XboxLiveMarketplace
Latest
Tomb Raider Anniversary coming to 360 (as DLC?)
Is there anything the ESRB can't do? Routinely revealing numerous Xbox Live Arcade games, the ratings board has now revealed that Tomb Raider: Anniversary is headed to the Xbox 360. In an interesting twist, the ESRB actually lists five different entries for the game, each with a different locale specified. In all, Peru, Lost City, Greece, Egypt, and Croft Manor are listed. This specificity leads us (and Joystiq) to conclude that Anniversary will be offered as downloadable content. Whether this is done via Tomb Raider: Legend or as independent downloadable episodes remains to be seen (if we had to guess, we'd say it'll be Legend DLC). Considering Anniversary costs $30 on other platforms, a $5-6 price tag for each episode on Xbox Live Marketplace would be reasonable (though we're not necessarily expecting it).We really enjoyed Lara Croft's first outing on the 360, so here's hoping Eidos makes an official announcement soon.[Via Joystiq]
World-crushing Xbox news turns out to be new Pac-Man mazes -- game on
Just a quick check-in on that supposedly Earth-shattering Xbox news that was due today: turns out that Bandai and Pac-Man designer Toru Iwatani debuted Pac-Man Championship Edition for Xbox Live Marketplace in New York, with new game types and an undisclosed number of new mazes -- the first in 26 years. (Humorous: the event was presented by... wait for it... Quiznos.) We're not gonna harsh on Pac-Man or anything, we love the little bugger and know damn well that for some this will actually "go down in video game history" as claimed. But our minds remain thoroughly unblown, and so we point you to Joystiq for the complete story.
Lionsgate is loving the Marketplace
With today's news of CMT and Logo jumping on the XBLM wagon, Lionsgate announced the success they're having with the Marketplace. Lionsgate is reporting that their library of fifteen movies on the XBLM have been rented a total of 150,000 times, which resulted in a 50% boost for their digital revenues. This is of course great news for not only movies studios and Microsoft, but for consumers too. As more and more movie studios see how successful the XBLM can be, they'll be more willing to sign up for the service, which will ultimately give consumers more variety.We know all this Marketplace talk makes non-US residents boil with anger, but for those of you who have access to the content we ask; Are you embracing the XBLM with open arms or are you still a little leery about getting your feet wet?
CMT, Logo and anime coming to XBLM
Microsoft just announced that two new television networks have signed up to offer television content on the XBLM. Starting June 6th Country Music Television programming will be available on the Marketplaces and June 11th MTV's gay/bisexual/trans-gender Logo programming will go live. Microsoft also announced that starting June 12th, two of the biggest anime distributors in the US (FUNimation and Geneon Entertainment) will be offering content on the Marketplace from shows like "Samurai 7", "Trinity Blood", and "Gun Sword". And if that doesn't wet your appetite, for the month of June new movies will be available on the Marketplace in HD including Shooter, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Black Snake Moan. It's a new content jamboree! Full press release after the break.
Bullet Witch: Pay for cheats, get pixie free
New Bullet Witch content is available on the Marketplace today including a pretty new pixie outfit and a few cheat codes. The cheat codes are just that, they unlock things like all the magic spells or accessing the deepest part of the forest. But they'll cost you. Each cheat will set you back 20 Microsoft points which isn't all that expensive, but then again they are simply cheat codes which seems like a rip off. We aren't sure on this one, so you be the judge on the value of these. What we can agree on is that free things are a super great deal and we're happy to see the pixie costume be a free download.It should also be noted that all the new content is not available in Asia. Why? Because they already have all this paid content as it's included in their retail version of the game. Hurts a little doesn't it?
