About frackin' time news now, with the announcement that tomorrow's Xbox Live Arcade release is none other than Tetsuya Mizuguchi's plummeting block opus, Lumines Live!. Priced at 1200 MS Points ($15), the game features 12 different skins (or levels, for the uninitiated), 5.1 surround sound, online multiplayer, a bevy of single-player modes and a vaguely inspirational message transmitted through pulsating lights and spinning squares. So, what happened to all that stuff you had to buy seperately?
It's called the Advance Pack. An optional download costing 600 MS Points ($7.50) will add 22 more skins into the game -- and that's it. Considering the value of HD graphics and enhanced sound in a game which heavily relies on hypnotic presentation, $22.50 for a new Lumines title with 34 skins doesn't seem like a terrible deal, certainly not to those still addicted to the original game. Of course, not being able to play it on the bus may come as a significant loss to you, not to mention the curious fact that the main game has fewer skins than the add-on.
Stack blocks and defy sweeping timelines (if you're so inclined) on Xbox Live Arcade from Wednesday morning, 1:00AM PDT (0800 GMT). The full press release is embedded after the break.
[Update 1: Now includes interview with Mark Coates, program manager for Xbox Live Arcade.]
[Update 2: The Advance Pack is nowhere to be seen. Major Nelson says it'll arrive at a "later date."]
Video
Mark Coates, Program Manager for Xbox Live Arcade, stopped to chat with us about the future of the service and the company's prospects in the upcoming console wars. Then, he kindly challenges us to a Lumines battle.
Special thanks to Andrew, from gamerandy.com. Joystiq's more annoying Andrew also contributed to the video.
[PRESS RELEASE]
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays is making some extra noise this week. The highly anticipated music-puzzle action phenomenon, "Lumines Live!" can be yours starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, from 0800 GMT (1:00am PDT) on Xbox Live Arcade. The newest addition to the blockbuster franchise from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment comes packed with puzzles, modes, exclusive music videos and full online multiplayer play over Xbox Live. The game even has an exclusive feature that records high score gameplay in the Time Attack Mode which can be downloaded and played back by any other player.
GAME FOCUS:
"Lumines Live!" combines puzzles, music and video entertainment to create an addictively-fun gameplay experience that looks and sounds as good as it plays. Play several different single player modes, battle friends online over Xbox Live, create your own skins playlist in the all-new Skin Edit Mode, and experience new ways to play via exclusive downloadable content to enhance and extend the gameplay experience.
GAME FEATURES:
"Lumines Live!" for Xbox Live Arcade brings exciting new music, new video content, and 12 different skins, for hours of fun. The Xbox Live Arcade game features exclusive Xbox Live online multiplayer play, allowing you to play against your friends in head-to-head battles. For advanced players, gamers can change their music scene and purchase the Advance Pack from Xbox Live Marketplace for 22 new skins.
"Lumines Live!" includes:
* Full online multiplayer play over Xbox Live – battle your friends head-to-head
* Classic Lumines gameplay, including Challenge, Puzzle and vs. CPU modes
* All-new Skin Edit Mode allows you to re-mix the order of your unlocked skins to create a custom Lumines experience
* All-new Mission mode presents player with pre-designed Lumines puzzle scenarios
* Dynamic skins, sound effects and music optimized specifically for Lumines Live! in high-definition graphics and 5.1 channel surround audio
* Extensive downloadable content support over Xbox Live Marketplace – add new skins, puzzles, missions, artist packs and more
* Full suite of online leaderboards
* Achievements and Gamerscore
WHEN CAN I GET IT: Download "Lumines Live!" tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, at 1am PST on Xbox Live Arcade (available in participating countries).
"Lumines Live!" (Q Entertainment): 1200 Microsoft Points
"Lumines Live!" Advance Pack (sold separately): 600 Microsoft Points
(Page 1) Reader Comments
Look forward to tomorrow!
