A new trailer has emerged for the upcoming DLC release of pinball table Cirqus Voltaire for Pinball Arcade. It is one of the highest rated pinball tables of all time so we are very excited to see it coming to XBLA. Pinball Arcade exclusively recreates classic tables in video game form for your enjoyment. Cirqus Voltaire is known as a technical and challenging table that is still accessible for beginners. Just beware of the ringmaster’s insults!
Source: The Pinball Arcade – Facebook
Microsoft will release a $99 version of its 4GB Xbox 360 video-game console complete with a forced $15 monthly subscription fee as soon as next week, reports The Verge and Xbox Kinect Fans. The Verge’s sources claim the monthly charges will grant buyers access to an Xbox Live Gold membership for a couple years and could potentially net them “some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers.” Consoles sold as part of the bundle will also be covered under an included warranty.
Those who wish to break free of the subscription prior to the expiration of the 2-year agreement will face penalty fees, not unlike mobile phone users who desire to prematurely free themselves of service contracts.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has worked tirelessly since the launch of the Xbox 360 in November of 2005 to make the platform the main hub for all of its users’ home entertainment needs; this latest rumor is being viewed as the next stage of the company’s long campaign to occupy consumers’ living rooms. In March, it was revealed that 360 owners had finally transitioned to using the machine more for “other types of entertainment” than online gaming.
The new SKU will supposedly be Microsoft’s way of fighting off competition from Apple TV, PlayStation 3 and Roku. Its budget pricing and Kinect sensor could also make the package a potential threat to Nintendo’s forthcoming Wii U console, which will hit the market at some point during holiday 2012.
Source: The Verge
Microsoft will soon be replacing Zune as their music service. Their new service, codenamed Woodstock, will be showcased at E3 2012. This new service will allow play across multiple platforms, including Xbox Live, Windows 8, iOS, and Android. The service will not require any extra browser plug-ins, but will have deep Facebook integration. Another feature being tested allows users to “scan and match” their existing music library, allowing it all to be accessed anywhere through the service. Woodstock is not expected to launch until later this year, alongside the launch of Windows 8. Expect to hear much more information once E3 rolls around. Let’s just hope the music selection isn’t limited to 60′s rock ‘n’ roll.
Source: The Verge
Things have been quiet with Might & Delight recently while they’re still at work on their first game, Pid. The developer, made up of ex-GRIN employees, had no publisher for the game but they didn’t want to go that route. They ultimately decided they wanted to self-publish which while rare does occasionally happen on Xbox Live Arcade Telltale Games’ Walking Dead being a recent example. Usually a publisher is needed unless the company in question is also a publisher of course. However there’s a loophole of sorts which Might & Delight has taken advantage of and we’ve detailed below.
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Do you want to be whisked back into the world of Albion or would you want to be in the year 3587 as a jive-talking toad or a cowboy? XBLA Wednesday has both ends of the spectrum today. First up, the third game following in the Arcade Next promotion, Fable Heroes brings the world of Albion into a 4-player co-op hack and slash resembling Gauntlet. Players will fight over a wide array of levels and can choose between classic characters in the Fable series. Our review went up today and the game will set you back 800 MSP.
Another game for 800 MSP that came out today was the long-awaited (almost delayed) release of Awesomenauts. With a heavy 80′s aesthetic in presentation, Awesomenauts brings the MOBA style action into a 2D world with tearing down defenses and using your drones to farm against turrets in order to win battles. If you’re unsure what MOBA entails, we have a great XBLA Primer on the subject and we also have a guide in the works for Awesomenauts. Whether it’s killing defenses in the future or slashing monsters in a fantasy world, XBLA Wednesday has got you covered.
A number of XBLA games have gone on sale this week that you may not be aware of. It slipped by us yesterday, but Deal of the Week this week actually features 3 XBLA games from Japanese developers CAVE and sees 50% off their regular price. NIN2-JUMP is reduced to 200 MSP, Guwange to 400 MSP and Virtual-On OT is now 600 MSP from May 1 to May 7. Another discount to take note of is that the highly enjoyable Kinect release Haunt, has been reduced by 50% from 800 MSP down to 400 MSP. This one is not listed as a Deal of the Week but it is still a gold exclusive sale.
Finally, Hasbro Family Game Night has had each of it’s add-on games, including family favourites such as Battleships, Boggle and Connect 4 reduced by 50%. This discount is available to everyone and it’s not clear whether it’s a permanent reduction or just a temporary sale. However before you drop any points on this, bear in mind that EA recently switched off the online servers for Family Game Night, so gameplay is strictly an offline affair now.
Another developer diary from Lionhead Studios for Fable Heroes has been released just in time for its May 2 release. It is a four player hack and slash fantasy game. By the developer’s own description it is Gauntlet and Fable mixed together. There were a few interesting tidbits in there including an allusion to recurring characters from the Fable universe being present in the game. Also interesting was the knowledge that Fable Heroes will interact with the upcoming Fable: The Journey. Enjoy the video and enjoy the game releasing on Tuesday, May 2.
Just a few days ago we were all sent spiraling away from our computer screens, cringing at the news of DTP’s insolvency announcement. Luckily, one way or another, Awesomenauts has pulled through and is loading into its drop pod at this very moment! Months ago, when the game was announced, we were all taken in by Awesomenauts‘ 80s sense of style and catchy theme song. With this latest trailer, that theme is back with 200% more guitar riff! Surely that guitar riff is Ronimo’s way of assuring us everything is not only fine, it’s awesome!
Speaking of awesome, check out our impressions of the game from PAX East if you’re not sure what it is still (by some amazing chance). If you know what it is but aren’t sure how to approach it, or how to play it, check out our XBLA Primer on MOBA for a rundown of the genre to which Awesomenauts belongs and some of its trademark features.
Need more ads in your Xbox media apps? Well, you’re getting them whether you like it or not – Microsoft has expanded its lineup in advertising partners on Xbox Live, the company announced last week (as reported by Gamasutra). Since December, many media apps on Xbox Live have featured 15- to 30-second video ad spots, including UFC, Crackle and TMZ. With the expansion, new apps will soon feature the ads, including ESPN, Last.fm, GameSpot and others.
Update: According to Jasper Koning of Ronimo Games, Awesomenauts will be releasing as planned. Expect our guide and review to be up in the following week.
We hate being the bearer of bad news but something came this way regarding Awesomenauts release on May 2. dtp entertainment who’s publishing the title by Ronimo Games unfortunately filed for insolvency on Friday, possibly compromising the game’s launch. Ronimo Games’ Jasper Koning spoke on the matter, saying “At the moment we’re unsure what this means for [Awesomenauts]“. Jasper and the rest of the team at Ronimo Games’ are working hard to resolve the problem for the game’s release. We’ll keep you up to date on when this problem for Awesomenauts is resolved.
