Xbox Live's Major Nelson

BF: 1943 Update

Major Nelson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:17:00 GMT

I know many of you have been having problems with getting online and finding a match in Battlefield:1943. I just heard from EA, and they wanted me to let you know that “Battlefield 1943 has been so well received and in such high demand we exceeded our server capacity. I know many have a hard time getting in, but a lot of people are playing and overwhelmingly love it. Because of this many people at DICE and EA have been working non-stop since the game launched to add more servers so that we meet the demand and keeping our community as up-to-date as possible. Because of these efforts we will have enough servers to meet these player count demands very soon.”

That’s the latest update directly from the developers. Assuming things stabilize, I also want to make sure everyone doesn’t forget that starting tomorrow, July 10 at 19:43 CEST/7:43am ET/10:43am PST the Coral Sea Community Challenge will begin as planned because a lot of people are playing and EA wants to start tracking this and reach that goal of 43M kills as possible.

For all the latest updates on the servers and the Coral Sea Challenge, watch the official BF1943 Twitter

2nd Annual Summer of Arcade kicks off July 22nd

Major Nelson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Last year was big, and we’re bringing Summer of Arcade back with some of the most highly anticipated titles from this years E3. Mark your calendars* with this full schedule for the 2009 Summer of Arcade:

July 22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 Microsoft Points
(Ubisoft Singapore®/Ubisoft®): Cowabunga dude! Marking the franchise’s 25 anniversary, everyone's favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.” The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but the same classic beat 'em up gameplay.

July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 Microsoft Points
(Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2,” arrives worldwide on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, decide your own dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.

August 5: Splosion Man™ 800 Microsoft Points
(Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft): Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden. For what emerged was not a man - it was a Splosion Man. "And all who saw him were sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat." Able to splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through levels as an uncontainable force. From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels. Nominated by GameSpy, Gamespot, IGN, and 411mania, this meat-riddled splosion-fest took several Best of E3 awards including Best Platformer and Best Downloadable Game.

August 12: Trials HD 1200 Microsoft Points
(RedLynx/Microsoft): Nominated for GameSpy’s Best Downloadable Game of E3 award, “Trials HD” is guaranteed to get our heart racing.” Put on your helmet, and rev your way through “Trials HD,” a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer in stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your metal in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customize your rider to fit your personality.

August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 Microsoft Points
(Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): Winner of numerous Best of E3 awards including Best Downloadable Game from 1UP, IGN, GameTrailers and G4TV, “Shadow Complex” is the next evolution in downloadable games. “Shadow Complex” marries the quality and depth of a full retail title with the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, “Empire,” Shadow Complex provides more than 10 hours of in-depth gameplay and introduces a compelling universe.

*This is the current release schedule. As with everything game release related, dates are subject to change.

Demo: Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Major Nelson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:13:00 GMT

Content: Ghostbusters: The Video Game Demo
Price: Free
Availability: North America
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen)] Who Ya Gonna Call? The Ghostbusters are back for an all new adventure! The year is now 1991: Who haunts Library? What happened to the Grey Lady? Try this demo to get a taste of the new supernatural spectacular haunting Manhattan. Take the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team and be equipped with a variety of unique equipment and gadgets as you hunt, fight and wrangle a wide range of ghosts in an all-new battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.

Add Ghostbusters: The Video Game Demo to your Xbox 360 download queue

Demo: Fuel

Major Nelson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Content: FUEL Demo
Price: Free
Availability: Not available in Japan and Korea
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (Everyone) COMIC MISCHIEF] In an alternate present, vast swathes of America have become no-go areas as the devastating effects of global warming ravage the continent. But these danger zones become a playground for a new breed of racer. With a stockpile of fuel to be burned, adrenaline junkies head into the wilderness to compete against each other in spectacular races against themselves and the elements. This playable demo offers a taster of one race and one challenge from the full game, as well as the chance to try out Free Ride in a small section of the wastelands.

