Gamerscoreblog has the details on an upcoming title update for Space Giraffe. It seems the leaderboards have become awash with people using nefarious means (read: exploits) to climb to the top. In response, Minter and crew have pushed an update out (arriving to us later this week) that will fix the following issues:

• Players will no longer be able to indefinitely hold the power zone at its maximum on a given level.
• Players will no longer be able to indefinitely ‘juggle’ enemies.

As a result of the update, the leaderboards will be reset and all will be well in the land of llamas. I assume that this update is the one we heard about last month.

[via Gamerscoreblog, XBLAInsider]

I know were a couple of days late with this news, but with Major Nelson's podcast blogcast weighing in at just under two hours, it took a couple of attempts to get through it (remind me again why you can't fast forward music files on the 360?).

Jeff Minter, the creator of space giraffe, was on the latest episode talking about everything from his vast programming past to the OXM review.  Disappointed as we were that it didn't turn into screaming tornado of cursing towards OXM, the end of the interview certainly peaked our interest.

Llamasoft is already discussing it's next title.  Little is know about it at this point, but it will be a shooter, and it should be coming to XBLA. 

DO WANT!

Remember when the US OXM reviewed Space Giraffe at a miserable 2 out of 10? Llamasoft has created a new t-shirt for all of you Space Giraffe lovers and ironically for all of the Space Giraffe haters in the world. Granted the only way a hater would purchase this shirt is if they don't understand sarcasm or if they are Dan from OXM (come on you owe it to them to at least purchase this). What does the t-shirt say? "Space Giraffe is rubbish! OXM Dan is my main man! 2/10 FAIL!"

Anyone who plays this game even if they don't like the game know that the title does not deserve an OXM's 2/10!

[Via Kotaku]

Over on his stinkygoat blog, Mr. Minter has dropped a hint of an upcoming patch for his latest opus Space Giraffe. And by hint, I mean this statement:

We are going to release a small patch to fix a couple of minor issues that have come to our attention since launch.

Minter also notes that the (in his eyes) needlessly drawn out and bureaucratic process of releasing said fix contains "this massive, spirit-crushing inertia...that causes the pain". This derives from the sad fact that 5 minutes of code fixes necessitates a two week testing period prior to the patch's release.

It seems that being the proud papa of the sometimes beloved and often misunderstood Space Giraffe has taken its toll on Minter. The extended certification process for the game (and now for the patch) has worn him down. Here's hoping he is able to take the advice of his commenters and find someplace warm where people serve fruity drinks topped with umbrellas to get a little rest and time away from the screen.

[via stinkygoat's livejournal, thanks dezombie]

For all those still contemplating last week's XBLA offerings here are the results of our new community fighting rating system:

The number inside the parens is the number of total votes that came from demo-only players. Thus, "2(1)" means two votes, one of which was made by a demo-only player.

[Update]: New votes from comments added.

Street Trace: NYC

Cost: 800 MSP

Thumbs?: Up - 4(0); Down - 1(1); Undecided - 0(0)

Highlights from the comments: "...a lot of variety", "online...an absolute blast", "Game play feels at least twice as fast as Wing Commander: Arena...", "A bit rough around the edges", "Too many buttons", "in the racing mode, it was too hard to find a good/safe route."

Space Giraffe

Cost: 400 MSP

Thumbs?: Up - 3(0); Down - 2(2); Undecided - 1(1)

Highlights from the comments: "Very creative game", "a modern 'arcade classic'", "Way too hard to determine when I'm about to die...Surprises and frustrates", "nearly impossible sell at 800 MSP, but at 400 MSP it's a bit tempting"

Now, I know there are more of you other there with strong opinions. Chime in already (witty banter optional). We need to hear from you so we don't miss the gems or buy the duds (money is tight after all). Feel free to comment here and I'll update the post as I can with the new numbers.

Calling all opinioned XBLA lovers! Wanna warn our community about a stinker of an XBLA game? Need to convince someone else to buy an XBLA game so you have a multiplayer buddy? You've come to the right post.

Since we lack the technology (as of this moment) to implement the oft discussed and desired XBLACRS (aka XBLArcade Community Rating System) I've decided to take matters into my own insane brain and hatch a post like no other. And this is that post (cue the trumpets).

Read the "rules" post-leap and then get to work!

I was wrong. SPFIITHDR let me down. But in its place are two other highly sought after titles beginning with the letter "S". The long awaited and gritty Street Trace:NYC is joined by Jeff Minter's triptastic Space Giraffe. Both clock in at 800 MSP and They will be available at the usual time on this Wednesday, August 22nd.

This marks an XBLA first: two new IPs debuting on the same day for 800 MSP each. Street Trace:NYC will be available at 800 MSP. Apparently, Gamerscoreblog got a little confused with all the dancing lights in Space Giraffe and tried to price it a little high but Jeff Minter says 400 MSP. And there was much rejoicing. Yay...

Remember to check out my previous previews of Street Trace:NYC: Gameplay, Single Player, and Multiplayer.

Also, screens for Space Giraffe are here. Street Trace:NYC, here.

[via Gamerscoreblog]

[Update]: Pricing information corrected. Stupid mistake ruined my whole post...grr...

The latest addition to the ESRB is not in the least bit exciting. Oh, I'm sorry. Were you interested in the Tempest-based psychadelic shoot-a-thon named Space Giraffe? In that case, pop the champagne.

The game garners a rating of E for everyone. Guess Minter did indeed eliminate catchy phrases like these (link filled with naughty words, beware) from the game.

This announcement is likely extra cause for celebration in the house of Minter as the various ratings boards threw them into a bit of a tizzy during certification. But that is all behind them now and Space Giraffe is finally past final cert and hopefully headed our way soon.

In addition to that, the XBLA-speculated Live Free or Die Hard has reemerged at the top of the list. But honestly, that probably means little to nothing.

Here's a rundown of what else is lurking within the bowels of the ESRB after you click the link below and stuff.

A bunch of tidbits have trickled their way to us here at XBLArcade over the course of the weekend (and this morning) so here's a quick and dirty rundown of the latest word in XBLA.

And remember, we here at XBLArcade love tips! Even if it does take us a little while to get around to them. Here we go down the rabbit hole.

Sad that this Wednesday lacks the current trend of two-fers? Getting another retro title this week left you cold? Don't despair. Prepare for things to "heat up" very soon. The games coming out soon are "sizzling". Or so Microsoft would have you think.

The good news:

• Ecco the Dolphin, Hexic 2, and War World all coming out this month.
• GEON: Emotions, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Space Giraffe, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix all arriving "in the coming weeks".

The bad news:

• With three Wednesday's left in August and three games listed, kiss your two-fers goodbye.
• No word on Sensible World of Soccer, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Street Trace:NYC, and many other games starting with the letter "S".
• A personal note: Where is my Mutant Storm Empire?!?

Feel free to add your own angry, sad, or psychotic, "where is _____?!?!?!" comments below.

Full "Media Alert" (cough*press release*cough) after that clicking thing you do below.

[via Gamerscoreblog]