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[Shard]

VICIOUS ENGINE SUPPORTS XBOX LIVE ARCADE WITH ELEMENTS OF DESTRUCTION

Partnership with Frozen Codebase Proves Potent for Upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade Title

CHAPEL HILL, NC – April 8, 2008 – Vicious Engine, a leading middleware solution developed by Vicious Cycle Software, has been selected by Frozen Codebase, a talented game studio composed of industry veterans responsible for Quake IV, Homeworld and Anarchy Online, to power their upcoming Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade title Elements of Destruction. An engaging, frenetic game where players use the spectacularly destructive powers of nature to raze and blaze as they desire, Elements of Destruction also proves once again the Vicious Engine’s utility in quickly empowering game development teams to realize their interactive entertainment visions.

“Our experience with the Vicious Engine allowed us to bring Elements of Destruction to our audience far faster than we had thought possible,” said Ben Geisler, programmer and co-producer at Frozen Codebase. “Using the same middleware for an Xbox LIVE Arcade title as one might use for a full retail release helped our team adapt to the process quickly and easily.”

“We’ve worked closely with the team at Frozen Codebase to make sure that the Vicious Engine is optimized for Xbox LIVE Arcade,” said Eric Peterson, president and CEO of Vicious Cycle Software. “Elements of Destruction truly illustrates the versatility of the Vicious Engine and its capabilities.”

Elements of Destruction represents the latest entry in a growing list of diverse, genre-crossing titles that have been created using the Vicious Engine. The adaptable, easy-to-learn middleware has been used to design games of every style, including adventure/platformer games like Dead Head Fred and the best-selling Flushed Away, deeply addictive casual fare like Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords(TM) for PSP(R) (PlayStation(R) Portable), and even instructional/educational titles like Discover Babylon and INNOV8.

Vicious Cycle Software recently announced a new version of the company’s proven game engine, Ve2. Ve2 offers a suite of new and improved features on Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, including an updated lighting engine, an animation blending component, and modern pixel shader technology, all optimized for current platforms.

 

[GHG]

Never played Ikagura before but will be sure to try it out. Thats what I love most about XBLA, all games have a trail so you can see if the games for you before you splurge.

 

[Brakara]

I also just realized that there is a help screen on each table that will detail the specials and ramps and such of each table. Helps out a lot.

So how do you get to the help screen?

 

[Giard]

Looks like I'll be picking up a 1600pts card for Ikaruga and the Halo 3 map pack.

The Halo 3 map pack has been free for a while now.

 

[Deepblue]

Other one.

 

[Shard]

XBLA Top 10 for the week of 3/31/08

http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/04/08/live-activity-for-week-of-3-31.aspx

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Mr. DRILLER Online
2 DOOM
3 Brain Challenge
4 N+
5 Battlestar Galactica
6 UNO
7 Worms
8 Assault Heroes
9 Pinball FX
10 Bomberman LIVE

How the fuck is Mr. Driller Online number one, did nobody get the memo?

 

[Rlan]

I checked the Leaderboards a few days ago and it was at 8,000 so.

Meanwhile TiQal was ~4,000 still. Bombed hard. That's what you get for not telling anyone about your damn game, I suppose.

 

[Shard]

I checked the Leaderboards a few days ago and it was at 8,000 so.

Meanwhile TiQal was ~4,000 still. Bombed hard. That's what you get for not telling anyone about your damn game, I suppose.

Indeed, a bit of a shame since TiQal is a fairly decent second tier title, but not only was there no advertising but unlike a Brain Challenge or Mr. Driller Online there is also no name value.

 

[besiktas1]

How the fuck is Mr. Driller Online number one, did nobody get the memo?

Guess it was too late

Thats the only reason why I will wait a bit for my Ikaruga purchace, even though I'm fiending for it, I will wait to see how online co-op fairs...

Hope it plays well relatively lag free

 

[MrDaravon]

For whatever it may be worth, all three people I know who bought Mr. Driller online all got refunds from MS, I'm wondering how dramatic the dropoff will be next week.

 

[Archie]

How the fuck is Mr. Driller Online number one, did nobody get the memo?

I didn't until it was too late, haha. I still enjoy the single player mode though.

 

[FightyF]

See Tron and Discs of Tron, for one.

True-che....

 

[Jonnyram]

How the fuck is Mr. Driller Online number one, did nobody get the memo?

Err... only the online is fucked. Single player is fine, and lots of fun.

