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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Xbox LIVE Newsbeat Vol. 8

I'm going to start running the Xbox Newsbeats in an effort to give you guys a little more up to date LIVE news. Enjoy.




XBOX LIVE NEWSBEAT: VOL. 8, April 21, 2010

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fans of “Gears of War® 3” (Microsoft Game Studios) who want to share their excitement on Xbox LIVE will be able to choose from new Avatar items, available on Avatar Marketplace starting April 20, including the new COG armor introduced in “Gears of War 3.” And on April 22, “Left 4 Dead 2” (Valve) releases an all-new game Add-on: “The Passing.” Be warned: This isn’t your average Survivor reunion.  

Get the retro arcade party started in your new “Game Room” and participate in the biggest multiplayer event of the year!

Hot off the heels of Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party and launch of capstone title “Game Room,” Xbox LIVE delivers seven more original arcade and console classics to add to your retro arcade starting April 28. From “Pitfall!” (Activision) to “Night Stalker” (Mattel Electronics), next week’s line-up marks the start of a steady stream of arcade hits releasing every Wednesday, exclusively for “Game Room” on Xbox LIVE. Check out the titles below and invite your friends to your growing line-up.
·         Super Breakout (Atari)
·         Pitfall! (Activision)
·         Megamania (Activision)
·         Night Stalker (Mattel Electronics)
·         Rack ‘Em Up (Konami)
·         Realsports Volleyball (Atari)
·         Basketball (Atari)

New games will release every Wednesday alongside Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, making Xbox LIVE your one-stop-shop for digitally distributed games.

The definitive Xbox LIVE event of this spring is poised to sweep the world on May 3. In less than two weeks, millions of gamers will have the unique opportunity to test and help refine the biggest blockbuster game of 2010 in the “Halo: Reach” (Microsoft Game Studios) multiplayer beta. Representing the best-in-class multiplayer elements that have become the hallmark of the “Halo” series and fused with a range of new content and features, “Halo: Reach” offers the most robust, action-packed multiplayer experience yet. With new game modes, battlegrounds, weapons, armor abilities, player investment, customization systems, social settings and more, the “Halo: Reach” multiplayer beta introduces a wave of new innovations that will take the award-winning “Halo” multiplayer experience on Xbox LIVE to the next level. Players will be able to access the beta through the extras menu of the “Halo 3: ODST” game disc.

Embrace your love for the undead – namely Zombies, Vampires and Mummies…

Now through May 12, enjoy your favorite gory games, Avatar Marketplace items, music and movies during “30 Days of the Undead” on Xbox LIVE. Get your hands on killer Game Add-ons for hits like “Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing” (Valve) or gather ‘round the tube for discounted flicks each week like “Night of the Living Dead” and “Jeepers Creepers.”  Don’t miss out on your chance to win a spot to see the Prince of Darkness himself, the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, at his annual metal festival, Ozzfest 2010, in the “30 Days of Undead” sweepstakes, running until May 12. One hundred first prize winners will also have the chance to win 400 Microsoft Points. Enter to win by downloading or logging in to your existing Xbox LIVE Facebook or Last.fm account. For more information, please visit: www.xbox.com/30daysoftheundead.

Finally, get ready for “The Guild” Season 4! Creator and recent Streamy Award recipient, Felicia Day, is already starting prep for the new season of your favorite web series about a group of online gamers. After three successful seasons, “The Guild” is one of the most popular shows on Xbox LIVE. Stay tuned – More details coming soon.

AVATAR MARKETPLACE

Starting April 22, upgrade your pseudo-saintly avatar wardrobe with selected gear from “Saints Row 2” (THQ, Inc.). Diesel, one of the world’s premier denim and apparel brands joins the ranks of Roxy, Quicksilver and Adidas in Avatar Marketplace on April 29.    

From cryptic puzzles and heroic quests, to old-school arcade classics, Xbox LIVE Arcade delivers hot new downloadable games at a great value.
April 21 | 800 Microsoft Points
Enter the dark and savage lands of the Ashurin Empire as you battle to avenge the mayhem the Empire brought upon your fellow tribesmen in “Puzzle Chronicles.” This isn’t your typical puzzle – On your heroic quest to topple the Empire, fight fierce beasts and hardened warriors in the new puzzle/role-playing hybrid game from Konami. Rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB and available worldwide (except Japan and Korea).

