Plurre and m4st3rd0n! (No guys, you weren't too late)

Congratulations guys, I will contact you via Live with your redeemable code to download Street Trace: NYC! It was definitely surprising to see the many lurkers (I am sure there are many more) commenting, welcome to the XBLArcade community. Next, look for many, many more contests and give-aways in the very near future.

For those who did not win the contest, and have yet to download this hidden gem, I do recommend doing so! Also, check out Joystiq's interview with Gaia Industries!

That's right folks, Gaia Industries was kind enough to provide XBLArcade.com with 2 'golden tickets', for our loyal readers to download Street Trace: NYC. Want one? The rules are simple, just post in the comments section below, and you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a redeemable code to download this hidden gem. The two winners will be pulled tomorrow, Friday, at around 3:00 PST/6:00 EST - Which will give plenty of time to enjoy it over the weekend!

For those of you who have not already spent your 800 Microsoft Points, and do not win the drawing, I would personally recommend taking a look at it. I don't think I am alone on that one.

"Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®."

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.

Promotional consideration for this marketplace update was paid by The Letter "S".

In case you missed it, a bunch of miscellaneous XBLA content sneaked onto Marketplace (or snuck, if you prefer). You can't be blamed for missing it though, what with all the psychedelic lights dancing about on your screens.

Details after the break, but here's the short and sweet version:

Street Trace:NYC -- New Theme (150 MSP), Picture Pack (100 MSP), and Video (Free)

Soltrio Solitaire -- Game Pack 6 (150 MSP); You didn't seriously think they would stop with only 5, did you? Full details will likely appear here but they aren't there yet.

Sensible World of Soccer -- Trailer (Free)

[via Major Nelson]

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!

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:

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...

I took some time to finally look over the current state of achievement coverage for unreleased XBLA games over at xbox360achievements.org and here's a summary of what I found:

Multiplayer is where I think Street Trace: NYC really shines. The first bit you should notice: 8 player matches over Live and up to 4 players locally in split-screen. Thank you Gaia for understanding the importance of both setups! And yes, there are bots too. Beyond that, it gets better and better. First, you choose a tournament type.

There are three: Cash Tournament, Pickup Tournament, and Exhibition.

Continue below for the full story.

Here is part 2 of the 3-part preview of Street Trace: NYC. In this part I will cover the single player experience in the game.

Street Trace: NYC's single player experience consists of a three-pronged attack -- Tournaments, Time Trials, and Exhibition matches. (I mentioned it before but let me reiterate -- there is also a Tutorial. Use it.) Personally, I think single player will be more of a tasty appetizer before a meal of multiplayer. But do not fret loners -- the single player content is plentiful and varied enough to stand alone, just like you. "Read more" for the breakdown of each of the modes.