Surprisingly, yesterday’s news IS yesterday’s news…Borderlands and Bioshock 2 DLC on sale yet again (I mean come on!), obsolete Red Dead Redemption DLC, Super Meat Boy launch discount, a fresh coat for Hydro Thunder Hurricane and more…

By some strange coincidence, there have and only will have been two XBLA games on sale during the entire month of October (Toy Soldiers, and Super Meat Boy), and most of the other sales are multiple-time repeats or content for soon to be obsolete titles (MW2 map packs, Battlefield Bad Company 2 game modes). I’m sure it has nothing to do with the October Shopping Spree Rebate (full details in the press release below). Did I mention that there will be no less than three XBLA titles on sale on November 1st, one day after the Shopping Spree Rebate promotion ends?

XBOX LIVE NEWSBEAT: VOL. 17, October 19, 2010

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Get your Game Feast on while you still can!
“Super Meat Boy” (Team Meat/Microsoft Game Studios) arrives tomorrow, October 20 and “Pinball FX 2” (ZEN Studios/Microsoft Game Studios), available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, will launch on October 27. Leap from walls, jump over seas of buzz saws, and run through crumbling caves and pools of old needles as an animated cube of meat who’s trying to save his girlfriend in “Super Meat Boy,” or enjoy a host of new “Pinball FX” features like automatic in-game challenges against your friends, split-screen local multiplayer mode (a first in video pinball history), and more in “Pinball FX 2.” Hurry and get an exclusive “Super Meat Boy” offer from Xbox LIVE Arcade, from October 20 until November 21 “Super Meat Boy” will be available for only 800 Microsoft Points. That’s a whopping 400 Microsoft Points discount off the originally announced price!

Shocktober on Xbox LIVE is fright done right…
Xbox LIVE is getting in the Halloween spirit with featured thrilling and chilling games, videos, and entertainment! Play mind-bending games like “Alan Wake” (Microsoft Game Studios), watch frightful movies from Zune video like “28 Weeks Later,” or show off your Halloween spirit and dress your Avatar as a fireman, ballerina, police officer and many more outfits from one of the costume collections. Xbox LIVE Gold members even have a chance to win great prizes when they download the Shocktober gamer picture and log on to Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm or download any game or movie.*

Xbox LIVE Shopping Spree on Xbox LIVE Marketplace is still here too! Purchase at least 2400 Microsoft Points worth of ANY Xbox LIVE Arcade or Game add-on content between now and October 31, 2010 11:59 pm EST, and receive 800 Microsoft Points – FREE!**

“Silver Screen Special” arrives on Xbox LIVE Marketplace
Movie night just got a whole lot sweeter. Silver Screen Special will feature discounted Zune movies available to Xbox LIVE members where Zune is available. Starting today, watch “Predator” for 50 percent off (only 400 Microsoft Points). Next week, instill some fear into your quiet night by getting “Daybreakers” on October 26 for 25 percent off (900 Microsoft Points)! This is only the beginning… stay tuned for more Silver Screen Specials.***

Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack delivers more value and family fun
Starting November 1, the new Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will offer up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for only US$99.99 – the price of two regular Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. Now as you prepare for the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360, which makes YOU the controller, consider giving your family premium Gold experience and access to the biggest names in entertainment.

Perfect for families, the Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack will also offer access to additional conveniences and services including the new Family Center, accessible on the Xbox dashboard and Xbox.com for easier family management, access to activity monitoring reports, and the ability to purchase and give Microsoft Points to other Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members. For more information, visit: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/familypack

AVATAR MARKETPLACE
October 21: Iconic job costumes for Halloween
October 21: “DJ Hero® 2” (Activision)
October 25: “Star Wars® The Force Unleashed ™ II” (LucasArts)
October 25: “Red Dead Redemption™” Update (Rockstar Games)

XBOX LIVE ARCADE
October 20: “Super Meat Boy” (Team Meat/Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points; November 21: 1200 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
October 20: “Costume Quest™” (THQ) – 1200 Microsoft Points and available worldwide (except Japan and Korea)
October 27: “Pinball FX 2” (ZEN Studios/Microsoft Game Studios) – Free game download and available worldwide. Tables purchased individually with free import from original “Pinball FX”

DEAL OF THE WEEK
You had the chance to vote for the feature “Deal of the Week” release for this week. The winners: “Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2” Onslaught (Electronic Arts) and “Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2” SPECACT Upgrade (Electronic Arts) Add-ons!

