Microsoft lays out August XBL schedule

Microsoft rarely gives gamers more than a couple of days' notice on Xbox Live Arcade releases, but the publisher confirmed today a whole month's worth of games for the downloadable-game service.

This Wednesday's release of Geometry Wars 2: Retro Evolved will kick off a string of five straight weeks of big-name Xbox Live Arcade games. The sequel to Bizarre Creations' hit Xbox 360 launch shooter will be followed by Jonathan Blow's indie platformer Braid on August 6, Capcom's NES remake Bionic Commando Rearmed on August 13, Namco Bandai's Galaga Legions revamp on August 20, and The Behemoth's long-in-development beat-'em-up Castle Crashers on August 27.

To further promote the lineup--which Microsoft has dubbed "The Summer of Arcade"--the software giant is running a contest. Gamers who play demos or full versions of any of the preceding Xbox Live Arcade games during their week of release will be entered into a drawing to win 100,000 Microsoft points ($1,250), an Xbox 360 Elite system, and a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live. Two runners-up will each receive 10,000 points ($125) and a yearlong subscription. Five weekly winners will receive 4,000 Microsoft points ($50).

For more on the contest, check out the official Web site.