The Xbox Live Arcade continues with its saturation of puzzle games, board games and other weird types with the release of Buku Sudoku and Warlords today. Be sure to make a quick decision on these or else feel the burn of potential delisting.
Buku Sudoku Info
How much: 800 Microsoft Points
With multiple themes that allow players to choose the audio and visual environment, over 1,200 puzzles total and three levels of difficulty, Buku Sudoku has something for everyone. The multiplayer modes feature support for up to four players offline and up to eight players via Xbox LIVE. More casual players can experience the game with friends and family through the cooperative mode, and competitive players will enjoy an entirely new concept – an active duel where the player’s performance directly impacts his opponent’s puzzle.
Warlords Info
How much: 400 Microsoft Points
Warlords returns in both a pixel-perfect copy of the original arcade cabinet game, plus a brand new “Evolved” version featuring cool new 3D graphics and the opportunity to be your own Warlord using the live video feed! Single player is supported, along with 2, 3, and 4 player local and Xbox LIVE multiplayer choices.
Xbox Live Arcade developers take note…start bribing for higher review scores now. In a recent inteview with Next-Gen, General Manager of Xbox Live, Marc Whitten, announced details to delist older, underperforming Xbox Live Arcade titles. What this means is that older Xbox Live Arcade titles will be removed and no longer available.
“The way it will work is that the title will need to be at least 6 months old and have a Metacritic score below 65 and a conversion rate below 6% on the service. This way titles are not just considered if they are not selling well or not getting good reviews, but actually a combination of both,” Whitten said.
I’m not sure on the strategy behind this really. On one hand I think it’s cool to get rid of the crap like Yaris and it also might lead to better games on XBLA. And on the other hand, I just don’t know. Why download these games only to have a title that you love removed because of low scores and low conversion? I may have to delete that game at some point and then come back to it later but won’t be able to. So I suppose we should all pick very wisely what we enjoy. At least the plan is to give everyone a head’s up with a 3-month notice on games that are being removed.
And does this not give too much power to reviews and opinions in the media? Developers should get a proper strategy together for sites that are included in Metacritic scores because a low score could signal the end. Should we expect under the table deals between developers and reviewers now? Or perhaps this will lead the way to a user review system much like the peer review system in the XNA Creators Club? I think that would be the best alternative instead of using opinions from “game reviewers” in any decision to delist a title. Let the consumers who actually spend Microsoft Points on these games rate them.
Along with delisting, gamers should probably expect higher priced XBLA titles with the increase of the allowed size to 350MB. It appears the recently released Penny Arcade Adventures is the first to take advantage of the “bigger and better games cost more” idea. If 1600 Microsoft Points is to be the norm because of the increase in size, then I say lower the size back to 150MB dammit! Will we be able to even call it the arcade and expect quick fun when it appears that full games will soon find their way to the Live Arcade?
Also worth mentioning is the fact that a fix to existing DRM issues appears to be on the way. In June, consumers will be able to re-license and consolidate their games to a console allowing offline play. I’m eager to see if this goes as well as planned. No more getting punked by DRM? We shall see. And one last bit of interesting news surrounded the Spring Update. Marc mentions that users shouldn’t expect the usual assortment of cosmetic changes often associated with the update as resources are being shifted to focus on more backend changes instead.
See the larger image comparison here. It’s a lot of fun looking back on previous years and seeing how things have changed. I got some screenshots from Namco last night on Soul Calibur for the Xbox Live Arcade and decided to make a little comparison image. I looked at the XBLA screens for Soul Calibur and thought to myself, “wow, how far we’ve come in a short time”. It’s hard to believe the jump from 1999 to now.
Soul Calibur is set for a Summer release on Xbox Live Arcade. I’ll update this with a price point once I get word back from Namco but in the meantime, let me know what you think of the comparison. People do get smarter it seems. (smile)
As if you all aren’t spoiled enough, U360 has teamed up with Sierra Online to bring even more goodies in celebrating the release of Assault Heroes 2 today. You already know about the Lost in the City Giveaway that’s currently highlighting one of Sierra’s titles and now you have to prepare yourselves for more Sierra fun with the True Hero Games Giveaway. You love Xbox Live Arcade redeem codes and here’s your chance at yet another one.
To become an elite, legendary Assault Hero is no easy task by a mere mortal man. The first four players who obtain all of the Achievements in Assault Heroes 2 will receive a free XBLA game code. You can choose between Lost Cities, Switchball, Boogie Bunnies or Arkadian Warriors. It’s like a buy one get one free.
How do we let you know?
Once you’ve completed all Achievements, just send me a message via Xbox Live or post a comment here. All of you Achievement and Gamerscore freaks finally have some gold at the end of the rainbow. This will go on obviously until the four have been selected.
