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Checkers, Chess and Guns invade XBLA this week

by: Dan -
More On: Xbox Live Arcade
Prepare to dig deep this week, as two titles are hitting Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. Marathon: Durandal (800 points), and Spyglass Board Games (400 points) will be hitting XBLA on Wednesday, Aug 1st at 5:00 a.m. EST. Marathon: Durandal is an exclusive to XBLA and is rated M for Mature. Spyglass Board Games marks the first offering of such classic board games as Chess and Checkers to the service and is rated E for Everyone. See the release for full details.

This week, we have two anticipated titles coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade, Marathon Durandal, and Spyglass Board Games.  Both will come to Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 this Wednesday, August 1, beginning at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

Marathon: Durandal
ESRB Rating M (Mature)
800 Microsoft Points
Available Worldwide


Seventeen years ago, you survived a vicious Pfhor assault on the U.E.S.C. Marathon. Now you have been awakened by the enigmatic, sentient A.I. called Durandal and sent to an alien world to uncover the mysteries of their advanced technology. In Marathon: Durandal, armed with only a pistol, you are humanity’s last champion!

  • Epic story: Exclusive to Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a cult classic first-person shooter (FPS) that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.
  • Upgraded visuals: All images in the game have been redrawn in high definition. 
  • Modern networking: Marathon: Durandal features a new modern networking layer built with Xbox LIVE in mind. 
  • Superior control: The redesigned controls take full advantage of the Xbox 360 Controller and enhance playing a first-person shooter on a home console.
  • For more details on “Marathon: Durandel”, please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/m/marathondurandalxboxlivearcade/.
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Spyglass Board Games
ESRB Rating E (Everyone)
800 Microsoft Points
Available Worldwide


Spyglass Board Games offers a fun new take on classic board games, like Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi. Play and chat socially on Xbox LIVE®, or play against the computer. Use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to personalize the game board, playing pieces, and video effects. Each game has custom pieces to choose from, such as a rook made of stone, or a furry checkers piece with cute gleaming eyes. Make each game your very own!

  • Full featured games: Four classic board games to choose from. Play Chess, Checkers, Mancala, or Reversi.
  • Video integration with Xbox LIVE Vision camera: Fully integrated video chat lets you see your opponent. Use the video effects to personalize your game.
  • Customizable pieces: Choose custom game pieces that range from traditional marble, to metallic silver, to fuzzy and wiggling gel.
  • Twelve achievements: Twelve achievements are offered ranging from easy, such as playing all four games, to more challenging, such as taking all four corners in Reversi.
  • For more game details on “Spyglass Board Games”, please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/spyglassxboxlivearcade/.