Microsoft today unveiled the purpose behind the previously mysterious ‘Xbox Live Arcade’ feature of their Xbox 360. (drum roll)… It allows you to pay for and download small / retro game titles onto the Xbox 360 hard drive!
Whilst it mainly seems to be designed as a way for publishers to peddle their already milked licences a few more times, it simultaneously creates an independent console publishing solution for smaller development teams and possibly even home brewers. A console version of Valve’s Steam distribution system if you will.
When the Xbox 360 launches, the following games will be available, with more joining the ranks from larger and also more interesting publishers like SEGA as time goes by:
* Astropop - Popcap Games
* Bankshot Billiards 2(tm) - pixelStorm, Inc
* Bejeweled 2 - Popcap Games
* Crystal Quest - Stainless Games
* Feeding Frenzy - Popcap Games
* Gauntlet - Midway Home Entertainment
* Geometry Wars 2 - Bizarre Creations
* Hardwood Backgammon - Silver Creek Entertainment
* Hardwood Hearts - Silver Creek Entertainment
* Hardwood Spades - Silver Creek Entertainment
* Hexic(r) HD - Microsoft Game Studios
* Hoopworld - Streamline Studios
* Jewel Quest - iWin.com
* Joust - Midway Home Entertainment
* Marble Blast Ultra - GarageGames
* Mutant Storm Reloaded - PomPom Games
* Outpost Kaloki - Wahoo Studios
* Robotron 2084 - Midway Home Entertainment
* SmashTV - Midway Home Entertainment
* Wik: Fable of Souls - Reflexive Entertainment
* Zuma - Popcap Games
I swear some of those, at least Smash T.V, were in the
Acclaim auctions recently! Hmm.
Among the companies that have "pledged support" for the new Live Arcade are Llamasoft (aka Jeff Minter), Q Entertainment (of Meteos and Lumines fame), Harmonix (of Guitar Hero and Frequency fame) and many others.
In addition to those games "Hexic HD" , Designed by world famous Tetris(r) creator Alexey Pajitnov, will be preloaded on the Xbox 360 hard drive at launch. Maybe this time he’ll get paid for his efforts!
Posted by Spaff
Associated Companies
- Acclaim
- Midway
- Sega
- Microsoft
Xbox Live Arcade unveiled