Week of October 18 – Xbox LIVE Member’s Choice
“Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2” Onslaught (Electronic Arts) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except India)
“Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2” SPECACT Upgrade (Electronic Arts) – 320 Microsoft Points (33 percent off) and available worldwide (except India)

Week of October 25:
“BioShock® 2” Rapture Metro (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Japan and Korea)
“BioShock® 2” Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack (2K Games) – 240 Microsoft Points (40 percent off) and available worldwide (except Japan and Korea)
“BioShock® 2” Protector Trials (2K Games) – 240 Microsoft Points (40 percent off) and available worldwide (except Japan and Korea)
“BioShock® 2” Big Sister Outfit (2K Games) – 240 Microsoft Points (25 percent off) and available worldwide
“BioShock® 2” Watchface Big Daddy Doll (2K Games) – 160 Microsoft Points (33 percent off) and available worldwide

Week of November 1:
“Snoopy Flying Ace” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Korea and Taiwan)
“Risk: Factions” (Electronic Arts) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide
“Blade Kitten” (Atari) – 600 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide, now including India, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore (except Taiwan)
“Pug Dog” Avatar Marketplace Pets (Microsoft) – 160 Microsoft Points (33 percent off) and available worldwide
“Black Cat” Avatar Marketplace Pets (Microsoft) – 160 Microsoft Points (33 percent off) and available worldwide

GAME ADD-ONS
To celebrate the release of “Borderlands™” through Games on Demand, stock up on the Add-ons for half the price!
October 19-25: “Borderlands™” Secret Armory (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points and available worldwide (except Japan)
October 19-25: “Borderlands™” Zombie Island (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points and available worldwide (except Japan)
October 19-25: “Borderlands™” The Underdome (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points and available worldwide (except Japan)
October 25: “Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack” (Rockstar Games) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide (except Japan)
October 27: “Hydro Thunder Hurricane™” Tempest Pack (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points and available worldwide

GAMES ON DEMAND
October 19: “Borderlands™” (2K Games) – Available worldwide (except Japan)
October 19: “F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin” (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) – Available worldwide (except Japan)
October 19: “Virtua Fighter 5” (SEGA) – Available in US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
October 19: “Cabela’s® Big Game Hunter™” (Activision) – Available in US, Canada and Australia
October 26: “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction™” (Ubisoft) – Available worldwide
October 26: “The BIGS 2” (2K Sports) – Available worldwide (except Japan)
October 26: “Cabela’s® Alaskan Adventures™” (Activision) – Available in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia
October 26: “LOST™: Via Domus” (Ubisoft Montreal) – Available worldwide (except Japan and India)

* The Shocktober sweepstakes is available in the US, UK, and Canada

** Limit one (1) gift per person. To qualify for your gift, you must purchase the games and/or game add-on content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace using your Xbox LIVE account, by October 31, 2010 11:59 pm EST. The free Points will be deposited automatically into your Xbox LIVE account after the end of the promotion period. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery – on or around November 30, 2010. Offer available Worldwide in all Xbox LIVE countries, excluding Italy, and Japan, while supplies last, is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and cannot be combined with any other rebate or offer. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Download charges may apply as set by your ISP. In New Zealand, only adult accounts (18+) can download or stream content over Xbox LIVE Marketplace. For Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and system requirements, see www.xbox.com/live. Offer provided by: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052.

*** Silver Screen Special discounts available in the US in October, expanding worldwide in November

Games on Demand set to launch during the Month of December

“Crackdown” (Microsoft Game Studios) | December 1 | Worldwide except Germany, Japan and Korea: Prepare for the upcoming release of “Crackdown 2” by revisiting the award-winning predecessor, “Crackdown.” You’ll take on the role of judge, jury and executioner as you restore peace by any means necessary in Pacific City, a crime-ridden urban center primed to explode and ready for you to explore. Enter the vast and fully explorable world as you clean up the streets the only way you know how. Your way.

“Disney Bolt” (Disney) | December 8 | North America and Europe: Join Bolt and Penny as they travel the globe on a dangerous mission to save Penny’s dad from the evil Dr. Calico.

“Viva Piñata: Party Animals” (Microsoft Game Studios) | December 15 | Worldwide except Japan: Compete in a variety of zany battles and races in the social party game Viva Piñata®: Party Animals. Control the fame, fortune, and destiny of all your favorite characters from Viva Piñata: Fergy Fudgehog, Paulie Pretztail, Franklin Fizzlybear, and Hudson Horstachio. It’s party time!

“Lost Planet™: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition” (Capcom Entertainment, Inc.) | December 22 | Worldwide except Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and India: Lost Planet™: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition provides explosive action for both offline and online players, and allows cross-platform play between Xbox 360 and PC, all in time to prepare for the anticipated release of the upcoming “Lost planet” sequel.

