Recently, a lot of new features hit Alpha – Skip Ahead and Alpha Ring Xbox Insiders. Aside from the new "Shopping Cart" functionality, select Xbox Insiders got the chance to test out the new Xbox Avatars. It's been weeks since that announcement, and many Xbox One owners were wondering when they would get the chance to experience it for themselves.

Today, on the Inside Xbox show, Microsoft announced that the new Xbox Avatars would be available to all Xbox One owners in October. Luckily October is only a few days away, but it's unclear when the update will hit the system. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

The old Xbox Avatars have been around for years and they don't cater to everyone. A revamp was long overdue and it's surprising that it didn't happen sooner. One of the major exclusions numerous gamers continuously asked Microsoft to implement was the ability to add wheelchairs and prosthetics to their characters.

If you use a wheelchair or any other prosthetic, these new Xbox Avatars include ways you can tailor them to fit your needs. It's unclear why they weren't included in the first place as it's a rather significant oversight. New Xbox Avatars have been in development for years now and many gamers were beginning to lose hope that they would launch anytime soon.

See Xbox One at Amazon

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

Yesterday, a lot of new features hit Alpha – Skip Ahead and Alpha Ring Xbox Insiders. Aside from the new "Shopping Cart" functionality, ability to broadcast your whole dashboard on Mixer, and the first build of the Avatar Store, select Xbox Insiders got the chance to test out Xbox Avatars on Windows 10. According to a post in Xbox Wire by Microsoft's Brad Rossetti and Randy Santossio, "the Avatar Editor is a Universal Windows Platform application and now we're ready to start collecting feedback from Windows 10 users! If you're in the Alpha – Skip Ahead, Alpha, or Beta Rings on Xbox One, you'll find a new quest in the Windows 10 version of the Xbox Insider Hub that will tell you how to download and provide feedback for the Avatar Editor on your Windows 10 device. Please note that the Avatar Store will not appear on any version of the Avatar Editor on Windows 10."

A report by The Verge said that you probably have to be a registered Xbox Insider in order to use the Avatar Editor on Windows 10. Simply downloading it from the Microsoft Store on your desktop won't grant you access it seems.

The old Xbox Avatars have been around for years and they don't cater to everyone. A revamp was long overdue and it's surprising that it didn't happen sooner. One of the major exclusions numerous gamers continuously asked Microsoft to implement was the ability to add wheelchairs and prosthetics to their characters.

If you use a wheelchair or any other prosthetic, these new Avatars include ways you can tailor them to fit your needs. It's unclear why they weren't included in the first place as it's a rather significant oversight.

See Xbox One at Amazon

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

The Xbox One has received the October 2018 Xbox Update, bringing several major features to the flagship console. This marks the arrival of refreshed, player-designed Xbox Avatars, following lengthy delays beyond their planned 2017 release. Rebuilt from the ground up, the new Xbox Avatars tout diversity and inclusivity not seen in previous revisions.

After extensive Xbox Insider Program testing, Xbox Avatars are now available to the public. Here's how to access the redesigned app today.

How to use new Xbox One Avatars

Following the release of the October 2018 Xbox Update, the Xbox Avatars app has received a widespread rollout. You'll need to check your Xbox One has downloaded the latest update to access them, using our step-by-step guide. Once on the latest Xbox One OS version, the redesigned Xbox Avatars app is automatically installed. Follow the steps below to access them on your console.

1. Open My games & apps on your Xbox One.
2. Navigate to the Apps tab.
3. Select Xbox Avatar Editor (avoid selecting Xbox Original Avatars).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to create your new Avatar.

After starting the app, you'll be walked through using the new Avatars on-screen. There's a range of new customization options to explore, with an optional Avatar Store for acquiring further items. More additions are expected in the months ahead, after the initial rollout.

Have you had the opportunity to try the new Xbox Avatars system? Drop into the comments and let us know.

Xbox Avatars hands-on video offers a glimpse of good things to come

See Xbox One X at Amazon

Microsoft unveiled the new Xbox Avatars at E3 last year, and after a bit of a delay, we finally got a look at the near-finished version.

The app to edit new avatars is currently available to select users on the Xbox Insider Program. The app is currently in beta form, and it has a few glitches and quite limited options. However, it's a tantalizing glimpse at a new ecosystem that could grow to be as rich and varied as the Avatars system pioneered on the Xbox 360.

In the video above, we tour the new systems and features, including new colorization options, new types of expressions and customization features.

Xbox Avatars is available on the Xbox Alpha ring, but it should roll out more broadly in the coming weeks as Microsoft finetunes the app and adds more features.

Microsoft has been teasing new Xbox Avatars for months now, and many owners had almost lost all hope. At E3 2017, the company even said that they would launch in Fall 2017. Not only would the new Avatars feature a completely new look, but they would also be more customizable for individuals with disabilities. Since then we haven't heard much about a concrete release date or received proper updates on their progress.

Today, out of the blue, Larry Hryb announced that the new Avatar Editor app would be available to select Xbox Insiders tomorrow. An Xbox Wire post provided more details. Some of the language was confusing because in one instance the press release said the Avatars were available today. In the next paragraph the company said they would "officially" launch on June 19, 2018.

The new Avatars should roll out to other Insider rings in the coming weeks. They look absolutely amazing and hopefully will be available to everyone soon. We've all already waited months and months for this feature! Keep in mind that the Avatar Editor is still beta software so there are bound to be bugs and other issues.

The old Xbox Avatars have been around for years and they don't cater to everyone. A revamp was long overdue and it's surprising that it didn't happen sooner. One of the major exclusions numerous gamers continuously asked Microsoft to implement was the ability to add wheelchairs and prosthetics to their characters.

If you use a wheelchair or any other prosthetic, these new Avatars include ways you can tailor them to fit your needs. It's unclear why they weren't included in the first place as it's a rather significant oversight. Organizations like Special Effect increasing their collaboration with gaming companies like Microsoft may have led to this change.

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

New Xbox Avatars are on the horizon and it seems like Microsoft wants to expand their scope this time around. According to a new job listing on Indeed, the company is looking for a new creative director who will bring them to various platforms like Windows Mixed Reality.

Aside from listing responsibilities and qualifications, the post said the following.

It's great to see Microsoft's commitment to Xbox Avatars, but many may fault this dedication due to the lack of new single-player first-party exclusives on Xbox One. Hopefully the company is investing in all of these experiences rather than just this.

We don't know when the new Xbox Avatars will launch, but they should be coming very soon.

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

Microsoft has been cooking up a new, more robust Xbox Live avatar system for some time, initially showing off a preview at E3 2017. And while the new system isn't yet ready for primetime, a freshly leaked video offers our best look yet at how the new avatar editor will work.

The leak stems from a ResetERA forum user, who spotted footage of the upcoming Xbox Avatar Windows 10 app allegedly posted to YouTube by an ex-Microsoft contractor (via The Verge). The footage has since been removed from YouTube, but not before the video was saved and posted to Twitter.

The video looks similar to what we described in last year in an exclusive early look at the new avatar system, but some tweaks to the layout have been made since then. The editor includes a pretty large number of body customization options, ranging from b body type, to facial features, hair, makeup, to limbs and even fingernails. That's in addition to a variety of clothing options, and a photo booth where you can take shots of your avatar striking a pose.

The new Xbox Live avatars were originally expected to roll out in 2017, but Microsoft later delayed their release into 2018. Testing is expected to begin with Xbox Insiders any day now and, once available, the new avatars will be integrated with the Xbox One dashboard.

Work has been underway on an overhaul of the Xbox One's Avatars system for some time now, following its first unveiling back at E3 2017. These player-designed digital characters were once a major aspect of Xbox Live and this latest revision is expected to debut a fresh new look, integrating them deeper into the console.

Updated March 14, 2018: Xbox platform Corporate Vice President, Mike Ybarra, has taken to Twitter to state the new Avatars will "ship when they're ready." Stating no firm date has been set internally, we'll have to wait for official word from Microsoft on when the feature can be expected.

After being delayed beyond their planned 2017 release, Microsoft has been committed to delivering the refresh in the coming months. A new report from The Verge now expects the next Avatar overhaul this April, with sources indicating a preview release for Xbox Insiders later this month.

