Microsoft Talk

Microsoft

Make that Chris Early, general manager of Games For Windows Live, Microsoft’s online service for PC gamers. He’s been pink-slipped, according to VentureBeat, implying that more divisional cuts could follow in the latest shakeup following Microsoft’s 5,000 jobs attrition plan.

Early’s exit isn’t a complete jaw-dropper. GFW Live stepped out on the wrong foot when in launched in May 2007 and has a mixed rap with gamers. It was Vista-only at a time when Vista was persona non grata. It was styled like someone lazily screen-scraped the overlay from Xbox LIVE – an interface modeled for standard definition TVs – and clumsily shoehorned it into a space designed for keyboard/mouse and much sharper video resolutions.

The first few games that supported the service had teething troubles. Shadowrun – a multiplayer-only shooter – had little to do with its esteemed license, and further estranged online shooter wonks by shipping with a paltry nine maps. Just a few months later, it’s developer, FASA Studio, sadly shut down.

One of the service’s allures, cross-platform gaming which allowed Xbox 360 gamers to compete with their PC peers, was a fascinating idea, but to date, the official site lists just three games that support it.

This is something I’ve been covering for awhile: Massive is exclusive in-game ad provider for 18 Activision titles on Xbox and the PC, including “Guitar Hero.”

Massive Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. and a leading network for video game advertising, and Activision Publishing Inc., one of the world’s premier game publishers, today announced a multiyear, multititle agreement to deliver dynamic in-game advertising into titles on Xbox 360 and PC platforms. Activision’s powerhouse franchises “Guitar Hero: World Tour” and “James Bond: Quantum of Solace” are among the 18 titles included in the deal.

Activision and Massive have successfully worked together on “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock” and “Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground,” running more than 330 campaigns with more than 225 advertisers.

“We’ve worked with Massive to create and place relevant ads in ‘Guitar Hero,’ and we’ve seen great results,” said Stephanie Charlebois of Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, agency of record for the California Milk Processor Board. “The youth demographic is harder and harder to reach through traditional media, so this combination of Massive’s network and Activision’s enormously popular titles allow us to reach millions of young adults when they are active and engaged.”

“Activision creates some of the best content in the gaming industry,” said JJ Richards, general manager of platform services for the Advertiser and Publisher Solutions Group at Microsoft. “With so many amazing titles added to the Massive network on a multiyear basis, advertisers are better able than ever before to plan in-game advertising alongside other forms of media. This partnership further establishes the Massive network as the medium for advertisers to reach their desired audience.”

“Our partnership with Massive has been successful over the last two years. This long-term partnership allows us to continue to deliver dynamic in-game advertising to the immensely popular Xbox 360 platform as well as the PC,” said Dave Anderson, head of business development at Activision Publishing. “By incorporating dynamic in-game advertising in our titles where it is appropriate, we can increase the realism of our games by presenting consumers with authentic environments in genuine settings, while also expanding a key growth opportunity for the company.”

Additional game titles and franchises in this deal include Tony Hawk, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and AMAX Racing.

to Enable Dynamic In-Game Advertising Within THQ Titles: THQ names Massive as exclusive in-game ad provider in global, multiyear, multi-title deal.

Massive Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., and a leading network for video game advertising, and THQ Inc. today announced a global, multiyear deal naming Massive as the exclusive, dynamic, in-game advertising partner for THQ’s upcoming game titles on the PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

Massive’s collaboration with THQ will include dynamic in-game advertising within several of THQ’s owned properties, including the critically acclaimed, open-world “Saints Row®” franchise. “Saints Row 2” shipped more than 2 million units globally in the first two weeks of its October 2008 release and will be one of the first titles to feature dynamic in-game ads as part of the deal with Massive.

“By aligning with THQ, Massive is now poised to represent new content and franchises that are realizing enormous market success globally,” said Eric Bassman, COO of Massive. “And with an open-world, mission-based game such as “Saints Row 2” coming into the Massive network, we can work creatively with advertisers to place their brands in new, edgy environments.”

The Massive partnership also extends to a portfolio of established THQ titles that span varied game genres and target a diversity of age and location demographics. The addition of THQ to Massive’s existing publisher portfolio strengthens Massive’s footprint within the gaming industry and extends its ability to offer new advertising opportunities to brands aiming to reach traditionally hard-to-reach audiences.