“Devil May Cry® 4” (CAPCOM Co., Ltd.) | December 22 | Worldwide except Japan: “Devil May Cry 4” immerses you in a gothic supernatural world, where a new protagonist clashes with a familiar hero. As the new leading man Nero, unleash incredible attacks and non-stop combos using a unique new gameplay mechanic with his powerful “Devil Bringer” arm.

“Gears of War” (Microsoft Game Studios) | December 29 | Worldwide except Japan and Germany: “Gears of War” fans, check out the original title that started it all! Developed by Epic Games, “Gears of War” thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. Players take on the role of Marcus Fenix, a disgraced war hero who seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against the Locust onslaught. “Gears of War” unites breathtaking visuals with classic, emotional storytelling and a revolutionary tactical combat system, engrossing the gamer in a horrifying epic story of war and survival.

* Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for multiplayer

Content: Burnout Revenge
Price: Click here to check pricing for your region
Availability: North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Asia
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. The Burnout experience is all about high-speed, high-intensity aggressive racing action. Introducing Live Revenge, now you can track and taunt players you tussle with on Xbox Live 360. Exclusive to this showcase high-definition version is the ability to save out your wildest Burnout moments and share them online. Be sure to check out ten all new custom designed crash junctions built for your destructive pleasure. Start your engines. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: Need For Speed ProStreet
Price: Click here to check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Japan
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. Compete at the highest level of street racing with Need for Speed ProStreet. It’s no longer good enough to simply rule your local neighborhood; you need to dominate on a global stage. Build the ultimate battle machine, take it to multi-disciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and reputation against the world’s best street racers. Every dent, every scratch and every crumpled body panel is a battle scar, proof of your commitment and competitive mettle. This is your chance to prove that you have what it takes to be crowned the next Street King. Need for Speed ProStreet is the realization of the raw power, visceral aggression and intense rivalry that embodies street racing culture. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: FIFA 09
Price: Price: Click here to check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Australia, New Zealand, North America or the U.K.
Dash Text: Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. Experience the revolution of football gaming. FIFA 09 brings you the most believable recreation of football yet seen for videogames blurring the boundaries between the virtual world and real life. Advanced physics and superlative visuals combine to realise the truest expression of the world’s greatest sport. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

These are some decent additions to say the least.  In the US burnout revenge comes in at $19.99 Need for Speed Pro Street comes in at  $19.99 and Fifa at the time of this post didn’t appear to be available so a price was not either.

Refresh your Avatar and emulate your favorite famed guitarist with “Guitar Hero” gear – the newest Avatar Marketplace collection launches today, August 20! Also hitting Xbox LIVE Marketplace are several new Games on Demand titles to add to your collection, providing convenient, 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular game titles. This month, at the touch of a button, download a great selection of full Xbox 360 games including:

“Saints Row” (North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand): The game earned praise for its action-packed quality and production, and now you can conveniently download and dive into Stilwater as a low-level thug on a money hungry mission. Muscle your way to the top in this original release in the series!

“Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis” (Japan): Get ready to rumble the table tennis court with your skilled shots and smash hits. Enjoy multiplayer mode via Xbox LIVE and match up exhibition and tournament style with up to 12 other players. “Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis” is available for download.

“Need for Speed™ ProStreet” (North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia): Compete at the highest level of street racing with Need for Speed ProStreet. It’s no longer good enough to simply rule your local neighborhood, you need to dominate on a global stage. Build the ultimate battle machine, take it to multi-disciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and reputation against the world’s best street racers. This is your chance to prove that you have what it takes to be crowned the next street king. Download “Need for Speed™ ProStreet,” on August 25 for all its street racing glory.

“Burnout Revenge™” (North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Asia): Strap yourself into the fastest, most dangerous racer on the road.  Built for unprecedented destruction, Burnout Revenge challenges you to exact your revenge on rush hour traffic, vindictive rival racers and anything else that gets between you and the finish line. “Burnout Revenge™” joins the Games on Demand library on August 25.

“LEGO® Star Wars™: The Complete Saga” (Australia and New Zealand): “The Complete Saga” delivers the thrill of the blockbuster “LEGO® Star Wars™” series and gives you the chance to play through legions of Star Wars events from all six of the memorable movies.  Get your hands on “LEGO® Star Wars™: The Complete Saga” on August 25.

All of these games will be available for quick and convenient download, 24 x 7. You can purchase Games on Demand titles via credit card or Microsoft Points.  To purchase using Microsoft Points, just push the “Y” button when you’re on the purchase screen and you can buy and download your favorite games instantly!

*Individual prices for Games on Demand titles differ by region

*Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for online multiplayer

Via Gamerscore Blog