First look at Microsoft's gorgeous new Xbox avatars

As previously announced by Microsoft, the upcoming Xbox Avatar overhaul will bring a variety of new customization options with increased diversity. The Verge reports that Microsoft is also looking to open an accompanying Avatar store in May, with plans for support from third-party developers too. This may also tie into the new Xbox "Career" system, featuring Avatar loot crates, that we reported on last year.

This new Avatar system can be expected as a part of the upcoming Xbox Spring Update, which also adds support for 1440p displays, FreeSync, Mixer controller sharing and much more.

We've seen some features that Microsoft is currently testing that refer to a new "Career" system for Xbox Live, and while it seems to be in a very early phase, Microsoft is actively committing code and other systems to support its functionality.

The new Career system could be the extended Gamerscore system Ybarra teased to us in a previous interview, where he noted that Gamerscore doesn't fairly represent the accomplishments of esports players or other gamers who might spend the majority of their time in a single game. This new Xbox Career feature might alleviate that.

The Career system seems could provide additional cosmetic rewards for the new Avatars.

It appears that players using this new Career system will be able to obtain levels, and even prestige ranks, obtaining rewards such as loot crates which come with cosmetic items for the new Avatars system.

The Career system also comes with Quests to complete specific objectives, such as playing certain games, which will also come with crate and experience points as rewards. At this time, it doesn't look as though loot crates will be purchasable with real money, but it's probably too early to say whether that will be the case later on.

The documentation we received refers to a new subdomain on Xbox Live, "Career.XboxLive.com," which isn't yet available for public access. It also seems that these systems will incorporate achievements in some way, rewarding experience points that contribute toward levels in your overarching career. The systems track your progress and play time in your existing game library, and it looks as though it will all work alongside existing Gamerscore systems rather than replace them.

While we continue to dig for information on whether this feature is in active development or simply a test run for something, take it with a pinch of salt. But it certainly looks as though this could be the accomplishment system Microsoft talked about previously.

Interview: Xbox's Mike Ybarra discusses new Xbox achievement features

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

At E3 2017 the company even said that they would launch in Fall 2017. Not only would the new Avatars feature a completely new look, but they would also be more customizable for individuals with disabilities. Since then we haven't heard much about a concrete release date or other updates on their progress.

Unfortunately, according to Corporate Vice President of Xbox and Windows Gaming Mika Ybarra, the feature should launch in 2018. This is definitely disheartening news but it's understandable given the fact that they're revamping a lot of content. However, many gamers will be upset about this because this is the latest delay in a long list of them which include games like Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, and State of Decay 2.

The old Xbox Avatars have been around for years and they don't cater to everyone. A revamp was long overdue and it's surprising that it didn't happen sooner. One of the major exclusions numerous gamers continuously asked Microsoft to implement was the ability to add wheelchairs and prosthetics to their characters.

If you use a wheelchair or any other prosthetic, these new Avatars include ways you can tailor them to fit your needs. It's unclear why they weren't included in the first place as it's a rather significant oversight. Organizations like Special Effect increasing their collaboration with gaming companies like Microsoft may have led to this change. Here's hoping we won't have to wait too long for the new Avatars to drop next year.

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

If you're in the Xbox Alpha Ring, you'll notice that there's a new "Xbox Avatar Editor" app, that's listed but currently inaccessible. Well, we got a look at the Windows 10 version of the new Avatar Editor interface and some of the editing options. Here's what to expect!

Note that this is a work in progress running on a Windows 10 PC, rather than Xbox One. The app is built using Unity3D and is capable of running across all Universal Windows Platform (UWP) compatible Windows 10 devices.

It's certainly early days for the app, but the new Xbox avatars are unquestionably beautiful, full of detail, vibrant art, and expressive animations. The sheer amount of options and combinations that Microsoft seems to be gunning for is not only incredible in terms of potential volume but also unprecedented in inclusivity and personal expression.

The current version of the Xbox Avatars Editor app is very similar to the existing app but with some Fluent Design translucency. This could change later on, but the basic functionality is there. You will be able to edit and customize your new Xbox avatars in the same way you can today, with some powerful differences.

How are the new Xbox avatars different?

First, you can completely customize the avatars now, with infinite options for colors and specific options for limbs and bodies. If you're pregnant, you can express it. If you have a prosthesis, you can express it. Height and weight options are far more varied and customizable than before, too, and there is no restriction on what colors you can use where. If you want to have bright green skin and role play as an orc, or pale white zombie skin (like me) that's totally in the cards.

The color options aren't only infinite, they're smart. As seen above, they keep your most recently used colors under an "Active Color" tab, allowing you to easily find that specific shade you just used.

Beyond physical customization, the new version of Xbox avatars lets you customize your mood, too. While the previous avatar versions did have some rudimentary emotional expressions, you can now set the tone of your character's body language throughout by changing their mood. I always felt my existing Xbox avatar was way too energetic to really be me.

What if you're really fond of your existing avatar? Not to worry, Microsoft isn't shutting down the existing Xbox 360 avatar system, nor its content. You will still be able to access all of your existing purchases and inventory, using a separate "Xbox Original Avatar" app, which will be available to download later. You can also import the old avatars into the new system for use on Xbox Live, if you want to retain your previously-owned content.

This is just a sneak peek at what Microsoft has planned for avatars as part of the current Xbox Insider Program preview wave, part of the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. In our interview with Xbox Platform Corporate Vice President Mike Ybarra on the Xbox Two Podcast, Ybarra teased that Microsoft has plans to make avatars more prominent again, admitting that they're barely present in the current dashboard.

Related reading

• Hands-on with the Xbox One's Fluent Design dashboard
• Everything new in the Xbox One Fluent Design overhaul so far

Earlier this year Microsoft teased an upcoming overhaul of Xbox Live's Avatars, set to release on the Xbox One later this fall. After becoming somewhat meaningless since the release of the console, these player-designed characters would be revamped in both their visual design and functionality, with a bigger focus in the OS going forward.

It now appears that the first stages of this overhaul are now underway, with a recent update to the Avatars app on select Xbox One consoles. Following a release of a redesigned Xbox dashboard earlier this week, Xbox Insiders on the Alpha Ring are now welcomed by the "Xbox Avatar Editor Beta," which will assumedly house the new Avatars going forward.

However, there's a catch – in its current state, the Xbox Avatar Editor Beta isn't actually functional in its current form. Upon opening the app you'll be greeted by a disheartening "Under construction!" message, instructing users to leave the application. For now, the app is relatively useless but its arrival indicates new Avatars might be closer than initially thought.

It should also be noted that once the update installs, the legacy Xbox Avatars app is seemingly inaccessible. While its absence will likely go unnoticed by many, you'll be locked out from editing your Avatar through the console in the meantime.

When the new Avatars finally make their appearance, these digital characters will sport a new art style, with a slew of new customization options. Among the changes are enriched emotions, diversity, and customization, which all give players more tools for self-expression. The redesign is expected to release to the public later this fall, as a part of the Xbox One's Fall Creators Update.

Microsoft has had a Windows Phone app for tweaking and styling your Xbox Live avatar for some time. But, it's equally some time since it saw any kind of update. For Windows 10 there's a new, universal app, Xbox Avatars.

It was first made available for PCs and now is in the Store for folks using the Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview to take a look at.

Essentially it's much the same as the Xbox Extras app we've known from Windows Phone. With the app you can tweak your Xbox Live avatar or create a new one and style it up with a bunch of different looks. Every part of the body is customizable and if you're looking for something else, there's a web link to the online store where you can buy the extras of your dreams.

Appearance wise the app is as we're coming to know from Windows 10 Mobile apps. Slide out menu on the left hiding the options and not a lot else. It's a simple way to style your mini-me and it works well. No signs of any crashes or showstopping bugs, it feels very much like a fully finished app.

If you want to see more, check out our hands-on with the desktop version at the link below.

• Hands on with Xbox Avatars on the Windows 10 Insider Preview

If you're on the Insider Preview on PC or Mobile, here's the download link you need.

• Download Xbox Avatars for Windows 10

Thanks to everyone who tipped us!

