Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) is an online service operated by Microsoft that is used to distribute video games to Xbox and Xbox 360 owners and from late 2007 to Games for Windows - Live users [1]. The service was first launched in late 2004 and offers games ranging in price from roughly US$5 to US$15. In late 2005, Xbox Live Arcade was relaunched with the release of the Xbox 360 in which new games and features were offered. The games are generally aimed toward more casual gamers, striving for "pick up and play" appeal. Examples of some of the more popular among them are Lumines Live!, Doom, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, Catan, Pac-Man Championship Edition, Gauntlet, UNO, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Smash TV, Prince of Persia Classic, Bomberman Live and Cloning Clyde. As of January 2, 2008, there have been 109 titles released for Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360.
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Xbox 360
The service was relaunched beginning November 22, 2005 on the Xbox 360. The Arcade service is integrated with the Dashboard user interface, allowing for distribution through the Xbox Live Marketplace using Microsoft Points. Arcade titles on the Xbox 360 support accurate and up-to-date leaderboards, with high scores linked to a player's Gamertag. Players can see where they stand in the Xbox Live community, take a look at the records set by the world's top-ranked players, or see how they match up against individuals on their friends list. Consumers are given an option to download trial versions of Xbox Live Arcade titles for free. While these demos are playable, most offer only a fraction of the levels, modes, and content of the full game. A full version of the game must be purchased to allow the user to upload scores to the leaderboards, unlock achievements, play multiplayer, and download bonus content. All Xbox 360 hard drives come with a free copy of Hexic HD preinstalled.[1] On October 31, 2006, as part of the Xbox 360 Dashboard's fall update, the Arcade menu received a major overhaul. Included in the update is instant enumeration of arcade games present on the hard drive, more sorting options (including by recently played or by category), an auto download feature for any newly released arcade trial game, and a "tell a friend" feature, which sends a message to a friend about a given game.
Achievements
Each Xbox Live Arcade title has twelve "Achievements", which have a total of exactly 200 Gamerscore points. As of February 1, 2007 Microsoft has updated their policy to allow developers to offer an additional 50 Gamerscore points for their Xbox Live Arcade titles via downloadable content (free or paid).[2]
Microsoft Points
Xbox Live Arcade games are purchased using Microsoft Points. Since these points are distributed by Microsoft they are not legal tender, but rather a form of scrip, sold via the Xbox Live user interface.
Xbox Live Arcade games for the Xbox 360
Upcoming games
Many upcoming Xbox Live Arcade titles for the Xbox 360 are reported or confirmed by Microsoft, third party publishers or the press. Arcade titles are usually officially confirmed and dated by two Microsoft-associated blogs, Gamerscore Blog and Larry Hryb's Major Nelson Blog.
Sales and milestones
Microsoft announced that as of March 10, 2006, three million downloads of Xbox Live Arcade games had been made, at least 600,000 of which had been purchased.[3] Also, over 60% of gamers connected to Xbox Live on the Xbox 360 had downloaded a trial version of an Xbox Live Arcade title.[3] In terms of sales, the best selling Xbox 360 titles were Uno, followed by Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, Gauntlet, Smash TV, Bejeweled II, and Zuma, in that order.[3] At one point, Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting was the fastest selling Xbox Live Arcade game, with hundreds of games played an hour.[4] On January 30, 2007 Microsoft announced that over 20 million downloads of Xbox Live Arcade games have been made.[5] On March 6, 2007 Microsoft announced that Xbox Live Arcade downloads had reached 25 million. [6] On March 27, 2007 Microsoft declared UNO to be the first Xbox Live Arcade game to exceed one million downloads.[7] On that same day, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was released and was the first game released on the Live Arcade service since Microsoft extended the capacity limit of all Live Arcade games from 50MB to 150MB. Other Arcade games that exceed 50MB include Boom Boom Rocket, Golden Axe, Marathon: Durandal, Ecco the Dolphin, Hexic 2, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and Every Extend Extra Extreme. On September 19, 2007, Microsoft announced the top ten Arcade download worldwide as Aegis Wing, Uno, Texas Hold 'em, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, Bankshot Billiards 2, Street Fighter 'II Hyper Fighting, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade, Worms, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and Contra. [8] On November 13, 2007, Microsoft announced that original Xbox games would be made available via Xbox Live Arcade. On December 4, Halo, Fable, Crimson Skies: Road to Revenge, Burnout 3, and Psychonauts will be downloadable; however, they would lack achievements and any other upgraded content, being emulated copies of their original Xbox versions. [9]
