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Small Arms' big launch coming "real soon"
In a recent forum post, GastronautDon, a developer at Gastronaut Studios, claimed that Small Arms will be coming our very soon. In his own words:"Soon. Like for real soon, not 'video game industry soon'. If I say more, I'll get in trouble. "This post was made a week ago, so, "soon" could be any day now, say, tomorrow. After all, it's Wednesday, it's November, what more could you want? Come on, GastronautDon! Throw us a molotov cocktail bone here!
RoboBlitz gameplay looking unreal
More impressive looking gameplay footage from RoboBlitz, aka the first Xbox Live Arcade game to boast Unreal Engine 3. Sony loudmouth David Jaffe better remind indie evelopers like Naked Sky, Gastronaut and Ninja Bee that XBLA is only for retro titles.
Searching for an XBLA Brain Age rip-off
Rip-offs of the Nintendo DS hit Brain Age are starting to show up for the PC, which leads to the question, where's our rip-off for Xbox Live Arcade? It doesn't have to be as blatantly purloined as the shameless example pictured at right -- an homage, extrapolation, etc will do just fine. Besides, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and XBLA could use a killer app for senior citizens.
Street Trace NYC devs speak
GamerTag Radio interviews some guys from Gaia Industries about their original Xbox Live Arcade title, Street Trace NYC. This game was playable at Digital LIfe, but hasn't gotten much press, despite 3D enviroments, split-screen/online multiplayer and a Michael J. Fox-friendly concept (hoverboards). You can visit the game's official site here. While they're doing their alternative media tour, maybe these hard-working indie developers should grab some toilet paper and remind Sony's snobbish Sgt. Pepper that XBLA has plenty of new IP on the way.
Yoko Jaffe pops off about XBLA
Whilst extolling the superiority of Kutaragi's oh-so original Electronic Delivery Initiative to a sycophantic Newsweek reporter, Sony-loving developer David Jaffe embarks on an extended musical metaphor that should win him a Grammy for pretentious assitude: The way I was describing it to somebody yesterday who'd never heard of EDI, I said, 'God of War, Twisted Metal, Resistance and Gran Turismo, those are like operas. These are like pop songs.' For me, it's been a lot more fun to write pop songs than operas. And in the future, because I think these services are going to be really successful, I think it's actually going to end up being more lucrative to write pop songs, just like in the real world, than operas....I would say that there are pop songs by Ashlee Simpson and pop songs by the Beatles. My goal is to write pop songs like the Beatles, not like Ashlee Simpson. If you want Ashlee Simpson pop songs, go to Xbox Live Arcade. Actually, they're the oldies station, because all you're getting is Scramble and Pac-Man.Yeah, and Geometry Wars: Evolved and Small Arms and Space Giraffe and Mad Tracks and Cloning Clyde. Let's put it this way, if XBLA is an Ashlee Simpson (post-nose job hopefully) top 40 single, then Sony's rip-off is the poorly translated J-pop karaoke version produced by Simon Cowell and performed by William Hung.Do you suppose all the sphincter-love Mr. Jaffe received for God of War went to his head just a little? The dude thinks he's John Lennon, but he comes off like Yoko, right down to the "I'm an artist" ego-slobber. You'd think he invented the concept of casual games. Mastering this level of operatic bullsh-t is a real achievement -- or in Sony's retarded nomenclature, a real "entitlement."
XBLA, Contra and Gyruss coming "soon"
There's a small section devoted to Xbox Live Arcade in the latest issue of Konami's newsletter -- creatively titled, "Konami News". In the newsletter, Konami announces that both Contra and Gyruss are coming "soon." How soon is soon? We don't know, but there are ten more Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays this year, and we can only hope that these games are destined for two of them. (Small Arms first, please.)The article contains some previously unreleased info on both games. Contra will feature updated graphics and sounds, online multiplayer (!), and leaderboards. But does it have "the code?!" That's all we want to know. Gyruss will feature updated graphics, new versus and co-op modes, and leaderboards. We have to hand it to Konami for actually upgrading its old arcade games for XBLA. That's the kind of thing more developers should do -- unlike Namco, who actually removed multiplayer from games like Pac-Man and Galaga. So, are you excited for Contra? Any other Konami games you'd like to see resurrected?[Thanks, J.Goodwin]
Crash Dummies on XBLA?
It looks like Twelve Interactive's Crash Dummy Vs. The Evil D-Troit -- currently bound for the PSP, PC, DS, PS2, and Wii -- might be making an appearance on Xbox Live Arcade. According to the game's licensing consultant, SIC, "we have great faith in Crash Dummy & Twelve Interactive. We are also in discussions to put up the title on 360 live arcade. I am sure our partnership will result in many successful games together". We've never heard of the title before, but any new Arcade game is fine by us. See a video of the game after the break.
Lumines Live pricing change planned?
