Penny Arcade Episode 1 IS your game of the week!

Though announced last week, the official press release for Penny Arcade: Episode 1 has been released!

The first episodic RPG-Adventure game to grace Xbox LIVE Arcade, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is the result of a collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade. The first episode sends players to a deranged 1920s comic-book-meets-pulp-horror universe called New Arcadia. Armed with unconventional weaponry, players join forces with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency to make war on bizarre enemies and solve the mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One offers players the ability to design their own customizable character, a dynamic turn-based combat system and the ability to transfer your customized character’s stats and inventories to future episodes, or start fresh with each episode. Fans of Penny Arcade will appreciate the authenticity of the game, which features distinctive artwork and characters designed by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik and a story and dialogue written by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins.

The game will be released worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 1600 Microsoft Points this Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage!

Click here for more pictures of the game!

On top of this the game has been making the rounds with the press - Firstly, Penny Arcade Adventures had a preview on Gamespot's On the Spot last week, which you can watch below:


As well as that, the Penny Arcade creators was a large part of this weeks Major Nelson podcast!

Show #279: Gabe and Tycho from Penny Arcade

This week’s show:
Co-host : e
Xbox News
This weeks announcements
NPD Numbers
Interview: Gabe and Tycho, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness (13:47–48:39)
Name the Game
Much more…

Download the podcast here or join the RSS feed!

New Xbox Originals - Stubbs and Gauntlet!

Two new Xbox Originals have graced the platform - Stubbs The Zombie and Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows!

Content: Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Korea and Japan
Size: 1.92 GB
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (MATURE) CRUDE HUMOR, BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, SEXUAL THEMES, STRONG LANGUAGE] Local Multiplayer 2, 5.1 Surround Sound.
Details: Punchbowl is a paradise of hovercars and helper robots, where crime and pollution simply don't exist. It's the perfect city: safe, clean, and convenient. Stubbs can't wait to move in … and have the last laugh on humanity.

Content: Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Japan or Korea
Size: 1.17 GB
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (TEEN) VIOLENCE] Local Multiplayer 2-4.
Details: Seven Sorrows is the fusion of fantasy fighting action with the strategy and fascination of user-friendly RPG elements, challenging gamers in solo play, co-op, and a thriving online community. (Don't know about that last bit... anyone?)

Source: Major Nelson

XBLA Activity for week of 4/28 & 5/5

XBLA Activity for week of 4/28

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Brain Challenge (+5)
2 DOOM (+1)
3 UNO (+1)
4 Ikaruga (-2)
5 N+ (+1)
6 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (+4)
7 Worms (-)
8 Bomberman LIVE (-)
9 Marble Blast Ultra (V)
10 Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting (V)

XBLA Activity for week of 5/5

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Wits & Wagers (debut)
2 UNO (+1)
3 DOOM (-1)
4 Brain Challenge (-3)
5 Ikaruga (-1)
6 N+ (-1)
7 Bomberman LIVE (+1)
8 Worms (-1)
9 Assault Heroes (V)
10 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (-4)

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Wits & Wagers starts off with a strong push. Unfortunately Lost Cities has... well, lost itself. and gone off the lists. The rest being your regular contributors to your regular XBLA Activity lists.

Source: Major Nelson

Major Nelson Podcast - Assault Heroes 2 and Wits & Wagers Interviews!

This weeks episode of the Major Nelson podcast has an interview with two Xbox Live Arcade Developers - Michael Fahrny, a Producer from Sierra Online (previously with Battlestar Galactica) about Assault Heroes 2, and Mark Terrano of Hidden Path Entertainment about Wits & Wagers.

This week’s show:
Co-host : e
Xbox News
Interview: Michael Fahrny, Assault Heroes 2 (23:43–30:36)
Interview: Mark Terrano, Wits and Wagers (30:38–47:44)
Name the game
and more...

Download the podcast here or join the RSS feed.

The Assault Heroes 2 interview is unfortunately very short, but the Wits & Wagers one is good, talking about how XBLA is currently doing and how Mark believes it should work.

Source: Major Nelson

XBLA Activity for week of 4/21

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Lost Cities (debut)
2 Ikaruga (-1)
3 DOOM (+2)
4 UNO (+2)
5 Brain Challenge (-2)
6 N+ (+1)
7 Worms (+1)
8 Bomberman LIVE (+1)
9 Battlezone (-7)
10 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (-)
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Lost Cities has debuted at number one this week - much better than the previous 2 releases Rocky & Bullwinkle and Battlezone. R&B has dropped out of the 10 completely, with Battlezone hanging in there at 8th spot.

Ikaruga still selling incredibly well - and everything is is pretty normal. N+, Worms, Sonic 2, DOOM, UNO and Bomberman still continually selling better than everything else on the service.

