Swing Swing Submarine, a tiny indie game dev studio brings Blocks That Matter, or B[oulder Dash] T[etris] M[inecraft] (get it? all games that deal with “blocks that matter”)

Rather than attempt to explain the game, it’d probably be easier just to show you guys. Check it out:

Looks pretty sweet. Any puzzle/platformer fan should be all over this one. Makes me wish I had a 360!

BTM is scheduled for release on the Xbox LIVE Indie Games Channel in mid April, and a few weeks later on PC, Mac and Linux. No price has been set yet, but it will most likely be a little under $5.

I’m a proud PS3 owner, and I love my PS3. However, there are those very rare occasions where I envy Xbox 360 owners, and wish I had one. This is one of them.

Back in the day, I was a proud Dreamcast owner. And you know what? No matter what anyone says, Dreamcast had some great games (Powerstone 2 anyone!?). And now, Xbox 360 and PC owners get to relive that glory! We have today a trailer of the Dreamcast Collection, which includes Sonic Adcenture, Crazy Taxi, SEGA Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5: Part 2.

The Dreamcast Collection is available now for the Xbox 360 and PC.

Here it is folks! The release date has been confirmed for Gears of War 3. Mark your calendars: 9/13/2011

Features List:

• An enthralling cinematic story that captivates players in an intimately intense action game
• Five-on-five multiplayer experience as well as four player campaign co-op experience
• New multiplayer game modes including ‘Beast Mode’ – offering a new twist to the game where you take on the role of the locust horde and their assorted variations!
• New maps including: Trenches which features an impressive sand storm that reduces your visibility, as well as Overpass, Mercy, Checkout, and Thrashball
• New weapons including: The Bayonet Charge, The Retro Lancer, The Sawed-off Shotgun, The OneShot – a heavy sniper rifle that shoots through shields or cover for a surprise one shot kill, The Incendiary Grenade, The Digger Launcher and a few subtle tweaks to old favourites Hammerburst and The Classic Lancer. Don’t forget that each weapon now has its own execution move!

Now you can do all the virtual socializing you want with your Xbox 360! Yay (!?).

Microsoft is expanding the scope and versatility of Xbox 360 by adding new applications, allowing you to use Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and of course, Zune video. Here’s the features list for this Social Network update to Xbox LIVE:

• Facebook.2 Update your status to share what movie, game or entertainment you’re enjoying, connect with friends, and view their Facebook stream, status updates and photos on the big screen — all seamlessly integrated and custom-built for Xbox 360. You can even compare your Xbox LIVE and Facebook friends lists to see which of your friends are on Xbox LIVE.

"OMG! I love your avatar!"

• Zune. Zune video on Xbox LIVE offers a full-fidelity experience with instant-on HD in 1080p and 5.1 channel surround sound. No waiting for downloads or buffering, it’s there at the press of a button. You can also share the experience with up to seven friends through voice chat and Avatar integration on the TV screen — it puts a whole new spin on movie night.

Movies on Zune

• Twitter.2 Stay in the know by discovering, posting and replying to tweets right on your Xbox 360. You can even view friend profiles, trends and conversations, or search to see who’s tweeting about your favorite game.

Tweetin' on LIVE

• Last.fm. 2 Discover more music and explore endless personalized radio stations with Last.fm on Xbox 360. Skip, “ban” or “love” tracks to create your perfect mix. We’ve even built in “Gamer Stations” with game-related types of music selected specifically for the gaming community. (Available in the U.S. and U.K.)

 …So I guess that’s pretty cool… but I can’t help but feel that a laptop or desktop with a keyboard would more than suffice for all of these. But I don’t tweet or facebook much, so I guess I can’t truly appreciate this. For those of you out there with Xbox LIVE Gold accounts, let us know how this works out for you!

These features will be available starting tomorrow, Nov. 17th, 2009.

Section 8, heavily-focused on multiplayer experience has arrived in North America.
And when we say heavily-focused, we aren’t joking.

The squad system, Dynamic Combat Missions (DCMs) which is player-driven objectives, crazy stat-tracking system, showing clan and individual rankings on over 50 unique fully-searchable Leaderboards.. You name it. They got it. Well, maybe except Nazi zombies but who needs them when you can have jetpack that’ll boost your jump much, much higher.

If you followed the trailers and previews out there, you would also notice that the player can actually set an exact spawn point and drop from 15,000 ft above the map with its unique “Burn-In” system. This allows the player to think about their tactic even before they spawn. The teammates on the ground can also build something that can defend their enemies from sneaking into their base. Sounds like a madness.

Section 8 for Xbox360 will be priced for $59.99, while the Windows LIVE version will be at $49.00. The implementation of online stats portal begins on Friday, September 11.

One game I haven’t had a chance to discuss yet is WET, centered on a blade-wielding, gun-toting, wall-running, frequently-acrobatic “problem fixer” named Rubi Malone. Now, Rubi hasn’t exactly had an easy time of things. She gets crossed, double-crossed, and then some, until the only thing keeping her safe is her own weapon-filled hands and sprinting feet. And you know what Rubi is best at? Doing what she does with style.

I’m actually serious on that point. WET is an action shooter published by Bethesda Softworks set to come out later this year. The players will have swords and guns at their disposal, but to really take advantage of their full potential, they’re going to have to dive headfirst into the game’s acrobatics system. Rubi is able to run on walls, slide one way while shooting the other (she can aim 360 degrees, baby!) and rack up style points while executing her attacks flawlessly in the process. In fact, your weapons are only at their full potential when Rubi’s on the move. If you’re mid-acrobatics, Rubi is able to dual-wield her guns, with the player taking manual control of one and the other automatically aiming. Don’t expect such perks if you clumsily attack head-on.

I really liked the look of the game. It’s just slightly cartoony enough to be different, without being fully cel-shaded like so many (read: too many) games out there. The graphics engine runs slick, and it was fun to watch the battles play out so fluidly. Not only that, but when Rubi enters “Rage Mode” in certain levels, reality seems to shift as the entire palette shifts to reds, blacks and whites as Rubi tries to rack up a decent multiplier by chaining up kills by taking down as many enemies as possible by whatever means necessary. I always appreciate when a game decides to change the pace up a bit.

After you’ve gathered some hard-earned style points in the levels, you’re free to upgrade skills, buy new moves, shuffle weapons, enjoy the fruits of your labor. Throw in the voice of Eliza Dushku, a plethora of different cities to fight your way through, and you’re good to go. I guess the biggest question mark at this point is the story. Of course, we don’t have the chance to get a sense for the plot in our relatively short span of time with the game, so I guess we’ll have to wait until the game’s release to find out how well all of this is tied together. PS3 and Xbox 360 owners, keep your eyes peeled and your wall-running talents sharp for the release later this year.

The vivid, surreal world of Rage Mode.