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XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS - DISCS OF TRON & COMMANDERS: ATTACK OF THE GENOS

We've got another Xbox Live Arcade double feature this week, as we get one classic title in the form of 1983's arcade classic Discs of Tron and Commanders: Attack of the Genos - a turn based strategy title making it's debut on the Live Arcade.

I remember the first time I saw a Discs of Tron machine - I was at a small fair in the Pocono mountains, bored as most kids tend to be at those things, when I came across an arcade in the pavilion. Along with the usual machines, there was a large, glowing environmental cabinet… Discs of Tron. Stepping inside, I was hooked - for the time, the game was just an overwhelming experience and a blast to play. I remember racing back and forth to my parents quite a few times for some more quarters. Good times.

Unfortunately, given the treatment Backbone Entertainment gave the original Tron arcade game, I'm not holding out much hope for this one. It's not badly priced at 400 points ($5), but I'd still strongly suggest you download the demo first to see how well the arcade controls have been transferred over to the 360's control pad.

Title: Discs of Tron
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/13/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"The arcade classic is back! The electronic battleground of Discs of Tron© transports you into an exciting world of sight, sound, and energy. Take control of Tron as he enters the arena to fight against the evil Sark. Armed with only his disc weapon and limited deflector shield, Tron must withstand Sark's multiple attacks to survive all 12 levels to become the most powerful video warrior in the world.

Discs of Tron is even better this time around with enhanced graphics, CD-quality sound, and two-person multiplayer—face off and find out who truly is the greatest disc warrior!

  • Perfect recreation: Discs of Tron for Xbox LIVE Arcade is a perfect recreation of the classic arcade game based on the pioneering computer animated Disney Film.
  • Next-gen presentation: Authentic graphics, game play, and audio have been upgraded to take advantage of the Xbox 360 high-def graphics and sound (CD bit rate quality).
  • Multiplayer fun: The original arcade game was single player only. The Arcade version is the first version of the game with two-person multi-player functionality—co-op and versus.
  • Electronic battleground: Get transported to an exciting world of sight, sound, and energy!
  • Disc combat: Play as Tron and fling discs at Sark in an attempt to knock him off his platform.  Sark has his own discs as well as two unique weapons—a chaser and super chaser making defeating him even more difficult.    
  • Twelve levels: Beating Sark advances you to levels of even more chaotic platforming mayhem." - Xbox.com

Next up, we've got Commanders: Attack of the Genos… a title I've heard virtually nothing about before it's announcement as one of this week's titles. My understanding is that this is a turn based strategy game with a humorous twist, but don't quote me on that. My advice to you is to download the demo and see what it's all about for yourself before dropping the required 800 points ($10) on the game.

Title: Commanders: Attack of the Genos
Developer: SouthEnd Interactive
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/13/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Commanders: Attack of the Genos is an accessible turn-based tactical battle game providing challenge for all levels of players. The genetically enhanced army of the Genos have decided to attack Earth. With your powerful Commander unit, use Missile Launchers, Bombers, Infantry, and other attack units to cripple the enemy and defend your territory—online or off!

  • Specialized attack units: Fifteen different units are provided to serve alongside your Commander unit. Use the units' unique powers to conquer the Genos.
  • Single-player campaign: Fight fifteen different missions sprawling across three different landscapes, with two levels of difficulty for ease of play.
  • Multiplayer modes: Three intense multiplayer modes are included, allowing up to four players in Versus mode. Try the Team Play mode, or take on Skirmish with a friend on the same system.
  • Replayability: The game has two distinct endings to encourage replayability.
  • Retro-futuristic environment: The science-fiction setting features a gorgeous 30s Art Deco style. It's a blast from the past into the future." - Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I'm going to stand by my original statements on the game - Poker Smash is a pretty good "match 3" puzzler with a poker twist. If you haven't already soured on the genre, be sure to pick up the demo and give it a shot.

February 13, 2008 Posted by nylatenite | Classics, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade | | 1 Comment

ELECTRONIC ARTS EXTENDS NFL LICENSING DEAL - WORLD WEEPS

In a move that is sure to be reviled by many gamers, Electronic Arts has announced that they have reached a deal with the NFL and the NFL Players Association to extend the exclusivity agreement signed in 2004 through the end of the 2012 season.

"REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - February 12, 2008 - Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) today announced an extension of its exclusive licensing relationships with the National Football League and NFL PLAYERS to develop, publish and distribute interactive football video games.  These agreements - which were negotiated separately and are extensions of contracts originally signed in December 2004 - provide EA continued rights to NFL teams, stadiums and players for its critically-acclaimed and best-selling football videogames through the end of the 2012 season, which culminates in February 2013.

Both agreements include all aspects of the interactive experience, including console and handheld games as well as console-based online features.  The agreements also provide EA access to both NFL Films and the NFL Network to enrich its game experiences.  Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed." - Electronic Arts press release

I can't begin to tell you just how disappointed I am right now. I've been waiting patiently for the original deal to expire in hopes that the at it's expiration, the NFL would come to it's senses and put an end to this "exclusive license" crap. Simply put, any company - whether it's EA, 2K or anyone else - needs to have competition in order to really move a series forward. All the NFL has done here is given EA carte blanche to sit on it's laurels making minor tweaks and changes to each year's edition of Madden knowing that fans will have no choice but to pick up their product if they want to play with current rosters.

Personally, I hope in response 2K chooses to scrap the All-Pro Football "legends" concept and simply release a game that has the same local teams and players just without using the actual team and player names. Let the players edit (and share) their rosters and team colors to whatever they choose or design and sit back and watch as the game becomes an unofficial NFL product.

*sigh* Check out the links below for more details and the full text of the press release.

February 13, 2008 Posted by nylatenite | Announcements, Electronic Arts, Exclusives, Football, Madden, Opinion | | 1 Comment