Pricing and releases
Xbox Live Arcade has offered a number of promotional programs for their customers, such as sales and formalized release schedules for new games (Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays). On August 23, 2006, the full version of Texas Hold 'Em was available for free for 48 hours, making it the first fully functional game on the Live Arcade service that was available as free download and not as a demo. At one point during this period, the game peaked out at over 100 downloads per minute.[10] TotemBall, a game which can only be played with the Xbox Live Vision camera, became the second Xbox Live Arcade release to be free upon its initial release on October 4, 2006. Aegis Wing became the third and was released on May 16, 2007, though only available in North America. Yaris, a Toyota-backed advergame, became the fourth on October 8, 2007. Carcassonne was offered as a free download for 48 hours starting on November 15, 2007.[11] On September 2 2007 Microsoft held the first ever Xbox Live Arcade sale. Four titles were sold at half price over a 48 hour period -- Zuma and Small Arms for 400 Microsoft Points and Gauntlet and Dig Dug for 200 Microsoft Points.[12] On September 24, 2007, the second sale was announced for a week starting September 26: Bankshot Billiards 2 for 900 Points (regularly 1200), and Frogger and Hardwood Spades for 300 Points (regularly 400).[13] On the starting date, it was discovered that the games had been reduced to half price, as opposed to the original 25% off price.[14] On October 17, 2007, Lumines Live! became the first Arcade title to have a permanent price drop, going from 1200 Microsoft Points to 800. On December 4, 2007, more Arcade titles received permanent price drops for the XBLA Hits. These titles include the already dropped Lumines Live! as well as Bankshot Billiards 2, Small Arms, Zuma Deluxe and Marble Blast Ultra being released at 400 MSP ($5) less than their original release.[15]
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays
On July 12, 2006, Microsoft launched the "Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays" program,[16] the promotion promised a new Arcade game to be launched every Wednesday for the rest of that summer. After that summer Microsoft continued the program and also clarified that Wednesdays were the only day when new Arcade games would show up.[17] However, the first game since the "XBLA Wednesdays" that was not released on a Wednesday was Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 which was released on Friday October 20, 2006. The game was accidentally released early instead of the originally intended Wednesday October 25, 2006 release.[18] January 3, 2007 was the first day of the "XBLA Wednesdays" program not to feature any new games or downloadable content.[19] On Major Nelson's February 25, 2007 podcast, he clarified that "Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays" means that Xbox Live Arcade games will be released only on Wednesdays, but that there should be no expectation that there will be at least one game released every Wednesday. April 18, 2007 was the first week during the Xbox Live Wednesdays program where two XBLA games were released on the same day.
Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged
On September 5, 2006, Microsoft Game Studios released Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Vol. 1 as a retail package of six Xbox Live Arcade games and three demos[20]. The compilation carries a MSRP of $39.99, which is cheaper than the 4,000 points ($50.00 USD) that it would cost to download the games. The disc also comes with a code for a 30 day trial of Xbox Live Gold. The disc works by inserting it into the system just like any other game. However, rather than directly launching any of the titles, it adds nine items to the Xbox Live Arcade menu with a small disc icon next to each name. Microsoft's Worldwide Games Portfolio Manager David Edery has stated in an interview that Unplugged Vol. 2 was one of many "options" being "evaluated" for release.[21]
| Title | Developer | Live Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Games | |||
| Bejeweled 2 | PopCap Games/CTXM | Leaderboards | |
| Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved | Bizarre Creations | Leaderboards | |
| Hardwood Backgammon | Silver Creek | Leaderboards, Multiplayer, Camera Enabled | |
| Outpost Kaloki X | NinjaBee | Leaderboards, Downloadable Content | |
| Texas Hold'em | TikGames | Leaderboards, Multiplayer | |
| Wik and the Fable of Souls | Reflexive Entertainment | Leaderboards, Multiplayer | |
| Demos | |||
| Feeding Frenzy | Sprout Games/CTXM | Leaderboards | |
| Marble Blast Ultra | GarageGames | Leaderboards, Multiplayer | |
| UNO | Carbonated Games | Leaderboards, Multiplayer, Cooperative Play, Camera Enabled, Downloadable Content | |
Xbox
The Xbox Live Arcade service was launched by Microsoft on 3 November, 2004 for the original Xbox game console.[22] To publicize the service Microsoft distributed a starter disc that contained the Xbox Live Arcade software and a free version of Ms. Pac Man. In addition to being available through the mail, the disc was also bundled with certain Xbox packages. Once connected to Xbox Live, customers could purchase additional titles by using a credit card, or download a limited trial version of each game.
