ARKANOID Live!

Fact Sheet

(October 2008)

Title: ARKANOID™ Live!

Publisher: Taito

Developer: Taito

Platform: Xbox LIVE® Arcade

Rating: RP

Availability: 2009

Price: TBD

# of Players: 1 ~ 2

Product Overview:

Arkanoid, the block-breaking masterpiece now for Xbox LIVE Arcade!

First appearing in the 1980’s as a new style block-breaking game, ARKANOID, appears on Xbox LIVE Arcade having accomplished even further evolution. Enjoy Arkanoid in high-definition with beautifully choreographed background movies and background music. Loaded with 120 stages in all and colorful cooperative and versus modes.

Game Features:

As part of “TAITO’s Collection Series”, in which Taito’s masterpiece games are remade, ARKANOID is remade with even cooler background movies and sound and loaded with colorful game modes. Within the simplistic block-breaking game element, and beyond effects incurred by items and the appearance of enemies, several kinds of new bosses appear in the final stage.

New Visuals and Music: Block-breaking is rendered cooler than ever with ARKANOID’s inorganic interpretation of our world through cool background graphics and new background music.

120 Stages of Block-Breaking: Even including stages from the past ARKANOID series, compete for the high-score and/or record clear time in all 120 stages with leaderboards score.

Abundant Game Customization: Barrier Type or Player Stock Type game play? A Player 1 and Player 2 collaboration? Customize your game play for variety enjoyment.

VS Mode Play: Heat up your CPU or Local 2Player and Live Play VS play with two rules.
- Bust All Battle Mode – The player who breaks all the blocks first wins
- Bust Color Battle Mode – The player who breaks all the color blocks designated to them wins.

The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be modified before its commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is commercially released. The fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and the publisher and developer make no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.

Some will meet these prices with outrage, while I say why not? I've played both of these titles (Braid extensively) and they are completely worth the extra real currency substitute. I've paid $60 for disc-based titles that had a quarter of the entertainment value of these two games. More power to them.

真夏のXbox LIVE アーケード最新 4 タイトルの配信日が決定 [Japanese Xbox Blog via GamerBytes - Thanks ZeroMystic!]

UPDATE:Microsoft contacted Kotaku to clarify some details. Apparently the price of Braid is listed incorrectly, with the correct price being announced Monday, while North American Castle Crashers pricing will be announced August 25th. Note they didn't say the Castle Crashers price was incorrect.

Also coming this Wednesday is Frogger 2, which includes 15 levels of action, boss battles, two new online multiplayer modes, and no free beta version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, all for 800 Microsoft points.

I am sensing a clear winner here.

This week on Arcade: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 and Frogger 2 [Xbox Live's Major Nelson]

The Windows, Mac and Linux game will sell for $20 and the 360 arcade version will go for 1600 Microsoft Points.

Hit the jump for the full release.

Windows, Mac and Linux Versions of Episode One Reach Gold Master

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - May 1, 2008 - Hothead Games is thrilled to announce that the Windows®, Mac®, and Linux® versions of Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One have reached gold master status and are planned for worldwide download via the new digital download service Greenhouse at www.playgreenhouse.com later this quarter. In celebration, Hothead gave some infamous Penny Arcade characters a new look and let them loose on the unsuspecting websites www.rainslick.com, www.hotheadgames.com, and www.playgreenhouse.com for the public to enjoy.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is an RPG-adventure game set in the comic-book-meets-pulp-horror-meets-H.P. Lovecraft deranged 1920s universe of New Arcadia, delivered to gamers via accessible episodic releases. Players join Gabe and Tycho, the crime-solving team of the Startling Developments Detective Agency, to combat savage enemies and solve mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia. The game is the result of close collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade, featuring distinct artwork and characters designed exclusively by Mike "Gabe" Krahulik, story and dialogue by Jerry "Tycho" Holkins, and both brought to life by the Hothead team.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is priced at $19.95 for the Windows, Mac, and Linux versions and at 1600 Microsoft points via Xbox LIVE® Arcade, with a rating of "M" for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board for all platforms.

This week on Arcade: Bullwinkle and Battlezone [Xbox Live's Major Nelson]

Out initial plan was to port lots of good arcade titles to XBLA. We talked to IP holders of these titles, and persuaded them. We secured these licenses, and finally talked with Microsoft. There they rejected all of our proposals saying, 'We are going to cut down faithful arcade ports.' We felt so frustrated.

Give Your Brain a Boost with "Brain Challenge" and Control the Wind with "Bliss Island" � Both Available this Wednesday on Xbox LIVE Arcade
London - 10th March 2008 - Experience the first mind exercise game available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ with Gameloft's "Brain Challenge" and harness the power of the wind to conquer levels in Codemasters' "Bliss Island," an updated version of the popular Windows Vista puzzler. Both titles will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade on Wednesday 12th March at 08.00 GMT.

Don't let a good mind go to waste! Increase brain activity with "Brain Challenge," an entertaining brain training program that helps players develop stress-manBrain training cmes agement skills through a wide variety of games. A personal coach helps players develop their abilities in five areas of cognitive function, including logic, maths, memory, visual thinking and concentration, in a fun and easy way.

"Brain Challenge" has something for everyone including Daily Test Mode, where players undergo a series of brain exercises and Stress Mode, which tests player's abilities to stay calm under stress. For those looking for a relaxing experience, Creative Mode allows players to relax and explore their imagination and Child Test lets players play & share their exercises with younger people. For competitive players, the game features multiplayer support for up to four players offline and online, as well as detailed stats and graphs where they can track their overall performance and progression.

