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Fable 2 Pub Games coming August to XBLA, free with pre-order
Microsoft has announced that Fable 2 Pub Games, a collection of three casino-style Xbox Live Arcade games that help you boost your money for Fable 2, is coming in August for 800 MS points (US $10). However, according to the press release, Pub Games is free for those who pre-order at participating retailers. The three games are: Keystone, a combination of Craps and Roulette Spinnerbox, an "updated take" on slot machines Fortune's Tower, a "press your luck style of game" Also included is Shell, a tutorial for all three. Taking a route similar to Spore Creature Creator, Microsoft is also including the Pub Games in both the Standard and Limited Editions of Fable 2, meaning if you can hold out until the game is released, you won't have to shell out the $10. Fable 2 is due out "later this year," with recent hints of an October launch. %Gallery-4807%
Three Fable 2 'Pub Games' free with pre-order and a limited edition too
Moments ago, Microsoft announced specifics regarding the Fable 2 mini-games that were announced back during GDC that will allow gamers to earn gold for use in Fable 2 prior to the game's release. And you'll be pleased to know you can play the mini-games without spending any Microsoft points. The Fable 2 "Pub Games" will release later this year (release date still pending) in August and will include three mini-games where players can earn gold for use in Fable 2. The three games include a craps / roulette type game called "Keystone", a slot machine game called "Spinnerbox", the press your luck style game called "Fortune's Tower" and a tutorial for all three games called "Shell". The best news is that all three Pub Games will be available for FREE with a Fable 2 pre-order. The games will also be embedded on the retail disc. Otherwise, you' have to option to purchase the pack off the XBLA for 800 Microsoft points when they release. Microsoft also announced a Fable 2 limited collector's edition that'll retail for $79.99 and include a behind-the-scenes bonus disc, collectible Hobbe figure (w00t!), a LIVE trial card and other additional in-game content. Of course, the collector's edition will also include the Pub Games on disc.
Fable 2 will 'talk to' three XBLA games
When we start thinking about video games talking to each other, we start getting nervous. The last thing bitter, hateful video game bloggers want is for the Petz 17: Locustz and Sims 2: Kitchen Appliances of the world to become sentient, read the things we wrote about them and kill us in our sleep. But Fable 2's Peter Molyneux is just fine with the idea. In fact, he's encouraging it with three XBLA games that will "speak to" Fable 2 upon its release.He hinted at it last month at GDC, but Molyneux detailed the idea on Major Nelson's podcast. Basically, Microsoft's Carbonated Games (of Uno fame) will release "Mage Dice," "Wizard's Tower" and "Keystone" on to XBLA and the money you win from those games will go directly into your account when you boot up Fable 2. It's a neat idea with a lot of possibilities and as long as the games don't start talking to Puppy Luv 8: Dalmationz, we're all for it.Update: X3F has contacted Lionhead for further clarification. It has yet to be determined whether or not the games will be released separately or as one XBLA download. Regardless, the games will all be included and playable within the Fable 2 gameworld.[Via CVG]
GDC08: Fable 2 co-op and XBLA tie-in revealed [Update]
During their conference at GDC08, Microsoft announced new and exciting details for its upcoming role-playing game Fable 2. Firstly, Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux detailed plans to bring the Fable 2 experience to Xbox Live Arcade. Developer Carbonated Games will be working with Lionhead to release an Arcade preview of Fable 2 which will allow players to dive into the world, pre-release, and earn money to be used in the retail version of the game. Earning money, a very important element of Fable 2, will the the essence of the Fable 2 XBLA release. The XBLA title will allow players to experience the universe by participating in mini-games, like a cross between Roulette and Craps shown at the conference, that will allow players to earn money that can be transferred to your character when the retail game ships.Secondly, and more importantly, a dynamic cooperative mode was announced. The dynamic coop mode allows a friend to join your experience at any time. Unfortunately the infamous dog mechanic will not be available for player two, but the drop in and drop out coop gameplay is a first for the series and promises exciting possibilities. No date was announced for the release of Fable 2, but we were told the XBLA release will hit weeks before the final product.Update: For clarification, co-op play has only been announced for local play and not over Xbox Live hence the reason we never mention Xbox Live in the story pertaining to the co-op mode. If the drop in and drop out description above led you to assume it was via Xbox Live we apologize for getting your hopes up.
