The Maw and 'Splosion Man developer Twisted Pixel released the first gameplay footage from Lococycle today. It reveals that this upcoming motorcycle game is not just some simple racing game.

Players control a sophisiticated A.I. motorcycle named I.R.I.S. with a variety of weapons. The footage shows I.R.I.S. weaving in and out of traffic and gunning down enemy vehicles. Our hero can also close the gap and pummel enemies with a variety of martial arts moves.

One interesting little visual detail: some hapless young man is hanging from the back of I.R.I.S. by his foot. He seems to be present in every piece of footage in the trailer. Is he supposed to be this ultra-motorcycle's partner? If so, he's doing kind of a piss-poor job at it.

Lococycle will arrive sometime in 2013 exclusively through Xbox Live Arcade.

Microsoft has added another developer to their studio. Today they announced the acquisition of Austin-based studio Twisted Pixel Games, the company responsible for Xbox Live Arcade title Splosion Man and recent Kinect release Gunstringer.

Twisted Pixel was first founded in 2006. The company started out as a contractor for Midway Games, contributing to NBA Ballers: Chosen One and Blitz: The League II. After that, they shifted their focus to developing their own digital titles. Other games they've released include The Maw and Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley.

"Twisted Pixel has an incredible track record of innovative, critically acclaimed, and most importantly, fun, games," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Studios. "Microsoft Studios is home to cutting-edge entertainment experiences, and the incredible creativity of the Twisted Pixel team will help drive further innovation around Kinect and Xbox LIVE."

Their most recent release, Gunstringer, is a third-person shooter set in the Wild West. Players take on the role of an an undead marionette sheriff seeking revenge on those who betrayed him. The sheriff's movement and shooting are controlled by hand motions thanks to Kinect technology.

"Overall, The Gunstringer is easily one of the most original, seamless and entertaining uses of the Kinect technology to date," said Gaming Blend's review of the game.

Twisted Pixel has yet to announce their next project. Given the fact that Microsoft now owns them, though, it's safe to assume it'll be for the Xbox 360.

"It is really exciting for us to solidify our long-standing relationship with Microsoft Studios, who we consider to be the leader in digital distribution and creating new innovations in gaming like Xbox LIVE and Kinect," said Michael Wilford, Twisted Pixel's co-founder and CEO. "As part of the family of Microsoft Studios we look forward to bringing even bigger and richer experiences to Xbox and Twisted Pixel fans around the world."

It looks like three of the best selling games across the Xbox Live Arcade platform will be arriving in a boxed retail set for gamers who may not have picked up a digital copy on Microsoft’s Live service.

According to XBLA Fans, the triple-pack will contain Limbo, Trials HD and ‘Splosion Man for the very affordable 2,980 yen, beginning May 19th. While the conversion would put that around $35.00 U.S. dollars it’s highly unlikely that if the triple-pack came to the U.S. or Europe that it would cost that much. A more likely price would be around the $19.99 mark.

The one-disc retail package seems like a cool way to bring the casual mainstream audience into the know about some of the lesser advertised and lesser exposed gems currently sitting on the digital shelves for home consoles. You can learn more about these games over at the Official Xbox Live Website.

On this week's episode of GameTrailers TV, Twisted Pixel revealed a follow-up to the 2009 Xbox Live Arcade platformer 'Splosion Man. The short trailer sets up the story for the sequel, called Ms. 'Splosion Man.

The employees of Big Science have finally managed to capture 'Splosion Man, an escaped test subject who is essentially a walking explosion. The scientists celebrate 'Splosion Man's capture but during their revelry, someone spills champagne on a really important-looking machine. This causes a chain reaction that creates Ms. 'Splosion Man.

Ms. 'Splosion Man is due in the second half of 2011. No word on platforms yet.

Video Games | Ms. 'Splosion Man | Exclusive Debut Teaser

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Last year's "Summer of Arcade" promotion saw a slew of high-profile titles added to Xbox Live Arcade like Braid and Castle Crashers. Microsoft is holding another "Summer of Arcade" this year and they've just unveiled the full schedule:

July 22

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled (1200 Microsoft Points) - Cowabunga dude! Marking the franchise’s 25 anniversary, everyone's favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled. The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but the same classic beat 'em up gameplay.

July 29

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (1200 Microsoft Points) - One of the most popular fighting games of all time, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, arrives worldwide on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, decide your own dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.

August 5

Splosion Man (800 Microsoft Points - Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden. For what emerged was not a man - it was a Splosion Man. "And all who saw him were sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat." Able to splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through levels as an uncontainable force. From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels. Nominated by GameSpy, Gamespot, IGN, and 411mania, this meat-riddled splosion-fest took several Best of E3 awards including Best Platformer and Best Downloadable Game.

August 12

Trials HD (1200 Microsoft Points) - Nominated for GameSpy’s Best Downloadable Game of E3 award, Trials HD is guaranteed to get our heart racing.” Put on your helmet, and rev your way through Trials HD, a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer in stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your metal in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customize your rider to fit your personality.

August 19

Shadow Complex (1200 Microsoft Points) - Winner of numerous Best of E3 awards including Best Downloadable Game from 1UP, IGN, GameTrailers and G4TV, Shadow Complex is the next evolution in downloadable games. Shadow Complex marries the quality and depth of a full retail title with the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, “Empire,” Shadow Complex provides more than 10 hours of in-depth gameplay and introduces a compelling universe.