April 21 | 800 Microsoft Points
The classic arcade game returns for a new generation of gamers. “After Burner Climax™” delivers fast and frantic action, putting you in the cockpit of the world’s swiftest fighter jets. Dodge planes, rockets, and bullets while trying to target multiple on-screen enemy aircraft. Built for all skill levels, everyone can take to the air and blaze through a branching storyline and over 20 stages. Earn your wings by unlocking achievements along the way to win exclusive avatar awards. Rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB and available worldwide.

Tecmo® Bowl: Throwback (Tecmo)
April 28 | 800 Microsoft Points
The legend is back! “Tecmo Bowl®: Throwback” is a remake of the classic “Tecmo Super Bowl,” with the same rules and fast-paced gameplay as the original, but with the option to play it in brand new high definition 3D graphics. Switch it back to old school in real time with the same graphics and music from back in the day! “Tecmo Bowl®: Throwback” brings back the gameplay you loved, and stays true to the “Tecmo Super Bowl” legacy! “Tecmo Bowl®: Throwback” is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available in the US and Canada.

DEAL OF THE WEEK
In celebration of “30 Days of the Undead,” Deal of the Week delivers discounts on slaying zombies and adventures as a samurai dishwasher.
The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (Microsoft Game Studios)
April 26 | 400 Microsoft Points
An undead samurai dishwasher in a dystopian universe is on a quest for revenge against the evil cyborg army. To dispatch hordes of zombies, cyborgs, and robots, you, as the Dishwasher, have at your fingertips a devastating array of attacks using ancient skill blades, disturbing machinery and screen-obliterating Dish Magic. Huzzah! Compete with the rest of the world in a variety of speed run and high score challenges to become the most formidable Dishwasher yet! “The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai” is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and will be available worldwide (except Korea).

May 3 | 400 Microsoft Points
This action-packed, arcade-style shooter takes you into a world where a zombie infection has spread uncontrollably and the undead outnumber humans. You and a small band of heavily equipped gunslingers have set out to destroy as many zombies as you can and attempt to save any of the remaining survivors in “Zombie Apocalypse.” Up to four players can vie to stop the zombie apocalypse by employing an arsenal of deadly weapons: from assault rifles, to flame throwers, to grenade launchers and more. When ammo is low, a chainsaw will be your last line of defense against becoming one of the undead. This action-packed, arcade-style shooter will test your dual analog stick shooting skills and ability to survive 55 days of relentless zombie attacks. “Zombie Apocalypse” is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and will be available worldwide (except Germany, Japan and Korea).

GAME ADD-ONS

Check out upcoming Game Add-ons that extend the life of blockbuster hits like “BioSchock® 2” (2K Games) and will have you singing rock hits like “We Got The Beat” until the sun comes up.

Lips (Microsoft Game Studios)
Throughout April| 440 Microsoft Points each
Xbox LIVE’s Lips Music Store has something special for all pop lovers this month, whether you’re a fan of new wave, romantic ballads or 80s synth.  Look out for the debut of The Go-Go’s Song Pack on April 30, featuring their smash singles, “We Got The Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Head Over Heels.”  With each Song Pack downloadable for 440 MS Points, it’s never been easier to serenade your sweetheart or start dancing to the beat!  If that’s not enough, we’re breaking out the feathered hair and leg warmers for a selection of 80s songs from hit artists like Duran Duran, Men Without Hats, Modern English, The Cars, Animotion, Donna Summer and more throughout the month of April.  For a complete list of “Lips” Game Add-ons for the month, check out lips.xbox.com.  “Lips” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and available worldwide. 

April 22 | 560 Microsoft Points
"The Passing" offers more than just a friendly Survivor get-together between Ellis, Coach, Rochelle, Nick, Bill, Francis, Zoey and Louis. It adds an "uncommon common" infected type, new weapons and a fresh co-operative challenge mode of play. The campaign is playable in Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes. Rated M for Mature by the ESRB and available worldwide.

April 28 | 80 Microsoft Points each, 240 Microsoft Points for all three
With three new Add-ons, you can now attack endlessly and take on two more special stages as Mega Man. The Endless Attack” mode for “Mega Man 10” has you challenging maps old and new. Watch out, though. There are two new special stages in “Mega Man 10” and each features a “Mega Man Killer” as the stage boss, uniquely designed to bring down Mega Man himself. In Special Stage 2,the Mega Man Killer is Punk whose special attack is a rapid spinning tackle. Ballade attacks in Special Stage 3.” Be sure to watch out for this robot’s high-jumping assaults. This stage requires smart decision-making skills: a series of conveyer belts and diverse traps will challenge even the most masterful Mega Man pro. Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and available worldwide.

