technique may require previous training. If said requirement is not met, reader subject may experience difficulty in advancing beyond Step 1. Interpret the declaration as follows: Sega's speedy side-scroller, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, is arriving on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday for 400 MS Points ($5), complete with online play. Realize that in being the sole game release this week (joined only by Bomberman Live! and Band of Bugs downloadable content), Sonic 2 is in effect "hogging" the lineup. Recall that Sonic the Hedgehog is notably and provably a hedgehog. (Crucial) Make the connection and laugh in an obnoxious manner. This may be accompanied by lightly assaulting your knee or invading a colleague's ribs with your elbow. Never confuse the two.
New DLC for Bugs, Soltrio and Carcassonne
Brand spanking new downloadable content for three, count 'em three of your favorite XBLA games was released yesterday in hopes of making your gaming experience all the more enjoyable. First off, Band of Bugs released the "Red Kingdom" expansion for 250 Microsoft points and includes a new red rock tile set, ten new campaign levels and two new units. The second Arcade game to get some DLC love is Soltrio Solitaire which released a 150 Microsoft point "Game Pack 5" featuring ten new gametypes. Finally, the "Rivers II Expansion Pack" was released for Carcassonne, costing 300 Microsoft points and includes twelve new river tiles. All new XBLA downloadable content is currently available off the XBLM and is ready to be purchased or simply gawked at. [Thanks, DjDATZ]
X3F hands-on: Band of Bugs
Xbox Live Arcade is finally starting to pick up steam and, as a result, more game genres are being represented. We've got fighters, beat 'em ups, puzzle games, arcade classics, board games, and many more. There hasn't been much in the way of turn-based strategy though. That is, there wasn't until Band of Bugs. Coming to us from NinjaBee, the same folks who brought us Cloning Clyde and Outpost Kaloki X, Band of Bugs takes the same lighthearted, humorous approach to turn-based strategy. Read on to find out how Band of Bugs fares.
Win Band of Bugs from Uncle Gamer
The kind and generous souls over at Uncle Gamer are at it again. This time, they're giving away a redemption code for Band of Bugs, the latest release from our friends at NinjaBee. We've been having a lot of fun with Band of Bugs so far, and that feeling will only be made better when you realize you didn't pay a dime for it, right? If you'd like your shot at some free, lighthearted strategy goodness, head over to Uncle Gamer and enter. They're accepting entries until Friday, so get cracking!
And the Band of Bugs winner is ...
It's time to pick a winner for our quick and dirty Band of Bugs giveaway. We've sifted through the virtual hat and pulled out a name. That name is ... Joseph Pinero, who reminds us that Band of Bugs goes "SPLAT." Indeed it does, Joseph. Indeed it does. Congratulations, your code will be winging its way to your inbox in no time. If you didn't win, don't worry, we've got lots of contests lined up over the summer. You should be hearing about a new one very soon.
Win Band of Bugs from X3F
Update: A winner has now been selected. Click here to see the winner.Insects. Turn-based strategy. At first glance, these two things don't seem to go together. As it turns out though, Band of Bugs (from our friends at NinjaBee) proves that war and insects are the digital equivalent of peanut butter and chocolate. We managed to snag an Xbox Live Marketplace download code for this delicious concoction and we're giving it away to one lucky reader. If you'd like your shot at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. We'll pick a random winner today at 4:00PM Eastern, just in time to enjoy the game after work. Get to commenting and good luck!General contest stuff: only one entry per person. Winner will be contacted via email.%Gallery-4176%
Band on Bugs swarms Arcade
Band of Bugs, the insectoid strategy game from NinjaBee is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. For 800 Microsoft points you get a single player campaign, standalone missions, multiplayer and a map editor. Also available are two packs with three gamer pics a piece, for just 50 points each and a theme for 150 MS points. This game has caught our attention for bringing some unique experiences on Xbox Live Arcade, are you going to give it a shot today?
This Wednesday: Band of Bugs crawls onto XBLA (ick!)
