This is M$' s olive branch offering following all the Live service problems due to the massive increase in users over the holidays. It' s generally been very well reviewed. I' ve only played the single player demo, but I imagine the 16-player matches could be pretty cool.

It' ll be available from this upcoming Wednesday through next Sunday.

yeah its nice its a quality title they are throwing our way!

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/01/xbla-undertow-f.aspx

The arcade game that we will be receiving as compensation is Undertow. It actually looks fairly decent.

-Relentless high-speed combat with simple and intuitive controls
-Incredible next-gen graphics with a vibrant underwater visual style
-First to feature 16 player multiplayer battles and 2 player co-op with Team -Conquest and Deathmatch modes
-3 different playable races, each with 4 unique upgradeable units
-15 level single player / co-op campaign with maps ranging from Atlantis to frozen arctic labyrinths to the steam powered cities of Captain Nemo
-Planned expansions will offer new playable races, units, single and multiplayer maps, gamer picks, and additional achievement points.
-One of the first XBLA titles to utilize the UE3 Engine, Undertow will raise the graphical bar to usher in the next-generation of Live Arcade.
-First game on XBLA to offer 16 player multiplayer!
-Unique multiplayer design and premium downloadable content encourages community development.
-Original concept stands out from the ports and classic arcade game releases currently available.

ON UT3 ENGINE!

For an acarde game it looks very impressive.

Fuckign right, it' s only 50mb!

UE3 rox mah sox

The arcade game that we will be receiving as compensation is Undertow. It actually looks fairly decent.

Its been getting around 9 in most of its reviews.

i didnt like the demo much but im not passing up a free download.

Free for everyone, or just gold users? (hopes they took the lazy route)

Free for everyone, or just gold users? (hopes they took the lazy route)

From IGN:

Undertow will be free from Wednesday at 2 a.m. PST through Sunday at 11:59 p.m. PST. The game is free for all Xbox Live members (Gold and Silver) around the world, Microsoft said.

Well I suppose they have to do this otherwise the new silver members would cry foul, after all they would have been affected as well. What happens to those who already paid for the full version, I take it they will get a refund?

Well I suppose they have to do this otherwise the new silver members would cry foul, after all they would have been affected as well. What happens to those who already paid for the full version, I take it they will get a refund?

I highly doubt that will ever happen. From what I understand some people had downloaded Carcassone before it was given for free and they didn' t get any refund(I' m not sure if this completely accurate). I couldn' t see it happening as M$' s refund policy is extremely strict and even if it is there fault they usually don' t give you your money back(like if you loose your XBLA games when you turn in your broken 360).

What happens to those who already paid for the full version, I take it they will get a refund?

According to Major Nelson : " If you have already purchased the game, you can contact support and they will take care of you." LINK

According to Major Nelson : " If you have already purchased the game, you can contact support and they will take care of you."

That almost sounds ominous, but if it is true then I stand thoroughly corrected.