The good folks over at Ninjabee Games have been Tweeting hints for a little while now – your Xbox Live Avatar is going to have some great new in-game abilities soon!

Some big updates are coming for Band of Bugs on July 8th. The first being an update that will provide Avatar support for the game. Your Avatar will replace the main character Maal, and you can battle it out “in person” against your friends in Spider Hunter mode. Just picture it! You and seven of your friends can all see yourselves on TV. It always seems like a lot more fun when I have the opportunity to watch “myself” pick on my friends. Being digital, it just means there are no physical evidence of any bruises I might inflict – just some ego bruising if there is a thorough thwomping! The update is free for everyone.

Friends Screen for Band of Bugs Theme

Ninjabee will be celebrating with a brand new premium XBL theme, for 240 Microsoft Points. I think it looks pretty awesome! For some reason it makes me think of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. You remember when they were running through the lawn? That right there!

The Tales of Kaloki DLC also is released on July 8th. This new content is going to give you a new story mode campaign and ties in with another of Ninjabee’s titles, Outpost Kaloki. This DLC adds some awesome intergalactic play.

Check out some screenshots from the new DLC:

Ground Combat

Space Battles

The original Band of Bugs runs 800 Microsoft Points, and the DLC is currently listed at 240 when it is released on July 8th. I’m really looking forward to trying out the new Avatar abilities, and I hope to see some of you on the battlefield!