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XBLA goes brick n' mortar
XboxAddict is reporting that Microsoft is planning to start releasing Xbox Live Arcade titles at retail stores. Microsoft's hope is that simple games like Marble Blast, Smash TV, and Uno will appeal to the elusive "non-gamer" demographic. As an added bonus, these games will also avail the joys of Xbox Live to the less savvy 360 owners out there -- if you read this site, chances are this does not apply to you. Pricing and packaging have not been discussed yet. Though many suspect these games will be released in some type of compilation, I wouldn't be surprised if we see lots of single games at super budget prices. Maybe even in jewel cases like budget PC games. There are other uncertainties, too. Will these games install on the hard drive or run off of the DVD? If they install on the hard drive, what's to keep people from installing them on multiple 360s? Of course, the big question is whether or not we still have to buy two copies of Lumines.
Design the next XBLA hit yourself
Have you ever played Geometry Wars and thought to yourself, "This game is a steaming pile of manure. I could design something better than this!" If so, then Microsoft wants you, Uncle Sam style (no, not your creepy uncle Sam, this Uncle Sam). Xbox Live Arcade's unprecedented success has been something of a surprise, even to Peter Moore: "I didn't expect Live Arcade to be for gamers, I thought maybe for their girlfriends, mums and sisters -- but it's for everybody."Games like Geometry Wars have convinced big time developers that XBLA equals easy money. Like Nintendo, it allows publishers to earn big money by selling consumers their collective childhood again. But that's not all it's good for, and Microsoft knows it. The next step for XBLA is to get some original independent content. Do you think you're up to snuff? If so, you can send your proposals to this address: arcade[AT]microsoft.com. Finally, my game about Microsoft's evil robot minions will get some recognition.
Lumines Live multiplayer blocked by micropayments [update 1]
Kikizo Games reports that Lumines Live's base package -- which will likely cost 1200 Microsoft points ($15) -- will not include Xbox Live multiplayer. The game's creator, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, recently detailed plans to sell multiplayer support as a separate add-on, although he added that the decision had not been finalized. Lumines Live will also feature licensed music and backgrounds available through premium downloads. The original Lumines debuted on the PSP for $40, suggesting that the base price of Lumines Live is a bargain. But charging us extra for multiplayer is a slippery slope and could usher in a series of cannibalized games crowding the casual (and cheap) atmosphere of Xbox Live Arcade. [Update 1: Ross Erickson, the "Worldwide Games Portfolio Manager" for Xbox Live Arcade, let us know that the Lumines micropayment story is "not true." He said the same to sister-site Xbox 360 Fanboy. So, there you go. No more worrying, m'kay?]
Microsoft toys with our Street Fighter II hopes
Late last night we were browsing through the Xbox 360 Dashboard, inevitably landing in Xbox Live Arcade. We pondered a game of Uno, but decided to check on new arrivals instead. To our surprise, we found Street Fighter II as the lone entry in the new to XBLA download category.What?! This can't be right! Surely the almighty Joystiq would have been the first to receive a press release, no? At the least, a flurry of tips should be flooding our inbox, right? How could this be? Street Fighter II released behind our back?Thankfully, our ego was not to remain damaged for long. Upon opening the Street Fighter II download item from the Marketplace menu, we were bombarded with a slew of low-cost gamer pictures and a dashboard theme, but no game. Touché, Microsoft ... you dirty tease.
Rumor: Indie darling Darwinia to hit XBLA?
