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Resident Evil 5 demo now infects XBLM worldwide
Attention Resident Evil fans not currently living on the island nation of Japan: The Resident Evil 5 demo is now available to Xbox Live Gold members everywhere (except Germany). The demo contains two levels and allows for co-op play both offline and over Xbox Live. There don't appear to be any major differences between this demo and the demo that was released in Japan last month, so don't expect any surprises if you managed to play it before. Actually, there might be one surprise: It probably won't stop working week from now.Go ahead and queue up your download right now. While you're waiting, why not check out our impressions of the Japanese demo after the break? It'll do you good.
Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC set for Feb. 10, March 10
Having been delayed late last year thanks to layoffs at Crystal Dynamics, Eidos has officialy set a new date for the Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC. The first content pack, "Beneath the Ashes," is set to arrive on February 10 and finds Lara exploring the ruins of Croft Manner to discover a hidden "deadly source of power" amidst ancient caverns and crypts. Frankly, we hope the DLC unravels the mystery as to why the Crofts decided to build their mansion on top of so many caverns and crypts in the first place. "Beneath the Ashes" will also contain six new costumes for Lara and new achievements worth 125 points.The second batch of DLC, "Lara's Shadow," will be available March 10. No details were released regarding the second pack, but it's probably safe to assume it will also contain a new level, costumes, and achievements. No prices were announced, though GameStop lists both packs combined for $20, leading us to believe they will be individually priced at 800 points.It's worth noting that former creative director for Crystal Dynamics, Eric Lindstrom, has stated that the DLC levels were originally intended to be included in the retail game, but were cut as the result of "a production issue" that would have caused the game to miss its ship date.
'New' Resident Evil 5 trailer hits the web, XBLM
As we so craftily implied with the quotes in the above headline, this Resident Evil 5 trailer isn't technically new. It was actually shown at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show. The catch, you see, is that it was only shown at the Tokyo Game Show, and we were all prevented from seeing it in its full, high definition glory. But that was the past, as the trailer is now available to one and all and it's a doozy. Seriously, this sucker is over five minutes long. It's probably the closest look at the game's story that we've been given so far -- what's Umbrella doing in an African cave? -- and it has a extra strength dose of Wesker. Be sure to watch the whole thing, as Jill Valentine makes a cameo (of sorts).Also, for those who'd rather watch from the couch, the trailer is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace as well.
Cardigans, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy DLC for Lips this month
Microsoft has detailed upcoming Lips DLC for the remainder of January, and it's an interesting mix to say the least. Ranging from artists like Rihanna, the Cardigans, the Pussycat Dolls and even Boyz II Men, there's something for everyone. The songs will range from 160 to 180 Microsoft Points, with the first batch due out this Friday (hey, that's tomorrow). Check out the complete list below. See anything you like?January 16 When I Grow Up – The Pussycat Dolls (160) You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' – The Righteous Brothers (180) Erase/Rewind – The Cardigans (160) January 23 Hate That I Love You – Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo (180) Thnks fr th Mmrs – Fall Out Boy (160) Look What You've Done – Jet (160) January 30 Sunday Morning – Maroon 5 (160) Take A Bow – Rihanna (180) Water Runs Dry – Boyz II Men (160)
Blowout headed to Xbox Originals (wait, what?)
If you happened to catch a recent Twitter update from Major Nelson, you may have already discovered that BlowOut is the next title headed to Xbox Originals. Supposing this is the first you've heard of it -- Gamerscore Blog just made it official -- we imagine your reaction is much the same as ours was. That is to say a reaction of complete puzzlement. It's not that we think BlowOut is a poor choice for Xbox Originals (an accusation we could level at many previous choices). No, it's that we have no idea what BlowOut is. We canvassed our coworkers and no one remembers BlowOut. At all.Thankfully, it appears the game's official website is still active and we think it tells you everything you need to know. It's a side scroller. You shoot things. A lot. Oh, and the tagline is priceless. It concerns the game's main character, a space marine nicknamed Dutch. Ahem: "Mess with Dutch, don't live much!!!" (Note the triple exclamation points. Very important.) BlowOut will hit Marketplace on January 19th for 1200 Microsoft Points.