 

[SapientWolf]

XBLA Top 10 for the week of 3/31/08

http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/04/08/live-activity-for-week-of-3-31.aspx

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Mr. DRILLER Online
2 DOOM
3 Brain Challenge
4 N+
5 Battlestar Galactica
6 UNO
7 Worms
8 Assault Heroes
9 Pinball FX
10 Bomberman LIVE

How the fuck is Mr. Driller Online number one, did nobody get the memo?

You can't try online multiplayer without buying the game first. Genius.

 

[Icarus]

The better question is how in the hell is Battlestar Galactica up there?

 

[george21000]

The better question is how in the hell is Battlestar Galactica up there?

its one day only april 5th price cut to 400 ms points

 

[Tralfamadore64]

Hey, guys. Stupid question, but I haven't bought an XBLA game on the day of release in a long while. Are the games not out at midnight? (I'm assuming not, since Ikaruga is nowhere to be seen). I'm guessing midnight Pacific or sometime early in the morning... so what's the correct answer?

 

[Sean]

Hey, guys. Stupid question, but I haven't bought an XBLA game on the day of release in a long while. Are the games not out at midnight? (I'm assuming not, since Ikaruga is nowhere to be seen). I'm guessing midnight Pacific or sometime early in the morning... so what's the correct answer?

Usually they are put up between 1AM to 2AM PST, that's 4-5AM EST time.

 

[Tralfamadore64]

Gotcha. Thanks.

I'll scoop it up when I get up in the a.m.

 

[Shard]

The following achievements have been found for Warlords

1. Knight
Reach wave 3 Evolved game - Normal difficulty
5 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Baron
2. Baron
Reach level 2 Classic game - Normal difficulty
10 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Viscount
3. Viscount
Score 10000 team points 2-Player Classic game - Normal difficulty
10 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Earl
4. Earl
Win a round 4-Player Classic game - Normal difficulty
10 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Maniac
5. Maniac
Reach level 2 Classic game - Throttle Monkey mode
15 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Marquess
6. Marquess
Reach wave 5 Local 2-Player Evolved Game - Normal difficulty
15 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Duke
7. Duke
Have 4 balls of your colour in play Evolved game - Normal difficulty
10 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - Prince
8. Prince
Win a wave without exposing your king Evolved game - Xbox LIVE ranked match
20 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

Xbox 360 Achievement - Elector
9. Elector
Defeat all 3 opponents Evolved game - Ranked Multiplayer match
20 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

Xbox 360 Achievement - Archduke
10. Archduke
Score 50000 points Classic game - Normal difficulty
25 points
Single Player achievement

Xbox 360 Achievement - King
11. King
Score 500000 points Evolved game - Normal difficulty
30 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - Emperor

12. Emperor
Win a wave without losing any of your wall Evolved game - Normal difficulty
30 points
Single Player achievement

 

[Shard]

New Pirate Vs. Ninja Dodgeball trailer: Behind the scenes plus news of the delay of the game.

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/04/09/pvn-dodgeball-delayed-for-new-traditional-modes/

 

[Shard]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/16177/Bionic-Commando-Rearmed-Approaching-Completion/

Grin announced today that development on Bionic Commando Rearmed, a makeover of the classic 8-bit game originally released 20 years ago, is about to finish.

The final date for completing Bionic Commando Rearmed is closing in - we're stabilizing the game and polishing all the details now, and soon this product of almost a year of late nights and hard work will ship to a digital distribution channel near you!

Bionic Commando Rearmed sees a return of the intense 2D side scrolling, shooting and grappling action from the much-loved 1988 Bionic Commando on the original 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System™.

Bionic Commando Rearmed brings the amazing gameplay up to date with stunning new visuals, new weapons, online rankings, a reworked musical score and the addition of a 2-player co-op mode. The title will also provide cross-game interoperability, as completing parts of Bionic Commando Rearmed will unlock new content and provide secret insight into characters and plot of the brand new Bionic Commando sequel coming later in 2008.

 

[Kandrick]

Question for GAF.

I just came across 1600ms points US. I was wondering if you could buy a game with a US account, and still play it with a Euro account ?

I remember reading somewhere that it worked, unless the console was changed ( drm issues? ).

 

[Steverulez]

I just got 200/200 for Cloning Clyde

 

[besiktas1]

Question for GAF.

I just came across 1600ms points US. I was wondering if you could buy a game with a US account, and still play it with a Euro account ?

I remember reading somewhere that it worked, unless the console was changed ( drm issues? ).

