XBOX LIVE NEWSBEAT: VOL. 9, May 4, 2010
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fit your “Game Room” (Microsoft Game Studios) with more arcade classics. From asteroids to airplanes, you and your friends can battle to the max, climb the universal leaderboards, and earn achievements in your ever-growing “Game Room” collection. Fan favorites like “Battlezone” (Atari), “Keystone Kapers” (Activision) and more launch on May 12, followed by hits like “Asteroids” (Atari) and “Time Pilot” (Konami) and others on May 19.
Set your alarm clocks because at 9:00 am PDT on May 14 to 9:00 am PDT on May 17, “Halo 3” (Microsoft Game Studios) and “Halo: Reach” (Microsoft Game Studios) will host a global multiplayer beta unlock event. Xbox LIVE Silver members will be able to play “Halo 3” and “Halo: Reach” multiplayer beta if they have the “Halo 3: ODST” game disc. A hero will rise – make sure it’s you.
A note from the Xbox LIVE team…
As you know, we’ve been experimenting and evolving the way we deliver Xbox LIVE news on a regular basis, so we’re taking some time to put the Newsbeat on hold and revamp some things, but we’ll be back after E3. In the meantime, you can look to Major Nelson’s blog and Twitter feed to catch the latest LIVE news and updates.
AVATAR MARKETPLACE
On May 6, deck out your Avatar in customized gear from “FINAL FANTASY® XIII” (Square Enix Co.) and the raddest retro threads and kicks from “Game Room” (Microsoft Game Studios). Take your swagger to the battlefield on May 13 with apparel items from “ARMY OF TWO™” (Electronic Arts). Feeling more Medieval? Avatar Marketplace has you and the whole town square covered in items from Xbox LIVE Arcade favorite “A Kingdom for Keflings” (Microsoft) also releasing on May 13.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE
From cryptic puzzles to opossum heroes (yes, opossum heroes), Xbox LIVE Arcade delivers hot new downloadable games at a great value.
Zeno Clash™ Ultimate Edition (Atlus U.S.A., Inc.)
May 5 | 1200 Microsoft Points
In the land of Zenozoik, the city of Halstedom is ruled by a powerful clan, one that Ghat has betrayed by slaying Father-Mother, the clan’s leader. You, as Ghat, must fight your way through your former brothers and sisters, crazed individualists, and more in order to escape their vengeance in the first-person puncher, “Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition.” The bare-knuckled brawl to reach the truth has just begun. “Zeno Clash Ultimate Edition” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and available in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
RayStorm HD (Square Enix Co.)
May 5 | 1200 Microsoft Points
A high-definition remake of the classic out-of-this-world shooting adventure, Raystorm puts you in the captain’s seat of a brand-new R-Gray prototype aircraft and sends you out to save the humans. “RayStorm HD” is rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB and available worldwide (except Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Korea).
Rocket Knight (Konami)
May 12 | 1200 Microsoft Points
Sparkster makes his triumphant arrival on next-gen consoles with “Rocket Knight.” Our favorite opossum hero returns home after 15 years to find the kingdom of Zephyrus in shambles. Use your wits and Sparkster’s trusty rocket pack to dodge and defeat a menacing wolf army threatening the lives of his people. “Rocket Knight” is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB and will be available worldwide.
Snoopy Flying Ace (Microsoft Game Studios)
June 2 | 800 Microsoft Points
You can’t have aerial dogfighting without the dog! Join Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in the premier online flight shooter on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Snoopy Flying Ace.” With simple flight controls and a hangar full of customizable planes and weapons, all you need are nerves of steel to climb the Leaderboards and become a Flying Ace! “Snoopy Flying Ace” takes addictive, fast-paced airborne combat to new heights, with fantastic solo and co-op challenges testing your skills against the Flying Circus of the dreaded Red Baron. Remember, it ain’t the size of the dog in the fight…it’s the size of the fight in the dog! “Snoopy Flying Ace” is rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB and available worldwide (except for Taiwan and Korea).
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Never thought you’d be able to steal cars and play with primates in the same month? The possibilities are endless as Deal of the Week delivers deep discounts on high-stakes larceny and primitive islands. On May 17, top it off with the LeChuck Pirate Hat (LucasArts) for your Avatar for just 40 Microsoft Points, and grab your Avatar Cotton Swab (LucasArts) for 80 Microsoft Points to swashbuckle in style.
The Secret of Monkey Island®: Special Edition (LucasArts)
May 17 | 400 Microsoft Points
Pirates, adventure, and monkeys! You can’t really go wrong as you relive the hilarious swashbuckling misadventures of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean. Back by popular demand, “The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition” features an all-new art style, hand-drawn and presented in 1080p, complete voice over by members of the original “Monkey Island™” franchise cast and a completely re-mastered musical score using live instruments. Island life never looked, or sounded, so good. “The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition” is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB and available everywhere (except Japan and Korea).
GAME ADD-ONS
Check out upcoming Game Add-ons that extend the life of blockbuster hits like “Super Street Fighter™ IV” (Capcom) and have you taking the pink ribbon off your eyes while singing hits from No Doubt and Miley Cyrus.
Rock Band™: No Doubt’s “Tragic Kingdom” (MTV Games)
May 4 | 1600 Microsoft Points
You’ve had it up to here with not being able to play your favorite songs from No Doubt’s third studio album, Tragic Kingdom. Now you and your band can break it down to “Just a Girl” and “Spiderwebs” and all of the Tragic Kingdom hits just like you did in 1995. You might need to screen your calls – Tragic Kingdom is here. “Rock Band™” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and available worldwide (except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan).
