Microsoft has offered up a very simple explanation for the lack of hardcore games currently set to support the upcoming Kinect motion camera – the device isn’t aimed at the core market.
Instead, the company has said that its motion titles and traditional joypad-based games are aimed at very different demographics
“With Halo: Reach, Gears of War 3 and Call of Duty: Black Ops, this is the biggest year for core games on Xbox 360,” the platform holder told Kotaku. “In addition to these controller-based games, Kinect is a new way to play, using your full body and voice
“At Xbox, we're developing controller-based games for the core and Kinect titles that appeal to everyone.”
The remarks come in stark contrast to claims made to MCV by Project Natal director Alex Kipman last year:


“We'll have games that are specifically designed to work only with Natal – not just arcadey games, but real, hardcore, triple-A titles.”
Whether this strategy proves correct ultimately depends on the appetite that the core games market shows for the new motion control offerings from Sony. If the likes of SOCOM and The Fight sell well MS could quickly find itself playing catch-up.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/39717/MS-p...ardcore-appeal

EA's cartoon interpretation of Risk - dubbed Risk: Factions - will be the other game on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday.

For 800 Microsoft Points you're given a game of world domination painted in bright, eye-catching colours. The twist is provided by the five unique factions. Two of these are lead by American square-jaw McGutterpants and Chinese-themed leader Chairman Meow. Sigh.

Online multiplayer is in, and there's a chance to earn items for your Xbox Live Avatar while playing. Our Risk: Factions gallery offers a glimpse of what to expect.

This Wednesday's other Xbox Live Arcade game is Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/risk-factions-on-xbla-this-wednesday

New from Divineo USA



The SnapStick is a fast-attaching joystick that allows everyone to enjoy true arcade action at a fraction of the cost of a new controller.

Enjoy arcade action and play vintage games the way they were meant to be played. the SnapStick attaches to yur controller thumbstick in seconds whenever you need it. The two pliace clamp design locks the SnapStick on securely, giving you greater control and accuracy when playing your arcade favorites.

Well, none of this will come as a big surprise here, but it's always nice to hear it straight from an official source. Microsoft has confirmed that a $199 version of new Xbox 360 will be coming in the fall to replace the now-$149 Arcade, which is no longer in production. In addition, the company's also spilled a few more beans -- Kinect will be available as a bundle with the new Xbox 360, and though there isn't any official pricing information on that one just yet, we've seen some telltale evidence on that front which would lead us to believe it'll run somewhere in the neighborhood of $399 for an Elite and $299 for the Arcade. So now you know.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/19/microsoft-confirms-199-for-new-xbox-360-kinect-bundles-coming/