It's been a while since I've edited my Xbox avatar. If you're in the same boat, today is a good day to change it up. I've been playing with the Avatars app that has just been released for Windows 10 Technical Preview. It isn't quite finished yet, but you can still play around with the app and provide feedback. Want to see it action? Watch my hands-on video.

When you open Avatars, your current character shows up in the middle, with menu buttons to the left. Tap the hamburger button to understand what the icons mean. The Dress Up section is where you want to go. This lets you change your clothes and accessories.

You can also change your appearance by selecting Edit Avatar. You can customize your character's shape, skin, hair, facial features, and more.

Tapping the marketplace icon opens the Avatar Store in a web browser. There are a few items that are free to download, but many of the items have prices similar to mobile apps and games.

An interesting section is called the Photobooth. When you try to open it, you get a message that says it is coming soon. Perhaps it's a section where you can take a screenshot of your avatar, which can be shared on your social networks.

There's a settings button on the lower left corner, but only one option is currently available. You can turn off the background music from here.

What are some improvements I'd like to see in an update? I'd like to be able to spin the avatars around. I'd also like the marketplace to be within the app itself instead of forwarding us to a web browser.

Go play with your Xbox avatar today and let us know what you think of the new Avatars app for Windows 10 Preview!

• Download Avatars for Windows (Free)

Microsoft is continuing to deploy revamped universal Windows app for its upcoming Windows 10 OS. Today, the Avatars app is now available to let you customize and manipulate your Xbox gamer avatar.

The app itself is around 35 MB is ready to be used in Windows 10 Technical Preview for PCs and laptops. There is no word about the Windows Phone version, but since it presumably shares the majority of source code, we suspect it will not be long until it is on those devices too.

The Avatars app looks quite nice, although it does continue with the hamburger/split-view paradigm of app design. The music, which is quite jovial, can be disabled under settings in case you find it irritating.

We will have a hands-on video up shortly, but for now if you are the Technical Preview you can grab the app from the Store.

Download Avatars for Windows 10 Technical Preview (Free)

Via: @MajorNelson

For at least a week we knew that the Halo: Spartan Assault launch party was scheduled for last night, July 16. But Microsoft didn’t want to announce the game’s actual launch date for some reason, so doubt remained that it would arrive this week. Well, Spartan Assault didn’t release today, but this evening we officially learned that it’s coming tomorrow.

Fans might have to wait another day to play Halo: Spartan Assault, but that doesn’t mean they can’t celebrate the game’s impending release right this minute. Microsoft and 343 Industries have just released seven new Spartan Assault-themed avatar items on the Xbox Marketplace. Hey, at least our avatars can be dressed for success when the game launches tomorrow!

Costume play

What do the seven new avatar items consist of? Well, a Spartan Assault logo t-shirt in both male and female variations accounts for two of them. A stylish Palmer helmet t-shirt comes in boy and girl styles as well. The design resembles the emblems that players create for themselves in the Halo games. All four shirts cost 80 Microsoft Points (they’re not quite defunct yet) or $1 each.

Of course, fanciful avatar stuff tends to be way more exciting than t-shirts. Thankfully, Microsoft also released full golden avatar body armor based on Spartan Davis, the game’s new male character. The Spartan Davis Armor comes in both male and female varieties for a steep 320 Microsoft Points ($4) each. Spartan Assault’s other protagonist Sarah Palmer’s armor has been available since February, when it was released as part of the Halo 4 avatar collection.

Props for the prop

The seventh and final new Spartan Assault avatar item has quickly become one of my favorite props to date. It’s a Windows 8 tablet with screen borders that match the actual Halo: Spartan Assault in-game border. I wouldn’t want the corners of my actual tablet cut off like that, but it’s a striking design nonetheless. The rear of the tablet is emblazoned with the game’s logo. The Halo: Spartan Assault Tablet prop rings up at 240 MS Points ($3).

You can browse or purchase the full assortment of Halo: Spartan Assault gear at Xbox.com.

Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One earlier this year, but that hasn't stopped Redmond wanting to get the word out and reach as many potential buyers as possible. This includes those who are subscribed to Xbox Live and own a current-gen 360. The company has released two new free shirts that bear the Xbox One logo. Pretty neat, but only if you wish to either advertise the console, or display your undying loyalty.

If you've pre-ordered the next-generation Xbox then this might just be the icing on the cake while you wait until the console starts shipping later this year.

Grab the male and female shirts from the Xbox Marketplace. Via: Major Nelsen

We’ve had a few tips over the last few days about a new Xbox Avatar prop featuring a bold Yellow Lumia 920 showing up on people’s Xbox 360s. Evidently, the mysterious offering appears in the “Advertisement” section on your Xbox Home page, allowing folks to add it to their collection and showing off some Windows Phone pride.

Alas, none of us have seen here at Windows Phone Central on our consoles, despite the occasional “refresh” of our Xbox Home (Menu Guide > Y button). That makes this addition quite the rare one to actually find, and despite our attempts to get a Store URL to manually add it, we have come up with nothing.

So now we’re crowd sourcing this baby and hoping someone out there does have a foolproof method so that we can all sport yellow Lumia 920s on our make-believe selves. Otherwise, you can continue to gaze at the photo that reader Ryan H., kindly sent in as proof of its existence.

We've seen these props in the past, most recently for the Surface and even a few Windows Phone specific ones. Here's hoping that Microsoft makes these more widely available.

Anyone else see or get this baby? Let us know in comments.

Sure, props for your Xbox LIVE avatar are gimmicky and they can be quite absurd, but we still love ‘em. We also love our Surface, so when the two collide, we can’t help but get a little gitty.

If you head over to the Xbox site and follow this link, you’ll be able to add the “Windows 8 Tablet Avatar Prop” to your collection. Yes, that’s right.

So what does your avatar do with the Surface? Why he plays with the tiles, throws on some tunes, dances a little, snaps on the keyboard cover (while dangling the computer) and overall shows off our latest and favorite tech gadget. But why are you still reading this? Head over to Xbox.com now and get your free Surface Avatar Prop right now (and yes, it will display on your Windows Phone).

Speaking of, some of us are still rocking our free Windows Phone prop from mid 2011. Microsoft should totally bring that back, amirte?

Oh and we’re not a 100% certain but we suspect this is a US only offer. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Source: Xbox; Thanks, ninjaap, for the tip!

Babaroga’s Zombies!!! was an early Xbox Windows Phone exclusive that  still commands a loyal following from board game fans. I fondly remember buying it about a month before joining the Windows Phone Central staff, and subsequently advocating for an update to make one of the Achievements more easily attainable.

Jump ahead to the present, the Xbox Windows 8 and RT version of Zombies!!! has finally gone live. We previously covered some of the new version’s features and improvements, and now PC and tablet gamers can experience the enhanced game for themselves. To get everyone in a zombie killing mood, we present this interview with Andreja Djokovic, the CEO and founder of Babaroga.

Hey Andreja. What’s been going on in the Babaroga offices since we last interviewed you?

Original Zaxxon arcade game

We have been supporting the Windows 8 platform with a number of titles. The first one to release is Zombies!!! which [is now the 12^th bestselling app] in the store. In addition to that, we are bringing Zombies to iOS and Android.

We have made exclusive development relationship with COLECO with additional classic titles that will be making out to the market soon. Many more surprises to come soon, but we are determined to support Windows platforms as wells iOS and Android with high quality content.

And you know you are a gamer if you remember Zaxxon. Look for it on Kickstarter soon. It will be the game which fans remember and [still] want to play… As I said many, many surprise to come from Babaroga in a very short amount of time.

Seeing as how we’re talking about a zombie-themed game today, what’s your opinion of the current season of The Walking Dead?

The current season of The Walking Dead is brutal!  I just hope Merle continues to lose limbs that can be replaced with more medieval weaponry.  And I can’t imagine how many zombie ears Daryl must have squirreled away at this point. Maybe he plans to sell necklaces on Etsy when the internet is re-invented.

Now then. Zombies!!! is the first game to feature Xbox Live Avatars using weapons and battling nasty zombies. How did you manage to break that ground?