“We have entered into a strategic agreement with Massive because it is a leader in the emerging industry of in-game advertising,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of publishing at THQ. “The Massive team has a strong track record of collaborating with game developers, sports leagues and advertisers to find a unique way to place brands and products that enhance the gameplay experience.”

New Xbox 360 exclusive, interactive movie game hits store shelves today using the Xbox LIVE Vision camera for friends and family to create B-movies so bad, they’re good.

“You’re in the Movies” is the perfect party game for everyone on your list this holiday season. Up to four players compete in a series of minigames that put the spotlight on the unique and often dubious acting talents of friends and family through physical movements, facial expressions and more. Players’ minigame actions are captured and placed into short, riotous films that offer sidesplitting entertainment that can be e-mailed and uploaded to social networking sites. With dozens of classic movie genres ready to go, gamers can live out their dreams of becoming a scream queen, zombie or kung fu master.

“‘You’re In the Movies’ is a fantastic addition to our intellectual property portfolio, and we’re very excited about the excellent result of our partnership with Zoë Mode and Microsoft in bringing such a strong title to market,” said Barry Jafrato, senior vice president of Brand at Codemasters Software Co. Ltd.

“You’re in the Movies” comes with the following features:

• Casting call. “You’re in the Movies” casts players in a variety of exciting roles, from action heroes to silent film stars. Players can choose a genre, script and more.

• The director’s chair. Up to four friends can play together, and it is the director’s job to guide actors through their roles with simple instructions and immediate feedback. The director also rates actors on their physical performance in minigames.

• World premiere. Cinematic creations and user-created movies can be downloaded to your computer to be shared among friends, family and the entire world.

• Post-production. Players can use the director mode to produce their own movies. With this application, players can change music, add voice-overs and re-edit.

• The miracle of technology. The Xbox LIVE Vision camera captures player movements using the revolutionary Cutout Studio technology. “You’re in the Movies” allows players’ performances to be filmed, saved, shared and relived.

“‘You’re in the Movies’ gets you off the couch and into a rich, interactive movie experience for movie lovers everywhere, exclusively for Xbox 360,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Services Business at Microsoft Corp. “Xbox LIVE is home to the best movie games, more than 400 high-definition movies available for download, and with the New Xbox Experience, Xbox LIVE now offers thousands of instantly watchable films from Netflix, including over 300 in high definition.”

With New In-Game Display, Marketplace and Upcoming Premium Downloadable Content. “Fallout 3,” “Grand Theft Auto IV” and “James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace” coming to Games for Windows — LIVE this holiday season.

Microsoft Corp. today unveiled significant updates to the Games for Windows — LIVE online gaming service, enhancing the service to provide an unmatched Windows multiplayer experience and excite the growing online gaming community. These compelling changes build on the foundation of Games for Windows — LIVE, which allows gamers to connect and play with their friends for free, and includes unique features such as Achievements, TrueSkill matchmaking, voice and text chat, and a single identity (Gamertag) that works across both Windows and Xbox 360.

• Redesigned for PC Gamers. Available for immediate download, the revitalized in-game display provides quick and easy access to the full set of Games for Windows — LIVE features, optimized for use with a keyboard and mouse, and built from the ground up with PC gamers in mind.

• Games for Windows — LIVE Marketplace. In early December, users will be able to easily download exciting game trailers, demos and add-on game content such as extended chapters and new characters, as well as give publishers a straightforward way to extend the experience of their Games for Windows — LIVE titles for consumers around the world.

“The online space is and will remain the driving force behind Windows gaming, and we’re taking steps to ensure that Games for Windows — LIVE provides a unique online home for PC gamers,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE, Software and Studios at Microsoft. “This new release was designed specifically with our community of PC gamers and game developers in mind. It’s a natural next step in delivering a world-class online service for Windows gamers.”

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New singing game offers 40 songs spanning genres and decades from artists including Beyoncé, Lupe Fiasco, Nirvana and Rascal Flatts, and two wireless microphones, for $69.99.

