Xbox LIVE Newsbeat: Vol. 10

July 7, 2010 - E3 2010 may have made history, but the Xbox LIVE Newsbeat is back with all-new content for you, your friends and your Avatars. Xbox LIVE Arcade dives head first into the summer fun with thethird annual Summer of Arcade – delivering five straight weeks of fun, non-stop gaming. Get lost in “ Limbo” (Microsoft Game Studios) on 21st July, or race across the open waters with “ Hydro Thunder Hurricane” (Microsoft Game Studios) on 28th July. Starting 4th August, battle the undead in “ Castlevania: Harmony of Despair” (Konami Entertainment). On 11th August, battle it out with “Monday Night Combat” (Microsoft Game Studios) and bring Summer of Arcade to a climactic close on 18th August when you traverse the jungles of Central America in “ Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light” (Square Enix).

Looking for pirates? Adventure? Monkeys? Yarrrr! On 7th July, get your fill with the epic pirate misadventure, “ Monkey Island ^TM 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge ^TM ” (Lucas Arts), plus outfit your Avatar to battle LeChuck with new apparel from the game. Start swashbuckling to see if you can overcome the wrath of LeChuck’s revenge!

The show written for gamers, about gamers, by a gamer, “ The Guild,” is back! Season four kicks off on 13th July return to "The Knights of Good" for a fourth time with this award-winning web series. Episodes vary from 3-6 minutes in length, and follow the Guild members’ lives online and offline.

AVATAR MARKETPLACE

Dense Jungle…unforgiving desert…even the vacuum of space. Avatar Marketplace has something for every climate. Celebrate the launch of “ Monkey Island ^TM 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge ^TM ” (Lucas Arts) on 7th July with new apparel and set out for a trek through the desert with clothing and props from “ Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands ^TM ” (Ubisoft) on 8th July. One week later, choose from a selection of “ Deadliest Warrior The Game ^TM ” (SPIKE GAMES) gear from history’s greatest fighters, releasing 14th July.

On 15th July, turn your Avatar into a Spartan warrior with duds from what promises to be the biggest game of 2010, “ Halo ^® : Reach” (Microsoft Game Studios).

XBOX LIVE ARCADE

Whether you’re a deadly warrior, a manic monkey, or searching for an elusive artefact to save the world, Xbox LIVE Arcade has the best selection of downloadable games to keep you playing all summer long. Be on the lookout for new “ Game Room” (Microsoft) titles, including “ Utopia” (Intellivision) and “ Major Havoc” (Atari). For full game release updates, check out the “Game Room” Facebook and Twitter pages.

Blacklight: Tango Down (Ignition Entertainment)

7th July | 1200 Microsoft Points

In “Blacklight: Tango Down,” experience the bleeding edge of advanced warfare. Participate in the “NetWar”: a hyper-realistic battlefield letting you fight tomorrow’s conflicts with or against your friends in the gritty Blacklight universe. Customise your character and weaponry from among thousands of combinations to become the ultimate soldier. The battle begins 7th July on Xbox LIVE Arcade! “Blacklight: Tango Down” is rated PEGI 16+.

Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge (LucasArts)

7th July | 800 Microsoft Points

We told you about it last week, and now it’s all here! More Pirates! More Adventure! More Monkeys! Relive the second hilarious swashbuckling misadventure of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he searches for the lost treasure of Big Whoop, attempts to win back the beautiful Elaine Marley and takes on the now evil zombie pirate, LeChuck! “Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge” is rated PEGI 12+ and available worldwide.

DeathSpank ^TM (Electronic Arts)

14th July | 1200 Microsoft Points

For uncounted years the wanderer, DeathSpank, has been a Dispenser of Justice, a Vanquisher of Evil, and a Hero to the Downtrodden. Throughout his adventures, DeathSpank has searched for a powerful artefact called...The Artefact. Forged by unknown hands for unknown purposes some unknown time in the past, The Artefact is now within DeathSpank’s reach, but what is The Artefact and what evil tyrant seeks to steal it? “DeathSpank” is rated PEGI 12+ and available worldwide.