Xbox Live Arcade games for the Xbox
The following is a list of Xbox Live Arcade games released for the original Xbox:
| Title | Price | Title | Price | Title | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alien Sky | $9.99/£7.49 | AstroPop | $9.99/£7.49 | Atomaders | $9.99/£7.49 |
| Bankshot Billiards | $9.99/£11.50 | Bejeweled | $14.99/£11.50 | Bookworm | $9.99/£7.49 |
| Dangerous Mines | $9.99/£7.49 | Dino and Aliens | $9.99/£7.49 | Feeding Frenzy | $9.99/£7.49 |
| Fuzzee Fever | $9.99/£7.49 | Gauntlet | $4.99/£3.79 | Guardian | $9.99/£7.49 |
| Hamsterball | $9.99/£7.49 | Hardwood Solitaire | $9.99/£7.49 | Joust | $4.99/£3.79 |
| Marble Blast | $9.99/£7.49 | Ms. Pac-Man | Free | Mutant Storm | $9.99/£7.49 |
| Namco Vintage | $14.99 | Orbz | $9.99/£7.49 | Pipeline | $9.99/£7.49 |
| Ricochet Lost Worlds | $9.99/£7.49 | Robotron: 2084 | $4.99/£3.79 | Smash TV | $4.99/£3.79 |
| Super Collapse II | $9.99/£7.49 | Think Tanks | $9.99/£7.49 | Zuma | $14.99/£11.50 |
References
- ^ Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). xbox.com. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
- ^ As of June 16, 2007, no Xbox Live Arcade games have featured the full 250 points. Addicted to Achievements?. GamerScoreBlog. Microsoft Games Global Marketing Team (2007-02-01). Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
- ^ a b c Carless, Simon. Q&A: Microsoft Discusses Xbox 360 Live Stats. Gamasutra. CMP.
- ^ Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting Becomes Fastest Selling Xbox Live Arcade Title For Xbox 360. Teamxbox. Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
- ^ 20 million downloads on Xbox Live Arcade. Gamerscore Blog. Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
- ^ http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13010
- ^ Souped-up Xbox 360 set for April. Reuters (2007-03-27).
- ^ http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7222&Itemid=9
- ^ http://xbox360.gamespy.com/articles/834/834700p1.html
- ^ Texas Hold 'em Review (Xbox 360). Teamxbox. Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
- ^ Microsoft Announces Xbox Originals, LIVE Fifth Anniversary. 2old2play (2007-11-13-2007).
- ^ http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/08/30/552943.aspx
- ^ Xbox 360 Fanboy: One Week Discount on Select XBLA Games
- ^ http://www.xblarcade.com/node/1237
- ^ http://www.xblarcade.com/node/1465
- ^ Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved on 2006-07-16.
- ^ Street Fighter II will sell for $10 on Xbox Live. Joystiq. Retrieved on 2006-07-16.
- ^ UMK3 was this Wednesday's Arcade game. ILoveXBLA.com. Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
- ^ No game released on XBLA on Jan. 3rd 2007. MyGamercard. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
- ^ Xbox.com Official Unplugged Vol. 1 Page
- ^ Interview: David Edery (Part 1)
- ^ Morris, Chris. "Xbox hugs Ms. Pac Man", CNN, October 14, 2004.
See also
External links
- Official Xbox Live Arcade website
- Official Japanese Xbox Live Arcade website
- Official Xbox Live Arcade Forums
- Gamerscore Blog, official Microsoft affliated site
- Major Nelson, official Larry Hryb Microsoft public relations site
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|---|---|
| Consoles | Xbox · Xbox 360 |
| Games | Xbox games · Xbox 360 games · Backward compatible games · Platinum Hits · List of Xbox Live Arcade games (releases by date) |
| Online Services | Xbox Live (Arcade, Marketplace) · Games for Windows - Live · Live Anywhere |
| Peripherals | Xbox 360 accessories · Xbox Live Vision · Wireless Headset · Wireless Racing Wheel |
| Promotional | OurColony · Official Xbox Magazine · Xbox Exhibition · "X" Show · Xbox Rewards |
| Tools | Xbox Development Kit · Microsoft XNA |
| Miscellaneous | Microsoft Game Studios · Xbox 360 launch · Xbox 360 technical problems |