Yep works fine

then when your console is switched say goodbye to offline play

 

[Kandrick]

Yep works fine

then when your console is switched say goodbye to offline play

Heh, yeah thats what i thought, oh well, thanks for the confirmation

Time to go buy some stuff.

 

[besiktas1]

Heh, yeah thats what i thought, oh well, thanks for the confirmation

Time to go buy some stuff.

Buy me something

Spoiler

Go get 2 out of these lot; Ikaruga, N+, Switchball... THey're the next lot I'm going to get when I got the cash... in that order too

 

[Kandrick]

Buy me something

Spoiler

Go get 2 out of these lot; Ikaruga, N+, Switchball... THey're the next lot I'm going to get when I got the cash... in that order too

I actually liked switchball, i didnt buy because of the tearing issue, but i heard it has been fixed, so i might look into it again

 

[besiktas1]

Yep I want it so bad, but Ikaruga and N+ await me first (not to mention I got to beat the fucking huge backlog I have... here it goes;

Assasins Creed - On the 4th or 5th assasination
Bully - Done the first 4 or five missions
Blue Dragon - Got to the bit where I met some yellow thing, 1st disk
DMC4 - untouched
Timeshift - untouched but watched my bro play through, not really interested :/
TR: ANniversary - untouched
HL: EP1 & 2 off the Orange box - Beat HL2 and put it away, should start it soon

just looked through my collection, there is more

PGR4 - done 1 race
Burnout Paradise - untouched

and I bought Table Tennis & Flatout today because they were cheap, had a couple games and races :lol :lol

Damn I love gaming but I need to stop buying games. I'm itching to buy;

Dark Sector
R6: V2
Condemned 2
Viking

and THG is coming through the post soon

 

[Shard]

http://www.360sync.com/2008/04/09/go-gold-get-heavy-weapon-free

Go Gold between April 9 and 25, 2008, and get it all:

1. Connect and play with the friends you have and the friends you’ll make.
2. Shoot ‘em up in Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank with up to three of your friends—and enjoy the whole range of Xbox 360® multiplayer games!
3. Enjoy both exclusive and early access to Xbox LIVE Marketplace content.

To get your game, follow these two steps:

1. Go Gold by upgrading your Xbox LIVE subscription from Silver to Gold 12-month membership.
2. Then register here to get your game.
https://live.xbox.com/en-US/signup/SignupLight.ashx?regId=e9ca4557-1cd1-48c4-a082-cfced346e7c8

Offer ends April 25, 2008

Via: Xbox Newsletter

 

[Shard]

New Infrormation on Rocket Riot

http://www.coin-op.nl/index.php?get=rocketriot

Rocket Riot
Guys with jetpacks shooting rockets. Perhaps not the most original idea, right?
Sorry, but you're wrong. That thought was just the most challenging problem for me.

I had to convince people. A clear and detailed design doc here, sweet mockups there.
And it worked! Pretty soon this game will hit Xbox Live Arcade, how awesome is that.


Wish I could say more
Honestly, I do. THQ however decides when to say what, and they're doing a fine job at that. The following is what is officially published so far.

"Rocket Riot is an action-packed side-view shooter featuring a bazooka-wielding jetpack soldier. With a highly stylized 8-bit era feel, players blast their way through the environment against enemies or multiplayer foes online.

Navigating through a completely destructible environment, players can uncover special power ups or even burrow into different areas of the map."

Features

* Engage in 80 single player missions, set in many different themes and zany worlds.
* A fully featured multiplayer Riot with 4 multiplayer modes against up to 8 players on Xbox Live or up to 4 players on a single screen. Teamed based CTF has never been so explosive!
* Fly through continuously regenerating maps that keep the action fast-paced—but time doesn’t heal all wounds.

Details
Rocket Riot will be released on Xbox Live Arcade in 2008.

Concept: Coin-Op
Developer: Codeglue
Publisher: THQ

 

[DeadCell]

Any news on the release date for Vigilante 8 Arcade?

 

[SapientWolf]

Rocket Riot sounds a lot like Soldat.

 

[Shard]

Any news on the release date for Vigilante 8 Arcade?

Last I heard it is being targeted at a late April early May timeframe though this could change.

 

[DeadCell]

Last I heard it is being targeted at a late April early May timeframe though this could change.

Well here's hoping it doesn't.