Source: Major Nelson

XBLA Activity for week of 4/14

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Ikaruga (-)
2 Battlezone (debut)
3 Brain Challenge (+1)
4 Rocky and Bullwinkle (debut)
5 DOOM (-2)
6 UNO (+3)
7 N+ (+1)
8 Worms (-1)
9 Bomberman LIVE (+1)
10 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (v)

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

From the previous week (which I've admittedly been skipping the past few weeks, too busy unfortunately) we can see that Ikaruga is still on top for the second week in a row. Mr. Driller Online, which last week was at No. 2 last week, has suddenly dropped off the map and out of the top 10. Surprising since it stayed quite high in its second week.

Dissapointing debuts for Battlezone and - more surprisingly - Rocky & Bullwinkle, since it was meant to appeal to a wider demographic. Poor reviews aside, I think Zen Studios were expecting big things from Bullwinkle.

Brain Challenge continues to sell well - and unlike Bullwinkle appears to have found it's niche and has done well for itself.

Source: Major Nelson - LIVE Activity for week of 4/14

Major Nelson Podcast - Interview with Sierra Online's Ross Erickson

After making the rounds on the Three Red Lights Podcast, Sierra Online's Ross Erickson has popped up on the Major Nelson Podcast, discussing their recent and upcoming XBLA games!

On Lost Cities:

"Possibly 3 weeks out [before release, maybe]"

On Assault Heroes 2:

"Bigger Badder, Better, Bolder. A lot more enemies, lot of weapons. [...] Playing with the camera for different opportunities, hijacking weapons.."

On Aces of the Galaxy:

"Pure Adrenalin Space Combat, a cross between Starfox 64 meets the original Warhawk on PSOne."

On upcoming games:

"We have roughly a dozen titles in production for the XBLA right now, we're very committed to the platform."

On the quality of games:

MN: "Recently there has been some Buzz on the internet with the quality of games on the XBLA. That's got to hit you right below the belt!"

RE: "Well it kind of does in two ways, number one I'm responsible for identifying and fighting for some of these games to come to the XBLA and that covers a wide variety of game experiences and types for different kinds of users, and you're also talking about games I'm publishing right now.

I can appreciate when people - particularly hardcore gamers who have their favorites talk about their favorite game. I think the situation is that gamers are very wide and diverse these days. I like Astropop but I don't think many people pay attention to it much.

Some categories on XBLA on the original vision was diversity and something fun for everyone. I can't get my wife to pay Assault Heroes for instance, and I like N+ and Commanders but they're very different kinds of games."

On bringing classics to the service:

"There is a lot of buzz around Bionic Commando and the fans of that, and we're looking at some of our old franchises and not just figuring out how to quickly put a coat of paint on it, but how to reinvent the franchise without turning it into another franchise.

A lot of our franchises at Sierra have been known as retail 50-60 dollar games and here we are with Sierra Online and seeing how we can bring IP we own to the online space, so it's a challenge but a lot of fun too!"

There is also a great discussion about just how much Erickson loves Lode Runner, and his difficult time in trying to find just who owns the rights to the franchise. A great interview.

Download the podcast here or join the RSS feed.

Podcast wrapup - Capcom Gamers Day, Bionic Commando and Fable 2 Arcade titles

Bionic Commando Podcast chats about the new videos that were released this week of the top down view and the official Bionic Commando Rearmed price (which is $10US). They also announce that.. there will be another announcement NEXT week about yet another new mode in Bionic Commando Rearmed!

Top Secret File 011: Kris Zimmerman, Voice Director, & Chip Beaman, Voiceover Manager: Top Secret goes on location at the voice recording session of Bionic Commando in Hollywood, California, as we talk to Soundelux VO manager Chip Beaman, and the Voice Director of Bionic Commando, Kris Zimmerman. We find out what it takes to make a game sound great, and explore the mixed past of Capcom voiceovers.

Download the episode here or join the RSS feed.

EGM Live discusses the Capcom Digital Day from last week, with some small previews of each game:

We're all over the map this week: opening the reader mailbag, announcing the winners of the EGM Smash Bros. cover contest, reporting on Capcom's upcoming batch of download games, and enjoying the first week of Smash Brawl.

Download the episode here or join the RSS feed.

Major Nelson has Peter Molyneux on his podcast, in which he discusses the upcoming Fable 2 XBLA games - which have all been named now. Besides the previously announced Keystone, there is Wizard's Tower and Mage Dice. Thanks for Xbox360fanboy for poinint this out.. There is only so much Molyneux you can take at a time.

Show #272: Battlefield: Bad Company, Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Peter Molyneux

Co-host : e
Interview: Karl-Magnus, Battlefield: Bad Company (15:47–27:54)
Interview: Philippe Therien, Rainbow Six Vegas (27:55–42:54)
Interview: Peter Molyneux, Fable 2 (42:56–1:21:55)
Name the game
and more...

Download the episode here or join the RSS feed.

XBLA Activity for week of 3/3

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 N+
2 Rocketmen:Axis of Evil (debut)
3 Triggerheart Exelica (-1)
4 UNO
5 Worms (-2)
6 TMNT 1989 Arcade (-1)
7 Bomberman LIVE (-1)
8 Chessmaster Live
9 Rez HD (-2)
10 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (-1)

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased. N+ is holding very well - still in top spot. Everything else is essentially down a peg because of Rocketmen.