Calling all shower singers, rush-hour traffic vocalists, wanna-be rappers, pop princesses and those with a country twang: “Lips,” the highly anticipated singing experience exclusively for Xbox 360 from iNiS Corp., will be available in mid-November 2008. Picture throwing a “Lips” party for your closest friends where everyone sings and grooves to a vast array of music backed by the original music video, lyrics and scoring. Not only can everyone sing along, but “Lips” is the only music video game that comes with two wireless motion-sensitive microphones, allowing the freedom to put on the ultimate performance. Your parties will never be the same!

All 40 songs on disc are ready to play right out of the box, and “Lips” delivers great tracks from a wide range of musical genres that will set the stage for evenings of fun and entertainment with friends and family.

Regardless of whether you consider yourself a singer or typically shy away from the microphone, there’s something for everyone in “Lips,” including the following:

• Party Games. “Lips” has a variety of gameplay modes that will appeal to the gamer in all of us and possibly spark a little competition, while allowing you to experience and interact with your music in fun, new ways:

• Kiss is the epitome of singing and flirting your way to a sweet reward, where duos who hit the notes and gestures together meet in the middle to share a kiss. Are you a match?

• Vocal Fighters appeals to the competitor in all of us by pitting singers in one-on-one competition to win the most fans and boot one another off the stage. It’s a sing-off!

• Time Bomb is a cooperative mode where players work together to perform well and stave off a time bomb. The clock is ticking!

• Music videos. “Lips” has a variety of engaging music videos that enhance the game outside the original videos included with most songs:

• Virtual Music Videos. The more you get into your performance, the better the video. An in-game virtual music video will enhance your performance because the screen will mirror your moves and the characters will lip-sync along with you.

• Custom Music Videos. These unique, quirky videos add a humorous element to your routine and provide a music video for songs that may not have one.

• Freestyle Mode. “Lips” also allows you to use digital rights management-free songs from your own music collection when singing or playing any of the Party Games. Sing along to your music collection and play up your gestures to add to your score, while a virtual music video accompanies your performance. It is as simple as plugging in your compatible MP3 player. Lyrics will not display for songs from your music collection. For a list of compatible music players, visit http://www.xbox.com/lips.

• Play along. In addition to using the two mics as instruments, four of your friends can join in using the standard Xbox 360 Controller and choose from a variety of percussion accompaniment to play along with the music in “Lips.”

• Download new songs. For those who like what they see and crave more, “Lips” will also have a regular flow of downloadable content available for purchase via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, starting at game launch. Love Estelle’s “No Substitute Love”? It is there. You can get it and the latest tracks to continually update your “Lips” experience.

• Split parts. Co-op Mode in “Lips” is designed to more accurately reflect songs that feature multiple vocalists. This gameplay mode enhances the experience by showing the lyrics and melody to all parts, helping turn a singing duo into a professional act.

Massive gets your ads in the game

WHY ADVERTISE IN VIDEO GAMES?

Gaming is one of the fastest growing global entertainment forms and presents unique marketing opportunities for brands targeting hard to reach consumers – specifically young adult males.

The latest developments in video game hardware and software deliver truly unique, ultra-immersive entertainment experiences (in high-definition, too).

Are you looking to connect with a large audience that is highly engaged and can be targeted to meet your needs?

WHY WORK WITH MASSIVE?

Massive pioneered the development of dynamic in-game advertising.

We know games and advertising and have been refining our process
for delivering advertising into games for nearly 3 years. We can
ensure your campaign makes the right connection with gamers.
More than 100 leading global advertisers have executed campaigns
with Massive.

Our technology and network model reaches your target audience across titles, genres and game platforms.

Your campaign connects with gamers wherever they are… in the world.

TYPES AND SPECS
Advertisers can utilize a broad range of ad units available across titles in the Massive Network.

Ad campaigns can be targeted to meet specific geographic needs and timing needs.

The dynamic technology allows for creative to be updated and changed as needed.

MASSIVE TECHNOLOGY

Designed by veteran engineers experienced in video games and online application software development, Massive’s technology is optimized so as not to impede the consumer experience, the game play or online performance. The Massive team works closely with game publishers and developers to ensure that advertising is only incorporated in areas appropriate given the unique nature of each game environment.