Hexic 2 and Texas Hold 'Em feelin' update love
There are two things you can count on in life, taxes and random Texas Hold 'Em title updates. And that's what is headed down the infamous Microsoft certifcation tube, a new title update for XBLA games Texas Hold 'Em and Hexic 2. There is no specific date for when the title updates will roll out, but we do know that the leaderboards for the games will be reset (to keep things fair) and that the Texas Hold 'Em update is geared more towards fixing bankroll exploits while the Hexic 2 update is aimed at fixing or improving bomb and timer gameplay elements. So, welcome the changes with open arms when they get rolled out otherwise the XBLA police will break down your door and rough you up. Not that we know from first hand experience or anything ... we heard about it from a friend. Full list of all the changes coming for these XBLA games can be viewed after the jump, happy gambling and happy bombing!
Hexic 2 and Ecco available on XBLA
It's Wednesday, which could only mean that this week's XBLA twofer is here, offering up both Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin for purchase. Hexic 2 is available for 800 Microsoft points and builds upon our favorite free puzzle game Hexic, adding multiplayer gameplay, new pieces and a new mechanic look. SEGA's Ecco the Dolphin can be purchased for 400 Microsoft points and is a classic port in the truest sense with a single player campaign that spans twenty-five levels of watery fun. Both games are waiting for your download, so don't let them down and begin the XBLA downloading ritual right quick.
This Wednesday: Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin on XBLA
As much as we'd love to skip to commenters complaining about how this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases weren't the ones they were hoping for, we figured we should at least tell you what they are first: Hexic 2 (800 points, $10) and Ecco the Dolphin (400 points, $5) are both due tomorrow. Ecco the Dolphin is, of course, a graphic and audio-enhanced version of Sega's classic tale of love and betrayal under the sea that manages to perfectly capture an experience that practically no one was ever curious about. Hexic 2 is a sequel to the original puzzler. Though there are new features, it sadly lacks its predecessor's most important feature: Not costing money. The complaining may now commence. %Gallery-5837% %Gallery-5838%
Hexic 2 and Ecco twofer on XBLA Wednesday [update 1]
We just got word from Microsoft that this Wednesday we'll be treated to an XBLA twofer, Hexic 2, and Ecco the Dolphin. Hexic 2 will feature new formations, such as "lines" as the Achievements would suggest, new pieces, and a head to head multiplayer mode. Fortunately Alexey Pajitnov, who made the original Hexic, as well as Tetris, had his hand in this sequel, so fans should feel right at home. Ecco will also be available as part of the SEGA Vintage Collection, and will have Leaderboards for "Best Times" for the levels and enhanced sound and graphics. No official announcement on the pricing, but if you wanted our "professional" opinion, Hexic 2 will go for 800 Microsoft Points, and Ecco at half that price. Update: Prices confirmed on Gamerscoreblog.
Fresh screenshots for upcoming XBLA games
With this week's announcement of upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games that will be releasing soonish comes a batch of marketing offered screenshots. And we figured what better way to share the visual stimulation that these XBLA screenshots have to offer than with official X3F galleries! So, that's exactly what we did. Check out the newly uploaded screenshots for upcoming XBLA games Hexic 2, SPFIITHDR, War World and Puzzle Quest by giving them a quick click-through. We even got you started in your screenshot browsing by embedding the SPFIITHDR gallery below. Go already, go get your daily dose of XBLA screenshot love. %Gallery-5729%
Aegis Wing hits XBLA this week for free
So, after hearing about Soltrio Solitaire and its 800 MS Point price, perhaps you were somewhat taken aback. Perhaps you thought to yourself, "Self," you thought, "I don't want to play solitaire. I'd much rather destroy aliens. And 800 points seems awfully steep. I sure like free things. And tacos, too. Tacos rule." While we're sorry to inform you that Microsoft Mexico is still working on downloadable tacos, we can satisfy your hunger for free alien destruction. Alongside this week's Solitaire release, Aegis Wing will also be dropping on XBLA. Developed by two MS interns with help from Carbonated Games, Aegis Wing brings old-school side-scrolling goodness to Live Arcade. As if retro co-op alien blasting (complete with co-op maneuvers) wasn't enough, the game is also set to be absolutely free ... in North America. Unfortunately, the game will be unavailable outside of North America at all.At least we all still get Soltrio Solitaire, right?[Via Joystiq. Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]%Gallery-3121%
Hexic HD leaderboard fix coming soon
Carbonated Games employee Jesiatha posted on the Xbox.com forums about a Hexic HD leaderboard fix that'll be coming soon via an auto update. The update will allow high scores for continuing games to show up on the leaderboards and not just those that are completed. This will of course shake up the current top 10 leaderboard, but we think deservingly so. And isn't it kind of cool for the guys over at Carbonated Games to support a game that's over a year and a half old? We think so, so cheers to them! Any fanboys out there working on some crazy high Hexic HD scores (somewhere around the 100,000,000,000 score range) and going to benefit from the leaderboard update? [Via XBLArcade]
