MS's Xbox Live Arcade coming to the PC

[Queasy]

Link

Already mentioned at Gamefest 2007, Microsoft is planning to launch a Games For Windows variant of Xbox Live Arcade. The digital distribution service will naturally be aimed at the gamer who's more likely to be rearranging jewels on the desktop than snarling faces. A trusted source has furnished Joystiq with further details regarding the service, as well as a strange urge to refer to themselves in third person. The information has been confirmed by external sources, but not by Microsoft at the time of writing.

Internally labeled as "Vega" (possibly referring to the star and not the Street Fighter weirdo), the service is expected to launch in early November with 10-20 games. The portfolio of Live-enabled casual titles will match the taxonomy of Xbox Live Arcade and hopes to be bolstered by 2-4 new games every month following launch. Potential users will be funneled to the service from numerous Microsoft outlets, including MSN Games and the official Xbox website. Much like Live Anywhere, Vega contributes to Microsoft's goal of spreading the Live experiencing across multiple linked platforms -- and likewise aims to entice more and more people with Live subscriptions.

Developers, who will be responsible for costs associated with development, localization, rating and certification, will receive 60% of earned revenue, with Microsoft taking the remaining 40%. Game pricing will be similar to that of Xbox Live Arcade and can be set at either $5, $10, $15, $20 or $30. The 150MB size limit is also present, though developers will be allowed to exceed it when providing adequate justification.

The list of launch titles is currently unknown, a fact that will change once Microsoft's marketing machine lights up Vega come this November.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Aren't some Live Arcade games already available for PC?

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Maybe if they had a game worth giving two shits about (Gears doesn't cut it for me) and cut the fee in half, this would be cool.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92
Aren't some Live Arcade games already available for PC?

Yep. Some are (Geometry Wars on Steam, etc) and some aren't.

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Maybe if they had a game worth giving two shits about (Gears doesn't cut it for me) and cut the fee in half, this would be cool.

These are ARCADE games. Not full retail releases. Think of games along the lines of Uno, Cataan, Hexic, Galaga, Marble Blast Ultra, etc. Here is a list of current XBLA games.

A paid membership won't be required to download and play these. Maybe for multi-player though. They haven't said yet so <shrug>.

 

[JackBurton]

It's been out for the PC for a long time now. It's called MAME. And it even has multi-player (Kaillera).

 

[raystorm]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
It's been out for the PC for a long time now. It's called MAME. And it even has multi-player (Kaillera).

Pretty much. You also have the excellent Gametap and there is also Steam. I love Xbox Live Arcade but I don't really see the point of it on pc when there is great stuff out there.


It would be nice if its the same games as xbox live so I can put the games I purchased on my pc ...but I doubt that'll happen.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
It's been out for the PC for a long time now. It's called MAME. And it even has multi-player (Kaillera).

Yes, it is also called Steam and it is also called Gametap. This is just another entry into the distribution of games over the internet. XBLA is also not just classic games from older consoles and coin-ops. There's a good number of original games now.

Originally posted by: raystorm
It would be nice if its the same games as xbox live so I can put the games I purchased on my pc ...but I doubt that'll happen.

MS has been touting "Live Anywhere" so it is conceivable that you could play the same game on your PC that you play on Xbox without doing a repurchase based on your gamertag.

 

[PingSpike]

Finally, an opportunity to pay a subscription fee to play games similar to what I can get off of download.com for free.

I heard microsoft is coming out with a new for pay service that lets you download flash games and play them from your web browser. Stay tuned!

 

[mismajor99]

Ever since seeing what the STEAM beta has too offer vs. Live, MS has a huge challenge in front of them, especially now with the live arcade aspect that has to compete with the likes of Gametap as well. Live Arcade is great for the 360 console, but to bring that to PC? Also, what about the people that already own tons of games on XBLA(Like Myself), I'm guessing you will have to pay twice for these games if you want them on PC. How is the "Live Anywhere" concept legit when you have to double pay for content? I'm not buying UNO or Catan twice.

I'm not sure what MS's goals are but on the PC side it's a little confusing. They've been talking up Windows Live like it's the next coming of Christ, but they've shown little effort. The only people that seem to benefit from MS's services are current 360 gamers that happen to have a half decent PC to get achievements on with Halo and Shadowrun, none of which appeals to in mass on the PC Gaming side.

 

[Aikouka]

Much like others, my only worry is that I'll have to pay for what I've already paid for on the XBOX. I also don't want these games restricted to a PC, I want them restricted to my login, so if I go from one PC to another, I don't have to worry about, "Oh noes, wrong PC... no Windows Live Anywhere Arcade!"