In our second game explore "Bliss Island" as Hoshi the Zwooph, a mystical blue creature that emits precise puffs of air to create clouds. Help Hoshi become the Bliss Island champion by winning over 25 unique challenges across nine intense levels. Better yet, challenge friends online for more competitive gameplay or focus on topping the Leaderboard charts!

N+ on XBLA this Wednesday (the 20th)!! YES!!!!!!! [Metanet Blog - Thanks Michael!]

Combatants Prepare to Battle Sark Again in Discs of Tron

Disney Interactive Studios Announces Classic Game Will Be Available Through Xbox LIVE Arcade on February 13

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The ground-breaking film "Tron," about a man who ventures inside a video game and has to battle for survival, spawned two classic arcade games in the early 1980s. Disney Interactive Studios today announced Discs of Tron, the second arcade game inspired by the film, will be available on February 13 for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

In Discs of Tron, players face off in a three-dimensional arena against the film's villain, Sark, as they throw discs to try to knock him off of a platform or "derezz" him with a disc while he counters. The game, which includes both classic and enhanced modes, gets increasingly more difficult as players progress. A player's advancement through the game includes multiple platforms of different altitudes, a barricade between the two combatants and chasers, which are secondary weapons from Sark. The player's deflector can provide necessary temporary protection from Sark's onslaught of discs.

Discs of Tron, which received an 8.0 out of 10 review score from Official Xbox Magazine (U.S.), includes multiplayer modes: Classic Versus (highest score wins), Speed Versus (player to reach determined score first wins), Co-op (two players' scores combined for leader board results) and Deadly Disc Versus (players play simultaneously and power-ups help one player or hinder another).

"Discs of Tron is considered an arcade classic as it mesmerized fans who wanted an entertaining and challenging experience derived from the innovative film," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "The game's release on Xbox LIVE Arcade enables multiple generations to play the addictive game in both its original form from 25 years ago and an enhanced mode with upgraded graphics and sound."

The enhanced mode features high-definition graphics that show the three-dimensional arena surrounded by a cityscape from the world of Tron. The game's audio is also upgraded in the enhanced mode.

From Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Backbone Entertainment, Discs of Tron is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

The original Tron arcade game, which is comprised of four mini-games inspired by the film and features an enhanced mode and multiplayer challenges, is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

"We've been looking to move into Xbox LIVE Arcade titles and Load Inc. wanted to do something brand new with the racing genre. This really appealed to us," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "Competing with real life remote control cars is great fun, so why not do it in a videogame?

SouthPeak Get Wheels, Goes Live

Things On Wheels Coming To Xbox LIVE Arcade

Wednesday 30th January/...SouthPeak Games has announced that it will be publishing Things On Wheels for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. Things On Wheels is an accessible, pure arcade racing title placing players at the helm of radio-controlled vehicles as they compete on tracks set within a gigantic house. Developed by experienced Xbox LIVE Arcade alumni Load Inc., Things On Wheels promises to deliver plenty of radio-controlled racing fun when released in summer 2008.

A key innovation for Things On Wheels is its non-linear track design. Moving from room to room within an expansive virtual house, courses are constructed from routes that incorporate everyday items as hazards and obstacles. It's entirely possible that a championship could be won by taking the right path around a set of table legs, or cruelly lost by failing to avoid the searing heat of an electric heater. With huge scope for a variety of wildly entertaining courses, developers Load Inc. are promising to infuse Things On Wheels with as much radio-controlled racing mayhem as possible.

"We've been looking to move into Xbox LIVE Arcade titles and Load Inc. wanted to do something brand new with the racing genre. This really appealed to us," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "Competing with real life remote control cars is great fun, so why not do it in a videogame? Things on Wheels will deliver the same reckless thrill and as such, is a perfect candidate for us to announce as our first Xbox LIVE Arcade game."

Things On Wheels will be released for Xbox LIVE Arcade in summer 2008

SWOS on XBLA: 19th December *CONFIRMED* [Codemasters Community Forums via CVG]

Chair's Undertow Gets Launch Date On XBLA [Gamasutra]

Hudson Entertainment Reveals New Character & Assets for Omega Five on XBLA

Meet Ruby, Omega Five's lithe heroine

Hudson Entertainment today unveiled details and new screen shots of Ruby, a well-rounded warrior who's both nimble and deadly—if just a bit under-dressed. With a stockpile of awesome weapons and dangerous attacks, Ruby is a formidable foe.

Weapon Type A: Vulcan Laser Cannon -

Ruby's initial weapon blasts enemies with rapid-fire laser beams. As the weapon is upgraded, the rate of fire increases, allowing her to unleash a non-stop barrage of laser fire.

Weapon Type B: Reflecting Laser Beam -

Ruby's second weapon is a continuous laser beam that allows her to cut a swath of destruction through lesser enemies. Upgrades increase the power of the beam, splitting it in two, which also reflect off of certain surfaces. This lets Ruby attack enemies from around corners.

Weapon Type C: Lightning Gun -

Her final main weapon is a high-intensity lightning gun that roasts enemies. Upgrades increase the power, letting Ruby slice through enemies at will, as well as adding secondary lightning bolts that shoot out from the main beam at nearby enemies, doing incremental damage.

Alternate Attack -

Ruby has one alternate attack, which sends out a satellite that can instantly destroy lesser enemies or anchor onto stronger enemies. After the satellite latches onto an enemy, it deals damage and Ruby's weapon auto-aims to that spot, giving her near-perfect accuracy until the enemy dies or the satellite detaches. Additionally, while the satellite is floating around Ruby, it can block enemy fire.

