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What: SwitchBall
When: 11/07/07 5AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10)
More Info: xbox.com
Screen Shots: my gallery

Without playing this or Marble Blast Ultra, I will make an assumption that this is a similar game.  I could be completely wrong on that fact but they both seem to have 3d boards and marbles :-)  Lots of my friends loved Marble Blast Ultra - so for the sake of Switchball I hope that my assumption is right, and it will most likely end up being a pretty big success - even so it looks like an interesting arcade game to at least try the demo.  Originally I posted about this game about a month ago - it is just one of the very large number of arcades Sierra Games has in store for us.  The following description comes direct from the press release:

In “Switchball,” players conquer breathtakingly beautiful labyrinthine mazes as they manipulate the unique physical properties of an ever-changeable ball to solve clever puzzles. Morph into the Metalball and ram objects out of your way, charge the Powerball to dash up ramps and jump over obstacles, switch to the Airball to float over physics based death traps or use the Marbleball for speedy rolling around action. Created by Sierra Online, “Switchball” empowers players to harness the laws of physics and triumphantly roll their way through five elegantly detailed 3D environments or they can join friends in 2 player co-op or 8 player competitive racing fun through Xbox LIVE. The game will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E.

Attached to the announcement of Mutant Storm Empire was a statement that microsoft is shooting for a target of over 100 games by the end of the year.  Which shouldn’t be hard to obtain with the release schedule they have been keeping too lately.  They also gave (very small) tips on upcoming releases.  One of which (undertow) I played waaaaay back in May.  Here’s what they had to offer on the upcoming titles - which are not listed in any particular order. 

• “N+”(Slick Entertainment and Metanet Software) – Play as an acrobatic ninja in this addictive action-puzzle platformer. N+ features inadvertently homicidal robots, stylish graphics, a level editor and intense multiplayer awesomeness.
• “Screwjumper!” (THQ) – Players take the plunge in “Screwjumper!” and free-fall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment.
• “SHREK-N-ROLL™” (Activision) – Gamers join “Shrek®,” “Fiona,” “Donkey,” “Puss in Boots” and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in this hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages.
• “SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam™” (Nickelodeon and THQ) – In this quick and fun game, players search the kitchen of the Krusty Krab, the Flying Dutchman’s ship and the Armoury of Atlantis for 99 pairs of underpants.
• “Switchball” (Sierra Online) – Based on real-world physics, “Switchball” is an intricate puzzle game set in a stunning 3-D world where players control an ever-changing ball along a narrow, winding course suspended in midair.
• “Undertow” (Chair Entertainment Group) – This fast-paced action-shooter sends gamers underwater as they battle up to 16 players for control of the oceans! Players race to upgrade their units as they engage in non-stop conquest-style battles through multiple levels of combat action with some of the most stunning graphics ever seen in an Xbox LIVE Arcade title.
• “Word Puzzle” (InterServ International) – The classic pen-and-paper word search game is brought to a new level of excitement on Xbox LIVE Arcade, complete with combos, high-score achievements and the ability to compete against others online.

Sierra Online has just unvieled their first details on two upcoming titles Aces of the Galaxy and Boogie Bunnies.  Both are scheduled to release on windows PC and The Xbox Live Arcade this winter.  More details on each game to follow later in this posting.

Additionally they have released some new details on some other upcoming titles such as : Commanders: Attack of the Genos, Arkadian Warriors, Assault Heroes PC, Switchball and Battlestar Galactica.

Everyone better keep an eye on Sierra, lots of things in the works, you are bound to like some….or maybe all of them!

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