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Maybe if they had a game worth giving two shits about (Gears doesn't cut it for me) and cut the fee in half, this would be cool.

These are ARCADE games. Not full retail releases. Think of games along the lines of Uno, Cataan, Hexic, Galaga, Marble Blast Ultra, etc. Here is a list of current XBLA games.

A paid membership won't be required to download and play these. Maybe for multi-player though. They haven't said yet so <shrug>.

I was talking about the service altogether. And I thought a paid membership was required.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

5 of the games on XBLA are already on Steam:

Eets
Geometry Wars
Doom
Bejewelled 2
Zuma Deluxe

 

[wazzledoozle]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
5 of the games on XBLA are already on Steam:

Eets
Geometry Wars
Doom
Bejewelled 2
Zuma Deluxe

Valve>>>>>>>>>Microsoft for digital distribution

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Maybe if they had a game worth giving two shits about (Gears doesn't cut it for me) and cut the fee in half, this would be cool.

These are ARCADE games. Not full retail releases. Think of games along the lines of Uno, Cataan, Hexic, Galaga, Marble Blast Ultra, etc. Here is a list of current XBLA games.

A paid membership won't be required to download and play these. Maybe for multi-player though. They haven't said yet so <shrug>.

I was talking about the service altogether. And I thought a paid membership was required.

Only to play Multiplayer (I believe it is that way on the PC too). You can do everything else - download demos, buy XBLA games, download trailers, download videos, message friends, talk with friends, etc with the free membership, Silver.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Which games are the must-have's on XBLA?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Which games are the must-have's on XBLA?

That's hard to say because it is filled with mostly niche titles. The big titles right now though are:
Bomberman Live
Carcassonne
Catan
3d Ultra Minigolf
Worms
Lumines Live
Uno
Marathon: Durandal
TMNT Arcade
Mad Tracks
PAC-MAN Championship
Prince of Persia (really gorgeous updated graphics)
Sonic the Hedgehog
Texas Hold'em
Wing Commander Arena
Geometry Wars
Alien Hominid
Assault Heroes
Band of Bugs
Boom Boom Rocket

So, there's a mix of multi-player, board games, card games, platformers, old school games, shooters, strategy, etc.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Bomberman Live
Carcassonne
Catan
3d Ultra Minigolf
Worms
Lumines Live
Uno
Marathon: Durandal
TMNT Arcade
Mad Tracks
PAC-MAN Championship
Prince of Persia (really gorgeous updated graphics)
Sonic the Hedgehog
Texas Hold'em
Wing Commander Arena
Geometry Wars
Alien Hominid
Assault Heroes
Band of Bugs
Boom Boom Rocket

If any of you liked Earthworm Jim then I highly recommend Alien Hominid. That game rocks.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Which games are the must-have's on XBLA?

That's hard to say because it is filled with mostly niche titles. The big titles right now though are:

...snip...

So, there's a mix of multi-player, board games, card games, platformers, old school games, shooters, strategy, etc.

Thanks for the list, I'll have to read up on the XBLA versions. It'll be interesting to see the pricing and how they expect PC users to pay. Current Steam prices for the games I listed are:

Geometry Wars = $4
Eets = $10
Bejeweled 2 Deluxe= $20
Zuma Deluxe = $20
Ultimate or Final Doom are both $10

(all prices excluding local sales tax)

All of those are available in bundle form which helps make the Popcap games look less ridiculous in cost, but not much

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Which games are the must-have's on XBLA?

That's hard to say because it is filled with mostly niche titles. The big titles right now though are:

...snip...

So, there's a mix of multi-player, board games, card games, platformers, old school games, shooters, strategy, etc.

Thanks for the list, I'll have to read up on the XBLA versions. It'll be interesting to see the pricing and how they expect PC users to pay. Current Steam prices for the games I listed are:

Geometry Wars = $4
Eets = $10
Bejeweled 2 Deluxe= $20
Zuma Deluxe = $20
Ultimate or Final Doom are both $10

(all prices excluding local sales tax)

All of those are available in bundle form which helps make the Popcap games look less ridiculous in cost, but not much

XBLA titles generally range between $5 and $10. Mostly the old games are $5 but there are a few newer titles that sneak in there like Geometry Wars and others. There are a couple like Bankshot Billiards that go for $15. Zuma and Bejeweled 2 are both $10.

List of XBLA games and their prices. - 400 points = $5.