Serious Sam HD, GRAW 2 lead XBL January onrush

Microsoft isn't prone to offering a future-looking glimpse at its upcoming Xbox Live Arcade and Games on Demand schedule. However, on occasion, the publisher will make an exception. Today, Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb laid out the remainder of January's additions to the Xbox 360's online platforms, saying also that similar schedules will, hopefully, be available on a bimonthly basis.

Serious Sam: The First Encounter HD leads the Xbox Live Arcade lineup, arriving this Wednesday for MSP 1,200 ($15). An HD redux of Croteam's highly regarded 2001 arcade-style PC shooter, Serious Sam on XBLA features the same fast-paced action with completely redesigned visuals as well as online co-op for up to four.

On January 20, Xbox Live Arcade will see the addition of Konami's Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment and Square Enix's Death by Cube. An extension of Konami's long-running tactical role-playing game franchise, Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment is a prequel to the 1997 original and will cost MSP 1,200 ($15). Death by Cube clocks in at MSP 800 ($10) and sees players splattering hordes of enemies as a psychedelic square.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, which was originally released for the 360 in March 2007, arrives as part of the Games on Demand program this week. The near-future tactical shooter set in Mexican border towns runs $19.99. Zombies flood Games on Demand on January 26, as Capcom's Dead Rising shambles back onto the 360. Microsoft did not indicate how much the survival horror title would cost.

However, the publisher did note that beginning today, a number of previous additions to Games on Demand would be getting price cuts. BioShock, Saints Row, MX vs. ATV Untamed, and Prey have all had their prices reduced to $19.99. Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution can now be had for $29.99.

Lastly, Microsoft outlined its upcoming Deals of the Week for the remainder of January. Next week, Mass Effect’s Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station expansions will be available for MSP 240 apiece, while Hasbro Family Game Night: Battleship will be discounted to MSP 400. On January 25, gamers can pick up Portal: Still Alive for MSP 800 ($10).