Temporal Dodge -

All characters can quickly teleport to another dimension for a brief time, allowing them to avoid enemy attacks, though at the expense of a small amount of life.

Ultimate Burst -

All characters can unleash an enormously destructive nuke-like attack, after having collected at least 100 p-chips (the pink triangles that appear after defeating enemies) to fill one p-jail (the golden triangles at the bottom left of the screen).

"We're excited to add one of our hottest properties to the Xbox LIVE Arcade line up of games," said Steve Youngwood, executive vice president of digital media, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. "SpongeBob has been a top kids' video game franchise worldwide, making it the perfect property for Nickelodeon and THQ to bring to this downloadable platform."

THQ Announces SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!TM, Along With Additional New Titles

New SpongeBob Game Will Mark THQ and Nickelodeon's Debut on Xbox LIVE Arcade

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - October 24, 2007 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!™ will be one of the first titles in the company's portfolio of games developed specifically for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and is expected to release in November. SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!, based on Nickelodeon's hit animated series, will mark the network's debut on the Xbox LIVE Arcade. In November, THQ also expects to launch Screwjumper™, a new original title, in the company's portfolio of Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 games. These titles will be followed by new original titles Elements of Destruction™ and Rocket Riot™. The games will all be available for download via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

"We view Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 as a natural fit for many of our established casual brands, as well as an opportunity to serve up new gaming content," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. "With more than 20 million units of SpongeBob video games shipped worldwide to-date, we're so excited to bring casual gamers SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam! on the Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360, and we look forward to rolling out more titles with a slate of games that offer a variety of options via the popular Arcade network."

For more information about SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam! and the rest of THQ's Xbox LIVE Arcade portfolio, please visit www.thq.com.

Ninja Bee: Now with Extra Ninjas!

Band of Bugs latest expansion adds extensive downloadable content

Orem, Utah - October 15, 2007 -NinjaBee, a division of Wahoo Studios and a leading independent developer of Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, announced yesterday its newest expansion pack, Ninja Sticks of Fury, for the Band of Bugs title. With this new expansion pack comes a new shadowy character, new achievements and a bigger challenge than anything that came before it.

The new campaign is set in a new desolate and mountain area beyond the known Insect Kingdom. Featuring a new unit class, players guide a ninja named Vail who leads a group of mercenaries while a mysterious group wreaks havoc across the snowy wasteland. The ninja adds a new level of strategy to Band of Bugs, forcing players to think in new ways.

Band of Bugs has gained popularity for its innovative level editor, which allows any user to create unique content for their friends and the community. Ninja Sticks of Fury adds a brand new unit and a winter tile set to the editor allowing level designers to push their creativity to the limit. The Snowy environment is not only available in the editor, but will automatically enhance select existing maps already in the game, adding new variety to old favorites.

Band of Bugs was released in June, 2007. It is available on Xbox LIVE Arcade as both a free trial and as a full game for only 800 Microsoft Points. It supports 1-4 players in co-op or in multiplayer versus modes and also supports the Xbox LIVE Vision camera. One of the few turn-based tactics games available, Band of Bugs provides gameplay deep enough to be satisfying to established fans of the genre, but friendly enough to appeal to casual gamers. Currently, the game has fifty levels, 3 map packs, 2 additional campaigns, and also features a level editor allowing gamers to design custom scenarios and play them solo or over Xbox LIVE with friends.

Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE Momentum Facts 'n Stats

Leadership: Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are leading the charge into the future of gaming and entertainment, bringing the best games, an active community and a growing catalogue of high definition entertainment to all members of the household.

* More than 11.6 million Xbox 360 consoles have sold across the 37 countries where it is currently available. Xbox LIVE is currently available in 25 countries across the globe.

· According to U.S. NPD data, gamers have bought more software for the Xbox 360 (24.3 million units), than software for PS3 and Wii combined (19.8 million units).

* Faster than expected, Xbox LIVE has eclipsed the 7 million member milestone and is on track to reach 10 million members by the end of June 2008. In fact, in the last year we've added a new Xbox LIVE member every 8 seconds.

Gaming: With the greatest lineup in the history of video games, Xbox 360 is hands down the best gaming console on the market.

* There are more than 250 games available today on Xbox 360, including 86 Xbox LIVE Arcade games.

* Xbox 360 is the next-gen console with the largest games attach rate at an astounding 6.3 games sold per Xbox 360 owner.

* Xbox LIVE members have spent more than 3.2 billion hours playing games on Xbox LIVE with their friends around the world. That is equal to 137 million days or more than 376,000 years of gaming.

* To date, Xbox 360 owners have unlocked more than 600 million Achievements. All of those unlocked Achievements have created a total combined Gamerscore of more than 14 billion.

* There have been 2.5 billion game sessions hosted since the launch of Xbox 360, with more than 5.6 million hosted each day so far in 2007.

* Xbox LIVE Arcade has been a huge hit on Xbox 360, with nearly 70% of all connected consoles downloading and playing Xbox LIVE Arcade titles.

* Xbox LIVE Marketplace currently offers nearly 200 free trials and demos, giving owners more free playable content than any other console.

Entertainment: Xbox 360 is the center of digital entertainment in the living room, offering the best in high definition games, movies and television along with access to all your friends, digital music and pictures.

* Xbox 360 continues to lead with the largest library of on-demand high-definition movies and television in the U.S. on-demand market. Twenty-nine movie studios and TV networks continue to provide a growing catalogue of premium high- and standard-definition entertainment content that to date totals 2,800 hours.