Oh look, Bliss Island gets released this week (and Brain Challenge)

Despite never being announced, Bliss Island is coming out this week, as well as Brain Challenge from Gameloft - the guys who did the POP remake, and also released the game for the Nintendo DS. So this week - a PC port and DS port! Portastic!

Experience the first mind exercise game available on Xbox LIVE Arcade with Gameloft’s “Brain Challenge” and harness the power of the wind to conquer levels in Codemasters’ “Bliss Island,” an updated version of the popular Windows Vista puzzler. Both titles will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).

Don’t let a good mind go to waste! Increase brain activity with “Brain Challenge,” an entertaining brain training program that helps players develop stress-management skills through a wide variety of games. A personal coach helps players develop their abilities in five areas of cognitive function, including logic, math, memory, visual thinking and concentration, in a fun and easy way.

Brain Challenge

“Brain Challenge” has something for everyone including Daily Test Mode, where players undergo a series of brain exercises and Stress Mode, which tests player’s abilities to stay calm under stress. For those looking for a relaxing experience, Creative Mode allows players to relax and explore their imagination and Child Test lets players play & share their exercises with younger people.

For competitive players, the game features multiplayer support for up to four players offline and online, as well as detailed stats and graphs where they can track their overall performance and progression.

Developed and published by Gameloft, “Brain Challenge” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Check out new images of Brain Challenge here!
View the Xbox.com webpage here!

Bliss Island

Explore “Bliss Island” as Hoshi the Zwooph, a mystical blue creature that emits precise puffs of air to create clouds. Help Hoshi become the Bliss Island champion by winning over 25 unique challenges across nine intense levels. Better yet, challenge friends online for more competitive gameplay or focus on topping the Leaderboard charts! Codemasters’ “Bliss Island” will be available worldwide (with the exception of Japan and Korea) for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Check out new images of Bliss Island here!
Check out the Xbox.com webpage here!

Source: Major Nelson

Rocketmen is up!

Developer: A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games Inc.
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action
Price: 800 Microsoft Point
Availability: Worldwide (with the exception of Japan and Korea)

Click here to check out pictures of the game!

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage!

Click here for the official NeoGAF forum topic!

Source: Major Nelson

XBLA Activity for weeks of 2/18 and 2/25

Seems I missed out on last weeks update..

LIVE Activity for week of 2/18 - Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 N+ (debut)
2 UNO (+3)
3 Rez HD
4 Commanders: Attack (-2)
5 Bomberman LIVE (+3)
6 Chessmaster Live (-2)
7 Poker Smash (-6)
8 TMNT 1989 Arcade (10+)
9 Worms (+1)
10 Marble Blast Ultra (10+)

N+ Debuted very high - scoring #7 on the overall Xbox 360 game chart! UNO's become a little popular again due mostly to Vision Camera bundles being on sale over the week.

LIVE Activity for week of 2/25 - Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 N+
2 Triggerheart Exelica (debut)
3 Worms (+7)
4 UNO (-1)
5 TMNT 1989 Arcade (+3)
6 Bomberman LIVE (-1)
7 Rez HD (-4)
8 Chessmaster Live (-2)
9 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (10+)
10 Marble Blast Ultra

N+ still going stong, and STILL sitting in in #7 on the overall top 10. According to Leaderboard estimates - by tomorrow N+ will have sold just over 50,000 copies. Good going Metanet!

Worms made a big leap due to Target in the US having a "Buy 1 get 1 free" with the Bogo cards. Surprisingly Mortal Kombat 3 and Boom Boom Rocket not making a resurgence despite being those to get for free.

Keep buying Rez please!

Source: Major Nelson.

Podcast wrapup - Rocketmen interview, XBLA catchup

Major Nelson has an interview with Tim Innes from Capcom about Rocketmen this week - as well as an interview with Chris Satchell about the XNA inititive:

Major Nelson Podcast #270

This week’s show:
Co-host : e
We discuss GDC
Interview: Boris Schneider-Johne, Xbox Germany (17:48–51:55)
Interview: Tim Innes, Capcom (Rocketmen : Axis of Evil) (51:57 – 01:05:21)
Interview: Chris Satchell, XNA and GDC (01:05:23–01:34:00)
We say goodbye to our friend HD DVD
Name the game
and more...

Download here or join the RSS feed

Meanwhile, Player One Podcast catches up on the past few weeks of XBLA:

POP Ep.71: What's a boss?

With Greg Sewart away this week, we welcome EGM's Managing Editor Greg Ford to the program to chat about games. Those we discuss this week include N+, Rock Band, God of War: Chains of Olympus, Burnout Paradise, Triggerheart Exelica, Lost Odyssey, Patapon and Chessmaster Live, among others. We also spend some time talking with Greg about how he got into the industry, his extremely powerful handshake, the new 1UP/EGM review scale and more.

Download here or join the RSS feed

Triggerheart Exelica is up!

Developer: WARASHI Inc.
Publisher: WARASHI Inc.
Genre: Shooter
Price: 800 Microsoft Points

Click here to check out pictures of the game!

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage!

Click here for the official NeoGAF forum topic!

Source: Major Nelson