The Eagles take flight as GH: World Tour DLC
Guitar Hero: World Tour players listen up. You've got some brand new DLC to download today, and it comes in the form of an Eagles track pack. Yes, you can finally play something other than "Hotel California." That's right. Just sit back and let the relief wash over you. Feels good, doesn't it? You can pick up all three tracks for 440 ($5.50) or download individual tracks for 160 ($2.00) each. The tracks available are: Eagles Track Pack (Download from Marketplace) "One of These Nights" (Download from Marketplace) "Life in the Fast Lane" (Download from Marketplace) "Frail Grasp on the Big Picture" (Download from Marketplace)
Gold Live members: Free premium Winter Holiday theme
Pssst. Hey, Gold Xbox Live members, over here. This post is just for you. Are the Silver members gone? Good. Okay, here's the deal. Major Nelson has informed us that you (just you, not Silver members) are now entitled to a free Winter Holiday theme. Since neither Major nor Xbox.com provide any images of the Winter theme, we snapped a quick spy picture. We even made it kind of blurry and took at an awkward angle to make it seem more clandestine. Cool, huh? Anyway, like we said, it's free. You can download it by clicking this link. Just don't tell the Silver members. If they ever learn of our opulence, surely they will revolt.
XBLM Holiday Deal of the Week: Legendary Map Pack for 400 points
Major Nelson sends word that Microsoft is beginning a new promotion this week, the Xbox Live Marketplace Holiday Deal of the Week. Throughout December, Microsoft will announce a new deal of the week for Gold members only on a certain content from the Xbox Live Marketplace. This week's deal is the Legendary Map Pack for Halo 3, which will be discounted from 600 Microsoft Points to 400 starting tomorrow (Halo fans may recall that the original 800 point price was reduced to 600 earlier this year). For only five bucks, you can grab three maps for Halo 3 which include Ghost Town, Avalanche and Blackout. The deal will only be available for one week -- again, starting tomorrow -- so you'd best think fast if you want to take advantage of it. A new deal will be announced next Monday and more deals are expected to follow throughout December.
Four DLC packs for Last Remnant in December
If you've been able to look past the numerous reported technical issues with The Last Remnant, you should be happy to hear that that three downloadable content packs are on the way for the game. The first, Challenge Pack 1: Purgatory's Sins, will be available to Xbox Live Gold members on December 1 and Silver members on December 8. This pack includes new guild tasks. Also available on these dates will be The Key of Ancient Ruins which, appropriately enough, unlocks the Ancient Ruins in the game. The third bit of DLC, Challenge Pack 2: The Price of Lies, which includes more guild tasks, will be available to Gold members on December 22 and Silver members on the 29th. All three of the above content packs will be completely free.Finally, March to War, which was previously available only to those who had pre-ordered the game, will be made available to both Gold and Silver members on December 15 for 100 Microsoft Points. March to War adds three more formations for the game: Scatterswarm, Goblet and Catapult.
Resident Evil 5 demo on Dec. 5 says Famitsu
As if we weren't already up to our eyeballs in zombies, the latest issue of Famitsu (as translated by IGN) states that Capcom plans to release a demo of Resident Evil 5 onto Xbox Live Marketplace on December 5*. The demo will include two playable stages and will include both offline and co-op modes. Caveat alert: as Famitsu is a Japanese magazine, the demo is currently only confirmed for Japan. We have our top men (top men) needling Capcom about the matter, so hopefully we'll have a confirmed demo for other regions shortly.[Via Joystiq]*Yes, we realize that the enemies in Resident Evil 5 are not technically zombies, as established in Resident Evil 4 but, for all intents and purposes, they're zombies, mkay? And furthermore, seriously, come on, we're telling you that there is a Resident Evil 5 demo merely a week away and you're arguing semantics? Really? That's how you want to spend your time? Fine. Suits us. We don't even care. Jerk.
Dead Space Demo dismembers XBLM
We realize that many of our readers have long since forgotten Halloween -- its memory having been replaced by slavering thoughts of turkey -- but that doesn't mean we have to forget about survival horror. In an effort to remind us -- and perhaps to push a few more copies out the door -- EA has released a demo for Dead Space onto the Xbox Live Marketplace (sorry, Gold members only, for now). The demo is vaguely referred to as a "Dismemberment Demo" and, frankly, we haven't the foggiest idea what that's about. And hey, check this out, thanks to the new online Marketplace at Xbox.com, we can do this:Click here to add the Dead Space demo to your 360 download queue!
New Killers album tracks headed to GH World Tour
Activision announced today that a new Guitar Hero: World Tour track pack from The Killers will release simultaneously with their new album Day & Age. The two new tracks included in the pack are "Human" and "Losing Touch." The third song in the pack is the band's original hit "Mr. Brightside." The track pack will be released alongside Day & Age on November 25. Those looking to pick up the new tracks can expect to plunk down 440 Microsoft Points, otherwise known as $5.50.