* Xbox LIVE Marketplace is now the leading provider of on-demand high-definition content in the U.S., providing more than twice the number of hours as leading cable operators.

* Xbox LIVE Marketplace is home to a growing catalogue of more than 9,000 pieces of individual gaming and entertainment content, downloadable at the click of a button.

* There have been 290 million downloads of gaming and entertainment content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Social Networking: Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE offer the largest, most active online community of friends, family and rivals worldwide.

* Xbox LIVE is the largest social network in the living room with 2.6 million IM, text and voice messages sent over the service every day.

* Since Xbox LIVE launched, 3.1 billion games sessions have been hosted on the service.

* The average Xbox LIVE Gold subscriber has 23 friends on their Xbox LIVE friends list.

* More than 1.2 billion cross-game invites have been sent since the launch of Xbox 360.

Xbox LIVE Top 10: Check out the list of the top 10 games played over Xbox LIVE, as well as the top 10 worldwide downloads for Xbox LIVE Arcade and Xbox LIVE Marketplace Demos since Xbox 360 launched in November, 2006.

The top 10 games played over Xbox LIVE worldwide:

1. Halo 2
2. Gears of War
3. Hexic HD
4. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
5. Call of Duty 3
6. Call of Duty 2
7. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 3
8. Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
9. Crackdown
10. PGR3

The top 10 Xbox LIVE Arcade downloads worldwide:

11. Aegis Wing
12. Uno
13. Texas Hold 'em
14. Geometry Wars Retro Evolved
15. Bankshot Billiards 2
16. Street Fighter 'II Hyper Fighting
17. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade
18. Worms
19. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
20. Contra

The top 10 Xbox LIVE Marketplace Demos downloads worldwide:

1. Crackdown
2. Lost Planet E3 2006
3. Dead Rising
4. BioShock
5. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
6. Forza Motorsport 2
7. Sonic the Hedgehog
8. Saints Row
9. Superman Returns
10. Colin McRae: DIRT

"Not only is it an honor to have Destructoid represented in Bomberman Live, but it may also be the first time an online community has been immortalized in a popular gaming franchise," said Niero Gonzalez, Creator of Destructoid.com. "We're grateful that Hudson has extended our brand in this unique way, and invite all gamers to wreak havoc as the infamous Mr. Destructoid."

Hudson Partners With Destructoid In Bomb-Up Pack 2 For Bomberman Live New Content Includes the Exclusive Destructoid Mascot, and 2 New Levels

REDWOOD SHORES, CA - September 19, 2007 - Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for Hudson Soft, today announced that they have partnered with Destructoid.com, one of the top video game entertainment news sites, in Bomb-Up Pack 2, the second add-on pack for the Bomberman LIVE game on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. This new add-on pack will star Destructoid's mascot as a playable character, as well as feature over a dozen additions, including ten characters, two levels, two leader boards, and a brand new game mode. Bomb-Up Pack 2 is expected to launch on September 26 and will cost 250 Microsoft Points ($3.13).

"We continue to see great success with Bomberman Live, and are committed to bringing fresh new content through add-on packs for the game," said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. "Hudson is always pushing the creative envelope, and featuring a major gaming website in a game, a first for the industry, is a fun way to demonstrate our dedication to the community."

"Not only is it an honor to have Destructoid represented in Bomberman Live, but it may also be the first time an online community has been immortalized in a popular gaming franchise," said Niero Gonzalez, Creator of Destructoid.com. "We're grateful that Hudson has extended our brand in this unique way, and invite all gamers to wreak havoc as the infamous Mr. Destructoid."

This Bomberman LIVE add-on pack will add the following features:

* The Destructoid Mascot - The iconic, robotic mascot makes his way into the game, complete with his trademark helmet and white suit. Players can dress up their Bomberman as the robot and bomb away with the impunity of a blogger.
* Ten New Characters - In addition to Destructoid, other new characters include "Bomberella" the cavewoman and "El Bombito" the matador, resulting in countless new ways for players to customize their in-game Bomberman.
* Two Additional Levels - New arenas include "Medieval Times," a level in which bombs and sorcery collide, and the hypersonic "Full Tilt." racetrack
* One New Game Mode - "Bomb Shelters" will allow players to hide from explosions in a small, fireproof building.
* Two New Leaderboards - Dominate the competition on two new ranking systems on the Xbox LIVE® network. The new leaderboards will track performance on both a weekly and an all-time basis for the speed circle gimmicks on the new "Full Tilt" map.

Alten8 To Develop "Luc Bernard's Eternity's Child" For DS And Wii

Alten8 has agreed with Luc Bernard on the creation and publication of Nintendo DS and Wii versions of the Eternity's Child game , bringing this delightful creation to an even wider audience. Luc will be working closely with Alten8 to bring his creations to life on these formats

The story of Eternitys Child and the orphan 'Angel' - the planet on which Eternity's Child is set on. The planet was once filled with many living creatures and vast forests, however due to the pollution created by the habitants the icebergs melted and the whole planet was flooded and most of the creatures became extinct. The creatures without wings that were left became jealous of the ones with wings (that allowed them to survive the flooding), so the land creatures started murdering all the winged creatures until there was none left. To repopulate the world, many mechanical robots were created so that the world would not seem as empty as before, but most of those creatures got out of control and started attacking and destroying what was left.

Eternity's Child Wii version details -

Angel was left at the door of a orphanage when he was a baby, to protect him from being murdered his wings were cut off. The years went by as he stayed in that orphanage, not accepted by the other children and being often tortured and picked on. Angel then escapes from the orphanage to try to find any remaining creatures of his species and hoping to be accepted by them despite him not having his wings.