The client software is integrated into a video game when it is being developed. When a game with Massive software is played on a connected game platform, the game receives advertising from the Massive Ad Server. (see process chart in “Integration” tab.)

Popfly is the fun, easy way to build and share mashups, games, gadgets, Web pages, and applications. Popfly consists of a set of online visual tools for building Web pages and mashups, and a social network

What are some specific examples of things I can do with Popfly?

1. Customize and share media: Popfly makes it easy to share and customize pictures, podcasts, music, and video. You can easily build beautiful slideshows using pictures from Flickr, Windows Live Spaces, Facebook, or embed a Podcast or video player hosting videos from Soapbox or YouTube directly on your Facebook profile, Windows Live Spaces page, or any Web page.
2. Describe your online persona: Popfly enables you to customize and stitch together your online persona in one place. You can create mashups that show what you dug on Digg.com, what you are buying or selling on eBay, what Facebook events you’re attending, what your friends are doing on Twitter, game scores from Halo 3 and much more.
3. Add some fun: You can easily spice up your Web site using Popfly, say by adding customized games like Whack-a-mole or asteroids with pictures of your friends and family or create custom quizzes or polls that you can easily embed on your Web site.
4. Put it all together: You can build a custom home page, say for your school’s sports team and easily add things like team photos, a team schedule from an RSS feed, video from previous games from Soapbox or YouTube, Virtual Earth maps with directions to game locations and more, all without writing code.
5. Advanced users: Advanced users and users of Visual Studio Express can use Popfly as their free “playground” for building custom HTML, JavaScript and Silverlight applications and easily call Popfly blocks directly from code.

Create Games. Popfly is a simple way to create and share games with your friends. Choose from a variety of built-in templates or start from scratch to create a side scrolling game, a 2D shoot-em-up, or a host of others. And best of all, you can get started without writing a line of code.

Build Mashups. Mashups are a kind of application that take information from many places and mix it together. With Popfly’s mashup creator you’ll be able to take photos, RSS feeds, and many other kinds of information and combine them to create your own personalized view of the web.

Microsoft’s Community Games service aims to ‘democratize’ games

Courtesy of Winda Benedetti, Citizen Gamer for Microsoft Games. I’m not sure what to make of “FunnyDancing.”

Cue up this Xbox 360 game and you’re greeted with this: “Welcome to the world of the funny dancing. FunnyDancing is free dance action.”

Free dance action, eh? The mind reels with the possibilities.

Community Games works like this: Just about anybody who’s ever thought “By golly, I could make a video game” (and has some programming skills to back up that fantasy) can download Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio development tools for free and use them to make a game. Then, for an annual fee of $100, they can join the XNA Creator’s Club, where they post their games to be reviewed by fellow Community Games developers.

During this peer-review process, each game is rated on its level of violence, sex and mature themes; is checked for objectionable content (read: some blood and gore is okey-dokey but content that’s racist, hateful, or pornographic, not so much); and is scoured for bugs and other problems. If it passes muster, creators can post their game to Xbox Live, where any Xbox owner can buy the game and download it to their machine.

Microsoft pitches Community Games as a bold move toward the “democratization” of game development and distribution. That is, they have removed the skyscraper-tall hurdles that have traditionally stood in the way of making games for a console. No more big companies deciding what makes for a good game. No more corporate bean-counters telling would-be developers what kind of game is likely to be profitable enough to put in front of the public. The masses get to make the games and the masses get to decide what games they want to play.

Sign up for SearchPerks! and start earning tickets towards exciting prizes whenever you search the Web – up to 25 tickets per day. It’s free, easy to use, and your tickets accumulate as fast as you can search.*

And because SearchPerks! is brought to you by Microsoft Live Search, you know you won’t compromise quality while earning rewards.

Be sure to sign up before the registra-tion deadline on December 31, 2008—
the sooner you sign up, the more opportunity you have to earn tickets!