 

[Crab Milk Mickey]

New Infrormation on Rocket Riot

http://www.coin-op.nl/index.php?get=rocketriot

For a game that's from The Netherlands (i.e. a region where we hardly get games from), that looks surprisingly good.

 

[Creamium]

Is it likely that a game like Puzzle Quest will hit the Arcade Hits section someday? I'm inclined to buy it, but it's currently one of the only games that cost 1200 points and 800 is really my sweet spot. My next purchases are either gonna be Nplus + Ikaruga or Nplus + Puzzle Quest, kinda conflicted. If you guys say PQ is really worth the 1200, I'll go for that. Ikaruga seems badass, but I couldn't even make it past the trial so I don't know whether is the game for me.

 

[Shard]

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/04/12/rumor-happy-tree-friends-fa-delayed-yet-again/

Rumor: Happy Tree Friends: FA delayed yet again

Posted Apr 12th 2008 4:00PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News, Xbox Live Arcade, Rumors
First, some rumor clarification. Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm for the XBLA was set to release the second week of April only to be pushed back a week to April 21st (Monday release?) Now, maybe, possibly, we aren't exactly positive that the title has been delayed yet another time.

Our confusion stems from a "Latest News" post over on the official website for Happy Tree Friends which mentions that "due to the expansion of the game launch to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, the 'False Alarm' game will now push back to a later date." That's pretty cut and dry if it weren't for the fact that the the news post doesn't have a time stamp or any reference to when it was published. So, this delay news could be weeks old and refer back to the original delay from the second week of April to April 21st, or it's a brand new delay that pushes False Alarm back even further. Hence the mildly confusing "rumor" tag. Get it? Okay, good ...

 

[DuckRacer]

Is it likely that a game like Puzzle Quest will hit the Arcade Hits section someday?

1. MS updates the arcade hits line at a pace that'd put glaciers to shame.

2. Puzzle Quest has only come out recently, so even if it were to drop in price it wouldn't happen for a long time.

3. It also has multiple retail products at $20.

So no.

I just bought it yesterday because I played the trial every time I listen to 1UY, and I thought I might as well have my progress count for something... but YMMV. I think it's worth it, but that's just me.

 

[RadarScope1]

So, is Heavy Weapon any good? I have a gold account I'm about ready to activate and I'm wondering if it's worth the DL.

 

[dammitmattt]

So, is Heavy Weapon any good? I have a gold account I'm about ready to activate and I'm wondering if it's worth the DL.

I had a ton of fun with it, plus it's a good 4-player game.

 

[Mr Killemgood]

XBL now works for me via ICS...

Any great games I should be looking forward to coming out in the next 2-3 months? I'm not looking for any remakes. Are any good simulation or tactical games coming soon?

 

[Mr Killemgood]

Also, does anyone know if there are any online/offline great deals for XBL points? I've seen a few times there have been 1/2 off, and such, and when I've been on XBL (at my GF's house), I've burned through them.

 

[Shard]

Rocketmen: Axis of Evil to get DLC and new Achievements

http://www.360sync.com/2008/04/12/rocketmen-new-achievements-dlc

Rocketmen New Achievements + DLC
POSTED BY Devin "DaKing240" Kofsky on Apr 12 under Achievements, Capcom, DLC, Rocketmen: Axis of Evil

rocketmen

Some of our sharp readers pointed this out today, that Rocketman Axis of Evil has 3 new achievements for 50 points. If you take a look at the xbox.com page, you’ll see the 3 new ones added to the bottom.

However, Capcom has yet to release any information on this new content. Our guess is that this Wednesday, we may see this new content released along with the new Xbox Live Arcade game. We’ll hopefully have more details on Monday, so stay tuned!

Space Hog
Defeat a space mumba
15
Locked

Go for the Gold
Get a gold medal in levels 11, 12, and 13.
15
Locked

Universal Banker
Accumulate 8888 units of carbon.
20
Locked

 

[Shard]

Braid is now supposedly on Partnernet, not that this news actually means much,

http://www.xblarcade.com/node/1864

Braid is on PartnerNet
Sun, 2008-04-13 21:34 — Hexx

Great news for Braid fans everywhere! Further signs of a Braid release sometime in the coming months as Braid has now made it onto PartnerNet. Don't get too excited as some games are on their months... YEARS... before their releases (Ikaruga).

 

[Creamium]

1. MS updates the arcade hits line at a pace that'd put glaciers to shame.

2. Puzzle Quest has only come out recently, so even if it were to drop in price it wouldn't happen for a long time.

3. It also has multiple retail products at $20.

So no.