Details about Wii version -

* The entire game is hand drawn
* the animations are done traditionally by hand frame by frame (like old disney films)
* the soundtrack is all orchestral
* the game is an Interactive Fairytale
* there will be songs in the game like old disney films
* 2 player co operative mode will be available

DS version -

* the game will be a 3D platform game
* will not have the same story as the Wii version

Regular updates and information will appear on the Alten8 and the Eternitys Child web site.

About Luc Bernard

Luc Bernard is a young 21 year old artist/dark fairytale creator, he is currently working with Alten8 on the Wii and DS versions of Eternity's Child. Eternity's Child is planned to be turned into a animated series, toys, and various merchandise. For each one of his tales he takes inspiration from his life. Apart from Eternity's Child he is also working on various other dark fairytales such as The Rose Princess, Samuel, Manufactured Beauty. www.myspace.com/lucbernard

HUDSON ANNOUNCES BOMB-UP ADD-ON PACK FOR BOMBERMAN LIVE

Hudson Increases the Payload with New Content and Game Modes

REDWOOD SHORES, CA - August 27, 2007 - Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for Hudson Soft, today announced that they are releasing Bomb-Up Pack 1, the first add-on pack for their "IGN Editor's Choice Award"-winning Bomberman LIVE game for Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade. This new add-on pack will add over a dozen new features, including ten new characters, two additional levels, two new leader boards, and a brand new game mode. Bomb-Up Pack 1 is expected to launch on August 29 and will cost 350 Microsoft Points ($2.80).

With these add-ons, players will be able to further enjoy the frantic, explosive action of Bomberman LIVE in new areas, including "High Stakes," a Las Vegas-style casino level, and "Zeppelin," a level set aboard a dirigible which features tornado environmental hazards that incapacitate players.

"With the overwhelming success of Bomberman LIVE it became clear to us, as Bomberman fans and game producers, that the already stellar game could be indefinitely augmented with myriad gameplay additions in the future," said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. "Hudson is committed to providing refreshingly competitive, fast-paced multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade."

This Bomberman LIVE add-on pack will add the following features:

Ten New Characters - With new characters like "Little Bomby Foo Foo" the bunny and "Rocky Bomboa" the boxer, players can customize their in-game Bomberman in countless new ways.

Two Additional Levels - New arenas include "High Stakes," a Las Vegas-style casino level that allows players to select any gimmick they want, and "Zeppelin," a level set aboard a dirigible which features tornado environmental hazards that incapacitate players.

One New Game Mode - "Frag" mode will allow players to pre-set the number of enemies they must bomb in order to win the game.

Two New Leaderboards - Dominate the competition on two new ranking systems on the Xbox LIVE(R) network. The new leaderboards will track performance on both a weekly and an all-time basis for the new "Zeppelin" map.

Space Giraffe Page on Xbox.com
Street Trace Page on Xbox.com

"We truly believe that if you and a friend spend two minutes playing Schizoid, you are going to ignore food, drink, your job and your family and play until they load you up on a gurney and head to the hospital. Schizoid is that rare game that comes along once every few years and we are very proud to make it our first release for Xbox LIVE Arcade."

So it's World of Warcraft? Well not quite.

The mechanic is deceptively simple. One player is red, the other is blue. Enemies matching your color can be destroyed by you hitting them, yet enemies of other colors can kill you. Teamwork is the key to survival in Schizoid, taking co-op to a whole new level. Both players have to be on the ball to survive. It should be an excellent opportunity to call your friends 'fuckwads," which is important to any friendship.

PREPARE TO GO SCHIZOID™! TORPEX GAMES DEBUTS SCHIZOID™ FOR Xbox LIVE® Arcade AT MICROSOFT'S GAMEFEST 2007

Schizoid is First Xbox LIVE Arcade Title Built Using Microsoft's XNA Game Studio Express

BELLEVUE, Wash. - August 13, 2007 - The next game genre is here! Torpex
Games, a developer and publisher of addictive console games, announced
today the upcoming release of Schizoid™ for Xbox LIVE® Arcade and will
showcase the game during Microsoft's GameFest 2007. Possibly the
ultimate co-op game, Schizoid is an action game where teamwork equals
survival and players must team up to protect each other from a seemingly
endless stream of glowing enemies. Schizoid will be the first-ever Xbox
LIVE Arcade title built using Microsoft's XNA Game Studio Express, and
is anticipated to be released before the end of 2007.

"Every few years a game will come out that is so simple, yet so
addictive that it becomes a phenomenon unto itself," says Bill Dugan,
Torpex Games' President. "We truly believe that if you and a friend
spend two minutes playing Schizoid, you are going to ignore food, drink,
your job and your family and play until they load you up on a gurney and
head to the hospital. Schizoid is that rare game that comes along once
every few years and we are very proud to make it our first release for
Xbox LIVE Arcade."

Featuring addictively simple gameplay, in Schizoid one person plays
'red' and the other plays 'blue'. Each player moves his ship around the
level as a seemingly endless stream of enemies attack. Each player can
burst enemies of their own color merely through contact, but each player
can be bursted by enemies of the other color. Both players have to
"step up" on every level to handle the enemies of their own color, so
their partner is not destroyed.

"There are literally thousands of games released every year and yet very
few of them have the originality of Schizoid. It's amazing to me that
this game hasn't been invented before now," says Dave Mitchell,
Microsoft's Director of Marketing for XNA. "Schizoid demonstrates that
developers can really unleash an ingenious game with XNA Game Studio
Express."