In some leftover scuttlebutt from GDC, word on the street is that the bad boys from Introversion, the independent developers that created indie-darling (and Independent Games Festival winner) Darwinia are working with the big boys in Redmond to get their game on the Xbox Live Arcade platform. Reasons why this is a logical move and a likely rumor: They've already gotten Darwinia on that other major digital distribution network (psst: it begins with "Stea" and ends with "m". Got it?) Uh, they've said they're interested. We know, everyone's interested. Fellow Steam-distributed developers Ritual Entertainment keep screaming about it, but they've got that whole enormous download thing to deal with. The XBLArcade blog points us to this video (.wmv) of SpikeTV's GameHead where Introversion's Mark Morris says, "... it's about 30 megs which makes it perfect for things like Live Arcade." CliffyB asks if they're planning on it and Morris responds, "I'm gonna try. Gonna talk to Microsoft and see what they say." XBLArcade correctly points out that if the developers of an award-winning and critically acclaimed independent game want to bring it to your platform, what do you say? Well, according to German blog Xbox Archiv, you say "Yes. Please." They claim to have overheard a conversation at GDC between the two parties. Let's hope that logic wins the day and we get another stellar entrant to Microsoft's walled-garden of Arcade treats.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]Read - XBLArcade Rumor RoundupRead - Darwinia for Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox Archiv machine translation)
XBLA: SFII in June for $5, Lumines in Aug/Sep for $15, according to leaked mag report [update 1]
Club Skill reports that according to an unspecified magazine leak -- we know, it sounds suspect (but there is a screen shot) -- Street Fighter 2 will finally arrive on the Xbox Live Arcade this month, to the tune of 400 points ($5). The leaked info cites at least 12 additional marketplace releases, including Lumines Live, which is scheduled for release in August/September for an unprecedented* 1200 points. Lumines will be joined by Pac-Man (400 points), Frogger (400 points), and Roboblitz (800 points) in the August/September release window.Also of note, is a Kameo add-on that will beef up the game's difficulty and introduce competitive multiplayer elements (500 points). Again, these release dates and price points have not been officially verified, but the leaked report does list accurate information about several content downloads that have already been released/confirmed.*UPDATE: as noted by several commenters, Bankshot Billiards 2 also retails for 1200 points. And, it's worth noting that Lumines for the PSP debuted with a $39.99 price tag (it's now $19.99).
Rare's Jetpac rumored for Xbox Live Arcade
Eurogamer reports that the 1983 classic Jetpac could be in the works for Xbox Live Arcade. This simple title (the original version was just 16 KB), was created by legendary developer Rare, known then as Ultimate Play the Game, for the ZX Spectrum. Jetpac was reintroduced to the gaming public in 1999 as an unlockable extra in Rare's Donkey Kong 64. Will Jetpac fly as a standalone Xbox Live Arcade title? For some, sure, but maybe Microsoft should rethink XBLA's current pricing structure. Jetpac would be a lot more attractive if it was part of a 400-point ($5) bundle with 2–4 other super-retro games.
First impressions: Xbox 360 dashboard update
We installed the new Xbox 360 dashboard update the moment we awoke this morning, literally, before stepping out of bed. We fired up our 360 using the remote, only to have the system lockup while attempting to sign into Xbox Live. Maybe releasing the first major dashboard update on such an ominous date (6-6-6) was not such a great move after all ... But, a simple reboot successfully set the gears in motion, and the update was installed in no time (roughly 10 seconds).
Xbox Live cam tester caught on camera
Even though the Xbox 360 camera ain't dropping until September, recent Xbox Live Arcade title Uno features Vision camera support. Cheap Ass Gamer daphatty ran into a camera beta tester while playing a game recently, only to fumble when trying to record it for posterity proof. So what did he do? He laid in wait, finally capturing (on camera) his prey. Camera tester Maestro1 had the camera turned on but -- in what was surely an attempt to psych-out his opponent -- had the camera directed not at himself but at his dog. Is Maestro1 invisible? Is the dog playing? Did he travel into the future to get the camera? Draw four? Aww shucks!(Blurry cam) video embedded after the break.[Thanks, SickNic]
SFII on Xbox Live: what's taking so long?