Video: Hexic HD glitch 477 days later
Sure, Hexic HD has been available for a long time, but maybe this will help those that still don't have the Grand Pearl Pooh-Bah Achievement. Anyway, since the video is under 15 seconds long, we'll let you watch it first, then go on about what it means for you Hexic addicts ... Done? Good. So, apparently you can do "double moves" with a starflower piece and have it only count as one turn, as the bomb suggested. We're not sure if you can combo it into more than one extra rotation, but it should help you in the right situations. The technique involves pulling the appropriate trigger twice with the proper timing. We're not sure if this maneuver can be performed on standard or black pearl pieces, or if it can be used to "skip over" moves that would result in a potentially disastrous combo chain, but definitely worth practicing to find out. Still, that begs the question makes us wonder, are any of you still playing Hexic HD enough to care? Also, the same site features what's called a "starburst combo" as well as clips from a 24 billion point Marathon game, which placed 2nd on the leaderboard. [Via Digg]
UNO gets patch love for matchmaking
Thanks to the thunderous celebration and endless trumpeting that accompanied Microsoft's announcement of XBLA Wednesdays, not many became aware of an UNO patch sheepishly arriving on the scene. The update fixes a rather glaring fault in the game's ranked matchmaking system -- the glaring fault being that it didn't actually work. The update (downloaded automatically next time you play) also addresses "other bugs" and improves theme deck support. Though the game remains a Joystiq favorite and is amusingly inexpensive, developer Carbonated Games still deserves a specially designed + 32 card for letting these errors slip through. We might have been more forgiving had the game supported voice recognition. Seriously, it just has to recognize one word. Just UNO.[Via GameSetWatch]
Hexic hacks don't affect Xbox Live
Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) of Microsoft did some digging and determined that our report of Hexic haxxoring was only partially correct. While it's true that the game has been extracted from kiosk disks used for European Xbox 360 kiosks, and while it's true that the game has been modified, and while it's even true that tinkerers have been able to make it appear as if they're winning achievements, the fact of the matter is that none of this has any effect on the Xbox Live leaderboards. An email from the Xbox Live Arcade team to the good Major stated: "While Hackers can play the game and trigger the achievement awarded animation as if is still there but they don't actually earn anything since they can't connect to Xbox Live." There you have it! Back to collecting black pearls the old fashioned way.
Xbox 360 hackers cheat at Hexic, make inroads into hacking the 360 [Update1]
The hacking community has been very busy this weekend. Accomplishments include: Successfully ripping Hexic off of a kiosk disc and executing it in a PC browser (it runs very slowly) Successfully modifying Hexic and running it on an Xbox 360 connected to Xbox Live Hacking Hexic to earn several of the achievements without doing any of the work Successfully running simple Flash applications that were never on the Xbox 360 (such as a clock application) Modifying certain aspects of the King Kong kiosk demo to create the simple program pictured here Speculation: Could this third item be behind the reset of the Xbox Live leaderboards? We hear people were earning some sick scores in Hexic before the reset (according to a blog post by Xbox Live's Larry Hyrb, the reset is a technical glitch having nothing to do with security issues.) These findings might make it possible to run a flash-based browser, flash-based media players, or even other flash games not available on Xbox Live Arcade There are many avenues of research that the hacking community is exploring. Given the history of past efforts by Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft to prevent modification (all to no avail), it seems inevitable that one or more of these seeds of opportunity will yield fruit How far away are we from a gamer points reset, given that some gamers have been able to cheat to obtain them? Will it become possible to cheat at other games? That's the surest way to sap the enjoyment from any game, as Halo players on Xbox Live who have been the victims of cheaters can attest. [Update1: linked to statement from Microsoft's Larry Hyrb regarding the leaderboard reset.]
Fanboy QuickTake: Hexic
Our friends over at Joystiq have already reviewed Hexic HD, the Xbox Live Arcade puzzle game that comes preloaded on the 360's hard drive. Posing the best value for money out of all arcade games (provided you have the hard drive), it's an excellent starter into the world of Xbox Live Arcade and the concept that the 360 can be used for things other than expensive store-bought games. The gameplay is deceptively simple. Rotate triplets of hexagons to form clusters of three or more of the same colour, which vanish from the board. New hexagons drop in to replace them, repeat ad infinitum. It's like a psychedelic episode of Blockbuster. There are three game modes: Marathon has a gradual difficulty increase and is the most fun, while Timed mode provides those adrenaline rushes, and Survival mode is for patient nitpickers who like their boards kept clean. There are no real changes from the PC version, but somehow playing it on an Xbox 360 makes it more fun.