Bryan Trussel, Microsoft's Director of Platform Game Services, added,
"Schizoid combines a very fun and innovative game mechanic with really
creative level design. Thanks to its cooperative game-play experience
and variety of scenarios, Schizoid is a great game to play with friends,
either on the couch or over Xbox Live. We're delighted to exclusively
add this creative and unique game to our incredible Xbox LIVE Arcade
library."

Of course the purist can still play the original version of the game, but in my opinion you need an arcade cabinet with cigarette burns all over it, a Slurpee-sticky floor and a trackball or it's just not worth playing.

Classic Atari Game - Missile Command® - Available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade

NEW YORK, July 2, 2007 - Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), one of the world's most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced the launch of Missile Command, one of Atari's most loved classics, onto Xbox LIVE® Arcade. With Missile Command on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Atari delivers the same gaming sights, sounds and action as the original, as well as a new evolved version of the game which features enhanced graphics, sounds and special effects.

"Atari and Stainless Games have done an incredible job creating the evolved Missile Command for Xbox LIVE Arcade as this version showcases a stunning take on an endearing Atari classic," said Matt Rush, Producer, Atari, Inc. "The new experience features amazing graphics and impressive sound design, with a great way to earn Achievements on this arcade favorite!"

Both the classic and evolved versions of Missile Command challenge gamers to protect cities from alien missile attack. The evolved version of the game has been updated with enhanced graphics and 3D rendered vistas giving a graphical makeover to these futuristic cities and missile silos. Missile Command supports all Xbox 360 high definition resolutions up to 1080p as well as full-screen anti-aliasing and digital surround sound. Players can make the most of the Xbox LIVE service with leader boards and 12 achievements.

Band of Bugs is a turn-based strategy game that puts you in the shoes of a young insect named Maal who finds himself in the middle of a war between his land and an army of evil insect enemies. The gameplay is the standard grid-based map battler that takes height and positioning into account. Unlike many strategy games, however, BoB has been dumbed down and simplified for the casual market...and you can't dumb something down for one group without disappointing the other, and quite frankly I am a bit disappointed.

It's not that Band of Bugs is a bad game. Not in the least really. The graphics are nicely stylized, and for some reason I found the music incredibly catchy. It's just that when I got down into the meat of things I found that it was mostly exoskeleton with just tiny edible bits inside. Delicious, but not nearly as filling as I would like.

Kids...don't eat bugs.

My main problem is that I'm more of a strategy RPG fan, which takes your basic strategy game and adds in leveling units, in-depth weapon creation, experience point strategies and the like. Band of Bugs here goes the opposite direction. You have a predetermined amount of units and you must keep one or more alive until the goal is reached. That goal can be as simple as defeating all of you enemies or a little less mundane, like trying to collect eggs while defending your egg carrier unit. Sometimes the objectives are interesting, but when all your turn consists of is moving, attacking, and then trying to face the location you'd take the most damage from otherwise, it gets a little boring, and boredom leads to frustration, which leads to I'm not having fun with this Game anymore.

There is plenty to do in Band of Bugs, but if you're a real strategy game fan I would warn you from doing any of it. There's a level editor so you can share maps with folks online, as well as online modes which I tried to join but failed to find any sort of game playing...not really a good sign.

If you are interested in the strategy genre and want something light to start with, then Band of Bugs could very well be worth the 800 Microsoft Points. It does have a certain charm, and though the challenge can be a bit erratic at times it is a solidly built game. Just remember as you're playing that it's only the tip of the strategy iceberg and you'll be fine. Michael Fahey

"The versatility and technological advantages provided by the Unreal Engine 3 have determined it to be our exclusive choice of technology for next-generation development," said Geremy Mustard, technical director at Chair Entertainment. "UE3 will enable our overflowing creative vision to spill into the hands of gamers sooner and at a much higher level of quality."

Has everyone licensed the Unreal Engine 3 now, or do we still have stragglers? Come on people, everyone's doing it. Michael Fahey

Chair Entertainment Signs Exclusive Deal With Epic Games

Unreal Engine 3 to power existing and new intellectual properties across all platforms

Provo, Utah - June 19, 2007 - Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced that it has signed an exclusive deal with Epic Games to license the award-winning Unreal® Engine 3 for all its present and upcoming game development projects.

The deal covers all games developed for Xbox® 360, PlayStation® 3 and PC and the first game that will be released under the new agreement will be Undertow® for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, which is due to go live worldwide this summer. The game, which reveals some of the most stunning graphics seen on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, features a 15 level campaign for single-player or co-op, and two robust multiplayer modes for up to 16 players which has been delivered in just 50mb - something that has not been achieved in any other Xbox LIVE® Arcade to date.

"The versatility and technological advantages provided by the Unreal Engine 3 have determined it to be our exclusive choice of technology for next-generation development," said Geremy Mustard, technical director at Chair Entertainment. "UE3 will enable our overflowing creative vision to spill into the hands of gamers sooner and at a much higher level of quality."

Mark Rein, Vice-President, Epic Games comments, "We love working with cool independent studios like Chair that are truly focused on delivering value to gamers and creating experiences that break new boundaries in gameplay and creativity. Sure, we love working with the big developers and publishers too, but there's something really satisfying about seeing a young company with great talent doing some awesome stuff with our technology. Undertow is just the first great game you'll see from these guys - prepare to be wowed some more."

The Ivar & Gullarp pack for Small Arms just hit the Xbox 360 Live Arcade.

