I’m proud to announce the development of ShellBlastHD, a re-visualized game made for the Xbox Live Community Games portal.

Back last year Ben Morris of Optum asked about doing a port of the game to the 360 console. While I’ve given some input here and there, this is 100% the work of Optum’s great programming skills. And I’m incredibly impressed with what I’ve seen so far.

While there’s still a ways to go, the base of the game seems to be done and work is continuing on fleshing out the levels and display. Ben will make a few posts on the game in the coming months to talk more about the game and it’s development.

We’ll announce release dates and pricing later on, so for now let’s check out the official text release:

The commercial sequel to Acidbomb (voted 1up.com’s Best 101 Free Games and Gamespy’s “Download This” pick of December) and Acidbomb 2: Rearmed delivers a unique mind-bending action puzzle experience. Described as a cross between Minesweeper and Picross, ShellBlast is a game that offers something most puzzle games out there lack: a unique experience.

The objective of ShellBlast is simple: using a series of tools, defuse the bomb before it blows up. Of course, the further you progress, the more advanced the bombs get…

Play the fifty level campaign mode as you tour the world defusing increasingly difficult bombs, from pranks to nuclear superweapons! Try the incredibly fun Shell-Drop, which is almost a game to itself, or tackle some of the other modes such as Simulation Chamber, Endurance and Puzzled. All modes conform to Shellblast’s unique gameplay, including randomised bomb solutions that ensure unlimited replay value.

As well as taking what was great about the original, Shellblast HD expands the experience by adding ‘High Definition’ graphics, visual effects, multiple tilesets and a medal system similar to Xbox Achievements and Playstation Trophies.

You can visit Optum’s official site at optum.co.uk.