This Week in Downloadable Content

Both the Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade have some interesting offerings this week, and Microsoft has released word of a lot of new things to come via their community service. The day before yesterday saw the release of Punch-Out!!, Virtua Fighter 2, and Bonk's Revenge for the Wii's download service. No Mike Tyson in this version of Punch-Out!!, but it's still (as Kohler puts it) one of the 'best videogames of all time.' On the Xbox side, today sees the release of a 'double header' of games: Gyruss and 3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures . Gyruss is a Konami arcade port, while Minigolf includes a course editor to distract you from the simple gameplay. As far as new XBLA content goes: The Daily show is already available on the service, along with The Colbert Report, Carcossonne will join Settlers of Catan and (apparently) Talisman in boardgame-to-Xbox ports, and Microsoft is looking for pitches for a television show to be shown exclusively on Xbox live. If you win the TV contest, you get to make it for them.

Comments

Punch-Out without Mike Tyson

[EveryNickIsTaken]

is like a slashdot article without a swipe at MS. Occassionally entertaining, but clearly lacking.

Re:Punch-Out without Mike Tyson

[timster]

It's more like a Slashdot discussion without a metaphor. Maybe you'll miss it, but did you really need it anyway?

Re:Punch-Out without Mike Tyson

[david.given]

And what makes it even more amusing is that it was actually a simile!

Why, no, I'm not a card carrying member of the pedant's society. (It's actually made out of plastic...)

Re:Punch-Out without Mike Tyson

[timster]

If it helps, I internally debated for several seconds on that issue, but as a matter of writing for the audience I went with 'metaphor'. I feel that the difference between the two is subtle and more likely to be understood in a linguistics or writing discussion than a thread about old-school video games. I suppose I could have chosen 'analogy', but that seems too broad; I'm not sure how much of a discussion you could have about anything without some use of analogy.

To be sure, I believe in pedantry for the simple reason that communication is clearer when we can come to some sort of agreement on the meaning of the words and sentence structures we're using. But clear communication is the overall goal. Besides, as a matter of pure pedantry I could suggest that an analogy first expressed in terms of a simile can turn toward a metaphor if the writer continues on with points of comparison between the two concepts.

Settlers of Catan online makes me tingle

[coug_]

:o

I own a copy of the board game, but haven't played it for years, mainly because nobody I know anymore knows how to play it and I'd teach my wife but that still leaves us at least one player short, and two players short for a decent game.

Re:Settlers of Catan online makes me tingle

[Anonymous Coward]

It's the same in most marriages. Sure you can teach your wife to do it but you always feel a player short and you definately need two more for a great time.

Re:Settlers of Catan online makes me tingle

[hal2814]

My wife and I play Pioneers (formerly Gnocatan) along with AI players. The AI players are mostly cannon fodder, but they get in the way enough to make the game interesting to both of us. We also use Red Alert II's AI in the same way.

Re:Settlers of Catan online makes me tingle

[cpt.hugenstein]

I am in the same boat, I simply need more geek friends if this was on wii and I could find a wii it would be perfect

Re:Settlers of Catan online makes me tingle

[Is0m0rph]

That and Carcassonne are going to really make Live great for me. I'm already hooked on Worms to the point where I don't play much else besides Guitar Hero 2. XBLA has been shining lately with great releases after a few week drought.

Awww Man.

[Higaran]

Punch out without Tyson, is like bacon without eggs, what a rip.

OK, was it real?

[CastrTroy]

Ok, I'm not sure if this was real or not, but there was a rumour going around that if you beat Tyson, you went onto more fights and eventually got to fight an alien. I doubt it was true though. Anyway, was anybody else annoyed that the Game Genie codes for no damage worked on everyone except Tyson?

Re:OK, was it real?

[UbuntuDupe]

Hey, some study hall teacher from '89 called. She says she's missing a student.

Re:OK, was it real?

[Tickenest]

I recall reading in Nintendo Power about a Punch-Out 2 for the NES where your boxer does in fact start boxing aliens. I don't know if it was ever released, though.

Re:OK, was it real?

[sudnshok]

Not true. Mike Tyson was the last opponent. And no, I was not annoyed by any Game Genie codes... how much fun is the game when you take away the gameplay? Tyson was not that hard. Once you got through the 1:30 of those 1 punch knock-down uppercuts, he was almost as easy as Super Macho Man.

Wow!

