The summer solstice is very nearly upon us. That is, of course, the longest day of the year, which has traditionally been celebrated by a variety of European and pagan cultures via fertility festivals and bonfires dating back centuries. Microsoft is not a culture (probably the opposite, really), but even the Xbox 360 maker is getting in on the celebration by dressing up its Summer of Arcade 2012 lineup in its best virginal whites, and writing out the release dates and prices in beautiful flower arrangements. This offering, meant to appease the neo-pagan goddess of sorcery, sex, and downloadable console games, also happens to act as a useful tool for announcing the aforementioned prices and release dates. Here they are, in non-floral form:

• July 18: Tony Hawk HD - 1200 MSP
• July 25: Wreckateer - 800 MSP
• August 1: Deadlight - 1200 MSP
• August 8: Hybrid - 1200 MSP
• August 15: Dust: An Elysian Tail 1200 MSP

While I personally would probably rather celebrate the solstice by lighting bonfires or feasting for days, I must admit I am excited to get my hands on a couple of those titles. Especially Tony Hawk and Deadlight. Any in there that you plan to pick up? And while we're at it, what neo-pagan rituals do you plan to engage in during this Midsummer celebration week? Share with the group! Unless it involves nudity, in which case maybe just keep it to yourself.

The summer solstice is very nearly upon us. That is, of course, the longest day of the year, which has traditionally been celebrated by a variety of European and pagan cultures via fertility festivals and bonfires dating back centuries. Microsoft is not a culture (probably the opposite, really), but even the Xbox 360 maker is getting in on the celebration by dressing up its Summer of Arcade 2012 lineup in its best virginal whites, and writing out the release dates and prices in beautiful flower arrangements. This offering, meant to appease the neo-pagan goddess of sorcery, sex, and downloadable console games, also happens to act as a useful tool for announcing the aforementioned prices and release dates. Here they are, in non-floral form:

• July 18: Tony Hawk HD - 1200 MSP
• July 25: Wreckateer - 800 MSP
• August 1: Deadlight - 1200 MSP
• August 8: Hybrid - 1200 MSP
• August 15: Dust: An Elysian Tail 1200 MSP

While I personally would probably rather celebrate the solstice by lighting bonfires or feasting for days, I must admit I am excited to get my hands on a couple of those titles. Especially Tony Hawk and Deadlight. Any in there that you plan to pick up? And while we're at it, what neo-pagan rituals do you plan to engage in during this Midsummer celebration week? Share with the group! Unless it involves nudity, in which case maybe just keep it to yourself.

Who much does it cost to enter the Lang Zone?

Pumped for Deadlight

I guess 1200 is the new 800, glad not to see a 16

now Wreckateer allmost look like a deal

That is the shortest amount of time to wait for Tony Hawk. This pleases me.

So what exactly would the opposite of a culture be?

Alex, the only time I'm nude is during an eclipse...or is it when I'm nude an eclipse happens...

What happened to Dungeon Fighter Live? Is that still happening? 
 
Also, I'm excited for Dust.

Wanna play Deadlight and Dust but I need to see review scores first. If they get in the 70s then no way man. Not a chance.

Never thought i'd say this again, but i'm really excited for a new tony hawk game, chuffed to bits even more when jeff interviewed tony and he said he insisted on downhill jam being in.

@Milkman: It's free, but the nachos are way over-priced.

Looking forward to Tony Hawk HD and Dust seems really awesome, haven't really heard much about the rest of them.

Dust and Tony Hawk HD for me

I am going to assume that Tony Hawk HD only comes out XBLA that date, which is weak. As far as I am concerned, classic Tony Hawk was meant to be played with a PlayStation controller. :<

Pumped for Tony Hawk HD, too bad MS got a timed exclusive on it now... Original plan was to play it on the PS3 as I played the classic Tony Hawk games on the PlayStation, but now I have to buy it on the 360 as I can't wait to play it...

Oh well if it's good I might purchase it later on the PS3 as well.

Wreckateer, Deadlight, Dust and maybe Hybrid for me. I was hoping Mark of the Ninja would be released this summer; that game looks great.

@Milkman: 800 MSP

Planning on grabbing the last three, but Tony Hawk and Wreckateer don't really do much for me

It's strange that they're leading off with Tony Hawk. I figured they'd lead off with Dust considering they published it.

I am up for Tony Hawk HD and Dust.

I wonder how long Tony Hawk HD will be exclusive to XBOX. Has anything been said about a PSN release date yet?

Two...maybe three of those look worth my time.

This may be a stupid question...but...

Since Tony Hawk is part of the summer of Arcade, does that mean PS3 users will have to wait? I wasn't sure if there was some sore of exclusivity deal.

I'll probably get dust and deadlight. I'm not a fan of buying older games in HD. Even if it is Tony Hawk. Dust is probably my favorite from this batch so far. It's not that great of a SOA to be honest.

@MightyDuck: If I'm not mistaken, there is usually a 1 month exclusivity on Arcade games that are part of a promotion like this.

I've been paying less and less attention to Summer of Arcade. I don't know half the games on this list. Dust looks cool from the screenshots on the site though.

I really wish that Deadlight would come to the PS3. If I had that working 360, Deadlight would be the one I would want the most.

@MightyDuck: Yes, if it's part of Summer of Arcade there will be some kind of exclusivity deal.

fuck the lang zone

Where is my Tony Hawkman HD? Make it happen DC!

I'm genuinely excited for all those games. Good job!

Hah! Funny article, Alex. I think I might be making a MS point sacrifice to pick up Tony Hawk and Deadlight, and maaaaybe Dust. I use the yawning maybe because I still haven't gotten a really good feel for that game. Don't know a damn thing about Hybrid, come to think of it.

Good talk, team. Good talk.

I'm looking mostly at Hybrid and Tony Hawk.

was hoping for some jet set radio news.

I'd like to dig deeper into Dave Lang.

Dust and Deadlight are the only titles I'm currently interested in at those prices.

(Well, I'd be interested in Wreckateer, but I don't have Kinect.)

That's a lot of 1200msp. I used to be able get a whole Summer of Arcade batch for under $50.
 
I really hate these price hikes.

I'm not really interested in any of these games. Oh well, maybe next year!

I'll try Wreckateer and Deadlight, then purchase if they strike my fancy.

Deadlight and Dust look great, I'll pass on the rest though, would rather play Skate over Tony Hawk any day of the week , Hybrid looks like dump and I don't have a Kinect so no Wreckateer for me.

First summer of arcade where I'll be getting nothing.

Deadlight and Dust to be sure, might go for Tony Hawk and I'll check out Hybrid once I find out how it plays.

I'm interested in all of these, except for Wreckateer (sorry Dave Lang, no Kinect for me). Hope they turn out good.

Im getting 4 of the 5. Not a bad lineup at all im excited! also is there a possible deal for a package without Wreakateer? Cause I don't have a Kinect.

Dust and Hybrid look cool, haven't heard much about Deadlight and I dont have a kinect.

@Animasta said:

fuck the lang zone

Buy him dinner first.

Not sure what Deadlight is but i have zero interestin the rest.

Deadlight and Dust for me

@bhhawks78 said:

First summer of arcade where I'll be getting nothing.

Same here. Rather weak offerings this year.

Tony Hawk.