Microsoft’s inexcusable downtime errors with Xbox Live have compelled the company to give all Xbox Live Arcade gamers a free download this week in lieu of the normal pay-to-download game that normally appears on Wednesdays. The free Xbox Live Arcade game — which will only be free until January 27, mind you — is Undertow.
Developed by Chair Entertainment Group, Undertow is an aquatic shooter with a story-driven single-player campaign, online and offline co-op and multiplayer modes for two to 16 players over Xbox Live (for Xbox Live Gold subscribers only). Players can battle for control of the oceans as one of three selectable races, each with four upgradeable units.
Undertow normally carries a price of 800 Microsoft Points.
Microsoft this morning also announced an Xbox Live Arcade Awards program. Several award categories will be decided by the Xbox Live Arcade community. Fans can cast their votes for the Xbox Live Arcade Awards 2007 by voting here. Voting begins Tuesday, January 22 at 2:00 a.m. PST (10:00 GMT) and runs through Wednesday, January 30 at 11:59 p.m. PST (07:59 GMT).
The finalists in each award category were selected by a panel of consumer and video game industry journalists, and the winners will be determined by popular vote. Microsoft will announce the winners at the Game Developer Conference in February.