Lips Miley Cyrus Song Pack (Microsoft Game Studios)
May 7 | 440 Microsoft Points each
On May 7, the Lips Music Store will offer a special Miley Cyrus Game Add-on bonus pack for “Lips” fans who want to sing along to their favorite teen sensation. For a limited time, Xbox LIVE members who purchase the Miley Cyrus Song Pack, which includes “7 Things,” “See You Again,” and “The Climb,” will get a free bonus track, “Fly on the Wall.” For 440 MS Points, you can add four hit songs to your “Lips” collection for the price of three tunes – the perfect treat for any Miley Cyrus fan. “Lips” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and available worldwide.
Forza Motorsport 3: “Exotic Car Pack” (Microsoft Game Studios)
May 11 | 400 Microsoft Points
Grab the keys to the most striking selection of cars yet and jump into the racing action! Selected by Turn 10, in conjunction with IGN, the new car pack for “Forza Motorsport 3” will add some of the most exotic new cars in the world to your showroom. For more information on the “Exotic Car Pack,” stay tuned to http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/default.htm. “Forza Motorsport 3” is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and available worldwide.
Super Street Fighter™ IV: “Super Shoryuken Pack” (Capcom)
May 13 | 320 Microsoft Points
This Add-on includes alternate costumes for Ryu, Ken, Akuma, Gouken, and Dan. “Super Street Fighter™ IV” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and available worldwide.
Dragon Age: Origins “Darkspawn Chronicles” (Electronic Arts)
May 18 | 400 Microsoft Points
This Add-on, “Darkspawn Chronicles” extends the life of “Dragon Age: Origins,” the dark fantasy epic that has you playing as a Grey Warden, one of the last of a legendary order of guardians. With the return of mankind’s ancient foe and the kingdom engulfed in civil war, you have been chosen by fate to unite the shattered lands and slay the archdemon once and for all. “Dragon Age: Origins,” is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and available worldwide (except Japan).
Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers “Expansion Pack 2” (Wizards of the Coast)
Spring 2010 | 400 Microsoft Points
“Expansion Pack 2” features new decks as well as new cards and new decks from the latest “Magic: The Gathering” trading card game sets. Wield Nicol Bolas’ “Eons of Evil” deck, unlock three new cards for each deck you already own and defeat eight new campaign levels. This expansion pack also contains four new co-op levels, five new challenge levels, three achievements for 50 total Gamerscore and Avatar Rewards. “Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planewalkers” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and available worldwide.
GAMES ON DEMAND
Games on Demand is going rogue in May! It still delivers the titles you want 24×7, straight to your Xbox 360, but this month’s theme is war. Sharpen your shooting skills, take to the battlefield, become a heroic Persian Prince and more in the coming weeks.
Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway™ (Ubisoft)
May 4 | Releasing worldwide (except Japan and Korea)
Delivering on the franchise’s compelling story, unrivalled authenticity and intense squad-based action, “Brothers in Arms® Hell’s Highway” drops you into the largest WWII airborne operation: Operation Market Garden. The Allies were fresh from their victory at Normandy and had a simple plan to get some trucks up a highway and be home by Christmas. But it didn’t happen as planned. See the action for yourself in “Brothers in Arms® Hell’s Highway.” “Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway™” is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
Prince of Persia® (Ubisoft)
May 4 | Releasing worldwide (except Japan)
“Prince of Persia” is set in a land rooted in ancient Persian mythology, with the Prince finding himself caught in an epic battle between the primal forces of light and darkness—the God of Light, Ormazd versus his brother Ahriman, the destructive God of Darkness. The Prince arrives just in time to witness the destruction of the legendary Tree of Life, an act which threatens to plunge the entire world into eternal darkness. The Prince must partner with Elika, a deadly companion, to heal the world from the evil Corruption, a dark substance that physically contaminates the land and the skies. “Prince of Persia®” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
Tom Clancy’s EndWar™ (Ubisoft)
May 11 | Releasing worldwide (except Japan)
By 2016, the world is seized by an energy crisis of catastrophic proportions that sees many governments struggling to maintain civil and economic order. By 2020, the United States, Russia and Europe are locked in a spiraling arms race. Each has put a dozen ground-effect weapons and satellites into orbit. One spark will ignite what no one thought could ever happen –World War III. The conflict comes to life in “Tom Clancy’s EndWar™.” “Tom Clancy’s EndWar™” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
Command & Conquer 3™ (Electronic Arts)
May 18 | Releasing in Asia
Control massive armies and wage war as one of as one of three rival factions in “Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars.” Embark on an adrenaline-fueled single-player campaign that features explosive 3D special effects, an unparalleled Hollywood cast, and over 90 minutes of live-action video. Then, head onto Xbox Live for devastating multiplayer battles with five exclusive modes and Xbox Live Vision support. You alone can decide the fate of the planet in the epic war over Tiberium. Welcome back, Commander. “Command & Conquer 3™” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat™ (Electronic Arts)
May 25 | Releasing in Europe, Australia and New Zealand
The “Battlefield” franchise explodes onto Xbox LIVE with “Battlefield 2: Modern Combat™.” The game delivers fierce online multiplayer competition and a story-driven single-player campaign where gamers see both sides of the war. “Battlefield 2: Modern Combat™” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more classic “Battlefield” experiences on Xbox LIVE, try the original “Battlefield: Bad Company™,” prequel to the hit-selling “Battlefield: Bad Company 2” and “Battlefield 1943™,” one of the best selling Arcade games of 2009.
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