ACTION ARCADE DEAL OF THE WEEK

This week, get your favourite action arcade games up to 50 percent off with the Action Arcade Deal of the Week. Download and play some of the fastest, fiercest and funniest titles including:

Mega Man ^TM 10 (Capcom)

Week of July 5th | 400 Microsoft Points

The original 2-D classic, “Mega Man.” returns in the all new “Mega Man 10!” “Mega Man 10” continues to bring the series back to its old-school roots, with retro platforming action and classic 8-bit graphics and sound. Rediscover Mega Man with new, classically-inspired boss characters, each with unique weapons and vulnerabilities. The year is 20XX and Roboenza - the Robot Flu - has spread like wildfire, incapacitating robots everywhere. One month after the outbreak, the situation worsens. Infected robots have gone out of control and have destroyed the city! It's up to Mega Man to get to the bottom of this viral mystery. “Mega Man 10” is rated PEGI 7+ and available worldwide.

After Burner Climax ^TM (SEGA)

Week of July 5th | 400 Microsoft Points

The classic arcade game, “After Burner,” returns for a new generation of gamers. “After Burner Climax” is fast and frantic action, putting you in the cockpit of the world’s fastest fighter planes. Dodge planes, rockets, and bullets while trying to target multiple on-screen enemy aircraft. Built for all skill levels, everyone can take to the air and blaze through a branching storyline over 20 stages. Unlock Achievements along the way to win an exclusive Avatar award using your experience and expertise. “After Burner Climax” is rated PEGI 7+ and is available worldwide.

Death By Cube ^TM (Square Enix)

Week of July 5th | 400 Microsoft Points

“Death By Cube” is an exhilarating action game in which you must take out endless hordes of enemies. Leo is a robot, one who awakes to find that he has lost his memory. All he knows is that he must reboot the heroine robot, so he sets forth on a mission hoping to regain his memory. To his surprise, he finds the world is now filled with battalions of enemy robots, drenched in bright red oil, and shooting bullets every direction. “Death By Cube” is rated PEGI 12+ and available worldwide.

Scrap Metal ^TM (Xbox LIVE Arcade)

Week of July 5th | 800 Microsoft Points

Drift around corners with guns blazing and take out legendary competitors in the fast-paced, top-down racing game, “Scrap Metal ^TM .” Fight your way through explosive, action-packed missions and defeat cunning bosses to add their vehicles to your garage. Customise your newly-acquired cars and then return to the track to blast through more enemies. Jump online with Xbox LIVE ^® to race against your friends and crush their cars with the wheels of your monster truck in pulse-pounding online multiplayer matches. “Scrap Metal ^TM ” is rated PEGI 7+ and available worldwide.

SPECIAL SOUTH PARK DEAL OF THE WEEK

The following week, we’re giving you more reasons to figure out who killed Kenny by checking out the South Park game and music track from Rock Band. Help protect the mountain town of South Park and download “South Park LET'S GO TOWER DEFENSE PLAY!” (Microsoft Game Studios), and rock out with your bad self in a special South Park track from “Rock Band” (MTV Games).

South Park LET'S GO TOWER DEFENSE PLAY! (Microsoft Game Studios)

Week of July 12th | 800 Microsoft Points

Play as Stan, Kyle, Kenny, Cartman or any number of your favourite South Park characters in “South Park LET'S GO TOWER DEFENSE PLAY!” It’s the fast-paced action/strategy game, where you play to save the town of South Park. The game combines snowball-throwing action with tower defence strategy, and is designed for players of all skill levels. Unlock special content and new characters throughout the game for your in-game scrapbook. Play locally with up to four players or team up on Xbox LIVE in the story-based campaign or the extra-demanding Challenge levels. “South Park LET'S GO TOWER DEFENSE PLAY!” is rated PEGI 16+ and available worldwide.

Rock Band ^® Eric Cartman’s “Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ (South Park Edition)” Game Add-On (MTV Games)

Week of July 12th | 160 Microsoft Points

“Rock Band” offers something for everyone, and you’ll go gaga over Eric Cartman’s “Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' (South Park Version)”: you wanna hold ‘em like they do in Texas plays? The stage is ready, but just don’t let him see your p-p-poker face. “Rock Band ^® ” is rated PEGI 12+ and is available worldwide.