While attention has largely been drawn to the barrage of new titles announced for Xbox Live during E3, those gamers who prefer flaming punches to plummeting blocks are likely to have wondered as to the whereabouts of one of Capcom's most revered franchises. Way back in January, Microsoft revealed that Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting was destined to hit Xbox Live Arcade in March. An accompanying Capcom press release was more vague and instead claimed that the title was due for release in "early 2006." It seems neither one was correct.A June 10th release was most recently rumored, but that has since been crushed by the Capcom PR machine and replaced with a friendly notice that reads: We'll tell you about it "sometime in the near future." It's hard not to be amused by this situation, especially given the deadly efficiency at which Capcom has released Street Fighter II games in the past few years. You'd think it would be second nature to append Hyper Fighting, a game that's already been made, to a list that includes Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter II Special Champion Edition, Street Fighter II The World Warrior, Street Fighter II The New Challengers, Street Fighter II Anniversary Edition and Street Fighter II Ultra Supreme College 2K6 For The Win Alpha Championship: Fourth Beating. This isn't the first time the series has gone online either, so the explanation that poor net code is holding them back doesn't seem entirely effective. Perhaps the thing that's more frustrating than waiting so long for a classic game to be emulated on a $400 console (dubious d-pad and all) is the lack of information regarding a release date. Or worse yet, what about the price?
Download the entire XBL Marketplace catalogue for only $897.38 -- act now!
Besides building a helpful guide that features all currently available items on the Xbox Live Marketplace, Achieve360Points.com has calculated the total cost* of the service's premium content. The entire catalogue is yours to own for just 71,790 Microsoft Points. That's $897.38.That number is poised to grow exponentially as developers/publishers begin to explore the 'episodic content' formula (read: mini expansion packs). In this time of great paranoia, one can't help but feel suspicious of the micropayment structure. Are publishers purposely shipping incomplete titles? Will I be at a disadvantage if I don't buy the latest content? Why can't I trade it in when I'm through with it?Our rational side would have us believe that these downloads simply offer a little more, for a little more, thus extending the lifespan of our favorite games. And, these downloads should always be about choice, not advantage. Still, we wonder who benefits most from this business model. Are gamers scoring cheap added value? Or is Microsoft pocketing a healthy profit - cut with publishers - to make up for losses? Could it be both?*Achieve360Points.com notes that several of the items are counted more than once due to multiple listings. Also keep in mind that Xbox Live Arcade titles are figured into the total cost.
Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]
Thanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below: 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20 Wireless racing wheel: $130 Wireless headset: $60 Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40 New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]See also: 360's Mem Unit getting a bump to 256MB? (Comment from epobirs) Use 360 wireless peripherals with a PC Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Microsoft's Xbox 360 E3 event Joystiq / Engadget podcasts from Day One and Day Two of E3 2006
Totem Balls: Most phallic title under the sun
Somebody finally fixed the lighting at Microsoft's Totem Balls kiosk, allowing XBLA fans to get their first taste of gesture-based gameplay with the 360 Camera. Unfortunately, the experience isn't as intuitive as it should be and after about two minutes of flapping my arms under a heat lamp, it dawned on me that Totem Balls is a weirdly phallic name for a game aimed at little kids, or anyone else for that matter (The mere fact it took me two days to notice that transparent fact should indicate that I'm not as low-brow as everybody thinks).
Vista in-box games get an upgrade
After years without an update, the classic time-wasters that come included with Windows are finally getting an upgrade thanks to Microsoft Casual Games division. I checked out the Vista versions of Solitaire (perhaps the most casual game of all) MineSweeper, Hearts, Majong Titans, Chess Titans, Inkball. All have recieved a graphical facelift befitting Vista's Apple-ish look. There's also a new 3-in-1 game aimed at kids called Purple Place that looks particularly suited to Xbox Live Arcade. I jokingly inquired about integration with XBLA, and was told that pipe dream was quickly scrapped in favor of boring corporate compliance. Not that Solitaire has much multi-player potential anyway. In fact the Vista in-box games won't be included in some business versions, a smart move if you want your people to get any work done. Another example of how your employees could be spending their productive hours after the jump.
