Xbox LIVE Marketplace release schedule

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week:

Feb. 2: Splosion Man, 400 Microsoft Points

Xbox LIVE Games on Demand:

Jan. 26: Dead Rising and Halo Wars
Feb. 2: Medal of Honor: Airborne

Xbox LIVE Arcade:

Jan. 27: KrissX, 800 Microsoft Points
Feb. 3: Chime, 400 Microsoft Points

Xbox Avatars Marketplace:

Jan. 28: Assassin’s Creed
Feb. 4 : Valentine’s Day and Carnival collections

Game Add-Ons

Jan. 27: Pinball FX Excalibur Table, 240 Microsoft Points
Jan. 28: Assassin’s Creed II: Battle of Forli, 320 Microsft Points
Feb. 2: Halo 3 Mythic 2 Map Pack, 800 Microsoft Points

Assassin’s Creed II’s DLC "Battle of Forli" out next week

Ubisoft has finally put a price and firm date on Assassin’s Creed II‘s first batch of downloadable content.

The "Battle of Forli" DLC will arrive January 28.

Forli is a small city depicted in Assassin’s Creed II. It is based on a real place where real battles occured. Wikipedia dates a Battle of Forli as having taken place in the 13th century, which would overlap with some of the events referenced in some of the texts and bonus material in Assassin’s Creed II.

It can be yours for 320 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 or $3.99 USD/3.99€ for the PlayStation 3, depending on which version of Assassin’s Creed II you have.

The next DLC seems to come out in late February!

There may also be some other, smaller DLC on the way. The game’s creative director, Patrice Desilets, had indicated to Kotaku in September that some of the bonus areas that were initially available only to GameStop consumers would also eventually be available to more players. But Ubisoft has provided no news about that.

New Xbox Live marketplace releases

Content: DEATH BY CUBE
Type: Arcade
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: DEATH BY CUBE is an exhilarating action game in which you must take out endless hordes of enemies, while avoiding the rapid barrage of their fire that envelopes the screen. Take advantage of your shooting, as well as "dash" and "shield" abilities in order to clear each level and gain the medals which are awarded according to the score you achieve. By using the chips gained from completing levels, you can upgrade your character and focus on shooting, or on other abilities. Upgraded characters can also be used in the multiplayer modes, where up to 8 players can battle it out at the same time. DEATH BY CUBE has 3 types of multiplayer mode – "Death Match", "Base Battle" and "High Score Scramble" – so you can compete with your friends using whichever rules you like.

Add DEATH BY CUBE to your Xbox 360 download queue

Content: Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment

Type: Arcade
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) BLOOD,FANTASY VIOLENCE,MILD LANGUAGE] Konami’s legendary tactical RPG series returns with Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment for Xbox LIVE Arcade! Unlock the full game to experience speedy RPG gameplay, beautiful environments and multiple endings for endless replayability!

Add Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment to your Xbox 360 download queue

Content: Brave- Warrior’s Tale

Type: Games on Demand
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: Australia, New Zealand and North America
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) This game supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual". The exciting coming of age story of a young native american, set in a fantastic world of magic and mythology! Re-live the tales of your elders, and learn the skills you’ll need to defeat the evil Wendigo.

Add Brave- Warrior’s Tale to your Xbox 360 download queue

Content: skate.
Type: Games on Demand
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Australia and Japan
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) This game supports English only. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual". The authentic skate experience.

Add skate. to your Xbox 360 download queue

Also, Xbox LIVE members in Japan can now purchase A-Train HX.

New Xbox LIVE Arcade release

Content: Serious Sam HD: TFE
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Asia, India or New Zealand
Dash Text: Play through more than 14 levels of bedlam set against the expansive backdrop of ancient Egypt. Embrace the mayhem with up to four players through online co-op on Xbox LIVE. Post your hard-earned score to the leaderboards. Earn all those wicked achievements.

Add Serious Sam HD: TFE to your Xbox 360 download queue

Xbox LIVE marketplace release schedule

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week:
January 18th: Mass Effect’s Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station, 240 Microsoft Points each.
January 18th: Hasbro Family Game Night: Battleship, 400 Microsoft Points.
January 25th: Portal: Still Alive, 800 Microsoft Points.

Xbox LIVE Games on Demand:
January 12th: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
January 26th: Dead Rising

Xbox LIVE Arcade:
January 13th: Serious Sam: The First Encounter HD, 1200 Microsoft Points
January 20th: Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment, 1200 Microsoft Points
January 20th: Death by Cube, 800 Microsoft Points

Xbox Avatars Marketplace:
January 14th: Burton gear and Darksiders outfits.
January 21st: International attire , MX vs. ATV, and University style outfits

Starting 12th of January, the following Games on Demand are now available for a lower price:

BioShock, Saints Row, MX vs. ATV Untamed, Prey and Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution.

Plus, this Friday January 15 from 12n ET/9am PT through Monday January 18 at 12n ET/ 9am PT, Xbox LIVE Silver members can enjoy Last.fm on Xbox 360 for free.