[Anonymous Coward]

For once slashdot was right! There is nothing to see there!

Settlers may be cheaper than board counterpart.

[hal2814]

After buying the Settlers of Catan, Seafarers of Catan, the 5-6 Player expansion and all the other odds and ends, it may be cheaper to just buy a 360 and play it online. Does the XBox Live Catan have a decent AI? I wish the Pioneers (formerly Gnocatan) AI could use their darn ships. Fish in a barrel...

Re:Settlers may be cheaper than board counterpart.

[LordNimon]

Klaus Teuber was impressed with the AI:

"I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for the Xbox Live Arcade is an amazing achievement."

Re:Settlers may be cheaper than board counterpart.

[Caffeinate]

I would say that "Catan" on 360 will be just the boardgame "Settlers of Catan" and we'll be nickelled and dimed for the Seafarers, Cities and Knights and possibly even for 6 player support (although there's no reason not to have that in the first place).

Re:Settlers may be cheaper than board counterpart.

[LordNimon]

I don't think I'd want 6-player support for an online Catan. If 5-6 people want to play, they can just create two games and invite some new people. I think Catan is going to be the only game I play on XLA with people not on my Friend's list.

Carcasonne? Catan? Talisman? Sweet!

[somnambulant]

The board games they're offering may actually persuade me to pick up a 360 someday... I own and play all these board games, but it's tough to find the time/players the older I get.

Online play would mean I could play whenever I want.

One thing I'm wondering though is will they put in the random endings for when you reach the middle of the board in Talisman?

After surviving the wandering dragons, ghouls, giants, trolls and a devil... after surviving your friends many assassination attempts and finishing the quest for the crazy wizard to get the Talisman so you could survive the Inner Layers and then you climb your way to the Crown of Commands room... you flip the random card and....
you get sucked into the Horrible Black Void.

Then you endure the endless mocking of your friends.

I hope they keep this in the game... i need to take this out on random people over the internets.

My pitch for a TV series

[Picass0]

First Pitch
"Great Moments in Antitrust Litigation"
Tonight's Episode "The US vs. Microsoft"

Second Concept:
"SCO and MS - Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!!!"
Dorothy and Toto explain the SCO vs. The World lawsuits. Dorothy can be played by a pixelated PJ from Groklaw.

Third Concept:
"The Role of Lobbyists and Patents in Software Development"
Sung by the "A Bill" from Schoolhouse Rock. The pilot episode can be "How to gloss over Prior Art"

Re:My pitch for a TV series

[moocow88]

If I were chosen to make the show I would make it similar to the Mac vs. PC comercials. 3 friends (Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo) that have crazy adventures and somehow make it that Xbox is eveyones favorite character. I would like to see somthing like that.

Eventually got to fight a noncitizen?

[tepples]

Ok, I'm not sure if this was real or not, but there was a rumour going around that if you beat Tyson, you went onto more fights and eventually got to fight an alien. Except for Sandman, Macho Man, and Tyson, aren't all the opponents aliens?

I doubt it was true though. There is an "Another World Circuit" password. I don't know if you can earn that password within the game, but it was printed in Nintendo Power and you may be able to find it on GameFAQs.

Re:Eventually got to fight a noncitizen?

[skimmer]

After you beat Tyson, you can fight a new circuit which has harder versions of some of the old fighters.

Rainbow Six Vegas DLC Today (Wed 18th)

[snsr]

There's a new levels/game modes pack on Live Marketplace for anyone so inclined..

Re:Rainbow Six Vegas DLC Today (Wed 18th)

[Anonymous Coward]

There's a new levels/game modes pack on Live Marketplace for anyone so inclined..
How on earth does a post about downloadable content in a thread about downloadable content get modded offtopic?

Wii Boardgames

[Rolgar]

I really think the Wii needs to open up to boardgame development. I know that the primary way the system is to be used is to have the player up and moving. But the Wii-mote is the most mouse-like interface a console has ever seen, and would be great for rolling dice by shaking the controller, adding on a small hand held screen in place of the Nun-chuck for hidden information that other players shouldn't know, like cards for poker or Risk, etc. I plan on getting a system, and I'd love to have some board game type games that the family could play in the living room.

Re:Wii Boardgames

[toleraen]

I dunno, I think the SNES Mouse is probably a little more mouse-like than the Wiimote.