Uno theme decks on the way
I had a quick chat with Joshua Howard of Microsoft Casual Games, project manager for Uno, Totem Balls and Lumines, not to mention the revised in-box games (think Solitaire, FreeCell) that will be included with Windows Vista. According to man behind the wild cards, downloadable theme decks are headed to XBLM, starting with a replica of the 35th Anniversary deck that Mattel is selling in stores. Most of the theme decks will be based on first party MS titles like Kameo and will cost you a few MS points, although the possibility exists for sponsored editions. You don't have to own a theme deck to see it when you're playing a friend who does. Josh talked up Mattel's enthusiasm for Xbox Live Arcade, which bodes well for future possibilities involving their trademarks. The gamercard pictures you see in the screenshot above are where the video chat windows will go when the 360 camera is released. Apparently, getting the space to re-size properly was a real pain in the ass. By the way, if you want to go mano y mano with the Uno dude, Josh's gamertag is rather low key: joshuah.
Lumines Live to hit Xbox Live Arcade
Peter Moore just announced that Tetsuya Mizuguchi's formerly PS(P and 2)-exclusive title, Lumines, is heading to Xbox Live Arcade in the form of Lumines Live. What's new? The music-heavy title will feature Warner Music Group's content integrated into the game. Their example showed a Madonna video playing behind the game. Sony got to borrow some XBL action, all Microsoft's doing is playing catch-up.
Xbox 360 price drop and other X-rumors
An Xbox 360 premium bundle for $299 to compete with the PS3 launch? Gears of War at the end of October? Exchanging game achievements for Microsoft Points? César A. Berardini at TeamXbox has translated these and many other interesting Xbox rumors from Spanish game sites Los Troyanos and MeriStation.On the Xbox Live front, there is speculation that the Gold membership will either drop in price or become free with advertisements, in addition to an expanded Friends list that allows for up to 200 gaming buddies. If backward compatibility gossip is accurate, we will see the list of supported Xbox titles grow by 50 in June. There is also talk of a new 360 dashboard interface for children, which would be consistent with recent reports of Microsoft looking to enhance their family image.Which rumors do you believe?
GarageGames hints at Virtual Console content
In an interview with Little Mathletics, one of GarageGames' promoters was tasked with answering a question regarding the indie developer's involvement with Nintendo's Virtual Console service. Like any good promoter, Jay Moore gives a wishy-washy answer that could just as easily be interpreted as a not-so-subtle hint.Q: Now that Satoru Iwata from Nintendo has essentially confirmed that the Revolution will feature original content on their download service, do you see yourself establishing the same kind of relationship with them?A: We've always said we'll be everywhere there is an opportunity to bring fun games to players with our tools and our games. I can neither confirm or deny any relationship with Nintendo or why GarageGames booth was right next to the Nintendo Gamers Lounge at GDC. Games like Marble Blast Ultra and Geometry Wars (developed by Bizarre Creations) have made the Xbox Live Arcade service an extremely appealing hub for smaller and often addictive games. Combining them with Nintendo's proven classics on the Virtual Console is sure to be deadly. [Via Revo DS-x2]
Saturn Bomberman being evaluated for XBL Arcade
According to comments made by a Hudson online marketing manager to 1UP, Saturn Bomberman — considered by many to be the best version of Bomberman and one of the greatest multiplayer titles of all time — is "under evaluation" for Xbox Live Arcade. The original Sega Saturn game featured a frantic 10-player Battle mode that would likely be a huge draw for 360 owners looking for a simple, but addictive multiplayer experience. Let's hope the evaluation process comes to that same conclusion.
Hexic hacks don't affect Xbox Live
Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) of Microsoft did some digging and determined that our report of Hexic haxxoring was only partially correct. While it's true that the game has been extracted from kiosk disks used for European Xbox 360 kiosks, and while it's true that the game has been modified, and while it's even true that tinkerers have been able to make it appear as if they're winning achievements, the fact of the matter is that none of this has any effect on the Xbox Live leaderboards. An email from the Xbox Live Arcade team to the good Major stated: "While Hackers can play the game and trigger the achievement awarded animation as if is still there but they don't actually earn anything since they can't connect to Xbox Live." There you have it! Back to collecting black pearls the old fashioned way.