Fortunately, killing zombies is the responsible thing to do. You can’t just have them wandering about. It would have been irresponsible to NOT arm the good-natured Avatars with the proper tools for the job. Once the Xbox Avatar team saw the playful nature of our game, they were onboard with us.  It took a few passes to get it just right, but ultimately they approved everything.

Why do you think so few Xbox games use Avatars during actual gameplay?

If Avatars are not planned for, very carefully, at the start of development, then it becomes increasingly more difficult to integrate them. I would imagine, with all of the limitations and approvals necessary, many developers choose to just bypass it all together.

How long was the Windows 8 version of Zombies!!! in development?

A bit over a year. Integrating Avatars was a large chunk of that.

And how long before we start seeing DLC expansion packs for the Windows 8 Zombies!!! game?

Slow it down, good sir - we just got into the store! Get to work on all of those Achievements and before you know it, there will be updates and expansions waiting for you. No release dates yet, but this is merely the beginning for Zombies!!!

Windows 8 is still a pretty new platform. What kind of challenges did you face while making your first game for it?

The certification process for such a new and wide-reaching platform has been constantly evolving. Keeping up with these changes has certainly been a challenge. Also, being the first to use Avatars in-game for Windows 8, we had to carve that trail mostly on our own… Lots of thorns on that trail.

How do you view Windows 8 as a gaming platform? Can a closed marketplace thrive in the traditionally open world of PC gaming?

I believe so, especially given its tablet- and touch-focused approach. However, [that success] will require developer support to fill up the store with more titles. Until the certification process becomes more streamlined and the platform stabilizes in the market, I don’t know how much of that developer support we will see.

Speaking of tablets… A Nokia tablet: good idea or bad?

Absolutely a good idea! Nokia has gone to great lengths to promote and push adoption of the Windows Phone 8 platform. They have personally sponsored the arrival of many great games and apps to the platform doing so under their name, while constantly pushing the boundaries of what the platform can do. Nokia is a known innovator who is invested in the success and potential of Windows 8. Unless that tablet says “N-Gage” anywhere on it, I think it’s a safe bet. (Hey, I used to own a slim N-Gage! –ed.)

How is Shuffle Party for Windows 8 coming along? Will it be enhanced in any way compared to the Windows Phone game we all love?

It will be enhanced in ALL ways.  Check it out!

Finally, I know you don’t want to be pigeonholed as a developer of board games, but Babaroga pulled off Zombies!!! so well. Are there any other board games you’d care to adapt if given the chance?

Did you ever play Omega Virus? I always thought that would be a ton of fun to remake. Oh! Maybe an asynchronous Blokus!  I don’t know if Key to the Kingdom would translate well, but I’d sure love to give it a shot. Or maybe… Well, I should stop here. There are countless games we’d love to adapt if the opportunity arose.

Hope you enjoyed the interview, radical readers. We’ll be meeting with Andreja in person at GDC in less than two weeks’ time, so look forward to more news and insights soon!

Zombies!!! for Windows 8 and RT costs $4.99. Get it here at the Windows 8 Store. The Windows Phone 7 and 8 game costs the same price – here’s a store link.

The Xbox on Windows Phone lineup is starting to amass a fair selection of racing games. We’ve got street racers, kart racers, and one awesome boat racer (Hydro Thunder GO). Now a new entry has come along: Cracking Sands - published by Microsoft and programmed by Swedish developer Polarbit, who also made Reckless Racing for Windows 8. If you’re looking for a racer that looks and plays differently from the others, Cracking Sands might just fit the bill.

What’s in a name?

The English student in me can’t help trying to dissect this game’s unusual title. Does it mean that sand is cracking part? Or that something called ‘Cracking’ actually distributes sand to things? Hmm…

My best guess is the title’s ‘cracking’ is the British slang use of the word, meaning impressive or great. “That’s a cracking good biscuit, govnah!” I can just hear Windows Phone Central’s Rich Edmonds remark. So, apparently the sand in this game is great. Still, even if we accept that meaning, it doesn’t exactly describe a racing game very well, does it? Perhaps it makes more sense in northern Swedonia from whence the game hails.

 Down to business

Silly title aside, Crackings Sands is an ATV (all-terrain vehicle or 4-wheeler) racer. Groups of tiny male or female racers who resemble Xbox Live Avatars but with far less polygons drive around a handful of mildly fantastical tracks, each selfishly trying to come in first, the jerks.

The game consists of two primary modes: Campaign and Single Race. The latter starts out locked, but as you complete cups in the campaign, four Single Race types eventually unlock. The first type, Time Trial, is exclusive to Single Race as it doesn’t turn up in the Campaign. As you’d expect, Time Trial allows players to race on the track of their choice without competing against AI racers. It also supports downloading your Xbox Live friends’ ghosts and competing against those, which you’ll need to do for an Achievement.

Campaign

The campaign is divided into four cups. Once you complete every race in a cup, the next one unlocks. To unlock individual races within a cup, you’ll need to earn a certain number of stars from other races in that cup. Coming in first gets you three stars, second two stars, and third one star. Any place lower and you fail the race.

Three types of races pop up in Campaign:

• Race: Vanilla racing. Complete a certain number of laps.
• Elimination: The racer in last place after each lap gets eliminated.
• Head of the Pack: A sort of king-of-the-hill race. Every five consecutive seconds that you remain in first place earns a point. Reach the race’s point goal to win. If you don’t get into first place quickly, the AI will likely win.

The game has four unique environments, three of which have three track variants and one with four variants. That makes for a total of 13 tracks, though it feels like less because of the recycled environments. How many of those environments are actually sandy?? Just one: the Guano Desert. Pirate Bay has lots of lava, Downtown holds a ruined city, and Creek Mountain features water and mountains.

Difficulty curve

Initially, many players will struggle to even complete races in third place, let alone reach first. The AI racers are extremely aggressive and will nail you with advanced weapons from the get-go. If you’re not terrible at racers, you should be able to start passing races before long.

The coins you find scattered throughout the track and the money you get from coming in third place or above will allow you to buy upgrades and become more competitive. After a few upgrades, the game actually gets easier, and I often came in first place on my first try. That said, several races in the fourth cup return to frustrating difficulty. Enemies pummel you with weapons repeatedly and it sometimes feels like you need luck to come out on top.

Garage band

I’m not referring to the game’s single music track, which gets old very quickly. Come on developers, the public domain is your friend.

Actually, the Garage is where you’ll go to buy upgrades and equip weapons. Note that each type of upgrade actually has multiple subcategories to choose from! They’re easy to miss, which could put new players at a disadvantage.

• Character: Buy skins, hats, eyes, and mouths for your racer. This category is extraneous, so you’ll probably want to save your money for the actual upgrades.
• Vehicle: Buy new ATVs, engines, and tires. Each raises one or more stats, which can make a big difference in winning races. Buy the best engine as soon as possible.
• Weapons: These come in offensive, defensive, and other. I found rockets and mines to be the most useful early on, but buying and upgrading the weapons that have their own Achievements is important too.

I ran so far away

The camera takes a zoomed-out third person view, giving a much more distant look at the action than previous Xbox Windows Phone racers. Don’t confuse it for a top-down racer (à la Grand Theft Auto 1 and 2), though; Cracking Sands still plays like a more traditional racing game.

The distant view lets you see more of the surroundings to your side than a close perspective would, but it also makes it hard to discern environmental details. Objects routinely block the player’s view of his or her vehicle and the path ahead. In all likelihood the zoom level was probably chosen to hide the relative low fidelity of the graphics from the player. It doesn’t hurt the game too much, but it takes some getting used to.

Controls

Tilting to steer the vehicles works well. Your ATV automatically accelerates and there is no brake button. The default control scheme allows you to tap anywhere on the left side of the screen to jump. Putting your right thumb down on the right side causes four item buttons to pop up, at which point you sort of rock your finger in the direction of the item you want to use. Frankly, this method of item selection is like trying to brush someone else’s teeth while they’re riding a mechanical bull. Challenging, but not fun.

You’ll want to turn off those ‘floating action buttons’ right away. With that option off, the buttons simply have dedicated places on screen. Unfortunately, jumping reverts to single tiny button on the left of the screen. I wish we could just tap anywhere on the left with floating action buttons deactivated.