Modern Warfare 2 hits $1 billion mark

It’s now the biggest thing ever, with the money even outpacing the likes of Avatar.

Modern Warfare 2 has "crossed the $1 billion mark in retail sales worldwide", says Activision.

As the FPS sees its dominant form continue, Activision also reveals that the game sold $550 million worldwide on its first five days on sale. Apparently, this has outpaced the likes of Avatar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and ‘The Dark Knight’.

"Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 has exceeded our expectations and shattered theatrical box office and video game records," said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. "There are only a handful of entertainment properties that have ever reached the $1 billion mark, which illustrates the power of the Call of Duty franchise and mass appeal of this game."

Source: The Official Xbox Magazine

New Xbox Live Games on Demand releases

Content: Banjo Kazooie: N and B
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Japan
Dash Text: Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual". The heroic bear and bird return at last to defend Spiral Mountain from their nemesis Gruntilda. Groundbreaking vehicular platforming awaits in wild new worlds packed with features and faces old and new. Build awe-inspiring vehicles and tackle the Jiggy challenges in any way you see fit!

Add Banjo Kazooie: N and B to your Xbox 360 download queue

Content: GRAW 2
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: All regions Japan
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) This game supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual". You are the Soldier of the Future 2.0. All systems have been upgraded to give you more power and control on the battlefield. Lead your team of elite Special Forces for the first time on US soil. You are the last line of defense and must do what it takes to be victorious.

Add GRAW 2 to your Xbox 360 download queue

Content: Kane and Lynch: Dead Men
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Korea and United States
Dash Text: This game supports English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual". A flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath forced together on a violent and chaotic path seeking redemption and revenge.

Add Kane and Lynch: Dead Men to your Xbox 360 download queue

Also, Xbox LIVE members in Japan, can now purchase Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Raiden4/???.

Top 20 Xbox LIVE Games of 2009

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Halo 3
2    Call of Duty 4
3    Modern Warfare 2
4    Call of Duty: WaW
5    Gears of War 2
6    GTA IV (Purchase and download the full game)
7    Left 4 Dead
8    Halo 3: ODST
9    FABLE II Episode 1 (of 5)
10   ??????????? (BioHazard 5 -  Resident Evil 5)
11   Halo Wars – Demo
12   RESIDENT EVIL 5
13   Fallout 3
14   UFC 2009 Undisputed Demo
15   Left 4 Dead 2 – Demo
16   Gears of War
17   1 vs 100
18   Guitar Hero World Tour
19   Guitar Hero III
20   FIFA 09

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
Click a title to send a free demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
1    Battlefield 1943
2    Castle Crashers
3    Trials HD
4    Hasbro Family Game Night **
5    Shadow Complex
6    Marvel vs. Capcom 2
7    Magic: The Gathering
8    UNO
9    Worms
10   Peggle
11   Worms 2: Armageddon
12   Turtles in Time Re-Shelled
13   ‘Splosion Man
14   A Kingdom for Keflings
15   3 on 3 NHL Arcade
16   The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
17   Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade
18   Marble Blast Ultra
19   Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
20   Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

**Combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Top Original Xbox Titles (based on UU’s)
1    Halo 2
2    Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3    Fable
4    Counter-Strike
5    Conker: Live Reloaded
6    Doom 3
7    Splinter Cell Chaos
8    SW: KOTOR
9    Star Wars: Battlefront
10    SW: Republic Commando
11    Burnout 3
12    Fable: Lost Chapters
13    Call of Duty 2
14    Call of Duty 3
15    Call of Duty Finest
16    MechAssault 2
17    Crimson Skies
18    Guilty Gear XX #Reload
19    Rainbow Six 3
20    Gauntlet Seven Sorrows

Top Indie Games (Full Versions purchased)
1    I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1
2    Avatar Drop
3    RC-AirSim
4    Headshot
5    Miner Dig Deep
6    Rumble Massage
7    Who Did I Date Last Night
8    Kodu Game Lab
9    Avatar Golf
10    Aquarium HD
11    myFishtank
12    Head Shot 2
13    DrumKit
14    A Perfect Massage
15    The Impossible Game
16    Inside Lacrosse’s CL2010
17    ZP2K9
18    ezmuze+ Hamst3r edition
19    The Drinking Game
20    Physics Sandbox

Top Games For Windows LIVE (based on UU’s)
1    GTA IV
2    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
3    Fallout 3
4    Shadowrun
5    Street Fighter IV
6    Halo 2 (PC)
7    Batman: Arkham Asylum
8    Resident Evil 5
9    Gears of War (Windows)
10    Red Faction Guerrilla
11    Battlestations: Pacific
12    Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
13    DiRT 2
14    Section 8
15    Quantum of Solace PC
16    FlatOut UC (PC)
17    Fuel
18    Viva Piñata
19    SWTCW: Republic Heroes
20    Juiced 2: HIN

These lists are based on global unique users connected to the Live Service during 2009 or in the case of Arcade and Indie Games, full versions purchased during the year.