The screen thing could be kinda cool though...maybe have the DS as an interface. Or a PSP (then I'd actually get use out of it). Players could hand that off when it's their turn so you'd only need one. Somehow I think that requiring two consoles to play one game might not go over so well though! Maybe have the Wii host a webserver so you could use a laptop to see your cards...who knows. I'll stop rambling...good call on the board games though!

Re:Wii Boardgames

[trdrstv]

The screen thing could be kinda cool though...maybe have the DS as an interface. Or a PSP (then I'd actually get use out of it). Players could hand that off when it's their turn so you'd only need one. Somehow I think that requiring two consoles to play one game might not go over so well though! Maybe have the Wii host a webserver so you could use a laptop to see your cards...who knows. I'll stop rambling...good call on the board games though!

The DS would be perfect (as discussed on IGN) for Scrabble or Poker type games. The Wii hosts the game, and each DS serves as that player's private screen. To make the Wii+DS a requirement would be lousy. So you sell the game either in a collection with other games (or on the VC for cheap.) and offer computer AI, and Online game play.

That way people could get their value of playing with friends online (or solo), and it solves the local multiplayer issue if these people happen to have DS's.

Honestly though, I would be happy to get Monopoly or Risk on the Wii. If it's 'Casual gamer friendly' Board games are a natural fit...

Re:Wii Boardgames

[toleraen]

For Risk you can try www.wiicade.com...they've got a risk clone on there. My wife was playing it and I didn't really see how close to the original it was, but just a suggestion. Flash sites are probably going to be the easiest way to get your board game fix on the Wii, at least for now.

Re:Wii Boardgames

[trdrstv]

For Risk you can try www.wiicade.com...they've got a risk clone on there. My wife was playing it and I didn't really see how close to the original it was, but just a suggestion. Flash sites are probably going to be the easiest way to get your board game fix on the Wii, at least for now.

Awsome. Do you remember what it was called, or who made it? I was searching under key works of 'global, conflict, territory, etc..' and didn't find it.

Thanks in advance.

Re:Wii Boardgames

[jasko]

I've been thinking about adding a Wii to sit next to my 360. But when I want to play boardgames with my family in the living room, we play board games. Try some of these on for size:

• Kill Doctor Lucky - the award winning game of what happens right before Clue begins. I happen to own and love the Cheapass version as well.
• Battlelore - the best light wargame I've ever played
• Mystery of the Abbey - Clue for fans of The Name of the Rose and Brother Cadfael
• Puerto Rico - a classic eurogame and, for my money, the best "gateway game" there is. I'll play this over Catan any day of the week.
• Warrior Knights - an updated version of the '85 classic, and a terrific American-style boardgame (which is to say, there's direct player vs. player conflict). Where else can you be made Ambassador to the Orient and a Traitor to the Crown on the same turn?

I'm not affiliated with any of these publishers or their resellers or the industry at all - I just wanted to provide links for more information. My wife and my 10-year old son and I get a lot of pleasure out of playing these games. And believe me, I understand the desire for online and / or anytime play. In today's world, any boardgame has to offer a significant tactile reward for playing, and all of the games I listed are well made and provide pleasure just in handling them. I'm looking forward to the boardgame releases for the 360, I just don't consider them replacements for real boardgames. Just like Oblivion doesn't replace the tabletop RPG sessions I run.

Re:Wii Boardgames

[toleraen]

The game is called Dice Wars. As someone who's played a lot of risk over the years, I can say that this game isn't nearly as good as my wife seems to think! But if you're in dire need of some 1 player vs computer risk, it might do the trick. To get to it from the homepage, go to "Puzzle", sort by rating (default), and it's the top rated game on there.

Re:Wii Boardgames

[trdrstv]

THANK YOU!

Re:Zonk strikes again...

[androvsky]

Think of it as a very subtle opportunity to bash Sony by not mentioning what's coming out tomorrow on the PSN (Calling All Cars is slated, iirc). Now does Zonk's posting make sense? ;)

Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[kinglink]

Ignoring the fact that both shows have little to do with news and more to do with humor. The fact Microsoft is charging 2 dollars an episode for it is more than sad. There's people in other countries almost demanding Microsoft make it available for them, but look at the simple math.

2 dollars an episode for at least 20 episodes a month is 40 dollars. My cable bill is 40 dollars a month, I also get many more channels than comedy central and with an extra 5 bucks I get a DVR which means I can get all these shows already.