GAME ADD-ONS

Whether you’re on the market for a new car in “Forza Motorsport 3” (Microsoft Game Studios) or looking to amp up your time on the field in “NCAA ^® Football” (Electronic Arts), Xbox LIVE Game Add-ons deliver new rides, songs and game modes that make blockbusters from every genre that much better.

Dragon Age: Origins: Leliana's Song Game Add-On (Electronic Arts)

6th July | 560 Microsoft Points

Assume the role of Leliana, a young bard involved in a criminal ring that deals in political secrets. Accompanying her mentor Marjolaine on a high-risk mission, Leliana soon finds herself entangled in a game of intrigue that she cannot escape with just her beauty, charm, or stealth. The only way out of this game is to kill or be killed. “Dragon Age: Origins” is rated PEGI 18 and available worldwide.

Worms ^TM 2: Armageddon Battle Pack Game Add-On (Team17 Software Ltd)

7th July | 400 Microsoft Points

Incoming! Say hello to the “Worms 2 Armageddon Battle Pack.” This Game Add-on package adds to “Worms 2 Armageddon” with the addition of six new weapons, thirty new single-player missions, and all-new game mode called “Survivor,” ten new Forts, new speechbanks, Player Titles, leaderboards, additional Achievements and much, much more! It’s a package high on content and explosive goodness, a must for all “Worms” fans out there. “Worms 2 Armageddon” is PEGI 7+ and is available worldwide.

Forza Motorsport ^® 3 Game Add-on (Microsoft Game Studios)

13th July | 400 Microsoft Points

Nab ten new cars and with the “World Class Car Pack” for Forza Motorsport ^® 3. “Forza Motorsport ^® 3” is rated PEGI 3+ and available worldwide.

Rock Band ^® : Credence Clearwater Revival (MTV Games)

6th July | 1600 Microsoft Points

A bad moon is rising over “Rock Band.” Croon your favourite CCR hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s with this new Add-on. “Rock Band ^® ” is rated PEGI 12+ and is available worldwide.

Rock Band ^® : The Vines (MTV Games)

13th July | 680 Microsoft Points

The Aussies invade “Rock Band” when hits from The Vines drop on July 13. Their musical style has been called a hybrid of '60s rock and '90s alternative, but we prefer to simply call it “Aussome.” 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4! “Rock Band ^® ” is rated PEGI 12+ and is available worldwide.

GAMES ON DEMAND

Fight for a title, compete for homecourt advantage, or wage a war for survival itself in Games on Demand this July! Delivering the titles you want 24x7, straight to your Xbox 360, this month’s offerings will all be a fight to the finish.

Fight Night Round 4 (Electronic Arts)

6th July | Releasing worldwide

Building off its critically-acclaimed predecessor, “Fight Night Round 4” delivers an all new physics-based gameplay engine, differentiated boxer styles and the fastest and most true to life representation of the "Sweet Science." Add to that the most impressive boxer roster ever, including the return of the legendary Iron Mike Tyson, and “Fight Night Round 4” takes video game boxing to an entirely new level. In “Fight Night Round 4,” you are only one clean punch away from victory, or from getting put on the canvas. “Fight Night Round 4” is rated PEGI 16+.

Frontlines ^TM : Fuel of War ^TM (THQ Inc.)

6th July | Releasing worldwide

“Frontlines: Fuel of War” brings players into the world's next Great War. As society succumbs to a worldwide energy crisis, a new global depression takes hold. Amidst this desperate backdrop, two superpower alliances emerge. Join the battle on the frontlines of tomorrow as the Western Coalition or the Red Star Alliance. “Frontlines: Fuel of War” is rated PEGI 16+.

NBA STREET Homecourt (Electronic Arts)

13th July | Releasing worldwide

Take to the streets, defend your homecourt, and showcase every wicked move in your arsenal on your way to becoming a legend in “NBA STREET Homecourt.” With new Gamebreaker Battles and the revolutionary Trick Remixer, your legendary status awaits you in the next evolution of the “NBA STREET” franchise. “NBA STREET Homecourt” is rated PEGI 3+.