April 29 | 800 Microsoft Points
Featuring six new maps, “Rapture Metro Map Pack” ups the ante with a multiplayer rank of fifty and a new Rebirth feature, two new multiplayer masks and three new achievements. And grab your nine iron for the bonus Kill ‘Em Kindly melee mode! Rated M for Mature by the ESRB and available worldwide (except Japan and Korea).

April 29 | 160 Microsoft Points
The “Black Market Aerial Pack” opens up your world to a jet-sized set of new items. We have lift-off with the F-33 DragonFly Jet Fighter, which boasts quad-mounted miniguns and double missile launchers – this agile bird is the definite ruler of the skies, and packs a serious punch to land-based targets. Dual Parachute Thrusters allow you to take to the air longer. When mounted to the parachute rig, the Dual Parachute Thrusters provide bursts of forward momentum to extend airtime. Last, but certainly not least, the Multi-lock Missile Launcher allows you to lock up to four targets and unleash a barrage of homing missiles to destroy your enemies and rule victorious – in high skies style. Rated M for Mature by the ESRB and available in most markets worldwide.

GAMES ON DEMAND
Games on Demand delivers the titles you want 24x7, straight to your Xbox 360. Get your hands on one of the biggest blockbusters in the “Halo” trilogy today, along with pulse-pounding action hits and more in the coming weeks.

Halo® 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)
April 20 | Releasing worldwide
We told you about it in Volume 7 and it’s here today! The epic saga continues with “Halo® 3,” the third chapter in the highly successful and critically acclaimed “Halo” franchise. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. A HERO MUST RISE. Will it be you? BELIEVE. This game is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

Saints Row (THQ, Inc.)
April 20 | Releasing in limited European countries
Welcome to Stilwater, an open-world city with attitude, a city controlled by rival gangs, a city you are about to invade in “Saints Row.” As a low-level thug in the Third Street Saints, you must do what it takes to get the money and build the power and respect you need to muscle your way to the top. Be careful. Your actions have consequences and around every corner lurks a new threat. Rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

April 20 | Releasing in Europe, Australia and New Zealand
When video game icon “Sonic The Hedgehog™” debuted on the SEGA® Genesis in 1991, he shook up the action-platform genre with his signature speed and rebellious attitude. More than 44 million units later, Sonic celebrates his nineteenth anniversary and blazes his way onto Games on Demand for an epic adventure that delivers the most intense sensation of speed experienced to date. Set in the beautiful lagoon city of Soleana, this story follows our hero as he works to save Princess Elyse from the evil Dr. Eggman. Featuring the very first appearance of Silver the Hedgehog, and the return of Shadow;  players can follow the adventure from three unique perspectives.  This game is rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. 

Shrek the Third™ (Activision)
April 27 | Releasing worldwide (except Japan)
Play as your favorite characters including Shrek®, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Princess Fiona, Arthur or Sleeping Beauty in “Shrek the Third™.” Experience the adventure through 20 levels from the movie and beyond. Defeat fierce villains, including the huge Ice Dragon and the devious Prince Charming. Play with or against your friends, in fun multiplayer mini-games. That'll do, Donkey. That'll do. Rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB.

Far Cry® 2 (Ubisoft Inc.)
April 27 | Releasing in North America
“Far Cry® 2,” the next-generation first-person shooter from Ubisoft, takes you deep into the most beautiful but also most hostile environments in the world—Africa. A true open-world shooter, every decision you make affects the outcome of the game. Caught between two rival factions in the war-torn country, you are sent to take out "The Jackal," a mysterious character who has rekindled the conflict between the warlords, jeopardizing thousands of lives. In order to fulfill your mission, you must play the factions against each other, identify and exploit their weaknesses, and neutralize their superior numbers and firepower with surprise, subversion, wiliness and, of course, brute force. Rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

April 27 | Releasing in North America
Enter the violent and chaotic journey of two men—a flawed mercenary and a pill-popping psychopath. This volatile partnership, combined with innovative technologies, allows for an unparalleled gaming experience. The intense shooter experience features single and co-op play, a crew-based combat system where players lead and control the actions of their crews, and a groundbreaking online crime-based multiplayer mode for four to eight players. Rated M for Mature by the ESRB.