Small Arms on Live Arcade Wednesday

[bapenguin]

Microsoft's sends word that Small Arms will be hitting XBLA this Wednesday. In “Small Arms,” up to four players can join in the battles across many dynamic and richly detailed levels. Gamers can choose from a cast of outrageous fighters like the cyborg tabby cat, assassin truffle pig and mutant chimney sweep. While jumping from platform to platform shooting with 360° aim, gamers of all skill levels will be able to pick up and play this innovative side-scrolling action title.

WHERE CAN I GET IT: Download “Small Arms” beginning on Wednesday, November 22, at 1 a.m. PST on Xbox Live Arcade.

“Small Arms”: 800 Microsoft Points, Rated E10+, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence

Full press release (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?p=520177#post520177).

Groovey. I'll get my big arms ready for some small arms.

[bapenguin]

Small Arms Embraces Social Gaming on Xbox Live Arcade

Networking with friends reaps new rewards with this highly anticipated Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday release. The frantic multiplayer brawling game “Small Arms” will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, November 22, after 0800 GMT (1:00 a.m. PST).

Social gaming innovation in “Small Arms,” which begins with the four developers at Gastronaut Studios, will pass to Xbox Live Arcade gamers from around the world. “Small Arms” includes a unique social networking Achievement called “Six Degrees of Small Arms” that can only be earned by playing with someone who already has it – and which only the game’s creators will possess at launch!



In “Small Arms,” up to four players can join in the battles across many dynamic and richly detailed levels. Gamers can choose from a cast of outrageous fighters like the cyborg tabby cat, assassin truffle pig and mutant chimney sweep. While jumping from platform to platform shooting with 360° aim, gamers of all skill levels will be able to pick up and play this innovative side-scrolling action title.



“Small Arms” is available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points.



GAME FEATURES:



* 12 characters, each with their own weapon
* 8 unique levels
* 12 Achievements, including the innovative “Six Degrees of Small Arms” viral achievement
* Up to 4-player multiplayer offline and on Xbox Live
* Local Multiplayer / Xbox Live Swap – allows players to swap out a local friend with a friend over Live without leaving the game!
* Three single player game modes (Story, Challenge, and Shooting Range)
* Colorful 3D graphics with classic side-scrolling run and gun action
* Expect premium downloadable content for this title in the future – providing new game play elements and unique challenges for Small Arms fans

WHERE CAN I GET IT: Download “Small Arms” beginning on Wednesday, November 22, at 1 a.m. PST on Xbox Live Arcade.



“Small Arms”: 800 Microsoft Points, Rated E10+, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence

[Heretic Machine]

Awesome game, awesome price...

[Dag-Sabot]

800 points? ($10) Wow. All tapped out on the retro gaming finally?

[RMan]

If 800 pts is $10, that is pretty sweet. Have they ever released figures on the sales of these XBLA games? I'd be real currious how some of the lower cost titles are selling.

[menage]

Great, actually a title which interests me. I'll check the demo, but got to save money for the Oblivion pack. If it's good, i'll buy it.

[BrainDrain]

Good. I was getting tired of all the Retro releases. I don't think they release any kind of actual #'s.

[Animated X]

I have been looking forward to this game for long while, so I will be picking it up. Have to get off my butt and go get some more ms points though... I am actually glad I don't have it tied to a credit card, it forces me to really want a game (to have to go through the trouble of picking up a points card), instead of just impulse buying games on Live that I regret later.

[ilian]

damn ive been looking forward to this, but cant download shit because microsoft stole my harddrive ugh =(

[agentgray]

Wow. Anyone wonder why this game has been low on the media side?

[Ghostbear]

can't wait, sounds like loads of fun

[Mr. Lake]

No clue, especially since this looks like one of the more impressive XBLA titles. Maybe something negative regarding gameplay/functionallity that Microsoft doesn't want to highlight?

[Xaerin]

Reminds me of a smaller Soldat with 3d graphics. Could be fun for a while but with only 4 players and 8 maps I'm thinking not for very long.

[Wolfgang]

No clue, especially since this looks like one of the more impressive XBLA titles. Maybe something negative regarding gameplay/functionallity that Microsoft doesn't want to highlight?

Or maybe they aren't sure how Indie content will really sell. Retro games have a certain % of fanbase. Small Arms is a new title from a no name developer. I can see why it is cheaper.

[Heretic Machine]

Reminds me of a smaller Soldat with 3d graphics. Could be fun for a while but with only 4 players and 8 maps I'm thinking not for very long.