Left 4 Dead demo zombifies XBLM
We're not even sure why you're sitting there reading this. If we were you -- and despite what your schizophrenic side tells you, we're not -- we would be running to our Xbox 360 and downloading right now. But, for the sake of formality: The Left 4 Dead demo is now on Xbox Live Marketplace for all to download and enjoy. The demo includes single-player and online multiplayer sections of the game and even supports two-player splitscreen support. Go get it already!For those of you lucky enough to have the NXE, we should note that the demo is not currently showing up in the New Arrivals section of Game Demos on XBLM. We had to browse the All Games section for Left 4 Dead (it's under L!) in order to find it. Also, strangely, it can be found in the Game Demos section under the letter L, but only if you sort the list by popularity. Our best guess is that a cyber zombie has been chewing on the brains of Xbox Live. It's the only thing that makes sense, really.
Mirror's Edge demo vaults onto Marketplace (lands on feet)
Do you have any of "those" friends? You know the ones. The ones that still think that video games are exclusively the domain of kindergartners, and anyone who plays them beyond grade school is a mentally stunted weirdo? If so, we suggest heartily that you show them the Mirror's Edge demo that just landed on Marketplace. If they're able to take in the beautiful, visceral visuals and still walk away unimpressed, we suggest you try again. Only the second time, you should play whilst wearing a smoking jacket and sipping on a glass of cognac, preferably while sitting in a wingback leather chair. If that doesn't work ... well, you don't need "those" kinds of friends.
Free N+ level pack leaps onto XBLM
Tiny ninja fans rejoice! A new level pack for the high jumpin', wall slidin' platformer N+ is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Oh, but that's not all. It's also 100% completely, totally free! So, that's pretty cool right? The folks at Metanet have also annoucned a new "contesque" in which you could win a copy of N+ on your platform of choice. All you have to do is send a picture of an N+ related costume or craft, or a piece of digital art. Head over to Metanet for full details, and go get that level pack![Thanks, Brian. Via Joystiq]
Fracture demo sends shockwaves through Xbox Live
Here we are, September 18, and the Fracture demo promised by LucasArts has landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. Weighing in at 772MB, the demo allows players to sample a section of Fracture's single player campaign. Using the game's terrain deformation system, players can try their hand at creating and destroying the landscape using a variety of weapons. Here's hoping that creating hills, holes, craters and spires is enough to keep things interesting. If you've been anxious to try out Fracture's much vaunted terrain deformation, give it a go.
Mercenaries 2 demo explodes onto Xbox Live
Three days after Pandemic announced that a Mercenaries 2 demo was on Xbox Live Marketplace, it finally emerges. Where was it hiding? We're not sure. Venezuela perhaps. Regardless of where it's been, it's available now for anyone who wants to give its particular brand of open world destruction a try. Be warned though, the demo only lasts for twenty minutes, and the timer doesn't reset when you die, and it boots you back to the dashboard when time is up. Better get that destruction in while you can (and hope that you can figure the game out without a tutorial).
Guitar Hero Aerosmith demo walks this way
Considering it came out in June, it's a little curious that Activision is only now releasing a demo of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to Xbox Live Marketplace. Somehow, we get the feeling that pretty much anyone interested in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith already has it. If, somehow, you're interested in this game and have yet to try it out, go give it try. Oh, one last thing, the dashboard details are priceless: "Get a taste of Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith - There's never been a band like them; there has never been a game like this." Really? Never?
Ace Combat 6 demo flies out next week
In the latest episode of GameSpot's On the Spot, In Joon Hwang, Product Marketing Manager for Namco Bandai, revealed that a demo for Ace Combat 6 should be available on Xbox Live Marketplace next week. Ace Combat 6 is the first in the flight combat series to appear on a non-Sony console and also the first new-gen entry in the series. Hwang notes that the game's support system has been revamped, and players will now be able give commands to naval, air, and ground combat units during play. Expect to hear more about Ace Combat 6 from E3 next week. [Thanks, Dark Mobius]
Special Bungie goodies on XBLM tomorrow
Tomorrow, whether you know it or not, is Bungie day. Fans of Bungie will know that the number 7 has a special significance to the company and its games. As such, July 7 (7/7, get it?) has become known as Bungie day. Seeing that tomorrow is 7/707, this year marks a super special Bungie day (so special, in fact, that it won't happen again for one hundred years). To celebrate, some extra special Bungie goodies will be appearing on Xbox Live Marketplace tomorrow. What sort of goodies exactly? We don't know. All we do know is that it won't be related to Halo 3 and is "of a more decorative nature." Naturally, we're guessing themes and gamer pictures. You'd better act fast though, as these downloadable morsels will only be available tomorrow. At the stroke of midnight, they will vanish into the intertubes.