Joystiq's massive Xbox 360 launch weekend blowout: the aftermath
There's a strong possibility that many of you out there were cryogenically frozen in antarctic glaciers over the weekend, so we won't fault you if you missed out on our 48-hour Xbox 360 playathon. Just bought a 360 and wondering what games are worth your while? On the ropes about whether or not the console is for you? Or do you just want a peek at some hardcore uncensored unboxing action? Whatever it is you're looking for, chances are we've got you covered. And for more in-depth game and console coverage, check out James' hands-on Xbox 360 experience from last month's New York press event. The Setup Unpacking the Xbox 360; hot unboxing action Our sweet test setup Our sweet speaker setup Our sweet screen setup Fuel for a 48-hour gaming fiesta Blockbuster & Hollywood Video: 350 what? The Hardware Joystiq, PGR3 and faceplate. PGR3 and faceplate, Joystiq Invasion of the Xbox 360 faceplates Xbox 360 controller range: Can you hear me now? Side-by-side of Xbox 360 remotes Titlefight: 480p v. 720p for the championship! Parasitic Play-and-Charge controllers get juice from Windows, but Windows gets nothing in return Xbox 360 heat concerns are no concern Xbox 360 fan noise ranked The Services Visualize this: Xbox 360's visualizer taken for a spin Game trailers available on Xbox Live Live: best way to download game trailers Best and worst trailers from Xbox Live Marketplace Gaming trailers are insulting to gamers 360 plays videos, but controls are lacking MP3s streamed to Xbox 360 via laptop Xbox Live arcade titles added: free to try, $5 to $15 to buy Our first Xbox Live friend: you like us, you really like us Joystiq Guide: iPod on the Xbox 360 The Games 3 copies of Kameo = MS wants us to play it 2K on the 360: NBA 2K6, Amped 3, & NHL 2K6 Joyswag caption contest: win a copy of Kameo Joystiq review: Geometry Wars demo Joystiq review: Bankshot Billiards 2 demo Joystiq review: Gauntlet demo Joystiq review: Hexic HD Are we perverse? There's nothing retro about this experience! Joystiq review: Joust demo, thy game is over Joystiq review: Bejeweled 2 Deluxe demo Kameo's in the house, er... 360 tray Super-frustrating boss fight in Kameo Joystiq is better than GameSpot And the best Xbox 360 launch title is... Them's a lotta links! And while we're still recovering from a full weekend of hectic gaming, great fun was had by all, and we can hardly wait for our 48-hour Revolution blowout to roll around... You listening, Nintendo? And if that's still not enough reading material to quench your thirst for Xbox 360 coverage, check out the newest member of the Joystiq family, Xbox 360 Fanboy. Response has already been overwhelming, and it's all thanks to you guys!
Joystiq review: Hexic HD
Hexic HD is a single-player puzzle game that comes installed on the Xbox 360's hard drive when you buy/win/obtain the $399 system (at least in its current incarnation). Unlike the other Live Arcade games being made available in the Marketplace so far, you don't need to spend any Microsoft points to get the full version as it's fully unlocked from the get-go. Features include Xbox Live-enabled leaderboards, and game modes such as Marathon, Timed, and Survival. Ambient music ebbs and recedes in a mostly acceptable ways, though the total volume can swing quite a bit from soft to loud if you're trying to hit that late-night volume sweet spot at home. Hexic looks like your typical puzzle game from its shiny and brightly colored panels, but the way you play it is mainly by rotating trios of hexagons around central axes in a hexagonal grid to strategically remove clusters of tiles from the board. As the official Microsoft site for the game says, you must use "bonus pieces and starflowers to boost your score and discover new ways to play. But watch out for bombs--clear them before they explode or it's game over."
360 marathon results in sleepy bloggers
We knew that playing games was hard work, but who knew that system crashes would apply to our writers, too? Check out Vlad in his nightly best above, and then Chris next to one of his speakers after the jump. Lest you worry that the marathon fell apart due to human frailty, understand that this blogger dutifully kept at Hexic HD through thick and thin while some folks took their power naps. Expect more posts as the weekend marches on!
21 Xbox Live Arcade games at launch, 35 games by summer 2006
Microsoft has announced the list of titles expected to be available during the holiday season for Xbox Live arcade. Not all of these will be available from launch day, but all of them are expected within the next few months. We're particularly excited to play Joust. If there's an Xbox Live matchup feature for Joust, there's hope yet that 30-somethings will find at least one game where we can still hold our weight against whippersnappers with better reflexes and more free time. Robotron 2084 is in there too! Here's the list of titles:
