In the [url=http://www.bizarreonline.net/news.php?id=13958]latest Bizarre studio update[/url], the exact details of what Boom Boom Rocket truly is are finally revealed. There can be no more guessing based off of screenshots, since this is the real deal. The core gameplay is like DDR but with a controller and classical music. The goal is to rack up points and big multipliers, which lead to bonus rounds. Full details and new screenshots can be found at the [url=http://www.bizarreonline.net/news.php?id=13958]studio update page[/url]. [Via [url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3157200]1up[/url]]

And the Boom Boom Rocket information keeps on coming. Tdhedengren from over at Live Arcade Review has tipped us off that EA has released three screen shots of their upcoming hypnotic rhythm music game. While not a lot can be deciphered from the shots, it's good to see that the game is far enough along to show itself.

You can check out some high res shots on here.

And I thought I was busy today :)

Gamasutra has posted an interview with EA's Online VP Chip Lange where he talks about various aspects of EA's XBLA strategy as well as Boom Boom Rocket. Possibly the best part of the interview is that he states that EA is already working on "a couple of exciting Xbox Live Arcade titles".

Check out the entire article here.

News just broke that Bizarre Creations next XBLA title has been revealed. The game is described as a "hypnotic rhythm music game" and sounds like it's in the same vein as the hugely popular (well at least with 1up's Luke Smith) Elite Beat Agents.

While there will no doubt be some uproar that it's not Geometry Wars 2, any title from the developer is welcome in my books. Add to this that it's scheduled to be released "Spring 2007" and that it marks EA's (the publisher of the title) first foray into XBLA, and I'd say this is great news. Now if only we could get EA to unlock the vault of older titles!

Here's the Press Release:

[quote]

EA Launches Onto Xbox Live Arcade With Boom Boom Rocket

Original Rhythm Music Arcade Game Developed by Bizarre Creations

Redwood City, Calif., – 17th January 17, 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced its launch onto Microsoft’s Xbox Live® Arcade with Boom Boom Rocket™. The game is a hypnotic rhythm music game conceived by EA’s Pogo,com™ casual games design team and developed by Bizarre Creations, the developer who brought Project Gotham Racing® 3 to the Xbox 360™, and fan-favourite Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved to Xbox Live Arcade. The game is scheduled to go live Spring 2007 and is EA’s first title on Xbox Live Arcade.

In Boom Boom Rocket, players trigger rockets to the beat of the music while travelling through a 3D cityscape. The better the player times the explosions, the more spectacular the fireworks effects. The fireworks are choreographed to 10 original tracks created by Ian Livingstone. Players can play in single player mode or go head-to-head against a friend on the same console.

“As one of the worldwide leaders in game publishing, EA has long recognised the power of on-demand, online entertainment,” said Chris Early, Product Unit Manager for Xbox Live Arcade and Microsoft Casual Games. ”We’re honoured that EA has chosen Xbox Live Arcade as the platform for their first-ever downloadable game for console game players and are excited to make Boom Boom Rocket available to the millions of Xbox Live Arcade players around the world.”

“Boom Boom Rocket is an addictive and original challenge for all types of gamer, and we"re enjoying working with EA to create this unique Xbox Live Arcade experience”, said Martyn Chudley, Managing Director of Bizarre Creations. “Our teams love both working and playing on Xbox Live Arcade, and we"re looking forward to releasing another innovative title on this platform with Boom Boom Rocket.”

“This is a perfect time to bring such a unique and custom-built arcade game to Xbox Live Arcade gamers,” said Chip Lange, EA Vice President. “We’ve crafted Boom Boom Rocket to offer an intensely fun entertainment experience for the thriving community of hard core and casual gamers alike on Xbox Live Arcade. It’s only natural that our launch title comes from the Pogo team, given their remarkable success with casual games.”

The game features three modes of gameplay: Normal, Speed and multiplayer head-to-head. Each song is choreographed into three skill levels to ensure that everyone can join in the fun. Successfully chain fireworks to fill the bonus meter and activate the psychedelic bonus mode for extra points.

Players can unlock new firework designs by mastering each music track. You can also utilis e the connected online element and see how their scores compare with other players on the Boom Boom Rocket leaderboard.