Microsoft really loves their yearly themed XBLA events. They usually bring some kind of special promotion and some stellar bite sized game. My personal favorite from past events is still Shadow Complex. Starting February 15th, the day after the loneliest day for…ahem… some gamers, MS is kicking off another one, again titled the Xbox LIVE Arcade Party. Delivering four weeks of digital goodness, Xbox owners will be able to grab a new game a week. The four games set for our pleasure include the next installment of the Alan Wake franchise, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare – my pick so far for downloadable game of the year and Ubisoft’s post-apocalyptic adventure game, I Am Alive.

Beyond those two higher profile games, the House Party is getting a couple of “under the radar” type of games. THQ is bringing Nexuiz, a futuristic first person shooter that looks like a hybrid between Unreal Tournament and Monday Night Combat. EA is sending up Warp, a stealth based puzzler in which players must help the imprisoned alien Zero escape the clutches of the evil Commander. But hey, MS isn’t done! Hit the break for more…

Sometime early next month, Windows Phone users will also get the Must Have Games for Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone celebration. Granted MS won’t win awards for their event names but hey if it works. WP7 owners will have a chance to scoop up five different games for on the go action and much like the 360, one game will be available per week. Splinter Cell: Conviction, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Toy Soldiers: Boot Camp are tiny sized versions of current 360 releases while BulletAsylum rains down arcade shooter action and the hilariously named Chickens Can’t Fly continues Microsoft Studios apparent hatred of those tasty birds.

None of the games have prices or exact release dates. We don’t know in what order they’ll release nor if MS has any special promos on tap like buy so many get X free but rest assured we’ll let you know once we do!

Sources: 1UP, Major Nelson

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• XBLA House Party returns next month with Alan Wake’s American Nightmare (vg247.com)
• XBLA House Party 2012 Trailer Teases ‘Alan Wake’s American Nightmare’ & ‘I Am Alive’ (gamerant.com)