Add Fuel to your Xbox 360 download queue

Arcade: Battlefield 1943

Major Nelson — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:43:00 GMT

Content: Battlefield 1943
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in India or Korea
Battlefield 1943 is a multiplayer-only game that lets you enjoy the thrills of Pacific WW2 battles! Pick your path - be it as a rifleman, a steel fisted tank commander, or ace fighter pilot dog fighting to protect the skies. Play as a lone wolf or with your friends, coordinating to turn the tide of battle. This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive for storage. There are no refunds for this item. Multiplayer only. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts. REGISTRATION AND GOLD SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED. EA ONLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND FEATURE UPDATES ARE FOUND AT www.ea.com. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER WITH EA ONLINE. EA MAY PROVIDE CERTAIN INCREMENTAL CONTENT AND/OR UPDATES FOR NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE, IF AND WHEN AVAILABLE. EA MAY RETIRE THIS GAME AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON www.ea.com.

Add Battlefield 1943 to your Xbox 360 download queue

New Halo 3 Maps coming this Fall

Major Nelson — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:27:00 GMT

Bungie has posted a sneak peak of Heretic, Citadel, and Longshore, three maps you'll find packed into the Halo 3 multiplayer disc included with Halo 3: ODST when it ships in September.

LIVE Activity for week of June 29th

Major Nelson — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:16:00 GMT

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)

1    Halo 3
2    Call of Duty: WaW
3    Call of Duty 4
4    Gears of War 2
5    GTA IV
6    FIFA 09
7    Left 4 Dead
8    UFC 2009 Undisputed
9    Fallout 3
10   Rock Band 2

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)

1    Worms 2: Armageddon
2    Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers
3    THE KING OF FIGHTERS'98 ULTIMATE MATCH
4    Castle Crashers
5    UNO
6    Hasbro Family Game Night**
7    Worms
8    Sonic The Hedgehog 3
9    GAROU -MARK OF THE WOLVES-
10   Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
**Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles

Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)

1    Halo 2
2    Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3    Counter-Strike
4    Fable
5    Splinter Cell Chaos
6    Conker: Live Reloaded
7    Doom 3
8    Star Wars: Battlefront
9    SW: Republic Commando
10   SW: KOTOR

Top Community Games (Full Versions purchased)

1     Kodu Game Lab
2     RC-AirSim
3     myFishtank
4     A Perfect Massage
5     A Morons Challenge
6     Illusions 360
7     DrumKit
8     Rumble Massage
9     Shiatsu Massage
10    Aquarium HD

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Community Games, full versions purchased during the week.

Rock Band: Mayhem Tour and Green Day

Major Nelson — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:09:00 GMT

Content: "This is Exile"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "This is Exile" -- White Chapel. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "Black Magic"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Black Magic" -- Slayer. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "Disposable Teens"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Disposable Teens" -- Marilyn Manson. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "Embedded"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Embedded" -- Job For a Cowboy. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "Empire of the Gun"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Empire of the Gun" -- God Forbid. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "Hammer Smashed Face"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Hammer Smashed Face" -- Cannibal Corpse. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse" -- Black Dahlia. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "Conquer All"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Conquer All" -- Behemoth. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content:
"Know Your Enemy"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan

Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "Know Your Enemy" -- Green Day. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "East Jesus Nowhere"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "East Jesus Nowhere" -- Green Day. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: "21 Guns"
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: "21 Guns" -- Green Day. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: Green Day Pack 01
Price: 440 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Green Day Pack 01. This pack includes "21 Guns," "East Jesus Nowhere," and "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. This song game track pack includes three song game tracks at a discounted rate over individual purchases. Many Rock Band songs are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These songs are exactly the same. Be aware that it is possible to download the same song twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content:
Mayhem Tour 2009 Pack