Eh bleh duh wha ... Ozzy is June's Artist of Month
Self proclaimed "Prince of Darkness" Ozzy Osbourne is June's Xbox 360 Artist of the Month. His new album BLACK RAIN has been a long time coming, but has finally hit retailers with a helpless scream. And as with any Artist of the Month you can download the "I Don't Wanna Stop" music video for free off the Marketplace. It's also entirely possible that you can't understand a word that Ozzy sings, so you may have to take in the video's visuals more than the actual singing. Never less, Ozzy is this month's featured artist, so try your darnedest and give him a listen.[Via Game Stooge]
Free Bom Chicka Wah Wah gamer pics
AXE is up to their male-centric marketing antics again offering a free theme and a few gamer pictures of those Bom Chicka Wah Wah girls. Not familiar? Well, the Bom Chicka Wah Wahs are a musical group of scantily glad women who sing the Bom Chicka Wah Wah song to market AXE (Lynx for our European friends). Actually, it's kind of hard to explain. What we can do is show you our favorite AXE Bom Chicka Wah Wah commercial kindly embedded after the break. Yeah ... kinda interesting isn't it?And now that we think about it, it's kind of odd that a theme like this could be approved for download when a theme like the Queenz got canned for being too mature. Maybe a multimillion dollar company backing the content has something to do with it.
Lost Planet's Battlefield will be free for download
Yesterday, Capcom sent word that the Lost Planet multiplayer map Battlefield will be available for free on the XBLM this coming Thursday, June 7th. The Battlefield map was previously available exclusively to those who paid an extra $10 and got the Lost Planet collector's edition, but this Thursday the exclusive Battlefield club will be no more. Anyone actively playing Lost Planet multiplayer and welcoming Battlefield with open arms and a bright smile?[Via Joystiq, Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
The Video Marketplace just got Mindfreaky
This week on the Video Marketplace we've got your HD movie fix with Team America: World Police, Happily N'Ever After, and Freedom Writers. We've even got your TV hook up with Babylon 5: Season 5, Shooting Sizemore, and a few Comedy Central stand-up specials. There's even random short form shows like Baxter & Maguire, Guacamole, and The Golden Age. But the most freaky interesting of them all is an exclusive five minute preview of Mindfreak: Season 3. Yes, we admit it ... it's a guilty pleasure and we're intrigued by this guy. That Criss Angel is sort of crazy mix between a rockstar, a makeup aficionado, a gym rat, and a goth dad. Maybe we're interested because it's such an odd mix of persona and illusion ... no matter. Give the clip a look if you're willing to have your mind freaked or, for the twisted among us, a good laugh.
Hour of Victory demo ready for download
We all knew it was coming and the Xbox gods didn't let us down, because a new Hour of Victory demo is available for download off the XBLM. And before you get your hopes up, word on the street is that this WWII shooter isn't all that memorable. Actually, we're hearing it's the opposite of memorable and more along the lines of forgettable. But we haven't got our mitts on it yet, so we can't be certain. So, we recommend that you give the Hour of Victory demo a download and base your opinion on your first hand experience. Or just wait a few hours until the masses weigh in with their critique.
New Catan content settles on Xbox Live
While it may not be as exciting as, say, a downloadable expansion, there is new Catan content available on Xbox Live Arcade. It's not particularly exciting though, as it won't significantly alter your game at all. First, there is a picture pack available that will set you back 100 MS Points. Somewhat more interesting, you can download the Mayfair skin, which will give your gameboard the appearance of the original Mayfair Games version. The Mayfair skin will set you back 100 points as well.Anyone planning on downloading this content, or will you save your money for an expansion?
Avast! Here there be Pirates demos.
Ah, there's nothing better than surprise demos in the morning. Actually, come to think of it, there are lots of things better than surprise demos (at any time of day really). Still, let's not sully the moment and ruin the fun of a new Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End demo gracing Xbox Live Marketplace (though the demo has already made the voyage to other shores). We've been impressed by the game's visuals so far, and now we can sample the actual swashbuckling gameplay. Let's hope for a pleasant surprise, shall we?Anyone out there gotten a chance to play this yet?%Gallery-3339%
DLC has yet to find the sweet spot
Reuters writers (we rhymed!) have jumped head first into the whole downloadable content debate and discuss how it's changing not only the consumer's view, but how developers think. They bring up topics like how big the microsotransactions market is, how much Microsoft profits, and how developers are now approaching additional content. Most importantly, they touch on how companies have yet to find a perfect formula for pricing DLC that is universally accepted and even mention how angry the community was when the GoW map pack turned out to be $10. Full article after the jump.We've already crossed this bridge before and know that from a gamer's point of view overpriced content sucks big time. But do you think developers are making progress in finding a pricing "sweet spot" that you can live with? Or are you preparing yourself for DLC pricing to only get worse?[Thanks, un1qu3 n3wy0rk]
Hour of Victory demo coming next week
Hour of Victory, Midway's next entry into the often neglected WWII genre, will be receiving a demo next week on Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo will arrive next Wednesday, giving eager gamers a chance to try the game before it assaults retail on June 22. While it's true that the WWII genre is somewhat saturated at this point, Hour of Victory attempts to stand out from the rest of the crowd by offering a character switching gimmick. There are three characters in the game, boasting different specialties and presumably different personalities (sort of like a hairier, sweatier Charlie's Angels). There is the stealthy spy type capable of stealth kills and other forms of sneakery, the out-and-out soldier eager for a brawl, and the sniper, who, um, snipes things. To get an idea what you'll be in for when the demo drops, check out a trailer for Hour of Victory after the break.