Fresh from 2007's Independant Gaming Festival, and hot on the heels of the open call for 2008, NinjaBee's indie strategy title, Band of Bugs, is crawling onto your Xbox Live Arcade plate this Wednesday, joining the enterprising dev's other XBLA titles, Outpost Kaloki and Cloning Clyde. For the going rate of 800 MS Points ($10) you'll get a story-based campaign, a four-person multiplayer mode with Xbox Live support, a built-in level editor (you can share levels with friends, pretty cool!), and another reason to drag your Xbox Live Vision cam out of the junk drawer (it's supported in multiplayer modes). %Gallery-4066%
Band of Bugs swatting Arcade this week
Band of Bugs, who's Achievements were recently revealed, is splatting onto Xbox Live Arcade this week. For an expected 800 Microsoft points, The game has a single player campaign mode, as well as stand-alone missions for some quick action. The online seems to be fun, and even has a "Mystery Leaderboard" for which the details of scoring points on are hidden, so that'll be intriguing. So, now that we know it's coming, will we see you online Wednesday?
Band of Bugs squashes out its Achievements
NinjaBee Games was kind enough to give out an exclusive peek at the Achievements for their upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, Band of Bugs. Unfortunately, there is no award for tinkering around with the map editor that we showed you video of last week, but all in all it looks pretty evenly spread out. Also, the release of Achievement information only shows how much closer we are to a game's release, especially XBLA titles. Do you expect Band of Bugs to be another hit from NinjaBee?
Video: Band of Bugs map editor
Ninjabeegames uploaded a video to their YouTube account of the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, Band of Bugs. The video showcases the game's map editor, as well as some gameplay near the end. We think this is the first map editor to be included in an Xbox Live Arcade game. Overall it looks to be pretty solid, and will allow for some unique experiences when playing the game online. Do you think a map editor is a good idea, or should creativity be left to the developers? [Thanks, Tarl]
GDC 07: Band of Bugs hands on
Sitting right next to Castle Crashers was a game not nearly as publicized, NinjaBee's Band of Bugs. We managed to wrangle a Band of Bugs interview a while back, and we were pleased to see the game at GDC (Band of Bugs is part of the Independent Games Festival) and speak with Steve Taylor, president of Wahoo Studios (NinjaBee's parent company). We spent a lot of time looking at Band of Bugs. We got a chance to learn about the level editor and even got a little time to play the game itself. Read on for first hand impressions of this unique Xbox Live Arcade title.
X360F interview: NinjaBee's Band of Bugs
When Band of Bugs was first announced for Xbox Live Arcade last week, we were intrigued. Within minutes, nay, seconds, we were emailing our buddies at NinjaBee to learn everything we could. We managed to snag an interview with Band of Bugs' lead designer, Jeremy Throckmorton. Unfortunately, there are still a few things that we weren't able to pin down (release date, price, etc.) but we did manage to get some tasty info all the same. You may read the interview -- painstakingly reproduced -- after the break.
Band of Bugs brings casual strategy to XBLA
When Microsoft announced the latest lineup of Xbox Live Arcade games, one game stood out among the rest. Sure, we're as excited about Worms and Castlevania as the next trusted news source, but Band of Bugs marks an interesting departure from typical Arcade fare. As a tactical RPG of sorts, Band of Bugs is unlike anything else on Xbox Live Arcade (though it should be noted that Worms is also tactical in nature). Gamasutra sat down with the boys at NinjaBee to learn about the genesis of Band of Bugs, which is now a finalist at the Independent Games Festival. NinjaBee reveals that they wanted to bring something different to the arcade, and that they wanted to create tactical game that appealed to the hardcore and casual alike. Another unique feature of Band of Bugs, it has a level editor. In fact, NinjaBee intimates that the level editor that ships with the game was used to create every level in the game. NinjaBee also takes time to discuss the importance of independent game development in the industry. It's a good read and worth checking out. We have some special Band of Bugs coverage coming soon, so stay tuned. [Via XBLArcade]
