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What: Super Contra
When: July 25, 2007 5AM EST
How Much: 400 MP ($5)
Screen Shots: My Gallery 

The fight for freedom continues! Reprise your role as either Bill Rizer or Lance Bean in this follow-up to the arcade classic “Contra,” which made waves in arcades everywhere in 1987. The nefarious forces of Red Falcon have been wounded but they are far from defeated! The alien menace has taken control of a military installation in South America and they must be defeated for the sake of humanity. Experience the authentic gameplay of “Super Contra” with an updated look and feel by battling through several risky missions either solo or in two player co-op mode, just like in the original.

“Super Contra” will become available worldwide this Wednesday for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E10+.

Game Features

• Two gameplay modes: single player or two player co-op, either locally on the same Xbox 360 or over Xbox LIVE.
• Players can choose to play with either the original graphics or the enhanced graphics.
• Compete for the weekly and all time high scores on the Leaderboards.
• Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore.

What: Wing Commander Arena
When: July 25, 2007 5AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10)

Flash forward to the year 2071: in “Wing Commander Arena,” players form an elite flying squadron to combat the enemy armada of the Kilrathi Empire. Featuring four modes of gameplay, nine maps and the first 16 player multiplayer combat on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Wing Commander Arena” is the perfect mix of arcade fun and modern multiplayer chaos.

“Wing Commander Arena” on Xbox LIVE Arcade is a completely new iteration in the “Wing Commander” franchise. “Wing Commander Arena” will become available worldwide (with the exception of Japan and Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

• The first Xbox LIVE Arcade title featuring multiplayer gameplay for up to 16 players over Xbox LIVE.
• Four gameplay modes: Single Player, Multiplayer Team, Free for All, and Duel
  • Players can choose from 18 different ships that can be customized with cloaking devices, mines, energy weapons, missiles and more!
• Skill-based matchmaking for ranked games.
• Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore.

Ok if you haven’t notice I have not really been keeping up with and posting all the E3 news - mostly because I am rather busy with work and I can’t even keep up - let alone repost everything.  I am well aware that all of you will get your news in other ways, if you go to just my blog for news - you really are living in the dark

 But I do have some news, we (and by we I mean 99.9% ZaaM) have been working for a bit now on the latest version of the Live Eye.  There are some enhancements and also a little bit of a redesign on colors and layout.  You might also notice that it now resides on its own domain, that’s right this project has grown enough we considered hosting it as its own beast, don’t worry 360friendspot, the community and other services we provide are still going to exist.  So head on over and check out the new Live eye!

 
What: Project Sylpheed
When: 07/10/07
How Much: $39.99
More Info: Project Sylpheed
Screen Shots: My Gallery

Starting today, the galaxy will be filled with all willing and able pilots with the release of “Project Sylpheed,” exclusively for the Xbox 360. Published by Microsoft and Square Enix, “Project Sylpheed” is rated “T” for Teen and will be available at retailers in North America at the estimated retail price of $39.99.

Developed by Game Arts, developers of the original “Silpheed,” and SETA Corporation, “Project Sylpheed” revitalizes the franchise from a side-scrolling arcade classic into a next-generation, intergalactic 3-D dogfight.

Gamers play as main character Katana Faraway in the immersive story line of “Project Sylpheed,” as they attempt to save the Terra Central Government (TCG) from the brink of chaos, against the evil ADAN alliance. “Project Sylpheed” features almost an hour of beautifully orchestrated cinematic cut-scenes between extreme battles where enemies can number in the thousands. Fully customizable starships and intense space combat provide gamers with the experience of triumphing over insurmountable odds, against swarms of enemies and battleships hundreds of times the size of their starfighters.

Eager intergalactic aerial pilots have the opportunity to hone their skills on the “Project Sylpheed” demo, which is available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The demo includes an entire mission with an expanded weapons arsenal as players will experience the frenetic space combat available in “Project Sylpheed,” in addition to a full tutorial level and in-game introduction trailer to familiarize them with the challenges ahead in the beautiful and expansive final game.

For more information on “Project Sylpheed” visit www.project-sylpheed.com or watch the “Project Sylpheed” walkthrough video at www.On10.net.

That’s right folks - its that time of year where my company ships me and the wife (and all of the other employees) to a nice little trip to NYC.  Since the wife and I rarely get time alone (kids are staying home with the grandparents) I am fighting the urge to bring the laptop and just going to enjoy the weekend with her.  We have a broadway show, some shopping, and a night at Carolines comedy club planned - time will tell what else the trip will entail.

 If we take any photos I will throw them up on the family blog, and link them if anyone is interested.

What: Missle Command
When: July 04, 2007 5AM EST
How Much: 400 MP ($5)
Screen Shots: My Gallery

Personally I think this game is looking pretty smooth - and for only 400MPs ($5) compared to the recent arcade releases this is a steal.  Unfortunately it will be a while before I get to give it a try - let me know what you think! :)  Official press release to follow:

While staying true to the original arcade classic, the enhanced “Missile Command” for Xbox LIVE Arcade has players acting as regional commander of three anti-missile batteries defending six cities in their zone. As Planet Zardon is under attack by an endless hail of interplanetary ballistic missiles from Krytol, players must act fast to fend off the missiles and keep their cities intact. Gliding across the sky, players complete levels by taking out all enemy weaponry. At the end of a level, players can earn bonus points for the more cities that remain and the fewer missiles that are used.

“Missile Command” will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

• Beautifully rendered 3D graphics and updated music and sound effects
• Up to two players can play together locally or over Xbox LIVE
• Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

For the second year running, fans around the world thirsting for a sneak preview of the Xbox 360™ holiday games and entertainment lineup can get together with friends to experience the E3 Media & Business Summit (E3) — the biggest video game industry event of the year — in high definition from the comfort of their own homes.

From Tuesday, July 10, through Friday, July 13, Microsoft Corp. is bringing E3 home to owners of the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system through its second annual E3: Bringing It Home, which offers downloads on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace of the hottest content from the show.

Connect to the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network and bring everyone together in the living room to enjoy the E3 experience with E3: Bringing It Home.

Xbox 360 owners will be able to download high-definition content direct from the show including the following:

• Microsoft’s E3 2007 press conference — beginning at 8:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 10 — will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace in high definition later in the week
• Video updates direct from the show
• A selection of game trailers, themes, gamer pictures and demos will be available from the hottest E3 titles such as these:
  • “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.)
  • “Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft)
  • “BioShock” (2K)
  • “Blue Dragon” (Microsoft Game Studios)
  • “Burnout Paradise” (Electronic Arts Inc.)
  • “CALL OF DUTY® 4: MODERN WARFARE™” (Activision)
  • “FIFA Soccer 08” (Electronic Arts)
  • “Guitar Hero III” (Activision/RedOctane)
  • “Lost Odyssey™” (Microsoft Game Studios)
  • “Madden NFL 08” (Electronic Arts)
  • “NCAA Football 08” (Electronic Arts)
  • “Need for Speed: ProStreet” (Electronic Arts)
  • “Project Gotham Racing® 4” (Microsoft Game Studios)
  • “The Simpsons Game” (Electronic Arts)
  • “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08” (Electronic Arts)
  • “WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008” (THQ)

In addition to all this content, there will be many surprises, so fans should stay tuned to the Xbox LIVE calendar (http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live/marketplace/ticker.htm) for updates about what E3: Bringing It Home content will be available during the show.