Ten best and worst XBLM purchases
Over at gaming blog Sasaki they've whipped together ten of the best and worst XBLM game purchases. In their list they mention some of the worst content including the expensive Gears of War COG tag tutorials, controversial Guitar Hero II tracks, and that unforgettable horse armor. But they also list what they feel are the best XBLM purchases including the new Crackdown content and Oblivion's expansion Shivering Isles. And just to clarify, their ranking system starts with the worst from number ten through six and moves into the best purchases from numbers five through one.So guys, if you can think of XBLM content that isn't on the list and you feel is either a huge ripoff or well worth the cash please share. We love ragging on overpriced content.[Via Digg]
First Fable 2 video diary now available
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, Fable fans of all ages, the first Lionhead Video Diary is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. You can also grab it from Lionhead's website. Of course, if you're not too picky about fancy res-molutions, you can watch it right here in this post. If you kept track of Fable 2 during GDC, then you won't find too much new information here, although you will get a few cursory glances at the game in development and a high resolution fly-through of some of the environments. Give it a watch and tell us what you think.Note to Lionhead: let's put more gameplay into the next video diary, hmm?%Gallery-3398%
Free TV episode, theme, and picture pack
You smell that? Yes sir, it's the smell of free content available on the Marketplace including a TV episode, a theme, and a few gamer pictures. First up, MTV was kind enough to offer the season two premiere of Rob and Big for free, so go give that a watch. Next is Ocean's 13 who is dishing out the goods with a lackluster theme and a set of gamer pictures, again all for free. So, navigate the Marketplace like a true sailor and find your free content, because it's your birth right! That is, only if you live in the United States.
Pay to show your love for Heroes
Truly there is no better advertising than paying another company to advertise their products for them. It seems that Xbox Live Marketplace was designed for just such a thing, as numerous themes and picture packs have appeared, which do little else than tell other people how much you like a certain product (we bought a Halo theme, so we're not exactly innocent). Marketing genius. The latest in this line of fan-vertising is new Heroes content available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Specifically, there is a theme available for 150 points and a picture pack for 80 points. Strangely absent from the Marketplace: the actual Heroes television program.With such a perfect digital delivery system, you'd think NBC would be offering Heroes on Video Marketplace already. Alas, for now your stuck with the digital equivalent of a T-shirt.
Special XBLM offer in the Matrix Collection [update 1]
If you're going to be purchasing the the Matrix trilogy on HD DVD this week, you'll be happy to know that there will be a neat little surprise inside. The HD DVD version of the Complete Matrix Trilogy (and presumably the Ultimate Matrix Collection) will include a code in the box for you to download the entire Animatrix series for free off of the XBLM. Sweet deal huh? Also, be sure to head to the Matrix section on the Marketplace to download daily HD clips from the Matrix trilogy, themes, and other goodies. So guys, what will you be choosing ... the red pill or the blue pill?Update 1: The free download will not be in the Ultimate Matrix Collection, because the Animatrix is already included in the set. Makes sense to us.
T-Mobile giving out the free goods
Today, we have a few new (and free) gamer pictures and a theme up for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace. Cell phone provider T-Mobile has graciously put up a very pink dashboard theme and a few Sidekick gamer pictures. So, for all of you who are proud owners of Sidekicks or are in love with T-Mobile, now you can show off your cell phone pride. Because you know if Paris Hilton had an Xbox Live account, she'd be all over these gamer pictures. And who doesn't want to be like Paris Hilton?
