XBLA's Worldwide Games Portfolio Manager and longtime friend of Xbox 360 Fanboy, Ross Erickson, is leaving his position at Microsoft. As the Portfolio Manager, it was Erickson's job to find good candidates for Xbox Live Arcade and decide which ones were right for the service. In an email to X3F (that's us), Erickson noted that he has enjoyed his time with Microsoft, working since the very beginnings of Xbox Live Arcade. He notes that it has been "gratifying to see the success of Live Arcade and the acceptance of this new space as a viable channel for game developers (both small and large) [to] get their creativity in front of consumers."

Erickson has accepted the position of Vice President of Content Acquisition for Sierra Online, a branch of Vivendi Universal Games. 360 Fanboy readers will recognize Sierra Online for their Xbox Live Arcade title, Assault Heroes and the upcoming 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures. Erickson assures us that Live Arcade has been left in capable hands and that there are many great things to come for Live Arcade.

We would be remiss if we didn't mention that Greg Canessa, former Group Manager of Xbox Live Arcade recently left Microsoft for PopCap. Erickson assures us that his departure does not signal a shakeup of Live Arcade.

Finally, Erickson leaves us with this note: "remember, I've yet to play my most favorite game of all on XBLA ...." Hmm ... what game might that be?

We wish Ross luck in his new endeavor.

See also:
Joystiq interviews XBLA's Ross Erickson

Announced on the first day of E3 week, we feel absolutely ashamed that we neglected to bring this wonderful bit of news to you. Turns out 6 lucky winners will have the chance to showcase their art in the upcoming Bob Ross video game. Guidelines, for the moment, are:

• Only landscape paintings completed using the Bob Ross Wet-on-Wet Technique ® will be accepted.
• Submission must be the entrant's own original work (using the instructions from Bob's books and DVDs is encouraged)
• Entrants will be required to assign all copyrights for their submitted work to Bob Ross Interactive LLC, AGFRAG Entertainment Group and Bob Ross Incorporated.
• Entrants will be required to authorize use of their name, brief biographical information and images for publicity and publication to Bob Ross Interactive LLC, AGFRAG Entertainment Group and Bob Ross Incorporated.

A more comprehensive set of guidelines is due to be posted in June.

[Thanks AssemblyLineHuman!]

The Nintendo Gal got ahold of Joseph Hatcher, owner of development house AGFRAG, and put him through a gauntlet of questions aimed at getting more information on the Bob Ross game that is destined to hit the Wii, DS, and PC. The interview doesn't exactly drop any huge bits of news pertaining to the title, but Joseph does confirm that the nunchuck attachment is not used in the game. Regardless, it's still a nice brisk read that sheds some light on where the idea came from and what Joseph hopes to accomplish with this title.

Over at Joystiq, blogger Ross Miller strives to keep you updated on all the pertinent information regarding official third-party support for the Revolution. Ross, not one to half-ass it, goes on to explain the respective company's ties with the Nintendo of old and summarizes all that is currently known regarding the project. It's really a worthwhile read and a trusty bookmark as it will be updated with new information as it surfaces.

Either the April Fool's jokes are starting early this year or the Gaming Gods have smiled greatly upon us Nintendo-loving gamers. Go Nintendo links to a press release on the official Bob Ross (R.I.P.) website stating a game based on Bob Ross' teachings is to hit the Revolution. Supposedly in collaboration with development house AGFRAG, the game aims to "utilize the unique inputs that the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Revolution have that can truly immerse the players while they learn to paint like Bob Ross and can play the addictive and fun games that we have planned for the title. "

So not only can we expect some tutorial-based gameplay, but some minigames as well? Cruel joke or miraculous blessing?

[Update: It's truth! Looks like RawmeatCowboy got an email from AGFRAG confirming that the game is indeed headed to the Revolution and DS. Rock! Thanks Adam Blinkinsop!]

[Via Go Nintendo]