Sierra Online isn't holding back. Ross Erickson and crew aren't going to sit idly by while Mr. Erickson's former colleague Greg Canessa touts PopCap's status as the "#1 Developer on XBLA" and steals the spotlight. Oh no. The glove has come off and has been slapped across Canessa's face as Erickson "demands satisfaction".

Okay, so maybe I embellished that a bit (read: made it all up) but in a move worthy of Activision, Sierra Online has buckled up in their XBLA car and stomped on the gas. And that means videos. Videos of games we're dying to play. Games like Commanders: Attack! and Red Baron. Games that can't come soon enough. And thus, I present to you, the Sierra Gamer's Week XBLA Video Jamboree 2007! Woo!

Videos: Red Baron, Switchball, Commanders: Attack!, and Battlestar Galactica.

Commentary after the break.

[via GameTrailers, thanks for the initial tip Shaolin Munkeh]

Wanako Studios, the largest Latin American video game development house (and now owned by Vivendi/Sierra Online), is churning out a new game called Arkadian Warriors. Details are a bit thin, but based on Wanako's pedigree (Assault Heroes, 3D Ultra Minigolf) it's fairly safe to assume that this is headed for XBLA.

The announcement came out of Leipzig with the following blurb and feature description:

Define your legacy... Awaken your inner-beast... Fight with one of Arkadian' three powerful warriors to the ultimate confrontation with Gorgon herself. Spanning treacherous dungeons consisting of countless enemies, heinous and powerful bosses, your warriors will embark on a trek of unimaginable proportions.

If that's got you interested (or even if it hasn't) here are some screens to sink your teeth into. (More talking after the break.)

[Update]: Ross Erickson has confirmed with us that this game is indeed headed for XBLA.

[Update2]: We unfortunately had the incorrect name of the title, it's now fixed.

Since I've been horribly backlogged with tips and other stories I thought I'd turn this into a regularly occurring feature. It's an easy way for me to catch up and also harness your collective tipster skillz.

So, here's what's been happening around the XBLA world that I haven't had the chance to share:

Could it be? It appears that Major Nelson has come through for us two weeks in a row. Of course, things aren't as perfect as they seem. What you see below is the newly corrected list. When the list originally appeared, it had a surprise visitor: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.

Ever since that point speculation has run rampant. The most common theory seems to be this: SPFIITHDR appeared on PartnerNet and was "purchased" by so many people that it appeared on the list. Strange but true? We'll never know. So, let's just look (and read) below and focus on what we do know.

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)

*WOC: Weeks on Charts

I feel a little guilty. Here I am posting with vitriol about how this week's Wednesday was the first in recent memory to cheat us out of an XBLA two-fer. And then, the day arrived and we were overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness of all the new content. What content, you say? Why, let me tell you!

In that lull before the Wednesday XBLA goodness, Major Nelson brings us word of new XBLA content. A theme for Carcassonne. That's it. Nothing else. Just a theme. Details after the break.

Totally worthy of a post, isn't it?

[via Major Nelson]

Major Nelson has posted the lastest list of marketplace content and it definately is a bountiful harvest today for XBLArcaders. Content, pictures and themes are available for 3D Ultra Minigolf (content), Alien Hominid (content, pictures), Band of Bugs (content), Mad Tracks (content, theme), and Soltrio Solitaire (content).

Marketplace users in Japan will be able to finally pick up a copy of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on their native Marketplace.

Full details of this content is available on Major Nelson's website.

In case you missed it this weekend -- Mark Wilson, of Kotaku, got his hands on Sierra Online's upcoming Battlestar Galactica. Filled with high hopes and what appears to be a mild case of fanboyitis, Mark Wilson ultimately comes out disappointed. But I'll let his own words speak for said feelings:

"...it's a lame arena shooter without the weapon combat, controls, or maybe most importantly, almost any exploitation of the rich IP to make it a fun title."

Ouch.

BSG will indeed face stiff competition from Wing Commander: Arena, but to be fair, it doesn't seem like he had the option of testing out the single-player experience at all. So, there may be some redeeming qualities that he missed. But skepticism and the try-before-buy strategy seem to be in order (isn't it always though?).

[via Kotaku]

Sierra Online, a huge supporter of XBLA (see: Assault Heroes, Carcassonne, 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures), has given TeamXbox an exclusive advanced look at their E3 XBLA lineup. The coverage details three of Sierra Online's upcoming XBLA games (one we knew about, one we had a hunch about, and one out of the blue).

Maybe this strong XBLA push by Sierra Online has something to do with Ross Erickson's move from Microsoft to Sierra Online in February? Hmm, I wonder.

Who's excited (besides me, that is)?

[via TeamXbox, thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

Blurbs about each of the games and links to the screenshot galleries after the break.

Here's another one to file under free stuff. GamingTalkHQ has a code for Carcassonne to giveaway. All they ask in return is so precious little. All they're asking for is for you to drop everything and squeeze out a little comment on their site detailing your plans for the 4th (aka Independence Barbecue & Fireworks Day for all our international readers). This is way easier than the Clyde contest so no excuses. Get it done.

[via GamingTalkHQ]