Xbox Live ARCADE Games... definitive thread

[maven];1080663 said:
I also very much enjoy E4, but I can also see why people says it's pointless (as the unlimited mode truly be played for an unlimited amount of time ;)). It probably also helps that I never played the PSP version... ^_^

Any impressions on EXIT yet?

Exit is great - similar in style to Cloning Clyde, where you escort people out of 2D levels. Definitely a purchase.

I can't believe how well XBLA performs as a platform. When I first picked up my 360, I saw only one or two titles worth owning, with the rest being retro-ware at best, cash-ins at worst. Now, when I look at titles like Puzzle Quest, Ikaruga, Rez, Exit, Lumines, Prince of Persia HD, even the upcoming SSFTHD, this platform is so incredibly vast and has an immense quality. It's hard to imagine a time when a console relied on store-bought releases to keep you going. MS deserve huge props for the greatness that is XBLA.
 
Oh, and before I forget, how they could turn something like Battlestar Galactica's universe into such a lame game is criminal. Sigh.
 
I can't believe how well XBLA performs as a platform. When I first picked up my 360, I saw only one or two titles worth owning, with the rest being retro-ware at best, cash-ins at worst. Now, when I look at titles like Puzzle Quest, Ikaruga, Rez, Exit, Lumines, Prince of Persia HD, even the upcoming SSFTHD, this platform is so incredibly vast and has an immense quality. It's hard to imagine a time when a console relied on store-bought releases to keep you going. MS deserve huge props for the greatness that is XBLA.

Amen. They need to get the word out though.
 
How do you go about advertising Live! Arcade? Since the early days of retro games galore, my interest in Live! Arcade quickly waned. If they're now getting plenty of quality, 'original' titles that will help sell the system that are marketable to the masses as a reason to buy XB360, they have made a song and dance about it enough that I've heard. Okay, I'm kinda not interfaced with the usual communication channels, so I'm a bad example! Anyway, how do you sell Live! Arcade? TV spots for a single download game aren't worth the money. Would a medley presentation be confusing? I wouldn't have thought so. Show a good half dozen titles and subtitle them with 'available from only $n only on Live! Arcade' and educate people to the other side of the console to the 'amazing, breathtaking shooter, only available on XB360' that we've seen plenty of.

Both MS and Sony seem to have too much to communicate and aren't handling it very well.
 
Both MS and Sony seem to have too much to communicate and aren't handling it very well.

I agree. They could let user attribute scores to the arcade games. Then they could do Amazon style games pitches like "People who liked this game also liked these....". The meta-scoring doesn't even need to involve the player, just use the amount of achievements in Arcade games as a yard stick to how much people played them.

Currently it's a mess. Too many games in one big list, heck more than once I have downloaded a game, not liked it, deleted it, then 6 weeks later downloaded the free trial again.

Cheers
 
Good ideas. Plus it shifts the workload of promotion onto the users, leveraging peer review to promote titles. Makes you wonder why MS haven't given this more priority! Two years into the console and they market-place, rich in content, still isn't nicely structured. Fingers crossed the next update sorts that out!
 
Oh, and before I forget, how they could turn something like Battlestar Galactica's universe into such a lame game is criminal. Sigh.

Amen to that. I caved last night and bought the thing. Ouch... worst 800 points purchase thus far. Abysmal arcade title.

If you want a BSG fix download "Beyond the Red Line", but stay away from this "game".

Now this is what a BSG game should look like!
 
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The full version of TMNT 1989 is now available for FREE on the Australian store. Not sure if this is the case for the other regions. Go get it!
 
MS plans to give a Xbox Live Arcade game away this weekend, and 500 MS points for free, also.

As Xbox LIVE Turns Five, Microsoft Announces Next Wave of Social Fun

Xbox LIVE membership soars past 8 million mark, Microsoft unveils new download service for Xbox games direct to your living room beginning Dec. 4.

REDMOND, Wash. -- Nov. 13, 2007 -- On Nov. 15, Microsoft Corp. will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Xbox LIVE. In addition, the company notes that the latest membership figures show more than 8 million members are now actively engaged in the largest social entertainment network on TV. Xbox LIVE has grown from a small community of gamers in two countries, playing a handful of games online with their friends, to a worldwide social entertainment network offering online access to gaming, music, movies and TV shows. As friends across 26 countries and nine languages have connected on Xbox LIVE, it is their feedback and active participation that has guided the service to become what Wired magazine recently called "the king of the online arena." As a gesture of thanks to the gaming community, all 8 million members will have the opportunity to download a free Xbox LIVE Arcade game,* available for downloading between 12:01 a.m. PST on Nov. 15 and 11:59 p.m. PST on Nov. 16.** In addition to this, every active member who joined the service in 2002 will receive 500 free Microsoft Points.

Starting on Dec. 4, all Xbox LIVE members will receive a free system update with a host of new features and enhancements. Included in this update will be the launch of Xbox Originals, which, for the first time, will enable consumers to download and own full Xbox games, such as "Halo," "Psychonauts," "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" and "Fable," among others, directly to their Xbox 360. This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games.

With no disc necessary, and at just 1,200 Microsoft Points per game, Xbox LIVE members can easily rediscover these hit titles, or check out a game they missed the first time around. This launch lineup is only the beginning, as Xbox 360 owners can expect to see a growing catalog of Xbox games to download and own over the coming year.

"In just five short years, Xbox LIVE has revolutionized the way friends and family have fun in the living room," said John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services at Microsoft. "On its fifth birthday, Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand."

More information can be found online about the downloadable games available on Xbox LIVE, the evolution of Xbox LIVE or the Xbox LIVE is 5IVE member rewards at http://www.xbox.com.
Good and somewhat peculiar news....
 
The free game looks to be Carcassone. Woo :)

Too bad I already bought it. :(

Anybody else find it funny that the press release was leaked 2 days early and nobody from Microsoft will even talk about it? Major Nelson has gone even as far as stating that he don't talk about rumors. LOL Oh well, I guess it was suppose to be Zune's day in limelight instead. :oops:

BTW, anybody else having trouble getting on computerandvideogames.com and oxm.co.uk, the source for the leak? Maybe Microsoft brough down their ban hammer. T K O LOL

Tommy McClain
 
This week's game is undertow, looks like a fun seizure-inducing game! I'm looking forward to see how it plays. Hopefully it's worth the 800pts.

[gt]27423[/gt]
 
Looks pretty fun. I have to say I am continually impressed with the quality of Arcade games, and I am blown away at the service. It's a great value add and I have gotten my $$ worth for the 20+ games I have purchased!
 
Omega Five and Tron came out today.

Rare's GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark and Banjo Kazooie are coming to XBLA.

http://xboxevolved.e-mpire.com/article/No_Title/4272.html

Peggle, Bliss Island and Ultra Bust-a-move are a few others that might be making it's way to the service.

http://xboxfamily.com/xf/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1174&Itemid=2

A better way to stay on top of the upcoming XBLA games is to check here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_Live_Arcade_games

Tommy McClain
 
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/xbla-goldeneye-confirmed-also-canceled/
Cancelled!!! NO GOD WHY WHY!!!!???? :( Oh well there's still that hl2 mod but it's not the same thing... :cry:

From that it looks like it's ready to go, but there's a licensing deal between Microsoft and Activision that holding it up indefinitely. I'm sure if Microsoft and Activision get enough mail on the matter they'll come up with a compromise that will get it on the service. It's financially beneficial for both companies.

Tommy McClain
 
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