The 250-point pack gives you two new playable characters, two new levels and two new achievements:

Name: Ivar & Gullarp: Best Friends Forever - Frozen in Time Price: 250 Points Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions Dash Details: After spending one million years frozen together in the Arctic, Ivar and Gullarp know everything about each other. How could they not! They spent endless hours rambling about how to get stains out of their fur underpants, how to make the best stone tools, and which baby seals were the cutest. Yes, Ivar & Gullarp will be best friends forever, because forever certainly can't take any longer than global atmospheric climate change. This package includes playable characters Ivar and Gullarp as well as their 'Arctic Ice Float' and 'Pillaged Village' levels! This pack contains 2 new PDA levels.

The new achievements are:

Honorary Barbarian - 15 G
Complete Mission Mode playing as Ivar or Gullarp

Barbaric Recruiter - 20 G
Host an online match using the Iceberg or Village level

I might be picking this up. I like Small Arms, but I end up getting burnt out on it after about half an hour of play, so it's hard for me to judge whether a couple of new levels and characters will help that. Brian Crecente

Small Arms: Picture Pack and In game content [Major Nelson]

Using tools found at their website, you can create and submit level designs for all three versions of the game. You could win N+ swag for simply entering, and the best designs could be feature in the respective retail releases, garnering you a design credit as well as a free copy of the game.

You've got until June 18th to get your submissions into the event and earn your place in ninja history. Michael Fahey

SUBLIME - Submit Unique and Brilliant Levels in to Metanet Event [Contest Info, Design Tips]

You get to drive through a foosball table for only 800 MS points. What more do you people want?

And there will be more, as the announcement promises more content on the way with the Bravo and Encore packs, each featuring an additional fifteen challenges for 350 points a piece.

As always, the game should go live at 2AM Pacific tomorrow morning. Michael Fahey

Accelerate Your Week With Mad Tracks" This Wednesday on Xbox LIVE Arcade

3D racing party game, "Mad Tracks," will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, May 30, at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific Time).

Players can race through 15 challenges consisting of nine mini-games and six different races behind the wheel of one of 12 sleek compact cars. "Mad Tracks," from Load Inc., features 12 power-ups to keep engines revved up and players in the fast lane ahead of the competition.

Whether it's in the kitchen, living room, ballroom or open road, players can opt to burn rubber just about anywhere, and share the lanes with up to three other drivers in frantic multiplayer racing action over Xbox LIVE. Be sure to buckle up for both Championship and Arcade modes, as "Mad Tracks" offers a high-definition, 3D racing experience to remember.

Enjoy the robust, full game features of "Mad Tracks" this Wednesday, and also be on the lookout for new tracks coming soon. You can double and even triple the challenges in "Mad Tracks" with the Bravo and Encore expansion packs, arriving in the near future. For about half the price of the full game, players will be able to add additional races and mini-games to "Mad Tracks" by downloading the Bravo and/or Encore expansion packs. Each expansion pack includes an additional 15 nail-biting races and action-filled mini games for 350 Microsoft Points each, extending the fun and offering a great value

"Mad Tracks" will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

* 15 distinct challenges (6 races & 9 mini-games) provide a full-fledged racing game experience
* 12 stackable power-ups (rockets, freezer, oil drop, EMP and more!)
* 12 sleek looking cars to choose from
* 4 player multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and 4 player local multiplayer via split screen mode
* Championship mode & Arcade mode
* 2 free gamer pictures
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Both games will set you back 400 MS points. Xevious is a straight arcade port, while Rush n' Attack features the option to play in enhanced mode with 3D models as well as Live versus and co-op.

Between these classics and the Nintendo VC, it seems like I am slowly having my childhood sold back to me, only without me having to steal the money from my mom's purse. That part's just for fun now. Michael Fahey

Rush 'n Attack and Xevious Come to Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday

Cold War Combat Heats Up as Rush 'n Attack Arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade This Week

A rescue mission to remember, "Rush 'n Attack" is a heroic arcade action game, equipped with enhanced graphics, music, and sound effects. Fight through four stages of increasing difficulty to free prisoners of war using a trusty knife along with an array of other weapons from which to choose. Opt to rescue compatriots as a lone soldier, or form a united front with a friend utilizing Xbox LIVE's multiplayer capabilities. "Rush 'n Attack," also known as "Green Beret," will be available for download this Wednesday, May 23 at 2:00 a.m. PDT.

"Rush 'n Attack" will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E10+.

Game Features

* Fight through 4 stages to free the prisoners of war
* Up to two players can play together locally or over Xbox LIVE in either Versus or Co-op mode
* Local multiplayer features split screen action with results captured on Leaderboards
* Players can chose to play with either the authentic, original graphics or with enhanced graphics which features fully rendered 3-D models
* All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

A Blast From the Past: "Xevious" Lands on Xbox LIVE Arcade This Wednesday

Did you run out of quarters the last time you played Xevious at the arcade? Don't worry, because this Wednesday gamers will have a second chance to take down the nefarious supercomputer GAMP and defeat the Andor Genesis mother ship in "Xevious." Newcomers to this arcade classic that helped pioneer the vertical scrolling shooter genre can also experience it for the first time on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, May 23 at 2:00 a.m. PDT.

"Xevious" will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

*Play the 100% arcade accurate reproduction of "Xevious" for the first time anywhere
*Test your memory: uncover hidden bonuses that are scattered throughout the levels just like in the arcade version, where shots to the ground uncover power-ups like Sol towers and 1UPs
*Compare your high score against other "Xevious" players from around the world on the Leaderboards
*Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

It's all part of the 25th Anniversary of Tron, the movie that helped my stepfather bond with me when I was just a little guy and convinced me to get an Intellivision Aquarius as my second computer so I could play Tron: Deadly Discs, the first of a long line of poor computer buying decisions on my part.