The guys at Xboxic obtained this promising message from Xbox Customer Support:Thanks for contacting XBOX Customer Support, Luminous Live is known to have some issues regarding unsatisfactory in it's download. Please wait until Monday to see wether we have any updates regarding this issue. Do not download or purchase anything else that has to be dealt with Luminous Live. Until then, feel free to contact us via telephone for any updates of this issue and what we can offer you. For any questions regarding this issue, please contact Xbox customer support on http://www.xbox.com/support/contact/ Thanks for time and support, XBOX customer service team. This communique raises a series of intriguing questions?: 1. Will Microsoft lower, or otherwise alter, the much-hated pricing structure for Luminous, or rather Lumines Live? The unusual step of instructing consumers not to buy an XBLA game indicates that they will.2. If so, will MS reimburse the unlucky saps who alread shelled out for the "complete" game in its current usurious form?3. Is grammatical English just too much to ask of a certain percentage of the Xbox Customer Service Team?
Super Thunder Blade Sega Genesis Collection video
We've been receiving a steady stream of Sega Genesis Collection videos the past few weeks, and with each passing video, my anticipation grows. Today's video features Super Thunder Blade, which was inspired by the 1982 film Blue Thunder. In the game, you begin the level in a third-person view behind the helicopter, and you'll eventually switch into a more-traditional, top-down view. According to the game's Wikipedia page, the Genesis version didn't feature the smooth control of its arcade predecessor, Thunder Blade, and was plagued by jerkiness and repetitive gameplay. However, the gameplay seems pretty fun from the video and should be great for a few minutes of play every now and then. See also: Gain Ground and Golden Axe 3Ecco Jr., Shinobi and Phantasy Star IVDecap AttackVirtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion and Bonanza BrothersPhantasy Star 2 and Golden AxeKid Chameleon Ecco the Dolphin and Columns
Xbox Live 4 million and counting
Microsoft has proudly announced that Xbox Live has reached ... 4 Million dollars users. The release, featured on Gamerscore Blog, details some of Xbox Live's impressive numbers. For example over 70% of connected users have downloaded content, Live Arcade demos average 24% demo-to-purchase conversion rates (UNO is 50%!), and over a billion hours have been spent by users online since Live launched in 2002. Even though we know that those 4 million users include Silver as well as Gold members, it's pretty impressive all the same. Microsoft expects 6 million users by June of next year. Let's do some math (it'll be fun). Find out how many Arcade demos you've downloaded. Now count up how many full versions you've bought. Now divide that number by the first one. Did you get 25%?[Via Joystiq]
Our Lumines Live! micro-rant
We know, it seems like all the news is about Lumines lately. It'll subside, we promise. Until then, however, we have to put in our two cents on a hot topic. No doubt you've read some of the reports about Lumines Live! and it's evil downloadable content. Either that, or you've discovered it yourself after clearing one round of Vs. CPU mode. We all knew that there was an "Advance" pack coming, but if you were under the impression that the "Advance" pack would make your game complete, you're wrong. Three times wrong. We think it's time for a rant.
Castle Crashers, most racist game of 2006?
We love Castle Crashers. That's no secret. It sits at the top of our XBLA wish list, right next to Small Arms. We could think of many words to describe it. Awesome, sweet, phat, dope, cool, all of these words leap to mind. But racist? That was the thought of one concerned mother upon seeing the trailer on GameTrailers.com. First of all, what mom is cruising GameTrailers? That's awesome. Second, racist? Apparently, she thinks the multicolored knights are actually white supremacists. We'll just let you absorb that for a minute ... and there we go. Listen to her bewildered phone call after the break.[Via Xboxic]
Lumines Live hits tomorrow [update 1]
A day with no Live. Thousands were faced with a difficult proposition. Do nothing ,or go outside. Fear not, pasty gamers, Microsoft understands what you have gone through. As a reward, you can download Lumines Live tomorrow! It's finally here! Starting tomorrow at 8:00 GMT (1:00 AM PDT), it's yours for the downloadin'. Remember that constant whining sound reverberating across the internet? That was all the fanboys (us included) just waiting for Lumines to finally drop. You should all be grateful that the constant droning will finally cease. Just in time for the new whining to begin: "1200 points! Whaaaaa!" And that's before we get into the soon-to-be-controversial 600 point "Advance Pack." Oy.But seriously, it's Lumines. Hooray, Lumines!Update: Major Nelson has let the world know that the "Advance Pack" is not available yet. It will come out later, presumably when everyone's addiction will force them to purchase it.
Dig Dug gets dug up on XBLA
How many digs can a Dig Dug dig before a Dig Dug can't be dug? Can you dig it?