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That being said, I agree it's a great price and I can't wait to bust some high-def Lumines tomorrow! :)
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the game is 15 bucks, another 7 is optional.
when lumines came out for psp wasnt it 40? the ps2 version is 30 right? but no ms or should i say M$ they rip us off all the time!!! how dare they charge so much!!!
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I'm off to go buy a PSP for $200, both copies of Lumines for $50, and reserve four PlayStation3's because I'm such a stupid Sony fanboy.
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BTW: Check out my blog on my rant about the Gamestop/EB Games "After Hours Preview" event of Gears of War..I really go off on them
-B
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It's called a credit card. Most people over the age of 18 have one. Just use your credit card to buy 600 points directly from your Xbox 360. You don't even have to pay any tax.
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One thing the PSP does have (in lieu of a decent library, I suppose) is a super responsive pad.
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Check this out!
http://gunpey-r.com/psp/skin/#top
http://www.everyextendextra.com/
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Liar, in the 3 PSP's Ive had (First stolen, second is actualy my fathers, third is a 1.5) None of the D-pads were super amazing... >>;;
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Now MS has your credit card # and they will never remove it from their system.
You'll have to call to get everything cancelled, but expect a Live Gold charge every year to appear on your bill.
Happened to my friend this year. He didn't even own his 360 anymore, but that didn't stop them from charging him for another year. He told them to take his number off their computers and they denied him so he cancelled his credit card instead.
Good luck.
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Now MS has your credit card # and they will never remove it from their system.
You'll have to call to get everything cancelled, but expect a Live Gold charge every year to appear on your bill.
Happened to my friend this year. He didn't even own his 360 anymore, but that didn't stop them from charging him for another year. He told them to take his number off their computers and they denied him so he cancelled his credit card instead.
Good luck.
Well, that almost isnt entirely nonsense. Back when I first used Xbox live i had to use a friends credit card because i didnt have one. The Xbox 360 came along so i did the account transfer and no longer used my original xbox anymore. I get my own credit card so i updated all my info and it was fine. Worrying about all that other info still being on my old Xbox account i called MS up just in case and you know what!? They refused to not help me, they told me... get this.... THEY WOULD DO IT ALL FOR ME! I mean the nerve, they went through and checked on it and made sure it was all correct and up to date, and that nothing was on the old card.. what bad bad people. And to make matters worse they referred me to their secure accounts server where I can check on everything that has been done with my account, and verify it or print it. What a horrible service.
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It would've been a lot cooler if I'd remembered that before I decided to stay up in order to download Lumines.
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Plus, I still think the whole idea of paying for more of the game you already bought is absolutely retarded. Either buy the entire game, or just download the demo (for free) if you want to see how the game works. I thought people were going to boycott this so Microsoft gets the hint? I guess people realize now there's no point in trying to tell a company how to run their business. They don't listen to a few extremists who boycott a product.
The Lumines thing, and the EA thing of paying to unlock content in the game... it's just starting to really piss me off. These two particular examples might not be horribly egregious, but give it another year and see what kinds of "services" we're paying for then. It's a huge money grab. It's not going to be about the games anymore. They're just testing the waters to see how far down this path they can go; I think they'll find they'll be able to go pretty darn far.
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I also subscibe to the "well, it will look better on my HDTV as opposed to the PSP screen" notion.
Lot of whiny people in the comments today. If you don't like it, don't buy it and go back to showing off your cool PSP at recess.
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God no! Not my credit card number. It's time to run for the hills. Make sure to bring your foil hats. I hear that big corporations can control our thoughts through the power of this here Internet I keep hearing about.
Seriously, if you're unwilling to use a credit card, then you really have no business purchasing items online in this day and age. Yes there are risks, but that's the price you pay. If your friend really did ask to have his service cancelled and Microsoft really refused to do so (both of which I seriously doubt), then he could always dispute the charges with his credit card company.
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Microsoft needsd to be held accountable and the sheep need to revolt.
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
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Buying downloads makes no sense for game collectors.
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In any case, great reporting Joystiq... I'm glad I bought a functionally incomplete game.
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