I just bought it yesterday because I played the trial every time I listen to 1UY, and I thought I might as well have my progress count for something... but YMMV. I think it's worth it, but that's just me.

thanks. upon rereading my question I realized it was pretty stupid to assume it would hit that section this year or the next, what was I thinking. Anyway, N+ and Ikaruga will be the combo I'll purchase next

 

[LakeEarth]

So, is Heavy Weapon any good? I have a gold account I'm about ready to activate and I'm wondering if it's worth the DL.

Its a good game. Nothing special but for what it does, it does it right.

 

[RadarScope1]

OK, so I've upgraded to gold. Yay me. Now I'm trying to score a free DL of Heavy Weapon.

I've got a Gamertag and a Windows Live account. I follow the link Shard posted. It says I need to register and takes me here:

https://live.xbox.com/en-US/signup/AccountCreateLight.aspx?Check=true

I fill everything out, then click Next. It says the gamertag is already taken. Duh. It's mine. So I hit the link that says, "this is my tag, let's move on." I do that and it takes me to the main login screen, here:

http://login.live.com/login.srf?wa=...c4Z2Da082Z2Dcfced346e7c8Z26lcZ3D1033&id=66262

So then I sign in ... and it takes me right back to first goddamn account creation screen that ask for all my info! WTF gives? Somebody give me a hint here because feel like a damn idiot.

EDIT: Got it. Just had to tie my new WLID to my existing XBL account via the console. Sorry for the OT post...

 

[FightyF]

OK, so I've upgraded to gold. Yay me. Now I'm trying to score a free DL of Heavy Weapon.

I've got a Gamertag and a Windows Live account. I follow the link Shard posted. It says I need to register and takes me here:

https://live.xbox.com/en-US/signup/AccountCreateLight.aspx?Check=true

I fill everything out, then click Next. It says the gamertag is already taken. Duh. It's mine. So I hit the link that says, "this is my tag, let's move on." I do that and it takes me to the main login screen, here:

http://login.live.com/login.srf?wa=...c4Z2Da082Z2Dcfced346e7c8Z26lcZ3D1033&id=66262

So then I sign in ... and it takes me right back to first goddamn account creation screen that ask for all my info! WTF gives? Somebody give me a hint here because feel like a damn idiot.

EDIT: Got it. Just had to tie my new WLID to my existing XBL account via the console. Sorry for the OT post...

Hey, you never know if someone else is having this same issue...

 

[Shard]

Monday, April 14, 2008 9:00 AM by Gamerscore News
A Collection of Micro Games Based on Popular Cartoon Series “Rocky and Bullwinkle” Comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade Along With Atari’s Classic “Battlezone” This Wednesday!

There’s a new addition to the family of party games available on Xbox 360! “Rocky and Bullwinkle” is available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, along with an enhanced version of the tank vs. tank action classic “Battlezone” this Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).

Based on the popular cartoon series of the 1960s, “Rocky and Bullwinkle” on Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast and fun party experience packed with more than 100 micro games. Eight playable characters from Frostbite Falls are back in the living room, including Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris, Natasha, Dudley Do-Right and many more. “Rocky and Bullwinkle” features five difficulty settings, as well as support for up to 12 players in local hot-seat mode.

The game takes visual inspiration from the 1960s with a decidedly retro art style, but the fun is as modern as it gets. In fact, cool cats who want to get up and move will enjoy 25 micro games that work with the Xbox LIVE Vision Camera. By moving around and expressing gestures – like rowing a boat or throwing darts – players can control the action in the game!

Developed by Zen Studios, “Rocky and Bullwinkle” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details on “Rocky and Bullwinkle” please visit:

* http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/r/randbxboxlivearcade/
* www.rockyandbullwinklegame.com

“Battlezone” on Xbox LIVE Arcade adds exciting new multiplayer modes for up to two players both locally and over Xbox LIVE, including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. Plus, players can use the Xbox LIVE Vision Cam to challenge opponents on the battle field. Combine these features with new special effects for weapon firing, impacts and explosions and this revamped version of “Battlezone” is a must-have classic that fans and newcomers will enjoy.

To score points in “Battlezone,” players must shoot and destroy the enemy’s brigade including a standard enemy tank, supertank and a flying saucer.

Created by Atari, an enhanced version and the original version of “Battlezone” will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea and Japan) for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details on “Battlezone” please visit:

* http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/battlezonexboxlivearcade/