Achievements

The game has Achievements for getting three stars in every race, a couple of Time Trial Achievements, two for buying and upgrading every single weapon, and several weapon-specific Achievements. I actually found some of the weapon Achievements (like the freeze ray one) to be tough because when you’re in first (which you have to be just about the whole time in order to avoid losing) you won’t get to shoot them. Still, as long as you master the game’s difficulty curve, you can probably get them all in just a day or two.

Overall Impression

Cracking Sands’ difficulty curve will probably scare off casual players, which is a shame. Getting shot to pieces by the other racers is definitely annoying; I almost wish weapons could be disabled. The game also crashed and glitched on me a few times, but it’s less buggy than Extraction, at least. Those annoyances aside, Cracking Sands does have a terrific upgrade system and a fairly well laid-out campaign, which puts it above Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Asphalt 5 in my eyes. If you’re fairly good at racing games or want some pretty fast Achievements, take a crack at these sands.

Cracking Sands costs $2.99 an there is a free trial. Get it here on the Windows Phone Store.

Rocket Riot was among the first Xbox Live games released on Windows Phone, way back at the end of 2010. Despite the game’s age, developer Code Glue continues to pump out updates for it, with a new one arriving within the last few days. The previous patch, version 1.4 was fairly substantial as Windows Phone updates go, and yet this latest, version 1.5 actually manages to top it by adding Avatar Awards, asynchronous multiplayer, and more.

Check out the full release notes and our impressions after the break.

Rocket Riot version 1.5 release notes:

• Two avatar awards:
  • Blockbeard Hat and Beard
  • The Torso Rocket

• Added Challenges Mode (asynchronous multiplayer)
• New languages: Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Brazilian Portugese.

Pirate style

To unlock the new Avatar Awards, you’ll need to defeat the first boss, Blockbeard, as well as the super-challenging final boss. Even if you’ve already satisfied these conditions in the past, you’ll need to replay those levels in order to nab the Awards. Replay value!

To equip your spoils, head to the Games hub, select your Avatar, ‘change my style,’ ‘awards,’ and then select one or both items. Remember to Save or the changes won’t take effect. What do you think of that body, guys? Any resemblance to actual Rocket Riot character torsos?

Throwing the glove down

After installing the update, you’ll see a new option on the main menu: Challenges. From here, you can create Challenges, view ongoing ones, and check your challenge history. Challenges basically involve two players trying to gain the highest score on a particular level, asynchronously. It’s not a proper substitute for real-time multiplayer like the XBLA version has, but certainly a welcome addition to the game.

Unfortunately, my own experience with Challenge Mode hasn’t gone very well. When I try to select the option from the main menu, I get this error message:

Run-on sentence aside, I simply haven’t been able to create or view challenges as intended. I did manage to accept an incoming request though, so that’s something. The developers haven’t experienced this issue in their testing environment. Anyone else having the same trouble as me?

More Rocket Riot to come

Rocket Riot 3D (Windows 8)

What could have prompted this most recent update to a Windows Phone launch title? Well, it coincides nicely with the impending release of Rocket Riot 3D on Windows 8. Rocket Riot 3D will feature the same asynchronous multiplayer mode that the Windows Phone version’s 1.5 patch introduced. How very cool of Code Glue to remember their mobile game rather than neglecting it.

Rocket Riot 3D promises to include all of the content from the Xbox Live Arcade and Windows Phone games, plus new levels, characters, and lots more. We’ll have an exclusive preview later this week, so stay tuned!

Back to Windows Phone

Rocket Riot is a twin-stick shooter featuring tons of adorable characters and fully destructible pixelated environments. I still think it controls better than any other twin-stick shooter on the platform. Really, it shames Galaga Legions DX to no end. Check out our full Rocket Riot review to learn more.

Rocket Riot costs $4.99. Get it here on the Windows Phone Store.

Thanks to everyone who tipped us about the update!

Last week, Microsoft suddenly announced that we’d be getting Crimson Dragon Side Story on Windows Phone. We were pumped to see a Crimson Dragon/Panzer Dragoon game coming to the platform (see this article to learn more), but would it live up to the series’ high quality bar? Fast forward to now: the game is here, it’s really good, and it only costs a dollar!

Two genres combine

Crimson Dragon Side Story is a combination of side-scrolling shoot-em-up and rail shooter. Like a shmup, the player’s dragon flies from left to right, dodging enemy fire and shooting right back at those hordes of monsters. Uniquely though, you only control the vertical movement of the creature, sliding your thumb up and down along the left side of the screen.

Combining with the limited movement system (which hearkens back to past Panzer Dragoon games in which players can only move along two axes instead of three) is a deep weapon and skill system. At the start of a level, players select from three main types of attacks. One of these is the traditional lock-on system, which lets you tap and drag around the screen to lock onto multiple enemies. It’s a great attack method that you don’t see in normal shmups.

On top of the main weapon, you can unlock and bring two sub-skills into battle, which cost energy to use and can be activated at will. The number of choices - and potential unlockables - lend the game ample replay value.

Structure

The titular Side Story tasks the player with hunting down a mysterious white beast who is spreading a disease across the planet while it searches for some unknown article. Story missions are preceded by beautiful hand-drawn cut scenes and capped with giant boss battles. Each mission can be selected and replayed individually, making the game work well for mobile play. 30 side missions are available as well. Clearing missions by using specific weapons and other methods unlocks new skills to purchase.

Skill and gems systems

The currency for buying skills, gems, can be found in-game by clearing levels and random drops. More uniquely, you can even get gems by playing the game from different locations thanks to the phone’s GPS. They can also be purchased with Microsoft Points, though my phone couldn’t connect to the store at the time of this writing. Both the GPS and marketplace functions are found in the game’s Trading Post. Sadly Side Story doesn’t feature connectivity with the Xbox 360 version.

A dragon of a bargain

Not only is Crimson Dragon Side Story a large and deep game for fans of shooters, but it only costs a dollar. That’s quite a deal! Even better, it comes with multiple Avatar Awards. Clear the first story mission and you’ll unlock a red and white t-shirt for your avatar to wear. Beat the second level for a dragon head! To equip these Awards, head to the Games hub, select your Avatar, ‘change my style,’ ‘awards,’ and then select it.

Crimson Dragon Side Story is now available for 99 cents, and there is a free trial. Hop on your dragon and fly over here to get it from the Marketplace.

Thanks to Sacra for the tip!

Earlier yesterday we reported that in Italy you can get a free Windows Phone prop for your Xbox Avatar. The prop was specifically a Nokia Windows Phone and it was "locked" to those in Italy.

Now reader Illum1na has done some searching and managed to turn on up in the Dutch Marketplace. Actually, he found four in total:

• Black
• Magenta
• Blue
• White

Not too shabby. Once again, these items are locked to the Dutch Marketplace meaning you probably won't have much luck trying to get 'em if you're not in that region. But if you are, you'll want to go to this link and grab 'em. You can actually get all four of them, in case you feel like changing it up a bit. 

Thanks, Illum1na, for the link!

On Sunday we posted a method by which you can get a free Avatar prop featuring Windows Phone--either a Longboard, foam finger or tee-shirt. All you had to do was sign up for the Windows Phone Insider newsletter and you were sent a redeem code.

Then late Sunday/early Monday we started to get word that the offer had suddenly ended, even before most of you were able to try and get one. Now, Microsoft's KC Lemson has posted why on the Windows Phone Blog.

In short, some jerk managed to sweep up all the remaining redeem codes, locking out future users. What's worse, they're selling them on eBay for $10 a pop.

The good news is Microsoft will do right and extend free I <3 Windows Phone shirt avatar props to those users who received a rejection email, meaning not only will you get something, you'll get a more rare item.

No word though if they'll open this up for others who missed the original offer. From the sound of it, it was a successful program. Let's hope they do it again.

Source: Windows Phone Blog; Thanks, FalconX, for the eBay link

You've asked for it and now you'll get it.  In the continued push by Nokia and Microsoft of the outstanding Lumia line of Windows Phone, new Xbox Avatar props have been created. What's more, they're free.