Good luck all you Achievement freaks out there! For more information about Assault Heroes 2, head on over to www.assaultheroes2.com.
Remember that one Xbox Live Arcade title from those guys who make web comics that I told you was going to be $20? Well I was checking out the game’s page on Xbox.com and noticed that a release date has been etched in. Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness will make its way to the Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, May 21st. The price hasn’t changed so prepare to dish out 1600 Microsoft Points for it.
If you manage to get it, don’t forget to tell those of us who are not quite as fortunate at the points bank how it is.
“Remember me? I made my official debut back at E3 2007 and got quite the reception. I was supposed to hit the Xbox Live Arcade but I ended up on the back of a milk carton instead. I have been kidnapped by the dreaded TBA & TBD clan. I am Third Wave Games and Ubisoft’s War World.”
Happy Monday. It’s Cinco de Mayo. Today is the day to celebrate our friends of Mexican heritage and to celebrate the return of Monday FTW! You’ve been waiting for Mondays to have meaning again since the last Monday FTW here at U360 and today is the day that they do once more! Thanks to another sprinkling of TriXie Dust, there’ll be ten (10) Xbox Live Arcade redeem codes for Sierra’s Lost Cities up for grabs.
What is this Monday FTW Lost in the City Giveaway?
Each Monday in May up until May 26th, someone will win an Xbox Live Arcade redeem code for Lost Cities! It’s really simple to enter. Each Monday I’ll have a Monday FTW post up. Just post a reply to it or send me a message on Xbox Live each Monday that it goes up. On each Monday at around 8PM Central Standard Time I’ll pick a winner. It starts today!
I’m only taking entries on Mondays. It ties in to the whole Monday theme of course. Here’s the breakdown of what’s available and on what day. I know I’ve spoiled you ladies and gents here but what the hell…who doesn’t like being spoiled?
May 5 - Lost Cities x2
May 12 - Lost Cities x2
May 19 - Lost Cities x2
May 26 - Lost Cities x4
Prepare to head back to saving the galaxy in Rocketmen: It Came from Your Uranus, an expansion to the original digitally-distributed title, which will be available through Xbox LIVE Arcade on Wednesday, May 14 for 400 Microsoft Points. Rocketmen fans will have access to new maps, weapons, and enemies. Players must have already purchased Rocketmen: Axis of Evil in order to play It Came from Uranus.
3 New Weapons
• Blobber: Shoots blobs of goo at enemies, does damage over time in the part of the ground that it covers.
• Beamer: Shoots lighting at enemies, does high intensity damage.
• Bomber: Shoots grenades instead of bullets; grenades explode on impact doing damage.
2 New Secondary Weapons
• Falcon: Robotic falcon that attacks enemies automatically
• Screw bomb: Rocket that turns into a proximity mine on impact
3 New Levels
• Level 11 - Finding Jane: The player must escape the Saturnian prison mine and reclaim Nick’s ship, the Icarus Jane.
• Level 12 - Clear the Asteroids: The player must clear a path for the ship through Saturn’s rings.
• Level 13 - The Plan: The player must make his way through the Saturnian palace and convince Angelica, leader of the Saturnians, to join the Alliance.
New Enemies
• Saturnian Marine
• Saturnian Elite
• Heavy Mining Terra Scientists
• Terra Rocket Marines
• Saturnian Pit Boss
• Saturnian Asteroid Demolition Machine
• Lord Angelica
Remember that one time in band camp when I told you that Assault Heroes 2 was coming to Xbox Live Arcade and I gave you some screenshots? Well, just in time for summer gaming action, Assault Heroes 2, is geared up to invade Xbox LIVE Arcade on May 14th.
Re-envisioned for an even more action-packed arcade shooter experience, Assault Heroes 2 expands its horizons into outer space. New features also include hi-jackable enemy vehicles, more levels and enhanced on-foot and co-operative gameplay modes. Whether attacking on foot or piloting all-new spacecraft, players will enjoy optimum mobility in the most dangerous situations.
Developed by Wanako Studios, Assault Heroes 2 will be available for 800 Microsoft Points.
True to the original adventurous card game, “Lost Cities” transports players to exotic destinations where riveting adventures await. Before players embark on their trips they must choose how much to invest in the expedition in hopes of increasing their investment. Players then play their cards with the goal of amassing the most points and making prosperous expeditions through the various lost cities: the Himalayas, the Brazilian rain forest, the ever-shifting desert sands, ancient volcanoes and the mystifying depths of the oceans.
It looks pretty interesting especially with the Vision Camera support. We all know the 360 needs more games with Vision Camera support.
How much: 800 Microsoft Points
good stuff DeaconBlade. glad to be a part...