* Participation in the promotion is limited to the first 1,000,000 respondents before December 31, 2008. Promotion valid only for legal residents in the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., who are at least 13 years of age, have a valid Windows Live ID, are accepted to participate in the program and participate in the program until its completion on April 15, 2009. Participation is subject to the SearchPerks! promotion terms and conditions as listed on the download page of our sign-up process. After the completion of the promotion, each participant who completed the promotion will receive one ticket for each online search that the participant conducted during the promotion within Internet Explorer Web browser, version 6.0 or higher, on Microsoft’s Windows Live, MSN or Live Search properties, excluding searches within the Live Search Club and the Live Search Club toolbar, located at http://club.live.com; Search and Give and any Search and Give toolbars, located at http://www.searchandgive.com; and MSN Video site searches located at http://video.msn.com/video.aspx up to a maximum of 25 tickets per day. During the promotion there may be opportunities to receive additional tickets which will be provided after completion of the promotion. Claiming and redemption of the tickets is subject to additional Terms and Conditions. The promotion constitutes an “Activity” under those terms and conditions. Approximately three weeks after SearchPerks! ends on April 15, 2009, participants who complete the promotion will receive by email information on how to redeem their tickets. Limit one trial membership per person. You must claim your tickets no later than October 15, 2009. Once tickets are claimed they are subject to expiration pursuant to the additional Terms and Conditions.

Declare Your Loyalty to Delta Squad With a 120GB Zune “Gears of War 2” Special Edition

Microsoft Corp. today announced that Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, will introduce the Zune “Gears of War® 2” Special Edition 120GB device with pre-orders going live today in the U.S. at Amazon.com and Walmart.com. The special edition devices will also be available online at Amazon.ca, BestBuy.ca, FutureShop.ca and TheSource.ca in Canada, for an estimated retail price of $279.991 (U.S./CDN) and will begin shipping to customers starting Nov. 7.

In celebration of the sequel to one of the best-selling Xbox franchises of all time, Xbox and Epic Games Inc. have collaborated with Zune to create this unique portable media player. The Zune “Gears of War 2” Special Edition is based on the new Zune 120GB device and features a laser-etched Crimson Omen on the new gloss black enclosure, collectible “Gears of War” packaging, and 244 pieces of “Gears of War” media including the original game soundtrack, behind-the-scenes videos, game trailers and concept art galleries.

“This special edition Zune is a great way for ‘Gears of War’ fans to carry around all their music and videos while sharing their enthusiasm for the game,” said Michael Capps, president of Epic Games.

“Gears of War 2” is developed by Epic Games exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and will be available worldwide on Nov. 7. “Gears of War 2” is the highly anticipated sequel to one of the most popular Xbox games in history, and is poised to be the biggest entertainment phenomenon of the 2008 holiday season.

Top five games for Windows

1. GRID™
GRID is all about the race. It’s a stunning world of motorsport brought to life, from racing muscle cars through the iconic streets of San Francisco and competing in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race to drifting around the docks of Yokohama. Jump behind the wheel of exhilarating racing cars in the most aggressive, spectacular wheel-to-wheel races you’ve ever experienced - then prove yourself online.

Welcome to GRID: racing just got exciting again.

• Incredible persistent world of racing encompassing Muscle car racing, drift racing, and circuit racing in Detroit, San Francisco, Milan, Tokyo, Yokohama, Spa, Le Mans and many more locations.
• Mind-blowing soft-body damage to vehicles and environments to the most inspirational and incredible vehicles and tracks – all fully licensed.
• Stunning visual treatment and accessible handling system
• Evolution of the physics system used in DiRT™ – EGO surpasses all previous engines in terms of AI, effects and packed grids.

2. Sins of a Solar Empire
The survival of humanity stands on the edge of utter ruin as three powerful factions vie for control of the galaxy. Take command of one of three space-faring races as you work to establish your domination of the galaxy in Sins of a Solar Empire. Through a combination of diplomacy, economic skill, cultural influence, and sheer military might you will establish order over your corner of the galaxy!

Features:
• Seamless blend of epic strategy and tactical combat.
• Dynamic galaxy on an unrivalled scale.
• Three unique, customizable races.
• Customizable units with powerful special abilities.
• Intuitive Empire control.
• Robust multi-player via LAN and Ironclad Online.
• Spectacular 3D graphics drawn to scale utilizing the proprietary Iron Engine.
• Over three CDs worth of cinematic music.
• Captivating story and extensive lore for all three races.
• Conquer and colonize planets, asteroids and more, with multiple paths to victory.

3. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures™
‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, winner of multiple E3 awards as the best game in its genre and one of the most anticipated PC games currently in development, is an Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMO) set in the fantastic Conan universe as created by Robert E. Howard. In “Conan” the players will encounter a brutal, lush, violent and sinful universe, presented in fantastic graphics and stunning 7.1 surround audio.
In a world filled with cruel gods, mythical creatures, lost civilizations and a struggling human race, the mighty barbarian has finally seized the throne as king of Aquilonia. But Conan’s rule is on the brink of chaos, spiraling towards the doom of ancient evils. In this twisted fantasy world, dark magic and brutal combat lurk around every corner, and each man and woman must carve their own unique destiny under Conan’s reign. In the true vision of Robert E. Howard’s dark universe it’s now time for you to become a messenger of death.

Features

Enter the true Conan experience - The first official Conan MMO sends you on a brutal journey in the footsteps of the worlds’ greatest fantasy hero. Meet Conan’s friend and foes, battle demons and monsters known from 70 year of Conan history, and step up to the ultimate challenge and befriend the mighty king Conan himself.
Explore the world of Conan – Enter a gigantic and unique gameworld containing more than 30 distinct regions spread across the three mighty nations of Aquilonia, Cimmeria and Stygia. Explore deep jungles, burning deserts, inhospitable mountains, vast valleys, dark dungeons or gleaming cities, and take part in an incredible journey of exploration and adventure.
Real Combat Engine - Experience Funcom’s revolutionary Real Combat engine, and fight mounted or on the ground. A new multi-point melee system allows the players to swing their weapons where they direct it, in real-time, going head-on against the formulaic nature of MMO combat. The Real Combat engine also allow players to team up in battle formations and command both NPC’s and other players in epic multiplayer battles, as well as giving you the chance to participate in massive sieges.

4. LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures
LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO and combines it with the wits, daring and non-stop action from the original cinematic adventures that enthralled audiences everywhere (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade).

With a tongue-in-cheek take on these original adventures, LEGO Indiana Jones follows Dr. Jones’s escapades through the jungles of South America to the mountaintops of India where you will build, battle and brawl your way through your favorite moments, from Indy’s entanglements with snakes to his dashing boulder run.

• With lots of new features, LEGO Indiana Jones takes everything that was great about LEGO Star Wars and adds even more.
• And for the first time ever, LEGO characters are fully immersed in their environment; they are able to swim, climb, shimmy across rock ledges and pick up and carry objects.
• Also for the first time ever, you can use a variety of weapons from the environment such as chairs, guns, swords and bottles to fight enemies.
• And no Indiana Jones game would be complete without Indy’s signature whip which you’ll use as a multi-purpose tool to attack, disarm, swing across gaps, activate levers and interact with a world of LEGO objects and puzzles.
• Unlock more than 60 playable characters, each with unique abilities. And team up with a friend to battle enemies and seek out the world’s greatest treasures.
• Create unique playable characters like Sallah Scott or Mola Round by mixing and matching the LEGO body parts of all playable characters.
• Cooperative gameplay encourages parents to share the legacy of Indiana Jones with their children in a fun and humorous way.

5. Lost Planet™ Extreme Condition - Colonies Edition
LOST PLANET™ EXTREME CONDITION - COLONIES EDITION provides explosive action for both online and offline players. Gamers who missed the original Lost Planet will have the opportunity to experience the epic gameplay that made the original a global hit with the added bonus of fresh new content and cross platform multi-play all at a great value price. Fans of the Lost Planet’s online action will be thrilled at the inclusion of new online modes, maps, weapons and models.

LOST PLANET™ EXTREME CONDITION - COLONIES EDITION includes everything that made the original Lost Planet a hit on 360 and PC, as well as the following new features:

• 3 new modes for single-player campaign
• 4 new online modes
• 4 new maps for online matches
• 5 new playable character models
• Multiple new weapons for both snow pirates and the robotic VS suits
• Cross-platform Battles – Xbox 360 owners can join forces or play against PC gamers
• New perspectives - Switch to first person view or the over-the-shoulder view from Resident Evil™ 4 for even more intense action
• Platinum Hits title - Value priced at $29.99!