The props were noticed by the site Xbox Avatar Gear and come in three flavors:

• Nokia Windows Phone Longboard
• Windows Phone #1 foam finger
• I <3 Windows Phone shirt

So how do you get one? Simple, you just sign up for the Windows Phone Insider Newsletter. That's it.  Once you do so, you'll receive an email with your Redeem Code which you can then enter at Xbox.com. We did it and managed to grab a Longboard which is pretty snazzy.

This isn't the first time we've seen Windows Phone Xbox props before. Back in June 2011 we saw a prop for US users that was simply a Windows Phone device that your avatar held in his hand and tossed around. There was also a limited edition Beards n Beaks one which was quite amusing.

However this new offer looks to be a much more widely available which is a good thing. Show off to your friends and share the Windows Phone love. Go grab it now.

Source: Xbox Avatar Gear, Windows Phone Insider Newsletter;  Thanks, Lucas L., for the tip!

Need an avatar creator for your contacts? Take a look at the Windows Phone app WeeMee. WeeMee is another iPhone app that has found its way over to Windows Phone.  WeeMee is a rather simple app that provides over 270 customizations to build a cartoon avatar. Once created you can share your avatar on Twitter, Facebook, or save it to your Windows Phone to use as a contact picture.

WeeMee is laid out simple with a Gallery Page that will display your created avatars (and some preloaded avatars) and a What's Hot page where you can find theme downloads as they become available.

You can create an avatar by pressing the "+" sign at the bottom of the Gallery page or from the three-dot menu on the What's Hot page. You choose the gender of the avatar and then use the category menu at the top of the screen to customize the appearance. You have the typical shirt, pants, face, body shape, hair, and shoes categories. You also have accessories and background choices as well. A color palette is just below your choices to fine tune the appearance.  The selections are decent but I wish there was a body style that didn't look so frumpy.

When you're done, just hit the save button at the bottom of the screen and your avatar is saved within the WeeMee app.

To share or use the avatar, you'll need to go to the Gallery page, tap on the new avatar to pull it up full screen. From there, tap the three-dot menu to choose between sharing on Facebook or Twitter or saving the avatar to your phone. Once saved to your Windows Phone the avatar will be in your Saved Pictures album in the Pictures Hub where it can be used as a contact picture.

All in all, WeeMee isn't a bad app and gives you the option to add a little uniqueness to your Windows Phone. The downside is that there is no simple way to add the avatar to a contact. The Marketplace description states there is a built-in Address Book feature to make the avatars appear when friends call but that feature isn't present. An in-app feature that allows you to associate an avatar with a contact would be nice and save you some time.

Unfortunately there isn't a free trial for WeeMee to let you try things out before buying. The full version will run you $.99 and you can find WeeMee here at the Windows Phone Marketplace.

One of the cool features of XBox Live on your Windows Phone is the ability to pull your avatar into the mix. We see it in the gaming hub and featured on Xbox Live games such as Shuffle Party and now games like PES 2012 will even award 'em for gameplay--obviously they're becoming more and more important on WP7.

One customization component of your avatar is the ability to purchase and add props. We've seen everything from a light saber to a limited-edition Windows Phone prop available for your avatar to tinker. According to various reports online, one prop class will be gone with the wind starting January 1, 2012.

According to a post over at the Epic Games Forums (Gears of War):

There are already restrictions on your avatar prohibiting violence that causes blood, gore, dismemberment, decapitation, maiming or mutilation as well as prohibitions on sexual acts, allowing the avatar to excrete obscene bodily fluids or substances and acts of aggressive or threatening manners. Reportedly,  Microsoft will be amending this policy to prohibit "gun-like" avatar items on the Marketplace as well.

Some of these props, due to licensing issues, won't transfer over to your Windows Phone and you may not be impacted by this new policy as a result. Still, it seems ridiculous that we can shoot up enemy troops, blast alien hordes, and have our avatar wield a light saber that can slice through flesh as it was butter but our avatars can't carry a toy gun? What do you folks think: good idea to appeal to the masses (with children) or is Microsoft trying too hard to be like Nintendo? We've already seen their green-blood and "adult content" policy take its toll--is Microsoft going too far?

source: g4tv

NinjasFate is a site that has gained some popularity amongst gamers for its aggregation of info on XBox games that offer Avatar Awards.  Now they have created a mobile site for WP7 users to visit on their phones that uses the Metro UI style and emulates a WP7 app.  The site mimics Windows Phone so closely that users are even asked to select a color theme and can then scroll through tiles for each game.

What's great about the new design is that you can set http://avatarawards.ninjasfate.com/wp7 as a favorite in your browser, then add it to the home screen as a tile.  When you select the tile, you are transported to a browser window that looks and navigates just like an app would.  We must admit, it's an ingenious way to design a site to cater to WP7 users, and could start quite a trend. 

Source: NinjasFate (Thanks for the tip, 24AMonth!)

As many of you know, Microsoft is celebrating 10 years of the Xbox this week and in turn, there's also sorts of interesting info and items coming out e.g. Halo Anniversary edition.

For those of you who like Xbox avatar items (but hate paying for them), you may want to head over here to grab yourself their "Xbox Anniversary Prop". The item is basically a gift box that you open with exploding fireworks. You can see "me" above sporting my Fruit Ninja outfit...awww yeah. Okay, it's not exactly the coolest thing we've seen (we like our Windows Phone prop, personally), but it's free and adds a little spice--especially if you have no props currently.

The Xbox 360 is a great place to advertise Windows Phone 7 as the phone’s Xbox Live features are designed to appeal to console gamers. Now gamers can learn about Windows Phone and get a free avatar prop for their trouble.

Here’s what to do:

• On the Xbox 360, switch to the Inside Xbox section of the dashboard.
•  Find the tile that reads: Get a free Windows Phone for your avatar/Your avatar is the special guest on Hot Apps with Laura Foy (it’s marked as an Advertisement).
• Watch the video and then…
• You’ll see a zoomed-in view of a Windows Phone. Navigate the cursor to the “Keep the phone!” tile. Click it and download the avatar prop.

That’s it! Have your avatar call my avatar. We’ll go out for ice cream.

Xbox Live integration has been a selling point of Windows Phone since day one. Gamers can earn Achievements; view their avatars, friends lists, and more from the convenience of their phones. But to do many of those things, you have to download the separate free Xbox Live Extras app and then launch it from the Games hub. It’s a needlessly complicate process.

Thankfully Mango will greatly streamline Xbox Live integration. Xbox Live Extras will join the dinosaurs and Milli Vanilli in extinction as its contents will now be built into the main Games hub. The Xbox Live page within the hub will display a user’s polygonal avatar and several other items: Xbox Live Gold membership status (lending credence to the rumor that online play will finally debut alongside Mango) and links to the user’s Profile, Achievements, and Avatar (for customization). This should make the profile and avatar editing options much easier to find than their previous location: stashed away in a pop-up menu at the bottom of the screen.

Live tiles are a great and wonderful thing. We all love them, and I’m pretty sure WPCentral’s Daniel Rubino has several tattooed on his arm. On the other hand, live tiles also take up a lot of space – only 6-8 will fit on-screen at once. People who own a lot of games on Windows Phone often have to scroll quite a bit to find the title they wish to play. Game organization and launching will become slightly easier in Mango thanks to a new list view within the Games hub. The list view displays each game’s name alongside icons that are about fifty percent smaller than before. It doesn’t really fit much additional information on-screen, but gamers will be able to locate titles by names instead of icons.

The Friends section will also receive a few minor tweaks. Friends’ profiles and bios will be separated onto two pages instead of being crammed onto one. Additionally, it will become possible to add new friends directly from the phone thanks to the addition of a New Friend button at the bottom of the Friends page. Now if Microsoft would just add the ability to send and receive Xbox Live voice messages from the phone too – only text messages are supported right now.

These changes will strengthen gaming and Xbox Live use on Windows Phone. Today’s conference didn’t address online play, but we’re still hoping for an announcement sometime around Mango’s actual launch. For Windows Phone gamers, that date can’t come soon enough.

Avatar Gadgets has always been an odd piece of software. It’s lumped in with the Xbox Live games, but it’s not a game. It’s just a collection of utilities. If you buy it, it sits there at the top of your games list, mocking you with its non-gameness and lack of Achievements. It does use your Xbox Live avatar though, so there is a tenuous Xbox Live connection.