Personally the Video service Microsoft is offering needs to figure out a way to market the tv shows (unskipable advertisements at the beginning would be acceptable to me) because as it stands now it's less than a novelty, it's an insult.

Hell the Movies you only get for a couple days, the tv shows you are overcharged for. It's just not right.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[Anonymous Coward]

Ignoring the fact that both shows have little to do with news and more to do with humor.

That's an ignorant thing to say. Did you see Stewart's interview with John Bolton? They had a very serious, relevant, and *polite* debate on the nature of the executive branch. You'd be hard-pressed to find that kind of in-depth political discussion on CNN or Fox News.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[GrayCalx]

You'd be hard-pressed to find that kind of in-depth political discussion on CNN or Fox News.

If you're a fan of the liberal humor on the Daily Show its better to keep your mouth shut about such things. As a "comedy program" they are allowed to bring in whatever guests (read political candidates) they want. As a "news program" they'd be required by law to give equal time to both Democratic and Republican candidates.

Meh, not that an Anonymous Coward posting on slashdot is going to change that but still, something to consider.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[GrayCalx]

If you have cable, why do you even care?

Sure I'd like consoles themselves to be cheaper, I think $500 for a ps3 as you say "is less than a novelty, its an insult." So I don't buy it. I wish my new house cost half the price. Gas is too high. Cigarette prices keep going up. Coffee from Starbucks is $4. And you're complaining about a downloadable TV show... that you've already seen... on cable... ooooo-kay.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[toolie]

Hell the Movies you only get for a couple days, the tv shows you are overcharged for. It's just not right.

So do the sensible thing and don't buy them. Its not that hard to ignore the stuff shoveled at you.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[Anonymous Coward]

Interview-format shows are exempt from the equal time provision.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[bclark]

They're the same price as on the iTunes store. I'm not sure if these shows are filmed in HD or if they'll offer HD version, but from what I've seen, they look better on my HDTV than tv shows do streamed over an AppleTV. So, superior product at the same price point as a competitor. Can't miss a chance to jab at Microsoft?

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[toleraen]

Indeed, lets all ignore the facts. Yourself included. If TDS/CR have little to do with news, I'd hate to see what's on Fox News. Oh yeah, Anna Nichole Smith for 6 weeks straight, nevermind.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[kinglink]

I love this thought process that because I'm not currently bitching about anyone else that it's only about Microsoft. I don't support Apple, Microsoft or anyone else who charges more than a fair amount for their wares.

I was simply pointing out that for the same price they are charging you can get something else easily worth more (aka a whole month of basic cable versus 20 shows that are available on basic cable). If Microsoft or Apple wants to find a business model for this situation then they have to change. 2 dollars is a lot for a 20 minute show, even more when that show isn't connected to anything. I understand having to buy a 2 dollar show of a drama like Lost, 24, or stargate where if something happens and you miss the episode you'll have trouble keeping up but just getting a quantity of goods at 2 dollars doesn't make sense.

And believe me I've already taken my shots at Playstation (where to start) and Nintendo (the sega VC games are just sad when you can get them most of them for 20 bucks on a PS2 game). But this article is about microsoft. I don't have to constantly bitch about everyone because then it would be nonsensical. I'm discuss the matter at hand, or can't you figure that out?

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[Anonymous Coward]

Given that the entire point of the Colbert Report is to ignore facts, yes, let's ignore them. Truthiness is more important anyway.

Besides, the Daily Show and the Colbert Report don't try and be actual news sources. They try and make people laugh. If people learn something through them - that's just sad, really.

The Daily Show's entire coverage of the Virginia Tech tragedy essentially boiled down to Jon Stewart saying it was depressing. It's just not something they can joke about, so they just skip it entirely. I'm sure some overreactions will make it eventually, but if it's not funny - it doesn't make it on the show. Because it's not a news show, it's a comedy show.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[LordNimon]

Maybe he'd like to cancel cable and just pay for the shows he wants to watch? I canceled my standard cable service and downgraded to basic, saving me about $40/month. The only shows I was watching on those channels were Dead Zone, both Stargates, and occasionally the Daily Show. Now I wait for the DVDs of DZ and the SGs, but the Daily Show is another matter. When I hear that they'd be available on XLM, I got excited. That is, until I saw the price: $2 per 25-minute episode. Assuming 4.5 weeks/month, and 4 episodes/week, that translates to $36/month. How can you justify that cost? For that amount of money, I could get ALL of Comedy Central and about 30 other channels.