Price: 1080 Microsoft Points
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Mayhem Tour 2009 Pack. This pack includes "Disposable Teens" by Marilyn Manson, "Empire of the Gun" by God Forbid, "This is Exile" by Whitechapel, "Hammer Smashed Face" by Cannibal Corpse, "Embedded" by Job For a Cowboy, "What A Horrible Night to Have a Curse" by Black Dahlia, "Conquer All" by Behemoth, and "Black Magic" by Slayer. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. This song game track pack includes eight song game tracks at a discounted rate over individual purchases. Many Rock Band songs are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These songs are exactly the same. It is possible to download the same song twice. For song credits visit RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Deal of the Week: N+

Major Nelson — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:16:00 GMT

Xbox LIVE Gold Members can now grab the Arcade game N+ for only 400 points. Normally 800 points, this Deal of the Week will be available until Monday, July 13th.

Add N+ to your Xbox 360 download queue

Next week on Arcade: Battlefield 1943

Major Nelson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:01:00 GMT

With the long holiday weekend almost here at the Xbox offices, I wanted to let you know that Battlefield 1943 is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade next week (July 8th) for 1200 points.

Silverlight ads on Xbox 360

Major Nelson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:16:00 GMT

I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion today about how we’re bringing Silverlight ads to LIVE in the future.
I need to let you know that you don’t need to worry about a huge influx of ads across the dashboard. One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we’ve done with some of the NXE slots in the past. No one on the team wants to turn the dashboard into something that looks like like Shibuya Crossing. That’s just not good for anyone.

Arcade: Worms 2: Armageddon

Major Nelson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Content: Worms 2: Armageddon
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: Prepare yourself for war! The worms are back, and this time they're back with a bang! Prepare yourself for more mayhem than you can handle… "Armageddon" style! With online and offline multiplayer, a raft of new weapons, all new landscape themes, play modes, hats, skins, speech-banks and single player content; it’s a package as high on fun as it is destruction!

Add Worms 2: Armageddon to your Xbox 360 download queue

Arcade: The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match

Major Nelson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:53:00 GMT

Content: THE KING OF FIGHTERS'98 ULTIMATE MATCH
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match] comes to Xbox LIVE! The fighting game “KOF98”, which fascinates the many game fans all over the world, comes to Xbox LIVE with new battle system, deadly moves and characters. It is time for you to experience what is so ULTIMATE!

Add The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match to your Xbox 360 download queue

LIVE Activity for week of June 22nd

Major Nelson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:18:00 GMT

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)

1    Halo 3
2    Call of Duty: WaW
3    Call of Duty 4
4    Gears of War 2
5    GTA IV
6    FIFA 09
7    UFC 2009 Undisputed
8    Left 4 Dead
9    Fallout 3
10    [PROTOTYPE]

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)

1    Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers
2    GAROU -MARK OF THE WOLVES-
3    Castle Crashers
4    Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
5    Worms
6    Sonic The Hedgehog 3
7    UNO
8    Hasbro Family Game Night**
9    MEGA MAN 9
10    Wolfenstein 3D Arcade

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
**Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles

Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)

1    Halo 2
2    Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3    Counter-Strike
4    Fable
5    Splinter Cell Chaos
6    Conker: Live Reloaded
7    Star Wars: Battlefront
8    Doom 3
9    Guilty Gear XX #Reload
10   SW: Republic Commando

Top Community Games (Full Versions purchased)

1 RC-AirSim  
2 myFishtank  
3 A Perfect Massage  
4 Illusions 360  
5 DrumKit  
6 Rumble Massage  
7 A Morons Challenge  
8 Golden Royal Hold'em  
9 Constructor360
10 Hangman's Revenge!

These lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade and Community Games, full versions purchased during the week.

This week on Arcade: Worms 2 and King of Fighters Ultimate

Major Nelson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:09:00 GMT

Worms 2: Armageddon and The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match will be available this Wednesday for 800 points each.

Deal of the Week: Fable II's Knothole Island

Major Nelson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:19:13 GMT

Xbox LIVE Gold Members can now grab the Knothole Island game add-on for Fable II for only 560 points. Normally 800 points, this Deal of the Week will be available until Monday, July 6th.

Add Knothole Island to your Xbox 360 download queue