Check out the shots of the game in both regular and enhanced flavors below, and then hit the jump for the well-meaning press release that ESRB castrated. Michael Fahey

The World Of Tron Prepares To Take On Challengers Once Again

Disney Interactive Studios Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Landmark Film "Tron" with the Re-Release of Tron and Discs of Tron - for Xbox LIVE Arcade

BURBANK, Calif. - May 3, 2007 - Since the early era of video games, "Tron" has been synonymous as both a landmark CGI film and the engaging arcade games inspired by that film. In honor of the 25th anniversary of "Tron," Disney Interactive Studios today announced the classic arcade games Tron and Discs of Tron will be re-released this summer through Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system. Xbox LIVE Arcade is the premier destination for digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games. "The 'Tron' film has captured the imaginations of video game players and film fans for generations with its ground-breaking visuals and action-filled story," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "The classic arcade games Tron and Discs of Tron are returning this summer through Xbox LIVE Arcade with new features and options for the film's 25th anniversary."

Each game includes the original version as well as an enhanced version with new graphics and audio features. Through Xbox LIVE Arcade, players can also compete in both games against another player in four online modes.

In Tron, which first appeared in arcades in 1982, players must complete four increasingly challenging game types to advance through levels. Players battle tank forces, engage in treacherous light cycle combat, attack the MCP cone and fight off grid bugs to enter the I/O tower.

Discs of Tron, a follow-up 1983 arcade game, enables players to fight Sark, the defender of Master Control Program, in one-on-one battles taking place in three-dimensional futuristic arenas. Players must move between platforms while throwing energy-charged discs at Sark and deflecting oncoming discs to avoid being "derezzed."

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Backbone Charlottetown, Tron and Discs of Tron are rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Both games will be available individually this summer exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

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The main ingredient to any pinball game is the ball itself. You can have the most beautiful table in the world, filled with ramps, spinners, bumpers, floaters, roofies, and any number of odd items that may or may not be pinball terms and it all means nothing if the ball physics are off.

I'd say Pinball FX completely nailed it.

In this game, the ball is a pinball, no doubt about it. It takes spin, reacts to the table surface, and even does that damn thing pinballs tend to do right between the flippers where it feels like they are being magnetically pulled to their doom. For better or worse, it plays very much like the real thing.

Along with the excellent ball physics, Pinball FX has one of the best implementations of the rumble feature I've ever encountered. Along with the realistic sound effects, I could almost imagine I was getting my hands jarred by an actual machine at an arcade and not a console facsimile. Very well done indeed.

The game comes packed with three tables. Speed Machine, which is all about racing, Extreme, which is about trying to be hip but failing, and Agents, which is about real estate sales. Or spies. Probably spies. Let's give them each the once over, shall we?

Speed Machine

The only table available in the demo version, Speed Machine has the best lines of any of the three initial tables in Pinball FX. By lines I mean the way the ball flows about the table, allowing for more fluid movement and less randomly hitting bumpers, hoping you don't lose the ball. Some very well placed ramps and loops on this table. It's fast and flashy with some great sound effects, and it's the one I'm the best at, which of course makes it my favorite.

Extreme

It's all about rap, skateboarding, and other hip, extreme things, and it comes off feeling like a Jamie Kennedy joke. The table is effectively split into two sections, with the lower half consisting mainly of a hidden loop that just returns the ball right back to you. There is fun to be had here, especially when you get three balls going at once, but it's all a bit too hokey for my tastes.

Agents

It really was neck and neck between this table and Speed Machine. In terms of style, Agents wins out, with modeled pistols, what looks like an industrial complex, a yacht, and a random bird. While the lines don't flow quite as smoothly Speed's, you can get some really nice loops going, and I love the spy-themed missions.

More to come

Even if none of these tables tickles your fancy, Zen promises the release of more tables as DLC later down the line, much like Epic Pinball for the PC back in the early 90's - the best game Epic has ever released. Take that, Gears of War!

Multiplayer

I don't like the way they multiplayer set up, though I suppose it is for the best. Instead of taking turns playing as you would in a bar, everyone plays at the same time, with scores tallied at the end. You might as well just rely on leaderboard scores, as you really aren't playing with other players as you are playing at the same time as other players. It makes sense from a time standpoint, and I guess watching another person play pinball in a bar is only fun because you are in a bar.

Vision Camera Support

No. I will not. Knock yourself out, but there is no reason to control a pinball game with a camera. That's the great thing about giving impressions rather than posting an actual, scored review. I don't have to do silly things like this.

One of the Best

I cannot recommend the game enough to pinball fans. It is one of the best pinball simulations I've come across, and I've been playing these things since Pinball Construction Set back in 1983, before some of you were born. Zen Studios has done a stellar job with Pinball FX. Michael Fahey

Pinball FX features three tables with more coming as DLC down the line, online multiplayer (you're going down, Crecente), and innovative Xbox Live Vision Camera gesture support. I'm not even going to begin to speculate on how this will work, because every thought I am having is oh so very dirty.

Eets: Chowdown is the critically acclaimed PC game that I have not played, but grrlgamer.com called it "Lemmings on crack," which sounds utterly delightful. While it features 120 new levels, the new Marsho Madness action game, and tons of zany characters, it is not pinball, which I find slightly disappointing.

So not only are we getting two titles again this week, they're two titles worth getting excited about. Keep up the good work! Michael Fahey

Xbox LIVE Arcade Double Header this Wednesday! Eets: Chowdown and Pinball FX [Gamerscore Blog]