The first Xbox Live Games with Gold title is Defense Grid: The Awakening. The Xbox Live Arcade title normally costs 800 Microsoft Points ($10) but is free for Gold members from July 1 to July 15.
We previously reported that Halo 3 and Assassin's Creed II would kick off the twice-monthly free games program, but that was evidently a mix-up. Microsoft mentioned both titles would be featured when it debuted Games with Gold, but did not say they'd be the first two to appear.
Xbox Live's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb apologized for the disappointment in a Reddit thread about the title, where several users complained about the relatively low-profile game compared to some of PlayStation Plus' offerings.
"I don't work in marketing, but I am going to make them aware of this thread," Hryb wrote.
The program is slated to last through December 2013, though Hryb said it may last longer if it fares well. Either way, you don't have to remain a paid member to play the games.
Microsoft no longer charges developers for title updates to Xbox 360 Arcade Games. Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb confirmed via Twitter that as of April 2013 the company stopped the fees, which notoriously led the creators of games like Fez and Iron Brigade to eschew updates.
Microsoft originally allowed XBLA developers one title update gratis, but stipulated a $40,000 fee for each recertification after that point. Eurogamer reports that Microsoft reserves the right to charge if a developer excessively resubmits its game. Its anonymous developer sources also say the elimination of fees extends to retail releases as well as XBLA.
Fez creator Phil Fish tweeted that he plans to get in touch with Microsoft to see if the change is retroactive. That could finally bring the original Xbox 360 version in line with the PC edition of Fez, which launched in May.
you have no idea how much trouble i got into for talking about this. and you never will. so im pretty glad there's a happy ending here.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, software behemoth Google is planning to release a games console. The article claims that the console will be Android powered, and will act as a direct rival to Apple, who is allegedly making plans to launch a similar Apple TV device that will play games.
The report also suggests that, in addition to the console, Google is also working on a cutting-edge wristwatch, which will allow users to play media on the move. We already know that Google has a second version of the Android powered, Nexus-Q in development.
What does all this mean for us? Microsoft and Sony have both made it clear that their respective consoles are aiming to dominate the living room by being much more than just 'games players'. If this report is accurate, it looks like there will be a little more competition for space under your TV, although Google's console is unlikely to play true next-generation games--its Android architecture is currently built for tablet / phone style titles. Nintendo isn't safe either. A media-enabled wristwatch could provide competition for their handheld devices.
Even more intriguing, The Wall Street Journal piece suggests that one of Google's devices could be available as early as autumn 2013.
Hello Games' Joe Danger and Joe Danger 2: The Movie launch on Steam today. The updated versions of the stunt racers include new features such as the ability to share levels over Steam Workshop and Big Picture support. The entire cast of Team Fortress 2 is playable in Joe Danger 2, which also features Minecraft items, objects and environments in the level editor.
The games can be purchased individually for $14.99 / £9.99 / €13.99 or together as part of The Joe Danger Bundle for $24.99 / £16.99 / €22.99. But for the first week on sale, Hello Games is offering 20 per cent off the regular price of each title and 40 per cent off the bundle. The bundle also contains an eBook covering the Joe Danger story so far and the Joe Danger soundtrack.
Joe Danger released on PS3 in 2010, Xbox 360 the following year, and on iOS devices in early 2013. It was followed by Joe Danger 2 for Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2012. We said in our Joe Danger 2: The Movie review: “Joe Danger 2: The Movie succeeds in retaining the raw fun that made the original game great while amping up the excitement and variety.”
Microsoft has provided new details about its plan to offer Xbox Live Gold members a number of free games for the remainder of 2013. Alongside the announcement of a new Xbox 360 model during its E3 press conference last week, the platform holder revealed that it would be giving every XBL Gold member two free Xbox 360 game downloads per month starting on July 1 and running until December 31.
Fable 3 is currently free to download until June 30, 2013. New games will become available on the 1st and 16th of each month, with Assassin's Creed 2 and Halo 3 coming in July, OXM reports. “Each specially selected, fan-favourite game will be available to download only for a limited time, so grab them before they’re gone and keep them no matter what,” Microsoft says on Xbox.com.
Inspired by the look of Xbox One, the new 360 model is slimmer and lighter than previous versions. It is available now at the same price points as the last model: $199.99 estimated retail price for the 4GB console, $299.99 for the 250GB edition and $299.99 for the 4GB Kinect Bundle.
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