Avatar-Inspector-Gadgets is also the only Xbox Live product on Windows Phone that regularly sells at the 99 cent price point (everything else starts at $2.99). At least, it used to be 99 cents… Avatar Gadgets is now free!  Our review praises the Zippo lighter gadget and the product’s overall novelty. Now that it’s free, you have no excuse not to try it for yourself - other than the aforementioned space it takes up at the top of the games list, natch.

Grab Avatar Gadgets here on the Marketplace for the low price of zero cents. Will it be free forever? Probably, but we have contacted Microsoft just in case and will update this article when we know for sure.

One of the fun benefits of Xbox Live integration on Windows Phone 7 is that users can view and edit their avatars on the go. Some avatar items are free, while many of them cost money.

A quartet of avatar goods are currently on sale for fifty percent off. These must be purchased through a PC or Mac web browser or an Xbox 360 console before equipping them to your avatar.

Ninjas - Black Horned Samurai Outfit (Male or Female) - 120 Microsoft Points ($1.50) - 50% off

Star Wars - Chewbacca Wookie Costume (Male or Female) - 160 Microsoft Points ($2) - 50% off

• Ninjas - Black Horned Samurai Outfit (Male or Female) - 120 Microsoft Points ($1.50) - 50% off
• Star Wars - Chewbacca Wookie Costume (Male or Female) - 160 Microsoft Points ($2) - 50% off
• Fantasy Pets - Minotaur Companion - 120 Microsoft Points ($1.50) - 50% off
• Fierce Moves - Break Dancing - 160 Microsoft Points ($2) - 50% off

Avatar pets are not currently viewable on Windows Phone 7. The Fierce Moves item is actually a break dancing animation for your avatar. We can’t confirm whether premium avatar moves are actually viewable on Microsoft’s mobile platform, but we’ll update if we find out.

The sale runs through April 1st, no fooling. A ton of Xbox Live Arcade games (Xbox 360 only) are on sale during the same time period. Head past the break for the full list.

Xbox Live Arcade Games on sale through April 1st:

• 3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures 2 - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• A Kingdom for Keflings - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• After Burner Climax - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• Alien Breed Episode 1: Evolution - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• Alien Breed Episode 2: Assault - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• Costume Quest - 600 Microsoft Points ($7.50) - 50% off
• Crazy Taxi - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• Darwinia+ - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 67% off
• Defense Grid: The Awakening - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• DOOM II - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• Faery: Legend of Avalon - 600 Microsoft Points - 50% off
• Gyromancer - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 67% off
• Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge ($5) - 400 Microsoft Points - 50% off
• Quake Arena Arcade - 800 Microsoft Points ($10) - 33% off
• Unbound Saga - 160 Microsoft Points ($2) - 80% off
• Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Decade Duels - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off
• Zeit2 - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 50% off

Xbox Live Arcade Games on sale April 1st only:

• Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley - 400 Microsoft Points ($5) - 67% off
• Deadliest Warrior: The Game - 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50) - 75% off

Source: CheapAssGamer

One of the most exciting benefits of Xbox Live games on Windows Phone 7 is the possibility of connectivity. Crackdown: Project Sunburst unlocks a few bonus features in Crackdown 2 on Xbox 360, but that’s only the tip of the ice berg. Full House Poker, developed by Krome Studios and published by Microsoft, integrates more fully with its Xbox 360 counterpart than any game yet.

Full House Poker is a Texas hold ‘em poker simulator. Poker is very well-suited to mobile game play as you can play a hand in no time at all. Full House Poker’s affordable price and the fact that practically everybody loves poker means the game was bound to sell well on Windows Phone 7 no matter what. Thankfully the developers went the full mile and made not just a mobile poker game but a top-notch one as well.

Head past the break for our full house review.

Know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em

Full House Poker on Windows Phone 7 allows a single player to compete against 2-5 computer opponents at once in a game of Texas hold ‘em. Here’s how hold ‘em works, according to Wikipedia:

Texas hold em’s rules are really quite simple, and the game has plenty of tutorial texts to help new players along.

Controls

Depending on how you feel about your hand, you can Call (stay in), Raise the bet, go All-In (bet everything), or Fold (withdraw from the hand, losing any money you’ve put in).  In this version, Calling and going All-In have their own buttons. Dragging one’s cards to the center of the table will fold the hand. A slider is used to set the Raise amount.  Buttons for raising would have worked just as well, but adjusting the slider adds a little spice to the game play. Also, tapping on an opponent displays his or her 3 measurements. And by that, I mean name, title, and stats.

Game Types

The mobile version of Full House Poker has three game types: Standard, Tournament, and Pro Takedowns. All game can be saved at any time and resumed later.

Standard games can have 2, 4, or 6 players. These games go on forever or until the player chooses to stop playing. It’s a good way to play a few quick hands without committing to the longer time investment of the other modes.

Tournaments are higher-stakes games. They can be set up with the same number of players as standard games - I recommend 2 players if you’re just trying to win. Tournaments don’t use the player’s own money. A nonrefundable buy-in fee gets you into the game. Winning awards the player a fixed amount of money and XP, whereas the only thing you part with after losing is the buy-in fee.

Pro Takedowns are a series of 9 one-on-one boss tournaments. They cost a lot to enter and are locked to certain experience levels, so new players can’t access each boss right off the bat. Pro Takedowns reward players with serious money, XP, and unlockable customizations; they are worth the risk to enter. Clearing every Pro Takedown unlocks the All-Pro Tournament: you versus 5 of the previous AI pros.

Man versus machine

Players won't be competing against each other in this version of Full House Poker. Like all WP7 Xbox Live games so far, it's single-player only. The AI could be a little better - computer players tend to fold too often. They usually bet when they have a face card in-hand, though I have caught them bluffing occasionally. Their tendency to fold can make tournaments run longer than necessary, but smart players will be chipping away at their chip reserves all the while. When the computer finally does decide to go all in, a swift defeat on their part often ensues. I'm just glad the AI is beatable, as I don't consider myself a master poker player.

Better than the James Cameron movie

Full House Poker is the first game for Windows Phone 7 to fully support Xbox Live avatars. The title screen and level-up screens feature large, animated views of the player’s avatar. During game play, your avatar sits in the lower corner of the screen, sliding chips forward when you bet and reacting appropriately when you win or lose. Computer opponents are avatars too, naturally. It’s cool to play with one’s own customized character and outfit; hopefully more WP7 games will support them in the future.

Leveling and customization

Texas hold ‘em is fine card game in and of itself, but for a video game like this to be truly addictive in the long run it needs a good progression system. Here Full House Poker excels. Players do have a persistent bankroll, so winning money is always good. Running out of money isn’t the end of the world as you can just borrow more from the ATM.

On top of trying to earn virtual money, players also accumulate experience. Going all-In, winning after the river card is revealed, folding at the right time, winning streaks, and other actions all award experience. You also gain XP just for playing, so even a loss isn’t a complete waste. Full House Poker has 50 levels of experience for players to attain. Each level brings cool rewards like new backgrounds, card decks, and player titles. Titles (like Big Spender, Moneybags, and The Saboteur) don’t do much in this version of the game, but they’re visible to other players when playing online in the Xbox 360 version.

Xbox 360 Integration

Xbox 360 version

Yes, connectivity between the Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360 versions of Full House Poker is quite a draw. Whatever money or experience a player earns in one game automatically transfers to the other online. I made it to level 5 on the 360 before trying out the WP7 game. When I started it up on my phone, I jumped straight to level 5. I even got the Achievement for reaching level 2 right off the bat.

The WP7 version lacks some of its big brother’s features: online multi-player, 3D backgrounds (only avatars are rendered in 3D on the phone), and the ability to perform chip tricks (like spinning a chip around) with your avatar. Still, the fact that progression is consistent between both versions keeps the mobile game from feeling neutered. The phone version also moves a lot faster, making it easier to level up and earn money with than its console counterpart. Neither game is terribly expensive ($2.99 on WP7 and $10 on Xbox 360), so it doesn’t hurt much to buy them both.  