TV shows should cost about $1/hour. Even if you double that to $2/hour to account for lack of commercials, that still makes the Daily Show two times as expensive. And why can't we have commercials anyway? Even though most people will fast-forward through them, the price of the commercials could at least cover the cost bandwidth. That would make Microsoft's expenses almost zero.

Microsoft needs to do something to bring these costs down. The cost of a single show *cannot* be the same as the cost of an entire cable subscription. That's just ridiculous.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[GrayCalx]

How can you justify that cost?

I couldn't, thats why I won't do it. I'm sorry that Microsoft and NetFlix and the networks aren't making it possible for you to do EXACTLY what you want for the price that you want... my point was that this occurs everywhere, to everyone, with just about every product.

The cost of a single show *cannot* be the same as the cost of an entire cable subscription.

And yet it is. Mind-boggling...

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[bclark]

I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your comment, that's just the way it read to me, and given the typical bias seen in comments around here I think it's a forgiveable interpretation. I agree that the first reaction for many people is that $2 a TV show is too expensive. But, for many other people, it isn't. Perhaps they watched an episode and want to download it to re-watch, to show their friends. It's convenient to turn the Xbox or iTunes on and do that practically instantly. Perhaps you only watch the show when there are guests on that you like. Perhaps it's the only show you watch. A few of my friends download The Office every week because they don't want to wait for the DVD to come out. They like having it in their collection, and there is not a big difference in price between the downloads and the discs. My cable bill is almost $70 a month. There are definitely situations where this can be cheaper.

I worked on the iTunes music store last summer, and the TV shows are a very big success. All I was saying with my comment is that $2 a show, even if you think it's expensive, is the established price for a TV show download. Microsoft isn't pulling it out of their ass. I personally think that other things Microsoft is selling on Xbox Live are far too expensive, like the $6.00 Guitar Hero packs of 3 songs. However, a look at the leaderboards shows that plenty of people don't feel the same way. You and I may not be buying, but thousands of people are.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[kinglink]

It wasn't just you, in the past many people have chimed in like this no matter the topic and I find it a bit odd because I'm not saying iTunes is any different (though I thought iTunes was cheaper for 30 minute shows).

I actually picked up the Guitar Hero packs (I thought it was worth the money). But for TV I actually got a DVR for the exact reason you mention, I want to have a copy of it on my drive if I want to rewatch it. I just find the prices for their tv selection and movie selection to be more expensive than they need to make it a viable alternative to DVDs or rental stores. Where as the iTunes music is a perfect alternative to CDs in that you buy what you want.

Re:Daily Show and Colbert report at 2 bucks a pop.

[Is0m0rph]

Well you could be paying $2.08 a pop like a Guitar Hero 2 song but having to buy 3 of them at a time besides. I have bought a couple shows off the marketplace. If you were going to do your sole TV watching from there it would be expensive. If you missed an episode of a show for some reason and REALLY wanted to see it or keep it then $2 isn't too bad.

Re:Zonk strikes again...

[powerlord]

How is this anything but a sales pitch for Nintendo and Microsoft? How is it "news", even by slashdot's normally loose definition?

What? You want him to actually research what's new on Sony's platform also?

That would be HARD to find. Heck I mean its stickied at the top of the Forums even.

In summary, MKII was just released last thursday, either Super Rub-A-Dub (addictive puzzle game) or Calling All Cars (from Al Jaffe) is expected tomorrow.

For a minute I had forgotten about Zonk's slant on gaming news. Good to know he's back in usual form.

In PS3-land

[cxreg]

Sony doesn't announce what is coming in the Thursday update ahead of time, but speculation is that some or all of Calling All Cars, Super Rub-a-Dub, and the Home beta are coming out this week.

Settlers of Catan ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Is there a PC version?

I had no intention of buying an xbox360 but if its the only way to play settlers then fine,

also i hope its in german, thats half the fun of playing the game imho ertz

Bring me this and I'll buy a 360

[GregPK]

Bring me Carmagedon 1 for the xbox live arcade on the 360 and I'll buy a 360.

Re:Settlers of Catan - Already Online

[juletre]

You can play Settlers online against other humans or bots, the bots are at an OK level. check out jsettlers for more information. Or jsettlers.com.

Besides, you don't know anyone who knows how to play anymore, and you are only interested in teaching your wife? How about some non-wife people you know as well?