Four players, but a lot more characters who behave and play differently. In this respect, it is similar to Smash Bros., though the gameplay is supposed to be pretty different with a higher emphasis on ranged attacks. To me, it looks a lot like Immaterial and Missing Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zQ3eH6rklI), but with a platforming element added in ala Smash Bros.

[mkelehan]

Wow, I had pegged this as a 1200 pointer. Not bad at all.

[Heretic Machine]

Wow, I had pegged this as a 1200 pointer. Not bad at all.

They always seem to under price the games I want, and over price the games I don't. Works fine for me, I just don't see how they can charge $10 for this and Marble Blast, while charging like $30 (?) for Lumines.

[bapenguin]

They always seem to under price the games I want, and over price the games I don't. Works fine for me, I just don't see how they can charge $10 for this and Marble Blast, while charging like $30 (?) for Lumines.

Proof that the developer sets the price and not Microsoft.

[Mr. Lake]

Or maybe they aren't sure how Indie content will really sell. Retro games have a certain % of fanbase. Small Arms is a new title from a no name developer. I can see why it is cheaper.
Proof that the developer sets the price and not Microsoft.
I think maybe both of those reasons are why we haven't seen much media on the game... because the developer is calling the shots on how it's game is promoted. I'm surprised there aren't any screenshots, but then again, you can judge a game by screenshots alone anymore and that's probably a smarter move. They SHOULD release some more movies of gameplay, or at the very least plug their official website more.

[Stryfe01]

I'll definitely be picking thsi up. i just got my second wireless controller in the mail today ($18) from being in the whole retailer thing. ;) So my gf now can play a few co-op games iwth me, and we can play this on Live!

[Heretic Machine]

I think maybe both of those reasons are why we haven't seen much media on the game... because the developer is calling the shots on how it's game is promoted. I'm surprised there aren't any screenshots, but then again, you can judge a game by screenshots alone anymore and that's probably a smarter move. They SHOULD release some more movies of gameplay, or at the very least plug their official website more.

Uhh... there are movies and screenshots. They've been available since about E3.

[ilian]

Proof that the developer sets the price and not Microsoft.

Microsoft does have some influence. Especially if you want to sell something too extreme cheap or extreme expensive. But yeah, for the most part its definately the developer you are right.

[EGO]

I've been watching this game for a while and hope they've tuned it, because it could very easily be one of those games where one weapon could dominate. Also, here's hoping there aren't a bunch of maps that bite and only one or two that don't.

Finger's crossed and time to pick up 3 more controllers!

[inmostlight]

I'm really looking forward to this -- I like supporting indie developers and it looks like a lot of fun. I'd certainly rather be playing it tomorrow instead of going to visit family for the holidays...

[Talanvor]

What I'd like to know is why isn't there ever a "sale" on Live? I mean, if a title isn't selling well, why not lower the price temporarily? Or hell, just to intice people on occassion, like on Thanksgiving for example. Lots of people are going to be at home playing games, if the prices had a small drop people might pick up a few Live games just for the hell of trying something new.

[wyeast]

They do that on (rare) occasion. Some downloads drop in price after a while (I think the GRAW Ch2 just did), others are promoted, like how Poker was free for the first couple of days.

[Wyrm]

If it truly is anything remotely close to SSMB, get ready xbox live, here comes Wyrm.

[Wolvie]

Looks pretty sweet! I'll play the demo before I plunk down the $10 though.

[Rinserepeat]

I've been wanting this ever since I saw the media coverage around E3. It's going to be a fun Thanksgiving holiday...Here is a nice little interview (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2006/09/05/small-arms-interview-don-wurster/) with one of the guys from Gastronaut. The team consists of only four people.

As for the media coverage, I think they could have done a better job marketing themselves closer to the release date. But if you do a search for "gastronaut small arms," a crapload of hits are returned...

[Morratut]

I will be buying this game when it comes out tomorrow. :) Being looking forward to this game and other original XBLA titles.

I haven't heard anything about Castle Crashers for a while though :(

[dena miscreant]

I knew it! (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21103)

Hehe...

Link (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2006/11/09/small-arms-video-available-in-hd/) to cool gameplay video from GameTrailers, available in HD so that you can stream it to your 360!

Should be awesome. It's a shame I'm addicted to Gears of War Ranked Match Achievements.

Word to the wise: Be prepared to manually mute numerous a-holes on Xbox Live or completely disable in-game voice altogether. You won't be able to communicate with anyone on your team, which could result in their refusal to revive you or some odd thing, but you won't have to listen to some ignorant fuck in Whatever, USA. OR Whatever, Earth, even.

It's on.