Achievements

The console and mobile versions of Full House Poker each have their own 200 GamerScore to earn, so gamers who buy both have 400 potential points to shoot for. The Achievements for reaching level 50 and earning a 500,000 bankroll would be a huge hassle to earn independently in both versions, so it’s quite convenient that experience and money transfer seamlessly. Other Achievements do have to be accomplished separately, such as winning the Pro Tournament. It should take some time to earn all 20 mobile Achievements, but they won’t pose a significant challenge for poker players of even moderate skill.

Overall Impression

Full House Poker is an impressive exclusive Xbox Live title. The great interface, progression system, customization, and avatar support all make for a killer app. While I bemoan the lack of online multi-player, the leveling system and multiple game types here make for a terrific single-player experience. The option of taking your character online through the console version also alleviates the situation. Poker fans (and especially Xbox 360 owners) can do no better than Full House Poker.

Full House Poker for Windows Phone 7 costs $2.99, and it has a free trial. You can grab it here (Zune link) on the Marketplace. The blinged-out Xbox 360 version costs 800 Microsoft Points ($10) and also has a trial. You can purchase it here from a PC or Mac.

Among Windows Phone 7’s most unique features is the Xbox Live service. The mobile versions of many Xbox 360 console games can find their way exclusively to Windows Phone 7. One such game, ilomilo (review), actually debuted first on Windows Phone 7 before hitting the Xbox 360’s Xbox Live Arcade service a few months later. Rocket Riot, from developer Code Glue, took the other way around: it’s come to Microsoft’s mobile phone platform over a year after releasing as a downloadable console title.

Rocket Riot is a twin-stick, side view shooter (without the physical sticks). This means players control their character’s movement and firing direction independently. Does this control method work well on the touch-screen, without the presence of sticks? Fly past the break to find out.

Is that a rocket in your pocket?

Rocket Riot earns its name in two ways: characters fly around using rockets, and they shoot at each other with rocket launchers. You can fly around as much as you like by swiping and holding in any direction on the left side of the screen; keep your finger away for a moment to hover and eventually sink back to the ground. The right side of the screen controls firing. Short swipes shoot rapidly while long swipes have longer trajectories. Here the mobile version of Rocket Riot actually trumps the Xbox 360 original. On the console, tapping the right stick rapidly wouldn’t fire rockets nearly far enough; they tended to peter out much too close to the player. It’s much easier to shoot decently far on WP7. In short, this port of Rocket Riot controls exceptionally well.

Victory usually comes from destroying all of the enemies in a stage without dying. You can’t block, so dodging, hiding behind things, and tunneling become extremely important. Yes, I said tunneling. Unlike most shooters, environments are fully destructible, so players can create their own shortcuts and escape routes by blasting at the ground and other objects. Firepower can be just as important as dodging, though. Rocket Riot’s power ups range from standard items like 3-way fire (incredibly useful) and homing rockets to the bizarre, like a shield made of spinning rubber ducks and a gun that fires basketballs and other loony objects. Power down items usually lead to untimely death, but at least they are clearly distinguishable by their red color.

A glass half empty

Rocket Riot lost a few important features on its way to Windows phones. Most obviously, there is absolutely no multiplayer. That’s not Code Glue’s fault as for whatever reason Microsoft isn’t allowing WP7 Xbox Live games to have online or local wireless multiplayer yet. It’s the same reason why other games that cry out to be played with other people like Uno are single-player affairs. Hopefully MS opens the doors for online play soon.

The lack of multiplayer I understand, but Rocket Riot is also missing some of the Xbox 360 version’s single-player content. The original game has 80 campaign levels, while only 48 stages made the transition to WP7. Gone are the hide-and-seek challenges that tasked players with blowing up level geometry to reach hidden enemies. Given that the multiplayer half of the game is absent already, leaving out one-player levels doesn’t make much sense. The endless play Endurance mode is also missing. Still, I must praise this version’s much more fair difficulty level, and even the shortened campaign will take 3-4 hours to finish. Individual levels can be replayed in Quick Play, too.

What’s still here?

This version’s campaign is comprised mostly of standard death matches, though it does break things up a bit with destruction, boss, and football levels. Destruction turns the focus away from killing enemies and toward blowing up glowing objects. Bosses are giant, super tough opponents with a lot more firepower than standard enemies. The final boss, who took me 92 tries to beat on the console, went down in far fewer attempts here, thank goodness.

Football levels are all getting the ball across the map and to the goal, constantly dodging enemies and without the ability to fire while holding the ball. I encountered a frustrating control bug in a few of these levels. Normally, after swiping in the desired direction, the player can hold his thumb in place and continue to move (just like holding an analog stick to move). This bug forced me to swipe repeatedly to move at all; it’s analogous to requiring someone to tape the stick for every single step their character takes instead of letting them hold it. Yet it didn’t happen every time I played a sports level, and it never occurred in the other, more common stages, so my enjoyment of the game wasn’t much diminished. The developers already patched the game to improve the controls once, but they may have a little farther to go.

Who needs legs when you’ve got rockets?

Rocket Riot comes to WP7 a distinctive and appealingly retro look. Its character designs resemble the Mighty Beanz toys, only here of course everyone’s got rockets attached to their bottoms. Like the toy line from which they draw inspiration, Rocket Riot’s characters are numerous and collectible. 100 unique hand-drawn characters become playable after they’re defeated, including pirates, robots, monsters, soldiers, and even the Code Glue development team.

Rocketcraft

While the rocket-butted characters are 2-dimensional, the levels blend 2D and 3D in an interesting way. Code Glue basically took flat, pixelated 8-bit stage designs and turned everything into cubes. This gives the stages a slightly Minecraft-esque look. Everything is fully destructible, exploding into tiny blocks when shot. It’d be a shame to waste such a unique graphics engine on mundane stage design, but Rocket Riot doesn’t disappoint. Combat takes place on pirate ships, the moon, a rugby field, inside a computer, and other zany places. 

Quiet, Rocket Riot!

Rocket Riot’s sound doesn’t charm quite as much as its visuals, though it does try. The lyrical theme song initially impresses, but wears thin due to repeating practically every other level. I thought I caught a line saying, “You’ve never had so much fun killing babies with your gun.” Fortunately the official website’s lyrics page proved me wrong: apparently I’ve never had so much fun killing meanies with my gun. I would have liked a greater variety of music, but that is a common complaint with phone games. It’s a shame that the hyperactive music variants that accompanied the miniaturizing power-up in the Xbox 360 game didn’t make the cut here. The sound effects are fairly standard. Enemies let out silly grunts and screams when they die, but more unique death screams would have differentiated them better.

Achievements: Hope for a hot spot

First off, Rocket Riot commits the heinous error of forcing players to be online in order to earn or view Achievements. Not cool. Mobile gaming is supposed to be just that, gaming on the go. Many people turn their phone’s data off while away from home; being locked out of earning Achievements won’t delight. Most WP7 Xbox Live games’ Achievements work offline or online… Too bad that’s not the case here.

Still, people generally have Wi-Fi at home, so Rocket Riot’s Achievements aren’t permanently out of reach. Most of them can be earned in a single campaign play through, but not all. Gamers will need to make another campaign run or spend some time with Quick Play in order to kill 5,000 enemies or destroy 1,000,000 blocks. Hunting these down should extend the life of the game.

Update: The Wi-Fi Achievement issue was eventually fixed with a patch.

Overall Impression

Rocket Riot stands out from other Windows Phone 7 games thanks to its excellent and natural controls, uniquely destructible environments, and whimsical retro graphics. It could use a little more content to make up for the lack of multiplayer that people expect from death-match shooters, but it's loads of fun while it lasts. Rocket Riot costs $4.99 on the Windows Phone Store - I recommend grabbing the free trial before deciding to blast off with it.

Looks like all of those Microsoft execs also have a digital doppelganger as evidenced by the above shot taken from the Microsoft site. We imagine this is anticipation of the Kinect launch coming up next week. Speaking of, we're still deciding if we should replace our old xbox and get the whole new Xbox 360s + Kinect kit or just buy Kinect. Decisions!

Anyways, take a look at all the listings with the link below. And take a look at our Xbox + WP7 primer over here, well worth the read if you're a n00b.

Source: Microsoft, via Twitter (@maryjofoley)