Metal Slug blasts its way onto XBLA
1UP is reporting that Metal Slug is heading to Xbox Live Arcade. In an interesting twist, there were no big announcements on the subject. 1UP simply noticed a blurb about the game in a pamphlet they received at TGS. Supposedly, the game to be released will be the original Metal Slug and not one of its many sequels. No release date has been given, but 2007 seems to be a fair guess at this point. We have two words for you SNK: online co-op. Make it happen.[Via Joystiq]360 at the Tokyo Game Show:TGS Marketplace content, 9/22Lost Planet and Viva Piñata videoMicrosoft TGS briefing video now availableToday's Marketplace content, 9/21DOAX2 video makes us feel naughtyLost Odyssey intro video
Another arcade mecca: Shibuya Kaikan
Following our recent posts on arcade gaming meccas in Odaiba, Japan and Orlando, Fla., we stumbled across this Game|Life post on Shibuya Kaikan, a legendary arcade in Tokyo's Shibuya district. The complex apparently has five or six floors covering the entire history of Japanese arcade gaming, including classic games in perfect working condition for a mere 50 yen.While game centers like this are still relatively common in Japan, the long-declining American arcade scene has almost exclusively homogenized into restaurant/bar/entertainment complexes like Dave & Busters and ESPN Zone. It's a shame, too, because the social gaming atmosphere of the a thriving, classic American arcade is one that can't be matched anywhere. Do these kinds of arcades still exist in the States, and if so, where? Leave your tips in the comments.
Mysterious XBLA franchise still a mystery?
When my esteemed colleague Richard Mitchell reported that Microsoft's hyped-up XBLA news turned out to be four fun, but admittledly underwhelming titles, he said he hoped he was wrong. Now Godfree from GamerTag Radio is ready to make Richard's day with some quotes that indicate MS is saving their biggest arcade announcement for next week at X06:If you head over to Gamerscoreblog.com they posted TGS 2006 Xbox Media Briefing news & pictures on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 2:07 AM. But here where you can tell [360 PR dude] John [Porcaro] is playing with our minds with a hint. On the post Xbox Crew Running Wild in Tokyo Streets" posted on September 20, 2006 8:36 AM after the Media Briefing:We swore him to secrecy on a number of things... Peter Moore reminded us all that "what happens in Shinjuku stays in Shinjuku." I'm not sure what he meant by that....Porcaro himself posted this comment on the thread:Or maybe I should have said "what happens in Montana stays in Montana"Montana? Is this some sort of clue to the identity of the new game, or does John just have some secrets buried in Big Sky Country?
TGS: And the mystery XBLA game is ...
Yesterday we mentioned that an new franchise was to be announced for XBLA sometime during all this TGS/X06 hullballoo. We even asked all of you for your best guess. Well, it looks like we got our anwer sooner rather than later, and the answer will most likely be a disappointment to many. In total, four new franchises have been announced, and they are: Gyruss New Rally-X Rush'n Attack Yie Ar Kung Fu (Japan only) While these games are a welcome addition (especially Rush'n Attack), it falls well short of our hope for original content -- or even an XBLA specific entry to a classic franchise. We hold out hope that a real contender will emerge before all is said and done. But, on to business. We said we'd name drop whoever guessed right and ... oh, wait ... nobody got it. In that case, we'll just give the Perv of the Week Award® to reader, AOE, for suggesting Boon-Ga Boon-Ga "complete with custom controller." Sick, man. Just sick.360 at the Tokyo Game Show:Today's TGS Marketplace contentHD-DVD for $170, $250 Core w/ Blue Dragon1080p for 360!
Xbox Live Arcade games on a CD-R/DVD-R
The fine hackers over at 360GameSaves.com have found a way to enjoy Xbox Live Arcade games on the Xbox 360 without a hard drive or memory unit. Apparently, burning the game files to a specific directory structure on a CD-R or DVD-R will allow them to be recognized and played on the 360 hardware.While the hack does get around a storage requirement for would-be Arcade players, it's does not get around the purchase requirement -- burned games will only run in trial mode unless the system has registered a purchase for the game. And since you need a hard drive or memory unit for this authentication data anyway, the whole process is largely moot. Still, it's interesting to note the lengths hackers will go to use their hardware how they want. Can pirated 360 games from DVD-Rs be far off?[Via Xbox-Scene]
Run XBLA games from DVD-R, CD-R
Those crafty fellows over at 360GameSaves have uncovered an interesting "feature" of our beloved 360. It looks like Xbox Live Arcade games will run off of an ordinary DVD-R or CD-R. There's some technical mumbo jumbo that we won't relate here, but the upshot is that all you have to do is pop in a CD or DVD with the games burnt onto the disc. The article does note, however, that these games will still only run in trial mode if the full versions haven't been purchased on the 360 being used. Please know that X360F will not be held responsible should you attempt to break open your 360 like a piñata in order to retrieve the delectable games inside. Hit the read link for more details.[Via Xbox-Scene]
